What Not To Worry About #21

A whole week of sunshine transforms the mindset of the Irish people. We become unnaturally positive as we pull all of our furniture outside to the garden with naive enthusiasm, attempt to have a BBQ without at least one argument and pretend that the midgies aren't so bad really. We understand that weather this beautiful is not to be taken for granted and while some might have the audacity to say that it's 'too warm', most of us can't believe our lucky stars when we wake up to another blue sky. There is this fervour of activity that occurs when the sun is streaming down on us. We fear that we aren't doing enough to make the most of the sunshine when in truth all we should be doing is stopping to savour it. We don't need to book a weekend away or take half of the house with us to the beach. The best way to enjoy this weather is by not putting shoes on for the whole weekend while we potter between our garden and the indoors. This is how I spent my Saturday; by stripping the beds and throwing all the windows open, sitting on the back doorstep to listen to kids playing on the street, cooking a fry for brunch, going through all my unused cosmetics (man, how good does it feel to throw out crap you don't use?). Bliss. Sunday was spent outdoors with my sister Shannon when I realised I had to sit in an office the next day. She collected me from my house and took a spin to Dundrum with Bella in the back to keep us company. It's not often that we get to hang out like this just the two of us but she is probably the person I feel most at ease with in this world. We can sit in total silence and it will still feel like quality time together. On our way back to Belfast we passed a rapeseed field that was bursting with colour against the setting sun. Being the Instagram lunatic that I am, I convinced her to pull the car over and have an impromptu shoot. She didn't need much persuading to be fair as she's as big an addict as I am and so we leapt about the yellow flowers like a pair of eejits. It was the perfect way to end a sun-filled weekend. I hope you made plenty of Spring memories this weekend. And here's a few of the worries and stresses I am letting go of this week... Getting an Ed Sheeran song stuck in my head The man is everywhere and even though I might face the wrath of his army of fans by saying this.... I don't like his music. Galway Girl is like listening to what Americans think Irish music should sound like but holy Moses it can really get stuck in your head. The man is a musical evil genius! I find myself bursting out in to song as I type out an email and feel instantly ashamed of myself. Damn you Ed! Spring Winds To quote every person in Ireland, "Aw Jaysus boy, sure she's warm when you're standin' in an aul trap but once you're in the shade thon wind would cut ye in two". Translated as: "Yes, you're quite right, the weather is splendid however if you were to step in to the shade you would find it rather chilly really". I like the Irish version better though. Flies One of my Dad's pet peeves of the summer. And mine too if I'm to be honest (not cynical I swear!). One morning during the week I woke up to the sunlight filtering through the room which was the loveliest way to wake up until I heard this steroidal blue bottle attacking our curtain like a monster. What a jaw-clencher. People that complain about the heat As I mentioned above, these people are the worst! They yap all winter about how you can feel the cold to the bones but when the temperature lifts above 15 degrees you would sweat it was Doomsday. They're out fanatically watering their precious plants as if the gates of Hell are about to open at the bottom of the garden! Chill out folks - we live in Ireland and it will be raining again in no time. Walking on mopped floors in socks *Shudder* - is there anything worse than damp socks??? Have a lovely week!!!