The Positive Thread

Hurray

*puts away pitchfork, flaming torch and tells the angry mob to go home*
Quite a few people I know were kind of hoping that he was going to do a Shergar - he's just a weeee bit on the tacky side!
 
This time next week I'll be back on home soil. Family wedding, christmas with friends & family. Can't wait.
 
Had a fantastic few beers with my Dad last night. A great catch up and super fun. After all these years I thought he had passed me all his wisdom but it was fascinating hearing his version of "Men are from Mars" regarding my mother! What a laugh!

We came back to my place, put on some Tony Bennet and each had a nice, big glass of Crested Ten. Bliss.
 
24 hours 30 minutes to the Christmas break. Not back 'til Thu 03 Jan.

24 hours and 29 minutes
 
Out for a walk at lunchtime today and it starts to rain. 20 yards ahead of me a girl about 13 years old takes out an umbrella from her bag and gives it to her younger brother (about 7 or 8). She then resumes holding his hand keeping him on the inside of the footpath as the cars fly past her. Heart filled with joy.
 

It wasn't Finn and Derval Dove?
 
For those on Twitter, follow @AstroMarshburn & @Cmdr_Hadfield - you may have seen the picture of Dublin the last few days.

They are up in the ISS snapping pictures of places on Earth and tweeting them. Some of the pictures are astonishing.
 
Today I had an encounter with the best salesman I've ever met! He nabbed me in the supermarket (which isn't easy) and we had a great chat. The young man is a full-time athlete representing Ireland in the paralympics. He had so much pride & passion it was unreal.
 
Numbers in employment rises for the first time since 2008 (from lower levels of course, but right direction)
 
Story that lifted my heart this week was where two maltese yorkie x males were surrendered to pound because of change in owner's circumstances. Father and son were lost looking in photos in pound.

Family adopted son from pound and left poor Daddy behind on his own Son cried all night long so the family went back next day and took Daddy home too where they both look very happy now.

There are still plenty of good kind people out there
 
Mrs Firefly's business is 18 months up & running. All initial costs have been recouped and she's drawing a modest salary. After 4 years, we're now a 2 income family again

Our eldest started swimming lessons recently and it's amazing how they just get in the pool with the others and take to it like a duck to water (boom boom).

Passed a tough certification exam a few weeks ago which took a fair bit of work

US Masters week