Glowing orange

This week has been all about the people in my life... and quality kid time. Work was almost painless (boss was out on holidays), I was working 3/4 time, and I learned interesting non-technical stuff.

I had dinner with Reggae Cool and his family Monday night. You can't beat home cooking, especially when someone else does it. The two elder kids are brilliant; I hadn't seen them in about 4 years. The baby was a baby, cute but boring. Until kids are toddlers I have absolutely no interest in them. My Dote (the 8 year old boy) got used to me again quickly and even read me a story. I teased him, asking if he was going to come live with me. He politely shook his head no. Then I asked if he was going to move out of the family home next week and get an apartment on his own. Yes, was the response. Little Trouble is going to give Reggae Cool headaches when she is a teenager. Payback big time. She remained fairly aloof from me that evening.

Tuesday I found a good hairdresser and got my hair chopped/styled. On my walk down the quays I also found the second Czech pub in Dublin. Good to know, as it is pretty close to my neighborhood. The sun was shining; it even felt like summer.

Wednesday was a few hours in the Phoenix Park with the three kids and Mum D from Prague. Man, I had forgotten how tiring hanging out and playing with kids outdoors is. I told Mum D I was wrecked when they headed off back home. She just laughed in agreement.
Later that evening I went to the gentle yoga and meditation class. The previous week had been my first proper yoga class in years, and I was puce by the end of it. This time it was a bit easier -- I could feel that I was more flexible doing the poses.

Thursday was dinner with Muso and his chilled, pregnant wife, the Diplomat. It was great catching up, even if some of the discussions revolved around baby stuff. Another bonus was that I discovered the great beer/smoking garden that the restaurant had. The owner of the place had come up to me when I was sitting out there before dinner and asked if the book I was reading was any good (it is). She commented that a lot of customers like to treat the garden as a library. I will definitely be going there again; it is just down the road from my office.

Friday night was dinner with other friends at their house. It was a leisurely feast, with great chats. Sailor was back from Amsterdam so he was there, too. My friends' daughter, Goldilocks, sat at her little pink table in the play area and then headed off to the front room to watch Nimo (again). Other than the odd shout "Mam" when she wanted something to drink or somebody in the room for the scary bit, she was largely absent.

Obviously, I have not cooked all week or even had to do much grocery shopping.