Tea, Cake and Company - 22/366

As I mentioned in my Reasons to be Cheerful post I went for Afternoon Tea today with Alana, one of my good friends. Despite running late (as usual) we arrived in a beautiful little cafe/restaurant called The Birdcage in Musselburgh, Edingburgh. It was a really pretty setting and the staff were friendly and welcoming. We were served with Prosecco and a cake/sandwich platter. I'm sure the cakes were nice but they barely touched the sides because I was starving!

We had a lovely few (JC free) hours where we were able to catch up on her Honeymoon adventures and the goings on in both our lives. It was a really nice opportunity just to chat and I had forgot how easy it was to be in her company. I think that is the mark of a true friend, someone who, after you haven't seen them in a while, still makes you feel totally at ease and the conversation just flows like you see them everyday. I am very thankful to have her in my life as she has been such a huge support to me over the past few years with 'big things' like my wedding, JC's arrival and my struggle recently with Post Natal Depression. We celebrated her wedding last May and she has just qualified as a Doctor, I am very proud of her. JC has just learned to say her name. He is calling her Anndana, very cute!

Smile, Just Smile

It's that time of the week again where I like to look back on the past week and think about things that I am  cheerful about. I have to say that it is particularly difficult this week as it hasn't been the best of weeks.

I am not going to fall into my usual trap and dwell on what hasn't gone well this week but I am going to tell you the things in my life that bring me through the other side. The things that make life worthwhile during the hardest moments.

This smile - He smiles with his eyes. Even when he is sick or teething, he still finds the happiness within him to give me this smile. He is a smiley boy and anyone who has ever met him will confirm that they have witnessed a beautiful smile from him but I do think that the one that is captured in this photo here, is the one he keeps just for me.

My wine of choice at the
moment

Red Wine - Not for the purposes of dulling the pain or drowning the sorrows but for the fabulous smooth taste in each glass of red wine that transports my memories to foreign holidays and cosy firesides.

My Bridesmaids pictured here are
some of my closest friends

Friends - I have so many fabulous friends, some I see everyday, some I see less frequently and some I have never even met but I spend so much time speaking to them online that I feel they know me better than I know myself. The amount of support I get from my friends is unbelievable. I will always be grateful to the friends who came to visit me when I was struggling with Grumpinator as a baby. They cooked for me, listened to me, took a turn of holding him while he screamed, cried with me, offered advice, made me laugh and put up with my uncomfortable silences when I couldn't quite find the words.

Me and My Mum

Phone calls - I spend a lot of time on the phone, much to hubby's disgust! When things are tricky or I just need to vent, I usually pick up the phone and call my mum. She is usually captured and has to listen to me until her phone runs of out battery. Sometimes she tells me things I don't want to hear but need to hear regardless. I appreciate her honesty and the fact that she sometimes misses her dinner or favourite TV program because she is listening to my ramblings. JC has picked up a lot from me - can you tell in this video . . .

For more cheerfulness check out Michelle's blog