upon our return

'The rules for happiness are simple and unavoidable. Hard work, marriage, consideration for others, gardening. We are free to reject all of these, but we are chasing phantoms.'

This wonderful quote come from this article in the Independent on Sunday. A good article, I highly recommend reading it. It speaks the truth. It even says succinctly what I've been trying to get across to people in my life.

'We should sympathise with the misfortune of others, but it is vulgar and self-centred to claim it as our own.'

and this quote from this article made me laugh out loud. So true

' "Excuse me," he says, leaning forward, indignant. "The fact I was beaten up by adults as a child means I've never laid a hand on my kids. This nonsense about if your parents are alcoholics you're going to be an alcoholic – that's a bad post-hypnotic suggestion to live by.'

I'm busy painting and decorating the house. Watching my children flourish and planning a MAJOR garden revamp for next year. Doesn't get much better.