Possessions ~

"How are you transporting all of your possessions?"

I've been asked this several times. In a 10kg bag I respond!

But seriously, if I could it would be less than 10kg. I am an extreme minimalist. I have no empathy, sympathy or sentiment for materialistic things I have accumulated over the years. For the last few weeks I have left a room with a black rubbish bag full of what it says on the bag, rubbish. I feel sorry for the bath set. Getting passed from sister to niece, niece to uncle, uncle to grandma, grandma to neighbour and on and on.....quit it lads..... Bath sets are for life, not just for Christmas!

Possessions to me need to be practical, useful things. When I'm forced to bring only what I need with me to America it's not a big deal for me, and I have it narrowed down to under 10kg. However... other people don't see it that way. If I bring one thing then I am questioned why I don't bring the other, or am I?

No. I am blessed to have people around me that understand how I am and know that I just need to bring what will make me feel at home. Things like paintings, a poetry book, an egg poacher, a bottle of poitin, Lyons tea bags, Charley's ashes, a years supply of thyroid medication, a telescope, dog food, dog leads, dog balls...

Practical stuff.

Don't fill your house with possessions that are meaningless. The day will come when you, or your loved ones need to clear out that rubbish, and that is what it is, rubbish. You may think you need it but when you make a move you realise that it's a beautiful keepsake not worth keeping; it's a useless, rubbish, meaningless, dust collector.

Not a possession.

Crazy is as crazy does ~

Today, Friday 28th April, was my last day in Circle K Ireland Terminal Group. 23 years working in Dublin Port. Over two decades working with men. Along comes a Yank and f$cks it all up! It was an emotional day today. Saying goodbye to "family". Receiving well wishes from everyone. Giving last minute advice. One or two just in case you need it emails. Organising files like a Mammy packing a schoolbag.. They had to throw me out in the end. I didn't want to go. How will they manage without me? They're men for God's sake!! But I left, and I didn't look back. Didn't want them to see my tears. I know they'll be fine without me. But I'll miss them. Men.

She's fine...

I had my leaving drinks party recently. I work with men. I’ve worked alongside them for the past 23 years. They are like family to me, so when f$cker knew I was going out with about 30 men and there would be drink involved I assured him there was nothing to be jealous about.

Long distance relationships are difficult, you have to make a real effort to keep up communications regularly. When I dropped himself at the airport that first time, I thought to myself well that was a nice holiday romance, last I’ll see of that f$cker. It wasn’t to be however. Time will tell he said, as he promised to keep in touch. Too fecking right he did, texts were incessant, calls were persistent and nudey pictures were… I’m joking!

It's not surprising we are where we are now, I don’t think we would have put as much effort into our relationship had we been in the same country. We know each other inside out and outside in.

So, when he tells me he’s not worried or jealous about me going out with 30 men for drinks, I know he’s a lying f$cker. It’s the same for me when he’s travelling for work. I insist on a photo when he gets back to the hotel to make sure he’s alone. I know it’s silly, as he can always hide the tramp under the bed or in the closet, but he sends me the photo anyway and I can sleep easy when it arrives at 2 or 3am Irish time.

“Have a fun time babe” he says through gritted teeth. I promise to text him and reassure him throughout the evening. And I did. I sent him a photo with one of the guys he knew and rolled my eyes at the reply “that’s a low-cut blouse wife” (polo neck). I possibly sent him one more text in between all the drinking, laughing and catching up with my mates. The night flew in and finally one of the lads stuck me in a taxi and I called the f$cker on my way home. My phone died midway.

Now I wouldn’t say he was frantic, more neurotic. He even sent a text to my friend in the West, like she was going to run up the road and search for me?? She did reply ~

“She’s fine. She’ll always be fine. It’s all ahead of you...”