It's true....

I really think that I have the best friends.  And I'm willing to fight you if you disagree.  

Everyday, since Dublin, I have an automatic email I receive.  I set it up for myself to ensure that I am focused on the right things.  I have to (get to) tell myself three things of where I am of 'value to others' or to myself, and then I focus on all of the 'areas I have of abundance.'  It only takes 5 minutes, but it does change my view for the day.   It stops me from focusing on all the minor little niggling issues, that I seem to make bigger than they should be.  And it helps me to see how very fortunate I really am.  

I do try to come up with different things each day and to bask in them, as I believe that you get what you focus on, and today, as I was answering a text with one of my besties, I thought.,.,.,.

I HAVE THE BEST FRIENDS!

Holy shit!  I seriously do have the best friends.  And I'm joking you about fighting you as I really want you to have the best friends too!  

It makes all of the difference in the world.  I mean ALLLLLLLL of the difference.  They are the ones that are super fun to hang out with, yet are there when I can't lift my head off of my chest with tears rolling down my face.  They are the ones who really know me, and I don't have to explain anything, and what I just can't figure out, is why they STILL like me?!?!?

I mean, I think I would have run long ago.  And to be fair, some have.  And I wish them no ill will.  There are days that I would run if I could too.......

But as I sit here today and focus on my areas of abundance, I really can't help thinking...

I HAVE THE BEST FRIENDS!  

I mean I have my health, I can walk, talk, hear, run, eat good food, help others, volunteer my time, feel the sun on my face, sleep in a safe and warm home, I get to pet my cats, stimulate the economy at TK/J
Maxx, ,,,,,,,,I have so much to be grateful for...

But in case you missed it, 

I do have the best friends a girl could ever ask for.  And for that, I feel abundant beyond measure.  

the ever humble and grateful

Keltic Kitty

 

A love affair.....

What are your plans for 2023????

For me, I'm determined to stay in a great, fun and positive space this year.  Stacy and Deepak Chopra (my 2 besties) are helping me really hone and refine my intentions.  I have to tell y'all, it has made a huge difference.  And with these past years, I feel like I am coming out of a very VERY dark cloud.  

But January 2023 has started off with a bang and has been loads of fun.  I'm treating it like a job, and so far, it is the best job I've ever had (though Tastee Freez from age 11-16, is a close contender). 🍦

Since focus goes where energy flows, I decided to spend some time looking for what makes me happy and it just makes the days so very joyous.  So let me take you on a journey, not exhaustive, of what I like in Scotland! 

First and foremost, it is the awesome group of friends I am honoured to be with frequently.  

These are our monthly game nights, except for Aine and Effie that are hiding from the camera!!!  Maybe they are embarrassed to be seen with us?  

Though here is Aine and I at a fabulous 5+ course meal at one of the best restaurants in the West End.  

(yes, I got permission for this to be published).  

The architecture here is simply stunning and all you have to do is remember to look up!

There are mini-Coopers on every corner!

I think it just has to be my next car!

The moss on trees is magical!  I think there are fairies hanging out close by!

tostadas & vegan chili

COOKING!  (who are you and what have you done with Kitty??)

It may be Guinness that welcomes you home in Dublin, but its scotch in Glasgow.

The Highland Cows!  Or Heeland Coos as they say...

My Open Gates Family

Truly a godsend!!!

Being a hop, skip and a jump from Dublin.

Did I say the architecture?

The Guisers on Halloween

The shows with my Scotland Squad that Oma gets to join when visiting!

(now you can see Effie. far left. She's a beautiful soul inside and out!)

no i do not have permission to publish this one 😆

Visitors!

The landscape - it is beyond stunning!

Seriously - I walk by this at least twice a week and I am always smitten! 

EVERY. SINGLE. TIME!

These never disappoint!

 And lo and behold, I'm looking for the pot of gold!

Which I feel like I have found....

landscapes and more landscapes!

The ever flowing waterfalls!

The unending castles.

The ancient standing stones that are older than Stonehenge.

The days of yore.. . those thatched roofs!

The seaside!

I'm not kidding, they are every where you look...

The Scottish thistles as big as your head!

The gothic churches too big to capture on film!

The Celtic Connection concerts at the Mackintosh Church.  Pure heaven!

And to keep the momentum going, I'm listening to this gem of a book.  Sooooo good!  I truly wish I had met Desmond Tutu, but I'll settle for the Lama himself!

Keltic Kitty kreating good kharma!

What are you in love with???????

The parties continue....

So even after Christmas, we just kept on celebrating!!!  How great is that?!?!  I was so excited to have a fear free, 'covid be damned' get together.  It has been years, and although Pennie and Art couldn't make it from Maine, due to snowmeggeden 2022, we all had a blast.  

The stars of the show were Oma's Great Grandgirls - Harper and Lyla!  It's ever so fun to celebrate the holidays with the littlest among us.  

The Christmas Crackers were awesome!  Thanks Aunt Ruth Ann.

I remember these exhausting days and miss them dearly.  Hold tight Brad, you're a GREAT dad!

and to those I love beyond words......thanks for the party!  

Now that the Christmas celebrations were over, we turned our attention to 2023.

And New Years Day did not disappoint!  I decided to have a New Years Day party, instead of Eve, to shake it up a bit.  I had no idea how the party would go or even if anyone would show up.  I always have this crazy notion.  And after years of isolation, it maybe wasn't so crazy?  The party was in the style of an open house, come when you can and stay as long as you like.  Board games a plenty as well as food.  I was pleasantly surprised that it turned out to be a great day with lots of friends and family!  I felt like I was on cloud nine the entire day.  And I can't think of a better way to ring in a new year than that.     

It ranged from friends from long ago, to newly forged friendships.

And the dearest family that drove from afar to join and be schooled in Guesstures.  Or was that me getting schooled?  I surely can't remember as I had hostess duties to attend to (convenient eh?).  And a shout out to this group as they have all visited me in Glasgow too.  Now that's COOL!    

So honored to have these lovely ladies in my life.  

And the true core Dublin four!  

My soul sister Stacy!

And my dearest Debbie!  

Sequence was played with seriousness!

And I loved that you were one of the late gamers too Randy!!

Oma's wine from Montana?!?!?  hmmmm..... we had to cut her off!

Guesstures will remain one of my fav games ever, as it is hilarious!

Scott and Karen, you should be in this photo too!!!  I got a bit lazy with photo duties as the night wore on....

Thanks for stopping by Heidi!!!  

To my die-hards, and favorites, my ride or die's, that stay late and hang when I can finally sit down and play.  SOOOOOOO much fun!  

Other fun events I had during our short trip back included some of my favorite people.  I feel like I keep saying that.  And how lucky and blessed I truly am to have so many of these souls in my life!!

The true-ist and blue-ist of them all!  Thx for sticking with me through thick and thin!  Julie and Darcy - you are rare gems!!!   

And to finish it all off, Jackson and I ringing in 2023 in my favorite place at 455 College - in front of the fireplace in the master suite, complete with a roaring fire and s'mores!  

I literally had to leave the country to stop eating all of the sweets surrounding me in Michigan!

A special thanks for the ride to ORD Timbo!  

I hope to see you all this summer!

I think I might just have another party?  

A pool party perhaps?  

Stay tuned....

It's a clean slate - and keltic kitty is here for every bit of it!!!

Happy 2023 everyone!  I wish you all happiness, non-ending joy, and love!

❤️