Readers, this is a Tuesday and a half. Are you ready? Are you ready, for MOTIVATIONAL QUOTES, PANDAS, and the return of Aisling? Are you?
I won’t bang on in this intro - Aisling articulates it all far better than I can. But we’re thrilled that Aisling will be writing for us again whenever she can, and I just want to take this opportunity to say that A, we’ve missed your face. And your writing. And, well, you.
Div.
Oh, readers. Lovely, lovely, lovely readers. And lovely Clare, Anna and Sarah. I love you, you do know that, don’t you? It would be terrible for all concerned if you were not aware of just how flipping wonderful and delightful and amazing you all are. I would like to state VERY clearly that you’re all tremendous, let the records reflect I am supporting that statement with a dance that incorporates Mo Farrah’s ‘M on the head’ move, Usain Bolt’s lightning pose and general Chandler-esque grooving.
When I popped in to say ‘hi’ and apologise for my absence, you responded magnificently. You blew me away with your love and support and it was a huge, huge turning point for me. I was able to make a decision that I had been putting off for many, many months.
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And what a difference. After weeks and months of feeling desolate, lost, isolated and at the very darkest point, completely worthless, I felt better. I remembered how to be happy. How to appreciate things like friends, known and unknown.
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It took a long time for me to feel like Aisling again. Months ago, Clare sent me the most wonderful e-mail, essentially a dance routine/majorette sequence/epic love song and therapy session transmitted over the wonder of the world wide web. In it she reminded me of the e-mails we sent to one another when we first ‘met’, she told me about the hysterical, confident, ridiculous, full-of-beans-and-ideas person that she knew she’d be friends with forever. ‘I know that person’, I thought to myself.
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A long time to feel like myself again, yes. But undoubtedly the right amount of time for me, for Phil and I. Rushing headlong into ‘I’m fine’ would have been more damaging in the long run than the weeks of misery I put us both through. We have emerged, stronger than ever, having held our breath long enough that we know we can survive anything. Bring it on.
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So, what now? Firstly, I solemnly swear not to use EVERY SINGLE motivational quote that Pinterest has to offer in the posts I write from now on. (Though you have to admit they’ve served a purpose today.) Secondly, you’ll be hearing from me regularly from now on…if you want to, that is. I’ll be popping up every fortnight with my ‘unique brand of Aisling drivel’ (thanks to C for that bang on description of my writing efforts) and I’m open to suggestions as to what you guys want me to waffle about. Finally, I think it’s about time for my Twitter account to see some love – I promise to get on that right after this post is published. Any suggestions as to what my first tweet should be? Winner gets a hug…
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Thank you all, again. I couldn’t have done it without you and you all deserve a big fat bar of Butterscotch Green & Blacks.
All my love,
The Great Big Lovable Div (copyright Anna K)
77 Comments
AISLING!!!!!! Yippppeeeee!!! Welcome home!
X
Thank you Frankie, it’s good to be home!
A x
As far as I’m concerned, you can write about anything in the world that you want, you’re just so bloody brilliant. So so delighted to see you back, it’s made my day, and it’s not even 7.30am yet. Good start.
And I love the motivational quotes. Especially the last one,
K xx
Motivational quotes have their place, especially if they have swearing in them! Thank you for the welcome, Katie and ohmygoodgolly your wedding was so beautiful-I loved your AOP, you were radiant. (both of you, obvs.)
A x
Aww, thank you, lovely! Radiance via the medium of cheesy monkey grins, that’s us
K x
Yayyyyy!!
(I can’t believe Anna is calling YOU a div Aisling. It’s Tuesday today)
Px
P! Yay! (I think that might have been Anna’s one div moment of 2012, right there. They’re very rare, like Haleys Comet or something. You’ve all just witnessed something epic.)
Congrats on the new job, P-so chuffed for you! You’ll be wearing a woodland animal fleece to the office, yes?
A x
Bahahah. Sorry guys. I’m on it! In my defence this post was originally scheduled for a Monday…oh wotsits.
Wooooo hoooooo
So lovely to hear your words on these pages again, you have been missed lovely. I’m pretty sure this is about the only thing I could have read on AOW to take testing out of going back to work after the most fantabulous bank holiday weekend, so thank you Aisling.
As for your first tweet, surely it has to be a picture of your mo-bot / bolt / chandler moves?!? Xxx
Ah, Roz…sadly the dance is much like fight club. I broke the rules by even talking about it so I probably shouldn’t take a picture. Shame…!
From the sneaky peeks of #Blen festivities I saw, it looked like you all had an incredible time-am gutted I couldn’t make it but fingers crossed for the next opportunity!
A x
I second this motion – the mo-bot/bolt/chandler moves must be seen!
Lovely to have you back Aisling, you were very much missed x
Thanks Ciara, I really appreciate that.
A x
And all is right in the world again. Equilibrium has been restored.
Welcome back
Xxx
Thank you Vivienne, that’s so lovely of you.
And HUGE love and hugs for that beautiful baby boy-how completely exciting! Not long to go?!
A x
9 weeks-ish! Eeep! xxx
You are BAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAACK!
Snogs.
Snogs.
Wanna kitten?
A x
For clarity do you only give a kitten to the peeps that snog you?!
I *usually* only give kittens to people who snog me, but at the moment I have ginger and white fluffballs to find homes for, so I’m extending my kitten-giving parameters.
A x
I want a kitten but no snogging. For snogging I would require two kittens
I have six…be careful what you promise…
Yay!!! All is right with the world!! I think you’re spot on about not rushing into ‘I’m fine’ and I’m so glad you’re in a happy place- god knows you deserve it.
Can’t wait to see next week! Xxx
I can’t wait to see you TWICE! And one of those times being AT YOUR WEDDING!
I need to lie down in a dark room. Too excited.
Love you, B.
A x
Yay, she’s back!! I woke up in such a grump because I’m going camping in the rain with the kids from my youth group but this has cheered me up no end!
I have no specific requests, just that you keep pooping up on these peachy pages.
X
*popping not pooping haha!
Pooping… Now my favourite typo ever.
Thanks Carly, you’re very lovely. Have fun camping!
A x
You’ve returned!
Lovely lovely Aisling welcome back! xx
Thank you lovely , lovely Zan – hopefully will get to see you soon at a blog gathering of some description after missing the awesomenedd of #blen!
A x
Wearing my biggest, cheesiest grin reading this. Hooray for the return of the Aisling – will there be a parade?! After the Best weekend, I was not wanting to come back into work but this has cheered me up immensely. Yippeeee for Aisling. Welcome back daaaaaarrrllliinnng!
xoxo
Waiting for my song, Mahj… the parade needs a theme tune!
Also, LOVE your new haircut. Sexiness. I can think of only one word to describe it… ‘Jeah’
A x
Pandas! And Aisling! Today is a good day xxx
Any day with pandas is a good day. Did you know a baby panda is smaller than a mouse? True story.
Hope you’re well Kirsty, and Fin and Smidgen too!
A x
I refuse to believe this. Proof please.
Also, you’re back. Hoo-bloody-rah!
Carpe that fucking Diem – best motivational phrase EVER.
Xx
Google it, doubter. SERIOUSLY, smaller than a mouse.
Also, I’m BAAAAACKKKKKKKKKK!
Lovesyou x
Aisling! Glad to have you back.x
Thank you Sarah, definitely good to be back!
A x
This has put a smile on my face and made me realise there will be a day when the world looks brighter.
Welcome back Aisling! I missed you xx
Hi Fee, so good to see you here- have been wondering how you were doing over the past few weeks – sending hugs x
I feel the need for a AOW tea party to celebrate the return of the girls to these peachy pages. AND the sun is shining xx
Fee, I PROMISE with every fibre of my being and bone in my body that there absolutely will be a day when everything seems a tiny bit better. And after that day, things become a little bit brighter, a little more like they used to be and life becomes easier.
I can’t promise when that day will be but my god, I can promise that it will come.
Sending love and hugs and jelly tots.
A x
Fee, so good to see your face too. I’ve been thinking of you. Sending you all the love and strength, all of it.
K xx
You girls are too lovely- all of you! Xxx
Woop woop!!! Missed you Aisling. Wonderful to have you back. There’s a huge cheesy grin on my face right now. Off to Italy for a weeks holiday this afternoon, but smiling because you’re back. Sod the hols, Aisling’s made my day. xx
Haha! Love this! Happy holidays Katie x
Ah, thanks Katie! That’s so lovely – have an AMAZING holiday!
A x
Happy Aisling day to everyone! We *have* missed you, darling. And have been thinking about you LOTS. Can’t wait for the next installment of your drivel – no-one does it quite like you.
xxxx
Agree! x
I’m just popping upstairs to tell Phil that today is Aisling Day. I’m sure he’ll be *delighted*….!
Thanks Esme, I have missed you and the delightful Tom too – I hope that the beautiful house with the stunning front door and scrumptious garden are still well on their way to becoming yours, I can’t imagine a couple who deserve such excellence as much as you two.
A x
Very pleased to have you back A! I’m already looking forward to more drivel! xxx
There is drivel aplenty in the pipeline Amy, don’t you worry – turns out keeping quiet for 6 months is an excellent way to get the creative juices flowing!
Also, I can’t afford to buy it but please can I come and live in your flat? Pleasethanks.
A x
The love and admiration felt for you by Anna (encapsulated in that gently teasing end to her intro) and by the AOW community (see above comments and the response to your last post!) is clear. Welcome back
On a less personal note, I think it is so important to acknowledge that you have felt like this, if only to show that ‘not being okay’ is also ‘okay’. There appears to be a stigma surrounding depression that compounds (often already present) feelings of shame/guilt and isolation during and makes discussing it afterwards difficult. Thank you.
Ps: the motivational quotes are beautiful to the eyes AND mind, so no apologies for them necessary!
Lara, thank you so much. It’s amazing to be back amongst this wonderful community, I’m so excited to catch up with everyone and get stuck back in!
And I agree, although I had to take a long time off from talking about my problems, it is SO important to keep the discussion going and I’m so proud to have this amazing space to do it in.
A x
I love that you’ve tried to respond to every comment
Yes, we each have our own way of coping with it at the time, which sometimes means not talking, but I think it’s important to be able to acknowledge it at some point (before, after, during or whenever!). xx
Yaaaaaaaaaaaayyyyyyyyy!!!! Lovely to ‘see’ you back Aisling. I hope you know just how much you were missed. Oh and I was hella confused by the Monday thing!!!
Thanks Anita – so, so pleased to be back and chatting to all you lovely folk again!
And aren’t you glad it *isn’t* Monday?!
A x
*punches the air 80s style* so glad you’re back and so glad you took your time to get to a happy place!
I barfed up my breakfast, my hayfever has gone nuts and I’m stuck in an office BUT I’ve got a massive grin on my face
Happy, happy days. Welcome back luv – now go Carpe That Fucking Diem! xx
That’s a sucky morning right there Steff, you poor thing! Glad my mutterings and cheesy quotes gave you something to smile about though!
Am Carpe-ing that Fucking Diem right now with a bacon and fried egg baguette and ginger beer in the sunshine with the boy and the kittens. Life = a bit of alright…!
A x
Welcome back, can’t wait to read your drivel…which of course it won’t be, it will be superb!!
And Butterscotch Green and Blacks is like the most delicious thing I have tasted this year…only recently had some and my god I want it to be all I eat for the rest of my days!!!
Love the Carpe Diem quote so bad I want it on my wall…hell, on my face in fact!!!
xx
Alex, I’d be happy to write on your face. I have a childish streak that needs some exercising. Phil probably won’t be impressed if I go writing on the walls, but other people’s faces should be fine.
A x
Thanks Becci – I have to agree, there’s definitely worse ways to spend an evening than trawling Pinterest for motivational artwork!
A x
Hurrah! This makes me very happy! As does the panda picture
Welcome back Aisling! I think there should be cake in your honour… a peach one with pretty icing on it of course… x
Thank you Frances! Aren’t the pandas the best?!
I’m going to make a cake tonight in honour of the whole of AOW – what a wicked place.
A x
Welcome back Aisling!
I want a big fat rubber stamp with ‘carpe that fucking diem’ on, and next time someone tells me I can’t, or shouldn’t do something, I’m going to stamp it on their forehead. And on the back of my hand for those days when I need a boot up the arse. It’ll be like a private nightclub, only members allowed must carpe EVERY diem. Yes.
Ok, I’ve probably outdone that a little, safe to say – VERY happy to hear you are feeling better.
L x
*Muses*…. you can have your own rubber stamps made, can’t you? We could be like motivational ninja gangsters, going around dressed in sunshine yellow stamping mopey people’s foreheads….
PLAN.
A x
Welcome backs our very own leggy delicious. Like an apple but with longer stalks. And un-green-ness. Looking forward to the drivel. We shall respond with drivel of our own.
Firstly….could we have some pictures of the kittens pleeeeeeeease?
Leggy Delicious…. I like it. On top of demading that Phil treat today as Aisling Day, I shall also mandate that I be called Leggy Delicious from now on. Not TOO ‘mememe’, is it?!
I shall tweet pics of the kittens this very afternoon, if I can get pictures that are not just blurred streaks of ginger flying past the camera lens on the way to climb a table leg/another kitten/a plant/a bookshelf.
A x
Hurray!!! That is all.
K x
Hurray indeed, am tres excited!
A x
Aw, man, I want a kitten! I might be allowed one if you can promise they’ll stay small enough to live in the box on top of my gin fridge. Mr M would never need to know.
Glad to have you back, lovely! x
If they stayed this small for ever, I’d keep all six! Stupid growing nonsense.
Thanks S, so glad to be back!
A x
I’m back on the internet to say HAPPY AISLING DAY!!!!!!!
Going back into hibernation now. Glad you have found some happy space again.
xx
AISLING! I hadn’t intended to shout that but it can remain shouty!
I’ve been thoroughly enjoying seeing your gorgeous face (and cute kittens) all over twitter again today (in the shittiest day ever at work) cheering me up! As for missing the Blen – COME TO SCOTLAND!!! I can promise cake and roller discoing and all sorts of fun!
So glad you are back seizing days and pinterest quotes!!
Bex
xx
Hooray!!! What a winner of a day, so excited at the prospect of more posts not only from the awesome posts by Clare, Anna and Sarah, but Aisling again too, best news- you’re the one who got me hooked in the first place young lady, or should I say Leggy Delicious?! So glad you found your way to a happier place.
I’m so pleased your’re feeling more like you. I liked all the motivational pinterest stuff!