Hello again

It has been six months since I last wrote a post for this blog and I am staggered that people are still finding it and are interested in reading my ramblings. People are still following me on twitter and I really don’t contribute much.

A lot has happened during the last six months including job changes. The job in the city didn’t work out as the requirements of that job (I discovered six weeks in) put my local job at risk and I wasn’t prepared to let that happen.
 
My husband and I are empty nesters and settling into this new era in our lives. Both our daughters are now at uni in the city and living on campus and having a ball. They are doing well with their studies and enjoying what they have chosen to do. When they come home for weekends we have a lovely time and often my husband and I have plans and they roll their eyes at the extent of our social life without them. My husband is enjoying working part-time and I haven't cooked since December last year!

Janine and I are keeping our hand in and proofreading for family and friends. We are currently working on a children's book with a local author.

I did buy an e-reader and on a recent trip back to Perth didn’t take a book and happily read my way through a couple of Janet Evanovich books on my lovely Kobo Mini.

The trip to Perth also turned out to be creatively inspiring. In one of my first blog posts I related my lack of craft skills. A friend taught me to crochet – yes crochet! Liana didn't believe that I couldn't do it and patiently set about teaching me. She gave me a ball of wool and a hook and I have been merrily but really slowly creating a scarf. I am not very good but love it!

During the trip we spent time with my great niece. She is now 14 months old and adorable. She recognised us each time we saw her and then we left. It will be some time before we see her again and I don’t want her to forget us so on the plane home I wrote two stories for her. I typed them up and am now making them into little books to send back to her.

I am on a roll – crocheting and writing stuff, so it seemed fitting to start the blog again and let you know what I am up to.

I realised I have been trying to figure out too much stuff. I was worried about getting extra work as my husband is taking some time off. I was trying too hard to get another job, trying to find something I could do from home and was going around in circles. I was worried about being bored and not having a project as I wasn’t writing my 'book’ anymore and had given up a long-term community activity which took up time and energy. It was time to move on. Those who have read this blog from the beginning will know I have struggled to figure stuff out during the last few years but it was during this last trip to Perth I realised I don’t have to figure it all out at once. Concentrate on a few things at a time and it will all fall into place. I am certainly sleeping better (menopause aside) as my head doesn’t have so much swirling around in it and I have actually continued on with the crocheting instead of giving up. I have sent photos of my progress back to my friend in Perth and she has been a great motivator. Writing stories for my niece has been fun and not worrying about work has seen an unexpected job come my way.

The Girl in Steel-Capped Boots by Loretta Hill is the only book I have read since coming back from Perth as I have been trying to crochet!

 

I don't know how much I will have to tell you so at this point I promise to do a post at the end of each month. I love this new era of our lives ... anything can happen if we let it!