up and away 11:32 pm on Thursday, June 28 2007

Havent quite packed yet. Oops.

But no matter, somehow a few things will be thrown into a case and what I forget I will do without. All that really matters is that tomorrow we go, far away to a place where I will not be accessing email, I will not be at the end of a phone, I will not be in my familiar space I will, officially, be on HOLIDAY

Long awaited. And it really is going to happen. Fantastic.

Ill be back, reader, when I get back.

All

3bt #8 10:34 pm on Monday, June 25 2007

1. Water, water, everywhere. Some can only dream of such a luxury.

2. A card in the post that warmed my heart and made me smile.

3. That wee wet-nosed, four legged baby that is moving in with me in a couple of weeks time.

the journey 10:22 pm on Monday, June 25 2007

It is sometimes a long and winding road. Interspersed with ups, and downs, and curious twists and turns.

A year ago I lived elsewhere, and I loved it. I love where I am now immeasurably more.

A year ago I was getting used to self employment. I still am, but it is getting better.

A year ago I was a year younger. I am older now, but hopefully also wiser.

A year ago I longed for a holiday. In a week, I go.

A year ago, I didn't know as much as I know today. In another year, I hope, I will know far more.

I live, I experience, I learn, and I grow. People cross my path, some stay, some go, but either way, there is an effect. Sometimes the effects of events are painful, sometimes they are joyous and some of these times they seem like repetitions (welcome, or otherwise) of the past. Either way, the beat goes on.

weather 10:14 pm on Monday, June 25 2007

The rain has flattened the flowers. Its also watered the veggies.

Hmm..

All that really matters is that thus far this flood zone isn't flooded. Which is more than can be said for some.

And so I count my blessings,

self-belief 11:34 pm on Wednesday, June 20 2007

Another part of the learning curve.

It has been unexpected, but interesting and meaningful - an experience that for me has somehow qualified my thoughts and feelings about a time gone by. To have them validated shows me (again), that I can believe in my own judgement, and I am well within my rights stand up for my own personal value system.

This above all - to thine own self be true; and it must follow, as the night the day, thou canst not then be false to any man.

Shakespearehe had a point.

leaning 12:44 am on Sunday, June 17 2007

Never be afraid to ask if you can lean. Inevitably if you do, in due course the leaning post of choice, or another person altogether will need to lean on you.

It all balances out. Allowing ourselves to be human, and prepared to ask for help, our relationships will acheive a greater depth.

(Integrity and sensitivity are important, in my experience, in choosing the person and place. Trust should be earned, and can not always be taken for granted)

3bt #7 12:35 am on Sunday, June 17 2007

1. Cat is bouncing again. On the mend, clearly.

2. I may be a year older, but I don't feel a moment older.

3. Crossing paths, and meeting new people, and finding out the reason why.

monsoon season 12:31 am on Sunday, June 17 2007

Hmmm. Scattered thunder storms. Every day. When we head off to the Indian Ocean in under a fortnight, are we going to find out the real reason why a trip to a fantastic place in a paradise setting, has had room to fit us in?

Tropical rain is okay though isn't it? Well, it is not going to be the same as the English rain, is it?

or is it?

inactivity 12:26 am on Sunday, June 17 2007

Aside from the reflex actions, such as breathing, blinking, sneezing there are other things in life whereby doing nothing is far harder than doing something.

Acting on impulse, in response to emotions, is not always the right thing to do. Coming to terms with that is sometimes painful.

And we don't always learn that the first or second time round. Which inevitably is even more of a pain.

thought-o-mobile 12:21 am on Sunday, June 17 2007

I don't use the car every day. Far from it. When I do, for the most part, it has its plus-points.

Traffic can be a bore. Allowing time for traffic is the norm. Long distances leave me creaky and fidgety. Long distances are often the norm too.

But there are advantages. Driving time is me time. As well as the joys of cranking the music up and singing to my hearts content, the greatest benefit of the journies I make is the space that they give me to think. To ponder, to wonder, to imagine, and to be creative.

When I am behind the wheel I have a responsibility to myself and to other road users, always, to be focused. To be real. To be alert. As I focus on the journey, so too do I find myself focusing on the things that are current in my life. And oftentimes in doing so, I can do some important reflecting, and deciding.

colour 10:44 pm on Monday, June 11 2007

The blues

The way I feel is not a permanent experience. It is transient. Tomorrow is a new day, and free from a life of only black or white, who knows what colours of the rainbow might reveal themselves.

Trusting both helps and heals. And being pro-active is crucial not simply dreaming, but doing.

space invasion 10:35 pm on Monday, June 11 2007

We are all entitled to our own space and to being shown respect for that space. I was chatting to someone for whom the line had been crossed and thats not okay.

At the end of the day, if you have space then you have room to move. To grow. To explore. To be. And we all need that.

green 11:41 pm on Thursday, June 7 2007

junes blog posts (some of them) have changed colour. Whats that all about? Tech support, help me out?!

Now we are 2 (almost) 11:35 pm on Thursday, June 7 2007

Happy Birthday Springback

Thank you for all your support, all of you out there. It is thanks to you and your belief in us, that we keep going. And it is onwards and upwards, believe me.

So grateful to all of you, Al

"I think what you do is amazing. The journey you take us on when you tell your story is one that many people relate to, I know that I do. You tell it as it is and you help us to see that there are so many choices that we can make, and that there is always a choice. So thank you for opening my eyes and I hope that you continue to do what you do as the message you portray is so powerful and touching."

time out 11:31 pm on Thursday, June 7 2007

Getting on for a year ago I promised myself (and blogged about) a holiday. By hook or by crook I would find a means of getting away and taking a break. Well, its booked.

I didn't think that it would be practical, let alone possible. Holidays don't come cheap. But care of cunning process of converting points into deals in three weeks and one day I will be in the sky, on my way to a hut on golden sands. And I can't wait.

3bt #6 11:24 pm on Monday, June 4 2007

1. The lupins in my garden

2. Running down the lane, free

3. Warm, cleansing, fragrant bubbles

milestones 11:19 pm on Monday, June 4 2007

On friday springback will be 2. On saturday I will be considerably older (try 2 plus another 29). Its all relative.

With age I do believe you have the opportunity to acquire wisdom. And experience. And much more besides. But aging is not a text book event. There are no real certainties about it. In recent years I have gotten more of a taste of youthfulness and freedom than I ever tasted, when I was young(er) and supposedly free.

Some days I am an oldie. Other days I wonder if I will ever grow up?

gone 11:09 pm on Monday, June 4 2007

There was something in particular that I wanted to post tonight, and I thought it was important.

But then I forgot it. And I still can't remember.

Doh

3bt #5 12:52 am on Friday, June 1 2007

1. Scallops.

2. Thunder and lightening.

3. Sleep.

e-glitch 12:49 am on Friday, June 1 2007

Ive been sending out emails here and there, replies, new messages, etc.

Trouble is, they have all - for the last 7 days - been vanishing into the big distant ether. ISP has had troubles - that have sent out ripples of trouble to several - including me.

But we are back on track! I am able to reply, and once I have caught up on the last few days, I will.