interesting day

I have just come back from meeting up with my friend Paul and a group of his friends. It is great meeting positive new people.
I got home and took Ollie on his walkies. It is a mild day which is quite incredible for November.
It was lovely spending time over at my caravan yesterday too. It is just so incredibly peaceful there. I put up some Christmas decorations there and also tidied the house and put up some decorations here too.
Next week I am going buy the ingredients for my Christmas cake and pudding and then I will really feel I have prepared myself for the holiday.
It is December tomorrow. I like December. It is a time for reflection and celebration. I used to dread November. It has been quite a sad month for my family at times. My Granddad on my Mum's side and my Mum both died in the month of November in different years and that may be why I have associated November with feelings of sadness but I don't feel that way any more. I have found this month has had its fair share of happiness and good memories.
What a busy year it has been!

My daughters first Christmas in her first flat a few years ago.

back on the market!

...no not me, my house!
The potential buyers have pulled out as they were offered a higher interest rate than expected for their mortgage so as of today my house is back on the market.
I am confident the right buyer is on their way and am hopeful I will complete my sale before long.
I have decided to put up the Christmas decorations in the house as well as my caravan as it looks like I will be spending time in both places.
I am grateful to the shop assistant who kept an eye on my handbag when I abandoned my trolley in Morrisons as I got caught up in admiring the lovely Christmas plants. I decided on a poinsettia and a little potted fir with decorations around it completely forgetting some people take other people's things. After I had chosen my plants she approached and gently advised me to keep my bag near to me.
To me this is further proof that there are far far more good people than bad in the World but she is right I do need to be more sensible!

Patience, Black Friday and Homity Pie!

Despite emailing my agent and housing association I am none the wiser regarding my house sale. My solicitor phoned at lunch to ask if I had heard anything and as yet I haven't. This is rather mysterious!
I will phone the agent tomorrow to see if they have any news but I have decided to decorate my house and caravan this weekend in readiness for Christmas as I may have viewers looking round my house again soon.
I am waiting patiently to see what lies ahead.
I have just come back from a meal in the pub with work colleagues. I had Homity Pie with swede mash and cabbage. It was delicious.
I am very happy it is the weekend...
I don't understand this Black Friday frenzy and my neighbours have just told me many shops have extended the madness throughout the weekend!
I really should have got my act together and done my shopping on Thursday to avoid the mayhem!

I like flowers a lot more than sales.

Everything happens for a reason.

I stumbled upon an email from my solicitor today suggesting my buyers may have decided not to proceed with buying my house.
This has not been confirmed but seeing the email was quite a surprise.
I firmly believe that things happen for a reason and that when we want something to happen and it doesn't turn out exactly as planned that something better usually comes along.
I will wait and see how things pan out and remain convinced everything is happening exactly as it should in this amazing journey called Life!

Ollie is happy wherever we live!

90 day challenge

I have almost completed the 90 day challenge inspired by Jim Bunch. I have been working on three areas of my life, a little each day.
One has been meditation~ I have been meditating for a few minutes each day and I am starting to see the benefits.
I have carried out one act per day towards clearing/selling my house and I am doing more writing and drawing.
Some days have been more effective than others but overall I have been impressed with the way I have stuck things out and I now realise that you don't need to feel overwhelmed, a little and often really is the key!
I will give myself some days off and then start a new challenge soon. It is a bit like having a New Year's resolution but its for 90 rather than 365 days so feels more achievable somehow.
I really do recommend challenging yourself in this way. It is very motivating.

I am getting my caravan ready for Christmas soon!

I know, I know, it's early but I have decided that sometime this weekend I am getting my caravan ready for Christmas! I will have a little tree etc. and I will really enjoy decorating it. I am a real dreamer and sometimes I have to alter and rethink my plans but essentially the caravan represents going for it, doing the things I want to do with my life.
I am so lucky to have had the experiences I have had, met the people I have met and brought up the two most wonderful children I could have ever wished for. I have had a range of rewarding jobs and really appreciate my home. I am ready now for the changes that lie just around the corner. I am excited to be downsizing and training to be a life coach so I can try something new.

Micky Flanagan, watercress and heated windscreens!

I got up this morning to a very frosty morning. For once this was not a disaster as my lovely car Lucy has heated windscreens! It was a pleasure to get into the car, press a few buttons and then Lucy took care of everything so then I just had to drive off. Lucy is a green shiny darling!
I was most entertained by Micky Flanagan in his Radio 1 interview today. He was talking about a Sky show he has done ~cycling in France. When asked why he started cycling he answered the question with a question of his own. He asked Dev (who was covering for Greg James) how old he is and Dev answered that he is 29. Mickey suggested that in about 10 years time Dev will probably decide to do some form of exercise if he isn't already. Micky was not very into exercise for some time, he explained and then said that one day you look down at yourself, ask yourself what happened,  cry then decide to get on a bike or words to that effect.
Micky was very engaging and funny and I think he is right. When  we are younger we can mostly get away with rubbish diets and no exercise and then one day we get up and realise that we need to  make some changes!
I got home and had a large handful of watercress amongst other things for my dinner. I love the stuff almost as much as mushy peas....

Dartford Crossing is changing.

I drove through the Dartford  crossing booths today and paid my £2 for the last time. Next time I drive through I will have had to register and pay on-line.
On the one hand it may speed things up an queues may not be so frequent but on the other hand this dehumanises the whole process and presumably puts a lot more people out of work.
I hope the man I paid my £2 to today finds a new job. He seemed a friendly soul.
I have had a lovely weekend despite the rain and Ollie is looking pretty pleased with himself too. he had such a lovely time running about in Greenwich park on Saturday, happy days!

Another happy day for Ollie involved rolling in not very nice stuff!

edging towards the holiday!

The pupils at school have started talking about Christmas.
I never really think much about Christmas until December but there is no denying it that many people seem to be thinking about presents and food and that kind of thing. Their discussions have led me to start thinking about the holiday too.
I love the Christmas holidays. The things I enjoy include having time to spend in the open air or with family and friends, eating delicious food and having time to appreciate the simple things in life.
I think it is sad that some people spend more than they can afford and feel under pressure to buy people expensive gifts. I also find it sad that there will be homeless people during Christmas and some of these people are children.
On the positive side there are so many people that give up their time to help other people and it is these people that convince me that the World is primarily a good place.

brave people.

I really admire Will Pooley who has returned to treat victims in Freetown, Sierra Leone. He contracted Ebola in August while trying to help other victims.

He was treated in London and given the drug Zmapp. He survived.He has gone back to Africa to help yet more victims.

I also really admire Bob Geldof. He has recently experienced real grief at the loss of his daughter and yet he was able to bring bands together to take part in the band Aid 30 to raise funds to help the Ebola victims. 

I have listened to both on the radio recently and admire their bravery.

professional dog cuddler

I think there ought to be the option  to study to become a professional Dog Cuddler. As I speak Ollie is fast asleep on my lap seriously hampering my ability to use the laptop but I wouldn't change a thing. When a bonkers, naughty dog has had his fun, gone for walkies, got up to a few bad things such as shredding precious objects and then finally decides to settle down you could't put a price on how lovely it is when they come up to you, leap onto your lap, crash out and start snoring.
zzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzz
Sweet dreams Ollie you lovable rogue!

mini hibernation

I have decided to undertake a mini hibernation. I don't know if it is the nights drawing in early or what but tonight I am tired. I am officially having the evening off and am giving myself nothing to do.
I will also have an early night. Ollie is in favour of this plan and has fallen asleep already!
Sweet dreams everyone!

enjoyable visit

I had a lovely time visiting my friend Jenni and her beautiful animals today.
I enjoyed catching up with her and she made some delicious biscotti.
The journey to and from Brighton was good. The traffic was fine and there was some really good music on the radio today too.
Two highlights were Twin Atlantic and Lorde but there were lots of good tunes.
Lucy is a brilliant  car to travel long distances in . She is very comfortable to drive.
It has been a good day!


https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=e1S9HUNoI4k

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=DlpZ8z1bNfk

I love the brightness of these flowers.

Why I love my caravan!

Last night after work I drove to the supermarket and bought my groceries. After walking Ollie and checking a few emails I packed up a few things to take to my caravan and then Ollie and I went there.
It was pouring with rain and it was very windy.
Ollie and I were equally excited. he loves going anywhere in the car. As I drove along I was grinning from ear to ear.
Thee was nowhere to park at the site so I parked further down the road. I grabbed my bags and Ollie and I walked to the site.
Despite the rain, the howling wind and the fact it was dark I was so happy to be there.
Once in the caravan I watched a little bit of last weeks Gogglebox. I love that programme. The participants are mainly bright, funny and real characters. After this I poured myself a nice glass of wine and went to bed with my book.
Bliss!
It is so lovely waking up in the caravan with no alarm clock.
Ollie and I went for a walk, had breakfast and we were back home by 10am.
My aim today is to move forward on house clearing.
My house sale is proceeding and life is exciting!

In my caravan:

Sprouts, superb cars and the sounds of a comet!

We do live in an amazing world!
I was listening to Radio 1 on my way home from work and they played the sounds of the Rosetta comet. Incredible!
I am inspired by the people who dare to be different. Those who spend their lives finding out about new and wonderful things.
I felt strangely touched by the sound of the comet as I whizzed along in Lucy my lovely car.
To make a good day complete I had the urge to boil up a mass of sprouts which I ate with pepper and a little margarine. (I also had a baked potato and various other bits and bobs but the sprouts were definitely the stars of this show.)
http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/blogs-trending-30023776

Sharing music

I am so glad my kids like music. Looking back over the years some songs really stand out and this is because of my kids.
Blondie: Hanging on the Telephone - My daughter Clarrie had it as her alarm call in the morning!
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=uWhkbDMISl8
Cure -In Between Days~ Jack discovered the Cure a while ago. It was so good being able to hear them again!
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=0tzW9VVFVYI

Patrick Watson~ Fred is my friend~ I was so touched when my son introduced me to this song...https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=x7Nk6FcWoYs
Singing in The rain~ My daughter loves Musicals! https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=rmCpOKtN8ME
I could go on forever.
But instead I will just say....Thank-you for the Music!
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=0dcbw4IEY5w

sunny November

I had another lovely time outside at lunchtime without a coat. There is something really special about being outside in autumn/winter when the weather is mild. The sun looks different I guess mainly due to its position in the sky. I really like the light.
I imagine children all over the country are happier, benefiting from more time spent in the fresh air and this has a positive knock-on effect on parents and teachers alike!
Here's to more sunny November days!
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=BvzsyPHPU1U

Listen to this song, I love it!

Sunny skies

I know we have had a fair amount of rain just lately and in fact when Graham and I were walking the dogs at the weekend the woods were considerably muddier than they had been and began to think that winter is on the way.
Today I got up and it was raining and I listened to Radio 1 where they were talking about sunny weather and to my delight by lunchtime today it was sunny and warm in Kent.
A sunny day is a real treat this time of year.
Many of us get up and go to work in the dark  and by the time we set off home it is also dark so being outside at lunchtime in the sun and with no need for a coat was great!

Inspired

I started driving to Essex to see Graham and the dogs on Saturday and I started thinking about cars.
Fred has been a God-send. He only cost £280 and has saved me money commuting to work on the train. He was due an MOT at the end of the month that he was unlikely to pass. His seat belt needed repair amongst quite a few other faults. Graham has just bought a new car and so was keen to sell his previous car. There is little room for vehicles where he lives. His car, a Ford Focus, is larger than I originally wanted but as I drove along I was inspired to look into the cost of insuring a larger car and decided if the cost wasn't too great I would suggest to Graham that I bought his car.
This is exactly what happened. It was a bit sad driving Fred to his final resting place but I told him as he drove me along that he was a brilliant car and he should be proud of the achievements of his life! ( I am pretty sure he could tell a few tales if he could talk as he had 12 owners!)Once I said Goodbye to Fred
Graham drove me back in his new car and then we took the dogs out in my new car to a quiet place where I could gain confidence driving her around!
It didn't take too long to get used to driving her and I have just driven her back from Essex along the Dartford bridge.
I am calling my new car Lucy!
She is lovely to drive, has a long MOT and the best of it is I didn't have to go on a crazy adventure to pick her up!
My insurance company seemed rather stunned at the number of cars I have driven this year. I am hopeful that Lucy will last me a long time.

The Apprentice is so entertaining!

I have just watched the replay of this weeks Apprentice.
I love that programme for a whole host of reasons.
The challenge this week was to arrange a coach tour and sell as many tickets as possible.
It was hilarious.
Watching the customers falling asleep on the bus while being 'entertained' and the expression on the candidates faces while stabbing each other in the back in the Board Room were particular highlights for me.
If I had to travel to Kent on a bus tour from London with the tour guide singing 'One Man Went to Mow' into his microphone I think I would have had to resort to extreme measures and ask the coach to pull up at the nearest Services so I could make good my escape!
Watching this programme is a fascinating and amusing study into how people act towards one another when they are under pressure, pitched against each other and the 'winner takes it all'!

I went on a boat tour to see the Statue of Liberty~ It couldn't have been more different. It was interesting and informative and nobody sang 'The Wheels on the Bus!'

It's happening!

I accepted a good offer on my house today!
The couple who are buying it are very happy and excited and it absolutely feels that they are the right people to be the next owners of this house.
I realise we have a number of trials associated with house selling to negotiate but I am so ready for this!
I am clearing my house and getting everything ready for the exciting day sometime soon when I move on to the next chapter of my life.

Wonderful!

I am very happy to say I have received a fair offer for my house. Other interested parties have a short time to beat  this offer if not I will happily accept the offer that is currently on the table.
I am very impressed with my Estate Agents as I am finding them to be friendly, helpful and efficient.
You can't really ask for more.
Once things look likely to proceed I will look at a residential caravan that I am interested in.
When  I have the funds I will buy a residential caravan and enrol on a life coaching course as I am keen to help people to achieve their dreams too.
I believe we deserve to be happy in our lives and owe it to ourselves to take chances and explore the possibility of living the life we choose.
I am very grateful to all the people who are helping and encouraging me to go my own way and I would like to do all I can to encourage others to do the things that make them happy!

Greg James and wrecking balls, bad dogs, Fibonacci and saving the bees.

Wow it has been a busy but interesting day.
These are the thoughts that stand out:
On Greg James Radio 1 this evening he was the Star Caller and was talking to a demolition man. He mentioned that once a demolition company finishes with a wrecking ball they can't really get rid of them. This makes sense if you think about it.  they are huge, who would want them? How would you recycle them once you had finished with them? This is exactly the sort of thing I ponder as I drive home from work!
While I am on the subject of Wrecking balls I can't resist posting this:

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=UcUERyHeNSY

London Grammar's version of the song Wrecking ball....lovely!
I arrived home in time for a dog walk before a lovely family came round to view the house. I put Ollie's lead on and left the house. I wasn't holding the lead properly so Ollie broke free and took himself for walkies with the lead trailing behind him. I was so busy I decided rather than making a fool of myself trying to coax him indoors I would put the lights on and make the house ready for the viewing. Ollie was most put out that I didn't go chasing after him so he walked back into the house! the viewers liked the house. I am getting quite a few offers and they are edging close to  my desired figure...

Finally I have been thinking about Nature. The two things that really made me think today were these:

1. Thank goodness people are starting to realise that if bees die out we are in real trouble.

http://www.helpsavebees.co.uk/index.html

2. Isn't it amazing that the Fibonacci sequence appears in Nature so much?
To find out more look here;
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Fibonacci_number

We live in a truly amazing world!

exciting developments!

I have received another offer on my house. It matches an offer I received a few days ago and the agent has indicated that they may be prepared to increase the offer. I am optimistic I will be able to agree a fair price for my house soon and that means I can start looking for a residential caravan/chalet. I am very happy about this as I have plans that involve me downsizing and freeing up time and finances so that I can do the things that make me happy. I really am appreciative of the people that have supported the progress made so far. I am very impressed with my estate agents for example. I have been amazed at their positive and friendly approach.
I realise I have a way to go before things are complete but I feel very hopeful that everything is happening exactly as it should.

The butterfly symbolises hope, joy and new beginnings!

so peaceful

I have always liked mornings. I particularly like Sunday mornings as many people give themselves a break from the bustle of the rest of the week and all is quiet.
As I sit here writing this the noisiest thing is my gas boiler buzzing away and even that is relatively quiet. Ollie is lying next to me on the sofa and is very relaxed too.
I hope you are all having a lovely peaceful day wherever you are.

Halloween!

I really loved spending Halloween at my  caravan with Ollie. It was so peaceful. I couldn't resist making a pumpkin lantern and enjoyed a nice glass of wine. Waking up this morning was lovely, no alarm clock and even Ollie took his time yawning, stretching and waking up so I didn't have to get up too early to take him out for walkies.
When I did get up I was stunned at how beautiful it was out on the cliffs. The sun was shining and the sea looked beautiful.
I am back home now which is fine as I have another house viewing in an hour or so.
This has been such a lovely relaxing break!