Got to the airport

Was able to go and meet my previous colleague at the airport this morning - some other friends from near here were going and I was able to get a lift with them, which made it a much more 'doable' thing.

Where was the 17 degrees they promised us today?

Spring blossom is marvellous.

Have a reflective service at church tonight - glad I had a sleep this afternoon - so should be fine for an 8.00 pm start. It'll be nice.

Today

Worked hard with the counsellor today....

Feeling very drained...

Even after a sleep...

Can I make it to the airport tomorrow morning to meet my friend from Madagascar????

I want to.

Need a hug

Friends Rock!

I just posted this as my Facebook status - and am sitting here thinking about a number of my good friends and how much they encourage me. I am very blessed.

Thanks for
J to have lunch with today - and some laughs.
D who gave me a cup of coffee (well 2 actually) and we were able to have a good talk.
C who shared a cup of tea with me yesterday morning.
J and J at the community shop for their care and encouragement when I go there for a cuppa or lunch.
J for being such a gifted and skilled counsellor.

And yes I did survive the visit to the psychiatrist earlier in the week - and as I think about it - have some ideas of things I can take to our next session in October - that may help us to work together better - or at least for him to understand me better.

I am also thankful that the sun is coming out after a week of cold and wet - and we are going to have a 'heat wave' in the next 3 days - predicted to even hit 19 degrees C. Might even get my sheets washed and dried ... outside.

I am thankful for the washing machine - J (at lunch) was telling me about a project she did at school called 'The Life of a Drop'! Lots of drops are being used in the machine today.

And I like candles, hot water bottles, blankies, soft socks, music - and looking at my picture of the kangaroo.

Cooking

I even cooked pasta and meat sauce this afternoon - ended up enough for 6 meals - would be helpful to get some chicken and do an alternative dish - or I may never want to eat Spag Bol again after this week!!!

Thankful for
- meat to cook with
- spring next week
- the beautiful blossom
- safety on the roads
- good friends

Are these gratitude lists - supposed to help me feel better?

I guess they are a good reminder that fan the tiny spark of hope ...

Now I just have to finish doing the dishes and lock the door so the baddies don't get in... now that it is dark.

Take care all

Kangaroo or wallaby???

Finished this off today at Drawing Class. He looks like a kangaroo with attitude. I copied him out of a magazine.

Enjoy

Winter's day

Winter's days are nearly over - it has been a cold, wet winter... the 'wet' has been good - we may even be allowed to wash our cars with buckets next week as water restrictions will be eased. But do I want to?

Finished (almost) my painting of a kangaroo today at Drawing Class, hope to be able to post a photo soon. Will work on a portrait for the last couple of weeks, using a grid.

Thankful for
- chocolate
- drawing class
- hot drinks
- heating
- ...............

Long day

It is only Monday and in some ways I feel like all the benefits of last week have gone already...

I am 'back home' and things haven't 'gone away'.

See the psychiatrist tomorrow - always makes me anxious ... irrational, I know, as he is there to help me - and I don't have to 'make him happy'.

Thankful.....
the sun shone today
an afternoon sleep
fruit muffins baked by a friend
coffee with a friend - even if it was rushed...
.........

I feel 'sick' today...

Home again

I had my week at the nuns. It was a focus week on Finding your own happiness and we looked at the things that we find difficult in our lives and then thought about the good things that can come out of those difficult things. I found it a very emotional week and was really struggled in the Tuesday and Wednesday, with a lot of tears (in the privacy of my room) - but things started to come together on Thursday and by Thursday night, I could write a long list of things that are 'Happiness Threads' in my life - even though I very rarely feel 'happy' or 'content'. Some of those threads are the things I write in my thankful list.

I continued to see my counsellor during the time I was there - which was helpful. I have recieved some generous financial help for the cost of those visits which will last the next 8 weeks. I trust that good work will be done during that time.

Have spent nice time with good friends the past two days since I got back - and we will see what tomorrow brings. Am planning to get to the gym in the morning - that will at least start the week off on the right foot.

I am thankful for
- a beneficial time at the nuns and the opportunity for that.
- for really special times with good friends yesterday and today.
- for my heat pack.
- for my 4 year old's birthday party the Saturday before I went away.
- for candles......

One of the things that was read to us over the week is that 'Happiness is not the destination... it is the journey...'

..................

I don't have anything to write at the moment....

See the counsellor tomorrow.....

Trust it will help......

Nuns next week.......

Timely.......

Early morning in Melbourne

It's early - I am awake.

Today I am thankful for mobile phones and text messaging.
For the education that taught me how to read and write.
For hearing that can hear the birds waking up.
For a cup of tea.
For candles.

Today is Tuesday - less than a week until I go to the nuns again. - I am anticipating that time as being significant.

Sunday challenges

Sundays seem to not be much fun for single people - I've heard that from a few. At least I had a friend to have lunch with today --- Thanks D. And for the new ironing board cover. Looks great.

Didn't get a sleep this afternoon.....
The sun has been shining - which has been very nice.
I even read a bit in my book ... reading remains a challenge because of poor concentration.
Sunday night TV is a bit of a challenge too.... not much on.
There is music I can listen too - could read more of my book...
Just as well I don't have to go to the gym now - hopefully there will be more motivation in the morning.

Guess there is some stuff I'm thankful in that lot!
Leave you to work it out tonight!

Chocolate

Sometimes only chocolate will do it... and you need it enough to even go out in the car to get some.

I am pleased with the new pair of shoes I bought today - hope the tax return comes soon.
It was good to spend some time with friends.
The sleep was essential too - too bad I feel yukky when I wake up!
I did have spag bol for tea (as well as the chocolate!)
I am thankful for the friends I have.

What is it about weekends????

Would someone make me a cup of tea now..... please?!

These shoes are made for walking!

The charcoal sketch of my shoe that I did last week - this week's stuff isn't worth showing.

At least you can tell it is a runner.

Thursday

I wouldn't say that drawing class yesterday produced any masterpieces! My sideways plastic container looked like a toaster to the two people I showed it to - so there are still some problems with getting depth perception! They did recognize the apple beside it though - even if they didn't recognize the biscuits in it. I did the same subject first in charcoal and then in ink. I would need to really practice with the ink to get the hang of it - I think I want to be finished with my drawings too quickly!

Watched Notting Hill with a friend yesterday afternoon - it is such a lovely film - and we had a good visit.

Am looking at my lawn and thinking about whether it needs a mow - and whose mower I can borrow, if the sun is shining on Saturday - although the ground is very wet. Which is a good thing.

Been to craft group today - didn't take any craft - just talked to some people, and ate sponge cake with passionfruit icing! Haven't had an afternoon sleep today - so I'm sure it will be an early night - but I did get to Curves (gym) this morning with Joy.

Thankful?
Warm clothes
Heat pack for my feet and soft woolie socks
My comfort shawl
Rent money (my pension)
Someone's gift to help me pay to see my therapist for 6 visits!

and.... I am off to the nuns again the week after next - they had a cancellation for their focus week on 'Finding your own Happiness' and offered me the place.!!!

Take care all.....

Friends!

I am thankful for friends. Things weren't going so well last Friday - and I rang my friend, who lives on the other side of the city, early on Saturday morning - she can cope with a 6.30 am phone call - she said "come", "come and stay" - so by 9.00 am I was at her place. It was an 'odd jobs' weekend for her so I watched her garden and cook and we talked and I slept and read, and her grandchildren came over (3 and 2 years old). Thank you J!!!

I came back home Monday morning -feeling like I have been looked after. That helped.

I am thankful for my skilled counsellor
And for my pastor
And for my friends in the community shop
And for my friends at the nuns - where I went for morning tea today.
And for delicious carrot cake at the nuns morning tea!!!