New Year's Eve

4.30 pm, December 31, 2010

Another 7 and a 1/2 hours and a New Year will start.

 I am thankful this year for:
 - The opportunity to particpate in the drawing class.
 - My skilled therapist and the work we have done.
 - My time at the nuns.
 - My help, encouragement, comfort and fun of time with my friends and acquaintances.
 - The opportunity to hang out at the community shop and occasionally talk to and encourage others.
 - Meeting new friends.
 - Making some steps towards being more real with my family.
 - God's provision of the things that I have needed and even things I wanted.
 - My new rag quilt for the back on my couch, made by a friend for Christmas
 - That my mother is still with us.
 - The opportunity to play with and hold children and babies.
 - The little bit of work I have been able to do, on and off.
 - My encouraging Job Search Support Person.
 - The help of my Psychiatrist, and GP.
 - Some times of fun and laughter.
 - Receiving the No. 1 Ladies' Detective Agency Series on DVD for my birthday.
 - My new camera.
 - For people's kindness and care and inclusion (at times).

I could go on... but maybe you get the idea... of some of the good things that have come my way in 2010.

I am always glad for the year to pass ... in the hopes that the next one, just may be better... that I may feel better, and just be a bit contented... and less anxious.  I guess it would be helpful if I can learn to stay present to the moment... rather than skipping ahead in fear or anticipation.  Something to work on in 2011.

Christmas with family

I went to Geelong.

 We had Christmas together.

 There were some dramas

 It was very tiring

 But mostly okay...

 Now I am home...

 Thankful that I was able to find the energy to clean my house yesterday..
 And that a friend is coming to stay for a few days.. today.
 For the internet and friends...
 For time to cuddle a 3 week old baby yesterday.

 Trust you all had a good Christmas time...

5.50 am Wednesday

Mowing

10.40 Thursday morning

Spring and a wet start to summer has the grass growing very fast... and me getting stressed about how to mow it.  I hear the melodious sounds of a motor mower going around the lawn right now... the son of a friend is doing it for half of what I usually pay.

 But there is a longer term solution to the cost.  A friend has bought me a non motorised push mower for Christmas on Ebay... so I can keep the grass under control (when it isn't spring).  I've just gone on a 2 hour round trip to pick up the mower, and gave it a little test run.  It seems okay. So that means exercise and saving some money... Yay... I think!

 Have a little shopping to do today, and then to get ready for my trip to Geelong tomorrow to see the family over Christmas. 

 I am VERY thankful for generous friends ...
 For the reminder again yesterday that Christmas is about Jesus... not the things I stress about.
 For a washing machine!
 For somewhat warmer days.
 And for my new boarder who will be coming in February....

New house mate

I got news yesterday that I have a new house mate to move in in early February.  Yay!

 Have a difficult appointment ahead of me today... hope it goes okay...

The sun is shining... and it is going to be warmer...

 Hope for two loads of washing today...

 Struggling to find things to write about that I'm thankful for today... although I know I am.
Oh, yes... the house mate!

Winter in summer

2.30 pm Monday afternoon.

 Record rain fall in Melbourne in the past 24 hours and there is still some falling here.

 It is good news for the dams.

 I got a Christmas present today... and a couple of cards... maybe Christmas is okay after all...

 And someone took me out for lunch, and another friend is coming for afternoon tea.

 I'm thankful for friends
 For Christmas
 For babushka dolls
 For my blankie and heat pack
 For the peace and quiet of my home, for the next month.. just trust there is someone to move in then.

Stars in a dark sky

5.00 pm Sunday

What a special time at church today...  Pastor spoke about Christmas being difficult for many people.. He talked about the star in the night sky, but it was a night sky.  My friend who lost her husband in March, lit the Advent candle to represent all those who are grieving and suffering at this time.

 Then there were star shaped notelets on tables up the front.  We were invited to come up and write the names of people for whom Christmas is hard, on the stars, and stick them on the sky that was left across the front of the church from the children's program a few weeks ago.  It was very moving.

 And Australia won the cricket match today... so hopefully they can do it again after the Christmas, when they play again...  I didn't even get to see the cricket as I went to lunch with a friend, and when I came home, it was all over... a day and a half before the time was up.

 I'm thankful for friends,
 and for the reminder today that Christmas is about Jesus... and I only need to do what I can do with family and friends.

Snowy

Done in time for Christmas...

 But probably not time to get it framed.

Thinking about work

I saw my Job Search case manager today.

 I asked her to find out for me what I need to do to activate my Grad Dip Ed.  I have learned that I wouldn't last in an office job, even though I could do one... and have been reminded in the past 6 months, that teaching is what I really like to do... that and mentoring, or pastoral care.

Once we find out what I need to do, I will see about putting my resume in with the Christian Schools in the district and see if they want anyone to teach Religious or Biblical Studies part time.  I don't know if I'm ready to go back to work yet... but I think this is a more realistic track for long term sustainable employment, than anything else.  I could give my info to Tabor and the Bible College too as being available for tutoring.

 At least I'm thinking about work... even though the past 3 months have been really difficult, with one thing and another.

 Still no definite news on another boarder....

 Have also asked my Job Search Lady to see what is involved in putting my name down for public housing.  It is a pain to have to share, sometimes, and to change the house share arrangement every year or two.

 Thankful today that my drawing is coming along...
 For friends....

Drawing

1.00 pm Monday 

I have started my next charcoal portrait... a Christmas present for a friend... if it turns out!

 I'm thankful for the sunshine today
 For good friends
 For Christmas music
 For enough hope for just now...

 The question is... how to show restraint, with chocolate and bikkies over the next 4 weeks!
 Especially as I'm not doing Curves now.

 updated 8.00 pm Monday...

Christmas party

My lovely small group (which I don't actually attend now) included me in their lovely Christmas lunch today... AND gave me a lovely hamper of goodies too.

 Now I'm full... no dinner tonight.

 Not doing so well the past few days...

 Thankful for friends.

 6.00 pm Saturday

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

6.40 pm, Friday...

 For my computer and the internet.
 For my music.
 For the promise of drawing.

Mower people

I am thankful for the mower people - who have come to make some order out of my overgrown back yard.
 That is looks like a new boarder for next year has turned up.
 For a bit of sunshine today.
 For the library bookclub that I attended this morning... even took some books out... maybe I will read them.
 For zucchini slice and salad at the op shop for lunch.
 For good friends.
 For drawing.
 That sometimes there is enough hope for another day.

 1.20 pm Thursday afternoon

Drawing class Dec 8, 2010

 Memories of Madagascar.

 What you can do with a Coke can.

In class today, we also learned some more things about stencilling... so watch this space.  I really like that technique and our tutor gave us some good ideas.

I'm thankful for umbrellas
 The radio
 Lunch out with a friend
Electricity

Smarties... again...

Monday 2.10 pm

It's been a while and some difficult waters.

 Some of the issues at hand have been settled a little.
 My house share person is moving out at the end of the month... Raises all sorts of questions about what to do.  I've actually had too many other things on my mind to worry about that one too much.  I won't mind being here by myself for a couple of weeks.. but it isn't sustainable financially long term.

 Smarties need to be eaten two at a time... the coating sucked and broken off with the teeth and then the partly melted chocolate inside enjoyed!

 I have my last drawing class for the year tomorrow... then lunch out with a good friend.

 Rain is coming again... that's good as I haven't watered my plants this week, and it's been quite hot.

The message for today is that God has it all sorted... like he did for Mary, when she asked the angel... "How can this be...".