Saturday was very productive!

Yesterday I took a lot of things that can't be sold or donated or recycled to the tip. It was hard work but worth it. On the way back I managed to squeeze into a very tight space in the supermarket carpark. Anyone who is aware of my parking skills would know how little I enjoyed doing that! In the evening I rewarded myself with a nice hot bath and watched The Voice.I love that programme and really like all the judges. This time they let one singer go who had a unique range to his voice but apart from that I think they made good choices.
I am writing this on my tablet. It takes some getting used to when I am so used to using my laptop but I try nit to get too fixed into my habits.It is good to be flexible and do things differently from time to time.

yes! It's all good and Sia is even better!

Yes! It is official. Contracts have been exchanged.This is beyond exciting and I have drunk a glass of delicious wine and it is Friday and I am all cosy and warm at home and I am happy!
Who knows what will happen next, where I will live but right now this doesn't worry me at all as I am certain the right place will come along very soon!
I am so lucky to have supportive family, friends and work colleagues who believe in me and encourage me to follow my dreams.
I was driving home singing to myself this evening when Sia came onto the radio. How good is this song?
I absolutely love it. Sia you rock!

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=KWZGAExj-es
There is something quirky and wonderful about this song....
a bit like this one really....
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=-z04_5pCka

The Associates  were absolutely delicious.

Happy days!
                      Whoosh!!!!!

songs to send to your younger self

If I could travel back in time and hand an iPod or some CD's to my younger self these are some of the songs I would send to myself so I would know everything will turn out great in the end. When I was younger I used to spend so much time worrying about what might happen but usually never does!
 ( or coming to think of it in those days it would have to be a tape cassette or vinyl of I wouldn't be able to play them.)

Swedish House Mafia...Don't you worry child.https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=1y6smkh6c-0
because it is so uplifting.
Bob Marley....3 Little Birds https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=zaGUr6wzyT8 because when you hear this you know everything really is OK.

Marc Almond The Little White Cloud That cried...https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=BpYI0jtXuHI
as it reminds me every cloud has a silver lining.

Bob Lind -Pulp....Just because that's the time when 'you admit that you are a fuck up like the rest of us and you get to fall in love again!'...https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=iFIBLAWI9_I

Blur....Song 2...https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=SSbBvKaM6sk because this song makes me smile from ear to ear and reminds me how exciting life is!



What songs would you send to yourself?

I have one more and it is Happy by Pharrell Williams. I think  the reasons why are obvious! https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=y6Sxv-sUYtM

Happy listening!

horses

I really like horses. They seem so serene somehow.
I watched a few minutes TV this evening - it was a nature programme and part of it was about the behaviour of horses. Apparently when people brush them this feels like when horses groom them with their teeth and that grooming is a sign of friendship. Apparently they only groom family and very close friends.
 I have seen similar programmes where we live side by side with other animals such as dogs and cats.
Our behaviour mimics some aspect of theirs which is why we are able to connect with animals in the way we do.
I think animals are absolutely brilliant and as I get older I value the unique relationship we have with them more and more.
It is a personal choice and I am not judging others when I say that there is no way I can eat them.
Living side by side with animals is wonderful as we can learn so much from them when they live alongside us relatively freely. As soon as they are ill treated or neglected that relationship breaks down.

We can learn such a lot from animals and our lives are enhanced by knowing them.

signed...

The contract for my house sale has been signed and posted to my Solicitor. I am hopeful that things will proceed well from  here. I am packing things up and getting ready to move.
I am very excited.
Meanwhile ordinary life goes on. I am half way through the school term.
It is so nice to drive home via my usual route without Operation Stack to contend with.
I am very appreciative that I now have a reliable car and the journey home is no longer so tedious.
Ollie is snoring as I write this. What a cute little beast he is!

good progress

Today has been a good day. I was able to drive home via my usual route as Operation Stack was  no longer operational. I went to see Dion and we went to his neighbours house and signed the contracts with them acting as a witness. I will post this to my Solicitor tomorrow and that is a major step in the right direction.
Little by little I am packing up my things and getting ready for moving day.
Not long now!

whooppeeee!!!!!

I got home from a lovely weekend away to discover the contract for my house sale is ready for me to sign and I can sign it tomorrow. It looks as if completion will take place in about 3 weeks!
I am so excited and my mind is racing with all the things I will need to arrange over the next few days!
This is something that I have been looking forward to for a long time now and it is wonderful to find that all the waiting is nearly over!
Happy days!

Superb Saturday morning!

Ahhhh bliss!
I woke up without the alarm clock blaring, went down and got myself a coffee and toast and went back to bed!
It is quiet outside apart from the distant rumble of traffic.
The water is heating for a nice bath. I have a wonderful weekend ahead and today I am reunited with Ollie.
What more could I wish for?

What is it about libraries?

I was driving very slowly home due to a repeat performance of Operation Stack and was listening to the radio. Greg James was in Norwich which is my home town. Radio One will be holding The Big weekend there which will be good. I hope they feature some local bands. Greg went to uni there and so enjoyed revisiting the UEA (University of East Anglia)  and while there he couldn't resist getting a loud hailer and creating a disturbance in the library.
There is something about Libraries. I also wish to make loud noises and do silly things in them. Surely others feel the same?

Operation Stack and a Veggie Stack!

yes, Operation Stack was in force again today with a 20 mile tail back. I drove home via another route and it took me 2 hours to get home so I drove straight into town as I was meeting friends at The Parrot.
The Parrot is such a lovely place to eat. the staff are so friendly. They do a meal called The Veggie which used to be called a Veggie Stack. I usually have it when I go there.
It has been a lovely evening. Now I am home and thinking how quiet it is here without Ollie. Graham says he is behaving himself which is remarkable!
The buyer for my house has received their mortgage offer now which is good news....

bbbbrrrrrrrrr!!!!

It's rather chilly!
I drove home late this evening as we had Parents Evening at school. Operation Stack was in force on the M20 so I had to drive home via an alternative route.
The roads were rather skiddy in places but my car ( Lucy) coped well.
I got home to an empty and rather cold house. This is because The Wally is at Graham's.
He is fine so that's good but it feels so empty and quiet in the house without his doggy mayhem!
He also keeps me warm as he is like a large hot water bottle sat next to me as soon as I get home.
He may be a rascal but life ain't the same without him!

So quiet when Ollie is on his holie

Ollie is staying with his cousins Rufus and Burt for a little while as I have a couple of lates at work and it is no fun for Ollie when that happens. Graham came to collect him and fixed a light fitting that needed fixing. Apparently when he arrived here it was snowing and settling!
By the time I got home the snow had vanished. I bet Ollie went bonkers in the snow. It turns him puppy-like!
It is so quiet at home without The Wally but I bet he is having a great time!

Blue Monday

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=FYH8DsU2WCk

Today is officially Blue Monday so I couldn't resist mentioning the New Order track. I loved it when it came out and it's still good now.
Today is supposed to be the most depressing day of the year.
I quite enjoyed today myself but it is good that people are discussing mental health and how people should receive the help they need for their mental health problems just as they do for physical problems without the stigma attached.
People are generally much more tolerant of ailments if they can see them and sometimes lack sympathy for people suffering conditions such as anxiety or depression.
To me the mind is so linked with the body that if things are wrong in one area this has a negative impact on an other area. For people to feel healthy and happy both areas need to be addressed.

just got back

I have just got back from visiting my friend in Brighton. I went via M26 this time and think that is he route I will take in future as it knocked at least 30 minute each way of my journey time.
Jenni has the cutest animals. Two black kittens and a huge lovely furry German Shepherd, Bella.
It was really good to see her and the animals too.
I got home and Ollie sniffed me in amazement, how dare I spend the day with other animals? How disloyal!
He has forgiven me now and is snoring happily beside me.
I am thinking of cutting myself a nice slice of Christmas cake....

mission accomplished

Yesterday I was a little concerned as I had a lot of places I needed to be and am slower than usual because of my poorly knee.
I decided not to worry and to focus purely on the moment- where I was at the time and not worrying about the next 'leg' of the journey. ( pardon the pun!)
The first step was to get up at 4:55am and walk the dog. This was fine except for when Ollie 'did his business' he appeared to have done it right next to the biggest slug I have ever seen! I was forced to examine it at close quarters as I bent down, poo bag in hand. It was dark and gloomy.
As I loomed nearer the supposed slug I changed my mind. It wasn't a slug at all. It was a very dark green courgette! What was that doing lying there I thought?.....With a shriek I suddenly realised my mistake. It wasn't a gigantic slug or a very dark green courgette....It was a black, glistening mouldy banana!
In horror I shot back and this made Ollie jump. This was all much to the amusement of a passer by who was clearly trying to control their mirth. I was unlucky to experience a passer by at that time in the morning really!

Anyway, I walked the dog and then set off on the 40 minute walk to the train station and managed to catch the train.
I also managed to change trains successfully then walk from the station to the school.
I worked at school and then immediately caught the first train back home. Once back here I walked the 40 minute walk to the garage where Lucy was being serviced and was just able to make it for 6pm which is when they close. As I went in the door I saw they were on the phone, trying to phone me to see where I was.
I was so happy to get into my car and drive to the shop.
One essential food shopping trip later and I was on my way home to a hot bath and lots of relaxation.
I am very happy that I was able to approach today one step at a time, literally.
It illustrates the best way to live really. If we spend the majority of our time 'in the now' our lives seem to flow so much better than when we dwell in the past or worry about the future.
I got home to find an encouraging letter from my solicitor. Things are proceeding nicely in the house sale department.
Now it is the weekend where I am meeting good friends and taking it easy.  Happy days!

Wow it was windy!

It was a very windy night around these 'ere parts, last night. Ollie lay awake shaking and I was awake listening to the wind.
This morning I had to drag some wheelie bins out of the road so I could drive my car out of my road.
Things calmed down during the day and I drove home via Ashford avoiding the dramatically tedious roadworks of yesterday evening.
I got into the wrong lane on the huge roundabout and felt rather foolish circulating round trying to edge out into the correct lane without winding the other road users up too much.
I finally arrived at the garage where Lucy is having a check up as a light keeps coming on that shouldn't generally do so.
I was rather concerned about walking back home s it is quite a distance and my knee is still quite sore.
The human body is a remarkable thing. Walking home wasn't too bad at all.
I am happy to say that Ollie and I are nice and cosy for the evening. I have been listening to what sounds like hail crashing down outside. I am very happy to be warm indoors!

Saved by Greg,Chris, Zane and Jack Garrat!

Seriously, where would we be without music?
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=3v6nNgMYcVo
I was driving home this evening and got stuck in a traffic jam that lasted 2 and a half hours.
Greg James and  Chris Smith exchanged witty banter on the radio and played some great tunes including  ' I Predict A Riot'  ~ Kaiser Chiefs....I started to perk up a bit, put on the hand break and enjoyed the music and then Zane Lowe came on and played some excellent stuff. He is a champion for Jack Garrat. I really recommend you listen to him as he is a great talent.
Having a son who is a musician I suppose you could call me biased but in my opinion many of the best people are musicians and real lovers of music!
I am happily home now listening to the roaring of the wind.

getting better

My knee is doing really well. I am able to put my full weight on my leg now and as long as I walk slowly I am OK. I have given Ollie two ( very slow) walkies.
Weirdly Ollie seems to know that I can't go any faster and seemed happy enough to shuffle along and sniff allowing me to go at my own pace.
The weather is a bit unpredictable at the moment. Every kind of weather seems to be expected in UK over the next few days.
Right now I am nice and warm indoors with Ollie snoozing nearby...

feeling grateful

As you may know I hurt my knee on Sunday. not only did Graham help me at the time, after work tonight I drove to pick up Ollie and Graham cooked for me before I drove home.
While limping about at work many staff and pupils expressed concern for me. I really felt appreciated.
The main reason Graham was looking after Ollie for me was that I had the house surveyed today. This was for the buyer so I am another exciting step closer to completion.
Now I am home, it is windy and rainy outside. Ollie is curled up beside me, what could be nicer?

Lovely weekend

I have just come back from a lovely weekend away out walking with Graham and the dogs. We went to Greenwich on Saturday and ate lovely Ethiopian food from the stall in Greenwich Market as well as delicious vegan cakes made by Ruby Tuesday.
I love the atmosphere at the market and the dogs love all the food smells!
Today we ate a roasted Crown Price Squash it was given to me by my friend Sarah. Graham cooked it with roast potatoes and a bean loaf.
Unfortunately Burt and a boisterous Staffordshire managed to send me flying and I have injured my knee.
Luckily I was looked after by Graham and was able to drive home which was a relief.
I hope the bruising comes out tonight and that it feels less painful in the morning.

I am tucked up in bed with my laptop, listening to the wind outside.
It is lovely and cosy and a lovely way to spend the evening.

We need to fix this!

http://www.brightonandhovenews.org/2015/01/07/brighton-ae-doctor-tells-prime-minister-you-lied-about-nhs/36995

I have just read an open letter from an A and E Doctor to David Cameron. It was very well written and outlined the things that need to be done to support the NHS so that it can deliver a safe service.
I am very proud of the NHS and the fact that people can go to hospitals for the treatment they need regardless of the amount of money they possess.
I admire people that decide that they want to make a different to other people's lives and train to become a Doctor/Nurse/Fire-fighter/Teacher/Police Officer etc. and then  devote their time and energies helping others.
I feel sad that so many of these amazing people are feeling demoralised and unsupported as they struggle to provide a good service with very limited resources. I feel even more sorry that people born to do these jobs are now leaving the job they love because they can't stand the situation any longer.

I admire people who keep the streets clean, the shelves stacked in our shops etc. They provide us with the everyday things we take for granted but are vital to our survival.
I admire anyone who works to help others to the best of their ability. I really admire those who are able to do this as well as staying cheerful and maintaining a sense of humour despite the pressures they face.

Some people do not have particularly glamorous jobs. They are not 'in it for the money'. Being rich does not motivate them. This does not mean that they should be expected to work ridiculously long hours for very low pay.
I believe that people should be paid a living wage. If they are, then they are able to live a comfortable life and help to generate the economy by buying non essential goods. If they are not they are forced to apply for benefits to top up their wages just to make ends meet. This is not good for the economy.

At the moment there are an increasingly high number of low paid, disillusioned workers in all fields desperately trying to work out how they are going to pay the next bill. There are young people out of work because older people are not able to retire and receive a decent pension.
This is not the fault of any particular group.
People coming to this country to work to feed their families are not to blame. Single parents are not to blame. This has nothing to do with the colour of people's skin, their religious beliefs or their sexual orientation.
Some people prefer to 'divide and rule' so that people fight amongst each other and nothing changes. I believe we need to put any differences to one side and work together to fix the social problems that are spreading rapidly through our country. These problems are not limited to UK. I know that.
Kind, caring people need to unite and work out how to solve our common problems in a fair way.
We need to think of ways to fix these challenges together so that we can all live the joy filled loves that we were all intended to live.
Can people really live a happy life knowing that others are struggling to stay alive? Surely there is enough wealth to go round if people treat each other fairly.
My wish for 2015 is that we take steps to create a fairer, more equal society.

We live in a beautiful world. Let's look after it.

Excited!

Tomorrow is a bit different for me as I have a day off work that is not part of the school holiday.
This is what life will be like when my house sells and I teach part time.
I do love my job and part time teaching while I build my future business suits me just fine.
I am training to become a life coach as soon as I sell my house.
I am also writing and hope I will have a book or two completed this year.
Tomorrow is symbolic of what is to come.
The survey for my house buyer should take place next week so things are proceeding exactly as they should.


I love the bright bits!

I love Song 2

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=SSbBvKaM6sk


I was driving home today and on Greg James's 10 Minute Takeover he played Song 2 by Blur.
This song is one of my favourites as it is so full of exuberance.
It got me thinking of all the other songs that really mean something to me and then I started thinking about other people and the songs I associate with them.
If you think of someone you know quite well I bet when you think of them you can associate a song with them.
I have songs that remind me of parents, my kids, friends and colleagues.
Listening to music is such a brilliant way to enhance your life.

Lost keys, a helpful friend and a huge, beautiful moon!

I got home from work only to find I had no house keys! I searched and then figured I had somehow lost them in the house. I phoned my helpful friend Sue who has my spare key and I was able to pop over and pick it up. On the way down to her house I looked up and was struck by the sight of the beautiful moon. It was low in the sky, huge and yellow. It is not quite a full moon but it is absolutely beautiful.
Now I feel so lucky to be back home, in my house and to my delight I have found my keys!

I am celebrating good fortune and friendship with these beautiful flowers.

Slaves, Miranda and Jack Whitehall's Dad!

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

Have you heard The Hunter by Slaves?
They have been featured quite a lot on Radio One.
They are really good. They have the passion and energy of some of the live bands I used to love as a teenager. ( sigh)
On a completely different note. Did you see the last episode of Miranda recently?
I found it funny, poignant and the end of a TV era.
To cheer me up I had the most hilarious journey home from work today, driving along listening to Jack Whitehall's Dad on Greg James ( Radio 1) reading the lyrics to Nicki Minaj- Anaconda
What not to love eh?
"My Anaconda don't...
My Anaconda  don't...
My Anaconda don't want none unless you got buns hun..."

(Priceless!)

I thought I would top this off with a nice piece of sea-cabbage.

You can't have too many roaring fires!

I met another friend in another cosy pub, sat by another roaring fire today.
What an absolutely wonderful break I have had over Christmas.
This is one of the best I can remember.
I am so lucky to have such wonderful family and friends and the weather has been kind with lots of bright cold frosty days. To me they are the best weather that winter has to offer.
I am back to work tomorrow and each day is a day closer to my house sale.
I am very excited and ready to move on to the next phase of my life.

Roaring fires, Benidorm and meeting friends

I woke up to a soggy day. I woke up in a good mood, still chuckling from watching Benidorm last night. It is ridiculously funny.
Ollie was happy enough to go on his walkies but when I tried to go round the block again he refused to go further and trotted back into the house. I don't really blame him as it was rainy and cold.
I had a boot full of books and CD's ready to take to the charity shop so I drove to a city centre car park, parked the car and lugged the items to the shop.
I feel happy that my house is slowly and surely clearing and I am moving closer to being ready to move.
Next I drove to The Old Gate where I met my friend Tina. It was lovely to catch up with her, sat beside a roaring fire.
I love old pubs with open fires. They really feel cosy on a cold wintry day.
I love sitting by fires outdoors too. Firelight is so beautiful.

Ollie is amused when I sing along to Muse

What have you been up to today?

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=dbB-mICjkQM

I have been listening to Muse all day while cleaning and clearing my house. It turns out Ollie likes Muse and me screeching along to the vocal. I imagine I sound like a dog howling to him!
I am usually a pretty good and quiet neighbour so I hope they forgive me listening to the same songs over and over again  at a rather loud volume. I have really enjoyed today and hope it hasn't mentally scarred anyone else!
I have been to the tip, I have packed books and CD's into bags ready to go to the charity shop tomorrow and have taken clothes to the clothing bank.
I have also made some difficult decisions on what to keep and what to part with regarding photo's and other sentimental items.
This is my opportunity to clear things out that I no longer need as I will be downsizing very shortly and I couldn't be more excited about it!
Christmas has been gently packed away apart from one string of fairy lights I have up in my room. I like putting the lights on when I get home from work and its dark as they put some sparkle and twinkle into my life.

Hello 2015 Goodbye 2014

I have just come back from a wonderful few days away.
Highlights include spending my birthday with Graham and the dogs. We also spent Christmas at my caravan together and had some wonderful walks along the beach where we were treated to spectacular sunny weather.
I then drove to Graham's on Boxing Day where Ollie stayed and the next day I drove to Plymouth to see Clarrie and Jack.
Clarrie and Ben were amazing, generous hosts and it was so lovely to see Jack there too as he had spent Christmas with them.
 We all went for a great walk and had pub lunch in Dartmoor followed by dinner at /http://www.rhodesatthedome.co.uk/  The Dome. The food was beautifully cooked and the restaurant was stunning.
I drove Jack back to Falmouth and was able to see the house he shares with his fellow students.

The weather was cold and frosty but I was lucky as none of my journey was affected by poor weather.
I spent a couple of day with Graham and we had a great time walking 6 dogs each day!
Graham regularly walks rescue dogs for Wanderers Haven~ a lovely animal sanctuary and it is really good fun taking their dogs out into the countryside with our dogs.
I spent New Years Eve with Ollie in my caravan.
What a wonderful way to see out 2014.
I have learnt such a lot in 2014 and am excited to see what happens in 2015.
Happy New Year everyone!