The challenge of new friends

I have been pursuing my country romance from a distance and that has its challenges. Communication through phone and email is so much more influenced by tone and the implied meaning of the message. It is sometimes difficult to be sure you are both on the same wavelength. 

I was looking forward to visiting his part of the country this weekend but it has become somewhat more complicated by a death in the extended family.

The funeral is on Friday when I had hoped to be in Sale. Now I will go later in the day and probably miss visiting my friends in Maffra which is on the way. I was going to stay overnight with them on Thursday but now it may be a quick visit only.

I haven't done much country driving for awhile and so feel a bit rusty. It is three hours and hopefully the traffic isn't too bad. I am supposed to pick up some art work in Morwell on the way. It is funny in that I feel like I am part of his life yet not.  I am excited to see him again. 

Nick my son has requested the address where I will be staying. He is quite protective which is sweet and sensible. If anything happened on the way to or from, they have an idea of my whereabouts at least  I suppose. 

I have volunteered to assist a community organisation to catalogue their photgraphs. It will be an interesting project and I can work from home. I also said I would help Refugees with their English and job interview skills. That could be interesting. I have two art classes underway and Ziggy on Tuesday nights and all day Wednesday. The week is pretty full. I am happy with the balance but I need to put a break on anything else now. 

Rhythm of Life

First week of February and I feel like my life is back on track after the freewheeling holidays. I have started my art classes again and feel such excitement that I just want to keep painting. I have volunteered to help out an organisation that assists people to transition from work to retirement. I will be doing some cataloguing of their photos so it feels good to be helping and using my skills too.

Book club had its first meeting and we had a very vigorous discussion over 'A little life'. We all decided it was a profound read and very importantly, well written. 

I have been struggling with hay fever for the last two weeks and resorted to taking antihistamines daily. My eyes were streaming and crusty in the mornings. Yuk and uncomfortable. I postponed giving blood because I thought I was sick but in the end I think it was just hayfever. I never used to suffer this but I do now.

I have been fascinated with the city skyline over the last two weeks. The changing moods are quite intriguing and I have taken lots of photos. Today it looks like a gauze lays over the city because it is almost white and the buildings seem soft grey without any distinct lines.

I am still working on getting the second bedroom set up and the excess 'stuff' moved from the wardrobe  and the lounge room. It is a slow business or rather a boring task and I keep taking lots of breaks. I have been feeling quite tired from resuming the gym  and other regular activities. Going too hard as usual! 

I finally told my sons that I was going to start dating and they went through all the cautionary rhetoric that made me smile inwardly. Particularly the bit about weirdos and it not being like it was in ' my day'. It is rather sweet and amusing having your grown up children giving you advice! In the end they were okay with the idea though Nick announced (smiling)he would probably kill anyone who hurt me! Very protective.

I am resolved to really get my financial house in order so that I have a very clear picture of my circumstances and can manage it better than I am now.