Living life to the full as usual

I have had the most jam packed period. I have been engaged with the ALIA organisation accreditation panel again and it has meant I have missed the last four book clubs! Mum went in to hospital for a chest infection and has been discharged five days later but just before I go to Japan. Of course I feel guilty that I am not up there looking after her. I feel like I always let her down because I am not near. My brothers are watching over her but when she burst into tears talking to my elder brother Peter I felt doubly bad. She is alright just felt overwhelmed. She wants me to go to Japan and I don't think I can get insurance if I cancel anyway now. 

Two of my travel companions are also nursing injuries so I feel like it is not auspicious. Silly thought really. 

Added to that there have been a couple of weekends away visiting Rob at Reedy Flat I have driven all the way in one go now and feel very pleased with myself. I love the calm of the drive. I am keeping a too busy schedule again it seems.  Those quiet weekends are very restorative. 

I have been to two operas over the last fortnight. La Boheme and the Pearl Fishers. Umm! I am yet to fall in love with this type of music and I will persist. I think you need to see them several times and become really familiar with the music to appreciate them. I am more a blues girl!

Then this weekend past I went to Blairgowrie for Tim Sabo's 60 th birthday party( that is down the peninsular beach area, about an hour on the freeway). I had baked desserts for lunch and dinner as my contribution. It was low key but a gathering of old friends who just seem to spark off each other so that we laughed and laughed all day and night. 

I felt a shadow for the lack of Peter and our hostesses husband Russel. They always enjoyed these gatherings so much. Tim's wife kept saying he can now speak confidently that you still have sex at 60! They are a hoot. He was feeling such dread about this birthday that his wife has made it so special with several restaurant meals and trips to wineries and then this weekend so I think his dread was really overcome.

We all feel the years gathering pace and our mortality seems to be just around the corner. Very dramatic I know but George one of the husbands has had three heart attacks and a stoke just recently. Of course he  is very ill in reality. His brain hasn't been affected fortunately , his wit is razor sharp and humorous yet the cloud hangs low around him. Tim has a pacemaker and some heart issues that are controlled, Paul the remaining male has only a bit of high blood pressure and his wife has recently achieved the five year clear from  breast cancer.  I am extremely grateful for my good health. All these elements drive me subconsciously to squeeze everything in. 

After Blairgowrie I drove across to Ballarat ( opposite side of the state) on the Sunday with Janine  for a day and a bit together as we are going in separate directions for several weeks and won't catch up otherwise. 

I returned to Melbourne for a couple of appointments and minding Ziggy before flying to Japan tomorrow.  I have a few bills to pay as you do and need to tidy things while I am away. Life is so full. 

I am finding keeping the blog going rather difficult. I don't leave enough time for it, or my other creative pursuits. My choices yet I am frustrated with myself.  After Japan I will be more selective with my time.