Third week back- how did I fit in work?

This week was a monster socially busy time. I haven't found a regular time for writing the blog so the week seems to whizz by and I am losing track of my thoughts and feelings about my new status. The two regular activities so far are minding Ziggy on Tuesdays and going to the gym in the mornings.
I have been challenged by the news of my cousin who has been diagnosed with an aggressive cancer. It has devastated us all. He is such a gentle, kind and honourable person that the thought of losing him is too sad. What is even more scary is he was so well before the diagnosis.
A reminder to treat everyday as special and to be grateful for what each day offers.
I caught up with a friend who is moving homes and we walked from her current place to the flat she is selling, then to the new place she has bought and back to where we started. We talked so much I barely registered where we went direction wise. We walked briskly so I had a good workout even with lunch along the way. I felt so good afterwards and we had walked 16.1 kms.  When I heard that, I felt virtuous as well! No guilt over the brownie for afternoon tea. My body was loving the mini Camino.
I collected a pile of books on Libraries and the industry to research for the units I am writing for work. I need to get started on that task if it is to be finished by November.
I finally stopped  umming and arhhing about mum coming down from Queensland for Ziggy's birthday and my returning to Queensland for a few days with her, and also the trip to HongKong and Cambodia.  After my cousin's sudden diagnosis I decided life is too short and it will be a great opportunity to spend time with the extended family.
Friday morning I  went to see Boyhood, the movie with a group of girlfriends. Several of us had sons so we related so well to the character and had such stimulating discussion about the movie and its themes that I almost ran out of time to make a salad for dinner with friends that night. My friends who live near and were also going to dinner offered to take me which was so thoughtful. During the evening one took ill and left early so I took a taxi home. Later I discovered she had been so ill they went to the emergency at the hospital and was diagnosed with a lung infection! She was sent home with antibiotics, but what a fright.
 I was out again with friends on Saturday night celebrating my return with a fabulous dinner to which
we all contributed  two delicious salads and discovered my host likes whisky. He has an interesting collection of single malts and varieties of whisky of which we had tastings. It was so interesting and tasty. I would love to walk the Whisky Trail in Scotland sometime. Needless to say I took the backstreets home just in case I got  breathalysed. I felt fine but could have been close to the .05 limit.
Sunday dawned and I whipped. Around with the vacumn and cleared up the spare room for Mum  who was arriving at 12:30 pm.  After collecting her from the airport, a spot of lunch it was off to the hospital to visit my cousin.  Anxious as we all are it was wonderful to see all the family. We spent a couple if hours both in the ICU and in the waiting room catching up then it was off to dinner with my brothers-in-law in Box Hill South at a great little Chinese restaurant. The food was delicious, the hostess was charming and very excited as they were going to China the next day for a holiday and food research tour to bring back new recipes for the restaurant.
Finally home. My ninety year old mother Edna was a bit weary as was I after such a busy week.
There hasn't been much downtime or time for reflection. This pace is too familiar and what I was wanting to avoid when I returned. I am able to pace myself better and 'real Life ' is much more unpredictable and consequently more challenging. These two factors  will constantly test my resolve to be calm and peaceful.

The best intentions...

Monday felt strange not going to work. How easy it is to slip into the old mindset! On my list however I did make a start. I went to the Gym for an hour and added a walk around the block afterwards as well. I found a gorgeous young electrician parked in the driveway of the apartment complex when I returned. He had dreadlocks and a bit of a Johnny Diepe look and was willing to fix the transformer in the downlight today. It has been broken for 8 months and I just never got around to getting it fixed. Gosh if I was thirty years younger or a hell of a lot bolder I would have flirted shamelessly with him. Anyway he sent the apprentice up instead, who was also handsome but not quite so sparkling. Still both angels as far as I was concerned. Now there is light!
Then it has been a week of Ziggy.  He has been off child care because of a funny tummy and I stepped in to mind him the extra days. We have had a great time and resumed a close relationship but it  was tiring especially as I am not in my home but his.
I started to feel frustrated with not making progress on my BIG PICTURE plans before I regained my Camino perspective. I do not need to do everything today!

Return to reality

After five months away from Australia, from home, I have had a week at home.  It is spring in Melbourne and blossoms are everywhere. The air is warm and fragrant, a wonderful welcome home. It has been a mad week with me trying to catch up with my dearest family and friends and not quite into the rhythm of day and night in the Southern Hemisphere. I am sleeping soundly but without the imperative of work my body is not waking early like I usually do.
I managed book club, a day babysitting from 7:15 am till late,  two days sorting the months of mail, phone calls, a return to the workplace, two lunch dates with friends and hosting a dinner party.  A lot of fun but perhaps a touch over the top. Living at home rather than travelling is a more complex experience and has different challenges.
How do I feel about being home? It is exciting. I am full of energy, with lots of plans for the coming months. I have a LIST.  I see it as essential for me to keep moving forward. We will see how many things on the list are accomplished!
It is rather nice being re-acquainted with my wardrobe after months of the same and limited choice in clothes. I feel like I want to throw most of it out though and pare back to a minimal wardrobe. I have lost weight and some things look great now which is confidence boosting. There is just too much! Now I am retired I won't need so many clothes and besides a lot of them are well worn and it is time to DECLUTTER! My new mantra, simplify, simplify. I have time and energy at last to go through my cupboards.
Going to my workplace and ending up there all day was a good reminder of why I needed to leave.  It is a pressure cooker and not a nice modern red one,  but a grey old burner. Still I have come away with a writing contract which will be done from home over the next three months. The pocket money will pay for the last few months travel.
It seems very odd to not have to go to work on Monday.  This week will be the beginning of my new reality.  Monday I start on the list. I also need to remember I don't have to do it all tomorrow.  Balancing time and activity to maintain this wonderful feeling of peace and equilibrium will be a major challenge for me. Roll on the new reality.
The  first reality check: a new kettle is required.  The answer to an electrical surge which stopped the dishwasher last night was revealed this evening.  I have been out most of the day and decided to just do an instant coffee. Turned on kettle and walked away to turn on TV, came back and poured, cold water. The element  has broken. That was what set the surge off last night. Much cheaper to replace than a dishwasher!