Saraband

That sums it up nicely!

Good luck jkd :) 19 months ago

one of those irritating people who subscribe and unsubscribe at times, no doubt causing others to wonder what they did to lose a subscriber. For me it’s never the fault of the other person; it’s generally that I get overwhelmed with too many people I’ve subscribed to and have to be ruthless to avoid spending hours trying to keep up.

It does make me feel bad though, that I can’t keep up with everyone I encounter here who inspire me or whose story I’d like to witness. This goal, or something similar, appeared in my feed quite recently and the idea has stayed with me. I can use it regardless of whether I’m subscribed to someone or not. A way of acknowledging and recognising someone’s journey :)

_{Cheer bombs will hopefully = 10 cheers or more, so the cheer fairy will need to be generous on a regular basis!}19 months ago

thing is that you have stuck with it and I have rather wandered off the path!

I shall check out that site. I have used something similar in the past and have always found it effective. This time around I was working intuitively and for the time that I focused on it, it worked well. It’s when other things get in the way that I start to wobble.

Ah well! 19 months ago

You did better than I did, Todd :)

Both fridge and bins are still waiting in my house. And I’m still procrastinating by being here on 43t!

:) 19 months ago

with you. Sharing is definitely a good thing. One of the best parts of 43T :) 19 months ago

It is priceless :)

Wishing you all many precious moments of joy with the little one :) 19 months ago

Oh my gut feeling is to take the time out if I can! :D

I have this very strong feeling that it will lead to something – other than bankruptcy that is!

I’ll let it simmer some more. We shall see :)

_{I’ve just come off the phone from my mother who tells me they are one step closer to an extended visit to SA next January. It will be their last visit. I sooooo want to join them for part of it. I ought to be saying to myself: “If I carry on earning now that will pay for my air fare.” Instead my gut response was: “I can extend the 3 month time out that I have been considering and tag on a trip with them before resuming work.” Hmmmm}19 months ago

I caught a little of this film by chance recently and must get around to watching it in full.

And of course….

Midnight in Paris

Looking forward to seeing this one :)

(A goal involving watching Woody Allen films has long been in my head. One day….) 19 months ago

It’s not always good things and nice surprises that lead me to celebrate life – though both certainly do :)

Early last week notice arrived that redundancies were on the horizon. It’s been fairly clear to me that there hasn’t been enough work for a while. Motivating myself is hard enough when there is data to work: plodding through hours of calling what’s already been called has been even harder. So the formal acknowledgement that redundancies are necessary was no surprise. And I found myself hoping – or more correctly trying not to hope – that I might be among them. For it would be foolish to lose this job: it covers every criterion I set for myself; I like the ethos of the company; they’ve been very good to me, and for the type of work it is, the money’s not at all bad.

I’m not on the list for redundancy and I was pleased and relieved when I heard the news at the end of last week. But this week when I returned to work on Tuesday after being on leave, I logged on – and there was no work. After a break the idea of slogging through previously-called data did not appeal, especially as it had all been done only the day before. Understandably, people don’t like to be harassed. I could have worked anyway, and been paid for it of course. But I volunteered not to. It saves the company a bit of money at this difficult time and my week has been so much better for not having the daily battle with myself to log on and make those calls.

My manager has been on leave herself this week. On Monday I need to call and speak with her about this coming week since I’m going to be away again for part of it. And the urge to suggest that I take a sabbatical is so strong. On every practical level it’s a foolish thing to do. I’ve just got to a point where my income can cover my outgoings and I’m thinking of giving it up. Officially it might only be for a limited time but I’m well aware of the pitfalls.

Yet it really feels like the thing to do; I’m excited by it. The conditions of this job are a perfect fit for me but the nature of the work is not – and has never been. I’ve learned from the experience that the need for the work itself to have meaning for me is integral. I knew that of course, but not the extent to which it applies. Despite knowing that having this job has enabled me to be there for other things in life which have proved to be crucial, the battle with it’s ultimate meaningless (for me personally) has continued to rumble quietly in the background and remains unresolved.

So my stepping back a while might prove a godsend on a personal level and in addition it benefits the company at a sticky time whilst allowing others, for whom the money is maybe more important, to work. Except I do need the money. Most definitely. And yet….. 19 months ago

Today I am thankful for:
• Magical moon glimpses
• E feeling better – on all fronts
• Feeling tired – and going with it
• An unexpected invitation
• Rice pudding with greengage compote
• Portabella mushrooms, perfectly ripe figs and dolcelatte 19 months ago

Yesterday frogs were evidently so unappealing that I did none of them! So here they are again _sigh…

Email Cm

Clean fridge

Clean bins (currently soaking. A way of putting off the actual cleaning…)

_{Edit: feeling very smug after those last two frogs ;)}19 months ago

so impressed with your steady weight loss, Grandmonster! Well done you :) 19 months ago

:) 19 months ago

Just thinking right now…..

;) 19 months ago

for you – caught between so many conflicting stories. It must be very hard to see this happening to people you care about. 19 months ago

in neighbourliness and much more. Thank you for sharing :) 19 months ago

it may only be for a few seconds. I find noticing and acknowledging those little moments both calming and uplifting every time I manage it :) 19 months ago

I’m glad you were able to squeeze another one in. Hopefully there will be just a few more…

:) 19 months ago

And how right you are :) 19 months ago

... is why I’m resisting getting my eyes tested. It’s a slippery slope! (And it costs a lot!) 19 months ago

I know what you mean! I felt suitably pleased with myself for accomplishing those three little jobs until I remembered that there had actually been 4 items in the queue. So for a brief moment I thought I’d got them all and quickly discovered that no matter how much fixing and mending I do, there will ALWAYS be that one more thing – just sitting there staring back blandly :D

_{I think it had a very smug air to it; it was proud of escaping it’s turn!}19 months ago

Today I am thankful for:

• The crisp, sharp, tangy air
• Autumn sunshine: low and blinding
• Feeling invigorated
• Good energy
• R helping E
• Freshly aired laundry
• Home-made mango chutney :) 19 months ago

Today’s frogs:

Email Cm
Clean fridge
Clean bins – ugh 19 months ago

Feel better soon Grandmonster :) 19 months ago

lucky dogs! I think they’ll manage :) 19 months ago

Today I have given almost the entire day to new thoughts and plans. I feel enlivened and enthused :)

Today I am thankful for:
• Serendipity, synchronicity, simplicity, streamlining
• A brisk, breezy morning stroll – part of my new morning routine
• Robin in the birdbath
• Potential and unknown possibilities
• Sunshine through closed eyelids 19 months ago

Today I am thankful for:

• Sun!
• Peace
• Contentment 19 months ago

Yes that’s true; I do everything possible to avoid driving in snow. I have my rose-coloured glasses on again! Picture-postcard scenes, snowmen and icicles!

I’m guessing it will be quite some time before the hiking season starts up again in your corner of the world. Becca and Elbee will miss it too. 19 months ago

_{I like snow.}

_{but then, ours is maybe a touch more manageable and transient than you folks over there ;)}19 months ago