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Just hanging...

So it's been a looooong time. They say the most vital aspect of a blog is that you most often, that means roughly once a week not once a year! Since I'm an OTT positive person I can only see that as an opportunity to improve. YAY FOR 2019! I endured some tough stuff last year so blogging was low on my radar. Who am I kidding it wasn't even a blip. However I realised a couple of days ago I'm ready to start journalling again. I broke my glasses & instead of taking sight for granted looked again with a fresh perspective.So here's my view from the last few days:

Yesterday

Woke to seagulls playing hockey on the roof with a bone I gather they scavenged from the local butcher.

Yoga to keep my wayward limbs moving. Placed my mat in the garden 5.45am beside one of the lavendar bushes - takes breathing in to a whole new level of appreciation.

A glass of my new fav watermelon & cucumber cider awaited me as I walked in the door at the end of a busy day. G had set up the long lost dart board in the garden & we began summer comps again before a late dinner & tantrix.

Fell asleep on the sofa!

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Street Art

New Plymouth – the new Melbourne?

It’s a break in the weather that brings the opportunity for us to don coats and venture out into the fresh Taranaki afternoon. It was Day one of our New Plymouth house sitting weekend & we wanted to take our 10 month old little charges out to run off some energy.Ensuring our little puffballs were ensconced in their wet weather attire,  we decided to check out the centre of town to enjoy any new street art that had appeared since last we looked. If orange is the new black in 2017 as fashion experts tell us, then New Plymouth is fast becoming the new Melbourne.

For the last few years Kiwi’s by the droves have been heading to Melbourne, Australia to enjoy the city’s  graffiti art scene in the hidden laneways, while also indulging in it’s vibrant and exciting food culture – us included –  but what many don’t realise is that New Plymouth is developing it’s own art & food vibe.

Best kept Secret

Until last year, the city had been New Zealand’s best kept secret, but with Taranaki being named as the 2nd best region in the world,in  Lonely Planet’s Best in Travel 2017, New Plymouth is fast becoming a must visit destination. That’s because there is sooo much to do here – no matter your interests. Honestly,  I don’t know anywhere else in the world where you can be snowboarding on the mountain in the morning, pop home for lunch and be surfing in the afternoon – something my boys did often growing up.

As we made our way toward town, I recalled that it was in Europe that I learned the value of walking. Integrating walking into our day allowed me to indulge in all the goodies on offer from the many patisseries we passed and meant we discovered hidden gems around every corner.New Plymouth is a great walking city so it’s something we’ve kept up as a daily routine since coming home.

Unlike Europe, where dogs can go anywhere, even into shops! –  dogs aren’t allowed in our city centre, so while Gordon entertained the girls   I made a quick tour of the alleyways searching for new street art.  This growing movement is having a colourful impact on our public spaces.

In our “about us” I promised you FOOD. We have a couple of special places in this area where we often call into. At both the coffee is great (important for Kiwis) & the food is delish!  Chaos, and The Market are our two favourites close by.( We received no free coffees for this post by the way – just sayin)

With deteriorating weather we headed back to our house sit, where a luxurious spa awaited us out on the deck!

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Beauty marred!

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Sisterly love

I never did finish telling you about nearly being eaten by a salt water crocodile up near Cairns did I? The end of the story fits well with a shining example of sisterly love between my older sister Pauline and I. I have two older sisters, which of course means, I have the indulgence of being the youngest. Despite a large gap of about 15 years when our kids were growing up & we didn’t really see each other( a whole other story), It’s been exciting getting back together. Linda still remains a little distant physically, having relocated to Texas many years ago, but Whats App is reducing that distance everyday.So I was excited to be spending a week with Pauline at her son’s wedding.

 The day the croc came into the picture dawned like every other in that tropical paradise.With no cell phone reception at the resort & determined to chat with Gordon after a 4 day absence, we  headed down the leafy forest track to the golden sands in the hope of finding coverage away from the cliffs.

Knowing our penchant for beach walking, another guest, the day before, had asked if we’d seen the warnings about salt water crocs & to take care. Such was my desire to speak to my beloved, all thoughts of man eaters (I’m from NZ people, the worst things we worry about are skinned knees) left my head. I waded further out into the water until -Houston we had contact!

Do you ever get the feeling sometimes that you’re being watched? That happened to me, right there, thigh deep in water. The croc warnings came back to me vividly as I realised we had wandered to the far end of the beach where the mangroves were. Slightly panicked I called to Pauline & Geoff to see if they were concerned about the threat - even though it remained unseen at this stage. 

Both agreed that maybe being in the water wasn’t such a good idea. As we scanned the beach for slide marks all courage left us & we mutually picked up the pace & headed pretty smartly back. With a more than uncooperative leg I only have one speed & it’s not fast. As the other two briskly pulled away from me I voiced my dilemma at keeping up with them. It was then I realised the depth of our sisterly love when Pauline threw back over her shoulder “ That’s good, you can keep him occupied it will gives us more time to get away.”

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Eaten by crocodiles... In case it had escaped you, I'm an extrovert. Contact with people is important to me & I love nothing better than sharing my fun experiences with friends, even if they can't be with me. (translates as: how much fun I'm having in the searing heat & sunshine while you're freezing your butts off back in wintry NZ) Basically that means I need to stay connected at all times - Facebook, Twitter, phone & texts being my 4 mainstays. When flying solo to Nth Queensland last week for a family wedding therefore, I sought Gordon's advice on what I should do to ensure my connectability - I wanted to be able to ring home everyday to chat since he couldn't come with. When I travel I like to slip a new SIM card into my phone to avoid the high rates charged for international roaming. But usually I'm with Gordon, & as someone who revels in all things teccy, he salivates at working out the best rates, deals etc. I usually just hand over my device as soon as we step into the arrivals lounge, order a flat white, & wait patiently for the return of said device 'all up & running'. So on arrival at Brisbane Airport & confident I knew what to do, I surveyed the various deals on offer. I'm a bargain hunter, I like nothing better than a great deal so when a certain flashy 'mobile provider' screamed at me offering Starter SIM Packs for $35 down from $50 they had me - hook, line & sinker. What the sign omitted to tell me however was that 'this particular provider' at times has extremely poor coverage and given where I was going, this very flaw would be the reason I nearly got eaten by a salt water crocodile.......

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BlogJune

It's Blog June people - that time of year when bloggers attempt to put their thoughts into print every day. So I'll give it a go - despite being 4 days late already! So prepare to hear my quirky thoughts on a daily basis for a while. Oh and I'd love feedback here on my blog - don't be shy, imagine you are replying to a letter I sent you in the post 😊

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Beauty after 50

Thursday - the day I tanned and got skinnier overnight. I could be considered something of a late bloomer when it comes to getting into my groove - but about now my ideal life is gradually revealing itself. As I stride confidently toward 60 I'm actually figuring it out. Basically I've realised I'm not interested in ordinary. About to head off to the tropics for a family wedding, today I made the bold decision to take another step forward & leave pasty, dead jellyfish me behind - I booked in for my first full body tan. With that decision I learned that when you take a step forward, the view changes. Half an hour spinning nakedly in a shower booth, revealing all my glory to a young pert glowing nyph as she coated me in chocolate, was worth it. Even if I revealed dum dums sagging to my knees & my body loudly shouting about why overweight people shouldn't wear g strings - I feel more confident, skinnier, younger and instantly toned. What a rush. Beats the gym hands down!

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Taking retirement for a test drive..

Last Thursday I decided I should test drive this retirement idea. Why? Well let’s face it the transition may take a bit of practice. I had the day off on Friday so I did a bit of research & worked out what the NZ government offers for those entering that golden age. After doing all the sums, I figured I had this in the bag. I had been a single mum with 4 kids after all - economising was my second name. Unfortunately, given it was my day off on Friday, I went shopping. By evening I was confessing to Gordon that I’d blown my retirement allowance for the week. Saturday evening I was back in the confessional - I’d blown Gordon’s allowance as well. It seems appropriate, given it’s America’s Cup time, that I change tacks. After all I want to ease into retirement. I’m encouraged by the memory of a song I sang to my children…“Practice makes perfect, practice makes perfect. The more that you practice the better you’ll be” Oh I’ll stop practising spending money I think & perhaps this week I’ll experiment with saving!

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To the power of 7

What’s with the number 7?  Evidently, if we listen to the great teachers, like Rudolph Steiner, 7 year cycles continue throughout our lives.

If that’s the case, then this year marks the end of a 7 year cycle for me.Seven years since I fell over that cliff and my leg ended up looking like a body part for meccano woman.

But now here I sit on the cusp of yet another operation (7 years to the month almost), to reverse that first operation & remove the hardware inserted to keep me mobile.

Add to that, I just turned 56 - the beginning of my 8th 7 year cycle (7x8=56) Now there is nothing scientific about the number 7, this cycle business may be a myth, but now that it’s within my grasp, I have to admit “It fits people!”

According to everything written about this magical number, I’m supposed to be entering a time of inner tranquillity - at peace with and accepting of myself. Oh my goodness! That is exactly how I’m feeling.Here’s just one example - Never before would I dare to show anyone  my artwork for fear of ridicule - but now I honestly do not care - I’m getting so much enjoyment out of it just for my own pleasure - it’s liberating.

It also says I’m at the start of a great shift & adjustment in how I deal with and feel about relationships- Hellooo! has anyone read one of my recent posts about that very subject? 

So is there something in it? Who knows - but I feel like my greatest life adventure is hovering just around the corner and I’m doing everything within my power to make sure I reach out and take hold of it with both hands.

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Live Bold and Bloom

In my endeavours to navigate life effectively toward retirement, I'm starting to understand myself better - what motivates me & how I interact with the world. I know my weaknesses ( Do I talk too much?) but prefer to think about my strengths (I see possibilities in everything.) I can't help it, I'm someone who gets wildly excited about life. This can be somewhat daunting for those closest to me. As I investigate options for how we'll fill all those extra hours vacated by our jobs, it takes me back to the months spent planning our Europe trip. Mapping out the route we'd take & what we'd do when we got there, opened up endless possibilities for adventure - each new idea needing to be teased out and discussed. While I revelled in the selection, Gordon reached data overload. A year and a half later I realise I'm doing it again. I can't risk data overload again.I need to keep Gordon invested, after all let's face it, I need him to retire or 'I have to hang out for another five years.' So while I'm cleaning out my wardrobe I'm also working on cleaning up other areas of my life. Storyteller Michael Morgolis says If you want to change your world you need to change your story. By taking this small step toward self improvement I hope to go more confidently in the direction of my dreams. To live the life I have imagined (Henry David Thoreau)

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Catching life's wind currents....

Yesterday I met a girlfriend for lunch & I came away with a renewed sense of who I am and what I want the rest of my life to be about. Somewhere in the last few years I changed course in life. In many ways I’ve become a less tolerant person - someone who no longer tolerates just getting up in the morning and gets through the day. That’s not enough anymore. I determine every morning to enjoy my day - every moment of every day if that’s possible! I no longer tolerate toxic relationships. I’m surrounding myself with like minded people, to enjoy life with. I refuse to be bored or feel empty ( my many projects are testament to that, right Gordon!) And finally, I refuse to “ just settle”. I aim to catch life’s wind currents and fly! In light of all that I guess I understand now why I’m so strongly setting a course for retirement. Bring it on! Boy Rosemary, what was in your Sushi?

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A pleasant evening spent reminiscing about my day in Lake Como while Gordon was living his dream amongst the engine roar of Formula One at Monza.

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Washing away the dust...

I’m at it again, I’ve signed up for an Art History course studying European paintings from Leonardo to Rembrandt.

Right now I’m feeling slightly panicked as I have 4 days left of this first week and I still have  4 lectures to go. Now that mightn’t sound so bad to you, but I haven’t done the exercises yet for the first 2 lectures, nor have I even looked at the recommended readings!

What I can tell you however is that I’m already in love with this course. 

I honestly believe the saying that, art must be experienced in person to get a sense of its magnitude. I know this because of the moment I rounded the corner in the Accademia Gallery in Florence and saw for the first time, Michelangelo’s marble masterpiece - David. 

My emotions got the better of me and I just stood there and wept. I was still quite a way off, people were milling at his feet, but David towered over them in all his beauty - right there for me. I was speechless. (something beautiful to behold in itself , if you ask Gordon) I’m sure it was at  that moment I fell in love with art and developed a thirst for art knowledge. I wanted to know more, both about the work and the artist himself.

Remembering back, I think  it was then that I truly experienced for the first time, Picasso’s famous quote - Art washing away from my soul the dust of everyday life. My tears felt like Alfred Austin’s summer rain, gentling cleansing as they fell.

I followed Michelangelo around Italy that year, much like a modern day stalker, finding him everywhere from Florence to Rome - in awe of each of his works. Now I have the opportunity to deepen my love affair, with knowledge  - I can’t wait!

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This young lady emerged from nothing this weekend - I'm on the homeward stretch...watch this space!

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Autumn - my favourite season

This Easter weekend has been pretty special this year, mainly I think thanks to Cyclone Cook. With the arrival of so much rain, leaving New Zealand somewhat drowned, we changed our travel plans and instead stayed nestled at home- an ideal time to ensure on my next trip I take considerably less baggage. Thanks for your words of wisdom JM - 20 minute forays into my drawers & wardrobe were just enough without being daunting. I can see a glimmer of hope for downsizing - that 30kg bag is looking slimmer already….I can’t say my wardrobe is sparse yet but I can now see the floor & have an abundance of empty coathangers. I’ve also set about taking care of unfinished business, but where to start…I have so many projects underway…. most importantly though, 3 Christmas stockings to complete for grandchildren….speaking of which, one is about to arrive for a playdate so I’m off for a shower.

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Watching your blog will be interesting

Loving seeing your artwork from your last big OE Pam and will watch you get organised for you big life changes and next trip

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Clean Out your Underwear Drawer

Sound advice from Janice MacLeod that I’ve taken to heart! Last time Gordon & I navigated our way through Europe we did so towing a 30kg bag each. Not fun when, with 5 minutes until the train left the station, the platform often changed from the one we were standing on, to one 6 tracks over. And worse still, we had just watched the train pull in to the platform - unlike New Zealand, European trains run precisely to time.This then, often involved a few choice words from Gordon, as he frantically plunged down the nearest stairwell 30kg’s in each hand. Unable to keep pace, & stumbling along bravely with our 2 5kg pieces of hand luggage, I could only keep one eye on him as he bolted headlong down the concrete tunnel, yelling back the platform numbers as he passed each one - so I’d know how far away we were. Then, weaving his way back up the correct stairwell, through the casual wanderers, who obviously had more time than us, he’d throw, well heave, the bags at the door of the train & stand panting, doubled over, half on/half off, ensuring the train couldn’t leave the station until I arrived. I can feel my blood pressure rising just thinking about it! As the weeks went by unfortunately, Gordon noticed I was only wearing a small portion of my suitcase & by the time we landed in La Spezia, he insisted I ship half the contents home. I have 44 months to get my act together & downsize! I can do this!