surroundings

been a while,
I'm fortunate enough to have a job, hobbies, & husband that keep me busy. 
I'm enjoying a shorter commute to a new job.
A new job where I have plenty of scope for autonomy, access to real improvement initiatives, & the senior managers.
Husband who looks after me & adores me, who I adore in return.
A manager who understands, encourages, & supports me.
Work mates who recognise the pressures we're all facing & are working as a team to get the best done we can. 
Who've started coming to lunch & having a laugh with me.

So many ways to relax & enjoy if I think of them, started the colouring again, love it.
Friends who I enjoy spending time with

Calm

happy to be calm
to see the positives

spoke to a couple more people at training, glad I made the effort & joined the running club & that they have the circuit training.

heating's back on at work, so much better :-)
have good craic with some colleagues
starting to have a lunch crowd

Happy

am settling into my new job :-) 
we have heaters now! 
So glad I have my own desk & pc, & plenty of lab space, the people are sound too.
Cracking on with work,
plenty of autonomy
& ideas for improvement
getting the hang of the software
Got a lunch buddy.

Healthy

• I joined the running club.  I am enjoying getting out, getting the chat & the exercise.
• They also run circuit training that I'm enjoying, have been enough times to be starting to get to know people.  I've finally found a viable replacement for bootcamp.
• I'm improving at both the running & the circuits.

I had food poisoning a while back.  It made me realise how lucky I am (& how thankful) that most of the time I am healthy & functioning.

• I've been eating more fruit, & enjoying it.
• settling into new job
• loving the quickness of the new commute
• starting to be able to get on with work

I'm back!

can't believe I haven't posted in a few months.  Time flies - am thankful for being busy.

New job.  So excited.  I love getting excited, plenty to get learning, to get improving, & to get enjoying.

New course is going well.  Is easy enough & quite interesting.

The mentoring is going well, am thankful for the nudge to keep me on track.  Also my mentee is enjoying the sessions & finding them useful.  Double score ;-)

Have got myself an exercise routine!  Am seeing progress with the running, & possibly with the strength & conditioning.

Went a-visiting yesterday.  Always relieved when we catch trains ok & get our seats without bother.

happy

I have settled down at work, busy but productive.  Am no longer stressed.
Am enjoying boss being back.

Had a good chat with my mentor, & got some plans & direction for the next few weeks - well til the end of September.  Am thankful for the reminder of the good I have, the things I enjoy.  I have coping mechanisms in place, & I should go to them sooner if I ever get stressed again.  I also have friends I enjoy time with.

me day

a me day, a day to relax, & recharge, & enjoy my favourite things.

I slept well, & had a lazy morning.  Lying in bed playing choose-your-own-adventure book.
Husband fed me well, as always, & willingly.
I got my 10k steps in (on target for 15k!), & had a lovely chat with friend - she's up for exercise anytime, I need to remember that.

& I enjoyed the keyboard, I can still get a tune out, & I found the books easily.

Lots of things I enjoyed, & hopefully the body balance had the desired effect on my neck.

support

I have lots of support to take advantage of,
husband has been so sweet & considerate.  & today he bought me a keyboard to play with - I used to love playing the old one.  Now I just need to brave the loft to find some of the music books...

There's no pressure, I don't need to do anything.  So I choose what to do.  Tomorrow is a me day, I shall indulge my hobbies.  I made it to wing chun seminar today, & enjoyed it, & knew my limits.

I have so many fun things around me, & so many people.  I had a good night out with a friend last night, & husband joined us for wine.  I even avoided much of a hangover.  & Thursday (when I was looking forward to a drink so I thought it was Friday) I got an invite to the pub, & a walk & talk with a friend.

I have friends that understand how conversation work, that are interested in what I'm saying.  How are you cos they want to know rather than because that's the lead in to them telling.I have a few of the elf help books now, I think they're great.  Husband has got me great gifts over the years, so I have all manner of pens & pencils (& crayons even) to be colouring with.

& now I have choose your own adventure books, & I'm looking forward to playing them :-)

appreciation

today I am thinking of all the things I'm thankful for that are easy to take forgranted.

I have switched rooms so I can sleep better. 
I have a safe, warm place to sleep, access to clean clothes and water, food in the kitchen and entertainment around me.  Friends and family around me.
A job I enjoy and am good at.

friends

thankful for friends to cheer me up, to chill with, to enjoy time with.
Went back to the beach & the exercise machines.  Blessed with great beaches nearby, & those outdoor exercise machines.  Plus the health to be able to use & enjoy them.

A great dinner with my friend.  Cooked specially for me, spot on.  So glad I enjoyed it.

health & mood

I have been in a great mood the past couple of days, it even lasted through the day at work. 
I have been printing out inspirational quotes, & colouring them in - I love doing that.  & have found a yoga instructor I like on youtube.

The walk was good yesterday, I enjoyed the pace.  Great plans for the rest of the week too, the cheesecake hunt, the exercise machines, a walk with a friend tomorrow...
Yep, I am happy :-)

hobbies

It's been a while, the best bit about these is that you can pick them up whenever you want.
I have been enjoying the swings at lunch so much that I bought myself one.  I am in a much better mood now, I'm wondering what all the fuss was about.
& a walk today.  & colouring inspirational quotes yesterday.

I even picked up the guitar & got a few riffs out of it.  So mnay things I can do.  A day full of very little yesterday, exactly what I needed.  Time and space to heal.

Cheery

I have cheered up.  I am happy that I know how to do that - the experiences & resources are available to me. 

I have dyed my hair, bright purple.  It's gorgeous & much happier root colour.
Husband took me out for dinner & I was brave with the heat of my curry.  Plus I really enjoyed it, I'll be having that again :-)

Found a great affirmation for my wall at work, so I designed it, printed it (word art text) & coloured it in.  & whilst I was doing that I found some lovely free colouring sheets. Looking forward to doing those :-)

I am doing a skills audit, a great way to remind myself how much I've achieved, & how great I am.  We found the Nik bingo sheet at work.  "I rock!" features on it.  I should go back to being fantastic & announcing that to myself!   "Husband is awesome" is also on there, I am truly blessed having that amazing man.

care

people care
people I know only online care enough to ask, & to cheer me up
friends to share troubles with, as well as good time

the greenery & open space around me
& having company for the walk
& being able to walk
the rain blew over so we stayed dry

meadow

• was in a much better mood today
• had a productive day
• made some progress with the little nagging jobs
• the weather was lovely at lunch time
• we had a lovely chat & walk up to the meadow
• my fitbit auto-tracked the walk
• plenty of steps today
• remembered to do weights
• husband is training me
• everything he does displays love
• recorded my progress in the lovely leather bound notebook he got me

chilli festival

• managed to get tickets
• the weather was good to us
• I knew that in advance & remembered suncream
• found my spare sunglasses, glad I had them
• found friend's house easily
• really enjoyed the cycle
• kept up with them
• strong & confident on the road
• the traffic was patient & kind
• so glad I didn't drive to the festival
• had a really fun day,
• got my 10k steps in wandering around
• 5 miles each way cycle, happy for the exercise
• discovered some new places to explore for walks
• tried loads of interesting food
• starting to make plans to go out & have fun
• am getting happier

chilli festival

• managed to get tickets
• the weather was good to us
• I knew that in advance & remembered suncream
• found my spare sunglasses, glad I had them
• found friend's house easily
• really enjoyed the cycle
• kept up with them
• strong & confident on the road
• the traffic was patient & kind
• so glad I didn't drive to the festival
• had a really fun day,
• got my 10k steps in wandering around
• 5 miles each way cycle, happy for the exercise
• discovered some new places to explore for walks
• tried loads of interesting food
• starting to make plans to go out & have fun
• am getting happier

Happy

• enjoyed myself at work
• the people around me are sound
• a lovely chat with husband whilst watching Netflix
• the house, & luxuries, & internet, & everything required to spend an evening watching tv
• exercise & meeting my goals
• I'm enjoying the recording of the fitbit
• walked down the street with husband & got my 10k steps
• picked up a birthday book so I can finally record dates
• & a birthday card for neice, plenty of time to post it
• time enough to get on with those animals, as soon as I'm inspired

support

I have a fab support group, the people holding me together:
friends, workmates, colleagues, husband...

Manager says I'm doing brilliantly.
Workmate has my back.  Glad he's situated in the office.

Been playing my sax.  Thankful for all the years of clarinet lessons, & that I kept my clarinet.  & that I got my saxophone.  The sax has such a lovely sound, I have the potential to learn & practice & improve.

It stopped raining so we could get out for our walk.  Friend was available & we had a lovely time.

Friends

& husband
went out for drinks & a chat & it was good.
Made sensible choices getting home, avoided being stuck in the gridlock.

Had a really good day out for my birthday the other day, friends & picnic & exercise :-)
Friend has a fitbit, & we're going to go out walking / talking - getting those steps in.

Knee is getting better, I can use it now. 

friends

to cheer me up & help pass the day, work-mates, ex-workmates, husband.
Online friends & community. 
My bunnies, time to stroke them.
Then my lovely, cosy, inviting bed.
Sleepy time all safe.

exam

• just caught the bus, the driver was lovely & waited for loads of people at various stops who were running for it. 
• & I found the venue no bother,
• walking there got me my steps for the day
• & I had time to wander into the gardens & sit a while, then take in some flights of stairs
• questions I could answer, I reckon the exam went well enough
• husband had tea waiting for me when I got home

Calm

well it's been a while, I am thankful that I can still log in.
Thankful my shoulder's improved & the physio is happy that I don't need to go back.
Thankful I found someone that does a good massage, & that she has lots of different techniques.

Thankful for these few days off work, & that I am calm again.
Thankful I settled down & studied, feel more ready for the exam.  & that I've found reasonable travel plans for the exam tomorrow.

sunny

I had a lovely walk in the sunshine.
It stayed dry, the sun was shining, I explored some of the places I've been before (linking routes together).
Got bread & fed myself.
Got mum's birthday card posted - should arrive in time
Meeting friend for breakfast tomorrow.
New wublin released, schedule designed I love doing stuff like that :-)

Bees

I'm thankful for husband, for the love & care he provides.
I'm thankful for my friends, for my lunchtime escapes.

I'm thankful I still have a job & cool workmates.
I'm thankful for the resources I have, for the things I have & do.
I'm thankful for the sun, & the nature I enjoy.  The pretty flowers in the garden, & the bees they attract, & the life that exists because of the bees.

life goes on

well I was brave enough to go into the local on my own, had my drink & left.
Home safely just as husband texted to see where I was - nice that he did that.

Have a fresh view on a difficult situation.  Yes it sucks, but actually it could've been a lot worse, & we probably expecting it be worse.  & now I can move on.
Also was waiting for an exciting opportunity that looks like it's back in play :-)

Have settled down (mostly) into the study - I have done some.  There are members of the group who have been very active, so there's not so much for me to do - the pressure's off.  & actually I'm not far off having my reports finished.

Chilling

am enjoying chilling, time off from study, from any demands on my time.
So thankful that I can do this.

Enjoyed walkies with husband, & got home.  My pulled muscle isn't so bad - thankful I can still get around.  & it's finally time to get to the doctors to get my shoulder seen to.  Again, I still function.

Had lovely dinner out with husband last night, very efficient :-)  brave enough to try a new dish that was really good.  & then a trip round Asda & I got my steps in.  Got my steps in for today too :-)

& Wing chun was fun, I can see the progress at times.  & then I had great fun planning out a breeding schedule for the wublins.  I spend hours on that game.  & I have the sims to fall back on when I want to chill without using my right arm.

bunnies

my dads operation went well
mum drove to the hospital ok I had a good chat with both of them
husband took me for my walk
actually managed to do some project work
been texting / messaging friends
sat out in the sun with the bunnies
& did some revision out there

ouch

thankful I can feel the ouch, that it's minor.
That I found a new massager, & that she seems to have sorted me out.
That I have time & space to just chill.

Husband walked with me to the shops & back, & bought me treats.
I got my 10k steps in, & my resting heart rate is lower this month.

quiet day

remembered that a mate recommended a sports massager, so I got in touch. Really lucky & got a booking for tomorrow night, 6pm (straight from work) so hopefully I'll be sorted then, at least I have the weekend to recover.  & I survived the powerball last night.

My analysis was ok, my next steps got the ok.

I can take it easy for a few days.

Sweet husband, looking after me as usual.  & has just given me reason to walk to the shop.  Step count will be achieved :-)  & I've just remembered I have fruit pots in the fridge, a healthy(ish) treat for when I get back from the shop.

powerball

husband started the powerball for me, even though he was gaming.
Work was good, was productive & inspired for tomorrow.
Had an uplifting chat, was pleased to get through to someone I'm being trying to catch for ages.
the project is picking up again, but I can chill.

my lovely cosy dressing gown & pj bottoms.
Is a lovely warm day,

project

glad I calmed down before I posted
glad also my thoughts were validated, & I voiced concerns that were shared by others
got my wublin filled in time
project is picking up
glad of the lighter traffic during the holidays
bunnies are well & know when it's bedtime

friends

got out for a walk (& home safe & dry) during a break in the clouds
had a good chat with a friend

glad of my friends
& my house, I cooked lunch, & we enjoyed ice-cream & Netflix,
simple pleasures, easy to enjoy

rain

• big strong amenable husband carried soil and turf and laid it for me in the bunny run
• the bunnies tucked straight in, so lovely to see them frolicking & enjoying the grass
• neighbour minds the bunnies while we're away
• safe drive down to parents
• got soaked walking the dog but had pjs to change into
• home cooked dinner so I could stay cosy in pjs
• clothes dried overnight for the drive back
• good run back
• rain here too, to water the turf

friends

had a lovely chat at the beach & the sun came out.  So did loads of people, was nice to see the beach busy, & I'm so glad it wasn't me driving.

& we got more soil & some turf for the bunnies, they're well spoilt.  Happy bunnies.

My week as co-ordinator on the project is over.  Hurray!

mundane

it's easy to take things forgranted,
today we had a good laugh at work
I have lovely lunch that husband makes for me, & there was plenty left over for tea,
my workmate did my washing up
I finally got my shugabush (my singing monsters)
long weekend!!
heating, safety, food, water, friends, love,

so much to be thankful for :-)

dancing

• dancing was fun tonight
• we have an active hobby we enjoy as a couple
• shopping arrived & I had time to put it away
• had a productive day at work
• group project is progressing

potential

I've got up early, the day is full of potential.
So many options, & I love those!

& yet no pressure to do anything at all, I could have a lazy day.

Loads of exercise games on the wii to choose from.  Have just started a new 30 day challenge so looking forward to that.  & we're going to walk down to the post office & back to get those steps in.

positive

• decided to be more positive, feeling brighter already
• motivated to exercise
• had a lovely day with workmate as she's off to a new job
• had a productive day at work
• got home safely

exercise & food

I am blessed in so many ways,
a lovely lunch with some lovely workmates (leaving do),
the presents we got her were ace :-)

I have food, water, warmth, shelter, friends, so many simple things.

I spent some time on the wii, & feel good for it.
Uni project is looking up.

Made some plans with friends, & it's nearly the long weekend.

Also made my 10,000 steps & got the all-clear from the dentist.

productive morning

walked to the post office with husband.
That was fun & contributed 7000 steps to my 10k, & we were home in time for me to go to wing chun.
Gentle session today, mindful.
10k achieved :-)

home & caught up with study, got my assignment submitted.

Had a lovely evening last night, cheesy garlic bread & wine.  Plenty of Netflix, & a new computer game...

Yep, all is well.

car

still enjoying the car :-)
remembered to get fuel at lunch
got to dancing on time
dancing was fun, we're up to speed with all the current dances
hatched a ghazt!
all is well

car

loving the new car
positive change in the office at work - can't wait!
good catch up with a friend over lunch
card arrived ok
husband very chatty

car

been a while, been keeping up with the thoughts, just not logging them here.

so, the car came in, I drove down without issue, I enjoyed the test drive, & got it the same day!
I am very excited, it's a lovely car.
I remembered to take the number plates, the spare key, the paperwork.

I got through to arrange the temporary cover.
Drove home without issue, am getting used to it.  Roads were clear.

Had a lovely dinner out.   Mum and Dad are well, the house was warm.
Got most of a pig knitted.  Home in good time to do some study

warning light

thankfully it came on when I was turned on the ignition in a local carpark, & I was just round the corner from a garage that was open.  When I think of all the motorway / dual carriageway driving I do, it's a relief I was close to home, with all the time in the world.

Since it was meant to be a long wait, I decided to walk home.  I had trainers on, though I do keep spare trainers in the car.  Went for an explore, headed in the right direction & eventually came to somewhere I recognised.  Remembered hay for the bunnies - they get to eat for another week ;-)

Walked back for the car, still pleasant weather. Definitely recovered my step deficit from the other week!  A bit of effort tonight & I could get 20,000.

I'm thinking it's a sensor or wiring fault.  Getting a lift to work (friend offered).  Phew.
& someone else was first post in the forum.  I started the intro thread, didn't want to be starting them all :-)

& body blast was good.  I knew the exercises, got a partner, am fitter than I expected & know where I'm weak.  Am also relieved I didn't walk there, if I had I wouldn't've seen the warning light til the morning.

fitbit

• I met my fitbit targets this week
• feeling better & get back into things
• I love having my fitbit, collecting all the data, the forums & support & info
• found a forgotten bank account, excited about how much might be in there!
• did a god days work today, efficient & busy
• house & warm, & Netflix & exercise & all the hobbies & conveniences I have & indulge :-)
• got the car tidied in time for the valet,
• so nice & clean, & threw the rubbish out.

cars & study

• car wash is coming to work, just at a perfect time
• the garage got the car we wanted, will be test driving it soon.
• Husband reminded me of the tutorial, so I made it :-)
• he's supportive of my dreams, hobbies, studies
• doing ok with assignments, getting back into the study habit
• getting my mojo back too, & onto my 10k steps target

excited

I've remembered this blog
reading it makes me smile, happy memories, so many things I am still grateful for, on-going themes.

The bunnies are happy & well.
I have warm clothes so even though it's cold outside I can stay cosy, & then come inside & be cosy.

Thanks to meetup I can go & be socialable when I want, without on-going maintenance so I can leave less positive conversations.

My ks friends, encouragement & support.

Careers speed dating was fun, I do worthwhile things, have an impact on people.