time for a return to get stuff done?

I have been slight bereft of the internet these last few days.  While I envisioned a week long of being able to browse as much as I like has turned into not actually having time to browse hardly at all.  And today at the gallery.  In a bit where i couldn't actually read my book any more. (I KNOW what has happened!!) I started to think that I perhaps miss the focus that this blog was initially set up to create.  I mean, somehwere in the google reader are all the posts I wrote.  And they were mainly about stepping up my progress towards my dreams and goals. 

I have totally loved the more involvedness of actually meeting fellow bloggers or taking part in e courses and postcard swaps etc (I am behind behind behind in posting about them btw and I have been sent some gorgeous things....) and yet, the simple, here is my list of stuff to do that keeps me moving forward has somehow seeped by the wayside.  I dunno, perhaps it hasn't its just that some of these dreams and goals are actually happening and now its time to think about 'what next?'.  I did really want to be earning money, and now I am, and meeting people and making friends and now I am, and of course going on the art retreat DWYL which I am deeply excited about (3 days of PAINTING  - and meeting new friends - woo hoo!!!) 

I feel that maybe a sort of lull, followed by some new stuff to go for.  At the end of the day my ultimate goals of being wealthy enough to follow the life I want to lead (not working a job, and having lots of friends and lots of holidays and doing yoga everyday, and being super creative and having a camper van sort of stuff) remains the same.  But the little goals, day to day  (oh the house being done up, for example, oh, and having a studio!! I forgot that how could I forget that...)

Hmm.  And the other thing is I got on the Yoga Teacher Training.  Which is now an actualy big commitment for the next two years.  I didn't really take it that seriously as I just didn't take it seriously that I would get on it this year.  I am already missing the first session due to this retreat I am booked on!  And I am going to have to find 5 hours a week to make it work.  OK that isn't that much, but even so, its not like I have time apart from working or looking after TEd.  OK now I am writing this, so it will be my internet hossing about time that gets taken up with it I guess.....

I am also slightly nervous about what I have taken on. In that I excitedly told one of the other teachers (who is also a mummy and comes to my playgroup) that i got on the course and she exclaimed, 'Oh, its amazing.... LIFE CHANGING...."  and then added that she left her partner, and in fact ALL the other ladies in her year did...... Hmm.  Not sure I want it to be THAT life changing!!  I don't mind life changing in a good way.  But it now seems like it might be a really BIG THING I am doing.  And I am a bit nervous!!  Well, being a yoga teacher is something I want to do.... so here goes nothing! 

Anyways.  I will be thinking about bringing it back down to some simple steps.  LIke decluttering and tracking expenses and all.  Get it back under a little control before I spin out of it! 

more photos from the weekend

photso first

I am most annoyed that my lovely gallery has taken the lap top off for mending when I am there ALL week.  No hossing about on t'internet for me then.  SO here are the photos and will be linking it all in when I have the time my lovelies.  And in fact only 2 of the pictures..... at Beas and some fabulous nail polish...

getting used to the pace I reckon

Just a quickie cos I haven't got the photos uploaded yet and all of that.  But had a FAB weekend.  On Saturday went to the UK bloggers meet up and met in person many of the peeps whose blogs I have been reading for ages, and some others who I haven't yet but will be now.  It was girly and fun and we basically ate and chatted for 9 hours.  And strolled through the 'riots' while we were at it!  I will post properly about it as I do have some photos and I need to do the whole linky thing which will take a long time!!  And then today, having originally been left just me and Bub while the boys (Hub, his brother, and his eldest son) went to a football match in London, well instead me and Bub hopped on the train and went to lunch with an old pal and his boyfriend whom I had not seen since Bub was a baby.  It was great.  I am not even insanely cream crackered!  I must be getting used to it.   This week I will be in the gallery Mon, Wed, Thur and Fri.  So hopefully plenty of time for surfing and figuring out how tweet deck works.  All is good. 

Ladies, you know who you are, you are ACE.

I want a hair cut

Am obsessing about hair cuts.  And hair styles.  I have long long long hair.  Its think and dyed a rather dreaful auburn.  I am loathing it.  I want something that is sassy and a bit edgy but not so edgy I look ugly.  Ugh! its so hard! I want a brilliant intuitive stylist to discuss my options at length and then help me to a hair cut that is good but actually suits my face.  Where is that stylist?  And what is it that I want done? 

yogurt, visitors and rest

I went up to London yesterday and did a full day supergroup inventing flavours for yogurts.  And became a total convert to Rachel's coconut yogurt.  WOW.  I would never have bought it but it is the most amazingly delicious stuff ever.  I particularly like it with mango puree.  I hope that they bring it out with the mango flavour...... fingers crossed. 

It was tiring though, especially as I didn't go to bed until after midnight (what am I like? - stayed up to finish my prep and then Hub came home late and then... then it was just late) and had to get up at 5.30am.  Supergroups are fun but tiring as you are creating ideas all day.  OOH I crashed into bed at 9pm! I feel SO MUCH BETTER today.

Today Hub's brother is over and his eldest Son is also coming, which is a stretch on our tiny house.  And as I went to bed early I have been cleaning and making up beds since this morning.  I also have to illustrate a whole Bub story as Russells present.  And do a load of admin for Hub.  Hmm. And there was me thinking I could get my hair cut.....

still.  ALL GOOD.  and the admin is invoicing.  Hub has done really well so far this year. At least he will have done when they all get around to paying him! 

I too have done really well. Am averaging over £1000 a month.  like £1200 so far.  Go me. 

staggering to the finish line, enjoying every bit

OK its not that bad.  But I am starting to feel weary to the core. I am not sure how long it has been now.... a month? two? that I have pretty much been working non stop.  And every day that I am not working is a big social event or visit or something.  Monday was my nearly last day of nannying and then in the evening I went out with a good friend to see Bjorn Again  - oh it was BRILLIANT  - as a 10 year old I loved ABBA with a passion and i know ALL the words without even knowing I do.  If you see what I mean.  They were so so very good and got the whole audience up and waving our arms in the air, singing our hearts out as if we were all uninhibited 10 year old girls having the time of our lives!!  Then, Yesterday we went to London Zoo, all of us, as a family.  It was fantastic (Lions! Tigers! Okapi! Giraffes! AMAZING!!!) with great weather too.  But you know, a bit of a frantic prepare vast pack lunch, get packed up and out the door, do LOADS of walking ALL DAY and then back home.... And it was honestly the first day Hub and I could do for.... I don't know, A LONG TIME.  We have both been working our socks off.  And tomorrow I have another day - Supergrouping, so brilliant, well paid, great work.  But a 5am start and commuting and it IS mentally exhausting to be generating and honing ideas at high energy levels all day.  I will be wiped!  But there we go.  Oh, no sorry, then we have Hub's brother and son coming over from Ireland to stay.  So a massive house tidy (god its a tip!) and getting the food in for 2 extra men.  AND THEN on Saturday am off to London for the UK blogger meet up.  Which I am totally looking forward to!! So still ALL GO. 

I have at least got some good food in the house now.  I have had a green smoothie today and have just eaten nut cutlets with brocolli and spinach and sweet potato.  YUM. 

WEll I had better go, try and do a bit of that house clean up today so that it is not ALL left until tomorrow night.....  OH Bring it all on.... I mustn't complain, I must just eat well and do my yoga and all will be fine!!