This Year in Sunsets

In month order - JFMAMJJASOND - you know it

HAPPY NEW YEAR, MAY 2018 BRING A WORLD OF POSITIVITY AND PEACE

So here is a bit of a catch up on 2017

This is a quick run down to record happenings that have been missed while I was trying to keep up with the #52Stories blog challenge.

I've moved - house, country; the lot.

I'm enrolled in my first formal study since leaving school - holy heck ! A Diploma in Family History is going to be mine, in a year - or maybe three.

I got 84.5% in my first unit - High Distinction 😊 and I am expecting results for the 2nd unit in the next couple of weeks.

I've been walking lots - no car here (yet) so I have been wearing out the soles of my shoes.

Shopping and meal planning has become more thoughtful and measured. No more racing to the supermarket mid recipe ! And heavy shopping bags to carry home are not much fun either.

I'm still looking for a job. Consequently, I am contemplating whether staying in Bendigo is viable...I'm thinking not...maybe somewhere a little larger is on the cards.

We've done a bit of exploring, and we had a great visit with Mum and Dad before the weather got too hot.

There has been a bit of culture - "The Book of Mormon" in Melbourne and lots of markets and festivals in Bendigo.

I had a fun day in Melbourne with friends for Wellington and a chance meeting with an NZ cousin on Dad's side of the tree, who just happened to come to the Goldfields ! Then a planned meeting with 4th cousins on Mum's side of the tree just before Christmas.

I'm especially grateful for the support of family and friends throughout the year...most especially to my wonderful daughter for all she does for me.

#52Stories, Week 53, Woohoo !!

This is the 53^rd Sunday of the year. Since I started on the first Sunday (January 1, 2017), it seems right to close out the challenge on the last one.

So, not much revisiting of the goals, because I don’t think I’ve made much more progress with them than I had in June/July.

There have certainly been some thought provoking topics through the year, some that I have really struggled to find something to write about. But I’ve finished.

Maybe I will print them all out and have them bound into a book, maybe I wont.

A lot of other things have gone by the by because of the challenge though. I haven’t posted as much general stuff this year, so I will have to do a couple of catch-ups I think before the end of the day.

It has been a pretty action-packed year, lots of change – and stress – but lots of learning too.

The winds of change and smiles of good fortune had better start going my way though, because I am starting to go a bit crazy with not enough to do. I have lots of plans for my life – I just need to be able to execute them, and a job would be a great help in that regard.

#52Stories, Week 52, 'Tis the season..

Christmas

It has to be my favourite time of the year. I’m not sure exactly what it is about it, that makes it so.

Maybe it is because all over the world people are celebrating together.

Maybe it is all the great (often cheesy) movies…

…or the baking – so many choices

…or packaging – it’s the craft geek in me, I can’t help myself

…or the sharing.

The counting down,

Carols in the park.

Taking time to breathe,

Searching for the right gift – not just a gift for gift-giving’s sake.

Making time to appreciate life…people, and to thoughtfully give to others who might not share the same opportunities.

Following traditions, making memories, reminiscing, starting new rituals.

Summer days – although a white Christmas is still on my bucket list, even if it is only once.

The joy of homecoming (not that there is much of that goes on in our family) – maybe next year.

Ours is always a quiet day – 2, maybe 4 people. Those rowdy, fun cousin packed, extended family events I always long for aren’t really an option. Maybe I wouldn’t enjoy them anyway, as used to solitariness as I am.

Mostly I think it is that cosiness, mindfulness feeling…

…seeing the joy in others – young and old.

It is MAGIC.

B E L I E V E

#52Stories, Week 51, What do you look forward to as each new season approaches ?

Spring

I’ll start here since I have a spring birthday. Blue skies, trees and shrubs bursting into leaf, blossom buds appearing – sometimes even before the leaves, spring showers and soft breezes. Slowly lengthening daylight hours. Cool nights. Birdsong. Baby animals and birds.

Summer

Sunshine, dappled shade, trips to the beach, lake, river. Barbecues. Warmth. Water play. Christmas, holidays, salads. Blue skies and sudden downpours. Stone fruit and berries – picked fresh if possible. Crickets and cicadas singing. Gentle breezes.

Autumn

Cooler mornings. Changing leaves, red, green, orange, yellow, brown. Dew lingering on leaves and flowers, first frosts. Clear skies. Indian summers. Cool breezes, surprise showers.

 Winter

Shorter days, longer nights, cosy evenings, comfort food. Stormy days, stormy nights, rain, frosty air, maybe snow ? Woolly hats and scarves. Camellia, Magnolia, Rhododendron, Daffodil braving the chilly air, a sign of what is to follow.