Gosh, another post so soon I hear you say!  What on earth is happening?  A little insomnia is happening which made me think it may be a good time to write.  You know how it goes.. the great plan to help the you are getting sleepy thing!  Put all the stuff bouncing around in your mind down on paper... ok well on keyboard ... and then you can let it go.  By the way, what is it with that anyway?  The lie down to go to sleep and all of a sudden you have 101 things to think about... sheesh!

Speaking of by the way stuff, I noticed that there were 45 people who took a peek at this page and perhaps even read my last blog post 3 days ago.  I have to say that was a BIG and lovely surprise. So thank you to anyone out there who took a little time out of their day to read my ramblings!

I thought I'd give you the funny background part of how I came to meet this man who has arrived in my life.  His daughter has been a friend of mine for around 10-12 years.  We originally met in an online forum and then met in person a year or two later.  

Actually, our meeting in person was with a bunch of women from that forum who had decided that spending a weekend together would be a fun idea.  So there were 13 of us who gathered at one woman's place on the Mornington Peninsula, from Friday through to Sunday!  And oh, what a wonderful get together it was.

As it turns out, I hadn't seen my young friend again in the time since our first get together, however, we had kept in touch via social media/emails/etc.  She was aware that I'd done a 6 week stint up here (in what is my new city) and was going to be moving up here.  

While I was back home we had a facebook conversation along the lines of... 'I think I should introduce you to my Dad.  You two would probably get along well.  Just think, if you end up married, you could be my step mum... and you would have 10 children between you!  And you could have all our mutual friends attend, all of us girls could be bridesmaids (the ones from the original get together) and we could wear purple and our kids could be flowergirls and.... by this time I was almost choking!  With laughter. And thinking, oh my goddess, she is surely kidding!  So I treated it as the joke I thought it was.

Only it seems she wasn't quite kidding.  And a few weeks down the track, I had another message from her.  Actually.. I've told my Dad alllll about you and he'd like to meet you.  For real.  Of course my reaction was along the lines of what tha?  So next thing phone numbers are exchanged and I get a phone call from her Dad.  He seems nice enough.  I agree to go on a date.  She helps him arrange tickets to go to a dinner and Black Sorrows concert up here.

We met near a gelato place down by the water about an hour before the concert, so we had time to get the initial meet and greet and hopefully the awkward stuff out of the way first.  He was quite a gentleman and we had an enjoyable night.  He dropped me home again and we agreed to meet for breakfast the next morning before he headed off back down to where he lives (3.5 hrs drive south).

All of that went reasonably well, we seemed to be able to talk easily enough and so it was decided to meet again.  I was quite adamant and vocal about how I didn't want another relationship, not now and maybe not ever.  I was more than happy to have a new friend in my life and have some companionship from time to time.. especially living in a new town, it would be great to have a friend I could spend time with occasionally, perhaps share a meal with or go to a movie or concert with.  

But I definitely did not want a full on relationship in any shape or form as I did not have time for one of those and just wasn't interested! Not at all. Oh and while I had a little extra time now for going on the occasional date because it was the end of the year and everything slowed down, once the new year arrived, I wouldn't have the luxury of having that time available to be doing things like dating and all.  

And that is how our courtship (isn't that a cute old fashioned word?) started. Famous last words eh... I don't want... I'm not interested in... never ever or no time soon... I don't have time... it's like the universe just laughs when you utter those words and thinks, I'll show you what that looks like!  

So yes, it's been challenging.  And yes, it's been one of the hardest things ever. I was just not in that space at all.  I had plans.  Things I wanted to do.  Things that definitely did not include a relationship or the complications one can bring. I did not want to be tied down.  I wanted the freedom to make decisions on my own that suited me without having to consider anyone else in the equation.  My children are all adults now and for the first time since they were born, I have the time to follow my dreams.  And I did not want or need a relationship getting in the way of that!

Needless to say, those plans have either been put on hold to some degree or have had some adjustments while I explore this thing we have going.  In the meantime, I'm hanging on for the ride and seeing if I can keep up!  I'm afraid I'm not always doing a good job of the keeping up part and I've found it a real stretch to get my head around this whole relationship thing.  Which probably sounds silly to some of you.  Especially those of you who may be ready and wanting a relationship.  And maybe even a little selfish.  But it's the space I was/am in for a variety of reasons.

All that said, he is a good man and is caring and funny and romantic and can be ever so serious. He is also a practical joker and is like a big kid at times.  He has hidden behind curtains, in a cupboard and under a bed.  He has surprised me by having flowers delivered to my workplace, for the first time ever!  Another time he was concerned about me when I had a lot going on and booked me in for a reiki treatment one time when I went down to visit.  

So there are many good things about all of this and I find myself very conflicted at times because this relationship is so at odds with the plans and hopes and dreams I had for the next few years.  I hope I figure out how it all fits in soon! Or perhaps I need to just not worry about it and see what happens.

Well that's the end of tonight's reflective post.  If you joined for the ride, thank you!  

The pic I'm sharing this evening was taken just after dawn one morning from the top of Castle Hill in Townsville.

Hello to any random readers out there!  

It has come to my attention that this seems to have become almost a 6 monthly blog rather than the far more regular blog I had anticipated.  It definitely has it's ebbs and flows.  

So what's been happening?  Lots this end!  I'm settling into my new city in the tropics and have to say I found the summer rather challenging.  Winter, if one could call it that, is a whole other story and the weather is perfect!  Just a teeny bit cool at night, certainly not cold by any stretch of the imagination but enough to have a sheet and a lightweight blanket over you.  The days are glorious. Fresh of a morning but again, not cold, and the days are like early summer.  It's cool enough now that I can put pot plants out on my little deck without them getting burnt to a crisp by the summer sun. Living away from my family and friends has been a little tough too.. although good practice for when I move to NZ!  

The other BIG news is I appear to be in a relationship!  After saying things along the line of never again, well maybe but not for a very long time, and no way not for at least another 2 yrs because I have too much to do between now and then and the timing just sucks... well, here I am.

I have to say it's been the most challenging relationship I've ever experienced which is due in part to the timing being really bad in many ways and me not wanting to start a new relationship.  However, he is still hanging about or should I say coming up to visit - he lives 3.5 hrs drive south of me.. and when we are together, I enjoy his company.

I've found my future plans for the year have pretty much gone out the window and many things have been put on hold while I explore this whatever it is.  It's taking me quite some time to adjust and while I love spending time with him, I'm also very glad of the distance during the week as I need the space.  

I'm one of those weird people who loves their own space and desperately needs that time out.  I can't say I get time out completely though as we seem to spend a LOT of time on the phone each day, however, the physical space is just what I need and at this stage, I don't think I'd cope with living in the same town.  So baby steps as I do this whole adjustment thing and enjoy each day as it comes as I continue to try and become accustomed to this whole relationship thing again!

Relationships are sooo consuming, aren't they?  I've yet to find a balance and a way to make my hopes, dreams and plans to fit in around it all.  That said, the times we spend together often involve a lot of laughter, hand holding, sweet kisses and being in the country.

Well that's it from me for now, but I'll keep you posted!  Thanks to anyone out there who may have had a read.

Today's pic is some gorgeous sweet smelling flowers.  I have no idea what they are but I came across them when I was out walking one day.

Evening all 

(Assuming there are at least one or two out there reading!) 

It's been an interesting start to the New Year, as I've been challenged with a sore back that will be reasonably comfortable for a day or two, then hellish to manage the next few days.  It can become unhappy very quickly, usually when I've been sitting in a chair that's not as supportive as it could be in particular places.

Often when I've had a sore back, I take it easy for a while and it settles relatively quickly.  Prior to the last 6 months, I'd also been having regular massages which seemed to help as well.  The massages have dropped off since I moved and this time the back issues have been a little more persistent, so I finally managed to find myself a therapist with the assistance of Google. 

I have to say Madilyn from NQBodyfix is awesome.  I had an appointment with her over the weekend and have another booked for tomorrow.  I've had more relief since then, than I have over the last 2 weeks so I'm hopeful the improvements will continue.

Yesterday I was also very excited to learn my blood pressure was down a little.  I'm one of these people who isn't keen on visiting the Dr and just going there is enough to bump my blood pressure up.  When I was diagnosed with high blood pressure some 7-8 yrs ago, it was around the 175 over 80 something mark and within a month or so, it had risen to 198 over 99 which I'm told it quite dangerous and can precede a stroke.  So I was put onto medication.  

In those years, we've still struggled to get it to a reasonable level and you can probably count on one hand the number of times it's been in the 140's.  Mostly it's been around the 150 and in the last 12 months, had been edging higher and into the 160's again.  

I needed my prescription renewed and given I've recently moved cities, I was seeing a new Dr.  I mentioned I can feel my blood pressure rising on the way to my appointment and it's something I struggle with.  So my first reading was 163 over 70 (the lowest the bottom number has ever been since I was in my 20's) and then after me talking about my nervousness around Dr's visits, he re-took it about 5 minutes later on the other arm.  I was pleasantly surprised and very excited to learn it was down to 148 over 72.  Still up a little but a distinct improvement on the last 12-18 mths readings.  So I'm feeling very encouraged and somewhat inspired by that to keep doing things that will help lower it.

A couple of little amusing/silly things I've noticed and heard this week.  One was a young guy yesterday riding his pushbike in peak hour traffic along a main arterial road.  He was riding with no hands and playing his guitar!!!!!  I wound down my window as I drove past to see if I could hear him playing and sure enough, I could hear him picking out a tune and strumming.  Not sure what he would have done if he'd had to react to a traffic situation suddenly!

The other amusing thing was hearing a nickname for a local hotel.. known as 'pickup a granny'.  Apparently due to the style of music that's played which seems to attract a mid-aged audience.  Can't say I've ever heard that terminology before!

Well that's about it from me for now.  I was going to write a little more but feeling a little weary so I will leave it for now.  Have to say the couple of days after New Year in Kuranda were beautiful.  Don't have a pic now, so will add one later on.  Have a great evening!

Happy New Year!  There's always something a little exciting about a new year I find.. that feeling of freshness and new beginnings. 

I admit there have been times when I've had to squash the thought of it just being another day yet on the other hand, have been quite disturbed at the speed the last year has just passed.  How is it that they seem to go faster and faster?

So those little negative thoughts aside and back in their box, it's time to enjoy the freshness of a new year.  I always have a little fun planning what I'd like to do with this year and then looking back at what I've achieved over the last year. 

I also have a tin that I write down the things that made me smile or feel happy during the year and I love reading back through them at New Year.  Some things I remember and other things I'd forgotten until re-reading.  Either way, they bring joy again just thinking about them.  Alas, I left my tin back in Brisbane when I moved to Townsville, so I need to do a retrieval when I go back later this month. 

Plans for this year are coming along nicely!  I have a friend who puts out a great book for planning your year which makes it even more fun.  I will get the link sometime soon and include it. 

My New Year's Eve was particularly quiet this year.  I worked and then went out to dinner with a friend.  Unfortunately I've was having some problems with my back and was in considerable pain by the time dinner was done, so I headed off home to bed.  I woke a little before midnight though and was able to see the fireworks from my room.  How lucky is that!! 

New Year's Day has been spent at work, doing a little forward planning here too.  It's been quiet as far as clients are concerned though. 

I've booked in to do a 6 week art course starting mid - Feb, so am excited about that.  Hmm another link I'll have to find a way to include. 

Perhaps that can be on my to do list too... become more tech savvy! 

I have plans to head up to Cairns for the weekend, so will be nice to have a little time away with friends. 

Well that's it from me for now.  I hope you have an awesomely fabulous day and I wish you all the very best for a fantastic 2015.