Life Begins @ 40 Blog

New Beginnings

2011-03-20T18:48:00.000+13:00

There really is a pot of gold at the end of the rainbow!
Not only am I now engaged I have also won a Principal's position after a year of trying.
I am so excited about moving to Te Poi school next term. So much potential and so much fun.

Exciting times

2010-09-25T16:17:00.000+12:00

One movie, one presentation, one niece, one girls weekend and one ULearn conference all to be crammed into 2 weeks.
Pressure what pressure!!!!

IT Toys

2010-09-12T11:31:00.001+12:00

I love my new Macbook Pro and now the new wireless mouse....
Slightly panicking about ULearn and my breakout being filled up in 10 minutes. It must say something about people needing great Numeracy websites. All I have to do now is deliver...

My new laptop

My Poor Christchurch

2010-09-05T16:49:00.000+12:00

A huge clean-up is underway.

Beautiful historic buildings crumbling.

Incredibly the people of Christchurch are all safe.

Getting more IT savvy

2010-09-01T14:13:00.001+12:00

Finally got myself organised and blogging again and following those very important people!!!
So I am getting excited about being up to speed again with the Education IT world.

Charity begins at home

2009-08-18T21:15:00.002+12:00

After the devastating fire at work where 2 beautiful historical classrooms were lost - Ray Columbus has given up his time free of charge for a charity concert.
400 tickets to sell to a school of 300 easy task?
NO
All money goes straight back to the school but does the community - or my friends - get in behind?
Answer for yourself.

Free at Last

2009-07-01T20:20:00.002+12:00

The cast has gone, the brace is off, I have the all clear to wear normal shoes. Am so looking forward to ditching the trousers and lace up sneakers and donning the skirts and great boots that have been crying out to be worn. Oh the bliss of having my complete wardrobe to choose from rather than the one limited selection I have been wearing for the past 3 months.
I feel the need to celebrate by purchasing a delicious pair of shoes. Roll on the weekend!!!

The Foot Warning...

2009-04-27T17:02:00.002+12:00

Changed the photo to advertise the importance of NOT running in high heels after drinking wine. A year down the track you end up with ankle stabilisation surgery and a blood clot. Not fun on your own, but a girl just gets on with it...

Girl's Nights Out

2009-03-01T13:21:00.003+13:00

I have decided I am going on no more of these outings. The last one (over a year ago) I ended up on crutches and last nights effort was just as dreadful.
One of our party received horrible news of a sudden death in her family. That halted the evening in a big way.
But you can look at it this way:
Life is fleeting so enjoy it while you can, with the ones you love.

Demented Bird

2008-11-29T08:31:00.003+13:00

For the past week I have had a crazy brown bird flying up and pecking at my kitchen window.

It's starts at 6am!!! In some cultures it could be the spirit of the dead.

How ironic that my new partner will get rid of the bird for me.

Again it highlights for me how far I have come and how life can get better and better.

MAybe he just doesn't like my new kitchen!!!

End of Year

2008-11-26T17:56:00.003+13:00

Why is it we never learn?

Each end of year rolls around and its the same mad dash and utter exhaustion to get to the finish line!

Just looking back over the past year, or 2, and planning my first full Christmas on my own its amazing how far you can come when you think there is no hope.

Life has a way of sneaking up on you and before you know it, things are back on a level footing.

This year I will even be attempting christmas cards.

Summer has arrived

2008-11-15T12:21:00.002+13:00

All it takes is one nice response and it makes everything worthwhile.

Have been knocked down a couple of times this year over jobs but it only makes me more determined and ready to study again.

2010 is my deadline for new job.

Life is on the up.

2008-10-10T12:31:00.000+13:00

My how things have changed since November. I have had fun dating and then wham, bam thank you mam along came Brett.

They did say its was just like riding a bike!!!!

Wow how things change

2007-11-11T15:39:00.000+13:00

Within a few weeks my life and turned around and I have moved on. I have been out on dates, the first few unsuccessful but not hideous and now I have met a really nice guy who likes me for me. He is not put off by my widow label, loud voice or excessive talking. It has been fun and slightly raunchy. Wow what a boost to my confidence and self esteem.
Who would have thought this time last year I would be a positive and excited person actually looking forward to Christmas.

Dating

2007-09-10T18:34:00.000+12:00

I have started down the dating path. I have managed 2 outings and a ball. Very scary after so long. Quite different and refreshing to know that I am doing ok and better than some.

Almost Normal

2007-06-29T20:13:00.000+12:00

Almost normal is the feeling I have had for 2 months. Apart from feeling like crap for the past 2 weeks, I am now realising what it is to feel back to normal. It is really strange to think that I can fell sane again. Now I realise how others in my situation can finally start to move on.
I believe I can finally go out and start flirting - nothing else yet - but flirting definately.

BUGGAH

2007-05-01T16:37:00.000+12:00

Just when things are settling down I find a lump and have to have it checked. It further brings home the fact I am on my own and this is the worst possible thing to have to go through on your own.

Uugghhh

2007-04-27T19:37:00.000+12:00

Feeling unfit, flabby and alone. Just going through the motions. Each day rolls into the next and sometimes I wonder what is the point to it all. Can't be arsed getting off my arse which compounds and the before mentioned issues. Soooo I suppose life continues and me along with it. Just once I would like someone ring and check on me or someone offer me an evening out. But no another weekend looms with only Cadbree as company.
Time for chocolate to hell with the consequences noone is going to see me anyway!!!

Sick dog

2007-03-31T23:48:00.000+12:00

Had to take my dog to the vet today and it brought a flood of memories. Last time I went to the vet Terry was with me and then the cat died. All I could think of was yet another precious part of my life was going to be lost. Have to wait to see if the medicine works before the next step of surgery. Life just keeps getting better and better.

Feeling Ill

2006-11-14T15:52:00.000+13:00

What a fantastic joy to be sick and alone. You have no support or anyone to tell you to stay at home and rest. It is a pian to have to get up and get yourself organised and noone to bring you in chicken soup. Yes I am moaning but when you are sitting home all weekend with no phone calls you start to feel crap. I know people have their own lives but mine is still here as well and there is a big part missing. It will get better and so will I. Enough moaning, time for chocolate medicine.

Guy Fawkes

2006-11-04T17:02:00.000+13:00

Another difficult milestone I am about to attempt. Fireworks was an event we both shared and really enjoyed. It was Terry's job to get the fireworks and he used to go overboard. It was fun and childlike. It was a time to let loose and have pure fun. Now I am braving it on my own. I have friends to share it with but going on your own is never the same. There will be noone to hold my hand, give me a cuddle or reassure me. SO here I go again, alone again naturally!!!

Friends

2006-10-31T13:31:00.000+13:00

Why is it when you start to get back on track someone gets put out cause you don't call? Do they call me when I am stuck at home on my own? Do they see if I am alright? No but you must always make time to visit them when you fly home. Come on people you still have your life partners, think about those of us struggling to come to terms with a major life change.

Weekends

2006-10-29T12:56:00.000+13:00

This blog is designed for me to vent and maybe others can relate and get some support knowing someone else out there is going through the same things.
Grief is a bugga. It comes up and hits you from behind like a massive wave. You are going along doing normal things and kapow it hits again.
So far I have no answers but I am working on it.
Weekends are the worst. 3 nights on your own and 2 days without the prospect of anyone ringing or visiting. Going to the supermarket is a great way to get some human contact.
I am learning to garden a job my hubby did. I don't enjoy it but I do like the feeling when the garden looks like he used to have it, it cuts abit of stress out of my day.