My lovely cousin Jane in England posted this on her blog and I wanted to share with my friends!
http://www.changingpeople.co.uk/2013/older-women-be-proud-and-very-loud/

Sometimes I feel like I am too old to have taken this crazy turn in my life, but then I get a message like this that just encourages me that I did the right thing. I am really happy and loving the expansion I feel in myself. I also get a little freaked sometimes when I realize the enormity of what I have done. I also get sad when I feel how much I miss my friends. Its an adjustment. The range of emotions is gratifying in that I was not really accessing that when I was in Ca. Just guess I was in a rut.

I am in almost daily contact with one person or another and have been receiving lots of texts and emails from everyone. Thank you for that it keeps me feeling connected. My beautiful, amazing, fabulous, loving daughters have also been a source of strength and wisdom. They are so supportive of my breaking out. It is awesome to see the resilience, confidence and competence they have, and to know I had a bit to do with it. Of course, they have taught me well about love, life, happiness, and rolling with the punches. We are each on our own boat, and we are in the river together going with the flow! Life is an adventure, and I am grateful to be able to be present and accounted for.

On a more concrete subject, I have been offered an opportunity to join a small counseling therapy group called New Beginnings. It's a foot in the door for me, not entirely sure how they will use my experience, but am confident that I have something to share and that I will learn a lot too! I am now a Qualified Mental health Practitioner in the state of Va.!! Amazing how just tweaking your resume can open doors! Everyone here has been very generous with contacts, information, referrals, and more contacts. Once I started reaching out, it started to come back, and it keeps coming. of course to hedge my bet I also applied to Whole Foods!! I will substitute at a few preschools also to supplement and continue to make contacts.

I continue to realize how lucky I am and am touched by how warm and gracious everyone has been. I enjoy meeting new people and finding out new things. I am reading Temple Grandin's book Animals in Translation which has reminded me of the uniqueness of our brains. Her observations and conclusions are so obvious and yet we can be so blind to what is right in front of us. My animals continue to be a source of comfort and remind me daily of how flexible we can be.

Technology vs me!

OMG my printer died yesterday and so I was forced to purchase a new one! Then to make things crazy my internet was not working, and then it was and not again. Finally remembered the old trick of shutting everything down unplugging modem/router and starting again! What do you know! Then my computer would not add the new printer as the correct driver was not on my computer. Joseph would be so proud of me! I downloaded the driver, it installed finally after many attempts, and voila, I can print again!

I really have gotten quite savvy with technology. Don't ask my sister what I did to her phone, it took her 45 mins to get it to work again! All I was trying to do was increase the font size so she could read it better, oops, upgraded by accident! Nevertheless, I am happy I can do it myself without tech support or calling anyone!

Meantime another small crisis at Laguna rd. Gas smell has gotten worse and so we called out Blue Star again and this time they did a pressure test and sure enough a valve and a pipe are not safe! We have been battling this for years with no result and finally the true test was done and now a proper repair can happen. Remotely organizing has worked out well because thankfully I have great people who work for me. Such a blessing.

So I continue to make contacts and find new people and programs to connect with. I visited the UVA Child Development Center today. It is not a lab school, hard to believe they do not have one, but it was really well done. Small ratios, big rooms, lots of time for play, and I did not see any behavior problems! Of course we never do on our visits, as my friends at JFCS and ELI will attest. There is a lot of Special Ed here, OT and Developmental Support. Still circling perimeter but beginning to hone in on the contacts I need!

To get involved in the community I have started volunteering at the Habitat for Humanity Store! I bought a few pieces of furniture there and was pleased by how nice it was, how friendly, clean and organized! So I decided to go for it. It's not children and families directly, but a great organization as Peggy, Sara and Bob can tell you! So Weds mornings 10-2 thats where I will be till further notice, cashiering and generally helping out. I have long wanted to get back to volunteering and am pleased to have found a spot so easily.

My wrist continues to plague me, it aches, but bruising is getting better, and Peter assures me it is not broken. He used his magic healing hands on me yesterday and got a bit more movement. I went to my first Pilates class of my sisters and managed to do ok, didn't embarrass her or myself!

I found a nice walk for Skye and me just out our door! Right past my apt complex it turns to country and we can walk along on grass and into nice fields just off the road. It really is lovely here and the open spaces are plenty. Skye is doing great. The cat has to be indoors however. Alli is encouraging me to walk him on his safety harness I purchased for traveling, but I am not so sure he is going to be up for that. I will give it a go and let you know!

I am trying to figure out how to upload photos and a video, more tech challenges, so keep watch for that!

Made my reservations to come back Dec 20-27! Will be housesitting for the Bushes while they go to New Orleans. I am so looking forward to seeing my girls and girlfriends, you guys too! xx

Sunday Oct 20, 2013

Amazing to me how life just goes on no matter where you are. I am so grateful for my friends and daughters who have supported me in trying this new life. Of course technology makes it so easy to stay close and keep in touch. Texts and email have really kept me going, helped me to feel connected to those I love and care for. Its not the same as being there, but it does make up for it a bit in my book.

Yesterday I had brunch with my nephew Alex, his girlfriend Rachel, her sisters Rebecca and Elle, and her mom Karen. What a lovely bunch! Karen works in the schools here as an assistant and teacher in an aftercare program. She was a wealth of information about that system and we all had a big talk about parenting and how really sad it is that so many parents today do not have the skills or the desire even it seems to really give their children the attention and guidance they so badly need. Karen shared some stories of 5 yr olds getting kicked out of school for swearing at teachers and kids, but who don't even know they are using bad language as it is so prevalent in the homes.

I am really considering opening Childkind Parenting Institute and see if I can make a go at it. Notice the word considering. I still have a lot of work to do figuring out this community and what is already provided, but the message I keep getting from folks is that parenting support and coaching is what is lacking.

I had dinner at Diana and Peters, with our good friends Robbie and Jim. My niece Liz came home for the weekend and joined us. My sister is an amazing cook and we had great conversations about politics,  books, movies and weirdly, fecal implants! Its in the news people! Very interesting and positive treatment for people suffering from Cdiff, and hopeful treatment for people with immune related diseases! Jim is a Phd Researcher at UVA in the medical school who specializes in gastroenterology. Of course Liz had to share an hysterical utube "Poopouri" you might want to check out!!

The squirrels are really having a tough time here in Virginia this fall. The spring was so wet that the acorns did not produce so there is very little food for them. My sister is seeing them swim across the reservoir when she goes rowing they are so hungry to find food. Yesterday as I was about to toss in my bag to the garbage bin, a squirrel came flying out, it was so freaky!! Poor things, they are also big road kill.

This afternoon I am going to my first Virginia winery! Glass House Winery is featuring free live music, tastings and tours! Imagine that!

Friday Oct 18

Today I visited my first preschool, United Methodist. It is an High Scope school and it was lovely! The director was a great resource for area opportunities and was very interested in Triple P parenting seminars!! My sister, brother in law, and friend Robbie have all given me great contacts and resources for connecting with the people in the know here about early education, intervention, children, and family services! So far I have learned that school district services start at age 2! The public schools run preschools and intervention programs. There is a mix of public and private schools, and just a few agencies that do the work I am interested in. I am hopeful.

My wrist is definitely sprained and sore, a bit swollen, but will be ok I hope in a week or so. Puts a crimp in my setting up my office and a few other activities, but hey, I am flexible! Otherwise cat is putting full weight on his paw and Skye is going up and down stairs with agility! Such a relief! Vet bills were freaking me out!

Missing you all, but am really excited about the possibilities here for new and interesting work, similar to Sonoma County!! Lots of talented and educated folks to meet!

Oct 1-17 2013

Wow it has been a whirlwind! The movers were a day and a half later than scheduled, which was nerve wracking, but oh so helpful. I was not really as ready as I thought I was. Many angels arrived just at the right times to help me. Henry found a roll of foam core to wrap my paintings in and Kevin Boles gave me an air conditioning unit box. Susan Bejarano helped me get the paintings wrapped up and form the cardboard sleeves for packing up, a big task which I could not have done alone. Dulce came and labelled all my boxes and helped to clean up the house for the renters. Kathleen showed up with snacks and had helped me pack for weeks, she vacuumed and also provided dinner and a bed on my second to last night in Sonoma Co. Liz and Mary took me out to dinner in Sonoma and gave me a hat, gloves and a scarf to ward against the cold east!

On Thursday Oct 3 I returned from Sonoma to Laguna rd to greet the carpet cleaner and finish collecting the last bits of stuff going in the car. Said goodbye to my amazing staff, and picked up my pillows I left at Kathleens. I got Hannah some lunch at Willowood and drove it over to Occidental to give some hugs and share a laugh about  Sage, the cat, howling in the car! I went to the library to get some books on CD, and then to Kaiser for my flu shot! I indulged in a last In and Out burger and drove away!

The cat calmed by then and rode gunshot in a big crate donated by Robin! Skye had a nice nest in the back! Down through Marin, across the Richmond Bridge and away I went. I made it to Bakersfield that night around 8 and stayed at the Doubletree where my pets were welcome! Finding pet friendly hotels turned out to be a minor difficulty but with the help of Wendy and Kathleen as tech support it was done!

I arrived Friday night in Albuquerque around 10, one time zone away! I lost a half hour in Flagstaff searching for a Starbucks and yelling at my GPS and realizing how badly challenged I still am with lefts and rights! No Starbucks in sight I magically ended up back on 40 E and continued driving! Would have given my first born for a cup right then!! Not really honey!!

I spent 3 lovely days with Wendy and Nelle and sister Loey. The balloons were pretty, the Botanical Biopark was beautiful, the food great! Sage was freaked but started to relax. He had arrived home on the Oct 1st holding his paw and now was not putting any weight on it! I figured rest for some days immobile in the crate would take care of it. Skye was happy to be out of the car and getting walks! 

We left ABQ on Tuesday morning 10/8 and drove to Oklahoma City. With a new routine starting to emerge, I shlepped the cat box, the dog, and my stuff into the hotel, fed and watered the animals, and went to get food for me! Craving a glass of wine, a salad and a baked potato I went to a ribs place assuming all would be good! No baked potatoes!! What kind of rib joint does not have a baked potato!

The next day we made Memphis! Only got lost once, but was mightily freaked out by a panhandler at my car window as I was furiously trying to find out where I went wrong on my phone! I shrieked and scared the poor guy, yelling my apology and that I was sorry I could not help him I drove off like a crazy woman! A little soul weary already and spooked I found my hotel and decamped. The clerk had told me to call Marlowes and they would come pick me up in a pink cadillac and take me to the restaurant and back!! What fun! Well no, they could not help me until 8:30 and by then I would be dead! So I drove over there myself, sighting Graceland on the way. Elvis Presley Blvd is a sight, no real restaurants, just fast food, and then there is Marlowes, just past The Heartbreak Hotel! Baked potato here I come! Finally satisfied I chatted with a traveling salesman from Denver who had been there since 5:30! Interesting...

Graceland was on the agenda for Thursday morning. Parked in the shade so the animals would be ok, I embarked on the tour! Oh my how tacky can you get! A little bit of 60's decor goes a long way, trust me. Green carpeting on the floor and walls! Ugly furniture, so strange. Amazing crazy costumes, gold, silver, and platinum records, photos and more. Everything Elvis indeed. It was fun, but no need to go again. I did not know he was buried there, nor that he had a twin who died at birth! Just imagine 2 Elvis Presleys!!

Knoxville the next night, uneventful having perfected the routine by now! Driving was so easy, just set the cruise control, load up 6 CD's and go! I listened to On Chesil Beach by Ian McEwen and Escape by Barbara Delinsky. Odd choices, but it was what I grabbed!

Charlottesville was reached Friday afternoon and I went directly, after getting lost 3 times, to the vet. The cat was not better and I was worried he might really have broken something. No, just a hurt shoulder, dehydrated and a fever. Antibiotics, IV fluids, pain meds and he is now on the mend a week later!

Shockingly my moving truck arrived that evening at 7:30! I thought I would have the weekend to sleep and enjoy my sisters home. Oh well, unload and set up beds took till 9:30 when Diana and Peter left and I kept unpacking for hours. It was like Christmas seeing what I had packed weeks ago! I really enjoyed setting up my little apt and figuring out where and how to use what I brought! 

So it has been a week since I arrived and my apt is settled, pets are settling.   the steps up to apt are a little tricky for Skye, but with some mats, and practice she is building motor memory and getting the knack of it! Sage remains indoors, sleeping a lot, watching out the widows, but content. I am the cripple now! I fell walking in the woods at my sisters crossing a plank over a brook! OUCH! Think it is just a sprain. Peter looked with his little xray machine and did not see any breaks. So rest, ice, compression and elevation for me! Plenty of Arnica, Ibuprofen, and Rescue Remedy too!