Back to work...

Well, back to school today, so I need to get back to writing this regularly - holidays are over!  It was really hard going back after the summer break, especially as training days tend to lead to information overload and a boggled brain!

It was lovely, though, to catch up with colleagues, especially the Spotties (a group of friends who offer great support along with plenty of cake and tea in a  - sometimes- spotty teapot).  I had lots of compliments for my top, one of the ones I had made for me in India this summer, and compliments are always cheering.  After the session the Spotties went out for cake which was lovely.  Later I am going to go for a walk around the Otter Trail.  It looks so beautiful at this time of year with delicate purple seed heads on all the reeds and it is sunny and warm here this evening.  Exercise always lifts my mood, and at the start of term I need to be very aware of my mental equilibrium!

Family

A couple of days with the ex-husband and his family before I go away to India with my daughter and his eldest with his wife. They are staying in the house and looking after the cat while we are away, so result there!

Yesterday was a bit of a blur of tidying etc., but today was lovely. The happiest point was going for a walk around the OtterTrail at Cardigan Wildlife Centre - the weather was lovely and it's a happy walk anyway. We saw a heron from the Heron Hide (does what it says on the tin...) and a long look at water buffalo. Their 7 year old also asked me what my favourite Hindu god was... I love a good random question!

One good thing...

I am a bit of a negativity junkie.   When your teenage daughter keeps telling you not to worry, you begin to think you have a problem - she is the one who should have angst!  I am aware on one, quite cerebral, level, that I am lucky - I live in a beautiful place, I have a beautiful (and apparently well-adjusted) daughter, I have a job, generally good health, my family are close by and I have good friends.
However, on an emotional level I find it hard to appreciate all of this.  After a bout of depression following my divorce, I am constantly aware of my negative thoughts.  It is almost as though defending myself against depression is removing the joy from my life.  Don't get me wrong - I have a good time.  I laugh a lot.  But it doesn't always seem to percolate to my core, if you see what I mean.  

So, I am going to try to blog most days (not setting myself up to fail - I might not make it every day...) about things which have made me happy, or for which I should be thankful.  I have a feeling that most days have at least one of these.  Some posts may be a little underwhelming, but that's how it goes with life.

I will post photos of happy times, too, but not in this post.  I have been thinking about starting this blog for a week or so, so I am going to list some of my 'reasons to be cheerful' recently:

• walking on the Otter Trail while my daughter was at zumba - beautiful sunshine, shady path
• Mexican takeaway in the sun on my balcony
• sun on my balcony in general!
• visiting my niece and her partner at their campsite and looking at the sea while eating a picnic

There we go - happy things in my life.  I'll be back soon!