A New Year Letter to Me

Dear 8 year old me

 

Take a chance & dont let go, risk everything knowing in the end you lose nothing, don't worry about anything anymore, cry in the rain and speak up, say what you want and love who you want ...  but most of all be yourself and not what people want to see, never blame anyone if you get hurt because you took the rise & you decided who was worth your while. ♥ 

Its 2012 in just one hour and you know, you are ok, more than in fact. What a journey girl! Hold tight there is more to come, you never thought it for one minute did you? But you are having a life you could never have imagined, the good and the crap too. Its part of that tapestry you know and I know you understand that now. The Yin and the Yang is the Circle of life.

This is your mid life Chapter, lets hope to reflect back in our 90's when we really dont give a monkeys and batty is ultra cool.

Love 42 year old me! xxx

 

Christmas is LOVE

Well what can I say, for the first time ever in my life I can honestly say that Christmas was a bit eclipsed by the Ozzie Factor!

Christmas in Melbourne

We partied a plenty, we drank bubbles, we enjoyed a wonderful and very special  time with the family but the spirit of Christmas, although it threatened and I wanted it so much, failed to reach that bit of my tummy that gives me excited butterflies.

Melbourne you stole the Christmas I have come to know as far back as I can remember.

However, its ok its not about the paper and frippery, the sillly hats and tinsel really is it? A lesson was reinforced for me this year because it really was all about LOVE.

The most beautiful gift of all was in abundance from friends and family all around.

Clearly even the Radders mind was on all things "upside down" this year!

This Christmas involved a funeral and a wedding and at both LOVE was in the air in bucket fulls and I felt all of it.

Me and Hubster just exchanged cards this year, no gifts but the words he wrote in my card I will treasure always and never forget, full of LOVE.

We went out with some dear friends and part of our chat went like this and I will never forget its simple truth. 

"Do you remember all the gifts you have been given over the years?"

"Often we dont from one year to the next"

"But you do remember who you were with, the laughter and LOVE and the good times you shared"

Indeed you do.

As we prepare for a new chapter in our lives, one thing I can promise you is that next Christmas I will remember the one gift that didnt come wrapped up in tissue and bows but was given to us from the heart from those we hold dear.

Christmas is LOVE.

Winter beach babies!

Dear Muckers

Have you ever caught the spirit of a wild and windy day?

Buffeting you about like some clumsy, boisterous school boy.

It was me, Momma and Poppa and not another soul on the beach on a beautiful, blustery winters day.

Well thats not quite true there were lots and lots of birds, which I loved putting up!

This is how my day started..............

Momma did you just say the word "Beach?"

"50p for me cos I can see the sea!"

Eye on the prize

Windy Poppa? No way!

Is this my best side Momma?



Momma put that camera away and play!



Always time for a Poppa cuddle



Moody winter skies

Laughing like Momma!



Out came the sunshine!

Boy talk!

So typically Poppas lunch

So typically Momma's lunch

I shall remember this beautiful day, it was a perfect day and I am glad I spent it with you!

Love Radders xxx


P.S Radders,  Momma and Poppa also had a day to remember. Seeing you run with abandon is the most exhilarating, joyful sight and helped us realise that next year's destination is going to be a dream come true for you. xxx

...and so it is decreed

And so it is decreed that on 1st December, festive decorations will adorn the home and it is officially declared that Christmas songs will fill the air.

So it is decreed Chez T-J.

Every year, just like that.

But not this year.

"I dont feel like putting the tree up this year"

"Not sure I can be bothered with it"

"How can I put the tree up when I am just not feeling it?"

It is most perturbing, it has never happened before. But after a little thought, I have concluded that perhaps it's not at all surprising.

With so much on our plates right now, my head has concluded that something has to give, as my heart is being directed elsewhere and so maybe it needs to let something go.

But I am not letting go of Christmas, oh no far from it. No head I wont listen to you, my heart is surely big enough to fit everything in.

So 8th December it is decreed, stop being a bloody bah humbug and do your best girl.

So I did and I have.

Take my hand and come with me and creep along the hall

Hush! Step very softly, lets make no noised at all

Peep into the sitting room, oh what a pretty sight

The tree all shining in the magic of the moon's white light

Happy Christmas one and all, my last Crimbo in Blighty for a while. Rather than let my head rule my heart, my heart will rule my head instead as ever and so I decree.............................

CHRISTMAS HAS ARRIVED CHEZ T-J

Where the hell have you been? Bloody Australia?

Sincere apologies about the lack of blog for anyone who is even mildly interested.

Ha ha you had forgotten all about it hadnt you? You might have assumed I had too, but I hadnt. I have almost had too much to blog about, if that is possible.

It's true, brain racing faster than any fingers could type and not enough creative concentration to pin anything down.

It's full on, the roller coaster has reached its full ascent and we are now in free fall, looping the loop, no going back.

If you were at the greyhound track it would be a case of "the hare is on the move!"

Or if you were one of the wonderful penguins at Melbourne Aquarium, then you would say we were on the slide.

Indulge me in some "gorge" pics of the Penguins!

"Do not disturb" awww!

Proud Mama!

They were my favourite! As for the Octopus..................

he wasnt gifted with the pretty stick but I did tell him he is very tasty, in a garlic, panfried kind of way. Did you know the chap has 9 hearts or is that 9 brains? 9 something anyway - impressive I thought.

.... and so it is that I become so easily destracted and diverted from the task in hand, which is? I have no idea.

We are definitely moving to Melbourne. Our England home is on the market and our Australian one is still being elusive but its out there.

It's all under control Captain! The Hubster is out there right now, a man on a mission and truly on the case.

............and a bit of Melbournian street art sums it all up completely.

Life is a game of poker!

YOU'VE GOT TO KNOW WHEN TO STICK STU
KNOW WHEN TO RAISE REECE
KNOW WHEN TO PLAY COOL
KNOW WHEN YOU'RE THE ACE
YOU CAN COUNT ALL YOUR MONEY
WHEN YOU HAVE SANDBAGGED JOHNNY
THEN WE'LL HIT THE BEACH, HONEY
AND QUIT THIS RAT RACE
(extract from "One year as a professional poker player" by Anthony Holden)

Love this little excerpt cos............

Life is just like a game of poker.

Hold back, keep calm.

Take a risk, shield the harm.

Go random with sheer abandon.

Just know you are playing the game.

Somewhere on the other side of the world is my new home. It stands there, in all its physicality, I know not where it is but it is there all the same and that feels weird.

...........time to keep calm and then we'll hit the beach honey!

Certainly no empty promise!

Dear Muckers!

Its the Radders here, wooo what a weekend that was.

I mean I thought Rutland Water by the Sea was pretty fabulous but then Poppa said he would take me to the best seaside place in the world. He promised, in fact.

I stood at the top of the cliff and I was trembling with excitement. "Look at the camera Radders" Poppa implored, but I just couldnt, impossible, just couldnt take my eyes off it!

"Just lose the lead Poppa!"

Hey Muckers, allow me to show off a bit here but you got to agree this is definitely the ultimate in seaside places dont you think? Momma says its called Rhosilli Bay, on the Gower Peninsula, well names mean nothing to me, just let me at it.



The bestest beach in the World!

Any minute now I thought, I am going to lose that lead and I am going to run like the wind, feel the wind through my fur, the sand between my toes and explode into a combustion of pure joy and excitement!



"Dont step in the puddles!"



" dont stop me now, I'm havin a good time, I'm havin a ball....coming at ya"!

Momma says a walk on a beach is beautiful but with a dog its heaven!

Muckers you need to have a word with the parents, the beach is where its at and at the end of the day when your limbs are weary, you can carry on running in your dreams.



Dreaming my dreams away with  Momma!

Sam Hound, Dyl Bob, Dusty and Monts, if I could have sent a post card it would have said:

Wish you were Here!

Chummy bum sniffs as ever, The Radders

P.S Momma insisted I posted this picture, she says I look windswept and handsome. Whatever!!!

So when does it feel real?

The book arrived. I suppose the T-shirt is probably next.

Thumbed through it, daunted, closed it.

The "Pet Exportation Company" has now been chosen. One piece of the puzzle in place.

Been sourcing information from friends and the net as fast as moss gathers on stone. Narrowed down the places I want to house hunt on our reccy in 2 weeks time. Emphasis on the "I" you notice.

It's Autumn here, it's Spring there, all that is here is the opposite there.

Everyone I have spoken to have told me how much we will love it. Some say, probably wont come back even.

The man decorating our bedroom is making the most beautiful job of it. For someone else to enjoy, how odd.

My Sister has asked if she can have the ceramic blue ornament in the garden.

All I want to know is at what point does this all begin to feel real?

Any ideas anyone?

Reason, season or lifetime?

Are you a Reason, a Season, or a Lifetime?

I am and have been all 3 of these types of friend. I have and have had these types of friendships too. 

It's perfectly ok to be a friend for just a season or a reason, even if the ending of these friendships can be hurtful or confusing sometimes. You always appreciate their validity and importance in your life, in time.

He is my reason for all and our season is a lifetime

Some of my most intense friendships were during my time at University. We were young and vulnerable and stepping out into the world for the first time and it was scary, we depended on each other. When Uni was over there were many tears as we said goodbye to each other and I remember the pain I felt quite vividly. Friends for life surely?  You keep in contact for awhile, sometimes months, sometimes years and then one day one of you just stops writing or phoning.  No fight, no reason, you both just stop.  I have learned that friends come and go, and your life goes on and its ok. I have made many, many new friends since my uni days — some have come and some have gone and some have remained.   If you ever wonder why this is, then I think this poem sums it up nicely?

Reason, Season, or Lifetime

People come into your life for a reason, a season or a lifetime.
When you figure out which one it is,
you will know what to do for each person.

When someone is in your life for a REASON,it is usually to meet a need you have expressed.
They have come to assist you through a difficulty;
to provide you with guidance and support;
to aid you physically, emotionally or spiritually.
They may seem like a godsend, and they are.
They are there for the reason you need them to be.
Then, without any wrongdoing on your part or at an inconvenient time,
this person will say or do something to bring the relationship to an end.
Sometimes they die. Sometimes they walk away.
Sometimes they act up and force you to take a stand.
What we must realize is that our need has been met, our desire fulfilled; their work is done.
The prayer you sent up has been answered and now it is time to move on.

Some people come into your life for a SEASON,
because your turn has come to share, grow or learn.
They bring you an experience of peace or make you laugh.
They may teach you something you have never done.
They usually give you an unbelievable amount of joy.
Believe it. It is real. But only for a season.

LIFETIME relationships teach you lifetime lessons;
things you must build upon in order to have a solid emotional foundation.
Your job is to accept the lesson, love the person,
and put what you have learned to use in all other relationships and areas of your life.
It is said that love is blind but friendship is clairvoyant.
— Unknown

I knew you so well in a previous life!

We arrived at the racecourse in York to celebrate the Hubster's birthday. It was a grey drizzly day but that did not dampen the punter's spirits. The ladies were all in their finery, sky high heels, feathery fascinators and bottle tanned limbs in abundance.

I was, well frumpy to say the least, in my practical, yet instantly forgettable autumnal woolly jumper and corduroy skirt!

The only sparkling thing in this outfit was the glass of pink bubbles in my hand.

But I digress for this day was to be no ordinary day in terms of my life experience so far.

As we arrived at the hospitality suite a lady walked towards us to greet us. Our first words were such:

"I know you", I said. But I didn't.

"I know you too", she said. But she didn't.

We stood for a few seconds looking searchingly into each others eyes with a compelling and mutual sense of complete familiarity.  Gareth looked on the exchange most perplexed.

Not only was there instant familiarity but there was affection too. I fought off the urge to reach out and hug this complete stranger!

We went on to explore the possibilities of how we could know each other. All led to the same conclusion. We don't!

"Even when I spotted you walking up the stairs" she said "I thought to myself, I know this lady"

It was one of the most surreal exchanges I have every encountered with another human being. It was also a little unnerving too.

We concluded one thing, we must have known each other so well once but NOT in this life. Maybe we were best friends, Sisters, Mother or Daughter but the connection we both felt was real if unexplainable. Even my fairly nonspiritual hubby agreed that it was all a bit "other worldly".

We enjoyed a spectacular day at the races all topped off by the goose bump making performance of the Coldstream Guards Marching Band.

When our lovely day at the races was over, the lady and I said goodbye to each other and instinctively hugged like long lost friends and well, that was that! We felt no need to exchange numbers. Our time had been in another life all together.

One thing I now know for sure is that love is transcendental and I don't think I fear death quite as much now.

I wonder where and when I will see her again?

Has anything like this ever happened to you?