The day after New Year's Day

A quiet day today. After being woken at 2am by Willow I had 45 mins or more not being able to switch off and go back to sleep. This is most unlike me. I usually sleep like the dead and if disturbed I drop right back into a deep sleep in no time. 

I think this phenomenon is because I have had a whole week off already and I have become rested. 

Although I shouldn't be thinking about work while I'm off I do. I go over all the things that have been said and worry about what is coming next. 

The days seem interminably long when I am on my own, and beyond a bit of housework and cooking I have few goals each day. The dogs get their exercise too of course. 

So this afternoon I have tidied up every thing I can find and I've made a cake. I will have to be strong and leave it for Sean to eat. My hips are quite large enough thank you! 

The towels all dried in record time today, the hot wind really helped. 

The photo challenge for this week is blue, so thus was my subject.. 

It has been nearly a month

Nearly a month since I posted anything here. A month from hell. I am not a fan of December. The stress of getting ready for Christmas Day and the week before when we see Dad and co. It puts me into a spin. I can barely function in amongst all those things to be done. Not to mention the stuff at work. 

Today was the first day I didn't feel like a spaced out wreck. In fact I am typing this because I can't sleep, because I am quite rested and have finished my book. I considered deleting this blog. And the flip side, but then thought what the heck. Hardly anyone knows about it, no one follows it as far as I know, and it gives me an outlet for thoughts. So I talk to myself, so what. 

I spend days on my own, so what's the harm in typing up my thoughts. Long as I don't discuss specific people or my work. There are plenty of other things to talk about. 

unexpected blessing

A couple of nights ago Willow woke me up at 1.50 am, so I dutifully dragged myself to the back door and let her out for a pee. That wasn't what she wanted though so it took her 10 minutes of wandering around the back yard before she would come back into the house. Since I didn't have shoes on and was disinclined to chase her round the house or call her loudly at that time of the morning I had a few minutes to wait.

The evening was calm and clear. I could easily hear the neighbours chatting in their garage. There appears to be a couple of young girls in residence. Perhaps their daughter is back from some study or other.

After a while of trying to get Willow tempted back inside I gave up .. that was when I heard the Morepork.. faintly but definitely ru-ru-ing somewhere close by.

It was such  a peaceful sound. I could have stood there listening all night.

smiles from our garden

These beauties are in our garden. They have so far survived the dry weather and that is really a surprise as today really feels like summer. It was too warm to take the dogs out for a walk so I waited until after 5pm and still Willow was very reluctant. She and I waddled along joined at the lead to motivate her all the way to the reserve. Jack had no such qualms and ran the whole way.

I sometimes think there is nothing around to photograph but when I can find flowers like this in our own garden it reminds me this way of thinking is quite wrong. There are things to photograph and there are people who will enjoy seeing them. The key is getting off my butt and looking for them.

next day..
 I set to after writing that and sent on order off for some calendars with my photos of flowers. It was good to see I had more photos than space. I hope they will be good enough quality to give as gifts for Christmas. If they are I may have time to order more.

a week later.. 
the calendars are great and I have ordered another 10! and some small ones for good measure.