Own This Life!

When the sun goes down on your life do you want to say you just lived it? Or do you want to say you really lived it! Do you want to say you OWNED IT?

Looking back at my life, I’m pretty happy. It wasn’t perfect, but I have an amazing daughter, quirky husband, a job I really enjoy and a great future ahead of me when I retire to Abruzzo. I’m not rich and worked hard for everything I have, but I always had something to work for. We moved from England to the US in 1995. I changed my career (by accident). We travelled as much as our money would allow.

This old girl writes, laughs, loves and cries. She didn’t just live her life, she took control and owned it.

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Searching for fairies

Was I borne odd? Perhaps. It’s hard to tell. I was always a little different though. The odd one out. I didn’t enjoy playing with the other kids. Instead I’d find a place to sit in a quiet forest, surrounded by bluebells.

Making myself comfortable against the trunk of a tree I’d sit there for hours looking for fairies. I believed in fairies and every time someone said they didn’t, I’d cry, knowing a fairy died when you said you didn’t believe.

As I sat there I’d dream about my future. Not fame, fortune and riches. I’d dream about happiness and beautiful places I’d heard of, but never seen. I’ve visited many of those places now and I think I’m ready to settle down in the one that captured my heart.

Retirement is looming, not so young anymore, but I still look for fairies. I know they’re out there.

Dance Like theres no Tomorrow!

When I was in my late twenties, and a young mother, I had to live with my parents for a couple of months while I waited for the army to accommodate me. My husband was in the Falkland Islands and I had a young daughter. I was resentful at losing my independence and wasn’t the best house guest!

One day, when my dad was out playing golf, I heard music in the living room. It wasn’t the type of music mum, who was almost 70, usually listened to. I opened the door quietly and peeped in to see what was going on. What I saw took my breath away and put a huge smile on my face.

My mum was jumping around the living room, swiveling her hips, shaking her arms and dancing as though her life depended on it. She had her back to me and never saw me watching her. Closing the door quietly I want to my little bedroom at the back of the house and left her to dance.

When I’m feeling down I remember that moment. My mum died over ten years ago, and I’m in my early sixties, but I’m going to live life like there’s no tomorrow and dance as long as I can.

 

Dog Bites and Mice!

Oh what a week. The telephone woke me up at 3:30 on Monday morning. My daughter was in hospital in Verona She was bitten by a dog while out on her early morning run. I felt sick. Thousands of miles away and nothing I could do to help. It worked out okay. The Italian hospital looked after her, free of charge. I love Italy.

Next stomach churning worry was my beloved Audi. Its been smelling of petrol for a few days, and gradually got worse. The smell filled the garage and seeped into the house. Why do things all happen at the same time? We’re traveling for Thanksgiving the car needs to be safe. I was horrified when the mechanic showed me what he found. Mice had nibbled each fuel inject so petrol dripped into the engine. It’s a miracle the car still started. All fixed (and my bank account is two thousand dollars lighter).

Yin and Yang, it’s the circle of life, and what makes this all ok is…I have a house in Italy and when I’m stressing, I just think about it and my world is at peace. Now I just have to find a way to make money so I can retire early.

Happy Sunday folks.

Mission Accomplished

Five short days ago I arrived in Rome Airport, met my daughter and headed out to Abruzzo to buy a house. I’d made arrangements with a realtor to view five. The first two were okay, but the third one was outstanding. A quirky old olive mill that has been remodeled into a quirky, but beautiful home. We made an offer which the sellers accepted. Can’t wait to start buying furnitre.

The photo above is Vasto, which is a beautiful seaside town in Abruzzo. I’d forgotten how stunning and soothing the Adriatic is. I’m sure the road to finally exchanging contracts on this home will have its bumps, but it will be worth it. Hang in for the ride.

Small Town Fun

Small town concerts, free fun, great life! Who needs the city?

Retirement and the Sleep Factor.

You must all have noticed how great you feel when you wake up after a really good night’s sleep. As slumber drifts from your body and mind, you feel good, ready to handle anything the day throws at you. You’re rested and in control.

So why is sleep so elusive? This past week has been awful! Much too stressful, long hours at work, followed by coming home and worrying if I’d got everything done. Each night after going to bed, I’d remember something important I’d missed. That paid to my sleep.

Last night was the first night in almost a week that I slept long and hard, and woke up feeling refreshed. If only I felt like this every day. I think my massage and reflexology helped, but that’s a luxury I can only occasionally afford. How do I manage to sleep on a regular basis? I sleep well on vacation, because there’s nothing to worry about.

I’m wondering if perhaps its time to retire.

Comments anyone? Advice?

Getting Old is NOT for wimps!

I’m 59 years young, feel pretty healthy, although I do get tired a little easier now. It might help if I slowed down a little. Never!

I remember when I went for a physical and came out wondering why I’d wasted a couple of hours just to be told I was fit and healthy. Wish those days were back. My last annual check up ended in my having to take a stress test. It wasn’t fun, I was hooked up to weird equipment while riding a stationary bike. They monitored my heart on an ultrasound machine. I tearfully remembered the ultrasounds I had when I was pregnant with my daughter. Those days are long gone…I miss them.

Well now on to a cardiologist!

How do I feel about that? DETERMINED! I am determined not to be given a regiment of pills. Instead I’m starting a healthier diet (if I eat much healthier I’ll fade away). Red meat is a treat for a very special occasion now. More veggies (I already eat my weight in them), Elk instead of beef, chicken instead of pork, etc. etc. I’m already gluten intolerant, learned that earlier this year. Poor me! No wait a minute, lucky me, I’m still alive and I’m going to get healthier with each passing day. Yes, growing old isn’t for wimps, but I’m no wimp and age comes to everyone.

 

Kick Back and enjoy the View!

I was going to say life is a marathon, but really it’s not is it, its more of a scavenger hunt. We rush from one event to another. We’re born, we reach that magical age, we leave school, learn to drive, graduate college, get engaged, get married, have children, they get married, have children and so it goes on.

All the major events in our life are very special, but so is what lies in between. Sometimes we forget this.

My beautiful daughter and her husband are spending the day with us today, I think its time to kick back, relax and enjoy the view

Aging the Write Way

As I went to put the carton of milk in the oven this morning, and the croissants in the fridge to warm, I thought about my mum and laughed. Yes, I’ve become her. I used to make fun of her all of the time for doing these things. When I was in my teens and twenties, I thought I’d be young forever. Little did I know how quickly those years would pass. Old age creeps up quickly. Everyone seems to be younger than me now. I’m not quite sixty yet, but very close.

Nothing can slow down aging, its part of life, but life doesn’t have to slow down because of it. I’ve been writing since I was eleven or twelve. My head is full of stories.  Every single day is an adventure to me. The older I get, the more important, its become to share my adventures. Some will make you laugh, others, well you’ll think I’m crazy. There’s one thing for sure, I’m not going to keep them locked in my brain until I die, I’m aging the write way!

 

Dead of July is the my first novel. I published it 2013. It took a couple of years to write, and another year to edit and perfect. Give it a try. Its based on real events that happened to me when I was in my early twenties.