Autumn is coming

I don't know why but I'm feeling very autumnal, almost Christmassy? I have a warm, fuzzy feeling inside, is it contentedness or the fact that I've just had a hot cuppa? I prefer the former.

Well, I've been living with Pete for over a month now and we're both still alive, which is a bonus. We've had a few disagreements (mainly tea related), it's a work in progress as I knew it would be. It's not easy putting two people together who have lived alone for a few years. My solution is to not stress about the small stuff, if it bothers me, I'll do and not nag Pete to (as he won't listen to me or do anything I ask him to).

I've also started my new job and I'm thoroughly enjoying it, the people are lovely and the work is interesting. It's so nice to work in an office environment again, turning around to have a natter breaks the day up nicely. We also get free breakfasts (if you turn up before 8:45am) and Friday treats (this week we had chocolate brownies and iced buns).

I've bought a bike using work's Ride2Work scheme, which basically means I get 50% off the price of a bike and accessories and pay it back monthly for 1 year. I've gone down the retro route and have a proper ladies bike complete with wicker basket. I'm hoping that this will make it less stealable and people won't expect me to be too fast. Pete and I did a test run to the station and back to see how long it takes and where to lock my bike up (bike lockers are all taken and have a waiting list). It took 18 minutes to get there but I suffered on the way back and the long, steep hill did me in and I had to stop before I threw up. After a short break I trundled back home with Pete shouting encouragement from behind. I reckon doing that everyday will boost my fitness no end. It does mean I have to catch 2 trains in leggings though.

Swimming, Moving and Job!

That's one off my bucket list! I've learnt to swim properly (front crawl, face in water etc) with the help of Pete. I still need to slow my breathing down and Pete is very keen on me breathing out through my mouth (I'm currently furiously breathing out through my nose to stop water going up it). I can do two continuous lengths (50m) before stopping for a minute or so to get my breath back. I'm pleased to say that I'm faster than some of the blokes there which pleases me no end.

I got a job offer last week and start next week after a quick jaunt up to Leeds this weekend. So I made Pete keep his word and promptly moved into his house before he knew what was happening. Lily (the cat) is settling down well, she's being kept in for a week so she'll know where her new home is. She's loving the bigger space and has already commandeered all the window sills (something I didn't have in my flat) and the spare bed where she can keep an eye on the neighbours.

I will move the rest of stuff in in a few weeks time when I hire a van to get the bigger stuff across (like TV and mattress). So I just brought clothes and stuff with me which I need immediately, this has already filled Pete's house to the max so we're having to get used to stepping around boxes and not being able to find anything. Things should get better when the new bedroom furniture arrives (bless you Argos) so I can spread my stuff around and put more of it out of sight.

Otherwise, things are going well. It's a big change for both of us, we've already had discussions about laundry, washing up and cooking. It'll take time for everything to settle down and get into a routine, it'll be easier when I'm working too (I think Pete is jealous that I'm laying on the sofa all day while he is lazing around at work).

Bucket List (part 2)

11. Get a tattoo - I've picked out the design and know exactly what I want, just need to find the time, money and courage to get it done. For those of you who want to know, it's a swirly sun design to go at the base of my back.

12. Get a penpal and keep in touch - I used to have loads of penpals who I'd met on holiday as a child, I'd love getting letters (real paper letters) from them and kept them for years (they are probably still stashed somewhere at my parents house). I miss getting letters in the post, these days it's much easier but less romantic to keep in touch on email, text or through facebook. When I joined facebook last year I was randomly putting people's names in who I knew just to see if they were there and I found the sister of one of my penpals! We met their family on holiday in Spain and they used to go to the same places at the same times of year we did, so spent years meeting with them. They had two sisters who were roughly mine and my sister's age so we each had a penpal. It was great to get back in touch with them, my penpal isn't on facebook but her sister keeps me up to date with what's going on.

13. Own an original piece of art - This is going to be an expensive one, initially I thought about getting a large piece of canvas art but now I'm drawn to sculptures as well. I need a place to put it and also have the home which will fit in with it. I think this is more of a lifestyle aspiration, I'd love to have the home and life which demands art in every crevice. Unlikely to happen as those homes also tend to be minimalistic and clean, mine is neither.

14. Set up my own business - This is probably a retirement thing, I don't think I'd want to risk everything setting up something which might go belly up so this will only happen when I have enough money for it to fail. Ideas could be, dog walking, candle making, knitting, bookshop, teashop (with lovely cakes).

15. Tell the people I love everyday how much they mean to me - See my previous post about life being short. I'm not good with emotions and showing them so I need to make an effort with this. I'll give Pete a big hug tonight to get this one started!

16. Write a book - I know this is a predictable one and I can't write for shit but we can all aspire can't we? Maybe a short story would be more realistic ...

17. Learn to sail - I went canoeing with Ladies Circle a few weeks ago on Black Swan lake (Dinton Pastures) and it was a lovely warm evening paddling about on the lake. There was a sailing lesson going on with about 10 little boats following the teacher and it looked so calm and lovely to be able to that.

18. See the Pyramids - I don't know why but I love Egypt and it's history. I'd like to sail down the Nile (a la Poirot, another of my great loves) and ride a camel through the desert.

19. Get married - This is not a hint to Pete. I like the idea of being with someone for the rest of my life and the security of knowing that they'll always be there. I don't like the idea of having a huge party with me being the centre of attention, or wearing a huge meringue and having endless photos taken. I do like the idea of having a huge diamond ring though.

20. I don't have a number 20, I'm sure I'll think of something and there'll always be more things I want to do, this list is only a start.

Life is Short

4 years ago today my brother-in-law went for a Saturday motorbike ride and died in an accident. He and my sister had been together for 16 years (ish) and married for 3 years, he was about to turn 33. I'd known Allan for half my life, he lived around the corner, would have tea at ours and watch TV with Karen in our study. I'd try to join them, their company being much more interesting to an 13 year old than my parents. I doubt I was very welcome but they mostly let me stay.

I miss him. I hated seeing my sister go through hell and I hated not being able to support her more.

Life is short, enjoy it while you can, cos everything can go to shit tomorrow.