Summer USA...........

What a wonderful summer but it flew by....whoooossssshhhhhh............

It started with a fab trip to Florida...stayed in the old abode thanks to Julie and for several days Andy and I caught up with Julie, Janet, Jill, Ruth & Chris with our wonderful get togethers. This time it felt different...we were all in different places than we were two years ago. Chris now staying at home and enjoying a writing career, Ruth doing well with her job, Jill embarking on her yoga classes, Julie finally seeing the financial light in the rental market and Janet now enjoying all of her children away from the nest and me, of course, settled in my new married life in London. Whereas two years ago we were in a state of flux ,we now have all apparently settled in to our new lives.

I managed to fit in two days of massage claasses to enable me to renew my massage license and we then sped up to Tampa to spend time with Charlotte and Ian. I loved their new home and the life they have created, immersed in their relationship, Craft Beer and cooking.....idyllic!

The four of us had a blast enjoying their resort pool and Clearwater Beach. The cherry on the cake arrived when Tom joined us for two days. Bliss! We also used is an opportunity to get some great family shots.

 

 

 

 

 

 

What a great time we all had. we discovered Marsh Rabbits...small rabbits that lived in nests near water...we adored the Sandhill Cranes living their lives whilst new buildings pushed them further out of their domain.....we even went for a fungi walk and found Agaricus.

 

It was hard to leave after 4 days but we had to get back to Fort Myers for the Saturday as it was Kelseys wedding.....and what a lovely wedding it was. Thne bridal party looked radiantly happy...Janet looked fabulous in a shocking pink dress and Jim gave a heartfelt speech, amusing, inappropriate and heartfelt...we loved it!

 

Our last day had us bounce between Tampa and Fort Myers in record time trying to determine and secure the flight that would get us home in time for our next round of activities..........flying the weekend of July 4th....we were mad but had no choice AND.we made it home safely,

 

 



My Florida

I have now been away from Florida for two years....in some ways it seems like yesterday and in others like an eternity.

The place where I spent the best part of thirteen years which initially started as a summer get away.

The place where I began a new life as a single mum and raised two wonderful (one a little wilder than the other) children.

The place where I waited to put my first born, Charlotte on her first yellow school bus to Kindergarten on her first day at school. Of course she ran away the first couple of times and I ended up having to drive her the first week.

The place where I used to rollerblade Tom to the beach every morning with his Batman cape flying behind the stroller.

The place where I launched three independent careers.

The place where I bought my first home on foreign soil.... my ongoing project, the home that hosted my parties, Charlotte's parties, cooking marathons, sleepovers, retreats for friends....the home that housed laughter, tears, slammed doors, hysterical giggles, heartfelt conversations and idle chatter.

The place where I made some extraordinary friends, The place that the word family took on a whole new meaning..........family being the friends we love that are tirelessly by our side, embrace our light side and put a protective arm around our dark side.

Florida, my paradise and my prison. I miss you......bits of you......my friends, the sunlit patterns on the swimming pool, the birds, the space to breathe, the heat......

This last visit enabled me to step back and see what I had....what I still have....and know that our memories both past and future will be cherished forever.

 

Too Bogged to Blog.....

I cannot believe I have not Blogged since June! I guess that's the last time I had a chance to breathe. I am also sure it is no coincidence that this was when Andy finished working at Kenwood House too!

I have so much to Blog about....Florida, Henley, Tom's visit, Switzerland, stunning British summer....where do I begin.....well, let me start with a vent :) well sorta.....

Within several days of us being at home TOGETHER, I realized I needed to go out to work...because;

a) This flat ain't big enough for the both of us (Andy sure askes a lot of questions)
b) I have had enough time being the lady of leisure and cannot buy any more clothes
c) I'd like Andy and I to buy a small home in the next few years for our retirement years
d) AND TOM HAS GOT IN TO THE BERKLEE SCHOOL OF MUSIC IN BOSTON

I have decided that my final career move will be a revisit to the world of sales training. I actually was submitted for a great job through a headhunter but the job was shelved for a couple of months as they lost the head of that department (he quit....hmmmm....maybe a sign). Unfortunately, this was after spending two manic weeks preparing for an interview! That whole process showed me that I truly was ready to jump back in to the workforce and am now getting re-certified in a sales methodology which blends well with the Alinean solutions. So, overall, the plan is to move forward as an independant sales trainer and consultant, focusing on an evidence based methodology. Sounds good right!

Whilst the plan is in motion I have continuous interuptions from the fungi fiend (thats the Andy and fungi combo)! With fungi season in full swing, we are busy with walks, gathering and cooking for our events, developing a program for schools AND a survey on Hampstead Heath. Look at all of these mushooms. This was just this morning's bounty and this is almost an every day occurence.

 

On top of that, I am writing "The Small Sales Book for Big Sales".....I will use Chris' route of an e-book and will be thrilled to have that on my resume, regardless of actual book sales.

 

Wish me luck!