September goals and wishes...

I'm a bit late with my September goals, but last week was lost in a daze between working and trying to manage a fibro flare up and some old demons that have resurfaced lately, so here's what's significant about September for me (albeit almost half way (eek) into the month).

I love September, for me the start of the academic year always brings the sense of a fresh start, much more than the official New Year in January. I love nothing more than a sunny but crisp September morning or the Indian Summer that often comes with it. I'm never in a hurry for summer to end, I seriously dislike the grey skies of winter and September usually brings the opportunity for cosy knits, without the need of coats and the sun still shining in the sky.

September also brings my birthday at the end of the month and this year I'm really wishing I could put it off. Not because of turning another year older (33 doesn't sound too great) but because I have so much work to get through before then. 

The 25th September sees the official start of my first School World War One project and I'm currently in a panic about how much preparation I've got left to do. It has seen a few set backs and I still have finding to finalise and lesson plans to prepare. Fingers are well and truly crossed that I get it done in time!

I am moving into a new office for six months tomorrow and this I am seriously excited for. At the end of July I was awarded a New Business Bursary which included the use of office space at the Chwarae Teg offices in Cardiff. Chwarae Teg means 'fair play' in Welsh and works towards equality for women in the workplace and promoting and supporting women starting their own businesses and  advancing their careers. I'm really looking forward to working surrounded by like minded women and in a supportive environment. I have so many ideas going forward and hoping that this opportunity will halp me channel them constructively. September for me always means a new bag and stationery that comes along with the new academic term, a new office calls for the same I think! I've yet to purchase a bag but I stopped off at Tesco last night and couldn't resist this pretty leverarch folder and some coordinating notebooks for my desk.

Let's be honest about this, I love Paris at any time of the year, but I love Paris in Autumn. The orange and falling leaves give the city a whole new lease of life and the autumn sun sets the skyline alight. I can't believe that it's been eleven months since I visited last and I really hope that (for my mental well being as much as anything) I can fit in a short visit. 

And here we are back at my health goals. It's quite apt considering this week is Fibromyalgia Awareness Week, that I have been struggling to manage my pain recently, which has led to a whole other load of problems (weight loss, depression, memory problems etc). I'm unable to take most prescription pain relief as they make me sick, dizzy and my concentration levels so bad that I struggle to function so I try to deal with the pain in other ways. I've altered my medication that I have to take but  have been looking into nutritional deficiencies that are common with fibromyalgia sufferers. So, Ive taken a trip to Holland & Barrett and armed myself with a hoard of supplements that I'm hoping and praying will help! I'm going to do a post dedicate to the specifics once my head is a bit clearer and I've given them a chance to start working, but this is my main goal this month, to persevere and put back on some of the weight I've lost.

Something to brighten my day though, Downton Abbey starts again in only nine days!! So excited for its return and it's just been announced that George Clooney will be starring in the Christmas episode - day instantly made brighter!

Do you have any specific goals this month? What are your favourite things about the start of Autumn? 

Amy

xx

Linking up with Katie 

September Sunshine

I love that the sun has reappeared this week, it's been a perfect weekend with just the right balance of being busy and relaxing. My grandfather celebrated his 85th birthday Saturday and received the perfect present, being offered a sheltered accommodation flat which is going to give him a whole new lease of life. 

Sunday was spent relaxing, cooking dinner and spending the afternoon at Cardiff Bay. For those who don't know, Newport hosted the NATO World Summit this last week with some events in Cardiff. We have spent a surreal week or so with the capital being guarded by armed police, military, tanks and warships from all over the world docked at the Bay. There's been an unprecedented 'no-fly zone' over the city apart from British and American military aircrafts circling the skies. After hosting the American President and other world leaders at the castle Thursday night, the focus shifted to a family fun day at the bay on Sunday. We didn't make it on to the newest British Destroyer, HMS Duncan or the French Naval Ship, La Motte Picquard, as just after arriving the queues were closed. I think the event was more popular than anticipated, in part due to the weather, and we were told that some people had queued for three hours to look around the ships.

We still enjoyed a lovely couple of hours looking around, being soaked by police search boats and Megan climbed over British army tanks and enjoyed being lifted up by a soldier. It would seem even at 12, Megan likes a man in uniform! The City Beach is still at Roath Basin, so we wandered around, enjoyed a Starbucks in the sun and soaked up the atmosphere. I hope that this weather is here to stay a bit longer, for me, there's nothing like a sunny afternoon down the bay and I'm not ready for it to end.

I hope you had a great weekend, did you make the most of the sun?

Amy

xx

Linking up with Join the Gossip, Essentially Jess

Goodbye Bank Holiday - Life Lately

So yesterday was the last British Bank Holiday of 2014 and characteristically it poured down with rain. To be fair it summed up the weekend perfectly as I've spent most of it in bed with a flare up (I'm attributing part of the cause the weather), but it also seemed like the end of summer. It has got pretty chilly in these parts over the last week or so and although we've had a pretty good summer weather wise, it's been hot and sunny for a fair amount of time but I'm really not ready for it to end. Ok, it's the cliche that it's gone too quickly but I really don't know where the summer holidays have gone with only one week left until Megan returns to school.

Now bank holiday has gone, the next week will be spent preparing for the new school term. Today the dreaded school uniform and shoe shopping where Megan will get frustrated that nothing feels right (she is touch sensitive) and there'll be no shoes that she likes.

It has also dawned on me that I haven't shared much about our summer here so here's a few things about life lately.

My iPad has been overtaken with Megan's selfies - I've deleted over 100 still 245 to go. Future blogger or what? Her latest obsession is also YouTube. She wants her own channel but I'm a little unsure at 12?

We visited the coast last week before the weather turned. I just love West Wales and being by the sea.

We are trying to house train this little monster! The last of our baby bunnies is coming to live indoors and he's a bit of a handful and is getting a bit spoilt. He has been keeping me company whilst I've been bed ridden though.

We've been enjoying some yummy breakfasts - a fave when my nephew comes to stay is pancakes, Nutella and strawberries. With only a week left before the normal routine returns I think we'll be getting a few more of these in.

So, before it's time to face the world (in all it's wet Welsh glory) I'm going to lie in bed with a cup of tea and make a list of everything to get done this week. How did you spend the bank holiday? Is summer already leaving where you are?

Goodbye Bank Holidays - see you next year!

Amy

xx

Linking up with IBOT, Random Wednesday, Daily Diaries

Random Thoughts

You know those times where so much is going on in your head that you can't think straight or make sense of anything? Yeah that's me right now. So much has happened since I last updated this little space that I don't know where to start. I get a moment of clarity and then it disappears! So here's some random thoughts that are going through my head right now....

I'm hating this storm. I'm a big baby and hate heavy rain and am scared of thunder and lightening. Right now we have all three. I should be counting my blessings that we only have the tail end of hurricane Bertha but it's scary enough and I'm hiding under the duvet alone when all I want to do is cuddle up and feel not so scared!

I'm not ready for autumn. Don't get me wrong I love the crispness of the air, leaves crunching under foot and the new seasons fashions but I'm not ready for summer to leave. It's only August and I'm praying that once this storm clears we'll he back to the beautiful summer weather for a lot longer.

I'm loving having my car. I can't believe I managed so long without it!

I'm nervous / anxious / excited about an opportunity that is coming my way. Now is the time to take it but I'm a bit overwhelmed and don't know what to expect on Friday when I meet to discuss it.

I'm feeling grateful. For the first time in ages it seems as though things are coming together. Events lately have proved though that life is fragile and I don't want to take anything for granted, but I'm also thankful for what I have and the people in my life that make it what it is. I'm grateful for the Big man upstairs sending people into my path who understand, appreciate and bring out the best in me again, whether that be creatively, compassionately or even my slightly crazy side!

What random thoughts are in your head recently? I'd love to hear them!

Amy

xx

Linking up with IBOT, Random Wednesdays