My Journal:

January 2010

One month down, eleven to go; it's a scary thought! My New Year was quiet, like Christmas, which suited me because it gave me the chance to catch up on all those little things I'd been putting off - like filing. I also managed to read a lot of books I'd put aside for 'one day' and, of course, I ate too much of those things that are not good for me, especially at my age. I think longingly of those times when I could eat whatever I liked without gaining an inch. I really never thought the day would come when 'just a taste' would equal pounds on my hips. Sigh.

Speaking of weight gain, a friend was telling me recently that she had a gene test - MTHFR - done, to test for the faulty gene that makes our bodies store too much fat. She said that she does have the faulty gene and she is taking Folonic Acid to correct it. I'm tempted but I think I'll wait until I see how she goes before I'll consider it.

My granddaughter visited early in the New Year and we went to see "The Lovely Bones". We'd both read the book and even though the film was a little different, we enjoyed it. I don't get to spend much time with my grandchildren, for a couple of reasons. One, they live in Sydney, and two, although I am their father's birth mother, he has another mother and she and his adoptive father must come first in their lives. No complaints from me though - I am just grateful that I found my son and that I am allowed contact with him, his wife, the children and his adoptive father and his new family.

On 8th January, I attended a workshop in Brisbane, run by a friend who has been working for some time on an exciting idea. She is just about to launch a site - the Official Biographer - where those interested can find someone to write their biography. It can be from 2,500 words upwards to full length so will suit all pockets. She will also offer obituary writing. She recommended some reading and I've been studying the work of Nigel Starck (The Art of the Obituary) Jim Sheeler (Obit and Final Salute, winner of the Pulitzer Prize)and see that it's becoming the done thing, for one to prepare one's own obituary. A sensible idea I think; at least you can be sure that what is said about you will be correct, or at least, what you want said. The site will have a 'stable' of writers available to do the writing and the finished work will come in hard copy as well as on CD, complete with photos if required. I've just been commissioned to write the first biography, in advance of the site launch, so we'll see how it goes.

After the New Year was well and truly 'in' my work began again in earnest. I've just completed a set of lesson plans for 4 readers - to teach English to refugees and migrants - and am in the process of typesetting a book for a local writing group. All of this is volunteer work I must add, which is probably why my earnings for writing is well below the average, but it's all good because I just love to work with words. The local neighbourhood Centre has reopened for the year too, and I volunteer there for one morning a week.

I've entertained visitors here for 2 of these first 4 weeks of the year and I expect 2 more visitors in mid February. In March I'm planning on a few days in Brisbane and am hoping to spend 2-3 months in Perth later in the year. I'd also like to get up north for a few weeks but plans for that will have to wait until a little later. As for Italy - much as I want to go, I think that a return visit to that country will now have to wait until 2011. One of my daughters is not well and I don't want to go too far away from home just yet.

February begins tomorrow; a new page waiting to be written. I hope that your pages are filled with exciting things, health, love and plenty of prosperity.