My Journal:

May 2010

May is the month I host bookclub at my home, so it's always a busy time, making sure all is clean and tidy. At least my home gets a good clean once a year! Unfortunately, this year the cleaning triggered an allergy attack (too many cobwebs and too much dust), which brought back the asthma I suffered years ago in Cairns. The flowers my youngest sent me for mother's day caused more problems, as did the perfume of a fellow student. I make sure to carry my puffer everywhere with me now.

In between all my volunteer work this month, I managed to get a bit of writing done - 4 short stories and a poem, with a little more added to my autobiography. The new stuff has been sent out to various writing competitions, before I try for publication. Not that there are many publishers looking for short work, but there are a few.

Socially, I've been to a few dinners, a couple of afternoon teas, a barbeque at my sister and brother-in-laws place, with my daughter and her partner, and my local U3A held a fund raising concert a few weeks back - a very professional event with a range of artists, well worth the $10 cost. The weather is beginning to cool down considerably so I haven't been very keen to go out much at night. I've had the fire lit almost constantly for over a week now, although during the middle of the day (apart from a couple of odd occasions) it's usually in the low 20's, which is not too bad. And the forecasters are predicting a mild winter.

During the month, I was asked if I would consider managing a community literacy and numeracy course in Toowoomba, if the organization concerned can find funding for it. It sounds exciting and will only be 8 hours (PAID!) a week so I said yes. I won't have to do any actual teaching, just co-ordinate and oversee the tutors and make sure that the learners are achieving their goals. We find out about the funding later in June.

The local neighbourhood centre has been promised a face-lift by the local council. They have allocated a sum in their budget to do this, with the final budget meeting set for July. It will be nice to finaly get something done at the cottage so we can show visitors to the area a little of the history of the area, although of course this will mean more work.

Another 4 weeks and it will be time to put to bed another financial year. It doesn't seem all that long since I prepared last years figures ready for tax. Before we know it, it will be Christmas again!

More next time.