Prioritising

There is something mesmerizing about a woodfire heater and once I can get the fire going, it's going to warm this place up well in winter. Unfortunately the wood is still a bit damp and I have no kindling so I will try again this weekend. Otherwise, when the guy who sold me the wood comes back on Saturday to deliver the kennel for Milly, I will get him to show me how it's done. Finally, I have found a kennel for Milly at a reasonable, cheap price which will protect her from the elements during winter. She knows she's not allowed inside and so far she's coped but I will feel better if I give her the kennel option. The rain does come 'inside' the porch and it gets very windy here so hopefully, she will use the kennel once I try to figure out where to put it. She really likes being near the back, glass door as she can see inside but that would not be the best place to put a kennel.

It has been a good week, balanced with work, study and socialising and to top it off, my car passed the roadworthy (safety) test without any hitches so I can change my number (licence) plates to this state. There is a lot of paperwork, money and effort involved in moving and I think I am nearly at the point that I can almost do it with my eyes closed. Oh well, hopefully I will be able to settle for awhile and continue moving forward. I must admit though, the last couple of days Dave has really been on my mind and I've missed him. Some days I miss him just because it would be nice to have a partner around but these last few days I've missed him - for who he is and for why I loved him so much. I wish he was still alive. Just to hear his voice, be held by him and tell him I love him, one more time. But my life goes on....

One of the exercises for my homework in the educational counselling subject was to think of my present story in relation to a topic such as relationships, leisure, physical activities or spiritual matters and then answer the following questions. What is your present story? How are you living your life in one of those areas? Name at least two specific strengths that might enable you to improve on where you are now. Identify a goal for doing something better. Make it as specific, concrete and measurable as posssible. I chose getting my assignments completed on time. The two strengths I identified was 1) I enjoy the subjects that I am learning about. 2) I read quickly and understand what I am learning quite easily. My goal is to spend six hours on non-working, weekdays in order to get my assignments completed on time.

When my friend Sharyn came over, we sat at the table drinking a mocha (Yes, you read that correctly - I have now taken up drinking hot mochas which taste more like coffee with barely a hint of chocolate) and discussed my study. The six hours a day is an achievable goal and also allows room for play without giving me cause to procrastinate. Once I start studying, the six hours 'rule' becomes moot because I really enjoy it and will do more than six hours if I have time. I read in a Women of Faith email that "Often women are overwhelmed by too many things to do because there are many good choices concerning how to apportion their time. To set priorities is to determine what is important to you and how your time is to be apportioned-that is, who and what will take precedence over other parts of life." So obviously it's not just unique to me when I feel overwhelmed by having so many things to do. I keep hoping time goes quickly so that deadlines will be 'behind me' but I also know that if I'm going to meet the deadline, I have to use my time wisely, apply myself and get it done.

 

It has been a good thing for me to get up early every week day. I have found myself more motivated to get things done and felt more satisfied with what I've achieved at the end of a day. It has also encouraged me to prioritise and make sure that I take good care of my health. Saturday will be the one day I can get up a little bit later starting from next week because this week, Sharyn and I will do the video recording of us doing a role play of a case scenario for part of my assignment. I will have to demonstrate basic listening skills and the 3 Vs + B. It's hard to practise when I live on my own but this is not the first time I've ever done a counselling subject, in fact, Sharyn and I were in the same counselling subject/class about 23 or 24 years ago.

 

I am looking forward to work tomorrow. It's been good getting to know some of the staff better and making some friends. After work yesterday, three of us headed to an R.M.Williams big sale which is the aussie version of Wrangler. (sort of) I tried on a long coat which is like a drisabone and it was on sale for about one third of it's usual price but I decided it was too long and impractical. There were jeans on sale, boots, skirts, belts, TShirts and other country wear but in the end, I left the place with only buying one sweater which will be good for work.

 

A cow just mooed in the distance and looking at the clock, I see that it is time to start getting ready for bed. It is nice having a routine but as I have also experienced, it's important to be flexible and know that not everything goes according to plan. Um... yeah... No, that is not something I need to be reminded of because I know it all too well.