Four Months in England

I don't know what it is, but I set such high expectations on myself, set such goals that it becomes a detriment at times. It must be a carry over from corporate days, when we had to list our daily, weekly, monthly goals and meet them, no carry-overs. I have to keep reminding myself that I don't need to do that anymore.  My only commitment this six months in England is to write a book. That's all. I don't have to think about anything else. And when I get back to the states my main thrust will be to get the 2017 entertainment schedule up and running at the Pewter Plough Playhosue.  But that's not till Janauary. So why am I beating myself up because I don't want to do what I planned for today?  The answer:  QUIT PLANNING!!! So as I sit here and watch the lawn bowlers and look out over the ocean dotted with tankers, fishing boats and sail boats, as I see the town center beach filling up already (I can see it from my balcony), and I tell myself I should be out ther

Beautiful day here today, sun is bright even at 4 p.m., sailboaters are in the bay, the beaches are full of sunbathers and swimmers ... Wonderful day out there! I'm having an afternoon cup of coffee, waiting for Martin and Ali to come and put my desk (table) and chairs together, need a drill. Table knife and nail file didn't do the trick, that is the extent of my tools. So they are coming to my rescue soon. I blew the fuse on my plug converter this morning, when I plugged in my Magic Bullet.  Oops!  Kitchen appliances are best to have UK plug apparatus. So I can either buy the UK version of the bullet, or just do without.  Haven't decided. But now I need to pick up a couple converters for my other electrical devices.  Tomorrow.  Today's Sunday, am not going anywhere. Last night I had a very interesting time at a pub in the harbor. Met some real characters, to say the least. One lives in his refurbished navy ship docked in the harbor. 50ish fella, who imbibs very

This morning started out to be clear in some places, cloudy in others.  At least that's what it was when I woke up and checked the weather reports.  But by the time I left for the cafe down the lane it was beginning to rain. Didn't rain long though. It was nice and cool.  Perfect for me. So I took a stroll next door to the cafe, after having a meal, to the kiddies park. There's a miniature golf range, a sea life display, a child's train that goes from the park to the Town Center along the promenade, adults ride it too.  And some other things ... A sand park, a stream, looks great for people with children.  I  couldn't believe how many people were there at 10 a.m.  Loads of them, literally, bus loads.  On a Wednesday. This is a family town, it is.  And dogs. Tons of them both - children and dogs.  I saw one cat today when I went to the cafe ... A beautiful calico, she/he let me pet her/him.  It had been raining and she was wet. Then I walked the promenade along t

Well, one thing for sure ... Mondays follow me wherever I go.  I feel the same on a Monday thousands of miles away, as I feel on Mondays in Cambria.  It's my do-nothing day.  Although I did have a purpose in hanging around the apartment today, was waiting on the BT man to hook up the Internet.  Success!!!  Done!!! Now I'm feeling normal again. Here is the view from my balcony tonite at 9 pm.  So calm and beautiful.  Not cold either.  Not cold for me, that is.  Last night I was out walking in it ... Went to a local pub called THE PARK to try and reach the Internet, which was a very good idea.  Worked so much better there. But like I said above, I won't need to do that for that reason anymore, since I'm all set here at home.  BUT ... It was an interesting evening at THE PARK.  I was the only woman there except for the barkeep.  I sat back by myself, using my phone apps and watching the patrons, and listening.  Love to eavesdrop. So, a nice looking guy, 63 as it tur

Okay, Day 1 & 2 are missing ... I haven't been able to get to wifi till now.  My Internet has not been installed at the apartment, so my dear friends Martin and Ali are allowing me to use their wifi at their guest house.  It appears that BT will not not be installing my Internet till July 22 now.  So, I'll just be posting from wherever I can till then.  There is a coffee shop not too far from my apartment that has wifi too, I'll certainly try it.  It's much more comfy here though, at my friends. My apartment is very nice, I've already moved the furniture around, is that a surprise?  Lol lol. And I've made a list of a few things I'll need to live comfortably. A small desk-table is in order, for my writing in front of the window with the sea view.  Top of my list. Ali took me food shopping yesterday at Morrisons, a supermarket here.  But there's a small grocery within walking distance that I'll use in between big shopping days.  I need to buy a

Spending the first night away in Santa Maria, CA ... Not very far from Cambria, but for a reason. This gets me closer to an early morning departure tomorrow. Would have been too early to come to Santa Maria Airport from Cambria.  BUT ... When I return on Dec 21, I'm flying from LAX to San Luis Obispo, shorter distance for friend to pick me up. However ... This has been a very special day spent with Jay and Hannah Powell here in Santa Maria.  In addition to seeing the Fourth of July fireworks, we've had wonderful discussions about spiritual transitions and beliefs and some fabulous food to boot. Great day! Terrific way to start my six-month adventure! Thank you J & H for opening your doors to me. Got some good books to read ... One by Micheal Newton - Journey of Souls  ... The Spirit's Book by Allan Kardec.  Heavy duty reading in Kardec's book.  Eager to start it.  AND I have two others of fiction that Hannah recommended.  Can't wait. So between reading a l

Hallelujah!   House and garages are basically empty, furnishings in storage. Only throw-aways left, and Kelly E. will take care of that, probably one more load to the dump and that's it!  He is such a worker!  A wonderful person, too.  But I bet he's glad I'm leaving for awhile, so he can tend to his other clients. lol lol  I truly understand why Jim was so fond of him and trusted him implicitly.   So ... now I'm taking a rest at Barbara's, since the water isn't on at the Drake house, which makes it difficult to use faucets and toilets while working.  lol lol But like I said, I'm done with the house. Yippee! Walking a bit bent over, however, back is suffering. I will go over later this evening and pack my bags for the trip, left it all there to sort through and decide whether to take 2 or 3 bags.  In the meantime, I'll go through what I have here at Barbara's and take it over when I go.  What I don't pack I'll put away for when I return n

Well, let me clarify this ... today or tonite is Saturday night.  So that means one more day, Sunday, till I leave Cambria on Monday, July 4. But I'm not leaving the States till July 5. So if you've heard the scare about July 4 departures from LAX, that doesn't pertain to me.  I'm leaving on July 5 from LAX.  No fear here.  I'm blessed. Always have been. My only fear is having everything out of the house and garages by tomorrow night.  Truly.  I'm working against time, that's my only thought, only tomorrow to accomplish all I need to be able to leave on Monday morning.  AND that is scary at this point.  It's making me nervous. Today I had a wonderful time at the Authors Event and afterwards with my lady friends (Babs, Linda, Barbara and Lucille) .... and then later I met with other friends to bid farewell to ... Dinah and Christopher Brazelton and Giovanni and Viv at the Harmony Cafe at the Pewter Plough ... had a great evening with them too. S

Now I'm getting nervous, wondering if I'll be ready to leave on Monday ... of course there is no choice in the matter, I have to be ready.  Lordy, Lordy! Will pack my luggage tomorrow, Sunday, and take care of last minute details ... my car, etc.  I'm undecided whether I'll take two bags or three.  It may be decided for me when I begin the packing.  lol lol Today, Saturday, I want to be able to walk away from the house, leaving nothing behind.  That's the quandary, will everything be done?  I think it will, it should be. Won't know till I go through two last mini-piles in the garage this morning. Need more bubblewrap, however, and maybe another bin or two.  Have to return Charter equipment to Templeton office, must not forget.  This afternoon maybe? I also have a book event to attend today ... Cambria's Authors event.  That takes a chunk out of my day.  Probably should not have committed to it, but I did, must go.  Selling my novels. HOWEVER ... I&