January over. The Year is Happening.

It's 11 Feb and I haven't blogged things from January! Can't find the cable to get photos off phone.

Australia Day I spent at Nelson Bay with JK. I don't think I've been there as an adult, it was completely new to explore. Swam twice in one day so that's a success!

And now it's that time of year where everything has started, and life has that pushing pushing pushing feel. Until Thursday night, because then I've got through all the nights with Jillian, home group and cello, so I can freewheel for the next few days, and plus my 2 favourite shows are on (other than Poirot and Marple which are repeats) New Girl and Crazy Ex Girlfriend.

Last year, one of the things I struggled with was, not having a 10 year plan. Because what is there to plan? 10 year plan worked for the 10 years when I was saving my deposit and living in Sydney which I knew would be temporary. That always felt like a life stage in which to plan the next stage. Moving here, this life, doesn't feel like a stage anymore, it feels like this could be it. I could actually be here for the rest of my life. Work and then death. I decided I could assess leaving my job in 5 years, which was a relief. And also, God is a God of surprises. Good and bad things happen unexpectedly, which shows you that planning or worrying only gets you so far. Planning is a good activity to do sometimes but not a good religion. I don't know in 2016 if I'll meet someone to marry or become a paraplegic in a car crash or lose my job or get transferred or someone will die or someone will let me name their baby. Right now, things are pretty good, so I will enjoy it as long as it lasts.

And I'm trying something this year, trying to not worry about life. I want to still be intentional about it, I'm not wafting, I want to be a good friend and conscientious and trustworthy. I'm just trying not to look ahead at commitments and worry. Just take opportunities. And be a lovelier person because I'm not so wrapped up in myself and I can pay more attention to others. Character-wise, I want to be a lovely person. The sort of person when you talk about them you're like "they're so lovely" because they have a cheerful smile and listen to you and don't bitch or complain. It's attractive, it's godliness. I touch base with the Lovely Person concept regularly, like a WWLPD? thing. Keep mouth shut? Gentle rebuke? Apologise? Spend time with?

A recent highlight is my new mattress. It has really helped my back in the mornings after my twisty sleeping positions. Still doing something wrong but at least it's not exacerbated by the old soft mattress. Down to slight discomfort when getting out of bed, instead of pain when stepping into pants.

Another highlight is a new skirt. Skirts are my shoes/handbags/scarves/lipsticks, the thing that I would love to buy every pretty skirt I see. I have some lovely skirts. I wear skirts often. I bought too many so at one point I decided not to buy any more, and the only exceptions have been op shop purchases THE WREN IS BACK! FAIRY WRENS IN MY GARDEN!!!! I really need to plant more plants! Anyway, I've bought 2 op shop skirts in like 5 years, all my skirts are old. Three date from Bowral. One is from 10 years ago when I worked at Tocal out of uni. I love them and they spark joy, so I haven't really felt the need to buy new ones anyway. Except the two Colorado skirts with pockets I wear to work a lot are unfortunately starting to look shabby, and so I have my eye on a sensible black skirt with pockets from Sportcraft when there is a sale. Anyway, prelude to an impulse buy. When I saw a gorgeous skirt at the Olive Tree Markets on Saturday, for $110, I overcame my habitual ban. I tried it on. I realised, I have gone a very long time without buying a skirt; I'm not poor; It's a unique, beautiful piece of hand-made hand-printed clothing. I have hung it on the wall and I plan to wear it on Saturday night to the Galentine's dinner.

An anticipation! A new friend at church has invited me to visit her parents farm at Tamworth when she next goes up, to do "sheep work". It sounds delightful and scary.