One Daily Positive Week 4. Abu Dhabi and Omega Desert Classic Golf

A very busy week and I've walked a total of 99,351 steps which is approximately 67kms/41miles and most of it round a golf course, 2 dog walks per day, 2 walks along the beach and malls and cleaning the house.

This is my second year marshalling at the golf events in the UAE, all part of the European Tour. The Race to Dubai, HSBC Championships and Omega Dubai Desert Classic. I've been static on a crossing or the 1st tee box and 18th green, worked with anti doping escorting players from the green to the anti doping facilities and this week I worked with the TV recording live sound of the players selecting clubs, discussing tatics and have been privy to numerous private conversations as well as quite a few rude jokes in an attempt to shock me. I've smiled a few times, but mainly kept a dead pan look on my face as I can't respond verbally to them whilst recording.

For 5-6 hours a day I'm wearing headphones that pick up every bit of conversation from the spectators, golfers, caddies, action on the other greens and tees. Have you ever watched 'What a woman wants?' with Mel Gibson, where he can hear everything women are thinking? Well it's like that, I hear words, can see people's mouths moving but find it difficult to place exactly where the sound is coming from, it's a sensory overload.

19 Sunday Last day of the golf. Took Peter to the airport in Dubai which is the opposite end of the city from where we live then back past our house to Abu Dhabi grrrrrrrrr. Mum took herself on a walk to the coffee shop then spent the afternoon pool side, she also did all the ironing. Lord knows what Child 5 did all day. I marshalled Tommy Fleetwood and Andy Sullivan and Mike Lorenzo-Vera. It was a televised match, but the other marshal and I already work within the protocols such as not walking up the fairway behind the players.

20 Monday Had a well deserved lie in, air conditioning serviced then off the other Outlet Village the other side of Dubai for the day. I went back out in the evening to Emirates Golf Club for the briefing for the Omega Desert Classic that starts on Thursday. I was violently ill during the night, no idea why.

21 Tuesday Mum and Child 5 got a taxi to Dubai Mall for the day, they went up the Burj Khalifa, they were instructed to get a taxi home as I spent the day, washing, sweeping and mopping the floors. I went to bed around 8pm and spent a couple of hours blogging, scheduling posts and tweets and commenting on blog posts.

22 Wednesday Off to Dubai Miracle Gardens in the morning then the Beach for a walk, coffee and ice cream.

23 Thursday Mum and I went out for a coffee and then she went off to the pool again for the day. I started my first day at the golf, lots of familiar faces from last week. It's rare for the golfers to remember the marshals, but the caddies and managers are starting to recognise me, I'm a professional stalker these days lol.

24 Friday More golf, an early start, walked the first 12 holes with a Signature group then was taken off the course and returned to the same group now carrying a 15lb battery pack strapped to my waist and a mic to record sound for the TV feed. Met Mum and child 5 down at Jumeriah Beach Residence (JBR), we had dinner out and stayed to watch the fireworks, getting home around the same time as Peter.

25 Saturday Peter in charge for the day as I was at the golf again. Another day with TV, after 16 holes I was collected and driven back to the 16th tee to walk down with Tommy Fleetwood for his last 3 holes. Home, bath, helped mum pack and an early night.

BTW I don't play golf

On the blog this week:

Relocating the cat and dog to the UK They started their life in South Africa, before moving to Dubai where they've been living for the past 5 years.

You are invited to the Inlinkz link party!

Click here to enter

How to marshal a golf tournament? DPWTC.

I'll let you know how I got on next week after the European Tour concludes in Dubai on Sunday along with the Race to Dubai at the DP World Tour Championship

For now I have my golf shirt and tournament cap. I've purchased sturdy trainers and golfing skorts. I've read the marshals handbook and have plenty of water and suncream for the day.

My role is to ensure no one disturbs the golfers when they tee off and putt and to keep the crowd safe, provide information on crossing fairways and give directions for toilets, food, tee's and greens.

I'm one of 270 volunteers out on the course and on Tuesday I'm attending the pro am to familiarise myself with the course and my role.

The caddies will let me know if I've been successful at marshalling on not. Apparently, if a caddie has to speak to me, it means I'm doing something wrong and will have failed in my role.

Peter and I have watched golf at various venues in the UAE and South Africa, we used to live on a golf estate in Centurion, South Africa, which is part of the Sunshine Tour. Peter plays golf, I've only ever been to the driving range. I know the rules to some extent and can name most of the golfers, which will help for sure. But I'm more comfortable outside the ropes and prefer the 19th hole.

Week 46 - Project 365

I can't believe how quickly my visit to South Africa has gone, I fly back to Dubai on Tuesday. I feel so at home here, that I don't want to leave. Santa Shoebox is a year round project but October and November are what we call the 'silly season' and we see little of our husbands and children for several weeks. To me it feels like my husband is the one who has gone away and that I am at home in South Africa waiting for his return. The reality is that this isn't my home anymore and there have been many tears saying goodbye to this beautiful country and some amazing people with no idea when or if ever I'll return.

Sunday morning didn't start very well, we were still ill from the night before and the food we had eaten in the township the previous day. I declare that I now have the full blown flu and require plenty of bed rest and alcohol. I left my friends around 3pm to arrive at anthers where I had a total melt down and there were lots of tears from exhaustion and the realisation that I had just started my 'goodbye' tour. We did manage to pop out for a late breakfast and I very much enjoyed wandering around the grounds of the gifts shops, although I didn't buy anything. My Sunday Photo this week was what the Santa Shoebox project was all about that was the celebrations where the children receive their gifts.

Day 312 #onedailypositive #wooden #fmsphotoaday#music #snaphappybritmums #project365 a rare day off from volunteering during my stay in South Africa and a chance to wander around the craft shops at the local tearoom sphere we had a late breakfast. I've no idea whether this record player in a wooden box still plays music or not but it was fitting for today's photo prompts and I rather liked it.

Monday I packed boxes into cartons, I sorted boxes, I sorted cartons. 

Day 313 #onedailypositive #distraction #fmsphotoaday#sky #snaphappybritmums #project365 it's all Christmas gifts and shoeboxes. I spent a lot of time today looking for distractions in the hope the boxes would magically pack themselves.

Tuesday I packed boxes into cartons, I sorted boxes, I sorted boxes, I sorted cartons

Day 314 #onedailypositive #golden #fmsphotoaday#SomethingRed #snaphappybritmums #project The Golden hour after a day of packing boxes, enjoying a glass of wine

Wednesday I went for coffee with a friend, I collected 350 boxes from a school, I unloaded 350 boxes, I sorted around 50 boxes, I lost the will to live. I wrote out the remaining 150+ name labels.

Day 315 #onedailypositive #blank #fmsphotoaday#stairs #snaphappybritmums #project365

Thursday I tracked down a friend's old maid to give her, her annual christmas money. I collected toiletries from a sponsor, I met a friend for lunch. I packed and sorted 90 more boxes. I collapsed into bed at 11pm.

Day 316 #onedailypositive #curly #fmsphotoaday#YourBreakfast #snaphappybritmums #project365@mcdonalds_za and @kfcsouthafrica has been the staple diet for us volunteers during the @santashoebox drop off in Pretoria. It was only after I took the photo I noticed the curly phone charger

Friday I loaded the van, I drove my friends car to a celebration day in Silverlakes, at the children's home, despite it being a year since I've seen them all I was greater with so much love it was overwhelming. I unloaded a pile of donations. I met my friend with the van who had to go to Joburg to collect cartons and drop at another celebration and drove into Mamelodi to the Alaskan Informal Settlement to drop the boxes off I'd been making all week for their celebration day to be held in December. I felt so much at home today surrounded by people I've spent the previous 4 years volunteering with.

Day 317 #onedailypositive #OneWord #fmsphotoaday#popcorn #snaphappybritmums #project365 YES

Saturday was a 'me day' I visited Irene Christmas market, a place I used to take Bob for walks most weeks, I shopped for new clothes for when I start my new job in Dubai next week and visited a friend and her family for lunch and had an awesome time. I then went to see another friend to say goodbye to their family, then back to where I was staying for a braai, a few drinks and fell into bed around midnight. 

Day 318 #onedailypositive #peace #fmsphotoaday#BlackAndWhite #snaphappybritmums #project365Peace in Afrikaans

My Santa Shoebox journey is now over, it's been 5 glorious years. I can't say I've loved every minute of it, but I will very much miss being involved in this wonderful project.

Pledging, Shopping and drop off for Santa Shoebox

As the drop off around South Africa open, the pledging will close, but that doesn't mean you can't still join in.I'd like to invite to take a look at what we are actually doing in Pretoria, how to pledge, what and how to pack and where to drop off. Of course if you live over seas you can still pledge a virtual box or you can donate to my Go Fund Me page for additional costs involved for the volunteer work I'm doing during my 5 weeks here.

How to Pledge

Register on line here and follow the instructions. Pledge for Pretoria North or Pretoria east - Centurion please

Shop

Soap

Face cloth

Toothpaste

Toothbrush

Sweets

Item of clothing

Educational supplies

Toy, make up, costume jewellery, ball, puzzle, teddybear

Decorate a box or pop to Stor_age for a free one

Pack

Drop off Pretoria North

We'll be at the following address 23rd and 24th October 2015 from 1pm till 7pm and Saturday 8am till 2pm

NG Villieria Hall

571 24th Avenue

Villieria

Pretoria

0186

GPS Coordinates Lat: -25.712975641746 Lng: 28.227052688598633

Contact Suzanne 072913628

Drop off Midstream
Ashwood House Office F08
Shopping Centre, Midstream
Friday 23rd October 2015 1pm - 7.30pm
Saturday 24th october 2015 8am till 1pm
Telephone for directions 0827322613

Drop off Pretoria East

Date: Thu, 29/10/2015 Time: 13:30 pm to 19:30 pm
Date: Fri, 30/10/2015 Time: 07:30 am to 19:30 pm
Date: Sat, 31/10/2015 Time: 08:30 am to 14:30 pm

Pretoria Chinese School, Cnr Halse & Dennil Street, Wingatepark, Pretoria, 0181
GPS Coordinates: -25.828343, 28.266945

Stay for a few hours, meet some lovely people, have a cake, a chat and volunteer your time

#MySundayPhoto - Charity

Due to illness, visitors, holidays and my car being off the road, I really haven't done much in regards to my volunteering and charity work.

However as hubby pointed out last week, I've actually done rather a lot. It's just been internet based rather than physically visiting facilities.

The large picture shows the current state of our garage. It is filled with donated items for the Santa Shoebox Project. Friends and volunteers have been round, wrapping boxes and sorting donations.

I also act as a drop off point for friends for 2nd hand items they no longer require, I sort and donate to the appropriate facilities.

• Top right. Donations for Kungwini Welfare Organisation, it includes magazines for the residents to read and books collected rom friends, clothing, cushion inserts, lamp shades and other items for the work shop.
• Middle. Clothes for under 2s, bedding and towels and dummies for the Grace Foundation, who are in turn providing me with toys for children with Special Needs.
• Bottom 3 photos (L-R) A friend was offered 80 boxes of porridge, short date, did I know of anyone that could use it all? Half the boxes to Kungwini Welfare Organisation. The rest split between The Viva Foundation and 2 feeding schemes. In exchange for 20 of the boxes I received 100 pairs of various sized canvas shoes and the company who manufacture the boxes saw a tweet and have offered pre decorated boxes for the ShoeBox appeal.

So all in all I've done rather a lot. I don't enjoy this side of it as much as I do the the actual hands on volunteering but every little helps.

Once an expat always an expat?

I’m ready to go home, although I’m not sure where home is anymore. I’ve always associated ‘home’ with the kids, but now they’ve all left and are spread out over the UK, where would I go back to?

We still own a house in Malvern but that stopped being our home when we let tenants move in, their subsequent trashing of our house made it even easier not to consider it a return to point anymore.

The first 2 years in South Africa was all about settling in, adjusting to a new way of life, culture, language and a whole different way of doing things. The 3^rd year was been all about sorting out the youngest education, which has resulted in him returning to boarding school in the UK and the other son completing his Matriculation and the ‘what next?’ which has also involved a move for him back to the UK.

So hubbies job continues here, but what about me? I was depressed, I did struggle, but I had the boys to support with their schooling, activities, cleaning the ever messy house and begging for 5 minutes peace and quiet.

Well I’ve got it now, by the bucket load. 9 years before hubby retires, another 9 years here? To do what? I have plenty of voluntary work I can do, have already taken up new hobbies crafting and sewing. I swim and walk the dog daily, I have some good friends, but they all work during the day and have young kids. Hubby and I go out together for meals, picnics, dog walks and holidays, but there is just too much time left in the week when I’m on my own and bored.

My idea to return to the UK just won’t work, there is no job for hubby over there and with 28 years service it would affect his pension and at 56 he’d find it hard to walk into another job. I’m not just going to walk into a new career over night and I know how hard it was for me to go from full time work to stay at home mum without asking hubby to do that, except there’d be no kids at home for him to look after.

So I guess our only option is to move to another country, one where I can work and we’re looking into Dubai for February 2015, there are plenty of training and educational jobs on offer for me, but I need to check the reality of how easy it is to actually get a job there.

In the meantime I'm swimming everyday, blogging, raising awareness of disabilities in South Africa, fundraising, voluntary teaching, enjoying new activities, learning new skills which I'll take with me and continue doing where ever I am in the world.

For now, I have plenty of projects to work on, to keep me busy, 6 months left of a degree to keep my mind active, but it's not relieving the loneliness, I'm struggling to motivate myself to get things done.

When you have all day to do nothing in, one tends just to do that, nothing.

2013 Groovy Mums

Well Kate over on her #Groovymum blog is getting the year off to a flying start. She seems to have a plan for the year rather than a list of resolutions that we know we'll all break anyway. I've a vague idea of what I'm doing for 2013, but currently I don't have any firm plans. However I do have an order of things to do and I'm hoping by writing them down, I'll think of a few ways to implement them. 1. STOP SMOKING OK you've heard this before. I actually stopped smoking in September 2012 and stupidly (nicotine addicted) had the occassional one in November and I'm now a full time smoker. Back to the Doctors on Friday for a repeat prescription for Champix and THIS time I will take the full course. 2. WORK I can't work here....FULL STOP....But I can and have been volunteering with a shoebox project (taking over assistant coordinator role this year) and with @kwo_org supporting adults with disabilities. But there is so much more I could and will be doing so I'm writing this list to motivate me. Tweet more on their behalf, make an effort to find out what is going on Set up Blog for Kungwini Welfare Organisation (any offers?) Put together lesson plans for Sex Education, Basic Lifeskills Make and market more bags, childrens toys, plant holders and kitchen utensil holders and accessories Fix two days a week to visit and stick to it, treat it like a job 3. SEWING See above and MAKE THE BLOODY CURTAINS 4. TIDY/SORT Sort out the family photos, the childrens keep sake boxes, wardrobes, toys, take all unwanted items to KWO 5.MAKE THINGS See 2&3 I had a Dremel for Christmas I want to make some photo frames 6. CLIMB KILIMANJARO Feel free to join in if you ahve any plans and what you're intending to do for 2013 and check back with Kate and on my blog to find out how we are all getting along.

Supporting people with disabilities in South Africa

I'm cheating a bit with this post by adding to a blog thats had over 3,500 hits since I posted it in October last year. The reason for doing this is because I've sold the original bags and I've made some more. If you want to buy a bag click here for more info.

So what happens to your money when you buy a bag?
How does buying a bag help people with disabilities in South Africa?

I don’t work, I volunteer and volunteering costs me money. But where can I get the money from to assist with my volunteer work and just what exactly do I buy with the money raised by selling bags?

To start off with there are NO personal expenses, No fuel allowance. I give my time and transport costs willingly.

Volunteering gets me out, it starves off the depression, it allows me to integrate, learn the culture, the language, make friends, explore new places.

I ‘m a volunteer with Santa Shoebox. I am the sub coordinator for Pretoria and this is my 3^rd year with them.  I don’t fundraise for them, just help with promotion, collection and distribution of boxes at Christmas time. Every Celebration day I attend, I bake cup cakes for each child at the facilities and if I identify a need I can meet and resources are available then I assist. But I do this outside of Santa Shoebox, as in I’m not representing them when I bake my cakes or meet their needs.

Through Santa Shoebox I have become involved with 2 organisations that I volunteer with independently.

I volunteer at Kungwini Welfare Organisation. I am involved with their adult home for people with disabilities, there is little government funding available and they rely on donations, both financial and in goods, goodwill and volunteers. I am also involved with the Children’s home. Their biggest fundraiser is their Nickel Xmas Market.

I’ve also recently become involved with The Viva Foundation in Mamelodi at the Alaskan Informal settlement. Where I spent a weekend with my son painting shacks as part of their Art Festival and I hope to become more involved with them.

At Kungwini I assist in the workshop, I help thread machines, I talk with people, I paint pots, I check quality control, I assist with orders, I identify needs and I try to meet them.

I do this by buying needles, threads, light bulbs for the machines, cottons, glue, paint, brushes, hand held devices for attaching press studs. I rinse out tin cans and plastic bottles from home to use to make crafts. I collect donations from friends, clothing, shoes etc. In the children’s home I provide them with toothbrushes and paste. I teach them how to clean their teeth and what will happen if they don’t, I challenge inappropriate language and comments. I talk about the world, share experiences, go horse riding, help tidy bedrooms, creating a feeling of ownership. I take and print photos, creating a record for these children to take with them through life.

By buying a bag you can help support me with this.

I want to be able to fund this year’s cake baking,  Last year I baked 2000 cup cakes, this year alone I’ve baked 350.

I want to print photos of every activity I’m involved with in the children’s home and help create memories.

I want to buy paint and brushes for Viva Foundation for their next Arts Festival.

I want to be able to buy items needed for the Workshop, to help them grow and develop their crafts to enable them to raise more funds from their Nickel Xmas Market.

I want to be able to have my own stall at a Market selling their crafts and my bags.

I want to be able to buy printing ink to advertise and spread the word about these organisations.

 

But I’m NOT asking you just for your money. I’m asking you to get involved with helping me, by buying a bag, as a gift, for personal use, telling your family and friends about where it came from and where the money goes and how it helps support people with disabilities in South Africa.

I will blog, tweet, post photos. I’m happy to discuss sponsorship requests from Media and PR companies to aid my work.

In October I am climbing Mount Kilimanjaro. I need to find a reputable organisation to go with, source the equipment and clothing needed. Set up fundraising pages (need to get donations from other countries here). I will be using some of the money I raise from selling bags to fund this. I will be paying for my flights, accommodation and the trip myself, unless I can get a sponsor for this. All funds raised from the climb will go to Kungwini to help meet some of their many needs.

 

ORIGINAL POST
I will be in the UK the end of this week and I'm bringing with me an assortment of goodies made at KWO by adults with physical and learning difficulties. I've been learning the trade along the way, so there are a few hand made gifts by me. The workshop at Kungwini Welfare Organisation

Hand bags - Colour and sizes vary (approx 40cm x 30cm) fully lined £10.00

Bag logo

Lining

Beaded Hearts - Colours will vary £2.00

Necklaces - Colours will vary £3.00

Broaches to liven up your winter coat or bag - Colours vary £2.00

Key rings - Colour and styles vary £2.00

Postage and packing extra. Stocks are limited on this trip. Contact me via twitter @chickenruby or through my blog to order

Why I'm disappointed with the London Olympics

So you volunteer to work 10 hours a day for 2 weeks our more .

You fill in application form, submit and wait.

Tah dah...an interview, but since then you've moved 6000 miles away.

You call and explain you're in South Africa on a visitors visa and you're still available...yes, it's ok, you're still a British Citizen, so you arrange a phone interview....June 2011.

They call, explain what will happen and the interview will last 30 mins....60 mins later you come off the phone, confident you've covered everything, then they call you back... 'would you be interested in a leadership role?'. You'd be happy directing traffic.

So you wait, a trip back to the UK, family and friends come to visit, endless questions... ' Have you heard?' ... Cut off date is April 30th, you check emails daily, weekly, hourly.....refresh, refresh, refresh...you follow #gamesmaker, people tweet you, they have their offer...and the deadline passes.

You receive an automated email 'thank you, busy time and all that'

Basically you're on a waiting list. You're second choice, just incase anyone drops out...OK I can deal with that...You'll know by June 30th...

You need yo make plans, your Husband needs to know what's going on so he can plan his European trip, you can't both be out the country and leave the kids for 2 weeks.

You check on the games maker website in case you miss an email....your application has been withdrawn....wtf? You call,'it's ok we will reinstate you' but have you missed your chance? How? When? Why? You're reassured you'll be reinstated and an email it's sent to the relevant department. That was May 23rd, you call again on May 28th and June 8th and finally on July 2nd. They email you July 5th to say you're now reinstated.

But it's past June 30th and you still haven't heard, so you resign yourself that you're not wanted then July 4th another automated email to tell you you're now 3rd choice and please be availabale at short notice...you need 72 hours to arrange your flight, get someone to collect you and find somewhere to sleep for 2 weeks, as cheaply as possible as you blew the money you saved on your trip back to see your dad after his heart attack last month.

Just how short is short notice? The games start in 3 weeks.

The system of selecting volunteers does not take into account individuals needs, obviously they can't consider every single child care or dental appointment requests, but they have failed to acknowledge that people may have flights to book, may need to ask for time off work.

After all you're offering your time and services for free, well not for free actually, you're not only going to work 10 hours a day, but you're taking time off work, paying your costs to get to zone 7 of the London Underground, find accomodation etc.

Has anyone told you the Olympics are on in the UK in July, August and September? Flights, accomodation? If they are still available they are going to be damned bloody expensive.

Waiting for the Olympics

Ages ago I applied through my employers to be a volunteer at the London Olympics...I ticked every box for everything and sat back to wait.

100,000 people were to be interviewed from 250,000 applications.

My interview was scheduled for June...panic, family visiting, expensive for a flight back to the UK and 'did I still qualify?'

Yes I did and I still do, despite living in South Africa, I'm only on a visitors visa and hubby on an inter company transfer and I've reassured them I can and will be in the UK as soon as they want me.

I tweeted about my questions and a lovely woman told me I could have a phone interview and gave me contact info so I could arrange it and I had my interview in June. It lasted an hour, then two further call backs to ask if I was available for both games and would I be interested in a leaders role.

The answer was yes and I'm sitting waiting.

I emailed in February and had it confirmed I'd know by April 30th. It's the 27th today, I caved in, I called the UK...nothing.

I have a 7 in 10 chance of getting a role...I need to know as soon as possible so I can start my twitter campaign...

...garden needed to pitch tent for xx weeks, in exchange for house work and child care

Want To Improve Your Life? This Mum Proves It Can Be Done.

The following extract is taken from @kateonthinice Groovymum blog http://kateonthinice.wordpress.com/

As mums we can get bogged down in all the business of it all. It can get us down and we can lose sight of who we used to be or who we aim to be. What can we do to change that? In this guest post from Polly, she tells us how six months ago she decided to take charge of her own life and to talk about how it has gone since. Read what she has to say and then join us at the Twitter Party next Tuesday from 1pm-2pm which you can read all about by clicking here http://kateonthinice.wordpress.com/2012/03/20/will-you-come-to-a-very-special-twitter-party/'

@pollyburns2 blogs about her life as a mum and how she is getting her groove back. She shows us how she can do it, with young children rather than waiting for them to grow up to get her life back.
http://kateonthinice.wordpress.com/2012/03/21/want-to-improve-your-life-this-mum-proves-it-can-be-done/

For me it's not children that have contributed to me losing my groove. When I had my first son when I was aged 20 and he turns 20 in May, my life hadn't actually started. I left home aged 17 and moved away from my home town for work. I spent 2 years as a single mum, married, 2 more children, endless part time jobs including a stint in a chip shop and night classes, divorce, met my husband (married for 10 years this October) inherited 2 step children (the eldest being profoundly disabled) went back to school, got my teaching degree, worked as a lecturer for 3 years training teaching assistants and teaching autistic students, worked as a child welfare officer for The FA and studied for a degree in Psychology and Criminology.

I guess like Polly I wasn't prepared to put my life on hold to raise a family, it ran side by side, often not very smoothly and in September 2010 the 3rd child left home aged 18 to follow a career, like his step brother before him. Step daughter is in residential care and settled into her life time adult home.

So where? how? when? did I lose my groove?

September 2010 to January 2011 was a very busy period for me, exams, tidying up lose ends at work, making sure all my students had passed their NVQs, inducting a new welfare officer, packing, sorting, decorating, renting the house, amending policies, change of address, endless farewells to family and friends and numerous trips to London to sort out the visas.

January 2011 - July 2011 was full of our new and exciting life in South Africa, house hunting, cars, bank accounts, utilities and all without any assistance from hubbies company, including a lost container at customs. Endless family visiting, my eldest, step son, parents, hubbies Mother and sister, no time to breathe,

August 2011 every thing stopped, there were no more visitors lined up, no more hassles to sort, kids settled in school, hubby settled in work and travelling in Africa and back to Europe...and me?

That was the problem there was nothing for me, no job, no studies and only 2 kids instead of the usual 5 on weekends or popping down to Reading to visit son, food shopping to Gloucester to take step daughter out for the day, no football club to fundraise for and no friends to have coffee with.

I stumbled across Kate, I don't recall how or when. I don't so blog hops, I don't join network sites, I don't describe myself as a yummy mummy or a mummy blogger. But something about Kates blog hop drew my attention. I hadn't lost my groove because my kids had got in the way, I wasn't suffering with PND, I'd done all the new baby stuff, the difficult divorce. I'd just lost my groove and happen to be a mum because I'd moved 5764 miles from home.

Like Polly I find that tuesday mornings I'm looking for Kates new challenges, it helps me reflect on the week that has gone, helps me to focus to realise that I have done things that are worthwhile, that I do have value as a mum, a wife, a person and it helps me set myself little challenges to get me out more, to volunteer, to meet people and it gives me like minded people to talk to, has introduced more traffic to my blog, encouraged me to not be put off by joining other neetworks and has helped me meet more expats that understand where I'm coming from to realise .... I AM NEVER ALONE