So, the last post was about going for a meeting with 'Alan' and discussing a possible job. Did that and he made it all sound great fun! Now busy thinking of names and putting my Photoshop skills to good use designing new logos for the town. Feel like a working woman suddenly - for the first time in 24 years! - even though it is very part-time. The idea is that it leads to a job two afternoons a week working with local trades and helping organise the town community events, like the annual Festival of Light parade.  Just up my street.

I have never felt I 'belonged' anywhere, having been born abroad and moved every 3 years of my life. My main aim on moving back to the UK was to try and feel I was part of the community I lived in, and this seems like just the ticket :-)  I will still have time to write, but as that is a very isolated past-time I love the idea of being able to talk to as many people as I like for two afternoons a week. Anyone who knows me can vouch for the fact that I love to chat!

Have another little project in the pipeline too, but if I told you about it at this stage, I'd have to shoot you. So best not...

Had an interesting experience on Sunday morning...

Before Christmas I'd got the local newsletter and signed up for a 'Litter Pick'. I also signed Adrian up. So Sunday morning at 9:30 we were off looking for the meet-up point. Went to the wrong place first (thanks Google maps!) and ended up being late, but finally found the rest of the group. There were about 30 in all, including local councillors, Sainsbury's and Macdonalds' staff. (Macdonalds had enticed us in the propaganda with the offer of free coffee at the end).

Set off with plastic bag, rubber gloves, and a high vis vest. Got chatting to our little group, who were all very nice, and a lovely lady called Jo shared her grabber with me. After an hour or so we all ended up in the staff room at MaccyD's. Both Jo and one of the councillors (Alan) talked to me about helping out more in the local community and now I've got coffee set up next week to meet with Alan. Pretty sure they are looking for help with organising events, which I've been doing for years and always enjoyed, so hey ho, a new adventure! You never know where you might find yours, this one was literally in the rubbish :-)

Well that went quickly! Seemed to take ages to arrive, then a massive flurry of children, visitors, road trips, presents, games, mountains of food and drink - and endless trips to the supermarket!  And it's all over. Jenny has one day left of the school holidays, Tam went back to work this morning and we dropped Natasha off at uni yesterday. Adrian belatedly told me he's got all this week off work too, so that's messed up my plans a bit :-)  

Although I love Christmas - and my family - I have realised something significant this year. I put myself bottom of the list. I think it's probably something most mothers do, but I didn't realise how much I did it until this year. I guess I'm thinking about the last child not living at home by next Christmas and, although that's sad and I'll miss her, I'm also thinking about the fact that a new stage in my life is beginning. I have been a full-time, stay-at-home mother for the last 23 years. Now I'm quite excited that my time will be my own and I have lots of plans for what I want to do with that time. Not least I quite fancy starting a business. Meeting Tricia Cusden just before Christmas was inspiring. She's 68 and started her amazingly successful business 18 months ago, so ideas have been ruminating in my head over the break. But then I realised....I automatically put everything on hold for my family!

Before Christmas I was working quite hard on this website, editing videos, writing blogs. I started editing the interview and makeover I did with Tricia, but only managed to get a rough draft to her before the hordes descended. And then I shelved it. Because I felt guilty locking myself away to work. Tricia was then interviewed on Breakfast TV on New Year's Eve (which she'd kindly told me about) and if my video had been edited and uploaded I would have probably got lots of hits! So I was an idiot not to get it done in time. And with nobody to blame but myself.

As every holiday for the next 6 years will probably see Jenny home from uni I need to make some changes. It's not the kids fault. I'm sure they don't even realise I'm doing it. They are certainly big enough and capable enough to sort themselves out. It's just a habit I've formed.  

​So that's my New Year's Resolution - to prioritise myself more. So here I am sitting writing my blog while waiting for my re-edited video to format. Onward and upward! And Happy New Year to all of you!

Click here to watch my vlog on a Christmas Tree Memory Box