The power of intention… Be careful what you ask for because you just might get it. A fortnight ago, I concluded my post with … I feel like I can relax a little more and enjoy the beauty and pleasure of everyday mundane things.

I’m pleased to report I am improving at relaxing. But I can’t take all the credit. I believe some of the success lies with luck, some is in sound decision-making (reducing pressure and in turn stress) and some is managing the pressure I put on myself and my attitude towards the long list of things that still need to be done. And Martin’s foot. More on that later.

Luck – a 4 day Easter weekend followed a fortnight later with the 3 day Labour day weekend. Happy dance – extra time.

Sound decision-making – two decisions have reduced our stress:

• taking a shed at the marina reducing the pressure to sell everything 
• deciding to pay for a removalist to move our remaining possession (and there are still a few) 

Managing my attitude towards my to do list. This is hard. But by simply reprioritising what’s important to me first, has made the world of difference. Including my exercise.

I am doing my core strength work and my back is loving it. No more pain killers because I am curled over the keyboard for hours on end. 

The morning walk with the dogs had fallen by the wayside. It was like my keyboard had this magical power softly calling my name the moment I awoke. Not for my writing but straight into work. Yeh I know… I need to cut that s*** out, right?

And so, I am loving the mundane and catching up on things.

One task that has given me an immense level of satisfaction has been writing a couple of thank you cards. I have a card box where I keep a few cards handy, just in case I need one. 

Some of the cards are from art-galleries we have visited over the years. Some from a shy homeless guy in Melbourne who draws all the time. He has his drawings printed and sells them on the street corner. And in days gone by I used to make and sell my own cards. 

It was wonderful to pull this box out and select the cards to impart my messages. In the end I selected handmade cards the exterior made from recycled paper. This paper while in pulp form had multi coloured stars sprinkled randomly through the pulp mix. The inside of the card was a lovely linen paper. The smoothness of this texture was a beautiful contrast to the recycled paper and so beautiful to write on. 

I had been planning to write four thank you cards to two different hospitals (Doctors and staff) and my local doctor for the amazing work they have done either saving Martin or my goddaughter’s lives. I was so happy to have been able to this. My stepbrother who is a doctor and a surgeon, suggested it after explaining the challenges of my Martin’s surgery.  I cannot tell you how good it felt to write my gratitude. We also enjoyed the walk to the mailbox to post them. I was grateful to still have a couple of stamps kicking-in around in the box. A quick online search confirmed current postage fee. All good.

And now some space to give you more updates… And it is all good news…

• Martin and I received our certificates for completing our diesel engine maintenance course… Woohoo!!!
• Our new engine has arrived and installation is likely to be this week. I am hoping it is Friday as I would be able to watch it. 
• Doctors advised that they have successful removed all of the skin-cancer from the back of Martin’s hand. 

The Doctors also found and removed another skin cancer from the top of Martin’s foot. This happened on Friday and we should get the results on Wednesday. Fingers crossed for the same results as the last. 

This weekend it is truly doing nothing for Martin as he has to keep his foot up for 48 hours. And be gentle with it moving forward not to pull the stitches. So, it is a Netflix feast and reading weekend. And for me it is punctate with nursing duties for cups of tea and biscuits etc. I gladly do it to keep Martin off his feet and I’m pleased to report no cups of tea were left on the bench (undelivered) as I get distracted with something else…

I did forget to turn the kettle on twice. Ha ha.