First day of holidays, it’s been a year since my last lot of leave. Mentioned this to Ros yesterday and she was surprised, said it wasn’t healthy. She agreed the year had been full on but from now on hols every six months.

H. and I drove into Ipswich this morning, the plan was to drop H. off at Riverlink, go onto the hospice for a cuppa with Jan, who celebrated her 75th birthday yesterday, then rejoin H. at Riverlink. While dropping H. off at the shopping centre I picked up a lovely bunch of sweet smelling roses for Jan, and as we were about to part ways we ran into Peter and Jody, with Emmett and Wyatt in tow. Pete’s on holidays too.

Jan loved her flowers, I’m so glad. After the robbery the other week its been hard for her, she needs nice things to happen.

In reference to ‘thousands’, I was wondering recently whether the correct usage was “k” or “K”. It seems that it is entirely subjective, but lower case “k” is the common usage when denoting thousands of dollars.

During my research into the question I came across an interesting discussion on mathforum.org about this, and encountered usage of “M” to denote thousands, “MM” to denote millions. I’ve not noticed this before (perhaps it is a US peculiarity). Good to know.

Yesterday I went along to first lesson of a five week drumming course held by Michi Henning and Linda Nathan of Brisbane. A big crowd – about 20 of us, biggest class ever apparently, and lots of fun. Drumming just about non-stop for an hour and a half, at the end I felt like I’d had a real physical workout.

Michi teaches the traditional African beats and tells a bit of a story about when and where they are played, and what instruments are used. Yesterday we learned the Fankani which is a rhythm from Guinea and traditionally played as a welcome at many types of occasions. There are two parts, one is played with bass, tone and slap beats; the other just tone and slap. Sound great when played together simultaneously.

Went for a walk today with Mum, Liam, Mikaylah, Alyeisha and a few of the dogs. Felt really good to work up a bit of a sweat, it’s been a while since I’ve been on a good long walk.

I had fears that Ebby would misbehave terribly and pick fights with Mum’s dogs, but we took care to keep them apart and it didn’t seem to be a problem. Ebby did disgrace herself later though, when we got back to Mum & Dad’s place she decided to wee on the mat – twice!

When I got home, H was getting ready to mow the lawn. I postponed my shower and wandered around picking up fallen branches and the bigger twigs I could see lying on the ground so they wouldn’t get caught in the mower. A bit tired and sore now, but the lawn is looking good all cut.

Ten years ago I’d been a wife for four years, and had just been made redundant from twelve years of banking; my severance helped pay off the house and bought a new Mazda. Scored employment as a web designer which later evolved to admin manager.

Since then:

• hubby and I separated for 18 months, then got back together
• moved six times
• supported myself in home-based business
• studied Internet Communications for 12 months
• sold business, started working my present job
• switched my study to bookkeeping
• Dad diagnosed with leukaemia
• my brother expanded his family to seven kids
• Mum lost her mum 🙁
• my sister discovered her joy of reading, and blogging

In general the last decade had some troubled and unsettled times, but it has ended on a good note and I have sterling hopes for the next one. I can’t believe hubby and I will be turning 50 before the end of it!

My goals and hopes for the year ahead:

• complete my bookkeeping course before end of June 2010
• see or experience 12 new things through the year
• be thoroughly conversant in my current role at work
• have new job prospects with another not-for-profit group on the horizon
• hubby to get the transfer he wants
• family to stay safe and happy, Dad’s leukaemia remains stable
• amicably end my involvement with people and/or groups that drain my energy and enthusiasm
• get out of the house at least once a week (work doesn’t count)
• have a decent holiday (at least one week) with hubby
• actually go away on holiday somewhere with hubby – even just an overnighter

Wishing my beloved family and friends a splendid year, free of worries or doubts.

Wish I’d had my camera with me yesterday as I was driving to work. I saw an Australia Post postie delivering mail with a santa cap on her head 🙂