Here it is.

So my very first blog, what do I say?

I knew exactly what I wanted to say as I walked Poppy round the field's this morning. I was chatting away in my head, ideas popping in and out as I stopped to take photo's of the Autumn sunshine. The photo of the tree is one from this morning.

I'm going to start by been honest I am rubbish with technology and the fact that I have even got this blog up and running is a minor miracle! The fact I have uploaded a photo from my phone on to the blog is totally amazing to me. I am going to try and post photos on here and hopefully I will get better at the tech side.

As I said in my intro, I have wanted to write a blog for a while but the little voice in my head that tells me I'm not good enough or interesting enough has stopped me. Now at the ripe old age of 49 I think what the hell, do it! If no one reads it so what, what have I got to lose nothing. In a way it's like keeping an online diary of my life, some bits will be good others bad. Along the way there will hopefully be a lot of happiness and laughter but also some sorrow.

This blog has come about because I am trying to do lots of things that I couldn't or dare not do. I figure I have one chance at life and I can either live it or waste it. I'm going to live it, what about you?

Living it isn't about having expensive cars, houses and holiday's. Lets face it at the moment holidays are a bit of a no no. My idea of living, remember it's just my idea, you will have other ideas and that's fine. My idea is to live in the moment, give my family and friends the attention they deserve. I was always taught to treat others how I would expect to be treated and I think I have lost a bit of that and maybe so has society too. By that I mean make time for them, not be caught up in my to do list and pushing them to the back of the que.

I hate to mention Covid, but during lockdown we as a family took a step back, we reconnected, enjoyed time together and got to know one another again. It was the simple pleasures that we enjoyed:- daily walks, gardening, homemade bread, scones ( although I couldn't find cherries in the supermarkets for months). Evenings sat outside talking, not just making noses and grunts but really talking without the distraction of phones and iPads. I guess I just want to hold on to some of that.

For some lockdown was hell and families lost loved ones. The NHS worked tirelessly and I am grateful for that. We didn't escape as a family and lost my father in law in May. Not to Covid but to cancer that was not discovered, appointments were cancelled and tests etc not done. This has only strengthened my resolve to make a better life for my small family. To spend time with them and enjoy activities together, because who knows when one of us will be taken.

A few years ago ( I think it was in the 1990's - how old am I?) I read a book called - Feel the fear and do it anyway. I can not remember the author but that is the moto I am going with. If something makes you scared have a go, if you have butterflies in your stomach so what. Once you have felt the fear and succeeded you then know what living is. Each day I strive to go forward in some small way. I might not always get it right and I might make a fool of myself at times. But the times when I succeed, when I reach my goal and do a good job that makes me proud. Can you think of a time when you took the plunge and stepped out of your comfort zone?

Gosh for someone who didn't know what to write I have gone on a bit. I hope you have enjoyed the read and maybe I have inspired you to step out of your comfort zone or to make time for your loved ones and do something that makes you happy.

I'm not sure if I will write every day, I'm not putting pressure on myself (that was another of my resolutions) there is enough pressure from outside influences without me joining in too!

I will sign off now, and say be happy in whatever you are doing, see you next time,

Jane.