All Change!

 Well, life has a funny way of completely changing in the blink of an eye.

Without going into lots of detail Alan and I have sadly parted ways. I never ever thought this would ever happen but it has. We moved into a beautiful Bungalow and we started to make it into a lovely home but things just didn't feel right.

I think deep down we both knew it wasn't working but we clung on in there hoping things would improve but we just grew further and further apart. The realisation that we both want completely different things out of life gave me the courage, all be it very hard, to walk away.

I was going to sell Tickety Boo and had all but made up my mind she was definitely going, but thankfully when we parted I moved back onboard. I thought it would feel strange after the bungalow but surprisingly it didn't.

As sad as I am just now I really want Al to be happy and follow his dream of becoming a Cruise Ship Dance host, I wish him all the luck in the world to pursue his ambition in life. I really wish we had worked out because we did get on well together when things were good. I have all the amazing memories locked in my memory bank of all the fabulous things we did. I really hope we can remain friends as I do think a lot of him, maybe too much but that's just me..

Another big event in my life is my retirement! I have finally nearly reached the age of 66 so I can get my pension! So retiring and moving on the boat again both came together really. It's been a bit of an eye opener trying to squeeze all my stuff back on the boat but after having a ruthless clear out I have managed, just! It was quite emotional leaving work and saying bye to the kids and their families, made even more so by the gifts and the really lovely sentiments in the thank you cards I got. I hadn't realised how much they appreciated what I did and it was lovely of them all to say so.

I still want to do my crafts and have collected quite a stash of supplies. It's been a real challenge finding space for it all but I am getting there! I must admit the boat looks like a whirlwind has blown through when I start crafting but it's soon cleared away.

So now I am free from work, such an odd feeling knowing I don't have to go anymore! I have loved the last three or so years being an assistant to special needs children, taking them to school and back each day. I was so lucky to get four great kids who made me laugh every day even if they drove me nuts at times! It was such a worthwhile job though and it was lovely working with their families to make sure they enjoyed there trips to school and back. I will admit though I am so ready for retirement!

I have a list as long as two arms of the jobs that need doing but instead of overwhelming myself I will do a little at a time and won't be putting myself under pressure to get huge amounts done in one go.

Alan and I did get some work done so that has helped hugely, I just need to keep on top of it now. Tickety really needs to come out of the water for blacking but I doubt very much it will be this year. She is over due but hopefully will be fine till next year.

I want to treat rust spots, which is an ongoing job in boat life, and get her looking presentable again. I would also love her name finally on her as it's been too long that she has been without so that's another goal I will pursue.

I have lost my nerve a little bit taking the boat out, not so much taking her out on the cut but bringing her in and out of the Marina, My pontoon is on a bit of an angle which can make it a bit awkward to bring her in. I will get my courage back again once I have taken her out a few times. I was never afraid of taking her out on my own for short cruises so I am really looking forward to doing that again!

I am hoping the boat club will have a few outings I can go along on too. I need to get more involved in boat life again. I neglected my passion for the boat sadly but happily it has come back which is lovely. I feel so lucky that I still had her to come back to and didn't hastily sell her!

So now a whole new chapter at the ripe age of 66! I really don't feel my age apart from dodgy feet!! I do feel incredibly lucky that I have got to this age though and I still have the desire to enjoy life.

The older I have got the more I have realised I really do like the simple things in life. Daft things make me happy, small things make me happy. I had lovely times with Alan, lovely holidays, trips to the theatre, dancing and dance weekends away, meals out etc all of which I really enjoyed but the things that will stick in my mind more than anything are the really little things that meant the world. Things I will no doubt talk about in future posts!

Another thing I have realised I am such a homebird! I love the Hygge style, all about comfort and that really cosy safe feeling of being home. I can adapt to living anywhere as long as I am happy and feel at home in my surroundings. That to me is a gift as a lot of people don't like change. I embrace it as it stops life being mundane! Variety is the spice of life. I don't like being repetitive and doing the same things over and over that's why I delve in to new hobbies and interests a lot, and always looking to do something different! I am a Gemini after all! A bit of a flibbertigibbet! I love that description sums me up really and my maiden name is in that saying too!

 I suppose that's why 21 years ago I decided I wanted to live on a boat and here I am...BACK AGAIN!