Targets to meet

Before the decision to look at moving to France, I had decided to defer my MA with Chester till next year. This was partly because it's a big financial undertaking and also because I wanted to concentrate on getting my 450 client hours in order to apply for accreditation with BACP (which I would nearly have done by now if all my clients kept their appointments, but that's another story!) In addition, there was a CBT certificate I wanted to do plus a couple of short courses - Mental Health and an introduction to Existential Counselling. For various reasons, not within my control, I am now able to do none of these and so I have been feeling a bit at a loose end, study-wise. Four years of courses and you begin to get withdrawal symptoms when that comes to an end. There is also the thought that undertaking a twelve month commitment may not be the best idea if a miracle happens and we do manage to sell the house and move on during that time.
So, I have now taken delivery of two distance learning diploma courses courtesy of OCN (Open College Network) which will occupy my brain for the next year. And now I feel much more focused and positive. Strange, I know; I am an anorak - it's official! But a contented one.


To sleep, perchance to dream?

The irritating sound of snoring broke the silence of the night for the third time.
"You're snoring again," I hissed.
"I know I am, I'm awake," came the reply.
"You can't be awake if you're snoring," I objected.
"Yes I can, that was a recording," he said as he turned over and prepared to go back to sleeping and snoring again.


Sleep and communication

"What would you say if I told you that H. and C. can come for dinner tonight?" Keith asked me yesterday morning. I stared at him. I had only just got up ands maybe wasn't quite fully awake but I was pretty well 100% sure that I was not aware that they had been invited so, I replied, "I'd probably say, what on earth are you talking about?"
He had the grace to look a little uncomfortable then. "Well, we did say we should have them round and I didn't think they'd answer the email." I am left pondering the questionable logic of this statement and the realisation that he is not joking.
"Right then," I said as I struggled, and failed, to strike the nonchalant and flexible attitude, "then I would say, what were you thinking of asking them without even mentioning to me that you were doing it!!!" (Or words to that effect.) And then we had an animated conversation about communication and male lack of.
It wasn't a problem in itself at all but I didn't really want to be up till all hours on Saturday night when I would be getting up at 5am this morning to accompany Keith to the car boot sale again. Still, it was done now and we had a very pleasant and enjoyable evening.
This was followed by bed at some unearthly hour and a broken night's sleep lasting a total of four hours - yes, that's right FOUR HOURS!
Mind you, I've made up the other four this afternoon since we came home. Seems that I can't cope with late nights of wild socialising any more. In fact, maybe not even late nights of any socialising. OK so I don't do late nights too well.
But I'm not the only one...Listen and you may hear the snores...


Plaster board and dust

So, we're still no further forward on the British Gas smart meter front and I've given up making non-existent appointments with them...