There have been very few times in my 46 years I’ve been able to say this:

I love my life.

I mean, I really, really love my life! I’ve never been happier than I’ve been since I came to the UK/EU seven months ago. Although there have been some rough times and some setbacks, they taught me more about myself and my own early-warning system, namely heightened anxiety.

The past 5 weeks have been especially glorious after I got myself out of a highly toxic situation. Even without that job, I’m living quite comfortably on just PT income for now. Still living my dreams, only without the stress of dealing with bullies and cruelty.

In fact, I’m surprised it’s been so long since I posted a blog. I’ve been busy living. Hiking. Exploring. Training. Playing cello. Drinking mochas. Watching movies. Cuddling with chickens. Dancing with the daffodils. Having a parrot ride around on my shoulder. Visiting historical sites. Enjoying pies and pasties and popcorn. Riding horses, at which I’ve gotten really good. I’m already cantering, and I even started jumping today! On Thursday, I’m going out for my first “ride out” in the Lake District.

Another dream (I made) come true.

Although the all-too-familiar fatigue and back/rotator cuff pain has returned, thanks to PTSD/menopause/personal training and computer/cello, respectively, I’m taking good care of myself. Resting when I need to, working when I need to, playing and walking and riding and adventuring all I can.

I’ve even started writing again! Several fans of my work have urged me to write a memoir about my survival and my travels, so I’ve started on that. It will have a brief overview of the traumatic background and more detailed descriptions of my travels, tribulations, and treasured adventures since October 2015. It will also include tips on how I’m doing it so others can find ways (and inspiration) to follow their dreams, too.

If I can find a good balance between managing my rotator cuff tendonitis and staying still (and focused) long enough to regularly write, I should have a finished first draft by the time I leave Lancaster at the end of June. Then I’ll have the summer and fall to write my travels as I experience them.

July: Scotland’s Hebrides, Edinburgh & visiting friends, & London/St.Andrews with my family (busy month!)
August: London & Switzerland (for edelweiss)
September-November: Ireland or France
December: Home for Christmas before returning to the Alps in January for Snowshoeing in through the winter. Then back to Lancaster in March!

That’s the current plan. Much of Sept – December will depend on when and where I can find housesitting gigs.

As long as I’m housesitting most of the time, I can continue to afford to live fairly well, yet simply of course, on just a PT income. Perhaps with a little freelancing thrown in here and there. Fingers crossed!

This is the life. Indeed.

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