Woke up this morning and it was blue skies and wonderful sunshine!! Isn't life wonderful!! Here are some of my musings and going ons today.

Managed to do my chores this morning - weekly shopping, washing - and I even found myself going to the gym! Now, how good is that!?! Came back and decided to spend time in the garden just enjoying the wonderful weather. Did something haven't done for an age, and pulled the sun lounger out and lay in the sun. Just lay there listening to the world around me. It was so peaceful - I could hear the trees swaying in the breeze and from the noise could tell which way the breeze was coming and going; listened to the various birds tweeting; distant sound of people talking in their garden. It really was very relaxing to do nothing but "listen". I'm not very good lying in the sun so in between listening, I was up and down doing odds and sods. Had my fill of the sun today, so have come in doors to blog for a bit.

Whilst lying, I did think about prejudices and stereotyping, and that no matter how open minded we think we are, we always come across something that makes us realise that for some or other reason, we've been "had". Luckily so far in my life, because I am open, I tend to work past these obstacles. Which is just as well as there are aspects of life I would never have experienced if I had closed down.

It's been a long time since I've drawn or painted.....far too long, in fact. Some months ago, had an idea for a painting and for some reason, haven't felt like being creative, so the idea stayed a rough drawing in a book.

This weekend - the warm weather may have helped - decided to give it a go and unleash my creativity(!!!). I've called it Lotus Meditation. Have to stop myself from being too critical as it's not quite worked out how I wanted. But, as I said before, I'm trying to be less self critical, to enjoy the process and to be brave about sharing, regardless of the outcome.

I guess I should not leave it so long. Need to stop myself from saying that! Everytime I find myself using the word "should" I'm trying to turn my thought pattern around to: "I can but I choose ....." Thus so far, for various reasons, I've chosen not to paint or draw. Going forward, I choose to draw & paint more, which will improve my skill & technique.

Some posts ago, I wrote about the neighbourhood tart of a cat - Oscar. He is a ginger cat that appears very affectionate. Since moving in I've spent a lot of the time trying to keep him from sneaking into the house. Well, a couple of weekends ago, I decided to stop trying! With the weather warming up, I like to keep the back door open. Decided I can spend my days chasing him out or I can relent and just let him in. I've gone for the latter as long as he doesn't try and mark or scratch anything.

The first time he came into the house, it was like he belonged. He wasn't skittish or nervous. The little bugger trotted upstairs, straight into my bedroom and plonked himself on my bed. Luckily I had a blanke folded up and that's were he sat. After a few cuddles, he settled down and slept for the rest of the day. That is until it was time for my bed and I carried him downstairs & put him out. Now, it's become a regular ritual. And wo betide if the back door is shut. The catflap (previous owner?) which is locked, is given a bit of a hammering by his paw.

I can't believe how "at home" he is. When he is asleep upstairs, I can potter around and he hardly stirs at all. He must feel safe and secure, which in some strange way, I take as a compliment! Sometimes he likes to sit on me or preferably curl up. One day I'll set my camera to take a photo as he curls up in the sweetest way. He also appears to like lying on my tummy (face towards mine) and lies on his side, with his one paw on my shoulder.

I don't put out any food for Oscar as I can't help feeling that if I did, he wouldn't leave and I'll end up with a cat full time. Don't know if his owners keep him outside during the day, but he genuinely seems to enjoy visiting and basically sleeping in my room.

As with all cats, I'm not sure who has charmed who. Although, having said that, I think he has definately charmed me!! So, I do have a new man in my life. Unfortuantely he is a little ginger fluff bag of a cat and not of the tall dark & handsome variety!!

A couple of nights or so ago, had a really strange dream. I know we all dream, but I normally don't remember mine. There have only been a few occasions when I do remember and with those dreams they seem to stay with me (memory wise).

As with the other dreams I can remember, it's hard to explain them, which I think is ironic, because I can still "see" it in my minds eye. Anyway, I'll try explain as much of it as I can.

I am sitting in a circle of people, and the teacher is taking us through a meditation. The teacher is a psychic and in real life, I've been to her for a reading and attended one of her classes at the London College of Psychic Studies - but it's been almost a year ago now. Anyway, whilst meditating I can feel a spirit (not scarey, and not a being with a low vibrational level); I start feeling a gagging sensation in my throat and I manage to attract the teachers attention and ask for help. The reason I ask for help is because it's the first time it is happening to me and I don't know what to do.

She takes me away from the circle and does something which I can only think is putting me in a trance. What I can't seem to convey here is the "feeling". This dream is more than "pictures and words" there's a lot of feeling. (Don't know if that makes any sense). She says to me that the spirit is from a neolithic man (!!!!) and it's one of 3 (????). She pulls out a book and there are 3 pictures and she asks me, to go with my intuition and point to the one I think it is. I do (can still see the picture in my head) and then she calls him "naughty".

With this dream, it has really stumped me. The only thing I can think of is I've been reading a book about releasing negative thought patterns that have been "locked" inside a person basically since childood - you know the ones: I'm not clever enough; I'm not good enough; I'm not pretty enough; I'm not deserving; etc... So, maybe this is my subconscious releasing??

Don't know what the weather is like in your part of the world, but today, in the wilds of Kent, it has been dry and even sunny! I mowed the lawn wearing just a t-shirt and also managed to clear 1 of the flower beds. Whilst outside, I could hear, not only the birds, but the sound of lawn mowers and voices as my neighbours took advantage of the glorious weather as well.

It was wonderful to be outside and enjoying the weather. I do love both autumn and winter as seasons, but I am now ready for summer!

Today has been one of those days where I've woken up feeling very blue & tearful. Those who "know" me will know that this happens to me every so often. I was intending to write a blog about how I felt as a means of trying to get myself out of the hole, but...I came across this and thought I'd share it instead (I don't know who or where it originated from).

"Imagine there is a bank account that credits your account each morning with £86,400. It carries over no balance from day to day. Every evening the bank deletes whatever part of the balance you failed to use during the day. What would you do? Draw out every cent, of course?

Each of us has such a bank. It's name is TIME.

Every morning, it credits you with 86,400 seconds. Every night it writes off as lost, whatever of this you have failed to invest to a good purpose. It carries over no balance. It allows no over draft. Each day it opens a new account for you. Each night it burns the remains of the day.

If you fail to use the day's deposits, the loss is yours. There is no drawing against "tomorrow." You must live in the present on today's deposits. Invest it so as to get from it the utmost in health, happiness and success. The clock is running. Make the most of today.

To realise the value of ONE YEAR, ask a student who failed a grade.
To realise the value of ONE MONTH, ask a mother who has given birth to a premature baby.
To realise the value of ONE WEEK, ask the editor of a weekly newspaper.
To realise the value of ONE HOUR, ask the lovers who are waiting to meet.
To realise the value of ONE MINUTE, ask a person who just missed a train.
To realise the value of ONE SECOND, ask someone who just avoided an accident.
To realise the value of ONE MILLISECOND, ask the person who won a silver medal at the Olympics.

Treasure every moment that you have! And treasure it more because you shared it with someone special, special enough to spend your time with. And remember time waits for no one. Yesterday is history. Tomorrow is a mystery. Today is a gift. That's why its called the present."

the Rules -
1. Link to the person's blog who tagged you.
2. Post these rules on your blog.
3. List seven random and/or weird facts about yourself
4. Tag seven random people at the end of your post and include links to their blogs.
5. Let each person know that they have been tagged by posting a comment on their blog.

Random/Weird facts -
1. I'm very short sighted - have had to wear glasses since age 7 (wear contacts now)
2. Had a letter read out on air by BBC World Service whilst still living in South Africa
3. My degree is in History and Social Anthropology (have 2 majors rather than 1)
4. My favourite sweet is Marshmellows (don't ask me to share!!!)
5. Have lost 10lbs in weight since February 2008
6. Have a phobia of very loud noises (e.g. sound of gun shots or a balloon bursting)
7. I was introduced to blogging by Timsuzi

I now tag..
http://www.sulkandpout.blog.co.uk
http://www.lostplot.blog.co.uk
http://www.visioninblue.blog.co.uk
http://www.racytracy.blog.co.uk
http://www.loonargifts.blog.ca
http://www.spanishmove.blog.co.uk
http://www.mermaidsdeep.blog.co.uk

Don't know how many people realise that today (29th March 2008) between the hours 8pm and 9pm - it's Earth Hour. It's a campaign organised by the World Wildlife Fund and all around the world, we're encouraged to turn off our lights for 1 hour to demonstrate support for action on climate change. You can read more about it on the WWF website (better than me trying to summarise it here) www.wwf.org.uk

So, how many of you will be taking part?

Well, I have heard from him. He emailed to say that if I'd like to stay in contact then he thinks that would be nice as we do have alot in common. He was upfront about saying in terms of progressing things romantically, he thought it was hard to know what made things really click but he wasn't sure if either of us felt that real buzz from each other.

This is what I hate about internet dating and probably will give it up. I'm fairly shy and it takes me a little while to feel comfortable. With internet dating, "decisions" are taken after 1 meeting. Also feel that meeting up with someone from an internet dating site is fairly artificial as there's an underlying pressure that you don't get when 2 people meet in any other social setting. Here you have 2 people meeting, knowing each is looking for a relationship and therefore the date is spent trying to figure out if that person is for you. Maybe I should just learn to relax more!! When I left the restuarant on Friday evening, I admit I didn't feel a "buzz", all I felt was that I liked him, he was really nice and it would be good to meet up again.

So, I replied to him saying that I wasn't sure you could tell from 1 meal whether 2 people "clicked". I said all I knew was we did seem to have a lot in common, that I enjoyed the evening, that I felt relatively relaxed in his company(considering I know I'm shy at first when meeting someone new), and that I would like to meet up again and just see how things went. I added that if at the end I came out with a friend, then I wouldn't feel cheated.

As he may feel differently, I've therefore placed the ball firmly in his court about whether we do end up meeting again. Somehow I'm not feeling very optimistic.

Decided to do a bit of a clear out and came acroos a Kodo CD which has lain hidden from me since I moved into the house. Put it on and was reminded how brilliant they are. Not sure how many people have heard of them but I can honestly say, if you ever get a chance to see them live - grab it!!!

They are a group of Japanese drummers and to see them live is an amazing experience. I was introduced to them (as it were) by an ex who was fascinated by Japan. He took me to see them and I was hooked. The physical strength and exertion it takes is just spellbinding. That's why they are best seen live - it's more than the drumming, it's the whole experience of watching them and being amazed. I therefore try catch them whenever they are on tour in the UK but unfortunately have just missed them.

If you've never heard of them, I've attached a couple of videos I found on YouTube. The quality isn't brilliant, but it'll give you an idea of what they're about: