A New Adventure

The last nine months have been a blur for me.  It interesting to note that special number - as though through gestation, a new energy has now birthed, and perhaps its true; I have been gifted the opportunity to rebrand, reinvent and rediscover myself.

As a true Phoenix, one born in fire, it would appear to me that through a trial of fire again, I have been forced to rebirth and step back into the world with new eyes and a new focus.

I'd like to publicly thank all those who have kept me strong, to stay in the space of love, to hold me to my oaths of dignity and honour; particularly during the horrific times gone past.  Though I feel I have crumbled and have been broken past all recognisable repair; perhaps that is the gift to me - that I don't need to be the person I had been and I can melt all those shards up.. and create something new and beautiful.

Enough Esoteric stuff....

Morgan, Lilly and I are packed now to head to Europe on Sunday morning. Those who know me well will be shocked to discover I have no spreadsheet, no detailed itinerary and - holy smokes - no set plan of what I will be doing there.  We have a one way tickets to the UK.  Back in July, I had planned this to be very open - perhaps to stay there for several years.

Though the idea in July when I booked the tickets was to take up some job offers, I am still unsure if thats what I will do.  Its taken me weeks to get to the point of packing my bags, so I truly don't think I am in any frame of mind to be working - and if I did, I would not be the whole person I need to be to give what the students and clients need.

I'll certainly look at these job offers again. The one in Andover is especially appealing - who wouldn't want to be teaching a small group of behaviourally challenged teenagers art and cooking skills?

Though I say I have no plans - I don't - well for the old me anyway.. Our basic plans are to head to my cousin Christines in a beautiful little village near Andover for a week or so, go to London for some interviews, then head to Cornwall for two weeks.  We will be house sitting on the Rhine in Germany at the end of February for two weeks. May and June are earmarked for the Camino - with Morgan in charge of everything - from our training to being our every day trek master.  He is very excited about it - and I feel its a very important thing for him - to recreate the Camino experience and for us as a family unit to be together.  I am excited to have been asked to speak at the International Short Story Conference in Vienna in July - so I would suspect we will spend at least a fortnight in Austria then. My beautiful friend, De is having a milestone birthday and coming to Venice and Paris in August - so we will be spending a week there ( one or the other). I am playing with the idea of meeting up with friends in South Africa in September - but will sort out what I may do for work - if I choose to do that at all closer to the time.

So its all a bit up in the air and exciting and a little scary - in a good way - as well.

I plan to write while I am in Europe, finish long overdue projects - yes my Mistress Moon book - all 80K of it... and those pesky anthologies I have threatened to publish .. years ago.. as well as other projects I just dropped in a heap.

I am committing to updating this blog three times a week - so send your comments and best wishes along - I love to get feedback.

Celebration of Age Evett's Life

A huge thank you to Bec Vella - Miller who put this slideshow together for the people who weren't able to attend Adrian's funeral and service.

The music is from the service and the speech is the one Annie made on the day.

I hope these images and songs bring happy memories to those who did come.

Rest in Peace Sweetheart

I am publishing these photos for the people who were not able to make it on the day.

My family is fortunate to have a family plot - one where the public has access to for visits, but only family members are allowed to be buried in.

Its in a very beautiful peaceful spot on a hill, overlooking the creek and bushland.

Max came with me to choose the spot and there was  point where we both stopped and looked at each other, knowing that Adrian was guiding us.

Its a tranquil place and one I know the kids and I will take great comfort in sitting and reflecting as the years carry on.

Max and I will be choosing a large granite stone in the next month or so from the property, so until then, the make shift white cross is in place.

We had numerous floral tributes, and they all lay in a carpet on the dirt.  We will be planting grass there soon and choose a strong tree to be at his head - just as his wishes outlined.

I have been wearing Adrians wedding ring all day. Its too big for me and I know I will need to take it off.. but not just yet.