Shell-shocked
Why am I shell-shocked? It’s not like I didn’t know this was coming. I guess I’ve always had it in my mind that 60 is an older age. When you’re in your 60s you start thinking of retirement, slowing down. I’m not ready to do any of those things – maybe 60 is the new 50?
Although saying that, if I were to win lotto (note to self – buy ticket) retirement may come sooner rather than later.
Starting point
First day of my 60th year, hmmm officially that would have started last May but let’s not quarrel, for the purposes of this Blog, my year is 1 January to 31 December!
The purpose of this is to look forward not back but let’s get everyone to the same starting point. I live in an apartment a block back from North Burleigh beach on the Gold Coast in Australia. I live alone. As I walk in the front door after a work day, my view is straight out to the ocean albeit straight across the top of the Aldi sign.
I promise you, there’s an ocean out there!
For those new to me, I have two girls Manon (30, scrapes in when writing this) engaged to the gorgeous Shaelyn and Dana (26) married to Beej (affectionately known as BJ McKay). I have the absolute joy of my life – my granddaughter Navy (2.8) and a grandson due in March.
Family photo taken Christmas 2022 – this is all of us. My mother, two sisters Casandra and the Mack Truck (cattle dog), Allison with her family – Matt and Finnella, and my kids! Yoda on the left @thefrenchie.bobo. My heart is full.
The second family – work…
I currently sit as the CEO/Festival Director of Somerset Storyfest, a charity that develops and delivers literacy programmes primarily for children. That’s the formal spiel. What I really do, is work bloody hard to connect kids with books and authors. The job is challenging and at times, I could give it all away but then I get a message – some kid, has read some book, by some author, and the magic has happened!
My work family – Tayla and Gab, also work bloody hard and together we change kids’ lives, something I’m extremely proud of. I’ve absolutely no doubt, I drive these two crazy at times, I appreciate them and am thankful for their quiet grumbling when I walk into the office with another idea…
The year ahead…
What can you expect by joining me on this journey? I’ll be open and honest first and foremost. There’s big things planned for this year for both home and work. I’m somewhat tired already thinking about it.
Home – most importantly grand-baby due mid-March! Navy will be 3 in April (I’m sure there’ll be a themed party), heaven help me – the big 6-0 day is in May. I’ve got one trip booked to celebrate and I’m currently looking at two other trips later in the year. I’ll be broke by the time this year finishes.
Work – annual festival in March and then three regional festivals in three weeks later in the year. Nothing like a challenge.
A friend suggested 60 bottles of Prosecco, definitely doable although I’m thinking I may need this liver!
The last journey that I blogged was my trip around Queensland during the pandemic, I tracked the journey by adding my champers corks to a hat along the way. I’ll need to think of a way to mark this journey – I’m open to ideas!
A Stepping Stone 