Another year and post-redundancy...

Well! I am sat in a hotel in my home city googling myself once more and discovered I still have a blog, but also lots of links, thanks to my various websites.

I did get made redundant, but was fortunate enough to keep my wonderful work with Abergavenny and Caldicot People First. I really hate to sound sentimental, but I'd be lying if I denied the pure pleasure I get from this area of work as well as a salary that enables me to survive.

I love mediation and training and get a real buzz from a session that ends in satisfaction for parties or students, but it is also a bit scary, unlike work with my learning disability groups. I get anxious about transport (and how!), room bookings, mailshots and all sorts, but just love being with the members - How lucky is that?

Strange being a hotel guest in my own city, but here at a conference and cannot believe the nightlife in Cardiff throughout the week. I am obviously getting old as I'd like to provide some warm clothing for the skimpily dressed youngsters all over the city centre after dark.

So where am I a year and a half post-redundancy? Still mediating when I can and running my learning disabilities groups. I have a mediation course running at the new Cardiff and Vale College at the Barry site and reluctantly embraced Facebook, but not yet tweeting!

My People First groups decided they wanted websites so I put them together and a Facebook presence followed. My increased Facebook activity connected me to my Australian cousins and my one remaining aunt and uncle who have also taken to Facebook - so great to see family pics old and new and have a connection that is a little faster than the old blue airmail letters my Mum used to exchangewith her mother and siblings.

I am a part-time fosterer which also brings enormous pleasure, but not appropriate or professional to say more other than I am so pleased I took the plunge.

Busy at the moment with various strands of work - did I say I'm on three management committees as well? - and luckily enjoying my life. I am about to make another major life change and move back to my old family home. Sadly, my sisters and I lost Mum last year. A burst pipe led to horrendous flooding and meant that we have had over a year of challenging times with the house. It is now nearly fit for habitation and I've decided to take the plunge.

If you want to know more - just google me (other search engines are available...).