Our ''live'' weather report....

Hi
Well, yesterday we were enjoying the ''first day of Spring'', just basking in the sunshine. It was lovely and warm and so good to hear the birds singing and watch the last of the recent snow melt.
However, during the night, the snow began to fall again and here we are, with our ''live'' weather report!!!!



So...while Richie went off to work, I decided to ''play'' in the snow. It's not something I often get chance to do so I made the most of it. Now I am sitting here with numb feet, trying to warm up...ha.

Our time together has passed really quickly but we have been making the most of it.
I know my Becky would love to be here with all this snow. There's enough to make a battallion of snowmen that's for sure. Love and miss you all at home and hugs for my friends.
Lots of chilly smiles...Marie and Richie.x x x

Secrets and snow...

Hi all,
Well, I am here at long, long last. I would like to say I had a smooth journey but I didn't!!! There was drama and tears but I got here eventually. Berenice was tracking my flights, or should I say ''my cancelled and delayed flights'', and was probably thinking, oh gosh!!!

I was fit to drop when I landed at Milwaukee airport but as soon as I saw Richie, all the stress melted away and the reality of seeing him again after so long kicked in.

The sight of him and that smile was enough to make it all ''not too bad after all''...ha.

I am only just starting to feel like my normal self again, after 5 days, but with the build-up to coming, the long journey and jet-lag, this always happens.

I have been to his new work and met his co-workers which was nice, to put faces to names. We had a meal together and just smiled secretly to ourselves at the normality of it.The everyday things that couples do, we can't, on a day-to-day basis, so the simple things in life become very special to us.

Richie's cat, Sprinkles gave me a warm welcome too. He came over, sniffed at me, looked me in the face and gave me a kiss...aaww. He's a lovely animal and the three of us get on just fine.

I've been in touch with my girls via phone and e-mail, so although I am a very long way from home, I'm close in that respect. I miss them lots. I'm grateful to my Mum and Tom who are living at my house right now, being me for a couple of weeks. I'm sure they are having fun!!!

We try to savour every single moment with each other when I'm here...and sometimes it can be quite overwhelming. When you spend every day longing to be with that someone, and suddenly they are right there in front of you, it is difficult to know what to do with all the emotions that swamp over you.When I go home I spend a long time thinking about things I maybe should have done, said, expressed...it's not easy but I wouldn't miss my time with him for anything.

So we make the most of the little bit of time we do have. We share our creativity, talk about our hopes and dreams in depth, look at each other, which is something that we can't really do when apart.

All the hugs and kisses in the world are never enough...

So, here are some pictures we took on the first day of my arrival. We would like to share them with you.

Hugs for all our friends out there...

Marie and Richie...

Lots of smiles.

Drama and Daydreams...

It's a while since I've posted anything here so I thought I would write something tonight...

I've called this post ''drama and daydreams'' because that's how I view my life. Filled with drama of one kind or another but at the same time, filled with daydreams...

I've been struggling with anxiety for the last few months which has been affecting all areas of my life...work, family, day to day living and it just seemed to come from nowhere, although I know there is always something underlying that you just can't seem to pin down to one thing.I've had this all my life, from being a child, but it has suddenly escalated.

I was referred for an ''anxiety management'' course recently which runs for 10 weeks and I have been to 5...so far. There are 10 altogether. It's not the easiest of things to share your fears and yourself in a group situation but if it helps it's worth a go. I have to learn to deal with a head full of worry and fear, ''without medication''...It's been two years since I stopped all my meds under medical supervision, but have had to have a recent prescription for a small dose of sedatives. My doctor has told me straight that I won't be prescribed anymore... so, I have to accept this and face things ''head on'' and deal with life and what it brings along, just like everone else does.

Why I have all this anxiety is beyond me. I am surrounded by people who love me, my family, Richie and friends. I have access to very good medical care and have so much support. I have my faith and my church and pastoral care too. It doesn't seem to add up at all but I am working through it in the best way I can.

Life on medication is a road I travelled, an option I chose but it's not a solution and I've had to learn that for myself. Years of ''unfeeling''. It may make the painful and bad things less traumatic but at the same time other emotions are dampened if they are even felt in the first place. The new emotions (love, joy,happiness) I have experienced over the past couple of years are emotions I want to continue to be able to feel and to express...so I will persevere to rid myself of this anxiety, or rather, deal with the not so good emotions more effectively.

As for the daydreams...well, they are essential to me. At times they have faded and have been few and far between but they have always been there.

On Monday, I fly to see Richie for two weeks. I am not going to pretend I'm not anxious about ''getting there'', moreso than I've ever been, but knowing that he will be there waiting for me gives me the strength and ability to overcome my fears.

I love him, I trust him, I miss him badly and he is the best therapy I could ever wish for...even though he's not been to well lately, he's always there for me.

So, the next time I post here, I will be with him...sigh.

It's very cold there by UK standards at the moment so I have packed some warm clothes...ha.We rarely have snow here or minus temperatures so I had better brace myself.I fly from Manchester airport on Monday morning at 08.00a.m. and arrive in Milwaukee at 3.15p.m...his time.

I will be catching up on all your blogs when I am there...looking forward to it.

Meanwhile, take care and God Bless.
Smiles.