I really like this post by Lisa Sonara beam, she explains her focus pocus birthday ritual. I am similar in that as mine also falls in October, I don’t reflect and plan for next year properly till Christmas and New Years (usually that space between) but I do think ahead. I like to record what I do too as every birthday I seem to forget. Here’s snapshots of 28. Already I see a huge contrast in blogging style then and now!

I like to start with spring cleaning (in Autumn) like harvest, my goal this month that I am days away from achieving is to make my creative room into a useable lounge and creative space for anyone in the house.

I also look around for planners, one year I bought a Leonie Dawson workbook, it was great for reflecting and dreaming, I spent hours having fun filling it in. One year I bought a Passion Planner, it was pink with a pretty carved out pattern but I didn’t use it for long. Last year I bought My best year 2018 and it wasn’t for me. I’ve been thinking over Danielle Porte’s planner, it’s all about feeling.

Though I haven’t bought one yet I have bought an investment purchase of a pricey but just about doable laptop. My computer was on the brink, I need a reliable tool for writing courses I’ve signed up to this year – Laura Jane Williams and Eric Maisel and while our new baby naps. It also happens to arrive on my birthday, it’s meant to be.

It’s the eve of my birthday and my last hours of 28 have involved:

The three year old in the family helping my mum make a cake (she makes scrummy butter cream) and he painted me a card. He refused to eat the chocolate cake but had a few spoon fulls of icing and helped me open presents. I now own more books from my wish list and a stunning bright yellow cushion with Frida Khalo on the front!

When everyone came out to wish me cheerio on my 80 mile trip to husband in London, Dad noticed my part of my tyre had come off, Mum wouldn’t let it go, I was tired and the winter chill has arrived. So reluctantly travel plans changed, I got to the station to find no trains going to London Paddington and followed the diverted route.

I only laughed when I remembered it’s all material.

Training it meant I could write this post and husband still in happy spirits as we were seeing each other for one day.

Tonight I’m going round family for a meal that involves broccoli from what I remember, will probably be greeted with great conversation from the little ones in the family and hugs too.

Tomorrow we’re going to Frida Khalo – Making herself up, a clever play on words as she was a wonderful artist who did just that and it’s a display of all her dresses.