Happy Monday folks … hope you had a relaxing weekend.
Coco had me up and racing at 8am and I’ve just stopped at 6pm.
I developed 2 information and progress reports for SKIL2 … I’m presenting the information to Depaul Trust Ireland senior managers and managers in Belfast tomorrow and Wednesday.
That took about 4 or 5 hours and then I took Coco for a walk to … yup … you guessed it … Lock 5.
It’s a good walk for both of us.
As we were walking I looked up at the sky … do you do that very often?
Anyway … you could see the snow clouds gathering even though it was still sunny in spaces … and a really freezing wind chill factor.
Coco got to run for about 40 minutes.
She’s taken to running full pelt up and down the walking path … and then just pounding straight at me and throwing herself at my legs or back … fun.
On the way home it started to snow.
The building is our Community Hall and upstairs is run an irish speaking preschool.
We got back inside and I did some more work and kept the fire going … lovely and hot now but the cottage is really cold when it’s not on.
Was also able to wash clothes, dishes and prepare a lovely dinner … that’s one of the best things about working from home … no set times to do things … and I can just potter when I need a break.
Got a call from a guy who I’ve known for ages … a great drugs counsellor and trainer called Sean Foy.
I was interested in getting some sites on brief solution focused therapy … I’ve had him train people in it when I developed the Homeless Agency Learning & Performance programme.
I think some of the Life Dreaming stuff has echoes of that approach and I’m interested in tools that focus on the future and how to take practical steps to change internal attitudes, behaviours and patterns.
If anyone is interested … I can post the site references after I’ve had a look at them myself. Just leave a comment.
Dinner is cod fillets in tin foil … I added fresh dill, onion slices, pepper slices, lime juice, olive oil infused with garlic, and dried sage … it’s baking as I write. I also put some garlic bulbs in tin foil and they are baking as well.
Vegetables will be garlic mashed potatoes and carrots.
Last week I walked 4.5 hours. The healthy eating and fitness stuff is going well … no mad cravings and I just keep in sight how fit and healthy I’ll be in July.
Thanks Mags for looking after Coco when I go to Belfast.
I have a feeling Coco won’t want to come back to my house after staying at Mags … and getting to play with all her dog pals.
I’ll write again when I get back on Thursday.
Have a great week.
Slan
Liz
Hi Liz,
I’d be very interested in finding out about new stratagies for drug counselling. We have just lost our fourth participant in two years in the scheme I work in and and I really feel we need some new approach. Despite all the resources available they are not getting out of it. Looking forward to hearing anything that might be of use. ..Pam
Hi Pam
I’ll email you Sean’s contact details.
He’s a drugs counsellor in the West but is available to talk with organisations.
He is trained in Brief solution focused therapy as well as motivational interviewing.
MI is a way to have a conversation with someone who is trying to change their lives … and … BSFT … is a good way to reframe your attitudes and behaviours.
I’ll also send you the site references Sean gave me.
I’ll get them to you when I get back from Belfast
Slan
Liz
Good luck on your trip and safe travelling.
Nice site Liz but for people with a slow connection it’s way to big I hade to stop it loading it would be nice to see the photos but…
I wish you a safe trip
HI Seamus
Yeh … I’m aware that some people have slow connections and limits to what they can download.
I suppose I just do what I do and am sorry if it’s too big for some readers … I really don’t want to write less or not put up photos.
Sorry about that.
Slan
Liz