Originally Posted by Grayling

You don't do things by halves do you Bundy

Originally Posted by bundy

Hello everyone,

Look at me! Logged on at work! Maybe the exile is over….

Thanks for your concern guys, and sorry for having disappeared for so long. The firewall was one thing, but as others have said, things have been a little hectic of late and to be honest, the forum has been rather a long way down my list of priorities.

So, where to start? With BundyMum first. She's ok, but not great. She's halfway through her chemo now, still has all her hair and hasn't lost any weight (about which she whinges!), but the third dose has knocked her for six. She had a DVT which was a bit scary, and ulcer that won't heal and then an infection that put her in hospital in isolation (amusing pictures of BundyFamily in gowns and purple gloves to follow). She is back home now, but not feeling her best. We were all out there for her birthday a couple of weeks ago, just before she was admitted to hosp, and she was pretty cheerful about having seen another year go past. We'll know where we are in a couple of months when she finishes her chemo, but for now she continues to battle on, smiling as she goes.

And on to the rest of my life….it's been, erm, a little bit strange, these last few months. Sadl, but somewhat inevitably, Mr B and I have split up. The trials of the last year, heaped on top of various niggles from way before, have proved too much and there was no answer but for things to end. After 5 years it is pretty sad, but we were both miserable and despite our best efforts for nearly a year, couldn't put right the things that had gone wrong. It was my decision, so I'm ok with it, but Mr B is less so. Things got a little out of control for a while, hence copious amounts of time off work and a stint staying with friends, and we're not much closer to the whole 'amicable' thing, but we'll get there and both move on. Just think it's happening a little quicker for me than for him and he's having trouble accepting and adjusting. Hence my going AWOL from the forum - since I will no longer be going to Australia, I've not really felt the inclination to spend all day on the Aussie forum.

As if all this wasn't enough, I've now been told that my job is being changed in dramatic fashion, but without any hope of redundancy, leaving me little choice but to resign. The letter is written and was to be handed in this week, but various serious internal wranglings mean that I'm waiting a week or so. There is no future for me here and I'm not that enamoured with my job that I want to cling onto it through thick and thin! So the aim is to leave before the Summer Schools (and don't tell anyone, it's all a big secret at the moment).

All this means that I'm working to the theory that if I'm going to change one thing in my life, I may as well change them all. So I'm going to leave Cambridge and head north where I have good friends. I'm looking for work with Leeds Uni and have a couple of options. I'm leaving behind all the unhappy bits of the last couple of years and looking ahead to a better future with me towards the centre of it rather than somewhere out on the edge. I'm re-establishing old friendships that have suffered in the light of ever-about-to-emigrate focus. The people in my life are proving to be worth way more than their weight in gold and I'm suddenly very positive about my future, excited about where things will lead. It's not easy letting go of a lot of dreams, but it's a relief to do so when those dreams aren't fitting any more. New dreams, new direction, new life. New Bundy. It's not all bad!

I'll still be around on the forum, still be giving you BM updates, but forgive me if I don't dwell on the Aussie forum too much. Bit raw, for now, at least. Some of you knew about all this and I'm really grateful for the support and words of wisdom you offered (you know who you are).

That's all for now. Bundy's chin is bruised but firmly pointing upwards! And remembering the wise words of my younger brother - sh*t happens, but it doesn't need to stick. Tis my motto these days.

Bye for now!

Bundy

Originally Posted by possoms

p.s. bloody good retail therepy in Leeds make sure you spoil yourself

Originally Posted by bundy

I've just discovered the concept of retail therapy, having been a non-girly girl all my life. My thinking is, new life, new wardrobe

Originally Posted by bundy

I've just discovered the concept of retail therapy, having been a non-girly girl all my life. My thinking is, new life, new wardrobe

Originally Posted by Grayling

We will need pictures

G