Since then, my sister married in Italy (lovely ceremony), I changed jobs and also survived a redundancy selection process, helped sort out the estate of my husband's late aunt and the world has continued to turn, but did I 'abandon' my religion?

When I performed my Imbolc ritual, I pledged to do my best in terms of my sales targets, but asked that they be fair and achievable. On reviewing what I have written over the years and particularly in 2006, I thought that there was almost a tone of denial that things at work were not going well, which resulted in my looking for another job in early 2007. I can only surmise that my Goddess decided there was fat chance of my achieving reasonable sales targets with my previous employer, because on the day that I was catching the plane to my sister's wedding, I received a phone call from an agency telling me that I had been offered another job. Giving two weeks notice, instead of the expected four was quite amusing really!

Six weeks of training can be a bit draining, and it seemed that time was a premium. I managed short rituals, more of a mental observance of the passing of the seasons. That said, I also managed to spend a few days in Glastonbury and visiting Avebury, which enabled me to recharge over Litha. I made my corn dolly, as this was something I was not willing to forgo, remembering the lessons learned in past years, and it turned out easier than I expected. That in itself was a message to me: put in the effort and the results will be there. Mabon passed, and Samhain, at which point I found out that my job was at risk, due to an imminent company reorganisation. I survived the redundancy pool, managed to dedicate my candles at Imbolc, before Ostara was upon me. On Ostara itself, various issues regarding the revised territory structure were sorted out; not all, but at least I know a bit more of what is expected of me.

I also asked for help for my son. That didn't work out so well, but as a result, he has attended a Kidscape course to build his assertiveness skills. In the long run that might serve him more. He has also moved up half a grade in his karate, which also improves his sense of self-worth. It is gut-wrenching as a parent to see your child go through what he has, and feel as if nothing is happening. That said, I was spurred into marching into his school and demanding action, pointing out that my son had stopped telling anyone because he didn't think anything was being done. Hopefully this is no longer the case, but I will be monitoring that one.

In sorting out the late aunt's estate, I have made some new friends, as well as acquiring a new Staffie puppy (a.k.a. The Rat), who would be great in a show ring, provided she could calm down.

So pledges for 2008: