Half Term Report

Ok February and most of March seem to have got away from me.

I have managed to scrap some more of the Vegas trip photos but not any of 2015 yet.

• I’ve manage to get in a couple of walks but not managed to get for a run or a swim.
• I’ve taken some photos but not managed to keep to one a day.
• I didn’t make any cards but have found the Easter ones from last year so will make sure they go out this year.
• I have done a bit more cooking, still loving the slow cooker but remembered how much I love the simplicity of stir fries and made scotch broth (ish) for church.
• I’ve not managed any baking but have been playing games with the Youth club and decorating cakes.
• I have managed to declutter more of the living room and the bedroom cupboards so another pile of bags for Cancer Research.  However the craft room is still a chaos zone.
• Not visited anyone since the new year but have had regular dinners with Dad and calls with Mum and occasional chats with Brother.
• Shortly going on holiday to visit family and friends take in a trip to the beach and sing my heart out at Spring Harvest.   

So half term report, not a complete disaster but could do better :) 

Thinking of my holiday I'm trying to work out a capsule wardrobe

5 vest tops, 4 t-shirts, 3 bottoms, 2 long sleeved tops, 1 dress and 1 skirt for 14 days to include travelling, sightseeing, working, poss beach and church induction. 

Any thoughts?

Things still to do this year!

Things still to do this year (in no particular order)

• Update craft blog
• Update family tree blog
• Update family tree website
• Tidy and organise craft room
• Organise and tidy family tree files
• Defrag PC and delete the bad digi photos
• Start craft class
• Find time to craft and sew and research family tree
• Find the other 12 hours a day I would like to have to do the above
• Turn my spare room into a Hogwarts(ish) room of requirement that i can use for crafting, sewing, genealogy and occasional visitors
• Take more photos
• Get back to running
• Record more stories
• Spend more time with friends
• Get a new mobile phone

10 on the 10th

10 Things I'm thinking about today

1: Headaches and sickness bugs :(

2: Sunday School classes

3: British F1 GP win for Ferrari and points for Michael Schumacher

4: Housework :(

5: Shimelles 4x6 Love layouts

6: Weather

7: Running plans

8: Punch art ideas

9: Which of my Vegas photos to scrap next

10: Whats for tea?

Its July!!!

Ok I know I said I'd be back in a week but its been a busy month :)

I had to make up some time at work so have worked the past 3 Saturdays and that really eats into your creative and organising time. So much for working to live!

I have manged to get some things done though - I got out for a run, only two miles but I'm back at it. I had a play with my Bigshot and I scrapped! I'm quite proud of myself.

Its been a while since I did any scrapbooking. I keep meaning to get started and I read lots of blogs and forums and look at lots of ideas and then think - I'll do it later.

Well at last later caught up with me. I'd seen a sketch on Shimelles blog and immediately thought of one of the photos I'd bought on my recent trip to Las Vegas so here is my oversized picture layout of my trip to the Shark Reef Aquarium at the Mandalay Bay.

I dipped into my stash of cardstock and designer paper mixing in a bit of pink with the blues to match my top and the coral. I used my new Top Note and Fun Flowers Dies for the Bigshot and some embossing folders to add some texture. Then I had great fun making my Shark lettering with chipboard letters, various shades of blue inks, crystal effects and lots of time and patience :) Crystal Effects advises 30-60 mins to dry if using a thick layer but don't believe it. I always leave mine overnight. Just to be sure :)

I'm please with the final result and glad to be back scrapping. Hopefully more holiday layouts to follow soon.

I've also treated myself by ordering all my holiday photos from Las Vegas and the Cruise in 09 from photobox they arrived yesterday and make a huge pile.

May need to browse for inspiration.

November

Still running and now I have winter running kit to keep me warm and dry while I do it thanks to Mum and Peter {THANKS}.

Normal sports shops still don't have running kit for the larger lady (me!) so we had to think a bit laterally while looking for the base layers and the jacket and, thanks to a suggestion from Peter, ended up in Mountain Warehouse. They have a great range of clothes designed for walkers and cyclists that also work well for runners and they go up to size 20 in most things.

So I got a couple of base layer long-sleeved tops, the Hi-Vis waterproof jacket that is really great and properly waterproof not just shower proof, a couple of pairs of thermal long pants (coloured long johns to you and me) and a head tube that is helping to keep my ears warm when I'm running but can also be a head band, scrunchie, hat, scarf or hood.

We did find something that fitted in a normal sports shop, new running socks! and amazingly they do make a difference.

Not wanting to have cold legs, and having found the thermal pants to be more like long johns, I searched online for running pants/leggings/trousers and another runner suggested Next Sports wear.

Now I admit, I had always thought of Next as being for 'Tall, Long Legged, Skinny people' but I stand corrected. They do have a petite clothing range as well as large sizes and their sports gear (sadly not petite) goes up to size 22! So I got my black technical running leggings to complete my winter kit.

I have tested the kit by going out (accidentally) in a force 9 gale and it held up well, the jacket kept me (and my inhaler) dry, the base layer stopped me over-heating under the jacket, the leggings kept my ankles warm and the head tube converted nicely from ear protecting head band to full head and face balaclava. And my test run was another 4km so getting closer to my goal all the time.

So the running will continue outdoors during the winter.

Update

I haven't blogged for a while as a few things happened very quickly.

Firstly my Aunt who had moved into the hospice got much worse very quickly and sadly died on the 12th of August. It came as a huge shock as we'd been hearing it can take years for this illness to run its course.

With hindsight I'm sure its better for her not to be trapped in a body that wont respond or do what you want it to. But I miss her and the memories, books and films she was still to share with us.

It was a very emotional funeral and lots of our family came together to say goodbye.

One silver lining (and you have to always look for these) is her doctor was able to confirm she did not have an inherited form of MND so I am no more likely than anyone else to have it, that does put my mind at rest and stop me dwelling on it.

Secondly my brother came home from sea to find his wife of 17months has left him, they had been together for years before getting married and this came as a bolt from the blue to us.

Lastly but not too traumatically my 10year old sky box died a slow and irritating death. It would cut out during programs and not come back on, or stick on one channel and not let you change it. Eventually needing to be switched off overnight just to get 1hrs worth of viewing the next day. The Sky website, rather unhelpfully, advised me I could get a replacement box for £159!!!! and would have to wait at least a week for delivery and installation.

Thankfully a lovely lady at work decided she had an old box she didnt need and gave it to me for nothing, free, gratis. I didnt realise how addicted to sfyfy, Sky One, FX and Living I had become until I couldn't access it.

Naturally I was going to make a card to say thanks but decided to make a whole box of assorted cards for her to use through the year instead :)

So new month - new focus!

Back to the running, and the diet. My cousin has suggested we enter the 10k road race at next years highland games and I think I may just do it. I put on two pounds but thats ok, I know I can shift them. I'm going to use my scrapbooking supplies not just hoard and stroke them and if I don't need or want something I will sell it or give it away to someone who will. I will try to learn new things and take in a class or experience or two.

This past month has taught me not to wait, to grab chances while there here, to tell people how you feel, not to put off that visit or that call or that experience. Life can be short and quick, remember to take time to enjoy it, do it and not just plan it.

I can do this. So can you ;)

Update and reminder to myself - Little and Often

This summer I can make positive changes in my life. I took up running earlier this year and can now run 30 minutes non stop.I joined the gym & pool for the summer and have started taking the aqua aerobics class most weeks. I registered for weight watchers online to try and make my weight loss and healthier eating a permanent thing and since I started running have lost 1 stone.

I took up running in May using the Couch to 5k program also known as C25K and the main thing it stressed was to take things one step at a time. So we started with just one minute of running at a time followed by a break where you were allowed to walk and repeated that several times then had a day off and did it again twice more in the week. This allowed me to get used to running slowly and be happy at that level before moving on to longer running and shorter walking intervals. Now 9 weeks later I'm running 30 minutes at a time. I'm not up to 5km yet but I know I can get there.

As I am asthmatic, was over 4 stone over weight and the top side of 40 I appreciated this style of running a little bit at a time but doing it often enough to become a habit.

I also realised that Weight Watchers has the same kind of process. I'm not trying to lose all my 4+ Stone overnight, just as I couldn't go out and run 5km with no training. I'm just trying to lose 1 or 2 lbs a week and when I've done that do it again the next week.

I'm also slowly trying to introduce healthier options into my diet and reduce the unhealthy options. ie more fruit & veg, less burgers and chips :) Just like the running and walking intervals it took a while for my body to change from wanting a bag of chips and burger every other night to being happy with fresh veg stirfry most nights and burger and chips once a month. But I know if I keep at it, like the running, I can change my eating and develop those new habits.

I can do this!

Catch Up!

THURSDAY

I managed out for the first run of week 8: 28 min run.

It was 8:20pm when I headed out and being cloudy it seemed quite dark under the trees in the park. I decided to do a shorter circuit so I didn't have to run through the wooded part but it meant two and half short circuits rather than one and half long ones which mentally seemed harder but I did it.

FRIDAY

Traveled over to see my Aunt in Ayr. My Uncle picked me up from the boat and took me to lunch first. I was good had jacket potato with beans cheese and salad :) Visited my Aunt at the hospital, she is on a mask all the time to help with her breathing but not on oxygen and is able to chat and is still very much herself under there. Got to meet one of her care team who is coordinating her move to the hospice and all her equipment. Was really please he seems confident and professional and knows exactly what she needs.

The hospital only allows visiting for an hour at a time so we headed back to the house for a sandwich tea with cream cakes, and then back out in the evening for another visit. The out for a drink with my cousins and chips and cheese on the way home.

SATURDAY

Lie in and then watched free practice and qualifying for F1 at my cousins with all his gadgets. Big screen telly, timing info on laptop and driver tracking on the iphone :)

Another visit to my Aunt at the hospital. She was feeling brighter and giving instructions to my Uncle and cousin for the move on monday. Then time to leave and my cousin ran me back to the boat in his Honda sports car. very nice shame it was too wet to put the roof down :)

SUNDAY

Long lie again to recover from weekend and got up to watch the F1, managed some housework and had a lazy day.

MONDAY

Day off as I expected to be at end of C25k Week 9 and had put in for the holiday 2 months ago. With having days off however I'm only on Week 8 so went out today for my 2nd run of the week, 28 mins done and dusted! I felt really good and when the podcast said 1 min to go I really thought I had longer left. Came home and did my weightwatchers weigh-in and I've lost 3lbs this week so thats 7lbs since starting running. Really pleased.

Ch-Ch-Ch-Changes :)

I had to give it my run a miss this weekend as it seemed to become monsoon weather and gale force winds at the same time! Not a good combination. Managed out between the showers tonight so W7D3 last 25 min run of the week done and dusted.

Passed another female runner several times this evening doing my same route but in reverse. Think she's training for the 10km road race at our Highland games in August as in my lap and half of the park area she passed me 5 times. Although as we were going in opposite directions I passed her 5 times as well :)

While I'm on a roll I've decided I can make positive changes in my life this Summer. I am joining the gym & pool for the summer and have registered for weight watchers online to try and make my weight loss and healthier eating a permanent thing.

Since starting running in May I've lost 4lbs if I can get my food issues and portion sizes sorted I may actually be able to fit into some of the clothes in my wardrobe :) Will keep you posted!

Missed a couple of days and 'Why'

** WARNING LONG POST **

I've had to miss a couple of days since my last run as had some pain in my left hip but seems more connected to not my sleeping well rather than my running. Used the time to try out some yoga for runners. Wasn't too bad and no really weird positions :) may try to do some of these every week.

I manged out for my 2nd 25 min run of week7 tonight. On the way passed the pool noticed a large sign outside offering a 6 week gym and pool taster membership for £30 so will pop in tomorrow for more information.

I've been following a few blogs of other C25k runners and recently one of them has been reflecting on why she started running. I posted back in May a few of my reasons and thinking behind starting to run and in the last couple of weeks have come to face maybe the main the reason I started to run.

My Aunt Ann (my mums sister) was diagnosed a couple of months ago with Motor Neuron Disease.

My Gran (my mums mum) also died from MND as did my one of my mums cousins.

Motor Neurone Disease stops the nerve cells that control the body’s movement from sending messages to muscles. MND is often rapid and always fatal. There is no known cure. Most kinds of MND don't appear until at least 50 or 60 years of age.

The most common kind of MND has two forms 'sporadic' ie random and 'familial' ie affects relatives over several generations. There is a chance that this form is what has affected three members of my family and therefore I may also be at risk of developing it, there is also an equal chance that its the random form and I may never develop it.

As there are only two main genes so far identified to account for some cases of MND the current tests are likely to be inconclusive and as there is no cure I think I would rather not know.

Anyway this having to contemplate the chance of possibly having a fatal condition that may or may not present in the next 20 or 30 years filled my head with lots of unknowns and things I had/have no control over.

So I decided to take control while I still have it. I can control what I do now and I can choose to be fitter and healthier so I'm running and I'm dieting. I'm keeping the MND thoughts in a little locked box in my head but as I set this blog up as a place where I can put all the thoughts, ideas and lists that keep cluttering up my head I thought I should put these thoughts here as well. Hopefully by writing it out here I can exercise my mind and worries and get on with enjoying living.

No More Intervals

On the running now moved onto Week 7 of C25K so no more intervals just running, 3x 25 min runs this week and then increasing the time over the next two weeks, I may have to keep increasing for several more weeks as still running slowly so not hitting the distances the plan predicts, but thats ok.

So another 25 min run under my belt tonight. Was still quite hot when I finished my cool down so took at tip from active.com to just pour the water bottle over my head. It felt quite good :)

What a difference a day makes!

W6D3

Thanks to all the encouragement from my friends and family on Facebook and the girls on UKScrappers I managed back out to night after eating properly during the day and taking on plenty of water and I managed my full 25 minute run with no stops!

I may not be the fastest runner out there but the teenagers hanging round the park that sniggered when I ran past on my first lap didn't look quite so smug when I ran past them the second time :) Very satisfying!

Roll on Week 7!

Bad Run :(

I didnt make it on Tuesday as my legs were still sore from Sundays run so went out tonight aiming to do my 25 min run.

I was feeling very out of puff before I even finished my warm up walk and although I managed to start my run I was really struggling by the time the podcast announced the end of the first 5 min section so slowed to a walk and thought I would go back to W6D1 (5/8/5 min runs) but couldn't manage the second run so called it quits and came home early will try again tomorrow.

I know everyone has bad runs from time to time and I've been really lucky to get to week 6 before crashing but feel quite bad at failing the run tonight.

Just have to pick myself up and keep going and remember I can do this, I've done the 20min I can do it again!

Fathers Day!

Decided to walked out to my dads this afternoon to give him his fathers day pressie (just over a mile) didn't think he'd appreciate me turning up after my run out of puff and sweatty :) I got him sweeties in a hand made box and handmade card. my brother and his wife got him the DVD of Up

as he does look just like the main character. I also got him setup on Facebook so he can keep in touch with all the cousins.

I then did my Week6Day2, two ten minute runs to get home. Running along the esplanade in the town from one side to the other and then through the back roads of the town to get home. Legs a bit shakey now, running on pavements is harder than the dirt tracks in the park. Also negotiating traffic, holidaymakers and drunks not much fun. Think I'll stick to the park from now on.

Time to shower and veg on the couch me thinks.

Week 6 Still Running

Still not keen on morning running but as on back shift this week didn't have much choice. Managed W6 Day1 today, 5 min run, 3 min walk, 8 min run, 5 min walk, 5 min run. with my 5 min warm up and cool down at either end I did two laps of my route :) I worked out on Mapmyrun.com that three laps of my route will be 5k so I know what I'm aiming for :)

20 Minute Run!!

Ok not a morning person but got up and did my week5day3 run today before going to work. Suppose to be 20 min non stop run but had to stop at 13mins to walk for a bit as going uphill but then managed remaining 6 min run. So close and much longer than I've ever run before.

Oh my poor legs :)

I managed my W5D2 run today - two 8 minute runs with a 5 min walk between and oh boy, do my legs hurt tonight but I did it!
Now if I could only find the deep heat cream I might be able to walk tomorrow

Three Five Minute Runs!!

Whew! Just completed Week 5 Day 1. Brisk five-minute warmup walk, then Run for 5 minutes Walk for 3 minutes Run for 5 minutes Walk for 3 minutes Run for 5 minutes 5 min cool down walk.

The first 5 min run wasn't too bad, the second I thought I'd had it and the third I actually enjoyed.

Think this running is affecting my brain :D

Week 4 runs 2&3

Was very warm on Thursday but I managed out in the evening and completed my W4D2 run. Still found the 5 min runs very hard but didn't kill me and I didn't have jelly legs but was really tired after my shower so had an early night and forgot to update the blog. Sorry :)

Saturday should have been run 3 of the week but between the heat and my asthma flaring up I was quite short of breath all day so didn't manage out.

I made it out this evening for my final run of Week 4. I decided to run my route the other way round to avoid a couple with a dog and found it seemed easier that way. Think I'm now running up the long sloping incline and down the steeper side. Or possibly just being distracted by scenery going by in a different direction :) What ever the reason I'm going to try and alternate the route just for variety from now on. I manged both the 5 minute runs and was even able to add an extra 100 meters to the end of the last run just cos I felt I could.

I may not be so brave next week. Roll on Week 5!

Oh now that was hard!

Whooop!! I ran 5 minutes none stop!!!!, True it nearly killed me, my legs were burning and I thought my lungs were trying to escape but I did it. Although my legs still feel like jelly even half and hour later.

W4D1 5 minute warm up walk, run 3 mins, walk 1.5 mins, run 5 mins, walk 2.5 mins, run 3 mins, walk 1.5 mins, run 5 mins (faster tempo!) 5 minute cool down walk.

Thankfully the podcast i'm using does the first 5 minute run on at a slower tempo so was already moving quite slowly when I came across the man with 3 out of control dogs! He's busy giving it 'It's ok, they wont bite love' while the little yappy jack russell is trying to claw my ankles to bits and his other two are trying to run me into the stream. I used to like dogs!