Day 272 - 12th October

Friday - one day and counting.
Make the most of your last day of being a 38 year old...cherish the youth...from now on it's at least 1 pot of anti-wrinkle cream per day just to keep my eyelids taught and jowls from sagging down to my armpits.

Am - could have gone for a run, but CBA, thought I would forgo exercise until after my birthday weekend.
Popped into town to post my brothers birthday card (3 days later than mine). Had a quick look in the accessories place of 'The Furniture Barn' lovely home furninishings, must take DW and Mum there in a couple of weeks. Nearly bought a decanter, picture with frame for the upstairs lounge and picture for the bedroom.

PM - Haircut and gossip swapping at my lovely salon. Always good for a laugh and joke, they treat you really well and normally suppply food as well as tea/coffee.

Eve - Zach weekend, so entertained Zach who was very whingey this evening and then vegged out.

Bye bye 38 xx

Day 272 - 11th October

Thursday -

Last day of the week for me, hurrah. The only reason I am off tomorrow is that I have a hair appointment at 2.30pm, so took the whole day.

Eve - Body Combat
New release so again new music and new combinations of moves. Great track - Number 7 which is the music from Blade (First scene - vampires club, which turns into a blood bath) very quick pace and non stop, talk about sweating and catching your breath but whoop, whooping along the way. Great.

I think I maybe sore tomorrow :-(

Day 271 - 10th October

Wednesday -

3 more days until my birthday, I have not discussed this with anyone from work, so hopefully it will pass quite nicely. Also means I don't have to buy any cakes for the office, which can be very expensive.

Body Pump in the evening and the new session has been released, so we are now working on different combinations with new music. I have added extra weight to the lunges and leg exercises, my God this has made a difference, legs were shaking by the end of it but felt good.

:-)

Day 270 - 9th October

Tuesday -

I am loving my new job. Freedom to work my way through my projects and dealing with things head on.
Luckily I have the input and support of very good people to deliver the results.
It is so nice to be able to make a difference & go home feeling like you have achieved something on a daily basis.

Eve - Spinning this evening. This class always makes me feel sick by the end of it, so effectively it works the muscles and cardio system well.

Don't know if anyone watches 'The Paradise' - costume drama, which is actually very good. Nice to sit down and watch this after a hard days work and Spinning.

Loving the work/life balance I currently have.

G

Day 269 - 8th October

Monday -

4 day week - nice.

Busy with project meetings, which are moving along swiftly.

Thought about going for a run, however so tired that my legs wouldn't work properly this am.

I have been thinking about carrying on the blog into next year, seeing as this will be a milestone of my life, turning 40 is no mean feat. Rather than a daily blog, which can become rather tedious, especially when you have not much to say or have done bugger all, so plan to reduce to weekly. 52 entries and filled with lots of anecdotes and photo's we hope.
To be fair this year has turned out much better than I predicted in December 2011, it could have been a terrible, boring, lonely time but no..met the new man ;-) who brought a lovely little boy into my life, skiing, cycling, hiking, Sahara Desert, camping, festival, live concerts, London, Jazz Club, Scuba diving, more Golf, Cinema, dinner, sledging....no need to go on I think you get the picture. Wow what a fab year and still so more to come (Birmingham shopping, Snozone, Christmas Fair, Santa Pod dragsters, more live concerts).

Pause for breath x

Day 268 - 7th October

Sunday -

Feel OK this morning, somewhat jaded but no hangover, which is marvellous.
Quick feed of menagerie and then off to pick up the Audi from the restaurant car park and home.
Today is D-day to purchase Glastonbury tickets.

8.59am - logon to Glastonbury website on 2 x Ipads & 2 laptops.
9.30am - Still refreshing site
10.00am - DW holds the fort whilst I do the important things like buy the Sunday paper.
10.15am - Still refreshing and DW getting all nervous about how long there will be tickets available for.
10.30am - Still no access to the site to login in our already pre-registered details. DW communicating with friends on how they are getting on. *They also have 2 laptops and a phone.
10.40am - Hallelujah! DW has access via his Ipad but then loses it. Then WHAM, laptop finds the site and DW is a crazy man possessed. Careful to type in all 4 registrationn details (checked by me) the submit button is clicked..........request for payments details...........Success!!! Off we go to Glastonbury next June.

DW is chuffed and I am pleased as this is one event I have always wanted to experience. Let's party with the great unwashed.

PM - Energy of a pea so not too many plans this afternoon. Decided to take the dogs out for a walk and then watch a film, maybe fall asleep. Lovely lazy Sunday afternoon, which is what it is all about when we work so hard during the week.

Eve - Second season of 'Homeland' then bed

Day 267 - 6th October

Saturday - 1 week until 38 becomes 39....I have 1 year to get to grips with flipping into a new decade. Life begins at 40 I hear you say, it bloody better do ;-O)

OK what is in store for today?

A short run - 4miles but again at quick pace.
Took the dogs for a lovely walk in the sunshine.
Started some cleaning
Out to dinner for a pre-birthday celebration.

The restaurant which will remain nameless on this occasion let us down with the poor service. I have been to this place at least 4 times before and it has been fab every time. Apparently the computer system went down, instead of reverting to manual based system they just forgot who had ordered and when they had ordered, so between our started and main it took 1hr and 20 mins. By this time we had finished a bottle of wine and thought we had better start another!!! Bad idea Mrs, had to leave the restaurant and see the lovely food come back up again. Oh dear. If we had eaten we would have been OK, would not have ordered a 2nd bottle of wine and enjoyed the meal and dessert, I have no doubt.

Shame as DW was paying and we were having a great night chatting and having a giggle. DW managed to get some money off, which is the least they could do.

Wonder how I will feel tomorrow, I am not a big drinker and don't tend to get drunk.

 X

Day 266 - 5th October

Friday -

Trip down to the big smoke to see a client, I reckon an hour meeting and then back via the wonder that is public transport. Luckily booked  a seat on the way down and managed to get a seat on the way back, although the carriages were quite busy. Nothing like catching a train from St Pancras Intl at 4.15pm on a Friday!!

Eve - Looking after DW's dad's dogs this weekend, so a flitting between home and his house, only 15 mins away. 3 lovely dogs, called Chester, Max and Laddie. Finished off the rest of the macaroni cheese from Wednesday and some wine.

Photo's to follow


No major plans this weekend, apart from getting up early on Sunday to try and purchase Glastonbury tickets.

Festivals - I'm used to staying at my parents shower, nice food, comfy bed :0(

Day 265 - 4th October

Thursday -

Last day in the office this week, great. Lots of meetings and project stuff going on, so a busy couple of days.

Tonight I have a free evening, in terms of no David, so my plan was to go to body combat, have dinner and then lounge and catch up on my TV recorded programs. STOP! REWIND!

No that is not what is in store for you. This afternoon I receive a call from my lovely neighbour (V) to say that there are workmen currently outside, in my access road, digging holes due to another neighbour having a gas leak. Electricity has been going off and on all day as they believe it is a fault with the electricity cabling that has led to the gas main hole...oh crikey. Luckily there was no big explosion, now that could have been disastrous. Massive hole outside and workmen working until 3am Friday am to fix it.

So there I am at 8.30pm, no gas, no electricity...back to old fashioned hobbies or reading by candle light (well actually a lovely little light powered by batteries). Just brilliant, that was that. Oh well never mind.

Pneumatic drills at the ready x

Day 264 - 3rd October

Wednesday -

Today I have been asked by my boss whether "I am OK?", of course I am OK. I don't worry about someone telling me off, just water off a ducks back. Quite frankly I couldn't give a fig what the chairman said about me or my comments in the meeting. He is not worthy of any respect from me, I don't even like the bloke.

Body Pump -

New routines start next week and apparently the new routine is bloody hard work on the thighs, you have been warned says the instructor!! Lovely, bring it on, thigh burns are all the rage now days.

Eve - milled about, bathed Zach and read him a story before bed. He is so good at going straight to sleep these days, it is sheer bliss.

Half way in the week and all is well

TTFN x

Day 263 - 2nd October

Tuesday -

Well I never an impromtu meeting with everyone involved in a project and RH has called it.
To be honest the attitude of the chairman was appalling and this unfortunately rubbed off on me as I was sitting next to him. Defenses were up and we were off. I think challenging someone of a higher rank is ok, as long as the questioning is relevant and valid. My question was valid, however this clearly was not communicated well and I then got told off by my boss for being 'feisty' and virging on rude. When asked did I think I was rude, I said "no" and that my question was a valid one, no one knew what the overall vision was so how could we chip in with ideas to make the project work and reach it's goals????

Oh well, note to self, just smile sweetly moving forward and nod in all the right places, don't even bother to question as you will only get bollocked for it. Something is not right with the world.

Due to meeting and actions from the meeting I missed my spinning class, which was a real bummer as it is very difficult to get on these classes. Several days later I received an email from the gym who also told me off for not cancelling and not turning up!!!! Ah.. naughty naughty.

Note to self - either leave on time regardless from work and stuff everything else or re-think spinning class times.

Work life balance is so important these days, I know what I would rather do

Cheers big ears x

Day 241 - Day 251 - 11th - 19th September

Monday - Week on Wednesday (Photo's to be added)

Interchangeable weather, which is apparently the norm this time of year, no one told me.
Although warm, it is not as hot as I thougt it would be around 25-27 degrees but generally a wind too.
Spent the time between the pool, beach and excursions down to the South of Tunisia.
Tanned quite well but not as well as years previously.

Gippy tummy on 2 occasions which meant 1 day I couldn't run in the morning and also a little annoying for travelling home on the last day.

Didn't make the most of the all inclusive food, generally ate yoghurts and fruit for breakfast, no lunch and 1 course at dinner. On one occasion was tempted by the pancakes with chocolate..nice.

Excursions -
Quad Biking - great off road experience up in the hills. The hills and bumps did cause me to go off balance and so burnt part of my leg on the hot engine part - ouch my god did that hurt and left a nice mark.
Scuba Diving - after 20 mins was extremely cold and the dive was actually quite boring, didn't see many good species of fish.
Sahara Experience - travelled down a famous Ampitheatre in El Gem (Filmed Gladiator there apparently). Then travelled further towards Libya!!! and took the eastern road to where there are dwellers who live in caves, this is the start of the Sahara desert (Rocky Sahara) and where they filmed Star Wars (Luke Skywalkers House). Wow what a great place to visit. Then carried on to the edge of the Sahara to ride the Camel into the dessert @ Sunset, beautiful. Then we caught a rather amusing open carriaged train (Tractor pulling the carriages), to be honest everyone questioned the robustness of the Tractor tracking the 10 miles into teh dessert but now 'it will be ok'. Well actually it won't. In the pitch black and about 8 miles into the dessert the Tractor ceased to work. Every off and so came the trapsing of 30 English tourists through the Sahara over sand dunes to the campsite. Interesting and an experience I will never forget.
Catamaran - Why we didn't check the weather forecast before we went I do not know. Borded the boat and the weather was a little over cast with a slight wind. Towards our resort sopme lovely black clouds, looked like they held rain. As we left the port and entered the open sea, wham, wind picked up and the rain came. 6-8ft waves and bloody cold. Really not an enjoyable experience. I have been out on similar before and we sailed round the islands and dropped anchor for a nice swim in the clear waters. This boat trip was no picnic, although I do not suffer with sea sickness and thank god I don't the whole 2 hours was rubbish. Next time check the weather.

Beach was lovely just 100m from out hotel down a nice avenue and we also had a beach bar to quench our thirst with drinks. Made friends with 2 stray dogs, who lived on the beach. Fed them some food from the beach bar, as the food was part of the all inclusive so managed to get a burger and chips for them.

Yes did exercise for the majority of the holiday.
Ran 5 miles 5 days and went to the gym 2 days - glad I kept this up. Ran 3.5 miles along ther main road, cut through to the beach and the finished off 1.5 miles along the shoreline. Lovely. People were already at the beach and looked at us like we were off our rockers. Perhaps we are but at least we are toned nutters.

Day 262 - 1st October

Monday - October already, oh no I feel another birthday coming on and yet agnothe year older. Bugger!
When will time slow down and allow me to age over a longer period, one minute I am celebrating my 30th, next I blink and I am knocking on the door of 39. What's that all about?

4 day week due to meeting in London on Friday, lovely job.

Still feel knackered, can't seem to shake the tired feeling, still have a bunged up nose and cough.

Autumn leaves are a falling, just love the colour of the leaves at this time of year, just fab.
Although the fact that the leaves are falling means I will need to use my 'leaf picker uppera'.

We have declared a 'Halloween party' on 31st October, dress to impress and prizes for best dressed desk.
I may do up my office again this year, last year I left it too late, only bought a couple of accessories and a fancy dress outfit from Home and Bargain. Cheap cow ;-)

oooohhhhhhh

Day 261 - 30th September

Sunday -

Ah the sweet tones of a 3 1/2 year old first thing in the morning, bless. 'Can I have a film?' is the general question at this time of the morning and yes you can is the answer, keeps the little cherub busy whilst us adults wake up gracefully with a cup of tea.

Off to the cinema again today, great deals £2.50 each adult for the Kids club and £0.00 or kids. I would highly recommend it, even if you don't have kids, pretend you do and nip in with another family. This time we watched The Pirate Scientist by Aardman films. Hilarious for adults, lots of innuendo's and adult humour. Zach watched some of it but generally David and I who were laughing.

PM - Just a food shop and ironing setting up the week ahead. DW took Zach to Sywell, watching the planes take off and land, although due to the weather they spotted one helicopter :-(

Kept pace with the Golf, looked like a white wash for a while but never give up on the Europeans. DW took me out for a pizza, stopped off at the local for a couple of drinks, whilst watching the Golf via my Iphone!! Managed to continue watching Golf in the restaurant, I know shocking but the Golf was getting interesting. From 10 - 6 down, 10-7, 10-8, 10-9 and then level pegging at 10-10. Oh sweet Jesus. Hurried back home to watch the remainder of the match, nail biting stuff and won 14 1/2 to 13 1/2 points!!!! A-M-A-Z-I-N-G.

Time for bed, crikey  

Day 260 - 29th September

Saturday -

Managed to do 4 miles at 7.46 pace, which isn't too bad, considering this is the fastest I have ever run. Need to increase to 5 and the 6.2miles (10k).

Feel a little under the weather again today, I do not fancy going swimming, however DW & Zach went to a nice pool in Northampton, with lovely things for kids to play with. I watched from the side whilst keeping tabs on the Ryder Cup (Priorities ;-)).

PM - A late lunch and then faffing until Doctor Who...we love it.

Eve - Ryder Cup fest all night....what a match USA whipping our asses but a late onslaught by Mr Poulter. Stayed up until the finish 12.45am ( Naughty stay up late)

Come on the Europeans (I have a bet on them to win)

Cheeky x

Day 259 - 28th September

Friday -

MacMillan Coffee Morning in the Call centre today, raising money for a damn good charity.
Cakes galore on offer...yummy.

We have Zach this weekend, so plans a foot to do nice things with him.

Cinema, Swimming?? Depends on the weather I suppose.

Feel a bit under the weather today, I think Zach has handed me his cold, Thanks Zach. This is the 3rd cold this year, funny that when kids are about you seem to pick up sniffled and such like. Up until this point I have never suffered with colds maybe 1 a year if that.

Chill out evening

Day 258 - 27th September

Thursday -

Nearly the end of a 5 day week, I am not used to these number of days in a row, quite tiring really. I can totally appreciate why people like to work part time. Come on you part timers.

Still not back into running in the mornings, I am finding it very difficult to get up just feeling v tired.
Classes to tone and running to keep the fat away for some years yet.

Eve - Body Combat

Hard work this week as my little body just lost the energy half way through the class. I just felt it ebb away.

Tired G

Day 257 - 26th September

Wednesday -

Things are looking up, my new role is quite interesting and varied, I am almost my own boss.
I think most of my time will be spent in my office planning or in meetings co-ordinating the project team to deliver the results in a timely fashion.

The one thing I have noticed is that I have more time on my hands, my office is not like Piccadilly Circus anymore. Time is a wonderful thing.

Body Pump - I find it amazing that although there are women who are not that toned in the upper body department, they can lift quite heavy weights on the bar bell and yet I struggle after 3  x 12 lots of repetitions, although I have definition and quite well defined shoulders and biceps. For it is weird is it not?

Barnacles x

Day 256 - 25th September

Tuesday -

The arrival of baby Payne (at last) my friend has just popped, quite literally.
Holly Grace @ 9lbs 30z what a whopper and all doing great. Bless!
and all is at one with the world.

G-meister x