2012 : Achievement

I have been intending to join in with Kate on Thin Ice and the fantastic #Get Grooving initiative for a few weeks now.  Time has not been on my side.  However, although I may not have penned my post, it has been formulating and evolving in my mind, so I am not surprised that at my first opportunity to power up the laptop I have felt compelled to get it written.

I first started joining in with the 'Groovy Mums' blog hop at the end of last year and into the beginning of 2012 because it was a way of tracking what I was doing with my life.  I was entering a second year of being a stay-at-home mum.  I was used to not getting up and going out to 'work' and settled into my 24/7 job of raising two children. 

I craved some structure however.  Groovy Mums encourages you to look at ways to improve things in your life, and subsequently the lives of those around you.  To take steps to improve yourself, no matter how small.  To think about what you want out of life and think about how you can get it.

At the beginning of the year I set down a list of Hopes and Aims for 2012.  It was quite an extensive list and incorporated aims for us as a family and for myself personally.  After my initial post I wondered if I had aimed for a little too much in one year, given that I have a severely disabled son and an extremely hot headed Toddler to look after.

Then I slapped myself on the wrist.  That sort of attitude was not going to get me anywhere.  Instead of looking at the lengthy wish list as a whole, I decided I would focus on one or two items each month.  I am not going to go into a long detailed run down of them all, there are various posts already with updates.  The long and short is I achieved them all bar TWO.  And with that I am pretty damn proud.

What I am more proud of is, as I have been thinking about all of this, the realisation of all the extra things that have been achieved this year.  Not just little insignificant things either.  Big things :

* I started publishing some fictional writing.  I have never done this in the past purely due to fear.  I have also started working on a few 'novel' ideas that have been rattling around in my mind.  I have subscribed to a Writing Magazine, which has introduced me to lots of ideas, information and the idea that I might enter work into competitions. 

* I attended my first blogging conference and met some wonderful fellow bloggers.  This was also a nerve-racking step but I am so glad I took it.  Roll on BritMums Live 2013.

* We took the bull by the horns and applied for some specialist equipment for J1.  These were things that we had only ever believed to be 'wish' items, but I am so happy that we persevered.  They are going to make such a huge difference to all of us because they will open up activities for us to all enjoy that we have never been able to before.

* We also took the plunge and booked a family holiday of a lifetime.  We could have always been 'put off' by the amount of research and fact finding it requires but many incidences this year have made me very aware of how grown up J1 is becoming and we became determined that it could be made to happen.

* The Hubby and I have both found an individual hobby each to enjoy.  Mine is running.  I set a goal of participating in The Great South Run in October and am pleased to say I completed it.  My next goal is our local Half Marathon in March.

* I have started doing some volunteer work for a fabulous cancer charity GRACE.

So I think, as we hurtle towards the end of 2012, that if I had to use one word to describe our year it would be 'Achievement'.  This is very pleasing and I would like to think that as a family we can give ourselves a big old pat on the back.

What word would sum up 2012 for you?

If you want to make changes to your life, no matter how big or small, take a look at the inspiring posts from Kate on Thin Ice.  Kate encourages you to always keep going, even if you feel you may be treading water.  When you think about it, usually turns out you are achieving more than you think.  Link your posts to inspire others, or get inspired if you are lacking motivation.

Now I need to start thinking about what we can achieve in 2013 - the possibilities really could be endless...

The BUPA Great South Run

 

 

As I have written about on many occasions, a few months ago I started running again.  This has been beneficial to both my physical and mental health.  I had to have a goal however.  I decided that I would not have the time, this year, to commit to a Marathon although I did give it serious consideration.

Instead I opted for two shorter races.  The BUPA Great South Run in Portsmouth (10 miles) and then a local Half Marathon (13.1 miles) in March 2013.  Along the way I have participated in various 5K and 10K races.  I watched the countdown clock on my Run Keeper account ticking down the days to the BUPA GSR and finally on Sunday 28 October 2012, it arrived.

Much planning, besides the running training, had been undertaken for this race.  It wasn't local to where I live so we had hotels to book.  The idea originally was that we would all go along for the weekend, myself, The Hubby, children and my parents.  Then my parents decided instead, to gift us a child free weekend.

So once child-care was in place, hotels secured, running information received, kit and weekend bag packed, route established, dog taken to her 'holiday retreat' (my cousin who would secretly like to keep her) we set off on a chilly October Saturday.

 

After a short detour (The Hubby always 'just has to do ... (something)' we arrived at our hotel in Portsmouth.  An upgrade to a suite received thankfully we dropped our stuff and heading for some food in the bar.  Whilst here, The Hubby started to chat to the only other patron in the area, and it turned out he was the snooker player Tony Drago.  The World Seniors Tournament was taking place not far from our hotel and he was due to play his match that evening.  He was a very interesting and genuine chap and we had a very pleasurable couple of hours in his company.

 

We decided on having dinner in the hotel restaurant as I wanted an early night before the big day.  I was in bed by 21:00 but did not sleep great.  I was very conscious of not getting the timing of the day wrong due to the clocks going back.  However, I felt good on Sunday morning and after a good breakfast we headed out early to make our way into Portsmouth, having been given fair warning about the amount of traffic that comes into the City for the race.

 

The morning was bitterly cold, but because we were early we got a good parking space quite near the start of the race.  This meant I could stay in the car, in the warm, until the last minute.  The race participants were divided into colours, Orange, White, Green, depending on what time you had indicated you could complete the race in.  I was in Green, the final group.  However, we watched the Elite Men go - started by Dame Kelly Holmes. 

 

It was great being in a big race again.  I forgot what the energy of a crowd of runners can do for you.  There was the 'warm up' - which resulted in everyone being in fits of laughter as there was no room to do any of the 'limbering up' that was being indicated for us to do.  Then there was cheering as the crowd slowly moved forward towards the start line.

 

It was a good route, very flat and support for the duration.  We took in the sites of the The Spinnaker, The Victory, The Boat Yard and other tourist attractions.  They had various bands situated at markers to lift spirits, I think my favourite was the African Drums, they were very powerful.  I wanted to stop and listen to them though.

 

 

 

Luckily I saw The Hubby at around the half way point and was able to give him my hat and gloves.  It is always lovely to see your loved ones on a race.  I was feeling really good until about 12K.  Then I had to have a sweet burst to help with the energy levels.  I decided to do a mile of a few minutes running, one walking to conserve the energy I had left to ensure that I could run the full last mile.

 

Seeing mile 9 felt great, and as always the support increased in the home stretch.  As much as I was hurting by this point, I kept on going and thought about the full body massage I had booked for later that day!  As I crossed the finish line, the big clock was showing 01:59:02 so I was thrilled to have completed my goal of finishing within two hours.  However, when my actual time was text through (within minutes of finishing to both mine and Hubbys phone) it was actually 01:54:46.

 

On returning to the hotel I enjoyed a deep, hot bubble bath before a very luxurious full body massage.  We then opted to be super lazy and order room service and a movie (a rare treat) before I had the best nights sleep I have had for ages.  A leisurely morning followed by an afternoon of sorting out J1's birthday presents was the end to a lovely weekend.

 

For anyone wondering if they should do a big race, I would recommend this one.  A flat and friendly route in a lovely City.

 

 

 

What Has Made Me Cheerful This Week?

I believe, weeks where you may struggle - for whatever reason be it emotionally, physically, because you are under the weather - whatever, it is all the more important to sit and have a think about the positives that have happened during the week.

I have had a bit of a low spell of late so it has done me good thinking about the good going on in our life.  So linking up with Michelle from 'Mummy from the Heart' here are my 

Reasons to be Cheerful : 

* The Hubby went for an interview this week and got offered a role.  If he does well in the first few months, fingers crossed, he'll be made permanent by Christmas.  This is a massive relief, and if he does get the go-ahead at Christmas, that will be an even bigger one.

* Another relief for our family is that my sister in law has finally had an operation she has been waiting two years for.  My sister in law suffered with a very rare condition during pregnancy called Gigantomastia (severe hyptrophy of the breasts - basically this meant that from when she fell pregnant her breasts did not stop growing) which left her requiring massive reconstructive surgery.  She has now had the surgery and begins her healing period, hopefully this will be an end to what has been a traumatic and uncomfortable couple of years.

* The weekend of the BUPA Great South Run is almost here.  My parents are looking after the children so that the Hubby and I can go to Portsmouth on our own.  Three child-free nights sleep lie ahead (might be disrupted by The Hubby's snoring but I will have to dig out my ear plugs).  Two nights in a lovely hotel, just the two of us in the lovely old Naval town.  The run is on Sunday (and I believe is being aired on Channel 5) so not only do we get a break but I get to experience a big race too.  We are also hoping to be able to catch up with my cousin in Southampton who just recently got engaged.

* J2, although being a little under the weather this week has been really rather amicable and I have managed to get some writing done.  In fact the next instalment of Camomile Crescent is written which gives me good opportunity to edit and re-work it - almost unheard of.  It has also meant I have been able to get some house work and ironing done here and there which all helps with feeling more in control.

* I have managed to get a date in the diary to see two of the girls (both expecting babies at the end of the year) who I used to work with.  We hardly get to meet up due to work and they live quite a distance from where I do, but with them both going on Maternity Leave soon it has been made possible.  Roll on November.

* J2 and I did some more baking from Jo Wheatley's 'Passion for Baking' book.  We tried out the Oat and Raisin cookies.  All I can say is we had better not make them too often or I am going to be the size of a house because they are so unbelievably delicious.  Even the first batch that I over-baked, although crunchy instead of chewy still have an amazing flavour.  All bow down to Jo.

* I was published as a guest post on the Pregnancy and Parenting website Wriggly Rascals this week.  Click here to see my post about Messy Play.

If you need more inspiration to make you think of your positives, hop over to the Reasons to be Cheerful blog hop.

What Has Made Me Cheerful This Week

It was my intention to do lots of writing this week, posts and otherwise but unfortunately I have had no time to do so - best laid plans and all that.  However, no time like the present and I like to think about the positives of my week, even if it is the only thing I get to blog about.

 

This week Reasons to be Cheerful is being hosted by Becky at Lakes Single Mum so hop on over to see her if you want to read posts from other cheerful souls.

 

After another week has sped past in the blur of an eye, these are my reasons to be cheerful :

 

* Pregnant friend number two has delivered a little boy safe and well.  The fabulous couple now have a daughter and son and are very happy.

* My brother and his wife were part of a wedding party at the weekend so I got to spend time with my beautiful nephew SJ.  It was extra special this time because it is the first time J2 and SJ have really played together nicely.  I think SJ has been too little before now so to see them interacting was great.

* I have seen two of my best friends this week.  Monday was spent hunting for Halloween costumes and having lovely coffee and cake with Mrs B-R and today was spent visiting one of my oldest school friends and her baby boy JK and discussing (very excitedly) wedding plans.  Thrilled that I will be Bridesmaid for her next year and we booked a date in our diaries for her to go dress shopping.

 

* Hubby had his tummy assessment.  Although it isn't great that he is having the issues he is having it is good that they are being taken seriously and investigated.  The horrible part is now out of the way and we just have to wait for the results.

 

* I had two treats this week.  The first was a long overdue hair appointment.  It was lovely sitting in one place for more than 10 seconds, being brought coffee, biscuits and magazines.  The second was a surprise from the Hubby - a copy of the new Masterchef Food Bible.  Just having the page of weights / measurements etc in the front is worth its weight in gold.

 

* Even though I can feel a cold starting to break out I am happy it is this week and not next, when the Hubby and I have a night away in Portsmouth so I can participate in The Great South Run.