The start of something new........

So, today I booked myself on a L2 gym instructor course and then a L3 Personal Trainer course and I actually cannot wait to get started in the new year.

I've only ever had two jobs since I was 16, and both of them have been working in restaurants. In both of these jobs I have worked my way up to manager level. As time is getting on I've decided I need a change as I'm getting a bit fed up, and the kids are at an age where I don't have to do EVERYTHING for them. Although they are only 6, so I still have to cook I guess, and remind my son to change his socks at least once a week!

Anyways, I've always been interested and enjoyed sport and exercise. But what with work and kids, I just never seemed to find the time and I've been thinking about doing it for a long time now. Especially since joining a running group just over a year ago. I was nervous about joining the group, but it's also one of the best things I've done and I've made some friends along the way. So I've done something about it..............

When I was at school we all had to do some work experience. I arranged to to mine at a leisure centre, as I fancied working in one. In what capacity I wasn't sure, but it interested me. The day before I was due to start I got appendicitis. So it never happened.......
It wasn't until I booked my course today that I wondered if I hadn't have got ill would I be working in the industry I'm in now. But, on the other side of the coin I probably wouldn't have met my hubby and have my gorgeous kids. I truly believe everything happens for a reason. So here's to the future........whatever it brings..........

Our homeless daughter..........

As its the school holidays we've come to stay at my parents, and are using them as a base for day trips in to London with the kids.

Now we've seen quite a lot over the last few days. Mostly all your usual tourist spots and although hubby and I have seen and done most of it before its been nice doing them again and seeing the kids reactions for the first time.


Now, my kids are 6yr old and have never encountered a homeless person before, and London as you can imagine has a fair few homeless people. On seeing one of these said people Holly turned round and asked "What is he doing?" we explained that he's homeless and he has his hat out and is asking people for money. She surprisingly accepted this with no more questions asked.

Later that day we are stood at the train station waiting to go home. It was quite busy to say the least. I was carrying the bag with EVERYTHING in it. Holly turned and asked if she could have her hat. I obliged. She then sat down crossed legged on the station floor, and as loud as she could asked "IF I PUT MY HAT OUT WILL PEOPLE GIVE ME MONEY?". Hubby and I looked at each other and in unison said "No! Get up off the floor and put your hat on your head!" A few people turned, looked and smiled, and the man next to us burst out laughing, put his hand in his pocket and pulled out a one pound coin and threw it in her hat! She was very pleased with herself! We thanked the man who then got on his train never to be seen again. Holly, having her shiny coin and seeming very pleased with herself threw her hat back at me and put the coin in her pocket.................................our train pulled up and another day was done!
( We of course told her she wasn't having her hat again unless it was to go on her head!)

Holly and her hat!

Lifeguards or Whistle Blowers?

Took the kids to the local swimming pool today. Had a bit of a lay in so missed the family session and went to the general swim session.
It's not the best pool we've ever been too but it's local and cheap. There were a four bigger boys there, probably aged about 16yr old ish. Anyway these boys had no consideration for any one else in the pool. All they were doing were chasing each other and play fighting but quite aggressively.

Anyway the reason I'm writing this is because of the lifeguards. There were two of them on duty, who as far as I could tell could not speak! They only had the capacity to blow a whistle. Every time these boys would do something they shouldn't all these voiceless lifeguards would do is blow their stupid whistle at them!
Now, is this a deterrent? I seriously think not! Was it working? No! After the first few times of trying, surely it would have made sense to pull these lads aside and have a few words. The words being, behave or you're out! Simples!

But no! They carried on with the whistle blowing. I could see that the voiceless lifeguards were getting annoyed with them, but surely common sense would prevail. Well it didn't. As I have learnt over the years common sense is something very few people have! All in all we were there for about an hour and a half and the boys left not long after us! Typical!

Whilst we were there as well part of the pool was closed as there was a lifeguard training course going on. I do hope that these trainees can speak. It also makes me wonder if they get taught how to blow a whistle.........

It's been a while........

It's been a while since I last blogged. There's been no particular reason why I haven't blogged as to be honest a lot has happened that I could have blogged about.    I just haven't! So there!

 So since last time.............

 I ran my first 10k, yay! *does little very proud of myself claps* My aim was to run the whole way, no stopping or walking and I did it. I ran with Julia, a friend from my running group. We kinda run at a similar pace so we did together in 1hr 15mins ish!

 I've been running for about 10months now, and at the start if you would have told me I'd be running 5K & 10k events I would have belly laughed in your face. I feel great, have toned up and lost a bit of weight. So all in all it's been really good. I also love the buzz afterwards as well.


 As a family, we embarked on our first family holiday abroad. We travelled to Fuertaventura and spent a week in the SUN! Yes, there is still such a thing as the sun and it was wonderful! As soon as we got back I started looking for next years holiday. So I'm pleased to say I officially have the holiday bug again. Oh how I missed it!

Also,  I've also been considering a career change. I've been working in the restaurant industry since I was 16 and I 'like' my job, but don't love it at the moment. It's a big step and am looking in to it, so we'll see what happens......


The kids were invested in Beavers last month. They love it!
HOWEVER........... I love my children dearly, but if they don't earn any badges whilst at Beavers I will not be upset. I hate sewing!!! It took me a whole evening to sew on six badges.
 Much wine was drunk that evening......oh hang on maybe that was my problem! Anyhoo! I hate sewing!!!!    FACT!!!!!

The offending badges above. 

Since sewing the badges I have found out there is such a thing as fabric glue. So during these holidays, I will be hunting the shops for this product and will gladly pay many pounds for it if it gets me out of sewing!

Happy little Beavers with slightly askew badges. 

My Week....again!

This is the second time I'm gonna try and write this! The first time I wrote it all out and before I could post it I got distracted by my kids and deleted it!!
So here we go......

It's not been a particularly eventful week. But it's been the first full week of normality since the kids went back to school. Peter and I even managed to have the same days off and spend some time together (whilst the kids were at school).

My Wednesday night running group restarted and I was dreading it. For no other reason than I'd majorly overstuffed during the crimbo period! But considering that, I felt really good and did better than I thought I might. I still ached on Thursday though! But it's a start. I've also said I will compete in two 5k runs in Feb. So more reason to put more effort in to my running!

That's about it really... Not much else to report.

Oh and we managed to sort out our garage at long bloody last AND de-mice it!! Yes we had mice in the garage, actually caught 5 altogether! But that's for another blog!!!