This week...

After having a pretty eventful weekend with friends and family, the beginning of this work week was a bit of an anti-climax and by Tuesday morning I was just totally bummed out! That evening I could have hidden myself away at home eating ice-cream whilst watching a chick-flick, but since I’m trying to regain a little bit of my social life and be more active, plumped for an evening of swimming with a friend instead.

Going swimming is always interesting when you’re a people watcher...

The middle-aged women who turn up in little groups and spend 95% of their time huddled against the wall “ooooing” and “ahhhhing” about the latest scandal amongst friends and discussing the plot of Emmerdale always make me smile. Then there’s the sporadic 2 minute spurts spent actually swimming when the flock simultaneously launch from their wall, conversation still in full flow, parting the paths of other swimmers who’d been quite happily doing lengths uninterrupted.

Then there are the lane swimmers – the beautiful buff people with near perfect swimsuit bods, coveted by mere mortals such as myself, who cruise effortlessly up and down the pool in their designated lanes, blissfully unaware of the middle-aged women posse causing havoc metres away.

The loved-up couple – another breed of wall hugger that spend their time lip-locked in a corner, giggling and cavorting, with a few lengths of flirty swimming thrown in. Other swimmers throw disapproving glances their way but I wonder how many of them secretly wish they were in a similar position.

The familiar face – someone who obviously recognises you, says hi and may even instigate a conversation – all the while you’re thinking “who the hell are you?!?!” whilst keeping up the facade that you know exactly who this person is as they reel off their life’s story and tell you how much little Timmy has grown... Little Timmy?!?!?

Then there was my friend and I... 1 hour of non-stop lengths, merrily splashing around, trying hard not to get in anyone else’s way but inadvertently kicking a few people in the process, my mate checking her hair hadn’t turned green in the chlorinated water, quietly appreciating the token buffed-up lane swimmer as he exited the pool, and weighing up whether or not we’d get away with doing a few handstands in the shallow end (we decided the Tuesday night crowd probably wouldn’t approve of our arses protruding from the water like a couple of demented ducks, so behaved ourselves). I laughed so much I got a stitch and bid adieu to the work-week blues!

Tonight’s activity – week 2 of my climbing class! Today we’ll be practicing falling. I personally am well versed in falling – do it regularly although in fairness never from anything higher than my loft and without ropes to get tangled up in – so tonight should be interesting!

Climbing Higher!!!

I'm scared of heights. Absolutely petrified. Just looking at a picture of something 'high' gives me sweaty palms and palpitations! I haven’t always been like that – once-upon-a-time I was the loon dangling off the outside of the bridge spanning Howstean Gorge tormenting my boyfriend at the time who was terrified I was going to kill myself (sorry by the way).

Howstean Gorge

When I became a mother 5 years ago, life just seemed more precious. My son was born with a rare heart defect and had to undergo major heart surgery. Having to face the harsh reality that I might only have a few days with the gorgeous little bundle I carried for 9 months really opened my eyes to just how fragile life is.

My post-op baby

My gorgeous bundle!

This resulted in the emergence of a few fears – going too fast in the car (especially if someone else was driving!), heights, the dark, and being home alone. Some were short-lived – I love star gazing, seize any opportunity to blast out the cobwebs on a motorbike and cherish my alone time. The fear of heights has lingered though.

Yesterday I took a massive step towards conquering my fear. I attended my first beginners climbing class! I wore my Muse concert t-shirt because it conjures happy thoughts from their concert in Springfiled, which I thought I might need several metres up a wall! Our group of 5 beginners began by learning how to tie a figure of 8 knot, attach ourselves to the rope properly, set up the belay and manoeuvre our hands to belay effectively without our partners plummeting to their untimely demise...

Then we climbed!!! My feet felt like lead, my body was fighting against my mind refusing to move my feet onto the first foothold and I felt like a potato – a lump incapable of movement! Then a 10 year old kid flew up the wall next to me and my pride hit me over the head like a breeze block! Can’t be having a munchkin outdo me!!! I focussed on UP and in no time at all was at the top!!! Yey me! I looked down, saw a few faces looking up at me, felt a bit wobbly and tried to face the inevitable getting down bit...

Releasing the death grip and taking your hands off the hand holds that are keeping you stuck to the wall is the most unnatural thing in the world. I had to prize my fingers off the pink and yellow knobbles, place them around the rope that dangled me precariously above my team mates’ heads, stretch my legs out and walk down the wall as my partner lowered me down. The squashy floor was a sweet relief to my feet! The buzz was amazing – I was physically shaking and my palms drenched with sweat, but I was so pleased with myself!

We spent 2 hours climbing various walls with little challenges thrown in, getting higher and I improved with every climb, gaining confidence and conquering my fear of heights.

The class was fab, the staff professional and friendly, the facilities spot on – all highly recommended! I’m looking forward to my next 2 lessons and then regular visits to the wall for lots of climbing shenanigans!

If anyone's interested in indoor wall climbing in the Harrogate area, click here for info about Harrogate Climbing Centre!

Race for Life 2010!

Temple Newsam, Leeds, 20th June 2010 - running shoes, fashion sense out of the window and a wonderful cause in mind!  My friend Chantelle and I ran the Race for Life to raise money for Cancer Research.  After a superb result from our 'casual clothes' collection at work we managed to raise an additional £250+ in sponsorship.

My uber fit mate crossed the line in excellent form achieving 8th place!  I stumbled across the line in my pink tutu some time later, but happy I'd managed to keep a steady pace and jog the whole 5k (except from a little bit going up the killer hill which was torture!!!).  We had a great day out and loved every second!  The warm up before the race was fab - a little bit of Salsa style wiggling and jiggling to get the body moving!  Fantastic!!!

My 2010 Race for Life was dedicated to my Great Aunt Brenda who passed away on Wednesday 3rd February 2010. She was a wonderful lady with a passion for life and a love for travelling. We spent a lovely Christmas together and celebrated her birthday in the New Year when her cancer was in remission - she was full of life and energy and put us all to shame on the Wii Fit! Just a couple of weeks later she suddenly became very ill and it became clear she would not recover. She will be sorely missed by us all.


Events like Race for Life are vital in funding Cancer Research UK’s life-saving work into preventing, diagnosing and treating cancer.  Every pound donated really does make a difference – my sponsorship page will be open for a couple of weeks before being closed down so please take this opportunity to make a donation!

CLICK HERE!!!

A HUGE thank you to everyone who supported me, Cancer Research and The Race for Life!  Roll on 2011 and the next 5k! 

"The miracle isn't that I finished. The miracle is that I had the courage to start." -John Bingham, running speaker and writer

Up n Running!

In preparation for my Race for Life I've been making a concerted effort to get myself into something resembling fit - a bit tricky as a single mum with very little time on my hands...So what to do? Hassle my family to come over and babysit for me even more than they already do? I didn't want to burden them sooo I plumped for the Wii Fit option - entertaining, keeps track of your weight loss for you, tells you how many calories you've burned, how many minutes you've worked out for and gives you a breakdown of the kinds of exercise you've focussed on (i.e. aerobic, strength, balance, etc.). I don't need a childminder, just an hour or 2 in the evening when my little boo's gone to bed.

As my fitness improved and I got into the routine of exercising at home (instead of messing around on the computer or watching NCIS) I wanted to do something more challenging. I had some free weights hiding in the cupboard, so pulled them out and incorporated some strength training into my routines.

Then the sun arrived - a rarity in the UK. I seized the opportunity to get out of the house taking my little boy to some local areas of interest such as Fewston Reservoir and Brimham Rocks - amazing places to walk, run, picnic and generally have a lovely family day out whilst keeping the activity levels up!  We also invaded my parent's trampoline - fab fun and its amazing how much energy you expend just bouncing!


I'm now addicted to improving my health through exercise and look for every opportunity to fit something in - my lunch breaks at work are now used constructively going for a run - I'm feeling the benefits daily and the only cost involved was a pair of new running shoes.

The next activity on my repertoire is climbing. Harrogate Climbing Centre opened in February 2010 and provides the area's finest climbing resource. A work colleague and I are signing up to undertake the 3 week beginner’s course to learn knots and rope work, belaying, correct use of equipment, and climbing technique.  I'm really excited!

Just walking on the beach...

As someone who's had a rather challenging life, I have found exercise to be an excellent confidence boost not only because my fitness is improving and I look better physically, but because I'm taking charge of my life and doing something for me whilst also having oodles of fun! Anyone out there procrastinating about getting their jogging bottoms on and getting active, think Nike and JUST DO IT! You don't need to live in a gym 24/7 or almost kill yourself with excerption - I started off very gently but very soon began to feel encouraged by the results and now enjoy challenging myself to do a little more or run a little further. I'm by no means a picture of health and fitness - I still have lots of wobbly bits - but now I don't care about them because they really don't matter. The mind is the important bit - focus on the mind - do activities to keep it healthy and happy (that includes getting out and about, having new experiences and adventures) and the body will follow suit.

As a single mum, the huge responsibility of balancing family and work life falls on her shoulders alone. However, like a ferocious tigress she knows how to juggle it and bring up her cubs as strong as she can. Mothers in general are one single kind whose untiring work and sacrifices on a daily routine are rarely recognized. Single mothers, recognise your worth, take a moment to be selfish and put your own needs first – you’ll feel better for it and your children will also reap the benefits of having a happy mummy!

Any single mummies in the Harrogate area who may be interested in getting together to do some light exercise, receive support and encouragement whilst socialising and generally having a laugh, please feel free to drop me a line!

Me n my wonderful mum!

"God could not be everywhere and therefore he made mothers." - Jewish Proverb

Operation Christmas Child

This year I asked for the help of work colleagues at DNS Arrow's Harrogate office, old co-workers from Capita Surveys and Research office and my family to put together some gift boxes for children less fortunate than ourselves through the Samaritan's Purse Operation Christmas Child.


We managed to put together a total of 12 boxes filled with goodies for boys and girls of various ages.  My son and I had a lovely family night shopping for gifts, wrapping a shoe box and filling it with gifts.  It was great fun wandering around the supermarket trying to find little bits n bobs that would fit into a shoe box.  In a way I think we may have failed miserably - there was a gorgeous teddy which pretty much filled the box in its own right without all the other bits and bobs I wanted to include!  Still, I was determined to fit it in...


I'm a stickler for gifts not only being fun but also having some educational value and practical use.  We bought a variety of gifts which probably only totalled about £20 but would hopefully bring a smile to a little boy's face somewhere in the world.  

From our little activity I gained a sense of making a difference - granted, filling a shoe box full of goodies isn't exactly a miracle cure for disease or going to end wars across the world, but I'm still satisfied that if I can make 1 person happy if only for a moment, it's worth doing!  I also learned that my gift wrapping skills totally suck and I need a great deal more practice before Christmas!  Having said that, if I'd chosen a shoe box with detachable lid, that may well have made life a lot easier... (note to self for next year's box wrapping - Timberland boot box pain in the butt to wrap and is really not suitable for Operation Christmas Child).  


My son imagined that the gift box we put together would go to a little boy he named George who lived in Africa.  He made up a story about George not having much money for nice things like toys and books, and really got into the spirit of giving.  He really wanted the little boy to have a happy Christmas and said that the teddy could keep him company and keep him safe at bed time.  My son also decided to say a prayer over the box (without any prompting from me at all which stunned me a little!) asking God to make sure the box travelled safely and would make George happy.  It was so sweet - we really felt the true spirit of Christmas in our household that night.

My musings on LIFE!

Throughout the day-to-day turmoil of life, dealing with the boring routines as well as the unexpected mini-crisis situations, I sometimes feel a little deflated and catch myself thinking "there must be something more than this!” Unfortunately I'm not one of those people who can take pleasure in the mundane aspects of life like having a tidy home - I mean, how long does a house stay tidy with a 4 year old child running amuck? I’d much rather be having some big adventure, meeting new people, getting up to mischief and generally having a riot…


My life's circumstances are such that I cannot gallivant around willy-nilly though and quite often feel a little restricted - I'm a single woman responsible for a wonderful 4 year old boy, and work extremely hard just to provide a basic but comfortable lifestyle for my little family of 2. As a person I'm quite skittish - I love new experiences and prefer to be out and about but nights out and socialising are few and far between and I think it shows when I am around people, after all, socialising is a skill - when you get a little out of practice, it often shows! Sufficed to say, I now find myself having to consciously cap the psycho babble and calm the inner child who wants to pack as much reckless fun into every nanosecond of her existence…


Even though I am a single mother, I honestly wouldn't have it any other way - at least until someone pretty spectacularly special enters my life anyway. Technically I have only been a single parent for a few months, but I feel liberated in many ways - my relationship with my son has become more enriched, our house has become the loving home I always craved and I know I have what it takes to be a good mother, instead of constantly doubting myself and worrying about my relationship. I’m focussed, driven and have a high desire to succeed in whatever I do. Combine these attributes with a kind loving nature, a dollop of quirkiness and a sprinkle of nuts, and you get a pretty effective family environment that works!

So, today I am being thankful for all I have – the challenges and limitations as well as the reckless self-indulgent moments. My life is a million miles away from what I had foreseen 10 years ago, but decisions were made, whether right or wrong, and the path deviated from the dream. I have developed as a person in so many ways, realising my strengths and putting them to good use. I used to be painfully shy and insecure. I still have that element hidden inside, but on the whole, I now feel more confident about who I am and where I’m going. Someone from my past always told me they were going to succeed no matter what and adopted a very hard, clinical approach to life which included disregarding others feelings. I’m happy to reach my goals whilst maintaining my core values – I’m not a hard ass, bitch of steel. I’m soft, I’m caring, will do pretty much anything for anyone in order to help out, and if that means that my road to success becomes a little slower, I don’t mind, because at least I’ll have some good friends and worthwhile experiences along the way.

Quote for the day:
I think everybody should get rich and famous and do everything they ever dreamed of so they can see that it's not the answer. ~Jim Carrey

Quote for my life:
My life has a superb cast but I can't figure out the plot. ~Ashleigh Brilliant

Cynical ranting quote from someone who's obviously having a bad day:
Life... is like a box of chocolates - a cheap, thoughtless, perfunctory gift that no one ever asks for, unreturnable because all you get back is another box of chocolates. So, you're stuck with mostly indefinable whipped mint crap, mindlessly wolfed down when there's nothing else to eat while you're watching the game. Sure, once in a while you get a peanut butter cup or an English toffee but it's gone too fast and the taste is fleeting. In the end, you are left with nothing but broken bits filled with hardened jelly and teeth-shattering nuts, which, if you are desperate enough to eat, leaves nothing but an empty box of useless brown paper. ~The X-Files


Love it!  Peace out!!!   ;o)

Project Christmas Child

I'm just launching my next charitable project at work - Project Christmas Child organised by Samaritans Purse.  Operation Christmas Child is a simple and fun CSR activity for the workplace, church groups, children and families to get involved in, and brings incredible joy to children in need overseas.  The idea is to grab an empty shoe box, make it look pretty, pack it with lots of lovely goodies for children, and send it via Samaritans Purse to children in need this year.  The joy on their faces when they receive these simple gifts makes a little bit of effort soooo worthwhile! 

If anyone is interested in taking part, please visit the Samaritans Purse website http://www.samaritans-purse.org.uk/ - it's a fantastic activity and really gets people in the Christmas spirit!

I'll post some pics once the project gets started!  Tomorrow I'll be covering DNS Arrow with posters and challenging each department to see who can bring in the most boxes!