Day 16 - Progress

Wow, what a day as far as progress is concerned.

This morning I was all dressed and ready for the gym, Cassidy was too sleepy to walk to school and we were running late so against my better judgement, I drove.  Mandy texted me... Coffee? hum, coffee, gym, coffee, gym, coffee gym??...... we met in Massimo for a catch up and a coffee.  Mandy is fantastic, together we could raise zillions of pounds for charity and we really should work together some day.  We threw some ideas around and had cake, in fact, we had two and shared them.....  I met Raj, a very charming man in Massimo and told him that I am taking on the Great Wall of China, I asked him if he would sponsor me and came out with a promise of £100! Fantastic.  Mandy, who is a marvel with raffle tickets and distribution said that she would help.. thanks hun x

Booked a lady called Catherine to visit West Lodge school on the 23rd of April to chat to the children about Marie Curie and all about the Great Walk.  This is so that we can get the kids interested and to have a mufti day where the children can come in wearing something yellow and pay £1 for the privilege.  I am also hoping to get the raffle tickets in every kids book bag!

Also sorted today was some POS (point of sale) from Marie Curie so that I can spread the word and put up  balloons, posters and aid boxes to bring in the cash and to make the hall look pretty with daffodils etc., on the night.

Today comprised of Dentist, Show at St Josephs (took £35 in sponsorship) and Doctor.  Had blood pressure taken and it was almost perfect.  Rachel had said that I may suffer from what is commonly known as "White Coat" (basically fear of people in white coats which raises your blood pressure)  I didn't believe it really but when the nurse, who was in a very pretty pink shirt took my blood pressure and it was fine, I began to think she may be right.

Tonight with the help of my 12 year old, and Judith (who thought she understood what Luke was doing but really she didn't have a clue!) we designed the invitations for the 14th April.

FRONT

This is just a draft of the invitation, I have yet to confirm the band, they are great and I have everything crossed that they will be with us Free of Charge!!!.... It will be a really great night so I hope you will be able to join me.  I also need to confirm the DJ and the Open Mike, so it may very well just be ME AND YOU!!!  What fun ..... you know I will book them, never fear!

Invitations will be on sale Tuesday 13th March, please call if you would like any reserved.

All proceeds will be going directly to Marie Curie.

Bethany 07795 652192

BACK

TOMORROW I PROMISE I WILL EXERCISE, I  GOT A LONG LONG WAY TO WALK!!!

Day 15 - Cake Cake Cake

Hmmmm, yesterday was more like a week, sad, really sad for the children, Luke was the worst as he is a very sensitive soul, Cassidy went totally quiet (very rare) and Savannah was just "sad" like me.

I was out at Ask in Watford celebrating Maleena's Birthday when Savannah text me, I was just about to order Cake.  Luke cried bitterly down the phone and told me there was no need to come home, at least I think that is what he was bravely saying in between howls.  So, totted off back to the car to tend to my sad children.

Morning came and I knew their would be a play for "no school."  I have got tough in my old age and my friend (who doesn't want to be mentioned in my blog) always encourages to stay strong and makes me see that my kids can fool me rotten, I did get all three off to school on time to make her proud.

Had a great day at work really, little bit of training which was different and a few emails flew around the office in search of raffle prizes.  So far I have:

A Kindle
Hamper from M & S
Champayne
Play Station or X Box (value of £250 I do believe)

From other sources I have achieved

A bouquet flowers
Hamper or similar from Waitrose
Free Canapes from Massimo (yum) for the party

I have asked Pizza Express if they will give us a load of free Pizza but haven't heard back yet

I have booked the venue, Pinner Arms, booked the bouncers on the door and even arranged another date in June for the Golden Jubilee on June 3rd between 4 - 6pm - family event with live band - this is where the raffle will be held.

I also spoke to the lovely Head Mistress, Mrs James at West Lodge School (Cassidy's school) and she has agreed to hold a Mufti Day where the kids can go in wearing something yellow for Marie Curie.  I am hoping to arrange for a team to go into the school to chat to the children about the Walk and about the good that Marie Curie do for Cancer sufferers.

I have asked both Nat West and Barclays Bank if they would be willing to match fund any money that I raise.

All I need to do now, is to locate a band that would play for free, a DJ, print the tickets, arrange the raffle tickets and sell them ALL... easy as pie!!! (actually, not sure where that saying comes from cause I can't cook pie for toffee - come to think of it I couldn't make toffee either).... that could go on all night so I will stop rambling.

Out again tonight for other friends birthday, Gilly.  Now Gilly is a very special friend of mine, she is one of those amazing people who you would pray will be in your life forever.  She has two fantastic sons, one of which she has literally fought for his life on more than one occasion.

I will never forget when I had Luke on the 14th April 1999 and Gilly came over with home made Jam, home made bread and a massive dish of home made lasagna.  When you have just had a baby and looking after a four year old, meals on wheels is a total godsend, especially when on your own (that's another story)!  However, talk about putting your own problems aside,  Gilly's youngest, Toby. was suffering with Cancer and awaiting a life saving operation and this amazing woman, still had time to visit me and bring me goodies.  This is something that I will never ever forget her doing.  She has been through hell and back this lady and she has now found happiness with a fantastic man who loves every bone in her body and it is a pleasure to see her smile and laugh with me whilst we shared antics over a bottle of wine.

I had a very healthy salad so don't think that I am not trying, obviously, it was followed by Toffee Pudding and lashings of custard but a girl must keep her strength up!!!

Lovely evening Gill - you are an inspiration and I love you dearly.  I am looking forward to the first signed copy of your book.

Tomorrow, I may even do some exercise...!!!

.

Day 14 - RIP

Unable to blog today....

RIP Gino the Chameleon x

Day 13 - Feeling Good

Yeah, up with a skip in my step - honestly felt quite chipper!

Got dressed in my light brown track suit and trainers and Cassidy pipped up "Oh Mum, please don't walk the Great Wall of China today?", I reassured her "OK my darling, I wont", at which point, Savannah comes in to my bedroom.... "Mum, please tell me you are not wearing that to the gym?" bemused, I couldn't figure out why, it was just a 17 year old tracksuit!

She disappeared for a few minutes and came back with a black pair of leggings that were just over the knee so that my hairy legs could be seen by all, a skimpy black top that meant that my hairy armpits could also be seen, obviously only when raised and to top this off, her sports bra that I had bought for her when she was in year 8.....  NOW, apparently, I look ready for the gym, so much so that she insisted on taking my picture on her Blackberry!!!!

Walked Cassidy to school, walked back, did 1 hour of work and then walked back to the gym.  I did make myself laugh out loud on the way... The guys in Massimo, the coffee/cake shop (but you probably figured that by now) know that I am "in training".  I stop just before their window, prepare myself, hold my stomach in and then jog merrily past, then stop as soon as I am past their window and walk the rest of the way.  They wave approvingly.... it is so funny, makes me laugh every time.

Now at the gym, go to the loo and then think that I am really late.  This was awful.... I walk around to the room I was in yesterday, no friend this time, and see that everyone is already on the floor with all of their equipment and little green things with poles and mats and stuff and I kind of panic.  I walk in, search around for a mat, find one, hit a lady in the head with it and then try to find some space... nowhere, it was totally full, If I put my mat down anywhere I would practically be on top of someone and that wouldn't do!  What now?  I had a terrible feeling of panic, then thought RUN...... Then the red faced lady that I hit with the mat told me that it was the end of a class and to GO AWAY!

I was so embarrassed that when we queued up for the class that followed, I hid my face in shame as the class emerged, literally covered my face and hoped that they would filter out really quickly... Rachel, I can hear you laughing at me from here!!!!!!

Right, in my class now and all I can think of is CAKE....

However, felt slightly better when the map of my route arrived (thanks Robin) xxx I wonder what the Chinese cakes taste like?

cake   [keik] 名 西点;饼;一块 (must learn this by heart) - however, I do know how to ask for cake in Japanese.... 

Thanks Les for all your help tonight, you are a star - I owe you lunch/dinner or both!

Day 12 - In Recovery

Up early, walked Cassidy to school and realised that I needed to change my thong as the elastic had gone and it just wouldn't do hoicking them up all the time whilst working out (actually, they I wasn't really wearing a thong only it sounds a bit sexier than my Bridget Jones knickers).

I met Rachel at Fitness First!!! Bless them, they have allowed me to join for what seems like NOTHING!! How kind is that?  I get to sweat prediculously, pant uncontrolably and almost pass out with exhaustion and it doesn't cost a thing - great!

Rachel took me by the hand as we were running late.  I had had to take myself to the ladies, not only to compose myself but to make sure that my bladder was empty in case we did any star jumps.  She led me forcefully and I followed reluctantly, reminiscent of my first day at nursery.  In this room, lay about 30 fit women, all looking dare I say it, older than me in their faces but so much younger in the body.

Rachel took control, she placed this big step thing with legs in front of me (it was too heavy for me to carry), she got this long pole thing and some small little yellow weights that she fixed some how to the ends.... her things on the ends were green and considerably bigger than mine... don't know why! So the first challenge was to pick this thing up, not too bad really, I kind of got into the swing of it and almost enjoyed myself.  I followed the instructor carefully and tried not to notice the lady with the fit bum who was sticking it out whilst exercising just to piss me off I think.  I glanced over at Rachel, not a drop of perspiration on her, pounding away at the weights like they were feathers, for a slight moment I kind of felt a little sorry for her husband Jason.

"Lie down with the bar across you as now you are going to do bench presses"


Easy, not a problem here, upper strength is OK, up, breathe and down, up breathe and down, over and over and over and over and over and over again.... then sit up and stretch... whilst everyone else was up and stretching out their toned arms I was still lying on my back unable to move... again, lie down another eight repetitions, up again and stretch..... I was still lying on my back unable to move...... again lie down (are you getting the picture) I was stuck with the bar over me until Rachel noticed my predicament and came to rescue me.  (She is not best pleased with my antics whilst she had me wired up to the blood pressure monitor - considerably low results - so I am in her bad books - a place you really don't want to be for long).

Then I hear "So, that was the warm up!!"" at which time I just couldn't believe it, I was knackered and we had only just warmed up, not possible, surely the class was over.  My head was spinning but I was desperately trying not to look phased in Rachel's eyes, I had upset her enough.  She was brilliant with me to be fair, very attentive, she make's a good Mum.  After this she was off to a tennis lesson - I hate her really!

After my lesson I found my Fitness Coach Jo, luckily a good friend of mine and it was great having a friendly face to take your measurements and measure your FAT!

This is what she logged

AGE: 46
Height 1.6m
Weight 10st 9lbs (love their scales, was worth it just to see that I had lost five pounds just changing scales)

Blood Pressure: 152/98 (sober)
Heart Rate: 55

Fat: 36%
BMI 26.6

Waist: 97cm
Hips 104cm
Bust 104cm

Can't help thinking that those measurements look like a sack of potatoes!!!!!

Walked home.... walked to school... went to work till 11pm

Tomorrow I go back to the gym again!

Day 11

Due to too much Cake, I have not weighed myself again today....

Up early, it was raining hard and I just couldn't sleep.  Thankfully, a quieter day than the previous days, 6 children over this afternoon for an Arts and Crafts lesson.

So, housework prevailed followed by mundane housey stuff that was long overdue.

Last week I handed out some invitations for a Craft session in aid of Marie Curie at £15 per head and had 6 kids with a dozen on the waiting list.  I just love it, I get so much pleasure in seeing the kids faces when I prove to them that they can draw, paint or be creative in some form or another.  Seeing their confidence rise and the expectations of themselves improve is what it is all about.  The work that these children produced was wonderful.  From canvas acrylic paintings to heart shaped jewellery boxes.  I started them off with a warm up on how to look at an image and translate that image onto the paper and they all concentrated and managed the task beautifully.

Cassidy: I had a wondiful time at the craft afternoon, it was grate and I want to do it again xxx


Little Lucy: I had the most wondifull time this aftenoon


Big Lucy: I had a nice aftenoon and that it was brilliant today and I want to come agen.


Harry:  That was fun, when can we do it again?


Caitlin: I really enjoyed myself, thank you Beth 


Rosie: Please can I come next time, it was really fun?


(If you have a child 5+ who would like to take part in one of these fun sessions, then either give me a ring or email me.  All proceeds go to Marie Curie Cancer Fund).


and


Thank you Les for giving Luke his very first electric guitar lesson - he was buzzing!

Wild a Heart on TV and now off to bed for a well deserved "early night"

PS... no exercise today, thought I would give my body a rest... just ate chocolate and cake instead... ops

Day 10 - I am so proud of my Kids!

READERS OBSERVATION:  It has been brought to my attention that EVERY DAY in my blog... I mention : CAKE! 


Didn't weigh myself this morning, thought better of it... Last night was hysterical.... Did I mention that Rachel wired me up with a 24 hour blood pressure monitor?  She is a heart technician and she kind of borrowed a monitor from work for me as I think she might be worried that I may have a heart attack on the tennis court!

However, a word to the wise (I feel another quote coming on), do not get drunk when you have one of these contraptions around your arm and around your neck and around your waist... why, I will tell you why.  At 2am when we decided enough was enough, I went upstairs to bed.  Took off my T-shirt and realised that I couldn't get it off the tubes and wires!  It was inter-twinned and there was no end (it gets worse), then, I took off my bra, which was also attached to me... so, T-Shirt and Bra off my body but hanging on like they never wanted to leave.

I didn't know what to do, I thought it might be a good idea to put the arm hole of my bra over my head and try to slip it off, it got stuck around my left boob, I tried to loosen the strap but it was so tight that my boob was going blue! There was no way in a million years this was going to get around my waist!!!  Then, I looked at the T. Shirt and thought, well, maybe I could cut it off, along with the bra, but the bra was an expensive favorite and the T-Shirt was one of the only ones left without paint on! Cutting was not an option. So, it you could get the picture, I am completely tied up, with one blue boob and a nearby death experience of the wires wrapped around my neck, naked apart from these hanging garments and the only person in the house still awake was DAVE!!! I couldn't call him, could I?  I ummmmed and arrrrhed for about 30 seconds and thought there was no way I could let him see me looking like that! Apart from the fact that he was inebriated and a little high, I think, even though he doesn't suffer with the weakness of bladder that I do, he would have wet himself laughing.  I slept, with my bra and my T-shirt wrapped around me like a boa constrictor.

Woke up early to realise that I could actually take off the arm band that was restricting my blood supply (can't be right really) and then thread my garments through thus freeing myself!  It actually wasn't that difficult! I then, once again laughed at myself so hard that just a little wee escaped!!!

 I took Mr Price to the station as he had a meeting with Bob Geldof , I did ask Dave to have a chat with him about Fund Raising but he just didn't have the time.

Back home and over to my buddy, via... you guessed it... Massimo.  Purchasing a big box of delicious Portuguese cakes and, Cassidy on her Bike and me on Todd's massive Red Scooter, made our way down Paines Lane.  Wow... what fun, it was like riding on a wheelbarrow, I went so fast down the hill that it was only then that I realised I had no idea where the brakes were! Crashed spectacularly into Cassidy sending her flying and me crumpled on the floor... both of us laughing uncontrollably.  Nothing broken, not even the cakes, we continued on our venture.

You know, to change the subject slightly like I do, I was just thinking how proud I am of my children.. On collection from school, Cassidy had 10/10 for her spellings, which were quite tough, Luke had two good news notes and Savannah had been awarded two distinctions at College, however, it is so much better than that.

Yesterday, when my friends middle child ran away from home it was a frightening few hours.  I was searching the streets of Pinner.  I called Savannah who has a real connection with her eldest son in the hope that, out of anyone, he would pick up his phone to her.  Eventually she managed to get through, he was on his way to Harrow and he agreed to meet her.  She texted me to let me know!  10 minutes later she is on the phone to me again saying that he has said "don't bother, I want to be on my own and I am getting the next train" and he hung up.

I reminded Savannah what she is good at, acting, and told her to use every power she could muster to get him to get off the train and meet her... blag any story she could but she must stop him.  It was getting dark and emotions were high enough already.  Finally, she caught up with him at Wembley Stadium where he agreed to stay until she arrived.  She had done it (standing under the arch she did ask a local passerby where Wembley Arch was!!), that aside, she hugged him and took him to McDonalds for dinner but not before calling us immediately to let us know that he was safe. She chatted to him and later told me that it was strange that all his emotions and all his thoughts were exactly the same as hers just a year before, the anger, the hate but also the love and sadness were so conflicting that a young person would find it impossible to decompartmentalise - hence their brains just go into some kind of protective overdrive that she was desperate to avoid.

She did a sterling job and arrived home with him safe and sound at 8pm.

Meanwhile, Luke arrives at my friends on his bike, red in the face and dripping with perspiration. Her youngest, wanted him, so Luke ditched his friend Brandon and cycled over like a bat out of hell to be with him.

We overheard Luke: "It does get easier, you wont believe me, just like I didn't believe anyone when they said it to me, but things get better, it will pass...... ", He told him not to hold on to his emotions and to let them out, talk whenever he can and not to hold any grudge for too long as it would not be healthy for him.  He said that his Dad would always be his Dad whatever he had done and that the relationship between them would hopefully improve.  He said that he would be there for him anytime to chat.  Luke is 12.

Their Dad had an affair with her (then) best friend almost two years ago... he was giving a chance.. he blew it!

My evening comprised of "The Return of Dave" and another Blue masterpiece, it is a massive huge canvas, totally amazing!  We have called it "Atlantic", it is a work of pure art and will take about 3 weeks to dry, the paint is so thick you could almost swim in it.  It was great fun and Dave and I continued to laugh well into the early hours (to the point of almost wetting myself yet again)... however..... the relief to remove the blood pressure machine was epic! I am looking forward to tomorrow... bring it on.....

Day 9

A productive day but also a sad one...

Walked with Cassidy to school today in the hope of being able to chew the cud with my friend Mandy but unfortunately her little girl was poorly so I had to go it alone!  Strode back through the park in long wet grass - squelch squelch (well I couldn't go "UNDER" it), shoes got wet, socks got wet, hair went frizzy in the fog, nose running (I certainly wasn't) and back home.  I attempted to pop into Ruth but she was on the way to me so she agreed we should walk together.  Tea first we thought, followed by our usual banter and handful of cookies, then we ran out of time for our walk and she went home.  Arh well, I would have to hoover again, I do think I may have a little obsession with the hoover!

Collected Cassidy in the car as we had the dentist, collected Luke and Savannah on the way and went on our family outing! A tiny filling later, a good chat with our friendly dentist Sarah and the promise of being allowed to hang my paintings in their waiting room to sell for Marie Curie, so quite a productive hour.

Called The Pinner Arms to confirm that the 14th of April for our Charity Party, booked a band, decided on an open mic and got the offer of a very good free DJ..... excellent.

Later, walked to the gym with the pretense of joining with my £20 firmly stuffed in my back pocket when I receive an SOS call from my friend -  A search for her Son took higher priory over the gym - if I were going to have an excuse than that was a good one.

It is so sad when a family break up... I should know having been through it, you think the world is going to end and as a Mum you feel more pain for your children than you do for yourself.  You hold back your own feelings and predominately hurt inside for them.  My dearest friend and her beautiful kids in crisis was so hard for me to see.  Such amazing children, all three with a specialness about them that is second to none.  A softness, a kindness a beautiful feeling of love from each of them and to see them hurting was like seeing my own do the same just a year previous.

QUOTE:  My Dad always says to me when I am feeling like there is just nowhere out "It will pass Beth."

And indeed, in time the pain does pass, however, nothing is really forgotten!

Son located, hugs given, reassurance followed and not far behind that was an Indian Takeaway.  I tried, I tried really hard to resist but the temptation of the onion bhaji was just far too strong, the waft of the thick grease and the pungent smell of the burnt onions tickled my taste buds beyond reasonable control.

ADVICE OF THE DAY:  Do not weigh yourself after you have eaten curry for at least three weeks!

Evening entertainment comprised of Dave and Monika - who could ask for a better way to finish off such a day... thank you guys xxx

An Early Morning Quote

If you breathe in when you weigh yourself.... it makes NO DIFFERENCE!
Same if you eat CAKE ... lol x

11st 1lb

Day 8

Oh Dear....walked lazily to school with Cassidy, drove to work... ate nuts and stuff with Jacs and felt fat and unfit!!! Jac told me that if she doesn't go running then she feels awful... I feel awful if I go running, even walking for that matter!!! This is not funny.... After work, I did walk to get Cassidy and came back the long way through Pinner.  I say long, well, Pinner is Pinner and about the distance of a gnat's throw in comparison to the WALL! Ho Hum... I did stop at the Gym to take a look at some of the fit young bodies on the tread mills, it actually made me feel physically sick, some of them just weren't stopping, I watched in wonder as to how they are doing it, muscles pumped, hair dripping with sweat.. me, with my sticky bun in one hand and a book bag in the other - I just didn't belong.

Stuart.. that was his name, a very good looking fit young man approached me as I was staring uncontrollably at all the activity... "Can I help you?" I think he said.. hmmmmm - this is when I was hoping that Cassidy needed a wee or desperately wanted to go home but she has found amusement flinging around a plastic bag full of bird seed we had purchased for our friendly Robin.  I was a bit lost for words and when I should have said "NO" I found myself asking the nice man how much it cost to join.  He was kind, understanding and could clearly see that I was in need of help both physically and mentally.  He started at a figure of £52 per month which was well above my zero budget... after about half an hour of haggling and a bucket load of hootspa (meaning to have energetic nerve or to be feisty without violence but using humour) a gentle touch of his muscular hand and a little twinkle in my eye and I bartered him down to £20, that with Camelot paying half I kind of recon I could afford a tenner a month to get this old body into shape.  He also threw in some personal trainer as he saw the desperation in my face and my confusion at all the modern equipment!  Only thing to decide now is... when to start going. Must tell Rachel... she will help me.

So back home, via Massimo, decided I deserved a Coffee and a cake (which incidentally was on the house and very yummy), dinner, biscuit, Glee and bed. Long walk planned tomorrow with lovely Mandy. Fit Beth to follow... watch this space.