The Good Stuff Of...August

August. A funny month. The tale end of the summer, slowly but ever surely transitioning into autumn. You can feel the change. We have a saying here in the central belt of Scotland that "once the Bridge of Allan games are over, the nights draw in" and it's true. Since early August there has been a marked change in the nights. Street lights coming on around 8.45pm now...on a clear day. Earlier if it's been raining. And it's been doing that too. Like I say, August, a funny month.

Holiday - New York, New York!

But there's been some good stuff happening too. Perhaps the most exciting (for me) is that I went on another holiday. Yes, another New York holiday this year. Why the heck not eh! Cheap(ish) flights and a couple of bargains on Expedia for my hotels was the only impetus i needed to get me there. Thankfully the weather was fantastic and I even got my first bit of tan colour on my skin for the first time in YEARS! Downside - i got sunburn on the backs of my legs and it was so itchy that my legs are really scabby just now. Eesh. Anyway, sneak peek photos above. More photo heavy posts to follow in the next few days.


Connor

Connor

This guy started school a few weeks ago. He's 4 years old just now and I can't believe time has flown so quickly. He is one of the two best nephews an auntie could ever have. Swear to god. He's always smiling and is a right chatterbox, total opposite to his brother. Well I mean on the chatterbox front.

They both smile lots. And when they do the room lights up. I adore these little guys. They are my world right now and forever more. On his first few weeks at school he 'played sometimes', he 'didn't like the hymns we sang in the hall where we get gym', wasn't allowed to play football with the big boys because 'that we wuman told me I couldn't'. He ate chips, sausage egg and beans for his first school dinner (Jamie Oliver's healthy school meal initiative haven't reached these parts - several years on!!). Next week they get their school photos taken. I can't wait for the face he pulls in those. The week after that he'll be 5. A big boy. My boy. Connor.

Fitness

Picture from Kayla Itsines Website

It's fair to say my fitness is pretty decent. I go to the gym/classes at least four times per week, five times most weeks. But I've hit another plateau. I can't fathom why other than simply our bodies get used to the exercise routines that we get in to and the food that we eat. Although, swear it, I have really made the effort to cut down on sweets. I'm not going to say 'junk food' because I do eat decent food. But it's the sweeties for me. I really am addicted to sugar I think. Cold turkey may be the only option.

Anyway, the point of my story is that I happened upon Kayla Itsines and her 12 week bikini body guide. Now normally anything that mentions bikini bodies would be a big turn off for me considering the fact that I bought a bikini back in 2003 and have yet to wear it in public! True story. But, I got past the headline and read on her website. It got me curious enough to check out her Instagram and see all of these fabulous transformations, on a Tuesday (transformation Tuesday, geddit!). Granted, most of the girls in those pictures are in no way overweight but what they say is that they are out of shape and need toning up. So yeah, after perusing the website and those addictive 'fitspo' (shite word, by the way) pictures I bought her guide and downloaded it. Much to my amazement (and relief) most of the exercises in the guide are what I do at circuits / insanity / shockfit classes so that was good. They are realistic, achievable and most importantly you don't need lots of equipment therefore doing them at home is fairly simple. Now, if I'm totally honest, I bought the guide back in July and haven't really started it yet because I'm not sure where I'm going to fit it into my current routine. I know I could substitute a few of my classes for this routine but...

The guide is really informative and there's loads to read before you even get to the exercises. It's all about education from the outset = good. You have 12 weeks to complete it. There's 3 circuits per week with different themes of abs, cardio, legs etc. She says they take around 27 minutes to do, which is about the same time as my insanity classes. I plan on adding it into my weekly routine, somehow. I'll let you know how I get on. And believe me if my body turns out like those in the transformation Tuesday pictures you'll be seeing them too! *wink*.

And that was just some of the good stuff of August. Albeit a little later than hoped.

Angela x

Nephews, Brothers

I haven't mentioned those boys in a while. You know them. My nephews, Connor 3 and Ryan 6.

I popped in to see them tonight after work and town. They were all upstairs are Dad is about to start painting their rooms. You see they've been busy with paints and pencils. Mostly over the walls next to their beds. It is a mess. A funny mess though.

Tonight their mum and my dad were cleaning the rooms out in preparation for the decorating. Ryan started helping and Connor was playing with an old toy laptop of Ryan's.

He was sitting at a little desk and pressing the buttons. "Look Angie I done a number". "Look Granda it's a B"... then ...

"Look Ryan I did a 5". Ryan runs over to where he was sitting. Looked at the tiny VTech screen and said "Oh yeah, cool!", patted Connor's back and gave his head a little kiss.

I melted.

My Nephews. The best ever. It's a pleasure to watch them grow and have so much love inside of them for each other.

Signing off: Proud Aunty Angie x

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Five Things on a Friday #16

yes, yes, on a Monday! I know, I'm late, again....read on.

1) This song. This version of this song. That is all.




Ok, so it's American Idol. But this guy has got it. His name: Phillip Phillips, what's not to love! I like that the music seems to flow through every part of his whole being. I love his raspy tone. I love his little shoulder shakes and that he reminds me of Chris Martin. I like this a lot. Oh and the girl is pretty decent too. I'd kinda missed this song when it was big and at number one in some chart for ages. But on hearing it lots lately I decided to hunt it down and found this version. I realised I hadn't really listened to all of the words and when i did I found they resonated. So, this has been on constant playback.

2) I saw Salmon Fishing in the Yemen yesterday. Yes, yes, nice little movie. Ewan McGregor's character is a bit weird, but nice all the same. I spent half the film wondering if his character was meant to act like he had asberger's or was this their way of portraying a backward thinking scientist from Scotland. hhmmmm. anyway that's not what number 2 is about. It's all about ZAC EFRON. Oh Yes! I know he's a baby but my goodness have you seen the trailer for The Lucky One. He appears to have aged (a little bit) and grown into a bona fide hottie. Check, it, out!....

3) Will.I.Am... I have to admit i thought Will.I.Am was the least person I'd like off of the Black Eyed Peas. The only thing i remember him for is on XFactor miming badly with auto-tune-a-plenty. But, cue The voice (on BBC1). It's really good and a much better version of a reality TV show. Then i heard about the coaches (they're not judges on the Beeb you see). Jessie J, Sir Tim Jones, Danny Whathisface off of The Script and William. I wasn't too eager but then i saw the first show and when they all sung I gotta feeling on the first night i was hooked. They all work well together and I actually like them all on this show. But Will.I.Am is excellent. Really knows what he's talking about and is usually right when going with his gut instinct. His little facial features and cool personality have really changed my opinion of him. I want to be his pal! I think a lot of people are surprised by how much of a nice guy he seems. I say seems because you never can really tell from a TV screen can you. Also, he seems pretty tiny. Can anyone clarify this? Fanks.

4) Light nights. The street lights aren't coming on now until about 8.50pm. We timed it. I love the light nights. I love the sunsets on a day when it's been showering with rain one minute and bright sunshine the next. You get lovely cloud formations and we all know i live a nice cloud formations. Here's one I took five minutes ago (9.10pm).

5) my mum and dad. I may not have a close circle of friends but these two share everything with me. I'm so lucky to have such a great set of parents. Sometimes i wish they'd give out more hugs, some hugs. Hugging is not big in this house you see but you know when you just know... You know that hands down, life or death they'd be there, fighting my corner. We don't say the love word that often either. Truth be told i can;t remember the last time i heard it but, like i said, you just know. Don't you...

Angela x

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Happy Birthday Connor

Today, there's not really much to say except HAPPY BIRTHDAY Connor!!

Connor is two today. Connor is the second half of the 'greatest nephews in the world' duo.

 Time has flown since he arrived on a muggy Thursday evening. He slipped into the world a happy laid back little boy. He loves guitars and singing and bouncing on the trampoline and playing with his big brother Ryan. He brings joy into our lives every day with his fantastic little personality.

Saying goodbye to Wee Bri who is off to Oz via Bangkok amd Vietnam

He's not a complainer. He's not really grumpy. He's always on the go, except when he naps around 2pm! He can talk this hind legs off a donkey and Baby Jake is one of his favourite shows on CBeebies.

Tonight we will celebrate with songs and cake.

Angela x

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Happy Birthday Ryan

Today we celebrate the birthday of my beloved nephew Ryan. It is a milestone birthday, what with him being 5, Five, V, and that. He had a birthday cake at nursery this morning and will get another one later on when the family descend on his house.

I'd got him some books and an All Saints skull t-shirt for his birthday (he loves The Cat in The Hat) but i figured with him being only five he'd also appreciate a toy of some sort. So yesterday, after a few weeks of false starts on this trip, i took him to Hamley's in Glasgow where he was presented with lots of choice. However, there would be a limit! We headed straight for the Toy Story area, then Ben 10, the Skalectrix and then to the demo area where you can play with the remote controlled cars. We were there for a good twenty minutes and i thought he'd have chosen the remote car but no. We moved to another section that had fire engines (he wants to be a fireman when he's a big boy, that or a drummer!). But he has loads of fire engines in various shapes and sizes. But guess what he chose as his birthday toy?....

An £8 police car. "There's no flashing lights or anything" I said. "It doesn't matter, i can play with it with my own hands" was his reply. I smiled. He has a great imagination. Only the other day did he come home with his nursery report card that said he loved the sciences, playing with the animals and...wait for this... a rhythm for music, especially drumming. My sister was delighted to hear that! He's also good on the computer too. Reason number 54 why i always have to go into the Apple store when we go to Glasgow...

Watching Fireman Sam on the iMac's in the Apple store. Its what they're made for

Five years ago today our lives changed for the better when Ryan arrived in it. A timid little boy with a great heart and a bigger soul, he's caring, considerate, highly energetic, has a nifty left foot on him but he hates getting his hair cut. He loves his little brother so much although they're always play fighting.

Right now he's outside sporting a 5 badge and hitting a football off the wall. Brilliant.

Most of all, for me, he makes me smile and laugh and brightens up my day whenever I see him. If you met him he would do he same for you i'm sure.

Apparently i'm not his auntie, i'm his Angie. And that is damn fine with me.

Happy birthday Ryan, Love, Angie xxxx

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Emotions

You know when you have one of those days that you seem to feel low. I'm not saying I'm totally grumpy because i wasn't today but i just felt like I need a huge big hug from someone. I still do.

I was at the dentist on Monday and had two fillings. Note: I wasn't in pain or anything but she noticed at my last check up that i needed the. So... Lower left hand side and upper right hand side. She wired right into me with the jags without even numbing the area first. Scaled and polished my teeth then set about doing the fillings. I could taste blood. The lower one took longer than expected and the upper one was causing me some pain but not bad.  It was more the whining noise of the wee tiny drill that was shooting right up past my eye and into my brain.

I left the dentist with a prescription and went to the chemist to collect then headed back to work. My mouth was numb and my tongue felt like it was hanging out like a big sloppy St Bernard dog. It wasn't, i don't think! the numbness started to fade as the day went on and i took a couple of painkillers as the pain was bad. Really bad.

Tuesday passed without much incident and only slight pain but today I couldn't and can't really eat on the right hand side as I catch myself testing it and even if i apply the slightest pressure I can feel a shooting pain. So this had me in a little downer today, much like when i got my car back from the garage after spending £600 and it still having the same problem as it had when it went in.

So I turned to Twitter to try to cheer me up and a few people did just that. I got a cup of tea and what was left of my working afternoon was fine as my mind had been taken off the pain. A few words and a laugh did that. Among the words were "I love you" from wondrous Carly (I stole one of her words: wondrous). Her saying that actually brought a tear to my eyes, in a good way. I am so glad to have people like this in my life. All of you good twitter folk. Glad. Happy. Honoured to have you all as my friends. I know the real ones.

Tonight driving home from spin class, i was thinking about a few of you and my family and Ryan and Connor and my plans for them and I got a bit emotional. Glad it was dark and foggy so no one seen me!

Thank you for being here. Thank you for being there. Thank you for being you, the genuine lovely people I have grown to love and continue to admire with each passing day. Keep being awesome.

Happy Birthday to my beautiful wee cousin Catherine Anne. Not so wee now at 25. Big love xxx

Angela xx

To all quite simply THANK YOU - namaste

So it’s just over 3 days until lift off.... The past year has flown by quicker than Jenson Button over that finish line in Australia yesterday!! It’s been a rollercoaster of a ride and there’s been some of the best times I’ve had. I’ve met loads of great people (some I’ve not met yet!!), been to loads of new places (with more still to visit) and taken part in loads of great activities: fundraising, swinging from the trees at Go Ape!, blogging, Friday lunching, climbing the hills of Scotland (plenty more still to do – but remember ‘I don’t have a tick list’!).... just lots of fun times...

With all of that in mind, I think it’s now time for some more thank yous to everyone who has made the last year possible and the future so very very bright! Here goes:

Mum, Dad, Karen (sister) and Ryan (the bestest nephew in the whole wide world!) – you’s are my everything Love you guy’s lots; my brilliant family too many to mention but you all know who you are; Linda for being always there and for listening to my talking about all manner of things, for your fantastic fundraising efforts, Christmas card making and cake baking and a true friend; Brigitte for your endless support, encouragement and a good friend; Donna a dear friend what more can I say, I’m just sorry we missed out on all those years but we’re making up for it now; Bernie for being a good friend and a long distance pen pal; Susan thanks for everything you are a great friend, a brill mummy and an inspiration; Andrew thanks for the very cool quiz night posters and for sharing your fantastic pictures on Flickr – they really are amazing (check his pics out here, taken with an old fashioned Holga camera); Olly M quite simply thank you, for your wise words, encouragement, fabulous films, great pictures and I’m glad I can now call you a friend; Kev, Chris, Ian H, Sharon, Ian Mc, Douglas, Louise, Vikki, Billie, Tara, Suzanne, Dorothy a great bunch of fantastic friends and workmates; to everyone at work in DASS that has sponsored me, bought my cakes, came to the quiz night, encouraged me, helped me and hopefully read my blog! – thank you all; Jackie O and the fabulous members of the Ochils Mountaineering Club thanks for taking me under your wings and up the mountains, yes ‘tis true people I am now officially a member of the OMC (I have a card and everything!!); Martin McGarvey a pal, a great source of information and still a huge inspiration – Good Luck in 2010 I know you will do it!; Michael for your wise words and your offer to take me up the hills – I’m holding you to that when I get back; PTC is that really your name! Keep writing that marvellous blog, your stories, foties and kit advice are great!; all the inspirational speakers I’ve heard over the past few months Simon Yates, Kenton Cool, Ian Parnell, Es Tressider, Kev Shields, Olly Metherell and Niall McNair - the simple words and fabulous panoramas you offer really do provide lots of inspiration to lots of people - keep it up!; Dave and Claire MacLeod I’m an avid reader of your blog and congratulations on the ever-continuing success of Echo Wall - a great film that even us non-climbers got hooked on within the first few minutes – inspiring!; Alison Culshaw, Claire Maxted and Tom Bailey thanks for taking me up a munro in the Cairngorms and giving some great memories and photos of the day (see Trail magazine Oct o8 edition); Jackie Johnson from Marie Curie Cancer Care, thanks for your help and encouragement; to all the lovely 4th year students who will graduate in June including Karen A, Andrew H, Frazer, David C, Nina, Matthew, Gwyneth, Gareth S, David P, Gemma, Alex S, Lyndsay H and everyone else so sorry I won’t be there when you guys hand in your dissertations but GOOD LUCK and you’re in safe hands at the office with Linda!; Paul Roberts at Terrevista Trails - thanks so much for the sleeping bag liner much appreciated; to Mark Beaumont the first person to really inspire me way back in early 2008 with his solo round the world cycle, it gave me a fire in my belly and compelled me to step outside my comfort zone, take on a new challenge and live life to the fullest that I can – Thank you, truly.

And finally to new friends Kate F, Ruth R, Andy W, Emma C and the other members of team Charity Challenge EBC 2009, can’t wait to meet you all!!

To all I simply say thank you... for everything.

Ange xxxxx

Pictures done on Wordle.net

More pictures and larger sizes here: http://www.flickr.com/photos/ange77h/sets/72157616028845491/

Training... or should that be raining?

It's been a while since I've provided any updates on my 'training' plan for the trek. So here goes. I've been trying to get out walking in the hills as much as I can (to find my hill legs I was told!) but it's not always possible. To be honest for the first month after Christmas I wasn't as focused as I could have been but over the past month I seem to have gotten a second wind and am blasting the training. Hitting the gym after work at least 4 times a week and even started tentatively running again last week. No big deal you might think but before I couldn't run longer than about 4 minutes without knee pain. Pacing myself was what was required so I've been doing intervals on the treadmill for 30 minutes at a time. Next is usually the cross-trainer, stepper machine and then some weights for the upper body. I'm trying to be good and follow the advice of the fitness officer and do my stretching afterwards. A must for my very tight IT bands and hamstrings!!! It seems to be going fine just now but I felt a little twinge in my left knee last night so tonight I went for a long walk.

It took me out through Bridge of Allan and up to Dunblane. The nights are getting lighter so I don't feel scared walking along the road. Anyway it goes like a fair with the traffic - non stop. I walked and walked for 2 hours and as I was going the sound of the cars, the noise of my waterproof trousers rubbing, my breathing... I fell into a rhythm. I kept at it for 2 hours non-stop only briefly stopping to cross the roads at strategic points. As I was walking the rain wasn't too bad - that small smirry rain that doesn't really bother you but gets you real wet. There wasn't much wind either on the outward leg of my journey but coming back in it was lashing my face. I thought to myself there's no-where I'd rather be! Getting out in the fresh air, rain hitting off my glasses wind blowing in my hair - good times. Simple.

As ever on these walks my mind races ten to the dozen and as I approached Dunblane I was suddenly hit with sadness. It was Wednesday 13th March 1996 when we received the terrible, shocking, numbing news that my wee cousin John had been killed at the primary school. Terrible terrible time it was for all concerned. He was only 5. Sadly I can remember it like it was last week but I also remember with much joy and fun his last words to me. We were having a laugh and he was running out our front door, I ran after him (it was the joke) and he shouted 'Angie, yer jist a big silly!' - cute. He ran away hee-hawing and laughing up the street as I pretended to run and catch him. I hope he's watching over me on this trek - gonna need some extra strength from somewhere.

So I made it back to the car at work in 2 hours. Not sure how many miles that was but it was a good wee walk. Must do more of these. *5 minutes later* Just checked a nice little tool on the web, mapmywalk.com and it confirmed I've walked 6.72 miles in 2 hours. Not too bad eh.

So that is the training for now. More hill days are required so if anyone out there reading this is looking for someone to take up the hills please let me know. I can provide a compass and sweeties, you must provide the map and expertise?? Offers?

I almost forgot about my little black book I've bought to take on the trek. No, not a 'little black book' in that way!! It's currently an empty notebook but my plan is to get some friends and family to write in it so I can look at it as some sort of encouragement at the end of a hard days trekking. I'm also gonna write record some of my own thoughts and feelings along the way, kind of like a diary and then I'll transfer it all to this blog afterwards. It's also got a secret pocket at the back so some photos are going in there. I'm quite a sentimental person really - in case you haven't noticed ha ha.

I'm off now, going to book my Edinburgh - Heathrow flight (eek!!!!!!) and then early to bed tonight. Busy day tomorrow. Might venture up to Fort William for the Mountain Festival. Still undecided at this point..... hhmmmm....

be safe out there
Ange xx

Music: Still loving Kings of Leon album 'Only by the night'. Great for the gym...