Monday, May 31, 2010

Bank Holiday Gardening!











Hi. Just a day of gardening. See the photos above!
Transplanted my 15 tomato plants into bigger pots.
Dug a new flower border and got a blister in the process.
Lovely sunny day and Ernie is away.
Off to the cinema tonight to see 'Sex in the City 2'.
Am looking forward to it despite it being over 2 hours long.
Watching the wonderful 'Mary Poppins' at the moment.
Thinking about Ernie slaving away at the meeting in Derby today!

Bethany.








Sunday, May 30, 2010

Going solo!

Hi. Today has been a church day.
I love church. I have been going regularly now for 6 years.
I have moved from Catholicism to a more ecumenical faith.
My time at St George's, Anglican, has been wonderful.
Today I organised the ringing of the 12 bells there this morning.
Then I sang in the choir for Parish Communion.
The Norwegian Ladies Choir sang beautifully and joined in with the 3 of us choristers.
There were no men in the choir today, which was unusual, but so many people are on holiday.

This afternoon I cleaned the house.
David cooked me a huge lunch, and I ate it all!
I provided the oate apple crumble.

This evening I went solo in the Evensong.
I was the only Choir Member to turn up.
There were 2 other ladies in the congregation of 10.
However all I could hear was my voice as soprano.
Really I am an alto!
It was good to see Harvey the Organist playing, having semi-retired.
The Vicar is off to a Retirement Course this week, as he retires soon.
He has been ordained for 35 years!
I do not want him, or his devoted wife, to leave the Parish.
He has transformed St George's and worked very hard.
His boots will be big to fill!

Bethany.

Saturday, May 29, 2010

My Gorgeous Nephew!

Hi. Well I was well and truly Aaron-ised today.
How is a 17 month old so lovely.
He has a gorgeous smile and is cheeky.
He loves climbing on everything.
His walking is getting better now, although his little legs are still a wee bit wobbly.
Jo and I took him for a walk and he liked the birds.

I read this afternoon at Mass.
I have Mass tomorrow as well but in a different denomination!
Ecumenical or what!

Ernie has gone to Derby and miraculously his headache has gone.
Amazing isn't it what a beer festival can do?!

Weather - cold and wet. Well, the garden needed it.
Bank holiday weather again.
Thank goodness the wedding was last week and not today - I would have frozen.

Bethany.

Friday, May 28, 2010

Tired and stressed!

Hi. Well, yesterday was busy.
The highlight was looking after my nephew in the afternoon.
Then the home group at the Vicarage.
Here we talked about Pentecost and sang a lovely hymn; 'Freely, Freely...'

Today has been about cleaning the church and gardening for my Nana.
Later is a concert that a Norwegian Choir are singing at the church.
Should be entertaining.
It did not help that they arrived at 11am when I had the hoover everywhere.
I had to finish the hoovering and miss out a row of pews because of them all.

My landlord has laid down a big path by the side of the house.
I thought it would be small but we seem to have a new patio!

Tomorrow Ernie flies to Derby.
I have the house to myself for 3 days - hurrah!
Eurovision on saturday - we will see!

Bethany.

Wednesday, May 26, 2010

Preparing for JOGLE 2011

Hi. Well I have the registration form for JOGLE 2011.
There are 2 training weekends to go to.
I am looking forward to doing these and meeting fellow JOGLE'Rs.

Today has been busy.
Gym, Pub Lunch and shopping.
The garden is coming on well.
Ernie is surviving with shingles.
I am tired today. Fortunately our landlord is putting in a path tomorrow in the garden.
This means i do not have to do it!
Our landlord is wonderful!

Best wishes,
Bethany.

Tuesday, May 25, 2010

Green Fingers!

Hi. Well it has been another sunny day.
I gardened for my grandmother in the morning and did my garden this afternoon.
Who said gardening was cheap?
It cost me £60 today!

Ernie is still suffering with shingles.
I am going bellringing tonight and fortunately Ernie is well enough to go too.

I am really pleased with my garden.
Everything is growing! Green fingers!

Bethany

Monday, May 24, 2010

Champagne on the beach!


Hi. This afternoon David and I celebrated my 177 miles of JOGLE. We drank pink champagne on the beach in the beautiful hot sunshine.
We were the only people on the beach! It was lovely - thanks David.
Now I am back home with a sick Ernie - he has shingles! Wonderful! I have cooked for him and ironed his 5 shirts, as he seems incapable of doing anything. He is off for a week - how I will cope I do not know! Ill Men!


Sunday, May 23, 2010

Mega BBQ sizzled!



Here are some photos of Jo and Ron's wedding.



Hi. The wedding yesterday was superb - very well organised.

Jo looked gorgeous. Ron, Aaron, the Best Man and Usher looked debonair.

It was a wonderful day - hot and sunny - and Aaron was a star!


The bride's 'first dance' was amazing - 10 dances in 6 minutes!



Today Ernie and I cooked a BBQ for 16 people - relatives and friends.
It has been lovely seeing my Canadian relatives after 6 years.
Hopefully it will not be six years before I next see them.
Bethany.












Saturday, May 22, 2010

The Wedding of the Century

Hi. Well, the wedding and baptism is now over.
What a fantastic day!
Jo looked so beautiful and Aaron and Ron were very smart.

I will blog more tomorrow with photos.
Mega BBQ permitting!

Bethany.

Friday, May 21, 2010

Family

Hi. Today my sports massage and injury therapist, John, looked at my poorly calf.
He advised me not to run for a while until it is healed.
He massaged it and put a laser on it.
He is racing in the TT motorbike races so I hope he does not get hurt.

This afternoon I received a cheque from the STAR Club to go towards my running.
I have raised several hundred pounds for this mental health charity.
It was lovely to receive the money.

I met my Canadian Aunt today, my Mum's sister,
She is across with her family for the wedding tomorrow.
It was lovely seeing her as I have not seen her for many years.
She has not changed!
Aaron was being a cheeky boy as usual!

Tomorrow: the wedding of the year!

Bethany.

Thursday, May 20, 2010

Aaron's Christening Cake


Hi. Decorated the christening cake this morning.

Took me 3 hours but it looks stunning.
Am really pleased with it.
No idea how it will be cut.
The 3 Disney figures were bought.
The marzipan roses and daffodils I did.
This afternoon I had an MOT at my Doctors Surgery.
I have a few psychiatric problems at the moment.
I am experiencing panic attacks and the anorexia voice is talking in my head.
I cannot afford to lose any more weight.
The nurse arranged for me to see my psychiatrist next wednesday.
I will increase my meds in the meantime.
I hate panic attacks and although I can control them, I cannot stop them starting.
I look forward to getting back to running, but need to see John tomorrow re my calf.
Bethany.


Wednesday, May 19, 2010

Core Stability maxed!

Hi. Today I had my first core stability class.
This was after 45 minutes in the gym.
I really enjoyed the class and learnt alot of exercises.
There were 6 of us in the class.

After David and I enjoyed a pub lunch.
Then food shopping.
Tonight TV. Am watching 'Stephen Fry -Secret Life of a Manic Depressive'.
Having this condition, I am interested to find out about Stephen's experience.

Bethany.

Tuesday, May 18, 2010

Bees are getting bigger!

Hi. Been a lazy day really. No running - plenty of resting.
Caught up with lots of little jobs this morning.
Praying at the same time my left calf will heal.
Booked a sports massage with John Barton from Crosby Injury Clinic for Friday.
I thoroughly recommend going to him.

This afternoon i helped exercise a severely brain damaged 3 year old boy.
Unfortunately the other lady 'forgot' so there was just his Mum and I.
How you forget a regular appt to help a very disabled boy is beyond me.
Oh well, I am sure there was a good reason but was it good enough?

There was an enormous bee in the house today.
Fortunately I got it in a cup and put it back outside in the garden.
I have never seen such a big bee - must be plenty of nectar around.

This evening I am busy - PCC meeting at church.
This is my first meeting as I was voted on the committee a month ago.
I hope it does not go on for too long! I want to be in bed by 10pm!

Bethany.

Monday, May 17, 2010

Free Travel to the Cotswold100Ultra?

Hi. Well it has been an easy day today - watching Eddie Izzard again this morning.
This afternoon was wedding preps for saturday.
I had a shock that my bra size now is a meagre 32B!
I know i have lost weight but I am now slowly disappearing - it seems!
Anyway I am all ready for my sister's wedding.

I am hoping the Steam Packet will give me free travel.
This is the only way I can afford to run the Cotswold100Ultra.
It is 100 miles of hills in under 30 miles.
Last year I ran it in 26 hours 55 minutes.
I would like to beat that time on Friday 25th June 2010.

Last night the video recorder did not record the results of 'Young Musician'.
The programme overan and so the video missed the last 10 minutes!
I had to go to bed praying Lara the pianist had won it.
I found out on BBC News this morning she had.
She is an amazing and very talented musician.
Makes my previous guitar playing look pathetic.

Bethany.


Bethany.

Sunday, May 16, 2010

Sunday Dinner With Friends

Hi. Well this morning was more or less a write-off.
I was too exhausted to make it to bellringing or church.
The all-age praise worship service went very well, apparently.
I stayed at home and watched the 'Great Manchester Run'.

Lunchtime involved cooking a roast dinner for 2 friends.
It went down very well and the rhubarb crumble was very good too.
We enjoyed an afternoon chatting and watching the Grand Prix.
Songs Of Praise from Port Sunlight was entertaining.

This evening I made it to Parish Communion at Church.
Unfortunately not many other people did.
The choir outnumbered the congregation 5 to 3!
I loved the hymn 'I the Lord of Sea and Sky'.
Towards the end I was exhausted - did not know singing was so energy sapping.
A cup of tea and a biscuit revived me and we dealt with the ants invading the church kitchen.

Tonight a night in front of the TV watching 'Young Musician Of The Year'.
The talent the musicians have is amazing.

I am now wondering whether to run the Cotswold 100Ultra.
I ran it last year - 100 miles in a circle through the Cotswolds, starting and finishing in Stratford.
It took me 26 hours and there were only 5 of us out of 8 who finished.
I know there are 27 runners entered and 5 are women.
I do not know if they are running the 50 miler or the 100 miler.
We will see....

Bethany.

Saturday, May 15, 2010

Catching Up Day

Hi. Well today has been a family and friends day.
I played with my toddler nephew at lunchtime at Mum's house.
He is growing fast and walking now.

This afternoon I called to see a friend I have known for 12 years.
We sat outside in the lovely sunshine.
I came home with plenty of fresh rhubarb from their garden.

I ran 3 miles today - an easy run with some gradual hills.
My legs seem better if I run a bit every day, as they seize up otherwise!

This time next week I will be a Bridesmaid and Godmother.
I am looking forward to meet my Canadian relatives on Friday.
They are flying from Edmonton for the wedding.

Bethany.

Friday, May 14, 2010

A better Day!

Hi. Well today has been good so far.
Mainly because I have had no alcohol today.
Have reduced my alcohol consumption to almost nil over the past 10 weeks.
However I succumbed to 3 pints yesterday at lunchtine with friends.
This triggered off the craving for it and the evening was hard work.
I still, however, have not drunk by myself in 10 weeks.

Have run 4 miles today. Running is easier on my left calf than racewalking.
I will run / walk the IOM end to end challenge in September.
I prefer running to walking and this will be good training for JOGLE 2011.
Obviously I will walk the actual end to end race on 26th September with the other walkers.

Made a pudding today - spiced apple amber.
Looks and smells good.
Cleaned the house today too in preparation for a visitor who is having dinner here on sunday.
The new BBQ worked very well yesterday evening.
Pity the sun was not shining!

The 3 JOGLER's are only miles away from the finish tomorrow at Lands End.
They are 3 incredible people.
I wish I was there to applaud them at the signpost.
Maybe next year I will be there.....

Bethany.

Thursday, May 13, 2010

JOGLE 2011

Hi. Day Two of my blog.
I signed up for JOGLE 2011 today. Must be mad but I had such a brilliant time on JOGLE 2010 that I want to attempt it again. Do not know how far I will get next year - hopefully past Spean Bridge. I so want to make it to Lands End! I need to get stronger for next years challenge. Lots of core stability exercises required as well as weights.

It is good to hear the rain against the window - the garden desperately needed a good drink.
I hope the 3 remaining guys of JOGLE 2010 are not getting wet and will reach the bus tonight.
Only one and a bit days to go to Lands End.
My prayers and thoughts are with you.

It is Ascension Day today and tonight's Mass went well.
It is sad to think Eastertide is over.
I really enjoyed the religious aspect of Easter this year.
The Watch on Maundy Thursday was really moving.

Bethany.

Wednesday, May 12, 2010

John O'Groats to Lands End

Hi. Welcome to my blog.
Bit of a learning curve to do this as I am not technologically minded!
Anyway I will see how it goes.

Well, the remaining intrepid 3 ultrarunners are approaching Lands End.
Wish I was running with them.
I managed 177 miles in 3 days, haqving to quit on day 4 with a bent back!
More core stability work required.
Am going to sign up to JOGLE 2011. 50 weeks to go before Hell and Heaven.
Thanks Rory and Jen for organising a wonderful event.
Thanks to the other 11 ultrarunners for their support and encouragement.

Got my next challenge lined up in September 18 weeks away.
Racewalking 400 miles in 10 days.
Am walking south to north of the Isle Of Man on the 17th Sep, north to south on the 18th etc.
Will finish the walk on race day on Sep 26th with about 300 other walkers.
Cannot wait to do this - racewalked 7 miles yesterday to start training.
Going to walk over 100 miles a week in the next 3 months.
TT gets in the way though, so a rest week will be called for.