this is it!

Tomorrow's the 'day'! up and out early with my best clothes, bag in hand and my bestest 'teacher' voice! lol. I have done so much preparation that I have enough work to last me til about June. It's not concientiousness that drives me, it's fear of not having enough to do and having all these faces looking at me saying 'what now/" lol
Training for the run for kids (14.7km- I think) is going well. Running a bit more each week and still able to use my legs afterwards. I ran on Saturday- 6km straight- and my hammy was mega sore. Stretched afterwards ( ooooooohhhhhh the bliss and pain of it!) and amazingly I was fine for the rest of the day and the day after- phew! I'm not having any problems making the distances lung-wise, it's just the aches and strains that I'm carrying, but maybe I've now turned the corner!

Here we go again!

TAFE starts next week and I'm starting to get that 'school feeling'. You know the one where you wake up at night planning in your head what you need to do, the one where your tummy turns over at the very thought of it all, the one where your head is full of what needs to be done! lol
Even I can't stand myself when I'm like this!! I love the teaching and it will be fine- but no matter how long I teach for I still get that old 'school feeling' just before term starts! grrrrrrr!!!!

Cardio circuit

I've been doing a cardio circuit for a few weeks now, really enjoying it and last night I could actually feel it being easier.

It goes like this

treadmill- 3 mins ( 30 secs walk, 30 secs run)

lower body- squats and shoulder raise

treadmill ( gradually increasing speed and incline)- I do the treadmill between each of the following exercises

upper body- pushups

lower body- lunges

upper body- lat pulldown

lower body-sumo squats

upper body- d/b chest press

lowerbody- squats

upper body- row

then I repeat the whole lot- if time is running out or I'm feeling a bit shattered I group two exercises together and this means less treadmill for the second time around

By the end of this - bout 1hr 15mins I'm dripping!!! it's a fun way to get some cardio and the time goes quickly. It is also helping me get more running into my workouts without stressing anything for too long.

Recap on resoultions

I was at my middle sister's place to day and she asked how my resolutions were going!! Well.... I struggled to remember them actually! Had another look and I can say I am working on 'run for the kids'. Gradually extending my running and my leg is holding up ok. It gets stiff and sore the rest of the day but by the following one- it's not as bad. I remember last year- deciding how to 'taper' when I hadn't really done any training! Again - injury was jumping up at me. However- managed to get through that one so hopefully this will be the same.

This same sister sent me some old pics of my horse- thought I'd put it on here just to brighten up this post! Get a look at the high waised jeans and tucked in sweater!!!! what were we thinking of!!!! And selina- now THAT is truly a 'lard ass!! lol

For the sensitive folk

These are for you deb and all the other sensitive folk out there!!

A New Year

With a new year comes a new blog colour and template. What do you think of it? At least it's a bit brighter

a productive day!

I've basically had a whole day at home ( I work at 5.30 tonight) and as at 1pm I have cleaned, tidied and thrown out the study/computer/junk room. It's still a long way from perfect but I have disposed of 3 green bags of rubbish! I need to add to my new years resolutions
1. DON'T buy any more fitness magazines
2. DON'T buy any more fitness books
3. DON'T eat popcorn while on computer
4.DON'T let the cat sit on the ironing board ( and that ones going to be the hardest!)

I think I'll go out now- half a day at home is about enough for me today!

new year reso's

This is my list of new year resolutions! To be documented and me held accountable!!

Not sure what order the pics will be so you'll have to work it out- out of 2 pics it won't be hard!

1. Years and years ago before my eldest granddaughter was but a twinkle in her daddy's eye (like 8 years) I bought a book which had instructions on making an interactive felt book for kids. As you can see- I've made it to D ( c is behind B and shares the holes). With my youngest granddaughter prob being the last grandchild I'm likely to have perhaps this had better be No 1 resolution!

2.- I want to get a 6 pack or at least a 4 pack or something vaguely resembling muscle type things on my tummy

3- I'm planning to do run for the kids again- providing I'm not crippled by then

4. house improvements- any house improvements will satisfy this resolution

5 I'd like to study again this year- maybe literacy or ESL or something along those lines

and that will be all for now!

the best day!

I've had the best day today! Just after Christmas I had a phone call from my oldest granddaughter (7) asking if I would take her to see 'Alvin and the Chipmunks'. Well...today was the day and I loved it! lol. It was a feel good movie ( as you would expect)- you know- baddie gets his just deserts and the goody gets the girl and lots of morals along the way. I don't think you really need an excuse of a child to see this one!

7 random facts

I've taken up Selina's challenge and here are 7 random facts you may not know about me

1. The one career I DIDN'T want when growing up was teaching! I would hear teachers out of control of their classroom and shudder

2. I only went into teaching because I wanted to have tertiary education and get paid for it ( yeah- this was in the old days when we had teaching bursaries!) and also because my sister was a teacher

3. I have loved teaching and have been really proud to have been a teacher, It doesn't define who I am anymore ( thank goodness) but at one time it did

4. I am a little paranoid that I will lose control of my waist line- wake up one day and find the dreaded 'middle age spread'! I know it doesn't happen overnight- but it can creep up!

5. I am shy in crowds and often have to force myself into large gatherings.

6. I love taking my over 50's class especially as I have a microphone and then everyone HAS to listen to me

7. I've had eye surgery for short sightedness- but again- in the old days when they used to cut the cornea instead of laser. It has been one of the best things I've ever done- threw away the glasses and contacts and haven't looked back.

hope that wasn't too boring!

where'd they go???

I was given 4 bags of liquorice allsorts for Christmas but I think we may have had burglars cos I can only find 1 left!!! ( that's a shocking admission isn't it?- how many days since Christmas??)
We're off to Wangaratta for New Year's - so Happy New Year to all bloggers who pass by here. Have a safe and exciting welcoming in the new year. I can't get used to writing 2010 no matter how hard I try!!
When I get back on here I shall have a list of resolutions- you watch!!

2009 Review

I've been reading a few blogs where the year has been reviewed. What a great idea- at least it highlights what you have done ( and it always looks a lot more than you think) and would make for interesting reading later on. So- here goes. If it's boring to anyone else then don't keep reading!!

Family
New little granddaughter born in July. Just a lovely addition to the family. Both our children are doing well and I delight in seeing them independent and creating new families for themselves. I miss them both and have real 'pangs' at how they are now adults and their childhoods will never return. However I've had my delightful times with them and that's stored in my memory forever.

Career
Loving my over 50's classes. Took up an added one this year at another gym- a mixed class. It's different but gives real pleasure too. I didn't know work could be so much fun!
Tafe work continued this year and with it new challenges. Teaching a class of ESL students which was new for me. I found it a bit daunting but from the first time I set foot in the class it has been nothing but delightful. So good to get to know a group of people from different cultures and the learning has definitely been two way.
Also completed certificate 4 in Training and Assessment- phew!!!

Fitness
Loving keeping fit. Had some lulls over the year but not too many- managed to keep it going in some form or fashion. Haven't had any major injuries which has been terrrific.
Completed the Run for Kids for the 2nd time. A major major achievement as it has been the first big run after getting plantar faciitis- so a significant measure of it getting better!
I'm stronger, more muscled and weigh less than I ever have. Weight is stable ( unless I go on holiday!!) and I'm in a great routine.
Swimming is a bit hit and miss- but I aim to just enjoy what I can do.

Holidays
Been twice up to Port Douglas and hope for more in 2010

That's enough for the moment- I'm getting bored just writing it!
I'm going to set some goals for 2010 which will keep me keeping on!
It's been a great year

More Pickkies

Hmmmmm. perhaps this was responsible for the 1.5kg gain???

I'm hard at work here

The traditonal horse pic!!

The tranquility of the Daintree River

A Typical Day!!

My playground

This just confirms what I really know! View from balcony

A Typical Day whilst on holiday

6.30am- wake up, stretch luxuriating in the big wide bed after a restful and 'no getting up' night

7am- get up - yep that's right- a beautiful hazy wake up where you meander between waking and sleeping

7.10am- have a cuppa on the balcony, overlooking the pool, sitting and soaking up the heat in shorts and t-shirt

7.30am- walk 2 mins to the gym and have a jolly good sweat!

9am- into 'town' for cuppa and croissant- yep that's where the extra 1.5kg came from!!

10am- wander the shops then back for shower and the rest of the day 'just happens'

at no time did I consult my watch - this pattern just happened! Times here are approximate and can vary

Typical Day TODAY ( first day back)

5.25am- alarm

6.15am- drive to gym

8am- have shower then off to shops for vital things

8.45am- visit health care place to organise a wheel chair for mother in law who's chair is fading fast

9.15- 9.30am- buy coffee and toast and throw it down eating part of it in car as I drive to my son's plac

10-11.30am- have fun with 2 granddaughters- making biscuits and solving world war 3!!

12noon- fly to gym to train client who didn't turn up- grrr

12.30-1.30- coffee and plan afternoon 50's class ( well I didn't have time when on holiday!!)

2pm-9pm- work at gym

9.45pm-11.30pm- home , sort out stuff for early rise tomorrow- grab chrissy pressies for tomorrow and write blog

so- what I do know is that holidays don't suck!!!

almost over

2 more days and then we fly home. I'm about as ready as I ever will be to return. Just don't know how I'm going to get motivated to watch the clock again. Up here I haven't worn a watch and have o nly occasionally thought to see what the time is.
Been having some great workouts at the gym here. Combining weights and cardio for a super cardio workout! Good sweat being produced! lol. but then again you don't need to do too much to create sweat in this weather- I still love it. I also have only 2 more days of eating croissants for b'fast. oppps...that's right.....very naughty ...but very nice!

still here

Less than a week to go then we return:( It's been so good up here and I can feel myself getting more and more benefit as the days roll by. However in some ways it will be good to return to some structure and normality- I guess. Our son is now in hospital after running over his foot with the lawn mower! Kept all his toes which is lucky for him but required a skin graft and time off his feet. This is when you feel a long way away. Good news for me is that I've got more TAFE work next year- yaaahhh. Monday like this year and also 2 hrs on Friday and maybe Wed morning. I've really enjoyed adult teaching and I'm ready to tackle more.

it's a miracle!

we've been here a week and miracle of all miracles- I haven't injured myself yet!! been gymming. walking/running and swimming most mornings but being ultra careful and conservative and so far so good! and loving it! I really wish I could push myself harder but it never works for me now- slow and steady and I will get there. Swimming has been good. Its an outdoor pool but l ovely and warm. Trying to practise all that I learnt at the total immersion intro session. as I said before- slow and steady! lol
today is our wedding anniversary and can't imagine a better place to celebrate than up here on holiday in this glorious weather. its humid a bit rainy between the sun and quite warm- i love it.

paradise

well...we're here in far north queensland and i ask myself- why would I want to be anywhere else?????

and here we are now!

Here we are- 36 years ago!