48 Hours to New York

Not the New York near Newcastle but across the big pond!
And why choose now to post, when I have not for almost nine months. Sigh. I cannot believe all that time has passed.
And why write when I have not packed my suitcase or even chosen clothes yet for the trip - and it not even a short trip!
In an unexpected display of sense (?), I did not attend Duncan Lunan's talk tonight this year on the Sighthill Stone Circle, the future of which is under threat as the land has been earmarked for use for the 2018 Youth Olympics if Glasgow are chosen to host this. Nor is it likely I will be able to attend the Solstice event there either. Last year it was a very soggy midsummer day, on the anniversary of my honey moon ;).

It is just one of those times when I will thrive on following the 'just in time' project management style :).

Smoke and Mirrors

I have always hidden behind my smoke and mirrors to all but a few. Even worse, I hide behind them from myself, refusing to face my demons and my limitations, but truly knowing that I am my own limitation. 

So I embarked on a journey to ... well, myself really (cue Charlene - I've Never Been To Me).

I now have my blogs, each opening different part of me but there is more to be released from their compartments ... in time. 

I have been opening up to my spirituality and bond with nature. Part of this has been to follow a psychic called Steve MacDonald on Facebook and participate in his regular experiments which test his accuracy. He is blowing my smoke away and shattering my mirrors which surround me, as he brings to light that it is I myself who is thwarting my owns plans through my lack of self belief. This has been said to me before but only by people who know me, not a 'stranger' thousands of miles away who has never met me and only has comments such as 'yes please Steve' to read into my psyche. It is time to take action.

Witchhazel x 

Fall Into Fitness Challenge

http://networkedblogs.com/BVTgu?a=share

It's back again so fingers crossed I can make a success of it <];)

Almost August

Yes, I have been neglecting my blog so I will take a little time organise my thoughts and get writing next month.
With thanks to Indigo for the subtle hint :) x.

Spring Into Fitness - Weeks 6 and 7

View of Loch Lomond from Ben Lomond 

The end of Week 7 has been the pinnacle, or rather summit, of the fortnight :). 

My brother has invited me to join him at the gym for many months so I asked him last week if I could join him but he said he no longer went to the gym. He invited me to join him on a walk instead so I agreed on the understanding it would not be too strenuous or long. On that understanding, he, his son and I climbed my first ever munro, Ben Lomond, on Saturday 19th May! I only found out where I was going when they picked my up early that morning, I was away almost all day but surprisingly I didn't feel too much pain after so I lived to tell the tale. 

I'm not sure I really want to know what this does to my broomstick points :). 

Earth 
I've been eating lunch more regularly and having lighter dinners at night and not wanting to snack too much in-between. 
I am still selecting and ironing work outfits in advance of the morning dash to work.

Air 
Again I have spent much more time at work - I overworked and lost the equivalent of over four days work in the last month :( . 

However my climbing expedition, to 990m, did wonders for my lungs!

The views were wonderful too :), except when the clag i.e. cloud/fog came down on us as we climbed the summit ;).

When my friend visited from London during week 6 so we got to chat for a couple of hours, taking a walk to catch up with our own and family developments on a lovely dry evening and even visited my sister. 

Water

I took too much water on the the climbing experience by accident, 2 litres instead of 1, double what was recommended, and my brother insisted on carrying it for me so I felt bad about this. I am someone who makes good use of the ladies facilities, it has been well drilled into me from childhood, but surprisingly being on a mountain for six hours didn't phase me and my body behaved itself!

I crossed more than a few burns and streams on my trek and trudged in the pockets of snow on the summit and then drank hot coffee on the top of the summit with the other climbers as the light snow swirled round us. 

Fire 
After that, and the tiring days, I feel fine, just a little tightness in my calves. My brother advised me to get a protein bar to give me a boost and it would take pain away 'next time round'! 

I spent Sunday at home but did get lots of laundry done :).

When my friend visited from London a week, we went on a, what I will now refer to as, short walk, chatting as we went. 
 x50 (at a guess)


Spirit 

I did think seriously about cancelling the walk, even before I knew where I was going as that is what I usually do - avoid situations that I am not sure about or in control of.
My friend who is very attuned to the energies tried to meet with me  during week 6 but I could never find the time. I felt quite bad about this as I do worry about her however I meet with her this week and all is well - she becoming a stronger woman :).

Last year when my friend visited, we took our own full day tour of Glasgow so it was nice to relax more this time ;). We also paid a quick visit to see my sister, time which all three of us enjoyed :).

Week 5/6 Thou Art Goddess Challenge (Optional) 

Exercise my Elements! I think I shall be repeating myself here, as I find it difficult to remember anything before Ben Lomond. My brother is now calling me 'Mountain Girl'! 

Earth  - striding up, and down, the mountain. Ok, so not striding, and there was a path but not what I would have previously called a path...
Air  - I did walk up some stairs at work but walked down more - I visited my customers on floor 13 a lot over the two weeks. Mountain again - 990m! My brother did most of the talking, providing advice, information and general chat during the expedition - I responded when I had the breath to do so ;).

Water  - Walking over burns and streams and alongside patches of snow - during the Scottish summer!

Fire  - I found the energy for the climb. Can I remember any passion? I'm sure there must have been some ;).

Spirit - the camaraderie of the many climbers on the mountain, everyone sharing hellos and tips on the conditions etc. The sheer vastness of the mountains and the beauty of the views. The absolute silence on the mountain when there was no-one close by on the path - such serenity.

*Ben Lomond Walk Statistics*

Distance         12km/7.5 miles

Time              4.5 - 5.5 hours 

 - My time ascent 3.5hrs, descent 2.5hrs*

Ascent          990m

Grid Ref        NS359986

Spring Into Fitness - Week 5

It has been a busy week, resulting in me falling asleep at the most unlikely times, like Grandpa Simpson, e.g. holding my full wine glass, then being awake when I should be sleeping :).


Earth
The theme of the week has been to regularly miss lunch but, on the plus side, snacking on junk food has been greatly reduced. I was however treated to a meal on Saturday night at my favourite restaurant, The Grill on the Corner :).
I also selected and ironed my outfits for work again, which allows me to spent more time to laze in bed before I get up and dash to work :).


Air
I have spent much more time at work so there has been little chance to surf, just sleep.

Water

I couldn't even think about Venice yet but I did drink lots of water during the long hours.


Fire
Early rises and late nights too drained me but I loved the tasks, even when I faltered. ON Saturday night, following a very welcome hotel room and good food and wine, I could only make it through the first half of the Love and Money concert ;).
 x2


Spirit

I asked a friend for an energy reading, not realising she herself needed energy so I dedicated my consecration of the Goddess and Five Fold Kiss at sunset at Beltane to her :).

Week 5/6 Thou Art Goddess Challenge (Optional) 

Exercise my Elements! Not sure how to go about the challenge.

Earth  - possibly light yoga in the garden? Although some intense gardening would be more productive lol.
Air  - walking up the stairs at work may sound boring but there are 15 flights ;).

Water  - walking, again, in the rain is something I definitely think I can achieve this week, as I have seen the local weather report ;).

Fire  - I think a bit of passion is called for here ;)).
Spirit - mediation or yoga perhaps.


*Statistics*
Height 5ft 3in / 160cm
Date              Weight
25/03/2012   9st 13.1lb / 63.1kg
07/05/2012   9st  9.8lb / 61.6kg

Spring Into Fitness - Week 4

The start of the busy two week period for me, relatively speaking.

Earth

Despite having the elements in place, organised lunches - sandwiches, fruit, orange juice - didn't happen. I guess I have put too much reliance on my better half making lunches over the last few months and this week he didn't - he drove me for my early starts instead, which I had more need of :).

So eating this week has been a bit of a hit or miss, with potato scone roll, yes I know it is bad of me, for most of the week, rushed lunch sandwiches and late snacks when I eventually get home.. Normally during this period, I have lots of sweets, crisps and fizzy drinks to keep body and soul together but this year the temptation to do this has been greatly reduced.
Last Sunday night I did, however, organise and iron my outfits for work - which I haven't done, yet, for this week :(. 

Only one week to go... and then I run out of excuses ;).

Air

I've continued to surf but posting on fb and forum has been greatly reduced, due to lack of available time or motivation - but this enforced restriction has not been a bad thing for me, mentally or spiritually. I am also in a different, closed environment where team working and tight deadlines are key, so I have to be more social as well as task focused. I have found that I can't easily dip back into my normal role in this environment, even when time permits. 

And I booked my summer holiday! Well in advance too, as I normally book a few days before I go on leave.

Water

Not keeping myself as hydrated as I know I should, which is not good for this time period but I try to pick the pace back up next week. I don't have my peppermint tea at hand and I sometimes forget that I miss it  i.e. when I have the opportunity to bring it across but then I miss it at the most inopportune moments when I just can't leave the room to go get it :(.

On the water element/pisces theme, I should perhaps mention that I shall be going to Venice for the first time on my summer holiday :).

Fire

Burning the candle a bit at both ends so must try to concentrate on my health and energy levels. I have done more than the equivalent of two extra days over a five days and it will be more next week too but, on the big plus side, I enjoy it :). I went straight out on Friday evening then managed to sleep later on Saturday morning, making up for the weekday early starts :). After shower and brunch, I walked down into the village to the cobblers and florist, walked back home (uphill) and then spent some time in the garden mowing the lawn and doing some general tidying. Where I got the energy from, I'll never know ;). I then went to bed early for a couple of hours but, surprise, woke again and now can't get back to sleep :(. Hence the late night update, but early update, for Week 4 ;).
 x14

Spirit

I have put some effort into team working but elsewhere, in a moment of madness, I was uncharitable but if I try to make amends, it will make it worse, so I will learn from it and hopefully become a better person :(.

Week 3/4 Thou Art Goddess Challenge (Optional) 

Having fun whilst exercising/What I have struggled with in Week 3.

I have merged the two challenges because I did not do the Week 3 challenge during Week 3.

Yes, I like walking so I think it counts, especially when I have my tunes on at the time, so occasionally dance/walk or move with the beat at least lol. And it was bright and sunny and the cheery blossom trees were in full bloom :).

I did not plan to walk down into the village or back on Saturday but I had shoes repairs to pick up from the previous Saturday, not having been able to do so during the week. I could have taken the lift that was offered or waited for the bus, in either or both directions but I felt energised after the bit of extra sleep and the bright sunny day :). Following a short sit down, I then went into the garden, grass growing like wildfire and long overdue for a trim so it had been my plan, weather permitting, to cut it on Saturday, or Sunday - always delaying the inevitable ;). Afterwards, I felt a sense of achievement - it was not perfect but the key task had been done. Then after that I found myself wandering around the garden removing dead leaves and flowers - not my original intention but still fulfilling and not tiring, my mind freed of 'stuff'. To finish off, I topped up the water in my copper willow tree fountain and tested it for the first time this year. After a small adjustment to allow one jet to flow down onto a willow leaf, my better half and I stood back to enjoy it.

The goal here is to figure out why you are self-sabotaging yourself - always delaying the inevitable ;)