Into every life a little rain must fall ....

sometimes the rain falls heavy!

Tom's gym

Factory Gyms

FACTORY GYMS IS CLOSING. Globo Gym (in the form of the Gym Group) is opening a giant gym next door. They are much cheaper & nastier than us and have tons of money - we simply can't compete. I'm sure we'd win at dodgeball, but they're not up for that so Factory Gyms is regrettably closing on the 30th December. Sorry folks! It's been awesome training with you!

Hopefully his online adventure , just beginning will be a great sucess. I do wish him well. I am so proud of all he has achieved so far and know there's so much more to come .
His knee surgery went well and he is doing great :-)

The loss of the gym has been felt by many, myself included as I used it as a shiatsu/massage base now I am also looking to the future .... only time will tell where I go from here.

Mike & Katie who worked at FG looking for other work ...

On a happier note my good pal Paul & his lovely wife Olya have a wee man born today, Mark, a sister for Karina.
Welcome Earthside wee one, and congratulations Paul & Olya

Andy did brilliantly in his first semester exams in Otago gaining A+ A A- well done ... so there was study as well as party-ing going on. I am thrilled for him!

A cold, wet and windy day here in Edinburgh, but for now I'm off to visit with a shiatsu client and balance meridians .... be happy stay strong.

Autumn

I love autumn.

I always have, especially days like today, cold crisp mornings followed by clear skies and glorious sunshine.
Solo and I enjoyed the wander thru the woods, he carried a 'stick' with him for the entire walk. Well I say stick, more like a log, but he was happy.

The other two pictures are from Nick's dog walk. Solo and his half sister Gina and the 'pack' out and about in the mist earlier in the week.

I find I am missing Andy more and more, perhaps just because it's the birthday month, or because he will be 21 and I will not be there to share his 'big' day. Whatever the reason I am thinking alot about him these days, hoping he is happy and well.

Just Mumma thoughts I guess.

I am also remembering ...... the boys as children. It seems so long ago, such lovely little mischievous bundles of trouble.
I hope they have happy memories of their childhood.

remembering ..... my own childhood, summer in the garden with 'The Hoskins', 'The Hendersons' and 'The Courtneys' now those days really are a long time ago, but still bright and shiny in my mind.

Reflections ..... time for bed!

Birthday Month is here again

Today I am enjoying a day to myself, well to myself, Solo and all the housework needing done.

What a busy time since my last post. My job is an interesting change, a great deal of multitasking I am pleased it is only 3 days a week as I would not cope with the pressure for a whole week.
The people are lovely and I'm enjoying the communication and friendships that are growing.

Al and I had a fantastic 3 days in Paris, meeting up with Sue & Rob. The weather was brilliant sunshine and there was much laughing, eating & drinking with a little sightseeing and of course watching France beat Wales / New Zealand beat Australia in the RWC semifinals.

It was hard saying goodbye again to Sue, but soon another hello I hope.

Tom had been in Rome while I was in Paris, he was on a training course 'Training for Warriors'
which he completed successfully and becomes the first accredited UK coach for the course...well done Tom, however the cost appears to be damage to his knee. He has been on crutches since his return and is waiting for results of an MRI .

Mike has sold his (my) van and is looking for a car. He has started teaching guitar again. He & Katie seem happy in their little world together.

Pete has no work since finishing up after the festival and is in the usual financial spiral of overdraft bank charges more overdraft more bank charges etc.....

Andy is living the dream! his study in NZ is achieving good solid marks and he is traveling around seeing all he can. Turning 21 this month !!!

Solo dog has had tummy problems and has gained a little too much weight so he's on a diet poor wee soul.
Chloe has an adorable puppy, Kilo, he and Solo seem good pals

A birthday celebration meal is planned for 15th ...probably steak, we will miss Andy but sing happy birthday for him anyway.

so that's my world at present, oh and Allan & I have the plans drawn up for our extension with the work starting next April/May

Have a great month.