2012 begins

Happy New Year everyone, a little late I know and how quickly time moves on and covers the space between days & thoughts.

A lovely Xmas with Allan and the boys including Andy in Auckland via Skype.

Chesty coughs kept us home for NY but to be honest it was the best, no fuss just us, lovely.

I have wrestled with thoughts of resigning from my part time job due to unnecessary stress there and last week I followed through and now have just 3 weeks left.

What does 2012 have in store for me?

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.

September 2011

The 2011 Rugby World Cup kicked off on friday in New Zealand.

Go Scotland !!!

Andy is in living in Dunedin at Otago Uni for at least a year, he is travelling (just back from mid semster break in Samoa), attending games and generally having the time of his life ..... great stuff!

Mike is touring Ireland with his band 'Cancerous Womb'

Pete is taking time out after a busy festival season working at Underbelly both in London & Edinburgh.

Tom is busy running his business, factory Gyms very sucessfully.

Shiatsu Scotland is ticking over slowly and I am enjoying building it up slowly. I begin Sports & remedial massage course next weekend.

I start my new job on Monday, 3 days a week reception at a busy GP practice. I am looking forward to the learning curve albeit a bit daunting.

Allan & I have planned a trip to Paris for our first wedding Anniversary in October. We are meeting up with Sue & Rob for a weekend and I'm really looking forward to it.

Solo is great, enjoying his long walks with Nick while I work and a slower pace with me the rest of the time.

A new life

Phew!

2011 came with a crash and completely out of the blue as 'they'say.

Being made redundant was harsh but, so many are in this situation now that there is only one wat to cope and that is to keep coping .... stand up and move forward positively.

Unfortunately I lost a job which I had enjoyed and along with it my 2 best friends. Life can be a little cruel sometimes.

Allan kept me strong and sane, he supported and encouraged my development of Shiatsu Scotland! http://www.shiatsuscotland.co.uk/

My wonderful Tom, supported me and with his partner Chloe, developed a plan to bring Shiatsu into their Gym http://www.factorygyms.co.uk/

I am now working in the gym, in businesses, home visiting, and event shiatsu for participants.

Thanks to my loyal clients from the Clinic and all the new delightful people I continually meet I am happier now than ever.

Mike & Katie have moved into a flat together and have 2 wee ginger kittens, Bob & Jim

Pete went off to work on a cruise liner, had a good experiencr but decided it was not for him so is now in London working at Underbelly Southbank the Edinburgh Festival.

Andy is off to Otago Uni in June for his 3rd year and is very excited by his Kiwi trip.

Al Solo & I and wonderfully happy. I never realised how good life is until now. Hope it is for you too!

Christmas approaches ......

Well if I ever hoped for a white christmas this year we have one! Beginning of December it snowed, and it hasn,t really stopped since. The country is cloaked in white and it is beautiful, however the practicalities are horrendous ... struggling to get to work and nowhere to park, christmas deliveries delayed, freezing fingers,toes and noses......

Allan, Solo & I are enjoying much of it and keeping each other warm.

We put up our tree today and it feels a bit like Christmas. Four more days struggling into work then time off toether ......

The boys are coming to us on Christmas Day and we are going to Al's Mum & Dad on Boxing Day it is a family time of year afterall.

Wishing Everyone a happy and peaceful Christmas