In the stillness we will find hope ❤️

In the stillness we will find hope ❤️

n the stillness we will find hope
In the peace we will find faith
In the stillness we will find hope
We are living through this sad wraith

In the stillness we will find hope
On the dark days my heart just broke
In the stillness we will find hope
This virus slips around us like a cloak

In the stillness we will find hope
In the quiet we see so much despair
In the stillness we will find hope
This vile virus that came from nowhere

In the stillness we will find hope
Human kindness - we’re wrapped in love
In the stillness we will find hope
Knowing God looks down from above

In the stillness we will find hope
In the silence we sit and pray
In the stillness we will find hope
In that moment we long for better days

Don’t lose that sense of hope
Dreams vivid like a kaleidoscope
Don’t lose that sense of hope
Together we will cope.

🌈❤️🌈❤️🌈❤️🌈❤️🌈❤️

#StaySafe #StayHome #COVID-19 #CruelVirus
#Hope #Faith #Peace #Love

J C Hicks Copyright 13-3-2020

Rainbow nails .........🌈

Rainbow nails .........🌈

I’ve got teddy bears in my window and time upon my hands
I’ve stocked up on my loo roll & I’ve a cupboard full of cans.
I need to paint a rainbow for all the world to see 🌈
And I find myself obsessing because I saw a big fat bee. 🐝
I’m standing on my drive clapping with my friends
Then rushing back inside as my hands I need to cleanse.
I’ve learnt I’ve been washing my poor hands oh so wrong 🙈
Apparently we need to do it to a good old sing a long 🎶 🎤
My post is being delivered by a new found super hero
And the miles I’ve put upon my car are a big fat zero! 🚗
I never thought I’d stand and wash my shopping clean
My shopkeeper serving me from behind a massive screen!
My home is now my sanctuary, a place to keep us safe
People donning gloves and masks upon their face. 😷
Our wonderful world has been turned upon it’s head
But now we’re looking out for each other instead.
So paint your nails in rainbow colours
And put your hair into those rollers.
We need to look our best as we clamber through this crisis
And remember that to live is a prize that is just priceless ❤️

J C Hicks Copyright 4-4-2020

Home schooling - oh what fun 😂

We are going to have to isolate for a little while
But honestly we can do lots that will make us smile.
Little Lucy can draw rainbows to her hearts content
Ben can construct a Lego bridge - time that’s so well spent.

We will set up a fabulous home schooling spot
I’m a little worried that I may look a like a clot. 🤦🏻‍♀️
It’s going to be wonderful mummy teaching math
There won’t be tears, tantrums or you seeing my wrath

We will sit for hours reading books and cuddling on the settee
We will sit a while in peace and quiet watching buzzing bees.
It’s going to be idyllic, such a precious time
Sliding out of spring into gorgeous summertime.

Two weeks on and here we are, still stuck in the house
The home school area in a pile - the chalk turned to dust.
I haven’t washed my hair in days it’s looking rather lank
I had to have a shower as the kids told me that I stank.

I’ve switched from buying bottles of wine it’s better from the box
I don’t know how many tines I’ve tripped over Ben’s building blocks!
Lucy doesn’t want to draw a picture for the key workers 🌈
Doesn’t she know I need her to be quiet coz I’m now a homeworker. 🙈

I’m trying to stay calm - keep calm and carry on
My windows full of pictures that the kids have drawn
I will never get those marks off that dull and smeared glass
Oh jeepers now they want a picnic sitting on the grass.

No I haven’t got sausage rolls, strawberries, crisps or cake
I know these are  the picnic things we normally like to take. 🤦🏻‍♀️
Please don’t cry again because you cannot have your way
 I am fed up of explaining we must stay in, come what may.

You’d like to do some baking,  the umpteenth  time you’ve asked
Yes I know that would be great fun and it’s always such a blast
But I have no butter, eggs or flour
Oh no here you go another great big howler.

My husband is so helpful sitting watch the T.V. 😡
Moaning when we say we are going to do Oti
But you’ve already done Joe Wicks - P.E.in your home
His whining voice is really grating to my bones.

It’s such a long day I remind him with a big wide smile
If we wear out Ben and Lucy it really will have been worthwhile.
He lets out a long big sigh handing over the remote
Why don’t you take a walk I say - let me get you your coat. 🤨

Who knew there would be pressure to keep the house so clean
Because everyone is face timing from work to Aunty Jean.
Peoples houses look immaculate - show houses, quite pristine
I’m just looking for a corner that sort of looks quite clean. 🙈

Oh man this isn’t what I imagined, it’s not the family dream
My husband and my kids are a load of drama queens. 👑
They’ve fought over the iPad and what to have for lunch
I’m worrying about the future as we head for a credit crunch. 💴

We are now living in our PJs and nobody really cares
What’s the point in doing makeup, nails or hair.
The highlight of our week is the weekly national clap
To thank all the heroes - a chorus all gift wrapped.

I’m so glad it is Easter and the school work put to bed
I don’t know how these teachers really don’t go off their heads.
Who knew teaching could be so fraught with much frustration
That glass of deep rich red wine has been my one salvation!

Don’t be fooled by those social media posts where families look idyllic
They will drive you round the bend and make you imbecilic.
That photo is a snap shot not showing what went before
When the kids were lying face down crying on the floor 😂.

So don’t be too hard on you, them or him
Even when times are feeling pretty grim.
It’s just a chapter in our lives
The true key is to survive ❤️

J C Hicks Copyright 3-4-2020

Natures Playground

Take a moment in your day to stop and look outside your window
You will see lots of bees and birds maybe even goats but not a pink flamingo!
What a wondrous sight that would be
pink flamingoes for all to see!

Take a moment - look around - for you will hardly hear a sound.
Stand outside - arms wide - eyes to the skies and slowly turnaround.
There is a certain stillness in the air
In that moment you have no cares.

The quietness that surrounds us has become nature’s playground, lockdown opened a gateway.
The creature of God’s wondrous world becoming braver day by day as human activities ebb away.
Sit a while and you will see
Birds bobbing in and out of trees.

The sun has also played its part and will burst through those dark rain clouds.
But please be careful and pay heed don’t be gathering in large crowds.
Instead soak up that glorious heat
Watch birds wings never missing a beat.

What about those nuisance friends and I don’t mean those upon two legs.
Think of those things you run away from like mice, spiders and daddy longlegs!
Those pesky buzzing wasps and flies
 no humans swotting them as they pass by.

Natures slowly reclaiming the world, the environment sighing in relief
No more car fumes billowing into the skies causing underlying grief
We’ve wrapped the world in a plaster
Despite this being a global disaster

So every cloud has a silver lining and while we humans sit and suffer
Nature can truly come alive and we will all come out a little bit tougher
So take this chance to watch the show
It’s natures payback don’t you know

❤️🌤☀️⛈🌸🌼🌻🥀🍄☘️🌳🐁🦢🐏🕷🕸🐞🐌🦋🐛🐝🐜🐥🐣🐇🐀🐁🦩

J C Hicks copyright 

You say hello ................

You say hello and I say .........oh wait don't go
It's days since I have seen another living soul!
To go out for a stroll and see no signs of life
is a sight I would have welcomed in my normal working life.

It is like I need to ring a bell and shout out I'm unclean
as this virus really does go completely unseen.
That doesn't mean we cannot pass a moment in the street
We can smile at passing strangers, say hello to those we meet.

Lets stop and have a socially distanced chat
There can't be any harm in that.
But to be honest what news is there for us to share
Have you seen the latest Facebook post about the teddy bears?

i cannot even be bothered to do my face and hair
although did you see that post that I took the time to share?
Angelina has a campaign she has laid out her grand plan
To dress up on Saturday nights - we will all look really glam.

I've spent a lot of time practising my wave
I hope to use it frequently when I come out of my cave.
It is really rather regal and I feel just like a queen
So if you see my arms a flailing you know you have been seen.

All my races have been cancelled but I gave a secret cheer
I cannot find my trainers let alone my running gear.
I am working on something that is really not so great
It is an increasing muffin top due to everything I ate!

I developed new habits with this enforced house arrest
they really are not ones to keep my body at its best.
I sit at my laptop with my new friend at my side
it is the faithful biscuit barrel and down my belly they do glide.

It seems that the dogs are the real winners in this deal
I cannot even use the toilet without them at my heels!
They love having humans in their every day domain
Our daily little outing around the country lanes.

So when I leave the house for my daily exercise
I know that seeing people will be the real big high.
We will stand across the road and give a nod and wave
Secretly glad we distanced - phew that was a close shave!

So get behind the campaigns that are floating round about
like giving our NHS heroes a massive big shout out.
A rainbow in your window may help brighten someones day
A teddy in your window is a bear hunt game our kids can play

At the end of this ordeal we will come out so much stronger
Lets hope we stand and chat for just that little bit longer.

J C Hicks Copyright 1-4-2020

The year that changed the world

A simple walk has become so precious
Soaking in the views that look so luscious
Restricted to just one jaunt a day
We must try and escape come what may.

Sadly not all can venture out
Cabin fever setting in no doubt.
The situation forced upon us
We must accept without a fuss.

But when we do step outside our door
It suddenly feels far from a chore.
Look up to the glorious skies
Whether it’s sunset or sunrise.

The beauty that was there before
Think of it like your personal dance floor.
Embrace it all and soak it up
As if you are a tiny pup.

Look out with eyes afresh
See your countryside at its best
Think of those who are housebound
Who’d love to have a crowd around.

For they see no-one day to day
It’s for these people we must pray
And those that are not feeling well
Who would really love to just be held.

Pubs stand empty like lifeless souls
These were once our favourite watering holes
It used to be where we’d sup some beer
Once a place full of laughter, love and cheer.

The chapel stands majestic in the evening sun
How many times I’ve gone past it on my run
It should be full of song and praise
Not just on a Sunday but all the days.

The chapel doors may be firmly locked
But God is never off the clock
And so many in their hour of need
Praying that God may intercede.

It is a time so full of worry
Previously we were all in such a hurry
We’d lost sight of the precious things
Like children playing on the swings.

So fill your lungs with that fresh air
Don’t worry about your nails and hair
Devour a much simpler life
Fill it with love - make it rife.

So please just look out for one another
Your mum, dad, children, sister and brother
Don’t forget those that may be in need
And let’s lose all the social greed

We will find the end of that rainbow
And finally return to the status quo
But let’s not return to who we were
When 2020 is a distant blur.

#LoveThyNeighbour #TakeCare #StaySafe #Share&Care

The year COVID-19 changed all our lives ❤️😢




J C Hicks copyright 

Who alarmed the cake .......🤷🏻‍♀️🤦🏻‍♀️😜🍰

Well I thought today that the school had installed the best diet cheat detector ever.

Picture the scene - it’s a colleagues birthday - I’ve bought some cakes she says - oh lovely says I. Anyway the day unfolds and I find myself nowhere in the cake location - I have clean forgotten about the lovely cakes by lunchtime to be honest.

I’m leaving work, not many of us left - it’s late and I’m very hungry - I go via the front of the building - ohhhhh I think as I approach the reception area - I wonder if there are any cakes left?  I decide to just go have a peek and see. Sure enough there they are - sitting like a beautiful crown on the desk. Ohhhh they look scrumptious. Oh what the heck I think, I know my tea will be ready when I get home but I’m going to have one of those beauties. I mean I expect I will walk most of the calories off by the time I get to the car 🤷🏻‍♀️🤷🏻‍♀️.

 I select my prize, thanking my wonderful colleague in my head. I lift this gourmet delight to my lips and there was an almighty woooooo wooooo woooooo woooooo. A look of horror goes over my face - who alarmed the cakes!??!!! It takes a second for me to realise that the fire alarm is going off 🙈, so now I’m left ramming the cake in before the site team burst in to sort out the alarms. (Notice how I finish my cake before worrying about my safety first 🤣).  Honestly the guilt eating that cake it felt like some naughty sin - well it was I guess - like someone was watching and as soon as my resolve was gone and that sugar hit my lips all hell broke loose. Thankfully it was a false alarm.

On the plus side I did get a few more steps in as I accompanied the site manager to check all was well  in the building before I headed for home.  Not the most enjoyable cake eating experience 😂🙈🍰. Great diet strategy though 🤣.

Very expensive hair washing technique 😂🏊🏻‍♀️

So I’ve sat and lazed the weeks away
But that all changed just today.
I finally made it to the pool
Now I’m feeling rather cool. 😎

I spent the winter hibernating
But today’s has been quite invigorating.
You see my poor hair was in need
It desperately needed a good clean.

So there was only one thing to do
Go for a swim - it was well overdue.
I’d not used the gym since I don’t when
So it was time to restart the swimming again.

Besides my hair really was lank
And I didn’t want to smell like a septic tank.
So I packed my gym bag and off I went
No better way for an evening to be spent.

After four lengths I was gasping for breath
This could turn out to be the dance of death 🙈
I took stock of my current position
I didn’t need to be a woman on a mission.

The hard bit was done I was in the pool
And after a full day at work in the school. 👍🏻
So I decided to just take my time
Turn this into a bit of downtime.

So I went up and down at a leisurely pace
After all who on earth said it was ever a race.
We all know the reason you came for a swim 🏊🏻‍♀️
Because your hair is looking dirty and grim. 🙈

So I’ve broken my duck - stepped back into fitness
And you will all have to be my witness.
That I will keep it going and not give in
My commitment is truly hanging by a pin!

The other reason to keep going
More so than keeping my hair glowing
I need to get value for money
And this is the part that’s really not funny.

That hair washing exercise seemed just fine
But I’ve only been swimming three or four times
That means that washing my greasy dirty hair
Has cost me a ton so far this gym year 🤣🙈🤣.

#GymMembership #NotUsed #Ouch #Swim
#Gym #Sauna #Expensive #VFM 😜

It’s a Nerd thing ......🤦🏻‍♀️🙈🤔

It’s a Nerd thing ......🤦🏻‍♀️🙈🤔

Wow who knew holiday time could be so stressful - I think this may be a sign that I need to keep working 😂.

So my beautiful grandchildren arrived home for a few days Wednesday night - I went to work Thursday but got home a bit earlier to make a nice family tea (Waltons theme tune playing in my head). I’m mid beef cobbler when they descend upon us having been out and about all day. It was at this point that I first heard those dreaded words “Isaac has put a Nerd in his ear” - he can’t have I think, although I can quite see why a 4 year old boy may think mmmm I wonder if this yellow sweet would go in my ear 🤷🏼.

After much protesting - man that boy could give Donald Trump a run for his money - we pinned him down, torch out and sure enough as the torchlight shone down his tiny ear canal there lay a glorious yellow Nerd. Right ok it’s time to call NHS direct (although we all know where this is going) my beef cobbler is now bubbling away in the oven awaiting the “cobbles” to adorn it any time now. So there it was the answer we knew was coming - you need to go straight to A and E - mmmmm I look lovingly at my beef cobbler bubbling away in the oven  - I quickly slap the scone topping on to it - pop it back in the oven and bid it farewell (emotional moment). Would I ever get my tea? Who knew!

So off we go, Isaac is now assuming a crab like position with his head - keep it tilted they had told us, to make sure it doesn’t go down any deeper. Errrr right ok??? In he waddles to Withybush hospital - head glued to his shoulder - he is by now (after lots of tears) a little boy who’s very compliant as the realisation has set in that “said sweet” is lodged in there 🙈.  The receptionist looks at us like we are a bit mad when we explain why he is looking at her with this strange sideways look - "it’s ok" she says to Isaac "you don’t have to tilt your head anymore, that won't make any difference honestly".

So we perched on the tiny children’s chairs waiting, knees up in our chests (I am actually wondering if I will be able to get up out of this tiny chair) - waiting and hoping this would be an easy extraction (the Nerd not my bottom from the chair!). The fab NHS staff don’t keep us waiting long. Amused nurses looking at the bag of Nerds we are clutching - so it was one of these he stuck in his ear we tell them. It’s hard not to smirk but poor Isaac is a little concerned at the implements coming out and the industrial size light.  Well try as they might with hooks and suction it was not budging. So we are off to Glangwilli next 🙈.  Isaac leaves the hospital shrugging his shoulders “oh well never mind” he says - he’s missed the point that we are going to another hospital - this kid thinks he’s just going to have to live with a Nerd in his ear forever 🤣.

We leave there and decide to go via home as we had no money and thought we may need it to pay for parking. As we run back into the house I think, here is my moment, reunited with my beef cobbler - there she sits on the counter - nicely browned and smelling fab.  I whack some in a bowl - moving picnic in the car - sorted.

So it’s now about 9pm and we are all flagging - fortunately we didn’t have to wait long at Glangwilli to see the ENT doctor. We pull out our Nerds - the pile now a little depleted due to hunger 😂. Out comes another suction tool but alas another fail - we are told come back to see "Mr Ed" at his clinic tomorrow morning he may be able to get it out.  We would be fast tracked through, first appointment of the day. Oh and they have provisionally enquired about theatre availability and that would be Monday.  My confidence levels slipped slightly - like when I watched Wales grand slam hopes slip away.......

Oh man I wonder if Mr Ed knew the pressure on his shoulders - it was him or theatre - so Mr Ed really did have to pull it out of the bag - or the ear! Tired and hungry Macdonalds meals are called for (not me I’m as full as an egg 🤣). It is 10:30pm and we are ordering the patient a cheeseburger happy meal. Oh the irony when they bring it out in a Mr Bump box 😏🤕.

So my day off and we are up and out early. Back to Glangwilli we are feeling a little important - reporting at the front desk - yeah we are here to see Mr Ed - it’s an emergency appointment - not so important when you follow this with “yeah he’s got a Nerd stuck in his ear - he put it in there himself, he was saving it for later 🤔”.  Straight in to (who in my head now I’m calling) Big Ed. Yes come on Big Ed - think of it like a game of operation with Isaac being the live buzzer. To be fair he was very brave - that may have been due to the levels of bribery which over the course of events had escalated.  We went from a Happy Meal to a Folly Farm visit to a cuddly toy from Folly Farm to a large cuddly toy from Folly Farm to adopting a Rhino - I drew the line at buying a rhino - where did he think we were going to keep that 😱🙈.

Anyway within 10 minutes Mr Ed had retrieved the pesky sweet with his specialist "hoover" (probably a Henry hoover I expect 😀) - hallelujah - our hero.

So it’s home again and we collect his sister to go to Folly Farm - fortunately for me all talk of animal adoption had been forgotten but man he was going to have a huge cuddly toy, that was all he was talking about. I’m nodding and agreeing praying he’s not eyed up the "standing giraffe" for £140 🙈.

We decide to go to the fairground - now who doesn’t love a bit of hook a duck - Isaac's favourite - he has a couple of goes - the usual - anything from the bottom row. Isabelle rocks up for a go - well the chances must be slim to nothing but she only goes and scores top shelf. The biggest cuddly dolphin you’ve ever seen (well not life size obviously 🙄 and alright maybe not the BIGGEST ). This was the point when Isaac felt his world had fallen apart - big tears and tantrum - he wanted a big cuddly toy too. No number of but nana’s getting you a big cuddly from the shop was working. Like the fools we are we agree to let him have another go - yup it was never happening was it. Anything from the bottom shelf. Waaaaahhhhhh - honestly you’d think he’d been told Folly Farm was closing down and he’d never see the penguins again or play hook a duck again. Stress levels super charged.

We manage to persuade him to come to the shop for his hearts desire. What does he want the huge PINK rainbow TY unicorn. I’m all on board - let him have it I say - modern man owning it - you get that one Isaac. He eventually rethinks this and gets a funky blue/purple/yellow psychedelic bear type thing. Oh and please could he have this blue thing because he loved it. “I love it nana, please can I have it, please” - me “what is it?” Isaac “I don’t know but I love it”. 🤦🏻‍♀️😂. It’s a wind up torch Isaac. I’m past caring by now and in need of a large red wine. Have the wind up torch I announce - that kid is so full of love for his gullible nana at this point.

So we leave the shop with a large purple/blue bear thing, blue wind up torch and TY two snap bands for Isabelle. I felt like standing at the till shouting - anyone else having a crisis and need a big cuddly toy in their life to make it all good again - no - anyone like a wind up torch, it is the best thing ever - no - anyone else slept with a Nerd last night (ooops no maybe not ask that question) 😂.

So home we go - two happy children - two worn out adults - a pile of memories and a resolution to never buy Nerds again!

A day in the life of ......

J C Hicks copyright 21-2-2020

Tree hugging beast

Most dog owners have normal dogs

They don’t need to appear in random blogs.

They trot along tails up high

Noses pointing to the sky. 

My little fur baby seems a bit crazy

He’s definitely far from lazy.

He loves to go on muddy walks

All the way it’s like he talks. 

Singing here and whining there

People passing don’t half stare

A singing pooch is quite a feat

It’s truly something hard to beat.

But singing isn’t where it ends

Although that drives you round the bend.

He has this rather strange obsession 

Which does help get out any aggression.

You see he has a real dear friend

It’s something that tends to bow and bend.

Most dogs love to chase a stick

Run after a ball that you kick.

But not my Benji oh no no

He finds a branch hanging down low.

Jumps aboard and doesn’t let go

How he does it - we don’t know 🤷🏻‍♀️.

He hangs on tight with all his might

Swings about because he’s so light.

He’s hanging on bouncing up and down 

Lucy Lou rolling in fox poop she’s found 🤢

But he doesn’t stop there on no not him

Swinging on branches is just one of his things.

He’s a modern day boy don’t you know

Tree hugging is also in his portfolio 😂.

He surveys his land as he walks

Maybe looking for a tree that talks 🌳.

Once he’s found he’s chosen tower

Up he climbs with amazing power.

Perhaps he’s hunting squirrels or chasing birds

There he goes singing his doggy words 🙈🐶.

He stands so proud up his tree

Saying to all look at me.

He’s got no fear of any height

I’m sure he’s going to take flight.

He stands there oh so proud and tall

Despite the fact he’s only small 🐶.

So when we are out for a stroll 

Please remember Benji has no self control

He thinks he’s a bird or a plane

Or maybe he just needs a lions mane 🙈

Good job he’s got Sally keeping him safe

She really is his best human mate. 

Dog walker extraordinaire 

His doggy adventures she loves to share ❤️

Diets - the struggle is real 😂🧁🙈❤️

I’ve gone all day without a treat
Not even a single sneaky sweet.
Well ok there was an incident in the kitchen
Which involved the pesky bread bin.
But I’ve tried so hard to be strong
Why are treat-less days so long?

I fear that Shrove Tuesday is looming
So many pancakes I will be consuming 🙈.
I best sign up for a treat-less Lent
40 days of discontent 🤦🏻‍♀️
Chocolate bars luring me in
Knowing they are my deadly sin.🙅🏻‍♀️

Why oh why is food so nice
It’s my poor thighs which pay the price.
Everywhere seems to be
Naughty things for you - for me. 🧁
I’ve gone all morning and not eaten
I think this diet has me beaten.

I slowly climb upon the bathroom scales
Which seem to shout out “ahoy beached whale” 🐳.
I look down in despair
Another pound on they declare!
That can’t be right, it can’t be true
Now I’m feeling truly blue!

I mean I’ve been so very healthy
I should also be feeling mighty wealthy
I mean the struggle I’ve endeavoured
By stomach thinks my throats been severed 🙈.
How long - how long has it been
Feels like ages I’ve been eating clean.

I check the calendar with such hope
Oh flip I feel like such a dope.
I count the days that can’t be right
I felt time was going like the speed of light
Has it really only been a week 🤦🏻‍♀️
No wonder I’ve got the same physique.

😂

Diets - the struggle is real 🤪 - but that said beauty comes from within. So don’t let the mirror, scales or people rule your life - just be you ❤️. Happy, healthy and wise!

In a world where you can be anything

In a world where you can be anything
Be kind

In a world where you can be anything
Be caring

In a world where you can be anything
Be thoughtful

In a world where you can be anything
Be generous

In a world where you can be anything
Be there

In a world where you can be anything
Be tolerant

In a world where you can be anything
Be fair

In a world where you can be anything
Be selfless

In a world where you can be anything
Be a listener

In a world where you can be anything
Be nice

In a world where you can be anything
Don’t judge

In a world where you can be anything
Be you

❤️

#MIND #MentalHealth #Stigma #LetsTalkAboutIt
#LoveOneAnother

Eat the rainbow - begin to glow 🌈

I rest my arms upon my belly
It’s wobbling like a beautiful jelly.
I don’t really mind my muffin top fat
So long as I’m healthy I am happy with that.

However my diet has been pretty shocking
Those cakes and biscuit I’ve been a rocking.
I need to stop and take stock of it all
At least I will bounce should I have a great fall 🙈.

Tomorrow I will start, I promise I will
I will stop stuffing food down - just eat my fill.
The world is full of a rainbow of food 🌈
So why eat the junk when you are feeling blue?

It seems I like puddings, chocolates and sweets
I’m also obsessed with my daily portion of meat.
So I’m sitting here talking myself fit
Of my rolls, lumps and bumps I must get a grip!

So as the sun rises tomorrow - or maybe the rain just stops
I shall stop eating everything until my belly goes pop!
A rainbow of food I shall endeavour to eat
And if I could go to the gym that would also be neat.

So wish me luck folks as my willpower is low.
I may end up face planting a whole chocolate gateau!
I will find my resolve and leave the junk well alone
Although when I see it my heart will just groan.

That junk food is addictive - my terrible vice
It all just tastes so terribly nice!
But I will think of my rainbow if I’m feeling weak
And try to remember junk sticks to your butt cheek!

Hello February - grow like a Daffodil

I think I officially slept through all of January - not quite but it felt like it.  Like a lot of people I have not been feeling myself by a long way - so many illnesses doing the rounds and sometimes us humans are not very good at self care are we!

I was beginning to think I would forever be spending my weekends in my faithful, loyal and comfy PJs.  Man a girl definitely needs a good cosy pair of jimjams and a dressing gown - if you cannot sink a wine or gin or demolish a kilo of chocolate then your fall back is ALWAYs PJs and dressing gown 🤣.

So it has been a bleak start to 2020 - I am seriously considering a re-think on my July half marathon for 2 reasons:-
1) I have not done any running for so long now by trainers have upped and left home to go and live with some woman who promised them a life of regular runs (or they may be buried in the bottom of my gym bag..... 🤔
2) And this one is mega unfair - somehow I have done something to my Achilles tendon - no idea how - I have not been doing anything. Honestly my body and mind are falling apart!  I am contemplating the way forward with this one at this stage - strengthening and stretching seem key.

So all in all I have spent January sat on the sofa, wallowing in a massive, deep, never ending pool of self pity.  Maybe it was a touch of SAD syndrome thrown in for good measure - who knows.

Tell what I do know .........

This week I most definitely have felt much better.  Actually left the house yesterday - and no not just to go to work (well that would not be happening on a Saturday anyway!).  I left the house in a social capacity and followed it up with a fantastic walk with our beautiful (if not slightly crazy) dogs.  The sun was shining (that did not last long did it 🌞 #StormCiara) - there were signs of Spring everywhere too so all was well in the world.  If those bulbs can stay underground all that time and use all their energy to force their way back through the earth, mud and soil and emerge victorious, proud and strong then surely we can do this as well.  It was lovely to see those daffodils standing up loud and proud and those delicate snowdrops peeping through the hedgerows, like someone who is not sure if they have been invited to the party or not, so just slip in quietly and observe the wondrous hedgerow around them, peeping their delicate snow white heads through the greenery - giving us all hope and joy.

So I feel I have been like the humble but beautiful daffodil - hidden from view but I am slowly but surely getting back out there.  Maybe not running but just living and enjoying life one day at a time.  If I develop a great big yellow head though you will let me know won't you?😜

Happy Sunday folks ❤

REDJanuary2020 - normal service will resume .....🙁

So that’s it - I may be fool hardy at times but I’m not stupid. I am not feeling tip top by a long way. I’ve spent the day in my PJs on the sofa, dosed up. It makes me so sad inside to say I’m going to have to halt my Red January journey - I’m simply not well enough to do anything, I need rest and relaxation - so that’s what is happening this weekend.

I hope to feel better soon and I may be able to resume my journey - if nothing else once I’m well I aim to restart my fitness regime.

Sometimes you have to let common sense prevail and there will be other challenges and more January’s to come.

I will be back ..........

🙁

REDJanuary2020 - down and maybe out...😢

Oh my goodness - so I recall reading something somewhere about if your are poorly from the neck down carry on running - neck upwards don’t. So after my foolish jaunt last night (which in my Rocky head was kill or cure) I have felt decidedly worse today. Spent the whole night coughing and not much better during today - feel awful. Also completely and utterly fed up with not feeling 💯- I mean doesn’t my body know I’m a busy lady I have things to do, places to be .....

I left work early - don’t faint finished at 4pm, how I lasted that long I don’t really know. Home and pyjamas straight on ready to curl up on the sofa and wallow in self pity. I actually think that today I may actually be beaten - I’m weighing up whether I’m doing myself more harm than good trying to be active. I’m so gutted, this is not the RED January I wanted.

I am not over and out yet - the night is young - but I’m re-evaluating my options - my thoughts are that life is all about feeding mind, body and soul - so tonight may encompass some reading (something I never do these days) or meditation (something I’ve never tried). So I will try and do something nourishing but I’m definitely giving my body a chance to recover.

One sad red lady here - onwards and upwards though, it’s the weekend so I can just chill and get well.

#REDJanuary2020 #Day10 #Despair #StayStrong #ItsOk

REDJanuary2020 Day 9 - the worm turns .....

Day 9 - well we did not see that coming ........

I drag my sorry, tired, miserable body in through the door after another long day in work. I head straight into the kitchen to suss out the tea situation, which was in hand - fabulous. As I stood willing the food in the oven to cook faster (because I was so hungry) I picked up my best friend (that’s shocking I know) - I click on to good old book of the face. Here I’m greeted with my memory from last year - red t-shirt, red hat, big smile - smashing RED January 2019. I scroll down to be greeted with lots of running posts - people posting their running achievements for that day. I sigh and think about that flipping stepper sitting in the lounge and my blog. I just thought to myself I cannot do another night bobbing up and down “stepping into flipping Christmas” 🙈. I took a deep breath and thought right - enough is enough is - like the song “Enough is enough (is enough)
I can't go on, I can't go on no more, no”.  I felt this pang that I wanted to be doing what everyone else was doing - not just stepping in my lounge! 💪🏻

So I marched down to the bedroom and pulled on my fabulous red t-shirt (2020 version) and my head torch - other items of clothing were also put on ....... 🧐🤓😜. Benji Boo was following me round  tail wagging, looking ever hopeful - it was like he was saying I recognise that t-shirt, I remember that mad January last year, out all hours come wind or rain (or snow!) 🙈. Please say we are going (and don’t bring the white one 🤪).

I grabbed his lead and felt my stomach lurch as I finally stepped out the door - we were out - first hurdle. As I walked down the drive all I could hear in my head was - you won’t be able to run, you’ve not run since October 😱. 

A little walking warm up and then I started a slow plod. Oh look at me, look at me - running (albeit very slowly and like a baby elephant). I felt a little wave of excitement- that was soon suppressed by not being able to breathe, legs feeling like they were going to snap, chest feeling so tight,  cold air hurting my lungs and coughing. But I was out there and it was just me, my Benji boy and the night sky - no music, no phone - just someone breathing so heavy it sounded like Darth Vader was in tow 🤣😜. 

So not fast, not pretty but short run done ✅- whoop whoop 🙌. Few twinges so I think I need to get back on the strengthening exercises as well - maybe, just maybe I’ve found a smidgen of red motivation 👍🏻💪🏻🏃‍♀️.

#REDJanuary2020 #Day9 #MentalHealth #ThisGirlCanRun #GetActive 

REDJanuary2020 - like my school reports - could do better ......🙈🤦🏻‍♀️

Oh boy oh boy it’s now day 8
And RED January I’m beginning to hate.

I pledged to get active every day
Do something daily come what may.

It’s been a real struggle to know what to do
I can’t seem to find my running shoes 🙈.

I’ve tried to do something albeit it small
I’m not really getting the fitness call.

It’s ironic really that once I cried
When told running was to put aside.

And now I can’t even step out that door
Get these lazy feet off the floor.

I’m not beaten yet so I will carry on
And I will try and lay off the sticky buns!

January is not even half way through
I’m putting my motivation in to brew.

So tonight it may have to the stupid stepper
But honestly I’m really going to try and do better.

So stick with me one and all
This determined lady will not fall!

P.S. Please note I don’t anticipate looking like this by the end of the month 🤣😂😜

REDJanuary2020 - step into Christmas

Day 7 - day 7 - day 7 - RED January you are breaking me. I don’t know what’s going on, I have zero motivation and zero energy. Can I still blame the Christmas cold .....🤷🏻‍♀️🤷🏻‍♀️🤷🏻‍♀️.

However I’m determined to do something no matter how small it is. So having sat (and eaten half a box of maltesers 🙈shhhh), I finally got off my sofa and back onto the stepper. Ahhh the stepper - how I hate the boring stepper but it was that or nothing. I need to dig deep and find my mojo - I’m digging honestly but it must be with a teaspoon as it’s a slow job 🤣.

The other problem I have with the stepper is every time I get on it all I hear in my head is the song “Step into Christmas, step into Christmas”. Nooooo I would have to go backwards to step in Christmas because Christmas 2019 is closer than Christmas 2020 - I can’t keep stepping all year just to step into Christmas 2020!

Day 7 - done - oh my goodness - wish me luck for the rest of the month please!

#REDJanuary2020 #Day7 #GetActive #NobodySaidItWasEasy 🤣

REDJanuary2020 - toned down

Ohhhh Red 6 - what a struggle - sooooooo tired 🙈.  I wasn’t sure I had the energy for anything at all - I don’t know how I managed to run every day last year!  So not a lot going on tonight but I’ve been active so in my book that is a tick ✅

20 leg pulls each leg
20 leg dips both sides/legs
20 sit ups (all stomachs 😂)
20 leg raisers each leg
10 reverse curls
5 minutes on the stepper

Sorry these are my names for these exercises, I don’t know what the proper names are and to be honest nor do I care 🤣🤣🤣🤣.

It is a long month January isn’t it 🤷🏻‍♀️🙈.

REDJanuary - my Christmas belly is ready .....

Day 5, day 5 - oh what a terrible struggle. Energy levels zero - enthusiasm zero - determination 💯.  Never ever give up on the day - even at 9pm at night you can do something.  I mean I could not possibly fail on day 5 - I would not allow it. So I dragged out the faithful stepper - thank goodness for that bad boy - he’s a great fall back buddy.

Twenty minutes on the stepper whilst catching the end of the masked singer and thinking to myself, I don’t think I missed anything there - not that Dancing On Ice is much better 😂🙈🤷🏻‍♀️.

Anyway - day 5 done ✅ - it may have only been 20 minutes stepping but that’s more active that the following:-
Sit on sofa
Reach for phone
Scroll, scroll, scroll
Like, sad, laugh, wow
Watch remotely funny video of random dogs/people/cats
Reach forward
Further
A little further
Yes you have reached the Roses tin!

So here’s a picture of me and my stepper but not only that - my Christmas belly, snug as a big under my jumper 😂. Actually let’s get real I’ve been baking that belly for most of 2019 and I’m not convinced it’s going anywhere in 2020 either 🤣. It’s a good balance to my well padded bottom 🙊.

Happy and healthy that’s the most important thing - oh and dragging bottom off couch for 20 minutes 👍🏻.

#REDJanuary2020 #Day5 #MIND #GettingActive #KeepGoing

REDJanuary 2020 - oh to have a scooter

So day 4 and it’s not getting any easier - my head is like it is full of cotton wool and I will be honest if it wasn’t for RED January I wouldn’t be dragging myself outside. I’m not one to be easily defeated so it was wrap up and head out for a walk with the dogs and Isabelle.

We were a bit quicker than yesterday with Zaccy boy - we did have 2 stops though. The first for Iz to run back for my phone and the second for Iz to go into the graveyard (I have no idea why?), maybe my conversation was that boring 🤷🏻‍♀️.

Two dogs and we already know that Benji Boo likes to pull - well today I think he extended my arm by about another foot as he decided to try and keep up with Isabelle who had the advantage of a scooter. Ohhh my poor arm! I don’t mind telling you I wish I had a scooter - I reckon if I had a scooter with Benji I’d break the 4 minute mile 🤣.

Running seems like so far away at the moment but early days - walking leads to running eventually - surely??? 🙈😷🤧😞

#REDJanuary2020 #Day4 #Plodding #GettingActive #MIND #MentalHealth

#REDJanuary2020 -snails pace 🙈🐌

Day 3

The glorious sun makes an appearance- I’d forgotten what that looked like, how wonderful it felt to have warm rays dancing on your face. The only option today was a walk with the dogs to soak up this yellow baby. Isaac decided he was going to come along as well - this was great progress as he has not got dressed for about 3 days due to being down and out with the stupid cold. Happy healthy Hicks Christmas 🎄- joy!

So zaccy boy and I set off for a stroll around the village. I had not quite anticipated that we would he moving at a marginally faster pace than a snail. 🐌 I asked him did he definitively want to come along, yes he did, despite not looking the picture of health. So onwards and upwards - we trudged along for an hour not getting very far but it was worth it to soak up the suns glorious rays - I’m sure that probably did us both the world of good.

It was an interesting walk as I had to adopt the stop go crab walk. I’ve got Benji going 100mph in one hand and then plodder Lucy Lou in the other, which means a sideways approach to walking, stopping every 10 yards to wait for Isaac.

Never mind we got round - so that’s day 3 - more active than sitting on the sofa!

#REDJanuary2020 #Day3 #GetActive #MIND #MentalHealth

#REDJanuary2020 Step into 2020

So I spent today in the car - you can’t do much walking or running in a car. I had to collect my mum from Cardiff - lovely drive through wind and rain - was lovely in Cardiff but we drove back through weather more miserable than poor old Eeyore.

Anyway it was wet, dark, damp and unappealing by the time I got home and I am very much deploying sensible Joe for 2020.  So I decided it would not be a good idea to trek around the village in the wet with a cold. So I blew the dust off my faithful stepper.

Twenty minutes of stepping done ✅. REDJanuary2020 #day2 #SensibleGoals #GetActive

My head still hurts - sinuses blocked, head pounding - dosing up but doing what I can to do a little bit of exercise 👍🏻😷🤧😴. I won’t be beaten 💪🏻