so yes, no blogs 00:46:05 on Wednesday, March 31 2010

Yup indeed, there's been another long break in blogging......

The last couple of weeks have been on the road (and rail) largely - its been a busy old term but that's it done for me now in terms of school trips this term.  There are a few bookings in the diary for next term - but not many - it's always the quietest season for presentations as school exams, A levels, and GCSE's take over.

Much of the work that has come my way in 2010 thus far has been seemingly out of the blue, and largely via word of mouth.  I haven't marketed after all, for something between 2 and 3 years now.  I have enjoyed the work this term - ups and downs as always but some really great feedback and positive reactions - for me and for my team of speakers as a whole.  More about that anon...

So now I have less travelling to do (freeing me up to release the car into the hands of the garage for a well earned service etc) hopefully I will start to get on top of the admin/email/paperwork mountain,  And sleep.  And provide teaching cover at some extra Pilates and Yoga classes.  And take the dog out.  And make long overdue phone calls to friends.  And have a social life!  And blog.  Thats just over this next couple of weeks - I will be on the road again before very long and there are ideas and concepts in the pipeline that I need to put some work in to if I am going to turn them in to reality and nudge some new doors open. 

So yes there have been no blogs of late, but there will be.  All sorts of bits and blogs.

Al

billy's bob 00:32:54 on Wednesday, March 31 2010

Whilst I was away travelling to schools the week before last (sorry for the blog-silence - again) Billy stayed with Mum.  Long walks on the South Downs for him, and lots of fun.  And a trip to the Billy dog beauty parlour! He was bathed, blowdried and had a haircut and manicure.  All that old wool was stripped out of his coat, and the long hair was trimmed, his ears were sheared and shaped and he was groomed all over. 

Ma called me post-event to let me know what had happened and I was a tad anxious as she told me a little too emphatically that whilst Billy had been thoroughly sorted out the hair would grow back and it wasn't bad and it would just take a bit of getting used to compared to how he was before hand.  Why was she being so overly reassuring??

I started to worry.....

When I went to pick Billy up Mum and Dad were out (I let myself in and made a cuppa, ready for them to return and join me) so I was greeted by my home alone coiffed and fluffed mutt.  And oh how HANDSOME he was!!!  Billy has a baby face at the best of times - but with his neat short back and sides and cropped ears he looked even more youthful and pretty than ever.  And clean!!  Neat feet.  Bright button eyes.  And as always, the waggiest tail ever known to man.

Beautifully bobbed Billy boy.  Now there's a result.

Al

travels 00:01:01 on Monday, March 15 2010

As warned in advance, last week was hectic. I was anxious about it but from my side, it was all good.  I hope others might agree. I was speaking at a few schools, staying nights away from home in the process, and Billy was packed off to stay with my parents and enjoy the run of their garden and some lovely dogwalks.

My pilates classes went well - it's nigh on impossible to gauge what people think during the class - I just make a point to myself of making sure they are challenged - but not too much - and ensuring that they smile - plenty!  On tuesday night I hit the road and spent the evening with My Sis, before an early start and an early talk on wednesday.  Twice this week talks have been really restricted time-wise - I know I talk alot but there is a point to it all and it is such a shame when schedules and timetables shave five or ten precious minutes off a session.  School timetables are massively tight I know, but sometimes I feel that for the sake of a few minutes it can not do any harm to be lenient.  After all, for some of those who I visit, this is the one moment when they get to address the stuff (and it is big stuff for many) that I talk about. Alot of the time schools are great - they realise what is going on. 

Anyway, after wednesdays talk I had a day of work, and a wee doze (!!!!) and a dog walk, before returning to Sis for another night, and heading off to near to Guildford on thursday morning.  A school I have been to many times now, and it is set in the village where my Grandpa G lived until he died some years ago.  I nodded and smiled at the turning into the lane where his house was and I looked up to the church where we said our farewells to him. I loved that man so much, he was my last surviving grandparent.  I remember as a child how he would housesit for us if we went away - looking after the dog and cat and house (one tale that sticks out in my mind is his delight at realising how brilliant the microwave is at warming up plates - eeek - that is not to be recommended - can lead to an entire kitchen going Pop!) Every few weeks he would come over for a sunday lunch. Always in a tie and tweed jacket.  Always well turned out.  He would pop outside for a cigarette.  As we sat at the lunch table he would press a pound coin into my hand, and another into Claire's.  Pocket money.  He was a cat magnet - he adopted most of the cats (homeless and otherwise) in his neighbourhood.  When he died, we knew he wasn't well - and was in the early stages of tests -  but before that process developed too far he slipped away, in his sleep, in his eighties. Peaceful. 

I was amazed and touched to get an email this week - completely out of the blue - from another relation from Grandpa G's side of the family.  A cousin of Dad's who had known of the messiness of my illness 10 years ago but hadn't known of what happened next.  She came across springback on the web and got in contact with me.   A lovely message.  I haven't seen her for many many years.  I will write back soon and hope that we can make up for lost time. 

So, Surrey on thursday morning, a meeting in london on thursday afternoon, and the last school of the week was down the road from here, in Kent, on friday.  On friday night I went..... nowhere.  Same today..... car free zone...!  I had to head to Hastings yesterday simply becase my leaking, flooding hot tap in the kitchen was causing far too much grief.. I was recommended to a plumbing shop and the superstar owner was able to supply me with the part I needed to fix the problem - for free!  I salute the man. Domestic bliss is on it's way (just a shame that the boiler is being pedantic and peculiar, again.....)

A few more hundred miles will go on the clock this week coming.  And wee car is very overdue for a Service, and due for it's first MOT.  Best get that booked in.

Travel safely.

Al

mothers 22:43:49 on Sunday, March 14 2010

Wishing much happiness to all mothers out there in the world on this Mothering Sunday.  But most of all I wish my own Mum so much happiness and send her all of my love - always.  She is Mum, my friend, my inspiration.  She laughs with me, she is always there for a natter, she puts up with me when I am grumpy and impatient.  She is forgiving, and honest, and one of the most genuine people I know.  I love her with all of my heart.  If - when - I am a mummy myself, if I am half as fantastic as her then I will be very proud of myself - and grateful for the role model I am lucky enough to have in my life.

Love you Ma,

Al

spring's back 23:52:09 on Sunday, March 7 2010

What an absolutely glorious day! There has been a very bitter "chill factor" of that there is no doubt, but the sun has shone and the sky sparkled. 

I stayed at home today and it has been good to be here, just doing "home stuff" - pottering, as I put it.  I was utterly lazy this morning - I slept late after a late night (kitchen sink drama's) and spent my day around the cottage and the garden and Billy and I went out for a lovely stomp through the fields.

Despite the cold air, for several hours I had the back door wide open - letting the sunshine and fresh air in to the house, and I washed and dried all covers of the sofa - I am sitting here on a sofa that smells luciously of persil!  I took cushions outside and beat them - thumping dust out of them!  I cooked.  I chatted on the phone.  I toured the garden looking at the progress of new shoots and admiring the first flowers of spring to come into bloom. 

Nothing glamorous or exciting and nothing to write home about really.  But it has just been good to be here, be taking a few hours out and to really - really - enjoy and cherish my wee home.  It's looking just fine. 

Billy and I had discussed the possibility of returning to the sea for a billydog walk but I changed that plan in the end as I decided that today was to be a car free day (oh and speaking of the car, yesterdays triumph was getting the vacuum cleaner out and blitzing the inside of the car, and then taking it down to the petrol station for a carwash - I have a shiny happy car at last!)  I am glad we (I) decided to stick with a walk through the fields - it was bitter and cold and down by the sea it would have been several degrees colder.  And as we walked we bumped into friends and chatted.  First of all we saw Kate, from two doors down, with her 3 tiddlywinks - 2 out of 3 small people were out practising their bike riding skills - and small person number 3 was snoozing peacefully in her pram.  In the fields we met more friends and as I stood and chatted Billy ran around with absolute and unquestionable spring fever.  It's amazing the transformation a few days makes - when we went out earlier this week the fields were sodden and within minutes of starting a stomp Billy was up to his tummy in water and wetness and filth.  Today he came home dry and relatively mud-free (Praise Be!)

So there we go, I've just been 'being' today, that's all, and that's okay with me.  A human being and a human doing who's glad to see the sun.

Deep breath, a new week is about to kick off.  A hectic one....

Al

bed 23:59:37 on Wednesday, March 3 2010

All I need right now, is sleep. I have plenty to share, but let me sleep first, and get through a thursday of all sorts, and I will be back soon.

Sleep sound people. And wake up with a smile on your face! 

Al