2020! Wow what a year so far!

 Hi everyone, 

Well today I have decided to do an update on all things of the CRAZYNESS of 2020.

not too sure why but here goes.

This year as for many has truly been a rollercoaster, 

With being Furloughed, then my contract terminating, to having a second Hernia surgery in July and only just getting back to full strength when everything closes down again. My partner being a way for the majority of the year due to being an essential worker in other country's. And recently loosing my Gran to Dementia.

As for many this roller-coaster has taken its toll on me, both mentally and physically.

I as always have been trying to eat well and healthily with my food, but due to the surgery and gym closures I struggled with the exercise to maintain my weight, only now nearly 6 months on am i back to "pre op fitness". Which is something I struggle with. As i like to "zone out" and get on with a long dog walk or even a run with my tunes on. 

As well as the lack of focus and structure to my days its just all been merging into one.

Recently from my counselling sessions I have found a little more clarity, in the form of a tick list, meaning I am making time to have the bubble bath at 1pm just because I can, but also get out and walk the dog and have the exercise I need.

This week my main goal has been Christmas, I have gotten quite organised, some presents are here and wrapped, and others are in a wish list awaiting payday. I find that getting organised and planning really does help.

Im just waiting now to see what Boris says about reopening on 2nd Dec, and what Christmas is going to look like this year for myself and my family .

Hope your keeping well, and fingers crossed I get the urge to post again soon.

Nicola  x

Life updates, Why have I been so quiet? Whats Been going on?

Hi all,

Well, I'm back after a very long time away, There has been a lot going on here in the last 6 months and I simply feel like I haven't had time to sit and write.

I have a new job
I have had Hernia Surgery
I have got hair extensions
I have a new car

I now work for the national trust in the catering team at Clumber Park. I LOVE it! I feel like I finally belong, and have found a job I love to go to and get up in a morning and look forward to it. Yes, I have taken a pay drop and had to rearrange and reassess my spending. But its well worth it for actually feeling and being truly happy. My family have all commented on how I seem genuinely settled and happy.

I around easter found a lump in my stomach that was very painful, which ended up being a "paraumbilical hernia". I was signed off work and was operated on within 3 weeks. It was a painful recovery, and now 4 months on I am still not 100% strong in my core and stomach, but it has made me concentrate on eating well, and gentler forms of exercise and the process of building back up.

My hair never grows, and if you have been here for a while I have documented this. I have tried biotin and millions of different products. So finally I have taken the plunge and got tape in extensions, (I am now on my second install). They have lasted me about 8 weeks before needing to come out and be retaped and reinstalled. I have been truly amazed at how much my hair is growing while I have them in. I think its a mixture of the extra heat on my head and the sulphate etc free shampoo I am using to maintain them. I know it is growing as I am needing my roots doing every 8 weeks, and I can usually manage 12 weeks. I think they will be installed 2 more times and then my hair should have grown to my desired length.

I had a big life change last year when my sister died, and one thing I have learnt is that life is true too short and if you want something go out and do it. Well, I have always wanted a convertible "Sunday car". And I worked hard and saved hard and thankfully I went and bought it just before the summer weather started. I have been very thankful and happy to be driving around with the top down and tunes on over the last few weeks. Whenever I have felt low this has been a sure way to very quickly pick me up.

Lucy update - 6 months

Wow!
We have now had the pleasure of owning Lucy for over 4 months now, she is 6 months old,

I cannot truly remember my life without her,

We have now experienced:

• loosing teeth
• changing from puppy to adult food
• training to sit and stay
• sleeping in her room all night without accidents
• letting us know if we are out at other peoples houses that she needs to go out to toilet
• when she can or cannot come on the sofa

We need to improve:

• not pulling on the lead
• not jumping at people when coming in the door
• not crying when we leave the house (as from standing outside we know its been for like 30 seconds for attention)

I remember all the struggles and sleepless nights but I wouldn't have it any other way. 

From the day we were walking home and Lucy slipped off her lead, leading to her running back up a main road towards our house (luckily it was early morning with very few cars on the road) but it didn't stop me running like crazy and crying my eyes out.

To the time she decided to eat her flashing walking light (the size of a golfball) and waiting and checking on her sleeping for it to pass.

And all the little cute things, like sitting guard by our back door waiting for her nanny (the live next door) to come home from work, and wagging her little windscreen wiper.

To her being there when im poorly and giving me a cuddle when i need it, or licking a tear off my face when I cry.

I would not change her for the world, she is out little "cracker jack". Crazy, cute and sweet.