44forty: January 2012

Sunday, 29 January 2012

Completed a couple more

Went to London on Friday with my Friday Friends. Let me tell you a bit about the Friday friends. We met in 2003 at pregnancy yoga (when I was pregnant with my eldest George). From pregnancy yoga we then did baby yoga (with the lovely Margaret) and then after that we continued to meet on a Friday for coffee and chat. Nearly nine years later and we are still meeting but now it tends to be after school so our children can play. We take it in turns to host and feed the gang. We have been planning to write a 'Friday friends guide to quick and easy food to feed over 10 children' as it usually hectic as we all have 2 children each now.

Anyway we also have mum's nights out and now most of the children are at school we are are now planning a few outings during the day (the freedom!!!).

Last Friday was our first official mum's day out. We got the train into London and the adventure began.

First stop coffee and cake in Russell Square:

Me, Larissa, Claire and Julie (Pippa taking photo)

Next we wandered around London trying to find either the Theatre or the National Portrait gallery.

We found the gallery and went in for a look.

Julie, Larissa, Claire and Pippa going up the very long escalator to the top of the gallery. Don't know who strange lady is!

I have to say that I did indeed appreciate some of the art. The portraits in the tutor section were stunning - incredible detail and colour. Unfortunately I did not like some of the more modern stuff. Great experience. Must try different gallery now.

Claire and I appreciating what we had seen!

We had to drag Julie out to get something to eat!

Headed off to China town and had some fab food and drink.

China town decorated as it was Chinese New Year last week

Yummy food: Me, Claire, Larissa, Pippa and Julie.

Finally off to the Garrick Theatre to watch Chicago. Fab show. I had no idea of the story but it was very entertaining. The performers were very fit some of the women even had 6 packs!! Wow!!

The Theatre

Jazz hands: Claire, Julie, me and Pippa.

I had a fab day and thank you to my lovely Friday friends for making the day so great.

What to do next? Think I need to start growing a plant as I have given myself a year to keep it alive!!

The weather forecast is for snow tomorrow so may get to sledge? (hope so!!)

Wednesday, 25 January 2012

Joined a club today. Aaron Tyler running club. First session tonight. Met with about 40 other 'runners' at Prospect Park. One of them was my Friday friend Claire (who is also 40 this year and has her own 40 things she plans to do - must get her to blog with me!).We had our warm up and then ran a 'Cooper Test'. This meant we ran backwards and forwards over about 100 metres for 12 minutes. They have divided us into two groups using the number of repeats we did. I am in the second group (not as fit!) but think I am not far from the top of that group (hope so). Claire is in the other group (she is fitter than I am anyway!!). Mixed bunch of runners - looking forward to making some new friends.

Met Aaron, the owner tonight and two of his team. They all seem very nice and very encouraging. Plan to take a photo later on when it is lighter in the evenings. Will include the other runners so might ask someone to take a group shot. I thought it would be a good idea to include Aaron and asked him if he would be coming every week. He said no and probably thinks I was trying to chat him up!! (why didn't I explain about the blog??). Will tick it off list once I have a good photo.

Had a couple of new ideas to include in the list:

bike ride with family
camping trip with friends (Friday friends have discussed this before - just need to convince Pippa it's a good idea to sleep on the floor!!!!!)

Which ones will I remove though?

Tuesday, 24 January 2012

Decided to change one of my list (yes I can- its my blog I can do what I want!!).

Changed number 22 from attending a class to seeing an old friend. Number 23 (learn to tap dance was too similar to number 22). Would be great to see a friend I haven't seen in a few years. Find out what they've been doing.

Also have highlighted anything I have completed (only 1 so far!! have lots of time left though!!). Think I might complete number 2 and maybe number 3 by the end of this week? Off to London on Friday to see Chicago with 'friday friends'.

New list

1. Create blog!

2. See a West End Show

3. Visit an Art Gallery and appreciate the art

4. Enjoy a Spa day with friends

5. Join a club

6. Sing Karaoke

7. Give Blood

8. Run a 10K

9. Learn to knit something

10. Nurture a plant so it lasts at least 1 year

11. Drink champagne in London

12. Try a new cuisine

13. See some part of the Olympics live

14. Celebrate being 40 with Uni friends

15. Write a poem

16. Do some voluntary work

17. Sponsor someone

18. Go out in disguise

19. Dye my hair

20. Host afternoon tea with friends

21. Have a PJ party

22. See an old friend

23. Learn to tap dance

24. Go to a pub quiz

25. Go to America and see the sites

26. Go sledging in some snow

27. Go ice skating

28. Be part of a team/play a team game

29. Dance the night away

30. Cook a new dish

31. Celebrate being 40 with my family

32. Go to a water slide pool

33. Go to the beach and build a sandcastle

34. Hold a family games day with prizes

35. Walk in the woods

36. Learn to play the piano

37. Watch a film I would not usually watch

38. Take a river cruise

39. Enjoy a romantic meal

40. Apply to go on TV

Monday, 23 January 2012

1) Creating my blog

Well I've done it. Number 1 on the 40 things for 40 list. That's right folks I am 40 this year and to celebrate I am completing 40 different things over the next year. Most of them are new to me so it should be a fun year!

Follow me while I try to complete the list.

1. Create blog