For a long time I haven’t had a place in my home to work and be creative…I use the dining room table,probably like a lot of people. I read lots of creative, upcycling blogs and they all seem to have there own creative place. I am in the process of creating that at home. The dining table is fine and it is nice to be in the busy hub of my family, but, I always have to clear it away for dinner, breakfast etc…I found this means I sometimes don’t start a project, because I know I will have to clear it away before I am done.

So I have commandeered the spare room, a room that is there for guests and dumping stuff. Stuff that gets madly tidied when we have guests. I felt this was not a good use of a perfectly good room. Last week my Mum came over and we had a huge clear out, she is great at making sure I don’t get too sentimental over ridiculous things…..eg don’t keep every picture my children have created (thousands), instead keep a few, ones that have meaning, ones that have dates, ones that are nice (not grey and yellow muddy splodges). We recycled, charitied and sorted a box for Ebay (my first venture into selling coming soon to a tumble near you), and cleared a space. That space is now filled with a desk, put up by my partner in crime, Ian. I am sat typing at it now.

Then I saw a lovely picture of a creative nook my friend Rosewhip had created on FB, well my desk and space need to be upscaled and upgraded…operation ” inspiration corner”. Not sure what the next step is, but I am sure it involves pictures and shelves and probably jars with buttons in.

Yesterday I went to the gym, first time in ages. Did a resistance set. Knees are still weak. As lunges were hard - did all sets except for clean and press and last set of triceps lifts. Not bad for my unfitness.
Then I did 10 min cross trainer(level6), 10 min treadmill (level8), 10 mins bike - intervals.
I felt wobbly when I came out.
And today my thighs are VERY achy!

While at the gym saw some one with personal trainer doing jumps across the floor with squats. Will have to try this - but need space. Maybe park early morning. Wondering if I can put together my own circuits for the park - when the weather gets better.

Maybe encourage some others to come out and do it with me.

unh0lyconfessionss:

unh0lyconfessionss:

unh0lyconfessionss:

unh0lyconfessionss:

alyssadaddy:

You have until February 2nd.

i’m on tumblr 24/7 already so i figured why not? And unlike others, i will actually do all of them. I promise.

*(you don’t have to be following me)

5 more days guys

4 more days. Reblog this fast so your other followers can get a chance too! <33

3 days left. hurry up guys

2 days left. its getting down to the last few moments before i start sending messages <3

(Source: girliknow6661, via hannahgotbored)

About three years ago two of my very good friends set up their own business supplying “new and used Moto Guzzi spares and accessories” - Gutsibits. Now it isn’t my idea of fun working from a fairly cold unit in Slaithwaite, but Ed and Jen are passionate about motorbikes, with their vast knowledge on the subject, their guts, determination and huge amounts of hard work they are making a real success of this venture and are now experts in their field. They do all of this while bringing up 4 children and a zoo of animals.

I got to thinking about their achievements because this year two other friends are venturing into their own business. Fran, a creative diva if ever I met one, is setting up her own part-time business, Ginger Rogers Bath Bombs, selling home-made bath bombs. With January not yet over she has a Facebook page, an on-line shop and is taking orders.

Vick is a whiz with a needle, and I am pleased to say I am one of the proud owners of one of Vick’s made-to-measure dresses, a little “50’s”number, she made two years ago. I could not have been more delighted when she told me she was handing in her notice and setting up her own dress-making business. A massive step, but so exciting, I am sure she will be another success story, not least because she has the support of her amazing husband Doug. Doug runs his own business selling skates and skate accessories to the ever increasing Roller Derby community. Amazing Skates was established in 2009, and is going strong.

I am always invigorated and inspired by those doing it for themselves, taking their passion and going for it. One of my oldest friends Dave, the drummer in Anti Nowhere League, and set up his own drumming school 10 years ago in Tunbridge Wells. Dave, who started drumming when he was 7, took is touring experience and love of drumming and has built that into a successful venture that is now an established music school in the area, Tunbridge Wells Music School, offering a range of teachers and music lessons in guitar, bass, keyboard, vocals and of course drums. More importantly passing his passion and skills onto another generation of rock stars.

Even my husband, and most of his closest collaborators in the world of on-line and app. development, are a regular source of inspiration as they work for themselves; often working on innovative and stimulating projects that are directed at education, family, third sector and the environment.

I am lucky enough to be surrounded by lots of people who are investing in the world, in a positive and engaging way, both for themselves or employers, but today I am thinking about how exhilarating it must be to take your own path and follow your passion.

Tick, Tick, Tick, Tick

long stare,

vacant gaze.

Glance up,

glance down;

scribble, scribble, scribble.

Neat squares,

repetitive rows.

Furrowed brow

rustle, rustle, rustle.

Slow walk.

Tick, tick.

Hold head,

grip nib.

exam

Written 4th July 2012

So fired up after watching Team England vs Team USA. While me and my “partner in crime” finished decorating our bedroom, the sounds and sights of top class roller derby streaming through my mac made my stomach buzz with excitement and anticipation. In less than a week I will be winging my way to Finland with the Whip-Its, Leeds Roller Doll’s second travel team, to play Helsinki Roller Girls. I cannot wait.

I hope to be posting fairly regularly on the exploits of Whip-Its abroad, stay tuned for the first expedition of Whip-its International.