Planning ahead

I suppose this time of year everyone does this, but, inbetween working a lot and getting ready for Christmas and New Year I have been trying to plan some of my running goals for next year.  This year I achieved my half marathon and I would like to do that again next year.  I would also like to complete some off road trail runs, not as races but running while Rick runs some of his ultras.  I so love trail running and would like to be out and about more again.  Unfortunately the last few months of massive changes for us have meant I haven't run for a while and have put on some of the weight I took off.  However - achieved a lot over last winter and intend to start again in January.  The running club has an altitude challenge again this January and I have also committed to Jantastic in 2014 so that should get me off to a good start.  It won't be about distance or speed - just running.
December has been really busy with work.  I have been working all Christmas week apart from Christmas Day and Saturday and am working most of next week apart from New Year's Day.  I so much love my job though which I am really grateful for.  This contract comes to an end in February and I am applying for some more District Nursing contracts as I definitely know now I want to stay in the community as opposed to returning to hospital.
We had some lovely Christmas meals out with the staff.  The photo below is of 2 practice nurses, 3 health care assistants and 4 district nurses.  Sounds like something out of the 12 days of Christmas!

December is always a busy month in our family.  The children are involved in so much that there is always some sort of event going on.  8yos was invested into cubs in the photo below and he has already earned quite a few badges.  He really enjoys has cubs.

14yos had a lot of events with the brass band, including the usual carols in the square on Christmas Eve, which for me is when Christmas really begins.  The band also played at various venues around the area as well as hosting their own concert in a church in a local village.

Busy times

Posting on this blog seems to be slipping.  It feels at the moment that there are really not enough hours in the day.  Work is busy, the children are busy, home life is busy.........
Some things we have done recently though.
We had a great day at the running club awards session.  The run was a 5.6 mile run around a local loch with the children doing a smaller run of one mile.  Barnaby joined us adults around the loch and ran a brilliant time, beating a lot of the adults showing what a good runner he is for his age.  Rick as usual was speedy and I plodded along at the back of the pack where I am happy.  We had a great buffet and games time and then the awards ceremony where I was shocked to win a prize for the most improved between 2012 and 2013.  Really thrilled.
Spent a good day shopping (it that is possible) with Talitha last week.  Managed to get her bridesmaid material to make her dress and spent my birthday money on a pair of boots which I really like.  Successful day.  A week of annual leave was spent shopping, tidying and seeing people I keep missing by being busy in work.
Barnaby went to France with school for 5 days and had a really good time including enjoying the chance to show off his French fluency to his fellow students.  They visited the Omaha Beach and the American graves plus the war museums and a Christmas market.  Had a really good time by all accounts.
Max was invested into cubs last Wednesday and below is a photo of him taking his promise very seriously before shaking the cub leader's hand with a scout handshake.

Work is busy as usual but I am really loving it.  It is great to love your job.  Last night was a Christmas night out with one of the GP practices I work with.  It was a great night with everyone together and really good food and company.  I am blessed to work with such lovely people. The first photo is of the 4 district nurses, 3 district health care assistants and 2 practice nurses.

Below is my main course - cod and swede.  Lots of vegetables to go with it made it a really nice and very filling dish.

Below is my Charge Nurse, Lisa about to enjoy the same dessert that I ordered - meringue.  Really lovely food at the Clansman Restaurant in Port William.

Tonight Rick has taken the scouts on a sleepover in the forest youth hostel and they are doing a night walk among other things.  Tali has gone with him so myself and the boys are at home.