Isn't Life Exciting?

Above: Joe and Harry at Rossett Senotaph, Christ Church Rossett. Joe must have been aged 5 and Harry aged 2 1/2 - we used to have such fun and we will again!

Alot of things are changing in my life.

I say "annus oriblus" (did I spell that correctly) to 2009 - I will glad to see its end because it is a year that has seen my life turned upside down.

I started off the year with a successful Mobile Dog Grooming business, almost completed training for my first 10K race, aspirations to run a half marathon towards the end of the year and hoping to get down to my old weight following a blip with my health...... Mr Cochranes words ring true in my head over and over and over "I have just about ruined this year for you but the next 40 are going to be great..."

Already I am starting to get excited about getting my life back. Let me share with you what I am planning to do once my treatment is over:

1. Lose the weight I wanted to lose this year

2. Train from scratch to run my first 10K

3. Book a holiday to a foreign resort, take my children abroad for the first time

4. Train in REIKI so that I can use this on my dogs and customers

5. Thinking about doing a writing course and putting my life down on paper for my children

6. Looking forward to swimming again.... I have really missed swimming and running

7. So excited about re-vamping our bedroom - we ordered the fitted wardrobes today!

8. PARTY! I really want a party to celebrate life (anyone want to come?)

9. I want to go on an all day pony trek, have seen a place in Snowdonia which appeals

10. GATHERING - I am looking forward to this event in January

11. I am looking forward to the Christmas party with some really great friends

12. Race for Life 2010

13. Climb mount Snowdon again (possibly with Mike Peters) for Snowdon Rocks 4??????

14. Do a half marathon in aid of cancer research and certainly the Love, Hope, Strength Foundation

If I have any more ideas I will let you know!

I am just looking forward to getting my life back.

I have decided not to rush back into work. I will groom the customers dogs who have stuck by me through this battle and am considering a re-launch of an establishment. Lugging heavy equipment around is hard and will be even harder now that my right side is effected, I have to be kind to my body because it has been through so much and has been so good to me.

I am looking forward to finding my spirituality again. I want to open my mind and soul, surround myself in positive energy and help others. So I won't be rushing back to work. I want to enjoy my life, my children and I want to get my fitness levels back up to what they were and more....

Snugburys Ice Cream Farm

Such a lovely day today, we decided to take a trip out to a Cheshire Ice Cream Farm. It was beautiful! As with all UK farms, they have to diversify in order to keep going, its wrong, but thats the way it is. The farm house was like a picture postcard surrounded by Oak Trees (these trees are protected in our country now).

The shop itself was situated in what would have been barns at one time. There were so many flavours to choose from; Turkish Delight, Chocolate Heaven, Sloe Gin! to name but a few!

Joe chose the Turkish Delight which also had chocolate sauce in. The ice cream was bigger than him! He got quite distressed when the ice cream melted all over his hands but luckily, we always come armed with baby wipes!

Harry chose the Honeycomb and didn't want his photograph taken so I had to sneak this one in. I had to finish his ice cream off for him which is why I didn't order one for myself! The ice cream was devine as were the sugar cones.

Jason also opted for the Turkish Delight but he always insists on pulling stupid faces when I take a picture of him! I purchased some Cherry jam, Ploughmans Pickle and Ale Chutney - they were only £1.30 each which was a complete bargain. I am looking forward to some Ale Chutney with my salad tonight.

There were quite a few pigs at the farm (all free range) and a mother with her piglets, they were so tiny and cute. I couldn't believe how much hair mummy pig had and how course it was (made me quite jealous - only kidding!). She was very friendly but also very muddy with two little silver rings in her nose. The spotted piglet here kept his nose to the ground continually until eventually he gave up and flopped down for a snooze.

This is their home but they also had open fields to wonder in too.






This goat caught my eye as we arrived at the farm because it was hopping and skipping around just for the joy of life.

It was a nice trip out. Only short and sweet but still enjoyable!

I am going out without head scarfs now as I have a lovely layer of baby hair, so soft I always want to touch it. However, I am finding that I get alot of odd stares. I think people are trying to work out if I have actually decided to style my hair like this (as if!), or what else would make me wear my hair like this...... I don't care if they stare because I am happy as I am, I am not ashamed or embarressed.... I am at war with cancer and so far.... I am winning!

A Walk to the Doctors

Wilbur in my garden

I was so shocked! I phoned the doctors surgery this morning, only to be told that I could have an appointment this morning! I stressed that this was not the "usual" emergency but they confirmed that, yes indeed, I could be seen this very morning.

I decided to walk the mile or so into the village because the sun was shining and its a lovely walk. Houses on one side, fields on the other and the trees, including "the Bottom Tree" (another story). I am glad I did walk because I was able to appreciate lots of the little things in life. Fallen pink blossom the shape of hearts, squabbling sparrows, wild flowers in the hedgrow.... it was a lovely walk.




I also saw lots of people, had lots of waves from cars and my friend stopped me for a brief chat.

The doctor was fine, matter of fact, got my prescriptions and I met my friend who has had a masectomy and a second operation to remove all her lymph nodes. She starts chemo on 1st July. She waited for me and we had a really pleasurable walk back up Station Road and then into the grounds of Christ Church where we took a seat amongst the grave stones, long grass and butterflies.

I often used to sit there in my lunch hour when I worked in the village. There is so much wild life there and wild flowers and so peaceful.

When Harry was 6 years old, and we attended a memorial service for the war dead there, Harry didn't put his poppy on the cenotaph.... he placed his on the grave of the unknown soldier and saluted.

So many memories in this church and so many happy times.

We chatted for ages, then the sun moved on us and it was too hot to remain. Next stop was the pharmacy to pick up my prescriptions then the Village Store (Gwens) because I needed tea bags and my friend fancied an ice cream.

We walked through the park called "The Green" and as far as Lavister which is home for me. My friend got onto her bus and we parted ways.

What a surprise day I had. I hadn't bargained for a doctors appointment today or such a wonderful walk into the village and to top it all, such a lovely hour or so chatting with a friend.

I am so glad to be out and about, so glad I have eyes to see, ears to hear and legs to walk.

Happy days.

Session 3/12: Feeling Better

Joe and his "dog" together with Harry wearing his flight suit!

I am feeling alot brighter today. Harry had a party to attend in Chester and the plan was that we would go into the city as a family, drop Harry at the party then spend some time in the city centre. However, I was woken up rather early by a happy Harry and didn't feel too good. Had a slight headache and tired. So I decided to stay at home and get some rest while the boys went out on adventures.

I really would have liked to have gone into Chester, it is a lovely day but I must follow my body and there will be plenty of other days. It was nice for Jason and Joe to have some "father and son" time together, to do some bonding. They went to the music shop to look at guitars (dont know why because we have 2 mini acoustic guitars, 2 standard acoustic guitars, an electric acoustic and an electric guitar! Joe was impressed with the shop assistant who was demonstrating the instruments. They ended up buying an ampliphier that does "everything" and they are both very excited but I just dont get it.....oh well..... whatever floats their boat and as long as they are happy!

So, I am feeling brighter and more positive. I rested with Pickles and Wilbur on my bed. Pickles warming my feet, bless her. I am looking forward to starting my power walk training tomorrow but I cant for the life of me find my wireless MP3 or my Garmin Forerunner!

I go to the hospital on Wednesday to have my mole checked out. My inner sense tells me that there is nothing to worry about but at the same time, I am calm because I have had all the tests I can have so if it is something to worry about, it can be sorted out directly.