Goodbye to a very special person....

Last weekend, my Gran passed away peacefully in her sleep, whilst on a family holiday in France. It's been a very sad week for us as a family, and a complete shock, as she was full of laughter, life and health - and very close and special to us all.

....But faith in Christ alone, gives us the assurance of heaven. When you die - what then? John Maxwell tells of attending a funeral where the following poem was read: "I am standing on the seashore. A ship appears, spreads her white sails to the morning breeze and starts for the ocean. She is an object of beauty and I stand watching her till last she fades away on the horizon. Somebody at my side quietly says, 'She is gone.' Gone where? Gone from my vision, that is all; she is just as large as when I saw her last. The diminished size and loss of sight is in me, not her; and just at the moment when someone at my side says 'She is gone,' there are others who are watching her coming, and voices take up the joyful shout, 'Here she comes!'"

Thanks for all your texts, e-mails, cards, phone calls and prayers - they have been appreciated more than you know.
Pen xx

The gym induction......

Well.....I survived!!! Oh my goodness, what a LAUGH!!! Where do I start? I'm afraid to say that I laughed my way through the whole thing, and couldn't bring myself to take it too seriously! Thankfully I had an understanding young guy who was very helpful (but couldn't understand what was so funny!) I'm still not sure what WAS actually funny - but there you go!

One of the funniest things, was those big exercise ball things (the ones that look like space hoppers)! When I sat on it, I said that it was like being on a space hopper, but it would be better if it had the handles (you know what I mean) to hang on to (and bounce around)!! He just looked at me with a look of bewilderment - and smiled (he couldn't have done a lot else really!) I guess it could've been worse.....I could have suggested they paint smiley faces on them like my space hopper used to have (should point out that I was about 5 at the time!) ah, fond memories!

Moving on....
I didn't like the bit where they weigh you (probably because now they will know that I lied on my form!!) ah, confession is good for the soul!
The guy asked me about my job, and I explained what I do - and then went on to say that I did a sleep in last night (which means you don't always get much sleep). He asked me if this was the reason for me being a little 'lethargic' so I said yes, although, I figure that actually, I was just being lethargic because I was in a gym - doing exercise!!!!

It got better..... my blood pressure is apparently v.good and heart rate good too. I was asked if I'd had any caffeine this morning, and when I answered '4-5 cups of coffee', I realised that to have this many by 11am really wasn't displaying 'healthy living'! (Good job they have a Starbucks on site - ha ha!)

So.....to sum it up - an interesting morning!
I should add that I did then do 25mins on the treadmill, but of course, the guy only happened to walk by when I was doing the 'cooling off' bit, so I spent the next five minutes trying to prove that I had actually been exercising, and was taking it seriously! Not sure if he was convinced......not sure if I am yet either - but will continue!

Watch this space.....

Oh my goodness - I'm at the gym!!!!

Yes, I'm as shocked as you are! I should add though, that I'm on the internet, and have just finished a cappuccino (courtesy of Helen - thanks!), and would you believe, I've just signed up!!! It probably has absolutely nothing to do with the fact that it's got a Starbucks on site, and free internet access etc!!! However, I thought it was about time that I thought about getting fit (again!) and the fact that I can sit here (with a coffee), updating my blog and THINK about fitness, is just about perfect! I feel better already, and I've only been here a little while. The added bonus is that in the space of a short time this afternoon I've met half (ok, maybe that's a slight exaggeration) of the church here!

Happy days!!
Watch this space for news of any progress! Ha ha ha!

PS - I have an induction booked for 10th April - so if you could all pray that I just survive that - that would be fab! I think I'm still in shock....!

I'm off for a 10 mile run now.....

Surprises......

I've had a couple of surprises this week! Today was a good surprise.....I went to Heathrow Airport (I was missing the place - ha ha!) to pick up my Aunt who was flying in from Australia. My Aunt walked through with my cousin Lynette, and I had no idea she was coming over as well, so that was a nice surprise!

My other surprise was yesterday - when I took my car to the garage.... I'd figured the tracking was out a little, so thought I'd better get it checked out. To cut a long story short (a first for me) it was an expensive surprise! My almost new front tyres have to be replaced - as my tracking has been WAY out. I also need new wishbone bushes, and some other boring stuff done (such an exciting thing for a girl to spend her money on - not!!!)

Anyone else had a surprise recently??
Answers on a postcard, or post a comment!