NEW!! Joie de Vivre Newsletter

Hi all -

Just to let you know that Jayne Training Services is well and truly up and running following my Joie de Vivre challenge and I have written and published my first newletter that I would love you to provide content on anything positive and upbeat!

www.joiedevivrenews.wordpress.com

I would genuinely like to thank you all for the interest, assistance and the challenges that inspired and encouraged me to make the changes necessary in my life and to ‘practice what I preach’.  My new venture will be to inspire and encourage others to find their dreams also in their own way.

Please have a look, subscribe and put your two penneth in to keep the bad and the negative at bay and have some fun!

Lots of love, Debbie

PS If you prefer to receive the newsletter in PDF, please e-mail me: d.jayne@jaynetraining.co.uk and I will add you to my database.

 

Living intuitively… I predict a riot!

Well, oh my goodness, what a difference a ‘challenge’ makes!  My life is changing beyond all measure and opportunities are opening up all over the place. Richard Wiseman wrote the book ‘Did you spot the Gorilla?‘ and I am now noticing ‘gorillas’ all over the place.

When you are looking for people, places, ideas, opportunities… they spring up from everywhere!  I have started Jayne Training, where I actively encourage others to learn in a fun, upbeat, positive manner to assist them to develop personally and professionally. (The website is still under construction, but feel free to contact me for further information.) I have been talking about it for years…

I am also working a fabulous health-based business from home!  These products have allowed me to leave the 4 bottles of Gaviscon in the cupboard (thanks Dad, but I won’t be needing them anymore!), and are totally health orientated every-day items.  The business was ‘thrown at me’ out of nowhere by people I had never met before three times in four days and I finally listened to what was being said!  AND – looking for fun, upbeat and positive people to work with me!!

With these businesses, I have already met up with old friends and colleagues, as well as some new people and realised that I can choose my life – design it, work with who I want, and be who I want to be.  I can be me!

Living intuitively appears to be working… it is taking the stress out of decision-making as, to be honest, we do all know what is right if we only take time to feel it.  Now, whenever something gets thrown at me, I take time to quieten down my head and listen to the feelings more – which we normally say we don’t have time to do.  Find the time!!  You do know the answer!

When things seem to go out of line now, a reason for it emerges e.g. I was due to have a meeting at 10am one morning and tied it in with something else at 9.30 (as in Cornwall and with current petrol prices, it is a necessity to do what you can in one location!) when en route, my 10am suddenly became 11am.  Mmnn, however, when I met the lovely Trish at 9.30am, she offered me a cup of tea and we got talking about her Bits and Bobs crafts and Candy Heaven and realised that actually we could potentially work together.

One of my challenges was to assist with the marvellous PANTS charity, and, whilst I didn’t manage to do this in the 50 days, I did go and help in their Falmouth shop a few weeks ago.  Jeanette and I then got together over a hot chocolate in the park and we realised, again, that we could work together to fund-raise for this superb charity and raise awareness of PANTS related cancer for all ages and gender.

This is actually what she’s like!!

I have attended the Entrepreneur’s Circle meeting and met some amazing people, and a Social Wow Workshop with Michelle Holmes (right), one of the EC’s Business Growth Advisors, and again, met people from all walks of life with fabulous ideas and positive energy – and I am LOVIN’ IT, LOVIN’ IT!

I am not saying this is easy, as I now only have 47 days left to get things moving - and my head occasionally screams “Aaaargh, what are you doing!”, but my heart remains calm.  My head is still looking for the ideal role as my upbringing has taught me, however, my heart is still putting it’s two-penneth in saying ‘Fine, but keep listening; make sure it is what you really want, and ties in with your new plans’.

I have to run away again now, as I have much to do… very little time, but sooo exciting!  The most exciting part I cannot tell you as yet, as I need to do a bit of rearranging if possible… but watch this space!

Living life now… with Joie de Vivre!

Debbie

 

I have 82 days to change my life! New ca

I have 82 days to change my life! New career, new ideas, new prospects… exciting! Irons in fire and heating nicely! Open to suggestions… clean only please! Anyone want to join me?

 

Off to be a pirate in the Guinness Book

Off to be a pirate in the Guinness Book of Records attempt! Anyone coming? Meet you on Penzance prom at 1pm!!

 

Joie de Vivre! Nearly there!

Hello again!

I have been so busy finding my Joie de Vivre and working and living life in general that I have failed to keep you updated, so here is the next set of photos and info!

Sadly, Debbie – the sailing lady – contacted me and due to family and illness had not been able to get the boat ready for the sailing activity booked for the 5th June; however, she and I will be getting together shortly to do this when she is ready.  She has, bless her, been renovating the boat personally ready for the challenge and I think, from the sound of her, she and I will get on famously!

William with his family - Welcomed in Australia!

The evening of Monday 6th June was a special evening; nothing to do with the challenges, but definitely a Joie de Vivre moment!  My ex-husband’s nephew was over from Australia and he and I had been conspiring for his Nanny & Gubby to meet up with him unexpectedly.  This was fantastic!  To see Matt with his grandparents, and my son with his cousin again was truly lovely.  I am very, very lucky to still have a fabulous relationship with that side of the family and adore them for still including us in their lives.

On Saturday 11th June, I travelled across Cornwall to the amazing St Ives. Can you believe that in about 20 years of living in Cornwall, I have never been there?  I parked in a car park over looking the sea and walked down the hill to the St Ives Arts Club, a tiny little theatre on the sea front.  I managed to get a seat as it was packed when I arrived and the show began.

The show ‘How desperate can it get?’ was a fairly dark and satirical look at the fortunes of four women and how their lives and histories intermingle – cause and effect. The play was actually written by the four ladies that acted it out – Claire, Nina, Anja and Rachel.  It apparently started with a single sentence from a Greek tragedy, then they ad-libbed and played with the words until it became a fully formed drama. Very clever indeed!

Rachel and me

After the show finished, the ladies were obviously inundated with questions and admiration from the spectators, however, I did manage to approach Rachel Rouncefield who had put forward the idea as one of the challenges.  Rachel was there with her family having travelled down to Cornwall for the rehearsals and shows as she had moved up country last year!  She and her friends were lovely and I was thrilled to have gone there and met them.  I have asked if Rachel will provide me with her 1000 words towards the book challenge as, again another spooky coincidence, I found that Rachel is a writer!

  When I managed to climb back up the hill to the car, I found even more Joie de Vivre

Sunset at St Ives

as the sun was setting peacefully over the sea and even though it was drizzling, I took time to stand quietly by the churchyard and watch the waves and a lone walker – a tiny spec – sauntering across the beach in the evening sunset.

On Monday 13th June, I set off to sunny and glorious Torquay… lost my Joie de Vivre very slightly at the road maintenance works for a short while… and arrived at the beautiful Merlewood House about 10 minutes late for my Sugarcraft flower day.

When I arrived, there was an array of items strewn neatly across the table in the large dining area (lit by the chandelier, no less!) and I met my three new ‘workmates’ and the wonderful Janice Cooke, Sugarcraft specialist extraordinaire.  She was sitting there looking very stern in her white coat however within minutes, we were all laughing at our attempts compared to Janice’s deft fingers lightly and swiftly moulding the tiniest pieces of icing into dainty petals.  A calm and studious teacher, Janice watched each of us in turn and helped us believe that anything was possible… and it was!

For me, though, this process brought back fond memories of my mum who passed back in 1992 who adored all things finicky and was as adept as Janice in decorating cakes and decoupage.  I used to harrumph and make jokes with my mum about her attention to such processes; she once tried to get me to cut out tiny pieces of wrapping paper for her for her decoupage, and I, at that age, grumbled that it was ‘boring’.  Today I learnt very quickly how difficult these activities are, yet how therapeutic and satisfying they can be – and I would give anything to take back my words and spend time with her again.

At one point recently, I did speak to Wendy saying that financially I was unable to achieve some of the tasks such as the Beetle Drive, fondue party etc as I wanted to do them properly; she was very good and appreciated the situation.  However, she did suggest that the tattoo should be accommodated if possible!  She already knew what I had decided upon and felt that this was a necessity to ensure that the 50 days did not go unnoticed and unforgotten.

So, gathering courage I phoned up DNA Tattoo Studio in Newquay where another friend had been recently.  She gave me two assurances as I was quite nervous; she said:

      1/ The tattooing was painless – and -

      2/ Simon and the team were lovely.

Well, one out of two ain’t bad! 

I phoned up on the Friday 17th June and Simon told me that they were almost fully booked until July! I explained that ideally I needed it done by midnight the next night!  He asked if I could pop in to show him what I wanted and he would be more able to tell me how long it would take and therefore when he could fit me in.

We popped in a few hours later and the receptionist (Grace) and Simon were asking why I had chosen ‘Joie de Vivre’ as my design. When I explained, Simon suggested that he would do it that very minute!  Er, thanks Simon!

I do have to say that even through the swearing like a French Navvy (me, not Simon – who was laughing!),

I will never lose it again!

I had my Joie de Vivre whilst getting my ‘Joie de Vivre’.  There was a lovely guy, Sean, getting his umpteenth tattoo, his tattoist and another tattoo’ed gent watching the proceedings with interest, to whom I had to apologise profusely for my outbursts. They appeared fine and I could see Grace in the wall mirror giggling away furiously… so I had to warn her that she would be named and shamed on this blog!

Seriously, though, professionals to the last and lovely to boot – I would very much recommend these guys if you wish to get a permanent reminder of life tattooed onto your skin.  I now have mine. (Sorry, Dad! Love you xx)

And so to the 11 mile walk!!

This was on Saturday 18th June and it started at 7pm from Wadebridge to Padstow and back along the Camel Trail.  When I first heard about this walk, it was only apparently 10 miles – someone snuck another mile on somewhere and didn’t my legs know it!

I ended the 50 day challenges the same way I started; with good friends and with William, my son, by my side the whole way.  We even took the carpet-headed bear who somehow seemed to still be pulling on her lead and running even to the last few steps.

I have known my friend Hilary since I started working with her about 14 years ago and she and her husband Andy have been there for me and Will at every turn.  In fact, she sees more of my animals than me as she looks after them when I work away.  We converse through texts and notes normally and she is always there with a ‘no problemo’ and ‘of course’ whenever I need something.  If only I could give her back half as much as she gives me!

So, this particular evening, we spent 5 hours talking and laughing and reminiscing and, when things got a bit tough, we talked rubbish and set challenges for our amusement.  Will, Andy, Hilary and I managed to remember all of the seven dwarves, 10 out of the 11 Doctor Who’s, all but 1 of the reindeer, played ‘I went to the shops and I bought’, tried to remember the names of the Famous Five (we could only remember George, Anne and Timmy the dog!), and did A-Z of disney films and characters and other such nonsense.  Brilliant!

Although tired and aching, we agreed that it had been good fun and should ‘do it more often’.  I think I shall let my muscles get back to normal first, eh?

I must also take the time to thank everyone who sponsored us; the money goes to the MacMillan and Marie Curie charities.  Lynda (2nd from the right), Nicky and their teams from the charities apparently need the money in within 3 weeks, so I will contact you directly and give you my details.  Thanks also to the many volunteers that helped that evening – especially the poor souls that followed us in at 11.15pm-ish listening to Will and I throwing questions at each other such as ‘Would you rather be an eagle or a man-eating tiger?’ and ’If you had a choice, would you eat a bucket of hair or a bucket of earth? and other strange questions.

 In the next blog – I will update you with the challenges completed and yet to complete – and absolutely, completely and wholeheartedly advocate this whole process to any sad 47 year old who has lost their Joie de Vivre!  Get out there and grab it!

 

The Only Pirate in Penzance! Joie de Vivre Challenge!

Dear all – At last, I have got to the blog! (And, for some reason, it is not saving my paragraphs and when I preview it, it looks like a big blobby mass of blog!)

Since last time, work and responsibility have taken over and I am trying to fit everything in and sleeping at the same time!

On Saturday, I managed to do 2 challenges at the same time – more to that in a minute – and since then I realised that my house looked like The Life of Grime and we were only one cobweb away from an intervention.  Sunday therefore was cleaning, washing and about 3.5 hours of ironing. Bank Holiday Monday, I spent visiting and assisting family and friends who needed my help.  (In my defence, I know how lucky I am and I potentially would not have fared so well in life if others had not helped me; I therefore will not compromise my family and friends just to complete a personal challenge.  In fact, the challenge has made me realise that people help people who help people).

And so to the challenge…

I carried out my Fancy Dress challenge in that I had to dress up in a place where no-one else would be dressed up, and decided to head to Penzance dressed as a Pirate – and I was definitely the only pirate there that day!

I also had ‘attend Cornish Pirates Day’ in Penzance organised by Angie Butler on my list which we realised was on 26th June and the challenge ends on the 18th.  I therefore wanted to meet Angie and we organised that I would attend the opening of the Jubilee Pool in Penzance (another of her projects) and I would help her to give out some leaflets for the Pirates Day. The sea-water pool was built in 1935 and, had I had my cossie, I would have been very tempted to go in.  I am ashamed to say that I did not know the Jubilee Pool existed!

I therefore combined the two challenges as time is fast running out, and spent a happy 4 hours walking around Penzance dressed as a pirate when no-one else was.  I even had a toy parrot nappy-pinned to my top which was fine until:

 a/ I realised I had to go to a cash machine in St Columb and then

b/ got stuck in traffic on the A30 and got some very strange looks!

Anyway, I arrived at the car park in Penzance on what was, as Winnie the Pooh would call, a Very Blustery Day, and called Angie to find out where she was.  A strange lady popped up across the car park waving furiously at me – to be fair, I was the only pirate getting out of a Renault so if she had got it wrong, I would be worried about her.

A Pirate with new friends!

Angie took me to meet her husband Peter and their friend Jean-Marie in the lovely little cafe by the Jubilee Pool.  (Jean-Marie and Peter had the right idea with a bottle of wine! Winnie the Pooh would approve, methinks).  Angie took me to meet Clare Trevaskis and her partner who own the Pirate Ship and shop on the pier and, for the first time, I felt underdressed, which required a photo.

Angie is an inspirational lady who is a retired Deputy Head and who knows and introduced me to grandparents, parents and children for the four hours I was with her.  She gave me a personal tour around Penzance during which time I realised that, whilst I have worked and trained in Penzance for many years, I have seen Penzance, but never really looked.

I took time to stop and look at a hotel that I have passed many times without noticing its amazing frontage.  We laughed and reminisced in a fabulous antique / 2nd hand shop complete with a Dusty Bin ornament!  I even found a Beetle Drive original game – a Beetle Drive is on my list of challenges and I hadn’t even known what one was!  Spooky!  Needless to say, it came home with me.  Angie showed me around art galleries and introduced me her many friends.  She took me home and showed me the books she has written, regaled me with stories about her family, her work and her life – and I was overawed with her openness, her brilliance, her positivity and her ability to light up the room. Thank you, thank you, thank you x.

Please could you all support Angie and the people of Penzance who are doing the Pirates on the Prom on Sunday 26th June at 1pm;  they are trying to break the world record by having the largest group of pirates in one place!  All ages welcome – however you must clearly resemble a pirate and have a pirate style hat or bandana / kerchief, and accessory (sword, parrot, eye patch etc), appropriate shirt and trousers.  Items can be purchased on Clare’s boat!  To break the world record, you must remain in place for 10 minutes – please arrive at 1pm for a 1.30 start (Entrance fee = £1 per pirate).  Please contact the team on 01736 369686 / 01736 369677 or click the link for their web page.

My 50 tasks are waaaaaay off course, however, I am still amazed at what life is out there and how much I was missing.  I recognise also that getting stressed over stuff like having no internet causes physical pain which materialised in a bad back – fun is what was missing.  I do not want to lose the purpose of this challenge, which is to find my Joie de Vivre … trying to do the 50 challenges and shoe horning them in around responsibilities and not wanting to say ‘no’ to family and friends almost became my undoing.  Life, friends, family and fun are more important than achieving the 50 challenges within the 50 days – I will be doing as much as I possibly, possibly can in the time allotted, but will aim mainly on enjoyment.

Please, tomorrow, when you have read this… look around you… reaaallly look and see the wonderful place you live in the amazing world you live in.

Yours overawed… stunned… relaxed… and amazed…

Debbie xx

 

Living in the moment!

“Time is infinitely more precious than money, and there is nothing common between them. You cannot accumulate time; you cannot borrow time; you can never tell how much time you have left in the Bank of Life. Time is life..”

Towards the end of a fun filled, packed and extremely exhausting hen weekend.  Not many more minutes in the day could we have filled, hence the quote above.

Eight friends, some of whom were previously unknown to each other, met Friday afternoon and as yet have not stopped laughing.  These couple of days have proved that like-minded people are where you will find your Joie de Vivre.

So to the challenge.

Cheer leading huge hit, video to follow.  The funniest bit was Lawrence and Wendy leaping around to Justin Bieber ending in a pom pom fight.

Have discovered a new cure for bad backs.  Put wild water rapids, cheerleading and line dancing on the NHS.  My bad back although sometimes painful during these activities was over ridden by extreme laughter, which acted as an anaesthetic.  I would recommend this to anyone.  This did however, only serve to highlight that had I been doing this alone, the affect would not have been half so impressive.

Next challenge – the one to two minute script which I have to say was more of a collaboration during a late night external jacuzzi session – is well on its way.  This has turned into a murder mystery and there will be a prize for the most inventive solution as to ‘who done it’.

I now need to hike up the pressure to complete the as many of the challenges on time, even though working.  However, I have to say even if I don’t manage the full 50, I have certainly found my Joie de vivre!

Home tomorrow for Challenge 51 – seeing if I can access the internet! Hopefully then I can keep you informed more often.

Debbie xx

 

Yaay! (Almost) up and running!

Well hello all!!  I am only (almost) up and running as hopefully I will have a brand new wireless router sitting at home waiting for my attention.  Until then, I am having to dip in and out via friends’ wireless connections which I have had to do for work and feel it unfair to take up their kitchen tables for too long.    So here I am currently at Becky’s house (my boss) typing furiously!

I am soooo sorry that I haven’t been able to keep you up to date, but thanks ever so to my LSF Wendy for keeping you informed as / when she can in her busy life.  I must also say that I have been unable to research some information required or contact some people by e-mail – I haven’t forgotten you, I just need to find out your numbers!!! If I haven’t yet got hold of you, please can you direct message me on Facebook or Twitter with your contact details?  Please make sure you do it as direct message and don’t put on for all to see.  I am trying to keep in touch with the outside world via these mediums.

Let’s see… what to tell you?  Bad news, I have hit snag number 2 (number 1 being the internet issue), which is that I have somehow stuffed up the ‘facet joints’ in my back (What are ‘facet joints?’, I hear you ask.  Well, they bloomin’ hurt if you sit down for too long, they give you a form of temporary tourettes, and it is advisable not to stuff them up) doing a task not on the list of 50 challenges… I bent over to move a step stool on my landing and stuck in that position!  Oh dear, not a very ‘extreme sport’.  Never mind, I need to catch up as quickly as I can. Thankyou to Malc at Wadebridge Osteopaths for getting me strapped up and back on the move!

Good news: I shall update you on progress so far…

• Painted self-portrait and showered in a waterfall at St Nectan’s Glen near Boscastle in Cornwall.  NB There has been press that it is being closed soon, however the owner, Dave Lytton has said that that is not the case.  Dave was very lovely and concerned that his little cafe would suffer, so I have promised to mention it in the blog.  If you get the chance to go, it is a beautiful, quiet walk along the river and up a slope to the cafe – about a mile walk – and then a fairly steep walk down to the waterfall.  These tasks I did with my cousin, Amanda, and my gorgeous ACe (Auntie Ce).
• May Day baskets to friends and neighbours
• Tea lights for fallen soldiers in Truro Cathedral
• Thelma & Louise in a convertible car  I did with the fun-loving Debbie Morris who kindly crammed her beautiful convertible car full of footballs, foam exercise bits, and various other acoutrements for our training session (thankfully not taking the hood down until after we’d removed these items otherwise the M5 drivers may have had some extra hazards).  I don’t think the normally peaceful Ivybridge knew what had hit them seeing 2 mad, head-scarved women with T & L music blaring and awful american accents quoting from the film (with some ad-libs).  This was great fun and has to be recommended for full belly-laughs!  I have also had two of my best friends, Kathy and Jemma, wanting to do this one with me.  I highly recommend it and will certainly be doing it again!
• We also did the left / right challenge which created great hilarity as the dice took us in many different cul-de-sacs, farmyard trails and tiny one-car dirt tracks.
• Childhood activity i.e. French Skipping - with my friend, Anne, from secondary school and her daughter, Faith.
• Go Ape – with Will, Wendy and Ruth.

In progress / booked:

• Sailing – with Debbie R for Sunday 5th June (weather permitting!!)
• Cornwall Pirates day – although we realised after blogging that it is essentially after the challenge has ended, Angie has very kindly invited me to meet with her on Saturday  28th May to celebrate the opening of the Jubillee Pool in Penzance… swimming anyone?.  I will also attend the Pirates Day on Sunday 26th June as promised.
• Writing (various) i.e. sketch to be performed on youtube, about a place visited (O2), to be accepted for publication,
• Time Capsule – hole dug (however this has to be attributed to the carpet-headed bear!) and am collecting items that remind me of the challenge to be buried on the 18th June.
• Random acts of kindness – finding this one really hard as we all get so engrossed in our working day, and rush about from pillar to post to fend for our families, that we forget to appreciate and acknowledge that others need help too.  I have only managed to do 2 so far – as simple as realising that one woman was separated from her friends on the train and offering to swap places with her, and going out of my way to visit a family friend and spending a few hours with her instead of going straight home even though I was desperately tired and had a 4 hour drive ahead of me.  This last one, I realised, ended up as more for me as I genuinely appreciated spending time with her and was so glad that I had.  To do a random act of kindness on 7 consecutive days whilst working is genuinely difficult.  I intend to ensure I do the remaining 5 as the task did not say consecutive, however it is an eye-opener to realise that I am very self-focussed at times.
• 10 mile Macmillan walk - 18th June – Wadebrige, Cornwall – in fact, if you want to walk with me, Hils and the carpet-headed bear, please sign up and contact me and we’ll arrange to meet.
• Dance video like the T-mobile spoof – in discussion with the wonderful Tracy at Vodafone, Truro (01872 260400) who not only helped me with the iPhone vs cup of tea incident, but who got very enthusiastic re the challenge and asked me to help raise money for Childrens Hospice South West with her team.  She has advised me that any monies her shop raises will be matched by Vodafone – so let’s get her and her superbly customer focused team going!  I am also hoping to contact the local schools to assist me with this task and have got contact names / numbers now.
• Tattoo – Alex (aged 14) has cleverly included the design as part of his artwork for GCSE coursework, and has done an amazing job on my minimal information… I will keep you in suspense re the design and the place…!
• Cheerleading class – I have been booked into a class this weekend with Ruth and Wendy!  Mmn, let’s hope my back is better or I may be shaking my pom-poms from the sidelines!
• Stand up comedy – although absolutely petrified by this one, Clive of Simply Consulting has kindly given me a contact name on Twitter… need to get hold of her and stop procrastinating!
• Calendar for charity – loads of ideas, no action!  In my defence, my ideas in this case, do require internet access and a good few hours at least.
• Making sugarcraft flowers - 13th June at Merlewood House.
• Find a wall and get people to graffiti what inspires them (with permission!) – out of the blue, I have gone from ‘OMG, How am I going to do this?’, to ‘Hey Deb, guess what I’ve been told… ask if you can go along’;  watch this space!
• Invent a new game (Done!!!), send it off as a proposal – any ideas???
• Go on a radio show – have been passed contact and have e-mailed, but not yet heard, however Debbie (Thelma) has also sent off the info to one of her contacts – thank you!!!  Again, any help gratefully received.
• Pillion ride – Booked for tomorrow (Thursday), however due to horrendous back pain at this stage have had to postpone.  I don’t think the Marvellous Malc (the Osteopath) will be able to cope with this level of stupidity, he laughed at the idea of cheerleading…

There are a few things still stuck on and requiring contacts if you could help? Lack of e-mail access has held up these big-time:

• Contributions from 10 people for my book – I would love it if anyone over the age of 40 who either has lost, or had lost, their ‘Joie de Vivre’ could contact me with a view to writing an article on how they came to this stage of their life and what they have done or decided to do, to revitalise their mojo.
• Anyone know a famous person happy to do something for charity???
• Publicist for written articles / book?
• Printers to print the calendar?
• Any takers for finding your own ‘joie de vivre’ by doing the 50 day challenge?? Prepared to have a go?
• Any contacts for radio interview?
• Not doing well regards raising money – I have not received a label for my bucket – therefore any sponsorship for the Macmillan / Marie Curie 10 mile walk or monies for the (Vodafone) South West Children’s Hospice would be very gratefully received.  Please advise by e-mail if you would like to help me raise money for these commendable charities.
• I have not been able to advertise bidding for 3 hours of my time yet due to no e-mail access, however, just to make you aware this will be one of the first things I send out… so get thinking!

Anyway, this seems to have turned into a list which is not the idea – although I am waaayy behind, and, to be honest have let the internet situation really stress me out to the point of migraine-city, on the whole I have been having a whale of a time. In fact, had I not been doing the challenge, one particularly stressful call would have led to a headache, however the waterfall challenge got me out into the beautiful cornish countryside with my family and the carpet-headed bear.  Talk about a swift change of emotions – fabulous and highly recommended.  Amanda (photo) and I even managed to sit on a tree over the river and try to recreate the dirty dancing soundtrack, and I was indeed the winner at the pooh-sticks!

I am off to bed now having typed all the way through The Apprentice, and have been left downstairs whilst everyone has gone to bed.  I need to get up from the chair, adjust my facet-joints with minimal swearing, and head up the apples and pairs.

See you, hopefully, soon….

Debbie x

 

Still no internet but challenges getting done thick and fast!

OK, me again. Can you believe it? Debbie still not on line hence the distinct lack of posts for the last week.  So, sorry but it’s me again ……. Great news though, Debbie has thrown her computer out of the window, stopped screaming at the phone and has now given up on the Internet provider (non provider) rhyming with Skye and is moving to the other company (rhyming with freebie)  who hopefully will be able to provide her with the necessary equipment to do the job.  We will see

However, much more important news.  A few more challenges are now under the belt. Challenge number 11 – Timotei advert under water fall DONE! See video below..

Thelma and Louise car ride done (video below) – although I have to say I am considering not allowing this one as they were supposed to be quoting exact lines from the script as they drove over a cliff.  Talk about doing it half arsed!  Anyone would think I was asking a lot to drive over just a little cliff!

Left and right challenge DONE!  To whoever suggested this one – I am presuming you meant it to be done in some beautiful countryside with birds singing, cows mooing and other such lovely country side things going on.  Well Debbie did it in a housing estate in Ivybridge.  Not that there is anything wrong with Ivybridge, it’s lovely I’m sure, but it is a housing estate and it’s a bit hard when you keep coming to a cul de sac.  Why do they call them cul de sacs?  Stupid name, it’s a dead end.  So the left and right challenge was a bit of a dullard with nothing really exciting to report – sorry.I think there is video footage, but I fell asleep watching it – yawn yawn.

The tattoo has been designed courtesy of one of Debbies son’s friends – its the full picture of the fox and hounds with huntsmen in red coats and the tail of the fox disappearing down some unmentionable part.  No not really, all will be revealed when the offending article is in place.

Cheerleading is taking place this weekend, however, Debbie does now have a bad back. It was all the stress of talking to the people who rhyme with Pie. She is mobile but hobbling.  I think she is a bit worried about the back flips and body tossing she will endure during the cheerleading challenge, but don’t worry we will see her right.  So lots going on down in Cornwall and associated places.

Just so as you know, it was Debbie’s Sister in Law  (This is me, Debbie, online!! Amending Wendy’s fab info – don’t get excited as am using someone else’s wireless connection). Amanda, who was mad enough to do the Timotei challenge with her.  Aunty C, was doing the Spielburg bit and Jenna the dog was giving lots of vocal encouragement.  I was waiting for the appearance of the shampoo and the sexy stare into camera as she shwished her wet hair back, but it was not to be.  I am beginning to think I am hoping toooo much from these video’s.  However, that does not negate the fact that it was b****** freezing in there and the silly gits went in fully clothed.  I could have edited out the displays of nudity – the porn challenge is in the next 50!!

So well done Debs and of course Amanda, Aunty C, Jenna and Debbies friend Debbie who supplied and drove the convertable.. Signing off for now, I’m sure I will be back next week.  LSF – Wendy xx

 

Internet provider rhyming with Pie still failing to provide

Sunday afternoon and the sun is shining here in Torquay.  There is a big cloud of thunder hanging over St. Columb Major in Cornwall though as the internet provider (bit of a contradiction seeing as they are not providing) has still not managed to sort out Debbies internet connection.  She is bereft! If you saw a steam  spouting over Cornwall on Friday morning it was coming from Debbie as she tried to reason with the unreasonable, persuade the unpersuadable and get reconnected.  Her patience was sorely tested as every morsel of assertiveness she could muster failed to achieve internet connection.  What can I say other than, can we all not boycott the Internet Provider that rhymes with Pie until such times as they get our debs up and running? How frustrating is it when you are paying for a connection and you just cannot seem to get anyone to deal with it with any kind of serious intention.   I am in danger of sounding like a Grumpy Old woman if I go on anymore, and we could devote a whole series of blogs to rubbish internet providers – so enough now, enough I say.

On catching up with Debbie this afternoon, she was tired and a bit deflated.  She had spent the afternoon yesterday with a friend and a large quantity of 10 year olds at a bowling party.  Yeah I asked ‘Why?’ as well.  I’m beginning to think one of the challenges I should have set Debs was to say NO to fifty things that she gets asked to do, would normally suffer doing and not really want to do. I have serious doubts if she could have managed that one.  The bowling with 10 year old was not on the list of 50 but none the less a challenge I’m sure.

She is back to work tomorrow, but still determined to get the 50 done, the next one is challenge No. 11 Take a shower under a waterfall ala Timotei Advert.  This will be taking place on Thursday at St. Nectan’s Glen, somewhere in Cornwall (yes that was the directions given to me by Debbie when I asked).  Time to be confirmed via face book Wednesday night. If anyone  wants to go along and watch, check out the Facebook page for details on Wednesday evening – unfortunately I’m in Cardiff that day so can’t be there in person, but with you all the way in spirit Debbie.  Will she be nude or fully clothed or in a swimming cozzie?  I doubt fully clothed even Debbie isn’t that daft.  So I’m guessing one of the other two.  She could combine the challenge to pose nude for a photo with this one or indeed do it in fancy dress – I shall have to suggest it.  Actually in order to do it ala said advert is needs to be swimming cozzie or birthday suit. She also assures me she will be using shampoo with no SLS or parabins present for those who are concerned that she might be polluting the environment and killing off wild life.  Amazing how we think of these things these days and good job too. When Timotei first came out I doubt there was anyone worried about the effect on the environment. Not that timotei is anything other than environment friendly I’m sure – really wouldn’t want to suggest otherwise.

OK, one more thing before I sign off.  For anyone who wants to watch a blinkin good film sort of related to Debbies challenges, I would recommend ‘She’ll be wearing Pink Pajamas” starring Julie Walters.  It’s a chic flick about the first Womens outward bound course.  Its rather old but has lost none of its appeal and is really just as current today.  I have just sent a copy to Debs to watch so shall ask her to do a film review once she has had a chance to see it.  I’ve just done a search and found it on Amazon for the princely sum of £3.99  – Brilliant!

Please do keep supporting Debbie by reading her blog and sending your messages of encouragement.  I know it means a great deal to her to know that you are wishing her well and spurring her on.  If Debbie cannot answer your messages I shall do my best to.  Best wishes to all – LSF Wendy x