Feeling better

I ran!!

And, I did my 2 (ish) mile block and only walked once! It's easier going clockwise because although I still have to go uphill it's a shorter hill than going the other way and it's at the beginning of the run when I'm not so knackered. I had to walk once I got to the top of the hill but only for about 2 mins, then I ran the rest.

Feeling very pleased with myself now.

No reply from the running club yet though. I expect they're trying to figure out how to tell me to bog off without seeming rude!!

Feeling bad

I really should have gone for a run tonight, but I stayed in and ate chocolate instead. Now I'm feeling bad about that. Oh well, there's always tomorrow I suppose.

I wish I enjoyed running, I just can't seem to motivate myself to go but it's the cheapest form of exercise around. I like going to exercise classes but at £6 (roughly) a time that's just not possible without giving something else up first which I don't want to do.

There is a local running club but reading it's website, it doesn't appear to cater for complete beginners like me. It does say it has a run for beginners which lasts about 30-40 minutes but I can't do that long yet - I wouldn't call that a beginners run!!  I know I should email them and ask for more specific information but I never seem to get around to it.... a bit like running itself!

*Jackie opens the chocolate tin again to console herself*

Update 20.45: I just sent an enquiry email!!! Don't feel quite so bad now (she says, reaching for the chocolate again!!)

Recent jewellery

Here are some pieces I've made recently. This one was a gift for my niece for her 18th birthday. I wasn't sure if it was really her style, but she seemed to like it. I did give her something else too! (click on the photo's to see them full size)

Another one I made recently is this one, which is for me!! I am planning to make earrings and a bracelet too as I like sets, but haven't had time yet.

I also made a long necklace for my Grandmothers birthday, but didn't have chance to photograph it. Shame really because I really liked it, it was brown with gold wire.

I've blogged about my jewellery before here, here and here if you want to see any more of it.

Running again

I'm trying to get back into running. I don't really enjoy it, but I need to get rid of the christmas pounds I've gained, and I need to get fitter. Most importantly, running is free. I have a treadmill which I have blogged about before here, but I'm having a go at outdoor running at the moment. I prefer my treadmill as I feel self concious outdoors, but it makes a change to go out sometimes, especially when my self motivation is low.

Anyway I went out on Monday and it was OK, I took Tarka though which was a mistake as she hated it and refused to run on the lead. I had to take her back home and go out again on my own! Tuesday and Wednesday are badminton nights so I ran again tonight. I took a longer route (but still short in running terms!) since I found Monday to be OK, but today I struggled. I think the new route had more hills which I struggled with - you don't have hills on a treadmill (unless you want them!). I was fine with the flat bits and downhills!

I guess it'll come with practice.

I completely forgot....

...what I was going to blog about!!

When I was driving back to the office today I had a blog post all planned out in my mind, I just had to come home and type it up.

Now I have no idea what it was to be about at all.

Oh well. Another day perhaps.

Photography

This is a hobby of mine, but I don't have a fancy SLR or an awful lot of knowledge either. I also don't put enough time into it to warrent a fancy SLR or to gain any knowledge!

So, I find that a decent photo package on the computer is a godsend at times, and am posting this to show a friend what I mean.... white balance!!

The photo's and the cookies are both hers and not mine - sadly!!

Before photoshop

After photoshop!

All I did was adjust the levels and straight away you have a less yellow, brighter picture.

Before

After

It's saved many a photo of mine from the recycle bin!

You can achieve the same or better results by setting the white balance on the camera for the light settings you're photographing in. It really does make all the difference to your pictures and is very easy once you know which buttons to press. Let's face it, even I got the hang of it!!

Sad Anniversary....

....to me.

Yesterday was the 14th anniversary of the day I got Pippa.
She was 7 months old and was my 25th birthday present to myself.

I remember the day as if it were yesterday.

I wish it was yesterday.

Sleep tight sweet girl.