45 Life Lessons (As written by a 90 year old woman, not me!)

This is something we should all read at least once a week
Written By Regina Brett who is 90 years old from Cleveland Ohio
"To celebrate growing older I once wrote the 45 lessons life taught me”
It is the most-requested column I've ever written.
My odometer rolled over to 90 in August so here is the column once more:

Edit by Sarah - Some I am not sure about but I will let you make up your own minds!

1. Life isn't fair, but it's still good.
2. When in doubt, just take the next small step.
3. Life is too short to waste time hating anyone...
4. Your job won't take care of you when you are sick.
Your friends and parents will. Stay in touch
5. Pay off your credit cards every month.
6. You don't have to win every argument. Agree to disagree.
7. Cry with someone. It's more healing than crying alone.
8. It's OK to get angry with God. He can take it.
9. Save for retirement starting with your first paycheck.
10. When it comes to chocolate, resistance is futile.
11. Make peace with your past so it won't screw up the present.
12. It's OK to let your children see you cry.
13. Don't compare your life to others. You have no idea what their journey is all about.
14. If a relationship has to be a secret, you shouldn't be in it.
15. Everything can change in the blink of an eye. But don't worry; God never blinks.
16. Take a deep breath. It calms the mind.
17. Get rid of anything that isn't useful, beautiful or joyful.
18. Whatever doesn't kill you really does make you stronger.
19. It's never too late to have a happy childhood.
But the second one is up to you and no one else.
20. When it comes to going after what you love in life, don't take no for an answer.
21. Burn the candles, use the nice sheets, and wear the fancy lingerie.
Don't save it for a special occasion. Today is special.
22. Over prepare, and then go with the flow.
23. Be eccentric now. Don't wait for old age to wear purple.
24. The most important sex organ is the brain.
25. No one is in charge of your happiness but you.
26. Frame every so-called disaster with these words 'In five years, will this matter?'
27. Always choose life.
28. Forgive everyone everything.
29. What other people think of you is none of your business.
30. Time heals almost everything. Give time time.
31. However good or bad a situation is, it will change.
32. Don't take yourself so seriously. No one else does.
33. Believe in miracles.
34. God loves you because of who God is, not because of anything you did or didn't do.
35. Don't audit life. Show up and make the most of it now.
36. Growing old beats the alternative -- dying young.
37. Your children get only one childhood.
38. All that truly matters in the end is that you loved.
39. Get outside every day. Miracles are waiting everywhere.
40. If we all threw our problems in a pile and saw everyone else's, we'd grab ours back.
41. Envy is a waste of time. You already have all you need.
42. The best is yet to come.
43. No matter how you feel, get up, dress up and show up.
44. Yield.
45. Life isn't tied with a bow, but it's still a gift."

Approved!

Today husband gave me some news. He said he was looking on the USCIS website to check the status of his visa application and it had changed from when he last looked at it. it no longer says "Case Received and Pending" it  now says it has been "Approved". This now means a trip to the US Embassy in London for his interview there (hopefully a formality) and then get ready to up sticks and move to Indiana. 

So, I have one thing to say to you Novel Racers out there! PLEASE,(if you can) come to the meet in Birmingham on June 27 as I would love to see you all before I leave the country! At the last 2 meets I have been to, you were all so motivating and inspiring. I will need a big kick up the backside to continue with my writing and not get bogged down with the logistics of moving to another continent!

OK So I lied

This is the last ever London Marathon post! There is a bit about me on the Kidney Research UK website and I wanted to share it. Go here to see it.

Diary of a Diet

I have a new blog. It is hopefully going to spur me on to lose a bit of weight. It is a diet diary of sorts. If you fancy a look see then you can find it here.

Last Marathon Post - I Promise

So it has been a week since I did the marathon and it has taken this long for my body to recover from it! Last weekend was interesting to say the least!

We left for London on Saturday a bit later than I had planned. I knew I had to get to the Expo to collect my number and I knew the underground and DLR would be busy and I did not want to rush due to what I was going to be doing on the Sunday!

We finally arrived at Euston and got the Underground to near where the hotel was supposed to be. However, it turned out that husband had programmed in the wrong postcode into his ipod Touch for the directions and we were now lost. No available wifi to get us connected again so we could sort out the map and directions. As I was getting a bit irritable husband decided to get a cab. 5 minutes later we pull up at the hotel that husband had booked. Not long, actually about 2 minutes, after arriving we were told that there had 'been a problem' with the booking system and there was no room in the hotel! I was getting very peeved at this point. We were told we were going to be sent to a hotel in Notting Hill. We had chose the initial hotel as it was near the end of the marathon! So another taxi comes to take us to the new hotel. We get there, check in, get our key and go to our room. Up 3 flights of very steep stairs and no lift! I was knackered by the time we got to the room. Quickly dump the stuff and head out to go to the Expo. After a 'passenger incident' mean there was no service to Canning Town, as we needed to get there so we could get the DLR to the Expo, via the Jubilee Line we diverted ourselves around the Underground to find out the problem was resolved after about 5 minutes and we could take our original route. We arrive at our destination, I collect my running number and chip and we dash round to the Pasta Party before it finishes. We have a lovely meal and then decided to wander round the exhibition and then meander back to the hotel. After again climbing the stairs to the room, I decide I am not going out again so husband heads out to get dinner. (He comes back with a Sub) I lie in the bed and try to adjust the pillow, which is thinner than a sanitary towel, to something a bit more comfortable. (I was not successful with this particular endeavour!)

I awaken on Sunday morning at 5am! I lie in bed until about 6.30 playing with my mobile phone then I get up and get ready for leaving for the start. The charity I was running for was doing a group photo of all the runners and I wanted to make sure I got there in time. After the marathon I did in 2006 I knew I would take ages to get to the start so was anxious to leave promptly. Husband however did not have the same idea. We sat and had breakfast. Well I had a glass of orange juice and 3 bites of a slice of toast while husband had cereal and 2 slices of toast. We leave the hotel and head off to Greenwich. The photo was to be taken between 8am and 8.45am. We finally arrive at the Greenwich start at about 9.10am! I get my tutu on, attach my running number to my vest, applied suncream and sorted out my ipod. Husband then heads off to the viewing point he has chose to spot me at first. I meet up with a guy I met at the Charity 'do I went to at the start of the year. We get spotted by the charity and get videoed saying how excited we were. I was more cacking myself than excited! We turn around to get back to our positions and find ourselves confronted by a man's penis! Seriously we turn around and the first thing we see is a man wee'ing! (Never sure how to spell that!) I was glad I had not eaten much that morning.

The race started at 9.45am and it took me over 15 minutes to cross the start line. I was followed over the start line by some guys dressed like camels. Not something that happens to you every day!

I managed to run to the 7 mile mark but the heat and sun became too much for me and I decided to power walk the rest of the marathon. I know that is a cop out it was the only way I was going to finish the damn thing.  Even though I applied suncream to my arms and back of neck, I forgot my face and um... front of neck. I now have rather fetching sun burn and the only top that matches the sun burn is my running top! It has been fun trying to find work tops that don't make me look like a loon.

I thought about quitting the marathon twice. I seriously thought about quitting twice. However, I am a stubborn person and I knew if I quit I would be so pissed off with myself. Everyone else would have been happy with whatever distance I reached. Me on the other hand would not be happy with anything other than completion.

I finally limped over the finish line, well jog limped, at 7 hours 11 minutes 30 seconds. It was a tad longer than my last attempt. My legs no longer felt like my legs. The felt like lead. I wanted new feet. I wanted food and drink. I wanted to either sit or lie down for a very long time.

I arrived home Sunday evening and was very happy to be able to sleep in my own bed with my own pillow. A pillow that did not resemble a sanitary towel.

On Monday morning I could barely move. It took a lot longer than usual getting son to school but I did not want to attempt to take daughter to her swimming lesson. I had thrown my running shoes in the bin and decided not to buy any more for quite some time.

Now a full week later I am walking pretty much normally again. I have a few blisters that are still hurting but my muscles are back to normal. I am still of the mind set that I am never doing a marathon ever again. If I ever go near one again it will be only as a spectator. 

Hi Ho! Hi Ho! It's Off To London I Go!

I am off in a bit to go to London to do the Flora London Marathon. Slightly worried but am sure I will be fine. As long as I cross the finish line still breathing and by my own steam then it will be good times!

Reflection and Contemplation

The last few months or so have been a bit stressful for me for one reason or another. I have had to deal with injuries and sickness whilst attempting to train to do the Flora London Marathon (which is on Sunday) If I can get to the finish line within 8 hours (so I get a medal), without dying or injuring myself then I will be amazed. Katie has been sick pretty much constantly over the last 3 weeks. Sickness, diarrhoea and now chicken pox. Zackery has been testing the boundaries and seeing how far he can push me before I snap. He is becoming a precocious young man and it is hard to believe he is almost 6 years old. I have been trying to get sponsors for my marathon attempt and it is proving a real eye opener. People who I would have expected to sponsor me haven't and some people are just point blank to even acknowledge that I am doing this. 

I have the added extra of trying for the US visa again and this is proving a real strain. I have very little patience and the fact we are still waiting for news from the immigration lawyers is proving a bit hard to handle for me. Part of me knows and acknowledges that this is more my dream than husbands and that it is very much likely to remain a dream and not become a reality. I know the grass is not always greener on the other side but I so wish for this dream to come true. However, there is a major hurdle that needs to be overcome and it is not likely to anytime soon, short of a miracle. If the hurdle is not overcome then no matter what immigration and the US Embassy says, I shall be remaining in the UK. 

My work is still a major pain in the backside and I truly dread going into the office every day. the 2 weeks I had off during the Easter break were good in the fact that I did not wake up feeling sick in my stomach. I did not get a headache half way through the day due to dealing with stresses and situations that I would really rather not be involved in.

I have been thinking about my writing and the fact that I have done no writing at all for a long time. I have been taken up with other things that I am just not finding the time to do any writing. I keep getting ideas and inspiration but never quite harness it. One thing I have noticed is that I am seeming to get more ideas when I am a bit down, a bit sad. I remember reading somewhere that the singer Adele says she writes better when she is depressed. Why is that? Does this affect anyone else? I just generally at the moment feel a bit out of the loop and like I am missing out on so much other stuff. I sometimes think that I have said something or not said something that has irritated others and that they no longer want to be associated with me as a result. Maybe I think about things too much. Maybe I should speak to a professional?

I am going to London tomorrow to collect my running number and will be back home on Sunday evening. Hopefully clutching a medal and wearing a finishers t-shirt.

Come Monday I am going to have to make some changes. I am the only person who can make some of the changes that need to be made in my life and I am going to grab the bull by the horns and just do it. I am also considering making this blog invite only as that would enable me to feel a bit more free in what I talk about.  If you want to still be able to read this wonderful, fascinating, insightful blog then leave a comment saying as much and if I do make it invite only then you won't miss a single word. 

I think I may be living in an alternate Universe to everyone else. Sorry for the depressing post, I promise to be a bit more cheerful in future. I also promise to resume visiting your blog more often too.

Fame!

I am going to be on the radio. Again. Local radio. BBC Radio Northampton at 06.45(!) to do a live interview talking about doing the Flora London Marathon for Kidney Research UK. Eeek! I am barely awake at that time of day. I don't usually get to a 'with it' stage until at least 11am! I am having to take the next 2 days off work to look after Katie as she still has chicken pox and can't go to her nursery. I have just had the last 2 weeks off for Easter break and only went back to the office today!

Anyway, if you want to sponsor me for doing the London Marathon you can visit my Justgiving page and make a donation. Big or small. Pennies or pounds. It all helps and I truly, truly appreciate it!

EDIT: Interview has now been rescheduled to 08:05 on Friday morning. A bit better time!

EDIT2: I have just done a telephone interview with the local paper about doing the London Marathon. A photographer is going to be coming round to get a photo of me and Katie. (I think tomorrow as they are busy with it being St Georges Day)

Following Keith Chegwin on Twitter

My name made it to this video!

Why All The Silence USCIS?

I need news! I need to know what is going on! Is there going to be a 'random selection' this year for the H1B visa? If there is then I may have resign myself to staying here in the UK. If no 'random selection' then it will be looking better!

I have no patience and I need USCIS to announce if quota has been met and I need them to do it as soon as humanly possible!!

EDIT: Quota not met yet!! It is not met!!

EDIT 2: USCIS confirm H1B quota not met! (In a round about sort of way!)

April Fools Day? I Think Not!

I usually don't bother about April Fools Day but today I felt like a fool. I felt a fool for going to my place of employment and expecting to be treated with respect and to do the job I am supposed to do. I am an administrator and usually just sit on my backside in front of a computer screen. Not too taxing and sometimes get a good bit of banter going with a few colleagues. 

Today was a bad day at work. I was spoken to like I was a moron, words were attributed to me that I did not say, I was accused of some things that I neither said nor did, I was asked to vacuum 1 solitary carpet tile, my appraisal was mentioned and that is a serious issue for me as it is all a bit of a farce. I was set 4 objectives 12 months ago that I had to complete by this April and have met none of them as my main supervisor is an idiot and has not done her side of the deal which in turn prevents me from doing my bit. Aforementioned supervisor had the gall to ask me if I had any evidence to prove I had met my objectives and what new ones I wanted to do. I have been given 3 new tasks at work in the last 4 months that are very time consuming, very complicated and cannot be left half done. Where exactly am I to find the extra time to do these sodding objectives? I was asked in the middle of last year if I would deal with the toners and ink cartridges that are to be recycled. This involves boxing them up and arranging collection. I have managed fine doing this up until today. Some bright sparks at work decided to leave huge piles of what I can only describe as ink or toner dust in the edges of the cartridges so when you pick them up it goes everywhere. Today a bit of black ink dust got on my sleeve but the top was black so not too bad. Then a little tiny bit of yellow ink dust got on the really shabby blue coloured floor tiles we have. I was asked to vacuum it up. I did it, complaining about it at the same time, but also said that if I get any of the coloured ink toner dust (whatever the hell it is called) on my clothes in the future I shall be bringing in my dry cleaning bill and expecting work to pay for it. Today has been monumentally shit. 

However, it could be rescued. Today was the day that could mean a major change in my life. It is the thing I mentioned a while ago. The thing I didn't want to jinx. Well the application has been filed and now we just have to wait. We have to wait to see if, at the 3rd attempt, we are successful in obtaining a H1B visa that would allow us to move to the USA. I am hoping that we will know something within the next week or so. At least to know if there will be a random selection lottery.

Flora London Marathon 2009

I got my number for the Flora London Marathon today that I am running for Kidney Research UK

I shall be runner number 47150 Be sure to look out for me on the day either on TV or on the street if you are in London.

If you want to know how my training is going or how Katie is doing then go to my online diary

Also if you have a few spare pennies and fancy sponsoring me then hop along to my Justgiving page.

Thanks to everyone for the support so far! I know I am going to need it on the day!

Finally Got A Tattoo

It has only taken about a year of me banging on about it for it to finally happen!

I have finally gotten my tattoo. I was going to get my children's names in Chinese. But changed my mind. I was going to get it on my wrist. But changed my mind.

I finally got 3 stars with an initial in each of them on my lower back. It did hurt but nowhere near as much as I thought. It was over quicker than I thought. It cost less than I thought.

I am happy with it. I have promised my mum that I will not get anymore! Would you believe I am a grown woman?! I did promise but I could get another and just not tell her! (I did try to avoid having my flab and stretch marks in the picture.)

Still Not Jinxing It!

I am hoping that 3rd time is indeed a charm? 

I hope so as it isnow all systems go for April 1. 

I am crossing everything I can without injuring myself!