Since the last blog I have had no option but to continue on the streak of #tears18 as the response has been, to say the least, overwhelming.

Thank you to all those of you who have read it, sent your messages, invited me for tea, shared your own sadness and for all the very kind words of encouragement. They mean a lot.

If I have learnt one thing about blogging and sharing thoughts is that two main items get read about quite promptly!! Misery and talk about bodily parts!! Who would have thought??!! 💁

CONTINUING ON THE BUCKET LIST

The bucket list adventures continues…. and I am still not admitting to them being any part of a midlife crisis. Not quite there yet.

There are four main things on the go at the moment;

1. Marathon Training – although I have been out injured for over two months (one of
   the reasons behind #tears18) I am now slowly returning to my running. Not yet fully convinced that I can or will make the Dublin Marathon but keeping it as a target so that I don’t lose focus fully. Have over the last few weeks built it from 10 minute runs, to 45 minute runs and only this last Sunday I mustered a 8 mile run, so will keep slowly increasing time and distance hopeful of a decent return…….. If not I will totally aim for the Beer Marathon in Germany or the Wine Marathon in France. Training must be so much for fun for this too!!
2. Motorbike Rides – part of my bucket list methodology is to face things that I am afraid of but yet have a burning passion for….. I think Harley Davidson’s are awesome…. But I am terrified of the speed on two wheels and in particularly in curves. Therefore I have signed up to MC Lessons. I want to see if I can break that fear and get myself a license to ride a HD! Wish me luck.

3. I am now working on the design of my third last tattoo. I want to get one this year, one for my 40^th(agh next year) and then none until my 80^th Would be delighted to hear your opinion on my tattoo plans for this year! Below is an image of the starting point. It’s my starsign and constellation. What do you think? I also need to select where to put it….. have been considering neck hairline, centre of neck (just under the collar) or in the total opposite direction, my foot.

4. The writing of my book! Have my typing fingers back again so have over the last few weeks got some good writing done…. Not sure if it will ever be fully ready or readable but I’ll keep trying. Besides that I have got the notion that I want to write something more fictional (me and my vivid imagination) so need to keep moving the first one forward!!

I have my bucket list book in which I write about these adventures! One that will be great to hand over to the grandkids someday. Or maybe that will be book 3!!

HOME IS WHERE THE HEART IS?

In August I finally got the opportunity to go home to Sweden. It was my first visit this year and my first mini break since I was away on my cruise in January…. Which leads me to tell you about my knickers being back to front for a full day….

When educating others around the importance of stress management I often say that we need to realise that the body, mind and soul requires holidays for us to remain focused, motivated and passionate about what we do. Self-love is something that is required to stay strong, energetic and confident. Good to tell others when you forget to practice what you preach…. So I think one can say that I am slightly tired…. Won’t push for exhaustion just yet (hello #tears18). However, when it takes you a full day to realise that you have been wearing your underwear, not inside out, but back to front…. Did I say a full day…. You may realise that you need a break!! So November and NY with my family can’t come soon enough.

So back to where my heart will always be! This week I celebrate 18 years in Ireland. 18 amazing years, which as you know was meant to be 6 months. However when I went back home in August I got some really amazing quality time with my family, friends, the Swedish lifestyle, ABBA and Mamma Mia (don’t tell anyone) so for the first time in a long time, I didn’t feel ready to come back to my other home and it didn’t help that my amazing little 12 year old was crying to see me leave as the two of us also got some exceptional quality time together laughing at silly Swedish words (infart, utfart), eating Swedish sweets followed by gyming it off!!!

Once a Swede always a Swede, no matter how Irish I may seem by now!!

BLUE WHALE TESTICLES

This last month has been full of celebrations. My birthday, 7 years of self-employment, 5 years as the Director of Modig and 18 years in Ireland!!!

Being a director, self-employed, is like being on a continuous roller coaster!! Which means if you like adrenaline and risk taking…. You will love it, at least when you’re on top and not queing waiting for the next ride!

For me I try my best to remain up there!!! How?? Through learning more, talking to more people and to make it fun for me and those around me. Health & Safety was never what I intended to do when I grew up… still not sure…. But there are many days that I come home knowing that this is my passion. Because health and safety doesn’t have to be met with an “aghh noo not again” or “here they come to wreck the day” or “more paperwork”.

So when I updated my Manual Handling Training presentation lately and in an aim to (don’t get bored just yet) showcase what incorrect handling can do with regards to transmission of weight we spoke about over a tonne being transmitted across the spine…..

What weighs a tonne?? Most will guess a car or even a small car. But very few will know that it is also two grand pianos or one blue whales testicle!!! What you learn when googling what weighs a tonne…. 🙈😄