My longest and furthest run ever!

Today I ran for 2 hours solid, accomplishing over 15km as preparation for the half marathon which is in 3 weeks' time. Lovely conditions albeit a little on the cold side but we ran up behind Hawley woods around the lake down to the M3 junction then back up the slow hill (which was hard) past Gibraltar barracks then down into Yateley again.   Feel so good and realised that at 44 I am the fittest I've ever been!  Ok so my ballet days were strong and probably nice and toned but being able to keep going for 2 hours I'm so chuffed with myself. 

Essay

I got my essay back last night -  scored 68%!  It's a good mark although if I had got 70 that would be a distinction (and a "first" in degree language! 

Anyway another one under my belt. Just 2 more modules to go plus the dreaded dissertation. 

I'm thinking of going away for a week at Easter just to give myself a break from everything but also to take the laptop and maybe sunbathe by day, work by night.  Bit weird maybe but may work for me :)  my skin would like the vitamin d that's for sure. 

Back to school - and an important day at Beavers!

This week we all went back to school after a week off (or rather 11 days, for D and I!)   Monday wasn't too bad - the Tuesday was hugely exciting as we went to watch him getting officially invested at beavers.  Here is a photo of him looking very proud! 

Apart from that... Well some difficult chats this week. Diet chef started and all seems pretty straightforward (for now anyway!). Loved the coconut and sweet potato soup also the red Thai curry and the lasagne.  Must must go running at the weekend though. 

College tonight and got the next essay back. 68% so just off a distinction (and hence it would be a 2:1 as opposed to a first degree). I'm still pushing for the first when I get the overall mark in June July time. Determination fuelled by the thought of a 3k bursary next year! 

Cookies!

We have decided (or should I say I have) to stop buying biscuits from tesco and instead just bake our own. But only once a week and when they're gone that's it! Here is this week's "batch"   

Butter

Sugar

Flour

Fudge pieces/choc chip/ smarties on top

Half term fun: Oxford

Yesterday we had a day out to Oxford by train which was really nice. Even more so as it was a sunny day and we met up with Sam, Orla and Freya at the natural history museum which we hadn't been to before.  Since D is very into Harry potter at the moment he was thrilled to find a wand shop so we went in and, just like in the film, went to the man at the desk and asked to see their selection of wands.  We opted for the cheap version.  But he's very happy with it.  I took lots of photos at the museum.  We hope to go back in the summer.  

Painting

Using the acrylics again. This one is to go with the paint colour in the loo! 

New glasses for Dylan!

Yesterday was a massive day in Dylan's life - the day he got glasses. He loves them which is fortunate. 

We also had a great day out at Bucklebury Farm Park near Newbury and saw sheep, reindeer and goats amongst other animals.   Got back to delicious garlic chicken dinner. 

Another painting!

This time I've used acrylics and am pleased with the effects. 

Ps4

J is hugely impressed today as his new playstation 4 has arrived.  Own money saved up :).   Tonight we have been looking at it and setting up online gaming and I've been feeling very good about my uni tutorial in which she said I am very organised :).  Feeling good now.  And it's half term now. Yay !! 

Photography course!

Yay! Another resolution done. I've gone and booked myself on a digital photography course next month :) 

Good weekend

This weekend it's been just me and the boys and we have packed in quite a lot!

Early morning wet and rainy 10k yesterday with Jo.  Up onto Yateley common towards minley barracks and then back home again. Nice to be amongst the trees and dodging puddles. All in the name of training for our half marathon which is in 6 weeks' time. 

Today I've got all art and crafty. Made a Harry potter sorting hat out if mod roc this morning followed by an oil painting in the style of a New Order album cover and then finished an essay plan, cooked dinner and baked a cake to take to work tomorrow. 

Feels like a nice weekend. The house is tidy the washing done and the school things all ready for the morning.  I'm looking forward to some lighter mornings and getting some time to run before work now.  Tonight it didn't get dark until about 4:45pm :)