March 30th 2008

Hi Everyone
Well I have been silent for nearly a month and I do apologise. Part of this is because sometimes I feel like I am talking to myself. I haven't had much feedback and nobody leaves comments. Either I am boring you to tears or nobody is visiting. IS ANYONE OUT THERE? I do agree that the website is dull and uninteresting and I promise we are about to rectify this.
I have some sad news. Karen O Pray has been our fearless coordinator since we started fundraising last year and sadly she is moving away. The call of the South has stolen her heart and she leaves us as the end of April. Thanks you for all your hard work Karen, you will be greatly missed. Here is an update of our achievements since Karen has been at the helm.

We received a generous donation from all at George St who collected donations instead of buying each other Christmas cards. Thanks to all my colleagues for this.

There have been two very successful handbag and jewellery swaps at Dunbae House.

We now have a regular spot at the car boot sale at the Millennium Centre in Stranraer on the last Sunday of each month. We have been there twice and I'd like to thank Karen and Paula for today....yes and you Pauline I'm coming to you later! and Mark, Ann and Matt for the February slot. There is a rota of people covering the sessions.

We are running a one off quiz night at Bar 12 in Stranraer on Wed night April 2nd. We have some fierce and competitive teams registered to play for an amazing prize......pst anyone know what the prize is?

Bar 12 are also putting on an event which involves Elvis sometime in May so watch this space cos I thought he was dead. Dates to be confirmed.

I was put in touch with a group of musicians from Combined Services in Dumfries who run a charity event every year and they had chosen Alzheimer's this year by chance. They were happy to channel the money through our fund and I attended the event which was a brilliant evening of live bands including a ceilidh. They have raised over £400 for us and I should receive a cheque soon. Thanks to Harry Thompson and Rory for this.

Thanks also to Clare Bannister who passed round a hat at an International Women's day event and gave us a donation of £25.

Meanwhile there is a lively group of Women who got together at the instigation of Val Williams to plan an event later in the year. It sounds like its going to be a hidden talent show called 'Sink or Swim' Just fabulous and thanks to all.

Other pending events include putting a couple of indoor rowing machines on the boat to Ireland, and rowing to Ireland in a relay while rattling buckets....great idea and thanks to Alan McCamon for this idea....we just need a date.

We also now have a logo which I intend to publish on here when I find out how to do it!!! Thanks to Ailsa for organising the logo and the artist who designed it...name to follow..

So, who on earth is going to pull all this together now we are losing the fair Karen? Well, by democratic vote, the lovely Pauline Baxter has agreed to take up this awesome role. Thanks so much Pauline!

So, in between all this I guess I need to be swimming to justify all this attention and effort.

I am managing three sessions a week with the Stingrays and on the whole I row on the other days. I must say my confidence is waning at times and I think I need to get in the ocean as soon as possible. I know I am getting stronger, but no faster which is OK.

I think that is enough for now.....watch this space and please don't give up on me now.

March 1st 08

As I have already said February was a very busy month which we were prepared for but it has been wild. On reflection the Guernsey trip was very interesting and I can't say I was at home there. I was concerned about the fact that the States of Guernsey do not adhere to UK legislation and I thought they were vulnerable as workers and users of the service. I met some good people there but when events began to unfold in Jersey I felt a chill to say the least. I realise that Guernsey is separate to Jersey but there is a sense of familiarity when I hear about their independence and leaving themselves vulnerable to mistakes and secrets. All we can to is commit ourselves to helping where we can and improving standards for everyone.
I was only back for a week which was chaos at work and then we were away again up to Dryman to celebrate Betty's (gorgeous mother in law) 80th birthday. All inclusive, we felt obliged to drink as much as we could.......
So, training has suffered hugely and I am now struggling back to form. We got back from Dryman on Thursday and I was in the pool every day until Sunday when I rowed. Phew....
I feel I am catching up again but diet and weight loss have been on hold
I won't give up.........no way.