52 Lists: Thirteen and Fourteen

So first off I completely messed up what weeks we were on so I have two week 11 posts, no week 12 and a combined 13 and 14. Sorry Guys!

52 Lists: Lists your Spring to do list

1. Make sure my car is ready for a summer of driving (and possible road trips)
2. Make sure I appreciate all the beautiful flowers that are blooming at the minute
3. Start my new job!
4. Prepare for the cricket season to start

52 Lists: List the things you want to do before you die

1. Have children
2. Live on my own (not for ever)
3. Make a positive impact through my work in sports with children
4. Be happy
5. Get Married
6. Travel
7. Keep learning and experiencing new things

This is no means an exhaustive list on either account but a drop in the ocean of the things I want and need to get done.

I love to hear about you lists and what you would say so do comment.

Kate xx

52 Lists: Eleven

52 Lists: List the things beside your bed

1. Always a book or two. I currently have Victoria Pendleton's autobiography and "The Way to Lord's" a collection of cricketing letters to The Times.
2. My phone. This also doubles as my alarm although as it's ancient and bricklike that's about all it is good for. I really must invest in a camera phone for all those moments of inspiration when I don't have my camera with me.
3. Water bottle. I have water bottle literally everywhere. I will take one wherever I go in my bag, there's a couple in the car and I like to have one by my bed. It means that keep hydrated all the time. This is important as I teach exercise all day and I can get really bad headaches if I don't drink enough.
4. A Lamp. This links to the books because I can't think of anything worse than snuggling down reading your book then realising that you have to leave the safe, warm haven of your bed to turn out the main light before you sleep.
5. My glasses, watch, nail varnishes and other assorted random stuff. Yes I'm very good at making clutter!
6. A beautiful scrapbook made for me by a group of my friends for my birthday a couple of years ago. It has so many inspirational quotes, funny memories and little messages from them in it. If I'm feeling down I always have a look through because I'm bound to end up laughing whilst reading. It's also lovely to have something to remind me of them whilst they are spread round the country.

Talking of them all being spread round the country, I'm very excited because yesterday I picked up a whole stack of train tickets to visit them. First journey starts this Friday when I'm off to Hertfordshire to see my best friend. I'm really looking forward to it!

As always I love to see your lists and hear your ideas.

Kate xx

52 Lists: Eleven

52 Lists: List the things you want to make

1. A scrapbook. I spent the other night looking through my old art scrapbooks from school and really miss that creativity. Plus it would be a great memory space.
2. Dinner for my friends. It's been a long time since we were all round one table sharing stories and I think home cooking can really bring everyone together.
3. The most of spring. Wow when did spring arrive? I absolutely love this time of the year when the air is so crisp and clean. The sun is shining and there are flowers everywhere. I must make the most of it by spending as much time outdoors as possible. And that does not include driving around with my windows open and my music blaring much I love to do this in the sun.
4. Progress. I've just been offered a new job which is even better than my first. So the next few weeks will be all about increasing what I do so I can get even more children to progress and achieve their potential. Can you tell I really like my job?!
5. Decisions more easily. I don't think this is going to happen as I am such a ditherer but I am improving. Last week I made a really big decision to change jobs. These decisions are big, but even so there was no need for that amount of faff. Although making a decision in only a couple of days is a big improvement for me!
6. Friends. I really need to get out more! A lot of my friends have gone all over the country to university and while I still stay in contact with them all. it's not the same as having lots of friends here. there I'm on a concerted effort to find people the hang out with. So if you love a cream tea and a chat...

Another interesting topic which I was a little late on (sorry). Emma from Made in Hunters has come up with some excellent topics which really make you think. Good work!

I'd love to hear from you if you are taking part or just your thoughts.

Kate xx

A Chocolaty Pancake Day

Due to me working on Tuesday evening, in a spontaneous decision, we celebrated pancake day on Monday. I've had this chocolate pancake recipe for ages and I prefer it to a plain pancake. I'd forgotten how simple pancakes are to make and we had everything in the cupboard so I don't understand why we don't eat them more often. My brother and I made these yummy delights (and it's his photography skills too). Basically we had chocolate pancakes with chocolate sauce (just melt chocolate, butter and golden syrup together) and tinned peaches. I like to have a little fruit with my pancakes otherwise all that chocolate can be a little heavy and tinned peaches are just so handy to have in the cupboard. 4 pancakes later I was suitably stuffed and had a great laugh with my brother.

How did you celebrate pancake day?
Kate xx

52 Lists: Ten

52 Lists: List the ways you can love yourself more

1. Take baths: I never usually have time for a bath or so I tell myself, so I always have quick showers. However, they just aren't the same and don't relax me at all. I love how calm I feel after a bath although I have to be careful not to fall asleep in there!
2. Wear pretty things: I spent my life in ill-fitting sports wear for my job so I should make an effort to wear pretty feminine items when I have some time off. I know this makes me much happier and lifts my spirits.
3. Give myself a break: I work pretty damn hard and I deserve a break every now and then. But I'm a massive perfectionist so everything has to be done right before I can stop. I need to take short breaks between work so I can be more productive but also take a bit of me time. I just started before I started bogging with a bit of fresh air and a maple and pecan danish pastry. 
4. Keep my nails nice: I know this is an occupational hazard but my nails are always breaking because some child has thrown a ball at me or I've knocked them while moving gym equipment. However I really like having nice nails so I'm going to give myself a little bit of time set aside to do them nicely. Plus I love the little compliments I get about them. Usually from the children! It again gives me a feminine element when I'm wearing my sportswear.
5. Create! I've done so much creative things in my life but recently this has slipped a little. It something that will allow me to switch off my mind and relax. I recently got back into choreographing and dancing for work (granted it was all lion king based) but I really enjoyed it. I'm now looking into dance classes for myself. It must have been about 2 years since I took my last one!

I've noticed most of the things I've suggested are just about taking a bit of time for me. I think I will try consciously to take a little more time for myself away from distractions such as my computer. 

Can we just take a minute to realise this is week 10! I can't believe we are almost a fifth of the way through the year. It's going so quickly but I can't wait for March. It's going to be a great month.

As always I love to hear your thoughts and do send your links if you're also participating in 52 Lists. 

Kate xx