Today, I listened back to some dnb songs I loved and found myself skipping forward to the second half of many of them after the driving beats kicked in. I noticed many of them featured female vocalists singing about being weak without their partners. I don’t feel good listening to that kind of music. It’s not inspiring. I want women who feel powerful. And independent. And sing about cool things. I liked this one. Give me the juice. Not the waffle.

Day 18. It’s become a way of life now. I have to dance. Everyday. My heart rate needs to race. I must reach 150 star jumps. And my body responds with happy joy as it bounces round the kitchen. It’s a helpful habit this dance challenge. And this drop is pure sex.

Roasted vegetable quiche. ✅
Vanilla muffins. ✅
Four cheeky jam tarts with leftover pastry. ✅

Day 17. A dance bake off style sesh today spending the whole day baking. Totally addicted. So along with listening to fav tunes and shaking in time with the beats I made a roast vegetable quiche and a batch of vanilla muffins. On my feet all day - I feel well and truly done. 😴

I love audio books. An epic fantasy read with the super talented narrator - Jeff Harding - is Kings of the Wyld. It’s full of rock and roll. I adore it. It’s about friendship, trials, strength and loyalty. The humour (and language) suited me perfectly. Amazing.

Day 16. 150 star jumps complete. Brilliant. 20 mins of kegel exercises complete. Amazing. Dancing on a warm day to energetic dnb tunes feeling my heart rate rise. Priceless. I’m grateful for my body. It might have its challenges but it works when I ask it to. Every single time.

Scones by Delia. Light, fluffy, scrumptious. I added a milk glaze too. This is the second batch of the afternoon. The first were a write off after I accidentally used plain flour. 🙄 Live and learn people. The birdies will benefit. Ps I ❤️ clotted cream (heaven on a spoon).

Day 15. A dinky dance today. My body felt a bit like a doggo who doesn’t want to go any further and was well up for something mini. I showed up and made the effort at least. And after the pounding I gave it yesterday, I understand why it’s more contemplative. 😄🤔 💃

So…..I say the word ‘so’ too much. 😉 I’ve noticed it in my podcasts. In my head, it moves my story forward. I also use it for emphasis. But its days are numbered because it’s annoying me. I no longer want this cheeky little word commandeering the narrative. Let’s see how I do.

Day 14. Today was a day where I felt my stamina rise. This dance sesh went deep into my core. I had DnB on (Tarantula). Fast, hard, dark, jungly. 150 star jumps later and, after hoovering the whole house, I did a round of kegel exercises and contemplated buying a rabbit puppet.

Day 13. I did some stretches and a bit of movement but more than anything my body wanted to rest so that’s what it’s doing. Peace out people. Herbal tea on the go. Pau d’arco, orange and vanilla.

Watched both Paddington movies this weekend. Is it just me or did anyone else get emotional during parts? Talk about being a sensitive soul. I got through a few tissues. 😭❤️🌷 Feel good, sweet movies. Aww bless.

37: In this episode I talk about a new found baking enthusiam and share a lockdown story featuring me trying to be my own chiropodist. Warning - the second part is a tiny bit gruesome - nothing major but wanted to give you a heads up.

Fresh cookies for breakfast? Yes please. The joys of being an adult and making my own decisions.

This morning it’s Sencha Cherry Tea. I like it, it’s got a refreshing sweet taste but i’m dubious of the flavouring that’s also added. I love the purity of tea, so i’m not sure i’m getting the real deal if unknown flavourings are in there too. What even is it?

Well hello there.

I remember the enticing aroma of baked cookies as a kid at school. A feast for my senses. These were crispy on the outside and soft and chocolatey on the inside. Goo central. Just the best.

I give you the oozing chocolate chip cookie cake. Have to wait another ten mins to nom them and it’s pretty tough going.

Day 12. This was an intense workout today including 111 star jumps. I am the Star Jump Queen! Every day a few more. I’m so grateful my body can do them. It didn’t used to be able. But now it actually likes them. It can’t stop. Someone told me I should do more weight bearing exercises. I never understood what that truly meant until now. I feel my connection with the ground waking up. Getting stronger. Opening. Usually I spend so little time in deep connection with the floor. Supporting myself. Wholly. So now, when I jump and land on the floor, signals are sent to my brain and I feel different. More aligned. More cleansed. Like I’m being shaken awake. I’m a kid again. I’m buzzing. On the apparatus in the school hall. Jumping, leaping, zooming. I’m back. My belly’s getting smaller because my core is getting stronger. Brilliant.

An old teacher came to me in my dance today. She told me to use my breath more. And experiment with blowing out my mouth. I usually use my nose so it made me feel things in a different way. I will explore panting a bit more. Funny what can happen (or who you meet) when you’re deep in a body workout.

Time to bake cookies. It is cheat day afterall. ❤️🍪❤️🍪❤️

Time for Tea. The lemon flavours really come through. Smells a bit like lemsip in the cup (the nemesis medical drink of my childhood) but it’s refreshing enough. This is such an exploration. Finding blends that excite me. As you can see, this has a lot going on but looks pretty.

Day 11. Started off with a bit of dnb and some smooth moves. Ended up with banging techno. Good for energy.

I did 100 star jumps!

I just kept going like a demon on a wild coffee binge. I don’t do things by halves. I’m an all or nothing sort of gal. And I’m getting stronger.

Too good not to share. Matt Lucas does Boris Johnson.

Day 10. My right thumb is out of action for a few days. I never realised just how much I used it. Like for almost everything it’s involved somehow - opening pistachios without the use of one’s thumb is a thrilling experience for example. Buttering crackers without it gets a bit messy too. Adapting to this new world of mine is strange and challenging but I can see how useful it is too. Getting my sides in balance. Come on leftie, let’s see what you can do. I also love that bodies heal. Thank goodness. I officially have an ouchie.

I can report that after one session with the kegel Peardrop weights my muscles are truly on fire down there. I actually keep needing to say ‘woah there!’ to them because after not feeling them for 40 years, they have definitely arrived and all it took was a beautiful weighted Pikmin alien to help me find them again. I used them for 15 mins doing tightening exercises and walking around a bit to see what it felt like. It felt fine. I felt a little achy by the end and really, this is a joy after such a long absence of any feeling at all. A tight core is an exciting prospect. I will continue.

So a mini dance after a fairly traumatic morning where I tried to relax and unwind. I got a bit bouncy at one point and took my new and improved kegels for a spin. Such a vibrant feeling. A big victory for my kegel muscles. Yay!

I’m putting this video in with a warning.

I’ve started getting interested in chiropody, Well, certain parts anyway. Mainly callous removal as this is what affects me every 2-3 months. I want to learn about my feet. To heal them. Myself. Everything else about feet makes me squeamish. Just not this.

So I found a professional practise putting videos on YouTube. If you’re at all interested in watching a corn being removed then this video is epic. Start at 9m 37s. If you’ve ever had a corn you’ll know what I mean. Luckily, I’m a mild case compared to this. If you’re squeamish about this sort of stuff then obviously don’t watch it.

Moist Breath Zone. A back to school song from New Zealand which kids will love. 🎶

Day 9. I feel a bit like Poochie today (a childhood toy - see pic). Solid dance. Lots of movement. Keeping things oiled and building on tone. I can feel how much fitter I am than two weeks ago. Real progress yay! Going to use my new kegal weights tomorrow. Eeeek.

Lots of skidding and sliding today. I’m grateful for the smooth, wooden floors (can’t say that enough). Dancing on carpet in trainers is a real drag. One of the reasons we chose this flat was for the floors. They were that important. Sometimes I take my shoes off, but only if I’m on a yoga mat and then I bounce on it like a mini trampoline. My bare feet on hard surfaces = pain, weird crunchy noises and too much twist.

Feel lucky if you can walk barefoot. Trust me.

I picked two Amerindian medicine cards from my pack. Fox - stealth and invisibility and Alligator - patience and seeing the lighter side in a situation. I liked what I read. It made sense. Picking a card can lift my mood.

I’m noticing more synchronicities in my day. I’m feeling more magical. I’m more connected with Simon. We think the same thing within seconds of each other or know one of us needs the other even though we’re far away. There’s an intuitive antenna in my heart and mind. It feels good.

I smudged sage all over the flat as I boogied. The aroma hit me and I immediately felt refreshed and awakened. I love a bit of smudging. I used to do a lot of ceremonies and smudging with smoke from herbs and spices was really important. It brings a cleansing to the space.