Honestly, I now think in quarters of the year. That's what the COAST Facility (my consultancy work) has done to me. And this quarter is actually Q4 of last year (thanks to the financial year), just to add to the general confusion. Regardless, it's still the quarter where we set off with wonderful 2026 resolutions, and then 2026 bites and reality comes flooding in.
I have a few aims for this year: eat less sugar, win some races, drop to only job (a biggie), lead a balanced life, be kind.
So that started well:
Also, this:
I mean, perfect! AND taken with Anita in N Ireland so even more perfect on my first trip of the New Year.
But the rebalancing has been going EXTREMELY well! Under duress (ie alone at home with no kids), I found the sauna just 9 miles up the road, newly built on farmland, very hot, and with great views and a freezing cold stream-fed trough.
I also rebalanced my very busy Heriot-Watt work project on disability awareness and inclusion by bringing our friends Remi and Eva over from France (Remi to lead the session, Eva to lead the weekend plans) and we discovered this lovely little out and back walk near Doune.
They were also a good excuse to head down to our local ceilidh and Burns Supper on Burns Night.
Anyway, back to January, which hosts at least 3 family birthdays. For one of the weekends, we met in Dundee for a family catch up at Discovery Point, home to Scott (of the Antarctic) ship Discovery, built in Dundee.
Crevette's first Showbiz competition at the famed Blackpool Winter Gardens (a long way for 4 minutes of fame):
And of course, her 8th birthday! (trampoline cake)
We finally had our work Christmas night out in January with the UK-based COAST team:
The other big January news story was the felling of the massive tree opposite us. I'm actually surprised how much extra light I now have into my office...and view. I can see right through the gardens to the next estate over.
Into February, and the March-ski-week meant that I stayed and worked for February, while El Puma took the kids on their half-term break to Brest in an epic (always seems to be) journey via Paris and multiple forms of transport.
March is of course my big month, and El Puma treated me to a lovely long weekend away on Loch Lomond.
But so far, March has been THE month, for many reasons. Let me list them:
1. The sun came out.
2. I began guiding for a blind girl
3. I qualified for the European duathlon championships (age-group)
4. Fingerling came second with her team in her big Cheer championship
5. El Puma went skiing - in SCOTLAND!
6. Oma completed this beautiful window seat for us
7. We had a March family meet up for Mothers' Day
8. And and and...we went SKIING! Highlight of the year for sure.
We had snow, we had sun, we had ice. Just being on the slopes makes everything that little bit better.
And then Easter. Combining wellbeing, balance, sugar, family, friends, fun, and special thoughts for those suffering this Eastertide.
Christ is Risen. He is Risen indeed!
There is hope. Happy Easter!
