So we’ve had dancing concerts, gym breakups, book club Christmas parties… I’m worn out.

We’ve had a string of thunderstorms this last week or so, but the forecast is for clearer evenings next week. I love the thunderstorms but am not fond of the damage that sometimes comes with them. We may get out to see some Christmas lights next week if the weather is good.

Miss nearly 9 had her dancing concert last week. She loves her Highland Dancing and it’s good discipline for her. The really awful thing was, they had a mother and daughter highland fling. Miss nearly 9 was so desperate for me to get on stage and dance with her. I just couldn’t let her down, just because I’m a quiet retiring type who hates being the centre of attention.

So, up we got. Yes there are photos, but they’ve been destroyed . It was a bit disconcerting when I did one of the turns, and I noticed everyone else was turning the opposite way to me. Oh well, scored me lots of brownie points with my girl.

This morning was the running club Christmas party and 4k run. It was a stinking hot day, but the kidlets really enjoyed the pool.  Again, did a bit of tidying up and then Miss nearly 9 and I went out with the camera club to photograph Christmas lights. We had fun, but can’t say I was particularly thrilled with my efforts. I was fiddling with my zoom lens with a long exposure.

It’s a bit like that with my photography. I have an idea and it doesn’t end up quite like I expect. Hoping that by going to camera club I’ll learn to do a better job.

The week ahead involves activities at Bunnings and the library, visiting friends, running errands, tidying bedrooms and wrapping gifts. Oh, and running. I’m back at the physio tomorrow morning, I’ve had no pain but when he pushes my muscles, it’s agony. I don’t know if that means there’s still a problem or if he just pushes hard. Nothing hurts when I’m not at the physio. Haven’t been doing my exercises as much as I should.

I’m thinking of instigating personal daylight savings around here. We’ll be in bed by 10am, and up at 5, so we get our runs and active chores out of the way in the cool of the morning, then stay indoors in the middle of the day, and again head out for errands in the afternoon. It’ll take some discipline - I’ll go to bed at 10am and sleep in until 7am anyway! Wish we had daylight savings in Queensland.

Now, don’t fall over in shock! I know it’s been over a week, but the only reason I went out this morning is because Guinness really needed it. Even though it was only 6am, it was already very hot and humid. The strapping I put on my knee came off with the sweat. Guinness excelled himself and did three poo’s before the 1km mark. After that though, he was pretty good, and we did almost 6km before getting home. Slow and sluggish, it’s not funny how quickly you lose fitness, but on a more positive side, no leg pain at all.

I think I just need a goal. Got nothing to aim for, and running isn’t inherently satisfying for me, so if it wasn’t for Guinness, I’d probably stay in bed. Might look for something around April that appeals.

I’ve just downloaded a free ebook which lists good ideas for gifts for the runner in your family. While there were some pretty obvious ideas, there were a couple I hadn’t thought of. You can find the ebook at Runner Insight’s blog - she’s a vision impaired runner and a pretty cool lady.

I’m so not ready for Christmas, but what else is new? I’ve started tidying up the house and am half way through one of the messiest rooms. I’m sorry I started, but it’ll be great when it’s finished and I can walk on the floor without taking my life into my hands.

Must admit, I was saddened at the passing of Kerryn McCann. I really didn’t know much about her as a runner, a bit before my running days, but she’s the same age as me, and she’s left behind those little kids. Like Jane McGrath, I feel so sad for the children. Now getting all maudlin, aren’t I?

Anybody making any New Year’s Resolutions? I should put some thought into it this year. Usually I resolve to stop biting my nails, and fail miserably. I’d succeed next year because my new crowns make it uncomfortable, so I’ve got half a chance of keeping that resolution

On Saturday we took Petrea and Luke, and their dog Angel hiking at Mt Mee, formally starting Petrea and my training for next year’s Kokoda Challenge. The kidlets did really well, it was a 12k walk, we finished at 8.30pm and then we had to come home and have dinner. Master 6 has been playing catch up ever since, and has been quite tired and cranky by the end of the day. The interesting thing was the leeches. We had a few, the most spectacular was one on my heel which made me bleed all over my foot and the floor, and one on Angel. She’s a border collie, but is mostly white with a touch of black. You can imagine what a leech bite looked like on the white fur of her leg. We’ll be going out again in a couple of weeks, probaby to Bunyaville.

I was going to take Guinness out for a run this arvo, at North Lakes. Master 6 was at Scouts with Hubby, and Miss 8 was at dancing, so I had a whole hour or so to myself. North Lakes is full of quite ostentatious houses on postage stamp size blocks of land, but there are lots of nice paths to run along. Anyway, started out and by about 1km, it hurt to breathe, it was burning. Hubby has had a cold last week, but I’ve been fine apart from a runny nose and a few headaches. I wonder if there’s not something simmering away there. I decided there’s not much point in running if it hurts, so we had a 6km walk. Still very nice, but I might take it easy over the next few days.

One thing I noticed, apart from all the people walking dogs, was the  number of people taking photographs. There’s a nice lake there, with lots of birdlife, so a perfect location, and the light was lovely at the end of the day. Saw a black swan with two half grown cygnets. I’ll have to get back there when my lungs are good again.

We’ve had these little birds we’ve been raising after the big storm. One was very sickly, a real runt and sure enough, he died over the weekend. What really took us by surprise though, was that one of the big strapping healthy well grown chicks was dead this morning. No reason for it that we could see. There’s now only one left, and we’re going to get him to a carer in the morning. He’s trying to flap his wings, and the housing we have for him just isn’t suitable any more.

The end of year is approaching fast - swimming, Guides and gym all wind up very soon. I always find Christmas more busy than fun. Time to start thinking of New Year’s Resolutions.