Yo, Adrian!

This has been the first year in a long time where I'm not already beating myself up for failing to keep my New Year's resolution to exercise. I've been working out pretty steadily for the past year, and even though I ate enough to feed a small army over Christmas, I haven't fallen too far off the wagon.

And I never in a million years thought I would ever say this, but I'm actually enjoying my morning runs. I remember a couple of years ago I could barely make it around a 15 minute circuit without doubling over in agony, with my face the color of my bright red sweatshirt. Now I feel like Rocky running out in the vines, wanting to punch my fists up in the air and dance around to the 'Eye of the Tiger'.

Although if I did that, the people in my village would just nod and say that just confirms what they always thought of me- crazy. Somehow, to them, the sight of someone running is crazy behavior, outrageous really. (But riding a ten speed up the side of mountain, perfectly acceptable.) I'm known in the village as the anglaise who runs. And it's always said with a little pumping action of the arms, just to clarify how funny they find it.

The other mothers at the little ladies' school are used to seeing me show up in my sweats and trainers, with my ipod dangling around my neck. They all smile at me, but I'm sure they are convinced I come from another planet. Just one more example of why, after 9 years, I still stick out as one 'not from around here'...

Bonne Année 2009?

It's been interesting spending the last 2 weeks of 2008 in England. Not only has it been the longest I've been away from France since 2000, but it's given me a nice change of perspective on lots of things.

It's difficult not to feel bombarded with the media here, with my father-in-law's two daily papers, his reading of the news every half hour on the teletext on his tv (he is deaf, so the teletext is his only way of 'watching' the news). Add to this all the English mags I've been reading, and you've got yourself one news-overdosed Duchess.

And it seems like it's all doom and gloom for the coming year. Between all the belt-tightening and down-sizing that's expected of us in 2009, it doesn't seem as if I'll be able to fit in any enjoyment. Even the fashion magazines are economy conscious, with talk of clothes swapping on the internet and digging out clothes we bought in the 80's (only certain ones, mind you, like leopard print things, not anything neon, for crying out loud).

As always, in times of economical distress, we are supposed to become more inward looking, focusing on our spirituality and emotional well-being instead of material possessions. I'm all for the navel-gazing trend; it goes nicely with my usual economic policy of hiding under the duvet and hoping it will all just go away.

One of my favorite headlines I read this week was about a man who complained to his bank after receiving a statement that said his account was 100 billion pounds in the red. Oops, he must of got mine by mistake. But I do not feel the slightest bit guilty about the 3 pairs of shoes I've bought since I've been here. By the sounds of it, I won't be able to buy another pair until 2010.

As a naturally pessimistic person, the start of a New Year is always a bit difficult for me. So many worries, so little time. So, I've decided to go against the tide of doomsayers this year and predict that 2009 is going to be a stellar year. Not sure exactly how or why just yet, but wouldn't it be nice if it wasn't as awful as everyone is predicting it will be?

Ugh, back to 7.45 wake up calls......

Recipe for the day: Far more than a handul of chocolate chip cookies, a sprinkling of writing, and an hour or so of simmering gossip.

Second to last official sleep in morning before back to school runs on Monday. (Yay for the kids, boo for the early starts!)I thought I'd grown out of being able to sleep in until 11.00, but apparently not. Although the reprecussions of this indulgence is a trashed living room and kitchen as the little ladies decided they wanted a breakfast instead of a brunch..... but small price to pay really.

At the risk of jinxing myself, I've got a pretty good system going at the moment. You know the saying 'if you want something done, ask a busy person to do it'? Well, I've gotten off my ass the last couple of weeks and started 'doing' things, and I am actually getting loads done, granted in small amounts, but satisfying nonetheless.

And I've started writing the book again. Scattered bits and pieces, which hopefully sometime in the next millenium will knit together, but writing all the same. I didn't really make it a New Year's resolution as such, as those for me are always doomed to backfire, but I guess it's sort of an unofficial, unuttered resolution. Until now, I guess. And will probably continue to be a resolution until I'm 93. But that line of thinking goes against my real New Year's resolution, so I'm sure that I'll probably be much, much younger by the time I publish the book...... like maybe 85 or so.

Happy New Year wherever you are......

Recipe for the day: surprisingly no aspirin, extra strong coffee, 1 bacon sandwich, an hour or so of wall paper striping, 30 minutes of cardio, and hopefully a handful of divine inspiration on how to occupy the kids for another entire day.

Waking up on New Year's day without a hangover can only be a good thing, starting the year off feeling virtuous could be a good omen for things to come. My only resolution this year (since the two I made last year, to give up smoking and to finish my novel, both completely didn't happen) is to try to be a little more generally positive. Now, how does one do that? I've started taking evening primrose oil, maybe that will help......

To add to my virtuosity, I actually started working out in December, so feel I have a month's head start on all the other well-meaning out of shape 30 year olds threatening to get in shape before bikini season starts. Although baby number two definitely put paid any chance of me ever wearing a mid driff top with a pierced belly button, I would like to think that I might one day be able to wear a swimming costume that doesn't cover more than 50% if my body.....

And so it goes...... start the new year as you mean to go on......

I'm sure it's going to be a beoootiful day!