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And suddenly September is here. There’s a chill in the air and I can already smell autumn. The runner beans in the garden have all been eaten, the homegrown tomatoes are waiting to be made into pasta sauce and chutney. And I have no idea where the summer went (or indeed why we only had about three days of warm weather!).

August turned out to be much much busier than I expected. The clinic was almost completely fully booked throughout. And realising how busy I am even on so-called quiet months made me make some decisions.

I wonder what September will hold? It is always so full of promise, the scent of back-to-school and the start of the new filling my nostrils.

September Intentions

1. Book a gardener to do all the hard work (digging etc) to get the garden ready for winter.
2. Keep credit card clear.
3. Read two more novels (this is more of  achallenge than you’d think seeing as Pilates teacher training starts this month!)
4. Try to find a venue for a yoga/pilates retreat in May 2012 (would you or anyone you know be interested in going on the mailing list for a 3-day retreat? It will be in the UK. If you would, let me know. Also if you have any ideas for venues let me know.)
5. Write the lesson plan outlines for my Sunday Autumn yoga course.

August in Review

1. Read 3 novels. DONE! “Started Early, Took my Dog” – Kate Atkinson (hilarious and bittersweet), “Juliet, Naked” – Nick Hornby (comedy gold – for anyone who has ever been obsessed with a rockstar and/or posted on a postboard!), “Heart-Shaped Box” – Joe Hill (terrifying!)
2. Write an article about my business for the local paper. DONE! I ended up being interviewed for a local magazine which is out next week.
3. Send out my August newsletter. DONE – the September one went out today. Are you signed up?
4 . Record a Yoga Nidra for you all to enjoy. DONE – and it will be released next week.

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August.  The dog days of summer.

They conjure up memories of lying in long grass, too warm to move, overgrown gardens, soft fruits ready to pick, the gentle hum of bees buzzing, Pimms + lemonade, sleeping under the stars.

In reality of course, this being the East of England, it’s grey, cloudy and rather cold and my garden is host to just one red strawberry.

Sigh.

However, it’s still the dog days.  My group classes are finished until September and I just have my massage clients and one-to-one movement clients in August.  Plenty of time to get stuff done.  Or just lie about and read.  Whatever.  So a tiny list this month.

1.  Read 3 novels (haven’t decided which 3 but recommendations always welcome!)

2.  Write an article about my business for the local paper.

3.  Send out my August newsletter (sign up here!)

4 . Record a Yoga Nidra for you all to enjoy

And catch up on some sleep I think!

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July in Review

So July goals - well four days in and one is already complete but here you go:-

1) Take some time out to read more.  (Done – enjoyed The Time Traveler’s Wife and The Forgotten Garden by Kate Morton this month)

2) Write more.  I have some blog posts and other exciting projects planned.  (Stuff still in the pipeline but I’ve been blogging over on my website as well – here!)

3) Rest more.  (Yes, well I slept through a meal last week – unheard of!!)

4) Final assessment for Pilates teacher training (done and passed)

5) Hot Stone Therapy training (done and passed)

Four days into July I finally get around to this.  Apologies for tardiness.  On Saturday I had my hot stone massage exam and yesterday I went to see my beloved Foo Fighters at Milton Keynes Bowl.  I learned two things: 1) Dave is much much better in small venues (he was tired and grumpy last night) 2) I am too old for spending the day in the middle of a field with nothing but portaloos and burger vans for comfort.

That said a teenage dream was fulfilled last night.  Had my 15-year-old self been able to time travel, she would have flipped forward to yesterday  as the great Bob Mould joined the Foos on stage for Dear Rosemary.  I am not ashamed to admit tears.  Some things are worth waiting 22 years for!

So July goals – well four days in and one is already complete but here you go:-

1) Take some time out to read more.  As of next week I am not teaching group classes again until September which means some time to myself.  This Time Traveller’s Wife Readalong I’ve been participating in has made me want to read more slowly, more contemplatively (is that a word?).  This is my chance to do it.

2) Write more.  I have some blog posts and other exciting projects planned.  Stay tuned.

3) Rest more.  No group classes for 6 weeks and a one week retreat with my teacher should help me get a bit more balance here.

4) Final assessment for Pilates teacher training. Yes well, wish me luck for that one.

5) Hot Stone Therapy training (done and done)

June in Review

1.  Write the content for my new website. DONE – website should launch very soon, keep your eyes peeled!

2.  Send out the final podcast (readers this is on it’s way but, once again, slightly late due to severe lack of voice this week). Watch out for a special offer now the whole series is complete.  DONE – special offer upon launch of new website.

3.  Pedicure, eyebrow wax, Pilates one-to-one session, book acupuncture consultation (I’m going to give acupuncture another go both for my migraines and this whole immune system/tonsillitus stuff that the regular dr seems so reluctant to assist with). THREE OUT OF FOUR.  Have had absolutely no luck finding an acupuncturist but my osteopath is also a Reiki practitioner so we’re seeing where we go with that for now.

4.  Book cat’s health check appointment. DONE.  Damn cat needed £150 worth of treatment and only this morning Himself had to clean up four little vomit piles.  Nice work cat.

5.  Movement practice 4 x a week as of next week (health permitting!). DONE