It's been a while!

It has been a while.  I really ought to change the name of this blog too, as the diet never seems to be happening.  I'm back to the same weight I was a year ago with the hope of starting a diet imminently.

What all to tell you since I last blogged? The summer I needed some time to relax, unwind, enjoy my family before getting into study.  My eldest went off on scout jamboree, while the rest of the family enjoyed a holiday to Tenerife. We stayed in Golf del Sur in Tenerife, which was peaceful and just what was needed.  The weather was brilliant and Isla enjoyed the pool everyday.  Focusing on family has been a way to get through stuff and allow me to relax a little and prepare me before I locked myself away in my bedroom to complete my last assignment for my Open University course.

My last assignment was completed last weekend, and I feel an immense sense of relief to have completed the course.  I was so tempted to quit about half way through, just because focus on study was sometimes difficult, but having got to half way and having paid for the course I was determined to finish and hopefully pass.  I don't find out if I've passed until December, a long wait!    I'm sure going through a difficult time affects the brain's ability to focus and produce academic assignments, as it doesn't come as easy as it once would have.  I have found this year difficult, watching my support network of oncology parents going through hell losing their children.  Study has given me a distraction.  I was a little tempted to continue studying wiht another course, but I know it would just be too much, so giving myself time off from that kind of study this year, and I will complete my masters at some point.

Holiday and study have not been ideal for watching the diet or exercise, but hopefully I'll get back into it.  I'm really looking forward to getting back to the gym, I really enjoyed it.  Exercise was a great way to shut off the world and just get rid of stress.  I'm definitely feeling the weight back on my hips and daren't try on the jeans I was wearing before summer.  I want to be fitter and leaner for next years Speyside Kiltwalk so I can do the whole thing.

Over the summer, we came to the decision to stop fundraising for Isla's appeal.  We wanted a safety net incase Isla relapsed to give us options for treatment that might not be available to us in the UK.  It was not an easy decision setting up the appeal, and it has been emotionally difficult to fundraise aswell.  One thing we did want to fundraise for, was for research into Neuroblastoma, and we certainly hope that Isla gets the 'All Clear' in the future, and that is what the money in Isla's appeal will go to.  Recently, we've had a lot of support from others offering to do events for Isla, and we're so grateful.  Co-operative at Pansport Elgin has a charity bucket, a local woman who has set up 3 online auctions for Isla, and a friend organised a pamper evening in a local hall.  The ladies from Spey Bay golf club organised an open greensome, Fabulous hairdressing from Lossiemouth is having it's second fun day on 15th September and as I type my cousin Gareth and girlfriend Debbie are cycling from Lands End to John O Groats.  Please do visit their blog http://dnglejog.blogspot.co.uk/  it's a great read, even just to note the food they're eating!  We're feeling a little overwhelmed at the support, and so grateful that others are thinking of us.  But after this year, we want to concentrate on fundraising for others.  When (if) Isla gets the all clear, then we may do one last event to raise money for research.  Please sponsor Gareth and Debbie here - https://www.charitiestrust.org/members_data/event/1000_miles_10_days_one_bike_one_charity_lejog_4_f_a_n_/index.html

The next challenge for us probably will be next years Speyside Kiltwalk, we've decided to also raise money for Logan's Fund through doing this.  Team's of 6 or more can nominate a local charity that half the money they raise will be donated to.  Logan's Fund is very close to our hearts.  They gifted Isla money to go on holiday just as her hospital treatment finished, and we had such a magical time.  Logan's parents lost their firstborn to Neuroblastoma in the summer of 2009, not long after Isla was diagnosed, and continue to fundraise in his name to support local children and Neuroblastoma charities.  By helping Logan's Fund, we want to help pay back for the support we've received and to help others.