[vc_row][vc_column width=”1/1″][mk_image src=”https://www.moveitorloseit.co.uk/wp-content/uploads/2014/09/2014.08.06.-MIOLI-L1-480.jpg” image_width=”800″ image_height=”350″ crop=”false” lightbox=”false” frame_style=”simple” target=”_self” caption_location=”inside-image” align=”left” margin_bottom=”10″][/vc_column][/vc_row][vc_row][vc_column width=”1/1″][mk_padding_divider size=”40″][/vc_column][/vc_row][vc_row][vc_column width=”1/1″][vc_column_text disable_pattern=”true” align=”left” margin_bottom=”0″]I suppose the summer months are always going to appear busier than the winter. For a start, I think the longer days are more likely to see us willing to go out. And then there’s the garden and the chance to get our daily ration of vitamin D courtesy of the sun – much better than taking a vitamin tablet. With the family and neighbours taking holidays, I have been happy to undertake cat care. Added to this is the fact that my own cat, Jaffa, is a hunter extraordinaire and I have had to make trips to the local woods where there is a stream in which I deposit the frogs he catches (one of which was brought into the house!). I now have a dedicated rescue bucket which is useful. We have a large visiting hedgehog but fortunately its armour is proving a successful deterrent although Jaffa is working on a way to avoid the prickles and bring me yet another ‘gift’.

Again, meeting friends has been a real constant and we are now putting the finishing touches to our plan for our fortieth anniversary reunion of people I worked with at the sports hall. This is scheduled for the 27^th September. We are now up to fifteen and plan to invade a local Italian restaurant. I wonder how many attendees I will recognise; of course I see some of the ‘girls’ on a regular basis but I imagine some of the boys who were students just working part time will have changed dramatically. Funny that, I don’t think I’ve altered much at all!! We shall see. It’s a good excuse to buy a really nice outfit. I am busy trying to write a humorous poem for the occasion – not sure whether I’ll be successful at the moment.

Had a wonderful day on the 6^th August. Julie is in the process of writing a book for those people who don’t want to exercise with her DVDs and she invited ten of us who are exercisers with her to act as models for the photographs which will show the relevance of the exercises to everyday life; so hallo to Harjeet, Shindo, Trish, Phil, Margaret, Charles, Kuldeep and Billie. It was lovely to meet new people – all so different but with a common desire to keep Moving It. She invited us to her lovely home where we spent the morning carrying out various jobs such as mowing the lawn, climbing the stairs, cleaning windows, getting shopping out of the car boot while the photographers, Martin and Louise, took action shots of us. Julie served us a lovely lunch which we were able to have sitting in her garden and then it was off to the studios for formal shots showing exercises so that the book will have the pictures to back up the descriptions. It was a serious undertaking but we did laugh quite a lot. Martin and Louise were so patient and kind. Julie always makes everything fun and we all joined in with gusto and enthusiasm. It was an excellent experience and I expect it will be a great success helped tremendously by the support and organisational skills of Beth, PR and Marketing Manager for the Move It or Lose It organisation. She controlled the timetable for the whole day – no mean feat – but she is charming (and a stunner too!!) so the day went like clockwork.

I have been busy researching appropriate care for my apple, plum and cherry trees. I’m afraid I have only just got round to this. I’ve been in this house nearly three years, but starting the garden from scratch has meant that I have had to neglect this side of things. I now have all my instructions printed out showing the appropriate season and the work required. I also decided to prune my lovely willow tree which did mean climbing ladders while hanging on to the branches and loppers. I waited until my daughter, Sarah, who lives round the corner was away on holiday so I didn’t get told off. I was quite sorry when I had finished – think I must have been a monkey in a previous life – I feel really at home when up a tree!!!!!!

Although I see that 13^th August was National Left Handers’ Day (and I am), 3^rd August was National Friendship Day and that was an obvious choice for me. I think this covers everyone – family too – and I count myself really privileged to have the joys that friendship brings. How does it go? We may have lots of acquaintances but if we have five friends, how lucky we are.

Well, the month seems to have sorted itself out quite nicely, with the end bringing good news for me personally, added to the news that my granddaughter achieved excellent results in her GCSEs. Everyone is well and braced for a return to school and work after a happy summer. I hope that August has been kind to you too.[/vc_column_text][/vc_column][/vc_row][vc_row][vc_column width=”1/1″][/vc_column][/vc_row][vc_row][vc_column width=”1/1″][mk_icon_box title=”Read more of Ann’s Monthly Natter” text_size=”16″ font_weight=”inherit” read_more_url=”https://www.moveitorloseit.co.uk/anns-blog-archive/” icon=”moon-book” style=”simple_minimal” icon_size=”small” rounded_circle=”false” icon_location=”left” circled=”false” icon_color=”#005cb9″ icon_circle_color=”#005cb9″ box_blur=”false” margin=”30″][/vc_column][/vc_row]