[vc_row][vc_column][vc_column_text]We made it to March! Just got to start off with the weather. Certainly the first week of Feb. didn’t see any changes from January’s wind and rain. Thinking back to last winter the extremes then were cold and snow. Perhaps this is something to do with climate change. Not sure how I feel about that. After all, the planet’s been through several dramatic changes – the Ice Age, the time when Great Britain was joined to mainland Europe etc. so perhaps this is just evolution. That’s no comfort to those struggling to fight the floods though. Home is such a special place – certainly for me. There’s a deal of difference between ‘house’ and ‘home’ isn’t there? I hope they will be able to get back to their special places really soon.

Comfortingly, we’ve seen an end to mince pies, cake and boxes of chocolates. However, these have been swiftly replaced by the invasion of the Easter egg – and Good Friday is on the 18^th April so there’s a way to go. I certainly won’t be resisting temptation. My excuse for comfort eating at the moment is that our annual tap dancing festival is on the 28^th March so it’s an excellent way to relieve the stress under which I happily place myself. It’s just one darned challenge after another.

On the subject of food/eating, thought you might like to know a bit about sunflower seeds. They contain selenium, bone-healthy minerals of magnesium and copper, Vitamin E – skin tonic and they are loaded with antioxidants. I like them for their nutty taste. I know this kind of ‘bird food’ isn’t to everyone’s taste but they are in many cereals too so you might be reaping the benefits without realising it. I’m afraid porridge isn’t for me even though I know how beneficial it is. I will have to find a good reason for my chocolate crutch after the tap festival. I’m sure I’ll be able to think of something!!

I am signed up to a web site which lets me know all the forthcoming National Awareness days. I just like to know where people who are in need are being supported. There are always so many to choose from but I quite liked Dignity In Care Action Day which was 1^st February. It’s a wonderful idea. There are so many instances of people not being shown the respect they deserve and lst February was an opportunity to plan and organise perhaps some social activities, like quiz nights or a knit and natter group to make everyone feel that that they matter and are important.

Now for something really different!! Trish, who appears on DVD No.2 was 70 on the 11^th Feb. In itself not particularly unusual but she is not a usual woman in any sense of the word. A keen keep-fitter who takes regular exercise, her birthday celebrations started with the surprise gift from her friends of a Car Drifting Experience. From what I can gather this is doing high speed manoeuvres, spinning, figures of 8, etc.etc. in a fast car. Although she told me she was a bit apprehensive, she thoroughly enjoyed it. How terrifying! The instructor demonstrated and then just sat there while she put the car through its paces. It seems like the celebrations turned into a bit of a marathon with parties and cakes for almost a week. You can see Trish on the reverse cover of DVD Routine 2, standing behind Julie. See, like I say, your age is just a number. Doesn’t she just prove that!

I’ve moved out of my bedroom into the spare. My son-in-law, bless him, is going to redecorate. Although the walls will be neutral magnolia with white woodwork, I have decided on cerise and purple for bed linen and accessories. I’m off to get a cerise roller blind today to set the colour scheme ball rolling. I know it’s a bit OTT but this is one of the joys of ‘maturity’ – absolutely anything goes! Hopefully, I won’t need sunglasses when I go to bed. I’ll report on that next time. Sunshine here this morning – hope the sun shines on you too.[/vc_column_text][/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_tweetme type=”horizontal”][/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″][mk_icon_box title=”Read more of Ann’s Monthly Ramblings” 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]