It's official. I'm running* the Race For Life!

* slight exaggeration

I'm getting my lardy arse off the settee and doing something about moving further than the settee to the car and back again.  I can't run very well and have failed miserably at 'going to the gym' in the past.  But now I have a purpose and this time it's not for me - it's for something far more important.

Back in 1992 our world was turned upside down.  Our daughter, Rachel, was diagnosed with Neuroblastoma.  Cancer... that dirty word that no-one ever wants to say.  And when cancer affects children, people want to talk about it even less.  But thanks to the amazing health service that we have here in the UK and the phenomenal work that researchers conduct on medication we still have our daughter with us.

Aqua Pura (official sponsors of the Race For Life) approached me last week and asked me if I wanted to be a part of this year's event.  I jumped at the chance, obviously.  Then I looked at the dates and realised that my local event is on the 26th June.  THAT'S FIVE WEEKS AWAY!!  Then I looked at the distance.  FIVE KILOMETERS!! 

I opened up Google Maps and measured a normal dog walk.  I was already walking about a mile with the dog each time I took him out.  Then I converted five kilometers into miles and realised it was only 3.1 miles.  So, in my head, if I just walk the dog three times, I've done the 5K.  I know, I know, but that's the way I think.

I'll not bore you with the training details for now but I'm sure I'll keep you up to speed (see what I did there?) over the next few weeks.  But if you do have some spare cash I would love for you to sponsor me.  The Race For Life raises money for Cancer Research UK.

Here is a link to my official sponsorship page.

Just hit the 'Sponsor Me' button.  Easy peasy!

 

If you're in the UK and pay tax please do not forget to hit the Gift Aid button - it doesn't cost you any more but ensures that the charity can claim the basic rate tax on every pound donated.  Read more here.

You can also donate by text message if that's your thing.

Text my personal code - NJOH99 -  and the amount of your donation to 70070

The text is free through the Vodaphone JustTextGiving service. Read more here.  You will be given the option to select Gift Aid in a follow-up text.

Stay tuned for further updates

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Soundtrack To My Life - Jean

We're ploughing on to another Soundtrack To My Life and this week we have Jean sharing her musical choices.  I've met Jean on a couple of occasions when we have been involved in blogging projects (we are both Northern bloggers - YAY!).  She is a fantastic single parent to two girls and (in her own words) is a soppy dog owner.  All Jean's links are at the end of the post but, for now, here are her tunes.



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David Bowie - Let's Dance 

I had to include one song by my favourite singer, and although it's not my favourite Bowie track (which is probably Drive-In Saturday) this one reminds me of my first serious boyfriend. It was a song we both loved and we'd have it on loud in the car driving to North Wales for the weekend. Great song, great first love.

Kate Bush - Wuthering Heights 

The first time I heard this song on the radio I was mesmerised - I'd never heard anything like it before, and then when she performed it on Top of the Pops I thought she was so different. I've loved Kate Bush ever since and her Hounds of Love album is a work of genius.

George Michael ft Muyta - This Is Not Real Love 

This is such a fantastic song and the vocals (particularly George's) are sublime. He's a really good singer and conveys such emotion in this song which is about the end of a relationship.

Justin Timberlake - Like I Love You 

This is from the album 'Justified' which I bought just before we went on our first holiday to Wales as a single parent family. We had this CD on in the car for what seemed like the whole holiday, and now every year since then we've continued to take it with us, and we still love it.

Alicia Keys - Lesson Learned 

Fantastic song from the As I Am CD and it features another of my favourite artists, John Mayer. There's no particular reason for including this one, other than I love the song and the message in the lyrics.

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Jean can be found blogging at Not Supermum.  She's also on Twitter as @notsupermum and her as a Facebook page with the same name.  That makes it easy for us all to remember, doesn't it?

If you want to join in with Soundtrack To My Life in 2013 you can complete this form (the link will open in a new window/tab) and I'll be in touch when your feature is due to go live.  Click on the mix-tape to the right to read all the "Soundtrack To My Life" entries.

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Silent Sunday

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Over at The High Tea Cast...Favourite Film Moments

Time for another post at The High Tea Cast.  Today, I'm talking about my favourite films and film moments in Girl, On Film.  I'd love to hear what you think.

Find all my articles on The High Tea Cast here 

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Eurovision Song Contest

It is that time of year again.  We submit our most mediocre song of the year to the biggest song contest on our continent and attempt to win a hugely political vote.  

I don't normally write about the Eurovision Song Contest.  I just sit with my laptop on my knee and tweet my observations, fuelled by a bottle of wine or two.  I follow the @BBCEurovision account and have all the #Eurovision tweets live streaming.

It is actually one of THE BEST night of the year on Twitter.  I'm convinced this type of social interaction is what Twitter was made for.  And with the semi-finals that have been introduced, you can build up to the Saturday night excitement on BBC3.  It's a party that lasts all week - genius!  You can find your Eurovision Bingo Card at the bottom of this post, courtesy of Bob Bardsley of Phronsis Freelance.

This year, my friend Paula has excelled herself with a challenge we discussed earlier in the year.  Here she is singing the alternative Eurovision Song Contest entry.  And if we're struggling to find an entry (song and singer) next year, may I suggest that we pass the baton to Paula?  The lyrics are below the video so you can sing along too.

Also, if you're at a loose end this evening, you might like to play along with the Friday Twiz (it's a quiz, on Twitter, on Friday - clever, huh?).  Tonight's theme is... *checks list*... "Eurovision", obviously!

I Believe In Meat

You say you don't believe your beef's strictly bovine

You laugh at the thought that Tesco says it's fine, like wine.

You never eat lasagne, reckon that it's filled with horse, of course

And as for value burgers, no idea of their source, that's worse.

But that's all fine if that's how you want it to be

But if you're feeling hungry, a sausage could be all you need.

Believe in meat, yeah x 2

Believe in, the crap they're selling you and it may poison you.

You're finding bits of hoof so now they lie to you.

If you just believe Shepherd's Pie isn't eyes and knees

Believe in meat.

You've got a dicky tummy and staying near a loo is wise, that's why

The seconds and the minutes of the days of your life go crawling by.

But that's all fine if you're trying to lose a pound or three

But if you're feeling alone and afraid and you can't breathe.

Believe in meat, yeah.

Believe in, the crap they're selling you and it may poison you.

You're finding bits of hoof so now they lie to you.

If you'd just believe Shepherd's Pie isn't eyes and knees

Believe in meat.

What ya gonna do when your pie is sinking?

And you're crying out for help and paramedics listening

In the dark of the night, in the middle of a shite

When you're reaching out for loo roll and there's nothing.

Believe in meat, yeah

Believe in, the crap they're selling you and it may poison you.

You're finding bits of hoof so now they lie to you.

If you'd just believe Shepherd's Pie isn't eyes and knees

Believe in meat.

Eurovision Bingo Card

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