Acting like Miss Marple

Today I wrote an email to Tell a friend who is travelling a lot at the moment. He posts a lot on line and is well-connected (about 2 billion times more mates than me on facebook) so may be able to help encourage people to events.

The second person, our lovely electrician, was spotted going into the newsagent's so I stalked him. I felt just like Margaret Rutherford as Miss Marple, leaping behind cars and sidling up to the window to see if he was still in there.

Then I remembered this is not the movies and I am not a twat, so walked straight in and Told him. Would you believe it, he visited Tanzania a few years back and was able to fill me in on all kinds of interesting things.

I also ran the plans for a Clothes Swap party past my hairdresser. She is a whizz at ideas, and did not let me down. But then how could I doubt someone who instigated the "naughty tank" for one of her fish? (not heard of it? it seems if you have a group of jolly fish swimming around and one slightly larger one decides to become a bully, you hoik him out and put him in the naughty tank. It is miserable in there, with no friends, so he is on his best behaviour when he comes back! Fish psychology.

Friends in Adversity

I find, when you have been through challenging times with someone, a kind of bond forms. For example one summer, as a student, I lived and worked in a restaurant in France along with a girlfriend. I can't remember many good things about it, except singing the most vulgar rugby songs we could at the tops of our voices and occasionally escaping with a bottle of wine to some remote area where we couldn't be found. Tsk, Tsk. I was lucky, the owners didn't know the extent of my knowledge of French, so when ordered to do unappealing tasks I often used to just shrug and walk away. (Do not tell my children) Anyhow, the friendship forged through adversity has lasted for decades.

There are similar feelings about working with other mums at the Youth Club in town. After a night of selling sweets (mental maths, aarrgh!) mediation with peace loving neighbours and trying to encourage fun, but not-too-frenetic fun, you really felt an affinity with anyone who had been there too.

And so, when I saw one of these mums walking down the street, I felt it would be right to Tell her about Homeopathy for Health in Africa. She was enthusiastic, but warned of the dangers - this from a woman who has dealt with teenagers; perhaps I should be more worried?

I also called in on our vicar, however she was out so I collared her husband who politely listened to me in his socks, poor fellow.

Two Very Different Hugs

This morning, being my usual chirpy Monday-morning self I began cursing the being who had used the last of the butter without bothering to get any more out of the fridge. It was your average 3* rant, so I was surprised to see son Becan walking up to me with a conciliatory look on his face, saying "mum, mum" in that gentle way that can be a bit annoying when you're in full flight (who wants to stop?) He then put his arms around me - which shut me up - and took a deep breath, before saying "breeeeeattthh".

For one second I though he meant it...
...then we fell about laughing.

Love to laugh.

Went to see the super letting agents in town to drum up more support for the Quiz (Can count them in, yay!) Whilst there I pinned Mark to the wall, so to speak, and would not let him move until I had Told him. He looked anxious throughout.

Also told Stephen, who was truly wonderful by saying they will make a donation! I was so thrilled I hugged him, just as two people walked into the office. (No worry, I am so not his type).

Quiet Sunday

Went for a dog walk with a friend - she is a very experienced homoeopath so I find this is a good way to bash out ideas (probably pretty wearing for her as she knows at some point I will turn and say "right, now, time for philosophy", but the fact that she keeps walking with me is a sign that she forgives me - a good friend, no?)

Anyway, I managed to get back without telling ANY of the three couples with their dogs, three children on the bench OR the distant farmer on his tractor. I think the phrase "could do better" springs to mind, although to be fair the phrase "stop bloody forgetting!" would be more helpful.
I also chose to blindly whizz past two people who are on my hit list (whizzing in the car - don't do runnin')  rather than stop and chat. Again, didn't cross my mind.

It is not in my nature to forestall dog walkers and start talking to them, or drive up to neighbours, wind down the window and begin a conversation. It is not in my nature to start up a conversation in any but the most trying of circumstances ("excuse me, you're standing on my foot".) However this is where the Quest began, in order to MAKE me.

Hmmph!

So nipped over to see a nurse I know, told her and coerced her into getting together a team for the quiz.

Tomorrow is another day.

Ladies of a Certain Age

Crocheting is progressing in a muddled manner and I decided this is because I am fed up of my wool (blue and a different blue) so today I branched out and bought some green. Somehow, on reflection, I don't think I meant to do that. Nevertheless I did manage to tell the lady in the shop, who then filled me in on her own experiences in Sierra Leone 10 years ago. Fascinating. She promised to look out for an article on Homoeopathy in Tanzania in next month's Town Magazine.

On the way home I noticed that today is the day my friend works in the estate agent's, so called in. I had the idea that as I would not be able to get a raffle donation from them (a house? I don't think so) perhaps they could support me by assembling a Quiz Team; I put it to her. This lady is a great character and the conversation ranged wildly, within minutes this had attracted her colleague's notice. Needless to say I then explained what the Quiz is in aid of and she seemed keen to help. I have strong hopes for a Quiz team from that office.

Our town is blessed with a multitude of estate agents, so only four more to go!

Oh, and the burning lady at the top? well the conversation got fairly raucous as we explored what homoeopathy can do for ladies-of-a-certain-age, and I left my friend with the options of coming to see me as a homoeopath or finding herself a physically active male companion (I think I used slightly different language though...)

Carpe Diem

Today I met up with a couple of homeopath friends to catch up on news and so on. (OK, so we weren't really sitting in a forest wearing Victorian dress , but the only other picture had three fatties on a bench and if I put that up I might never be forgiven.)

Just before we left the cafe I noticed an elderly couple I knew and pounced on them -metaphorically, not literally - as I thought they would be interested to hear about Homeopathy for Health in Africa. And they were. It's curious, I find that older people are very pro "taking the opportunity". They went on to tell me about their long-cherished plan to live in Italy for a year, on retirement, but this had fallen through due to family circumstances and then the moment was gone. Carpe Diem.

Reunited outside with my girlfriends, true to type we followed on with our conversation; negotiating the alleyway, crossing the road and persevering in the car park whilst achieving a modicum of chaos as cars manoeuvred around us.

Also managed to update my website (how slow was that?) to reflect my planned work in Tanzania, which involved telling my - what would you call him, a WebMaster? hmmm... Anyhow, being a man of minimal words he responded: "scary stuff".

Craftwork

Today I have been planning a banner for the Tea Party on the 3rd of March and sought advice from an expert in the Textiles Department up at at the school. She baffled me with some technical jargon, but sifting through a bewildering array of options I managed to work out that felt, scissors and a sewing machine would meet the needs of the occasion (possibly glue as well if it all gets too much...) Needless to say I told her about the fundraising, and ensured that she only got away once she'd taken a leaflet for the Quiz in April. (It's no use saying you are rubbish at Quizzes, we are all rubbish at Quizzes) Luckily she noticed the bit about bringing your own drink for the evening, which she felt was a far more cheering thought for a Friday night and will hopefully have swung it.

Also Crafty - This really was a 2-for-the-price-of-1, as the Receptionist, through politeness and location, was complelled to listen to my spiel as well.

But just in case you are unconvinced, as I withdrew to the world outside I managed to detain an unwitting visitor to the school who now knows a lot more about HomeopathyforHealthinAfrica than she did.

Planting Trees

Today was a bit of an enigma.

Following a online request for help, my friend and I decided that we would Do Some Good and went to lend a hand planting trees with the local school. We were a bit late, and as usual I went without the map, but how hard is it to find 15 students planting 400 trees? A damn sight more tricky than you'd think!

We ended up in the pub (source of all valuable local knowledge) and got some directions. I even managed to tell the fella about homeopathy. He wondered whether it might help him quit smoking as no patches have so far. I assured him that it could and we seperated Good Buddies, with me wishing him luck and he wishing us luck.  On reflection he had a better chance of success than we did.

We cruised the area and found woods and trees, but no school groups. The directions were good, but I think we were looking for the wrong place. We even phoned the school but the Reception were not really able to help up. It was at this point that I started to see the funny side - two of us in massive cagouls, wellies and rain hats, carrying spades and looking to plant some trees somewhere. Anywhere. I suspect that ridiculousness of our situation must have carried down the phone because they said they would find out and ring us back, but no call ensued.

It was at this point my friend quietly informed me of the work she had turned down and the sick offspring she was neglecting (don't worry - it was most likely just don't-want-to-go-to-school-itis) in order that we migh save the planet and plant some trees. It was all too cruel and as it was now past the finish time anyway, I did the only thing I could and offered for her to come and plant a tree at my house.

We stopped off on the way to get a pot, where I told the young man in the shop about volunteering in Tanzia and I even managed to tell the barrista in Costa. (yes, we were sorely in need of a coffee - not to celebrate our endeavours so much as in recognition of our good intentions. We did feel like complete twits.) We then came home and potted a 10cm box hedge that I plan to grow into a magnificant piece of topiary.

Well it was planting something.

Olney Pancake Race

Today was the Olney Pancake Race, which means that the town was full of people, so off I set.

It's funny, there is a saying about how you are never so lonely as when you're in a crowd, and at first I felt that; so many people but how on earth was I going to say anything to any one of them? But I bumbled around and was very glad to see an old friend I hadn't seen for ages. We chatted and swapped fund-raising promises - it turns out she is doing a triathlon/ endurance swimmy thing in September but was also interested to hear about Homeopathy for Health in Africa.

Luckily she was with the Caller from our local Barn Dance band (remember a couple of weeks back?) and I told her too - before asking about the possiblity of having a Barn Dance in September/ October. She gave me some tips on Barn Dances (oh yes, there are some) and said she would consult with the band. Sounds promising.

As for the race, it was a jolly event with many housewives of Olney taking part. I got a key position on the bend before the final straight - the race is only a few hundred yards long, but I feel I must use racing terms here.  And yes, it was just like the one-and-only time I saw the Grand National; from the middle distance the runners emerged, racing with an outright winner leading the pack, they whizzed around the corner and were gone.

A few flickers of dust, and then nothing.

Amongst the crowd we all looked at each other as if to say "was that it?"

Fortunately, the age range of competitors spans a good few years and there were a welcome stragglers bringing up the rear which gave us the opportunity to cheer them on and feel more part of the race.

Hooray for slow people!

Spam Fritters

Spam Fritters. I think this comes back to my being slow, but at school I always managed to get to lunch late, by which time you had whatever was at the bottom of the tray. And Spam Fritters from the bottom of the tray were vile. Dripping fat and soggy, they tasted only of sawdust and fat. Urgh.

Why mention them? Well, being inquisitive I thought I would look at the 'viewings' page for the Blog - it is the thought that someone might read this that makes me have to Tell Two People each day and then write about it. I saw that someone from Russia had read the Blog - how amazing! - and recounting this to a friend I suggested that it was as unusual as the idea of me liking spam fritters. (Perhaps that's one of those 'You had to be there' stories?)

So, have I told anyone today? - of course! I emailed a friend in Australia who is crook (that is, being 'unwell' rather than a burglar). I thought that he might like to read about life in Merrie Englande so sent him the link.

While waiting at the Cash Point I recognised the top half of that nice lady from the Post Office - she is normally invisible from the waist down for any punters wanting to post a package - and found myself in conversation with her. Working behind the Post Office counter, I decided that she must be used to peculiar conversations and I was not about to disappoint her. Without a flinch she listened to my story and even managed a smile - a true professional.

Speed is of the Essence

Another one of those tricky days - still getting used to it. We set off downtown for the International Market I had read a poster about and met a friend on the way.  I hippety-hopped about waiting for a break in the conversation, took a breath - missed my spot - hippety hopped some more then found he was whizzing off and I had said nothing. Not a sausage.

Sigh...

As for the International market  - that is on in MARCH - well, I'm sure it will be good.

Nevertheless, the sun was shining and it's good to get a few inches of skin out making granules of vitamin D - and look, here comes the editor of the Town Magazine. I could.... oh no I can't, he's gone past.
Speed is clearly not my thing today. Grrrrrrrr!

So now I was like a killer whale on the scent for blood, weaving from side to side on the lookout. And there, in the distance, innocently walking his dog was the lovely man-who-does-my-boiler. I pounced. He blanched. I gabbled. Then it all calmed down a bit and he listened. It's funny, but if I am with my husband, men tend to say "lucky you" to him. Am I that awful? I suspect it's something about the urban myth that men left on their own can behave like teenage lads. Yeah, right.

The other lovely person, and yes they are all lovely, was the mother of my son's friend. She was so interested that she put down her shopping basket in the Co-op - or perhaps it was just heavy and I was going on a bit - but she was very encouraging and now that's another couple to sign up for the Quiz. Hooray!

Green Tea and a Helpful Friend

One of those panic evenings - thank heaven the days are getting longer, more time for me to tackle The Quest. I managed to rope my friend in to going for a walk. Can't believe it - first stop the chemist - closed! closed! and I had been building myself up to say something in there all the way down.

Next stop the Church - also closed! seems the longer evenings have got me muddled and I think that everything is open in the light & closed in the dark. Twit.

Anyhow, I unburdened myself to my friend, explaining the necessity of having to talk to someone - sounds a bit like a drug addiction - but she is a pal so went with it. And then we met a colleague of hers. Hooray! with a brief introduction (she knew I would be winding myself up to say something and just needed that little push) off I went. Looks like we have another participant for the planned Quiz.

So why the Green Tea? well, to be honest it was an amazing morning. Standing in the Nutricentre I remembered I am supposed to speak up, so I did.This is a healthfood place so they might be interested in Homeopathy for Health in Africa. After the initial blank look (I am getting used to this, I cannot say everything in the first sentence, so there are those few moments when realization moves from "why is she telling me about her holiday?" to "oh, that's interesting") the manager was incredibly supportive, giving me a contact name for fundraising, and then collecting together a huge bunch of fabulous green teas and lovely little Japanese tea cups in cute bags to give as raffle prizes. I was overwhelmed, and very grateful.

Smiled all the way home.

A Sally Day

Today is Sally's birthday and I phoned her up to sing Happy Birthday down the phone. I then ran round her house and left her present on the doorstep - bit foolish really as I suspect it would be the first thing she stepped on as she left for work...

I am also thinking of Sally today as she told me to "save up" some of the people I tell in order to make up for the less prolific days. And today was not prolific. Not for want of opportunity though - had I thought, as I chatted with the lady in the greengrocers, I could have mentioned it to her.

But I didn't.

Instead I phoned a friend and told her for the second time, though this time she gave me some tips on fundrasing, so all was not lost.

I also told my cynical Scottish friend and tried to ask if he will help run a Quiz, but it took a bit of doing as he was quite adamant that he does not believe in homeopathy ("all that stuff") and it took a few minutes before he realised I was not evangelising, merely asking a favour and assured him that belief was not required, only some provocative questions and answers.

The floor is strewn with fundraising ideas and suggestions. My head is starting to rattle. I have a year-planner scratched over with tentative dates for events, highlighting key deadlines and critical path thingies. Soon I will get an Event Programme printed and there will be no going back.

Oooer!

Hmmm.... bit patchy, but then what do you expect for a picture that was painted around the year 1200 and has been covered up for centuries?

So today we went to visit our good friends near Tring, and took them to see some Medieval paintings in local churches. This picture is, I think, St. Helen being taken by the angels at her death. I just love the idea that it was painted so long ago.

Both friends were very interested in the work in Tanzania and wish me luck. They also asked for a leaflet on my proposed Fundraising activities, so they can see what they can attend.
Note to self - make a Fundraising Events leaflet!

John continues to amaze me with his Good Works and I was delighted to hear about the sheep he has to look in on. It seems that there is a legal requirement to look at sheep everyday. (Perhaps you do more than just look at them? any fool can do that. I am sure there are serious sheepy-type things you have to do as well). Anyway, he volunteers for a local Trust that uses Shetland sheep to graze the land (voracious appetites) so that there is very little fauna growing thus allowing the moths and butterflies to breed. It has been very successful, but the sheep need to be seen.

So on this particular occasion, John strode into the field as per usual, and called out Shee-eep! in a tone that usually has them running from far and wide. But on this happy juncture - no response. He tried again (and John has a Good Voice, he has sung in Operas) but with no success. What is more, far off on the horizon he could see some antlers moving hither & thither. Are Deer carnivores? Hurtling up the hill he finally saw the sheep in the far corner, under the watchful eye of a random sheep dog (?) Not only had it assembled all the sheep, it had managed to round up a deer as well. Needless to say the dog was dispatched with a flea in its ear and the deer leaped off into the middle distance. The sheep just baa'd.

Well it made me laugh.

Back in Olney

As it's half term I took my husband to the local coffee shop. After negotiating a drink (Cappucino without the coffee and with soya, not cow's, milk. Not really cappucino at all, but its a coffee house and I feel the need to at least start off in familiar territory) I told them about Homeopathy for Health in Africa and they said they would be happy to support me.

On the wall they have a large map of the world which I always find intriguing. So many places, so many different lives. Anyway, you can sit in front of it, so we did and surveyed Tanzania. Oooer! looks like it could be mighty hot there. And as encouragement, my husband went on to tell me about the pirates along the East African coast, it seems that disgruntled international militia have begun to blow their ships up, so they are now moving their work inland. Yippee.

Next it was off to the Dry Cleaners, which was more interesting than expected. He listened to how Homeopathy can help and it turned out that he has a Dr. friend who went to volunteer in Malawi (next door to Tanzania) for a week with four other medics. On the first day they had a queue of a thousand people, and were working flat out each day. Their work was very much appreciated, their is clearly a need.

The Holy Well & the Railway

Ha! intriguing non?

Whilst in Yorkshire I went to see my fine friend Em and her gorgeous girl Isla. Wherever I go in the UK I like to visit standing stones and holy wells, and it just so happened that there was supposed to be one near Em; so we set off in search of it.

As usual in my expeditions, I managed to leave out a key ingredient. I brought some words & a map reference, but no map; this was carefully left back at base. We considered returning for it, but that would be woossy - we are, afterall, Explorers and Adventurers.

After cruising up and down a bit we decided to call in at the local Railway Station (one of those wonderful little local lines running steam trains). There were two helpful & interested chaps who listened to our plight and offered their advice. It seems that just up the line is a Halt (stopping place for lovely steam trains) called Holywell Halt. Sounded promising!

Enthused, we were just about to set off when I remembered my Quest and gabbled to the two fellas about Homeopathy for Health in Africa. Not one of my best, but it gave Em the opportunity to tell me how it might help if I made some cards to give out, so people could reflect after i have disappeared into the night (or wherever) and even donate. Good thinking Em!

So I Told my Two People, and with a little searching we found the Holy Well and had a mini-picnic (it was too cold for a full banquet). A lovely day.

Back from York!

The Holiday mood and my shyness meant that I did not blast people in Yorkshire as planned, nevertheless life has not been dull.

I shall start, not in York but in Bletchley (!) Never one to hang about, I managed to squeeze in taking my son to his driving test before we went. Test number 3 so I was hopping about in anticipation and almost forgot my Quest.

Anyhow, I started chatting to a waiting instructor and told him my Tanzanian plans. During the subsequent conversation he mentioned having been on local radio and we decided that it would be a good idea to for me too. Love those serendipity ideas.

York was snowy and gorgeous. At the last count I was wearing 8 layers on top - truly - topped by my wool/fur combo hat. Walking was OK, but waving my arms proved troublesome. Mouth muscles continued to give up in the cold, so not a lot of conversation outside.

I missed my chance with the guide round the Minster, though to be fair by the end even my husband was cold (rare event), so there was no hanging about. Better luck in the haberdasher's (lovely word). In the queue I began to tell my wool-buying neighbour about the pink gingham cloth destined to make table cloths for my fundraising Tea Parties and thus I introduced Homoeopathy for Health in Africa. We had a jolly chat, where she lamented that people just don't do fundraising where she lives (London) any more except for the Church and we separated life-long buddies.

Tomorrow - Holy Wells & Trains

Off to York for a Few Days...

...so won't be posting again till Monday.

Now is the time to call on the wise words of my friend Sally. Knowing me well, she foresaw that I would berate myself if I didn't fulfil my daily quota. She was right.

So this morning I have been giving myself a Jolly Good Talking To, and recall to mind that I am writing this Blog to encourage me to tell people about the project and fundraising, not to use it as a tool to beat myself with.

So with those censorious words, I shall proceed. [Yes, I do use a Dictionary and Thesaurus, would you believe that I truly enjoy looking up words? and not online, the good old paper thing is what I really like thumbing through. All those alternatives. Love it.]

Today I am off to Yorkshire with my husband for a few days. Snow & ice forecast, but also rest and enjoyment and of course tea and cake. As I am sadly lacking in connectivity skills I shall have to put the Blog on ice for a few days, but promised to make notes on my encounters & report back on Monday.

I shall be meeting up with Em at the weekend, which will be wonderful. I shall bully her until she takes some photos of me in the snow; she is bigger than me but far too nice to resist my instance. I shall of course also be telling people about the Project, and hope to make local news by Sunday night (OK, not really!)

Hooray, I am off on holiday! (burglears beware - I am leaving my cat & teenage son in charge. Trust neither of them ,they sleep too much)

The Quest

My friend Shuna has called this a Quest and I have to say I like the idea of a Quest. Guess I really fancy chasing dragons and being heroic.

Hmmm.... but is this a Quest? - well a quest for people, of course it is! so Thank You Shuna.

So,today - no a bit more diversion first. after all Prevarication is my middle name. 

Crochet - brilliant stuff. My friend is going through the agonies of teaching me this weird and wonderful skill. I have a knotty/holey/tight/loose "thing" that I love dearly and want to frame. It is a dishcloth, but not just any old dish cloth, nor even a Marks & Spencer dishcloth, it is a HOME MADE dishcloth. I may manage another 3 or 4 before next Christmas, so maybe you too can enjoy one!

OK, admission time. Only managed one email today, and then it was two people with the one missive. How cheeky is that? what can I say - it's still snowy out there and freeeeeeezing (after 5 minutes I seem to mumble as the muscles round my mouth stop working). So although I have been outside.... eeek, just realised, I could have told Mary's friend who I met at the Zebra crossing. Oh, *^$><**!!

I can see I need to work at this.

The Good News is that I have had my first confirmed promise of a Home-baked cake for my fundraising Tea Party in March. Hooray!

Take a Chance

Today I went to a talk on Pain - very interesting actually as the speaker included contributing factors such as if you are limited (things hurt so much more if they are stopping you from doing something!), if you are afraid, (think how much better you feel when you find out it's not what you thought it was) and so on.

 I didn't know, for example, that aspirin works on your mind as well as nerves, so taking paracetomol (nerves only) and asprin makes sense, whereas taking paracetomol & ibruprofen (nerves only as well) does not.

Well, I managed to tell quite a few people about the Tanzanian project - men more interested in the climate & location, women in how my husband will cope. Nevertheless, all very supportive.

The final conversation I had was with a retired friend who told me about how he had been made redundant a few times in his life, and how the final time he decided to become self-employed. It was a risk, but he felt it was worth it. And this was how he viewed my going, exciting, scary, but worth it. "Take a chance" he said.

Blind panic in the Co-op

Things were going well, I took my Mum out for a cup of tea and had a lovely chat with that nice man in Cafe Rosco. He said he would be happy to support me in my fundraising. 

However, you may have noticed it is cold & snowy out there, so this was really going to be my only trip out today, and by the time I got to the Co-op it suddenly hit me...
... I have to tell someone else!

Blind panic struck as I glanced at the shelf stacker. Would he scream and call for help if I accosted him and started rabbiting about Tanzania? Somehow I knew he would.

My gaze quickly scanned random shoppers as I desperately tried to locate someone I could talk to. Someone, anyone? but Mum was already exiting the sliding doors and the shelf stacker was scowling at me. In one bound I leapt through the doors and into the awaiting slush.

Today I had failed.

Then I remembered that wonderful man from the Homeopathic Action Trust who is helping me to sort out a system for gathering donations online [watch this space]. Today was the first time I had given him the low down

Hooray, I am saved!!


                                                                           ... I need a cup of tea

Snow

Freezing overnight temperatures & about 8cm of snow (metric! - OK I'm just showing off) have made today a bit of a stay-inside day. This did not stop me doing a mercy run this morning out into the sticks to get my son after a party last night. The roads were so bad that in some parts I could only drive at 10 mph (sorry, not that metric). Scary stuff if the road's not been gritted, but I had the joyful feeling of personal triumph when I finally regained terra firma.

Today is the Farmers' market, but not many stalls - thick snow, who can blame them. However some had built snowmen which seemed to cheer things up a bit.

John was there selling raffle tickets for the Pancake Race, so he had no escape; I told him all about my plans and, after a slightly bewildered look, he countered with his own news. Not sure, I think he won. 

Then I phoned a friend who was enthusiastic - which makes such a difference! - and she promised to help where she could.

I also phoned another girlfriend who gave me the interesting compliment that she could see me in African colours as she'd been looking at African fashion in the Sunday Supplement. Laughingly I suggested that I might come back wearing open toe sandals, flowing clothes and eating lentils. There followed a brief pause before she said that I already do.

do I?

Not What I Expected

Today I went to a Natural Health & Wellness fair to support a friend of mine, Ally, who was giving a talk on homeopathy.

I was dressed up like a womble - anticipating the 15 foot of snow we have been promised - and in my own little world, when Ally introduced me to a Garden Design pal of hers. She asked me about myself and I suddenly realised that I was doing my usual hiding away thing, not going out and blasting the world with my news. See, this is not easy for me.

Luckily Julie was lovely and interested in the Tanzanian project; she gave me her card and asked me to get in touch to invite her to my summer fund raising Tea party. Its nice when people make it so simple.

The second person was the amiable French lady giving a talk on Flower Essences. I had been sitting, with my mind boggling at all the chances I had missed when she came to sit down to prepare for her talk. She hardly had time to draw breath before I launched into my "I'm going to Tanzania" intro.

(Do feel i need to improve on this, can't help wondering if people initially think I'm a bit of a nutter who has to tell everyone I'm off on safari)

Anyway, the wonderous thing was that she too was interested and told be about South African flower remedies; the theory being that remedies made from indigenous plants are likely to help indigenous people. Think I'll have a look at that one.

Fancy!

Pretty knackered but laughed so much. Love dancing.

So I spent a lot of the evening yelling at people to tell them about Tanzania (music was loud). Most people were very interested. The best bit came when someone came up to me and said
"I hear you're going to volunteer in Africa"
Fancy! I didn't even have to tell her, someone else did it for me.

Definitely managed TWO today. Yay!

night night

Day 2 & Timings

Hmmm... didn't think this through properly. I am just about to skip off to the Barn dance, but of course i can't tell you about my two people yet as I plan to pin down a couple of innocents when I get there. I have baked some rather yummy carrot cake to act as an incentive - you know the routine
"ooh, have some delightful cake"
"Ah, don't mind if I do"
"Let me tell you about my plans...."
"Gmmpff.." (sound of teeth glued together with rather claggy carrot cake)

Anyhow, I shall have to drag my sorry carcass to the PC when I stagger in at a later date.
(Pitter patter of receding feet as Naomi dances off into the snowy distance)

is this what it going to be like?

Hmmm... I find myself in the odd position of considering hovering around outside the house to see who I can grab to tell them about my project. Bit mad.

I should have told that young chappie in Sainsburys who kindly reached for the rice (top shelf, at the back - I am only just over 5 foot, I had no chance) but then he probably thought I was a bit bats anyway. His smile suggested that.

Or the man asking to wash my car in the car park - I could have told him, he would never ask to wash my car again. Should have thought of that!
.....

Phew, just got back from the garage and managed to tell Ashley. Actually he was quite interested after the initial shock wore off.

Well that's TWO people today. Tomorrow should be easier - I'm off to a Barn Dance.

Today is DAY 1

Yesterday a good friend of mine set me the goal of telling two people everyday about my goal for next Janaury.

In January 2013 I am going to work in Tanzania for 3 months as a homeopath, helping people with AIDS with  the Homeopathy for Health in Africa project.

http://www.homeopathyforhealthinafrica.org/index.php

I am doing everything i can to raise awareness of the project in order to get support in funding for my stay there.

This afternoon I seeing Lucy. She is having medical treatment and said she would be happy to meet for a quiet coffee. I shall endeavour to whisper.

Still need to find someone else.....