Just to say that I will NEVER have individual false lashes EVER again! Of the 2 weeks promised, I managed 6 days wearing them. As the days went on they became more and more uncomfortable, until on Thursday night I found myself hardly able to sleep for the pain of the rigid lashes digging in … More 16. Part 2 – have false eyelashes removed
“Enlighten us, but make it quick!” That’s the message from Ignite Cardiff (www.ignite.wales) for potential speakers at their bi-monthly event. It’s an evening of motivational, inspirational, educational talks which features around nine speakers from the local area. The brief is that you have 5 minutes in which to share your personal or professional passion with … More 18. Be a speaker at an event
I wanted to do this because I had never tasted real caviar. And I wanted to know what the fuss was about. Well, I’ve tasted it now…and I still don’t know what all the fuss is about! My caviar arrived by mail order, courtesy of Fine Food Specialists of New Covent Garden Market in London (www.finefoodspecialist.co.uk) … More 17. Eat caviar
Bela Lugosi once said “Women have a predestination for suffering”. He must have known a bit about what women choose to subject themselves to in search of ‘beauty’… waxing, threading, sculpting, plucking, extending… and the application of false eyelashes. I think this ‘challenge’ appeared on my list for much the same reason as ‘Have my own … More 16. Wear false eyelashes
There are some advantages to your husband leaving you out-of-the-blue… For example, the initial period of shock and sadness might bring side effects such as losing your appetite. The ‘divorce diet’, as I have come to know it! The downside of that (or maybe another upside?) is that your clothes begin to hang off you… … More 15. Wardrobe weeding
Maybe some of you won’t think this brave. Maybe some of you will find it strange that it took courage for me to smile and tell my son ‘Of course I’ll take you on the rugby tour’. Maybe some of you will find it difficult to believe that the night before the tour I was … More 14. Rugby tour
This is a difficult post to write. Some may say an unusual thing to have on a list of 50 things to achieve in my 50th year. But it has been a long, hard haul to this point, and the final rubber stamp of Decree Absolute has been something I’ve been keen to achieve so … More 13. Get divorced
Well, sort of… In truth, I think I cheated a bit, but hey it’s a start! Speed Dating for the almost 50s is not an easy thing to find. So when I stumbled on http://www.SpeedDater.co.uk advertising events for the 38-50 age range in Cardiff I signed myself (and my friend Jo) up. We were supposed … More 12. Go on a date
Just one word. BUZZING!!! What an absolutely amazing experience. Adrenaline. Focus. Commitment. Ecstasy. Exhaustion. I felt them all. As I drove down to Cardiff Bay for the 5.15 sign on, I wasn’t really sure how I felt. Not yet excited, not yet nervous… non plussed might cover it. Outside Wales Millennium Centre, I gave … More 11. Firewalk!
Ok, so how much detail do you want…? This one has given rise to reactions varying from fingers in the ears singing la-la-la, through suggestions for max-strength painkillers, to utter disbelief! I decided to accept a recommendation for where to go for my wax, as you can’t be too careful with your ‘lady-bits’!! So I made … More 10. Have a Brazilian wax
Someone didn’t get the message… A LAP was the challenge, just A LAP! I have long joked that no-one would ever see me on a track bike. I have spent many a day and night sitting in the stands at Newport Velodrome watching my daughter cycle, and I have resolutely refused any suggestion of … More 9. Cycle a lap of the velodrome
The results are in! I’d like to say I’m delighted to report that I got a Distinction. In truth, if I hadn’t I think I’d have quit the day job… And frankly, I’m a *little* disappointed with my marks…. Here goes: List A – Telemann – comments included ‘acute awareness of style’; ‘eloquent rendition’; ‘lines … More 6. Grade 7 flute – part 2
I’m musical. I can do rhythm. I therefore assumed that my brain, upon feeling rhythm, would be able to tell my body and feet what to do without too much trouble. I was wrong. My buddy Helen was the facilitator of this challenge. She and her boyfriend are regulars at Cardiff Lindyhop (www.lindyhopcardiff.com) dance … More 8. Go to a dance class
Buckle up, the challenges are about to come thick and fast for a couple of weeks…! Many (most?) of my friends would probably say I like to talk… but I can be quiet… honestly I can. Hence this challenge. A one-day Silent Retreat. I have to say I was definitely feeling challenged today – Saturday … More 7. Silent retreat
Part 1 Why, oh why, oh why? Actually, pretty much everyone has asked my why I decided to do this one… So, here are my answers: When I did my flute grades as a kid, there was no Grade 7. It went 3, 4, 5, 6, 8. So I decided to ‘fill in the gap’. … More 6. Grade 7 flute – part 1
For some years now I have had an inexplicable desire to go to the Bingo. I don’t gamble much in other ways – the odd lottery ticket and a couple of ‘close-but-not-quite’ flutters on the Grand National. But something about dibbing (dabbing?) those numbers was calling me… One of the things that had held me back from … More 5. Go to the Bingo
To be honest, this ‘brave’ activity has caused some consternation amongst those who know me. I have long been known to actively dislike fragrance… The last time I wore perfume myself, I was probably 21; I wear unperfumed deodorant; I have never wanted my man to wear aftershave; I run through the perfumeries of department … More 4. Have my own signature fragrance made for me
This was always going to be a tough one. Putting myself out there for something I want, and risking rejection. The very wording of the task – ‘even if I don’t think I’m qualified for it’ – set me up for a bit of a punt. But hey, this is all about being brave… so I … More 3. Apply for a job I’d like to do even if I don’t think I’m qualified for it
I arrived at ‘Frontiers Tattoo and Piercing Parlour’, HighStreet, Cardiff at 1.15pm, only to find that the piercer was at lunch until 1.45. I did feel at that point that there was a possibility that the world was trying to tell me to give up on ear-repiercing, since this was the second time this week I’d made … More 2. Get my ears re-pierced
“Big Issue my darling?” “No thanks” I walk on by. I don’t know why… that’s just what I usually do. So, onto my 50 shades list goes ‘Buy The Big Issue’, and today I did just that. Albany Road, Cardiff, outside the Post Office. “Big Issue my darling?” “Yes please”… I hand over £2.50.. “God … More 1. Buy The Big Issue