Get Fit For Fogies (3)

'SQEEZE IT AND HOLD IT' that's what the man said. Who scripts these videos?

CHEAPER ELECTRICITY OFF PEAK!

As from today the electricity you use between 2 - 5 p.m. and between 2 - 8 a.m. will be charged at a lower tariff. How the electricity board can monitor this I have no idea, but I shall be putting my washing machine on during those hours from now on.

Halloween in Vrahassi 200

With going to England I almost forgot to pay a bill which I owe to the council. David rushed down to Vrahassi to pay it, but their computors were out of action. He has zoomed of to Agios Nikolaos to pay it there.

Meanwhile I have been at home thinking how I can celebrate Halloween tonight. I have got some spooky music and we could have a weird and wonderful, candlelit dinner. but hey! there's nothing new about that. Maybe I'll just put on the witches outfit and see what happens! It used to work!

TURKISH MALE BELLY DANCER DiVA

Well, it's different!

Radiolasithi gr Επεισόδια στην συγκεντρωση στον Αγίο Νικόλαο

And this is not Athens, this is Crete! People are protesting about the new taxes which the government has just imposed. What will happen when they can't afford shoes for their children, food for the table, cigarettes? God it's a mess! Maybe the church should sell off some of it's treasure. The new property tax will hit everybody, whether they are poor or rich. What about the old gran, on a pension, sole survivor of the family, living in the home which her late husband worked his guts out to provide. She could end up with a whacking bill. All this money taken out of the ecconomy just before Christmas certainly isn't going to improve things. And when people get hungry you know what they do? This video is only the start!

I had to show this even though I am trying to stay positive.

I'M STRONGER THAN I THOUGHT!

I'm enjoying my 7 minute workout sessions. Seems I may need heavier weights. I must be stronger than I thought I was. It's probably due to heaving all those porridge pans about! My next session is on Monday (Monday, Wednesday, Friday) I hope you will join me to check my progress. Luckily my bathroom scales are out of action, but I guess that I weigh about 172 lbs. Of course it is too much! Let's see what a difference a month makes. I have a small problem of an underactive thyroid and a teeny weeny hernia in my stomach to contend with, but apart from that (oh and the torn ligament in my foot) I'm feeling fine. I am looking forward to feeling FIT.

Wait till you see me in action on the floor.

It is a bit warmer in Vrahassi today, at least I got the washing dry.
David had an 'it can only happen in Greece moment' yesterday, when he filled up with petrol. He told me that the woman who served him had a cigarette hanging out of her mouth while she poured petrol into his motor. We are going out to dinner tonight, I wonder how many people will be smoking in the restaurant?
Laws eh? Who'd have 'em? Have a good weekend everyone.
Love Jane x

28th October 2011- The Alternative OXI-Day Parade

28th October 2011- The Alternative OXI-Day Parade

The Greek people are a proud, nationalistic people and today of all days they show just what they think of the government. Take a look at this article, it is tongue in cheek, but says so much.

REALITY JANE'S GET FIT FOR FOGIES!

Right! I have decided to take myself in hand and try to get fit, or at least fitter. This is the sort of thing I shall be doing - under supervision of course. I thought by sharing the experience it might encourage me to keep to my plan. The poor quality of the video is due to the dimmed light in our living room, it is a little kinder though. My first little workout was yesterday, so I shall be attempting another tomorrow. Bet you can't wait to see the next video.

As to my diet, it won't be anything fancy. I shall eat porridge for breakfast, a sandwich, or something on toast for lunch and whatever is in the pot for tea. In other words I shall cut down but not cut out. I WILL try to cut out alcohol Monday to Friday, and I will drink lots of water all the time.

You are allowed to laugh!
By the way, Yannis' cafeneo is still open, and so is Platanos. A neighbour passed by yesterday looking for her goat, it had done a runner, and David has begun to gather wood for the winter. That's life in Vrahassi for you.

To friends in Yorkshire - I have read the stories you sent with me, an e-mail will be on its way soon. Did you see how wonderful I looked at Jo's graduation?
To Eric on the boat - are you coming to Crete next year? Not fit? Join me in the 7minute workout.
Love to everyone,
Byeeeeeeeeeeeeee! Jane x

BACK FROM ENGLAND

Hello, I am back from England, motivated and ready to go. Our new phrase of the day is 'Just Do It'. Seeing our daughter graduate from Greenwich University was the most thrilling experience. She pushed all her boundaries to obtain her degree, what an achievement. The one thing that she told me was that she had learned that there is no such thing as bringing up children, the thing IS, parents should bring up adults. It is one to think about isn't it? Nobody told me that as I was struggling to do the right thing whilst bringing up my children, but I was always aware that I wanted them to be self confident, independent and thoughtful human beings. Well done Jo!

For the other 90 pictures that we took on that day please see my Face Book album.

So, now that David and I are back home, what next? First I have to thank all those people who looked after us so well in England. You know who you are. It was a hectic trip, full of train travel and shopping, but in between we sat with friends and family, enjoyed the warmth of people we love, soaking in all the love they gave to us. Leaving them so far behind was not easy and opened a terrible wound in my emotions. But knowing that they are after all only a few hours away, does help. We all have our own lives and choices. David and I have chosen to live in Crete because this is where we are most happy. I do however wish that we could afford to visit the kids more often than once a blue moon.

And that brings me to the 'what next' question again. Well, of course there is Valentino, my cello, but, good as I might be in the three years that I have studied, I'm certainly not ready to go solo. Remember the 1.90 euro that my friend and I made at our last busk effort. I would love Tears from the Sun to be in every bookshop in Crete for the next season, but unless I find a distributor, that looks unlikely. Work in Crete for a 60 year old Enlgish woman is pushing it a bit at the moment and there is no such thing as 'Benefit' here. So, I have decided to do something very positive and improve my health. At least I can be healthy on a warm rock, if not wealthy!

I am decidedly fat, don't walk very far because I've a ligament problem in my foot, and love chocolate - it's not a very good start, is it? Anyway I have found this 7 minute workout programme on the internet, well David found it really, and what is good for the goose, as they say...

And in between the 7 minute workout, which is only 3 times a week, I shall be keeping house, doing my Greek homework, trying to master Valentino ready for a splendid Christmas Busk, and recording for posterity my success at finding a strong, healthy, enjoyable life, free of pain.

A sort of 'before' picture! Just DO IT!

I hope you will join me on my journey, maybe even encourage me a little. Then next time I am in England I will not be hobbling around, looking longingly at people with sticks and crutches, and wondering how to highjack an abandoned zimmer frame.

I'll be back very soon, with news of how the workout is going, plus whatever else is happening in the world outside my front door in Vrahassi (and beyond).

Love Jane x

For Steve Jobs - Bach Cello Suite No. 5: Sarabande

This young man says it for a whole generation who have grown up with the genius of what Steve Jobs did through his creation of Apple computer systems, not to mention Pixar, the company which brought Toy Story to our screens. May he rest in peace.

EARLY MUSIC CONCERT IN NEAPOLIS



A group of musicians from Russia perform a programme of Early Music in Neapolis.



The programme included  both accompanied and unaccompanied singing.

David and I enjoyed every minute!