Last week we revealed the first batch of Resolutioneers who have set their intentions for 2015: Adam, who wants to take up fighting again, Aimee who wants to stop multitasking, Diane who has vowed to stop drinking wine, Yucca who wants to get back into her car again after having her leg amputated and Helen who is learning new skills in order to help the Cancer Support Group. This week we have the rest of the class of 2015. Wish them well, some of them have set themselves quite big goals.
Sally Trotman
“I want to develop my singing career”
Sally actually has three resolutions. 1) To develop her professional singing career as a wedding singer and to keep her hand in she’s going to start going to Open Mic nights. 2) To find ‘Mr Right’ (does he exist I wonder, she’s hopeful) and to do that she’s going to join the local church choir which she hopes will be a good way to meet new people. And 3) To develop her Astrology work as she is also a professional astrologer and wants to get herself published in the UK. So three big steps for Sally. Will she be in print in a UK paper by Easter?
Mathilde Recoque
“I want to learn to play guitar”
Mathilde who runs Century 21 in the Balearics is from a large family. When she and her son went home for Christmas her sisters sat around the living room and played guitar for them. “I really wanted to join in; it’s so wonderful to be able to play an instrument. I’ve promised myself by next Christmas I will be able to play along with them”. Mathilde has enlisted the help of a very talented musician, Benji, son of Tracey Evans to help her learn, and she also has her friend Charlie who is ready and willing to help her. I’m expecting at least a version of Smoke on the Water by Easter.
Frank Leavers
“I want to quit smoking”
When I catch up Frank he’s already stopped smoking. “23.52 on New Year’s Eve” he tells me. “I’d been meaning to do it for ages. I started smoking at 16 and I’m now 63. I’ve got to do it now, for myself, and my grandkids: we’ve got four and there’s another one on the way.” I’ve always known Frank to be a smoker, but apparently a lot of others have been surprised when they find out about his vice, “I’ve always been discreet, lots of people didn’t know I was a smoker. I’ve never smoked in front of my grandkids but I did smoke in front of my children when they were younger.” He says he’s doing pretty well but thinks that he might start to struggle more when the summer comes along, “I used to like sitting in my back garden with a glass of wine and a smoke”. Like many smokers he wasn’t even enjoying it when he gave up, “It is part of the reason I’ve stopped, I feel quite glad, and I hope that I’ve packed it up for good. There used to be a kind of smokers’ camaraderie, you know you’d all go outside to smoke, but now I’m the only person going outside, everyone else has given up and you ask yourself, Why am I doing this? It’s pathetic.” Frank has one piece of advice for spouses of smokers, “Don’t nag. Nagging doesn’t work, it has totally the opposite effect”. Good luck mon brave, hope to see you at Easter still smoke free.
Richie Prior
“I want to get fit again”
I meet up with Richie outside of Nice Price in Portals. We’re there because we’ve decided they have the best crisp selection as they are his weakness. “I want to get fit and feel better in myself. I’m going to drop the crisps and restart Bikram Yoga which I do in Palma. I’ve run two marathons in the past so I know I can do it”. We talk about deadlines and goal setting and measure his waistline. He says by Easter he will have lost 10cm from his tummy. If you hear any rustling noises whilst he’s doing the Radio One Breakfast Show then you might want to enquire what it is he’s eating, hopefully not Wotsits.
Lesley Woodward
“I want to write a blog about my creative process”
Lesley is an artist specialising in embroidery and mixed media, creating collages using papers and fabrics – dyed, painted, stitched, or any combination of the above – usually layered and replete with elements of pattern. Her work includes framed wall pieces and wall hangings. Having been inspired by the book `Share like an artist´ she has decided to start a blog about her work. Showing and explaining the processes. A lot of the visitors to her website are from textile and design students and because she taught at The London College of Fashion she thinks this could be a worthwhile extension of her work. You can get her off to a flying start by liking her on Facebook: LesleyWoodwardEmbroideryMixedMedia Lesley hopes by Easter to have mastered the digital world, with a little bit of help from her friends and myself as well.
Julia Ball
“I want to start my dream business”
Julia is in the process of launching a Bridal & Communion Gown & Apparel shop. “I have off the peg designer gowns from England and Australia and bespoke dresses that I have designed, and all of the communion dresses will be bespoke. I have an occasions cart for hire for all events, bespoke jewellery, tiaras, and shoes. I really want people to enjoy the process of choosing the dress so we will be doing the fittings in a downstairs lounge in my new shop. I am really passionate about brides having the dress that they dream of wearing but at a reasonable price. I have done so much research that I know I can beat the wedding boutiques in Palma and offer a much better service”. On the day that I visit Julia she has just signed the lease for her shop in Cas Catala, on the same parade as the Allen Graham shop. “I want to open it in March, we will be looking for REAL women, not stick thin models, but real looking women who want to model for us. I’m SO excited!” So by Easter I am hoping to visit Julia and try on one of her frocks (being one of those non-stick thin women she’s looking for).
I’m going to chase up these intrepid “Resolutioneers” around Easter and see how they have got on so far. If you have anything you can offer them to help them on their way to achieving their goals then please get in touch. You can email me at mallorcagrapevine@gmail.com
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