When I first set this challenge I knew things could change. That includes some of the goals that I set myself too. I have already revised one, where I suddenly had three offers of mini-golf, when I’d only set going for one. So I upped it.

But, a week ago things changed in my scouting life, in a way that I never perceived it would when I set the challenge.

Back in May there were lots of changes and possibilities on the horizon. A new International Commissioner, a new District Commissioner, and other District Commissioners’ terms due to come to an end, and then there was the possibilities that new/restructured teams would open up. Exciting times, as I’d missed being part of a senior management team, after having to step down from my Deputy County Commissioner role, a few months prior to that. Unfortunately those early possibilities didn’t materialise, but I remained hopeful.

Anyway, fast forward to last Wednesday when I was delighted to be informed that I had been successfully elected to serve as a school governor, at my youngest daughter’s school, on a four year term. This opportunity only came about at the end of October, five months after I set the challenge. The role, much like scouting is voluntary. But it meant I needed to rethink my other voluntary commitments.

I was told by one individual, back in June, that they had been told that I “wasn’t wanted on the team any longer”. Their exact words. So this made me question a lot of things. Because of the timing of their revelation, when I was at my most jubilant after the World Crossbow Championships, it also triggered a very serious episode, which I documented in the post “Not ok to ok”. It was so serious that if it hadn’t been for a close friend of mine, this challenge would’ve been cut very short. Anyway, I decided to stick it out as I really loved the role I was doing as Assistant County Commission (International), which had been my life for 9yrs [at that point].

However, the last seven months haven’t been great. One of the projects I was working on was causing a lot of stress, and the “revelation” sadly appeared to have merit. I did not feel welcome at all. But I kept with it, as I had made that role what it is today, and was passionate about it.

So combining all of these factors together I felt that with the new school governor role, it was now the right time for me to go. A decision which I know has shocked a few people, but needs must.

But, how does that effect the challenge? Well, goal no.8 was to take on a new role in scouting. That however, is no longer looking likely any time soon, and with my new volunteering commitments. Although, much like scouting it is a voluntary role.

So with that in mind, I’m going to mark goal 8 as complete. It may not be specifically a voluntary scouting role, but I have taken on a new volunteer role. Within the spirit of the challenge, I feel.

Anyway, sorry for the long ramble but I needed to give some background as to why I was revising this goal. I’m really excited to become a school governor, as this is something that is outside of my comfort zone of scouting. Really looking forward to the next four years.

January has been a really busy month, and what was meant to be regular updates, has developed into one longer one. That’s largely because my marathon training has really ramped up, and I’ve been taking part in RED January.

So here goes, with the newly completed (and some in progress) items.

44. Learn how to make 5 different Origami animals.

I have to admit I have had a lot of help with this one. One of my work colleagues gave me an origami book, when I first started this challenge, and I also got two more at Christmas with packs of folding paper.

I’m not going to lie. I really am not a craft type of person, and I found to quite tricky. But, success! Five animals made!

I’d made, in one session: a grazing cow, a fish, a butterfly, a swan and a pigeon. I was really quite chuffed how it all went.

Goal complete!

97. Make white chocolate and cranberry cookies.

I’ve never made cookies! Shock, horror! I haven’t, and these are my favourite flavour. A couple of years ago I had someone making them for me, on a regular basis, but that supply dried up.

I put this on the list as no one else in my house likes them, so when cookies are made, it’s never my favourite. So I gave it a go.

The result? They were lush!!!!! So glad I made them, and now I have the recipe, I will do them again.

Goal complete!

Now for the progress items.

56. Visit 5 new away grounds with Charlton

The first of these is now in the bag, after a weekend with friends in Preston. Shame we lost against North End, but at least I got to catch up with my friends.

I have also made some bookings for other items recently too.

So coming up is: the final restaurant for goal 43, a pasta making masterclass – goal 58, another tattoo session with Marley – goal 73, afternoon tea with Claire – goal 86, and a brewery tour at Westerham Brewery – goal 91.

Slowly getting there.

No. 71 Give up something different each month for a year.

You would think that picking something to give up for a month is easy. Well, it is. But giving up 12 different things, takes a little more planning.

I have to admit. There was a lot of items I wanted to do, such as “green items”, but these weren’t practical. For example, I looked at whether I could give up using my car for a month. A noble one, but not practical for many reasons. I could’ve just simple reduce use of it, but the goal states to give up completely. I also looked at giving up singe use plastic, and sadly this too is impossible, as I’d end up buying nothing at all.

Anyway, as I started to compile this list I had to some fiddling and swapping as some are closely linked. This would then just simply be a continuation of the previous month, and not really what I wanted to achieve.

So here is the list, and the month that I am abstaining from it.

Jan Fizzy Drinks

Feb Chocolate

Mar Animal Produced food (Go Vegan)

Apr Alcohol

May Tea

Jun Cow’s Milk

Jul Netflix

Aug Cheese

Sep Processed Meat

Oct Take Aways

Nov Fried Food

Dec Crisps

There is still a lot of crossover in some of the items, which is why I’ve tried to separate them the best I can.

I will say though that as soon as you say that you can’t have something, you bloody want it. I’m absolutely gagging for a can of Diet Coke right now!