One way or another .....

Weigh in

2012-02-13T16:27:00.003+13:00

This mornings weight was 75.5 kg. A 300 gm loss this week. A great feeling. I'll be below 75 before too long.

I feel so much better today after having a decent nights sleep. Alot more focussed and positive. I spent my lunchbreak at the supermarket and got heaps of fresh vegetables as I'm going to try new recipes this week. I know Mr T is going to love me, lol. Actually there is one thing I do know is that he's eating an awful lot better and healthier and he's tending to eat more chicken now whereas before he eat nearly all red meat. In fact I find I can only have a little red meat these days. I always have to have a small piece because I become to full too fast otherwise. Has anyone else noticed this.

Righto - off to wrap Mr T's Valentines. Catch you soon

It's been a tough week ....

2012-02-12T11:36:00.003+13:00

and having stuff all sleep last night didn't help. In fact my sleep has been bad lately. I wake up during the night all hot and then cold. It's starting to drive me nuts. Had to get up early this morning cause I must have slept oddly on my arm and ended up with a numb little finger and cramp in my arm. I don't sleep well during the day but I might try and have a nana nap later otherwise I won't get anything done.

My week has been really busy which is why I haven't posted. My weigh in on Tuesday was 75.8 kg which I was really happy about. That's a 1 kg loss. Wasn't too sure how that happened but I'm stoked.

This week there's been a few functions and some carbs have slipped in. Not intentionally but not finishing work till around 9pm at night I had a few canopes knowing that I wouldn't eat when I got home. Sometimes things can't be avoided and I'm ready for whatever the scales say tomorrow.

Well that's me for now. Hopefully I'll be back tomorrow with my weigh in.

Ciao

A beautiiful wedding .....

2012-02-06T18:37:00.012+13:00

It was a lovely day for a wedding. We arrived at the church to the sound of bagpipes. The wedding was in Hamilton and the wedding breakfast in Cambridge.

The wedding was for Mike and Amanda. Mike is the youngest and newest member of our work team. These two are always smiling and none more so than on their wedding day.

Amanda walking down the aisle ...

The newlyweds emerging from the chapel with the bells ringing ...

Don't they look radiant ...

The beautiful bride ...

Cutting the cake ...

Very elegant .... Lol so many glasses, which one do I use first

Me and Mr T

The team. Minus Mike. Our organisation is responsible for granting donations of over $160 million into our community over the last 16 years. My boss, scratching his nose, and myself have been there since the beginning when we started with $32m.

Me and my big sister. Having a bad hair day - it was really windy. It was her birthday today so we stopped in Tirau on the way home and had lunch. She's 62 today and I love her heaps. I was her first baby. She has five children of her own. She married when she was 16 and her and Ken are still happily married enjoying their family and their grandchildren. I was put into foster care when I was 6 months old. After a year my natural mum granted permission for me to be adopted. She said it was her hardest decision but it was the best and right one to make. So I became the youngest of five and was very spoilt. Until the first grandchild came along lol

Sue was diagnosed with leukemia about nine years ago. My biggest disappointment was that I couldn't donate bone marrow not being her biological sibling. The others have heart conditions and were not able. Fortunately a new drug came on the market which she was able to have which brought her blood count down enough so she could harvest her own bone marrow.

I was very blessed to have been adopted by such an awesome family. They maintained contact with my birth mum all the way through and I now have a great relationship with my mum and younger brother and sister. I only started calling her mum after my adopted mum passed away. Somehow it didn't seem right.

It was a great weekend, looking forward to jumping on the scales tomorrow. Although I've lost 12 kgs these photos tell me I still have a way to go but it's happening and every week it keeps getting better.

Hope you all had a super Waitangi Day weekend.

Ciao

50 today ....

2012-02-04T17:51:00.004+13:00

And I don't feel any older than yesterday lol.

I'm having such a lovely relaxing day. Had a lovely sleep in this morning. Mr T cooked me some lovely bacon and eggs for breakfast.

Then I went into town after raiding Mr T's wallet and bought myself some new shoes and perfume. I've had a pamper. Done my eyebrows, painted toenails and moisturised. I'm just chilling out now.

We were going to go out for dinner but to tell the truth I don't really feel bothered. I'm just enjoying chilling out and taking in the day - all the lovely text msgs and fb msgs. Tomorrow is a big day. Looking forward to the wedding and getting all glammed up - Mr T bought me a gorgeous outfit to wear. Lots of pics.

A great birthday pressie this morning. The scales said bang on 76!!!!! If only it was another 100 gms it would have been in the 75's. lol. Nevermind,, theres always next week. I'm so looking forward to losing the next 5 kg.

50's feeling great and I'm so pleased I started lowcarbing last year. Because today I feel pretty damn good.

Enjoy your weekend lovelies.

PS: I just have to say that makes it 12 kgs iI have lost. Oh what a feeling.

The good life . . .

2012-02-01T22:34:00.018+13:00

Our weekend away was fabulous. It's always great when we get to go camping.

Here we go ..... no makeup, wind in the hair lol ....

I think Mr T is very excited about going fishing . . .

Shame the weather was crap though . . .

I was hoping it would fine up by the time we hit the coast - but no ...

So we ended up putting the tent up in the drizzly rain . . . (not the fun part)

I get to set up the inside of the tent. Aren't I lucky. We sleep in the middle room when it's just us as I don't like being pushed up against the side.

The "kitchen" area ..... I left some tables and the pantry behind this time. Not worth it for a couple of days

storage and dressing area ... its nice and roomy and easy to keep clean

Looking out from our room to our outdoor area ....

The weather fined up after we'd finished so the guys went and had a fish off the beach. Mike caught a decent Kahowhai (sp) which we just cooked up into steaks.

Next day was a total contrast to the day before. Beautiful sunny skies and calm sea.

Those boys came in handy. I just sat in my chair and when I caught the fish I just pulled it up and flicked it over to John to unhook. Here's two I pulled up ... a snapper and a mackerel. It was actually a decent sized snapper. I did bait my own lines though.
<

This is another two I caught on the same line although you can only see the tail of the 2nd one. It's hard taking a photo on the boat when you have the camera in one hand and holding on to your line with fish on it in the other. That fish bin is 3/4 full at this stage.

Enjoying a well deserved drink after a good days fishing.

Our little Pick Nick who's given us so many great times and wonderful memories over the past six years.

And not exactly a glamour shot of me and Mr T but us none the less. We'd just woken up, the wind was blowing and we were waiting as Mike and Marion cooked us bacon eggs and tomotoes for brekkie.

and that's our weekend.

We've got another big weekend coming up which we're looking forward to. A wedding to go to. A perfect excuse to get all glammed up.

More photo's to come.

Awesome weekend ....

2012-02-01T09:27:00.004+13:00

Had a fantastic weekend. Absolutely brilliant. We had the best day fishing that I think we ever had. Literally, from the moment we first put our lines in the fish never stopped biting. I would say between the three of us we would have caught over 70 plus fish. As there is a limit on the snapper, 9 per person, we had to throw a lot back. In the beginning a lot of them were undersized anyway and had to go back in regardless. Lots of mackeral and kawawhai (sp) and plenty of hammerheads too. I am not joking but I was pulling up two at a time on my rod. Damn heavy. I think I got a photo. Seriously my arms were starting to ache towards the end. So we came back with a full bin of fish.

The weather was crap on the Friday. Luckily it was only drizzling so it wasn't too bad. Of course after we'd set up - the sun came out. lol.

The weather over the weekend was perfect. Beautiful sunny blue skies and the ocean was just like glass at times. Hardly a ripple.

Unfortunately on the Sunday I had to get up at 5am to go to Auckland for a meeting. I would have liked to have passed but seeing as I was putting in a submission regarding something that I'm extremely passionate about I needed to present. I gained over 90% support so I am pleased I went. Still I was a bit of a rare site in the camp ground with makeup, dress, and stilletos. Not quite camp attire.

I got back to camp about 5.30 pm and dinner was all ready. Bonus. Slept the slept of babes that night I can tell you. Our friends cooked us bacon, eggs and tomatoes for breaky the next day - another bonus. Then unfortunately it was time to pack up and head home.

Eating was great over the weekend. I succumbed to a couple of mussels, oysters and fish done in a beer batter but it was worth it - totally delish.

Weighed myself Tuesday morning. 76.8. A 500 gram loss. And it's TOM week. Possibly that could of explained my small gain last week. Not that I'm worried. The next couple of weeks should fully cement me in the 76's and then it will be 75 and then my next goal is to be a 60's girl again. That's exciting because I now know it's so totally doable.

What I enjoyed so much about the weekend was how I felt in my clothes. Comfortable. And I've gone down a size and I'm still comfy. Getting in and out of the boat is so much easier. I use to feel like an idiot sometimes trying to heave myself on board - (sometimes I have to push out from the beach) now it's a breeze and I'm not worried about splitting my pants in front of onlookers, lol.

Life just feels and tastes so much better.

Righto better head off. I've got photos to share so will do a post up tonight. Blogger wasn't being helpful this morning and I ran out of time.

Have a great week everyone.

Three more sleeps till the big one.

Ciao.

Gone fishing ....

2012-01-27T09:34:00.003+13:00

Getting ready to hit the road. Birthday month has begun.

Have the camera and will do my best to take lots of photos. Weather is a bit crap today - just hope the rain holds off till the tents up. But looking forward to a suuny weekend.

Scales the last couple of mornings have been 77 exactly. So close to 76. Looking forward to getting on them Tuesday morning. Got my food all sorted for the boat and you can't really go wrong with fresh snapper and salad.

Have a fabulous weekend.

Now let the fun begin.

Ciao

Nearly birthday month .....

2012-01-25T10:20:00.003+13:00

It's my birthday next Saturday. The big one. 5-0. I'm perfectly fine with that, the number doesn't bother me. Funny enough the one that did bother me was my 25th. I'd just had my 1st baby and it hit me that I was a "quarter of century!!!!". I thought my life was nearly over. Lol. I got over it though, after a day or two. Turning 30 and 40 I thought I didn't look too bad. Now here I am at 50 and I can still say I've weathered the years okay.

I started doing birthday weeks a few years ago to make sure I do things for me that make me happy. As a wife and a mother we women tend to put ourselves at the bottom of the needs and wants list. So for a week I go to the top of the list.

Only this year it's not birthday week. To mark this auspicious number and for historical purposes it's going to be birthday month. And it's starting this Thursday because I'm taking an extra day off and we're going fishing over the long weekend. Those fish have just been swimming around getting bigger and bigger waiting for me to come catch them.

Then the following weekend, which is my birthday, we have a wedding to go on the Sunday in Hamilton so we'll stay a couple of nights there.

The weekend after that we will have something with the kids and friends. Some want a pool party. I don't care, I'm not doing the organising.

Plus there will be heaps of other celebrations to enjoy as well.

So what do I want for my birthday. Nothing really. I've got pretty much what I need and want to make me happy. Except perhaps it would be nice to see a new number -

My protein snacks

2012-01-23T12:15:00.004+13:00

These are my little protein snacks. Each packet has less than a palmful but they do the trick.

This morning was weigh in and I was up 100 gms from last week. Tomorrow it will probably go down again, but no worries as I know I haven't done anything differently. I do weigh everyday and I do know my weight fluctuates over a period of a week, I glimpsed 76 over the week.

Crazy weather at the moment - one minute beautiful and hot next minute it's cold. Just keeping my fingers crossed for a lovely long sunny weekend as Mr T and I are off fishing for four days. Well, apart from Sunday as I have meeting to attend to in Auckland, then I'll just head back to the beach.

I have some clothes now that are just ridiculous for me to wear anymore. They're falling off and my 3/4 jeans I don't even have to undo. They just slip right over the hips. The bonus is that I'm fitting into clothes that I haven't been able to for a few years and after going through my drawers doing a bit of culling I've found 3 new pairs of 3/4 jeans that I haven't even worn and four skirts that fit me like a glove (instead of cutting me in two) for work.

Things just keep getting better and better and I'm starting to love my new shape.

Have a great week.

The changes . . .

2012-01-17T11:34:00.003+13:00

My weigh in yesterday morning showed another 600 gm loss. I'm stoked with that. Things slowed down a bit over the christmas period which is understandable.

I told Mr T last night that I'd had another loss and he said I'd obviously found the right way to eat that suits my body.

So many things are different for me this time.

Past dieting has shown me that it's always been hard for me to stay on track and keep motivated. My blog is a testimony to that. I go really well for a while and then I stuff up, mope and startover. I've been low carbing for over 3 months now and my motivation has not stalled once. I am not even tempted by any other carby foods.

My portion sizes have decreased greatly. I no longer feel I have to eat everything on my plate. I simply STOP when I've had enough. (Huge reprogramming of brain). In fact I only need a breadplate full some days.

I'm eating and chewing my food a lot slower and get this - I even put my knife and fork down in between bites. I noticed this phenomenom about a month ago. I didn't realise I was doing it. I'm still amazed.

No hunger. No obsessing about food. Driving myself crazy till the next meal time.

Knowing and believing that I'm succeeding

I still have a way to go. I think about another 15 kg or so. Considering I've lost 8.8 kgs already that means I've lost a third of my weight. I'm not setting a goal weight. I think my body will let me know when I'm there.

Have an awesome day - catch ya later.

Ciao

Signing in for 2012 ....

2012-01-08T15:34:00.008+13:00

Happy New Year blogger buddies.

The past couple of weeks have gone by too fast and it's back to work for me tomorrow.

The weather hasn't been very good to us this year - in fact it's been quite sucky. The only solice is that the bad weather is continuing for a little bit longer - it's the total pits when its nice and sunny on your first day back at work.

We were a little lucky though and managed to get away camping to Thornton for a couple of days after christmas. First time we've taken Josh and Krystal with us for about four years. We also had Kelly, Dave and Kayla with us. The weather was fine and the guys managed to get out fishing. Far too rough for me and I'm not a great fan of the Thornton sand bar.

The kids were great though Kayla was a bit grizzly, and it was just good to get away. It started to drizzle just as we pulled in the driveway and we managed to get the car and boat unpacked before the heavens opened and it rained solidly for the next six days.

We put Krystal on the bus home to Whangarei new years eve day loaded down with all her new goodies so she could spend new years with her friends. Hard to believe she's going to be 17 in a couple of weeks.

Josh went to his mum's on the sunday for a week and that left me and Mr T home alone unsupervised. TOTAL BLISS. We ummed and ahhed for a couple of days about whether to go camping again and in the end decided no. Just too much hassle pitching the tent for a few days and not knowing if the weather was going to be kind to us to go fishing or not. Not to mention its no fun putting up and pulling down a tent in the rain!!! Considering how the weather turned out I think we made the right choice.

We had Lucas for the day and I've decided my new favourite word is "Nana".

I managed to get out in the garden and prune the trees and vines along the driveway, went to the workshop for a day and Mr T had a day out fishing with John, who works for us.

They managed to get a few snapper - yummo. Included was a decent size snapper and a terakihi.

John and his family out with friends for a big barbecue one night which was great. Mr T and I like entertaining.

And Kayla came and visited - in a much better mood.

On Friday night Mr T and I went out to Waikite Hot Pools for dinner and swim which was nice. Yesterday we shot over to Tauranga to visit my mum and have a look around the shops.

Today Josh came home and we've just been chilling out at home. I've finally taken down my christmas tree. Shock, horror. I know I'm late but I wanted the decorations still up when John brought his family out. He's got six kids. eldest is 14 and his youngest was born just before christmas. Phew.

So all in all despite the weather now that I've actually written it down we did do a bit. It was all fun too.

As for the weighty issue. I've had a peek-a-boo around the blogs and I see you're all doing really well. How awesome is that. Well I haven't let you down. I have not had a big loss but the past two weeks has seen me down another 400 grams. I survived. I'm only having two meals a day and a snack of peanuts or a piece of fruit if I feel like it.

It's great seeing so many of you low carbing and getting the results. I can only say for the first time since I started this blog I am now confident it is going to journal my journey to a slimmer healthier me instead of the yo-yo that I've been on.

My motivation is simply - I no longer feel hungry!!!!

It's so much easier to focus on the long term and remember the weight will come off. It was put on over time and time will take it off again. My eating habits have changed and I'm going to succeed.

WE ALL ARE!!!

Right better go get myself organised for tomorrow. Sigh.

Welcome to 2012.

Wonderful Christmas .....

2011-12-26T19:19:00.010+13:00

Well thats christmas done and dusted for another year.

We had a fabulous day. The weather was great, couldn't have asked for a better day.

We did our last minute christmas shopping on the Friday, spent Saturday tidying up around home. We bought the grandies a swing and slide set for when they come to visit Nana and Grandad.

And their own little outdoor table.

They had a lot of fun opening all their pressies

Everyone was happy.

Krystal and Kayla

Janelle DIL who is 22 weeks pregnant, Lucas, Kayla and Kelly

Cousins, they are so cute together. They both go to the same daycare and are mates. So cool listening and watching them.

One very tired little girl.

These are out two middle boys. Matt 23 and Jamie 24. Getting a kick out of the joke pressie.

We all had fun plenty of food and drink and no arguments.

Today we've been resting up and tomorrow we're heading off to the beach for a couple of days. Fingers crossed the weather stays fine.

I'm so enjoying having Krystal home. She's been such a big help to me.

Oh and by the way I jumped on the scales and was happy to see thenm down again. I was such a good girl yesterday. Still have a way to go but I'll get there.

I hope you all had a wonderful christmas and got spoilt.

Be safe and happy.

Wind down time ......

2011-12-21T09:12:00.003+13:00

Tomorrow lunchtime we close the office down for a couple of weeks. That means 17 days of no alarms and a time for rejuvenating and relaxing. It's been another tough year. I am determined I'm not going to get stressed at all.

I had an awesome week last week. I lost 1.2 kgs. I even shocked myself as it was TOM week too. I have now lost a total of 7.8 kgs. I thought it was 7.2 but once I checked my diary I found it was 7.8!!!! It's been about 6 - 7 weeks since I really started low carbing. In that time I have had 1 baked potato. I do not miss my bread, potatos, crackers etc and I have something that I didn't have before. I've got the strength and the willpower to say no.

I'd really encourage you to try and cut down on your carbs. The most incredible thing is no hunger and no desire to overeat. I push my plate away when I'm full and that's that. I'm not worried about christmas in the slightest.

The loss is now starting to show and people are noticing and I'm getting lots of comments. I'm just buzzing. My clothes fit me so much better and its a great feeling being able to wear clothes that I haven't been able to for awhile and not have that tight snugly feel .

We got the news last Friday that our grandbaby in waiting is going to be a little girl. We're all stoked. So far everything is progressing well and Janelle is now 21 weeks. Having a break over Christmas will be just what she needs. We'll all be holding our breaths until we pass the 28 week mark (that's when Lucas was born).

Krystal arrived home on Saturday and promptly settled in. It didn't take long for her room to become a pigsty. I'm not worrying about it - just yet, but it will be cleaned before christmas.
It's great watching her and Josh get along. So much different from when they were little. Now they're teenagers and have much more in common.

I'll try and get a post and photos up before christmas.

But for now I'll go and start clearing my desk - cause afterall who really works on the last day.

Ciao xxx

Just testing .......

2011-12-12T15:16:00.003+13:00

Hi there !!!!

Not very glam but just testing. After a good couple of months since getting my new camera - I decided I'd load the software on my work computer as well so I don't have to wait for Mr T to do it which like takes forever. Should of done it ages ago. Now I just have to get into the habit of taking plenty of photos.

So how have you all been.

Weighty matters out of the way. After not losing last week I'm now down another 700 grams. Still very much on track - no hunger, it's great. I've now actually downsized my plates to a bread plate because I was finding that I couldn't eat all my dinner. I have two meals a day with a mid morning and mid afternoon (sometimes) snack.

Had quite a busy weekend. Finally got most of the outside gardened and tidied up. Looks so much better. Just have to paint the front of the concrete verandah where the paint has washed off, empty the trailer and plant some flowers in the garden and I'll be right. Christmas tree is up and looking pretty. I nearly gave up on untangling the 250 freaking fairy lights that go on the tree and let the genius who bought them in the first place do it, but I took pity on him. Besides I wanted them on the tree. Tell me why do men think biggest is always best, duh.

I'm finally starting to get into the Christmas spirit. I finish work next Thursday lunchtime and then have a couple of weeks off and I'm really looking forward to a bit of R&R. We're staying home for Christmas this year and I'm looking forward to it. Also with Christmas not till the Sunday I have plenty of time to get my self organised and not get stressed.

Krystal's coming down this weekend for the holidays so we'll have all the kids, partners and grandbabies. Kinda exciting. Poppa T has a Santa suit and wants to wear it. I'm kinda hesitant because my experience with young ones and Santa Claus is scary screams and crying. I don't want him to scare the littlelies.

Mr T and I were reflecting on the weekend how long we've been together and the ups and downs we've been through. We can see how the years have flown by just by looking at our young ones Josh and Krystal. It's amazing what nearly 9 years does. I'll post some updated ones next week once Krystal's arrived.

Well I'd better move along and get back to work and get everything ready for my scholarship interviews tomorrow.

Ciao for now.

And so another week begins . . .

2011-12-05T10:41:00.002+13:00

Another week closer to Christmas. I'm so looking forward to having an 18 day break.

Last week I finally got all the functions and do's that I '"have" to attend done and dusted so I can relax a bit more. I survived really well too. Hopefully now I can just cruise into the christmas break without any hiccups.

Jumped on the scales this morning and showed a 100 gm gain from last week. Pffff.... who cares. Some very wise person once wrote, I think it was Sue, that standing on the scales is just a "moment" in time. There could be lots of reasons why our body reacts to gains or losses but just remember it's only a snapshot of that particular moment. If you've been good and it's not showing on the scales don't let it do your head in, tomorrow's "moment" could be the reverse. And if you've been bad and know it , don't wait till tomorrow or the next day, sort it out at your next meal time. The sooner you do, the sooner you'll feel better.

This week I'm going to keep active in the evening - keep on top of my gardening, potter around the house - aim to clean one room a night to keep on top of everything. I don't want to spend my whole holiday doing catch up jobs. I think I'll also get the Christmas Tree up and get into the Christmas festive spirit.

This year we will be staying home with all the kids. I'm really looking forward to it. Especially with the grandbabies. What's everyone got planned for Christmas?

Take care and have a great Monday.

Ciao

How I am going ....

2011-11-29T12:38:00.002+13:00

Really great.

Another successful week and I'm down another 500gms. I'm really starting to feel it and "see" it now. It's such a wonderful feeling. I'm finally winning.

The incredible thing is that I've lost all cravings. I've been around food that I've never been able to turn down before and now I don't even look at them or am interested in them. We've had morning teas and several christmas functions and I am able to say no. At work I use to always be picking at food during the day - not any more.

The energy I have is great. I'm no longer lethargic. I no longer feel bloatey. I feel so healthy and I know its only going to keep getting better. I haven't had an asthma attack for over a year, but now I don't even suffer from shortness of breath after a brisk walk. A couple of months ago I use to be stuffed after hanging out the washing - how bad is that. It's great to see the ole Lee-Anne returning.

I've learnt that eggs are my friend. I keep hardboiled eggs in the fridge. Frankfurters too.
Breakfast is normally a couple of eggs and a slice of cheese. If I feel like eating again before lunch then I'll have a frankfurter. Lunch is normally salad or veges with chicken, fish etc. and dinner is basically the same. But I find that dinner is a lot smaller as I don't feel like eating as much. Anyone who knows me knows I love my vino. I still have my wine, not as much, but if I feel like a glass I'll have a glass. I know if I eliminated alcohol the weight will come off faster but I like my wine. Fullstop.

Mr T is noticing it too. He says its coming off my face and round my waist. He's also noticed how much more I'm doing and how much energy I have. He is however concerned about the boobies downsizing.

Lynda has some great links and ideas on her blog -definitely worth checking out.

We had a very busy weekend - but that's the next post. Hopefully I'll get the photos loaded on to my laptop tonight.

Catch ya all then.

Don't you ever give up . . . .

2011-11-23T14:38:00.011+13:00

Mr T and I are having a blissful week this week. I shouldn't really say that but Josh is off at school camp this week and I'm just enjoying coming home and not having to rush to get dinner on, do the washing, tidying etc, etc ... and hearing my name 100 times - sheesh.

So just quickly - I lost 1.2 kgs the week before last and this past week 400 gms. That is great because last week I knew TOM was nearly upon me. For the first three days every morning I had lost 3 or 400 gms - then on the fourth UP she went and kept on going till the seventh day and down she came. It's amazing how much you gain over this time. Normally for me it can be anywhere between 1 - 2 kgs.

A couple of nights ago I was sitting out on the deck having a glass of wine and just reflecting. I was feeling a bit so so because I was thinking it's going to take me FOREVER to lose this weight. Then I told myself DON'T YOU EVER GIVE UP. It was almost like I was talking myself into a reason for giving up. So I snapped myself out of it. I am so impatient and bloody lazy. I want it all to fall off right now. It went on over time, so it's coming off over time. End of story.

This is what happens when I give up. This is about a three years ago and when I saw this photo I wanted to cry. I also wanted to delete it. But I didn't and I started over again. I'm not getting back to that size again.

I'm daily weigher and always will be. This keeps me accountable. The day I stop weighing is the day I give up, don't care and head back to that person above. Unhappy and miserable inside.

Since I've been low carbing, I'm dropping weight slowly. It is going down. I weigh myself every morning and get a buzz - even if it's the same or down a 100 gms or even up. I'm finding I'm not craving carbs. I'm not missing bread or potatoes. My appetite has diminished.

When I married Mr T I was 73 kgs. I'm nearly there again.

It feels so good ....

So I'm never going to give up and NEITHER WILL YOU!!!

Changing . . .

2011-11-09T15:48:00.003+13:00

I'm starting to notice the little changes. I'm feeling "smaller" all the time. My clothes aren't quite so snuggly, I haven't been bloatey at all. The scales are down 1.8kg!!!! I'm feeling really positive. I've been low carbing for about three weeks now but it was only last week that I really made that conscious effort to cut out breads, crackers, cereal and potatoes from my diet. Prior to that I'd lost about 1 kg.

I'm not missing the carbs. For the first time that I can ever remember on Friday when we stopped for drinks at work and the chippies came out, I never even gave them a second thought, not one passed my lips. NSV for me. I mean how many of us refuse chips and dip when they're placed right in front of you. I could never resist that's for sure. Even if I wasn't hungry I'd still reach for a handful out of habit.

My appetite has decreased. I don't feel hungry. I'm starting to feel that I'm going to win this battle. I'm looking forward to summer and to wearing clothes that I haven't been able to fit into for a few years. It's all looking good.

Do you get the feeling I'm on a bit of a high, lol.

OMG!!!! I just have to share this .....

2011-11-02T09:54:00.003+13:00

This still sends shivers up my spine just thinking about it.

The photo was taken at the entrance to Katlian Bay at the end of the road in Sitka , Alaska ....
The whale is coming up to scoop up a mouthful of herring......... (the small fish seen at the surface around the kayak). The kayaker is a local Sitka Dentist. He apparently didnt sustain any injuries from the terrifying experience. The whale was just around the corner from the ferry terminal, and all the kayaker could think at that moment in time was: "Paddle Man - really fast!"

The whale's mouth is fully open with the bottom half under the boat. If the whale had closed his mouth before he furiously paddled away - He might have been LUNCH!!! Look at the picture again - He is in the whale's MOUTH!

Talk about being in the wrong place at the wrong time. Brrrrrrr....

So my apologies for slacking again. So many things just happening at once and not much spare time.

I've had good and bad days as far as eating goes. Those bad days are when I run out of time and don't get a chance to plan AHEAD. Overall though I am being conscious of what I am eating and try to make the best choices.

I've been low carbing for a week and I'm hoping it's going to help make a bit of a difference as I've been feeling a bit bloatey and blah. Awful feeling. I'm not a breakfast person but I've found that a couple of hard boiled eggs in the morning works great for me and I try to keep some protein snacks in the fridge at work and home like cheese sticks, frankfurters or even tiny peanut snack packs. The trick is to eat slowly. Somehow it makes me feel fuller for longer.

Lynda has lots of good advice on her blog at the moment for low carbing which is really helpful.

Next week I'm going to make myself get to the pool three days a week. I have just got to shift some of this weight from my chest and waist. I'm so unfit. Once I start I will be fine. I know it.

We went camping over Labour Weekend. There was a few of us that went and we had such a fantastic time. We really needed a break and it was just what we needed. Beautiful weather, lots of seafood and plenty of FISH. Someone caught lots of fish which upset Mr T because he wasn't even getting nibbles. Next time I told him I would teach him how to fish. Oops - did I say that out loud. Ha, ha.

November is a full month. We only have one free weekend and I want it to be fine as I want to tidy up the section before Christmas. We've had a new fence and gate put up out the back because while the pool is enclosed and can be locked, it's mostly left open in summer because it gets a lot of use and now with both grandies mobile I wanted it a lot more safer. We've also put Josh's slider in so he can now use his deck. I'm so looking forward to summer, it's already a lot warmer and I'm able to have my morning cuppa out on the deck.

I've got a new camera and lots of photos to share. So will do a photo post very soon.

In the meantime I better go finish off the last minute things I need to do for an Award Ceremony tonight. Catch you soon.

Ciao.

Weigh in

2011-10-10T16:46:00.000+13:00

Monday and weigh day and I'm down another 500gms. I was hoping for more as I've been so super good for three weeks now. I just have to remember ... slow and easy wins the race, right!I'm so close to being a 70's girl again I can almost taste it. I WILL DO IT. I'm determined.I had a good weekend food wise, very sensible although didn't quite drink all my water. It was too flippin cold. I don't know what happened to the weather over the weekend. I just couldn't get warm on Saturday. Miserable weather. At least managed to get my lawns mowed on Sunday. Well off to the supermarket. Need to stock up on supplies so I can be an angel this week too. Ciao.

Two days in a row ....

2011-10-07T16:41:00.000+13:00

I've drunk 1.6 litres of water.

That's an awful lot of piddling.Still very much on track and motivated.Happy weekend everyone .... It's going to be a good one.

It's Thursday!!!!!!

2011-10-06T11:07:00.000+13:00

That means no kids. It means I can go home, put my feet up and relax and not worry about dinner, washing, homework etc......

Bliss.

I get to recharge the old battery.

But I'm feeling mighty fine this week. Had an "issue" with one of the kids but put it behind us now.

I had an unpleasant experience yesterday. I went to make myself a salad for lunch - opened my grated cheese and it had huge chunks of mould in it. I nearly gagged there and then. I'd only bought it on Monday!!! I should have taken it back but I just felt so sick I just threw it in the bin. It's put me off cheese at the moment. But it's having the effect that everytime I feel like eating this image of the cheese pops into my brain and totally puts me off. Great outcome but a lousy visual tool I tell you.

So despite the cheese incident I'm feeling a bit slim at the moment. I haven't lost as much as Chris H (way to go mate) but I'm feeling great. With the anticipation of a fine weekend ahead I'm ready for some activity. A walk and a good workout in the garden should be in order. I'm getting excited just thinking about it.

I'm off to Bunnings at lunchtime. Catching up with a friend for lunch and doing a bit of retail therapy. I need some more pots and a new broom and anything else that might catch my eye.

Hope you all have a great Thursday!!!

Run down ....

2011-10-04T15:55:00.002+13:00

October ... the days are flying by. Christmas soon. Holidays. Summer.

I've managed to lose 1.5 kgs so far. I'm in my third week now so fingers crossed I don't stuff it up. Eating is going well, I think I have shrunk my tummy at last as I'm not looking to stuff too much food down there. I'm trying to eat a lot more slowly too. Have a couple of mouthfuls, put my knife and fork down, etc. I read somewhere once that it takes 20 minutes for the brain to receive the signal that you're full so I'm stretching it out. I also don't drink water with my dinner as apparently it slows down the digestic process. Something about diluting the acid that breaks down the food in your stomach. I'm just eating lots of salads with my lamb, steak, chicken etc and I try to have fish once a week. I've cut down on a lot of carbs but I'm not depriving myself.

I've got myself some new shoes for walking and trackies etc so I'm ready to start off on the exercise phase. I'm also going to try the pool shortly as well.

I'm loving daylight saving - not the cold snap though - but the last couple of days have been mild and I'm really looking forward to the rain disappearing so I can start spending some time outside after work. I know my gardens will love it.

We finally found out what was wrong with Mr T. He's got a gastric ulcer. He has a floppy valve in his stomach causing all the acid to come up. So he's now on Losec and it seems to be working. At least we're starting to get some good night's sleep. It is a relief because at the back of his mind he was thinking the C word. But his xrays and blood tests all came back clear.

Starting to get excited as we're taking some extra time off over Labour Weekend to reunite Mr T with his boat and we're going camping. There's a few of us going so it will be heaps of fun.

And lastly some more good news ..... Grandbaby no.3 is on it's way. Lucas is going to be a big little brother. Due in April. This one we're going to try and cook a bit longer.

Till the next time. Ciao.

Yes I am still alive ....

2011-09-20T09:43:00.002+12:00

Just busy winning the NZ Aria competition.

Ha, ha just joking. Trust me you wouldn't want to hear me sing. Just fooling around as I am the office clown and one of my workmates is on the organising committee of the Aria. But see I am alive. Just don't know where time is going. We're still plagued with sickness - I am so over it. My poor Mr T is still suffering. He's been back to the Dr's again and had more blood tests and a chest xray. He's on Losec now and that seems to be helping. Honestly neither of us has had a decent sleep for months. We are so worn out. I can't believe it's DAYLIGHT SAVING this week. For some reason I always pin my hopes on having that extra hour of sunlight at the end of the day making all the difference to my whole attitude and I need all the help I can get at the moment. Weight is pretty stable - neither up or down by more than 1 or 2 kgs in the past year. But in the last 8 years I've put on 18.9 kg. I feel like a little round telly tubby. Only myself to blame. I definitely haven't been eating properly lately. I just haven't had the energy and can't be bothered about a helluva lot. This is a tough week ahead for us so can't wait for it to be over. A nice healthy shop at the supermarket is in store. Keep your fingers crossed for me. That 18.9 kg has gotta go.

Spring is round the corner

2011-08-23T11:48:00.001+12:00

These past couple of days I can feel the change in the weather. The sun’s been gloriously warm and sunny. Beautiful clear blue skies. I can feel spring and summer coming. I’m starting to get a bit more pep in my step.
The past few weeks have been dreadful. The weather has been a little depressing with heavy frosts and southerly gales but the snow was awesome. I’ve never seen it snow in the city before. They said it was a once in 50 year event. I guess they were right.

We’ve also had a month of bad sickness. I’ve spent so much at the Dr’s , optometrist and chemist between us all that I know I am really in the wrong profession. Tomorrow I’ve got a dentist appointment and I know I won’t be walking out of there shy of $200. I’ve had real bad sinus, eczema in my ears (which means I haven’t been able to hear) and now and abycess tooth that has to come out. Mr T’s suffered from a very bad sinus infection that has come back about three times. Josh has had headaches, developed an allergy to something that brought him out in welts and very itch and now he’s got full boyflu. But the good news is that we are all slowly getting and feeling better every day. Hopefully just in time to catch springfever.

I haven’t been near the scales. My focus hasn’t been on losing weight, just feeling better so I’m not interested in what they say. I’ve been pretty good though with what I’ve been eating so I’m hoping I won’t get a shock when I finally do step on them.

August is the time I start getting serious again about losing weight for summer. Once I’m on top of all my ails I really to find some kind of exercise that I can do and keep up with. At the moment my obvious choices are walking and going back to the pool for some aqua jogging. From the past the aqua jogging really helps tone my arms and legs in a relatively short time. I think it may be my technique.

Besides I really want to feel “fit” again.

A great weekend ....

2011-07-19T11:08:00.000+12:00

Just what I needed too. I hibernated all day Saturday. Did buggar all. Just as well cause I think it was probably the coldest day we have had. It was a real heavy frost and it didn't thaw till late morning. Perfect excuse to be snuggly.

It was also great because I didn't have to worry about cooking any meals.
Whenever Mr T or me got hungry we just helped ourselves. Preparation in advance was the key. Stocking up "before" the weekend meant having the right choices.

Now as I'm only about six months away from turning 50 NOW is the time to start cranking things up making that commitment to me.

This photo was taken about six months after Mr T and I got together. Not the best of photo's but I like it because my face looks thinner, more elongated and my arms look thin.

Heres me now.

I just put this one in because of the fireman calendar in the back

Round, round, round!!!!! Things I really hate. The extra weight on my face, especially under my chin. The boob explosion. If I could pop the buggars I would. I get so out of breath so easy these days and I'm sure those boobies plays a huge part in that. I have to get the weight off my chest - in a nutshell.

I got myself a pedometer when I got my new scales remember. You know where it's been for the last four weeks. Not on me that's for sure. It's sitting on the table in the family room waiting patiently for me to pick up and put it on. Funny thing is that I leave it there so I won't forget to put it on. Duh.

I'm on holiday next week. YAY!!!!! It's a good time for me to start walking. Even if it is raining.

And a very good time to join the food plan and the exercise plan together and make them work for me.

Ciao for now.

PS: Jaxx if you read this are you free for a catch up next week. I also have a favour to ask.

Striking while the iron is hot ...

2011-07-15T11:57:00.002+12:00

I’ve found my mojo again so I’m making the most of it and starting to PLAN.

Life is so crazy sometimes it’s hard to keep on track as it only takes a few distractions to put a spanner in the works.

But I keep coming back and starting over and that shows my persistent if nothing at all.

I’ve been online to the weightwatchers website and gone through some of the recipes and made myself a grocery list. I’m planning on a lovely restful weekend so I want to make sure I’ve got healthy and filling meals and snacks to choose from.

Hey you unwanted grams, kilo’s, pounds or whatever - be warned.

One way or another ……. I’m going get cha.

Oh dear ....

2011-06-24T15:56:00.002+12:00

What is a calorie?

Calories are the little bastards that get into your wardrobe at

night and sew your clothes tighter.

MY CLOSET IS INFESTED WITH THE LITTLE SHITS.

Pretty well sums up how I've been going lately. After going so well I hit a speed bump, aka TOM, that made me so ravenous that I couldn't stop eating.

So now I'm back at the start AGAIN.

Just wish I could hold it together for more than two or three weeks.

The weather is starting to get nasty here. Wet, cold and miserable. I hate driving home at 5pm in the dark. But I love my heat pump and how warm the house is when I get home and not have to worry about carting in wood and lighting fires then waiting for it to warm up. I might not mind hibernating this winter, so long as I still get a break every now and then.

45 minutes .... then I get to go home. Who's counting...

Happy weekend all.

Losing . . .

2011-05-17T11:44:00.000+12:00

I am indeed. Two weeks and I’m down 1.6 kg. It feels great.

The first week I mucked around a bit and only lost 200gms but I knuckled down last week and received a 1.4kg loss.

I’ve struggled a bit (still) with portion sizes and have to exert some willpower, but now I’m finding that no matter how hungry I feel before eating, it doesn’t take long before I feel full and satisfied therefore I am slowly adapting to smaller portion sizes. Learning when to stop is something I’m consciously working on. The reward is not having to deal with an overfull or bloaty tummy.

For Mothers’ Day I treated myself to some new weightwatchers scales. I should of done it awhile ago. The other ones had got some moisture inside and wasn’t showing the numbers properly, plus they’d take forever to show the numbers. So now I’ve got a more faster, accurate set of scales, it’s encouraging me to be more focused and on top of what goes in my mouth.

I also got a new pedometer. That’s been a bit enlighting. How sedentary I’ve become. I’m lucky if I can clock up 5,000 steps in a day. While I’m not stressing out about it I am finding ways of trying to add more steps into my day. The days are shorter and its getting dark really early which cancels out a walk after work. But I’ll figure something out.

I’ve taken control back of my life. I’m back to not sweating the small stuff. I’m looking after myself again and the flow on effect has been almost instantaneous. When I’m happy, Mr T is happy, the kids are happy, everything flows more steadily, there’s more laughter and smiles, more hugs and kisses and a lot less stress. Why is it so easy for woman to forget this.

Despite the gloomy clouds outside the future is looking decidedly rosier.

Ciao xxx

1,2,3 ... ignition

2011-05-05T15:44:00.007+12:00

I think I'm switched on again because I'm feeling really good. The best in ages.

I still haven't had a chance to properly go through the pro plan so I'm being a bit cautious.

I had peaches for brekkie, ww chicken fettucine for lunch and grilled fish and salad for dinner.

My total steps for the day were 5,775. To be honest, I was expecting a bit less. Now I will make sure that I push myself that little bit harder each day.

This weekend I'm going to treat myself to some new scales. Even though I've changed the batteries a few times it's not showing up the whole numbers, so it could be a 1 or it could be a 7.

My grandbabies are lovely and growing everyday. Just little treasures.

But ...

How did my little Angel go from this ...

to this...

Guess who found the talcum powder. OMG you have to laugh. Especially as I wasn't the one who had to clean up. I am SO enjoying being a Nana.

Reasons ....

2011-05-04T15:27:00.002+12:00

I'm liking being back blogging. I need it.

My reasons why I need to look after myself.

My grandbabies. I'd forgotten just how 24/7 littlies are. I'm totally stuffed after we've had them for the weekend. I need more energy and I need to get fit because we're going to have them as much as we can and no. 3 is in the planning stage.

Health & wellbeing. Up until the past 18 months I've never been sick. I have a real bad dose of flu about once a decade and that's about it. Now I'm on so much medication I hate it. I have high blood pressure, asthma, allergies, hot flushes. I'm pretty sure all this medication isn't helping any weightloss. So I'm hopeful if I can lose weight i can lose some of these pills. My self image has taken a beating because I'm been feeling so blah. I'm over too snugly clothes.

My vanity. Next February I turn 50. I'm not worried about turning 50, I've lived a very full life and experienced many things. But I would rather be a healthy, sexy 50. I want people to say I don't look anywhere near 50. I want people to think I'm in my 40's not my 50's. So yes, I do have a vain streak.

And those are my reasons.

Hello .....

2011-05-03T11:18:00.003+12:00

I've been gone awhile.

I've been stressed, depressed, sick and I just wanted to shut down. I didn't want to deal with anything and I didn't have anything nice to say.

But I'm back.

Not fully "onfire" as yet but I have to start somewhere. I'm at least ready to start again.

I've just rejoined weightwatchers online and trying to get my head around it. At lunchtime I've got to buy Josh some more soccer boots so I'll grab myself a new pedometer.

Back after lunch.

Well I've got my new pedometer. Been wearing it since half past two. Not looking flash so far but its going to tell me exactly how sedentary I've become so I know how hard I'm going to have to work.

Still can't quite get my head around the pro points but will call in to the supermarket on the way home and get some fresh fruit and veges.

Looking forward to getting my life back on track.

Ciao

What have I done to my blog ....

2011-01-21T09:59:00.002+13:00

I think I'll get Mr T to sort this one out.

A big shout out for "thank god it's friday". It's only been two weeks back at work and I'm knackered. Probably because there are so many deadlines in such a short space of time and I feel like I'm always rushing. The heat is also knocking me around a bit at night. I wake several times during the night and have to throw the blankets off me.

Tomorrow is the weekend and I'm just going to enjoy it. Everything else is going well and Mr T tells me that I'm losing weight. That put a smile on my face. He's probably just trying to earn cookie points but to be honest I am feeling it too.

Mr T has a new toy. It was a chrissy pressie from my sister. Remind me not to thank her. I'll take a photo and share with you next time.

So have a good weekend all .....

Jackie and David ....

2011-01-16T13:12:00.007+13:00

What a beautiful day for a wedding.

Jackie was so beautiful. Absolutely stunning.

She arrived in a Rolls Royce to be met by her future husband. The service was very touching and emotional reflecting on their love for each other.

We mingled afterwards and congratulated the newlyweds and took lots of photos. I met Janine and Simon for the first time which was great. Such a lovely couple and we all got on famously. Also Jackie's friend Michelle who sat with us and whose company we enjoyed.

We had the reception at Daniels in the Park and I would have to say the venue, food and company was the best we'd had since our own wedding. Cannot speak more highly of it. Jackie had planned everything perfectly.

We all had a fantastic time socialising afterwards and are already planning for the next occasion.

Jackie told us we could post some photos so without further ado here's a few. I know Janine will be posting more as well.

To Jackie and David - Congratulatons - enjoy your new life together as husband and wife. Mr T and I wish you much love and happiness. Thank you for letting us share your special day. xxx

Happy New Year ....

2011-01-04T23:00:00.002+13:00

and a merry christmas .....

Christmas Day was a bit cruddy. Wet, windy and miserable. Thank goodness we grabbed some dvd's to take away. We spent the day snuggled in the tent watching NCIS.

I've been home a few days now but we have been very busy. We've done xmas with the kids and picnic out at the lake.

Have lots of photos this time so will share in my next post.

Just wanted to say Happy New Year girls. Will catch up with you all soon.

Signing out for 2010 ...

2010-12-21T18:15:00.008+13:00

Tomorrow I'm on holiday.

Thank God for that.

It has been the worst of years ..... but it's gotten better slowly.

This year, I lost my way. Bogged down with so many things.

But I have survived.

Next year will be different.

I have many things planned. Next year I will turn 49. That means I will have 12 months to turn everything around. The good thing is - I already have. I didn't want to wait till the new year to make a difference. I started straight away.

Next year I will come back with a new resolve and a new purpose.

But I will leave you with some photos. Finally found the right cord.

Tapu - took the girls up for a new experience ....

The girls shelling the oysters..

Mr T with a couple of snappers that the girls caught. A new experience for them.

We had a family day out at the lake and all Lucas could do was eat ...

Mr T got up on waterskis for the first time in 20 years ...

>>

He taught the kids how to drive the boat ... they all had a good time

Then it was home for a barbie ...

Kayla, Aunty Janelle is getting clucky, maybe another grandbaby soon?????

Our lovely new addition Kayla Rose.

Tomorrow we will be loading up the car and boat and heading off. The weather will be beautiful. It really will be. We will be home before New Year and I will do my best to be a better blogger.

Wishing you all a safe, stressfree and peaceful christmas and new year and lots of love.

Mrs T signing out for 2011.

Focussed

2010-12-15T09:49:00.002+13:00

I've got my eye on the prize and I know I can do it.

Another awesome day yesterday. I'm finding my tummy must be shrinking because I don't have to eat much before I feel full and I'm stopping when I get to that point and leaving food on my plate. Maybe it's drinking all that water.

Next Thursday we are heading up to Tapu for a week of camping and fishing - just the two of us. I am so looking forward to that. A week of fresh fish and seafood - I can't go wrong. A time of no stress just peace and relaxing.

I haven't done one bit of christmas shopping and I'm not worried. I'll do it when I get back when all the sales are on.

All of sudden I've seemed to come alive again. Maybe its because I know that I'll be on holiday very soon. But I seem to have destressed and feel a lot more relaxed. I love coming home and spending time outside. It's a wonderful feeling. Even more wonderful that it's going to be around for another 3 months. Bliss.

Have an awesome day all.

My before photo ....

2010-12-14T14:58:00.003+13:00

I've found my before photo and its hideous.

This was taken at the end of November when we hosted a barbecue at the workshop for AAPNZ.

I was about 183lbs here and having a real bad hair day.

This would have to be my highest weight ever.

Yesterday I weighed in at 176lbs. That's on a Monday too right after the weekend.

I've started the shrink process and you'll notice I've switched back to weighing in pounds. I was 142lbs when I met Mr T. That's what I want to be again. But for now my next mini goal is to get into the 160's.

I'm discovering that water really is my friend, I'm trying to drink 3 litres a day and so is Greek yoghurt. It really curbs the hunger pains. Especially when you add a couple of strawberries finely chopped to it.

More photos to come,I hope. (Found the wrong cord) Otherwise I'll be needing a new camera.

Found it ......

2010-12-10T16:23:00.000+13:00

It was in the drawer after all. Now I’ll be able to do a photo update. I’ve got photos of our new baby girl.

I’ve found a new blog. It’s Ms Bitchcakes blog and she is amazing. I love the way she writes, I love the way she looks (vintage) very glam. She’s very inspiring and talks sense. In fact I don’t know how she manages to do everything she does.

She’s inspired me in many ways.

We’re both 5’2” and have the same body shape. From her photos I can see how my body will change as I start to lose weight. Mind you she does quite a bit of exercise. But who knows maybe I can get excited about that too.

Anyhow things are good. I’m feeling the best I have in a longtime. I’m about to have my first weekend without having to do anything but what I want. No rushing. Oh what a feeling. We’ll get the pool filled and I’ll make a huge dent in my gardening. Those weeds are really bugging me.

I can’t believe this time two weeks from now I’ll be at the beach (no kids) and on holiday. I honestly can’t believe it. How the hell did Christmas sneak up on me like that. For us it’s going to another stressfree one too. Fabulous!!!!!!!

Ok I’m going to sign off now and let my weekend begin.

Fourteen months and counting down ....

2010-12-09T14:26:00.003+13:00

I'm tired of all the excuses and feeling sorry for myself. It's really time to get over it.

I'm tired of feeling guilty about not losing weight.

I'm tired of feeling bloaty.

I'm tired of having no energy.

It's time to get over it and starting making it REAL.

It's time to turn the clock around and stop bullshitting myself.

It's time to stop saying this is too hard, I'll start next week, I'll start next year yadda, yadda, yadda. Make everyday count. So what if I stuff up the next day. Start again. So what if I have four great days followed by three bad days. Cause if I just give myself permission to "eat what I want" until then, that means I have an extra 1,3,5 ... to lose that I didn't have to.

So I mean business and Christmas isn't an excuse either. It starts right now.

Now all I have to do is find the camera cord so I can download my photos.

Can anyone tell me where a man would put a camera cord@#$%

Kayla Rose has arrived ...

2010-11-30T15:22:00.002+13:00

Our new baby granddaughter made her arrival on Saturday. At 3.30pm. Weighing 6lb 14oz. Naturally she's an adorable wee thing. And according to Poppa Col babies aren't always that cute when they're first born but she is. You can tell he's one proud granddaddy.

Unfortunately for me I couldn't be up there at the hospital as we were hosting a christmas party at our workshop so I sent Mr T up instead. I must post some photos. The only problem is with moving all our furniture around to have our carpet put down I don't know where he's put the cable for the phone so I can't download.

Life has been really busy and chaotic. I'm glad its the end of November and I got all my functions and everything out of the way. No more christmas do's it's lovely. No more stress - hopefully.

I'm slowly starting to concentrate on me and Mr T now. It's been a bloody hard year - so many ups and downs. Time to take stock of everything and lose the stress.

My weight is down by about 1 kg since my last post. So you can see I haven't really been focussed or trying. But yet again the fridge is stocked up with lovely fresh fruit and veges. I concentrating more on protein and veges at the moment and cutting back on carbs. I just need something to kick start me off again. The heat last weekend nearly bowled me over and the more weight I lose the better I'll be able to deal with it. I'm thinking about using a protein shake. Can anyone recommend a good one.

Hopefully I won't be away for so long next time.

Ciao

2010-11-10T12:11:00.004+13:00

All because I’ve been drinking loads of this:

And eating lots of this:

When you can work with a clear mind things don’t seem impossible. I know I can do this. More importantly I really want this.

I wasn’t organised this morning and didn’t have anything planned for my lunch today. Then I remembered finding my microwave omelette maker at the weekend so I grabbed it and some eggs and that was that problem solved. I ate that 3 hours ago and I’m still feeling quite full.

Sometimes inspiration can come from within too. I’ve flicked back over some of my blog when I’ve been doing really well and seeing the photos. It’s not reading about someone else’s success but your own and confirming that yes I can do it. Yes, that’s where I want to be again.

Not the greatest of photos but me on my 46th birthday.

I can't do a link but this is so inspiring. Check it out.

http://266-twosixtysix.blogspot.com/2010/07/now-its-personal.html

Another week, another new beginning

2010-11-08T10:23:00.000+13:00

Well, now that the week from hell is done and dusted maybe I can spend a little bit of time focusing on getting myself back on the right track and mindset.

Normally I can handle whatever comes my way no matter what but lately just too much and I could feel myself shutting down and losing control. I just badly need a holiday and for once, just once the powers that be, be nice to me and Mr T and everything go smoothly instead of having to deal with things at 100 kmph.

This time last year I joined WW’s and lost over 5 kgs before xmas. I needed to lose more but those 5 kgs did help. I still have my folder with all the recipes etc plus luckily I have my weekly food plans which I’d written down. So I’ve got a place to start over again. Hopefully I can replicate that and keep the numbers going down. I’ve just read Rachels post and wow what a great loss she had. I’m going to make water my friend too.

A positive thing is that I got my new glasses on Friday. I had no choice really. The other ones fell off my head and I accidently knelt on them and broke the arm. Black insulation tape is not a good look either. So I bit the bullet and went for an eye exam and Mr T and I picked a few frames to try (which I ran past the girls at work too) and viola now I can see properly again. Just over the weekend I’ve noticed I’m not squinting as much later in the day. So hopefully that will go a long way to stop me from feeling so tired as well.

We spent the weekend ripping up the carpet in the lounge, dining room and the hallway. Lordy I have never seen so much dust. But boy, what gorgeous matai floors I have. And polished to boot as well. But after cleaning them and waking up this morning to a cooler house (and an echo) I think no, I definitely prefer carpet. It’s better anyway with the grandbabies. But I’ll enjoy them anyway for the next week.

So here I am back again. Another week, another new beginning. But a better frame of mind.

Ciao

The Good, the Bad and the Ugly ...

2010-11-05T16:55:00.000+13:00

The Good …..
Well I am still here. Had a great long weekend up at Tapu. The weather was absolutely gorgeous. We caught 28 snapper. Had seafood galore. It was awesome.

Only 17 more days to grandbabies imminent arrival. How exciting. She’s due on the 22nd and it’s Poppa’s birthday on the 16th . She’ll make a fabulous birthday pressie.

The Bad ….
Our Labour weekend was a success in that we had a lot of fun and lots of fishing. But what happened at the end wasn’t.

Our last trip in to the boat ramp was chaotic. Everyone was heading in at the same time. There were over 20 boats queued up and another 15 or so waiting out at sea (like us) to come in. I sent a txt back to the camp to let them know we would be late and looked up in time to see flames coming out of the motor. I was seriously considering jumping overboard. Thankfully Mr T sorted it out. But in his panic to start the auxiliary motor (because we were drifting) he flooded it. Luckily another boatie came to our rescue and towed us in. One way of jumping the queue I guess. Only as he was towing us in he ran over a rock and almost capsized his boat. Freaky. We made it back to camp a couple of hours later. That was drama no.1.

Drama no. 2 came when we were traveling home. Just outside of Thames there was a bloody noise. Sounded like a flipping helicopter landing on the roof. The short version was the wheel nuts sheered off and we nearly lost the wheel and ultimately the boat. Lucky for us this happened next door to a Mobil garage station at Kopu and they very kindly let us lock the boat in their garage. We were very grateful as we had half our camping gear in the boat. We only had to worry about how to get the boat home. Mr T was able to sort this out the next day thank goodness.

I’m way too stressed. I’ve been full on busy and everything is piling up. Some days have been a real struggle and I’m feeling physically exhausted. I’m hoping for some of it to ease off. Real soon.

I spoke to my sister last week and she told me that my mum isn’t very good. So I went over on Saturday to see her. As soon as my sister left mum told me that she’s booked her funeral, she took me through the whole service, she explained her wishes to me regarding the will and her estate. I was punch shocked. I was trying to be strong but crying at the same time. My mum has to be organised. She always has. Her way of dealing with everything. In a way it’s like she has the last say. This all came about after she ended up in hospital about three months ago. She was having trouble breathing as she had so much fluid on her lungs. She got scared then and decided she was going to finalise her matters which she did. She changed her will and paid for her funeral. Last week the Doctor told her that her lungs aren’t going to get any better. Even the warmer weather is not going to help. In a lot of ways, I think mum is just sick and tired of being sick and tired. I’m still coming to terms with this and having the odd weepy moment. She has told me that she’s not planning on going anywhere till after xmas anyway cause she’s bought all her presents.

The Ugly is me …..
That’s how I’m feeling.

Going Fishing .....

2010-10-19T14:38:00.002+13:00

Heading off on Friday up to Tapu to spend some time camping and fishing. Hoping to bring a bin full of snapper home.

There's about 20 or so of us going. After hearing about me raving about all the seafood up there the girls in my admin group decided that they were coming too. So it should be a great weekend. A very enjoyable and relaxing one too.

After spending the last four weeks with furniture in hallways, dust and so forth around my house all the painting and wallpering is now done. (Until it's the kitchens turn anyway.) At the moment the house is pretty much a white out. But it looks big and clean and it's lovely. I've lived with the 70's "brown" look for ages. The carpet is going down on the 15th of next month. I just won't know myself. I'm looking forward to adding some colour to it now.

I cooked a chicken stirfry last night for dinner and it was yum. There was enough leftover for my lunch today too. My plan at the moment is to cut out carbs at dinner time and what portion sizes. This isn't a big ask. I could eat a plate full of low point salad with some protein no worries. It's just a lot easier to go down though when the weather is a heck of a lot warmer.

Last night I had this crazy idea that I would get up early and go for a brisk walk. However after waking a few times during the night when the alarm went off I opted to hit snooze and pull the blankets up around my ears. I know this is bad Jen, and I will get there promise.

I have made a deal with myself to look after me a lot better. When your legs are getting hairy and your eyebrows are messy you know you are neglecting yourself. By helping myself on the outside it will make me feel better on the inside and help get me into that right frame of mind.

Wouldn't that be nice.

Been a bad, bad girl ...

2010-10-18T11:11:00.003+13:00

I'm not doing myself any favours. My weight is just see-sawing at the moment and I'm maintaining my last weigh in result give or take a a couple of hundred grams.

I've been feeling chunky the past couple of weeks and the only person I have to blame is myself. My fridge is full of lovely healthy food but when I get home at night I just can't be bothered cooking.

I also said I'd start walking once daylight saving arrived. Well how many times have I been. Zip, nada. Not a one.

I know what it's like to feel 10, 15 or even 20kgs lighter. It's bloody awesome.

I'm overweight and unfit.

So Mrs T, a lot more effort on your part is required. Thank you very much.

yesterday was a great day ...

2010-10-05T10:10:00.003+13:00

Don't you feel great when you do everything you're suppose to and no cheating. Almost righteous, lol.

But it does feel great. So great I'm going to do it again today. This sunshine is giving me happy endorphins and its so much easier to be "righteous" and motivated when those jolly endorphins are about.

Last weekend Mr T and I did something we haven't done for a while. We booked a motel in town for the night to have a "break" away from home and get out of a cycle we'd been in for a while. It was so nice to relax in different surroundings, lazing in the spa pool etc. We caught up with Jackie and David and had a nice dinner in town. Mr T was eyeing up David's stonegrill steak and has decided now that we have to go back so he can try it!!!

Sunday we spent at home cleaning. Lots of it. We're finally making inroads into doing up the house. Not much has happened for quite a while but finally my hallway is finished and we've moved onto the lounge. We've decided to pay someone to do the work and we have a friend who is a semi retired builder and he's doing it for us. Doing a great job too. Everything is moving along quite fast now. He's removed all the textured ceiling in the lounge and dining room and is plastering and sanding at the moment. The downside is all the flippin dust. It's everywhere. I'm just glad it's not triggering any asthma attacks.

Nevermind it will be worth it all in the end. Next week it will be the wallpapering and shortly thereafter the new carpet will go down. Cripes - I won't know myself.

Better get cracking - I've got a full "to do" list today. Will remember to put some batteries in my camera. I just haven't been in the mood to take photos lately.

Have a fab day all and if you're one of those lucky ones who can spend time outside - then I'm very jealous.

Buggar. Just laddered my stockings. Will have to pop out for some wardrobe maintenance. Oh well won't be needing them soon aye.

I've found my way again ...

2010-10-04T16:45:00.003+13:00

Thanks hugely to the lovely summer like days we've had since daylight saving began lasst week.

The feeling of coming home from work, opening all the sliders and windows and sitting outside on the deck relaxing before starting dinner is amazing. I can't believe it's made such a huge difference on how I'm thinking.

So anyway the fridge is all stocked up with healthy veges, freezer full of meat and cupboards with all the extra ingredients. I'm all ready to go.

Today's been a good day - Banana for breakfast, a chicken roll with lettuce, tomato and cheese plus chopped apple and yoghurt and dinner is chicken breast with salad and beetroot. I've also totally outdone myself by drinking 7 large glasses of water without even realising it.

I have 7 weeks till I meet my new grand daughter and I want to be a lot lighter by then. I can do it - so long as I don't muck around.

I finally feel like I'm back.

I've been struggling ....

2010-09-23T11:49:00.003+12:00

to find any words to say. Or have any enthusiasm. I feel like everything is on hold. I know this will pass and daylight saving and lots of SUN will do a lot to cure this flat feeling.

My heart aches for Anne and Margaret. May all the little angels watch over you and keep you safe and strong. Lots of love and hugs.

We've all been sick. We thought we'd made it through winter unscathed and then about a month ago Mr T got a bug, then me, then Josh and now Mr T again. It hasn't been nice at all.

Looking forward to daylight saving this weekend. I am over bleak grey skies, rain and wind. From Sunday it is going to be warmer and sunnier - not negotiable - IT WILL BE. Sunday I also start walking. I'm doing the Pink Walk in four weeks. I need to be able to walk and talk at the same time.

My scales need to be shot. I do not like them. I do not like what I see. That's the thanks that I get for putting in a new battery. That's my story and I'm sticking to it

My hallway is finally wallpapered. Fingers crossed I might also get lounge and dining room done and the house carpeted before christmas.

Only 8 1/2 weeks until we meet our grandbaby no.2. Apparently we have to make the most of these last free weekends. We're ready now - we've already set up our nursery.

Tonight Nana and Pop are babysitting their little angel.

He always makes us smile. He's so cutelicious.

He helps chase away the winter blues. And puts a smile on my dial. So does Mr T.

Will be back when I've had a dose of sunshine.
Ciao

Time Flies ...

2010-08-17T09:06:00.005+12:00

Soon it'll be Christmas!!!!

So anyhows there I was happily riding along on my wagon when all of a sudden this flipping humungous boulder appeared out of nowhere. Gave me a big wallop and sent me flying arse over kite and left me wondering what the hell happened. By the time I picked myself up my wagon was waaaay in the distance. So now I'm running like the clappers to catch up and jump back on!!!!!!

Seriously have been a bit naughty. Was in Christchurch most of last week and confess to having a cooked breakfast every morning. Scrambled eggs, mushrooms, tomatoes, hash browns, baked beans and sausages. Bad but very yummy. Also a bit too much vino was imbibed on the Friday night. Margaret can back me up on that one.

I'm home now, polished my halo, did a very healthy grocery shop and working hard to redeem myself.

Fingers crossed we can reverse some of the damage before Thursday.

Last Sunday it was this little man's first birthday.

He didn't want to miss anything.

Nan and Pop got him a jolly jumper because honestly every kid needs one of these.

He was tired and wouldn't go to sleep. So after getting the hang of it, the jolly jumper worked it's magic and soon ...

Voila!!! One knackered munchkin.

Had a lovely time in Christchurch. Met up with Margaret and Steve who were just back from Ireland and still feeling a bit jetlagged. Such a lovely couple and so easy to talk too. And so young too!!!!! We must catch up again. The only problem is Margaret, we forgot to take the obligatory bloggers photo!!!! We'll have to rectify that next time.

Well it's lunch time for me so I'm off to grab my chicken salad.

Ciao

xxx

Yesterdays weigh in ....

2010-07-30T15:38:00.000+12:00

I weighed in yesterday and there was no change in the scales. So I’m still the same.

I had a shocking week. I just wasn’t organized at all. We went over to Tauranga last weekend to see my mum who had just got out of hospital and we thought we’d do our groceries there before we headed home. We took a leisurely stroll around the supermarket and I got everything we needed, all my breakfast, lunch and dinner for the next week. Went to pay for it and the machine couldn’t read my card. So the checkout operator kept swiping it and swiping it, put it in a plastic bag/ paper etc . Still couldn’t read it. I said I’d go and get the cash out of the ATM no problem. So off I go – half way through processing it spat my card out and told me my card was damaged and invalid. Buggar, cause it was new. I couldn’t use my other card because the mortgage had just come out. In the meantime the queue at the checkout had grown. I was so embarrassed. I said sorry and we left. I felt about two inches tall. On phoning the bank they said that the terminal was faulty and it had damaged the magnetic stripe. I’d need a new card. A week later I’m still waiting for my new card. So frustrating.

Anyhow moving on …

I’m all prepared for the next week. I’m getting serious.

It’s a gorgeous day here today. The sun is shining. Spring is in the air. The daphne is blooming. I’m relaxed and distressed and feeling the best I have in a long time. Really looking forward to the weekend.

Ciao

Eating for yesterday ...
BREAKFAST – 2 x toast with marmite
LUNCH – Baby green salad with sliced hot chicken breast
SNACK - None
DINNER – pork stir fry
WATER - 3 glasses
EXERCISE – TBA

SW 80.8 kg
CW 79.5 kg
GW 65kg (For the moment)

Seven years ago tonight ....

2010-07-28T15:08:00.002+12:00

Seven years ago tonight …

I knocked on a door. Seven years ago Mr T opened that door and I walked in.

I learnt two things from that night.

- Your life can change in an instant.
- That there is a big difference between loving someone and being “in” love with someone.

Seven years on and I’m still madly “in” love with the man.

Seven years on and we’re still having an affair.

Seven years ago our kids were 5, 8,15,16,17,18.

Four are adults now. Their passage through teenage hood was like being on a rollercoaster. Up one minute and hurtling downhill in a spiral the next. Two to go.

We’re survived marriage settlements, custody battles, kids, ex’s, starting our own business and having a wonderful wedding and honeymoon.

The next generation has already begun.

For the last seven years there have been so many dramas. Many thought we’d never go the distance. But all the dramas did was just make us stronger as a couple. We’ve made many wonderful happy memories. We’ve shared everything.

Tomorrow will be day one of our eighth year. We survived our seven year itch. Just as well Mr T knows how to scratch any itch.

Love you Mr T. Here’s to the next seven.

Bad choice .....

2010-07-22T16:26:00.002+12:00

Last week 79.8 kg
This week 79.5 kg

300 gms loss
14.5 kg to go

Mmmm I figure that if I hadn't had fish and chips last night and snuck in a late night snack of one of those big cookies I might of had a better loss.

All in all it was a good week.

This week, I'm going to try really hard to drink lots of water. I actually do feel a little bit dehydrated some times. I'm going to visualise my body as a sponge, lol.

Gotta get outta here. Have a late meeting to go too.

Ciao

What I learnt ....

2010-07-20T11:01:00.004+12:00

When I was going through my ravenous period recently I thought I would opt for something that was going to be low in points and a more healthier snack. I chose cup a soups and crackers. You think those would be good options right. Well yes they are. If it's only 1 serve. When Jackie and I had lunch a week or so ago I gave her the details off the back of the packs to check the points value of them. Came back 2.5pts for the soup and 1.5 for 4 crackers. I was having 3 - 4 serves a day. Shite that was nearly my whole days points. Easy to see how the weight was sneaking back on. Writing it down exposes the hidden "extras" which makes it easier to make better choices. I feel that's what I'm doing now.

I'm still weighing daily. Daily weighing keeps me honest.

And this gorgeous little cutie keeps me smiling - day after day, after day .......

Weigh in ..... and it's good news

2010-07-15T10:35:00.002+12:00

Last week 80.8 kg
This week 79.8 kg

1.0 kg loss
14.8 kg to go

I wasn't going to post just how much I weighed now. But then I thought if I didn't let you guys know then who am I accountable too. Just ME. And if I have a bad week I just won't post the results. Well that's wrong. I have to be made accountable. That's one of the reasons why going to a meeting and getting weighed is a positive thing. Helps keep us on track. I mean I don't think you lot are going to give me crap, you'll give me support, won't you. So every Thursday I will record my weight - good or bad.

Since having my op I am sleeping so much better. I have not had an asthma attack for so long, I can't even remember when the last one was. My blood pressure is NORMAL. My giving up smoking has had a couple of slips but I've always got right back on track. I have a LOT more energy. Overall I feel pretty damn good.

Home is great. The kids are great. In fact Mr T and I are really enjoying them all at the moment, lol. They're all working, they're happy, no dramas, no problems. What more can you ask for.

I'm handling this winter a lot better than last. We've only just had the cold snap in the past three weeks or so. I can live with that. The days are getting a little bit longer. Spring isn't far away.

So now I'm rambling, so I'll leave and go do some work. Catch ya later.

Ciao

Sometimes I feel like ...

2010-07-13T15:11:00.005+12:00

All of the above,lol.

I meant to start my journal over the weekend but it didn't quite happen. I'd left my book at work. Real handy that was. But I wasn't naughty over the weekend.

I've actually made myself have breakfast the last couple of days and I don't know why but it has kept me quite full till lunchtime. Normally if I eat breakfast, I keep eating right through the day. I don't know why it's different now or even if it will last but while I get myself back on track it's a bonus and I'll take it.

They say that those who write down what they eat in a journal are more likely to succeed. I know I can succeed because I've done it before. I lost 12 kgs in just under 3 months. I succeeded because I kept on track and never lost sight of the goal I'd set. Now I have a hard time keeping my sights set on anything longer than a couple of weeks or so. I very easily veer off course. Must be old age. Maybe alzheimers is setting in. So hopefully writing it all down is going to stop me from veering off track and keeping that goal in sight.

Not only am I writing down what I eat but I also what I'm thinking/doing/ or feeling. I had a minor victory yesterday. I was cleaning up after a meeting and putting away the biccies, I kept two chocolate macaroons out, put the rest away. I turned back, looked at them and told myself put them back you don't need them. And I did. I felt good about it too. Today I wrote "Exercise willpower!!!" So far I haven't had too.

I'm also weighing myself daily - in kilos and in pounds and recording it in my little book.. This is what works for me. This morning it's down so things ARE working. Thursdays are going to be my weigh day and I'll record it on the sidebar.

My first mini goal is a 5% loss which is 76.7. Followed by a 5 kg loss of 75.8. I'm not going to get ahead of myself, I'll achieve these and then set the next goals.

And look what else is moving .... here comes trouble. He's crawling now and quite determined. There's mischief in those eyes. He's also good at giving your face a good pummelling, ah I mean massage. Grabs a nose, cheeks, lips hell whatever he can grab and contorts is into many different angles.

But he's still gorgeous.

Ciao

New day, new start, new beginning ....

2010-07-08T14:37:00.004+12:00

When I met Mr T seven years ago I weighed 65kg.

Today I weighed 80.8kg.

I AM GOING TO LOSE 15.8 KG BEFORE THE END OF THE YEAR.

Starting right now !!!

Tonight I'm going to be .....

2010-07-01T15:51:00.004+12:00

A domestic goddess.

That's right, thats me.

I've had a busy lunchbreak today. I've been shopping and put a bit of a ding in my card. I've been looking for ages for a new duvet set for our bedroom for ages but I've never found anything that I like. Until this week. I ummed and ahhed for a bit, checked with Mr T and made up my mind to buy it. It's a nice burgundy red with gold embossed stitching around the edge. The one we have now can go on Krystals bed. School hols means she'll be here on Saturday. So I also needed some more winter sheets (lord they're expensive even on sale) and some more towels.

So tonight I'm going home to do washing and cleaning, set up my bed with the my new set and also cook my husband a lovely dinner.

I'm still trying to get back on track with my food but its a battle. I cook healthy meals and I'm still having my soups. But I still feel ravenous at times. That's where I'm falling down, my portion sizes are getting bigger again. I should grab myself a notebook and write everything down that goes into my mouth and give myself a wake up call.

But tonight I'm going to be a domestic goddess. We have no kids for the next two nights so we'll make the most of it. A lovely dinner and snuggle into bed and relax in peace.

Okay, I'm out of here. Ciao

Stocking up ....

2010-06-22T14:06:00.003+12:00

Thanks for the tips and advice. I'm taking it all on board.

I've just been to the supermarket and stocked up. I've bought a tub of natual yoghurt and ww fruit salad, ww baked beans, cup of soups and crackers to leave here at work.

I have a little notebook that I will use to write down what's slipping past my lips over the next few days. I've started drinking water again as I've been quite thirsty lately so its helping quenching the thirst. But I won't drink water while I'm eating. I remember being at a conference where the one of the speakers was explaining all the functions of the liver and one of the things she said was that drinking water while eating actually neutralises the acid that helps with the digestic process which means that what you eat stays around in your gut for a lot longer trying to digest the food. Do you think it makes sense. Well I think it does. She said its better to have a glass of wine with meals because it already has its own acidity. Well, I'm a believer.

Oh and yes Chris I do on occasion stand in front of the mirror naked and frighten myself. Arrrgghhh!!!!!! But some days when I'm thinking properly in the brain I look and can actually picture myself thin. It probably helps too that with my glasses off everything is a blur and looks a bit smaller lol.

I think its about finding the right switch to turn on/off. It might be different things for different people but I've been thinking and for me I think it's a happy switch within me that has blown a fuse. It's hard to write especially as Mr T might read this and think I'm not happy. But it's not him - it's me. I'm a natural born worrier. I worry about everything and everybody. I'm also very strong and determined and always find a way of solving things. I have a face that I wear that those close to me who rely on me see alls good then I have the other invisible one that slowly tears away inside me and causes the stress, the insomnia, the worry and just builds and builds.

When I'm carefree with no hassles I just thrive. The happiness that builds up inside overrides anything else. It;s like a magnet and being contagious so everybody around you is in the same frame of mind. Must be all those endorphins bouncing off of each other. It's my happy place.

I think for me just sitting here writing this has made me realise what my trigger is. I need my happy place. I only have one hurdle to overcome before I can call in the electrician and get my switch reconnected.

Until then I will just have to bide my time.

I can't stop eating ....

2010-06-18T09:18:00.005+12:00

I've put on nearly 2 kgs since my op. I have to stop right now. I was going so well and now I've stuffed it right up.

You know how you're not suppose to eat before your op well thats okay but the time I came out I hadn't eaten for 24 hours not even a drink and I was famished. Everyone around me was eating and I could of killed for food. When I finally got a plate all that was on my tray was about two tablespoons of some kind of stew, a tablespoon of pumpkin and something else that I can't even remember. The kids brought me up a subway, thank god. But as soon as I got home I was just like eating, eating, eating. And of course we had a few crap meals while I was recuperating.

My suits are a bit snugger and I'm feeling blah. I just got to find that mojo again but it's bloody hiding from me. Please any advice or tips are grealy needed right now. Help ......

Post from the other side ....

2010-05-21T16:35:00.003+12:00

Gosh haven't I been quiet. Well I've been indiposed. Guess what. I finally had my op. I had my cyst and my ovary taken out. Lol, I've even got a picture of it. It looks like a bloody ostrich egg. And it had grown. No wonder I've been in a bit of pain the past couple of months. I didn't want to say anything on here because everytime I did - it got cancelled. So I stayed quiet.

Anyway on the road to recovery. With lots of gorgeous cuddles from this man below.

He's such a little wriggler now though. Keeps wanting to bounce all over nan. Getting heaps of chuckles now. The bonus is he's moved now to just down the road from nan. Nana's happy about that much I can tell you.

Had a photo taken a couple of weeks ago for a press release. Made me think I've got to get my hair cut.

I've just finished my first full day back at work and it wasn't too bad so I must be on the mend. My plan now is turn this little dumpling into a nice slender celery stick.

Hope you've all been going well. Will catch up on everyone's posts in the next few days and do a better update.

Anyway this was just a quickie to let you know I'm back .... for good.

Surgery a no go

2010-05-18T09:40:00.002+12:00

Guess what, after getting the all go from the Doctor and the Nurse at the hospital, the anesthesist decided it was still too risky for me so it was canned the day before. I bad a good blubber cause I'm just so over this. Now its been set for the 3rd June. Yeah right. I won't go getting my hopes up.

On the brighter side - I'm feeling fantastic. I'm spending a bit more time in the kitchen making casseroles for Mr T for his lunches and making yummy dinners. I'm keeping myself really busy in the evenings to counteract the "no smoking" and my house and me are enjoying the benefits. Getting to do jobs that always keep getting put off. It's like every area in my life is getting organised and sorted again. I'm loving it. And I can't explain the energy I have. Maybe I can become the new Martha Stewart!!!!

Hello, I'm still here, is anyone else ....

2010-05-10T12:51:00.001+12:00

It’s hard to see where the last few weeks have gone as so much has happened.

We successfully managed to move our workshop and everything is all up and running smoothly now. It’s a mission that I’m glad is over. What a lot of hard work.

The past three weeks I’ve spent quite a bit of time at the Doc’s getting everything sorted out. I had a heart risk assessment done and it showed that I had the heart of a 75 year old. Talk about a wake up call. The good news is that I can get it to where it should be. Making changes to my lifestyle and medication will make a big difference. It seeed like everytime I went for a visit I’d come out with another prescription and more blood tests. My blood pressure checked out normal this morning (120/78) so the Dr gave me the ok to go ahead with surgery on Thursday. I phoned the hospital updated them and they’ve given me the ok to. So unless something urgent comes up – Thursday is the day.

Through all the dramas there have been some positives. All bloods have come back in the normal range. Cholesterol, bad cholesterol, blood sugar etc. My cholesterol could come down a wee bit but it’s within limits.

You want to know what the big news is though. I’ve stopped smoking. I wasn’t a big smoker but nonetheless I still did smoke. I’ve known in the back of my mind the day was coming to call it quits. Having the high blood pressure along with the asthma told me I no longer had any options. It was a big ask considering I’ve smoked since my late teens. So a week on, I’m feeling great, so much more energy and ready to tackle just about anything.

So that’s where I am. Big changes happening in my life but the rewards will be well worth it. Now I need to focus on my diet – because I have to bring my BMI down.

Time to bring out the books again.

I've been rescheduled . . .

2010-04-23T09:03:00.002+12:00

I went in for my pre admin check for surgery next week and my blood pressure was sky high. 200/100. They were going to wait until Friday before making a decision whether it was safe to operate but I decided to cancel and get my blood pressure normal before any surgery happens. The risks are too high. But I do have a new date - 13th May. I spoke to my mum last night (my birth mother) and she is going to right down her history and all the medications shes on so I can pass it on to my Dr. She does have a history of high blood pressure, heart attacks, and she had bypass surgery about ten years ago. The dr will know what to look out for I guess.

So there's big changes that will be happening with health and excercise and general well being. In some ways I'm looking forward to it. But I feel a lot more positive now. Had a pity party the other night but I'm over it. Time to do something about it.

I'm off next week as we're moving and I've also got a champagne breakfast on wednesday for 250 people that I'm organising. Trying not to sweat about that either.

Anyway, onwards and upwards. I'll post some more photos next time. Have a great weekend all.

Lotsa news ....

2010-04-15T22:17:00.007+12:00

Go grab a cuppa.

But first a couple of pics of the boy because he's so damn gorgeous.

Whoa Dad, what the ...

Ha,ha, that's fun let's do it again...

He's just adorable.

And breaking news ...... Mr T and I are expecting Grandbaby No.2 at the end of November. We are rapt and over the moon. Kelz is having a baby. Mr T is convinced it's going to be a girl. Lol, there's going to be no stopping him this Christmas. Santa is making a comeback. (honest, he pretty damn neared cried last year when Josh told him there was no Santa)

Never a dull moment thats for sure. Been meaning to do a quick post for a while but not quite getting there. Too many things happening.

Everything was pottering along very nicely until a couple of weeks ago. When we originally started our business four years ago we took out a two year lease with right of renewal. Then the building was sold and once our lease ended the new landlord wouldn't renew our lease instead put us on a month by month. The reason being he had now acquired the whole block and he had plans on developing it. We noticed things were happening earlier in the year when the surveyors were doing there bit but we were told not to worry . It would be a while if anything happened and he had another building which we could move too.

Well, two Fridays ago he dropped in and handed us a letter. An eviction letter!!! We had to be out by the end of the month. Three weeks. He did say not to read too much into the letter as it was just a formality. But still, we had to move with buggar all notice. He did offer us another building which would have been good - but, he was planning to pull that one down to in six months. Arrgghh.

Sometimes things happen for a reason. That's what I believe and this time it's certainly true. Saturday morning we drove round all the industrial areas looking at available workshops. There were a few. Some were just way too expensive. We did see one that we liked. Anyhow Mr T phoned the agent and yep it was a bit pricey but he was going to have a look around for us and get back on Monday which he did. Seemed like it wasn't as expensive as first thought and Mr T went and had a look and yes that was the one he wanted. Only a little bit more than what we're paying now and nearly double the work area which is great and it's tidy has many extra's. After some negotiation Mr T managed to bring the monthly lease down and also get a month's free rent for setting up costs. We signed up last Tuesday. I couldn't believe it all happened so fast. The new landlord is just fantastic. He's certainly going out of his way to help us as much as he can. I know that he's probably had it empty for a while but still ....

So what was bad is now very good. The downside is - do you know how hard it is to move a workshop that is full of machinery, alloy, joinery, rubbers, glass, screws, nails etc. Bloody difficult. I'm taking next week off so I can get my office sorted. We're hoping to have everything in by the weekend.

This afternoon I go for my pre admin checkup at the hospital. All going well I'll have surgery next Thursday. For those that don't know late last year I ended up in ER in pain and they found a cyst on my ovary the size of my fist. Freaky. The good thing is that it was all clear fluid. Not lumpy. So I am having keyhole surgery to remove it. The only thing is that if they can't remove it from the ovary then they will have to open me up which means my recovery will be a lot longer. That's the part I'm not looking forward to. I've never really been sick in my life and I've never been in hospital apart from having the kids so in some ways it is a wee bit daunting for me. But it has to come out. Lets hope I make it to surgery this time and they don't postpone me again.

Weight wise I really haven't been watching what I eat. A few takeaways, lots of carbs so I ventured onto the scales this morning and I'm up about a kg which is okay. So I'm going to try and get myself back into some kind of a routine before the 1 kg turns into another 5kgs.

We've been rather spoilt with Lucas lately. We've had him every weekend. He's getting to know us quite well. His face beams when he sees us. How cool is that.

It was mum's birthday a couple of Sundays ago so the whole family went to Tauranga and had a picnic lunch at Memorial. So I'll leave you with some more pics.

The oldest and the youngest .... My mum and Lucas

Lucas and Pop .....

Allergic to housework ....

2010-04-06T15:31:00.000+12:00

With my surgery date set for the 29th April (fingers & toes crossed) I want to do my best to shed as much weight as I can before then. I had a couple of very bad days/nights with my asthma over the long weekend. I feel if I could just lose some weight around my waist and my chest it would help so much.

I spent a whole day cleaning and pottering around home and suffered that night and the next day gasping for air. My inhalers didn’t seem to be giving me the relief that I needed. Then I came right and spent the day out in the garden. I felt like I had a lot of energy. The next day – wham. I had to keep myself calm and concentrate on my breathing otherwise I’d lose it. No wonder I get so exhausted. When I’m like this just hanging out the clothes leaves me breathless. This is so not me.

When I was first diagnosed with asthma my Doctor told me that the asthma doesn’t have to control me. I have been pretty good lately, but last week despite my aversion to needles I allowed the nurse at the Doctor’s surgery to give me the flu injection. I’ve since developed a cough and am a bit stuffed up with nasal congestion. I no this is not helping me so I’m wondering whether or not this is a side effect of the injection and maybe wait a bit before going back to the Doctors. I think if I have no improvement by the end of the week I’ll go back. All my sympathies go to parents who have young ones who are asthmatic. It must be so terrible and scary for them. I know, I’m an adult but I can get a bit sooky at times.

So yeah I’m feeling a tad apprehensive about the op so I’m doing everything I possibly can before hand.

But despite my breathless moments I had a great Easter. This weekend saw our family back together. About six months after our wedding we had a fallout with two of our boys. We stood our ground and applied the tough love principle. One came back about a year ago the other has been building the bridges since late last year and on Sunday he came out for our family dinner. And it was a success.

We also got to babysit Lucas again. I swear he’s grown since last week. He has another check up this week so hope all will be good.

Righto another day nearly done and dusted. Eating has been good apart from that chocolate macaroon at morning tea.

Tomorrow is another day.

Getting back into my stride ...

2010-03-29T20:48:00.008+13:00

I'm slowly getting back into my routine. With winter fast approaching I want to be able to get into my jeans comfortably.

I'm looking to downsize the my waist, hips and bum. Love the thighs to go as well but from experience that's the last place it shift. So I might just add a few situps into my daily routine. I'm also going to add a few carbs into my diet. I need to keep the bowels regular. So today I had a sandwich and it really filled me up.

I'm looking forward to Easter and a four day break. The chocolate eggs have never worried me but this year I'm not even fussed if I have Hot Cross Buns. Now that's unheard of.

Daylight saving ends this weekend so that means pretty soon it's going to get real dark early and cold fast. So the only thing I can do is grab that extra hour of sleep and pull the blankets up and snuggle down under the covers.

Not much else to say but I'll leave you with some photos. Poor Lucas. Has to put up with all the baby talk and flashing cameras. Little man knows when to smile - when the cameras not pointing at him. Snuck a couple in though.

Ciao

A little bit of this and a little bit of that ....

2010-03-25T10:46:00.002+13:00

And here I was thinking my life was quietening down and I could relax a bit more. Not quite. Still busy, but I've been having fun.

I'm President of the Rotorua Branch of Administrative Professionals and planning is well underway for our Champagne Breakfast on 28th April. Having a lot of fun organising it and working alongside a great bunch of girls.

At our first meeting earlier in the year I was telling them about our Christmas away camping and fishing. Some of them got quite excited and wanted to go camping as they had never been. So last Friday a group of us headed up the Coromandel for a weekend away and it was fantastic. Everyone had such a good time. On the Friday we took them out to get mussels, oysters and pipis and they couldn't believe how plentiful it was. Saturday we took turns in taking them out in the boat fishing. Well once they caught the first fish that was it. They were chomping at the bit to get back out on the Sunday. We caught lots of fish - probably well over 100 - but 70% of them went back in the water as they were just a tad undersized. But the thrill of catching fish was the real excitement for them. They're already planning the next trip.

Well the weekend away camping ended my low carbing. I had my fill of bread, potato's and chips. Surprisingly I haven't gained anything. Now I'm back into my normal routine and all is good. A good grocery shop is in order though and my fridge and freezer are looking rather bare which is not natural.

On Friday I received a letter from the hospital to tell me that my surgery was booked for 1st April. So I phoned to confirm and started planning around Easter thinking I was going to be laid up. Then Tuesday I got call saying it had been cancelled. However they were able to give me another date of 29th April. In a way I'm pleased that I get my Easter break back but I hope I don't have any more hiccups cause I'd like to get the surgery done and out of the way.

Planning on a laid back weekend at home this week. Really need to get into some thorough house cleaning and a bit of gardening. Hopefully catch up with the kids.

That's about it. Will try not to take so long to blog again.

Ciao

Not an early morning riser ....

2010-03-08T15:09:00.001+13:00

Had a 5.30 am start this morning. Not something I want to do every morning. I went to a Breakfast for International Womens Day and Jenny Shipley was the speaker. Boy, you could have bowled me over. She looked fantastic. I mean really fantastic. And she was a great speaker. Very natural. She had my attention from go to whoa.

I have to admit I’m not a huge Jenny Shipley fan. I didn’t like her politics at all. But, today she didn’t speak about politics. She spoke on what she’s doing since leaving politics. She spoke about women, health, her children and her passion in Nambia where her and her husband have set up a Trust to help a school over there. She was so taken with the plight of this school when she was doing the documentary Intrepid Journey’s. So she and her family did something about it.

Her dramatic weightloss came after having her heart attack in 2001. She had been feeling unwell for a few weeks and had pains in her arm. She went to the doctors on three occasions and was told she had tennis elbow. The Saturday before her attack she was feeling unwell and told her husband she was going back to the doctor. Monday when she said she was still feeling unwell she was rushed to hospital where she had an angioplasty to remove a clot in one of her arteries. This was her turnaround, time to make changes. So during her convalescence she started walking and concentrating on eating smaller proportions. She now walks 6 km a day and swims a couple of times a week. The results are amazing. She is now an advocate for the Heart Foundation and she stresses if we feel unwell, go to a doctor. If you still feel unwell, ask for a checkup, and keep doing it. The number of women who don’t survive a first heart attack is significantly higher than those of men and the doctors say it’s because women tend to ignore the body signs and don’t do anything about it. Too true.

Life is ticking along very nicely and I can’t complain. I’ve been low carbing for over a week now and the scales are down 1.8 kgs. So I’m feeling pretty damn good. The thing is I’m not making drastic changes. Well for me anyway. I don’t miss the bread and the potatoes. The kids came out for dinner last night and we had a beautiful roast lamb and roast veges but I never missed the potato. It can be expensive though to eat a low carb diet. My ex and I did it about 15 years ago. I gave up after about three weeks because the grocery bill just soared. He did it for awhile and lost a lot. But he was eating nearly a kg of cheese a week as a snack alone. Steak, eggs, bacon etc… his portion sizes didn’t decrease in fact I’d say they increased. So I’ll just keep on doing what I’m doing and if the odd slice of bread or the odd spud slips past my lips I’m not going to worry.

So weight wise since last November I have lost 6.2 kgs. I feel it, sometimes I think I look like I have too. Healthwise I’m fine apart from still waiting to hear about a surgery date – at least I haven’t had any more pain in that area. I’ve had a few bad asthma attacks in the past 2 – 3 weeks. But our hallway is finally getting finished and we’ve had someone in doing all the sanding and prep work and every night I come home the dust is that thick right the way through the house. It’s just impossible to dust the whole house each night but I do the main areas. But still you stir an awful lot of dust up and that’s floating around in the air. The worst is over thank goodness and Mr T and I are looking at getting a DVS system in shortly. I’ve only heard good things about them.

Righto I’d better go and do a bit more work. Till later…..

Ciao

Bloggers Award .....

2010-03-01T16:27:00.003+13:00

I'M BACK.

It's just amazing how life can be so utter crap for the last month or so and now just a breeze like "did that really happen?"

I know I've neglected my blog but I do check in on you all every now and then. But I have been preoccuppied and very busy. You know I haven't seen my grandson since I did my last post. I'm starting to fret now that he might forget me so plenty of family time coming up.

But I have to say it was rather nice to see that I got nominated not once but twice for the beautiful bloggers award. It made me feel quite special.

For the life of me I'm not sure how to do these links because I've never done one before so bear with me. I might have to get Jackie to show me.

The beautiful Anne,

http://zanyzanna.blogspot.com

And the lovely Janine

http://journeytoaminime.blogspot

Sorry didn't work. Did before when I tried.

Anne and I have been following each others blogs for quite awhile now and about a couple of years ago we got the chance to meet up with our BC's (Blogger Companions) and I tell you she is the one of the nicest, classiest ladies with a personality to boot that you are ever going to meet. Her travels are the envy of a lot of us bloggers.

Janine is someone I haven't met but would love to one day. She's on a wonderful journey of her own and I'm loving being able to follow her on it. Thanks Janine.

So I here I go.

Wow, seven interesting things about me. Lemme see ...

1.When my mother found out she was pregnant with me she moved away from home so as not to bring shame on her family. I was born in Dunedin at a Salvation Army home for unwed mothers. My mother flew back to Tauranga when I was 10 days old because my father said he wanted to get married. When she got there he'd changed his mind so she had to face her mother with me in her arms. My dad changed his mind again and she said no way. Change it once, you'll change it again. After struggling for six months a decision was made to put me into foster care until she could get on her feet again. I was placed in a home in Rotorua and she made the bus journey every week to see me. Right away my foster family wanted to adopt me. (I mean who can blame them). But she kept saying no - until I started calling my foster mum "mum" and how my brothers and sisters all looked after me. She knew it was the best place for me. But the fortunate thing for me and her was my new parents insisted that she always play a part in my life and grew up always knowing her as my Aunty. I became the youngest of five and was very, very, spoilt. Until my sister had her first child two days before my fifth birthday. I became an aunt. I became a great aunt when I was 27. I am yet to become a great, great, aunt. I consider myself to be one of the most fortunate people around. To have two mothers and two families who both were willing to share me. I honestly don't think I could have been that unselfish.

2. I have a phobia about crocodiles and aligators. My brother use to tease me when I was little saying the crocodile was coming to eat me up, chomp, chomp, chomp. I use to have such bad nightmares thinking they were under my bed. At 48 if I see them on tv it can set off nightmares again. I still think they're under my bed and take a run and jump to get into bed. Needless to say I have not seen Lake Placid or any other like minded movies.

3. I had a great childhood growing up. My older siblings are 6 - 14 years older than. I have great memories of Mark I, II, III Zephrs, Velox's parked up on our front lawn, 50's and 60's music, byrlcream and beehive hairdo's and the fashion of that era.

4. I'm the only one of my siblings who actually got married - then had children.

In saying that though my most precious memories are the years it spent just me and my boys, 1987 - 1995. It was a tough and hard time financially but it was also one of the happiest times. What makes me proud now is seeing my son being a dad and watching him play and cuddle his son like I did with him. Just the simplest things that give the most pleasure. Your time and love.

5. I have been married three times. My first and second are they same. We first got married in 1985, divorced 1991, remarried 1995 and divorced in 2006. I have matching marriage and dissolution papers.

6. I was a born again christian for about 6 years. Then I became very disillusioned with the preaching that was going on amongst a lot of churches. I know there are alot of hypocrites sitting on pews on Sundays. I no longer go to church.

7. I gave up on finding the perfect man. I thought he didn't exist. Then I met
Mr T. We met each other on the internet. I have to say I was very cautious for about a month. But then I gave in and I haven't regretted not one single moment since then. We have been through many ups and downs with kids, ex's, court cases and business stresses and none more so than recently but we get through it because we hold on to each other and we talk about it and its shared. Our bedroom has, is and always will be our sanctuary where nobody can hurt or upset us. I'm not ashamed to say that I still lust after my husband and my libido is stronger now than it ever was. We do everything together. Apart from work we're nearly always together. We've only spent three nights apart. Both of them were Blogger Meets. Once in Auckland and one in Palmerston North where Lyn and I stayed with Chris for two nights. Mr T was not a happy man and so now if I go to a bloggers meet and I'll be staying overnight I'll bring him too.

So there you go. Maybe one or two things that some of you didn't know about me.

Now I'm suppose to nominate another seven bloggers but I thnk most of you have been nominated. If not nominate yourself. It's a great way to share things about yourself and to open up.

Lake Tarawera

2010-01-30T20:30:00.005+13:00

Great start to birthday week. We headed out to the lake with the kids. First stop feed them all. As you do. Then the first lot went out in the boat and Nana stayed behind to look afer Lucas. Think I minded....

Sorry you'll have to turn your head for this one. Forgot to rotate it.

Nana stop, you're tickling my toes.

Go on Nana, do it again, you're funny ....

Now I know where daddy gets it from ....

Nan, I feel sleepy ...

All tuckered out ....

Safe asleep in Nana's arms ...

Here we go ....

Matt, are you having fun yet, yes I think so ...

I really didn't mean to dump my son in the lake, honestly, or my husband. They just need to give me specific instructions. Really.

It was a great day. Really brought home to me that this is the kind of thing we need to do more often together as family. Afterall they are my life and what I live for.

Let birthday week begin ...

2010-01-29T16:13:00.002+13:00

I can't even begin to tell you how exhausted I am. Now that the stress is gone I'm just hit by an amazing tiredness. I do know I have an awful lot of sleep to catch up on.

Suffice to say that the past few weeks my diet has gone out the window. Don't get me wrong. I haven't put on any weight, in fact I've lost a wee bit. But I've allowed myself to slip back into a bad routine with eating. No breakfast, early lunches, no dinners. Generally I think I have one meal a day, lunch or dinner and a snack.

So thank goodness it's a long weekend. I can take the time out to get myself sorted an organised again and back on the right track.

I'm glad it's the end of the month. Means I can start a new month off back on track.

I'm 48 next week. So I'm going to make sure it's a good one. Definitely a lot of pampering and feeling the love is in order.

Starting tomorrow we're going to have a family day out at the lake. A great way to unwind and kick off birthday week.

My eyes are just about popping out of my head, lol and I'm trying to stifle the yawns but not succeeding. 30 mins and I can go home. Maybe I'll get my second wind then.

Catch you later,

Ok I'm back ...

2010-01-28T22:55:00.001+13:00

Will try and post tomorrow.

It's hard to blog when things aren't going right ...

2010-01-27T13:52:00.002+13:00

Things have been pretty bad the last few weeks. I'm not saying what. But it's made me physically ill and I have not slept an awful lot. My whole life is in limbo.

I've been waiting for answers for three weeks which should have taken no more than 1 week. Last night I had some positive news which allowed me to sleep at last. Now today I'm still playing the waiting game. I'm over it all.

Hopefully I will be back soon when everything is sorted.

Summer holidays ....

2010-01-11T21:56:00.012+13:00

Oh my. Where has the time gone.

Happy New Year All.

Hope you all had a wonderful Christmas and a safe new year. I'm really happy to say that my Christmas plans panned out just great. We had a couple of weeks of mad rush leading up to Christmas but both finished the Wednesday before Christmas. Only one christmas present bought and no big grocery shop. I did have a moment when I felt a bit guilty not having bought christmas presents - but it passed.

Christmas Eve day we headed off, boat fully packed with camping gear, to Tapu which is about 20 kms out of Thames. It was great there was hardly any traffic on the road which I thought was surprising. We got to the campground quite early and had plenty of time to set up, cook dinner, relax before it got too late.

Christmas morning we were up quite early, had breakfast, packed the boat up and headed out to sea. Couldn't have asked for a more perfect day. The weather was gorgeous. Beautiful clear blue sky, sea like glass. As soon as put our lines in the water the fish started biting and didn't stop. Christmas lunch was cheese and crackers, orange juice and a glass of wine. We had a few guests circling the boat. We were going to move but as they weren't scaring the fish off we stayed put. One of them decided to grab my hook and do a runner. But I managed to reel him in.

In fact we caught about six of them over the next few days ....

The whole time we were away the weather was quite spot on. Only rained once but the wind did pick up and made it a bit rough to go out so we he headed around the point and got some mussels, pipi's and oysters and had fritters for dinner.

New Years Eve we went across the road to the pub and had dinner and listened to the live band that they had playing. Really good. Then we headed back to our tent and were joined by some other campers and we ended up staying up till about 3.30am. Had a great time.

We packed up and headed home the next day and again the road's were quiet. Then slowly started to tackle the job of unpacking and washing.

So now we're home. Time to think about Christmas. Saturday we shot in to town, bought all the pressies for the kids in about three hours. Hardly any crowds. Saved HEAPS of moolah because we got all the sales. I tell you that's the way to do your christmas shopping. The only downside was I ended up having to wrap all the presents in hurry before Josh came home the next day. So another late night for me and I was so over wrapping. I made Mr T do the last five. I'd well and truly had enough.

Josh came back the next morning and we let him open up ONE present. We weren't expecting everyone until Tuesday so it was a bit mean having all those pressies under the tree and not being able to open them. However as he and Krystal got an XBox 360 it was more than enough to contain for the next two days.

Monday was grocery shopping. We'd already decided to have a barbecue. Lamb on the spit and steak, chops and sausages. Roasted veges, broccoli and cheese sauce, salad, surimi salad, special mashed potatoes, asparagus and savoury eggs. And a few other bits.

Tuesday morning all I had to do was a quick tidy up around the house, peel the veges and put them on, make salads etc. Was quite relaxed and laid back.

Give them presents and food and they will come. And they did. Two by two. Doesn't matter how old they are they're all kids. So Mr T and I played Santa and handed out the pressies. They were all happy. And of course my little man was there.

Here's a few photos ....

Janelle & Lucas

Nick, Janelle & Lucas

Krystal & Lucas

Renelle & Matt

Lucas

Josh, Krystal & Lucas

And of course it was a scorching day so they all headed into the pool before eating ...

Our little man was suppose to have a sleep but he didn't want to miss out on the action so he came and joined us.

He's discovered that hands are good to shove into your mouth, lol. He does this all the time.

I did have more photos but blogger had a fit.

All in all everything worked out well. We took the boat out to the lake and generally had a restful time. Jackie and David came out for dinner on the Saturday night and we had a good catch up. They are such a lovely couple.

Now here I am back at work and wishing I wasn't. Could have done with some more days. Such an effort having to get early in the morning. But the good thing is that the holiday might be over but summer isn't.

That's about it for now. I'll be popping by blogs the next day or so.

Welcome to 2010 everyone.

My Christmas Plans ....

2009-12-10T15:31:00.003+13:00

So what have you all got planned for Christmas.

I'm so excited because Mr T and I ARE RUNNING AWAY. Oh yes we are baby. Two weeks from today and I can't wait.

We're running away from the whole christmas day drama. No Christmas Day dinners and travelling to this place and that place. No children. Just me and Mr T. Just time out to relax and enjoy what we like doing the best. Camping and fishing.

I sound a bit like Scrooge. Bah Humbug. But really it's just the way everything worked out. Josh and Krystal are spending the week with their mums and won't be home till the first weekend in January. Col and I decided to take advantage of that and have some time out for ourselves before the bombardment begins. We will have a New Years Barbecue when I'll have all the family around me. Lucas is still too little and I don't want to have to share him on Christmas Day. I'd rather have him New year and spoil him the whole day.

Anyway moving on to Christmas Dinner and the rest of the week. Well pretty much seafood all round. Where we are staying theres mussels galore to be picked and also oysters off the rocks at low tide. There's my starter. Then I will have a beautiful panfried fresh snapper with a crisp summer salad. I think my indulgence may be cheese and crackers but I might have fresh fruit instead. My stomach has shrunk and I can't stand the overfill feeling anymore.

Normally when we're on the boat we have orange juice, fruit and salad vogel sandwiches and thats about it.

I feel quite confident that this year I won't put on any weight. Days sitting on the boat catching all that fish can be quite a work out for the arms I tell you. Especially when you're pulling up the big ones. Also there's quite a few bush walking tracks nearby which will be a nice change for us as well.

All in all I just plan to relax and enjoy our time away together.

So what have you all got planned.
.

Well I ummed and ahhed . . .

2009-12-09T14:56:00.001+13:00

But I went to weigh in last night and recorded a tiny loss of 300 gms. So that’s now 3.3kg in 4 weeks. I really wanted over a kg gone but when you do go out on a Friday and Saturday night and eat and drink copious amounts then that ain’t going to happen is it. But I did own up to myself and got right back on track on Sunday, which is probably why I was able to get a loss at all. So the moral is – DON’T GIVE UP.

Phew, you know what – I miss blogging. I miss a lot of the old bloggers. I found their journeys quite inspiring. Can’t help wondering where some of them are now. I know. Facebook. I’m probably starting to get a wee bit nostalgic in my old age. But I’ve read my old blog and what a hoot that was. Things have changed a bit since 2005. Still have the dramas with kids, but reading some of things we dealt with back then puts a shudder down my spine. No wonder my blog became a weight gain blog instead of a weight loss one. Lol. But seriously I was 71 kgs when I started blogging and now I’ve added another 10kg plus to the mix.

I think the decision for me to go back to Weightwatchers was the best one for me. I need to be accountable and for me that’s going in and getting weighed and having my results recorded. It keeps me honest and it keeps me on track. Fine if I wander a day or two, I get back on track and keep going.

I don’t want to be on a diet, but I do want to learn to eat healthier and most importantly watch what I eat. Lets face it the food is yummy too. This is the perfect time to get on track and develop some really good eating habits. I love relaxing in the evening out on the deck with a nice salad and steak/chicken etc and a nice chilled glass of wine. I tend to eat “lighter” filling foods and feel satisfied. There’s no urge to overdulge.

I’m going to return to regular blog posts now. I’ll share my battle against the bulge with you, the exciting things that happening in my world, when I get bummed out you’ll hear about that too.

Well I feel like I’m rambling a bit now but I’ll share my Christmas plans with you tomorrow.

Ciao for now.

How did it get to be December !!!!!

2009-12-03T16:25:00.002+13:00

The years aren't suppose to be passing this fast. Now that I'm older. Slow down for crissake's.

Weigh in went well on Tuesday night. Another 800 gms down. that's 3 kg's in 3 weeks. I'm about 1 kg off my 5% weight loss. Everythings going well in that area.

I went to the hospital today and I'll be having surgery after Christmas. I filled everything out now I just have to wait for a date. They said either January or March. I told them I was busy in February. My cyst is still there - hasn't reduced in size like they'd hoped. In fact it's wrapped itself around my ovary and I may have to have that removed as well. We'll see when the time comes I suppose. The good news is that the cyst is full of clear fluid and is nice and smooth no lumps or bumps. They say it's a "good" cyst. So I'll believe them.

Had some worries last week with one of the kids. Sometimes you wonder how much you can take. But somehow you do whether you like it or not. Hopefully it will all sort itself out over the next week.

At least I have some sunshine .....

It's a gorgeous day ... I should be at the beach or fishing

2009-11-27T09:13:00.004+13:00

Instead I'm sitting here at my desk, looking out the window at the brilliant blue sky and thinking WHY am I here. Then I look to my right and see the piles of applications that have to be processed, that's why.

I did write a post earlier in the week but then lost it then life dramas happen and I never got round to doing another one.

So firstly weighty matters.

I didn't make it to weight watchers on Tuesday because above said dramas. It would have been truthful to say that I wasn't as excited about it as what I was the week before. There were quite a few reasons.

1. I didn't track.
2. I didn't drink as much water.
3. I didn't always eat my 3x meal a day.

plus the excuses

4. I had our work xmas dinner
5. Premenstrual week and TOM - really bloaty and heavy feeling.
Should have drunk more water
6. Have felt ravenous because of TOM and gave in to temptation occasionally.

I did get on the scales when I got home though and they showed roughly the same as the previous week give or take 200 gms.

But I have been good this week. I am drinking water. I am tracking and I am eating properly. Although I'm eating my breakfast a bit later at work. The best part is that the ravenous hunger I had before has gone. Thank God for that.

Some good things tho are already starting to happen. I don't feel quite so "chesty". I noticed the other day that my boobs aren't falling out of my bra but sitting properly like they should. When I'm not feeling bloaty my tummy feels "flatter". My jeans are a little looser. I haven't had to use my inhaler for the last few days. Not sure if this is good or bad because I'm suppose to be taking the preventalin daily. I guess the good thing is that I haven't felt that I needed too.

My incidental exercise this week has been cleaning the pool. Phew what a work out that is. I was going to mow the lawns as well but Nick bet me to it. Have to admit it was a nice surprise coming home to.

In other news I go for my scan this afternoon. Then I have my followup with the specialist next week and I'll find out for sure if I'm going to have surgery. Just wish they'd hurry up as I really don't want to be mucking around this close to Christmas neither do I want to spend my holiday recuperating. I want to enjoy it.

Couple of dramas happening with a couple of kids. Trying not to stress out but damn it can be hard sometimes.

On the plus side Lucas is doing really well and is starting to put on weight.
5lbs 10oz. Nearly a newborn weight. He's three months and three weeks now. He had his first outing at the lake the other day. He needs a bit of sunshine and fresh air.

I have photos on my camera to post but Mr T revamped our computer again and we haven't got round to loading the camera software yet. Will have to make sure this weekend.

Anyway it's gorgeous outside. If you don't have to be indoors - then go out and enjoy it. Have a superfantastic weekend everyone.

Ciao

Ravenous ....

2009-11-20T09:08:00.002+13:00

The past two days have been shocking. It's like overnight someone turned on a switch and I'm battling the urge to devour whatever I can. Temptation bet me on Wednesday night as I consumed crackers and dip following our meeting. Felt a bit gutted about letting myself down so easy. Then I thought it was Day 1 of a new week so I can turn it around. So I'm back on track and I'm just going to have to be stronger in resisting those temptations.

Another consolation is that TOM is due in the next day or two. I'm hoping that will see a downward slide on the scales and give my motivation an extra burst.

Over the weekend I'm going to try out the 97% fat and guilt free bacon as a sunday morning brekkie. I'm loving mixing my foods up a bit. Last night we had scallops and prawns for dinner. yummy. Mr T is enjoying the food. He's put on 4 kgs. He's not complaining either. God knows he can certainly handle a bit of beef on his frame.

Not much else to say so will get on and do some work.

Have a great weekend. Ciao.

A great first week ....

2009-11-18T10:26:00.003+13:00

I lost 2.2 kg. I'm stoked. What a way to start this journey again.

The one thing I did right this week was I actually ate breakfast. I had 2 pieces of toast with ww baked beans most mornings. I found it was filling and kept me going till lunchtime. I had 3 meals a day and at least 1 snack a day. I was even able to fit some wines in and stay well within points. I did not feel deprived at all and I think that was the secret.

Today I worked out I need to lose another 2 kg to reach my 5% body loss. But then to keep my feet well and truly grounded I figured out I need to lose between 25 and 30% of body weight to get to goal.

The only way to get there is to keep on going and don't give up.

Better rush - I'm about ready to Chair a meeting. Catch you soon. Ciao.

Quick help please ....

2009-11-17T10:28:00.002+13:00

Can anyone tell me if we can buy WW Bacon here yet???

Weigh in later today. I have tracked all week, stayed within points - even managed to save some. I haven't claimed for bonus points as I'm not quite how they work with this plan. I think that comes in week 3. I have drunk my water, some days more than others. Saturday I drunk 4 litres.

Today I'm feeling great. Last night I had the first twitches that TOM isn't too far away and I was thinking great just in time to stuff up my great week. But so what. The consequences of TOM NOT coming would be a damn sight more catastrophical than whether I lose a few grams or not aye.

I'm thinking and acting positive. At the weekend I told myself, next week when I wear these jeans again they aren't going to be as snug as they are now. And you know what. Already they're not.

Okay ... better go do some work. Will post weigh in results later.

A new chapter ....

2009-11-16T15:03:00.002+13:00

You may think stupid or not but I was really excited about joining up again. I'm determined to lose weight this time but I know I can't do it by myself. I need to be held accountable. I tend to cheat if I can get away with it, lol.

I was quite blown away by all the information that you get given in your first week. I've taken the whole week to read through it all a few times and plan my meals. I'm actually eating three meals a day and having one snack a day. I could have more but the truth is - I don't feel hungry. I've been spending a bit more time in the kitchen and experimenting with salads and meals. The good thing is Mr T is eating too.

About the only thing that I wasn't too crash hot about was the scales ..... I got a terrible shock when the numbers flashed up. But then again I have to remember I always weigh first thing in the morning, with just my nightie after I've been to the loo. Now I'm weighing in at 5.30pm at night with all my clothes on AND in my shoes as well!!!. Naturally I came home and weighed myself on my scales so I could see if there was a much of a variance and there isn't.

But nevermind the evil deed has been done and it's all down from here. I just can't tell you how determined I am and how positive I'm feeling - this time I will succeed.

I'm looking forward to weigh in tomorrow night. I've been a good girl and I've really enjoyed my first week.

In other news, I have to go back for another scan in a fortnight. If the cyst is still there then they will do keyhole surgery. I'm not going to stress out about anything. All my blood tests came back negative. There was nothing sinister showing.

Today is Mr T's birthday. I'm not allowed to tell you how old he. I just said concentrate on how you feel not the number. We're just going to have dinner at home tonight and we'll wait till over.

That's about it for now. I'll let you know how I get on after weigh in.

Ciao for now.

Tonights the night ....

2009-11-10T14:00:00.002+13:00

I'm joining weightwatchers again. I'm looking forward to getting my first weeks book and reading up on everything. I did a very healthy shop at the weekend so I'll be able to stick to points for the rest of the week.

Thursday I go to the gynae outclinic and I guess I'll be told what my options are regarding this cyst. I was at the Drs this morning, Josh has been unwell for the last couple of days. She told me she'd seen the report and I said they never really told me what my options were likely to be. She said simple - surgery.

The only time I've been in hospital is when I had the kids. I've never had surgery before so it is a wee bit daunting for me. Especially when a few people have come to me and told me their stories. However, I'm not them, I'm me. I've always been healthy and have never been one to let being sick get me down for long. So I'll just wait and see what Thursday brings.

Anyhoos in the meantime I'm looking forward to tonight.

Ciao

Can't wait . . .

2009-11-06T11:14:00.004+13:00

to join weightwatchers next week. I'm starting to crave that accountability. I also need to have the meal planner to kickstart me off for the first few weeks. The thing is I'll be able to share everything from Day 1 with Mr T, so he'll be learning along with me. I had a small loss of 500 gms this week. I was hoping for a little bit more, but it's still less of me. I really struggled this week with my water and my exercise wasn't at all flash.

In fact exercise has been put on the back burner for a bit. I woke up with abdominal pain on Tuesday. When it hadn't got better on Wednesday morning I popped over to the doctors and next thing you know I'm in hospital. Ultra sound showed I had a 7.8cm cyst. They let me go home, I told them I was going anyway, seeing as my bloods came back showing no sign of infection. But I'm due back early next week when they'll have a full report on the scan and decide what they're going to do with me. They weren't very forthcoming with any answers the other night.

I have another busy weekend. Have a Presidents forum meeting all day tomorrow for my admin group. Then Sunday I really need a lovely sunny day at home to garden and get the lawns done. Then the kids are coming out for dinner. This will be Lucas's first visit to Nana's house. Looking forward to that.

Ciao for now ....

Here's Lucas with Winnie and Mickey. Nearly as big as them now.
"Alright, which one of you knicked me sock"

and here he is wearing some big boys clothes now. In the hoodie and trackies nana bought him the day he was born. Size 0000.

19 snapper !!!!!

2009-10-27T16:07:00.003+13:00

Plus 6 kahawai, 1 gurnard and a stingray. Apart from the ray I'd have to declare the weekend fishing a great success.

What beauty weather we had too. I couldn't believe how flat the sea was. It was like being on a lake. Lovely and warm and sunny. It was just what I'd hoped it would be like.

Tapu is a nice little spot. Plenty of mussels and oysters to get at lowtide. Bushwalks too. Couldn't say the same about the campground tho. It was old. Which didn't bother me. But it was dirty. I went to put some food in the camp fridge. But it hadn't been cleaned and was full of mould. The toilets and shower block although hosed out were filled with cobwebs. I ended up showering in the family shower and you had to make sure you wore jandals there too.

But all in all it was great. I so love the laid back life. We had quite a few visitors pop over for a drink and a chat. The guys all talking about the best fishing spots and bait etc. The girls about kids, family, things to do, shopping etc.

The best bit was my eating was perfect. I ate fish, fish, mussels, oysters, cheese & crackers, 2 x tomato & cucumber cheese vogel sandwiches, fish, salad, mussels, fish and more fish the whole weekend. It was great. and water, orange juice and I managed to get in 2 bottles of wine over the duration of the weekend.

So I was greatly pleased to see that I lost 900 grams this week. Little beauty. This is a good loss for me as it was also pre TOM week t00. Do the happy dance.

I really do feel good. It always is when you're good to yourself and don't over indulge. My clothes are a bit looser. They're not cutting me in half anyway.

So my goals for this week are:

- to continue to watch portion sizes

- continue drinking water

- to start walking

My walking starts tomorrow. I'm doing the Pink Walk here with the girls from the Office. It's only 3.4 km. Not far - but just as well. I managed to slice my foot open on some oyster shells at the weekend pulling the boat in. A little nasty and a tad sore. I'm walking better on it today so I will just make sure I bandage it up well.

Oh and another thing I'm joining weightwatchers again. Unfortunately I won't be able to until the 11th Nov because I'm busy the next two Wednesdays. I did think about going to another meeting but I really wanted to start where I'll end up going.

So there we go. Starting another week. Another week to see less of me.

Catch ya later.

Friday yeah .. going fishing

2009-10-23T10:16:00.000+13:00

I’ve had a pretty good week and the scales are rewarding me. I’m really happy about that. All I’ve done is drink plenty of water and watched my portion sizes. I’ve also just had protein and salads for dinner. Now I hope I don’t go and stuff it up over the weekend with too much indulgence. I should be okay.

This time tomorrow I’ll be on the boat out at sea with my line in the water. The sea will be calm, the sky a beautiful blue and the sun warming me, relaxing with a coffee or an orange juice. That’s what I’m hoping for so please, don’t let it disappoint me.

The cars loaded, the boat is just about loaded. I’m finishing here at lunchtime and will zap into the supermarket and pick up a few groceries. Not much. I only plan on eating fresh snapper and salad. On the boat I only pack fresh fruit, crackers, cheese, tomatoes, lettuce etc and vogel bread. And coffee , water and orange juice.

So we’re hoping to get away around 2 o’clock which will give us plenty of time to get to Tapu which is past Thames somewhere. Haven’t been there before but apparently the fishing is good. We shall see. It’ll only take us about 20 mins to put up our tent and another 20 to set everything up. We’re not taking the kitchen sink this time.

So I figure around about 6 o’clock we’ll be relaxing outside the tent and enjoying a drink or two.

I hope you all have a wonderful and safe weekend and that the weather gods are nice to us.

I’ll update when I get back.

Ciao

A little less of me ....

2009-10-21T15:03:00.003+13:00

But I'm still feeling a bit snuggly.

Well yesterday wasn't too bad. I managed to get through the day fairly easy. The only problem was I didn't drink much water during the day so I drunk heaps last night and consequently had a bad night's sleep due to waking and trotting to the loo about three times. There's somethings you just never learn, lol.

Breakfast is always a problem for me because I just can't bear to eat as soon as I get up. So I've been taking a yoghurt and an apple to work to have around
9.30 - 10ish. It will help me for the moment but I will have to sort something else out as I figure I'd get a bit bored with it before too long.

I've set myself a few goals. The first one is to become a 70's girl again and I want to achieve this by Melbourne Cup Day. That gives me 2 weeks to love under 2kgs. That is very doable. After that I'll aim for 75, then 70 and 65 and then I'll re evaluate how I'm going and set a goal weight. When it's broken down like that it seems a helluva lot more achievable.

I had a bad day yesterday with my asthma, have been wheezing quite a bit and short of breath a few times. But losing weight has to help me, doesn't it.

I'm looking forward to doing the Rotorua Half Marathon in March with Jackie and a few of the girls. I have to be up to speed for that. Can't wait for you to get over here Jaxx and we can start doing some evening walks.

The sun is shining today and helps to make things look brighter. Mr T pulled the boat out this week and we're going fishing this weekend just past Thames. Forecast for the weekend is fine. I can't wait. We made our list last night of things to pick up from the lock up, few groceries to get etc because come Friday lunchtime we're gone. Something to look forward to - finally.

Anyway that's it for now. I'm hoping my posts are going to become a lot more positive in the days and weeks ahead. I'll leave you with the latest pic of Lucas. He's 10wks old now. His due date was suppose to be 24th October. We're getting lots of smiles now.

The No Go Zone ......

2009-10-20T10:38:00.001+13:00

Unfortunately, I reached it and zoomed past. By an extra 2 kgs.

I can’t even begin to tell you how I’m feeling. It’s not pretty. I’m my own worse enemy. My clothes are far too snuggly, I feel like a mallow puff, I’m starting to look like one. I’m not liking the person I am becoming both looking from the outside and from the inside. I am under stress for lots of reasons. It’s such a busy time and there’s so much to do and worry about. Don’t no-one even mention Christmas.

Stress they say does not help with weight loss. Tell me about it. My food is becoming my comfort. The portion sizes are getting bigger. And I still feel hungry afterwards. Or I tell myself I do anyway.

I’m not eating “bad” food, just eating far too much of it.

So the main focus of this blog is going to be weight loss again.

This week I’m going to concentrate on

 Controlling my portion sizes
 Drinking in excess of 2ltres of water
 Cutting back on coffee and drink 2 green teas

Every day I’m going to tell myself “there’s a little bit less of you today than there was yesterday”. I'm going to find something to make me feel good about my day.

A few years ago I went to a Paula Ryan “You and Me” seminar. When it came to weight loss she said women always talk about how much weight they’ve put on and how they wish they could lose weight. She said the truth is if you’re really serious about it– then just do it. I know this philosophy doesn’t apply to everyone but for a majority of us it is true.

So I’m just going to do it.

I wasn’t going to do this, because I was ashamed. But here goes...

“Hi everyone. My name is Lee-Anne and I am overweight. I weigh 82 kgs. From today and every day there will be a little bit less of me”

Welcome to my weightloss blog.

I hope you'll follow me and support me.

Where has all the sunshine gone ....

2009-10-16T15:27:00.001+13:00

It would be so much easier to get motivated if the weather wasn’t crap.

It’s times like this that my willpower sucks big time. I take the easy option and make excuses for myself.

All I want to do is stay warm and eat.

So I’ve been reading stories of the ones who have willpower and are successful. Boy do I want what they have. I’ve been checking out recipes and starting to plan healthy meals. I’ve got myself a little notebook so I can write down not only what I eat but how I feel. Over the weekend I will get some new walking shoes so I can start going for a walk either at lunchtime or in the evening to get ready for the half marathon.

So all I want now is for the sun to start shining and start spreading a bit of warmth inside me so my willpower gets a boost. Then there’ll be no stopping me.

Well that’s the plan.

Have a sunny weekend everyone. It is going to be sunny you know. Yeah right!

Boo !!!!!

2009-10-14T11:25:00.003+13:00

I didn't realise it was so long since I did an update.

Lucas was transferred to Rotorua Hospital SCBU on 16th September with no fuss. He came over with another wee bubs who apparently cried the whole way. Not our little man. He is so laid back. It was so nice having him so close by and seeing how much he has grown. You can tell from the photos.

He's handling his celebrity status like a professional. Nothing seems to faze him.

Look how he's grown ....

"CAUTION": Some nudity content. Viewer discresion is advised.

First bath, loved it ....

Getting dry ...

Daddy, what big hands you've got ...

Father and son ...

AND THEN .... it finally happened .....

Lucas goes home ....

Mum's happy and I think Dad's a bit stoked .....

He can wear his own clothes now ....

He's a happy little chappy ....

Just chillin ....

First day home, snuggled up in his own bed ....

So you can see he's grown a bit since the last post. He's spent his first nine weeks in hospital.

Now he's home.

And what about me. Well I've become a bit blase and put on a kg. So tired of the yo-yo-ing I'm doing to myself. I have tightened the food reins this week. But typical - I try to be good then Monday it's someones birthday and there's a morning tea shout. I did not resist. I ate. Then a couple of hours later I ate my lunch.

I felt blurghhh... and quite annoyed with myself.

Tonight I'm going to give myself some beauty treatment. It's great for that "feel good" effect. Hope it does the trick.

I'm wondering if I'm sneaking back into hibernation mode. You get one really great day of weather and you get pumped and motivated then all of a sudden you get really cold weather - snow even for crying out loud, in October!!!! - and all good intentions and purposes fly out the window.

I had a thought last night that maybe I should go back to weightwatchers.Just for two or three months so I can get back on track. Going to a meeting has in the past kept me honest and more importantly accountable for what I do and eat. So I'll have a good think about it.

For now I'll keep on plodding along.

I'll catch you later.

Ciao

Am I Rip Van Winkle ....

2009-10-05T15:50:00.003+13:00

did I fall asleep and sleep through summer, cause it damn well feels like it . . . .

Those poor, poor people who were stranded on the Taupo Napier highway.
Boy do I feel for them.

The only good thing was that I was on holiday last week and it was total shite. Back to work today and if it had of been fine I would have really cracked the poos.

Anyway I'll just crank the heater up a bit.

So with summer, hopefully just around the corner it's time to rev things up a bit. I had been intending to start my walks in the evening but because of the shitty weather I haven't been able to . I really do need to mix things up a bit because I've stayed the same for the last couple of weeks.

Everybody seems to be having the protein shakes. I just have one question. Do they fill you up?

Catch up ....

2009-10-02T12:02:00.002+13:00

Once again apologies for the lack of updates. Not much to report although I've been busy, busy.

Weight wise I was going well for a couple of weeks but seem to have reached a plateau where nothing is budging either way. Time to mix things up.

Week 1 of daylight saving and I'm on holiday. I had so much planned but it got stuffed up because of the crappy weather. Now here I am - Friday - my week's almost and I've spent the last two days down at the workshop doing cleaning and book work. I'm in charge at the moment as the guys are out on a couple of jobs. Hmmmm .... wonder if I can drum up some business.

Lucas is doing great. We're hoping he'll be home next week. He is just growing in leaps and bounds. I've had lots of lovely cuddles and kisses with my boy. Lots of chats so he gets use to my voice.

Life in general is settling down and slotting into a nice place. My energy levels are still high and I'm loving the change in me. It's really hit home how I must have been slowly going downward for quite a long time. I'm sleeping right through the night now. How fantastic that is. I wake up feeling refreshed and I can maintain this feeling right through the day. No mid afternoon lows. I use to blame the waking during the night with menopause as I'd always wake up "hot". Now I know it probably was due to not breathing properly. Especially as last month I'd have to sit up in bed to catch my breath.

I'm hoping for a lovely sunny day tomorrow so I can get out in my garden and clean out the pool area. Time to start dosing it again ready for when the hot weather hits us. I've dosed it and skimmed it but it's a bit green at the moment because I haven't had the pump running. I'll be able to have it on all day tomorrow so that should do the trick. My plants have survived despite not getting hardly any water during winter.

So now I'm rambling. I'll love ya and leave you. Have a good weekend.

Ciao

A week on .....

2009-09-18T14:28:00.006+12:00

and I'm still feeling fantastic.

I just can't believe the energy I have. I'm quite stunned, but in a good way.

Normally mid afternoon I start to flag and slowly go down hill from there. But this week I get home from work and I'm bursting to go. I'm catching up on little jobs here and there and last night I got stuck into Josh's room, sorting through all the toys that are broken and missing bits, stripping his bedding and wiping the walls. I feel great.

I'm also sleeping a damn sight better. Not waking during the night. I'm feeling normal again. The thing is that I really didn't know I wasn't normal.

I'm sitting here at my desk and looking out at the beautiful day. I can't wait to get home and kickstart this weekend. I also want to kickstart my weight loss again. I've had a trip down memory lane and gone back to ready my blog in the beginning. It's made for some interesting reading. And it's been quite enlightening.

This is my first profile photo on my first blog. I like this photo because my face is thinner, my arms are thinner and my frame is smaller. This was me when I first met Mr T. This is what I want again.

So time to turn this blog back into a weight loss blog. I'm in a happy place right now so time to make those endorphins work. Time to start that healthy life. Timing is great. The days are getting longer and warmer and it's time to shake out of that winter hibernation. It all begins with the first step - and I've just taken it.

In other news. Lucas arrived home on Wednesday. It feels so good having him here. He is just the most placid laid back baby you can imagine. He's not daunted in the slightest with his celebrity status. In fact I think we might be a bit boring to him, as yawns and stretches and throws his arm behind his and chills out. Not a care in the world. I can't believe how big he is. He had his first bath yesterday. That didn't faze him either.

So I shall leave you now.... with a few more photos and will be back soon

Emerging from my nightmare ....

2009-09-14T12:54:00.003+12:00

Before I continue this has nothing to do with Lucas. He is doing super. In fact we’re hoping he’s being transferred home today which I can’t wait for.

Nope, this is all about me.

It took till last week for me to realise I have been unwell for a very long time. My difficulties with breathing and finding out that I had asthma was a shock but thought that now I was on ventolin everything would all be good again. Wrong.

I’ve lacked energy for quite some time and it really irks me – so last weekend I pushed myself to stack the firewood in the garage and get some real exercise. It took me a while and I was puffing a bit but I did it. Unfortunately I stirred up quite a lot of dust – combined with all the pollen around at the moment. Our deck, vehicles, outdoor furniture are thick yellow with pollen at the moment.

So I started with the hayfever symptoms, followed by a harsh cough and then waking up three to four times during the night not being able to breathe. That is the most terrifying feeling. I got real bad, real fast. Thursday morning I was in tears, I’d had enough. Breathless, wheezy and exhausted. One of the girls from work drove me to the Doctor’s, which is two doors up the road. I couldn’t even walk that far. They put me straight on the nebuliser which gave me some relief. When my Doctor saw me she was a bit surprised and said that this had come out of left field. (she was on holiday last time I went and ended up seeing a locum). Anyway she said we’re going to shut this asthma down now. I think I felt instant relief just hearing her say that. So she put me on some steroids which she said would make me feel a lot better in 4 – 6 hours. I also have preventalin (sp) which I am going to have to take every single day and night from here on. Unfortunately things didn’t happen the way they were suppose to. I had another real bad night and the medication certainly wasn’t working for me.

So back again to the Doctors the next day. She was quite surprised and said the asthma was quite aggressive and didn’t want to let go of me. So she said we had to be aggressive too. So up goes my meds. A bit more time on the nebuliser and I was starting to get a little bit of relief. I was sent home and they phoned me every couple of hours to see how I was doing. I had a bit of an improvement so they were happy enough. I just had strict instructions that if it didn’t get better over the weekend then I had to go to ER. The plan was for the next few days it had to all be about ME. Plenty of rest.

Well I’m pleased to say that just after lunch on Saturday everything kicked in. I had this amazing amount of energy that I couldn’t keep still. I started wiping down walls and skirting boards and light switches. I felt super great. I actually had to make myself stop so I didn’t overdo it.

I guess this is when it hit me that I couldn’t really remember the last time I felt this good. I’ve felt sluggish for such a long time but I put it down to being unfit. But now that I’m breathing properly again I know now that it’s been deteriorating for some time.

So now that I’m on the mend again I look back on last week and take the positives from it all.

I know what’s wrong with me and it can be controlled.
I will feel 100% better.
I will have more energy. More energy means more moving. More moving means faster metabolism.
I’m motivated to get off my chuff and start walking.
I won’t get so tired so fast now.

So I feel like I’ve turned a corner. Not only health wise, but healthy living wise. This is just all added incentive for me to keep on going and lose this extra weight. I’m actually starting to inspire myself.

Not quite out of the woods yet. The coughing I've had has been "violent" to say the least and I've strained my muscles in my stomach and my back and it's very painful. But with plenty of fluids and honey and lozenges and decongestants I hope to get on top of this real soon.

I've also put on 500gms. I blame Mr T's cooking.

Sorry for the long post. But I needed to get this down for my own record and besides I haven't blogged for awhile, so it is catch up time.

I'll leave you with a photo of Lucas and his Dad.

Ciao for now ..

a friday funny ....

2009-09-04T14:01:00.003+12:00

It's Friday!!!!! Yipee!!!!

It actually looks like it's going to be a decent weekend too. I get to stay home this weekend and do some pottering and catching up on a few weeds.

Everything is still going well for me. The scales are still the same but I've noticed the looseness in my clothes and that's a great feeling.

I'm so loving this time of the year. Finally it's slowly getting warmer and the days are getting longer. No more driving home with my car lights on. All my spring bulbs are out and the smell of cut grass is heaven to me.

There's so many things to look forward to now.

Lower power bills.
Warmth
Barbecues & salads
Beach
Fishing
Less clothes
Long days

And so much more.

The hibernation period is over. Doesn't everything feel so much better when the sun is shining.

Lucas is still doing well. He had a wee set back the other day and ended up back on the CPAT (oxygen). His poor wee heart started racing a bit too much. In too much of a hurry, just like his Dad. He calmed down pretty quickly. He's still gaining weight so everyone is happy. In fact he reached the weight he had to be to come home but because of this setback they're going to keep him in Waikato a bit longer.

So that's the news at the moment. Have to finish a pile of work which will hopefully make the rest of the day go fast.

So I'll say Ciao and leave you with this funny .....

Have a good weekend everyone.

WHY PARENTS DRINK
The boss wondered why one of his most valued employees was absent but had not phoned in sick one day. Needing to have an urgent problem with one of the main computers resolved, he dialled the employee's home phone number and was greeted with a child's whisper.

' Hello ? '

'Is your daddy home?' he asked.

' Yes ,' whispered the small voice.
May I talk with him?'

The child whispered, ' No ..'

Surprised and wanting to talk with an adult, the boss asked, 'Is your Mummy there?' ' Yes '

'May I talk with her?' Again the small voice whispered, ' No '

Hoping there was somebody with whom he could leave a message, the boss asked, 'Is anybody else there?'

' Yes , ' whispered the child, ' a policeman . '

Wondering what a cop would be doing at his employee's home, the boss asked, 'May I speak with the policeman?'

' No, he's busy , ' whispered the child.

'Busy doing what?'

' Talking to Daddy and Mummy and the Fireman , ' came the whispered answer.

Growing more worried as he heard a loud noise in the background through the earpiece on the phone, the boss asked, 'What is that noise?'

' A helicopter ' answered the whispering voice.

'What is going on there?' demanded the boss, now truly apprehensive. Again, whispering, the child answered,

' The search team just landed a helicopter '

Alarmed, concerned and a little frustrated the boss asked, 'What are they searching for?'

Still whispering, the young voice replied with a muffled giggle...

' ME . '

Just a few more photos

2009-09-01T16:50:00.000+12:00

Nana visits Lucas ....

2009-08-31T10:44:00.000+12:00

Isn't he just gorgeous

See how tiny he is, I'm rubbing his leg ....

holding hands with nana ...

I had a lovely visit with Lucas yesterday. My goodness he's growing. I can see the difference from last week. He's starting to full out and he's getting a bit of tummy and he's just looking so gorgeous.

Everyday he seems to be getting a little bit stronger. He's starting to put on weight slowly but steadily. He's having more time breathing on his own. Six hours by himself and then two back in the incubator. Although yesterday he had to go back in a bit sooner as his heart rate went up a bit fast. He calmed down once he was back in though. I reckon he was just too excited because he knew Nana was coming for a visit.

He's 32 weeks now. Weight 1.115 kg. He's just so perfectly formed and adorable, he's just so tiny.

When his Daddy was a baby (5 weeks old) he ended up in hospital too. He had a viral infection and was put on a drip for fluids. His Aunty Sue bought him Mickey Mouse. Mickey Mouse slept with Nick and was dragged around the house for most of his childhood. Unfortunately so was Donald Duck as Matthew wouldn't part with him either. I still remember the time I washed Mickey and Donald and hung them on the line. Matthew screamed at the top of his lungs, and he was loud I tell you, that I had no choice than let him walk around with a soggy Donald for awhile until I could sneak him away again.

So when I saw Mickey Mouse in the shop I knew I had to get him. Oh, and Winnie the Pooh too. But it is Mickey Mouse that now sleeps with Lucas. So what that he' a tad bigger than Lucas. It won't be for long.

Anyhow Janelle's going to forward me some more photos which I'll put on here.

So for now I'll say Ciao ....

Spring is in the air ....

2009-08-24T11:34:00.000+12:00

Some days I can feel it and I can smell it. The great thing about it is the best is yet to come. I can feel myself coming out of hibernation and it’s a wonderful feeling.

Things are continuing to pick up and still have my head in the right headspace. I’m on track with my healthy eating and my portion sizes. Over the weekend I have left food on my plate both nights. That is really amazing. Even though I dished up smaller portions I was still able to say okay that’s it I’ve had enough and put my knife and fork down. That is a big achievement for me.

Consequently the scales have gone down 900 gms in the last two weeks. That is a good steady loss.

The exercise front tho isn’t looking that flash. The treadmill is still not working and Mr T will have to take it apart and fix it. Now I know that isn’t going to happen any time soon. However we will be starting to go for walks in the evening very soon. I won’t be overdoing it just yet as I do have asthma. It scares the shite out of me at how easy I can get out of breath. But I still believe it’s the cold that triggers it. Carrying extra weight around my chest can’t be helping either so I’m quite determined to lose more weight and get fit.

This afternoon I’ll be writing out my grocery list and stocking up on lots of lovely fresh fruit and veges. It’s so much easier to eat healthy when you’ve got the right ingredients at your fingertips.

Lucas update.
Our wee man is continuing to do really well. He had his first flight in a helicopter last week. He was moved from Starship hospital down to Waikato. He liked the flight but wasn’t too crazy on the lifts. He lost 50gms from his birth weight but has since regained that and a wee bit more. He spends a bit of time out of the incubator now and this is the time that Janelle and Nick get to cuddle and bond together as a family. I got to see this first hand yesterday when we went to visit. What a beautiful family. Yes he is wee, and tiny but everythings all there, he is quite alert and his eyes open wide. I got to stroke his tiny wee feet while he was snuggled up to his mum. He is quite long, but he just lacks the meat on his bones. The next step is to add some protein to Janelle’s milk to help him put on weight. Once this happens we can look at him being moved to Rotorua hospital which will make it so much easier for everyone.

Have I told you how adorable he is and cuteness plus. He is so contented. Despite his early arrival and having to deal with tubes and everything he settles so well, doesn’t get upset. His little limbs are having a good work out as he likes stretching his toes out and his fingers. My god they are so long. We’re going to have to try and find some little mittens tiny enough otherwise he’ll start clawing himself. He is going to be one very determined, happy and spoilt young man.

So all in all everything is going well all round.

Catch ya soon.

All is well ....

2009-08-14T14:18:00.002+12:00

Lucas had his scan yesterday and all is looking good. The kids had a great day with him yesterday and it really helped to lift their spirits.

Sometimes I think the internet can be a blessing and a curse. Naturally I've been googling premature babies and reading their birth stories. Some are great - some are not. When I've told people I'm a nana they go congratulations. Then I tell them he was born 28 weeks prem and some automatically think the worse. You can see it in their expressions. But I know he's going to fine. At the end of the day he's my grandson and nothing will change that.

Well other things have been happening as well. Last weekend I was in Auckland for a conference. There were some fantastic speakers and there was one that spoke on nutrition and she was great. Some very useful tips which I'll write down and post.

My stomach seems to still be shrinking. I'm beginning to find that not only are my portion sizes smaller but I'm struggling to eat them. Also if I feel full I have no problems pushing my plate away. This is a huge thing for me. Especially as last week was TTOM. I have been rewarded with a 1.2kg loss. I'm going to do my best to make sure I keep plodding along this path rather than worry about numbers.

Phew I'm glad it's Friday. I am so looking forward to a lie in the morning. I have felt quite exhausted this week. I can't remember when I've spent so much time on the phone and txting people to keep everyone updated. Tonight I'm going to snuggle in front of the fire - find something decent to watch and chill out with a wine. It looks like we're in for a very wild and wet weekend.

Hope you all stay warm and dry.

Catch you later.