2009 ... the year for change

Well Happy New Year all.

I know I've been quiet but I've taken some time out to "reboot" my engines. Heading towards christmas I was very close to a burn out. I've had a couple of meltdowns and some wake up calls.

For the most part I'm glad to see the back end of 2008. I would have to say it was one of the worst years of my life.

Only two highlights happened.

Mr T and I got married and had a lovely honeymoon in Rarotonga.

We won our custody suit.

The rest of the year was consumed with worry, stress, anxiety and kids!!!!!

And that's all I'm going to say!!!!!

Christmas day we went out for lunch with Col's family. It was the first time I've never cooked. It was lovely. Very stress free. Josh went to his mum's and then we began our kidsfree days.

Jaxx was going to come over on the Saturday but unfortunately a young friend passed away so we postponed the visit. Instead we decided to go fishing. Had a couple of really lovely days on the boat. So calm and warm and sunny. Perfect. We even managed to catch about 15 fish so we were eating off fresh snapper and gurnard for a few days.

We had a few more days at home just catching up on things around the house then we headed up to Auckland for a night of r & r. We got a lovely room at Sky City. We went down to the casino and had a play, had dinner and then relaxed in our lovely room for the evening. It was fantastic and just what we needed. A bit of luxury. Next morning we went for a walk around the shops and had a wander down to the viaduct and had a bit of a drool over the boats moored down there.

We headed up to Whangarei later in the afternoon, checked into a motel - bit of a comedown from the night before, got changed and went out for dinner down by the marina. Our last night of peace. Perfect way to end it.

Krystal got dropped off at the motel the next morning and we headed back home. We were dreading it cause the day before we had seen the cars backed up for 20km from Wellsford with everyone heading home. But we were lucky. Got back home around 4 after picking Josh up and so here we are - all together again.

Have spent the last couple of days cleaning the outside of the house and the concrete. Looks amazing. Well worth the hard work. Tomorrow we're heading over to Bayfair for a look around and maybe a walk around the Mount. Will pop back over on Thursday for a catch up with Lynise and maybe Jaxx.

So that's my wrap up for the last couple of weeks.

As I said 2009 is the year for change. When we were out for christmas lunch Col took some photos. What a wake up call. I looked so fat. I couldn't believe it cause I actually thought I looked okay when I left the house. My face is huge. I have the photos, I won't show you now - I'll save them for when I've lost some weight.

Because weight is what I'm going to lose this year. I feel miserable. When we went out to lunch, Col's sisters and sil had all lost weight and looked fab. I felt like a whale. I've had my wallow in self pity but the only way I can change this is by DOING something about it. So I am. I will be 47 in about 4 weeks. I want to lose between 3 - 5 kg by then. I can do this I know I can. If I just stop procrastinating and stop making excuses I can. I don't have half the stresses of last year on my shoulders. I have no excuse. I can make this time for me. I just need to pull that little bit extra out for the first week to get me back on track.

I'm giving up my sauv blanc, not forever, but not as much as I have been. As much as I enjoy it, it's not doing me any favours. We were drinking nearly every night. So much stress. Not good. So that was another wake up call for me. I don't want this to become a habit. I have to look after myself.

2009 I'm going to turn my life around in more ways than one. I'm not just going to lose weight, but I'm going to become fit and healthy. I am going to maintain a positive attitude and I'm going to do it one stage at a time. We have plans this year to travel and spend more quality time together instead of always worrying about one thing or another.

After the past few weeks I'm finally feeling positive and back in control. Helloooo 2009, I'm ready for you.

I've finally downloaded some photos so I'll say ciao and leave you with these.

This is Josh's favourite pastime. He loves playing army.



Josh and I made a volcano for his school project. Turned out better than what I thought.





We came across a school of barracutta that kept us quite busy for about an hour. They put up quite a fight. Every time we put our line down one of the buggars took it. They are ugly and got vicious looking teeth.




However, the gurnard is a very pretty fish and tasty too. Reminds me of a butterly.




Relaxing in our hotel room ...





Yes, I look a bit better after I've done my hair and face.



Mr T ....




We wouldn't mind a boat like this,



Or this ....




A couple of weeks before christmas we thought we'd better get the pool ready for summer it was looking a wee bit green ...




And now it looks like this. Took these tonight. The kids together again. No fighting - so far.



Krystal has grown so much. We see the changes every couple of months.



Even the lad is growing.




And last but not least. My chrissie present from my darling Mr T. He was absolutely adamnant I wasn't getting any outdoor furniture until the deck was done.




Never underestimate a woman I say.

Goodnight.