Let's Slay Monday!

Monday 31st October 2022

Well, I've been woken by cats zooming round the house, I have a bit of a sore throat and no milk in the fridge!  It's okay though because I had a latte in the cupboard, so I've still had a hot drink and I always have Difflam throat oral rinse at the ready for when my throat flares up.  I don't feel poorly so that a definite positive.

Here's your mini-Monday pep talk...  Good News: it's a brand-new week!  Better News: you can put down anything heavy from last week.  Best News: You have the power and strength to make this week what you want.  It's a good week to have a good week.  So, grab some caffeine and make the week yours.  You are capable and strong and can handle anything.  Spread kindness and make people feel good this week, but don't forget that you are someone too.  Give yourself reasons to smile and feel good, give yourself kindness and understanding, you deserve it.

We had the relaxed day we needed, he slept till ten then we had this breakfast, it really hit the spot.

Then we watched a few more Yellowstone episodes, oh my we are so hooked, we made it to the end of season 3, then he had to go so he could make it back down south whilst it was light, he'd got a 9m trailer to return. 

Before he went, we enjoyed steak and chips, blooming delicious it was, rump steak from Aldi, couldn't fault it, tasted even better because it was a gift from a very, thoughtful lady who's my wine sister. 

I may have woken every hour, but I've had a good, long sleep, 9 hours at least I reckon, I love sleeping I do ;) I don't love crazy, tazzing around cats at 3am so much though!  I'm watching her play with cable ties now though and she's as happy as, I can't help but smile.  They're cuddling one minute and killing each other the next, bloomin barmy the pair of them.

I said I'd get back on track today and I will, my app has been opened and my latte just cost me 74 calories but let's be honest if I'd had a mug of tea that would've had calories, actually I've just looked 100ml of the milk I use is only 33 calories, so I'll be nipping to the shop on my way home to pick up some milk and a few other things - I will get my healthy on.  I'll even eat the oranges in the kitchen - boo!

I might defrost some salmon and have it with potatoes and veggies, yeah that sounds tasty and healthy, there's still plenty in the freezer to see us through this week, I just need a few things like milk, bread, actimel.  

Right I am going to brave the swimming baths, my throat feels loads better already, I was probably sleeping with my mouth open, I think it's called snoring!

Let's Slay Monday shall we?

Mwah, luv ya 

Love me x

  

Today, I'm not doing a lot of anything.

Sunday 30th October 2022
Time you enjoy wasting is not wasted time 

Check me out, I'm sitting in a very tidy living room, I've just made a cup of tea in an extremely organised and clean kitchen, oh yeah, this house looks like a completely different house to the one he left on Wednesday night.  We got our tidy on, it doesn't happen very often but even Aryn did his task of hoovering and tidying his room - heck I heard him washing plates at one point, which super impressed me until I went in the kitchen half hour later and everywhere was wet, the floor, the work surfaces lol, he tried, it's a start.  He even questioned my choice of whether the KFC tub was recyclable or not.  He's learning to be a grown up that's for sure, he'll be 14 in a month, where's that year gone.  

Himself got home in the early hours of the morning, he said it was half two I think, so that would've been the clocks already gone back because it's a 3-hour drive, what a trek, what a few days he's been through, but it's done now, I'm so proud of how well he's dealt with all this, he must be exhausted, physically and emotionally, so I've left him in bed, hopefully he'll have a good few more hours, then we'll have a lazy day before he has to go back to work.  He's got a 9m long trailer on the back of the car which made the drive harder but at least it's another job done; he's bought a car back with him that he's going to have sorted so it's cheaper to commute with.  Boys and their toys!  He does love his cars!

Well I started yesterday with this plate of scrumptiousness, red Leicester on toast, it was incredible.  I never get cheese on toast right, either the cheese doesn't bubble and brown or the toast burns, so this time I made sure every bit of toast was covered with cheese, yes it cost me 430 calories but boy was it worth it.

I only picked at stuff the rest of the day, I had 2 packets of monster munch and I made a one of these 

which was gross, I dipped two slices of bread and spread in the juice then threw the rest away, vile.  I'm trying to use what's in the cupboard but I can't eat these, if Aryn isn't going to, they can go to the food bank, someone will eat them I'm sure.  The Soba ones are nice and I don't mind a Pot Noodle but not this.  

I know I've said it before, but I am planning on getting my track on from Monday, sort myself out and lose a few pounds.  I'm not starting today, I want to relax, although I won't be going crazy with my eating, I haven't been doing that anyway, I've just not been focusing on losing weight which heck I need to.  8 weeks today is Christmas day, I need to lose some so I can put it back on!  

Lunch is sorted today thanks to my lovely friend who knocked the door yesterday with 3 steaks, chunky chips and treacle pudding and custard for us to celebrate - how bloody lovely is that.  I know the best people, I really do.  I've just took bacon out the freezer and we bought giant crumpets over the Co-op yesterday, they were on offer, 2 packs for £1.50, so I'm thinking they'll be nice with bacon, egg and either beans or tomatoes.   I might make eggy crumpets for me, not sure if the boys would like that, they can choose when I cook.  

I love a quiet, content house, cats are finally chilling after being loons at 3am, Minnie was on the landing when I got up, on the actual banister bit, crazy cat, it's a hell of a drop if she fell.  I'm gonna make me another cuppa and watch a bit of tele, the only downside is my dressing gown is in the bedroom and I don't want to go in and wake him up, so I'm a little chilly cos the cats lying on my fleecy blanket!  Never mind, I might pop the heating on, but that'd probably wake him up too lol.

I'm sure I won't freeze :) 

Here's to a calm, worry free day, 

Mwah, luv ya 

Love me  

 

Happy...

Saturday 29th October 2022

Always keep going.

Well, I'm smiling despite the fact it's half four and I've been awake 90 minutes, I did go to bed early so I've had enough sleep.  SMILING, so relieved, pleased, happy, I actually realised yesterday what it really feels like to have a big weight lifted emotionally, when I got the phone call from himself with the good news, I honestly felt my chest open up, I hadn't realised how tight it was, my face had the biggest smile and my eyes filled with tears.  Aryn was sat with me, and he just asked, 'is it all over?' to which I could finally respond, 'yes'.  The judge listened to everything we had to say and didn't take long to agree with our request, just brilliant.

To get some normality back into our day, we went to the cinema to watch Black Adam (we loved it), we had popcorn, he got large, I got regular, delicious as always and so much fibre in it, a great snack, well the size of them, they're a meal not a snack aren't they when you compare them to what you'd have in a packet from the shop.  We also had a fk it bucket from KFC on the way home, so all in our world was wonderful yesterday, if a little high in calories lol.

I had a glass of wine, but celebrating on your own isn't the same, he won't be back till early hours of tomorrow morning either, then he'll have to drive back to work so we won't be celebrating with alcohol tomorrow either, not that I care, I'm too damn happy to need booze.

Passport paperwork was also signed so that'll go in the post and hopefully he'll have a passport early 2023 and we can book something for us all to enjoy, start saving now all this is over, just waiting for the bill from the lawyer, it's already cost thousands before we get that, those ferries and days off work ain't cheap! 

OH not quite as important but you're gonna be proper impressed, I tidied my bedroom yesterday, filled 5 bags of clothes that no longer fit or I wouldn't wear, realising I'm a fat twat that needs to lose some weight, but yay my room no longer looks like a teenagers with clothes all over the floor.  When I told him I was gonna tidy my room, he replied, 'yeah I was gonna have a word with you about that, you're getting untidy', lol, I've always been untidy my lovely, I just had more room to hide crap before they moved in.  

Glad I did it though, when I lose weight, I'll buy new clothes!  Today I'll have a tidy downstairs, I can't do more than one tidy at a time, it hurts my body and it's boring as hell ain't it.  

Looking forward to the huddle this morning, finally I haven't got something constantly in the back of my mind, instead I can now enjoy the day ahead.  I can also start looking forward to Christmas in Ireland, it's only 56 days till Christmas, 8 weeks today is Christmas Eve. YAY.

I'm gonna go have a latte to celebrate this morning, none of your normal coffee in this house today :) 

Happy Saturday, enjoy it as much as I plan too.

Mwah, luv ya 

LOVE ME!

 

Fast Forward Friday (If only!)

Friday 27th October 2022

It's Friday - be Fierce.

Happy Friday, here's to all of us who made it through another week of faking adulthood!   I have to say I'm glad it's Friday, important day for us today in this house, wished we were with him in Ireland but that wasn't possible, so I will wait for a call with news and wish the day away.  I'll try to find things to do to occupy me, I'll start with my swim, Aryn and I are going to the cinema later but that will be after court as I want to be on the other end of phone if he calls, so I might tidy my room, oh ma'an that's serious talk cos I really don't wanna do that but I have too many clothes, lots under the bed that haven't fit me since the year 2000 lol, so I think it's time to admit, I'm never gonna be a size 10 again, tbh I don't wanna be, I like eating and drinking too much to pay the price :) 

I indulged in a Filet o Fish yesterday from McDonalds, the treat or eat thing on the app gave it to me for £1.49 so that was lunch sorted, I was naughty I didn't tell Aryn so he didn't get anything, that's what happens when you stay in bed till 2ish, I'd already eaten 2 meals by the time he got up lol.

I'd bought this from Tesco earlier in week because it was on an offer £8 with 3 bottles of cobra and Aryn decided to have it for his dinner, it's 1199 for half the pack but having tasted the tikka masala, I wouldn't buy it again, I've never tasted a masala like that in my life.  Shame really because I thought for the calories, it was a good way of having a fakeaway.  

We've been quiet in huddles this week, gotta love half term, Elle and I will be eating baked beans on toast this weekend lol, seriously though, I do probably need to eat beans on toast for my health.  I'm working my way through the freezer, I've got lasagne which I think we'll have Sunday when he gets back, it's one my sister made too so nom nom.  

I haven't been to the cinema for years, oh and I still call it the pictures, anyway, I want popcorn and I've just checked out the calories - why did I do that!?

Damn!  A large one is the same calories as half that box meal above lol, oh well, what will be will be, I can't worry about calories today, my brains already full of things to be concerned about, no it's all gonna be okay, it's all going to work out, it's all been worth it.  Yeah, I'm going to keep repeating that to myself, we have a happy and content boy and we're just doing our best to make sure that continues.

On that note, shall we take bets on what time he wakes up today, at least when he was awake yesterday, we watched tele together, we're watching Doom Patrol, crazy show but we're enjoying its madness.  

Another cuppa before swimming I think, awake since 4.30 again, but I've slept thankfully.

I want to go Christmas shopping but I'm trying to hold off for obvious reasons, it costs money!  It would make me smile though, I only want little stocking fillers, I want to make a Christmas Eve stocking for all of us, silly things to make us smile. 

Right, I'm off, let's make it a fabulous Friday, ignore the crap that's going on in our lives and focus on the positives, the things we can control, how lucky we are to be alive - that kind of thing, it's more likely to make us smile isn't it.

Mwah, luv ya 

Love me xx

#Thankful Thursday

Thursday 27th October 2022

Count your blessings - lose count of your problems.

How did Wellness Wednesday go?  For me, I signed up for a year at Wolverhampton swimming and fitness centre, yep, I've invested in me, done 12 weeks and as I've stuck with it, I'm planning to keep going.  I'm not gonna lie, I didn't want to go yesterday, it was bloody hard work when I was in the water, but I did my 32 lengths, was glad to get out but was glad I'd gone once I was done.

I resisted McDonalds despite having an offer to get me a big mac for £1.49, go me!  I spent an hour looking for his logbook only to decide it was in Ireland!  We wanted a number plate for a trailer to take his other car over with him, so I made one on the computer instead and laminated it, hopefully that's good enough, I even made it a yellow one with black writing :) 

We had a family hug before he went and I suddenly felt tiny, Aryn has shot up this year, he's nearly same height as his dad and there's tiny me in the middle - I loved it, proper little family we've become, there's no way Aryn would've been hugged 10 months ago, it's great to see him and his dad developing that bond too.

I cooked too, it was delicious, I forgot how much I like tinned pineapple, that'll be going on my shopping list.  Everything always tastes better when we eat together, it's the only reason I wished my house was larger, I'd love a dining table but we manage.

Who's up for #ThankfulThursday?  I always try to focus on what I'm thankful for, this week, it's included all the support from our Be Happy Owls during half term, Elle and I love our huddles and never want to not be doing it, so we are thankful every time a member joins or returns week in, week out.

I'm thankful the food we can afford to eat, the fact both of them eat it and never moan about what I cook.  I'm thankful for being able to sit and rest, enjoy a book or a bit of tv and have an early night.  

Yesterday I was thankful to find out that our neighbour has had her baby, a little boy and it's been over a week and I've not heard any crying yet!  

So many things to be thankful for in my world from my crazy cats to my boys, the next couple of days aren't going to fly by I'm sure, but hopefully his trip to Ireland will be worth it and we'll then be able to plan Christmas, a holiday for us all next year when Aryn gets a passport, yeah, I'll be very thankful if the next couple of days do go quickly.

I like this....

I've been away since just gone 4am, thankfully I had an early night, the cats woke me a couple of times, but I managed to get back to sleep but the last time they were asking to be fed and that usually involves Coco purring really loudly in my ear.  At least it means I don't need to rush to get ready for our day in huddles.  

I'll have time to make breakfast, I'm thinking eggs. 

But first to empty the cat litter trays - damn them cats smell when they go!  

On that thought, 

Mwah, luv ya 

Love me 

#Wellness Wednesday

Wednesday 26th October 2022

I like the idea of Wellness Wednesday!  My positive intention to start my day is that I am going to focus on what I can control and support himself as he has a hell of a day ahead, work, followed by driving back here then to Holyhead to get the ferry to Ireland, that's a trek for sure.

My 'To Do' list is already started, but it's in my head, so I will write it down.  Mmm meal plan, now that isn't planned at all, I'll go check freezer in a minute seen if there's something I can defrost to give him one decent meal before he goes to Ireland, I have frozen green veg at least.  

I know I've not been drinking enough water since the weather cooled - what about you?  I have to admit I'm good at being kind to myself and what other people think of me is none of my business!

Ooo I've got active, I'm off for a swim in a bit, something that makes me happy, honestly, I do this every day, I love my life, I enjoy sitting and watching a good film, or listening to my audio book, cooking a nice meal, watching the cats plan or having a cuddle, yep simple life - can't beat it.

Get enough sleep! Mmm, some nights better than others, woke at 3.30am this morning but lay there and eventually fell back to sleep for an hour before both cats jumped on the bed and woke me.  

Yeah, Wellness Wednesday is definitely on the menu, I managed a maintain at the scales yesterday, so a few tweaks needed to get me losing again.  I just want Friday out the way, he'll be back early hours of the morning Sunday and hopefully we can get on with the rest of our lives without court cases and all the hassle that goes with them!

Join me and take care of yourself today, put yourself on the top of that 'to do' list because you my lovely, matter too xx

Mwah, luv ya

Love me x

Another day, do it your way...

Tuesday 25th October 2022

You can't spell Challenge without Change

Lying in bed awake at 4.30 and the cats decide I should get up as they are tearing round the landing, making enough noise to wake normal folk not Aryn's - he can sleep through anything.  He slept till 3pm yesterday, poor things got a head cold and cough, not the way to start half term at all, he got up for food then went back to bed bless him.

I ended up having a quiet day, I did my swim, 40 lengths, that's a kilometer and just over 500 calories burned, at least I'm being a little active cos I do sit on my backside a lot.  The swim actually helped my knee pain which has now gone, just have a little bit of soreness in my thighs which is nothing.  

Rest of the day was doing the washing, cleaning up the kitchen, emptying litter trays and watching tele, I hadn't realised Doctor Who had been on at the weekend so was chuffed and enjoyed that, next was the Voice, fast forwarded through Masked Dancer just to see who they were - daft show.

Enjoyed another early night and slept well, roll on Sunday, I'm not gonna lie, I just want this week out the way, his Ireland trip out the way, then hopefully we can start enjoying the rest of the year and planning Christmas.

My food yesterday was nothing special, I had a maccys double sausage and egg mcmuffin for breakfast because it was on offer for £1.99, I did have it with a hot chocolate that I really enjoyed, I wouldn't usually opt for that but was just in the mood after my swim. I then had a pork and stuffing bap for lunch and a brie and cranberry sandwich for tea.  

I'm going to eat Sunday dinner leftovers today, maybe do a bubble and squeak, we'll see or I'll just microwave it and drown it in gravy.  Trying to not spend money shopping again this week, these trips to Ireland don't come cheap and are frustrating as they are so damn unnecessary - well they could have been - grr.  We could've took Aryn on a cracking holiday with the money we've wasted trying to sort all the legalities of him living with us.  

Anyway, focus on what I can control, get the boy well and hopefully take him to the cinema later in the week, hopefully at some point, she'll sigh the passport forms and we'll be able to take him on a super holiday.  

Time to get my swimming gear on, get ready for the day, looking forward to seeing everyone at the huddles today, it may be half term but we welcome kids, they can still come and face the scales - if I've got to, they have lol.

Mwah, luv ya 

Love me xx

These Mondays roll round fast!

Monday 24th October 2022

Monday let's go!

Well, we went to the NEC yesterday which reminded me why I don't do stuff like that, far too much traffic, walking, way too hot, nah not for me lol.  The rain was crazy on the way there, I wouldn't have driven in it, I was glad he was driving, and it was in a big safe car.  Then we arrived they seemed to put us in the furthest away car park ever, I think we walked a mile before we got to the halls.  We'd gone to the Motorhome show and even though it was a hell of a walk to get there, and we were so warm inside because we were carrying our coats, I'm still glad we went - why?  Well because we all came away realising, we don't want a different motorhome to the one we already have, none of them were any better.  Don't get me wrong, there were bits and bobs in them that we wouldn't mind in ours, but for what we paid and how good it is, we got ourselves a bargain and it's got a good few years in it yet thankfully.   I did buy a love bottle of caramel rum and a few pieces of cheese though ready for Christmas, so it wasn't a complete wash out.

Oh then we had to find the car, none of us had noticed what car park we were in, so that was fun - NOT!  Thankfully there are buses and we worked it out with the help of one of the chaps that worked on the car parks, I was very grateful for him yesterday and for being the person that's happy to ask for help because men don't do that do they!

Driving home I said I was happy to cook a dinner rather than trying to get something in a busy pub and that's what we did.  I had a chicken in the fridge, potatoes, yorkies and veggies in the freezer, I even had leftover stuffing I'd frozen from last time and it was a delicious meal on the table in under 90 minutes, perfect.  We'd all only had toast for breakfast so it was very much enjoyed.

I was just trying to remember Saturday, it all goes by so quickly the weekend but I remember now, after work, we went to Well Lane cafe for a cooked breakfast, then we drove to the retail place in Cannock to get his mom a birthday gift, she's 70 this week, I also picked up some Llindt for myself for Christmas, the champagne ones are lush!   We then watched some more of Yellowstone before I asked him to go get me some cheese, I really fancied cheese and biscuits for tea and that's what we all had, perfect tea, late night for us which helped me lie in till 7.30 Sunday which is amazing for me.

Unless something changes, he'll be in Ireland next weekend again, hopefully finally sorting out stuff, who knows, we shall see - once again, not gonna think about things I can't control.  Instead, I'm trying to think about something to do with Aryn this week being halfterm as the forecast isn't great is it.  

I'm off to the pool for a swim, can you believe it's been 12 weeks this Friday since I joined, that's flown hasn't it.  I'd be lying if I said it was getting easier, it isn't but I'm sticking with it.  

My knee is so painful from all that walking yesterday, all inflamed and swollen, but on a positive, my sciatica didn't kick in whilst I was walking round the NEC which surprised me but really made my day, that's the first time in months, so here's hoping it's on the mend - fingers crossed. 

Ready for a good day ahead whatever it brings, 

Mwah, luv ya 

Love me xx

I'm up for a good day - are you?

Saturday 22nd October 2022

Smile - happy looks good on you.

Another day, another bit of food out the freezer used!  I bought some beef and chilli sausage meat a while ago from Essington fruit farm because it was reduced by 25% and put it in the freezer, then promptly forgot about it as you do.  Yesterday I made little meatballs from it, then made a sauce using leftover tinned tomatoes from breakfast, a few diced onions (which Aryn didn't notice were in there so that's progress) and a Dolmio stir in sauce for 2 that's been sitting in the cupboard months too.  We had it with pappardelle pasta and garlic bread and it was bloomin delicious.

went a little mad with the parmesan didn't I!

The only other meal I had was egg, sausage and tomatoes with 2 slices of bread for my breakfast, that was really good too.

We did go lunchtime drinking though because he was home by half 12, so we went and had a couple before Aryn got back from school, was nice to catch up on the week, even if we do talk every day on the phone, it's still different when you're together chatting.

I've been awake since 4 again, got fed up of waking up every hour from midnight, so gave up because I wanted a glass of water and the loo so I've stayed down, left him snoozing, he's got toothache - ouch!  

Elle's got me some pork chops so I'm thinking they can be dinner with some frozen veg and spuds, there's a chicken in the fridge too which we could have Sunday but if the dates good, I might leave it till in the week for me and Aryn, oh and the cats :) 

Got the huddle to look forward too this morning, then who knows what's on the agenda, I'll be happy to chill as it's the Motorhome show tomorrow which I've only just remembered.

Another cuppa is calling me, so here's to making it a good day.

Mwah, luv ya

Love me x

Yay, it's Friday

Friday 21st October 2022

Yay, it's Friday, and breathe...

3am and wide awake I was, thankfully I'd managed 6 hours sleep, only waking once to go to loo, but I might have a power nap later if I can.  I've lay on the settee listening to my book then watching the end of my film, Coco kept me company, he likes a cuddle that's for sure.  Meanwhile Minnie is full of mischief looking for her next adventure, such a cutie.  It is nice to have pets in the house again and Aryn loves them, I've noticed a real lift in his mood, he was already happy before, but there's an extra sparkle now.  Actually, the mood in our house is definitely lifted all round, things are working out behind the scenes, what a year!

Once I've been swimming today, I'm gonna have a slow day, get the washing up done, then chill some and cook a nice dinner, I'm thinking meatballs and pasta, I'll pick some garlic bread and a little salad up to go with it, nom nom.  If I make food, we won't be tempted to eat out, because we don't need to be spending money at the minute, too many other things to pay for!

We had fish fingers, cheesy mash and beans for dinner yesterday, loads of fibre there for Aryn, I'm not a fan of beans but I force them down because they're good for me!  I did however enjoy the sausage sandwich I had for breakfast :) the Ninja cooks a mean sausage - thanks sis for giving it to me, apparently, they are as rare as rocking horse poo right now, you can't get them!

I'm not gonna lie, I keep getting distracted by Minnie, she's having her mad half hour playing, it's very entertaining to watch.  I've bought her some cat springs but she's still opting for the cable tie!

Well, it's forecast rain all day today again, it looks set for half term too which sucks but I'm sure we'll find ways to entertain ourselves, I fancy ten pin bowling although the boy isn't a fan apparently, but he will be lol.

Right, I'm off to swim, at least that will wake me up!  

Mwah, luv ya

Lov me x

Are you making excuses?

Thursday 20th October 2022

You can always find a reason not to!  DON'T

It's always easier to find the reasons not to do things isn't it, I think they're also called excuses.  Don't get me wrong, I'm great at it, I've been going to sort my clothes out for weeks now, they're still under the bed in boxes.  I'm not doing badly on my eating, last night we had liver, mash, veggies and onion gravy, which was delicious, well the liver I wouldn't buy again, it was frozen from farm foods, but the one I usually buy in Sainsbury's has doubled in price which is a blooming joke.  I did indulge at breakfast, I went to get a coffee beaker for someone and whilst there I decided to have a sausage baguette which cost me 584 calories but that was my breakfast and lunch so all good and it was lovely, they do good sausage, maybe next time I'll have a roll as there is too much bread in the baguette.  

I resisted the crisps and heroes in the kitchen!  GO ME! 

I cooked double potatoes yesterday, added cheese to the leftovers so we have cheese and potato pie today, might cook fish fingers with it, ooo and baked beans maybe, good high fibre, healthy meal for both of us. 

It's that time of year where I want comfort food, mash, gravy, yumminess, roast chicken dinners, stews, casseroles, yep nom nom, all of it can be cooked healthily too.  I also notice if I'm full from a delicious, satisfying meal, I'm less likely to want to snack which can only be a good thing.  

I've just remembered there's some frozen lasagne (my sisters) in the freezer too, that's going on the to eat list.  The problem for me is there's so many things on my list to eat and not enough days :) 

It's all good, as long as they weight's not going up and up, I've lost 1/2lb this week and last, I'm happy to maintain, I'd prefer to lose, heck it's less than 10 weeks to Christmas when I know I won't be on track because that's the time of overindulgence and it isn't just one day, well not in my house anyway.

It's not Christmas yet, I need to get ready for a day of huddles, not as cold this morning but forecast rain all day, so I'll go find something warm enough for the day ahead.

Here's to a great day, if you've been making excuses NOT to get on track or do something that needs to be done, ask yourself why?  

Mwah, luv ya 

Love me xx

Mid-week, short update

Wednesday 19th October 2022

Focus on the day ahead...

Well, I managed to sleep till 5.30 before the crazy cats woke me up screaming at each other and zooming round the house - loonies.  I've fed them and they've calmed down a bit lol, bonkers, everything in this house is bonkers.

I managed to lose 1/2lb yesterday thankfully because I haven't tracked, too busy tracking Aryn's fibre, I haven't the inclination to then track mine at the minute, being a lazy bird and hoping for the best.  Eating healthy though still, yesterday I had chucky eggs with solders for breakfast, I did have a pukka pie for lunch but didn't eat the lid, then for dinner we found a box of spicy tofu bites in the freezer, had them with brown rice, roast pepper and garlic bread.  The bites were way too spicy hot for me so I left them and ate the rest.

Today, after our meeting chat last night, I've decided we're having sausage and mash, nom nom, I'm thinking carrots, cabbage, I think I have green beans for Aryn, I'm sure I'm all out of peas, and gravy, nom nom, can't wait.  Aryn can have beans with his instead if he fancies, but I want the veggies and the gravy, I want it now actually not for tea ;) 

Managed my swim yesterday too, it doesn't get any easier, it's still hurting the shoulder joints, I'm wondering if when I start paying monthly and join the gym, I could maybe find some exercises to help with that, we can ask someone.  

I need to get a wriggle on, if I want to get to the pool before work!  I've just spent ten minutes trying to sort out my bank account, I've got to call the fraud team after 7, I'm trying to make a payment and it won't let me - ggggrrrrr.  Anyway, deep breathes, at least they're protecting my bank account I guess.

Mwah, luv ya 

Love me, 

Nothing exciting going on here!

Tuesday 18th October 2022

love the ordinary...

I sat watching tele last night after putting the phone down from himself and appreciated how content I am with my life.  Don't get me wrong it's not perfect, I've got two crazy bloody cats that have settled in amazingly well, Coco loves to sit on your lap and have a bit of a cuddle but then they both get lively in the middle of the night and zoom round the house, treating my bed as a launching pad!  

Then there's the boy, I had to wake up and tell him to go to sleep at half twelve as I could hear him laughing and chatting online with someone!  Let's not even talk about solicitors and finances, it is what it is and we can't control that.  Life is still wonderful, the good far outweighs the bad.

Aryn came home from school, and he'd cooked our tea there, veggie stew and dumplings, he was very pleased with himself, and I have to say, it tasted good, not a meal I'd opt for, but I enjoyed it, chickpeas, tomatoes, carrots, onions and who know what herbs and spices!

Yep, I enjoyed yesterday, I did the washing and the washing up, managed 32 lengths swimming, spent a few hours putting the meeting for the week together and then I'm not gonna lie, I sat on my ass and relaxed, perfect Monday afternoon!

Busy day ahead, just enjoying a cuppa before I start, I'm a little tired at the moment, but I won't be once I get in that cold water at the baths, that'll wake me up sharpish.  Had crumpets for breakfast yesterday with eggs and a little avocado, crumpets are only any good if they have lashings of butter on them which mine didn't, so I won't rush to have them again!   I fancy chucky eggs with soldiers, if I have time before work, I'll have them today, if not maybe for lunch.

Right, boring blog done, normality don't make for interesting reading I guess but I'm happy in my own little world watching Christmas movies way to early and going to bed even earlier.

Have a terrific Tuesday

Mwah, luv ya 

Love me 

I'm up for a Marvelous Monday - are you?

Monday 17th October 2022

Another chilled out, lovely weekend had, Saturday I had an afternoon snooze for an hour, he managed a couple of hours, yesterday we didn't even leave the house until he left to go back to work at teatime.  We binge watched Yellowstone the first series and absolutely loved it, can't wait for next weekend so we can start the next series, although next Sunday we have tickets for the Motorhome show so we'll have to leave the house.

Oh, I did leave the house, I forgot, I took my sister to the hospital to take some things to her husband who was taken in last week.  I picked us all up a McDonalds breakfast on the way home, then we didn't eat again till we had Salmon, potatoes and veggies (carrots, peas, broccoli) for dinner much healthier and I really enjoyed it too.  Looking forward to eating lots of veggies this week.  The freezer contents are going down nicely, and I have plenty of frozen veggies in there to work through, there's a bag of cabbage, I'm gonna think if there's a recipe, I could do using some of that.

Once he'd gone, he was replaced by two cats, who both decided to sit on me, they've definitely come round and found their place in the home.  This morning they're all over the coffee table, they're hoping for another treat, that's our morning thing, I give them a treat, then they try their luck and wait for another.  

They're now chasing each other round the house like loons, but for some reason when they do this in the middle of the night, they only seem to wake me up same with when they poo in the litter trays, I'm the only one that can smell it. 

I'm going to get stuff done today, well this morning anyway, go for a swim, plan the meeting topic, do some housework, the washing up is ceiling high and make something tasty for dinner (well find something out the freezer).  This afternoon, I will chill again because I can, you can't beat relaxing, maybe my book, The Voice or a film, I watched another Christmas movie last night, I'd found it on the IMDB top 100 Christmas movies - Happiest Season, they'd got it at 19, I wouldn't go that far, but it was enjoyable.

Well I better get ready for my swim, need to put some diesel in the car too - yay, better do it before I break down though, been delaying it all weekend lol.

Here's to a marvelous Monday and a great week, 

Mwah, luv ya

Love me x

Unexpected treat out - nice!

Saturday 15th October 2022

You can't beat a lie in (if you can get one!)

Well, this Friday night made up for last Friday night when we couldn't find anywhere for Aryn to play pool with his dad.  We went to the Wheatsheaf and they had half a dozen games then we had planned on eating there but there was a private function on until 7 and it wasn't even 5 yet, so we checked the Malt (still not eaten there) and it had no tables, so he suggested Miller and Carter in Cannock and I had a quick look on line and it was fully booked from 5.45 onwards but YAY there was space at 5.30pm and we just made it.  What a treat, I was driving so no wine for me but bless him, he did say if I wanted to indulge, we could leave the car and he'd drive me to pick it up in the morning, but I didn't mind, it meant I had room for dessert which I wouldn't have had with a belly full of wine.  

Chicken wings for starter, we shared the butchers block for main, oh my that fillet of steak was divine and then we had expresso tiramisu for afters, Aryn had banoffee pie for his dessert and he opted for the pork for main and the bao bun for starters, I love that he wants to try different things, he also had a side of ratatouille.  My tastebuds must have changed because the onion loaf was too oily for me, I've never been a batter fan though, but the lettuce wedges as always didn't disappoint, they do mean fries too, because let's be honest not everywhere can cook a chip these days!  Thankfully I hadn't eaten since breakfast so there was plenty of room in my belly, I did give away a couple of wings and fries though, none of it went to waste but my belly wasn't quite big enough for all that food.  

I tried to explain that there's a separate belly for pudding, but he was having none of it!  I found proof on google, there actually is...

If you google it, there's lots and lots of info on the science behind it.

The fact the meal was totally spontaneous made it even more special, those kinds of memories are great - the snoring, tossing and turning from himself all night, not so special lol, too much Guinness, meat and food in general, the fact I was stone cold sober didn't help that situation, normally I'll fall asleep regardless, but it took a little longer and it was more unsettled.  I can't moan, cos I snore like a bear, Aryn said Thursday night he could hear me from his room! 

I'd enjoyed the rest of my day too before they arrived home, I went for my swim, did 34 lengths, so in total I did 3.3km or just over 2m over the week.  Then I wrapped up the first of the Christmas gifts I've bought this year, yep, it's officially my countdown to Christmas, 10 weeks today, you can keep your scary Halloween, each to their own but I like not to be scared.  I need to find somewhere to put the stuff I wrap; this house isn't so big now there's lots of people in it.  I am really looking forward to Christmas this year though, the pain of losing mom isn't so strong and it was the first without her last year and the first with my boys, so it'll be even better because Aryn will get to be part of the run up, it was all new to him last year, he'd not long met me.  Yep, it's gonna be awesome. 

Coco has just decided to come sit across my laptop, he's not completely comfortable yet as his claws are just sticking out a little, he soon jumped off when I went to move my laptop as he was about to delete all my words and we can't have that!  

It's 5.30am now, I gave up an hour ago on trying to get some sleep, I wasn't born to survive in 6inches of the bed, I'm not built that way and he's turned into a gorilla sleeping in the starfish position in the night, honestly that's truly love that is!  He starts dreaming and the arms start to flail, then he decides his leg should be locking you down in case you try to escape, all this whilst he's snoring away in wonderland.

you get the gist!

Right, I need caffeine this morning and I'll be needing wine later, I'd even bought food for tea last night so at least we have food, although I don't fancy more beef.  There are pizzas in the freezer we can make, I'm gonna get them out I think, then they have to be eaten once defrosted, ooo yeah, that sounds like a plan.  

Looking forward to my morning with the huddle, hope to see lots of you.

Mwah, luv ya 

Love me x

I do like a Friday....

Friday 14th October 2022

One step at a time...

I am a happy lady again this morning, two weeks ago today the cats arrived and last night coco decided it was time for him to let the humans meet him properly, not only did he come in the living room, but he jumped on Aryn's lap and stayed for a fuss.  Absolutely wonderful!  

Later on I got to watch Minnie and Coco have a cat fight, I'm not sure if it was in play or real but I'd say she won, they both run out the room, then she came back and sat on the cat thing, he came back walking round looking for her and she jumped on his head lol, better than watching the tele ;)

In other areas of my world, huddles were great as always, my food was lame, I cooked the pork mince added soy sauce, hoisin and teriyaki but it still tasted bland once I put some noodles with it.  Later Aryn used different noodles with his and added more flavour and his were delicious, being upstaged by the boy what can I say!  I love that he's better than me at flavouring his dinner, I want him to be better than me at everything, it'll help him win at life, especially the world we live in these days.

I admit to crisp sarnie and yes, this time I folded the bread as everyone else seems to do that, but I'm not doing it again, what I noticed was I felt like I was being sneaking and having a sly sarnie, rather than making it like a meal, putting it on a plate and cutting it up.  Weird I know, but I don't wanna be normal!

I woke up in pain this morning, my leg doesn't normally hurt first thing so I'm hoping it won't hurt in the swimming pool, but if it doesn't, I'll go easy, I won't use it as a reason not to go swim. 

Oh, I nipped to home bargains, is it Home Bargains or B&Ms at Reedswood?  Anyway, whichever it is, I wanted Christmas wrapping paper and I have to say I was impressed with their Christmas stuff; I didn't buy anything yet, but I was very, very tempted!  Actually, I did buy a Christmas tin of cat treats lol, it was cute and only £4 - bargain!

I haven't planned any food today but I'm really fancying a hotpot of some kind, maybe with dumplings or thin sliced potatoes - hell or both, how good would that be.    I have beef pieces in freezer which I'd bought to make my stew but I don't feel like making that so I could use that, or I could be lazy and buy tinned stewing beef and just top it, or maybe a chicken one because chicken is cheaper.  Decisions, decisions.

I'll think about it whilst I swim, which is where I need to get to as I booked 7.15 as my session, here's to a very, good day.

Mwah, luv ya 

Love me x

It's never too early for a bit of Christmas

Thursday 13th October 2022

Just keep doing you!

I had a lovely day yesterday, did my half mile swimming and a lady who comes as and when she can because of work told me she could see the difference in me, which was a lovely comment to make and made me smile.  I then nipped in Sainsbury's to do a bit of shopping, I used up my nectar points to pay for it, I was saving it for Christmas but needs must.  

I then went to our Wednesday morning huddle in Wimborne Road and had a lovely couple of hours there.  I did some computer work when I got back then had a lovely few hours watching Dash & Lily, a Christmas series, I even had a mug of hot chocolate and marshmallows to get me in the Christmas mood.

I know, I know, it's not Christmas yet and it's not even Halloween but I'm not a fan of the scary stuff and there's pumpkins and scary stuff everywhere so I wanted to change the mood and a love story did just that, I really enjoyed it.

I then had this for my tea, it was immense, way too many calories on one meal and far too expensive but oh it was so delicious.  The tagine I'd bought last week and froze because it was half price, it's usually £7.50 and apparently serves two, I'd personally need two of these to serve 3 of us.  There was 420g and it was 740 calories, and I ate the lot - easily!  

  

I had it with lazy cheese and potato pie, I used packet mash, you honestly can't beat Idahoan mash, it's delicious.

It serves 3 apparently but I had 2/3rds of it for 286 calories plus the added cheese that was another 415 calories for 100g.  That meal cost me 1,441 calories, it was amazing and delicious but yeah the portion size I ate should've been a hell of a lot smaller, oh I haven't added the peas calories, that's another 55 calories.  I suppose if I'd been eating out, a meal would've cost me that much.  At least I didn't eat loads the rest of the day, I had 2 packets of crisps and a cheese and spinach wholemeal wrap.

I was in bed by 7 and I stayed there till 5 this morning, only getting up to bag some cat poo from the litter tray - they stink when they go, and it wakes me up lol (too much info?).  I did wake a few times Minnie checked on me once and slept there for a while but otherwise all sleep.  

Coco didn't run away immediately this morning, he was sitting on the back of the settee when I walked in, he let me give him a stroke and then stayed around long enough for me to give him some treats before disappearing, progress, it's all progress.

I am happy in my little world can you tell; I've just had my morning chat with himself, actually I've had two because his boss slept in, and he was stood waiting for him - oh dear!  Minnie's having a bit of fuss whilst trying to walk over my laptop, I'm gonna go and check the fridge out and decide what to have for breakfast, maybe scrambled egg and spinach wrap or sandwich, no swimming this morning so I can enjoy a calm start to my day.  

Cooking the pork mince today, there's so many meals on my to eat list, especially now the weathers getting cold, comfort food, I want a hotpot, dumplings. so many things on the list, but today I will remember you're only supposed to eat so much food in 24 hours!

Here's to a healthy, happy day, 

Mwah, luv ya 

Love me

Wednesday already!

Wednesday 12th October 2022

Sleep is amazing! Get more of it...

YAY, I slept till 5, woo hoo, Minnie came and slept on my bed for a short time at 2 but realised I don't sleep still so she soon disappeared, Coco is getting better, he was on the living room windowsill when I got home last night and when I got up this morning he was there again, he didn't run away immediately, I gave him a few treats, then he went but he's just walked back in the room and gone behind the chairs, then onto the windowsill, so at least he didn't run away.  I know at one time he was an outdoor cat, so I'm guessing he knows what's out there, but I'm not sure how long he's been an indoor cat.  He's gone again, but at least he's not hiding ay.  Yeah, I've turned into a crazy, boring cat lady, I make no apologies for it either.

We had a great huddle day yesterday and I even lost 1/2lb, go me.  I'm doing the best I can with how my life is at the minute, don't get me wrong I know I could do better but I'm not doing.  We're using the freezer food this week so nothing fancy.  I took a lamb tagine out last night, we'll give that a go today, it was reduced last week, can have it with rice and some frozen veg.  

I used the last of the wraps yesterday, I like them but they're a bit easy to eat, not low in calories either are them, then you have to add the contents.  I do fancy a quesadilla though at some point so will buy more when I go to shops.  Actually, that would be a nice Saturday morning brunch, instead of the usual bacon sarnie.

It's heading towards comfort food season, stews, curries, shepherd's pie, hotpots, mmm all that kind of thing, I've got liver in the freezer, might have that at some point, although there's pizza I want using in there because they take so much space up, it's one of those, make you own things.  I want to get it down again ready for Christmas - yep 74 sleeps folks, I'd like to be able to clear out both my freezers, give them a good clean, although we're hoping to be in Ireland!  We shall see...

I managed another 1/2mile in the pool, going again this morning, at least it's a little warmer this morning, 8 degrees at the minute.  I'm not cold enough to need my heating on though thankfully, I did have to use the tumble dryer though, it just didn't dry hanging out yesterday.

I fancy doing some cooking, a recipe of some kind but it's gonna have to wait because I just mentioned the freezer lol, although there is pork mince in there, I could do something with that, I have loads of noodles too that Aryn wanted when he was going through his 'ramen' phase, so yeah, I will take that out the freezer an get simply creative, not loads of ingredients.

Time to get ready for swimming and work, here's to a great day for all of us.

Mwah, luv ya

Love me xx

3 degrees outside this morning - brrr

Tuesday 11th October 2022

It's okay to do nothing sometimes.

Well, the cheeky cat was tapping my head at just before 2am, seriously she's now just sitting across the room and I'm sure she'd just say, well I just wanted some attention, I've had it so you can go now.  Thankfully I didn't get up at two, she left me another couple of hours and slept on the bed with me before she stirred again, I think we probably both started to stir about 4ish, I got up half hour later.

I had my swim yesterday, 34 lengths, the plan is to do 32 which is half mile, four times a week, I lose count though so hence the 34, thankfully the SwimTag watch counts for me I can do 2 less today if I'm not feeling the love so much.  The pool wasn't so busy yesterday, so I was faster not so much chatting, too me 35:10 minutes to swim 34 lengths and I was only in the 37:28 mins, I did one length of breaststroke, but it takes me twice as long as front crawl, I'm just not a fan of it.  It says I burned 433 calories - wow!  I've only got till 27th of this month before I have to decide whether I sign up for swim only or add the gym to my membership too.  My sciatica isn't good, but I wonder if I could do exercises to build the muscles up and work out some way, I used to like just walking on the treadmill, at least it's dry indoors and I can listen to my audio books. 

After my swim, I came home and give the kitchen a good sort and clean, all the cupboards, by the time Aryn got up it was done, he asked if he could have a smoothie, I laughed as I said, 'yeah let's make the messiest breakfast now I've finished cleaning the kitchen', cheeky little so and so smiled and said, 'have you seen the floor', well I had to laugh because I hadn't done the floor because he was supposed to have hoovered.  We both laughed and he promised to do it when he got home from school and fair play, he did.

We had egg and alphabites for tea, he had onion rings and beans with his, although he wasn't keen on the bbq beans so left most.  I'd had a chicken wrap for lunch with a cup a soup, I gave the cats a bit of the chicken too and I still have some left for today, I'm thinking another wrap, quick and easy.

I want eggs on toast for breakfast, I ned to check bread supplies as Aryn's favourite snack at the moment is a crisp sarnie!

The rest of my day was spent chilling, I watched Mr Harrigan's phone on Netflix, it was okay, a bit slow, I also read my book, I'm enjoying my books more again at the minute.  Minnie and I also spend some time playing, she likes the laser pen, Coco on the other hand if he happens to cross your path just looks at you and walks off. 

Another day ahead, similar to yesterday only I also get to go to work, which I enjoy because I get to catch up with wonderful people and have some grown up time ;  It's cold out, I've just checked the temperature on the phone, 3 degrees brrrrr.

Here's to a very, good day 

Mwah, luv ya

Love me x

Today is World Mental Health Day

Monday 10th October 2023

You can't pour from an empty cup.

4am seems to be my wake-up time these days, although I did manage 5ish yesterday, but at least I'm in sync with Minnie the loony cat, I'm dreading the clocks going back at the end of the month, cos I don't want a few weeks of 3am nutty cats and wake up.

Today is World Mental Health Day, apparently one in four of us will experience a mental health problem throughout our lives. Whether that’s you, your parent, sibling, best friend or co-worker, but according to Mind charity most of us don’t get the help we need, and this has to change.  Having said that, so many things need to be changed in this country at the moment, but I can't be doing with getting political and deep at 5am on a Monday morning.

Aryn's school are doing #HelloYellow to show young people there not alone with their mental health, they're being encouraged to wear yellow - I was shocked when he agreed to wear a yellow t-shirt, this is a kid who lives in black joggers and black t-shirts!  I like the idea of wearing bright colours, it's really to easy to opt for the blacks, browns and greys isn't it, especially when you're overweight and trying to pretend not to be!

Back to mental health, how can we protect our own, Mental Health UK are suggesting we take part in a  'Prioritise Mental Health' activity, mmm, what could that be?  I think swimming is helping mine, I'm taking time out for me, and I don't think about anything when I'm there, I just count the lengths I swim.  It's things like going for a walk at lunchtime or catching up for a coffee with a friend, these things matter, we can become closed off when things get difficult and that's when our mental health starts to suffer.  

I've just had an email Your mind plan (www.nhs.uk) might be worth a nosey, I've just followed the link and answered the questions, there's only 5, it's reminded me about hobby's, I need to get my crochet back out as I've stopped doing that, I just watched tele at night.  Although I have started my reading again so that's a start, I'll get my crochet out later, hopefully I'll remember how to because I haven't touched it for well over a year.

And of course our diet and mental health are linked, food really does affect our mood!  I think we'll look at this in our huddles this week, I've not done too badly this weekend, we had omelette yesterday, I added spinach and onions to mine, yes there was bacon on the plate too, but at least I had tomatoes. 

Dinner was a chicken wrap with salad, my downfall there was the chicken skin, I cooked it in the ninja, maybe next time I use the pressure cooker lid so the skin is crap, or the slow cooker because that does make a damn good chicken without me eating the skin.

We had lamb chops Saturday with mash and veggies, they were delicious, so this week I'm going to have some salmon, because I've not had oily fish for a while, and we're supposed to eat it twice a week!  I'm thinking beans on toast too, I'm not going shopping because I'm skint, so freezer food it is, hell that's what it's there for isn't it.

Right, I'm going to have me a cuppa, I tend to have two cups a day and both in the morning, occasionally I'll have a drink at work, but I've cut back loads because that can affect your sleep patterns can't it.  Thankfully I'm not tired, I'm going for my swim and then I'm going to attack the housework because apparently himself just leaves things where he puts them, and I asked Aryn to hoover for me yesterday and it appears I wasn't specific enough with what day I'd like that to happen on!  Coco the crazy cat had yesterday somehow managed to remove the litter tray hood and had thrown the cat litter around the spare room like confetti - bless his little cotton socks - NOT!  It did make me laugh though, thankfully the floors laminate so was easy to get up.

Today, take a little time for yourself - easier said than done I know, make sure this week you put aside an hour to come to your huddle, some you time.

Mwah, luv ya 

Love me