Burger King oops

Friday 15th July 2022

A smile is like looking in a mirror. If you give a smile you're likely to get one back!

Well I went over on my calories yesterday but focusing on the good, it's all tracked and Aryn and I made another memory and enjoyed our evening watching a couple of episodes of Stranger Things eating popcorn like we were at the cinema.  He's not a sun/heat fan so sitting in a dark cool room is more his thing.  We also had a Burger King on the way home, I've not had one for over a decade, I didn't think I liked them, he's not been to one in England nor had one for years but we both really enjoyed it.  They're more expensive than Mcdonald's but the kid ate the lot, the fries were delicious!  

I only went over by the amount of calories I saved yesterday so fingers crossed come tomorrow morning when I have my first official weigh in since my holiday, I haven't done too much damage.  

My other meals had been good choices too, I had crunchy nut cornflakes for breakfast, they don't fill me up though, so I doubt I'll have them again.  Lunch was a tuna and beetroot sandwich, then the burger blew the bank!

I did do half hour weeding in the garden though, so a few calories burned, my back didn't enjoy it though, but I will have another go today up the back garden, I have Mares Tail (Horseweed) growing everywhere, it's come under the fence from next door as their garden hadn't been done for years when they bought it and it's on their 'to do' list.  Nightmare weed, the roots can apparently be 7 foot long, I think it'll just be a keep it down rather than kill it weed now.

Cos you're interested in my weeds aren't you NOT!

It's gonna be a bloomin hot weekend apparently, not sure what we'll be doing if anything because of Aryn hating this weather, is there anywhere local that you can got paddling or swimming outdoors?  I'm happy to just chill out at home to be honest, we've got 6 weeks to fill coming up haven't we.  

Right I want another cuppa, I'm going to attempt to make home made version of McDonalds double sausage and egg mcmuffin this morning for Aryns breakfast, see if it works out cheaper, only any good if he'll eat it though.  The muffins were 20p each, eggs 13p each, sausage patty 37.5p and he'll have two so 75p, total cost = £1.08 compared to £2.89 at Maccys but he always has a meal so that's £4.49 which includes a hash brown and a diet coke or orange juice, I have both in the house 35p for a can of pop, 30p for orange juice, hash browns work out at a guess at 10p each say.  About £1.50 for the meal then, but you do have to cook it so the energy costs, when you think about it, you're still gonna be saving over 50% on it and he couldd live without the hash brown.  I might have to have one to see what it takes like in comparison, 525 calories compared to 551 from Maccys, if I have only 1 patty that would save 146 calories.  

Right I need a cuppa, take my mind off food this early in the morning, not sure what we're eating the rest of the day, we talked about Ramen noodles earlier in the week so I think I'll get the belly draft out the freezer and say we're having it, end of!

Have a great day, 

Mwah, luv ya

Love me x

We got this....

Thursday 14th July 2022

Focus on the good and the good gets better.

Quick blog this morning as I've just realised the time, even though I've been up since 5am!  I made it through another day, finished on 1300 calories, happy with that.  enjoyed my meals.  I had scrambled eggs and tomatoes on one slice of bread for breakfast,

 

and salmon, mini jackets with garlic butter, corn on cob and asparagus for dinner.  

We also had an ice cream from the ice cream van outside but we won't be doing that again £3 each - ouch, I asked for a plain cone in a waffle and when I got inside it had a flake in which no doubt added to the cost.  I just can't justify that cost at all, he can have a Mcflurry for a quid and he'd be as happy.

I was also a domestic goddess yesterday ;) doing the bedding, damn it's hot doing any kind of housework.  The kitchen floor has been hoovered up twice in two days because I broke a glass on Tuesday and Aryn broke one yesterday.

Need to go and decide what we're eating today so that I stay on track, it's too easy to not plan then end up with something too high in calories.

Here's to surviving a busy day and staying on track, we can do this.

Mwah, luv ya

Love me x

One day down...

Wednesday 13th July 2022

Start with yourself first.

I tracked 100% yesterday, time to get back on it properly, holidays over!  Official weigh day isn't until Saturday so can I make a difference before then and save me a bit of the gain from my break?

I enjoyed cheese on toast so much at the weekend, I wanted to be able to have it again now I'm tracking, 30g of good cheese is only 125 calories so it's doable.  For breakfast yesterday I used up some more of the stale posh loaf I'd bought in Wales, soaked it in eggs, added cheese and dry fried, it was delicious and a cheap meal as the bread would've ended up in the bin otherwise!

For lunch I had 1/2 can of tomato soup with the last of the stale bread, it was okay soaked in soup, I've had enough bread for a few days now though! 

Then tea was basa fish which I had out the freezer, bought it when it was on a 1/2 price offer, we had it with corn on the cob seasoned and topped with cheese, plus garlic and herb potatoes, delicious it was.

I enjoyed a sneaky bit of wine and also a packet of cheese puffs I found in the cupboard, I think that really is everything snacky gone now, if it's not there I can't eat it, I need that at the moment.

It was great to be back in the huddles, I've missed the Tuesday and Thursday lunch ones for the last few weeks because of taking Aryn to school, he starts at 12.30 and I have to leave ours at 12, he breaks up next Wednesday and I'll be asking about transport for next term.  I don't mind taking him on my day off but I can't be missing work, I was just glad to get his school sorted.

Another busy day today, I'm taking Aryn again, hour round trip twice if I come home and then I only have 1.5hrs at home.  Got to take car in to have tint off from windows, I've bought a second hand car and the front windows are tinted and they shouldn't be apparently, it's too dark!  Don't want to risk a fine and points on my licence so I'm driving round with the windows down lol.

First though I get to enjoy another huddle with Elle, oh and check me out, I've taken Salmon out of the freezer, planning ahead with meals ain't I!  I'm gonna have scrambled eggs to use the eggs before they go off so I will have a bit of bread again this morning or maybe I'll just have eggs, we'll see.

Right I'm hungry and thirsty, so I'm off... Have a great day 

Mwah, luv ya 

Love me x  

Early bird this morning.

Tuesday 12th July 2022

Rise & Shine!

Wide awake at half past three, I may regret that later but hey it's all good, I was asleep by ten so I've had five and a half hours.  I came down put the kettle on then knocked a glass off the side and it smashed all over the floor - doh....  I've got most of it up and will hoover when it's a realistic time, so I've got something on my feet for a change just in case.

Okay, it has to be said - how hot is it, 19 degrees at 5am, although my app is saying possibility of rain in the next hour, I can't see it myself.  Yesterday was stupid hot and my air con in the car isn't working, I need to get it re gassed, thought it had been done so either a) it wasn't or b) it was and it has a leak!  Need to find somewhere to take it, that can fit me in, especially as my work hours and taking Aryn to school takes up most of the day.

FOOD, well it's picky weather isn't it, it was too hot to want to cook yesterday, Aryn had planned to make us Ramen noodles but by the time it came down to it we were both too hot to care.  He did get hummus, bread and sundried tomatoes to make bruschetta like we had when we went out for a meal last week.  They bought it out as an amuse-bouche and he enjoyed it so much he wanted to make it himself, much larger slices that the sample we were given but it was delicious and then I went and ate a bag of Doritos which came back from holiday with us, they've gone now though and there's nothing else like that in cupboards.  

This is one of his, mine were smaller slices and had less tomatoes.  

I had a steak and mustard sandwich for lunch, stripped the beef off Aryn's leftovers  and microwaved it, delicious it was.  

Today we're having fish, potatoes and veggies, I should have enough time to make it in the time between getting him back from school and going back to work.  I'll get it all prepped and ready to go in the oven.

I did do a little shop yesterday, nipped into Sainsbury's on way home, prices still rising aren't they, my UHT milk that I buy was 50p last year, it went up to 59p last month, yesterday it was 65p, just another example of how crazy it's all getting.

I'm thinking eggs for breakfast, use them up as they're best before today, but do I have eggy bread or scrambled egg on toast, mmm decisions, decisions.

But first a shower, one good thing about waking up at silly o'clock is not having to rush to get ready for work.  Looking forward to seeing everyone today, it feels like ages since I've been to work.

Mwah, luv ya 

Love me 

 

Back to reality - thankfully I like it there too...

Monday 11th July 2022

I hope something makes you smile today.

Monday morning and I'm sitting in the garden enjoying a cuppa and I've just had crunchy nut cornflakes for breakfast, not had cereal in a very long time but I could see that being a regular.  Having said that, it may have only been 240 calories with my mug of tea and using whole milk on the cereal but there was 14g of sugar in the cornflakes so maybe not a daily thing, it's rarely I get red on my sugar when I'm on track. 

Today's the day I get on track, but I have lamb chops left in the fridge which we didn't eat, so I either freeze them for next weekend, or eat them and track them.  I might freeze them actually, we've eaten so much meat, I fancy some fish I think and maybe a salad but that'll mean a trip to the shops and I'm skint so gonna try and stay away as much as possible this week.  Worth it though cos we had the best holiday, we really did and we finished it off yesterday with a bbq in the garden because we celebrated his birthday early as he's away working on the day.

Sleeping in this weather isn't easy is it, although I'm trying not to complain, having said that, the fact the local pub decided to have their singer outside last night till half ten didn't go down well in this household or many more as I've noticed on Facebook.  I'm, all for folk enjoying themselves but damn it was loud, could be heard streets away, normally we'd just shut our windows but in this weather you couldn't.  We didn't want to watch tele anyway ay!  

He went to work at 4am and thankfully I managed to go back to sleep eventually and woke just before 8, nice.

Got a few hours spare once I've dropped Aryn at school so I'm thinking come back and sort the house, I got all the washing done over the weekend, so that's one job but I didn't was up after the bbq yesterday so the kitchens a sight

I know I say it most weeks but I am going to plan our meals because I want to make use of what we already have and get our healthy on.  We've all had a complete week off everything, so it's back to calorie counting for me and fibre counting for Aryn, yeah I do need to do a little shop just for veggies and salad but I'll be good and only buy what I need - promise :) 

Here's to making the most of this weather, enjoying being in the garden, I'm looking forward to seeing my sidekick Elle, catching up with Carol and all our members.  It's great that I enjoy my everyday life as much as holidays, I really feel blessed.

On that note, I'm going to attempt to wake Aryn for school - wish me luck :)

Mwah, luv you

Love me x

Well we had a fab week.

Saturday 9th July 2022

There's always another chapter - if you're lucky!

 We're home now but we had another cracking last day yesterday, my bro left us after breakfast and by the time we'd got Aryn up and about, trying to get everyone to agree to what to do, the online booking availability for archery and crazy bugz had gone and so he was too late.  We drove to Newport beach instead and had an ice cream, then I suggested we have a drive to the lake in the hills not telling them that was where we would've done the activities, but hoping we'd be able to work something out when we got there.

Yay, we did, Aryn enjoyed riding the crazy bugz and then we all enjoyed the archery.  I managed to burst the balloon in the middle of the target and I caught the second one too, but of course himself got the highest score of the day. Aryn is pretty good at consistently hitting the target whereas we're more hit and miss.  It was all good fun though and by the time we'd finished and got back to the car the temperature in the car was 30 degrees - wow!  

Driving back I was trying to find somewhere we could get seafood, not as easy as you'd think which surprised us, finally we did and the boys got their lobster, I got my scallops (although not many!), it was all very delicious but very expensive, a great way to end our holiday though.

Up at silly o'clock this morning as we had to be out of the cottage by 9 and he didn't want to get stuck in traffic, plus it would be really warm later anyway.  

He dropped me off to have a walk up the coastal path to say goodbye to mom, I had to smile as I could still see some of her ashes on the path, there's been no rain has there.  It looks like cat litter you know, if you've never seen any!  

Now to work my way through the washing and get back to reality, I do feel an afternoon in the garden coming on though.  

Here's to a chilled weekend.

Mwah, luv ya 

Love me x

Another great day.

Friday 8th July 2022

Nothing better than a sunny sky.

Another lovely day in Wales, sunshine and scenery, a glorious walk on St David’s Head, up Carn Llidl and back to Whitesands Bay. i even saw a heron which I adore and of course awesome views, I do love this coast line so much as you can tell by my face.

We've all caught the sun so badly even with using sun cream, it was 20 plus yesterday despite what the weather forecast said! Aryn and I had bought some water guns ages ago and I'd bought them with us so we ended up having a water fight in the garden yesterday afternoon, so cold initially but so enjoyed as it cooled us all down and gave us a giggle. 

I cooked us a pork dinner which was delicious if I do say so myself, I don't mind cooking because then I get a meal that tastes how I like it :).  Fell asleep in front of the tele and I've had a cracking nights sleep, didn't wake up till half six which is great for me.

Not sure of our plans for our last full day but its looking like another hot one, I've really enjoyed having a 'proper' holiday for the first time in a very, long time and it hasn't disappointed at all, we've been lucky with the weather, no rain in Wales - WOW!

Going to enjoy my last few days of indulging then I'll be back on track and focusing on getting some weight off again.

Here's to a great day, 

Mwah, luv ya 

Love me x

We threw her off a cliff!

Thursday 7th July 2022

Life isn't forever! Don't waste time...

Well yesterday was a mixture of emotions, it started with us driving to St Justinian's to enjoy a 2.5hr boat trip out to Grassholm Island to see the Gannet colony on a large grey RIB (rigid inflatable boat) which is about 10 miles off shore.  What an amazing experience, I do love a boat trip, especially one that makes you bounce off the water, we got a lot wet, saw an amazing amount of birds, puffins are so cute, there were a few seals too and we even saw a porpoise briefly.  It was just a great way to spend a few hours and take our mind off what we had planned later.  

A most delicious slice of lemon drizzle cake and a cup of coffee was consumed when we got off the boat, we'd not gone down the breakfast route knowing we were getting on a choppy see at half nine in the morning.  After picking up a few snacks for later, we drove to Porthgain and had lunch in the Snoop inn, it was delicious, a nice juicy steak and I indulged in an Irish coffee which I've fancied for weeks and a Tia Maria which I've also fancied, I wouldn't be drinking them at home because of the calories and I'd have more than one normally.  We had a little mooch around the harbour before driving back towards Trefin where Ian and I took mom and Alfie's ashes down to the coastal path and scattered their ashes, well more like attempted to throw them off the cliff and off course because of the wind they blew back!  That's the first steep hill moms got up easily on the path in a good few years.  She has an incredible view of the cove at Trefin, above Aber Draw / Aberfelin beach, she can see the gorgeous cove where she has spent time in years gone by rock pooling and exploring the caves.  She can also see the stone circle (named Swyn-y-don - Charm of the Wave) - it is just a most glorious spot.  I did think at one point I was going to lose Ian as he was so close to the edge of the cliff, I mean how would I have explained that, how did your brother die, well he was throwing my mom off a cliff in Wales!   The photos of the day and videos are on my facebook page, (20) Beverley Longsden | Facebook all my posts are public so go take a look. 

We walked along the coastal path back into the village and met himself at the pub where I had a cheeky half before walking back to have a shower, I'd been okay until I started walking back to the house on my own, that's when the tears started and I sobbed as I showered.  All my tears got washed away and I sat in the garden listening to her songs and enjoying an hour alone.

We toasted her with a glass of champagne and I was in bed not long after 7, absolutely shattered emotionally and physically but having had another wonderful day and finally lay mom to rest

The forecast is good today so I'm thinking we may go to Whitesands beach and have a dip in the sea.  

Mwah, luv you 

Love me xx

Another day in my paradise

Wednesday 6th July 2022

Make as many good memories as possible.

Today is my brothers birthday, he's 58!  It would've also been moms, he was the best pressie she ever received apparently but she was always partial to twenty pound notes in bulk too if we're all being honest.  Anyway the plan of action for the day is that Ian and I will go to one of moms favourite beaches and scatter her and Alfie together so she can mooch in the rocks forever more.   

Yesterday was another corker of a day, we drove to a little place called Abereiddy to have a look around, do a bit of reminiscing, back in the day, we'd watch my mates coasteer round the coastline and I'd watch the braver than me mates dive into the blue lagoon - I'm a wuss and have always been a proud one, I don't do such scary things.   Whilst Ian and himself went for a nosey up on the cliffs, I messed around on the beach with Aryn, he had an ice cream and you've never seen a 13 year old make such a mess of eating one, it went everywhere, the wind was blowing it all over his clothes ;)

Next we drove into St Davids and had a walk around, checked out the cathedral, then the shops before buying some stuff for a bbq later, oooo the best lamb chops ever, so good.  Mmm we got some proper Welsh butter too, absolutely delicious, you can actually tell they still put salt in theirs!

When we got back, Aryn didn't want to do anything else so the three of us went for a walk along the coastal path, we were out a couple of hours, stunning views and glorious weather, we took a detour and went to see Carreg Sampson which is a huge burial chamber.

Forgot sun cream DOH and got caught out, it was a lot warmer than we realised, again it said 18 degrees when we got back but I'd argue it was hotter.

I've been awake since 4am, we're off on a boat trip this morning so I'll be waking them all up at 7!  

Until then I'll enjoy the quiet and have a cuppa.

Mwah, luv u

love me xx

A dip in the sea

Tuesday 5th July 2022

Keep your mind a happy place.

We had a wonderful day yesterday, nice slow start to the day, I did us a cooked breakfast which filled us up until teatime.  We drove for an hour to Freshwater West to see Dobby's grave (he's from Harry Potter if you aren't an avid fan!)   Aryn wanted to go in the sea, so me and him went for a paddle and ended up in there up to our necks, it's true you get used to the temperature after a bit, thankfully I had a dry sweatshirt and bottoms in the car.

We drove back along the coastal road, stopping in Newgale for a drink and Aryn had a jacket spud because he hadn't wanted breakfast - lazy teenage boy who never wants to get out of bed lol.  

The local pubs in a couple hundred yards away from the house we're staying in and so when we got back we walked down and sat in the beer garden as the sun was shining.  I had planned to make chicken and chips but we all voted to have fish and chips at the pub and wow I'm glad we did as they were delicious.  I cooked the chicken when we got back and we'll make sandwiches today with it.

Yesterday was a perfect holiday day for me, I loved every minute of it, here's hoping the rest of the week is as good, it's dry but not too hot.  Tomorrow we have a boat trip planned, I hope it doesn't get cancelled which is always a chance with the weather, I'll keep my fingers crossed.

Not sure what we're doing today, I'll go make a cuppa and think about it.  I'd like to go for a good walk round St David Head at Whitesands Bay, can I talk them all into a 3 mile walk?  We shall see!

Mwah, luv ya 

Love me x

Bloomin eyes keep leakin

Monday 4th July 2022

Enjoy your day.

Sitting in the garden of the holiday home drinking coffee and listening to the cows mooing - noisy they are, they were being taken to be milked we think.  Well so far so lucky, sunshine all the way, there's nowhere on earth I'd rather be than Pembrokeshire when the suns shining, walking along the coastal path as we did yesterday for an hour or so.  

We nipped into Fishguard to pick up supplies and I cooked us a lovely Sunday dinner, well no one complained so I'm assuming it was lovely!

It said it was 17 degrees yesterday but we'd disagree as it felt a lot hotter and we ended up sitting indoors and watching a film on the afternoon.

My eyes keep watering, I'm thinking of mom more than I have done in a while and so many memories and emotions are popping up.  I need a good cwtch as the would say in this part of Wales. 

Look at my boys though, they quickly put a smile back on my face, Aryn wouldn't have done the arms round each other when he first came to us and yesterday he didn't even question me when I told them too :) 

I'm just making us a cooked breakfast then I think we're off to Whitesands beach to have a dip in the sea, Aryn wants too - crazy boy.

Here's to enjoying the day and hoping the sunshine stays.

Mwah, luv ya 

Love me

I'm on my holiday :)

Sunday 3rd July 2022

The sea puts me at ease.

We're in Trefin in Pembrokeshire, it's a glorious part of the country, actually it's possibly my favourite place on earth, the coastline from Cardigan to Newgale, rugged and windswept, I love it and can't wait to go for a walk along the coastal path later.  

The drive here was truly emotional, I didn't realise it was going to be, but all of a sudden a tear appeared on my cheek which I wiped away quickly.  My eyes hadn't finished they were having none of that, they just started to leak and didn't stop for a long time, himself looked at me and asked, 'what's up?', I just replied, 'mom moment', he nodded, squeezed my hand and let me get on with it.  That route I've driven so many times with mom over the years, singing, laughing, heading towards another wonderful holiday, so many Christmas's spent in this area.  They'll be more tears this week I'm sure but they'll also be laughter and new memories made.  

The cottage is amazing, if not a little white, I'm scared I'm going to spill my wine, I mean look at this;

It doesn't look like that this morning, we've arrived and the cushions are everywhere :) 

We checked out the local pub and my brother and himself are both happy because they do a decent Guinness, I left them there around half 9 to come and cook meatballs and spaghetti, which didn't get served up till 11ish when they rolled in, they'd been playing pool and singing crap songs on the jukebox.  I'd enjoyed an hours peace in front of the tele.

Comfy bed so had a cracking nights sleep, although I was woken by noise at 3.45, still not sure what it was, I thought it was fireworks at first, but then as I walked round the bungalow it seemed to be coming from the attic, maybe pipes I don't know but I'm hoping it's not a nightly thing!  No one else heard it, but I'm a light sleeper so just lucky I guess - not!

OH back to yesterday before we left at lunchtime, we had a cracking huddle, finishing off a brilliant week, over 15 stone lost, just amazing and it's always so good to listen to them all chattering and enjoying their hour together.

Well it's time for another cuppa, I love the fact I have nothing I have to do today, just whatever I fancy.  Enjoy your Sunday.

Mwah, luv you

Love me 

I'm a little excited.

Saturday 2nd July 2022

love more, worry less.

5am and wide awake again!  Looking forward to the day ahead, huddle this morning with Elle and the gang, then we're off to Pembrokeshire - woo hoo, I'm going to the seaside.

I'm mostly packed, himself can sort it all out whilst I'm at work, then I'll come back and make sure we've remembered everything then it's a four hour drive not including stops!  Mom and I would always stop in Aberystwyth at the McDonalds for our treat on the way but we'd always leave really early in the morning, we wouldn't have dreamed have not leaving till lunchtime.  My how times change, I still get up silly early but I don't rush anymore.

I nipped to the shop once I'd dropped Aryn off yesterday and bought spaghetti and garlic bread so we can have meatballs for tea tonight and also the makings of a cooked breakfast for in the morning, both of which I'm really looking forward too.

I'm really looking forward to walking the coastal path again, seeing the sea, we've got a boat trip booked too, ooo exciting. Then we'll scatter mom and Alfie together into the sea, I'll try to find some shells on the beach, or a few pebbles.

The forecast is good too, not too hot so Aryn will be happy, but no talk of rain to keep us happy too.  

Well I better go get ready for the day, get the stuff out the fridge and freezer, the freezer box is minging because someone (NOT ME) put it in the alley after our last thing in the garden and there's nastiness in it because it was left open in the garden when it was raining and not cleaned out - you gotta love people. 

Still smiling here lol, have a great weekend, 

Mwah, luv ya 

Love me x

Half way through the year!

Friday 1st July 2022

Focus on the good!

WOW, half way through the year, that really i crazy.  This time last year I was carrying decking boards round the back garden for Terry to lay them, we were getting prepared to celebrate moms life on her birthday (6th), it was both an emotional and stressful time.  This year I have a busy day ahead doing 'mom' things, like getting all the washing clean and dried, taking the boy to school, doing the shopping.  WOW, who knew my life would change so much!  Moms sat with Alfie in a bag in the living room, she's actually in the doorway - why?  Because I don't want to forget to take her with us when we go to Wales, we're going to spread her ashes and I know my memory is shocking so I want to make sure I don't forget her when we go tomorrow lunchtime.  

Everything is coming together, I may not be any lighter than I was at the start of the year but I'm no heavier either.  There's been a lot going on and a lot of changes in our lives but it's coming together.  Aryn is finally in school, it's a bit far away but I've decided that when I drop him off, I can use the time to go for a walk so I'll start getting some exercise again.  Not today though as I need to go shopping for food in-between, plus the weather too wet!

No idea what we're eating later when himself gets back, it's a great excuse to have chippy or takeaway isn't it, but I'm going to try and not do that.  We could have pizza from the freezer, I have the ones you make yourself, or I fancy eggs, so maybe with wedges and beans, something simple and using more of what we have.  We shall see.

We had a cracking day in the huddles yesterday, new members joining, existing member being chuffed with their progress, it's lovely to see success and hear laughter and chatter.  We're not just a 'weight loss group', they come to see each other, catch up and they all tell us it's a social thing that's helping their wellbeing.  We love this!

Right I need to go empty the washing machine AGAIN!  Oh the life of a domestic goddess, how blessed am I.

Have a great day, 

Mwah, luv ya 

Love me xx

Freezer Surprise!

Thursday 30th June 2022

Focus on the healthy.

Well the hospital had us in and out before his appointment was due which meant I got to the huddle in good time and he got to go back to bed :) The scan on his belly showed everything was all clear regarding livers, kidneys, spleen etc so now the doctor should refer him to a gastro paediatrician and hopefully we can make some progress.

We had freezer surprise for dinner, he ended up with chicken curry, mine was chicken in gravy, we had it with the broccoli I had in the fridge and a cauliflower cheese from freezer, sorry Aunt Bessie, not impressed with your cauli cheese, the shop home brand one is better.

Now it was freezer surprise because I always forget to mark up leftovers, I know at the time I think, 'oh I'll be able to tell what they are' and to be fair I did guess yesterday so, I'm not far off.

Here's some freezer hacks to help save money at this tough time, firstly a full and well-organised freezer saves energy (and money) as less cold air can escape.  I know when you're skint it's not so easy to keep it full, I've put my cooler blocks in mine, or put a couple of loaves of bread in there.  Next, now this one makes me smile as I didn't know there was such a think but you can freeze leftover wine and then use it in your cooking, it is a good idea.  You can freeze eggs!  Whisk them up into silicone ice cube trays for popping out when it's time to cook.  You can do the same with milk, freeze in ice cubes to pop into your tea or coffee to cool your drink quicker.  Hard cheese like cheddar and parmesan can be grated and stored in freezer bags for up to two months.   

Not one I'm likely to use but a frozen block of butter is easy to grate when you're making pastry, one I am more likely to use is freeze fresh herbs in olive oil or water, ready for adding flavour to soups and stews.  Also as a space saver and for quicker defrosting you can free soups, stews and curries flat in reusable freezer bags.  Why not pop a lolly stick in a pot of yogurt and freeze to make a refreshing yogurt pop.  

A great way to keep the freezer organised is knowing what's in there to start with, keep an inventory and mark things off as you use them - list out all the freezer meals, vegetables, meats, and more that you store in your freezer.

Unlike me, label everything and pack them in smaller portions, this will help you're wallet and your waistline!  I now freeze leftover meat in the gravy so I have a spare portion for another day, I had this idea from Tina and yesterday I loved her for it as I enjoyed my dinner, this is great to do when meats on offer, plus you're only using the oven once.

Right that's me, I need to get ready for work, I managed to sleep 5.45am when himself called me to say good morning, it's rarely I'm still asleep when he does that, thankfully my alarm was set for 6 so I'd been awake and snoozing, can you believe it's Thursday already - he'll be back tomorrow night.

Here's to a great day ahead, I've took honey and mustard chicken out the freezer this morning, another leftover to use, I remembered to write on that one :) we'll have it with rice I think, or maybe I'll get him to try some quinoa.  

Mwah, luv ya 

Love me xx

Very early riser today!

Wednesday 29th June 2022

Remember to smile!

3.35am I woke this morning, lay there listening to the rain for an hour, then admitted defeat and got up!  Thankfully I'm only busy this morning, I can relax later.  But first I'v got to get Aryn out of bed at 7 - wish me luck, he has a hospital appointment at 8.30am, hopefully parking will be easy at that time of the morning, but we shall see, it rarely is.

I've just eaten a sandwich for breakfast because I'm eating leftovers still!  It had cheese and onion sandwich filler in it and cucumber, yeah I know a weird morning choice but it's half six so I've been awake 3 hours so not as weird.  I bought the cheaper sandwich filler and you can tell, it's very runny, more liquid than cheese and onion!

Yesterday we finished the bacon and had a sarnie for brunch around 11, then for dinner we had chicken pie, baked beans and these which were nice and a change from chips, I had them on offer last time I did an Iceland shop.

I loved our huddles yesterday, we're doing our best to keep our prices down to £4 a week and we're trying to help our members by doing the block booking offers which gives them a further reduction (£21 for 6wks, £38 for 12wks) it also gives us the stability of knowing they'll come.

Our members have lost 5,000lb in the 6 months up to 25th June, so in the next 6 months up to Christmas, just imagine the success they could achieve!  This is what makes it all worth while.  

This came up in my Facebook memories this morning; 

A much needed reminder that I refuse to worry about the future because we just don't know what it holds.  Yes the cost of living is ridiculous right now and no one knows how ridiculous it will get but worrying about it won't change it.  My mom was a massive worrier and I truly believe it had a little to do with causing her dementia.  I can handle being skint, I don't want to have to handle having dementia!

Today I will look after my own, I'll make time to relax and I will cook us something delicious using the food we are fortunate to have in the freezer, mmm what to have.  Maybe cauliflower cheese and I'll cook the broccoli and mix it all together, I need to get some extra fibre in Aryn, whether he likes it or not :) 

On that note, I better get myself dressed and then wake the boy up, he'll be thrilled - NOT.

Have a great day, remember to smile.

Mwah, luv ya 

Love me x

How much!

Tuesday 28th June 2022

It's okay to make mistakes.

Early night for me last night and an early morning today, feeling refreshed, managed to sleep better as it wasn't so hot in the night but I did wake at midnight having had a nightmare, thankfully that didn't stop me going back to sleep without it returning.

We ate leftovers yesterday, the chicken wings were consumed then I made a dinner from leftover gravy and broccoli, I found a bit of sweetcorn in the freezer and a box of 2 faggots, a couple of Yorkshires and a packet of mash - sorted.  Aryn had his first taste of faggots and his last, he wasn't impressed and I have to say I didn't enjoy them as much as I usually do, maybe because I microwaved them as usually I cook in the oven. 

The cost of living is becoming ridiculous, I just happened to check old emails from my supermarket shopping and my bisto gravy has gone up 75p in a year and 55p of that since January, it was £3 now it's £3.75, that's just ridiculous, 68p per kg, I'm going to try the home branded one which is 35p per kg then the really cheap on which is 28p per kg, I'll do a taste test as we like gravy in our house!  Well Aryn and I do, himself only has a little bit, weirdo :) 

The cost of living is getting out of control though and our wages aren't rising, I earn a lot less these days, my wages declined steadily for the last few years I worked for WW before I was made redundant, if I'd stayed I would have took an even bigger paycut, I couldn't do it - plus I'd have had to reapply for the role.  Now Elle and I are self employed we earn much less because we opted to make it as cheap for our members as possible because we knew they weren't exactly well off either after covid and the effects of that on so many.  

On a positive I guess if we ain't got no money, we can't afford to buy too much food and weight loss will be a side effect lol.   It is ridiculous though isn't it, petrol, energy costs and food, everything is rising, we shall be living out the freezer this week for sure.  Pie and chips today as I found them in the depths of the freezer yesterday, they need using up.

Here's to as healthy a day as I can, there's another piece of broccoli in the freezer we can add and two corn on the cob, maybe keep the broccoli till tomorrow as we've had it two days running. 

I'm off for my shower, 

Mwah, luv ya 

Love me 

Nom Nom Nom kind of weekend

Monday 27th June 2022
Let's have a great week.

There are leftovers in the fridge I need the child to eat to save me from myself!  Would chicken wings cooked Friday night still be okay for lunch today?  If so I'll have them as I was going to freeze them yesterday but himself said, 'oh I'll eat them later' and he didn't, well he ate a few but there's more lol!

This is why we have leftovers, our afternoon tea on Saturday which we got to eat in the garden as it stopped raining just long enough!  Oh I did enjoy those sandwiches, plus a raspberry turnover and a chocolate eclair, nom nom oh and a glass of prosecco. 

Sunday was a little healthier with a pork dinner, I resisted the crackling and really enjoyed the veggies.  I need to get some carrots, I've not eaten them in a while because Aryn doesn't like them.

Himself pottered a lot with the motorhome all weekend, I pretended to care for all of ten minutes then yesterday decided to sit in the garden and drink the rest of the prosecco.  I've actually been good this weekend where wine was concerned, only had a bit - go me!  

Well if you've been reading these for the last few weeks, you won't be surprised to hear I gained 2lb on Saturday, I didn't get back on track after my crazy weekend so it continued all week and this weekend wasn't much better.  Therefore today, I will reopen my Nutracheck app and get back to practicing what I preach because I'm off to Pembrokeshire next weekend to scatter mom and Alfie's ashes in one of our favourite places, we couldn't afford to buy the house on the beach we stayed in but she can live there forever more in the waves.

Oh complete switch, we watched a lovely film on Saturday night, I'd seen it before but it was just as funny the second time, 'Going in style' Michael Caine, Morgan Freeman and Alan Arkin, good family film, although I couldn't get Aryn to watch it with us, we're boring and so is tv!

Not sure what I'm doing today, himself had to get up at 4am for work, I got up with him to move cars but manage to go back to sleep till half six, those weekends go really quickly but the next one will be here soon and he'll be back.

I suppose I better start by cleaning the kitchen, although I have a couple of episodes of The Split to watch and I've just noticed there's a new series of The Umbrella Academy on Netflix.  There's rain forecast all morning so meh, tv I'm thinking.  I put our meeting notes together Saturday whilst he was playing with his motorhome so I'm already for work. 

Let's have a good day shall we, eat a little healthier, drink a bit of water and enjoy whatever the day brings.

Mwah, 

Luv ya 

Love me xx

 

Tears are good too!

Saturday 25^th June 2022

Shall we have a good day?

I sat in my garden last night and started crying!   I'm still not quite sure if it was hormones (love the menopause), grief (I still miss mom & it's coming up to her birthday soon) or relief (it's been quite a week and I don't think I realised how much I'v been worrying about it or running things over in my head, you know the 'what if's' kind of thing).  Anyway I shed a few tears, nothing major and felt better afterwards, it's good to feel your emotions, I find it therapeutic.  

As the image above says, there are so many beautiful reasons to smile and I can list plenty these days, I've just checked my memories from yesteryear on Facebook and on this day last year, my bro and I were having a drink and burning fence panels in the garden in preparation for him to transform my back garden and boy did he do a great job.  The year before I was sat with mom watching a particularly emotional episode of Station 19 which was about dementia and I'd had to leave the room.  7 years ago she was singing the wrong words to a song in my car and we're having a giggle.  11 years ago, I'm out for lunch with my bestie and her kids and Wills eating the biggest dessert you've ever seen and 14 years ago I was walking Hadrian's Wall for charity.    This all proves things change, wherever you are right now, it will change.  

I'm in a great place, we have things we're dealing with as nobody's life is 'perfect' and if it is, go you, but I'm in a really, really good place.  

This isn't helping my weight loss journey though because I'm no unhappy in my body, don't get me wrong I want to lose weight because I know I'll look better and probably feel better but the payoff for the immediate satisfaction is outweighing the payoff for the long term success.  I need to thing about this a bit more in detail and I will.

I wasn't dreadful yesterday, I ate leftover pizza for breakfast and lunch, then we had chicken wings for tea and I only ate 3 as I wasn't really hungry, oh I had microwaved a handful of leftover wedges and eaten them too, I only had one big glass of wine too, so that's really good for a Friday night.

I've not had the best nights sleep, woke at 2 then struggled to sleep for the rest of the night, got up at half five in the end.  Apparently I was dreaming and making a noise, I do remember the stupid nightmare, which proves I have had lots of stuff going on in my subconscious that I didn't realise was there until I sat crying last night.

Aryn did his second afternoon at school which is awesome, so hopefully we're on a roll now and when it comes to September and the new school year, he'll be okay with it.

We're having afternoon tea today because the one we'd planned got cancelled over the Jubilee weekend and Aryn has never had one, so I'll be nipping to the shop on my way home to buy supplies.  I'll try not to go crazy with what I buy or eat ;) 

On that note, I'll be getting me another cuppa, probably not a great idea when I've got to be weighed this morning, but hey ho, if I manage a stay same it'll be a miracle after the weekend we had last week, then the niceness we've had this week.  It's been a mammoth week in this house and I'm not going to worry about a few pounds, I shall work at doing better every day, stick to my idea of 1/2lb a week and enjoy life because I wasn't able to for many years.

Mwah, luv ya

Love me x

Yesterday was a brilliant day

Friday 24th June 2022

There's more to life than food!

I'm a happy person this morning, we had a very, good day yesterday, Aryn went to his new school for the first time and did the afternoon, we're going back today.  This is just brilliant, it's taken us 6 months to sort but we got there and that's the first hurdle down. 

We did of course celebrate with food, a burger and Mcflurry on the way home and pizza later and I don't care what the scales say on Saturday this was a truly important week, plus we had a wonderful time making memories last weekend and life is damn good.

A busy day ahead, I want to go get a couple of 4.5 tog duvets, plus my wines on double offer again :) so I need to nip and see if they have any left.  Taking Aryn to school it's a 40 minute round trip in good traffic and as he's only there 2.5 hours, I need to decide whether its worth driving back or not, I sat in the car yesterday as initially he was only going for one lesson as an intro but he stayed which was brilliant. 

I am sat here with a big smile on my face, it's a lovely feeling and a huge relief, plus I don't mind sitting in my car for a couple of hours if it means the lad gets some normality back in his life and gets into school.  After years of sitting next to mom doing nothing, I'm good at sitting, I listened to my audio book yesterday and read an article a member had given me, it's a good time to be still as at home you don't do that. At least today it's forecast a little cooler, it was 25 in the car yesterday, thankfully there was a slight breeze through the window, but then I drank a bottle of water and spent the rest of the time desperate for a wee.

We're having wings today, the ones I was going to make yesterday smelt when I opened the packet so I threw them away, just not risking chicken!  I'm going to do a huge batch and freeze the leftovers so they can just be defrosted and microwaved - nice.

Right I need to shower, dress and get my backside moving, today is going to be another great day, himself comes back too, so that's something else for me to look forward too :)

Mwah, luv ya 

Love me xx