29th April 2010

G'day!

I was up really early this morning for work - thinking to myself, I have today and tomorrow on earlies and then 5 days off!! I get 5 days off at the end of every month on the shifts that i am on at the moment. I pondered about how I always strive to get to the end of the month to have 5 days off, and this made me think that really I am just wishing away most of the days and I should try and enjoy everyday! I read once that this is why time seems to go by much quicker for adults as it does for children - because children just take one day at a time. So I made a decision today to try and enjoy each day, and guess what? Work sucked!! no - I'm just kidding!! lol - I had a fun day.

I decided not to go to the gym as I am aching in too many places from yesterday so I am giving myself a day off! Tomorrow straight from work I will go to the gym and then get ready and go to the pub with my OH. He has been looking for a job after leaving his last one after erm...he decided the negatives outweighed the benefits. He left a few weeks ago and he was offered a really good job this morning but hasn't said yes straight away as it might be that he has other offers! Nice to be able to be choosy!! So the future is looking a bit brighter...as I have a promotion from early June also, although I am thinking that I am not going to enjoy it as much as I am enjoying my current job - but that's a risk I think I should take.

My diet has gone quite well today - I am trying to resist weighing in until Monday as it depresses me too much to jump on the scales and see that its gone up slightly..but I am doing well and I am determined to make a difference this time!

My eldest is having problems with the Highways agency wanting loads of money. He left his broken down car on the motorway (cos he said his insurance company told he could!) and it was obviously towed away. He was told it would cost £175.00 if he wanted it back - I called and said - what if he cant pay? and they said they would scrap it. So we said - okay scrap it! He now has a letter saying they want £175.00 PLUS £320.00 storage costs PLUS £75:00 disposal costs! - so he could have paid the £175.00 got his car back and paid nothing more, but instead contrary to what I was told he has to pay £545.00 and he doesn't have the car! So I have been trying to sort that out with calls made to about 5 different departments. An 18 year old just wouldn't be able to be this assertive and determined - although my efforts might amount to nothing!! we'll see!!

Anyway I think that's enough waffle from me! See you soon!!

28th April 2010

HHhmmm Bourbon and Coke! Not something I would have liked not so long ago. I like a few things I never used to like, I used to really hate Brandy and olives and now I love them (not together) it is strange how your taste changes over time, although I cant think of anything I used to like and now don't...hmmm maybe it only works the other way around??

I had a PT session today - it was quite tough which is a good thing, I really feel like I am getting fitter and stronger. Actually I am eating healthily, going to the gym quite a lot and I gave up smoking 7 weeks ago and I am feeling really good. However, this must be a good day because I don't always feel so positive (maybe its the bourbon and coke lol). So, my PT session was tough...although I still had time/energy to worry about the red rash that came up on my legs and looked really silly. Just before I left to go to the gym I realised that I had hairy legs and didn't have time to do anything about it - other than a little dry shaving...then I got a really stingy red rash on my legs. At one point in the PT session at a time when I though it might be noticeable I decided to lie and said to my PT trainer, "look at that! I cut the grass this morning and I'm allergic to it!" hehehehe

Me and the OH went to our scuba diving lesson in the pool tonight. Every week I think I cant be bothered...and we have to get loads of stuff in the car (my tiny smart car) and its about 15 miles away and lugging cylinders and BCD's (the jackets) and regulators (all the 'pipes'), and the fins and masks and gym bag is a pain in the butt. But then we go and afterwards I always think That was cool!!! Tonight we had to do stuff like take your mask off in the deep end (3 meters) and put it back on and clear it, and use your 'buddies' air supply and other stuff. Fun fun fun...cant wait to dive in Egypt when we go in June/July.

It's not fair I need to go to bed because I have to get up early tomorrow and I don't want to!!!!

Oh btw the picture I added today is my collage! lol I did one of all the kids and my OH this morning - well the computer program I had did it really!

g'night!

26th April 2010

Evening!

Well - I worked a couple of earlies and now have 3 days off! well...2 now I suppose.

We went for a meal last night - an Indian not too far from home. We hadn't been there before and it was...well, average! The waiter was a bit rude as he leant right across girl-twin while she was still eating to remove plates off the table, and later nearly stuck a fork up her nose! lol

The food was average too...me and the twins opted for a buffet type thing and it wasn't too hot and was running out of stuff. Anyway, it was nice to have some red wine as i have been avoiding alcohol as part of my diet. I am not so used to it so I felt quite squiffy! I found it very funny on the way home - we commented on how it was a 3-quarter moon and how there would be

Were-woo's about! It still makes me laugh - hope you get it! (woo's instead of wolves as it was only 3/4 of a moon?)

Anyway, I started today off going to the dentist with girl-twin (who has nothing wrong with her teeth btw) and when we got out we had a quick shopping trip before she went back to school and we managed to get her prom dress (phew). I got a couple of holiday dresses too! I could have shopped for ages but had to be slightly responsible and get girl-twin back to school!

I was then like a real old person, I went to a garden centre and then did some gardening! I bought a cheap substitute for a green house (shelves with a clear plastic cover over the top) and I have strawberries and peas, and leeks and sprouts and other bits n bobs I don't remember in there! We also chopped so much of the garden down that I don't know what I am going to do with all the stuff we chopped off.

Anyhow, the TV is on pause again while I write this and I am too aware that my OH is waiting for me so I'd better go! Hope you like the picture of the chives growing in my garden! (I know I am a saddo).

22nd April 2010

hello,

Day off!! woop!

Yesterday our really expensive double De Dietrich oven arrived (order early March and told delivery within 5-7 days!). Then...it didn't work...sucky....

Today the engineer phoned and within the next half an hour it was working!! Then about an hour later I figured out how all the controls worked!! Then...after a trip to Tesco, we made scones, cake and olive, sun dried tomato and olive bread! (all weigh watchers too!!) It went so well!! Until the grease proof paper caught fire in the top oven!! LOL Big flames and everything! We put it out okay and then spent a while cleaning all the ash out of the kitchen...hey ho...

I had a PT session this morning, it was pretty gruelling. He told me that it was the training that was done by the actors in the film 300, although I think I used lighter weights hehehe

After the training we shopped then cooked and I have only just sat down and its 19:10hrs and I have a roast dinner to cook tonight too.

I looked forward to seeing the twins when they got back from school - and they said Hi...can I have food? then they disappeared back out. They got back in and said Hi...have you got anything to eat? then they disappeared upstairs! Oh, girl-twin did mention that she had ear ache, and a bit later she told me she had shampoo in her eye, I said that should take her mind off the pain in her ear....

Anyway we all sat down and had a roast dinner which was nice as I got to see and speak to them for 10 minutes!

Yvonne nipped in to the office last night when I was in work (we work at the same place but in a different office/locations) and I don't know if I was tetchy, or she was, or if it was both of us. She made a massive deal about how awful, abysmal, terrible etc. a program was that I recommended to her (cougar town) and she went on about it as if to say 'anyone who likes this must be really really stupid' and it annoyed me. I think there was other stuff too now but I cant remember what it was. Either way, I dunno if I was being over sensitive or she was secretly annoyed with me about something but it has annoyed/worried me. She is a very cool friend and I don't want any tension...I'm sure its not a problem!

anyway - the OH has TV on pause while he waits for me to stop typing...

byyyeeeee

21st April 2010

Hi!

Today was a 'hit the gym hard' day!! I ran to the gym, which is about a mile - rowed and lifted weights and did tricep dips and push-ups etc.. then ran home again! According to my Polar watch I burned 684 calories!! So I came home and treated myself to a luxury shower lol that included an Estee Lauder face mask to start...then in the shower I got the razor out and got my legs all smooth - then I used a body scrub, and an intensive conditioner on my hair. Then when I got out I used a luxury body lotion and lovely face stuff! I now feel great!

Actually...I did feel great...now I am starting to ache! I have 26 minutes before I need to leave for work. My hair is still wet and I need to put a little make-up on! Then I have 10 whole hours at work (if I'm lucky and I don't have to stay late AGAIN).

I really don't have anything interesting to say today do I?

Oh well...if girl-twin reads this - then Hi!! I haven't seen you since the weekend and I have no idea what you have been up to and if you are okay...what you up to, you okay? How is boy-twin? Has he forgiven me for not letting him to to the gig yet?

That reminds me - dozy boy-twin called me at work the other day and asked if he could stay out later so I told him to call my OH and ask him. I later found out that boy-twin was late in because 'the bus broke down!' I call him on his mobile and asked if he had spoken to my OH about staying out late and he hadn't so I then questioned him at great length about the bus..then I told him that I was going to call the bus company...I gave him an opportunity to change his story and he admitted he had lied about the bus breaking down!! That's twice in about a week he has been caught out lying to me! He is obviously not very good at it!! I still felt guilty not letting him go to some gig he wanted to go to last night...

Anyway - I better go get ready for work!

Sunday 18th April 2010

Hi again,

well I got up in a good mood today and then got on the scales. Instant bad mood! I know that i had take out and Pimms and a cocktail or two last night...but I've been good all week and been going to the gym - and I have put weight on again. No big deal for most people but I was gutted!!

So I went to the gym and was in there for an hour and a half slogging my guts out - and since then we have had yet another BBQ - all healthy and no alcohol!! I am going to eat and drink soooo healthily this week that I WILL get results!! I only have ten weeks now until I go away!!

Anyhowsy...going to watch Spartacus!

Saturday 17th April 2010

Hello!

Well its finally the weekend - and a weekend that I am not working woo hoo!! Hope you like the picture of my girl-twin... lovely aint she? lol

I just finished a few earlies which I hate! although it wasn't too bad - Stu who I work with keeps me entertained! We get on quite well and he makes me laugh - my only problem with him is that he has got a really high score on my phone on the game doodle jump and I'm never gonna beat it and its really annoying!

The weather has gone quite nice - so we decided to have a BBQ, we were gonna invite girl-twin and boyfriend, and eldests' girlfriend and Yvonne (even tho she insults me :-)) and Stuart...but nobody other than girl-twin and boyfriend could come so it was just the four of us but it was nice to get in the garden.

I bought insecticide to get rid of the pretty beetles on all of my plants today - felt a bit guilty spraying them and girl-twin called me a murderer, but they are killing my plants!

We somehow ended up to agreeing that girl-twin's boyfriend could stay over tonight, she is 16 and he is 15, so that is dangerous territory. He had better stay in eldest son's bedroom if he values his life!

I had a few too many Pimm's so I went to bed at 6pm-8pm, we are now ordering Chinese take-out. I was supposed to be good diet and alcohol wise but hey ho....

I did a fitness test at the gym the other day, It was 1000 meters on a rowing machine followed by 1.8 miles on an exercise bike, and then a 2km run on the treadmill - he said a good time would be 20 minutes, an average time would be 25 minutes and a rubbish time would be anything over 25 minutes! Immediately after the run you have to do as many push ups as you can do in one minute and as many sit ups as you can do in one minute. This nearly killed me - especially the running! I did the rowing, cycling and running in 21 minutes and 11 seconds. So I think that was quite good - but the object of the fitness test is to be able to beat the time in 4 weeks time as a sign that you are getting fitter. I cannot imagine being able to do it any quicker!!

I am a bit fed-up tonight because in Manchester all my family are having a get together because it's my Nan's 80th birthday. I wanted to go and was thinking of getting a last minute flight but all the flights have been grounded due to volcanic ash from Iceland. My eldest has gone and he called me earlier and I could hear all my family in the background having loads of fun! I am the only one not there and I really wish I was there! I wanna see my folks and brothers and sisters, and nephews and nieces - and my eldest! oh yeah and my nan, but apparently she went home at half eight! lol. My cousin is there too, and I don't know who else but maybe my aunt and uncle :-( It wont be the same without me there tho!

Just watching Britain's got talent - it should be called Britain is full of weirdo's!

Okay the OH just made me a cocktail so I'm off....

macro photograghy

This was a tiny tiny tiny insect, on my leg! its so small that you can just see a little black line near the back of it - thats a hair on my leg, and my legs had been shaved!

13th April 2010

The sun was out today! After my PT session - which I loved - as I always do, I came home and Yvonne said she was coming around for a coffee so we fired up the BBQ again. We had a lovely chat and catch up (other than her questioning why I was writing a blog cos I dont lead a massively exciting life!).

I took some more pictures - I managed to get me and girl-twin into a picture of boy-twins eye! I dont know if you can see that here but when it is enlarged it looks ace! My camera is very cool indeed and the quality is amazing! Its new and I haven't really had much time to play with it.

After Yvonne left and I recovered from her insult about my life being way too boring to write about (cheers mate!), me and the OH decided to go shopping and spent hours in...wait for it.............a very exciting place...somewhere that sells, clothes, shoes, gym stuff, soaps and bath/shower stuff and plates and pillows and everything!!.........TK Max!! and I almost bought all the of the above. It was so much fun because I haven't been shopping for ages!

I've just eaten a huge plate of nachos, cheese, sour cream and guacamole and chilli's and now I'm going to watch lots of good TV before getting to bed early ready for the early shift! And Yvonne says my life is boring!! lol

13th April 2010

Oh why oh why did I drink like that last night!!

I have just dragged myself out of bed feeling dehydrated and quite rough, and I have a PT session at 11am!! I feel pretty awful and I have to leave the house in an hour!

:-(

12 April 2010

Hello,

I was really good yesterday and I did go to the gym. Today I got a trophy on my watch (it's a heart rate monitor and I program weekly targets into it - it's the first time I have actually met those targets) and Monday is my weigh in day - and I lost 2lb, which is the first time in a while I actually lost anything. However, I fear I have just messed up my good work! I got outta bed at 1pm - yes 1pm!!! cant believe I slept that late!! Then I lazed around all afternoon - then we went to the pub and I drank (almost) a whole bottle of wine and then we went for a Chinese meal, which was really yummy. I had a gin n tonic there - then I came back home and Andy made me a toffee vodka and baileys and then I had a brandy and a vodka and coke!!

Tomorrow I am seeing my PT at 11am and I am supposed to give him a diet sheet showing him what I have eaten all week - heheheh tonight will great wont it!! Maybe I'll lie.

My friend Yvonne texted me that she and her BF have got a flat together, and they move in together next month. I don't think she even realises how cool that is. She wanted this soooo much when she was single...is she taking it for granted now? I dunno I'll have to ask her!

boy-twin was funny tonight. He called me and said...can I sleep over at my mates house tonight? and I said...I cant see that being a problem - followed by the usual questions...who...where....why...etc... then he said he would be coming home to get changed and then we said byeee....then he didn't put the phone down and I heard him say...okay that should be fine...but nobody can tag me in any photo's. I heard somebody ask why and he said 'my mum is on facebook and she will see the pictures!

I called him back and found out it was a party he wanted to go to - with alcohol. He is such a numpty! lying to me and and getting caught within about 3 seconds! We let him go in the end anyway - no need to lie!!!

anyway...better go and finish that vodka and coke!

byeeee..........

11th April 2010

Morning..

I survived the late shift last night - I don't know how because I was so tired all night, I could easily have fallen asleep at my desk and really really wanted to.

When I got home I was looking at the picture of the beetle that I put on yesterdays post. We were in the garden having a BBQ and I usually put some rosemary on the BBQ because it smells so nice. I snapped a piece off and commented on how it was dying - we had a bad winter and it never recovered. Then I found the beetle on the piece I snapped off so I took some pictures of it. Last night I looked up what type of beetle it is and its a Rosemary Beetle!!! It kills Rosemary! And Sage and Theme which are the two plants I have next to the rosemary in the garden!! Anyway I don't wanna sound like some complete sad case talking about plants, but I am now not so happy about the lovely shiny beetle I found yesterday.

I have one last late shift then I have two days off work. I start at 2pm so if I want to go to the gym this morning I need to go in the next 20 minutes, or I wont have enough time. Dilemma!!! I could sit here and do nothing...or go to the gym....

Btw, I have to mention a game on my phone...its called Doodlebug and it is driving me mad. Its a silly bouncy bug thing that just bounces up levels and you have to avoid monsters and stuff. It is so addictive and annoying! The guy I work with has got the highest score, and I am not competitive or anything but I HAVE to beat his score, and I cant!!!

I have managed to stick to my diet for about 2-3 days which is an achievement for me these days...I hope I can keep it up, it would help me if I go to the gym...

A couple of school friends contacted me via facebook...we were quite good friends years ago when we were about 14-15 years old. Its weird as we all have children that age or older now and our lives have all gone in different directions, but I still really want reconnect with them and find out all about them. Strange how a couple of years of friendship during your life can stay with you for so long. Does that make sense?

anyway...to gym or not to gym that is the question...

:-)

BBQ

So, have had the first BBQ of the year - no doubt it will be followed by many others. No Pimm's however as I have work later...Eldest boy nipped in as he is home for the weekend but he is spending all his time 'pimping his ride'. He has a perfectly good car and he is doing that silly boy stuff to it like lowering the suspension, and putting spoilers on it and making it sound as though the exhaust has gone...and putting weirdy lights on it and god knows what else!
Girl-twin joined us for the BBQ but spent most of her time on the phone to her boyfriend...and no idea where boy-twin is - no doubt out skating somewhere!
Ooohhh Grand National is on - gonna go put a bet on!

10th April 2010

wow I am tired...ended up working until 3am this morning. I was at work and was seriously worried about being able to function because my eyes just wanted to close. I cant really talk about my job or say what I do as my employers advise against it. But I work 10 hour shifts and if something comes up and we are in the middle of it when its time to go home - its tough! I have to stay and see it to a conclusion. Its silly really cos then we have to try and drive home without the ability to focus your eyes properly.

I was woken up early by my OH's alarm clock as he had placed a Tesco food order...that was an hour and a half ago and it hasn't turned up yet...I could have been sleeping...I have to work until 1am again tonight.

Girl-twin is hurting all over today after yesterdays trip to the gym - she worked hard! She was embarrassed when trying to do 20 press up's on the power plate and she just about managed 3 when my PT came over and told her "good effort". She had already mentioned that he was really cute, and she assumed he was taking the mickey outta her...she went quite red! lol

She is like me and cant whisper...so he possibly heard her when she said he was cute...I hope not!

ohhh shopping is here!!!

9th April 2010

I survived the late shift last night at work...when I got in work there was a DVD left in my tray for me. I played it on my computer at work and it was from the try dive I did with the scuba diving lot. It was in the pool and I was wearing a swimming costume as opposed to a wetsuit so the images of me scuba diving by, past the camera with an attractive mask squashed on my face and the mouth piece in my mouth and my thighs wobbling as I swam...gawd it was embarrassing. I actually felt myself blush as I sat (on my own) watching at the computer. I have no idea how many people this DVD has been distributed to! My OH is also in this DVD and he just looks really funny - looks like his short hair is standing on end!

It is 10.50am and I am sat having a herbal tea and a yoghurt (that sounds nothing like me! its usually full strength filter coffee and left over pizza) with my girl-twin waiting to go to the gym with me as my PT gave me some free passes. I am trying to wake up enough to go...but I only woke up about half an hour ago. I am on a time limit though as I start work at 3pm...I need strength. Also - girl-twin looks great in Lycra, she is wearing my lycra leggings and makes them look baggy and she complains that she is fat! What I would do to look like her (although I would like to be taller lol she is five foot nothing!).

Right...got to go and torture myself (and girl-twin muh hahaha)...have a nice day!

8th April 2010

I have got to go and get ready for work. I need to leave the house in 30 minutes and I'm not dressed yet. Don't wanna go!! Ten hours I have to be at work and it's not fair!

I went scuba diving training last night - it was the first pool session. It was a lot more fun than I thought it would be! We were mastering buoyancy - by putting air in and out of the jacket that you wear, and practising with the equipment. Unfortunately the OH didn't have as much fun as me due to a leaky mask and leaky jacket and today he has ear ache...but that aside...I had a great time! At least he doesn't have to go to work like me!

I weighed myself this morning and lost....nothing at all. Even after the gruelling PT session yesterday - the scuba diving last night - and being quite good on the diet front. If I had spent one day eating loads of chocolate and sitting on my butt I would have put on a few pounds...how easy it would be if it worked that well the other way around!

Oh well....better get ready for work....

Another day...

Morning,

I didn't go to bed until 3am last night so I set my alarm for 11am, and was wide awake at 9am! So no doubt I'll be tired later. I did try and get back to sleep but my PT texted me to remind me that we have a PT session later today at 12.30pm, and he asked me if I had been training this week. For a change I was able to say yes! I did a step class and followed his 'program' 3 times in the last week. I texted this back to him and waited for my "well done" reply...I'm still waiting. I get the impression he is not really that bothered, or impressed!

I have only had 2 sessions with this personal trainer - I have never fancied PT before, but I have been going to the gym for a couple of years and I'm not really achieving anything but injuries, so when I hopped off the running machine (mid-run) a few weeks ago, after hearing a 'pop' in my calf and he was there to stretch it out and 'sell' his services...I thought, what the hell! I'll give it a go.

I nearly threw up after our first session and could barely walk for a few days afterwards, or move my arms - then the last session was a bit easier...then there is today. Now he knows I have been training this week my betting is that he will make it harder still! He promised me I could lose over a stone by the time I go to Egypt in 12 weeks (now 11 weeks) but that was dependant on eating healthy and not drinking wine as well as the exercise - and I've failed up to now on that part.

I also have a pool session tonight for the scuba diving training...my boss at work is also the trainer, so its not good that I have to get in touch and admit that I lost the directions he kindly printed out as I don't know where the garage is where I have to meet him (to pick up some of the diving gear to take to the pool). Its also NOT good that I have to get into a swimming costume in front of my boss!

The worse news today is that it is the last of my 5 days off. Tomorrow I have to work from 2pm until midnight, then Friday and Saturday 3pm until 1am, then 2pm until midnight again on Sunday. Then I get two days off before I do 3 days earlies. I can handle the late's but the earlies kill me I HATE them!! At the end of every month I get 5 days off which is brilliant - but they go so quickly!

The kids today: girl twin - wants money for clothes, and has obviously assumed she is going to get it as she has already arranged to go shopping with her friends and I risk a major hormonal strop if I refuse (but she can pay me back); boy twin, has been out skating the last few days and desperately needs to get some revision done - that is guaranteed to a strop as soon as I mention it! Eldest boy - sent me a text to tell me he had got a tattoo on his ribs - a Chinese symbol. I got a picture of it and nearly fell off my chair as I assumed it would be the size of a few coins - not the size of a child's arm!! What can I do though - he is 18 and in the Army, he doesn't ask my permission any more! As you will see the picture has been added.

Anyway - better do something productive (like washing) before the gym!

Motivation

well...I am still sat in my dressing gown, at my computer contemplating going to the gym - which is less of a contemplation now I have eaten chocolate brownies from last night, and fresh bread and butter. Now, I have to go to the gym to undo some of the damage. My OH also mentioned going to the pub tonight and I'm pretty bad at saying no, once it has been mentioned and the idea has lodged itself into my head!

This is where I go so wrong - I will go to the gym but I undo all the good I have done by eating stuff I shouldn't or drinking stuff I shouldn't!

So....sometime soon I am going to get off my butt and get ready and go to the gym. I need to decide what to do at the gym cos I recently got a personal trainer and I discussed with him all about my goals and not reaching them - despite being an active member of the gym for the past two years. Its seems that just doing cardio isn't really that productive! Yeah, I got quite fit but I wasn't losing weight cos my body became accustomed to burning all those calories. My worst problem is not keeping to a healthy diet (and fooling myself that I actually am). So, I am trying to keep to the exercises my PT set me...

I have been on a diet for more or less 2 years without any results. This is because I am good for a couple of days then bad...or I am organised then have nothing in so get take-out. I don't drink any alcohol all week - then have a long weekend off work so go out a couple of nights managing a bottle of wine (or close to it) each night.

My trouble is - I want to be fit and healthy and slim - and have fun!! I need to be much more organised - food wise, and I need to set limits regarding alcohol!

Okay...enough...I'm gonna give myself half an hour (cos I ate the bread) then I AM going to get up and get ready for the gym - and I am NOT going to the pub tonight!

honest.........

Starting a blog

Hi,

well, I guess I am doing this so I have somewhere to dump my waffle, my moans, my 'yeah!'s, my thoughts etc. somewhere to simply to write everything down and giving me the ability to look back on it.

I always used to write a diary as a kid but there was never enough detail in what I wrote, so when I look back on it, it's not that interesting. Hopefully what I write here will be thoughts and feelings and not too similar to my old diary "today I went to school, then went swimming it was good"

I am currently sat in my dressing gown, drinking a not-very-nice-coffee, feeling tired and regretting all the cake I ate last night... I go away to Egypt in 11 weeks and have quite a lot of weight to lose in that time (I'd be happy with a stone), and I am very determined to lose it...until I fancy red wine or cake...which is quite often...then it all goes to ruin.

Last night, friends of ours, Yvonne and Stuart came around for a 'dinner party', I don't really know what constitutes a 'dinner party' but that's what I called it! We had beef in Guiness and Beef Stroganauf to choose from and rice, and oven roasted potatoes followed by chocolate brownies. It went okay but the Stroganauf tasted of Lemon (thanks to Jamie Oliver!). Anyway, we had a good laugh as we went through a couple of bottles of red wine and a few gin and tonic's!

Problem came today (my weigh-in day) and I am the same weight as I was last week (and I cheated mid-week and jumped on the scales and I had lost a bit of weight - obviously I put it back on again!) I subscribe to a diet website called Weightlossresources and I have a Diet buddy on there called Lola. We are supposed to offer moral support to each other but we tend to complain about how much chocolate we have eaten and how strange it is that we are not losing weight!

So...I want to lose weight... but I love cooking, eating and drinking red wine. Not a good combination.

I am married to Andy who I adore - even after 12-13 years (we cant remember exactly how long it's been) and we have 3 kids - I told them I would change their names on here and asked them what they would like to be called - my daughter said Barbara, lol (sorry anybody called Barbara) and my son said Rodney, hehehe (sorry anybody called Rodney!) and he also said blogs are for losers - then asked me what one was! Barb's and Roddy are 16 yr old twins who are about to take all their GCSE's so its great fun at the moment trying to get them to revise and avoid their strops! My eldest son is in the army - he is 18 yrs old - I don't know what his fake name is going to be yet!

I work shifts so I am often really tired, my husband is between (geeky IT type) jobs so is often at home - he also writes music for films. I am doing a photography course online - but whether I'll ever be any good at photography remains to be seen!

Okay - thats an introduction into my life! I hope to be back soon!