I walked........

in the rain!!!!!

Something I would normally use as an excuse. It decided to rain for the first time in ages as I was coming home from work tonight. As I was very limited in my time to walk tonight, I decided to grab the umbrella and set off. Luckily it wasn't windy so it was quite nice. Also the smells from all the gardens screaming out for rain was amazing. Unfortunately it didn't last very long. We so need a big downpour. SA is on water restrictions for the first time in ages. I can't remember the last time it really rained. A few spots here and there, but nothing that helps.

Nikki came back from her school camp this afternoon and she is exhausted. I don't think she had much sleep the last 2 nights. Sounds like they had a fantastic time though. I'm glad she's home. I was really surprised how much everyone here missed her the last 3 days. Ashleigh and Jarryd both commented that they missed her and couldn't wait until she got home. I hope they remember that next time she annoys them - lol.

I'll be back on the weekend to update my weigh in result. We have a huge day on Saturday. It is our annual christmas pageant saturday morning and we plan to get up around 6am so we can get a good spot. I'll post some photos. Then we have a party in the afternoon and a party at night. So it's going to be a busy weekend.

The beach is behind us and there is a great cafe on the other side so it is an excellent spot to entertain the kids and have a coffee at the same time.

This photo shows what a gorgeous day it was in Adelaide today. Though I did see on the weather tonight that it was only about 17 deg today. That's why we all have jumpers on.

Nikki had her face painted too but she looks a bit ghostly. It's meant to be stars and moons but it had worn off quite a lot when this photo was taken.

Check out this slippery dip. It's built into the ground and the kids have to climb up the rocks to get up to the top.

Ashleigh had her face painted at the kindy garage sale today.

Sequins everywhere

I didn't make it back here this week because I have been sequinning. The girls have their dancing end of year concert in a couple of weeks and have a full dress rehearsal next week. Ashleigh's costume required alot of sequins. It has a very full skirt and I had to put sequins all over it. I thought it would never end!!!! But I have finally finished. I will take a photo at the dress rehearsal so you can see it.

Now onto weight matters. I lost 1.7 kgs this week. I was shocked. I have been naughty and have been jumping on the scales most days and I thought I would lose about 1 kg but this morning it showed I lost 1.7 kgs this week. So I am very happy with that. It takes it to 5.5 kgs in 3 weeks.

Ashleigh has started playing school cricket and had her first game last night. It's supposed to be a summer sport but it was absolutely freezing with a icy wind blowing. No-one was anywhere near rugged up enough so we were glad to get home.

This morning we went to our local kindy's annual garage sale. It was where all my kids went to kindy so it was lovely to go back and see all the teachers and lots of kids we knew. Nikki and Ashleigh had their faces painted as you can see from the photos. The kids all got some bargains. Jarryd got a buzz lightyear backpack for 50c and Nikki got a pair of Bratz ugg boots for 10c. Can you believe that? I think they were just happy to get rid of a lot of things because they had to pack everything up that wasn't sold and give it to charity.

Ashleigh is such a thinker. She walked around the brick brack stall for about 1/2 an hour before she decided what to buy with her money. She finished up with a gorgeous glass bell and a wine glass that she put juice in when she got home pretending it was wine. It was so funny. The kids all got toys for 5c each. Jarryd had to have a toy pool table which had cues but no balls. It was hilarious. We walked there but I rang Steve to come and get us because I couldn't have walked home with all the bags we had. It was a fun morning.

This afternoon, I met a friend and her kids at our new beach playground. It was a lovely day and the kids had a ball. Karen and I had a coffee and a chat while the kids played on the playground. I have taken a few photos so you can see what a gorgeous day it was here today.

Tomorrow I will be busy labelling and packing for Nikki's camp. She leaves Monday morning for 3 days. Nothing like leaving it until the last minute.

Daylight saving starts here tonight. Yahoo!!!!!! An extra hour of sunlight every day. That means summer is nearly here.

Weigh in Day

I'm very pleased to say I lost 1.5 kgs this week. I have been so good. Walking every day and really watching what I am eating.

I do worry about the fact that I always seem to lose the first 10 or so kgs relatively easily and then go back to my old ways. What is is with that??? It's like I say to myself - you have done well so you can relax now. Well I can't relax because I still have a long way to go. I really have to try and get past that point this time.

The walking is going well. I have been going out by myself most nights as soon as I get home from work, just before I cook tea. I have started to incorporate my walks with things I have to do. I had a hairdresser appointment this morning and I walked to that and I have a dentist appointment on Monday so I'll walk there as well. I also have walked the kids to school and back home again on my day off. Unfortunately that's only once a week.

As I said I went to the hairdresser this morning and had some foils put in my hair. I'll have to get the kids to take a photo and put it on here, but I really do try and avoid cameras - lol. I had lunch with a friend on Friday who commented that there aren't enough photos of me on here, but I just hate most photos of myself. I will do my best to change that situation.

I managed to do some christmas shopping yesterday. Isn't that scary?? K-Mart had 25% off toys so I got a few things. I really do need to make a list because it's only 9 weeks or so to go.

We have a very quiet weekend this weekend for a change. It sure is starting to get busy the closer it gets to christmas.

Steve has gone to visit some friends tonight and the kids are watching 'Scooby Doo' so I'm catching up on emails and blogs. I really need to do some work on the girls dancing costumes because it's only 3 weeks until the concert. Ashleigh's costume needs sequinning and Nikki put hers on a couple of weeks ago and she has grown about an inch in 2 months so the pants look like ankle freezers. I have to try and take the straps down a bit or it will need a fake hem put on it. A few people have commented how much she has grown lately and now we have proof - lol.

I'm taking the kids for a walk to the beach tomorrow. It's going to be a gorgeous day.

Back mid week to update.

My feet hurt!!

I decided to walk to the closest supermarket this afternoon because I was cooking a stir fry for tea and didn't have any hoikken noodles which the kids love. I have only been walking for about 1/2 an hour each day for the last 10days or so so I'm not super fit yet - lol.

Well I totally underestimated the time because I was really dragging my feet by the time I got back. It took about 70 mins there and back. Poor kids didn't get tea until 7pm tonight.

I was bragging about my long walk over tea and Steve estimated it to be about 6 or 7 kms and then he had to add that that's what he walks every day with his job. Gee thanks for the compliment!!!!

Talking about husbands, I finally got some flowers and a card today for my anniversary on Sunday. Oh well, better late than never. I did drop alot of hints though. He sure knew that I wasn't happy when he forgot to bring something home on Sunday after I let him play golf all day.

Food wise things are going well. I have resisted all the chocolate that I gave Steve for his anniversary present. I have been having salads with tuna for lunch or crispbreads with tuna and tomato and quite enjoying them. I have also been eating lots of fruit and even bought some bananas for a treat.

Ashleigh started training for school cricket after school today. She came out of school yesterday pleading with me to play cricket of all things. She was so excited so I couldn't say no. Just another thing to juggle each week. Steve will have to help out though because she plays Friday nights which is the same night as Nikki's netball for the summer season which is starting this friday.

That's why I love school holidays so much, everything stops for 2 weeks. It's wonderful!!

Be back later in the week to update again.

Recent photos

This is Jarryd's 1st school photo and I think it one of the best photos of my 3 children together. Nikki and I had a fight about how her hair was going to look that day and she went off to school crying so I was hoping that she wouldn't have red eyes in the photo.

It turned out well - thank goodness.

I felt very guilty after about our fight but she wanted a punk hairstyle and I wouldn't let her - can you imagine why not!!!!!!

Ashleigh's 8th birthday party in June. She had a bowling party. I love this photo. Pity about the dirty face - lol.

This was Ashleigh's 8th birthday present from her Nana and Pa (Steve's parents)

A fairy garden!!

We had a small family holiday in Tanunda last month in the Barossa Valley and this was taken at a place called Story Book Cottage which was an unreal place. The kids had a ball.

I'm back!!!!!

You can tell when people aren't focussed on weight loss. Like me, they retreat into self pity and hide away. I am ashamed to say I have put on about 5 kgs since I last posted. My head just wasn't in the right place to make an effort to lose this weight so why bother?????

Well it's time to bother.

We have a very exciting holiday planned for October next year. We have decided to fly to Cairns from Adelaide and drive all the way down to the Gold Coast. It will take us 3 weeks to get to the Gold Coast because of all the towns and places to see along the way and then we are going to spend a week on the Gold Coast.

So I have 51 weeks to lose this weight. I weighed in yesterday after week 1 and I lost 2.3 kgs!!!

No way am I going on a 4 week tropical holiday looking like this. I would be mistaken for one of the whales swimming off Hervey Bay - lol.

I am not a big fan of exercise - tell me what big person is. So I have made a deal with myself. Instead of going on long 1 hour walks which I dread, I am going to walk 1/2 an hour every day which so far I have been doing. I count food shopping night as a walk so really I am only getting out 6 days a week which is good.

I have also made up a diary counting down the weeks until October 5th - when we fly out so that is extra incentive to lose this weight. I WILL GET THERE!!!!!!

Now to other matters. Life is as busy as ever. Nikki just had her 10th birthday which I find hard to believe where that time has gone. I can see how much she is maturing. We do clash every now and then but I'm sure that is just those hormones kicking in. I really need to reason with her instead of flying off the handle at her when we don't agree. Oh well, I guess there will be lots to learn as we battle the teenage years ahead - lol.

Ashleigh and Jarryd are both doing well. We have just finished school holidays here. The kids are back at school tomorrow which will be a shock to their systems as we are very used to late nights and sleeping in.

It is Steve and my 12th wedding anniversary today. I must say I still feel as in love with him today as I did 12 years ago. I think it is a different love though. We have grown together but we still have our seperate lives which I think is very important. He goes on a couple of motorbike rallies every year and I go and visit my best friends in Melbourne a couple of times a year. It works well.

The weather is getting warmer too which I love. Roll on summer. We had a couple of 35 degree days last week and the kids got in the pool. But they soon got out because it was so cold - lol. We need lots of hot days to warm up the water.

Anyway I promise I will be back a couple of times a week to update.

Watch this space

Well, I haven't fallen off the face of the earth. I am on my way back. I have maintained within about 5 kgs for the last 2 months and now feel as if I have been revitalised.

Spring is on it's way and we are planning a family holiday somewhere!!!!! Not sure where but we really need a holiday.

I hate winter. That's probably why I have been hibernating - lol. I will be back with an update soon. I promise.

Change of direction

Again after promising to post every week, it's been nearly a month since I have posted. I think I will have to get into the habbit of making shorter posts more often.

Firstly I have had to make a tough decision again. Because Steve has dropped $100 per week pay because he has gone from night shift back to day shift, I have had to reaccess our finances. Unfortunately at the moment I just can't afford to go to ww meetings. My 1st 10 week package has run out and I just can't afford to renew it. I certainly haven't given up. I am going to weigh every Sat morning and take a picture of my scales and email it to a friend to keep me honest.

I weighed this morning and have lost .3. Unfortunately my scales are 1 kg heavier than the ww scales so that would have been 1.3 kgs, but I have to go off of the scales I am weighing on. I have now lost 8.9 kgs since the beginning of January. I had a huge setback over easter. Totally lost the plot and ate far too much chocolate so I did put on a bit. But I have now lost most of that and am only .5 kg off where I was a month ago.

I have a new walking partner who is unreal and very reliable. We try to walk twice a week and I walk by myself or with the kids another 2 times a week. I am feeling heaps fitter now. We do a walk between the Semaphore and Largs Bay jettys which I used to dread but now I do it with ease.

Jarryd started school 2 weeks ago and is loving it. He has made some new friends and I am very happy with his teacher and the class he is in. I really thought I would have some seperation problems with him because I did when he started kindy, but that hasn't happened. He doesn't need me - boo hoo!!!

Nikki has started winter netball at ETSA park which is where the Thunderbirds play. Unfortunately it is on a Saturday morning and we have to leave home at 8am which is quite rude when it is sooooo cold. Her team has won their first 3 matches now so that is a great start.

I hope all the mums have a fantastic mothers day tomorrow. I have told my kids I want a sleep in so they had better not wake me up to give me their presents - lol. And a very happy first mothers day to Tania.

I have posted a photo of the kids on Jarryd's 1st day of school. It's not the best photo. I have a real problem with my camera with red eyes. Maybe one day when we have some money I will invest in a new digital camera.

Jarryd's last kindy day.

what a poser!!

Easter 2006

easter eggs everywhere.

Where to Start!!!

It never ceases to amaze me where the time goes. When I started this blog I promised to update weekly. Well that hasn't happened.

I must admit that when I'm not on track with my weight loss, I feel a bit as if I just can't be bothered with anything. That includes this blog, the ww forum and my ww group in oz I belong to. I guess we all feel like that to a certain extent.

During Jan and Feb I managed to lose just over 9 kgs. In March I lost the grand total of 200g and I must admit I have gone backwards so far in April. I have put on about 1 kg in the last 2 weeks. I made the decision on Friday that I would get through easter with no pressure about eating easter eggs which I knew there was no way I would be able to resist and get back on track after that. I even wrote out my weekly plan as of yesterday and have included every meal and snack and I am happy to say I am definitely back on track. I didn't weigh in tonight (yes I am a chicken) but I fully intend to record a loss next Tuesday.

In response to Jami's question re April 13th, I did survive Jarryd's last day at kindy. (Thanks for asking Jami) I was quite surprised how calm I was. Jarryd was so excited so I guess that made it easier for me to say goodbye to everyone. And I know we can always go back and visit and join in on the fundraising functions they have from time to time. My baby is so ready for school which is great because I really thought I would have problems with him. He is in the same class as a good friend of his so that helps.

Arpil has been a very busy month so far. It was Steve's birthday on the 8th, my nephew's 2nd birthday on the 7th, easter and then my birthday next Tuesday (Anzac Day)

We went to Stansbury for easter to stay with Steve's family. It is 2 hours from Adelaide and we had a great weekend. We even managed to come home without the kids - lol. No we didn't lose them on the way. They are staying with Steve's parents this week. Our school holidays have just started. Unfortunately I still have to work, but it is unreal just to get up in the morning and get myself ready. Instead of getting 3 kids ready as well. Steve and I are going out for dinner on Friday night for my birthday. Not sure where yet but I'm sure it will be thai. Yummo. The kids are coming home on Saturday and by then I will be missing them like crazy. It is so quiet here!!

This afternoon I went to visit Tania and finally got to meet her little man Lachlan who is already 6 weeks old. He is just gorgeous and I had cuddles. Aren't they just so precious when they are that little?? Tania is doing great for a first time mum and Lachlan is thriving.

Thanks to the people who have visited and left messages. Don't give up on me - lol. I haven't given up. Just got sidetracked for a while. I will be back next Tuesday to let you know how I went this week. Please leave a comment if you visit. It's nice to know you are interested enough to read my blog.

See you next week.