Pancakes :-)

We weren’t sure what the munchkin would make of the pancakes we had last night. But a liberal sprinking of sugar and she loved them!

I must admit I cheated and used a mix I found in the cupboard rather than making my own, I’m still using the excuse of being under the weather. I’m not sure I’ll do that again as they were very sweet. It’s a good thing I wasn’t going to do any savoury ones as there was rather a lot of sugar in the mix already. I’d already sugared the munchkin’s before I discovered how sweet they were!

Mr H and I had to abandon pancakes after 3 or 4 each as we needed food that wasn’t so sweet. Usually just for this one day we have a dinner comprising solely of pancakes (are we mad?). I did think then sod the diet and had chips and scampi, both coooked in the fat fryer….why…I’m not sure now. The diet hasn’t been too good lately anyay with being poorly, I just crave junk food when I’m not on top form.

This was also the munchkin earlier in the afternoon. Her molars were on the move again so she was feeling rather sorry for herself.

 

Back on the diet…

I mentioned in a post about a week ago that the risotto would fit in my Slimming World plan, well, in an effort to keep myself on track with the weight loss and give myself a bit of accountability I’ve reinstated my weightloss page (see the tabs at the top). Despite Mr H being away last week I’ve had a good start (it’s always a good week when I start/restart a diet), so I’m hoping to keep that up and post a loss or a stay the same each week. I don’t think I’ll manage to do another 2 1/2 lb loss next week though!

While I’m tweaking my blog I may also have a look for another template again, this one is nice but my wordpress toolbar the the top doesn’t work properly and I’ve noticed that on all blogs I’ve seen with this template. If I get a bit of time later on I’ll sit and have another play with it.

 

Imaginative title here….

Firstly…grrr…… internet explorer just crashed as I was finishing writing my post…I hadn’t thought to save a draft either….grrr! Oh and apologies for the lack of imagination in the title of this post…apparently my brain isn’t coming up with anything today!

Right then…where was I…

The munchkin actually slept for 1 1/2 hours yesterday afternoon. I put her back in her cot at 3:30 since she was too tired to do anything other than flop on my shoulder. She went straight to sleep and I had to wake her otherwise she wouldn’t have slept properly last night. She slept until 9:15 (when I woke her) this morning as well. She did wake briefly in the night, but after I changed a very wet nappy she went straight back to sleep. She’s so much happier today fro having got more sleep. She’s been happy to play in her room while I did the housework upstairs and then read/play with stickers/draw the the dining room table while I’ve done the downstairs housework. I’ve almost finished everything today, whereas yesterday I had to abandon a lot as she needed too much TLC.

I had a bit of a breakthrough with Mr H as well yesterday. He’s always told me he doesn’t like risotto (it’s too stodgy, samey and he doesn’t like it when the rice is a bit crunchy). However last night he came home from work very tired and drained so I suggested a risotto as easy to eat comfort food and he agreed to try it. He actually liked it! I made a chicken and mushroom risotto (we had chicken that needed eating and I thought I’d chance the mushrooms – he says he doesn’t like them either!). It suits me that he’ll eat risotto now, I love it and it fits in very nicely with my Slimming World diet. I think I’m going to try a butternut squash risotto next (maybe just for me while he’s away). Does any one know a nice recipe for that?

Right then, I’m off to cook some lunch and then hopefully have time to read a few blogs (and hopefully comment – you never know!) afterwards.

 

Happy New Year!

What a busy fortnight since I last posted (though that was somewhat predictable).

Firstly thank you for my happy Christmas messages! I hope everyone had a good Christmas (I’ve not managed to even start to catch up on blogs since I got back yet so I’m just hoping at the moment).

Our Christmas was good, though sadly snow free, we didn’t even have any frost up in the north of Scotland last week, the week before we went it was so cold and frostly up there there was sea ice on the beach! It was definitely tiring though, it took a while for the munchkin to settle into a routine and we had a few very restless nights before she slept properly.

Christmas day itself was spent in the morning at church, followed by sherry and mince pies in the bishop’s house (he only became bishop this year, having been the rector of that church so returned for the Christmas services). The munchkin napped while we opened our presents, then when she woke she opened hers and we all went for a walk on the beach while D (Mr H’s sister) finished off cooking lunch. We finally sat down to eat at 4:30! I think Mum (who cooks Christmas dinner on Boxing day) has the right idea, we were all so hungry by that point that I, at least, didn’t enjoy the food as much as I might have done.

The rest of the time up north was good, we managed a couple of short walks. I spent much of the Thursday at home alone with the munchkin so that Mr H could go for a proper mountain walk with the others, something he loves doing and doesn’t get the chance to do much.

The flight back was hard work, it was rather delayed after faults in the plane before it’s flight up, and then we were delayed again once we were on the plane while they checked the engines and got the plane set up for a take off in cross winds. It was a turbulant flight as well which left me with head aches for a couple of days (that often happens when I fly). The munchkin was very good, though got a bit upset when she saw I wasn’t feeling well. She loves all forms of transport so thoroughly enjoyed watching the planes at the airport.

Since we came home we’ve been trying to get back on top of the washing and generally getting the house tidier again. With all the stress of Mr H’s redundancy as well as going away for Christmas it’s all a bit of a tip. Mr H has done a lot to help get it back in order but now he’s back at work it’s all down to me. One of my New Year’s resolutions is to keep the house much tidier and with fewer piles of ’stuff’ around the place. We’ve made a good start I’ve just got to keep it going and get myself into a proper routine.

Another resolution for me is to get my diet back under control. I’m very much a confort eater and I’ve been eating lots of junk over the past 2 months, I’m going to try and get myself back doing the Slimming World thing and see if I can get my weight (and dress size) lower.

Well, that’s my catch up, I’m going to go and try and catch up on all your news now, according to Bloglines I have 400 unread posts so it may take some time!

 

Quick hello

A bullet pointed post for today as I want to peruse my blog roll as well as needing to pack to go to my parent’s tomorrow (until Thursday).

• Camping was very hit and miss
• The site manager didn’t check names as people turned up
• The boss didn’t always record bookings in the diary
• Because we arrived relatively late we were left without a pitch and were left with a small space by the front gate
• Under a light sensitive flood light
• Despite being listed in the diary
• Site manager was sweet once he’d got over his anger at his boss for putting him in this position
• The munchkin refused to settle to sleep the first night
• She screamed so much she was sick all over her travel cot
• She ended up sleeping in our bed, we slept very little
• She left like a log in her own cot the second night
• We had a lovely day in Cambridge shopping for a rucksack for me for this coming weekend
• We got sunburnt as I forgot the sunscreen and my hat (thankfully the munchkin was ok, I’d remembered her hat and Mr H’s hat)
• We had a lovely lunch with a friend from the church we went to there
• She’s lost 5 1/2 stone (77 lbs) since January and looks great
• I’m feeling a tiny bit more inspired with my diet
• We also spent £70 on Sabatier knives and a knife block in TK Maxx (rrp £230!)
• They’re fab, but we’re skint anyway
• The munchkin loved the ducks on the river in Ely (where we went on Sunday), she was pulling herself as close to the fence as possible (she was in her pushchair) so she could see them better.
• She said wack, wack (quack, quack) a lot and used the hand movement to go with it
• She’s gone a little bit duck mad at the moment
• I had to go and see the dermatologist yesterday
• I think I’m confusing the doctors a bit
• The doctor who spoke to me first had to get the consultant himself to talk to me
• Even though the prick test for latex was negative he’s running blood tests and wants to tape a latex glove to my back to 48 hours
• That’ll be fun…..not
• Within an hour I was itchy from the tape put on my arm where the blood was taken
• The biggest problem is not the latex reaction (though that makes buying certain things a hell of a lot more expensive….), but my reaction to adhesives (even hypoallergenic ones)
• 48 hours with tape on my back could be awful (though I’m trying not to think like that
• The consultant also looked at my face (I think around my eyes) and the lines on my hand and said that I’m someone who’s prone to allergies (?!? – has anyone else heard of this?)
• He looked at the munchkin and said that she will be too
• Thanks…..like I don’t worry enough about her at times
• He did say that despite my allergies and Mr H’s asthma we should be ok to try the munchkin with peanuts now
• We have a huge amount of sorting to go in the house over the next couple of weeks
• The munchkin’s God-mother R is coming to stay here for a while
• She’s left her job (fantastic)
• She’s not got one to go to (not good)
• She won’t be able to afford the rent on her place in a month or so
• So to enable her to stay near here where her  church and many friends are we have offered her our spare room
• Which is full of junk
• The bed is covered with paperwork for filing
• Oh dear
• Mr H is going to take a couple of days off work to get it sorted
• R may have to sleep on the living room floor for a couple of nights
• But the tidying is going to have to wait
• I need to spend today packing my rucksack, sorting washing and dishwasher and browsing some of my blogroll (for my sanity)
• Tidying begins in earnest next week

Well, that was a flying visit though my week, until next week (hopefully!), goodbye!

 

Home again – but not for long!

Hello! It’s been so long since I didn’t a proper series of posts rather than the odd one here and there in between going away…and it’s not going to get much better for the next couple of weeks.

The munchkin and I got back from Wiltshire on Friday afternoon. It was a good week away; though I didn’t find it particularly relaxing Dad was a lot better there, smoking and drinking less than before. I think I’ve mentioned before that L (my sister) and I do not get on well, and while we can cope with 48 hours in each other’s company it gets harder after then. I was biting my tongue by the end of the week. She was trying to tell me how to bring up the munchkin (she’s happy, healthy and a bright little button – get off my case – the fact she still finger feeds much of the time isn’t a problem!), critisising me for having biscuits/cake at afternoon tea (yes I’m on a diet, but I’m on holiday – and if you can’t cope with people digging at you for eating for two – Mum not me – then don’t have a go at others) and insisting that we go where she wants to on the only sunny day that the munchkin and I were there for. Argh! Then yesterday she called asking that I post the collapsible travel cot we have promised to lend her to her now (baby’s not due until middle of November!), she didn’t like me saying that I’d dig it out later and make sure it got to her before she might need it. I had to hang up on her, which I felt bad about doing so I texted to say that I’d take it with me when I do to Mum and Dad’s at the end of next week (not quite sure how that’ll work – I’m going by train, via the London Underground with the munchkin, her pushchair and a rather large rucksack of our stuff…).

I’m getting a bit distracted there….sorry. I think I just needed to vent

It’s good to be back home with Mr H, I do miss him a lot when I’m away and in the last fortnight I’ve only seen him at weekends. We’re together now until I go north on the 31st (Mum’s got a singing weekend and I’m looking after/feeding Dad while she’s not in, she’s only going to the day on Saturday but it’ll be an early start and late finish). We’ve booked our first family holiday since the Scotland trip (May) as well…we’re going camping in the Cambridgeshire Fens near Ely this weekend. I’m hoping the weather perks up, it’s been grey and drizzly so far today.

I made it to my weigh in last night (it’s been three weeks since I was last there), I managed to speak to the leader who is happy with me missing weeks if I need to be with Mum and Dad. Technically I only get 6 weeks of ‘holiday’ a year and beyond that I have to pay for weeks I miss, but as there are no convenient groups at Mum and Dad’s I can’t make it if I go up, she’s said that as long as I let her know she won’t worry about it. Amazingly I lost 2 1/2 lbs over the last three weeks, I’m quite chuffed, though I’m still heavier than I was a couple of months ago…I’m getting there though. I’ve got the weight tracker on then tab at the top of here and if I don’t get to class or can’t stay after weigh in I’m hoping that the tracker will be a bit of accountability for me.

There’ll be no Fun Monday from me for the next two week as I’m not here then, but I’m hoping that the lovely Chris keeps updating her ‘who’s hosting next’ bit and I’ll find you all once I’m back

I’m going to go now and try and get some of the housework back under control, hopefully I’ll manage to read a few blogs this week and I’ll try and say hello to a few of you. Bye!

 

It’s been a while…

..since I did a proper post about what’s been going on for the H family, but for a range of reasons I can’t sit in front of the computer for long so I’m going to do a bullet-point update.

• The munchkin has 2 teeth coming though at once so is getting us up in the night and producing some incredibly evil nappies…anyone want any chemical weapons?
• It’s also making her more clingy and short tempered, she won’t settle to playing on her own for more than 5 minutes and gets even grumpier if things aren’t going how she wants them to (reason number 1 that this is a quick post)
• Mr H was so tired at work on Thursday after his trip to the States that one of his colleagues followed him home in the car to make sure he got back ok (why he didn’t use public transport I’m not sure!)
• My diet is going better than last week, though I’m still not completely back on track…why did I buy some scones in Sainsbury’s last night?
• The exercise idea was going really well, but I’ve pushed myself too much and strained some muscles in my back (reason number 2 this is a short post), I can’t stay in the same position for long or bend over comfortably
• My sister’s last set of chromosomal results all came back normal so it’s just a wait now until her next scan (next week) to see what’s happening with my nephew
• My dad should be getting his brain scan results today, we’re torn between wanting something to show up so we know where we stand and possibly a prognosis and wanting it to be clear
• I’ve discovered that while Facebook is fab for keeping up with friends there are some odd people who add you as a friend because you share interests but then getting clingy and very moody if you don’t say hello frequently!
• FlyLady has flown away…the house is a mess partly due to my back and partly due to me getting out of routine when my friend was staying last weekend….hopefully I’lll get that back on track again soon too.
• I’ve got two more friends coming to stay on Sunday, I really need to tidy up before then…they have offered to baby-sit for one of the two nights they’re here so that Mr H and I have a night off in our anniversary week (4 years next week ).
• The munchkin’s god-mother is also coming over on our anniversary to give us a night out then, we haven’t had two nights out in such a short space of tine for I don’t know how long
• Mr H has agreed to start trying for baby #2 again in October He’d rather wait longer, but he understands that I think the munchkin will cope better with the arrival with a brother or sister before she turns 3 (plus the fact I’m ridiculously broody at the moment)
• I’m really looking forward to the final Harry Potter book coming out tomorrow, we haven’t pre-ordered it and aren’t planning on going out at midnight to get it, just hoping that one of the supermarkets will have some in stock tomorrow morning

That’ll do for now, I’ve typed this in several short bursts and I’m going to have to give up for now. Bye!

 

Back on track…

…is where I need to be

I had my weigh in last night and I’ve put on 1 1/2 lbs in the last fortnight. It’s what I deserve really, but I’m so annoyed at myself. I’ve eaten so much rubbish lately, firstly when Mr H was away (a combination of tiredness and just being low with him away) and then the weekend just gone when my friend was staying here. She’s not really worried about her weight and will just eat what she fancies and my self control went out of the window and I just ate what I fancied too.

I know I shouldn’t do it, but I did, and I now have to face the consequences. I’ve now been doing the diet for more weeks than lbs I’ve lost and I’m much happier when it’s the other way round.

I’m restarting my food diary and I’ve added an exercise tracker to my weightloss page (at the top, by the about me tab). I’ve recently bought a Lateral Thigh Trainer and I’m going to try and use it every day while the munchkin naps. I hoped to do 5 minutes today, but I had to give up at 3 1/2, hopefully I’ll manage more tomorrow. I do feel good for having done that though. My long term aim with it is to be able to do 30 minutes on it fairly comfortably and then up the resistance (it’s on the easiest setting at the moment).

I’ve got more friends coming to stay on Sunday (as well as a big night out on Saturday with the munchkin’s Godmother) so it’ll be a real challenge this week, but I want to pop in to weigh in on Monday and come out smiling. I’m now 3 lbs off my first stone and I would love to get that in a fortnight, I hope I can do it.

 

Higgledy Piggledy Days!

I realised this morning that I haven’t posted much for a little bit so I thought I’d make an effort to say something….

I’ve had such a week of not knowing whether I’m coming or going. I’m finding it hard to get my thoughts and housework in order if I have something happening that changes my normal routine. It sounds stupid but after going out to church yesterday morning to help get things ready for tomorrow’s garden party I found it so hard to get the motivation to do anything. I did the bare minimum but didn’t get things done that weren’t essential so I now feel like I’ve got lots to do today. Grrr… I’m going to give myself some time now (I’ve already done the washing up and loaded the washing machine and dishwasher so I’ve made an ok start) and then once I’ve posted this and had a quick look at some of my blogroll I really need to get on. I’m still trying to follow the whople FlyLady thing and it is helping as despite my low this week the house still looks reasonable and I felt ok enough about it to be able to invite a friend from church over for a drink after church.

The other downside of yesterday’s low was my diet….I’m very much an emotional eater and yesterday ended up going out and buying (and then eating) lots of malteasers…ooppss…. I’m going to have to be so good over the weekend to make up for it. I have lost 10 1/2 lbs in the last 9 weeks and I don’t want to destroy all the work I’ve done already

I had to head over to Chelmsford on Wednesday to see the allergy specialist. He decided to do skin tests to check the status of the latex allergy and also common things like grass pollen and house dust mites while he was at it. I didn’t react to the latex there (though I had a small reaction to the dust mites) but he has advised me to get referred to the dermatologist at my local hospital as my reaction appears to be a contact dermatitis and is worth getting checked out to find out exactly what I’m reacting to in adheshives.

I’ve got to head into the next town on this afternoon to meet Mr H and do the shopping and I’m hoping that by then I’ll have got the kitchen and dining room back under my complete control and maybe even have done a little bit of crafting (something I haven’t touched in weeks…).

 

Huh?

Not quite sure what happened but I managed to weigh in at a loss of 1 lb last night. That was despite eating most of a chocolate orange Easter egg over the weekend…..I’ve no idea how I managed that….I suspect I’ll get my comeuppance at next week’s weigh in instead.

I’m going to try and be really good this week…having a good day so far, but the afternoon is always hardest for me for some reason.