Christmas Organizing

Evening Dear Reader.

Just under four weeks until Christmas!  Where has the time gone again? It really is time to ensure I'm organised for the festivities. We have planned our menus just need to write the shopping lists.  Need to sort out what drink we need and to add to list. The shopping we break down and buy in three lots, makes it easier to manage.We can also start any food preparation  that can be frozen.
   
Most presents have been bought but need wrapping which I will do soon. Like to have this done in plenty of time to hand out to those that I don't see over the holidays.

The tree and decorations will be coming down this weekend, from the loft. We will start to put them up round the house, I like to take my time if possible, its my favorite time when the house is all festive with twinkly lights.

Over the next two weeks I like to give the house cleaning extra attention when I can, Clean some cupboards out, hoover under the sofa etc so we are fairly organised and tidy for Christmas. I also like to sort out all the table linen I need and ensure it is all washed and ironed ready for the big day, along with all the glasses, cutlery and crockery all washed and sparkling. Leaving the last week before Christmas for all the last bits that need doing i.e. fresh food shopping, cleaning bathrooms and washing the floors etc. hopefully leading up to a lovely stress free Christmas.

The one thing I never have organised is the Christmas Cards. Every year I leave it to the last minute even when I've tried hard to do them early. It's like I have a mental block with them , I'm always running around Christmas eve delivering the neighbours cards. I will try harder this year LOL.

Until Tomorrow
Take Care

Kx

New Motivation on my weight loss journey

Welcome Dear Reader

I go to a lovely weight management club twice a week , it includes exercise and an interesting talk about food /weight loss issues. well through this year i have lost just over two stone but have a few more to go (at least three). I had lost motivation recently, still kept all that i lost off but haven't made any more progress. Friday night we had our Christmas 'do' all very lovely . yes we were allowed pudding and drinks lol. seeing every one in their posh clothes as apposed to their sweaty gym clothes has given me back my motivation strangely.

So bright and early Saturday morning off i went on a 51/2 mile walk with the dog and again this afternoon . Back to gym class tomorrow evening to do two back to back classes. I have been very careful with my food intake and drunk quite a bit of water. I struggle with snacking in the evenings and to  keep me out of the kitchen I  intend to update and use this blog as a diary.  I intend to jot down food I have eaten and exercise I have taken, also my thoughts especially when I'm struggling. I'm hoping that  to see it all written down will help  to keep the incentive going. I may bore you with the odd photo of my meal but only if i think its a bit different to the norm.

So My weight Saturday 26 November was 12.13  on  my scales first thing in morning. will weigh my self every Saturday and update  on here. Tomorrow I will do some basic measurements, I will also note down my starting weight before and measurements just so when the going gets tough i can see how far I've progressed. I also have a fit-bit so I can track my steps which does encourage me to move more.

I would love to be more knowledgeable about nutrition so will try and read and  research as I'm going along. I'm not going on a 'diet' but hoping to make sensible choices and control portion sizes which I was doing but have let it slip so I need to take control again. I can do this and I will do this. I'm not brave enough yet to post a picture of myself at the moment but have taken one, so may be one day !

Looking forward to the new slimmer me in the new year, Would love to have more interest in fashion and make up etc. Haven't been for such a long time due to being overweight so will need to update myself in that area too.

I feel like I have started my new year resolutions six weeks early but I know I will probably gain a few  pounds over Christmas so I'm trying to get ahead and minimize any impending gain.

So until tomorrow evening

Take care

K xx

Good morning all

Even though it's still very grey , wet and windy I feel full of the joys of Spring.  I've had a nasty cold and felt so rough but today I'm feeling so much better. Really appreciating feeling more energetic. Have no plans to leave the house apart from walking the dog but have a list of jobs to do or at least attempt to do. 

Our office room needs a good session......filing and sorting along with dusting and hoovering

So that is my priority for this morning. 

Our bedroom needs dusting and hoovering, a small pile of ironing to be done, the car needs emptying and a quick Hoover....have to give some friends a lift Friday so this is a must. 

Would like to do more crafting if time . 

So quite a busy day ahead best get started . . 

Will update later with all that I have achieved or not 

Kxx

Office Update

This morning the office looked embarrassingly like this

 but after three hours of filing sorting and cleaning it now looks like this

even managed to clear one whole shelve, I'm sure I shall soon find something to fill it.

I always feel better, more organised and can think more clearly when the office is tidy. Not sure how long it will last though.

Managed after lunch to do all the other tasks as well so feel pleased with all that I've achieved today.

until next time
take care


Kx

Singing & dog walking

Every day I like to take my dog for a lengthy walk. He really enjoys it sniffing about and foraging in the bushes after anything of interest. This is good for the dog helps keep him mentally stimulated and alert plus uses up his excess energy. Anyway if I didn’t take him he would bother me all evening until I do, so I don’t think I have much choice in the matter now.  

I find walking very therapeutic and relaxing myself, the exercise is good for us too even if you have had a busy day a walk just gives you that chance to unwind and get some fresh air.  I find that anything on my mind or any problems can have some quality thinking time so that I can work things out away from the phone and family etc.  I always feel so much better afterwards, and can settle down in doors with a clear conscience.

 Sometimes I have ear phones and I-pod and sing along as I walk I usually only do this over the fields and can’t see any one.  I would be so embarrassed if someone was the other side of the hedge and could hear me. I sound like a screeching cat lol. Not pleasant on the ears. I love all sorts of music especially tracks that encourage me to walk faster and sing louder. No matter how I feel when I start to walk my mood is always lifted. I can easily walk 4/5 miles and when I have time can do up to 10 miles although I try not to do that too often in case it’s too much for the dog. Poor little thing lays in his bed for a while afterwards if we do a long one. Having said that he more often than not wants to play ball when we return.

I’m lucky here, we have lots of places to walk, with in minutes i can be in the fields and country side or we can  walk into town, housing estates and parks, best of both worlds. I’m not too keen on going the same route each time we walk. Keeps the dog guessing as well? stops the boredom for both of us.

until next time 

take care

Kx

What a busy week I’ve just had. October for us is full of birthdays. Extra shopping trips were needed to buy presents and I don’t know about you but I struggle to know what to buy.  I settled on a smelly burner type of thing. Looked like a bauble, quite expensive but I thought a nice gift, something you wouldn’t necessarily buy for yourself. Any way DIL loved it so I was pleased.  A gift voucher for another DIL then presents for grandchildren. One loves a bookshop in town so I’ve bought her a gift voucher and will take her down in the holidays to have a browse and pick what she would like. I’ve also got her a small game just to open and play with. The other granddaughter I’m starting a savings account for so she has a small gift and the remaining money into the account. Thought it would be nice when she is older to have a small lump sum towards something bigger.

We also went out for a few celebration meals and a night out at the cinema to watch Bridget Jones Baby, lovely film, I found it very funny in places. All the usual characters were in it all looking a little older, plus a few new characters including a love interest for Bridget. Will say no more except if you liked the first two films you will enjoy this one. I will treat my self to the DVD when its released.

On top of all of the birthday celebrations we started doing some decorating. My husband used to be able to do all the work by himself but since his illness he struggles so I try to help as much as I can.  It was only painting, no wallpapering, so I was up the ladder whilst hubby used the roller. Then we shared the gloss work. It’s all done now so will be fine for a few years hopefully. I planned to make some curtains and cushions, but the fabric I want to use is out of stock so need to wait patiently for stocks to come in. I thought I would add wadding for extra warmth and make them look more luxurious at the same time. Has anyone done this, just wondering how difficult it would be?

Sorry I’m going to mention the C word …. Christmas. I love planning for Christmas and like to make my own cards and a few other bits along with Christmas pudding, cake and loads of mince pies. I have cut down on the commercial side. It’s too much all the shops filled with gift products etc. and getting all stressed out deciding what to buy whilst others have the same issue for us. Don’t get me wrong I love buying presents, it’s just buying something that the recipient wants. Everything is so expensive and  you want the person to appreciate it.  What we all decided as a family is to not buy presents for adults just the children but then spend the time and money on family time together. Worked well last year, how about you and your family?. Now  need to get going on the cards will show pictures when some are ready.

Until next time

Take care

Believe in Your Self

Kx

How frustrating, after my visitors had all gone last night and I had watched strictly come dancing, I came upstairs to continue my blog. But the pc said NO, it had decided to do lots of updates, I sat here for a short while fiddling about in my office 45 mins later still updating so I called it a night.

Yesterday my youngest son and partner plus another daughter in law came for dinner, I had started the pudding on Saturday so Sunday morning just needed to make the lime butterscotch sauce to go with it. Never made butterscotch before so hubby helped me, he is a great cook and usually does all the cooking. There is a frantic moment when you mix the lime and cream in with the caramelized sugar which spits and bubbles furiously at you but then it calms down. I think I would have panicked on my own not enough hands. Here is a photo of the end result below. No nuts on top as guest is allergic.  Everyone enjoyed it, you didn’t need a huge slice, very rich. Thought I would make it again for Christmas as an extra special pudding.

My version of Raymond Blanc's Chocolate Cremeux

I am a great fan of Pinterest and pin lots of ideas etc., not to quick at doing any of them like many others I guess. Well over the last couple of weeks we have started a massive undertaking of redecorating and re-organisation of our house continually looking on Pinterest for ideas. One that I have achieved is a quiet reading corner. Plenty of room for me to spread out, have a lamp and a throw all from around the house so no extra expense. I love reading and will enjoy many an hour tucked into my corner reading. Just finished reading ‘Tennison’ by Lynda La Plante , which gave a great insight into her background couldn’t put it down, but I was/am a huge fan of Prime Suspect.

My new reading corner

As I said we are re-decorating our house and today’s task was to paint the ceiling in the main room downstairs. We are open plan so the ceiling is through the lounge, dining and kitchen consequently needs to be done in one go. My hubby has always been happy to do all these tasks but since he has had cancer and compartment syndrome in his leg they have become difficult for him. So it’s now a two person job with me holding the ladder, moving dustsheets around and pointing out any bits that are missed. It was hard for him and it’s a shame to see him getting so frustrated over things he would do easily before. To top it all we had the McMillan nurse on the phone about 3 times. Anyway all done, will have a good look in morning to see if it need a second coat. I just hope not I don’t think he could do it again, I helped with the cutting in but couldn’t do the whole ceiling, and he wouldn’t let me any way.

DD rang and asked to be picked up, she had become frightened by someone dressed as a clown around our local area. It seems this is a craze from America where people are dressing as clowns and purposely going around jumping out on poor unsuspecting passer-by’s. I had been watching an item about this on the news earlier it appears to be happening all around the country so beware.

so until tomorrow take care

She Believed She Could So She Did

Kx

After a bowl of porridge and honey one school morning I received a text from my daughter’s school to inform me she had been late that morning. So I text her to see why, this is the reply

“No I can explain actually “

“I had to go back to friend’s house to lock her door”

“Why?” in all innocence I asked.

“Would you rather me be 2 minutes late or my friend being robbed, I was thinking of others

Like you tell me too”.

So somehow it was all my fault

Welcome to my world

I am trying to instil in our 14 year old daughter to think of others and be kind and helpful but she does push it. There is always a drama to resolve between her friends, we very often have the friends staying over because they are upset about something.  

Caught a glimpse of Raymond Blanc on this morning (Friday) making a lovely Chocolate Cremeux. Looked like an upside down chocolate crumble, I hate cooking but he made it look so easy I  thought I would have a go at making one for visitors Sunday. (The recipe is on the ITV website).  it is now sitting in the fridge needs to set for a few hours so fingers crossed it will be ok ,have made an apple crumble as well just in case.  Will let you know how it turns out and will post some pictures tomorrow.  The recipe suggests decorating the top with caramel hazelnuts but as one visitor has a nut allergy I have left that bit out. But will have a go at the lime butterscotch sauce and try to make it look chefy lol.

We have never had any one in the family before with a nut allergy, never had to think about if there are nuts in the ingredients.  Now if she comes round I have to make an effort and check everything, not much of a problem and it is becoming second nature now but I do worry just in case I make a mistake. Wouldn’t want to responsible for her being poorly. Does any one else have the same issue and how do you deal with it?

 Until tomorrow take care

Stop Wishing

Start Doing

Kx