My computer dies!!!!!!

Oh my God!!!!! My computer has died!!! I managed to revive it but less than 24 hours later it has given up the fight and finally 'karked it'.

I am using a friend's computer for this post and this may well be the last time we talk for a while so I just thought I would pop on and tell you what I have been up to lately......besides work, work work.

My weightloss program......still only lost 2 kilo's but have lost 13 cm all around.
I am going to the gym 2 to 3 times a week.

My savings are down to an all time LOW due to a couple of celebrations happening at the moment and this dreaded time of the year....

One of my daughters are turning 21 next month and my nephwe is turning 18
There has been 2 new little babies born to my husbands relatives (new neice and new nephew)

& I have been using my Iphone at every opportunity I have.... ...I have become quite the clicker!!! Hahaha

Darn it I was going to upload a photo but I don't have my IPhone charger whoopsie....back ltr

going, going...........

Oh Boy, what a day, what a week!!! I only managed to get to the gym ,like 4 times in about 10 days and haven't always been very good sticking to the diet BUT

I have managed to achieve a weight loss of about 500grams. Well that is better than a gain, isn't it???

Hey , imagine what I could have lost if I had got off my fat butt and went for an extra walk or done another couple of workouts at the gym and if I had forgone those couple of full cream iced coffees , and oh yeah those chokkies & piece of regular pizza at bedtime last night!!!

Oh Crap!! I need to lose a kilo a week I reckon to get to my goal weight by Christmas!!! So I can PIG OUT!

Note to self: Must be good now in order to be bad later

If you want some information & maybe some inspiration about my diet & exercise plan head on over to see the You tube video below

http://www.youtube.com/v/7ZjJmx4vHz8

Temptation

Aghhhh damn temptation!!!! I cannot begin to tell you how hard it has been to stay on track. I have been on the Healthy Inspirations diet for about a month now and i am getting a little bit impatient to see the results.

Now I lost around 2kilos but really.......I am hoping that would have doubled by now.

I was trying to be soooo good but then I had a melt down over this past weekend when i had to attend to a family emergency and that's when I fell to the call of a McDonalds iced coffee.

Then from there it was all down hill...........

BUT i picked myself up and went to the Gym...but not to exercise , just tp pick up my chocmint snackbars.

BUT couldn't sneak in and out could I they INSISTED that i WEIGH IN. There seemed like about 200 pairs of eyes staring at me after I said out loud how I failed over the weekend.

I swear the instructors just wanted to make an example of me !!!

BUT guess what!!! I couldn't believe it ........I had lost another 400grams HUH???

So guess what I had today when the GOGO Coffee man dropped into work?? Yep a failed again!

I WILL NOT GIVE UP I SWEAR!!! Back on track next week.

Thunder thighs

The time has come to address my gradually increasing waistline. I was forced to take my TOIL day (that's time off in leau of extra hours I have worked overtime) from work on a tuesday. mmmmm what do people do on a tuesday...
I could do the housework.... nuh
I could watch the TV......boooorrrring
I could play with the dog...nuh not for long , this dog stinks mayb he needs a wash??
I know i could wash the dog
OR i could find another excuse NOT to walk or get on the exercise bike or join a gym.

That's it!!!...in the car & find this gym that 'every man and his dog has joined from my work'
So's I get in the car, head up the road to where i thought the gym was located & guess what I couldn't find the !@#$.... drove round and round in darn circles round a shopping centre looking for this rotten weightloss centre that I heard so much about.
Almost ready to give in when I spotted it!!!
Ok then, that's more like it....mmmm how do i get over that speed hump AGH!, you would not believe it I had to go out on the roundabout and go round and round again to get into the back of the KFC building where this gym was located. AGHHHH!!!!
About NOW....I am ready to give up ...just another excuse I know but COME ON, REALLY, what tha'??
Long story , short LOL ......I joined the gym & weightloss centre & am on my way at addressing these extra buldges I have developed over the past few months.
I am soooo proud of myself, I have stuck to a diet plan( for 3 days) & gone to the gym x3.
YAY ME!!! lots of applause please ...Thankyou, thankyou
I am taking part in blog hop and linking this post to 'Fat To Fit'click on the 'Fat to Fit' picture about & it will show u how to join in

Happy Father's Day

Happy Father's Day to all the dad's out there today. Happy Father's Day to my dad , hope I get to spend many more days chatting & reminescing with you in the future. Happy Father's Day to Craig, hubby who has been a great step dad & dad to my 2 girls & his daughter Jaimee.I 'm glad i managed to catch Jaimee spending some time with her dad & having a laugh at their bowling skills ( or lack of). These photos were taken on a weekend when she came to visit in July. Craig & I had planned to participate in the charity bowls day for Northcott Disability Services where i work.
Jaimee was still in bed that sunday morning & I was quite surprised that she decided to come along cause she is rarely up before noon( like a lot of teenagers, I 'm sure!) I was very proud of her on that weekend. She isn't here today & hasn't phoned her dad yet to wish him a Happy Father's Day but I 'm sure she is thinking about him.

He's a great dad & amazing step dad & a hard working, generous, gorgeous husband.

Guess what he is doing today? He didn't sleep all night 'cause he has been suffering with his sore hand that he hurt at work yesterday. It has swollen up a little & has limited movement, so after not being able to stand the pain anymore , he has headed up to the emergency dept to see if they will give him some painkillers or sleeping tablets.

When he comes back we are heading over to visit my dad at Gunnedah and I 've suggested we go out in the boat on Keepit Dam but looks like that won't be happening so we'll see what the day brings.

Hope you all have a great day & cook up some beaut Barbies.

Treasured Trinkets

There's always been at least one noticeboard featuring in my girl's rooms as they have grown up at home and now they've carried them over to their dorm & bedsitter. Two very different young women. They reflect everything & more I could ever imagine about each one of them. I could stare at them for hours............... they remind me of the little kids they once were.
I love how they have draped their treasured trinkets from the hooks that share the concert ticket stubs & invites of parties past, memories of family get togethers, positive affirmations & things that make them happy.

If you'd like to make a decorative noticeboard for your little treasures ,pop on over to home to
http://www.homelife.com.au/home+ideas/home+help/make+a+decorative+notice+board,4007

Richmond Hotel Lismore August 2010

We went out for dinner at The Richmond Hotel in Lismore one evening over the weekend and we shared some really nice conversation & some yum delicious food on the balcony of the restaurant with my daughters & their friends.

My beautiful first born child, Miranda & her bo' Murray.
My second born, beautiful Monique (right) & her friend Kimberley,

both only one year of finishing their UNI degrees.

They are all gorgeous, aren't they!!!

Delicious seafood platter for one, Nik & Kimberley shared theirs.

Always watching their weight!


Hubby had chicken schnitzel


& mine was a lamb, tomato & basil stir fry thingy

yummo delicious!

Lismore & the Channon Markets

We went to visit the girls at Lismore a couple of weekends ago when hubby & I both had time off work together. I snapped a couple of shots of the countryside around Lismore as we set on a wild goose chase looking for markets, no thanks to the Moteliers where we stayed over that weekend.

We finally found our way to Channon Markets. I was stoked that I chose to be the passenger so I could take in the gorgeous scenery. I swear someone's going to have an accident one of these days driving around perving out windows! What about that ocean blue sky, it's like magic. The famous Channon Markets, I picked up an old chandelier for $40, I ll post about it sometime soon.I could picture myself sitting on the verandah of that house on the hill & sipping iced tea on a lazy sunday afternoon.mmmmm zzzzzz

What about those hills covered in Macadamia Nut trees.

I won!!!

Whoo hoo!! I won!! Thankyou sooo much Brenda. Thankyou also to Megan who drew me out of the collander, no thanks to the chikky however.

Brenda was celebrating her 100th post recently when she decided to have a competition to win a set of her hand made pears.

Her LOve pears were on the front cover of Canberra City News recently when shophandmade http://canberrahandmademarket.blogspot.com/featured an article about their new retail business.

You can find more of these lovely pears and some of her gorgeous handmade items over at http://itsallrelative-brenda.blogspot.com/.

Thanks again Brenda! Your'e a gem!

Beccy & Me

I was lucky enough to see Beccy Cole at the Naidoc Week Celebrations in Centennial Park last friday. She was in Tamworth for the 'Hats off to Country' week and I guess she was visiting people and events in the local community.

She didn't hesitate when I asked her for a photo. What a beautiful person! I was never a big fan but I am now! She went out of her way to give up her time for a couple of photos with me.

I couldn't post the other photos due to privacy laws but I can tell you that there was some very happy faces from some young gentlemen that I was supporting on this day.

Oh Boy, this photo has made me realise that I need to get another hairdresser & must remember to smile more next time too & wish I could do something with that double chin.

Sending my love

What did you do on this long weekend?

I made some Oreo Pops to send to my girls via my blog, I had to eat them on their behalf but they didn't mind. These were easier to make than I anticipated but there are some tricks to making them turn out just right.

Tip no:1 Make sure you break open the oreo biscuits gently by placing a sharp knife into one side of the oreo a little bit then the other side a bit.

Tip no:2 Heat up a little bit of chocolate and place on the top of one half of the bikkie then twist a stick around the chocolate so its stays in the chocolate when it sets, then place other half of the bikkie on top and place in fridge for at least an hour.

Tip no:3 When coating the oreo with chocolate , dip the whole oreo in the chocolate and twist the oreo on the stick just enough to allow the chocky to set slightly then place onto a greaseproof paper sheet and place in the fridge.

whoops....... before placing in the fridge dip into hundreds and thousands.

State of Origin Game 1

The one time all year that I sit and watch footy is the 'State of Origin 'Game.
It's pouring down at the Sydney Stadium and the score is 18 - 28 QLD winning!!!
Yes I have lived in NSW all my life and I have been a traitor all my life. I have followed the queenslanders for as long as I remember, I know this is probably not a good thing to hear for some of u guys but unfortunately they are the better team LOL

Teacup Trio's

Our first fete at Northcott Tamworth was a huge success! It was the same weekend that Mother's Day fell on so, my contribution was these teacup trios filled with 2 teabags, small photo frame & some mints. I added some leftover shred from easter, wrapped with cellophane & tied with ribbon. We put $5 each on these and they were all gone in the first hour.
There were only about eight sets which in total cost me about $1.50each. The china was all picked up for $2 at a garage sale & the little frames bought on a card for $5 for about 12 & the rest of the goodies I had 'on hand'. I also worked on the craft stall and met many of the clients and their parents which I hadn't yet met, 'all in all' a great day!!

Sydney Trip

I had a very busy week, starting with flying to Sydney on Monday to learn more about my Respite program from another Manager at Northcott Disabilty Services, Roselands, Sydney.

I had only flown once before with my previous job, that was to Wadonga, Victoria so I was very anxious to say the least....

Instead of feeling nervous, I kept thinking about all the positives about the trip and my anxiety started to alleviate and soon I was feeling great & excited about my mini adventure.
These are the sights I seen looking over Sydney Harbour at 1pm Monday. (Actually I googled these photos, but it was so just the same)
I flew in on a Qantas Plane not Impulse, they're are the only ones that fly out of Tamworth.

This is what i might work up the courage to do one day............

The Bridge Climb

Sydney @Night

Party Ideas For Kids

Short on ideas for your next kiddies party?

what about the tweens?

Link into www.partyideas4kids.com

for some really kool & unique inspiration.

Wiggles Concert in Tamworth

Whoo hoo ........today I took a toil day just to spend it tagging along to a wiggles concert at the TRECC at Tamworth. My sister, my neice, her little boy age 2 & her little unborn baby girl.
The 5 of us had a great time sitting only 3 rows from the front..... way good seat!!!
Little Jayden didn't know what to make of it all & was literally shaking at first. He was over whelmed by the crowd & his favourite wiggle, Jeff. Little bubba still in the womb was kicking /clapping along with the show.
Hot potato, Hot potato!!! That Captain Feathersword took my heart!!! Oh I know, shouldn't be thinking like that but they were sooooo cute.

Ahhhhhhh Romance...........

Oh my how absolutely romantic.........
inspiration for my new bedroom makeover..............

One Mum's Daily Challenges

Next Sunday will be Mother's Day and I have been spending some time trying to find that 'perfect' pressie for my mum & something that fits within my budget. Somehow , whilst looking for inspiration for gift ideas on the net & as usual & somehow came across this news article in the Herald Sun recently.

This letter below outlines familiar stories I hear often in my position as a Respite House Manager of the challenges that Mother's ( & fathers) face everyday with their children who have ongoing challenges due to their wide range of disabilities.

Some of these mum's never get a day off, never get a break, never have time out. I wish I could offer respite to many more mums next week so they could have a day off & mayb catch up on their sleep, get their hair done or do some windowshopping but unfortunately the Government only allows me to give 6 places to children in a my region which can cover hundreds of families.
So, next week, on Mother's Day, I ll be thinking of those mums that I couldn't help to give a bit if 'time out' & I will be very grateful & appreciative that I am able to have a peaceful, stressfree, restful day when some other mums are doing it so tough.

Click on the link below & hear about one mum's challenges that she faces every day.
A mother writes of waste and filling forms Herald Sun Andrew Bolt Blog

Birthday Surprises

Got to love 'em.
My birthday has come and gone recently with not much excitement at all.
It was looking and feeling rather good though when hubby come up to me bright and early and said 'Happy Birthday Darling, Love you!!'
Yep I was surprised that he had remembered! Even though I did mention it a couple of times when out shopping the week or so before.
Of course I replied with Oh Thankyou Baby!!!
But it 's not until tomorrow!!!

Now I didn't get upset, because I secretly thought that if he hadn't got me anything then he had another day up his sleeve, didn't he? HA HAH!!
He couldn't use the ol' excuse of I 've been soooo busy , didn't have any time to get you anything or do anything etc, etc, etc........

Soooo... April 11th....My birthday....Now, I hadn't been so ill affected by another birthday so much as this one. I don't know why but I felt VERY old on this one for sure.

AND as I awoke to a gorgeous April morn, MY Birthday, hoping to be wished and greeted with some lovely happy birthday wishes & showered with luuurrve!

I was greeted with the usual 'wanta cuppa?'...... Ahhhhh(what tha?) No thanks darlin'.
MMMMMmmmmmmm give him time .... sh@#! he's only had a year to work on a gift and greeting for me whats another couple of hours......

THEN... after a couple of hours........' I have to go down town & get some fuel'

OK YEP that's a usual bday thing..... I am expecting some flowers when he returns..... 'cause that's the usual bday thing..... PLEASE NO! PLEASE TRY to think outside flowers.

HE RETURNS............ 'Happy Birthday, darling' & he shoves a card and flowers into my bosom.

I act surprised and say ' Oh thankyou baby, love you!'

It's the thought that counts , RIGHT?
Are you kidding !! let me tell ya, there was no thought in this one!!!

The card is one I would probably buy for a friend & one that i didn't consider to be a best friend either. The card was UGLY and the flowers were mmmm soooo not my favourite....a dried arrangement.

Now, remember 18 months ago?? Craig bought me a diamond ring?
This will be your xmas and birthday pressie for the next three years!!! he said.
Don't forget it was also the diamonds I didn't get for my engagement ring?????
OK.......I GET IT!!!!

Just in case your reading this blog babe.......
here's the thing..........

a few words on paper........cost nothing
bake a cake & add a few candles.......cost nothing
blow up a Happy bday balloon.........cost nothing ... we own our own balloon, party decorating business for goodness sake!!
brekky in bed( i love brekky & brunch)..............cost almost nothing
plant me a potted garden of flowers so we can watch them grow........

& the list goes on............

Remember those footy shorts I bought you for chrissy that you hardly take off to wash???
Well I am seriously considering BINNING THEM!!!

Neighbours from hell

We went house hunting today to find our next dream home. We had an idea of the neighbourhood that we wanted to settle into UNTIL we seen one of these little fellas in the front yard!!! What Tha?? As we were looking for the right number along the right street. Craig looked over at me and said Did you see that? See what? A fella weeding his garden?? HUH??
'Ah No', the python sunning in the yard. Of course I said 'yeah right, I don't believe you!'
Craig swung the car around at the nearest driveway and said, 'there did you see it'. What ? that's a just a bit of old tyre laying in the guys yard!' Ah No Bull @#* ! he said, I ll go back again and this time open your eyes'.
Ah OK! There it was a 5ft or so big fat python!!!AGH!!! The guy had spotted us checking his mate out and picked him up and took him indoors AGH!!! The little fella was not a tyre tred at all.
OMG we didn't bother with the house just kept driving to the next neighbourhood.
I am not surprised every other house in the street is not 'up 4 sale!" HUH?

What a surprise!

Two weekends ago my two girls up and decided to come visit mum.
They phoned about 6pm on the friday evening and asked if I wa going to be home if they drove down, they wouldn't expect to arrive until about midnight. I was surprised, excited and scared for their safety all at the same time. I waited anxiously for them to arrive all evening. We kept in touch with the mobile phone along the way on their trip.Eventually they arrived at 1.00 am on the saturday!!!
We chatted for a while before heading to bed. Then Saturday morning after a 'sleep in' we headed down the street to shop of course ,what else! My oldest daughter bumped into her friend whilst down town and you wouldn't believe the screams AGHH!!!!!! screech!!!!!Head turning stuff!!!!So instantly we had another girl in the house, yep then soon after ..........
My step daughter arrived on the bus from her mums house around 11am.
It's been a while since we had all girls together and their friends too. Poor hubby!! No boys boo hoo.
Later in the afternoon we all headed over to see rellies at nearby town, Gunnedah.
That's my dad, with the girls below (in the photo, he has emphysema and needs to have the oxygen concentrator on him at all times). dad wouldn't let the go, he hadn't seen them for about 12 months and knew he wouldn't see them for a while again.
Funny thing... My dad said to one of the girls ....'you've put on weight, Nik?' It never comes out quite the right way for Dad. What he meant was 'you finally put on weight, Nik'. Nik was always very skinny as a child, people used to accuse me of not feeding her hehe.

Love you girls!!!xoxoxox

How the boys celebrated Easter

Autism

Woah!! I missed posting about Autism Awareness Day!!
Better late than never , right?
My new job requires me to co ordinate weekend and school holiday respite for children with a wide range of disabilities, Autism included.
Learning about the many challenges that face children and their parents with Autism has been one of my biggest challenges that I have had to face for a long time. I love my job!!!
To view a lovely video on youtube click here

Heeheehee!!!

I started my new diet & exercise program today

I reckon I worked out the relationship between food and exercise haha

Like any relationship It's about 'give and take' LOL

6 minutes on the exercise bike = 1 hotcross bun

Go ahead and try it out won't you! It really works

I feel great !!!, really I don't even feel hungry on this diet & I got my exercise too hehe

My new challenge

Oh Crikey! I done it now haven't I ?
Posting it on my blog that i am going to give my self a challenge
really makes it real doesn't it?

Since 'the big move' to Tamworth
the stress has taken it's toll.
I am starting to put on weight & I feel pretty much like crap.
AHHHHHHHHHH!!!!
It scares me to hell to put on weight because at 44 going on 45 it is just unthinkable!!
Have you any idea how long it actually takes me to lose just 5 kilos at this age!!

Now how and what you you may ask??
I have no idea except I need to change what and how I am currently doing.

WHAT TO DO?? Thats the easy part

#No 1: Walk ( something I don't do at all)
#No 2: Exercise bike ( hasn't seen much action for 2 years)
#No 3: Laugh More
#No 4: Stress less

HOW TO DO IT?? Maybe that's another post hehe
or maybe we'll start here

Our weekend adventure started with swap meet on Saturday.
Now I haven;t been to too many of these meet.......ings
& I can tell you I won't be making it the highlight of my weekend any time soon.
I 'm told ...by hubby (who insisted I go along) that 'theyr'e not all this bad'.....OK well lucky for you , thats all I can say!!
Cause I ain't going back in a hurry. See this little leprechaun in the green up there? ^ ha! ha! This fella can talk the tail of a kangaroo. Lets go! shoot through I said ! come on !!! Lawnmowers and pumps that was his speciality, NOT THAT I ASKED, THANKYOU!! don't get me wrong he was a very friendly fella , TOO FRIENDLY!! there should be a fine for people like that, SERIOUSLY. See the lady (below) very nice lady too , but she didn't have trouble taking the hint when you need to move on .
Wow I picked up some cheap BELL china pieces for 20cents each Yes!! The next day I seen similar pieces at a Antique Auction passed in at $30.

Vintage Caravan

Roller coaster ( motorised apparently ) mmmm I don't get it what is this doing here? Ford Falcon XY ? Hubby's dad sold one last year just like this one but before the makeover.

Some older generations of Holdens AH HAHA not my hubbys favourite, he's more a Ford man really

What an exciting weekend HUH?