Just a little note to say .......

Gone Camping....

C U Sunday

Weight Watchers : Week 5 - down 1.4kg's

I can do it!! Quite simply that, I can do it!!

We're into Week 5 and another loss of 1.4kg's has been recorded. I'm over the moon about it.

This past week has thrown many challenges my way and I bravely continued on the path I have envisioned for myself. I have now lost a total of 4.4kg's, which equates to 9.7lbs.

I can only thank Tiffany http://skinnydontfixugly.blogspot.com/ who found her way to my blog. Through Tiffany I have found many other blogs related to WW's and the recipe ones have been a HUGE help!! I started to wonder if I would end up looking like stirfry because that is all I'd eat. LOL So let me tell you a little secret and you absolutely cannot tell anyone else this : You can still eat yummy food and lose weight!! Not that stirfry's aren't yummy, they most definitely are, but night after night and your taste buds start screaming for some variety!!

Yesterday while browsing through one of the recipe links, I found a fantastic Chicken curry http://weight-watchers-points-recipes.blogspot.com/2008/11/chicken-curry-with-coconut-milk-43-pts.html Yum, yum, yummy!! Now don't forget those portion sizes - with this one you'll be tempted for seconds. But hold back - you know you can because those leftovers are going to make for another FANTASTIC meal!!

Should family only be about...

* Christmas Day

* Birthdays

* Other special functions

and notably funerals!!

I'm a hypocrite, that is all I can say!! I am in no position to take my gran in right now but nor am I happy about her being returned to a place that resulted in her hospitalisation in the first place. Nursing homes are notorius for not caring for the elderly placed in their care!! I'm torn, I'm angry but mostly I'm really angry at myself!! For not having the guts to do what should be done.

I am the outsider looking in. The desire to be needed, wanted, apart of is just not happening. I had come to accept this towards the end of last year but then invite after invite and voila, I have hope even though it was false!! My family is finally being included until *BANG*, it all explodes a few days before Christmas day. Firstly, my lil' family gets told what we don't want and that is you don't want to go camping, you cannot afford it etc. etc. Secondly, I'm not sure anyone gave one iota that our family was the only one not included in the Big Family Get-a-way and just how much it hurt!! Thirdly, I'm the bitch who wanted clarity on exactly what was happening on Christmas day, I'm the bitch that was ruining everyone's restful holiday - excuse me for not wanting to look like an A$$ on Christmas day. You hear 3 different stories about just what is happening, naturally some clarity was needed. But excuse me for wanting to know - just get-a-life Michelle!!

Yes, we are in a mess. Yes, we have made mistakes, Yes, we have asked for help. Yes, I bought a 'f*&^&' tent so that my boys could experience camping again. Yes, we sold our tent +- 8 months ago when it was just sitting gathering dust. Yes, I have contributed to making a mess of our financial situation - but dare anyone who thinks they are squeaky clean cast the first stone!!

I may not be the squeakiest clean of family members but I am a member of this family and I am resigning from it. I am me and if you don't like me, quite honestly, you can shove it where the sun don't shine!! Quite frankly I will never be the person you want me to be and while we are at it I have made BIG mistakes in my life, I am learning to forgive myself, I only wish you could too!!

Gran is determind to hang around for a bit

I took the chance today while Anthony was home sick with some bug to go and visit my Gran. This time I took some flowers and framed photo's of the boys and me, if anything to brighten up her hospital room.

When I got there it finally tinged in my brain that the drip was no longer in and panic set in. Why was it gone?? Took a quick stroll over to the nurses station - not too far as it is right outside Gran's room to enquire what was on or not on. Hmmmm. Apparently the Dr had said to remove it and that he was even considering discharging her tomorrow. WTF!! I hope he rethinks his decision tomorrow. She ate a teeny bit of mash and mince and has had a few sips of tea. Not the greatest recovery, if any recovery at all. She is very, very frail and has no idea what is going on around her or who is even visiting her.

But Gran is hanging in there. It breaks my heart to see her suffering like this. I only hope and pray that Gran is treated with some dignity in her final moments.

I pray for my Gran to find peace!!

We have just returned from our journey to visit my Gran, otherwise known as GG to her Great-Grandkids. It is so hard to see someone you love so dearly so frail and broken. Dementia has taken it's hold. My heart is aching...

I love you Gran, you will always hold a special place in my heart.

My gran is very ill...

What an evening last night was!! I got an sms that my Gran was admitted to ICU and might not make the night. I was heartbroken!! Gran has been at a frail care centre and I fail to understand how they let her get so dehydrated - it's shocking and I hope someone gets to the bottom of what happened or how they allowed it to get so bad.

I phoned the hospital that Gran is at and the nurse/sister told me that Gran is still very, very ill. I am going through to see her today, I'm just waiting to hear from hubby when he will be able to help out as the kiddies cannot go in to the ICU at all.

Trial run

Just to make sure everything was there, we had a practise run of putting up our tent this morning, much to the delight of Bradley and Josh. We also needed to make sure that we would all fit in. LOL And why is the blow-up queen bed just not the same size as a real queen bed?


Not much longer to go. We're all excited and I'm not quite sure how Josh is going to make it through the week. If he had his way we'd be camping today!! I suppose when you're 4 yo it is not easy trying to grasp the concept of time. ((smile))


Well it is Saturday!! Yes, I am happy and it's almost 12pm and I am still in my pj's. No, we will not get into the why, but yes, it has something to do with something that I feel passionate about. LOL

Woohooooo!! We can see the Baracuda (Pool cleaner thinger mabob)

Three weeks ago we moved into our new place with a pool that looked like a green, green forest!! The pump motor was missing and it had not been looked after for weeks, could even have been a couple of months. Nobody really knows!! This is where we are at 3 weeks later. We have hope that we will get to our goal of sparkly. We have found a product called Dazzle and it seems to be helping. ((grin))

I better hit the showers, get comfy and attempt to bake some flourless peanut butter cookies which equate to 1 point in Weight Watchers. They are made with what I call 'fake' sugar and sugar free peanut butter. I will definitely let you know how it goes.

Have a super weekend!!

I woke up and it wasn't . . .

. . . saturday but friday. For a split second I was truly disappointed. For some reason I wanted it to be Saturday. **sigh** I'm really looking forward to the weekend, I just want it here or maybe I am wishing the days away because next weekend we are going camping. I know, I know...you guys are going to get bored hearing about this little camping trip but you can't blame me for being excited, can you!!

After coming across a new blog this morning. You'll find it in my list of blogs on your right. It gave me cause for some thought. Why am I so determined to get it right this time? Why do I see it as a lifetime thing and not a short term thing? Why did something finally go click in this head of mine? Why is 2009 or rather 2000 + shine, the year of the Skinny Me??

The answers to all those questions are: I am tired of not having enough energy to keep up with my kidlets. I want to be able to run, play and swim with them without lugging an extra me around. I want my feet to stop hurting - yeah, they complain alot about this extra person I am carrying. I want to be able to ride a bike, to do things I want to do...and ultimately I want to climb Mt. Kilimanjaro with pride, knowing I'm in a condition to do it.

I have tried many, many diets including Weight Watchers. You lose some and you put it all back on and more. I'm not sure if it comes with age, or it's a maturity thing or what it is, but there comes a point when realising that to be fit and healthy and naturally skinny means whatever I do has to become a way of life and that is what I finally seem to have accepted and why saying NO 99% of the time to the wrong choices seems easier.

I chose Weight Watchers because I believe it will teach and guide me to a lifelong solution. I like the points system for than I like the idea of weighing my food. It is also a plan that doesn't disrupt the whole family or give cause to cooking different meals for family members. Although hubby has noticed that I don't touch bread anymore and asked why he is still buying the Low GI kind. My answer was quite simply that it was better for him, so there. LOL

My bit of wisdom for you this morning is just this, dieting is no short term solution.

Weight Watchers : Week 4 : Down .6kg.s

Not as much as I had hoped but down thankfully!!

Thankfully I am still determined as ever and will be working steadily to another loss next week.

I found a good pair of hiking books. Hi-tec's with ankle support. The boys and I are going to go for walks in the afternoon, spend some time at the local park just around the corner and work towards getting fit for 'little hikes'. And why 'little hikes'? Cause we have found a cool place to go camping at.

We're all pretty much excited around here at the moment. Next weekend is our first weekend away as a family in over 2 years. So even one night away has us jumping like jellybeans!! This is where we are going and this is where we will also be spending Easter weekend (3 nights) which also happens to fall on my Birthday. It's going to be a real treat!!

http://www.mountain-sanctuary.co.za/index.html

Next on my wishlist is a mountain bike. I think I discussed briefly last year sometime that Brad and I are keen to take up mountain biking but first some weight has to be shifted.

About that 'french kiss'....LOL

I know I was meant to get back here sooner and blog about that kiss. Now don't be mad at me if you don't have a good little chuckle about it.

The story goes...

On Saturday I made some new acqaintances as well as new friends. It was a mixture of peeps for sure. The singles, the couples and those married with kidlets. Always makes for interesting conversations. The braai was a huge success, well I think so at least. The food was yummy and there was an endless supply of snacks. Naturally I behaved myself as much as I could.

http://www.facebook.com/album.php?aid=89031&id=741238012&l=b780b

That is a link to the photo's from Saturday. Amongst the group of people was a Frenchman, now this guy made us the most AMAZING cheese puffs. I behaved on the first batch and politely said 'no thank you', I behaved on the second batch and once again said 'no thank you' and darn it by the third batch when there were only a few left I crumbled and had to try one!! I'm waiting for the recipe.

When everyone one was leaving and we were all saying our goodbyes, I got my first real 'French Kiss' - eeeeek, I can sense I'm in trouble here..... but no seriousley, I made a comment that it was my first real 'french kiss' and we were all giggling like a bunch of school girls. Okay, it was funny at the time. You know the one - the kiss in the air on either side of your cheeks.....I know! What one glass of wine can do to ones senses. Astonishing!!!

As for the whole forum issue - yes, it has been mulling around in my head. Some days I wonder, some days I think I should blog some more, and well, some days I think it's just not worth it. Hmmmm, what was that about rattlesnakes. Eeek, sensing trouble here too....

My first French Kiss and oh, Happy Valentines Day...

but . . . I'm really tired after a fun, long day. So can I tell you all about it tomorrow!!

p.s. Happy Valentines Day!!!!

Weight Watchers : Week 3

Very, Very Good News!!!

I am down 2.4kg's. I am jumping for joy!!! The mantra of 'Nothing tastes as good as thin feels' is clearly working. Heck, I don't think hubby has bought me a 2L Coke in a while. Woohoooo!! Big things this week. No breads, no coke, plenty water and choosing healthy snacks...

A friendly reminder : Those pesky blog rules and a new rule

This is MY blog.

If you are not reading it for FUN... please go away.

If you don't like me.... why waste your time here?????

If it bothers you that I used a delete button.... please go away. (revised)

If you don't like my personal opinions and thoughts about DOT DOT DOT... please go away.

If you don't like my photo's... please go away.

If you don't like my music.... please go away.

If you don't like the teams I support.... please go away.

If you are reading this PURELY to criticize me for my life decisions... please go away.

If you're reading this from your place of employment and might get fired for doing non-work-related internet surfing.... please go away (that's just me looking out for you... you can always read from home)

If you hate kittens, rainbows, chocolate (neg) or beads... you should probably go away too because those things seem pretty non-hateble and if you do hate them.... you're probably not real nice.

If you are one of the OTHER 20 people who read this on a daily basis... please stay.
(and if you know anyone in Hawaii or Alaska or any of the countries not blotted on my map... you can invite them to read (as long as they are agreeable to the rules above)... but only because I'm still lacking those states/countries in my quest for world domination)

SO... for everyone that's left here, after I've kicked out all the undesirables...It's unfortunate that some of the readers have not been here for the entertainment value that you are.

Just in case you are wondering...

For all of you who are supporting my attempts at losing weight I just wanted to let you that I have not let you down or myself for that matter - LOL. Traffic was gridlocked yesterday due to a thunderstorm during peak hour traffic which meant I did not make my Tuesday weigh-in. I'll be going tomorrow morning, so cross some fingers for some good news. I've really tried to be good.

Comment Moderation is now on in full force!!

Hi fellow readers...

Well after another scathing attack, I have decided to put on comment moderation. This is so that I don't get any surprises and well, I'd like to be the first to know if anyone is going to be nasty and snarky!!

Anonymous posting is still allowed, but I might consider changing this as well. I know it will affect a few friends who have not signed up with google and the likes. That is the only reason why I have not changed that aspect yet!!

Hope it is not too much of an inconvenience.

Love and hugs

Mich

Diana (Canada) this is for you ...

Hope you can see it - one very strong pool net!! Still no sparkly yet!!

Forgot to add, you're still welcome to come and visit.......I somehow think we'd have loads to talk about. Hugs!!

Our new place...

Yes, I did sign up...

Okay...considering that my internet has been up and down and basically driving me loco, I have not kept up to date with my comments. What I like about Kevan...well you didn't hide behind an Anonymous posting. Kudu's to you. And yes I meant kudu's. I wish I could say that it was accidental but no it wasn't. Was it a lie - well not really because at the time I had no intention to sign-up, but then I swear that 'curiosity got the cat' because I went and signed up. I had all these intentions to blog about it but basically have had no time. But I am sure there is a bunch of super sleuths with a bunch of assumptions who have there own ideas in their teeny little heads.

After reading the odd threads and especially a huge 'pager' at the moment I'm not quite sure you girls can do it. It appears that Torchbugs is there to rip into people no matter what the cost. To slander and to have people pat you on the backs and cheer you on with your super sleuthing. You couldn't care what is does to someone else as long as you are right!!

And you know what - you girls just cannot let it go. The whole 'delete' thing. Did it effect your lives so much??

Now for the Anonymous Post:

Anonymous said...

How kind of you to post about Torchbugs on your blog Shelly. I find it ironic that you joined Torchbugs the very same day that you blogged that you wouldn't.

My response : I know pretty stupid!! What was I thinking??

So does that make you stupid enough to climb out of a vehicle next to a pride of hungry lions, or does it just make you a liar?

Probably makes me stupid enough to climb out of a vehicle next to a pride of hungry lions. As for the character. As you don't know me - I'll ignore your 'liar' comment and move on with life. But then you girls are good at making assumptions and knowing all.

I'm also curious as to what South Africa has to do with our forum. First of all, the forum is based in California. That's in the US in case you didn't know.

Is that a bridge you really want to cross!! I actually have a friend who lives in California, I spent time with her in Las Vegas as well as with another friend from Washington State and not Washington D.C. I have friends dotted all over the USA - genuine friends who are real.

Two of your members had no problems trying to bring South Africa into a mix of child labour etc etc. Who knows more history about South Africa, ignorant others who go off on a tangent or some who grew up in the Apartheid era, whose first vote at the tender age of 18 was 'YES' for change and who now lives in the new South Africa but everyday wishes to get the hell out. I was just pointing out to some of your members that Apartheid was about race and not child labour and that embargo's/ sanctions were not the only reason for Apartheid to end. Yes, exporting hurt our farmers, of that I can be sure. But like my hubby said we survived pretty well without a MacDonalds and were healthier for it and darn it all our good fruit stayed mostly here in those days. Now we have to pay a fortune to eat good fruit and pay the export price.

I've visited America, have you ever been to South Africa. We're not talking Africa here, but South Africa. I'm sure you know where it is on a map!! Are you saying that your forum is exclusively for Americans. In all honesty if I didn't post that one single post none of you would ever have known who 2Glassy4U ever was?? I just get major peeved when people who think they know so much about South Africa start spewing crap.

Will you be posting hateful posts and then deleting them on Torchbugs as well as on LE?

I hope you have some factual information to go with that. Just exactly what hateful comments did I make then delete. I have fully disclosed why I deleted my posts and the funny thing is, is that it is getting your knickers more in a knot than it is mine. I stuck up for a friend who you girls had no problem in tearing apart!! I stand by Trish and always will? I think that makes me a better human being than you. Just my opinion of course.

As for threads about fellow lampworkers? When those are found they are deleted immediately. Are you insinuating that doesn't happen on LE? Are you saying the new forum hasn't been talked about on LE?

Immediately are you sure about that. Are you 100% certain about that?

I mean, here you are, not only talking about people behind their backs, but making false statements about them.

Maybe you need some help here?? Me talking behind whose back?? My blog is open for the whole wide world, geesh it even allows you to post anonymously!! It's no blooming secret. What false statements - I think some people were being very nasty about a fellow LE'er.

Here you are, talking about Torchbugs and its den of hungry lions.

Uhhhm no....but if you're thinking you're a hungry lion then by all means.......I was just trying to be local. {{grin}}. Maybe I insulted the lions, I think they are better natured than some of you. Your post proves my point though. I doubt I would have gotten all those sweet overtures of Welcome = oops, I didn't. Guess I was right about not being welcome over at that forum.

And you're right, maybe you don't understand what it means to be positive. Because if you think your blog entry here is positive, maybe you should re-read it. Your entry is no better than what you are accusing others of doing. In fact, I'd say it's pretty spiteful and hateful. It's people like you we are all trying to get away from. And we're the den of lions? Please!But hey, welcome to Torchbugs.

If being positive means tearing somebody apart, trying to ruin a business, hopping from forum to forum stirring shit then by all means carry on being positive. I am just one person - not sure I could stop the lot of you anyway. But as much as I 'love' this country right now I will stand up for it's history, I will stand up for my friends when they are being bashed and I will voice my opinion and you know what?? If you don't like it....stop reading my blog. Heck, I have a hard time believing you came across this post accidentally - so just who has been talking behind my back???

You know what DO ME A FAVOUR AND SAVE ME FROM MYSELF and ban me from your forum!!!

edited to add: the more I think about it the more I am certain that Ms. Anonymous is not American.

No more, no less

Just a quick update.

Through all this stress, I still managed to go and weigh-in. Although I was not very positive. Most of the time I tried to make the right choices but I'm sure there were a few cracks in those choices. {{grin}}

The weight stayed just where it was 104.4 kg's

Update on the move:

Stress, stress and let's add more stress!!

It did not go as planned. I swear there was a goblin around adding to the mix of chaos, mayhem and distruction.

Fortunately we were able to stay over at my sister's place on Saturday night as there was no power here. Sunday was a day of slogging back and forth, back and forth.......and back and forth!!

I am taking it one box at a time and one problem/issue at a time.

The pool is far from sparkling blue.

The house looks like a war of boxes exploded in it.

The garden is thankfully getting to a state of less shoddy. Thanks to one gardener.

Back to the slogging!! and ironing. LOL

Got to rescue the washing - looks like another storm or more rain is on it's way. Hey, who said I don't need any more challenges.

Back soon.....