Give me more drugs....

Being a daughter of a nurse, I am not normally the one to have a winge about being sick. When I was growing up you had to be really sick to get any sympathy from Mum.. and if she took you to the Doctor, you knew that you where really, really sick and would usually mean a couple of days off school. I tend to be a little the same with my family. As long as they are still going they are fine. All of my kids have the thinnest files at our Doctors.... I tend to leave it and see what happens before making an appointment and I guess to my benefit. If I ever have to get into to see our family Doctor (god bless him...), they always seem to be able to fit me in the same day as they know my kid must be sick if I am bring them in.... anyway... back to my winge.

I have a cold. I hate getting sick and rarely do, but I have been popping cold and flu tablets like smarties over the past few days. My eyes and nose are competing to see who can run the fastest! I have had a couple of early nights so hopefully will see the end of it soon! This is the first winter in like 5 years where I have been able to take cold and flu tablets. The previous winters I have either been pregnant, breastfeeding, Pregnant and breastfeeding, pregnant, breastfeeding.. get the drift? So.. I guess I could feel worse.

The weekend planning all worked well and I didn't have a total blowout. Still went over, but nowhere near as bad as I could have. Had a great girls night Friday night. One of them couldn't make it as she decided to have a baby a few weeks early (little Levi) but home at about 12... Saturday night was also a great night. Neighbours boys turning 18 and 21... home at about 2.30am. I also was very lucky to get two sleep ins...

I think that Saturday night was the reason for my cold. It was freezing.. they had a huge bonfire but it was still cold.. brrrr...

Not much else in the way of news... Jack is taking Laura (middle child) back to see the optometrist on Friday in Horsham. They tested her eyes here in Warracknabeal last Tuesday and they want to do further tests once they have put drops into her eyes to dilate her pupils. She has Astigmatism that is higher then the normal allowance of 5% (Fyi Alis it is 12%), and he believes it is really borderline whether see needs glasses for a few years, until her brain stops developing. So Jack, being a little quieter until we get more rain offered to take her over. So I will keep you posted on the outcome.

Thanks for everyone with their congratulation regarding my all time low... lets see if I kept it there.. he he he... somehow I don't think I have!!

At a all time low.....

Yahoo.....

Weighed in last night at 63.5... all time low and first time in the 63's.... a loss of 700 grams... very, very happy with that result!!!

I intend on getting to 62kgs... so 1.5kg to go... I have now had three losses in three weeks... which just happen to be the three weeks that I have been tracking again... I love the points system... it just seems to work so well with my life.. I really enjoy counting points and planning meals etc.. Very happy little vegemite...

this weekend will present a couple of challenges... First one is tonight. A friend is hosting a women's night at her house.. a get together for farmers wives as the husband is often quite grumpy at about this stage of cropping... so I imagine that there will be quite a few heavy pointed desserts.. cheeses.. etc. Not much will be drunk as we all have to drive home from Lah (yes... that really is a name of a little town) but there will be plenty of food to tempt me!

How am I going to deal with it?? Firstly..I am going to take some low fat dips etc for pre-dinner nibbles and a platter of fresh fruit for dessert. Mains won't be that bad... and NON of my friends drink diet softdrink!!! Can you believe that?? That still blows me away... so I will take my own drinks as well!

And Saturday night will present a much larger hurdle... our neighbours sons are turning 18 and 21 and Jack and I are going.. sort of the mature, responsible adults present. The party will be held in a shed (Like most rural birthday parties) and it will be cold and I know that there will be pizza, sausage rolls, pinwheels and later in the night the BBQ will be fired up in a vain attempt to soak up some of the alcohol before any brawls begin. How am I going to help this one?? For starters.. I plan to have a huge walk/run during the day, make sure I drink 2 litres of water, have a substantial tea (party starts at 8pm) and dress warm... so not to eat to keep warm. I will also make a couple of stuffed potatoes to take over. "A", my new WW buddy is the kids mother.. so I think she will also appreciate something nice to eat at midnight!! I do intend on having a couple of drinks.. but only a few as I need to collect the kids early in the morning on Sunday...
Quoting Ros, out WW leader "Failure to plan is a plan to fail".. so that is what I have done..

Speaking of "A" - she lost 1.9kg this weigh-in - so over the 5kg mark in just 3 week.. Her determination is admirable.. she is going to do it...

Janita my other WW buddy has been swapping plans and has lost 1.4kg in the last two weeks.. she will swap back to NoCount this week and keep things moving. Points one week a no count the next keeps Janita's metabolism going...

Anyway.. I better go and dress. Playgroup this morning.. Hugh has a little bit of a cold but the girls are keen.. so must press on!

Have a fantastic weekend and enjoy!

Spicks and spec....

Just a quick post between pick up and drop offs... Busy day with the kids...

I have been motoring along really well this week.. very on track and motivated to live well and stay healthy. I imagine that there will be a little loss this week at weigh in, things have been going well.

A friend and I are planning a "Spicks and Specks" (ABC tues night - music trivia) themed dinner party for a couple that have their birthdays a day apart.. we are having a hoot downloading old songs, digging up old Rage tapes from the 80's and planning a WW friendly menu... I love entertaining.. I love the planning. I am very much a list person.. in fact this particular party has progressed to an exercise book... lots to plan and organise.. teams.. questions.. prizes... fun!!

I went to a motivation speaker last night..some of you will know who she is - if you read the Hearld Sun or Adelaide Advertiser.. Kerry Cue - Very funny lady and we where very lucky to get her here to Warracknabeal to speak. We are raising funds for equipment for our new childcare centre... A very light tea was provided and pleased to report that it was well in the points that I had allowed myself for.. in fact I was still hungry when I got home and sat up in bed with a cuppa and two pieces of toast.

Thanks to everyone on the comments regarding the scales..I don't really think that I am ready for them at home ATM.. times will change and I may in the future, but I can really see me doing my head in with them.

And CKK... I do own one pair of Blunstone boots.. and they are only for work - I don't think they leave the farm..But I have a good going out pair of RM's... Both of my girls have blunnies also.. Emilie has cowboy style - I think they are called Riggers (Very funky) and Laura has a hot pink pair!! Very country kids hey... I have also brought Hughy his first flanny... how country is that!!

I had to buy a new outfit for the talk last night.. brown skirt, pink knitted top, new low heel shoes... all size 10 (Including the shoes ;) and a new necklace... I felt so good!! I convinced Janita.. Warracknabeal WW buddy .. to throw out all of her fat clothes yesterday... the 'this will do" attitude is really not needed... it won't - why lose weight just to wear clothes that "will do" - dress to feel great.. part of the package... new lifestyle... new clothes.. that is my motto anyway..

Do I REALLY need a set of scales...

I had a set in my hands at Kmart on Wednesday... almost through the check out when I stop dead in my tracks.. pondering a moment and turned on my heels of my RM's and returned them to the shelves... I chickened out of it... and now I still think that perhaps I do need them...

I don't have a set of scales at home... why?? My husband broke them last cropping calibrating the combine. I didn't know that they where broken at the time, but when I first weighed in a WW.. my scales at home where nearly 5 kg lighter!!! So my scales where donated to the shed.. along with my tupperware strainer that Jack drilled out the holes to make them bigger to get a clean canola sample, just a pity that now rice goes straight through.. oh I forgot... also my good kitchen digital scales that also where needed in the shed more then the house....

I often read posts of people that weigh each day... and in my mind I can see the benefit of that, but then I get scared and think that I will become obsessed with what the scales say each day. As it is.. if I ever visit anyone with digital scales I always excuse myself and go to the toilet and while washing my hands.. slip off my shoes and jump on.. just to see what they say...

I talked about buying scales all week... "I'm going to Horsham.. all I need is a set of bathroom scales" ... then last minute change of heart. I had my mother in law with me.. she brought a new set for herself as she is undertaking a weight loss program herself and before she went home I think I weighted myself 4 or 5 times - she went home Thursday.. so It wasn't even 24 hours from purchase!!!

What is other peoples weighing habits and why do you weigh when you do???

With all of this talk about scales.. time to fess up... Three weeks ago at weight watchers I weighed an entire 1.7kg gain - in one week!!! That has NEVER happened to me before.. But I guess that all of those weekends away and lack of any constant exercise caught up with me. But the good news... I have been tracking and exercising and have now lost 1.5kg of that 1.7 gain.. so still 200 grams from my lightest weight, but that will be gone by next week.. just wait and see!!

I had a wonderful mothers day and had a great time with all of the visitors. Last one left late yesterday.. so back here to keep you posted with everything. I really miss 'blogging' when I have visitors or away... lots to catch up on!!

Hope everyone is going well!!

Things are GREAT...

Hi there fellow bloggers.... Just the pre-weekend post. A weekend home, but with visitors arriving Sunday. So many jobs to get done tomorrow...

Firstly weigh in on Thursday night was great and I am again 64.7kg... but the great news is the "A" (my neighbour) lost 3.4kg.. she was sooo excited. It is amazing how your own prespective changes when you are with motivated people. "A" is very focused and dertermined to lose the excess weight and I find that now I too am a lot more focused and that little "attitide plateau" that i think I was suffering from is gone!! My goal is still 62 kg... so I am aiming for an entire kilo this week. Started the week well and I walked early this morning and have been eating well.. but I have a week of visitors and goodness knows what that will bring into the house.. but I am head chef, so it is no excuse.

Our funky Phil had a very good post this week and I am sure that you all read it.. otherwise pop over and read. She had a quote in her post from Pat Farmer... Love it!!

I have printed it out and stuck it on my fridge...

"The most powerful thing in the world is your own will. If you really want to do something, in your heart of hearts, you will find a way. But if you don't want to do something, you will find an excuse."

More then once today I have found myself running this through my head...

I had my friend Monica (who I grew up with) her two daughters and another friend with her little girl here today. I met them in town for lunch then they came out here for a play... not long left and have been down into the swamp getting firewood. Good exercise and I am sure it is worth a heap of bonus points.

On Sunday Jack's sister, Theresa, Bryan and two kids are planning to stay for a night or two then Jack's Mum is coming over for a few days. So lots of coffee over the next few days.

Jack has been VERY busy at work and will be home late tonight then he will start here tomorrow. Cropping.... exciting times.

A little Emilie story... over lunch on Thursday I reminded Jack that I had "Fat ladies" meeting tonight and that could he be home on time and little Emilie said "Mummy... your not a fat ladie anymore.." and I said, touched "thanks sweetie" - "Yeah Mummy.. Hughie is not in your tummy anymore..." how cute hey!!

So.. hope that everyone has a wonderful weekend.

Flashbacks....

Went to our local library today... I love reading but never go to the library... just never think to! A friend was taking her school aged girl there today and I thought.. why not!! So the three kids and I, with gumboots on, spent about 30 minutes looking through all of the books and came home with a bag of books for the kids and a DVD....

Flashbacks???? - There is a Hippopotamus on my roof eating cake??? - I can remember when that was a new book and our shcool librarian sitting us all down to read it .. then having to wait months to be able to borrow it.. and a DVD of Playschool - from when my younger sister used to make us sit through Playschool each day when we got home from school.... acid washed jeans, 80's big hair.... I spent over and hour sitting watching it with the kids... remembering that I used to really like a presenter called Tara.... so many memories...

Who else cried all day yesterday with the mine rescue in tassie... I had to turn it off during the day... then late yesterday they showed Kochie (from Sunrise fame) crying when Todd Russell gave him his 'safe' tag.. started crying again. I could even tell Jack about it without welling up. It will be a hard road for them both and there families... really do wish them well...

We had a fantastic weekend... stayed at Chardonnay Lodge. Wonderful venue. Sharron and Mat had a lovely small wedding of 65 guests.. got married in the grounds and managed to avoid the rain.. but it was cold. Shaz looked beautiful... I took the wedding photos.. so I have lots.. but I didn't use my digital camera.. had to use the SLR.. so haven't any to post just now. But whe they come back I promise to put some on. There should be some fanatasic photos... winerys... mansions... Late night and ATE SO MUCH FOOD... it was divine.. and beautiful wines flowed all night!

Had breakfast with the family in the morning then headed to see some friends that live only 30 odd minutes from Coonawarra. Haven't seen them in nearly 5 years.. so it was fantastic to catch up. Got home to find some idiot who collected some tractor parts had left the back gate open and our sheep where on the road... 2 hours later Jack got back inside.. not very happy...

Little Laura (Middle child) went back to Horsham with Mum. She came over and stayed with the kids while we where at the wedding and Laura got to spend her birthday money... very exciting for her and she had a wonderful time picking her own barbie doll...

So that brings us to today.. kids are in daycare and once my house is clean I am going down the street to sell raffle tickets for playgroup.. for our mothers day raffle of a Patchwork quilt!

"A" - my new WW buddy is going great guns.. sticking to her points and not afraid to ask questions about the program. She is counting points..not doing no count.. so I really hope she sees a loss this week...

Take care all and have a great day XX

A new prodgity for me....

I am very excited... really motivated... set to change the world... for one person at least!!!

My farm neighbour, 5km alway, joined Weight watchers last night and I am her new drill sargent... so to speak. I will call her "A" - she took a major step last night and came along to a meeting. She rang during the day and she asked if she could come with me to my meeting.. that alone was a huge step.... saying out aloud that you wanted to attend a meeting.. not just slient thoughts.

I met "A" there at the start of the meeting and our leader Ros, spent the first 30 minutes with her, explaining things, weighed etc. Then she sat beside me and sighed... the worst was over. I am sure we all can remember that first meeting.. not sure who you wll see there that you know... what in the hell will the scales say... will people talk about me.. all of these stupid thoughts going through your head...

I was very proud of "A" coming... she is a shift worker, which I can imagine is a nightmare for eating, a very busy mother of older boys, but she is determined to lose weight and become heathly. She will be here later today so I can help her with all of the Hunderds of questions that she will have. She did walk away from the meeting last night a little confused.... like you do..

I am very passionate about the Weight Watchers program and what it did for me and if I can help someone else.. of course I will. .. "A" stayed for the meeting last night and one of the questions was "How does it affect you being over weight???" - "A" answered with - "It is in my every throught... " The time has come to do something about it..

When we left the meeting she stayed and talked quickly with Janita and I for a few minutes and she said like it is almost like secret life.. going to these meetings and no one else needs to know. We walk away until the following week and it is almost like the unwritten rule that it isn't discussed in public.. at playgroup or down the street... Often, if I see Janita at playgroup I'll say that I will call her later... just to talk about WW... so I guess it is like a secret life.. a life that only other WW would understand! I will keep you all informed on "A" progress..

So.. with my new found motivation I am going to track this week and check the portion sizes. I brought the new WW cookbook last night "The really content tummy" - lots of yum receipes in there, so at least one new meal will be produced this week as well.

We have a wedding at Coonawarra, SA, this weekend. I am taking the photos as well.. so that is very exciting as well. My mother is coming over to stay with the kids for the night.

Other news... we had one of our farm sheds fall down Tuesday night... wet and windy weather. Had ute and combine in there. We got the ute out, but the combine is still stuck under the roof. The insurance assessor was here yesterday and he is sending a builder from Bendigo to come and quote to fix, but if it is over $10,000 they will just pay us out and we will have to build another. The assessor thinks that we are under insured and it will cost us more then that to replace... damm

Having a "stitch 'n' bitch" tonight at a friends. Our husbands are in Apex togther and there is Apex tonight.. so we are going to make jellewery bags for our mothers for Mothers Day... I am not crafty at all.. so Julia will be pulling her hair out my the end of the night from lack of skills....

Oh... I got my entry in for the "Slimmer of the year" for WW.. really don't think that I will win the title because I haven't lost enough weight.. in the past the winners have lost between 30 to 50kg... but every kilo lost WW donate 50c to Breast cancer reserach... I nearly got cold feet. I complied all of the photos etc and I thought.. my god.. do I really want everyone to see these??? But... still handed it in last night!

Here is the photo that I had to get Janita to take yesterday morning... all of photos of me since I lost weight have had Jack in them as well...

Better go and do some housework... take care all XX

Ouch!!!

Poor little Emilie has just discovered the down side of becomign a big 4 year old.... We have just come home from the Material and Child Health clinic and both Emilie and Hugh where due for injections...

She even made me cry... Bless her little heart. But a minute of cuddles and she was back to new. She went off and played then returned to watch her brother have his. She told the health nurse that "the needle was too sharp and did you know that it really hurts.." thank god it is the last one! They both also had the development assessments done and both a fine! Emilie has a habit of walking on her tip-toes that we haev to watch... but apart from that no concerns at all!

Weigh in last Thursday night reveled a loss of a whole kilo.. so sitting at 64kg. I am more focused and ready to loss that other 2 kg that I have been talking about.. 62 here i come.

We had about 30 people here for tea on Saturday night for a Apex dinner. Jack is currently president of Warracknabeal Apex and they had a working bee here in Saturday arvo.. then we had a "pot - luck tea".. great night. House was FULL of mud at the end of the night but that is what you get when it RAINS... did you here that... it actually rained over the weekend.. amazing!! the blokes had a huge bonfire in the swamp and the wives and kids just stayed up at the house. Lots of food and drinks..and mess. Jack took the kids fishing at the dam in the morning so I could clean... Back to new now!

So.. just quick post for now. Things are going great and I think my neighbour will join WW this week, I love it when someone joins up because you have motivated them! What better reward then that!

TTFN..