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..

Challenge for you all....

I hereby set all follow blogger a challenge... please go through your photo albums and find the worst photo of you that still exists... (and you are not like me and destroy all really unflattering photos..) then post on your blog... I think that there is no better motivation then a photo to keep you moving... here is mine.. .

This photo was taken about 2 1/2 years ago... I happily report that all clothes are now gone... in the too fat pile. I wasn't pregnant in this photo... but most likely still breast feeding Laura.

Weight??? I went though a stage there where I wasn't weighing myself but at a guess between 85 -90kg (ARRRHHH) - see.. I feel better already!!!

have a great day...

Fantastic Phil and Photos...

Our Skinny Latte girl DID IT!!! Please go and congratulate Philippa... she is the one that keeps us motivated and she has lost an amazing 27.5kg in a year.. well done girl!!

What other motivation do we need when we see the lifestyle changes that people like Phil have made and how your life can change.. if you want it to.

And just quickly... a couple more photos. My Sugar Plum fairy birthday girl and Hugh. I am sure every mothers thinks that their kids are the most beautiful things in the world.. but don't you think Hugh could have a career as a child model.. couldn't you just see his little cubby face in pumpkin patch mags??? (I know.. I know... every mother thinks the same...) and little Laura in her birthday TuTu...















I think I have moved that goal post and heading for a lower weight.. initally I will head for 62kg... then will again review. I have also discovered the kids trampoline for exercise (A joy of living out of town.. no one will see you) - The kids also love mum having a bounce with them... So I think I will start counting points again to get there.
Have a great day!!

A time to remember....

Anzac day... It is the one and only Public holiday each year that I agree with... (besides christmas day etc...) but as I stood at the local dawn service with my family, I did wonder for how many more years will we remember... will it just become yet another day off work and school.... will my children set their alarms to wake their own children to attend a service for those who gave so much for our country??? I really hope that they do.... As we tried to explain to Emilie why we where there and what the flowers where and explained why some of the men wore metals on their chest, I do hope that she will respect ANZAC day for what it is..... not just another public holiday.

I was very impressed with the number for people attending the dawn service.. standing room only in the local hall. For the last 50 years there has been a sevice held at Sheep Hills. The local brass band also marched with the returned soliders... something that will also soon come to an end. Most of the band would be in their 70's... at a guess and some have NEVER missed a ANZAC service. True dedication...

A hot breakfast followed and time for the fellowship.... I am sure that some of the people attending only see each other on ANZAC day each year...

I hope everyone reading has had time to reflect and remember why we have ANZAC day and what all of those soliders fought for.. and to say thanks...

LEST WE FORGET...

Birthday parties....

The dust is finally clearing from the annual "Daniel girls' birthday party. As the girls are so close in age... I have one party for the two on them. It is Little Laura's birthday tomorrow.. a big three year old. She has been practicing the hold three fingers up all week.. very tricky for the first time!!

Today, we had all of the kids friends here for lunch and a huge play. About 20 kids and 12 adults... so lots of noise and food... the kids love parties and we have a huge back yard with many.. many things for them to play with.

I have two barbie, ballet, fairy obsessed girls and I really don't know how that could possibly happen... they have had tractors pushed on to them from babies... but I guess they are really girls at heart!!

Laura is often a surpise to us... firstly.. she was a surprise. A true testament that breastfeeding is not a reilable contraception. We planned to have our kids close together... but I reall ydidn't think that it would be quite that close. A surprise with her emotions. She will be the first one to come up to you and hug...tell you that she loves you 'this much" -holding her arms at full stretch... telling her big sister that she is her bestest friend. But... she also has a LOT of spirit. Some days I am really not sure what she runs on.... hardly sleeps... but just keeps going and going. She was a little bigger then Em born at 6lbs 13 ozs... with black hair that soon went blonde also. Em was only a baby herself with Laura was born (12 months 9 days between them) so life has always had Laura in it for Em. Laura caring little thing.. just this morning is was rubbing Jack's head in bed and telling her brother to be quite. But she is also the rebel.. climbing up on the carport at Mardie and Pardie's....
The little muppet wants a tutu for her birthday.. so I will post a photos once she has it on!

Anyway... I have been thinking more about my weight again... after weighing in at 65kg... I think I need to lose few more kg's... Is that wrong? Am I becoming obessed??? I can imagine what someone reading would think that wasn't at goal weight would say...I too had those thoughts when reading blogs of people that would just want to lose those extra kgs..... "she is heathly... what more does she want..."

It is such a warm fuzzy when you are losing weight... the positive feeling you walk away from weigh ins... clothes fitting better.. feeling like you have so much eneregy... but I am not totally happy with my body still... it's stil bumpy... thinking.. .thinking ... thinking...

My WW buddy Janita cracked those bloody 80's this week... I had a lump in my thoat when she yelled out that she had cracked it. She has been been hovering around it for a couple of months.. so it was a Huge milestone to cross...

Well... I best go and have a coffee with my husband. He is about to go and shoot some foxes... Sheep are about to lamb.

Hope that you are all having a great weekend!

Weddings.. parties.. anything...

I have just drawn breath.... after nearly 2000 kms done over easter break and all of the washing done since arriving home... just now have sat down in front of the computer to give you all an update!!

We had a wonderful easter... We headed north of Paringa on Wednesday.. left the girl with Jack's folks and Hugh cam eot Adelaide with us on Thursday. We had to pick up Jack's suit and make sure that is fitted etc... so we met all of the wedding party Thursday Lunch time. Jack and the boys then headed off for lunch while Hugh and I went shopping... 40% of espirt was very attractive lure... but only brought kids clothes there! I brought myself a pair of size 10 sportsgirl drill pants and the rest was for the kids...

It took FOREVER to get out of the city and by the time we arrived back at Paringa jack was suffering from a very bad case of 'RR' (Road rage) - It took him at least an hour to get a sentence out of him that didn't contain an explictive... It was amazing how busy the city was... there where thousands of school kids.. fights... then it took over and hour to just get out of the city! The caravans are the real cause of jack's RR...

Friday was Emilie's birthday. My little bubba turned four.. Born 5 days early at 6lbs 4ozs.. with no hair. Being out first child, after losing three babies.. so was very, very precious to us.. and still is!! Now.. we have a very bubbly four year old, that is so much like me it is a little scary at times. She loves her family... looks out for her sister and brother... says the right thing at the right time... who can also share in a joke and tease you when she sees the need!




We had a little party for her on Friday before we left to be at Clare by 2pm. I was a little sad leaving Em on her birthday... but she really didn't care. She had her presents and cake.. her cousins from Adelaide where there to play with. She had a great day. The baby photo i think she was about 3 weeks old and the other is on her birthday. She really wants to be a cow girl!

Clare is a beautiful little town and if ever in Sa.. you should visit. I think it is only 90 mins from Adeliade!

All of these boys met at Ag school 20 years ago and have alwas been as thick as thick... They are spread out from us in Vic to almost the WA boarder in SA. The five of them are so different.. but the have been the best of mates now for so long. I am a little envious of them.. they don't see each other for years on end... they get together and it is just like it was 20 years ago. Not many people have that sort of relationship. I think the years have made them all a little wiser and I think they are now only thinking about why they have stayed good mates and the core of it seems to be that they have the same core life values... They muck around like school kids most of the time... but when it comes to the crunch... they have always been there for each other!

So a night of catching up on Friday then on Saturday morning our ute was one of the weddng cars (Funny hey!!) so Jack tricked me into washing it. It was before 7am... and just above 0 degrees and I was washing the ute! He told me that he was going to take me out of Breakfast... but nothing was open!!




Did a little shopping and headed to the wedding which was held at a homestead outside of Clare... beautiful.. very Pride and predjice.. rose arches.. very casual and relaxed!



The reception was a blast. I am sure we all have been at weddng where you have been sitting there waiting to the food.. bored... just to pick holes through the food. This wedding wasn't like that. It was a pain in the arse to stop and eat. We had the best time. the speeches where so funny. Danced all night. Got home at 2am!

Slept in until 7am... (Believe me this is a sleep in) packed up and had breakky at the Caltex road house with everyone. It was the fattest breakky that I have had in years... but i really needed it!

Jack and co had to go to the grooms house to collect their bag that was left there.. so we did their house over.. you know all of those little things.. like remove the labels from the tinned food.. glad wrap and food colouring in the toilet... and so on and so on.. very harmless fun!

Got back to the kids at about 4 on the Sunday. They behaved!! Came home late on Monday!!

This weekend is the girls combined birthday party. Laura turns 3 on Sunday so we have one party in the middle!! so will post some more photos of the party.

I jumped on mum's scales yesterday and I was still under 65 kg... but TTOM arrived yesterday so when I weigh tonight I do expect to see a gain.

BTW.. hair was fine. Very happy with new hair dresser.

Things will be a little more quiter here from now so I promise more focus on my healthy lifestyle and more posts!! Thanks for popping by!!

So many hours in the car...

Hugh and Kingley - giving his cousin some love...
My Kids and Amelia eating (Amelia is the same age as Laura - 3, but she is SO tall )
First photo is of Theresa and Bryan (Theresa's 30th Birthday speeches)

We have spent so much time travelling over the past few months... it would be interesting to see how much time was spent in the car! The kids do travel well.. well the girls travel well. Hugh gets sick of it and starts to annoy the girls.. so we do have the odd screaming match in the car... it not the kids yelling at each other... usually me telling them to calm down and it isn't much further...

A quick trip to Finley, NSW this past weekend... and a tour of SA this weekend... many more hours will be spent in the car.

Finley is a very nice little town.. reminds me of Warracknabeal in many ways. Often, when we aren't home, once Hugh is up (Around 6am) instead of waking everyone else in the house we head off walking. Finley has a lovely man made lake with a walking track around it.. very pretty and quite. Hugh loves this early morning walks... sometimes I think he wakes early when not home just to go out with me!! So, after a lap around the lake, and around town.. you get to see mcuh of the town. Lots of dairy cows and irrigated crops... rice, armonds etc... My brother-in-law works on a Armond grove. Bryan is from Zimbabwe where he was a tabacco farmer and they have been back in Australia for around 18 months. Theresa, Jack's sister met Bryan in Ireland while overseas and moved to Zim and has since had two children (Amelia and Kingsley) To say that life in Australia is different to Zim is a huge understatement... amazing...

Sorry... back on track. It was Theresa's 30th Birthday and we went to help her celebrate!! Had a great time!

Tomorrow night we are heading to Paringa, Thursday Jack, Hugh and myself are then heading to Adelaide to pick up Jack's suit (He is in the wedding party) and for me to try and find some clothes!! The girls are going to Stay with Mardie and Pardie. Back to paringa Thursday night then Friday is EMILIE'S 4TH BIRTHDAY!! so lots of presents and cake on Friday for Emilie at her Grandparents... late on Friday we are heading to Clare so Jack can be there for the rehersal of the wedding... Saturday in the wedding.. Sunday back to Paringa and Home again Monday... Puffed, just typing all of that!!

Now.. weigh in results. I only put on 200 grams... I am good at this maintaining thing... But this week will be the first week since i started WW that I will miss a weigh in... I guess it isn't going to kill me. But I know I will still be careful and make wise choices and plan for those snacks...

Getting my hair down tomorrow morning..A little nervious... last two hair colours have been very bad.... Developing a phobia of hairdressers. One to my third salon since November. One of my good friends owned a salon in Horsham, but she sold it about 2 years ago and changed professions... so it was great until then! I will post photos of me in my new dress, shoes.. handbag and coloured hair after the wedding.

I wish I could stay here longer.. but I have SO much to do before tomorrow night.

Take care everyone over easter!

Love Kirstyx

Playgroup..

I am sure most of you have been to a playgroup session or two... or at least heard of 'playgroup'. I have just about over dosed on play dough and paint this morning... so much for a 'nice quite' play... no such thing when you have three kids that all all pre-kinder age!

The kids run into the building and they don't stop until I pull them out kicking and screaming 90 minutes later.... a few clix biscuits and a glass of cordial is just enough food to keep them going until we get home and all of them curl up into bed for a nap. So.. is it worth it? Paint and playdough everywhere.. at least one comfort cuddle required per child.. singing song off key with the other mothers..eldest child discovering that she paints much better with her hands and fingers then brushes, diplomatically taking other people kids off a bike after they have rammed two other kids... enough biscuit crumbs on the carpet to keep all of the mice in town feed for a week..

I forgot.. what was my questions?? That's right.. is it worth it?? Yep.. you bet!! Apart from the fact that all of my kids sleep afterwards... the kids LOVE it!!

So.. that was my morning.. the rest of the week has been much the same.. cleaning.. washing.. running kids everywhere.. organsing the girls birthday party... just same stuff..

Weigh in tonight and that is why I am posting now... so I don't want to report a huge gain to you all. I have hardly been outside this week to exercise. But I went to our local basketball courts while in town yesterday and they have some gym circuits stuff there that you can use for a fee of $150 a year!!! They give you a key to come and go as you please and two nights a week they have someone there setting circuits going.. still thinking about it. It is so cheap but I would like to go three times a week, but to fnd the time with no kids might be hard. Will decide after easter. But I am thinking that it might just be what I need now...

We are all heading away again this weekend.. Jack has so much to do here but it can't be helped. His sister Theresa is turning 30 and we are heading to Finley in NSW to help her celebrate. So, that will be the weekend.

So.. I hope that M3 had a greatNAAFKA day went well (check out her post.. piss funny and I think we all should make our own)... and I want to wish LMS all the best in her new job starting next week....

Catch you later

Kirsty x

I am still here....

Just downloaded photos from camera.. this first photois Hugh just after we got back from Hospitial... just swollen at this stage.. did go blue! The other photos are from the wiggles....

I can't believe how quickly time goes between posts.. and it is not like nothing is happening to tell you all about... so much is happening that I am finding it hard to sit down and write with a clear head.. I have still been reading everyone's posts but commenting not quite as much... so sorry and will promise to try harder....:)

Weight - weighed in at 64.2 another loss of 500 grams... Happy happy... food has been great but ever since I completed by 6 week challenge I have had a bit of a pedometer burn out and I haven't been wearing it. So I haven't walked as much, but I still aren't just sitting on my arse as much as I used to...

The wiggles last weekend in Melbourne was wonderful. The kids just loved it. They just sat spell bound for the first part of the show then got up and danced. We are very lucky to be able to take our kids to see such a show.. many kids never get to the big smoke. Took lots of photos for the kids also. They had a train ride into the city from my brothers.. then a tram ride from southern cross station... that was just as exciting for them!!

After the show we met my sister and her boy friend at the cafe in the middle of the Fitroy gardens for lunch - which was also great to catch up. Sally only moved to Melbourne this year and I am a bit funny about my little sister moving away.. big sook... I know.

It took the kids a few days to recover from the weekend and they where back into day care on Wednesday with the new care provider. I was initally a little worried when I pulled up at the kinder and saw her car... it had a sticker on the back "Back off... the bitch bites" I thought that kids might be coming back home again with me. But she is lovely and the kids had a wonderful day.

Thank you for your concern about Hugh's head.. pleased to report that although there is still a bump there... you can hardly tell! He has since fell numerous times and has grazed his head again... boys!

I swear that boy will become a water deviner (i think that is how it is spelt) have you heard of the people that walk around with a stick or a piece of wire and they locate underground water... I swear that Hugh can sniff out water for miles... comes back wet from where ever we go!

I have so much more to tell you all but will try and post again in the coming days. I have just finished reading Dan Brown's Deception Point - very good book. I think I have read them all and can't wait for the Da Vinvi Code to hit the big screen. It was a fantastic book... just hope the screen version is just as good for those who don't pick up a book!.

I had another of those 'cliche' WW moments the other day... at the park with the kids... I was climbing up the big slide to help Hugh and a slid down after him. There would be no way in hell my arse would have fit a few months ago!!

Anyway... hope that all is well and it sounds like some of you had a ball at the Melbourne Bloggers dinner... great to see these get togethers!! I have a indian curray simmering away for tea.. yum...

TFTD - You are braver then you think (Barbie)

TIAGF - The end of day light savings and a extra hour sleep this morning!!

What a week....

7 days gone.. just like that.. so sorry for the lack of posts, but have been still here!!

As you know, we headed away for the weekend to Paringa. Jack then went on to a bucks night in Clare. Huge night for Jack and they had a 'lady' ** term used very loosely** visitor during the night to entertain the boys.. all in all a great night for him.

The kids and I stayed with Jack's folks and they had a ball. My in-laws lives right on the Murray, never a dull sight looking out onto the river and the kids love it. Little Hugh fell from a chair on Saturday night and we had to take him to the Renmark hospital (like stepping into the dark ages.. very old hospital, but lovely people) just to make sure he was ok. The poor little bugger split between his eyebrows and now is sporting two black eyes.

This week has been blah... no other word could describe how I have been feeling. Ever since I had my tubes tied for the second time, I have been suffering very badly from PMT... like really bad. I always am a little cranky leading up to TTOM but I have been really out of control. I went and saw a natropath today and she has me on a brew to set things straight again. She said that my hormones would be in a real muddle.. Considering that I conceived again before they removed the tube.. so it is just a mess. So three months on this brew and if I have three good cycles again, things will be fine.

So exercise this week has been EXCELLENT.. I did my challenge and did my 60000 steps so yeah... Finished my challenge.. Come on shoes!!! I did a heap of walking in Paringa. Walked each morning and I mean huge walks with Hugh in the pusher.. Was fantastic to walk somewhere different.

shhhh.. I have a secret.. but you mustn't tell anyone... I am a WW meeting tart. Yep. I cheated on my leader and went to a meeting in Horsham today. he he he .. .It was great.. new faces... new ideas... really good and enjoyable meeting. I felt I could also contribute.. as i was a new face I was asked about my journey and they all gave me a little clap. **slight head swell** The only reason I went to a Horsham meeting was because I was in town today and it saved me a trip into town tonight. I have also been secretly wanting to go to another meeting... just to see how other leaders ru their meetings. Ros is great (My Warracknabeal leader) but sometimes it is nice for a change..

Lost that 200 grams this week so sitting on 64.7 kgs.

We are heading to Melbourne this weekend to see the Wiggles live in concert. We have 2nd row tickets (note to self - - pack tickets) on Sunday morning. So heading down sometime Saturday and will stay with my brother then head home again Sunday. Kids don't really understand. I think they are expecting a huge TV screen or something. They will be blown away!

Take care all..

TFTD: If it going to be it's up to me
TIAGF: Natropath - fixings life's little problems with out undue medication!!

What our children eat.....

Those of us that are parents have a huge responsibility of ensuring that our children eat well. Eating habits, they say, are developed in the first two years of a childs life and if we want to change them, it take a lot of hard work! We all know that kids can be funny from time to time.. like only eating certain foods for weeks on end then refusing to eat it again, but the basics we have to teach them.

Last September, when I first joined WW, I did a little audit of how much crap food I brought and that is was always in the house (Chips, chocolate, biscuits etc) and in one of the first things I read about weight loss was not to ban it totally... that it was ok to eat those food, just in moderation. So that is what we do in our house now. If someone popped in for a cuppa this morning all I have to offer them is a Marie biscuit or rice crackers with extra light philly cheese and a pickle. (I do offer REAL coffee though... so they still come)

On weekends we bring a little bit of chocolate into the house as this is Jack & Emilie's Favorite treat and occasionally chips, but not as often. My kids treat these food as just that 'treats' and they refer to them as just that 'treats'.... But it wasn't always like that.

It was only after by babysitting the other day that it hit me. Yet another light bulb moment. When the kids where dropped off there was a bag of food with them also. A packet of chocolate biscuits, 6 little packets of chips, 6 lollie pops and a few bananas. When I opened the bag my first thought was "Oh my god.. is this what they feed there kids??" -- then my second thought was "Hang on - twelve months ago I would have packed then same..." humbled by my own admission.

So.... quite often I am thinking about the journey that I have been on in the past six month and I reflect on how it has changed my life. It was only then that I realised that not only has it changed my life, but also my families. My kids eat well, they consider treats to be just that and not expect them each day (which they did once) and my husband has also lost weight. Jack is built like a rugby player... all chest, and he has also been getting comments about his weight loss and it wasn't until the weekend that he hopped on a scale and reailsed that he has lost over 7 kg. For bloke built like Jack, it is a lot of weight to lose. But do you know the best thing about my journey.... is that my family just changed with me, no complaints, no 'just because you are on a diet doesn't mean we all have to be on a diet', they just accepted the changes and took them on board.

So anyway... I weighed in last night with a gain of 200grams, that I am ok about. I wore jeans, jewelry and even my shoes when I jumped on the scales. I am getting less scared of the scales and my focus is not totally on what that number is. I still care, but before if I had jeans on, for example, I would change prior to weigh in, and I would always take off my heavy jewelry and that is the first time I have worn shoes to weigh (Even though we are told each week to leave our shoes on.. he he he)

I am please to report that I successfully completed my week 5 challenge. Week 6 will mean 60,000 steps... so I am going to have to get a move on. Going away for the weekend, so hoping to get a few clocked up.

Thanks for reading...

Kirsty

TFTD: "Successful people do what unsuccessful people don't want to do" (Stolen from LMS post - really stuck a cord with me, pop in to her post and read what else she had to say about it)

TIAGF: A loving family that has helped me with my journey...

Wonder woman or just mad???

I am baby sitting today... I don't often babysit other peoples kids.... It's not that I don't offer, but I think many other parents think I have my hands full enough already with my own three. Today have have two extra. Two beautiful little kids... 3 & 2 years old. So I have 5 kids under three for the day.

I had my WW buddy, Janita pop out for morning tea with her three kids also... so 8 kids running around. I know that some parents would break into a cold sweat with the thought it... but it truly doesn't seem to worry me. I have three asleep at present and just to two older girls watching "Barbie' on DVD - having a little bit of quite time. I love watching Em (3 yo) playing now. It just seems like yesterday we brought home this 6 pound little bub that wore 00000 clothes.. arhhhh.

I am also totally on top of my housework.... I am fairly organised person... but I am never totally up to date. All of the ironing is done... toy room is clean... cupboards are all reasonable. So feel totally in control. (Until tomorrow that is...)

Waiting for a truck to arrive with 81 pregnant ewes (sheep for those city folk) - kids will be excited. A bargin buy as the farmer has sold his farm.

My challenge this week is on track. I really want to get to my 57,000 steps for the week. I lost a day somewhere there and had to do a huge walk on Monday night to get my steps up a little. After failing last week.. I really don't want to do that again... So it will happen.

Weigh in tomorrow night and I really want to stay for the meeting. I haven't been able to stay for one reason or another for the past two weeks... so feel like I need to. Janita (WW buddy) will hopefully become an 80's chick this week. I have made her a cd of 80's music to give her (with it own personalised cover) when she finally cracks it. I have had it in my WW bag for the past 5 weeks or so.... she has been so close for so long.

We are heading away this weekend to Paringa so will have some hills to walk... yeah...

Anyway... time for a coffee and I will update with weigh in results for you all tomorrow...

TFTD:you never fail until you stop trying....

TIAGF: Active kids that will sleep well tonight!!

Very good words of advise to other mothers....

Kids are playing well outside and you reailise that one child is missing..... **gasps**

You do a quick look inside.. no child there.... start calling out his name... not urgently so not to panic the boy.... still nothing....

Call his name again... just a little louder and you hear a bit of gabble somewhere close.... but where?? Look in the cubby house again... around the corner when you see the dog run under the house.... what do I find??? Missing son..





Safe... but stuck under the house.