Thank you and Happy New Year to you all x x x

As the end of 2009 approaches, I would just like to send you, my followers, a huge THANK YOU for taking the time to read my ramblings from week to week. For commenting and lifting my spirits with your words of praise, encouragement, and kindness throughout the year. This journey would be very lonely without you all, and I do appreciate each and everyone of you. I look forward to spending 2010 reading your blogs and following your journey's and having a laugh or two with you along the way.

So to every single one of you...... HAPPY NEW YEAR !!!! x x x x x x x x x

Christmas.........

After all those hours of preparation, trudging the streets for prezzies, wrapping them, sending cards, food shops, and the christmas decco's covering the house, and eating until your stuffed, its now all over again for another year ......

Although I had a good day, the vast majority of it was spent in the kitchen (again)!! The day began with my 2 daughters opening a sack full of prezzies each, I dont think they were disappointed by their reactions. Santa had bought some pretty good things this year ;O) . If anything, this is my happiest part of the day. Seeing my girls being happy. To me that means a lot. After they had finished, hubby and I exchanged gifts. 3 of mine I had chosen already, a ww cook book, a new pair of boots (that I had already borrowed on my night out with Karon) but they had been wrapped up afterwards, and a hairdryer. Not overly exciting, but things I either needed or wanted, so that was good. I also got some perfume, and a mug. Hubby was pleased with his wii games, and Delia Smith's cook book... LOL ... he can't stand Delia Smith !! He is an avid Ipswich supporter , and of course Delia is associated with their biggest rivals Norwich City .... but he did see the funny side when he opened the prezzy. My darling daughters had bought us prezzys too. My youngest knows I have a mad passion for Simon Cowell :OP .... and she bought me a gorgeous Simon Cowell calendar !! And my other daughter bought me a lovely big cup with me to you bears on it. Lovely. They really are great kids and I love them to bits.

After all the prezzy giving, I then went to lay a christmas wreath on Dads grave with mum, and came back to do dinner whilst hubby and girls went to the outlaws in Bury to deliver presents. They were gone for 2 and a half hours whilst I was up to my eyes in roast potatoes, and brussels ..... but hey, someones gotta do it !!

Dinner went well, totally went overboard !! My Mum and eldest daughter joined us for dinner also which was good. After an hour or so after dinner, the girls packed their bits to go to their dads for a couple of days which they enjoy doing. Boxing Day I didnt even get out of my Pj's until 3pm. Sat doing a 1000 piece puzzle which I had bought for hubby. It was blooming difficult, you see, the picture on the front, is not the picture on the puzzle. You have to guess what happened next ... we have finished it, but boy was that hard !!

On Sunday I was cooking for the outlaws. From previous posts, you may know that they are not my favourite people, but its Christmas, and I thought I should offer. No-one else offers to have them..... I wonder why ??!!

So that was Christmas really. I worked the 3 days leading up to Christmas Eve, and today Im back to work for the 3 days leading up to New Years Eve, which is a bit of a grind as hubby and the kids have 2 weeks off ..... yes Im starting to feel sorry for myself ... LOL !!

I did have a lovely Christmas, but every year I find it an anti-climax. I suppose I put so much effort in, and get little out.... but hey.... the impressions left in my mind are the girls faces when opening their prezzies .... and my 10 year old on Christmas Eve writing a little note for Santa, and the carrots that are still laying all over the garden which the reindeers couldnt eat ..... thats Christmas ..... and thats what counts... my girls x x x

more embarrassing pics from our night out !! x

Oh dear !! Oh dear !! Oh dear !! Lol !! More embarrassing pictures have come to light from my boozy night out with Karon http://twinklestrek.blogspot.com/ !! I had completely forgotten that Karon had taken a camera with us !! A brilliant night out was had ....... when are we doing it again Karon ? Here are just a few.... pmsl .........

2 MASSIVE THANK YOU'S ..... :o)))))

As I type this, I am still, ever so slightly, tiddly !!! My head is spinning, I can still taste vodka (not very nice mixed with low fat yogurt :O/ ....) and Im so dehydrated its unreal !!!! But there is a good reason for all of this..... I had an absolutely blinding night out with Karon from http://twinklestrek.blogspot.com !!!!! It truly was the best night out Ive had in a very, very long time. We both got completely hammered !!! We danced, had a giggle, and I can't wait to do it all again one day !!! Karon, you truly are an amazing friend. Im so glad we found each other at that car boot sale. Your a friend for life and I want to thank you for that .... friends like you don't come along every day, and assuming your still alive after last night, I want to wish you an amazing christmas and happy new year x x x

My second thank you goes to Phil from http://phil-theincredibleshrinkingman.blogspot.com/ . This lovely man has given me a blog award which I am extremely proud of. Your words were very kind Phil. Im glad you find my blog inspirational. If it helps anyone in anyway, then Im so pleased. Im honoured and very touched . Thank you hunnie. You yourself have a fantastic blog Phil, and like I said in my comment to you, your strength and commitment to your journey should be commended, and Im honoured to be one of your followers. I would also like to wish you a wonderful christmas and new year Phil x x x

So what else can I say. Im feeling very, very happy today .... x x x

Absolutely over the moon !! I lost 4 pounds !!!!!!!!! Yes 4 lbs !!! Back to 11 st 12 lbs :O)))) ....
Im thrilled to bits with that. My word my body is sooooooooo weird !! I was even on the ww 5+ board at the beginning of this week whinging that I looked like I was heading for a 1 pound gain to add to the 3 pounds I gained last week due to my birthday..... and here I am having not only lost the 3 lb that I gained last week, but they bought a little friend with them !!! :O))) !!
I have been really good this week, although I still come slightly over points by 4 . Im still trying to make wise decisions, although I have thoroughly enjoyed doing some home cooking this week, which consisted of home made mince pies and little brandy cakes ...... mmmmmmm .... :OP ..... not sure where this urge to cook is coming from, as I am no domestic goddess by far , but hey , I have thoroughly enjoyed it. I may see what else I can conjur up this weekend. Any suggestions or recipes would be greatly received !!
Although I have had a brilliant result today, which Im delighted with, I have found the last few weeks really difficult. There are some delicious foods around this time of year, that other members of the family dive into without a seconds thought, and I either sit there sulking or have to work out whether I have enough points left for, and my 19 points doesn't even go anywhere near what I really want to be eating. Its been a hard month. Im hoping that when January arrives, this feeling will disappear and I will get my drive back to get the rest of this weight off. I think a lot of people are feeling the same right now.......
So on this very happy note , Im off to start the day. Ive woke up at 5 am, not good as Im out drinking with the lovely Karon tonight from http://www.twinklestrek.blogspot.com/. We have never had a night out together before, and should be a giggle !! Im looking forward to it. There may be pictures coming, so be prepared !!! A happy bunny today, just in time for christmas :O)))... Ive not decided yet whether to weigh in next week or not. It will be Christmas day and Im sure by then, the Christmas nibbles will have set in on Christmas Eve big time. Ive decided to have Christmas Eve, Christmas Day, and Boxing Day off plan, and jump back to it after that. I may not weigh again so that I can enjoy this high Im on now, and think to myself, hey girl .... your in the 11's for Christmas !!!!!! WHOOOPPPPEEEEE !!!!!!

Feeling really festive today :O)))

HAPPY CHRISTMAS EVERYONE X X X X X X

Well, I braved the scales ... :O(

Well the inevitable happened. I decided to brave the scales this morning, despite it being my birthday week and having two meals out. This journey is for life, and birthdays are a part of my life, so its only right that I take the good and the bad and keep myself in check .....
I climbed on the scales and I have gained 3 pounds :O( .... back to 12st 2 lbs .... :O(

Ok so the damage is done, but did I have a good birthday? Yes I did. And it was worth every ounce of those 3 pounds and more !! So back on the wagon now, firmly stuck in the driving seat, ready to dive back into the 11's for Christmas...

My only question now is ..... why does it take a month for me to lose 3 pounds , but I can gain 3 pounds in 2 days ??!!! AAaarrrggghhhhh !!!! Out for lunch with Karon today :O)) .... healthy of course x x x

Can't believe its Christmas Eve in two weeks..... aaarrrggghhhhhh !!!!!!!!!!!!!!! x

Birthday week ..........

Well I have now reached the grand old age of 41 !! It was my birthday on Tuesday, and I had a lovely day. The first birthday meal was on Monday night with hubby, my 3 girls, and my mum. We ate at The Manger at Bradfield Combust. I found it really hard to choose what to have,as there was a lovely choice. I was torn between chicken kiev or mixed grill. I opted for the Chicken Kiev, as I hadnt had this for such a long time. I could almost taste the garlic butter....dribble dribble, but they came back to the table and said they only had one kiev left, so I let my eldest daughter have it... :O(( ....... I then decided to have the mixed grill .... Oh My !!! It was huge !! I enjoyed every single mouthful , and really struggled to eat it all. Eventually I managed to eat it, and couldnt move for a while... lol.... I dread to think how many points were in that !!! About 90 Im sure !! After half an hour everyone decided to choose dessert..... to be honest, I didnt really need one, but I thought as it was my birthday I would indulge..........I indulged in the most delicious, absolutely scrummy, devine chocolate mouse, with cream inside, covered with melted chocolate snickers bar on top.... I cant remember what the full name of it was, but called something lumpy bumpy and it most certainly made me feel lumpy and bumpy........Ive never tasted anything so nice ... EVER !!! It was heaven on a plate :OP ......
On Tuesday, I opened my prezzies and cards. I got money, PJ's , A bottle of Ouzo , Dressing gown , and a cd. We then dropped the kids into school and went out for the whole day. We started at Marlows, and had a leisurely browse around the christmas goodies, then we went bowling , then went out for lunch... a delicious steak pie and vegetables, then went to the arc shopping centre, then to matalan, then to our local pub for a couple of hours before returning home at 8pm... it was a busy, but lovely day. Not having to worry about getting back or rushing to work was just so nice. Wish I could do things like that more often :O))))....
So all in all, a lovely couple of days. I havent dare step on the scales all week.... my body has been churning and gurgling since my massive mixed grill on Monday. Its just not used to that volume of food anymore, or that type of food !! So not sure wether to weigh in tomorrow or not .... I will wait and see..... yes I know, Im a chicken...lol...
Off to darts tonight...looking forward to playing for the team again. I really enjoy those nights out.
Hope you are all ok. Been trying to catch up with a few blogs in between birthdays and christmas shopping lol....what a busy time of year x

In the 11's... OFFICIALLY this time !! :O)))

Lol .... after my premature celebration 2 weeks ago of dipping into the 11's on the Saturday, and then following with an official weigh in last Friday back to 12st ....... Im happy to say that my official weigh in yesterday was 11st 13 lbs !!! YAY !! 1lb lost !! And Im halfway through my monthlys, so really pleased with that....and in the 11's just in time for my birthday next Tuesday.....woooohhoooooo .......... however, having said that, this week is going to be tricky. I have 2 meals planned for my birthday, one with all my girls and my mum, and the other just with hubby on Tuesday, so the chances of me still being in the 11's next week (excuse the pun ....) are pretty slim !!! LOL ..!!
But Im not going to worry. Next Friday is just another weigh day in my entire life. Of course it would be great to still be in the 11's , but you have to live, and I only get one birthday a year, so I intend to enjoy BIG TIME !!
I now have a week off work to enjoy too..... happy days :O)) x