Summer Solstice Sensation

MrsWoolfe

Hello all!

Glad you had a good weekend Maman, the weather really has been gorgeous recently hasn't it? I love how people seem to smile more and say hello when it's like this!

Been a bit hit & miss the last few days- really tired for some reason, works been quite stressful even though this is supposed to be one of our quiter periods. I try not to let it get to me, but it gets hard when you are surrounded by people complaining and being stressed and unhappy argh, I've tried to help but there is only so much I can take on, I know we are all very busy but at some point you have to just man up and do your best- feel a bit mean saying that, but I do think some people just like to moan no matter what you suggest to improve things there is always a reason it wont work grrr!

LL- sounds like you have been really busy, what with the house and all the hospital visits- I still hate being in hospitals, I can feel it as soon as I walk through the doors, esp if I have to go to the one I was in for months- shivers- must be so hard on you both right now:grouphug: I think you need some extra pampering- a massage perhaps?

right ladies (and lurkers) hope everyone has a lovely day, I'm going to make the most of the hour I have in the office before anyone else gets in!

MrsWoolfe

lessonlearned

Hi peeps

Well what another wonderful, beautiful, glorious day. How can we be miserable with that big yellow orb beaming down on us day after day. Don't let your work colleagues get to you with their moaning Mrs W. You sound like a really positive person, ignore 'em.

I think people with an upbeat can-do attitude will always get more out of life - they will be healthier and happier than the moaners. I think they usually age better too.:D

Was sitting out with OH in the front garden - very European - watching the world go by - when the builders who were working next door offered to bring us some sand so we could pretend we were at the seaside. I said could we also have some ice-cream, they said yes they would just go and fetch the donkeys first. Oh the wonderful British workmen and their quirky sense of humour - I love them - really miss working on site sometimes, the banter was great.

Actually they were roofing contractors fixing next doors roof, they're coming here tomorrow to do some minor work. The harsh winter and all the frost has caused a lot of damage to roads, buildings etc round our neck of the woods - mainly mortar damage between bricks, under roof tiles, flashings etc.

Having worked in construction I am very aware of the importance of building maintenance and am very much a proponent of the "stitch in time, saves nine" theory.

Hence our little bit of roof work is only going to cost £280. My poor new neighbours bought a house which, whilst it had a flash kitchen, fancy bathrooms, large conservatory, state of the art lighting systems etc had hardly had any real maintenance work done over the years. They are now having to shell out thousands on repairs and maintenance that should have been done. Feel so sorry for them. They had a survey too:eek: - Obviously not worth the paper it was written on.

The old neighbours were nice enough people but all fancy cars and posh furniture, all show and no substance. Or as we say "oop north" all fur coat and no knickers.:D

Today DS2 was home so we set to and made some wheelchair friendly temporary access pathways - a sheet of marine ply and four old wardrobe doors:rotfl: The doors were painted cream and blended in very nicely with the surrounding gravel. Very MSE. They will do until we can get the summerhouse and decking etc done.

Also set up the garden table and chairs on the patio and our mini greenhouse. Tomorrow the carer and I will be able to get OH into the back garden and he can potter to his hearts content.

BTH the new mini fruit trees are looking good, leaves and blossoms, - unfortunately I've lost my jasmine to the frost

Have caught the sun, looking quite healthy now.

Todays treatment - quick eyebrow tidy. Exercise - landscape gardening:rotfl:

Had a real attack of the munchies tonight - so hard sometimes - managed to resist apart from one biscuit - WW tomorrow.

G'night all.

maman

Totally agree about the positive effects of sunshine. I just love it!! Sorry to hear that your colleagues are feeling miserable Mrs W but agree there's only so much you can do. Hopefully two long weekends will cheer them up.:D

I picked up my new prescription sunglasses today, very smart. The style is called JackieO so that's a bit of a give away. I did heaps of washing and dried it all (so I know what I'll be doing tomorrow:(). Also a few bits of food shopping, mainly fruit and veg to try and play catch up on the healthy eating side after the weekend and in preparation for the coming one.

We had our roof done a couple of years ago LL. We live in quite an old house and it was the felt that needed replacing. What a filthy job! At least it made us clear out the loft and make DDs collect all the belongings we'd been 'storing' for them since they left home years ago. DH took the opportunity to put down loads of extra insulation too. All helps.

:wave: to all virtual friends (includng lurkers):)

MrsWoolfe

Hello all!

suns out again and I am really looking forward to sitting out in the garden for a bit at the weekend- may not be able to get on much for the next few days, am heading over to my Mum's tomorrow and then on to the mother in law's hopefully with a BBQ with friends somewhere in between...

you know it's funny you all saying about being positive, I never thought I was a particularly positive person- in fact my Mum I'm sure will swear I am the moodiest girl in the world (then that's prob cause if I disagree with something= I am in a mood):D I think though, that the last few years have really changed my outlook. People say it all the time, but life really is too short for all that nonsense. Why get wound up/stressed about things that matter so little??

A good ex right now- manager came in today and asked for a word then said that a client had been unhappy with something I'd done- not my client, I was helping someone else out, there was a misunderstanding about how a payment would be allocated- client queried it- I double check and amended- he said nothing to me apart from thank-you but I'm now being told that he has gone back to another collegue and said he wasn't impressed etc etc...now with the way my manager says things like that (she's just got that tone) initially I was a bit worried, and had that horrible feeling in my stomach....but now I'm thinking, meh 1 not my client I don't know the background and was helping s/o out- they did actually review it before it was sent out, so maybe we should have caught it.
2. Although it has a impact it was something that could easily be overlooked.
3. Meh it's sunny, so what if a particularly pendantic grumble-butt isn't impressed with me?
Is it going to be a huge issue with my job?NO - we're human we all make mistakes sometimes- most of the time I'm pretty on top of it.
Is it going to affect how my team see me? NO they know me by now they know how I work.
so yeah...what would be the point of getting worked up about it?

decided I will just chill out for a few days on the eating/exercise front prob still do some and more than likely still will eat well, but won't be concentrating so hard on it, think I need to spend some time focusing on having a nice time with DH- so easy to get caught up being busy and then finding that you're not really doing things together just spending time near each other whilst busily getting on with things! I know sometime it has to be that way but need to focus on each other now and then too I think:D

planning some prawn dumplings and endamame beans for dinner- DH is hooked since trying them at Giraffe a few weeks ago so will try and make my own version, reasonably healthy dumplings are steamed so should be nice...

right must go and sort out bits for the weekend, hope everyone has a lovely easter!

MrsWoolfe

lessonlearned

Ooh Mr Ambassador (substitute weather gods) you are spoiling us

Scorchio here today, fab:j

Maman your sunglasses sound great. I think Jackie O was a very stylish woman and her sunglasses were very much a part of her signature look. I like that whole "old money, East Coast, preppy look". A bit like our own Sloaney/Mulberry/Jaeger thing but with really sharp tailoring. Here I am with the tailoring thing again.:rotfl: Anyway I bet you feel really good in them, some things are just worth splashing out on.

I have a new boot fund - it's my small change jar - up to about £50 in there now. When I am slim and have nice slender calves I am going to splurge on some really good boots - one pair tan and one pair black. Good boots don't come cheap - even in the sales - hence the fund.

Mrs W. where do you get your endamame beans from. I have been trying for ages - can't find them anywhere. Please advise - I love them.

WW today - lost 1.5 lbs - that makes 5lbs in 3 weeks.:D

Really busy day - library, bank, Costco, chemists (queues a mile long - everyone stocking up on their drugs for the bank holiday!!).

Tried out the new access paths for OH, easy peasy. Last year he could still climb the small step from the patio doors, this year it's wheelchair only. Never mind - at least he can get out now and enjoy the back garden.

Roofers here - of course they found some extra bits that need doing - always the case. Hadn't really banked on roof repairs - never mind - needs must. So they will be back next week.

Anyway time for a kitchen clean up and dinner. Liver for OH - he's been a bit anaemic so giving him liver once a week to get the iron levels up again - with spinach so a double iron hit. Asparagus (yellow stickered so a bargain) wrapped in ham for me - yummy.

If you're going away for Easter - have a lovely trip. If you're staying home - have a lovely time.

Bye for now x

lessonlearned

Another busy day, making the most of the weather.

Blitzed a couple of bedrooms, tons of washing, and then out in the garden, weeding, tidying, planting seeds, planning what to put where etc.

DS1 home so will have both my boys around for Easter. Lovely.

Will be mainly a DIY/Garden weekend whilst I've got my boys here to lend some "muscle".

My nails are wrecked - I can't get on with wearing gloves when gardening - so it'll be a warm oil nail treatment tonight, plus a deep cleansing face mask and a nice soak in the bath.

Have started some sit-ups again, and some yoga stretches. Going to try the bike :eek: Have left it rather too long this time - will need to start with baby steps again.:o Was really stiff and sore this morning - all the decorating and laying the access paths has taken it's toll. Need some pampering.

Took my waist measurement - looking better. Already feeling less bloated - going in the right direction.

Sticking to my healthy eating programmes might be a bit tough over Easter but I'm going to really give it a good try. I've got plenty of fruit in to help for attacks of the munchies:D

Stick with the plan, guys.

lessonlearned

Just another lovely day pottering about - in the garden and around the house, enjoying having my boys at home.

Was as a bit nervous about coping with WW this weekend - they both could and do eat me out of house and home. However, they are both being really supportive of my weight loss efforts. DS1 is particularly interested in my new way of eating and has decided it looks really tasty etc "How do you cook that" and "Next time you do that can I have some". He lives in a flat away from home and is a very keen cook. Very MSE too so I must have done something right:D

Speaking of MSE - didn't bother buying shorts - just cropped a pair of old jeans my OH doesn't wear. They'll be fine for now. Also realised the jeans I am currently wearing (the only pair I have in fact) are about 4 years old now - ASDA £4 - that's £1 per year:rotfl:

Found out a pair of cream linen trousers from last year - they are really loose. Can wear them for now. Even though I was disappointed with my initial weight loss (before joining WW) I've obviously toned up and am a better shape. Goes to show exercise does work.

Off to cook dinner - crab cakes with chilli sauce - yummy.

Have a lovely Easter Day. Don't worry about eating chocolate - it won't kill you or blow our diet.

Don't know if anyone has tried this but it works for me. Rather than have puddings I allow myself 2 squares of chocolate or a couple of truffles. It has to be "good" chocolate with a high cocoa content though. I find it satisfies my cravings. I prefer dark chocolate anyway and I love experimenting with some of the "spicy" ones. I'm currently eating some orange/cream thins - dark chocolate and a decidedly spicy twang to them (Aldis about £1). I am quite happy with just two with my after dinner coffee.

For my evening munchies - I'm eating grapes, olives (Not at the same time:rotfl:) cold meats etc. Seems to be working.

Bye for now. Hope you are all having a lovely weekend.

lessonlearned

Happy Easter Everyone

Having a day off - with my boys - pottering about (Did do a load of ironing first thing - before anyone else was up and about) so not completely bone idle:D

Also giving WW a day off too:rotfl:

Bye for now x

Carmen

Happy Easter Sunday to you all.
I have just said farewell to the last of the Easter visitors :dance: It was lovely to see them but, it also lovely to see them go
I have been very busy since I last posted, needless to say I have been eating on the hoof, quite a lot of rubbish too the result is 2lbs on :mad: I just cannot get past a certain point at the moment, I lose I put on, oh well onwards and downwards
I hope you are all having a nice weekend?
Chat soon
Carmen xxx

lessonlearned

Hi Everyone - Another great day:D

Hi Twinnie, Just a quickie to sorry to hear you've put a couple of lbs on. Don't worry a few days healthy eating will sort it.

Just had melon for my first breakfast - yummy and soooo healthy.

Had a brainwave yesterday

Made a start on this - going to finish today.

As you know just finished decorating the dining room. It occurred to me that we havent used it as a d/r for over 3 years - OH can't manage.

We're turning it into a mini gym/workroom for me.

Off to do some more - using DS1's muscle power whilst he's here.

Will tell all later.

Have a Fab Easter Monday - just a little chocolate.:rotfl::rotfl: