Well, I did it.
I trod and ran for 4K, sat up in different ways 100 times, pushed and pulled and lifted various bits of machinery and sweated my way through the hour.
Feel much better now.
Good girl!
Monday, February 27, 2006
The Incentive
Today I made the momentous decision to rejoin Slimming World to shed the extra stone, (lost 2 stone 2 years ago), and more importantly, get back into the gym, starting this evening.
I need to state this for the record from the motivational point of view, now it will happen.
Positive thinking, that's what it's all about innit? Followed by positive action, right?
I will feel alot better about me if I do something, and this is still a good time of year to find whatever positive to do to negate the bleak effects of the lack of sunlight.
So...as soon as gadgetman comes in....off I'll go, leaving him to sort the dinner out that he is deciding on buying as I write.
Better go get changed into gym gear, sort out my card and find my flannel, for the copious amount of sweating that I'll do. Perhaps I should take a bath towel instead.
I'll come back later to tell you how I got on.
How exciting!
I need to state this for the record from the motivational point of view, now it will happen.
Positive thinking, that's what it's all about innit? Followed by positive action, right?
I will feel alot better about me if I do something, and this is still a good time of year to find whatever positive to do to negate the bleak effects of the lack of sunlight.
So...as soon as gadgetman comes in....off I'll go, leaving him to sort the dinner out that he is deciding on buying as I write.
Better go get changed into gym gear, sort out my card and find my flannel, for the copious amount of sweating that I'll do. Perhaps I should take a bath towel instead.
I'll come back later to tell you how I got on.
How exciting!
Sunday, February 19, 2006
Gadgets garage
Somewhere out in Gadgetmans' garage is just about anything you'd find useful for almost any project you could think of. He's even got spares for the spares.
His name is not without reasonable cause and now he has to live up to it too, as word of his name spreads. I'm sure he's known amongst our neighbours as the 'He'll-have-it' man, as well as the 'if-we-play-our cards-right-he'll-do-the-job-for-us-too' man.
He actively seeks out magazines & catalogues that feature the latest must-haves, secretly buying , hiding away, then later fooling me into believing that he had said 'gadget' all along.
Even the loft above the garage is stuffed with, one day, very useful things, things that we haven't needed in 14 years, so far, or if we have, then he hasn't been able to find it, and has had to go and buy a new whatever anyway.
All I wanted today was a large garden refuse bag for all the dead stuff and weeds that I felt like attacking in the front garden.
I confidently collected my shears and gloves, then stood in one corner and let my eyes scan the crowded garage for the familiar white, old salt sacks.
There was stuff piled high on the roof of the trailer, on all the seats of the trike, on and under the workbench, the floor, the shelves, hanging from hooks on the rafters, leaning against the trike and trailer, and on the lawnmower, and just a narrow path fed through to the workbench.
Yet again I had to call on his services to seek out the elusive sacks. I couldn't see the wood for the trees in there.
I should have known that they'd be in a bright yellow hospital incinerator- items bag, wedged down between the 'A' frame of the hook-up on the trailer, and under a car seat.
I suppose I was meant to just look deeper than the surface really.
About every 3 years I throw an utter wobbly and he has to accept another sort out. No sooner have we successfully sorted/tidied/compromised,(read-argued), and got rid of several car loads to the dump, the obvious happens and he discovers that he has just disposed of something that he really needs.
His 3 years are almost up...
Oh, to be clutter free.
His name is not without reasonable cause and now he has to live up to it too, as word of his name spreads. I'm sure he's known amongst our neighbours as the 'He'll-have-it' man, as well as the 'if-we-play-our cards-right-he'll-do-the-job-for-us-too' man.
He actively seeks out magazines & catalogues that feature the latest must-haves, secretly buying , hiding away, then later fooling me into believing that he had said 'gadget' all along.
Even the loft above the garage is stuffed with, one day, very useful things, things that we haven't needed in 14 years, so far, or if we have, then he hasn't been able to find it, and has had to go and buy a new whatever anyway.
All I wanted today was a large garden refuse bag for all the dead stuff and weeds that I felt like attacking in the front garden.
I confidently collected my shears and gloves, then stood in one corner and let my eyes scan the crowded garage for the familiar white, old salt sacks.
There was stuff piled high on the roof of the trailer, on all the seats of the trike, on and under the workbench, the floor, the shelves, hanging from hooks on the rafters, leaning against the trike and trailer, and on the lawnmower, and just a narrow path fed through to the workbench.
Yet again I had to call on his services to seek out the elusive sacks. I couldn't see the wood for the trees in there.
I should have known that they'd be in a bright yellow hospital incinerator- items bag, wedged down between the 'A' frame of the hook-up on the trailer, and under a car seat.
I suppose I was meant to just look deeper than the surface really.
About every 3 years I throw an utter wobbly and he has to accept another sort out. No sooner have we successfully sorted/tidied/compromised,(read-argued), and got rid of several car loads to the dump, the obvious happens and he discovers that he has just disposed of something that he really needs.
His 3 years are almost up...
Oh, to be clutter free.
Saturday, February 18, 2006
'D' Day
Today no other task needed dealing with more urgently than the over-stuffed filing cabinet, and Saturdays are sometimes spent doing jobs that I can no longer put off.
Do I really need to keep a 2001 television licence?
Or indeed 2002 phone bills?
No, don't think so. Can't think why.
These and other numerous unnecessary bits of paper have been carefully crammed into the named folders of our 4 drawer filing cabinet long enough for every millimetre of space to be filled, (and for 2001 to seem not so long ago).
The pile of corres in the Kitchen grows daily and needs a home to move to. It's spread at the speed of an urbanization, month by month, inch by inch, til now the kitchen counter resembles a paper building site, some neat piles, others cascading into precarious terraced slopes.
Today was 'D' day.
Dispose, discard, ditch, and most importantly, discreetly dump (not good for my Gadget offspring to see me cruelly slicing that very special drawing of the stick man, even though we have 25 similar drawings), then shred away.
4 hours later - 4 carrier bags shredded, and the recycle bin half full.
Then there was dinner to think about...
1 hour of shopping,
7 carrier bags of weekly supplies,
45 minutes of food prep,
1/2 a bottle of wine,
2 hours of simmerimg,
and a fan-dabby-dozy- super-de-dooper-de-booper-deluxe-special Spag Bol de moi to feed my hungary gadgets.
Do I really need to keep a 2001 television licence?
Or indeed 2002 phone bills?
No, don't think so. Can't think why.
These and other numerous unnecessary bits of paper have been carefully crammed into the named folders of our 4 drawer filing cabinet long enough for every millimetre of space to be filled, (and for 2001 to seem not so long ago).
The pile of corres in the Kitchen grows daily and needs a home to move to. It's spread at the speed of an urbanization, month by month, inch by inch, til now the kitchen counter resembles a paper building site, some neat piles, others cascading into precarious terraced slopes.
Today was 'D' day.
Dispose, discard, ditch, and most importantly, discreetly dump (not good for my Gadget offspring to see me cruelly slicing that very special drawing of the stick man, even though we have 25 similar drawings), then shred away.
4 hours later - 4 carrier bags shredded, and the recycle bin half full.
Then there was dinner to think about...
1 hour of shopping,
7 carrier bags of weekly supplies,
45 minutes of food prep,
1/2 a bottle of wine,
2 hours of simmerimg,
and a fan-dabby-dozy- super-de-dooper-de-booper-deluxe-special Spag Bol de moi to feed my hungary gadgets.
Friday, February 17, 2006
Sharks
The lessor known Tasselled Wobbegong Shark inhabits the seas of the Western Pacific.
The Whale Shark can produce up to 300 young.
The Bowmouth Guitarfish is actually a shark.
So is the Spiny Dogfish, which survives to depths of 900m.
All these facts and more I learnt from a game of 'Trump' cards featuring sharks, that gadget girlie and I brought back for gadgeteen from our mini trip up north this week.
I also learnt that the Humber bridge costs £2.50 each crossing.
.....And that gadget girlie is a pretty happy traveller if, she is in charge of the music department, I don't sing and she does.
The Whale Shark can produce up to 300 young.
The Bowmouth Guitarfish is actually a shark.
So is the Spiny Dogfish, which survives to depths of 900m.
All these facts and more I learnt from a game of 'Trump' cards featuring sharks, that gadget girlie and I brought back for gadgeteen from our mini trip up north this week.
I also learnt that the Humber bridge costs £2.50 each crossing.
.....And that gadget girlie is a pretty happy traveller if, she is in charge of the music department, I don't sing and she does.
Monday, February 13, 2006
A trip up memory lane
D'you know, it's such a pleasure to be able to come here and say what I want.
Admittedly, so far, all I seem to find myself writing is stuff in my head that mainly appears to get me into trouble.
Todays blog, I have decided, is about appreciating the good stuff that my parents, somehow, despite our life style, managed to instil in my awareness, just stuff that I have a' feel good factor' about. It's also a trip up, (in this case), memory lane for my Dad.
Here are 20 things that I appreciate them for showing me by example only sometimes:
1) It's okay to be different, but be adaptable.
2) Conversation can be stimulating/ Communicating is fun.
3) Be open to new ideas/opinions.
4) Think of others.
5) Be fair and non-judgemental.
6) Be true to yourself.
7) Be practical. (As self-sufficient as possible).
8) Be independant of spirit.
9) Scrabble. (It's the family game).
10) Enjoy reading. (self-sufficiency again).
11) Flexibility. (best laid plans and all that).
12) Have a go at anything even if it's scary.
13) Sailing. (only in warm climes though).
14) Accept responsibility for mistakes.
15) Compromise.
16) Right from wrong.
17) The world is your oyster.
18) Frugality. (At least I know how to live on a shoe string, doesn't mean I do).
19) Self-discipline/motivation.
20) Spend within your means.
Okay, so maybe the list could go on and on. Suffice to say that I love my mum and dad and am lucky to have had the upbringing that they provided.
I've just blasted down to see them for a quick over-nighter. Billy Joel kept me company on the way.
Dad is bedridden and mum cares for him 24/7, with a bit of respite care to help.
She hoists him up in an overhead electric sling to get him in and out of bed.
A far cry from us hoisting him up the mast on our boat with a halyard wrapped around a winch.
"Hey Dad, I said, as I watched this latest form of tranport, " Just imagine that we're hauling you up the mast on Kim. "
A smile spread across his face at the memory. I continued.
"Remember the sun burning down out of a clear blue sky.
Feel the heat on your shoulders as you adjust yourself in the bosuns chair.
Climb past the neatly stowed and covered mainsail.
Reach around the warm mast and hold the halyards for support.
Feel the breeze as you rise above us. Up you go through the rigging, through the stays to the crosstrees.
Pause and stand on them, carefully, close to the mast, stronger there.
Take in the view from the unusual vantage point.
Reach for the other halyards to steady your balance.
"Are you okay?" We call up to you, our necks straining to look up.
We catch our breath. "Lighten up, you're too heavy!"
You laugh.
On up you go, 65' to the top.
Less rigging here.
"Slow down, got to get me round to the other side." You say. A few more winds of the handle.
You're there now. "Shall we cleat you off then?" Our voices far below. "Right that'll do then. Don't go far," you reply.
We cleat you off and leave you to sort out your lofty problem."
A look of concern crossed Dads face. He can't talk now but the look said it all.
Mum and I chuckled as she pushed the button to lower Dad onto his bed, a return from a slightly different journey this time.
We instinctively knew that Dad thought that we would actually leave him up there.
Just for old times sake.
Admittedly, so far, all I seem to find myself writing is stuff in my head that mainly appears to get me into trouble.
Todays blog, I have decided, is about appreciating the good stuff that my parents, somehow, despite our life style, managed to instil in my awareness, just stuff that I have a' feel good factor' about. It's also a trip up, (in this case), memory lane for my Dad.
Here are 20 things that I appreciate them for showing me by example only sometimes:
1) It's okay to be different, but be adaptable.
2) Conversation can be stimulating/ Communicating is fun.
3) Be open to new ideas/opinions.
4) Think of others.
5) Be fair and non-judgemental.
6) Be true to yourself.
7) Be practical. (As self-sufficient as possible).
8) Be independant of spirit.
9) Scrabble. (It's the family game).
10) Enjoy reading. (self-sufficiency again).
11) Flexibility. (best laid plans and all that).
12) Have a go at anything even if it's scary.
13) Sailing. (only in warm climes though).
14) Accept responsibility for mistakes.
15) Compromise.
16) Right from wrong.
17) The world is your oyster.
18) Frugality. (At least I know how to live on a shoe string, doesn't mean I do).
19) Self-discipline/motivation.
20) Spend within your means.
Okay, so maybe the list could go on and on. Suffice to say that I love my mum and dad and am lucky to have had the upbringing that they provided.
I've just blasted down to see them for a quick over-nighter. Billy Joel kept me company on the way.
Dad is bedridden and mum cares for him 24/7, with a bit of respite care to help.
She hoists him up in an overhead electric sling to get him in and out of bed.
A far cry from us hoisting him up the mast on our boat with a halyard wrapped around a winch.
"Hey Dad, I said, as I watched this latest form of tranport, " Just imagine that we're hauling you up the mast on Kim. "
A smile spread across his face at the memory. I continued.
"Remember the sun burning down out of a clear blue sky.
Feel the heat on your shoulders as you adjust yourself in the bosuns chair.
Climb past the neatly stowed and covered mainsail.
Reach around the warm mast and hold the halyards for support.
Feel the breeze as you rise above us. Up you go through the rigging, through the stays to the crosstrees.
Pause and stand on them, carefully, close to the mast, stronger there.
Take in the view from the unusual vantage point.
Reach for the other halyards to steady your balance.
"Are you okay?" We call up to you, our necks straining to look up.
We catch our breath. "Lighten up, you're too heavy!"
You laugh.
On up you go, 65' to the top.
Less rigging here.
"Slow down, got to get me round to the other side." You say. A few more winds of the handle.
You're there now. "Shall we cleat you off then?" Our voices far below. "Right that'll do then. Don't go far," you reply.
We cleat you off and leave you to sort out your lofty problem."
A look of concern crossed Dads face. He can't talk now but the look said it all.
Mum and I chuckled as she pushed the button to lower Dad onto his bed, a return from a slightly different journey this time.
We instinctively knew that Dad thought that we would actually leave him up there.
Just for old times sake.
Friday, February 10, 2006
Wednesday, February 01, 2006
Tinsel Tots
Okay, so now I have to be really nice to my very practical uva 'alf cos I've broken the hoover.
I was hoovering the stairs ultra efficiently, (which doesn't happen often so they really needed a dose of my attention), when the friggin' thing went bumpity- bump- bump- bump and nearly sent me flying.
Now we have 4 bits and no hoover.
Oh Shit.
And we had a barney last night.
I'd better apologise for my part in the barney hadn't I, or face tiny bits of tinsel that must have been rabbits in a former life, until next christmas.
Not that I wish to imply that I am the only person in this house that does any hoovering but I do seem to be the only one that finds the never ending supply of tinsel tots.
I was hoovering the stairs ultra efficiently, (which doesn't happen often so they really needed a dose of my attention), when the friggin' thing went bumpity- bump- bump- bump and nearly sent me flying.
Now we have 4 bits and no hoover.
Oh Shit.
And we had a barney last night.
I'd better apologise for my part in the barney hadn't I, or face tiny bits of tinsel that must have been rabbits in a former life, until next christmas.
Not that I wish to imply that I am the only person in this house that does any hoovering but I do seem to be the only one that finds the never ending supply of tinsel tots.
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