Moving Mum

Yesterday morning I drove down to Mum's to help her and my sister start moving house, and as you can see by above pic it was a cold, frosty and foggy morning. Mum has been living in the same duplex for the past 22 years but it has recently been sold and the new owner is waiting to move in. Mum has to be out by Wednesday...and as you can imagine, at Mums age (84 on July 1st) this has been a very stressful happening. Looking at her yesterday, she has become very frail and is very over-whelmed by the changes that are happening in her life. And her poor cat (who is 12 and mum's devoted companion) is very confused as to all that is happening too. Anyways we got all the boxes out and light furniture and up into her new smaller flat. Not everything she owns is going to fit in there...so my cousin, my nephews and some of their friends have ended up with a few pieces of furniture. The flat is as I said smaller, its newer so it should be easier for her to keep clean and tidy. The real estate agent has been seen and there are a few things I want fixed before too much time has passed.
My brother arrives back from a week in Bali today and tomorrow he will be moving all the heavy furniture, mum and her cat into her home.....and hopefully Mum will be able to settle in.

Me, I am slowly getting used to the fact that my husband is going to retire. It is a big shock, as when we went and saw the financial advisor we had discussed that he would salary sacrifice for the next 2 years to bring his super up....but things have just got too stressful up at work and his blood pressure is rising. So its out and retired at the end of July.
He has heaps of jobs he wants to get done around here, my flooring to be finished is one of them.....and then we will see what the future brings. I off course will continue to work, and may even take on a few extra shifts.

Weigh in day today....forgot to do my morning weigh when I first got up...so when I did the scales were slightly up. I have my weigh in at my ww meeting later this morning so maybe that will be better. Not too worry....onwards and downwards to next week. 

P.S. Weigh in at ww showed a small 300g gain too.....but after looking at my  tracker I saw I consumed too much bread....and forgot to take 2 days of thyroid tabs (yes I track those too) 

Onwards and downwards...... 

Happy Birthday Dad

Happy Birthday Dad...

Dad has been gone 13 years this year, and special days like today, his birthday,  I miss him so much.

We have just had a long weekend, three days where I have done not much at all...its been great. I have pottered around and done the chores, all the washing despite the cold weather got dry and was aired in front of the fire which I kept going all over the weekend.
I did some cooking, some new recipes out of the new Symply To Good To Good To Be True cookbook....very happy they turned out just like the pictures did and they tasted yummy as well. 
Kylee is on her last day of work today before she has a week off, she is flying up to spend a week with her man. The long distance is a shame, but their relationship is strong despite it...but not without a few insecurities though which I am sure over time will be sorted out.
When she comes back it will be time for her 12 week check-up...and listen to the bubs heartbeat for the 1st time....then the pregnancy will be all so real. Poor girl knows she is expecting though, she has suffered nausea every morning and most of the day, with extreme tiredness and ohh not forgetting the cravings. At the moment its cheese and pickle sandwiches.....and it has been goodbye vegemite and toast for breakfast...hullo strawberry jam and toast :-)

Weigh in today....goodbye 600g.

Feeling confident...

I have been working really hard this week, trying new recipes, trying new exercises and   just keeping myself focused. And lost 500g...thought it would be more but hey as long as those numbers go down I am smiling.
Its not been easy, a few background drama's going on....namely my husband after 18 years of putting up with crap at his work has told them enough is enough and has told them he is finishing. Him and the manager are in the process of working out all the benefits he is owed. Hubby is 65 and ready to retire....but geee its scary when we have no retirement funds, and not a lot in superannuation to fall back on. But a few months ago we did go see a financial planner, we have a meeting with him coming up soon.....so hopefully things aren't/won't be as bad as I am thinking they may.  
We have no investments, but retirement, cutting expenses, living on a small income doesn't worry me....done it before, can do it again..
Although I want one....just one big overseas holiday before I retire.....I long to travel to Canada and some parts of the USA...wonder will my dream come true.

Melbourne Wedding

The trip to Melbourne was just great (other than I caught a cold) and I really enjoyed my time re-connecting with my niece and family. 
The wedding of Morag (my nieces maternal aunt) was small and very pleasant. I ended up taking a lot of pics for her as she dressed at the house we were all staying in, as did her son (who gave her away) and his lil family...so she will have lots of special memories to look back on.

I managed a few early morning walks while I was away before the weather changed and the rain set in, ate reasonably well from our prepared menu's and was happy to see on the scales this morning 600g gone. Thats over 2 weeks, so with the travelling plus getting the flu, I am happy.

This week

 I have had 2 of my dear grand-daughters staying over for a few nights sleep over while they were on school holidays. These 2 are the "troublesome" ones eldest two. Absolutely gorgeous kids who really dote on attention, cuddles and some extra spoiling. They were so good and I hated taking them home but school started for them on Monday. 

 While they were with us we took them up to hubby's mother's house for a visit. Their great-nanna hadn't seem in ages so was extra delighted with our visit. 

I am off for a small holiday on Thursday, I am flying to Melbourne with my niece, her hubby and their kids and my nephews partner and their kids. My nephew was going too, but he started a new job a week or so ago and was unable to go......so they changed the ticket into my name and asked me to join them instead. I am looking forward to it and I am so thrilled they asked me.

Now.....drumroll please. My first weigh in on my new adventure with WW showed a loss of 3.8 !!!
All due to portion size. I have gone back to weighing and measuring everything that goes into my mouth....no more guess-timating !!!
I will miss next weeks weigh in as I will be still in Melbourne...but I am on a roll now, so there will be no "going off the rails" for me. My niece and I sat down the other night  and planned the menu's  for our stay and did an online order of food and we'll be having that delivered to the house we are staying in after our arrival.

ONWARDS.......

Onwards...

Yesterday I rejoined weight watchers...and what a relief it was, it felt good walking in that door and being met by an old friend. I was so excited that when I stepped on the scales I was still in my work shoes and had 2 phones and my work keys in my pockets !! What a duffer....but hey at least I know next Tuesday I will have a loss, cos I won't have them in my pocket then !! 

Yesterday was also exciting for another reason...I am just over the moon.

My dear daughter has been feeling very off colour for the past few weeks....so in her words, she piddled on a stick 3 times and 3 times it said she was pregnant !! After all the trouble she had trying to get pregnant with her ex and her last Dr saying she had polycystic ovary syndrome and possibly wouldn't be able to have children unless she had a op and possible hormone treatment....this was a HUGE surprise to her.....thus the appointment yesterday for an ultrasound to have it confirmed.

Its early days yet, she is only 6 weeks pregnant....but the grin on her face...and mine....are huge.

We are going to have a Christmas baby. As yet very few people know, I can't wait for her to say I can tell everyone.....shhhhhhhhhhh 

Today is the day.....

Today is the day.....a bit later this morning I am re-joining weight watchers.
My scales are up this morning.....my fault, had a bad day yesterday, no - one to blame but myself....I had a day out with my sister and daughter and ate and drank too much.
Have more to add to add.....but will do that this evening or tomorrow....

Rejoining ww

No matter how hard I try...and believe me I have been trying since 2010....I can't seem to lose these 10kilo's plus I have gained. I joined ww in 2005, reached goal in 2007, maintained till 2010 when we went on holidays....and since then all I have done is yoyo. I gain, then lose...and when I don't lose I sabotage myself and emotionally eat..then of course I gain again. Its just becoming one big vicious circle which I can tell you is doing my head in....and which leads to more "oh what the heck" ....and more eating. I use the online tracker but I am not a online member. I have tried the "At Home" plan having a consultant ringing me weekly, I have tried hypnosis, also Kate Morgan, low carb, and a few others to no avail. I have a great support base (online and off) but know within myself I need to go back to the meetings. I need the meetings....so Tuesday morning I am going back to my first meeting. Its a work day...but have cleared it with my boss,  I will start work earlier and leave for 30 minutes to weigh and stay for the meeting then go back to work. I need this. I can do this. I will do this.

You haven't failed till you quit trying !

More Birthdays.

Happy 5th Birthday to Matthew

 Matthew turned 5 on the 18th....had a small party up at Macca's before they left for a week down at the coast for some school holiday fun. I went up there straight after work for a quick cuddle and to give him his pressie before having to head home, shower and head to my meeting.

Tracey.
On Sunday we were to head up to Simon's and Tracey's for a bbq, but the weather turned  and it rained. So I ended up cooking up a garlic potato dish and headed up there by myself, hubby having woken up with a thumping headache (these grandee's are VERY vocal, and loud). It was so lovely to catch up with them all and spend time with all. 

Zoe and her pet rat Sam

Jessie and her pet rat Charlie

Thomas

Sheymus 

My son Simon and his ferret Peppy

This little creature was Simon's birthday pressie to him from Tracey and the kids in January and its a gorgeous lil thing. So curious, so cuddly....so cheeky. I could have spent hours just watching her as she investigated everything.

Fresh fish for dinner last night.

Dinner last night, very yummy fresh fish....just coated in a wee bit of flour to stop it sticking to pan...cooked in a wee bit of olive oil. Served with baked sweet potato and tomato...very deeelish.

Weigh in ..... I really must get new scales....I keep on getting too many different weights....but first time on scales is the one I am keeping....which is a sts. Disappointed, thought I had done better. If nothing else I am good at maintaining....

On to next week.

April birthdays...

Caitlin..11years

Kaleb 4 years

April is the birthday month in our family...we have 9 family members celebrating. Among them are these two....above is our Caity who turned 11 on Sunday....and our baby Kaleb who turned 4 yesterday.

It was weigh in day today....disappointed to record a STS.
But after reading through my tracker I realise I have to suck it up and accept it...as my tracker tells me that I have over indulged and had a lazy week as far as exercise is concerned.

Moving on to a new week today.

The best week in a long time

Yipppppeeeeeee
For once the scales have really liked me....and I feel as though all my hard work has been for something. Believe me I was getting towards the end of my tether and ready to say "what the heck" !!
Really I haven't dome much different this week other than have a few more vegetarian meals, like the zuchchini slice and vegetarian chilli.
Now lets hope this progress keeps on a coming. For a long time now my weight has yoyo'ed but this is the first time in over 2 months I have seen the numbers I saw today.

700grams down....lets hope for the same next week.

Grandies today

Kaleb

Skye and Shera

Jaydene loved the new rug 

Daddy the girls won't play with me.....

Skye loved my cabbage patch dolls

Skye and Jaydene with their easter goodies

The grandee's asked if they could have their access visit with their Daddy at ours today.....was so lovely to see 3 of the 4 kids. Little Shayden had gone visiting his ex foster carer so we missed him today. We didn't see them over Easter so it was great to see them enjoy their goodies.
School holidays next week, so I best get myself organised as they have asked for a couple of nights of sleepovers.

Easter weekend

The old

On the weekend, it being a 4 day break....we got to and began the next stage of our renovations. This is a pic of the old dining area....with 3 of my gorgeous grandees.

In the process

This is it half way through....after doing Kylee's house we thought this would be easier...it was just a little....but forgot our's is twice as big!!

And last night

And this was taken last night when I got the house looking halfway decent. Just hope I can keep it looking like this. I am not the world's best housekeeper....but do know I am slowly getting better than what I was.

Easter as you can see was very busy for us. All the kids, except Kylee, were away so unfortunately we didn't get to see any of the grandees. 
Did go out to a bbq to one of my nieces, blew all my ww "slush" fund.....but was hoping after all the hard yakka I did over the weekend my weigh in would be good.
Result....after sleeping in and forgetting to weigh in till late....a gain of 200g.

P.S. Was measurement day too...which I forgot...so all done now. Pleased to report a 5.4cm loss for the month....

Happy Birthday Deb

Me and my jabberwalk buddy Deb.

Its been a busy week, with lots of running around. On the weekend it was my my jabberwalk buddy's birthday so for our morning walk we decided to drive into town and walk along the foreshore, then have breakkie together. So we did....a hour of walking then we decided on a beautiful big bowl of  fresh fruit salad each with a yogurt topping for breakfast.

Back home to discover our hot water system had rusted out and was leaking....so back into town to see if we could get a replacement....yay Bunnings stocked them so that was a bonus.

From there it was down to DD's house and finish off the little floor bits that needed doing.....and then last night we took down the last of her furniture....her spare room bed and a small wardrobe. Not much more now that she does need....its just a matter of finding a home for everything as she unpacks.

Weigh in day...goodbye 100g's....its coming off slowly. 

Lets stop the yoyo 'ing

Weigh in this morning....700g down, so that takes me back to where I was when all this latest yoyo' ing started. This week I am going to work on getting down further....I want to get rid of the numbers starting with 8 and get into the 70's again, then I will know I am on the downhill run !!

Mrs cranky pants (my mother) is recovering well, sister says everyone is doing all the running around and she is resting. She has a check-up with her local Dr on Friday. I am still not happy that she left the hospital here so early but Mum has always been a very strong woman. Her life has been far from easy. I love her dearly but boy she does know how to press my buttons.

Kylee has moved, her dog Shera and cat Troubles too. We did the final move yesterday and last night all 3 slept in their new abode. My house looks like a bomb has hit it....but now I can get things back to normal and have 2 spare rooms again....and room for the grandies to stay over again without having to sleep on sofa beds and mattresses on floor.
And only one night down, and yes I am missing them all.

It doesn't rain...it pours

Mum and her beloved Ninny

That stubborn woman that I call my mother has been in hospital. On Friday afternoon I received a phonecall from my sister saying she was on her way up with Mum and could I meet her at emergency at the hospital as Mum had a suspected twist in her bowel. Mum has had a colonoscopy after getting bowel cancer and has only a small section of her colon left, and thus wears a bag. Anyways I headed off in and met them there, Mum's stomach was distended and tight and she was in agony, so we were fast-tracked into triage as mum had a referring letter from the hospital in Manjimup. After some x-rays, cat scans and seen by the surgeon I finally had mum settled up in surgical ward with a booking for surgery Saturday morning and I left for home at 11.20pm. (My sister had gone to my cousins in agony with back spasms) Mum had a hernia which was pushing up into the stent and causing the horrible pain. Surgery was at 9am and a success, Mum came through with flying colours...and I said I would take her home on Monday after recuperating in hospital. But Mum woke up this morning wanting to go home NOW! She was not staying in there any longer. She wanted to sleep in her own bed, eat her own food and cuddle her cat....she missed her cat! Her surgeon said she could go home, but after some blood tests and other tests, possibly late afternoon. But it was not to be....Mum got cranky, signed her release and my sister took her home at lunch time.
I was not and am not happy (nor was my sister). I told her she woke up and took cranky pills with her morning cuppa.
Just hoping nothing goes wrong now...she needed more time in care.

Mum

I realised yesterday that Mum is getting older. She has always been so young at heart, vibrant and healthy...but yesterday sitting with her at the oncologists office it hit home how fragile she is getting.
Mum is fine, the Dr said yesterday he does not like to operate on people over 80 (mum is 84) unless the cancer is life threatening so he was not going to operate just to see if the scaring on mum's liver and kidneys was tumours...or just scaring. Her blood is not showing any indications of cancer...she looks well so they are leaving things be.
I had a good day with mum, yes she was tired, her leg was sore....she hadn't had much sleep, worrying about Dr visit...but seeing 4 of her grandchildren brightened up her day.
We have our clashes, we are both stubborn,  but no matter what...I LOVE my mum  xxxxx

Don't give up....

Weight today...a small gain.  :-(
But I did have a small  big day on Sunday and ate a little bit too much naughty stuff !!  I have found just a little naughty stuff and my body weight yoyo's.  I was hoping that all the extra exercise I did on Sunday and being on track 100% since would counteract it...but it was not meant to be. Anyways its on we go to another week.

Dear hubby and I spent most of Sunday laying flooring in DD house....it harder work than I thought it was going to be!!!  AND we are going to do the same in ours !!!!
She is nearly finished painting....2nd coat in the kitchen/dining and also laundry to do and she is done. Hopefully we can finish the flooring this week....and by the end of the weekend she should be in her own lil house.

My new recipe was very yum last week, LOVE the cauliflower mash and the roasted tomato's were too die for. Haven't decided on a recipe this week but I received my new WW magazine yesterday so I am sure there will be something in there that I can make, if not I'll find something on the ww site recipes.
DD's b/f gave her a bunch of banana's when she saw him at soundwave last weekend...and unfortunately we aren't eating them quick enough. Going to have to look out for some ww/low fat muffin or banana cake/bread recipes so I can use them before they go black.

Went to water aerobics yesterday morning.....I had forgotten how much I enjoyed it. Guess where I will be heading most Monday mornings now :-)

Tomorrow is going to be a very busy day. Mum is coming up, my brother is driving her up as she has a specialist appointment, an oncologist as some of mum's blood results were not very good. After the appointment, we plan to catch up with my neice and nephew before Rod (my brother) takes off up to Perth ready to fly out on holidays with his fiancee tomorrow morning and I'll drive mum back to her home as she doesn't want to stay overnight.  Fingers crossed there is nothing major wrong with mum....she has had 2 bouts of cancer (colon/bowel 1993and then liver 1994) but has been in remission since.  

Weeks are flying by

 The weeks are flying by. Dear Daughter has the keys to her house already thanks to a quick and early settlement. One room has been painted....along with herself !!  She luckily had a good friend who with the offer of dinner supplied to come help her. 
Soundwave is on this weekend...and her bf down is also down for that so DD is spending time in Perth. She will be back today, her birthday and work tomorrow then its days off and more work on the house. She wants to get at least her lounge room and bedroom done before she moves in. The lounge room has an airconditioner to be fitted in on Thursday so that needed to be painted before then.  Its full steam ahead.

All paths are leading hopefully in the right direction at the moment. I have had a good week. No hassles on the home front....only Mr Troublesome constantly on the bum wanting something. I pray that one day he will see what he is doing to himself. At the moment he just can't...so sad.  Other kids are all going well, grandies are all groaning up and have lives of their own....can't wait to have them staying over again.

Anyways lost 600g this week.
Promised myself a new recipe once a week. This week it was Beef and Onion Pie...yummmo. Next on the list is beef with cauliflower mash and roasted cherry tomato's.

A busy week...

Phewwww its been a busy week....been mostly early shifts, having to get up at 4.45 so I can make myself a thermos of coffee, pack lunches for me and hubby...and have a sit for 10 minutes and drink my first cup of coffee before heading to work.

Its back to my usual couple of days tis week, long days where your're on the feet all day. 

Wednesday was my birthday and I had a wonderful day, was thoroughly spoilt by my family and friends. Even had a surprise bouquet of flowers delivered to me.

Dear Daughter has bought herself her own house. Finance has been approved, papers have been signed. Today she has a walk through the house as the tenants have vacated to make sure it has been left as it should have been. Settlement should be on the 7th March. Very exciting for her...
She has most things, but had to go buy herself a new fridge, lounge suite, tv, table and chairs as these things she did have to leave behind in Melbourne.
She is a lot happier girl than what she was when she came home last year. A lovely man has come into her life, she has bought this house, she loves her job....I love to see her smiling face.
She has lost over 20 kilo's since she has been home (well 25 actually but she put 5 on when she went to Europe) but that has come to a standstill now....and she is very concerned. She know she is way to big still and has made an appointment to talk to her Dr. She wants to have a family later on down the track and with her health problems losing weight can only help. If it comes to surgery of some sort to help her, so be it....

I have had a reasonable week food wise....even went up to Mandurah shopping with my girlfriend last Friday...and made good choices....and thats what it all about. I have not sabotaged myself since the last post.....and even managed to go to a engagement party and eat without making stupid choices. Tracking every morsel that goes in my mouth helps. Going to try and cook at least one new recipe a week, so many to choose from.  Exercise has been good...going to miss Shera when DD moves, she motivates me to walk. I will be still keeping up the beach walks when she goes.

My scales tell me....I had a very small gain, after self sabotaging myself last week it should have been expected...ahhh well can only do better this week.

Hmmmmm

Going well, then what do I do....miss tablets, get a craving and give into it....then continue on thinking well I have blown it now what the hell !!

Now today...got to get the damn halo back on and remember how good I have been feeling about myself....the mood I am in its not gonna be easy.  

A week of early starting shifts coming up...gotta get myself organised. 


PS.  Today has gone from bad to worse...then after reading a few blogs I decided I HAVE to stop putting myself down, I can do this. I am not perfect, I do get cravings and do give into them, I do make mistakes, and I will self doubt myself....again.....but I am no quitter and I will not give in. Then  realising this my day got better....

Monday morning 5.20am......self sabotaged myself again last night, but I ain't no quitter so continue on I will. I will eventually succeed....its another day today.

So how am I doing ?

Cuddles with Kaleb


I have had a quite a good week.....despite ending up at the after hours Dr at the hospital over the weekend with infected cat bites and scratches.  That whole situation would have been funny if it hadn't of hurt so darn much !!   My very timid cat was being over protective and thought he was protecting me from daughters big bully of a cat.....

I have had a very on track week...resulting in a 300g loss. Think not much of a loss as its been sooooo darn hot here and I have been drinking water non-stop. Anyways no matter, I am just happy to record a week that I have felt satisfied and content with myself.

Picture above is me enjoying a huggles with my youngest grandchild Kabeb....my little man is 4 soon and has started kindy. I miss all the little bubba's around and hope that one day in the future I will be a "Jenna" again when Kylee settles down and has the family she so dearly wants.

Day off

'Cos my feet is killing me.....

Blackwood River

Coast at Augusta

Coastline near Augusta

Glouster Tower at Pemberton.

I have struggled since Monday with my feet, they have just been killing me....honestly my feet sometimes ache but ohhh not this much. I have been putting it down to having the 2 weeks off, wearing no shoes for most of that time, and of course I have been walking but mostly on sand.  Anyways yesterday the pain in my feet was killing me so I asked my supervisor for a releif for today....so I could have today the weekend and Monday off before I went back to my usual 2 days a week.

Food wise I have been brilliant, I haven't weighed myself yet, but I have been happy with myself. Trying to keep a control of my portion sizes, using fruit as my snacks and exercising at least 5 days out of the 7 has been my goals.

I read this in my Weight Watchers magazine too.....

"Visualise you can succeed then keep taking baby steps"

and thats what I have been doing this week (even with feet that been killing me)

Above are a few more pictures of my holiday. Glouster Tree was my Dad's first lookout tower that he manned when he first started working for the Forestry in 1957. We used to live in a small hut at the bottom of the tree during the fire season in summer....and walk into Pemberton 5 days a week for school when we were kids. I loved it. We spent 6 summers in that hut. My mum was scared of heights and I learnt that at a very young age and consequently learnt to climb the tower before I was 2 and spend a lot of time up with my Dad.

I'm back...and trying

to find my mojo.

This is Cape Howe...an awesome view...and only accessible by 4x4, the views were so worth the visit.

Driving into Cape Arid, my most favourite part of my trip

Me and the extra 10 kilo's

Our holiday was fantastic, had the bestest time...only one phone call from the "troublesome" son to mar it. I diverted the call and his sister helped him out.
I weighed the morning I left and on the first morning back I weighed again, and I was so happy to record the same weight. 
Did try to keep up the effort but the "troublesome one" just had to ring, ring, and ring again and start his wanting. Trouble is when you say no he is liable to go and do something stupid and end up in more trouble. He has 4 kids he is a doting daddy to so I usually give in to him and provide him with his "wants" (which are usually smokes) so I can see my grandkids, I so look forward to the times he has his access visits here ....
I tried to say no this time, I really did....and the stress of wandering what he was going to do without the smokes sent the stress levels high...and I have eaten REAL bad all weekend. He is liable to do anything, he has psychotic tendencies and his moods swings are terrible, he can become moody and violent.
As soon as he rang and begged for me to meet him and buy him smokes I gave in and I stopped eating. I did meet him, damned if I do, damned if I don't. Strange how you can love someone so much yet hate them too...or hate that they continue abusing their bodies/mind by taking the drugs.

Anyways its back to work for me in the morning.....hopefully my week of work will bring a week of routine...a routine of me getting on track and staying there.