Fathers Day

My man, the father of my children.

Shera along with her mummy came for a visit too. Mummy was feeling a little down, she is finding it hard coping with being alone, pregnant with her man being so far away. Hope his business sells soon..or he can arrange more time here with her. 

Paul, Tanya and his kids came out too....they have been so busy with school and after school activities I haven't seen much of them. They are growing up all too quickly.

After Paul, Tanya and the kids went home I grabbed my camera and Kylee, Shera  and I went walking around the garden and block. Spring has sprung....garden is starting to come to life and so is the bush and the native orchids. 

Its a.....

BOY !!!

I thought it was a GIRL but for the first time I guessed wrong, I got right all the other grandee's.
The way Kylee is carrying....and with my gut feeling I was thinking girl....but its going to be a very much loved little boy.
She is over half way now, all going well.....

Getting there.....

Well another week is over....and after giving myself licence to eat after I stopped my weight watchers I have managed to slowly drag myself back to eating more sensibly.  I do very well when I am working, I pack lunch and snacks and I stick to what I pack.
Exercise of late has been hit and miss....because hubby is not leaving home at 6am I am not getting out of bed early anymore. My jabberwalk buddy is on holidays so I need to motivate myself more when I am not working. On a busy day at work I do 20,000 steps or more....so on those days I don't bother walking.
No weigh in this week, and I am not weighing myself till the 11th of September....which will be just before Kylee and I fly to Melbourne for a long weekend away where she is going to catch up with some friends and her ex's grandma who she is very close too.
So my goal is to do just do my best..and lets see what happens in the next month.

Excitement plus on Friday, daughter is having an ultrasound to find out what she is having. Her fiancee is coming down and they are booked in at 3pm. I will be hanging on to my phone awaiting the news. My gut feeling is girl. 

Not much else is happening....hubby is enjoying his retirement, the sleep ins. Just have to finish all the pesky paperwork and then he can go claim his old age pension. 

Mojo went missing....

......but I think I have found it again.

Hubby has retired, and I have had to change a few things finance wise....and one of the things to go was my weight watchers unlimited. I know its all in the head, but once I stopped that I began to eat "wrong" again...as though now I don't do weight watchers I can eat whenever, whatever I like....duhhh
The scales have crept up again. All that hard work the past few weeks where I really felt happy about my progress...and had started to see numbers I was liking I have to do all over again. Why do I do this to myself??? 
But one thing I have learnt about myself, is although I do do these stoopid  things...I never give up completely...I never QUIT !!  
Today is a new day...so was yesterday....and tomorrow will be too. 

Not the best week...

It really hasn't been the best of weeks, quite emotional at times actually.   It all started last Wednesday when I run into a ex workmate, the husband of a young girl Vietnamese girl I worked with quite a lot when I was on the farm. The last time I saw her was a month ago, she had a touch of the flu, no fever, just a cough and her being 34 weeks pregnant I told her to look after herself, and to look after her little bubba, gave her a cuddle and told her I would see her next week. I text her the following week and heard nothing, and also dropped by her house the following week but no-one was home. Anyways when I saw her hubby the other day I asked how all was, had Doa had the baby...and with tears in his eyes he said he had just come back from Perth after the baby's funeral.   Well as you can imagine I was totally shocked, words failed me, so I gave Dow a hug and said I would visit them tomorrow.
The next day I went with some flowers to see Doa and all she could tell me is that her cough would not disappear and the more she coughed, the quieter her baby become, till he become just about still. She was put in hospital and monitored for a night and day. His heart beat was fine, and small movements only were made, but they slowly became less so they did a caesar. Baby was born with no cry, alive but very unresponsive...and lived only 5 days. They are still waiting for cause of his death, they have no answers yet as to why he died.
They are of course heart broken.

I was devastated for them both, and after the visit to Doa and Dow I drove straight up to see Kylee  at her work and gave her the biggest hug. I pray daily that all continues to go well with her pregnancy and she delivers a healthy wee bubba.

Friday saw me, with Kylee and two little granddaughters travel down to Manjimup to see Mum.  

My sister and Jaydene and Skye

Skye, my mum and Jaydene

Mum was delighted to see us....it was a spur of the moment visit, as I needed to see Mum and give her a hug too. She of course was stoked...and delighted in spoiling Kylee and rubbing her little baby tum and cuddling her great-grandchildren.

Then to send my world into a spin again....a very dear friends father has just been diagnosed with lung cancer. Deb, is my jabberwalk buddy and one of my closest friends. Her parents are just delightful, especially her dad.

So....this week hopefully will be better. I have had a few days of emotional eating, and because I  am working different hours in a different shopping centre I was unable to attend my official ww weigh in....so gave my myself a no weigh too...thought it might be best !!

This time next week my hubby will be officially retired...our life is going to change.

It was a long week....

Me and Jaydene



Last week was super busy, work for a full 3 days, meetings, paper work to do and sort out for financial advisor, and then Shawn had his access visit all day on the Friday here, and I kept the kids Friday night.  All was fine on the day,  Shawn had a fantastic day with his kids, the older of the 2 boys was a little contrary but okay...but boy on Saturday after a restless night did I and his Pop know about it!! He turned into a fair little bugga!!  He answered back, he swore, he threw tantrums, disobedient....neither of us or his siblings could placate him...so home they all went. His mother just said, ohh he has been like that for awhile, told him he was a naughty boy and sent him to his room.  This boy is 5 years old and knew he was getting away with his naughtiness....so I called him back and told him till his attitude changes he wasn't having anymore sleepovers at my house. I left there exhausted. The other 3 kids were great and no trouble at all.  I am picking up the girls again on Thursday evening and bringing them home again as I am going down to Mum's on Friday so the girls will be able to see their great nanny. Can't remember the last time mum saw them.

Today was weigh in....400 grams gone  :-)

 

Phewwwwww

Out on a nature walk 

Kaleb & Shayden enjoying trampoline time

A visit to see Shera...and Aunty Kylee

My neices little girl Nicola doing her little brothers Adam's hair

Play time at the park.


It has been a full on week...what with work, then picking up my  two youngest grandsons for a two nights sleepovers. Boy are they loud, I had forgotten how loud they can be. Only 11 months between them and they compete with each other all the time.
Their mother is not as bad as she used to be, but boy she is still not clean and the boys had to be taught a few manners. I was always saying to them, "go wash your hands" or "what do you say" as I gave them something. Its not nice either when they compare the houses they visit...I live in the big clean house, Daddy lives in the small house, and they live in a dirty house. So not fair at times.
I have them again next week along with their sisters...and their Daddy is coming out for his access visit with them as well.

It was goodbye to the boys on Friday...and hullo to my nieces children Saturday morning for an overnighter. They have both stayed before but due to coughs and colds they were a little unsettled during the night. I am not used to getting up during the night to tend to kids so come Sunday morning I was tired.  Ended up getting overtired and Sunday at midnight after tossing and turning for an hour or so I was sitting up by the fire with book in hand trying to un-wind.

Anyways...today being Tuesday it was weigh in....bye bye to 300g. Not a lot but after a uppsy downsy week I will accept any loss.

Busy week coming up.....

Dear Mum had a lovely day yesterday so she said when I rang her to see if she had received her birthday bouquet we sent her......as the florist I used rang me asking where mum lived as the florist where mum lives couldn't find her address. Hullooooooo please !!! The florist is local, is owned by locals and the block of flats mum live in have been there for a damn long time !!!  Anyways all good, she received them.

Today its work. I am soooo tired though, had one of those nights where I just couldn't sleep,  and hubby snoring didn't help much either.  Have a few things I am trying to sort out....and until I figure out what to do I guess those thoughts are going to go round and round in my head.

I am picking up my troublesome ones youngest two for a sleep over on Wednesday evening after work seeing as they have finished school (and kindy) for the year....as I did promise them when I had their sisters stay over last time that I would.  Shayden and Kaleb are so looking forward to it....and so am I. Will take them back Thursday evening...or maybe Friday morning as Friday I have a Drs appointment then we have a meeting with our financial planner to sort out Ted's superannuation.  Last meeting we had with him Ted was going to salary sacrifice for 2 years to help build up the $'s but we now have to scrap that and see where we stand. Scary much...yep, cos I know we don't have a real lot.

Then I get a break for a evening and my niece is dropping off her two for a sleepover on Saturday whilst her and her hubby attend a birthday party. Love these kids to bits....just like having extra grandkids :-)

Right now weigh in this morning......600g gone.

Happy Birthday Mum

My cheeky Mum is 84 years old today...Happy Birthday Mum.
Unfortunately I am not going to be able to share it with her, even though I have the day off work I have other things to do...like go to the Drs and get my sore itchy ear looked at.  A big bunch of flowers will be delivered to her from us today though....and I will catch up with her during the next few weeks.
She has completely settled into her new little flat...and most of the things that required fixing have been done...just a couple more to be done, but they have been looked at.
My sisters son, my nephew, lives just a few hundred meters away in  another block of flats and he pops in regularly and cooks her a meal, or chops the wood for her and puts it on the verandah....you know those little chores that aren't much, but are so helpful.  Thanks Rik.

Tuesday is here again...

Warriors x 4

Above are my little warriors....thats the game they were playing outside some time over the weekend. They are actually some of my darling grandkids. Been a while since they have stayed over....their lives are so busy,  what with both parents working, after school activities, and sports. All 4 are great little athletes and do gymnastics and little athletics as well as football and netball...mum and dad are forever ferrying them to and fro....
Over the weekend they also cooked some meals, all 4 enjoy cooking and it was delightful to see them all work together. All I had to do was work the oven for them. And yes...they even washed up after themselves.
Hopefully they will be down and staying again soon.

Weigh in day today....a sts 

A lot been happening

It has been a very busy week. 
Kylee had been up in Carnarvon with her man....who I am happy to say is now her fiancee...he proposed the evening before she left to come home. Her smile says it all.

On Friday I drove down to Manjimup and helped mum finish  unpacking....her little flat looks great with everything in its new home.  Just waiting for the real estate agent to fix a few things. Her fire smokes, her shower needs re-tiling and safety handles to be attached to safety requirements...and to mum the most important her tv antenna needs to fixed so she can watch her  tv. 
I arrived home late and was just starting dinner when Kylee rang...and was in pain, could I please take her to the hospital. The pains were on her right and nearly crippling her. After 7 hours at the hospital, the pain had gone and we were sent home with a ultrasound request form for the next day if the pain came back...or Monday to investigate as to why, the Dr was thinking cysts as Kylee has a history of them in the ovaries. 
Saturday both Kylee and I were dead on our feet...both of us had early morning work starts. (K did go to work as the pain hadn't returned).
Anyways yesterday we did go for the ultrasound.....what a wonderful sight it was to see the baby heartbeat and the lil bubba. Unfortunately it was investigative ultrasound and not a baby one so we didn't get to see bub in 3D. 
K's ovaries are fine, kidneys are fine.....so lets hope there is no more scares like that and whatever caused it has disappeared.

Weigh in day....900g gone...

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....