Back to skool

It wasn't too bad actually. Working from home does make going back to work after a week off a lot easier. And knowing you have the next day off followed by a weekend makes it even more palatable! I like to break myself back in gently where possible.....

I couldn't get to sleep last night for a while. My head was buzzing with plans for the new year. The house, my diet, exercise, budgets, holidays. STUFF!! It was all pretty positive and I woke up this morning feeling ready for anything. I even reverted to my cold shower, black coffee, wait for breakfast routine which I haven't done for a couple of months (our last house was freeeezing) and it even felt good, like I'm ready to get going again. I didn't quite manage to make myself go for a run as time was tight but I did go for a brisk, hilly dog walk so I made a start.

On the downside, I'm struggling to get to grips with house jobs like unpacking, sorting out random boxes and pieces of furniture and doing minor DIY jobs. I know it'll come but I want to start seeing aome progress. It would help if there wasn't so much football coming up this month; every weekend it seems. I will have to keep the pressure on Rich I feel as he appears not to notice things which need doing....he's an all or nothing sort of guy. Works really hard when he has to but doesn't like to do a little at a time. I'm more the do a bit here and there type. Hmmmm....

But, I'm not going to let little things like that drag me down. We have our house and a new year has begun. It can't rain all year surely?? Just to remind ourselves that the sun does shine occasionally, here's a couple of pics I took while walking the dogs at lunchtime.

Happy New Year from Hillsborough!!

We have finally got a landline, broadband and, with it, boosted mobile phone signal. It all happened yesterday and to celebrate we went into town and I bought a new laptop. Mine has died and Rich's is in intensive care. I'm looking forward to typing posts rather than picking them out on my phone with my big fat thumb!! I arranged to have my systems backed up so not picking it up 'til Friday but it's nice to know it's on its way.

Today is New Year's Day and I'm at the football absolutely shattered. We stayed in last night but I'm still falling asleep and struggling to follow the game. I suppose a rich meal washed down by a load of booze and not going to bed til after 2 will do that, especially if you then have 3 pints of bitter and a steak sandwich! I'm truly cream-crackered. The game is not thrilling either. I was hoping it was going to be called off due to the heavy rain but no such luck.

So, I'm going to stop being a misery guts, watch the rest of the game in as good spirits as I can muster then go home where thankfully I have lamb stew waiting in the slow coook..

GOOOOOAAAAALLLLL!!!

That's woken me up and am MUCH happier now. Speak soon. xxx

And another one....GOOOOAAALLLL!!

Just about sorted

If by "sorted" I mean we have a house whose downstairs is not disgusting and whose upstairs doesn't quite make me weep! We spent 5 days desperately painting and cleaning then we moved in on Thursday and filled most of our clean magnolia'ed rooms with boxes....aaaaargh!!

We have so much stuff. There is much more ebaying to come. I didn't want to be too ruthless until I knew what the new house would need.  Now I know, it needs more space!!

We (along with Rich's dad and a couple of pals) have painted the kitchen (now officially the nicest room in the house), the dining room, living room, bathroom and hallway and put up curtains, shower screen and installed freesat until Sky moves over soon. It feels almost like a home although I still haven't lost the feeling that I'm camping in my own home. But we're getting there. Everything takes so long though doesn't it?  You want to do a simple task but it invariably entails locating a box (usually at the bottom of a pile) or buying a fitting thingummy from the hardware store (thank God there is one in the village!).

Dieting is not on the agenda but I stepped on the scales a day or so ago and saw a couple of lbs off so, while it is not great, the hard work is at least keeping the festive spread at bay. Exercise you say?? What's that? Unless it is lugging boxes, painting, shifting furniture, cleaning, mopping, hoovering or walking the poor, neglected dogs, it doesn't exist! January.....I will look up the meaning of this "exercise" you speak of (and perhaps even DO some) in January. What a tired old cliche....sigh.....

I am LOVING the new house though, well, the concept of it anyway. I know Rich and I will be happy there. I can't believe how unstressy and happy the whole move has been. We are exhausted but strangely enjoying the time together and not a cross word or snap has been heard (even when things are dropped, lost, broken etc). Just lots of kisses, cuddles and laughter. Joy joy joy...

I am checking blogs when I can and will have wifi soon. So, in the meantime....HAPPY CHRISTMAS to you all. Have a wonderful time. L xxx

Still standing, just

It's been radio silence for a while now. Mostly because life is very hectic. But there is good news to report......drum roll......after 6 and a half months, we have finally exchanged contracts on the house!!! We complete this Friday and then take the following week to clean and decorate before moving in on the 19th December. So, not a busy time at all....

The seller was disorganised about finding somewhere to move to but, to be fair to her, local landlords were a pain in the ass.  Eventually she got it together just in time for Christmas (and just before our mortgage offer expired!!).

So, my diet hasn't really stood a chance. I remain stubbornly clinging onto that solitary lb off. Which actually represents control over my weight in trying times. I just wish I wasn't controlling it at this heavy point but somewhere south on the scale.

Worse, though, is the fact that  exercise has dropped off a cliff. Missing personal training, dancing, no running for 5 weeks.....eeek. To this end, I VOW that I'm going to go for a run this lunchtime.

My train is arriving now so I will leave it at that!! But I feel better for making that pledge. Wish me luck peeps!!


But, just before I go, here are a couple of pics of my naughty hounds who both rolled in something foul and had to be showered. Typically, this happened just before we were going out to Rich's captain's dinner at the golf club last weekend.  grrrrr

I was not sympathetic to their complaints....

Courage

I screwed up my courage and stepped on the scales this morning. You know, knowledge is power and all that. It was, mercifully, as I felt, just the 1lb on. This is manageable.

I originally planned a fast day today then changed my mind but am now reconsidering. My breakfast was fast-friendly apart from the banana so think I will limit my intake today after all and then Wednesday (maybe Thursday if I bottle out of fasting while working from home on Wednesday!).

If I could see a 'real' drop by Friday's WI, it would be most motivating. Just a teeny lb would be good!!

Below is a snap of the sunset looking towards Gibraltor. I took much better ones on my proper camera but this is handy on my phone for now.

Back home blues

I haven't dared to step on the scales yet. While my clothes don't feel particularly tight, I can't believe that I have got away scot free so I might wait until after my first fast day tomorrow!! We ate and drank well but were also very busy and active and missed several meals due to rushing about. We don't tend to snack either so I'm hopeful that I haven't done much damage.

The dogs were extremely pleased to have us home even though Rich's mum would have looked after them well in our absence. It was not a great week to pick to go away as it happens as Rich's sister Jo went into hospital just before we left to have her baby born tiny and 4 weeks early. She, Paige Georgia, was not gaining enough weight in the womb so they whipped her out early. She is fine now but still small and still in hospital for another week at least. It was a tough week for everyone by the sounds of it and we missed the lot!!

Since our return we have been totally depressed and demoralised at the football yesterday and spent this morning moving Rich's mum into her new flat. So, it's been all go and no time to focus on what I'm eating. However, we're about to go shopping now so I can make sure that I'm properly stocked and have no room for excuses.....AT ALL!!

Wish me luck....after a week of paella, pasta, gambas pil pil, steak, bread, olives, wine and San Miguel, work and fasting is going to SUCK!!

The photos below are from Cala Nova GC. We played quite early hence the sunrise and it was a stunning course up in the mountains. We joined up with a mad frenchman so I got to chatter in french as well as play golf. Can't be bad.

Golfing in the sunshine

The journey over to Spain yesterday was pretty tiring. It all went to plan but you forget how tiring airports and car hire and driving on the wrong side of the road in unfamiliar (and almost totally unsignposted) areas is. 

But I'm NOT complaining, believe me. We did a lot of getting our bearings yesterday but still had a lovely meal out and saw a stunning sunset.

Today has been all about golf. We had a great round on our 'local' course. It was not the best course I've ever played but a long way from the worst too. 

It was gorgeous being out in the sunshine wearing short sleeved shirts. Not baking hot but pleasant. Heavenly really. I was loving the bird life too. we saw hawks, kestrels, bluejays and, thrillingly for me, hoopoes. I haven't seen hoopoes since we went to Botswana years ago and before that they take me back to my childhood in Nigeria.

So, all in all, it was a lovely (and healthy) day. We're off for supper now, totally ravenous...whoops....