...Pass A Mince Pie...

www.bootblack.co.uk

The temperature didn't get above 1C all day yesterday & thick knickers were definitely the order of the day. Today however is a much more respectable 5C so I can probably discard them for the time being :0)

..........

We did indeed go to three Craft Fayres yesterday - even though one was more like a jumble sale and another mainly tombolas & raffle stalls but we managed (well I managed!) to pick up a couple of Christmas bits and had a fantastic day out with my gorgeous hubby of nearly thirty years.

..................

We returned late afternoon - frozen through - we thawed out with a hot cup of coffee (I don't do Hot Chocolate!) & a plate of mince pies that we'd just bought from the Revesby fayre

...why make them when I can buy 12 homemade ones for £1.50...?

ME :0)

...What's The Temperature...?

www.bootblack.co.uk

(it's the sun melting an ice cube -- of course --)

...BR~RH! It's cold this morning it's still -2 outside with a heavy frost laying...

I know if you live in Canada or the like it's probably feels like a Spring day but for us thin-skinned Brits it's cold...I can see that thick knickers are going to be the order for the day :0)

..........

We are suppose to be going to a couple of local Christmas/Craft Fayre's today but Dave hasn't even left 'The Pit' yet while I've been up for ages -- didn't sleep very well last night - too much going on in my head - you know what it's like, I'm sure - you start thinking about something quite sensible and before you know it your mind's all over the place thinking about all sort of nonsense.

..........

Anyway, better take lazybones in a cup of coffee and see if he's awake yet - or should I take a glass of water, pretend to trip and spill it all over him?

..........

Now There's A Thought...?

ME :0)

...Whoosh! There He Was -- Gone...

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The place feels very empty this morning - Steve took to the skies yesterday evening (for his return journey to OZ) and now it's just ME & HE again...

..........

I tried to be brave and not get upset when he went through the departures gate - but failed pretty miserably I'm afraid and stood there when he was out of sight (at least!) sobbing my heart out - Dave was brilliant (as normal) saying all the right things and consoling me

..........

But nothing really helps the feeling in the pit of my stomach that I have and the sense of loss I feel

..........

But he's not gone for ever and we'll see him again in 12-18 months (hopefully) - so it's not all bad

...How Many Hours Is That...?

ME :0)

...Today's The Day... :(

There are two lasting bequests we can give our children:

One is roots - The other is wings

......

Hodding Carter, Jr.

...I've Got To Be Brave...

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Steve goes back to OZ tomorrow & so far I'm putting on a brave face :0) - the news reported that Bangkok had suspended all flights in and out because of protesters at the airport and for a while I was secretly wishing that his flight would be delayed for a couple of more days or so...but he's spoken to BA this afternoon and they've confirmed that they are diverting to Singapore instead of Bangkok so the flight is taking off as planned tomorrow evening - RATBAGS!

..........

...Looks As If I've Got To Be Brave After All, Then... :0(

...The Ideal Job...

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Well, I've just finished my sixth week at work - that's a total of 36 hours so far (6 hours a week) - boy! it's hard work, working isn't it??

......

I must admit to really enjoying it and the girl that I work with is very easy going

-- so it's great to get paid to talk -- :0)

..........

...Must be every girls idea of an ideal job...

...Did You Hear The One...?

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Did you hear about the blind man who went bungee jumping?

He loved it, but it scared the hell out of his dog

...BOOM...BOOM...

...Snow Lovely Snow...

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GUESS WHAT??

...the weatherman actually got the weather right yesterday - he said that it was gonna snow today and snow it has AND still is...

++++++

What I'd like to know (answers on a postcard, please) is....

Where Does The White Go When The Snow Melts?

...Anyone Want Seconds...?

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The three of us (Dave, Steve & me) went to the Village Limits restaurant in Woodhall Spa last night for a meal - Dave & I really like it there and have been many times since we moved to Lincolnshire - unfortunately they didn't have the gorgeous white chocolate & raspberry cheesecake on the menu :0( but they did have a very acceptable elderflower & gooseberry concoction...so I was happy with that...

-- after all, it's all about the pud, isn't it --?

...Open Wide...

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Dave & I had the dreaded six-month dental check-ups this morning and unbelievably I didn't need any work done...this DOESN'T happen very often so I am very pleased to have 'got' away with it...

----------

Dave rarely needs anything sorted & often says that it's a waste of money just for a man in a silly mask to stick his probe into his mouth and tell him that he doesn't have toothache :0) but over the years I've spent much too much money on bridge-work, several front crowns, teeth extractions and many, many cavity fillings.

----------

But it was definitely worth the £32 this morning to be told. 'I didn't need anything done this time'

...It's Hard To Let Go...

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Steve's only got another 7 days with us until he returns to continue his life back in OZ - I looked at him earlier today and my heart just sunk and tears welled up inside of me - I couldn't stop myself going to him and holding him close :(

-----------

I know he wants & needs to be there in Sydney and not here with us and to be honest I don't want him to live with us (I'd just like him not to have chosen the other side of the world!) - after all Dave & I brought both the boys up to think for themselves and be responsible and follow their dreams.

-----------

-- what I didn't bank on was how hard it would be for me to let go --

...Not An Elasticated Waistband In Sight...

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Can You Believe that I'm still walking everyday?

...well pretty much everyday - what on earth is going on with me...:0)

I can't honestly say that I'm completely enjoying taking a brisk walk everyday but I certainly don't hate it either. What I do believe though, is that McPaul (Paul McKenna - I Can Make You Thin CD) has 'messed with me head' - even though 'The Stunner' (nurse practitioner) says that he hasn't - he only put the suggestion of taking more exercise & healthy eating into my sub-conscious as a good idea - but now that it's there I can't get it out!!!

----------

But what is great - and you'll not hear any complaints from me about this - is he's definitely helping me lose the weight (18.5lbs so far & still counting). I've dropped another dress size recently and haven't been this slim for years - I've got all my enthusiasm back to go into 'proper' shops and buy pretty clothes as well. - and the best thing is that there's -

...And Not An Elasticated Waistband In Sight...

ME:0)

...Horror Movie...

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ME ;0)

...A Toliet Joke...

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A French guest, staying in a hotel phoned room service for some pepper.

"Black pepper, or white pepper?" asked the concierge.

"Toilette pepper!"

HEHE!

...McPaul's Messing With My Head...

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...straight back...tummy in...long strides...swing those arms...

Dave & I had a very lazy day yesterday and we didn't even leave 'the pit' until well after 11am - that's just a bit too lazy, isn't it?? The front door wasn't even unlocked until late afternoon when I went for my 'power' walk - yep! I'm STILL doing one every day...are you surprised ?

...I can tell you that I most certainly am..

------

I'm convinced that Paul McKenna (or McPaul as I like to call him) has messed with my head - I've been listening to his CD 'I can make you thin' pretty much every day for the past four weeks while I've also been following his advice on how to lose weight...and all I can say is that it's definitely working for me so far... (I've lost 3.5kg that's 7.7lbs in 4 weeks!!)...so I suppose I can live with him 'making' me walk every day :0)

------

...After all he's not physically dragging me away for the computer, putting on my shoes & jacket and pushing me out of the door...

------

IS HE??

ME ;0)

...What An Awful Illness, Alzheimer's Is...!

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Steve, Dad (81), Me & Tom

While Dave & I were in Kent last weekend we took the opportunity to visit my dad, Dennis (with Steve & Tom) - he has Alzheimer's & has been in a care home for the past two years - I speak to him every week but haven't actually seen him since August (as we now live 250 miles away) & to be honest I was a bit apprehensive about how I'd find him.

----------

He always sounds so upbeat on the phone and other than repeating himself a billion times - it's sometimes hard to believe that there's much wrong with him. He was diagnosed with this awful illness in January 2002 - that's almost 7 years ago - and I've no doubt that the pills he was prescribed from the beginning have done a great job in holding it back for so long.

----------

He was up and dressed and in the residents lounge - he normally stays undressed and in his room - so it was a fantastic feeling for me to see him up and about & looking so well. He knew who Dave & I were straight away but there was a 'sinking feeling in the pit of my stomach' moment when he looked at Steve (his eldest grandson) and asked. 'How do you know the family then?'

----------

...God, What An Awful Illness It Is...

...I'll Soon Be As Light As A Feather... :0)

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-WELL-WELL-WELL-

I've had another fortnight on the Paul McKenna food plan and got weighed this morning with 'The Stunner' (nurse practitioner) at my doctors and I'M JUST SO PLEASED because I've lost another 1kg -- that's 2.2 pounds (in 2 weeks) --

that's an incredible 3.5kg (7.7lbs) in ONLY 4 weeks

--------

I was so thrilled (& a little surprised, if I'm being honest!) that I skipped out of the surgery and practically floated into the car - I just can't believe that it's been so easy...so far... to lose the weight - if only someone had told me about it years ago - I'd have followed his way of thinking so much sooner.

--------

I'm listening to his CD every day, only eating when I'm hungry, stopping when I start to feel full and also taking a brisk walk EVERY day - is this REALLY me -?

--------

ME ;0)

...Thought For Today...

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- A succesful man makes more money than his woman can spend -

...A succesful woman is one who can find such a man...

ME ;0)

...My Boys Are Back In Town...

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...Our Family Gathering...

YIPPEE DA - MY BOYS ARE BACK IN TOWN!!

Steve's back from OZ - we picked him up from Heathrow Friday morning - his plane was an hour late and it was the longest hour Dave & I have had for a long-long time.

.......

When I finally saw him coming through the arrival gate I leapt under the barrier to hug him while crying my eyes out. Steve's comment was 'You're pleased to see me then, mum?'

.......

--I think I can safely say that's the understatement of the year --

and to really make my day - Tom (youngest son) arrived that evening too - so our little family was complete

ME:0)

...This Time Tomorrow...

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Less than 24 hours until Steve (eldest son) flies in from OZ - he's been out there for two years - and this is the first time Dave & I would have seen him in 104 weeks...that's a long, long time...I can tell you

~~~~~

He emails, texts all the time and phones every two/three weeks but it's not the same as seeing his face & holding him in our arms.

~~~~~~~

But in less than 20 hours (how many minutes is that???) We'll be waiting at Heathrow Airport - terminal 4 - to catch the first glimpse of our boy :0)

ME ;0)

...Thought For Today...

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-- Thought For Today --

...surely it's no coincidence that the word "listen"

is an anagram of the word "silent"...

...Is The Water Very Deep...?

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Dave had his first session of Hydro-Therapy at the local hospital this afternoon for his on-going back problem.

--------------

I saw him off with his Bob the Builder swim bag & drink for afterwards & told him, 'That if he behaved himself and didn't make a fuss that I'd buy him some sweeties on the way home'

--------------

He said it was very enjoyable -- but I'm not sure if that was the actual therapy or the fact that there were 'young ladies in bathing suits' around the pool :0-

-------

...whichever it was, he came out with a smile on his face and other appointment for next week...

-- so it obviously made him feel SO MUCH better --

ME :0)

...The Craft Shed...

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The rain wasn't quite as bad yesterday as Saturday - thank goodness - so Dave & I went to a couple of local craft fairs, for two reasons -- firstly I love craft fairs and picking up the odd 'must have' bargain :0) -- and secondly we've decided to make & sell our own crafts...It's really exciting, isn't it? -- OH YES IT IS! --

~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~

For years we've talked about having a little craft shop one day and selling wooden things that Dave'll make and unusual gifts that I'll find (I admit I won't be making them - but I will find suppliers and the like AND do all the paperwork....I'd like to add!!). So while Dave's not been able to work because his back has been so bad, he decided to 'make a start' on some jewellery pieces, key rings and Christmas Tree hangers -- and they've turned out really well -- so hopefully when we do our VERY FIRST craft stall next month we'll sell lots of lovely things.

~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~

In the meantime - you know where we are if you'd like to buy something :0)

...Oh! by the way - we're calling the business...

THE CRAFT SHED

ME ;0)

...Did You Bring A Towel...?

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Last night Dave & I went to a firework display at the Airfield in East Kirkby (we got in for free because we're villagers - OOOH!) and for the whole evening it was raining stair-rods -- talk about Mad Dogs & Englishmen -- there were hundreds of people there all standing in a muddy field looking towards the heavens - most of us praying for the rain to stop - oohing & arring at the vibrant colours and to be fair even with the god awful weather they were pretty spectacular.

----------------------

But for me the height of the evening was the taxiing of 'Just Jane', the WW2 Lancaster bomber that's housed there. The power from her propellers is really something to feel & see. The stewards told everyone to take down their umbrellas because the force from them could simple 'suck them in'. I got really emotional seeing her there in all her glory, thinking about the men - like Bert, our good friend who was a Lancaster Navigator and even shed a tear.

.....Is that being a bit silly...?

--------------------

ME ;0)

...Buy The Book...

www.bootblack.co.uk

I've been carry too much weight around for years and was 'fairly' happy with the idea that

'This is me - this is how I am so take me or leave me'.

----------------

But in July I started to question myself after Steve (eldest son) decided to fly from Australia to visit us this November for a three week holiday...I've missed him like you wouldn't believe...and I thought it'll be nice if I could lose some of the weight that I've put on over the past two years.

----------------

So I went to see 'The Stunner' (nurse practitioner) at our doctors and spoke to her about it - she gave me some blue pills (NO - NOT VIAGRA!) that are designed to remove 30% of fat from the food that you've eaten and I've lost 5kg (11 lbs) in three months -- which I was REALLY pleased with -- but then she told me about Paul McKenna's 'I can make you thin' book & CD and I eBayed it and got it

----------------

OMG! I can't believe how great it is and the proof's in the pudding, so to speak, because when I had my monthly weigh-in yesterday and I'd lost 2.5kg (5.5lbs) - it's so easy and makes such sense - if you wanna lose weight go and do it -

----------------

YEE~HAA - I'll be a size zero before you know it