Spaghetti Junction

Goodbye 2011...Hello 2012

2012-01-06T20:38:00.000Z

So it's January...and I have some time...so I will do my first ever year in review! Bear with me...it was one hell of a year!

So for those of you who don't know or have forgotten, we moved from England in October 7, 2010 back to Victoria, Canada. So, January 2011 sees me without a job and no prospects at that point but I do get to spend loads of time with my little man which was awesome! We tackled potty training on the 21st of January and went straight from diapers to no diapers with no night pants or anything. Best idea ever! Zachary was pretty much accident free after a day and a half. We followed the potty training in one day method. We didn't buy the kit, I just found out the method online and did my own thing!
http://www.pottytrainingconcepts.com/A-How-to-Potty-Train-One-Day.html
After three nights he started having dry nights and now only has the occasional accident at night and usually when he's not feeling well. Yay!

February we celebrated our 3rd wedding anniversary and left Zachary with a babysitter, the first time EVER! It all went well of course as my little man is a gem! I finally landed a job at the end of February with Fujitsu Consulting. I started in as an Assistant Project Manager and by this point I was willing to take anything. I found the job ok but not very challenging but better to have a job than no job at all!

In March we decided to go and visit our mortgage broker to see if we could get a mortgage or if we had to wait. Because I was working for a sister company they classified it as a transfer and didn't need wait the 6 months as we expected. So we started house hunting right away. It all happened so fast but we found a house we liked and took posession on the 9th of April, 1 week before we were due to go to England.

April was a very busy month with buying a house, and going to England. With the house we had to get the back yard landscaped because a new septic system had been put in and it was all uneven and new grass had to be planted.

We went to England as a surprise visit for Richards Mother. It was her birthday on Good Friday and we showed up on the Sunday previous. Richards brother picked us up from the airport and we arrived at the house and she had no idea. "Bloody 'ell" were her exact words when she looked up and saw Richard and Zachary standing there! We stayed for a week and agreed to see her in May in Crete.

We moved into our new (and first) home 3 days after we arrived back from England. I was at work and Zachary was at Daycare (which he started when he was 2.5 years old in March) so it was just Richard and the movers. This was good though. Everything was pretty much packed up and he didn't have us in the way. Everything seemd to go smoothly except for noticing the damp patch in our ceiling the first night we were there.

May saw us going to Crete for a week to spend time with my in-laws. A week is not long enough for such a lengthy trip! But all in all we were glad we went as this would be the last time we would see Rosa (other than on Skype). I can still feel her hug and remember her words so clearly as we said good bye.

I don't remember much from June. We had fathers day and went for a round of mini-golf and out for lunch at Smokin' Bones....We had a lovely day and the weather behaved itself. But other than that not much else happened (I don't think!). I also took part in the Canadian Cancer Society Relay for Life. I failed to organise a team from work so myself and one lone co-worker joined another team consisting of young girls. Michelle and I walked most of the night and talked and talked and talked. It turned out we had a lot in common and we got on very well. Michelle has now become one of my closest friends in Victoria and we have done a number of things with her and her husband Oliver.

In July we decided we could no longer manage with just one vehicle as Richard's work was taking him over to the mainland more and more often. Where we live it isn't possible to catch a (three) bus(s) and still catch the first ferry. So we bought a brand new Toyota Rav4. We love our new car and it holds six of us perfectly. My sister lives in Nanaimo and doesn't drive so it is very handy for that. Otherwise Moose gets transported about in the back.

Moose is doing very well. He was put on a strict weight lose diet again as he was getting way to heavy (just like his owners?). He has now lost 8kg! Yay Moose. He hardly struggles with his back hips now which is great as he is getting old.

August I don't remember much of other than going camping with Lynda and the boys and then starting a new project. I am no longer an Assistant Project Manager, I am now an Applications Analyst...basically, I work on a Service (Help) Desk. It's pretty dull but I love the people I work with and it is a fairly secure roll (and I didn't have to take a pay cut!).

September was Zachary's 3rd birthday! We had a fun party with 4 little friends, some games and cake and presents. I made the cake for Zachary in his current favourite theme. Cars! Miriam and Dave came over for the weekend as well and it was so lovely to meet long awaited baby Teagan born July 22, 2011.

I was quite ill the end of September with the flu and then numerous head colds. I was off work for 3 weeks in total. I finally kicked the germs out of my body the end of November as I was fed up!

Rosa lost her battle with Cancer on November 2, 2011. She was a fantastic person and my life will always be richer for knowing her. She was my friend and mother-in-law and a fantastic Gran to Zachary. She is missed by everyone who knew her.

We went to England for the Funeral. Richard and Zachary went on the 2nd but didn't quite make it in time. Rosa was told "Your boy is coming home, and he's bringing his Dad". She died later that night. I flew back on the 6th and we came home as a family on the 17th. It was a very hard trip but we knew it was coming. I just pray that she is now at peace.

December saw my 35th birthday (ouch!) which we celebrated with Michelle and Oliver and of course Christmas. Zachary was thouroughly spoiled and he still has more to open (Nanny and Papa's presents arrived yesterday!).

The past year drained Richard and I emotionally, physically and of course financially. We are ready to put the year behind us and start this one calmly and in a nice routine.

Becoming a Better Person

2011-10-20T02:26:00.000+01:00

How does one become a better person? I mean, we all know there are things in our lives we can change. Knowing is half the battle right, but from there, how do you actually make the change?

Here are the things I would like to change about myself.

1) I would like to be less emotional.

I have always been a crier. I would like to be able just to not cry, but that doesn't work for me. I get sad, I cry (obviously!), I get frustrated, I cry, I get mad, I cry, I get overwhelmed, I cry, I get stressed...well, you get the idea! I find that I'm not nearly as bad as I used to be before I had 'Z' but I seem to be getting worse again. I'm putting it down to lack of pregnancy hormones in my body (erm...hun...should we do something about that?). So...how do I stop crying?

2) I would like to be less self absorbed.

Now, this one covers a multitude of sins! LOL! I would like to not tell everyone how I'm feeling every second of every day and what is ailing me at this moment and time. This blog kind of goes against fixing this issue...but only mum reads it and sometimes writing about it helps, right! But whatever...I don't know why I have this incredible need to tell everyone everything about me, good and bad.

I also want to care more about other people and pay more attention to them. Ask them how they are, find out what's important to them and remember that stuff. I know this would make me a better friend.

3) I want to care less about what people think of me.

Hunny, do I look fat in this? erm...who cares right? I need to do what feels right to me. Do I like the outfit, yes...then darn it, wear it!

I need to be confident in all aspects of my life. This includes work. I feel this need to always be told if I'm doing a good job. Obviously for work I put a spin on it and insist that it's important to know where I can improve...but really...I like/need to be praised.

There are other things of course. I would like to lose weight, I would like to eat better and have more energy, I would like to spend more time with my son/husband/dog. All these things...But...internally, those are the big ones and yes, I know they're all related. It all comes down to self worth/love. But how do I get to that place?

Latest update...

2011-04-08T05:00:00.000+01:00

Ok, so I know I said would post more often, and I've not been so good at it!

But tomorrow is a big day for us...actually it's a GINORMOUS day for us. We've bought a house and tomorrow we take possession! So we'll be busy the next few weeks. We're not moving till the 27th so that will give us time to pack and also clean our new house and paint and also plant grass.

Part of me is excited to be moving into my own house where I can hang pictures on the wall and where I'm paying money every month to pay off my mortgage, not someone elses but I'm also dead nervous because this is a huge responsibility. If the bathroom starts to leak this is now our problem, I no longer have a landlord to call on to fix things now. We are responsible for everything...that, is scary! But all in all, I’m excited to be a grown up and stop living like a student (Finally!)

So our house is in a very quite part of town to a very good elementary (forward thinking!). It’s on a bus route so I can still easily get into work even though it does add about 15 minutes to my journey time. There is a very nice park close by with trails and swimming holes great for doggy and little man. It’s also very convenient for our grocery shopping and everything we are currently close to. Although DQ is a little further away now.

But now the important bits, it has a family room and a living room, 3 bedrooms upstairs plus a large storage area, which Richard will use as his office, a dining room and a kitchen eating area, 2.5 bathrooms, a mud room (or two I guess) and two smaller bedrooms in the garage conversion. The Garage conversion could be updated to be a suite but we’d rather the room to have guests and we don’t particularly need to have the additional income at this time. The lot is level so no massive chunks of rock in the back yard and there is a huge deck for summer bbq’s. Lots of room for parking (take that Subaru man!)

It’s on the corner of a cul-de-sac but it faces in rather than on to the main road and even the main road is quite. It’s actually a 30 zone along that stretch of the road. Oh, and the pub is a block away AND they have a shuttle service! LOL!

There are some issues that we have to sort out but pretty much all can be done as we can afford them. The Septic system is brand new and NEVER been used before so that is something we shouldn’t have to worry about.

So tomorrow we take possession of our first house and our first task is to clean. I have honestly never been so excited to clean before! More pictures to follow but to whet your appetite, here is the listing picture of the outside of the house (there isn’t any more grass left due to the septic system being replaced)

I'm Back!

2011-03-24T05:54:00.000Z

So I figure it’s about time I start blogging again, and no, not because I have more time but because, well, it’s a good idea!

It’s been a long time since I last posted and yes my little man is as cute as ever and up to all sorts of new things. But everything else has changed, well, almost everything else. We no longer live in the UK, we made our big move in October and a lot has happened. So, I’ll start a recap from August and we’ll go from there.

In August we sold everything we could and moved into the in-laws. They were SO good to us considering it was all going to end in tears.

Beginning of September we had a long deserved holiday and probably the last one for a long time (well, last one that doesn’t include camping! LOL!). We went to Crete with the In-laws for 2 weeks and had a fabulous time. We returned home to finish up work and packing and saying goodbye. We had a good gathering the Saturday before we left despite the torrential rain that fell! I refused to cry that night but it makes me so very sad knowing we left all those friends and family behind. I wish we could have just packed them all up and brought them to Canada with us! The Sunday before we left we have a scrummy lunch out with a few friends, a much more intimate gathering to say goodbye…now this is where the tears flowed…and they didn’t stop for a good week.

Saying goodbye to such good friends is never easy and even now I’m shedding a tear or two remembering how hard it was to say goodbye. The 3 days that followed I went indoor skydiving with Sandra and we had a family dinner out at a curry house. More goodbyes and more tears!

We left the house at very early o’clock as we had to get to cargo 4 hours before our flight. That’s right, our faithful companion Moose moved to Canada with us. This was not a goodbye we were prepared to say! After a heart wrenching goodbye with the in-laws I proceeded to cry halfway to Heathrow Airport! I love my in-laws dearly and they were such a help and great support while I lived there. I will always be grateful for what they did for us and how well they let us go.

So we’re in Canada…and this is where we start spending money…Oh, and I don’t have a job yet (at this point!). We need a place to sleep and something to sit on and since we’re not packing up and moving across the pond again, we’re doing it right. On the 12th we moved into our lovely 2 Bedroom basement suite that doesn’t look or feel like a basement suite with loads of additional space for storage and Smiley has made his office in the boiler room. He actually sits next to the water heaters but you get the point.

While I was looking for work my parents offered me a job at their company until they find a replacement for the girl that just left. So I worked full time for them till December and then part time till the beginning of January when they just didn’t have any more work for me to do.

We had Christmas Dinner at our house, our first ever time hosting! It was yummy and everyone seemed to enjoy themselves, but you can never tell, it’s Christmas after all and my family is weird!

Lynda and the boys came down and spent a week with us and that made our suite feel VERY small but we all had a good time and I’m pretty certain the three of us drank WAY too much but at least the wii got a good workout!

I spent most of January feeling frustrated and discouraged and some of February as well. I still didn’t have a job and other than one ok interview and one very bad interview I didn’t have any nibbles! But then Fujitsu came along and I got one of two jobs I applied for and I started last Wednesday! Hooray!

So we’re feeling that we can now “Start the rest of our lives”. We’re in the midst of sorting out a mortgage so we can buy a house, our first ever. And with my new job things won’t be so tight and we can start planning things again. I like a good plan!

So my new job is great…I think. I’ve only been here a week and there is a bit of upheaval happening but I’m sure by this time next week I’ll be slaving away on some task given to me by my project manager…which I’ve yet to get! So in the mean time I’m just trying to do my best and making a hack job of some project schedules.

Z will be 2 and a half next week. I can’t believe how quickly time has flown. He’s such a darling little boy and just as cute as he’s always been! On the 14th we start him at Daycare 3 days a week and I’m sure he’ll be just fine. I really believe a good social environment is important to every child. He has started singing and we can understand so much more of what he is saying to us and he has been potty trained for 6 weeks now with only a handful of accidents.

There will be more to come over the next while (I will blog, I will blog!) but for now this is the beginning of the rest of our lives!

(written on the 2nd of March...not posted till the 23rd! Ooops!)

Monkey See, Monkey Do

2010-06-15T11:15:00.000+01:00

On the way home yesterday Zachary was getting into a right state, so when it was safe to do so, I looked behind and there is Zachary trying to put his pink ball into his jacket...why you ask?

Well, Grandad had taken it from him and said “My Ball” and put it in his shirt pocket. (A little game they play but Grandad had never put it in his shirt pocket before). Zachary was just trying to do what Grandad did! Bless!

Prison Break Obsession Part 2

2010-04-30T20:04:00.002+01:00

Season Three arrived yesterday and we've already watched 2 episodes! Yippee!

Prison Break Obsession

2010-04-29T15:08:00.000+01:00

So, last week Smiley and I ran out of shows to watch so I started watching Prison Break as we had the first two seasons loaded on to our BT Vision box. We didn't start watching it when it first came out as we had a lot of other shows on the go at the time. So...I started watching...and then Smiley started watching with me...and it became an obsession, we would watch 2 or 3 episodes in an evening and even spent our lunch hour sitting in front of the tv just to catch an extra episode. SO BAD! I know...I'm still so tired from staying up way to late to watch the nail biting adventures the "Fox River 8" were having. Almost every episode I would say "Oh dear! How are they going to get out of this one?" But sure enough...it was fine. The story line is great! But...here is my confession...I seem to be totally infatuated with the lead character, Michael Scofield (Wentworth Miller). I know, SAD!

But seriously, he is HOT!

Ok, the show just reeks of hotness...Michaels brother, Lincon Burrows (Dominic Purcell) is pretty smokin' as well not to mention other cast members.

So I've thought about this for a week and I decided that it is indeed the character I’m infatuated with, not the actor himself. How have I come to this decision you ask...well, I don't know the actor, Wentworth Miller, at all. Ok, he's hot (or was from 2005 - 2009) but...that's it...so what. But Michael Scofield...he's smokin' hot and ever so clever, and loyal and broody! OMG!

I just want to clarify that this NEVER happens to me. I can admit that a celebrity is hot but I never get weak in the knees at the thought of one. Oh well I guess there is a first for everything!

But it turns out that Wentworth has let himself go recently. Here is a picture of him taken from the daily mail. Even hot guys get older and softer sometimes! Oh well!

Smiley had ordered Season 3 off eBay and we're just awaiting its arrival so we can continue with our Prison Break obsession!

Happy Easter

2010-04-04T09:08:00.000+01:00

So it's Easter morning...and no, the first thing I did wasn't to log on to facebook. Not enough time for that, it'll have to wait till tonight probably.

However...this morning I did get an email from facebook. See the snippet below.

So, looks like facebook will be keeping me busy for some time! Giving up Facebook for lent was difficult but probably not as difficult as giving up something like chocolate or alcohol because, although I don't have either of those very often, saying I can't have them will make me want them more!

Getting ready for our car boot sale...and it's raining, hopefully it'll be like yesterday when it rained a bit in the morning but cleared up for the rest of the day.

Easter is Here...nearly!

2010-04-03T23:23:00.001+01:00

Ok, so I've not blogged nearly as much as I thought I would have as I've been busy doing other things, like surfing the net, or vegging and watching tv or doing my latest project, a cross stitch for my baby boy...not so much of a baby any more. He's 18 1/2 months now!

So today is the last day of lent. As tomorrow is Easter Sunday I'm allowed to get back on facebook. I can't wait. I've missed so much. I know, whatever, plenty of people survive without facebook. But sure, if you've never had it then your friends and family regularly update you of what's new...but since I'm usually on facebook I've missed loads. Apparently friends of mine Krista and Sep have had a baby...don't know the name or the sex. My best friend has sold her house and leaving Victoria for Nelson...but will she be there in May...Apparently my cousin is pregnant...but I don't know when she's due...my bff has moved from Boston to Portland and I still don't know if they've made it there safely. So I am definitely looking forward to getting back on facebook and being able to keep up with my friends and family. I do have some BIG news as well, but it'll have to wait a day or two...and no, I'm not pregnant again :)

I will try to blog more often than I have done recently...I always think of things to write about when I'm away from my laptop and can never remember what it was when I'm sitting here with time on my hands. I know, pictures of Venice have yet to appear...there are just masses of them and it's very tiring trying to sort out what I want to put up.

Tonight we had our friends Noel and Julia round. They have a 5 year old Daughter who is great company for Zachary. They get on so well but it was very difficult to get Zachary to bed. He will be VERY tired tomorrow as we have to get up early and he didn't go to bed till 10:30 as we ended up getting him up until our guests left.

Why must we get up early tomorrow, well, as a start of getting rid of everything we own to move home to Canada we are going to a Car boot sale. For my non-English visitors, a car boot sale is like a garage sale but instead of people driving round to everyone's different houses, the people with stuff to sell jam their cars full of their junk (er treasures) and head to a field or car park etc and unload all their stuff and sell it there. Currently our CRV has the back seats down and it is absolutely packed full to the ceiling of our crap (er...treasures...really!) We figure if we come home with £100 then we'll be happy, I'm hoping for more as we've labeled everything and we're looking at nearly £700 worth of stuff (and there is a load of stuff labeled £1) I am a bit nervous as I keep being told about watching out for the dealers and other people that will steal our stuff. So I'm hoping that between the two of us we'll keep the theft down to a minimum. Fortunately Smiley's parents have said they'll have Zachary for us while we get rid of all our old junk (er...fantastic, bargain items!)

So...as I'll be extremely busy tomorrow with Car Boot and then Dinner round the in-laws...Happy Easter! I'll see you on Facebook!

More Pictures

2010-03-23T16:19:00.000Z

I have just realised that I really don't post enough pictures on my blog. I will try and start posting more! (including the Venice pictures!)

I'm doing ok as far as not accessing Facebook. But I did have to get DH to have a look at my step sisters pictures today to see if there was a weight and birthday for her youngest son as I'm nearly finished his cross stitch! Pictures to follow!

Only 12 more days till I can go back to my beloved Facebook! So Sad I know!

BTW, Zachary has got a funny rash on his bum which seems to have spread a bit down his legs and one or two dots on his tummy and neck...Chicken Pox? Who knows, but he's just as happy as ever. He's at nursery at the moment and I've not got a call to say to pick him up. I'll see what they say at 5:30!

Happy St Paddy's Day!

2010-03-17T23:10:00.001Z

Zachary sporting his Irish shirt from Uncle Graham and Aunty Sandra and his Irish socks from Uncle Geoff and Aunty Susan. Smiley was wearing Green today as well but didn't want his picture taken. Moose is the only Paddy among us so Happy St. Patricks Day Moose!

Venice - The LONG version!

2010-03-13T19:19:00.000Z

This weekend we went to Venice. It was nice to get away and finally see a place that has been on my top 10 for years. I'm not entirely sure what I was expecting. I know I didn't imagine it like the movies as we all know movies are never a good representation of reality.

It was cold, very very cold! I guess I imagined it warm(ish) like spring where we could sit outside and sip a cup of coffee. Also. I knew there were canals...but there were hundreds of them not to mention the bridges to go over! I wasn't hugely impressed on Friday when we arrived but by Monday when the weather was a wee bit warmer and the sun was shining and I knew where I was going, it was starting to grow on me.

We arrived on Friday afternoon and took a coach from the airport to the bus station in Venice. From there we took the Vaporetto (water bus) to a stop instructed by the agency for the apartment we were renting. Unfortunately we missed the stop as we were too slow getting off and had to get off on the next stop and wait for another boat going in the other direction. Eventually we got to our tiny flat (but very recently updated) and dumped our stuff before going to the supermarket to get some supplies (milk, breakfast stuff, beer, wine and of course nappies!). Both Smiley and I found the people SO rude. The shop was very small and people would push by and not hold doors and that was for me, with a pushchair with Zachary in it. On Monday morning Smiley confessed to me that he thought "What a dump!" on our first day there.

We managed to walk to a main "road" Strada Nuvoa or something like that and had dinner. It was...interesting! Starters, First course, Second course, desert...REALLY???? We all had a meatball which was scrummy and then had just one course and no dessert. I had the house wine every where we had dinner and it was SO good. none of the harsh/bitter crap you get here.

The next day we met Laura (our friend that came with us!) at San Marco Piazza (St. Marks Square). She got up nice and early but with little man we were a lot more restricted on our coming and goings. We left and got the Vapporetto right round to the square. It took 45 minutes and we were about an hour later than we had planned meeting Laura. Fortunately, or unfortunately the tour she desperately wanted to go on was fully booked till Monday so we weren't really late in the end! We did the typical wandering around a museum and went through the bridge of sighs. It was nice to get a bit of history...but unless you're into all that, it gets a bit boring. Next we went up the bell tower to have a look but this trip wasn't well planned as we arrived at the top about 1:55pm and the bells chime every hour! OPPPS! Poor Zachary and his little ears! Fortunately it doesn't seem to have damaged his hearing. Next we went on the number 2 Vaporetto up the Grand Canal. Forget going on a gondola, go on the water bus, it won't bankrupt you! It was along the Grand Canal that you can start to see the charm of Venice. After that we wandered around and got lost and had a coffee and a crepe (which Zachary loved with the yummy Nutella in the middle!) and got told where we were. "Erm, excuse me, do you mind showing us where we are on this map please" The man was very nice and smiled and said of course. I wasn't even on the right page! It's very easy to get lost in Venice unless you follow the flow of people! Dinner was at an out of the way pizzeria and Smiley had a massive beer. I'm sure it was a litre! The staff were very nice and even suggested a lovely pizza for me. For desert we had Tiramisu which I've once before and I didn't like it much. I was convinced to try it again and it was SO Good! That and a coffee and we were set to head out in the cold again.

Sunday the plan was to walk to the Jewish Ghetto and then take the Vaporetto to Murano and the Burano. This was the coldest day. It was every so windy and it made it so very, very cold. I found Murano boring, lots of glass shops and I was so cold I just couldn't warm up. After some lunch we got back on the water bus and headed to Burano which I loved. The wind seemed to calm down and the buildings are painted such lovely bright colours. It also seemed in better upkeep than Venice and also cleaner, this could be because of the bright colours, or the size of the island (it is tiny!) or possibly because there was just less traffic (foot traffic of course!). We stopped for a hot chocolate and a biscuit and Zachary thoroughly enjoyed dunking his biscuit in my hot chocolate! Back in Venice we wandered around the streets a bit and even though we were trying to get lost we got trapped in the throng of people heading to and from St Marks Square. We had dinner just off the square and I settled with the "Menu Turisto" but it was very nice and again the wine was Delicious! The Waiters adored Zachary and gave him a little toy and loved watching him run around. This of course is the benefit of eating earlier is that little man can run around without being a nuisance to other patrons. After dinner we headed back to the Square to take some night shots. There were much less people around and it was really quite nice. Zachary started to get in a strop and we quickly rushed back to our flat...it took about 45 minutes to get back what with all the lifting the push chair up and down the stairs to get over the bridges. I still have bruises on the back of my leg from where the pushchair kept banging against it going up the stairs!

Monday Morning we had to be out of the flat by 11am so we got up and went for a little walk down to Rialto bridge. Smiley and I hadn't bought hardly any souvenirs yet so we spent about 2 hours wandering and purchasing our goods. We had a bit of time and let Zachary out to walk. He's really starting to get to the age where he would rather walk than be in his pushchair, not all the time mind, but some of the time.

In the end, regardless of the cold and the masses of stairs and the lack of changing facilities (I got really, really good at changing Zachary on my lap while squatting against a wall to steady myself!) and the old rude Italians (the rude ones always seemed to be old...I'm not just being ageist), we had a lovely time.

It was quite the experience taking Zachary with us as we had yet to go on a city break since he arrived. Usually we walk loads and loads and see everything we possibly can in a very short time and we weren't sure on how well Zachary would do. He really seemed to enjoy himself. We invested in a harness for him (something I said I would never do!) and let him wander around. He loved chasing the birds in St. Marks Square but I felt very secure knowing he was less than a foot away from us at all times and couldn't get lost in a crowd of people. Birds and Boats, something Venice has plenty of were Zachary's favourite items on our trip, not to mention the Gelato!

I don't think I'd want to visit Venice in the summer as we did get the slightest hint of rotting seaweed/algae a couple of times and the heat would just make it so much worse. Not to mention hoards of people and more birds which tend to rip into the rubbish bags and spread the rubbish all over the streets. Perhaps the beginning April would have been a better choice, but hey, ho.

Venice...I've been, I can cross it off my list and I'm very, very glad for that.

(short version with pictures to follow)

Go Canada Go...Part 2!

2010-02-27T21:25:00.003Z

So turns out the BBC did show the whole game. Well done girls on the gold!

Today...I've watched the Canadian Men win gold against the States on Men's Speed Skating Team Pursuit and Anderson stole the Gold from the Austrians in the Snowboarding Parallel Giant Slalom. Right now I'm just waiting for the Men's 4 man bobsled to start in 5 minutes! Canada is 0.45 behind the USA in Silver position...fingers crossed another steal!

In Canada and the States the USA are at the top of the medals table because over all, they have the most medals (currently 35). Here, the BBC have listed the rankings based on the number of gold medals. Currently Canada have 12 and the USA have 8. It is SO nice to see Canada at the top of the medals table!

HERE is the link in case you fancy having a little look and basking in the glory of being at the very top of the Medals Table.

We still have a number of Medals that we're in the running for so 12 may increase. Apparently 13 is the most gold medals one before at a winter Olympics. Could we meet or even better, beat it!

I have really loved keeping up with the Olympics and cheering on my Country(ies). I will be sad to see them over tomorrow but at least I will be able to get some sleep!

Go Canada Go!

Go Canada Go!

2010-02-25T23:40:00.002Z

It's been a bit difficult to keep up with the Winter Olympics this time due to the 8 hour difference. Obviously I'm mainly interested in the Canadian progress especially as these games are on home soil. However, living in England, the BBC are focusing on the Brits out there, and so they should.

Tonight is the Woman's Ice Hockey Final and we've stayed up to watch it. It turns out that the BBC is only showing the first Period! ARRRRRRGGGG! They're then going on to show nearly 2 hours of Men's curling, and the Brits are no longer involved, and it won't be live as they're already in End 7! This of course makes me very sad. I would love to stay up and watch the whole game but it doesn't seem to be on the cards for us.

Well, regardless I will enjoy what I can and am wearing my Canadian Spirit with Pride.

GO CANADA GO!

Drunk Ramblings

2010-02-21T21:13:00.002Z

So last night I went out with the girlies, nothing special, just a group of us hanging out chatting, drinking wine and having some nibbles. Since getting pregnant and having Zachary I have cut down my alcohol intake, for obvious reasons, so this has made me a very cheap drunk. I didn't run down the street in my undies or anything like that but I always find I tend to get over excited and agree to all sorts of things when I've been drinking.

For instance, 4 years ago we were in Prague for my Brother-in-law's 40th birthday. We were having dinner with Brother-in-law #2 and his fiancee talking about their wedding, due to take place 3 weeks later. Susan had mentioned that she hadn't picked the music yet for the ceremony and in the end I volunteered to play Trumpet Voluntary for her entrance. I hadn't played in 7 years! What was I thinking! but I pulled it off...but it could have been a great big mess!

So last night I think I agreed to going skydiving with Sandra, going away with 5 other girlies to Budapest sometime this year and I'm sure that wasn't the end of it.

Today I'm suffering a bit, just tired mainly but that could also be due to not getting home till 3am and then proceeding to wake up Smiley and Zachary. Fortunately Zachary slept till 9:30 this morning but no chance of a nap for me as Zachary had his nap while we were out today.

Early to bed for me, (right around 10 is early!) and then up at 6 to go for a run! We'll see! I won't be getting up at 1 to watch the hockey though as it will just make me so tired for the rest of the week and I have far too much driving to do. Guess I'll have to watch the highlights on bbc iPlayer tomorrow!

As for Lent...so far so good, not been on facebook at all. Did have a report from darling hubby that Krista and Sipili have had their second baby! Congrats guys!

Lent

2010-02-17T15:34:00.005Z

So it's lent again...and I've done something BIG! Well, it's big for me. Usually I give up something like Chocolate or Alcohol or sugar. This year I didn't want to do that for the following reasons.

1) Chocolate - I don't actually eat that much of it so giving it up for 40 days wouldn't be that big of a deal...I wanted something that would be truly difficult for me.

2) Crisps/Savoury Snacks - Same thing with Chocolate, I don't always have them and giving them up would make me just want them more.

3) Alcohol - This would be a bit more difficult because we're going to Venice in March and not drinking on holiday isn't any fun...Plus...I don't drink every weekend or anything like...This one was an option.

4) Swearing - Yup, that's right, I have a potty mouth! I work in IT and the majority of my co-workers are men and they all have potty mouths so it's easy to pick up...plus I do A LOT of driving and can be a bit aggressive sometimes...So figured this would be a good one and even thought about having a swear jar.

But they guys at work helped me decide...None of these really felt inspiring so I had mentioned that I had posted on facebook for ideas and they all decided right then and there that I should give up facebook for Lent...So I have.

This will be very difficult for me. Usually in the evening I sit on the sofa and watch TV and check facebook. I love keeping up with what everyone else is doing. I guess this way I will have more time for other things. Tonight I did 10 minutes on the elliptical trainer and I'm blogging...something I haven't done in ages!

I'm quite looking forward to shaking up my routine a bit but sad that I will miss the daily events of all my friends.

Thought I'd share

2009-11-11T21:09:00.003Z

Today on the way home I was listening to absolute radio and Jonathan Coulton was on the air. Now not sure if any of you have heard his music but I was hooked right away. Maybe it was because I felt some sort of kinship as he used to be a computer programmer but whatever, he's this internet phenomenon apparently and I think you should give his music a listen. His website is www.jonathancoulton.com. Have a listen and let me know what you think. (Julia have Jody listen to "Code Monkey")

No More Running :(

2009-09-28T13:33:00.004+01:00

So, went to the doctors today and he said no more running! Boo! My knee pain hasn't gone away and apparently it has something to do with my cartilage. So I need to rest it until the pain goes away and then I can start exercising again but only low impact stuff, bicycle and cross trainer stuff. So doesn't look like I'll be completing the 10k this year, I'm just hoping that the pain will be gone or at least bearable by Saturday as we're off to Portugal for a week.

Training hiccup!

2009-09-22T15:55:00.004+01:00

So this morning was my second week, second session and well, it didn't go so well. I was supposed to run for 25 minutes...I ran for 10.5 minutes and had to stop and walk because my knee was killing me! I've never suffered from knee problems before and yesterday my knee was fine so I don't think I hurt it on Sunday when I ran...I'm guessing I twisted it yesterday some how as it was slightly sore when I got up this morning. So I pushed on and managed to run a total of 21:30 minutes but I'm beginning to think I shouldn't have as I'm in absolute agony now! So, tonight when I get home I'm going to ice it and rest it and wrap it and not run again till it's feeling better. I'm so frustrated as I'm sure I would have been able to run at least 15 minutes without stopping if not the whole 25 minutes if it weren't for my knee!

Week 1, Session 3 AND Week 2, Session 1

2009-09-20T21:09:00.002+01:00

Ok, so I didn't post after my 3rd session for my first week but don't worry, it doesn't mean I didn't complete it! I did, yesterday (Saturday) and then ran again today making sure I left more than 24hrs between my runs.

Week 1, Session 3 - Walk 2 minutes, run 8 minutes.
Work was too busy to run on Thursday or Friday so I ran first thing on Saturday morning. Same thing happened as session 2. I managed the first 8 minutes just fine but stopped twice on the second set with tight calf and inner thigh muscles. In the end I completed the 8 minutes of running even though I had to stop and walk and stretch a couple of times.

Week 2, Session 1 - Walk 3 minutes, Run 10 minutes.
Ran with Sandra today. Wasn't sure how either of us would do, she's not much of a runner and I had only just run the day before and struggled with it. We ran along the old rail lines from Takeley to Hatfield forest. It was a nice change although the hills along the road up to the forest gate were killer. I manage to complete my training run without stopping although I stretched before I started to run, after my warm up walk and then in between the 2 10 minute running sessions which really seemed to help. It was great to have someone else to train with as well. Sandra has a bit of a faster pace than I do so she pushed me to work harder.

Tuesday is a 25 minute run, I think I'll really struggle with it but I'd like to run 15 minutes without stopping if I can. Only 4 weeks to go and I have a lot of work to do! Here's hoping I can keep up the training!

My first week of training has gone pretty well, if nothing else I've actually managed to to complete 3 training sessions! I only have 4 weeks left till the run, not a lot of time to train but hopefully 3 sessions a week till then will really, help!

Don't forget to sponsor me! http://www.run10ksponsorme.org/evettiespaghetti

Week 1, Session 2

2009-09-15T09:09:00.006+01:00

OK, Got up at 7 and went for a run! That in itself is a huge feat for me! I was supposed to walk 3, run 10 minutes and do it twice. I did the first set just fine and then walked 3 minutes but when I started to run again for the second 10 minutes I found it very, very difficult. My hips had started to tighten up along with my calf muscles...I stopped twice in the first 4 minutes, stopping my stop watch as well though, and had to stretch a bit before continuing. But in the end I did manage to finish my ten minutes and even sprinted the last 30 seconds to try and improve my speed. I'm sure that was the hardest bit! But an hour later and I'm still purple faced. I'm not sure what they thought at nursery when I dropped Zachary off this morning! I look like a beetroot! I'm not sure what day I'm going to run again because Thursday or Friday would be best but I'm due in Slough to meet with customers. It won't do, turning up late with a beetroot face! I could always try running after work...I'll keep you posted!

Running...

2009-09-14T11:35:00.002+01:00

Ok, so if you were expecting a blog about our Canada trip...It probably won't happen...you know what I'm like! I may however blog about Zachary's Birthday on Saturday! But we'll see how this week plays out.

Running...I've started running again (started, once in nearly 2 years!). We've had a bit of a cancer scare with MIL so I was frustrated and feeling like I was useless and needed to do something...so I'm running. I'm taking part in the Cancer Research 1oKm run. I took part 2 years ago but last year I only walked the 5km in June as I was pregnant. So I'm going to try and keep you updated with my progress! Pretend today's post was posted yesterday (on Sunday!)

5 weeks till the big day. I've not run for nearly two years. I'll be lucky if I complete the run in an hour and 30 minutes. I'd like to train 3 days a week but with work and a 1 year old...It should prove to be difficult. I must persevere though!

First Session of my running training. I found it difficult to run (er...Jog) after taking a break for nearly 2 years. I managed to complete my training for the day although the last 5 minutes of running I felt as though I was running on legs of lead! So heavy...although after I finished I figured I probably would have been able to complete another 5 minutes if I needed to. Tuesday's session will be a lot harder, Not to mention getting up and doing it before work! Yuck!

Now if you fancy sponsoring me for this fateful event please click on the following link and give me all your money!

http://www.run10ksponsorme.org/evettiespaghetti

More updates to follow!

All Done!

2009-08-19T23:37:00.002+01:00

So this must be a first...it's 11:30 pm, we are due to leave at 8:30 tomorrow morning for our trip home and I seem to be done packing. We have one bag left but we're leaving that till the morning when we fill it full of our wash bags, cameras and any other last minute items we feel we need.

I can't believe it! I'm pretty sure this has never happened before, usually I'm packing well into the wee hours of the night! I'm sure I've forgotten something important and I won't realise till the wee hours of the night! HEHE!

So, Off to bed for me in a minute to get some sleep (if I can as I'm too excited!) and then we're headed to Canada in the morning (actually it's the afternoon and we're headed to Seattle first as it was WAY cheaper to fly there and drive up!). So, wish us luck as a 10 hour flight with an 11 month old should be exciting! er...sorry that would be exhausting!

The Simple Life

2009-08-10T10:16:00.003+01:00

Why is it that we forget that the simple things in life can make us happy? Yesterday was such a perfect day, nothing extrodinary happened it was just such a lovely day.

I woke up in a mood as I was tired from lack of sleep from 2 days of driving and staying up late and I had hoped that Zachary would sleep in because we were all up so late at Aunty Sue's 50th Birthday Bash. But 7am came around and little man was awake and there wasn't anyway he was about to go back to sleep...so up we got...tired and blurry eyed. I was due to go to Saffron Walden to pick up a VCR for Lynda (turns out we don't need it now though...) and it was suggested I have a nap first. I declined the offer as I didn't want to waste the day away and I'm so glad I made that decision even though I'm still ever so tired today!

I drove to Saffron Walden which is about 30 minutes from us. I wasn't sure the best route to take so I turned on TomTom and he took me though the back roads. It was such a lovely morning and not a lot of traffic and I took my time along the winding country roads going through some beautiful villages including Thaxted. I got home feeling refreshed and contented from such a lovely sunday drive!

We then went into Harlow to get the doggy diet food (Poor Fat Moose!) and then to do a bit of shopping and stop for some lunch. On the way home we stopped at Gran and Grandads do drop off the Carseat, Nappies and Zacharys new paddling pool. We had a cup of tea and blew up the paddling pool to put Zachary's 100 balls in it. After a while I suggested we fill up the pool with water seeing it was such a hot day out and Zachary was absolutely sweating from running around after the balls that he kept throwing.

The paddling pool was a hit! Zachary loved it. In and out of the pool he went splashing and throwing a ball here and there. Even if he never uses the pool again it was worth the £10 we paid for it just for him to use it yesterday. We all laughed and laughed and Zachary was getting so excited and just kept climbing out and turning around and jumping in again. Naked and covered in grass he was so happy giggling and playing in the water!

After a cuddle and getting dressed again we headed home for a lovely curry (homemade...sort of!) and after Zachary was in bed I talked to Mum and Richard, then Pam and Dad and then Lynda. It was another late night and I knew that 6am would come far too early but I was contented as I fell asleep in my darling hubby's arms.

The Simple things....this is what makes me happy!

Strangeness

2009-08-04T09:27:00.003+01:00

So do you ever freak yourself out? I do it quite often, probably so often that it doesn't freak me out quite so much.

Yesterday at work for whatever reason I was thinking that the canteen should offer a meal deal. Sandwich, drink and crisps for a set, discounted price. Everywhere else does it, Boots, Tesco's so it only makes sense that they should and I wondered to myself why didn't they?

This morning when I went to get my morning latte there were signs everywhere "Meal Deal". So a bit freaked out I asked the girl at the till, "Is the meal deal new?", "Yes, New today, we've just put up the signs!".

So, Bizarre that I was think about it yesterday and today it's in place...The power of thought? Hmmmm, what else can I accomplish just by thinking...my test plans should be done by now...lets have a look...nope! Shame! Means I must get cracking!

Baby Brain???

2009-07-23T23:16:00.002+01:00

OK, so I just did one of these getting to know you quiz things and I felt like I was drawing a blank on so many of the questions...like what is your favorite childhood memory or what is your favorite place to eat out. I just had no idea!

I find that I'm been drawing a blank more and more lately. most days I can't remember what day it is.Yesterday I thought it was friday!

so yes...I figure I have baby brain. does it go away? I hope so! Although I have a sneeky suspicion that it's just that I have more important things on my mind now and not to mention tired! I hope little man sleeps through the night tonight.

Back to Work

2009-06-05T20:42:00.009+01:00

Ok So those of you that have been waiting for 2008 - A year in review...hope you've figured it out by now but it's not gonna happen! Nothing that interesting happened anyways! (hehe!) Ok, other than my wedding in February in Jasper, Honeymooned on a Cruise through the Panama Canal, 9 Months of Pregnancy, the birth of my GORGEOUS baby boy and Christmas in Canada...Other than that...not much happened! Ok, I'm sorry, I just never got the chance to sit down and do it. Please forgive me!

So this week was my first week back at work after having 9 months off on Maternity Leave. I can't believe that my little angel is nearly 9 months old. I'm not sure where time has gone! Smiley and I decided that it would be best for everyone (myself, Smiley and Zachary) if I went back part-time and worked 3 days a week. I wasn't too sure about it and hated the thought of actually going back to work and leaving Zachary for 3 days. It turns out I think it's going to be ok. I'm glad that I'm not working more than that as I think I'd feel as though someone else was bring up my baby.

Zachary was in Nursery (Day Care) for those three days and he did really well. As the week went on he ate more and had more milk. His key worker said he was doing brilliantly. This of course is great news. Although they did say that they gave him a cup of sand to play with and he touched it and started to cry. Bless! He did better with the sand on Wednesday but still wasn't quite sure what to make of it.

Wednesday I got home after picking Zachary up and it was about 6:30. Smiley has been working in London a lot recently as he's busy, busy, busy with work. So I put Zachary down in the lounge and went to let Moose out the back as he hadn't had a walk and he was going to have to wait till Smiley got home around 8 or so.

Now I must give you some background info on our house. Our back door is through the conservatory and there is a step down from the dinning room into the conservatory with french doors there. The Conservatory is small so it's only about 3 steps from the french doors to the outside doors.

Right. I put Zachary down in the lounge and headed towards the french doors to let Moose out. Zachary is crawling now and is pretty quick. So in order to keep him from hurting himself I shut the french doors into the Conservatory (as there is a step down there onto cement flooring). By the time I got to the outside door and unlocked it Zachary was at the french doors and started to bang on the window. I let Moose out, hooked the door so it would stay open and went back in. I went to open the french doors and they were stuck...Locked shut by a bolt across the bottom of the two doors. As I went out I only unlocked the one door and didn't undo the bolts at the top and bottom so the bolt across the two kept me from getting back in.

I looked down at Zachary and there he was smiling up at him. He had lifted and slid the bolt across and locked the 'unlocked' door to the bolted one! OMG! I didn't know what I was going to do. I had no phone, no keys and this day and age, who knows any phone numbers as they are all stored in your phone! Fortunatly my neighbour across the road had seen me come home and brought over the box of wine that had arrived for us during the day. She waved at me through the window and I motioned for her to come to the back gate. I explained what had happened and she came and had a look.

Poor Zachary was locked inside the house and I had no way of getting in. That morning before I went to work I double checked that all the windows were on the latch as I would be gone for 10 hours and Smiley was working in London and had left well before me. I started to panic but my fab neighbour told me not to worry as she started to call 999. We asked for the Fire 'Brigade' to come out as we had a baby locked in a house.

The Fire 'Brigade' arrived within 5-10 minutes and they were great! Nice and calmly had a look at the windows to see if they could get in and came up with an action plan. Poor Zachary couldn't understand what was happening as his mummy was on the other side of the glass and he couldn't get to her. He was sitting by the door and absolutely screaming his head off...it broke my heart as I knew there wasn't anything I could do. At one point he did have his face pressed against the window and he looked so cute! I couldn't help but laugh (the firemen were halfway in by that point!). Fortunatly the french doors aren't that well made so they were able to take the glass out fairly easily without breaking it and in the end put it back and my landlord will never know the difference (unless he happens to read this!). They unlocked the bolt and let me in. Zachary was happy as anything the moment I picked him up. He was covered in kisses and then had his picture taken with one of the firemen who helped me get back into the house.

I still can't believe that my 9 month old baby managed to lock me out of the house. Who's a clever boy! I find it very funny now but I did have a bit of a wobble when I realised that he was inside and I was out and there was nothing I could do about it. This is definatly something to go into his memory book!

Putting the glass back in the door

Not sure Zachary really liked the fireman!

The past two days have been great with Zachary. Yesterday we went swimming and went round Ali's and Zachary had a play with Rosie (who is 6 weeks younger) and today we just had some great Mummy and Zachary time.

Assuming I don't get locked out of the house again, I think I have the correct work/life balance!

Bad Blogger...Still...and Lent

2009-02-28T21:29:00.003Z

Ok, I know I know...I've not even started the post 'a year in review' or whatever lame title I come up with...But after I've done this...I will, I'll actually start it. But Smiley has gone out for some Chips so I'll not finish before he gets back.

I have no excuse for not blogging other than having a baby to play with all the time and he's a grabby little thing and loves all electronic devices, phones, remotes, laptops...yup...good fun! Plus this post feels like it's going to be a lot of work as it was a busy year!

Just wanted to post this...Lent...Every year I try and give something up. Last year I didn't give anything up as I had already given up caffeine, alcohol and all sorts of other stuff (runny eggs!) as I was pregnant. This year Smiley and I have given up Sugar and biscuits (or cookies for you folk in the colony's). Ok...Sugar...this needs some explanation...I can eat things with sugar in it...but I can't put it in my tea or coffee or cereal...that sort of thing. I'm not allowed biscuits but am allowed donuts...and chips...don't forget chips (with loads of salt and vinegar on them!). This should be fairly easy as I'm already used to no sugar in my tea (didn't take long) and I have raspberries in my porridge so it sweetens it up nicely...I'll keep you posted on the biscuits front!

Now...I'm going to start the promised post!

Bad Blogger

2009-02-18T19:45:00.004Z

Ok, So I know it's been over two months since my last post...and that didn't have any news...it was just a bit of fun. I admit...I'm a bad blogger!

There always seems to be something more urgent to do, like feed or change the baby, do the washing or sleep...or even just little things like the banking! I will try and do a 'year in review' post for 2008 by the end of this week as it was a pretty awsome year!

But I must go for now as hubby has just arrived home and I've not yet had dinner although I have walked and fed the dog, started the washing, tidied the bedroom, done the shopping and bathed and put the baby to bed...all before 8pm. Today was a good day!

More posts to come soon...I promise!

Mad Libs

2008-12-15T22:15:00.004Z

Dear Yvonne,

I don't really know how to tell you this, but your nostrils are insulting. I think I realized it when you finally changed your underwear in your car and poured syrup on my boyfriend. I'm sure you're senile enough to understand that I may pee my pants. I'm returning your toe ring to you, but I'll keep your neighbours dog as a memory. You should also know that I told in my confession today about the moose poaching and you should get that embarrassing rash checked.

Your everlasting enemy,

Evette

My BFF Yvonne had this on her blog and because I not one original thought in my head I thought I would have a go! Hehe! Have a go if you like...here are the instructions.

Dear (someone),I don't really know how to tell you this, but (1). I think I realized it (2)(3) and (4)(5).I'm sure you're (6) enough to understand (7). I'm returning (8) to you, but I'll keep (9) as a memory.You should also know that I (10) and (11).(12),(Your name).

1) What's the color of your shirt?

Blue - I'm in love with your dog

Red - Our affair is over

White - I’m joining the Convent

Black -Our romance is over

Green- Our socks don't match

Grey - You're a leprechaun

Yellow - I'm selling myself for candy

Pink - Your nostrils are insulting

Brown - The mafia wants you

No shirt - You're mean

Other -I dislike your eyelashes

2) Which is your birth month?

January - That night you picked your nose

February -When you smacked my ass

March - When your dwarf bit me

April - When I tripped on peanut butter

May - When I threw up in your sock drawer

June - when i quoted forest gump

July – when you put cuffs on me

August - When I saw the purple monkey

September - Last year when you peed your pants

October - When we skinny dipped in the bathtub

November - When your dog humped my leg

December - When u finally changed ur underwear

3) Which food do you prefer?

Tacos - In your apartment

Lasagna- In your car

Pasta - Outside of your office

Hamburgers - Under the bus

Salad – As you were eating Kraft Dinner

Chicken - In your closet

Kebab - With Jean Chrétien

Fish - In a clown suit

Sandwiches - At the Elton John concert

Pizza - At the mental hospital

Hot dog - Under a street light

Annat- With George Bush and Stephen Harper

4) What's the colour of your socks?

Yellow - Ignore

Red - Carve your initials into

Black - Hit on

Blue - Knock out

Purple - Pour syrup on

White - Put whipped cream on

Grey - Pull the clothes off

Brown - bit of

Orange - Castrate

Pink - Pull the pants off of

Barefoot - Sit on

Other - Drive over

5) What's the color of your underwear?

Black - My boyfriend

White - My father

Grey – The Catholic Priest

Brown – The Montreal Canadian’s goalie

Purple - My corned beef hash

Red – My knee caps

Blue - My salt-beef bucket

Yellow - My illegitimate child in Ghana

Orange - My Blink 182 cd

Pink – Your ‘My Little Pony’ collection

None – My prized statue of Michael Jackson in the nude

Other --The elephant in the corner

6) What do you prefer to watch on TV?

One Tree Hill - Senile

Heroes- Frostbitten

Lost - High

Simpsons- Cowardly

The news - Scarred

American Idol - vexed

Family Guy - Open

Top Model - Middle-class

Other - Slutty

7) Your mood right now?

Happy - How awful you are

Sad - How boring you are

Bored - That I get turned on only by garbage men

Angry - That your smell makes me vomit

Depressed – That we’re related

Excited - That I may pee my pants

Nervous - The middle-east is planning their revenge on you

Worried - That your Ford sucks

Apathetic - That you need a sex-change

Ashamed - That I'm allergic to your earlobes

Cuddly - That Santa doesn't exist

Silly - That there is no solution to you being a dumb kid

Other - That your driving sucks

8) What's the color of your walls in your bedroom?

White - Your toe ring

Yellow - The cut toenails

Red - Your Hannah Montanna underwear

Black - Your pet rock

Blue - The couch cushions

Green - Your car

Orange - Your false teeth

Brown - Your nose hair clippers

Grey - Our matching snoopy underwear

Purple - Your old New Kids on the Block blanket

Pink(ish) - Your love letters to me

Other - The pictures from Vegas

9) The first letter of your first name?

A/B - Your collection of butterflies

C/D - Your photo with the mustache drawn on it

E/F - Your neighbor dog

G/H - The oil tank from your car

I/J - Your left ear

K/L - The results of that blood-sample

M/N - your virginity

O/P - My common sense

Q/R - Your mom

S/T - Your glass eye

U/V - Your criminal record

W/X – Your sucide note

Y/Z - Your credit cards

10) The last letter in your last name?

A/B - Haven’t showered in a month

C/D - Always will remember the pep talks

E/F - i hate your cooking

G/H – am better off without you

I/J – Mocked you behind your back constantly

K/L - Will tell the authorities that you did not steal that whale in the back yard

M/N - Told in my confession today about the moose poaching

O/P - Was interviewed about the car you stole

Q/R - Always wanted to break your legs

S/T - Get sick when I think of your feet

U/V - Will try to forget that you broke my heart

W/X- I told my psychiatrist about the bruises

Y/Z-bought tampons from winn dixie

11) What do you prefer to drink?

Wine- Our friendship is ruined

Soft drink – I’m off to lead a new life as a lemon

Soda – I will haunt you when I’m reincarnated as an Eskimo

Milk - The apartment building is on fire

Water – You should get that embarrassing rash checked

Cider– I have a passionate interest for mice

Juice – You ruined my attempts at another world war

Mineral water – I'm scratching my butt as you read this

Hot chocolate – Your Cucumber-fetishism Is Weird

Whiskey - I love Oprah Winfrey

Beer – you should stop picking your nose

Other – Thanks for the Cocaine

12) To which country would you prefer to go on a vacation?

Italy - Warm tingly sensations

Australia - Best of luck on the sex change

France - Love always

Spain - With tears of sadness

China – You make me sick

Germany – Please don’t hurt me

Japan - Go milk a cow

Greece - Your everlasting enemy

USA - Greetings to your frog Leonard

Egypt – Kiss my butt

England - Go drown yourself about the bruise

Some people should REALLY mind thier own business!

2008-12-01T15:19:00.003Z

First things first...some background information...

Our little man hasn't been very well recently with a terrible cold. Smiley and I are planning on moving back to Canada in July of 2010 and I'm exclusively breastfeeding.

Now...for my rant.

Yesterday Smiley and I headed into London to catch Expo-Canada to fill in some blanks on moving back home as Smiley and Zachary are both British. We needed to take an hour long tube ride and change twice to get there. I tried feeding Zachary before we left but he didn't want much...heck...if you're not hungry, you're not hungry.

As expected Zachary fell straight to sleep the moment the train (tube) started moving and he stayed that way all the way till our last change over. We had one stop to go and we were waiting for the tube on a crowded platform. Zachary woke up and realized he was hungry so started screaming. The tube stop we were waiting at was above ground and yesterday it was quite chilly out and knowing our tube would be arriving any minute I rocked the buggy and 'Shhhhhh', 'Shhhhh'. I figured he could wait just a little bit longer till we got to our destination.

This shabby lady...closely resembling a bag lady came over and asked if he was hungry...I replied that he probably was but we were just one stop away from our destination and he could wait. She proceeded to tell me that when adults get hungry we get a small grumble but when babies get hungry they get severe cramps and should be fed immediately. I told her I wasn't about to get my boob out there (not because I'm shy but because it was cold) and he would be fine to wait a couple of minutes. She went away...

Two minutes later she came back and 'informed' me that I needed to feed my baby right now and that I shouldn't care what people think and my baby's comfort was much more important. I told her to go away and mind her own business and how dare she tell me how to raise my own child and what did she know...at one point I even grabbed her arm to push her away from us. I was furious and told her to get away from me and stormed off.

I ran into a couple of people with the push chair because I was so mad (I apologised) and Zachary was asleep by the time I got far enough away from the crazy lady.

It just makes me mad that some people feel that they have the right to butt into our business no matter what it may be. Ok...I know Pot, Kettle...Black...as I do like to 'help' people and probably stick my nose in where it doesn't belong but never with strangers.

Whatever happened to 'Mother knows best'? Ok...sometimes we do need help but I know my baby and knew he would be fine for 10 minutes or so. Turns out he stayed asleep till we got to the venue and I actually had to wake him up to feed him.

I just wish that I hadn't let the homeless bag lady upset me so much!

10 Weeks later

2008-11-21T09:42:00.006Z

I know it's been a while...but I've been busy!

Zachary Dallas arrived at 9:20pm on 12 September weighing 7lbs 7oz. It was all a bit traumatic but we're both healthy and happy. You can read the birth story here.

But now we're 10 weeks on. Zachary is beautiful happy baby. He's now 12lbs 2oz, smiling all the time and has started dribbling...I'm sure his first teeth will be along shortly!

I always knew my life would change but I never realized how difficult the first couple of weeks would be. Between the hormones and recovering from major surgery plus learning how to take care of a newborn baby I was a wreck. I'm so thankful to my husband for all his support. I'm not sure I would have managed without him and I have so much respect for single mothers now.

We're headed home for Christmas. Mum gets us for Christmas and then Dad's for 2 weeks in the new year. I can't wait to introduce our little Doo-Dah to everyone!

I never knew I could love anyone so much!

8 Days overdue

2008-09-09T17:28:00.005+01:00

That's right folks...I'm now 8 days overdue. I'm really wishing I had prepared myself for the fact that I could possibly be overdue. Even though I knew that only 5% of babies are born on their due date and 75% of all babies are born late. But I figured I would be early or on time. Gullible right?!?!?!

So the things they don't tell you about pregnancy...it's bloody hard work! I'm not going to get into the details as you don't want to hear about it. But I ache EVERYWHERE...and I mean it! I've also had an extra 8 days to think about labour...and actually, that's all I've thought about for the past 8 days. The more I think about it...the more scared I get. I know it's silly thousands of woman do it every day...and women with less pain tolerance than me (there can't be too many out there though as I'm a total wuss!)

Smiley has been a total star...he's comforted me when I've been in tears for whatever reason and been so very patient with me when I'm being completely irrational and I love him so much for that!

I've got to the point where I'm sick of people offering their suggestions to help things move along...yes people...I know they say sex will help...but seriously! Also...saying that it'll happen in the babies time also doesn't help...don't you all understand...I'm tired and I'm uncomfortable and I want my body back!

Also...what is with everyone wanting to know when I go into labour...can't they just be happy that they'll get a text or a call letting them know when our bundle of joy arrives? There are a couple of exceptions to the rules (people who make me laugh are excused) but no one (other than the dog sitter) will get a call or text when I go into labour!

I just want this baby out...I want to deal with the sleepless nights and the black tar poo and the disgusting belly button thingy...not to mention struggling with breast feeding. I want all that...i am no longer enjoying the 'belly time'. I just want my little man to arrive so I can love him and corrupt him in my own special way!

Today is Labour Day...well, not for me!

2008-09-01T03:14:00.004+01:00

Well, Today is my due date...it's currently 3 in the morning...so I guess he still has plenty of time to arrive...but I don't think it's going to happen. So is tomorrow -1 days? I'm ready for him to arrive...more than ready!

The past month has gone by soooooo quickly! I thought it would drag by and take forever...and now that my due date is here I feel a bit let down...I still don't have a baby in my arms! I do feel like I've been pregnant forever and I'm more than ready to go through my 'day of pain' so I can have a lifetime of heartache!

I'm hoping he'll arrive before the week is out and definitely before being over due 10-12 days...I'm not overly interested in being induced...I'd rather things happen naturally!

Well that's it...just me moaning about not being in labour on labour day! But I did figure I should document this day!

Dog Days of Summer

2008-08-28T13:40:00.003+01:00

So I could blog about being due in 4 days...but nothing has changed...I'm ready for this baby to arrive!

So considering that baby thoughts pretty much consume all my time...I was a bit strapped for something to write about...but my darling hubby has sorted that out for me! He's a star!

If you've been keeping up...we've recently moved. Now we've always had a bit of an issue with Moose (our Dog) digging a bit in the garden...usually he digs a bit and eats whatever he has found (possibly cat or fox poo!) But he's never dug a big hole...until we've moved here.

At the back of the garden is a flower bed with some bamboo growing in it. The Soil is lovely and soft, not like the rest of the garden...and he's taken to digging a great big hole in the soft soil! I don't really care but he does make a mess and every time we cover it over he just goes and digs at it again. I would like to plant some flowers there at some point but I don't want to waste my time if he's just going to dig them up before they've grown.

So Smiley looked up "How to stop your dog digging" and in Yahoo Answers the resolution was "Take away his spade!".

This of course does not solve our problem as Moose doesn't use a shovel! But I had a good laugh when Smiley told me the resolution he had found...Some people are so funny!

17 days to go...

2008-08-15T16:13:00.006+01:00

Ok, so honestly, I wouldn't be blogging but Yvonne has this very scary blog list that says the last time someone posted...and my last post was 5 weeks ago...and I'm curious to see what it says after I post (I want to be at the top of the list!)

So yeah...17 days...can you believe it! I surely can't! 2 weeks ago I was attending my cousins wedding, which feels like yesterday. So I'm a bit overwhelmed that the next 2 weeks will probably fly by as well!

Last week at my midwife appointment I was informed that the baby's head was down (has been for 8 weeks or so now) and engaged. Ok, so this doesn't actually mean anything...except for the next step in the whole process is labour!

Last night we went for our tour of the hospital...I guess it made it that much more real...at any moment I could start having contractions and need to go into the hospital and be in that room that I was shown last night.

But seriously...it doesn't feel real yet. Does anyone every feel ready for their baby to be born? The whole fact that I have no clue when this baby is going to arrive must be some sick joke from God. I'm this terrible control freak who likes to plan nearly everything but this isn't something I can plan. So is God sitting up there laughing at me or is this just one of life's lessons to teach me that not everything can be in my control!

I had a scan at 36 weeks because there was a minor complication at 2o weeks but it's all good and has resolved itself...but because the baby was so big his features were so clear. I got a little weepy when she showed us his face, he was looking straight at us and it was almost like looking at a black and white picture of my baby. I've told Smiley that we'll need loads of tissues as I'm sure to cry a lot when the baby actually arrives (not to mention the crying before the baby arrives!).

So I'm getting quite large now, as one does when they are 37 +4 days pregnant...but I guess I never realised how big you actually get. I've been wearing Smiley's t-shirts for a couple of months now...but even they are getting to the point that they're just a smidgen too short now! Oh well!

All in all...I'm so very excited for this baby to arrive, overwhelmed, yes, scared, yes, but I'm sure it'll all be ok in the end!

New Home

2008-07-11T13:26:00.005+01:00

Well, I've been told to Blog...so I'm blogging. (Yvonne I hope you're happy now!)

So we're moving...again. I hate moving. In the past 9 years I've lived in 11 different places. We were hoping to stay where we were till we moved to Canada...but alas...this cannot be as our landlords want to move back in...Fair enough...it is their house after all!

We've decided to move before the baby is born (assuming he doesn't decide to arrive early!) and since we have a dog (our faithful companion Moose) we were limited with places that we could rent. Fortunately we've found a place which is slightly bigger than where we are now but for less money. Slightly bigger doesn't include the loft conversion we currently have...but we never use it really other than the occasional guest and a load of exercise equipment we never use!

The 3 Bedroom House is outside of our beloved Bishop's Stortford in Takeley so that will take some adjustment time...but I'm sure we'll survive! There is a Post Office and a Chippy within walking distance...what else do you need!

Here are some pictures...which we've not taken...I nicked them off the rental site!

The outside of the house...a nice corner lot with not a big front garden (Thank goodness!)

Inside of the house looking from the Lounge towards the dining room and the doors to the conservatory. Nice decent size and open plan but not too open (if that makes any sense!)

The Kitchen. All white goods are included which is great, Cooker, washing machine, Fridge/Freezer and a dishwasher it appears! I'm noticing not a lot of cupboard space but I recall there being quite a bit to the left of the picture including a Pantry like cupboard. I'm not so sure about the frilly valance over the window...but what can you do!

The Back Garden. There is a patio area right outside the Conservatory door and then a small grass area and hardly any flower beds which contain shrubs! Yay! I hate gardening! There is a Shed at the end of the garden at the left hand side and a built in bbq on the corner of the right hand side. I'm sure Smiley will try to get it working! Outside the gate is the Garage and our driveway...So all in all, not a bad spot!

I'm not too keen on the avocado bathroom but who cares what colour it is...as long as it's clean (which it isn't...yet!) The Baby's room will be the smallest room and the other two will be our bedroom and the 'office'

But don't worry if you're hoping to stay with us when you come and visit...we have a double air mattress (a deluxe one!) that we can fit in the lounge or the office or somewhere!

This is going to be our home for the next year and a half (at least!) I just hope we enjoy it!

Welcome to the world Baby Murdoch!

2008-06-22T10:09:00.003+01:00

Yesterday our friends Chris and Claire had a baby boy at 2:01pm. He was 6 days late and weighs in at 6lb 3oz. His parents have yet to pick out a name but Smiley and I are both so very pleased for them! I can't wait to meet the little guy!

Chris and Claire's baby means that I'm on the homeward stretch! Only 10 weeks and 1 day to go!

Congratulations Chris and Claire!

Happy Birthday Moose!

2008-06-17T22:02:00.003+01:00

Ok...it was yesterday but it doesn't matter...We've had Moose for 1 year now and it's been full of excitement! I would not be without my doggy now, I love him SO much!

We got Moose from a rescue centre, he was a stray in Ireland...so we don't know his history or his birthday. So we got to choose his birthday...the day we brought him home and they figure he was about 5...So Happy 6th Birthday Moose! We Love You!

Horrible experiences

2008-06-11T17:36:00.004+01:00

Today I had a horrible experience...it was not the nurse peering into my ear after my complaint of a terrible ear ache, nor was it the nurse that took my blood today and bruised me terribly...it was later on in the day.

When we got home from visiting the vampires in Cambridge (I needed to have a 28 week blood test done) I noticed a baby bird just outside our path. I've seen a number of baby birds before, probably about 5 already this year. The difference was, this one was still alive...barely.

Smiley got me inside and we discussed what to do. I was in tears as I felt so bad for this struggling little life. I knew that even if I managed to keep the poor thing warm enough there was no way it would survive as I couldn't feed it. (I wasn't about to regurgitate my food for it was I!)

So I decided that I would do the only humane thing. I would drown the poor thing and put it out of its misery. It made me very sad as it was so tiny and helpless but I knew deep down this was the right thing to.

Its little life ended quite quickly and for that I'm grateful. I'm also very glad for my decision as I saved the neighbourhood children the experience of seeing this baby bird struggling for life. As I look out the window to the street right now I can see four children outside riding their bikes and kicking a football about, right where the bird lay.

Race for Life 5K - Cancer Research

2008-06-09T12:07:00.003+01:00

Well yesterday was the big day...and it came upon us very quickly...which I'm surprised about as time seems to be dragging throughout this pregnancy. Apparently the next 12 weeks will be the longest! I just can't wait to meet my baby boy!

But besides the point...Laura and I completed the 5K yesterday in a staggering 55:45. Obviously not my best time but I have never walked the whole thing nor have I ever taken part while being 28 weeks pregnant. It was a glorious day even though it started out overcast and because it was so...we forgot the sunblock. Needless to say Laura and I have burnt our shoulders, arms chest and back (and Nose) to a crisp! Oh well. All for a good cause...although it would be very ironic to get skin cancer from completing a 5K for Cancer Research!

I have managed to raise a grand total of £301 this time round and I have my darling husband to thank for a lot of that as he requested sponsorship from some of his clients! Obviously I can still take sponsorship up till the 22nd...so if you are at all inclined...please feel free to donate some money to a good cause! http://www.raceforlifesponsorme.org/evettemorland

Below is a picture ( a bad one...but a picture none the less) of Laura and I before we started our walk.

Randomness

2008-06-03T12:28:00.003+01:00

Ok...I know it's been a month...again...and I don't actually have anything to write about...but since I have a bit of a lull at work today so until I get some work in...I might as well post!

Things are good! I'm now 27 weeks and 1 day pregnant...and sort of enjoying it. I've come to grips with work and feel very settled again as I had a bit of an 'episode' in April where i needed some time off work. I'm hoping that was just pregnancy hormones! In general I just feel quite contented...which is ALWAYS a good thing!

On the long weekend Smiley and I (mainly Smiley) moved my office into his office. Now we have to share. We've done it before and it's been ok but I get distracted easily and in turn distract him...but I've only got another 54 days of work left so he won't have to put up with me too much longer! We've still got loads to sort out for the baby but we're getting there eventually.

We've decided to get a travel cot rather than a full size cot. We have very good reasons for this. The first is price...a new travel cot (the top of the range one that I want) is £100, we of course can get it cheaper off ebay! The second is the fact that we're looking at going home at Christmas and we'll take it with us so the little guy has a decent place to sleep...and he'll be used to it. The third is the fact that we're planning on moving home in 2 years and we'll bring it with us and hopefully keep it for any future children we have!

Friends of ours who have a 3 yr old have given us loads of stuff...only, they have a girl...and we're having a boy so I gave all the remotely girly stuff to our neighbours who are having a girl...13 days after me! They've been a great help and have saved us loads of money

It's all getting very exciting now as I have less than 3 months to go. There are about 7 of us all in a row expecting babies. The first one, Smiley's Best Mate and his partner, is due on the 15th of June...Claire is so excited and just wants the baby to arrive already. I think she's getting a bit fed up with it all! After that another 2 are due to arrive and then it'll be my turn. This is not counting my cousin, who I don't know or Danni back in Canada.

This weekend I'm taking part in the Race for Life yet again. I've got back to completing the 5K although I had upgraded myself to the 10k last year. The 10K falls in October and I really don't feel I'll be up to completing a 10K run a mere 6 weeks after I give birth (I'm not a woman of steel you know!). So I'm doing the 5K and I'm not running...I'll be 27 weeks and 6 days pregnant so just walking Moose these days is a bit of a challenge for me. I'm fortunate though to have my friend Laura taking part with me so I'll have company and she'll make sure I don't overheat or get a bad cramp or anything while on my own.

If you would like to sponsor me please feel free! Every little bit helps and I would love to bring up my children in a world where Cancer can be cured!
http://www.raceforlifesponsorme.org/evettemorland

Well that's about it for now...I'll post more soon!

Sleeplessness

2008-05-02T09:48:00.003+01:00

Ok, tell me if I'm wrong but the worst thing is when you just can't sleep!

I woke up around 4 this morning and couldn't get back to sleep...who knows...perhaps the baby was kicking and keeping me awake, maybe it was one of the lovely side effects to the iron pills I'm taking or perhaps it was because Smiley was next to me snoring away and Moose was in the hall, snoring away...whatever the reason...I tossed and turned for an hour before getting up.

Fortunately my good friend Yvonne was online as she couldn't sleep either and we kept each other amused for a while. Once I got Smiley up (as he had to go to work in London today) I fell asleep right away. I woke up a couple of times between 7 and 8 like when the yappy dog two doors down wouldn't shut up, or when the bin men came, or when Smiley came in to give me a kiss goodbye. The last item I'll put up with as I won't see him till late tonight.

I fall asleep no problem after those couple of things but wake up again around 9:30 when the recycle truck came. All that clanging of tins and banging of glasses...grrrr! So now I'm half awake and I can't get back to sleep easily because I'm thinking I really should call the doctors and I really should get up and walk Moose (don't worry, he's not walking around with his legs crossed, Smiley has let him out into the back garden and has left the door open for him) and to top it all off I've got this horrific song that used to drive me insane about 10 years ago when I worked at Fairways. It was by Rod Steward (or he covered it...whatever!) Ooh La La, and the line that keeps running through my head is "I wish that I knew what I know now, when I was younger". Seriously where has THAT come from?

So I'm thinking that I could deal with all that and fall back to sleep as I'm every so tired (I must take good care of this baby!) and then somewhere perhaps on the next street someone is using some sort of loud gardening implement...like a really loud mower...or something who knows I can't see it...all I know...is I had to get up.

So now I've called the doctors and had my rant...I guess I should get dressed and walk Moose!

It's been a VERY long time!

2008-04-30T12:04:00.002+01:00

Ok...so I'm thinking when is too long...too long? I'm guessing 6 months or so is fine...So let me fill you in on what's happening with me!

My 31st birthday came and went and my fab fiance took me to Rome for the weekend. I didn't find out till we were on our way to the airport. It was great!

Christmas Day arrived and Smiley and I found out that I was pregnant! What a great Christmas present! This is our first baby and we're both very excited

February 16th was such a perfect day for us as it was our wedding day...I couldn't imagine a better day!

Now...I'm 22 weeks pregnant and am looking so forward to finishing work in 4 months and meeting my baby boy! That's right, we're having a boy!

I will try and update my blog much more often than I have been although I'm sure I've lost all interest and no one will be visiting again without prompt!

I've been tagged...

2007-11-06T06:56:00.000Z

Well I woke up to find a message from my mum...she's tagged me...7 truths about myself...and I have to tag 7 people! This could prove to be difficult as she's tagged Yvonne as well...which leaves me one less person. I do believe I will be going through my facebook friends to see who own blogs! I'm not doing it right now...I got up early to work...so I should get on that right away.

Now that I think about it...I'm sure Yvonne tagged me a while back...Oh I'm so crap at this!

So watch this space...7 truths to come (although my life is an open book pretty much and most people know most things...but I'll do my best!)

I did it! (and I didn't die!)

2007-10-22T22:33:00.000+01:00

Just a quick post and I need to be working (and yes I do know it's 10:30 at night and I should really be in bed!)

My 10K run took place on Sunday (as in yesterday) and I managed to complete the whole thing. I know, I know...no great feat! However, the past 3 or so runs I've had severe cramping in my left calf muscle and in my foot...my thought, I'm out of shape, overweight (barely!) and in desperate need of some new runners! I had this fear of getting to 3K and not being able to continue.

Lucky for me...I swallowed the pain and continued. The pain in my left leg and foot ceased at about 6K...at about 8K I could feel a blister starting to form on the arch of my foot! So unfair!

I did not run the whole course...but I did run at least half if not more. I completed the 10K in 81(ish) minutes. By the time I started the clock said 2:23 and I finished somewhere around 1:23:?? to me that is 81 minutes. Ok...I know it's not great...but the amount of training I did...heck it's fantastic!

Thank you to all who Sponsored me as this was a Cancer Research run and I ran in memory of Barb Lewis. For those of you who don't know Barb, she was the most amazing woman I ever met. She died after her battle with Cancer on 17 September.

If you still fancy Sponsoring me you can at my special "SKETTI'S 10K RUN SPONSOR FORM!". Don't worry it's all legit and safe!

(Now...back to work!)

Ok, ok, ok!

2007-10-13T19:18:00.000+01:00

Well, I'm still here...I've just not blogged in forever! I've been busy! I started a post at the beginning of October...but haven't had a chance to finish it...as it was titled...I blinked and September was over...now it's the middle of October and I still haven't finished the post...I will...soon...I hope.

All is well in Sketti land. The wedding is in 4 months now and I think we've sent out the invites...if you feel like we should have invited you and haven't...let us know!

Our Non-existant summer has turned to Autumn and I'm very sad again that I've missed Thanksgiving. It was always my favorite holiday (not sure why...I must be warped!). However I have some friends coming round next Sunday for a lovely Thanksgiving meal. Mmmmmm Turkey and stuffing and loads of food and Pumpkin Pie! Thanks again mum for bringing the tin of pumpkin with you when you came in September. Hmmmm, I had better get planning! Ack!

Next Sunday is also my 10K run...i've been too busy lately which has caused me to be too tired so my training schedule has gone out the window. I have a 5 mile route planned for tomorrow. I'm not under the illusion that I will be able to run all of it but at least I'll have an idea of how long it'll take next week (I always run quicker in a race!).

If you fancy sponsoring me (it is in aid of Cancer Research) please go to my fund raising site HERE Even Moose has sponsored me...he must have a lot of faith in me!

I hope you all are well! I will post very soon about what I've been up to the past couple of months! I promise!

Yes...I am still alive

2007-08-29T21:21:00.000+01:00

Ok...I know I've not posted in ages...but I've just been very busy. I tried to post one day when I was working on a Saturday as I needed to wait an hour and a half for the system...I tried to post about the Simpsons movie as we had just been to see it. But youtube was blocked...on a Saturday! so I didn't post as text was just boring. I've been staying away from home a couple of nights a week which means that I don't have internet access in the evenings.

This isn't a very good post and boring I know...but I don't feel quite so bad about not posting as Yvonne has been a bit slack as well lately.

I will try and make a good effort to post more often regardless of being busy...

Fat Club ~ Week 3

2007-08-09T22:16:00.000+01:00

Yay! I did it again...I lost weight! I really feel as I have a good handle on my weight loss this time and I'm going to get to my goal with plenty of time before the wedding. I'll keep going to Slimming World until at least the wedding and probably need to continue after we get back...2 weeks on a cruise with all that yummy food...I'll be as big as house! Ok...not...but I'm bound to gain.

I lost 2.5lbs this week which brings me to a grand total of 7.5lbs in three weeks. At this Rate I'll be down to my target weight before mum comes in October.

Colleen asked me this week how I was losing my weight. I didn't think I had told her that I was going back to Slimming world. Apparently I hadn't, she just noticed that I'm losing it. There are three things that are really encouraging about losing weight.
1) knowing that the numbers are going down on the scale...not up!
2) noticing that your clothes are getting looser.
3) other people noticing that the weight is coming off!

So hopefully next week will be as good as the past three. Smiley is losing weight as well and I'm really enjoying the food this time...Especially the Veggie Lasagna...sooooooo yummy!

I'm hoping to go swimming again tomorrow. I went on Monday and did 880 meters in just under 20 minutes. My goal is to eventually get up to 1 km in 20 minutes...only 6 lengths more!

On a side note...Moose is sick...I don't want to go into it as it isn't pleasant...but he has a poorly bum and the vet thinks he has an auto immune disease. We've got some new medication for him and hopefully it'll work (It should...costs £50 for 2 weeks!). Poor Moose! I feel so bad for him and just hope and pray that this sorts him out.

And the Winner is...

2007-08-08T22:11:00.000+01:00

Jason from Washington Interns gone Bad!

Congratulations Jason on winning the Blog off V.2.0.

If you didn't get around to reading Jason's post I would definatly recommend it...they were fantastic.

Unfortunatly I won't be taking part in the next blog off (V3.0) as I'm far too busy at work and life in general at the moment but take a moment to stop by Courtney's site and support her on her three day walk in Seattle.

On a side note...I know I've been crap at posting lately but I've just been busy! If I could post and drive at the same time...that would sort out a lot of issues! But I can't...I'll try to keep up with it while I'm going through this busy period of my life...please bare with me!

Fat Club...Week 2

2007-08-02T21:24:00.000+01:00

Ok...so the weekend wasn't so good. Was in London with Shawna and Scott and after about my fifth Natcho...I realised I probably shouldn't be eating all that super yummy gooeyness! oh well! I still lost 2 lbs which is a grand total of 5lbs in 2 weeks! Whoo hoo!

Next week should be interesting...I found out yesterday that I'm expected to work in Bracknell three days a week. This is not forever...just for now. It's due to the nature of the project I'm working on. Driving the 170 miles round trip is NOT fun especially as its all motorways and the traffic is horrible...check out this previous post! So I will probably stay in Bracknell on Tuesday and Wednesday nights as to save my sanity! (what's left of it!) Lunches will be ok...as I do that now...it'll just be dinners...i'll figure it out.

Victory...Part II

2007-07-29T22:13:00.000+01:00

Strangest thing...Saturday I headed into London to meet up with a friend I hadn't seen in about 13 years. As I was waiting at the Eurostar Arrival gate I thought it might be a good idea to look through the tourist leaflets just in case there was something of interest or value there. Amongst the leaflets was the following...

I had to look twice as I thought it was so strange that I had never heard of "Dig for Victory" before last week and now I've posted on it and found a leaflet for an exibit at the Churchill Museum.

Thought it was cool and figured appropriate to share! Read the original Victory post below.

Victory

2007-07-26T23:36:00.000+01:00

“O Victory in Jesus, my saviour, forever. He sought me and bought me with his redeeming blood; He loved me ere I knew Him and all my love is due Him, He plunged me to Victory, Beneath the Cleansing Flood”

This song has been going through my head ever since yesterday morning when I got the word VICTORY. I’ve thought about posting about it but there isn’t much to say. I don’t currently go to Church and haven’t for about 8 or so years…I have my reasons. But this song must have made an impact on me as I remembered the words, and that is quite an achievement. I find I pretty much know the tunes for a lot of hymns but have no idea what the words are. This comes from years and years of playing in the Salvation Army band. I always played the tune…next to never sang it.

It is a good thing I’m not posting about the song…as this would be the end…So even though that song was running through my head the past two days I’m going to go a different way…of course.

V is for Victory, Churchill, WWII…as I was looking up stuff about Victory on the net (I needed some sort of inspiration!) I came across the following pictures.

And then I kept seeing mentionings of it and I became intrigued…Dig for Victory…what does this mean, what does it reference to? I tend to associate Victory with World War II. Obviously there are other Victory’s but this is what I’m focusing on today.

One month into World War II the British Ministry of Agriculture started the Dig for Victory Campaign. The British People were encouraged to turn their yards and pretty much any free and empty land into allotments to “grow their own”. This was started not only to provide much needed food for the British public but it also in turn freed up the much needed space on shipping convoy’s for war materials.

You would not believe the extent that Ministry went to promoting this scheme. They had songs and poems and even little characters to encourage people to eat Carrots and potatoes.

I’m not kidding in the slightest! Check out this site…it shows some of the poems and songs and characters.

It turns out that this worked a treat and people didn’t starve as being on our own tiny island over here…we were prone to the Germans sinking thousands of merchant ships as Britian imported 55 million tons of food a year before the war started.

How did this help the war effort? It meant that merchant ships could focus on supplying the war effort rather than supplying the British people with food.

I find it funny but very sad at my own ignorance that this was one of the most memorable campaigns of the 20th century and I didn’t know anything about it!

The moral of the story…it’s the small things that make a difference!

This was a post for the Blog Off for Breast Cancer V2.0. Please take some time to view some of the other blogs participating, all the links are on the right hand panel. Remember, it's the small things that matter...so do your small bit and please click on the banner below to make a contribution to Courtney and her three day walk so we can all have a VICTORY against cancer!

Fat Club - Week One

2007-07-26T23:35:00.001+01:00

Well, the first week has been and gone...I had a rough weekend but regardless...I still lost 3lbs last week! Whoo hoo!

Fat Club

2007-07-23T07:32:00.001+01:00

Well, I've discovered that this time...I can't lose the weight myself...in fact I've gained a good 20lbs in the past year! (Shock! I know!) So I went back to Fat Club or rather Slimming World. I lost 15lbs on it before but never reached my goal...quit as I thought I could do it on my own. I was doing ok until we went home in November for 2 weeks...and then it was Christmas...and then we went to New Zealand for three weeks in February...and then I had my surgery and stopped exercising...and then we went to Boston in May...and then we went to Riga in July...I eat and drink FAR too much on holiday.

So I knew it wasn't good as my fat pants (trousers) are getting a wee bit snug on me...and those are the only pair that still fit me...So I figured something needed to be done. I have 7 months till the wedding which is plenty of time to lose 25lbs. As of this morning's count I've lost 5lbs...and I've not done that well on following the plan this weekend. But it'll get better...I hope! I'm hoping for a 3lb loss on Thursday (at least!)

I'd like to lose a stone (14lbs) by the time I go away for my hen weekend in September. It's doable...and I'm going to sign up for the Cancer Research 10K which will force me to train again...which always helps!

This is what I want to look like (at least!) by my wedding....

This is what I look like at the moment...

Breasts

2007-07-19T23:47:00.000+01:00

Breasts, big or small we all have them (and yes men too…Heck even chickens have them!) Fortunately I’m not going to write about Chicken Breasts tonight. Nor am I going to write about Man boobs, although I should at some point…as I’m very confused as to why it is socially acceptable for a man of larger stature who has bigger boobs not to wear a bra but it is expected that I do…but that’s another point for another day…

Breasts, or Boobs as I will kindly refer to them for the remainder of the post have a number of functions. These can range from breast feeding a child, a play thing for men, something to fill a bra or even something to help you put on lipstick (The Breakfast Club). They can get in the way as well…fortunately for me I have just enough that I can show them off but not too much that I can strap them down so they don’t slap me in the face when I run.

Boobs, they can give life (or something essential for life) and they can take life.

I don’t have any children, yet. But like to think that when I do, I will breastfeed them. I know that it has been proven that this is the healthiest start for a baby. Mother Natures Nectar. With all our technology available to us we still haven’t created anything as healthy for a baby as mothers milk.

“The American Academy of Pediatrics (AAP) recommends that an infant be breastfed without supplemental foods or liquids for the first 6 months of age” – taken from this site

Over the years there has been increased proof to show that breast feeding is beneficial for both mother and Child.

Babies who are not breastfed are at greater risk for a number of health issues including ear infections, allergic disease and respiratory infections. Also breast fed babies tend to be smarter (I was breast fed…can’t you tell!). Have a look at more benefits of breastfeeding here

We all know that breastfeeding is good for the baby…but what about the mother. Apparently it helps you lose your baby weight after giving birth but did you know it also lowers your risk of hip fractures and bone density not to mention Ovarian and BREAST CANCER.

Heck…who cares if my breasts sag (sorry Smiley)…with those kind of benefits for both me and my future children…I’d be mad not to. (I do know that there are some reasons why some women can’t breast feed and I’m not getting at those people…but not breastfeeding for fear of saggy boobs…heck! That’s what a Wonder Bra is for!)

Unfortunately Boobs can take life as well. And no I’m not referring to the fembot in Austin Powers that has guns for nipples (although that is very amusing and how cool would that be!)

The whole point of this blog-off is to raise money for a cure to Breast Cancer. Courtney lost her mum to the disease and so did Evey . There are others I’m sure and I’m sorry that I didn’t mention you (Eternity, your sis told me about your Aunt…I hope it all works out for the best!)

In the UK in 2005, Breast Cancer was the cause of 17% of all deaths caused by cancer. This is a lot of people, 12,417 to be exact.

Remember, Breast Cancer is not just for women, Men can get it as well (although it is rare).

Please remember to test yourself for breast cancer regularly. The earlier it is caught, the more chance we have of beating it. I’m horrible and next to never self test…if you don’t know how…here are some instructions

This was a post for the Blog Off for Breast Cancer V2.0. Please take some time to view some of the other blogs participating, all the links are on the right hand panel. Also, if you'd like this week's beer money to go to a worthier cause please click on the banner below to make a contribution to Courtney and her three day walk!

Riga (That's in Latvia!)

2007-07-17T22:51:00.000+01:00

This past weekend we (as in me, Smiley, Smiley's Brother and Sister-in-law) went to Riga for 3 nights.

The best thing about living in England (other than the constant rain of course) is that we're so close to the rest of Europe. Riga was only a 2 hour flight away and it is so beautiful there.

We spent our three days walking, and looking at buildings and the "sights" and not to mention the food and the drink! A great time was had by all including Burt and Sean (although I'm sure they drank way too much this weekend!)

I've included some pictures...just to tease you of course. I will post more on facebook with a link here later (when I have half a moment). I will also post more about what we did as it was a great weekend.

But for now...I'm going to bed as I have a busy day tomorrow and I've gotten the next word for the Blog off and that needs to be up by Thursday night!

This is a view of "Old Town" Riga. There is some amazing architecture there. This picture was taken from the steeple of the St. Peters Church

A fine example of some of the amazing architecture. This is "Blackheads House"

Burt and Sean enjoying my cider far too much while I nipped out to the loo!

Hope

2007-07-12T18:44:00.000+01:00

This is a post for the Blog Off for Breast Cancer V2.0. Please take some time to view some of the other blogs participating, all the links are on the right hand panel. Also, if you'd like this week's beer money to go to a worthier cause please click on the banner below to make a contribution to Courtney and her three day walk!

I got this word yesterday morning but didn't have a chance to write about it till tonight. I spent the four hours it took me to get home from Liverpool yesterday thinking about HOPE and how I was going to approach it. Even now I'm not entirely sure but I've run out of time so you'll have to put up with whatever I happen to come up with now.

I'm not sure what I think about the word HOPE. I use it all the time. In fact right now I'm hoping that Moose will be ok as we dropped him off at the Kennels for the weekend as we're going away. But we all know what HOPE is but I don't think its easy to explain. I spent some time chatting with my mate to see if I could come up with anything inspiring.

To me HOPE is "The Light at the end of the Tunnel". When we are uncertain about the outcome of an event we have HOPE that it will turn out well.

I grew up in Edmonton and we often used to take trips to Victoria. For those of you know the route between the Rockies and Vancouver know that you go through the town of HOPE. On one of these trips my Dad told me how the Town got its name. He said that the pilgrims named it once they got there after so many hard years of making their way through the mountains.

I looked up the origin of the town HOPE. Unfortunately the story that my dad told is just that, a story. I still feel that the town of Hope is a good representation of the meaning of HOPE.

I love the drive through the Rockies but even to this day I find I end up getting quite bored by the end and wish I was there already. I always feel that by the time we get to Hope we are nearly there...the mountains start to flatten out and I know that we're nearly there...it's the light at the end of the tunnel.

HOPE is more than just wanting..."I hope you have a nice day" is not the same as "I want you to have a nice day". Hope is something that you have when you are uncertain of its outcome. This could be anything from hoping you get the job that you had the interview for last week, or hoping that the cute guy in the next office calls you for that date he promised, or even hoping they find a cure for that disease you've been diagnosed with.

Hope is what keeps us going. It's the optimist in all of us...even a pessimist can have HOPE. No matter how negative our outlook can get there is always a glimmer of HOPE within us (even if we have to dig for it!).

Survivor

2007-07-04T22:05:00.000+01:00

This is a post for the Blog Off for Breast Cancer V2.0. Please take some time to view some of the other blogs participating. Also, if you'd like this week's beer money to go to a worthier cause please click on the banner below to make a contribution to Courtney and her three day walk!

We’re all survivors and we all know survivors. We’re a mixed breed really. I kept thinking about this word and wondering how I was going to approach it. I thought about my mum and my future mother in law who have both battled cancer and have come out on top. I thought about random people who have over come their disabilities and situations to become better people. I’ve thought about those who have survived of "Acts of God", ie, Volcano's, Avalanches, earthquakes, floods, etc. and even thought about the TV show "Survivor" and wondered if scheming and backstabbing is what makes a person a "Survivor". All this thinking and I’m still not finding what this word really means to me. After a while I started to wonder what the difference between a survivor and a victim was. To me…a survivor is someone who has battled something and come out stronger…a victim is the same person who battles the same thing but comes out weaker. Obviously this is in reference to spirit and mind, not body. (and not a dictionary definition either, just how I happen to feel about the words)

For those of you who have been watching the news may have heard that the UK is having a rough week. On the selfish and shallow side of things my biggest problem is that we’ve not had any sun for ages…I’m pretty sure it has rained every day for the past 3 or 4 weeks. But this is me being selfish and if I was living in a bubble this is what would concern me the most. However…I don’t live in a bubble, so last week I was watching the news and seeing images of flooded streets and homes and rivers and reservoirs bursting their banks. For those of you who don’t live in the UK may think that this is normal for us. You know…it always rains in England…right? Unfortunately not, that is the case through out the winter but in the summer we are usually suffering from the heat and hose pipe bans as water is scarce.

An Aerial View of the village of Catcliff near Sheffield which was under water after two days of heavy rain.

If you would like to see other images of our week of flooding Please go to the BBC website.

In other news…it seems as though the terrorists have hit again…or at least attempted to. There have been a number of incidents since last Friday.

On the 29th there was an "incident" in London involving a car bomb planted in London which if exploded would have caused serious damage as the car was packed with 60 litres of Petrol, gas cylinders and nails. This was close to the infamous Piccadilly Circus.

On the 30th there was a "blazing car" that crashed into the main terminal at Glasgow Airport was loaded with Gas Cylinders.

On the 3rd there were Security alerts and controlled explosions at Heathrow Airport, Glasgow and Hammersmith in London.

Obviously there are many more details which can be found on the BBC website.

I would love to have a "boring" life…no floods, no terrorist attacks…I would like to say that none of the events over the past 2 weeks have affected me, but it’s obvious that they have as I’m writing about them now.

I refuse to be a victim. I refuse to be scared. What is the point? Isn’t fear the true weapon of a terrorist? I don’t go into London very often as it’s quite expensive and there is lots to do around here but I remember seeing a t-shirt after the July 7th bombings which stated that London is not afraid.

I love this t-shirt and yes…many, many people are afraid. Even though none of these incidents have directly affected me as I wasn't there I am still affected indirectly by media and just life in general.

I keep thinking about the difference between a Survivor and a Victim. Here is what the Dictionary says about Survivor:

sur·vi·vor –noun
a person who continues to function or prosper in spite of opposition, hardship, or setbacks.

This is who I want to be. I am a survivor.

We should all aim to be survivors regardless what life throws at us.

Excited!

2007-07-03T13:47:00.000+01:00

Today is the day we get our first word for the Blog off! I know I won't get it till later...or possibly even tomorrow with the time difference! But I'm excited! I want to know what the word is so I can start thinking about it and writing about it! Whoo Hoo!

Stay posted!

Happy Canada Day!

2007-07-01T17:05:00.001+01:00

Just wanted to say a quick "Happy Canada Day" to all of my fellow Canadians!

Happy 140th Birthday Canada!

Blog Off!

2007-06-28T21:49:00.000+01:00

Well for those of you who know Yvonne and regularly visit her blog...you know what this post is about...for those of you who are totally confused already...let me begin.

I am partaking in a Blog Off through out the month of July. This is in aid of raising funds for Breast Cancer. Courtney who is a friend of a friend of a friend...(confused yet?) is doing the 3 day walk for Breast Cancer in Seattle (I think...). The idea is that a large number of people (at least 20 of us this time) are given a random word on a Tuesday and we need to get our creative juices flowing and post on that word by midnight on the following Thursday. This is just a short one. 4 weeks, no eliminations unless you fail to get your post up in time. Everyone votes for their top favorite three and the one with the most votes at the end of the 4 weeks wins the pot (which is half of our entry fee's as the other half goes towards Courtney's fund raising).

Very cool! I read a lot of the posts (more and more towards the end) of the last blog off that Yvonne partook in and I loved it. It was very cool to see how different people think about just one word. Some of the words were Golden, Kiss, Regrets and even Shampoo! Stay posted and I will have links to all the other bloggers on my link bar on the right hand side so feel free to visit them and read what they have to say.

If you are feeling very generous please donate this weeks beer money to this great cause by clicking on the banner below!

Moose!

2007-06-24T18:52:00.000+01:00

Last Saturday Smiley and I went to the Dog Rescue Kennels in the next village to get a dog. We've wanted a dog for a while but kept putting it off because of where we lived and the fact we want to move back to Canada at some point and we didn't want to have to put a pet into quarantine...we were always going to wait. But things just kept happening...so figured it must be a sign for us to get a dog.

We had our house and yard inspected on the Friday to ensure that it would be acceptable for a dog...which it was. We got permission from our Landlord to get a dog as well which is great...as we are still renting. There were a couple of pictures on the mutts-in-distress site and we thought we would have a look at Joost and Pickle. Joost (moose) was the first dog we saw and he was so calm...and cute! A lot of the other dogs were loud (barking) and were jumping up at the gate. Pickle was the last dog we saw...she was a very boisterous and young female but cute as well, but she would have been harder to train and take care of and I know she would have jumped on every last person she would have seen. I hate it when dogs jump at me...so wouldn't ever want to put anyone else through it with my dog.

So we fell in love with Moose and took him home that day. He was so good I couldn't believe our luck! Poor thing was ill though but we did have people over for a bbq and he got into the sausages and who knows what else he was being fed...too much excitement!

We've now had him for a week and he's so lovely and I adore him so much. He is still so very well behaved, hardly barks, only when he's scared or wants us to pay him more attention that we are but we're trying to curb this and he knows he shouldn't bark.

His history is quite sad. He was a stray in Ireland. Apparently in Ireland they put dogs down very quickly, with in a week I believe and sooner if they aren't well. Joost (Moose) was rescued from the pound. He had a sore on his leg and an abscess in his bum and he was rescued the day he was meant to be put down. He had the snip and the abscess sorted out in Ireland and had all his jabs and was then shipped over to England to the good people at mutts-in-distress. He had been at the kennel for about a month before we adopted him. It just makes me so sad that this dog could have been put down as he is so loving and adorable.

Someone loved him at some point this is obvious. He has been well trained, comes to his name, even though we've changed it only a week ago. He does have a terrible scar down the side of his leg. It looks like a burn and his fur will never grow back there.

I couldn't have wished for a better behaved, more loving dog!

New Name

2007-06-19T22:37:00.000+01:00

I just want to quickly thank everyone for your suggestions for the name of my blog...ok...not really as there were no suggestions. After many attempts Smiley finally came up with this one which is much better than "Tastes like Fried Chicken..." which is what i came up with...why...I have no idea!

For those of you who require some explination...Evette...Evettie Spaghetti...Spaghetti, Sketti...Can you see the Evolution here? Spaghetti Junction...forget it...It's my...er..."our" blog and we like the name!

Moooo!

2007-06-14T21:45:00.000+01:00

This morning I was watching the news while having my coffee (was away for work so had coffee in my hotel room rather than green tea at home). But whatever...on the news was this short piece...very short that I thought I had imagined it. Have a look! Poor cow, just wanted a swim!

http://keyetv.com/watercooler/local_story_164161545.html

Bahston

2007-06-09T19:26:00.000+01:00

Ok…here is the promised post. First I want to apologize that it has taken me 2 weeks to get this posted. It seems that from the minute I’ve got back I’ve been so very busy with both work and Band duties.

My good friend Yvonne lives in Boston, but she hasn’t always. When I was 14 we became best friends and stayed that way till I moved to Victoria in 1994. Over the years we seemed to have lost touch, as most people do at that age. In February we got in contact again and she kept me sane while I was stuck at home recovering from my sinus surgery as she was online in the afternoons (that would be the benefit of a 5 hour time difference!)

The beginning of May Smiley and I decided that we were going to Boston for the May bank holiday to see Yvonne and Chris. The flights were expensive but it didn’t matter we were going. At least the accommodation was cheap, we were staying with Yvonne and Chris.

Now I was nervous. I was worried that this was going to be one of those reunion where you meet up with an old friend and once you’ve reminisced over the past you no longer have anything else to say as you’ve both grown in different directions and no longer have anything in common but the past. But I was willing to risk it. Yvonne was the best friend that I ever had and if we could manage to be good friends again, it was worth a try!

Now 12 years is a long time to go without seeing someone and needless to say we’ve both changed, but I believe for the better.

(Yvonne and I - Edmonton Temple - September 1993)

(Yvonne and I - Boston Gardens - 2007)

I love to walk when we go away. I find I see so much more when we walk and it sort of counter balances all the extra food I eat on holiday as well! I felt really bad as I dragged Yvonne and Chris all over Boston.

We arrived late on the Friday much to Yvonne and Chris’s Dismay…as they were starving! We went and had dinner and went back to the flat and chatted and went to bed…we were too tired to make much sense or be good company.

On Saturday we got a good early start and got to the T station (that would be the subway) and into the centre of Boston for 10:00. We booked tickets to go on the duck tour which was great fun. Yvonne and Chris had never done it before and glad that they did. This Duck tour started at the museum and took us all through town and showed us all sorts of sights including the Hancock tower and Mother goose! We then went into the water! So cool! And saw Boston from the river. It was very amusing as we got to “Quack” at pedestrians on the street!
Here is a picture of us in front of our Duck boat thingy!

(Another Duckboat that we passed in the water)

We went to Harvard after that and had a wander round and I have a t-shirt…so does that mean I can say “I went to Harvard” ?

(Statue of John Harvard)

We headed back to the flat as friends were coming round for a bbq. But Chris had put seed on the lawn so we had to sit on the driveway. Was great as you could see what the neighbours were up to…which wasn’t very much. Chris made us some fabulous steak…which I could really do with right now…as I’m starving and they were SO good! Jeremy and Kristin were good fun and played along with our game even though they had no idea why they needed to put their thumb on their forehead except for the fact that if they didn’t the last one would get a slap!

I’ve decided that I don’t like the taxi service in Boston. We called 3 different companies a number of times and they all kept saying a car was on the way and it would be there in 5 minutes. An hour and a half later we walked up to the main street and flagged one down for them…turns out it was a completely different company!

Yvonne and I sat and talked after everyone had gone to bed like a couple of white trash wives drinking our bottles of beer on the driveway till 1:30 in the morning. We talked about the past, the present and the future. Our hopes and dreams and it was like we hadn’t been apart for the past 12 years.

Another early start on Sunday as we were out of the house and on our way to Martha’s Vineyard. This isn’t a Vineyard, it’s an island…in fact a lot of the island is “dry” meaning no alcohol is served anywhere. We took the bus down to one town (one that did serve alcohol!) and had lunch. Being totally unprepared none of us brought a jumper with us and with the wind from the sea it was a bit nippy…so we all bought jumpers from Martha’s Vineyard and looked like a load of tourists! Good thing we were! We went on to the next town and decided to go and look for the lighthouse. Too bad the map we were using wasn’t to scale. We walked for miles just looking for this lighthouse. And it was all up hill! We kept walking on the same road hoping it would take us to a bus stop or the next town. But it was too far…and Yvonne and Smiley had already tried to take a nap. So we flagged down a taxi and went back to the ferry terminal.

(Smiley and Yvonne taking a nap)

(A Beautiful Sunset shot taken at Martha's Vineyard)

It was a lovely day but we were all so tired from all the walking and fresh sea air. We got back into town so late that nothing was open…so Chris fired up the bbq again and we had burgers for dinner…was so nice! (except for the mouldy buns…ew!)

Monday we slept in…then went to IHOP for breaky…and didn’t get into town till around 2:30 or so. We hit up both Cheers bars and did part of the Freedom Trail. We managed to get to the British Beer Company JUST in time for dinner…and I mean just. The kitchen closed at 10 and we walked through the door at 9:55! But we got our fish and chips. We had a late night as we didn’t get home till around midnight and then had to pack as we needed to get up early to catch our flight at 9 back to Heathrow.

We had a lovely time and it didn’t matter what we saw in Boston…as we weren’t going to see the City (although Smiley will tell you that we went to see the Cheers Bar). We went to see Yvonne and meet Chris.

I had a great time and was so happy to see my friend again! It’s been two weeks since our weekend away and both Yvonne and I have been so busy! So busy in fact that neither of us have posted about this weekend till now. We’ve not talked much since we’ve got back and I’m worried that she doesn’t like me anymore…I'm hoping that these are just silly and insecure fears!

It is great to be back in touch with old friends…but something I don’t want to do…is lose touch again…just because I’m too busy!

Yvonne, we had a lovely time, don’t think for a second we didn’t. I’m very glad I got to see you again and can’t wait to see you again!

(Yvonne has been a doll and has posted all of our pictures HERE! Have a look!)

On the side of the road...

2007-06-08T23:33:00.000+01:00

In response to my previous post I was sent this picture. Totally gruesome...but very funny! Thanks Mr. Anonymous!

Missing: 1 brown mens shoe

2007-06-07T10:57:00.000+01:00

Ok...so I've been driving to Bracknell quite a bit lately...and I've noticed on the westbound M4 there is a shoe...just one...on the shoulder of the inside lane. It's a nice shoe as well...but how do you lose 1 shoe? And on the motorway of all places...

I know I've not posted about Boston yet...and I will...I've just been busy...but I had to post about the shoe as it perplexes me!

Say What????

2007-06-05T00:47:00.000+01:00

Well for those of you who have been keeping up with my life...you will know that recently I've not been feeling well. I came down with a cold 3 weeks ago and 2 and a half weeks ago I got a blocked ear. I've been to the doctors twice about it and once to the walk in clinic...and it's still blocked.

The frustrating thing is that I can't hear anything...well, I can, it's just muffled and I can hear what I say louder than what other people say...and no...that's not because I talk so loud.

Tonight I went to band rehearsal, the first time I've played in 3 weeks. It was horrible! I'm not the best player to start with but tonight it was shocking! I couldn't hear what note I was playing and I could hear the vibrations from my instrument in my ear louder than the music.

We have a function on Saturday and I won't be playing if I still can't hear. Fortunately a new guy came to rehearsal tonight and hopefully he'll take my spot so we won't be short.

It is an eerie (no pun intended) feeling not being able to hear properly!

Traffic!

2007-05-31T23:13:00.000+01:00

Today both Smiley and I had to work away from home...and we both needed the car. So, great plan, we drive to Bracknell, I go to work, Smiley takes the car and drives to Crawley. When he's done he'll go back to Bracknell, pick me up and we'll go home and I'll go back out for my Committee meeting. Sounds fine on paper...

Smiley left Crawley at 4:30 today. He then picked me up at 6 and dropped me off at my committee meeting at 8:30. I was 3o minutes late!

Apparently it takes an hour and 18 minutes to get home from Bracknell

And 49 minutes to get from Crawley to Bracknell

This obviously wasn't the case. There was an accident on the M40 so traffic for miles round was backed up with traffic trying to get on the M40, traffic trying to go around. It's a nightmare!

Leaving the traffic behind when we move back home is not something I'll miss!

Soggy!

2007-05-30T21:42:00.000+01:00

Today could have started better. Yes I got home from Boston late yesterday and I will post about that...but right now I'm too tired to think.

I usually check my work emails first thing in the morning even if I'm heading into work. Mainly as I don't want to get there and find out that I didn't need to go in as the person I was supposed to meet wasn't going to be there.

Usually I'm quite careful and this morning nothing was different. Smiley brought me up a cup of green tea to drink while I check emails, do my banking and of course have a little look round facebook...

This morning I spilt tea all over my work laptop, and I mean ALL OVER. It was a full cup and I hadn't even had a sip. But bumped it and like slow motion it poured all over the keyboard of my work laptop. It turned itself off (or shorted out...) and as I picked it up tea poured out of it. I tipped it on its side and left it to dry for 2 hours but eventually had to go into work so packed it up and away I went.

2 hours later I got to work (traffic was horrible today) and went to the IT department where he had a look...it wasn't good. Still wet and warm (not sure how it stayed warm for so long). As he was taking out the hard drive so I could use it with a loaner laptop, the very friendly technician said "oh dear...I've never seen one this bad!" The hard drive which is pretty much sealed up in its own compartment was dripping. Fortunately the hard drive still worked and I didn't lose any of my work (Whew!)

Now I have to wait 2 weeks to get my laptop back and I have to use the loaner for my emails and such and another one that we use for demo's for my development work. The loaner one is a bit wussy and won't run a VPC (very nerdy stuff...I'm not going to bother explaining). So now I get to lug 2 laptops around with me for 2 weeks all because I figured my laptop fancied a cup of tea!

My Smiley

2007-05-23T22:05:00.001+01:00

I'm sitting upstairs, wondering if I should blog...of course I should...but about what...How I'm still not feeling that great...how I've not run in 2 weeks... or not done any exercise in over a week...how I'm going to Boston in 2 sleeps and will have trouble sleeping tomorrow night as I'm so excited...nah...boring...and well, I've said it all already!

But here I sit...chatting away with Yvonne...and I hear Smiley downstairs...He's watching TV. and I hear him Giggle.

This is why I love this man...this is why I want to spend the rest of my life with him. He is so easy going and light hearted that just being around him has made me a better person.

There is an ad (well more than one...but this one comes to mind) on the telly. It is on channel 5 or Five US can't remember which one. But it's in between the breaks for CSI. And it's this American Cop who's a total idiot (it does make fun of Americans...sorry...Funny...and so true!) and there is a whole series of them and they're two part. So the show breaks for ads and the first half of the ad comes on...all the other ads are shown, you know, juice, fence painter, that sort of thing...and then right before the show comes back on it shows the second half of the ad. I have no idea what the ad is for but it's very funny!

Basically this American Cop gets hit on the head with a parking barrier...and Smiley laughs every time he sees it. I can't seem to find it on the web otherwise I'd post it here.

Regardless...I found out the ad he was actually laughing at was the Budweiser ad with the rubber floors.

The fact is this man can laugh! And it's so contagious as well. Sometimes we'll end up laughing so hard about nothing at all...that laugh that you just can't stop and when you do you just burst out laughing just as hard and loud as before. You know what I'm talking about...the laugh that splits your sides and makes you need a wee!

I love my Smiley because he laughs at the stupid commercials on the telly!

Where do you like to eat?

2007-05-21T20:08:00.000+01:00

I've been tagged by Yvonne (Evey) to share with you our favorite places to eat. Now this is quite a difficult task as Smiley and I don't eat out very often...I could very easily list my five favorite eateries in Victoria as I used to eat all the time there...but here goes nothing.

List your top five favourite locations to eat, locally

1. The Tamarind Tree: This has got to be my favorite spot for an Indian. It does cost a couple of quid more than the other Indian's in town. When I first moved to England I didn't like (east) Indian food very much but over the past four years I've grown to love it! My favorite dish is the Lamb Xacute. It's so garlicky and I stink for the whole next day but it's sooooooooo good! We always like to start with poppadoms and they come with yummy dips. Even though it's super hot I love lime pickle and often get cravings for it.

2. Caffe Uno: I know that this is a chain but they've put up with a lot of crap from me. Smiley's Sister-in-law and I used to frequent this restaurant on our lunch dates when I used to work in the town. We used to get 2 for 1 specials and they often have lunch for a fiver which was a bargain! The food is good, Italian style, so Pastas and Pizza...that sort of thing. When I left my job in town I had my leaving party there. They kept telling us to keep the noise down...fair enough...we were quite loud and in the middle of the restaurant. I don't remember much from that night but I do remember nearly falling down the stairs on my way to the loo...Thank goodness David was there to take care of me! There is a waiter there who regularly serves us at lunch and he was unfortunate enough to get the short straw to serve me and my rowdy work mates. Smiley and I took some friends there the other week when they were visiting from New Zealand, good food, good wine and good friends!

3. Choi Tang: This Chinese restaurant opened in the past year. My future sister-in-law switched from Caffe Uno to Choi Tang. We get a 3 course meal, appetisers, soup and main with rice or noddles for £7. Not bad and there is tons of food there! The noodles are my favorite bit...they're fried not too crispy and nice and thin...super, super yummy! My favorite thing out of everything at this restaurant is the company I keep.

4. The Anchor: I was really beginning to get stuck...and as I was trying to think of another "local" place and going through the pubs which I have eaten at and then remembered the Anchor. When Smiley and I lived in Ware we went here a couple of times and even elected to take my brother there when he was visiting. The portions are big and the food is great. It has a lovely atmosphere as well and a great beer garden. The ceilings can be low so if you're tall...make sure you duck!

5. FISH 'n' CHICKn': Ok. I'm hoping that you're all expecting this...but it's my local Chippy. I like fish and chips but I love the southern fried chicken and chips from this place. Even before we moved and this wasn't our local chippy we used to drive up and get our grease fix. It's a small chain as there is another one in Ware and probably some others else where. So when I feel like a nice greasy dinner this is where we go and then sit in front of the telly eating it.

Ok...I know that wasn't very exciting but now for my 5 tagee's

Tanis - As we'll be spending a few days in Calgary in February it would be nice to know of some restaurants to eat in that you recommend.

Matt - I'm sure you and your lovely wife have some haunts in Roseburg.

Julia - Now that you're a new lovely married couple I'm hoping you and Jody will be spending some time together at some of Victoria's lovely restaurants. Tell me what they are so I can live vicariously through you!

Kirsten - With two little kiddies it would be interesting to see what your favorite places to eat would be with or with out the kiddies and to compare that with Tanis's selection.

Bethany - this is a horrible and sly way of getting you to start blogging! I would love another way of keeping up with what you are up to these days!

Once the five of you have completed your post can you please let Nicole know. She started this and is keeping track of it all...very cool!

I know it wasn't as good as Yvonne's post...but like I said...it was difficult for me as we don't eat out very often (and I don't have pictures for you either)!

weigh-in day...and Happy housework!

2007-05-20T09:11:00.000+01:00

Well, For those of you who don't know I'm trying to lose a couple of pounds by the wedding...actually, I'm always trying to lose a couple of pounds...but that's besides the point. I joined Tesco diets...which is affiliated with ediets...I've always been curious about them but never joined until I got an email from Tesco's saying I would get 1000 points if I joined. Since I'm a club card junky...I jumped at the chance!

I've been on the diet for 4 weeks now and it's been really, really good. I have chosen the Healthy Eating diet as that way once I'm used to it I can eat like this forever! I've never been one for fad diets as there isn't much point if you just go back to the way you used to eat once you've lost the weight...turns out it just piles on so much quicker...or so I've heard...

I lost 3lbs this past week...which is great! They do say 1-2 lbs a week is perfect...and I would be very happy with that. Over 4 weeks I've now lost 5lbs so the 1-2 lbs a week rule is working just fine. I'm unsure if the reason I've had such a good result this week is because I've stuck to the plan (almost perfectly) or because I've not been very well.

Technically I should be down to my goal weight by July. Which would be great! I'm hoping that I'll feel well sometime this week so I can get a run in and a swim.

I love swimming...it just takes a lot of effort to go and do it. I always feel slimmer after I've had a swim. I usually only swim for 20 minutes and I do about 40 lengths...that's 800 meters. I have in the past got right up to 46 lengths which is 920 meters...but I'm not sure what it is about swimming...possibly its the fact that as you drag yourself through the water you are stretched just a tiny bit and end up being a bit taller...so that means that the weight is distributed differently...lol! Ok...I know I'm talking out of my A$$ but I do feel trimmer after a good swim!

Today is supposed to be Happy Housework day...well, technically yesterday was but there wasn't a chance that I was going to manage it yesterday. I'm feeling better...not great still, but better than before...but I still don't think I'm up for Happy housework...or any housework for that fact. I may just crawl back into bed. The only thing that may change my mind is the fact that it's a lovely day out and I love hanging the washing out to dry...I guess I could do the washing...Bathroom will have to wait till later in the week.

I'm also very excited about going to Boston...a little nervous in fact...but very excited. Only 5 more sleeps! yipee!

Stupid Cold!

2007-05-19T18:06:00.000+01:00

Ok...so last Monday night I posted saying I felt not great...and I went off to let the sleep fairies do their work. Well, it turns out they forgot to visit me on Monday night as Tuesday I was worse...and Wednesday when I travelled to Bracknell even worse. Thursday would have been the day I would have stayed home from work as I felt terrible...but I couldn't as I had to go to London to do a presentation for a client...2 hours of talking did not make my throat feel any better. I got home about 3:30 on Thursday and crashed...I slept for about 3 hours and stayed in bed all night. Friday I didn't go to work but stayed in bed all day watching tv and movies...Today...still not well enough to go anywhere so again I'm in my jim-jams watching movies and surfing the internet every so often...

I hate being ill. Especially this time as I feel it's drained me so much! I've not even been able to sleep very well as my sore throat has been killing me. I'm glad that I didn't have much planned for this weekend as it meant that I don't have to feel too bad about not doing anything this weekend.

I'm definitely on the mend so I will be much better for our trip to Boston on Friday! For those of you who stop by, Thanks...feel free to leave a comment as it's nice to know I'm not just talking to myself. :)

9 Sleeps!!!!

2007-05-16T22:04:00.000+01:00

OK! For those of you who don't know...Smiley and I are going to Boston for the long weekend (the 25th). Yvonne and I haven't seen each other in something like 11 or 12 years. We lost contact after I moved to Victoria, these things happen. But we are now in contact again and it's great. I'm so excited to see her and give her a great big hug! We're going to have so much fun together!

I'm completely addicted to Facebook and I've recently added an ex from High School in Victoria. He wrote on my wall and said the following:

"It's weird I haven't seen you in 10 years yet you still mange to pop into my brain every time I smell strawberries or hear the name Yvonne (did she really exist or was she an imaginary friend I cannot remember)"

The thing is...I don't remember talking about Yvonne that much...but I must have if I made that sort of impression.

Yvonne and I had some great times and even though I don't remember all of them I do remember the time we spent on the phone talking about everything under the sun! Since February we've been back in contact...Thank you Amanda! We now talk nearly every day again via MSN Messenger (We'd be poor if we called on the phone every day!)

We're both looking forward to seeing each other again and we have lots planned. Will be great fun! Stay posted for "The Adventures of Evey and Evey!"

You know that feeling????

2007-05-14T23:20:00.000+01:00

You know that feeling you get...when you're about to get a cold...and you know you don't want or need the cold...but still...you know it's inevitable...well, that's how I feel. My throat is starting to feel a bit scratchy. It started earlier today...thought I had something stuck in it...or had a reaction the the grapes I had at lunch...no...this is worse...A cold.

I hate colds! And i have a meeting with a client in London on Thursday! I can't have a cold! I'm far to busy for that.

Going to bed to let the sleep warriors fight off my cold!

Just a quick update...

2007-05-09T22:10:00.000+01:00

It is late and I have a long drive ahead of me tomorrow for work, which I don't mind...assuming I get enough sleep.

Today has been a good day...which is a good thing obviously!

Work has picked up again which is great...I love being busy at work...it's so much better than not doing anything! I always like to think I would love to do nothing but watch tv and movies and surf the net...but after doing that for 2 and a bit weeks while I was recovering from my surgery...no thank you! I would much rather be crazy busy and then take some brilliant and well deserved holidays. I really do like my job which apparently is quite unusual. I like what I do and who I work with (generally). So being busy again is great!

I went for a run today. I attempted my Run 12 minutes, Walk 3 minutes and Run 12 minutes again...but it wasn't happening for me. I went a different route, a flat route to see if it was the hills that were making it next to impossible to finish the second leg of my training. Unfortunatly it was worse this time than last. I ran 12 minutes, without stopping, walked, stretched... and tried to start running again even though my calves were so tight and hard as rock. I managed another 5 minutes but I had to stop and walk...I could hardly walk by this point and decided enough was enough and headed home.

I've been stretching all day and even put deepheat on them to see if they would relax just a bit...they are a bit better but still not great. I'll stretch them again tomorrow to see if they'll loosen up and hopefully with lots of water between now and Friday I'll actually crack this session!

I think I'm back on track with my weightloss again. I did put on 2lbs last week (I know it's the end of the world right!) but I do struggle when we eat out...I figure it's a treat...so why deprive yourself right? Well...I do have to learn...and 4 drinks a week! What was I thinking! Ok...honestly...it's fine for a normal week...but if I have something on then I drink more than my 4 glasses of wine!

But not this weekend! I will only have my four drinks...and I will lose the weight i gained...and if I don't...it's not the end of the world. But I am sticking to my 4 drink limit!

So it seems that my blues have gone away...which is great! I'm feeling more like myself again! Shame the weather isn't nicer!

Second Chance...

2007-05-07T22:12:00.000+01:00

Well, I've got over my frustration and my previous post being deleted as I was finishing it up...I made the bed and the poor duvet had my anger taken out on it...but all is well...I'm guessing that I wasn't supposed to post that last one.

Readers Digest Version...I didn't clean the house on Saturday although the washing was done and the bed clothes changed and mattress flipped...so it's something. Smiley sorted his share out and cleaned the kitchen and hoovered today.

I also didn't run on Sunday as Scheduled...But will run on Wednesday, rain or shine...Actually I like running in the rain...it's lovely and cool!

I have reasons why I didn't complete these tasks...things that I so desperately want to do but have trouble actually getting the motivation to do them. But that is besides the point...they aren't very good reasons and bottom line...I was lazy and didn't do it.

The past week I've found myself feeling in a bit of a slump...and I'm not sure why. I thought it was because I wasn't getting out enough but I don't think thats it. I've yet to put my finger on it. For those of you who do pray...I could do with one for guidance...or uplifting, something but I'm not sure what.

Today was a good day although I'm feeling very tired now (it is 20 past 10...so it's expected). We went with friends of ours, Noel and Julia and their daugher Elizabeth to Mole Hall Wildlife park. the weather wasn't great and I had a text from Noel at 10 asking me if the rain would stop. We did luck out and the rain pretty much held out for us except for one short shower where we found shelter. The ground was awfully muddy but fun was had by all.

Here is a picture of Elizabeth in the mud after trying to chase some ducks.

After it had stopped raining Elizabeth decided that she wanted a "brollie" so I gave her mine...so cute!

Smiley and Noel joined in with the fun and games and had a go on the see-saw...I'm pretty sure it wasn't build to withstand the weight of two grown men...Look how it bows!

So I got a second chance to post this blog...We often get second chances in life...and we should seize them with all we've got!

I'm still frustrated with the lack of stuff I did this weekend (other than feeding deer and ducks today and drinking too much with friends from New Zealand on Saturday night). I know that its not the end of the world. I'll clean the rest of the house one evening this week after work, it shouldn't take me more than an hour or so...and I'll pick up my running schedule on Wednesday.
I like second chances...I've recently got a chance to get to know my bestfriend from high school. We drifted apart once I moved to Victoria but with the great technology of the internet we have reconnected and she's been a life saver for me the past couple of months. Smiley and I are going out to see her and her husband in Boston the end of this month. Only for a weekend mind you as I don't have much leave left. I'm so excited to see her again and I'm determined to make sure we don't lose touch again.

We all get second chances...lets make sure we don't miss out on them!

Grrrrr!

2007-05-07T21:20:00.000+01:00

OMG!

I just typed in this huge post explaining my frustrating...and it just deleted itself...Recover post does nothing...so my 40 minutes spent on this has just been wasted and I am now more frustrated and even angry now that this has happened! (it even had some cool pictures!)
GRRRRRR!

I'm going ot make the bed and if I feel like it I'll try again.

Slight Set back.

2007-05-04T16:46:00.000+01:00

Well, I went running again today as scheduled. Today's running session included running 12 minutes walk 3 minutes and run 12 minutes. Ends up being around 24 minutes...which is about 3.5 km for me...not bad. However I did have a bit of a setback on this run.

The first 12 minutes were great...my pace was quicker than Wednesday and I didn't feel like a little old granny running down the road. When the 12 minutes ended I felt ok. I felt I could keep running...tired but my legs weren't tired and I had a great rhythm...I walk for 3 minutes and start a up hill that usually kills me every time. I started my second set of 12 minutes halfway up this hill...so it was hard to start because of the hill, forget being tired or anything...So I get up the hill and I keep running, Then it's level, and then it goes down a bit...so I'm at about 5 minutes into my 12 minutes and I'm getting tired...and there is another hill but not nearly as long as the previous hill, but same gradient. Thinking I may die at the top of that hill I keep going...6 minutes left...but it's flat (almost)...and then my calves start seizing! OUCH! I stopped...Stopped my stopwatch so I could continue after I sorted out my calves...I walked slowly till the light post and stretched them...both! Usually I end up with tightness in one, but hardly ever both at the same time. It must have been that last hill! So I stretch them out and thanking that they didn't cramp completely!

5 1/2 minutes left to run...totally tired and now sore I'm not sure I'll manage it...plus...I ran at lunch time...which means it's hot out...so I mark my point...the curb...and I start running again...I am now running like a little granny chasing her yappy mutt down the road...4 minutes, 3 1/2, 3 minutes left...So tired! 1 minute left...Usually my last minute I give all I've got and run faster or run rather than jog...whatever...so I tried to push myself but I would not move even slightly quicker...so I finished my second 12 minutes...even though I stopped in the middle to stretch...but I will have you note that I did indeed stop my timer on my watch so I would continue running and complete the second 12 minutes!

Ok...so it was hard today...and I had to stop...I still ran for 24 minutes. 12 minutes, then 6 1/2 minutes and then 5 1/2 minutes...that'll do.

I am doing a 6 week training program for a 5km run...so once I get to the fourth week where I'm up to running for 40 minutes straight I'll switch to a 10km training program. Also, my run isn't until October...so if I miss a session (which I won't!) or have to repeat a session till I get it then it's not a big deal!

So Sunday morning I will be repeating today's run...Run 12 minutes, walk 3 minutes, Run 12 minutes...with of course a warm up and cool down attached on either side. I figure this is important to complete fully before moving on. The next session after this is a 25 minute run (without stopping!).

I'm really enjoying my running and it's doing wonders for my hips! Which of course is great! I really enjoyed my first 12 minutes today...the first time in a very long time that it wasn't hard to start running...yes, hard to finish my run...but not hard to start. I am making great progress and will crack the 2 12 minute sessions on Sunday! I will be in great shape for my 10K run in October. I would like to complete it in under an hour but I think that may be wishful thinking...we'll see!

Result!

2007-05-02T21:27:00.000+01:00

Well, I managed to get out of bed at 6:05 this morning, put my jogging clothes, went downstairs and made my lunch, got my breakfast ready and put on my jacket...It was so nice at 6:30 this morning...Such a gorgeous day! I did my 2 sessions of running 10 minutes and walking 3...although I was a bit slower today and didn't get quite as far...but that's ok...All that matters is I didn't give in! Yay!

I was very tired on the way to work this morning and the traffic was terrible. I got to work and Mr. Anonymous was regretting the fact that he suggested I came in today as I'm sure I drove him mad!

That is the thing with working from home...it's great as you can get up at 8:30 and spend all day working in your jim jams...but the problem is that I don't see anyone else (other than Smiley of course) so when I do see real people and not just contacts on my msn list or emails or phone calls...I just say whatever comes to mind and it usually ends up being such crap!

I mean...today we were talking about Eggs! Eggs! For crying out loud! I won't go into the details as it is quite disgusting and I can't believe we had such a discussion...but it always happens...I go into work about once a week and when I do I end up just saying everything that comes to mind! This is the biggest problem with working from home...when I do see people they have to endure my complete and random thoughts!

(BTW...The whole Egg conversation wasn't started by me...but I did have to input my 2 cents worth!)

I'm back to Bracknell again tomorrow after a conference call (don't worry I will be on mute!). I'm hoping that I got my people fix today and tomorrow my verbal diarrhea won't make another appearance!

Yes...I will run tomorrow morning!

2007-05-01T21:01:00.000+01:00

Ok...so here is where I trip up...Tomorrow is my run day...although I'm going into Bracknell for work...I need to leave at 8 and I won't get home until sometime after 6 if not 8 in the evening. I know that there is no way I will end up going for my run after work so I have to make sure I get up in time to go running before breakfast and work. Sounds easy enough I know but this is where I slip up every time I start training again.

So...My goal for tomorrow morning is to get up at 6 and sort out my lunch and then go off for my run. I should be able to get everything done and get off to work no problem by 8...should be able to. I'm such a procrastinator I never can seem to get moving in the morning! So watch this space...I will run tomorrow...and I will report back tomorrow evening!

9 months and 17 days...

2007-04-29T22:04:00.000+01:00

Till we're married! To tell you the truth its going very quick...I've got lots to do that I should have done already...not sorted out the photographer yet...oh well, we'll sort something out!

In light of my up coming nuptials (He he!) I've started my fitness program...I'm always trying to be fit. I have a gym membership and I always lose weight right before summer and keep it off all summer long...but start to put it on just before November...and then there's Christmas...such a vicious circle! But not this year! I'm going to lose the weight and keep it off over the winter! I must otherwise I won't fit into my dress!

But here is my progress...I started last Sunday on my new "diet". It's a healthy eating diet...but it's basically re-educating me on what to eat and how much to eat and giving me lots of new ideas...it's been good. But I lost 4lbs the week before I started...Which was great...and this past week I've lost another 3lbs! I was so happy this morning as I stepped on the scales. I know that it's not always going to be like this but as long as I focus and keep motivated then I will succeed.

I've also started running again. I do enjoy running (and it helps with the weight around my hips and thighs!) but I have a bigger goal this year. For the past three years I've run in the Cancer Research "Race for life" and every year I've had the same goal. "To run the whole thing and to do it in less than 30 minutes". The first two years I didn't succeed in either item...but last year I trained a lot...and ran the whole thing and in under 30 minutes. 29:12 to be exact! And it was 32 degrees and there wasn't any shade along the whole route. Needless to say...IT WAS HOT!

So this year...i needed a new Goal. I'm going to do the Cancer Research 10K and my goal...is to run the whole thing and to do it in less than 65 minutes...I have a lot of training to do!

I've not started my fundraising yet but once I do I will post a link so you can all sponsor me! :)

As for our wedding...we're getting it sorted...just last week we decided on our invites, our place holders and our party favours! I've already got my dress and we've decided on the dresses for the girls...it's quite difficult planning a wedding over the Internet...but it will be great fun for all (I hope anyways!)

Till next time!

Happy Housework Day!

2007-04-28T21:15:00.000+01:00

Today is Saturday, and on Saturday's we get up and clean the house. This is a fairly new routine but something that Smiley and I have talked about many times in the past...mainly when we're so sick of the place because it's a disaster! So when we moved I made a FIRM decision that every Saturday morning we would get up and clean. We've been here for 3 weeks now and I've got up for the past 3 Saturdays and cleaned the house. I hate doing it as I am just lazy by nature and always have been. But this morning something was different. It didn't seem to take as long and I didn't necessarily enjoy it but I knew that the house would be lovely and clean so I enjoyed that thought!

I have a friend who does her house cleaning on Fridays and she calls it Happy Housework Day. She loves cleaning but I suspect it's the end result that she loves, not the cleaning itself.

I know I'm only 3 weeks into my house cleaning routine but it's 2 weeks longer than I've ever gone before. I love having the washing going only on one day and with the weather nice I can hang it outside and can take down the line by the end of the weekend so our garden isn't cluttered with it all week. It's such a nice change to the way I've been doing things for the past 10 or so years since I left home.

I know "they" say that it takes you 7 weeks to develop a habit...so four more weeks and I should do it without a thought!

Another First...

2007-04-24T10:41:00.000+01:00

Well, it doesn't seem like I'm experiencing many "firsts" recently...When I moved to England 4 years ago I had a lot of firsts...like my first car, my first "snog", my first car accident with a cement pillar...among others which I just can't remember. Most of my firsts were regarding animals...as they have different ones here there were a lot that I'd never seen before...My first Badger, my first Pheasant, my first fox...unfortunately all of those were dead along the road side...I say unfortunately but apparently they can be a bit of a pain...

On Saturday I was cleaning the bedroom and looked out the window and in our neighbours yard was a fox (not dead!). I was stunned! as we do live in a built up area and it was just laying there as calm as can be! We took a picture as it was a first for me!

BTW...the long grass and dandelions are not ours...remember this is our neighbours yard...we live on the other side of the painted fence with the lovely manicured lawn...not that you can see it!

Should we leave the past...in the past?

2007-04-23T12:38:00.000+01:00

I've been searching for something to write about other than the fact that I did the washing and cleaned the bathroom on Saturday...I've pretty much come up with NOTHING! That's right, Evette doesn't have anything to say...Ok...before you start catching flies as your chin has hit the ground in total and utter shock and horror (ok...amazement) that I don't have anything to say, let me clarify...I don't have anything to say that is overly interesting...but I've come up with something.

About 2 weeks ago I received an email from a previous life inviting me to join facebook...Now I've received about 20 of these things in the last 5 years and most have them have been from my cousin. No one else that I know uses them and it's just a waste of time...but the next day I received another one from a girl I used to work with at Starbucks...this of course has me interested...Jen...I get emails from all the time...Jill...ok...this might be worth looking into...so I joined...and it is So Cool!

I moved around quite a bit when I was younger and have lost contact with an awful lot of people. Since joining facebook I'm now in contact with some of those people again...which I think is very cool.

I was talking about this with a co-worker and we got into a discussion about these types of applications. Classmates, Friends Re-United...they're pretty much the same but Facebook is different as its FREE! I think that is why it has taken off so well. But our discussion went on to discuss the type of people you get back in contact with. She made a very valid point and mentioned that peoples marriages have broken up because they've got in contact with a past flame and have decided to go back to them. She said that the past is called the past for a reason and that's where it should be left.

I'm not so convinced...sure marriages have broken apart because of this...but marriages have broken apart because of the Young secretary or the Sexy Pool boy...I don't see that meeting up with the past will be the definite cause of a marriage to break up. Usually there is an underlying cause and something will trigger it in the end.

I think it's great that I'm now in contact with friends that I've lost touch with. I'm such a nosey person and I love that you can see who your friends have become friends with and pictures are being posted and all sorts...friendly banter across a number of friends. I've now got 56 friends and a couple are even people I had completely forgotten about (this is what happens as you get older!)

But why be afraid of the past when you can rekindle friendships that you thought were lost long ago just because you never got around to writing that letter or email or picking up the phone...why not have another go with those friends.

The only danger that lies there is forgetting that we all change as time goes on...nothing will be exactly as it was (but that would be boring!)

To all my friends who I've re-found in the past couple of months!

2007-04-22T14:40:00.000+01:00

Happy 65th Birthday Rosa!

(hope you had a good time last night...I'm still feeling a wee bit rough!)

I'm Back - What's next?

2007-04-17T19:47:00.000+01:00

Hi! I know it seems as though I've been slacking at my blogging at such an early stage...but I had a very, very good excuse. I moved over Easter weekend and only got my broadband connection hooked up today! So the only connection that I had was a work one or a dial up and I obviously was working far to hard to blog while I was at work and dial up was doing my head in it was that slow!

Which brings me to today's point!

10 years ago (or so) I remember moving into a basement suite with a friend and we had to wait soooooooo long to get our telephone connection sorted out. So for a month I was walking up the road to use the pay phone. When we moved over Easter weekend we got our telephone connection installed the very morning we moved in...this is the way it should be. But here is where they catch you.

In order to have broadband internet connected you need to have a "BT" telephone line hooked up. Unless you go with Cable but that's a whole other story that I'm not even going to get into!

So we ordered our BT line as you do when you move. That was installed the day (before, actually) we moved in. We then had to wait 48 hours before we were even able to order the broadband connection. Once ordered we then had to wait another 5 working days...and it was Easter...Grrrrr....that's a week and a half without a broadband connection!

It just seems that we now have to wait for our broadband connection the way we used to wait for our phone connection. At least the phone connection has come along some way in the past ten years. Too bad pretty much everyone and their brother has a mobile phone so the land line connection isn't as essential anymore.

Is it just me or does it seem like the world keeps holding back our essential services (thats right, a fast internet connection is essential!) just to make us appreciate them more once we get them back?

I sometimes wonder where this world is headed. Not in a bad sense...just in a curiosity sense. It wasn't so long ago that there was no electricity or cars and the thought of being able to talk to another person on the other side of the world without delay was unknown. We are so hungry for enhancing what we've got I just wonder if it'll ever end. What is the next big thing to come out...what will we "need" next?

Will we ever run out of new things to invent and discover?

2007-04-10T14:35:00.000+01:00

Happy Birthday Bethany!
Careful, you're on your way to being old and crusty like me :)

Back to Normal...well, almost!

2007-04-10T13:13:00.000+01:00

Ok...So even though I left the packing to the very last minute...the move went fairly smoothly. I started packing on Thursday...and finished on Friday by noon. Smiley took me to the new place...and I proceeded to unpack everything I had just so carefully packed *sigh*. Due to my ill health I did manage to get the kitchen unpacked and only broke one wine glass and one of Smiley's special beer glasses we brought back from Brussels with us. (oops!). There is still a lot to do but I've decided that I'll do an hour every evening until its all done...Hopefully by the weekend it'll be sorted!

I am back at work today...and feeling...okish...still a lot of pressure in my head but apparently that is to be expected and still feeling a little fuzzy...Not sure...but perhaps they removed part of my brain in the process? (Ack! I hope not).

I am very happy to be back at work again. I was getting quite bored with laying on the couch all day with Smiley fetching my meals...Now for some hard work! :)

Right. Sorry for such a dull and tedious post...but just wanted to say that the move went well and I love my new house...and I'm starting to feel like myself again after my surgery.

Moving...in Two Days!

2007-04-04T18:15:00.000+01:00

Ok...so is it a bad thing that I haven't even started to pack and we're moving in 2 days? I'm feeling well enough now to do it...I just can't be bothered...I think the two weeks off work has made me lazy! Well, lazier than I was before my surgery. I hate it when you know you should be doing something productive but you just can't convince yourself to get up and do it. Although, to my defence I have done a bit of packing...lets see...I've packed the wine and most of the alcohol...but the wine was already in boxes...does that count? I've packed most of my shoes (that took ages!) and the cook books are all boxed up (one small box...) ummmm...that's about it...Oh dear! I have an awful lot of work to do then!

But 2 days till I'm in a house! A house with a Garden! and loads of room! Yipee! I'm so tired of this flat and the neigbours...they're loud! The place is always a mess and we never have anyone over and most days I couldn't even tell you if it was nice out or not. We will both have our own offices so hopefully we won't get under each others feet while working anymore. It has a loft conversion which we will use as our spare room, I just hope we can get a double bed up there!

Right...I need to get packing!

April Fools...(a day late!)

2007-04-02T16:00:00.000+01:00

So yesterday morning i was sitting here minding my own business, not even knowing what day it is as I haven't left the house in a week and a half, and Smiley comes up to me attempting to be all serious like and says "Did you see? there was a huge fire in Jasper...the whole town has burnt to the ground". Of course I just looked at him and said "what?". It wasn't that I believed him, or disbelieved him...I think I'm still in such a daze that everything needs to be repeated to me twice before I actually "hear" what has been said. So before I had even processed it...he yells "April Fools! Ha ha! Got you!" Although I'm not sure he could consider that as "getting me" I hadn't even processed what he had said. So I don't think it counts.

For those of you who don't understand why I would be concerned about Jasper burning to the ground other than the fact that it is an amazing and beautiful place. Richard (Smiley) and I are getting married there next February and it would through a spanner into the works if it indeed had burnt to the ground.

I'm not a big fan of April fools...mainly because I just don't care. I'm not clever enough to be able to pull the wool over someones eyes...or because I'm the most gullible person on the planet! But all the jokes that seem to be played on me have all be overly pathetic...Don't get me wrong...this is not a challenge to see if you can get me next year...Grrrr!

The one April fools that I do remember...and probably always will was the first year that I had moved to Victoria. I was living with my Dad and Step-mother and Ian (my brother...). Well, for those of you who don't know Ian...He loves to fish...well, at least he used to love to fish before he found hunting. Anyways, one of Dad's friends had a boat and Ian knew this and always wanted to be invited to go fishing with him. So one morning...April the first as it happens...my dad made the phone ring (I guess you used to be able to do this...not sure if you still can). It must have been about 7:30 in the morning...so the phone rang and Dad answered it. I was of course sitting eating my Wheaties (or pop-tarts probably) wondering what was going on. My Dad pretended to have a conversation with this friend who had the boat which went something like this

"Hello? Oh Hi John (Name has been changed). Fishing...today? Well, I'm not sure, I'll ask him, but he did have some other plans, we were going to go for brunch (or something like that). Well he's still sleeping but I'll get him to call you when he gets up. Talk to you later"

Just as my dad was hanging up the phone Ian bursts out of his room all disheveled and half dressed saying "I'm up! I'm up"...Just as Ian was about to call John back Dad yells "April Fools!". Gosh it was so freaking funny that we still laugh about it now. You should have seen his face!

My Dad has always been silly like that. I'm glad the joke wasn't played on me...although I'm not a big fan of fishing...but you know what I mean...Any joke played on me would probably have put me in a bad mood for at least a week. Teenagers...What were we like!

Stir Crazy!

2007-03-28T22:21:00.000+01:00

Ok...so last week (Wednesday to be exact) I had surgery on my sinuses. I'm off work ill until after Easter...but I've been home for a week now...and I'm starting to feel a bit better but I'm going a bit stir crazy! I tried to go for a little walk today just to get some fresh air but couldn't do it...I got a little light headed (more than usual...) and turned around and came home...I didn't even make it 100 meters down the road! I hate being ill...I still have another week before I can go back to work...but that falls on Good Friday...so won't be going back to work for ages.

We're moving on Easter weekend as well...I get to "supervise" which means...I get to do nothing but boss everyone around! Great fun! I'm really looking forward to our new place...a house...with a garden! Oh yeah...and quiet...it's 10:30 in the evening and our neighbours have loud music thumping away...grrrrr! Good thing I'm not trying to sleep!

I've laughed so much tonight. I've been chatting with Yvonne and we've been reminiscing on our "Past life" when we were teenagers. Gosh...the stuff we got up to!

I've also started planning my Hen weekend. I think it's going to be a City Break sometime then end of September...If you have any ideas...let me know. Just me and the girls...will be such a laugh!

I've had a really good day...I've laughed quite a bit...it's made me feel SO much better! Even if it does squish my cheeks a bit where they still a bit sore...but it's true...Laughter is good for the soul! So start laughing already!

Lets Start Again...

2007-03-26T23:06:00.000+01:00

Well, As its been years since I've seen anyone on here...I thought I would start by letting people I used to know that even though you have more than likely forgotten about me...I am still alive and kicking (well at least Alive...)

I would like to thank Yvonne for being such a good influence on me...I just hope I can manage to keep up with Blogging...although my life is far too dull...who would read? But Yes...after years and years of not being in contact with peps from Edmonton...I am now in contact with Yvonne again...weird how time passes so quickly!

Just quickly...I'm now living in England...just north of London and I'm an Information Management consultant...or my official title is Customer Solutions Architect...which means...well...I'm an IT nerd...sorry...I'm engaged to a very lovely English bloke and we are due to be married in February of next year (not this year as its march now...). We don't have kids...and are planning on moving back to Canada eventually...Drop us a line...I would love to hear from you!

Here is a picture of me and my Smiley...it is a year old but such a great picture anyways...this was at Richards (Smiley's) Brothers wedding last year.

We still look the same...pretty much...my hair is longer as I'm growing for our wedding and I'm slightly a bit more chubbier...(I must start running again!)

Till next time!

Evette x