Look at all these ends! Plus I've been very naughty!!

Knitting

I've finally, virtually finished the Stepping Stones jacket!! But look at all the ends I've got to weave in . there are hundreds of them. I've been weaving in as \i went along so some of them just need cutting off. I now have to wait till the weekend to get to Hoby Craft for some embroidery thread to sew up with<(you cant sew up with the chenille) and then complete the border, sew it on, wash and press the whole lot, (do you block cotton?) and hey presto!!!

After weeks of a photoless blog-drum roll....... TAH DAH!!! here are some piccies

this is the right side of the jacket, obviously not sewn up or pressed!!

just a few ends to sew in!!!



I've been very naughty!! I broke my stash enhancing ban! I knew it wouldnt take too long. I bought 2 skeins of Kureyon Sock from e-bay. Dont ask me which store, I cant remember!!! Hubby didnt even shout at me which I'm surprised at!! Especially as we're broke and I promised faithfully to use all my stash up and finish however many projects I've got yarn for up there!!! I recon its about 30 now counting sock and lace yarn. I've just seen some Louet Euroflax.....oh it looks gorgeous but I'm being controlled!!! (nibbles nails!)



FM

I'm doing very well indeed. My pain is minimal which is fab. I feel achy like when you've had a long hard day at work (not that I can remember that far back!) or a hard days shopping! (That I can remember!!)

Last week I had a FAB day out. I went into Manchester city centre to the IMAX to see U23D-( see badly loaded half button thingy on the right!)- It was O.K. I mean oggling Bono and Adam so close up was yummy. But I didnt think it was their best concert performance. I prefer My Vertigo DVD. There were also too many shots of the audience going wild. I didnt go to see that!! Still I enjoyed my little self. I went on my leccy scooter (also known as Mr Aston Martin! and no I dont own a real Aston Martin as one of my dear bloggy friends thought!!!) I'd never been to the cinema or Imax on my scooter before. The staff couldnt do enough for me. They were so nice.

After it finished I went into the Arndale centre(shopping mall) and had some lunch and alot of retail therapy. I forgot though that I had to transport all this stuff home! I had huge bags on each handle of my scooter and my poor legs squashed at either side!!! I also had a fight with a make up counter when I mis-judged a 3 point turn on my scooter. I became wedged under a ledge by my left arm and the only way to get out of it was to carry on moving forwards, dragging my arm wedged between the ledge and the scooter handle!!! Ouch. I have a lovely huge bruise at my left elbow!!! I was too embarased to ask for help.

I was very tired Friday, but realised that we have an engagement party this Saturday and Josh had a batmitzvah and one this weekend so I needed presents. On Saturday I reluctantly dragged hubby to the Trafford Centre(Yet another big shopping mall). We took my parents with. They were very grateful as Dad cant drive on the motorway any more. We litterally went to Debenhams and that was it. Hubby and Rachel went off on their own. I got 3 little pressies and a big one for thr engagement party. then we sat and had a coffee. untypically rachel wasnt out this saturday plus Sam was home sow e could've gone out. Rachel asked her friends round hoping we'd go out for the evening, but we were both so tired. I was in bed by 8pm! We watched a good film on tv though The Bourne Identitiy. I dont like thrillers and wouldnt have chosen to watch it but hubby and I were sat in bed and Josh had also been thrown out of the lounge coz of Rachels friends so we watched it. it was really gripping. The second one is on this Saturday. we'll have to tape it.

I do seem to have more energy. just lately. I went swimming Monday and did 12 baby lenghts and then came home and hoovered through the whole of downstairs. Tuesday my feet were very painful but I still hobbled to art. Tuesday night we had parents eve for Josh. But that is another post entirely!!!!
FM moves around. so whilst my feet arnt too bad, my shoulders and neck are killing me.



Diet

I'm partly ditching the GL diet as it just hasnt worked for me. I'm too inactive and the Lyrica plays havoc with my metabolism. I'm trying SlimFast to see if it will kick start the weight loss. I know quick fix diets dont work in the long term. BUT I cant imagine even this will be quick fix with me. Plus I have 3 stone to loose in 14 months so I look slim for Josh's Barmitzvah. I've always thought meal replacements a daft idea until now. But when you're desparate you'll do anything. so I'm doing as the advert says, a slimfast shake for breakfast, one for lunch and a sensible meal at night, plus 2 snacks in betweeen. This is where I'm sticking to the GL. Snacking on fruit or oatcakes rather that the pre-packaged slimfast snacks. I'm not really too keen on the shakes in terms of additives and preservatives but needs must. I've only been hungry between 4-7pm and in danger of over snacking but we'll see how it goes. I figure the only way I'll loose weight is to drastically cut calories. I may ask if I can come off the Lyrica now the Butrans patches are working we shall see.



The Earthquake

Did any one else feel that earthquake on Tuesday? I was startled out of sleep at 1 am by the walls and doors shaking and rattling. I was scared stiff. I knew what it was because I've experienced 2 other earthquakes in the last 20 years . i thought the epicentre was under our house it shook so violently! it woke Josh and Rachel up too who came running in. Norman stirred and thought I was shaking him awake!! Now I may be a tad hefty at the mo, but not that big!! Well its certainly a long time since the earth moved for me!!!!!

This weeks shenanigins-Josh's dart board and a valentines day meal out

Family front
Its half term and Josh has wangled a dart board out of us!! When he first started going on about it We refused point blank. Can you imagine? Poor old Sox (the cat) would be speared into the wall by his tail!! For 3-4 weeks we've just been saying no. But Josh is the king of the 'broken record' method of wearing you down. he just goes on and on and on. In the end he said we dont trust him(cant imagine why he'd have that idea!) and we dont treat him like a grown up. fair point so we had a discussion and decided to try trusting him. he paid for the dart board and its on his bedroom door. The bedroom door is now rather holey!! he's been warned. One step out of line and its removed forever. So far so good. I said to hubby perhaps treating him more adult like may pay off. But we wont hold our breath! It just needs one silly friend of his....
We've had a house full of rachels friends which I like , they're lovely kids. I have to laugh though. She never says, 'I'm asking so and so round' The door bell just rings and in walks whomever, then it rings again. and so it goes on! The only warning I need is if she's having any of her male friends stay for tea. 2 of them eat like horses and we've been embaressed before by not having enough food! We've had an endless slupply of Pizzas in. I do re-assure her friends that we do eat healthily sometimes!!! Rachel has driven me mad all wweek as My morning routine is to lie in then have a very hot soak in the bath to loosen my joints and muscles. every morning Rachel beat me to the bath and was in for over an hour so if I'd've waited it would've been 12 md before I got bathed. the day would've been gone!! I really got cross with her to which the standard reply is, 'chill woman (woman!!?). Its only a bath. jeez, keep yer 'air on'!!!
We had a great family day out on Sunday. we went to Beeston Castle in Cheshire. I sat in the grounds with the grannies as the climb to the castle ruins is very steep and left the others to it. I never thought about the logisitcs of actually getting to the castle. I should've taken my knitting or a book. So whilst they all huffed and puffed up the steep incline I sat in the februaruy sun and creeked to the loo!! what an exciting trip. Then we went on to a gorgeous pub in the countryside nearby and had Sunday lunch. it was yummmy. It was so warm we sat outside. I havnt done that for years. Afterwards, despite being stuffed, we took the kids to Cheshire Farm Which makes its own, gorgeous, icecream and we indulged. All in all it was a lovely day out and as I said to hubby, I dont think we've done that for about 5-6 years because of my illness's!!
Thursday I suggested we meet up with my parents for lunch forgetting hubby and I were out for valentines day. We went to Pizza Express. I had a salad nicoise so was very good. it was nice and a good chance for the grandparents to see the kids. Despite me making the arrangements dad paid so it was even better!!
last night Hubby and I went out for valentines day. we went to a local pub which does good food and had a special 3 course meal on for £18 per head. Which when you consider that a top Manchester hotel wanted £35 per head for a similar thing, is good value for money.It was my treat to say thankyou to hubby for all his caring and running around after me.

FM
On the FM front I'm tons better than I was . But my feet are hurting at present especially my heels. so walking is difficult. After Sunday I've been totally exhausted all week. Not helped by rachels hogging the bath routine. I've been showering and saving my soak for bedtime. I didnt really want to start the guilt trip bit,'I need the bath for my pain' routine. But I did blurt it out when I lost my temper with her. Today she's out at work with hubby. Free bathroom!!! except the cleaner is here so I had to get up and dressed!!
I've done very little this week. I think I overdid it the last few weeks coz I felt better.
Yesterday was a very uncomfortable day. sitting in a chair at the Pizza Express, then coming home and spending too much time on-line then sitting yet again in an uncomfy wooden chair for dinner last night. I sat in the restaurant for 10 mins and wished I was at home in bed! I grinned (or grimaced!) and bore it. With several 'loo' trips to stretch. ! I'd be no good on a long haul flight. Today I'm chair shapped and very sore!!!I've been sat here too long aswell. trouble is at present I cant really get comfy on the sofa. I have to sit with my legs up as they hurt, but Resting my heels on the recliner hurts so I'm knitting sloping down so my heels hang off the end of the recliner!!! Ah the joys!

KNITTING
I havnt done lot really. I'm just so uncomfortable at present and my hands and left shoulder hurt so its a few rows at time. Mind you there are 250 stitches on each row.! I've finished a sleeve of the Stepping stones jacket and have gone back and unpicked one side of the back where I knitted a peice in upside down!!. I'm getting there very slowly. By March I hope to at least have finished one W.I.P!!!

Diet
Hmmmm. I'm still stuck at the same weight I've been for 4 weeks despite my best GL efforts! I've signed up for a trial with the GL site. I didnt think they'd want me as I'm hardly star material am I. weight loss woman of the year!I dont think so. I could claim the 'Pissed of coz her weight wont come off because of the medication, especially Lyrica,' award!!!! (could they fit all that on the cup!?)

I've been tagged.!

I've been tagged by Fiona (knitsknatsknots blogspot) so I have to find 5 things to tell you about myself. Hmmm. Now Fionas were funny so I'm trying to think of something other than Married, 3 kids etc;







1)On our wedding video one of my little bridesmaids trod in some dog poop whilst we were being photographed in the park! so there is a lovely recording of me in loud Manchester accent going 'Mind the doggy do-dah'! Then there is a shot of a horse and rider going behing us.







2)When I was a student nurse and lived in halls they decided to extend the nurses residence. It was built in a 'T' shape. There I was sat on the loo one day when I heard all these male voices and turned to find several workmen looking in the toilet window through the scaffolding above me!!!EEEKKK





3)I used to love cooking and wnet through phases of making jam, brewing wine and making my own novelty birthday cakes.





4) I love art and have painted since I was a child. I once had a picture displayed on a TV show as a kid (vision on for those who remember it). and I won an art competition with Kellogs cornflakes.





5) Oh yeah my 'talents' as a child once won me the weekly talent contest at Pontins Holiday camp! (we lived the high life when I was small!) Tap dancing. I won through to the regional finals and so we had a free weekend in Pontins Blackpool in October!!! freezing and wet. i didnt get through to the national finals though. Perhaps the thought of another weekend in a cold wintery Pontins put me off!!





So there are 5 facts about me. I'm going to tag-Leigh Vixx Tracey woolydoodles sockpixie

PHEW THATS DONE. HOPE THE LINKS WORK. i'M USELESS AT LINKING THINGS UP!!

Parents are useful for some things!!!

General


Last week Sam rang us from Uni. Could dad come over and take him to Cosco to stock up on stuff for J-Soc!!! J-soc is short I think , for Jewish social . its the social organising branch Of the Union Of Jewish Students. Sam Is on the commitee in charge of making sure everyone who wants it gets a Sabbath meal and he organises the Saturday afternoon meal and other events!


See we are useful sometimes!! the weather was iffy last week so we agreed we'd only go over if the Pennines were clear of snow. The M62 is treacherous at the best of times over the top. It can be a heat wave everywhere but you get to the top of the Moors overSaddleworth and it can be foggy, snowing etc!


Sunday arrived. The weather was clear so hubby and I duly trudged over to Leeds to see eldest son. As I said at least e got to see him! After lots of wrangling over who on the committee was actually coming shopping, (committees!!!_too many cheifs..) we ferried him to Cosco. we sat in the cafe and had a mundane lunch(a jacket with tuna-the tuna was ,more mayonnaise than anything and tasted like cement).And let him do his shopping. We then had to take Sam and goods to The jewish students residents and unload. What an exciting day!At least I got my share of hugs and kisses from Sam to keep me going for a few weeks as he's not home till March.



last week was parents eve for Rachel. No probs there, sh'es doing really well.

As for junior monster...Hmmm!!! I was phoned by his form tutor last week to tell me he had detention , yet again this week! I had a good chat to her as we're concerned with buggerlugs behaviour. As his teacher said he's not a horror or saying nasty things or violent. He is silly and immature and just talks and messes around. We also spoke to his head of year at Rachels parents evening and she said the same. He also is hopeless at hiding his antics. He always gets caught. you can guarentee that if 4 boys are throwing erasers around the classroom, he'll be the one whos caught! he has that cheeky twinkle in his eye.

Lets hope he grows out of it soon.

Rachel has been in a foul mood this week and its not hormones. I think its the pressure of exams. She's scowled, bit our heads off and been very un-cooperative.. a normal teenager really!!!



Knitting

I've finished the other front of the jacket and have started a sleeve. Rachel has pinched my camera for her art G.C.S.E so I cant take any snaps.



FM

On the FM front things have really been looking up. I've been able to walk a bit further. I went to Town with Rachel on Satruday and we had lunch at Wagamamas. Yuk!! I wont bother again. We prefer Tampopo for noodles.

I managed to walk around the new bit of the Arndale shopping centre which is very nice and swish.

Mind you today I'm shattered as I couldnt sleep, had to be up for the cleaner, so I've had 4 hours sleep. Then I had to tidy the house a bit so she could clean. although I gave up on Josh's pigstye!!

DIET
this is driving me bonkers. here I am being good on my GL eating plan and I'm not loosing an inch or pound come to that!! Its these blasted meds I know, but its a bit disheartening. I look like I stuff my face all day with fried food, chips, choc etc, but I dont I eat very healthily. Its because I'm not so mobile I think. If I could exercise moe then the weight would move a bit. Sniff wail!! perhap I'm destined to be a fat lump!!
I'm taking part in some research for a dietician who wants to introduce GL eating to the NHS. he wont be pleased with my results then!! heee,HEE