Wednesday 30 November 2011

what I want for Christmas

What I want for Christmas this year is......... I have no idea . There are things I would enjoy having but this year money is a bit tight with our daughters wedding only happening in September. I know I can't ask for much from my husband as he just doesn't have it this year.
Maybe we spend far too much at this time of the year. We run ourselves into the ground to get that special gift or spend far too much because we feel we have to. The whole world goes into panic  at the end of September and stores start playing Christmas music in October.

I do feel for parents of younger children as the pressure to get them what they want, but at what cost?
When I was young I always had nice gifts but I also got sweets and an orange, can you imagine giving a child today an orange!!! They would think you had gone mad.

So this year I would say I would love my family to be happy and safe.
I would wish them to have a healthy year and get to do everything they want to.
That would be my gift to me and I really hope everyone also gets just the same sort of gift.
Mind you I wouldn't say no to some nice chocolate!
Merry Christmas   and I would love to know  What I want for Christmas would say to you.    

             

Sunday 27 November 2011

Happy 30th Matthew

Happy 30th Matthew is the shout out for this week. My oldest child turns 30 on the 28th and I really don't know where the years went. He was so wanted and planned for and at one point I thought I would never have. I had a hard time getting pregnant so when I found I was having Matthew I was so pleased and happy.

From the time he was born he was a joy. Always happy and contented he was a dream to have around.
Over the years he has grown into a fine young man and my heart is full of pride . He has worked so hard to make a successful career and a wonderful marriage with his wife Karen.

We went out for a meal and exchanged gifts and a huge cake with 30 candles and it was a lovely evening.
I am very lucky to have 2 beautiful children Natalie and Matthew I am so very proud of them both, and I love them with all my heart.
So Matthew we love you and wish you a very happy 30th we hope this year is great for you and never forgot we are there if you need us.

Thursday 24 November 2011

Working visit

Working visit was the event of my week. My daughter and son in law has just took over a pub. It's a huge task but one they are meeting well. It needs plenty of TLC and the whole family has rolled up their sleeve and helped.
This week we were to help to put up the Christmas decorations.
We got a wonderful real tree and once all the bits was on it looked so fab. She wanted it all traditional in reds,green and gold. Once the log fire was light the while place looked so beautiful.
We did loads and worked so hard but I think it was worth while.
She is also asking for donations of a toy to wrap and put under the tree. They are then being given to local children who are in hospital.I think they are doing a great job!
Yes it was a working visit but a lovely visit.

Monday 21 November 2011

Winter walk

Winter walk is something I really enjoy. Now for most of you a little walk for a short while may seem silly but I have such huge problems with arthritis its hard for me. I get very depressed because in my mind I am still active, but in the real world I am not.
So Sunday was a good day and I got to walk with my husband to collect holly from a near by field. My daughter has a pub and she wants to decorate for Christmas. We found a lovely big holly tree and took some cuttings to use to decorate.
So today I also got out for a little walk which is great for me. The weather was dull and damp as we had a lot of fog the night before but I didn't care. It was peaceful and still and the leaves were falling off the trees like snow. Everywhere the light fluttering of the leaves was beautiful and I was glad that today was a good day, and I got to go out.

I am lucky I live in a beautiful place right out in the countryside. I was born in London and all my life I wanted to live in the countryside. Its just a twist of fate that when I get that wish I cant always enjoy it.
I love this time of year... the cold crisp days and being warm and safe at home. I am not a summer person so I look forward to autumn and winter even if to some I am strange.

So today my winter walk was great and I hope that there will be other good days for me to enjoy.




Sunday 20 November 2011

Christmas is coming

Christmas is coming and fast but it seems like its been nearly here for weeks. Not sure it is just my imagination but it seems to get earlier and earlier every year. Stores seem to have Christmas goods and advertisement is the shops just after summer.It must put huge pressure of parents with young children, and constant adverts for toys and games wouldn't help.

In saying that I love Christmas! I love all the lights and the gifts in fact I love it all. I really like to buy gifts for people and think its great when they open them and like what I have bought for them. If I have time I like to make things , they may not cost much but then they were made with love and care.

As a child I always had nice gifts but Christmas was always a bit lonely being the only child at home. In later years I had my niece and nephews which was so much fun.

This year I think is going to be busy but fun. We are joining up with my son and his wife and her lovely parents Lynne and George. Also my super son in law and daughter at their pub for Christmas lunch.
My children and there partners are such a joy everyday and I am so grateful that I have them around, i am very lucky.

I think we should also think of those alone at this time of year as loneliness is such a nasty thing. If you know someone who may be alone why not share the day with them and invite them to your Christmas lunch. I hope everyone has a fab Christmas and in the next few weeks I thought I would share some Christmas facts, fun and food. So come back soon
Christmas is coming ......... are you ready?

Thursday 17 November 2011

Thinking slimmer

Thinking slimmer is not only what I want to be able to do but also a system I am very lucky to be helped by.

As they say first the facts

What is a Slimpod?Slimpods are a series of unique voice recordings which help people to achieve permanent weight loss. Unlike other methods of losing weight, there are no diets, no calorie counting and no willpower required. Slimpods have been developed by Harley Street experts and use modern approaches to the science of unconscious persuasion to gently retune the mind and adjust the way slimmers think about the world, especially in relation to food, health and fitness. Weight loss becomes simple and it’s easy. Slimpods cost £24.99 + VAT = £29.99. That's it, nothing more to pay.Slimpods have been used, studied and endorsed by Mr Gideon Felton, MRCPsych, a senior psychiatrist at one of London's leading hospitals. What do I have to do to lose weight?A Slimpod can be downloaded from the Thinking Slimmer website or bought from us on a CD. At first you listen to the recording for 10 minutes a day for 21 days in a row while the Slimpod begins to work with your mind and cause the weight loss changes you’ll soon begin to notice in your body. Many people listen when they go to bed and fall asleep listening – which is good, as the ears never sleep.






What do I do after 21 days?You keep listening to your Slimpod for as long and as often as it takes until you feel confident you're well on the way to achieving your weight loss goal. How long this takes depends on how much weight you want to lose. Some people keep listening every night while others find that “topping up” twice a week is enough –everyone is different. Just keep on going until you hit your slimming goal, however long it takes. If you have received a second Slimpod as a bonus - such as Keep Weight Loss Going or Keep Weight Off For Good - don't be in too much of a hurry to move on to it unless you are 100 per cent confident that the first Slimpod has completed its task. If you do move on to the next Slimpod and you feel it's not doing what you expect, please go back to your original Slimpod for another week or two. Sometimes it helps to move gradually on to a new Slimpod, say using it every other day for a few weeks, before making a permanent switch. 




Will I lose weight straight away?Everyone wants to lose weight quickly but it’s not a race. What we want you to achieve is permanent weight loss. Some of our slimmers start to lose weight almost immediately, while others take several weeks to start the process. One lady lost 18lbs in her first three weeks – and that was just the beginning. She’s now lost more than 36lbs. Our experience is that most people can lose up to 7lbs weight in 21 days but it is after four to five weeks that the biggest weight loss happens. The average weight loss in tests with a Slimpod is 16lbs over 10 weeks. What you probably WILL notice early on is a series of surprising differences in how much less you want to eat and how much more you want to do.


How does this differ from other weight loss methods?You’ll find that WordWeaving used on Slimpods is nothing like anything you may have seen on TV, films or the stage: there’s no sleep-like trance, no swinging pendulums, no funny voices or weird music. It’s just like listening to an old friend who has the uncanny ability to influence the way you feel about yourself, your attitude to food and how you look after your body. Weight loss just happens naturally and easily. The technique we use is very similar to one that the NHS recommends, called "mindfulness."
Slimpods have been used, studied and endorsed by Mr Gideon Felton, MRCPsych, a senior psychiatrist at one of London's leading hospitals.


Why are there so many different Slimpods?People have different reasons for losing weight, so each Slimpod has been tailor-made to help achieve a specific weight loss goal, whether it’s dropping a dress size, dropping two sizes or more, fitting into a wedding dress, losing baby fat or controlling middle age spread. We also have a Slimpod for men who want to lose their love handles and FitPods which make you want to exercise more, such as the Couch Potato Cure. The WordWeaving language we use in each Slimpod or FitPod has been crafted to achieve the desired results so it will not work on someone who has a different reason for slimming.
Why do I need to keep a success log while I'm slimming?
Everyone who has used the Thinking Slimmer method says the success log is an essential tool. Your unconscious mind is responsible for most of what youdo (or don’t do) every day. Completing your daily success log just before you listen to your Slimpod will accelerate the weight loss process by bringing to the attention of your mind the differences you want it to make. The more smallsuccesses you record the more there will be, as your mind shifts towards a state of permanent, positive change about your relationship to food. Slimming is about believing, not depriving yourself on a diet.




So I have been trying it for a while and I can't say its been totally smooth sailing but they are really helpful.
My history is that I had a gastric band and I was so full of hope that it was going to be the answer to my prayers. Sadly its not been that for me, even with me trying so hard.
These companies sell these bands without really informing people how many don't work. They paint a fantastic picture of weight loss and I remember being told that I would only be able to eat a tiny amount and I would be full. The answer to that was a big NO at least for me.
I feel that I have failed yet again and embarrassed as well, as I feel everyone is looking and thinking why am I not losing.

So this is a public message........ from 18th November I am taking back my life. I am getting help from the lovely people at Thinking slimmer and the Mutu system and I must be more positive. We have agreed that In one month from this date I will drop a dress size, and no one can say I am not going to try.

I have taken pictures and measurements and I will try and put a post on once a week but I don't want to focus on weight as I think it can cause added pressure.

So check out slimpods a t www.thinkingslimmer.co.uk
 and www.mutusystem.com
.Wish me luck and keep coming back for updates

Sunday 13 November 2011

Loneliness

Loneliness .... What does that mean to you? For me loneliness was something that hit hard this week.
My youngest child Natalie moved out. She had lived next to the house in her own apartment, so I saw her everyday.
We did a lot together and I also did a huge amount for her.
I have been a full time mum 30 years this month, and my role
As a housewife and mum well defined.
I am sure that I am not alone with my empty nest. The sense of lost at times was huge.
Children are such a huge part of everyday and to go from being hands on to nothing really hurt .
When my first child left home it wasn't as bad as my daughter was living at home. This time it was very hard.
Loneliness is so draining. You feel worn out and dragged down. The effort to pick yourself up is so hard, it's easy to see it could get worse and worse .
Lucky for me I have felt better over the last few days. I have a lovely family, my husband and children have been great . I am lucky to have them but many lonely people do not.
So if you know someone alone take time to speak to them and think you maybe the first person in days that they have seen.

Thursday 10 November 2011

My Best Recipe

My best recipe today is one by Rosemary Conley so its great if you are watching your weight.

Turkey and ginger stir-fry

450g (1lb) Turkey fillets cut into strips.
1 medium red onion, finely sliced.
1 red pepper, seeded and sliced
2 small courgettes sliced
2 teaspoons fresh ginger peeled and finely chopped
1 tablespoon light soy sauce
1 tablespoon runny honey or mango chutney
2 teaspoon chilli sauce

1. Heat a non stick wok or frying pan, add the turkey strips and dry fry for 5-6 minutes or until just cooked.
Remove from the pan and set aside.

2. Return the pan to the heat and add the onion, red pepper and courgettes and dry fry for 2-3 mins. Add the mushrooms and ginger, mixing well.

3. Return the turkey to the pan and keep cooking

Hope you try my best recipe as it is really yummy!

4. Mix together the soy sauce, honey and chilli and add to the pan, coating the meat and vegtables. Stir fry, combining all the ingredients until the meat is fully cooked.

5. Serve immediately on a bed of noodles or rice.

Serves 4
per serving

229 kcal
2-4g fat
prep time- 10 mins
cooking time- 15-20 mins




Wednesday 9 November 2011

A baby at any cost?

A baby at any cost is something that is in the news today. On T.V today there was a lady who in her late 50's decided to have a baby. She was saying that while she loves her little girl, four years on she thinks it was the wrong choice to make.

I had my children young, my first at 23 and my second at age 28 and it was hard, but I am glad now. I am 53 and they are grown up now but I still feel fairly young. Maybe that's something more of my age we did have our families early because that is what was expected of you.

Today I think women do wait longer as many have careers to consider and I think that is fine.
I do not think it is right for women to have children in their fifties as they will miss so much of that child's life.
The lady that was on the programme is not with a partner either so what happens to that child if she passes away? I can understand the need to have a child but there has to be limits when it should not happen.
I think its wrong for both the woman and the child to have to face all kinds of problems as both get older.

My own parents had me late in life, my mother was 39 which for the late1950's was very different . I don't think it did me any harm, but I did lose her at age  63 sadly far too early.

I would be interested in your view on a baby at any cost and if you would consider having a baby later in life.

Monday 7 November 2011

Empty nest blues

Empty nest blues is the song I am singing today ....... My youngest child moved out on Sunday and I must admit to feeling terribly sad. I am used to my daughter and her husband being around, as they lived next door in the granny apartment. It was nice to know they were close if I needed them and I was not as worried on being alone.

On Sunday she moved and she is now a 30 mile one way drive away,so daily contact is not going to happen.
I know its a good thing, I know its part of life but I am shocked at how sad I am. Her apartment seems so bare and cold, I can't face going out there for a few days.

When my oldest left home I also missed him but it was eased as I still had my daughter at home to cushion the blow. I know that it will get better as time goes past but its very hard.
I think I have cried buckets in the last two days, but I have to put on a brave front . I don't think they tell you that it will be so hard to have your youngest leave home.

I have spent the last 30 years being mum on a day to day and now I don't have that its really hard to think of your role in life. I know that I will always be their mum but I will miss the day to day looking after them.
Sad that I am I will even miss the washing!
So if anyone has any tips on coping with empty test blues I would love to hear from you as I need it!

Are we lucky to have season's

Are we lucky to have season's is something I was sitting thinking about. I live in the south East of England in the countryside.
We most defiantly have different seasons and I totally love that. I am a winter person and I love the cold weather....... I know I'm strange lol. I really like the Autumn as the colours are so beautiful . A mix of golds, reds and browns I think nature is wonderful .
I love to cozy up and be warm. I think it's great to be lovely and warm.
I think we are lucky to have so many seasons here in the UK. I couldn't imagine living with no changes at all.
So I would live to know what it's like where you are.
Do you think we are lucky to have seasons?.

Friday 4 November 2011

Menopause and Femarelle

Menopause and femarelle is the subject today. I am 53 and far as I can tell I am in menopause. I never got to talk to my mother about it as she passed away early, so I kind of entered into it blind. I do remember as a child ladies taking in low voices about I would think was about this subject.

We get talks at school on periods and sex but us girls are never told about menopause, even though it will happen to us all.
So what is menopause?

Well its is the term that represents the end of your periods,it can natural happen anywhere between 45 and 55.
Some women it can be early and some later.

I think everyone seems to be different as regards to how they feel. I have no idea how my mother was and can only guess she was ok, as I never noticed any change in her.
As for me I am having the gift of hot flushes and night sweats! I find them very hard as you feel so hot then so cold . Its up and down and you feel really silly as you get so hot so fast. Then at night you get the night sweats !!!!

So I think in general I am doing ok but then I had the chance to try a new product called Femarelle.
I saw an article regarding this product and thought it would be ideal for me to try. Lucky girl that I am the company asked if I would like to review it and I jumped at the chance.
It arrived today and you just have to take 2 tablets twice a day. So I have a months course and I shall be keeping a record of how I am and if they helped me or not.

So if you are going through menopause like them then come back and see how Femarelle has helped or not.

www.femarelle.com


I have not been paid to review Femarelle and only been supplied with one month of product.

Thursday 3 November 2011

Guess whose coming to dinner ........

Guess whose coming to dinner ... who you invite?  I belong to a women's group and we meet and chat ( hard work for women I know) and have fun.
One subject that came up was a sort of fantasy dinner party and who we would invite. Most came up with famous people and faces from history, which is fun to think of.
For myself it would not be famous it would be my family.
At my age you have to face facts that you have lost people in your life. The older you get its sad but true family and friends pass away.
The first people that would be on my list would be my parents. For my mother was taken away far too young at 63. I adored my mum and she was everything to me, and we were lucky to be close. She had cancer and spent many years fighting but it overcame her and in a flash she was gone.
My dad went on for another seven years but passed away in his early 70's and it was a very sad time to not have either parents.
I would love to chat again with my mum and I would love her to see how great the kids grew up and see them. I want to tell her how good I sew and hope she would be proud of me and my life.
My dad and I didn't have such a close relationship but it would still be fun to chat with him.

Next on my list would be sister in law pat. When she first dated my brother I was about 6 or 7 and I thought she was the most beautiful thing I had ever seen. She was so well dressed and everything matched to me she was all I wanted to be when I grew up. As I got older we had so many adventures and fun, and later we would go off for hours with my oldest nephew and niece . I wish she had not be taken so young in her early 50's of cancer, as she had so much more to give.

My uncle and aunt Mary and Tom would be a great addition as it would be so nice to chat with them and show them my children. My uncle Tom was very funny when I was little and auntie Mary never had a hair out of place.

Last not least would be my mother in law Rose. We didn't always have a good relationship but when she passed away we did and had got comfortable with each other. I so wish they all had been at Matthew's wedding and Natalie's as it would have been so great.
I know I am going to see them all again and that is a great comfort I can tell you.

I would love to hear your Guess who's coming to dinner guest as I think its a fun thing to think of.

Wednesday 2 November 2011

Welcome wednesday

Welcome Wednesday is today and I was delighted to be told I was their spotlighted blog this week. Its always nice to meet new people and I must say that is a plus of the internet. I came into blogging late in my life but It has become a new hobby, to add to the list of all my others.

It does prove that it is never too late to learn, even if I have a long way to go I still enjoy doing it.
So this is just a wee short blog post to say hi to all my new friends and all my old friends, I am very pleased you took time to come and read my blog. I hope you will come back often and always leave a comment as I really enjoy reading them.

Thanks to Kristen and Jaime over at

 www.from-me-blogspot.co.






Tuesday 1 November 2011

Life moves on

Life moves on is just what I have been thinking about today. Those who visit regularly (many thanks) will know I have had some life changing events in the last couple of years.

First my son Matthew married Karen, then just 5 weeks ago my daughter married Robin so its been busy.
Life is moving on so fast and I feel that in a blink is all gone! One second I was a young bride now we are facing early retirement, gosh when did all that happen?
When my children were young I used to moan to my mum about being tied down. She used to tell me to enjoy my time with them, it would go fast so quick you will be surprised at how fast they grow.

At the time I did not believe her as I think when you are at that end of life, its seem like a long endless tunnel at times. I had five years between my youngest and oldest so it was like being a new mum twice. I loved them both but did struggle a little with depression at times. Thankfully I had my mum in those days so that helped. Never ever did I not want to be their mum, and from the second they arrived I loved them with all my being.

Now the are grown and my baby about to fly and test her wings. I feel strange like a captain without a ship or a pilot without a plane. I have been mum for 30 years and retirement from day to day mum is hard.
I will always be their mum but I shall miss being needed daily, even if it is for washing or cleaning.

I need to find me again ...... I need to find Jill!
So if anyone has seen her then send her back as I have forgotten what she's like, and would be keen to get to know her again. Life moves on ..... for the better I hope!