This is another tag I found via Cat. You can see her post for it here. As usual, if you want to play along too, feel free to do so, whether that be on your own blog, in the comments section of this post, or whatever. Just don't forget to tell me where I can find your answers if you're not posting them directly in the comments section of this post, since I'd love to read them, and would hate to miss your post. For now though, here's the tag, along with my own answers.
***~~~***
D – Do you read more in the morning or at night?
As a general rule, I do most of my reading at night. I always read for a while in the evenings, whether for only a few minutes or for a few hours. However, I can - and often do - also read in the morning or afternoon. But since I read in the late evening every night, and only sometimes read at other times, I definitely do most of my reading at night.
A – Are there any books that changed the way you thought about things?
There are several, though I can't really name titles, or give you examples of how a certain book changed my way of thinking about or looking at something. Whether we realize it or not, the books we read can - and will - influence our thoughts and feelings on a particular subject, whether on a concious or subconcious level.
Y – YA or not?
Yes, absolutely; I read YA books quite often. I read books for all ages, including young adult books. I see no reason why adults shouldn't do so, since there are some fantastic YA books out there, and being older than the intended audience is no reason for me to miss out on getting to read them.
*
A – Are there any characters that you honestly believe are real?
Is this a trick question to gage what little sanity I have? I know characters - while based on real people, or a mixture of several real people, regardless of whether the author conciously based them on someone real or not - aren't actually real, even if they feel real. However, there are several I wish were real. Also, in the best books, characters feel real to me while I'm reading the book and following their story, which is the important thing. I can only hope my own readers feel that way about at least some of the characters in my own books.
N – Nobody touches my books or I don’t mind loaning my books out?
Nobody touches my books. I used to be willing to let people borrow my books, but after one too many came back looking battered, with pages bent and scribbled on, etc, I stopped letting people borrow my books.
D – Do you ever smell your books?
I used to, when I could still see to read print books. But smelling braille books and eBooks just isn't the same; they don't have that bookish scent. So I don't any more, and have to settle for enjoying the smell of books if I'm in or near a bookshop, or if someone I know brought a new book and is willing to leave me alone with it long enough for me to have a quick sniff. Yes, I'm weird. No, I don't care what you think of that. At least, I don't care while I'm writing this, though I guess I must care a little, since I try not to make it obvious that I'm offering to carry someone's books for them so I can sniff them. The only thing better than that new book scent is the smell of old books that have been around for a long time; new books smell great, but you can't beat that musty library scent.
*
N – Not everyone loves books…Is that a positive or negative?
Neither, though I do think it's a shame. To each their own though, and if books aren't your thing, that's totally up to you. Different people have different interests and passions, and if some people get their enjoyment in a way that doesn't involve books, that's not for me to judge. I do wish those who don't like books wouldn't look down on those who do, and vice-versa, and that everyone would at least give reading a chance though.
I – I keep my books in the best condition or not?
Absolutely! I always try to keep my books in the best condition I can. I mean, it's not easy to damage an eBook - not if I still want to be able to use my Kindle anyhow - but I did when I still read print books too. Even as a child I was reluctant to do anything that could potentially damage a book, prefered to use something as a bookmark rather than folding the corner of a page to mark where I was reading, and didn't scribble in my books. These days I know how much work goes in to producing a book, so am even more dismayed by those who mistreat their books, but from a young age - even before I knew exactly how much work it was to produce a book of publishable quality - I considered them treasures that needed to be cared for as well as possible, and did my very best to take care of mine.
G – Gosh! I have too many books! True or false?
False. There's no such thing as too many books. I do wish I had more time to read, so my to-read list wasn't so long. But being surrounded by books is pure bliss as far as I'm concerned, and I would never claim I have too many books.
H – Have you ever spilled or stained your books with something, and if so how?
Twice, unfortunately. One time I had a nosebleed that came on suddenly, and a bit of blood dripped on the page before I could do anything about it. Another time I accidentally spilled a whole cup of grape kool-aid on a book... A super-sized cup too. I still feel bad about it... Especially the kool-aid incident, where the book was ruined in the drenching.
T – Toned or untoned? In other words, do you read and workout at the same time?
Not really. I mean, I have in the past listened to audio books while using a rowing machine or an exercise bike at home. I've also listened to one through headphones while running on a treadmill at the gym. But these days the only exercise I get while reading is housework or playing with the dogs. Mind you, with how much I crawl around the floor with Lilie and Logan when I'm playing ball or tuggy with them, that could definitely count as getting a workout while reading. It's certainly as tiring as doing so, that's for sure!
Showing posts with label The Gym. Show all posts
Showing posts with label The Gym. Show all posts
Tuesday, September 08, 2020
Wednesday, October 03, 2018
#WriterWednesday - October 3rd 2018
I write for the same reason I breathe - because if I didn't, I would die.
~Isaac Asimov
I'm amazed at the number of people who submitted auditions for "Where's Noodles?" on ACX during the week it was open for auditions. I've never had more than five or six auditions on a book before, and that's maximum. This time I got about three times that many! Most of them had some nice comments about how much they liked the story too, which made me very happy. It made me feel good to have one of my books get so much attention. I hope it's as popular after production, and sells well. I'm sure the narrator I chose hopes for the same thing. Speaking of which, the narrator for the audio version of "Where's Noodles?" is Judith Bareham, in case you're interested.
Speaking of my audio books: there have been several production delays of one kind or another with some of my other books, hence there not being any more new audiobook release announcements over the past few weeks. Hopefully the issues will be resolved soon. Though I'm sad about how things have gone with one title, as I explain in my post from yesterday. Luckily, I'm not one of those people who gets annoyed about granting deadline extensions.
I love deadlines. I like the whooshing sound they make as they fly by.
~Douglas Adams
In other news: "Vinnie The Vegetarian Zombie" was featured as part of fellow author Teri Polen's BadMoon Rising event on her blog yesterday, along with an interview by me. You can check out my post here, if you're interested. It's part of a month long Halloween event, so don't forget to check back throughout the month to see what other authors and books will be featured, since Teri will be featuring books by a lot of great authors throughout the month of October.
OK, let's see what links I have for you this week, shall we?
First, whether you're exercising your body, or exercising your mind, here's how to get a six-pack. Or, at least, how to be well on your way to one.
On a sort of related topic: check out these unproductive daily writing habits (and what to do instead).
Also, here's how to break through a fiction writing block, in case you need some help with that right now.
Remember: things will never 'settle down' completely, so stop waiting for that to happen. Yeah, I know... This one is some advice I could do with taking. *tries to ignore the accusing looks coming from the still unfinished first draft of a certain adventure story*
Ahem... Moving on...
Next, take a look at these simple ways to take your writing to the next level.
Oh, and if you're looking for ways to increase the tension in your story, why not consider using the new kind of tension our society offers. As the post explains: things like that aren't good news for the people they happen to, but thinking up those kinds of situations to put in your fictional stories would be great for the stories in question. Just be careful using real life examples.
By the way, do you have a crazy character or two in your story? Is there more to the crazy characters than first appears to be the case? If not, there should be. The post I just linked to explains, and gives some tips on writing crazy characters.
No matter the kinds of characters your story contains, here's some advice on how to write in deep POV, and one on using time as a literary device.
Next, here's a post on moving from CreateSpace to KDP, in case you want to know how things will work as regards your royalties during the CreateSpace and KDP merger, or just want to see another author's experiences with dealing with the move.
If you plan to self-publish, here's how to self-publish fiction successfully. Also, always remember: be the grain you were meant to be, and don't feed the trolls!
Regardless of your method of publication though, here's a pretty good, and potentially useful, marketing checklist for before, during, and after publication.
No matter how things go when it comes to either writing, publishing, or marketing, always remember: you are not your failures, and you should write what you want to write. So, what do you want to write, but haven't yet?
Finally, if you write poetry, and want to do something fun for Halloween, why not write a Halloween themed poem and submit it in Aurora Jean Alexander's 4th Halloween Poem Contest? You can meet the judges for the contest, and learn what the prizes are, by reading this post.
Saturday, March 12, 2011
Evaluation of eating and exercise (LBE, FD and kinda R/WP)
For a while now I've been looking around at different "diet" recommendations, both online and offline. One of the main things I've noticed is that they all claim to be the best way to lose weight, they all claim to have a high success rate, and they all have different recommendations for what you should and shouldn't be eating. The only thing they have in common is that they do all agree that you need plenty of fruit and veg (though I did find one that said even that should be limited). Some I've tried, and others I've dismissed as not being worth even considering trying. As I mentioned not long ago on here though - I think a couple of weeks back - diets don't work for me. I'm the kind of person who, if you tell me the paint is wet, I'll touch it to check, and - more imporrtantly for this topic - I'm the kind of person who, if you tell me I shouldn't be eating something, will go out of my way to eat it to spite you. Not because I want to be mean, but because I have a tendancy to be defiant and do what I can to show people that I'm perfectly capable of making my own choices, and if I want to eat something I really like - even if I know it's bad for me - then, damn it, I'm going to eat it! Why? Because I can, and nobody can stop me!
So, here's the thing... However you look at it, I do need to get some weight off. Not because the Gynaecologist wants me to. Not because my Mam wants me to. No... Because I want to. Some people think that isn't the case... In fact, one person actually told me that if I could see then I'd see how "big" I was, and actually want to do something about my weight (which is actually the most hurtful comment I've had directed at me on the subject). It's like people look at a heavier person and make up their minds that they choose to be that weight. But they don't... We don't... I don't! If it was up to me I'd be much lighter than I am! If only people would think before making such hurtful comments...
Anyway, since diets don't work for me, what I'm doing is attempting to figure out what I eat, then fiddling with it to make changes where needed. I did get offered to go and see a dietitian, but I refused. I have two reasons for this. The first is that I saw one a few years back and was told I was eating as I should be, so I know it's the bad habbits I've picked up again - too much chocolate, for example - that are my problem. The other is that a dietitian will start telling me what I should and shouldn't be eating, so I will start rebelling against it, where as if it's my decission then I know I can have the chocolate - or whatever it is I'm wanting - if I want it. The ffunny thing is that knowing I have the option, the chances are that most times I probably wont bother... Purely because I'm free to make my own decission on the matter. It might sound strange to you, but that's how it works with me. Tell me I can't do something, and - if it's something I would normally do - I will still go ahead and do it. But, tell me it's up to me, though I'd be better off not doing it, and the chances are I wont do it. What can I say? I'm an extremely stubbourn cow!
After spending some time evaluating my eating habbits, this is what I've come up with:
Snacks - I eat too many of them, and usually the wrong kinds. I mentioned recently that I would be exchanging them for healthier options and drinks, which I've done - for the most part - but I still have some work to do with this. This past week I've done really well though. I've not snacked all that much (especially not compared to how I normally would) and about 90% of my snacks have been fresh fruit or other healthier snack choices (mainly fresh fruit, but with the dried fruit snacks I brought thrown in from time to time). The key is to keep it around that average. If the other 10% is chocolates, cakes, or whatever, then it's not a huge deal... As long as most of the snacks are healthy snacks (like fruit) and only some are unhealthy snacks (like chocolate).
Meals - My meals were always as and when, with snacks being eaten almost constantly in between. I've seriously cut down the amount of snack times now though, and have rough times for my meals to happen. I don't eat at exact times, but having the rough guidelines will - I think - stop some of the snacking. For example, if I'm feeling a bit hungry and I know dinner is going to be started soon, then I know I'd be better not to snack, but if I don't know when dinner will be started, I'm likely to grab a snack.
Drinks - Grabbing the small cartons, cans and bottles was a great idea to stop the snacking when I'm really thirsty, "just because I can't be bothered to try and pour some drink," thing, but my drink choices aren't always the wisest. Fruit juices and flavoured waters aren't bad ideas, but the stacks of pop (soda) aren't really the best things to be drinking when trying to eat and drink healthier. Not to mention the fact I have this really nasty habbit of adding sugar to all my fruity teas and herbal teas (even when they don't need it). So the plan with this one is more juices and waters, less pop. Plus, I've been working on the sugar in the tea thing... I've actually been working on it for a few months, and have gotten it down to no sugars at all in the fruity teas, and only 1 level teaspoon (or a very small amount of honey) in the herbal ones (the more bitter ones - like pure nettle - that really do need something to sweeten them).
I think cutting out many of my snack times, replacing most of my snacks with healthier options, and removing the sugars from those teas that don't need them is at least a step in the right direction. So, now we can move on to my other issue... Exercise!
Walking - A couple of years ago, before I lost my sight completely, and before we moved here, we lived by a nice park which was - and still is - right near a river, and right near a nice riverside walk. Every day I would do that walk. If it was wet the dogs and I (since for part of the time we lived there we had more than one dog) would get dressed up in our rain gear, trudge across the muddy field, and walk along the riverside walk until we reached the bridge. Then we would turn around and head home. If it was dry then we would cross that bridge, walk along the pass on the other side of the river, walk through the park (following the park's path around so that it looped back to where we started) cross the bridge at that end of the riverside walk, and walk back to where it was easy to cross the field (there was a path that had been created by so many other people taking the same route... It got really muddy when it was wet, but it was pretty easy to use even then). If we had someone with us then we would usually go the road way (wich only added maybe about 2 minutes on to the walk, but which I avoided when I could so as to keep the dogs away from the road). Anyway, then we moved here and things changed. For one thing, I spent a lot of time not walking much around the time of my operations, for another thing, the walk we have by the river here is only as long as the part of the walk we used to do when it was really wet before. On top of that, I used to do the walk at least twice a day, but I got in the habbit of only doing this much shorter walk once a day, and often making excuses not to do it at all... "It's too wet," "it's too cold," "I'm too tired,"... You get the idea! I mentioned recently that I know I need to stop this, and I've been trying to do so. Most days I've been taking Kero out twice a day - despite needing to get Kelly to take me to the gate because of the scaffolding. Kelly does come on some of the walks, but I can't persuade him to join us for more than one a day. I also accepted my Mam's offer of picking Kero and myself up and taking us to do the riverside walk by the park we used to live by, since she lives within walking distance of it. We're hoping to make that a weekly thing, but we'll see how that goes, since my Mam has a lot going on at the moment, so can't guarantee much free time.
Other exercise - I tried the gym... It didn't work for me, because of a combination of the machines not being accessable (touch screen controls are all well and good... If you can see) and the fact I refuse to pay to be made to feel I'm performing for the others in the gym. I tried borrowing some of Mam's gym equipment, but the novalty wore off quickly, because I found it boring from the start, and when you aren't interested in doing something, you're not going to stick with it. I had fun playing some of the games on the Wii with my Mam, but the Wii isn't accessable to me on my own because of reading the menus. However, one of the things I was enjoying from the Wii were the yoga exercises. The idea of a more relaxed approach to exercising, with none of that jumping about like an idiot to do jumping jacks, etc, appealed to me. Do you remember me mentioning the course I was doing called "Yoga Explained"? Well, this is why I have been doing that course. I've also got another one I've started recieving called "Yoga: An Introduction", which takes you to the next stage, teaching you bits and pieces from the different types of yoga. I don't like the idea of going to a proper class full of people to do it, so I figure these courses are the next best thing... Basic yoga lessons, with tips for how I can practice in the privacy of my own home. And, it's something I liked when I tried it when Mam was helping me play on the Wii, so being enthusiastic about doing it makes me more likely to stick with it.
My hope is that these small-ish changes will give big results. We shall soon see! The point is though... It's not a diet, and I'm doing it my way, not everyone else's!
If, say in a month's time, I find these changes are making no difference to my weight, then I'll evaluate things again and see what else might need tweaking. For now, this is what I'm trying, and we'll see how it goes. I mean, though I want to lose the weight, I don't want to be stopping myself from eating and drinking the things I enjoy or anything, and I don't want to be doing exercises I'm not enjoying if I can help it either. After all - as I've already mentioned - if I'm not enjoying it, I'm not going to stick with it.
One other thing I meant to mention is portion sizes. Somehow - probably around the time I started eating so many snacks - I got off track with portion sizes. I had them down nicely, but then I started eating more... Partly for comfort, partly out of boredom, and partly because I wasn't listening to my body when it told me it had actually had enough food so ended up thinking I needed more than I actually do need. Now I need to teach myself again to listen to my body and what it really needs, and how the huge portion sizes served up for people these days are actually much larger than people need to be eating.
So, here's the thing... However you look at it, I do need to get some weight off. Not because the Gynaecologist wants me to. Not because my Mam wants me to. No... Because I want to. Some people think that isn't the case... In fact, one person actually told me that if I could see then I'd see how "big" I was, and actually want to do something about my weight (which is actually the most hurtful comment I've had directed at me on the subject). It's like people look at a heavier person and make up their minds that they choose to be that weight. But they don't... We don't... I don't! If it was up to me I'd be much lighter than I am! If only people would think before making such hurtful comments...
Anyway, since diets don't work for me, what I'm doing is attempting to figure out what I eat, then fiddling with it to make changes where needed. I did get offered to go and see a dietitian, but I refused. I have two reasons for this. The first is that I saw one a few years back and was told I was eating as I should be, so I know it's the bad habbits I've picked up again - too much chocolate, for example - that are my problem. The other is that a dietitian will start telling me what I should and shouldn't be eating, so I will start rebelling against it, where as if it's my decission then I know I can have the chocolate - or whatever it is I'm wanting - if I want it. The ffunny thing is that knowing I have the option, the chances are that most times I probably wont bother... Purely because I'm free to make my own decission on the matter. It might sound strange to you, but that's how it works with me. Tell me I can't do something, and - if it's something I would normally do - I will still go ahead and do it. But, tell me it's up to me, though I'd be better off not doing it, and the chances are I wont do it. What can I say? I'm an extremely stubbourn cow!
After spending some time evaluating my eating habbits, this is what I've come up with:
Snacks - I eat too many of them, and usually the wrong kinds. I mentioned recently that I would be exchanging them for healthier options and drinks, which I've done - for the most part - but I still have some work to do with this. This past week I've done really well though. I've not snacked all that much (especially not compared to how I normally would) and about 90% of my snacks have been fresh fruit or other healthier snack choices (mainly fresh fruit, but with the dried fruit snacks I brought thrown in from time to time). The key is to keep it around that average. If the other 10% is chocolates, cakes, or whatever, then it's not a huge deal... As long as most of the snacks are healthy snacks (like fruit) and only some are unhealthy snacks (like chocolate).
Meals - My meals were always as and when, with snacks being eaten almost constantly in between. I've seriously cut down the amount of snack times now though, and have rough times for my meals to happen. I don't eat at exact times, but having the rough guidelines will - I think - stop some of the snacking. For example, if I'm feeling a bit hungry and I know dinner is going to be started soon, then I know I'd be better not to snack, but if I don't know when dinner will be started, I'm likely to grab a snack.
Drinks - Grabbing the small cartons, cans and bottles was a great idea to stop the snacking when I'm really thirsty, "just because I can't be bothered to try and pour some drink," thing, but my drink choices aren't always the wisest. Fruit juices and flavoured waters aren't bad ideas, but the stacks of pop (soda) aren't really the best things to be drinking when trying to eat and drink healthier. Not to mention the fact I have this really nasty habbit of adding sugar to all my fruity teas and herbal teas (even when they don't need it). So the plan with this one is more juices and waters, less pop. Plus, I've been working on the sugar in the tea thing... I've actually been working on it for a few months, and have gotten it down to no sugars at all in the fruity teas, and only 1 level teaspoon (or a very small amount of honey) in the herbal ones (the more bitter ones - like pure nettle - that really do need something to sweeten them).
I think cutting out many of my snack times, replacing most of my snacks with healthier options, and removing the sugars from those teas that don't need them is at least a step in the right direction. So, now we can move on to my other issue... Exercise!
Walking - A couple of years ago, before I lost my sight completely, and before we moved here, we lived by a nice park which was - and still is - right near a river, and right near a nice riverside walk. Every day I would do that walk. If it was wet the dogs and I (since for part of the time we lived there we had more than one dog) would get dressed up in our rain gear, trudge across the muddy field, and walk along the riverside walk until we reached the bridge. Then we would turn around and head home. If it was dry then we would cross that bridge, walk along the pass on the other side of the river, walk through the park (following the park's path around so that it looped back to where we started) cross the bridge at that end of the riverside walk, and walk back to where it was easy to cross the field (there was a path that had been created by so many other people taking the same route... It got really muddy when it was wet, but it was pretty easy to use even then). If we had someone with us then we would usually go the road way (wich only added maybe about 2 minutes on to the walk, but which I avoided when I could so as to keep the dogs away from the road). Anyway, then we moved here and things changed. For one thing, I spent a lot of time not walking much around the time of my operations, for another thing, the walk we have by the river here is only as long as the part of the walk we used to do when it was really wet before. On top of that, I used to do the walk at least twice a day, but I got in the habbit of only doing this much shorter walk once a day, and often making excuses not to do it at all... "It's too wet," "it's too cold," "I'm too tired,"... You get the idea! I mentioned recently that I know I need to stop this, and I've been trying to do so. Most days I've been taking Kero out twice a day - despite needing to get Kelly to take me to the gate because of the scaffolding. Kelly does come on some of the walks, but I can't persuade him to join us for more than one a day. I also accepted my Mam's offer of picking Kero and myself up and taking us to do the riverside walk by the park we used to live by, since she lives within walking distance of it. We're hoping to make that a weekly thing, but we'll see how that goes, since my Mam has a lot going on at the moment, so can't guarantee much free time.
Other exercise - I tried the gym... It didn't work for me, because of a combination of the machines not being accessable (touch screen controls are all well and good... If you can see) and the fact I refuse to pay to be made to feel I'm performing for the others in the gym. I tried borrowing some of Mam's gym equipment, but the novalty wore off quickly, because I found it boring from the start, and when you aren't interested in doing something, you're not going to stick with it. I had fun playing some of the games on the Wii with my Mam, but the Wii isn't accessable to me on my own because of reading the menus. However, one of the things I was enjoying from the Wii were the yoga exercises. The idea of a more relaxed approach to exercising, with none of that jumping about like an idiot to do jumping jacks, etc, appealed to me. Do you remember me mentioning the course I was doing called "Yoga Explained"? Well, this is why I have been doing that course. I've also got another one I've started recieving called "Yoga: An Introduction", which takes you to the next stage, teaching you bits and pieces from the different types of yoga. I don't like the idea of going to a proper class full of people to do it, so I figure these courses are the next best thing... Basic yoga lessons, with tips for how I can practice in the privacy of my own home. And, it's something I liked when I tried it when Mam was helping me play on the Wii, so being enthusiastic about doing it makes me more likely to stick with it.
My hope is that these small-ish changes will give big results. We shall soon see! The point is though... It's not a diet, and I'm doing it my way, not everyone else's!
If, say in a month's time, I find these changes are making no difference to my weight, then I'll evaluate things again and see what else might need tweaking. For now, this is what I'm trying, and we'll see how it goes. I mean, though I want to lose the weight, I don't want to be stopping myself from eating and drinking the things I enjoy or anything, and I don't want to be doing exercises I'm not enjoying if I can help it either. After all - as I've already mentioned - if I'm not enjoying it, I'm not going to stick with it.
One other thing I meant to mention is portion sizes. Somehow - probably around the time I started eating so many snacks - I got off track with portion sizes. I had them down nicely, but then I started eating more... Partly for comfort, partly out of boredom, and partly because I wasn't listening to my body when it told me it had actually had enough food so ended up thinking I needed more than I actually do need. Now I need to teach myself again to listen to my body and what it really needs, and how the huge portion sizes served up for people these days are actually much larger than people need to be eating.
Thursday, March 10, 2011
Gynaecologist grumbles (FD, PTMI, R/WP)
I had planned on posting this sooner, but other things got posted instead, and then things happened... Well, you know how it is. Anyway, before I can tell those of you curious about what others get up to what I've actually been up to, I need to get this posted. Partly because I want it out of the way, and partly because the events of this past week need to be posted after this post. Confused yet? Don't worry, you soon wont be!
Back in October when I went to the Gynaecologist I was given some tablets and a possible cause for my continued failure in my attempts to become pregnant. I was also given a promise of a definate appointment in January to review the success - or lack of, whatever the case may be - of the tablets. Well, January came and went with no appointment, so I phoned them to ask for one. They told me they'd send me one, but - knowing their lack of success in keeping to that in the past - I insisted on having one made for me, refusing to have my demands ignored. Eventually the receptionist gave in, and an appointment was made over the phone there and then. The appointment was for last Thursday (exactly a week ago today).
To cut a long story short... And avoid going in to too much detail... The tablet trial seems to have achieved very little, and they're back to blaming my weight again, and insisting that if I lose x amount of weight then I will immediately find myself with no issues.
Now, I completely agree that I need to lose weight. In fact, I'll be the first to admit that - whether I'm planning on trying to get pregnant or not - I need to lose quite a bit of weight. My issue isn't with them telling me I need to lose weight. No. My issue is that: Plenty of people heavier than me get pregnant without any trouble at all, so it isn't fair to completely blame my weight for the lack of success. Also, lastt time they said they may have another possible cause - meaning the thin womb lining - which may explain my lack of success with becoming pregnant thus far, so why all of a sudden is it back to just being my weight that's causing the problems for me? I feel like they're just plucking at straws, but they haven't a clue, and my weight being far more than it should be is just a perfect excuse for them, which everyone accepts without them having to spend money checking for anything else, or paying for treatments. That's what my issue is really. Well, that and the fact that I felt like I was being ganged up on by everyone on the matter. Everyone was acting like I didn't notice - or care about - my weight, and they seemed to be under the impression that I needed a full blown lecture on the matter in order to persuade me that I needed to lose weight. This isn't the case though. I mean, I've been saying on and off on here about my weight... Mentioning how badly I need to get the weight off, trying different things to achieve it, etc. I know I need the weight off... And I want the extra weight off... So why do people seem to think I don't care? I do care... I'd love to be the weight they want me to be rather than the weight I am! But while I was sat there I felt like I was under attack. I felt like I was being accused of something awful. And, most of all, I felt like a worthless, fat lump!
What people don't seem to think about is that the more you hastle someone about how they're too fat and need to lose weight, the more it bothers them, and the more it makes them want to just crawl in to a dark corner with a huge bar of chocolate to eat it while they cry about what a horrible, fat, ugly lump they are. And that's what I felt like doing after that appointment. I didn't do it, but it was what I wanted to do more than anything else in the world at that moment in time, because I felt so depressed about it all.
I'm not saying my weight isn't at least partly responsible for my lack of success at getting pregnant. In fact, I wouldn't be all that surprised to find out that it was the whole cause. My point is that the more people are hastling me on the subject, the more depressed I'm becoming about it all, and the more weight I'm actually ending up putting on.
Anyway, I do intend doing something about my weight... I'd already said recently on here that I really need to do something about it... I just needed to have this rant, and point out to people that I need to do this in my own way, and I need to do it by finding a healthier way of eating and doing more activity, and not by having diets and gym memberships thrown at me from every angle. For one thing, if I don't do it my way, I'll never stick to it, for another thing... I don't do diets, because I don't do well with being told I can't have this or that when I want it. And I don't do gyms, because I can't use the equipment properly, plus I refuse to pay a gym membership just to be a side show for those other gym members who are too damn rude to realise that just because I'm blind doesn't mean that I'm there for their viewing pleasure (and just because I can't see them staring, doesn't mean I don't know that they are, because I'm only blind, not stupid!)
The Gynaecologist said I'll get another appointment in three months and need to have lost at least close to 2 stone (28lbs) before then, or I shouldn't bother turning up, and should reschedule the appointment for a few months later. Apparently this is to give me a goal date to give me insentive to hurry up and lose the weight, but it actually feels more like extra pressure that I could do without, because we're only a week in to the time, and I'm already stressing over whether or not I can lose enough weight by then!
Back in October when I went to the Gynaecologist I was given some tablets and a possible cause for my continued failure in my attempts to become pregnant. I was also given a promise of a definate appointment in January to review the success - or lack of, whatever the case may be - of the tablets. Well, January came and went with no appointment, so I phoned them to ask for one. They told me they'd send me one, but - knowing their lack of success in keeping to that in the past - I insisted on having one made for me, refusing to have my demands ignored. Eventually the receptionist gave in, and an appointment was made over the phone there and then. The appointment was for last Thursday (exactly a week ago today).
To cut a long story short... And avoid going in to too much detail... The tablet trial seems to have achieved very little, and they're back to blaming my weight again, and insisting that if I lose x amount of weight then I will immediately find myself with no issues.
Now, I completely agree that I need to lose weight. In fact, I'll be the first to admit that - whether I'm planning on trying to get pregnant or not - I need to lose quite a bit of weight. My issue isn't with them telling me I need to lose weight. No. My issue is that: Plenty of people heavier than me get pregnant without any trouble at all, so it isn't fair to completely blame my weight for the lack of success. Also, lastt time they said they may have another possible cause - meaning the thin womb lining - which may explain my lack of success with becoming pregnant thus far, so why all of a sudden is it back to just being my weight that's causing the problems for me? I feel like they're just plucking at straws, but they haven't a clue, and my weight being far more than it should be is just a perfect excuse for them, which everyone accepts without them having to spend money checking for anything else, or paying for treatments. That's what my issue is really. Well, that and the fact that I felt like I was being ganged up on by everyone on the matter. Everyone was acting like I didn't notice - or care about - my weight, and they seemed to be under the impression that I needed a full blown lecture on the matter in order to persuade me that I needed to lose weight. This isn't the case though. I mean, I've been saying on and off on here about my weight... Mentioning how badly I need to get the weight off, trying different things to achieve it, etc. I know I need the weight off... And I want the extra weight off... So why do people seem to think I don't care? I do care... I'd love to be the weight they want me to be rather than the weight I am! But while I was sat there I felt like I was under attack. I felt like I was being accused of something awful. And, most of all, I felt like a worthless, fat lump!
What people don't seem to think about is that the more you hastle someone about how they're too fat and need to lose weight, the more it bothers them, and the more it makes them want to just crawl in to a dark corner with a huge bar of chocolate to eat it while they cry about what a horrible, fat, ugly lump they are. And that's what I felt like doing after that appointment. I didn't do it, but it was what I wanted to do more than anything else in the world at that moment in time, because I felt so depressed about it all.
I'm not saying my weight isn't at least partly responsible for my lack of success at getting pregnant. In fact, I wouldn't be all that surprised to find out that it was the whole cause. My point is that the more people are hastling me on the subject, the more depressed I'm becoming about it all, and the more weight I'm actually ending up putting on.
Anyway, I do intend doing something about my weight... I'd already said recently on here that I really need to do something about it... I just needed to have this rant, and point out to people that I need to do this in my own way, and I need to do it by finding a healthier way of eating and doing more activity, and not by having diets and gym memberships thrown at me from every angle. For one thing, if I don't do it my way, I'll never stick to it, for another thing... I don't do diets, because I don't do well with being told I can't have this or that when I want it. And I don't do gyms, because I can't use the equipment properly, plus I refuse to pay a gym membership just to be a side show for those other gym members who are too damn rude to realise that just because I'm blind doesn't mean that I'm there for their viewing pleasure (and just because I can't see them staring, doesn't mean I don't know that they are, because I'm only blind, not stupid!)
The Gynaecologist said I'll get another appointment in three months and need to have lost at least close to 2 stone (28lbs) before then, or I shouldn't bother turning up, and should reschedule the appointment for a few months later. Apparently this is to give me a goal date to give me insentive to hurry up and lose the weight, but it actually feels more like extra pressure that I could do without, because we're only a week in to the time, and I'm already stressing over whether or not I can lose enough weight by then!
Thursday, January 28, 2010
Thursday's fragmented thoughts
The weather's not been too bad here over the past week. It's rained some, and we've had some quite frosty mornings, but it's not been too bad. This has meant that we've been able to take Kero and Willow out most days. We even took them to the park on Monday after dinner.
Most of the other times I've been places have been for shopping. I wont be going to do the big shop with Mam and Dad each time now though. We've agreed it's easier all round if I don't go shopping with them. Besides, I hate shopping so I'm quite happy to stay at home instead.
I did go to the gym with Mam on Monday though, but not for a workout. I went to take photos for her. She'll be posting the photos on her blog some time in the not too distant future. I stopped going to the gym for a workout, because... Well, there were a couple of reasons. I may have mentioned them at the time, but I can't remember, so I'll say now. For one thing I felt that having to help me work the machines was making it difficult for Mam to have her workout properly. For another thing other gym members kept stopping their workouts in order to watch me use the machines. It seemed to fascinate them that a blind person was using the machines, and I hated it. I was told that it could have been arranged that I went at a time when others weren't there, but I didn't want special arrangements made for me, so I just stopped going, and cancelled the payments.
We've been working on clearing out some clutter at the house and packing up some bits at the flat. Both places aren't exactly as tidy as they should be right now, but we're getting there.
Going to let this do for today.
Enjoy whatever's left of your day, stay warm, and stay safe!
Tori
Most of the other times I've been places have been for shopping. I wont be going to do the big shop with Mam and Dad each time now though. We've agreed it's easier all round if I don't go shopping with them. Besides, I hate shopping so I'm quite happy to stay at home instead.
I did go to the gym with Mam on Monday though, but not for a workout. I went to take photos for her. She'll be posting the photos on her blog some time in the not too distant future. I stopped going to the gym for a workout, because... Well, there were a couple of reasons. I may have mentioned them at the time, but I can't remember, so I'll say now. For one thing I felt that having to help me work the machines was making it difficult for Mam to have her workout properly. For another thing other gym members kept stopping their workouts in order to watch me use the machines. It seemed to fascinate them that a blind person was using the machines, and I hated it. I was told that it could have been arranged that I went at a time when others weren't there, but I didn't want special arrangements made for me, so I just stopped going, and cancelled the payments.
We've been working on clearing out some clutter at the house and packing up some bits at the flat. Both places aren't exactly as tidy as they should be right now, but we're getting there.
Going to let this do for today.
Enjoy whatever's left of your day, stay warm, and stay safe!
Tori
Friday, October 16, 2009
Kero's korner: photos from last week, news from this week
Hi humans.
I thought I would share some photos that were taken last week when Mami, Dadi and I went to visit Willow, Mamgu, Dadci, Nani, and uncle Wayne for the afternoon and evening. Last Thursday... Remember?
First of all, a nice photo of me...
Me having a good sniff in their garden...
And, finally, one of me and Willow together...
So, let me think, what happened this week? Well... Not much happened the rest of Friday, or on Saturday, or on Sunday. But Monday was a bit more interesting. First Mamgu came and fetched something from Mami after we had our morning walk. I think it was one of them talking book things. I thought for a moment Mami was going to go with her to the "library" place they kept on about, but she didn't. Instead, she stayed home with me and we played a game where Mami put stuff in my toy box, and I pulled it back out. I love that game! Mami seemed to find it funny at first, but she got fed up with it quite quickly. She said something about people coming and things needing to be put away before they came, but I didn't see why things should be put away just because people were coming. I did end up letting her put them away though. Partly because I was getting bored of the game, and partly because Mami said she'd take me for another walkies if I let her get stuff done. And I love my walkies! She did take me too... After lunch. And we stopped for Mami to talk to Daisy and Mia's human for a while before we went inside. I didn't see the girls though, because they were indoors. Their human was out doing something to her car, and hadn't brought them out with her. Before we had a chance to get inside, Mamgu and Dadci showed up. I was so excited I forgot I still had my lead on, and nearly pulled Mami over. It's not so much that she's not strong enough to hold me back, but she wasn't expecting it. Oops! Well, I couldn't help it... I was just so pleased that Mamgu had come back, and she'd brought Dadci with her! I absolutely love it when they come for a visit!
Not long after Mamgu and Dadci showed up, that nice human who takes Mami for walkies most Monday afternoons showed up. And she brought someone new with her for me to meet. She said that human was in training. I'm bnot too sure what she was training for, but she was training for something, apparently. Anyway, those two humans took Mamgu and Dadci somewhere, then they took Dadi... From the smells on their clothes, I'm pretty sure they all went to the same place. After that, Mami and Mamgu both went for walkies with those humans, and they were gone for a long time. I was so happy when they finally got back! Although, I was a bit disappointed when the two walkies humans went away almost right after bringing Mami and Mamgu back, and then Mamgu and Dadci left soon after that. I always hate when my visitors leave!
Anyway...
Tuesday and Wednesday were pretty normal days. On Tuesday Mami and Mamgu went shopping. They were gone a long time, but they usually are. And, on Wednesday, Dadi went to see that "gym" Mami and Dadi have been going to, and then he must have gone up town, because he came back with a treat for me. I should have realised then that they were up to something. But it was only the following morning that I remembered the date, and realised what was to happen that day... Thursday was my grooming appointment! Mami tried to make me think nothing was going on. She got dressed and took me walkies, like she always does, and generally carried on with her normal routine. But I'm not stupid! So, when the groomer knocked on the door, I barked briefly to tell Mami someone was there - the humans rely on me to do that - then made a dash for the bedroom, and was under the bed before Mami was even off her chair properly. Dadi - who I'd thought was sleeping - was just as quick at grabbing my collar and hauling me back out though... Damn! I'll have to go in further next time! As Mami handed my lead to the groomer, the groomer said, "it's not that bad now... You know it isn't!" Ha! Like I'm going to fall for that one! I know what it's like, and I hate it! All that water, that hair drying thing, then being put in a cage until she finally takes me home... How can she say that's not so bad? I bet she'd change her tune pretty quickly if someone did that to her! Not so bad indeed! I'll give her not so bad!
And, if it wasn't bad enough that I had to go to the groomer... Mami wasn't even home when I got back! Dadi was, but not Mami. I looked everywhere for her, I cried for her, but she was nowhere to be found... It took her AGES to get back home... I'd been home for a couple of hours when she finally shoed up! I was so pleased to see her that I nearly wagged my tail off!
OK, well, nothing interesting has happened so far today, so I'll let this do for this week.
Licks and sniffs,
Kero
I thought I would share some photos that were taken last week when Mami, Dadi and I went to visit Willow, Mamgu, Dadci, Nani, and uncle Wayne for the afternoon and evening. Last Thursday... Remember?
First of all, a nice photo of me...
Me having a good sniff in their garden...
And, finally, one of me and Willow together...
So, let me think, what happened this week? Well... Not much happened the rest of Friday, or on Saturday, or on Sunday. But Monday was a bit more interesting. First Mamgu came and fetched something from Mami after we had our morning walk. I think it was one of them talking book things. I thought for a moment Mami was going to go with her to the "library" place they kept on about, but she didn't. Instead, she stayed home with me and we played a game where Mami put stuff in my toy box, and I pulled it back out. I love that game! Mami seemed to find it funny at first, but she got fed up with it quite quickly. She said something about people coming and things needing to be put away before they came, but I didn't see why things should be put away just because people were coming. I did end up letting her put them away though. Partly because I was getting bored of the game, and partly because Mami said she'd take me for another walkies if I let her get stuff done. And I love my walkies! She did take me too... After lunch. And we stopped for Mami to talk to Daisy and Mia's human for a while before we went inside. I didn't see the girls though, because they were indoors. Their human was out doing something to her car, and hadn't brought them out with her. Before we had a chance to get inside, Mamgu and Dadci showed up. I was so excited I forgot I still had my lead on, and nearly pulled Mami over. It's not so much that she's not strong enough to hold me back, but she wasn't expecting it. Oops! Well, I couldn't help it... I was just so pleased that Mamgu had come back, and she'd brought Dadci with her! I absolutely love it when they come for a visit!
Not long after Mamgu and Dadci showed up, that nice human who takes Mami for walkies most Monday afternoons showed up. And she brought someone new with her for me to meet. She said that human was in training. I'm bnot too sure what she was training for, but she was training for something, apparently. Anyway, those two humans took Mamgu and Dadci somewhere, then they took Dadi... From the smells on their clothes, I'm pretty sure they all went to the same place. After that, Mami and Mamgu both went for walkies with those humans, and they were gone for a long time. I was so happy when they finally got back! Although, I was a bit disappointed when the two walkies humans went away almost right after bringing Mami and Mamgu back, and then Mamgu and Dadci left soon after that. I always hate when my visitors leave!
Anyway...
Tuesday and Wednesday were pretty normal days. On Tuesday Mami and Mamgu went shopping. They were gone a long time, but they usually are. And, on Wednesday, Dadi went to see that "gym" Mami and Dadi have been going to, and then he must have gone up town, because he came back with a treat for me. I should have realised then that they were up to something. But it was only the following morning that I remembered the date, and realised what was to happen that day... Thursday was my grooming appointment! Mami tried to make me think nothing was going on. She got dressed and took me walkies, like she always does, and generally carried on with her normal routine. But I'm not stupid! So, when the groomer knocked on the door, I barked briefly to tell Mami someone was there - the humans rely on me to do that - then made a dash for the bedroom, and was under the bed before Mami was even off her chair properly. Dadi - who I'd thought was sleeping - was just as quick at grabbing my collar and hauling me back out though... Damn! I'll have to go in further next time! As Mami handed my lead to the groomer, the groomer said, "it's not that bad now... You know it isn't!" Ha! Like I'm going to fall for that one! I know what it's like, and I hate it! All that water, that hair drying thing, then being put in a cage until she finally takes me home... How can she say that's not so bad? I bet she'd change her tune pretty quickly if someone did that to her! Not so bad indeed! I'll give her not so bad!
And, if it wasn't bad enough that I had to go to the groomer... Mami wasn't even home when I got back! Dadi was, but not Mami. I looked everywhere for her, I cried for her, but she was nowhere to be found... It took her AGES to get back home... I'd been home for a couple of hours when she finally shoed up! I was so pleased to see her that I nearly wagged my tail off!
OK, well, nothing interesting has happened so far today, so I'll let this do for this week.
Licks and sniffs,
Kero
Thursday, October 01, 2009
All sorts (LBE & FD)
It's October already! Can you believe it? I don't know who put the world on fast forward, but I wish they'd slow it down a bit! Do you hear me planet controller? Slow this damn planet down already!
OK, while we wait to see if he - or she - is listening up there... Whoever he - or she - might be (if there is anyone up there) I guess I'll tell you what I've been up to lately... Other than craft projects.
Let's see...
I had Mam check the information on my key for the gym yesterday before we left, and apparently I burned 1784 calories throughout September. I think that's pretty good considering the fact I've not been doing my full workout half the time, and I missed a couple of sessions due to that head injury a couple of weeks back. Plus, I've been taking it easy on speeds and such because my knee - the one I tore the tendons on a couple of months back - is still a bit iffy. If I don't try and up the levels on anything the knee's not too bad, but as soon as I try and do a higher level on anything it starts to really hurt. It'll get better with time though. And getting weight off will probably help it a bit too... OK, probably a lot, actually!
Anyway...
We didn't go for an outing last Thursday, because almost everyone was ill to some extent. Mam was still functioning semi-normally - though she was sick - but Dad, Kelly and Nan were really not well. We'd planned to go for a sort of woodland walk thing near here, but since it's not Mam's idea of fun, and Dad was too sick to even want to spend much time on his PC - which is, for the benifit of anyone who doesn't know my Dad, VERY sick - so wasn't up to going anywhere, we cancelled. Instead, Mam and I went to see a movie Friday night after dropping Kero back off at home. Yep, we went straight from the vets. We had to, because we had to go Friday... Audio description wasn't available on Thursday's showing, and we didn't think we'd be able to make it to see the film over the weekend. Audio description only seems to be available Friday to Monday on many of the films. Not sure why that is. Perhaps they only have the equipment set up for certain screens, and need to thoroughly clean the ones it's on between Tuesday and Thursday? *Shrugs*
Anyway, we went to see "Julie and Julia" which - for anyone who doesn't know - tells the story of someone named Julie who starts a cooking challenge - which she blogs about - using Julia Child's recipes, while at the same time telling Julia Child's story. It wasn't too bad of a movie. Several funny bits... But not as good as it looked like it was going to be. Still, we did enjoy the movie, and - at the end of the day - that's what matters really... That's the whole point of going on any outing - be it a walk, a trip to an amusement park, or a trip out to see a movie!
Besides, you'll never guess what happened!
Remember I said the whole point of us going Friday was to have audio description? Well, the first set of headphones they gave me didn't work. The second set had no batteries in it. And the third set worked... But only on one side. So, by way of an appology, we got two free passes to see any movie we want, at any time we want. And since I have a pass that gets a carer in free when I get a ticket... That means we get to see two movies for free. And the manager himself was waiting outside for us when the movie finished to give them to us. His reason for giving them to us and not just giving a verbal appology? Because it was totally their fault - since they're meant to check the headphones are working - and we didn't yell at them.
There's been no outing today either, because Mam and Dad left today to go and spend a few days with Carl and Rachel. They're not back until some time on Tuesday. So, Kero will be happy, because we're not going anywhere without him until Tuesday... And that's only because Kelly has to go and do the shopping (otherwise it would be Wednesday). For those familiar with how I've been spending most of my Monday afternoons the past couple of months... Yes, that does mean I have no mobility lesson this coming Monday. My mobility officer has some sort of training course thingy, and she doesn't know if she'll be back in time. So, I told her to just cancel.
My mobility lessons are going well though. I technically did the walk I've been learning - the one that will get me to town - solo this past Monday. She was only a few paces behind me, but not saying anything... Just sort of following along behind me in case I needed her. I swear everyone knew I'd be doing it and wanted to put me to the ultimate test, because almost everyone seemed to have parked their cars on the pavement. I do sort of understand why... The roads are so narrow here that if they parked on the road no cars could get through... But it doesn't make it any less annoying. That doesn't matter though, because I successfully navigated around them! :)
At this rate I'll be able to walk in to town by myself before this year is out! I may not be, but at least the day when I can is actually starting to seem not quite so far off. I mean, I know I did the walk before my op last year, but I still had light perception before my op, and light perception really is a big help... It's so much harder to navigate around obsticles without light perception!
Anyway... Speaking of town...
I went to the library Tuesday to take back the books I had out, and to - I thought - pick up the book Iggy, Dorkys and a few others recently read for Dorkys' virtual book club thing. They said it would be there before the end of September for me, so I figured September 29th was close enough to the end. It wasn't there. They told me it "should" be getting delivered that afternoon, so to come back the following day. Guess what? It wasn't there! They hadn't had a delivery that week from the other library, and when they checked it was "on its way"... Apparently! They say they'll phone us when it comes in. No phone call today... So much for it being there before the end of the month. *Sigh* I did grab a couple of other books, but that's so not the point! When they say "by the end of the month," the book should be there by the end of the month. It not being there Tuesday... That was fine, there was still another day in September. But it should have been there Wednesday when we went back... Especially after we were told it was on its way Tuesday afternoon. We actually spoke to the head librarian when we went back for it Wednesday... Basically it was a lack of communication. Isn't it always?
Let's see, what else has been going on... Well, there's the usual shopping trips, walks with Kero, house work, and that kind of thing... But Kero tells you about his walks, and you don't want to hear about shopping and housework. And - even if you do - I'm not going to blog about those things. So, let me see... Hmmm...
I spent some time recently playing on Valhalla with Carl. I've not been on that game much. Like I said yesterday, I've mostly been working on crafts. And when I'm on the computer I tend to make catching up on blogs more of a priority than playing games. Don't get me wrong, I'm enjoying the game, but I consider my friends on the blogs to be more important than the game. Despite this, however, I do have four characters. OK, so they're not very high levels - especially compared to Carl's characters, who are levels 127, 41, 40, 4 and 3 (or were last time I checked) - but considering the amount of time I've spent playing they're decent levels. Or, I think so.
Lunamyst - my first character, who is a halfling conjurer/sorcerer/fighter - is level 25.
Keroberous - who is also a halfling, and is a thief/fighter/assassin - is level 7.
Jahiro - who is a gnome, and is a healer/druid/ranger, and who I only created Saturday - is level 3.
Mahegan - another gnome, this time a necromancer/thief/dark knight, also created Saturday - is level 2.
(Saturday was when I was playing the game with Carl, which is how come I ended up making the new characters... To work with him with his low level characters, since his others are too high a level for me to work with him with them).
I'm thinking I'll create something with a Paladin in it... Just so I have all the guilds - or classes, if you prefer, but they call them "guilds" - covered. Just need to decide on a name, a gender - which the name will, of course, influence - a race, and which other two guilds to have with it.
OK, enough of that...
I tried a couple of fruits and vegetables I hadn't tried yet this past week. I tried eggplant, sugar snap peas, mango, passion fruit, and kiwi. I didn't like the mango, or the passion fruit. The rest weren't bad though. Actually, they were quite nice. I don't think I could eat a kiwi too often though. It's like plums and bananas - though, in the case of the banana, for a different reason - I'd have to be in the mood for one to be able to enjoy it, I think.
Before anyone asks... The reason I'd have to be in the mood for a banana to enjoy it isn't to do with its taste. I used to love bananas. And, from time to time, I do enjoy a banana... And I'm quite fond of banana milkshake. The problem is that I've gone off them after all the time I spent being made to have one every day to replace the potassium that my body ended up not getting because of the tablets I had to take to try and control the pressure in my eye at one point. When you're on doctor's orders to eat a banana every day for a good couple of years, you do sort of go off them a bit... Even if they were one of your favourite fruits before.
All this talk of food reminds me... I better start thinking about what I'm going to be doing for the buffet I'm doing for the family on Boxing Dayy. Christmas is only about 12 weeks away, and I need to get anything that tends to be a popular buffet food ahead of time if possible - meaning, if it's something that can be brought ahead of time - otherwise I'll have to rethink. As it is I'm needing to cater for a vegetarian, someone who doesn't eat veg if they can help it, someone who will only eat certain items prepared in certain ways, someone who can't even be in the house when garlic is about, two diabetics, and two other people. That is only nine people... One of the diabetics is the person who will only eat certain things done in certain ways. Mind you, Mam has to cater for the same people Christmas Day for dinner, so I suppose I do at least have the easier task... I can pick a selection of food with at least one thing that works for each person, and that's my job done. Mam has to actually cook a full meal... To feed nine people, each with different likes and requirements for the meal. Actually, it may only end up being eight people. But we wont know until pretty much the last minute whether it's eight or nine people. So we have to plan for nine... Just in case!
OK, well, I think that's about it. I can't think of anything else to say right now. Besides, this is probably long enough. If I think of anything else it can wait for another day, or just get forggotten again. ;)
Enjoy whatever's left of your day... And what's left of your week! :)
Tori
OK, while we wait to see if he - or she - is listening up there... Whoever he - or she - might be (if there is anyone up there) I guess I'll tell you what I've been up to lately... Other than craft projects.
Let's see...
I had Mam check the information on my key for the gym yesterday before we left, and apparently I burned 1784 calories throughout September. I think that's pretty good considering the fact I've not been doing my full workout half the time, and I missed a couple of sessions due to that head injury a couple of weeks back. Plus, I've been taking it easy on speeds and such because my knee - the one I tore the tendons on a couple of months back - is still a bit iffy. If I don't try and up the levels on anything the knee's not too bad, but as soon as I try and do a higher level on anything it starts to really hurt. It'll get better with time though. And getting weight off will probably help it a bit too... OK, probably a lot, actually!
Anyway...
We didn't go for an outing last Thursday, because almost everyone was ill to some extent. Mam was still functioning semi-normally - though she was sick - but Dad, Kelly and Nan were really not well. We'd planned to go for a sort of woodland walk thing near here, but since it's not Mam's idea of fun, and Dad was too sick to even want to spend much time on his PC - which is, for the benifit of anyone who doesn't know my Dad, VERY sick - so wasn't up to going anywhere, we cancelled. Instead, Mam and I went to see a movie Friday night after dropping Kero back off at home. Yep, we went straight from the vets. We had to, because we had to go Friday... Audio description wasn't available on Thursday's showing, and we didn't think we'd be able to make it to see the film over the weekend. Audio description only seems to be available Friday to Monday on many of the films. Not sure why that is. Perhaps they only have the equipment set up for certain screens, and need to thoroughly clean the ones it's on between Tuesday and Thursday? *Shrugs*
Anyway, we went to see "Julie and Julia" which - for anyone who doesn't know - tells the story of someone named Julie who starts a cooking challenge - which she blogs about - using Julia Child's recipes, while at the same time telling Julia Child's story. It wasn't too bad of a movie. Several funny bits... But not as good as it looked like it was going to be. Still, we did enjoy the movie, and - at the end of the day - that's what matters really... That's the whole point of going on any outing - be it a walk, a trip to an amusement park, or a trip out to see a movie!
Besides, you'll never guess what happened!
Remember I said the whole point of us going Friday was to have audio description? Well, the first set of headphones they gave me didn't work. The second set had no batteries in it. And the third set worked... But only on one side. So, by way of an appology, we got two free passes to see any movie we want, at any time we want. And since I have a pass that gets a carer in free when I get a ticket... That means we get to see two movies for free. And the manager himself was waiting outside for us when the movie finished to give them to us. His reason for giving them to us and not just giving a verbal appology? Because it was totally their fault - since they're meant to check the headphones are working - and we didn't yell at them.
There's been no outing today either, because Mam and Dad left today to go and spend a few days with Carl and Rachel. They're not back until some time on Tuesday. So, Kero will be happy, because we're not going anywhere without him until Tuesday... And that's only because Kelly has to go and do the shopping (otherwise it would be Wednesday). For those familiar with how I've been spending most of my Monday afternoons the past couple of months... Yes, that does mean I have no mobility lesson this coming Monday. My mobility officer has some sort of training course thingy, and she doesn't know if she'll be back in time. So, I told her to just cancel.
My mobility lessons are going well though. I technically did the walk I've been learning - the one that will get me to town - solo this past Monday. She was only a few paces behind me, but not saying anything... Just sort of following along behind me in case I needed her. I swear everyone knew I'd be doing it and wanted to put me to the ultimate test, because almost everyone seemed to have parked their cars on the pavement. I do sort of understand why... The roads are so narrow here that if they parked on the road no cars could get through... But it doesn't make it any less annoying. That doesn't matter though, because I successfully navigated around them! :)
At this rate I'll be able to walk in to town by myself before this year is out! I may not be, but at least the day when I can is actually starting to seem not quite so far off. I mean, I know I did the walk before my op last year, but I still had light perception before my op, and light perception really is a big help... It's so much harder to navigate around obsticles without light perception!
Anyway... Speaking of town...
I went to the library Tuesday to take back the books I had out, and to - I thought - pick up the book Iggy, Dorkys and a few others recently read for Dorkys' virtual book club thing. They said it would be there before the end of September for me, so I figured September 29th was close enough to the end. It wasn't there. They told me it "should" be getting delivered that afternoon, so to come back the following day. Guess what? It wasn't there! They hadn't had a delivery that week from the other library, and when they checked it was "on its way"... Apparently! They say they'll phone us when it comes in. No phone call today... So much for it being there before the end of the month. *Sigh* I did grab a couple of other books, but that's so not the point! When they say "by the end of the month," the book should be there by the end of the month. It not being there Tuesday... That was fine, there was still another day in September. But it should have been there Wednesday when we went back... Especially after we were told it was on its way Tuesday afternoon. We actually spoke to the head librarian when we went back for it Wednesday... Basically it was a lack of communication. Isn't it always?
Let's see, what else has been going on... Well, there's the usual shopping trips, walks with Kero, house work, and that kind of thing... But Kero tells you about his walks, and you don't want to hear about shopping and housework. And - even if you do - I'm not going to blog about those things. So, let me see... Hmmm...
I spent some time recently playing on Valhalla with Carl. I've not been on that game much. Like I said yesterday, I've mostly been working on crafts. And when I'm on the computer I tend to make catching up on blogs more of a priority than playing games. Don't get me wrong, I'm enjoying the game, but I consider my friends on the blogs to be more important than the game. Despite this, however, I do have four characters. OK, so they're not very high levels - especially compared to Carl's characters, who are levels 127, 41, 40, 4 and 3 (or were last time I checked) - but considering the amount of time I've spent playing they're decent levels. Or, I think so.
Lunamyst - my first character, who is a halfling conjurer/sorcerer/fighter - is level 25.
Keroberous - who is also a halfling, and is a thief/fighter/assassin - is level 7.
Jahiro - who is a gnome, and is a healer/druid/ranger, and who I only created Saturday - is level 3.
Mahegan - another gnome, this time a necromancer/thief/dark knight, also created Saturday - is level 2.
(Saturday was when I was playing the game with Carl, which is how come I ended up making the new characters... To work with him with his low level characters, since his others are too high a level for me to work with him with them).
I'm thinking I'll create something with a Paladin in it... Just so I have all the guilds - or classes, if you prefer, but they call them "guilds" - covered. Just need to decide on a name, a gender - which the name will, of course, influence - a race, and which other two guilds to have with it.
OK, enough of that...
I tried a couple of fruits and vegetables I hadn't tried yet this past week. I tried eggplant, sugar snap peas, mango, passion fruit, and kiwi. I didn't like the mango, or the passion fruit. The rest weren't bad though. Actually, they were quite nice. I don't think I could eat a kiwi too often though. It's like plums and bananas - though, in the case of the banana, for a different reason - I'd have to be in the mood for one to be able to enjoy it, I think.
Before anyone asks... The reason I'd have to be in the mood for a banana to enjoy it isn't to do with its taste. I used to love bananas. And, from time to time, I do enjoy a banana... And I'm quite fond of banana milkshake. The problem is that I've gone off them after all the time I spent being made to have one every day to replace the potassium that my body ended up not getting because of the tablets I had to take to try and control the pressure in my eye at one point. When you're on doctor's orders to eat a banana every day for a good couple of years, you do sort of go off them a bit... Even if they were one of your favourite fruits before.
All this talk of food reminds me... I better start thinking about what I'm going to be doing for the buffet I'm doing for the family on Boxing Dayy. Christmas is only about 12 weeks away, and I need to get anything that tends to be a popular buffet food ahead of time if possible - meaning, if it's something that can be brought ahead of time - otherwise I'll have to rethink. As it is I'm needing to cater for a vegetarian, someone who doesn't eat veg if they can help it, someone who will only eat certain items prepared in certain ways, someone who can't even be in the house when garlic is about, two diabetics, and two other people. That is only nine people... One of the diabetics is the person who will only eat certain things done in certain ways. Mind you, Mam has to cater for the same people Christmas Day for dinner, so I suppose I do at least have the easier task... I can pick a selection of food with at least one thing that works for each person, and that's my job done. Mam has to actually cook a full meal... To feed nine people, each with different likes and requirements for the meal. Actually, it may only end up being eight people. But we wont know until pretty much the last minute whether it's eight or nine people. So we have to plan for nine... Just in case!
OK, well, I think that's about it. I can't think of anything else to say right now. Besides, this is probably long enough. If I think of anything else it can wait for another day, or just get forggotten again. ;)
Enjoy whatever's left of your day... And what's left of your week! :)
Tori
Tuesday, September 22, 2009
The beach at Pendine
As I mentioned in Saturday's post, Mam, Dad, Kelly and I went to Pendine to spend the day at the beach. We picked a good day for it... Not many others there, but it wasn't deserted. And, it was perfect weather for the beach too... Sunny and warm, but not hot, with a slight breeze.
Here's a photo of me and my Dad at the beach...
Just me...
Me on the beach with the town/village (not sure which it is... Town, I think) behind me.
Kelly on the beach with the town behind him...
Kelly and myself together...
You can't go to the beach without going in the sea, right? Well, that meant a bit of a walk. It's a big beach at Pendine, and the tide was a fair distance out when we got there. We weren't sure if it was coming in or going out, so we didn't wait... We started walking...
And walking...
And walking...
Until, finally, we got there!
Well, Mam and I did... Kelly was happy to stand on the edge of the water - he had the perfect excuse of taking photos - and Dad stayed a little way back up the beach. But Mam and I agreed that you can't go to the beach without going in the sea.
Even if you don't go deep...
"Don't go too deep, you'll get soaked," Mam said to me. So, I laughed...
Then, I made sure I got soaked. ;)
I did bring aset of clothes to change in to if needs be - though Mam didn't know this at the time she warned me about getting soaked - but I was dry by the time we got back to the car anyway. ;)
I think running most of the way back up the beach probably helped with the getting dry thing. I enjoyed my run up the beach... I don't get to run often... Not properly... It's not safe. The only time I get to run is on the treadmill at the gym, and that's not the same. Nothing beats running barefoot on the sand, with the sea breeze in your hair, and sand flying up in clouds behind you!
We had a lovely day at the beach, and would have stayed longer if we'd known the chocolate farm would be such a waste of time. We only left when we did in an attempt to get to the chocolate farm before it closed. We all ended up wishing we'd stayed at the beach. Mam and I would have gone back in the sea (especially since it had come in some by the time we were leaving) and I'd have made some sand castles afterwards. Kelly and Dad both agreed we should have stayed at the beach too.
Anyway...
That's it for today's post. I have another one scheduled for tomorrow, and another scheduled for Thursday... Both from the beach. I also have a couple of posts set up for Saturday and Sunday. Not actually from the beach, but from the same day. Basically, photos, photos, and more photos! :)
Oh, and... There are more photos of Mam and Dad from the beach, but they're on my Mam's blog.
Tori
Saturday, September 19, 2009
Gym, diets, outings and more (LBE & FD)
Other than the stuff about my head, I don't seem to have done an update post lately. And I know there are a few things I neglected to mention before. Or, at least, I don't think I mentioned them. If I end up repeating a couple of things then I'm sorry. But I know some of you - like myself - enjoy reading about what your fellow blogger buddies get up to when they're not on the blogs. So, for those of you who are curious, here's a catch up post from my part of the planet. :)
Got your cuppa and snack ready? Excellent! Sitting comfortably? Fantastic! Then I'll begin, shall I? OK!
As mentioned in Kero's post yesterday, we've been doing a lot more since the start of Septtember. I hadn't done all that much - other than things like shopping and hospital trips - since before my operation last year, but we all agreed it was high time we put a stop to that. So, we held a sort of family conference, and we decided we were going to start doing more as a family, and going to some of the places we keep saying we'd like to go to, but never get around to going. On top of that, Kelly, Mam and I joined the local gym, and Kelly and Dad got their gaming club back up and running (for more on that, see Kelly's latest blog post). Now it's only really Sunday that neither of us goes anywhere. The rest of the week at least one of us goes somewhere.
Monday, Kelly goes to the gym with Mam in the morning, and I have a mobility lesson in the afternoon. Tuesday, I go to the gym with Mam in the morning, then we go shopping after we're done there. Wednesday, the three of us go to the gym in the morning, and Dad puppy sits. Thursday, we arrange some kind of family outing. Friday, Kelly goes to the gym in the morning, and has role playing. Saturday, Kelly goes to the gaming club at my parents' place.
Also, the "blind person social group" thing is on the third Wednesday afternoon of each month. I went to it for the first time this past Wednesday. They seem like a nice group of people. You can tell they're only just starting the group up yet, because there are still several things to work out. But the general idea of it is for a group of blind and partially sighted people who live locally - and any family or friends they want to bring along - to meet up, have a cuppa and a chat, and sometimes to go on outings together. They're also hoping to have people come in from places that may be of help to some of us. This week, forr example, they managed to get the people who run the "Talking news" service. Which is a sort of local newspaper, only they dropped the word "paper" because they didn't think it was appropriate since they provide the news on CD or cassette. Anyway, it seems like a nice group, so I'm planning to go again when they have their next meeting (October 21st, I think... Third Wednesday in October, anyway).
The gym trips are going quite well. My knee - the one I tore the tendons on a couple of months ago - is protesting a bit, but that doesn't surprise me. I'm sure it will get used to it. We haven't had proper sessions this week though, because Mam's not well, and I was semi-doped up on pain killers until Tuesday evening. But - now that my head is better - I'll be able to go back to nicely burning those calories. ;)
I did originally consider just buying gym equipment for use at home. But then I thought about it, and I changed my mind. For one thing, the trip to the gym gives me extra outings. For another thing, each piece of equipment would cost a couple of hundred pounds. Now, I pay about £30 ($60) per month to have unlimited use of all the machines, the other exercise equipment, and the pool. Plus free admission to any exercise or swimming classes I want to go to. And don't then have the problem of trying to find somewhere to put the equipment at home where I wont fall over it. So, on reflection, I decided I'd go to the gym.
The gym trips combined with the diet - for lack of a better word - I'm now on, have meant that I've lost about 4 lbs this month. And the month isn't even over! It's weight I really do need to get off too... Weight I put on between my first and last ops last year. I'm now only a couple of lbs off weighing what I did when I went in for the first of the ops, so that's a good start. Once I get down to what I was when I went in for that first op, I can see about getting down to what I was at before my sight actually went (which means losing about 14 lbs more than I've lost so far). After that I can see about getting off the weight I was trying to get off before all this happened.
As regards the "diet" I mentioned...
At the start of this year, Kelly and I agreed to exchange microwave meals and take-away meals for proper homemade dinners. We also agreed to cut back on snack foods and fizzy drinks. For the most part this went well, but we did end up using the chipper a bit too often. Because of this, the chipper is soon going to a new home. The only problem we had with the homemade meal thing was my "meat issue" as we called it at first.
You see, ever since I learned where meat came from, I've had periods where I've had "meat issues" and either refused to - or been unable to - eat meat that was given to me. I never seemed to have issues with the processed meats, but give me a piece of "proper meat" as my Mam calls it, and at least half of it will end up in the dog. So, I decided not to bother dishing up the meat for myself, and - after a couple of months of this - decided I might as well make it official. So, I've been officially saying I'm a vegetarian since about May or June. And, funnily enough, I've actually been eating more of a variety of things since I stopped eating meat (or anything containing animal products). It does make food shopping take longer, because we need to check labels on things that may or may not contain animal products. Some yoghurts, for example, contain animal fats to thicken them. I did try the soy based alternatives, but they are disgusting. So, I just get someone to check the labels, and if it's not "suitable" then I don't have it. I haven't been as ill since I started eating a vegetarian diet. I'vve had the odd bit of a cough and bit of the sniffles, but nothing like I had been having. I think it's because I'm eating healthier. Also, I'm not eating as many "treats" as I was. And sweets and chocolates are now actually treats instead of daily snacks.
We've also agreed to introduce "portion control" again. I had started using this before, and it does work. Basically, we have smaller meals with healthy snacks in between if needed. We're finding we don't really need those though, so we usually have one of the items meant for snacks as a supper. I, for example, usually havve some cereal or toast for breakfast, a sandwich or wrap of some sort for lunch, some kind of veggie meal for dinner - perhaps a salad, some soup, or a pasta dish - and a bit of fruit and a small yoghurt for supper if I find I'm hungry enough to want a supper, which I'm often not.
In Kelly's case it's basically portion control and eating healthier meals rather than fried things. He had this nasty habbit of only wanting fried chicken, sausage and chips/fries, pizza, or cheese burgers. Now he's eating proper meals like chicken with potatoes and vegetables, chicken and rice, and that kind of thing. He's not as willing as me to try new fruits and vegetables - or new vegetable dishes - though. But he'll eat broccoli, carrots, peas and corn OK, and a few others too. And at least he's now having homemade healthier meals rather than take-aways, microwave meals, and other meals that are processed or full of fat.
Plus, we're both drinking fruit juices and flavoured water most of the time. Well, when we're not drinking tea or coffee (tea in my case, coffee in Kelly's case). We take lemon water with us when we go to the gym, and keep a supply of it at home. And I even had plain water rather than a bottle of Cola or Fanta the other day. Which - for those who don't know what I'm like - is a big deal, because I don't like plain water. Why? Because it has no flavour to it. That's why I tend to go for flavoured water, ffruit juice, or tea... With the occasional fizzy drink thrown in as a treat. And a milkshake or smoothie if I decide I want one (which I don't very often, to be honest).
Staying on the subject of food for a moment...
Because of our attempts at eating healthier, we've agreed to take packed lunches with us on our outings rather than actually eating out. We figure that way itt will be cheaper, and also easier to avoid eating the foods we don't want to be (like pizza, chips/fries, etc). So, I got us all special lunch bags with matching drinks bottles. This is my one:
Mine is kitten themed, Kelly's is a Top Gear one, Dad has Star Wars, and Mam has Hannah Montannah (I think that's how you spell that).
This week was our first "proper" outing. Two weeks ago we went to Swansea for the day, and all broughtt ourselves a little something (that was the day I got my "Torak" book). And we've all agreed to just spend some time together in one or the other of our houses on the week where we tend to be short on money (which was last week) so we spent last Thursday playing Scattergories then looking through leaflets we'd picked up to look for more options on places to go. But this past Thursday we had a lovely day out. We went to Pendine - which I'll be telling you more about in coming days (complete with photos) - and we went to "Pemberton's Chocolate Farm" before coming home.
Most of the day was very enjoyable, but we were disappointed by the chocolate farm. The only thing they offer - other than a shop full of sweets - is a factory tour. This is fine, but we'd just missed the 3:00 pm tour, and they said, "the last tour is at 3:00 pm, but if you want to hang around until after 4:00 pm and see if anyone else shows up we will do another tour." Which made no sense, because if the last tour is at 3:00 pm, why does it matter if more people show up? There's either another tour just after 4:00 pm, or there isn't. Anyway, we decided not to bother waiting around when it was only a "maybe" so we got a couple of things from the shop and left. We wont be bothering to go back. And - had we realised we'd only be going there to buy a couple of treats - we would have stayed at Pendine for a while longer, then just gone home. Still, it's a place to cross off the "places we'd like to visit" list.
The photos from Pendine will be posted throughout the coming week. Iggy very kindly sorted them and labeled them for me yesterday... Thank you, Iggy! *Hugs*... So it's just a matter of me sorting the posts and adding the photos.
We do have a tidy sized list of places we want to go. They include theme parks, nature walks, cave explorations, boat rides for nature observation, places we can go to do crafts together, and a few other things. Also, Mam and I are hoping to go and see movies together from time to time. Plus, we would like to find some places to take Kero and Willow. That way they get nice outings too. :)
When I'm not out somewhere - be it on an outing, at the gym, walking Kero, or whatever - and I don't have blog posts I want to catch up on, I'm generally working on craft projects. I'll post about the craft projects nearer the end of the month though. It's already September 19th, so you only have about a week and a half before September ends anyway, and since I've taken to doing monthly craft updates near the end of the month, I'm sure you can wait that little bit. ;)
Let's see, what else? Oh yes!
We've been having beautiful weather! There has been the odd short rain shower, but for the most part the last couple of weeks have been lovely. Beautiful and sunny, and nice and warm. But not actually hot. The kinds of days where it's warm enough for Summer clothing, but still cool enough so you feel like doing things and can enjoy your day. Basically, the kinds of days that often show up in September here. Give a couple more weeks (if that) and I bet the rain and storms will be back though. They don't tend to stay away long in Wales! ;)
I've not really been playing my Valhalla game, because I've been so busy with outings, household chores, blogs, walks with Kero, and crafts, that I just havven't had the time for it. Well, there have been a few times I could have played. But I tend to choose crafts and making my walks with Kero last a bit longer instead. Don't get me wrong, I'm enjoying the game, but I think it's better to be outside in the fresh air - especially while we have this nice weather - or doing something productive, like making Christmas presents, or the items for that handmade giveaway thing.
Besides, while I work on the crafts and do the household chores I listen to audiobooks. I'm now a little over half way through the third one of the books I got from the library about a week and a half ago, and I have a couple of others to listen to that actually belong to me. Plus, I should be getting that potato peel pie book from the library at the end of the month, and will probably pick up a couple of other books while I'm there getting that one, and giving back the ones I got last time.
Kelly brought me "Moby Dick" by Herman Melville (I think I spelled his name right) because I've never actually gotten around to reading it. I know, I know! But I will this time!
Also, a very good friend sent me a package containing a couple of audiobooks. I'm afraid I don't remember their titles and authors right now - and they haven't been labelled yet, so I can't check them - but they sound interesting, and I look forward to giving them a listen. Thank you, Iggy! *Hugs*
Right, well, I think that covers everything for now. Like I said, I've got some posts with photos in them from Thursday, which I'll post soon. And I should have some book reviews for you again soon. This does appear to be about it for now though. ;)
Oh, before I close this though... For anyone wondering...
My head is basically back to normal. Well, normal for me, I mean. ;)
Enjoy your day! :)
Tori
Got your cuppa and snack ready? Excellent! Sitting comfortably? Fantastic! Then I'll begin, shall I? OK!
As mentioned in Kero's post yesterday, we've been doing a lot more since the start of Septtember. I hadn't done all that much - other than things like shopping and hospital trips - since before my operation last year, but we all agreed it was high time we put a stop to that. So, we held a sort of family conference, and we decided we were going to start doing more as a family, and going to some of the places we keep saying we'd like to go to, but never get around to going. On top of that, Kelly, Mam and I joined the local gym, and Kelly and Dad got their gaming club back up and running (for more on that, see Kelly's latest blog post). Now it's only really Sunday that neither of us goes anywhere. The rest of the week at least one of us goes somewhere.
Monday, Kelly goes to the gym with Mam in the morning, and I have a mobility lesson in the afternoon. Tuesday, I go to the gym with Mam in the morning, then we go shopping after we're done there. Wednesday, the three of us go to the gym in the morning, and Dad puppy sits. Thursday, we arrange some kind of family outing. Friday, Kelly goes to the gym in the morning, and has role playing. Saturday, Kelly goes to the gaming club at my parents' place.
Also, the "blind person social group" thing is on the third Wednesday afternoon of each month. I went to it for the first time this past Wednesday. They seem like a nice group of people. You can tell they're only just starting the group up yet, because there are still several things to work out. But the general idea of it is for a group of blind and partially sighted people who live locally - and any family or friends they want to bring along - to meet up, have a cuppa and a chat, and sometimes to go on outings together. They're also hoping to have people come in from places that may be of help to some of us. This week, forr example, they managed to get the people who run the "Talking news" service. Which is a sort of local newspaper, only they dropped the word "paper" because they didn't think it was appropriate since they provide the news on CD or cassette. Anyway, it seems like a nice group, so I'm planning to go again when they have their next meeting (October 21st, I think... Third Wednesday in October, anyway).
The gym trips are going quite well. My knee - the one I tore the tendons on a couple of months ago - is protesting a bit, but that doesn't surprise me. I'm sure it will get used to it. We haven't had proper sessions this week though, because Mam's not well, and I was semi-doped up on pain killers until Tuesday evening. But - now that my head is better - I'll be able to go back to nicely burning those calories. ;)
I did originally consider just buying gym equipment for use at home. But then I thought about it, and I changed my mind. For one thing, the trip to the gym gives me extra outings. For another thing, each piece of equipment would cost a couple of hundred pounds. Now, I pay about £30 ($60) per month to have unlimited use of all the machines, the other exercise equipment, and the pool. Plus free admission to any exercise or swimming classes I want to go to. And don't then have the problem of trying to find somewhere to put the equipment at home where I wont fall over it. So, on reflection, I decided I'd go to the gym.
The gym trips combined with the diet - for lack of a better word - I'm now on, have meant that I've lost about 4 lbs this month. And the month isn't even over! It's weight I really do need to get off too... Weight I put on between my first and last ops last year. I'm now only a couple of lbs off weighing what I did when I went in for the first of the ops, so that's a good start. Once I get down to what I was when I went in for that first op, I can see about getting down to what I was at before my sight actually went (which means losing about 14 lbs more than I've lost so far). After that I can see about getting off the weight I was trying to get off before all this happened.
As regards the "diet" I mentioned...
At the start of this year, Kelly and I agreed to exchange microwave meals and take-away meals for proper homemade dinners. We also agreed to cut back on snack foods and fizzy drinks. For the most part this went well, but we did end up using the chipper a bit too often. Because of this, the chipper is soon going to a new home. The only problem we had with the homemade meal thing was my "meat issue" as we called it at first.
You see, ever since I learned where meat came from, I've had periods where I've had "meat issues" and either refused to - or been unable to - eat meat that was given to me. I never seemed to have issues with the processed meats, but give me a piece of "proper meat" as my Mam calls it, and at least half of it will end up in the dog. So, I decided not to bother dishing up the meat for myself, and - after a couple of months of this - decided I might as well make it official. So, I've been officially saying I'm a vegetarian since about May or June. And, funnily enough, I've actually been eating more of a variety of things since I stopped eating meat (or anything containing animal products). It does make food shopping take longer, because we need to check labels on things that may or may not contain animal products. Some yoghurts, for example, contain animal fats to thicken them. I did try the soy based alternatives, but they are disgusting. So, I just get someone to check the labels, and if it's not "suitable" then I don't have it. I haven't been as ill since I started eating a vegetarian diet. I'vve had the odd bit of a cough and bit of the sniffles, but nothing like I had been having. I think it's because I'm eating healthier. Also, I'm not eating as many "treats" as I was. And sweets and chocolates are now actually treats instead of daily snacks.
We've also agreed to introduce "portion control" again. I had started using this before, and it does work. Basically, we have smaller meals with healthy snacks in between if needed. We're finding we don't really need those though, so we usually have one of the items meant for snacks as a supper. I, for example, usually havve some cereal or toast for breakfast, a sandwich or wrap of some sort for lunch, some kind of veggie meal for dinner - perhaps a salad, some soup, or a pasta dish - and a bit of fruit and a small yoghurt for supper if I find I'm hungry enough to want a supper, which I'm often not.
In Kelly's case it's basically portion control and eating healthier meals rather than fried things. He had this nasty habbit of only wanting fried chicken, sausage and chips/fries, pizza, or cheese burgers. Now he's eating proper meals like chicken with potatoes and vegetables, chicken and rice, and that kind of thing. He's not as willing as me to try new fruits and vegetables - or new vegetable dishes - though. But he'll eat broccoli, carrots, peas and corn OK, and a few others too. And at least he's now having homemade healthier meals rather than take-aways, microwave meals, and other meals that are processed or full of fat.
Plus, we're both drinking fruit juices and flavoured water most of the time. Well, when we're not drinking tea or coffee (tea in my case, coffee in Kelly's case). We take lemon water with us when we go to the gym, and keep a supply of it at home. And I even had plain water rather than a bottle of Cola or Fanta the other day. Which - for those who don't know what I'm like - is a big deal, because I don't like plain water. Why? Because it has no flavour to it. That's why I tend to go for flavoured water, ffruit juice, or tea... With the occasional fizzy drink thrown in as a treat. And a milkshake or smoothie if I decide I want one (which I don't very often, to be honest).
Staying on the subject of food for a moment...
Because of our attempts at eating healthier, we've agreed to take packed lunches with us on our outings rather than actually eating out. We figure that way itt will be cheaper, and also easier to avoid eating the foods we don't want to be (like pizza, chips/fries, etc). So, I got us all special lunch bags with matching drinks bottles. This is my one:
Mine is kitten themed, Kelly's is a Top Gear one, Dad has Star Wars, and Mam has Hannah Montannah (I think that's how you spell that).This week was our first "proper" outing. Two weeks ago we went to Swansea for the day, and all broughtt ourselves a little something (that was the day I got my "Torak" book). And we've all agreed to just spend some time together in one or the other of our houses on the week where we tend to be short on money (which was last week) so we spent last Thursday playing Scattergories then looking through leaflets we'd picked up to look for more options on places to go. But this past Thursday we had a lovely day out. We went to Pendine - which I'll be telling you more about in coming days (complete with photos) - and we went to "Pemberton's Chocolate Farm" before coming home.
Most of the day was very enjoyable, but we were disappointed by the chocolate farm. The only thing they offer - other than a shop full of sweets - is a factory tour. This is fine, but we'd just missed the 3:00 pm tour, and they said, "the last tour is at 3:00 pm, but if you want to hang around until after 4:00 pm and see if anyone else shows up we will do another tour." Which made no sense, because if the last tour is at 3:00 pm, why does it matter if more people show up? There's either another tour just after 4:00 pm, or there isn't. Anyway, we decided not to bother waiting around when it was only a "maybe" so we got a couple of things from the shop and left. We wont be bothering to go back. And - had we realised we'd only be going there to buy a couple of treats - we would have stayed at Pendine for a while longer, then just gone home. Still, it's a place to cross off the "places we'd like to visit" list.
The photos from Pendine will be posted throughout the coming week. Iggy very kindly sorted them and labeled them for me yesterday... Thank you, Iggy! *Hugs*... So it's just a matter of me sorting the posts and adding the photos.
We do have a tidy sized list of places we want to go. They include theme parks, nature walks, cave explorations, boat rides for nature observation, places we can go to do crafts together, and a few other things. Also, Mam and I are hoping to go and see movies together from time to time. Plus, we would like to find some places to take Kero and Willow. That way they get nice outings too. :)
When I'm not out somewhere - be it on an outing, at the gym, walking Kero, or whatever - and I don't have blog posts I want to catch up on, I'm generally working on craft projects. I'll post about the craft projects nearer the end of the month though. It's already September 19th, so you only have about a week and a half before September ends anyway, and since I've taken to doing monthly craft updates near the end of the month, I'm sure you can wait that little bit. ;)
Let's see, what else? Oh yes!
We've been having beautiful weather! There has been the odd short rain shower, but for the most part the last couple of weeks have been lovely. Beautiful and sunny, and nice and warm. But not actually hot. The kinds of days where it's warm enough for Summer clothing, but still cool enough so you feel like doing things and can enjoy your day. Basically, the kinds of days that often show up in September here. Give a couple more weeks (if that) and I bet the rain and storms will be back though. They don't tend to stay away long in Wales! ;)
I've not really been playing my Valhalla game, because I've been so busy with outings, household chores, blogs, walks with Kero, and crafts, that I just havven't had the time for it. Well, there have been a few times I could have played. But I tend to choose crafts and making my walks with Kero last a bit longer instead. Don't get me wrong, I'm enjoying the game, but I think it's better to be outside in the fresh air - especially while we have this nice weather - or doing something productive, like making Christmas presents, or the items for that handmade giveaway thing.
Besides, while I work on the crafts and do the household chores I listen to audiobooks. I'm now a little over half way through the third one of the books I got from the library about a week and a half ago, and I have a couple of others to listen to that actually belong to me. Plus, I should be getting that potato peel pie book from the library at the end of the month, and will probably pick up a couple of other books while I'm there getting that one, and giving back the ones I got last time.
Kelly brought me "Moby Dick" by Herman Melville (I think I spelled his name right) because I've never actually gotten around to reading it. I know, I know! But I will this time!
Also, a very good friend sent me a package containing a couple of audiobooks. I'm afraid I don't remember their titles and authors right now - and they haven't been labelled yet, so I can't check them - but they sound interesting, and I look forward to giving them a listen. Thank you, Iggy! *Hugs*
Right, well, I think that covers everything for now. Like I said, I've got some posts with photos in them from Thursday, which I'll post soon. And I should have some book reviews for you again soon. This does appear to be about it for now though. ;)
Oh, before I close this though... For anyone wondering...
My head is basically back to normal. Well, normal for me, I mean. ;)
Enjoy your day! :)
Tori
Saturday, August 29, 2009
Movies and mayhem (FD)
I've had a really, really busy week. I already mentioned on Monday that I was away for a couple of days this week, though I haven't yet said where I went. Don't worry, I'll tell you soon... Honest! ;)
Monday wasn't as busy as I expected it to be. I went shopping with Mam to make sure Kelly and Kero had everything they'd need while I was away (shopping day is usually Tuesday, but I wasn't going to be around to shop on Tuesday). I also had a few other things I needed and wanted to do before I went away for those couple of days. Like I said though, the day wasn't as busy as I'd expected it to be. It turned out I had a couple of hours extra to do stuff in, because my mobility lesson got cancelled. I doubt I'll have one this week either because it's a bank holiday, so I'm not expecting to have one. I know the office is shut, so it's extremely unlikely she's going to be showing up. They don't generally work on bank holidays. Very few people do.
Mam came for me really early on Tuesday, and we had a few hours in the car driving down to Devon. We were technically going to see my Grandad, though it was actually Wednesday before we actually saw him. Mam just didn't want to have to drive all the way there for just a couple of hours, only to turn around and drive straight home. So Tuesday we went and looked around some of the small towns near where Grandad lives, and ended up almost passing where one set of my Godparents lived when my Mam lived down there. So Mam asked if I was up for a trip to go and see if they still lived there, and I figured we might as well. To cut a long story short, they're seporated now, but my Godfather (Ernie) still lives there. I haven't seen him since I was about 3 or 4 years old. He hadn't forgotten about me though, so I guess that's a good thing. We stayed long enough for a cup of tea and a chat, and I met one of his daughters and her baby son. Then off we went again.
We spent Tuesday evening in the bedroom of the bed and breakfast we were staying at, and watched a movie. We watched "The Day After Tomorrow" - which I'm sure I've reviewed before - because that's what was on the movie channel they had there. It's a great movie though. Even Mam sat sort of still for it, which is impressive with her, because she doesn't stay still for long. LOL!
Wednesday morning we went over to Grandad's house, and we spent some time there with him, then we took him out for a meal. I don't remember what the place was called, but the food was very nice. I had a spinach and nutmeg tart with garlic roast potatoes (the best vegetarian option available, but it turned out to be a good choice), and my desert was apple and caramel crumble with custard. Mam and Grandad both had fish and chips with peas, but I don't remember what they had for desert. Well, actually, I do remember what Mam had for her desert, but I'm not even going to attempt to spell it. I can hardly say the word, let alone spell it. LOL!
We took a couple of photos, but I haven't had time to get them sorted yet. I'll post them separately once they're sorted. Until then you'll just have to wait patiently... Or impatiently, if you prefer. ;)
We didn't get home until about 7:00 pm Wednesday, so by the time I'd checked e-mails and such I was ready for bed. Didn't even bother to unpack properly until Thursday. Actually, a couple of things are still in the bag I took with me. You know? The things I don't need often. LOL!
Anyway...
Thursday I was out most of the day with Mam and Wayne. I needed to get some bits of food for myself, since I hadn't bothered on Monday when shopping for Kero and Kelly (didn't see the point when I wouldn't be home) and Wayne had a hospital appointment at a hospital near to an Asda, so I went with Mam and Wayne to Wayne's appointment so we could go straight to Asda from the hospital. Other than that, all I really had time to do on Thursday was write Thursday's post, make sure Kero's post was set up, and comment on a few blog posts. I didn't get many posts commented on though, because Mam and Dad came for a visit in the evening, and by the time they went home I was too tired to bother with anything that didn't involve preporations for bed.
Then, Friday (yesterday) Mam and I went to start preporations for getting the two of us and Kelly joined up at the local gym. Mam and I had memberships there before, but we stopped going so we had to renew our membership. I don't know why Mam stopped going, but I stopped because I didn't like how early we were having to go because of busses and such. Also, I was spending too much time with hospital appointments and such to have energy for stuff like that. Kelly didn't have a membership there before though, but he wants to go to the gym as well, so we're getting one sorted for him. Dad says he'll have Kero any time the three of us want to go to the gym together. He'll be having him Wednesday, because we have to all be there Wednesday morning for our "induction day" then it's up to us when we go and for how long. And Mam made the time more to my liking (10:00 am instead of 7:00 am).
We spent more time than we planned to sorting out the stuff for the gym, so by the time we had things sorted it was time for Mam and I to run the couple of errands we wanted to run. Or, more to the point, needed to run. And we had to do them by a set time, because we needed to catch the 4:40 pm showing of Ice Age 3. That's the last showing of the day, and we didn't want to miss it.
Yes, that's right, I actually got to see "Ice Age 3" at last! It was really good, though - in my opinion - not quite as good as the first two were. And I think Mam was of the same opinion. Still, like I said, it was good. I'm sure you all know what the movie is about - at least, roughly - so I wont bother to tell you. Though, if anyone doesn't know and wants me to explain, feel free to ask. :)
Anyway...
After the movie we came back home (to my place) where Kelly had cooked dinner. He'd already eaten his, since we were home later than we thought we'd be, and he didn't want his getting cold. Mam was staying down here the night, and Kelly was staying up at her place with Dad because they're going to some kind of gaming club together today. So Mam took Kelly to her place while I checked on a few more blog posts, then - when she got back - we had our dinners before watching "Spiderwick Chronicles" together. We figured we mightt as well wait until Mam had taken Kelly up to her place for our dinners, since then we knew we could sit down and take our time with them.
Anyway, Mam had seen "Spiderwick Chronicles" before... It was her DVD... But I hadn't. I've been asking to borrow it for several months, and am glad I finally got to see it. It's a really good movie, and - for anyone who doesn't know and is interested - it's about a boy who moves in to his great aunt's house and finds a book with a warning on it not to read it. Of course, he does read it - I mean, who pays attention to those warnings? - And ends up trying to protect the book, his new home, his family, and himself from an evil Ogre. And the only person who can help him was taken away by the fairies 80 years before.
After the movie we had some cocoa, then went to bed. We then spent this morning doing those bits of housework that people only do once or twice a month. You know? Moving things to actually hoover behind or under them, sorting through paperwork that needed to only be kept for a certain amount of time in order to throw out the ones you don't need any more, and that sort of thing.
Mam went home after lunch, so it's just me and Kero this afternoon, since Kelly's not due back until this evening some time. No walkies today though... I'm too tired, and Kero seems to be too tired to be bothered about going walkies too. Besides, it's not unusual for me not to bother on Saturdays and Sundays, because a lot of other people walk on the weekends, and it's often difficult for me to navigate safely around all the people pushing prrams, riding bikes, and walking dogs.
If I've promised you I'll post about something and you have yet to see that post, don't worry. I have several posts I'm working on, so the chances are that post will be among the ones I'm working on. Anyway, I'll let this do for now so I can go and sort those posts out. Besides, I think I've said everything I wanted to say today. And this post is probably plenty long enough.
Enjoy whatever's left of your day! :)
Tori
Monday wasn't as busy as I expected it to be. I went shopping with Mam to make sure Kelly and Kero had everything they'd need while I was away (shopping day is usually Tuesday, but I wasn't going to be around to shop on Tuesday). I also had a few other things I needed and wanted to do before I went away for those couple of days. Like I said though, the day wasn't as busy as I'd expected it to be. It turned out I had a couple of hours extra to do stuff in, because my mobility lesson got cancelled. I doubt I'll have one this week either because it's a bank holiday, so I'm not expecting to have one. I know the office is shut, so it's extremely unlikely she's going to be showing up. They don't generally work on bank holidays. Very few people do.
Mam came for me really early on Tuesday, and we had a few hours in the car driving down to Devon. We were technically going to see my Grandad, though it was actually Wednesday before we actually saw him. Mam just didn't want to have to drive all the way there for just a couple of hours, only to turn around and drive straight home. So Tuesday we went and looked around some of the small towns near where Grandad lives, and ended up almost passing where one set of my Godparents lived when my Mam lived down there. So Mam asked if I was up for a trip to go and see if they still lived there, and I figured we might as well. To cut a long story short, they're seporated now, but my Godfather (Ernie) still lives there. I haven't seen him since I was about 3 or 4 years old. He hadn't forgotten about me though, so I guess that's a good thing. We stayed long enough for a cup of tea and a chat, and I met one of his daughters and her baby son. Then off we went again.
We spent Tuesday evening in the bedroom of the bed and breakfast we were staying at, and watched a movie. We watched "The Day After Tomorrow" - which I'm sure I've reviewed before - because that's what was on the movie channel they had there. It's a great movie though. Even Mam sat sort of still for it, which is impressive with her, because she doesn't stay still for long. LOL!
Wednesday morning we went over to Grandad's house, and we spent some time there with him, then we took him out for a meal. I don't remember what the place was called, but the food was very nice. I had a spinach and nutmeg tart with garlic roast potatoes (the best vegetarian option available, but it turned out to be a good choice), and my desert was apple and caramel crumble with custard. Mam and Grandad both had fish and chips with peas, but I don't remember what they had for desert. Well, actually, I do remember what Mam had for her desert, but I'm not even going to attempt to spell it. I can hardly say the word, let alone spell it. LOL!
We took a couple of photos, but I haven't had time to get them sorted yet. I'll post them separately once they're sorted. Until then you'll just have to wait patiently... Or impatiently, if you prefer. ;)
We didn't get home until about 7:00 pm Wednesday, so by the time I'd checked e-mails and such I was ready for bed. Didn't even bother to unpack properly until Thursday. Actually, a couple of things are still in the bag I took with me. You know? The things I don't need often. LOL!
Anyway...
Thursday I was out most of the day with Mam and Wayne. I needed to get some bits of food for myself, since I hadn't bothered on Monday when shopping for Kero and Kelly (didn't see the point when I wouldn't be home) and Wayne had a hospital appointment at a hospital near to an Asda, so I went with Mam and Wayne to Wayne's appointment so we could go straight to Asda from the hospital. Other than that, all I really had time to do on Thursday was write Thursday's post, make sure Kero's post was set up, and comment on a few blog posts. I didn't get many posts commented on though, because Mam and Dad came for a visit in the evening, and by the time they went home I was too tired to bother with anything that didn't involve preporations for bed.
Then, Friday (yesterday) Mam and I went to start preporations for getting the two of us and Kelly joined up at the local gym. Mam and I had memberships there before, but we stopped going so we had to renew our membership. I don't know why Mam stopped going, but I stopped because I didn't like how early we were having to go because of busses and such. Also, I was spending too much time with hospital appointments and such to have energy for stuff like that. Kelly didn't have a membership there before though, but he wants to go to the gym as well, so we're getting one sorted for him. Dad says he'll have Kero any time the three of us want to go to the gym together. He'll be having him Wednesday, because we have to all be there Wednesday morning for our "induction day" then it's up to us when we go and for how long. And Mam made the time more to my liking (10:00 am instead of 7:00 am).
We spent more time than we planned to sorting out the stuff for the gym, so by the time we had things sorted it was time for Mam and I to run the couple of errands we wanted to run. Or, more to the point, needed to run. And we had to do them by a set time, because we needed to catch the 4:40 pm showing of Ice Age 3. That's the last showing of the day, and we didn't want to miss it.
Yes, that's right, I actually got to see "Ice Age 3" at last! It was really good, though - in my opinion - not quite as good as the first two were. And I think Mam was of the same opinion. Still, like I said, it was good. I'm sure you all know what the movie is about - at least, roughly - so I wont bother to tell you. Though, if anyone doesn't know and wants me to explain, feel free to ask. :)
Anyway...
After the movie we came back home (to my place) where Kelly had cooked dinner. He'd already eaten his, since we were home later than we thought we'd be, and he didn't want his getting cold. Mam was staying down here the night, and Kelly was staying up at her place with Dad because they're going to some kind of gaming club together today. So Mam took Kelly to her place while I checked on a few more blog posts, then - when she got back - we had our dinners before watching "Spiderwick Chronicles" together. We figured we mightt as well wait until Mam had taken Kelly up to her place for our dinners, since then we knew we could sit down and take our time with them.
Anyway, Mam had seen "Spiderwick Chronicles" before... It was her DVD... But I hadn't. I've been asking to borrow it for several months, and am glad I finally got to see it. It's a really good movie, and - for anyone who doesn't know and is interested - it's about a boy who moves in to his great aunt's house and finds a book with a warning on it not to read it. Of course, he does read it - I mean, who pays attention to those warnings? - And ends up trying to protect the book, his new home, his family, and himself from an evil Ogre. And the only person who can help him was taken away by the fairies 80 years before.
After the movie we had some cocoa, then went to bed. We then spent this morning doing those bits of housework that people only do once or twice a month. You know? Moving things to actually hoover behind or under them, sorting through paperwork that needed to only be kept for a certain amount of time in order to throw out the ones you don't need any more, and that sort of thing.
Mam went home after lunch, so it's just me and Kero this afternoon, since Kelly's not due back until this evening some time. No walkies today though... I'm too tired, and Kero seems to be too tired to be bothered about going walkies too. Besides, it's not unusual for me not to bother on Saturdays and Sundays, because a lot of other people walk on the weekends, and it's often difficult for me to navigate safely around all the people pushing prrams, riding bikes, and walking dogs.
If I've promised you I'll post about something and you have yet to see that post, don't worry. I have several posts I'm working on, so the chances are that post will be among the ones I'm working on. Anyway, I'll let this do for now so I can go and sort those posts out. Besides, I think I've said everything I wanted to say today. And this post is probably plenty long enough.
Enjoy whatever's left of your day! :)
Tori
Tuesday, September 04, 2007
Tuesday evening
A little while after I finished my blog post yesterday (Monday) Mam phoned and asked if we (Kelly, Kero and I) would walk through the park to meet her, Dad and Willow. So, that's exactly what we did.Dad brought me a Lego fire engine because he saw it when he was shopping yesterday and remembered that I wanted some Lego of my own (since I still haven't managed to get them to give me their Lego collection... LOL!) I built my fire engine, but it doesn't look like the one on the box. I don't care though, it's MY fire engine!
nyway, Mam and Willow came and spent the afternoon with me and Kero while Kelly went up to my parents' place to play some warhammer or something. Mam, Willow, Kero and I went on a couple of long walks so that Willow didn't spend too much time at my place, because her and my cats don't see eye to eye. They (Mam and Willow) stayed for dinner, but went home soon after that.
It was a lovely day yesterday, so whenever we were at home, the back door was open. I'm glad it was, because that was sort of how I managed to get the picture in today's post. It was a couple of hours after Mam and Willow left, and it was starting to get a bit chilly, so I went to close the door and saw the beautiful pink-ish colour of the clouds behind the tree that's not far from our gate, and decided to get a photo. I think it came out quite well. There are a few more in my photo albums if you want to take a look at them.
I ended up having a late night last night. Not good, because I had to be up early this morning. I promised my Mam I'd go to the gym with her today (Tuesday) so I had to be up at 6:00 am to be ready to catch the bus about 6:45 am. I managed it, but only just. LOL!
Didn't do much in the gym. Just 15 minutes or so on the 'cross trainer.' For one thing, I was too tired, for another, I don't like using most of the equipment. I told Mam I'd go "every so often" but I'm not all that enthusiastic about gyms. I was a member, and went regularly at one time, but I didn't enjoy it. Besides, I can think of better things to be doing at 7:30 am. Like sleeping. LOL! It's not that I don't like to be up early, it's just that I can rarely get to sleep early, so getting up to do lots of exercises two or three hours after going to sleep isn't my idea of fun. Still, a promise is a promise.
After the gym, we went down into the main town (the gym is on the outskirts of the town) to have something to eat and run a couple of errands. I had my usual tuna, sweetcorn, cheese and onion baguette, but I was REALLY hungry this morning, and fancied something sweet, so I also had a fruit scone with jam and cream in it and icing on the top. And, yes, I did enjoy it. LOL!
I ended up buying a couple more Christmas presents for people. Plus, something to put aside for Kero for Yule. And I talked to someone about what I'm getting someone else. I can't say more than that in case the person happens to stop by and read my blog.
Anyway, I've wanted - for a little while now - to taste apple butter. I have a recipe for it, but wanted to try some made by someone else first so I could know if mine tasted right when I tried to make it. LOL! But the little health food store in town doesn't sell it. They said they could "try" to see if they could get some, but I told them not to bother and that I'd just make my own. I couldn't remember everything I needed to make it though, so I couldn't get the stuff in the food shopping this week. Turns out all I don't have are cooking apples. LOL! But I figure I'll get some next week and have a go at making it then. Besides, I don't have any empty jars to put it in after it's made, so I need time to empty some. LOL!
Before we did the food shopping, we went and had a drink in Tesco. We didn't have the hot chocolate drink this time though. Don't know why Mam didn't, but I didn't have it because I just didn't feel like having it.
When I got home, I was exhausted, so I went for a nap. By the time I got up it was time to sort dinner for everyone (Kero, the cats, Kelly and, of course, myself). I had the rice and vegetables that were left from dinner last night (we made too much) and Kelly had some pasta with some kind of pasta sauce thingy all over it.
So, that basically brings us to the point when I started working on this post. Enjoy what's left of your day.
Tori
Thursday, March 15, 2007
Thursday already???
OK, own up... who keeps stealing my hours??? Well??? I know someone must be, because I keep loosing them! LOL! I swear I've hardly achieved anything this week and already it's Thursday afternoon! Sheesh!Anyway, I got a new CD the end of last week and totally forgot to tell you. It's "Kenny Chesney - No Shoes, No Shirt, No Problem". I didn't have ANY of Kenny's CDs, just a few songs Kerry had sent me, so, when last Monday Mam asked if I wanted her to buy me the Donny Osmond CD she just got herself I told her that I'd rather she got me one she hasn't got because I can just get a copy of the Donny one from her. So, she said "OK, name an artist" and Kenny Chesney was the first one that jumped into my head that I knew I wanted CDs for so that's what she got. Then she said that she wanted to get me my favourite CD of his, but since I didn't have a favourite she asked for a favourite song. Well, the only one I knew I could be 100% certain of the title of without looking was "Young" and that one's on this album so, that's why it was this particular album she got me. That's one way to decide, I suppose. LOL!
I also got new headphones for my mp3 player. The old ones work fine but they are just in-ear headphones and I wanted ones with the clip bit that helps them stay put on your ear so I went and looked for a pair of them and brought them. Of course, Mam had to have a pair too. And she's glad she did. She says they make listening to her mp3 player while at the gym so much easier. LOL!
Today is my brother Wayne's birthday. He's 27 today. I don't know if he's going to get to see this message since he hardly ever comes online, but, I'll say HAPPY BIRTHDAY WAYNE just in case!
Right, well, I've got to feed Bella, Kero, Sakura, Megan and Chance, so, I better end this and go do it before they all gang up on me to remind me they need food.
Tori
Thursday, March 08, 2007
Weekly weigh-in leads to tests from the doctor
So, got weighed yesterday and we are a bit concerned because I spent almost the whole week with my Mam and so ate the same as her, but where she hasn't been to the gym but I've been doing extra dog walking (Bella seems to need to go like every 3 hours) you'd think that either I'd have lost more than her or we'd have lost the same. Or, at the very least I'd have stayed put still, right? NO! I put on 9 lbs. But, Mam lost 1 lb. OK, so we're both like "WTF???" And we asked my Dad about it and he comes straight out with "that's not right, weigh again!" Which I did, and when it came out the same he said "go see a doctor ASAP!" And then I told my Nan who's reaction was "are you pregnant???" (To which I said "no idea, would be nice though!") Anyway, called the doctor first thing this morning (since it was 11:00 pm by the time I got home last night) and he says he wents to do a few tests. It'll be hard for me to pick up the forms for it today since Kelly's out and I'd be gone too long for Kero to deal with and there's nowhere safe to put the dogs outside the doctors' office. So, Kelly's going to pick them up on his way home and then I can go see about doing them. Now, had I just put on a lb or two, fine. But it's the amount! Especially when you think last week - I think it was last week - I didn't loose anything and yet had been eating some of every kind of take-out I can get to, not to mention cakes, chocolate and cookies galore. Yet, this week I've watched what I've eaten. Plus, like I said, I'm doing more walking. I mean, Monday I was in town in the morning, walked the dogs about 3 or 4 times and then was back in town in the afternoon for a vet trip. Then Tuesday I walked the dogs, went to town, came home and walked the dogs again then walked them again before I went to bed! And that's just Monday and Tuesday. And, that's also without taking all of the constant trips outside in the yard with them into consideration. I mean, with Kero I would just let him out and watch from the doorway, but until she's had her second shot I have to watch Bella very closely so I've had to go and wander around the yard with them every time they so much as have to pee! I couldn't walk more if I tried!!! So, how the hell did I put on 9 lbs??? Even over Christmas when I was eating nothing but chocolate, pizza, mince pies (with squirty cream) and cookies it took me like a month to put on 12 lbs. So, how did I get 9 lbs in one week??? Going to get these tests done and hopefully one of the tests will hold the answer!
Subscribe to:
Posts (Atom)