Kerry is back....

Great to have Kerry back in Melbourne for this weekend.  Our friendship has blossomed since meeting many years ago on the Weight Watchers forums and has seen many catch ups.

Kerry flew into Melbourne this morning to participate in the Michelle Bridges 12WBT training session and for us to both attend the Finale Party.  Kerry has been following the plan whereas I was only attending as a guest.  Not that I minded going out all dressed up.

The Finale Party was held at the The Plaza Ballroom, Collins Street, Melbourne and the theme was to sparkle. It was great to see so many people committed to bettering themselves.  I have walked away with quite some motivation to continue on my weight loss journey.

We came home, enjoyed a chat and then went to bed with poor Kerry absolutely knackered from here 4.30am start this morning and the huge workout at St Kilda as part of the Michelle Bridges 12WBT programme.

It's beginning to feel a bit like Christmas....

Not too many days left now before the jolly fat man in the red suit comes to visit all the good little girls and boys..... and boy are my two kids getting excited.

Mam arrived safely on Friday afternoon and as usual it's great to see her! The kids came to the bus stop to pick her up and I love seeing her face when she gets of the bus and looks at the children, assessing how both of them have grown and changed since last time.

Saturday Mam came to work with me, yes she arrived just in time for my work breakup and as in Harkaway tradition we had a spit roast and some salads on site. Not an overly exciting breakup but hey, that's what was organised, it was free so no complaining should be done!

Jamie brought the boys over for dinner on Saturday night and for Grandma's all important catch up with the boys.... she was really pleased to see them. Although, in true kid fashion, they played together most of the night and didn't really bother with any of the adults, I am sure she had fun and was grateful to see them considering what has happened this year.

Yesterday, we went shopping and I can proudly say we are almost done with the Christmas shopping. Most presents are wrapped also which is a fantastic thing with only a few more that we brought on Sunday to go. So I have gone from being VERY disorganised to almost on top of it!! Woohoo!! We also went out for dinner to Quality Wok, in Frankston, Mam's treat - so once again no complaints!!

Noel took Mam to the doctors today as she needed to get a Victorian referal to MIA (Melbourne Imaging Association) as she needs to have an ultrasound on her liver. I am quite concerned with this and I am praying that it's nothing serious........ she is having the ultrasound in the morning and should be able to access the results on Thursday.

I am off to Weight Watchers tonight so it should be interesting what the recent food fest I attended shows up on the scales!!! Oh well it is the silly season..... lol!!!

My Family from WiddlyTinks.com

Thursday has come and nearly gone.

Thursday has come and nearly gone.

Thankfully there was no long distance travelling for me today. I just went to my normal work address although I worked in the office and not in the weighbridge.

Noel did his normal 8 hrs as we have agreed that he will do only the 8hrs on a Thursday so he can take the kids to their swimming lessons. He really enjoys spending this time with them. They both did well in their lessons and I know that Dad is proud sitting on the bleachers watching.

Thursday is usually takeaway night for us. I weigh in at my WW Meeting at 5pm so the evening is definately NO COUNT until the next morning!! Probably not the best way to do it - but it is my weekly reward. The kids have finally worked out that the local Chinese restaurant is actually really good - rock on Dragon King!! We let them choose their own meal - tonight for Oliver it was Sweet and Sour Pork while Alex on the otherhand (Miss Champagne Budget) was prawns in a birds nest.. oh well it sure beats a Big Mac, Large Fries and a Coke - right?

The kids are now just about asleep, Noel I think is migrating towards the bedroom and I am absolutely knackered!!

Good night.

The world is spinning way too fast!

Well here I am awake earlier than expected and sitting at the computer as I am too worried to go back to sleep incase I sleep through my alarm making me late for work. Seems to be a habit I am forming lately! I am going to be shattered again this afternoon.

In the quietness of the rest of the house sleeping I have been sitting here thinking about how fast January has disappeared already and besides working there are only a few days where something special has happened. Does this mean that the rest of the year is going to fly by this quickly? I hope not!

My dieting is eratic and in my heart realise that I need to go back to Weight Watchers just for the extra encouragement. It is a battle trying to stay on track by myself at home! Stayed the same weight wise this week so I will see what the scales say by Thursday. Need to pull my finger out and exercise. Vicky and I have agreed to start walking again as soon as the kids are settled back at school and the routines are in place!! Oh the dream of having a life without a routine!!

Speaking of Vicki - a big shout out to her for officially becoming an Aussie on Thursday - well done chickadee!!

As mentioned I am off to work shortly (half day today thankfully) - Noel is taking the kids and his parents bush to do a little bush bashing - or as the kids put it "to scare Nana and Grandad in the 4wd!!" needless to say the stories at lunch time should be interesting.

Chat soon - ~*JO*~

Another week gone.

It's funny how the week is officially Sunday through to Saturday by most peoples calendars but in the world of Weight Watchers it from scale night to scale night so in my case it's Thursday today so another week has past. Once again it has passed by rather fast, leaving me wondering where does all the time go but I have had a successful week weight loss wise with a loss of 0.8kgs. I am really happy with that and I have nearly lost all of the 1kgs that I gained after the camping trip.

Oliver lost another tooth tonight - that's two teeth this last few days. He lost one on Saturday night whilst staying at Sean and Vicky's. Tonight he pulled his tooth out just minutes before his swimming lesson. Needless to say with all the playing he did with the empty tooth hole it didn't stop bleeding and he was told to get out of the pool. So he did not finish his lesson!! Alex did really well in her lesson and as she has done the last few weeks headed straight for the deep pool as soon as she had finished with the instructor!! I think she is just about over the class she is in.

Missing in action

Well unfortunately busy lives mean something gets missed and as I try to sit down to blog last thing at night I am finding it very hard to stay awake when I sit still without falling asleep in our lovely office chair... too comfy that's for sure. Just ask Noel how many times he has got and up and found me asleep at the computer!!

So what has actually happened since my last blog:

I went to my first Thursday night WW meeting as a member - it was definately different to sit amongst the members and just listen. Previously being a recorder I missed a lot of the meeting as I was balancing all the money and products etc. The scales weren't toooooo horrible to me although I did have a gain of 0.5kgs! That could be just the difference in the scales as I felt that I didn't have a bad week - oh well onward and downwards from here right. As Cheryl used to say "I hope to see less of you next week" - LOL pretty corny really!!

Friday found Vicki and I walking again - amazing we kept up the pass for all 4 kms and shaved a minute of our previous walk... doesn't sound like much but to us it was a HUGE achievement!! Mind you legs were killing me all night and well into Saturday.

Sunday was spent tourning the country side once more in search of a camp site that is remote but accessible and safe for the kids. We found one but it is bang smack in the middle of nowhere and obviously gets used quite a lot judging by the last fire area. Not sure as to whether we will risk driving all that way on the Friday only to find it occupied and we aren't close to any other sites. Food wise for Sunday - let me put it this way - YOU DON'T WANT TO KNOW!! LOL!!I suppose it wasn't too bad - I did have a salad and cheese roll for lunch with watermelon and yoghurt afterwards. But that is all I am admitting too!!!

Monday morning - I am rushing to type this madly as we have to leave for work and school soon. Back on track though and will follow my menu planner to the letter. Will need to walk two nights and exercise in the mornings to have a good result on the scales this week but I am sure I can give it a good go!!

Better fly one child has appeared from the realms of dreamtime.......

I face the scales tonight!

Well tonight is the night. I am going to my new (actually old) Weight Watchers meeting and starting a new weekly cycle.

Tuesday still seemed weird - you know not rushing around with kids, getting changed and getting to the church hall is Seaford to set up for our evening meeting. It will be definately different to go tonight, pay and sit for a meeting. I am quite looking forward to it. Going with Vicki will be good also as we can give each other a little more support than just being walking buddies!!

It's all about making myself accountable and I am sure 200% that if I focus hard enough I will be able to lose the extra kgs that I am carrying, bring my BP undercontrol and get on with a long enjoyable life.... right??

Only the scales will tell.............

Geez it's good to walk!!

Well never thought that would actually come from me - but honestly it really was good to walk! Vicki and I haven't walked since last Monday but it seems like an eternity. As I am sitting here I can still feel the soles of my feet and most of the muscles in my legs are still feeling all 6000 odd steps - but no pain no gain right?

I am still looking forward to a fresh start with a new Weight Watchers meeting on Thursday however I am worried that there will be a difference in the two sets of scales. I know that the Frankston meeting uses digital scales whereas the Seaford meeting used the old fashioned scales. I prefer the older ones as I believe they are more acurate but we do have to keep up with technology.

Speaking of new technology roll on the space age of the Jetsons where you press a button and your meal pops out of the machine on the wall, whether it be breakfast, lunch or dinner not forgetting the snacks!! LOL!! I still have to cook dinner for Noel and I - thankfully I fed the kids before I left for my walk.

Better head towards the kitchen.

The weekend is nearly gone....

Well once again the Murray family have faced a busy weekend.

I am sure that we all enjoyed spending our afternoon at our friend's house, Dave and Kelly. We have know Dave and Kelly for what seems like a lifetime - I am sure it would be near on 9 years now. Oliver wasn't even born and their boys, Jamie and Matthew, were only little tackers. Cannot believe that Matt turned 10 today and that Jamie is starting high school next year. The food was great - roast beef, potatoes, salad, gravy etc... I even spoiled myself and had a piece of cheesecake and some trifle!!

Back on track tomorrow... Four more sleeps 'til I return to the familiar St Luke's Hall for a weight watchers meeting!! I suppose a little like going back to an old stomping ground. Must good food and exercise wise for the rest of this week.

Time for sleep - I want to be up early to do an exercise DVD!!

Bye...

PS Dave's brother Jason and his wife, Nereda, had a little girl this afternoon!!! It's their third child and the first two were boys. I am sure that the whole Nagel family were happy when they heard the news!!

Seaford Weight Watchers has closed.

Tonight was the last Weight Watchers meeting to be held at Seaford.

According to Weight Watchers they will review it again in January but that seems so far away. Although I am sadden by the closure and the fact that I won't have the regular contact with the members I am looking forward to the new beginning.... I am going to become a paying member again and start making myself accountable for each week. Needless to say I am going to tag along with Vicki to the Thursday night meeting at Frankston and I am sure that having a buddy to go with will do me the world of good..... are you ready for a tag team effort Vicki? LOL!!

I actually showed a loss of 0.1kgs this week - yeah.... I honestly haven't been good and as for my will power - it's gone into hiding and although I have searched high and low haven't been able to find it. Tomorrow is another day and a NEW day.

Noel and I are off to the doctors in the morning... Noel's blood test results will be back and I just want a new blood pressure tablet prescription and a check up. Noel went to the doctor's last week for peace of mind and asked for a blood test to check all the usual - cholesteral, blood sugars etc. I am sure that he will be fine.

Off to bed now... have a great night all.

The walking is working

Weight Watchers tonight and I know that walking is definately a way to go......

After a 3 walks with my new friend Vicki (1 was 3kms and the other 2 were 4kms) this week I lost 1kgs and that is just wonderful - especially as I did have a big weekend food and alcohol wise. Afterall celebrating cannot be done lightly, right?? Anyway I am still smiling from the loss.

New promise to self..... must stay within my points, go for another 3 walks (hopefully) plus do other exercise this week.

Noel's sister, Clare (yes another Clare - we both have little sisters named Claire/Clare) was meant to be flying into Melbourne this weekend but plans have changed - so needless to say Saturday night is off. Clare had plan to stay with us on that night and that normally ends up with us all being trashed but LOL we do enjoy ourselves. Unfortunately the next time we may see her now is at Christmas time but in all honesty it is not really that far away.

Won't be long before the fat man in the red suit comes to visit.... LOL!!

Out like a light....

Once again I managed to not post... this is becoming a habit!!

After eating dinner later than usual I sat on the couch and you guessed it fell asleep!! Noel once again managed to wake me up and aim me down the hallway towards the bedroom.... hence why I am blogging at 6.30am!!

Anyway......

Yesterday was a draining day at work mentally with the feeling of being a telemarketer after calling all of our customers to inform them that one of our products had run out... stop supply until Thursday. Many took it well but there were a few that were just painful about the situation. I swear they think that they are the only ones that buy rock of us!

Got home, organised the kids dinner and the minute Noel walked in the door I walked out. Off to pick up Vicki for a walk - not divorce!!

Strange walk last night as I don't think I had ever walked in the dark for exercise purposes... many nights walking home from pubs when I was younger though. But it was really good except my sights were focussed more on the dim shadows of the park than actually making eye contact with Vicki as we chatted away madly! But armed with my Bonus Buddy, a pedometer, it was noted that we walk just over 4kms - geez didn't think 4 laps of our park was that long... my legs definately feel it this morning.

Off to Weight Watchers tonight - it is the second last meeting for Seaford. Oh well I am a little sad about it but I am looking forward to going to the meetings with Vicki now on a Thursday night.

Better fly must get ready for work etc etc.......

The house is so quiet????

It's too quiet.... no fighting, no sooking, no whinging..... it is just so strange!

Our house is so quiet at the moment as both of our children are at their grandparent's house for a midweek sleepover - got to love school holidays!! While I am sure that both Noel and I will enjoy the quietness and relaxing atmosphere that our home has for a change it always makes us both question what we did before we had the children? Our life always seems so full but nights like tonight, although enjoyable, are just outright weird!!

Saying that, I could just run through the house naked and see if that changes the atmosphere any!! LOL!!!

I have just returned from my Weight Watchers meeting where I recieved two dissappointments. Firstly I put on weight this week - deep down I knew I had, I could feel it, but still seeing it on the scales is horrible. Secondly we were told that Weight Watchers had finally decided to close our meeting due to a lack of numbers and a lack of sales... yes like everything in this world it is down to the dollar value of the exercise. NOT the fact that we are doing the community a service and actually helping people lose weight and lose weight correctly. Geez couldn't put that into the equation!! Bottom line definately money talks.

Vicki, if you are reading this, I hope all went well with Jason.... my thoughts are with you both.

I had a boring day at work today filled with endless paperwork and a computer competency that seemed to take forever to complete.... not to mention bored me even more to tears.

Off to make some noise.........

Rain Rain Go Away...

Well as usual the weather here in Melbourne turned for the worse. The few rays of sunshine we received in the afternoon were of course short lived and as I was nearly home when raindrops appeared on the windscreen. "This is all wrong" I remember thinking "I am meant to be going for a walk tonight and more importantly I am meant to be meeting Vicki!!" It wasn't meant to be. So a few emails later and we have prosponed out long awaited meeting until Wednesday night.

Dreaded rain... absolutely spoiled my fun!!!!!!!!

Work wise my day was rush, rush, rush. I am facing a week full of month end procedures topped with an assessment that I am required to complete for my Certificate IV Workplace Trainer Assessor that I am attempting to successfully pass. Today I did one assessment on a fellow workmate that I have had to write, trial and assess the lucky candidate on. I have two more assessments to complete before I submit my work for my assessment. I have been chosen to complete this course through work and to be honest do not want the hassle of failing and dealing with management. I think I should do okay!!

School holidays have begun and Oliver is at his grandparent's house for the next few days. Alex will be going there tomorrow (Tuesday) night for a sleepover. It is amazing how much you miss your child when they are away from you for just one night. I miss Oliver not just because he isn't here but I miss just talking with him and being able to cuddle him when I want to. He will be having a ball with his grandparents and not even giving us a second thought.

Although both of us miss the children when we are apart Tuesday night will be different for us all. Normally I attend the Weight Watchers meeting where I am the recorder (money taker) and have been for some months now. Noel gets to spend quality time with the children whilst I am working at the meeting. So as both the children are at his mother's house tomorrow night the night is sure to be something different. Saying that I am sure that nothing exciting will happen except maybe get a head start on the housework.

It is our 12th wedding anniversary this Sunday. Nothing has been planned to date but we have tossed around the idea of having a lunch here with just the family. Will see what happens.....

But at the moment I am too tired to think about it and will say goodnight!!