Lyra, Oggs, Berrie, Zeb (and Binkle) ....

[oggsfrog]

...... do you realise we've been chatting now for almost 18months .

Berrie, thankyou for the very kind offer to mug your children. It's much appreciated .
Tbh the car only cost £150 last year so it's reached the end of it's days I'm afraid - we need to get another one.

I know the feeling though - I think I've done really well at the shops sometimes, but try as I might I can't get it below £100 a week. Must Try Harder.

We have a power shower which doesn't save an awful lot of water if you have a long one. I'd rather have a bath and I'm lucky enough to have time! We do share any extra baths! (Berrie feeling guilty now)

You are all very good with the dieting thing. DH is going to start running with the ladies next door this week but I can't summon up any enthusiasm for that. I'd rather be fat.

Nope. I am determined. I have 2 goals this year - turning 40 in March and a friend's wedding in June . And my personal vanity says that if I want to find a hot new man, I better look pretty darn good myself. Is that shallow?

Joking apart, I actually started this year feeling really really positive and energised - the first time in years that I've felt this way, so I want to build on it whilst it's still here. I think it started with the 'Goddamit I'm going out and buying myself some champagne as no-one else is going to do it for me' at midnight on New Year's Eve'.

I'm not ready to throw the happy pills away yet, but this is all good stuff. If I could bottle this feeling and pass it on to you all, I would.

Nah not shallow, just life!

Am feeling pretty positive myself actually. Am planning to walk dd to preschool instead of driving but was foiled on Monday by the pouring rain. Now that she is staying all day on Monday, I feel I've got a bit more time to do that. Before, I couldn't afford to waste the hour for the round trip. The Christmas chocolate is just about gone. I should say the children's christmas chocolate! Obviously we were duty bound to protect them from the evils of all that sugar and fat.

Berrie, you are truly an admiral mother. I applaud your levels of sacrifice.

I wouldn't join your hubby running either, though. Yuck. Too much to wobble about in my case. Walking is far better.

Admiral? ADMIRABLE.

Oh I am, I really am...can't manage the jelly tots though...there are about 5 tubes of those!

Zeb, it's great that you are feeling so positive. Sounds like we have about the same to lose. (I'll tell you my weight if you tell me yours. Not on here though.)
What are you doing about alcohol? Abstaining completely?
Not shallow. Turning 40 definately makes you think about things. I decided I didn't want to spend the 2nd half of my life as angst-ridden about food/weight as I'd spent the first. I'm still in the same bloody place 2 years on though .

Berrie, I couldn't do running. I physically can't, what with my asthma and my dodgy knee, and the fact that it's all up and down around here - no level ground.
Didn't you start power walking once?

Feeling much more positive today. Did another 30min walk up the hill.
I've been dithering about which plan to follow. This time I want something that is more realistivcally possible - so I'm going with Low GI/Low Carb.

Yes I did...Once..

Oggs, something I've been wondering, does your dog need walking since he/she could take his/herself?

Oggs I admire your gumption. If I had lost and then regained it would have put me off from trying ever again.

Well done to Oggs and Zeb an example if not an inspiration to me

Dog doesn't need walking as she can come and go all day more or less, as the door is usually open. If door is shut she lets us know that she wants to go out. Usually she'll just have a wee and come straight back (lazy) but sometimes she'll take herself off for about 30mins.

She does enjoy being with us though so usually hangs around with us if we are out and about.

I don't take her with me in the morning as I like to listen to audiobooks so wouldn't be chatting away to her and she'd feel left out .

Tee hee, poor doggy!

Tell me what you think the chances are of one of out 3 remaining hens going broody? There is a white sussexy one and two of brown hen origin though prettier. they have never shown any sign of it but they are not yet 1. Our broody got eaten if you remember. Poor hens have not been allowed to roam since. Just as well as there was a massive fox walking through the garden in the middle of the day at the weekend. I blame dh for hanging pheasant on the washing line over Christmas.

The pheasant's on the washing line probably didn't help .... did he hang up a sign saying 'Fox Buffet This Way' .

I have one light sussex that was broody almost all the way up to Christmas. Does seem a bit early. What makes you think she's broody?

Btw dd looks beautiful with her new hair . Does she like it?

I've just spent the entire morning washing all the rugs and the one remaining carpet in DS2's room with my Dirt Devil carpet washer thingy, so I've had loads of exercise and feel quite virtuous. Am going to treat myself to a hot bath and the next instalment of Dear Fatty (Dawn French's book).
I'm also abstaining from wine during the week because it was creeping up to almost a bottle a night. That should help shed a few pounds. Also feeling very positive (new house might have something to do with it). What's wrong with us all? We were all depressed this time last year. It is nice to fel happy for a change though.

Also got to go into town to find a costume for a seventies disco we're going to. Anyone got anything suitable they can lend me?

The pheasants legs were a bit chewed I've just found a mess of feathers at the top of the drive. He brought home 2 ducks last night and from what I can make out, he didn't close the bin properly after he'd discarded of the bits he didn't want. Well I'm not clearing it up.

Not broody but we built a broody coop last year for Metal Petal as I wanted to raise some fertile eggs. I was wondering if any of the others were likely to go broody so that we can use it later in the year.

Good for you Lyra, that sounds very vigorous. I always lose weight when I give up drinking so fingers crossed for you.

Sorry no disco gear coming to mind!

I have had only one drink since New Year's Eve, and that was a v small v dry sherry on Sunday night. So that hardly counts. Oh, and no fags either. So that's my halo well and truly polished - I'm not even missing either at all.

Isn't it amazing that we're all so upbeat and positive? Maybe it's because we have sunshine, even if it is blardy cold. But good for us, I say.

Sorry, can't help with the disco diva I'm afraid.

Oh yes Zeb...last half hour of Holby City, they have agreed to be civil. patsy Kensits boy has to have a kidney operation and she wants to get him christned first. She asked Joseph to be his Godfather and he said yes. Oh and she's getting a bit friendly with that Dr in the glasses who is religious and lost his wife and is grumpy but we like him really and thought he was going to get off with the other Dr sometime.

Sorry Lyra, if it's wellies and thermals you're after I'm your girl... but 70's disco gear .

Enjoy your weirdy afternoon bath .

Oh, well done you Zeb. That's brilliant! We're only drinking on weekends. How was DW?

Berrie, only time will tell. Hope you're lucky and get one.
Yum. Dd and I love duck.

Yikes...more eco guilt...have just stocked up on 100 watt bulbs before they are discontinued. I only use one in the conservatory as it is so big and the bulb does not hang in the middle so it is dark. It's still dark with the 100watt

Lamps, Berrie. Lamps.

Got 4 of them...next to no light out of them either and not overhead which you need if you are trying to eat in the dark!

Wall-lights?

Why are these eco-bulbs so dark? This house had them everywhere (left by previous owners) and although I felt guilty doing it I've changed them all for proper bulbs because everywhere was so dark. RIP 100 watt.

I just read a Sunday Times article bemoaning the loss of 'proper' light bulbs. We have until this time next year to stockpile the 60w and lower ones. Yep, that's my plan. These eco ones are hideous. She also predicts a massive growth in the sale of candles as they are soooo awful.

Oh. Pilates last night ladies. I anticipate the pain to kick in tomorrow.

Well there's no point you going to my local co-op for any 100 watters, I've got 'em!

Can't put wall lights on glass Oggs.

I thought pilates was supposed o be gentle!