Crepeys of a consistently high standard

[Stropperella]

So there. :)

Colin all the way here too, certainly after my efforts with DD1's cake, which went straight in the bin (one day I shall post a pic for everyone to laugh at).

And Herbs - wot QQ said re: low carbing. This is why I'm not losing weight - you have to be hardcore for the first 2-3 weeks.

Being hardcore seems unmanageable with any kind of real life to contend with. I didn't want to have to do calorie counting, as it's so depressing, and thought that just cutting out most carbs would do it, but may have to get back on MFP.

Herbs I've been doing 1500 calories a day for the last 6 months and it's slow but relatively easy. Yes there's a lot of looking at packets at the beginning but I have an app that pretty much works everything out. I have lost 10kg over that time. And it's dead easy to maintain. Lots of fruit, a few nuts, red wine, even a few bags of onion rings or quavers. And yes dark choc squares of course.
It's not like the olden days of calorie counting. Nearly all products tell you on the front if they are under 100cals.
Maybe worth a try, if you don't want to lose weight very quickly, but rather adjust your eating a bit. My motivation was helped by knowing that I was helping my back by getting off a bit of middle age spread.

Today mostly resting. My back is agony this morning for absolutely no reason I can think of. Stress?
Dd reports that she has moved in to the flat. It's her birthday on Thursday. Not sure how to approach it.

Thing is, during the week I barely eat 1500 calories a day, since I stopped eating wheat, and expend plenty by marching about with DS. I had been gradually losing weight like this, and then suddenly put on four pounds. And even by further restricting calories, it hasn't gone. I only want to lose half a stone, or so, and get rid of the horrible new fat on the inside upper arms. What the hell is that crap?

Oh herbs I don't know, but I do know a lot of ladies of my age are only eating less to stand still. Hormones do play a part I think

I know. Sorry to bang on. If the solution was easy, we'd all be nine-stone lovelies. I shall try drinking gallons of water, and see what happens. Maybe I've got a giant poo backlog.

May take a trip out this arvo to a local carnival where Aswad and The Real Thing are playing! Anyone remember them?

Oh and happy birthday QQDS1 on reaching the age of majority shoeless.

Well we got the shoes! They were ones I had previously spotted, funnily enough. They are platforms with heels and I think she'll spend more time with them kicked off than wearing them, but the little trip out with DH was pain - free, so all good. I have also availed myself of MILs sewing machine and have just about finished taking up the dress, and Ella and her friend seem to be sorting the hair and makeup, so it's all coming together

Herbs, welcome to the bingo - wings club! The idea of low-carb, never mind no carb doesn't do it for me

Yes happy birthday to DS, QQ - and no big celebrations needed, result!

BTM, congrats on shoe acquisition. And this morning I met a friend in Sainsbo (as you do) who told me his ds is applying to US unis based on his athletics prowess. My ds then gave me a whole spiel about how anyone sporty can do this, and I thought of you and your fably sporty ds....I expect you were aware of this, but anyway. Apparently the other advantage of US unis is that you do a very broad curriculum initially, so if you're not sure what you want to study, you don't have to decide till you've done the first year.

Happy birthday to QQDS. Fingers crossed for his results in August.

Crem - The only way to approach the birthday is as normal - whatever you have ever done for previous birthdays, do the same.

Birthdays have a lot of tradition involved in them & if you follow that route, in the end you won't be blamed. You might be now, (sorry, but it could happen) but 3/4/5/ years down the line it will be that you didn't give up, didn't change etc etc.

You are playing 'the long game' here.

And you have my sympathy.

Wise words, Magi.

dd's birthday is on Tuesday but she is working long shifts at her summer job so we have just had a mini-celebration involving Pimms, Colin and new pyjamas and a proper conversation before dh started work again. Sunday nights don't get better than that. ds is away on one of his cadet camps and I will have the house to myself for quite long periods this week .

And I had a truly crepey shopping trip today involving new waterproof jacket, foil containers and dustpan.

Thanks Molly! I'm not sure if his sporting prowess is enough for that, or if I want him to go off to America, or if he would actually want to go to uni, but it's something to bear in mind!

Cremo, that is a tricky and possibly upsetting one for you. I agree with Magi - could you do the usual if that is possible long-distance?
Not that I'm an expert, and I'm sure to do the wrong thing for DD in 3 weeks (especially as she already got her present a couple of months ago, and we will be on holiday!) - it doesn't help that she has a lovely friend who is getting a lot of stuff lavished on her at the moment.

We seem to have a fair few summer babies, don't we crepeys?!

Lalsy, we bought 4 pairs of waterproof trousers today as well as the vertiginous shoes

Crem - agree with Magi, plus you could send her something terribly dull but useful for the flat, like some tea towels.

Tea towels for the flat are a clever idea, MrsS, imvho.

Sorry, BTM, didn't mean to imply your ds should go jetting off to another continent, daft of me really.

Tea towels are a brilliant idea, especially if you can get some (one) with a funny message which will make DD laugh at some point, Crem.

And, yes, we do have a lot of July birthdays, DS was born on 4th July. Did everyone have holidays late August/September? DS was a typical first baby, almost two weeks late.

Off to swim and then Aquafit this morning- it's another lovely morning after last night's storms. And we have our friend's cottage later in the week so are off with DGS1 for a 'holiday'.

Cremo agree with the act as normal advice.
Here I at the beginning of a looooong week and feeling tired already.

Happy Monday all.

Oh yes, tea towels

BD, sending you strength vibes.

DD has gone off to her Taster Day with her mate. Fingers crossed it goes OK.

Have Ladyjogged. Contemplated rotundity in mirror. Consoled self on account of Ladyjog. Now about to embark on first rewrite of novel.

Strength, MI and BD. I hope it goes well for DD, BTM.

I am back from the swimming pool having not done any exercise as it's closed because the water is too cold. The 'book' says it can't be under 26 degrees so that's that. A complete waste of time. I did ask why they couldn't text us if we have booked in for a class; oh, that's a good idea.

So I am cleaning while DH sweeps down the paths and patio for the fifth time since we came back from holiday. Bits off the roof again and they will paddle inside if not removed. Off strawberry picking with DD and her DC this afternoon which should be interesting.

I contemplated my rotundity on the scales - over the past week I have PUT ON two (ii, 2) pounds. Despite dieting. What a load of shit. I think that perhaps my near permanent welding to the study chair is not unconnected.

From today I shall commence a daily LadyLeap - either Davina McCall or Saint Jillian of Michaels. If nothing else it will hopefully stave off further health decline. And maybe alzheimers - my cousin has now got it, in her sixties. And there's talk of a genetic connection. Gibber.

Re teatowels, how about this sarcastic little number.

That's very norty, Herbs!

Agree with the others - something for her and something for the flat. It does sound like she is desperate to be a 'homemaker' like you said earlier and the fact that you give her something for the flat just acknowledges that. Cook book, bunting, photo of you and dh in a silver frame???

I am not rotund - I appear to have gone square, like a box! I bought that dress, Rose, in the blue. It's lovely, but all your comments about knees have forced me to examine mine and it's not pretty. Wonder if I might be peri-menopausal yet? How do I know and do I need to know?

Was that tea towel a bit mean? I did worry... Sorry crem if I've been a bit much.

I don't know if one needs to know if one is perimenopausal - what good can it do? < head in sand emoticon >

My knees used to be big footballers knees, but now they are ginormous and saggy and not helped by the Bakers Cyst swelling (though that is now a million times better with the tablets)

No, you don't need to know, Herbs.

I am both perimenopausal and Fibrous, of course. Must be nicer to DP, as nobody else will ever fancy me again.