I’m seeing Doc tomorrow morning, and if he agrees, going back to the full dose of happy pills.

Looking forward to a default setting with more of a pinkish tinge.

Is there any proven link between accumulated cat fur and improved household insulation?

No?

Bugger, I’ll have to keep hoovering then.

It’s been an afternoon of housework and tidying, there’s still a helluva lot to do, but we have made a good start. I’ve even unpacked and set up a lamp I bought months ago - it looks really nice in the dining room. It’s one of those rattan ones, I just hope the cats don’t think it’s a new scratching post…

Chris has worked miracles with the sitting room carpet, with the help of Vanish (such a good product!) and I’ve tidied up my side of the bedroom. Together we have tackled the bathroom, and I sorted out the jumble of cardboard and plastic that was in our kitchen cupboard into recycling bags. Add that to a mega shoping run to Tesco’s and I think we thoroughly deserved the two episodes of Stargate we treated ourselves to in the middle.

A good day’s work.

That’s a piece of equipment at the gym, not the instructor, who was a very nice lady. My session at the gym this morning included me finally getting my programme, and being introduced to a few new bits of kit, including the aforementioned cross trainer. Instructor lady was very helpful and understanding of various things including knackered shoulder, so we’re concentrating on the lower body for the moment (just as well, that’s the bit which needs most help!!). I certainly felt a lot more invigorated after my workout, and am hopeful that 3 sessions a week will at last lead to some weight loss. Yes, I know I haven’t blogged about that this week, that’s because somehow I managed to put on one pound, 16 ounces etc etc etc. Doesn’t do a lot for a girl’s motivation, but like I said, getting a programme sorted out has given me a new burst of optimism.

Apparently, last night’s Wife Swap USA was all about a family of pirates.

Is there something Milk Monster’s Mum isn’t telling us?

Today I went to Coventry. Not somewhere I would have opted to go for the hell of it on my day off, and certainly not somewhere I ever intend going again after the trauma of navigating my way out of the city, but that’s another story (Coventry is a hole : end of). No, today I went to Coventry for something rather special. Today was Paul’s (non-biological, washes whiter brother’s) graduation day.

Many of you know Paul, know he’s a health a safety bod, and know he was studying for a NEBOSH (don’t ask me what it stands for) diploma. Whilst he got the results of that over a year ago, (passed with credit) his actual graduation ceremony was today, and I was there, alongwith Paul’s Mum Sheila to witness the occasion.

I’m sure Paul will post pictures, let me just tell you he looked pretty damn smart in his gown and mortarboard, and we clapped very hard for his 2.3 seconds on stage (they whizz through 400 odd (some very) students in just over an hour) - in fact we only clapped harder for a young lad who was collecting a posthumously awarded diploma for his grandfather, but then everyone else did too.

Well done Paul - proud of you Bro!!!

Been a really good day today, went to the 20/20 cricket at Trent Bridge with work, and Chris, and Paul who came up for the weekend especially. I’ve never been to a cricket match before, but this was a huge lot of fun! Helped somewhat no doubt by watching the game from a corporate box with lots of yummy food…oops! Oh, and I’ve seen the infamous Andrew “Freddie” Flintoff (got bowled out for about 3 runs!)

Tonight we’re off to the quiz, and then an early start tomorrow to get Paul to the station.

Nice weekend

So. I stepped on the scales this morning. And yes, I have lost weight.

A quarter of a pound.

Or, more specifically, 4 lousy, pathetic, measley ounces. Even converting it to grams (100) doesn’t make it sound any better.

It really doesn’t do much for one’s motivation.

Pah

Eric has lived with us for 18 months and 2 days.

In all that time, he has made chirpy noises and a funny, whiny sort of hmmm-mmm sound. He has NEVER miaowed. Until today.

Once at Chris through the back door and once just now at me. A real, proper, MIAOW.

Weird things cats!!

If that’s saying’s true, there should be A LOT of gain (or rather loss!) when I step back on the scales this Wednesday. I ache!

Since “new regime” last Monday, I have been to the gym a total of 4 times : Monday, Wednesday, Sunday and today, and done 1 hour’s worth each time. I’ve hardly had any treats and I’ve tried to be a bit more active generally (I’ve even hoovered).

Chris has joined me on the lose weight kick, having discovered he can’t get into his 3/4 shorts anymore!! All those lollipops… we’re now having joint weigh ins each week (and I’m having a sneaky one at the weekend to check I’m on track).

So fingers crossed for good news and no hissy fits this week!

Hmmm. Counselling. (See previous blog comments) I have wondered about it, coming to terms with my feelings over Dad dying vs Mum living, my fear of turning into Mum as she turned into her Mum before her…it’s a bit of a minefield, and more than a tad scary, but I have thought about it. I think I need to be in a better place mentally and emotionally though before attempting to open any cans of worms. Chicken and egg I know, but I don’t feel able to take that on - yet.

I am referring to my not having a great time with the reduced happy pills dose. I saw my Doc this week and told him how I’d been feeling, and we had a good old talk. I’m seeing him again in a couple of weeks, and if I’m still feeling blah he’ll up the dose again. And not tamper with anything for a good long while to come - 18 months/1 year in fact - before trying again.

The reasoning is, if I haven’t adjusted well by now, then the depression is more deep seated, and will need treating for a longer period of time. The whole Mum situation took years to grind me right down, it could easily takes years to come right back up again. I don’t necessarily like the idea - but I don’t like feeling like this either, so I’m trying to convince myself it’s just like taking my migraine medication.

It’s a funny old thing depression (sic) - in that you don’t actually feel depressed all the time. It’s more like having a default setting of varying shades of grey you always return to, after a laugh with friends or whatever. It’s weird. It’s not nice. It sucks.

Minifer’s back (thank gawd, that Vectra really was a boneshaker of gargantuan proportions), and I yet again experience the financial pain of owning a BMW Mini…

*cue more comments from Matt

And what happens now I’ve got the window fixed? The bloody weather goes all cold again.

Bah.

Tomorrow’s drive to work and back could be interesting. My lovely mini has been a tad tempermentalof recent months, in so far as the driver’s window keeps stopping working for weeks at a time. Luckily it’s never failed when already open, always when I want to open it - but it’s been getting increasingly on my wick, so I’d booked Minifer into the garage today to get it fixed.

He’s still there. The job has apparently been a bit of a pig, and the door is still in bits. I have a loan car, a total heap cunningly disguised as a W reg Vauxhall Vectra. It has just under 174,000 miles on the clock, a persistant knocking from the back which increases with speed, a wobbly gear box and spongy brakes. If it gets me out of Long Eaton tomorrow I’ll be surprised.

*makes note to check rescue membership card is in purse before setting off*

Starting today, I’ve negotiated an early finish on Mondays, (traded for a late finish on Tuesdays) to give me time to go to the gym and get home at a reasonable hour. This means I can go three times a week : Mondays, Wednesdays (my day off) and once at the weekend (usually Saturdays).

For the last week, I’ve been practising being good on the diet front too : only diet drinks and rare treats, and haven’t felt especialy hungry.

If that doesn’t get the scales moving off 11.8 in the right direction, I don’t know what will.

PS I don’t know who coined the expression “you don’t sweat much for a fat lass” but I can tell you after this evening it most certainly wasn’t penned about me!!

Someone should tell David Dickenson, Jordan, Paris Hilton & co about decking stain, they’d save a fortune on fake tan.

And it’s an absolute bugger to get off, nowhere near as easy as emulsion.

The decking is looking magnificent, will probably need another coat, but is a vast improvement on what it was. The new table & chairs look right at home too, and the multi coloured daisy windmill things we bought in Bath (they’re colourful and I can’t kill them!)look ever so pretty. Shame about the ramshackle shed in the corner, which I think is held together by cobwebs, but its time will come. A glorious summer’s day, to be toped off with an evening at the pub quiz. More weekends should be like this.

Was in B&Q today, getting some extra decking stain in the hope of finishing that particular project tomorrow, when I spied some reduced garden furniture. The first set - a mock cast iron style one - seemed pretty good value for money, (£115 down to £85) but then I saw a more practical and prettier design for just £40!!! It’s now sitting on our decking, and look really good - I just hope I haven’t jinxed the rest of the summer by buying it!

I spent a very pleasant few hours yesterday, cruising and sightseeing the Thames with some lovely people from The Daily Kitten. I’ve met up with the UK ones a number of times now, but this was extra special - one was over from the States with her husband and a couple of friends, and having “chatted” for months now, we were all extremely keen to stage an international meet. The day passed all too quickly and hilariously, ending up at a yummy restaurant called Porters in Covent Garden for a meal before catching the train back home.

Yes, TRAIN Lord Hutton. I did public transport yesterday. I caught the bus from home into Derby, the train into London and the train back. OK, so Chris did pick me up from the station, but it was pretty darn late. Was it an enjoyable experience? Well, I suppose it did make it a bit more of adventure, but I had to allow nearly an hour and a half to get to the station, which is only a 25 minute drive away, so it’s not exactly time economic, but as I had the time, it wasn’t a problem. I’m not against public transport y’know, it’s just not usually practical!

Have you seen their diddy executive wheelie suitcases? That they manage to live out of for 10 weeks?

Anyone that knows me can probably visualise me going into Sir Alan’s boardroom - ginormous suitcase straining at the seams, couple of badly stuffed carrier bags swinging wildly from each arm, and a garish vanity case slung precariously around the big suitcase’s handle…nah, not really Apprentice material.

At least I can spell though, unlike one of the finalists…and I don’t lie on my CV either.

I think I want Helene to win, but I’m not sure. Who’s your favourite?

I love summer, it’s my favourite season - except for one thing.

Men’s bellies.

OK, so I have a belly, and I’m trying to do something about it - I’m not against bellies per se, but I DON’T WANT TO LOOK AT THEM!!! If it ain’t a six pack, please cover it up!! Especially in Tesco’s car park!

Ho hum, the realities of Monday mornings. Especially ones which start with a thumping headache, and necessitate vast quantities of prescription drugs and an extra hour and half’s sleep. Meaning a late start at work, never good on Mondays which are always hectic. And worse when you also have to leave early to attend the first residents’ meeting the home’s held since Mum moved there. All brought sharply into focus by the fact that I was the only relative to attend this meeting.

Is that rubbish or what?