Have spent the day in a bit of a tiz, trying to work out the review process for my company... why do they do it?! Why do they have to be SO complicated!!! You can end up spending several hours trying to fill in a form, when all you want to say to your staff member is that they are doing a bloody great job, and that they should continue in the same vein! It drives me mad... the upshot is that I have to go to London tomorrow to be reviewed by *my* boss, and hopefully that will give me some indication of how to review my staff! That's the idea anyhow... ;-) Kath from work is driving me into London (she has a meeting there), so am hoping this should take some of the horreur out of battling with public transport! Lets just hope we don't spend a few hours in a traffic jam on the M25 instead...
Not an awful lot else going on... Mark is *finally* feeling alot better, after two months with a series of colds... and I am feeling fit enough (I think) to go to netball tonight (ankle and finger are feeling up to it!) - although it looks darn cold outside! We are going to the football afterwards, so I have stocked up the slow cooker with a hopefully yummy veggie curry (it was sposed to be a vegetable *and* fish curry, but the Grimsby fish van guy didn't turn up today! pout...).
Forgot to say that Marta in China let me know that Jeremy has a job interview in Madrid next month - fingers crossed for that one! I think they would LOVE to move back home, for the sake of their pets if nothing else... I also have a sneaking suspicion I may have missed Marta's birthday mid-month (unless it is April?!), so extend my apologies for that one?! Is it right that Jeremy's BIG ONE is the 15th Feb, Mark's being the 15th March, making Marta's the 15th Jan, or 15th April (I know they are all in a row!).
Anyway... enough rambling. Time to go home and wrap up warm for netball...
Much love
Hayley
xxxx
PS. Happy birthday to my Godson, and cousin, Liam, who is an unbelievable 11 today... God, how time flies!
Tuesday, January 30, 2007
Monday, January 29, 2007
A Family Affair
Had a really pleasant weekend. Friday night, we just stayed in and I cooked a belated Burn's night meal - vegetarian haggis, tattie's and neeps, and a wee dram of whiskey for Mark...
Saturday, we wended our way over to Lowestoft to catch up avec Le Famile Brun... (my French does not get better with the passing years! heh... sort of "Hench" - Hayley/French).
We spent the afternoon with Dad in Lowestoft town centre shopping... can you believe there are that many shops! We do rather enjoy looking around the discount stores in Lowestoft (and boy, there are MANY!). We bought, amongst other things, a tiny plate for my dinners (my new 'small portion' regime), a workbench for Mark (a bargain at £6!), batteries for Mark's new remote controlled plane (don't ask), and the rather gorgeous cook book called Falling Cloudberries by Tessa Kiros... also a bargain at £6.25 from WHSmith at the moment! (was originally £25, and would have been worth that! Delicious recipes!...).
Late afternoon, we paid a visit to Nanny and Grandad - both in very good form and reminiscing about some of the characters in and around the fish markets and trawlers when Grandad worked on the boats. These stories always make me smile, and make me wish I could somehow capture them all, so I could dip into them whenever I liked in future...
In the evening, we went over to Tracy's, and she had slow-cooked one of the recipes out of this book in her Aga - a sort of roast lamb with lemony roast potatoes... gorgeous and simple! The boys are absolutely gorgeous - Oscar has grown SO much and is very smiley, and Henry is just delightful! Mark managed to build bridges with him (after the beetle eating debacle of last year), and bought him a simple polystyrene toy plane (cost = 39p), which kept him amused all weekend! Isn't it amazing how cheaply children can be bought?! hehe... Mark did however undo some of his good work by teasing him ceaselessly all weekend about various things (calling him "Henri" instead of Henry, when Henry was showing us his new French skills - causing Henry to shout at the top of his voice that he was "Eng-er-lish" whilst pulling his new "angry eyes" look, bless him... hehe...).
Sunday, poor Tracy had to work, so we took the boys for a lovely walk along the seafront (how I miss the sea!). Mum cooked a delicious paella for lunch, with baked lemon pudding for desert (delicious, and all weight watchers!), and then we made our way home. In the evening, we met up with Noel and his friend Pete to watch John Cale at The Junction... A very enjoyable evening - not sure about all of Cale's stuff - some moments of pure and absolute genius (some beautiful ballads, and he *does* have an amazing voice), and then some of absolute lunacy - his rendition of Heartbreak Hotel bought tears to my eyes - and not with joy! Painful! I guess when someone has been going so long, they are bound to have had a few 'experimental' periods in the 70s/80s... nuff said.
Anyway... I am off running this week. Still got some ankle pain, and don't want to do any serious long lasting damage! Very frustrating though, as I don't want to let my motivation slide... Mark will have to hide my exercise DVDs from me this week, so I don't get tempted by them! On an up note, I managed to lose 5lbs last week (?????????????!!!!!!!!!!!), so am feeling a lot lighter and a bit more comfortable in my jeans! Lets hope it continues this way... looks like beer will have to be an occasional treat from now on!
Lots of love
Hayls
xxxxxxxx
ps. Am LOVING this today!
Saturday, we wended our way over to Lowestoft to catch up avec Le Famile Brun... (my French does not get better with the passing years! heh... sort of "Hench" - Hayley/French).
We spent the afternoon with Dad in Lowestoft town centre shopping... can you believe there are that many shops! We do rather enjoy looking around the discount stores in Lowestoft (and boy, there are MANY!). We bought, amongst other things, a tiny plate for my dinners (my new 'small portion' regime), a workbench for Mark (a bargain at £6!), batteries for Mark's new remote controlled plane (don't ask), and the rather gorgeous cook book called Falling Cloudberries by Tessa Kiros... also a bargain at £6.25 from WHSmith at the moment! (was originally £25, and would have been worth that! Delicious recipes!...).
Late afternoon, we paid a visit to Nanny and Grandad - both in very good form and reminiscing about some of the characters in and around the fish markets and trawlers when Grandad worked on the boats. These stories always make me smile, and make me wish I could somehow capture them all, so I could dip into them whenever I liked in future...
In the evening, we went over to Tracy's, and she had slow-cooked one of the recipes out of this book in her Aga - a sort of roast lamb with lemony roast potatoes... gorgeous and simple! The boys are absolutely gorgeous - Oscar has grown SO much and is very smiley, and Henry is just delightful! Mark managed to build bridges with him (after the beetle eating debacle of last year), and bought him a simple polystyrene toy plane (cost = 39p), which kept him amused all weekend! Isn't it amazing how cheaply children can be bought?! hehe... Mark did however undo some of his good work by teasing him ceaselessly all weekend about various things (calling him "Henri" instead of Henry, when Henry was showing us his new French skills - causing Henry to shout at the top of his voice that he was "Eng-er-lish" whilst pulling his new "angry eyes" look, bless him... hehe...).
Sunday, poor Tracy had to work, so we took the boys for a lovely walk along the seafront (how I miss the sea!). Mum cooked a delicious paella for lunch, with baked lemon pudding for desert (delicious, and all weight watchers!), and then we made our way home. In the evening, we met up with Noel and his friend Pete to watch John Cale at The Junction... A very enjoyable evening - not sure about all of Cale's stuff - some moments of pure and absolute genius (some beautiful ballads, and he *does* have an amazing voice), and then some of absolute lunacy - his rendition of Heartbreak Hotel bought tears to my eyes - and not with joy! Painful! I guess when someone has been going so long, they are bound to have had a few 'experimental' periods in the 70s/80s... nuff said.
Anyway... I am off running this week. Still got some ankle pain, and don't want to do any serious long lasting damage! Very frustrating though, as I don't want to let my motivation slide... Mark will have to hide my exercise DVDs from me this week, so I don't get tempted by them! On an up note, I managed to lose 5lbs last week (?????????????!!!!!!!!!!!), so am feeling a lot lighter and a bit more comfortable in my jeans! Lets hope it continues this way... looks like beer will have to be an occasional treat from now on!
Lots of love
Hayls
xxxxxxxx
ps. Am LOVING this today!
Thursday, January 25, 2007
Oh Baby, It's Cold Outisde...
It DID indeed snow yesterday, which put a dampener on running at lunch... but did do one of the DVDs, and am consequently walking like John Wayne today! (Davina McColl knows how to make those bottom and leg muscles burn! or her personal trainers do...)
Last night we did sod all really... I made quorn meatballs, and we went to bed fairly early. It's so cold!!
Today, took Mark's car to the garage at lunch, and tonight am off to Robert and Emma's for dinner (I am cooking pork steaks in tarragon and mushroom sauce - yummm.... good old weight watchers recipe books!), and Emma and I are going for a quick run. I may however be cycling there too (as my car battery is stuffed) - too much exercise! Things are paying off though, and have lost a massive 9lbs since the start of January - I hadn't really realised this until I worked it out today! Am happy with that... could it possibly be due to lack of beer? Naaaaah..... surely not! ;-)
Am loving this website about food!! It is brilliant! Taught me loads :-) The sperm taste one is not for those of a weak disposition... urk. The pain-free way to lose weight section is fascinating!!
Anyway... off I trot. I have to cycle and pick up Mark's car from garage... only reason I am not taking his tonight is that it is about 40ft long, and I can't park it in Robert and Emma's street!!!
Much love
Hayls
xxxxxxxxxxxxx
Last night we did sod all really... I made quorn meatballs, and we went to bed fairly early. It's so cold!!
Today, took Mark's car to the garage at lunch, and tonight am off to Robert and Emma's for dinner (I am cooking pork steaks in tarragon and mushroom sauce - yummm.... good old weight watchers recipe books!), and Emma and I are going for a quick run. I may however be cycling there too (as my car battery is stuffed) - too much exercise! Things are paying off though, and have lost a massive 9lbs since the start of January - I hadn't really realised this until I worked it out today! Am happy with that... could it possibly be due to lack of beer? Naaaaah..... surely not! ;-)
Am loving this website about food!! It is brilliant! Taught me loads :-) The sperm taste one is not for those of a weak disposition... urk. The pain-free way to lose weight section is fascinating!!
Anyway... off I trot. I have to cycle and pick up Mark's car from garage... only reason I am not taking his tonight is that it is about 40ft long, and I can't park it in Robert and Emma's street!!!
Much love
Hayls
xxxxxxxxxxxxx
Tuesday, January 23, 2007
Brrrr........
My hands are actually freezing as I am sitting at my desk - not good! It looks like we might get some snow tonight, or tomorrow... very very cold! Am gonna go home shortly and light a fire (well, try to!).
Have decided to give netball a miss tonight. My finger is still really sore from last week (looks crooked still), and don't want to risk further damage to it. Apart from anything else, it is also freezing! Not sure I can face turning out in this weather! I am intending to go home and do one of my exercise DVDs, which always makes me feel better...
Poor old Mark has to come home and fix part of his car tonight (well get it into a drivable state, so that I can take it to the garage for him). That's the trouble with being so darn handy! I would be able to just throw my hands in the air and call the AA - he doesn't have such advantages... ;-)
Met Mark's sister-in-law, Alison, for lunch today in the village pub, to give her a card for Sam's birthday (her son, Mark's nephew). He will be ten this year... oh to be ten again! What a lovely age - although I guess all those SATS and stuff they have to do these days would take the edge off it a bit!
Am trying to decide what to make for dinner tonight... Quorn meatballs and pasta, or some sort of fish... hmmm....... I have added a new aspect to my dieting this week, and it seems to be working already! Not only counting points etc... but also trying to cut down my portion size! An entire saucepan full of vegetable curry may not contain many points/calories, but it does nothing for weight loss! Am considering buying one of these to help the process, although I can see that some may say I have more money than sense... I have to undo 30-odd years of eating "Brown Family" sized portions - no mean feat!!! ;-)
Keep warm (those in warmer climes should keep how hot it is to themselves... you know who you are).
Hayls
xxx
Have decided to give netball a miss tonight. My finger is still really sore from last week (looks crooked still), and don't want to risk further damage to it. Apart from anything else, it is also freezing! Not sure I can face turning out in this weather! I am intending to go home and do one of my exercise DVDs, which always makes me feel better...
Poor old Mark has to come home and fix part of his car tonight (well get it into a drivable state, so that I can take it to the garage for him). That's the trouble with being so darn handy! I would be able to just throw my hands in the air and call the AA - he doesn't have such advantages... ;-)
Met Mark's sister-in-law, Alison, for lunch today in the village pub, to give her a card for Sam's birthday (her son, Mark's nephew). He will be ten this year... oh to be ten again! What a lovely age - although I guess all those SATS and stuff they have to do these days would take the edge off it a bit!
Am trying to decide what to make for dinner tonight... Quorn meatballs and pasta, or some sort of fish... hmmm....... I have added a new aspect to my dieting this week, and it seems to be working already! Not only counting points etc... but also trying to cut down my portion size! An entire saucepan full of vegetable curry may not contain many points/calories, but it does nothing for weight loss! Am considering buying one of these to help the process, although I can see that some may say I have more money than sense... I have to undo 30-odd years of eating "Brown Family" sized portions - no mean feat!!! ;-)
Keep warm (those in warmer climes should keep how hot it is to themselves... you know who you are).
Hayls
xxx
Monday, January 22, 2007
A Weekend in the Shire of Cam
We had a nice weekend at home this time... Friday night, Mark went to bed very early and I had the misfortune of staying up to watch Big Brother... if left unattended, how quickly I return to my devilish ways! ;-)
Saturday I helped Mark put the huge sheets of glass into the new garage, and then I took a trip up to Jamie and Adele's new place just along the road... it is going to be very weird not having them next door, but am glad they are only 2 minutes away (on my bike). Their new place is amazing - lots of potential, but alot of work required... the previous owners smoke cigars and owned dogs, so there is deffo a whiff of them about the place. It won't take much though to have it feeling like home, and the space in the back of the bungalow and the garden is just amazing - definately more than enough room to swing a baby elephant!
Saturday afternoon, Mark, John and I went along to the local football match, which was quite good (mainly because we won!). Was jolly cold though...
Saturday night we had a lovely dinner at Doug and Angie's place... Doug cooked a lovely spread; Fish bake thingys with an amazing humous and beetroot concoction piped onto the plate - very artistic! Then we had a lovely pasta and seafood dish with salad and a yummy bread... fruit crumble and custard, and cheese and biscuits... (as you can see my diet went out of the window for the night!).
Sunday we took a trip to Mark's parents for a yummy lunch, and sat around at their place for the afternoon doing crosswords and reading the papers (very relaxing). Last night we just stayed in and I read magazines while Mark played on the computer... was nice.
Not much else to report I am afraid!
Much love
Hayls
xxx
Saturday I helped Mark put the huge sheets of glass into the new garage, and then I took a trip up to Jamie and Adele's new place just along the road... it is going to be very weird not having them next door, but am glad they are only 2 minutes away (on my bike). Their new place is amazing - lots of potential, but alot of work required... the previous owners smoke cigars and owned dogs, so there is deffo a whiff of them about the place. It won't take much though to have it feeling like home, and the space in the back of the bungalow and the garden is just amazing - definately more than enough room to swing a baby elephant!
Saturday afternoon, Mark, John and I went along to the local football match, which was quite good (mainly because we won!). Was jolly cold though...
Saturday night we had a lovely dinner at Doug and Angie's place... Doug cooked a lovely spread; Fish bake thingys with an amazing humous and beetroot concoction piped onto the plate - very artistic! Then we had a lovely pasta and seafood dish with salad and a yummy bread... fruit crumble and custard, and cheese and biscuits... (as you can see my diet went out of the window for the night!).
Sunday we took a trip to Mark's parents for a yummy lunch, and sat around at their place for the afternoon doing crosswords and reading the papers (very relaxing). Last night we just stayed in and I read magazines while Mark played on the computer... was nice.
Not much else to report I am afraid!
Much love
Hayls
xxx
Friday, January 19, 2007
Kisimul in Moonlight
I have been reading up a little for our holiday in The Hebrides (mainly looking for camp sites, which seem to be non-existent!), and came across this gorgeous photograph of Barra island on Flickr... has trebled my excitment!
Our trip will entail a bit of island hopping - from Barra, to Uist, Harris and Lewis, and then Skye. My dearest wish would be to visit the Shiant Islands (as described beautifully by Adam Nicholson, in his marvellous book The Sea Room), but I think this might be a bit of a pipe dream...
An Ill Wind
Well... yesterday did not pan out as expected! Having made an effort to get into work super-early, I was thwarted on arrival at King's Cross (there was a power failure) which meant a brisk walk to Euston. En route, I saw what appeared to be a person being treated by a vast number of medics, having fallen victim to a huge wooden hoarding that had been blown over by the terrible winds yesterday...
I knew that things did not bode well for the journey home, when early afternoon there was an announcement in the swaying tower that is my new workplace, stating that we were not permitted to go outside the building because of the high winds... at around 4pm, having heard that there *may* be some train cancellations, I decided to try and make it home... dear me. Basically, Cambridge was about THE most difficult place in the country to get to, it seemed! No trains from Liverpool Street or Kings Cross (power lines were blown down, and there was mucho debris on the lines), and no National Express coaches (as the M11 was closed, and the other motorways were gridlocked...). Thankfully, rescue came in the form of Ricki and Bill, who took me home to Hither Green and fed me red wine and curry (the whole reason I was in London on a Thursday was to avoid the HUGE calorific buffet they have in the Cambridge office on a weekly basis - how ironic!). If I had not had Ricki, I quite frankly don't know what I would have done! I would have been looking at a hotel for the night - which makes me wonder how all the other people trying to get home coped!! There were people in tears at Liverpool Street when faced with a myriad of red cancellation announcements!
My perturbation however was (as usual) put into perspective by Mark... there are ten poor people who didn't make it home at all last night... will never be going home. A sobering thought! Although, I can still pout inwardly about having to get up at 6:30 this morning to get home, and at missing a visit to the cinema last night with Mark and his family...
I knew that things did not bode well for the journey home, when early afternoon there was an announcement in the swaying tower that is my new workplace, stating that we were not permitted to go outside the building because of the high winds... at around 4pm, having heard that there *may* be some train cancellations, I decided to try and make it home... dear me. Basically, Cambridge was about THE most difficult place in the country to get to, it seemed! No trains from Liverpool Street or Kings Cross (power lines were blown down, and there was mucho debris on the lines), and no National Express coaches (as the M11 was closed, and the other motorways were gridlocked...). Thankfully, rescue came in the form of Ricki and Bill, who took me home to Hither Green and fed me red wine and curry (the whole reason I was in London on a Thursday was to avoid the HUGE calorific buffet they have in the Cambridge office on a weekly basis - how ironic!). If I had not had Ricki, I quite frankly don't know what I would have done! I would have been looking at a hotel for the night - which makes me wonder how all the other people trying to get home coped!! There were people in tears at Liverpool Street when faced with a myriad of red cancellation announcements!
My perturbation however was (as usual) put into perspective by Mark... there are ten poor people who didn't make it home at all last night... will never be going home. A sobering thought! Although, I can still pout inwardly about having to get up at 6:30 this morning to get home, and at missing a visit to the cinema last night with Mark and his family...
Thursday, January 18, 2007
El-oh-el-aye Lola
Little Lola is one years old today, believe it or not! Happy Birthday to you Lola... hope you enjoy the fairy cakes Mummy is making today!
Lots of love
Aunty Poo Poo
xxx
Wednesday, January 17, 2007
Finger on the Ball
Last night was a little bit of a mini-disaster (cue tense music and gasps of horreur). I seem to have injured my finger at netball, quite badly! Caught the ball "wrong", which is supposedly quite a common injury for netballers! Not sure if I have broken it, but it is double its normal size (no laughing - I know I have fingers like stubby sausages at the best of times), and a rather fetching shade of green/black/blue/yellow... I will have to wait and see whether it is worth the trip to an A&E department to get it x-rayed, but at the moment am having to make-do with soliciting sympathy around the office by shoving it under the nose of anyone silly enough to make eye contact with me... sob!
Not an awful lot else to report. The weather has been foul, so called off today's lunch time run, and have promised to go Friday instead. At lunch around fifteen of us went to the curry house in the village... I of course went for social reasons (not to eat!), and had to make do with a 1/4 of tandori chicken and salad whilst the rest of them stuffed their faces with full-on proper curry and all the trimmings... sigh!
Tonight, we r just staying in I reckon... tomorrow I have to go to London, and in the evening we are going to see Miss Potter at the cinema with Caroline and Mark's Mum... am looking forward to it!
Lots of love
Hayls
xxx
Not an awful lot else to report. The weather has been foul, so called off today's lunch time run, and have promised to go Friday instead. At lunch around fifteen of us went to the curry house in the village... I of course went for social reasons (not to eat!), and had to make do with a 1/4 of tandori chicken and salad whilst the rest of them stuffed their faces with full-on proper curry and all the trimmings... sigh!
Tonight, we r just staying in I reckon... tomorrow I have to go to London, and in the evening we are going to see Miss Potter at the cinema with Caroline and Mark's Mum... am looking forward to it!
Lots of love
Hayls
xxx
Monday, January 15, 2007
Pottering
Not alot to report over the weekend... I did get this gorgeous picture of little Helena off her blog, which I couldn't resist adding here...
Friday night, went out with Mark to eat, but it was kind of low-key as Mark was feeling pretty ropey (sore throat), so we packed in early and didn't make a big night of it.
Saturday we drove over to Caroline's and saw the kids, walked into the city (a 6 mile round trip!), and did a spot of shopping. I was chuffed as got a dress in Gap that I had *almost* bought for £48 earlier in the year, and managed to get for £11 in their sale! Mark bought himself some much-needed new shoes, and we did a spot of food shopping - including yummy chestnuts from the market to roast on the fire... (a certain song comes to mind! ;-)
Saturday night, we just watched a Harry Potter film and then the rather excellent K-Pax film with Kevin Spacey in it... brilliant film.
Sunday, Mark was still poorly, so he stayed off work. I headed over to the house in Norwich - gave it a little bit of a clean and picked up post. Had lunch with Annie and Jack, which was gorgeous - and very good to see them! We exchanged mucho holiday stories, and caught up on each other's news...
In the afternoon, I went over to see Nikki and Carlos's new house in Sprowston, Norwich. Lots of potential there and a MASSIVE garden - Carlos certainly has his work cut out! They seemed happier and more relaxed than I have seen them in a very long time (something to do with reaching your final destination I guess!).
In the evening, I had a bit of a nightmare journey home (Mark's car has far too many diagnostics on it - and kept telling me I had all manner of punctures and under-inflated tyres, when they looked fine to me!). I got home and cooked a yummy roast dinner for us - chicken for me and nut roast for Marky. Not alot else to report!
Struggled to go running at lunch today (I *did* manage it) as I think I strained one of my calf muscles on Friday night whilst bopping around to a Nell McAndrew DVD. Not sure whether I should now be resting it, or trying to keep up the exercise routine! I guess I am not an experienced enough fitness fanatic! Am also scared that if I stop, I will never start again! I want to keep it going while I have the motivation there... managed to lose another two pound last week, so that is 7 since New Year. Will be keeping at it!
Hope you all had a good weekend...
Much love
Hayls
xxxx
Friday night, went out with Mark to eat, but it was kind of low-key as Mark was feeling pretty ropey (sore throat), so we packed in early and didn't make a big night of it.
Saturday we drove over to Caroline's and saw the kids, walked into the city (a 6 mile round trip!), and did a spot of shopping. I was chuffed as got a dress in Gap that I had *almost* bought for £48 earlier in the year, and managed to get for £11 in their sale! Mark bought himself some much-needed new shoes, and we did a spot of food shopping - including yummy chestnuts from the market to roast on the fire... (a certain song comes to mind! ;-)
Saturday night, we just watched a Harry Potter film and then the rather excellent K-Pax film with Kevin Spacey in it... brilliant film.
Sunday, Mark was still poorly, so he stayed off work. I headed over to the house in Norwich - gave it a little bit of a clean and picked up post. Had lunch with Annie and Jack, which was gorgeous - and very good to see them! We exchanged mucho holiday stories, and caught up on each other's news...
In the afternoon, I went over to see Nikki and Carlos's new house in Sprowston, Norwich. Lots of potential there and a MASSIVE garden - Carlos certainly has his work cut out! They seemed happier and more relaxed than I have seen them in a very long time (something to do with reaching your final destination I guess!).
In the evening, I had a bit of a nightmare journey home (Mark's car has far too many diagnostics on it - and kept telling me I had all manner of punctures and under-inflated tyres, when they looked fine to me!). I got home and cooked a yummy roast dinner for us - chicken for me and nut roast for Marky. Not alot else to report!
Struggled to go running at lunch today (I *did* manage it) as I think I strained one of my calf muscles on Friday night whilst bopping around to a Nell McAndrew DVD. Not sure whether I should now be resting it, or trying to keep up the exercise routine! I guess I am not an experienced enough fitness fanatic! Am also scared that if I stop, I will never start again! I want to keep it going while I have the motivation there... managed to lose another two pound last week, so that is 7 since New Year. Will be keeping at it!
Hope you all had a good weekend...
Much love
Hayls
xxxx
Friday, January 12, 2007
Thank Ryvita it's Friday!
Had a pretty good (if not exhausting long) day in London yesterday. Got quite a few bits sorted out at work, and despite the fact it took me three hours to get there (I left home at 6:15 and arrived at 9:15!) I quite enjoyed the trip... plenty of time to stretch out and read lots of crappy celeb mags and drink over-priced coffee on the train! ;-)
At lunch, it was raining, so John and I checked out some of the sales in the shopping centre under Canary Wharf (SO many lovely shops!), and I managed to buy an over sized stripey shirt at a bargain price from Gap... I think it's the old Smiths fan in me that makes me buy stuff like that! Was good to catch up with John and hear about his new house over a coffee in Starbucks....
Last night, went to Robert and Emma's place for dinner. Emma and I did a relatively short, but very fast paced run, whilst Robert cooked us the most delicious roast chicken dinner... he even followed my dietary requests, and I was allowed a little bit of mash rather than a stack of roasties... For some reason Emma and I got the raving giggles, which ended up with us both sobbing on the floor! Poor Robert! How is it that girls can do that?!?!?!?! Who needs booze! What a tonic that was! :-D
Tonight, Mark is taking me out to dinner as a big thank you for looking after him and the house recently, which is rather cute of him! Particularly cute as it is the terribly expensive local restaurant that we are going to! I could get used to being spoilt... Am going to try and resist counting weightwatchers points tonight, although I find it difficult!!!!!! You might have gathered that once on a diet/fitness regime, I can get a *little* obsessive.... understatement! ;-) People who know me well enough, know that it will generally even out somewhere along the line.... although I am terribly focused on meeting my target weight this year. Only 1.5 stone to lose! ;-)
Tomorrow no real plans - have an exercise DVD to do and there is some stuff to do around the house, and we might take in some local museums - too often we both forget what a beautiful and cultural city we live in! Mark has more of an excuse for this as he has lived here his whole life, but I really should be making more effort to see some of it! I need more guests here to encourage me to leave the village and explore!
Sunday am orf to Norwich to check on the house, and visit Annie and Jack and Nikki and Carlos. Hopefully will try and catch up with Mark and Lindsey and possibly Kate... if I get up early enough!
Anyway... back to work.
Lots of love and have a great weekend
Hayls
xxxxxxxx
At lunch, it was raining, so John and I checked out some of the sales in the shopping centre under Canary Wharf (SO many lovely shops!), and I managed to buy an over sized stripey shirt at a bargain price from Gap... I think it's the old Smiths fan in me that makes me buy stuff like that! Was good to catch up with John and hear about his new house over a coffee in Starbucks....
Last night, went to Robert and Emma's place for dinner. Emma and I did a relatively short, but very fast paced run, whilst Robert cooked us the most delicious roast chicken dinner... he even followed my dietary requests, and I was allowed a little bit of mash rather than a stack of roasties... For some reason Emma and I got the raving giggles, which ended up with us both sobbing on the floor! Poor Robert! How is it that girls can do that?!?!?!?! Who needs booze! What a tonic that was! :-D
Tonight, Mark is taking me out to dinner as a big thank you for looking after him and the house recently, which is rather cute of him! Particularly cute as it is the terribly expensive local restaurant that we are going to! I could get used to being spoilt... Am going to try and resist counting weightwatchers points tonight, although I find it difficult!!!!!! You might have gathered that once on a diet/fitness regime, I can get a *little* obsessive.... understatement! ;-) People who know me well enough, know that it will generally even out somewhere along the line.... although I am terribly focused on meeting my target weight this year. Only 1.5 stone to lose! ;-)
Tomorrow no real plans - have an exercise DVD to do and there is some stuff to do around the house, and we might take in some local museums - too often we both forget what a beautiful and cultural city we live in! Mark has more of an excuse for this as he has lived here his whole life, but I really should be making more effort to see some of it! I need more guests here to encourage me to leave the village and explore!
Sunday am orf to Norwich to check on the house, and visit Annie and Jack and Nikki and Carlos. Hopefully will try and catch up with Mark and Lindsey and possibly Kate... if I get up early enough!
Anyway... back to work.
Lots of love and have a great weekend
Hayls
xxxxxxxx
Wednesday, January 10, 2007
Exclusive Footage
Click here for some exclusive footage of me following one of my exercise DVDS... man, those sit-ups really hurt!!! ;-)
Glaswegooooo
Yay! am a happy bunny... I have booked my flights to go up and visit Jen, John, Helena et al in Glasgow in March... really looking forward to it! I have also managed to tie Mark down to a weekend that I can take him away for his 40th birthday, also in March. Have sorted out where I am taking him (a surprise), and just need to make a few arrangements...
Last night we also discussed a few holiday plans; including trips to the Hebrides, Cornwall, sailing on the Broads, and possibly another week on the beach in Cambodia (sorry Jen/Helena!)... but all of this is a little up in the air!
Last night had a good netball match (exhausting but fun!), but the footie was cancelled due to a waterlogged pitch. I cooked some nice "Cod in Lemon and Dill Crumb" (a variation on a weightwatchers recipe), with butternut squash and carrot mash (God, I love my potato ricer!). Tonight we are having tuna steaks, and am trying to think of something exciting to do with them....
Been for a run at lunch, and intend to do one of the exercise vids at home tonight (I have to do something to take my mind off not drinking alcohol in January!), and tomorrow will be up painfully early to go and sit up a bloody tower in London. Actually, am looking forward to catching up with John and hearing all his 'moving home' news. Tomorrow evening, Noel is over and I am going to have dinner with Robert and Emma, and possibly a run with Emma beforehand!
No rest for the wicked....
Hayls
xxx
Last night we also discussed a few holiday plans; including trips to the Hebrides, Cornwall, sailing on the Broads, and possibly another week on the beach in Cambodia (sorry Jen/Helena!)... but all of this is a little up in the air!
Last night had a good netball match (exhausting but fun!), but the footie was cancelled due to a waterlogged pitch. I cooked some nice "Cod in Lemon and Dill Crumb" (a variation on a weightwatchers recipe), with butternut squash and carrot mash (God, I love my potato ricer!). Tonight we are having tuna steaks, and am trying to think of something exciting to do with them....
Been for a run at lunch, and intend to do one of the exercise vids at home tonight (I have to do something to take my mind off not drinking alcohol in January!), and tomorrow will be up painfully early to go and sit up a bloody tower in London. Actually, am looking forward to catching up with John and hearing all his 'moving home' news. Tomorrow evening, Noel is over and I am going to have dinner with Robert and Emma, and possibly a run with Emma beforehand!
No rest for the wicked....
Hayls
xxx
Tuesday, January 09, 2007
Fitness Freaking
Sorry for not blogging for a week... not an awful lot been going on really! Have managed to shed a pretty significant 5lbs this last week (basically the toll from Christmas and the build up), so this is where it starts to get tough. Getting rid of the weight that has been wedged on tight for the last ten months or so! hmm....
The running club is well and truly re-instated at work. Managed to go twice last week, and went for a 3.5 mile run at lunch yesterday too. I have also managed to dig out my old Nell McAndrew "Maximum Impact" DVD, which is a killer! How does that woman manage to look so bloody serene throughout it! she even manages to smile throughout... whilst I am floundering around the front room and groaning in agony. After a couple of sessions of this, I decided to buy the Jade Goody one (don't laugh). I thought I would at least get to see someone looking fatter and sweatier than me?! The trouble is, she doesn't!!!! The cardio section didn't even really make me work up a sweat, and the bloody woman manages to do 30 press ups, whereas I can currently do about five! Darn!!!!! I wonder if Bella Emberg does one?!
Had a nice, if uneventful weekend. Unfortunately, Mark worked... I walked into town in the rain on Saturday, did a spot of sale shopping (bought bedding and a potato ricer?!), and had a cuppa round at Robert and Emma's... in the evening we just chilled out when Mark got home. Sunday, I did the fitness DVD, and Rob and Emma came over. We went to look around Cottenham village, as they are potentially looking to buy a house... they were not awfully impressed... it rained... and we went home. In the evening, again we just settled in front of the fire. Mark has had a stinking cold for days now, and didn't feel like doing anything too lively.
Tonight am back into the breach; netball starts the new season... brrrrrrrrrrrr.... it is SO windy outside, and part of me is wanting to just stay at home. Am sure I will feel more like it when I get there! ;-) Afterwards, might join Mark to go and watch the second half of a local derby football match, and then home to cook the fish I have just bought from our Grimsby fish delivery guy, which is always delicious and very fresh.
Spoke to Jen yesterday. VERY excited about her impending visit in March, and am planning to fly to Glasgow for a couple of days when she is down so that I can meet her little daughter, Helena, which I am REALLY looking forward to. It is just a shame we will not get to spend more time together in her 3 weeks over here... I guess I just have to learn to share her! (well... her in-laws have to rate pretty highly on the "must see" list, but still!... pout).
We have just heard that Andy and Srey Neath in Cambodia are getting married in April, so there is a very vague possibility of a trip there too, finances permitting... very exciting!
Anyway... on with work!
Best wishes
Hayley
xxxxxxx
The running club is well and truly re-instated at work. Managed to go twice last week, and went for a 3.5 mile run at lunch yesterday too. I have also managed to dig out my old Nell McAndrew "Maximum Impact" DVD, which is a killer! How does that woman manage to look so bloody serene throughout it! she even manages to smile throughout... whilst I am floundering around the front room and groaning in agony. After a couple of sessions of this, I decided to buy the Jade Goody one (don't laugh). I thought I would at least get to see someone looking fatter and sweatier than me?! The trouble is, she doesn't!!!! The cardio section didn't even really make me work up a sweat, and the bloody woman manages to do 30 press ups, whereas I can currently do about five! Darn!!!!! I wonder if Bella Emberg does one?!
Had a nice, if uneventful weekend. Unfortunately, Mark worked... I walked into town in the rain on Saturday, did a spot of sale shopping (bought bedding and a potato ricer?!), and had a cuppa round at Robert and Emma's... in the evening we just chilled out when Mark got home. Sunday, I did the fitness DVD, and Rob and Emma came over. We went to look around Cottenham village, as they are potentially looking to buy a house... they were not awfully impressed... it rained... and we went home. In the evening, again we just settled in front of the fire. Mark has had a stinking cold for days now, and didn't feel like doing anything too lively.
Tonight am back into the breach; netball starts the new season... brrrrrrrrrrrr.... it is SO windy outside, and part of me is wanting to just stay at home. Am sure I will feel more like it when I get there! ;-) Afterwards, might join Mark to go and watch the second half of a local derby football match, and then home to cook the fish I have just bought from our Grimsby fish delivery guy, which is always delicious and very fresh.
Spoke to Jen yesterday. VERY excited about her impending visit in March, and am planning to fly to Glasgow for a couple of days when she is down so that I can meet her little daughter, Helena, which I am REALLY looking forward to. It is just a shame we will not get to spend more time together in her 3 weeks over here... I guess I just have to learn to share her! (well... her in-laws have to rate pretty highly on the "must see" list, but still!... pout).
We have just heard that Andy and Srey Neath in Cambodia are getting married in April, so there is a very vague possibility of a trip there too, finances permitting... very exciting!
Anyway... on with work!
Best wishes
Hayley
xxxxxxx
Tuesday, January 02, 2007
Normality
Whatever that means! :-) Am back at work in a full office, and have just been home to switch on the washing machine... the guests have gone, the Christmas cake is half eaten, and there are only a handful of choccies left! The New Year's resolutions have started in earnest... all is good with the world!
Saturday
Had a lovely weekend with the pares actually. Saturday, we strolled around the village for a bit, and in the evening just fried some fish dad had bought over, had a cheeseboard and then watched some crappy TV... was nice to chill out! I was also pleased that I managed to get a cheap pair of Merell hiking boots in the sale in the village.
Sunday - New Year's Eve
Mark worked so I took Mum and Dad into the city for a bit of a shopping spree. We had quite a successful day. I managed to spend the money Tracy gave me for Xmas on a new Fossil watch. It was just what I was looking for. I also managed to get a load of new bedding for both bedrooms, and some perfume I was after... all in all a good haul.
In the evening, I just cooked and we all stayed in and drunk lots of wine! I did smoked salmon and goat's cheese pate with bruschetta and avocado for starters, tuna steaks with a green peppercorn sauce, minted new potatoes and big old salad for main, and Irish lemon pudding for desert (my speciality!). At my rather stupid request, we watched "The Cook, The Thief, His Wife & Her Lover" on DVD... maybe not a good choice of film for watching with your parents! The last time I watched this was around 10-12 years ago, and I had clearly forgotten quite how gruesome it was, how weird ("arty!") it was, and quite how often Helen Mirren get's her kit off and has sex in it... hmmmmmmmmmmm............ After a shaky start (Mum voiced some concerns), they actually go into it! It won't be something I will be pulling out for family viewing again, although it *is* indeed a complete masterpiece.
We watched the AMAZING fireworks on TV at midnight, and saw a bit of Joolsy... all very nice.
Monday - New Year's Day
Again, a very pleasant day, albeit one in which I spent most of the day in the kitchen! Mark's parents came over, and shared lunch with us and my parents... I cooked a cauliflower and cheddar soup with garlic bread, which (although it pains me to say it) was absolutely gorgeous! Mark had planned to go to football with his Dad, but the match had been cancelled due to a soggy pitch... so we all stayed in and watched the recent remake of "Flight of the Phoenix", which was actually superb. Mark's parents went home after "Clash of the Titans" (gotta love that film! The special effects are.... errr........ well.... special!), and I cooked sausage and mash, with rice pudding for desert. Yummy! In the evening we settled down and watched "The Four Feathers", which was kind of ok (major redeeming factor was Heath Ledger, mostly topless!).
Tuesday
Back to work today. Poor old Mark has gone to the funeral for Noel's brother, and Mum and Dad have gone home.... sigh! Not a good start to the New Year for Mark.
On an up note, I have managed to revive the running group (we are going tomorrow - eek!) and have so far stuck to my unrealistic diet and drinking ban.... joy! ;-)
Hope you all had a great new year?
Much love
Hayls
xxx
Saturday
Had a lovely weekend with the pares actually. Saturday, we strolled around the village for a bit, and in the evening just fried some fish dad had bought over, had a cheeseboard and then watched some crappy TV... was nice to chill out! I was also pleased that I managed to get a cheap pair of Merell hiking boots in the sale in the village.
Sunday - New Year's Eve
Mark worked so I took Mum and Dad into the city for a bit of a shopping spree. We had quite a successful day. I managed to spend the money Tracy gave me for Xmas on a new Fossil watch. It was just what I was looking for. I also managed to get a load of new bedding for both bedrooms, and some perfume I was after... all in all a good haul.
In the evening, I just cooked and we all stayed in and drunk lots of wine! I did smoked salmon and goat's cheese pate with bruschetta and avocado for starters, tuna steaks with a green peppercorn sauce, minted new potatoes and big old salad for main, and Irish lemon pudding for desert (my speciality!). At my rather stupid request, we watched "The Cook, The Thief, His Wife & Her Lover" on DVD... maybe not a good choice of film for watching with your parents! The last time I watched this was around 10-12 years ago, and I had clearly forgotten quite how gruesome it was, how weird ("arty!") it was, and quite how often Helen Mirren get's her kit off and has sex in it... hmmmmmmmmmmm............ After a shaky start (Mum voiced some concerns), they actually go into it! It won't be something I will be pulling out for family viewing again, although it *is* indeed a complete masterpiece.
We watched the AMAZING fireworks on TV at midnight, and saw a bit of Joolsy... all very nice.
Monday - New Year's Day
Again, a very pleasant day, albeit one in which I spent most of the day in the kitchen! Mark's parents came over, and shared lunch with us and my parents... I cooked a cauliflower and cheddar soup with garlic bread, which (although it pains me to say it) was absolutely gorgeous! Mark had planned to go to football with his Dad, but the match had been cancelled due to a soggy pitch... so we all stayed in and watched the recent remake of "Flight of the Phoenix", which was actually superb. Mark's parents went home after "Clash of the Titans" (gotta love that film! The special effects are.... errr........ well.... special!), and I cooked sausage and mash, with rice pudding for desert. Yummy! In the evening we settled down and watched "The Four Feathers", which was kind of ok (major redeeming factor was Heath Ledger, mostly topless!).
Tuesday
Back to work today. Poor old Mark has gone to the funeral for Noel's brother, and Mum and Dad have gone home.... sigh! Not a good start to the New Year for Mark.
On an up note, I have managed to revive the running group (we are going tomorrow - eek!) and have so far stuck to my unrealistic diet and drinking ban.... joy! ;-)
Hope you all had a great new year?
Much love
Hayls
xxx
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