Wordless Wednesday - Wedding day memories

What I was doing Eight years ago yesterday...

Top Ender Giggles - The olden days

Top Ender was going up to her room to play on her computer, whilst I was working and Daddy was going to take Baby Boy out on Daddy Son Date Night.

"Your very lucky Top Ender, I never had a computer when I was your age!" said Daddy
"Were you born in the olden days then?" asked Top Ender

The Yummy Mummy With no Tummy Challenge - Week Six

The other day I was talking to a friend on Facebook. She asked me about my weight loss and how I was finding things. I was honest with her and told her that it was hard, and that I had a long way to go. It was at this point that she asked if I had considered surgery as with my BMI being so high I could be considered for this.

She knows a lot about this option, as earlier this year she had a laparoscopic gastric bypass.

I told her that I hadn't considered this and I wondered if she would be willing to share her story with us all here. She graciously agreed so here is Angel's story with a few interruptions (I'll stay in black!) by me!

Hello Everyone,

Earlier this year I weighed 22 stones. Then I had a laparoscopic gastric bypass. This is more extreme than just a gastric band as instead of your stomach having a band it is where you have your stomach stapled and bypassed.

Gastric bands are something that most of us know about. Everyone seems to know that Fern Britton, Anne Diamond, Sharon Osbourne and Tina Malone has had one and that they lost weight following the fitting and they all publicly have admitted it to being a good choice for them.

The facts are that a band is placed around your stomach, effectively creating a stoma which when full registers in your brain as your entire stomach being full and your brain starts yelling Stop Feeding me!

The food then slowly moves from the top part of the stomach to the bottom part, which helps you feel fuller for longer.

Image with thanks to The American Journal of Roentgenology.

The band has to be adjusted over a period of time, to allow the right restriction to be found so that it is not so loose that you are hungry or so tight that you can't eat anything. As everyone is different there isn't a set level. Now back to the story.

My dieting experience in the past was diabolical. I was yo yo dieting, taking stimulant amphetamine based pills, slimming clubs, but whatever I tried, my weight just went up. I started eating for comfort, because I was miserable about my weight and the worse I felt the more I ate, it was a vicious circle.

I had heard about this operation 7 years before and even looked into the idea before I asked my doctor to help me to have the operation. I applied to the Primary health trust, and was applicable for the cost of the operation, I was thrilled to bits, because having been so desperate, it was worth looking forward to.

I took into consideration that it wasn't going to be easy to obtain my goal straight away, but I didn't care, I wanted to live. I had been told I could die at a young age without the operation, so I thought to myself, what do I want? Do I want to live or die?

I decided I would take the risk, because without it I knew how much weight I was carrying and what it was doing to me physically. My ankles were swollen, my face was bloated and I had all sorts of other things like glucose intolerance, it just couldn't go on.

I had to see three people before I was approved there were, a psychologist, a bariatric nurse, and a dietitian, and I had to write an honest food diary. First of all I had to go on a special milk diet with sugar free jelly, 2 oxos a day, multivitamin and mineral tablets. I did this for two weeks, and I stress it was under strict dietary supervision, do not try this at home, I had to be strict with myself, and do everything as I was told, to prove I could only lose a small percentage of my body weight. Even on this restricted diet I only lost 1 stone 5 lbs.

The psychologist was the hardest part for me, because I felt wary about what I was supposed to say to get past the test if you like. I was just truthful though and I was approved.

It was then anything up to a year before I would have the operation. Two weeks before you see the surgeon for your operation, you have to do the milk diet again to enable your liver to shrink. This is because for them to do the operation they cant risk working on your stomach and your liver being so close.

Its a very risky operation, and I was told that one in a hundred people could possible die during the operation. I told the Surgeon that it was ok because I had a donor card. I was a scared but had to make light of it, because I thought if it showed he may be nervous! Thankfully he wasn't.

The operation took 4 hours, and was done with a laparoscope and other scary looking instruments. I had 7 incisions around the tummy area, and I was shocked it took this long as I thought it would take less time.

The stay in hospital is usually 3 to 5 days. I spent 5 days, as I developed a urine infection which hampered my recovery, but another lady on the ward left the hospital after 3 days, I don't know how she managed it! The bit I didn't like was the morphine, (it had an unusual effect on me to say the least!) but I had to use it as an operation like that leaves you feeling hurt for a few days!

When I got home my diet was a lot different than before as I now have a smaller stomach. Its like being a baby really. I started by using liquids, and then weaning onto solids. My dietitian gave me a diet sheet and instructions of how to eat and how long to stay on liquids for etc. But there is a complication called dumping syndrome which is where your stomach may reject something which its not capable of taking. It isn't nice and its trial and error, but in the end you learn to know what personally suits you.

Me again. Dumping Syndrome is where there is difficulty digesting the food that has been ingested. You feel faint, nauseous, dizzy and your heart starts racing and you generally feel anxious. It can take several hours for this to pass.

There are some foods I cant eat, but with practice I have learnt to eat a near normal diet in small portions. Where as before I would have eaten off of a big plate before the operation, now I can only manage a side plate full of food. For example one day I can eat a tin of big soup, and a meal of shepherds pie, and be quite happy all day with that and a tin of peach slices. I do have to make sure I chew everything properly though.

I have to have a vitamin b injection every 3 months, take calcium and vitamin d every day, and a good multi-vitamin and multi-mineral tablet and 2 iron tablets every day to replace what my body doesn't get with such little food, but it has to be worth it to gain a quality of life.

Ive lost 7 stone in 7 months, I can walk without having to stop in the charity shops to sit down on the chairs in them every so often, I also feel better in myself because I can wear nice clothes instead of mens XXXL clothes and big flip flops, and looking every bit ridiculous.

I feel like a woman again.

There are other drawbacks to overcome, like leftover flab, which I will worry about later on as I have another 3 stone to lose before I will know how to deal with the leftover flab. But to be alive has to be the biggest blessing of all and a bit of leftover flab can be covered by clothes in the short term.

I am learning how to get my confidence back now, which is the greatest thing of all, I don't feel despised as much as I used to feel about my weight. I cant advise anyone else to go for it, because I wouldn't want to take the guilt if it went wrong, but I went for it and I'm glad I did now, so that's it really, good luck to anyone who can do it and feel better.

Love Angel

If you feel that Surgery is an option for you, then go and speak with your Doctor. They will not judge you and you may find the answer you are looking for.

Don't forget to stop by the others on the challenge, they need your support too;

Rainbow Jelly @ Rainbow Jelly Ramblings

Shutter Betty @ A Shutter Betty Blog

Amy @ And 1 more means 4

Tina @ Tales from Tina

And if you want to join in then its not too late, you don't have to be a Mummy to a young child, you can be a Mummy to a fur baby (Dogs and cats to those not in the know!) a wannabe yummy with no tummy, or someone that just wants to think about what they eat and how they exercise! Please leave a URL link to your post in the comments below and I will update this post with your URL and you will automatically be listed next week.

The Doctor is my friend

On Thursday I went to see my Doctor.

I can wish can't I?

Nobody knew that I was going, I didn't tweet, I didn't status update on Facebook and I only told Daddy because he had to drop me off there (I had the car that morning and he needed it earlier than expected or I wouldn't of told him at all!). When I walked into see him I launched straight into my rehearsed speech;

"I'm overweight. I know I am overweight and for the past six weeks I have been making a really concerted effort to lose weight. The problem is that in those six weeks I have lost six pounds (two kilograms) and this week looks as if I have put them all back on."

The Doctor looked at me and I could see that he was trying to get the measure of me, was I being serious about weight loss or was I just saying I was because I wanted a short term fix? He asked me to jump on the scales (I had put on 2lbs, but I was also dressed that counts for something right?) and then started quizzing me on what I ate and what I did exercise wise.

I pulled out my food diary and my exercise diary and was able to answer all his questions. He looked genuinely surprised that I was taking this serious.

"Well six weeks is actually a very short amount of time as you aren't really on a diet, you are learning to eat more healthily. I also think that you might of in the past learnt not to listen when your body tells you that you are full." he said
"Yes, I was aware of that, which is why I have been checking portion sizes" I said
"There is one other thing that I would point out, you are still taking in too many calories." he said
"I was told that if you were a larger size that you needed more calories" I said
"No! That is not true at all. Lets cut you down to 1500 a day. And if in six weeks you still aren't losing weight then you can cut it down by a another 100 or 200 for a couple of weeks."
"Okay" I said
"Nothing too drastic or you'll be in serious trouble" he said
"I promise" I said
"You have the exercise part exactly right, keep going as you are" he said
"Okay" I said feeling very pleased I had one bit right

He said that he could offer me Xenical (orlistat) or Reductil (sibutramine), when I came back in three or four months time and a further three to four months after that if I still was having trouble losing weight that bariatric surgery would be the only answer.

"I don't want to have gastric banding or a gastric bypass" I said to a surprised looking Doctor
"Gastric Banding isn't that drastic an option and sometimes it is the only choice" he said
"I know, it just isn't for me." I reiterated

So with further advice about some tweaks to my diet to make it a low GI Diet I was sent off to return at the start of next year.

So my plans for this week are;

Meal Plan

Breakfast: Bowl of Bran Flakes with semi-skimmed Milk and a slice of toast with marmalade and a small glass of Orange juice.

Lunch: Sandwich with fruit or left overs from the night before.

Monday: Spicy Turkey and Long Grain rice with Broccoli, onions and Red Peppers
Tuesday: Its my anniversary so I don't know what it is as Daddy is cooking!
Wednesday: Lasagna (smuggled veggies!)
Thursday: Left over Lasagna (as it always tastes better on the second day!)
Friday: Pizza
Saturday: I am having my wisdom teeth out so Meal replacement drinks!
Sunday: Depending on my mouth meal replacement drinks or Chicken Kebabs and rice

Snacks this week will be sliced apples, peppers and onion salad and mixed bean salad as these are both good low GI foods!

Exercise Plan

Monday through Friday: 30 minute walk, ten minutes of weights, 15 minutes of dancing and 30 minutes exercise following the wii game and 20 minutes following my online plan each day.
Saturday and Sunday: Two hour walk, ten minutes of weights and plenty of family fun each day!

It was three months until Christmas two days ago...Week Five of The Holiday Grand Plan!

Today is the start of Week Five and The Master Bathroom and boy am I glad! I ended up not doing anything in my bedroom this week as I just didn't know where to start. Not an excuse I know, but if you could of seen it you would understand...

Anyway today it was fairly warm out and Daddy didn't want to go for another walk in the heat and so he said;

"Why don't we sort out our bedroom together?"

Normally I would get defensive about this (its my junk causing the mess) but instead I was so glad to have the help! We got rid of four bags of rubbish, put five bags of clothes in the loft (for the next baby) and I had a good cry when I found material I had brought to make my Gran a new blanket to replace the one I made two years before that.

As we only have one bathroom and it is tiny (only 6ft square!) cleaning it is a breeze and doing the tasks that are planned this week are simple for me as I have to keep them small as they are stored in other areas of the home!

How cool is this toilet paper?

The tasks associated with this week are;
*Go through the medicine chest.
*Check your first aid supplies. Find a printable first-aid checklist here.
*Look at the towels and replace as needed.
*Clean off handles, knobs, light switches. Does anything need replacing?
*Does the bathroom mat need to be replaced?
*Clean from high to low. Clean the windowsill and wash any knickknacks.
*Clean the entire bowl. Spray with a good disinfectant.
*Scour sinks and bathtubs, and showers.
*Does the shower curtain need replacing? Is it really moldy?
*Wash out the wastebasket and let it sanitize.
*Get the baseboards and wipe them down, spray the tile with a good tile cleaner

The Christmas things to do this week that I will do are as follows;
*Make one batch of Holiday Goodies.
*Make one extra meal for freezer again labeled HOLIDAY MEAL.
*Buy two canned food items from menus
*Work at least 1 hour a day on homemade gifts
*Make list of toys and books that children would enjoy and keep it handy for others

Also this week I will;
*Start Top Ender writing her Christmas cards to the children in her year (there are 80 children) and
*Inventorise the gifts in the cupboard, as I am sure some have been put in without been listed!

And we will continue to;
*Look for Holiday Outfits for the family (Although I think Baby Boy is going to wear a little suit!)
*Stock the Mummy Christmas Shop
*De-cluttering the children's toys and clothes
*Watch one Christmas film as a family a week

Now if you want to, you can go and have a read of how everyone else is preparing for Christmas, so go visit these friends of mine!

Krista at Typical Ramblings
Candace at Diary of a FlyBaby
Diane at DianeDenmark
Kelly at Life at the Quinn Home

I'm not crazy! I just have a really really really good imagination!

Top Ender and I have a lot of games that we play together, that tend to drive Daddy crazy. You see Top Ender and I have very active imaginations.

For years when I babysat children I created imaginary worlds and situations to play in. I once took a group of eight children, with my sister, on a walk to a park and we pretended that we were walking through a zoo. As we went along we looked at each enclosure and watched what the animals were doing. This group of children are now young adults and I am still in touch with most of them. Those that I am still in touch with have mentioned this walk to me, and how they could really see the animals in the enclosures.

Of course there were no enclosures or animals just my very active imagination which all young children naturally have.

The thing is my imagination never left me.

I have invisible pets that I tell stories to children about that cause the parents to look at me as if I am mad because I appear to really believe the things I am saying...But that's because I do really believe the things I am saying! I mean I have two invisible pets dogs (although Top Ender now has one too) a whole group of monkeys and I am thinking of getting a few sheep. I use to have an invisible hippo called Holly, but she ran away and I had an invisible Gorilla but I haven't seen him around for a while. I think he moved out. Or maybe he got married. Hope he didn't get married as it would of been rude of him not to invite me to the wedding.

Top Ender has her invisible husband and children to contend with. She has a rather large number of them (children that is, there is only one husband) and often has to tell her invisible husband to stop being so silly or she will divorce him again. She divorced him the last time because he jumped in a puddle and got mud all over her dress. Apparently she wouldn't of minded had they not been going to his Grandmothers wedding...

It's fun to pretend like this. I mean who wouldn't rather watch a group of monkeys play whilst waiting in a queue at the Post Office? Or who wouldn't want to take an invisible dog for a walk on the beach in the moonlight? Admittedly walking to school with an invisible gorilla does get you some funny looks from the others who can't see the invisible gorilla, but you win some you lose some.

One day I will write a book about the invisible things that I see and earn my fortune but it will have to be anonymous... I might get put in a nice soft walled cell otherwise!

Sleeping like a Baby

Last night I slept like a baby. Not that peaceful sleep that you see in adverts and hear about in Baby Books, but a proper Baby sleep. I know that it was a proper Baby Sleep because I am Baby Boy. This is what happened last night.

7pm Mummy started the bedtime routine for Top Ender and me. She got us washed and brushed my teeth whilst Top Ender did her own. Whilst Mummy put a nappy and a sleep suit on me, she let Top Ender get dressed into her pajamas on her own. When Top Ender came downstairs she was wearing her pajama top and her pink legwarmers, but no trousers or shorts! I thought it was funny as Top Ender kept wiggling her bottom and Mummy pretended to be annoyed, but I knew that she was just pretending!

7:30pm Mummy told Top Ender and me the story she calls Number 161 The Tale of Rose Red and Snow White whilst she gave me some Booby milk. I have heard the story so many times before but Top Ender and I like it. Top Ender pretends to be Snow White and I pretend to be the Bear/Prince.The only thing about this story is that we don't use the book anymore and so I can't see the pictures. Mummy thinks this is a good thing because there are some scary stories and pictures in the book. What does she expect from Men called Grimm?

7:45pm Top Ender goes to bed and Mummy puts a sleepy me in to my cot. Mummy goes out of my room and into Top Ender to tuck her in and give her a kiss. I go to sleep too, but have a few minutes of moaning because I am on my own.10pm Mummy comes up to bed. I know she does because I heard her shutting the stair gate at the Top of the Stairs. I call to her sleepily but she doesn't come into me. I know that she is probably sitting on her bed watching me on the Baby Monitor TV. I think it is funny that she watches me on TV and sometimes wave to the camera.

10:30pm I start crying and calling to Mummy to come and see me. When she comes in to me she doesn't talk she just picks me out of the cot and sits down in the rocking chair and cuddles me close. I start singing "Dah da da" because if Mummy isn't going to speak to me I shan't speak to her either! Mummy knows this tune means I want more milk so she settles back in the chair and starts to feed me again. Just as I am starting to get really comfy and doze off she takes her boob out of my mouth and puts me up on her shoulder as she puts her boob away. She pats my back and then puts me back into my cot. Our eyes have adjusted to the lack of light now and she smiles at me as she goes out of the room as she sees me waving to her.

12:35am Daddy pops his head in my room to check I am okay and to give me a kiss goodnight as he has just got home from work. I smile as he kisses me, but I stay fast asleep as Mummy will tell Daddy off if he wakes me up. I know that Daddy goes into Top Enders room too as the slight tinkle of the wind chimes on her door handle can be heard.

1am I have the same habit as Mummy and Top Ender as sometimes I talk in my sleep. Mummy says that when I get bigger she will know all my secrets. It is funny because if I start talking, even quietly, Mummy wakes up. She says that she is tuned into hear me in case I need her and she doesn't need the baby monitor... which is a good job seeing as it is turned off! The thing is Mummy says is once she is awake it takes her ages to go back to sleep.

1:30am I decide that I am too hot and so I kick my blankets off. I know Mummy knows I do this because when I kick my blankets off I always kick the bottom of the cot and it makes a big banging sound.

1:45am I decide that I am too cold and cry until Mummy comes in and puts the blankets back on me.

2am I decide that I should start singing the songs that Mummy is teaching me. Mummy is teaching me Christmas songs my favourite is Jingle Bells. I don't know all the words, but I like the bit that goes "Hey!" and so I start practising that one. I sing it for ages, so I can be sure that I have it right for when Mummy sings it to me tomorrow. I thought I could hear Mummy and Daddy giggling, but I am sure that it was just one of the cats.

4am I decide that I am lonely, even though I was asleep until two seconds ago. I use to call for Mummy by shouting "Mama, Bad Baba Mama!" but now I have decided the best way to get her attention is to scream and cry. Mummy comes into my room really quickly as she doesn't want Daddy and Top Ender to be woken up. I snuggle into her whilst she calms me down and hushes me back to quiet and sleep. When she puts me back into my cot I start crying again, so Mummy pats me on my bottom and strokes my head. I don't like this and I don't know why she does it every night, so I show I am annoyed and stand up in the cot and start to try and climb out whilst crying louder and louder. Mummy sighs and picks me up again and sits back in the rocking chair. I cuddle in to her and listen as she falls asleep whilst rocking. I cuddle in closer and fall asleep too.

6am I am never sure what happens after me and Mummy fall asleep in the rocking chair as the next thing I know I am in my cot and I want to get out of it again. I shout for Mummy who stumbles into my room, looking like a monster from a horror film I accidentally watched once. She is so silly and instead of going to sleep when she goes to bed at 10pm, she stays up reading her Scriptures or writing in her diary. I have heard her say to Daddy that she can't sleep without him in the bed. I don't know why she needs him in the bed. I could sleep in the bed with her! Mummy says that she needs a bit more sleep and says I can get in the bed with her and Daddy. I like this as whilst I am dozing I get away with poking Daddy. I poke him a few times before he turns over to look at me. I quickly pretend to be fast asleep and Daddy kisses me, before I snuggle into Mummy again.

7am I wake up and decide that Mummy should wake up too so I tickle her under her chin and giggle"Tickle tickle!" until she wakes up. Once she is awake she quickly gets out of bed and takes me downstairs. She says that Daddy needs more sleep, before he goes to work again.

11:30am I feel tired. Probably because I was up so much in the night so I think I should have a nap. It annoys Mummy because it is right over lunch time, but I don't care! I'm tired doesn't she know! Anyway I'll wake up after an hour and a half, unless Mummy decides to have a nap too; in which case I'll wake up as soon as her eyes close...

3:30pm We are taking Top Ender swimming and so I decide that I should probably go to sleep in the pram for a half hour, so that I don't get bored. I know that Mummy wishes she could fall asleep as quickly as me, but she will get her chance to sleep tonight!

I had better go as Mummy is just doing the dishes before she starts the bedtime routine tonight and I don't want her knowing I was here!

Mummy Giggles - An unusual business meeting

After the story from And 1 more means four on Saturday about accidentally have an innuendo filled conversation with her boss I thought we should have a laugh at me for a change with a story from the archives of my mind!

First DC was my male boss and his wife had just given birth to twin girls the fortnight before who were very, very, very, very cute.

"DC the babies are so cute!" I said looking at a photo
"Thank you" he said knowing already that they were indeed two of the cutest babies ever
"Can I have your babies?" I said not realising what it was I was saying even when I had said it
"Well I don't really know you that well" said DC with an evil (maybe not evil) twinkle in his eye
"I don't think I meant it like it sounded" I said turning a very bright red
"Too late, we heard it" said the HR manager (who I was rapidly going off at this point)

And they only told everyone at the next company meeting in which I was at attendance, so no harm done...

Wordless Wednesday - A Selection of Calorie Free Cakes!

Here are a selection of cakes that have been made over the years by me for various events! They are now all calorie free, so enjoy!


If you want to see more cakes that I have made then please have a look here at the ones that are on my Flickr account - http://budurl.com/rypd

Top Ender and Baby Boy Giggles - Thank you!

Top Ender and Baby Boy had been given a balloon by the lovely lady in the party shop last Wednesday, Top Ender took hers upstairs to her room when she went to bed.

On Thursday morning when Baby Boy was feeling a bit grumpy (from his rude awakening of Top Enders rather loud rendition of "Big Red Combine Harvester") she fetched the balloon for him to play with under Daddy's supervision on his (and Mine!) bed.

Baby Boy likes to hold on to the ribbon and bump the balloon on the ceiling before letting the ribbon go and then catching the ribbon and pulling the balloon back down. Unfortunately on one go Baby Boy wasn't quick enough and didn't catch the ribbon before it was beyond his reach. Top Ender fearing for her ear drums grabbed the ribbon and passed it back to him.

"Thank you" said Baby Boy incredibly clearly
"Thank you? Your the best baby in the world!" said an impressed Top Ender

Not sure who was most proud me and Daddy or Top Ender!

The Yummy Mummy with no Tummy Challenge - Week Five

It seems that every week something that's bothering me turns into my post for the Challenge that week. This week is no different. As you have probably read this week I have realised that I have given up on looking good whilst I am overweight and this is not a good thing.

There are several factors that need to be included if you want to look good and the first is the most important, the best and the most simple.

Are you ready? Okay you need Good Underware. Yeah I said it. A good set of knickers and bra will not only allow you to look good and feel good. It will stop your Mum from worrying what the Dr's will think if you get hit by a bus.

The first step is to find out what size bra you need. Go to a shop that you like to be measured at and get measured! A good bra will change everything and will make you feel better too! I go to Bravissimo to get measured (I find that at the department stores I get measured wrongly) and I go at least every six months.

Don't forget your knickers though! I wear Marks and Spencers cotton knickers. Why? Because they fit, the last well and although I choose the Bridget Jones Big knickers style, they don't feel that much like big knickers. I find that they tend to smooth out the lumps and bumps on my hips too!

The next step is socks or tights or stockings. I like to wear tights under trousers if I am wearing dress shoes as I think they look pretty and I have never been one for Stockings. Wearing something that makes you feel good is all that matters, so if pink socks with purple stripes is what makes you feel good then wear them!

Next is your actual clothes. I cheat here. I go to see the personal shoppers in the Department stores. They are free and as they want you to buy clothes (they want you to buy, its their job) they will show you things that will suit your body shape, your budget and your style. The thing is you don't have to buy (Leave your cards at home so you aren't tempted if you are the sort who feels pressured in these situations!) but you get all the advice and can then buy similar clothes in the future.

Last step for me is hair and make up. Hair is simple, every time I have my haircut I ask the hairdresser/stylist for tips on what to do at home and ask them to show me what to do. I have learnt how to blow dry my hair straight, create volume and how to get that corkscrew curl that my hair tries to do but fails miserably. All I have to do after this is practise. Admittedly I haven't been bothering with this for a while, but I know that I shall start doing this again.

Make up I find so confusing. There is foundation, cover up, highlighters, blusher, eyeshadow, eye liner, mascara, lipstick, lipgloss and I am sure I have forgotten something. It takes so long to put on and never stays put and costs so much. My favourite thing is to go to Boots and to get the girls on the make up counters advice. I do buy something from the "expensive" ranges when I do this, (so I don't do it often) but the girls generally will advise you on a similar product from a less expensive range if you explain that cost is an issue.

And there you have it. A polished look that makes you feel better about being you.

Don't forget to stop by the others on the challenge, they need your support too;

Rainbow Jelly @ Rainbow Jelly Ramblings
Shutter Betty @ A Shutter Betty Blog
Amy @ And 1 more means 4
Tina @ Tales from Tina

And if you want to join in then its not too late, you don't have to be a Mummy to a young child, you can be a Mummy to a fur baby (Dogs and cats to those not in the know!) or just a wannabe yummy with no tummy! Please leave a URL link to your post in the comments below and I will update this post with your URL and you will automatically be listed next week.

I want to wear pretty clothes

Its been one of those weeks where I stuck pretty much to the diet and exercise plans, (but did have some extra calories on an evening in with Top Ender, that I know I didn't burn off before another evening in with Daddy), and learnt an awful lot about myself.

It all started on Saturday morning when Daddy and I took Top Ender and Baby Boy for breakfast at Ikea, before our scheduled trip to the Supermarket for the weekly groceries.

Whilst we were waiting to pay Baby Boy decided to spill his purple juice drink all over my white top. I didn't bother over this as I have had plenty worse on my clothes from Baby Boy or Top Ender in the past. Daddy however seemed to be more upset it and about my choice not to go home to change before going shopping.

The resulting conversation (read heated exchange in muted tones as we were out in public) revealed more than I thought it would due to two sentences that Daddy said.

"I like people to look at me and then to look who I am with and go Wow!"

The first picture Daddy saw of me and apparently he said Wow when he saw it.

I didn't know he felt that way about me. I don't feel that way about me so why should he? He followed it up with;

"You always took so much pride in your appearance, I don't know why you have given up."

I haven't given up! I always make sure that my clothes don't have sick or poop or food on them when I put them on. I always make sure that I don't wear navy shoes if I am wearing black and I have been known on occasion to wear make up. I haven't given up caring what I look like...

Me after work one day, on this day I did wear Navy shoes

Oh Crap. I have given up. Sure I make sure that the clothes I wear don't have sick or poop or food on them when I put them on in the morning, but I don't care if they make me look good or pretty. I don't care if they enhance my shape and flatter me or just cover my nakedness. I don't wear make up anymore and so I constantly look like someone who needs a few hours more sleep and time outside.

The day we got back from our honeymoon, only a couple hours sleep yet I look fabulous right?

I want to look good. I want to wear pretty clothes that make me feel pretty, that make me look pretty. I don't want to make my husband think I have given up on myself

I think I just re-found the reason I need to lose weight.

So this week I weigh the same as last week (I'm 18st, 12lbs) and my plans for this week are;

Meal Plan

Breakfast: Bowl of Bran Flakes with semi-skimmed Milk and a slice of toast with marmalade (that I don't actually like that much but it needs to be eaten) and a small glass of milk.

Lunch: Sandwich with fruit or left overs from the night before.

Monday: Roast Beef and Trimmings (we ate the leftover Chinese yesterday)
Tuesday: Spaghetti Bolognese (smuggled veggies!)
Wednesday: Beef curry with rice (smuggled veggies!)
Thursday: Sausage pie (Top Ender and Baby Boy really like my pie)
Friday: Pizza (Yummy and helps prevent cancer!)
Saturday: Steak, mash and vegetable (plus if I can swing it peppercorn sauce)
Sunday: Roast Turkey and Trimmings

My Exercise routine is being shaken up this week with a 30 minute walk every week day, ten minutes doing weights, 15 minutes of dancing a day and an additional 30 minutes everyday following an online work out and an hour of general exercise outside at the gym in the park.

Narnia could be in the back of my wardrobe (Week Four is Master Bedroom Week)

This week is the Master Bedroom Week part of the plan. We start in the Master Bedroom making it clean and tidy and have a closet clear out too. I hate this week, as my bedroom is a mess. I will get it cleared and it will be lovely for a week or so and then my bad habits start again and things start to pile up. I have too much stuff and I know that. Maybe this year will be different.

I think I am doing quite well with my holiday prep this year. I have been following the plan as normal, but with a lot of forward planning from earlier this year I realised that 75% of Top Enders Stocking gifts have already been purchased and around 25% of Baby Boys. With major gifts for both of them having been organised too and Daddy and I already having agreed that we only spend £25 on materials to make a gift for the other things seem to be getting on well!

This year I can't buy a Christmas Pudding for the family to share (although getting to find a alcohol free pudding had been getting harder and harder so I can't say I am sad about it!) and a quick look for wheat free, gluten free and alcohol free Christmas puddings show there are plenty on the market. I have even found several recommended recipes so that I could make my own (probably at the same cost) if I chose to!

Also this week I signed up to a Christmas Ornament Swap over at Its a wonderful life and I suggest that you all head over there too and sign up!



The main part of the Holiday prep for me this week is as follows;

*Make one batch of Holiday Goodies.
*Make one extra meal for freezer again labeled HOLIDAY MEAL.
*Buy two canned food items from menus
*Buy 1/8th of TO BUY gifts. Save all receipts, note return policy before buying.
*Wrap and label packages. (This will only be for Stockings for me)
*Make list of any table and bathroom linens that need replacing and pick up a few each week.

Also this week we will start to;

*Make calenders (well Top Ender will)
*Look for Holiday Outfits for the family

And we will continue to;

*Stock the Mummy Christmas Shop
*De-cluttering the children's toys and clothes
*Watch one Christmas film as a family a week

I have to go now as we are watching Home Alone today and I really want to get things done before we do, but as I said last week, you might like to go see these people, if you want to see how some others are preparing!

Krista at Typical Ramblings
Candace at Diary of a FlyBaby
Diane at DianeDenmark
Kelly at Life at the Quinn Home

the five people I think I will meet in Heaven

I love the book The Five People You Meet in Heaven, I picked it up in a bookstore because it appealed to me as I like the writing style of Mitch Albom (who also wrote Tuesdays with Maurie which one day I will use as inspiration for "I'm one of the Wednesday People") and I like to see what others think Heaven looks like!

The first time I read it, I knew that if this really did happen to me that I knew who the five people I would meet, would be. Some of them read this blog and if you realise that I am talking about you then I hope that you don't mind appearing here. I think that I have managed to keep you anonymous and if you want to comment I won't out you.

The first person would no doubt appear to me as I remember her. A shy eight or nine year old girl with a huge heart and smile to match. It was this young girl that had completed a piece of homework and had allowed me to read it. It was this piece of homework that changed my life (but I don't think that homework counts as a person) as it made me realise what it was about this girl and her family that was so beguiling.

The lesson in Heaven that she would teach me would be that everyone is connected and brings you to your destiny, sometimes with something as simple as a piece of homework.

The second would be someone I wouldn't recognise as a person, but from the way they talk I would know who they were. They would show me that sometimes being the person that I want to be is as easy as just speaking out and not judging myself. They would tell me that although it was their words that I valued many moons ago and that kept me from turning on myself that it was my words that reminded them of who they wanted to be.

The lesson in Heaven that he would teach me would be that every life has meaning, even if we don't feel that ours does, someone somewhere is a better person because of you.

The third person would be a woman who I knew in her golden years, but in Heaven she would be in her prime. I still hear her echo even though she went to Heaven herself at the start of this year. She would show me the things that happened in her life that had a direct effect on mine. She would show me her childhood, her first and second marriages and the things that she did in order to survive for her six children.

The lesson in Heaven that she would teach me would be that all people make choices and sacrifices and it is the ones that appear the hardest that allow others to live.

The fourth person would be a woman I once trusted, but she won't be there for herself. She will be there because she once started something with the person she is there for now. Someone who when he dies will be surrounded by people he thought he loved, but not surrounded by those who really mattered. She would explain the reasons as to why choices were made and the hurt that was caused from these choices and I would need to forgive the man she is there for and maybe even need to be forgiven. But this is a lesson I haven't learnt yet, he isn't forgiven.

The lesson in Heaven that she would teach me would be that I should let go of anger and forgive those who I feel have done me wrong, because it is a poison that kills all around.

The last person I meet could be one of several people, but we both know it will be him. He will take me in his arms and tell me how beautiful I am, and we will watch my life and see all those that matter to us and see them flourish under our love. We will watch as my past self cries over the heartache of him, laughs over the joy of him and grows from the love of him.

The lesson in Heaven that he would teach me would be that love is eternal. As simple as that. Love is Eternal.

Do you know who your five people would be?

Top Ender Giggles - Class divide

"So tell me about School Top Ender" said Daddy
"What do you want to know?" asked Top Ender
"Anything!" said Daddy
"Well I sit on the triangle table, some sit on the circle table and some sit on the hooligan table."
"Top Ender do you mean hexagon?" said Daddy trying to stifle the giggles
"Yes Daddy" said an indignant Top Ender

Knowing the children in Top Enders class, I can't help but feel that I know who sits on the hooligan table.

What is Santa bringing this year?

So with back to school over and everyone back into the swing of things, it is time for me to start thinking about what Top Ender and Baby Boy would like for Christmas from the man who dresses in red and comes down the chimney.

Santa looks rather happy in this photo taken outside the TV studios last December doesn't he?

In our house Santa brings gifts that are left upstairs under the trees in our rooms and in the stockings left on our bedroom door handles. He brings things like colouring books, hairbands, one or two toys, a few sweets, new underwear, a new Christmas outfit and all the bargains that I scour everywhere throughout the year for he has his elves search for. I think he gets a good deal.

All the gifts from us and friends and family and other magical creatures (chocolate monster who brings chocolate and The Christmas fairy who brings gold packages tied up with rainbow ribbon, surely you have read The Rainbow Magic Fairy series?) are under the tree in the Living room.

Red gifts are Top Enders, Blue gifts are for Baby Boy - No tags or reading skills needed! And I know I said under the tree, but they kind of spread out down the room.

After a toy launch that we went to the other day however Top Ender is now asking Santa for Harumika from Bandai.

Looks good huh? Pink and purple packaging appeals to the child in me!

I must admit that I was a little dubious about it, as toys like this get put to one side until I am able to help Top Ender because I am worried about her cutting things (I cut my hair when I was her age, with blunt green witch scissors) and she likes me to make sure things look good before she glues them down. But we went along to see what it was all about.

I changed my mind as soon as I held the mannequin because, in my humble Mummy opinion, this is the fashion toy to get for the budding Vivienne Westwood or Stella McCartney, because no needles, thread, glue or scissors are required!

There is a slot rather like a letterbox on the back of the mannequin. This slot has a silicon flap that the fabric is pushed into (using the spatula that is in the pack) and it holds the fabric in place (Genius!) and then there are stickers, gemstones and belts that you can add on to further customise your design.

Joanne over at Parent Dish was there with her nine year old daughter (she was very polite by the way Joanne!) and this toy appealed to both of them and they were both listening intently to the instructions of how to make some celebrity styles on the mannequin.

Top Ender was in heaven and made this Miley Cyrus inspired outfit;

and this Cheryl Cole inspired mini dress;

and this which is her own design for a evening gown

So Santa if you are reading this, they are on sale in John Lewis and all good toy stores and the starter pack is only £19.99... unless of course you are the winner of our first ever competition!

That's right I have a set to give away! To be in with a chance of winning this fab prize, just answer a simple question, the answer to which can be found somewhere in this post!

And now for the important bit I shall put all entries into a big hat and Top Ender or Daddy shall draw out the winner on the 1st of October and we shall post the winners name here and email them too!

Oh and please leave a comment after this post, so that I know you have entered and if you don't already subscribe to my RSS feed or follow me then consider doing that too and whilst I am in the mood click here to vote for me!!!

Wordless Wednesday - Spot the Difference at the Happiest Place on Earth!