Christmas

Had the very best Christmas this year! Family came to me- 12 in all.  Food was ok but I never seem to be able to serve it hot! Never mind- nobody complained.
The best part was definitely the 3 granddaughters.  They created so much chaos and mayhem but in the most delightful way.
When 3 year old opened her pressie from us ( Peppa Pig dolls house) she gave a very unladylike squeal and then threw her arms around my neck.  Just priceless!
When everyone left I did exactly was debstar said she would do- found a comfy chair and slept my way through 3 DVD's!!

Updates

It's been almost a month since I wrote on here!  I'm still cycling, though def not on the roads! making myself do at least two bike workouts at the gym which is really hard going!  I cycle for 50 mins on a 'cardio program".  Ahhhh- it's all mind games! I cover up the screen so I can't see how far I haven't gone, then I sneak a peak to see how fast I'm not going and I need to check my heart rate out occasionally..... and so it goes on.  All the time I've got my mp3 player plugged in with my French lessons distracting me beautifully!
I'm actually on the lookout for a new bike as well!
Just booked a holiday overseas for next year.  Hoping this time to spend a bit of time in France and maybe do a walking holiday ( a bit like this years Austria).  I feel as though we're leading such a decadent life at the moment but I guess it hasn't always been like this. When you have young children or teenagers then circumstances are very different.
The best thing I've done lately is take my oldest granddaughter to riding lessons!! She had her first one yesterday.  I loved watching her and she did so well ( am I biased????? Nah....she was really good!)
That's all folks!!

I Made it!!

I finally did it!! 200+ kms over 2 days! Feeling pretty good although this afternoon I was feeling as though  good nana nap wouldn't have gone astray!
The ride was good but a huge challenge for my fear factors! I've never ridden on the roads before and all this ride was on roads and among fairly heavy traffic.  Going downhill was the scariest. I had my brakes on all the way which felt a bit 'whoosieish' but I felt somewhat safer as speed, traffic and narrow roads was not the best combination.
Having said that- the feeling of community and team togetherness was fabulous.  The team raised over $60,000 for cancer research- a fantastic effort.  A truly memorable experience and one that I will NEVER repeat!!!

A Wizard Greeting for anyone???

Take a look at my son's blog.  He does Wizard parties when he's not studying!  There's a video clip which gives an example of a message he can send.  It's fun to watch!  Yeah- this is a free plug for him- but why not- that's what mums are for! And I'm proud of all that he's done and achieving.

Bad Blogger!!

I'm such a bad blogger! It's been almost 2 months since I wrote anything on here.  I fear that facebook is taking over!
Bike ride is the weekend after this one.  Yikes!  I feel so unprepared but then I think I would always feel unprepared!  I've had a change of bikes which I think will be a good thing- but I'm a bit worried that none of my bikes look like a 'road bike'- more like 'granny's tootling around the lanes' type of bike.  Oh well...... I can always get off and walk if I need to!
My very good friend is now trying to talk ( brainwash ) me into a triathlon in January.  It's a very easy one (Pink Breast awareness or something like that) The swimming is the part I freak out about.  The shortest of the courses is only a 100m swim in a pool and apparently any stroke will do.  However when you struggle to breathe- 100m is a very long way!

Bike riding update

I went on a training ride on Saturday- Beechworth to Bright  75kms. It was intended that we would do 100km ( from Bright back to Myrtleford gives the extra 25kms) but the majority rule was- not this time!  Who am I to argue???  I went pretty well actually.  Bit sore in the bum and my knee was just starting to groan a bit.  Feel great today though.  I don't normally ride fast but I seem to ride faster than the last group I was with. Hence- I'm in the saddle longer than I want to be! There's a balance between making the distance and going faster, suffering less soreness but not actually making it cos you're too puffed!
I need to be more systematic with my training now- only 2 more months for the big ride!!

My Girl

You can check out Fairy Abby too on this site.  This is my beautiful daughter in law.  http://wizardherman.blogspot.com.au/

My Boy

Check out this blog- this is my boy!!   http://wizardherman.blogspot.com.au/

A work in progress

Okay- I don't expect to get it right every time but you would think I could control this 'eating' thing! I seem to start well and gradually deteriorate throughout the day!  Today has been my best day so far so  I guess I am a 'work in progress'
Exercise- had a great day Saturday.  Got back to running and really enjoyed it.  Probably ran about 5 kms and walked 4kms.  Then off to the gym where I felt great! I'm still feeling 'great'- ouch!!
Sunday afternoon we went for a bike ride- bit of a sore bum but otherwise fine.
Next weekend I'm heading to Beechworth to take part in a training ride with my team- 100kms- YIKES! the only saving grace is that I'm thinking ( hoping) it's mostly downhill. Anyway I'll have my support crew ( hubby) close by- he can always rescue me!
Tomorrow I'm thinking seriously of going for a swim before babysitting in the morning- I'll confess what I did tomorrow!

day one

Day one of my plan- not wonderful but could have been worse!  I didn't actually get around to writing my plan but it was sort of in my head.....not a great way to start!
The good- I did go to gym, I didn't eat cake, biscuits or lollies.  The bad- I didn't go for that walk and I think I've eaten too much tonight.
Tomorrow is another day!!

The time has come

Today I plan- tomorrow I start! I'm so tired of being haphazard in my fitness and eating.  Fitness I don't do too badly but my eating is woeful! So- today I plan my week of eating and exercise. Actually I'll probably plan eating the day before it seems to work better that way. Tomorrow morning I'm off to the gym and later I'll see if I can squeeze a walk in- or rather that should be- I WILL squeeze a walk in!

Pics at last

Corpus Christie festival in Austria- me at my happiest!

Hubby in village in Somerset - spent a week in this most delightful place

This definitely doesn't need any explanation 

It's taken me a while but here are 3 pics from different parts of our overseas trip!  The trip seems like a life time ago.  It was definitely the best overseas trip we have done.  Can't wait to go again.

One week later

I've been home one week and gradually starting to feel a bit more normal now! Next time I think we'll break the trip up with an overnight stay somewhere.  Have had 3 workouts and feeling quite good but STIFF!!! See what happens after a month's break. I'm really tired of this weather thought- bout time it cheered up!

Home Again

Off to the continent to be a fat pig
Home again, home again, Jiggity Jig Jig!
I'm BACK!!

Off We GO

Hey Ho Hey Ho- it's off on holiday I go! In approximately 5 hours I should be winging my way to Great Britain and Austria to celebrate my big 60!! The plane goes at 2.40am!! Oh well- at least this time it hasn't been a tearing rush. Looking forward to getting there , rather than the plane trip- although I do like plane travel but 21 hours of it can get a little tiresome after a while! And- I never sleep but always think that I will. Doomed for disappointment every time! lol

What's New?

Goodness it's been a month since I wrote on here- however I have been 'lurking' just not feeling very inspired to write anything. Friday I did another Kettlebell workshop. Well run and lots of fun and now feeling the aftermath!! Bum and legs are really tired and a bit stiff. Should have gone for a bike ride this w/e but just couldn't muster up the enthusiasm- most unlike me. However- never mind- I'm sure the mojo will return soonish. Still planning and organising for our trip away. Things are starting to fall into place and now I'm writing lots of lists. One task is to clean the house! Most important when you're going away!!!! Just loving my little ( not so little anymore) kitten. He brings us such pleasure and lots of laughs. He has the biggest and noisiest purr I've ever heard and roars in my ear early every morning. He likes to lie his head across my neck and then start his rumble!! How can you get annoyed when he's so cute! lol

Are you sitting on a fortune??

I'm positively sure I'm not the only person with pots of loose change sitting around the house. Purse gets emptied, hubby's pants hung up, handbag gets cleaned out- all these things lead to an accumulation of 'loose change' It had got to slightly ridiculous proportions so I took two bags to our local bank. They have this whiz bang coin sorter which I've never used before. 5 minutes later I'm $181.00 richer!!! Couldn't quite believe there was so much. Still got another pot to go. So, you see, I've been sitting on quite the fortune!!

Been ages again!

Seems to have been a long time inbetween blogs for me! Nothing momentous happening just being lazy I fear. I've been having a lovely time playing with Rupert- he is def the nicest cat I have ever owned. Very loving and gentle but also loves playing and leaping and is generally a laugh a minute!
Our trip in May is progressing nicely. I have the tickets to the Spanish Riding School so the main purpose of the trip is settled- yaaahhhh
Bike riding is also progressing- up to 58km with only one minor prob- my foot!!! eeeeegh- the soreness that happened at Christmas ( when I was riding an exercise bike about 30 mins most days) has now flared up again. I'm not totally convinced its the bike- at least I hope not!!!

Our New Addition!

This is what is taking up my time lately- meet Rupert Bear! Just picked him up this afternoon. He is the most delightful of kittens- very purry, friendly, playey and cuddly- couldn't be more perfect! We haven't had a kitten for about 17 years and I'd forgotten how much fun they could be. Tabs ( our resident cat) hasn't been too bad with him. She's very timid but has been reasonably comfortable and he's been extremely respectful of her senior position! Lovely to have another cat in the house again

Please have a look - part 2

I'm not so good at inserting links- but I think the previous post is ok! To explain- I'm planning on this bike ride in October- Conquer Cancer- and the link will take you to my personal page and blog. As a team we need to raise a considerable amount of money to participate so through this page you can give a donation- if you wish.Can I say 'thankyou' in anticipation??

Please have a look

Please have a look at my Conquer Cancerblog

Update

A boring title to a post that may also claim the same !
I've been spending most of my spare time on the bike! Gradually increasing distance but ever so slowly. Went for a lovely ride tonight- late arvo/ early evening- up to Warby. It truly is a beautiful spot. Now have to start fund raising for this bike ride- any suggestions? The team is doing some major fundraising but we still need to do some of our own. There's a local market so might have a stall there some time. Bunnings BBQ sounds like a good money raiser but not sure if I can get a spot before October. Suggestions gratefully received!!

exciting times ahead!

This year is my BIG birthday! I've been thinking of what to do to celebrate ( I reckon if you're entering a new decade, might as well celebrate memorably!) Had contemplated a holiday in central Australia on a station or something but hubby suggested I might like to see the horses in Vienna! Would I what!!!!!!!!. So- trip is being planned! Hopefully we can get this organised in time- Spanish Riding School, Stud farm in Piber ( where they grow them) a 6 day walk in country Austria, trip over to Britain and make way to Wales where I will sit on the memorial seat we got for my parents ( scattered ashes in 2007) which is in a park we used to go to when we were kids! I'm so delighted with the thought of this- it's just perfect:))))) Makes turning the big 60 something to look forward to!

finally

This hungry little caterpillar is sated- finally!!!

just stuff

Don't know really what I've been doing this past week I just know it has flown! Tafe starts back on Monday and now I'm really beginning to feel as though my holiday is over:(( I really enjoy the teaching but it's that old 'school feeling' deep in the tummy ( otherwise know as major butterflies). I've done heaps of prep so I should be ok for about half the year I would think!! I'll be glad when I've broken the ice and things calm down to a dull roar.
Cycling is going ok. I've ridden a couple of 30kms. I've felt fine afterwards but glad to stop! The weekend will see at least one more ride- we're fairly busy Sunday so not sure if it can happen that day!
Exercise is going ok generally- hitting the gym more days than not. Diet is a bit hit or miss but at least that gives me something to work on.
Have a good weekend everyone!

I'm Back!!

I've only been back a week but it feels at least a month!!! Doesn't take all that long to lose the 'holiday feeling'!
I'm planning of doing this bike ride in September- Conquer Cancer- it's 200km over 2 days. This has given me the much needed boot to get me riding in earnest! It's only fear that drives me but actually I'm enjoying the challenge very much ( at the moment)
I'm not a very good bike rider at all! I managed a trip to Warby on the bike trail which was 30km and that's about the longest I've done in one stretch for a very long time. At least I've got 8 months to go! My aim is to do this without injury- but I do tend to overdo things and then suffer the consequences. Running is off for the moment due to overdoing it while we were away- so the bike is looking good.

Update

Still here in the far north but sadly returning soon:(((

Sunny slow lane!

Up here again in the sunny slow lane of Port Douglas! They should make us honourary Queenslanders! The weather is 'perfect'! Warm and sunny- not too hot and not too humid ( although it really couldn't be too humid for me!)
My goal, while I'm here, is NOT to put on any weight. I always come back a kg or so heavier than when I started, despite the running and gymming that I do. Its back to apples and carrots and not toast and croissants!We'll see how that goes!