This is todays cardio work out. Check out the great scenery! We live really close to the Warburton Rail Trail and this was taken on about 10k of the track. Husband waited vainly for a train at Wesburn station- I think he might still be there, it's awfully quiet in the house tonight!

And look deb and kerryn- butt- ugly shoes!!!

Aiming at getting more cardio into my life at the moment. I'm NOT going to avoid the bike and I WON'T be the lazy lump I've been in the past few months!! How's that for a goal??? My foot is definitely improving and I'm doing a little more running on it. I really want to enter for the 8k Mother's Day Classic but I think I'm being pressured into going into the 4k instead. I guess it makes sense as I know that I'll want to run much more than I should. Being sensible is SUCH a pain!!!

A fairly dorky pic and don't forget this is taken after a day of wear and tear and no brush inbetween!

Oh- and I've had my twice a year haircut- lol ( almost but perhaps a little more frequently but not much!) and I'm now more red than I have been and considerably shorter. Feels great- quick blow with the hairdryer, brief rub with the wax and lots and lots of spray and I'm done!!!

My foot- which I have been whinging about for over a year now- is definitely on the improve!!! I'm sure my 'butt ugly" ( Kerryn's words, not mine!) shoes have helped. I ran and walked 3 k this morning but with less walking than I usually do. The best part is that I come away without so much discomfort. It doesn't hurt when I do it and even when I've cooled down the pain is much less if at all. I've got one more swiss ball class to go to and I think I'll just about survive it. I started going for the ladies at the gym who are on this 'war on waistlines' program. The class has been fun and getting together with the others helps enormously. I won't keep doing it though as it's not at a very convenient time for me - (breathes a sigh of relief!! lol)

Birthday Boy!

I can hardly believe it! I am now the mother of a 30 year old!! A 30 YEAR OLD ????? How on earth did THAT happen!!!

I've just spent the last 3 hours glued to the phone and this computer. Seems I unleashed a very nasty type of virus that kept sending porno type popups to me! After speaking to someone in India and then a quick trip to Canada I now have a sparkling new pc ( squeaky clean and absolutely devoid of nasties) !!!. I must repeat after myself - " I must NEVER open anything or click on ANYTHING that looks remotely suspicious". All it was was a website that had a video of a medical condition that I was researching. By agreeing to download the program needed to view it I unwittingly unleashed the virus- be warned!!!

Chung Shi runners! Whoowee!!! I did it! Thanks heaps Clarkie for the help.

Just rename me Imelda! Another pair of shoes purchased and duly worn. These shoes are amazing actually. Called Chung Shi (www.backinaction.co.uk/chung-shi-info) they are very interesting to wear! They are taking a bit of getting used to but I really do think they have helped my plantar fasciitis. My feet feel as though they have been massaged after wearing them and I'm not getting nearly as much discomfort as I normally do. The downside? I much prefer the look of my 'frou- frou' pink ones!!

By the way- can someone tell me how to add a link to a web page without having to put the whole address in! I've looked and tried but dismally failed:((

I've been following 'littlerenes' blog with interest. I love hearing about little Maya and seeing all the pictures. Littlerene seems so capable and in control which is lovely. Our son turns 30 on Sunday ! It seems incredible that all that time has passed. I can still remember quite clearly the first time I saw him and the first time we held him. There is nothing quite as amazing as childbirth!

Phew! Monday is such a busy day. I start at 9am and finish at 9pm!. It's all good fun though. The teaching at TAFE is going well but busy busy busy! I've come home with lots of follow up stuff to do. I'd forgotten how much take home work there always is. Gym work is going well too- so no complaints over this side of town! I did a swiss ball class last Tuesday but could only do half as I was going out for dinner to the pancake parlour! However tomorrow night I need to stay and do the whole lot. It was MEGA hard!!! How can something look so simple but be almost impossible to do???

Off to see the vampires tomorrow. I need to drink lots and remember to take my time leaving the place. I have the vaguest of memories of fainting fairly disgracefully after one blood letting- I think cos I just tried to get going too soon. Anyway it will mean a nice rest with bikkies and tea and a magazine for a while- how civilised!!

Not this time!

I am so disappointed. I was really looking forward to the run and all organised for it. I guess I caught out by the daylight saving mess up with optus! I set my alarm to go off at 5.30am and we needed to leave by 6.45am. About to walk out the door and hubby said- what is the time??? Yes you guessed it- phone had automatically undated to turn the clock back and the actual time was 7.45am!! Too late to drive the hour into the city and the probable 15mins walk to the start. I was really cross but there was nothing to be done about it- grrrrr. We took ourselves to Warby ( I got dropped at Yarra Junction- about 9kms from Warby) and ran and walked the distance. It was a fantastic morning- all low clouds, the smell of woodsmoke, horpees ( horses in granddaughter speak) in the paddocks. Really beautiful!! So for the rest of the day I drank coffee and basically ate rubbish! lol- oh well- tomorrow is another day! And there's always next year.

I've just noticed the date on the pic of my new shoes! They are new ! They are!!! I just didn't set the date on the camera- honest!!

These are my new shoes and somewhere in that melee are my old ones! Going in the 14.14km run tomorrow but unfortunately I didn't get my new shoes until Thurs! I think I would be pushing it to wear them- a shame cos they are such a pretty pink colour!

You're right deb- I needed to return to purple! My hat is now sitting beside the computer enjoying the purpleness and knowing it has returned home! lol- I am bored aren't I??

Yes- I had nothing better to do than fiddle around on here!!! No doubt I will change it again very soon!!

This is how I spent my Saturday afternoon after WORKING ( how on earth did that happen???) Husband and I went to Maroondah dam and walked for about 4 kms ( uphill and down dale) it was lovely lovely lovely!. The view from the bridge is spectacular. I thought the pic of the dam would make a great jigsaw.

Just a warning to other bloggers out there- although you all may be a bit more savvy than me- there are some strange msgs being left in the comments and yesterday I clicked on one from another blogger and all of a sudden microsoft updates flashed up with warnings about spyware and virus's and making sure I had all the updates. I did a virus scan and sure enough had bits and pieces of undesirable stuff on here. I think I've got rid of it all but who knows. That's the last time I click on anything that I don't know or that looks a bit out of the ordinary. Usually I'm really careful.

A day in Brissy with Debstar

Had a great day meeting up with Deb again- this time in Brisbane. My husband had to go to a conference so I got to go and just play!! Deb came up from the Gold Coast by train and we had a day of walking, walking and more walking and talking, talking and more talking!! Lots of fun and definitely great to meet up with Deb again. The picture above is all my fault!! I bought the brownie and I made sure Deb was my 'partner in crime' in demolishing it.

Deb was keen to see the Andy Warhol exhibition and I was keen to improve my 'cultural awareness'!! I can't say I would ever like to see his stuff on my walls but I did like the silver clouds ( which were like enlarged wine bladders filled with helium) and also the silver balls in the water outside the gallery ( not part of the AW exhibition) hmmmmmm.....perhaps I'd better go back to school and join all the other kids who were obviously playing and enjoying these too!

I loved Brisbane- but then perhaps I just love what I know of Queensland. I think I'm really a QLD girl underneath this cold Melbourne exterior! I'LL BE BACK!!!

Thanks Deb for making the effort to come and see me- don't forget I'd love to show you around Melbourne if you ever come south.

Well.....Golly Miss Molly.......I'm off the Queensland tomorrow!!!! Yehaw!!

I've got to a point with my workouts where it's so hard I'm losing motivation!! I used to love the assisted pullup machine but now I look at it with a feeling almost of horror!! I think I'll have to rethink what I'm doing and add stability to increase the difficulty rather than just go up and up in weights. My walk/running is going well though. It's little baby steps for me but at least it's progress. Went for an awesome walk/run on Thurs night. Along the Warby Trail ( disused rail track and now a walking trail) I walked 30 paces and ran 20 for about 30 mins and then just walked back. My foot didn't hurt at all while doing it but the next day was a different story! However a Nurofen seemed to help and I've done other bits and pieces on it since then. Had a 10k walk today and that was awesomely hot and sweaty!!

Start waving those leeks! Smell the daffodils!!! Yah........St David's Day is here!! Ok...so I only realised it was St David's Day when my sister messaged me to tell me. However I did make Welsh Cakes and jolly yummy they were too. And yes.. filled with butter and sugar and all those banned substances. I've hopefully attached some pictures here to remind you all of my Welsh connections- Caerphilly Castle, Llanishen and Cefyn Onn Parc

I did the second part of my work out on Friday- upper body. I don't know why but it was really hard hard!! I didn't increase the weights much- just the lat pulldown, and the only other difference were the pushups- using the bosu. However- I think I really worked to the limit and now I'm sooooooo stiff!!! Other weeks I haven't been as sore so it's a bit of a mystery why this one was so hard. The day before I did my legs- and they are also complaining!!

Started my serious training yesterday but timing how long it's possibly going to take to walk this race. I have to finish in 3 hrs ( or 3 and half). Did a 3 k lap of the lake and took 22mins. Then walked 40paces and ran 10 and did it in 20mins. So should make it in the time!! When I registered I couldn't quite bring myself to register in the red zone as a 'walker' . I ticked the yellow zone of 'casual jogger' on the premise that I can walk fairly quickly. Anyway after yesterdays approx 7k my foot is feeling it a bit but not majorly so that is a positive sign. At least I now feel as though I have a goal to strive for!!

Well.......the die is cast!! My fate- at least on March 30th- is sealed!! Yep- I've registered for the 14.7km Run for Kids event. How ambitious is that???? Here I am.....only walking about 6km a week and I intend to walk (hmmm.... maybe run a little) 14.7km. I guess I can always pull out if needs be- but I REALLY WANT TO DO THIS!. My foot is heaps better although not completely. I registered my daughter too as she assured me she wanted to do it too. I messaged her on the ph only to be given a reply of......my back, hip and knee have been sore so I'm not sure! We're sounding like a pair of old crocs!
Wish me luck as you wave me goodbye........................................!!!!! ( trala trala trala....)

I had been doing really well in the exercise department until this week. Working out hard 2-3 times a week and hitting the bike as often as I could. This week I've fallen apart!! Felt sick and nauseous on weekend and haven't really done anything worthwhile since then. The only benefit I guess is that I haven't been gorging on everything in sight as the very thought of doing that just makes me feel sick. Had first day at the new job today. I sometimes wonder why I put myself through this. Any change seems to bring out the nerves! However, after the first 5 minutes, I really relaxed into it and it's a job I'm sure I'm going to love. The students were lovely, the support worker a HUGE support and all the other staff really helpful and nice and best of all I felt as though I had fallen back into my niche! I think I've got the best of both worlds here- I love the gym work and getting back to the nice parts of teaching rounds off the whole package.

Life is about to get that little bit busier in our household. I've just got another job - as a sessional teacher at the TAFE College!! I'll be teaching literacy to adults with special needs for two mornings a week plus some extra time for coordination. I'm really delighted as this was the part of teaching that I really loved and have missed. Haven't taught adults before but it is a natural progression from the school leavers I was teaching. I start on Wednesday and as long as I have day 1 organised then I think I'll be okay. It fits in really well with the gym -doesn't conflict with any of my shifts and has only meant a couple of changes with the personal training clients. Phew- back to all that preparation and organisation- I love it!!!

A sad sad day- I have to retire my beloved hat! The peak is starting to break down and it's being held together by dirt and sweat !!! ( no- not really - I do wash it occasionally). I've had this hat for about 10 years and it is the very best! Fits really well, never blows off and is light and dries quickly. Oh.......I'm so sad:(((((






On the other hand these shoes apparently have YEARS of life left in them! Perhaps I can attack them at night - rip 'em off his feet and inter them in the wheelie bin!!! Shhhhh.... don't breathe a word of this!!

Phew! The weekend is here at last!! Friday is my bestest and favourist day of the week!. Lately it seems as though each day is a series of hurdles to get through. I enjoy them when they are happening- but first thing in the morning I look lovingly at the crumpled bed and figure out what has to be done before I can get back there!!

I think that finally my sore foot ( from maybe having something in it) is at last showing signs of improvement! Went dancing Saturday night which was the first time for about 2 months that I've worn heels! yah!!. My plantar foot though has been correspndingly bad!! It's a bit like kids- when one is horrid the other is an angel! I have been cycling which I figure can't really hurt either foot and I'm avoiding the leg press ( boohoo- I love the leg press and I was up to 100kg again!!) I'm going to have to get really serious and do regular stretching, icing etc,
Our granddaughter ( 5year old) started school on Thurs. She has also lost her two bottom front teeth. Having these two granddaughters has really made me wish I had our own two kids back again at this age ( at least for a day!).
Not much else going on here except work and some sleep and then more work again.

I'm sitting here eating chocolate so how do I ever think I'm going to achieve New Year's Goal Number 2??????????????????????????????

On Sunday we got together with my sisters (2) and their respective partners and some offspring to evaluate our past New Year Resolutions and set this years. I didn't really do too well with last years. I was supposed to read 'Feel the Fear and Do it Anyway". I thought about it on Saturday afternoon and did contemplate a 'speed read' but decided it really wasn't worth it. I did do SOME gardening and I was supposed to keep this weird sounding plant alive- ahem not sure what happened to it- but in all, I think I failed gardening too!
This years are
1. Make a list of house improvements and do 2 this year
2. Lose 5 cm from my belly.
3. Participate in one fun run/walk
The rest of the family make a group one for each person too- what they did for me was
To read a book every two months.
That one shouldn't be too hard to accomplish. I love reading but tend to read bits and pieces of fitness books, magazines and usually library books of various types. ( I think they think I just read magazines all year!!)

I definitely earned this!!! And deb- I've been hugely improved with the muffins and smarties, they are no longer daily events!!!

Can you see the blue roll to the side of the pic? That's our fairly new rug which now has to be rolled up to stop the bloody cat from clawing it!!!

Last week I wrote a 'plan'. A plan of the exercise I would do each day and I'm glad to say I accomplished all that I had written down. Now why is it that I have absolutely no problem in following an exercise plan but when it comes to food all good intentions seem to fly out the window!
Anyway- tomorrow is swimming day! My friend , with whom I usually swim, gave me a 'halo' for Christmas. Its a fluffy purple glitzy little number- and tomorrow I will earn the right to wear it! I promise a picture of it if I've done the right thing! lol

Look what I just got! husband thought .......actually I'm not sure WHAT he thought!!

I love my podiatrist! I love my podiatrist! I love my podiatrist!!
I didn't realise I actually HAD one until today. I was forced ( yes forced!!!- well encouraged/ coerced or whatever) to find one today and HE FOUND IT!!!!! a tiny weeny itsy bitsy piece of glass that has been causing me such grief over Christmas!! He came at me with his scalpul- so I very firmly put my best 'princess' crown on my head and looked pathetically frightened of it. He assured me it wouldn't hurt and you know- it actually didn't/ So- you see- I'm smitten. Not only that- he also seems to be quite knowledgeable about this plantar fasciiwhatsis that I've been plagued with for nearly a year. He seemed to have some different ideas about it so I'm g oing to see him again next week. Well- anyway I'll give him a go for a while! Life is looking considerably brighter today.

I took my brave pills and let the dr dig around some more- couldn't find anything!!!! I'm still hobbling but not as badly. Maybe it's just bruised- I jolly well hope so.
I'm feeling like a fat little piglet after yesterday. I'm sure I didn't really need to eat everything I laid my eyes on- but I did. We've been having lots of fun today with my new pressie- a tomtom!. One of those global positioning systems. I'm hopeless ( or rather- very good) at getting lost. Today sexy richard told us where to go and when to turn. Irish sean was a dead loss and gave up on us but down to earth aussie ken/kevin ( not sure exactly) was patient and just kept giving us other options when we ignored his advice. lol- we are such children here!!

I'm starting to get quite enthused about the idea of studying again. Having lots of thoughts about possible research- hopefully this will come to fruition and not just keep getting pushed back into something I might do one of these days.
My left foot is still battling plantar fasciitis and now my right foot is battling with maybe having something in it!! I trod on something in the kitchen on Wednesday and although it doesn't look as though anything is in it and the doctor doesn't think there is either- it's still mega sore!!! I'm a mess of hobbling feet! The doctor said the only way to be really sure is to inject anaesthic and have a jolly good look- eeekkkkk- I'm such a baby when it comes to pain (he says it's character building!!) Meanwhile I'll just try to ignore my lower limbs.

This is the first year that I haven't had school holidays!!! I know, I know - "welcome to the real world"!! If anyone says that to me again I might just clock them! I'm sure lots of people think that teachers have it easy with all those holidays but nothing makes up for the hours and hours of work at night / weekends/ and holidays. I'm not making this up- the work load is relentless.
I don't miss that part but I do miss being busy throughout my day. I find that gym work is spasmodic with lots of cancellations from clients especially at this time of year. Next year I think I might do some study of some sort. I've been looking into fitness courses or I could seriously think about a doctorate! Perhaps combining disability and fitness. I considered this some years ago but could never come up with a suitable 'question' to research!! Anybody got any suggestions????

After Saturday and the cycling experience I've done nothing but EAT!!! I have been so hungry and now can't seem to stop.

Really enjoyed yesterday and all that spinning. I reckon we were in the saddle for at at least 4 and half hours- not flat out but working pretty hard! Owowowwow- my bum!!! and owowowow my knee!!!. However - the instructor was fantastic and taught us heaps- especially all the safety stuff and technique. After a bath at home I was ready to dance the night away- and did!!!

Whoowooo- tomorrow I learn to be a Cycle Instructor. Hope my behind can recover!!

Was perusing the paper yesterday and noticed the entry form for 'run for the kids' in April. Made my decision- I'll do it!! I went in the first one they had - 2006- and it was just the best run- all through the city, over bridges and through tunnels, bumper to bumper people which made the time pass really quickly. I was looking forward to doing it again this year but my foot got in the way. However - MY FOOT is really improving and at least I will be able to walk this event with maybe the occasional minute ( or more) of running. It makes me feel good and positive at least to think about doing it.

I'm not a shoe hoarder or buyer, in fact I rarely buy any shoes other than running shoes but I couldn't resist these !! If you look closely you'll see how much of a bargain they were. Now I need the LBD to go with it!

I've been tagged by debstar and it's about which picture is on your desktop. At the moment I've got a picture of an English cottage covered in wisteria- it's not one I've taken , it's a downloaded one from webshots. I usually change the desktop quite frequently. I'll have to think about who to tag cos not many people seem to read my blog- sob sob

Hmmmmm- interesting update here- well I thought it was interesting!. Decided I would show anyone who was interested the progress of those pots I planted earlier in the year. I'm very impressed at how this one has progressed- see below! However, when I got the old photo on the screen I realised that ONE OF MY POTS IS MISSING!!! A hunt is required ! Perhaps that can be my next w/e job. Sad thing too- the edge of the cat in the 'before ' pic is 'bad cat' who disappeared while we were away- presumably to go to a better place as she was very old. I still wonder if she will one day appear in the driveway.

I think I may have found the secret to improving my swimming- buy some new goggles!! I lost my pair which were ok and after a few rather expensive trial and errors have been sold a pair of kids goggles that fit perfectly and don't let in even a micromillilitre of moisture. In fact they stay on my face without the straps! A rather fetching look! Anyway, my swimming this morning was considerably improved- yah!!! Foot is improving too so everything is on the up and up.

This may look like the latest object of torture but hopefully it will be my key to getting back to running! A night splint! What a glamorous item of clothing this will be! Apparently it helps to keep the tendons and muscles stretched and this is going to help! I know it is!!!!!

Had a work out on Monday ( ouch) followed by a spin class ( ouch ouch) and today did lots of walking lunges with a client ( ouch ouch ouch!) Tomorrow I'm opting for the steam bath and a nice cuppa!!!

Blogger has been extremely co operative tonight and I've managed to post several pictures!! The setting out is awful but that's my fault and I have no idea how to do it any better!!

One of my rare running moments in Wales- found this gorgeous ridge which had views , paddocks and horses- just meant for running











Onto Vienna now! The inside of the Spanish Riding School where all the action was about to happen. A most glorious show of dressage - I just loved it. We had 3 days of horsey things here. A tour of the stables, a presentation of training methods and then the grand show. I have a very patient husband!!











And now to Port Douglas!!! This is me running through Mossman Gorge. I always run here and sore foot or not I was determined to run. It hurt like hell afterwards but was definitely well worth the pain!!

It was really hard to choose which pictures to put on here- however here is a small selection with plenty more to follow!
On the left- a cottage in Cambridge area. Lots of these everywhere! 10 mins outside a big industrial town and you come across these really quaint villages







Below- the park where we scattered half of our parents ashes. We grew up in Wales ( I was only 5 when we left) and apparently we used to go to this beautiful park. Mum's wish was to be scattered here so this prompted the trip. Both parents died within 8 days of each other over Christmas 2005 and so it seemed fitting to scatter both their ashes here. ( still got half of them in Australia) A very moving event and a feeling of completion to some extent.







Can't resist the horses can I? This is the post being delivered daily to Buckingham Palace. All this pomp and ceremony!!!

Hiya folkses- I'm baaaaaaaack!!!

greetings from vienna!!!! the onlz problem i have is the kezboard has the z in the spot where the y should be! and all the directions on blogger are in german! so hopefullz this will get to zou all! having a lovelz time seeing heaps of spanish riding school stuff- just yummy yummy horsey stuff- i love it!!!

Helloooooooo all from London!!!!!

Bags are packed, toenails are painted and I'm ready to roll!!! Leaving tomorrow at 10.50pm- ahhhh all those 23 hours of SLEEP!!! See ya all when I return!!

4 more sleeps to go!!! or 4 more proper sleeps and 8 'nana naps'!! It's starting to feel more real now and I'm starting to count down on my list of things to do. Tomorrow it's pedicure and waxing- lol- obviously the most important thing to do when going O/S!!

It looks as though the old lady ( No 1 cat- aka as 'bad cat') has a bladder infection again. Poor pussy- it antibiotics again for her. We're away next week for 6 weeks so hopefully it will clear before then. That's the problem with ageing animals- visits to the vets and then decisions on what's best for them. Boots is 17 years old and this may be more serious than a bladder infection.

Oh dear- just been fighting with Norton anti virus- why do they always make it so hard. Looking for the product number for ages! Nowhere to be seen. Finally....finally ( after much cursing and abusing of this product) I find it hidden away as part of the wrapping- grrrrr Now its 11.45pm, I'm beyond tired and I have to get up early grrrrrrr I think I'm too tired to go to bed.

I get all the help I need- constantly!!!

Guess I've been forgiven for this morning's task of administering the worm tablets!

Well things are on the move!
1. Mother- in - law is now out of hospital
2. Dog has been vaccinated for his trip to the kennels ( and he was SUCH a good boy:)))
3. We have our 'Return Entry Visas' so us aliens can actually come back to Aus!
4. I've had a haircut
5. My phone is now on international roaming
6. I've requested a new credit card as my old one looks as though it is about to die

phew....there are still heaps of things to do though- wax, pedicure (lol- we are baring out toes at the end of the trip in sunny Port Douglas), car hire, insurance etc etc etc.
Sometimes the list looks endless!

3 weeks to go- mother -in-law in hospital, lists that start at 4 weeks to go and a sore neck/back. Hmmmmm- guess we'll make it! We board the plane to britain on Oct 4th and there seems to be heaps to do. While I was lounging in the bath ( as you do when there's lots and lots and lots to do) I realised that this trip is really a pilgrimage back to our home town. It will be 50 years since I was there with my sisters. It really struck me for some reason and made me realise how significant this will be ( all right I'm not really known for being 'quick'!!) We're going to see our old home and look through it. I can hardly imagine how that will be- I'm guessing fairly emotional and prob not at all like I imagined it to be.

Apart from feeling rather delicate all w/e had a really good one. My friend ( yes... I do have ONE) who headed northward has been heading back south lately so we could meet for our usual Saturday and Sunday walk PLUS a swim a week ago and the intention of a walk and SWIM this week. Ahhhh...this is more like my usual life. Aren't we creatures of habit? I'm sure I'm not the only one who finds real comfort in the sameness of life. Father's Day was great! Caught up with both our kids and grandchildren and daughter in law. Lots of fun. Did a bit of shopping with Catherine ( daughter) and made a date to go shopping with her in a couple of weeks for her birthday which she reminds me- we will be away for like we were for her 21st!!! Oh dear.... what bad parents we are!!!!

Last night I got struck down with that dreaded gastro bug. Spent a lot of time gazing into the porcelein! I hate hate hate being sick like that!! I'm a real baby and whinge and groan a lot. Hubby asked if the groans were important ( as in....was I dying or in great distress) Well no I wasn't but they still play an important part of my 'recovery'! lol I am such a princess sometimes!!

Isn't this a beautiful time of year. This is the view I get everytime I go up and down our drive-now captured for eternity ( well almost). The first pic shows our rather run down chook shed that is currently having an overhaul. Maybe when we get back from our holiday we'll get some more chooks! Today is rainy, wild and windy so it's just as well I took these photos before cos I think after today there won't be much left!

Friday now and my delight at seeing the inside of my house for a change has quickly evaporated with this being the second day of viewing! I decided to tackle the pantry!. It's now 9pm and I've well and truly lost my motivation. Where am I going to put the 19 boxes of fancy tea? Yep- you're right! Back on the top shelves where I found them. And there they will stay for the next 6-12months until I decide a pantry cleanout is necessary. And....while I'm on the subject of pantrys- how come what comes out of them def doesn't fit back in them????? My kitchen bench full of 'stuff' is evidence of that!!

What an afternoon of luxury! I'm actually back home for a few hours. I feel as though I hardly ever see the inside of my house! I've had time to put our washing, put more on, dust , vacuum, tidy and clean. If this is the most exciting day of my week- what a sad life I lead!! It's just lovely to veg out a bit and have some home time.
Had a great workout yesterday and now I'm paying for it! Every part of me hurts!! Yeah- even that damned foot!

Because I'm feeling particularly devoid of interesting things to write about I thought I'd just be more boring and use Kerryns' tag.
Jobs I’ve Held: Personal trainer, teacher, fruit picker, factory worker, car washer
.Movies I Can Watch Over & Over: Pretty Woman, Somewhere in Time, Love Actually, Dirty Dancing
My Guilty Pleasures: Drinking coffee , eating choc chip muffin and reading in a shopping centre, drinking coffee, eating cookies and reading at McDonalds, sitting and eating ( while reading) Darrell Lea liquorice allsorts- and so the list goes on!!! oops...forgot the smarties!!
Places I have lived: Wales, Melbourne
Shows I enjoy: House, Boston Legal, (very softly.....Idol) and (very very softly...Model - or something like that- the creepy American show with whatshername choosing a top model
.Places I Have Been on Holiday: All states, Port Douglas, Apollo Bay (Vic) New Zealand, Britain, Austria, Prague, USA and Canada
Favorite Foods: Chocolate and liquorice
Websites I Visit Daily: I don't daily
Body Parts I Have Injured: all those running bits- knees, feet, etc. Nothing else of major proportions
.Awards I’ve Won: Under 17 athletics, ummmm...don't think anything else
Nicknames You’ve Been Called: lindy, linna and linny ( by my mum)
People to tag- come on-- take up the challenge!!!!

I'm going public here- I am determined to clean up my eating and try to get some discipline into it!!! My days seem to consist of going to gym to train clients, then wasting time drinking coffee and ummm...er..... eating muffins and generally waiting until it's time to start my shift several hours later. It's too far to go home so I really do need to do something constructive during that time. Any suggestions?????

This is what happens when I go grocery shopping! Just pop into the small fairly trendy clothes shop- just in case- and come out with pants and t-shirt!! Obviously when we go on our trip in October we may just have to take a side trip to gay pareeeeeeeeee!!

I've been re reading some of my earlier posts on here and I don't think anything has changed at all!! I'm still battling food ( too much of it!) coping with injuries and whinging about them and enjoying exercise! You would have thought I could have developed a little more discipline over the year!!!

Pssst.......my foot has felt really good the past couple of days!!!!

What I really wanted was an apple but instead I was forced to eat this horrid horrid turkish delight!! PROOF!!!

Whoopsies!!! Hadn't realised it had been so long since I blogged on here. Really good reasons for not though.....ummmm..err.....well....we did go away to Sydney this past w/e which really only accounts for the past 3 days! I've obviously been gardening hard ( see pic....if I've managed to get it posted on here) and other than that... I've just been really busy at the gym! I know I went for a walk/ run along a rail trail the w/e before this one- it was glorious and I felt really good actually running bits and pieces for a change. I said I wouldn't mention my foot again so I w on't tell anyone that it has been really SORE this week :((((((((( I read on a site that sometimes it can take up to 4 YEARS for this to fix itself! Hell...by that time I'll be nearly 60 and therefore far to old to be contemplating running!!!! ( heheheheh.... can't imagine being nearly 60 nor can I ever imagine feeling as though I'm too old to run!!)

ps- please note that the pot now has THREE flowers where previous pic showed only one!! How good am I at gardening??????

Happy now deb?????

ahhh...back in the 'land of the living' again!!! Had a mega busy week or maybe I was just slow! Didn't seem to have time to get on here or collect all the bills from the PO box or anything! Husbands birthday today so we started with a leisurely morning and then a frantic lunch with grandchildren, children, mother- in -law and friend. I was ordering something and out of nowhere comes 2 year old Eboni barrelling towards me! What a delightful sight.
As to fitness this past week- well it's been zilch! And that's all I can say about that.

Had a really good day today. No work- I cancelled my clients as I have no voice. So- instead I went to the tip! I just love the tip! Very therapeutic chucking out all that junk. Then for something entirely different- I spent the whole day at home. Now that hasn't happened for many years. I got stuck into cleaning and tidying the book shelves in the family room. That includes photos too. I now feel very noble and extremely well organised!

Cough ! Cough! Splutter, sniff! Waaaaaahhhh I'm sick! I aint got no voice!!!

Bastille Day today and in honour of it there were some French recipes being talked about on the radio this morning. How about this for starters- Thick pork sausage, boiled and then sliced up and served on lentils ( lentils sound good!) Then mashed potatoes the French way- lots and lots of butter and fairly sloppy. Sometimes even a 30/30/30 approach ( lol- not sure what happened to the other 10) 30% potato 30% cream 30% butter!! I'm thankful I'm not French!!!!!

This is especially for debstar!!- GREAT NEWS!!! No more early early mornings for me!! This week I was so wrecked after my early Wednesday. I had managed only 3 hrs sleep the night before and by the afternoon my eyes were hanging out. Had afternoon tea with my sister and two friends and I could feel my eyes glazing over- they wouldn't work together! lol. Can't imagine what they thought! I took myself off to a car park behind Maccas and had a 'nana nap' in the car for about 20 mins and felt heaps better. But... to get back to my original GREAT NEWS!!- the manager asked if I wanted to change that shift to a 9-2pm shift. Now how civilised does that sound?? So with a bit of juggling I'm now working a much better shift for me on another day.

Went to my favourite lady who tweaks my tendons and goodness knows what else- and my foot feels heaps better! I won't mention my foot again unless I absolutely HAVE to!!!

I think my foot is long last on the way to recovery. Had a 9km run/walk on Saturday. There are two hills on this track around a lake (3km) So I thought if I at least run the hills it will be hard and therefore helping my fitness more than just the occasional jog. I did that and then found the walking so boring I did a 40 pace walk/ 10 pace jog. That livened things up a bit. Felt almost normal! Later that day I did hurt a bit but this morning it's no worse than usual. I'm sure this means it's getting better!!! Hope so cos I'm sick and tired of cycling!!!

For all those sceptics ( I can think of at least two!!) Here are the fruits of my labours!! 2 flowers at least!

Went away for the weekend which was lovely. Nice to just remove myself from the usual hustle and bustle of life. Came back to city on Sunday for a bowling tournament ( very social) for my husbands work. Guess who won one of the games???? MOI!!!! That's right !! You are reading the blog of a bowling super star!! hahahaha. The last time I bowled ( about 6 months ago) I got the grand score of about 50 and had most of the bowls riding in the gutter. Not this time!! I might take this up as my 'sport' now!!
In all- it was a good afternoon. Lots of kids, food, drink and nice people.

I did 90kg on the leg press today!! Going for 100kg next week!

Saturday was a BIG BIG day for our little granddaughter- 5 years old birthday girl! I can hardly believe that this time has gone by so quickly. She had a party at Zagamis which has an enormous indoor play area- a great idea for energetic 5 year olds. Happy birthday Tahlia!!

I'm beginning to think that all this exercise is starting to pay off- I'm actually getting some muscles! Not sure I really like the look though- although it's got to be better than flab and bone! Some of the ladies I train are so strong- they put me to shame. One was leg pressing 100kg so I thought I'd better check out my strength. 60kg was hard, 70kg I was struggling and 80kg - NO WAY! I've improved though- now I can do 70 without too many probs and do some reps at 80kg. Don't think I could over that though- I think my joints wouldn't hold out. Any way- Arnie watchout!! Here I come!!!

This is for all those 'delicate eyed' bloggers out there! Is this pretty pink ( again!) softer on your senses??

Sorry deb- your comment was like a red rag to a bull!! hahahah

I probably won't keep it like this for long- just long enough for your response!!

Hahaha- debstar had me figured out last night- yes I was bored and fiddling on here- hence the new look!! Not sure I really like it yet- I might change yet again!

I'm about to have a big, big, big whinge!!! About my foot!. I am so tired of it it's driving me crazy!!! This morning I get up and it's not too bad. During the day I stand and talk to someone for a while and it HURTS!!. Keeps hurting until I want to stamp my foot in frustration, but knowing that will only hurt it more, I don't!. Then, after having lunch it's not too bad and right now it is much better. It's the inconsistency for no rhyme or reason that I can see that is so frustrating!!!!!
Phew- feels heaps better now. I'll keep icing and stretching and going easy on it until the frustration builds again!

I think the world of blogs must be populated with ageing dogs!! Meet Ash- he's 12 and getting very grey and quite arthriticky esp on these cold cold mornings. Hence his very own mini heater! Now- how's that for a pampered pooch?

Confession time- again!! I cleaned out my car and found 4 - yes FOUR smartie boxes!!. Even I was horrified. It's one thing to know you're doing the wrong thing but to see the evidence-!!!!!. Anyway- today has been a 'no smartie ' day!

I've been tagged by ms-attitude and therefore have to give 7 random facts about myself. Here goes
1. I was born in Wales and came out here when Iwas 5.
2. I have 2 sisters and am the youngest.
3. I have been mad on horses since I was about 8 but didn't get one til I was 22.
4. I met my husband when I was 15- we got married when I was 21.
5. We want to move to northern qld for at least a year- he would like it to be forever!
6. We have two children and two little granddaughters- all of which would make moving away forever really hard to do- if not impossible
7. This is the best time in my life- so far

I think most other people on here have been tagged so I'll just leave it at that!

Oh dear! Let loose in the bookshop again! This time this post is for my sister Judy who reads this just to see what I'm up to!

Ok Judy - what is the capital of

Ethiopia? Angola? Madagascar? and Congo? lol

Email me your answers!

this harks back to our childhood when we shared a bedroom and a wall chart of the world, flags and capital cities. We used to test each others knowledge of capital cities just before we went to sleep. lol

This is Francis- my rather sick goldfish and friend and fellow co habiter of Alison ( who isn't sick) Has anyone any suggestions? I'm treating the water for fungal growth, I put in a solution of salt ( which is supposed to help) I talk to her. cajole her and berate her ( none of which seems to help). We thought she was a very fat fish until I discovered she was an Oranda and therefore rather special! It's awful seeing her moping in the corner of the tank.

Two Borders book vouchers for my birthday = SIX BOOKS??????? Not likely!! This is what happens- I tootle into borders grasping my vouchers in my hot little hands and there I am confronted by an array of books that I HAVE to have! So- the book vouchers have lured me in and now I am a captive but much poorer audience! lol

Can you notice a 'theme' here- apart from the obvious outsider on the right!

This is what my new work gave me for my birthday- aren't they lovely. They were tight buds at first but now are opening up. Just a lovely thought as were all the birthday wishes. Such a nice lot of people. I'm really glad I've made the move. I still have contact with some people from school but other than that I have no wish to return. Didn't take me long to adjust did it??

Went to physio yesterday and was told I could do a BIT of running- like a minute every 15 minute walk. Well... no sooner said than done! Off I went and for the rest of the day my footed killed me! However the physio did say it was how it pulled up the NEXT day that was significant. Lo and behold- my foot was no worse this morning! Yah!! I LOVE IT!! Just the best feeling- running. So good I did a bit more today with a client and now my foot doesn't feel too bad at all. I think I'd better not over do it though- so back to crawling for the next few days