Blogging Anew

Time to revive the blog…or perhaps start a new one?

I’ve just signed up for Shimelles new class Blogging for Scrapbookers. Hoping to give this blog a bit of a facelift and get into a better habit of updating, etc.

Also now using Windows Live Writer to see if it makes the process a bit easier.

WATCH THIS SPACE….hopefully evolve before your eyes!

Well, if you don't blog on your Birthday....

....there's not much hope for you, is there.

Again, it's been ages since I blogged....busy busy, etc, etc.



Today, as I turned 31 (eek) I decided that I better write a few lines for posterity, if nothing else. In fact, maybe I'll journal my day - A Day in the Life of a (newly turned) 31 Year Old - sounds like a plan.



Eilis stayed in Mam and Dad's last night so she could have a 'lie in'. We get up at 7 normally, so once a week she stays overnight with someone or other...usually Thursdays and usually with my parents. It's like a little holiday for her and she loves it. I think she thinks it's the norm, that everyone does regular sleepovers in close-by relatives houses.



Last night, Tony's mum and sisters called over as they aren't around this evening and we had a few glasses of wine. I am slightly feeling the effects this morning, although we were up and out and in Galway before 8 this morning. Am plugging away at work, but with a fuzzy head. Since I decided not to drink beer anymore (relevation at age 30.5) I don't get headaches or bad hangovers. I think it's either the yeast or wheat as I've tried to cut them out too. Whether or which I can drink again without being a wreck the following day as long as I stick to wine or spirits. This is difficult when you were a die hard, bottle of Heineken fan.....but I'm getting over it.



One of the things I find very strange nowadays is how you get messages on your birthday as emails from things you've signed up to. This morning I was greeted by a 'happy birthday' from boards.ie and earlier this week at Curves 'happy birthday' flashed up on the screen when I logged in. Are we now going to get to a point where our birthday greetings are all from anonymous electronic devices? Scary thought. PG I'll always have my mammy to think of me - even though she only lives 3 miles away she told me yesterday 'there's a card in the post'.



Plans for the day are to pop into town at some stage (most likely on pretence of a 'meeting') to collect some bits as I am heading off (early) tomorrow morning to Co. Louth for my friend Aoife's hen party. I need to get a naughty but nice gift for her and also to get some shoes. Unfortunately I was in town for an hour yesterday and saw nothing...so I don't know how hopeful I am. I don't actually mind what I spend (which seems heresy in the 'current climate') but I want a pair of good, black, classy, high heel (but not too high), comfortable black going out shoe. Preferably with a pointy toe. Is that too much to ask!?!? So as I said, if I had to pay €200 for the perfect pair, I wouldn't mind. I've never come close to spending that kind of money on shoes by the way, just I don't have a black shoe for going out and am at a stage in my life where I need a pair that will last and that are (like the little black dress) easy to just throw on, no thought required. So, we'll just have to see how we get on today. Unfortunately it seems to be all boots now and it was all sandals during the summer.

Anyhoo, maybe this is why I don't blog, cos I get sucked in to writing all manner of slightly irrelevant stuff... although I'm not writing for you, I'm writing for me! Over and out for now....I'll try to keep notes as I go along today.

Rest of plans include lunch with Tina (college friend) and Tony (DH). Home early-ish, shopping, packing and maybe a chinese and a few 'nice things' with my sisters/parents/whoever's knocking around at the time.

Me, The Abridged Version

So I'm taking a course on Big Picture Scrapbooking by Cathy Zielske
It started today. It's digi...if we want it to be and it's called Me, The Abridged Version. Basically an A to Z set of layouts about yours truely. Our first tasks are to compile our thoughts, in alphabetical order. Cathy's also prompting us with emails each day asking questions like - What can't you Imagine Living Without.

P is for Pragmatist, or Pessimist (although I don't really think I am). I just couldn't think of anything I couldn't live without (apart from obvious air and water....scientist in me even saying you could probably survive if you had to....). If you had to live without stuff, or loved ones, or technology, you just would. Obviously I'd prefer not to have to live without my family, friends, television, chocolate, etc, but realistically we don't always have the choice and so it's better to just live each day and not wish for things.

This is a difficult entry - I'm not good at imagining negative things (which is a good thing I suppose). Ask me to imagine winning the lottery or All Ireland and I could write a book!

More soon. Am not going to apologise for not blogging more often, or for the state of my blog, which needs a serious overhaul. It's not going to happen this week.....
I haven't even uploaded photos from June onwards off my camera, never mind put them on blog. Life and stuff gets in the way, but it's all good.

Playing with Paper Again!

I haven't blogged in forever....what's new. But I have been a little bit crafty and am trying to make more time (even if it's only a little time) each week for myself. So if that means crocheting while I watch television, or sorting photos (which is a mammoth task, but I am getting through them, little by little) or doing some actual scrapping, I feel much better for it.

So, when I saw that Paperplay Challenges have upped the anti this week with a twist of a prize I decided to play along....although I'm not sure if it's just for cards? Anyway I made this layout this week based on a sketch (so that's two layouts in two weeks for me - a record for sure!). Funnily enough I started with the paper, without any photograph in mind. I suppose with a sketch that might be a good jumping off point. Also it meant that there was less of the 'starting with a blank page' syndrome. I often start layouts off as 8x8 and then just stick them onto a 12x12 plain cardstock to put in my albums....and they often look better for it, whereas if I started with a 12x12 I wouldn't have done the same LO at all. Another thing that's unusual about this LO for me, is that it's GREEN. I am soooo not a green fan, but I kinda like this. So after I had part of the LO finished, I went looking for a photo and came across this one of Eilis with part of trampoline from last summer. The green worked, but there was a bit more colour to it (which I was looking for) and am happy enough with results. I've used a photo I wouldn't usually use, a colour I wouldn't usually use, stitching (which I haven't used before) and lots of journalling. And it didn't take all day! Sometimes you just have to get back on the horse....and go for it.

Photo is pretty crappo - apologies, but it was a late night, bad light photo unfortunately.

A new beginning....

With all my healthy eating, I haven't actually lost any weight. Although I was getting compliments, I think they were all based on weight lost before Christmas. Easter I fell off the wagon, but have now committed to a plan to lose more, especially before the swimsuit season and weddings during the summer. A gang of ladies have pooled together on Craftsupplies forum to support each other in a weight loss plan and of course there is a stash prize at the end of 12 weeks as incentive. I'm a bit late in joining, but think the support is just what I need.

So, I started in earnest at lunchtime. I hadn’t really prepared in time for this morning (which is the key to all this I suppose) but headed into town at lunch and hit the healthfood store, hard. Part of my plan is to keep the carbs to a minimum, and I always find lunch very difficult – what’s the alternative to a sandwich (if you don’t make it yourself)? So, I’m currently chowing on a very expensive lemon soya yogurt (as a treat). I will follow with fruit and some nuts.

I’m going to follow Patrick Holfords low GL diet, which seems to allow foods I like. It’s based on low, but not no carbs, combining protein and carb in every meal and having small but frequent meals/snacks during day. It’s also about cutting out refined sugar in order to get your blood sugars right. I think it’s right for me because I am very mood swingy if I don’t eat (indicates blood sugar issues). It seems you can eat almost as much fruit and veg as you want, keep red meat to a minimum (trickier), lots of chicken (ok) and fish (trickier for me) and minimal brown rice/pasta/potatoes. Given that it’s summer I think plenty of salads will be in order and I do love veg, so it’s just about preparation. Idea is to go cold turkey from sugar for a few days. No caffeine forever (which doesn’t affect me cos I don’t trick tea or coffee….see, I told you this diet suited me…but is not for all I suppose), no diet drinks and there’s a scatter of supplements – vitamins/minerals that are recommended.

I’ve done WW in the past and lost about 9 pounds (pre wedding though so there was lots of incentive) also did a diet at Curves for 6 weeks that nearly killed me I was so hungry. This is the first time I’ve done anything just using a book. But I’ve spent about 100 quid between the book, vitamins and healthy food so I’m in it for at least the duration of the challenge on CS. For my height, I need to lose 33 pounds (to put me at the top of the ‘acceptable’ range!) but that would make me lighter than I have been since I was in first year in school (although I have been the same height since then!). So, I’m going to set my target at 2 stone – 28 pounds which would get me down to (I’d say) a comfortable size 12 (am tightish 14 now). I think in the 8 weeks left in the plan I’d be delighted to lose around 10-14 pounds. Halford seems to think 2 lbs per week is best you can do. I agree.

Now, it’s in writing, I have truly committed. Am keeping food diary from today – noting exercise and water drank. All the best to everyone else trying to live healthy out there!

Starvin Marvin!

I’m starvin Marvin and it’s not even noon….This healthy lifestyle is hard going…ah no, it’s fab.

Got two great compliments (ok one from my mother so maybe that doesn’t count!) yesterday about losing weight….one from a local boutique owner if you don’t mind. Actually, maybe she was just trying to drum up business! Ah no, I’m not good for taking compliments, but positive reinforcement like that is always welcome, especially when you are only on day two of healthy living! Also watched operation transformation on the telly and saw what that gang were able to achieve in 8 weeks – some of them were losing 2-3 stone.

But it’s not just about weight….it’s about feeling better….and I’ve made a list (thinking of making a cool mini book – that’s how hopeful and positive I am about this working) of the reasons WHY – not very many are for health reasons but who cares…I need to keep looking at my reasons to keep me going. Also a treat on Sunday is worth looking forward to!

Have a good weekend…I’m not sure what I’ve planned. The little one was sick on Wed night but seems fine now (after destroying two sets of bed linen!) so quality time with littluns and a major house clean up required – that should burn some calories while I’m at it! Have a good one, whatever you get up to.

Healthier New Me!

So, I haven’t blogged in 2 months….what’s that all about. In those two months we had Christmas, Eilis turned 5 and we moved into the new house. Must post photos…in fact must tidy house and take photos, but I said I’d blog quick to get back in habit.

Had Crafteire at the weekend. What fun. It’s such a treat – my spa weekend as I put it. So much better than a spa and you have lots of creative bits coming home with you. Great friends, chat, ideas, creativity….it’s wonderful. Classes were fab – I did 5 on the Saturday and yes I will finish the house…at some stage…although it’s more difficult than building a real house!

Made pancakes last night...but did I take any photos?! Duh! Had great fun flipping them - we have now a super high ceiling so there's no risk (we also had eaten about 6 apiece at that stage so there was no major problem if one accidentally tried to escape!).

40 days and 40 nights…..new healthy lifestyle starts today….with a view to losing a stone overall but somewhere between a half and a stone between now and Easter Sunday. I think lent happens at a good time in that you have probably tried and failed at the whole New Years Resolution and it gives you another shot at it. I didn’t really make many resolutions – of course I want to be healthier, but with the amount of rubbish in our house left over from Christmas and then people calling to the house and then Eilis’s birthday parties meant that it has taken until now to eat our way through the sugar. Simple Lenten resolutions for me towards a healthier lifestyle (not diet) are – no junk, except I’m allowed a treat on a Sunday. Also I will eat breakfast. Simple as….for now. We have to see what kind of results are yielded with that plan. Weekly weigh in, keep a diary/notebook for inspiration and review the plan after 2 weeks – might need to exercise to meet goals, but it’s too dark in the evenings at the moment and I’m not paying to get fit – that’s another resolution.