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  • mummyinthemountains
    mummyinthemountains Posts: 808 Member
    Afternoon Crackers!

    I've just been posting on the other thread but I wanted to add - BM I too totally understand your flying fears, I am a hopeless case (started once I had my daughter) and I can only do short haul flights! I tell myself that statistics show everyday activities from walking to driving are still considerably more lethal than flying, although that won't stop me holding my breath until I have safely landed! However enjoy your summer break with your family in England.

    PB - what an excellent loss this week (you should have posted it on the main feed even if you're not logging so Saffy and NEW8 see it too!) hopefully this is the start of a good run for you weight wise and job wise.

    BRACKEN - I'm assuming you're having fun with your guest from England but I look forward on my return to hopefully your next post. This morning I rehung my last painted window and I am now really going to put all the paint gear into the basement and enjoy what is left of the summer. It's a shame you don't live just around the corner because I have so much fruit coming into season I can't possibly use or freeze it all!

    LMV - I hope you have a lovely time in Florence and Sienna such romantic cities - my all time favourites although I love Venice too! We DROVE when we visited!! If you're in need of some exercise, I can recommend the view over Florence from the top of the Santa Maria del Fiore Cathedral - 467 steps if I remember correctly!

    I shall be returning to Austria in 10 days when I will log back in (my parents have no WIFI) with my now very fit daughter, who may well be my answer to seeing my target weight again on the scales. I'm in for a very active 5 weeks according to her wish list - no shopping for her, it's all hikes in the mountains and Nordic walking even if it's raining I have been warned, so I shall make the most of dressing up and enjoy being city chic for the next week!

    Be good Crackers!
  • 77Bailey77
    77Bailey77 Posts: 357 Member
    Hi PB,
    Thank you for the kind words of support, I too am a wimp regarding all modes of travel. I also think I am getting worse with age. I wish you well with the jobs. If you don't get these it's only because the right one is out there waiting for you.
    Take care, hope the storms miss you! BM x
  • mummyinthemountains
    mummyinthemountains Posts: 808 Member
    BM - we must have been posting at the same time hope you've read my post!
  • PortiaBentley
    PortiaBentley Posts: 381 Member
    Hi Crackers - hope everyone is well and those that are enjoying summer holidays come back tanned and healthy! I remain unemployed however very busy! Today has been spent making 4 applications (3 contract/1 permanent); Studying my PRINCE 2 text and housekeeping. Afternoon at the stables grooming - my goodness its hot! Home to another shower. Hopefully it will cool off for the evening.

    Yesterday when I went to ride we had a moment of excitement when we were walking along towards the forest another rider came thundering by at a canter on the fields - sending Harley into a panic and off we went. Luckily, hes such a good boy he soon pulled up - Hilda managed to hold Ed back so no harm done but I don't think the other rider even saw us and we didn't know who he was. I was quite pleased with myself as I managed to hold him, sit up and not panic.

    Its now becoming too hot to ride during the day especially when Harley hates the flies so much so tomorrow we will make a decision based on the weather at the time.

    Lost another half pound this week so quite pleased with that. Enjoying the fruits of my veggie patch at the moment with a lovel veggie gratin last night and for lunch today but currently a bit short of ideas for tonights dinner.
  • brackenmh
    brackenmh Posts: 587 Member
    Hello Crackers. It feels as if I have been away for quite awhile and here I am just doing a drop-by as I have more jobs still to finish today- I pick up my English friend from the train station tomorrow. I've spent one day with her when she was staying lakeside. We saw a very good light musical at a local theatre- really well acted though not deep (great for a summer's afternoon!) She will stay with me until Thursday so will be busy until then. I'm not sure why I feel so harried but I find there was a lot of prep to have a guest. Earlier today I drove to a sister's to borrow a bike so we can go biking. Also I was away at a horse show last weekend to see another friend show her horse. Dry weather means lots of gardening watering. I've also been picking a lot of berries to freeze ( strawberries, raspberries, black currants so far plus bought some blueberries to freeze. Berries are quite expensive, even pick-your-own so wish I could have availed myself of your excess, MITM) I've made some jam for my younger sister as she had the blackcurrants but no time to do them up. My sister-in-law who is dealing with colon cancer has had some setbacks so my sisters and I have been making some food dishes for her and my brother. I've had a quick read through the posts. It was lovely to have a post from LMV, who, I believe, in now in sunny Venice. PB, congrats on weight loss and on dealing with the galloping horse incident. I have managed some rides between days of high heat. MITM, I believe you may already be in England and hope you are having a good time. BM, as usual, so much of what you say I can relate to with a "me too" also. I hope your trip goes well. Looking forward to getting back more regularly (130 days, BM!) Regards.
  • PortiaBentley
    PortiaBentley Posts: 381 Member
    Hello Crackers - Its a little quiet on here - I guess everyone is holidaying! I am trying to keep busy with job applications and have a number of possibilities in the fire - but frustrating waiting for something to happen.

    I did have a good day yesterday - after a week in which I had a bout of D&V - I woke up and felt like a walk so I took a long walk round the lanes in the sunshine. It was quiet apart from a few cars and a couple of bicycles. I had a couple of horses behind me at one point but they disappeared off down a bridleway. There was also a line of people shooting - which was a bit odd. I can only think they were after pigeon or crows as its the wrong time of year for anything else (and normally there is no shooting on a Sunday - most odd). In the afternoon another friend suggested a swim in the sea - I never need a second ask for that so off we went. The sea was quite rough and there was a strong current but it was pleasantly warm. Unfortunately, I got knocked over by a wave and ended up with a few grazes -but I still enjoyed it. Hopefully, all this will have an impact on my weight loss although I'm expecting to stay the same if possible as I did very little exercise all week until then. Its been too hot and humid to ride when I felt well enough to. Poor Harley is very bothered by the flies too so its a misery for him too. Thankfully, the weather today seems a little less humid although still sunny and warm so the plan is to ride this evening all being well. (mind you weather forecast is for showers this evening - still to be honest being wet won't bother me much!).

    I will, I think, be placing a candle in my window this evening at 10.00pm to commemorate the start of the WW1. My grandfather was wounded but survived the war along with his brother (who then emigrated to Canada). The war had a profound effect on all families in so many countries. Its a sombre day - and even though the world has changed so much it still seems to be a very war like place and I often wonder how close we come to repeating it even now. Such a dilemma for the people in power. For example in Ukraine. That could so easily have been the trigger for a similar conflagration - and yet, by doing nothing we condemn people to suffer and die in Ukraine, Gaza. Sudan. Syria. Its all still going on in Afghanistan too. So sad that we continue to think the only way to solve a problem is to kill each other. When I think of WW1 though I think of Granddad who was a 'horse keeper' according to the census. He must have seen so many horses die horribly and alongside his comrades too. I think that is why Warhorse was such a moving play for me - because it could just as easily have been my granddad.

    Oh well - we must look at the positives too and at least communications these days means that there is the opportunity to talk first!

    Need to get on with something positive now so will talk to you all again later. Happy Holidays Crackers!

    PB x
  • mummyinthemountains
    mummyinthemountains Posts: 808 Member
    Good Evening Crackers!

    You are right PB it is very quiet on here! So pleased to hear that you are back on your feet again - waves permitting.

    Well apologies Crackers for my absence believe me there's nothing I like more than relaxing with my first cup of tea of the day and catching up with my fellow Crackers....

    However after a hectic week in the UK - hair frizzled the moment I stepped off the plane due to the heat but I enjoyed the sunshine after so much rain here.... Once the daughter broke up from school we spent a hot, glorious day on the Isle of Wight visiting my Aunt. We walked from the Needles, across the amazing purple heather/gorse, over the cliffs back to Totland Bay which was delightful and the daughter swam in the bay. My parents often visit their nearest beach 'Lee on Solent' but after living in Jersey for 3 years this 'beach' doesn't do much for me but again the daughter swam in the sea. We walked lots which probably accounts for my NO GAIN I registered once home, same weight as I left YES!!

    Thought of the Crackers whilst sat on the runway waiting to fly home. Due to 'taxi' off when the pilot announced 'If you look out of the left hand side window you will see what is causing our delay.' The sky was black! And due to the approaching storm; thunder, lightning, rain no aircraft were going anywhere, so we sat for 90 minutes on the runway. When we finally did get clearance to take off, the first 30 minutes were with the seat belt sign on due to turbulence... I'll say no more!

    So much to catch up with once home again, haven't stopped working and no let up in sight.... And then we had the first of my husband's family visiting for 4 long days with 2 exhausting young children wrecking the joint, haven't yet checked for hand marks on my walls!!! I will agree with you Bracken there is so much to do and I had less than a days notice which I wasn't best pleased about!

    If I stay the same this week I'll be very happy as I've had to 'bake' and be sociable!! But I'm now back on the straight and narrow again and being dragged up the hill behind me Nordic walking as I feared, so hopefully I'll banish any gain by my next WI day.

    Be good Crackers!
  • brackenmh
    brackenmh Posts: 587 Member
    Hello Crackers. As always, after a considerable absence coming here feels like coming home in many ways and is always good. It is a true pleasure to hop on here and read such thoughtful and interesting posts. Where to start? I think I must give a big congrats to you, MITM, for going on holiday and not gaining an ounce- surely a record. Your holiday sounds very active and the places you were seeing enviably lovely. I have actually been to the Isle of Wight twice though it is some time ago now. I will never grumble if a pilot wants to be cautious regarding weather but a delay does seem to increase the apprehension, doesn't it? Good to hear you are keeping positive and engaged PB. I sympathize about the weather. Our summer has been a little cooler than usual, but with some hot/humid days and it really is not conducive for riding. On Sunday, I had a bit of a school from the stable owner and did a small 5 jump course with one related distance. It is the first this summer and I feel I lost so much progress over the winter; however, that Sunday ride was great and my horse was so honest- he was up for anything, alas I had limitations. We have had extensive coverage of the WWI commemorations and many programs and articles in the paper about it. I read about the candle in the window tribute, a very apt idea but there was nothing like that here. I suppose in part it relates to that famous statement made before the war that the lights would be going out all over Europe soon as war approached. Your connection, PB, is very close having a grandfather and uncle in the war. My grandfather was in the Merchant Navy and I wish I knew more about his service, but of course, like so many of his generation he virtually did not talk about it. There has been an excellent series on our TVO (TV Ontario) called Apocalypse: World War 1 . I am amazed at how much archival footage there is of the war. The series went into the political history but just as much the lives of the ordinary enlisted men. Such unbelievable carnage. One episode mentioned that in one day of fighting at Verdun 7000 horses died. I had to turn away at times it was so upsetting to see the lives of those men and animals. But there are still lessons to be learned from it if only those in power would be mindful of them. If there are any history buffs here, it can be watched on-line from TVO.org. Well, back to the present.
    I really enjoyed having my friend from England here. We were out and about a lot. (the downside to that in the long run has been too much eating out with the predictable consequences!) We saw an excellent production of Alice Through the Looking Glass at our Stratford which has a renowned Shakespearean theatre as well as two other theatres- not bad for a town of 32,000. Manny, many Americans come to Stratford. I'm also hoping to see a production of King Lear that has super reviews. Our Stratford looks remarkably like Stratford, England in geographical features which I have been to. It has an Avon River near the theatre and of course, the town has capitalized on the comparisons. Swans are kept on the river but in the winter they have to be housed in an enclosure because of the cold. Every Spring they hold a ceremony (which has turned into a huge event with hundreds attending) in which a piper in Elizabethan dress plays as the swans are marched back down to the river.
    I've had a good week thus far re diet/exercise. Nellie and I have ben walking and I'm trying to do at least two miles. The temps are rising again so a challenge but I've also got in two 20 minute bike rides today and yesterday. Was going to mention an article from the Globe today but will try to remember for next time (on dieting and decision making) as it is now past nine and I need to attend to Nellie. Regards.
  • brackenmh
    brackenmh Posts: 587 Member
    Hello all. Very hot weather here, especially in the afternoon, but thankfully not overly humid and very sunny. Nellie and I have walked another two miles today and yesterday and I biked 25 minutes both days so pleased with the exercise. Yesterday I also did a short ride and did a few (5) jumps again. With the return of hot weather, the plants are suddenly very dry again despite the fact we had torrential weather not many days ago. I'll mention that article I referred to in my last post now. It talked about how neuroscientists have determined that the brain has a limited capacity to make decisions in any one day/ at any particular time. (I think I have actually heard something of this idea before) The application seems to be that if one wants to achieve goals/control habits as in eating/weight management it is important to structure things so there are not a lot of undecided factors around eating or one is more likely to engage in impulsive, mindless eating. I don't suppose this is earth shattering news to most of us, who readily realize the benefits of planning and being prepared but to me, it was interesting to have it put in the context of our (usually unconscious) decision making by the brain. On another note, regarding the quest for better health, exercise and weight loss I read an excellent blog here yesterday (whoops, I now realize I have forgotten the title so will have to add that later!) The writer is a longer time member of MFP and has lost a lot of weight. She has some very thoughtful comments on setting and changing goals. One slogan she referred to was simply, "one or none" which she says helped her to overcome her compulsive over-eating; she remembers it from her childhood when her mother would say she could have one cookie or none. I thought of it as the kind of thing Beck would like to see on response cards- for all who use Beck. I did think of it today and I think it did work so I'll make a card myself- it certainly can't hurt! On a different note, I have been watching Doc Martin on dvd from the library. My sister-in-law told me about it some time ago but I did not seek it out and never saw it on any of the tv channels I receive. I've really enjoyed it, laughed out loud at times and am sorry that I've now finished season 5 and there are 83 people ahead of me season 6- the library does have several copies so I hope it will not be too long a wait. As it is now 7:30 and should be getting cooler, I'll take Nellie for a little walk. I've just heard a lovely red cardinal singing outside my den window which is another incentive to walk. Regards all.
  • brackenmh
    brackenmh Posts: 587 Member
    Here are the blog(s) I referred to in my post below- apparently there were two- When One becomes 10 (the 'one or none' quote is actually in the comments, not the blog itself) and Decisions about your goal weight.
  • brackenmh
    brackenmh Posts: 587 Member
    A quick little pop-in here as I am trying to keep refocused and this is part of what helps me to do so. It has been pouring rain since late afternoon so no evening walk for Nellie but we did have a nice 1 1/2 miles walk in the morning. I felt very fortunate this afternoon as one of my sisters came here and then announced that she would gladly give me a hand in my garden which had really got away from me with my friend being here and then with the past few very hot days. Between us we got the lawns cut and everything weeded and some trimming and pruning done and literally finished as it started to rain. We then made a visit on another of my sisters (I have four) and so spent a pleasant evening. I came home with a bag of cucumbers from her garden so I'll have to dig out my recipe for the bread and butter pickles and try to get those done, I hope tomorrow. The recipe is one I found in my Mother's
    recipe box last year, written out in my Grandma's hand. It is dead simple but I was very pleased with how it turned out, tasting to me as I remember it from years ago. Hope all are well.
  • PortiaBentley
    PortiaBentley Posts: 381 Member
    Hello Crackers - well the saying goes that you wait forever for a bus then two come along at once - the analogy to my job hunt situation is that I've had nothing for several weeks and I now have 3 interviews lined up! One is tomorrow at 1.00pm. Practice Manager for a vets surgery - the patients are more likely to bite you I guess but are generally much more pleasant to be around! The second is a week on Thursday (21st) which is a GP Practice in a place called OUndle which is rather nice but would entail me moving. The third is not until 9th Sept so a long way off and that's another GP practice this time in Bury St Edmunds so commutable. I also applied for a job yesterday with the fire brigade and was put forward for a consultancy role at Ford motor company in Essex - so quite a good day all round yesterday.

    In the afternoon I went for a quick ride on Harley who at one point decided to canter off with me - the flies weren't so bad as its been a bit cooler the last few days (Hurricane Bertha remnants have cooled things down considerably). I managed to pull him up and he was fine after that - but I can't wait for the stubble to be available as that will give me a good chance of a proper canter on my terms not a spook! Thankfully, he doesn't tend to canter off very far and is relatively easy to pull back - but yesterday he had also had to go out without his noseband which came apart when I was tacking him up, so he was more difficult to pull up. Still I managed it and I'm quite proud of how confident I've become.

    My parents are staying at the moment so I'm afraid I'm being tempted with all sorts of naughtiness. I've been for a nice walk this morning though and it was a lovely bright sunny day - but there was a stiff breeze. This afternoon I shall go down and groom and let Butler have a walk round the stables then help do up. Thank heavens for the exercise I'm getting - although I haven't been to the swimming pool or gym for ages but messing about with horses can be very strenuous and I've had some lovely long walks too in this fabulous weather. I've lost count of how many times I've been in the sea this year - but it is so warm (we had a very warm winter - hardly any frost at all) at the moment and will be for another month at least I think.

    Well that's all my news for now - take care Crackers!

    PB
  • mummyinthemountains
    mummyinthemountains Posts: 808 Member
    Morning Crackers!

    What a treat Bracken - another post from your good self, keep focusing and writing as I'm enjoying reading what you are up to as it helps me too! I'm so pleased you had a good time with your friend even if your garden did get neglected. I spent an enjoyable couple of hours yesterday in my front garden also catching up, cutting and pruning and making it look presentable again. And I sympathise with the inevitable extra eating - sometimes it just can't be helped!

    My daughter has a wish list of all the cakes and biscuits she wants me to bake (no one makes home-made cakes where she is living and they don't have the ingredients or cake tins if she were to suggest she make one) whilst she is here. I use to bake every weekend without fail when my mother-in-law was alive. Then after she died when we had family visiting which was monthly but now the daughter is in England, it's only when she is home for holidays, everyone descends upon us. This coming weekend is a bank holiday and a 'great aunt' is dropping by to see her so I'll bake a cake and tick one off the list! I plan to make the most indulgent and calorific when we have guests in the house so there will be less for me to wear....

    Well with my daughter here and every moment precious I'm making the most of each day. I have been doing lots of exercise (which is just as well with all this baking!) as my daughter has been dragging me out on hikes and evening walks up the steep hillside behind us. Fortunately after a dismal early wettest summer ever it has been kinder although today it is pouring but last night my daughter swam 30 lengths in the local outdoor pool which she had to herself whilst I had a pleasant fruit tea. It is so quiet here this summer, you can see the difference that the cutbacks are making in Italy as there are far fewer tourists around, normally it is called Little Italy at this time of year.

    My plan is to attempt to just STS and maintain my 'Jillian' acquired measurements which is actually a big ask when you have kindly neighbours delivering boxes of chocolates as a thank you for letting them help themselves to the redcurrants... Like that blog you mentioned Bracken chocolate is not safe in my home unless it's dark and these are milk!!

    Well be good Crackers!
  • mummyinthemountains
    mummyinthemountains Posts: 808 Member
    PB - we must have been posting at the same time! Fantastic news on the job front good luck with the interviews!
  • brackenmh
    brackenmh Posts: 587 Member
    Hello all. I'm here as a treat and a rest after taking Nellie for a 2 1/4 mile walk- quite humid though not as hot as before yesterday's long rain storm. I do like an evening rain in the summer when I am sitting inside and can hear the rain on the leaves of my trees. The downside is that I am not riding today as it is so wet in the riding ring.
    PB, it is wonderful to read of your upcoming interviews. I do hope they go well for you. Working in a vet's clinic sounds lovely but of course, there are other factors to consider than being around four-footed creatures. I love hearing about your riding excursions. You are clearly riding with confidence which makes such a difference. Here, the flies and deer flies are so bad in July/August most people avoid the fields and woods and stick to the ring. No spray seems effective with deer fly. You make swimming in the sea sound so inviting. I wish I were a swimmer .(well. I am really glad I got that walk in as I've just had to bring Nellie in as it has started to pour rain.) I never really learned as a child. I did at one time take a few lessons at a local YMCA but I really did not seems to have much aptitude for it- a lot of thrashing around without making much progress to where I was going as I recall! I think I'm better to stick to my bike. Is Butler your dog? I don't recall that name.
    MITM, I can understand your daughter's wish for your home baking. There are many things one can buy pre-made but it seems hard, here at least, to buy really nice cakes. Cakes are not my favourite indulgence (Christmas cake excepted) but a good home made cake is very tempting. I recently had such cake. The stable owner knows myself and the other boarder I ride with have birthdays in July so she said she would make us any kind of cake we liked. We agreed a good carrot cake (with the requisite cream cheese/lemon icing) was our choice. So one Sunday after riding we were invited in for cake- that was truly a delicious indulgence. By chance, when were talking the BO (barn owner) asked me if I had ever tried keifer (I shall now get in the healthy part of my post!). I knew of it but had not tried it. She is very health conscious and also has digestive issues and is aware of my on-going problems. She kindly gave me a litre of plain, organic keifer- it comes here in 1% or 2%. If any one is unfamiliar with it, it is a fermented milk product, rather thickish, and tangy. I find it quite palatable alone or put it on cereal (you can mix it with regular milk or almond milk etc.) or in a smoothie. The keifer I get has 10 probiotic cultures compared to 2 in the typical yogurt. I've noticed here there is also a strawberry version but of course, it has a lot of added sugar which I think is also not good for the cultures. In any case, I think it is helping my digestive system so I've mentioned it. MITM, thanks for the reminder that exercise can help deter impulsive eating. I hope you are having a wonderful time with you daughter home.
    Regards all.
  • PortiaBentley
    PortiaBentley Posts: 381 Member
    Dear Crackers - well the first interview wasn't a success - unfortunately they hadn't indicated a salary and were looking for someone to take on the job at considerably less than I'm willing to work for. They are in a mess but they can get a 'younger' cheaper version who is less expensive. Good luck to them. Its a false economy as far as I can see. I'm working on the presentation for the next interview which is a week today. I know the salary level on that one so at least I won't be wasting my time trying.

    It was interesting though as I think they were quite interested in me and they are nationwide so its possible they will come up with something that is more suitable (and salary is OK). Still we'll see.

    In the meantime only one ride this week and, as Mum and Dad are still staying I'm eating far too much.

    the sun is shining though and I'm off to the stables in about an hour.

    Speak soon Crackers - and well done to all of you who seem to be on track - and certainly on track at the moment. My time will come again - I know.

    PB
  • brackenmh
    brackenmh Posts: 587 Member
    Hello all. A very quick pop-in but must say, PB, your time will come indeed. You are getting closer with these interviews and every interview of course, will hone your interview manner. Hope you had a good time at the stables. Back soon I hope.
  • mummyinthemountains
    mummyinthemountains Posts: 808 Member
    Afternoon Crackers!

    'My agent says for woman hunger is an emergency. If I am not full I am both murderous and suicidal.' Nigella Lawson.

    On Thursday I was under a lot of pressure to prepare the potatoes ready for Schlipfkrapfen making the following day and bake. I decided upon an easy but rather good recipe for Brownie biscuits, plus I had to tidy the house ready for the Great Aunt. She was due late afternoon. All chores done, we sat and waited and waited and waited in our Sunday best! Until I could wait no longer and insisted the husband ring his Uncle where she was due to stay overnight and find out where is she? She was running late and would call once she arrived at the Uncle's. Great! Two precious wasted hours... She rang, 'Would we mind terribly if she came instead in the morning as she was so tired?' Well actually yes, we had to work even if it was a bank holiday... but of course we politely said 'No problem see you tomorrow' and I slammed the lid down firmly on the biscuit tin.

    All out of routine and behind time, dinner was served late and the first murderous thoughts occurred as the hunger pangs set in. Then my daughter received a strange text message from her Aunt my husband's sister. It read they would be leaving at 8am on Saturday morning to come to us. What? My husband had told me they were coming next Saturday not this Saturday and a bank holiday here in Austria, means everything is closed so I hadn't bought in any extra food... My guest bedroom as they were staying overnight, the beds were not made up. And most worryingly of all, my sister-in-law sells our Schlip in Innsbruck and the order for our customers was not yet ready as we thought we had another week. More murderous thoughts with the husband in mind and suicidal thoughts because of the size of the order.

    We crammed our food down and had to set to work then and there and we were still at it at 1am. Bleary eyed I got up the next morning and waited for the Great Aunt to drop in on us. By the time she left after a pleasant visit I should add, lunch was then late and the stress of knowing what lay ahead for the rest of the day and evening - the murderous and suicidal thoughts were never far away. We worked straight through until midnight and tumbled into bed. Saturday the husband was doing a wedding function all day and evening but he got up early and before he left he prepared for his sister and family a freshly made lasagne for lunch as he had already minced the meat at work. By the time I got up the kitchen was a mass of dirty pots and pans - it took me all morning to clear up the mess and then clean the house but the lasagne was in the oven bubbly away nicely and I had washed the salad and coleslaw from the garden. It would be ready for 1pm which is when our guests were due.

    No sign of them... 1.30pm a text - the traffic was so bad (as they had to drive through Italy) they were stopping off for pizza!! My daughter and I meanwhile were starving ourselves waiting for them to arrive... Yet more murderous thoughts.... We hungrily ate. They eventually turned up at 2.30pm and after coffee and yet more cake then went out leaving their children. We eat at 6pm they returned at 7pm... My daughter complained in the evening of feeling sick because over the past 3 days our meal plans to accommodate others have gone out of the window and whilst waiting to eat we have snacked on rubbish plus ate far too many cakes. This continued right up until 7pm on Sunday evening when they finally headed home and my daughter and I strode up the hillside to work off our pent up energy!

    Still I have come to realise over the past few days the reason I'm able to stay so close to my target weight, don't feel as if I'm on a diet or deprived is because I have such a structured plan and eat only foods that suit me and my body on a regular 4 hourly basis. This weekend I've been completely out of sorts and snatching at rubbish and eating meals and treats to keep others happy! You really do have to selfishly put yourself and your needs first otherwise you could so easily end up both murderous or suicidal or both! I've promised the daughter now her cousins have left we are returning to our way of eating where hunger pangs are banned!

    Be good Crackers!

    PB - good luck with the second interview.
  • mummyinthemountains
    mummyinthemountains Posts: 808 Member
    Morning Crackers!

    Spooky, spooky, spooky!! In my email account yesterday I found an email from Judith Beck YES 'the' Beck!! 'Eating Schedules: why they're necessary' - Bracken did you receive this too or is google reading my posts!!

    Sadly the invitation to the workshop is in Philadelphia so I'll have to give it a miss but the email itself was so interesting. The skill they are teaching 'to eat according to a schedule instead of on demand.'

    And I quote "we work with out dieters figure out when they should eat their meals and snacks. The schedule may be fairly flexible and may need to be altered when their daily activities change. But a schedule is necessary for them to lose weight and to keep it off because it allows them to avoid the struggle of spontaneous eating decisions. The answers to 'should I eat a muffin at my work place?' 'should I grab some chips when I'm filling up my gas tank?' 'Should I eat a snack with my kids at the park?' are clear because they know: if it's time to eat, I eat. If it's not time to eat, I don't."

    Well I know it's time for me to get a cup of tea now. Be good Crackers!
  • brackenmh
    brackenmh Posts: 587 Member
    A very quick pop-in but hope to be back later today. Must laud you, MITM, for doing so well with the STS after all the disruptions to your schedule and the very busy time you are having. It is interesting that you eat according to a schedule you have determined works for you and how that fits in with recommendations from Beck. It reminds me that I am not receiving the newsletters from Beck that I was so I'll look into that. Until later.
  • brackenmh
    brackenmh Posts: 587 Member
    Back a little later than I thought. I had a reconning with the scales two days ago and it was not good news, though there was no reason for me to think it would be. The past few weeks have been very up and down after getting closer to my best weight. But each time I've stop and started, I keep starting a little higher so the net result is a predictable upward trend. I hope I am now getting a grip on it again. I am recording in the food journal and preparing proper meals. I have had a lot of eating out socially but that should not be an excuse. Usually I don't do that badly eating out but it seems to throw me afterwards. I've let everything else take priority over focusing on how and what I eat. I've been doing a lot of decluttering in a room that has been the catch-all for everything I don't want to deal with at the moment. For example, I had downsized the books in my den which I use all the time. However, instead of getting rid of the books I put them in the hidden storage room! Part of the problem was that a lot of the books were not ones that would sell in a general charity store and I can't bear to throw out books. Many were from university courses but I'll never read them again. (Restoration drama never was a favourite!) I have found a used bookstore that caters to university students. It wasn't really close but I felt good finally dropping off nine bags of books. Then there are the used electronics that never quite got to the recycling centre. Why do I have so many Christmas decorations? (Partly because people give them to me as gifts.) So trips to the nearest charity shop. Then there are the clothes that I've kept and kept ..... Need I say more - anyway, I am making progress and am motivated to organize and clear the room because I want to have the old carpet replaced with some new flooring. I mentioned earlier that several people in my family are on the move so there have been more than the usual number of get-togethers. I have really enjoyed seeing my nieces and nephew. One niece is relocating to British Columbia, her brother is finishing his Masters at McGill U. in Montreal. Another niece leaves for England this weekend for teaching and her sister has just returned to the States for her university. Both of those nieces had said they would like to have a ride on my horse.
    The England bound one took lessons for a couple of years when she was 10 -12 and rode a couple of times this summer. She is very athletic and quickly got the feel of riding back and even comfortably did a few small jumps. I was rather worried about putting her sister on my horse since she has not ridden and I imagined how awful it would be if she hurt herself, particularly as her scholarship is tied into playing ice hockey for the university (American schools are very big on athletic scholarships; in Canada schools are not allowed to have athletic scholarships). She did very well and caught onto posting and then wanted to try a canter; her sister assured me it would be fine, no problem and it wasn't. I really enjoyed having them out to the stable. Another niece, age 10, has started to take some lessons at another stable and wanted me to see her ride. And her sister, 15, who took some lessons for a short period of time has said she would like to have an occasional ride on my horse. So it has been the summer of the nieces and riding! I've signed up for a writing course through the Continuing Education Department at the nearby university; the choices were a bit limited for the fall term so I've chosen the Writing Fiction one; in the winter there is a Non-fiction course that I'm also interested in doing if possible. There is a doc on the CBC I want to see about dogs coming on shortly so will leave for now. Regards.
  • brackenmh
    brackenmh Posts: 587 Member
    Hello Crackers. The past three days have been better on the eating front though today was a bit tougher; this is a recurring problem because of my reflux issues which mean that I usually eat nothing before I ride in the morning. When I get home, I am very hungry and it seems harder to keep on a balanced keel. Today was not too bad as when I returned home, I loaded up on protein and had two egg whites and one whole egg poached as the basis of my breakfast. Later in the afternoon though I felt really hungry and ended up eating more than I planned but not a total write off so I'm looking forward to continuing on tomorrow. I'm trying to focus on significantly reducing sugar and keeping carbs fairly low, a challenge since they are in a lot of the foods I really like. I've reminded myself that I've had virtually no added sugar foods for the past four days. I'm trying to internalize the new recommendations from the World Health organization that added sugars should be no more than 20-25 g. (a small chocolate bar usually has about 25 or more grams alone) Our Canadian Department of Health here has been much criticized for recommending a total sugar amount limit of 100g per day, making no distinction between the sugar in a serving of blueberries and the sugar in a candy bar. There is a feeling that there has been influence from the sugar lobby. Today I saw my niece before she left to catch the plane in Toronto for Gatwick. I have given her a new pair of riding breeches and a good used pair of half-chaps which should help set her up for being able to ride while she is in Britain. It will be the first time for my brother and his wife that both daughters are away from home, with the other one now in University in the States- I expect the dog will get even more attention. She already is almost like a third child since she is taken everywhere including visits to the university in the States! Nellie has had a less exciting time for the past couple of weeks as the stable dog has gone to the cottage with the stable owners' family for the past two weeks. She has one more week to amuse herself at the stable while I am there. Still she enjoys running wild and tearing around. How quickly summer is drawing to a close, though at the moment it is the hottest/most humid it has been this summer. However, I suddenly have noticed how much earlier it is getting dark. Hope all Crackers are well wherever you are.
  • PortiaBentley
    PortiaBentley Posts: 381 Member
    And here in the UK - where its a Bank Holiday - it has rained solidly all day! I've been at a Street Fair all day helping in the tea tent. Interesting...... Surrounded by gravestones in the church yard and serving tea and cakes.

    Fingers crossed Crackers - my interview on Thursday went well (I think - and they took up my references which seems like a good sign) but they are waiting to see another candidate this week who couldn't make the Thursday. Very frustrating and tense few days. Hope it will be good news soon...

    PB
  • PortiaBentley
    PortiaBentley Posts: 381 Member
    Hi Crackers

    Keep those fingers crossed Crackers! I have been invited to attend a second interview with the practice in Northamptonshire. I had a phone call yesterday evening. Very happy. Its a nice surgery and nice people so I really want the job.

    PB
  • brackenmh
    brackenmh Posts: 587 Member
    A really quick pop-in as I must not procrastinate any more on getting back to my decluttering project but I this is really good news from you, PB and I'll definitely cross fingers!
  • mummyinthemountains
    mummyinthemountains Posts: 808 Member
    Crackers - just wanted to let you know I'm off to the UK to return the daughter to school - how time flies. The past couple of weeks there have been far too many treats, so the scales are not being kind and more importantly I can feel and see the difference in my clothes and now I'm off to toxic England....

    I shall weigh in and face the music on my return in 10 days. However I'm ever hopeful when I next log in I'll find BM once more with us, Bracken having cleared that room, PB with a new job and maybe LMV has come out of her new pink shed and re-joined us once more!

    Be good Crackers!
  • 77Bailey77
    77Bailey77 Posts: 357 Member
    Hi Fellow Crackers.
    Never thought I would be glad to back here in Singapore, but after UK "holiday" the relief is enormous. I have put a stone on so I am only 7lbs from my weight when I joined Tesco! However I am strangely Ok as I firmly believe I can do this and this time I am not going to stop until I am at goal. I have given myself until next July to lose 56lb, so I think that is quite realistic and doable. I do have my birthday (My 50th gulp!) in Nov then Christmas and a trip home in Feb. However I hope to be able to manage those times and just hope life doesn't get in the way and all remains well at home in the UK!
    So Here I am again, hopefully this is the last time I have to start over, so fingers crossed.

    Hope everyone is Ok. I see that MITM is in the UK, hope you are having a good time with your daughter. It's always such a difficult time to have to say goodbye, I will be thinking of you.
    Bracken, autumn is approaching and I am longing for your garden descriptions! Hope you, Nellie and your family are all OK.
    PB I know your interview was yesterday Uk time. I sincerely hope it went brilliantly for you. Let us know!
    LMV Not too sure when you were last here, but am sure you will pop in soon. I need my Welsh fix and your lovely part of the world is always so good to hear about.
    I know New8 and Saffy are well as they are on the "front page" almost daily, doing fab too.

    Wishing everyone a great weekend, BM x x
  • PortiaBentley
    PortiaBentley Posts: 381 Member
    Well done on your Master Plan Bailey - good luck with it I hope that once I am back at work and life gets back on an even keel I will be equally focused - however, I guess the truth is that I will always find an excuse if I want to.....

    Feeling somewhat stressed at the moment waiting for a call which may not come until tonight. Another interview tomorrow afternoon and another on Saturday - don't know where to start and concentration a bit limited. Parents staying another day too which is probably not such a good thing.

    On the plus side, choir starts again tonight. Looking forward to singing again although not much idea what we will be singing as yet other than we are doing a WW1 tribute with a local orchestra as a swan song for our former music director who is retiring completely after this concert. (he has still been conducting the orchestra over the last few years despite a stroke and being now well into his 80's.)

    Dads birthday lunch went well apart from the raw vegetables - thank goodness I roasted the potatoes, otherwise I think we would have been going out for lunch - which I can ill afford at the moment.

    His actually birthday isn't until Thursday but we celebrated today as we won't all be together then. My brother was off on a business trip to Belgium at 4.30am this morning for three days so he was keen to get home reasonably early - they left just after 6,30pm after we had cut the cake.

    My pony has hurt himself in the field - so no riding at the moment - but still go down in the afternoons to help out. Let Butler out of his stable for a walk around and give the others a little attention. Harley went roaring round the field with Ed the other morning and slipped and fell - he took a moment to get up but although he appears not to be lame he is a bit sorry for himself so we think he might have pulled a muscle or something. He's laying down in his stable - to witness the amount of poo on his back and sides - so he isn't too badly hurt but needs a bit of a rest from riding - certainly from carrying me!

    That's about all for now Crackers - welcome back those who have been away on holidays etc - and well done to those of you who have come back and got straight back into focus - or even not put any weight on at all!!!!

    Love
    PB
  • brackenmh
    brackenmh Posts: 587 Member
    Hello Crackers. I'm determined to get back here more regularly even if I have to break up my posts as I'll have to do with this one today. I will have to leave for the stables but am pleased to have just caught up reading recent posts. BM, glad that you are settled again for awhile after your stressful travels and are making plans to focus on your weight program. Since I still have lots needed to lose, I'll be on that journey too. I am back using my diet journal which is always central to dealing with my weight and have got back into more regular walking but need to add other exercise. I have missed a lot of riding in the previous couple of weeks. After, a moderate summer the last week of August was extremely hot and humid. We have also had a lot of storms, including last Friday when the temperatures were 30C with high humidity making it closer to 40C. Friday night, we had a very violent storm with tremendous lightening and torrential rain for a solid two hours and then regular rain for ages after that. It was so wet that even on Sunday, the riding ring was still too wet to use and the fields were sloppy wet too. Temperatures have moderated now and by the end of the week the overnight temps will be in the single digits. Consequently, I have been taking in my house plants that were out for the summer. It is quite a job since I try to repot them and spray them with an insecticide. I have a jade plant that is becoming big enough that it is hard to manage and has probably outgrown its planter but I am unsure of how to repot it so it will have to do for another winter. I really do not have a lot of good light sources indoors but somehow the plants manage. I also have a Christmas cactus that has become large; it is not my favourite plant but was given to me by one of my nieces so I can't abandon it. I have organized my several ivy plants so they all look fresh and I really enjoy having them on kitchen window sills in the winter. There are still plants to be managed. On the Nellie front, last week marked a significant time with Nellie as my brother took down the indoor pen I had in the den for Nellie. I have been comfortable leaving her alone in the house for some time and only used the pen at night. Funnily, I felt a little sad after it was down ( though the appearance of my den was improved!) because I thought of all the times she would stand on her hind legs and peer over the side and make me laugh- this was a favourite move of hers at bedtime when I was watching the late news, hoping that she could cajole me into giving her another bedtime biscuit. So off to the stables now.
  • brackenmh
    brackenmh Posts: 587 Member
    Later the same day. Hello Crackers and congrats here to PB. So good to hear your great news. I did get my ride in this morning and it went well. The woman I ride with had brought a friend whose children rode at the stable many years ago with her. The barn owner came down and invited us to the house for tea and cookies after riding. Actually it was tea and cookies and brownies. Of course, I had some thoughts of 'oh dear, just when I am getting myself regulated eating again.' It was particularly difficult as I never eat anything before riding because of my dodgy stomach issues so I am always hungry after too. I couldn't just have nothing because in my mind, it seems ridiculous when I have clearly not been losing weight in the month she was at the cottage. The brownies were rather large squares so I had two of the cookies which were small oatmeal ones, and were said to be full of healthy ingredients like chia seeds and pumpkin seeds (they were very nice but still not low cal with those seeds, chocolate chips and probably a good dose of butter). So starting off with a good dose of carbs did not help my day; however, although I feel as if I've had too many carbs today, I am pleased that I've kept to structured eating meals and have not gone completely off the rails, something which is very easy for me to to do. I did do a walk with Nellie this afternoon too. I had planned a short bike ride but my youngest sister popped in to get the bicycle she lent me for my friend when she was staying with me so that did not happen. has anyone seen the movie, "The Trip to Italy." It has terrific reviews here and I really enjoyed the first, "The Trip." I've been trying to arrange a time to see it with my sister-in-law but she has been very busy her first days back at school. I'm still hoping to find a time to see it. I'm still thinking about MITM's challenge to set a goal for the time before Christmas but have not ben able yet to settle on how to focus it. Has anyone else given any thought to this. I want to have something before MITM returns from England.
    Take care all.
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