Hi-Yah! Who Moi?

Welcome to my new Followers, Honey, Jackie, Kristen, Christine, Emma, Becky & Rachel, thanks for joining.

 

I'm not sure whether it's just me that remembers the lovely Miss Piggy, going around Karate chopping everyone, whilst shouting Hi-Yah in a most unlady like way? However, I know that this is exactly what I look like on a Friday night!!

Many months ago No. 2 Son declared that he would only continue going to his Taekwondo class, if I joined in too, rather than sitting at the side watching him. Well I knew I wanted him to continue, it's been brilliant for his co-ordination, confidence and discipline, so what's a Mommy to do, but become the class Hefalump?

So every Friday night, I provide the entertainment for all the other parents sitting at the side, as I feebly attempt to jump, kick, spar, run, punch and block with a group of mainly children, more than half my age. One of whom I might add, is the Under 16 World Champion. The sight of a very inflexible, unfit, overweight, 41 year old mother of two is probably more tragic than amusing, to be honest. Thankfully I am only a White Belt so for a lot of the time I get to stand at the back of the class and on nights like tonight, when I haven't been for two weeks, it's just aswell. 

My view from the back of the class.

I think I might need an ice bath tonight, just to be able to move tomorrow!!!!

In Other News

Partial success today with the Chocolate Chip cookies, as recommended by Scarlet, from Tales Beyond the Nook on Lucy's Blog - http://attic24.typepad.com/weblog/2009/02/chocolate-chip-cookies.html. Thank you Scarlet.

I didn't have the brown sugar the recipe called for, so I used Caster Sugar instead, but they weren't half bad.

Both Sons liked them, but DH, felt they hadn't set, as they were very soft in the middle. I did try and tell him they were meant to be like that, but what can I tell you, the man's a heathen, sometimes! 

Whilst on mt teabreak this morning I also started Crochet Blanket Project No. 2. I'll show you a picture when there's a bit more to see, as it's just a long chain at the moment. I am in slight danger of just starting lots of different things and not finishing them. I seem to already have a lot of Cross Stitch pieces like that. Hmm, best watch out as there is no more space in my dining room for more WIP's.

Til Tomorrow.

Lots of Love Arwedd xx

Making up for Lost Time

First Load of Washing, hanging out to dry      - Check

Second load of washing going in machine       - Check

Duvet Cover Mended                                   - Check

Dishwasher On                                             - Check

Internal Bins emptied                                     - Check

Rabbits fed and Watered                               - Check

Clean towels and underwear all put away       - Check

Kitchen Hoovered                                         - Check

Cakes made and in the oven                          - Check

5 items off the pile ironed                               - Check

No. 1 Son's Kit all ready for Start of Season Cricket Registration To night    - Check

Time for Elevenses I think, I nice cup of tea and some crochet!

Will you join me?

Arwedd xx

After the Rain ...

Thank You

Thank you for the beautiful words and kind comments and most of all the hugs. Welcome to my new follower.

For Debbie

I am up and I have washed my hair, which always makes me feel fresher, and I have put all my clothes on the right way round. However, I am doing as Fostermummy always advises and treating myself gently. I am taking things slowly today and have been indulging in my comfort activity - making cards!! What's your comfort activity to do?

 

When a Black Dog day hits you, it's not rational, it's not reasonable and it's not something that can be controlled. It's very hard to change your thinking, when it's your thinking that's at fault. I guess the real battle is one of reasoning – but it’s an internal process working out that you are not bad, unworthy, evil and worthless or whatever evidence your mind is feeding you with. It is very hard to be open minded with the thoughts that constantly pop into your head and give the ‘good’ ones equal space too. Sometimes you find that even the ‘good’ thoughts still lead to the conclusion that your cr*p, but like many of you in your comments, I too, do believe it's possible and if you can just once come to a more positive conclusion, a crack can appear in your wall.  

While I am a Christian, (as you've probably noticed if you've read any of my Blog), one of the worst things for me to hear someone say is, “Just pray” or quote the bible out of context, e.g. “God gives those He loves peace” Psalm 127:2. God is not so glib. The ‘Man of sorrows’ was “aquainted with grief”. Read Ps 88 and you'll know what I mean, however I also know that:-

Whatever your cross, whatever your pain,
There will always be sunshine after the rain
Perhaps you may stumble, perhaps even fall,
But God's always ready to answer your call

He knows every heartache, sees every tear,
A word from His lips can calm every fear
Your sorrows may linger throughout the night,
But suddenly vanish at dawn's early light

The Savior is waiting somewhere above,
To give you His grace and send you His love
Whatever your cross, whatever your pain,
God always sends rainbows after the rain

Moving Forwards

I am still determined to find some biscuits I can cook that all three 'boys' will like. I know this is something that will make me happy in future. To hear "Mum will you make us some of those X bisuits that we like" would be just grand, but even to know that I can whip up somehing they like will be good too, despite the ups and downs that are going to come to get there. So my new plan of attack?.... I'm going to aim for their soft spot, (figuratively speaking)....... chocolate. Browsing the web for a nice recipe for chocolate biscuits, any suggestions give me a shout.

Until next time.

(((Hugs)))

Lots of Love Arwedd xx

Stop the World, I want to get off!

I'm sorry to my Followers today, for what is about to be a very boring and self-indulgent Blog. I'm sure what follows will be very tedious, but then as you can tell I'm on a down day, so I would think that. However if my Blog is to be a true representation of my days, then I have to tell it like it is.

I woke at 3am this morning, with a major panic attack, which saw me hyperventilating and cowering at the side of my dressing table, whilst desperately trying not to wake DH. He might have got ideas, what with all the heavy breathing going on. My palpatations were worse than normal, (I have funny extra heartbeats as normal), and that horrible crushing feeling. I don't know what triggered it, this particular time.

Maybe it was the fact that both sons, rejected both the refrigerator biscuits of yesterday afternoon and my evening's effort at jammy biscuits. Funny, they both like the branded jammie dodgers I buy. No. 2 son declared the jam was "different", and took two of his Jaffa Cake biscuits, still going from his Easter stash. No. 1 Son just gave me that disgusted look he has perfected and took nothing but his sandwich for lunch. I'm telling you, it's not enough for a 5' 7" tall, 13 year old! At the moment I really don't cope well with rejection and I thought I had done so well, picking things they would like and making for less.

Rejected Jammie Biscuits

Maybe it was the fact that I thought I had lost a Follower last night, and was overly upset about it. Wondering what I had done to chase them away?, what I could change?, whether I should just stop altogether, as I knew from the start I would not be as entertaining as my favourite blogs. Did I mention I don't do well with rejection. No pressure, folks!

Maybe it was reading the other fabulous blogs that are taking up the Living Below The Line challenge and knowing I would not know where to start with £1.00 a day. I wish them all the very best  - I know they can do it.

Or maybe, it was the overwhelming reality that I may, just have to, do exactly that and don't know how, rushing up to hit me in the face. The fact that I have no income and currently no ability to change that fact. I am not well enough to look at a job advert, let alone attend an interview, at the moment. I know I have so much to be grateful for. I know I have a wonderful DH and two beautiful, amazing sons. I know money isn't everything, it doesn't make you happy, etc, etc. When I was growing up, my parents were not wealthy, but they worked hard and we were comfortable and, within reason, I had most things I wanted. Most parents want their children to have things better, or at least the same as they did, and the thought that you can't provide for them is a scary one.

In my panic this morning, I was able to reach for my Bible, (sometimes I can't move at all), and a little card dropped out it. It was an AA (Alcoholics Anonymous) card that someone had given me a few months back. She had been passed it by someone else too. It's called Just for Today:-

Just for today I will try to live through this day only, and not tackle my whole

 life problem at once. I can do something for twelve hours that would appal 

me if I felt that I had to keep it up for a lifetime.

Just for today I will be happy. Most folks are as happy as

 they make up their minds to be.

Just for today I will adjust myself to what is, and not try to adjust 

everything to my own desires. I will take my 'luck' as it 

comes and fit myself to it.

Just for today I will try to strengthen my mind. I will study.

 I will learn something useful. I will not be a mental loafer. I will read 

something that requires effort, thought and concentration.

Just for today I will exercise my soul in three ways: I will do somebody

 a good turn, and not get found out; if anybody knows of it,

 it will not count. I will do at least two things I don't want to do

 - just for exercise. I will not show anyone that my

 feelings are hurt; they may be hurt, but today I will not show it.

Just for today I will be agreeable. I will look as well as I can, 

dress becomingly, talk low, act courteously, criticise not one bit,

 not find fault with anything and not try to improve or 

regulate anybody except myself.

Just for today I will have a programme. I may not follow it exactly, 

but I will have it. I will save myself from two 

pests: hurry and indecision.

Just for today I will have a quiet half hour all by myself and relax. 

During this half hour, sometime, I will try to get

 a better perspective of my life.

Just for today I will be unafraid. Especially I will not be afraid

 to enjoy what is beautiful, and to believe that as I give

 to the world, so the world will give to me.

To be perfectly honest, I'm not sure I can manage any of those today. I may just have to crawl into a dark space, to suit my mood. But what about tomorrow...................?

Lots of Love Arwedd xx

Where there's music, there's money

A lot of the time, I feel like I'm wading through treacle to move forwards. I'm sure some of you know what I mean. However, today has been a reasonably productive day.

I have to admit that the walk with No.2 Son to the local primary school was a bit tougher this morning than it was 2 weeks ago! Have I really got that unfit in just 14 days? It's a good job, I'm back to Aquafit classes tonight. 

The weight loss needs a bigger boost and only exercise is going to cut the mustard. My normal instructor is off on Honeymoon in Orlando, and the replacement was really pretty good. Everyone teaches so differently and it is nice to do some other actions for a change.

I have spent time today bringing lots of our old CD's down from the attic. DH and I seem to have accumulated rather a lot of them over the years and I have sat and entered all the Barcodes into the Music Magpie website. I only got £0.30p for most of them, a little more for a couple but the final total was £12.80 for 39 CD's and another box emptied from the attic. I have kept a few aside to put on eBay as they were special ones which might get £2 - £3 there and I also found a box full of 7" records which we may be able to get some money for. It didn't add up to a lot, but it will be more use than them collecting dust.

I also did a little more baking today. Another Mary Berry recipe for refrigerator biscuits. Most people probably know this one, but if not, I can blog the recipe. The book said you could keep the dough in the refrigerator and just cook one or two as needed, but I have done them all to start with as I did not buy any of the "boys", (I count DH as one of my boys), normal biscuits in the weekly shop. I'm hoping to do some rice krispie snaps later aswell to go in the Lunchboxes.

The Mini Chocolate Cakes from yesterdays cookery session must have been tasty as they all disappeared in fairly short time, although in fairness tfor three big boys, they were only a mouthful each. I will need to increase the quantities in future.

While I was up the attic today, I found these lovely examples of my Gi's crocheting. (Gi is Welsh for Grandmother). Whilst they don't really fit with my home decor, what there is of it, I am going to keep them in the bag with my own crochet projects as something to aspire to.

The last one is made with slightly thicker thread but I really like the circles.

I'm off back to the kitchen now. What nice things have you made today?

Lots of Love Arwedd xx

Can't Cook, Won't Cook

We got off to a slow start today, except for No.1 Son who was up at 7am to have breakfast and get ready and off to school, myself, DH and No.2. Son all had a lie-in until 10am, (very lazy), to make up for our 5am start yesterday.

Having parcelled up all my eBay sales, I plucked up courage to walk into the village to the Post Office, where I am more than a little afraid of the Sub-Postmistress. She always tells me off for doing something wrong with my parcels. Is it a bit churlish to say here, that I have never picked her up on her mistakes, such as not writing the Postcode on the Proof of Delivery, or once when she printed the same label twice on the same square and then wondered why she was one label short, etc, etc.?

 

Following Fostermummy's example I also popped into the charity shop and bought two 'things' of wool, one cost 20p and the other 40p, to add to my new "stash". Not bad, methinks!

  As always today is Day One of the diet, (I really do have to get this one off the ground), so I had a 43 calorie soup for lunch, followed by a 98 calorie Muller Light yoghurt.

 This afternoon's activity was a trip to a local Forrestry Commission site where there are several bike trails but also this great Skills track which kept little Son quite happy for a couple of hours while Mommy sat watching from the car, crocheting more squares, (left arm is much better today!).

 

 The car-park cost £2 for 2 hours, which I didn't mind so much as I know it goes towards improving the facilities themselves, but I also ended up buying No. 2 Son a bottle of Ribena for £1.40!!! and myself a coffee for £1.95!! from the very nice Cafe. Frugal ladies, I clearly need to learn to anticipate these events and plan better to take our own stuff in future. This is the problem with not having had to ever think about it before and now having to think of every penny. Could do better!!

This evening I did spend an hour browsing through the Approved Foods website, as recommended by several people, but I am ashamed to say I didn't see anything on there that was remotely similar as a substitute to what's on our 'normal' shopping list. In fact, a lot of the things on there I wouldn't know what to do with. I think more work is needed to a) change our normal eating habits b) learn to cook from scratch so I know how I can use ingredients.

However the good news was I got my Tesco shop down to £65.92 tonight. I think that has to be my cheapest shop ever, a record!! However, I am now slightly worried that I have forgotten a load of things and am just going to end up popping in and out of the local shop all week, for extra bits that cost even more in there. I really have to watch this one.

 Just as amazingly, as that good news, I actually cooked today. It's absolutely unheard of, but I am trying to be inspired by people such as the wonderful Frugal Queen. I started off with something small, a recipe out of my Mary Berry Ultimate Cake Book. Ha, ha, yes I do own cookbooks, but they have moths in - tasty!

Mini Chocolate Buns

Measure 1.5oz soft margarine, 1 egg, 1.5oz self-raising flour, o.5oz cocoa, sifted, 1/2 tsp baking powder and 1.5oz caster sugar together in a bowl and beat well until thoroughly blended. Easy, peasy! Bake for 10-15 minutes at 180deg.

The book said this would make 32 cakes using petit fours cases. I didn't have that size so I tried to put more mixture into less cases. However, the results were somewhat dubious, as you can see:-

Either they didn't rise properly or it was still too little mixture in each case as the cases aren't even half full. The other problem was the 2oz icing sugar and 1/5 tsp of water did not make enough to cover all the cakes, so there was one lonely chap left out. Still better luck next time.

I am extremely good at being hard on myself, that is made much worse by my current condition, so I am going to work hard this evening to congratulate myself on what I have achieved today.

Summary

The Bad News

I spent money on drinks out I shouldn't have - £3.35 overspend.

Cakes not a great success - I'd like to blame Mary Berry, but I think she's been doing this a lot longer than me.

The Good News

I sent off all my eBay parcels promptly.

I made good use of No.2 Son's last day of the holidays to do an activity he really enjoyed.

I reduced my calorie intake for today substantially. Day One of the diet starts again tomorrow.

I reduced my weekly shopping spend significantly.

I actually COOKED - me, cooking! It's a start, hey!

How was your day? Tell me, what did you start doing today?

Lots of love Arwedd xxx

 

 

Yesterday, Today and Tomorrow ...

Welcome to my two new Followers. I'm delighted you've joined and hope you enjoy your visits.

Apologies for no post yesterday, our afternoon activity, led into an evening meal out and when we got back home at 9pm, the rest of the evening was spent preparing and packing the car for this morning's activity.

Yesterday

Some bright spark, I think it was DH, suggested that as my friend who was staying over always brings his walking boots when he comes to Devon, we should at least make good use of them. So I donned my boots too,

and we headed off for this lovely reservoir on Dartmoor for an afternoon walk in the sun.

Indeed it was nice and sunny when we arrived there, so we headed off down the trail, all looking the part, especially DH, who was wearing his new Gaiters. A Christmas present to replace the ones he had been wearing for the last 20 years, which were literally falling apart.

However, we were only five minutes down the track, no longer in sight of the carpark, when we heard the sound of thunder and we were immediately bombarded by thousands of hailstones. They do actually hurt!!

DH & No 1 Son sheltering under a tree

  Both sons, however, were keen to proceed so we were only allowed to shelter for a couple of minutes, before continuing through the hail. Half way around the trail a very helpful sign declared the path was out of commission and we were led on a diversion path through the forest. This turned our 4 mile walk into an 8 mile walk, through torrential rain and hail. Lovely!! To say we were soaked through when we arrived back at the car was an understatement. Sometimes, Lord, I'd prefer your Creation not to be so cold and wet - sorry! Having said that we were out in the fresh air and we had a laugh!

When we eventually dried out we turned up at another lovely pub, where our friend treated us to an evening meal as Thank You for letting him stay. How very kind of him.

Today

Having arrived home quite late we packed up the car with lots of stuff to take to a Car Boot Sale this morning.

The date for the car boot has been on my white board for a couple of months now, so we plucked up the courage and went for it. DH and I are both quite shy people and we are terrible sales people, so we were dreading it. The sons were none too happy at being woken at 5am, but we did make it to our pitch for 6am. The results? - we sold about a dozen items and made £32.00. DH declared it was not worth the effort as we had to pack most of our goodies back into the car and he would rather have had the lie-in!! Indeed, I'm not sure if £36.00 is good or bad for this kind of event?

However, recalling my earlier post here, our eBay items ended today and we have sold 10 of the 22 items for £92.52. This will go into our savings as we are extremely conscious our expenditure still exceeds our income at present and my notice pay will not go far.

Now the big debate has started, should we bother trying again with a different car boot sale next Sunday, in a different location??

Also in relation to that earlier post, for anyone who is interested the maiden voyage of the Hovercraft can be seen here.

Juat as an aside for today, I have got excruciating pain this evening in my left wrist and elbow. I am wondering if this is too much time spent with my left hand in the "crochet" pose.

Still I have made 21 granny squares towards a blanket project for a friend's birthday. I am quite pleased with 21 squares since last Wednesday, but am hoping progress will not be halted by using muscles I clearly don't normally use.

Tomorrow

No. 1 Son is Back to School tomorrow and is absolutely thrilled that No. 2 son has an extra day off, NOT. I guess the Primary school teachers need more rest!! Have been trying to think of something nice and cheap to do with No. 2 son, rather than "spend all [his] birthday money", which was his only request so far.

Will let you know what we come up with.

Oh, I nearly forgot........... I have checked the last two days and concluded I put my left sock on first. Didn't want to leave you hanging there with that one.

Off to iron school shirts.

 

Lots of Love Arwedd xx