September Dryathlon

I'm worn out counting the number of steps the gang is achieving - as opposed to my nearly nul nil points!! I can feel a glimmer of enthusiasm returning and the personal terrorist trainer is due here for a 10.a.m. session .. I have asked for her to treat me gently but who knows...? I'm sure it will be a very enjoyable torture exercise session and I will feel wonderful afterwards

I haven't wasted my time this week though, I've wrapped all christmas presents and written a good proportion of cards, made food plans for THE day and others leading up to the MAIN event ((christmas emoticons)) Come on gransnet folks - it's time for the emoticons. I've viewed a house this week for DD and DGD to move closer to us, taken further steps to improve the quality/safety of my mum's life and enjoyed a lovely lunch yesterday celebrating the 60th birthday of a very dear friend

So the fitbitch oops I mean fitbit girl is on her way back......
Thanks to all for your understanding, humour, encouragement....xxx

p.s. Anya that's the great thing about shellac nails - they dry immediately - no more flip-flopping around the supermarket in the winter

What a lovely image, Anya!

Well done to both of you, steps-wise. I'm looking forward to seeing that film, Maggie, loved the short story (I think I'm right in saying that, I don't think it was an actual 'book').

Picked up my two GDs from school today and had fun with them until their mum collected them after work - only a couple of hours but I'm certainly feeling knackered now!

Well done Maggie 10,000 steps, that's a grand score to be sure. Makes my knee ache just thinking about it! I really must make an effort to see that film...it's Maggie Smith isn't it? Had to laugh at the image of you marching around at the interval to get your steps in - I couldn't do that as I use the interval to nip to the loo I have my image to think about.

Managed 6810 steps walking to and around the annual Victorian Evening our town puts on at this time of year and switches on the Christmas lights, after a very feeble 'oh yea, oh yea' from the town cryer. GS1 remarked 'Nana could shout louder than that' and indeed I can, and have!

The church was selling glüwein in the vestry and the town square and side streets were filled will Victorian stalls selling Victorian Hot Dogs and Beefburgers and the like. Lots of acts on the stage and lots of noise and merriment. The whole town was given over to festivity and all the shops and cafés were open.

Starting to feel Christmassy but still have DiL's 40th to celebrate first, tomorrow and Saturday. Had my toe nails painted silver for the 'do' on Saturday. I've never had silver nails before, but I did feel a bit silliy walking round Sainbury's afterwards in raincoat, scarf and flip-flops!

Roses, I think it's a case of "don't mention the strawberry creams"

I've done 10,000 steps today while out and about, so must have been well and truly spurred on by fluttERBY. It'll be a one off, worry not (especially as I now have a blister on one of my toes). I even walked twice round the auditorium during the interval when we went to the pictures today to see The Lady in the Van - I only stopped because I noticed a couple of quizzical looks directed my way! It was a daytime "seniors" viewing with free cuppas and biscuits, so pretty much full, and Alan Bennett could have got inspiration for a whole new screenplay from some of the snatches of conversation we heard

We also noted the literally allusion so to prove we can be erudite too I'm posting this historical discovery

Roses just in case you're sending a bit of 'history' between Maggie and myself ask her about the strawberry creams!

Blimey, some of you have been busy today! I can't claim to have achieved anything much, apart from finally persuading DGS2 to have a nap - that was a triumph as he thinks he's a big boy now and too old for them. I was then sorely tempted to get my own head down, but instead bravely dragged myself out for a walk, leaving DH in charge (zzzzing away of course, but with a baby monitor turned up full and left cruelly close to his earhole). Just the 5,000 steps though. I'm not in your league, fluttERBY, indeed I am in awe of your 10,000! I think it was me who suggested the walking about at home. If only I followed my own advice

I have however been abstemious today. I had to be, as it was a fast day (boring, but probably just as well considering yesterday's gluttony).

I have to say again, gang, how inspired I am by all the good humour and resilience on here in genuinely difficult circumstances. Though some people just ask for trouble - Anya, wine with a cork? Really? What's that all about?

x posts Anya - loved your graveyard story!

fluttERBY that's such good news! I do believe that exercise, especially walking (or stepping) is much better for us than has previously been thought - I certainly feel much fitter and more energised even though I often sometimes don't make my daily goal.

jg, glad your mum's more settled, you and your DH are doing a sterling job and it can't be easy.

I'm certainly not packing anything yet - that would be tempting fate - but I am trying to get rid of as much stuff as I can while the conveyancing wheels are in motion so that I won't have so much to do later on. I did dispose of an awful lot last year after DH died - he was such a hoarder, bless 'im!

Hi flutter and welcome and good news about the hair!!!

Bad jokes are definately acceptable, Roses and I'm afraid we swear say bad words too when the occasion demands, like tonight when DH bought a bottle of wine with a cork and a corkscrew is one of our BER items that we haven't yet replaced so even after trying to get the cork out with my teeth (a feat I mastered in my student days) we couldn't open it but happily I found some whisky our guests had overlooked and was forced to drink that instead

I collected all four GC from school today and the oldest decided we would all go to our local church to see all the Christmas trees decorated by local groups including schools. The littlest one (4) decided suddenly she desperately need a wee and 'couldn't wait' and we couldn't fnd a toilet, so as it was getting dark we exited into the graveyard and found a quiet spot in the corner for her to relieve herself, while I left the other three sitting quietly on a monument step with orders 'do not move from there'. Then we watched the bats flying around for several minutes before walking nearly a mile to my 'house' - consequently I've done more than 7500 steps today.

Well done for working your technical wizardry with the plugs JG and all the other lovely things you've done for your mum today. I know you put a happy spin on things when it isn't quite like that, but hey ho....we need to go with what's achievable and works all round.

I'm guessing Ana is busy packing, decluttering and not sitting with her feet up and a nice glass of the red, falling-down juice? I'm not sure where Maggie's gone but will hazard a guess she's sleeping off her fish and chips and merlot. Surely it ought to be a nice chilled glass of white with fish? Some people have no class

Boredom alert, read no further.

My fitbit is fab - try to do my 10,000 steps a day without anyone knowing. A kind of on the spot jog for a minute or so while waiting for the kettle to boil cranks up the count no end. Pacing round the front room while watching News 24 helps. I do go out as well.

Thanks to whoever suggested walking about at home - yes, it is developing into an obsession. And guess what, my hair has stopped falling out, first time today no hair in plug hole. Strange coincidence or what?

I'm wondering now how many steps I do every day( it's got to be more than thirty nine!) Bad joke alert.

No matter how you feel - when you come on to this thread - it always lightens the mood - your comments do actually make me LOL thank you as always!

A day with my mum today - god help us me her. When I arrived she was sitting looking very confused because nothing was working in the house - bless her she had unplugged everything! She just didn't realise that she only had to put them back in and hey presto!!! I plugged the TV in and the sound nearly blew me out of the room..... She looked at me in amazement as if I had just invented the wheel
After the usual maintenance was completed - new batteries into the hearing aid, a quick puff along her tubes, pill careousel re-loaded, all plugs re-inserted, refuse dealt with and all out of date food chucked out - we (DH and I) persuaded mum to go to Waitrose where she could sit and drink coffee and demolish enjoy a panini whilst DH zipped around and got her bits and pieces... She was much happier when we left and I think I even convinced her that yes, she did live alone, she had lived there for over 60 years and - no - nobody could make her leave ....

I could write a book about it all but I think I'll leave it there because I can see a few of you are already rolling your eyes much too busy getting hair cuts (looks lovely by the way Anya - takes years of you ), eating fish & chips and enjoying a glass of merlot (my favourite Maggie -save me a drop for when I emerge from my darkened room) and Ana needs to get de-cluttering and packing boxes (de-cluttering is my MOST favourite thing ever - so I'm your girl if you need a hand).

I feel I need to give a right proper welcome to roses and reassure her that we are upright hic health-conscious pass the cake please and always counting our sips steps...

I might pop along to soops kitchen after I've finished my missive post and see what they all get up to...

Just to finish - we managed to get back in the nick of time to collect Diva 2 from her after-school club, pop to the organic farm and order the Christmas meat and catch up on DD's latest plan to move closer to us...... now where's that ...

this things

Must learn to preview

lift loft

Ana here's your opportunity to have that clear out you've always said you'd have, but never got round to. Our house is now completely empty, and there were things, unopened, in the lift from our last move over 8 years ago! I'm being ruthless and decluttering now that the opportunity has been forced upon me. All those things that 'might come in useful' are going and this that I never used will not be replaced.

Roses pay no attention to Maggie she's a bit of a loose canon rebel. We are all very abstemious and fit [nose growing long emoticon]

roses, as you can tell we are very committed to our healthy lifestyle challenges.

I have just returned from my weekly quiz having enjoyed half a bottle of merlot and a fish and chip supper. I virtuously resisted a third helping of the latter

Hey roses this is a very select thread... do pop in but don't spread the word. We keep the off-putting thread title to keep the riff raff uninitiated out.

Shh...keep it under your hat roses, this thread is for serious million-steps a day folk only!

Not actually reached those giddy heights today myself, mind you - I'm blaming the weather yet again but I have been keeping busy sorting and shifting, in the hope that my move will actually happen...

Good to hear you sounding more upbeat, Anya, glad your hair's sorted to your satisfaction and that the reiki's done wonders for your knee. I knew it would!

Maggie that stepper is a miracle worker - much better than my trampoline (or is it just that I'm not applying myself enough? )

jg hope things are a bit better, know what you mean about not being able to be specific on here, it's sad but a fact of internet life I'm afraid.

Well done to everyone!

Hello, just popped in, this seems like a Soops kitchen with a bit of attitude, and a fair bit of excercise and a glass or three of wine.

GSs 1 & 3 staying overnight (as every Tuesday). The 5-year old is in bed but his 9-year old brother is watching some inane age appropriate DVD which is driving me mad so retired to bedroom until it's his turn to go to bed.

Seems to be One of Those Days! Not had anything as upsetting as a power cut, but cash dispenser rejected my debit card and told me to contact my bank, Total panic! Have had card cloned in post or had my bank account been wiped out? Phone bank who were totally mystified as all AOK Blood pressure dropped to normal.
Went to collect curtains from dry cleaners and they wanted £80 instead of the £60 quoted. After friendly but firm discussion with owner on phone settled for £65.

Had hair cut for first time since June, the Old English Sheepdog style had progressed into a Higland Cattle look, a step too far and the colour was distinctly tortoiseshell. Negotiated with hairdresser on colour (nothing goldie please) and cut (just nibble around the edges please) and blow dry (just hand me the dryer and I'll do it myself) and left her a good tip to make up for my bossiness assertiveness. Actually really pleased with results and told her she was a star, so all friends again.

Managed 5660 steps so far and knee now 95% better. Recommended Reiki lady to my hairdresser for her husband's bad back .

GS3 just invaded my space to tell me he's off to bed, so need to go and tuck him in now.

Hope to log on to lots of gossip news of great things....house sales, long distance runs and who knows what Maggie's been up to today .

Sorry to hear that you have been having problems, jg. You're right about Phoenix's experience - it does make one more cautious.

Managed my target on the stepper last night after only totting up 600 during the day with DGS2 . Today I've been out and about and have smashed it - I've also had lunch out, afternoon tea with cookies and a vanilla slice, and a big portion of chilli for tea. Add on tonight's quiz gin and supper and I don't think I should be complacent

Hope everyone's well today.