September Dryathlon

Frightening, isn't it, how few steps you can register if you just do a bit of pottering and a lot of sitting at the computer? I do find I actually have to 'go out' in order to clock up the steps, even if I drive to the actual location.

Anya, the nearest proper shop from my house is about 4 miles away. There is a paper shop, a pub and a tatty little Post Office in the village and a petrol station about 2 miles beyond that. It's on a busy main road and you take your life in your hands even walking to the post-box as those juggernaughts come round the corner with no regard for the speed limit!

I'm hoping I'll be able to move next year to somewhere a bit more conducive to walking...

Why have Chemdry got to throw so much stuff out? Is it dangerous? Or have I got that wrong and they're just cleaning it?

Lovely nails, jg

Hope everyone's on track (or if not, only temporarily off it )

Well I've stayed at home all right - and spent practically the whole day sitting at the computer bringing my accounts and Christmas spreadsheets up to date, going through long-neglected emails and googling that blasted elf (you see what you've done, jg, Christmas has come early to Maggieville!). I have found a free pattern for a sweet little elf:

www.patchworkposse.com/free-elf-on-the-shelf-doll-pattern/

I've printed off the template. And knowing my attention span, that might be as far as it goes....

Seeing as I have apparently only walked 330 steps today so far , I am now going to leap up and do that housework I promised. I'll check in again later with a more respectable total.

Gosh, you've all been so busy walking, drinking sorting, beautifying, planning Christmas makes and bakes, posting! I feel quite dizzy with it all

I seem to have spent half the time since my last post hunched over the Kindle googling Christmas Elves - I'm intrigued by the whole thing and determined to get this tradition started with my GDS. As I said yesterday, I am tightfisted of a prudent disposition, so am busily investigating ways of doing this on the cheap - no doubt I will bitterly regret this at the end of the month when I have nothing to show for it but a couple of grubby, half-finished wonkily handcrafted elves and a very woeful handwritten journal....

I have been shopping today with DH, for a museum trail with DD2 and DGS2, and for a meal out and visit to nearby pub with dear friends of ours. A lot of walking involved, so I have clocked up even more than the three town trail of yesterday (over 12000 ).

Tomorrow could be a different story - I have had far too many treats out this week and need to stay at home tomorrow and get some cleaning and fettling done (have we not got a bored emoticon?). See you all then!

Nails are really lovely JG - and your toe nails too. I love the colour. How to you for that? When I was running, especially when training for half marathons I'd lose a couple of toe nails and I know my running partner did too. Yours look in good condition.

Talking of throwing food out. Chemdry today threw all my food out. 57 jars of herbs and spices, all my 'stock cupboard' ingredients, and tins and packets and jars One good thing though, I was starting to think about replacing my mattress as we've had it 8 years and it's been designated B.E.R. as the smoke wafted out of the kitchen, up the stairs and into all the bedrooms, then crept along the floor and up through the slats of the pine beds.

They are taking 50 boxes of stuff away and the furniture medic has taken my wooden furniture and all the laundry's gone. Was horrified to discover we had DiL's wedding dress in the loft

8000 steps, but 3/30 as I 'rescued' a nice malt whisky from the clutches of Chemdry!!! I don't think I'm going to come on on target this month.

You can stay strong JG because you have to, you can have a nervous breakdown later when everyone is on an even keel - though I bet you won't.

Getting an early night so will catch up on Maggie and Ana tomorrow.

that's in the gutter being too naughty and not reporting in

I'll get the hang of it one day

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I meant to say "it does feel good Ana" yesterday I still haven't caught up with my steps. So glad to read that you feel fitter as well, I think you're right you do become much more conscious of how much walking you are doing and therefore add a little bit more!

The visit to my mum has been postponed until tomorrow and I have decided to sort the pantry out!!
The trouble is that every time I go to throw some food out I keep hearing that dreadful Hugh....something-or-other banging on educating us all on food waste!
I am, of course, using my green food bin but I'm wondering if he is going to turn up and rifle through my rubbish and then bang on my door and suggest I have enough food to feed a family of seven for a week

Anyway, DH has just popped to Morrisons to stock up on dried fruit etc. to make Christmas puds and Christmas Chutney à là Nigella - so I thought I would sneak on here and have a chat.....

Pictures of nails only Anya - anything else would be too scary ...
25 stairs from down to up - ye Gods - forget the stepping, you'll be up to 10,000 a day in no time
I forgot to put the fitbit on today anyway - I'll definitely try harder tomorrow Also 5/30 on wine - failing all round.

Hope you are OK Maggie ... and haven't decided to join me --in the gutter--being too naughty and not reporting in

Mind you, I have to say I am a bit more positive this week than I was last and I am determined to stay strong for those who need me
Happy Friday evening ladies xxx

Hey glam girl aka JG you could have posted a picture, or if camera shy then at least the nails. What colour? I've cancelled my hair appointments so often that I've not been since July so the Old English Sheep Dog (hair) crossed with Shar Pei (recent worry.wrinkles) is the me I spotted in the mirror today . I'll have to read your elf post again the the morning when my brain is working

Three towns Maggie that's going it some and lunch and GC and shopping, I'm exhausted just thinking about it where do you get your stamina from? Have you managed to whittle anything off your waist yet? amy exercises that might tighten the flab help?

Ana pleased your feeling trimmer/fitter. I wouldn't be surprised if it isn't all that climbing up and down ladders and reaching and stretching with your paint brush . Do you have anything within easy reach - say 1000 steps away that might lure you to go there most days? How about shops or a cake shop library or a park? Have you considered getting a dog, or even borrowing one?

House of Horrors was declared safe re electricals and gas. Surveyor seemed friendly and helpful, and talked non stop chatty. Tomorrow the 'laundry man' comes and removes all clothes, shoes, curtains, bedding, handbags, etc and the furniture medic (get the terminology!) takes away any wooden furntiure and Chemdry start to bag and bubble wrap everything else.

8650 steps!!!!! Still on 2/30

There are 25 stairs from downstairs to my bedroom ( it's a three 'layer' house according to GS1) so I'll either be super fit or a wreck by the time we leave.

It does feel good today Anya and I loved it!!
I have a day with my mum tomorrow - little chance of catching up on steps then ... but the weekend...... maybe xxx

Anya, very glad the move went ahead OK and glad you managed to have a good night's sleep at last - it does make all the difference, doesn't it?

Well done to you and Maggie re the steps - I have of course not reached the target yet again but am actually feeling much fitter, which I can only put down to being more aware of how much walking I'm actually doing, and the decorating of course! DD is well impressed by the transformation of the two spare bedrooms

We can both catch up, joggnggirl - glad you're feeling fab! [smile)

OK gang.... firstly I'll link the Christmas Elf DVD and try and explain - it is a most lovely story if you want to perpetrate the whole christmas theme! We bought the DVD www.amazon.co.uk/An-Elfs-Story-The-Shelf/dp/B00979K55U... our DD had already bought the elf and she brought the elf to us on Christmas Eve last year .... Basically the Elf gets up to no good during the night but it's all magic.... i.e. YOU place the Elf in the most compromising positions - like stealing the goodies from the tree; hiding in the fruit bowl; sitting on the toilet; hiding in the bath; eating the leftovers; .... anywhere your imagination takes you.... The GC involved is supposed to be in awe of how the Elf 'travels' during the night. (Of course you are doing it all) The most important thing is you CAN'T touch the elf or the ELF loses it's magic and he/she has to go to Elf hospital !!! It is brilliant for persuading encouraging our GC into sleeping/behaving well, basically it's bribery Our GD completely bought into it and loves the whole idea ... I can't speak for others. As a Grandma, I loved every minute of it and I am looking forward to more this year!!
(I hope I got all my 'boughts'and 'broughts' in the right place!!!!

Anya - so completely relieved to hear that you have finally moved and had some sleep.. Hope all your meetings went well and that things are moving forward in the right direction. You are very brave, no whining - just a-get-on with-it-attitude - I, for one, commend you - so here is a or
if you are on a no-alcohol day xx

Maggie - you continue to inspire me - your search for reaching your step goal is awesome!! Hope you enjoyed The Apprentice - I'm addicted!!

I have failed completely on the step front today - having had quite a stressful time recently- I fulfilled my hair appointment this morning and had about 3 inches lopped off and then I used the vouchers that lovely DH bought for my birthday for a shellac nail treatment. I can't tell you all how fab I feel - yes, I know the hair will be flat tomorrow and I might lose some of the nails but.... for today... it felt great
As for steps - I am a GREAT BIG FAIL but .... so what, I can catch up can't I...?
Oooops - sorry, I'm also a fail on the wine front.

NOTE TO SELF ... do better tomorrow, do better tomorrow, do better tomorrow ....

So pleased your move went well, Anya. What a relief. Fingers crossed that all your appointments today were a success too.

Ana, I think you're inspiring us all, though so far my inspiration has just taken the form of starting to notice what needs doing (a lot).

jg, I am intrigued by your Christmas Elf - do tell more!

I can report that my steps and my yogalates have been successfully achieved and my naughty gremlin has left me alone today. I bought a bus day ticket, and being tightfisted of a prudent disposition made the most of it by going to three different towns and walking nobly round each. Enjoying a delightful morning with two of the DGS and their lovely mum, a chatty lunch with my friend, and a quick shopping trip. Time to put my feet up now and catch up with the shenanigans in The Apprentice.

Sorry didn't log in last night but move happened and, after sleeping for 16 days on a put-me-up in DD's box room, with DH snoring in close proximity, I collapsed into a big, comfortable double and fell fast asleep at 9.00pm.

Move went without a hitch. Lovely delivery men, nice Virgin chappy installed broad and have met next door neighbour already. Mad schedule today.

9.30 meet electrician and gas- safe man at House of Horrors to check utilities are safe.
12.00 meet surveyor there

Maggie your strange events aren't just strange they are inexplicable and weird. Sounds like you have a little gremlin following you around

Ana glad your spare bedroom is a success after yiur decorating efforts. Has it inspired you to start another decorating project? Or perhaps just the opposite

JG yes, I'm hoping things are a bit easier for you too ....what elf

Steps completed and yes had to celebrate move so 2/30

Thanks for all your good wishes and well done on all your efforts.

Ooohhh spooky Maggie and hallowe'en is over Something in the air or gremlins??? DD was only saying today that the pesky Christmas elf is due back soon - I bet that's got something to do with your spooky happenings... Speaking of that I was given the elf last year to lose look after and now I can't remember where I buried put it
I hope your small improved your evening
Ana I was inspired with your decorating achievements and I have been flying around today 'touching up', persuading DH to put the blind on the skylight in the guest bedroom and finally hung the ballet posters in the DGD's bedroom - so thanks for the kick up the derrière encouragement I even managed to achieve steps total following early morning personal training session
Anya I do hope you are resting those weary bones and that today's move happened and was successful
Time for sleep now

I've had a very odd day, jg, as it happens. I managed my steps, but the day has been full of cackhandedness and oddity .

Firstly my phone has been behaving oddly, deciding off its own bat to send out text messages from last December and this June to several of my contacts , prompting baffled phone calls from said contacts. Then DH's usual chair decided to fall apart at DD2's house, just after DGS2 had insisted he "sit with Nana on sofa, grandad" (spooky!). I managed to jam the bathroom plug in their sink when helpfully trying to adjust it, then DGS set off their dishwasher on some weird and wonderful programme, so we had to unplug it (lack of supervision). Finally (I hope), I did my usual stint washing up at our local history society meeting this evening - not only could we inexplicably not get any hot water, but for the first half hour we couldn't turn the cold water off.

Even though I'm on a fast day, I've treated myself to a small . I think I've deserved it!

I hope all's gone to plan today as well, Anya - either way I bet you're shattered!

Hope you're bearing up as well, jogginggirl, life can be a b*tch sometimes, can't it?

I have discovered that without a determined 'proper walk' I can't get over the 4,000 mark, step-wise, even with the decorating and the constant up and down-ing of stairs to dump stuff for the tip/recycling etc. (I don't know how you manage it, jg!).

However, I must say the difference a couple of coats of emulsion and new curtains has made to my spare bedrooms is nothing short of miraculous and I'm really glad I started the project - and more importantly, finished it!

Hi everyone

Anya - I so hope your move went ahead today - I'm too worried to think about you, DH and Murphy sleeping rough ... although seeing you in the national newspapers would mean I could say "I know her"!! However, I prefer to think of you in a safe place enjoying Maggie's flowers whilst sipping a glass of (I slipped a full bottle into the packing boxes, hope you found it )

Feel free to 'rant away' if today didn't happen - sending comforting hugs and a 'tickle under the ears' for DH sorry, I meant Murphy

Hope the day has been good/productive for others

As you can imagine we are now very fire conscious. Wonder how many people sleep with their mobile under the pillow?

Thanks Maggie I've put them on the mantlepiece (not had one of those for years but it is a Victorian terrace complete with original bathroom features)

I forgot to mention that my final threat was DH, myself and dog would get our sleeping bags and sleep out in the town square. Naturally we would invite the local press for a photo opportunity and headlines such as 'Elderly couple and pet forced to sleep out in freezing weather' . The poor young lad at Countrywide was horrified and offered to find us a B&B if it all went pear shaped.

Oh Anya, what a rotten time you're having!

I'll be thinking of you today with everything crossed that your move goes ahead. Hoping to see good news in the evening bulletin.

And here are some complete with vase for your new home.

Was too knackered last night to log on. Today is the day we were supposed to move into our temporary accommodation. At 3.00 yesterday we had a call from Countrywide, who are supplying basic furniture pack to say that despite numerous emails and phone calls over the last 7 days those at Cunningham and Lindsay, the loss assessors hadn't sent thrm the necessary paperwork and it was unlikely we'd be able to move.

If they didn't hear from Cunningham and Lindsay by 4.00pm our move was off.

Told Countrywide to tell Cunningham and Lindsay that I'd be emailing their CEO to ask if he knew how his firm was operating; losing reports, not returning phone calls, taking 15 minutes to get through to anyone because files are being passed from pillar to post, from Maggie to Holly in this instance, no one person taking ownership of our case, their totally cavalier attitude to us, that we have not had a penny towards rehousing costs despite being allocated up to £20,000 for this alone on our insurance policy, that our kind new landlady hasn't yet had a penny in rent even tough she handed us the keys a week ago......and so on

At 3.55 the paperwork miraculously arrived at Countrywide. So we move in today ....watch this space.

However I'm totalled pissed off now with this firm and if our kind new landlady doesn't get her money by Friday that email is still going off.

Sorry for the rant but!!!!!

6,000+ steps 1/30 alcohol

Sorry this is all about me but well done folks and keep up the good work

No, you're not alone Maggie - I'm here too

Well done on your activity today - it's always a shock to hear the joints creaking isn't it - everytime I get down on the floor to play with the DGC - it takes me ten minutes to get back up again!! Oh the embarrassment
I have also smashed the steps target today - doing housework/changing beds, de-cobwebbing etc... not a single step outside!!
Tomorrow will be different - a personal training session in the morning followed by a run - and then a long lie-down in a dark room with

We're not quite north enough to access your dentist - shame because we're looking for a new one - especially a drop-dead-gorgeous one

Not doing as well as Anya on the front - but holding everything else together so that'll do me for now.....

Hello, nobody around tonight? I hope everyone's okay (and not fainting away from too much strenuous activity and not enough )

I will report to myself, as Anya did last night

I smashed my steps target as comprehensively as that toffee popcorn smashed my filling, by walking to the dentist and back, and then down to a talk at our local library. New filling duly fitted, and feeling very comfortable, but I am very as I learnt that my lovely, drop-dead-gorgeous dentist is moving on to pastures new. Manchester actually - if any of you live there, you could be in for a treat!

I also spent half an hour doing my yogalates first thing. I used to do it quite regularly, and was shocked to hear my joints all creaking and complaining. Obviously I have been away far too long and it is just as well that I have returned to the yogalates fold.

And now I'm off quizzing, to find those g & ts with my name on them.

Day 2 of the dual challenges and though I haven't dug out the yogalates DVD yet, I have at least totted up my steps. Due mainly to my exploring DD2's neighbourhood while DGS2 napped today. I got lost, of course, and ended up down a deserted footpath with an Into the Woods vibe, so had to up the pace a little to escape the big bad wolf

It's been a 5:2 fast day, so I'm feeling like a right little goody two shoes. I even sat drinkless and miserable while my menfolk enjoyed their cappuccino and babyccino during our earlier shopping trip. Yes, I could have had a boring cup of tea, but I was already awash with the stuff and what I really yearned for was a bucketful of full fat gingerbread latte....

I have measured my waist in preparation for whittling 1 or 2 inches off it. It certainly needs a bit of whittling.

Nobody around tonight, so will report in to myself ....steps achieved, 0/30 alcohol days in November.