September Dryathlon

No, bears in Sunderland you numpty Roses I was referring to Bill Bryson walking the Alppelucian (sp?) Way, didn't he meet a bear or two . Rain? In Oxfordshire? I thought it was always sunny there because that's where the posh lived...or so someone once said on this forum

Maggie you should write sitcoms. The Exit of the Tree, perhaps starring Mr Bean, would be a great start. Re my cocktail needing a better name perhaps I should have mentioned the 'Slime' was referring to the lime content- see? Now it all makes sense doesn't it?

JG I'm not some intrepid adventurer nor brain of Britain, more like 'the girl who can't say no!' so I end up getting roped into things, when really I should know better. Did I tell you about the time........??? No, I'll save that for another time as it involves Dutch students, an old convertible Morris Minor and going up Lake District hills in reverse gear

Day 4 dry for me, 7000 steps and been good girl diet wise.

Anya heehee, couldn't resist the bears in Sunderland! Have read Brysons book, really enjoyed it, one of the best ones.

Thank goodness for the school run today - just under 8,000 steps!! I parked the car a little further away and walked - diva 2 loved the diversion to the charity shop, the library and then the sweets bribe reward ...LOL!!

Day 6 dry - I read the other day that it takes just 66 days to change a habit - so that's good - only another 60 days to go.....
Not so good on the diet though - a very healthy dinner and then the Christmas chocolates appeared - thankfully, they've nearly all gone now ?

Just a wee question Anya - will you be wearing purple and trailing a stick along the railings any day soon ...

Hope all is well roses, maggie, Ana ...
for you too Anya -

Need to prepare for the personal terrorist trainer tomorrow so I'll bid you all goodnight

Not purple, I'm clean out of purple clothes at the moment as I'm sort of into my vivid turquoise phase just now ... not many railings near up, but lots of low brick walls which are fun to walk along. Will that do JG? Perhaps I'm just an awkward old bat who like to do my own thing and let Jenny J do hers

Thank you for the flowers and good luck with your personal Torquemada tomorrow. You Are Very Naughty for eating those chocolates - consider yourself ticked off (doubly so if they included strawberry creams) Did you think you could slip that one past me by posting late at night? NO WAY!

I'm expecting better behaviour tomorrow.

I, meanwhile, am entitled to use the emoticon as I've stay on target. No alcohol has passed my lips (well I suppose you are to be congratulated on that as well) I managed 6300 steps (ok you're ahead on that) but at least I avoided the chocolate trap and have indeed eaten very boring food sensibly.

Roses I suspect any bears in the North East have long since been hunted to the point of extinction as I believe the natives ares pretty fierce up there. Sorry for calling you a 'numpty' but it's a term of endearment in our family....or at least that's what DS insists

Indeed the natives up there are fierce, Anya - it's where I hail from, don't ya know? My dear mother could have seen off any bear, no problem!

Lovely to hear about all your exploits, and I'm definitely the lame duck at the moment, steps-wise. I spent 5 hours today helping clean DS's house, now that the bulk of the messy building work is done. It was all good physical exercise, but apparently I only walked about 2000 steps (granted a lot of the time I was shuffling along on my knees, pushing a bucket).

Yesterday I had to get myself to DGS2's by bus, train and foot, then we had a puddle-jumping expedition, so I did well for my step count -nearly 9000. DH stayed here to help poorly DSIL with her two scallywags. Fortunately, everyone seems to be healthy today, so we may have turned the corner to health and normality now

I do hope diva 2's tests go well, jg. What a worry for you all. At least things are looking up a little for your mum. I think you are a star resisting the on Tuesday.

Signing off quick, before I, or my Kindle, turn(s) into a pumpkin

Oh 'eck Anya - I'm late replying because I've been looking up your fancy word Torq....something ....? I could only find reference to a very unpleasant-sounding chap who went around burning people.... am I missing something

Yes, there were strawberry creams - I didn't want to say anything before in case Maggie came along and snaffled the lot sampled one or two Mind you it sounds like she's far too busy puddle-jumping and getting her poor DGS2 proper wet and mucky
Thank you Maggie - diva 2's tests seem to have confirmed GF - so now it's just a case of her getting over it.... Both she and dd move in with us next week for a few days in readiness for their house move when they will be much too bloody close nearer to us and we can help them out more easily

Anya - I Have Not Been At All Naughty today (I was too scared of incurring your wrath again) - I have exercised, stretched, groaned, and managed over 7,000 steps, I have eaten sensibly and avoided alcohol for the 7th day running - I think I am indeed entitled to use the emoticon, in fact I'm pretty sure you are in bed by now so I'm going to use it again
I'm also very glad to hear that you are still avoiding the alcohol especially as you seem hell bent on causing yourself harm - I sincerely hope that you have a sensible gc with you when you walk the wall and that they do not follow your ridiculous example

Tomorrow is all about dm and LPA - I'd better get to bed so I have my clear head on then ds and diva 1 arrive for the weekend
Night night

Hope your day goes well JG and the LPAs (going for both?) are sorted to everyone's satisfaction. At least you now have a definite confirmation of diva 2's condition, which can be a relief knowing exactly what the problem is, and now as you say, it's in for the long haul and getting over it. Hopefully it won't interfere too much with school, and come the spring and warm weather she will start to pick up x

Pleased to here you've had a very successful day yesterday on all fronts I'm only being cruel to be kind you know but seriously well done and that's a full week gone now.

Re the sensible GC, yes I do have one - a bit too sensible IMO. GD1 is a great one for following the rules. She's the kind of child who would stop in the middle of a pedestrian crossing if the lights changed to red.

But I'm working on her.

Maggie now why aren't I surprised you're from 'up there'? I blame the Vikings. I don't suppose you'd care to come and shuffle on my kitchen floor too would you? My lovely kitchen was ripped out today and all that's there is the sink and dust I know it had to be done and a new one will rise from the ashes (steady on, don't get all lyrical) as it were, but it wasn't nice seeing everything dumped into a skip.

Anyway reporting in ... still alcohol free, managed my steps (though I got drenched through in the wind and rain....where are my waterproof kecks?) and stuck to diet - except for one gold covered chocolate coin left over from Christmas that I came across and it shouted 'Eat Me!' ... so I did

Oh flip Anya - you always manage to describe even your most devastating events in such an amusing way - I'm sure it's not always how you feel, but you can't keep a good 'un down! I like your style

Your GD1 sounds a lot like me as a child - a real stickler for the rules - I was a good catholic girl ? That is until I married DH in a registry office and was pretty much ex-communicated from the church - and before that there was the time I discovered whisky (I've never touched a drop since that time in New York aged just 17 ...)

The LPA's (yes, both) were signed and witnessed by the GP, just a couple more signatures and we are done - it will make life easier I'm sure!

In Waitrose today - I seated DM in the Boots franchise while I packed her shopping on a nearby cash desk. I went to collect her after just a few minutes and found her deep in conversation with an American lady. As I approached the lady smiled and said Hi, you must be (my name), pleased to meet you, that's my husband, Arthur over there, your DM has told me all about you, I feel as if we're friends already..... God love her (my DM that is) literally 5 minutes - that's all it took for her to make a new best friend

Anya - those keks must have arrived today - I saw some


Have a good weekend all, Maggie, roses and Ana ......

Thank you JG that was a lovely thing to say I do wonder sometimes if we are genetically programmed to be optimistic or pessimistic. If so it must be very hard for pessimists

Isn't it funny how we cherish the differences between our grandchildren? I'm very proud of my rule-abiding, academically inclined 6-year old GD and just as proud of her 4-year old feisty, rebellious little sister. I understand and accept that my 9-year old GS is desperately shy, and his best friend is his teacher and his 5-year old brother only has to walk into a room and everyone lights up and the party starts.

In fact he sounds a lot like your mother bless her! It must be truly heartbreaking for you. But you are doing all you can for her and sound like a very loving daughter.

Maggie, Rose, Ana and Ann60 if you're out there...a lovely weekend from me too xx

Thank you, Anya and jg - still here, still enjoying your exploits and having my heart warmed by this thread

I forgot my trusty pedometer again yesterday , but choose to believe I hit my step target doing a bit of shopping then meeting for a lovely meal out with DS and DDIL as a thank you for putting them up, bless them. Then a quick dash to ours to put two very tired boys straight to bed and get the out for the adults (sorry, Dryathloners!). Their house is now fit for them to be in during the day, so DS1 was reacquainted with all his own toys yesterday, including the Christmas stuff he'd forgotten he'd got!

DD1 is calling on us later, so I'm looking forward to a girly catch-up. I'm thinking of hauling out the long-neglected soup and bread makers and playing at being a proper mum . DH has deposited what looks like a massive mutant head of celery on the draining board (from his allotment). Anyone remember that Heinz advert about celery soup doing wonders for the skin?

I'll walk on the spot while making it.

Phew!! Just made 5,000 steps - some of them done in the kitchen waiting on lovingly tending my DS and Diva 1 and the rest done in M&S hunting down thermals for DH's trip to Scotland next weekend ... no photos being posted

Ah maggie I bet DGS1 was proper chuffed to have the chance to play with his Christmas toys and how lovely of DS and DDIL to reward all your care with a nice meal out... We do like to be appreciated don't we ...?
I've been playing being a proper mum today - slow cooked lamb with all the trimmings and then I went and spoilt it all made it easier by picking up a dessert whilst in M&S .. ah well, at least I didn't eat any
How many steps does it take to make celery soup... LOL

Anya we just have the two divas and they are as different as chalk and cheese in every possible way - one is a bit of a stickler for the rules while the other one can be a holy terror and physically they are complete opposites too.
The bit I love is when I see the expressions and behaviours associated with DS and DD ... revenge is sweet

Dry day 9 done ?

Day 8 completed and (according to my new Fitbit {an early birthday present.}) I completed 10,000 steps (which wasn't what my pedometer said {7,600]) but either way

Less happy as the sleep function confirmed yet another bad night with long periods of wakefulness and restlessness. No wonder I wake up feeling like [limp rag emoticon]

Maggie it is lovely to be taken out for a meal as a token of appreciation isn't it? And I love the image of your GS being reacquainted with his toys We are so lucky to have good relationships with our families when I read on here how some are estranged. I bought a Soupmaker in the sales, despite saying there's nought wrong with a pan and a wooden spoon, and now I'm a total convert. Made Winter Lamb and Lentil Broth first and it was wonderful and a tasty Chicken and Mushroom after boiling up the chicken carcass.

JG well done on resisting the M&S pud. That takes will power.

Revenge is truly sweet. I heard my DD say to GS1 the other day ' if you're going to act like a 5-year old, then I'll treat you like a 5-year old!' At first it was all going to be 'different' from the way she was brought up [rotten mother emoticon] and everything would be discussed and negotiated and the result was to be the perfect child. The result was, in reality, a child who argues with every decision and can out-negotiate his mother I find it hard to keep a straight face sometimes.

Funny Anya ( the five year old thing) because that's what I say to Mr Roses sometimes, when he acts up.

Hope you have all had a good weekend? We have had a lovely quiet one by ourselves and have been a tad indulgent, including a meal out in a lovely pub this lunchtime, no alchohol ( for me) but an apple pud, albeit a small one.
More rain here, and a bit colder as well,so we need more body fat,it's essential.

We had a lovely time with DS and diva 1 this weekend - a long country, walk and a bit of geocaching... great fun. I achieved over 13,000 steps in total!!

DS and diva 1 left after lunch and an hour or so later diva 2 arrived - staying for a few days. To cut a long story short - there was an accident with the iPad - it landed end up on diva 2's big toe - lots of tears. Lots of swelling. Lots of purple. It's been iced since then and calpol and calprofen administered. It wasn't getting better. So, after speaking to out of hours doc - DD, diva 2 and DH are on their way to A&E to get the pressure in the big toe relieved (this is what is causing the pain) The pain must be intense for diva 2 to cry so much - she is such a big brave 6-year-old and rarely makes any fuss.

I feel so bad - in nearly 8 years of being a GP I have never had an accident on my watch ??

Accidents will happen JG so try not to feel guilty. How is the toe now? I see you posted in the wee small hours so I'm guessing you've had an upsetting few hours.

Poor Diva 2

Oh blimey, jg, what a day for you! I hope your little diva is more comfy now. 8 years without an accident is quite some record, one you should be proud of! I'm only 3 years in, a mere novice.

Off to do a bit of shopping with DGS2 shortly, once we've listened to Popmaster, or tried to (just how much row can a 2 year old make when asked to keep the noise down a bit?!) My plan is to park DH and DGS in the coffee shop and try to get a lot of steps in before they finish their drinks. We had a long walk yesterday, but not as long as yours, jg!

Have a good Monday, all

Well - what an eventful 24 hours that was! The big toe is not broken but a visit to A&E in the early hours of this morning resulted in three holes being 'burnt' into diva 2's toe nail so that the blood could be drained. Diva 2 was amazingly brave and, indeed, the nurse said that the procedure made grown men cry - she flinched but did not shed a tear (((❤️)))

Thank you Anya and Maggie for your comments - yes it was all an unfortunate accident - but she has had a bit of a rough ride recently
She has spent the day with me today whilst DD and DH set about packing boxes for their house move. We've had a very quiet time, lots of jigsaws, chatting and cuddles

This evening DH and I went to see Lady in The Van - what an amazing actress Maggie Smith is - absolutely loved the film, definitely recommend a viewing. Even though we were tired out due to lack of sleep and could have easily given it a miss, I'm glad we made the effort.

Just over 5,000 steps and dry day 11 done ...

Such a stoical little diva to nana for all the worry and trauma she's been through. I've found that being there for injured or sick or upset GC really strengthens that bond. All those reassuring cuddles.

Managed a magnificent (though I say it myself ) 12,818 steps yesterday and apparently climbed 35 floors

Bit miffed I didn't get to equal your record for Sunday JG - had I realised I was only 182 steps adrift I'd have bounced on the bed for a while.

Day 10 completed - the pina colado lacked something and wondered if adding a couple of drops of rum essence is allowed or considered to be cheating???

Maggie the answer to your question is 'a lot'. I never found a volume switch on any of mine at that age. But a year later they went into mumbling mode and I was constantly asking them to speak up (either that or the previous din had damaged my ear drums).

I've gone down a bra size! Shopping for new bras is not my favourite thing, all that standing around stripped to the waist and being measured . But since the fire I've been living in two bras and, while I thought they were a bit slack (the bras I mean) I just put that down to wear (still talking about the bras) and stuffed everything inside and carried on.

Well plucked up courage and drifted into a local lingerie shop. This sickenly slim young woman took one look at me and declared me a 34F though I had been a 36F. She did measure me to be sure and after trying on several she was proved to be correct. So bought two!! Now looking quite pert IMO and wondering why I put it off so long. Must be the low carb combined with no alcohol and lots of steps because I'm back in size 12 bottoms.

I'm just thinking this is TMI perhaps

Well done JG on the 11 days, I can't seem to catch you up somehow!! And I really must get to see that film - it's got such great reviews.

I was very impressed, and mightily amused, by your account of ditching the slack and worn out boobs bras, Anya. A bit of pertness never went amiss!

Not that there'll be much of it in my life if I don't give myself a shake and a good talking to. Barely 1200 steps yesterday, which I spent mainly sitting down, cursing and grumbling about sorting out all those pesky New Year returns, renewals, updates, etc and sourcing a new tumble dryer (my trusty old stalwart tumbled its last on Monday, possibly as a protest against the recent overload - it's got out of the habit of coping with little people's laundry). I did get involved in a rollicking game of pirate ships with DGS1, but it required more rolling across the floor than walking

Fingers crossed that DGS2 is in the mood for a long walk today

I loved The Lady in the Van too, as I knew I would. Maggie Smith and Alan Bennett, what's not to love?

Thank you for the lovely flowers Anya - they really cheered me up

Diva 2 returning to school tomorrow with one foot booted normally and the other one slippered - the toe is recovering well but still painful and bleeding but that's a good sign

She has been staying with me whilst DD and DH have been packing up their house ready for their move which happened today We have completed umpteen jigsaws, chased marbles all over the kitchen floor from the bloody excellent marble run that arrived yesterday!

You're right Anya - all the cuddles have been fabulous and we have a very strong bond. DD and her husband divorced soon after Diva 2 was born so she's very much part of our lives ??

I'm still giggling but at the same time in awe of you Anya - all that stripping down. Congratulations on the new pert set look... I was not that brave - mine arrived via the post in an Amazon wrapper - - something of a Triumph to find that not much has changed in that department

Oh Maggie - I really must get round to closing 2015 and sorting new files for 2016... I have so many plans for this year given half a chance and can't wait to get started!

Today I have entered a 10k race in July in Liverpool to raise funds for Dementia/Alzheimers - so I do need to get my bum training into gear. Although not for a few days as I managed to stub my toe on the footstool this morning and have given Diva 2 a run for her money on the hop-a-long stakes

Dry day 13 and 7,231 steps achieved - even with a bruised and battered toe - I really don't know how though

What a pair you and diva 2 are JG I do sympathise though. I once broke my big toe by dropping a frozen chicken on it. It's amazing what you can't do - climb stairs , drive a car....and it didn't help that the A&E staff thought it hilarious. But that was a long time ago.

I had GS3 all yesterday as he fell victim to a tummy upset. He was so unusually quiet and is staying off school again today, but DD is taking the day off to look after him and GS1 who has earache. She just finished an OFSTED inspection yesterday. I'm trying not to feel sorry for her as I advised her never to go in for teaching, and if she felt she had to teach then not to do secondary. But of course, she ignored both pieces of advice!!!

Which10k race is it JG? Is it the one through the tunnel?

Maggie I'm sure rollicking must count as extreme exercise - a total body workout in fact, if you consider all the muscle groups involved it might even take over from Zumba. Re your new tumble dryer, do make sure you register it. There was a piece on our local TV news about a woman who didn't bother and hers caught fire. If it had been registered the company would have included her in the recall as that particular make had been identified as having faulty wiring.

The builder is levelling the kitchen floor today and the new kitchen ought to be started next week.

Seem to have upped my steps since getting this Fitbit as managed 10,000+ yesterday - somehow. Completed day 12 and developing a worrying addiction to cherry juice - think the colour reminds me of

Tunne.l
What. Tunnel.

Rushes To Web Site

I'd have loved a tunnel when I did my very few, very slooooow, 10Ks a few years back. I could run in, walk along them without anybody seeing, then run out again, fresh as a daisy.

Or collapse gasping against the wall for 5 minutes, with none of those spectators shouting come on, you can do it, not far to go now, when they're not moving their own lardy backsides one inch support.

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The Mersey Tunnel - I did a 10k run through there once and ended up in Wallasey (I think - I just followed the pack)

Maggie

Other memorable runs were the time I ran down Coronation Street and a Santa Dash in Liverpool which broke all records for the largest number of Santas gathered together in one place.