September Dryathlon

I love the sound of Play and Stay, Anya, particularly the sparkly playdough. And thank you for the offer of your pedometer, but my latest one is already on order and, I hope, winging its way over to me a lot faster than your waterproof trousers headed for you. Fingers crossed that you can get back in your own home next week (how exciting!).

I also like the sound of your social worker, jg, and hope things continue to look up for your DM (on her journey going forwards )

Oh dear, chocolate deprivation will soon be my miserable fate too DD1 sent round a text to the whole family asking if anyone would care to join her in giving up alcohol and chocolate for Lent. I agreed hastily to the chocolate before I could be coerced into giving up the booze as well. The rest of the shirkers turned down the offer flat, so it’s me and the saintly one. I am now busily stoking my body with hot chocolate and a couple of Cadbury’s Crème Eggs a day before the misery starts on Wednesday.

I walked the two miles into town and back yesterday and again today (albeit with stops for lunch and again for a big hot choc in Wetherspoons), so I am getting the steps in, unrecorded as they are. I don’t know whether the fact that my big toenail is turning black (sorry, probably TMI!) is to do with the walking or something more yucky, so I’ve booked a GP appointment for first thing on Monday, which will mean another walk into town and back. I might just slacken off the pace a bit this weekend (and perhaps speed up the consumption of Crème Eggs instead)

Have a lovely weekend, one and all.

Well that SW sounds lovely - many of them are, some of my best friends are SWs. I do hope he's given you the feeling that your DM is going to get the best possible support JG

What a 'tipper'? It sounds as it it's some devious device that will catapult your DM's pills out. Will she be able to catch them or see well enough to retrieve them should they end up under the sofa?

No chocolate? Have you thought this through? no wonder you're reaching for the raspberry gin liqueur

It's this Fitbit that's driving up my steps; that and having to walk to DS's house to collect girls rather than he drop them off here in the morning. Every cloud eh?

We're pushing our builder like mad to get things done as per schedule. We ought to have the downstairs Karndeaned (just made that into a verb!) tomorrow and the carpets fitted on Monday. Kitchen virtually finished apart from little luxuries like water coming through the taps (does that mean we can't flush the loos either ) hoping (but not too hopefully) we might move back next week ??????

Welcome back JG will post more later as just off to drop GS1 at school then scoot round to GS3's school for the termly delight of his Class Assembly

Back to normality with a full-on day yesterday with my DM. An assessment with the delightful social worker has given me new hope for the future. I feel he is going to present a good case for further support for DM and guide us through this journey (yes, the 'J' word) ?
He was so gentle and respectful with DM - I felt very emotional and grateful Fingers crossed.

My DM had her first visit from a 'befriender' from the Alzheimer's Society - they got on like a house on fire - this also bodes well for the future and gives her a new focus - and gives me reassurance
The pill dispenser is now sitting in a 'tipper' - I am hoping this is more manageable for her and she doesn't feel the need to vandalise investigate it again?

The visit to the Lakes was short but invigorating - even a brief respite can bring about a change in thinking

So - I haven't shouted it from the rooftops completely committed - but this will be my 5th day without chocolate - but I have enjoyed a glass of wine At last I had the chance to try the lovely raspberry gin liqueur I bought DH for Christmas ?

Anya and Maggie - your recent posts elicited so much giggling - DH was getting suspicious ... LOL ?

I am not up to your dizzy heights with stepping Anya but I'm feeling very competitive motivated
I plan to do better than my 9,000-10,000 per day - my 10k training plan is calling me
On that note, I'm away to the treadmill ????
Have a fun Friday ?

13,271 steps - almost makes up for dragging myself out the house in the dark at 7.20 am and walking the mile to DiL's as DS is away working in Liverpool and she's got to get to work early for next three days. Then I spent a delightful 90 minutes at GD2's reception Play and Stay, cutting out sparkly playdough biscuits, climbing under a jungle net into their panda den, reducing her to tears because I couldn't fold the paper into a fan, in the sand pit, building a mechano-type roundabout complete with gears ( that one I was very proud of ) and finally listening to the story of the Fish that could Wish.

Then walked the mile home. And a rerun at the end of the day sans Play and Stay

This alcohol is not making me feel good ?❎ Think I'll have the next day or two dry And tea and coffee without sweeter takes a lot of getting used to

Glad you're having a nice soaky experience in the Lake District and enjoy your walk in the Langdales JG

I've a redundant pedometer here Maggie since getting a Fitbit for my birthday. It's yours if you want it.

Well done on getting through the Dry January challenge with your sanity intact, Anya and jg. And here you are both signing up for new challenges - respect!

I would of course sign up for the fitbit thingy like a shot if only I had a fitbit - as you know, I can no longer boast even an old-fashioned pedometer, but I think I will have to bite the bullet and get a new one ordered. I have no blooming idea where it and my earring have eloped to, but it is time I faced the fact that they are gone for good. I toyed with the idea of a fitbit, then weighed up the respective prices of £55 and £5.50, remembered that I'm married to a Yorkshireman, and toyed no more.

Poor old Murphy, Anya, I feel his pain. Well, not physically, but my DS2 has one of those booby-trapped letter boxes (along with the loudest door-knocker in the West) and my heart nearly gives out whenever the postman, or anyone else for that matter, calls when we're DGS2-minding.

jg, hope you're still enjoying your break. I love a jacuzzi, me. And ! We have none of that here. I have been nithered round the nether regions for 2 days solid - yesterday when walking out with DGS2 for "frish hair" (his words), today on the same mission with the other DGSs. None of them seem to feel the cold, unlike their Nana. Please send some of those rays our way for tomorrow!

I can't go into detail about my steps recently (it's difficult counting them on your fingers), but they are not something to be proud of, that I do know!

No..... poor Murphy - have you considered a hard hat for him ?? ? - still no keks for you Anya? Well done on signing up for the Fitbit challenge. Mind you - I'll have to do a bit more than sit around in the hotel lounge drinking before my steps are worth counting
It's very relaxing here - if you don't count the two calls from social services and Telecare, the e-mails with my DB concerning our DM and a call to remind DM that it's a meals on wheels day today ??
On a positive note - I've enjoyed a lovely swim and a dip in the jacuzzi.
forecast for later so we're looking forward to a hike around Langdale ????

I've signed up JG after reassuring myself I didn't, personally, have to complete a billion steps (sign of relief)

Well that's 1/12 of 2016 gone and dry January completed more or less as planned. As stated on another thread my challenge for February is to give up sweetners (Sweetex) in my tea and coffee. I have my Determined Hat on and hope to break the habit this month.

Yikes an Amazon delivery (of 3 DVDs) has just shot through the letter box with a loud clang and landed at least 4' into the room, hitting a sleeping Murphy with a thwack. That made both of us jump. This letter box is like the till on Open All Hours and so spring-loaded that anything solid being posted through it is accelerated across the room like a ball from a cricket bat. Poor Murphy, being deaf, didn't register the loud 'bang!' and first thing he knew was when an A5 piece of hard cardboard landed on his head. ??
I worry that the postman might lose his fingers if he's not quick enough.

Have a great time in the lakes JG and love the image of you lugging the toy transporter behind you through the streets Maggie

Sorry Anya - that was a rubbish link - here it is again www.fitbitforsportrelief.com/BigBillion

I need to get those running shoes on

Indeed Maggie As you say - expert advice and moral support from others, it's very heartwarming ❤️

For you Galen and a very BIG thank you

It sounds as though you are having a wonderfully busy time Maggie and I am smiling at the thought of you hitting the dance floor to a blast of Tamla Mowtown - oh back in the day??
I think water is probably your best option tonight - it could get rather warm .. oh and here's the ? you were looking for

How is the work going on your house Anya - any moving back date yet? I so hope you are getting closer to it - I bet you can't wait Are you still warmed by your weekend memories?
With all your school runs, you must be acing those steps - are you joining the Fitbit Big Billion Step-a-thon? I've registered today - after dry January I will need another challenge Here's the link, if you're interested ...https://www.fitbitforsportrelief.com/BigBillion

I hope Roses is enjoying her little break and that Ann, Ana and others are well.

Dry day 29 done

20 minutes on the treadmill this morning has helped me to reach 8,521 steps ??

I think my work today is done

Isn't GN great? What a bonus to be able to rely on expert advice as well as moral support from other members. I hope you manage to work your way through the application minefield and that your mum gets the help she needs.

I see I haven't checked in since Tuesday, and I'm not sure what I've been doing that's kept me so busy! Wednesday I managed around 4000 steps looking after DGS2. Yesterday I clocked up around 8000, walking into town and back (the journey back in the rain, lugging a large charity shop toy car transporter to keep here for the grandsons - there's dedication!). Today I've hardly stirred at all but am planning to make up for it by hitting the dancefloor at a Tamla Motown night out tonight. I have played "ladies who lunch" two days running, but have gone for the healthy options, and I am still drinking the water. Where's that halo emoticon when you need it?

Have a good weekend, one and all

Will do, and thank you

Have the form in front of you.
I'll call it up on google and we can go through it tomorrow

Thanks Galen - tomorrow afternoon it is then

Have pm'd you my phone number. I'm free tomorrow afternoon

Diva 2 can't give enough cuddles etc. Anya - I hope she never stops

Today was a very productive one (sadly not for steps) but Social Services have agreed to do an assessment next week for my DM which I am relieved about...

Attendance allowance forms are coming on well and I have received a very kind offer from a g/netter (who knows about these things) offering to go through it with me

Barely 3,000 steps - I need to get on that treadmill tomorrow ????

Dry day 28

Yes, thank goodness for friends and family JG so say we all

And what a delight all those spontaneous and uninhibited kisses and cuddles. My oldest GD (6) is especially affectionate. Long may it last

Oh well done on the steps Maggie and Anya - my totals are pitiful

Too much time sitting filling in forms I'm afraid and what seems like hours - either on the phone to various support agencies or attending meetings which I pray will make a difference to my DM on this dementia journey ?

Thank goodness for my bff (DH) who is an amazing man ❤️ and other family and friends without whom I would surely have gone crazy by now...

A shining beacon in my day - picking up Diva 2 from after-school gymnastics club and then having tea with her - I am surely blessed to say nothing of being covered in kisses and enveloped in hugs and cuddles ?

Dry day 27 is done

I hope you had a soft landing as you slid off the wagon, roses, that your and jg's trips will be dry in the very best sense, and that you each have a lovely break. The End is indeed Nigh, and oh, how thankful you dryathloners must be!

You've given me food for thought re the missing pedometer, Anya, which is still conspicuous by its absence. It's been a rainy old day here, but I forced myself out between showers for a breath of fresh air, and had to resort to counting my steps in my head, with help from my fingers At least I now know that it's 900 to the library, another 1000 from there to the McDonalds on the main road... I've written the info in my diary, so that I can have some idea of my step count till the darn thing turns up, no doubt hanging off something inappropriate with its pal the missing earring dangling beneath

Off quizzing soon, and I know from that well-worn route that that will add another 1900 steps to my daily total. Ballpark figure today then - around 6500. Must do better, though I did (audibly) creak through a yogalates session this morning, for the first time in many a week. And I'm currently slurping away at a pint of tap water. Mmmm, delicious!

Hope the form filling went ok JG ? It's a relief when it's all signed, sealed and delivered isn't it.

Yes, everyone safely home and just memories of a really great weekend.

Lost my Fitbit yesterday. Searched the house, high and low. Knew it was somewhere because I could connect via mobile. After several hours I downloaded a 'Bluetooth finder'. Had to turn off all the Bluetooth devices in the house but eventually tracked it down.....hanging onto the cuff strap of a summer coat on my hanging rail (insurance doesn't 'do' cupboards! ). Must have caught on it as I walked past with it strapped in the pocket of my jeans.

I would never have found it otherwise

So only 1000ish steps actually recorded.

Yes The End is Indeed Nigh JG and I don't blame you Roses for falling off wagon at this stage. Enjoy your stay with friends

Of course roses - you will be much missed I hope you have a lovely time with your friends - dry January will be a thing of the past when you re-appear so no-one will really give a damn be too worried by then ??

I hope your friends got home safely Anya and your 'feel good' weekend is still in your mind. We are off to the Lake District on Monday next for a few days - yes, it will probably be wet, it usually is ?
Is that where you're off to roses - only you mentioned that bad weather seems to follow you around ☔️

One hour of personal torture training again this morning - I know I have a whinge about it but I do actually love it ??? - it really motivates me.

Sadly my activities since then have been mainly sedentary - filling out Attendance Allowance forms and applying for a blue badge (on behalf of DM) - so a moderate 4,091 steps achieved today

Have fun roses

Thank God The End Is In Sight Anya I feel as though I might be craving a small tomorrow evening after a day sorting Alz support followed by another 'managing memory' session ...??

Hope all is OK with everyone - have you noticed we are edging towards 1,000 posts on this thread ??

Dry Day 25 ... hallelujah

I am about to fall off the wagon, as we are off to stay with friends tomorrow, and won't be back until Sat next, (will you miss my wise words?)????
So, I have to suspend the 'dry' efforts, and I am guessing there will be cake also ( amongst other goodies.)
The Weather is going to be bad I hear, which is typical.Bad weather seems to follow us around.⛈⚡️?
No walks at all today, packing and household chores.

Have a good week all.?

Just waved our friends off on their journey home to Cumbria. They are worried as gales and heavy rain forecast for tomorrow and, as we all know, that part of the country has already taking a hammering weather wise this winter.

21 dry days achieved. No way I can catch you JG unless you fall off the wagon and I can't see that happening as The End is in Sight!

Maggie hope the move went well for your family? Angel sounds a bit of a grumpy old moggy, but those are the kind I prefer. Most cats make a beeline for me, jump on my knee and them starting kneading my clothes with their claws. I admire them best from afar

Still managing 10,000 most days and would you believe those waterproof trousers still haven't arrived. Must chase thrm up today.

Another Call the Midwife fan here!

Yes, indeed Maggie - a good weekend all around

I bet your DS and DDiL are very grateful that you have not only looked after them whilst waiting for their house to be ready - but that you have rolled your sleeves up and helped the move back in - you certainly deserve your I love Call The Midwife - catch up tomorrow

We have been doing similar for our DD and DGD - they are now settled and we can get on with catching up with our jobs...

Lots of fun today with the birthday diva (1) - they grow up so quickly - eight going on eighteen

Hope all the gang are well and that you enjoyed your walk Anya??

Dry day 24 and counting......

4,999 steps achieved - need to do better ?

It sounds as if everyone's had a good weekend. Here's to us (or alcohol-free alternative for the dry gang)!

I was surprisingly restrained on fizz and chips Saturday, though still had a lovely day and was very spoilt. I saved a couple of my weekly units for a nice glass of red to accompany Call the Midwife and War and Peace tonight. Two hours of pure bliss after a day cleaning at DS and DDIL's place so that they could move back in there today. The attic is done (hurrah!) apart from the carpentry and electrics, so the dust storms should be over with now. I will miss their company, particularly the ankle-biters, but I'm sure they are all mightily relieved to be back in their own space! Our crotchetty old cat (the inappropriately named Angel) looks a bit miffed - she will miss the simple joy of sashaying up close to the boys, almost convincing them she really likes children, only to start hissing and spitting in great indignation if they dared reach out a chubby hand in her direction.

Not many steps taken today (though who knows for sure in the continued absence of my pedometer?), but I've certainly been exercising my damp-dusting arm