Christmas is coming

[lynda]

So, how are we all going to keep on track over the next 7 weeks.....

Any ideas to share?

[Yvonne]

Christmas!!  Oh my goodness, Lynda...sorry no ideas here..I am not a Christmas person (too commercialised for me) and food doesnt really become a big issue (no more than usual)...now you have me thinking about gifts.....think I will get ready to watch Coronation St instead

[Kiwismum]

Well of course all the weight is going to magically disappear before then and we will not gain a gram no matter what we do so we don't have to worry 

[lynda]

Yes, well, it  is far more fun to watch Coro than think of Xmas.  But at weigh in Carolyn told me its 6 weighs till she finishes for the year.  A wee bit scary.  And have I over the year achieved a weight loss - well, I have yoyod so badly I don't think I have!!! Am too scared to look at my card.  I very rashly emailed Carolyn and told her I was going to lose 6 kilos by the last weigh in.  Lets face it, I know if I stick to programme I can jolly well do that - getting past those "snacks" is the only mission.  The meals are fine!!

I am going to do more skipping and hula hooping ( am sure the bending down to pick it up is just as good an exercise as actually doing the motions!!)

I don't even know what I put on at weighin this week.  Didn't even look adn told weigher not to tell me.  So as long as I stick to programme this week I am going to have a great loss on Monday - I can't but lose with those odds!!!

[lynda]

Hello ladies.  Well am happy to go to weighin tonight.  Not one lolly or piece of chocolate covered anything has crossed my lips this week!!  I am happy with my week.
I survived the weekend pretty well too despite being out Friday night and away from home all day sunday.  i took some lemony date slice with me Sunday to Hamilton so that I could have something "sweet" with my lunch as there is normally baking there.  So just my slice was put out so tht was good.  I was determined to be pro-active this week.

Garden is growing growing too.....

Where are you all - oh yeh, out Xmas shopping!!! hahaha

[Yvonne]

After such a good and positive week you deserve your good result tonight Lynda....and where is everyone?  not Xmas shopping (for me) thats for sure   much more fun playing in the garden weeding, clipping and planting out flower seedlings....shall put off the dreaded shopping until next month

I must buy some dates and try the slice you mention...made the Jamaican banana loaf on Friday and forgot to put the butter in!  Must have got distracted....might do some more KK recipes next week...have been concentrating on just eating out of the freezer and pantry the past two weeks and bought as little as possible...

Wishing everyone a good week....

[Kiwismum]

Hi Ladies,

Still trying to get my head around the fact that it is nearly christmas. I am just not ready for it yet, surely it must still be June

The good news is the cow finally decided to part company with her calf last week, so we have milk . One more ewe to lamb a few chicks and then I will be able to take a breath and think about what I am doing again.

Please don't talk to me about weight, I have no idea what mine is doing other than to say I dare not look .

Will try to be more vocal as time permits. Oh and well done Lynda for doing a whole week

[Annamaria]

I know how you feel, KM.
This week has been very social here, and I decided not to weigh in till tomorrow morning, as I've been pretty bad lately.
Still, had a good day today. Must try a concerted effort like Lynda, from now till Christmas Day...then a whole day of eating exactly what I want! Yes!!
Does anyone milk sheep in New Zealand? We have the best sheep's ricotta & pecorino cheese here.
How about starting it up, KM?

[Yvonne]

Glad to hear the calf has finally arrived KM..yes this is a busy time getting gardens etc ready for the coming months..and yes Annamarie, there are a small amount of sheep milked in NZ, more goat farms though...sunshine is calling off outside...
Hey Lynda, how did the weigh in go?

[Kiwismum]

Ugh sheep Ours have caused me all sorts of problems this year, to the point that I want to get rid of them. Hubby wants to keep them for a bit longer

Some people do milk them, not us though, I don't mind sheep cheese but I can't stand goats cheese. I think I must be a cow person.

Gardens, yes well I have been too busy lately so I am a bit behind the eightball on that one right now. Next week will hopefully be a better week and I will be able to catch up. I just need a couple of days of good weather and no other hassels and the garden could be all caught up again. Looks like a weed jungle right now. 

Ok now I am just looking for an excuse to stay sitting at the computer so that I can have a bit of a rest, so I had better go and get stuck in, went to Auckland yesterday to pick up a car so we are behind in our schoolwork so we have to get caught up on that today.

[lynda]

Hi All.
Yes i weighed in down 1.1 so am very happy with that.  Had an extremely stressful day yesterday and didn't have my lunch with me but just bought a couple club sandwiches and resisted everything else.  Just thought - NO, DON'T BE STUPID.  So I wasn't.  Bought some cut up pineapple and some strawberries instead and thoroughly enjoyed those thats for sure.

Dylan night tonight and so stressed yesterday couldn't face organising dinner.  Might have fish salad and home made chips.  He loves fish so thats good.  He's still a delight.  Seems quite a bit happier this last week since Mums varsity lectures has finished.  he had Plunket yesterday and is now 12.5 k and 183cm (whatever that is). Is trying to talk and loving his new little house.

Garden looks fantastic.  I can't believe how much everything has grown.  I could pick some silverbeet now if I wanted, the tomatoes have flowers, the lettuces are bolting along and the bok choy is going to be comibng out my ears.  We did a KISS stir fry a few years ago with it in and really enjoyed it so might dig the recipe out again - but at least I know I can use it for that.  Herbs are bolting along too.

Well, should go and do some work.  I don't do much Xmas shopping and shall be busy in December as one of the girls at work finishes on Friday for maternity leave and the other two weeks later to go to the States for 4 weeks - great - our busiest maddest time of the year.... oh thats why they are going?? right....

Have a great day.  Its beautiful here in Auckland today - so far.

[Yvonne]

Lynda thats a wonderful result!!   Keep up the good work those last few kilos will soon dissapear!
Its a beautiful day here as well...does your office close down for a while after Xmas?  You will be glad of the break as it sounds you are in for a busy time.
I always think the gardens look so good right now, my roses are looking so pretty and the sweet peas I have been picking for inside smell so nice..veg are flourishing...
Must go check on any new recipes and get back to work, washing is going to dry in no time today.

[Kiwismum]

Aren't you ladies good I haven't even done my washing yet today. Just grabbed a bar for breakfast as that was all I had time for, and I have no idea what is for any other meal today as yet.

Actually it is nice to just sit for a few minutes.

Had to make the hard call on a friends horse today and I know when we finally manage to get hold of her she is going to fight the descion. But the poor old boy is struggling to get enough to eat and is in his 30s now. We have struggled with him for the last year and I don't think he will manage well with the heat. We are at the beginning of the end for him, so she will make the finally call, but he won't last long whatever it is. It makes me so sad as even though he is not ours, I am the one who has been looking after him for over two years. She has seen him twice in that time, but I feel that the time has come for him and me as I don't want to watch him go down any more.

Sorry hope that doesn't depress any of you.

Carry on

[Yvonne]

Hi KM, I do feel for you...its never ever easy to make that final descion for a loved animal..even when you know its the right thing to do...

Its very hot here today, perhaps thats why two of my girls decided to beat up on each other!   Silly animals.  No one was hurt, just quickened my heart rate a little

Would planning meals. even just a few days, in advance help you ?   Breakfasts can be the same with little variation...lunches much the same..its the evening meal that seems to need a little planning...

Hope you can keep taking a little time each day just for you...

[Kiwismum]

Hi Yvonne, thanks for the kind words.

Planning a few days in advance would never work for me, today was just one of those days, certainly not normal.

Life never gets boring around here thats for sure.

I now have seven and a half litres of milk to decide the best use for. So many ideas just have to work out what to do with this lot, might just have to make some yoghurt