Sunday 25 March 2007

Another quickie...

Ate my usual average cals today at about 1,800 but did little exercise. I have had a busy day though so am hoping there are some uncounted cals burned as nervous energy. Basically a frustrating 2 hours trying to set up a Video and TV with a negative result and assumption that the new TV is faulty. Then church accounts for a few hours and an hours strenuous ironing.

So I'm 600 cals over my target for today, BUT 2% under for the whole of my first week seen together. Not bad at all given that over the weekend I've had a glass of wine, 2 pieces of caramel shortcake, a hot cross bun and fish and chips!
Back to the gym first thing to get back on the "under target" track - much needed in order to "pay" for my weekends.

I am dying to get on the scales to see if I have really lost the 1-1.5kg that I reckon I should have. But I'm going to be strong and wait for the proper date.

One week down, eight to go.

Can I suggest that Mondays are a great day for making a fresh start, so if you're not with the programme, think you were but have fallen off, didn't get around to starting, then start again today. Don't make a big deal of it, just start. Re-read the rules and go for it.

42 comments:

Anonymous said...

Good morning all, i love the clocks going back. Pshycologically, when the man cub wakes up at 6.30am it wont matter cos its 7.30 and i will feel like its a totally reasonable hour! if you get me.

Anyway, Moose - you are doing great, cant wait to see how you get on with the scales next week.

Gaby, good luck with the swimming!

And susan s, sounds like a lovely weekend - were your new found friends everything you hoped they would be?

Sammie - take it easy this week, you'll need your strength when K gets back.

MfR - i also saw Casino Royale this weekend, DC lacks nothing for me, except perhaps my phone number. He is lush!!! and the film was quite good i guess!

House blitz today, it looks a mess and i have a meeting at home tomorrow so need to make the downstairs look presentable atleast!

have a good week all.
xx

Anonymous said...

Anna

If you put your clocks back you must be way out of sync with the rest of us, we put ours forward!

Sorry, couldn't resist it.

I thought DC was good, but not great. I have no desire to give him my phone number.

I feel a bit out of balance this morning. Just want to get the day out of the way and get in the sauna.

Happy days

MfR

Anonymous said...

Bonjour tout le monde,

Summer is here - hoorah.

Moose - as you say...1 down 8 to go - hardest bit over and done with.

Matt - 'at my age' refers to 43 and a quarter - it's ok for you 30 somethings.......

Re tumble turns, I have a letter from the doctor excusing me Sir as I get vertigo : )

I am good at tumble turns on dry land though : )

Re DC - he is 'missing' me - and you can give him MY number : )

Off out now

Have a good one

Gaby
xx

Anonymous said...

Hallo monday you lovely people!

I have got Sammie and DWNB's cold. I went 'night club dancing' on Friday night. I did do some alcohol intaking, but I did LOADS of dancin! Had a brilliant time. Got home with friend (boy at another friends for poker (apparently) other card games are available but not where you only have to play £1 a game) and we decided because our feet hurt so much, we should go for a walk in different shoes. HA is totally different at 0500 on a Saturday morning. Think air temp possibly exacerbated cold symptoms.

Anyway. Have been eating sensibly but spent yesterday wrapped in self-pity and fleece blanket before cooking late afternoon dinner. Will be trying grey flannel Trousers on this eve so will advise progress a demain.

Moose, you sound as though you are getting on swimmingly (or is that MfR)...is it rutting season yet?

Gaby, DC is staying in my spare room atm if you want me to pass any details on...

snuffly snotty kiss blow
mwah
later
hazzzzzzzzzzssssssssnnnnnnnnn

Moose said...

Mornin,
well I was feeling a bit out of sorts this morning too, so sympathies to Matt. And Hazel, please don't sneeze in my direction!

Gym this morning - good session (c. 700 calories!) despite not feeling like it. Felt absolutely knackered afterwards and nearly fell asleep in the jacuzzi. Realised it was probably blood sugar - I had most of my calorific intake yesterday at about 3pm and only ate yogurt for dinner last night. So a breakfast of bacon, eggs, yogurt and a coffee and I'm buzzing again. I feel very fat after the weekend...a good thing to motivate me to keep going. Usually when I've had a good week I treat myself for about 3 years!

Officially, I seem to remember rutting season is Sept/Oct time, but something is fooling me at the moment and the moose brain has gone a bit seasonally haywire. Must be the clocks going back in Anna's house that tripped me up.
I actually think it must be all the exercise I'm getting...Must keep it up.

Yes, I'm going...

Did last night fool anyone else big style?...the mooselets were in bed soooo late because neither of us noticed the time going and all of a sudden it was 7.15 and they hadn't had tea. Oops.

Anonymous said...

btw Sammie, have totally lost track of the return of K. I thought it was this weekend just gone? Obviously not... Will need to ring airport and ask them to take the bunting back down.

...and MfR - Your 'I'm a Pedant and I think you'll find I'm proud actully' badge is in the post...

...and I thought you meant tumble TOTS...picturing all of you in ball ponds.

snnnnnnnnnsssssssfffffffff
bleurgh
only seven hours to go eh
x

Anonymous said...

bugger.

actuAlly

not
actully

before MfR points it out.

Anonymous said...

blimey matt, thanks for the correction - that could have upset the whole of the summer had it not been for you.

so far, havent done any housework. been responding to emails and drinking tea..... must dust.

will just flick the kettle on.....

Moose said...

And before Matt gets pedantic again about the time, I've already spotted that the time stamp on here hasn't adjusted. There was me thinking it would be automatic...just off to get a coffee and I shall attempt to fix it.

I called mooselet #1 a pedant over the weekend. I then had to explain what it was and how it was Ok to be one because both his parents are!

Anonymous said...

This would be who ate all the pies.

http://news.bbc.co.uk/1/hi/world/asia-pacific/6494117.stm

...turtley vile dahlings...

PEDANT:
1. a person who makes an excessive or inappropriate display of learning.
2. a person who overemphasizes rules or minor details.
3. a person who adheres rigidly to book knowledge without regard to common sense.

I think you'll find Mooselet#1 is however an

UNGULANT:
1. having hoofs.
2. belonging or pertaining to the Ungulata, a former order of all hoofed mammals, now divided into the odd-toed perissodactyls and even-toed artiodactyls.
3. hooflike.
–noun 4. a hoofed mammal.

Come back Rubber Duck...

jollygit said...

Mornin' all

Had a brilliant time in London on Saturday - we had lunch at Sarastro's nr Covent Garden and then we went to see We Will Rock You. This was a surprise for 'im indoors and it was absolutely fantastic.

Spent yesterday filling out more application forms and hoping that something will come of them.

'Im indoors is on the pooter today so won't be able to check in much but have a good day y'all. Am now off the booze for the week in the hope that I'll lose some of the weight that's crept up on me!

Moose - well done and I'm hoping some of your motivation will rub off on me ...

Hazel Love - so sorry you're poorly again - have you got the appt with the doc yet?

Hope to see you later, jollygit xxxx

Moose said...

You don't get too many of those sheilas to the ton...

Maybe in a few years time we might be able to beat the Aussies at some form of sport if they are all getting so fat...oh, we are too, so that's no good then...

Anonymous said...

Good Morning, it's lovely Monday again!

Have managed to catch upon on everything since last Thursday. Hope everyone with colds, etc are feeling better.

My daughter has been so ill since Thursday. Doctor suspected Mumps but the real concern was pneumonia as the wee pet lamb was very very ill with pneumonia four years ago. She's still not well and going back to the doctor today. I hope he can pinpoint what's wrong, but it's definitely not Mumps or pneumonia!

Hope Mooselet #1 is recovering well.

Susan S - hope wee Charis is o.k. too.

On the diet front - I have to confess I have been bad, bad, bad. I always eat too much bread when I am stressed. And potatoes. And drink wine. Friday I was home all day attending to the lovely Ms S, and I ate all day. Just shocking. I am so looking forward to WW tomorrow at 12 noon. I hope being weighed will shock me into reality.

Moose, your diet is going brilliantly - well done! You must be feeling great. Can I ask, are you taking enough calories? Sorry if I am being thick, but are you sticking to around 1,300 - 1,600 a day? Isn't this too low? And you are exercising a lot, so I am wondering what your actual intake is each day. As I say, sorry if I have the wrong end of the stick!! Somewhere along the way, I've managed to get all mixed up! It's a while since I dieted, but I do know that too few calories is just as bad as too many!

Hope everyone else is o.k. and ready to face the week.

Will check in later. Sorry to have gone on a bit!

C xx

Anonymous said...

Good morning all!

I'm soooooooooo tired! Too much fresh air, walking and then a night on the town on Saturday ... then they go and put the clock forwards! That's so unfair!

The Flickr Meet was an absolute blast! Charis had another 2 year old to play with and she got on great with everyone! I was so proud of her! Looking forward to the SOAMC meet even more now!

And it's going to take me forever to get caught up with you all!

Anyhoo - I'm going to have to get back to you later!

http://www.flickr.com/photos/citril/

http://www.flickr.com/groups/scottishmeetup/

Anonymous said...

Morning Susan S, nice photos - just realised that i will be up that way in a couple of weeks. We are going to somewhere near there, Ardersier...? Round the bay i think??

will do a day trip to Cromarty methinks....

xx

Moose said...

ChrissieS,
best wishes to Ms S.
Mooselet #1 is back at school today. Penicillin has kicked in and there was a marked improvement over the weekend. Thanks...

Also, thanks for your concern. I'm averaging over 1,700 calories so I think I'm OK. I agree it's infinitely better to eat 1,700 calories and exercise 500 away, rather than just eat 1,200 calories. It's also possible. I don't think I could do 1,200 cals anyway.

The body is a great self-regulator. As long as I'm still eating before I'm hungry and eating past the point of feeling comfortably full, I reckon I can't be under-doing the calories. I'll re-check once I've really cracked those 2 rules and see how many calories that equates to. My target weight loss at 3 lbs per week is within recommended safe guidelines. Partly why I picked the 2 stone in 9 weeks target...

I must say I haven't felt as fit and healthy in years...I'm going to walk to the bank later on for some extra steps/calories and because it's such a nice day and because I need to sort out an ISA pretty quickly...it's only an extra £75 per year from Gordon Brown, but don't look a gift horse in the mouth. He gets enough from me so I feel a little coming back is worth the effort to walk 10 mins briskly there and 10 mins back. I might even do a quick detour on the way back via the park just to extend the walk. Nothing else to do!

Anonymous said...

Can I just ask...Who is Hugh Miller? I don't even know if I am supposed to know...

By the way...our helicopter is flying around and around and around if anyone else can hear it and it's going straight through their head because their sinuses are a bit sore what with having a cold 'n all...

Moose - a trip the park sounds like a lovely idea. Beware lady mooses hiding behind trees on the look-out for a likely antlered lad such as yourself...do you get isa on buns?

...and did anyone watch Jo Brand last night on the 'Play it again' thingamajig? I thought she was jolly good akshully. It is a while since I've run my fingers over a Toccata con Fugge...heh heh heh...you thought I was gonna be ROOD dincha!

Moose said...

Hugh Miller (1802 - 1856) was a self-taught Scottish geologist and writer and an evangelical Christian.

The usual source...

Anonymous said...

moose - i was just about to say that..... or not.

thank gawd i wasnt the only one not to know!

Moose said...

I didn't mean to give the impression I'd ever heard of him either...

Anonymous said...

This would be Moosipedia then? Thank you for the information. Basically he knew about Scottish Rocks.

As opposed to Chinese Rocks.

Or Hanoi Rocks.

Or Brighton Rocks.

Anonymous said...

Moose - thanks for the reply - I knew you would be on the case, calorie-wise! You are sounding in really top form and that is just great.

I am struggling today somewhat. I know this sounds ridiculous, but I feel really jet-lagged over losing the hour at the weekend!! I feel all cotton-wooly, if you know what I mean!

Hazel - hope you are feeling a wee bit better as the day progresses.

Going back to last week, briefly, can I just say to Anna re: her wee mancub and leaving him in the nursery. Our daughter went to a childminder while we worked. When I had the occasional day off, I would send her to the childminder and I would have the day to myself - clean the flat, do some shopping and then pick her up early. Yes, I did feel really guilty, but you know, I honestly needed some time to myself! All these years later, she knows nothing of this and I can say it has done her no harm!!

Mary - re: Tootsie - it is my favourite word in the English language! I use it in honour of my deeply missed, adorable cat, Toots!

I'm going now. Honest.

C xx

Anonymous said...

Hi all,

Oooh lots of bugs flying round here then. Hope all poorly ones feeling better soon. My six year old is also ailing at the moment and he is rarely ill. He is wrapped up in bed and has his daddy running round after him when he is awake!

So 2 courses in 2 weeks - as a result I have a huge pile of work to do to catch up from 2 weeks of learning!

Hubby works weekends so took our boys on their first long train journey to visit family over the weekend - never again ! Manchester to London and back again ! Eldest poorly, youngest naughty! I feel so sorry for anyone in our carriage as there was no peace and quiet! I have come back to work today for a rest!

Did the southern bloggers meet up last week in London for an OAMC? I know its the Scots turn next week but can't remember when the London meet was?

Well done everyone on a diet, was reading Moose's wise words about Mondays as I was demolishing a mini Milky Way (other chocolate bars available) so I will have to wait for another week now!

Anyway - here is something to make you laugh on a Monday afternoon:

One dark night in the small town of Garfield , NJ, a fire started inside the local sausage factory. In a blink the building was engulfed in flames. The alarm went out to all the fire departments for miles around.

When the first volunteer fire fighters appeared on the scene, the sausage company president rushed to the fire chief and said, "All of our secret sausage recipes are in the vault in the center of the plant. They must be saved. I will donate $50,000 to the fire department that brings them out and delivers them to me."

But the roaring flames held the fire-fighters off. Soon more fire departments had to be called in because the situation became desperate. As the firemen arrived, the president shouted out that the offer to extricate the secre t recipes was now $100,000 to the fire department that could save them.

Suddenly from up the road, a lone siren was heard as another fire truck came into sight. It was the fire engine of the nearby Lodi , NJ volunteer fire department composed mainly of Italian firefighters over the age of 65.
To everyone's amazement, the little run-down fire engine, operated by these senior firefighters,passed engines parked outside the plant, and drove straight into the middle of the inferno.

Outside, the other firemen watched in amazement as the old timers jumped off and began to fight the fire with a performance that was as if they were fighting to save their own lives. Within a short time, the Lodi Dept. had extinguished the fire and saved the secret recipes.

The grateful sausage company president joyfully announced that for such bravery he was upping the reward to $200,000, as he personally thanked each of the elderly Italian firefighters.

A TV news crew rushed in after capturing the event on film. The 'on camera' reporter asked the Italian fire chief, "What are you going to do with all that money?"

"Wella," said Chief Pasquale De Luccinellavanti, the 70-year-old fire chief, "de fursta tinga we gonnna do isza fixa uppa de brakes on dat fockinna truck!!"

Amanda x

Moose said...

What a nice day it is out there. I was in such a good mood I just had to spend money! But it was on some new kit for the gym, my current stuff is getting a bit ragged with over-use. Brand new lycra shorts were the order of the day...WARNING: don't try imagining it...and a pair of "weight-lifting gloves". I never do weight-lifting but am suffering blisters from rowing. I have to row to get inside Bryan's head. And because I like it.

I am also excited because I have just received the details for my first Writing Group meeting tomorrow evening.

The Moose goes public with the book (again)...I thought that as this is a "look see" visit for me I wouldn't be invited to read my work. I was wrong! I'd better pull out my re-written chapter 1 to take with me.

A physical copy of my leaving agreement has also been spotted.

Mondays are turning into good days, well at least this one is. I saw Tony Blackburn saying he always liked Mondays...and that Leo Sayer was a little bit bonkers...a bit rich coming from TB! Even if true.

T said...

Everyone sees so upbeat & happy today – is it the time change or just that the sun is shining! (Apologies for those with colds not feeling so upbeat)

Well done moose on the diet – I had a terrible weekend so need to start again today. Chinese on Friday, out on Saturday night and had a few too many glasses of wine and then again last night except it was G&Ts. In between I did manage to spring clean the house so hopefully got rid of some of the weekend excess.

Today seems to have flow by, amazing for a Monday but I think the positive vibes are helping and the early chat on DC and 007!

Have a good afternoon all

Anonymous said...

Moose....TOO LATE TOO LATE!

Firstly, I imagined the lycra stretching across your fine fuzzy haunches...then, a hand-made pair of calfskin fingerless gloves caressing your hooves...

Actually, I don't wonder you have blisters, I shouldn't think that the gym equipment is adapted...come to that, are you sure it was the Briskly Moving Wheels that caused the Bruised Moose Wobblybits...and not the obviously not 'made for Moose' gymnasium furniture...?????

Thank you ChrissieS for your kind enquiry. I am feeling gradually worserer...heightened by the fact I neeeeeeeeearly (Oh SO CLOSE!) dinked my boss's car...TWICE...when I went out to get lunch. I am now hot and uncomfortable, and looking forward to going back to bed this evening.

For the time being (and after Moose's post) I am going for a short lie down.

btw Susan S, glad you had a lovely weekend...xx

Dogwithnobrain said...

OK moose? What are the rules?

I'll have you know I'm buckling down with more reason than cute swimsuits.... I was at the docs last week for my irritating sore throat, and he checked my blood pressure and it was 160/106. NOT GOOD.

So I've had Flakes and semi-skimmed this morning, Green Tea x 3 and a salad and yoghurt for lunch time. Add in two mints. and 1 litre of water so far.

I haven't weighed myself, cause that can be depressing, I do clothes. I pull something out which should fit me, and when it doesn't I get depressed. So I eat sensibly until I can get back in comfortably. Wish I had thought about this before.... I've been waking up with nose bleeds and can hear my heart beating v. loudly at night. Oh Woe Is Me. Still a couple of weeks of being V. Sensible and I should be OKAY DOKAY>

Speak to ya'll later.

Dudes.

Hate the Clocks going FORWARD Anna! Got very confused yesterday having moved some clocks forward and not others, and then was early for football match with son.... had no idea where/when I was.

Casino Royal. Also started to watch it, unfortunately, fell asleep in middle of it, nothing to do with Mr Craig, or plot, just V. V. Tired.

DWNB

Anonymous said...

Aaaaaatchoooooo!!!

Afternoon all!

Moose - glad Mooselet #1 is feeling better - and to everyone else out there with ailing little 'uns - they'll recover far quicker than you!!!

Have been to Leeds and back today - yucky start this morning, but bright and sunny now - lovely. Only problem is - I have to continue with boring, snoring work. zzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzz

HL - K is back NEXT weekend. Really looking forward to it - have "Welcome Home" outfit all planned - mange tout, mange tout ;-)

My mum came round yesterday with some Day and Night Nurse, which has really helped with my cold, although last time I had a cold, it didn't and I had to take Contac 400 - must be different strains of the bug or something!

Re: clocks - remembered smugly yesterday morning that two years ago, we had forgotten to alter the clocks and we awoke on the day of my niece's Christening only to realise after the TV had been on for 30 mins! There we were, having a lovely relaxed breakfast, when all hell broke loose! Anyhoo, I made the necessary changes on Saturday night, except to my personal mobile, which I had stoopidly dropped in the bath earlier that evening.

Last night, my phone, which had been in parts in the airing cupboard for 24 hours, was up and running again, so I set the alarm as usual....

I was woken by my son (aww bless!) hammering on my bedroom door shrieking "It's half past seven!!!!!" Of course, I hadn't amended the time on the wretched phone! Well goodness me - I was visiting a supplier today, so really didn't want to be late for THAT! I have to say though, well done to the kidlets (and me!) for still managing to leave the house at 8 this morning!

Right, off to do a bit (more), will stop by later lovely people.

S xx.

P.S. Sniff, sniff.

Moose said...

DWNB - Rules are on last Monday's post or on Susan's website...

Off to get tea, fruit and yogurt now to keep me going until asparagus and rocket tonight...

Anonymous said...

Just wanted to say to DWNB - pet lamb! No wonder you have been feeling tired! Still, as you say, a couple of weeks of sensible eating (but not starvation) will help tremendously.

I have just accommpanied a guy down into the basement of our building, for him to read the gas meters. By the time I managed to climb back up the stairs I was totally out of breath and sounded as though I am 80! I am determined to "screw the nut" this time. Weight Watchers here I come!

C xx

Anonymous said...

Good afternoon all,

What a difference it makes to the day having some sunshine :o)

Glad to hear Mooselet#1 is on the mind :o)

Not so good our Hazel, Sammie and Ms S are not feeling too great :o(
Hope you are all on the mend soon xx

Back at work today :o( say no more!

Moose you sound full of the joys of spring!

I'm too unsettle at the moment with things that are going on. I don't have much of an apetite and know I'm not eating enough (don't worry friends there is no fear of me wasting away!!) but Im not in the right frame of mind. I know this will sound strange but I can't remember the last time I cooked myself a balanced meal, probably when I was on holiday at the beginning of March! I enjoy cooking etc but I've just not been focused enough to plan ahead. Sad thing is I won't lose weight, I've tried so many diets I think my metabolic rate is zero! Sorry didn't mean for all of that to spill out, I will stop before I bore you all!

Mary xx

Anonymous said...

Sorry DWNB didn't mean to miss you of my get well list {{{hugs}}}

Mary xx

Anonymous said...

Guys - I apologise for my sob story :o(

Mary xx

Anonymous said...

Welcome home outfit...yehah yehah...

Sorry you are not too good DWNB!

I'm getting a bit excited...can go home shortly...

Have used many calories today remaining awake. So now I feel better about that.

BTW Wild life update. Pas des oiseaux. Beacoup de lapins et les petit lapins. Je suis achete les balls de fatte et les peanuts pour les oiseaux. Quand mon ami arriver avec du nails, I shall put them up.

Adam Ant
l
h
x

jollygit said...

Just managed to grab the pooter for a few mins to tell you that on Sat night, after getting back from London quite late, I went round the house and put all the clocks forward. Unbeknown to me, 'im indoors got up early on Sunday morning for his ablutions and to make the tea, and also put all the clocks forward an hour. Note to self: leave a note by the kitchen clock next time to say "it's been done already!!!!!" I haven't felt right since .....

jollygit xx

Anonymous said...

Oh no Jollygit, going forward one hour is bad enough! :o))

Glad you enjoyed your day in London, sounds fab. When I go down to visit my Sister we always plan a wee day in London, I love it :o)

Mary xx

Anonymous said...

DWNB - re a comment you made next door on Comic Relief night about Ricky Gervais - I am with you all the way. You sound very under the weather currently so my best wishes hoping you soon feel better.

MWK - Sending PV's to you and hoping things soon settle down for you. Look after yourself.

HL - J'ai pense que en francais 'peanuts' c'etais cacauettes? N'est ce pas? Not sure about the spelling though! Je te souhaite le bon sante! A bientot!

Amanda x

Anonymous said...

Jollygit, what a scream! How utterly confusing - what a state I would be in if that had happened in our house! A couple of years ago, I mistakenly told a girl I worked with that the clocks were going forward (I was a week early). She changed all the clocks on the Saturday night and of course had arranged to be at her mum's for lunch the next day - arriving an hour early, to find her mum was in the bath and the lunch nowhere near ready. Of course, J had so much confidence in what I said to her, she refused to believe her mum and indeed everyone else when they told her the clocks hadn't changed at all! Oh, I felt like a real idiot!

BTW, so glad you had such a great time in London. Your man must have been delighted with the surprise! (The show, I mean!).

Mary, don't apologise for sharing -that's why we're here. Sometimes we just don't look after ourselves for all sorts of reasons, but then we sort of pull it all together again.

Hazel, you must be feeling slightly better - your French has returned!

Bonjour!

C xx

Anonymous said...

DWNB/Mary - sorry you're not feeling yourselves at the moment, I really do hope you feel better soon. Truth of the matter is, I'm beginning to see signs of the old stress monster in myself at the moment - listless, lethargic, lack of appetite and motivation, disturbed sleep patterns, repeatedly being ill - thankfully I can recognise these things (was almost at burnout a couple of years ago - really don't want to go there again) for what they are and start to make amends. Look after yourselves my friends, because if you don't, how can you expect others to?

Jollygit - you make me laugh!!!

HL - Welcome Home - maybe it isn't what's being worn, but rather what's not????

S xx.

P.S. Voulez vous couchez avec moi, ce soir?

Anonymous said...

hazel, pu tyour feet up. Have a cup of Horlicks, some anti flu tablets, a warm bath, put on some big fat socks, go to bed early and forget all the stresses of the day. Surely that will make you feel better!? That applies to anyone who is feeling poorly!

Look after yourselves you lot, especially when watching what you eat!

xx

Anonymous said...

Moose - love all the maths in your calorific calculations!!!

S xx.

Anonymous said...

Good evening all! How has your Monday been? We had a busy day, so no chance to blog 'til now! And my Reiki stuff came today ... 9 hours worth of study and preparation for the course ... I don't know where I'm going to find the time to do it!!

Anna - So, have you shoved all the stuff from downstairs upstairs yet!? :) Had a really god weekend, though wouldn't feel as close to those guys as I do to y'all!

MfR - Are you feeling more balanced now, honey?

Gaby - Age is a state of mind! Have visions of you doing tumble turns on the lounge floor now!

Hazel love - Here ... use my sleeve ... Charis always does! Glad you had fun on Friday night ... methinks it won't have helped the snuffles, though!

Moose - I hope you went to the naughty corner! You are doing fantastically on this diet/exercise regime ... just hope I don't let you down!

Jollygit - The photos were stunning, thank you! Glad you ahd such a great thing in the Big Smoke! Sending lots of prayers for these applications. Is there any that really catch your eye?

Chrissie S - Oh, honey, so sorry to hear that the wee one has been so poorly. Praying that she is on the mend - how did it go with the doc today? Nobody tells you what a worry it is to be a parent, do they? It's a perpetual state! Charis still has a dreadful cough, but it only seems really bad at night! For a couple of nights running, I've ended up with her leaning against me all night to sleep - it seems to help! Do let us know how WW goes - you can do it!

Anna - Thanks - glad you enjoyed the shots ... I'm still uploading them! If you fancy meeting up for a coffee anywhere out that way, give me an email! Ardersier (check out my Fort George set!) is out the other side of town, but you'd get to Cromarty in 40 minutes. romans1v16@talk21.com

Hazel love - HUGH MILLER (1802-1856) is looked upon as one of the great Scots of his age, and had an extraordinary intellect. He taught himself geology, was a naturalist (no ... not naturist!), and was the best teacher and lecturer on the history of the earth (he was a peer of Darwin's and became embroiled in many scientific controversies of the time). He collected over 6000 fossils, and his numerous books were bestsellers in their time. He was a stonemason and also an evangelical Christian, and debated ferociously through his newspaper, The Witness. He helped to found a new Presbyterian Church, and gave it its name, the Free Church of Scotland. Here endeth the history lesson!

Amanda - Thanks for the email! Sorry you have an ailing wee one too! I didn't know these bugs could spread over 'tinternet too! Did you learn oodles on the courses? Brilliant story had me giggling!!

Ok, going to have to go the noo! Will catch up with everything else tomorrow when I have the girls!

Huggles all round, cos I'm really missing my chats with you all!