Good morning, beautiful, peaceful, wonderful.....KARBOOOOOMMM!!!!

I would, for a moment, like for you to picture a scene.  Imagine a long, restful night's sleep.  Imagine, at approximately 8.14am, a shuffling and movement of the mattress, and then again, another period of charming, well earned, deep sleep.  Then, as you begin to wake, the day is fighting to get into the room around the black out blind and the curtains.  Listen, if you will, to the following piece of music to help transport you to this sublime, blissful moment, as you realise that the day is still young, and you have not been woken by an alarm....

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=_RM7cQCC4sU

...but you have, instead, been woken by the sound of bombs, gunfire, machine guns, tanks, gas stations exploding, and men co-ordinating their attack on B.  "Lads, lads...we've lost B.  Quick, get to A.... Spawn on me, I'm at C.... "

It's not the best start to the day, when you realise that your other half snuck out at 8.14am on a Sunday, not to have some sordid affair, or at the other end of the spectrum, to get you some kind of awesome surprise.  Nope, it's just because it's time that's wasted in bed when he could be gaming.

This weekend has been a busy one again.  To start the weekend off, I lost another 0.4kg, which I am very pleased with considering the skipping of two gym sessions owing to illness.  At 8am on Saturday (yes, Matt really DOES wake up at these times) Matt decided it would be a good idea to get up and go for a drive.  We managed to get out of the house by about 10am (I forget the delays, but there were some...car washing, bacon sandwich making, general Saturday morning chores) and on the road.  The idea was to go for a drive up to Ilkley Moor, and then back via Bradford to get me a riding hat.  We managed both, and I got some lovely photos.

While travelling along the above road, we managed to test the BMW suspension.  Matt hit a bump and the whole car jumped in the air.  I pretty much hit the roof.  The amusing part was that I was taking a picture at the time.  I think the photo says it all.  Part terror, part irritation, mostly in the air.

After that, we went to visit my Sheffield University friends in Sheffield, which was lovely!!  Great to see them all looking so well, and to see so many people come.  We spent the afternoon in the Riverside pub on Kelham Island.  My only regret is that we weren't able to stay longer.  I think one thing that I've missed for the time that I've been establishing myself in Leeds, or even in Doncaster, has been being surrounded by a bunch of friends who already know you well, and who you feel at ease with instantly.  No one is out to impress anyone else, and there are no internal politics to dodge, or anything work related.  It's just you, and your mates, hanging out.  I'm glad that I'm getting there now at home, but it was just so cool to see everyone and I can't wait for the next time. 

So to leave you with a funny tale sent from my brother on Saturday.  I received a text message saying "I just kept a cold caller on the line for 5 mins before hanging up on them.  They wanted to know if I had been injured in an accident so I concocted a story that I had lost a limb in a bizarre piano accident.  My favourite moment was when I asked him if musical injuries were on a sliding scale."  Classic.  I actually laughed out loud, in a queue of people (where I was standing at the time)

G out x

Horse riding booked!!!

I have a stinking cold.  Matt, on the other hand, has a serious case of man flu.  He still wanted to go for a drive tonight, but my theory is that it's definitely down time tonight.  We have decided that a gym trip when we're both poorly is a step too far.

Despite being poorly, I've had a good day.  Firstly, we have now booked a horse riding experience with one of Liz's old friends and Liz on the 20th March.  I am really looking forward to it!  I have bought some new chaps to go over my jods, which were on offer.  I am sure that I will hurt like hell after going, and I do hope that I stay on the horse, but I don't feel nervous yet which is good!

Another nice thing about today was that a lady at work asked me if I had lost weight, told me that she'd noticed and said how good I looked.  That made me smile from ear to ear.  I can obviously notice, but it's lovely that someone else is kind enough to notice too.

While I was clearing the back yard tonight and the sun was going down, I realised that I was pootling about at home.  And it really did feel like "home".  It is some time, possibly since I lived in Furneux, that I've really felt attached to anywhere.  Everywhere else has felt like someone else's place (probably because they were!) Matty and my home makes G happy.

G out x

Blogging from the car ftw

Well today has been extremely busy and a happy one for me AND Matt.

Firstly, I lost a strong 0.9kg this week which put me properly under my horse riding target. Whoop!! I am so pleased, particularly as this is the lightest that I have been in over two years.

Secondly, we set off early this morning travelling up to see a 335i (white with red leather) which Matt has bought. We should be able to pick it up on Tuesday-ish. So it will be bye bye to the mad little golf, which is likely to be put back to standard unless someone purchases it with mad modifications. Poor golfy.

We are currently sat in traffic at Elland Road (on our way to Doncaster and Matt accordingly forgot the Leeds game had just finished.) so we have been stuck in traffic for 40mins. I am therefore, using my app again.

Meal with friends tonight, and on our way to supply emergency Buttons supplies for Leah!!

Good day all round. Except the pork pie. Tasty, but naughty!!!

G out x

You know you're busy when...

You realise that you haven't cleaned the house in what seems an age.

Tonight, on our night off, we've spent half of it cleaning, and half of it Matt has spent playing multiplayer on Battlefield 3 with a friend.

I decided that cleaning was required, as, once again, we have a manic weekend coming up.  I am looking forward to not being the host though, and I gather we're in line for a three course meal on treat night which will be lovely I'm sure.  We are also off to see a car - I know not where, only that I am being taken along.  I know that the car is bigger than the current one, and designed to have more power, so I go along with it in the hope that it will be a less frightening passenger ride.  It is white and has red leather seats, so it will at least be pretty.

This week I have managed to swim a good deal, although every day my back is still giving me pain.  It's a whole lot better than it was, but I could do with it easing now. It's starting to get on my nerves.

Just two days until weigh in.  After two treat nights this week, as a result of Valentines day, I doubt very much that I'll lose any.  Matt cooked me a lovely three course meal for Valentines day.  It included a chocolate pudding.  Oh my lord........

Well, I think that it's time for bed.

G out x

Hurrah!!

Another loss this week - that's 6 weeks in a row!  I am now 300g off my first target, which will enable me to start horse riding again.  Yeah!!!  So a total loss of 0.6kg this week, and I'm really pleased.  If I carry on at this rate, I should definitely be at my goal weight by September.

My shape is definitely changing!  Today we went to Marks and Spencer (height of fashion) and I got some new bits and pieces - all smaller sizes.  Even my feet are smaller.  I had to get some new work shoes, as I've worn through another pair - and now I'm a size 6 1/2.  I used to be an 8 in most shops, including Marks!!  Matt tried on some suits, got flirted with by the man fitting him (and I got evils!!) and looks awesome.

Tonight we are off out which will be cool, and then we have a fairly busy day tomorrow. Looking forward to the rugby this afternoon :)

G out x

More ice and BMWs

So today I discovered two things.

Firstly, I discovered the reason why, in the beautiful sunshine on dry roads, BMW drivers have a reputation for driving like idiots.  Instantly, once behind the wheel, I revelled in the joy of people scooting out my way in terror, as the 3 series loomed up behind them.  I enjoyed the fact that when I put my foot down, the car booted me in the back from behind and took off with glee.  I loved the fact that the turbo responded with very little lag, and it turned into corners like it was on rails.  As I pulled up to my meeting, I got out of the car and realised that I'd driven over 100 miles and felt as fresh as a daisy.  I strode across the car park, feeling very self important.  Yes - yes, I was going to get myself one of these.  Why didn't more people drive them?!

Secondly, I discovered that 3 series BMWs are SH*T in the snow, freezing fog, sleet, freezing rain and black ice.  And terrifying.
I left my meeting in Leamington Spa, and bounced across the car park, leaping into my trusty pool car, looking forward to the drive home.  Snow was not forecast until later.  Then, a little south of Nottingham, the snow came.  I was on the M1, there were gritters out, it should have been OK.  The overhead signs were saying "SEVERE WEATHER WARNING: EXPECT DELAYS" - the first moment of terror.  The second moment of terror came, as I switched lanes.  I realised that the snow, which had now turned to sleet, was freezing on contact with the road, and I was driving at (a reduced) 60mph on sheets of ice.  As the lane change happened, the car slid all over the road.  Used to driving a front wheel drive car, I also corrected the slide incorrectly.  The weird sensation of having no traction at the front, and that I was no longer in charge of my own destiny, left me with an icy chill.  Seemly the entirity of the drivers on the M1 realised at the same time that the road we were travelling on was now a death trap, and everyone voluntarily slowed down to approximately 30mph.  We crawled along, watching the snow / sleet fall, and emergency vehicles tearing up and down both sides of the motorway, presumably going to rescue people who had realised too late.  This odd mixture of freezing conditions continued in varying degrees of seriousness, all the way to Sheffield, where it turned to rain.  Relieved, I put my foot down.  And a few miles later, drove into freezing fog.  By this time, my nerves shot, I considered stopping the beast that I was driving, finding a hotel, and just giving up.  I soldiered on, hearing Matty in my head - "Don't worry G, you're in Yorkshire now.  It's just a bit of snow.  It's only a bit of ice.  Be brave, G."  I gritted my teeth (literally) and carried on.  By the time I reached home, it was snowing again.  There is snow on my drive, and I have to be at work tomorrow for a management meeting.  I moan about my fiesta quite a lot.  It's not powerful enough, it's a go-cart etc etc.  But WHAT I would do to be trotting along in my little green goblin tomorrow, safe in the knowledge that I know the car, it pulls rather than pushes, and has some level of stability.

So, to conclude - BMWs are not winter cars, and are apparently useless in Yorkshire.

G out x

Deadliest catch, ice packs and BMWs

This evening, and tomorrow evening, Matt is once again away with work.  The price you pay for having a brilliant boyfriend is that other people demand his presence!

I am also in demand tomorrow, for a meeting in Warwickshire.  Pool car BMW 3 series?  Yes please, don't mind if I do.  The only issue being that I manage to finally get to play in a proper BMW just about the time of year when BMWs render themselves completely useless.  I can tell you that with absolute certainty, having seen many of them stuck / about to get stuck in the recent snow.  Still, the Fez is having a holiday, locked in her car park cage at work, and she deserves some time off and to rest her little hooves for a change.  Did I mention how comfortable that BMW is?  I've never understood why people prefer them for longer distances.  Now I know why.  Getting stuck in traffic earlier was not even the slightest bit stressful.

I've just been watching the Deadliest Catch.  Amazing how nail biting catching crabs can look!  I actually felt for them - working 30 hours in a row to pull in crab pots in -20c temperatures.  I hope they make some money with it!!!

Now it's Masterchef.  I'm not sure that I can continue watching, as I might be tempted to smash the TV is anyone makes a "jus" or a "foam" or anything else pretentious.  There is no doubt that these people are seriously good cooks, probably far better than I'll ever be, but I just wish that they'd make something brilliant that is actually possible.

Well, no gym for me tonight.  After back pain since Thursday night last week, I've managed a session on Friday, a swimming session on Monday and then real pain yesterday.  So tonight I have an ice pack on my back and am trying to move carefully.  Don't need to have pain tomorrow with a long drive times two, that would suck!!

So no Matty tomorrow either, but then doggies are being good for a change and the cat is waiting for lap space once I've finished typing.  Time to settle down for an hour or so before bed.

Miss my Matty.

G out x

Another week, another loss

So I lose an additional 0.5kg this week!  And what's special about that, you ask?  Well, that means that I've now lost over a stone!  I got my third weightwatchers milestone as well.  Happy days.

Last night I tried on a bunch of clothes that havent fitted me either at all, or at least not properly, for some time, and they all fitted.  Hooray!! My happiest moment was my Next trouser suit fitting.  It has never fitted me properly since I bought it.

Today, as a mini celebration, I have had a cream egg.  I figured it was better to have one now (5 weightwatchers points each) rather than resist for four weeks, and someone find me sat in a corner, covered in chocolate, surrounded by cream egg wrappers sobbing. 

Matt is home and playing Sega megadrive games on the TV.  He's currently playing Sensible soccer.  It really makes you realise just how far computer games have come!  It also reminds me that next time we clear the garage out, I shall be the one to "sort" the boxes that claim they are computer game related...  Oooh now he's on to another game that looks like this....

It's snowing, and has been for an hour or so.  Starting to settle now, as the ground is very cold.  We are hoping that it's just a shower as it's due to clear up by 9pm.  We are due out for dinner this evening so I hope that it does clear!  With my back as it is currently, I can't be skiing across Leeds!!
It's so cold today that even Matt is wearing a jumper.  I have on a pair of leggings, a pair of jeans, a tshirt, a hoody, a dressing gown and Norwegian slippers, and I'm still cold.  The dogs have got their coats on and are curled up together.

But outside is the poor squirrel....

G out x

Xbox-hater withdrawl syndrome

It's a dangerous thing, hanging on to hate.  Matt is away tonight, and with quiet, happy animals surrounding me, a warm cosy house, having been out on a walk with Liz and had a natter, everything seems normal and nice... but there's something missing.

But what is it?!  It has just dawned on me it's the missing low level irritation that comes with the Xbox being on.  The slight annoyance that I don't get to watch TV instead.  Well, now I AM watching TV, it doesn't seem so inviting.  Strange hey!!

I'm watching "Pushy & Proud - Pamper Parlour Mums" - twelve year olds going clubbing, getting dolled up, sitting in hot tubs together, talking about boys, having their hair and nails done... and the Mum's going "Oh, I have to let them do what they want, it's a sign of the times"
Well, if I ever have a daughter, she'll be locked up until she's 18 when she'll take up knitting and other wholesome pursuits. 

I managed a really good strong run yesterday at the gym, which was unfortunately followed by illness (too much too soon after eating) - so that's a lesson learnt.  No chilli within an hour of the gym!!  Another strong session required tomorrow.  I'd like to lose at least another 0.5kg this week, although again I feel like things are slow.

I miss Matty.  I'm looking forward to getting him home for the weekend.  It's lonely in Leeds on my own.

G out x