Dawning of the Age of Aquarius.....

Well, what can I say - lost a 100g last week and I tried. I did try. I'm not good at going out to dinner or behaving myself (and by behaving myself I actually mean depriving myself) on Mothers Day but I walked everyday and did not drink any alcohol during the week. So - this weekend I wasnt as vigilant and we shall see what damage I have wrecked on myself.

Had lunch with the ladies I used to do pilates with on Saturday. Lovely time catching up but we all agreed with have the same problem. Being of a similar vintage, that roll of weight that grows around the middle is a universal problem for people my age. I really dont think it is fair that I didnt get a say in it. I'm sure I could have dispersed the weight better than this.

The great "Weapons of Mass Reduction" weight loss challenge has continued. One member when to Noumea for a week so couldnt be around for the weigh in, I only lost 100g and the male member of our group lost another 2 kilos. That is four kilos in 2 weeks! He reckons it is because his wife was away and he wasn't eating well but I reckon he needs to wear his glasses when he stands on the scales. No, that isnt fair either - men seem to be able to shift weight more easily than women dont they? Mark still wants to be a part of the challenge and I said I would consider it but he would be putting on weight not losing it. He got on the scales late one day fully clothed and still only weighed 71.6. I really could hate him sometimes. Eats and drinks whatever he wants.

Still walking every morning. Have been making Lucy wear a coat because I am all rugged up and she only has her little fur coat but she hates wearing it so much. Actually hid from me on Friday so I wont't make her wear it unless it is windy as well as being cold. She hates the wind. Sunrises have been spectacular lately and the show the planets are putting on at the moment is wonderful. Four of them clustered in the eastern sky every morning - hence the naming of this post. Beautiful.

Saturday afternoon also saw me finally colour my hair. No one home - perfect oppotunity. Well, the colour was dark blonde and it is more like a light auburn with red highlights. A bit startling especially for a husband who left a blond wife and came home to a brunette. The comments were flying thick and fast and I just had to tell him to settle down, it will eventually wash out (I hope) but I just felt like a change. I think that is something men dont understand - the need for a little change to spice things up - whether it is furniture rearranging or hair. Or at least mine doesnt understand it but he can be a bit thick on that level sometimes.

Jess's new unit closer to the city is beautiful and I can see them being very happy there for a while. They are still renting and probably will be for some time yet due to Sydney housing prices but the rent is not all that much different from the house they were renting further out and they are saving heaps on fares and late night taxis etc. It is an older style unit that has been beautifully renovated - new kitchen, new bathroom, fresh paintwork, high ceilings, closer to both their works and she is very happy and when Jess is very happy the world is a much nicer place to be in. LOL - that red hair is not there for nothing.

At right is me dressed for work complete with red nose. Very very cold here in the mornings in winter. Frosts cant be far off. It will eventually warm up but it is nearly midday and I still havent taken anything off including the gloves.

The mailman reckons I look like I am going skiing.

Hope everyone has a great week and I dont freeze to death at work.

Back to the Hard Slog

Got the home study more or less sorted and everything taken to LifeLine or clothing bins that needed to go. I must say it is nice to walk in there now and not have to step over boxes and everything else. I am trying to deal with the paperwork as it comes into the house and put everything back into the spots I have created for them. We'll see how long that lasts for.

Painting of family room is progresssing and should be finished soon. I think floors will be polished next and the ebay shop will open to try and get rid of the excess furniture.

Trip to Queensland over Easter was a great success except I ate and drank too much and put on 2-3 kilos but a good thing has come out of it. My BGFs husband mentioned that he wanted to lose 6 kilos and I thought that it would be good to have a little contest until we meet up again in July at the Hunter (for more eating and drinking). BGF decided she wanted in too although she only wants to lose 4 kilos. So the "Weapons of Mass Reduction" Weightloss challenge has begun. (Read that somewhere and thought it was a clever play on words.) We had our first weigh in last Thursday, the day after we got home from their place. I weighed in at 71.1. Yikes. Where did that come from - oh yeah the wine and the food. We then stated our desired weights and I have worked it into a spreadsheet over the next 10 weeks. There might be a really nice bottle of bubbly for the winner which of course I am sure we will share. Since we all weigh different weights I decided I would work out the percentages, like Biggest Loser to make it more fair although I have already have had an email asking for relief because honestly, these peoople have a social life that would exhaust someone half their age. But no, being the hard taskmaster that I am - told them there would be no dispensations for the terminally popular and to suck it up. Mind you BGF is incredibly good and strong minded at maintaining her weight.

Caught up with big sister (age not size) in Queensland too. She drove down to the Gold Coast and we had lunch at BGFs recovery BBQ at her friends units entertainment area - whoo that was a mouthful.

Jess has moved closer to the city and seems a lot happier. A friend of mine adopted her cat and we are catching up this Friday night so hopefully everything is going well. She is a new friend and I really enjoy her company and would hate for the little ginger cat to cause problems. Jess now refers to where we live as "the outback". The hide of that child. Actually her brother refers to us as living in a rural area. Ungrateful wretches.

We have had lots and lots of rain lately. Too much actually. Think I have had enough for a few weeks please.

MasterChef has started again. Looking forward to getting down to the nitty gritty of it and the master classes. I am full of admiration for these people following their dreams and putting themselves out there. (How's that for cliches?)

Also kind of watched the end of Biggest Loser last night. Have not watched it at all because I was kind of over it but was amazed at the transformations. Had to tape the end because it was past my bedtime but will finish watching it this afternoon when I get home from the gym. I never realised that the commando was so dishy.

Jenny and Anni - havent got back to you about scrabble on Facebook but I will. Don't think I have forgotten you both but there are just so many hours in the day and Words with Friends on iPhone/iPad is taking a lot when I am home and Mark still expects clean clothes and meals everyday. Some people.......

Take care and have a great weekend (rats its only Tuesday)