Eek....my last 2 weeks at 59!

These past few months, I've kind of built myself up for a big issue - becoming 60! Just 13 more days before I hit that big one and I'm considered 'old' by my grandson of 12 years! LOL. Well, let me tell you. This 'old' grandmother can 'hip hop, beep bop until I drop'! *Ü* I kid you not...his father is 3 years older than myself and he is not OLD!

Since I have been on the Atkin's programme, I have enjoyed many benefits - one of which is having less pain in my back - something that may have contributed to my grandson's impression of my being *whispers* ('old'). I have noticed how much stronger my nails are, the combination of foods means that there is less flatulence and I have had more energy due to not feeling tired caused by imbalance of sugar levels. My weight loss hasn't been as fast as I would have liked but I have lost half a stone in 8 weeks. As I was less than 10 stone to begin with, it has been said that is why I haven't lost a lot. So be it. I feel much better for being on it and whilst I have kept to the basic foods, I have now re-introduced different foods such as fruits, nuts, seeds and grains.

For those of you who have enquired about my mum, she is very weak and underweight. She sleeps a lot more, spends more time in bed and would probably benefit from more conversation but that is not possible for me to visit her regularly being that she lives 150 miles away and I don't drive. I try to speak to her on the phone but she lacks concentration and it's just a matter of saying hello and not much else. Still, I like to hear her voice. Thank you all for your interest and concern.

I hope the sun is shining for you in your part of the world. Have a Super Sabbath.
Toots for now,

Countdown!

It's the 1st day of September already....can you believe it?! I'm not even ready for Autumn just yet as I still haven't had enough of Summer! I have obviously been so busy that I missed July somehow! It's been a fun Summer with time spent with family and friends, doing things that we like to do.

Celebrations were in order for several family members and I even got to celebrate my 60th birthday a little as my 3 daughters won't all be able to be with me.

The countdown begins and I am not sure whether I am excited or not. It seems that I will be sharing this year with many friends and some family as we all turn 60. One thing is for sure, I am looking forward to my pension - little as it may be! LOL.

Today, I treated myself to a photography day with the BIG cats for November. I can't wait to see them. In the Chinese calendar, I am a TIGER! Grrr. *Ü*

Enjoy your youth while you can.

KWA rides again!

It was Joan's turn to host on this occasion and I was the first to arrive....not in this car I might add! Rita arrived in this Bentley with her husband giving her a lift. Of course we all had to get in for a photo shoot!

After a brief catch up on news, we went out for lunch to a garden centre. It was raining and quite cold but it didn't deter our spirits.

As usual, we managed to find something to have a laugh about! These mobility scooters were crying out for someone to test drive them! LOL. Who says you can't have fun when you are 'getting on'?!

Then we shopped for nic nacs and came across the greetings cards. This one made us laugh and we had to take a photo of it. It's never too late to be a child.

Back to Joan's for more foodies and photos. We had a fun day as usual. Next meet up will be in September for mine and Rita's 60th birthdays. Joan and Pam were both 60 in April.

Thanks for taking time to visit my blog.

Toots for now,

Blogger is playing up!

Good morning bloggers....I'm not sure what has happened to my blog but I am not able to upload photos or blinkies that I was able to do previously. It's frustrating me and I am wondering what has happened.

When I upload a photo - or blinkie, the code appears in the box but no pictures! Does anyone know why this is? Has it been happening to you?

Today is a holiday and I am planning to spend time at my allotment - digging up potatoes and taking the last of the rhubarb to put in the freezer.

Have a great day yourself.
Toots for now,
~G~

WOYWW - Canvases

Hello peeps. It's been a while since I joined in WOYWW as there has just been sooo much going on this summer. There have been so many preparations for different occasions - one being my youngest daughter Keeley and family who came to stay for 10 days and went back on Monday. We couldn't have fitted any more activities in if we tried. I am feeling rather tired after many early mornings and late nights but I am full of happiness and joy as I have shared precious time with my family.

Two other daughters came and shared some family time too - especially as it was Cameron's 12th birthday last Monday as well as celebrating mine and my husband's 60th as we won't all be able to get together in September and October. We even fitted in a trip to France and another trip to Eastbourne to join up with extended family members. There is nothing like sharing precious time with family.

So, in the meantime, I have also been busy creating 2 canvasses for 2 of my granddaughters - Eden and Ashley. They share a bedroom and the canvasses are to go on their bedroom wall - matching their bedding which is pink with white polka dots, flowers and butterflies. Keeley wanted to keep them simple which I did. I printed the coloured photos onto canvas paper. Ashley's photo was edited by the very clever Dan99 . He removed the little Easter chick that she was holding. I've had the butterflies in my stash for ages, so decided to use them on this occasion. I stitched the flower stem and leaves and used a VersaMagic stamp pad to make the petals.



Result...2 happy little girls! Ahhh...that makes it all worth it. http://dan99.blogspot.com

Thanks so much for visiting and if you want to check out everyone else's blog for a WOYWW nosey...hop over to Julia's stamping ground where you can add your name to the list.

Have a fun day and I hope the sun is shining for you today.

Toots for now.

My babies are in the building!

My babies are in the building and I am so happy to have shared time with ALL of my family these past few days! The fun continues today and it's been a wonderful time - especially as there have been lots of birthday celebrations so far.

Cameron was 12 on Monday, so Lisa, Michelle, Keeley and families were all here to go to Harvester and we were spoiled with gifts and surprises. Cameron LOVES Top Gear at the mo and I had a t-shirt printed with his favourite car -as well as a mug! He LOVED it.

We won't be able to all be together on my 60th in September. My husband will be 60 - 20 days after me. I had a 'Pot of Dreams' with money in for a holiday and my husband had the same in a different kind of money pot! A gift from all of our children, son in laws and grandchildren. Then Michelle announced that we were all going to France yesterday for the day. Another chance to be together but not all. Photos to come but for now peeps...it's going to be another busy day with me doing a photo shoot and curling hair, baking cakes with Little Miss Ashley, while the rest go to the cinema.

Miss Ashley! Aww... Eden and Yasmin.
The boys...Ethan, Jared and Cameron.

I am still to finish 2 canvases that I started, so Eden and Ashley can take them home - belated birthday gifts. My diet is slow going. Mainly, I understand, due to the fact that I don't have so much to lose but I find that hard to believe. I still have excess weight on my small frame for my height of 5 foot nothing! LOL. I haven't cheated on myself not one itsy bitsy time, so that cannot be the reason for the slowness. I have lost 6 lbs total in 6 weeks. I was hoping to have lost 1 stone since I began at the end of June. Am I expecting too much?!

Latest news on my mum....as you may remember, she had a fall on Monday 31st May and fractured her right hip. The same day, she had a hip replacement surgery. Well, Sunday this week, she fell and fractured her left hip and left arm too. *Sigh*. She had surgery yesterday but not a hip replacement - a metal plate. It's not for getting her mobile, as I believe she won't be able to walk again and will now be bed ridden - or just be able to sit in a wheelchair.

Two of my sisters are with her right now and I shall go be with her when Keeley and Co have returned home next week. At 96, I guess she will never be the same again. She is such a survivor but I fear that this will not be of any benefit on this occasion. It hasn't been a good year for her so far.

I am off to get ready and have fun with 'Crazy Daisy' the water hose in the garden as it looks like being a hot day here - so much to fit in.

Have a great day yourselves.

Toots for now,

PS...Hop over to Tracie's blog for a giveaway.....goodies up for grabs.

Diet?! What diet?!

Today is Day 22 on the Atkins Diet and I am really chuffed that I have made it this far. I am determined to lose excess weight - especially before my birthday in September - it's a biggy! The BIG 6'O'! Eek...how did I get there?

Well, I have been eating some lovely foods and enjoying the 'diet' - WOE - way of eating - even though I have given up chocolate and all the sugary foods that I have gorged myself with over the years.

The diet consists of 'Phases'. Phase 1 is 'Induction' - or, the beginner's stage. I've slipped up a few times due to not understanding how I can eat 6 cups of veggies in one day and it has stalled me! It may sound easy but I have to make them add up to minimum 12-15 grams of carbohydrate. Certain foods are a no, no in Induction, so it's time consuming at first to calculate all that is necessary for a maximum weight loss....but hey...who would have thought this plate of food was a healthy breakfast?!

For lunch...a ham salad...with 3 cups of green veggies....and 2 tablespoons of olive oil and white wine vinegar dressing.

Sugar free jelly is allowed and my portion twice per day with double cream is what gives me incentive to keep going.

To date, I have lost 5 lbs! Not a lot but I am confident that once I sort my carbs, I will be able to lose weight faster - or more evenly. It does fluctuate due to water retention etc. I know I have lost inches by my clothes.

Roast chicken dinner with ...3 cups of vegetables....

...and jelly and cream for dessert.

Diet? What diet?! LOL.

Happy eating.