I'm F*cking Awesome & So Are You!

Inspired by a blog I've just viewed, I've done up this little "awesome" picture of me.....

Check this blog out - it's amazing & I had tears viewing the pictures of these amazing women!!!!   I'm Awesome & So Are You

Thank you for sharing Ruth x

For F*ck's Sake Friday - Half a Year Is Over!

Today's instalment of For F*ck's Sake (FFS) Friday!

It's June 28th - half a year over already ....FFS

Still triple digits :(

And I woke this morning with a sore throat.... FFS

I lost 1.5kgs this week.... No FFS

But still 300gms heavier than the start of this 12wbt round... FFS

Slowly I'm getting my mojo back, taking it one day at a time... No FFS

School holidays start this afternoon, so no more hectic mornings, trying to get breakfasts done, lunches & snacks organised, all whilst yelling at the kids to "eat brekkie", "brush your teeth", "pack your school bag", "get dressed", "leave the cat alone", "stop punching your brother", "get off the cat", "put your shoes on", "get in the car", "don't carry the cat around by its head".... No FFS

Greg gives me until Tuesday to start complaining about the kids being home on school holidays... FFS

I don't think I'll last that long.....FFS

No kids..... whoohooo!

I love my kids.... No FFS

But geez they shit me..... FFS

Separately they are angels & just beautiful to spend time with.... No FFS

Together they are the spawn of Satan with their fighting, yelling & tears... FFS

Greg & I got to go out for a couple of hours to a 40th party without kids! ...No FFS

I was glad to get out on 2 lovely rides this week.... No FFS

But f*ck it was freezing, even during the middle of the day!! ....FFS

And we've been so lucky not to have much rain.  Just freezing temps with beautiful blue skies.... No FFS

I have someone coming to meet Toby tomorrow as they are interested in adopting him.... No FFS

The kids have hatched a plan to make Toby really naughty so they won't like him & we'll have to keep him..... FFS

It's Friday!!  YAY!!  But I'm working all weekend.... FFS!!!!!

Owen - the 6th member of 1D

Reflecting 8 Years On.....

I won't lie about it.  I am on struggle street.  Every day I wake with a renewed enthusiasm, but by the evening I am wanting a wine & nibbles & all my good work is out the door.

So, of course yesterday I awoke with a new plan.  Get organised, get exercising & get off the wine!  I will be honest & say financially things have been tight lately with a lot of bills coming in, so going out & doing huge grocery shops has not been an option.  It does affect the planning of good nutrition, and the key to success with this program is to be organised & plan.  It's disheartening to open the fridge or pantry & see the shelves with only the bare minimum on them.

However, exercise is one thing that doesn't cost money, and I can definitely improve in that area.  So yesterday I was meeting some friends at a cafe, and I decided to ride there, even though the weather at the moment is freezing.  Two pairs of socks, 3 layers of tops, arm warmers, 2 pairs of gloves and a beanie, and I still froze!!

It was just over 17kms to the cafe where I was meeting them, and my journey took me down a familiar street and past a familiar house.  It was the house where the drunk driver had lived when he crashed into me almost 8 years ago.

It had me reflecting on a lot of things.  First, I can't believe that next month will mark the 8 year anniversary of that head on collision that changed my life.  Secondly, I can't believe what a dark & horrible place I sunk into after the accident.  I spent countless hours sitting in the car out front of that house, waiting for him to come out, so I could see him, confront him, or God knows what!  Hell, I have no idea why I sat there on so many occasions. I was just so angry & sad, and I guess it was all part of the grieving process for my old life, and the depression I was in.

The last thing I reflected on was my old life before the accident.  I had just been promoted to 2IC (2nd in charge) in my team, and had been given permanent part time hours.  I had organised permanent babysitters for my daughter (my friend & my Mother in Law) who would each have to look after the kids once a fortnight only.   Things were looking good at work.

We had a great social life and a great circle of friends.  I walked every day - we were a one car family, so I walked Callum to & from Kinder.  We walked to the supermarket when groceries were needed.  We walked practically everywhere, and it was never any bother, except for kids with tired legs.

Life was good.

And then one rainy night on the way home from work, one week into my new role, it all changed.  It's been a tough slog with my leg, and it annoys me that I will never be pain free.  But I think the accident in hindsight was a blessing.

Now THAT'S a bruise!

Bolt through the ankle and in the front of my shin

I was more career focussed back in those days, and I wouldn't have had any more children.  We are now lucky to have Owen & Aidan in our lives.  I believe I am healthier and fitter than I was then, and although I'll never be a runner, I can still do things like fun runs/walks, mini triathlons, etc.  Of course I'll never be able to break any speed records, but at least I am still out there doing it.  It may take days afterwards for my ankle to recover, but I wouldn't have it any other way.  And it showed me what a great man Greg is.  Whilst working full time, he came home every day & cooked, cleaned, and did ALL the parental duties with our 2 small children, and he never grumbled.

Bolt anyone?

So, of course some small part of me mourns my old leg and the life that may have been, especially when I glance down & see my swollen disfigured ankle.  But now I can celebrate my new life, my 2 extra little blessings Owen & Aidan, and I'm thankful for all that I have and all that I am.

Onwards & downwards....

Oh For F&ck's Sake, It's Friday Already?????

Seriously?  Were has the week gone?  I am sure it was Friday yesterday!!!?  Here's my latest review on the week that was, as it's FFS Friday!!  For those confused... FFS = For f*ck's sake!!! & No FFS means the opposite!


Forgot to weigh in this week!  ...FFS

Considering I weigh in religiously, you can see how bad my mindset is when I don't want to jump on the scales every morning first thing!... FFS

But after 3 coffees & brekkie, scales showed a gain of 2kgs, so I'm going to log that, as I deserve to have a big gain after my shocking couple of weeks.... FFS

Took my 4yo out to lunch on Friday to a lovely cafe - he enjoyed the treat of being taken out just by himself for a meal... No FFS

I ordered lamb koftas for with hommus, Greek yoghurt, cous cous & pita for us to share.  He didn't like it very much so I ate most of the huge meal myself ....FFS

Friday's cafe lunch - lamb koftas

The same day, we had a family dinner to the burger join "Grill'd" - apparently the "best burgers ever".  They were delicious & I shared a yummy lamb burger with my daughter.... No FFS

With the family at Grill'd

Callum's Confirmation on Sunday went well & he looked holier than thou in his suit & tie... No FFS

A couple of family members were a no show on the day... FFS

I drank lots and lots to make up for them ......FFS

Ah, Greg, what will we do with you?

And then continued to drink all the wine leftover for the next few nights... FFS

But I was good with my food & stayed away from any naughties.... No FFS

It's so cold, and I can't be bothered exercising when it's cold.... FFS

On the one day I wanted to get out on the bike cause the weather was lovely, I was on Kinder duty...FFS

I hate kinder duty.... FFS

And other people's snot eating, germ coughing, grubby kids..... FFS

And Kinder duty.... FFS

Did I mention I hate Kinder duty???  ....FFS

NO, I don't want to read you a book, or draw you a picture, go away little child.... FFS

And thank you for rubbing your yoghurt covered hands all over me.... FFS

And for getting mud all down my leg from your shoes.... FFS

I won't have Kinder duty ever again after December this year .... No FFS

Kinder teachers don't get paid enough!... FFS

Aidan loved me being with him on Kinder duty..... No FFS

I went to the gym with a friend on Wednesday & burnt a huge 625 calories.... No FFS

I'm still sore 2 days later... FFS

Would love to be able to justify spending money on a gym membership .... FFS

Think I have found a little bit of my mojo..... No FFS

Now to find the other half.... FFS

Enjoyed dinner made by our 12yo last night - an old Weight Watchers favourite recipe of ours!  He did a brilliant job!.... No FFS

Beef with Chilli & Coriander Dumplings - YUM!

Foster cat has put holes in our leather arm chair.... FFS!!!!!

Okay, lots of FFS outweighing the No FFS so have to start to turn things around so my weeks are brighter!  Onwards & downwards for the next week....

My weight this morning - better than Wednesday but still up from last week!

For F*ck's Sake Friday 14th!!

Geez, been slack with my blogging this week!  It's Friday night and here I sit with my Jarrah Hot Chocolate.  Here goes my next instalment of For F*ck's Sake Friday!!

Have lost my friggen mojo... again!!!!  ......FFS

Seem to locate my mojo on a daily basis, and within an hour or two, I've misplaced it.   In the cupboard?  Nope.  In the dishwasher?  Nope.   I have alzheimer's of the mojo kind... FFS

Why do I like wine so much?  .....FFS

Spent the weekend eating & drinking way too much ....FFS

Weighed in on Wednesday at 100.8kgs.  Should have been a gain, but I'll take the same weight as last week thanks - Yay!  ....No FFS

Then lost 1.1kgs overnight - the day after official weigh in - No FFS

Celebrated the Queen's Birthday weekend with my first ever trip to the Kokoda Memorial 1000 Steps in Ferntree Gully .....No FFS

1000 Steps

So proud of Paige, Aidan & Owen, who did the whole thing!!  ....No FFS

Had a chuckle at Greg who grumbled the whole time about taking the kids with us.... FFS

Why is there no wine in the house on a Friday night .....FFS

YAY!  There's no wine in the house!  Another clean day of eating well... No FFS

Would kill for a drink... FFS!!!

At the top of the mountain!

It has rained ALL FRIGGEN WEEK and I haven't been able to get out on the bike..... FFS!

I am worried the family are becoming too fond of foster cat Toby - he is a such a smoocher & also a bit crazy ....No FFS (hmm, or maybe FFS!)

The foster cat appears to like to "carry" things around.  For instance, I put the little boy's clothes on the piano for ironing for Callum's Confirmation on the weekend, and Aidan's jumper goes missing.  The cat has "carried" it away into another room at the other end of the house!  ....FFS!!!

Cannot leave ANYTHING drink or food related on the bench with a cat in the house ....FFS

Or soap in the bottom of the shower as the cat eats it ....FFS

Or my jewellery lying about anywhere as it's too tempting to be played with! .....FFS

What????

I wish kids came with manuals - especially my 10yo daughter & 4yo son, as I'd like to get inside their head & find out why they are determined to make my life miserable with their behaviour  ...FFS

Above bad behaviour is usually only between 7.45am & 8.45am every school morning ... FFS

It's 9pm on a Friday night & my body is alcohol free..... FFS.  Oh okay No FFS

Find out in the next few weeks if I'll be made redundant.... FFS!

It's Callum's Confirmation on Sunday & we have the family gathering for dinner at our place - love it when we all get together.... No FFS

And there'll be wine!!!   No FFS!!!

Ahhhhh, Another "For F*ck's Sake Friday!!!"

Already time for another round of For F*ck's Sake Friday!!!!   Where has the last week gone??

Here we go....

My name is Julie and I am addicted to coffee - large Skinny Latte please....FFS

Foster cat Toby has decided he likes to eat the kitty litter.  And then vomit it up overnight..... FFS

Even though the kids promised to change kitty litter, feed the cat, play with the cat, etc, I am the one doing it ALL (as I knew I would be!)....FFS

Red wine!!  Don't need 2-5 bottles of it in one night like white wine, just a glass will suffice!... No FFS

But I still love my dear white wine.... FFS

And I had to consume some last night after the shit week I've had.....FFS

My darling little golden boy has turned 6.  And he's the sweetest, loveliest little man to walk the earth.... No FFS

The bulk of Owen's presents has been Lego.  Oh the mess!!!... FFS

But I would rather the kids play with Lego, than watch TV or play on some sort of device!... No FFS

Why the hell didn't we have cool Lego when we were kids?... FFS

Chocolate Birthday cake with smarties & Freddos is a shit thing to have to make the day before our weekly weigh in.... FFS

Wasn't such a shit thing to eat though..... FFS

I need a haircut desperately... FFS

Being stuck in a creaky lift in a near death experience with 2 giggling friends is not an event I want to revisit.... EVER... FFS

But a movie with the above 2 friends on a girls night out (before near death experience) was awesome....No FFS

Made the 12wbt Wholemeal Pasta Bake - and discovered it is the most revolting & bland recipe we have yet tried on the 12wbt plan in the last 12 months, even with chicken added to it.....FFS

A suspected return of Ross River Virus systems (extreme tiredness, low energy, sore joints) has my alarm bells ringing.......FFS

I make a mean scone with jam & cream.....No FFS

I shouldn't eat scones with jam & cream.....FFS

Arguing with husband this week has drained me.... FFS

But the fact we were arguing about who is exercising when & where has amused me looking back on it - who would have thought that would have been a reason for arguing a year ago? .....No FFS

Celebrated our 1 year Fitversary this week.  Bring on the next 12 months.... No FFS

Weigh In Wednesday

This morning's loss was 500gms for the week.  I was a little disappointed as I was expecting a big loss as the scales indicated yesterday I was in for one.  But then last night I indulged in Owen's chocolate birthday cake, covered in Smarties & Choc finger biscuits, with a chocolate Freddo on top.  So I had quite an overnight gain.

Chocolate cake & banana bread baked goodness

The big 6 Year Old birthday boy

But the upside to this, is that this is all a part of life.  Birthdays, dinners out, BBQs, drinks, Christmas celebrations,  all in moderation, are just a part of our life, and are to be enjoyed.

So I am not too shattered that I didn't get back into double digits today.  I'll be there in another couple of days.

Onwards & downwards...

Last night's Dahl - SOOOO Good!

This morning's big brekkie - 300cals of deliciousness!

Happy 1 Year Fitversary!!!

The 4th June is a special day because 6 years ago today my darling little kind hearted Owen was born.  I just can't put into words what a beautiful, gentle soul this boy is.  Gosh he is adorable and we are so lucky to be blessed with his presence in our lives!

The 4th June is also important as it will now always be Greg & my "Fitversary".  Last year on the 4th June we started on the 12wbt.  Looking back now, I remember there were lots of tears, LOTS of mood swings & grumpiness (on my behalf) and much frustration in those first couple of weeks, as we got used to full on exercising, eating clean & cutting out the crap.  It was a HUGE overhaul of our lives, and that of our four kids, and one we've never had any regrets about.

It was actually May 22nd that I signed up for the 12wbt and reading back on my old post, I had absolutely no idea what I was in for.

What a ride!!!

So, to my gorgeous husband Greg, Happy Fitversary Sweetheart!  Can't wait to see what the next 12 months have in store for us!

And to my beautiful friend Dayna, my bestie Jenny, and the lovely Kate HAPPY FITVERSARY to you too!!!

Yep, have been spending way too much time this morning on Turbo Collage creating these!!!!  :)