Traffic!

Today both Smiley and I had to work away from home...and we both needed the car. So, great plan, we drive to Bracknell, I go to work, Smiley takes the car and drives to Crawley. When he's done he'll go back to Bracknell, pick me up and we'll go home and I'll go back out for my Committee meeting. Sounds fine on paper...

Smiley left Crawley at 4:30 today. He then picked me up at 6 and dropped me off at my committee meeting at 8:30. I was 3o minutes late!

Apparently it takes an hour and 18 minutes to get home from Bracknell

And 49 minutes to get from Crawley to Bracknell

This obviously wasn't the case. There was an accident on the M40 so traffic for miles round was backed up with traffic trying to get on the M40, traffic trying to go around. It's a nightmare!

Leaving the traffic behind when we move back home is not something I'll miss!

Soggy!

Today could have started better. Yes I got home from Boston late yesterday and I will post about that...but right now I'm too tired to think.

I usually check my work emails first thing in the morning even if I'm heading into work. Mainly as I don't want to get there and find out that I didn't need to go in as the person I was supposed to meet wasn't going to be there.

Usually I'm quite careful and this morning nothing was different. Smiley brought me up a cup of green tea to drink while I check emails, do my banking and of course have a little look round facebook...

This morning I spilt tea all over my work laptop, and I mean ALL OVER. It was a full cup and I hadn't even had a sip. But bumped it and like slow motion it poured all over the keyboard of my work laptop. It turned itself off (or shorted out...) and as I picked it up tea poured out of it. I tipped it on its side and left it to dry for 2 hours but eventually had to go into work so packed it up and away I went.

2 hours later I got to work (traffic was horrible today) and went to the IT department where he had a look...it wasn't good. Still wet and warm (not sure how it stayed warm for so long). As he was taking out the hard drive so I could use it with a loaner laptop, the very friendly technician said "oh dear...I've never seen one this bad!" The hard drive which is pretty much sealed up in its own compartment was dripping. Fortunately the hard drive still worked and I didn't lose any of my work (Whew!)

Now I have to wait 2 weeks to get my laptop back and I have to use the loaner for my emails and such and another one that we use for demo's for my development work. The loaner one is a bit wussy and won't run a VPC (very nerdy stuff...I'm not going to bother explaining). So now I get to lug 2 laptops around with me for 2 weeks all because I figured my laptop fancied a cup of tea!

My Smiley

I'm sitting upstairs, wondering if I should blog...of course I should...but about what...How I'm still not feeling that great...how I've not run in 2 weeks... or not done any exercise in over a week...how I'm going to Boston in 2 sleeps and will have trouble sleeping tomorrow night as I'm so excited...nah...boring...and well, I've said it all already!

But here I sit...chatting away with Yvonne...and I hear Smiley downstairs...He's watching TV. and I hear him Giggle.

This is why I love this man...this is why I want to spend the rest of my life with him. He is so easy going and light hearted that just being around him has made me a better person.

There is an ad (well more than one...but this one comes to mind) on the telly. It is on channel 5 or Five US can't remember which one. But it's in between the breaks for CSI. And it's this American Cop who's a total idiot (it does make fun of Americans...sorry...Funny...and so true!) and there is a whole series of them and they're two part. So the show breaks for ads and the first half of the ad comes on...all the other ads are shown, you know, juice, fence painter, that sort of thing...and then right before the show comes back on it shows the second half of the ad. I have no idea what the ad is for but it's very funny!

Basically this American Cop gets hit on the head with a parking barrier...and Smiley laughs every time he sees it. I can't seem to find it on the web otherwise I'd post it here.

Regardless...I found out the ad he was actually laughing at was the Budweiser ad with the rubber floors.

The fact is this man can laugh! And it's so contagious as well. Sometimes we'll end up laughing so hard about nothing at all...that laugh that you just can't stop and when you do you just burst out laughing just as hard and loud as before. You know what I'm talking about...the laugh that splits your sides and makes you need a wee!

I love my Smiley because he laughs at the stupid commercials on the telly!

Where do you like to eat?

I've been tagged by Yvonne (Evey) to share with you our favorite places to eat. Now this is quite a difficult task as Smiley and I don't eat out very often...I could very easily list my five favorite eateries in Victoria as I used to eat all the time there...but here goes nothing.

List your top five favourite locations to eat, locally

1. The Tamarind Tree: This has got to be my favorite spot for an Indian. It does cost a couple of quid more than the other Indian's in town. When I first moved to England I didn't like (east) Indian food very much but over the past four years I've grown to love it! My favorite dish is the Lamb Xacute. It's so garlicky and I stink for the whole next day but it's sooooooooo good! We always like to start with poppadoms and they come with yummy dips. Even though it's super hot I love lime pickle and often get cravings for it.

2. Caffe Uno: I know that this is a chain but they've put up with a lot of crap from me. Smiley's Sister-in-law and I used to frequent this restaurant on our lunch dates when I used to work in the town. We used to get 2 for 1 specials and they often have lunch for a fiver which was a bargain! The food is good, Italian style, so Pastas and Pizza...that sort of thing. When I left my job in town I had my leaving party there. They kept telling us to keep the noise down...fair enough...we were quite loud and in the middle of the restaurant. I don't remember much from that night but I do remember nearly falling down the stairs on my way to the loo...Thank goodness David was there to take care of me! There is a waiter there who regularly serves us at lunch and he was unfortunate enough to get the short straw to serve me and my rowdy work mates. Smiley and I took some friends there the other week when they were visiting from New Zealand, good food, good wine and good friends!

3. Choi Tang: This Chinese restaurant opened in the past year. My future sister-in-law switched from Caffe Uno to Choi Tang. We get a 3 course meal, appetisers, soup and main with rice or noddles for £7. Not bad and there is tons of food there! The noodles are my favorite bit...they're fried not too crispy and nice and thin...super, super yummy! My favorite thing out of everything at this restaurant is the company I keep.

4. The Anchor: I was really beginning to get stuck...and as I was trying to think of another "local" place and going through the pubs which I have eaten at and then remembered the Anchor. When Smiley and I lived in Ware we went here a couple of times and even elected to take my brother there when he was visiting. The portions are big and the food is great. It has a lovely atmosphere as well and a great beer garden. The ceilings can be low so if you're tall...make sure you duck!

5. FISH 'n' CHICKn': Ok. I'm hoping that you're all expecting this...but it's my local Chippy. I like fish and chips but I love the southern fried chicken and chips from this place. Even before we moved and this wasn't our local chippy we used to drive up and get our grease fix. It's a small chain as there is another one in Ware and probably some others else where. So when I feel like a nice greasy dinner this is where we go and then sit in front of the telly eating it.



Ok...I know that wasn't very exciting but now for my 5 tagee's

Tanis - As we'll be spending a few days in Calgary in February it would be nice to know of some restaurants to eat in that you recommend.

Matt - I'm sure you and your lovely wife have some haunts in Roseburg.

Julia - Now that you're a new lovely married couple I'm hoping you and Jody will be spending some time together at some of Victoria's lovely restaurants. Tell me what they are so I can live vicariously through you!

Kirsten - With two little kiddies it would be interesting to see what your favorite places to eat would be with or with out the kiddies and to compare that with Tanis's selection.

Bethany - this is a horrible and sly way of getting you to start blogging! I would love another way of keeping up with what you are up to these days!

Once the five of you have completed your post can you please let Nicole know. She started this and is keeping track of it all...very cool!

I know it wasn't as good as Yvonne's post...but like I said...it was difficult for me as we don't eat out very often (and I don't have pictures for you either)!

weigh-in day...and Happy housework!

Well, For those of you who don't know I'm trying to lose a couple of pounds by the wedding...actually, I'm always trying to lose a couple of pounds...but that's besides the point. I joined Tesco diets...which is affiliated with ediets...I've always been curious about them but never joined until I got an email from Tesco's saying I would get 1000 points if I joined. Since I'm a club card junky...I jumped at the chance!

I've been on the diet for 4 weeks now and it's been really, really good. I have chosen the Healthy Eating diet as that way once I'm used to it I can eat like this forever! I've never been one for fad diets as there isn't much point if you just go back to the way you used to eat once you've lost the weight...turns out it just piles on so much quicker...or so I've heard...

I lost 3lbs this past week...which is great! They do say 1-2 lbs a week is perfect...and I would be very happy with that. Over 4 weeks I've now lost 5lbs so the 1-2 lbs a week rule is working just fine. I'm unsure if the reason I've had such a good result this week is because I've stuck to the plan (almost perfectly) or because I've not been very well.

Technically I should be down to my goal weight by July. Which would be great! I'm hoping that I'll feel well sometime this week so I can get a run in and a swim.

I love swimming...it just takes a lot of effort to go and do it. I always feel slimmer after I've had a swim. I usually only swim for 20 minutes and I do about 40 lengths...that's 800 meters. I have in the past got right up to 46 lengths which is 920 meters...but I'm not sure what it is about swimming...possibly its the fact that as you drag yourself through the water you are stretched just a tiny bit and end up being a bit taller...so that means that the weight is distributed differently...lol! Ok...I know I'm talking out of my A$$ but I do feel trimmer after a good swim!

Today is supposed to be Happy Housework day...well, technically yesterday was but there wasn't a chance that I was going to manage it yesterday. I'm feeling better...not great still, but better than before...but I still don't think I'm up for Happy housework...or any housework for that fact. I may just crawl back into bed. The only thing that may change my mind is the fact that it's a lovely day out and I love hanging the washing out to dry...I guess I could do the washing...Bathroom will have to wait till later in the week.

I'm also very excited about going to Boston...a little nervous in fact...but very excited. Only 5 more sleeps! yipee!

Stupid Cold!

Ok...so last Monday night I posted saying I felt not great...and I went off to let the sleep fairies do their work. Well, it turns out they forgot to visit me on Monday night as Tuesday I was worse...and Wednesday when I travelled to Bracknell even worse. Thursday would have been the day I would have stayed home from work as I felt terrible...but I couldn't as I had to go to London to do a presentation for a client...2 hours of talking did not make my throat feel any better. I got home about 3:30 on Thursday and crashed...I slept for about 3 hours and stayed in bed all night. Friday I didn't go to work but stayed in bed all day watching tv and movies...Today...still not well enough to go anywhere so again I'm in my jim-jams watching movies and surfing the internet every so often...



I hate being ill. Especially this time as I feel it's drained me so much! I've not even been able to sleep very well as my sore throat has been killing me. I'm glad that I didn't have much planned for this weekend as it meant that I don't have to feel too bad about not doing anything this weekend.



I'm definitely on the mend so I will be much better for our trip to Boston on Friday! For those of you who stop by, Thanks...feel free to leave a comment as it's nice to know I'm not just talking to myself. :)

9 Sleeps!!!!

OK! For those of you who don't know...Smiley and I are going to Boston for the long weekend (the 25th). Yvonne and I haven't seen each other in something like 11 or 12 years. We lost contact after I moved to Victoria, these things happen. But we are now in contact again and it's great. I'm so excited to see her and give her a great big hug! We're going to have so much fun together!

I'm completely addicted to Facebook and I've recently added an ex from High School in Victoria. He wrote on my wall and said the following:

"It's weird I haven't seen you in 10 years yet you still mange to pop into my brain every time I smell strawberries or hear the name Yvonne (did she really exist or was she an imaginary friend I cannot remember)"

The thing is...I don't remember talking about Yvonne that much...but I must have if I made that sort of impression.

Yvonne and I had some great times and even though I don't remember all of them I do remember the time we spent on the phone talking about everything under the sun! Since February we've been back in contact...Thank you Amanda! We now talk nearly every day again via MSN Messenger (We'd be poor if we called on the phone every day!)

We're both looking forward to seeing each other again and we have lots planned. Will be great fun! Stay posted for "The Adventures of Evey and Evey!"

You know that feeling????

You know that feeling you get...when you're about to get a cold...and you know you don't want or need the cold...but still...you know it's inevitable...well, that's how I feel. My throat is starting to feel a bit scratchy. It started earlier today...thought I had something stuck in it...or had a reaction the the grapes I had at lunch...no...this is worse...A cold.

I hate colds! And i have a meeting with a client in London on Thursday! I can't have a cold! I'm far to busy for that.

Going to bed to let the sleep warriors fight off my cold!

Just a quick update...

It is late and I have a long drive ahead of me tomorrow for work, which I don't mind...assuming I get enough sleep.

Today has been a good day...which is a good thing obviously!

Work has picked up again which is great...I love being busy at work...it's so much better than not doing anything! I always like to think I would love to do nothing but watch tv and movies and surf the net...but after doing that for 2 and a bit weeks while I was recovering from my surgery...no thank you! I would much rather be crazy busy and then take some brilliant and well deserved holidays. I really do like my job which apparently is quite unusual. I like what I do and who I work with (generally). So being busy again is great!

I went for a run today. I attempted my Run 12 minutes, Walk 3 minutes and Run 12 minutes again...but it wasn't happening for me. I went a different route, a flat route to see if it was the hills that were making it next to impossible to finish the second leg of my training. Unfortunatly it was worse this time than last. I ran 12 minutes, without stopping, walked, stretched... and tried to start running again even though my calves were so tight and hard as rock. I managed another 5 minutes but I had to stop and walk...I could hardly walk by this point and decided enough was enough and headed home.

I've been stretching all day and even put deepheat on them to see if they would relax just a bit...they are a bit better but still not great. I'll stretch them again tomorrow to see if they'll loosen up and hopefully with lots of water between now and Friday I'll actually crack this session!

I think I'm back on track with my weightloss again. I did put on 2lbs last week (I know it's the end of the world right!) but I do struggle when we eat out...I figure it's a treat...so why deprive yourself right? Well...I do have to learn...and 4 drinks a week! What was I thinking! Ok...honestly...it's fine for a normal week...but if I have something on then I drink more than my 4 glasses of wine!

But not this weekend! I will only have my four drinks...and I will lose the weight i gained...and if I don't...it's not the end of the world. But I am sticking to my 4 drink limit!

So it seems that my blues have gone away...which is great! I'm feeling more like myself again! Shame the weather isn't nicer!

Second Chance...

Well, I've got over my frustration and my previous post being deleted as I was finishing it up...I made the bed and the poor duvet had my anger taken out on it...but all is well...I'm guessing that I wasn't supposed to post that last one.

Readers Digest Version...I didn't clean the house on Saturday although the washing was done and the bed clothes changed and mattress flipped...so it's something. Smiley sorted his share out and cleaned the kitchen and hoovered today.

I also didn't run on Sunday as Scheduled...But will run on Wednesday, rain or shine...Actually I like running in the rain...it's lovely and cool!

I have reasons why I didn't complete these tasks...things that I so desperately want to do but have trouble actually getting the motivation to do them. But that is besides the point...they aren't very good reasons and bottom line...I was lazy and didn't do it.

The past week I've found myself feeling in a bit of a slump...and I'm not sure why. I thought it was because I wasn't getting out enough but I don't think thats it. I've yet to put my finger on it. For those of you who do pray...I could do with one for guidance...or uplifting, something but I'm not sure what.

Today was a good day although I'm feeling very tired now (it is 20 past 10...so it's expected). We went with friends of ours, Noel and Julia and their daugher Elizabeth to Mole Hall Wildlife park. the weather wasn't great and I had a text from Noel at 10 asking me if the rain would stop. We did luck out and the rain pretty much held out for us except for one short shower where we found shelter. The ground was awfully muddy but fun was had by all.

Here is a picture of Elizabeth in the mud after trying to chase some ducks.

After it had stopped raining Elizabeth decided that she wanted a "brollie" so I gave her mine...so cute!

Smiley and Noel joined in with the fun and games and had a go on the see-saw...I'm pretty sure it wasn't build to withstand the weight of two grown men...Look how it bows!

So I got a second chance to post this blog...We often get second chances in life...and we should seize them with all we've got!

I'm still frustrated with the lack of stuff I did this weekend (other than feeding deer and ducks today and drinking too much with friends from New Zealand on Saturday night). I know that its not the end of the world. I'll clean the rest of the house one evening this week after work, it shouldn't take me more than an hour or so...and I'll pick up my running schedule on Wednesday.
I like second chances...I've recently got a chance to get to know my bestfriend from high school. We drifted apart once I moved to Victoria but with the great technology of the internet we have reconnected and she's been a life saver for me the past couple of months. Smiley and I are going out to see her and her husband in Boston the end of this month. Only for a weekend mind you as I don't have much leave left. I'm so excited to see her again and I'm determined to make sure we don't lose touch again.

We all get second chances...lets make sure we don't miss out on them!

Grrrrr!

OMG!

I just typed in this huge post explaining my frustrating...and it just deleted itself...Recover post does nothing...so my 40 minutes spent on this has just been wasted and I am now more frustrated and even angry now that this has happened! (it even had some cool pictures!)
GRRRRRR!

I'm going ot make the bed and if I feel like it I'll try again.

Slight Set back.

Well, I went running again today as scheduled. Today's running session included running 12 minutes walk 3 minutes and run 12 minutes. Ends up being around 24 minutes...which is about 3.5 km for me...not bad. However I did have a bit of a setback on this run.

The first 12 minutes were great...my pace was quicker than Wednesday and I didn't feel like a little old granny running down the road. When the 12 minutes ended I felt ok. I felt I could keep running...tired but my legs weren't tired and I had a great rhythm...I walk for 3 minutes and start a up hill that usually kills me every time. I started my second set of 12 minutes halfway up this hill...so it was hard to start because of the hill, forget being tired or anything...So I get up the hill and I keep running, Then it's level, and then it goes down a bit...so I'm at about 5 minutes into my 12 minutes and I'm getting tired...and there is another hill but not nearly as long as the previous hill, but same gradient. Thinking I may die at the top of that hill I keep going...6 minutes left...but it's flat (almost)...and then my calves start seizing! OUCH! I stopped...Stopped my stopwatch so I could continue after I sorted out my calves...I walked slowly till the light post and stretched them...both! Usually I end up with tightness in one, but hardly ever both at the same time. It must have been that last hill! So I stretch them out and thanking that they didn't cramp completely!

5 1/2 minutes left to run...totally tired and now sore I'm not sure I'll manage it...plus...I ran at lunch time...which means it's hot out...so I mark my point...the curb...and I start running again...I am now running like a little granny chasing her yappy mutt down the road...4 minutes, 3 1/2, 3 minutes left...So tired! 1 minute left...Usually my last minute I give all I've got and run faster or run rather than jog...whatever...so I tried to push myself but I would not move even slightly quicker...so I finished my second 12 minutes...even though I stopped in the middle to stretch...but I will have you note that I did indeed stop my timer on my watch so I would continue running and complete the second 12 minutes!

Ok...so it was hard today...and I had to stop...I still ran for 24 minutes. 12 minutes, then 6 1/2 minutes and then 5 1/2 minutes...that'll do.

I am doing a 6 week training program for a 5km run...so once I get to the fourth week where I'm up to running for 40 minutes straight I'll switch to a 10km training program. Also, my run isn't until October...so if I miss a session (which I won't!) or have to repeat a session till I get it then it's not a big deal!

So Sunday morning I will be repeating today's run...Run 12 minutes, walk 3 minutes, Run 12 minutes...with of course a warm up and cool down attached on either side. I figure this is important to complete fully before moving on. The next session after this is a 25 minute run (without stopping!).

I'm really enjoying my running and it's doing wonders for my hips! Which of course is great! I really enjoyed my first 12 minutes today...the first time in a very long time that it wasn't hard to start running...yes, hard to finish my run...but not hard to start. I am making great progress and will crack the 2 12 minute sessions on Sunday! I will be in great shape for my 10K run in October. I would like to complete it in under an hour but I think that may be wishful thinking...we'll see!

Result!

Well, I managed to get out of bed at 6:05 this morning, put my jogging clothes, went downstairs and made my lunch, got my breakfast ready and put on my jacket...It was so nice at 6:30 this morning...Such a gorgeous day! I did my 2 sessions of running 10 minutes and walking 3...although I was a bit slower today and didn't get quite as far...but that's ok...All that matters is I didn't give in! Yay!

I was very tired on the way to work this morning and the traffic was terrible. I got to work and Mr. Anonymous was regretting the fact that he suggested I came in today as I'm sure I drove him mad!

That is the thing with working from home...it's great as you can get up at 8:30 and spend all day working in your jim jams...but the problem is that I don't see anyone else (other than Smiley of course) so when I do see real people and not just contacts on my msn list or emails or phone calls...I just say whatever comes to mind and it usually ends up being such crap!

I mean...today we were talking about Eggs! Eggs! For crying out loud! I won't go into the details as it is quite disgusting and I can't believe we had such a discussion...but it always happens...I go into work about once a week and when I do I end up just saying everything that comes to mind! This is the biggest problem with working from home...when I do see people they have to endure my complete and random thoughts!

(BTW...The whole Egg conversation wasn't started by me...but I did have to input my 2 cents worth!)

I'm back to Bracknell again tomorrow after a conference call (don't worry I will be on mute!). I'm hoping that I got my people fix today and tomorrow my verbal diarrhea won't make another appearance!

Yes...I will run tomorrow morning!

Ok...so here is where I trip up...Tomorrow is my run day...although I'm going into Bracknell for work...I need to leave at 8 and I won't get home until sometime after 6 if not 8 in the evening. I know that there is no way I will end up going for my run after work so I have to make sure I get up in time to go running before breakfast and work. Sounds easy enough I know but this is where I slip up every time I start training again.

So...My goal for tomorrow morning is to get up at 6 and sort out my lunch and then go off for my run. I should be able to get everything done and get off to work no problem by 8...should be able to. I'm such a procrastinator I never can seem to get moving in the morning! So watch this space...I will run tomorrow...and I will report back tomorrow evening!