Monday 28 February 2011

Oh Yes!!

Finally.... I broke the 2.5 mile running distance that I've been stuck on for ages!!

Today I added in an extra bit and according to 'Walk Jog Run' I did 3.6 miles!!

I'm very happy about that, although my left ankle is slightly less happy and is aching a bit. Oh well, it'll be fine by morning I'm sure.

Sunday 27 February 2011

Too much!!

Too much food, that is!!

I seem to have done nothing but cooking and eating this weekend, and I have got food I can't fit into the freezer which is annoying - I do have the world's smallest freezer, but I can't get a bigger one while Teddy is still alive because he's living in the space where the freezer will go! (I know that sounds awful, when the rabbit dies I can get a new freezer!! I'm not wishing him away, the freezer can wait!!)

First it was ordinary bread then cheese and onion bread, then I did a huge food shop using some Tesco vouchers I had, then today I cooked beef in a red wine gravy which I had with roast potatoes and veg, and I even remembered the yorkshire pudding! That was followed by a huge slice of chocolate cheesecake which  I made as a treat yesterday and a handful of grapes to finish. I am stuffed!!

To offset all of this very slightly, I did finally go for a run today after over a week of no running, and I extended my normal block very slightly too. Today's run was 2.5 miles. *sigh* Need to do double that really, if I want to be able to join a running club.

Friday 25 February 2011

Cheese and onion bread

I've been wanting to make this for ages, and last week I came across a particularly nice looking recipe on 'The Pink Whisk' blog. Today was the day to try it.


The dough rose well,




Then it had to be knocked back and shaped for a second rise,




This is it ready to go in the oven,





This is the end result!!




I seem to have eaten rather a lot of it already..... well, it's best eaten warm!!


Thursday 24 February 2011

learning to FLY!!!!

Don't get excited, it's not in the conventional sense!

Ever heard of Flylady? Well I'm giving it a go although I'm not committing to too much at once. Basically, I'm picking one 'space' a night and clearing it. So, Monday night I did all the washing up, dried it and put it away (I normally leave it to drain) and cleaned the sink. Tuesday I did that again (but there was far less to do) and cleared the kitchen table. Wednesday I did the washing up etc, checked the table was still clear and did the worktop on the other side of the kitchen. You see how it goes? Tonight I will maintain the previously cleared areas and add one more. I'm not following Flylady exactly, but am using the idea and adapting it to suit myself. I'm going to get all the visable areas done first then start either upstairs in the bedrooms, or doing one kitchen cupboard a night until they're all done. I'm doing small areas during the week, and will do slightly bigger jobs at the weekends. The key for me is to keep the tasks small and easily achievable.

I haven't been running now in over a week. I was going to run with friends from work tonight but ended up taking Molly to the vet, then had to go to Sainsbury's to get a different type of food for her, then had to make a phone call.....  and by then it was gone 8pm and I was so hungry I couldn't face a run!! I'm still looking for a running club to join, the local one didn't work out as their club night clashed with badminton, the next local one hasn't got back to me so I'm still looking.

Molly has got cystitis. She had a bit of a scare with a dog I looked after this week, and the vet said the stress could have brought it on. Who knows. Anyway, she's in a lot of pain and feeling very sorry for herself, added to which I've had to shut her in the dog cage because she's pee-ing all over the house!! Now, I'm used to animals having the odd accident indoors, I've even got used to Woody scent marking indoors whenever I bring a new dog home, but having a cat dripping wee all over the house is quite another thing. It will stink very quickly, and because it is literally one or two drips at a time I'll never be able to find them all to clear it up so although it seems harsh on Molly, containing her is the most hygenic option. Hopefully the drugs will kick in soon - better get the insurance form filled in too!!

Molly


In April I'm going to Barrow-in-Furness for another cousin's wedding. It should be fun, I love it when the family get together. I'm travelling with my sister on the Friday again but we can't go until lunch time, I have to work in the morning.

On Monday this week I went to the South East Berkshire Gang Show, it was really really good. My friend's son was in it so I know they have done weeks and weeks of rehersals, and it showed. It was very well done, they did loads of skits and sketches, the scenery was fantastic and the costumes too. I thoroughly reccommend it if you're in the area.

Tuesday 22 February 2011

Sad day

It's been one year.

Pippa

30/05/96 - 22/02/10


Thursday 17 February 2011

Next project!

More knitting!

My first attempt at following a pattern was this little heart. I had to do some research on you tube to work out how to increase stitches (the 'knit front to back' method) and also because I'd forgotten already how to do purl stitch. I'm supposed to do two of these hearts then sew together and stuff it to make a little padded heart, but this one is a bit of an odd shape so I think I might just start from scratch and do two more.



Before I do that though, I have started on something else. Can you guess what it is yet? It'll be a pair when they're both done, and I think they might be a bit too big judging by what I've done so far.....

Tuesday 15 February 2011

Learning to knit.

I've never really got on with knitting. I've had a few attempts but always end up disheartened and giving up. However I've been inspired by Scarlett on her 'Teen Granny' blog and am totally in love with her little gray elephant, so am having another go with knitting. On Sunday my Sister-in-Law taught me the very basics (cast on, knit, purl, cast off) and I've had a little practice tonight with a few reminders from you tube. I can't say it's going well, but I'm not giving up yet! I'm not convinced I'll ever get my elephant though. Still, it's not been expensive yet, I got a pair of needles and some wool in a charity shop for the grand total of £1 and together with some wool I already had, I've got plenty to practice with.

Here's Sunday's efforts, just trying out stitches and trying to keep a consistent tension is my aim so far.

Friday 11 February 2011

The King's Speech

I just got home from seeing this, and I loved it!! Great film, fantastic soundtrack, brilliant cast!! Go see it if you haven't done so already!

Monday 7 February 2011

Guess what?

The running top I bought in a charity shop on Saturday is still a current line, and to buy it new would cost between £27 and £35 depending where you get it from! Bargain for me at £3.45!! It's hardly been worn, not a mark on it!

2 miles again tonight, no walking. It's not getting any easier though and I have to make myself keep going. I do listen to music which takes my mind off things, maybe I need some upbeat music specifically for running? I have an amazon voucher to spend.... I do wish I could enjoy running!

Other news, Tarka seems OK at the moment, she scared me last week with vomiting and diarrhoea but it seems I panicked unnecessarily, blood tests showed no pancreatic problems. She's finally regained the weight she lost too, so just need to reduce her food to stabilise her weight so she's neither losing or gaining. Easier said than done, it's all just trial and error.


I thought Teddie was going to pass away on Sunday but he didn't. Thank goodness. He got really mucky underneath and couldn't stand up, but I bathed him and cleaned him up and he seems to be OK again.

And I seem to be clearing up an awful lot of cat sick at the moment. Molly gets hairballs, but I don't think the current food is suiting her. She wasn't this bad on the old food. *sigh*

So, nothing new here, just lots of animals producing lots of vomit and poo...... what's new in your world?

Sunday 6 February 2011

It's over a week...

...since I last blogged!!

So, here's the catch up.
  • Monday I ran, I did the 2 mile block for the first time without stopping!
  • Tuesday I played 2 hours of badminton.
  • Wednesday I went to check out the local running club - yes, I had a reply! Did a half hour walk/run followed by 2 hours badminton.
  • Thursday I ran with someone from the running club, we did my 2 mile block but as a walk/run as she's coming back from injury.
  • Friday I went out and ate pizza and chocolate cheesecake :-)
  • Saturday I ran my 2 mile block without stopping then went out for a meal :-)
  • Sunday I did absolutely nothing exercise-wise other than my usual dog walk.
I also went charity shop shopping and got a pair of M&S jeans for £2 and a running top for £3.45. Bargain!

Tomorrow I must get out and run the 2 mile block again, I'm aiming to work up to about 3 miles and then I can join the running club Monday night run. It's gonna take me a while to build up to that though I think!!