Belfast days....

I arrived back in Belfast late Friday evening. Oh it´s good to be home again! (I love this wee place!)


Saturday: I slept to about 9.30am. I then got up and made dad his breakfast. After breakfast I  headed into one of my favourite places - Belfast city centre. 

I had a few hours shopping. I was in Primark trying to find something to wear for myself. I was needing something new (I can´t fit any of my clothes!) Unfortunately I didn´t find anything, depressing or what!! I really don´t like going clothes shopping especially when I have extra kilos to carry around! Anyway I cheered myself up by going and getting a Subway!! haha 


After a few hours of shopping I headed home. Gillian and the kids were coming up to dads. As I got closer to dad´s house I could hear bands. Turned out there was a band contest so there were loads of bands going up and down the road. 

Fun entertainment for a Saturday afternoon!  When Gillian and the kids arrived we had a lovely afternoon with them. 


Then at 6pm I headed out for dinner with my cousin Lorraine and my "old" friend Charlene. We had a great evening together catching up with each others lives. 

Sunday: Sunday morning we decided to try a something new. Round the corner from dad there is a wee church, takes 5 minutes to walk there. So instead of driving to his "regular" church we decided just to walk around the corner and visit there, after all we are on "holiday". We really enjoyed it. The people were so friendly.  The whole service was very different from his "regular" church, very much like our church service in Denmark. There was about 25 minutes of worship at the start and communion was in the middle of the service. People shared testimonies and verses from the Bible about how God had helped them in certain situations, during the week. It started at 10.30am and it first finished at 12.20pm. It was great, we came away blessed. 


Sunday afternoon we spent relaxing and then Sunday evening we headed to church again. This time to the wee church on the other side of the road that dad goes to every Sunday evening. Afterwards we invited his neighbour over for a cup of tea and we had a great evening discussing things from the Bible.    


Monday: Today is a new day! I have a long list of things to do for dad this week. I am hoping to get his kitchen ceiling painted. It badly needs that. (maybe paint the walls too!!) I want to paint his bedroom and if I have time, paint the back bedroom too. We want to try and get a wardrobe for the back bedroom so that we can organise his clothes and in between all that we will visit the hospital, family and friends. Phew...this week is going to fly by! 


I better get off this computer and get started......

What was he thinking.....

I ask myself that every time I look at Andrew!!

Yesterday I came home from town after being out food shopping. Leah was complaining that Andrew had been in the bathroom for such a long time shaving. She couldn´t understand why he should be in there so long. In the end she left and went to use her friends bathroom. 

As soon as Leah was gone Andrew shouted out to me "Mum, would you be really mad at me if I shaved off all my hair??"  I then knew why he was such a long time in the bathroom!!

So I told him to open up so we could have a look. He was half laughing, half crying saying, "OH Mum I thought it would look good but it doesn´t, and I have soooo many bumps and spots on my head that you couldn´t see when I had hair!" He was painting a very black picture!

Finally he opened the door. He had a towel wrapped around his head.  On the count of three....one, two, three, the towel was off and his shaven head was revealed. Andrew has a good sense of humour (thankfully) and when he showed me his head we both took a laughing fit - we were nearly rolling on the floor laughing.  We laughed till we cried. Once things settled down I got a good look at him. It wasn´t as bad as I thought it would be. IT WAS WORSE!! HAHA - only joking Andrew!! 

I think he looks better with more hair but as it is now, it is ok. He´s not ugly with it. I think we just have to get used to it and once his head gets a bit of sun it will help a lot too! 

Luckily there are still 3 weeks until school starts so time for the hair to grow back, at least a little!!

Then this evening we had family fun night at Anne´s house. We had, as always, a fantastic evening hanging out with her and her family. We ate delicious food, talked, laughed, hopped on the trampoline, played silly games, laughed some more, played some more silly games and ate some more calories!! All in all a brilliant evening which went by far too fast. Thanks Anne, Peter and Co.

I am taking control again....

...control of my weight!!!


In 2008 I went on a diet. Maybe it was not so much of a diet, it was a change of lifestyle. I ate loads of stuff, it was just the right sort of stuff and it tasted delicious. I lost 16kg!! I felt great and I was in really good form. For a few years I held the weight off, without any problem. Then slowly the kilos started to grow back!! It wasn´t bad at first, just a kilo here and there, I couldn´t really feel the difference but over the last year and a half,  little has become much and suddenly I have put on nearly all the weight I lost, and now I can feel it!!!  I can´t fit many of my clothes, I don´t have the same energy that I had and I am not in shape.


How did this happen!!!???? Well I actually know the answer to that. I got lazy!! I started to eat unhealthy again. (Not just once or twice a week but every day!!)  I fooled myself into thinking that being lazy and eating extra would not bring me any consquences. (probably wouldn´t if I was 16 years old again! I could eat like a horse back then and not put on weight!!)


 Life got busy and it was hard to find the time to exercise. It was also easier to reach for a chocolate biscuit when I fancied something, than slice up a pineapple or melon.


Well before work ended for the summer I made a deal with my boss. (He hears my weight complainants everyday. So in an attempt to help he made me a deal.)  If I lost 6,5kg (just got under the 70kg)  during the summer holidays, he would invite Kristian and I home to his place and make us a gourmet dinner. (He loves to cook and his food is soooo delicious!) If I didn´t lose the weight I would have to invite him and his wife home to us and cook a meal for them as punishment!(I hate to cook and my food doesn´t always taste good! haha)  Then I made a deal with another colleague that is also wanting to lose weight but, like me, she loves her food, chocolate and cola. We made a deal that the one who lost the most weight in the summer had to take the other one out for a meal and cinema trip. So far I think I am losing both deals!


I thought these deals would help me start my fight against the extra insulation that I have....but as usual I kept putting it off  "till tomorrow".


So now I have only 2 weeks left of my holiday - YIKES!! This could be an expensive autumn having to treat all these people to their different deals!


Well, Sunday evening I was looking through my computer at some old photos. I was going through the different years, smiling at all the memories. Then I came to 2008. I saw this photo of me (see below) and it just hit me how much weight I have put on again, especially in the last half a year. I got a inspired - inspired to do something with the weight gain. (Also because I remember how good I felt - sooo much energy!)

So yesterday the fight began!!!  My weight was 76,5kg (2,kg less than in 2008) when I started yesterday morning. My goal is 63kg! I did it before (and I was even heavier then) so I CAN DO THIS AGAIN!!! (positive thinking!!!) So do you think I can get rid of 6,5kg of fat before 8th August??? Ummmmhhh don´t know but let the challenge begin. Photo below is for my inspiration!!!

                             (A before and after picture taken in January 2008 and April 2008)

In memory of mum....

I can´t believe it´s 11 years ago that my mum died. She was a wonderful mum. She was always full of fun and laughter. (Although, on the odd occasion, she could give you a good telling off when it was needed! :-) 


I had a wonderful childhood and have wonderful memories of my mum. I felt safe and loved around her. There was nothing she wouldn`t do for us - I really believe that! I still miss her even after all this time. There are times I wish we could go out shopping together, go get a chinese (we loved that!) talk on Skype or visit Ikea together. The list could go on. She died too young! We would loved to have kept her for a while longer but I know she wouldn´t exchange places. Knowing what I know about heaven she is having a blast there! I bet she is helping to decorate my mansion and maybe even looking after my lion! Then again on second thoughts, she never was into animals and she never liked cats, so I think someone else has the job of looking after the lion until I get there!


I made this video below with a few pictures of mum (and me), in memory of her. I don´t have many pictures of her on the computer. All the pictures I have are prints so I had to make do with those I found on my computer.....(I filled up the spaces with some of me at different stages of my life.)

I love you mum. I`m looking forward to meeting you again.....

Home again.....

Yes, we are back home again after a lovely week away.

We were at a summer house on a wee island way up in the north of Denmark. 

We arrived at the summer house last Saturday afternoon. We had been making our way up to the house over a two day period. We had been staying in a few different hostels while travelling towards our main goal - the summer house.

Saturday morning saw us up bright and early. We had to be out of our room at the hostel by 10am. We drove up to the town centre and bought our breakfast. The weather was gorgeous! We sat in the sun and enjoyed freshly baked bread from the baker. 

We then were on our way further north. As we drove north we found ourselves suddenly in Paris!! Was there something wrong with our GPS?? Nope we were still in Denmark. A little later we came to a place called Rome. It was raining too much for us to stop and take a picture of the sign for Rome.

We had to collect the keys to the summer house on the ferry to the island. Before we drove to the ferry we thought it might be a good idea to stock up with some food, just in case there were no supermarkets on the island. We found a supermarket and bought enough food to last us a few days.

It was then off to the ferry. We were literally on the ferry about 3 minutes!! It is such a small piece of water between the mainland and the island.

When we arrived on Saturday afternoon it was rather cold. There was a stove fire in the house, but there was no wood. We found a wee shop at the harbour, which literally was wee! They sold only a few essential things and only one or two items of each thing. They had no firewood and they had no idea where we could buy fire wood. I asked everyone we met about firewood, but there was no firewood to be found. There was one small electric radiator in the living room but it gave hardly any heat. So Saturday evening found us all wrapped up in our duvets trying to keep warm.

Sunday was a bit of a warmer day. The sun was out when we woke and so Kristian and I decided to go and explore the island. It is only 7,5km long and 1,5km wide. We walked from our side to the other. The nature was beautiful. I found loads of wood on the other side of the island, now we were ready for the cold and rain if it came again.

 

Sunday afternoon was spent watching TV, reading, talking and just relaxing. Late afternoon we went a walk again. This time the kids came along.  After a good long fresh walk it was home to watch Friends, eat some good food and watch a film. 

  I was so glad that we bought food before we arrived on the island. There was nothing on the island. In a way it was just a bit too remote for us (or should I say me!). There was only that one  shop at the harbour. There was one restaurant but it was a little too expensive for us. I really thought there would be a small seaside town there. I missed having small shops, cafes and restaurants to visit.  I really thought there would be a little bit more life about the place but there really was nothing but nature! Now there is nothing wrong with nature, the nature there was beautiful but maybe I am just a city girl at heart! 

 Tuesday saw us on the mainland again. We needed more food. We visited a few different towns and as a treat had dinner at a local Italian restaurant which was more in our price range. We had a lovely evening out. 

The rest of the holiday we just enjoyed relaxing together, eating, chatting, playing games, and I enjoyed reading my 4 books! (No one else reads in this family!)  We watched loads of films too. All in all it was a lovely relaxing holiday, just being together as a family.

Our holidays have started. We left home early Thursday morning and sailed across to the area of Denmark known as Jutland. The first stop of the day was at the camp that Leah was attending. She was missing us and just wasn´t feeling happy there, so we had arranged to pick her up after lunch on Thursday. 

Orginally we thought it was just Andrew coming away with us, now Leah was back again and with her came a huge suit case! We really didn´t think we would get everything into our wee car. It was ready to burst!! 

So after a bit of repacking of the car, we headed off to a town called Skanderborg. It was really beautiful, right on a lake. We were staying in a hostel that was also on the lake. It was the very same hostel Kristian stayed in when he went on a biking trip with his dad many, many years ago. It was really beautiful. The weather was NOT beautiful though, so we didn´t get to enjoy the nature as much as we would have, if it had been sunny and warm. (It was actually rather cold!)

We went out and found a chinese restaurant and had a lovely dinner there at a very cheap price!

By the time we got back to the hostel we were all ready for bed! It was only 8.20pm but we all climbed into bed and just shortly after 10pm I was fast asleep, I think the others were too!

This morning we woke up and went to the bakery and bought some bread and juice. We then headed down to the lake to enjoy our breakfast. It was lovely, just a bit cold. Where is summer?

Leah thought it was too cold to sit out, so she ate breakfast in the car. 

Two ducks came to visit and stayed as long as we had bread to feed them.

We then headed to "Himmelbjerget" one of the highest points in Denmark. There were beautiful views from this point. I need to download Kristian´s photos so you can see some of the views. (This will probably have to wait till we get home!)

 From Himmelbjerget we headed into one of the local towns, Silkeborg. I am in love with Silkeborg! It was such a lovely cosy town with loads of shops! We all had a hotdog for lunch! Except Andrew! He had a hotdog but was still hungry so he went and got himself a huge chicken and bacon sandwich. That boy eats like a horse! I think it would be cheaper to feed a horse!


From Silkeborg we headed to Viborg. Another beautiful town with loads of shops. Andrew got himself a couple pair of cheap shoes. We then headed out to the hostel. We are staying here tonight. (Hence the internet connection!) Tomorrow we head up to the ferry to take the boat across to the small Island. We will spend our  holiday week there in a lovely summer house. 


Meanwhile Sara is at home looking after my plants (hopefully) and the cat and working very hard to try and save some money!


I am not sure when we will have internet connection again. But whenever I do you can be sure I will be on here posting! 

Relaxing....

...and loving it!

Our holidays are well on the way. Our day is so mixed up.  We eat breakfast at noon, lunch at 3pm, dinner at 8pm and go to bed at 2am. Between all that we relax! Aahhhh this is the life!

                                                   Leah all packed for camp

Early Sunday morning Leah headed off to camp for two weeks. She was rather excited. However last night she called home and was feeling homesick. She was missing us and missing being on holiday with us. I hope today she has settled down a little more. I am so glad that we booked a summer house near the area where she is. We leave Thursday morning and have arranged to pick her up on the way  if she still hasn´t settled.

On Monday we were going to head out and explore but then Shadow (our cat) ended up at the vet. She was acting strange all morning and was forever going in and out to her cat toilet. The cries she was making from there were awful. We knew she had a problem so our plans had to be put to the side to take the cat to the vet. She has some sort of urinary infection so she is on pills and pain killers.

Last night my friend Anne came by and we had a lovely cosy evening together. We chatted and laughed and ate far too much ice cream! We planned our next family fun night home at their place. Sooo looking forward to that! 

Today the weather isn´t so good, the sort of day you just want to spend getting cosy. So I spent the morning reading, then we curled up on the sofa and watched the film "Slumdog millionarie"  which I so enjoyed. Kristian got his camera out and took some pictures of an apple!!!??? He played around with this apple and some water. I haven´t seen the results yet as  I headed over to visit my old lady friend and spent a couple of hours with her. If the photos are good I will post them later.

Soon I will make dinner, then I am going to settle down with my book and continue to enjoy this time of doing nothing, or rather enjoy this time of doing what I want to do. It´s just great having all this time on my hands and not having to rush here and there. This is what holidays are all about.

It´s here.....

....holiday time! I can´t believe that it´s July again. I have now 4½ weeks off work. WONDERFUL!! Kristian has also stopped work, however he has only 2 weeks off! But that´s better than nothing. We are both sooo looking forward to having a break and to have time to relax and do the things we don´t normally have time to do in our everyday lives (like painting!)


It is going to be a bit of a different holiday this year. Sara is working, so she will not be going anywhere with us (she will be looking after the house and cat while we are gone.) Leah is going off on a Teen Camp for 2 weeks. She leaves tomorrow morning, so she will not be having her holidays with us either. It is only Kristian, Andrew and me having holiday together. 

We are heading off later in the week to a summer house on the opposite side of Denmark. We can´t wait to get away and relax. The house is on a wee Island right beside the sea. It is also not far from where Leah is going on camp so we can pick her up on the way home.  Only one problem with the house....it has no internet. I wonder if I can survive without my blog and facebook??!!

So today I got the house cleaned up a little. Kristian and his brother-in-law were off go-karting. Since Kristian was gone, and his sister Hanne´s husband was gone too we girls decided to hang out together.  I had given Hanne a gift certificate for her birthday last September. It was for a girlie night out on the town with dinner and a movie. We decided to use the gift token tonight. 



We had such a great evening. We had a lovely meal at "my" cafe. We talked for ages and then we went to see the Danish film, "A Royal Affair." It was about King Christian 7th who married Caroline Mathilde from England. It was a really interesting film. Now I want to find out more about Danish history. (Good job I have holiday so I have time to read!)

 We ended the evening back here at home with coffee. 

Leah singing for Sara

It´s been a busy few days. The weekend was spent getting ready for Sara´s student party. In Denmark the young people hold a party for family and  friends to come and say congratulations on their graduation.  

So Saturday was spent shopping for food and getting the church halls ready. (We borrowed the church halls as our wee apartment could not hold everyone.) Sunday was spent making food and baking cakes. I stood in the kitchen from morning to evening. It was not a fun day for me!!! haha I hate cooking and baking. The things you do for your daughter!

 Monday I was at work, but as soon as work was finished it was home to get the last minute things ready for the party.  At 5pm family and friends arrived. 

 I think everyone enjoyed themselves and my food was edible!

 I wrote a funny song for Sara and it gave us all a laugh.

The song was written to the tune of  "Glory, glory Hallelujah" and during the chorus I got them all to wave their arms around and sing along. It was fun!

 Sara seemed to enjoy it. She had a good laugh.

 Then I did a drama piece about her.

 There were different cakes for dessert

Under coffee and cake Leah entertained us with a song.

All in all I think it all went over well.  Thankfully I now have 2 years before I need to do all this again for Andrew.

This is the last week at work. Two more days and I am off for 4½ weeks. I can hardly wait. Over the last two days I have worked 7 hours extra so I am soooo ready for a holiday. Roll on Friday!