Merry Freaking Christmas

Goose isn't overly impressed with the Christmas festivities but the jumpers a hit, the Santa outfit not so much!

And we'll the elf one....oh dear.

Thankful

Today I am feeling pretty thankful; I have lost 11 lbs in 10 days through a little bit of effort but not much hardship.  I've been a bit grumpy with it but it shows that when I put my mind to it I really can do amazing things.

But by the by, its now the week of my birthday (well in the 7 days leading up to the event) and its a perfect time to take a breath and be a little bit thankful.

So I am thankful for my family - my little home with Pepsi and Goose really does make me happy and I am thankful for the feeling of security and warmth and love I get there.

I am thankful for my true family - whilst I appreciate I will never be thin enough, polished enough or enough for my Ma I know that I am loved and I love and we have each other.

I am thankful for my friends, I miss you and wish we were closer but I am thankful for the long long friendships we have forged and the strength we give each other be that over motorways or seas and land.

I am thankful for my work - it drives me crazy and I get frustrated but I am at the start of something that is amazing and I am lucky to be here.

So I made pie - pumpkin pie - and I am thankful for the opportunity to share it.

Today is a good day.

Countdown (16 days to go)

Yep only 16 days until I turn 40.....gulp.

I thought it didn't bother me, that it was just a number.  However my refusal to organise anything to celebrate and my avoidance of the facts probably should have given me a sign sooner that it does mean something....

So I have drinks organised post work - a little bit of a cop out; do it on a school night so that no one wants to stay out too late or get too lairy etc.

However, I tried on some clothes on Saturday and couldn't fit into anything so I am on a low carb diet for the next 2 weeks in an effort to at least fit into something for my birthday week that doesn't have an elasticated waist!

I am tracking my food intake over here on You Ate How Much? if you want to see my progress (hopefully). I'm hoping that writing it down will make it all very very real.

So I'm off to have a peppermint tea (oh joy).

NFL London Style

A cold Sunday at the end of October we and 84,000 other NFL fans headed to Wembley to see the St Louis Rams play the New England Patriots.

So the Patriots were expected to win and impress they did - you can see why they made it to the Superbowl last year (even if they didn't win).

American Football can be slow and if you're not a fan can seem very stop start, what with the TV timeouts and all.

We had a great evening and I'm looking forward to he two games next year.

Lipstick, powder and paint

Fabulous few hours at The Powder Room, Columbia Road.

I'm ready for my night out now.

Not so baby steps

Big day today....BIG DAY.

We've been separated two year so it was time to talk the big D.

I mentioned, he agreed, I said I'd send the papers, he said fine.

It's happening, in the next few months I'll be divorced.

So married before I was 30 and divorce started before I'm 40.

Hey I really do those milestones right?

So it's moving forward, moving on, just moving.

I feel sad and happy and sad and well sad I guess.

Phew big day, big steps.

A few fab things for Christmas

I know its still two months away but sometimes getting in early is the way forward (those of you that know me will find this hard to read...)

Some ideas for what to buy people



personalised 'your top twenty songs' print by milly's cottage | notonthehighstreet.com - £34, what a fab idea for someone who loves their music.




Want yo do your  bit for Bees but a full on bee hive a bit too much of a committment?  Well how about a Bee hotel?

http://www.notonthehighstreet.com/wudwerx/product/small-bee-hotel - £19.95 for one tier, but scroll down for the more delux 2 and 3 tier hotels!



He always needs socks right? So here's an answer to the missing sock dilema - http://www.notonthehighstreet.com/twistedtwee/product/a-pair-and-a-spare-socks - £12




Have a canine friend who is the best thing since sliced bread?  Then this is perfect for £29.50, you can personalise the breed and text  http://www.notonthehighstreet.com/sundaebest/product/personalised-puppy-print



Or a little person who love the doggie? http://www.notonthehighstreet.com/sgtsmith/product/personalised-robot-and-robot-dog-t-shirt £19 for this personalised t-shirt



And for the stylish pooch him (or her) self http://www.notonthehighstreet.com/muttsandhounds/product/audly-hand-quilted-waterproof £45



This personalised family tree is a lovely gift for friends http://www.notonthehighstreet.com/kyleighspapercuts/product/personalised-family-tree-papercut its not cheap at £55 but I think its lovely.



Want something that keeps on giving - look the Cake Slice Club will deliver a slice a cake a month for 3 or 6 months (£18.50 or £36) http://www.notonthehighstreet.com/thecakenest/product/cake-club

An alternative to dundee cake and marmalade for Gran - look at this:



http://www.notonthehighstreet.com/crumb/product/cake-and-mulled-wine-christmas-gift-box for £24 this is a great gift and they have some other fab afternoon tea box sets too.


Right I am off to start my Christmas shopping.  Enjoy!