Hi Allie, Wow, what a diverse lot! Spread out all over the place. I skype with my sis in Jersey and my uncle in Cyprus. Please do see if it’s possible. It would be so awesome! Will speak later on email.

Xx

Good morning! Woke up to 7 inches of snow and it’s still falling here in the
Midlands. So glad I’m on a.day’s leave tmrw! Went to a family annual gathering last night. Pizza and chips/fries, mince pies, cookies, chocolates and a garage full of booze to help ourselves to. None of it appealed to me glad to say! I took a bottle of soda water and lime cordial. I did have 4 red wine spritzers but it was 2/3 soda to an inch of wine in a long glass. That is remarkable for me, particularly because we’ve all been friends for 40 odd years and great food and booze buddies with zero restraint when we get together! I left at 10pm despite encouragement to sleep over! I know my limits now!

A NSV last night – I was able to sit on the floor in my friends lounge by the log fire and scoot around on my bum talking to different people, then was able to rise fairly easily! I was always a floor sitter, cross legged, but haven’t been able to do it for at least 25 years as too big to either gracefully sit down or rise from the floor without an embarrassing spectacle!

Enjoy your Sunday everyone!

Kazzeexx

Another blow out. Tomorrow is a new day.

Woo hoo,
Another 2lbs today. So 3lbs this week as target. I have read on here about a few days with no loss and then a whoosh, but obviously on week 2 haven’t experienced it before. This week I had 5 days with no loss and then 3lbs in 2 days. So I’ve lost a total of 1st; 4 lbs before Bsd and 10lbs in two weeks on Bsd, even though I had 3 Christmas events this week. Next week target 3 lbs again.

Luvtcook, thanks for the answer on Stevia, I’ve ordered some.

Articfox I really sympathise with your problem with mangers. My last manager was the same, pleasant enough, but whilst we were in the middle of reorganising she totally focussed on her future and completely ingnored the rest of us. So I had to support my team, with no support. During all that time the chocolate bar vending machine was my friend, sometimes it felt like my only friend, and that’s when I triggered over into Type 2 diabetes. I wish I’d known about Bsd and this forum then, I’m sure all of you would have helped me realise that chocolate wasn’t the answer. It sounds like you are winning that battle and managing things so well done you. Now 3 years on and retired, I wish I’d had the attitude that I wouldn’t let her wreck my health, but that’s hindsight, you seem to be taking control whilst still in the situation which is great.

I make a similar salmon recipe Jande9. I drizzle with soy and add grated ginger and fresh coriander. You can always add grated garlic too but I’m not fond of garlic with this recipe. I don’t use oil but I do wrap the salmon fillets in tinfoil and cook in the oven @ 180 c fan oven for 15 minutes. Never dries out.

Another fish recipe.

I choose Steelhead trout over Salmon because it is moister, tender and more forgiving. Our Pacific Salmon dries out when even slightly overcooked. Atlantic Salmon is more forgiving too.

Take a Steelhead fillet and put it on a sheet of foil, skin side down.
Drizzle generously with soy sauce.
Drizzle generously with olive oil.
Broil in the oven, about 10 minutes or slightly less.

The fish will develop a nice crust and the soy sauce will give it a great flavour.

Very easy and delicious enough for company.

Just to throw in another statistic Wikipedia shows raw spaghetti squash as 31 calories and 7g carbs per 100g. I find that most apps have inaccuracies and it’s sometimes difficult to distinguish between cooked and raw foods. Also there are differences between US and UK apps. My guess is that the Fatsecret stats are for cooked squash, but it is only a guess. I often check calories etc by googling the nutritional value of a food.

BTW Allie forgot to say that my walking wasn’t unaided! It never will be but nonetheless a great improvement.

So for yesterday….
1. I started a new jigsaw puzzle … one way to control snacking!
2. I am part way through reading The Clever Guts Diet and its very interesting.
3. Indian meal out but stayed BSD friendly.

Oh no, no, no. It’s nothing even remotely like that, Allie. We had previous plans to spend the day with my folks and decided early this morning to go through with it despite the snow because it still looked entirely manageable at that point. Things only got scary later, and by then we figured in for a penny, in for a pound. Might as well get some grilled octopus out of it. No disrespect felt at all. It was clear even without receiving your message that the weather was the problem. OH said as I expressed dismay that we were going to be so rudely late, “I doubt they’ll be able to make it in this weather.” We have a lovely dinner (until the cheese incident) and got home safely. No harm done whatsoever. We’ll make up for our missed connection by having double the fun. 🙂

Essie, we both must have been posting at the same time. I feel utterly sick that you
didn’t receive or read my messages and made the treacherous trip north in the storm.
I’m so very sorry, I hope you can forgive me. I would never leave anyone in the
lurch like that! My list of personal shortcomings is infinite, but disrespecting my friends
isn’t one of them. I’ll call soon so that we can try to reschedule. Please apologize to
B. for us too, what must he think of us??? Senile? Demented? Rude? We feel just
horrible about it. Oh, dear…………

Allie

Those are luscious, Allie. I like all of the silver beaded leather ones. I’m also strangely drawn to the chunky silver cuff wrapped in leather straps. It looks like some ancient amulet that will protect you from the forces of darkness. Or possibly unleash them on you. Either way, I’m up for it. 😀

It is interesting to see that discrepancy, Allie. I use myfooddiary and that is where I got the 40cal and 7.8g carb figure. If the extra 30 odd cal per cup on fat secret isn’t from carbs, I wonder whether it comes from protein or fats? Maybe it is based on adding some oil when cooking it? I would be interested to see your method. I just cut it in half, scoop out the seeds and bake it in the oven cut side down on a baking sheet, and it definitely results in a less wet product than steaming it.

LTC and VictoriaM, I have been doing something similar with full-fat Greek yogurt when I would like something for ‘afters’, but in my case I add cocoa powder, sliced almonds and a bit of stevia to sweeten it.
SueBlue, I definitely hear you about the emotional eating. In addition to the stress of having a sick horse, this week has also been high stress at work. I know that in the past I have made junk food runs to the nearest supermarket in the afternoons on high stress days when I’m feeling tired, overwhelmed, alone and unable to cope with all the political craziness. I have put on most of my weight in the past 3 years, and interestingly that co-incides with my previous boss retiring. He was a bit like a father figure to me and shielded me from a huge amount of stupidity in the upper ranks. I have had mainly short-term, self-serving managers ever since who are not interested in the work, but are just using our unit as a stepping stone to move on to greater (in their minds) things. I recently had a few months reprieve with a very good manager who was providing some protection and stability, but she just got headhunted and went elsewhere, so I am back to dealing with stupidity again. Luckily, even though I’ve fallen off the wagon a bit this week, it hasn’t been as bad as it could have been because I don’t feel like junk food anymore. I actually fell into old patterns by buying a large bag of crisps on Tuesday evening when I was in the supermarket trying to find something for dinner, but in a completely uncharacteristic move, I never opened them. By Thursday, I knew I wasn’t going to, so I took them to the party I attended and let others eat them instead.
The party went reasonably well. I filled up with some vegetarian cabbage rolls that had a really nice lentil filling, and rounded out my plate with lots of veggies, various cheeses and some pear slices. I took a very small piece of an apple based dessert, but it was too sugary sweet, so I didn’t finish it.

Do you find this interesting, Articfox? (love your name, by the way). Myfitness pal lists
1 c. cooked spaghetti squash as 42 cal. 7.8 carb, and fat secret says 75 cal 7.8 carb.
I like to use this product too on occasion, and have a method to bake it that allows for
longer strands that aren’t at all “wet” when you serve it. If you’re interested, I’d be happy
to post it for you.

Allie

Thanks Allie.

LTC, I love kabocha squash, so good to know it is a lower carb one. Spaghetti squash is a good bet too. Also 40 cal per cup and 7.8g carbs. I was given a couple of spaghetti squash recently, and I cooked it in the oven (steams well too though) and then scooped out the spaghetti strands into a dish, added sour cream, garlic and chive flavoured cream cheese, and topped it with some feta. It was really delicious! I have also used it in place of real spaghetti and top it with a tomato sauce, olives and parmesan cheese.

Jeffcott35, sad but true, the accepted answer is no, we don’t adjust calorie allowance
for exercise. Some find that they need to cut back some on work in the gym until
bodies switch from burning glucose to burning fat for energy. You shouldn’t have
any problems after that. You’ll have energy to burn!
Best of luck to you,

Allie

Sorry, this link takes you to multiple choices of Uno de 50 bracelets. I think this is
the item I’m trying to refer to.

http://www.lordandtaylor.com/main/ProductDetail.jsp?PRODUCT<>prd_id_845524442108367

a leather and silver bead boho indulgence! Now that I’ve allowed my hair color to
go au naturelle, i.e., gray, I’m shifting from gold to more silver. Theo, this may be of
no interest to anyone but you and Essie, but I post it anyway for your enjoyment. I
hope things are becoming more manageable for you and your family. I’m thinking
of you!

Hugs,

Allie

Nope.

My phone was not happy with the weather either so I missed your call, Allie. What a shame that we were thwarted. We’ll get it all sorted out after the holidays and the meet-up will be all the more enjoyable for the extended anticipation. 🙂

We had quite a snowy adventure ourselves. And by adventure I mean white-knuckle expedition on treacherous unplowed, unsalted Route 9 in two direction. It was scary out there, and we were encased in a motored vehicle. In your place, I wouldn’t have dared deal with steep inclines either. The few steps I had to take out of doors (like from the car to my parents’ house) I barely managed to keep vertical. We made it to the restaurant in the end, but were 25 minutes late and I was relieved when the server told us no lovely lady in a red coat and stately gentleman with an unkempt beard had been twiddling their thumbs gnawing on the edge of the tablecloth for half an hour.

Dinner was still perfect and wonderful until the cheese plate came. Covered in honey. It was all I could do not to fall to my knees and cry out “NOOOOOO” like in a cheesy action movie when the star’s sidekick takes a bullet for him. 😀

LTC, I’m not stalking you around the forums tonight, I promise 🙂 Plans sidelined
because of the weather, so I’m here tonight. Just wanted to tell you how profoundly
healthy I think it is to be buying beautiful scarves to frame your face. I spent 15+ years
treating myself like I didn’t deserve anything because I was obese. I well understand
what it feels like to wear a Women’s size 3X and have to settle for cover-ups instead
of well made clothing. It’s similar to an out of body experience to fit into a Misses 6/8
today. All it takes is fortitude and committment, what ever that looks like for you.
Treat yourself well along the way! It’s part of the process.

‘Night, All,

Allie

Hello Everyone, Wowser everyone is doing so well, either losing weight, getting a better understanding of their triggers or hunkering down and starting a new effort. So many good tips. I can’t list everyone but gratitude for your sharing, congratulations for your strength and perseverance and high fives to everyone.

Nearly the end of 4 weeks of absolutely rigid BSD for me and I’m pretty much over cravings, although I do sometimes find myself wondering whether I’ll be able to incorporate a special favourite into ‘rest of life’ eating once I get to my goal weight. I try not to ruminate on those thoughts as goal weight is still a fair way off. So no difficult cravings but habits are a different thing. At the markets today I just auto piloted over to the nut stand and began to order snack size bag of salted cashews, which I would sometimes just munch as I go about marketing. Whoopsie, lucky I caught myself in time!

I am still amazed by how well I feel and how this plays out in different ways. Yesterday, for example, I helped my daughter (kept her company) choose a new reading chair for a house she has just purchased (her first so its very exciting). This show of support included my worst nightmare – a trip to IKEA. I would normally end up with barely contained ‘shopping rage’ after about 30 minutes. Not this time. I don’t know if it is having reasonably stable blood sugar levels or the steady availability of fat to burn or what – but I just sailed through, even picked up a couple of new cushions covers for me and actually enjoyed spending time with my lovely girl. A very unexpected NSV!

See you all on Tuesday weigh in – I think I’ve got the counting day thing sorted

LTC, we were great fans of his, too! I finally had to stop watching the food network
when “Guy FIETTI” (aka Guy Ferry) became their big star. No knowledge, and a
hopeless narcissist besides! Wretch…Did you ever follow Ina Garten?

Jules / SueBlue: using charity shops…what a great idea. Over the years I have certainly donated enough to them as my weight has gone up and down (and have a bag waiting to drop off right now). Its our turn to take advantage I’d say. Your right….silly to invest money in clothes you hope/plan to grow out of in about 8 weeks. After 8 weeks you can donate them right back.

SueBlue…I am jealous that you can fit in size 18 skinny jeans. I am very pear shaped (translation….huge bumm) and must still buy the “women” sizes. Can now fit into my size 16W NYMJ (Not Your Mothers Jeans) as they are more “ample” in the hip. Anxiously looking forward to the day I can drop the W off all the pants I buy. Not nearly so well endowned upstairs. No W there.

Right now my purchases have been limited to an insane number of scarves …both to wear with coats in the winter months, but also to dress up a tee shirt over jeans. At least they will still fit next year is my rationalization.

VictoriaM: I put the chia in the raspberries to thicken up the saucy/liquid part.

And yes, I have both the powdered stevia and the liquid stevia…prefer the liquid. Less aftertaste.

There is also a stevia glycerite….thicker more viscous. Do NOT like that one. Not sure what the difference is other than the thickness, but yelch, don’t care for it.

Allie: Shsssh. Don’t tell. I hope he doesn’t mind that I stole his title…….it was subliminal theft (I was a great fan).

He did an intesting show on his own diet plan (lost 50 lbs) using four lists based on the frequency he would allow himslef to have certain foods:

Daily (whole grains, green tea, fruit, nuts)
Three times a week (oily fish, tofu, yogurt, sweet potato)
Once a week (alcohol, desserts, red meat, white starch)
Never (soda, canned soup, “diet” anything, fast food)

Just a bit too micro managed for me….but hey, whatever works for ya. Worked for him,

Mokovex I love your overgrown garden idea and am going to use this! My neural pathways definitely need some TLC 🙂
Jules – I love charity shops too! Today I’m wearing a pair of brand new size 18 slim-fit black jeans, they still had the $40 price tag on them and I only paid $2. This time last year I was a size 20-22, and I eventually want to get back to a 14-16 so it doesn’t make sense for me to spend a lot on clothes. Most of my work wardrobe has come from charity shops too. My daughters love it as well. We get that way now that we resent paying full price for clothes in retail stores & boutiques when we know how much cheaper it is in charity shops! I’ve also been donating my bigger clothes as i have no intention of fitting back into them!
Luvtocook – I love your yoghurt dessert ideas, am going to try some this week. I have had yoghurt and berries with flaked almonds for breakfast before, but had t thought of doing that for a pudding.

Weight: 77.6kg
Exercise yesterday: 15000 steps. 3 sets of 10 push ups, 15-20 sec plank, 10 squats, 10 bridges. Dance practice (nothing particularly aerobic, but about 10 – 15 mins)

Today, I’ve got to get through a lot of work, but planning to make time for a run, a walk and some dance practice.

Hey one2wTch good to see you back. So sorry about the IVF.

This is a good place to be to get you rocking and rolling again – I remember your iron will from August so am sure you will get where you want to be.

Keep on posting, love to hear how you are getting on xx

Hi everyone!

I’ve been off line for a bit but back now and enjoying all your catch ups! I am three kilos up from end of 8 weeks I didnup to September. I would like to get back to 72.5g by the 26th.

We are back out to Italy this week – to move into the house we bought while on the last challenge! Sadly our round of ivf was a disaster so it is a bit of recovery time for me as well.

Look forward to supporting each other. I need to post daily to help my accountability – mix and sunshine and topcac I feel your pain!

Today was not brilliant but starting by being honest.

I had veg curry and rice, lamb with greeens and salad and a big handful of crisps….

Tomorrow we have a meal out with friends. So o plan to save my calls and just have some greens and salad and cottage cheese in the daytime and a piece of tandoori chicken with salad and veg in the eve.

My goal for this month is also to get the carbs back down to straight periods of 50g or less a day as they have crept back in.

Hi Ali, Don’t you just love how weird and unpredictable our bodies are, that is a fantastic loss after some stable days. And how about changing tastes -that is so encouraging for the long term, I’m really impressed with your navigation of a work Christmas lunch – I reckon they are one of the hardest functions to manage.

My three day stable one or two days of loss, then another three day stable is pretty entrenched now. I will probably completely melt down if (and when 😩) and stall stretches passed 3 days!

I love the term ‘goosed’ – not heard it before and will now adopt it. Here in Australia we say cactus as in ‘my phone is cactus’. (Apparently this is a reference to the stupendously successful introduction of a biological control for an invasive prickly pear plant. It was decimated) 😀

Hat tip to Alton Brown, LTC!

Now, that’s an idea, Kazzi! I’ll check with my globe trotting sister and BIL. Their sons
communicate with skype or something that they like even better because the boy’s
girlfriends are on work study in various foreign countries. My Harvard bound nephew is
taking a year off to teach English in Russia, and the other son has a girlfriend who is
studying “Perfumerie” in France. Hoping to connect with BIL if he’s in the country at
the moment. Will let you know how I fair with this idea later in the weekend. How
wonderful to spend time with your “bestie” today! Precious moments, always 🙂

I’m sorry to have to beg your pardon again, everyone, but I need to leave a message here
for Esnecca, as we’re in the middle of a snow event here that has put a definite crimp in
our plans for the evening. My sincere apologies!

Essie, I’ve seen the up to date snow totals for the evening, and as we live up in the hills
with 2 steep ones to navigate getting home, as well as another involving the driveway
which won’t be plowed until noon tomorrow, it looks like we will have to err on the side
of caution this time and regrettably cancel. I feel like New Years Eve has just been
cancelled! Here is the real irony, though. This weather event is being called “Winter
Storm Ali”! When J. returns from the wilds of snow country (out doing errands, I hope,)
I’ll phone you after checking the upcoming semester break dates with the hope that
we’ll have an opportunity to reschedule that works well for the two of you. Until then,
I’ll leave you with this little bauble that I was looking forward to showing you tonight:

http://www.lordandtaylor.com/main/ProductDetail.jsp?PRODUCT<>prd_id=
84552444203532&site_refer=DFA

I’ll be in touch,

Allie

Esnecca and Allie – have a wonderful time at your double date night, and please post a photo of your wonderful, inspirational and slender selves WITH heads, we’re all in suspenders here! xx

Verano…go for it! You’ve got a plan….that’s the important part. Sounds great…I know you will savor every bite.

Why, thanks everyone! 🙂
Well, the first day was great, but then I had around 1600 calories yesterday and woke up rather hungry for breakfast today. In a way, I am pleased! I never used to feel hunger in the mornings so maybe that’s a good thing?

Talking it over with my fiance, we agreed that the 800 calorie days might be hard for me to achieve every day. I ride my bike a lot, about 10 miles a day 4-5 days a week on average. And I’ve always been accustomed to a good amount of food.

So, all this is to say, I will try some version of the BSD. Likely the 5:2 approach or maybe even 4:3. Anyone out there doing this now? I noticed a section of the forum dedicated to 5:2, so I will pay it a visit!

Cheers.

When counting 800 calories a day do you take off the number of exercise calories?

Looking forward to the sprout, Stilton and walnut salad recipe!

I have already ‘ordered’ my dessert …. berries, cream and just one tablespoon of Christmas pudding! I just cannot resist. Give me chocolates, mince pies etc. etc. and I can resist all but I just need one tablespoon of pud so I will !

Brava for this thread picking up loads of inspiration, Thankyou!

Thanks Allie. Believe me it was a huge achievement and hopefully just the first of many.

I’m sure before people lose weight they don’t realise how uncomfortable their ‘fat’ life is. Similarly, just two weeks before my surgery, I actually thought I was ok and didn’t really need the op. It’s only when you ‘arrive’ in your new body or state of health that you actually realise how bad things were before. We are all so very good at fooling ourselves into thinking things are ‘fine’ when in reality they are a mess. Fortunately we have all come through and are now enjoying our ‘new’ lives/selves.

1 – Xmas tree up and looks fab

2 – panic at lunch in pub then inspired request for Brie and bacon sandwich without the bread but extra salad resulted in delightful lunch

3 – great morning walk in crisp frosty air with added sunshine

Allie and Esnecca have a great time tomorrow. Allie you will get to see the ‘head’ and then maybe, Esnecca, we can all be let into the secret of the ‘topping’ on that wonderful body! Enjoy girls!

For all those fretting that you cannot have a Christmas Feast without destroying your BSD WOE, I suggest the following menu….all low carb, all with fabulous flavors and textures, topped with a wonderful pudding/ dessert of Pears Poached in Red Wine with a Vanilla Mascarpone Whipped Cream….MUST serve in either a pretty stemware or fancy desert plate…sprig of mint sticking out of the mascarpone dollop would be very festive.

Will post recipes for each of these over the next 10 days except for the beef roast…fill in your personal favorite here (or roast turkey, or grilled lamb chops….whatever floats your boat).

Top off with Red Wine Spritzer to ensure not too much alcohol eating up your calorie allowance….. Champagne/Cava/Prosecco for those that dare and can say no to more than a glass (or maybe one and a half).

Merry Christmas everyone. LTC

……………………………………………………..

CHRISTMAS DINNER MENU Low Carb BSD Friendly

Shaved Brussels Sprout Salad with Walnuts and Stilton

Standing Rib Roast / Rump Roast of Beef / Filet Mignon for Two…or Turkey, Lamb Chops….your pleasure

Cauliflower Mash with Garlic Sour Cream and Chives

Steamed Broccoli with Cheddar Sauce

Parmesan & Herb Crusted Kabocha Squash Wedges

Pears Poached in Red Wine with Vanilla Mascarpone Whipped Cream

Red Wine Spritzer

Luvtcook, this savory recipe looks outstanding!!!! I’d long since forgotten about this
dish. It very well may be front and center for the two of us on Christmas Day. I think
you truly “hit one out of park”, if you’ll excuse the baseball analogy. I’m off to print
it out right now. 🙂 🙂 🙂

Hooray! Many thanks.

Allie

ok Allie….there you go.

Esnecca…your turn.

LTC

Spinach Cheese and Prosciutto Stuffed Chicken Breasts

This is a “company worthy” dish and could even be for Xmas dinner for a couple …easy to cut down for just 2.

Makes 4 servings
INGREDIENTS

4 boneless skinless chicken breasts (about 4 ounces each)
Salt and black pepper
4 slices (1/2 ounce each) prosciutto*
4 slices (1/2 ounce each) smoked provolone**
1 cup spinach leaves, chopped
4 tablespoons ground flax seed (or almond flour)
4 tablespoons canned/dried parmesan cheese (like Kraft)
1 tablespoon olive oil
1 tablespoon butter
3 oz of cream cheese
1/2 cup chicken broth
Optional: 1 tablespoon dry vermouth

*Thinly sliced deli ham can be substituted for the prosciutto.

**Swiss, Gruyère or mozzarella cheese may be substituted for the smoked provolone.

PREPARATION:
Preheat oven to 350°F.

To form pocket, cut each chicken breast horizontally almost to opposite edge. Fold back top half of chicken breast; sprinkle chicken lightly with salt and pepper. Make a packet out of 1 slice prosciutto, 1 slice provolone and 1/4 cup spinach (make a total of 4) and stuff one into each chicken breast pocket, fold top half of breasts over filling.

Lightly sprinkle chicken with salt and pepper.

Combine ground flax seed and canned parmesan cheese in a shallow dish or plate (pie plate works great). Roll chicken breast in mixture, shake off excess.

Heat oil and butter in large skillet over medium heat. Place chicken in skillet; cook about 4 minutes on each side or until browned. DO NOT OVERCOOK and dry out….will ruin the dish. It’s going to bake some more after this and will cook through.

Transfer chicken to shallow baking dish (best to use a pretty one you can then bring to the table…less dishes to wash). Note: Do not wash skillet; reserve to make sauce. Bake 10 minutes or until chicken is no longer pink in center and juices run clear.

Make sauce: Heat skillet from cooking chicken gently until warm. Add cream cheese and cook until melted. Whisk in about 2 tablespoons of the chicken broth to thin the cream cheese. Then whisk in the rest. Add the 1 Tbs of vermouth if using. Whisk to combine well.

Spoon sauce over the chicken breasts.

Sprinkle some color over the top….some paprika, or dried chives, fresh parsley….whatever you have.

Serve.

All the NSV today are really putting some pep in my step, so thank you, everyone, for
posting! I remember reading some advice here quite some time ago, which was to
avoid buying new shoes if you had significant weight to lose. I only appreciated how
true that was when I ordered several pairs of boots and shoes 10 days ago. Everything
has to go back because I’m walking out of them..One complete shoe size! How crazy
is that?
Sunny, I’ve felt “undressed” without my rings for over a decade. I’d conveniently forgotten
that I had had them resized to a US 5 1/2 at the age of 50, after a short lived albeit successful
weight loss. I had to lose 120lbs. to get them back on comfortably, which occurred late
last March. Quite the emotional event, being able to wear them at long last.
Verano, I’m the most excited for you, however. Being able to get through a grocery shop
without having to sit down is a remarkable achievement! I’m so happy for you!

Have a wonderful weekend, everyone 🙂

Allie

Ugh Marie, that should read vacuuming, flipping auto correct!

Allie – better still, we could skype! It’s free! Ask Esnecca, I bet she has either an iPhone or smartphone. I have a samsung smartphone. I have skype and I have an iPad with FaceTime. Same thing as skype. Not sure whether you would still need to upgrade your internet service? I’ll be around all day tmrw to chat. Have fun tonight and don’t fall off your 👠 my girl!

Marie, thanks so much for your good wishes! It was a shock! But very welcome! I postponed the hairdresser until next Saturday. It didn’t really need it and I’m a scaredy-cat I driving on compacted ice. I may just trim my fringe tho so I can see where I’m going! Did my vaccine today too! Treat yourself, Marie! You’ll look and feel feb and you deserve it!

My bestie and her family are driving down from Sheffield today for their annual family gathering. No snow yet but they’re driving back again about 10pm tonight as snow is forecast tmrw here and in Sheff. Her oh is on call tmrw – he checks rivers to make sure they’re flowing ok and in flood time he’s really busy. He’s some kind of engineer but we call him the River deranger!

LTC , that salad sounds lovely. Will have to copy that! Good luck with the coming days!

Bye for now cherubs. Gotta get ready!

Xxx