tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-55795342168266037002024-03-12T20:44:13.326-07:00Y izzi Yizzihttp://www.blogger.com/profile/06556873743908138230noreply@blogger.comBlogger53125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5579534216826603700.post-375116139814104482014-07-19T10:33:00.003-07:002014-07-19T10:33:54.773-07:00One Hip Izzi<div style="font-family: Helvetica; font-size: 11px;">
<span style="letter-spacing: 0.0px;">Four weeks ago on Wednesday, at age 50 and 70 days (forgive me for the 70 days but I’m just getting used to this age 50 thing) I’d love to say so far so good but really a month ago today I had a full left hip replacement, not a partial but the whole shebang. Titanium rod implant, marble and titanium ball and plastic cartilage replacement. Not to mention whatever they did to the socket to hold all that shit in place. Whoa! sounds a lot just writing it. </span></div>
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<span style="letter-spacing: 0.0px;">Now I know you're all thinking “Wow! 50 is awfully young to have a hip replacement” and you'd be right it is. Most, but not all, hip replacements are done around the late 60s and 70s since they don't last forever and believe me when I tell you you don't want to do that more than once (unfortunately I might have to) they last anywhere between 10 and 20 years depending on how well you treat your new hip. And I intend to treat mine as well as any active fun loving 50 year old would treat their own hip. So I’m thinking 10 to 15 years and I’ll need a new one. Although last night I did realize I will never be able to get on a mechanical bull! How sad is that? I knew I should have got that off my bucket list before surgery but when I told my BFF she just laughed and said oh don’t worry we can just ask him to go slow. Love her but where’s the fun in going slow? I’m sure there’s a whole host of things I’ll not be able to do. My surgeon told me I can’t run any more but when he told me that I just laughed and laughed. Me? Run? That’s never happened before and never will, but now I have a good excuse.</span></div>
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<span style="letter-spacing: 0.0px;">Anyway happy to report the surgery, as most of you know, went brilliantly and I was up and walking within 6 hours with no pain whatsoever but I know that was because of the massive amount of drugs that I had. But hey no complaints here! I was back home two days later to let the recovery commence. </span></div>
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<span style="letter-spacing: 0.0px;">Recovery will take a long time and if you know me, the one thing I’m not is patient, I want every thing done yesterday. So to say I’m having a tough time with this is an understatement. The first two weeks were fine. I could see and feel improvements every day because there were big changes. In 10 days I went from using a walker to only using a cane. Day 14 I got my staples removed which allowed me to sleep better, now I can sleep on my side again instead of only on my back. It does not sound like much but when the heels of your feet hurt because you can’t move in bed this is an awesome improvement. The last two week have been much more challenging since the improvements are slower and rehab is just walk, walk, walk. I have gone back to the gym but only to do upper body and get on the bike with no resistance. I did manage that for 15 minutes on monday of this week (week 4). On Tuesday I made in into the pool with a lot of help from Smug Git. Who’d have thought getting into the pool would be hard but it was and it hurt a lot as did just walking back and forth. I had assumed that would be easy but no, it was tough. So, me being me, that’s what I’m going to do from now on. When I go to the gym I’m going to workout with my lovely trainer Sherif and then go to the pool. </span></div>
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<span style="letter-spacing: 0.0px;">Ok. On the funny side, since that last bit was a tad serious there’s a chair lift into the pool at the gym that I’m going to use. So watch this space and I’ll let you know how that goes because we all know how judged we are at the gym so it may be interesting to see how a fat disabled person is judged and talking about disabled how awesome it it to get special up close parking permit! Oh this little chestnut never gets old! </span></div>
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<span style="letter-spacing: 0.0px;">And it’s lets have a moan time…. Part of my recovery is knowing I can’t go on holiday this summer nor can I drive the car till I’m off all pain killers and I’m in no hurry to stop taking them you know the saying every cloud :) well since I’m stuck at home looking at the same four walls and of course Facebook (Bloody hate FB honestly). What is it with people who go on holiday or vacation however you say it and post hour by hour pictures, sometimes minute by fucking minute! Starting with check in at the airport lounge with <insert whatever your beverage of choice>. Then “Ooh! Look at our hotel room!”, “View of beach/pool/bar”, then we have to have the food pictures - Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner. Oh so help me god! And I’m not even religious put your phone and Facebook down and enjoy your bloody holiday. Unless of course part of your holiday is pissing me and everyone else who can’t afford or for what ever reason can’t go on holiday then carry on. Ok… rant over. </span></div>
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<span style="letter-spacing: 0.0px;">Back to me.</span></div>
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<span style="letter-spacing: 0.0px;">As you can see I’m having a hard time this week. Can't really talk to Smug without crying. I think having a hip replacement in your 60s or 70s may be easier maybe by then you've learned how to be patient and take it a step at a time. For me - not so easy but I’ll try.</span></div>
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<span style="letter-spacing: 0.0px;">If you have any tips or comments for me that you think might help feel free to give them to me but I’m very delicate at the moment so be kind.</span></div>
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<span style="letter-spacing: 0.0px;">Thanks for listen to me moan. The next time I’ll be more positive… I hope!….Iz x</span></div>
izzihttp://www.blogger.com/profile/06556873743908138230noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5579534216826603700.post-49026706676455818942013-06-21T09:16:00.000-07:002013-06-21T09:16:06.376-07:00Little Old Wine Drinker Me! <div class="MsoNormal">
If you remember my
last blog it was the first day of the summer holidays and I was all gung ho
about not putting 10 pounds on and going to the gym if not every day most days
of the week. Well it’s the end of the third week and I've managed to go to the
gym 3 times and I've drank every night bar 3. And no they were not the nights I
went to the gym. I am not having an easy
time with this! Then to top it all I hear that James Gandolfini died and he was
only 51. That’s only 2 years older than me! Bloody hell! I start watching a
news report about him and it was saying he was a bit of a partier. He liked his
drugs and alcohol and I start thinking “wow, that’s a bit like me!” well, minus
the drugs. I’m more donuts and alcohol but to be honest there’s not much of a
difference, drugs are probably slightly better than the donuts but both will
kill you.<o:p></o:p></div>
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I had to go to the
gym today and it will be no surprise to anyone if I tell you I’m not training
with Greek Adonis but before I hear y’all say “I told you so” it’s not what you
think. He’s still alive and training but with Smug Git’s schedule and GA’s
schedule it’s better if they work out together.
He is an awesome trainer and I really did enjoy working out with him,
minus the tantrums (and they were from me) but it’s back to training with the
lovely Scott. Today Scott was not so
lovely. I turned up and he was mad, now I get it that he does not want to be
messed around, however the last time I looked at my bank account I was still
paying him so he needs pull his big girl panties up and get on with it. He was
having a hard time dealing with me this morning but it was then that I remembered
that he really is just a wee boy with a big grown up job and if I’m the worst -
I don’t really want to say this - client (doesn't make me or him sound good)
anyway if I’m the worst he’s got he’s not doing half bad. We managed or should I say he managed to get
along with me till the end of the workout and then I booked two more workout
this week and three next week so he seemed to cheer up a bit. Believe me I will
give him a hard time tomorrow about his mood and then it may be onto trainer five!<o:p></o:p></div>
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After my weights
workout I went and did some cardio. I was aiming for 20 minutes but managed 10, which
was better than nothing I suppose. The sweat was pouring off me and I was
knackered but then it had been a week since I had worked out and I’d been
drinking every night so I’m sure I was sweating out pure alcohol. Oh I
seriously need to stop drinking. I go
home and I’m on the internet and I found this little article.<o:p></o:p></div>
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<b><i>Avoid alcohol</i></b><i> <br />
Want to keep your favorite meals from going straight to your hips (thighs,
belly)? Wash them down with water, not wine. Alcohol slows your metabolism by
depressing the central nervous system. A British <a href="http://ajcn.nutrition.org/content/62/3/639.full.pdf%E2%80%8E">study</a>
found that when alcohol was added to a high-fat, high-calorie meal, less
dietary fat was burned off and more was stored as body fat.</i> Bloody Britt’s they
have to suck the fun out of everything.<i><o:p></o:p></i></div>
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Do you think this is true? Don’t even bother answering I
know what y’all will say and that’s not what I want to hear. So what do I do? I
don’t think I have a drink problem, I love it I really do but I do think enough
is enough so after giving it a lot - and I mean a <b>lot</b> of thought, I’m going to not drink for one whole week. I get it
that it does not sound like a long time but I think the last time I didn't
drink was about 18 years ago when I was pregnant (OK so maybe that does make me
sound like I have a bit of a problem). I've just read that last bit back and it
sounds like I've been drinking or drunk for 18 years - Not so but I’m not going
to explain coz I can’t be bothered (see the bitching has started already), so
one week it is starting from today June 20<sup>th</sup> 2013 I’m kind of
crapping myself because I’m not sure I can do it. Next week’s blog could be a drunk
blog, now that would be funny.<o:p></o:p></div>
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Next week’s goals; no drinking and go to the gym five days. That
sounds easy, let’s see!<o:p></o:p></div>
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Let the bitching, I mean fun begin…..<o:p></o:p></div>
izzihttp://www.blogger.com/profile/06556873743908138230noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5579534216826603700.post-33248169816598816312013-06-03T19:21:00.000-07:002013-06-03T19:21:20.955-07:00When the going gets tough the trainers get going!<div class="MsoNormal">
It’s Monday June 3, 2013 officially the first day of my summer
vacation and since starting my fifty till fifty I’ve lost 4 pounds (it’s better
than nothing) and I’m now on my fourth personal trainer. Why do these things
happen to me? Normally during the summer break I average about a 10 pound gain
by the time I go back to work in August but this year I’m hoping it will be 10
pounds in the other direction. First though I guess I should fill you in on how
on earth I managed to get through 3 personal trainers. <o:p></o:p></div>
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Smug Git and I went to LA Fitness to have a look about and
to think about joining. I have to say it’s a very nice gym, well as gyms go it’s
nice and of course it’s full of poncey people that love themselves and tons of
buff teenage boys. Ok I’m just going to say this, teenagers did not look that
buff when I was at school. Well the boys didn’t, some of the girls - now that’s
a different story! Seriously though boys were never that buff and what is it
with the protein shake? All the buff people have a protein shake stuck to their
hand (hmmm maybe that’s where I’m going wrong, that and a few hundred other
things.) Anyway I digress. We decide we are going to sign up and actually get a
good deal so I have an appointment to see a personal trainer called Patrick the
next day.<o:p></o:p></div>
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Wow! Patrick! Or should I say Perfect Patrick this guy is
BUFF! He has arms the size of a small child (oh and not as Smug Git says wee
tiny baby arms) He’s huge and handsome and did I say perfect? Oh god I think
I’m drooling a bit, I’ll need to wipe my chin before I carry on. I go and meet
with him and I come over all smiley and giggly like a big stupid teenager and I
start talking shite like “I rode the MS150 and I write a blog” coz I know
that’s going to impress him, right? Well you never know it might have - well
until I had to tell him what I weigh but being perfect he says “no you don’t
weigh that much”. Told ya - Perfect!<o:p></o:p></div>
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Then Perfect Patrick did the funniest thing he brings out
this piece of equipment that looked exactly like an Xbox controller and he
tells me I have to squeeze the two handles as hard as I can and this will
measure my body fat content but first he has to put in my weight and height
it’s then I start to laugh he might be perfect but he’s not very bright well I
guess you can’t have everything. I mean
seriously I could have squeezed his fingers and told him the same thing the
bloody Xbox controller did. My body fat
content was very high. Really? No shit Sherlock! So the next thing I know I’m
signing up for a personal trainer two days a week (oh god help me now). <o:p></o:p></div>
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<b>Trainer number 1 </b><o:p></o:p></div>
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Candy, sweet little girl with a no nonsense attitude but
with no sense of humor. She did make me laugh when, after our first workout,
she gave me her cell number and told me to call or text her if I had any
questions and then she says “You do know how to text right?”. WTF! How old did
she think I was? I was texting before she was out of diapers! I had a few great workouts with her but one
of the most memorable was when she had me do jumping jacks and I told her that
it was not a good idea since I had a bladder control issue. She looked at me as
if I was speaking a foreign language (to her, maybe I was) she told me to just
stop when I had to and I told her no worries I’d just stop when I slipped on
the pee on the floor. Ha! that made her laugh.
But sadly Candy got fired <span style="font-family: Wingdings; mso-ascii-font-family: Calibri; mso-ascii-theme-font: minor-latin; mso-char-type: symbol; mso-hansi-font-family: Calibri; mso-hansi-theme-font: minor-latin; mso-symbol-font-family: Wingdings;">L</span>.<o:p></o:p></div>
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I liked Candy, but then… who doesn’t like candy!<o:p></o:p></div>
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<b>Trainer number 2</b><o:p></o:p></div>
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Helga, big, giant, dark haired girl with a mole and a mustache.
Well ok she was tall, skinny and beautiful. Or she would have been if she
smiled. She did not like fat people, so I did not like Helga. I preferred to
think of her as big and moley with a mustache.
She would not talk to me and could barely look in my direction but I don’t
know why that should surprise me as gyms all over the world are like that. Skinny
people think there’s something wrong with you if you’re fat and that if they
talk to you they may catch the fat virus (oops bit of a rant there). Anyway, it
was no surprise when she did not show up for me the next day. Shocker right?<o:p></o:p></div>
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<b>Trainer number 3 </b><o:p></o:p></div>
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The lovely Scott! What can I say about Scott, great wee
trainer, nice young man. I had some fantastic workouts with him but as they say
all good things must come to an end and Smug Git needs the help much more than
me so he is now training with Scott.<o:p></o:p></div>
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And me? <o:p></o:p></div>
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Well I’m now on to…..<o:p></o:p></div>
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<b>Trainer number 4</b><o:p></o:p></div>
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Are y’all ready for this? </div>
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I’m now training with Greek Adonis
and my first training day is today. Now this
is going to go one of two ways; I’m going to lose all my weight & look
fantastic or I’ll lose all my weight eating prison food because I’ve murdered
the wee shite. Either way I’ll be looking a lot better. <o:p></o:p></div>
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Wish me luck till next time…..Iz <o:p></o:p></div>
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Quick update I’m just back from my first work out with Greek
Adonis and there is another scenario I may just collapse and die during a
workout… help! <o:p></o:p></div>
izzihttp://www.blogger.com/profile/06556873743908138230noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5579534216826603700.post-23250524586871896442013-05-15T14:01:00.002-07:002013-05-15T14:01:47.736-07:0050/50<br />
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Well hello old friends! I know it’s been a while but I have
a new challenge in mind and I know I’m going to need all the support and
cheerleading I can get and there’s no better way to get it than by blogging to
y’all every couple of weeks. BUT don’t worry your money is safe under your
mattresses and in your banks. This time I’m not looking for your hard earned
cash. (Ha! I just heard a huge sigh of relief from all my friends)<o:p></o:p></div>
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First things first as you all probably know by now I did not
ride in this year’s MS150 <span style="font-family: Wingdings; mso-ascii-font-family: Calibri; mso-ascii-theme-font: minor-latin; mso-char-type: symbol; mso-hansi-font-family: Calibri; mso-hansi-theme-font: minor-latin; mso-symbol-font-family: Wingdings;">L</span>
due to my bloody hip problem, yes it still hurts but the doc has been trying
some new meds and as of right now it feels like it’s helping a bit. Not a lot,
I still have pain but less than before thankfully and because of this, now for
the first time in a long time I think I can attempt some exercise.<o:p></o:p></div>
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So with that being said let me tell you what I’m planning -
are you all ready for this? Drum roll please……… </div>
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I am going to try, well not try,
I am going to lose 50 pounds before my 50<sup>th</sup> birthday. I know crazy right? Thankfully my birthday is next April so that
gives me 50 weeks give or take a week or two so I think it’s very doable and
it’s not like I’ll be a twig insect if I lose 50 so very doable, also I have
two friends who want to help me with this and as soon as they are on board 100%
I’ll introduce them to y’all. They are hilarious because they don’t want you to
know how much they weigh just how much the loss or gain each week. This will
make for a funny read since I think it should be a no holds barred competition which
of course I will win not that I’m in the least bit competitive right Sandra? <o:p></o:p></div>
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Last month was my 49<sup>th</sup> birthday, the last year in
my forties and I had to share my birthday with a little boy at school. Let me
start by saying a very cute and lovely little boy, however I still had to share
it with him. What is it with 3 year old children? It has to be all about them,
so selfish! But happily I reminded the children that it was not all about him
it was my special day too! Well that didn’t work too well for me since he
brought in the best snack ever. Ok I’m losing this one big time, bloody
children. Anyway I was going to start
this new escapade on the Wednesday, the day after my birthday but due to the massive
hangover I had maybe Thursday would work better. But no I went to my friend
Amanda’s for dinner, I had convinced myself I would not have a drink and when I
got there she asked me if I’d like a drink, “No thanks I’m good right now” (are
you all impressed?) well that lasted about an hour and it was G&T’s
all-round never mind I’ll start tomorrow….No wait that’s Friday, then the
weekend. Ok Monday it is then and I’m really serious, Monday is D day.<o:p></o:p></div>
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Every time I blog I will set myself goals for the following
week or two and then I will report back to you and let you know where I have
managed to achieve those goals or hopefully do better and I will even let you
know if I fail by thinking up the best excuses why I did not achieve them, no I
promise I’ll be honest, scouts honor. I
will hopefully let you know how much weight I’ve lost but I will also let you
know if I’ve gained. I’m going to take
pictures so that you can see my progress as I go and I’m planning on taking my
first picture today I’ll also add the other girls pictures if they want to do
that. <o:p></o:p></div>
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Goals for the week…..<o:p></o:p></div>
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I don’t know if anyone knows this, well besides Smug Git,
but I am an addict. I’m addicted to eggs I LOVE, LOVE, LOVE eggs! I have an egg
every day and I know eating one every day is not good for you but neither is
gin and tonic and that doesn’t stop me either however in the spirit of reaching
my goal this week I’m going to have a protein smoothie for breakfast and no gin
and tonics till Friday (and just to let you know no I don’t have a G&T for
breakfast ok) my other favorite food group is bread. I have to have bread at
every meal so having the smoothie will cut out one of my bread servings for the
day. I think that will be a good start for the food week now exercise is
another story. Since my hip has been giving me so much pain lately I can
honestly say I’ve done little or no exercise in going on 4 months, today Smug
Git and I are off to join a gym I will try and work up the courage to actually
go and use the gym at least once this week but I will get on my bike and do a
little 30 minute walk I think that’s plenty for week 1 I hope you all agree.<o:p></o:p></div>
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Wish me luck! See y’all next week for an update. <o:p></o:p></div>
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izzihttp://www.blogger.com/profile/06556873743908138230noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5579534216826603700.post-67288029163233473012013-01-20T19:11:00.000-08:002013-01-20T19:11:26.572-08:00On the Road Again. <br />
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Let me tell you about last weeks ride….First let me say that
if you thought I had a bit of a moan on the last blog you aint read nothing
yet! Last Saturday I went for my first
training ride for this year’s MS150. I know. I can hear y’all asking “What? You’re
doing it again so soon?” and the answer should be “Why yes friends I am” but
instead I’m thinking stop asking stupid questions of course I’m doing it again
why else would I have dragged my sorry fat ass out of bed on a windy, rainy
miserable and oh, did I say windy, Saturday morning. Yes friends I think I’m doing it again!<o:p></o:p></div>
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Ok let’s get started then.
After work on Friday I had choir practice and for those of you who don’t
know what this is, it’s code at school for happy hour (so the parents don’t
realize the teachers are all alcoholics). I only had 2½ drinks because I knew I
was doing a training ride in the morning and because being the athlete that I
am (not). I know that for me drinking and riding my bike even if it is the next
day doesn’t mix…now if only I would have kept all this in mind when I got home
but no I had to go on and have a few drinks more. Not too many but a few more
and I did not go to bed early enough so ultimately I woke up feeling like shit
and still tired, of course Smug Gut is all happy whistling and getting all the
gear together (seriously I could stick a hot poker in his eye. ) You can tell
I’m not happy right now right? I look in the mirror and it’s as if I haven’t
looked at myself. I look 48, I feel 48
and when did I put all this weight on? So right then and there I decide… No,
not to go on another diet, I decide I’m not wearing cycling clothes looking
like this. Although I do have to wear the shorts (for the padding) so I pull on
the scabbiest t-shirt I can find. I head out to the kitchen and Smug Git just
looks at me but says nothing. Oh except “Do you want a banana for breakfast and
we can go for lunch after the ride?” <o:p></o:p></div>
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Me: “A banana! I’ve
to cycle 16 miles on a banana?”<o:p></o:p></div>
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SG: “Ok! I’ll just put the bacon on” (hot poker in the other
eye)<o:p></o:p></div>
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And off we go with hardly a word spoken between us. When we get there The Don, our riding buddy
from last year, parked right next to us. Smug Git gets out the car and starts
unpacking and I just sit there with my face like thunder and I can hear him say
to The Don “She’s in a mood, she does not want to be here” <o:p></o:p></div>
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Me: “You do know I can hear you?”<o:p></o:p></div>
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SG and The Don just laugh!<o:p></o:p></div>
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Eventually I get out the car and to my right there is this
group of people apparently all using their really loud outside voices. I don’t care if you were a great cyclist when
you were a kid and I don’t care what you got for Christmas and stop laughing I’m
in a mood! Can someone, anyone, please tell me why I’m doing this again because
right now I have no fucking idea. <o:p></o:p></div>
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The ride starts and as always I hate the start with all
those bikes all bunched up together. I feel sick and nervous but I get myself
together and we set off. Well ok this is not too bad. I’m going at quite a good
pace I look down and I’m riding about 15 or 16 miles an hour I guess they are
right when they say it’s just like riding a bike! Pun intended. Before I know it we are at the rest stop, half
way to the ride being over! I do have to say I was very red in the face and a
wee bit out of breath because I did think I had set out too fast but we were
there and the first part was over and it only took 33 minutes. Ok, ok I can do
this, I can do another 33 minutes back to the car. I feel the beginnings of a
smile. Smug Git is looking at me I think he’s not sure if it’s a smile or if I’m
wincing at him so he very smartly says nothing. Back on the bike and off we go
to the end. And then it happens, we turn
onto the road and the wind just hits us, oh where the hell did that come from?
It wasn't just a wee bit windy it was blowing a gale! I was wobbling on the
bike and I can tell you there was not even the hint of a smile. I was wincing
all the way back and I was cycling on the granny gears. The 35 minutes back
ended up being 47, I felt like I was cycling up a hill the whole way and
everything hurt from my head to my toes. You know when you exercise those
endorphins are supposed to kick in and you get that feel good factor? Well my
endorphins must have slept in because they were nowhere to be found. Remember ages ago I asked the question was I
crazy doing this again because I knew what was in front of me? Well today I
know the answer. Hell yes I’m crazy and
I have to be honest I’m not sure I can do it. This year I think my MS 150
contribution may be in the form of volunteering because this is too hard plus
no one has sponsored me yet so I have an easy out. <o:p></o:p></div>
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I will do it because if I don’t then I would have failed
myself and if I could do it last year I sure as hell won’t let it beat me this
year but I have a feeling my blogs may be taking a different route but I hope
you will all have my back with your words of encouragement when I need them and
believe me I need them big time.<o:p></o:p></div>
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Thanks for reading see you next week…Iz <o:p></o:p></div>
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Serious Bit….<o:p></o:p></div>
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Please sponsor me I’m in dire need of the motivation. Here is my <a href="https://secure3.convio.net/nmss/site/Donation2?idb=2051025017&df_id=41150&FR_ID=20226&41150.donation=form1&PROXY_ID=10260277&PROXY_TYPE=20" target="_blank">link</a><o:p></o:p></div>
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izzihttp://www.blogger.com/profile/06556873743908138230noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5579534216826603700.post-34288945187051585982013-01-12T13:09:00.000-08:002013-01-12T13:09:43.965-08:00Peace perfect peaceI’m going to have a rant in this blog, now I know it’s
probably not politically correct to blog about your children, well unless
you’re talking about how wonderful they are or how they are in honor classes or
in all Pre-AP or AP classes or are in fact top 10% of their class and god
forbid they’d be less than top25%. I think in my neighborhood along with the
ban on fireworks and the not allowed to let your cat out on its own if your
children were less than top 25% you’d be breaking the deed restrictions and
would be lowering the value of the house prices so therefore you would be asked
to leave. Thankfully we’ve kept our
dirty little secret safe so far. But I
don’t care. I’ve been at home with my two children (well I say children but
they are actually young adults) for two weeks and they are driving me crazy! Is
it wrong to look forward to being an empty nester?<br />
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<o:p></o:p></div>
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I know bringing up children is not easy and I can only speak
for boys (and I can’t begin to understand how hard it must be bringing up
girls). When you first bring them home it’s all lovely, then the sleepless
nights start but every time you look at that wee face everything is ok with the
world. Who cares about a few sleepless nights? Then there’s the terrible two’s,
those cute little defiant faces telling you no and you have to try your best
not to laugh after they’ve changed themselves into nothing but welly boots and
a towel pegged round their neck when you’re in a hurry to get out it’s no
biggie really, right? So ok fast forward 17 and 19 years later. Nothing is cute.
And nothing, and I mean <b>nothing</b> is
funny.<o:p></o:p></div>
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Let’s start with my youngest son, the 17 year old. He’s a
gamer. If you have one of these you’ll know exactly what I’m talking about. If
not I’ll describe him for you so you’ll be able to recognize a gamer
anywhere. He’ll be the pasty faced kid
with no color because he spends little to no time outside and will have no clue
what the big yellow ball in the sky is.
He will have top of the range equipment like gamer boy, who I have to
say, has built his own faster than light computer (ok does that count as
bragging?) He has this fancy office chair that I’m sure is molded to his body,
two monitors and an F-off keyboard and mouse but the pe esta resistance is the
noise cancelling head phones. Unfortunately for us they don’t cancel the noise
coming from his bed room just me shouting in at the top of my lungs when I need
him. Now I could run up the stairs to get him but why would I do that when I
can text him and apparently they don’t cancel out the small ping of a text they
just cancel out me (funny that).<o:p></o:p></div>
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This past two weeks Gamer Boy has spent his time equally
between gaming and sleeping with limited interruptions for eating and the
occasional shower. GB plays online with the same kids all the time so I know
those parents know what I’m talking about but I have to tell you about this one
kid he plays with. His name is “Kyle”, we, being the good parents we are, have
no idea what so ever who “Kyle” is only that GB has been playing on line with
him for I would say close on 5 years. We have asked questions and of course
given GB a hard time by telling him “you have no idea who this kid is, he could
be a 40 year old guy with 5 kids” and all GB would say was he’s not and he has
a really high voice (ok so that’s reassuring) Kyle does not live in this state
so calm down all you good parents out there GB has never met him (because that
would require leaving the house and that’s not happening any time soon) but we
have a nick name for “Kyle” in our house and wait for it it’s………..Kyle the
pedophile! Haha I know it’s not funny but really it is.<o:p></o:p></div>
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Now onto eldest son the 19 year old. Oh where to start! This
is the first year Greek Adonis aka Stupid Son went off to college and I have to
say it has been wonderful not to have him at home. Quiet, no drama but I do
miss him or did miss him but he’s back.
He did come back for a week at Thanksgiving and it was so nice. He was
lovely and considerate and easy to talk to. It was kind of like having someone
else’s kid at your house so as you can imagine I was really looking forward to
him coming home for a whole month at Christmas. Well two weeks in and eh not so
much! All I hear is “What’s for breakfast?”, “What’s for lunch?”, “What’s for
dinner?” So then I stupidly offer up a
choice <o:p></o:p></div>
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Me “Would you like cereal?”<o:p></o:p></div>
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Boys “No”<o:p></o:p></div>
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Me “Toast?”<o:p></o:p></div>
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Boys “No”<o:p></o:p></div>
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Me “Eggs?”<o:p></o:p></div>
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Boys “no”<o:p></o:p></div>
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And then it’s the same at lunch and dinner arrg! <o:p></o:p></div>
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“So what do you want?” “I don’t know” Ok shoot me now. <o:p></o:p></div>
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So Greek Adonis has also brought his dog home remember the
dog I did not want him to get? Now the dog is very well trained I’ll give him
that but the wee shite (GA that is, not the dog) is never home so it’s left to
me and Smug Git to look after the bloody dog. Well when I say me and Smug Git I
really mean Smug Git. All I’ve done for the dog is throw it the odd carrot here
and there (I think that counts as looking after him) it’s more than Greek
Adonis has done and then he has the cheek to tell me I’m not looking after him
right! WTF! Damn right I’m not, HE’S NOT MY DOG! (Oh big rant there) maybe if
he was at home a bit more he could look after his own stupid dog but apparently
being home for a month from school is the same as going on vacation! So far he
has gone mountain biking, played several rounds of golf, gone out for lunch and
dinner, numerous all night parties whilst living in the lap of luxury in an
all-inclusive hotel with a laundry and pet sitting facility thrown in for
free. Come on now that’s funny I know I
now sound like all your mothers right? Because I know I sound like mine. I
never had it that good.<o:p></o:p></div>
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I can honestly say I can’t wait to get them back to school
and me back to work and let me tell you something else when Gamer Boy leaves
for college we are selling this house and leaving no forwarding address. See
how they like that!<o:p></o:p></div>
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Rant over thanks for listening! <o:p></o:p></div>
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Love and Happy New Year to All. Iz x <o:p></o:p></div>
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izzihttp://www.blogger.com/profile/06556873743908138230noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5579534216826603700.post-77508252456641381412012-12-09T20:14:00.000-08:002012-12-09T20:14:42.226-08:00Wabbit Season!<br />
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<span style="font-family: Helvetica;"><span style="mso-fareast-font-family: AppleColorEmoji; mso-hansi-font-family: AppleColorEmoji;">I know I have not written a blog in a while and to tell you
the truth that was for two reasons. One, I know as soon as I write something
I'm seriously going to have to start working on losing weight and I'll have to
actually get on the bike again and, two, nothing remotely funny or otherwise
has happened to me lately. Well that is until this weekend! So now I'm writing
this and I'll have to start the diet and the bike riding but best of all I get
to tell you about my weekend.</span><o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Helvetica;">Smug Git and I were invited to go hunting with our good friends
the Howard's. Now I'm not really a hunting kind of girl and have tried several
times in the past say 20 odd years being vegetarian but like most of the things
I try I failed miserably (seriously who can live without bacon?) but as you
know I do love any opportunity to partake in a few alcoholic beverages so I was
mad keen to go and live it up out in the country. We pack up Friday after work
and head out. As we are leaving Smug Git tells me that he also will not be
hunting. Ok really? We are invited on a hunting weekend and none of us are
going to do it. So there and then I decide I will do it, I'll shoot the bloody
thing! Or at least be there when Mike shoots it. So from here on in Smug Git
will now be known as Josephine (the big girls blouse.)<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Helvetica;">Friday evening we have a really nice dinner but I'm a bag of
nerves due, obviously to the fact that I will be killing an animal the next
morning so to get us in the mood we watch the deer hunter ha ha ha just kidding
we watch a few episodes of duck dynasty. Now I don't know if you've ever
watched this wee gem, but it is so funny! I recommend y'all catching an episode
and I know you're thinking what does this have to do with deer hunting but it
will all become clear later.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>When its
time for bed Josephine sets the alarm for me at 5:50am on a Saturday morning so
I can go hunt, like I need an alarm I'll be awake all night worrying about it.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Helvetica;">5:50am and you guessed it I'm awake before the alarm but
surprisingly enough I did sleep. Josephine and I get up, I don't know why she's
up because she's not going anywhere. I'm the one doing all the dirty work. When
we head out it's black as two in the morning and we have to get to the hut (or
as us hunters call it the hide). As soon as we get out the door there are wild
animals right there in front of us! Three raccoons! For real! Right there! Mike
scares them with the torch (now I know you Americans are thinking we have a big
stick with a flame on it but no it was a flashlight) and then we have to go in
the same direction as the wild animals went! I'm freaking out and I can't see
two feet in front of me! Ok I can do this, deep breath. I forgot to say Mike is
in full camouflage gear while I'm in a pair of 3/4 length jeans and Skechers.
Anyway we get to the hut and climb inside. It's tiny with a wooden bench but I
do get a cushion to sit on although with a butt the size of mine it feels like
I'm sitting on a Kleenex. We settle in for the kill and Mike loads the gun. A
.50 caliber rifle no less. Have you ever sat beside someone with a loaded gun
before? Well let me tell you, I was following all the rules, I kept my eyes
peeled and my mouth well and truly shut. In fact if truth be told I was scared
to move a muscle! I just looked out the window and only talked when I was
talked to in a very quiet whisper. Then to my left I spot a doe, a deer, a
female deer (ok I know you're laughing at this. I was actually thinking this at
the time.) I nudge Mike and I'm kinda proud of myself because I spotted it
first but panicking that he will shoot it and I'll have to watch but no we
don't shoot doe's only buck's. I did not know that thank god. Two more doe come
along and head into our field then something gets their attention and it looks
like they are staring right at me then they run off thank god. I feel like my
mind melding with the deer worked "Run, flee for your life!" Now if I
can keep this up I won't have to kill anything but Mike decides to bring out
the big guns the, wait for it......"Buck Commander" from duck dynasty!
For real! He bought one from that place in Louisiana. He starts blowing in it
to get the bucks to come out but thankfully they don't and I'm so relieved I
get to go back and still look tough in front of Josephine with bragging rights
intact for a long time or until she grows a pair.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>We get back to the house and I'm so full of
myself, bragging and laughing and giving Josephine such a hard time then Mike
says </span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Helvetica;"></span> </div>
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<span style="font-family: Helvetica;">"So Izzi you want to go out again just before sunset?"<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Helvetica;"><span style="mso-fareast-font-family: AppleColorEmoji; mso-hansi-font-family: AppleColorEmoji;">Me "Sure I'd love to" (fuck!)</span><o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Helvetica;"><span style="mso-fareast-font-family: AppleColorEmoji; mso-hansi-font-family: AppleColorEmoji;">Me "Hey Smug Git, you want to go?" (I was trying to
get on his good side)</span><o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Helvetica;"><span style="mso-fareast-font-family: AppleColorEmoji; mso-hansi-font-family: AppleColorEmoji;">SG "No, no worries, you can go"</span><o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Helvetica;"><span style="mso-fareast-font-family: AppleColorEmoji; mso-hansi-font-family: AppleColorEmoji;">Me "Cool thanks" (fuck!)</span><o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Helvetica;"><span style="mso-fareast-font-family: AppleColorEmoji; mso-hansi-font-family: AppleColorEmoji;">Ok to cut a long story short I went back out, saw lots and
lots of doe but once again no buck. My mind melding was still working. </span><o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Helvetica;"><span style="mso-fareast-font-family: AppleColorEmoji; mso-hansi-font-family: AppleColorEmoji;">I think Josephine was rather pissed off at me and decided to
go out the next morning and what would you know. They did get a buck and Smug
Git (Josephine no more) helped with all the dirty work that goes with killing
animals. The stuff I don't want to know about when I'm tucking into a nice
steak dinner.</span><o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi8ZpMuOWNGrs9WJ5BHqayu70uTNE2iFg1Ayyl6zJXwXqP_Id-JTLj04qRh6jsFkTontWvPcVqnCruR7PxOQbDKCVjHd2wDor-vSDJFW0UOF7STbdIBcwqi68B7Xq-nVSPDoF3XMvhIJ0s/s1600/IMG_4317%5B1%5D.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="213" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi8ZpMuOWNGrs9WJ5BHqayu70uTNE2iFg1Ayyl6zJXwXqP_Id-JTLj04qRh6jsFkTontWvPcVqnCruR7PxOQbDKCVjHd2wDor-vSDJFW0UOF7STbdIBcwqi68B7Xq-nVSPDoF3XMvhIJ0s/s320/IMG_4317%5B1%5D.JPG" width="320" /></a><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjiT5rHmcNWxXZJq0FEvCFH3L6xVQukjWFlYuS9BOXhpvESl4SmvL4V3RsOK-57V0ETi7tbO5BDwLxJ6l69cYa-Y_QekX5vtj8o7srSO0lj3Uid9xLhLkClYdstQTrh1ZUXodkdhJSBrLA/s1600/IMG_4315%5B1%5D.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="213" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjiT5rHmcNWxXZJq0FEvCFH3L6xVQukjWFlYuS9BOXhpvESl4SmvL4V3RsOK-57V0ETi7tbO5BDwLxJ6l69cYa-Y_QekX5vtj8o7srSO0lj3Uid9xLhLkClYdstQTrh1ZUXodkdhJSBrLA/s320/IMG_4315%5B1%5D.JPG" width="320" /></a></div>
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<span style="font-family: Helvetica;"><span style="mso-fareast-font-family: AppleColorEmoji; mso-hansi-font-family: AppleColorEmoji;">What a nice weekend with at last something to write about. </span><o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Helvetica;"><strong><span style="mso-fareast-font-family: AppleColorEmoji; mso-hansi-font-family: AppleColorEmoji;">Serious bit </span><o:p></o:p></strong></span></div>
<strong>
</strong><br />
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<span style="font-family: Helvetica;"><span style="mso-fareast-font-family: AppleColorEmoji; mso-hansi-font-family: AppleColorEmoji;">I do want to remind y'all I am riding in the MS150 and if some
of you could spare a few dollars to sponsor me it might help me get fired up
about training so please give it some thought. <a href="http://main.nationalmssociety.org/goto/y-izzi-y" target="_blank">Here</a> is my link</span><o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<o:p><span style="font-family: Helvetica;"> </span></o:p></div>
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<span style="font-family: Helvetica;">Thanks for reading. Iz <span lang="en-US" style="color: windowtext; font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 10pt; mso-ansi-language: #0400; mso-bidi-language: X-NONE; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-fareast-language: #0400;"><o:p></o:p></span></span></div>
izzihttp://www.blogger.com/profile/06556873743908138230noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5579534216826603700.post-2340298208704942152012-10-28T10:29:00.001-07:002012-10-28T10:29:36.639-07:00Moan,Moan,Moan! <br />
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As you have gathered since I have not written anything for 3
weeks there’s not a lot going on in my house at the moment. Well there’s a lot
of lying on the sofa and stuffing my fat face but besides that not a lot else. So I've been struggling to think of something
to blog about and I know I've spoken to friends who will tell me just write
about anything “we’ll read it” and “it’ll be funny” oh and believe me when I
tell you there are tons of stuff I’d love to write about but I don’t want to
hurt anybody’s feelings or piss anyone off ranting about politics and anyway
this blog was supposed to be about my failures and successes on my journey to
better health. Well “how is that working out for you?” I can hear you all say
and I‘d quickly answer y’all back as politely as I could and say “Fuck off its
not” oh and I’m in one god awful foul mood today! (And the bloody mouse on this
computer is not working properly Arrg!)<o:p></o:p></div>
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<br /></div>
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So why am I in a foul mood today? Well I take it you all
remember the lite beer debacle? The community
service (done) alcohol awareness (1/2 done) but I’m not sure if I mentioned the
court costs $450 (paid). So all in all it’s
on the way to being done and dusted all in the allotted time. Ok good let’s
move on, put it behind us and let’s not drag it up ever again like good mothers
do. (Yeah, but not sure I fit into that category so I’ll have to save that
little chestnut for later). I know, I know, all you perfect mothers out there
rolling your eyes. Stop rolling your eyes or I’m going to have to talk about something
else that irritates the hell out of me – “Beg, Barter, Buy and sell” - This is
our local community Facebook page that allows only people in our neighborhood to list whatever shite they see fit to sell. Now
don’t get me wrong sometimes there may be the occasional wee gem on there but a
lot of the time it’s tat! Really, honestly - A 3 ringed binder for $3, leaf and
tree cleaner $2 or how about some fake red apples a snip at $3. I’m sure one night I saw left over spaghetti bolognaise
from an absolutely delicious dinner, yours for $1.50 (no I’m just joking about
that, that wasn't on there long I bought it yumm!)But seriously people could
you just not ask your friends and give them away or better still donate it to a
good cause there are tons of them out there.
<o:p></o:p></div>
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But I guess you’re still wondering why I’m in a bad mood and
I haven’t really explained it I've just ranted on for a bit well here goes I don’t
know if you remember or if you even know but Stupid son wanted a dog, this was
way before litebeergate and I was not
one bit happy about it and tried all my powers of reasoning to talk him out of
it. You know the usual, dogs are not just for Christmas blah, blah, blah, the
cost, the vets, the where does he go when you’re not there. All the sensible
stuff but Stupid arse in his wisdom spoke to his dad Stupid Arse mark 2 and off
they duly trotted to the animal shelter to pick up a rescue dog (albeit a very
cute dog) but a dog none the less. As you can imagine I was not happy and that
day when Stupid Arse and the dug left for school I cried my eyes out. I did not
cry when I took him to college and left him there but was sobbing when he went
with that bloody dog. Is school not hard
enough without the added problems of a dog? Enough said. Oh and that’s still
not the reason I’m in a foul mood. Well the dog has been there for, I would say
close on 6 weeks now and Smug Git comes in and tells me that we have to go and
withdraw $400 from our bank account for Stupid Arses apartment complex because
he has a dug! Wait, What? We have to pay another $400 to the apartment? None of
you two idiots thought to check the apartments out before you got the dug! Arrrrg!
I really feel like I’m handcuffed to idiots! Where the hell is he going to find
$400 dollars from? No! Wait! I take it all back… Does anyone want to buy my
favorite Gin glass? Used often but with lots of love $400 obo! <o:p></o:p></div>
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Deep breath.<o:p></o:p></div>
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Rant over… And… Relax<o:p></o:p></div>
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Ok other news. I’m just going to ask the question - What’s
wrong with a wee bit of alcohol at breakfast if it’s for medicinal purposes?
That’d be ok right? I know, I know - Wrong! Well we found a new homeopathic remedy
for my arthritis and it’s 9 gin soaked raisins a day. So basically you put the
golden raisins (must be golden) in a bowl and cover them with gin. Leave them
till all the gin has soaked in and eat 9 a day not 8 or 10 just 9. I’m not
quite sure what will happen if you deviate from the amount but I’m sticking to
the rules. So far if truth be told it’s not made a blind bit of difference but
I do have a wee chuckle every time I eat them and they taste great. I think
they’d be even better on your frosties. <o:p></o:p></div>
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Sorry about all the moaning this week but check out the
serious bit there might be a wee moan in there but read on…<o:p></o:p></div>
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<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<b>Serious bit</b><o:p></o:p></div>
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<br /></div>
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10/11/12 was the
first day to sign up to do the MS150 for 2013 and as I've always said last year
was a huge achievement for me but I did sign up as a dare and I had no idea
what I was getting myself into. Now what to do about this year, I know what’s in
front of me and how hard it was and how much of a cry baby bitch I was a lot of
the time and how I've really not done a lot during the summer months. It was
time to make up my mind. Do I go for it again? Or do I just check it off my
bucket list as done and go back to the sofa? A huge part of me wants to do that
because who likes hard work? And y’all know how hard it was for me and now
knowing about the hills, the no alcohol, the early starts, no relaxing weekends
(ok I need to stop here I’m totally talking myself out of this) but I’m really
happy to say that I have signed up to do the 2013 MS150 from Houston to Austin
on April 21 and 22. So if any of you
fancy a wee spin round the neighborhood PM me or call. I need all the help I
can get! Oh and now I should have more
to blog about Yeah!<o:p></o:p></div>
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Thanks for reading see y’all next time, love Iz <o:p></o:p></div>
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Here is my <a href="http://main.nationalmssociety.org/goto/y-izzi-y" target="_blank">link</a> if you’d like to help me reach my goal of
$1000.<o:p></o:p></div>
izzihttp://www.blogger.com/profile/06556873743908138230noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5579534216826603700.post-43767277998341785002012-10-07T11:54:00.000-07:002012-10-07T11:54:43.247-07:00Book him Danno, murder one!<br />
<div class="Body1">
<span style="font-family: "Calibri","sans-serif"; font-size: 11.0pt; mso-ascii-theme-font: minor-latin; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-latin; mso-hansi-theme-font: minor-latin;">Well isn't technology a wonderful thing? I've just discovered how
to write my blog while lying on the sofa. Oh the inactivity of it! I can feel
the pounds returning as I type with my one finger (well it is hard to write
while balancing the iPad on my left boob). <o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<br /></div>
<div class="Body1">
<span style="font-family: "Calibri","sans-serif"; font-size: 11.0pt; mso-ascii-theme-font: minor-latin; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-latin; mso-hansi-theme-font: minor-latin;">This week was a very interesting week. Before I tell you all about
it I'll get the biking and diet bit out of the way, I promise it won't take
long since I've done none of it, I've been on the bike twice in the last two
weeks and I've eaten everything in my path that doesn't have a pulse. End of
the healthy bit (told you it wouldn't take long). <o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<br /></div>
<div class="Body1">
<span style="font-family: "Calibri","sans-serif"; font-size: 11.0pt; mso-ascii-theme-font: minor-latin; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-latin; mso-hansi-theme-font: minor-latin;">Ok first things first I probably should not be writing this and
I'm sure some of you will be horrified and some of you might judge me but hey
what's new so here goes. I have to go back a few weeks to start. <o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<br /></div>
<div class="Body1">
<span style="font-family: "Calibri","sans-serif"; font-size: 11.0pt; mso-ascii-theme-font: minor-latin; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-latin; mso-hansi-theme-font: minor-latin;">A couple of Sunday mornings ago the phone rung at 9:30am and Greek
Adonis (from this point on will be known as Stupid Son) tells Smug Git the night
before he got caught outside with a beer and got a ticket for a MIP (for my
international friends that's a Minor In Possession of alcohol) when I say
alcohol it was a lite beer! I mean really if you’re going to be stupid enough
to get a MIP could you at least make sure it's with a real beer and not the lite
shite. To be honest I don't know how y'all don't know about this because I'm sure that Sunday morning the whole of
Texas could hear me shouting and screaming like a banshee. He then gets a court
date of October 6th and I have to get a day off to go up with him because Smug Git
is away and here's where it gets funny. <o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="Body1">
<br /></div>
<div class="Body1">
<span style="font-family: "Calibri","sans-serif"; font-size: 11.0pt; mso-ascii-theme-font: minor-latin; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-latin; mso-hansi-theme-font: minor-latin;">The first thing is he does not own a nice pair of pants or decent pair
of dress shoes and I don't really want to spend money on buying him any so I
look in his brothers closet and find everything I need however the shoes are a
size 11 and SS is only a 9.5 but Smug Git who should now be known as Stupid Arse
(ha funny like father like son) thinks he can just wear two pairs of sock and
this will be fine. I head off to Bryan
Tx and I hate driving because I don't know where I'm going and we have a new
car that I can't work but I have my sat/nav and I'm good to go. I head up the
road with my music blaring, singing along and the album I'm listening to ends
but I don't or rather can't change it because that would mean taking my hand off the
steering wheel and not looking at the road. A no no for me so I have to spend
the rest of the journey listening to Christmas music - oh and not just any old
Christmas music – It’s Rascal Flats Christmas music! Well we are in Texas after
all. <o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<br /></div>
<div class="Body1">
<span style="font-family: "Calibri","sans-serif"; font-size: 11.0pt; mso-ascii-theme-font: minor-latin; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-latin; mso-hansi-theme-font: minor-latin;">I arrive at SS's in plenty of time for his court appearance and give
him the clothes and shoes. He takes one look at the shoes and starts to laugh. <o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<br /></div>
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<span style="font-family: "Calibri","sans-serif"; font-size: 11.0pt; mso-ascii-theme-font: minor-latin; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-latin; mso-hansi-theme-font: minor-latin;">SS "Are you serious? I can't wear those shoes"<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "Calibri","sans-serif"; font-size: 11.0pt; mso-ascii-theme-font: minor-latin; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-latin; mso-hansi-theme-font: minor-latin;">Me "They'll be fine, just wear two pairs of socks"<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "Calibri","sans-serif"; font-size: 11.0pt; mso-ascii-theme-font: minor-latin; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-latin; mso-hansi-theme-font: minor-latin;">SS "No way! I look like I have clown shoes on"<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<br /></div>
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<span style="font-family: "Calibri","sans-serif"; font-size: 11.0pt; mso-ascii-theme-font: minor-latin; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-latin; mso-hansi-theme-font: minor-latin;">Me "Don't be so dramatic!" <o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<br /></div>
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<span style="font-family: "Calibri","sans-serif"; font-size: 11.0pt; mso-ascii-theme-font: minor-latin; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-latin; mso-hansi-theme-font: minor-latin;">But they did look like clown shoes and I was trying hard not to
laugh but then he started laughing and lifted up his trouser leg to reveal
about 2" between his heel and the heel of the shoe. Needless to say he did
not wear the shoes. We head off to court
and SS is a bag of nerves. We get to the waiting room and I'm the only mother
there. Not only that but I'm the only woman! It's all redneck teenagers with
not a pair of pants or shoes between them it's all cowboy boots, shiny buckles
and jeans. We then go into court and SS tells me not to say anything and of
course having a last name that begins with W means I get to hear what everyone
else is there for. It was better than reality TV! Well not quite, it was all
bald tires and out of date inspection stickers but what was funny was every kid
gave the same excuse. <o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<br /></div>
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<span style="font-family: "Calibri","sans-serif"; font-size: 11.0pt; mso-ascii-theme-font: minor-latin; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-latin; mso-hansi-theme-font: minor-latin;">Redneck kid "Uh I'd just moved here and forgot" <o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<br /></div>
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<span style="font-family: "Calibri","sans-serif"; font-size: 11.0pt; mso-ascii-theme-font: minor-latin; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-latin; mso-hansi-theme-font: minor-latin;">Judge "Is it fixed?"<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<br /></div>
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<span style="font-family: "Calibri","sans-serif"; font-size: 11.0pt; mso-ascii-theme-font: minor-latin; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-latin; mso-hansi-theme-font: minor-latin;">Redneck "Yes sir"<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<br /></div>
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<span style="font-family: "Calibri","sans-serif"; font-size: 11.0pt; mso-ascii-theme-font: minor-latin; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-latin; mso-hansi-theme-font: minor-latin;">Judge "Case dismissed!"<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<br /></div>
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<span style="font-family: "Calibri","sans-serif"; font-size: 11.0pt; mso-ascii-theme-font: minor-latin; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-latin; mso-hansi-theme-font: minor-latin;">Somehow I don't think that'll happen when it's our turn! <o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<br /></div>
<div class="Body1">
<span style="font-family: "Calibri","sans-serif"; font-size: 11.0pt; mso-ascii-theme-font: minor-latin; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-latin; mso-hansi-theme-font: minor-latin;">Then this other kid goes up and SS tells me that he was drinking
with him. However he got a ticket for MIC (Minor In Consumption of alcohol). So
wait!! Now it all makes sense to me! SS was not drinking, he was just holding
it for someone else (wink, wink). Right?<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "Calibri","sans-serif"; font-size: 11.0pt; mso-ascii-theme-font: minor-latin; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-latin; mso-hansi-theme-font: minor-latin;"> <o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "Calibri","sans-serif"; font-size: 11.0pt; mso-ascii-theme-font: minor-latin; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-latin; mso-hansi-theme-font: minor-latin;">Outcome: SS gets 8 hours community service and has to attend two
alcohol awareness programs and 3 month probation. If he completes all that then
it will not go on his record (thank god) I asked him later "So what did
you learn from this?" Answer: Don't
drink outside!!!! <o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<br /></div>
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<span style="font-family: "Calibri","sans-serif"; font-size: 11.0pt; mso-ascii-theme-font: minor-latin; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-latin; mso-hansi-theme-font: minor-latin;">Arrrg! <o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<br /></div>
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<span style="font-family: "Calibri","sans-serif"; font-size: 11.0pt; mso-ascii-theme-font: minor-latin; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-latin; mso-hansi-theme-font: minor-latin;"><b>Serious bit...</b><o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "Calibri","sans-serif"; font-size: 11.0pt; mso-ascii-theme-font: minor-latin; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-latin; mso-hansi-theme-font: minor-latin;">When does it get easier being a parent? </span><span lang="en-US" style="color: windowtext; font-family: "Calibri","sans-serif"; font-size: 11.0pt; mso-ansi-language: #0400; mso-ascii-theme-font: minor-latin; mso-bidi-language: X-NONE; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-latin; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-fareast-language: #0400; mso-hansi-theme-font: minor-latin;"><o:p></o:p></span></div>
izzihttp://www.blogger.com/profile/06556873743908138230noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5579534216826603700.post-39591241087484569492012-09-23T14:42:00.000-07:002012-09-23T14:42:25.331-07:00Look out Bradley Wiggins<br />
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I think you all know that I started a new job at the end of
the summer and I’m working with 2 year olds.
Now if you would have asked me if I want to work with them say last year but really if
you would have asked me ever to work with 2 year olds I would have laughed at
you and said never! You know what they
say, never say never and here I am with the toddlers and more to the point, I
love it! Some days I just laugh and laugh… Well, if I’m not gagging at the little
snot sucker. So the other
day in class I had on this blue top that I’ve worn tons of times at work, it’s
not a low cut cleavage showing top and it’s not a polo neck. (turtle neck for
my American friends) Say somewhere in between. Anyway every time I sat down
these two little boys came over and wanted to sit on my lap and would then
proceed to drive whatever vehicle they were playing with, be it a Hummer or a truck down my cleavage! I’m not joking I ended up standing up for most
of the day. Bloody children!<o:p></o:p></div>
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On Friday morning I woke up with that horrible feeling in
the pit of my stomach since I knew that my first bike ride of the season was
fast approaching and I had not been out on the road since the MS150 in April. I
have however been on the trainer pretty regularly but as I say not on the road.
I was crapping myself I was so worried that I had to go for a quick choir practice
after work. Just to calm the nerves you understand. That worked for a little while
but I knew I couldn’t keep singing so after a couple of songs I thought an
early night would be the best thing to do.
<o:p></o:p></div>
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Saturday morning and we were up bright and early and I was even
more nervous. So much so I could hardly eat my breakfast (joking – I can always
eat!) and that I think is where all my problems start. I begin to doubt myself; Can I get out of the
clips? Will I be able to ride 27 miles? What if I hate riding or what if it’s
like those first few rides when I nearly kill myself? I’m so worried that I’m
actually thinking about not going. You know when you really, really don’t want
to do something (me, it’s usually flying) so you start to hope you get sick or
worse one of the kids get sick (I know I’m a terrible mother) then you have the perfect reason to not do it
and everyone will understand? Well that’s the stage I’m at on Saturday morning
but me being me I don’t like fear to beat me,
it was a very good cause and I did have sponsors, so get a grip woman and get it done.<o:p></o:p></div>
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We get to the ride and the weather is so nice there are lots
of people there or as Robert would say a saddle of saddos. Oh and some radio
personalities although I’m not quite sure how you recognize someone from the
radio, I was all kitted out and ready – well as ready as I’ll ever be – and, as
always, just to add to the excitement (nerves) you have to wait till it’s your
group to go, now I’m just bitching and moaning, I want to get going and I’m
sure at this point Smug Git is wishing he could drive a truck right over me
never mind down my cleavage! Then hooray they call our group and we set off,
well let me tell you it was awesome. I loved every single minute of it, I’m
actually excited as I write this! I don’t know what I was worried about it was
like riding a bike (ok I’m sorry I could not resist that one) I felt like I was
flying along those roads. We stopped at the first rest stop and I was enjoying it so much we rode
right past the last rest stop. To be fair the ride was in Katy Texas which is as flat as a pancake but it felt so good to be back outside on my lovely shiny new
bike (not so shiny now). Y’all know I’m not into stats but SG has just brought
my stats for yesterday (along with a beer what a man) so I thought I would
share them. I rode an average of 12.7
mph and a maximum of 20.8 mph It took us 2 hours and 20 minutes and I cycled
29.46 miles I’m so excited I feel great about those stats and I can’t wait to
get back out next Saturday.<o:p></o:p></div>
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Today I decided to go bike barn our local bike shop to spend
a voucher I had and while I was there I got talking to the very serious bike
guy remember last year he told me he did not think I was talking bike riding
serious enough? Well wait till tell you
what he said to me today.<o:p></o:p></div>
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<br /></div>
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Serious guy “So how many miles are you riding at the
weekends now”<o:p></o:p></div>
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<div class="MsoNormal">
Me “Did 29 yesterday” I have to say I think this is how Smug
Git must feel all the time!<o:p></o:p></div>
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Serious guy “Wow! That's not too bad”<o:p></o:p></div>
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<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
I have a big smug cheesy grin on my face anyway you know
what it’s like when you have money you can never find anything you want and I
needed to spend my voucher today so SG ended up with some new peddles, we are
standing at the cash register and oh my god! I’m so excited, serious guy comes over
and says to me (wait for it)…..”So I think you should ride with us on a
Saturday morning at 7:15am”. Wait! Did he just ask me out on a date? Ha, ha, ha
better that that I, me, yes I’m going to say it again he told me I could ride
with bike barn! Ha, I’m so excited I could scream. Does that make me a cyclist? Why yes I think
it does! Will I go? Hmm maybe yes but not just yet. I’m not sure I’m ready for
that right now but I will go soon (I promise). <o:p></o:p></div>
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My plan for the week ahead is to get back on the bike in the
mornings and perhaps venture out round the neighborhood and next weekend out
somewhere for a long bike ride can’t wait.<o:p></o:p></div>
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<br /></div>
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<b>Serious bit….</b><o:p></o:p></div>
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I’m not looking for money. (Not yet)<o:p></o:p></div>
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Thanks for reading see y’all next week. Iz x <o:p></o:p></div>
izzihttp://www.blogger.com/profile/06556873743908138230noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5579534216826603700.post-37846660443529155542012-09-18T05:56:00.000-07:002012-09-18T05:56:52.198-07:00There I Go Changing My Mind Again<br />
<div class="MsoNormal">
First things first this was going to be my last blog (I know
you’re all so sad) and I mean that sincerely, not sad as in losers, sad as in
unhappy… oh never mind! Anyway I’d made up my mind. How long can you read a blog about losing
weight and getting fit when the blogger is not really doing either? <o:p></o:p></div>
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So y’all know I’ve been known to partake in a small adult
beverage but only on high days and holidays (you do know I can write that with
a straight face?) well as luck would have it one of those high days came up on
Thursday evening. My friend Amanda had
some family over from Scotland and I jumped at the chance to go right over
after work. I was really looking forward to seeing her brother Robert, his
partner Dean, their friend Paul and cousin Mo. You know who you are folks -
I’ve just changed your names to protect the innocent. And by the way Robert
makes the best gin and tonics EVER! <o:p></o:p></div>
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Anyway I’m about half way down my first gin and we start
talking about my blog. Robert tells me that he reads it every week, and I have
to say he was a great supporter during my training. Then Paul say’s “oh aye, I
read it too, I read it when I was in the Ukraine and one of their pals read it
in Russia. Well you can imagine how happy I was. Then I told them the news that
I was done.<o:p></o:p></div>
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Me “Well I really appreciate it but I’m not going to blog
anymore”<o:p></o:p></div>
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Robert “What? Why?<o:p></o:p></div>
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Me “Who wants to read a blog about losing weight and getting
fit if I’m a lazy fat shite?<o:p></o:p></div>
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Robert “I really like reading about all the everyday funny
stuff”<o:p></o:p></div>
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Me “seriously?”<o:p></o:p></div>
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Robert “Yeah it’s really funny”<o:p></o:p></div>
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Me “Bloody hell, I was so sure it was all about me losing
weight”<o:p></o:p></div>
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So that made me think maybe I’ll just keep blogging about my
unsuccessful attempts to lose weight and get fit and just blog about all of the
crazy stuff that happens in my life. Thanks Robert! <o:p></o:p></div>
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Having said all that remember when I lost 34 pounds? Well
the summer holidays happened and I could feel myself putting it back on and I
had this bag of fat clothes in my closet that I had not gotten round to taking
to the charity shop. One morning I was
getting ready to go to work and all my work stuff was getting a tad tight and
for a moment I thought about going into the fat bag and getting something to
wear but thankfully I managed to squeeze myself into something. Pronto the bag was
taken that day to the shop and then I went on to weight watchers. The news was
not good. I want to lie to y’all and say I just put on a couple of pounds but
the fat lady is back. Not as fat as she was, but back none the less. I am happy
to say that I weighed in last night and lost 5lbs so woo-hoo for me and I am
not drinking tonight so I can go ride my bike tomorrow. </div>
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Are you all suitably impressed?<o:p></o:p></div>
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Ok so what happened funny this week? Well let me start by
telling you I have this problem. When someone, anyone asks me to volunteer I
always have this wee speech ready about how busy I am and I’d love too but no I
can’t. So when someone asks it usually goes something like this:<o:p></o:p></div>
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Volunteer coordinator “Hey Izzi, would you like to help us
out by signing on to be on our committee?”<o:p></o:p></div>
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Me “… … Yeah sure, what can I do?”<o:p></o:p></div>
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Every bloody time. I just can’t say no.<o:p></o:p></div>
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So you guessed it I’m, wait for it - the table organizer for
a senior thing at high school. We have
our first night at selling tickets and as luck would have it we sell 12 tables.
The cost of a table is $250 to $350 and my job is to bring all the cheques to
my house, do some spread sheet thing and whatever. Anyway as I leave the sale I
say “Ok, do not let me lose this folder”.
2 hours later I get a call from one of my friends and she says to me
“Izzi - Just so you don’t worry we have the folder! You left it in a classroom
at the school” Fuck!!! The one job I had was don’t lose the folder and of
course I lost the folder with close to $3000 dollars in it! I think my days of
being asked to volunteer are almost at an end! But wait, who finds the folder?
Only the chairperson of the committee! What are the chances that it’s her that
gets it? I have to then go over to her house and apologize profusely and she’s
all laughing and saying “oh it’s fine don’t worry about it no problem” but I
know she must be thinking stupid, stupid cow! Later I offer to resign my
position but of course she will have none of it so needless to say I’m still on
the committee still organizing tables but now they are mailing the cheques to
me….Funny that!<o:p></o:p></div>
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<b>Serious Bit…</b><o:p></o:p></div>
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On Saturday 22<sup>nd</sup> September I will be riding in my
first ride of the season. I am, believe it or not, really excited about it. I’m
going to ride about 30 miles and to tell you the truth I have only rode my bike
on the trainer over the summer so to say I’m nervous would be an
understatement. A huge thanks to all who
have donated to this for me there is still time if you want to help but please
keep in mind I will be hounding y’all for money for the 2013 MS150! <o:p></o:p></div>
<span style="font-family: "Calibri","sans-serif"; font-size: 11.0pt; line-height: 115%; mso-ansi-language: EN-US; mso-ascii-theme-font: minor-latin; mso-bidi-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-bidi-language: AR-SA; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-bidi; mso-fareast-font-family: Calibri; mso-fareast-language: EN-US; mso-fareast-theme-font: minor-latin; mso-hansi-theme-font: minor-latin;"><span style="font-family: "Calibri","sans-serif"; font-size: 11.0pt; line-height: 115%; mso-ansi-language: EN-US; mso-ascii-theme-font: minor-latin; mso-bidi-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-bidi-language: AR-SA; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-bidi; mso-fareast-font-family: Calibri; mso-fareast-language: EN-US; mso-fareast-theme-font: minor-latin; mso-hansi-theme-font: minor-latin;"><br /></span>
Here is the link if you do wish to donate : <a href="https://donations.diabetes.org/site/Donation2?idb=815813241&df_id=9898&FR_ID=8067&PROXY_ID=7470896&PROXY_TYPE=20&9898.donation=form1">https://donations.diabetes.org/site/Donation2?idb=815813241&df_id=9898&FR_ID=8067&PROXY_ID=7470896&PROXY_TYPE=20&9898.donation=form1</a></span>izzihttp://www.blogger.com/profile/06556873743908138230noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5579534216826603700.post-22088292950517232182012-08-26T17:30:00.003-07:002012-08-26T17:30:35.999-07:00S'not Funny!<br />
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It’s been two weeks since my last blog and I’m rapidly
coming to the conclusion that no-one wants to read about my always failing
diets. Although this week was a very good week and I did lose 3 lbs but I’m not
quite sure how that happened. Maybe it’s just that I’ve started my new job and
the kids have lunch at about 11:30am and that’s way too early for me so I’ve
just been having fruit. But I have been on my bike every day so I guess all
that together has resulted in a little weight off… Or - perhaps it was what happened at school
on Friday morning that put me off food for the rest of the day! Let me explain… <o:p></o:p></div>
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The children come into class at 9:00am and this one little
girl comes in and sits down at a table. As I turn round to talk to her she
sneezes and two big lines of green snot shoot right out from her nose! Now
working with children you get used to snot but what I will never ever, ever get
used to is when she sucked the snot right into her mouth (believe me when I
tell you I’m now gagging into my hands) well as soon as she did this I immediately
start gagging and the two girls I work with are at first concerned that I’m ok (because
they didn’t see what had just happened) and every time I tried to explain I
would just gag and wretch and I could feel that watery feeling you get in your
mouth when you are going to vomit. Anyway after I eventually explain all the girls
could do was laugh. So needless to say I did not have much of an appetite for
the rest of the day and I definitely needed to go for a wee drink after work. Or
as the girls at my new job call it - I went to “Choir Practice” (double Choir Practice
for me). <o:p></o:p></div>
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And worst of all I’m not done! Smug Git had been out of town
all week and had not heard the snot drama so when I saw him on Saturday morning
I started to tell him all about it but unfortunately for me (and him) my allergies
were really bad and so while I was telling the story I needed to blow my nose. This
had me re-living the whole thing and I ended up actually throwing up all over
the bathroom! I’m not kidding even writing this makes me nauseous! I really don’t
want to ever think about it again but may need to store it away somewhere safe
just in case I need to reuse it for future diet purposes. (Not)<o:p></o:p></div>
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I’m really not doing well at all. I’m having such a tough
time with it at the moment I’m hoping that with the kids going back to school
tomorrow and everyone getting back into some sort of routine that it will start
to fall into place over the next few weeks. Having said that I went shopping
today - food shopping and if you know me at all, I hate any kind of shopping
but I was at the cash desk and I was perusing the magazines and we all know the
magazines are shite and nothing in them is true hence the reason I never buy
them. But today one caught my eye, it was Shape with a fabulous photo of that
Gillian chick that was on the biggest loser (never watch that show - totally unrealistic)
anyway it said, or I thought it said, drop a dress size in 21 days. I’ve just
looked at it as I’m writing this and it actually says drop a jeans size in 21
days I so would not have bought it if I say Jeans (don’t ask me why I don’t
know I just wouldn’t have) but I did. But OMG! I’m not doing all those exercises
for 21 days. No-one would, it was like 10 different exercises; hopscotch,
squats, x lunge (whatever the hell that is) and monkey push-ups (again no idea)
to make matters worse I’ve just looked at it again and it’s bloody skinny jeans!
No one over the age of 30 should be seen dead in skinny jeans (just my humble opinion)
and it would take more than one dress or jean size for me because I’m not sure
skinny jeans come in sizes 14 (I wish!) or above. It looks like it’s back to
the diet drawing board for me, and into the trash can for Shape $5.99 magazine. Unless any of my younger friends want to get into some skinny jeans, the mag is up for grabs….<o:p></o:p></div>
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<b>Serious bit (welcome back) <o:p></o:p></b></div>
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On the cycling news I’m riding in three weeks September 22<sup>nd</sup>
in the Tour de Cure. The Tour de Cure Houston is one of many fundraising rides
to benefit the American Diabetes Association.<o:p></o:p></div>
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In 2011, more than 55,000 cyclists in 80 events raised more
than $18 million to support the mission of the American Diabetes Association:
to prevent and cure diabetes and to improve the lives of all people affected by
diabetes.<o:p></o:p></div>
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I had intended to fund this one myself so I was not going to
ask for money but I thought, why not. If anyone would like to donate any money
then please feel free it would be much appreciated (I only need to raise $150).<o:p></o:p></div>
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Here is the link if you wish to donate : <a href="https://donations.diabetes.org/site/Donation2?idb=815813241&df_id=9898&FR_ID=8067&PROXY_ID=7470896&PROXY_TYPE=20&9898.donation=form1">Izzi Weatherly</a><o:p></o:p></div>
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Or if you want to join the ride or find out more then click <a href="http://main.diabetes.org/site/TR/TourdeCure/A6SET-SoutheastTexasArea?pg=entry&fr_id=8067">here</a><o:p></o:p></div>
izzihttp://www.blogger.com/profile/06556873743908138230noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5579534216826603700.post-68769961266408702232012-08-12T10:13:00.000-07:002012-08-12T10:13:25.396-07:00Dumb Ass Dog!<br />
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Anyway you know how last week I was all gung-ho about I’m
starting my diet right now - at precisely 12:07 pm Sunday August 5<sup>th</sup>
2012! Well if I told you that it did not quite go as planned would you all be
surprised? Well I think I know enough of you who read this blog or even enough
women and men who diet to know it would not really surprise you in the
least. What is it about dieting that’s so
bloody hard? Sunday I’m super focused, I do brilliant then Monday comes along
and again I’m going for it big time, counting my points, getting on the bike, I’m
totally on a “I can do this” high then Tuesday rolls around and I’m out with my
friend and diet cohort Amanda. We are going to have lunch together because this
is my last day off for the summer before I go back to work, to give Amanda her
dues she want to make us a lovely low fat lunch and my face is like thunder
because before I meet her I know I want some Chinese food. So I talk her into
it, well if truth be told I didn’t really need to talk her into anything, she
was as game as I was. So it was off to the Chinese for us. Mistake number one. You know what it’s like when you eat Chinese
food you’re stuffed at the time but two hours later you’re starving again and
you have to force yourself to stay away from the cookie jar (well I do) but
happy to say I managed to stay on something that resembled a half decent eating
plan.<o:p></o:p></div>
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At this point of writing - bear in mind I’m writing this on
Saturday - my food escapades all seem a bit of a blur but I’m pretty sure I did
in fact stick to my diet on Wednesday… I think. So I’m going to rush straight
to Thursday. That was the day I started my new job, it was an in-service day
with a fabulous lunch provided at one of my favorite local restaurants The Red
Fish Grill. It wasn’t too bad, I had a nice salad (seriously I did!) then a
couple of pieces of sushi, that’s not too bad right? Then some fish, vegetables
and rice however it was followed by a lovely slice of carrot cake and before
you say anything there’s carrots in it so it’s almost a vegetable! Now lunch on
its own would not be too bad but, and here is the big but (literally big butt),
in the evening I had to go shopping for Greek Adonis’ birthday presents, Smug
Git and I went out to eat after we shopped. I really want to tell y’all that I had
another salad but I had two beers, buffalo chicken and fries. What can I say - I’m
on a diet? Who can resist fries when they’re on a diet? Please don’t judge me!
I went to bed (after a couple of G&Ts) with the crazy notion that I would definitely
start again tomorrow. Oh wait… its Greek Adonis’ birthday tomorrow. Shit! Maybe
I should just start on Sunday again. I know I could try and start on Saturday
but seriously that’s the day I get to eat!<o:p></o:p></div>
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Well as luck would have it on Friday, GA’s birthday, I woke
feeling that even though we would all be going out to eat dinner that evening I would really try
not to pig out, I have a very low fat breakfast of my delish egg white omelet
and I packed a very healthy salad lunch now here is where the luck come
in. Normally I don’t consider my
allergies a good thing but on Friday I had them big time don’t really know what
was causing them but I could not breath through my nose at all (I know it’s gross)
which leads to me not being able to taste or eat anything because thankfully
if I have to choose between eating and breathing, believe it or not breathing
wins every time. I still had it bad in the evening when we went out for dinner and once again I could not eat, Yeah for allergies! <o:p></o:p></div>
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Ok now I’m thinking I could patent a new diet aid - nose
plugs! I bet there would be some idiots out there willing to buy a set….But
wait message me in the next 5 minutes and you could receive an extra set absolutely
free!<o:p></o:p></div>
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Y’all know I wrote everything before this paragraph on Saturday
morning yeah? Well right now its 12:34am, I think its Sunday (tad few adult
beverages) let me tell you what has happened in the last few hours. We had some
friends over and SG made burgers and they were so good but this is all beside
the point because after eating said burger I had a tiny bit stuck in my teeth I'm try to be very discrete and pick the burger out my tooth, as I’m doing that
one of my veneers that I paid a fortune for pops off and I hear it fall on the
floor, quick as a whip my stupid dumb ass dog gets to it before me and eats the
damn veneer, what makes this worse and not funny at all is on Monday we have
meet the teacher at my new job and I look like a bloody redneck (why does this
only happen to me ?) What the hell am I going to do? I’m thinking this might at
least help me on my diet as the tiny piece of tooth that remains is killing me
and I can’t bite on anything to make things worse I also had to drink my wine
with a straw! The next couple of days may have to be a liquid diet - and this
time I don’t mean alcohol - though that would be funny me turning up on Monday with
a massive hangover and a front missing tooth introducing myself to the parents
in my class. I might not have a job on Tuesday! <o:p></o:p></div>
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Next week is back to work so I’m thinking that getting
myself back into a routine will get me back on the straight and narrow. Check back next week and see how it’s going.<o:p></o:p></div>
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Thanks for reading…..Iz <o:p></o:p></div>izzihttp://www.blogger.com/profile/06556873743908138230noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5579534216826603700.post-5764909142959834552012-08-07T08:02:00.000-07:002012-08-07T08:02:36.358-07:00When Yes means No and No means Maybe<br />
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This week on Thursday I went to see the orthopedic doctor so
that he could go over the results of my MRI and as it said in the message I got
before hand he confirmed I did have some arthritis in my hip but at the moment other
than anti-inflammatories and to lose weight there was really nothing else he
could do. And then he went on to say that he thought I would need a hip
replacement sometime in the next 5 or 10 years! But y’all would have been proud
of me I didn’t cry, I think I was in shock. He did tell me that I could still
bike and if I lost more weight that it would help with the pain. Now for the
good news - I can’t run (oh thank god for that I bloody hate running.)</div>
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I know it all seems a bit doom and gloom but it’s not… Well
besides the fact that I’m still fat, still in pain and I’ve put on about 10
pounds over the summer holidays but I see a new challenge in my future. If I
can’t do the half marathon, and I know I can’t, I’m going to challenge myself
to losing the next fifty pounds to get me to my target by next Aprils MS150 that
means my blog will go from learning to ride a bike to learning how to lose all
of this weigh and keeping it off. I think that in itself for me is a huge
challenge.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Now I would like to tell you
I’ll start tomorrow but then I’d just go and pig out for the rest of the day
and that would just get me 2 more pounds to take off so I’m going to start
right now - at 12:07 pm Sunday August 5<sup>th</sup> 2012 (there I’ve said it).
Actually now is a good time since I’ve had a humungous breakfast a mere 2 hours
ago which consisted of 2 slices of bacon (turkey much to the annoyance of the
Greek Adonis), 1 fried egg, and 1½ potato scones (a Scottish delicacy) - all
that on a bread roll topped off with a dollop of ketchup. Oh god when I write
it all down like that I’m a real pig. I really shouldn’t need to eat for about a week
never mind a couple of hours and when I think about it I’ve eaten like this for
the last five week no wonder I’ve put about 10 pounds on. So from now on you
will just have to listen to me moan and grump about losing weight. I promise
I’ll try to keep it funny and I think I’ll add some recipes because I don’t
know how funny I’ll be when I’m starving.</div>
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All I can think about
now is what I’m going to have for dinner tonight.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Why is it when you say you’re on a diet all
you think about is food? Do you think those Olympians are always on diets? I
saw that commercial where they are all talking about how they got to their
Olympic dreams.</div>
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<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"></span>“I have not eaten a
dessert in over a year”</div>
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“That book everyone is talking about - I’ve not read it”</div>
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There you go that’s why I’m fat I’ve read the books and ate
the desserts!</div>
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No, but seriously, what am I going to have for dinner
tonight?</div>
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I’m off out now to take my mind off food. I’ll add a wee
update when I get back and let you know how my first half day back on the diet
has worked and I’ll let y’all know what I had for dinner.</div>
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Ok then that went better than expected I kept myself busy
and did not eat anything till dinner and what did I have I hear you all say
well I had a small steak, potatoes and broccoli mmm nice! <span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>But what was hard was talking myself out of
drinking anything with it.</div>
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Smug Git “you want anything to drink with dinner?”</div>
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Me “No” (that was very definite)</div>
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Me “well… maybe some wine”</div>
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Me “…. No”</div>
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Me “Oh what the hell I’ll have a beer” but I did only have
one beer so that’s ok…..Right?</div>
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My plans for this week is workout every morning and follow
my points plan…….Wish me luck! </div>
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Thanks for reading I’m going to go back to writing every
week because y’all keep me motivated and I have someone to answer to.</div>
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See y’all next week.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;">
</span>Iz </div>izzihttp://www.blogger.com/profile/06556873743908138230noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5579534216826603700.post-27571063632185337832012-07-22T10:36:00.000-07:002012-07-22T10:36:14.352-07:00And the results are?<br />
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On Sunday evening I was oh so full of myself. I was so going
to work out on Monday afternoon and I was starting my healthy eating on Monday
too. I should have really started on
Sunday but that would have meant putting down the bottle of beer and humongous
sandwich I’d just made so Monday it was.</div>
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Monday morning I bounced out of bed and made my egg white
and cheese omelet (with a Weight Watchers point value of a mere 3 points). Oh I
am so on this! By 2:00 o’clock, my allotted time for working out, the rain was
pouring down and it was too wet to go to the gym, it did not rain all day just
for about an hour but that was enough time for me to blow off the whole idea of
going to the gym. See that’s what happens when you stop training it’s so, so
hard to get back to it. Well at least I
did stick to something that resembles a diet. Ok I’ll try again tomorrow!</div>
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6:00am Tuesday morning. The alarm goes off and it’s not
raining. Will I be able to find any excuses not to go today? No, I think
there’s no reason why I can’t get up and start my ½ marathon training, my leg
feels good so I’m good to go. I start to
get dressed but I soon realize the leg is not completely better because I need
Smug Git to put on my left sock and tie my running shoelace but I’m up and
ready so off I go. I set up my iPod, get my water, press go on the “Couch to 5K”. Ok - I don’t know if any of you have used the
couch to 5k app? if not - it’s really good, if you have used it you will know that
you have to have that particular app running before you put the music on (well
at least I do, I think)anyway it starts with a 5 minute warm up but my 5 minutes
was about 20 minutes so obviously I screwed that up. After fixing the app I set
off again. At least I was now warm (truth be told I was bloody roasting) but
onwards and upwards! The app starts working properly and I start to run and as
soon as I do I feel my leg start to hurt but it’s not too bad just a wee niggle,
then it’s time to walk so it’s ok. After the walking time the bleep comes on
and I know it’s time to run again and once again my leg hurts, but if you know
me I just keep running. By the end of the first half I know I can’t run any
more as my leg hurts too bad and I have to walk all the way home - about a
mile. I’m not a happy camper! </div>
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Ok here is a question for you all. When you’re training - or
like me limping home - do you get the commentator in your head talking about
how well your doing or even better, when you walk or run past someone else
who’s exercising does he get all excited about you overtaking one of the race
leaders? This morning’s commentator was all “it’s a tough day here for Izzi. Looks
like that left leg is playing her up again. She’ll have to get that sorted if
she is going to have any chance of winning the ½ marathon” ha ha did you like the winning bit? (No? I
guess it’s just me then). Now I know I can’t run I think it may be back to
cycling a little and using the weights at the gym until after the leg gets
sorted.</div>
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Right fast forward about a week and I have an appointment to
have my MRI with contrast. So the nurse calls me in some fantastic calming
medicine because I’m a tad claustrophobic about the machine. I take the diazepam
(woo-hoo!) I now realize why people can become addicted to prescription drugs. This
little drug is the bomb - I’m as happy as a pig in the proverbial…and calm! This
is going to be a breeze… Well until I have to have the big giant needle for the
contrast dye now I’m not so happy. Anyway I get the MRI done and now I just
have to wait for the results. Five days later the results are in. So what do you think it is? Well I’ll tell
you what it’s not - Nothing is torn. Nothing is trapped. The Vajayjay is not
broke (what a relief). It’s wait for it….bloody beginning arthritis. I know! Y’all
will remember that that was the first thing I was told four months ago with the
first x-ray and do you know what course of action the doctor has told me to follow?
Yes you know it. A weight loss plan! Well no shit Sherlock! I could have told him
that and saved myself about $500. Seriously and he’s a hip specialist. I think
I’m going to become a specialist in something - Probably in weight gain because
I’m seriously losing the weight loss plot.
But since it’s only (beginning) arthritis I guess I can start my
training in earnest. Oh WTF I was so hoping for a much worse diagnosis now I’ve
really no excuses. I know I can do it it’s just starting I’m having the most
trouble with, especially in this Texas heat and the fact that I’ve spent the
last week using the MRI as my excuse for lying on the sofa watching TV.</div>
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Tomorrow is Sunday again and I know it’s a day of rest but
the blog is done - just need to post it tomorrow. Now I don’t really like
exercising on a Sunday due mostly to the fact that I like to partake in a small
adult beverage on a Saturday evening but this weekend Smug Git is back in
Scotland so no adult beverages for me I’ll just go to bed about 8:00pm and be
good and ready to get up and go run. I think! Wish me luck and I’ll keep you
posted.</div>
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Thanks for reading (fingers crossed) I’ll see y’all next
week fitter and thinner. Iz </div>
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<br /></div>izzihttp://www.blogger.com/profile/06556873743908138230noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5579534216826603700.post-25816560384101269602012-07-08T14:08:00.000-07:002012-07-08T14:08:24.277-07:00Run Izzi Run<br />
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I know I didn’t blog last week but to be perfectly honest my
life is just not that exciting so I thought I’d give you all the 10 minutes it
takes to read it back. I hope y’all put it to good use. I think I thought I’d have tons to write
about if I left it a week but as it turns out - NO! I’m still boring and I’m
still fat. However I do have some plans
in mind to remedy that. The fat bit not the boring bit. Well what do you know? Now that I’ve started
writing think I have quite a wee bit to write now where to start? <o:p></o:p></div>
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I think I have to start with the Tour De France let’s get
one thing straight I don’t watch sports except football and I only watch that
because I can have a beer at noon on a Sunday, I especially don’t watch bike
riding (seriously is that a sport or just a hobby?) I remember when I was maybe
about 21 I came in from work one day and my brother was watching TV - well
I say watching TV but all that was on the screen was fuzzy nothing. So, as you do, I started to change the channel. Well
he flew out of the chair and went mental because apparently he was watching the
Tour De France! The riders were at the top of a hill and he was watching
through the fog! Seriously! Sorry I’m kind of rambling now but the Tour started
this week and Smug Git is a biking fool so we have to watch it every night (beers
only at the weekend <span style="font-family: Wingdings; mso-ascii-font-family: Calibri; mso-ascii-theme-font: minor-latin; mso-char-type: symbol; mso-hansi-font-family: Calibri; mso-hansi-theme-font: minor-latin; mso-symbol-font-family: Wingdings;">L</span>)
this is not my favorite time of the year, well the first night I sat down and
started to watch and the funniest thing happened - I liked it! It was kind of
exciting then the next night I watched most of it but was a tad tired (that might
have had more to do with the adult beverages) so I went to bed and missed the
end the first thing I said to SG in the morning was “Who won yesterday’s
stage?” I’m starting to freak myself out here. Oh and wait for it - I have a
fantasy team – YizziY - too funny.</div>
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<o:p></o:p></div>
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As most of you know I finished work this week and not just
for the summer holidays! I decided way back at Easter that I could no longer
keep my sanity if I continued to work there so Tuesday was my last day. I would
like to say I had mixed emotions about leaving but I had just one, sheer
delight! But the funniest thing that happened was on the last day. The crazy
lady that I worked with gave me this huge list of jobs she needed done. No I’m
not joking! I just laughed at her when she gave it to me, she had it done on
fancy celebration paper and everything (ok what exactly was she smoking when
she was writing that list?). So of course being the lovely person I am I did
all the jobs. Ha! No I did not. I just left the classroom and when I returned
there was no list in sight. She must have took it home with her because I could
not find it anywhere, that would have been a great memento but alas no. However
I did get a picture of it. <o:p></o:p></div>
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So now I’m looking for gainful employment but SG has other
ideas. He tells me my new job is to lose the rest of my baby weight and, so
what if my babies are 18 and 16, it’s time to shift those last few pounds (50
to be exact) and to get fit. Which brings me nicely to what my plans are next.<o:p></o:p></div>
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Next year before the MS150 I’m going to run the half
marathon! I know can you believe it! Just like the bike I can’t run for toffee.
At the moment I can maybe run between the lamp posts for about 1/2 mile at a
push so I think this will be as big a challenge or possibly a bigger challenge
than the MS150. But I know that you will all be behind me 100% with your words
of encouragement (no sponsor money required for this) and maybe one or two of
you could come training with me. Oh and any of you out there have some tips on
how to run a half marathon I’ll be happy to take any or all advice you’re
willing to share.<o:p></o:p></div>
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<br /></div>
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The other day I got back on the bike for a quick 10 miles.
It felt good to be back on but the bad news is I now know it’s the bike that’s
making my leg sore since I was in agony all that evening and the next day. So I
think I will have to leave the bike until my leg is completely recovered. This
week I will go to have my MRI with contrast.
For all you non-medical people like me it’s with some kind of dye to see
if that shows anything up so fingers crossed. A quick update on the diet front,
there has been no dieting for the past few weeks but that stops today and so
far I’m back on my points plan. The next
few weeks will be a real challenge for me since I will be at home most of the
day. Well at least the blogs should be interesting with my escapades of how to
stay away from the fridge. As always I’ll keep y’all posted.<o:p></o:p></div>
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<br /></div>
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Thanks for reading and I’ll see y’all next week. Iz <o:p></o:p></div>izzihttp://www.blogger.com/profile/06556873743908138230noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5579534216826603700.post-62481175514397124802012-06-24T15:16:00.000-07:002012-06-24T15:16:20.674-07:00What's up Doc?<br />
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</div>
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You know what? I can honestly say I have no idea what to
blog about today. I have a few things I could have a moan about but this week
nothing funny happened. I guess I must be losing my sense of humor. So I’m
thinking I’ll just tell you about my horrible week.<o:p></o:p></div>
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It starts off ok on Monday then comes Tuesday and that’s
when it starts to go downhill. I have a physical therapy appointment on Tuesday
evening and let me tell you I hate physical therapy. I’ve been going for the
last 8 weeks for this bloody hip problem that so far is still not fixed. So the
physio guy tells me the good news is that my hoo-ha is not broken. Ok, so he didn’t
actually use the words “hoo-ha” and “broken” but there was nothing else he
could do for me and that I should go see a hip specialist. So I get an
appointment for the docs next day and I have to take the day off work (ok, that
was not a bad thing - a wee day off work) Smug Git comes with me to the doctor
because at this point I’m an emotional wreck. As soon as I see the doctor I dissolve
into a bubbling snot nosed heap and can’t even talk to her Smug Git has to do
all the talking and between the two of them I leave there with pain killers, anti-depressants
and an appointment to see the hip specialist the next day, all in all I’d say it
was a good day.<o:p></o:p></div>
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Thursday morning I decide to check out the hip specialist on
line only to discover he’s a knee guy, I call the nurse and ask her if she has
made the appointment for the right guy because he specializes in knee surgery and
she turns into a stroppy cow. She obviously thinks I’m questioning her ability to
book appointments (really that was what I was doing) so we had a wee bit of an
argument with me telling her she was the rudest person I had ever had to deal
with and she told me in a very sarcastic tone that “I hope it all works out for
you”. Bloody cheeky cow! I go back into
work only to tell my boss I need the afternoon of to go see the hip guy. Oh and
my boss is not a happy camper when I tell him.
He’s saying all the right things like “Well your health is what’s
important” and “Don’t worry about work” but I can see he’s pissed. It’s a good thing I’m leaving this job in two
weeks or I’d be sacked. Either way I’m leaving so I don’t really care. I get to
see the specialist that afternoon and what a palaver that is. First I see Shaneequa (the nurse) and explain
everything that’s been going on so she takes down some notes then this doctor
comes in and – wow - he’s super handsome and I’m all giggly and he asks me all
the same questions and takes some more notes. When he leaves Smug Git looks at
me and says “You do know I’m sitting right here right?” Oh shut up! Then the
hip guy comes in and you guessed it does the same! Seriously does no one speak
to each other? I’m a tad fed up (oh and he was not nearly as handsome as the
cute young doc) but I did manage to drop the old “I rode the MS150” speech into
the conversation and it turns out so did he - but do you know what he says to
me? <o:p></o:p></div>
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Doc “Did you finish it?”<o:p></o:p></div>
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Me “Every mile with no sag wagon!”<o:p></o:p></div>
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WTF!</div>
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No one ever asks SG did you finish? So because I’m a
wee fat woman I can’t finish the stupid bike ride? Oh I was mad. Then he starts asking me how my acetaminophen
is working for me? My what? My pain meds apparently - Why does he not say that?
How the hell would I know the names of what medication I’m taking? Who knows
that stuff anyway? I just look at the label on the bottle and take it at the
right time. Is that not what everyone does? Anyway to make a long story short I
have to have another MRI, and right now I’m doped up to the eyeballs with drugs
so if none of this blog makes any sense you’ll know the reason. <o:p></o:p></div>
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I have to say Greek Adonis was hilarious. On Friday morning
he was up and about at the same time as us and he asks me if I’m still on drugs
I tell him yes and I must have been rubbing my arm or something and he says to
SG “Hey dad, mum will be in the closet in a wee while stroking all the clothes
saying “oh look the clothes are so soft”. Cheeky wee bugger!<o:p></o:p></div>
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On to the weekend. Very busy as usual but I’ve since
discovered that drugs and alcohol don’t really mix but they did stop the hip
pain! So there will be no more drugs and
drink for me - Well at least not together.
I forgot to mention the hip guy said I could and should get back on my
bike so that’s one good thing that came out of the week from hell.<o:p></o:p></div>
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My apologies for this not being one of my funnier blogs,
next week will hopefully be better.
Thanks for reading and I’ll see y’all next week. Iz <o:p></o:p></div>
<br />izzihttp://www.blogger.com/profile/06556873743908138230noreply@blogger.com3tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5579534216826603700.post-89538801459639666622012-06-17T11:12:00.001-07:002012-06-17T11:12:40.659-07:00Can't see the Willie for the Cheese<br />
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Good morning all! Sunday morning and what can I say. I feel
like I’ve gone back in time - BC (before cycling) when I wake on a Sunday morning
a wee bit worse for wear because of the weekend (or week) I’ve just had. And I
have to say great weekend and funny week but never the less, food and drink
wise not good.<o:p></o:p></div>
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<br /></div>
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Well if you remember last week I had fallen off the wagon or
rather jumped off. At the beginning of
this week I could see the wagon in the distance with one lone cowboy hobbling
along and I knew a couple more days of good eating - and I was in fact back on
the bike so 10 more miles on that bike and I would have caught up with that
damn cowboy. But then Wednesday book club night happened and to make it worse Helena
– You remember Helena? - She biked with me remember? She’s the one that got the
flat tire and I left her because I didn’t want her to finish before me - That Helena.
Well anyway, she was the host and she always makes fabulous food (no three bean
salad in sight) the wine is always flowing and a dessert (tres leches cake) to
die for. So now can you see what I’m up against?
That wagon is just rolling round the bend out of sight… <o:p></o:p></div>
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<br /></div>
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Anyway we all arrive at book club and are chatting away - Oh
wait, I forgot to tell you the book we were reading, it will not come as a
surprise to you - We read 50 Shades of Gray. Well it was decided early on that
what happens at book club stays at book club and nothing would be put on
Facebook (oh god I so want to call it The Facebook, that’s what my mother calls
it “The Facebook” Argh! It annoys the crap out of me but now I want to say it
all the time because it’s so funny. More
about my mother another time). However I don’t think any of the girlies said
not to put it in my blog! I don’t think… Don’t worry ladies I’ll change your
names to protect the innocent - right Helena? OMG but now they will all be so
mad at me and I may not have a book club to go back to in August. So I really had been very good on my diet up
to this point and had rode 10 miles on the bike that day so I went along
thinking “Well I can just eat a little bit”. Mistake number one, got there and
had a couple glassed of some fruity little fizzy drink and it was all downhill
from there. I had spotted the cheese table, my definite downfall, I take a look
around the table and there is dried fruits and nuts, four or five different
kinds of cheeses, olives, 3 different salami’s and a huge selection of
crackers. Well I’ve just died and gone
to appetizer heaven oh where to start I think I’ll just start at one end and
eat my way around the table and that’s exactly what I do! Delish! The other
ladies head to the table in an orderly fashion with me taking up the rear (Ok
minds out the gutter) for a second helping. I could not help myself it was sooo
good. <o:p></o:p></div>
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<br /></div>
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While I’m at the cheese table for the second time,<o:p></o:p></div>
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<br /></div>
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Helena is asking me “so
Izzi what do you think of the table?”<o:p></o:p></div>
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<br /></div>
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Me, with a mouthful of cheese “it’s delicious, you have gone
to a lot of bother” <o:p></o:p></div>
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<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
Helena “Ok. Glad you like it”<o:p></o:p></div>
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<br /></div>
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So I look at her and she is laughing and I’m thinking cheeky
bitch have I eaten too much? have I dropped something on my top? She looks at
me, then looks at the table - and then I notice it….It’s a 6 inch glass
sculpture of a Willie (Penis for my Americans friends) So I start to laugh so
hard and I say to Helena “I’m so sorry, I could not see the ‘Willie for the
cheese’!” And then we both are just howling with laughter. The rest of the evening went along the same
lines. So, so funny.<o:p></o:p></div>
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I would love to tell y’all about how the rest of book club
went but as I said what happens in book club stays in book club. I will say
they are all a great bunch of girls and there was much discussion and hilarity and
lots more wine and food consumed and for me I would say a wee bit too much of
everything but then what would my blogs
be like if I just wrote every week about how good I’d been and how much weight
I’d lost (although the occasional pound of here or there would be nice)
Dull. Do I ever see myself fitting into
those size 10 jeans? I do if I could only stop eating and drinking oh and I’ve
just remembered it’s father’s day so more eating and drinking today but luckily
Smug Git is not my father so I don’t need to do anything for him so an nice
easy day for me! Oh come on I’m joking I let him make a nice
dinner and I might make a dessert there see I’m nice right?<o:p></o:p></div>
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Happy Father’s Day to all you great dads out there and for
the shite dads get off your asses and take the kids out.</div>
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<o:p></o:p></div>
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Thanks for reading, see y’all next week. Iz <o:p></o:p></div>izzihttp://www.blogger.com/profile/06556873743908138230noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5579534216826603700.post-51368359227063980142012-06-10T12:01:00.000-07:002012-06-10T12:01:53.573-07:00Damn those Cowboys<br />
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I know what I want to tell you all this week but every time
I talk about it I get so depressed and I’m not sure I want to go down that road
this morning. First things first this
diet malarkey is driving me nuts and I think I have slipped off the wagon. Well
slipped makes it sound so accidental. I think the rest of the cowboys have thrown
me head first off the wagon and have left me lying in Indian territory face
down in the dirt. As I get to my feet and look the wagon is way off in the
distance and I can’t run fast enough to get back on. HELP! I need some words of
encouragement from you people out there who read my blog. Leave me a comment in
the comment section or leave one on Facebook.
But you have to do something, come on I’m dying out here. Oh and I think
I’ve put on three pounds. Arrrgh!<o:p></o:p></div>
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<br /></div>
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Oh well here goes nothing.
As most of you who have been following my blog know that around January
I hurt my leg. By the end of February I could not stand the pain anymore and
went to the doctors. After many lotions, potions and pills which worked to no
avail I then went for an x-ray and low and behold the x-ray found the beginning
of arthritis! WTF! I’m only 47 but now I find myself watching all the commercials
with cute couples going on bike rides (note to self-get a basket for your bike)
who have arthritis but are leading pain free lives with the help of some wonder
drug and all I have to do is ask my medical provider (drug dealer). I can do
that I thought so off I go back to the drug dealer - oops! Sorry - doctor but
she was from the old school “oh no I can’t just give you drugs, we need to send
you to the orthopedic doctor”. So, after an MRI and another doctor with a “I’m
not sure what is wrong with your leg but you don’t have arthritis (that’s a
bonus) I can’t see anything wrong”. So I
tell him “but I’m in so much pain can I have some pain killers?” And I have to
tell you he was certainly not a drug dealer. He gave me a very stern lecture
about abusing prescription drugs so would not give me any pain killers. If this
pain keeps up I’m seriously going to go out on the street and find me a dealer
pronto. But I will say he was happy to
supply me with copious amounts of Ambian (apparently not habit forming… Well
not if instead of taking them you drink gin, coz gin puts me right to sleep.)<o:p></o:p></div>
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Finally the doc agrees to physical therapy for me and I’m
sure you all remember how that went - lots of tears and snot if I remember
right. I start working with the PT and after two sessions I go back and I have
a new PT. She is called Lilly and I am NOT happy - oh for fuck sake now I have
to go over all this shit again. My face is like thunder and I’m answering her
with one word answers pretty much like a spoiled 15 year old. Then Lilly says<o:p></o:p></div>
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Lilly “Can you lie on the bed?”<o:p></o:p></div>
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Me, sullenly “Yup”<o:p></o:p></div>
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Lilly “I’m going to have to push on you pubic bone will that
be ok?”<o:p></o:p></div>
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Me, still sullenly “Yup”<o:p></o:p></div>
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Lilly “It’s going to be very close to your private area”<o:p></o:p></div>
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Me “It’s fine” I’m thinking I don’t care where you push just
get this pain away ya stupid tart!<o:p></o:p></div>
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<div class="MsoNormal">
Then Lilly pulls over this little foot stool (she is tiny)
and now she is towering over me. She gets her two thumbs and places them on my
pubic bone and presses with all her 100 pound frame and I almost hit the roof
(she may have been getting her own back for me being a bitch) Oh my god the
pain, she looks at me and says “I think I know what is wrong with you” <o:p></o:p></div>
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<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
Me “you do?” (With a big smile on my face)<o:p></o:p></div>
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<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
Lilly “Yes in fact I know what is wrong with you” (I think I
might quite like lilly)<o:p></o:p></div>
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<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
She takes me over to the skeleton and shows me the pubic
bones and explains that mine are out of alignment along with my pelvis.<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
Ok what? And then it dawns on me…..Oh no no no! You have got
to be kidding, my Hoo-Ha, Vajaja, Flower whatever the hell you like to call
yours. Mine is BROKE! And now to make
matters worse I have a new PT (and he’s a guy)because Lilly is off on vacation.
How selfish! I have a broken Hoo-Ha and she buggers off for a holiday. I’m gob
smacked! (Ok she’s back off the Christmas
card list)<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
Tuesday comes along and I go meet my new PT he is very nice and
checks Lilly’s diagnosis out and agrees with her so I start working with him and
I now have to wear this stupid belt around my pelvis 23 hours a day and do lots
of PT at home but I’m hoping that this might be me on the mend fingers crossed.<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
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<div class="MsoNormal">
Back to the wagon I think I can see it in the distance so my
promise to all of you out there who support me fat or thin that from today I
will count my points all week and see if I can catch up with that wagon before
next Saturdays weigh in. And with my new
dress accessory the hoo-ha belt I’m now able to exercise so back on the bike
for me.<o:p></o:p></div>
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<o:p><br /></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
Thanks for reading. Love y’all iz x <o:p></o:p></div>izzihttp://www.blogger.com/profile/06556873743908138230noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5579534216826603700.post-37611490690815167602012-06-03T11:06:00.000-07:002012-06-03T11:06:18.782-07:00Do as I say not as I do<br />
<div class="MsoNormal">
It’s Half term this week at school and it’s nice to be off. However
I always have to schedule all my appointments and stuff so I don’t really feel
like I’m having a break or rather a break from work but I sure as hell have
been having a break from weight watchers! Isn’t that what always happens, you
have your diet under control then the calendar has to throw a spanner in the
works by way of a 3 day holiday weekend and I know we all start off so well,
just eating a little but ending up as drunk as a skunk because you haven’t
eaten enough. On to the second party and
I stuck to the salad and bean dish, you know that really healthy dish no one
else has gone anywhere near because it’s sat in between the potato salad with
boiled egg in it (everyone’s favorite) and the lovely yummy sticky homemade pork
ribs so you know no one is reaching for lashings of butter and kidney bean
salad right? Well that’s what I had at the second party however at the second
party there was the biggest pavlova I have ever saw. It looked delicious but no,
I shall not be tempted! I sat there for what felt like an eternity listening to
everyone else oh-ing and ah-ing over the perfect dessert. But when no one was looking I took a fork and
just helped myself to a little nibble - no I’m just kidding - I got as much on
that fork as I possibly could and shoved it right in my mouth. Thank god no one
spoke to me because there would have been cream and meringue everywhere! I was
almost going to go in for another bite but I thought if I used the same fork it
might count as double dipping so I thought better of it. I did however go back
later with a clean serving spoon (it holds so much more than a fork) Yumm!!! By
the third party I had not an ounce of will power or self-control left so I just
went ahead and ate and drank whatever I liked. Not to worry I’ll start on
Tuesday oh wait I have a lunch date with some friends - I’ll start Wednesday.<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
Oh that reminds me I was going to tell y’all about my blind
date a couple of week ago. Oh what a dilemma I have - I could tell you about
the blind date OR I could tell you what happen with my sore leg? Decisions,
decisions…….What way to go?<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
Ok blind date and if I have enough time I tell you about the
leg. if not you’ll have to wait for that little chestnut next week and believe
me it’s hilarious!<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
When I was training for the MS150 I received a friend
request on Facebook. I looked at the name and I had no idea who this person was,
so as every good mother tells their children “Don’t accept friends on Facebook
if you don’t know the person” I just
went right ahead and accepted. In my defense I saw a picture and the word
Scotland so that sealed the deal for me, anyway turns out she knows another
friend of mine. The girl that friend requested me is Issi and she’s Scottish and she’s doing the
MS150 AND she drives a Volkswagen beetle (bug for you Americans out there)! I know, I can hear you all out there – “Wow you’ve
friend requested yourself” (probably something I would do). No, it’s all true,
or is it? Well we’ve started instant messaging and texting (yes we exchanged
phone numbers, something else I tell my boys not to do.) but we can never quite
get to meet up or to ride together but we decide on ride day we will meet at
the end of the first day at La Grange. So I’m looking forward to it. If you
know me well enough you know I’m a phone junky. I take it everywhere and I mean
everywhere. I even have the flashlight
app to go to the toilet at night but at La Grange I didn’t get a call or a
message from the elusive Issi. Could
this be someone playing a joke on me? Anyway I’m so tired I don’t think
anything of it but then half way through the second day my phone pings and,
what do you know, a message from Issi but she has just crossed the finish line
(hmm how convenient I won’t get to see her today) oh well, never mind. I forgot
to mention the one thing we don’t have in common is she is super fit.<o:p></o:p></div>
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<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
A few days later I get an instant message from… you guessed
it - Issi and she wanted to know If we could meet up somewhere for lunch. Now all you mothers out there are screaming “DO
NOT MEET UP!” because I know that’s what I’m screaming to the boys. But come on,
it is lunch and y’all know how much I love my grub. So we arranged to meet at Vintage Park a
couple of weeks later for lunch.<o:p></o:p></div>
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<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
The Friday night before my big blind date I was out with
some friends at 1252 tapas bar (great place) and I was telling them all about
my date the next day. Well they were horrified that I’d go. They had her as
some kind of lesbian stalker but I have to say not one of them - and you all
know who you are; Smug Git, Lesley, Roy, Cathy and Brendon - offered to come
with me (or maybe they did… I ended up a tad tipsy) <o:p></o:p></div>
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<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
The big day arrives and I get ready. Get my rollers in… Get
the face on… I wear a nice pair of shorts and a nice top. I’m looking good! Then
it dawns on me, I don’t even know what she looks like. I mean sure I’ve seen a
picture but really, stalkers have never changed their profile pictures… Shit
what if?... I get to the restaurant and walk inside, look around the place and
I spot her right away. She even looks Scottish! I walk over, introduce myself
and she is the nicest lady ever what a lovely lunch….I had you all going there
for a minute didn’t I? She was a very lovely lady and we have arranged to meet
again soon.<o:p></o:p></div>
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<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
I think this particular blog has gone on long enough so you’ll
just have to wait till next week to hear all about my physical therapy and let
me tell you it will be well worth reading.
And for the few friends who know what’s going on mum’s the word (or for
my American friends “Loose lips sink ships”)!<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
See Y’all next week Iz x <o:p></o:p></div>izzihttp://www.blogger.com/profile/06556873743908138230noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5579534216826603700.post-42976345672212847762012-05-27T10:44:00.000-07:002012-05-27T10:44:17.365-07:00Magic Elixir<br />
<div class="MsoNormal">
On a Monday morning I feel like it’s always an uphill battle
through the coming week trying to lose the weight that I’ve gained over the
weekend. Every Monday the same thing and I know as I’ve been told often enough
the definition of stupidity is to keep doing the same things and expect a
different result. So you’d think by now I would do something different but no
not me. Still pigging out and then dieting like a crazy woman through the week
and what an eventful week it has been.
It started off just fine, diet going well. Then on Tuesday I found the
magic potion to help you lose weight! <o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
Oh now, I bet I have all your attention right? Well as you
all know, ok some of you know, I try not to eat carbs during the day and when I
say carbs that’s code for bread. Bread is the wonder food, the food that if I
had to choose one carbohydrate to eat for the rest of my life it would be bread.
I love it toasted, baked, stuffed, deep fried, dipped it soup… Oh you get the
picture I love it! Anyway back to the magic potion. At lunch time you take one
activia yogurt any flavor and a fair amount of fresh fruit, any kind. I had
melon, strawberry’s, raspberry’s and grapes. Now this is the most important bit
of the potion - Do not, I repeat do not stray
too far away from a restroom. I’d recommend your own because when it’s time
your backside will explode. I kid you not, you can weigh yourself after and you’ll
be at least a pound lighter! Awesome!<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
On Wednesday thank god I did not have the magic potion for
lunch because on Wednesday evening Lesley and I were coming home from work in
rush hour traffic. We take our exit off the freeway which thankfully was quite
quiet and I pull over to the far right lane, I put my foot on the clutch to
change down from fifth to stop and nothing! The gear stick was just freely
moving about in my hand! The gear box had gone - oh my god what am I going to
do? I know I said it was quiet but not now, now I can see hundreds of irate car
owners in my rear view mirror trying to get round me and then I see the police
car. Lesley got out and spoke to the
officer meanwhile I’m still sitting in the car with one foot on the clutch and
one foot on the brake because I know if I take my foot off the clutch the car
will stall. So I call Smug Git and I’m screaming down the phone like an idiot
and calmly in his best Smug Git voice he says “All you have to do is switch off
the ignition and put on the hand brake” Fuck! Why did I not think of that? Smug
bastard! <o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
The police officer comes over to me asks me what seems to be
the matter ma’am (no really he did say that) I explained with my fastest panicked
Scottish accent all about the gear box after which he kind of dropped his head
to the side and gave me a vacant expression. I realized he had no idea what I
just said so I slowed down and told him all over again and he told me I would
need to get a tow truck and asked me if I wanted him to get me one. I said yes
and how long would it take to get a tow truck here? Then poof! He pointed right
in front of me and there it was like a mirage right before my eyes all gleaming
in the Texas sunshine, my knight in shining armor - Smug Git? No, the lovely
tow truck driver. Who hooked up Poppy and took her to the shop. So now you know why I was lucky I did not
have the magic potion for lunch there would have been tears, snot and shit
everywhere!<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
The rest of the week went ok no more dramas and on Friday I decided
I would not do as I always do I’d try something different - like not pig out. So
needless to say I was in bed by 9:00pm but it paid off I went to weight
watchers and lost ½ a pound. OK so here
is where it gets really funny so I’m going to a birthday party that evening and
I have to buy a gift. I go to the store and I think - I know I’ll get a nice
little cute nightie. I find the cutest one and I think now that I’m no longer a
200 pound woman I’m going to get one for
me too so I pick up a large and head home.
Later when I’m getting ready to go out I think I’ll try the nightie on.
I put it over my head and put one arm in. It feels a tad tight but I put the
other arm in… Well when I say in I’ve got my right arm up in the air and the
nightie is on just over my elbow and I’m stuck in that position - I swear to
god I can’t get the stupid nightie off! By now the sweat is running down by
back, my face is purple because I’m bent over trying to get it off with the
hand that has the sleeve all the way on. Oh no I’m going to have to call Smug
Git in to help me. This was supposed to be a surprise for him and believe me he’ll
be surprised if he has to come help and sees me like this! I look like I’m
trying to escape from a strait jacket, and then I hear a little pop! Oh shit! The
stitching is coming away. Right, calm down. Deep breath. I try one more time
and thankfully I get it off. I’m not kidding I look at it and think there must
be a zipper or buttons that I’ve missed at the back but no there’s not I’m just
still fat and I guess in lingerie I’m an extra-large! <o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
The nightie is now hanging up in the bathroom as a constant
reminder and hopefully it will be the motivation to help me get into it with no
help from others. I’ll keep you posted
on that.<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
Oh well there was so much drama I never even got to tell you
about my blind date…Next week I promise.<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
Thanks for reading. Iz <o:p></o:p></div>
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<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>izzihttp://www.blogger.com/profile/06556873743908138230noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5579534216826603700.post-65924848709973157422012-05-20T13:06:00.003-07:002012-05-20T13:06:47.491-07:00The Liquid Diet<br />
<div class="MsoNormal">
Well its blog 33 and I don’t really have a lot to blog about
given that my leg injury is stopping me from doing any exercise and the MS150
is but a distant memory that on an occasion can still bring a wee smile to a
sad lonely woman’s face. Oh bloody hell shut up and get on with it… Oh sorry
right then. What to write until normal training services resume?<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
I will tell you about some of the stuff that has happened
this week. I think I should start way back at last Friday morning so I go to
weight watchers and weigh in and right before my eyes I look at the scales and
what do I see - 199.00 lbs.! Hooray I’m no longer a 200 pound woman. I’m hi
fiving people and smiling like a Cheshire cat. I’m happy, happy ,happy . I even
call Smug Git up and shout down the phone ”Your wife is no longer a 200 lbs. woman!”
Ok so I got a bit carried away after all I am only 199 still hang in there with
me just give me my moment please because believe me a moment was all I had. After
Weight Watchers I then met the girls for
lunch and after that it all goes downhill. However at the restaurant I was very
good and righteous, giving out little tit bits of diet advice (oh look at me
talking shite again). We eventually left the restaurant and I went back to
Amanda’s for a few drinks. 4 hours later
and 1 or 4 or 5 drinks later I have the munchies and I feel a binge coming on.
I start with some Lays BBQ chips but very quickly they are grabbed away from me
and some baby carrot are out in their place. What the hell just happened but
you know what I don’t care. I’ll eat those carrots as long as I’m crunching
something till dinner is ready I’m good.
And what pray tell was for dinner? What culinary delight had the lovely
Amanda slaved over all day? Fish and chips! Oh I know, you are now all a little
jealous aren’t you? Well I wouldn’t be
too jealous as it turns out it was more like fish and carbon as she burnt the
chips. But I was so hungry I just put them between two slices of bread and
smothered them in ketchup and viola saved the dinner yum! But after that I had
eaten so much I had to go home and lie down.
When I got up the next morning my stomach still hurt I’m sure it was all
the carrots I ate. I’m never eating them again.<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
Saturday morning I’ve decided not to weigh myself as I’m no
longer a 200 pound woman so I don’t need to do that anymore (more like if I do
weigh myself I’ll be more than a 200 pounder) so we are not going there. I decide I’m going to have a good day and
stick to my points. I have a very healthy 5 point breakfast and pat myself on
the back. Later in the morning I have to
go run some errands and since I’m sticking to my points I think I should eat
some lunch at home before we go out and save us from temptation - Amen. It’s all working out perfectly till we go to
wine styles and they offer us a taste of wine. Well you know it’s just plain
rude to say no, so we enjoy the wine and decide that maybe we should just have
one more glass but as luck would have it (bad luck)the computer system in the
shop went down and the guy for some weird reason could not pull himself away
from the computer to sell us wine so we left. Smug Git took one look at my face
with its big petted lip on and suggested we go to Brix another nice wine bar
close by, petted lip off, smile on, happy Izzi.
But wait disaster happened! We get to Brix and it’s bloody shut! What
the hell kind of wine bar shuts on a Saturday afternoon? Is this a Texas law I
don’t know about? Smug Git to the rescue though he rapidly grabs my hand walks
me over to a vacant table in the tapas bar next door and gets me a drinks menu then
proceeds to order me one dirty martini. What a nice man. The food menu was on
the table so I thought I would have a wee look. What? I’m just looking I’m not
ordering anything I’ve just had my healthy lunch oh but the menu looks good and
tapas is just small portions what harm could it do if we just has a wee sample
plate of cheese? I think that would be ok, I’ll count it in later. The waiter
comes over and I’ll have another martini and a cheese plate and the shrimp in
garlic and olive oil. Ok ok I know what you’re all thinking but olive oil is
healthy. Well the food was delish! Ate every bit of it and then went off to the
movies. Never really got any of the errands done but there’s always tomorrow!
Later that evening what would you know I’m feeling a tad peckish again so what
do we eat? Burgers and chips followed by
lashings of ice cream and chocolate. Day 2 of diet gone to hell. Oh god and I
forgot tomorrow is mother’s day.<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
Mother’s day went off without a hitch. No sons to be seen
all day and no messing up with the diet. The rest of the week went ok but I
ended it with a weight gain although I’m not quite sure how much because I’ve
not mustered up the courage to weigh myself so in my mind I’m still 199 pounds
maybe I’ll just stay that weight forever. <o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
Next week I’ll tell you all about my blind date!<o:p></o:p></div>izzihttp://www.blogger.com/profile/06556873743908138230noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5579534216826603700.post-32604431437993883042012-05-13T11:16:00.000-07:002012-05-13T11:16:29.009-07:0050 Shades of Blushing<br />
<div class="MsoNormal">
Week one without Shiny new bike who from this date on will now
be known as 4647 (the MS150 bike number) because it can’t really be Shiny New
Bike forever right? Well any way he has sat not so happily in the corner of the
bed room looking longingly at me and I have not so much as looked in his
direction, not even once! Oh ok maybe once or twice but I need to follow all the
instructions that my shite physical therapist gave me coz how else I’m I going
to get back on 4647. I have ran (bounced) in the pool, used shoulder weights
every day and did all the stretching he told me to do. All of one stretch so I’m
sure in no time I’ll be good to go? I also have been off work on the sick all
week so the leg has been out of action (I’ll clarify that later). However
during the week my boss called just to see how I was doing because he is very concerned
about my wellbeing and not at all bothered about the lack of staff at work or
the amount of cover that’s needed. But it was nice to hear from him. His
parting words did make me smile though:<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
Boss “Hey I hope you don’t come back with a sun tan”<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
Me “Well my physio has been in the pool” <o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
You know I’m just covering all my bases here and my leg has
been up… Ha! up on a sun lounger outside.
What? Shut up! We live in Texas it’s medicinal as was the margaritas! Ok
I’m joking about the margaritas but not the rest. Let’s just say I have a healthy glow.<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
At the beginning of the week I had a conversation with the
orthopedic doctors (Dr Blair) nurse oh she was mad at the physical therapist
and called and scheduled 6 appointments for me but me being a bit of a scaredy
cat I went to another place and the girl there was great. Lots of stretches and,
and back on 4647 for 15 minutes before I stretch twice a day! Woo-hoo! Happy me!
<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
So really that’s my week so here ends my blog. Well y’all knew it would be dull for the next
6 week till my leg got better. <o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
But there was one thing I did this week that might interest
at least some of you. The rest if you’re not dead can stop reading now. It’s something very topical and no it’s not
the breast feeding mother or Obama’s views on gay marriage they are topics for
another time (gotcha) not. I thought I
would give you a wee book review on 50 Shades of Gray by E L James. <o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
Oh where to start? Husbands if you have not bought this book
for your wife you are crazy! Go out today and get it as a last minute Mother’s
day gift and I know before you say it you’re not her mother give it from the
lazy kid who’s too tired to move his ass and get her anything, you will thank
yourself in about 2 days if she’s a slow reader or that evening if she reads
fast! However she may have to reread a few pages again and again… oh yes, yes….oh…
sorry, drifted away there… Back to 50 shades of blushing oh I mean gray.<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
The plot: Dashingly, hot, handsome, rich young man (husbands
remember you’re not reading it just getting the benefit) and beautiful, naïve,
just graduated college student… ok, so that really is where the plot ends. But the book is so hot you will have to put
it down to thank your husband for buying it for you and husbands this is where
you get the pay back for going out shopping on mother’s day afternoon. <o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
Men out there you’re welcome! Enjoy<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<b>Serious bit…</b><o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
Ladies if you don’t get this book go get it, its decedent
hot fun! <o:p></o:p></div>izzihttp://www.blogger.com/profile/06556873743908138230noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5579534216826603700.post-6606744598272369502012-05-06T12:46:00.000-07:002012-05-06T12:46:19.405-07:00Farewell old Friend...Till the next time!<br />
<div class="MsoNormal">
It is with great sadness I have to inform you all that, as
from Thursday at 1:00pm central time, as the results of a leg injury and the
fastest visit to the physical therapist ever I have to go cold turkey. Not from
alcohol but from Shiny New (well maybe not so new now) Bike. He has been
resigned to the great bike hooks in the garage.
After hours, no weeks, really months of loving that bike I have to hang
him up. I feel he has been ripped away from me too soon. But we did have some good times and some not
so good, getting up at 5:00am in the Baltic cold Texas mornings, no alcohol,
falling off on numerous occasions, very sore hoo-ha… Actually I don’t remember
any good times! Ok well its good riddance to Shiny Bike! So why am I so sad and depressed? Why does only
gin and tequila help? I know the answer to that one - gin and tequila help
everything duh! <o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
It has been one of the longest weeks with this bloody leg by
Thursday morning I was an emotional wreck I would love to tell you that I’m not
eating or sleeping but while I’m not sleeping, the eating… well I think I’d
have to pull a muscle in my jaw to stop me doing that even then I’m sure I’d
find a way. Sorry I digress where was I?
Oh yes the not sleeping, I’m taking anti-inflammatory’s like they’re smarties, a
sleeping pill which is getting me over to sleep but not keeping me asleep. Anyway
Smug Git (I’m not sure if I can still call him SG after that lovely piece he
wrote about me last week?) tells me I’ve not to go to work Thursday morning but
of course I won’t listen to him. I go get Lesley and I’m not in the car 5
minutes and I’m crying like a big girls blouse.
She wants to turn the car round and take me home but no I’m still
insisting I go to work. I get to work at about 7:45am meet Beth and start
bubbling again. 20 minutes later SG is there and I’m on my way home! Why am I
so pig headed? Please don’t all shout out at once.<o:p></o:p></div>
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<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
As I said earlier I get an appointment to go see the
physical therapist that day. At 1:00pm I’m in his office. For about 30 minutes
he looks at my insurance and informs me that I can have 60 sessions of physio a
year so I’m thinking “Yes! This is going to be sorted”, then he gives me the
once over, announces it is a biking injury, shows me a couple of stretches, tells
me to get off the bike for 6 weeks (oh did I forget to say 6 weeks earlier yeah
I’m not off shiny bike forever it just feels like forever) and to do running in
the pool and I’m good to go! <o:p></o:p></div>
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<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
Wait what just happened there? That’s it? I’m done? No 60
sessions? No nice bedside manner? So as you can imagine I start crying all over
again. He just looks at me like I’m some sort of crazy person, which at this
point I feel like some kind of crazy person. I want to punch his face in but I
just put on my sunglasses, pick up my handbag and sob all the way out of 24
hour fitness with all these fit sickening people just looking at the crying
crazy lady leave. <o:p></o:p></div>
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<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
I get back home and I’m so mad I won’t answer the phone. I
don’t want to talk to anyone. What the hell is running in the pool? Fat lot of
good that will do - can you actually run in the pool? After about an hour of
feeling sorry for myself and almost having a major binge I held it together and
ate my salad and fruit. I thought I might try getting into the pool and doing
the water running and truth be told it was ok. Plus Greek Adonis helped me out
with some shoulder exercises with weights while I was running, well running is
a bit of a stretch of the imagination, it was more like water bouncing. Not a
pretty sight but as I said I did feel like I had a bit of a workout and I
checked out the points value of running in the pool for 30 minutes and wait for
it - you get 7 extra food points the same as riding on Shiny Bike yeah! Now I’m
happy! Oh look at me talking about working out like I’m a pro ha! Changed days indeed.<o:p></o:p></div>
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<o:p><br /></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
Now what to do next? I don’t really think y’all want to read
a blog every week if it’s just about my dull life so I was talking to my friend
Kim after one margarita and a few tequila shots (they were for medicinal purposes)
and she asked me to do the half marathon and I stupidly said yes! WTF was I
thinking? But I can’t start training for 6 weeks till my leg is better so look
out for the new running blog. Actually I’m more worried about this than I was
riding 150 miles I seriously cannot run between lampposts but you know what, I’m
going to give it as much as I gave the MS150 and the best part is I’m not
looking for any money!</div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
I’ll still blog for the next few weeks since I really need
your help with the old losing weight thing… Oh and a little update on that. I
went back to weight watchers yesterday, I haven’t been there for 4 weeks since
the ride and my parents were here, but I have not put on any weight, so still
34 off. My plan for next week is to get
in that pool every day and stick to the food plan 100% and hopefully it will be
back to losing weight again.<o:p></o:p></div>
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<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<b>Serious Bit…</b><o:p></o:p></div>
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<br /></div>
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This will probably be my last serious bit but I had to use
this time to thank everyone for all the donations and the support I had before
and especially during the ride to everyone who sent me texts and Facebook messages during the two
days. They meant so much to me and helped me through the
ride I could not have done it without you.<o:p></o:p></div>
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<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
Thanks for reading see y’all next week love Iz x <o:p></o:p></div>izzihttp://www.blogger.com/profile/06556873743908138230noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5579534216826603700.post-91181680337414063932012-04-29T14:12:00.000-07:002012-04-29T14:12:33.435-07:00To Hell and Back<br />
<div class="MsoNormal">
Its April 21, 2009 I’m standing in Austin Texas waiting for
Smug Git and Gus the perfect son to come through the finish line of their first
MS150, there are crowds of people everywhere clapping and cheering for their
friends and family members as they cross the finish line. Just then I see Gus and Smug Git and I’m so,
so proud of them. It was at that point I said to myself I am going to do this
one day. I will ride across that finish line on my bike but at that point it
really was just a dream, a wish, a pie in the sky idea. <o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
Today April 29, 2012 I’m about to write my last MS150 blog
and let you all know I did it! I rode every mile every hill and through that
finish line in Austin and I have to tell you it was the best feeling! But let me go back to the beginning.<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
Saturday April 21, 2012. The big day has finally arrived. I’ve
done all the training I could possibly do, I have the bike, helmet, shorts, shoes,
bandanas, food, water and sun cream.
Have I left anything out? Besides Smug git No I think I’m good to
go. So why do I feel like I could burst
into tears at any moment I’m having a hard time talking, hell I’m actually
having a pretty hard time breathing at this point. I’m struggling to keep it
all together and get out the bathroom. Smug Git, Leanne and Amanda (who is
driving us up to the start) are all waiting on me. OK, deep breath, wash my face
and go out.<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br />
Leanne looks nervous but is holding it together. Smug Git is
making the breakfast cool as a cucumber, well what do you expect he is Smug Git
after all. Amanda… Well, what can I say
about Amanda? She on the other hand is beside herself with excitement cheering
us all on, dancing and shouting “go izzi go” so then I start laughing but it’s
that stupid nervous laugh and if I stop I’m liable to start crying again. Who’s
bloody stupid idea was this? I try my
best to eat my breakfast of champions; bread roll, bacon (real British bacon
not the fatty American stuff) and a fried egg. Delicious! However this morning
I feel like I’m eating razor blades it doesn’t matter how much brown sauce I
put on it it’s still hard to eat. Ok I
have had enough of this lets get going. We get everything in the car and head
off. Oh god I feel sick again, we head up
to Waller, our starting point and to give Amanda her dues she has us all in
stiches! Every time she passes a car with bikes on it she is screaming out the
car window and waving like some kind of crazy person! The people in the other
cars are just speeding away past her. We
get to our meeting point and all get out the car. Amanda, now known as “Crazy Camera
Lady”, is at it again. “Come on ladies
are you not excited?’</div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
Me “yes”<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br />
Crazy Camera Lady “Really? You could have fooled me”<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br />
Then she goes away to another group that has arrived and
starts to take pictures of them.<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br />
To be fair I’m not sure I would have got on that bike if
Amanda (Crazy Camera Lady) was not there to take my mind off of it. She was
brill and has us laughing and singing and by the time we got on our bikes and
left we were just glad to get rid of her (just kidding hon I love you, you kept
me together, I owe you big time!). <o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br />
<table cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="float: left; margin-right: 1em; text-align: left;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjpASZ83GaJzE41QoSmvHJ4DuXjmq7jUw3lJ-OhUe1hfd8uUIn3X4Brxl4iHvTg_1uiVC2NniuFtJQ_vUcSBaVxR_rYtG_ovoZrcS2nt_ZRLz4_HDLsMQBBsBlHuvzihh_BZtIHjptJHIw/s1600/DSCN3188.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjpASZ83GaJzE41QoSmvHJ4DuXjmq7jUw3lJ-OhUe1hfd8uUIn3X4Brxl4iHvTg_1uiVC2NniuFtJQ_vUcSBaVxR_rYtG_ovoZrcS2nt_ZRLz4_HDLsMQBBsBlHuvzihh_BZtIHjptJHIw/s320/DSCN3188.JPG" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Our little starting team</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
And we’re off! Austin here I come. If truth be told I have
that funny feeling in my tummy as I’m writing this it’s kinda cool. As you all know the Saturday was very windy
but I was so excited at first I never even noticed it. I just got my head down
and started cycling and before I knew it we were at the first rest stop and
then lunch. Lunch was organized like a well-oiled machine, the food was great
just what I needed and we got two Bluebell ice cream sandwiches (worth doing
the ride just for that I think) then back on the bike. I had just left the lunch break and was back
on the road when over to my right I notice some blue and pink t-shirts shouting
and screaming and it was my mum, Lesley and Roy McQuade! Oh my god I nearly
fell off the bike. What a surprise, but me being me I was so shocked I did not
even stop the bike I just kept riding (seriously
would Lance have stopped?) Which was probably a good thing I might have went
back home with them. I was so happy to see them I think I may have peddled a
wee bit faster after that… Well that would have been till the wind started
blowing in my face and I was cycling up this one hill at 3mph. I could have got
off and walked up faster only I could not clip out the bloody peddles.<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br />
A couple of rest stops later in a little town called
Industry there they were again, can this get any better? Why yes it could I
could actually get off at the rest stop and give them all a hug. NOW that was
awesome. And just as we were about to leave Beth, my friend who has MS, was
right there with her whole family; Billy, Charlotte, Kimberley, Andy and beautiful
baby Bethany. You guys rock! I have the best family and friends it was so good
to see them all. The ride to the next stop went by in a blur thanks to y’all.<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br />
By this point I was still feeling pretty good. We were coming
up on a small town called Fayetteville, TX. Everyone who lived in the town was
out on the streets, they had bubble machines, flags and bands playing. When you
cycled passed they shouted out their thanks and offered you food and drinks. It was amazing! If you ever
get the chance to go out for a drive - go there its beautiful. All along the route on Saturday there were sights
to be seen like the guy who had his digger out on the side of the road with the
bucket filled with ice and free beers or another guy offering free oranges or
beer! That made me laugh who would possibly want an orange, really? I really
wanted a beer but you know me I would not have got back on the bike. We finally get to the second to last rest
stop to the best news ever we only have 8 more miles of winds and the last 7 miles
the wind will be at out back. With that being said we quickly did what we had
to do I’ll leave the gross stuff out but will let my girls out there know the
Hoo-Ha cream worked a treat and I may be able to find a few other uses for it
off the bike (another blog another time). Right, back on the bikes and right
enough the wind was bad. Smug Git did let me draft from him so that made it so
much better for me then we turned the corner and as promised the wind was at our
back and the last 7 miles was literally a breeze. We crossed the finish line at
La Grange at around 4:30 there were hundreds of people there cheering us through I was so happy day one DONE! <o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br />
Now off for a shower, food and an early night then I get to
do it all again tomorrow. <o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br />
Sunday April 22, 2012, Day two. The lights go on in the tent
at 6:00am and somewhere outside I can hear what sounds like a disco and I
realize that it’s the organizers getting everyone up and ready for the
day. Well I am freezing and I don’t want
to move from my sleeping bag. Everyone in the tent is busy getting organized
packing up all their gear, moving their bikes god knows where but bikes are
leaving the tents with guys in pj’s. I
just put my head back under the covers and wait till Smug Git says the magic
words “breakfast is here”. Well I bounce out of that bag, ok, bounce not so
much, hobble I’d say was a better verb. I get to the breakfast burritos and I’m
not sure how many I can have but I take two and pretend to the people round me
one is for Smug Git. I go back to my bed and Smug Git looks at my burritos and
I’m like “Get your own!”. I scoff down my breakfast, I know what’s ahead of me
today and I know what kind of food is at the rest stops and there are only so
many pretzels and gummy bear’s one woman can eat. Oh and after the burritos I
remember I made a PB&J sandwich last night and hid it in my bag to have
later but fell asleep. I grab that out and start devouring that as well. I just
swallow the last bit and then it hits me I’m going to have to use the big blue
port-a-potty. Oh shit! Literally! Ok well I’ll just have to worry about that
later. I finally have to get ready to go.<br />
<table cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="float: left; text-align: left;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg9rSWq9Vv2eBdBgSos05fJronbYVxEPqh6DLYlNVreVC23hgISfCZtjFZ_VJzgj9cfdz5ExBHGwLfNB7zswjfw7ajqQG2kqVluY-TNd5PYGBMCVR7_VCJPlV6N99G2dw6TVPiqziQFX1M/s1600/IMG_0423.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg9rSWq9Vv2eBdBgSos05fJronbYVxEPqh6DLYlNVreVC23hgISfCZtjFZ_VJzgj9cfdz5ExBHGwLfNB7zswjfw7ajqQG2kqVluY-TNd5PYGBMCVR7_VCJPlV6N99G2dw6TVPiqziQFX1M/s320/IMG_0423.JPG" width="240" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Day 2 Starting Line - Holy Shit so many riders!</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<br />
I get all my gear on and we head out to the start line. Now this is my least
favorite place I’m so worried about the crowd’s and I kid you not there are
thousands of riders. It looks spectacular but once again I’m a wreck. We are heading up to take our turn to start
and it’s time to go….. But I can’t get on the bike, I just can’t do it. Nothing
I try works. I’m just about to have a complete melt down and I can’t find Smug
Git to shout at him and then out of the crowd comes a ride marshal and he says
to me “Ma-am do you need some help?”<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br />
Me “yes please”<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br />
He stops the ride and helps me on my bike and gives me a wee
push off. My Hero! And then I’m crying… Oh
so this is how today is going to go I just know it.<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<iframe allowfullscreen='allowfullscreen' webkitallowfullscreen='webkitallowfullscreen' mozallowfullscreen='mozallowfullscreen' width='320' height='266' src='https://www.blogger.com/video.g?token=AD6v5dxWgTruFariZ8H-HZjxVkQxUQL3k_x17X5KXvt2DaOg4lILygfe67ugWVCgJHN6WKBU70xMyE64Zt5jSBnxnw' class='b-hbp-video b-uploaded' frameborder='0'></iframe></div>
There are thousands of riders so it was hard for me for the
first five miles till we spread out a bit then I was able to do my own thing. We
get to the second rest stop and there is this DJ and she is getting all the
riders up to dance and give me a good song and I’ll dance anywhere. So a toilet
break, something to eat and a line dance was all I needed to get me back on my
way. The only way I can get through this
today is by resetting my bike computer to zero so I know how far it is to the
next break and up to now it’s working well.
I always knew the second day would be the hardest day. It has all the
hills and for me knowing I had to do it all again was a huge challenge but no
matter what, I was going to do this. We got to the lunch break and all that
breakfast had finally caught up with me but the lines for the toilets were
crazy but what can you do? You just have to squeeze your butt cheeks together
and wait in line with everyone else but ohhh the relief when I was done… Why, I
think I can finish the ride now…<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br />
At lunch I met this fabulous older lady and while we chatted
over lunch she told me how this ride would empower us women and that if we
could do this we could do anything and that it would change our lives, and you know
what I know she’s right I just wish I had got her name. Thanks lovely lady.<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br />
<table cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="float: left; margin-right: 1em; text-align: left;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjUvjHngosaC1z8DJbaYXSNJAFOrH1SV94eJhvPJjHffiBmLva40d17Bk273V1erjOaW1-lKlstkrK73OpEpxxN-s6u9N-VSgujhRH_sq_t5d4w6CxuIQx0Pzr8jWmx8DA0Hu-Iz2Y07eY/s1600/DSC01823.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjUvjHngosaC1z8DJbaYXSNJAFOrH1SV94eJhvPJjHffiBmLva40d17Bk273V1erjOaW1-lKlstkrK73OpEpxxN-s6u9N-VSgujhRH_sq_t5d4w6CxuIQx0Pzr8jWmx8DA0Hu-Iz2Y07eY/s320/DSC01823.JPG" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Woo-Hoo!</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
I think at this point we only have about 30 miles left but I
am starting to struggle big time. Our next stop is about 12 miles away and I’m
sure I will need a stop in between. We set off and as expected around 7 miles
we break for about 10 minutes then on to the second last rest stop. Oh there
was a woman there with a hose pipe and she was sprinkling riders with cold
water as they walked passed. It was heaven, helmet off and face right in it. Oh
my god how much did I need that? We are just getting ready to leave when this
ass tells us just 8 miles to go oh and by the way it’s the toughest 8 miles of
the ride I wanted to go over and punch his face in if I could actually have
walked and threw a good punch I might have tried. I told Smug Git I might have to do it in 2
mile increments and he said “Listen honey you do it whatever way you can” God I
love that man! Ok here goes last 8 miles. In the distance all I can see are the
ups and down of hills. We start on and I work as hard as I can. We stop after about
3 miles to change into our YizziY t-shirts. I am so exhausted I don’t even care
about where I take of the old biking jersey I just pull it off and put on the
new one then Smug Git tells me to hurry or something and I lose the plot with
him and I’m calling him patronizing and other nice wife stuff then I look at
him and he’s holding my bike, helmet and old sweaty t-shirt… Well, I’m sorry
but I was mad. Ok this is it! Get me to the finish line I’ve had enough I’m
done. I get back on and peddle my heart out then I can hear the music blaring. I
turn the corner and I can hear the crowds cheering and I look up and I can see
the words FINISH LINE I look to my left and the first face I see is Callum (Greek
Adonis) then Gus (perfect son), my Mum, Amanda and Lesley are all there and a
little ways up Alison and Iain. I just
did it I can’t quite believe it myself but I DID IT! <o:p></o:p><br />
<br /></div>
<div align="center" class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: center;">
<b>Woo-Hoo The End!</b><o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br />
<b>Not so Serious bit. Smug Git and his Sad Facts</b><o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<i>First things first. You can't imagine how proud I am of
Izzi, but before I talk about her achievements I would like to thank all the friends
and family who supported us through this, especially those who came to Austin
to cheer us through the finish line. I'd also like to call out Callum and Gus
who are still suffering from Saturday morning abandonment issues!<o:p></o:p></i></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<i><br /></i><br />
<i>So as I said you have no idea how proud I am of Izzi. Seeing
her cross the finish line is something that I will remember for ever. Being
with her through this is something that money could not buy, we spent some great
mornings together, as Izzi has said before Texas is a beautiful place and there
are very few things better than cycling through the hill country together... As
you can imagine there were some challenging times as well, but working through
those has brought us closer together and given us much to laugh about later
(much, much later!)<o:p></o:p></i></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<i><br /></i><br />
<i>When she first said that she was going to sign up for this,
i must admit that I just ignored it. Another spur of the moment flippant comment
which I thought would be forgotten by morning. One week later Izzi was watching
over me as I signed up on the website. At that point I knew this was going to
be an 'interesting' 6 months or so. As regular followers know I bought Izzi her
first bike for her 30thbirthday, while it was used occasionally it spent more
time gathering dust than it did out on the road. I tried to work out how many
miles or how much time she had spent on a bike before we started this madness
and honestly i don't think she had ridden more than 20 or 30 miles. So
discounting that Izzi was a total novice coming into this.<o:p></o:p></i></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<i><br /></i><br />
<i>It was a beautiful evening in October when we took the Shiny
New Bike out and Izzi wobbled round the Hassler parking lot and we found that the
parking lot was .2 of a mile round. 5 loops later and Izzi had ridden her first
mile! Over the next few days and weeks Izzi would loop that parking lot 70 or
so times before she gained enough confidence to go out in the neighborhood with
the Don and I and she clocked up her first real ride; Just over 10 miles in a
little over an hour. Steve passed on his wisdom by telling her that "It's
all about the tits". Tits of course stands for Time In The Saddle (y'all
can drag your minds out of the gutter now).<o:p></o:p></i></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<i><br /></i><br />
<i>25 weeks later Izzi completed the MS150 and I am so proud of
her. It was not an easy first day and being a novice makes those second day
hills very very challenging. Honey – Well done! Seriously you are amazing!<o:p></o:p></i></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<i><br /></i><br />
<i>Ok enough mush - So what about these stats I hear you ask!
Well here we go...<o:p></o:p></i></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<i><br /></i><br />
<i>Our MS150 ride was 141 miles which we completed with a ride
time of 12hours. We averaged 11.5 mph, climbed 4379 feet and burned 6000calories
(ish). A pretty damn respectable ride!<o:p></o:p></i></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<i><br /></i><br />
<i>But how far did Izzi cycle since October?<o:p></o:p></i></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<i><br /></i><br />
<i>She cycled over 1100 miles which works out to be Houston to
Austin over 7 times, Houston to Denver once or for our British readers Land's End
to John O'Groats 1.25 times or Glasgow to Balatonfured, Hungary (you gotta love
Google :) and no I don't know where it is just look it up people)<o:p></o:p></i></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<i><br /></i><br />
<i>Izzi, as you know, disliked hills however she did manage to
climb over14,000 ft. Which works out to be almost 5 "Munroe's", or
higher than Pike's Peak. I think you earned that pack of Tudor crisps honey!<o:p></o:p></i></div>
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<i>Ok and what about the tits? well she managed 100 hours or
just over 5 days in the saddle which brings tears to the eyes just thinking
about it.<o:p></o:p></i></div>
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<i>Oh and for all you calorie counters out there (and this is a
real rough calculation) Izzi burned approximately 35,000 calories or about132
Milky Way bars (Mars bars for our UK friends)<o:p></o:p></i></div>
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<i>Normal service will now resume and hopefully Izzi won't have
lost too many readers after this drivel.<o:p></o:p></i></div>
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<i>Yours, Smugly,<o:p></o:p></i></div>
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<i>SG</i><o:p></o:p></div>izzihttp://www.blogger.com/profile/06556873743908138230noreply@blogger.com0