Back from my weigh in at Slimming World I've stayed the same after my antics of last week (Lucky or what)
(STILL) 6 st 5 and a half lb off
Going to try and get to my 6 and a half stone target by next week (Fingers crossed)
This blog is just my views and opinions about every day life. Please feel free to leave comments about the way you see it. Grumpyhead
Wednesday, 23 July 2008
Tuesday, 22 July 2008
Time Out
I took a week long break. Weather was awful, so not a chance of getting the exterior painting that needs done finished or any of the jobs done around the garden. It was a real lazy week, I even stayed clear of blogging (I'm sure nobody noticed)
We did get out shopping though. Let me tell you about Thursday .... Carol and I were asked to do an interview for a local radio programme (About our weight loss) so it was arranged for Thursday. After it was done and dusted, went into the Victoria Square and decided to hit the Oyster bar. Had some oyster shots and a couple glasses of bubbly... (Oh dear, my LSD wasn't partaking in the beverages so she was the self elected driver for the day) Went to check out the Cathedral Quarter for drinkies and eaties for future reference...
First stop The Merchant (In fact, we stayed there and had dinner).. The meal was fantastic and the service exceptional.. (As was the wine list) This great night was finished off with a visit to the John Hewitt (And a couple more glasses)...
Friday it emptied down and so we went to Ballymena to check the shops out (Why, I've know idea) with umbrella at the ready off we went. Had lunch (Open prawn sarny) then the weather seemed to pick up when we got back so we had a BBQ for two.
Saturday we had friends over for a great dinner (Cooked by the best chef I know, my LSD) we saw the sun rise at 4.45 as we were heading to bed.
The down side to all this high living is that I may have weight on tomorrow night and my Slimming World group, but hey, I'm re-focused now so that's what matters
We did get out shopping though. Let me tell you about Thursday .... Carol and I were asked to do an interview for a local radio programme (About our weight loss) so it was arranged for Thursday. After it was done and dusted, went into the Victoria Square and decided to hit the Oyster bar. Had some oyster shots and a couple glasses of bubbly... (Oh dear, my LSD wasn't partaking in the beverages so she was the self elected driver for the day) Went to check out the Cathedral Quarter for drinkies and eaties for future reference...
First stop The Merchant (In fact, we stayed there and had dinner).. The meal was fantastic and the service exceptional.. (As was the wine list) This great night was finished off with a visit to the John Hewitt (And a couple more glasses)...
Friday it emptied down and so we went to Ballymena to check the shops out (Why, I've know idea) with umbrella at the ready off we went. Had lunch (Open prawn sarny) then the weather seemed to pick up when we got back so we had a BBQ for two.
Saturday we had friends over for a great dinner (Cooked by the best chef I know, my LSD) we saw the sun rise at 4.45 as we were heading to bed.
The down side to all this high living is that I may have weight on tomorrow night and my Slimming World group, but hey, I'm re-focused now so that's what matters
Wednesday, 16 July 2008
Out Of My Teens
Back from my weigh in at Slimming World with another 1 and a half lb off. This is very special to me as I've now crossed over yet another stone barrier. I'm now in my 12 stone area and now for the second time in my life out of my teens (First time it was age, now it's weight) lol. I really can't remember the last time I was this weight.
When I got on the scales tonight it flickered between 13 st and 12st 13 and a half lb, but then settled at 13.
I fired off my shirt, it was a half monty (Suprised onlookers, and myself) but it worked and I'm now 12st 13 and a half lb (OFFICIAL)
6 st 5 and a half lb off
When I got on the scales tonight it flickered between 13 st and 12st 13 and a half lb, but then settled at 13.
I fired off my shirt, it was a half monty (Suprised onlookers, and myself) but it worked and I'm now 12st 13 and a half lb (OFFICIAL)
6 st 5 and a half lb off
Monday, 14 July 2008
My Trip Away
What an experience I've had. Going to the Slimming World Man of the Year finals made me realise how lucky I really am in life.
When I arrived at Slimming World HQ (Near Derby) first I was weighed, then my height and waist measurements were taken. Then it was off to a photo shoot, had my photo taken with Kym
Marsh (Michelle from Corrie Street) then it was off to meet the other guys at the finals. 86 guys in total from a mere 6000 Slimming World groups with a combined weight loss of 486 and a half stone.
We broke off into smaller groups and had to tell our story about why we wanted to lose weight and what we think about food optimising etc. I felt really humble when I heard the stories from the other members. Between life saving health reasons and tragic events in peoples lives my weight loss journey was a breeze compared to them. 12 people were selected to go forward for a final group. In the end the guy who won had 15 stone off, congratulations to him .... In all honesty, everyone present was a winner in their own right ... Well done guys....
At lunch the food was fantastic with everything marked red or green for us food optimising people. We were presented with a bottle of champagne and a framed certificate each.
When I arrived at Slimming World HQ (Near Derby) first I was weighed, then my height and waist measurements were taken. Then it was off to a photo shoot, had my photo taken with Kym
Marsh (Michelle from Corrie Street) then it was off to meet the other guys at the finals. 86 guys in total from a mere 6000 Slimming World groups with a combined weight loss of 486 and a half stone.We broke off into smaller groups and had to tell our story about why we wanted to lose weight and what we think about food optimising etc. I felt really humble when I heard the stories from the other members. Between life saving health reasons and tragic events in peoples lives my weight loss journey was a breeze compared to them. 12 people were selected to go forward for a final group. In the end the guy who won had 15 stone off, congratulations to him .... In all honesty, everyone present was a winner in their own right ... Well done guys....
At lunch the food was fantastic with everything marked red or green for us food optimising people. We were presented with a bottle of champagne and a framed certificate each.
Friday, 11 July 2008
Holiday Eve
Today is Holiday Eve.... I'm off from end of play today for a week. Tomorrow I fly off to Derby to take part in Slimming World's Man of the Year Finals ... Really nervous I have to say....
Next week I'll be having a day here and there (Maybe), nothing planned other than that.
If the weather picks up I may get the garden done and some long overdue painting around the outside of the house done.
Next week I'll be having a day here and there (Maybe), nothing planned other than that.
If the weather picks up I may get the garden done and some long overdue painting around the outside of the house done.
Thursday, 10 July 2008
What A Gas
Today was a gas. Workmen nearby our office fractured a gas mains in Bedford Street, and the gas fumes smothered our work place. We were advised to evacuate the building and told we would not be able to return....
Had to take sanctuary in a local hostelry...... It's a rough world
Had to take sanctuary in a local hostelry...... It's a rough world
Will I Live To Be 80?
Recently a man turned 65 and had to choose a new primary care physician for someone of that age. After two visits and exhaustive lab tests, the doctor told him he was doing 'fairly well' for his age.
A little concerned about that comment, he couldn't resist asking him, "Do you think I will live to be 80?" the doctor asked: "Do you smoke tobacco or drink alcoholic beverages?
"Oh no," he replied. "I don't do drugs, either."
"Do you have many friends and entertain frequently?" he said, "No, I usually stay home and keep to myself"
Do you eat rib-eye steaks and barbecued ribs?"..."No, my other doctor said that all red meat is unhealthy!"
"Do you spend a lot of time in the sun, like playing golf, tennis, sailing,hiking or bicycling?" "No, I don't," he said.
"Do you gamble, drive fast cars, or have a lot of sex?" "No," he said. "I don't do any of those things."
The doctor looked at him and said, "Then why worry?"
A little concerned about that comment, he couldn't resist asking him, "Do you think I will live to be 80?" the doctor asked: "Do you smoke tobacco or drink alcoholic beverages?
"Oh no," he replied. "I don't do drugs, either."
"Do you have many friends and entertain frequently?" he said, "No, I usually stay home and keep to myself"
Do you eat rib-eye steaks and barbecued ribs?"..."No, my other doctor said that all red meat is unhealthy!"
"Do you spend a lot of time in the sun, like playing golf, tennis, sailing,hiking or bicycling?" "No, I don't," he said.
"Do you gamble, drive fast cars, or have a lot of sex?" "No," he said. "I don't do any of those things."
The doctor looked at him and said, "Then why worry?"
Wednesday, 9 July 2008
Arachnophobia
While I was out, the call of nature was just too great to ignore so I had to quickly find a gents. I'm so fussy when it comes to using toilets outside my own environment.
No time to be fussy this time...
No time to be fussy this time...Yee old church hall was readily available. Nothing much to look at while sitting on the throne, well nothing much that is, until I spotted this climbing up the tiles ......
I had no problems with constipation I can tell you.......
Tuesday, 8 July 2008
Blocked Drains
If you drive into Belfast's Clarence Street West (Oh, hold on, you can't) the construction of a new hotel means the street is blocked off daily from around 7.30am until around 5 ish Monday to Friday. The cement lorry's etc arrive and through the day the roadway becomes covered in an over spill of cement. This has been going on for a lot of months.
The road gets hosed down and guess where it goes .... yes, down the drain. Now, is it just me or am I right in thinking if you hose enough cement down
the drains eventually it will harden and block the drains? I cant wait until the hotel is up and running to see how many times the street gets dug up to fix the blocked drains. I took this photo this evening hours after the rain had stopped .... looks like the building inspectors should have gone to Specsavers.......
The road gets hosed down and guess where it goes .... yes, down the drain. Now, is it just me or am I right in thinking if you hose enough cement down
the drains eventually it will harden and block the drains? I cant wait until the hotel is up and running to see how many times the street gets dug up to fix the blocked drains. I took this photo this evening hours after the rain had stopped .... looks like the building inspectors should have gone to Specsavers.......
Monday, 7 July 2008
Blues Brother
I was sitting in the petrol station on the heel and ankle waiting on my LSD paying for my fill up. A people carrier came into the station (Through the exit) with the kids not strapped in. He (Yes it was a guy) got out of his car and I wish I was in the fashion police. He was wearing a full Linfield track suit (He looked as athletic as a hippo with piles) best was yet to come .... He went to the ATM, put his hand in his rear pocket and pulled out .... (Yes you've guessed it)... a Linfield wallet .... (Must have need the cash to replenish the Buckfast stock.
Friday, 4 July 2008
Cyclists Driver
Went to Omagh today. The amount of Richard Cranium drivers I met on the road today was just that little bit more than usual. The prize of the day went to the driver in the silver 4x4 with a roof cycle rack on it. He was driving like a cyclist, you know the ones who think because they are on a pedal cycle, road signs, road markings don't apply to them and friar tuck everyone else on the road.
Not many people know this.... BUT while driving on the highway, a large vehicle must leave a lot more room from the vehicle that is in front of it.
This is called BRAKING DISTANCE. We are not keeping a space for the Richards who just can't wait until there is a safe place to overtake..... Get the message?
Not many people know this.... BUT while driving on the highway, a large vehicle must leave a lot more room from the vehicle that is in front of it.
This is called BRAKING DISTANCE. We are not keeping a space for the Richards who just can't wait until there is a safe place to overtake..... Get the message?
Thursday, 3 July 2008
Water or Wine
A friend of my sent this remarkable thought, I think it's been around for ages but just in case you haven't seen it, read on.
As Ben Franklin once said: "In wine there is wisdom, in beer there is freedom, in water there is bacteria"
In a number of carefully controlled trials, scientists have demonstrated that if we drink 1 litre of water each day, at the end of the year we would have absorbed more than 1 kilo of Escherichia coli, (E. coli) - bacteria found in feces. In other words, we are consuming 1 kilo of dung. (So i'm told)
However, we do NOT run that risk when drinking wine & beer (or tequila, rum, whiskey or other liquor) because alcohol has to go through a purification process of boiling, filtering and/or fermenting. Remember: Water = dung, Wine = Health .
Therefore, it's better to drink wine and talk stupid, than to drink water and be full of dung.
There is no need to thank me for this valuable information: I'm doing it as a public service
As Ben Franklin once said: "In wine there is wisdom, in beer there is freedom, in water there is bacteria"
In a number of carefully controlled trials, scientists have demonstrated that if we drink 1 litre of water each day, at the end of the year we would have absorbed more than 1 kilo of Escherichia coli, (E. coli) - bacteria found in feces. In other words, we are consuming 1 kilo of dung. (So i'm told)
However, we do NOT run that risk when drinking wine & beer (or tequila, rum, whiskey or other liquor) because alcohol has to go through a purification process of boiling, filtering and/or fermenting. Remember: Water = dung, Wine = Health .
Therefore, it's better to drink wine and talk stupid, than to drink water and be full of dung.
There is no need to thank me for this valuable information: I'm doing it as a public service
Wednesday, 2 July 2008
New Photo
I got to thinking, I'll put it on my blog and see if anyone comments on it, and if (It's a big if) they like it maybe, just maybe I'll use it to replace the old one.
I'm touched and it's really nice that someone has taken time doing this. I don't mind for one second people enhancing any photo of me, as long as they realise and except they may be repaid in full ........ Watch this space!
Tuesday, 1 July 2008
Buzz Off
Did you hear the one about the truck loaded with 12 million Bees that turned over
in Canada ......
Read all about it!
I was thinking, I hope they were able to catch the ones that escaped, the other thing is how the hell did they know there were 12 million of them. (Who did the counting)
I got stung by a bee last Christmas ........ £5.40 for a very small jar of honey.......
in Canada ......Read all about it!
I was thinking, I hope they were able to catch the ones that escaped, the other thing is how the hell did they know there were 12 million of them. (Who did the counting)
I got stung by a bee last Christmas ........ £5.40 for a very small jar of honey.......
Monday, 30 June 2008
Man Locks Wife In Chicken Coop
Read this and it got me thinking. "Man locks wife in chicken coop"
Bet he made sure they were all hens before he locked her in
Bet he made sure they were all hens before he locked her in
Friday, 27 June 2008
Today's Lesson
One day a farmer's donkey fell down into a well. The animal cried for hours as the farmer tried to figure out what to do. Finally, he decided the animal was old, and the well needed to be covered up anyway; it just wasn't worth it to retrieve the donkey. He invited all his neighbours to come over and help him. They all grabbed a shovel and began to shovel dirt into the well.
At first, the donkey realized what was happening and cried horribly. Then, to everyone's amazement he quieted down. A few shovel loads later, the farmer finally
looked down the well. He was astonished at what he saw. With each shovel of dirt that hit his back, the donkey was doing something amazing. He would shake it off and take a step up. Pretty soon, everyone was amazed as the donkey stepped up over the edge of the well and happily trotted off!
Life is going to shovel dirt on you, all kinds of dirt. The trick to getting out of the well is to shake it off and take a step up. Each of our troubles is a stepping stone.. We can get out of the deepest wells just by not stopping, never giving up! Shake it off and take a step up. Remember the five simple rules to be happy: Free your heart from hatred - Forgive. Free your mind from worries - Most never happen. Live simply and appreciate what you have. Give more. Expect less NOW ............ Enough of that dung . . . The donkey later came back, and bit the farmer who had tried to bury him. The gash from the bite got infected and the farmer eventually died in agony from septic shock.
MORAL FROM TODAY'S LESSON: When you do something wrong, and try to cover your ass, it always comes back to bite you.
At first, the donkey realized what was happening and cried horribly. Then, to everyone's amazement he quieted down. A few shovel loads later, the farmer finally
looked down the well. He was astonished at what he saw. With each shovel of dirt that hit his back, the donkey was doing something amazing. He would shake it off and take a step up. Pretty soon, everyone was amazed as the donkey stepped up over the edge of the well and happily trotted off!Life is going to shovel dirt on you, all kinds of dirt. The trick to getting out of the well is to shake it off and take a step up. Each of our troubles is a stepping stone.. We can get out of the deepest wells just by not stopping, never giving up! Shake it off and take a step up. Remember the five simple rules to be happy: Free your heart from hatred - Forgive. Free your mind from worries - Most never happen. Live simply and appreciate what you have. Give more. Expect less NOW ............ Enough of that dung . . . The donkey later came back, and bit the farmer who had tried to bury him. The gash from the bite got infected and the farmer eventually died in agony from septic shock.
MORAL FROM TODAY'S LESSON: When you do something wrong, and try to cover your ass, it always comes back to bite you.
Thursday, 26 June 2008
Sound Advice
Had this sent to me in an email.
John is the kind of guy you love to hate. He is always in a good mood and always has something positive to say. When someone would ask him how he was doing, he would reply, 'If I were any better, I would be twins!' He was a natural motivator.
If an employee was having a bad day, John was there telling the employee how to look on the positive side of the situation.
Seeing this style really made me curious, so one day I went up and asked him, 'I don't get it!' 'You can't be a positive person all of the time. How do you do it?'
He replied, 'Each morning I wake up and say to myself, you have two choices today. You can choose to be in a good mood or...you can choose to be in a bad mood. I choose to be in a good mood.' Each time something bad happens, I can choose to be a victim or...I can choose to learn from it. I choose to learn from it. Every time someone comes to me complaining, I can choose to accept their complaining or...I can point out the positive side of life. I choose the positive side of life.
'Yeah, right, it's not that easy,' I protested. 'Yes, it is,' he said. 'Life is all about choices. When you cut away all the junk, every situation is a choice. You choose how you react to situations. You choose how people affect your mood. You choose to be in a good mood or bad mood. The bottom line: It's your choice how you live your life.'
I reflected on what he said. Soon hereafter, I left work to start my own business. We lost touch, but I often thought about him when I made a choice about life instead of reacting to it. Several years later, I heard that he was involved in a serious accident, falling some 60 feet from a communications tower. After 18 hours of surgery and weeks of intensive care, he was released from the hospital with rods placed in his back. I saw him about six months after the accident. When I asked him how he was, he replied, 'If I were any better, I'd be twins...Wanna see my scars?' I declined to see his wounds, but I did ask him what had gone through his mind as the accident took place. 'The first thing that went through my mind was the well-being of my soon-to-be born daughter,' he replied. 'Then, as I lay on the ground, I remembered that I had two choices: I could choose to live or...I could choose to die. I chose to live..' 'Weren't you scared? Did you lose consciousness?' I asked. He continued, '...the paramedics were great. They kept telling me I was going to be fine. But when they wheeled me into the ER and I saw the expressions on the faces of the doctors and nurses, I got really scared. In their eyes, I read 'he's a dead man'. I knew I needed to take action.' 'What did you do?' I asked.
'Well, there was a big burly nurse shouting questions at me,' said John. 'She asked if I was allergic to anything 'Yes, I replied.' The doctors and nurses stopped working as they waited for my reply. I took a deep breath and yelled, 'Gravity'' Over their laughter, I told them, 'I am choosing to live. Operate on me as if I am alive, not dead.' He lived, thanks to the skill of his doctors, but also because of his amazing attitude...I learned from him that every day we have the choice to live fully. Attitude, after all, is everything.
Therefore do not worry about tomorrow, for tomorrow will worry about itself. Each day has enough trouble of its own.' Matthew 6:34.
After all today is the tomorrow you worried about yesterday.
John is the kind of guy you love to hate. He is always in a good mood and always has something positive to say. When someone would ask him how he was doing, he would reply, 'If I were any better, I would be twins!' He was a natural motivator.
If an employee was having a bad day, John was there telling the employee how to look on the positive side of the situation.
Seeing this style really made me curious, so one day I went up and asked him, 'I don't get it!' 'You can't be a positive person all of the time. How do you do it?'
He replied, 'Each morning I wake up and say to myself, you have two choices today. You can choose to be in a good mood or...you can choose to be in a bad mood. I choose to be in a good mood.' Each time something bad happens, I can choose to be a victim or...I can choose to learn from it. I choose to learn from it. Every time someone comes to me complaining, I can choose to accept their complaining or...I can point out the positive side of life. I choose the positive side of life.
'Yeah, right, it's not that easy,' I protested. 'Yes, it is,' he said. 'Life is all about choices. When you cut away all the junk, every situation is a choice. You choose how you react to situations. You choose how people affect your mood. You choose to be in a good mood or bad mood. The bottom line: It's your choice how you live your life.'
I reflected on what he said. Soon hereafter, I left work to start my own business. We lost touch, but I often thought about him when I made a choice about life instead of reacting to it. Several years later, I heard that he was involved in a serious accident, falling some 60 feet from a communications tower. After 18 hours of surgery and weeks of intensive care, he was released from the hospital with rods placed in his back. I saw him about six months after the accident. When I asked him how he was, he replied, 'If I were any better, I'd be twins...Wanna see my scars?' I declined to see his wounds, but I did ask him what had gone through his mind as the accident took place. 'The first thing that went through my mind was the well-being of my soon-to-be born daughter,' he replied. 'Then, as I lay on the ground, I remembered that I had two choices: I could choose to live or...I could choose to die. I chose to live..' 'Weren't you scared? Did you lose consciousness?' I asked. He continued, '...the paramedics were great. They kept telling me I was going to be fine. But when they wheeled me into the ER and I saw the expressions on the faces of the doctors and nurses, I got really scared. In their eyes, I read 'he's a dead man'. I knew I needed to take action.' 'What did you do?' I asked.
'Well, there was a big burly nurse shouting questions at me,' said John. 'She asked if I was allergic to anything 'Yes, I replied.' The doctors and nurses stopped working as they waited for my reply. I took a deep breath and yelled, 'Gravity'' Over their laughter, I told them, 'I am choosing to live. Operate on me as if I am alive, not dead.' He lived, thanks to the skill of his doctors, but also because of his amazing attitude...I learned from him that every day we have the choice to live fully. Attitude, after all, is everything.
Therefore do not worry about tomorrow, for tomorrow will worry about itself. Each day has enough trouble of its own.' Matthew 6:34.
After all today is the tomorrow you worried about yesterday.
Wednesday, 25 June 2008
Made It
Have felt awful all day, think I'm coming down with something (No, it's not man flu) Tonight I thought I wouldn't make it to the weigh in at my Slimmimg World class. I made a special effort and am I glad I did. Despite the mad night out at the weekend, I had another 2lb off.
Making it my twelfth award. (Award given at every half stone)
(No, it wasn't a big drum. Norn Iron Joke)
6 STONE REACHED
Making it my twelfth award. (Award given at every half stone)
(No, it wasn't a big drum. Norn Iron Joke)
6 STONE REACHED
Tuesday, 24 June 2008
Happy Looking Breakfast
Monday, 23 June 2008
Will It Catch On Here
Read this article about a new Lebanese restaurant, I wonder would it catch on here. Perhaps I should take an business plan to Ledu, What do you think?
Sunday, 22 June 2008
On Yer Bike
Got home from the race day in the early hours. (Waiting for a taxi) Up bright and early, got the bike out and went for a cycle. I went down to the Titanic Quarter. I was met by two other cyclists (My daughter and son-in-law) and we had a leisurely morning cycle, weather was pleasant with a little skiff of rain now and again, but what a way to blow the cobwebs off .... Quite a few foreign tour coach's in the area today, I did wave but had no return waves. Perhaps I was waving in the wrong language?
Saturday, 21 June 2008
A Day At The Races
Yes, I do know that's a title of a Marx Brother's film. Started
the day with a coffee and a blueberry scone with jam in Deans deli Belfast.
Coach picked us up and off we went to the centre of excellence of the Irish horse racing fraternity, Down Royal Racecourse. The weather was awful. Into the champagne tent to settle for the day. It wasn't too long before the bubbly and the smoked salmon arrived and everyone got into the race day mode. Had a few small bets and I have to say I won enough to get another bottle of bubbly for our table. Brill day, but it was cold and wet ...... disappointed though I'd didn't win the days best dressed man, but then again, perhaps my Tesco suit doesn't get onto the fashion police radar!
Coach picked us up and off we went to the centre of excellence of the Irish horse racing fraternity, Down Royal Racecourse. The weather was awful. Into the champagne tent to settle for the day. It wasn't too long before the bubbly and the smoked salmon arrived and everyone got into the race day mode. Had a few small bets and I have to say I won enough to get another bottle of bubbly for our table. Brill day, but it was cold and wet ...... disappointed though I'd didn't win the days best dressed man, but then again, perhaps my Tesco suit doesn't get onto the fashion police radar!
Friday, 20 June 2008
Friday at Last
I've been looking forward to Friday. Ready to start a weekend of fun and laughter, tonight off to paint the town (No specific colour, as I'm sure no mater what colour I'd pick somebody will moan) OK, I've to go to Makro for shopping (I am allowed to dream you know)
Tomorrow I'm off to the races at Down Royal for the Specsavers Irish Derby after my horse riding lesson last week I may get a mount ..... (Told you I can dream)
Hope to get a few winners at least ....
Tomorrow I'm off to the races at Down Royal for the Specsavers Irish Derby after my horse riding lesson last week I may get a mount ..... (Told you I can dream)
Hope to get a few winners at least ....
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