pics of last weeks hotel

Last week I stayed in the De Vere's when I was doing the SU training. This was second time i had stayed tehre. I wanted to take some pics of the place as it is very PREEETTTIIEEE wedding venue as well as a conference centre and hotel. So here you go ................

Lets feed the ducks....

So we were all together yesterday. I went swimming in am, had some craft projects (watch the other blog for those!) to do so we went for a walk in the afternoon to the local reservoir.

The Pied Piper for the ducks - you were leaving a trail of bread behind you. You can see the sky was crystal clear. These plants were almost like skeletons!
These were some blackberries - not sure we could eat them but nice to see!

Bit of a tradition - you love running to the red fox!
You guys were playing TAG! Look how far you got!

An action shot of Daddy!

Finished off by some yummy pub grub. Mummy put the camera DOWN!

had my hands slapped..................

thanks Sam!

I Know I Know. I have not been a good girl! well life has been even more busy than usual! Not much sleep being fitted in!

so lets have some highlights of the last month.............

Weight watchers

Had some ups and downs over the last month. had my first gain - 1/2 a pound gain 3 weeks ago but then had a 4 lb loss this week which takes me to the grand total of.................. drum roll please..................... 32.5 whole pounds gone FOREVER! So that includes the pre meeting loss. so it was only this week when I got my 10% key ring. I really must take a picture of that! So have averaged 2 lbs a week in the 16 weeks. Not bad - steady loss I suppose. You know we all want it to be slipping off that butt ( especially the butt and hips and boobies and chin and face and thighs - okay you know just want It gone!) a bit quicker but you have to realise that it took YEARS for this to to go on and may take over a year to slip off!

So I have been trying to do my swimming. I am finding it VERY hard to fit it in with work but I am averaging two sessions a week - a mile on Sundays and half a mile while Emma does her swimming class. I am trying to do the wii fit for 1/2 an hour on the days I am working at home. It really does make you sweaty! I really should be doing that NOW but like I say had my hands slapped for not posting!

The other day I was at my Dads. I was wearing a pair of jeans that used to be skin tight. Yes you know whats coming don't you............... So I was carrying a couple of dinner plates through from the kitchen and guess what happened. Yes my jeans dropped around my ankles! and they took my knicks with them! TRES Embarrassing! Luckily only Em was in the room at the time and all the blinds were shut! So those jeans are in the must chuck away pile now. It is a lovely feeling to have loose clothes but I sometimes I feel I am looking like a clown - You know BIG pants! I am going to keep at least one pair so i can do the real comedy display of getting in one leg when I am at Goal.

Emma

So whats the gal been up to. Well back to school of course. She likes her teacher - not so keen on homework! She is doing a dance class at school on a wed. I have booked her a swimming class at the gym so we can swim before and after ( am I can do lane swimming in between!), have our dinner at the gym and just have a nice time while Steve does his late night. She is not used to the hard work! There are only 3 in her class and the teacher gets in with them. The old ones the teacher had 10-11 kids in a small space and just used to tell Emma off as she was bored waiting for the other kids to catch up. These lessons are twice the price ( ekkk) of the old ones but I am hoping it will get her improving her strokes ( and gives me the chance to do my lengths).

She started Beavers last night - it is a mixed class and her friend Daniel already goes. They were showing snakes and reptiles - she was really brave and was not phased at all! She did her usual cling for about 5 mins then I had to go.... craft club you know ( again - Sam must be sick of the sight of me!)! Apparently she came home saying she wanted to keep going. Perfect. Child care for £2 instead of £10 for a baby sitter! I know that sounds bad! But I am sure it will help her confidence and motivate her to interact more and she is loving the idea of badges - hoarder traits in my DD - wonder where she got them - la la la. I know Daniel loves it and will take care of Emma. He really is a caring sensitive young man - real credit to you Jackie if you are reading this!

Work

Gosh its just busy busy busy! Just finished my grand tour of the North! Leeds visit Tues, Newcastle Wed, Liverpool Thurs, North Wales Thursday! I also went to Watford last Friday. I think I have done about 1500 miles in less than a week! That is a lot of Diesel!

So last week I had my appraisal with my boss. It went really well. I was a little nervous about it as while I know my feedback was good there was a couple of things I could have done a bit better. I know I am sometimes a little too negative about myself and a little bit of a perfectionist - I prefer to call myself a realistic as that way you are not disappointed LOL! I suppose it ties in with my weight loss. Always a bit down on myself so others cannot do it first. Gosh thats a bit profound! anyhow back to the tale! Soooo this year I have been graded as Exceptional! yahhooooo. I know there are one or two peeps from work who read this and we are not suppose to divulge this kinda stuff but hey I do not care! This means a better bonus, possibly better salary rise and who knows what else. Lets just say watch this space! Dare not say anymore in case does not come off. I know am being cryptic but would rather get the ducks in a row and do a tada moment on this!

Stampin'

So as you know I took on being an independent Stampin' Up! demo in late July. I have done a few classes so far but no home workshops yet. Anyhow we have the new Catty launching on 1 Oct and it is PACKED with lush stuff! send me an email to stampingwithhelen@yahoo.co.uk if you want to know offers etc!

So went to the training in High Wycombe last Friday night. I stayed in the De veres again - bargain £39! Anyhow all the In Love With Stamping crew ( independent Stampin' Up! forum - do a search!) met for pizza first. great company, great food and great insight!

So off we went to the training. Wow WOW WOW. There is so many truly talented people in the demos. I won a door prize from new catty, I think I came 4th in the demo's choice from 56 that were there, I got some lovely card swaps, had a great night. I was buzzing!

Emma had her first sleep over so I could go to this. She had a fab time. Thank you Mary You are a life saver cause I know I would have been crazziieeee if I could not have gone!

so anyway - check out my other blog other the weekend for some great projects have/will be doing with the fab products.

Christmas

Booking another cottage this year. I must be mad! This time in the lakes. must get it narrowed down today!

Okay think thats most of it.

oh yeah - Tooth still killing me. MUST get it sorted. I will try and do some pics and update sooner - promise!

take care all and leave me a comment!