Sunday Moozing

Today has been a lovely relaxing Sunday. Had a lie in after a night spent at the funfair in the local park where I, being the daredevil that I am, went on the dodgems with bloke. I literally squealed the whole 5 minutes and inexplicably and unpreventably swore my chubby head off! Each time we got bumped another F-bomb descended from my lips. I couldn't stop it! Its blimming hurts when some vicious tyrant of a teenage chav goes on a 'mish' to bump the buggery out of you. I made bloke put his arm around me to cushion the blow and try and avoid any possible collision.

It gave me a flashback to being with my dad, I don't have many dad memories as I haven't spoke to him since I was 16 (I'm 29 this month), but as a young 'un he took me and my sister to Blackpool Pleasure Beach. Being the devoted daddy's girl I was I jumped at the chance of going on the Dodgems with him. My resounding memory of that is trying to stifle the tears as someone ripped it up and dodged the crap outta us! I fear my Dodgems terror may never subside. As I looked at a random little 3 year old happily sat next to his Dad last night in sheer delight as they crashed into our side (I tried to censor my potty mouth), I smiled and remembered that memory, albeit a bit tainted, but being by your dad's side and them feeling like the coolest dad ever to you at that stage is a pretty awesome feeling.

Anyhow today we went to Bakewell, in the Peak District. Cue the info - CLICK . It was an off the cuff idea and somewhere I've heard about before and always wanted to go. Googlemaps quoted 40 minutes to get there, it took us an hour and half :| I think they base their times on The Stig driving.

It turned out to be a brilliant day and I took some photos to share with you lot.




The river view, very scenic and loads of Canadian geese and ducks (although they seem to have deserted this shot!) methinks they survive on the chips being thrown from tourists as...




They have so many chip shops close to the river so tourists sit on benches and nom nom their way through the most delicious chips I have ever tasted. Bloke got a large portion and was promptly thrown into shock by being handed a carton filled with a kilo's worth of chipped scrummy potatoes. If you would have pricked him ten minutes later, your fork would be covered in taties. Needless to say he didn't finish the box and was defeated by the power of the chip.




To wash it down he had a pint and I had a vodka and coke. Do you get the feeling my diet isn't going well? It gets worse.




After looking through some quaint shops...





and wandering around Bakewell more... we felt we had to get a momento of our visit in the form of -





a proper Bakewell Tart from an authentic Bakewell Tart shop. Nom Nom. It went down a treat when we got home. Delicioso!


I like days like today. Forsooth enjoy today, for tomorrow the diet starts again.

Birko Babe!

In the midst of this belated Indian summer, I have had chance to try out my new Birkenstock Gizeh ::squeal:: and report my verdict back to you guys!

My Preconception

Until last month I was judgemental. I had a fixed impression of the 'type' of person who would wear Birkenstock's cough-hippy, festival loving, cool, uber trendy-cough and cast them aside from my potential shoe buying list as 'not me' and too out of my foot league. However one hot, humid day in a busy shopping mall I meandered over to the Birkenstock display. See it had a crowd of people looking at one pair of shoes - the Gizeh - and I got nosey. This often happens, I get the feeling I'm missing out on something and have to fulfil my curious streak by sticking my neb in too. I discovered the object of their desire and on the lookout for some comfy summer footwear myself, thought they might be worth a shot at trying on. The point I slipped my feet into them, I instantly knew I had to have a pair. See it was like my feet were on small clouds of fluffy air. I didn't want to take them off. I spent 15 minutes gazing at the different array of colours (so cute!) and being skint, my boyfriend had to drag me away, kicking and screaming.

My own pair!!

Thanks to the lovely people at www.rubbersole.co.uk (have a mooze around, you know you want to!) I got the opportunity to purchase some of my own. How utterly fab!!! I had been daydreaming of these beauties for a while and was overcome with shoe happiness. A new pair of shoes - is there any other joy equal to this?!

I plumped for the Gizeh in Mocca colour, Size 4 and was impressed with the efficient next day delivery I received (recorded) which comes free with your order!

Here is how they looked on the website RRP £39.99



Very swish n'est pas?

The website also proffered the following info:

Since 1774, Birkenstock have been making these iconic sandals. Designed and manufactured in Germany, this is a family owned business whose goal is to produce the best sandals in the world. High quality materials and unique construction give durable comfort and long lasting style. The concept of Birkenstock is easily understood when one considers the design of our feet and the mechanics of walking. Each contour in a Birkenstock footbed is precisely placed to stretch, flex and move naturally. Your feet benefit from free movement, constant exercise and improved circulation, resulting in long lasting comfort and better health.

• Upper: birko-flor
• Sole: cork/latex
• Contoured sole
• Comfortable
• Durable
• Classic design
• Made in Germany

I was eager to try out these bad boys myself.

The Gizeh arriveth!




Tragedy then struck in the form of left foot tendonitis :O




Damn those pesky tendons - My foot was so swollen it wouldn't fit in the blimmin Birkenstocks. So I waited, I bided my time, I limped around the house with one foot bandaged and the other adorned with the Gizeh.





Apologies for weird small freakish toe action occurring :|









I was determined to enjoy the luxurious feeling of comfort and aaaaaaaah albeit with one foot :|

Gizeh thoughts!

Slowly but surely as my left foot has deflated I have begun to wear both - outlandish thinking I know - and I love them. I don't know why I dismissed Birkenstock Sandals as 'not me'. They have so many different styles ~ click me to view ~ such complimentary, vibrant colours and due to the sole of the Birkenstock being contoured to stretch, flex and help your foot move naturally the benefit is noticeable within a few days.

I was worried the toe post would rub against my foot and irritate my skin but that hasn't happened. They are easily the most comfortable shoes I have owned, and comparable with Havaianas and Hush Puppies for making me feel like I have slipped my feet in a veritable dry foot spa! I also have very wide feet, a family trait, and spaced out freakish toes, but although my small toe sometimes make leaps at freedom they fit well. The quality is superb and I predict they will last me many future summers to come. They go with any outfit and are so easy to slip on and off. They are ideal summer footwear for taking to the beach, festivals, picnics in the park etc and being so lightweight you can carry them in your handbag for impromptu Birkenstock moments!

If you fancy sampling some Birko's yourself or any other shoe on www.rubbersole.co.uk, the lovely people have gave me the code 'cherchats' for you to enter at the basket stage of ordering for a 10% discount. Wheeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeee!!!!!

The Verdict

If you have never looked at Birkenstock Shoes in this way before, take another look. They are definite growers that stand alone and unique in the footwear world. Besides the Gizeh there are many more styles to choose from that appeal to people of all ages and tastes ~ Birkenstock Website Linky. Crafted to ensure maximum tootsie health and comfort, besides looking bloody well fabulous they may be the missing element of summer footwear from your wardrobe. Reasonably priced, very durable and providing comfort to tired, stressed out, well worn summer feet, they spring you back into action and are perky, happy little shoes that deserve a second look. I would highly recommend to all my friends.


Happy weekend all! From a newly converted Birko Babe!

sources - www.rubbersole.co.uk and www.birkenstock.co.uk

Better luck next time lads! (+foot update!)

I have a claim to fame. Mild fame. On Wednesday I went to the Carnegie 9's rugby tournament at Headingley. Its a mini knockout with 9 players aside playing for a total of 15 minutes each game with 12 teams participating. It was a heavy rugger sesh with me sat on my (frozen) ass 6 hours watching the rugged thighs.. I mean quality games on show.

The winners were the Wigan Warriors in a close final with Bradford Bulls. Well done to those. Anyhow when I came back from the burger van (my first burger in literally yonks, with cheese, and onions and ketchup and calorie laden.. for shame) feeling like a guilty heifer I arrived back to my seat to find someone sat next to me. Martin Offiah of ye olde rugby league fame with some hot young upcoming talent. I was overcome with mild starstruckness. Then I realised I had a burger dripping with fat and had to consume it whilst looking sophisticated, stylish and every bit the fox that I am (COUGH). I was mortified. It went down in lumps. Eeesh.

Hours later when coming back from getting a hot chocolate from said burger van I attempted a composed ascent climbing over one of the seats to get to my own. This was not a good idea. Next time ask people to stand and shuffle past to seat - mental note. I landed face down on my seat with my rump in the air, the bloke sat in the chair behind bent down and said 'y'alright love?' whilst I saw my in laws sniggering at me. Total Bridget Jone's moment. Cringe.

Today the Rhino's were facing Warrington in the Challenge cup final - the equivalent of the FA Cup in football. We've had high hopes and eagerly awaited the game, the lads have played really well this season and although Warrington are up there with the best I thought we might have a chance. So with cuppa tea in hand and 6 pieces of galaxy (I've fallen off the wagon this week) me and bloke sat down to watch what we hoped would be a classic.

THE RESULT

It was a classic for all the wrong reasons! Outplayed, outclassed by a better team, it all turned out to be pretty embarrassing. I'm sat next to a boyfriend who has the onset of clinical depression due to the turnout. In two words - bad times.

cue gratuitous Ryan Hall shot to perk me up



We still have a shot at being league champions nevertheless so looking on the bright side at least we didn't pay to go to Wembley and be depressed, we had the luxury of our own sofa!

FOOT NEWS

It's sodding killing after a lovely morning walking around Meadowhall with a good friend. How long does fricking tendonitis last? How does one rid itself of it? How can you make bandages look sexy? By having pink toe gelled nails?




NO.

I am aware my blog is turning into a bit of a foot fetishers fantasy (try saying that 3 times really quick) but this foot is DRIVING ME MAD. I long to walk in the countryside without having to stop and smack myself up on gas and air. Life was so carefree before I attempted the getting fit thing, now my foot is painful diva that demands rest and deep heat daily. I have a life foot! You have to let up and let me live it!!!

Changes

Hello followers! and friends! and people thoroughly bored \o

Alas I am back from the wilderness, poorly foot in tow. I am existing in a comfy shoe world where I hobble in (classy) old skool crocs with my foot in a bandage and a limp that would make Jolly Rodger proud. Everything is taking ten times longer to do, walking around the tesco feels like the London Marathon! I feel I am being a bit wussy-fied though, I had it X-rayed at the weekend and nothing is broke, no fracture (even though it was suspected!!), NOT EVEN A HAIRLINE ONE. There is nothing to call anything, the doctor said its tendonitis caused by extreme exercise, any exercise to me is extreme so I took his word for it. I am left with a swollen, bruised foot and a dented ego left from my first foray into the world of 'getting fit'. I have to carry on resting it which I'm finding thoroughly easy to get used to.

In good news I have lost more poundage!!!! I got weighed and from my initial freak out where I realised I was the heaviest I had ever been to this here now moment, I have lost 6 pounds. WOOP. I had a bad day yesterday though, think bread rolls laden with hearty salty butter and you get the gist. So I'm trying to be extra strict today. I want to be a lean goddess with thighs that can crush grapes. It will happen. I will be a comfortable size 12 if I have to go to the most extremest of measures.. giving up my latte's.. but I'm not in that place just yet.

Work is winding down ready for the big move, I finish on the ward on the 3rd of September - harumph. I'm moving to an office I'm quite familiar with but a bit out of my comfort zone, I don't like change. The ward is like my home from home. From listening to the patients singing to the nurses making me laugh and bringing me biscuits (bad nurses), I am going to miss it with all my heart. I hope it is just a temporary measure for 6 months and they realise they need our service but I don't think they will. So for now I'm tying loose ends up on the ward, cleaning my desk out and making the most of the company. People with Alzheimer's and mainly Dementia often have a stigma attached, people have a horrid preconception which is totally wrong, I have met the loveliest patient's who I often wished I could have as adopted grandparents. They need caring for and not pushing into care homes needlessly when the right treatment could make the difference needed to stay at home. I'm really passionate about this cause and hope to work my career around making a difference somehow to these people.

Now follower's I haven't forgotten about the reviews I promised. I have a shiny new pair of Birkenstock's from the lovely people at www.rubbersole.co.uk to review and I can't wait to do it, just hampered a tad by the swollen foot situation :| I am on it like car bonnet though, so keep checking for updates!!

Injured Cher seeks sympathy & cookies - Apply within

Is exercise evil? See below photo and consider. The background of the photo gives you a brief insight into my day's activities - diet coke, a good book and heat magazine.


Here is the result of my 'healthy' rugby sessions. If you look closely you may be able to see the swelling of my foot ~ near my toes. It seems I used one muscle too many that has previously remained dormant and sprained it. I am hobbling about like a 3 legged sheep (I imagine they hobble). I've tried applying a bag of frozen peas to the affected area, resting it, walking in my crocs, soaking it in hot water but yet the muscle of evilness won't subside in it's relentless aching and making me go 'oooof'. All whom suffer with feet before me, I feel your pain. It is SO frustrating. I have virtually done no exercise the past 4 days and I feel like a sloth on valium. I refuse to go see the GP about it because I'm sure I already appear to have munchausen's to him or the beginnings of an inappropriate GP obsession due to my habitual sickly spells and I don't want to fuel the fire anymore! I hope mother nature does her maternal stuff soon because I need to get my butt moving again and carry on my get fit mission.

In other news I am on day 3 of my chocolate ban. I can't say my incapacitation as a result of foot mong has helped matters yet I have stayed strong. Fresh fruit, yoghurt's and go ahead cereal bars have replaced my milky cocoa bean heroin and I intend to keep it that way. It's little things like sitting down with a cuppa in the afternoon, I always but always had a bar of chocolate or biscuit with it - not that I actually needed it nay wanted it, just it was a habit. A fat filled, teeth decaying one at that. I don't need chocolate to be happy! (Repeat x 100 in times of doubt).

Coming up soon
I will be doing a book review of a brilliant book I am almost at the end of that has sparked my reading mojo again! hurrah. Plus the lovely people at rubbersole.co.uk have sent me ~ or will have when they try to redeliver ~ a pair of Birkenstock Gizeh to review for my lovely followers. I have been drooling over these babies for a while now so can't wait to try them out and give you my brutally honest opinion. That's if my swollen feet fit in them!

Maze fun!

Living in the same town 28 years can lead to a problem. What new stuff can you do to occupy your leisure time that you haven't done a million times before. The same old places and faces can make you feel like your an extra in groundhog day soon enough. So this Sunday morning with the sun shining and the sky blue I wanted to do something other than face the pile of ironing lain before me. It's been a lean month what with the car screwing up its MOT then needing taxing so money is tight. So the quandry was where to go? what to do!

We live close to a garden centre that's good for a cuppa tea and a mooze around stuff you really don't need to buy but when you see it you suddenly need it (i.e. potato shaped potato peeler - I actually don't know how I'm surviving without one of those bad boys) but after calling my sister asking for activity inspiration she told me it had a secret garden with a maze and deer. So me and bloke went to investigate.

We were really surprised to find, it was actually rather good fun. It was free to go in but donations were accepted to help fund the renovation of the gardens. I have always ALWAYS wanted to go in a maze since watching Labyrinth and so I couldn't wait to get in the maze. I was pretty confident that we would have no trouble getting out and it would be a fairly obvious route out. What I didn't count on was 1) The divebombing killer wasps that came out of the hedge every 2 steps and 2) It was actually impossible to get out of the bloody maze. We failed to get out after shouting for help and walking around with me saying 'Im getting a bit claustrophobic now' between hyperventilating with giggles! Pathetically I was relieved to find the entrance to the maze to get out of the blimmin' thing, I virtually flung myself out.

After composing myself oncemore we ventured through the 'secret gardens' aptly signposted secret. They were truly beautiful, all the different colours of flowers and fragrant trees. There was a real atmosphere and it was one of those places you know is steeped in history. It was so peaceful and we enjoyed walking through admiring it all! That's one sign I'm getting closer to the big 3-0, one time of the day I wouldn't have appreciated it at all, I'd have been more bothered with stuffing my face with cheesecake in the cafe.. obviously I don't do this now. Ahem.

Anyway to finish I've uploaded a few photos!

This is one bloke took aloft the hedges in the maze - it doesn't do it justice at all. It looks fairly easy to vacate. Nay, I challenge thee to do it in less than half an hour! C'est impossible.



Here is the mini maze in the 'Secret Gardens' - so pretty :)




And to finish here is me and bloke doing the take the photo with one hand to make it look like someone else is doing it pose - I look knackered. That's what insomnia does for thi!

Tantruming Toddlers aren't fun.

Yesterday was a Friday 13th to remember.

Work was fine, bar very sad at the moment, the Alzheimer's ward I work on is closing at the end of this month as many PCT trusts don't have an inpatient ward solely for Alzheimer's/Dementia patients so our trust is following suit and 'testing for a 6 month period' strengthening the community care memory team where patients are treated/supported living in their home. Also spot purchasing 2/3 beds in other local trust hospitals for patients who get to the stage where they can't be cared for adequately at home. We have had 3 weeks notice of this plan and although we knew something was on the horizon it is such a shame to have to leave the ward and the lovely people I work with. Their a credit to the NHS and the patients are treated with such warmth and genuine care, I think it will be a much missed ward and I'm hoping after the 6 month trial they realise this. Although money seems to matter more than care at the moment I've noticed.

The last couple of weeks together have brought us all together even more and yesterday we had music on for the patients (they love dancing and sing alongs!) and a nurse brought in chocolate cake for us all.. hurrah. Bugger the diet for one morning.

After work I had a dental appointment for a crown fitting and scale/polish. I'm a total weed when it comes to dentists. I have to have IV Sedation for most dental procedures after this one time (in band camp) when I totally freaked out mid filling and tried to get off the chair. I hate not being in a control, it's one of my 'quirks'. I panic. I suspect I have generalised anxiety disorder anyway but it really puts the proverbial willies up me. I sweat, my legs physically shake and its a huge ordeal for me. I am getting better in some ways, I can now do a full check up and I managed to have a numbing injection and polish and scale not too long back without flipping mon lid but it's a rather pathetic melodramatic affair once I lose my nerve *blush*.

I had 10mg of Temazepam prior to the appointment - told you I'm a wuss - and once at the dentist with my sister holding my hand they pumped the good shit in! I have no recollection of the next hour, getting off the chair, out of the dentist or driving home. I just remember landing on the bed and falling to sleep. Apparently all I kept repeating in the car on the way home was 'I'm tired' and 'I'm knackered'. Very eloquent. If you are a nervous wreck like me at the dentist, find a place that does sedation - it makes life SO much easier.

Thennn, at night me and bloke had promised to babysit my 2year old nephew whilst my sister went to her friends for a few girly hours. This doesn't happen much and she is a stressed out mom so I was happy to oblige. She promised he would 'fall asleep laid on your knee watching TV about 9ish'. Well. That didn't happen. Before she left she told him 'Mummy is going to the shop'. Mistake number one - He expected her to arrive back pretty sharpish. Consequently all night long (all night, all night long!) he wanted mummy.

Me - Are you going to put your pyjamas on for aunty cher?

Him - No, mummy do it. Mummy at shop. Back soon.

Me - Mummy back later, lets put your pyjamas on like a good boy.

Him - NO MUMMY DO IT.

I finally cajoled him into wearing them by complimenting their stripey design. Getting him to sleep however, was harder. We had tantrums, tears, lots of tears. 'MUMMY BACK SOON, CAN'T SLEEP'. We had the light on, the light off, the sound on the tv on/off, banished the dog to the kitchen, put on child friendly tv, were quiet as mice. Yet he wouldn't give in to mother sleep!

Cue half ten. Yes. 10.30pm. (Mother was due back at bloody 11pm). He fell asleep. We sighed, relieved. My body felt lighter. I was me once more! Bloke had him on his knee, he slowly stood up, carried him to bed, laid him down and put the blanket over him and crept out the room. Then walked into the ladder at the top of the stairs. 'waaaaaaaaaah MUMMY'.

It was 10.50pm by the time he succumbed to zeds. We were shells of our former selves. Sister found it hilarious. I didn't even get to see the Big Brother eviction, we didn't even have time to raid the fridge of left babysitter privilege nibbles... I have a distinct feeling my oestrogen levels have dropped this morning. The broody wench within is a withered wreck.

How I love my nephews!

Who knew, exercise works!

Today I did my fortnightly weigh in at Boots. I love the scales at Boots, the thrill of putting your hand over the screen so you don't see your weight (and neither do the nosey buggers stood waiting for the meds at the pharmacy) until it prints off and the consequential anguish or joy.

To my hormonal delight I discovered I had lost another pound, which means I am 3 pounds lighter than I was a month ago! Huzzahhhhhhhhh. I was so happy to be now only 0.1 over my BMI range that I bought a diet coke and looked for a flyte bar - but they didn't have one.

I still have quite a trek until I hit the body weight I want to be at, which isn't stupidly skinny or unrealistic but just right and still with a bit of chub for bloke to grab onto so I'm not getting too smug. BUT. I think there's been some kind of seismic change within. I'm no longer craving chocolate. I have an emergency bar of galaxy in the fridge which I'm saving for my next emotional crisis, which knowing me wont be long. I now eat fresh fruit and low fat yoghurt bars at work. I've also changed to fat free milk in my tea and coffee, but I have soya milk in my cereal due to the lactose connection to Crohn's. Also I have started loving the 0% fat new muller yoghurt's with a hint of chocolate in, spesh the black cherry one. They are a total bargain at 6 pots for 2 quid. Throw them together with some fresh fruit et voila - healthy ish kinda dessert/snack.

Tonight I also had another rugby sesh with the bloke spurred on by the fact that it may be paying off, but then I got all 'Monica' competitive when I couldn't catch the ball and it was like butter through my hot knife hands. I think the Weight Watchers group inside the community hall were privy to some bad language if they had their window open. I have a potty mouth that would shame John McEnroe at times. My mother in law would be shocked.

So exercise works apparently, throw into the mix stress at work and 0% fat yoghurt's and I might be onto a winning formula. Comfortable size 12, here I come.

The Good, The Bad and The Ugly

THE GOOD

* I'm feeling (touch wood) almost back to my normal self after the viral infection I had. I am almost 100% certain it wasn't a crohns flare up and I feel so relieved and moreso healthy! My skin is glowing and I have loads more energy. It is great feeling like me again. I kinda got scared back then. Thankyou intestine.

* Visit to meadowhall today. I spent some gift vouchers I had won so it really didn't cost that much! £30 of House of Fraser voucher - DKNY Be delicious perfume and £45 JJB sports vouchers - 2 rugby tops for thingy, a new rugby ball, 2 water bottles and a tee for kicking the ball. I had a skinny latte from Starbucks and felt very smug knowing I went for the fat free option. Then I treat myself to 4 bath bombs from Lush but I could literally buy everything in that shop. The customer service is always brilliant and the smell is heavenly.

* Did an hour rugby sesh with the new ball and worked up a proper sweat. The sun was shining and there was just us two on the field. It felt like a lovely August summers day after all the recent rain.

*Leeds won the Challenge cup game yesterday so are through to the final at Wembley. Go on lads!!!

* I'm up to date with competitions. GEEKALERT/any fellow obsessive compers know the panic feeling of being behind and the thought that you are potentially missing a competition you could have won nnnnnnargh!!! I appreciate the element of OCD to this but we all have our weird quirks!/GEEK ALERT

THE BAD

* The upcoming week is going to be really testing and I have a feeling of dread within! Tomorrow is my humira injection day which is good but it stings like mad. Tuesday I have a meeting to discover where I will be working soon, the ward I'm currently working on is closing at the end of this month so we are all being redeployed. I don't like change. Harumph. Wednesday thingy has a hospital appointment. Thursday I have a crap meeting at work. Friday I am at the dentists! MY MANTRA - TAKE IT ONE DAY AT A TIME!

THE UGLY

* The grey hair invasion currently taking place on my bonce. My mum went grey at 28. I feel too young for this! I know I shouldn't pull them out but I cant help it. Roll on my hairdressers appointment at the end of the month, I need colour applying pronto.

Anyone for ruggers?

Since meeting thingy I have gotten into/been dragged kicking and screaming into the world of rugby. Living in Barnsley I was used to football (It really isn't like watching Brazil anymore) so it was a whole new world. I had the preconception women at rugby matches would be a bit, and I hate stereotyping and being a complete ignoramus, but butch .. with pint glasses and man haircuts! So I was really surprised when I went and saw girly girls with designer clothes and, fair do's - pint glasses. The game really drew me in too. I'm still not fully up to grips with the rules but I have the basic gist and I bloody love it. I watched a bit of the Leeds v Derby footie match today and it seemed so soft and wet in comparison. Where are the beefy men who aren't afraid to tackle headfirst like its life or death?! MAN UP PANSIES.

Anyhow with this new rugby blood running through me, and thingy wanting to get fitter and back into rugby (he used to play alot) we bought us a rugby ball t'other day in town. Behind us is a big football/cricket field where we have started exercising with the ball. Doing drop kicks and passes and 'plays'. Yes it involves actual bodily movement that isn't from the sofa > fridge and back. At first I was an utter wench, I screamed when the ball came hurtling towards me, ran in the other direction and shouted at thingy for throwing it 'too hard'. Slowly I have got more confidence, I like the challenge of catching a fast ball. I want to kick it higher and longer. I get proud when thingy says good kick! Plus we have both noticed our fitness levels improving. We aren't potential London Olympic 2012 challengers just yet but the endorphin affect from getting ruddy cheeks and mud on my trainers is totally worth it! Exercise takes my mind off everything and while I'm feeling well (ish!) I relish it.

If you ever get chance watch a Rugby League match cough#leedsrhinos# cough. The atmosphere at live games isn't captured on t'box but you might enjoy it too.

The winner of my first ever giveaway is....

Me and bloke just did an official drawing. An overwhelming 70 of you took part (71 comments left but 1 was the same person adding their twitter username so 70 in actuality!).

Then with the help of random.org the following comment number was chosen as winner



which means the winner is :drumroll:



@Jenniwren12



Congratulations!!!

If you could DM me your address on twitter to @spritneybeers I will send out your prize (and maybe a few other goodie surprises too).

Thankyou everyone for taking part. I have really enjoyed doing it and will be doing more giveaways in the future. Keep an eye out on twitter and my blog for more updates!

Huzzah and happy friday evening to you all.

Man VS Mother Nature

MAN WINS!

Could the choir please break into a chorus of Hallelujah because we did it! The bush of hell, the leafy foilage of fury, the green shrubbery of satan, it has fallen!! All hail the blessed soil.

It has been an ongoing war for aprox 4 months. Since we moved in the bush has been the bain of our existence in the flat. It overtook the garden and made the flat look dishevelled. The landlord welcomed our plans to cull it (I think we deserve a rent discount personally) and so we set about it.

At first we were cocky. We thought mere spade and the power of the human hand would be enough to pull it out. We soon discovered this was no ordinary bush. Even when we cut all the branches off and pruned every single stem that had sprouted from the womb of the evilness. It resisted.

Cue. The chainsaw.

Bloke was on a mission. He was lain awake at night tossing and turning at the evil lurking outside. Father in law provided the tools, the rest was up to us mere mortals. It took 2 days. 2 long, trying, sweat and blashphemous days. Bloke had skin on hand worn away through the finest poundshop gardening glove. It got rough, I'm not gonna lie.

Forsooth today at aproximately 6.57pm, with a small audience of random passersby who had stopped to watch (bugger off!) the last stubborn, pigheaded, immovable root snapped. As I composed myself and tried to come down from my petrol fume induced high, the relief was palpable. We smiled, congratulated each other and looked at what was before us. Victory was sweet. Cups of tea all round and big toothy smiles! Gardening is the new nightclubbing.


PICTURES > (NB - blackberry camera does not do justice to the full scale of awe)


PSSST - COMPERS OUT THERE
THANKYOU SO MUCH FOR ENTERING THE SALLY HANSEN GIVEAWAY!!!!!! THRILLED WITH HOW MANY HAVE TOOK PART. WILL DRAW THE WINNER TOMORROW NIGHT.

The Fear

So the last 4 weeks ish my intestines have been an utter mong. I've been on humira injections and Mercaptopurine for the past 2 years after a nasty Crohn's flare that left me hospitalised on IV steroids. Things ever since I started on humira have been *touch coffee table* alot better. My tummy troubles have eased and I have been a happier bunny. The only downside is my immunity virtually disappeared. If there is anything floating around, I'll catch it. It's a certainty.

The symptoms in this recent episode of illness resembled those of a viral infection to begin with. I couldn't move my ass off the settee, whereas the week before I had been dragging bloke on 5 miles country walks. I was nauseous, flu like, aching and raging hot. My GP did bloods and the only thing that showed was anaemia. So he put it down to a virus rather than flare up of Crohns. The flu symptoms ebbed away but my tummy left aching, churning, bloated and heavy. I got scared.

I have the fear you see. I think you have to have a chronic illness of some form to experience the fear. You spend long periods of your life trying to overcome your disease, trying not let it take over and be in control. Thinking positive, eating healthier, being a feisty little madam! It takes its toll though. Maybe not the first flare up, or the second. But when your condition becomes harder to knock into touch. When the steroids don't work. The fear is overwhelming. Its tiring fighting all the time. So to get to the point when you are relatively fit and healthy and the mere thought you are going to end up back at point A. Well, it bites.

My mindset has been dominated by this fear, so I booked to see my consultant to see if it was a flare and what we could do. He knows me really well, I've had Crohns since being 16 and hes seen me through the bulk of it. He did a physical examination and spoke to me in length and quenched my worries (kinda, it never leaves me!). He said a recent antibiotic course, the iron tablets and virus had affected the scarring from previous flares in my intestine and that he didn't think it was a flare but to give it 6 weeks to calm down and if it hadn't have a colonoscopy.

So I'm thinking soothing thoughts. I'm drinking peppermint tea. I'm having probiotic yoghurts and drinks daily. Swallowing buscopan like sweets. Ive been learning rugby skills with bloke and laughing lots. I can't control this thing, but I can look after myself. The vicious circle of worrying is a fricker to break but I have to do this. Life's too beautiful to spend it with the fear!

I feel a tad better already!

Sunday Sally Hansen Giveaway!

Hope you are all having nice relaxing sundays. Im watching the Hungarian grand prix with some chocolate celebrations and full fat pepsi to try and revitalise and give me much needed energy. Unfortunately, I just feel like a bloated tired pig. Oink!

A few weeks ago I was lucky enough to win these



Im not much of a girly girl and prefer to get any such girly stuff done at the beauticians where I can't make a bugger of it! So I decided to give them away to one lucky blog reader (any of you out there?!).

To have a bash at winning (and to inspire positivity and energy!) just leave a comment below telling me what is making you happy at the moment?.

Please leave your twitter username so I can contact the winner. The winner will be chosen by random.org at the end of the week so thats 06/08/10.

Hoping lots of you take part and I might make this a more regular thing!

Fit Flop Friday

Hello people who nosey at my blog

First things first. SORRY. For being utterly poo in the updating of my once frequented blogeroo. Cue the excuses. Things have been really pants. Like really, really, really. My crohns is possibly flaring up which is scaring the bejesus outta me and hurting quite alot too and I found out the ward I work on is shutting at the end of August so I have no idea where I will end up. I need to know. I'm a control freak. I can't bear being in the dark. Throw into the mix hormones. Skintness. Bad hair days. Believe me you wouldn't want to have had a blog update as it would have been strewn with expletives, angst and whingeyness.

Now that's out the way. Lets look at the positives. Its Friday. Im going to the rugby tonight to see hunky men straddle each other (well in my head anyway). I have a galaxy in the fridge. I am also pining something extra special for my tootsies.

FIT FLOPS

They are the most bad ass thing in foot wellbeing in a long while. Since I bought my first ped egg I had often sat contemplating the missing piece. My feet needed something extra. I'm hardly the fittest bird on the block (I realise) and I dreamt of a world where footwear not only looked hot but provided benefits other than bunions and sore feet. My bum needed toning. Could a pair of shoes ever help me banish my butt meat? Then I saw the influx. The masses sporting these new colourful vibrant shoes. I soon discovered that I had to have a pair too.


I did my research and realised the health benefits of wearing Fit Flops are incredible.


































Im quite a slumper. Working at a desk daily I have a bit of a hunchback beginning which is slightly alarming. My mum often yells at me 'Sit up straight, You will end up staying like that you know' eeesh. But fit flops help improve your posture - bonus.

When walking they improve leg, calf and gluteal activity too. So all those miles you walk wont be in vain. The fit flops are secretly working to aide you. You will soon be a toned goddess. Believe it.

Throw into that improved muscle tone and you will be putting Madonna in the shade before you know it. Does she have a multigym on her feet? No. But you do!

They have also been proven to benefit sufferers of several conditions, see the below excerpt:
(taken from www.fitflop.com/benefits)

The benefits are derived from the hundreds of FitFlop sandals wearers who have reported relief from plantar fasciitis, heel spurs, chronic back pain, sciatica, osteoarthritis, RLS, scoliosis, degenerative disc disease, and a number of other conditions.

If you fall into this group I highly recommend you try some out. They could be an absolute godsend for you.

Oh and did I mention how beautiful they are?! There are so many styles to pick and choose from. From the plain, to the metallic coloured sequins, to the pastel colours and neon colours. Then there is the new collection 'Pietra' embellished with gem stones. *Dribble* Your feet will never have looked so hot.

You can get your hands on Fitflops from www.cloggs.co.uk and they have FREE DELIVERY AND EXCHANGES. Can it get any better! Fit flops also cater to other foot needs! They do boots, shoes and sandals. Aaaaah.

My mum swears buy them. She says it is like walking on little fluffy clouds from heaven. Recommendations dont come any higher from than Dawn. Let me tell you, She isn't easy to impress.

Treat your feet this friday!! The celebrities love them! So do I! You too could have legs like Elle Macpherson.

You can always count on mothers..

To come out with the truth no matter how much it stings or hurts, frustratingly, they are always right.

I got weighed earlier this week and had a bit of a shock. I discovered I was the heaviest I have ever been. Not morbidly obese my any means but I'm packing some pork. Now I don't mind being a bit chubby, I have been to the other extreme, granted years ago, when I was really ill and I much prefer the curvy look to the crack addict one. However, something needs to be done and quickly, I'm rapidly baking a proper muffin top and I am struggling to zip my work trousers up. Nuff said.

So in conversation over a cuppa tea and 2 finger kit kat (my bad) I mentioned my discovery to my beloved mother. I expected support, encouragement, cries of 'you aren't fat, you're big boned' and 'you look healthy to me love'. Instead she said this,

'You're not fat by any means but you can't afford to put any more on'

Followed by a lecture on my sugar intake, how she has never had a problem with weight - must be hard being so damn perfect eh, and how I need to do more exercise.

To stay I was fuming was an understatement. It was like being stung by the mother of all jellyfish.

So I came home, bearing in mind this morning I was sedated and had a temazepam for a dental procedure in which I am still unsure what he did exactly but I resemble Jaws from James Bond - shexy, and maniacally plotted.

No more will I look in the mirror and see hamster cheeks, no more will I avoid topshop because it's not meant for my body type and no more will I bulk buy whichever chocolate bar is on offer in the supermarket. It's time to get serious. It's time to get out the old weight watchers folder. It's time to find 'The body' within.

I got out my exercise chart. I went for a quick power jog across the reservoir bridge and back, stopping haphazardly to keel over and hyperventilate, I made me a cup of peppermint tea. Yes.. herbal tea.. I mean it. I really mean it. Chocolate is no longer in my vocabulary. Lentils are. (Eugh..Maybe not lentils, cous cous?)

She will see. Oh yes. She will see.

Dr Martens Appreciation Society

As a girly girl who would much rather prance about in ballerina shoes than trudge in steel capped grunge stylee efforts, it took a while for my affection to grow for Dr Martens.

Ashamedly I left them to be adorned by the cool kids. Think Alexa Chung on the arm of Arctic Monkey looking effortlessly stylish at Glastonbury. She has got the art of wearing Dr Martens down to a fine tee.

Millions of girls who had shunned them thinking "I could never carry them off" looked again. Hang on, How about If I actually try them on! This moment of realisation hit me too and damn it. Why didn't I do it earlier?! They are the dark horses of the foot couture world! They look hot. I love wearing them, letting my inner rock chick inside be unleashed. They go with EVERYTHING. There is nothing they can't bring their own individual character to. No longer do I umm and ahhh about my shoe selection for today. When all else fails, cuts my feet to ribbons, gives me blisters, Dr Martens stands proud. Screams I am strong woman, hear me roar! They are so comfortable, durable and hip as hell.

And have you seen all the styles?! Seriously go look. Then look again. Then have a cup of tea and go look again. There is a virtual rainbow of stylish, cute, kitsch, downright classic boots waiting to be placed on your tootsies. I could easily go on a virtual shopping spree and have basket danced many a time on the Cloggs Website with an array of beauties. I am currently *hearting* the Pascal - Dark Brown, dribble at these...



















So readers, If you think you aren't a Dr Marten kinda girl why don't you give them a try? I KNOW you will be surprised. They are a staple wardrobe item. Your wardrobe needs them in its life. You too could be a supermodel like Agness Deyn (just get a nicer jumper eh)

Pssst - Dr Martens are available on the Cloggs website, you MUST check it out www.cloggs.co.uk

Comping news

I often lose track of what I've won and am going to make an effort to photograph things I win and put them on here. Hope it doesn't seem like I'm showing off but I put hours into this hobby coughobsessioncough and getting a parcel from the postman brings a high to me like nicotine to smokers. I love it. Although the postman thinks I'm a bit of a wierdo one suspects!

In the last couple of weeks I have been lucky enough to win a box of warburtons salt and vinegar crisps (twitter), a bag of demerera sugar (first 500 to enter or sumat), 4 books currently waiting to be read at my bedside and a home draught of coors light which is excellent and highly recommended to buy, its just like pulling a pint!
















I also have a red card which means there is something waiting for me at the post office! On Wednesday I had a phone call to say I had won a Samsung Wave from a Phones4U facebook competition which is my biggest win in ages. I currently have a blackberry which is due for upgrade next March and am unsure whether to sell the Samsung on ebay or keep it and sell my blackberry. Hmmm!

Comping is an addictive hobby which is very time consuming if you want to get regular wins, alot of people get bored of the repetitiveness of it (www.roboform.com is a brilliant tool to use for form filling if you are thinking of getting started) but if you stick with it and its something you enjoy that doesn't feel like a chore, I say keep with it! I have some lovely comping friends who I speak to on a daily basis and some of their wins are so inspiring. Working part time due to my crohn's often means money is tight so its brilliant as an avenue of getting lovely treats from time to time that I wouldn't normally be able to buy.

Hoping to update you with more pics soon!

Feet Friday

A few weeks ago when I went to see my hairdresser she told me they had a new beautician starting in the lower level and how brill she was. Usual sales pitch that I inevitably fall for ::looks at shelf of hair products::. As I've been feeling blimming well crap I decided to randomly book a sesh to pamper myself and opted for toe nail gels! They are just fancy nail polish that last for up to 8 weeks and dont fade or chip. So on Wednesday I left my pit of self wallowing and went for a bit of me time. Well a bit more. It's me me me at the moment. I'm rather bored of myself!

After half an hour of talking crap, think BB11, my feet phobia and her flying phobia. The end result was a very summery girly one. Cue the red toes photo!!!


I hate my feet. They are abnormally small and squished up and the toes curl over and the little toe nails are almost none existent! But she did a rather good job. I left the salon wanting to flounce about in a floral dress and be all girly with plaits in my hair. In actuality I retreated to my slum marginally happier whilst occasionally looking at my feet!

Today has been an odd one. Blackpool and back before dinner, a rather queasy hospital appointment, an unwanted letter and a man flu riddled thingy.

I hope the weekend promises happiness and health for us all!

Dear Blogosphere

Today has been a bit of a blah day. I got some blood test results back which showed my ferritin levels were really depleted (they were 10 and the normal range is between 20-300) so I have been put on iron tablets. Cue the black poo. It will go some way to explaining why I have had to psyche myself up to move off the sofa lately. On the way back from the docs I stopped at the farm shop for some iron rich foods to get my ferritin a'breeding. Brocolli, spinach (does anyone else say spinach and think popeye?) and a bit of liver. Bleh. I also purchased a fresh strawberry cheesecake on the offchance they had genetically modified the strawberries on it so they stored iron. Or something like that.

As a result of being off work ill with this viral thing I have had time to ingest a lot of crap information from daytime tv/twitter. My favourites today were 'topical' such as the existence of a psychic octopus that has predicted all World Cup matches correctly, the hunt for Raoul Moat and a lot of funny/unPC jokes take for instance this tweet;

Mistress Kay Burley hath been dispatch'd to Rothbury to help apprehend th' murderer. 'Tis enough to make any man renounce his weapon.Tue Jul 06 13:17:06 via webWill Shakespeare

Mr_Shakespeare

I love how twitter is like sitting at home with a bunch of friends, some who annoy, some who make you laugh and some who talk crap (thankfully you can sort the wood from the chaff) and you end up with an instant stream of support, giggling sessions and virtual friendship. I used to be a real advocate of facebook but then I discovered it was more about noseying at peoples photos and the state of their personal life than real conversation or bonding! Once you get to grips with twitter it's fab. On days like today when thingy has been working in Newcastle and all my family and friends are working, it really makes a huge difference - you don't feel alone. Granted you can't beat proper human contact but social networking has reached out to a lot of lonely people I'm guessing!

BTW if you do follow me, @spritneybeers, I apologise for the competitions! I am always up for a chat though so give me a buzz!