Random Picture Post

Nothing in particular so here's a list of things that are on my mind:

1. ANOTHER blog friend is pregnant. I am completely overjoyed for them. A friend from the kids song group on a Tuesday also told me she is pregnant today. This will be her third. I am so excited about all these babies on the way.2011 is a good year for babies and 2012 looks a big year for births.

2. Speaking of babies, my sister in law hasn't had her baby yet. End of baby speak I promise.

3. I am now 14lb (1 stone in old language)lighter than I was on Sept 6th when Matthew returned to school. I am thrilled.

4. Secret 1 of weight loss:  Exercise - 90-180 minutes walk per day 7 days per week. Does not include walking around the house, doing chores or anything simple like that. To shift the lbs I need to shift my butt.

5. Secret 2 of weight loss: Low carb. Lots of fresh veg, salads, chicken, fish, prawns. Less Rice, no pasta, little bread. This plus much less processed food and having small helpings of homebaked cake and cookies, I am not feeling deprived of wheat/sweet stuff but homecooked is always better and I can REALLY regulate what I am consuming over the course of a day/week.

6. Secret 3 of weight loss: Have chocolate every day. Yes, you read that right!!!! To stop myself craving and feeling deprived of chocolate I am treating myself to a mug of low cal hot chocolate every day.

 7. I just adore the belgian chocolate, the mint and orange but my favourite has to be the amazing caribbean coconut flavour. Today I am looking forward to trying the white chocolate variety. And whats the best thing about this range of hot chocolate drinks - besides the variety of choice  - is that they are all less than 45 calories per sachet. I love these things!

8. Seeing results equals a positive mood and gives me more encouragement than anything else. Maybe this time will be better.

9. The kids have been busy. Monday was Matthews harvest festival so we had to go the church at the top of the village - a 40 minute walk from our house but worth it when it was such a gorgeous morning to be out walking.

Built in the 15th century, the Holy Trinity as it is names is as beautiful as it is old.

Even though the interior looks as though it could need a little work, it's one of the most traditional British churches you would ever find, I haven't got any photo's of that but I got this lovely picture of the entrance to the harvest festival.

I apologise for the slight blurriness but my camera on my phone was quite full on memory which distorted the picture a little.

I may not be religious but I love religious architecture.  All the detail and intracacy that goes into the planning, the building and restoration amazes me. Especially since the older churches did not have any of the modern tools we have now. Amazing feats of engineering if I've ever seen any! Living in a historic village and only a few miles away from our nearest Cathedral, I like to go along and tend to feel humbled in the experience.

Deep down I'm a bit of a geek!

Whilst on the subject of pictures on the phone, I found a couple of random pictures that I am sure my kids will love me for when they get older. hehe.

 Matthew on holiday. Looking a little crazy. I like the blurred effect in this.

 Liam taking a nap.

 James waiting for Matthew to finish at football practice. Looking a tad crazy

 Still waiting for Matthew to finish football practice.

 More funny faces. My kids are crazy!

 I love this pose from James so much. I also love the fact he is only wearing one sock. Have I ever said my kids are crazy?

 My cheeky chappy with his usual cheeky grin.

Young Mr Liam in his favourite 2 year old pose - Finger up the nose, or at least working that way.

And finally 10. The kids had professional photos done at Matthews school yesterday. These will make additional christmas presents to the close relatives. I was standing behind the photographer when he was snapping away and I do think that we should have some really good poses in there.  The kids did great.

So there you have it, a random picture post.