Making a list!

It's Wednesday! It's also vlog week... so here's a video about cheering yourself up when the festive cheer is avoiding you!

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Until Next Wednesday!
L xxx

Never Say Never

In the glorious words of the annoying man child; Justin Bieber – “Never say Never” - how many of you sang that? Lol!

Some of you may remember I did the photography for my friend’s Kit and Leanne’s wedding last year. I was a nervous wotsit for days running up to the event, what if the camera broke? What if the tripod was wonky? Worst of all what if I missed “those” moments – the first kiss, the first dance the general joy of the day, not to mention the agony from a health point of view.... you catch my anxious drift?

So knowing all of the above, why did I say yes to my younger cousin’s request for a wedding photographer?

Some have said it’s the neon sign above my head “MUG”, other’s have said it’s the subconscious need to get married myself  - driving me to be involved in other’s big days but I personally feel it’s because for one day, for a few hours, and the day’s after editing the photo’s - I feel a have a job, neigh a career – this was my second wedding, someone had liked the first photo’s enough to request my skills.

I love the thought of having a career; writer, photographer and wedding planner were always top of my career’s day lists..... okay, okay... and a pop star. But in all seriousness I thought I’d be at least one of the realistic idea’s. Having the conditions I do, have taken these options out of my hands, but writing my blog, doing the odd wedding and being involved in a dozen big day’s so far (I’m even a witness to the next wedding I’m attending) I get to have moment’s of those dream’s.

My cousin’s wedding was in East London with four parts; civil ceremony, a church blessing, a buffet dinner for close family and friends and a good old knee’s up in the evening. I had my work cut out; different lighting in each place, kid’s not staying still, carrying equipment; all with sweaty palms and (more than usual) wobbly legs.

Luckily the day went perfectly; I managed to get 571 pictures that I’m currently editing and I had a brilliant time seeing my family, so much so my cousin Lee and I didn’t get in until 4:30am (I don’t think I’ve ever got in that late/early!).

All a girl need's; camera, beer and pretty dress

The only hitch of the day was when we eventually got home the taxi driver said to Lee “Your fare is £5.00, but because you’ve bought her and used the boot for her wheelchair that’ll be £10 please” – the cheek of it!? I told Lee to pay, I was freezing and beyond tired. But the next day both he and my Aunt Tracey complained had the £5.00 reimbursed and got an apology – don’t mess with my lot lol!

L  x

Return to OZ – The Journey

So, as I mentioned in my last blog, Mike and I were off to Brisbane, Australia (again!). He for work, Me – to chill out.

After and S.O.S on Facebook for lifts to Heathrow, our friend’s Jo and Jon took us to the airport – thanks guys! We were there 5 hours before we were due to leave, working around Jo and Jon’s schedules - so we took full advantage of another perk of Mike’s work, apart from the air miles that were taking me to OZ he has a gold card that get’s him into the Star Alliance business lounge.

Although another exciting bonus to my trip, upon entering the lounge I felt completely inadequate and sloppy in my Superman T-shirt and leggings and horror of all horrors a makeup free face.

The Lounge

Mike got right into it, getting himself a portion of curry and rice whilst I nursed a coffee, eying up the free Kettle Chips. I couldn’t quite get it into my head that Mike and in turn myself were “allowed” in here and were not going to be thrown out for not paying our bill.

After a while I got over myself took two bags of Kettle Chips, one for then another for later and had a bowl of noodles. Going completely wild (ok, ok - Mike having to drag me blushing and apologising to the bar) I had a complementary Bailey’s – and they don’t measure their alcohol!

We were flying with Singapore Airlines again and like last year they couldn’t do enough for us. Although I had two funny incidents – When we landed in Singapore, the head flight attendant strongly advised I used to the toilet on board in case my wheelchair took too long to arrive – I almost felt like saying it’s my limbs that are weak not my bladder – but since they were all being so sweet I didn’t want to offend. Also in Singapore once my wheelchair had arrived – upon feeling the weight of my hand luggage our airport assistant insisting on using an airport wheelchair to carry it for me!!

With my bright orange special assistance badge proudly placed on my t-shirt (see last year’s blog Re the badges) we headed to the Singapore lounge, this time with a mixture of bad time flying (felt ill/pain for the entire 12 hour flight), being tired and not caring what I looked like at this point I dived into the lounges; tuna sandwiches, cheese plate, kettle chips and a large coffee – weight watchers could well - wait!

My not so subtle "Special" Sticker

Luckily the second leg of the journey I felt better watching The Iron Lady, My Week With Marilyn and The Decedents through the on board entertainment system and ate beef in coffee and chocolate sauce – as you do!

L x

P.s For those of you who have messaged regarding the rush kitchen job; we left a very tidy living area behind, albeit missing wall paper, flooring and wall cupboards. Although a sparse cave the cooker and fridge still work – bonus!

Cheeky

The cheeky mare that I am, I’m off to Australia again for almost three weeks! One up side to Mike being away so often is that he’s collected a decent amount of air miles so yours truly is able to accompany him to Brisbane.

To say I’m excited is the biggest understatement! As my friends would imagine there has been an extraordinary amount of excitable clapping and grinning.

We plan on revisiting some of last year’s favourites like Surfers Paradise but I’m hoping to explore more of the city and further afield.

I’ll be visiting a cousin who I stupidly forgot lives in Brisbane (and therefore didn’t see him last year – doh!) He e-mailed to say he’ll be cooking us up a feast, offering use of his sauna and swimming pool and do we fancy going to Straddie Island in his 4wd – erm... yes!!!  

Mike, having been in OZ 7 times now, has built up a true love and knowledge of the city and plans on taking me to a place called the Pancake Manor and back to the SS bar and grill, my weight watching skills will be pushed to their limit, I plan on keeping up with my diet enough to maintain if not to lose more – but we’ll see, you never know I could come back a tanned skinny goddess.

You can stop laughing now!

So what are Michael and I doing in preparation to leave tomorrow? Packing?... not yet, buffering and plucking my way to body perfection?... I only have 24 hours, do you expect miracles! No... we, or mainly Mike has spent the last two days pulling out our kitchen, stripping wall paper and cutting up our carpets, all whilst I hide in our study. Plans due to take place when we get home mean that our living room and kitchen need to be reduced to looking like a cave.

The Destroyer

My sister in law has warned that men in their family take the view that “It needs to look worse before it looks better” .....mission accomplished! Thank God we’re away for three weeks!

L x 

Following the (Unofficial) Leader

I’ve had a lot of messages regarding my Weight Watchers diet and whether it’s working; especially from a disabled person’s point of view and the lack of exercise. Plus one anonymous person asking if I’ve “fallen off the wagon and failed once again” – erm rude!! 

I've very happy to report I am a complete an utter diet bore; simply because it’s working! So far I've lost 18lb in 10 weeks. I’m feeling quite proud and even bought myself a hot pink, Kelly Brook endorsed bikini, not a swim suit an actual two piece set with my body, op scar’s and stretch marks on show (although proud; I do apologise to the male members of my family now in sight of our family holiday’s coming up... Mike on the other hand...). When I hit my first stone (14lb) in loss I bought myself new jeans and even they keep falling down – luckily I sit on my arse 99% of the time really!

LadyGoGo84 - Letting you into her pa.....life

I do minimal exercise as generally movement = pain, but my little contribution to my heart and circulation is this; I watch roughly two hours of TV a night which will have six ad breaks with an average of three minutes per break. So in every one of those I resist TiVo’s fast forward function and use 1lb weights to exercise my arms and will also attach them to my legs and do raises and mid air cycling. It’s not a lot but it means I’m keeping my old limbs going and resting for 15 minutes per every 3 so as not to hurt myself. 

An unexpected role that has come of being on WW is I’ve become an unofficial Weight Watchers leader. I had 5 friends who were already having wonderful results on the diet, especially my sister in law – if you’d seen her wedding photo’s – you would understand why I chose the plan over others. But from seeing my results 6 friends have joined and several have gone back to Weight Watchers and their new Pro Points plan and regularly I get texts/phone calls/fb messages/e-mails asking me for all kinds of advice and I’m no expert and regularly warn them of this but I find this little WW community of my mine a real help, especially since I can’t make the official local meetings. 

Those of you who have sent in questions I really do highly recommend the plan but would talk to your medical team/GP first! I shall keep you updated and no I don’t plan on failing either :P 

L x

When is a Joke, not a Joke?

I’m in Sussex again, with Mike and his family, so hence my lack of posts this past week or so. I’ve been chilling out, enjoying the quiet of my phone hardly getting a signal and looked at my inbox to find 450+ e-mails waiting for me. I have been one chilled bunny!

Yesterday I went to work with my Mother in law Andrea. She’s the Voluntary Services Manager for St Michael’s Hospice in Hastings. Andrea, along with two of the Hospices HR team Wendy and Leanne, were running an equality and diversity training/awareness day for St Michael’s staff called – When is a joke not a joke?

Although not planned I became part of the hosting team tackling issues such as inappropriate use of language, terms and humour in a working environment.

I was introduced as the “special” guest in reference to my special needs as a disabled person.  This was meant to provoke an emotion and reaction from the trainee’s – there were murmured laughs and half smiles with one person  after being let in on the joke confessed that me being referred to as the special one – left her feeling awkward and cringing.

So when is a joke not a joke? I came to a very vague answer that that there is an incredibly thin line between humour and embarrassment.

We had three groups coming in for training throughout the day and just the difference between the reactions to stories we told and joke’s we made were fascinating.

The sociologist Erving Goffman studied the effects of embarrassment in people and realised that we had different humours depending on their social situations.

The example we gave our groups was that when I visit Mike’s family we take the mickey out of each other like any other family does and I’m regularly asked whether I want my large handled spazzy knife and folk or when I have to go to front of queues or get assistance at events - I’m being a diva celebrity - getting “special” treatment.

When we told group one about this they laughed, group two gasped and seemed uncomfortable and group three were completely divided.

Another example of the mine field of jokes was when two of our groups were asked to read an article about a lawyer, who has dwarfism. She was mocked in court with a defendant singing “Hi ho, hi ho it’s off to work we go” at her (she’s now suing him!).

Andrea, Wendy and Leanne stood in three positions in our hall – each of them representing that the article was hilarious, mildly amusing or awful and offending. In the first group they either found the piece hilarious or funny with no one offended by the Snow White reference.  Surprisingly the second group had 8 offended people in their midst.

When you know that these groups were put together randomly with a mixture of clinical, nursing, admin and site maintenance staff you couldn’t predict anyone’s reactions. Think about your work place and family and friends, could you predict their responses?

Although exhausting I had a really interesting day, it has certainly made me question my own humour, I’m not easily offended but when rape, abuse or murder are used for a laugh – I will switch off! So next time you go to forward a chain e-mail or text think about who you’re sending it too.

L x

Ode to Erin

As I said in my Valentine’s post, last weekend I was at a family do. I’ve mentioned my extensive family before but on my mum’s side alone I have 34 cousins who so far have had 8 children themselves... can you imagine if each of my cousins had two babies?

Some of the Family

Luckily very few of us send cards or give gifts I would be permanently skint! My Nan used to send each of us £10 for our birthdays and Christmas.... with me, my 4 siblings plus the 34 of my cousins that’s a lot of cash – not even counting the cards to send them in!

So when there’s a Wedding, Birthday or Christening, very rarely does it work holding a house party. Before the last 15 of my cousins were born we used to gather at my Nan’s 3 bed East End terrace for New Years Eve. My cousin’s Lee, Terry, Scott and I used to hide under the buffet table or in the garden just to breath!

I loved these parties; UB40 on the stereo, a Tesco bought spread and crates of Bacardi... I can’t even smell this particular rum let alone drink it now – and weirdly I never have despite all my drunken nights out; it’s the drink of my Aunts.

Last weekend’s get together was in honour of my cousin Erin. Erin’s Dad and my Mum are brother and sister. She’s 21 and had never met any of us before – some might say she’s lucky, we’re a rowdy, annoying London family but I felt for her. I hardly get to see most of my family any more but least I have the Bacardi fuelled memories.

Erin lives in Sydney, Australia and from her stories she has a lovely family, great friends and work mate’s, a degree to look forward to and to top it off she’s beautiful – not a bad life at all – No, I’m not feeling so bad for her now either!

The party in Erin’s honour was held in an old pub in Leyton, there was an Iceland’s buffet and I made my infamous “mixtape” CD’s. The party went really well and I think Erin felt welcomed if not a little overwhelmed!

Erin and I

On the Sunday there were 10 of us at my Aunts house and we took our time getting up and ready, with a breakfast of sausage rolls, sandwiches and chicken nuggets – you guessed it – leftovers!!

Erin, our cousin Lee and I decided to do the tourist thing and explore London’s most famous sights, first stop St. Pauls Cathedral, all three of us were in awe of such a splendid place but Erin was horrified to find out that neither Lee nor I, both London born and bred, had ever been there before – the shame!

From there we visited Fleet Street, The High Courts, Australia house, Convent Garden; where the Bafta’s were being held that day, Nelson’s column in Trafalgar Square, the Olympic Countdown Clock, up to the House of Commons and Big Ben and lastly a trip on the London Eye. On such a grey winters day London looked very old, mysterious and almost as though we’d gone back in time.

BAFTA's!

And do you know what? No matter how many times I go on the Eye, walk through Convent Garden watching street performers and take a million and one photos of Big Ben; I never get sick of London. I love it! I love that I was born there and even though I only lived there for 6 years, if I say I’m from Essex in front of my cousins I get told off!

London

My day was marred by public transport’s lack of consideration for those less able like myself. I was travelling back to Southend on my own. We had to try two different stations to let me get on their trains, then the second of those didn’t know where their ramp was and there was nowhere to buy a bloody ticket so I fretted all the way home that A. There would be no ramp to get off and B. I would be fined for the lack of tickets. I made it home after a tearful phone call to my Mum and Dad. Sad when something so simple like taking a direct train home leaves you feeling that vulnerable!

Still, despite the ending I had a brilliant weekend and cannot wait for the next gathering in May when the first of my cousins is getting married!

L x

Sharing the love

It’s Valentine’s Day, love it or hate it, there’s no getting away from it! My boy Mike is currently in Texas working, so we’re not celebrating together (it’s our 6^th Anniversary in 3 ½ weeks so we’ll do something fun thenJ). So as a treat to myself and still recovering and in a lot of pain from a family party last weekend – more in my next post on that! I’ve cleared my diary today so that I can rest, write and maybe even use some weekly Weightwatchers points for a little chocolate covered treat whilst I watch Valentine’s Day on DVD.

I’m not going to bore you; banging on about my love for Mike; family, friends and even occasional readers get the notion I adore him and wouldn’t be without him. But for something different I’m sharing the love and showing you my favourite blog’s & businesses, I think you should all check out!

Business’s

Piano Pavilion – The Pavilion is run by my great friend Karen, as the name would suggest it’s a piano retailer, selling both acoustic and digital instruments. Not only do they sell piano’s, they can tune and fix them, they have practice rooms, an extensive list of piano teachers and are gearing for Piano Buddies. Time for a new hobby?

Butterfly Therapies – Is the company of my buddy Lauren who treated me to a lovely hot stone massage when I was suffering with my back late last year. Lauren offers a huge range of holistic and beauty therapies and can even travel to your home! Lauren is chatty, funny and you’ll instantly relax in her company.

Fantasticake’s – Is the work of Mother and Daughter team Elaine and Lauren, these guys turn out some brilliant cakes for all occasions, have a look through their online gallery here and I can vouch they taste as great as they look.

Sara De Groot – Sara is one of the sweetest holistic therapists you’ll ever meet. She provides treatments such as Metamorphic Techinique, Aqua Detox and Indian head massage. Sara has been round many a time to try some healing on me, and I don’t whether it’s just her sweet uplifting nature or something higher; but each time she leaves I feel a bit brighter for the rest of the day.

TheHaze – are a 5 piece rock/pop band, which are perfect for any wedding or function. I’ve seen the band several times and each members performing within other bands – but I think they work best together in the Haze.  With both male and female vocalists they can cover most songs usually with their own funky twist.

Blogs

Rellacafa- This Caf an Australian CRPS/RSD sufferer – like myself she’s trying to get through a life as a “normal” young woman coping with pain, as well as a written blog she is a braver girl than me who makes a video diary; some are hard to watch when she’s clearly in agony. Great awareness though!

The Incredible Adventures of Miss Lacey – Elly is one of Mike’s college friend’s who is currently in New York for a year as an intern. Each day Miss Lacey take’s a photo of what sums up her day in the big apple. Although 161 day’s into her 365 there I would suggest going back and looking through the last 5 months, it’s addictive waiting for the next photo! I couldn’t be more jealous if I tried!

Pop Goes the Feasible...- Is the blog and artwork of my friend Lucy, who is a sufferer of Endometriosis, a painful gynaecological condition. A real inspiration having raised thousands of pounds for the Endometriosis UK charity.

Curious Tendency- I can’t remember if I found her or she found me! A blog of gruesome folk law, psychological studies and philosophy, such a brilliant interesting and very radom read.

AlRightTit - Is the blog of Lisa Linch in her words she’s Author, Editor, Blogger and Cancer Bitch. An honest account of Lisa’s journey through life and loves and cancer a.k.a Bullshit.

Not Without Salt - My favourite foodie blog!! Just go enjoy and drool, future dinner parties of mine will be made extra special with some of these delights. A chatty fun food lovers heaven!

And lastly I follow a few newbie’s on the old blogging scene; Trials and Tribulations of being Mrs T my friend Leanne’s blog; only a few posts so far but a fantastic writer and I’m looking forward to hopefully seeing some of her unpublished work released!

Short, Fat, Bald Bloke Blogs Tony is the above Mrs T’s Dad, he’s currently training for the K2B (Keswick to Barrow) 40 mile walk for charity – always a funny, slightly grumpy read!

Enjoy

L x

I'm a Slave....

I’ve been stuck indoors since last Saturday evening, which is of course when it snowed – 6 inches worth covering most of England! So on my todd a lot I was able to crack on through my never ending to do list. You know the feeling, e-mails you’ve meant to concentrate on for weeks (Or sometimes months – luckily I have patient friends!) paper work to file and all those menial tasks that build up until they wake you up at 4am (alongside a hearty spasm!)

I’ve also been tackling my TiVo box as I still had programmes sat on there from Christmas! Every once in a while I realise I watch a lot of TV! Shamefully some of it I’m A. Surely  too old for (Pretty Little Liars? Gossip Girl?) or B. Have seen them (or at least types of them) all before (Come Dine with me? Biggest Loser?).

I don’t know about all of you but don’t you feel a bit squashed by media and social must haves? Let me explain.

I am a girl of the 21^st Century, I love books, films, TV, social media, Apps, new technology and above all the Internet (without it I there would be no Diary of New Freedoms - *gasps in horror*). When I meet with friends, chat with them on Facebook or text them there is always an inevitable conversation about the latest book trilogy, Sky Atlantic premier or ridiculous must have game. I can’t keep up.

Before the first Twilight film was release, I was apparently the only female under 30 who hadn’t read the books and worst of all; when admitting I hadn’t even heard of it, I was bombarded with that very 21^st Century “Oh my God, you’ve not read/seen/heard of *whatever is in media fashion at the moment*”.

I haven’t read Hunger Games, 2 out of the Four Twilight saga or any of the Harry Potters, I’ve never seen Star Wars, Gone with the Wind and only last week saw the Lord of the Rings movies. I’m waiting for repeats of Mad Men (Don Draper who?), Dexter and I’ve only seen three episodes of the now finished 24. I have both Adele albums, both Lady Gaga’s and all of Rihanna’s – doesn’t mean I’ve listened to them!

The list continues! Not that should be bothered.... but I am... a little.... because I want to watch/listen/read them all – now does that make me a slave rather than a fan of all things entertaining?

And for all these mediums that I slave away on sometimes the most hyped are my least favourite; because not only am I slave I’m apparently a slave with poor taste; the programmes I do watch get decommissioned after 1 or 2 sessions (Privileged or Pushing Daisies anyone?). Black Swan – beautifully made but I have to say I was a bit bored.... and when I admit that to most female friends I’m given that look as if to say “You should be struck from my Facebook, Twitter and Linkedin all at once”.

Least for being so behind I can say one thing in my defence the reason I’m so behind is that I’m usually seeing friends and family and that my readers is the 1984-1997 (pre internet) old fashioned me!

L x

Cake!

Ironic that my last post was about Weight Watchers when this one is all about CAKE beautiful, creamy, buttery, sweet cakes!

Mike bought me a day with The Gourmet Cupcake Company as a Christmas Present and I had been saving my weekly extra points on my Weight Watchers plan so that I could scoff with guilt free glee.

Mike’s Sister Emma also had a place on the course and drove from Sussex, getting up at 6am (Thanks Em!) to get us to the company’s base in central Chelmsford.

Following Em’s SAT NAV we arrived on an industrial estate, not where you would expect a bakery. But appearances are indeed deceiving; through the shop’s door was a baking heaven!

Decorated in pretty pastel colours of pink, blue and green the shops shelves were lined with all manner of baking must have’s like; cutters, piping bags, edible glitters and pens, cupcake cases in every colour, food colours/flavours galore and so much more!

The Shop

We were greeted by El our course leader who made us welcome with hot drinks and an introduction to the day’s activities. There were 8 of us on the course, all round a big table covered in a rose printed tablecloth and sat on white wooden chairs – very country, very cosy! Because of such a small group El was on hand to help us all with any problems or questions without feeling that she was rushing from person to person.

First up was the cake sponges; in groups of four we mixed large batches of vanilla sponge (I have added an Artisan food mixer to my wish list – although starting at £300 – I’ll be waiting a while for one of those!) – if you’ve ever baked a cake from scratch you’ll know this is the easy part, making a cupcake beautiful  is all down to the icing and sugar craft.

One Day!

El demonstrated how to make butterflies, daisy’s, blossom flowers, hearts and star’s  all using simple plunge cutters, but gave us ideas on how to make the 2D sweets into interesting 3D creations with flood colourings, paints, glitters and how to build the icing up into layers. These were all done with Sugar Florist Paste a tougher icing perfect for moulding more stable decorations.

I was a little worried the mild Cerebral Palsy weakness in my left hand might hinder such delicate work but most of it was easy enough to do with one hand. I later found making the sugar paste roses harder, but I think that was the case for all of us there – it just needs practice!

Sugar Art

For lunch Emma and I popped into Chelmsfords town centre which is a 5 minute walk from The Gourmet Cupcake Company. After a Veggie Delight at Subway (still saving those Weight Watchers points!) we tackled the above mentioned roses which included making Florist Paste rose leaves which we shaped with a cutter then moulded in a little gadget called a viner which you put your sugar leaf into and it creates really life like veins imprinted into the icing.

To marry cake and craft’s; El showed us how to make a simple butter cream topping and a fondant icing. Once we had coloured and added flavourings to these we were shown how to pipe and level each icing and then it was time to decorate our cakes with our creations and an abundance of glitter and hundreds and thousands in all colours of the rainbow.

This was probably the quickest park of the whole course but seeing the day’s lessons come together in what I can only describe as edible artwork – it was the most satisfying!

My Finished Cakes 

Emma and I both had a brilliant day, both learning some great new skills (or in my case – a whole new skill set) our course leader El was fun, chatty and never made you feel daft for getting things wrong. The course is a wonderful gift but I would have happily paid for it myself.

Emma's Cakes

We were presented with course completion certificates (no matter how old I am I love getting these!) and recipe cards and sadly it was time to go home! 24 hours later there are amazingly still three cupcake’s left out of my 12 – a bloody miracle, but I have earmarked one for after my Weight Watchers weigh in tomorrow – yet more irony!

L x

The Gourmet Cupcake Company - Is well established company bakery with previous client including FireFox, FedEx and Nintendo. For cake quote’s you can e-mail info@gourmetcupcakes.co.uk . For information on the 6 courses they currently run click here.

2011 A Bad Boyfriend?

Hey,

How are you all? Is January treating you well? I hope so! It’s hard after Christmas, the New Year kicks in so fast it’s almost as if the festive season was mince pie filled dream!

The initial flourish of resolutions, diets and general optimism for the better person in us all, is usually starting to deplete at a rapid rate by now, but this year I feel different.

As I mentioned in my last post 2011 was a hard year for my family and there were events through the twelve months that seemed to keep pulling me down, and I felt like I was teetering on the edge of another depression bout.

Despite the usual pain I’m in, I have been suffering with hip and knee pain that wasn’t in my normal portfolio of ailments. I hit my biggest weight over Christmas and after telling a friend about these problems, she remarked that these were the pains she had whilst pregnant. Now regular readers will remember this (CLICK HERE - to read my shame!) and the remark from my niece and again it’s taken for me to be told that my body in some way relates to that of a Mum to be, before I do anything about – stupid really isn’t?

And although some months ago I declared no more diets I feel if my fat is causing more pain on top of my usual ones I would be stupid to ignore it.

I joined WeightWatchers online two weeks ago, but since Christmas I’ve lost 6lb. I’m in what you would call the honeymoon period of the diet, but that’s just it I don’t feel like I’m dieting at all, I find point counting almost fun, finding as many ways of eat as much as I can without going over my allotted points – yesterday I even had mince pie ice cream with 3 points still left over by bedtime! 

But do you know what I think I’ll succeed this time because unlike last year I only have your average run of the mill problems or worries not court cases and heartbreak. And in hard times I’m your classic comfort eater. My friends are sick of me and my weight issues but so far I cannot say a bad word about WW. 

I almost feel like 2011 was a bad boyfriend who I’ve dumped. I’m in a “New Me” phase and I’ve thrown out half my wardrobe, got a new bed and duvet sets, we’ve started preparing for a new kitchen plus I’ve got 2 hen do’s, 3 weddings, 1 holiday booked (with two more in the pipeline), a family reunion party already booked up for this year – it’s looking fun (and expensive – less money to buy junk food with I suppose!).

I hope this optimism lasts, as well as my will power, I’m sure you’ll hear all about it soon enough. What about you guys? Are we all still feeling positive and fighting off the January blues? Let me know!

Right I’m off to go count weight watchers points, I have a cupcake course on Monday I need to calculate how many points per cake I bring home, I can eat and still enjoy Nando’s tomorrow – simple things!! Will let you know how I get on.

L x

Mmm Pudding

I’m no food critic, despite the fact I’m forever eating and drinking and then talking about it on my Twitter Page . My go to eateries are Frankie and Benny’s, Nando’s and on special occasions that I brave Lakeside – Wagamama for my usual No. 43. But I love love love watching cookery programmes have a vast cookery book collection and at the end of January I’ll be attending a cupcake cookery course with Emma my sister in law at The Gourmet Cupcake Company – possibly the best Christmas gift ever from Mike.

I’ve been lucky to eat at some wonderful restaurants here in the UK, in Spain and Australia (regular readers can you believe my Oz trip was a year ago this month?!?) but last night I think I ate, my so far, favourite meal ever.

Our Christmas doesn’t end until January 4^th – Mike’s Mum Andrea’s Birthday. It was decided that we would take Andrea to The Rainbow Inn in Cooksbridge, East Sussex. I called after finding their website and booked a table for the 6 of us plus our half pint Beth. The distinctly French menu was a nice surprise, I’d never been to the restaurant before but Emma recommended it highly.

When we arrived, after Emma and her little family she was a tad confused as the place she remembered was not the one we were standing in lol! The restaurant had been bought out by celebrity chef Marco Pierre White last September and there had been a subsequent makeover of the premises and menu. The dark yet unbelievably warm, welcoming and cosy dining room was so inviting and yet so chic.

The staff at the Rainbow Inn were helpful, attentive and not overbearing. I get nervous in more upmarket places that I’ll use the wrong cutlery, pronounce the wine list with the accent of Del Boy and the biggest faux pas of them all; drop food down the front of me! But the Maitre D was a funny French gent who made us all relax, laugh and charmed 17 month old Beth so much she was blowing him kisses by the end of the night!

The food was exquisite, Mike’s parents and I had potted shrimp to start, something I’ve never tried before, it was so delicious that I will be seeking it out in Old Leigh this coming Summer, whether it’ll match that of The Rainbow Inn I don’t know! Mike and Andrew had baked St Marcellin cheese with sour dough bread – Mike loved it so much he’ll be making special trips to Waitrose to “invest” lol!

Our mains came to the table like little works of art; I had Spatchcock of poussin à la chipolatas pomme fondant and rosemary roasting juice – just sound wonderful doesn’t it? It’s a small/baby chicken stuffed and roasted with a selection of herbs and garlic with beautiful roast potatos and chipolatas sausages.  The bird was flavoursome, juicy and rich.

Now the finale was my desert; bread and butter pudding. Nothing like the pudding you had as a child lovingly baked by Nan. Sorry but this was a little piece of heaven on a plate. Light, fluffy, delicate and perfect. As much as I loved the first two courses I couldn’t have eaten the bread and butter pudding three times over and still want more. Can’t believe how excited I am over a dessert!! *and Breathe*

Guy’s if you want brownie points take your ladies to the Rainbow Inn a romantic stylish venue that welcomes you even with children (always a worry – some places are so funny about children passing their pretentious threshold) wonderful service amazing food and a brilliant night out!

L x

Onwards and Upwards

Hello!

I know I’ve disappeared from Ladygogo land this last fortnight, predictably the main reason for this was Christmas – my favourite time of year! I was making up for being so depressed last year. I don’t actually remember buying, wrapping and enjoying the festive period of 2010 until the day itself – very unlike me. But this year I almost drowned in mulled wine, have gained at last half a stone in cheese and party food, have carefully chosen and wrapped all my gifts and Christmas day was a gloriously mad day surrounded by the Ellard brood and Mike who’s arrived back from New Zealand on the 23^rd.

I’m now in Sussex for Christmas II with the Garrick clan, no less glorious or fun, will gain yet another half a stone in cheese and probably embarrass myself playing Articulate and Trivial Pursuit – luckily this is my 6^th Sussex Christmas so they’re well aware of my Christmas related habits.

As I write this there are a mere 13 hours until 2012 begins… New Zealand is already there. As always I love to contemplate the year past and plan for the one ahead.

2011 was governed by the safety and arrival of three special packages into the Ellard fold. It’s been a battle and yet totally necessary. I am in complete admiration of my parents, they have a hard 18 years ahead of them and subsequently the entire family do so too. But when the youngest precious package told me over the phone yesterday that not only was he playing with his “Race-ing caaars!” that he “loved me” - my heart melted and the struggle seemed worth it.

Other 2011 highlights included Australia in January, Centre Parks, Butlin’s and Spain followed. The baby boom of 2010 of course resulted in a succession of 1^st Birthday Parties including my beautiful Niece Beth sharing her day with her Mummy’s 30^th and her Daddy’s 40^th in a giant Summer bash. The two very messy hen do's were great fun, I had a ball at Leanne's and Kit's and sadly missed Jo and Jon's due to a suspected heart attack, which was actually just a chest infection - such drama, wouldn't be a complete year without it! 

Can you guess what/where is it yet?

Family Reunion :)

In Spain

Mike’s career seems to be on the up he’s been to Australia, New Zealand, Holland, America, Spain with stop over’s in Hong Kong, L.A and Singapore this has resulted in him being away for 222 days this year – I thought I was being pathetic missing him as much as I have turns out there was a good reason – I’m hoping to see more of him in 2012 lol!

Apart from my own health issue’s getting worse I can’t really complain about the last 12 months, I was lucky not to lose anyone special and my loved ones continue to stay happy and healthy.

As for the new year I want to write, travel, see more of the people I love, start saying no to those I don’t, finish decorating our flat, read more, cook more and maybe feel better via new therapies I plan on trying, since conventional medicine is doing bugger all for me!

I wish all of my readers, old and new; a fabulous new year filled with fun, great health, less pain, mystery and more excitement.

Have a brilliant New Years Eve where ever you are, eat be merry and come back soon!

L x

Dining with the Stars

Last night I went to dinner, the Piano Pavilion’s annual Christmas dinner. Every year I’m lucky enough to be invited as my good friend Karen is the boss! Although always a fabulous affair this year was a little more special.

We were dining at the Lemon Tree  in Southchurch a Mediterranean restaurant owned by 4 brothers. I’d spent the whole day listening to Michael Buble’s Christmas album to get me into the festive mood; Michael was later joined by my friend Malibu and Ginger Beer to add to the “sprit”.

It only occurred to me this morning that Mr Buble’ may have been jealous of my evening in little old Essex, as we were dining with two legends Mr Buddy Greco, who was part of THE Rat Pack and his beautiful wife Lezlie Anders currently starring in FEVER! a tribute show to Peggy Lee.

The Greco’s have become friends of the Piano Pavilion over the past year and we all (including me!) hope to raise money together for (at risk/young carers) children to have piano’s and lesson’s funded as a creative outlet to their current situation. 80 years ago a four year old Buddy was given the same chance and as I heard him say the first time I met him - In Philadelphia you either became a criminal or a musician. Dozens of albums later we all know which path he took. See about the Project here

We were a 20 strong group and so I wasn’t able to chat much to Buddy and Lezlie, I find myself a little shy and star struck when I’ve met them and have to hold back an embarrassing barrage of questions about their careers and lives!

It was completely satisfying when the brash table next to ours stopped to watch Buddy and our very own local musician Tony Compton duet on the restaurants piano (Of course from the Pavilion) on their way out and to see their jaws fall to the floor when they were informed of their entertainments name and status – now if only we’d informed them earlier!

Buddy and Tony

What I love about the Piano Pavilions Christmas meal is the eclectic set of personalities around one table! I spent my evening chatting to Karen’s friends Frank and Dave who both had long careers in casino’s all over the world, most of the stories I wouldn’t dare repeat, but it makes me appreciate that although I may not be living in London or New York (childhood dreams) you can meet some of the most interesting people on your doorstep – yay for Southend!

The food at the Lemon tree was delicious! I had goats cheese with filo pastry shards dressed in a walnut and honey dressing to start and a beautiful rump steak in a mustard and mushroom sauce followed. Due to the volume of Christmas parties; the restaurant doesn’t have time to ask how you’d like your steak but mine came out medium to well done with just enough pink through the middle, the only criticism was the Brussels sprouts were overdone tasting bitter (yes I am one of those weridos who loves their sprouts) but you had such a large plate of other veg and lovely crisp roast potatoes that you certainly didn’t go hungry! The staff at the restaurant were so attentive and helpful, couldn't do enough for their customers, I will be going back soon!

To finish the meal I had profiteroles with a generous dose of cream, as for what I had to drink I couldn’t tell you, all I know was it was a beautiful white wine picked by the Piano Pavilions resident wine connoisseur Michael and thanks to him we never just do with the house wine but get to sample gorgeous tipple from around the globe, just another very interesting person sat round our dinner table!

Lastly I have to thank my friend Karen not just for a wonderful night out but for her continued friendship and support, as she puts it “Lynsey and my son split up, but we didn’t” and I wouldn’t have it any other way!

L x

*If you’d like to see Buddy in action this Christmas; he’s performing on Jools Hollands Hootenanny on New Years Eve BBC One