Lighter mornings and lighter me :-)

The lighter mornings are making it much easier to get up earlier.
It feels good.
The long dark days are behind us and it seems natural to be settling into a different rhythm.

Alan has taken a few days off to work in the garden.We plan this time off each year so we can try to get ahead with all the maintenance jobs. The idea is to get it done in one go and then  it doesn't eat into each weekend as the season goes on.He has been cleaning out the sheds,putting out the garden furniture,cleaning it down and painting a wood protector on.Painting trellis and fencing.There are shrubs to be pruned and general tidying to be done.Ideas for any major changes in the garden are being planned and the veg plot is getting prepped ready for me to try again to produce something!To be fair to myself .... the pest,blight and weather in both years have played a big part in the lack of produce produced ;-)

Alan and Emily have been going on some long walks.They did over 7 miles last Monday and they had planned an 8 mile walk today but it was tougher terrain up hills so they cut it short at 41/2 miles.Lots more walks planned now the weather is improving.Alan is going to come home from work and they are going to take a picnic tea and head off up the fells.I look forward to the day I am able to join them.

We have a holiday booked at the end of the month.We are going to spend 4 nights in a yurt :-)
As Emily dislikes travelling too far we have decided to stay close to home and will only be in the car for an hour or so.We are looking forward to spending time exploring the wonderful scenery around Ambleside.
We are all so excited and can't wait.

I spent ages researching camping last year and we were within striking distance of purchasing a tent.Alan was not as keen as me and so we kept putting off the decision until he had time to think long and hard.

It seems the time just wasn't right to take that step because we then had to decide between a new bed and a tent and the bed won:-)

Whilst keen to enjoy the outdoor lifestyle Alan was really not keen on what he saw as the "faff" that goes along with pitching and striking (possibly needing to dry) a tent. We decided to try "Yurting"  first and see how we get on before deciding whether to take a leap into full on camping :-)

Yesterday we enjoyed a lovely day at the farm with the home ed group.It was a bit drizzly but that didn't deter them at all.For four hours Milly and the children were out climbing the hill into the woods,running,splashing,swinging,quick bite to eat and out again for more climbing, more running and the obligatory (in Emily's case) getting wet ;-)
Mums were able to sit in the conservatory and some knitted and crafted whilst they chatted :-)

Home, a quick break and then off within the hour to pick up Emily to come for a sleepover.An opportunity for Milly to play with Emily's brother while I managed more tea and chatting :-) Home again for tea. We then made play dough together (well Emily and I did while Milly sprinkled flour and covered herself whilst sitting on the island unit) Then Emily made buns,quite the expert at fairy cakes:-) A shower for Milly while they were in the oven and then cakes were iced. Sat down around 9 to watch Van Helsing together.

After many, many, months of not wanting to do any classes or activities Emily has asked to go horse riding again and we have a session booked on Saturday.She has also said she would go along to drama classes that Emily attends when the new term starts after Easter, so I am looking into that as well.
On Sunday we are walking a mile for comic relief.My Mum and Dad are joining us, so we are going to have lunch at theirs before going to the walk.Might try and fit in a trip to the cinema to see Alice in Wonderland in 3d whilst we are in town.

In other news.....So far (6 months) I have lost a total of two stones with weightwatchers:-)
Although losing weight is great, my prime reason is to get healthier.I am limited enough in what I can do and extra weight was not helping me be the best I can be.I am aware of the messages I give Emily about weight and dieting so I discussed my motivations with her before I started meetings.My goal was to be able to eat healthily and to get fitter so I would be able to join her in more physical activities .She hears the word diet and  negative aspects about not being "allowed" certain foods from others but I make sure we talk more about a healthy lifestyle and that I can eat anything I want but I am making choices and why. I like the plan because nothing is forbidden I can have what I like so long as I work it into the points allowance.
The time was right and I was in a good place emotionally (comfort eating when low was my big downfall) and it has been relatively simple (although still challenging ) to change my eating habits.

One stone left to lose then I will be at goal and can then go to meetings free.