Jumping on the bandwagon

Four names that people call me other than my real name:
Tone
That's it I think! It's a short name.

Four jobs I’ve had:
Sainsburys checkout assistant
Customer service/data entry job
Make-up artist jobs on the side
Project Support Coordinator at my current job

Four movies I’ve watched more than once:
Superbad
Bridesmaids
Garden State
Back to the Future trilogy

Four books I'd recommend:
The Secret of Crickley Hall - James Herbert
The Disaster Artist - Greg Sostero
The Otherside of the Story - Marian Keyes
Bridget Jones (of course!)

Four places I’ve lived:
Lived in Bracknell my whole life

Four places I’ve visited:
Riga, Latvia
Cortijo Grande, Spain
Brighton, England
San Antonio Bay, Ibiza

Four places I’d rather be right now:
In my bed
In Spain
In Brighton
In my car driving home

Four things I prefer not to eat:
Cauliflower
Oysters
Lettuce
Snails

Four of my favorite foods:
Mango
Peanut butter
Cheese
Chocolate

Four TV shows I watch:
True Blood (not finished yet!)
The Walking Dead (also not up to date!)
Modern Family
In The Flesh

Four things I’m looking forward to this year:
Christmas work do
Christmas eve
Christmas day
New Years Eve

Four things I’m always saying:
Eeeee (to anything cute)
What the fuck are you doing/was that? (when I am driving)
You're mad (to Jim)
What shall we have for dinner?

Etsy: Boygirlparty

Their stuff is pretty cute. Have a browse here

Writers block

My blogging mood didn't last for long! I always think of things at work but they include pictures so that takes too long.

Made sure I got out for walks every lunchtime this week while the weather is sunny. Was a bit blinded by the sun today though! Don't know where this so called 'storm bomb' has got to.

Oh, I've also had such an eBay obsession lately! I've brought 2 things that are too small though, so I will be selling those. If I remember later, I'll upload pictures! One is a jacket, the colour was different to what I thought would be and looks a bit too small when I zip it up, although the arms fit fine.

I upped some more weights at Body Pump last night - triceps, shoulders and biceps. I couldn't make it all the way through with shoulders and biceps, but I'm doing a hell of a lot better than when I first went back! Now I just need the traffic to be light on the way home on Thursday so I can actually make it to my class on time....That reminds me, people seem to have forgotten how to turn their headlights on this week, as well as indicate correctly. They either don't indicate at all, or indicate the wrong way. Thick or what?

Chocolate Hamper

Oh hello.



People struggle to buy me Christmas presents how?

Do you ever make those dinners where you just throw everything you have left in and hope it turns out for the best? Bee calls this "if'its" and Liz calls this "throw-togethers". I didn't give it a name. Anyway, I made one last night and it was so nice! I cubed and boiled some potatoes, then fried them with paprika and mixed them with grated carrot and kidney beans. Also fried some veg before this and mixed it altogether. Topped with some cheddar, it was yummy. Didn't take a pic like everyone else does as I just wanted to eat it.


All afternoon I was having an argument with myself (in my head) about whether to go to Body Pump or not. It was either go to Body Pump, do a strength routine in the gym or not go at all. In the end I just bit the bullet and went to Body Pump. So glad I did! It was an instructor I really like, and Thursday's are always quiet so there's no rush to get all the equipment out the cupboard and then back in again at the end. By the way, I really think that de-assembling your bar before going to the cupboard would make everything much quicker, why doesn't anyone do this?

Also, this is the best post I've read in a long time.

I think that's it for today. Have a good weekend!

Wed Nes Day

My good mood didn't last for long. I'm having one of those days where everything is just bullshit to me. Can't be bothered! Applied for a job last night, now I realise I want a similar job to the one I had at National School of Government (now closed I think), a few years ago.

It took me 1 hour and 45 minutes to get home last night. Next time I am just going to drive down to Brighton instead. I'll get there quicker.

On a brighter note, I made mash potato for the first time in ages last night. I am still the master of mash. That reminds me - I was following a blog through RSS but the latest post has just annoyed me. They were talking about how to be good at thanksgiving, saying things like "Don't roast your veggies in butter" and "Instead of gravy, try homemade pesto."

WHAT.

Just stop right there please. I hate all these things, they make people feel guilty for finally relaxing with friends and family, enjoying that moment and not worrying about tiny, insignificant things. Fair enough if you need to lose weight for health reasons, but loads of things I've been reading recently are going way off track with having a healthy mindset. Everyone forgets that life is short, and one fatty but oh so tasty meal a couple of times a year is not going to kill you. Relax, people. You might end up eating less overall anyway.

MEATliquor

Next time I'm down in Brighton I want to go to MEATliquor

Big, fat, juicy burgers. What not to like?

Today is a better day

I wasn't feeling myself yesterday. I came into the office in such a grump; it was grey, miserable, I was freezing all day because of the air conditioning, and I just didn't want to come in and pretend to want to talk to people when I really did not. And I just wanted to bury my head in my work and get on with it, but it didn't help that I had hardly anything to do. Body Pump got some of my aggression out (I was also pleased that I upped my weights on the chest and shoulder track. Getting stronger!).

Today has been better already; the sun is shining, I can see orange and yellow leaves against blue sky and I had a bloody tasty breakfast (cocoa porridge oats if you're wondering). I think music has made me feel better too. I decided to listen to 'Sum 41 - Does This Look Infected' on the way to work. Oh old friend, it's been years! I still remembered all the words and sang (read 'shouted') my little head off- it was awesome. Sat in the car and finished listening to Hooch before I went into the office to have a boring day. Now all I want to do is play on my guitar (it's been years from this too).

I'm starting to feel like myself again.

Frisky Fall Challenge Week 1

Hello! It's been a while. I am 1 week in to this challenge by the Tone It Up girls, Karena & Katrina. I must admit I haven't been perfect as I had a break away in London for a few days but I am feeling much better already. I have at least stuck to the 1st weekly schedule and completed my 5k today, so I am happy. I am now up to 18 miles for my 100 By Halloween challenge!


I have been eating Protein Pancakes for breakfast, having smoothies for snacks in the afternoons and choosing TIU recipes for dinner. My favourite so far is the Cashew Crusted Salmon & Quinoa Cakes. Yummy. Anyway, my goals are as follows:
1) Complete the weekly schedules
2) Get out on my bike more
3) Drink less alcohol
4) Improve my 5k runs
5) Eat TIU approved dinners

I decided to get instagram so I can connect with other TIU girls. My username is fiddlestickstoni :)

Mooosic

Dogs are better than cats

Friday Fun

Wow I am so not in work mode now, so I may as well blog instead. It's not often that I am in the mood to blog these days.

I've just been talking to someone about their wedding plans, and it sounds really cool! Some of our ideas our similar but I think we have put our own twist on things so the weddings will still be very different from each other. Informal and fun is the best way to describe them both I think.

I'm practising making some DIY decorations with 2 of my bridesmaids on Sunday, so will let you know how that goes.


Paper lanterns, paper pom poms and tissue paper banners

Life Lately

Catching up with old friends is always nice.

Beach time! Gotta have an ice-cream.


I'm addicted to sugar again. Gotta kick this habit before my trousers rip or something.
So after my success with the 5 Day Slim Down, I continued eating "clean, lean and green" as K&K say but I feel like I have gained slightly. I was trying to not admit it, but I was probably just eating too much. I now keep putting too much pressure on myself by trying to lose the weight in a certain time frame and then I just end up bingeing. I know I need to meal plan and write down what I eat, so I'll treat myself to a pretty notepad at the weekend, enjoy an ice-cream on the beach on Saturday, purchase some healthy snacks for the week ahead and get back fully to it on Monday. No more time scales either! It'll come off when it comes off. I can do this.

Last Week of July

This describes me perfectly


How I feel lately.


So apparently this model is a plus size model. Yeah right!! She looks amazing

Finally finding exercise that I like

It started off with a zumba class. I loved it, I sweated a lot and it was so much fun. Then I joined the gym so it wasn;t worth paying a fiver 2-3 times a week on top of my gym membership, so I quit. The gym offered Zumba classes but the teacher just wasn't the same.


I did find classes that I liked though - Hips Bums and Tums, Body Pump and eventually, Armageddon (killer!)


Again, I stopped because my dad and I had a joint membership. He never went, so he cancelled. For about 6 months I tried finding DVD's to do at home instead. First off, I tried getting back into Jillian Michael's 30 Day Shred again. Very hard and effective workout, but oh my god sometimes I just wish she would stop talking. After a while, I just got frustrated and bored. I still think that's the only routine that's made me swear out loud!

Next, Zumba DVD's. Very fun, and offered a lot of different routines due to their being about 4 DVD's (I'm probably wrong, I'm too tired to go and check). Anyway, I liked doing it but it's just not hard enough. I never sweated like I did in the classes.


I also tried Davina's 30 minute DVD thingy, but that also left me bored. Don't even get me started on the Weight Watchers Move More DVD! It's good that there are lots of options for type of workout and timings, but the instructor was just dull and didn't motivate me at all.


I started reading loads of health blogs and saw Blogilates mentioned. Gave that a go....very good workouts, but I find she talks to you like a child or something. Far too bubbly and excited and high pitched for me. I give her routines a go every now and then, but on mute most of the time (if i've done the video before).


Another blog mentioned Tone It Up, and I have to say those girls are flippin' fantastic! I can't fault them. They're really good at explaining how to do the moves correctly, have so many videos and different routines, give lots of recipes and advice, do weekly schedules for you and provide lots of different exercise series' (Bikini Series is very popular). I recently tried their 5 Day Slim Down and got great results - 2 inches lost from my hips and arms and 1.5 from my waist. I actually look forward to waking up everyday to do my morning "Booty Call" (30 mins exercise, preferbly cardio but anything will do just to wake your body up). That's never happened before. I can see that I'm changing shape and toning a lot already, so am excited to carry on. Give it a try!

Leah McFall

I wish I could sing.

This Week

I rediscovered Tumblr





England is actually hot. And sunny.


Spooky things:

1) I had a dream where I was at my nans house, and I kept treading on things on the carpet and there were dried up contact lenses all over the floor. Then I woke up and it turned out Jim had actually fallen asleep with his contact lens in.
2) A song was stuck in my head that I don't listen to as I don't like it that much, and turns out it had been quoted on Twitter. Too weird!

Awesome thunderstorm happened yesterday which lasted all night. Knackered now though!

Weekday Roundup

Monday
Most systems are down so cannot get on with important work. However did have time to prepare docs for new starter. Mood in the office is low; most people seem fed up.

Listened to Radio Almeria when getting ready – some old cheesy songs were played!

Text from mum: Saw some lovely dresses in Ted Baker ideal for b/maids - £50! Cue me trying to arrange 4 girls to come to Bicester on the same date – the only one who is awkward is Lizzi, as she works weekends. Might just have to go without her and get her one from somewhere else.

Panicking over We Are Scientists tickets – only ordered 2 but turns out Tony can’t come anyway.

Tuesday
System at work still down. 1 of the girls we offered job to has turned it down.
Got my new Spanish audio disc today – listening to it in the car.

Wednesday
The day I finally realised I needed a job that doesn’t cause me to get weird habits like rub my face constantly. 2 good candidates turned down the PST job. I’m going to be working with idiots if this carries on.
One of the consultants has been going round telling people that he thinks I am pregnant – charming. Affected me quite a lot actually. This is what my friends said:

“What a prick! Don’t let it bother you. He is a chauvinistic arsehole who will forever be alone. You don’t even need to excuse it, you look lovely and you enjoyed your holiday! You are tiny wtf is he on about? Go and put thumb tacks pointy side up on his chair and hopefully he will get a tiny prick up his arse…He would probably enjoy that though.”

“Prat!”

“Ugh what a tool, it’s none of his bloody business anyway!! Totally inappropriate behaviour.”

“What a massive c**t! Take no notice of him. He can go suck a f***."

That’s why I love ‘em.

Thursday
Looked in Theale charity shop – hats are expensive in there! Nearly brought a pregnancy book to keep on my desk when Tony is in the office, see if he says anything.
Homemade pizza and Scrubs with the usual lot was fun. And 1 episode of Bottom (culture). The chess scene is perfect.

Friday
Woke up feeling angry for some reason. Everything was setting me off. Listened to Chvrches while getting ready. Not in the mood to work especially when consultants have the view that they are far too important to complete their timesheets correctly.




Things that cheered me up this week: Coconut water ice-lollies, beginning to learn Spanish and hanging out with some very cool people.

The Telegraph's World's Top 20 Places to Live

Bumbadumbuuuum!...and coming in at #1 is....Andalucia! So now you know why we hate coming back to England.



You can read some more here.

#100 Happy Days- Take 1

Had a good weekend, even if I was a bit lazy. My excuse is that Jim’s stuff is still in the way (he hasn’t fully unpacked yet), so I couldn't hoover. And there were no polishing cloths so I couldn’t do that either. Oh well, I’ll just put my feet up and watch the entire 3 series of Bottom instead.

“Come on Richie, be sensible.”
“You’re right. Let’s eat him!”

I’m still gutted Rik Mayall is dead.


I have decided that me and Bee are dressing up like this on Halloween.

Yesterday my mum and dad had their usual weekly barbecue. Apparently I was a bit quiet – probably due to tiredness (although I don’t know how on a 10-11 hour sleep the night before) and thinking about Spain. Those lot would have been having their weekly ‘Arts Appreciation Society’ round the Bar Almazara. ‘Arts Appreciation Society’ transalates as ‘get sozzled, have some fun and sometimes cause mischief’.

Well anyway, I don’t want to spiral into the miserable moaner I became before my holiday to Spain, so I thought I would try and focus on the things that make me happy instead of everything that winds me up. 100 Happy Days should be a good way to do that, don’t you think?

Let's start off the happiness goal with Buzzfeed's 50 Happiest Animals.

The Valley Effect

We said our goodbyes with the sun beating down on us, and I got choked up when I thought about being back in England in about 6 hours time. The car was quiet as we took in our last views of the Valley. Anyone would think we didn’t want to leave the beauty that is Cortijo Grande.

The first day back to work was horrible. There was a moment in the living room where Jim said it was like we are in mourning.

“I am!” was my reply.,br>
I asked Dan yesterday if he’d cried yet. “No haven’t properly cried. I done a lot of teary eyed looking at nothing though.”

Yep, that about sums up how me and Jim have been acting too.

I’ve kept myself distracted by cleaning the fridge, watching The New Statesman as a tribute to Rik Mayall, searching Spanish blogs and listening to Spanish radio while getting ready for work.

Things that I don’t like about England:
1. People going into shops with either their top off, or dressed in pyjamas
2. The thick, smoggy air
3. How many cars are on the road
4. The parking rules and restrictions
5. The fact that people drag their feet when they walk
6. Crap customer service and pubs shutting early.

Bee made a silly suggestion to me last night.

“Seeing as we’re painting my flat instead of shopping on Saturday morning, we can go up to the Peel Centre in the afternoon if you want.”

Do you not know me at all?

Shopping in Lorca has just amplified the fact of just how busy Bracknell gets at weekends. Lorca was great, no one appeared randomly from around any corners to get in my way, no one ran at me with their buggies, no mums’ swore at their child and dragged them along for just talking to them…I can feel my stress levels rise just thinking about the Peel Centre. Horrible place.


We didn't go shopping in the end. It's too rainy and grey outside. So I'm sat here watching Bottom and laughing instead.


The reason I don't want to be in the UK

Oh we'll be back.

Dog Walking in the Valley

Dan made this little video of our time in Spain.



TAKE ME BACK!

A vintage style dress isn't for me

Especially this one my mum wore!

Looking forward to this bad boy tomorrow

Peanut Butter Cup Rocky Road

Damn spine!

I don’t think I have mentioned my scoliosis on my blog before so I guess I’ll just talk about it from the beginning.

A lady I used to work with noticed that one side of my back stuck out more than the other, I suppose I must have looked wonky. Then I asked Jim to check- he took a photo of my back while I was bending over and showed me- oh yes I was wonky!

I went to the doctors about it, as I had been aching too. She diagnosed me with ‘Acute Scoliosis’ and then spoke to me as if I was supposed to know what it was. What the hell is scoliosis? I’d never heard of it before. When I got home, it was googled and it made sense after that- scoliosis meant curved spine.

I started going to Pilates for a while, to try and better my posture. I can’t remember how long I went for, but then I went to a new class with a different instructor at lunchtimes as the business park put on subsidised classes. Eventually this instructor recommended me to a Chiropractor (turns out they were friends recommending each other). My Chiropractor was very good, and helped to correct most of it. I had acupuncture, lots of adjustments and massages. Then she left to set up her own clinic in Birmingham (boohoo! ) and the one who took over was okay. She didn’t really seem to do that much each session and just spoke at me about what Scoliosis was. Both her and the GP thought I had it since birth, and that it was strange no one had spotted it before.

Anyway, my new Chiropractor wanted me to get referred for an X-ray. When I went to see my GP, she didn’t think I would need to have an x-ray. I quit the Chiropractor sessions because it was too awkward to get to on weekdays and weekends, but I did mean to book one in the town that I lived. I just kept putting it off but lately I’ve been so so wonky and aching like a b**** so I went to this new one. 50 quid later, I had my x-rays and went back last week to see the results. I wasn’t looking forward to it when he said “yours is the worst Scoliosis I’ve seen,” and “you will make an interesting case study.”


Well there you go. My neck is curving the wrong way to what it should be, my coccyx should be in line with the rest of my spine (see how far out it is?!) and the rest is an 'S' shape. Woah. So now I’m going to have to go 3 times a week until things start improving. Eventually I’ll go less. He already did some adjustments on me and they felt good. Nice and relieving. My screen at work has been raised so I am actually in the correct position now, so that should help my neck! I'll let you know the progress.

Happy days

Yummy food this week

Red Pepper & Courgette Lasagna (only 7PP on WW!)


Sweet Potato & Spinach Curry with feta cheese


Tuna fishcakes, avocado, potato wedges and salad

Chuffed that I finally found a sequin jacket and dress both in the sales. Been looking for well over a year!

Today is another day

Quick update with the weigh ins - I am now 5lbs over goal. I'm not gonna lie, I was a bit miffed with myself yesterday, but today I browsed through twitter for some inspirational quotes, exercise ideas and recipes, and they put me in a better mood.

I know a lot of people are saying that people shouldn't worry about the number on the scales too much. I've changed my exercise routine but no way is all of that muscle! My jeans feel too tight so I think that's how I'm gonna keep myself in check. I've been taking my measurements for a while anyway, so I'm still keeping up with that too.

I read a couple of great blog posts yesterday by Snack Therapy and Keeping Healthy Getting Stylish. Snack Therapy wrote down what 'healthy' means to her, and Keeping Healthy Getting Stylish (sorry I can't remember their real names!) wrote about relationships with food, and that half of dieting is sorting your head out rather than changing diet and exercise. I think I'm more aware that I eat out of boredom while I'm at work. I don't like my job at all, it's just the money keeping me here, but after I get married I plan to change that.

Ultimate goal: move to Brighton if Jim can get a store transfer. Meet new, cool, interesting people and get a job even if it's a pay cut.

More realistic goal: stay in Bracknell, move to a nicer flat/house and apply to become an RSPCA inspector. Again, that is a paycut but at least it'll make me happy.

So for now, I'll live with what I've got and make the best of things. The sun is shining today, I am wearing my favourite orange dress, and I've heard a lot of songs I love today instead of listening to the news. My kitchen is clean and tidy and I don't have to do anything when I get home this evening except watch some TV and hang out with my best mates. Life is good.

Health Food Favourites

I've been reading a load of health blogs lately, and these are the foods I've found that they all seem to eat. I love them too! Yum.

What are your fave foods?

Walkies

Just a few pics from my lunchtime walk on Wednesday. It was such a gorgeous day!






Happy days!