What a weekend! My poor darling daughters are exhausted. Yesterday we went to Chipmunks (a large playcentre for children) to meet up with some friends (it saves my house from getting trashed!). We got there about 10:00am and I thought we'd be out of there by 2pm, or 3 at the latest. No! We left at 5pm. So I spent a total of 7 hours there talking with three other friends that joined me. My girls were sweaty, tired and cranky by the end of the day. (-: But they loved every minute of it, so I can't complain.

Then today, I went to Jennifer's place (one of the ladies who joined me at Chipmunks yesterday), and our 4 girls spent the day in the pool. So I am guessing that we might all be struggling to get up and get going in the morning.

I'm about to try and get a little scrapping done tonight, and more this week, as I have deadlines looming. Will share some layouts with you soon.

18 months...

It's amazing how much can change in 18 months. When I started at the gym in July 2007, I weighed in at 133.5kgs. Yes, I am actually putting it in print so that I have to face reality! I now weigh in at under 120kgs (and still dropping). I have sustained more injuries and illnesses in the past 18 months, than is fair. For every step forward I took with my weight loss, an injury or illness would put me back 2 steps. But I persevered (even when I really, really, really wanted to quit!!!).

But today was the best! I started running back in October 2008. I couldn't even run 50 metres without stopping and huffing and puffing for breath. It nearly killed me. I hated it and didn't believe I could ever, ever be a runner. Things change. Today I ran 1 kilometre without stopping (it took me about 7 minutes on the treadmill). And I still (maybe) had enough in me to go another 250-500 metres if I had really been pushed. But that will be next week's trial.

So now I know, if I can run 1 kilometre without stopping, then 2 kilometres isn't impossible either. I will let you know how I go...

After nearly seven (?) weeks of having my mum here with me, she has finally gone home. It's been so good having her here and I think I am going to miss her greatly (she did all my sewing, and kept the kids entertained). (-: And it was nice having another adult to talk too. With hubby away so much I do miss having someone to talk too. The good news is that she will be back about the middle of March for a week or so.

I'm sore! So very, very sore. Even though I go to the gym four or five times a week, I still get sore because I change classes and try different things - thus using different muscles. But what made it even worse today, was that after my morning session at the gym, I had to go to Karate tonight. And it was not an easy session. My Sensai punished us tonight - it was like doing another training session at the gym. I was shaking all over when we finally finished. And both my girls complained about how hard it was - so I had to set an example and not quit the exercises when I really wanted to. I'm dreading tomorrow. Seriously, I don't think I am going to be able to walk.

I guess I'd better go take some pain killers. I'm going to need them...(-:

I received an unexpected surprise today - check out page 103 of Scrapbook Creations Issue 63. Had no idea I was going to be published in this issue (as it was supposed to be in the last issue and wasn't, so I thought they had changed their minds). That's my second publication in 3 months, so I am over-the-moon. My patience and persisitence is starting to pay off. (-:

Here's my current sketch for Crafty Sketches. Keep your eye out for the next one on the 15th February.