Day 9 & 10: It's a Bug Hunting Life

Yesterday was pretty much a nondescript kind of day, for as quiet as it was it passed really quickly.

I managed to get started on a book, for which the review is due on Friday so I need to get a shuffle on.

Today, along with the Brothers Thing and a friend from work, I headed to Humber Bridge Park. We reserved a Tracker Pack from the Tourist Information and then (instead of going to the Welton Trail) we headed to the trails bug hunting. An hour and a bit later we got slightly wet as the heavens opened. Not that the four boys cared, well three of them didn't anyway.

Picnic started to call not long after that. My 5:2 has been abandoned for now, possibly to reappear next week at some point. We'll get to that next week no doubt.

As we were so close to some shops I decided that I fancied an easy meal to cook for tea. While I've been perusing @pintrest I've seen a few tortellini bakes. With that in mind I took myself off to Aldi - I know how to treat myself!

So here we go, a quick, simple compilation meal. Serves 4.


1. I took 4 ingredients. Prosciutto tortellini, mushrooms, roast vegetable pasta sauce and mozzarella.







2. Placed the pasta in a pan of boiling water, to take the edge off. Roughly 5 mins. It will continue to cook in the pasta sauce.











3. Drain the pasta and add the mushrooms and pasta sauce. Continue to cook through until the tortellini is cooked through.

  4. Add the mozzarella cheese and serve.










Simple as that! Simply gorgeous.

Day 8: Table Picnic

Today the habitants of BeeBee Towers were supposed to be hitting the kiddy-friendly sands of Fraisthorpe. Alas, the classic British summertime weather decided to strike.

So instead we three, me & the Brothers Thing, decamped with our picnic goodies to a pal's house for the day. It amazes me how well Thing 1 plays when he's not the eldest there, he's (dare I say it) pleasant & well behaved. Shocks me every time.

Today was also Avon delivery day. So I've spent this evening packing my customers' orders. And painted my nails with Strawberry and Fushia Dazzle polish.  V pretty and detracted away from my disappointing tea.

We'll discuss that another day.

Day 7: Kids in the Kitchen

It's the last day of the weekend, the final day of Mr C's week off work and 1 one full week into my 2 weeks away from the office.

I'm going to attempt to do a sort of recap of the week so far.

Looked promising... then British weather happened. The end. How's that?

Anyway, while I was planning for this week's meals Thing 2 saw a recipe he wanted to try and make Smoked Paprika and Cheddar Risotto - or how it's now known, Easy Cheesy Risotto! Dumbing down at it's very best. With a couple of tweaks we changed Soup Addiction's recipe to something child proof.

Click here for the recipe.

Thing 2 was proud of his culinary and stirring skills. Thing 1 cutting things almost gave me a heart attack. Sharp knives and that child just scares me. Next cups of coffee and I will at last have the brew slave I desire!

Tomorrow Mr C goes back to the office and we are going to spend the day at my friend's house with her 2 children. This blinking English Summer weather that is creeping back in... gah! If I knew who to have stern words with I would.

So here's to Week 2 of the School Holidays!

Day 6: The Weekend is Here

It's been a bit of a garden-based day here at BeeBee Tower's. Unfortunately the Princess Garden has seen better days. I've definitely not kept up with it this year... Although my new gazebo is ace and Mr C's oil drum bbq arrived last night.

We did the monotonous visit to Tesco's this morning, then I had a quick go at the patio which has grass greener than the lawn right now, gave up after about 30 mins - I'm nothing if not a lightweight where gardening is concerned.

A start was made for next term at Cubs, now to form it into some sort of order. And I have until spring to get myself back into some sort of order for camps and activity days. I don't want to have to sit on the sidelines.

Mr C and myself last night had a movie night... we chose Movie 43, I thought it was really funny. And that is my review. Not. If you want a classic, linear Hollywood comedy this wouldn't be the film for you. However, if you like sketch based shows linked together with a common theme then this is more your style.

Based on last night's choice we did a 2nd film night! I know! I'm in shock myself. This time we chose Sightseers. So dark. So good, so was the chocolate souffle we ate too.

And even better, this time The Brothers Thing managed to stay quiet and asleep!

Days 4 & 5: A Double Post

Two days for the price of one you lucky people.

So what have we been upto? I've been calorie counting, Thing 2 has been, after 2 years, discharged from Speech Therapy, Thing 1 has been his current morngy self. I had a friend come over to do me some chunky highlights.

 
I fancied a swaparoo, so hit the red dye with abandon! What do you think?

Mr C and myself actually got around to watching a film... I know! It took about 3 goes but we did it. Flipping kids and their anti-bedtime issues. It does help that we are now at a low on our tv shows, we're waiting for them to kick off again in September. I class new seasons and series as a birthday present. I'm getting rather impatient for the return of Arrow and wondering who will pick up the Agents of S.H.I.E.L.D. series in the UK. Are you seeing a theme here? I'm rather a super hero fan! DC Comic and Marvel are my favourites and if you can bring in a bit of Doctor Who (50th Anniversary anyone?) or some Joss Whedon I'm a very happy girl. This year I want to embrace Anime more this year and finally find a game I like to play that isn't a beat 'em up!

This morning we ventured to the coast, it's that long since I'd been on the beach in Bridlington that I had forgotten just how stoney it is. Mr C showed the boys how to skim stones, then ducked for cover as the directionally challenged pair sent an array of stones in every direction except onto the water.

Fractionally less stressful for me, as I kept my distance at the end sat on the rocks! One day I'll work out how to zoom on my phone! New camera app ahoy!

We ambled back home after a sandwich fest in the car park at Morrisons (! I have told you we're rock'n'roll parents). We got in, I made a coffee, sat down to drink it and fell asleep on contact oops.

Plans for the rest of today? Pizza and beer and another film features quite heavily. Could either be Sightseers or Movie 43 the jury is again out, completely different types of film with totally opposite budgets... what to choose?

Day 3:Think I'm Going Crazier

It's the Summer Holidays. It's only Day 3. Today I have hit crazy.

After seeing the weather report for the coast earlier, we decided against going to Bridlington. Instead we stayed home.

The Brothers Thing did what the Brothers Thing do - namely wind me and Mr C up.

Today had one thing in its favour, I don't have to be at work until midnight tonight. Yes, that is the one thing this little old Wednesday can boast, no late shift for BeeBee.

So what did I do instead? This morning in the interest of what I am referring to as #rocknrollparenting I attempted to plan meals for the next week and a half (give or take). This comprised of looking at a couple of recipe books then stalking @pintrest boards, I then came to conclusion that I have a slight chicken addiction.

About the one thing I saw that wasn't chicken based and that I wanted was a Tomato & Cucumber Salad that had a similar dressing to one the Blue Meanie used to use on a green salad back in the 80s. Got to love a secret ingredient... now just how secret is a secret when you have a recipe blog?

Back to the meal planning, Thing 2 has decided in his wisdom he really wants beef pie... proper beef he says, but not chunks. Is that mince or not? I do know he will let me use gravy, which is a bonus for a good pie. Thing 1 seems to think I am unable to cook a Sunday Lunch or make my own Yorkshire Puddings. Short memory these kids, I can make a Sunday Lunch - I just choose not to as they tend not to eat mine as they're not the same as Nana's.

Phase 2 of my #rocknrollparenting comprised of cleaning the kitchen! I know how to live don't I? Erm... the jury is out on that one. At least I now have a presentable kitchen. Just the bathrooms and the patio to go. Anyone got a bomb or at least a flame thrower?

Day 2: It's also Mr Cs Birthday

Today is Mr C's 40th birthday... I'm officially a crappy wife. His present didn't arrive in time.

We spent today just down the road from Bumpkinsville in York. I took the Brothers Thing to the Castle Museum and the Jorvik Centre while Mr C got himself some new ink.

Still going strong on the calorie count but then it is only day 2.

After inputting some figures on MFP I appear to have walked off an entire days worth of a normal-sized person's calories this morning. That should have created a nice deficit for the end of the week, whether I get to any scales or not is another matter.

In more girly type news, my nails are finally looking something like being presentable again. It has been a long time. I'm coating them in 24k gold strength nail experts by Avon and used the gel strength base coat too (not to mention the Rimmel white tip and Disco Ball glitter varnish for a bit of sparkle).

Day 1: In the School Holiday House

So it's the first day of the Summer Holidays.

Mr C is home, the boys are home, I spent this morning attempting to stop one child imploding and the other from being bored.

We collected Mr C's new garden toy yesterday (a cylinder lawn mower), so a portion of the morning saw him attempting to tame the gazelle-filled jungle out there.

By the time I got back from doing my weekly Granny Chores and collecting the books in from my Avon Customers.

This week is a rare one here at BeeBee Towers, both myself and Mr C is off for a full week... with the kids, we usually plan it so much better than this!

Today we were due to go to York, alas Charlie Boy got there first, tomorrow we were going to Bridlington - guess what happening tomorrow? Yep Charlie and the wife are going there tomorrow. But who knows now that Kate is in labour. Not that it should be making all the headlines it has been for a few twinges.

So, what's a girl to do when she's surrounded by boys in meltdown... She paints her nails with sparkly glitter!

I can only hope that today is due to the weekend the Brothers Thing spent at the Outlaws mixed with a rough day calorie counting...

I have joined the masses in logging my day at myfitnesspal.com, I had been using it previously for logging my fast days, however in a fit of inspiration last night I decided that a fast day was never going to happen with the boys and Mr C all at home at the same time. For my size I get loads of calories to use, yet today I'm still starving. Must be the shock of cutting back again. Especially after falling off the chocolate wagon last night in a serious fashion.

Maybe it will be okay after a decent night's sleep.

Weekends!

Well I'm not posting daily, however I'm not far off. 

What do we know then?  got news I can live vicariously by?

Bah!

I'll tell you about mine then, we've been child free this weekend. Friday the Brothers Thing andwent to the Outlaws. Mr C & I did what every couple would... sat down and drank, coffee mainly and the odd beer. Then we did, cleaning. I tell you we know how to live.

So much for a weekend away before the summer holidays kick in on Monday.

I have the first two weeks of the school break off from the office and have a few things planned. Let's see if it pans out.

Today, we retrieve said children. Mania and sugar highs are expected, best get some wine!

I've also spent parts of this weekend looking at Cosplay and Steampunk outfits. Which has me rather envious. Lots of dinkie girls in not every much but with some of the most amazing make up I have ever seen. I keep tellng myself one day, yet I get the feeling I am never going to get there.

A stitch in time

Here in Yorkshire we are still basking in a heatwave.

I think I must almost be acclimatised as I am starting to feel cold during the daytime. Not often it every now and then.

Anyhow, yesterday's wardrobe mishap lead me today to checking out the Blue Meanie's material stash. A purple paisley piece was selected and a wide piece of elastic.

With the help of this link after 10 mins and with an audience of 3 I fashioned myself a maxi skirt.

The size of my arse doesn't make for a stunning modelling experience. What I can say it is a quick way to add a new skirt to your collection.

Then if that wasn't enough I gave myself a sparkly french manicure.

Supporting Role

Today marks the 2nd fast of this week.

And honestly, I'm finding the going tough today. This is probably due to me being in the office. Work ebbs and flows today in an extreme way.

I'm either caught against a tight deadline or to be found whistling into the wind.

Anyway, for this reason I've allowed myself a few more calories than the original 500 most people stick to.

My reasons for this:

1. My god I'm huge, I could probably eat a giraffe and get away with it!

2. Boredom both sucks and blows, this leads to me picking.

3. It's a long day in the office, I don't fancy going home and chopping stuff up for tea just yet, so ping meal for my supper today.

4. I like my coffee to have milk in.

5. Today, in solidarity for a friend, I am going cold turkey on the chocolate front.

This would probably explain why my head is all over the place.

No chocolate!!! Shame I licked the knife after doing chocolate spread on toast for the Brothers Thing this morning. What a pleb! Fallen at the first hurdle.

Still I have picked myself up. Dusted myself down and continued regardless. Next time though, I'm bringing a meat-based salad to work. Fruit just didn't cut it today, not enough protein to keep this shrinking girl in one none-dizzy piece.

Here's to the fast day's getting easier again, and to the school holidays not derailing me.

It's All About Power

Power - everyone wants it in some description.

Not many people actually want it when they get it.

I have spent my life wanting to have control. Control in itself is power. It is the ability to choose your own path and follow it, no matter how tricky it gets.

I know people who crave to control others and their actions. That has never been a factor for me. I would be a rubbish puppet master, for the same reason I don't have fluffy pets or play Sims. I get bored. How my kids get fed, washed and dressed on a regular basis is a miracle.

I go crazy when I get the choice of having cream on that or a new flavour syrup in my coffee at Starbucks. I do however have a talent for solving problems.

That is where my control lies. I can look at a problem and more often than not make it go away. I'm a great deputy. I no longer want to be person in the office at the end of the corridor.

I want to be part of something bigger, a community as communities used to be way back when. That starts with our children. But if adults cannot handle power or control their desires what hope to our offspring have?

Today has been a rollercoaster of emotions. That started with contempt and bile, now it's mellowing out to almost contented.

I know who I am. Those who matter know who I am. I have never hidden my wants, needs or desires. How they have been interpretted by others aren't always how I would like. This is not in my control, it is out of my power. So why let it worry me? Because that is who I am.

My reputation is the one thing I will not let someone take from me. That is under my control and if it means I have to work harder to make my message heard clearer than so be it. I am not going to change for anyone. And I hope none of you reading this will ever change who they are for anyone else either.

Now if I could just take that control and make it move my hand away from the fridge!

Heat Wave

A busy Scouting weekend for me.

Yesterday, I spent the day in a marquee making totum poles with Beavers from all over the county of Humberside.

Today, we have celebrated the opening of the new Scout Hut with a small craft fair and some other stalls. For which I ran a stick picking game. We even made a small profit.

Tomorrow, I am due to begin fasting again. I'm just not feeling it. Hope that will shift by the morning. I find myself being dragged down by my mood. Second guessing other people's comments and reading into them.

Facebook is a dangerous place for a depressive person. You see things and read things then can't help but wish that it was you or your life. Then you crash further.

You get fixated on little things. Obsessed even. It's not healthy. Finding competition where there probably isn't any. Yet you still want to win. Problem is... if there is no competition there is no chance of winning so it feels like a loss. So you drop even deeper.

How do you you find that spark that can break you free from the quick sand? Saying still isn't an option but moving creates agitation and a sinking feeling.

I have been trying the ostrich method of ignoring it in the hope it would make it better. That's stopped working for me now. So has keeping busy. For now I focus on the kids. The children that scouting helps as well as my own. After that only one option remains to remove myself from my main itch... which will effect far too many other people who will need explanations from this crazy woman.

Well there's an insight into my strange little mind for today.

I'm Back

I've not written on this blog in a very long time.

I hadn't realised in fact just how long it was.

I've missed it. I did a 366 challenge last year over on my Wordpress account and, apart from BeeBee's Recipes, my posting has been pretty much non-existent.

Here is my plan.

I am going to write on here. I doubt much of it will make sense. But I think I need an outlet for the thoughts in my head. Not expressing them hasn't served me well.

It may be diet based, what I write might even reflect what I've been watching on TV (Duck Dynasty anyone?)

As it always was this blog will continue to be All About Me.