Lady and the Chimp

Waterproofing

2008-10-06T07:48:00.000-07:00

My excuses for not running this last week or so are many and varied, but mostly I'm blaming the weather: too cold, too wet, plain too bloody miserable, I can't look after the kids if I catch pneumonia... you get the picture. And I really don't think I'm the only one. The hordes of new recruits I've witnessed lately running past the playroom window(the credit crunch forcing everyone to cancel their gym memberships?)have certainly dwindled. But of the ones that are still persevering there's a common theme: waterproof jacket and sports cap. Call me dense (I'm still blaming lack of sleep and plan to for some time yet) but I really hadn't thought of this.

A timely 'Sweaty Betty' brochure arrives in the post so I take a look. They're beautiful, certainly, but the cost! And quite frankly I look pretty shocking out running so even the most fashionable of jackets is going to have its work cut out. Instead I turn to ebay where the prices are far more reasonable and hopefully I've spotted a good one in plain black. I'm never quite convinced until the actual item arrives so I've got my fingers crossed it'll arrive safely.

In the mean time I improvise with the husband's treasured Aber Crombie cap and old sweatshirt. The cap is a great idea and I hardly notice the drizzle when it's not directly on my face. The husband is less impressed when he spies me sneaking back in before I have time to return the afore mentioned cap to its resting place... The postman had better hurry up!

Taxi!

2008-10-02T12:33:00.000-07:00

When I was a teenager it was a running joke between my friends and I as to which parents we'd call to drop us off and pick us up, drop us off, pick us up, drop us off, pick us up (we lived in the middle of nowhere so had to pester our parents to get anywhere) - "Williams' Taxis or Jones' Taxis?" (And yes I do come from Wales).

Now the shoe's firmly on the other foot and the joke's not quite so funny anymore. The Chimp has started pre-school, swimming lessons and French lesson since September and the 'taxi firm of Mum and Dad' has well and truely opened for business. Today I counted that I lifted Lady in and out of the car in her car seat a grand total of 9 times - or 18 lifts - and she's bloody heavy!

I guess I should count it as part of my work out for the week...

Green is the New Black, part II

2008-10-01T14:11:00.000-07:00

Not only am I currently, like the rest of the country, struggling with the 'credit crunch' but I've also got the double whammy of a 'maternity-pay crunch' to battle with. My salary has dwindled dramatically in the last couple of months and so my shopping addiction has had to take a turn in a different direction...

After having read about the new trend for 'vintage' style jewellery and the best place to source it being local charity shops in several magazines, I decide to head for the streets.

Now I haven't frequented charity shops since my student days and I don't really relish the prospect to be honest, but I certainly have the time on my hands, especially since the Chimp has recently started pre-school. The Lady and I try our luck and find if you're willing to put in the ground work it's worth the effort. My tips:

1. Get to know your local charity shops - this does take time but some are far better organised than others (and get better things donated)
2. Visit once a week (if you can spare the time) to view new stock
3. Clothes can be hit and miss but accessories are great - make sure you take the time to look around the whole store
4. Look out for good, quality labels - missing or old-fashioned buttons can easily be replaced / updated
5. Hats, bags and jewellery are by far the best bet.

I'm impressed. In just two weeks I've managed to purchase a couple of lovely pendant necklaces for about £2.50 each, both of which I've worn and worn already. I've also got a bargain of a long-sleeved running top, which I suspect has never been worn, for £3.00 and lastly a Phase Eight top for work for £3.50. Certainly enough bargains to keep me going back for more, and all for charity too. Green certainly is the new black.

Weighty Issues

2008-09-22T11:53:00.000-07:00

One of the main reasons I started this blog was to re-locate my waistline after having my second child. So I'm somewhat miffed to find that the weight isn't exactly dropping off... Despite my (pretty)regular runs (that my blog has made me keep up - so not all bad!) Wait for it... I've lost the grand total of 2 lbs. Hardly fantastic. On the plus side however I do feel a lot 'trimmer' and two pairs of jeans that I haven't managed to zip up since having the chimp now magically fit.

Muscle weighs more than fat apparently, so I'm guessing that I have shaped up by building up some impressive muscles. It's tempting to slack off a bit but I need to keep it up to get more impressive results. Ho hum...

Run 1: 8.03km Cals 479 Time 38.23 Pace 4.46
Run 2: 5.1 km Cals 299 Time 23.57 Pace 4.44

I do manage to beat my distance record so far :-)

Green is the New Black

2008-09-18T12:47:00.000-07:00

Attempting to distance myself from my former Boden addicition I've already purchased a new check shirt from Topshop (although I'm fully aware I may not be able to stop at one:every shop seems to be tempting me with yet another variation)and a paisley, chiffon blouse from Zara. Both go beautifully with my jeans.

The shops are full of beautiful things at the moment and I'd love to do some serious 'back-to-school' shopping, however my finances just won't stretch any further. It's not so much a credit-crunch as a maternity-crunch I'm suffering from. But the upside to this is that I get to unpack all my Autumn / Winter clothes from storage that my expanding waistline this time last year forced me to put away early. Armed with my research from the glossies I sift through in the attempt to recycle anything that could possibly pass as 'this season'. I find:

Two pairs of cord boot-leg jeans (Gap and Boden)- did these ever go out of fashion?
(Brown and burgandy respectively, for purely practical reasons originally, but they now tick the seventies colours box)
A grey Topshop cape I bought a couple of years ago - apparently back in
Three polo-neck jumpers perfect for this season's layering-look
A fake-fur coat and fake-fur lined gilet (good old M&S)
And a plaid skirt from Boden

An impressive haul and one that will hopefully save me some money too.

Smalls

Sundayitus

2008-09-15T13:49:00.000-07:00

It's still a month or so until I have to force myself back to work, but last night I had a bad case of Sundayitus. I can't believe how quickly the last six months have gone and I've got that sinking feeling...

I actually enjoy work (most of the time)but the juggling is insane. It was hard enough with just one child; how I'll cope with two I have no idea. Just getting up and out of the house on time is going to take military-style precision.

On the plus side I can't wait to earn proper money again, converse with adults and wear a suit. And I can't help but feel glad the power-shift in my marriage will swing back in my favour.

But on the negative side leaving Lady will be awful. Like most mums, I fought hard to keep my tears at bay, returning to work after the Chimp. The second time around I can't help but feel it can only be worse because I now know how quickly time will pass by amd how much I'll be missing.

But needs must. I don't want to waste what remains of my maternity leave worrying about what has to be. So I force myself to buck up. And things always feel better in the morning.

Smalls

Pot - Kettle Part II

2008-09-10T12:29:00.001-07:00

The Chimp has regressed in his potty training. After a couple of days where I thought he'd cracked it: everything's gone totally pear-shaped again. My poor, old washing machine is straining under the pressure. Despite Gina Ford's dire warnings, I totally lose my patience with him. I swear he waits until I attempt to put Lady down for a nap to wail: "Mummy, I'm doing a wee wee nowwwwww..." Grrrr...

I found myself unaccountably soaking wet this afternoon: a huge damp patch spreading across the back pockets of my jeans. I search around the playroom for an accident I'd possibly missed earlier. The Chimp follows me eagerly: "It's a mystery Mummy, how you get wet? Are there any cloooes?"

Hunting around to no avail the Chimp declares his verdict: "Did you need a wee wee Mummy? I think you not got there in time." The first smile of a long, long day spreads firmly across my face.

And another gap in the rain allows a run:
Distance:5.5km Time:26 Pace: 4.42min/km Cals: 331

Pot - Kettle!

2008-09-08T12:15:00.000-07:00

Trying to escape the rain over the weekend on yet another tramp round my local town -two kids and potty in tow -I dived into our sole department store for cover. Mooching around the remnants of the Summer sales, much to the Chimp's annoyance, we found ourselves being stalked...

Now one of the least expected but generally lovely surprises about having kids is re-entering the human race. Having lived on the same street for two years pre-children the husband and I had barely managed to talk to our neighbours half a dozen times. However within a week of having our first child we knew pretty much everyone on our street by name. This extended to total strangers in supermarkets, parks or shops, all keen to share in the joy of a new baby and sparking up conversations with us from nowhere. And how amazed we were. Too busy chasing our own tails for most of our twenties, we'd clean forgotten the enjoyment to be had from slowing down and simply passing time with others.

And it's kind of addictive: exchanging smiles with other new mums with buggies or a sympathetic nod to a fellow parent in the dairy aisle, struggling to divert an oncoming tantrum of massive proportions. Usually this tacit contact is reassuring but occassionally it does have its drawbacks...

Which brings me back to our local department store... Noticing an older lady smiling (or so I thought) at Lady and the Chimp I don't hesitate to smile back. The older lady in question takes this understandably as an invite to talk, but instead of the usual "Oh, it takes me back", or "Isn't she beautiful?" I'm abruptly forced to stagger back as she propells her upturned wrists towards me: "They're covered in grease, they said they wouldn't be but just look, just LOOK!" I nod politely while trying to steer the buggy (not an easy task with the Chimp perched proudly on his boogie board behind- one of the sole advantages of gaining a younger sibling in his eyes) in the opposite direction. I then find myself farcically trying to escape her attentions while she stalks us around the shop floor, muttering to herself about the grease (!?) and her basket being filthy dirty with all the germs.

Eventually we succeed and I slow my pace. Mentally planning that night's dinner and subsequent shopping list as we head for the exit, I find I'm rumbled when the Chimp informs me: "Mummy - you just like that lady upstairs talking all to yourself." So, my sleep-deprived madness obviously more apparent then I thought then...

Oh, and I finally squeeze in a run in a rare break in the current downpours, and not a moment too soon, as within minutes of returning the heavens open once more.

Distance: 6.07km Time: 29 mins Pace: 4.46min/km Cals: 362

Top Ten Autumn/Winter Trends (for mums...)

2008-09-07T13:02:00.000-07:00

In an attempt to continue distancing myself from my former Boden addiction I've been consulting the glossies avidly. Post thirty there's a fine line between staying 'on trend' and looking plain daft; but then again there's yet another fine line between playing it safe and looking plain frumpy. So here's my top ten lists of current trends that work in real life while you're trying to look after two kids. Oh, and a few that definitely won't...

Top Ten Trends for Mums:

1. Tartan - See my previous post
2. Paisley - Another print from the past and like tartan, goes fantastically with jeans
3. The blouse - Quite frankly in any shape or form - pussy bow neck, sculptural details, tartan or paisley - and again goes with jeans (spotting a common theme here?) or suits if you work as well
4. Soft Gothic - What's not to love about all things black?
5. Polo Necks - Under everything apparently - easy and practical
6. (Fake) Fur - Gilets and mad, shaggy coats to keep toasty warm
7. Lace - So, so pretty but must exercise restraint here as nights out pretty infrequent
8. LBD - Speaks for itself
9. Military - An easy casual jacket option
10. Sheer - For rare nights out but obviously with something underneath to protect one's modesty

And those trends to avoid:

1. 7/8 trousers (or harem pants - the name surely says it all) - Dear God, no! Do these look good on anyone?
2. Leather (or PVC- not sure which is worse?) trousers - Does no-one remember how bad these smelt in the 80s?
3. Sculptural heels - Well, not unless you spend your life in taxis or want to put your back out

Let the shopping commence...
Smalls

Fair Weather Runs

2008-09-05T13:45:00.000-07:00

Am I the only fair weather runner out there?

On any given day of the week there are a whole host of excuses I can come up with for not running but generally I don't give in to them. I find it far better not to think about it and forcing myself to just get on with the 'doing' instead. But this constant rain? I'm really not tempted thanks.

I let my gym membership slip in January this year. I was six months pregnant at the time and barely attending once a week so it really didn't seem worth the outlay. Post-baby I've been doing pretty well outdoors and surprisingly, really enjoying it too. But now Winter's approaching maybe it's time to reconsider... I've looked into getting a waterproof running jacket but they're not cheap and mostly seem to only be 'water resistant', and anyway would buying one really ensure I went out running? I'm not convinced. And it's not just the rain, it's the dark too. I've thought about joining a running club but worry they'd be too restrictive. I only manage to grab runs where I can, when the husband's ready to pick up the childcare baton from me, so trying to run at a specified time on a specified day of the week seems pretty impossible. Can you still join athletic clubs just to use their track to run around? Last time I was a member of one was circa 1986, I'll have to look into it...

Maybe there'll be a let up in the weather over the weekend and I'll manage to fit a run in... Fingers crossed,

Smalls

Surviving Potty Training

2008-09-03T15:48:00.000-07:00

The Chimp and I are getting nowhere fast. Sick of being held hostage to our downstairs loo and itching to escape the confines of our by now, pretty smelly, house, I desperately, and nervously (will three complete changes of outfit be enough? Will I manage to whip out my new accessory of the moment - his potty - in time?) venture to town. I grab at every gimmicky, potty-related item I can get my hands on. I purchase in no particular order:

Gina Ford's "Potty Training In A Week" (yeah right!)

Several more packs of boys' pants (Bob the Builder, Thomas the Tank Engine)

Three packs of 'Toddler Wipes'

Plastic dispenser to put above in

Foaming handwash with attractive, novelty frog perched on top

A dinosaur reward chart

Several packs of matching stickers

And An Early Learning Centre catalogue for bribing material

...Oh and several bottles of wine to calm my frazzled nerves...

Smalls

A Sticky Situation

2008-09-03T15:15:00.000-07:00

Have spent the day alternately up to my elbows in either goo or poo.

When exactly did I decide that weaning Lady at the very same time as potty training the Chimp would be a good idea? My logic fails me now.

The former does at least raise the odd, genuine smile as I survey the aftermath of battle: Both Lady and I compare our goo-encrusted clothing and hair. The latter results in less pleasant, more pained smiles as, after the fifth, failed attempt of the day, I, with forced enthusiasm, congratulate the Chimp on the miniscule droplet of urine he actually manages to get into his potty. The advisory words of child-rearing 'guru' Gina Ford, to never, ever, on no account whatsoever, display disgust, play guiltily around my head.

Work has never seemed so tempting...

Smalls

Impossible Questions

2008-09-02T13:34:00.000-07:00

Three impossible questions the Chimp has asked me this week already; and it's only Tuesday:

1. What happened to your willy Mummy? (During potty-training)
2. Who turns the sky off at night?
3. How will aunty Claire's baby get out of her tummy?

Hmmm... Suggested answers on a postcard to ...

Smalls

Distance: 3.5km
Cals & Time: No idea, managed to delete data off before I read it! - Total blonde moment

Tartan Army

2008-09-01T12:08:00.000-07:00

Tartan, plaid, check - call it what you will, it's back and I'm loving it.

Unlike the ridiculous extremes we've been told to wear this Summer -the 'playsuits' (which quite frankly only the very rich, young and beautiful could get away with - oh, and anyone under the age of one, Lady's been surprisingly on-trend for the past few months) and the 'maxi' dress (at five foot two this one was never going to work unless I continually wanted to be tripping over or mopping up this Summer's deluge of puddles), thank God for something practical!

Fashion's been making me feel somewhat old of late what with its relentless reinventions of fashions of my formative fashion youth. I distinctly remember donning those shortish, floaty layers I've seen all Summer (the ra-ra skirt to those who've been there already) at primary school. And as for the entire nation's recent obsession with black leggings with everything, which is only just ebbing away, am I the only one who's done that trend twice already? (back at primary school again and then later when 'grunge' was big at university). Needless to say I didn't give into the temptation a third time around.

Tartan seems however to be the exception to the rule. It doesn't make me feel old or look ridiculous in my current 'full-time mum' wardrobe. It's bright, cheerful and more importantly goes with jeans. Hurrah! And if you get one with a pussy-bow tie at the neck you can nail two trends in one.

Welcome back tartan - I can't believe you've been in fashion-Siberia for so long!

Smalls

Sweet Pickings

2008-08-27T12:27:00.000-07:00

I realised a long time ago that if I buy a pack of biscuits there's no way I can just have one or two. If it's there I'll - no question about it - scoff the lot in pretty much one sitting. Leaving me feeling pretty sick and vaguely embarrassed, like a naughty school kid, afterwards. The same goes for chocolate (who are these strange females who subject themselves to just two chunks a night?), crisps or even cereal bars. The easy answer to this is, of course, never, ever buy any. And this solution works pretty well - most of the time...

On our week's holiday my brother, insisting we had quite enough to pack, offered to bring the food. Great, we thought and busily redirected our worries to how many toys we could attempt to limit the Chimp to and how many changes of outfits Lady would get through each day.

Unfortunatly I'd quite forgotten just how sweet a tooth my brother has - must run in the family - only he indulges his daily. Our adopted kitchen for the week was drowning under the weight of half a dozen bags of family-sized crisps with assorted accompanying dips, every cake and flapjack variety imaginable, chocolates with honeycomb, chocolates with raisins, coconut ice and of course bars of Kendal Mint cake - just in case!

And so it came to pass that instead of feeling pretty pleased with myself for the two runs and various walks I managed to complete I actually managed to put on half a stone. Fantastic but isn't that what holidays are for?

Smalls

Forced myself to do a longer run tonight as penance - my longest yet.

Distance: 7.01km
Time: 33.3 mins
Cals: 418
Pace: 4.46/km

Teenage Kicks!

2008-08-25T11:52:00.000-07:00

What is it about a family holiday that brings out the teenager in you? Within five minutes of our parents turning up to 'help' us pack up Lady and the Chimp's paraphernalia -there's no way it will squeeze into one car alone - we're all at each others' throats! My dad tells me to calm down as I regress to the most unpleasant version of my fourteen year old self. I find myself shouting to be heard over Lady's wails at being ignored and the Chimp's running commentary of the unfolding drama and constant pleas to take extra toys: "Daddy bear really wants to come too Mummy and so does my space ship, please Mummy please". Arghh..

Vivid memories of my own family's annual marathon road trips down to Cornwall for long, rainy camping holidays flood my mind. My younger brother and I knew to stay well out of the way as our parents' arguing rose to a crescendo as they failed for the umpteenth time to cram the last piece of luggage into the trailer like some impossible jigsaw puzzle.

The husband and I snap at each other and bicker over what should go where. Good God! When did we turn into our own parents? Depressingly when we became them ourselves I suspect...

Eventually we manage to shove it all in and head for the hills; the relief is immense.

On the plus side the Lakes are beautiful, despite the constant rain, and the husband and I do actually manage to squeeze in some quality 'running' time. If I'm honest, mostly because I know I'll have to confess here if I don't. If this blog achieves nothing else it will at least shame me into keeping up the running...

Run 1: 5.4km 32.4 Mins 322 Cals 6.04Mins/km

Run 2: 5.03km 24.28 Mins 300 Cals 4.51Mins/km

Smalls

To Train, or not to Train?

2008-08-14T13:34:00.000-07:00

Second run with my new toy tonight. Not quite so good, I blame the wind factor but certainly not shocking...

Distance: 5.8km
Time: 32 mins
Cals: 349
Pace: 5.29mins/km

Going away on holiday tomorrow. Nothing too exciting, just up to the Lakes but have family coming too, so the husband and I should get chance to have some time to ourselves. We're debating whether or not to take our running stuff. Not the most romantic of scenarios: the puce-red faces, scraped-back hair and copious sweating but still, I guess it counts as quality time?

Smalls

Boden Be Gone!

2008-08-13T13:31:00.000-07:00

The new Boden catologues arrive. Normally this would entail a thorough perusal in blessed peace and quiet, shared only with several cups of strong, black coffee to prop myself awake. Not today. I attempt to give it nothing but a cursory glance and try darned hard not to be swayed by the 'Merino Ruffled Henley' or the 'Sassy Textured Cardigan' (they're even given capital-lettered status) and just about manage to stuff the offending publication in the recycling box. Phew...

Resistance to Mini-Boden however is utterly futile and I spend far too long compiling imaginary shopping lists for both Lady (apples and mice this season) and the Chimp (all skulls and monsters). My ever-dwindling maternity pay proves this exercise utterly pointless but it makes me smile nonetheless.

Smalls

Run Wild, Run Free

2008-08-12T13:44:00.000-07:00

Ironically, there's nothing like being prevented from doing something to get you really, really wanting to. I dare say if my trainers hadn't have been stolen last week, I would have found a myriad of excuses to prevent me braving the rain, but as it is , I'm chomping at the bit to try out my new toy...

At last my new trainers arrive; much to the Chimp's excitement - "See Mummy, whoever took them, sent them back so you wouldn't be sad anymore."

The husband suggests I set myself the 10km challenge to start. To start? Is he mad? Put me off for life more like it! Instead I plump for the much less scary but far more realistic 3km. I figure I'll start by just doing my usual run, see how far it actually is and go from there. Trying not to let my conspiciously new trainers put me off: I splash around in a few puddles to get started..

And I'm pleasantly surprised. I manage 5km, above and beyond my target. The 'personal trainer' in my ear helpfully logging each km with additional countdown stuff as I get closer to my goal. It carries on when I go beyond the distance too. Even more encouraging is the graph I get when I upload my data later, tracking the pace of my run. I'm hooked - this can't help but keep you motivated. In fact the husband is jealous and has already ordered his own. Can't wait for my next run,

Smalls

Distance: 5.8km
Time: 30.1 mins
Pace: 5.12 min/km
Cals: 346

Still Not Running

2008-08-11T13:19:00.000-07:00

Frustrated by lack of trainers and thus unable to run very far (in fact not at all), I've turned my attention to sorting out my wardrobe issues instead. While Lady takes her morning nap and the chimp involves himself in yet another wildly complicated rescue mission involving Scoop, Lofty, three blue rabbits, the Elephant Mouse and a pile of hay bales (!?), I tackle my wardrobe.

Am I the only one who finds dressing stylishly for Summer nigh-on-impossible? By Winter I don't do badly at all (at least in my own head!)- thank God for black opaque tights and knee-high boots which somehow make my lack of length in the leg department workable. By Summer however it all goes completly to pot and despite my best efforts, I always end up feeling short and dumpy. Again, I have a suspicious feeling it might be all the Boden!

In the relative peace of Lady's nap, I whizz through the contents of my wardrobe pulling out anything I honestly can't remember the last time I wore. And things I force myself to wear just because I spent damn good money on them, even though they don't suit me at all. Trying hard not to invent excuses, I soon amass a tidy pile on the bed. After an update from the Chimp on the rescue mission of the blue rabbits from the flames of the farmer's hay bales, I grab the camera before I change my mind and prepare to ebay them.

Purged of my past mistakes, I feel instantly better and I'm determined to only buy things that I'll actually wear. The four-inch wedge sandals are truely beautiful but totally impractical for pushing Lady and the Chimp round the park, what was I thinking? Ditto the multitude of sparkly tops my magpie eye is constantly drawn to - when do I think I'm actually going to wear these things? With two young kids we barely manage to go out a couple of times a month at most. Can't quite bring myself to part with said items but vow to buy more sensibly from now on.

It's a start...

Smalls

Suspicious Minds

2008-08-10T11:29:00.000-07:00

My running plans stalled by stolen trainers; have been forced to order new pair on line. Trying to look on the bright side - probably needed some new ones anyway - and aren't you supposed to replace running ones every year or so? At least now I can get the proper Nike+ ones rather than cutting a hole in my old ones to wedge the sensor in somehow. Still not impressed though and practical side of me is seriously irked that there was plenty of running life left in the old ones.

Sitting by the window in Lady and the Chimp's playroom we watch each passing would-be-suspect closely, scrutinising their footwear. They're out there somewhere...

Smalls

Bloody Cheek!

2008-08-09T13:43:00.000-07:00

At some point earlier in the week I forced myself to go for a run - not a hugely succesful one after one too many the night before, but anyway I just about finished it. The conditions being somewhat wet and pretty miserable, I kicked my trainers off before entering the house and didn't really think any more about it until this morning...

I was determined to test out my new personal trainer - aka Nike+, so duly kitted myself out. I went down to retrieve my trainers from the cupboard under the stairs, where I presumed my husband had deposited them after they'd dried out on the doorstep, but they were nowhere to be seen. Mystified, I asked him if he'd seen them, apparently not; where upon a search of the entire house followed with much help from the Chimp who's always keen to solve a 'problem' (far too much 'Go, Diego Go' and 'The Wonder Pets' I fear). Eventually we concluded that they'd never actually been brought in, which led to one very strange conclusion - somebody had taken them! Bloody cheek! Who steals trainers from somebody's doorstep? Now they were fairly good running ones, but certainly not trendy and well over a year old. I'm speechless, what a bloody odd thing to steal! (The chimp, bless him, tried to cheer me up by suggesting that once whoever had taken them realised that they weren't theirs, they'd bring them back...)

And I've heard of some lousy excuses in my years of teaching from kids for not doing their homework, but you couldn't make this one up...

"Sorry Miss but I really can't go for my run this morning - someone stole my trainers!"

It's up there with "the dog ate it" but honestly how can I go for a run without them? All dressed up and nowhere to run...

Smalls

New Beginnings

2008-08-07T13:27:00.001-07:00

Five months after giving birth to my second child and I'm despairing of myself. Not only am I dressed head-to-toe in Boden but that extra half a stone (and the rest if I'm really truthful) is sticking like mud to the area otherwise known as my waist. Now don't get me wrong I love a bit of Boden I really do, but my addiction is bordering on the obsessive. And just because my kids look cute in it, it doesn't necesarilly follow that I do. It's not only boringly lazy but pretty ageing too. It could just be the lack of sleep but I feel about a hundred.

In an effort to shed both the weight and the Boden addiction, hopefully re-discovering my former pre-child self, I've decided to go public. There's nothing like a bit of public shaming to get yourself motivated...

I've also just finished reading 'Petite Anglaise' which I loved and devoured in just tow days. I've become fascinated by the whole blogging phenomenon. And only about ten years after the rest of the world, sad I know, but I thought I'd give it a go.

I've given the remaining remnants of my maternity clothes the boot and a whole new Autumn wardrobe temptingly beckons...

And I've invested in the Nike + sensor thingy to inspire me to improve my somewhat sporadic approach to running. Much fun's been had in the selecting of a 'theme' song and now the serious work needs to begin...

Wish me luck,
Smalls.