indulge in...

So what have I got to tell you all, It’s been such a long time since we chatted . Things are gradually getting back to normal after a funny old few months...

Fitness wise I’ve taken to the gym again with my get fit and blogging buddy Liz . I happened to try a bikini on and was horrified. Had no action been taken there would have been a massive chance that this white, wobbly 42 year old would have been mistaken for a whale or something equally as blubberish and harpooned on the beach. Liz is in training for the Edinburgh Moon Walk in June. 26 miles in just her bra walking throughout the night. She must be crazy BUT its all to raise money for breast cancer, so well done her.

Mostly I manage the gym twice a week, with squats, lunges, lots of walking and boyfriends weights in between and I can tell a slight difference . Put it this way my legs don’t chaff together as much when I get out of the bath. Progress. I think that in 5 weeks time, with a little extra push and no chocolate I should feel more comfortable about flashing the old flesh and I won’t scare the Misters kids...after a good coating of false tan that is. Ghostly pale skin is not attractive; I look like I’ve never seen the light of day. Come to think of it my body hasn’t seen the light of day since August last year and then it was only for 2 days in Sunny Barcelona. Umper Lumper legs is not a great look either which is what I often get after i haphazardly apply false tan. I want slightly sun-kissed. I often end up with streaky bright orange!

'Your Ghost will walk, you lover of trees in an English lane by a cornfield -side a-flutter with poppies' - Robert Burns

My grandma died on Wednesday night. Dad was there. Grandma opened her eyes and held his hand .She smiled at him closed her eyes and passed away. Its quite fitting it was dad, hes been there for her, along with Granddad, everyday since her fall on Dec 23rd.Some would say it was a blessing after 13 weeks spent bed-ridden between the hospital and the nursing home... and the truth be known we had lost Grandma months ago.She wasn't living she was simply existing and it was hard to witness.

Hello again. Heres another look at some of the things I've been up to this month

I will start with a few landscapes. I'm slightly obsessed and I'm always stopping the car in random places as I've spotted the perfect cloud formation, fabulous sunset or amazing landscape.

Some would say Sad but its how I roll...

We are  excited, we are running our very first competition and its a goodie! If your skins feeling a  little lacklustre and could do with a boost then read on...

As you may be aware both Liz & I are big fans of Collagen shots the ultimate anti-aging drink. We have written a couple of reviews and both use them regularly. Its my favorite bed-time tipple, made all the better as I know its working its magic while I sleep.

My Review can be read here which was first featured on our blog back in April last year! My how time flies...

So back to the competition the Lovely Kathryn of Rejuvenated Ltd has agreed to give us a 400g pack of  Collagen shots as a give away for one of you lucky people to try.

It should last around a month if taken daily and normally retails at £36.00 plus post & package . Even better you also get to sample the new improved formula with Hyaluronic acid for increased hydration. 

Sounds good eh?

Well all you have to do to be in with a chance of winning is follow us on Twitter, Like our Facebook page and leave a comment on here saying why you need Collagen shots in your life, along with your name , age and location. Simples....

A winner will be drawn at random on Friday.

You are just one step away from younger, firmer skin naturally...

Good Luck , Tracey & Liz x

Thank you to all of you who entered.

The Competition is now closed and the winner was pulled at random. Big Congratulations go out to Louise of Get Lippie who has won a months supply of Collagen Shots. They are winging their way to you as we speak.

Please keep popping in and saying hi to us, we love receiving feedback and are never short of conversation!! We are also hoping to run some more competitions in the not too distant future.

Thank you for your interest , Tracey & Liz x

I  have a perchance for sexy high heeled shoes... despite being 5 ft 10 ,or as the Mr advises 5 ft 9 and three–quarters.

Not that mine are,  but heels can make the stumpiest of legs look longer &  leaner. I refuse to wear anything other with my little black dresses. Yes I have my kitten heels, my flats and beloved high tops but there’s a time and a place....

So imagine my delight when I stumbled across these babies.

Mum said they were too high, that at my age perhaps I should go an inch lower? And there’s me thinking I could push an inch higher!

Never one to be defeated and to prove that I could walk in them -  I tried them on. There was a size 6 sat smiling at me, I swear he winked and whispered in my direction  ‘try me, try me’ ... I was putty in his hands.

Today has been a daze, a blur of tears and unhappiness. Days of wishful thinking taken away in a split second, that wrenching knotted feeling in my stomach released as grief takes over. 

The news I had been expecting and dreading all week delivered caringly but quite bluntly by the lady at the RSPCA – “Yes he most definitely fits the description and the area but unfortunately your cat was found dead. Sorry.”

Silence. She carried on talking but I was no longer listening...

Elvis was born in Harrogate; we often joked that he was a posh cat, that if he could speak he would laugh at our common Sheffield accents. We were informed by the owner that he was a girl and after much deliberation named her Matilda. For a couple of weeks, it was all about the pink, that was until we took him to the vets who upon inspection found his willy and a quick name change was required. Without hesitation I blurted out Elvis - it seemed appropriate. My boyfriend, Darren had chosen him from a litter of 4 and he worshipped Elvis (Presley). We both worshipped my little friend – it would have been hard not too - the cute little man with the big attitude and the prettiest face.  He was never really a Matilda, he was always our Elvis.

He quickly became part of our family, truth be known I had fallen in love with him from the very moment I set eyes on him and as for Darren he was putty in Elvis’s  hands. He loved him every inch as much as I and I loved seeing them together, he brought out Darren’s soft side. I was by my own admission a pain in the bum and very over protective. I missed him when I had to go to work and made sure we had lots of cuddle time when I got home, often hogging him for hours on end. He was slightly long-haired and when he was a kitten he resembled a big walking fur ball. I would rub my face in his belly and he would purr away contently. He had massive paws and big hairy ears that were too big for his head. He often walked backwards like Micheal Jackson doing the moon walk which made the kids roll around with laughter. He was perfect. He brought fun; he completed our little family and somehow made us whole.

He saw 2 winters and one summer with us. Only last week Darren and I laughed as he tried to tackle the snow. He hated it. He loved the sun, but the sun didn’t like him. He would get too hot with all his fur and would often be found laid in the kitchen on the cool tiled floor. When he got too hot and started to pant I would wet him on the back of the neck with a little sponge to cool him down. It seems so cruel that his little life was taken away so quickly, that he won’t see another summer, that I won’t get chance to do that again.

I will miss everything about him but mostly the mornings when everybody else was in bed and it was just me and him. Mummy and Elvis time I used to call it when I would sit and sing made–up songs to him. As i was getting ready for work he would perch himself on the toilet seat and watch bemused as I put my make up on. Every-now and again he would jump down and rub his head on me for some attention or run off to jump on Darren and then come back to me. I’ve missed that all week... I suppose I’m going to have to get used to it never happening again. My heart aches at the thought and I am typing through my tears.

Somebody famously said ‘Elvis has left the building’....

He has but he will never leave our hearts. RIP Munchkin Pie; go and find Rosie she will take good care of you. xxx

A friend sent me this earlier today and in some little way it comforted me. I thought I would share it with you all:

Lend me a Kitten - author unknown

I will lend you a kitten, God said, For you to love while he lives and mourn when he is dead. Maybe for 12 or 13 years, or maybe just 2 or 3. But will you, till I call him back, take care of him for me?

He'll bring his charms to gladden you and should his stay be brief, You'll always  have the memories as solace for your grief

I cannot promise he will stay, since all from earth return but there are lessons taught below I want this Kitten to learn.

I've looked the whole world over in search of teachers true and from the folk that crowd life's land, I have chosen you.

Now will you give him all your love and not think the labor vain? Nor hate me when I come to take My kitten home again?

My heart replied "My lord, thy will be done for all the love this kitten brings, the risk of grief I'll run. We'll shelter him with tenderness and love him while we may, and for the happiness we've known forever grateful stay.

But if you call him back much sooner than we had planned please help us brave the bitter grief and try to understand"

"if by our love, your wishes we've managed to achieve, in memory of this Sweet, sweet love please help us while we grieve.

And when our cherished kitten departs this world of strife, please send us yet another one to love for all his life"

Until next time, Tracey xx

The Mr fondly calls me Frank Spencer.... he says he has never met a woman so clumsy or accident prone in his life.  I don’t mind Frank , I mean I can think of a lot worse names to be called...

Yesterday for example we went for a lovely early morning  walk in the snow.  I officially hate snow, but I have to admit it makes everything look beautiful.  I was sat in bed yesterday morning with a coffee, staring out of the window. The Mr had Elvis blasting out of the CD player downstairs and it was one of those ‘beautiful’ moments.  Elvis and falling white flakes, kind of romantic . I repeated the last sentence to my brother who is still convinced I am on medication.

So off we toddled the Mr and I, me sporting my ‘ugly’ boots. I can only describe them as  the type of boots you wear when you have one leg shorter than the other but other than these I had nothing else suitable so reluctantly I put them on. The snow was deep I figured nobody would see them.

We are lucky because we live in a lovely little village with woodland just a stones throw away in every direction. We had only been walking 10 minutes when I went over on my ankle, followed 10 minutes later by a move , to remain upright, that resulted in a pulled groin! I blame ugly boots, as well as being just that they are not very sturdy... not in snow anyhows.

We continued on our 'woodland' walk, and two hours later arrived home, faces glowing  from the fresh air. Well I wasn’t so much glowing - I looked fit to burst and was bright red. The Mr treated me to a sausage , egg and baked bean sandwich washed down with a much needed coffee. Messy but delicious. Despite laughing and periodically shouting at me to hurry up as I hobbled home I think he actually felt sorry for me. I was at this point walking like a builder and getting stiffer and more cumbersome by the hour. I sat down and literally couldn’t get back up. I decided this was as good as an excuse as any to have  a settee day and have one I did.

Prepare to be Snow Bored...

So here we are 2013! I’ve just eaten the last mince pie. My bum which currently feels as though it enters the room a full 5 minutes after me can give a huge sigh of relief. Normality shall slowly start to take hold and the Baileys Coffee and mince pie for breakfast will soon be a distant memory. I miss them already.

So better late than never... Happy New Year. I would love to say I brought the new year in with a bang, but it was  more like a little a puff. We had the Mr’s kids this year which limited us to what we could and what we couldn’t do. Let’s just say a room full of rather loud, over excited 5 year olds doing X Factor type auditions is not the way I envisaged seeing the new year in! Thankfully the Mr could see my pained expression and  noted that I was downing larger as though my life depended on it. We left the 'family get together' with enough time to get his kids settled in their own beds and then pop open a bottle of Piper Hiedsieck with Jools and co playing in the background, as our only company. We sat and drank ourselves into a stuper, sang along to Dexys Midnight Runners and I got told off a few times for asking too many questions. Well what did Kevin Rowland have on?  We stumbled to bed at daft o clock this morning; so its not all bad.

So what will you take from 2012 ?...

Well let’s be honest here it’s not been my greatest year. Mum got diagnosed with cancer during the summer, my uncle Ron died, Auntie Alice had a massive stroke and  one of my best friends lost her dad. He suffered a major heart attack while cleaning the car and he was taken just like that – no warning and sadly no goodbyes for his nearest and dearest;that breaks my heart. Add to that my beloved Grandma who has Alzheimers and is steadily getting worse and it could be easily be mistaken for a tragic novel. BUT one thing that has remained constant are my good friends, family and laughter and let’s not forget it was also the year my brother got married to the lovely Kelly ( I was convinced he was gay) I went to Blackpool for the first time; surprisingly enjoyed it and I also managed to get away for a city break with the best 4 ladies in the whole wide world to the city that never sleeps;  Barcelona.

So yes Laughter and positive thinking is what I will take from 2012... even when mums been having the shittiest of days, these are probably the days we have laughed the hardest. When Grandma informed me that the doctors at Barnsley Hospital were all spies that were experimenting on her and then proceeded to try and ‘escape’. When she was sat in the front of the car with dad and asked who the cute guy and his ‘bit on the side’ were in the back - it was mum and granddad. Well I had all on trying to remain upright. And please don’t think I’m horrible I'm laughing with, not at them... you see when the chips are down what better way to lighten the mood , than laughter.

So that’s it really my New Years Day Speech is over...but before I sign off can  I quickly take the opportunity to say a big thank-you to anybody  & everybody that has supported us in anyway shape or form over the past year. It is really appreciated.Cheers!

Oh and to my partner in crime Liz - get well soon, your country and especially I need you!

Keep smiling, until next time,

Tracey x

This post is brought to you from my Living Room...

I'm snuggled up on the settee, Christmas jumper-dress and knee high socks on. Little Elvis the cat is laid next to me and Jack Frost the movie is on TV. Don't worry I have my hanky ready. It’s a proper feel good Christmas Movie. The Mr has popped out to get some festive goodies - mince pies being top of the list. (I have him well trained)I have a Baileys Coffee on the go - please don't judge me, it’s only 12 noon but it is after all Christmas. Anything goes at this time of year.

Today is 'tree up day' and I love it. We've already decorated the fire place but it's looking a little bit lost. I have a new friend, Mr Blow Up Santa. It took all my puff to actually blow him up but he’s now standing proudly next to the hearth. Elvis is a little uncertain about him but I Love him. If I could I would probably leave him there all year...He cost a whooping £1 from Poundland - Go grab yours before they sell out.

So the plan for the rest of the day is more Baileys accompanied by several mince pies(when supplies arrive) Once Jack Frost has finished I'll stick on some festive tunes and make merry with the tree, which sounds so wrong but you know what I mean. By tonight my living room will resemble Santa's grotto. I will sit in darkness the only light coming from the tree and admire it to my hearts content!

Who says Christmas is just for the kids...

"Tis the week before Christmas and every night
As soon as the children are snuggled up tight
And have sleepily murmured their wishes and prayers,
Such fun as goes on in the parlour downstairs!
For Father, Big Brother, and Grandfather too,
Start in with great vigour their youth to renew.
The Grown-ups are having great fun - all is well;
And they play till it's long past their hour for bed.

They try to solve puzzles and each one enjoys
The magical thrill of mechanical toys,
Even Mother must play with a doll that can talk,
And if you assist it, it's able to walk.
It's really no matter if paint may be scratched,
Or a cogwheel, a nut, or a bolt gets detached;
The grown-ups are having great fun - all is well;
The children don't know it, and Santa won't tell."

Enjoy your Sunday, please let us know what you got up to?

Until next time,Tracey x

It seemed to go down quite well with you all.

Well we received 2 comments , on average we get 0/nil/zero/zilch. They were also both positive, so I take that as a YES you like...