Hi reb There is a couple of reasons for the 2 HWS- one being the shape of it & the other being that we built it in 2 stages. Our house is a C shape with bedrooms up one end(& 2 bathrooms incl. our ensuite). We built this first about 20 years ago & used it as a shack to get away from our 7 day a week business which we lived above. We had our b/r as a living room & our ensuite as a temp.kitchen with a rough old trough as the kitchen sink. So the 1st HWS serviced this area.
Many years later we added the rest of the house with it's central open plan living room/ dining area/kitchen & as you go around the C shape...laundry/toilet/rumpus room/garage so the 2nd HWS services the kitchen, laundry & toilet. We only moved into the house 5&1/2 yrs ago when we sold our business. The solar technology was not really out there (well- def. not affordable or very practical) when we had our house planned but it is "solar passive" with double glazing, is totally insulated(walls & ceiling) & has been designed to catch as much sun as possible with high windows etc, eaves to block out summer sun & let in winter sun etc. It is very light & I rarely need lights on. It's just a pity about the 2 HWS.
If we were building again our whole house would be much smaller, have solar power, composting toilets(2 only) We love our home though & would hate to move. It will only be when we cannot manage it any more & hopefully that's a long way off.
Weekend!
Our weekend in Melb was wonderful. We made no bad food choices whatsoever & ate Japanese,Thai, Vietnamese, Italian & then Thai again. No rubbish & all delicious!
We took trams around the city, our football team the Saints won their 8th match in a row, we bumped into about 10-15 people we knew from Tasmania and our shopping was perfect. We bought an oil sprayer that you fill with olive oil yourself, instead of using aerosol cans & a salt/pepper grinder combo thingy that you can use with one hand while you cook. I have wanted one since seeing it on tv on a cooking show. I bought a wonderfully comfortable pair of Timberland shoes. They were my birthday present. My feet had been killing me & I really needed a new pair of shoes. My older sister used to wear Timberland boots & swore by them.They are usually very expensive but these were half price. I did well.
We walked around often holding hands or linking arms & it just was really good. I like to tell you these things because I think it's important to know that you can be really happy with someone & enjoy their company even when you get to our age. We have been together for well over 37 years & I have never been happier.
I really must share a funny story though. When we were going through security at the airport my LH made the beeper go off loudly & the security guy asked him if he had anything metal on him. My LH said no. He then said "Have you had a hip replacement?"
I nearly died laughing! It was his glasses case which, apparently, are full of metal.
On the way back from the airport, we stopped for petrol & my LH fell over a concrete barrier on the way out of the servo but luckily didn't hurt himself. He complained about them being in the way but that is what they are for so cars don't run into the building. I didn't laugh though as it was quite a hard fall & I thought he may have hurt himself. When we got home he realised he had lost his glasses. I have since rung & they have them. I don't dare tell our OS as he has already posted the security story on FB. My husband has a good sense of humour thank goodness & is also very fit so that when he fell his quick reflexes saved him hitting his head.
This week-
I am going to get a lot more exercise. I have walked & walked around Melbourne & now that I am no longer feeling sick I am going to get back into the habit of walking every day. Tai Chi tomorrow. Yes!
Time to do some housework. Our OS fed our dogs while we were away & came up & got the fire going for us before we got home which was very thoughtful of him. It got down to zero degrees Celsius last night. Brrr! It's a beautiful, sunny day today as it often is after a frost so good for a walk.
Cheers for now, Cate

Glad you had a great weekend, Cate!

My biggest weekend memory will be being asked by a tubby young man at the beach if I was pregnant!!!!! Sort of deflated my ego considerably! I guess he couldn't have known that I'd just lost 20kg - here I was feeling like a model, but realising I still have a bit to go. My husband assured me my stomach bump doesn't AT ALL look like a pregnancy, but it was a bit disconcerting anyway!!!!

Cate - did you see Jetstar are specially Ho Chi Minh city? $89 one way from Perth. I guess the trick will be the added fees that go on, plus return trip no doubt much dearer. But maybe shopping between airlines might get a good return price - Tiger or someone!

We can almost never use super-special deals because we are stuck with school holidays (MAX price for everything), but if you can, why not???

Hi Cate

So sorry I dropped of the planet for a while! Unfortunantly I couldn't get straight back on the plan when arriving in the UK. I have now re-started and feel very embarassed as I was so dedicated and focused before I left.

London has been great just getting a job has been tricky! We have managed to find a lovely flat so were no longer living in a loft without a kitchen and fridge of our own! YAY

SO glad to be finally getting back on the program and glad that I can be more dedicated over here without too many distractions. The only thing that is difficult is that the food is very different over here and the fruit tastes like water instead of the flaversome varieites we have in Aus. Also I am limited to one brand of crackers- Ryvita which I never really liked so I must try and locate another cracker.

How have things been for you after re-feeding? Are you maintaing the weight okay and feeling great? Must be amazing to be in that position!!!

I am really looking forward to doing the diet once and for all now and just LOVE all the support this forum brings It keeps me going! This is going to post at a very strange time as it is 10.38pm in London.

xxnicole

Nicole- no need to be embarassed!

I have seen a post somewhere re crackers in the UK so will have a look about today & let you know if/when I find it.

Nicole- Things are really good with me. I am enjoying maintenance, maintaining within the 3kg weight-range(very important!)and generally enjoying my life and the food. I am no longer scared of food. When I first finished Cohen's in Aug 2007 I was petrified. It is really important to keep a control on what you eat & if you follow the guidelines strictly you should never regain your weight. If I start to get close to the top end of my GW range I cut down the carbs for a few days & drop back a couple of kg's. I did not do this last year & that is why I put 8kgs back on. It won't happen again.
At the weekend I ate out & enjoyed every meal but chose wisely & gained 1kg & am up near the top of the GW range so will drop back at least 1.5kg in the next couple of days. I won't have to weigh my food or be really strict- just cut down the carbs & eat Cohen's original food mainly.

Nicole it sounds like you are well & truly ready to follow the program through to the end and are organised & settled. I look forward to hearing about it & London too if you have time. Not many people actually talk about their lives & experiences & I think it's fun. All the best, Cate

Niyah- I sussed out how my LH felt about leaving the country for his birthday & have worked out he wants a birthday party so all O/S trips are on hold. I'm a dreamer & it was my wishing it rather than him actually wanting it! Sigh.....
I'm so sorry about that guy's insentitive, rude comment made during your weekend. I don't know where some people think they get the right to say such things. I would never comment about someone's appearance unless it was to say something nice.
Where I'm at- I think I'm in limbo a bit at the moment. My weight's ok, my diet's ok but I feel like I'm at a bit of a crossroad. It's time I decided what I want to do with the rest of my life. There are things I want but little I need. I want to travel and I also want to feel more useful. I have too much spare time on my hands and little money. Mmmm. I should probably live another 30 years & that's a long time not to be working and also not earning money. It's time I gave it some serious thought. Is it too late to re-train at 56?
Today- I had better get some housework done as it's been a bit neglected lately. Because I have so much spare time I always think something can wait until tomorrow. It also gives me too much thinking/worrying time.
My birthday-Our YS forgot it again. Even when he's here he usually forgets so I didn't really expect him to remember it when he's having so much fun in Peru. He did access FB though & didn't notice as he wouldn't have gone to my page & he has so many FB "friends" that any of my birthday msgs would be right down out of sight. I must admit I do get a bit disappointed though. Even my MIL forgot this year & that's a first.
I'm not feeling miserable but know I have too much time on my hands. I need some direction. Housework beckons and so do some books but I had better do the housework. Such a big house for 2 people & so much cleaning to do. Sigh....
Bye for now, Cate

Well, a late happy birthday for what it's worth!

Birthdays do bring up reflections on where our life is going, so you are probably going through one of those "reassessment" stages where you note the passing years, ask yourself what you've done and what you still want to do.

I know the feeling of being home and having too much time and too little money. I also know now having too LITTLE time. Too much time sounds delightful, but when I have that, I know that I, too, go crazy! I think I just always need projects to be working on, or I go stir-crazy, and with all the complications life has thrown up, I've really appreciated having a brain that's been too busy to think about anything too hard!

Definitely not too old to do something new, Cate! You're only as old as you feel, and whilst it gets hard for OTHER people to accept, people can and do do amazing things in older years. I've never actually "retrained", though I had all sorts of dreams of doing so - rather I've just fallen into doing what I do, but it does give me a focus and direction for my energies and any meagre talents I might have. I have lots of fun trying out new ideas!

I won't hog your thread too much today - will go over to my diary and update some news, but hope things look up for you today. You've already made one HUGE achievement and life change in the last couple of years - one that means you are healthier and happier today, and more ready than ever to enjoy the years that are coming. If you have a happy husband and healthy and happy kids, give yourself a big tick that you've done lots of things right.

Niyah- It's worth a lot! I guess I was feeling a little sorry for myself & I hate that!
I don't feel old but I think I see others thinking I am.Imust stop doing that. I really need a project & we all need to feel useful & needed & I don't at the moment.I too have always just fallen into jobs and I think I have to stop assuming it's going to happen any time soon & do something about making it happen. I have never had a vision of what I really want to do with my life & have never felt driven.
Thanks very much Niyah for your very encouraging words. I needed them. I do feel capable of achieving things after losing weight & taking control of my health but I just don't know what! I have such a lovely family, including a delightful husband. We are very lucky, you & I. So many people never have that love & support & we both know how lucky we are which is also really good. I have a lot to be grateful for. Cheers for now, Cate.

HI HI HI HI Cate!

Oh no! I am also wishing you a BELATED HAPPY BIRTHDAY~! I think the forum need a little block to allow u to see someone's birthday-- maybe there is one-- I need to supscribe then! I hope you had a good day though, also hope you got spoiled! It sucks when people forgets your birthday--- esp people close to you! I always try and have a good party or something -- however I always end up doing all the planning and preparations, I only end up being tired and broke thereafter-- Im not doing that anymore! Im turning 25 this year! A quater centuty! Ya, Its a big number for me! I suppose the older one gets, the less it matters--! I'll have to wait and see! I always thought that I would be married with children by now ( I thought that when i was a lot younger) but to be honest-- Im not ready for either one of those! Go figure! Whats the rush anyways?

Its not unusual to feel restless and sort of unsure about 'what to do next' I dont think that feeling ever leaves us! I get it also-- I am young enough to make a change if i so wish too-- yet I also sit with the same question everytime -- WHAT EXACTLY-- thats the big question! But remember that answers sometimes comes when you least expect it!

Thank you for always being so supportive to everyone -- including me--- you'll never realise how much of a difference you make in people's lives! Even though we are miles apart and have never met! I feel that we all have something in common and that connects us! If you ever need someone to just chat!!! Push on my botton anytime!

Sending you huggs!
Starfish!

Starfish- You are so very sweet! Excuse me just feeling a little sorry for myself. It is almost impossible to see birthdays in this forum so don't blame yourself there. I don't know why it doesn't show on our profiles. I was probably the most disappointed in our YS as he has a habit of forgetting my birthday. I wasn't upset this time as he has a better excuse this year but when it also was my MIL, one of my S'sIL & another BIL I felt a bit put out. I always remember theirs. My family are slack & my older brother has never rung me for my birthday. Never. He just doesn't bother. I gave up ringing him years ago. My sister never forgets, nor my mother. Enough of that. Birthday is over. I actually love my birthday but really love going away for it. The year we went to Vietnam was wonderful. I have to go quickly as my LH is going for a quick drive around our block, cheers, cate

A lot of boys seems to be hopeless with remembering important events.... that's why they usually have to make a big effort with wives and girlfriends to learn some new habits (but they never extend to their mother or sister!!!!).

My sons will make a fuss of their niece's birthday... but that's about it at the moment.

Pity about your husband not wanting to travel - but I guess life has to get practical sometimes. The cheap airfares are a sore temptation at the moment - but we can almost never use them. Gets the mind wandering, though!

Hi Niyah, He wants to travel probably as much as I do but just not for his birthday. he seems to really want a big party whereas I cringe at the thought, especially if I'm the centre of attention! (Re sons & b'days- I think I have been too soft on our sons & let them off the hook too often perhaps. His GF remembered & even sent me a msg for Mothers' Day. It's ok though- I'm over the birthday!)
Our OS is coming up for lunch soon while his car is being serviced at our friendly neighbour/mechanic's. We are about to have a Sri Lankan beef curry. Yum! We had planned a big lunch for all of them but our DIL is not coming as her OS is ill. I'm not sure if the littlies will be here but I doubt it. It's nice sometimes to just have our son on his own & we now have plenty of food for the week-end.
We will be away tomorrow & Sunday during most of the day as it's the first w/e of the state 8-ball teams try-outs. We get to catch up with lots of people we really like.
Be back later, cheers, Cate

Hi to anyone reading my diary. I hope everyone has a really good weekend. This week has been an up & down week but mainly up. I think birthdays at any age make you reassess where you are & where you want to go. It's quite normal. i feel a bit more settled now and I'm going ok. It looks like my LH is a strong chance to be asked to apply for a full-time job where he is already working which would mean more security but also more hours for a while. It would be doing the same job which he likes & he would then get annual leave, sick pay etc but still get penalty rates for w/e work. We will know more in about a month. I think I still want to get a part-time job but want to only work during the day so that we will have evenings together always. I'm going to start looking harder for a job. I must tell myself that I'm not too old as I'm not. I plan on being alive for another 30 years +!
OK- I'm just rabbiting on about nothing so will say goodnight, probably until Sunday night, depending on what time we get home tomorrow night. Cheers Cate

Hi Cate!

I hope you have a lovely weekend!!!

Lotsa luv,
Luvbug
xxx

Hey Cate

Thanks for your reply! Glad to see that everything in the re-feeding stage is going well! What an accomplishment to not be scared of food anymore yay

I am on day three of the re-start so am feeling much better just a bit hungry still. I know that this will soon pass and I will be getting slim again woo hoo.

Hope you enjoyed your birthday even though some people forgot

If you manage to find anything out about the UK crackers that would be great! My consultant sent me a guide as to how many grams of crackers I can eat so at least I can work it out- it's just not as simple as grabbing a salada which are DELICIOUS!

Take care of yourself

xxnicole