size ten skirt!!!

Hey all,

tim and I have just had the most amazing meal - garlic bread, pasta and chocolate mousse!!! Was incredible having the first bit of chocolate pudding for four weeks...!

I went shopping today and bought my first ever skirt in a size ten! It is from monsoon and I thik their sizes are a bit bigger but anyway, is kind of a nice feeling!

here's me and tim tonight posing for the camera - mum do you recognise the skirt????

hello

Hi,

back up to 9 stone 12lbs again yesterday and today. It is so bloomin hard to loose weight but just one BBQ can put it all back on again so quickly! Not fair!!

I went for my first jog at half 6 in the morning today! Was instead of my tae bo and was actually quite refreshing! I will try to do it again tomorrow before my course. Am doing a social and emotional launch day tomorrow in leamington! Quite nice to have the day to do something totally different.

I have had a mad day today with mum phoning me stressing about her ball next week for Sam's work doo. So I ran to monsoon at lunchtime and had a lady running around the shop mixing and matching skirts and tops for me - she chose the most gorgeous top to match the skirt I found. Then we found a lovely necklace too. I hope you like it mum! I have sent it special delivery so you have to try it all on and take a photo for me to see???!!!

Anyway, no other gossip from me. Things all going swimmingly! chat soon, Gem x

More photos!

More photos!

My classroom!

Hi,

these are just a few snaps of my classroom. The kids in my class cannot wait to meet you sis - they think it's hilarious that there will be two miss payne's!!! Perhaps you can just pop in and if you want to stay and work with a group that would be ok too - whatever you and gareth want to do!

Things going really well here. I have joined my school's eco-prject (just got a grant for £5000!) so am getting involved indoing some outdoor sculptures made out of recycled materials and stuff! Should be fun to do!

Weight today is 9stone 11lbs! is the lightest I have been yet! Wickjed news but not sure if it willl last till tomorrow as Tim and I are going to enjoy a romantic meal of fajhitas and wine tonight! (A girl needs a break from eating healthily once in a while!)

My aim is now to be able to buy a size 12 pair of white linen trousers when I go to London on the 15th. That gives me two weeks to tone up and be able to fit size 12! Wish me luck!!! I know I can do it if I keep trying!!

Best scoot now but chat soon! gemma x

hey

Hey there,

no change in weight. Gets harder to shift the less there is! I still have a flublby-wubbly tummy and wish it could tone up like britney spears, just without having to do all the sit -ups! I hate exercise!!!

I did my tae bo this morning and yawned the whole way through it. Is so funny trying to motivate myself at half 6 when tim is in bed snoring his head off! (no actually he doesn't snore unless he's drunk!)

School was good today, being creative and made the most wicked seaside role play area - will take my camera in tomorrow and get some photos. It looks brilliant.

I also had three of my butterflies hatch out of their cocoons today!!! was amazing! we set two of them free and they flew off, then the other one didn't want to fly yet so he is waiting for his friends to hatch out!

well no more news from me, chat soon, gemma x

Fab weekend!

Me after Tim gave me a head massage! Was a too funny a photo opportunity to miss!

Hi,

have had the most lovely weekend with my friend helen, it was so so good to see her and catch up. I really do miss her loads and wish we lived close enough to meet up more often. We spent the day chatting about life, love, careers, friendships and so much more! Was brilliant to have someone so similar to talk through how we both feel, you can't beat a true friendhsip!

In the evening we had a BBQ with my friends from me last school. Was again brilliant to catch up with them altogether - has been too long!

Now I am putting off washing up by chatting to you so I suppose I should go and get it done and start my planning for this week...

weight 9stone 12lbs still! YEY!!

back again soon, gemma x

we made it into the local newspaper!!

Tim and I are famous - well tim is anyway! We got photographed at the Leamington Peace Fair last saturday. They miss quoted my name and am now going to be known by all my kiddies at school as Pippa Payne!! Bl***y idiots!

how local are we now being in the leamington courier!!!???!!!

Hugs, gemma x

tall helen is coming to stay!!

Hi,

diet going so well! I am very proud of myself, in the staff room today there were three rather large cream cakes - the ones from Marks and Spencers full of cream, toffee, caramel and choclate... I resisted and didn't even have a nibble!!!! My weight yesterday and this morning... wait for it .... 9stone 12lbs!!!!!!!!!!!!!

I am so inspired to keep going till I get to my target then I will be so happy and proud of myself in my bikini on the beach. I am going to london in a few weekends time and would love to buy a new pair of jeans or linen trousers (hopefully will be a size 12 by then if I keep on track!!!!)

This weekend my friend tall helen is coming to visit. I realy am so excited, I need a big chat with her. She never fails to make me feel happier when I am around her. She is so honest and can pull me up when I am feeling down (which has been all week). Tim has been amazing at listening to me and talking through my feelings, but there is only so much oestrogen he can take and I think I need a girly friend to talk to.

Ant is flying tonight - if you're reading this before you fly then I hope it is ok try not to be scared, enjoy the in flight movies! (gareth will look after you) if you're reading this once you have landed then WOOOOHHOOOOOOO! ENGLAND BABY YEAH!!!!!!! (joey quote!!)

Huge hugs to all who is reading this!

Gemma x

my sister is on her way...!!!!!

Hello,

diet going very well (exactly 10 stone now!!). school this week has been good. Got all reports done and up to date with my school planning, evaluations and assessments. We also had a meeting to sort out classes for next year and I have the most wonderful group of children next year!!! big smiles!!!!
I also have a date for my (informal) interview for this TLR position. My head said that no-one else has come forward so it is an informal chat about my vision for next year but has to be made to look formal with a governor and himself for obvious reasons. The only problem is that it is on the day my sister ant arrives to me in leamington. Her and gareth will just have to amuse themselvs for an hour or so until I can escape from school to drink the night away!!!

I am looking forward to seeing her! will be fun to catch up and see if she has changed (you had better not be skinnier than me ant!!! joking!!!)

well best scoot, big brother on in a minute, gemma x

wohooo!!!!

I HAVE FINISHED MY REPORTS!!!!!

WOHOOOOOO!!!!!

YEY!!!!

SUMMER IS COMING!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

almost finished my reports!!! yey!!!

Hi,

I have wokred my ass off yesterday to get my reports finished. I was still editing them at 10pm last night! I now only have 10 left to edit and I am completely finished. Then all I have to do is print them out and give to Ben to check! WOHOO!!!!

I weighed my self this morning and was back up to 10 stone 1. Which I am still very happy about. I know i shouldn't weigh myself every day but I bought some new scales and I just can't help myself!!!

I have done my tae bo yesterday and today! I can't wait till I can swim off a few calories in Guernsey too! I swear the day I land in guernsey I am dragging the girls to L'ancrese for my first swim of the year!!! I really am very excited!! So if you're reading this anna, kate and helen - you had better be ready for some very cold water!!!

And I can't believe how quick time goes as Ant and Gareth are flying over on Friday! I am very envious their summr hols starts this early and they don't go back school till we do too - they just get an extra month and a half hols!!! Tim and I really should consider living somewhere like that - then tim will just have to become a teacher too to enjoy the holidays!

I now have a webcam too for my skype. It is amazing. I was chatting to ant yesterday and the connection is incredible. To think she is a million miles away in mexico and I am watching her chat away to me and she can see me - FOR FREE!!!!

If you're reading this and don't have skype yet then get it! It really is fantastic!!! Mum, ant and I have three chats all the time with not much delay! I love it!!

Well no more news from me, chat soon, hugs, gemma x

more photos

for some reason these wouldn't fit on the last post!

Laura's hen doo in Guernsey

I know Laura's wedding has now come and gone, but I have only just got her Guernsey hen doo photos up on the computer to now share.

They really capture the mood on the holiday, I have so many more but would just take far too long to download them all. We had such a wonderful time, it is so strange to think it was the first time I had met Tania (laura's friend) and Helen (laura's sister). We all just clicked and had such a fun time.

They absolutely loved Guernsey and Herm! And as you can see from these photos who wouldn't love it! It is an incredible place with beautiful places to visit....

we went to Herm, walked round the pine forest and up to Jerbourg point, along l'ancrese, down to moulin huet, around my little area in Bordeaux, to the little chapel, the dehus dolmen, town and much more! Was so much fun.

Tim and I, just from looking at these pictures, are now even more excited aboyt our summer! I wish I could bring all my friends over again, and next time Beth you have to come too!!!!

HUgs to you all, gemma x

I am now dreaming about reports....

Hi,

it's another sunny saturday!! This gorgeous weather had better carry on into July and August!

I am busy writing reports... or at least finding excuses such as doing this blogspot so I don't have to write reports...

I know I will be so much happier when they are finished and I can hand them in but it is so hard to motivate myself on such a lovely day. I feel like I should be outside enjoying the sunshine while it lasts!

I have done my tae bo four times now this week! I still can't feel a difference yet but the scales are still being very kind to me. They said 9 stone 13lbs today - I showed tim to check I wasn't dreaming! Not sure if that will last as I munched on another mars bar yesterday and tim cooked the most delicious lasagne! (he does look after me!). I will keep trying!

Well best scoot to do yet more bl***y reports! I will be dreaming again of writing things like "Sarah is working at a level in line with the national expectations for a child of her age..." and "She is a cheerful member of the class and I wish her the best of luck in Year 2"... blah blah blah...!

Chat soon, enjoy the sunshine where ever in the world you may be!

Gemma x

loosing weight is the hardest thing in the world!

Hi,

have had a tough week with lots of courses and reports to write up. Been a little moody but tim has looked after me and made me fel better. And my phone call to my mum this morning also helped to rationalise my thoughts and feelings!

My eczma is crazily itchy at the moment which is annoying too, however, i weighed myself this morning and it said I was 10 stone 2lbs!!! I am so pleased but not sure how it happened, I feel like I have been constantly munching these past few days. I have done my tae bo video a lot before school would you believe!?!

It has now inspried me to keep trying to loose a little more weight but am finding it very hard to do, especially at this time of the day when it is hot and sunny and I have the four o'clock munchies!

I did make the mistake of trying on a skirt from two years ago and it depressed me that I couldn't even do up the zip... I know I have to keep telling myself that I am gorgeous and don't need to loose weight. Then if I do loose weight it's a bonus but if not I can at least try to accept my body for what it is. That's hard though isn't it...

Well keep sending me your good luck vibes on this weight loss thing... I really do need constant motivation!

Chat soon, Gemma x

Another sunny day!

Hi, we had a lovely time at our BBQ, lots of people from work came and my friend Beth came too from my old school last year. Was so good to catch up with her! Richard, Beth's husband is an amazing illustrator and I added his blogspot to my links if you want to have a look at his work - hope you don't mind Richard?

My burgers went down very well too and here's the recipe Beth...

1 courgette, 2 slices of bread and garlic - wizz up in food processor then use hands and squidge it all together with packet of minced beef. Make burger shapes and there you have it... easy peasy!

Tim even got a cuddle with baby Joey, my friend Jill from work who is on maternity leave at the moment - it's her 6 week old baby! So so cute! Tim looks a little scared don't you think...?

Chat soion, gemma x

World cup woohoo!!

Hi,

I really am not a very football-y kind of girl but I am excited about the world cup just for the atmosphere of it all! Town is buzzing today!

I am also getting into the swing of it all but wearing a red top and white skirt!!

Having people round in a few hours for a BBQ, is a perfect day for it the sun is shining!! I should go tidy now...

I haven't lost anymore weight this week but also haven't gained any which is good. My aim is to loose another 2lbs by next week - will keep you posted! Wish me luck!

Hugs, Gemma x

Manic day!

Hi,

have had a manic day! We did a fit for learning day at school where the kiddies did lots of fun exercise stuff and got to eat loads of healthy foods. Was fun but really busy going off timetable and doing cooking with them, however the children get so much out of it that it makes it worthwhile! I have opened their eyes to some new foods they had never even tried before like cherries! apricots! oak cakes and bagels!

I also finally went to see my head teacher to ask about the management position at my school (I went forward for it but have been waiting to hear) and he said I have got it!!! So exciting and such a great step for me! I really will work my ass of next year to make sure he doesn't regret the decision! I can't wait to take on the challenge...

Diet going ok but still finding it hard when I am at school not to snack. Even if it's healthy food, I just feel like I am nibbling all day. I know it's habit and have to get out of it.

Today I have eaten -

B - bran flakes and skimmed milk
L - oatcakes and tomatoes, cereal and yoghurt, apple juice
Snack - cherries, apricots, cheese and onion roll (small sausage roll sized one) and rhubarb (grown in our school garden and cooked by our school cook for children to have a taster!)
D - chicken fajitas (home made)


Is this bad? good? I just don't know cause I only have Tim to compare to and he eats loads but never puts on weight. I need someone to support me and telling me it's ok or not ok????

well no more news from me. I am having work people round on saturday for a world cup BBQ and party! Tim is in london with his friend dave for a boys weekend. I hope it is sunny.

Chat soon, Gemma x

Summer is here...!

Hi,

loving the sunshine still, am a little burnt from yesterday! OOPS! Typical english girl...

I am having the best day ever today, Tim and I went through our summer hol dates and realised we could extend our summer hol in Guernsey by another week so now have 17 days on the beautiful beaches, having jacuzzis and eating lots of delicious guernsey food! Mum and Sam have also said we might pop to france for a few days in the middle of our hol. Tim is now very excited about having some moules frites agian, I really got him into them last year and he's been waiting to be able to have them again all winter!

I am just so excited!!!!

I have spent this morning trying to calm myself down by washing my car. It really was digusting (not having my grandad about to clean it for me!) so needed a good scrub.

Claire came down from upstairs to keep me company and have a gossip. We can't believe half term is over. She only has 7 weeks left in Leamington as she has got a job back home in Essex. I will miss her - I wander who our new neighbours will be???

Well we are having another healthy BBQ tonight so chat soon, Gemma x

p.s Weight now - 10 stone 4lbs (thats a loss of 5lbs!!!!!) I am so pleased and motivated I am going to keep going and do my yoga right now!!!

Loving the BBQ's

Hi,

just had the most wonderful BBQ, the first one this year!! Hopefully there will be plenty more to come...

I thought mum might like the photos and there's even one for Grandy (me with the marshmallows!!)

chat soon, Gemma x

the crazy swan

I couldn't upload this one on my last blog for some strange reason but I just couldn't let you not see this crazy swan who was having a wash in the middle of the park surrounded by picknickers oblivious to the fact that he had none of his swan friends around...

Stratford!!

Hi,

diet still going brilliantly, I am not sticking exactly to the cabbage soup diet but am making good choices and eating less, the scales are still being my friend! The sun shine is also helping motivate me, I just keeo thinking of the summer and being on the beach!

Tim and I have just spent the day in Stratford and was wonderful! As the photos show it was bright sunshine the whole time and people everywhere. I know it is only down the road for us but I really feel like I am on holiday when I am in Stratford. We watched a comedy show in the middle of the park with two male comedians doing flame throwing tricks and acrobatics... get this... wearing only thongs!!! Was very surreal! They even picked on tim and I with some rude comment about tim pulling me last night! was bizarre but quite fun to watch!

Then we got a boat trip along the river Avon, was beautiful and very romantic! Tim rowed me the whole way and I sat there at the end of my boat like a lady of luxury! HEAVENLY!!!

WE ate lunch on the grass and now we've got back and bought loads of BBQ food and cider for tonight. I am going to make the burgers myself so I know what is going into them and not going to have buns. Cider isn't particularly a good choice but on the first day of our summer I think I deserve one!!!

Chat soon, gemma x

NO MORE SOUP...

These photos are of Tim's plants. He is so proud of himself as he grew them from seeds. Aren't they just gorgeous? It looked a bit ropey for a while when they were in their trays (a bit weedy) but they are really going mad now, I think they are enjoying the sunshine as much as I am! (Shame tim and I are allergic to pollen!)





Hi, I am suffering big stylee today. I am loving the sunshine so so much. Claire and I have spent the past half an hour on her deck chairs in our garden! Loving it!

However, my hayfever is starting to kick in which is just lovely...! So far today I have produced enough mucus to fill a swimming pool.

I am also rather hungry as the soup I am trying to eat for an entire week is just so unappealing... Today I am allowed as many as 8 bananas and as much skimmed milk as I like, along with my soup. It sucks and I just don't want anymore bananas but am still hungry. I am actually amazed I have lasted four days to be honest. I am so determined to get slimmer for the summer. I want to look sexy for Tim in my bikini! (Sorry mum, I meant pretty!)

Well not much else to say today, chat again tomorrow if I have time in my busy half term schedule of lying in the sun! BLISS! (I could so be a stay at home house wife!)

bye, Gemma x