Happy Monday

Here's to a creative, fulfilling, happy and fun week to you all. Let's be creative, let's eat cakes, let's drink tea and above all. let's enjoy every day we have. It's all about gratitude.

Helen xx

Yay for Saturday

It's Saturday! Yay! Time to attend my best friend daughter's 6th birthday party, help Jim take the photo's and look after little Ollie. Cake, face painting, balloon modeling....not sure I'll have time to take the photo's ;o)

Happy Saturday to you all!

Ps.....wonder if Bear can squeeze his way out of the Penguins to come along?

And so the journey begins....

In two weeks I have lost 5 lbs.....4 lbs in the first week and a solitary 1 lb this week. I had hoped for two pounds this week but hey as long as I am losing then that is all that matters. I am pleased and already my clothes feel a little less tight.

This weekend I need to do some painting....I say need to as my soul is crying out for some creative time. I have opened my sketchbook again and started doodling as even if I can just do this it helps. In the meantime I will continue to cook healthy meals, stay positive and feel extremely grateful for everything and everyone I have in my life.

Hope you all have a lovely weekend!

Helen xx

Time for a change....

A younger, slimmer me!

I’m going through a bit of a change personally right now. I am dead happy with who I am and my life as a whole, although I do wish to change some aspects to it but that will be another post for another time. But generally, all is great. However, it’s my health that I need to address and how I feel about myself. I am overweight. And this does not make me happy, give me any sort of confidence in public situations and therefore I don’t feel good about myself. I don’t shy away from going out but when I do I am just really self conscious that I am not looking my best. I have been slimmer and healthier in the past and have to get back there again.

I have Rheumatoid Arthritis which can be painful at times and I know that being overweight isn’t helping the situation. I have some clothes in my wardrobe which I love but cannot fit into which is frustrating. And it ends up a vicious circle, I am not happy with my weight so I comfort eat, and the more I comfort eat the more weight I put on. Some of you may know where I am coming from.

So last week I did something about it. I signed up to Weight Watchers online and have started my healthy eating plan. I have my wedding this year and want to feel good about myself in my wedding dress. To be able to look back at the photo’s and not hate the roundness of my face, or the chubby arms and let’s not talk about the derriere!

I also want to make myself some dresses this year so I have another incentive – to make myself a dress like this one once I have slimmed down. Maybe take myself off to an evening dressmaking class and learn the right way of doing it.

I’m not sure if it’s because I’ve reached 40, but I am yearning for a new look. A change in hairstyle, whether it’s the colour or cut, change my wardrobe by buying some classic pieces and ones that I feel great in. And above all to feel healthy and fit. It can be done and I am lucky to have the support of my lovely Jim as he is also on a health and fitness quest (and is doing really well too!).

I know I am not the only person in the world to feel like this and I wanted to share this with you as this blog is not just about my art, but about me too.

Wish me luck!

A wonderful weekend!

I had an amazing time this weekend at Catherine and Pete's wedding. They chose the most beautiful location in the Lake District for their special day and it was a truly wonderful.

Catherine and Pete met on holiday 22 years ago and she moved from Scotland to 'down south' to be with him. They now live in Preston and are just a truly lovely couple. It seems weird that after 22 years they decided to tie the knot but I am so glad they did. You could see the love between them shining through and I had many a tear in my eye. After 22 years both sides of the families knew each other so well, so the whole wedding was just a real happy, relaxing day (well except for Pete's nerves). It was strange seeing Pete who is normally so laid back, looking nervous.
As a wedding present my lovely Jim took the photo's and I assisted. I hope we have done them proud! (all these photo’s are mine….Jim’s are much better!)

They are off for a few days in the Lakes and then travel to Northumbria and as a surprise Pete bought an old V12 Jag for their trip. Seeing Catherine's face was just the best!

I feel privileged to have been at their wedding and I have known them almost as long as they have known each other. They are a lovely, caring and giving couple who have hearts of gold and I am overjoyed they decided to marry. Who says holiday romances don't last!

(I love the way Pete is looking at her in this picture)