A quiet morning

...in which I consider the week gone past

I don't have much to do this morning (at least until later when we will be heading out to the local park where a brass band is playing that we are taking A's mother to see), so I thought I'd post about the last week.

Saira and G's wedding last Sunday (how can it have been a week already?!) was a huge high point for us. We do not often get to go out as a couple with just the 2 of us, let alone to meet up with lots of people (some of whom we knew, some of whom we met at the wedding - Saira and G did a great job of grouping people up for the Wedding Breakfast, so we were on a table with people that we either knew or that they thought we'd get along with, and we did).

A (my wife, for those not keeping up) looked utterly, utterly stunning. She does not usually bother with beauty treatments or even make up (she doesn't really need it as she's naturally pretty anyway), but she had her hair done in the morning and a spray tan a couple of days before, which really suited her; she had fairly minimal make up applied by the lady that did her hair and she looked beautiful.

Usually we are both stressed (because that's the default state for people with 2 or more kids) and in constant "alert" mode (parents will know what I mean..."what was that noise? Are the kids fighting? Is there an argument that's about to erupt into violence? Why is it so quiet?"), but that day was all about not being stressed; the kids were at friend's or family's houses (except the eldest, who was at home).

We didn't have to worry about being home since we had a room booked and we had just seen two good friends get married to each other, so right from the start of the day we were relaxed and just happy to be with each other (Saira commented on how great it was to see us just enjoying ourselves and each other's company - usually they only see us in the context of being at home with the kids (and they've been through that already so they know how stressful it is - apparently it does get better!)).

I think G and Saira's obvious happiness was infectious too; it was impossible to feel down when we could all see how happy they were to be with each other and their families. They are a lovely couple and if ever two people were right for each other it's them. Saira looked radiant in purple, and I think it's actually the first time I've ever seen G not in a black t-shirt with jeans; he scrubs up quite well really (he was also smiling a lot rather than scowling in concentration while playing the guitar, which is how we usually see each other ;)).

Anyway, the rest of the week....well, basically A and I have been on a high for most of the week, but of course sooner or later "real life" asserts itself. I have lots of work to do over the next couple of weeks before our break (which is a Good Thing, as work was starting to look a little sparse and therefore so was the business' bank account), and A has had to work all week.

On the slimming front, I have joined the local gym (we get it discounted via Slimming World and A. gets a month free as she introduced me); I've been a couple of times already, and actually enjoyed it far more than I thought I would.

I've also had virtually zero alcohol this week (about half a glass of wine that A had left, but it was very low alcohol stuff). I'm hoping to get my 3 and a half stone award tomorrow - lots of exercise has happened, along with the usual eating healthily. I've made a beef stew, diet cola chicken, Penne Ragu and chicken nuggets with wedges this week. These have mostly gone over pretty well, especially the beef stew (although I had to eat mine after the gym as I had to go to be inducted).