With the Scottish summer again reverting to type (rain, hail and arctic gusts that cause involuntarily swearing as they sweep through you) there has been little to report these past few days. A familiar "work, exercise, sleep" procedure would adequately describe our weekday activities.
The re-established routine has included a return to the weights gym for me. Being a naturally skinny build (or "athletic" as I prefer to fabricate) I hadn't contemplated any great physical change in my appearance of late. However, a blithely throwaway statement from Carole ("I don't like runners builds, I prefer your natural build") when discussing the recent increase in my running drew me to the scales where I discovered a reasonably significant reduction in my weight. Time to eat more I guess.....
Alongside this, I've taken to the weights again, where I've sorely rediscovered the mantra "no pain no gain". As it's been some time since I last lifted weights my body has been completely unprepared for the two gym sessions I've undergone in the past few days. I'm aching! Still, at least my arms are now as big as Arnold Shwartzeneggers.........pinkie.
Carole has outdone me however, with three fitness classes and a walk up Bennachie (1733ft in height - see photo's above) in the days since my last blog. Furthermore her diet began last Monday which has left me a little perplexed as to where her energy has come from. She's stuck impressively resolutely to the diet and hasn't faltered. Long term it will be interesting to see if the diet contributes enough calories to maintain this present level of pace.
Being tempted by higher fat food is clearly preying on her mind, as this weekend has proven. On Saturday we took a morning trip to Aberdeen, mainly to visit an exhibition at the Art Gallery (www.aagm.co.uk). Luca proved considerably quiet, although not without "moments" as demonstrated below:-
However, we were forced to avoid the bi-monthly international food market and return home early both to remove temptation and to bring ourselves back to our diet food stocked house for our mid day meal. A disciplined Carole nibbled her small meal as Luca and I devoured our waffles, sausages and beans.
Luca and I departed again to shop shortly after ("I coming with you Daddy, I no have afternoon sleep"), returning primarily with the basic ingredients for a "Weight Watchers" chicken, tomato and couscous dinner. As support I agreed to cook and share this one of Carole's low fat dishes. How good was it? I've eaten worse, but very noticeably ate a five pack of giant oat cookies shortly afterwards to abate the grumbling in my unfulfilled stomach.
Carole didn't appear to hungry thankfully, although this may have been due partly to the particularly grisly horror movie we watched that evening, "Cabin Fever 2". The bit where the lead character removed his infected arm utilising an automated saw even dulled my appetite. Briefly.
Today saw Caroles walk up Bennachie, while Luca remained at home with me to "help". I washed my car while he "helped" by searching it thoroughly for chocolate. I then dug up the garden while he "helped" by picking out all the worms from the soil.
To be fair, he does attempt to help, but his strength and coordination still leave a little to be desired......
Bit like his Dad
PS - Just realised, today I washed the car, played with my son and did some gardening. Short of pulling on my stripey trousers and heading to the golf course it's unlikely my Sunday could have been any more suburban.....
One final note before I end this entry (as I can hear a maniacal over tired toddler laugh resonate through the house), Luca has obtained yet another injury. Unfortunately the source was familiar. I collected him from nursery on Wednesday with a huge lump adorning his forehead. The nursery's supervisor explained what had happened (he'd been cracked over his head with a wooden block) but of course legally couldn't tell me who the perpetrator was. She didn't need to. "Was it Max?" I enquired to Luca, who sheepishly replied "Yes, I cried and cried".
This isn't an isolated incident with this child (who is a year or so older than our short man and has caused a few scratches and bruises previously). I've known of him for a while, although have yet to see him - he gets collected early. Apparently he's mentally slow, hence the "incidents", although I will not accept this as an excuse for the genuine harm coming to my son. I made my feelings clearly known, that I will not accept what is continuing to occur. If this happens one more time I'll have absolutely no hesitation in ensuring he's excluded.
Am I overreacting? Please vote in the poll at the top, I'm curious to know.
**Useless fact of the day - Some believe that Bennachie's peak had religious significance to the Bronze Age people who inhabited this area. This theory is supported by the large number of standing stones in the surrounding area. The significance is believed to be connected to the profile of the hill, which is shaped like a female breast, which is reflected in the name "Mither Tap" (Mother Tap) and "Bennachie" (Beinn na Ciche)**
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