Blast From the Past - January

To further incorporate my 365 challenge I thought that I would take a selection of pictures from the past month to put everything into perspective. I have loved this project so far, but because it's a picture each day sometimes my mood can reflect my posts. Though I try so hard to say optimistic, bright and cheerful somedays a little bit of bad mood slips through. So I introduce a monthly overview, where we can look back and smile about the good times, feel proud of the achievements and hopefully create memories that will stick around for many years.

One of our New Years Resolutions for 2012 was to walk Millie everyday, and I'm very proud to say that so far so good. We've walked for at least 30 minutes each day, and because of very unsociable working hours, the majority of walks have been undertaken at 11pm. It really has been amazing. It's 30 minutes to 1 hour a day (sometimes longer) where Michael and I can just talk, laugh and basically spend quality time together. I never thought that I'd say this, but I know even more about Michael now, and I love him more that I could have ever imagined. And lets not forget poor Millie. She's loved every second.

We did have a few car troubles along the way, here and there, and though it's not the best, it's encouraged us to really watch our money. We've noticed how much money we waste each month on rubbish, and it come to the point where we just cannot do it anymore. I'm slightly addicted to saving now though.

I've become slightly more attached to my iphone this month, and even more so to Michael's. Tiny Tower has become a new friend, and Instagram has remained a good old friend, that's always there to make my pictures look pretty.

I've spent so much time with family this month, and I feel so lucky to have such amazing people around me. My parents have been there when times have gotten a little tough (mainly with the car) and supported us with time when they have little else to give. I've also enjoyed spending time with my Nanna, who with thanks to Millie we've seen a lot more of. I'm hoping to spend even more time with her in February, but for now I'll make do with the great times we've had.  

I've also found some amazing new skincare products, so expect a review on those very soon. So luxurious.

Finally we stuck to the no takeaway rule, and if I'm honest it's not been that difficult. Once we realised how much money we spent each month on fast food it got a hell of a lot easier. And thanks to walking Millie every day we've completed the working out more challenge also. 2012 is looking good, and I'm only optimistic about what's ahead. Isn't it funny how even numbers can work psychological wonders on the human mind, or is that just me? 

Katie

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365 Challenge Day 31 - 31/01/2012

Last Stop - The Flea Market



Today we de-fleaed the cat. He's just a flea machine. No matter how hard we try we just cannot seem to get rid of the buggers, and he's an indoor cat. I guess those are the perils of owning an animal, but we are nothing but determined. One day, one day.

I cannot believe that it's the last day of January. Tomorrow is where I begin to get confused with this challenge and forget the date. So far it's been super easy, but I see trouble ahead. Half of me is uterly shocked that I've managed to commit to this challenge and post a picture everyday, and the other part of me has loved every minute. Personally for me January has been a good month. Yes it's had it's ups and downs but over all I'd say that it's been a good start to the year. I'm very excited to see what February has in store for us, and hopefully it doesn't involve any more car trouble. 

Katie 

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365 Challenge Day 30 - 30/01/2012

Little Things to Brighten the Day

I noticed this cute little fella on one of the shelves at work. I'm not sure where he came from, or who he belongs to but he did make me smile. Now it's no secret that giraffes are my favourite animal, but what you may not know is that giraffes are also an inside joke between my husband and I, and it all started with my engagement ring. So now I guess you'll know why this made my day. Anything that reminds me of my husband brightens my day.

Katie

365 Challenge Day 29 - 29/01/2012

Don't Eat Me Eat Broccoli 

We took the Millie Monster on a mammoth walk today. If I'm honest we didn't intend on walking her so far, we just ended up doing a few errands along the way. And by errands, I mean errand, and by errand I mean, we failed because no-one was home so we'll have to try again tomorrow. But if we look on the bright side we walked almost 4 miles. I feel like I'm training for the apocalypse. 

When we got home we relaxed for a bit, then Mike had to get ready for band practice, and I sat being a lazy bum browsing blogger and youtube until he returned home. Nothing new there then. After the boy got back I made broccoli soup, and let me tell you... eeeeewwwww! You try something new and healthy and it ends up down the drain. Enough said. 

I hope you all had a lovely weekend and a nice relaxing Sunday.

I'm a little shocked that it's almost February, can anyone else believe it? 

Katie 

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365 Challenge Day 28 - 28/01/2012

Something Beginning With C

... cat. Our cat. Called Jake. Who should not be sat on the windowsill. But I challenge anyone to stop him. Plus if he enjoys watching the world go by then why should I spoil his fun?

Katie 

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365 Challenge Day 27 - 27/01/212

After an Exhaust-ing Day

I don't think that this picture needs further explanation, but for all those confused people out there, we're talking through a silencer of course. Oh I love my Dad. And what better way to spend a Friday evening? 

Katie

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365 Challenge Day 26 - 26/01/2012

Better Than School Dinners

A far from nutritionally balanced dinner, but still super yummy. I tried the new Dolmio PastaVita, and though it was not the best food choice it was rather tasty and very filling, and at only 333 calories per pot not too high in calories either. It does worry me about the amount of preservative used to keep this little pot going to have such a long expiry date, but come on, what was healthy about my lunch? haha. 

Katie 

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365 Challenge Day 25 - 25/01/2012

Organisation Crazy

I was forced to look at our finances due to our poorly car, and boy was I glad. It's about time too seen as one of my resolutions was to become more organised and up until now I haven't really looked into it. It turns out that giving up takeaways has saved us a fortune, and showed us the error of our ways. Typically each month we would eat our wages with nothing to show for it except for our fat bellies. Well 2012 has put a stop to all that and hopefully kick started a new respect for money. I'm super excited to save, and for once I'm looking forward to each pay day so I can see how much I can save rather than spend. My new flare for organisation has brought with it pretty coloured pens for each account and a pretty little diary, all of which I already had. Bonus.

Katie
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365 Challenge Day 24 - 24/01/2012

These Boots Are Made for Walking... But Not in the Rain

Home at last after a dreary, wet day. Both Michael and I had a day off work, and it was lovely to spend it together. It was a day full of errands, including doctors appointments, food shopping and trying to get our car fixed. We met up with my Mum on our travels and also took a trip to the library to pick up a few reads. I picked up a Sookie Stackhouse book that I am yet to read, and Dexter. Though it turns out that the Dexter book I chose is quite far along in the series so I cannot read it yet, which is a bit of a shame. 

We ended up at two garages in an attempt to fix our car (I feel like I need a name for her) after the first one quoted us £140 but said that he didn't really want to do it. Quite odd, and extremely poor customer service, but I guess that they don't deserve our hard earned cash. The second garage was slightly more expensive at £160 but at least they were polite. So it looks like it's going to be an expensive job. But on the plus side since our New Years Resolutions of eating better, which turned into a no takeaways rule we seem to have more money left at the end of each month, (though there hasn't even been one yet, but you know what I mean. haha) so we now have a little bit of emergency money... for once.

Now Millie's outside having a toilet break before bed, Michael's drifting off in front of the TV, and my boots are drying out under the radiator ready for our walk tomorrow. I'm really enjoying this photo challenge, and though some days can be difficult and slightly dull, I'm loving that it's turning into my online diary that will hopefully give me great memories in the future.

Katie 

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365 Challenge Day 23 - 23/01/2012

It's Best to be an Ostrich

Our little Gizmo. This over excited puppy loves nothing more to play fetch, and I'm more than willing to oblige especially when he looks like this. We had to be taxied around today by my Mum because of our poorly car, which is why we ended up seeing one of my favourite furry creatures. He even met me from work, bless him. 

From one puppy story to another, we found some shoes for Millie. They just require a bit of DIY and we're all set. And yes before you ask, they are very embarrassing, but if they prevent our Millie from getting glass in her feet then it's got to be worth it. 

Katie 

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Oh and if you're wondering about the ostrich, Mike and I were talking about life and I meant optimist. 

365 Challenge Day 22 - 22/01/2012

I See Trouble Ahead

I received a wonderful phone call from my husband about half a hour after I was expecting him to arrive home from work, informing me that our poor little vehicle had lost all will to live. He couldn't even make it over a hill, and stuck in the middle of nowhere I was his last hope. Well unfortunately I was of no use to him at all so I told him to call my parents who quickly rose to the challenge and picked me up for a long and boring wait. I put my culinary skills to use and made Michael a packed lunch complete with homemade sandwiches, crisp, and some fizzy pop that I quickly bought from the shop on the way. That was after I threw a little fit that Mike had taken the last of my change out of my purse, typical man. Tut tut.

We then sat and waited for the AA, (who are amazing by the way, they've got me out of quite a few pickles in my time, you may or not remember this one) who came to the rescue and towed us home. Mike had a mini lesson in how to be towed safely, and to say that I was slightly over excited to be towed was a bit of an understatement. I was over the moon. See you've got to make the best out of a bad situation, see the silver lining and all that jazz. 

Now we've got to wait until Tuesday when we can take our little run around to the garage to get her fixed. Hopefully it won't be too expensive, though I'm not counting on it. How was your Sunday? A little less eventful I hope. 

Katie

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P.S. We finally got home at midnight, and we still had to take Millie out for a walk. I'm not breaking my New Years Resolutions for no-one. We also had to drop off a photograph at my Nanna's, who stayed up for us. And let me tell you, she looks adorable in her dressing gown. I love my Nanna! 

365 Challenge Day 21 - 21/01/2012

Sock it to Me Millie

What a lovely Saturday. Don't get me wrong work was not amazing, but it was far from bad, and I only left 10 minutes late which was a record for me. haha. On the way home I stopped off at my Nanna's to drop of some photographs. I only intended staying for a bit, but ended up staying until I had to set of to meet Mike from work. I love going to my Nanna's, so much so that I never want to leave. I could sit and watching TV with her forever. 

After meeting Mike from work we attempted to take Millie for a walk, but noticed that her foot was still bleeding from her injury last night. After cleaning her up we decided to attempt dressing it with a clean sock. haha. It worked a treat, and I think that Millie secretly enjoyed wearing it. We ended up walking another two miles, and she didn't even limp once. I think she's finally on the mend.

Katie

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365 Challenge Day 20 - 20/01/2012

Feeling Deflated

Today I noticed that our front tyre was looking rather flat. At first I thought both Mike and I had been a little neglectful of our run around, and failed to pump up our tyres. That was until Michael went to fill them up, only to inform me that someone had stollen our dust cap. People, seriously. I can only assume that it was kids using it for their bikes, but come on. I do think it's quite amusing, but out of all the things to steal, our dust caps had to be one of them. Off to the car shop it is to pick up a handy pack of them to keep in my car at all times. We also had a mini contest on who could guess the actual PSI, I guessed 12, Mike guessed 14. I lost. It was 16. (it should be 32) haha. Who else plays mini guessing games? 

On a brighter note we walked Millie over two miles, but to bring it down to an almost depressing level again she managed to cut her paw on some broken glass. Around our area there is broken glass on almost every street corner, and it's so hard to avoid. It's getting to the point that my Mum and I have discussed getting/making Millie some doggy shoes to protect her delicate paws. I'm not 100% on the idea, but I've got to do something about it. How do you feel about doggy footwear? Both the practical type and the "fashion."

Katie 

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365 Challenge Day 19 - 19/01/2012

The Other Woman

After work I placed an order for a McMike Muffin, so we headed to Asda to pick up the all important ingredients where Mike got up close and personal with one on the mannequins. He's never been that happy with me. haha. I think I've got a slight bit of competition. By the way the McMike Muffin was amazing. Nom Nom.

Katie 

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365 Challenge Day 18 - 18/01/2012

Manic Wednesday?

Today started off pretty average, in fact quite enjoyable (I tried out my new face products and loved them) until I got in my car and headed off to work, only to be stuck in over an hours worth of unexpected traffic. Nightmare. Late for work.... again. Things brightened up when after work I finally had my hair cut. Yes, granted I did only have about an inch cut off, but it's such a relief to finally be free of my awful split ends. And finally the best, but most addictive part of my day... we picked up the new Rayman. Oh, what memories. I love this game. I'm not very good at it, which equals serious concentration face, but I still love it. Many fun (and wasted) hours ahead. 

Katie 

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365 Challenge Day 17 - 17/01/2012

Relaxing With Fairies

Another frosty and cold night, but we held by our promise and took our Millie out for a walk. We walked just over 2 miles which felt amazing, and managed to do it at a quicker speed than usual, getting home in a little over 40 minutes. Bonus. But what's the best thing about getting home after a late night walk? Changing into PJ's, light a candle, putting on a brew and relaxing with the fairy lights. Ahh bliss. 

Katie 

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365 Challenge Day 16 - 16/01/2012

Winter Wonderland

Today was a crisp, cold winters day, but because of my New Years Resolution of walking Millie every day, we ventured out. And I'm so glad that we did. Though it was cold, we wrapped up super warm and headed out to a not so local lake. It had been years since I'd been, in fact the last time was on Millie 13th week birthday - the first day she could actually go for a walk, and I've never seen anything so beautiful. The lake was half frozen over, the ducks were casually swimming around, 'ducking' and diving, and the frost covered the grass with a white crisp glaze. It makes my New Years Resolution well worth while, to know that instead of hiding away inside from the cold, we braved the weather and spectated nature at it's best. Most of all, Millie loved it. Though she has developed an awful habit of barking at young children, which we need to drill out of her pretty soon. I'm not sure where it's come from, and though I know that she would never hurt a soul, it's still heartbreaking to see such fear on a little child's face.

Not so much of a 'Blue Monday' for me. How did you spend the "most depressing day of the year?"

Katie

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P.S I don't know about you, but I feel the need to add speech bubbles with almost every picture off Millie. She just seems so full of attitude. Bless her. haha.

365 Challenge Day 15 - 15/01/2012

Sunday Shopping

Amongst other things Michael gave me a £20 gift card to spend in The Body Shop. Now I love the body shop but sometimes I get slightly overwhelmed with all the different items. Plus my options are dramatically limited due to my allergies to both Aloe Vera and Tea Tree. Why do companies put these ingredients in almost everything? Anyway I did manage to find a few items that I immediately fell in love with. Seaweed Skin Essentials Started Kit - £10 // Papaya Shower Gel - £2 // Warm Shimmer Cube Palette - £16. I am most especially looking forward to using the Seaweed kit, so I'll keep you updated on what I think. They also had a buy 1 get 50% off offer on selected ranges so I managed to get the starter kit for only £5. Though I do wish that I could have used my gift card online because of their amazing deals but you can't win 'em all.

No trip to town would be complete without popping into The Works. Their 3 books for £5 offer is irresistible and I never fail to walk out with something. As you can tell, I am partial to a bit of teen fiction.

After town we nipped to a local 2 for £10 restaurant where we proceeded to eat until it felt like our stomachs could explode. Very yummy, very cheap, but very filling. 

How was your Sunday? Lovely and relaxing, or busy, busy, busy? 

Katie 

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365 Challenge Day 14 - 14/01/2012

Movie Night

What better way to spend a Saturday evening than movie night in with the husband? We've had a LoveFilm subscription for a good few months now. Though the majority of times we are useless with it, keeping the same movie for weeks on end, but this time we received Inception which I have been super excited to watch. Que, pizza, popcorn and lots and lots of chocolate. And because of the takeaway ban all this was purchased from Asda for under £10. Bonus. 

Katie

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P.S Please ignore the awful iphone quality picture. Sometimes you've just gotta use what you've got. 

365 Challenge Day 13 - 13/01/2012

Water Fight

After a long and very cold walk with Millie we came home to find an empty water bowl. Upon filling it to quench a tired dogs thirst, Jake came out and took stand. Poor Millie had to wait patiently until our demanding cat had his turn first. In the end I had to pick Jake up so Millie could get a drink. And I know what your thinking. Why don't they just have a bowl each? Because they still share the same one. Animals.

Katie

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