Right then..

Well the events of the week in & around our Cyberworld have been quite the rollercoaster haven't they?
So in keeping with my thought of my being thoroughly-- boring I'm posting something I promised our own Cherie! A recipe~!

Ohhhh yes...contain yourself! ~lol~

Now bear in mind this is NOT out of the EFL cookbook .. but it's ever so Yummy & it gets not only the kids but my darlin to have a way to eat a balanced protein & carb meal/snack without spending $$ on enough bars for everyone-- that sometimes don't agree with tummies later ( this for you my dear Cherie ;)
We've taken this stuff boating, hiking & yes Stef -- up to the mountains skiing!

So without futher ado..

Chocolate chip power banana bread!

2 cups multigrain flour
2 scoops protein powder (vanilla or choc work well)
2 tsp baking powder
3/4 tsp baking soda
1/4 tsp nutmeg


2 cups( 4-6) mashed bananas
1/2 cup brown sugar
1 tsp vanilla



Mix the wet ingredients together & let stand..Mix dry stuff together & then fold the wet into it... Add in a handful of choc chips ( some nuts too if you're really ambitious or want the extra benefits )

pour ..& I use the word lightly since this stuff will be pretty sticky into a breadpan coated with nonstick spray

bake at 325* for 50-55 min
cool & wrap right away with foil or Saran & then foil ..Stays moister this way

ENJOY! :D

Yippppeeee Skip & Yaaaahoo!

OK.. So this is the first time in a while that I've posted anything remotely to do exclusively with fitness .
Needless to say, I've been off my game & not really feelin the VIBE - so posting "I suck" wasn't really in my list of fun things to do! ~lol
BUT now ...OH baby I'm ON!!
Today has been a GREAT day wrapping up a GREAT week! :D

I once told some of you about a phrase in our house that has become a staple our in day to day.. Its YAY ME!! Or in some cases YAY YOU!- which I've often posted to ya :D
- it was coined by Steven when he was about 2 & he'd done something that he was rather proud of & while we were saying "good job"-- He got all excited & climbed up on his chair, raised his fist up high & shouted "YAY ME! "
It was great- such a totally uninhibited , "I'm happy moment " SO wonderful to see! & it's sad that as we age we learn to hide because it's not "good manners" to be so all about "ourselves"

The world really need more "YAY ME " moments... I think we'd all do much better!

So Today was My real YAY ME... Not only did I manage to go to a birthday party & eat NONE of the treats , chips & cake... But I made time this afternoon to get my cardio done in a day that was incredibly hectic & the topper was that in light of this latest Mini Challenge over at the Blends site ... I did my cardio mile in 39 seconds LESS !!!

So YES I'm a happy Girl to say the least... Feel free to borrow some of the VIBE I've got LOTS !

having a Carole moment ...

So I had to share this... ;)

It has long been contended that there are male jokes and there are
female jokes, and there are unisex jokes.
Here is a joke I consider a true female joke.
I offer it to you in the hopes that women will love it and men will pass it along to a woman who will love it.


A woman was sitting at a bar enjoying an after work cocktail with
her girlfriends when an exceptionally tall, handsome, extremely sexy,
middle-aged man entered. He was so striking that the woman could not
take her eyes off him.



The young-at-heart man noticed her overly attentive stare and walked
directly toward her. (As all men will.) Before she could offer her
apologies for staring so rudely, he leaned over and whispered to
her,

"I'll do anything, absolutely anything, that you want me to do, no
matter how kinky, for $20.00.....on one condition."



Flabbergasted, the woman asked what the condition was. The man
replied, "You have to tell me what you want me to do in just three
words."


The woman considered his proposition for a moment, and then slowly
removed a $20 bill from her purse, which she pressed into the man's
hand along with her address. She looked deeply into his eyes, and

slowly and meaningfully said....

"Clean my house."

OK time for something else..

Well that week is done & Auntie has come to visit...don't know if that makes things better or worse ~lol~ Guess I'll just look forward to when this is done & I get that week of reprieve where I feel all "thin & happy"

Haven't blogged much lately mostly bec life has been hectic getting kids back to school & all .
Well they're settling into school this week.. but I'm feeling a bit disjointed since these are my days of work in the eves & they're at their Dads... So I'm over to the school during the day- feeling like some kinda weirdo .

Anywho enough about me...
I wanted to share with you that I've been in touch with or am trying to get in touch with a few of the Blends that have gone MIA..

Rachel ( Miss Fit) I've emailed a few times & now have gone a step further & am trying to get ahold of her thru her work... so darlin, if you're reading this - we just wanna know you're OK..

don't make me come down there! ~lol~


Jim( Musclehead , StoneOak, or whatever you might know him as !) is really busy with work & was SUPPOSED to be up here to Vancouver this weekend for a work training session that got cancelled.
I've been quietly very excited about this for some time-- He's really become for all the world like the Big brother I never got -so I am dissapointed as Hell that I'm not getting to see him :(
but he's doing ok. :)


& Suzanne ( Moggie) I spent well a couple hours on the phone with yesterday by the time all was said & done . She's just come back up from visiting in Florida. Yes Patrick( Dub) is still down there doing/ being well Dub~ ~lol~ ... she is back up here now, & like me is goin thru the fun of getting Kids back to school.
There have been no real changes with her eyes so .. needless to say time on the computer is not a priority. she's just trying to figure out what & where the next step in her world will be & how to go about getting there.
We're hoping to get together some time soon..& I've decided even if I need to go kidnap her for coffee it's gonna happen . Then you guys can at least SEE that she's doin ok.

well there ya go... some mysteries solved & others hopefully soon to be.

I don't feel like being cheery...Dammit!

Ok.. well I'm not that bad really..but I've had the edges of a stupid hormonally related Migraine for the past few days..& yesterday I somehow managed to pinch something-probably my sciatic nerve by doing pretty much NOTHING!

I've done this sorta thing before I'm convinced that it has to do with my hip joints which we have family history of having problems with ..& more over it seems to happen from too much sitting which tells me that the 2hrs plus driving a day this past week end did me NO favors..( darlin hubby wanted to YES you guessed it -FISH & so I drove from where we were camped, into work every afternoon all weekend - I MUST love him! )
- then the past few days time spent trying to catch up on blogs .. well needless to say whatever the cause - it's annoying as He^%$!!

So yes- I am a rather Grumpy PMSing Girl to say the least.. GRRRRR... & since I'm suposed to be a HAPPY Cheery leader for my team over on the Forum...I've come here to vent! ~lol~

- someone sent me this & today.. it just fits my mindset PERFECTLY!

9 things that are Bloody Annoying..


1. People who point at their wrist while asking for the time.... I know where my watch is pal, where the hell is yours? Do I point at my crotch when I ask where the toilet is?



2 People who are willing to get off their ass to search the entire room for the T.V. remote because they refuse to walk to the T.V. and change the channel manually.



3 When people say "Oh you just want to have your cake and eat it too". Damn right! What good is cake if you can't eat it?



4 When people say "it's always the last place you look". Of course it is. Why the hell would you keep looking after you've found it? Do people do this? Who and where are they? Gonna have to Kick their asses!



5 When people say while watching a film "did you see that?". No Loser, I paid $12 to come to the cinema and stare at the damn floor.



6 People who ask "Can I ask you a question?".... Didn't really give me a choice there, did ya sunshine?

7. When something is 'new and improved!' Which is it? If it's new, then there has never been anything before it. If it's an improvement, then there must have been something before it, couldn't be new.



8 When people say "life is short". What the hell?? Life is the longest damn thing anyone ever does!! What can you do that's longer?



9 When you are waiting for the bus and someone asks "Has the bus come yet?". If the bus came would I be standing here, dumbass?


Hope they make you laugh-- It helped me a bit ~ :P

& more pics...are you bored of them yet? :

I wouldn't be suprised ! ~lol~
We've been so flippin busy lately it's stupid! But now our friends wedding is done... I think I finally can settle down into a quiet routine... Well at least until kids go back to school on Sept 7th..


I'm enjoying being back at the gym more than I thought I would .. I guess I know I NEED to be workin out otherwise my self image & mood starts to go down the tubes! & this Mini challenge has been the BEST thing I could have done to start back - So Yay for that !

... Funny I can tell I'm spending any spare time I might have - over at the Forum... I just went to look for a "smilie" to put in this! :P

Akkkk ....THANKS Jess! ~lol~

Home again, Home again..

Sadly enough this time for good. Holiday time for me is DONE .. we got back on Mon am just in time for me to get ready for work at 3pm!

YIIIKES !

Sooo YES as you can see..we've had a good few weeks of fun & sun ...First upcountry to the rivers then over to Vancouver Island to the ocean..yea I know I'm looking more than a bit like I'm a Summer Girl..
Geees standing next to girlfriend who we went to see for her B-day umm it's hard to figure which of us looks MORE native !
not to mention that I've partaken of more than my share of summer treats & libations... unless I wanna take to wearing A Mumuu... Gonna have to say -
Yep time to get back at things SERIOUSLY ..Ulllp
So on that note -I've thrown myself headlong into thing by somehow volunteering to captain our team for the Blends Mini challenge .. I don't know what I'm really expected to do..but if nothing else it'll keep me on track & from slinking off into the sunset when the going gets tough !
Here's a few pics of the goings on over the past week or 2...
& yes we DO do things besides fish ...really! ~LOL~

Gone again!

Off for another jaunt...take care all!

Back for the momment..

Well we're back home for a few days... WOW- LOTS to catch up on I see!... the "events" around Blogland & Tracker..& the NEW forum set up by our own wonderful JESS!

I still haven't had a chance to look into blogs yet.. I've been doing a nonstop laundry & catching up with gardening has been an adventure! So in the mean time Here 's a few pics of our week..

the first pic was our last night.. Hmmm yes -a very relaxed pair we are... ;)


I have to say- I do LOVE being up there.. once you realize there is nothing you really have to do.. it's great!!.. the biggest decision to make is whether it's gonna be a bathing suit & a wrap kinda day..or throw on a sundress!

Hair & makeup are total NON issue since you're in & out of the water all day.

& YES -Sqishheeees are very much a Tradition at "The Cabin"..& have been apparently for over 30 yrs now! ;)


the next is of Jamie & Jess finally taking a break the day we went tubing... those things are FUN...& a workout to stay on..like Lat pulls from Hell! - akkkk ~lol~

& then there is the cute one of Steven & Kennedy - Jamie's "brother" - Uncle Tom's little one.. She thinks "Steben" is the greatest thing since sliced bread & will follow him anywhere!

the last one is of Steven with a Kokanee he caught..a Kokanee if you don't know is a land locked Sockey salmon so they're protected as they aren't that common ...so needless to say this little guy went Back :D

LOTS more got taken with Uncle Tom's camera but it's a REAL film one so I have no idea how I'd get them on here! :P

I'll check in with ya'll as I can in between chores!

Have a great week..!

Hope you all stay, or find your way to being well this week :) ... We're off for the cabin-- as soon as it cools down enough to drive !

The summer is slippin by!

Wow how did it get to be the middle of July already?? Akkkk... Time is going by too fast!
The only Good thing is that it mean that after my next 3 days on ...I'm on HOLIDAYS for just over Three weeks! YAY!!! whooooo hoooo :)

First off-We'll be heading up to the cabin for a week.. Total back to nature living ( read- NO running water! ).. but right on the lake which is gorgeous & lots of fun for Jess & Steve ( & maybe a friend or 2 this yr - yep more fun!!
& because it's so dry up in the Okanagan there are are no nasty bugs to bite us, so Jamie & I sleep out on the deck under the stars ;)

after a few days back home here I think we'll be heading up to a camping weekend for my girlfriends 30th...Yea Stef I'm sure there will be MANY SQUISHEEES happening all over the place that weekend! ~lol~

& after that we may try to head over to Vancouver Island to see my Aunt & Uncle who the kids love to visit & hopefully get a day or so of ocean fishing in...

Yep- things to look forward to ...:)

Yep I'm a Rookie...~lol~

OK So this was my attempt to change the look of my blog...hmmmm ok so this did NOT work out the way it was supposed to...- It's missing all the pretty stuff around the edges...& the pic is WAY too big!...but it's time to go the gym...& then watch darlin daughter play her heart out at the end of her "quick start' band thing...

Anyone out there know how to make the whole thing fit... I'm up for HELP!!!!

Aaaaaaarrrrgggg!

No this is not me still in pirate mode! It's me more than just a bit pissed at things in my world right now.

For starters I managed to mess up my neck several days ago - probably having to do with restaining the whole front deck -
I'm a bit particular..OK ok.. A lot particular... So I was all scrunched up in bizarre positions to get into some of the areas ... To get it JUST right. End result it looks great...Me NOT so much!

I think I kinda sent the whole thing into spasm the other day trying to get a workout in that included overhead triceps...( yea ok call me stupid- I figured it was fine by then...ahhhh NO! )
So needless to say I've been living on Robacacets & visits to my Chiropractor & doing NOTHING except riding the bike to do cardio .Bleeaaaaaaaaa!!
Did I mention that when feeling depressed & pissed at your self ... It's much harder NOT to just say F' it & eat crap ? More arguements than ususual with myself about that to say the least!

Then the topper today --- My darlin husband's ex has reared her altogether nasty, spiteful ugly head again & where this latest intrusion into our life will go... I know not..

Anyone got a corner I can borrow to curl up in??

*sigh*

Guess what we went to see??

Yep... & it was GREAT!! Just walking up to the theatre to head in was fun with all the reactions & overheard comments -- SOO many people saying- "Awww, we shoulda done that!"
And you know me..Any excuse to play dress ups is fine by me :P
& this was well worth it!
Fun evening to say the least!

Party on the patio..

Finally have a sec to get these up & show you some of our celebration on the weekend.. Friends of ours took some as well but these I took before the rest of the gang showed up & I got too sidetracked making Strawberry Margaritas & Pina coladas!! ( we had a total Red & White theme...Including the foods & drinks! )
& As you can see the girls got into their red jello just a bit too much! That's what I get for blinking for a second! akkk! ... All in all-- a fun time tho! :)

Happy Holiday Weekend All !!!

well it Friday night ..& I'm still doing prep work.. rumour has it that apparently we're having a Canada Day party here tomorrow~! ( that 'll learn us for telling anyone we got a new BBQ~ lol~ the weather is supposed to be hot & sunny so poolside is where we'll be ..
Hope you all have a wonderful Holiday JULY 1st or 4th which ever you celebrate!

And so it begins...

Here we are 10am on the first day of the kids summer break & Me determined NOT to lose my focus!! So far we've done a VERY interesting LBWO..
went up in the play room.. & put on Steven's Greenday CD... WHOOO HOOO talk about Energy!

Did DB squats ( called them "teacups" since we were pretending to be able to balance a tea cup on our leg at the bottom)
Then Plie squats.. Called them" ballerinas".. Well -for obvious reasons!
Next was stiff legdead lifts..Called them "good morning stretches" you shoulda heard Steven saying good moring to EVERYONE in the family with each raise.. ;)
Finally was some fun lunges.. I had the kids do them with arms straight out & we called them "Frankensteins" & we were giggling thru those!

So 3 sets of 15 or so..( we sometimes forgot where we were ~lol~)
& Now off for a bikeride in the sunshine! ...

Have a Great day all! :) I'm Back in my Happy place :)

I'm tired of looking at Me...

So enough with the pics already right?? ~lol

Have had a VERY busy weekend & then went back to work last night...Again on a dif ward..So no time for checking blogs..& during the day time there's too many inside chores to get done that I've neglected all weekend. ( the weather has been sunny & HOT so it was full on Yard work among other things! )
I am trying to balance my need for getting things done with my need for checking on you all!
Oh yea.. Did I mention that I feel "yucky' - throat is sore..One eye is weepy.. I'd like to chalk it up to allergies...but I don't think so..
Just run down I guess - Not near enough sleep.. I need someone to send me a bedtime reminder to GO to bed! ..Instead of staying up after work & reading.. & or eating crap!
Hmmm- & also think Auntie is on her way ...*sigh* or is that "Grrrrrrr"?? Yep grumpy , hot & tired- I'd say apathetic too..but I don't feel like it right now.. Yep- I need to snap out of this ..

hair is done..

Hello All! Well my hair is done... Took longer than I anticipated since he did a whole chit chat/ consult before we began.. but NO pics aren't up yet.. Had some issues trying to take & the upload them earlier ...So maybe my dear darling will do it if I walk him through it from here at work.. ;)

Then you all will have to tell me what you "honestly" think.. Not just what you think I might wanna hear.. But what you really think. -- I'm still not sure myself..

EDIT..well here's one of my "self portraits" yea that was funny tryin to do ~lol although you can't really see just how dark most of it is now..I know it's supposed to lighten as the "demi-permanent" comes out ..but for now it's really dark! I guessI'll have to give in & let Jamie take some more pics tomorrow You get a better idea of just how much it looks darker I think when it's straight ---but we'll see if do that --( I really don't like to bug him about taking pics for me..make me feel all self concious)
Any who it's darker & shorter by several inches & now has these crazy gold streaks in it too... again .. I'm still not sure!

Now I've done it..

Well almost! ..~lol ~ I've finally bitten the bullet & have an appointment for tomorrow AM to have some one DO something with my hair! Those of you in Blendville that regularly go & get your hair cut or coloured or whatnot.. I envy you. I've had long hair for as long as I can remember & the last time I had someone professionally put colour or streaks in it was in ..ummmmm 2000~!
Yea pretty pathetic eh?? Part of that is that I've had all sorts of ups & downs with my world & have actually had periods of such extreme stress - that CHUNKS of my hair fell right out.

Scary to say the least..Finding the spots that I couldn't see were... well traumatic & horrible -I don't wish that upon anyone! Try having someone tell you that there is a huge bald patch at the back of your head...It isn't fun.. & since then I've had to really baby it to have those areas grow back in..

Now I've decided that everything is healthy enough to actually do something..& frankly I'm bored with my hair -not in a" OK cut it all off way" -- but I think I'm ready for SOMETHING different..
Any suggestions?
I've got till tomorrow Am to figure out what to tell him.. :P

Friday night..

Well it's Friday night & unlike MOST of you blends I'm NOT out having fun..or even at home having fun!.. in fact I'm stuck at work.. & on a different ward the past couple of nights soo I've been rather busy & haven't had any time to check in on you...let alone have anytime to tell you about my world.

.. This week I've been good about the gym.. & WAS good about eating up until last night... I seem to have fallen down the rabbit hole with Alice the past few days..I'm feeling like I'd like to run away & hide..sinking into a depressive funk..& want NO neeeeed to eat Chocolate... Akkkkkk ...

well that's about it for now..

Something mindless for a rainy Tuesday..

Well I'm just off to the gym.. ( yay me!) But wanted to say a quick-"Thanks "for all the Birthday wishes over the weekend & give you all something new & fresh to look at..

Feel free to change the names-- tell me which Mother's ( heck or Father's ) names YOU think should be substituted!! ( any of our dear blends might fit into Some of those spots some days ~lol ) :P

GROUP THERAPY . . . . . . .

A psychiatrist was conducting a group therapy session with four young
mothers and their small children. "You all have obsessions," he
observed.

To the first mother, Mary, he said, "You are obsessed with eating.
You've even named your daughter Candy."

He turned to the second Mom, Ann: "Your obsession is with money. Again,
it manifests itself in your child's name, Penny."

He turned to the third Mom, Joyce: "Your obsession is alcohol. This too
shows itself in your child's name, Brandy."

At this point, the fourth mother, Kathy, quietly got up, took her
little
boy by the hand and whispered, "Come on, Dick, we're leaving."

Things that make you go Hmmmm...

Well these past few eves at work with time on my hands due to our dropping pt count I've been doing a LOT of reading here on the 'puter. & let me tell you it' s been interesting to say the least.

I've had a chance to catch up on the latest Drama story unfolding over at Tracker... & even had a chance to play PM tag ( say Hi Jess! ~lol) I also got to read thru some of the threads around there & had to shake my head at the fact that as much as time goes by & things change in the "real" world...NOT too much does around there!
On that same note.. I wandered in on the "new" ...Ok..NOT so new R section that I had turned off ages ago when it was silly & frankly I wasn't gonna be opening that sorta stuff at work anywho...
Welllllll ...What a read!-- & I see where some of you have been spending your free time! ~lol

Gotta say ...If you know who the players are & the gist of how things are meant...it plays out like a very funny sitcom...full of one liners & sarcasm.
Mind you I'm not quite brave enough to jump into that pool just now.. I'm the first to admit I don't have the time or the wit to keep up!

On another front... I read today Deb's blog about the site meters... Talk about a *Twilight Zone* moment.... It's VERY strange she should blog about it since I've recently put one in & the things it has shown me in the past few weeks are rather well.... Enlightening to say the least! ..Enough that I felt the need to write about it.
It's neat to see that some of you visit even if you're not up to commenting ... or maybe I'm just being boring! ~lol
But I also have found that it shows exactly where from & who is visiting my Blog -
very interesting ... Yea things that make you go Hmmmm for sure!

Ah well -as I've said before I must be part cat - I'm just naturally curious & "I don't wanna miss a thing!..."

So for me this eve it's back to Tracker lurking & or Blog cruising... choices, choices...
& you...Whoever you are .. Enjoy---.Whatever your reading pleasure! --- But ya know- saying Hi is allowed too! ;)

Hey..blogger's working..

Silly Blogger has been acting up the past few days... I took it as a sign from the Gods that I had "nothing" worth reading or something... ~lol
So now it's Thurs & I'm back to work... Things at home have been crazy busy with kids...

Is June insane in everyone else's world too??

We had a bit of a scary event the other day...Jess cut herself with a recently sharpened boning knife while trying to make her & her brother bagels for breakfast...
I came downstairs to her sitting on the window seat holding her hand in a napkin.. She'd had the presence of mind to wash it & them was sitting bec some months back her best friend has almost passed out when she saw the blood from a cut finger doing an apple . So full points for being smart there.
I took a look at it & from the shape & direction of the cut I didn't want to muck with it too much cause it looked DEEP...
Jess said it didn't hurt too much so two sturdy elastoplasts later there was no bleeding & I took her to school hoping I was wrong & that it would be fine & not need stitches...

..Well Lunchtime came & so did the phone call dragging Mommy out of the grocery store & back to pick her up from school bec it had started bleeding againg & had bled through both thick bandages I had put on & 2 more that they had tried to put OVER those at the school.
Apparently she had listened very well to me saying "DON"T under any circumstances take these off today.." ~lol
I was hoping that the pressure of them would be enough to hold things long enough for the body to start healing.

So off to the clinic where they had to put in 2 stitches.. She was SO brave & didn't even cry out when they were putting in the freezing .. Even when he had to put it in both sides of the finger since there is a secondary nerve that crosses the fingertip..
My poor baby girl.. She just gripped my hand & looked up into my eyes ...
This was definitely one of those moments I wish I could just "take" it for her... Who knew Mommy would be the one shaking.. akkkk I'm such a wimp!

I don't know what I'm gonna do when she gets around to having babies... *sigh*

Monday, Monday..

So I'm pretending I'm Tom today & using song references..~lol~
Seriously tho ... it's Monday & I'm kinda glad of it.. that means back to the gym & routine.

I worked all weekend so that means I mostly stayed out of trouble eating wise ...but there DEFINITELY were some "free day' foods being stuffed in my face during the day while we were running around doing things!
Then Sat night I ended up "stopping by" the neighbours campfire after work ..& had a couple glasses of wine... & we all ended up staying up WAY too late.. just yacking.. funny how these impromtu get togethers end up being the most fun eh?
Mind you.. I think it's a BAD thing when we wandered back over here to continue yacking in the hot tub & I finally had to send the last of the gang home --cause the sun was comming up & the "birdies were chirping"!! ..I don't know how some people can just stay up FOREVER it seems!

*YAWN* yesterday was VERY long & getting thru my shift at work was a real adventure!
I can't stay up late like that any more...remember the days when we'd stay out late & then be ..Go GO Go all day??... Not anymore-I'm too old for this!

So back to the gym, proper sleep & clean eating for this girl! Into week 2 of consistently hitting things seriously!
Today was chest, back & shoulder...with a 50 min cardio on the bike after! ( gotta work off those damn cheeseburger calories ya know! ~lol~

Hope you all had a good weekend.. I'll check in on you later :)

PS... soooo looking forward to hearing how Bev & Jeremy's BIG day went.. I was thinking about them all weekend.. Let's allll bug poor Kim to show us Sooooon! Tee hee!

I've been tagged.. :)

so I've been tagged by our own Cheri
& after a serious amount of mucking around I figured out just HOW that name/link thing goes.. (yea still a Rookie I know! !lol~)

so with out further ado...

I am..still doing really well- had a great cardio day & pretty good on eating :D Feeling happy about myself despite TOM being here to visit - didn't even get much warning.. ( sorry Tom -not you- You are welcome anytime!)

I want.. to keep at things -especially with summer comming find a way to do this WITH kids off school & in the equation

I hate.. people that are deliberately mean or hurtful

I miss .. my kids so increadibly much sometimes when they aren't with me.

I fear.. not being able to 'save' them from being hurt or harmed in life.

I wonder.. how my world would be- had I made different choice at junctures in my life.

I regret.. the things I have done that have hurt others.. so many things I could have handled better or differently.

I am not ..yet the all person I want to be- but I'm working on it!

I dance.. anytime I can- I love it! & always have, with whomever askes me - I think that the asking takes real courage.

I sing.. along with the whatever is on radio as I drive the kids everywhere

I cry..both at happy things & sad.. I guess any overload of emotion really

I am not always.. good at leaving myself enough time to get places.

I make with my hands.. way too much good cooking & baking sometimes.. but it's how I "take care" of those I care about & a good stress release too.

I write..lots of notes to myself, lists & things on the calander..

I confuse.. myself sometimes ( yep Jim- me too)

I need.. to love & be loved.. fiercely, completely & unconditionally

I should.. finish this & head up to spend time with my dear Hubby.

I start.. about a hundred projects in my head on nights I can't get to sleep.. why isn't Home Depot open at 3AM anyways?? ~lol

I finish..Jamie's thoughts& sentances half the time- the other half he's finishing mine !
One day we should get more than one brain eh?


Ok done! & now I tag... hmmm lets see "my life twin" Jennifer & our own amazing Lori Something mindless & fun is just the thing for these girls right now I think...

Anyone else who hasn't done it.. feel free to Hop on the bus too!


G'night all & hope FRIDAY is a GOOD day for you all too! :D

Yay Wednesday!! Huh?

Ok.. So I'm a little whacked & being excited about Wednesday is weird I know!
But.. I've managed 3 whole days in a row of clean eating,lots of water..& really Great workouts! Looking forward to maybe SEEING some changes by the end of this week!~

I know that sounds pretty lame -comparatively.. But with everything that's been going on lately- that seems like a wonderful accomplishment~ lol
I am feeling WAY good , the sun is out & I actually learned something new today. I like days like that . What I learned is that I needed to correct my form to my own body mechanics on my hack squats to NOT hurt my knees
Again - not earth shattering but neat to learn something new :D I've been slogging along doing weights & such for so many years & even with all the info I've stuffed into my brain-it's interesting to revisit FORM & have the trainer really help me to focus on what I need to do for MY body. The stuff Janel was talking about going thru things with a trainer certainly came to mind!
Anywho I just wanted to say a quick HI & let you know I'm still hard at things & have lots of happy energy... Wanna borrow any?? LOL

hmmmmm guess I'll check in later & see how everyone is & send this wherever it's needed :D

Take care all :D

Ok on to something new already!

Ok I'm getting bored of looking at all my posts about everyone being sick- So I suspect you all might be too... mind you that is if you're not too busy having a FUN weekend, being that most of you below the border are on a HOLIDAY day! hope everyone had a good weekend regardless..

Ok enough about that already too~ Apparently I'm in a rather restless mood...

I don't know if it's that I've been housebound for what seems like forever -or that I've been stuck at work the past couple of eves when I'd MUCH rather be out doing something.. ANYTHING !

Or maybe it's just that I feel like I've been away from school -so to speak as far as the whole working out / eating well thing is concerned & part of me really feels miserable about the fact that I seem to have gotten NOTHING done in ages.. & I'm tired of hearing my own "excuses" & "reasons" & I NEED & WANT to do something serious about it.

For a start- today I hit the Gym & had a great workout & so far have eaten really well..
gee whooo hooo one day...ok enough with the Sarcasm...
but seriously- I really wanna STAY on track... & MAKE some real changes-instead of just watching everyone else make changes.. yea -You Jim..& Stef & Lori just to name the few I can think of that I've seen FABULOUS pics of in the past few days! Rotters- (Love YOU!) But talk about incentive & inspiration!

I do-I really wanna stay focused & get somewhere!

Will you guys help me do that?? ..please?

Exhausted...

This truly has been the week from hell.. First Me sick then Jess & Jamie... & of course my worst fear was that Steven would be next ..
So I postponed any birthday plans for him friends or family ( We always do his the week after the holiday weekend - where his b-day usually is.)

Today he was fine in the AM- so off we went for FUN day - not "Sports Day" - we don't do "competitive" any more now folks things are all "PC" now doncha know!~
Any who .. Got home at noon Jess had gone for the half day they have on Fridays as she felt ok..
Steven was still feeling good & Mommy feeling guilty for canceling all B-day plans took us down to Vancouver to Science World for a fun play afternoon. :D

Jamie was just coming to meet us there at 5 when it closed & we were gonna go for dinner when the boy announces "his tummy hurts"...AKKKKKKKKKKKKKKKKKKKKKKKKKKKKKK!

Yep ... Tried to head home .. Made it not even part way & had to pull over.. Pooor baby boy..back in the car with a bag.. ( not glamorous but works)
then raced the rest.. & Now at 1 AM he's finally sleeping on the couch & I'm hoping the worst is over,,, Gods I'm tired.
This Norwalk virus is horrible... I really hope none of you have to suffer through this...

I thought I'd take a break & come see how everyone's doin.. & I've decided rather quickly -I'm too exhausted to read or comment properly so I'm gonna go lie down.. I never did sleep the other day so my sleep quota for the week is NOT good.

Maybe tomorrow..
Take care all..

Be careful what you wish for..

Well in a warped sorta way I think I've brought this all on myself... Remember I was bemoaning the fact that Jamie was losing weight because He was sick with the flu??

Yea well that was a BAD idea! Monday was the Stat holiday for us up here & I was set to work it... Woke up feelin kinda iffy but thought it was just that I hadn't eaten since early the eve before... Well by Mid morn that was NOT the case! OH man I have never been that sick in all my life!! I'll spare you the details cause I know not everyone in like those of us in the medical profession & finds THAT sort of thing "interesting" ... or even mildly "funny" . Well at least in a very pathetic way looking back objectively after the fact! - I put off calling in sick until the last possible time..Since it WAS a Stat &that is GOOD $$ you know! ~lol.... Yea nice very quick phone call from the bathroom floor!! GOOD grief how ridiculous is that ?? Like I said...Funny AFTER the fact!

Any who so needless to say yesterday was pretty much a write off as well - spent eating gravol & working my way back up from water to Gatoraid to toast.. whoo hoo!

Today I actually felt pretty ok... So I hit the gym ..& haven't spent the whole day trying to "hold down" the couch! I actually got the house in some sort of order & a bit of laundry done- but I have yet to catch up on you all so I hope you're all well... Hopefully tomorrow ...

Gotta say- I'm glad we keep telling each other this fitness thing is FOR LIFE - cause at the rate things in my world keep getting off track-- It's gonna take me that long to ever get a solid 12 weeks in a row done again! ~LOL..
OH well ... I'm wandering along doing my new program "twist" & we'll see where I am come the end of June regardless..

But umm hey- I did lose wt this week... Just NOT a fun or recommended way to do it!

What a week..

Well my sis is gone .. That was a whirl wind adventure of getting her to the plane... Baby & all! & after that - I've had a kick ass week at the Gym & with awesome eating ...But I feel guiltily as He##... As my poor darling Jamie has had a horrible bout of the flu...ALL week it's been absolutely horrid... He's had a terrible time off it & still isn't well.. He's had unreal fevers & CAN"T eat ....I wish!! ~lol..
I was all psyched to take pics when I got home from the Gym yesterday.. I was feeling all happy & fit -- but I got home to my Jamie out trying to mow the back 40 as we call it... & he was SPACE cadet..!!
So I took over & proceeded to do work out there until I had to go get kids..& then with the kids ( that were out at noon) until we took them for a Treat LUNCH/Dinner at 4:00- after we were done~! SoOOOOO No pics...

& then today Steven turned 8.... My little baby boy is 8 ,,,, how did that happen???
Soooo needless to say I've eaten some Free day things!!!....uh oooops!
Any who ... Hope all are well ...
& we'll see if we can post something about pics or stats NEXT WEEK... I'll have at least been back at things more than a few days!!!

Geeeess how does life get like this?? :P

25 things you say?...

I never thought the process of reading about others & thinking about "telling" 25 things that make me ..Well- ME - could be so damn hard... I've found myself reaching back into my past & examining thing & thoughts & emotions that I generally like to keep safely "put away".. I've ran thru things in my head & then analyzed them to bits as to just how much I'm willing to share... So I guess that would have to be my number 1 eh?

1. I have always had a tendency to analyze things pretty much into oblivion...Ask me a simple question like "IS the sky Blue?" & I'll come back with a hundred questions about variables... Like at what time... from what vantage point, on a sunny day or cloudy... bla bla bla.. & all the while wondering- why are you asking me this?? Do you really want to know or are you trying to see if I do or don't know? Is my answer goin to affect how you think about me or are you trying to trick me into something by asking a simple question... Yea it's noisy & confusing in here sometimes..& I'm definitely NOT a linear thinker!

2.I think I learned this as a survival technique with a father who could be a Jeckle & Hyde - the most fun, outgoing person -telling us he loved us one minute & then the next flying into a horrible rage ... You learn to figure out how to keep the peace ask enough questions to find out what is going to keep someone happy.. & keep your self safe..

3.People who meet my mom say she is an amazing hostess , will make you whatever you wish, feed you , give you wonderful things to drink .. ect ..but that they can never really tell whether she "likes" them or not.. - to those that I trust I have said frankly - I, to this day don't know either..she's always been kinda distant..

4. One of my worst fears is that these characteristics of my parents are within me & that I will inflict them on my kids who I love more than life..

5.I have a sister who I am closer to than anyone...We have gone thru things together that no one else will understand.. but we also can drive each other crazy.. Badly-
we once had a fight in a walk-in closet that almost took out walls left us both with not so minor injuries & poor Jamie ( who had come to live with us)& who has never had siblings just shaking his head when he came home & found out it started over clothes! ( there were WAY deeper issues but that's what started it ~lol ) & to this day we joke about "going to the closet" if you have ever watched the Kratt Brothers or a show called Zaboomafoo you'll get it!

6. As a teenager I took what I though were my mothers "pain pills" because I sometimes got bad headaches ... I thought I went to sleep.. But someone apparently woke me & I apparently got up & tried to dye my hair black - with a shoe polish dabber!
I had also apparently told my younger sister & her friend they were good for headaches or whatever- & they who were already into experimenting with stuff ( I didn't know..) took them to school... with almost disastrous results - needless to say they got caught... & Horrible repercussions fomr my Dad.. Word to the wise- "Halcion" ( which is actually a bezodiazapine - sleeping pill can & will cause strange reactions- I don't advise ever taking it!!

7. I being the older sister still feel resposible for my sister .. She is Bi-polar & doing really amazing & well but I always have felt I should have done more thru the years to keep her 'safe' & 'well' - some times it is exhausting..

8. I have always described my sister as younger, thinner & prettier than me -I think there has always been some self image issues where she is concerned..

9. At times we have been told we look a like ..We once even convinced a group of guys that we were twins & were only 4 minutes apart - not 4 years!


10.I enjoyed school - in elementary school I was in a group of a half a dozen kids that kept getting put in an "enrichment program" - sorta set us apart for the "mainstream" kids early on... In junior high & senior high I became a chameleon & prided myself on being able to wander into any group _ but never felt I really belonged in any of them that they didn't really know who I was anyways..

11. Where I went to high school we neede a minimum of 13 courses/ credits to Graduate- I ended up taking 16 - yea weirdo! ~lol

12. I've always enjoyed acting & theater... I once got asked to fill in & play a part even tho the rest of the group had been together for months already- Me being me & "fitting in" where ever I fall- I ended up making some a amazing friends


13.I went to the WRONG lecture hall & class of a Physics course at University for half the term before I had to hand in a paper & found out - I realized WHY I'd been struggling SO hard - it was a second yr course !! I was SOOOO embarrassed I just dropped out of the class completely..

14.My parents told me for yrs I must have horse shoes up my Butt...looking back on some of the things I came thru unscathed.. I have to agree...I was alway pretty naive..I once saw a "boy" at a phone booth crying.. & I went & talked him out of hurting himself with the Knife he had & not going into the Bar & doing anything or saying anything to the Girlfriend he'd just been dumped by... No... I took him home
let him sleep over in my car ( gee silly parents didn';t want a strange man in the house) & then took him to the Bus stop to get back to his home which was in Hope almost 2hrs away... We stayed in contact for yrs after.. But how it might have gone.. I shudder to think..

15. Carrying on on this theme...I seem to have this knack for having people "open up & talk to me" even complete strangers.. & I was told by my ex that I collect "lost people" the way some collect "lost animals" - he thought that was a bad thing.. I should have clued in then we were too different.

16. I believe in ghosts, spirits whatever you call them & I have seen them more than once..
again my ex thought me even mentioning that sorta thing was "stupid & whacked"... More things I should have payed attention to..

17. I also believe in past lives... & NO I don't think I was Cleopatra!... But there are so many thing that I have seen, thought, or done --- that have no other explanation... I have for year been caught reaching down to "pull up my skirts" (as in Long long ones) as I go up stairs...& I don't know I'm doing it.. Jamie teases me - especially 'cause it looks VERY funny when I'm wearing shorts!


18.I think I married my ex because he was the first boy friend I'd had that my parents really liked... Not because he was"right" for me- yea still desperately trying to please them & do something they might be proud of..

19. When I finally left.. First no one could believe it.. ( that whole keep a good outer face thing I'd learned growing up-) & second- through a series of horrible events my parents got mad at ME & took his side completely .. I think that way my Dad didn't lose the "son he never had" - YES they are VERY alike!

20. That period in my life was the darkest ever- I didn't speak to my parents for months.. & that Christmas My ex took My children to My parents house to have dinner & spend time with MY whole extended family... & my sister & I were NOT invited.
I think a part of me died then..& grieved my parents as if they were dead- in a sense they were to me..

21. It was my Grandma -who I admire more than anyone in this world, who breached the distance & I began seeing my parents again.. If for no other reason for the kids. For me though the relationship is changed forever- I look on them as I would any other neighbor. -of course they can never admit any wrong doing or hurt they might have inflicted..& so again we don't talk about it & we keep up the outer face..

22.Jamie & I grew up in the on opposites sides of but none the less in same town & have been friends for yrs here at the hospital... & I always have been teased & amused because I'd always run to hug him when he came to my ward. It took a heartfelt talk where he shared the fact that his mother had just been diagnosed with Lou Gherigs ( basically a death sentance) & me sharing that I wasn't happy in my marriage & had decided to leave for us to talk about "what was really important in life" .. We realized we'd both had "feelings" about each other - but had always been to damn polite to push - DUH! More talks later we realized why we'd always felt "better" when we were together why I never wanted to break away from those hugs- we were the "other Half" of one another,that we'd been looking for & didn't think existed.

23.Being In love with him has been the most wonderful, challenging thing I've ever done- the Gods have extracted a pretty high price to be with my Soul mate - but it's worth it

24.His ex has on more than one occasion done truly horrific things..& even gone so far as to involve & hurt ALL the kids to the point that I wished her dead & now the kids don't even see each other... She is an angry, selfish woman & unfortunately unwell mentally.Thru some of these episodes I lost chunks of my hair & almost my sanity - but in the end thus far Jamie & I are still together, still ridiculously happy & carrying on with life..

25. Back to the beginning.. I once met a boy, he had beautiful dark hair & I remember the most amazing ice blue eye..I remember I had just gotten a swing set for my 5th birthday..& he was visiting a neighbor of mine
I remember mostly because he was the first boy to ever Kiss me ( guess he really liked the swing set! )
& Yes...It came out thru one of those many talk ..all those years ago..It was Jamie :D


OK that was Really too damn long... see why it took me days to write it???

Yea, maybe I shoulda just told you I pick my nose..- woulda been easier!! thk

What I've learned..

So I did go see the nutritionist/trainer on Friday as I said..& we're going to try a route of whole foods for a month & see how that works for my system combined with a a changed up workout routine that includes some cardio every day _ but Not HIIT( pretty much all on the recumbent bike until my stupid foot has a chance to heal up a bit better).
I guess I learned I need to listen to my body a little bit closer to find what will really work for Me.
At this point I'm willing to try something new since I've done BFL by the book & all sorts of other "programs" over the yrs never managing to see the results I want.
So we'll see how this works..

Then on the weekend I went camping with my daughters Guide group IN THE POURING RAIN!! & I learned that regardless of what list of supplies you send home -parents seem to send these kids VERY unprepared for bad weather. We knew it was going to be wet & cold!
Thank God I'm notorious for over packing- I spent yesterday morning gathering back toques, mitts, fleece pants & tops while trying to dimantle tents & tarps in the Pouring rain!


All in all it really was an enjoyable time - we had good group of girls & the leader who'd asked me to come with them is a friend of mine so we got along great-so the girls had 2 very likeminded leaders in charge of all our activities...
The other camp of girls ( we had to do it on 2 sites due to the number of girls) wellll ... The other group seemed ummm not to be running a smoothly & the leader over there a few times came wandering over saying she wanted to go Home! ~lol

I don't know if it is that Susan & I have the same parenting style or that we're both bossy nurses but we had no problems & even when we got absolutely soaked our girls were happy seemed to have learned lots & had a good time :D

The only down fall of the whole thing is that the cold I've been fighting off finally Got me... I'm sick... coughing up yuck & have no voice... guess I've learned that actually sleeping is necessary for health! ~lol

Ok, ok already.. tee hee..

About my world....

So yes I have been busy.. & blog filler is just NOT gonna do it... & those of you I talk to on Messenger.. Well I'm sorry - my days seem to have been filled up& I barely seem to have time to catch up on Blogs in the evening after everyone's in bed :P
This little guys is MOST of the reason... :D



He's awfully Cute but kinda time consuming... But I love him to absolute bits! :D & I've missed my sister so much while she's been away In Alberta ( the next Province over ) that I feel guilty every time I wanna go anywhere.. Especially the gym! I just feel bad leaving her & squawking boy - running off going Ta- ta.. I'm off to do something fun! ;P SOooo We've been getting to spend some "sister" time together :D Kinda nice ...


So workouts have been erratic this past week or so .. & eating over the weekend..welllll here's a few pics so you can see us all dressed up - I'm putting in the first one as a warning NOT to sit out with t-shirts on & NO sunscreen- YEP that's a lovely FARMER TAN I'm sportin'! akkkk!& the look on my face is saying to Jamie NO.. With YOU - YOU get in the pic- We have VERY few pics of the both of us! -- & Hanging with Stef made me realize that they are really nice to have :)

Ummmm Jamie & I kinda went out on Fri eve to a wine a seafood festival as some of you know ...It was FANTASTIC!!





yes you all might think I have a REAL thing about seafood.. Well I do love it ..But it's just funny that it's come up a few times in the past month or so! This was a fund raiser that we've gone to with my parents & friends & family for the past several yrs .... Very nice indeed - but VERY "free day"!

So lots going on needless to say...

On a Fitness note I'm kind excited..I have an appt today to see the nutritionalist/Trainer Girl at my gym & we're gonna see if there is anything else I can be doing or trying .. I'm always up for more input! & I'm having more & more trouble working AROUND my stupid foot injury -in fact I'm thinking of seeing about being fitted for orthotics as the whole foot is aching now... Damn I hate getting old! ~lol~

A little something..

I'm busy as all get out .. but wanted something new for you all to look at.. & this just struck me as rather.. interesting! curious to know how you all do!
My week is going well & as some of you know I've even managed to sneak off & get in some workouts! (YAY)

People Envy Your Compassion

You have a kind heart and an unusual empathy for all living creatures. You tend to absorb others' happiness and pain. People envy your compassion, and more importantly, the connections it helps you build. And compassionate as you are, you feel for them.

What Do People Envy About You?

And so the circle turns..

How quickly the focus can change... I don't know if I'm articulate enough to explain the profound way that fate has reminded me that life is a circle.. ( I think one day I'm gonna have to pay Karenna to ghost write my blogs to get the words out better ..)

Since friday - much has happened to change my focus.
My sister & my brand new nephew arrived here over the weekend & there is a real reminder that there is always a New life waiting in the wings, demanding attention & more than able to fill up the space in your heart ...& home!

My waking hours have been filled not with introspection & saddness for others...but a never-ending flurry of activity & noise- & a LOT of STUFF ( gees I forgot how much STUFF new babies need ~lol...)

& time.. they take up allllll your time - this from the woman who sorta didn't quite make it out the door to the gym this AM because spending time with a little person seems to have taken over my whole morning :) Not entirely a bad thing in the big picture I suppose..

So I'll make this quick ,as the boy is waking up from a brief nap... & we're maybe gonna head out for a walk in the sunshine... I'll just say thanks for all your thoughts...I'll have to catch up on your worlds a bit later..
Hope you're all well & continuing to enjoy the "good" momments that life brings

I am :D

Ok.. Big breath..

I'm gonna write this out .. Unfortunately it won't change a thing ..& really wonder if I'm just dragging everyone down into my funk by doing this.. I'm rarely one to write about to much of the 'serious" stuff in my world - because somewhere in my brain I have been taught to "keep those things to myself" that by blabbing about them I'm looking for "oh poor you" that is "selfish" or not "proper"..Great stuff the hard wiring from our upbringing eh?

Ok enough stalling- as I told Suze the other day on the phone when she had the misfortune to ask me "how things are" Do you really wanna know? For you in Blogland.. If not- wander off now - Go find something "cheery" to read!

In the past week in my world a series of things have happened.. One of the girls I work with who has a 5 yr old & has been trying since just told us a week ago that she's Pregnant... Well not anymore. I can't even imagine her pain...
The same day I learned that --I learned that one of the older ladies that works in our dietary ( you know those cute little bustling cheery round ladies) well I had seen her Wednesday serving out the dinner for our pts & apparently Thursday on her days off she had an aneurysm burst & by Friday she was gone.

then to top it off ... Some of you might remember me blogging about a friend of mine I call "Mother May " or "Auntie May".. She was diagnosed with Lung Cancer just mere months ago... Well I got a call from her son while I was at work Mon night & he told me she was in the Hospital & Not doing well- that they had to have her back in there just to manage her pain ; that they had found it was in her bones & they were checking to see if it had traveled to her brain.
So I called one of the other girls I work with & we set up plans to go in & see her
Wed AM.... Paul called me back Tues eve to say she had just died.
Yea just a bit much all at once....
I guess All I can say what has been expressed out here in Blogland by others in times like this.. Hugs your kids, your family & friends . & simply try to enjoy this precious gift we have of "life"

What to say..

Well it's been kinda a difficult week for me...some pretty heavy things goin on .. but I'm getting thru it.
That's why & posted the previous "joke" that my aunt had sent me... how very Ironic that I get told "I'm funny" & it's "my best post ever"..geees Am I really that boring the rest of the time ?
makes ya wonder...
any who here's this then... in keeping with Janel's video.. more people to watch dance! besides, it's on my Ipod & I like it

http://www.webratsmusic.com/" target=blank>
Pon De Replay

Add a video to your site Webratsmusic.com

A story we might all appreciate! .....Tee hee..

Dear Diary;

For my 40th Birthday this year, my husband (the dear) purchased a
week of personal training at the local gym for me.

Although I am still in great shape since my track and field days
some 25 years ago, I decided it would be a good idea to go ahead and
give it a try.

I called the gym and made my reservations with a personal trainer
named Damon, who identified himself as a 26-year-old aerobics
instructor and model for athletic clothing and swim wear. -(YUMM)

My husband seemed pleased with my enthusiasm to get started!

The gym encouraged me to keep a diary to chart my progress.


Monday;

Started my day at 6:00am. Tough to get out of bed, but found it was
well worth it when I arrived at the health club to find Damon
waiting for me.

He is something of a Greek god - with blond hair , seductive eyes
and a dazzling white smile. Woo Hoo!! Damon gave me a tour and
showed me the machines. He took my pulse after five minutes on
the treadmill and was alarmed that it was so fast, but I attribute
it to standing next to him in his gym top and bulging shorts.

I enjoyed watching the skillful way in which he conducted his
aerobics class after my workout today. Very inspiring. Damon was
encouraging as I did my sit-ups, although my gut was already aching
from holding it in the whole time he was around. This is going to be
a FANTASTIC week!!

Tuesday:

I drank a whole pot of coffee, but I finally made it out the door.
Damon made me lie on my back and push a heavy iron bar into
the air - then he put weights on it! My legs were a little wobbly on
the treadmill, but I made the full mile. Damon's rewarding smile made
it all worthwhile. I feel GREAT!! It's a whole new life for me.

Wednesday:

The only way I can brush my teeth is by lying the toothbrush on the
counter and moving my mouth back and forth over it. I believe I have
a hernia in both pectorals. Driving was OK as long as I didn't try
to steer or stop. I ran over the gym manager in the parking lot.
Damon was impatient with me, insisting that my screams bothered
other club members. His voice is a little too perky for this early
in the morning and when he scolds, he gets this nasally whine that
is VERY annoying. My chest hurt when I got on the treadmill, so
he put me on the stair monster. Why the hell would anyone invent a
machine to simulate an activity rendered obsolete by elevators?
Damon told me it would help me get in shape and enjoy life. He said
some other shit too.

Thursday:

Damon was waiting for me with his vampire-like teeth exposed as his
thin, cruel lips were pulled back in a full snarl. I couldn't help
being a half an hour late; it took me that long to tie my shoes.
Damon took me to work out with dumbbells. When he was not looking,
I ran and hid in the women's change room. He sent Cheryl to find me,
then, as punishment, put me on the rowing machine - which I sank.

Friday:

I hate that bastard Damon more than any human being has ever hated
any other human being in the history of the world. Stupid,
masochistic gym-jock. If there was a part of my body I could move
without unbearable pain, I would beat him with it. He wanted me to
work on my triceps. I don't have any triceps! And if you don't want
dents in the floor,don't hand me the *&%#(#&**!!@*@ barbells or anything
that weighs more than a sandwich. (Which I am sure you learned in the
sadist school you attended and graduated magna cum laude from.)The
treadmill flung me off and I landed on the nutrition advisor. Why
couldn't it have been someone big and soft, like an ice-cream salesman
or a fireman?

Saturday:

Damon left a message on my answering machine in his grating, whining
voice, wondering why I did not show up today. Just hearing him made
me want to smash the machine with my rolling pin. However, I lacked
the strength to even use the TV remote and ended up catching eleven
straight hours of the Weather Channel.

Sunday:

I'm having the Church van pick me up for services today so I can go
and thank GOD that this week is over. I will also pray that next
year my husband(the bastard) will choose a gift for me that is
fun -like a root canal or a pap smear!

No wonder!...

So I have the gall to "wonder" how I manage NOT to do well when we have nights like this!!!
Ok So this eve was a LITTLE over the top even for us! (lol~)-- friends of ours JUST got engaged & Jamie is going to be the best man . Not to mention that Daryll just found out that he's been accepted to the new job he applied for in a town that is 4-5 hours AWAY away from here & he starts NEXT week!!

So we kinda had a big "Congrats & going away Feast"....we all like to Cook so everyone was making SOMETHING ( thank God for having such a big kitchen! )..& we never did sit down -just ended up eating in waves...
Lets see ...
We had Lobster, Dungeoness Crab, King crab, prawns, shrimp, oysters, scallops...& wine we just bottled...OMG!!.. I wonder why we never got to the homemade Caesar salad!!

but I did make the cheese cake out of the EFL cook book!!!!
Bahahaha!! Oh yea - now THAT made it healthy Right??

Can I just title this - *yawn*?

This is gonna a be a fun day - I can tell already... I for some obscure reason I woke up at about 1:30 am & COULD NOT get back to sleep... I dunno maybe it was us going to bed earlier than usual & ummm well being VERY pleasantly exhausted when I did fall asleep at about 10:30-11:00 -- Tee hee ;P
Does this happen to anyone else that sometimes right after.. You fall asleep ...& then wake up a few hours later?? Or am I just weird?

Any who, after lying in bed staring at the ceiling I decide to get up & come down stairs...I started a loaf of bread , cleaned the whole big walk in pantry - mostly cause I got pissy about not being able to find ingredients for the damn bread & then proceeded to catch up on everyone's Blogs...Interesting to see the world of Blends Going UP & DOWN like a teeter totter...VERY nice to see there's more "GOOD" & UPS in people worlds happening right at this moment! :D
Yep this is what I'm doing at 3AM!! Oh yea & throw in snacking - now does that count as yesterday's last meal or today's first?? ~lol

So this morning I'm now staring at my handy bottle of Thermo- whatevers & trying to figure out just how many I'm gonna need to wake my sorry A$$ up enough to go Go GO to the gym!

Wish me luck..... :D

Weekends are dangerous..

Here it is Monday & I'm relieved.. Yea.... WHAT? You say...
Hmmmm well to explain -I'm more than just a little pissed at my self that I yet again let the whole weekend become a series of Free Day moments.
Someone please tell me WTH happens in my brain that says that eating well right up till dinner time means that everything after that is WHOO HOO PARTY time!?! I dunno!... I need to figure out the mental process that goes into this sorta thing if I ever really hope to see decent results- that is the absolute bottom line on this.

I know that this is a pattern I have when I have weekend days off.. Friday I can work-out, be totally ON with eating all day- but then if it's a day off.. Come the eve & we end up "socializing" which usually involves food & drink.. & If I'm off Sat too- well it's the same sorta equation! -Then the hard thing is then Sunday even when I go back to work- I can't seem to get out of the fog & be all gun ho about eating clean- I'd quite honestly hazard to guess that it's some sort of "food induced hangover!!!" cause often I don't really even drink that much if at all ( especially if I had drank the night before~lol) - just the damn rich food!

Now telling me to NOT be sociable isn't gonna work- I'm just not willing to give up everything all the time ..Jamie & I both enjoy cooking & entertaining too much & to be honest with my schedual- getting to relax & "kick back" with friends is an infrequent treat.

Sorry for blithering on about this ... I'm just trying so hard to stay focused & on track this "challenge" .. That feeling like I'm on that slippery slope to Apathy is actually scaring me... I really WANT to do well.. I WANT to really make some changes & look "different" - it's been too long since I've managed to really see anything remarkable ...

Gotta find a way to keep the "damage" to a minimum somehow! *sigh*

Missed YOU all..

Friday was a funny day in my world...our computer was offline for the WHOLE day ..& I realised how much I rely on being able to get on line, look up things or just catch up on the "goings on" in everyone's world - any time I want~ So I can't even imagine going away on an extended vaction-I'd MISS you all too much ~lol
Anywho had a great day...busy, busy since kids have a half day of Fridays & my workout time is shortened -No lollygaging for me! & then we had dentist appointments as well to fit into our timeline & shopping & baseball practice..& on & ON it goes _ oh yea somewhere in there I have to make dinner too!
So it was busy but not so busy that I didn't go find the scale at the gym...
I'm down to 137 :D Yay ME~ So it's nice to find that working at this has Happy resutls!~

Keep up the PMA gang~

Good day!....

Well gang, here we are into week 2 of the Bikini challenge & I'm feeling GOOOOD today! Even after a weekend of eating ...ummm, well ..ah ,bithday food LOL ( I think I had more Pizza over this weekend than I've had in months- simply 'cause it was quick, easy & well frankly portable!! ) I'm think &(HOPE) I'm gonna be down again on weight by the end of the week!

I'm attributing it to "trying" to do T's diet for most of last week & so far all of this one... ( I'm doing a few substitutions - but tracking things on FITDAY) TO be honest this is the first time since last Spring that I've REALLY honestly been eating this clean. Thru the fall & winter,even when I waws eating "good" I got into a habit of telling myself that a low fat chewy granola bar was a good carb choice.... or that whatever everyone else was eating was .."close enough". Not to metion that more often than not my Free day turned into a Free Weekend with WAY too much partaking! ;P ( damn you Stef for telling me just HOW many grams of sugar are in a Vodka Ice!! ~lol)

Anywho this week, I've had my momments where I've been HUNGRY as Jess said...not fun! & gotten pretty damn sick of seeing spinache & frikkin' brocoli at a few points...( shoulda heard me muttering under my breath around work LAST night! ) but doing this even just for the days I work .. I think is doing me good.. I have a feeling if I tried to do this 24/7 I'd turn into a bloody basket case ! I really don't know how Teresa or any one can do this day in & day out for days , weeks, even months on end!! ITS BORING!! bahaha!

Other than obsessing about FOOD I've had a pretty good week been really hitting things hard with my workouts --& really enjoying chatting with Karenna ,Christie,Deb, Lisa & Co in the mornings ( although I'm gonna have to put a time limit on that or do it AFTER I go to the gym - cause otherwise I'm running out of day somehow before I know it! Tee hee! )

I also spoke a couple times today to Suzanne, who I've been worrying about & she's doing ok - they're ruling all the Yucky things out & hopefully it will turn out to be something fairly straightforward to deal with .. but that's her story to tell when the time comes .. In the mean time I'm just glad our dear Blend is doin ok & am once again reminded just how thankful I myself am for all of you out there-- & all the support that we give & get from one another!


Happy Wedsday ALL

**BIG HUGS**

What did I do all Weekend you ask???

Well it was a whirlwind... being that my schedual always changes & I work 3 days on then 3 days off... weekends are a REAL premium! This weekend we had friends to see before they leave to work away for a YEAR .. a soccer windup party & FINALLY my darling Daughter's Birthday PARTIES...Yes 2...you have to have the family one too ya know!

Here's some pics from the girls party ... we made it a whole "Men IN Black" Theme party starting with invitations in manila envelopes with TOP SECRET on them & invitations that had to be read using a mirror ( ya shoulda seen me trying to write THAT ~lol) When the girls got to the house - Jamie & I, who were dressed head to toe in black with sunglasses on, welcomed them to "Headquarters" & handed them their OWN "uniform" a G.I.B. t- shirt Jess & I had made up with Hot pink lettering on the backs (Girls In Black instead of MEN)
We did pizza & watched the M.I.B. movie & them took them to the local Mall for their "Training Assignment" which was a series of tasks in the Mall..( finding & buying sunglasses at the dollar store .. finding Quotes in the GNC store ect... They also had to take polaroid pictures of anyone they thought MIGHT be a possible ALIEN... Tee hee Now that was Fun! -- & the stir it caused in the Mall was Hilarious! Yep- IT was a BLAST they all had such a great time.. it was well worth all the effort & insanity!

Well THAT was quite the day!

So I can honestly say .. it's been a busy day but a FANTATIC one!

Got up this am & started getting ready for the gym ..checked in on my Messengers..Yes I have 2 runnng right now which may yet cause my poor little dinosaur
of a computer to give up & Die!
- But hey for now it's worth it! I got to "talk" to Goddessa & Deb which was a great pep inducer!! WHHHOOO HOOO! GO Bikini Challenge Girls! :D
& so off to the gym I went for a WHACK of cardio ..Almost an hour including a HIIT in the middle just for fun! ( geees those make me wanna barf some times!!! - but it's a good barf feeling right? ~lol - because then I know that I'm doing it right & working real hard --right?? ;)

Then back home to find my Dad cutting down the last of the nasty blackbery brambles that are out the back of our yard ( YAY dad!!!) Managed to get some chicken in the oven while I chatted with him... all the while just wanting to climb into a HOT shower! *sigh* Oh well finally he left & after a now much too short shower it was pack up for work & off to the dentist!!!

Oh fun!!! :P NO really, actually it was kinda awesome..For starters- NO cavities Yay me! & second the CDA there is the wife of one of my kids teachers so we got to talking..( ok she talked - I mummbled ~lol~). good to catch up on all the the gossip! ( tee hee) & then the biggest treat was in our talking about my rushed day & how I came to show up with soaking we hair... She says "so I'm guessing with all the fitness stuff You're an instructor as well" ...

UMMMMM no!- just a nurse.. was my response.. to which she sorta shruged & said "Oh ... I just thought from talking to you before & all that you knew..& well You just LOOK like one"

Talk about making my day!!!

OH.. & did I mention that I'm back down to 138?? I weighed at the gym ... this Am - So I guess the "bloat" is leaving... another BIG YAY!
.. & now I'm at work eating chicken & "grass" as my co worker like to tease me when I'm eating LOTS of veggies...mostly raw!! lol

Yep HAPPPY girl today... :D

OK at the request of a few of you...

HOW TO SPEAK ABOUT MEN AND BE POLITICALLY CORRECT:

1. He does not have a "BEER GUT" - He has developed a "LIQUID GRAIN
STORAGE
FACILITY."

2. He is not a "BAD DANCER" - he is "OVERLY CAUCASIAN."

3. He does not "GET LOST ALL THE TIME" - He "INVESTIGATES ALTERNATIVE
DESTINATIONS."

4. He is not "BALDING" - He is in "FOLLICLE REGRESSION."

5. He is not a "CRADLE ROBBER" - He prefers "GENERATIONAL DIFFERENTIAL
RELATIONSHIPS."

6. He does not get "FALLING DOWN DRUNK" - He becomes "ACCIDENTALLY
HORIZONTAL."

7. He does not act like a "TOTAL ASS" - He develops a case of
"RECTAL-CRANIAL INVERSION."

8. He is not a "MALE CHAUVINIST PIG" - he has "SWINE EMPATHY."

9. He is not afraid of "COMMITMENT" - He is "RELATIONSHIP CHALLENGED."

10. He is not "HORNY" - He is "SEXUALLY FOCUSED."

11. Its not his "CRACK" you see hanging out of his pants - It's "REAR
CLEAVAGE."

My favourite is #7.

Some thoughts for the New week..

HOW TO SPEAK ABOUT WOMEN AND BE POLITICALLY CORRECT:

1. She is not a "BABE" or a "CHICK"- She is a "BREASTED AMERICAN."

2. She is not a "SCREAMER" or a "MOANER"- She is "VOCALLY APPRECIATIVE."

3. She is not "EASY" - She is "HORIZONTALLY ACCESSIBLE."

4. She is not a "DUMB BLONDE" - She is a "LIGHT-HAIRED DETOUR OFF THE
INFORMATION SUPERHIGHWAY."

5. She has not "BEEN AROUND" - She is a "PREVIOUSLY-ENJOYED COMPANION."

6. She is not an "AIRHEAD" - She is "REALITY IMPAIRED."

7. She does not get "DRUNK" or "TIPSY" - She gets "CHEMICALLY
INCONVENIENCED."

8. She does not have "BREAST IMPLANTS" - She is "MEDICALLY ENHANCED."

9. She does not "NAG" you - She becomes "VERBALLY REPETITIVE."

10. She is not a "TRAMP" - She is "SEXUALLY EXTROVERTED."

11. She does not have "MAJOR LEAGUE HOOTERS" - She is "PECTORALLY
SUPERIOR."

12. She is not a "TWO-BIT HOOKER" - She is a "LOW COST PROVIDER."


well there ya go hope you enjoy them as much as I did! :P

OK... Here ya go!

So Yes-FINALLY I got the pics from my Sister ( we took mostly with her camera & I've been waiting alllll week for her to send me some pics so I can show you!)& then I've spent 2 frikkin days trying to upload them- with NO luck!- they are in the wrong format( anyone know how to convert a "bitmap to a Jpeg?? ) Yea me neither! needless to say& I'm too dumb to know any better! yes I know it's a been a long wait but I had to wait for her first! I dunno she gave me some lame excuse about looking after a new baby & not having time to get on the computer! ~lol So with out any further ado presenting-- MY Nephew! these are a few that we took-- I still have to get the others.......

Leland was born on Jan 2nd making him just over 10 weeks now -wow where did the time go? hmmmmm - something about a Challenge comes to mind... ~lol~

Anways the trip was Great we really had a wonderful time... & I miss My sister like crazy already...*sigh* It is MUCH colder in Alberta than here in BC that's for sure! & It snowed LOTS while we were there- FUN for the kids but made me nervous that we'd have a hard time with the flights on the way home.. but we did fine :)
We even fit in a day to West Edmonton Mall..a really COOOL mall with everything from a huge Waterslide park to a Seal show & bumper boats to a movie theater with an amazing Huge animatronic dragon to an Amusement park INSIDE it! we spent the day there as it was the kids Chrsitmas pressie from Cindy & Billy to have a family pass there for the day! ( yea we WERE supposed to be out there for Christmas time 'memeber?? ) Oh well it was Very, Very neat if you ever get the chance to go there~!

Aaaaand again we're off !

Geees, it seems we don't do anything for months & months -- then all of a sudden we're not home for two seconds & we're gonna be gone again!

I guess part of it is that it's Spring Break up here & were feeling like everything has to be crammed into a very short time!
Soooooo I've spent the week doing laundry ,running around doing errands, cleaning the motorhome to give it back to my father-in law & doing stuff with the kids---PHEW--- ( we're just not going into how many workouts I missed- ok?! )

& Now we're going to bed to get up for a 6AM flight out to FINALLY see my sister & the new baby!!!! YAY!!!!!
So again... Have wonderful weekend...- we're not back till late Monday night..
I'll have LOTS more pics - but definitely NOT hot tubs ones!!! they'll be all of BABY!!
( sorry bout all the exclamation points every where...I'm a little wound up apparently! ~LOL~)

Weekends with friends, Blends & more!

Where do I start with all of this??
Well it's Monday morning & Jamie & I got back late last night from the most AMAZING weekend !

If meeting all you Blends can be this much fun -I vote we all get on this NOW!
I feel like I'm some sorta new convert...trying to explain how Wonderful a new way of life is & convince you all to TRY it! ~lol

I'll just give you the short version of this ...'cause I know as soon as Stef gets to her Dad's tonight, she'll be wanting to share..& I don't wanna hog all the fun!
I can't say it enough that she & Russ are just as wonderful & special as you might imagine- we had such a great time,that I really was sad we had to leave to come home last night!

I knew things were in for a good time when we got to the meeting place Sat AM & any worries I might have had about not being able to recognize Stef were immediately washed away, & we pretty much ran across the concourse area to greet each other with a big hug!

After a brief introduction between Jamie & Russ the 4 of us were up the Moutain for the first of many hours of skiing adventures & A LOT of talking...It's amazing to feel like you're with a long lost friend who you've been separated from for some silly reason!
Straight off the top, I have to say both She & Russ are great skiers & I being NOT such a fantastic skier was thankful for them waiting for me constantly & watching me learn new things.. ( thanks again you guys! )---But I Still HATE MOGULS!! ;P Bahahahaha!!!

& it was great that Jamie & Russ seemed to click immediately & got on like gang busters & up on the mountain are like two big kids who wanna play ALLLLL day until someone MAKES them come in! ~lol
& the APRES ( after) Ski time.... Well now THAT was a Blast! Hot tubs, good times good company & more teaching..This time Stef & Russ will tell you it was me teaching Stef a bad new word...SQUISHEES.. tee hee!!!

We definitely had a VERY GOOD evening :D- even hooked up for dinner with another couple we met in the Hot tub- who we had to explain to several time that we all hadn't been friends for YEARS ~lol

Sunday was yet another picture perfect day on the slopes!-- Oh yea whooo hoo very Lucky us!
It really is so beautiful & breath taking up there- ( Stef has TONES of pics so I'll let her show you them all) ... In the mean time I'll post this one of the four of us!

Needless to say-I'll have many many fond memories of this past weekend & look forward to the next time!... any one wanna join us for NEXT year?? :)

Very Quickly...

Well I've been a good Mommy again ~lol ..in between apcking I've watched the play AGAIN last night & my son Steven"s presetation in his class today ( very cute )& everyone keeps telling me he'd make great actor..NO my 7 yr is NOT shy! mind niether of them are! *sigh* I'm gonna miss them-------
but I'm VERY excited as we're just out the door to head up for a 3hr (?) drive to see STEF & RUSS! :D
Did I mention that it flippin SNOWED here yesterday & last night??? akkkk ...wish us all luck in getting there!!

Have a great weekend ALL!!

Do I win Mom of the year??

Just got back from the school & have tucked kids into bed.. have been a good girl & entered all my food in Fitday... NOW I finally to tell you about the thrilling adventures I've gotten my self into..

My daughter Jessica, is singing in the choir in the production of "Joseph & the Amazing Technicolour Dreamcoat" ( who made that damn title anyways?- it's a bitch to type when you're tired! ~lol) & they,for whatever reason they have decided to do -not one , not two, but FOUR performances this week! So I being the good Mommy I am -went yesterday afternoon( then had to run off to put in an eight hour shift.) Bought tickets for her Dad & his girlfriend to go last night ( YES I bought them... why - I don't know- except I have very nice manners some times --Bllaaa )- oh well he'll pay me back but anywho.. So I got to do all my shopping today do running around for activities & then Go again tonight (Yippee!) & then I get to go AGAIN on Thursday for the closing night ( couldn't miss the closing now could I??...& I get to take My PARENTS- who are the most particular folks you'll ever meet..they'll probably want to go 2 hours early to get the BEST seats! akkkk!
Now bear in mind this is NOT a fancy production .. we ain't on Broadway now kids.. heck this isn't even a High School Production...this is Elementary School people!!...The Star is 12 yrs old at best!!. they are singing along with the soundtrack !!- all be it with the voices very low in the back ground.. but I have to go ...I have to watch her in the choir ..singing her heart out, Looking so intense ( or maybe that's just abject terror 'cause I'm waving at her from the front row! ~lol
I dunno...I just know that I love my daughter very much- & as Lori might appreciate.."I just don't wanna miss a thing!"

On with the show!

Well it's Friday ..it's Sunny & I've decided to hang up my cape ( thanks Dub..how you KNEW I was saving the world..I don't know...)

So I've done all I can about..well- everything else for the momment..& I've decided to get back to the project at hand...ummm ME! ;)
So in the past 2 days I've been on track with eating& workouts (Things weren't totally horrid early this week ..just NOT really "on" & franky I missed some w/o's ( being exhausted beyond repair does that! )soooooo...Yesterday I came home from the gym & re read BFFM - good book - great for incentive! & have decided to enter all my food in Fitday to track thing for the month of March - which I intend to do!( that whole self promise thing... ;)
In general I feel a lot more focused & able to cope... Yay me!. I just hope it lasts!! I know-- I seem to get all hyped & GO GO mode about things ..& then the world seems to derail me--Hmmmm.. does anyone have any sure fire ways to STAY on track?...

I think what I really need is a flippin training partner!...someone to have to stay accountable to...someone to encourage me to push myself to go that extra distance. Somehow when it's just me .. I can talk myself outta pretty much anything!
:P
I guess the truth of it is I'm just really missing having someone else to workout with right now.. My girlfriend who I used to run with & workout sometimes with is working a "normal" dayshift type job right now which is wonderful for her... but needless to say we're lucky to hook up for a run on a weekend morning every several weeks at best!
well 'nuff of that.. for now I'll keep on keepin on... try to stay as focused as I can & really Kick butt for these next few weeks!

In other news but somewhat related...I can't decide if I'm more excited or nervous about meeting Stef & Russ to go skiing next weekend.
I'm thrilled to be meeting one of you Blends ( finally!!)~lol Ya see, despite many phone calls Suzanne & I STILL haven't manged to arrange our scheduals to hook up!-something about kids, work & her leaving the country every week or so -keeps getting in the way! ;)
So back to Stef & Russ ... I'm very excited - I think it's going to be lots of fun!...but nervous since she & Russ are the original "Power Couple" of BFL ...& I kinda feel like a bit of a shlep ...You know--that whole "Wayne's World thing..."we're not worthy !...we're not worthy!!" ;P

Oh well-whatdaya do?? Me-I'll go with the excitement & see if working my A@#$ off all week makes me feel any better about myself!

Happy Friday all!

why...

when I feel stretched this thin ... the mirror doesn't seem to see it?...

**sigh**