Musings

I'm feeling quite rainy today. Must be the weather. Really not so good news about my grandma, cancer in her lymphnodes, sugery next week. We are all praying for her but my heart is so sad. I have never met such a wonderful, loving, understanding paitent woman. Anyone who knows my grandma will tell you the same. So any prayers that can be spared, I thank you.

This is also the last day of summer for us, school starts tomorrow and I think we are ready. I need to go into school today to set up my classroom. My classroom! I get a whole room (to share) for teaching scrapbooking. Very cool, no more hauling all the stuff on a cart and working in the lunch room.

I'm excited in a way to start back up to routine but will be sad leaving my baby at the sitter's again. And boy does she milk it! Good thing I have Thursday's off, that will be the new "Mommy & Abby day" :)

Last couple of days of freedom

Well, its back to the ole' grind tomorrow for me and school for poor Ethan on Thursday. Where did the summer go? I have say that this last weekend before school was lots of fun, cousin's wedding, my birthday, family visiting. Great fun. Big thank you to my best sil who gave me scrapping supplies for my birthday. I see a mini album of my grandma from that K-ology set. Too much fun stuff to play with and not so much time anymore :)

Today is going to be peaches. Canning peaches that is, we're heading over to my sil's in a while to play and do some canning. Hopefully some of my ebay stuff will come in the mail. Why does some stuff come in so fast and others take so long? Bizarre postal service. Off to go get dressed and ready for the day, have a great one!

Decisions decisions

Ok I've got a problem. I've got the ok for a camera and now I have a decision to make. The Canon Digital Rebel XT (8mpgs, kit lens 18-55mm) or the Pentax K110D (6.1mgp, kit lens 18-55mm + extra lens 50-200mm) The pentax is slightly cheaper but I like how it feels and the extra lens would be nice. I would have to get new memory but I would be getting extra for the canon. Any thoughts?

$15 FIND!!

I'm so excited about getting a chance to dress up and go out. Did I mention that we just about *never* go out? We've got my cousin's wedding this weekend, my birthday too :) and I've been trying to find a great dress to wear. I did have one that I got altered to fit cause it was a great deal, $15 on ebay Eddie Bauer dress. The classic little black dress. Well since I bought it in like May it now way too big, about 2 sizes. So since I couldn't find anything the last time I went to Edmonton and Sears was a no go. I had my dh's cousin fix it for me. And it looks really good. However, I was hoping for va va voom. So on the advice of my sil I went to winners. Everything in the stores right now is all about Fall and darn it! Its still summer. There I found 4 dresses that were great. I ended up buying 2 because I couldn't decide and they were cheap.

I've decided to wear the magenta one, very sexy, figure flattering and shows off nice pretend cleavage and shoulders. Honestly I want to look sexy. I mean I've lost nearly 60lbs and darn it I look great and want to show it! So I'll post pictures after the wedding.

And its NOT a video game

What a great trip on Saturday. My dad took the whole family fishing up to Wapa lake. I was orginally planning on staying home with Abby and enjoying some carefree scrapbooking time but dad really wanted us to go. Ethan was even excited. Usually he gets so frustrated with fishing, the whole coordinating the casting and all. But he's been practicing on the lawn with a hookless fishing hook. He was getting the hang of it too. So we go fishing and low and behold I caught a fish! The first one...I have NEVER caught a fish in my life. But we threw him back. The day was pretty successful with Ethan catching 4!! He was so excited and just vibrating with the fishing mojo. He's still talking about it 2 days later. Glad that he's excited about something other than a video game. Plus Grandpa let him drive the boat. How cool was that?

Feeling unworthy

I've been on this design team for about a month now and loving it. Really enjoying the work and fun that I've been having scrapbooking. We've now added 2 other members to the design team and I'm so feeling unworthy of the talent that they possess! Good grief they've been published multiple times and I'm just this little nobody scrapbook instructor! I'd love to be published too but I guess that means I should submit right? ;)

Go check out the gallery at www.scrappershaven.ca and see what I mean.

Incredible night!

Ron and I had such an incredible night for our anniversary. Thank you so much Rhonda for offering to take the kids for the afternoon/evening. We so appreciated it. We decided to stay home and cook supper together and just enjoy. Ron was such a good sport and let me take a ton of anniversary pictures of us, which turned out so well. I can't believe the difference in us from last year to this. So obviously the top picture was last year and the bottom is this. Man, is it hard to upload pictures on dial up :(

So here's to us! Eight years of wonderful marriage and now healthy weight loss. Love ya hun!

So much to share

What a great weekend. Had a blast visiting with so many people. From a very fun birthday party where I got to play photographer to a great visit with my dad. I so totally am loving photography, just check out Tara Whitney's blog to be inspired! If I could take pictures a fraction of the way she does I'd be in my glory. Definately can just taste the new camera, need it to take pictures of my niece, right Rhonda? We tried really hard yesterday but how to you get a little running fairy to stop and smile for the camera?

Anywhoo, this is short cause I need to get ready for a fun evening (our anniversary!) Will post more later.

Can you believe it?

I'm totally shocked at how fast this summer is going! There are only 18 more days till I go back to work. And big surprise, I still haven't gotten an EI payment. The rate its going I'm going to be getting paid in October. This and the continued ebay drama is not what I'd like to be exeperiencing right now.

On another note Happy Birthday EMILY!! My niece turns the big 2 today. My how time flies.

I'm still trying to find a dress for my cousin's wedding at the end of August. I ordered one from Sears but a no go. Tonight I will see if Missy can alter one for me. Right now its 2 sizes too big, not sure if it is doable. Did buy some shoes that are too cute for words and make me feel very pretty. We'll see what I can do with them.

Have a great day all!

Blogs, marriage & happiness

Ok I love to read many different blogs. I really enjoy scrapbook designer ones just because it inspires me and hey I like scrapbooking. This morning I was reading Rhonna Farrer's blog (awesome stamps by the way) and she had a quote on her site : LEARN TO BE HAPPY. I'm not sure if she said it or someone else. But she talks about people, herself included, who always say "I'll be happy when...or things would be better if..." She says that you need to learn to be happy or content with the way things are.

I remember when I was a young newlywed with a baby and there were times that I was depressed or "not happy" and I expected my wonderful hubby to make things better. This was so wrong. Its not his job to make me happy. (although he does) It's my job to handle my feelings. He was not responsible for my happiness, I was. Once I figured out that things were so much better. Now I focus on doing little things for him and he in turn does little things for me. Stuff like making a nice supper that he enjoys makes me happy. Him bringing me home a little pot of hens & chicks unexpectedly is so undeniably sweet, which makes him happy. I know its such a cliche but the give and take of a marriage is important.

My psa for today

Ok I admit it, I hate water. Always have. Give me a glass of milk or pop or coffee anyday. I will seriously go for days before I drink an actual glass of water. But...being on the GI Diet has made me drink water and tons of it. Even after 11 months of being on this eating plan I have to force myself to drink water. I sit down with a big 30 ozer and drink, drink drink. Twice a day. I have found if I don't I gain weight...serious water weight. So I make myself drink. But here's the little secret, I FEEL GREAT! My skin is so smooth, my feet are not so horrible and I feel beautiful. Plus I loose that water weight. So water and me are hooked up for good now. If only I could get the exercise thing going...

The weekend report...

What a weekend. It sure goes by fast. Between computer issues with the internet and definately not enough time with my hubby. I'm finding that I appreciate him so much. I honestly couldn't ask for better. He helps me with the kids, is patient and kind, and helpful around the house. I wish all wives had a wonderful man like I've got.

Today we had a really nice quiet day, my sister in law and best friend came over with her daughter to play in the water. I love that our girls play so well. Of course Abby had issues with water in her face (insert eye rolly smiley here) But I have to say, LOVE YA Rhonda! Yup, you're probably all red and mushy too. I do treasure our friendship, not many people can say that their sister in law is as close as we are. So I'm sending you out a big cyber hug cause everyone needs a hug now and then!

ebay anonymous

Here I come. Seriously been addicted to ebay lately. I've got 12 packages coming in the mail. No kidding. Of, course 3 are for Ethan. Poor guy is just dying to get something in the mail. So he and I went on ebay and won a few auctions for Star Trek and Star Wars micro machines. Yup, he's totally my boy. Trekkie alert! Gotta start them young.

And yes the other packages are all for me. Hey, I earned that money and I needed the clothes. Whoohoo! No fall clothes that fit. What a shame. So I'm getting some jeans and pants for school. And just some general good deals on fun stuff. I honestly have a hard time paying full price for anything anymore. Why should I when I can get jeans for 99 cents? Mind you the shipping... but its totally cheaper than driving to the city.

So I admit it, I'm addicted. But I can stop at anytime, honest ;)

One little thing

It's so funny how one little thing can totally change your life and affect those around you. When I started this weight loss journey, I wasn't thinking of anyone but myself and now 11 months later there are so many family and friends around me that have joined me. Seriously thinking about starting a GI Diet support group.

Even me, being almost at the end of my goal, need some support. I totally wasn't drinking my water and put on 3 lbs, which totally sent me spinning into a loop. What if I can never get down the weight that I want? Will I ever be stable (weight wise) as we all know that mental stablity is something entirely different :) ? But after having my butt kicked by various people I'm back on track and have lost those 3 lbs again.

I find it funny the reactions of people who see me now. And for those I've talked to about this I don't apoligize, hint, hint Rhonda! Some people are so happy for me and others haven't noticed, or pretend not to notice. I've gotten the "oh, you look taller" comment. Makes me want to say, "Uh, honey I'm not taller, just not fat anymore" I've been told that the Canadian sizes are not the "true" sizes. By the way sources tell me that US sizes are bigger than Canadas. Hurmph, taller my butt! Sorry teeny vent there.

But there are those who are extremely supportive and I thank you for that. I find it funny the closer I get to being my goal weight and the more I see others loosing weight from this plan, I'm a little jealous. That's right call me crazy but it feels good to have someone comment on how you look and the wow you've lost weight shouts. Now I've been seen by everyone and everyone knows so me being smaller is old hat. It's really weird being so close and almost done. Like a part of my life is over and while I'm embarking on a new one, I kind of miss the old phase. So patting myself on the back now, GREAT JOB GIRL! Bring on phase 2!

The WHY question?

So many questions lately.
Why do my children fight when I have no patience to deal with them?
Why is it that Ron and I can't make a decision about what to do about a vehicle?
Why is it that there is never enough fun money?
Why is there never the sizes you need for clothes when you shop, doesn't matter if you are a 16 or an 8?
Why does the post office take forever delivering a package but your bills come early?
Why can't they make everyday clothes as comfortable as jammies?
Why is it even though you make a grocery list, you forget something?
Why does my coffee get cold before I can drink the last of it?
Why do I keep finding dead frogs in my basement?

Ok, nuff with the silliness...off to have a great day!

Seriously needing a break...

Ok we are offically into the half way point of summer, one month gone and one to go. My kids are driving me batty! So I've dug out some of Ethan's extra phonic, printing and math books. He is going to get a refresher soon. And Abby will work on some stuff like counting and shapes and letters. They need some quiet time. Or more acurately Mommy needs some quiet time.

On another note...Happy Birthday Honey!!! Today is Ron's birthday and we will be having people over on Friday (everyone working during the week) so tonight I'm going to make a nice supper and hopefully the kids will be behaved. Maybe I'll get them working on a card or two for him.

I'm really looking forward to tomorrow night, the monthly scrapbooking night! I went and got some pictures developed yesterday (only 100 out of the 577 that I needed) and I was seriously happy with the quality of developing. Very happy. And I'm pretty picky about that. So looking forward to getting a new camera though. Maybe this fall. So I've got to put together some page kits and get ready for tomorrow night. Today I will finish up my altered item for Scrapper's Haven, just need some journalling tidbits. Feel free to check out the website to see my stuff. Happy day to all!