House Pics - Finally!

This is going to be quick, sorry about that. Chiloe, I couldn't torture you any longer, so with my little extra time on my hands this morning, I snapped a couple pics.

This would be the entryway. Not completely decorated, but it is coming along. Cute Boy hung the mirror you see there, the other day. On the table to the right of the door there are 2 wrought iron candle holders that will be on either side of the mirror as well. On that table after the candle holders are gone will be a glass bowl or pretty basket to set our keys and doorway clutter in.



Here is the view of our Great Room from the entryway hall. The table beside the couch has not been decorated yet, but soon enough. The curtains are new. Cute Boy hung them yesterday. We are in disagreement about what should be done with them. I want them to just hang like that and he wants to tie a rope around them to pull them together in the middle, but still hang like they do. I don't get it.....but I'm trying to envision it.
This is the view from the kitchen area to the back. I love those garden doors. I can see them from 'my' bedroom window when I wake up in the morning. The first morning I saw them, I cried a little bit. I was just a little overwhelmed.

Obviously, this is the kitchen. Not much to say about that, other than I love it.

Sorry the visit was quick, but as it is, I'm going to be rushing to work.

Thanks for looking. More importantly, thanks for caring!

Drama Filled House

Life isn't bad at all, just drama filled with my Drama Queen (aka Queenie), home for a few days. Cute Boy, Princess, Miss Daisy (dog) and I took a little road trip to Belleville yesterday to meet FN (will not translate that one for you - use your imagination :)) and pick up Queenie.

The car ride home was filled with chatter and giggles. It warms my heart to know those girls are the other's best friend. The one good thing FN and I did was to encourage the girls to remember they are the rock for the other. It seems to have worked.

Can I rave a little bit about how I think Cute Boy is wonderful? We are having my former in-laws over for dinner tonight. I'm so blessed to be loved by them, Cute Boy and B & M. To know that Cute Boy is comfortable with our relationship means the world to me. Not only are B & M coming for dinner, but Cute Boy is doing all the work and cooking too. Awwwww, he does my heart good.

After a week of trials and turbulence, life is taking on an easy pace, although still hectic. Things with the house are still all about cleaning organizing and unpacking. I love it!

Pics are coming. I promise they are going to be here before the end of the week. That is my mini goal. Don't want to over do it too much.

Happy healthy days to you!

Testimony - Anita Shreve

At a New England boarding school, a sex scandal is about to break. Even more shocking than the sexual acts themselves is the fact that they were caught on videotape. A Pandora's box of revelations, the tape triggers a chorus of voices--those of the men, women, teenagers, and parents involved in the scandal--that details the ways in which lives can be derailed or destroyed in one foolish moment.

Writing with a pace and intensity surpassing even her own greatest work, Anita Shreve delivers in TESTIMONY a gripping emotional drama with the impact of a thriller. No one more compellinglyexplores the dark impulses that sway the lives of seeming innocents, the needs and fears that drive ordinary men and women into intolerable dilemmas, and the ways in which our best intentions can lead to our worst transgressions.

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Book #3 - I really don't know how to categorize this one. It was good, althought a different writing approach than I've read before. The story was good and they way of telling the story interesting.

This is my first time reading Anita Shreve. I will try another title, but not any time soon.

Weigh In

My WI this morning shows me the same. 133.6lb. Sorry Team Lynn. I'm not doing much to pull my weight (no pun intended)! This coming week will show a commitment to you and just as importantly, to myself.

I really am disappointed more on behalf of my team than I am for myself. After the week I've just lived, a STS is as good as hitting goal. Okay, maybe not that good but darn close. I've not been to the gym since I don't know how long and I can't find my tracking calendar, so I can honestly torture myself with that tiny detail.

This week will be different I know that much. I will not be partaking in subs, McDonald's, pizza, beer, ice cream (although it was really good Miss Mary), Mary Brown's Fried Chicken. I will be seeking healthy choices and not just what is quick and within reach. Starbucks, as wonderful as it is, will not be an everyday happening as was this past week. I will do my Friday morning treat only! This week will show me moving more and hitting the gym. My attitude is still okay, but I can feel the 'uh oh' feelings creeping in. This is my body, my responsibility and no one can do this for me! So there body, you've been warned!

I would have posted a pic of my scale this morning but the technology had other ideas. Poor lighting, camera funkiness, dying batteries. You get the picture! OMG that funny wasn't intended since you really DON'T get the picture.

That's all I have this morning folks. Time is conspiring against me.

Have a happy healthy day!

Calgon, Please?

Where, oh where do I begin?

Cute Boy, Princess and I are in the house. Life is plugging along. We are all busy with trying to figure things out and to find the best possible way to situate furnishings in our new home. Those that know me well know how anal retentive I am about mess and clutter. I want things to be just so! I struggle with the perception of being a bitch and I guess if I come off that way, I come off that way.

I feel overwhelmed with the amount of work still needing to be done. Curtains need to be hung, boxes still to be unpacked (and sorted - not mine). This blending of two lives into one house is very challenging and a lot more work than I'm enjoying. I have to remember to be patient and tolerant. If I can get the same in return, life will once again be enjoyed by all!

This frantic activity that swirls around is not only playing havoc with my head and emotions, but with my gym time too. I've had to take Princess in to school for exams since I'm not sure about the bus schedule as of yet. I'm drained and I know my best solution to the stress is to find time for me and that me time would best be put to use running my ass off via a treadmill. I'm not a cold weather runner, other than the Resolution Run that I do with K-Pow on New Year's day.

I will get this head crap figured out, as well as the time constraints that I'm suffering right now. I'm on days next week and hopefully K-Pow and I can maybe hit the gym for a little squash game. Now, that sounds like a fun and great way to get a sweat on!

For those anxious to see pics of the house, I'm trying. I've taken a video with my phone, but don't know how to get it off my phone. Computer ignorance showing it's ugly face. I've not taken pics yet to share because it is a mess and I will NOT post pics of the house as it sits, but once it's clean we'll be golden!

WI Success

Well, my weigh in this morning. What can I say? Are you anxiously awaiting my results?

I was more apprehensive for this weigh in that I can remember of any in my recent history. I've eaten not the greatest, but tried to be conscientious of healthy choices over those not so healthy. Work outs were done, but not many. The head games were played and the water consummed.

I'm down 1.2lbs to 133.6lbs! I'm blown away!!! Go Team Lynn!

I'm moving today so I will be hit and miss on the computer and your blogs for the remainder of the weekend. I'm rooting for you! I'm here for you in spirit, if not in type written word.

As for a few questions that have been asked of me.... I've not had a Kashi bar yet, but I'm toting one around in my bag as we speak. It will be eaten at some point during the next couple days while life is nuts and the move is being done.

I will take pics of the house once I'm really there and have a minute to call my own.

Until next time, healthy thoughts to you!

Enchanted Fairy - 50 hours

Here is my headless beauty as of this morning. I'm famous for creating headless pieces. I much prefer to work down rather than up hence the headless habit.

I can imagine this will be my last stitching pic for a while since I'm working days for the next 2 weeks and that severely limits my stitching time.

Thanks for looking. As always, your kind and encouraging comments do a girl's heart good!

All Over The Map With Things

House Chatter ~
I'm at work which enables me more time to read and stitch and just be a bum! I love this shift (6p-2am) and I hate this shift. I love it for the quiet time it allows, but get so sick of 2am bed time. This is my last shift this week since I booked Thursday and Friday off to move. You see that - MOVE! I'm finally moving.

This move has been a work in progress for 1 year and 10 days! Cute Boy and I looked at that most amazing house January 4th of 2008! Can you believe it's been that long? I can and can't. Those of you that have been around for a while, remember the renovations?! Goodness, how could you forget them!

I packed up about 10 boxes today. Do I really need 6 boxes/totes of clothing? A box of just flip flops? Flip Flops! An entire box of flip flops and the same with baseball hats? How many heads do I have?

BLBE/Healthy Lifestyle/Gym Thoughts ~
Not much been going on. I had lofty dreams of making it to the gym this week, but it just isn't going to happen. The eating has been scary to be generous in trying to describe. I fully expecting a gain. I have no one to blame but myself. I'm better than I've shown my team this week. I'm better than this for myself, too! Damn it. Soon though, very soon there will be no more excuses.

I did fall in food love this morning. I knew I was going to be out of bed rather early from a 2am bedtime and didn't want to eat garbage on the go while doing lawyer stuff for the house, so I took with me a Salba Organic bar (tried to find a good pic on line and couldn't). It was absolutely one of the best things I've ever eaten. It was crunchy and seedy (love seeds) and the flavour was awesome and only 4 points. It is a great cheater breakfast for those days when life gets in the way of a sit down breakfast for me. I will definitely be carrying of those babies around in my purse from now on. Ya me!

BLBE Team ~
I think I'm caught up on all your blogs. I'm pretty positive I've commented on everyone's blog. If not, I apologize. I'm working on getting Angie's team blogs added to their folder and I will get to caught up them soon enough! For the first time since the teams were formed, I've had my google reader down to under 100 entries! You are an inspiring bunch of people. I'm really looking forward to kicking this thing in to high gear with each and every one of you.

Stitching/Reading ~
I've been reading and stitching here at work this week while working this crazy shift. I can't see much of either hobby being done in the next couple days. I'm hoping to have a WIP to post tomorrow. I'm about an hour outside of a pic on Enchanted Fairy. She is a pretty one. I guess the only way to get the time block done is to step back from the keyboard and put needle to fabric.

To all my readers, far and wide - You're awesome!

Happy healthy days to you. Those of my stitcher friends, may the frog be busy doing what frogs do when not wrecking havoc on unsuspecting stitchers pieces.

MAWWHHH

Almost Home

As I stated in my previous post, there is lots going on in regards to the house.

We finally have a move in date - this Saturday. There is so much going on and I'm doing my best not to stress out. I'm a regular stand up comedienne if you believe that one.

The condo is getting packed up and I can come nowhere near close to expressing how over joyed I am about that development. Good bye and good riddance.

This week is going to be crazy busy. Tomorrow I'm heading to Belleville to Lowe's for a bathroom light fixture, but not before a stop at Starbucks. The current light in the bathroom now is too long for the current set up and lays against the HRV thingy.

There is a wee bit of an issue with our kitchen. The light that is to be hanging over the island was measured to be hanging 'here', but the island is actually 'there'. The electrician wasn't sure what was to be done with the extra hole. He capped it with this glaringly ridiculous cover thing until he had direction from the building company. It looks bad and I'm glad to report that Derek (our contact with the building company) agrees. He informed us before we even mentioned it, that the hole and cover would be fixed and gone.

The cleaning company is to be in on Wednesday to get things prepared for our walk through on Thursday and we have our appointment on Friday with the lawyers. So things are really moving now.

Daisy has been booked with the groomer on Saturday morning so she's not traumatized with all the goings on of another move. Poor freaking dog! This is her last move for a while. I think of all the upheaval she has probably fared the best. To live the life of a dog, or this dog anyway.

The friends have been called upon and the thoughts of "Home Sweet Home" are dancing in my head. I thank each and every one of you that has gone through this venture with me, here on my blog and in real life. It is far from over, I know, but right now progress is being made.

What am I most excited for? A bath? A dishwasher (again)? A kitchen I can really cook in? A washer and dryer(again)? A garage with garage door opener? The list could go on and on and on... you get the idea, I'm sure. I'm just so excited to know I'm almost home again. In something that feels like mine, something I can be happy to clean and want to clean. A place that I belong and belongs to me. Awwww, the simple things in life.

Sweet!

Wee Weights and Chatter

Damn it the days are going to fast and I can't get it all done.

I did hit the gym today though. It was painful, not the work so much but the crowded surroundings. I hit the women's gym today rather than the co-ed thinking it might not be as busy. Boy, was I wrong.

The work out was quick, but I can feel it as I type this right now. I did a quick shoulder weight train and then I threw in a standing bar curl to work my biceps. I used to have the most incredible definition in my biceps and I want that back. The only way to get it back is to work it, so I'm trying to do just that!

The cardio work out left a little to be desired considering I couldn't get myself on a treadmill to save my life. I hit the stairclimber and logged 2K. I could feel it in my arse. An arse kicking is what I need, so in a round about way I got one.

The gym I work out at right now is above a grocery store (Loblaws) and since I didn't have much for dinner I popped in for a quick addition to my dinner tonight. I got a can of Pea Soup and some bars. I bought a Rebar (yuck), Larabar and a Salba bar. Healthy eats to follow up a lackluster work out! It should be more than enough to hold me over while I work tonight. 2am can not come soon enough for me!

I do have a NSV to share. I wanted Starbucks sooooo bad on my way in to work today, but since I'd just gained 3 activity points, I didn't want to spend them on a drink. Very good girl of me, eh! I'm now sipping away on a bottle water and imagining it to be a Starbucks!

That's about all I have right now in regards to working out and eating. Lots going on with the house, but is for another post. I may get around to that later tonight once work slows down and I'm by myself.

Happy eats and work out success to you!

Body of Evidence - Patricia Cornwell

The second book in the Kay Scarpetta series

A reclusive writer is dead. And her final manuscript has disappeared ... Someone is stalking Beryl Madison. Someone who spies on her and makes threatening, obscene phone-calls. Terrified, Beryl flees to Key West - but eventually she must return to her Richmond home. The very night she arrives, Beryl inexplicably invites her killer in ... Thus begins for Dr Kay Scarpetta the investigation of a crime that is as convoluted as it is bizarre. Why would Beryl open the door to someone who brutally slashed and then nearly decapitated her? Did she know her killer? Adding to the intrigue is Beryl's enigmatic relationship with a prize-winning author and the disappearance of her own manuscript. As Scarpetta retraces Beryl's footsteps, an investigation that begins in the laboratory with microscopes and lasers leads her deep into a nightmare that soon becomes her own.

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Book # 2 - It took me quite a while to get into this one. Part of the problem can probably be attributed to the fact that I only read this when waiting a book from the library. That being said, still looking forward the 3rd book. Who knows when I'll get to it though.

Weigh In

My weigh in this morning was awesome.

I had a 1lb loss this week. That is huge for me since I've just gotten back in to the swing of things. Prior to this I was complacent with all things regarding my weight, my health and sadly, my eating. I was always talking about changing things, getting back to the gym, eating healthier, yada yada yada... and now I'm finally doing it.

I've got a lot on my plate in the coming week with moving, work and most importantly trying to hit the gym amongst all the other demands. I want this bad enough that I'm going to make time to make myself a priority. The Energizer Bunny lives inside of me!

Post note to last night and my sleeping woes: Crabby critter came to the surface. I fell asleep on the couch to be woken up by chocolate Whoppers rolling down a milk crate type container every other minute, or so it seemed. I stomped off to bed to lay down prior to picking up Princess from work because I was so tired I felt as though I was catatonic. It was avoidance of having a snap fit too!

I took my little golden gem of a sleeping pill last night! I'm too funny, I tell ya. The pill was probably still sliding down my throat when I'm wondering why I'm not sleepy yet. I went to bed, read for a bit and then was lights out! I didn't hear Cute Boy come home from hockey and that is always good. Now, I did have trouble getting out bed this morning at 5am and felt very sluggish for the first half hour of my morning.

I am calling the doctor today because I can not, and will not go on like this any longer than I already have done. I was so out of it last night, I thought I was going insane. No more of this!

Happy Healthy Days to you!

Sleepy Cardio Kid

I'm finding a bit of a cardio groove!

I went to the gym again and I'm starting to feel more comfortable and not as though I'm just going through the paces. I'm very proud of myself and that being said, is something I don't say very often. I'm not looking for pats and kudos. Simple observation.

Last night was a crappy night between the sheets. I suffer something awful from really poor sleep habits after the first 4 hours and last night was brutal. I could have easily got out of bed at 3-30am. I now have in my hands, a little nugget of gold - a sleeping pill. A girl from work gave me one of hers to see if it helps me before I invest in a pack of my own. Sleeping pills is not something I'm excited about taking, but a girl can only survive so long in a zombie like state.

All this sleep chatter does have purpose. I was unsure of what kind of work out I was going to achieve dragging ass like I was. I told K-Pow today that I was still hitting the gym, no excuses. I'm so glad I persevered and didn't let exhaustion keep me from my work out.

I ran for a distance of 4.34KM and that was not a hard pushed work out. I did it, but didn't push myself to my limits. I do have another "I love it moment" - my elbows were sweating!!!!!! I love when my elbows have sweat on them. I feel incredible when I have the sheen of perspiration. Does that make me odd? I mean, any odder than I already am?

One of my BLBE team mates, Mary Beth asked a question - Yes, I am a big reader. I love it and struggle between finding time for all the hobbies I have, reading, cross stitching and now returning to the gym.

Thanks to all my BLBE teammates and non-teammates, Bre (love you) that stop by and leave comments. Even from the non teammates challenging to kick my ass. I live for the challenge and my desire to push forward is huge.

Private Arrangements - Sherry Thomas

Love has designs of its own.…

To all of London society, Lord and Lady Tremaine had the ideal arrangement: a marriage based on civility, courteousness, and freedom—by all accounts, a perfect marriage. The reason? For the last ten years, husband and wife have resided on separate continents. But once upon a time, things were quite different for the Tremaines….When Gigi Rowland first laid eyes on Camden Saybrook, the attraction was immediate and overwhelming. But what began in a spark of passion ended in betrayal the morning after their wedding—and now Gigi wants to be free to marry again. When Camden returns from America with an outrageous demand in exchange for her freedom, Gigi's decision will have consequences she never imagined, as secrets are exposed, desire is rekindled—and one of London's most admired couples must either fall in love all over again…or let each other go forever.

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Book 1 - Hmmm, as far as historical romances go this one was just, 'okay'. I will try another of this authors novels at some point - maybe.

BLBE 2 and Fitness Funny

First off, I've been remiss in telling you, I've joined the Biggest Loser Blogger Edition 2. I'm really excited about this challenge and looking forward to kicking some ass!

I've been assigned to Lynn's team, along with Krista and many others. Bre isn't on our team which is unfortunate, but I'm going to revel in the fact that I'm kicking her ass along with many others! Yaaaa me!!!! Yaaaa team. I'm really looking forward to getting to know other fitness/health bloggers and learning some of the secrets to their success.

I hit the gym again yesterday. I left straight from work and I'm so glad I did. It's only been 2 days and I'm loving it. Now, that being said I'm taking today off. Princess has to work and time constraints being what they are, I don't want to be rushed.

Yesterday was a great success food wise, coupled with a great run. I ran for another 4.25KM. It isn't my longest run ever, but I can feel the desire building. I'm so excited, I can't even tell you. Truth be told, I'm loving this gym thing again! I ran a 15 minute block when I was supposed to only run at 10 minute intervals.

The funny of my gym experience yesterday and forgive me if this is TMI. One of the women on either side of me had fitness farts and I had to get out of there. I know for certain it wasn't me. The urge to gag was high, so rather than embarrass myself or them, I left.

I've yet to hit the weights and probably wont this week since I'm working out at the women's gym. I much prefer the weights at the co-ed gym which is where I'll be working out next week. That is going to be a real test of wills that weight training. I can't get where I want to be on cardio alone. I know lifting weights is the way to go for me to be successful. I want the definition back between my shoulders and biceps. This is going to be fun!

Gold, Las Vegas, Carey, D-Day

I'm so glad I went to the gym yesterday to start towards a healthier happier heart. You think I'd take that and build from it, but no! What do I do but go home and spend hours in front of my television watching Canada's Junior hockey team win their 5 gold medal in as many years.

What a game it was! You see, I'm not a passive sports fan. Truth be told, I'm a screamer. My poor dog will never be the same. Between the screaming of Cute Boy and myself, I think Miss Daisy thinks she's in t-r-o-u-b-l-e! She was comedic entertainment in an otherwise stressful evening!

Those kids are incredible. What poise they showed in the face of diversity, including finger biting and back of the head punches from the Swedish players. I know emotions can run high in such a situation, but the lack of composure shown and poor sportsmanship was glaring in the way the Swedish players were attacking the Canadians. I'm biased, yes, but I'm also fair. I was so disappointed to see such blatant penalties and lose of composure. I'm not the greatest at noticing penalties, but last night even I could have called the game!

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Cute Boy came home from work yesterday with a question for me: What would you think about going to see a Nascar race, March 1st, in Las Vegas? Holy, what did you say??? No thinking about it! I'm there! A co-worker and his wife are huge Nascar fans and are going to Las Vegas to the race and invited us along because they know I'm a big fan. Cute Boy - not so much.

Cute Boy is a little concerned it might be a bit too soon after buying the house. He may be right. I do think it might do us well to get away for a bit, part and parcel because of all the drama and stress of the house. Not to mention, Vegas in March has to be a hell of a lot better than Ontario in March!

The plan will be discussed over the next couple days and we will be making a decision soon!

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Call me spoiled. Cute Boy came home from work with a Carey Price t-shirt for me. We are going to see Montreal play Ottawa in March, so I've been whining about wanting a Carey Price piece of clothing and I'm my way to getting one. The only shirt that could be purchased was a child's medium. It fits, but we are going to keep looking for a woman's small. I can't wait to be Carey Price proud with my new shirt!

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D-Day (otherwise known as closing day) January 15th! Cute Boy was talking with Derek (building contact) and the final walk through is January 15th, so barring any complications the move will take place that weekend.

Can you say excited? I'm excited, apprehensive and every emotion you can imagine in between.

There is so much to be packed in the condo and organizing to be done. Sometimes it doesn't pay to be anal retentive.

I can say without a doubt I'm ecstatic to have this condo living phase of my life behind me.

Just Get It Done, Already!

Well, its been that kind of day.

I went to the gym today for the first time since October and I don't even really count that day since I was so unhappy at that gym. I'm now back to 'my' gym. It feels like coming home.

I woke up this morning knowing I was hitting the gym after work and, truth be told, I couldn't wait for the work day to come to an end so I could get on the road to the new me.

The gym was busy, as I expected it to be and that was okay. I had a treadmill and that was all that mattered to me. It was comforting to be amongst fellow fitness minded people. There was this wee spit of a girl beside me, running her little legs to the pace of which I miss. She was incredibly inspiring and I could have kissed her if it wouldn't have freaked her out.

This gym day was a burn of 245 calories burned and the distance of 3.99KM. Not my best time distance, but I don't care. I needed to start somewhere and this was as good as any place to start. I've a long way to go yet, but this is another step towards a better healthier me.

I could easily live with the high I'm feeling right now! I love it and I feel incredible to know that tomorrow is going to be some of the same!

Wildflower Rhapsody - 65 hours

Still plugging away. Not sure how much, if any stitching time I'm going to get this month, so this is my mini effort of keeping this stitch-y blog stitch-y filled! LOL

Lots of blank spaces that I will have to concentrate on. I will eventually. This is one piece I would like to see finished this year. I think that may be all I will get finished too. It's something though, right!

Thanks for looking and commenting.

January 2009 Yankee Stadium Distance Challenge

December Distance - 13.8KM
Distance Remaining - 164.19KM

I thought November was a bad month. I was stellar compared to December. I should be ashamed of myself.

This being a new month, a new year I'll do better.

January 2009
1 - 5.76
2 - .76
3 - .76
4 - .76
5 - 4.75
6 - 4.25
7 -
8 - 9.23
9 - 4.89
10 - .76
11 - .76
12 - 2 (34.68)
13 - 3.06
14
15
16
17
18
19
20
21
22
23
24
25
26
27
28
29
30
31 - 1.01