I heart ZUMBA

Have you ever tried it Zumba? It is a cardio class offered at the gym that incorporates dance moves into a cardio routine. It is so much fun even if I look like a fool. I love the music, the instructors, the energy and the fact that I am excersing but it is fun (boy do I sweat). The motto is ditch the workout, join the party. There is a whole lot of shaking going on but it is fun. If you want to try it with me, drop me a comment. I try to go 3 times a week but mostly make it to 2 times. I did a class today and it makes me happy.
Happy Saturday - Enjoy the snow.

Maybe You Didn't Know

that I love to curl (as in the sport on ice). I have been curling since I was 12 or 13. I curled all through high school and into University. Our team in University made it to the provincial championship. After school I curled competitively in town and played 4 nights a week. I love it. Since having kids and during the time I was pregnant I didn't play and missed it lots. I didn't have quite enough time to fit it in but now that Mer is at school I am able to play Thursday mornings and And and I play in a mixed league on Friday nights. Today during our less than stellar performance, I realized how much I missed playing with the ladies and playing for me. I love that I am reconnecting with stuff that is important to me and allowing myself the time to be able to do it (minus guilt). Of course there are many tasks that could be done during this time but this one is for me.

I am just finishing up a major consigned project for someone. It has been a lot of work. It has been the biggest project that I have done for someone. I am happy with it. She is picking it up tomorrow. I hope she likes it. Of course I am struggling with the value issue! Andy says get over and charge what you need to charge. Now onto the other 4 projects that people have asked me to do.

I received some happy news today when I opened my email. One of my layouts is going to be published in the Spring Issue of the Canadian Scrapbooking Magazine I am so excited. I have been submitting layouts for a couple of years now and this is the first one to get picked up. Yeah for me!

BOO

Well the much anticipated night is over and the crappy junk remains along with the good memories of a fun night. Have to say that I loved Halloween being on a Friday. Easier for the parents and the kids. This year was the first time that both of the girls were totally into it and loving every minute. The preparations started long before October 31st - there were costumes to pick and make, along with who they would go out with. Mer wanted to go out with the big kids this year. She wanted more stuff and that she did. The amount of candy that they got was obscene. At the count they were at 175 pieces each. That is a lot of candy. They also ended up with 7 full size chocolate bars each - who gives out full size chocolate bars anyways! FUN was had. On Sunday night after a great amount of indulgence the heavies stepped in and told them it was time for another sort. This time they had to give up 75 items each. Interesting to watch the dynamics and how they arrived at 75. There was sorting and counting and deliberating but they both made it. Although the amount that remains is still crazy.




Mer was a penguin this year - the two of us worked together and sewed her costume (I definitely get the mom with the most patience award for this project). She did a great job with the whole project. Avery was a witch and that was relatively painless getting her stuff together.

All that talk about candy and I have to say that it hasn't hurt me. What a change from a week ago when I would have eaten the whole bowl. This week - I don't want it. Yeah for me. This week I also reached a milestone in my weight loss/getting healthy journey. I hit one of my goals. Feeling really good about that. Feeling good about the exercise I am doing. (Today did an all legs class and am sure that I will not be able to walk tomorrow). With the goal that I reached, I was able to get out an archived pair of jeans that I haven't worn in a year. Double yeah for me!

One of the things I am bummed about this week is that Bailey's Fresh food buying group is ending for the season. I am truly going to miss all that fresh local food throughout the winter. I hope that I have but away enough stuff to enjoy through the winter and I can convince Andy to get a bigger freezer next year. Thanks to Nina and Wendell for all their hard work in bringing this yummy food to me and all the other members. I will look forward to the spring and all that our area has to offer for local foods.

Rambling done for the day - hope you are enjoying this gift of weather we are having today.

Excuse the Rant

Okay so I have been on this weight loss journey (I hate to say again, but AGAIN). I have been doing really well. I am getting to the gym 5 times a week doing a variety of activities - Zumba classes, cardio machines, weights, strength classes and mostly have been on track with the eating stuff. The last two weeks I have gained slightly but gained nevertheless. The gain is really throwing me off this week though. Every food that I see in the past two days has been fair game. The stuff I haven't wanted is sneaking into my hands. It just reminds me that the mind is a powerful tool. You let a little negativity in and it takes over. I am posting this right now to prevent me from scoring a little treat. And so the journey continues....

Rant over.

Special Birthday Wishes

To my father-in-law Rod. Wishing you all the best Rod. Can't wait to celebrate with you on the weekend.

Random Blog Worthy Material

I know I have not been doing a great job blogging lately. No good reason. I have had blog worthy material but have not sat down to get it out.

Andy and I had a great time at Mindy and Chris's wedding on Saturday. The venue was gorgeous and the couple looked awesome and happy. The meal was good and the table company was hilarious. Nothing like a few drinks to get the party going. It was great to have a night away from the kids while Grandma and Grandpa babysat. Andy and I actually had complete conversations with a beginning, middle and end without interruption. Not something that happens often. The Elmhurst Inn in Ingersoll was such a beautiful place to have the wedding and spend the night. The colours were so pretty. I am mesmerized by the fall colours this year. They are absolutely beautiful. One reason that we should be thankful for the summer rain. I have to say that unfortunately I didn't get many shots at the wedding. Here are a couple.




Totally loving my new shoes and jacket I bought this weekend for the wedding. Nothing like buying 2 pieces of your outfit, 1 hour before you are leaving. Thanks Lori for your help!

For part of Mindy's wedding gift I made her a He Said/She Said book. I am hoping she likes it. I had fun putting it together using the Making Memories Passport Line.





We have started spending parts of our weekends at the arenas with Mer in ringette and Avery in hockey. Ave won her first game on Saturday. It was so cute to see these girls hustling after the puck.

I have been taking an on line course by Cathy Zielske called Design your Life. I am enjoying it. Getting some layouts done and learning all at once. Of course I am already a week behind. I will post some finished pieces in a bit.

I am missing our fresh local foods that we have been getting from Bailey's Local Foods. Nina will be back up and running next week. I still have some carrots, apples and squash left but it will be good to get some new stuff. She is suffering from some by-law glitches - hopefully this works itself out.

Yesterday we had a pj day around here. Ave wasn't feeling great. We watched movies, baked cookies, read books, worked on Halloween costumes and made chili. It was good to be quiet for the day. The girls had fun too!

I am sending out special happy birthday wishes to my Mother-in-law today. Happy Birthday Judy, we can't wait to celebrate with you this weekend.

New Hair, Pumpkin Patch and A Couple of Scrappy Projects

We had a great weekend. Little bit of hockey, a fun birthday party with girlfriends, a visit to the pumpkin patch, yummy fall food and some new hair for me. On Friday I got my hair cut. The stylist wanted to straighten my hair. I was game - 2 hours later I had straight hair. I love how it looks and I can actually brush my hair! Kind of fun for a couple of days! Photo compliments of Meredith.

The girls and I went to the patch today to look for the best pumpkin(Andy has hurt his back some how - I hope he is feeling better soon). I think that we got one of the largest pumpkins there. The girls had fun. I took some pictures. I captured 1 with the two of them. They are not much for the posing ones anymore.




Happy Birthday to my friend Erin. We went to her house last night for a little party. We had so many laughs and ate some yummy Dana Shortt Food. I made this little project to celebrate her birthday.




This last project is the baby book I made for Peyton. I had so much fun working with the Bo Bunny Word book. The papers are My Mind's Eye with lots of fun embellishments.









Enjoy the rest of the weekend!