I did a page!!

Yes, I know...it's shocking, but I actually scrapbooked - for me!  I joined the Crowned Contest at Scrapdango to get me moving on something that wasn't for work.  The challenge for this week was to have at least one woman in the layout (me), have it be mostly B&W as well as having some bling and something that went all the way across the page.  This came together quite quickly with some of the "Be Mine" Echo Park papers and a few extras.  Had fun playing with some stamping and ribbon pleating (on the left) as well.  You probably can't tell, but the edges of the whole page are distressed with black ink as well!

This layout is just a documentation of the weight loss journey I've been on.  I started in July last year and have lost 58lbs since.  I'm not done, but I'm "learning to love" (the title of the layout) myself and am feeling sooooo much better!  Just need to work on getting to that 60lb mark now!

Thanks for popping in and I love to hear from you when you do!
Cheers,

Happy New Year!!

Hard to believe that we're once again at the end of another year!  It's been one that has seen a lot of change for me personally and I plan to continue that into the new year.  We've had some wonderful times as family and have some big things coming this year as well in terms of change for sure. 

As a result of the craziness that may ensue this year along with all the everyday stuff, I'm hoping to complete Project Life this year.  The idea is that you take a picture a day for a year and document it with journaling as well.  I'm not going to stress about this and just fill days I miss with suff of the kids, but I think might be a fun project for us since I haven't been scrapping as much lately (though I plan to do more of that in 2011 as well!).

This has been the big change for me personally.  I got tired of being tired and worrying about my health, so I did something about it.  I went back to Weight Watchers in July and have lost almost 60lbs since going back (though have put a few back on over the holidays!).  Need to get back at it because I plan on losing more in 2011 and I'd love to get to goal!  I know it'll be hard work, but I'm looking forward to the challenge to be honest.  And nothing can replace how much better I already feel, so bring on 2011!

As for our family...

- George continued working for the city and is doing very well there with a possible promotion in 2011
- I'm still taking care of Sophia and Matthew, but it changed to 5 days a week as of September this year when Tracy got a new job
- also working at the store and teaching a lot of classes!  Fun stuff!
- Kyle started Grade 2 and had 2 new teachers as well as being in a 2/3 split
- Nathan continued at the preschool and is doing well
- we thoroughly enjoyed the Olympics earlier this year and George volunteered!
- I was lucky enough to see one of the Olympic speedskating events since Tracy and Brian won an Olympics package!
- continued on the PAC at Kyle's school as the Emergency Preparedness rep
- celebrated my 40th birthday in May!

- we had an amazing birthday/retirement party for dad!
- the boys opened bank accounts

- Kyle started karate and has laready passed his first grading and has a new belt

- poor Nathan spent the last few months of the year sick with everything from bronchitis to ear infections (though we think he's thankfully finally feeling better now!)
- We went to see The Wiggles again with Tracy, Brian, Sophia and Matthew as well!

- enjoyed many wonderful family get togethers!  Above picture is from Easter.
- it was a year of Star Wars and Lego (or both combined!) in our house this year!

We've had a fun year full of wonderful of wonderful memories.  The boys are growing so quickly that I sometimes want to be abe to slow time and just enjoy every single moment and while I can't do that, I can take the time to appreciate what is - right now! 

Here's to an amazing 2011 everyone!  Happy New Year!



Cheers,

Crazy Day!

Wow!  Here it is after 11pm and I left the house this morning at about 8:30am!  I had an awful drive home last night after work because of the snow and was worried what I'd wake up to this morning since I was teaching today.  George got called in to work doing snow removal at 4am this morning and I was, of course teaching at 10:30! 

The boys got up and ready with me this morning.  We headed out to my WW meeting this morning (down a total of 49lbs now!) and then it was out to work.  I was thankful the roads were good this morning!  The plan was for them to come with me and George would get them there since he could work a little longer if he did that.  We stopped at Stabucks on the way out for hot chocolates and a coffee for me.  They were so good this morning that I got them a doughnut to share too.  I started getting ready for class and George was there a little after 10, so it all worked out well. 

I taught my two classes and then the plan was for all of us staff to crop together at work which we manage to do a couple of times a year.  I was done a little before 5pm after my clean-up after teaching my 2 classes, so since it wasn't busy, one of my co-workers clocked out a little early and we went shopping!  Went to Children's Place and got some great stuff for the boys and a gift for Sophia for Christmas.  Pauline and I stopped at Red Robin to relax and have a cold drink and then went back to work.

It was a really fun night and there was lots of laughter for sure!  I managed to prep most of my Wednesday night Frosty Fun class.  I wanted to do something I didn't have to think about since I can chat then too and since it had to be done anyway, it was perfect!  A Starbucks run was a nice was to end the evening before we all packed up and headed home.  The only thing is that I'm back again first thing in the morning, so I'd better go get some sleep!

I laughed when I came home and saw the snow in our yard as compared to the neighbour who doesn't have kids.  Hers yeard all pristinely covered with driven snow and ours looks like 2 little boys were out playing in it all day - churned up and played in!
Enjoy your Sunday!
Cheers,

A Successful Day!

Well, it was nice to come home last night and know that I wasn't getting up for work in the morinng!  Now, that didn't mean I was sleeping in too late as I had my WW meeting to go to this morning, but that was the beginning of my successful day as I was down another 1.6lbs (same as last week) for a total of 44.4lbs lost.  The goal is to be down 50lbs by Christmas!  We'll see...  Not going to beat myself up if I don't get there, but that's the goal!

I came home and got some thing done here.  The house was quiet for a bit as George had taken the boys to get a haircut.  My plan was to relax and chill since the house was empty, but I couldn't for very long.  I enjoyed my Starbucks coffee (non fat latte with peppermint and white mocha flavouring - YUM!) and then puttered with laundry, cleaning the kitchen and sorting some things.  I'm sort of in purge mode again, but there aren't enough hours in a day!

I decided I'd better go check out a couple of places for tops again for George's Christmas party since it's only a couple of weeks away (early this year!).  I went and managed to actually find something I liked that didn't cost the earth.  Actually ran into Tracy shopping too, but she left before I found the top I got.  It sure wasn't what I was thinking of when I went, but I like it.  The description is "Lace shirred blouse with satin ribbon detail - Full of femininity! You'll love this all over lace blouse. Sheer and pretty, this button down short sleeve shirt with front satin ribbon and rushching detail is sure to be a hit this holiday."  It definitely needs a cami under it so I went and got one of those too and now I just need to have my pants altered and I'm in business!  Should be a nice evening out with the kids staying at mum and dad's that night.

This was what I came home to today after shopping!  Kyle was busy playing computer and the other 2 were having a good nap.  George was good enough to make dinner and then we went out for a bit of a drive.  A nice day for sure!!

Here's to a wonderful Sunday!
Cheers,

Something a little different...

Well, one of my friends/co-workers has also been doing WW and doing an amazing job.  She's been a real support and inspiration for me along the way.  It's been fun even going to some of our meetings together if I'm teaching on Saturdays.  I thought she deserved a little reminder of the amazing job she's done, so I'll be leaving this for her tonight at work and she'll get it in the morning.  (**Let's just hope she doesn't see this post before that!) 

The was done a while ago actually for a card sketch challenge and I just never got it posted so I'm afraid I couldn't tell you which one! I also used a new set of Taylored Expressions stamps that I just got so it was fun to play with them and I look forward to more of that since I have a lot of people in my life on this journey to a healthier self right now!  I posted about my latest update already and will be going again tomorrow!

Not much going on today thought it's been quite a good one!  We had a nice visit this morning with a friend and her daughter who also goes to preschool with Nathan and Sophia.  Nathan still has the cough, but it seems to be less often with the medication at least!  I'm just doing a bit of laundry and a few chores and then we'll need to go get Kyle after school.  I work tonight, but Fridays are always fun and it's nice being closed at 10:30pm now rather than 11:30 for sure!

Well, have a fabulous weekend everyone and stay warm!
Cheers,

What a fun day!

What a wonderful Saturday! First of all, I wasn't working or teaching today, so that was a very welcome break. Went to my WW meeting this morning for the 16th week and got my clapping hands - "Stay and Succeed". I was a little unsure of my weigh in as I'd had a little more in the carb dept this week, but tracked everything and was very happily down another 1.6lbs (42.8 total now).  A very good start to the day!

I stopped at Starbucks for my coffee and breakfast sandwich before heading home. Got Kyle ready for karate and went there before running errands with Nathan. Came home for a quick bite and then headed out for some fun for me.

Instead of teaching today, I was taking a Christmas card class from one of my fellow teachers, Alexis, and had a great time! It was fun to be on the playing end rather than the teaching side for a change.  Thanks Alexis!  Was also supposed to go for coffee before that with a friend, but her DH got called to work unfortunately (so no one to watch the kids - another time!).

Came home and got all my guys and we headed out to iHop for dinner.  Stopped at the new "super" Walmart near here to check out the craziness and it sure was busy.  I stood in line and got a couple of things while the boys got an ice cream.  Kyle was halfway through his when he said his other top front tooth had fallen out!!  Exciting!  Guess the Tooth Fairy will be making a stop here tonight! 

We've rented movies, so the boys are watching Toy Story 3 right now and George and I are going to watch Robin Hood later. I also got Predator for him, but so not interested in that! Think I'll go watch some of the Canucks game right now too!

Great day all the way around!
“Enjoy the little things, for one day you may look back and realize they were the big things.”
~ Robert Brault

Hope everyone else enjoyed their Saturday!
Cheers,

Working on Changes...

Well, I'm not sure why, but I wasn't quite ready to tell everyone what I've been working on, but I think now's the time.  I've been working on.... ME!  Yes, I finally went back to Weight Watchers in July and have since lost 33lbs.  I'm no where near close to being where I want to be, but I'm proud of the accomplishment and happier for it.  I have more energy and just feel good about making better choices for myself and being a better example for the boys. 

The top picture was Summer 2009 and the bottom one is early Sept., but I can see the change even there.  Can't wait to see more change and see myself in more pictures.  I made George a deal that when I lose 50lbs, the reward will be a family picture that I can feel better about!

Making good changes that I can live with... for life.  I'm getting daily exercise just with walking though I'm looking at maybe going to a gym just because it's getting dark so much earlier now.  Making better food choices and less of them!  No rocket science - just real life!

It's an interesting journey to be on though seemingly different from the last few times I've done it.  I feel ready this time...  Ready for change.  Enjoying the process too. 

Here's to making changes and feeling good about it!

Cheers,