November does not suck today

Usually I have a difficult dysfunctional time with November. It is my least favourite month for too many reasons.  However, here I sit with a smile on my face, realizing that I am actually enjoying my day.

Why today does NOT suck, top 10:

10 - I have coffee.  It is the good kind that I brewed a big full pot at home and served it in a big mug, alongside some chocolate.  No day sucks completely when there is coffee and chocolate.

9 - Laura is playing with a friend right now and I am thrilled that they are acting young for their age, imaginations gone wild with dolls and stuffies getting into mischief.  I am loving every moment of this.

8 - It is a school PD day so no rushing around and lots of leisure time for play, lunch, reading, iPading and everything.  So peaceful.

7 - My cat is being cute.


Apparently the dryer rocks right now. It's good to be a cat.

6 - Owen is super-happy that it is Nintendo Day .  He saved up and got a WiiU game he wanted and is over the moon with gaming bliss.  His good mood is contagious.

5 - My grocery store had everything I wanted on sale.  Even pie!

They call this a "pie slice".  I clearly have been cutting my pies wrong all this time. I think I will go back and get a couple more "slices" to go with the coffee... and some antacid for afterward.

4 - There is more brightness everywhere with a few inches of fresh, white snow on the ground.  Grey, rainy November weather sucks the life out of me so I like a bit of snow.

3 - I do not live in Buffalo. 

Poor Upstate New York.  This is not a happy little bit of snow.

2 - November is more than 2/3 done!  I don't like wishing away the time but thanks to some work and some fun distractions, the days are passing quickly.  Christmas-a-rama has hit the stores and I kinda like it.  Early start on Christmas treats and beverages is also helping.  Cheers!

1 - I am grateful for the kindness of friends, family and the odd odd stranger.  Thanks to gym/therapy with Allison, coffee mornings with my husband, silly lunches with my sister and more humourous chatter with my mom, time with friends around a kitchen table with wine flowing freely, cashiers who get my sarcasm and so many other connections this month, I have been recharged.  I  love all the ways these people 'get' me, take me as I am and bring out my best.  I am thankful.

Farewell Isn't Fun

Last night we said farewell to a dear friend who is moving 3000 km away.  I don't know when or if I will see her again in person and it sucks.  I hate this kind of good bye.  There are other dear people to me who are also too far away, some who happen to be celebrating birthdays this week, and I don't know when or if I will be seeing them again either. Each one was such a significant part of my life at one time or another. I can't believe those times are only memories now. 


There is a hollowness that remains when we lose those we care about from our daily lives.  I usually can take it, fill it with distractions of the moment and the joys that are close at hand, but today it aches.  I feel sulky and I don't like missing people.  I want a transporter, or a way to go back in time to re-experience some of the wonderful times in my past with people I miss. 


You would think that by 40-something, I would be over this childishness.  For now, nostalgia is making me blue.  I know that it gets better, today is just a day and all that.  I wouldn't trade a single memory of times with these people to avoid the pain.  All these finished chapters are part of my life story.  It still sucks.  I want it all. 

WW - Dragon boat

Dragon boat race day.  A wonderful experience in so many ways.  Proud to have raised over $500 for charity, tried a new and fabulous sport, enjoyed a beautiful evening sipping craft beer with a fun band and spent time in my own company to take it all in.

Wordless Wednesday - The Tulip Edition

A few pics from the lovely tulippy walk with Allison last week. 

 

 

The End

 

(Note to self - get a new blogging program/  Not being able to edit photos or layout is stupid.)

Random Notes of a Non-Dieter on Detox

I don't diet.  I lack the willpower and organization to make it last beyond a day.  I also am pretty easy going about my body with all it's imperfections that I don't really see the point.  All that being said, this time was different.  I wasn't feeling OK, tight pants aside, I was feeling tired too often, my brain felt foggy and my stomach was upset more than it should be.  Time for change, time for a diet. 

Bookstore wanders led me to this, "The 21 Day Sugar Detox" by Diane Sanfilippo.  Hmmm, this may be do-able.  It is only 3 weeks and the cover is really colourful so I'm sold.  Here is what happened:

• Sugar is out.  That means all forms of sugar, sweeteners, and most fruit too.  That is hard to do!  I read labels like crazy but mostly ended up cooking more from scratch.  A good natural food store is your friend and you find many
• Grains are limited and gluten is out.  This is a big shift from my regular food.  No more toast for breakfast, croissant pick-me-up later in the day.  I did cheat a little here and got some organic, gluten-free, seed based crackers and chips for snacking.   
• Dairy (full fat), eggs and most nuts are in.  There are variations for those who may be sensitive to any of those things.  I brought a variety of nut mixes with me to munch on throughout the day. 
• This diet works because I can have coffee, one of my essential food groups.  It also allows, even encourages healthy types of meats and bacon!  My taste buds don't miss sugar so much when there are other savory flavours to enjoy.
•  You can't have wine.  That sucks.  I cheated on that one too and had a few glasses on weekends. I am a rebel.
• I started cooking like I care again.  New recipes involving a variety of veggies are on the menu.  I tried new things, some that actually worked!  I enjoyed the coconut based things especially.  I tropical holiday in a way.
• You get to eat a lot of food.  I suppose you shouldn't go overboard on portions but you don't really have limits.  I didn't really measure much and I found I started to recognize hunger versus eating for boredom or energy crash pick-me-ups.  I eat more often but less volume of food now. 
•  
• In the end I lost about 10 lbs and couple inches off my waist and an inch off my hips.  I shrunk a pant size and needed to buy a new belt.  A WIN!
• I do have more energy, at least in general between meals.  The fats and proteins that I ate do hold my blood sugar steady and strangely I do not NEED to have a coffee every couple of hours.
• My stomach is behaving so much better.  I won't go into details but you get the picture.
• I think I am thinking more clearly but I'm not sure how you measure that.  I can multi-task better and I haven't lost my keys this week.  Does that count?  I am sleeping alright but not really a change in that for me.  I know I need to get to bed earlier and I drink less coffee. 

So now I am going to keep some of the changes to my diet and toss away some others.  I am reaching for proteins instead of sweets to pick me up.  I will limit some of the treats to smaller portions and less often. 

Overall, it was a good experience, even if my family thinks I am nuts.  Mmmmm... nuts.... trail mix anyone?

And Now For Something Completely Different...

This is what happens when you wander, over-tired, with a 10 year old crafty kid around Michaels...

I was thinking that she shouldn't have all the fun and it has been ages since I've done something that doesn't involve a screen.  Ooooh, pretty cross-stitch!   Easy!  ... Maybe.... Nevermind that I am the anti-perfectionist who throws instructions out the window at the first opportunity, somehow I expect to sew something that doesn't look like splatter paint.  It would be nice if it even looked like the picture on the package.

I am already screwing up. Light blue is not the same as pale blue.  Those pesky threads will not not knot!  I've lost count and made a row of 'Xs' at 21 micro-squares past centre instead of 23 so the whole design is off.  There is no way I'm going back!

Embrace the imperfections, I say.  I like the colours, no matter how the picture turns out.  I am enjoying the change of pace.  It keeps my fingers busy as I watch my hockey team plummet in the standings.  It lets me be creative beside my crafty girl and we giggle together.

It makes me happy.


http://www.deesecret.com/blog/2009/12/07/being-happy/

Tropical Bliss

It was all I could hope for and more.  A week in the Dominican with the people I love, soaking up the sun, turquoise ocean wave jumping, lounging by pools with a rum drink in hand, escaping winter chills, peace.  Pure bliss.