Monday’s To-Do’s

1. Complete Yoga Teacher Training Application
2. Submit Yoga Teacher Training Application
3. Banking
4. Groceries
5. Bake 8 dozen Triple-Ginger Gingersnaps
6. Cook remaining meatballs
7. Make big pot of lentil chili for freezer
8. Make big pot of spaghetti sauce for freezer
9. Knit
10. Tidy house (read: find Garmin!)
11. Nap
12. Blog
13. Walk (3.95 km)
14. Pick up fabulous Christmas Party Dresses from drycleaners

The list is getting shorter! Chili & pasta sauce are simmering and I’ve got everything for the cookies (I didn’t have enough molasses so had to make a quick trip to Safeway). I just looked outside and it’s snowing, so I think the rest of the day will be inside!

New downstairs neighbour moved in this morning. First dozen cookies will be delivered there. They are currently parked in my parking spot. Not cool. Cookies will help, I’m sure!

Have a great day!

Oh yeah, between my run yesterday and walk today, I’ve  passed the Wonderland Amusement Park am currently at West boundary Upper Sumas Indian Reserve #6. Still in Abbottsford and oh, so close to the cabin! We’ll see if there’s going to be a detour.

Edit: So there has been no knitting, tidying, or napping. There have been some cookie taste tastes. I am a sucker for a gingersnap. ‘Specially if there’s milk to dunk ‘em in!

But since I can no longer keep my eyes open, I’m going to bed! ‘Night!

Sunday fly-by post

Where did this day go?!

- got up and had pre-run brekkie: Weight Watcher's English muffin with PB and honey, a cup of chai (Tazo concentrate with 1% moo and a sploosh of Noel Nog (my Safeway finally got more!))

- RUN!! First time since Nov. 2 before I was sidelined by H1N1. Had a great, speedy run. My usual 4.4-ish km loop took me just over 31 minutes. It felt Gggggreeaaatt! (Pretend you're Tony the Tiger when you read that). Why so speedy though? Hmmm...could it be: building a slow and steady base OR rage because I can't find my f%$$#(&g Garmin? Not sure, but either way, I'll take it. Now, to just find the Garmin....

- weights and stretching. I even used a tennis ball to roll out those tight places--around the knees, quads, glutes (OUCH does not even come CLOSE to describing the pain)

- quick shower

- lunch at the Taj! Supposed to be with S and his folks to discuss the Christmas plan. I even changed my shifts around to accommodate this discussion. We got stood up. Not even a freaking phone call! Well, to be fair, he was pretty sure his folks weren't coming because of the snowfall on Friday and bad roads (although I'm pretty sure the highways are currently bare and dry, but whatever). His brother was supposed to meet us at 1130h. When we left the restaurant at 1235, we still hadn't heard from him. So what's the Christmas plan, you ask? I still don't know!! It's driving me INSANE not to have a plan. Sheesh.

- S'bucks (Awake tea with peppermint, thanks Angie!) stop, then a walk around the Reservoir to Heritage Park where we poked our heads into a few of the new shops. We also saw the most bizarre skating rink that wasn't ice covered. I still can't really wrap my brain around it.

- Work. I walked into a gong show. AGAIN. One of my colleagues has had a rough year, split with her hubby of many years, big birthday, no trip to Paris with hubby as planned for years...and she's a disaster when it comes to instruments...on a good day, let alone when her personal life is caving in around her. It's been hard to be supportive when she obviously needs some help. I was hoping to talk to her today (perhaps suggesting a doctors note to take some time off) but didn't get the chance as disaster struck again. Let's just say I was lucky to get out of there on time. As a result, I am currently consuming the remainder of the bottle of wine opened last night (Woodbridge 2007 Merlot). It's beyond lovely.

- I am hosting our work Christmas party because our management has not organized/will not organize one. What does that say about how much we're appreciated? So BYOB and an appy and meet at my house for festivities and merriment! If they won't do it, we'll do our own, won't invite them and show them that we're a team with or without their support. I figure I'll make mulled juice (apple/cran) and the baked brie with the last of the cranberry chutney I made for Turkey day.

And with that, I'm going to run a bath, soak for a bit, drinking more wine, and then go to bed. Tomorrow is errands and baking 8 dozen triple ginger gingersnaps for the cookie exchange, L's b-day present and Christmas gifts.

'night!

Did I mention

that there was also wine? In the sauce and a wee bit pour moi.

That is all. Regular scheduled programming will now resume.

H =)

I am a good cooker!

On the menu tonight:

Caesar salad with baby romaine and Epicure Caesar dressing plus 1 TB Miracle whip, 1 TB yogurt, lemon juice, milk, oil, grated parm. Oh yeah, and GAH-LIC. Lots of GAH-lic!

Spaghetti with Epicure Arrababiata seasoning (sauteed onion, garlic, celery, red pepper, orange pepper, sliced 'shrooms, and zuke with diced tomatoes and tomato sauce)

Meatballs with Epicure Polpette spice added to 1/2 lean ground beef, 1/2 lean ground pork, 1 egg, 1/4 cup bread crumbs and then baked in the toaster oven on a rack so all the fat drained out

OH. MY. FREAKING. GOD. IT'S. GOOD!!

And now I'm catching up on two weeks of Corrie, Being Erica and The Border. Then I'm hitting the hay.

Going for a run in the morning, then lunch with S and his fam. Hopefully there will be a Christmas plan when we're done. And then I have to go to work.

Have a great night!

Breaking up is hard to do....

I <3 cheese. In all it's forms. But we must end this relationship, for it has become toxic to me. I've tried moderation. Really, I have. Let's see how strong I can be...


p.s. Me and S. are fine, it's cheese that's the problem.

p.p.s. Epicure mulling spices + 2 cups cranberry juice + 2 cups apple juice = DIVINE

p.p.p.s. Epicure Teriakyi + chicken thighs + broiler + leftover stirfry = YUMMY

FUN-couver!!

Still here, one more sleep then I'm home. I miss Nerm. I miss S. I miss my fireplace! I'm cold and wet and therefore, cranky. Not good. Oh well, I've had the most fabulous weekend!

I spent some quality time with my yoga teacher and also had three amazing classes with her. I miss her already! She's super supportive and excited about my teacher training, just like I knew she would be, but it's always nice to be validated.

Had a quick visit with K & B and their boys and dogs, Max and Lily.

I've walked what feels like a kazillion kilometers but I haven't turned my Garmin (305 for whoever asked) on. I'll figure it out on Map My Run when I get home.

Made my cousin the most delicious (her words, I'm not just saying that) s'ghetti and meatballs last night. Her exact words were more along the lines of "S. has to marry you--does he know what a good cook you are?!" And no, I did not pay her to say anything of the sort.

More later!

H =)

I'm not gonna lie...

I'm having pizza and cider for dinner tonight. And it's not remotely healthy pizza, other than the fact that it's all veggie. But damn it, Eddy's Nest makes freaking AMAZING pizza. (And I'm tired and not making the best choices.)

I'm off to fun-couver tomorrow night for a weekend of R & R: some yoga with my teacher, Kate, visiting with good friends (K & B) and family (cousin Jen, maybe Auntie Jackie and cousin Shannon), running on the beach, knitting and enjoying all the fun that makes Vancouver --> FUN-couver! Oh yeah, there will more than likely be Starbucks.

Who am I kidding?!

There will DEFINITELY be Starbucks!

=)

Really Random Ramblings!

Where to start?

-Garmin says: 38:44, 4.08km, 253 cal. Didn't have the gas in the tank for a run, but a brisk walk felt good. This takes me thiiiiis close to the McCallum Road overpass & Exit 90 in Abbotsford.

-I need new runners. Good thing Christmas is coming!

-I've ordered some Spanx to help ensure Operation Christmas Party Dress is a smashing success. Both dresses now fit (and can be zipped up) so from here on in, it's all about toning.

-BEST. NEWS. EVER!!! My supervisor is willing to schedule me as I requested as long as I can switch the shifts I'm already scheduled for in January. DONE (in less than ten minutes, so why she felt that she couldn't POSSIBLY do it, I have no idea!) I don't have it in writing yet, but I'm thinking positively and working on the application anyway. Whoo hoo! Um, I mean namaste. Ommmmmmmmmmmmm....

-Nerm found a new hiding spot on the weekend: the drawer in my closet. Freaked me out because I thought she had escaped (AGAIN) and when I found her she was like, "What?!" I've yet to capture her absolute adorableness on film (disc?), but it's the cutest thing ever.

-Food choices have been pretty good of late. Well, there seems to be some Halloween candy left at work--seriously? Why haven't those people eaten it all already? Sheesh.

-I think I've decided what to buy S. for Christmas: four day pass for Folk Fest and a bottle of the 8 ticket wine we found at the Food & Wine Festival. If I can find it, that is! Comments? Suggestions? I'm new at this so not really sure what the protocol is!

-I forgot how hard 0600-1400h shift is! I MUST be in bed by 2030h tonight!

-I have yet to discover warm & fuzzy feelings about laundry. I'm hoping my mom comes down next week for a visit! Hey, she just spent three weeks with her other grandkids. Nerm is starting to get a complex.

-I think that's it.

H =)

Back to the grind...

and holy moly batman it was hard to get up at 0430h this morning!

Brekkie (0500h):
1/2 cup bulgur
1/2 cup plain yogurt
1 TB maple syrup
1 TB peanut butter
1/2 a smashed 'nanner

chai with a splash of Noel Nog

Lunch (1030h) I didn't get a coffee break, so took it and lunch together!
aloo ghobi
bulgur
Pink Lady apple
mandarin orange

Snack (1430)
herbed gouda

Ran: 32:50, 4.67km This puts me atPeardonville Rd, South Fraser Way overpass, WB onramp, and police U-turn in Abbotsford.
Did some weights: squats, lunges, tricep extentions, bicep curls, shoulders

Made some dinner
channa masala (not nearly as good as the Taj's)
aloo ghobi (lunch was from the last batch)
tandoori shrimp--these weren't as good as I thought they'd be, but I started with precooked shrimps, I think that's why

And now I should go do a load of laundry. At least one before bed!

It's Done!

I emailed my manager and supervisor. And bcc'd my labour relations officer, too. Just to be on the safe side. =P

I've called and talked to the course coordinator. The location they were planning on using is literally just down the road from S.'s house. It's unfortunately, not likely to be completed in time, so they're still looking. There are still about 10 spots left.

So it's out there, Universe. I want it!

H =)

p.s. Oh yeah, the dentist wasn't too bad. No lecture about flossing! In fact, I got, "Your gums are very healthy. Keep doing what you're doing." But I did promise my hygienist, Meredith, that I would bring a tally of how many smiley stickers I got from today till May 31 (next cleaning). AND I got a 1.84km walk in! Noodles tonight which will add another 8.27km (I'll update the ticker when I've actually done those 8K!)

Marathon Post...sorry!

My apologies for the marathon post today! Bear with me!

So on Friday, I encountered this beauty:

This bad boy is a marble cupcake (chocolate and coconut cakes) topped with chocolate icing (not too sweet) and a small dollop of coconut icing. Seriously, I saw heaven!! Bells were ringing, angels singing, the whole bit.

Calgary has some cupcake places but they have NEVER impressed me. Their cakes are dry and flavourless (Duncan Hines or Betty Crocker have nothing to fear from them, that's for sure). Their icings are so sweet that I inevitably scrape all but the tiniest layer off. Some businesses run out before noon. Do they make more cupcakes? Nope. They close their door. BUT, these guys have it ALL figured out!! Two thumbs up for sure!

Friday night was the most amazing concert I've been to in ages! Justin and Melissa were FAN-FREAKING-TASTIC! The venue was a gorgeous church downtown with stadium style pews, padded pews (even better) and amazing acoustics. *sigh* I didn't want it to end! If you get a chance, check out Justin's music here and Melissa's here.

Went to Canmore yesterday and had my toes done in the Manicurist of Seville:



Stopped in at Rocky Mountain Soap Company's open house and picked up some stuff--mostly for other people, although I'm loving the new spicy mandarin lip butter!

Went for a run in gale force chinook winds this morning:
32:25
4.67 km
289 cal

I'm now in Abbotsford!! Whoo hoo!

The rest of the day is going to involve sorting laundry (have I mentioned how much I loathe and despise laundry? I love it when my mom comes to visit, 'cause she loves it and does it for me!) and knitting. Those baby blankies won't knit themselves! This is what the first one looks like:

It's got a seed stitch border with four squares inside. Not a very good description, I know, but it's an easy pattern (Shirls, you could totally do this one!) and lemme tell ya, that's what I need!

OK, off to knit. Happy Sunday! Please read my previous post and let me know what you think!

Need feedback, please!

OK, so I really, really, really want to do my yoga teacher training! There's an AMAZING opportunity to do it part time, starting in January. As you know, my work schedule is erratic and not posted in a very timely manner.

So this is the email I've composed to my manager and supervisor asking for their co-operation. Whaddya think?

I have been offered an amazing opportunity to take my yoga teacher training on a part time basis (typically this training is only offered in month-long training sessions and not often in Calgary). Before making such a large financial and time commitment, I need to ensure that my work schedule can be accommodated. I would require:
-Wednesday evenings off from January 4 - April 21
-January 21-24 off
-March 18-21 off
I am willing to use vacation days if necessary, although my preference would be to use my scheduled days off. Would this be able to be accommodated? If you could let me know prior to December 1, I would appreciate it. Thanks!

Don't drink the water!

Apparently there's a bit of a pregnancy bug going around my group of friends and I don't wanna catch it!

L & G just got their little bundle of joy.
K & S are due in April.
A & P are due in July. (A & K are sisters, so that's 'specially cool)

This means I have THREE baby blankets to knit! I'm half way done one I started for baby J, but then her mom stopped talking to me and moved to Saskatchewan, so I guess baby Isabella can have it! I'm a good knitter, just really slow. And Nerm likes to play with the yarn. I convinced her last night that her mouse was more fun to play with. I don't know how long that'll work.

I'll try and post a pic later, 'cause it is a gorgeous blanket!!

Tonight is the Justin Rutledge and Melissa McClelland concert. Can't wait! I love good Canadian music!

No fancy title here...

Not much going on today. I slept in (it was blissful) and then puttered around the kitchen a bit.

Just got back from a lovely, brisk walk.
5.17 km
51:20
323 calories
I also threw in some weights--shoulder presses, lateral raises, bicep curls and tricep extensions. A few push-ups and abs too, just for good measure. Still in Langley, but slow and steady is gonna win this race!

My cough is considerably better, so I'm hoping to get out for a LSD on Sunday.

S. didn't want me to walk down to the Taj (Macleod Trail isn't exactly pedestrian friendly) so guess where we're going for dinner?! No dessert for me tonight. I think I want tandoori chicken and kabli channa (Chickpeas cooked with ground cumin, onions and tomatoes, and the secret ingredient) or bartha (Smoked eggplant cooked over an open flame, pureed and sautéed with fresh onions, tomatoes and cilantro).

Alas, now I'm going to curl up with my book (Six Months in Sudan) and read in the sunbeam while it lasts!

Arrrrrrgh!

I left my cell in the restaurant last night! Guess my walk today will be a trek down Macleod Trail!

Wednesday of Remembering

I spent this morning at the cenotaph downtown with my cousins Dougie and Robin and baby cousins, S, H, and S. Heard the pipers play (and saw a former co-worker who is a drummer in the pipe band) and stood in silence to remember why I love this country. I didn't fully appreciate it until I was in the Middle East and couldn't go where I wanted, when I wanted and with who I wanted. Don't even get me started on what I could and couldn't say! I came home with a new found appreciation for freedom. And I think Dougie has now, too.

Came home and then S. & I headed south to Head Smashed In Buffalo Jump. Very cool, but again, I was saddened by how the Europeans completely obliterated a way of life. Thank goodness it's now a Unesco World Heritage Site and is preserved to show future generations how life on the plains used to be.

Stopped in at our favourite Indian place, Taj Mahal. We were going to go see "The Men Who Stare at Goats" but it didn't start for over an hour. So we wandered around the mall for awhile (S. was amazed that I knew what each and every kitchen gadget he held up was!) and then headed home.

And bed is beckoning....

African Stew

In honour of my cousin Dougie, who's currently stuck in the airport in Minneapolis on his way home from Sudan, dinner tonight is African stew. Yummy!


From the cookbook, Cooking Vegetarian by Vesanto Melina & Joseph Forest.

4 c vegetable stock (or chicken if you're not veggie)
1 chopped onion
2 cloves garlic, minced
2 c peeled, diced yams
1 c cooked chickpeas
1/2 c brown rice (I've substituted bulgar, too)
1/4 tsp salt
1/4 c peanut butter (I like crunchy)
2 c chopped kale
2 TB lemon juice
tamari or soy sauce (optional)
hot sauce

In large pot over medium heat, saute onion and garlic in 2TB stock until soft. Add remaining stock, yams, chickpeas, rice and salt; simmer covered for 45 minutes.

In small bowl, blend peanut butter and 1/2 c of liquid from stew to make smooth paste. Stir into stew along with kale and cook for 5 minutes. Stir in tamari if using.

Serve with lemon wedge and hot sauce (these are essential--don't leave them out!)




Bad news--I've gotta give the car back. =(

Good news--He's going back on Saturday! =)

Take it easy Tuesday

I stayed up way too late last night: eating yummy Epicure goodies and trying on gorgeous Silpada jewelery. I got my order today that I bought a few weeks ago and I love everything but the ring. It just doesn't look right. *le sigh* So I guess it'll go back and I'll just have to pick one of the many other sparkly things I circled in the catalogue!

I thought I'd answer some questions and comment on some comments:

1. The birth mother has 10 days to change her mind about the adoption. Total roller coaster for adoptive parents and reason why L & G kept baby under wraps till they knew she was staying with them forever.

2. Roasted chick peas are semi-crunchy. I think I could've baked them longer but I was afraid they would burn. Next time I'll leave them in a little longer.

3. Prince of Whales hotel in Waterton is NOT creepy! It's gorgeous and that is where I want to get married. I figure it's the closest thing to Scotland I can get in Alberta and every time I think about it, I can actually hear the piper piping.

4. Boys should not be allowed to plan kitchens or bathrooms! In my opinion they do not spend enough time in either room to make changes that will affect (a) my morning ritual and (b) storage capabilities in my kitchen. Although I love soaking in my tub, it really does suck as a shower. Apparently you can't have your cake and eat it too.

OK, I think that's it. For now anyways. Didn't go for a run, but I did walk downtown for lunch and then home again. Dinner tonight is African Stew. Mmmmm....

300 & Pumpkin Pie Chick Peas

Wowsers! 300 Posts!! To celebrate, some chickpeas, festive style:

Kath made these a week ago and I was intrigued. They live up to their hype!

Pumpkin Pie Chickpeas
1 19 oz can chickpeas, rinsed, drained and patted dry
1 tsp oil
2 TB maple syrup
1 tsp apple cider vinegar
1/8 tsp salt
1/4 tsp nutmeg
1/4 tsp ginger
3/4 tsp cinnamon

Preheat oven to 350F.
Combine all ingredients until evenly coated.
Spread on a cookie sheet (I used a parchment lined one instead of greased).
Bake 25 minutes, stirring every 10 minutes.


Yum!

Garmin says...

37:19
3.42 km
217 cal
65% max hr

Only one big coughing fit, otherwise a lovely stroll through the neighbourhood, along the trails and back down Mission Hill.

Along the Trans Canada, I'm still in Langley, BC almost to the 208 St. Overpass.

Manic Monday

Well, not really, but I needed some alliteration for the title and I do have a lengthy to-do list.

So tonight I am hosting an Epicure and Silpada party. Both are home based businesses. Epicure is food and cookware and Silpada has gorgeous silver jewelery. Thank goodness I tidied before I left, so today there's not THAT much to do.

-groceries (veggies, fruit and crackers for dipping in Epicure goodness!)
-vacuum (Nerm is adorable, but hairy)
-shower (no explanation should be necessary here)
-manicure (OPI Nail Envy is AMAZING)
-walk/run (I need some endorphins!)

Considering I did nothing in Banff but sleep and eat, the scale was showing me the same number it did on Thursday! Whoo hoo! Another reason to get off my ass and go for at least a walk. I'm feeling 100% better than I did even yesterday, and the sun is shining out there.

Hmmmm...I think that's it. Oh, I'm going to try a new recipe for lunch: Pumpkin Spiced Chickpeas. I'll keep you posted!

Happy Monday =)

Love my tub!

I may have mentioned it here before, but I LOVE my tub! It's an old school, claw foot tub that is heavenly to soak in.


Add some of this:



And H-woman is a happy, relaxed, healthy camper! Rocky Mountain Soap Company is based in Canmore and makes the most amazing products. And they have an online store--check it out!

I've gotta kick this cough so I can get running--I've got itchy feet and watching all those people run in Winterstart last night without me was painful! Next year for sure, S & I will be there, running with glo-sticks and 998 of our closest friends!

Fabulous News!

My dear friends have a new baby!! Baby Isabella was born on Oct. 24, but they've wanted to keep her under wraps until the 10 day birth-mom-can-still-change-her-mind-period was up.

Last night at midnight, it became official. This baby girl couldn't ask for cooler parents. And I hope she'll always know that she was wanted more than she could ever imagine.

Banff Re-cap

Not much to report. Both me and my boy were sick all weekend. No running. Much coughing.

Good thing we had a super comfy king sized bed!

And there's always next year...
H =)

As promised...

Mac 'n Cheese!

Cookies are made.
Last load of laundry is drying.
Kitchen is tidied.
My nails are done.

Just a shower and a quick walk down the block and everything else will be done. Well, except the packing. But that won't take long.

And then a NAP. Fridays are good. =)

OK--When did the rules of the road change? Seriously?! I was pretty sure that as a pedestrian, if the little man said walk and I was in a marked cross walk, the cars had to wait for me. Obviously I was wrong.

We now return to regularly scheduled ranting.

Happy Friday!

Goooooooooooood morning, Calgary (and others)!!

The sun has finally peeked around the big high rise to the south of me and is drenching me in a lovely sunbeam. Nerm is sound asleep (as only cats can be) in front of the fire and doesn't realize she's missing out on a great sunbeam.

You'll never guess how excited I was last night when I found some of this:


in Safeway. It's an old photo, sorry, it now comes in a plastic jug. But guess who had an egg-noggy chai this morning?! Yep, I've been soooooo envious of Jaime's noggy lattes (except that whole coffee thing) but I wanted to wait for my tried and true Noel Nog. Waaaaaay healthier than the eggy stuff.

Other than that, I don't have much to report today. I seem to be on the mend, although the coughing, wheezing and hacking remain. I'm still not sure if I'll be able to run tomorrow night, but I think S. will kill me if I don't. Especially since I basically told him he had to run this with me! =P

I did make a fan-freaking-tastic mac and cheese last night. Sorry, I was too hungry to take a photo. Maybe at lunch time. Basically:
- 1 box of Eating Right whole wheat elbow macaroni
- 1 cup 1% cottage cheese
- 1 container Imperial cheese
- onion
- dijon mustard
- 1% moo (not much)
- broccoli
- 1 x 28 oz can diced tomatoes, drained
- S & P
- 1/3 cup breadcrumbs
- 1 TB canola oil
- parmesan cheese

1. Cook macaroni. Drain. Set aside. Preheat oven to 350 or 400F
2. Steam broc. Drain. Add to noodles.
3. Drain tomatoes. Add to noodles and broc.
4. Saute onion in a bit of butter or oil until tender. Remove from heat.
5. Add cottage cheese, Imperial, and a bit of moo and return to low heat.
6. Melt over low till saucy and cheesy.
7. Stir in some mustard and S & P.
8. Pour over noodles and mix.
9. Transfer to baking dish (I used my Pampered Chef 8x8 casserole but probably should have used a 9x13).
10. In a small dish, combine breadcrumbs, parm and oil till crumbly. Top casserole.
11. Bake until golden, bubbly, and cheesy (about 20-30 minutes).
12. Bask in the glory that is yours for being so amazing!

OK, I'd better get my butt in gear. Before we leave this afternoon, I still need to:
1. make cookies for the neighbours (oatmeal cherry chocolate chip)
2. pack
3. laundry
4. tidy house
5. pick up race packs
6. go to bank
7. get gas
8. nap

Happy Friday!

Early WI

Since I’m going to be in Banff on Saturday, my usual WI day had to be bumped up a day or two! I had planned on going to the meeting downtown this morning, but when I got up at 6, fever and chills set in, along with aches and pains. Sheesh! The flu sucks, people.  So, heavily medicated, I went back to bed for a few hours.

 

Got up and stood on the scale and WHOO HOO!! I have re-entered the 170’s! Happy dancing all around chez moi aujourd’hui!

Return of the Appetite

That’s a good sign, right? Good. That’s what I thought, too.

Tonight’s dinner had to:

(a) be yummy

(b) require very little effort on my part (my appetite may have returned, but energy hasn’t!)

(c) be quick

Check. Check. And check!



I made a veggie orzo dish awhile ago and put the leftovers in the freezer. While it was thawing in the microwave, I ran some cooked, frozen shrimp under some water and then got rid of their tails. I had the kettle hot, so I also soaked some sundried tomatoes. Chopped up some olives, mixed it all up and topped it with some feta. P opped it into the preheated toaster oven for 25 minutes and WOWSERS! I also had a slice of toasted Como bread on the side (note that it didn’t survive long enough to make it to the photo op). Oh, and a cuppa hot water with lemon to soothe the sore throat, too.


Christie’s coming to pick up the keys so she can feed Nerm while we’re in Banff this weekend for Winterstart. I sure hope the sneezing, coughing and phlegm are done by then!! Just found out S. spent the day on his couch, too. Uh oh! Please send healthy vibes our way...

A nice warm bath after that and Nerm and I are calling it a day. We’re going to WI bright and early tomorrow morning.

And seriously, what is up with not being able to post photos from Windows Live Messenger?! Jaime suggested 'dragging and dropping' but it won't let me do that. In all other ways I love the Live Writer! Help a girl out!!

And now it's light's out time in Cowtown. 'Night!!

Could I have some cheese

to go with my wine whine?

Oh wait, I’m trying to break up with cheese, aren’t I? <sigh>

Oh all right then, just pour me another glass!

 

This post has been brought to you by Wolf Blass Shiraz. =)

When will the coughing end?

I just need a heads up. I've hacked up a lung or two already and need time to grow another two (one for breathing, one to hack up).

Schedule woes resolved

Well, I had to email my supervisor to see if the schedule had been posted yet. Umm, apparently she posted it yesterday and forgot to email me. Good thing I emailed you at 1 this afternoon, or I'd still be waiting! So in typical fashion, I'm not scheduled for New year's eve, but she DID schedule me for evenings! Seriously?! I have a six hour drive ahead of me and I'm scheduled to work till 10 pm. Grrrr...

Here's the best part, though. I work with the most fabulous people!! And they are why I love my job. One quick email to SC and RJ and just like that, I've got the 30th OFF. I picked up an extra shift from SC the week before Christmas and her and RJ switch benches and all is good in the world. Now how hard was that? Hmmm? Not very. Not sure what I ever did to piss my supervisor off so much that she gives me the shittiest schedule, but thank goodness for great co-workers. They make going to work worthwhile!

Still coughing, but I did get my list done! C. and I are going for noodles for dinner. Nothing like a little beef sate pho with veggies to clear the sinuses.

Also got some great news from some friends this morning, but can't share till Sunday. Let's just say that there's been some serious happy dancing going on in my kitchen for them. =)

And now the couch is calling my name...

I think I'm gonna make it!

It was touch and go there for awhile yesterday, but I'm pretty sure I'm on the road to recovery today. I haven't had pain like that since I was diagnosed with SLE when I was 18. And really, who puts child proof lids on cough syrup for adults with arthritis? I almost cried yesterday trying to get it open! Note to self: next time you're at Shopper's have them put a note on your file: NO CHILDPROOF CAPS.

Nerm's lack of opposable thumbs means she's not likely to get into the cough syrup anytime soon. =)

Yesterday's food was pretty erratic:
0830h: OJ
1400h: Italian wedding soup, OJ
1800h: OJ, super cherry nibs
0330h: slice of bread, H20

Add some good OTC cold/flu meds, Extra strength Motrin, prescription cough syrup with codeine and H-woman slept most of the day! I think the fever broke sometime between 0330h and 0830h this morning. I woke up feeling 250% better than yesterday. My hair doesn't hurt, nor does most of the rest of my body.

My goals for the day are few and simple:
1. Have a shower.
2. Wash the sheets. I <3 clean sheet day!
3. Empty the dishwasher.
4. Fill said dishwasher with dishes littering the sink and counter.

That is all. This post has been brought to you by the letters "O" and "J."

Flattened by the Flu

I feel like I've been run over by a truck! Everything (and I mean EVERYTHING) hurts.

Thank goodness for Nyquil, OJ and super prescription cough syrup.

And S. He brought me more OJ and a hug. =)

I've slept all day and still feel awful. In a half hour I can take more drugs and then it's back to bed for me and Nerm.

Awesome Sunday run!

I had a brilliant LSD this morning! The sun is shining and it’s a crisp, fall morning in Cowtown. What better way to spend a Sunday morning than an hour long run?

Garmin says:

1:00:00

6.98 km

519 cal

I was thinking I’d get in 8K, but I guess I really was going slow! That’s OK—I did a combination of trails and pathway running, but I tried to stick to trail as much as possible. It makes me happier and my body too!

Today’s almost 7K has me smack dab in the middle of Langley. I’m at the 192 Street Overpass! By the end of next week, I’ll be in Abottsford and oh, so close to the cabin at Mt. Baker!



Hmmm….perhaps a side trip is in order! We’ll see.

I finished up my run with half an hour of yoga. Lots of hip openers and twists. A foot and a turtle sticker made it to the calendar today! Post run recovery drink:
1 scoop vanilla protein powder
1/2 TBSP Nestle Nesquik chocolate syrup
1% moo (1 cup).

And water, lots of water!

So I kind of bailed on the last few weeks of Boot Camp. After being sick at Turkey day, I just couldn’t find the motivation to get back there. But, I did my measurements for this session and am pleased to report a loss of 1 5/8 inches and 3 pounds in the last six weeks. Since mid-May, I’ve lost a total of 7 3/8 inches.

Not too shabby, if I do say so myself! Like I said the other day, I feel skinnier and I’ve noticed my clothes are fitting differently. In fact, I can still wear clothes that I wore when I was at my goal weight, they just looked a lot better then!

If nothing else, Boot camp has shown me how important strength training is (and really, it doesn’t take that long to throw in a few push ups, squats, lunges and crunches at the end of a run) and given me some new moves. I also realized that I’m more of a solo exerciser. Aquasize is the only exception (maybe because I’m afraid of water, I like the safety of a group?!) My favourite activities have always been things that I do alone—running, boxing, walking, yoga (I haven’t been to a class in a studio since April). Anyway, enough armchair psychology.

Rest of the day looks like this:

-shower (run = good but sweaty and smelly!)
-lunch at Taj with S. & his family
-TBA (I left this up to S. to plan)
-make cookies for fabulous new neighbours who brought me wine (oatmeal cherry chocolate, I think!)
-nap?

Have a fabulous Sunday!