December 16

Wow, how is December 2013 almost over?! Where did the year go? It seems like just a few weeks ago it was New Year's. *shakes head*

So, what's new here?

There's our tree, all sparkly and pretty. The kids did most of the decorating and we had a blast doing it. More fun ensued with a full on Wii Golf/Bowling Tournament. I may have had my ass handed to me on a silver platter by an 11 year old in bowling, but hey, it was fun!

I have yet to make it out skiing this year. It's making me sad. But my bank account has been saying "No" and I've been trying to be a grown-up about money recently, so my credit card has been safely stowed and I'm planning my skiing to fit the budget.

I'm doing a 12 Days of Christmas Challenge with my Lean Eating team.
Everyday, for the next 12 days, write something on a small pieces of paper that you've accomplished this year or that you want to remember and place it in the container you've chosen.

Since I'm still going between two houses, I'm going to blog them (and yes, I realize I'm behind by a few days already). Here goes:

Day 12 (Friday): 47 ski day season last year. My skiing improved so much I can barely believe it!

Day 11 (Saturday): Ditched a job that no longer served me and found one that did! I'm valued and appreciated for my skills and knowledge. 

Day 10 (Sunday): Work life balance. See day 11, above.

Day 9 (Monday): Being open to possibilities...and love. And finding it.

to be continued....

Life is Good

Egad!

It's August 29. Which means my cousin turns 40 today. And in 3 short months, so does my brother. How can that be?! I'm not old enough to have a big brother who's 40!

It's been a crazy last few weeks: busy working, playing, meeting friends (new and old), teaching and spending time with Nermal. She continually amazes me. And demonstrates just how much love can change someone. In four short years, she's gone from a scared-y cat to uber cuddler. Still chatty and is always game to play. And really good at knowing when to just sit and be. I've learned a lot from her.

And summer just wooshed by! I have a good feeling about fall, though. And I'm fully equipped with a new pack that will serve double duty: day pack in summer and avalanche gear pack in winter. This weekend is going to be awesome: I'm heading out to hike in the meadows that hide under the snow in my winter wonderland.

And that's what I know today.

March Madness

Holy, moly, time flies! Where did March go? I can't believe yesterday was St. Patrick's day already.

Not much new/different to report, except that vacation is, unfortunately, over. However, a spontaneous, spur-of-the-moment trip to Whitefish for my birthday was pretty fabulous. My new powder skis have definitely got some experience this season!

Bif on Little Bunkers! Best Powder Day of the Year!

I took today off skiing--my poor little legs were like Jell-o this morning, even after a good night's sleep. Heading out again tomorrow though, to take advantage of the bliss that is mid-week skiing!

Speaking of sleep, well, it seems there's a reason I have been perpetually exhausted for the last 20 or so years. My sleep is disturbed by my irregular breathing approximately 18 times an hour! So a fancy-schmancy, definitely not sexy, machine has become my new bedfellow. Three nights in, and I'm happy to report the bone crushing fatigue that I've battled everyday for years is lifting! Nermal's not sure what to think though. I think she's spent most nights watching this new-fangled thing on her human's face and wondering what the hell the world is coming to!

Yoga teacher training is almost over! How did *that* happen?! It's all good. Practice, practice, practice. And patience. It all comes together in the end.

Kapotasana Prep

And now I must shower and prepare for a lovely birthday celebration dinner with my favourite peeps, S & L. S & I both have March birthdays (although I'm a Pisces and she's an Aires) and since we've both been uber busy lately, we're celebrating both tonight.

Discombobulated.

That pretty much sums up how I'm feeling.

The last week has flown by and been a whirlwind of emotions. One minute up, the next minute down.

I've spent the last two weekends with my family: aunts & uncles and cousins galore. One weekend happy, the next sad.

I've watched my aunt and uncles struggle as they watch their big family dwindle in numbers. And now there are three. In the past year, they've lost two nephews younger than them, too.

And then the call this morning. That my dad's friend lost his brave battle with the big C on Thursday. He stood up with my parents when they got married. And now he's dead at 61, just like my dad. My heart is aching for my dad's friends that are left, for my uncle who just got home from his sister's funeral, only to turn around and bury an old friend, and for me.

Because I just can't wrap my head around this anymore.

Thursday Run

It almost didn't happen...I got chatting with my neighbour, and then it got hot out, but I bit the bullet! It wasn't far, it wasn't fast, but I don't care. I ran. And considering that I saw two elderly gentlemen in wheelchairs en route, I'm pretty damned grateful that I *can* run.

3.5 km
27:30
7.51 km/h
277 cal

Tomorrow I'm off to yoga in the morning (Dear Mat: I have missed you like you'll never know. I'll see you bright and early. I promise!) and then back on the bus heading for Red Deer. Mom's picking me up and we're going to my aunt's house for the night and then to Bonnyville for a funeral Saturday morning. It's a whirlwind trip, since I've got to be back to work on Sunday afternoon. It's hard watching my dad's big family dwindle to nothing...

Anyways, must sleep so that I can get all bendy tomorrow!

Weekend Recap

A numbered list, because I'm still feeling tired, hung-over and a little lazy!

1. Traffic issues on Deerfoot delayed my bus 45 minutes. Grrr...but I did get quite a bit of knitting done.

2. Costco in Red Deer, even on a busy day, is better than the Calgary version.

3. I'm an emotional girl. I cried when I saw my cousin for the first time in 10 years. And introduced her husband and kids to my brother and his family.

4. Mojitos are good. Very good.

5. The waterslides were FUN! I took one for the team and drew blood. I apparently did not keep my elbows in (as the sign advised) on the Kamakazee. I also have a nice bruise to go with it.

6. We cemented our place as favourite relatives when my nephew spotted the moose! Mark (my cousin's British husband) has been to Canada 3 times and never seen a moose. It's all he's wanted to see since day 1. So what do we find, not one, but TWO moose on the way home from the waterslides! Yeah, we can do no wrong now!

7. We BBQ'd, made s'mores, drank, ate some more, drank some more and barely slept. It was a good weekend.

Let the Weekend Begin!

Have I mentioned how much I love days off? Today marks the start of my four day weekend!

Of course, because I *could* sleep in, I awoke bright and early at 0500h. After trying to go back to sleep for an hour, I just bit the bullet and got up. I got my application for my Anusara Immersion completed and sent in, bills paid, breakfast, packed for the weekend, went for a run and got some yoga in all by 0930h!

4.03 km
30:27
7.33km/h
326 cal

I'm enjoying a second mug of tea in the sunshine and waiting for Sam to drop by so she can get the low-down on how to feed Nerm.

This weekend is going to ROCK! My cousin and her family are here from England! I haven't seen them since I stayed with them immediately after 9/11. My brother and his family are here, too. We're gathering at my mom's today/tonight and then tomorrow we're hitting the waterslides at Sylvan Lake. My brother's got his boat, so there may also be some tubing! We're going to have a BBQ, complete with s'mores, and I'm harvesting my mint so there will be mojitos all around.

Happy Friday!

Back to Work

*le sigh*

I've quite enjoyed my days off, even if they did fly by!

All weekend I was down at Prince's Island Park, soaking up the sun (and some rain) at the Calgary Folk Music Festival! It rained (poured, actually) on Friday night, but we stayed dry and warm in our lean-to. Here's me and my folking sister, Kim, and dad, Bill. We've been folking together for almost 10 years, and I love them to bits. Here's us in our lean-to:


And this was our view (the big screens were just off to the right and left and so we could see what was going on on the main stage):


Saturday and Sunday the sun returned and everyone rejoiced! Music! Dancing! Good food! Good friends! Old and new friends! Really, it's the best weekend of the summer, and it went by waaaaaay too quickly!

I had the day off yesterday, which was good, since I managed to get heat stroke on Sunday. Didn't teach yoga, just rested and caught up on Coronation Street.

This morning I awoke to pouring rain (so much for the forecast of 60% chance of showers this afternoon! Pouring rain before 9 a.m.? Sheesh! I wanna be a weather forecaster--the only job you can be wrong all the time and still keep your job. Oh wait, that could be my boss, too...)

Took the bus to the gym where I've been subbing for my friend, Sophie and taught for an hour. I came outside and lo and behold, the rain had stopped! I walked home (40-ish minutes) in the fresh air and I *think* I see blue sky out there now!

Off to work in a bit...maybe I'll play on my mat a bit first, though! Have a beautiful Tuesday!

Monday catch-up

There's been a lot going on:

-yoga: teaching and my own practice

-running: not nearly enough, but a great 8K run on Sunday morning before the heat hit

-family: mom and nephew came to visit. Hit up the Farmer's Market in Millarville and BBQ'd and went to see Wicked. There may also have been Stampede fireworks from a 2nd story patio (sans railing--it's still a construction site, after all) and late night noodles and bubble tea.

It's all good. =)

Friday Wrap-up

What a week!

I worked four days this week and put in overtime every.single.night. Anywhere from an hour to 4.25. Sheesh! I'm a little tired and bleary eyed.

Good news, my cousin is driving to the family picnic tomorrow, so instead of being up and on a bus by 0830h, I don't have to get up until then. He's picking me up at 0930h and we'll hit the road. We've been playing phone tag--I haven't actually seen him since we went skiing for his birthday on April Fool's Day. Where has this year gone already?!

With that, I'd better hit the hay. I only got one run in this week, so if I wake up early, I'd like to go for a quick one before we leave. If not, I'm taking my ball glove, a fast ball, a soft ball, a football and a volleyball. There will be activity to be had!

Before work this afternoon, I had a quick yoga practice (obviously, these are not photos of me!):

Salamba sarvangasana (shoulder stand, Mother of all asanas)


Halasana (plow pose)

Source

Sirsasana II (tripod headstand, king of all asanas)

Source

Anantasana

Source

I felt great afterwards!

Father's Day

"He didn't tell me how to live; he lived, and let me watch him do it."
~ Clarence Budington Kelland







I love you, Dad.

I Can Do It!

Two fabulous days in Vancouver with amazing speakers: Wayne Dyer, Marianne Williamson and Geneen Roth, just to name a few. I Can Do It! is a conference hosted by Hay House. Amazing!

Three fabulous days in Fun-couver with my mom. We're meeting up with my old running buddy, neighbour and postie friend, Lisa Q. for dinner. Mmmm...Thai!

A hotel gym or the sea wall to run...it's all good.

Three fabulous days of fantastic skin and flat hair.


You can't have everything. =)

Egad! Time Flies!

What's been going on in my world? Well, I worked 5 days last week (this is big for a 4 day/week girl) so that my co-worker could go to his BIL's wedding in India. It wasn't too bad--4 day shifts then an evening. My mom arrived on Thursday so there has been lots going on! For example:

-trips to Costco & Superstore to restock old Mother Hubbard's bare cupboards
-calling the police to remove sleeping homeless man from my parking spot on Friday night
-noodles
-filing (and preparing income tax documents to send to the accountant)
-yoga (Friday morning, Saturday and Sunday afternoon)
-trips to the Farmer's Market where I ran into my third cousin (small world)
-Pizza in the 'hood with my grandma
-laundry (the bane of my existence)

Yesterday I hit the slopes with my yogi friend Carole, her hubby,Joe, and their friend, Bill. We left early and got to Sunshine in time to get rock star parking. They'd had 38cm in the past 3 days so we were itching to play in some powder! It was great skiing! My favourite run, Tin Can Alley, got the best of me (not quite an epic wipe out, but enough to get snow where it was slightly uncomfortable!) so I had to go back and show it who was boss. We headed down through the trees and played in some powder...wheeeee!

Then we were going to show the boys the li'l black diamond run Carole and I discovered the last time we were there, but it was cold and windy and the snow sucked at the top of the Angel chair. So we headed to Standish, where they proceeded to push me (in a good way) to where I'd never been before. Now, the last time we were there, I was proud of myself for attempting the blue runs (Big and Little Bunkers). Yesterday we did not only the blue runs, but they had me going down the moguls under the chairlift! It wasn't overly graceful, but I got down (without falling, I might add) and I turned (I know how to turn. I know how to turn. I know how to turn.) more than once!

After lunch we headed to Goat's Eye. I love the snow below the tree line! Up top though--icky--icy, hard, windy and not much fun. But below the tree line is another story altogether. My quivering quads declared they needed a break, so I sat a run out and then we went back for a final run on Standish before skiing out.

Best Valentine's Day EVER!! I'm going back tomorrow--'cause I can!

Where to begin....

It's been a weird week for me. Friday marked five years since my dad died. Yikes. Sometimes it seems like only yesterday....but so much has changed in my life in the past five years. It's a little overwhelming and I've been trying to figure it all out...

I went skiing with my cousin and his girl friend yesterday. Louise wasn't the greatest: iffy snow on my favourite run, busy, and poor visibility. But I was skiing and not working, so really, how bad was it?

Anyway, I need to get dressed--the morning has gotten away from me and I have to be at work in two hours. Nothing on my to-do list has yet to be crossed off, so I'd better get moving!

SNOW Day, part II

Had a great day on the slopes with Dougie. He got me down a black run in one piece (and even though I threatened his life, I didn't do it!) and I must admit, I had a huge grin on my face afterwards! Nary a wipeout to be had today. And the only green run was the last one of the day--my quads were screaming at me and I wanted to end the day wipeout free. =)

Heading to Sunshine tomorrow while the skiing is good...

Off to soak these tired muscles and hit the hay. Why is it easier to get up at 6 am to go skiing than it is to go work?

SNOW Day!!

Heading to Lake Louise tomorrow with my fave cousin, Dougie. I was going to take the bus and go to Sunshine by my lonesome, but who's gonna turn down a chance to go with others instead?! Not me!

Just checked in with my official ski guide (that'd be Fred, my bro) and he assures me that if I stick to the blues, I'll be fine.

It should be interesting if nothing else--Dougie's a boarder (gasp! the horror!) and I'm a skier...stay tuned!

Maybe I'll take another snow day on Wednesday and go to Sunshine anyway! As Fred said, "Never pass up a snow day."

Sunday Reflections

*sigh*

I've had a great few days! Friday morning yoga was great--lots and lots of down dog. Coffee afterwards and I utilized incredible will power to walk past Cobs Bakery. Tea with my cousin followed and then I came home and finished knitting my scarf.

Saturday dawned bright and early (I woke at 4, not my choice). Carol and I headed down to the Kingsland Farmer's Market. I picked up some soups from Primal Grounds: creamy vegetable with blue cheese (AMAZING) and pumpkin chai (haven't tried it yet). I also bought some lovely goat's milk chai. I should've bought more. I grew up on goat's milk (and we had our own cute little goats, although I'm the only one who thinks/remembers them as cute) because I had nasty skin reactions whenever I drank cow's milk. I also bought some saskatoon syrup for my buttermilk pancakes (that I've yet to make). The last purchase was a bottle of mead (honey wine) from the place my yogi-friend Lisette works at. Lisette and I did our teacher training together and she brought some of the first batches of mead for us to try at our potlucks.

Brunch at Diner Deluxe followed (nary a veggie in sight, but oh, so tasty!). The hashbrowns were divine. And seriously, a hashbrown defines a breakfast place.

Yoga class focused on back bends. Danurasana (bow) was intense and beautiful! I loved it!

The late afternoon was spent with another yogi friend as we went to a baby shower for the baby we watched grow during our teacher training! We came home with goody bags of Greek meatballs and tzatziki. We love Trina's hubby! He's a good cooker.

Today was a pretty lazy morning, followed by a 2-hour kula practice at the yoga studio. It was intense (think timed down dogs, headstand and handstand...) although the poses were basics. 13 half moons (one per side x 2 sides x 13 full moons per year = 26 half moons). Egad!! Even with a good soak in the claw foot, I'm not sure I'll be able to walk well tomorrow.

Dinner is leftover sweet potato black bean burrito filling (I ran out of tortillas so I've made the rest into burgers. A big pot of cherry tea is brewed and on the to-do list for tonight is planning tomorrow's yoga class. I think I'll use the fact that's it's Martin Luther King day and go from there...

Hope you've had a great weekend!

Fly-By Post

Whew! Where has December gone?! Oh right, I've been away for most of it. =)

Got home last Friday after a horrific day of travel: my airport shuttle didn't show up (had to take a cab $50 USD), my flight was delayed 3 hours, my bag was overweight ($75 USD later) I got an aisle seat (beside an old guy who got up a lot) and then, the last straw: my neck pillow had a hole! I did eventually make it home and swept out just as quickly to get my hair done (whacked more than a few inches off and covered up the sparkly bits) and then headed to physio.

Saturday, I went for a run! It felt great! That night I went with some friends to Loose Moose's "A Christmoose Carol". OMIGOD, I almost peed my pants! Loads of fun.

Sunday we headed to the mountains to our lovely home for the week, the Falconcrest Lodge. My bro picked well! Our suites were lovely.

Shopped in Banff on Monday, dinner at the Banff Springs.

Skied Lake Louise on Tuesday (icy, no snow and what was there was all man made) on my NEW SKIS! Let's just say I got a sweet deal: last year's demos, new bindings and tuned up and ready to go for what it would cost me to rent skis for the week. Stacy and I shared a lesson with Pete from New Zealand which was a good refresher. Fondue at the Grizzly House in Banff. Yum.

We headed to Sunshine on Wednesday and I was almost in tears before we started. The boots I was using (Stacy's old ones--she and my bro got new ones on Monday) were hurting my shins. I made it till just after lunch and then called it a day. Went back to town that night to buy boots that didn't hurt me. Dinner at the Grizzly Paw in Canmore.

Thursday: back to Sunshine for a fun filled day of skiing. I skied from 9 till 2:15 with no pain! But my quads were screaming at me, "You b&$#*h! We ran a marathon a week ago and now we're skiing?!" I listened to them. I had the most spectacular crash of anyone in the family and do you think my brother had his helmet cam on? NO. But it was great, really, it was! Dinner at the French Quarter in Canmore. Yum.

Friday: back to the city to see "A Christmas Carol". Dinner at the Keg, then back to family's hotel room for drinks, cards and dice.

Saturday: Santa arrived at Auntie's house! I made breakfast then we headed to Grandma's for dinner with the extended family. Back to family's hotel room for more drinks, games (Scrabble, anyone?) and The Big Bang Theory (there was a marathon on the comedy channel yesterday).

Today: Boxing Day shopping at 7. Drop of Stacy, grab my skis from their car, said a quick goodbye and then yoga at 9:30.

Last Week

Was a little crazy.

I said good-bye to this man:


It was freaking cold. And then the tranny in my mom's vehicle acted up as my brother was driving home from Edmonton. A rescue mission (by me, of course) was launched and I met them in Red Deer. It was freaking cold. The next day my mom, brother and I were on our way back to Red Deer to get Grandpa from the funeral home when we got a flat tire. Did I mention it was -41C before the wind chill? Yeah, freaking cold. Thank goodness for amazing neighbours! Funeral day: just as cold. Oh, and the rental vehicle didn't have a snow brush or a block heater!

Yeah...and family drama just to round things out!

Nerm and I are pretty happy it's just us right now.