R&R?

I don't believe I am familiar with rest & relaxation anymore. I had hoped that this weekend would have been a restful and productive weekend, but I ended up not sleeping and am wishing that I was in bed right now. Friday, I received a few text messages from Shaundra from the hospital, but was hopeful that it wasn't anything too serious and that she was being admitted just to be on the safe side, but the text on Saturday morning confirmed that it was her appendix, she was going in for surgery and her first night at the new condo would have to be delayed at least a few days. At the same time, I received a phone call from another friend who was in the midst of a not so pleasant split from her bf and was in need of a shoulder and a place to crash. Friday night = no sleep. Saturday brought another WW meeting - down 0.2lbs - total for Jan = 3.6 I believe. Went shopping, bought a size of pants I haven't been able to buy since at least highschool I believe...so that was good. Sat afternoon dropped bremmy off at the subway, finished some grocery shopping before heading home to start some laundry and relax when I get a call to come out and pick up bremmy from the west end...dropped everything - hit my head on the wood trim of the couch (REALLY hurts today!) and made the trek out to high park. Saturday night = better sleep, but not really...Sunday I made chili, cauliflower soup and a lovely dinner for the three of us...including a large glass of wine that made me rather sleepy...I'm exhausted today, can't wait to go home and crawl into bed and start over again tomorrow. I hope the head stops hurting soon - it's kind of annoying.

I hope everyone else is doing well!

C.R.

Go ahead...make my day!

So, I got this really funny email from a customer yesterday. He had called in earlier in the day with a technical issue and for whatever reason he was directed to our sales line, but that's not the funny part.

I contacted him later in the afternoon via email to indicate that someone would be getting in touch with him and he replies to my note thanking me for looking into the issue for him and adds "by the way, you have a sexy voice" Needless to say, I burst out laughing! It got me wondering about where the line is between dealing with someone professionally and personally. I'm sure everyone who has worked in some sort of service position has had similar things happening "will you marry me", "move to florida, we'll buy a boat and go fishing", "come to Jamaica with me" or "why don't you come driving with me in my truck on my next run?" My question now is what makes a person think that it is ok to cross over from professional niceties to the above?

Don't get me wrong, I'm not offended by the comments... I find them quite amusing. I'm just curious as to what goes on in people's minds that says to them "hey, she had a sexy voice, I think I should tell her at this juncture so I'll write it in my email to her". I suppose I'm just amazed with all of the awareness about sexual harassment and what defines appropriate behaviour in the workplace, some people just don't seem to have received the message?

Thoughts?


C.R.

The fun continues

As I sit here typing, I can feel muscles in my body ache that I haven't heard from in a while. Yesterday I was out at Shaundra's new pad helping unload boxes and painting. The mild aching feels good and is letting me know that I'm still here. As I haven't been all that active in the past few months - I don't think shopping, wrapping presents, baking or eating classify as exercise - it's nice to get back on track a wee bit. Results from yesterday's weigh in - down 2 more lbs! Total for Jan thus far: -3.4...well on my way to my -5 goal for the month...wish me luck! It really isn't an easy task. Last evening as I headed home, I realized that I didn't want to cook. Aaron was on his way home from his course in Toronto, so I picked him up at the subway and we called pizza pizza. I was fully prepared to give in if Aaron suggested we do the double double pizza, wing, garlic bread and potato wedge indulgence, but was quite happy that he suggested the much healthier pizza pizza solution. If you haven't already tried the Sweet Chili Chicken Thai pizza, I must give it my thumbs up. It has the fantastic multi-grain crust (I like it in the thin crust the best) and is just a nice change from a veggie or whatever else people get on pizza. The best part is that each slice of a medium pizza is only 3 points! I can eat half of the medium if I want and it's not even a bad thing! This morning after a slightly indulgent breakfast of western & cheese scrambled eggs with 1/2 of a breakfast pita and a super yummy smoothie (made in the new blender I got for christmas - Thanks Bremmy & Peter!) and finishing the second half of Capote on TMN on Demand, Aaron and I walked to the plaza to do banking and pick up a few grocery type items. The walk was a bit chilly, but pleasant with the snow gently falling and turning us into walking snow people. Still content from breakfast, I'm thinking a light soup and grilled cheese sandwich lunch is a good option and am debating stir fry or the new-found fav recipe of Aaron - the bruschetta chicken bake - which is super easy and very yummy for dinner. Anyway, I'm off for now. Hope all is well with everyone. Random thoughts - thinking of the summer...maybe party at the cottage (we can take the new pontoon boat out to the sand bar for some swimming) & in the city - need to have a frozen cocktail party/bbq at some point - will need to do some much needed work on the backyard first, but it's all good.

Keep in touch my friends!

Peace out,
C.R.

I DO have willpower!

So Saturday morning, bright and early, I made my weekly trek out to Ajax to meet with my mom for our WW meeting.

And the verdict is.... down 1.4 lbs! YAY - lost over 1/2 of what I gained over the holiday!

Then on Sunday night, I was craving this chocolate frozen treat and it was all I could think of, but I convinced myself that I didn't need it - I brushed my teeth and started thinking about other things...end result, I didn't have the chocolate treat and I hope it made a difference :)

I am very tired today - this morning came around far too quickly!

BTW - If anyone is interested in participating in the Relay for Life this year, please let me know. I will probably contact people directly as well, but if you haven't heard from me, send me a note. The date for the Scarborough event is Friday, June 15th - the location has changed - it is now at Birchmount Stadium (Kingston Rd & Birchmount) which is super close to my house where parking will be available. I hope that people are interested and would like to participate..if we plan to stay up this year, it will probably make it easier and more fun.

Take it easy kids!
C.R.

I am committed!

...but not in the sense that you may think when you think of me!

Today is Day 1!
I am starting fresh and re-committing myself to the Weight Watchers program. The first 3 months did me well and I lost approximately 30 lbs. The last 3 months has been a struggle with my time, mind and body and I've been yo-yoing up and down a few pounds but haven't had any significant losses. I was thinking the other day and what a waste of money these past few months have been as I haven't made any progress, but at the same time, I haven't fallen back too far. I can only imagine what would have happened over the holidays if I hadn't tried even a little bit.

Starting today I am refocussing - starting doing some exercises and planning a bit more. I've been far too lazy and comfortable in my routines lately and frankly feeling low and tired. That all changes today. I had made this decision before I saw that Kevin on BT has joined WW too, but that has just given me that much more incentive and drive to make this work again.

So wish me luck! This isn't a new year's resolution, it's not a diet and it's not something I can quit. I know there will be ups and downs as I've been experiencing the past few months, but as of today I am in control again and the chocolate binges are behind me until Valentines day ;)...or Easter....or never? (ya right!)

If anyone else is looking to make a change and needs some encouragement, please let me know - I'm here for you and hope you can help me along too! Anyone up for going for a walk or doing something active for fun, I'm yours!

I'm already feeling better and more energized just saying all of this so I just need to put my plan and mind in gear...that's the hardest part!

Good luck to anyone else trying - I'll keep you posted of my progress - the good and the bad - but probably more of the good :) I am setting a goal of 20-25 lbs in the next 4 months - my treat will be a trip to Ireland (I'm going regardless, but that's the carrot on my stick)!

Talk later,
Hope you're all well!
C.R.

p.s. consider the holiday pictures previously posted as a new before shot - I don't think I'll be posting the original before shots any time soon - maybe when I reach my final goal (65 more lbs) ttfn

Never stick anything smaller than your eblow in your ear!

So, I now know why people say you shouldn't stick anything smaller than your elbow in your ear....even though I still don't know who can stick something bigger than or equal to the size of your elbow in their ear!

The other day, I went to use a q-tip (cotton swab if you're unfamiliar with the brand name) - I use q-tips on a regular basis to clean my ears as do many people that I know. This day, however, was unlike any other day and the cotton swabby bit at the end of the q-tip accidentally separated from the little plastic stick I was holding and it lodged itself inside my ear. Minor panic ensued...I tried to pinch it with my fingers and pull it out, then I found the tweezers, but that was also unsuccessful as I had a problem trying to find a way to see inside my ear to locate the little cotton monster. Luckily Aaron was around and was able to perform the risky task of removing the evil cotton swab. I seem to be back to "normal" and all seems well with my hearing, but take this story as a warning - listen to what people say about sticking things in your ear!

Keep well,
C.R.