Happy St. Patrick's Day!
Thursday, March 17, 2011
Wednesday, March 16, 2011
Static
The good news: I'm still roughly 121 lbs.
The bad news: I'm still roughly 121 lbs and a little pudgy.
And I'm going to a place where I have to wear a bathing suit in just under 4 weeks.
Oy vey.
The bad news: I'm still roughly 121 lbs and a little pudgy.
And I'm going to a place where I have to wear a bathing suit in just under 4 weeks.
Oy vey.
Karma
Remember how I was sick at the beginning of January, because Mike made me sick, but he didn't get sick himself?
Guess who's been sick for the past week and a half? Karma is a bitch indeed!
Guess who's been sick for the past week and a half? Karma is a bitch indeed!
Monday, March 14, 2011
message to da faeries
hewo again,
this is Gimli riting again.
da oder day i heard on the news there was a big earthquake in this place called japan. Candy and Mike have been watching on tv. it was a bery large earthquake, i member the one we had last year but i think this one was much bigger.
i neber been to japan but i think its a nice place becus the peple der like corgis bery much. and we corgis lub our peple. i also herd der was all this water and peple were lost and i was sad to hear that.
Candy was bery sad today becus she saw this pictur and it made her cry. she came to me to give me some hugs and kisses and i snuggled with her becus thats what i do.
i don't understand many things becus i'm just a short hungry corgi but i know i'm a faery steed and i have a connection to the faeries and the power of da fluff and so i send a message to the faeries to send some magic ober der to help those peple and their corgis and other doggies.
if any hoomans want to help, they can donat to the Red Cross.
this is Gimli riting again.
da oder day i heard on the news there was a big earthquake in this place called japan. Candy and Mike have been watching on tv. it was a bery large earthquake, i member the one we had last year but i think this one was much bigger.
i neber been to japan but i think its a nice place becus the peple der like corgis bery much. and we corgis lub our peple. i also herd der was all this water and peple were lost and i was sad to hear that.
Candy was bery sad today becus she saw this pictur and it made her cry. she came to me to give me some hugs and kisses and i snuggled with her becus thats what i do.
i don't understand many things becus i'm just a short hungry corgi but i know i'm a faery steed and i have a connection to the faeries and the power of da fluff and so i send a message to the faeries to send some magic ober der to help those peple and their corgis and other doggies.
if any hoomans want to help, they can donat to the Red Cross.
Thursday, March 10, 2011
They're coming to get you Candy
Ok, so my name isn't Barbara, but that's the only zombie quote I could think of.
Today was cold, rainy and foggy. By the time I finished work and took Gimli for a walk, it was very foggy, so much so it made me nervous when crossing the street and I looked back and forth about 4 times before starting across the street.
We went over to the park and was walking and bouncing on the snow. Gimli was having a grand old time pouncing around with the leash in his mouth.
We made it to the portion of the park about 20 feet away from with small hill and then Gimli stopped. He looked over to the hill with his ears perked up, his body rigid, but he didn't make a sound. At first I thought it was another dog, but I looked to the hill and there was no dog.
I looked to the ground where my foot just ended up in a puddle, back to Gimli, who was still rigid, then back to the hill, where I saw a figure emerge from the fog.
He wore a gray hoodie, pulled up over his head, blue jeans and boots. The way he was walking, I swore it was a zombie. His arms were stretched out in front of him, his feet a little unsteady coming down the water logged hill.
I half wondered if he was a slow meandering zombie and if I'd have time to turn around and run home or if he was one of the fast moving ones and Gimli would have to nip at his feet and rip them off while I ran away.
Luckily he turned down the path and went through the park.
We continued on and then back home.
I'm glad I have a dog that will protect me from the Zombie Apocalypse.
Today was cold, rainy and foggy. By the time I finished work and took Gimli for a walk, it was very foggy, so much so it made me nervous when crossing the street and I looked back and forth about 4 times before starting across the street.
We went over to the park and was walking and bouncing on the snow. Gimli was having a grand old time pouncing around with the leash in his mouth.
We made it to the portion of the park about 20 feet away from with small hill and then Gimli stopped. He looked over to the hill with his ears perked up, his body rigid, but he didn't make a sound. At first I thought it was another dog, but I looked to the hill and there was no dog.
I looked to the ground where my foot just ended up in a puddle, back to Gimli, who was still rigid, then back to the hill, where I saw a figure emerge from the fog.
He wore a gray hoodie, pulled up over his head, blue jeans and boots. The way he was walking, I swore it was a zombie. His arms were stretched out in front of him, his feet a little unsteady coming down the water logged hill.
I half wondered if he was a slow meandering zombie and if I'd have time to turn around and run home or if he was one of the fast moving ones and Gimli would have to nip at his feet and rip them off while I ran away.
Luckily he turned down the path and went through the park.
We continued on and then back home.
I'm glad I have a dog that will protect me from the Zombie Apocalypse.
Wednesday, March 9, 2011
Monday, March 7, 2011
The Oatmeal made me do it
I did have a post that I was going to use for today, but instead I was side tracked by the lovely site, theoatmeal.com.
It started off on the musings of Sriracha, the rooster sauce found in a variety of Asian restaurants and then I clicked and clicked until I got to the page about "8 Ways to Prepare Your Pets for War". Then, spent about 8 minutes roaming around other images on this site and chuckling to myself, before I hit the Back button to return to the Pet-War page.
Right, back again, I went to check on a point on the Pet-War page and was distracted by "17 things Worth Knowing About Your Cat". I don't know why I went there, I don't even own a cat nor do I particularly like cats, but I clicked it anyway.
Ok, so on the Pet-War page, one of the points states to disguise your dog as a Panzer tank. This got me thinking...
With a Pembroke Welsh Corgi, it might be possible to disguise it as a Panzer tank, however it would be a touch shorter than the other dog-Panzers running around. Therefore, its plausible to line up the corgis and other 10-12 inch tall dogs in the front of the line. Then, behind them the taller dogs roughly the same size as Retrievers and Shepherds et al who would be similarly disguised, yet their gun would be considerably taller than the corgis. Rounding out the last row would be those tall dogs like the Scottish Deerhound and the Irish Wolfhounds whose guns would be taller still so as to create a long firing line capable of hitting various targets.
However, would it be wise to shackle the corgis to masquerading as tanks when their strength lies in herding and frapping? Both of which, when combined properly results in a low to the ground dog running around with reckless abandon in a manner, which to the uninformed eye seems random, but is actually quick enough to dodge table legs, laundry baskets, chair legs and dog beds and still squeeze through a small space at a very high rate of speed. The corgi could be used to frap-herd the enemy to an area where the rest of the dog-Panzers could fire away.
Yup yup, one must think of these things when planning for the Zombie apocalypse, where corgis are also the recommended dog breed. Yes, one day, Gimli will save my life.
It started off on the musings of Sriracha, the rooster sauce found in a variety of Asian restaurants and then I clicked and clicked until I got to the page about "8 Ways to Prepare Your Pets for War". Then, spent about 8 minutes roaming around other images on this site and chuckling to myself, before I hit the Back button to return to the Pet-War page.
Right, back again, I went to check on a point on the Pet-War page and was distracted by "17 things Worth Knowing About Your Cat". I don't know why I went there, I don't even own a cat nor do I particularly like cats, but I clicked it anyway.
Ok, so on the Pet-War page, one of the points states to disguise your dog as a Panzer tank. This got me thinking...
With a Pembroke Welsh Corgi, it might be possible to disguise it as a Panzer tank, however it would be a touch shorter than the other dog-Panzers running around. Therefore, its plausible to line up the corgis and other 10-12 inch tall dogs in the front of the line. Then, behind them the taller dogs roughly the same size as Retrievers and Shepherds et al who would be similarly disguised, yet their gun would be considerably taller than the corgis. Rounding out the last row would be those tall dogs like the Scottish Deerhound and the Irish Wolfhounds whose guns would be taller still so as to create a long firing line capable of hitting various targets.
However, would it be wise to shackle the corgis to masquerading as tanks when their strength lies in herding and frapping? Both of which, when combined properly results in a low to the ground dog running around with reckless abandon in a manner, which to the uninformed eye seems random, but is actually quick enough to dodge table legs, laundry baskets, chair legs and dog beds and still squeeze through a small space at a very high rate of speed. The corgi could be used to frap-herd the enemy to an area where the rest of the dog-Panzers could fire away.
Yup yup, one must think of these things when planning for the Zombie apocalypse, where corgis are also the recommended dog breed. Yes, one day, Gimli will save my life.
Saturday, March 5, 2011
Thursday, March 3, 2011
Wednesday, March 2, 2011
Pirates of the Corgi-bbean - The Fluffer of The Black Pearl
We are big fans of making 3D puzzles. We have all of the Lord of The Rings puzzles and I've created 2 of them so far.
Orthanc - we tried this one and it hurt our heads because the pieces were mostly black with little white/gray/silver slits in them. One day when I'm really bored and the Internet is having a slow day and none of the people I follow on Twitter/Blogs are posting anything exciting and I don't have to organize my closet, I'll come back to it.
Hobbiton - completed
Meduseld aka The Golden Hall of Edoras - completed
The Citadel of Minas Tirith - have never opened this one, but I might soon, I want to start it.
I picked up The Curse of the Black Pearl 3D puzzle for Mike a few years ago, but it took me to start and finish it, except with Mike hovering around trying to sneak in a piece and take credit for it.
Gimli was not impressed when I spent a great deal of time fussing over pieces instead of playing "I-throw-the-toy-Gimli-grabs-it-but-doesn't-give-it-back-to-me."
Instead, when I showed Gimli my hard work, this is what he did.
Can you imagine a corgi-monster? Think of the appetite it would have!
Orthanc - we tried this one and it hurt our heads because the pieces were mostly black with little white/gray/silver slits in them. One day when I'm really bored and the Internet is having a slow day and none of the people I follow on Twitter/Blogs are posting anything exciting and I don't have to organize my closet, I'll come back to it.
Hobbiton - completed
Meduseld aka The Golden Hall of Edoras - completed
The Citadel of Minas Tirith - have never opened this one, but I might soon, I want to start it.
I picked up The Curse of the Black Pearl 3D puzzle for Mike a few years ago, but it took me to start and finish it, except with Mike hovering around trying to sneak in a piece and take credit for it.
Gimli was not impressed when I spent a great deal of time fussing over pieces instead of playing "I-throw-the-toy-Gimli-grabs-it-but-doesn't-give-it-back-to-me."
Instead, when I showed Gimli my hard work, this is what he did.
Can you imagine a corgi-monster? Think of the appetite it would have!
Tuesday, March 1, 2011
Spring?
Its now the first day of March and a great deal of the snow in our yard has melted away. However its still cold outside in the evenings once the sun has set, which means any of the melted snow turns to ice quite quickly.
Because of this, over the past couple days I've been unable to walk Gimli because its been far too treacherous for a clumsy person like me to walk an excited corgi.
Gimli's been uber hyper of late because of this and when he's hyper, he's ornery and cranky and bratty. We've been passing the time by playing fetch down the hallway and working on some obedience.
All I can say is I can't wait for the ice to go away!
Because of this, over the past couple days I've been unable to walk Gimli because its been far too treacherous for a clumsy person like me to walk an excited corgi.
Gimli's been uber hyper of late because of this and when he's hyper, he's ornery and cranky and bratty. We've been passing the time by playing fetch down the hallway and working on some obedience.
All I can say is I can't wait for the ice to go away!
Sunday, February 27, 2011
Things to do for 2011 - February - March update
An update on my 2011 list. We're off to a slow start, but I've never done this before, so I think its a good learning curve.
1. Read More, nothing special, just reading.
2. Pay attention to my blog and post more - already started
3. Join BlogHer
4. Attend BlogHer 2011, wherever it is
5. Do what I need to do to get off one of my medications
6. Go to the Zoo
7. Make a better attempt at brushing Gimli more than once a week
8. To achieve this, setup a grooming table in the laundry room
9. Start expanding the list of meals that I can cook from memory
10. Start branching out and cooking different things, planning is key and laziness is no excuse
11. Eat more fruits and veggies
12. Cut my hair, and not just a trim either, goodbye long locks. - I'm thinking about styles, but that could be a stalling tactic. I think I'm just going to have to pluck up the courage and go to the Salon. Preferably before we go on vacation to allow any mistakes some time to grow in.
13. Get a 2nd corgi
14. Learn to walk two of them properly
15. Improve Gimli’s recall
16. Make a Pooh Bear gingerbread house
17. See The Lion King stage show - bought tickets for June!
18. Continue with the No Complaint experiment - ongoing
19. Take more visits to The Arboretum and see our coyote friend again
20. Get off my butt and be more active - started with Wii Fit. I lapsed a little but I've started working out in the morning, which seems to work better for me.
21. Play with Gimli in the snow - went out with him a few weekends ago when we had snow, had a great time romping and wrestling in the snow.
22. Try to make a snow ‘animal’
23. Get more sleep - trying, failing miserably, I think I need a new pillow.
24. Read Brene Brown’s book, The Gifts of Imperfection and apply it to myself
25. Woofstock?
26. Parasailing @Castaway Cay - not happening as its cost prohibitive.
27. Discover local restaurants in my city
28. See the Tim Burton exhibit - Saw this yesterday, 2/26. I found myself wondering what other things Burton would have done if time and space warped and he met Walt Disney himself.
29. Go to the Animal mass with Jeannie
30. Make it to Trinidad to introduce Mike to the rest of my crazy family, hopefully I'll still be married by the time we return.
31. Go to the Winter Walk with your dog - Unfortunately, this was canceled due to a lack of attendees. I am still on record and they've said they will try to hold it again in Feb/March etc, so we'll see. If they choose to hold it again, I will definitely attend.
32. Start a new job - started Feb. 1st
33. Eat at a Summerlicious restaurant
34. Write a letter to Queen Elizabeth II for her birthday and include pictures of Gimli.
35. Lose anywhere from 5-10 lbs, I'm 122 lbs now. Its deliberately vague as I'm really only striving to look better in my clothes. I'm unsure if 5 or 10 lbs will do it, so starting off small. -working on it with eating better (cutting out a great deal of unhealthy food and Wii Fit.) I can already tell something's working, I now HAVE to wear a belt with jeans.
36. See Rammstein again - going to again in May when they return to Ontario!
37. Go to the Dog Jog - going in March. Doing a 2k walk with Gimli!
38. Stop playing that soul sucking MMO that Mike and I started together, but I've been left in the dust - I need to see the billing cycle and cancel prior to the next cycle.
Wednesday, February 23, 2011
Tuesday, February 22, 2011
Colorblind
The walls in our house are white. Sterile, plain, white. I like the color white, oh yes I do, but on door frames, baseboards and window frames... oh and ceilings. Our ceilings have some funky designs on it, but you definitely can't paint it... I don't think... hmmmm.
Mike and I have been agonizing over the paint colors for the main floor of our house. Its open concept once you get past the foyer/entrance area with these lovely dark kitchen cabinets, lovely dark dining room table and sideboard and black leather couch and dark hardwood floors in the Great Room. I love it, with the exception of the sterilized wall color.
Mike and I went over a great many color swatches to narrow things down to about 25 or so different colors. Yes, I just said narrow things down.
We enlisted Gimli's help to choose the paint swatch. Yes, we chose a colorblind dog to choose the color on our walls, but bear with me.
Gimli likes choosing one item over the other. For example, I'll hold two different toys in front of him and ask him to "Pick one". He'll choose which ever toy he wants and he'll walk off to play with it, completely unconcerned for the one he left behind. We wanted to have fun with this theory.
We placed in a line all the swatches and placed a cookie on each one. Gimli sat on the other side of the room drooling.
Once released, he ran over and chose this color.
Benjamin Moore - Etruscan
You know, its not so bad. I goes nicely with the tile, backsplash and with the incoming sun in the mornings. We'll see once we get it on the wall though.
By the way, the swatch color is the same color as Gimli's hair. Yes, he's a narcissist.
Mike and I have been agonizing over the paint colors for the main floor of our house. Its open concept once you get past the foyer/entrance area with these lovely dark kitchen cabinets, lovely dark dining room table and sideboard and black leather couch and dark hardwood floors in the Great Room. I love it, with the exception of the sterilized wall color.
Mike and I went over a great many color swatches to narrow things down to about 25 or so different colors. Yes, I just said narrow things down.
We enlisted Gimli's help to choose the paint swatch. Yes, we chose a colorblind dog to choose the color on our walls, but bear with me.
Gimli likes choosing one item over the other. For example, I'll hold two different toys in front of him and ask him to "Pick one". He'll choose which ever toy he wants and he'll walk off to play with it, completely unconcerned for the one he left behind. We wanted to have fun with this theory.
We placed in a line all the swatches and placed a cookie on each one. Gimli sat on the other side of the room drooling.
Once released, he ran over and chose this color.
Benjamin Moore - Etruscan
You know, its not so bad. I goes nicely with the tile, backsplash and with the incoming sun in the mornings. We'll see once we get it on the wall though.
By the way, the swatch color is the same color as Gimli's hair. Yes, he's a narcissist.
Sunday, February 20, 2011
Gimme Fuel, Gimme Fire, Gimme That Which I Desire!
We need a new car. A bigger car that can accommodate Mike's wheelchair standing up and folded in the trunk area and still have room to place other items in the trunk area. For example, suitcases, a couple of traveling crates, groceries etc.
Right now we have a Mazda 3 Sport and while I do love this car, we've out grown it. We have Gimli now and we like taking him places and for that we need space to secure him properly in the car. When we bring home corgi #2, we'll definitely need the space.
Late last year we decided that this Spring, we would get rid of the Mazda 3, (boo hoo since this was my first new car), and get a car that better serves our needs.
To help us on this quest, we went to the Auto Show yesterday.
It was crammed with people. Every car manufacturer was represented and it gave us a chance to get up close and personal with the cars without feeling pressured by salespeople like you are when you go to the showrooms.
Here is the short list:
Mazda 7 - this was on the list, but when we tried Mike's old chair, it didn't fit properly and we were disappointed to take it off. However, when we tried Mike's new chair, it DID fit and so we're glad to put it back on the list!
Hyundai Tucson - The trunk space in this car is quite large for the size of the car and we both like the look of the car.
Subaru Outback - We did have the Forester on the list, but when we looked at the Forester, the interior cabin looked cheap. It reminded me of the cheapness of the Nissan Sentra. The Outback looks nicer on the inside.
Kia Sorento - We were looking at the Sportage, but the chair did not fit. We moved up to the Sorento, but the vehicle itself is quite large and I wonder if its too large for two people and two corgis.
Nissan Murano - Not bad, visually I don't really like it, but we'll see when we do the test drives.
Toyota Rav 4 - This one is a contender, the only sticking point perhaps, is that the trunk door opens out and not up like the rest of them.
Ford Escape - I don't like the Escape. We rented one when we went to California/Las Vegas in 2008 and while it does have the trunk space, it was very bouncy on the road and I don't like that feeling.
Mazda Tribute - Basically the same car as the Escape, nothing fancy to look at, I don't much like it.
Jeep Patriot - The interior is very spartan like, very boxy and basically a Jeep. If you want luxury with a Jeep, then you pay the big bucks for a Grand Cherokee.
We'll see how it all works out come the Spring.
I also had a look at the Mini, which I call my wishlist car. Its a shame we don't need 2 cars else I'd be looking at Minis. I can certainly see myself driving around with a couple of corgis in the backseat and my license plate: 'Luv2Frap' or 'Corgwyn' or perhaps just 'Candy'.
Right now we have a Mazda 3 Sport and while I do love this car, we've out grown it. We have Gimli now and we like taking him places and for that we need space to secure him properly in the car. When we bring home corgi #2, we'll definitely need the space.
Late last year we decided that this Spring, we would get rid of the Mazda 3, (boo hoo since this was my first new car), and get a car that better serves our needs.
To help us on this quest, we went to the Auto Show yesterday.
It was crammed with people. Every car manufacturer was represented and it gave us a chance to get up close and personal with the cars without feeling pressured by salespeople like you are when you go to the showrooms.
Here is the short list:
Mazda 7 - this was on the list, but when we tried Mike's old chair, it didn't fit properly and we were disappointed to take it off. However, when we tried Mike's new chair, it DID fit and so we're glad to put it back on the list!
Hyundai Tucson - The trunk space in this car is quite large for the size of the car and we both like the look of the car.
Subaru Outback - We did have the Forester on the list, but when we looked at the Forester, the interior cabin looked cheap. It reminded me of the cheapness of the Nissan Sentra. The Outback looks nicer on the inside.
Kia Sorento - We were looking at the Sportage, but the chair did not fit. We moved up to the Sorento, but the vehicle itself is quite large and I wonder if its too large for two people and two corgis.
Nissan Murano - Not bad, visually I don't really like it, but we'll see when we do the test drives.
Toyota Rav 4 - This one is a contender, the only sticking point perhaps, is that the trunk door opens out and not up like the rest of them.
Ford Escape - I don't like the Escape. We rented one when we went to California/Las Vegas in 2008 and while it does have the trunk space, it was very bouncy on the road and I don't like that feeling.
Mazda Tribute - Basically the same car as the Escape, nothing fancy to look at, I don't much like it.
Jeep Patriot - The interior is very spartan like, very boxy and basically a Jeep. If you want luxury with a Jeep, then you pay the big bucks for a Grand Cherokee.
We'll see how it all works out come the Spring.
I also had a look at the Mini, which I call my wishlist car. Its a shame we don't need 2 cars else I'd be looking at Minis. I can certainly see myself driving around with a couple of corgis in the backseat and my license plate: 'Luv2Frap' or 'Corgwyn' or perhaps just 'Candy'.
Wednesday, February 16, 2011
Wordless Wednesday - Make up edition
I wanted to put up recent pictures of Gimli but my photo editing software is acting stupid ever since I had to reload my computer in December. Don't ask, I've repressed that memory and I don't want to get into it again.
These were all taken from September to November of last year.
These were all taken from September to November of last year.
What fools these mortals be...
Last week, on Tuesday night I had a nightmare. I dreamt I was in this house with these two other women and a malicious entity. From what I can remember I was visiting this house and the two women were cleaning up the house to be sold. The former owner apparently was killed by the entity. Long story short, the 3 of us were in this house where we saw the ghost of the former owner and the presence of this entity. So much so that a name was said, which I'm not going to repeat and I'm trying to forget the name as I believe saying the name will give it power and make it real.
All in all, not very scary, until a voice said, "Hi Candy". I woke up immediately and peered around the room as if I could see something. I lay there a little scared until I managed to fall asleep again.
On the following night, I had a better dream. I was at home by myself, not even Gimli was around. And I happened to go across the street to the neighbor's house where there was something going on in the garage. Who do I find but none other than one of my favorite bands, Rammstein! Yes, all of them were in the neighbor's garage having a jam session.
I was ecstatic! Rammstein and I and no one else in sight. I can't remember what we said but I remember talking to all of them in English and having a great time. The last thing I remember, before the stupid alarm woke me up, was talking to Christoph, sigh, and he asked me if he could have my Animal drumsticks.*
I said, "Of course! If I can have your drumsticks in return."
He obliged and I was seconds away from accepting them before the aforementioned stupid alarm woke me up. Drat!
I woke up with the song, Waidmanns Heil stuck in my head. See it here:
Believe me, I've been chasing that dream ever since last week, but alas, I can't find that garage anymore.
In related news, Rammstein have announced they are coming back to North America!!! And we now have 2 definite chances to see them in two different cities!!! We're going to try for tickets again.
Seeing Christoph twice in less than a year would be awesome!
http://www.rammstein.de/en/news/tourdaten-fur-usa-kanada-im-mai-bestatigt/
* See the Animal drumsticks:
All in all, not very scary, until a voice said, "Hi Candy". I woke up immediately and peered around the room as if I could see something. I lay there a little scared until I managed to fall asleep again.
On the following night, I had a better dream. I was at home by myself, not even Gimli was around. And I happened to go across the street to the neighbor's house where there was something going on in the garage. Who do I find but none other than one of my favorite bands, Rammstein! Yes, all of them were in the neighbor's garage having a jam session.
I was ecstatic! Rammstein and I and no one else in sight. I can't remember what we said but I remember talking to all of them in English and having a great time. The last thing I remember, before the stupid alarm woke me up, was talking to Christoph, sigh, and he asked me if he could have my Animal drumsticks.*
I said, "Of course! If I can have your drumsticks in return."
He obliged and I was seconds away from accepting them before the aforementioned stupid alarm woke me up. Drat!
I woke up with the song, Waidmanns Heil stuck in my head. See it here:
Believe me, I've been chasing that dream ever since last week, but alas, I can't find that garage anymore.
In related news, Rammstein have announced they are coming back to North America!!! And we now have 2 definite chances to see them in two different cities!!! We're going to try for tickets again.
Seeing Christoph twice in less than a year would be awesome!
http://www.rammstein.de/en/news/tourdaten-fur-usa-kanada-im-mai-bestatigt/
* See the Animal drumsticks:
Tuesday, February 15, 2011
I'm still hungry...
I was recounting what I ate today to someone who proclaimed, "That's too much food for you to be eating!". Mind you this was after I had eaten dinner and was full after I cleaned my plate. I lamented that I was still hungry, some 1/2 hour after eating dinner.
I didn't think my food intake today was very high, which explained why I was still hungry but there was no denying this person. I then tasked this person to build me a list of foods that I can have that fits in with what you think I should be eating and was met with silence.
Here's what I ate today:
Breakfast
raisin bran cereal and skim milk - 230
whole wheat toast - 170
Becel margarine - 70
Mid morning snack
grapes, about 15-20 - 50
Lunch
fiber 1 bar - 100
canteloupe - 32 calories in 1/4 of a melon. I did not have 1/4, more like two slices, but we'll leave it as is for this experiment.
nectarine - 61
honeycomb cereal - 115
banana - 108
Afternoon snack
rice cake - 80
To add all of this, it comes to 1016 calories.
For Dinner, I had this: http://www.kraftcanada.com/en/recipes/zesty-chicken-rice-skillet-94966.aspx. It states as is, its 340 calories. I tend to tweak it a bit when I make this, so we can probably extend the calories for giggles to 400. I also had a salad with cucumbers, bell peppers, cherry tomatoes and baby carrots along with salad dressing. I used Kraft Balsamic Vinaigrette and I always use more than is recommended. The regular serving is 90 calories, so we'll double it to 180.
Thus bringing the value to 580 calories for dinner.
For the entire day, it brings a grand total of calories to 1596.
Based on the USDA average recommended intake for someone my age, weight - 121 lbs, height - 5 ft 4 in, the most calories I can consume without gaining weight is roughly 1800.
Point made, good night.
I didn't think my food intake today was very high, which explained why I was still hungry but there was no denying this person. I then tasked this person to build me a list of foods that I can have that fits in with what you think I should be eating and was met with silence.
Here's what I ate today:
Breakfast
raisin bran cereal and skim milk - 230
whole wheat toast - 170
Becel margarine - 70
Mid morning snack
grapes, about 15-20 - 50
Lunch
fiber 1 bar - 100
canteloupe - 32 calories in 1/4 of a melon. I did not have 1/4, more like two slices, but we'll leave it as is for this experiment.
nectarine - 61
honeycomb cereal - 115
banana - 108
Afternoon snack
rice cake - 80
To add all of this, it comes to 1016 calories.
For Dinner, I had this: http://www.kraftcanada.com/en/recipes/zesty-chicken-rice-skillet-94966.aspx. It states as is, its 340 calories. I tend to tweak it a bit when I make this, so we can probably extend the calories for giggles to 400. I also had a salad with cucumbers, bell peppers, cherry tomatoes and baby carrots along with salad dressing. I used Kraft Balsamic Vinaigrette and I always use more than is recommended. The regular serving is 90 calories, so we'll double it to 180.
Thus bringing the value to 580 calories for dinner.
For the entire day, it brings a grand total of calories to 1596.
Based on the USDA average recommended intake for someone my age, weight - 121 lbs, height - 5 ft 4 in, the most calories I can consume without gaining weight is roughly 1800.
Point made, good night.
Monday, February 14, 2011
Gimli's Valentine's Day present
hewo, this is Gimli here.
i want to tell u what i did to Candy today to make her Balentine's day spechel.
it started yesterday when we played in the snow. i like the snow, except when it stiks to my belly hair, then i try to eat it because im a corgi after all.
yes, so we were in the backyard and i was pouncing after the wubba. it don't squeeek anymore when i bite it but Candy says its her favorite toy, but i don't understand why she sais that. Candy was scooping up the poo, i don't know how it got der because i am a royal corgi and wouldn't leave poo all ober the place.
anyway, after the poo went away, we played fetch with the wubba. it kept falling into the deep snow and i had to pounce to get it. Candy said i look like something named a tiggr, because i was bouncing around all over the place but i don't know what a tiggr is.
at the same time Candy was sitting in the snow and trying to make a snowman, but it only looked like a pointy mountain. she called me over and she pushed the mountain and it broke in haf. that got me excited and i started digging in the mountain and grumbling and eating the snow, it was yummy. then, she asked me if i was ready to go inside?
i wasn't ready yet, i had all this snow to eat! so i pounced on her and we fell into the snow and she laughed and called me a snow bear and i tried to eat her glubbs and then she hugged me again and it was great fun.
we went inside and i had snow balls on my belly so i lay on my towel like the good corgi i am and waited for her to come back with the loud air thing. i don't know why she has this thing that blows air but she used it on my belly and the snow balls went away. it must be magical from the faeries but why would the faeries send such a thing to me? i don't understand these things.
today i got to ride in the car when Candy and Mike went to the supermarket. i don't know what they have der but i have a feeling i would like it. Mike stayed with me in the car and Candy went away. when she left i started to cry because i thought she was going away and i didn't know why she didn't take me. i lub her so much because she spends all day with me and she shares things with me like appels and banannas and nectareens and cucumbers and more things i don't know the names it just taste gud, i sit with her in the kitchen because she gives me things sometimes, like hard boiled eeegs, maybe you have seen my video, and when we go on walks she protects me cuz she the leader, and she loves it when i smile at her and she smiles at me. oh oh oh and i snugle in bed with her at night and i lie on my back and paw at the air to trick her to come play with me and it works every time, i'm that good of a corgi.
well she came back to the car with some bags and she was talking about how these crazy people were buying flowers and wine and chocolit, i don't know what that is but it sounds yummy cuz Candy is always eating it but she won't share with me. i think i need to up that corgi charm to get some.
Mike told her how i was crying and she was so happy and she said it made her balentines day, whatever that is.
heer is a picture of us when i was still a puppy, Candy sais its one of her faborite pictures.
hope u enjoy your balentines day,
lub Lord Gimli
i want to tell u what i did to Candy today to make her Balentine's day spechel.
it started yesterday when we played in the snow. i like the snow, except when it stiks to my belly hair, then i try to eat it because im a corgi after all.
yes, so we were in the backyard and i was pouncing after the wubba. it don't squeeek anymore when i bite it but Candy says its her favorite toy, but i don't understand why she sais that. Candy was scooping up the poo, i don't know how it got der because i am a royal corgi and wouldn't leave poo all ober the place.
anyway, after the poo went away, we played fetch with the wubba. it kept falling into the deep snow and i had to pounce to get it. Candy said i look like something named a tiggr, because i was bouncing around all over the place but i don't know what a tiggr is.
at the same time Candy was sitting in the snow and trying to make a snowman, but it only looked like a pointy mountain. she called me over and she pushed the mountain and it broke in haf. that got me excited and i started digging in the mountain and grumbling and eating the snow, it was yummy. then, she asked me if i was ready to go inside?
i wasn't ready yet, i had all this snow to eat! so i pounced on her and we fell into the snow and she laughed and called me a snow bear and i tried to eat her glubbs and then she hugged me again and it was great fun.
we went inside and i had snow balls on my belly so i lay on my towel like the good corgi i am and waited for her to come back with the loud air thing. i don't know why she has this thing that blows air but she used it on my belly and the snow balls went away. it must be magical from the faeries but why would the faeries send such a thing to me? i don't understand these things.
today i got to ride in the car when Candy and Mike went to the supermarket. i don't know what they have der but i have a feeling i would like it. Mike stayed with me in the car and Candy went away. when she left i started to cry because i thought she was going away and i didn't know why she didn't take me. i lub her so much because she spends all day with me and she shares things with me like appels and banannas and nectareens and cucumbers and more things i don't know the names it just taste gud, i sit with her in the kitchen because she gives me things sometimes, like hard boiled eeegs, maybe you have seen my video, and when we go on walks she protects me cuz she the leader, and she loves it when i smile at her and she smiles at me. oh oh oh and i snugle in bed with her at night and i lie on my back and paw at the air to trick her to come play with me and it works every time, i'm that good of a corgi.
well she came back to the car with some bags and she was talking about how these crazy people were buying flowers and wine and chocolit, i don't know what that is but it sounds yummy cuz Candy is always eating it but she won't share with me. i think i need to up that corgi charm to get some.
Mike told her how i was crying and she was so happy and she said it made her balentines day, whatever that is.
heer is a picture of us when i was still a puppy, Candy sais its one of her faborite pictures.
hope u enjoy your balentines day,
lub Lord Gimli
Tuesday, February 8, 2011
Things to do for 2011 - February update
An update on my 2011 list. We're off to a slow start, but I've never done this before, so I think its a good learning curve.
1. Read More, nothing special, just reading.
2. Pay attention to my blog and post more - already started
3. Join BlogHer
4. Attend BlogHer 2011, wherever it is
5. Do what I need to do to get off one of my medications
1. Read More, nothing special, just reading.
2. Pay attention to my blog and post more - already started
3. Join BlogHer
4. Attend BlogHer 2011, wherever it is
5. Do what I need to do to get off one of my medications
6. Go to the Zoo
7. Make a better attempt at brushing Gimli more than once a week
8. To achieve this, setup a grooming table in the laundry room
9. Start expanding the list of meals that I can cook from memory
10. Start branching out and cooking different things, planning is key and laziness is no excuse
11. Eat more fruits and veggies
12. Cut my hair, and not just a trim either, goodbye long locks.
13. Get a 2nd corgi
14. Learn to walk two of them properly
15. Improve Gimli’s recall
16. Make a Pooh Bear gingerbread house
17. See The Lion King stage show - bought tickets for June!
18. Continue with the No Complaint experiment - ongoing
19. Take more visits to The Arboretum and see our coyote friend again
20. Get off my butt and be more active - started with Wii Fit. I lapsed a little but I've started working out in the morning, which seems to work better for me.
21. Play with Gimli in the snow
22. Try to make a snow ‘animal’
23. Get more sleep
24. Read Brene Brown’s book, The Gifts of Imperfection and apply it to myself
25. Woofstock?
26. Parasailing @Castaway Cay - not happening as its cost prohibitive.
27. Discover local restaurants in my city
28. See the Tim Burton exhibit - going in February
29. Go to the Animal mass with Jeannie
30. Make it to Trinidad to introduce Mike to the rest of my crazy family, hopefully I'll still be married by the time we return.
31. Go to the Winter Walk with your dog - Unfortunately, this was canceled due to a lack of attendees. I am still on record and they've said they will try to hold it again in Feb/March etc, so we'll see. If they choose to hold it again, I will definitely attend.
32. Start a new job - started Feb. 1st
33. Eat at a Summerlicious restaurant
34. Write a letter to Queen Elizabeth II for her birthday and include pictures of Gimli.
35. Lose anywhere from 5-10 lbs, I'm 122 lbs now. Its deliberately vague as I'm really only striving to look better in my clothes. I'm unsure if 5 or 10 lbs will do it, so starting off small. -working on it with eating better (cutting out a great deal of unhealthy food and Wii Fit.
Saturday, February 5, 2011
Gimli and his egg
Last week some friends of ours were over and the topic of boiled eggs and dogs came up. He had given his dog, Ozzy, a hard boiled egg and was amused at how gently Ozzy treated the egg. Gimli, *gasp*, had never had a hard boiled egg before.
I know, I'm a horrid owner.
So, this morning, I made one extra egg to give to Gimli...
For your viewing pleasure:
I know, I'm a horrid owner.
So, this morning, I made one extra egg to give to Gimli...
For your viewing pleasure:
Friday, February 4, 2011
Boogedy Boo
I hadn't planned on talking about the 'ghostly' phenomenon at this time, but something strange happened again this morning.
A bit of history:
Last year, sometime in late November, Gimli and I were home alone during the day. The house was quiet, the furnace wasn't even on. I heard 4 thuds, which I call footsteps. At first I thought Gimli was playing with his toys a little too roughly, but when I peeked at him, he was dozing at the window.
If it wasn't Gimli and it wasn't me, who was it?
Naturally Mike thought I was crazy and dismissed it quite quickly.
Since then my imagination has been playing tricks on me, at least that's what I tell myself. Sometimes if I'm alone, I'll see something stir in the corner of my eye, only when I look properly there's nothing there.
Sometimes Gimli will bark at something in a room, only when I go investigate there's nothing there. More to the point, there's nothing like a pile of clothes or the ironing board or something that could scare chicken Gimli, so what's he barking at?
This morning, I was in the middle of a lovely dream where I visited the zoo, and then I was being pushed to move out of the way. Turns out Mike was shoving my leg and asking, "Do you hear that?"
It was the same thuds again. I was too groggy to count them, but it was the same sound. I mumbled that it was probably the neighbor shoveling his driveway...
Except...
There was no snow last night, the driveways have been clear since Wednesday when we were all out after the storm and the neighbors parked their cars in the garage so there was no snow to clean off of them.
Maybe now Mike will believe me.
A bit of history:
Last year, sometime in late November, Gimli and I were home alone during the day. The house was quiet, the furnace wasn't even on. I heard 4 thuds, which I call footsteps. At first I thought Gimli was playing with his toys a little too roughly, but when I peeked at him, he was dozing at the window.
If it wasn't Gimli and it wasn't me, who was it?
Naturally Mike thought I was crazy and dismissed it quite quickly.
Since then my imagination has been playing tricks on me, at least that's what I tell myself. Sometimes if I'm alone, I'll see something stir in the corner of my eye, only when I look properly there's nothing there.
Sometimes Gimli will bark at something in a room, only when I go investigate there's nothing there. More to the point, there's nothing like a pile of clothes or the ironing board or something that could scare chicken Gimli, so what's he barking at?
This morning, I was in the middle of a lovely dream where I visited the zoo, and then I was being pushed to move out of the way. Turns out Mike was shoving my leg and asking, "Do you hear that?"
It was the same thuds again. I was too groggy to count them, but it was the same sound. I mumbled that it was probably the neighbor shoveling his driveway...
Except...
There was no snow last night, the driveways have been clear since Wednesday when we were all out after the storm and the neighbors parked their cars in the garage so there was no snow to clean off of them.
Maybe now Mike will believe me.
Thursday, February 3, 2011
Tunnel Vision
I was supposed to post this yesterday, but I conked out around 9.30 and said forget it, I'll post it tomorrow.
Of course, by the time I made it upstairs and into bed, I had to get out of bed again to pick up Gimli and place him onto the bed. I got comfy only to feel Gimli roaming around on the bed and then a small corgi butt squished up against my back.
I pressed back against him and then he pushed me back. We continued amid my giggles until my corgi allotted snuggle time was over and he went to lie down at the foot of the bed. Yes, Gimli was a psychiatrist in his last life and so snuggling only lasts so long until the timer goes off in his head.
In any event, the picture below was taking with my BlackBerry on our walk last evening. This is following the rampant amounts of snow we were supposed to get in Ontario. Although for a corgi, snow taller than 11 inches is lots of snow.
This is Gimli waiting for me to join him in the mud room to get ready for our walk. How can you resist that face?
Of course, by the time I made it upstairs and into bed, I had to get out of bed again to pick up Gimli and place him onto the bed. I got comfy only to feel Gimli roaming around on the bed and then a small corgi butt squished up against my back.
I pressed back against him and then he pushed me back. We continued amid my giggles until my corgi allotted snuggle time was over and he went to lie down at the foot of the bed. Yes, Gimli was a psychiatrist in his last life and so snuggling only lasts so long until the timer goes off in his head.
In any event, the picture below was taking with my BlackBerry on our walk last evening. This is following the rampant amounts of snow we were supposed to get in Ontario. Although for a corgi, snow taller than 11 inches is lots of snow.
This is Gimli waiting for me to join him in the mud room to get ready for our walk. How can you resist that face?
Tuesday, February 1, 2011
My dog is taking lessons from the ghost
I am convinced our house is haunted, mainly because Gimli and I were home alone one day and I distinctly heard 4 footsteps on the stairs. But that is a story for another time.
Today after work, I headed into the bathroom for a scrunchy, yes, I still use that 80s term, its cuz I'm that cool. Anyways, I walked back into the bedroom only to be scared by Gimli, who proceeded to look at me with his head to the side... I'm sure he thinks I'm crazy.
He doesn't wear his collar in the house because the metal pieces were discoloring his chest hair and because I'm paranoid he would get stuck somewhere and strangle himself.
That being said, I'm convinced he uses this to his advantage as its not the first time he's sneaked up on me and scared me.
Oh oh, this reminds me of the time I was reading The Shining in a somewhat darkened room when I heard Gimli's clicking toenails on the floor but didn't actually see him until he was a couple feet away from me. Yeah, I was reading the part where Danny first sees the old lady in the tub. Don't laugh, you'd be scared too!
Today after work, I headed into the bathroom for a scrunchy, yes, I still use that 80s term, its cuz I'm that cool. Anyways, I walked back into the bedroom only to be scared by Gimli, who proceeded to look at me with his head to the side... I'm sure he thinks I'm crazy.
He doesn't wear his collar in the house because the metal pieces were discoloring his chest hair and because I'm paranoid he would get stuck somewhere and strangle himself.
That being said, I'm convinced he uses this to his advantage as its not the first time he's sneaked up on me and scared me.
Oh oh, this reminds me of the time I was reading The Shining in a somewhat darkened room when I heard Gimli's clicking toenails on the floor but didn't actually see him until he was a couple feet away from me. Yeah, I was reading the part where Danny first sees the old lady in the tub. Don't laugh, you'd be scared too!
Wednesday, January 26, 2011
Otherwordly Wednesday
I'm foregoing the Wordless Wednesday this week, because I say so.
I've only recently discovered how to get mp3 files onto my Blackberry to assign them to ringtones for different people... No, really I don't work in IT, I don't do anything technological in my day to day work...
As such, I've been poring over songs to use as my default ringtone, with little success. I can't decide, there are too many good ones!
To date, I've been focusing on Rammstein songs, but alas I can't decide out of those either... argh, this is difficult.
On the Rammstein front, I've been listening to their newish album, came out in 2009 and I'm just now listening to the songs. What sort of fan am I? One who bought their album even though Mike said I should have downloaded it, the deluxe album too, which was twice the price of the regular album.
The first song on the album, Rammlied, was in fact the song they opened with in Montreal. Not having the album, I didn't know this. I also didn't think to look up the English translation til today...
Rammlied *
Whoever waits patiently
will be rewarded when the time is right
Now, the wait is over
Lend your ears to a legend
Rammstein
Some lead, some follow
Heart and soul, hand in hand
Forwards, forwards, don't stop
Reason gains meaning and form
If happiness makes you sad
If there are no stars in the night
If you're lonely and alone
We are here, tune in
Rammstein
Some lead, some follow
Evil face, good game
Devouring and being devoured
We take little and give a lot
When you don't know the answer
what's right is right
If you're sad and alone
We are back, tune in
Rammstein
One way
One goal
One motif
Rammstein
One direction
One feeling
Made of flesh and blood
A collective
Whoever waits patiently
will be rewarded when the time is right
Now, the wait is over
Lend your ears to a legend
Rammstein
* Taken from Herzeleid.com
A great song, which captures that night and how long we had waited to see them.
And yes, its on the short list of songs that's already 6 strong...
I've only recently discovered how to get mp3 files onto my Blackberry to assign them to ringtones for different people... No, really I don't work in IT, I don't do anything technological in my day to day work...
As such, I've been poring over songs to use as my default ringtone, with little success. I can't decide, there are too many good ones!
To date, I've been focusing on Rammstein songs, but alas I can't decide out of those either... argh, this is difficult.
On the Rammstein front, I've been listening to their newish album, came out in 2009 and I'm just now listening to the songs. What sort of fan am I? One who bought their album even though Mike said I should have downloaded it, the deluxe album too, which was twice the price of the regular album.
The first song on the album, Rammlied, was in fact the song they opened with in Montreal. Not having the album, I didn't know this. I also didn't think to look up the English translation til today...
Rammlied *
Whoever waits patiently
will be rewarded when the time is right
Now, the wait is over
Lend your ears to a legend
Rammstein
Some lead, some follow
Heart and soul, hand in hand
Forwards, forwards, don't stop
Reason gains meaning and form
If happiness makes you sad
If there are no stars in the night
If you're lonely and alone
We are here, tune in
Rammstein
Some lead, some follow
Evil face, good game
Devouring and being devoured
We take little and give a lot
When you don't know the answer
what's right is right
If you're sad and alone
We are back, tune in
Rammstein
One way
One goal
One motif
Rammstein
One direction
One feeling
Made of flesh and blood
A collective
Whoever waits patiently
will be rewarded when the time is right
Now, the wait is over
Lend your ears to a legend
Rammstein
* Taken from Herzeleid.com
A great song, which captures that night and how long we had waited to see them.
And yes, its on the short list of songs that's already 6 strong...
Tuesday, January 25, 2011
Before and After
The other day I was getting ready to go out to Mike's company's Christmas/New Years celebration when the idea struck to take a before and after picture of myself - no make up vs with make up.
For your viewing pleasure:
Not to be outdone by Gimli - pre and post brushing.
I think we both look lovely in the after pictures, what do you think?
For your viewing pleasure:
Not to be outdone by Gimli - pre and post brushing.
I think we both look lovely in the after pictures, what do you think?
Monday, January 24, 2011
-3
After our weigh in yesterday morning, somehow I've managed to lose roughly 2-3 lbs. Mike is about the same.
Its good for him because he's starting to see some real results, which means that I'll be buying him a belt for his birthday in March, as he shrinks toward his initial weight loss goal.
Its good for me because my muffin top has shrunk ever so slightly. I have set a goal for myself of the end of March to be a bit more toned than I am now so if I need to pick up a new bikini at the start of the season I can. I'm being a bit vague about all this for my sake because at ~120 lbs, I don't want to be losing weight like a crazy person, yet I have some areas that need to be 'tightened' up a bit.
So long as I can still eat my chocolatecookies, cake, nachos, wings, french fries, I'll be fine!
Its good for him because he's starting to see some real results, which means that I'll be buying him a belt for his birthday in March, as he shrinks toward his initial weight loss goal.
Its good for me because my muffin top has shrunk ever so slightly. I have set a goal for myself of the end of March to be a bit more toned than I am now so if I need to pick up a new bikini at the start of the season I can. I'm being a bit vague about all this for my sake because at ~120 lbs, I don't want to be losing weight like a crazy person, yet I have some areas that need to be 'tightened' up a bit.
So long as I can still eat my chocolate
Sunday, January 23, 2011
Things for 2011 - January update
An update on my 2011 list. We're off to a slow start, but I've never done this before, so I think its a good learning curve.
2. Pay attention to my blog and post more - already started
3. Join BlogHer
4. Attend BlogHer 2011, wherever it is
5. Do what I need to do to get off one of my medications
6. Go to the Zoo
7. Make a better attempt at brushing Gimli more than once a week
8. To achieve this, setup a grooming table in the laundry room
9. Start expanding the list of meals that I can cook from memory
10. Start branching out and cooking different things, planning is key and laziness is no excuse
11. Eat more fruits and veggies
12. Cut my hair, and not just a trim either, goodbye long locks.
13. Get a 2nd corgi
14. Learn to walk two of them properly
15. Improve Gimli’s recall
16. Make a Pooh Bear gingerbread house
17. See The Lion King stage show - bought tickets for June!
18. Continue with the No Complaint experiment - ongoing
19. Take more visits to The Arboretum and see our coyote friend again
20. Get off my butt and be more active - started with Wii Fit
21. Play with Gimli in the snow
22. Try to make a snow ‘animal’
23. Get more sleep
24. Read Brene Brown’s book, The Gifts of Imperfection and apply it to myself
25. Woofstock?
26. Parasailing @Castaway Cay - not happening as its cost prohibitive
27. Discover local restaurants in my city
28. See the Tim Burton exhibit - going in February
29. Go to the Animal mass with Jeannie
30. Make it to Trinidad to introduce Mike to the rest of my crazy family, hopefully I'll still be married by the time we return.
31. Go to the Winter Walk with your dog - Starting on January 29th
32. Start a new job - going to Feb. 1st
33. Eat at a Summerlicious restaurant
Saturday, January 22, 2011
Carpe Diem
I first learned about this term in high school, Junior year British Literature. Incidentally, this was one of my favorite English courses ever!
However, despite learning about it, its not something I practiced. Well, except when I needed to do something around the house and it built and built up until I couldn't take it anymore and the day was just as good as any. Although now that I think about it, that's not really Carpe Diem is it?
This past year, (2010), as I've previously mentioned, was one of the best years of my life in a very long time. It was the year I turned 30 and something switched in my head. Although I still feel the same as when I was 29, last year there was this feeling in me that wanted to take stock of the past decade. I think that's part of why I started the No Complaint Experiment and while that continues on, at the latter part of 2010 the Carpe Diem thoughts came back.
I look back and recognize our entire Rammstein experience was based on Carpe Diem. Yes, we were against odds on both fronts, but at least we took the opportunity to try for the tickets.
Around Christmastime, an email update on a new team went out at work and before I knew what I was doing, I went after it. Not fully understanding it all, but I asked for more information. I pored over the information over my Christmas holidays and when I returned to work, I started the process. It all passed in a blur, but on February 1, I start my new position at work!
Its all very exciting and some days I forget all about it until I'm reminded of it again. All because I chose to see what else was out there, because I grabbed the opportunity to look for more information.
I feel 2011 will be the year of seizing the day, of trying new things and not wondering what if.
However, despite learning about it, its not something I practiced. Well, except when I needed to do something around the house and it built and built up until I couldn't take it anymore and the day was just as good as any. Although now that I think about it, that's not really Carpe Diem is it?
This past year, (2010), as I've previously mentioned, was one of the best years of my life in a very long time. It was the year I turned 30 and something switched in my head. Although I still feel the same as when I was 29, last year there was this feeling in me that wanted to take stock of the past decade. I think that's part of why I started the No Complaint Experiment and while that continues on, at the latter part of 2010 the Carpe Diem thoughts came back.
I look back and recognize our entire Rammstein experience was based on Carpe Diem. Yes, we were against odds on both fronts, but at least we took the opportunity to try for the tickets.
Around Christmastime, an email update on a new team went out at work and before I knew what I was doing, I went after it. Not fully understanding it all, but I asked for more information. I pored over the information over my Christmas holidays and when I returned to work, I started the process. It all passed in a blur, but on February 1, I start my new position at work!
Its all very exciting and some days I forget all about it until I'm reminded of it again. All because I chose to see what else was out there, because I grabbed the opportunity to look for more information.
I feel 2011 will be the year of seizing the day, of trying new things and not wondering what if.
Wednesday, January 19, 2011
Monday, January 17, 2011
Downward facing dog pose
This evening while doing my Wii Fit exercises, I happened to try the Downward Facing Dog pose for the first time.
There I was with my head down towards the balance board, my butt up in the air when who comes by to investigate but Gimli.
He meanders his way underneath my body, looks up at me and does his own version of the Downward Facing Dog pose, his little white feet sticking out, his brown eyes looking up at me as if to say,
"I can do it better than you can!"
These corgis I tell ya...
There I was with my head down towards the balance board, my butt up in the air when who comes by to investigate but Gimli.
He meanders his way underneath my body, looks up at me and does his own version of the Downward Facing Dog pose, his little white feet sticking out, his brown eyes looking up at me as if to say,
"I can do it better than you can!"
These corgis I tell ya...
Sunday, January 16, 2011
Gimli and his sheep
As seen in the last Wordless Wednesday, Gimli received a number of Christmas presents in 2010. One of them was a stuffed animal sheep. I'm not entirely sure Gimli knows what to make of it, but he does enjoy running around with him throughout the house, upstairs and downstairs and into his lady's chamber.
Saturday, January 15, 2011
56 calories
Surprise surprise, I was up at 5.30 am again this morning. Except this time, it was because I couldn't breathe. Yes friends, I'm sick with a cold again. Let's not get into how I picked up this bug shall we, there was already an argument that took place.
I've been sick since Sunday and its pretty much in its later stages where the mucus reaches your throat and you end up with a sexy hag voice.
Instead of getting onto the computer and wasting time, I opted to try my hand at Wii Fit Plus. We received this for Christmas in an attempt to help us be more active. In the winter months especially, its tough for Mike to be active because a wheelchair and snow don't mix too well. For me, I can get away with daily walks with Gimli and romps in the snow, but its not enough.
We started using the game this week and I have to say its a nice way to go from very little activity to light-medium activity. This game is not for hardcore gym attendees, but there are some Yoga and strength training exercises that really make you feel the burn, especially when you have little core strength to begin with.
Today I managed to burn 56 calories. It was my second attempt at Wii Fit and I felt a bit better as I'm starting to get accustomed to it and the mistaken belief that I was fit was quickly draining away.
Today there's all this talk about losing weight especially in light of the levels of obesity in North America, but I feel not enough is done to help people understand that you can have a healthy weight/BMI, which I do, but am I in shape? Nope! Do I pass all the lab tests like cholesterol and glucose, am I a model patient on paper? Yup! But can I run up a few flights of stairs? With difficulty.
I've been sick since Sunday and its pretty much in its later stages where the mucus reaches your throat and you end up with a sexy hag voice.
Instead of getting onto the computer and wasting time, I opted to try my hand at Wii Fit Plus. We received this for Christmas in an attempt to help us be more active. In the winter months especially, its tough for Mike to be active because a wheelchair and snow don't mix too well. For me, I can get away with daily walks with Gimli and romps in the snow, but its not enough.
We started using the game this week and I have to say its a nice way to go from very little activity to light-medium activity. This game is not for hardcore gym attendees, but there are some Yoga and strength training exercises that really make you feel the burn, especially when you have little core strength to begin with.
Today I managed to burn 56 calories. It was my second attempt at Wii Fit and I felt a bit better as I'm starting to get accustomed to it and the mistaken belief that I was fit was quickly draining away.
Today there's all this talk about losing weight especially in light of the levels of obesity in North America, but I feel not enough is done to help people understand that you can have a healthy weight/BMI, which I do, but am I in shape? Nope! Do I pass all the lab tests like cholesterol and glucose, am I a model patient on paper? Yup! But can I run up a few flights of stairs? With difficulty.
Wednesday, January 12, 2011
Monday, January 10, 2011
I don't know how to read...
A simple bathroom scale.
My weight has been fluctuating a bit over the past 10 years, going from roughly 110-130 lbs. At 110, I looked too skinny and unhealthy. At 130, I had a muffin top and did not like the way I looked in my clothes.
Right now, I have a slight muffin top that jiggles a bit. I don't like it. I haven't liked it for quite some time. Last year I wore a bikini for the first time since I was 6. I looked fine, just a little too much padding here and there so I resolved to do something about it.
I told myself I would weigh myself and based on that figure, I'd adjust accordingly and try to maintain that figure.
I stepped on the scale and it read 130 lbs. Ok, I have a bit more work to do, no problem, I can do it! Months passed to this past weekend.
As part of our things to do in 2011, Mike and I are going to be more active and work on toning etc.
When I stepped on the scale, it went like this:
"Mike, can you tell me the number on that scale?"
"125."
"It is not!"
"It is, look for yourself."
I made Mike mark the spot on the scale and I got down and took a good look. 125. Blast, I thought I was 5 lbs heavier for a good portion of last year!
Oh well, maybe I'll pick up a digital scale...
My weight has been fluctuating a bit over the past 10 years, going from roughly 110-130 lbs. At 110, I looked too skinny and unhealthy. At 130, I had a muffin top and did not like the way I looked in my clothes.
Right now, I have a slight muffin top that jiggles a bit. I don't like it. I haven't liked it for quite some time. Last year I wore a bikini for the first time since I was 6. I looked fine, just a little too much padding here and there so I resolved to do something about it.
I told myself I would weigh myself and based on that figure, I'd adjust accordingly and try to maintain that figure.
I stepped on the scale and it read 130 lbs. Ok, I have a bit more work to do, no problem, I can do it! Months passed to this past weekend.
As part of our things to do in 2011, Mike and I are going to be more active and work on toning etc.
When I stepped on the scale, it went like this:
"Mike, can you tell me the number on that scale?"
"125."
"It is not!"
"It is, look for yourself."
I made Mike mark the spot on the scale and I got down and took a good look. 125. Blast, I thought I was 5 lbs heavier for a good portion of last year!
Oh well, maybe I'll pick up a digital scale...
Saturday, January 8, 2011
its 5.30 am
Its roughly 5.30 am and I'm lying in bed staring into the darkness. I haven't slept much over the course of the night. Lucky for him, Mike is sound asleep.
Its 6.20 now and I'm sitting here writing.
I get like this from time to time, something will always keep me up or wake me up at an ungodly hour.
This was a strange week. It started off with my dream of having a baby, a girl again, who then grew at an advanced rate so that in a few days she was now a few months old. As usual, I woke up, rolled my eyes, shook my head and decided I had been watching too many strange things on Youtube so I put it out of my mind.
Then the later events of the week hint that change is in the wind. I can't say too much about it just yet, but I really hope this week coming goes well.
Here are some bonus pictures of Gimli who, unlike me, finds it easy to fall asleep when completing a sudoku puzzle.
Its 6.20 now and I'm sitting here writing.
I get like this from time to time, something will always keep me up or wake me up at an ungodly hour.
This was a strange week. It started off with my dream of having a baby, a girl again, who then grew at an advanced rate so that in a few days she was now a few months old. As usual, I woke up, rolled my eyes, shook my head and decided I had been watching too many strange things on Youtube so I put it out of my mind.
Then the later events of the week hint that change is in the wind. I can't say too much about it just yet, but I really hope this week coming goes well.
Here are some bonus pictures of Gimli who, unlike me, finds it easy to fall asleep when completing a sudoku puzzle.
Wednesday, January 5, 2011
Tuesday, January 4, 2011
Real Christmas tree?
We have an artificial Christmas tree. Right now its sitting in the corner of our living room naked except for a couple strings of lights, the other decorations already relegated to the basement.
I wondered about getting a real tree this year because growing up we only ever had a real tree once. I vaguely remember it, except that it shed pine needles all over the floor and made the house smell like Pine Sol. At that time, I expected the Pine Sol lady to come around the corner and talk about the power of the real tree.
Today on the walk, many of our neighbors had put their real Christmas trees to the curb. Gimli proceeded to sniff and bury his head into its branches and then mark every one of them. Maybe he smells the animals that used to live in them and wants to find them, who knows.
Yeah, no real Christmas tree for us...
I wondered about getting a real tree this year because growing up we only ever had a real tree once. I vaguely remember it, except that it shed pine needles all over the floor and made the house smell like Pine Sol. At that time, I expected the Pine Sol lady to come around the corner and talk about the power of the real tree.
Today on the walk, many of our neighbors had put their real Christmas trees to the curb. Gimli proceeded to sniff and bury his head into its branches and then mark every one of them. Maybe he smells the animals that used to live in them and wants to find them, who knows.
Yeah, no real Christmas tree for us...
Monday, January 3, 2011
What was 2010?
2010 was one of the best years we've had in a very long time. 2006 was the year we were married, bought our first house and the year I started my current job. 2008 was the year we brought home Gimli, went to California & Las Vegas with friends and went to Walt Disney World with a different set of friends. 2007 was nothing to write home about.
2009 was dreadful. Aside from the good things - attended 2 weddings, bought and moved into our current house, saw Metallica there were these...
Underwent the stress of selling and moving to the in-laws, living with the in-laws for 3 lovely months, a full year of Mike's unemployment, shouldering the finances and the stress of being the sole bread winner, work suffering as a result of all these factors, plus the beginning of my migraines, which would occur sometimes 2 or 3 times a week, attending 2 funerals.
When 2010 rolled around, I was glad. Glad to close the book on that year and move onto a new year of hopeful possibilities.
What 2009 lacked, 2010 made up for it in spades.
As 2011 begins, I have a list of things that I'd like to accomplish in 2011. Who knows if I'll get to them all, but at least its a start.
Lastly, a few pictures of what was 2010.
2009 was dreadful. Aside from the good things - attended 2 weddings, bought and moved into our current house, saw Metallica there were these...
Underwent the stress of selling and moving to the in-laws, living with the in-laws for 3 lovely months, a full year of Mike's unemployment, shouldering the finances and the stress of being the sole bread winner, work suffering as a result of all these factors, plus the beginning of my migraines, which would occur sometimes 2 or 3 times a week, attending 2 funerals.
When 2010 rolled around, I was glad. Glad to close the book on that year and move onto a new year of hopeful possibilities.
What 2009 lacked, 2010 made up for it in spades.
- Mike started a job in January, (Thank God!)
- Finances slowly starting to come around again
- Went on vacation on a Disney cruise where a stingray tried to eat my finger!!!
- Erected our gazebo in the back yard
- Erected the fence so Gimli could play outside
- Saw Rob Zombie and Alice Cooper!!
- Saw Young Frankenstein - the play
- Took Gimli to the Arboretum where we saw a coyote
- Got to play my inner model by posing for an awesome photographer, Danny Yam!
- Went to Chicago to see The Jim Henson Exhibit
- Started this Blog - something I've been wanting to do for a long time
- Went to the Pirate Festival with Zombieman where we won a raffle to stay at a haunted hotel - heading there in the Spring
- Went to Oktoberfest
- Saw Rammstein!!!
- Turned 30
- Made Christmas dinner with all the fixins twice!
As 2011 begins, I have a list of things that I'd like to accomplish in 2011. Who knows if I'll get to them all, but at least its a start.
Lastly, a few pictures of what was 2010.
Saturday, January 1, 2011
12 years in the making
December was quite busy for us and I'm just now catching up on all the things I should have been writing about for the past month. Remember the list from this post, My head is full and no one likes my cookies, well, I'm going to talk about one of the items on that list.
12 years ago I was a young, naive teenager fresh out of high school with grand ambitions swirling in my head. I was going to do this and I was going to do that and nothing would stop me.
(It seems quite sad to think I would fall so far in a couple years and yet I would manage to grab onto a quivering ledge and start on another path. That's me, always clawing, in my stubborn way, back...)
At this time in my life, musically at least, I was a wanderer. I didn't have any favorite bands or musicians. My radio was stuck on a station that I didn't much care for. This all changed when I happened to see some music videos on MTV, (yes, when it actually used to play music videos as opposed to the drivel it broadcasts today), that quite literally opened my eyes.
The two videos that stuck out are The Unforgiven II by Metallica and Du Hast by Rammstein. I scouted around for radio stations that played these songs and I've been a fan since then, adding on more bands as time wore on.
Later on, I met Mike and we often spoke and still do about going to Germany to see Rammstein because it had been so long since they had played in North America. Plus, with my love of the German spoken voice AND Christoph 'Doom' Schneider (drummer for Rammstein), it seemed the only way we'd be able to see Rammstein was to travel to Germany...
Until...
May 2010
We discovered Rammstein was playing at an outdoor festival in Montreal, in July, during the summer of eternal heat waves. Given this along with Mike being in a wheelchair we decided against purchasing tickets.
Late September 2010
We find out Rammstein is going to play just ONE show in New York on December 11th. This was billed as their only North American show. Knowing we would be up against scores of people all trying for a finite amount of tickets, we tried any way. Alas, this was not to be. As Mike was on the phone with the rep at Madison Square Gardens, the handicapped seats were sold. We were saddened, yes, but in the pit of our stomachs we knew there was little chance we would be able to score tickets.
October 2010
We learn they are planning a 2ND North American show in Montreal on December 9th. I thought this was a ruse and it took a few days for me to fully accept we'd have a second chance, even after I confirmed the show at the venue's website. At this time, the tickets were not going to be on sale for a couple weeks, so we had our game plan ready. Ticket day was a Saturday at 12pm. Mike was going to try again for 3 tickets - one for me, one for him and one for our friend, Zombieman.
Saturday came and I had forgotten the day was ticket sale day until Mike reminded me. I was off to the mall looking for purses. There I stood in the store, looking at purses when the phone rings. I had no concept of the time, although it must have been around 12.15 pm. Its Mike. The first thing I hear is his laughter. (Note, at this time, Rammstein is far from my mind). I can't remember what he says next, but the realization sinks in and my stomach turns over and a large smile creeps over my face. I can't remember purchasing the purses, nor the drive home, I was that shocked surprised ecstatic that it was true.
The tickets arrived some time in November and they were stuck up on the fridge. It was then that I started having mini paranoia attacks that we would forget the tickets on the fridge on concert day.
December 9th, 2010
We decided to take the train to Montreal on the Thursday, see the concert and return on the Friday. Wednesday night, it took a while for me to fall asleep as I fully prepared myself that this was a huge fabricated dream and that I'd wake up on Thursday expecting to go on the train but instead someone would tell me it was all a lie. Fully expecting to go to the side of the fridge and see no tickets there.
Instead, it was real. I grabbed the tickets, placed into my purse and off we went to the train station. I even made Mike and Zombieman 'sign off' that the tickets were placed into my purse and the purse was then put around my neck, I was that paranoid.
The train trip up was uneventful. I read, I napped, I colored, I looked out the window. I tried to force myself to believe this was actually happening.
I did have something stuck in my head though. The entire train ride up, this song was in my head, Du riechst so gut. I don't know why, it just was. I hadn't even listened to it recently, in fact I hadn't really listened to Rammstein prior to the concert.
We arrived to a snowy Montreal with slushy streets that was a nightmare to traverse with Mike in his new wheelchair. We ate poutine, well not me, but Mike and Zombieman did. We struggled to return to the hotel, where I double checked the tickets had made the trip with us.
We readied ourselves and headed to the Bell Center. Being in a strange city, we took the 'wrong' way into the arena for a wheelchair. Had we known, we could have just walked above ground for a block and it would have taken us straight in without needing to navigate stairs, but it wouldn't be us if it was that easy. Waiting in line was agony.
Finally, we made it up the escalator and handed over the tickets I had so lovingly carried and into our seats. We were in the accessible section somewhat opposite to the stage.
The opening act was Combichrist. I really cannot tell you about this part of the concert. Its a blur and this is no slight on Combichrist whatsoever, but my impatience was starting to rear its ugly head. We then had to wait for about 1/2 hour for the setup before Rammstein took the stage. This was maddening. I don't know why, but each minute felt like forever.
Then, finally, after 12 years this happened...
I was rapt. Time itself stopped. Songs ran into songs. Two encores and they played this...
Words cannot describe how I felt, this concert for which I had waited for so long. When they said goodbye, I was truly saddened. It seemed like they had just taken the stage and now they were leaving. I wanted them to continue, I wanted to hear more.
I guess I will have to head to Germany for more.
12 years ago I was a young, naive teenager fresh out of high school with grand ambitions swirling in my head. I was going to do this and I was going to do that and nothing would stop me.
(It seems quite sad to think I would fall so far in a couple years and yet I would manage to grab onto a quivering ledge and start on another path. That's me, always clawing, in my stubborn way, back...)
At this time in my life, musically at least, I was a wanderer. I didn't have any favorite bands or musicians. My radio was stuck on a station that I didn't much care for. This all changed when I happened to see some music videos on MTV, (yes, when it actually used to play music videos as opposed to the drivel it broadcasts today), that quite literally opened my eyes.
The two videos that stuck out are The Unforgiven II by Metallica and Du Hast by Rammstein. I scouted around for radio stations that played these songs and I've been a fan since then, adding on more bands as time wore on.
Later on, I met Mike and we often spoke and still do about going to Germany to see Rammstein because it had been so long since they had played in North America. Plus, with my love of the German spoken voice AND Christoph 'Doom' Schneider (drummer for Rammstein), it seemed the only way we'd be able to see Rammstein was to travel to Germany...
Until...
May 2010
We discovered Rammstein was playing at an outdoor festival in Montreal, in July, during the summer of eternal heat waves. Given this along with Mike being in a wheelchair we decided against purchasing tickets.
Late September 2010
We find out Rammstein is going to play just ONE show in New York on December 11th. This was billed as their only North American show. Knowing we would be up against scores of people all trying for a finite amount of tickets, we tried any way. Alas, this was not to be. As Mike was on the phone with the rep at Madison Square Gardens, the handicapped seats were sold. We were saddened, yes, but in the pit of our stomachs we knew there was little chance we would be able to score tickets.
October 2010
We learn they are planning a 2ND North American show in Montreal on December 9th. I thought this was a ruse and it took a few days for me to fully accept we'd have a second chance, even after I confirmed the show at the venue's website. At this time, the tickets were not going to be on sale for a couple weeks, so we had our game plan ready. Ticket day was a Saturday at 12pm. Mike was going to try again for 3 tickets - one for me, one for him and one for our friend, Zombieman.
Saturday came and I had forgotten the day was ticket sale day until Mike reminded me. I was off to the mall looking for purses. There I stood in the store, looking at purses when the phone rings. I had no concept of the time, although it must have been around 12.15 pm. Its Mike. The first thing I hear is his laughter. (Note, at this time, Rammstein is far from my mind). I can't remember what he says next, but the realization sinks in and my stomach turns over and a large smile creeps over my face. I can't remember purchasing the purses, nor the drive home, I was that shocked surprised ecstatic that it was true.
The tickets arrived some time in November and they were stuck up on the fridge. It was then that I started having mini paranoia attacks that we would forget the tickets on the fridge on concert day.
December 9th, 2010
We decided to take the train to Montreal on the Thursday, see the concert and return on the Friday. Wednesday night, it took a while for me to fall asleep as I fully prepared myself that this was a huge fabricated dream and that I'd wake up on Thursday expecting to go on the train but instead someone would tell me it was all a lie. Fully expecting to go to the side of the fridge and see no tickets there.
Instead, it was real. I grabbed the tickets, placed into my purse and off we went to the train station. I even made Mike and Zombieman 'sign off' that the tickets were placed into my purse and the purse was then put around my neck, I was that paranoid.
The train trip up was uneventful. I read, I napped, I colored, I looked out the window. I tried to force myself to believe this was actually happening.
I did have something stuck in my head though. The entire train ride up, this song was in my head, Du riechst so gut. I don't know why, it just was. I hadn't even listened to it recently, in fact I hadn't really listened to Rammstein prior to the concert.
We arrived to a snowy Montreal with slushy streets that was a nightmare to traverse with Mike in his new wheelchair. We ate poutine, well not me, but Mike and Zombieman did. We struggled to return to the hotel, where I double checked the tickets had made the trip with us.
We readied ourselves and headed to the Bell Center. Being in a strange city, we took the 'wrong' way into the arena for a wheelchair. Had we known, we could have just walked above ground for a block and it would have taken us straight in without needing to navigate stairs, but it wouldn't be us if it was that easy. Waiting in line was agony.
Finally, we made it up the escalator and handed over the tickets I had so lovingly carried and into our seats. We were in the accessible section somewhat opposite to the stage.
The opening act was Combichrist. I really cannot tell you about this part of the concert. Its a blur and this is no slight on Combichrist whatsoever, but my impatience was starting to rear its ugly head. We then had to wait for about 1/2 hour for the setup before Rammstein took the stage. This was maddening. I don't know why, but each minute felt like forever.
Then, finally, after 12 years this happened...
The song: Rammlied
I was rapt. Time itself stopped. Songs ran into songs. Two encores and they played this...
The song: Du riechst so gut
Words cannot describe how I felt, this concert for which I had waited for so long. When they said goodbye, I was truly saddened. It seemed like they had just taken the stage and now they were leaving. I wanted them to continue, I wanted to hear more.
I guess I will have to head to Germany for more.
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