⭐ Welcome! Here's 15% off your first order. ⭐

​ Welcome to the BloomChic family! Hey Debbie, we're glad you're here! So, what can you expect that now you're an insider? Exciting product announcements Exclusive deals and promotions Content and recommendations we'll customize just for you! We save the very best for those that want to stay in the know. ⭐Use code BLOOMU15 for 15% off your first purchase! ⭐ Shop Now Here are a few trending items hand-picked just for you: BUY NOW BUY NOW BUY NOW BUY NOW BUY NOW BUY NOW BUY NOW BUY NOW BUY NOW

You received this email from BloomChic. If you would like to unsubscribe, click here.

Order 972327 confirmed

Order 972327 Thank you for your purchase! Hi Debbie, we're getting your order ready to be shipped. We will notify you when it has been sent. Standard shipping: 10-16 business days. Express shipping: 5-9 business days. Please add 1-3 days for processing. Note: For preorder items, please refer to the estimated date provided on the product page. And it is not recommended to choose express shipping for preorder. For more information please visit our Help Center to check out top questions,quick help guides,and more FQAS! Or you can email us at support@bloomchic.us   View your order or Visit our store Order summary Ditsy Floral Pocket Wrap Cold Shoulder Ruffle Dress × 1 Black / 18-20/2X $32.80 Subtotal $32.80 Shipping $12.99 Taxes $0.00 Total $45.79 Customer information Shipping address Debbie Cousins 407, 530 Laurier Ave W Ottawa ON K1R 7T1 Canada Billing address Debbie Cousins 310 12 Ave SW 3207 Calgary AB T2R 1B5 Canada Shipping method Standard Payment method ending with 1702 — $45.79 If you have any questions, reply to this email or contact us at support@bloomchic.us support@bloomchic.co.uk customerservice@bloomchic.us To ensure communication efficiency, please add it to your email address book or approved senders to ensure delivery of all BloomChic emails.

So so glad it's Friday!

What a week.  It felt really, really long.


But, it's over now and it's Friday and I'm off to Victoria for a few days with my daughter - so YAY!  


My personal trainer took the week off and I had a substitute.  Oof.  How is it possible that I work out as much as I do and something as simple as a change in trainer can cause me to seize up completely?  You'd think I had never touched a freakin weight.  I do think I'm going to talk to my regular trainer though about turning it up a notch.  The glitch is that I have a partner that I work out with who might not be up for that.  She spends most of the hour complaining and trying to get out of doing the exercise at hand.  


I am reading Bob Harper's new book - The Skinny Rules.  Any one else reading it?  There are some good ideas in there that would be pretty easy to incorporate into a day.  I haven't gotten to the recipe/meal plan section, so I have no idea how that will jive with my food restrictions, but we'll see!!


Oh, anyone watching SYTYCD????  I haven't watched this week's yet - but looks like there are some lovely dancers in the pool.


Have a healthy day!

Family Stress

I have my family in town this week.  Oof.  My stress level is through the roof!!  I had a total melt down last night at dinner.  Bad.  At my mom.  Why is it that I can act like a grown up right up until my family is around and then I turn into a 10 year old??


My challenge this week is going to be:


Not eating my feelings
Not drinking my feelings
Not alienating my husband because I take out my family frustrations on him
Not skipping my workouts because I'm too stressed to do them - I suspect I will need them more than ever!!


Have a healthy day!

Paying the price!

My sister is coming to visit later today with her 3 year old daughter.  I'm really looking forward to it.  As always when we have company coming we go nuts cleaning and re-organizing - I think I mentioned I'm a terrible house keeper?  ANYHOW.... we've been so busy doing that, that by last night I was feeling really lazy and said to my husband - do you mind if we order in??  Of course, because he never says no to me - we did.  Indian.  Which I love, love, love!!


HOWEVER, since I've been diagnosed with all my food allergies (sensitivities..) I don't eat dairy or wheat, yada, yada.  WELL, let me tell you - the butter chicken and two slices of naan (which were oh, so delicious!!)  almost killed me!  Oy!  I do NOT have a happy tummy today!!


Workouts this week have been..... ziltch!  Mondays are my day to sit on my ass - done!  Tuesdays I meet with personal trainer - she cancelled.  Wednesdays I do belly dance - too busy cleaning and eating Indian food that almost killed me.  SO that leaves meeting with personal trainer tonight.  I'm feeling guilty as I have to pick sister up at 3:00 from airport and then basically drop her at my house and then hit the club.  She said she doesn't mind.... but it feels rude somehow!  I just hope it's a good workout - I feel like I really need it.


Have a healthy day!!

Hurting!

I'm still sore from working out with my personal trainer on Saturday! I guess it was a good workout!

I also got two runs in this weekend. Felt good to run for fun instead of for training.

I made pea soup this weekend and had it tonight for supper. Man was it ever good if I do say so myself! I'm going to take some for lunch tomorrow.

Have a healthy day!

TGIF in a big way

Ugh.  Today marked the end of what felt like a really long week.  The starts must have been aligned today though - because we got to leave at 2:30!!  I finish @ 3:30 anyhow - but an hour is an hour!!


I have so much to get done this weekend around the house.  In the next 2 weeks I have 2 sets of guests coming to stay and I'm a terrible house keeper - so I will be a cleaning fool!!  Why oh why do I put that kind of stuff off??  


A long while ago I had purchased some fitbooks.  I got an e-mail from them today - a promotional type - and ended up going online to buy a new one - and just as I was "checking out" I turned my head and there, on the bottom of my coffee table was a brand new one that I had never used!!  I'm going to sit and plan out the next 12 weeks.  After that triathlon training I'm kinda flailing a bit... no direction. 


But first I'm going to have another glass of wine!


Have a healthy day!

Belly Dance Thursday!

I had belly dance tonight.  Thursdays are the beginner class.  I like doing the beginner class as it keeps the basics fresh.  I missed class last week and apparently they started the choreography.  I had to play catch up tonight - but it was still lots of fun.  


I have recently discovered polenta.  Oof!  I love, love, love it!  I had 3 slices tonight broiled with a bit of garlic powder sprinkled on top.  Yum!!  For a while the naturopath had me off corn which was just breaking my heart cause I love corn!!  But, since I got back my food sensitivities test corn is back on and I'm taking full advantage!


Hey - anybody watch the Biggest Loser this go around?  I'm quite convinced that Kim looked, by far, the best of any finalist ever.  I mean - her body was rocking!!  And healthy looking.  Just amazing!


Have a good night!

I'm Still Here!

I'm still here - still at it.  Lots has been going on.  My daughter just returned from 3 1/2 months in Thailand - she did some volunteer work and touring around.  While she was gone I decided I needed something to take my mind off her being gone so I signed up for a triathlon training class up at my club.  I participated in and completed the Mount Royal Sprint a few weeks ago!!  


I also recently went to a naturopath because my headaches have been getting worse and my stomach has been bothering me quite a bit.  Well, turns out I have food allergies.  I'm now off dairy, eggs and wheat because I'm quite allergic to them all!!  That has been a huge adjustment and it is taking a lot of time just to come up with ideas of what to eat.  The upside to it all is that my headaches are almost gone completely.  I'm just waiting to hear from the doctor about celiac disease.  


I went back to work in January.  I was able to get a position at my old company and am thrilled to be back with the old gang.  Of course - getting back into working permanently has been a change in routine.  A nice one though.


We had a scare a few weeks ago with our pup.  He got food poisoning and had to spend a night in the hospital.  It was surprisingly stressful.  I'm happy to report that he is back to his old self.  Thank God!!  Seriously - it was awful.  I ended up missing 2.5 days of work caring for him, as did my husband.  


Just a quick update for now.  Hope all is well with all out there!!

Bummed

I was supposed to meet with my personal trainer tonight.  I was on the bus home from work when I got the e-mail telling me she wouldn't make our appointment - her car needed to be towed, yada, yada. For those of you not in Calgary, the only place on earth colder than here at one point yesterday was the south pole.  So.... valid excuse, but really, really disappointing.  I don't like change at the best of time, but sheesh.  I did start my half marathon training yesterday.  My 2 mile run - done!  I actually thought today was a cross train day - but it was a rest day.  Oops.  Guest I should read the schedule.  I went up to the club with a headache - did the bike for a while - but..... All in all - crappy workout.

I have been weepy all day.  I think I must be getting my period.  Also, my baby girl turns 18 on Friday and it is freaking me out!!!  I don't even feel grown up enough to have a child, never mind an 18 year old child.  Young lady.  EEK!!!!

We bought her birthday present today.  Just have to get it to Lethbridge now.  Her friends are going down for the big celebration (she isn't coming home to celebrate) so we will likely send it down with one of her friends.  Feels weird - she has never been away from us for her birthday before.  I guess this is the cycle of life, but I don't like it - not one bit!!  ;-)

Have a healthy day!

Making through the treats

I made it through the day today with a minimal amount of treats.  4 jujubes and 3 licorice.  That's pretty good if I do say so myself!

I had my first test of will power though tonight since coming back to this job.  I left originally in June because there was just too much overtime.  I had signed up thinking I'd do 40 hours and I was working 90.  Anyhow - they called and said no more OT if I'd like to come back.  I signed up immediately because I really like the people.  Anyhow - tonight at 4:30 (my quitting time) one of the girls had her stuff show up.  Which means she will be working tonight to get a jump on it to meet her deadline.  I offered to help - but I think she got mad at me asking if she wanted me to stay - I guess I should have just stayed.  Anyhow - she wouldn't look at me and just waived me away.  So, I left as my stuff is done and I'm not supposed to be working OT anyhow...... but now I'm wracked with guilt.  Sigh.  In my head I know I need to just let it go - I decided to leave and I negotiated no OT.... but..... it goes against my whole being to not be a team player.  My big test tomorrow will be to act normal tomorrow.  Argh.

In other news, I have decided to train for a 22k.  I'm using the training program from About.com.  My first run is tomorrow night.  2 miles.  Is it weird that I'm looking forward to it?  My daughter and husband are going to train also.  Husband has potential for knee issues - so he will have to play it by ear - but.... I'm really excited that daughter is going to do it.  Well, she says she's going to do it... ;-)

Have a healthy day!

The Struggle Continues

I started my new job this week (the one I quit in June).  This means I'm in the land of snacks.  Oof!  Why oh why do I love chips SO much?

Tomorrow I am going to chose a really, really light lunch.  I had satay beef soup for lunch today, but I was feeling so full when I was done that it triggered a binge.  This has been my problem for quite a while.  So.... tomorrow I tackle the problem in a new way.

I met with my personal trainer last night.  She used the TRX for the whole workout.  I really enjoyed it.  I love the TRX.  

Tomorrow night I go see Harry Potter.  I'll be honest - I'm beside myself with excitement!

I'm toying with signing up for a 22k training clinic.  I don't know - I hate the running room instructors, but...... it would keep me on the trails......

Who made up mountain climbers?

Seriously - I would love to get my hands on the person that made up that exercise!  They were included in the exercises my personal trainer had me doing yesterday and I could not believe how much it got my heart going.  I just hate them though.  

Our workout was fun - but hard.  I had to do one strength exercise, one ab exercise and one heart raising (or in my case almost stopping) exercise then repeat them 3 times.  Then  onto the next set.  That is my favourite type of workout.  I don't enjoy the sessions when we are just on the machines.

Last night I met my girlfriend for drinks.  We had a really nice time.  I had some chips and salsa - Chilis has my favourite because they are so nice and salty!  Sadly though - they really, really bother my stomach and so I'm in quite a bit of discomfort this morning.  Ah well - the price I pay for poor choices.

Tonight I have a function to attend up at my Club.  The President's Ball.  The theme is "a passport to France".  Should be a fun do - and I can't wait to see what foods they have for us to try!  Apparently they will have food stations set up with wine parings.  And dancing!!  I love going out dancing.  

Today we going to do some re-organizing in our house.  We just purchased a new dining room set and now we have so much extra stuff.  We have to move everything into the basement with all the "keep" stuff on one side and all the "get rid of" stuff on the other.  Then we have to rent a truck so we can actually perform the "get rid of" part!!

We are experiencing really nice weather - so I have a long walk planned with the pup after I'm done my coffee.  Can't wait.  Plus - I want to get out of the house - I have a whole crew of men on my roof at this very moment putting on a new one and it really feels like they are going to come right through!  It is pretty stressful and the dog is going nuts!

Have a healthy day!

How can it have been so long!

I was filling out my "new" food journal and I noticed that I was on week 5.  It occurs to me that I haven't posted for likely that long.  Could that be?

I have been having trouble posting because I don't have as much alone time as I used to.  The I realized I can post in an e-mail - which is WAY more discrete and voila!

Just got back from Belly Dance tonight.  Our show is on the 14th and I've decided to not participate.  I'm so sad.  For the first time since I started dancing I just don't feel good enough about myself to get myself up on that stage.  Sigh.

I am still running.  Did the Halloween Howl a few weeks ago.  That is a fun run.  Totally rocked it.  HaHa!!  This week I started running a rout that has a hill in it.  Not a moment too soon either - as I was breathing so hard I actually had to run 2:1's up it!!!  I have a lot of work to do - but I guess it is good to have a goal.

Well - short post for now - just wanted to say hi to all.  More news later!

Have a healthy day!

Melissa's recap and more!

I ran Melissa's a couple of weeks ago. Had a great run - lost my walking group.

We have a gal in the group that isn't particularly good at making new comers to the group feel comfortable. I've been with the group for 3 years and I'm still an outsider. She is just really at making people feel excluded.

So, we all toodle up to Banff for a couple of nights. She was in fine form, and by the end of the race I knew that life is just too short and I don't have the energy to bang my head against a wall. Luckily - my daughter had made a last minute decision to come home for the weekend - and so I left Banff right after the race instead of staying for the 2nd night.

The race was good. I ran the 10k. My goal for the race was an hour 20. I hadn't been running more than 4.5k before the race and so I wasn't as prepared as I could have been. I'm happy to report that I finished in 1:16!!! YAY me!!

This past weekend I ran the Run for the Cure with a girlfriend. We finished with a 7:16 pace - which translated into 37 minutes I think for the 5k. We were over the moon about that. That was faster than I had been running on my own AND that was running 5:1's.

I got my hair done yesterday. Removed around 3 inches and did caramel & copper highlights again. I thought it looked pretty - but husband didn't notice. Hmpf!!

Thanksgiving this weekend. Daughter should arrive around 5 this evening. Turkey on Sunday. Sadly I forgot to put it in the fridge yesterday to defrost. Hmmmm, it's in there now, but..... Sides this year will be... mashed potatoes, carrots and turnips, broccoli salad and by special request made by daughter - chocolate pie for dessert. I don't happen to like it - but daughter & husband LOVE it.

Still doing pilates 2x/week, working with personal trainer 2x/week, belly dancing 1x/week, curling 1x/week and running 30 minutes a time whenever I can..... but getting no where because my eating is all over the map. Being your own worst enemy is hard work!

Have a healthy day bloggers!!

The party and the humiliation

Last weekend was my girlfriend's re-marriage. It was a touching awesome evening and she just glowed. It was clear she was having the 2nd night of her life!!

Five of the guys attending ended up wearing kilts (mine included) and around 7 - 9 women wore a sash. It looked really pretty to see so many people participating in the Scottish traditions.

My girlfriend had a bit to drink and decided, that before we started speeches and ate and whatnot that she would go around the room and introduce people - say how we all know each other.

I know this gal from curling. She introduced me though as her..... Weight Watchers friend. Yep. 40 odd people sitting in the room and that was my claim to fame for the rest of the evening. Now, while I do follow WW, I don't go with this gal. I've been to.... maybe.... two meetings with her. AND, if was was near my goal.... maybe I wouldn't have been so MORTIFIED, but I'm quite the opposite! I was proud of myself though - I didn't cry at the table. I had my cry about it the next morning in private with my husband. HAHA.

Of course, there were people there from our social circle that I would NEVER, EVER, EVER discuss this part of my life with. And of course, later in the evening, we were talking about the desert. My husband has, our entire relationship, eaten my desert. I'm just not a desert person. On top of that, it was cheesecake, which I happen to despise because of the texture. Well, I made a joke about husband taking my plate, and the gal I would never talk about my weight to asks "so..... is that cause you can't HAVE cheesecake?" ARGH!!!! I hate, hate, hate having to answer questions like that, which is why I don't tell people about WW!!!

I was shocked at how much this bothered me. I was so incredibly embarrassed, I just couldn't believe it.

Aside from that though - it was such a fun night. I bet I danced for almost 4 hours. The DJ was just great and fun was had by all.

I've had a good week this week. Pilates twice, personal trainer twice, belly dance once, and 60 on cardio machines. Daughter is busy at school, and so I haven't spoken to her. Just bbm'ing & facebook. Sigh.....

Freaking out a bit about Melissa's next weekend. I REALLY need to get training!!!!

Below is a picture of husband & I dressed all pretty for the party. After the humiliation, before the dancing. ;-)

Friday!

Boy - it felt like Friday would never get here! Wednesday I met with Personal Trainer and it was a lot of fun. We did weights for around 30 minutes, then abs, then, for the last 10 minutes, I had to do 10 different exercises each for a minute. Oy! My heart was thumping so hard it jumped out my chest and ran out of the fitness room screaming "no more"!!!

Last night I had pilates again and then belly dance!!! It felt so good to start up again. There are around 8 people in the class - which is a nice size. Pilates was good. The class is way faster than I thought it would be. Move to move to move. Flip on your stomach, on your back, on your stomach. I get a bit motion sick just flipping!! The biggest problem I'm having with pilates is all the toe pointing. It causes my toes to cramp. PAINFUL!!!!

Today I meet with Personal Trainer again. Then lunch with my girlfriends. Woohoo!!

This weekend is my friend's re-marriage. They are celebrating 30 years. It is a formal Scottish do - husband picked up his rented kilt last night and I finally was able to pin my sash into a rosette. I think it will look really pretty. My friend is so excited - it has been fun to be part of the whole thing. They are such a nice couple.

H-Woman: e-mail me at fatinahdc(at)hotmail(dot)com - and I will e-mail you from my real life account and we can exchange contact information and formulate a plan!!

Reality - is relative?

Husband & I were watching "Last 10 lb Boot Camp" on the weekend. It was an episode with two friends - musicians I think - that wanted to lose 10 lbs before their next big concert.

At the beginning of the show - the taller of the two gals fit into a size 10 and was 166 lbs. Husband was convinced that there was NO way a woman that weighted THAT much fit into a size 10.

Obviously I have never discussed my weight with my husband - other than the fact that I'm always trying to lose weight.

Fast forward to today - I had to buy a dress for a wedding I'm going to on Saturday. I ended up with a size 10 (which I'm sure was vanity sized). I felt so discouraged I just about cried in the change room. Honestly - it wasn't size related. It was shape related. Over the past year my shape has changed significantly. All the while I am trying to change my habits, exercising like a friggen fool. I honestly don't know what to change at this point.

In any case - I really hadn't realized how bad it had all gotten until I was changing in the dressing room. Those lights don't give you anywhere to hide. Does anyone else out there have a problem with cellulite? How do you deal with it? Does anyone have any ideas of any changes I can make?

Meanwhile - daughter seems to be settling in nicely at University (Lethbridge). She actually started class today. I survived a week without her.

H-Woman - are you doing a weekend in Banff for Melissa's? I am with my walking group - any chance we could..... meet? Even just after the race for a quick hello?

I'm off to meet with my personal trainer. After today it feels like a huge waste of $$.

Oh, I had my first pilates class last night - it was..... good - but I thought it would be harder? I know she started us off at the very beginning..... makes me wonder what is in store!!

Monday

I had the absolute worst sleep last night. Periodically I wake up in the middle of the night so hot I feel like I'm on fire. In my head I feel way too young for this to be happening, but I guess I'm not.

Tonight I met with my personal trainer. It was a fun session, although we were on the weight machines for part of it - which I don't really like. My cardio component tonight was lunges (blech) and the rowing machine - which I actually quite like.

My trainer also did up a running schedule for me to help me get ready for the Melissa's 10k race later in September. Right now I'm running around 4k. I have some work ahead of me. I'm determined to get my stretching in every day so that my knees will feel better. I have described the pain I'm having and my PT is pretty sure my muscles are the problem. Stretch and strengthen.

Daughter is out tonight having a last hoorah with her friends. I am holding it together... somewhat. My trainer asked when daughter is leaving today during one of my exercises and I started to cry. So, maybe not SO together....

Tomorrow night we have a family dinner (husband's side) at Swiss Chalet. I am dreading it. I would be anyhow - but tomorrow is daughter's last night in town and my stress level will be higher than normal and I'm sure husband's family will drive me crazier than normal. Can't wait.

Not much else on the go. Just counting down till my life changes. Sigh.

Back in the groove?

Phew! Holidays are over. We had a great time. We were in Montreal for 2 weeks with a side trip to Lake Placid New York. What a pretty area. As I live in a former Winter Olympic city - I wasn't sure what to expect - but it was nice. We'd go back. I would have liked an extra day there.

Since we've been back I've been trying to find some sort of routine. I'm seeing my personal trainer 2 times a week. Besides that I've been jogging and going on long walks. After the long weekend my week will be like so:

Monday - Personal Trainer

Tuesday - Pilates followed by 20 minutes hard cardio

Wednesday - Personal Trainer

Thursday - Pilates then Belly Dance

Friday - morning curling followed by 20 minutes hard cardio

Saturday or Sunday - weights with some cardio

Saturday or Sunday - day off

My personal trainer is including cardio in all our sessions - either by making me hop on a machine or doing so many leg moves that my heart friggen jumps out my chest. I have 95 days until Palm Springs and I want to go there in top shape. My trainer & I are calling this Operation Palm Springs. I think if I can get in shape I might even golf well. HAHA.

My food has been good - I had an on program week. Husband commented last night that he feels good now that we are eating properly again. I have to admit - I am too. It is less stressful to just cook a nice meal.

Daughter leaves for school Wednesday. The tears started yesterday. It just keeps hitting me in waves. I can think about it and be fine and then the next minute I'm tearing up. We haven't packed yet. I have a lovely dinner planned for Sunday - I'm going to make her favourite which is lamb. I'm going to do greek potatoes, maple dijon green salad and broccoli salad. All her fav's. We still have to get her a new pillow, a can opener, and stuff like toilette paper, wash soap, etc. We are going to drive her down, have lunch and then come back. I will be glad when I'm all adjusted and over this. I'm really excited for her - but....

Not much else on the go. Just waiting for my whole world to turn upside down.

Yoga Challenge

I've decided that the poses I will be doing for the challenge are the Kneeling Achilles Stretch, Front Ankle Stretch, Toe Stretch and Pigeon. I'm keeping it small as I want something that I will actually do every day. All of these stretches/poses will really help with the areas that I'm finding tight from running. After doing them last night I noticed that for the first time in around 2 years that when I got out of bed this morning I was able to step down and it didn't hurt. So yay!!

I saw Salt on the weekend. I just love Angelina. Can you imagine if Evelyn Salt hooked up with Jason Bourne? What a friggen ride that would be!!!!

I ran Sunday. Took me 30 minutes to do 4k. Sigh. Oh, well - guess a slow 4k is still better than NO 4k.

Not much else on the go. Just putting in time till vacay on Friday! YA BABY!!!!

Have a healthy day bloggers!

Survived

Spent the day with daughter yesterday. We shopped and then had lunch.

I got a bathing suit!!! And I feel really good in it!!!! It is a one piece and it is one of those ones that is supposed to make you look 10 lbs lighter. IT DOES!!! I seriously feel so much better about my upcoming vacation now. The only down side was the cost. $188. Seriously - how is it possible that they can charge that much for a freaking suit? And you may be shaking your head because I did. But I can't even begin to describe how good I feel in it.

So we went to lunch at Milestone's. I had looked up the menu online but couldn't find the nutritional information. I made what I thought was the best possible choice. HA! Of course, I get home, and then am ABLE to see the teeny weeny button to click for calorie count and what do I find? I chose the HIGHEST calorie salad!!!! Thankfully I had asked for no cheese - which helped. ARGH!!!

Last night I went for a run and walk for an hour. It was so nice out.

This morning daughter left for a week in Ottawa. Her flight was at 6:30 so I've been up since 4:30. I hate that nauseous feeling you get when you get up too early. Blech. I meet with personal trainer at 9:00. I'm still sore from Wednesday's session with her. Should be fun.... NOT

Yoga challenge starts tomorrow. Woohoo!!

Have a healthy day!!

Swim Suit Shopping

I have to look for a new swim suite today. I'm so down. I'm in the worst shape ever and for the first time in 5 years I'm thinking I need to buy a tankini 'cause I just can't bear the idea of anyone seeing my stomach.

Yesterday husband booked a golf trip to Palm Springs in early winter - us and another couple are going. I am really, really excited. Husband has been several times but I've never been. He just loves it there. I suspect I will also. I'm so happy to have a "get away" trip to look forward to.

Mmm, did I mention I got my hair done? I was going to go blonde but then changed my mind and did copper & caramel streaks. Looks cute. Fresh and different but not too different.

So, one of the gals in blogland is doing a 7 day yoga challenge. I've decided to do it. My feet could really use the stretching and I need to find my focus. Maybe this will help.

So, on the job front. Argh. I'm getting down about that too. The company I'm trying to get on with has hired yet another person who is not me. I'm starting to feel like a stalker and yet I'm hesitant to not keep following up - as I don't want to then feel like I didn't give it my all. What to do, what to do....

Oy....

Getting off my ass

FINALLY!!!! I really got out of my running routine and I have had the hardest time talking myself into getting out there. Why is the hardest part of getting back into a routine the self talk that it takes you to get off your ass? What really pisses me off is that I really, really love how I feel after the run. I feel like I'm on top of the world right now. Who doesn't want that feeling all the time???

Not much else on the go. Daughter & I are powering through Big Brother - we have a lot of episodes taped. Oh, anyone watching The Closer, True Blood, Entourage or that new show Rizzolie & Isles with Angie Harmon??? I'm dying to chat about them - but I don't know anyone watching!

Have a healthy day!

Facing The Music

All of my friends started attending WW meetings weeks ago. Lots of weeks ago. Because I was busy losing my mind with that stupid contract job - I couldn't go with them. They chose a Friday morning meeting instead of an evening or weekend. So, off they go - having great success. And in their excitement - after each meeting when they would find out how much they lost that week - they would BBM me. With each text message I would get sadder and sadder. Feeling left out. Feeling like I would never be able to get out of this cycle of self destructive behaviour I seemed to be stuck in. Feeling so jealous it was all I could do not to delete them from my contact list. Seriously.

So the other night when I stepped on the scale to see how much damage I had done to myself - I saw a # I hadn't even seen while I was pregnant. Even though I knew things were bad - I was SHOCKED!!

Fast forward to the meeting I went to yesterday. Step on the scale - and was pleasantly surprised to see I was up 1.5! My home scale is WAY off and needs to go in the garbage!! I picked myself up a 3 month journal and my goal is to write in it everyday.

I really, really enjoyed the meeting yesterday. The leader was so good and I found myself paying attention the entire time. I have to find out if she does any downtown meetings. I don't know how often I can take Fridays off so that I can make the meetings. Although I am going to try - will be talking to boss on Monday!! It was fun to have friends there. One of the gals is already down 13lbs. She is just so excited - it is nice to see.

We planned a family bbq for tomorrow cause daughter is going off to school and this is her last weekend at home before holidays and then she's off to University. One of the in-laws, when asked if they wanted to come, said "probably" and I called Thursday to see if they were coming, and they still haven't called back. Is it just me or is that really rude? I have decided to make all of my sides WW recipes. I found a WW version of the bonanza beans I always make, a WW version of my famous broccoli salad, and I will be scouring my books for a WW macaroni salad. We will serve up italian sausages also (4.5 for half - not bad). I want to be able to count properly - and with my WW serving spoons - portion control is never a problem!

We went to the chuck wagon races last night at the Stampede. If you're a rodeo hater - save your comments - you won't change my mind - I love going. I was really impressed with myself as we were in a private infield box with free food and booze. I had 1/2 glass of white wine (2pts worth) and it took me the whole duration of the chucks to finish it - tiny sips!! I also kept my portions well in check (which frankly is easier when you're not drinking a lot) and in the end I only used 11 flex!! It is weird to say - but I had some of the best chicken curry I've every had in my life last night. At the Stampede - how strange is that?

We ended up getting special passes to go back to the barns so we could visit with the animals. It was really cool. What a different lifestyle the rodeo competitors have. We never got home till after midnight. It ended up being a great date night - and all it cost us was the belt buckle husband bought! Now next Stampede he will look like a real cowboy! HAHA

Today I will take pup for a walk, menu plan, grocery shop, drink my water and journal, journal, journal.

Have a healthy day bloggers!

Drowning.....

That is how I feel.

On the work front - I ended up quitting one of my jobs. The one that was really busy. I wasn't sleeping cause I was so worried about how I would get everything done. Since I quit I have slept through the night every night! Guess it was the right decision.

All of the stress has taken it's toll on me though. As if work wasn't enough - I have had the drama of waiting to see if daughter was going to go to University. I am happy to report that she is in, accepted, registered and just last Friday got confirmation that she has a dorm room! I was so distracted I had trouble functioning. The idea of having to find her an apartment last minute that was within walking distance of the Uni was mind boggling!!

Of course, during these times, when it would make sense to throw myself into exercise and clean living to help alleviate the stress.... that isn't what I do. I, in fact, do the complete opposite. Because I am the biggest bonehead ever.

I have a glimmer of hope that, on the work front, I may be offered a contract for a company that I really want to work for. So, in an effort to get some good vibes in my life, I've decided that I need to stop using life as an excuse to not take care of myself. A former high school acquaintance that friended me on facebook has breast cancer. It looks like she will make a recovery, if all goes well this next year with her treatments. This woman is fighting for her life, and I have my health and I'm letting it go. How crazy is that? Also - I don't fit into any of my clothes and it is driving me CRAZY!!

So, after I hit publish - I'm going to a meeting, buying a 3 month journal - and not giving up on myself anymore. I'm going to write on every day of that journal and I am going to be active every day. I leave for vacation in 2 weeks and have already told my girlfriend (whose family we vacation with in Montreal) that I will be following plan and I even found a meeting in her area in English!! She thinks that I should be able to stay on plan and I do too. She has a track near her house - last vacation I ran 8 out of 15 days. In the humidity! I should be able to do that again. Just have to not eat my body weight in bread pizza or drink my body weight in wine. HAHA

Hope all is well with everyone. I've missed the blogging community.