My week so far

Boy it's been busy around here! I got tired of facing the 4 hour house clean on Saturdays (in addition to the 'maintenance during the week) that I've decided to try breaking it out. Not sure I like it though, because I'm a big fan of the Saturday sparkle! This new system has the house always ready for company, save a last minute run through. But it's not sparkling.

So Monday's I give the kitchen a super scrub, including shining up the stainless appliances (love them, but they get fingerprinty/cat nosey very fast!), Tuesday's is vaccuming and washing the floors (took an hour and fifteen minutes yesterday), Wednesday's is polishing the furniture (dusting doesn't cut it after a few days) and cleaning the powder room, and Thursday's is the ensuite. On average, an hour per day.

I'm also spending 15 minutes a day on my office. It's still not finished, still boxes here and there, but with Steve's son moving to Montreal from Toronto he's taken my futon which I had all this junk sitting on, so now I can't stand all the junk on the floor. I'm getting there! My goal with all this is to leave Saturday's as days where I can get some of the finishing touches on the house done, read/paint/play in my garden when the time comes, go shopping, meet a friend for lunch, etc.

I have been getting in my 40 minutes of exercise per day, whether it be my scheduled runs, walks, strength training, crunches, etc. Here we are on the cusp of Feb and I'm even more committed than I was at the beginning. It just feels 'right' somehow. Unfortunately, the scale still won't budge. I've started logging in a software called 'Diet Organizer' (free 10 day trial). It's much more user friendly than fitday.com (I find it so slow) and I think I might buy it when the trial is done. Anyway, it's showing my calories consumed during the day hovering around 1500 calories. And that's really forcing myself to eat. This tool wants me to eat 1700 a day to lose 1 lb per week (if I run, it wants me to eat MORE). I dunno, maybe it's because of the vegetarian thing, but I find it really hard to get calories in. I've been told so many times by doctors, nutritionists and trainers that I'm not losing weight because I'm not eating enough. Then why am I stuffed? Sigh.

Sunday Already?

Wow, this week flew. The trip to the office was fun, though long. It's tough to sit in a conference room all day. My hat goes off to everyone who offices every day! I've been homebased for 5 years now, and obviously spoiled. Anyhoo, it looks like barring any catastrophes my job should be safe for several years and beyond. Wooo!

I was able to keep up my running schedule by planning ahead (not a huge deal, but glad it all worked out). I met my weekly crunches goal as well.

The only other new thing this week was chipping away at 40 new things! I have started taking German again. Why German? Not so sure, actually. I have a goal of several languages just for fun. Gute Nacht!

Lastly, Steve and I had a lovely day in the Byward Market. It was chilly when the wind picked up, but gorgeous and sunny otherwise. We wandered around, then stepped into The Bay for some shopping. We left with Cinnabon. It's going to take me a few weeks to burn that baby off. But boy is it worth it every so often!

Nooooooo!

I can't be catching yet another cold! I've been sniffling since yesterday, and today the sneezies have started. I'm going to go to bed early and fight this! Wow, just had a song pop into my head... Barbra Streisand from The Main Event. The chorus went something like this: "you have to fight fight fight.... I can't wait much longer...". Oh god... I think it was called Enough is Enough. Must resist....

I have to go into the office tomorrow (gasp!) for an all day meeting (gasp! gasp!) in a conference room with my boss (b-r-e-a-t-h-e) and some of my local colleagues, so that we can set our goals for the next 6 months. What does this mean? AN ENTIRE DAY WITHOUT MULTITASKING.

Oooooooohm.

It really should not be a big deal, but this means I have to DRESS (no fleece or Birkenstocks/Running shoes... I had to SHOP), and make small talk with the boss man who I've only met once before... he's based in the U.S.

This all day meeting and the Friday 'team lunch' have thrown my training off kilter, so instead I ran Monday for Wednesday and will run Thursday for Friday. I'll still be able to get in my 40 minutes on Wed/Fri by walking or trainer (I can eat normally before these activities). In other words, I'm still on track with my goals and LOVING it.

Now I just need to break out of this hermit life a little more.

Now the big question... why is William Shatner carrying Howard Hughes?

Yay!

Wow was my treadmill ever running poorly! Who knew?!? I got on today, a little nervous, not sure what to expect. What a fabulous surprise. It runs so smoothly, frankly I can't remember when it felt this great.

I didn't know what I was missing. Thank you Rick, king of treadmill repair!

Started 2/1 today, and it was fabulous. So far, all runs have been fabulous, to the point where I can't wait for the next one. This solidifies that I made the right decision in starting at square one. Wooo!!!

We're back in business!

Treadmill dude was here today. It didn't look good. He said the belt was really rough and probably dirty underneath and in need of lubrication. HUH? We were told when we bought the mill that it was the type that never needed lubing! I was NOT happy. So t-dude says that he can replace the circuit board, but the belt may need replacing too because they ALL need lubrication.

An hour later we're up and running (so to speak). Turns out it wasn't as bad as he thought, though certainly well used. The damage, $320. :( I guess it's better than shopping for a new one.

Since my cold weather running duds are still too small for me, and tomorrow calls for temps in the -30C range again, it's good to know that it's there. No excuses.

Now if the mill lasts another 3 years, I will have considered it having paid for itself. When I bought it my goal was to have it last long enough to cost me 50 cents a day. Before today's investment, I only had one more year to go...

As to my goals, I missed out on most of them. I didn't get in the distance (but I'm expecting that, because I'm not at that yet as I'm starting over). Steve found the bike pump, so now that there are no more treadmill parts all over the place, I can start biking. I didn't do anything 'new' this week, but I'm ok with that as well, as I have 12 weeks for grace there.

While it's not a great week goals wise, I did get all my scheduled walks/runs/strength/crunches 40 minute minimum in. So it is a success.

Lovely Day!

Lovely run today. Steve was off, so we ran by the Canal. After a few -20C days it was a balmy 0C and lightly snowing. Just beautiful. They hadn't plowed the sidewalk yet so we ran/slipped back a few inches, but it was glorious!

Today was my last day of 1/1. Yippee! I hate 1/1... so boring.

Sunday starts 2/1 and I can't wait!

The temps are supposed to drop to -30C overnight (with wind chill). I'm so glad I scheduled treadmill repair dude for tomorrow. If it is indeed the console circuit board, we're going to be set back $250 :( I hope it's nothing worse than that. I suppose it's better than looking at a replacement!

Back on Form

I'm feeling much better today, both physically, and emotionally. It was one busy day though! Had to drive Steve to work in order to have the car tonight, so my daughter could take me out to dinner. Mmmm... Mexican. Bummer about the rice though... made with chicken broth! So disappointed! Then again, the salad was better for this weight loss thing.

Anyhoo, I got my scheduled 40 minute minimum, consisting of 35 mins on the treadmill (this week is 1/1), 100 crunches, and as many squats as I could get in until Steve called me to get moving.

Today was one of those 'too much to do, too little time' days, but I feel I have accomplished something. And that's two days in a row. :)

Blog Etiquette

I'm curious, because I've seen both...

Someone comments on your blog, you want to reply to their comment, do you reply in your own comments (i.e. below theirs) or do you go to their blog and reply there?

I would think you'd go visit theirs, because they may not come back to yours... at least I don't visit a page more than once!

There's a video...

Well, it appears there's a video of my reaction to my birthday party:
http://www.hallmark.com/ECardWeb/ECV.jsp?a=4201352211550M168551660Y&product_id=

I laughed until I cried. Fantastic!

40th nervous breakdown

So let's see where we left off yesterday, shall we?

Steve and I had breakfast with the fam, no big brouhaha about the birthday, just a few comments here and there. I was holding up ok.

We cleaned the house, that always makes me feel better, especially after a week of sniffling. At 6PM we headed out to Lonestar for dinner, but when we got there it was lined up out the door, 45 minute wait. Steve doesn't wait. So we drove around for 20 minutes before finding a place without a line up, Kelsey's. It was almost empty.

I had veggie fajitas and for once had one of the tortillas (I normally skip them because they are too filling). It was good, but not great. Steve abruptly stopped half way through his dinner due to an upset stomach. So we settled our bill and left.

It took everything in my power not to burst into tears during dinner. Could he please not mention my birthday every 5 minutes? I wanted it to be a regular Saturday. I was looking forward to getting home, having a bath, and watching a movie together. We get home, and the neighbors have loads of cars. Moron over here says "the neighbors must be having a party". Steve opens the door and I walk in, still oblivious, to shouts of 'surprise1'. I almost started crying. It was THE LAST thing I wanted. I was devastated and furious. I turned to leave (can you believe that???) and Steve grabbed my coat and said "they won't be here long, they just wanted to see you". Everyone was laughing, I was dying. I was so upset not to have my quiet night with Steve, now that we were finally starting to feel better. I did my best to work the room, but didn't do that great a job I guess, because my ex-hubby said 'you're swearing like a sailor'. oh. More people showed up and I was absolutely miserable.

By 10:30 everyone was gone, and I took a bath and cried for a few hours.

So let's recap:

1. I embarrassed myself
2. I embarrassed Steve
3. I made a roomful of wonderful people who love me feel uncomfortable

I've cried most of today. Poor Steve, if I could take it all back I would. I would paste on the fake smile, and hug him and thank him for his kindness. Instead, in front of all these people, I said 'did I not BEG you this week not make a big deal? not to do anything?'. I'm surprised he was still here this morning.

Now Steve is apologetic for not following my wishes. He said 'I really thought you'd be happy. I thought you were being like most people who say not to do anything but then get upset when you don't'. I don't play games, and he knows that. He just wanted to do something special for me. And I made him feel like shit. Way to go me.

I would love to know what childhood trauma has made me this way where birthdays are concerned. All I can remember is crying every birthday, not wanting the attention, and wanting it to be over as soon as possible. Lord, I need therapy. What a disaster.

Steve did make a joke though, he forced me to go through a 'new thing'... I've never had a surprise party before. Nor will I ever again.

Sigh...

I saw a psychic when I was in my teens. I was told that reckless living would lead to a fiery death (I was pretty reckless after hearing that, because really, what's the point?!?)

I saw a palm reader when I turned 25, and she said that my lifeline was very short.

I never thought I'd see 40, so never put much thought into it. Until the past few weeks. I've become exceedingly whiney when I was reminded it was coming. It seems really FINAL to me. Moral of the story? Stay away from psychics and palm readers. The past 20 years have gone by in the blink of an eye. I feel I've wasted so much of it! Better make the best of the rest of my blinks.

I'll get over it. :(

Already today has been very nice. Steve woke me by singing happy birthday, then making up new verses, and even attempting a rap (ok, not really, I suggested it though). He was like a little kid (he's such a sweetie), and I was cranky (it's 7AM) and asked him if I ever told him that as a child when my family would sing happy birthday, I'd hide under the table and cry. I didn't mean to appearn ungrateful, but birthdays and I don't get along. Obviously never have.

The sweet boy that he is, he is taking me to Lonestar for dinner (something spicy I can taste), then home for a chick flick of my choosing on DVD.

Now to go for a nap. I hope by tomorrow, this cold will be history!

Boo-urns

I guess my videos have messed up my template. I'm too lazy to fix it. It's only a couple of weeks to February, it'll be gone to archives by then.

Now the score:

Cold - 1
Resolutions - 0

I ran Tuesday, then two hours later spiked a fever for the rest of the afternoon/evening. Yesterday, I didn't even get my run in before the fever flattened me for the afternoon/evening. I barely got through work (one of the joys of being a teleworker is you have to pretty much be on your deathbed to take a sick day... this is not work mandated, just my own stupidity), eyes and nose running non-stop, sinuses blocked, ears blocked. YUCK.

This afternoon another fever, so I didn't even bother trying to run, I just sat in the living room with my laptop on my knee under a blanket. It was really hard to keep my eyes open. I also had to catch up on the work I missed sitting at OHIP renewing my health card (every five years a new picture... gotta love that waste of time).

So, for 2 days I've missed my 40 minute minimum. Of course I've lost weight from shivering.

I hope we feel better tomorrow (yes, Steve is out for the count as well).

40 minutes

Good thing I didn't have a run scheduled for today because I'm really stuffed up. I spent the past half hour steaming my head, hoping to get my sinuses moving a little. Succeeded temporarily, but that's about it. Oh well, it's breathe-right tonight! It doesn't help much, but I'll take all I can get.

Anyhoodle, I did hop on the treadmill for a 40 minute walk, followed by 100 crunches. Got my 40 min minimum in, so pleased with that.

I haven't done a heck of a lot since! It's back at work day, and I'm tired. Gosh, you'd think I worked construction or something! I sat on my Lay-Z-Boy with my laptop on me! Sheesh. Perspective. No more complaining from me!

The camera

We decided to try out the video function on the Boxing Day camera today by filming Hogsback Falls. We were shocked by how high the water was yesterday. It looked just beautiful today. And we had snow last night! It's gone now, but at least winter is trying!

Such a whiner

Today was the last day of vacation (booo). I was woken up by my throat... I couldn't swallow. Stupid cold. I guess I woke Steve because apparently I asked him for a lozenge (?!?). I fell out of bed about 30 minutes later (I guess), Steve was gone, apparently to buy me lozenges (!!). I was grateful, because it really did (and still does) hurt...

...as did my entire body. Oh my, I am out of shape! I felt yesterday's workout all day today. My armpits hurt! Whine!!

Steve and I did get a in great run by the canal, though. He followed his plan, I followed mine. It was again, unseasonably warm, all the snow has melted, and people were out on bikes, roller blades and roller skis. Poor fellow on roller skis! He must really be missing the snow. Back to the run. My plan called for a second week of run 1 walk 2, but I kept messing it up again, running 2 walking 1, or 1/1, or 1/2. I coughed too much, and found it hard to swallow my drink, but it was such a spectacular day, I loved every minute of it and I'm so glad I went out.

After the run we went for a walk to Hogsback Falls. Never in my life have I seen the water as high as it was (we've had a lot of rain instead of snow). We're going to go back for a run this week with the camera to get some of our own shots. It was fantastic to watch.

Icky icky poo

I reached my crunches goal for the week, by getting in 150 today and 150 yesterday, to top up the 100 from whatever day it was earlier in the week.

I also tried something new, my first tick on the '40 new things' goal. I only made my list of 40+ new things last night, and realized that I was going to start my first week of 2007 by missing one goal! Noooooo! I didn't have the car today, and too short notice to do anything, so off to the grocery store we went! I looked at so many different items, and you know what? I've tried a lot of foods! Finally, I found two. One is in the freezer for another week. The other was rice pudding. I tried it. It's revolting. Steve finished off the whole can, he loves it. I'm still trying to get the taste out of my mouth! Blechh!

Back to training - I got my 40 minutes per day in (actually 45 minutes) doing strength training on the ball. God help me. I can barely type. I couldn't find my wussy starter weights, so had to use the brutally hard 7 pounders (seriously, I have tiny pathetic little arms that hold no strength!). After 300 sets of 1000 (slight exaggeration) I got everything done. Well almost everything. The tricep dips. 2 sets of 25? How about 2 sets of 3? At least it should be easy to improve!

Enough!

Today is day 16 of my 18 day vacation. I feel really rested. I needed this break. I'm bummed I didn't get any alone time, because every single day my daughter was here coughing and sneezing, and/or not speaking due to laryngitis. She's starting to feel better, for which I am happy. I would have liked a day or two without having to hear the TV on though!

Luckily, I have a kind and sharing daughter. It looks like she has given me one of her colds. Grrrr. Yesterday I felt inner ear itch (please, someone, get me an ice pick!). This morning I had a runny left eye, and as of the past 3 hours, a runny left face. And a tickly throat. And non-stop sneezing. I hate that almost as much as the inner ear itch. The weather hit a rediculous 10C today (um, new Environment Minister Baird, can you ask Ms. Rona to hand over winter with those files???).

I see a hot bath and warm bed in my immediate future. I am pooped.

On the upside, I got my run in as per plan, and 150 crunches.

The fireplace glass has been replaced, but the guys they sent to repair it only do gas. Um... do you think I'm going to use the fireplace until the regulator has been checked? Sigh... another work order. Why is everything so complicated?

I'm whiney. Enough for today.

2007 Goals

Well here it is. Goals day. The last couple of years were a bust, but I'm in a much better head space now than I was then, and I am READY.

I have set some easy goals, which several years ago would put me to shame. However, I'm not where I was then, and frankly, if I had accomplished the following goals in the last two years, I would have aimed higher! But that will have to wait until 2008.
This is the year I reclaim my body. Enough of the whining. Yes some health conditions and resulting prescriptions caused a weight gain of 50k 3 years ago. The other 10k I gained sitting on my butt. Which brings me to this picture. This is my nephew, Joe. He is 6. His hockey card says he's 4'2" and 60 lbs. So every step I take with this extra weight, is as if I'm carrying him on my back. Joe, I love you. But I don't want to carry you around 24/7.

This is also the year I turn 40. I had set some goals for by the time I'm 40, and have accomplished all of them (kayaking, learn to swim were a couple) but one - my first Tri. I have discovered through the 3 years of swim classes that I really don't enjoy swimming. I've learned how to swim, I am very poor at it, though I won't drown, but I just don't enjoy it. So I'm wiping the slate clean, and skipping the tri. It's off the list for good. Instead I've added a new goal for the future, involving the kayak. I'm very excited about the Kayak Triathlon - 5Km Paddle / 20Km Cycle / 5Km Run. But back to this year. I have shamelessly stolen from Nancy's turning 50 goals, but they are nowhere near as grand. :)

Drum roll please....

My goals:

1. Try at least 40 new things (goal is one per week, if I don't get it done, I still have 12 week's grace! If I go over, it's cause for celebration.)
2. Lose 40 lbs - .77 lbs a week, 3.3 lbs per month. This will be tough. My weight loves me. I seem to have gained weight since my Dec 31 weigh in. :(
3. Run a minimum of 400 miles - 640 km - 12.3 km/week 53.33 km/month
4. Run a minimum of 4 races - St. Patrick's Day 5k (my back-to-it race), NCM 10k, Canada Day 10k, Fall Colours Half Marathon
5. Bike a minimum of 400 miles - 640 km - 12.3 km/week 53.33 km/month. Considering my bike only went out twice in 2006, I have to at least get this done.
6. Weights - minimum of 40 hours (not much, but I never could get into this!). Goal is one hour per week. If I go over, my body will thank me. I hope to learn to love weights, because I find it so BORING.
7. Crunches - 400 per week. I've got some catching up to do this week as I'm only at 100. I can do 150 today and 150 tomorrow!
8. 40 minute minimum - do a minimum of 40 minutes of something active every day. If I have a scheduled workout, this counts towards my goal. If I don't, then a walk, swim (yuck), or major housecleaning where I'm sweating buckets, will do.
9. Eat Weight Watchers Zero Point soup or a salad once a day. This is to help get me out of the grey plate zone. I love carbs too much, yes we only eat brown rice and whole wheat pasta, but too much of it :).

That's enough :) Next year, all going well, we ramp up these goals, and add some yoga/pilates/stretching/meditation....

I'll tag myself :)

Bunnygirl tagged anyone who wanted to be tagged.

Here's what I gotta do:
1. Find the nearest book.
2. Name the book & the author.
3. Turn to page 123.
4. Go to the fifth sentence on the page. Copy out the next three sentences and post to your blog.
5. Tag three more folks.

Here it is:

1. U2 by U2
2. U2
3. Page 123 is a centerfold with some big hair! So 125 it is for me!

"Larry: I had no idea about videos, none of us did. I had just bought a brand-new pair of red Doc Martens boots which cost me fifteen pounds, a lot of money back then. There was a scene where the director, Melen Avis, asked me to spash through a puddle."

I wonder how it ends?

I have no idea who may read this, so I'll take Bunnygirl's approach. If you want to be tagged, go for it.

On track

Dawn created the best workout log! Thank you!! I really really love it. I added a couple of columns for average and peak heart rate. I hope to see these little buggers drop as my fitness improves, and it will improve!

I got my planned workout on the treadmill in while watching Buffy the Vampire Slayer. Did I mention that I only watch it on the mill? I have the complete series, and decided to start at the beginning, so I h ave lots of watching left, i.e. no excuses! It's really tough to stick to the plan because I know I can do so much more, but when my heart rate still crests to 147 while on the treadmill, it reinforces I'm doing the right thing!

I finished up with 100 crunches on the ball. Nice to get back to it. It's like coming home.

Linae's Challenge

Linae challenged the bloggers to share our stuffed animals collections. Here goes:

The left side of my bookshelf. First off is Mr. Rabbit, made by my lovely former colleague, Helen, when I left my job. The next item of value, is Lucky, an original Care Bare from the 80's, given to me by my then boyfriend (and future ex-husband), John. Next up is Fuzzy Pink Bunny, which Steve gave me (yes, he calls me Bunny). Behind bunny is yet another bunny, this time a gardener, which was my Mom's. In front of gardener bunny is a bat. I like bats. Behind the bat is Bert, which KT gave me.

The right side of my bookshelf, same Bert from KT. In front of Bert is Doggie which KT made for me when she was 10, for my birthday. Behind Doggie is a teddy bear which Steve gave me. Next up, Bert Pez dispenser, from KT. Fred, no explanation needed (ok, it was also my Dad's name). Lastly, Yeller Bear, made for me by my former colleague Ed's daughter, Shannon.

On my office monitor. Of note, Duckie (was Mom's), Molly, the beannie baby dog who looked just like our Molly, Penguin (again, no explanation needed), Tigger, who we keep because we named our late-cat Tiggie after him, on top of Tigger is Lady the ladybug, which Steve gave me on New Year's Eve, just because (awwwwww). Lastly is Kitty from Steve, story that will make you all gag, so I'll spare you (double awwwww).

In my closet, more Berts from KT, Steve's doll from childhood, and another Penguin.

Behind the TV in the bedroom, um, Bert. FYI, 32" TV. He's a biggun.

Umm... I think I have a problem....

Working the plan

This is the greatest invention. I bought a ponytail toque at MEC a month ago, and today, Steve and I went out for a noon time run by the Canal. It's been ages since we've run by the canal. It was so nice to be back.

I would like to know when I turned into a beach babe! The weather network said it was -10C/12F with the windchill. Um... that's nothing! What happened to the person who wouldn't blink an eye at running in -40 (probably because her eyelashes would freeze ;))? Well, she stopped running consistently and outgrew her winter running clothes. But that was then!

I'm following the Running Room Learn to Run plan, which I took at a clinic a hundred years ago. This week called for run 1, walk 2, repeat. Apparently my brain was frozen because I few times I'd run 2, walk 2, or run 1 walk 1, or run 1 walk 2, or run 2 walk 2. How difficult can it be? Clearly too difficult for me!

The scary part is my average heart rate was 144. I have a lot of work to do.

Back to the toque. Wonderful invention!! For the first time I've been able to keep my ears warm and not have my toque lift off from my ponytail. Happy dance!