'tis the season

eeekkkkk! is christmas closing in quickly or is it just me? why does it feel fast? and what the heck happened to november? although I am not complaining about the weather [it's be BEAUTIFUL here], maybe I'm complaining about the lack of snow [SHOCKING!]. here in the lovely alberta, we are accustom to it "feeling" like Christmas this time of year - the cold, the mountains of snow, how the lights look with the snow...there is NONE of that this year. it's dark. it's dreary. and it's fairly warm. like I said, I can live with the warm, but it's throwing my christmas spirit off big time! I have a huge christmas card thingy tomorrow, so I hope the combination of christmas cards, christmas music and the smell of mulled cider may just do the trick! and if it does work, perhaps I'll haul the tree upstairs and decorate.

and in other news...

if you're going to drink starbucks anyways, maybe you can make it count.

blog guilt

so it's really easy to say that life is busy, that there's not really time to stop and spend a few moments reflecting on my day, my week, my life. although in many ways it's true, it's partly because I put myself on the back burner when life gets a bit hectic. and really, [and this will be a shock to you, so brace yourselves!] I blog for my sanity, not because anyone really reads this. okay, sorry to the two of you that are faithful readers! so, I want to take a pause and just take this blog post to be thankful for a few things:

1. I am thankful that I have a wonderful job that I really love. it's hard to be thankful in the middle of IPP, report card and PTI season, but I am very grateful that I can provide for my family with a job that I adore.

2. I am thankful for all my stamping buddies. I let myself feel criticized [I'm sure it was how I took it vs. how it was intended] about why I sell stampin' up! and I made myself feel "less than" when defending how I do things with my business. lately I have been really reflecting on the "why" and I am so thankful that I keep going with this business just purely because of the relationships I have formed and the joy that just the thought of the girls I meet with monthly, occasionally and sometimes just yearly.

3. I am thankful for my kids. I talk a lot of crap sometimes, mainly because parenting is maybe the hardest job I've ever had, but I do love my kids. I love how Nate is learning to read and tells me how "when two vowels go a'walking the first one does the talking" and how Ty sings everything and can play Nate's batman song on the piano better than Nate can!

4. I am thankful for my husband. he's not the most talkative guy, nor the best communicator. however, he loves me best and I love him best. he treats me better than I often treat myself and for that I am so thankful.

5. I am thankful for all the people past and present that invest in my life. I could start with my parents, but really, the list is quite lengthy. some people I've lost touch with. some people I am still friends with. some people were there for a time and a place. some people have been along for a big part of the ride. but everyone has played a part and invested something of themselves in my life. and for that, I am eternally thankful.

family pics

so my friend Irene took a bunch of family pictures about a month or so ago [maybe it was just 3 weeks ago!]. I love these pictures. LOVE. here's a sampling: photos

I should also write about my trip to Ottawa - THAT was a good time too! I'll gather my thoughts and write about soon...

post #500

holy dinah.

don't even know how to make this "#500-worth". perhaps I could be eloquent. yeah, don't think so. perhaps I could be funny. doubt that one too. I may be able to produce pictures...THAT will work! thank you for reading all the time, lovely blog-readers...some of you are new, but some of you are old friends. I appreciate each of you!

xoxo

[a reminder of what I'll be doing tomorrow - dealing with batman and his little brother...batman!]

potential

do you see your potential? do you do things that may be risky, knowing that there is a good chance you'll succeed? yeah, me neither. turns out that I think I need a coach. I coach a lot of people - I think it's the teacher in me - I see potential in people who don't see it in themselves, while I sit here not seeing it at all in my own self. odd, eh? for me there's always been a fine line between confidence and arrogance and in trying so hard not to be arrogant, my confidence has turned to mush.

I have this huge deal presentation at a pd session on monday. I was REALLY stressed about it. like over the top stressed. well, I had a chat with one of my coaches and realized that he wouldn't have asked me to step on the ice if he didn't really believe that I couldn't score the goal. within that conversation, I found peace. he believes in me. it gave me permission to believe in myself. although I still have no clear view of my potential, my coaches do. and there are more of them out there than I realize - maybe it's time to start trusting what they have to tell me.

and in other news...

yeah, so overwhelmed with the above presentation that there hasn't been other news!!!

xoxo

crazy, crazy!

1. survived the kelowna marathon experience. it was bloody cold. it took every ounce of my energy to stay warm. totally nuts.

3:32:12 10:04  Cori Fraser             Edmonton, AB

2. did thanksgiving dinner with the family today. fun stuff. mmmmmm. turkey!

3. I don't get really excited about movie releases, but I'm excited about this one:

4. how did it get to be the middle of october already?

5. and just a preview of what may be a VERY fun halloween:

have you met batman, and his brother batman?

have a great week, folks!

things I am thankful for

1. september is over

2. I lost 4 pounds, then gained it back, then lost a few. SHEESH!

3. I have a great class at school.

4. I get to walk the second half of my marathon this weekend [the first half I did in may - in vancouver]. off to kelowna tomorrow!

5. glee [DON'T STOP BELIVIN']

6. football games in september. love the cfl. love the esks. love those september games!

7. Nate LOVES school and gets 100% on his word wall words almost every week.

8. club started again and I MISSED CLUB!

9. small group started up again. I sure enjoy that too!

10. pumpkin spice lattes. no wonder I gained 4 lbs in one week. I do order mine as a triple and non-fat, HOWEVER...still all that SUGAH!

so yes, I've not blogged in a month. it is THAT month though, so I know you all understand! I will be better. I promise!

HAPPY THANKSGIVING!!!! what are you thankful for?

10%

it has taken me 9 flippin' months, but I finally reached my 10% weight loss goal. HOLY DINAH! perhaps my new goal can be to do the next 10% in a third of that time! regardless, there is 10% less of me today than when I first got on that evil scale. I have walked a half marathon in that time, did close to 8 weeks of bikram yoga, and have begun training for another half. I ate an unknown quantity of fat-free cool whip. and I am gaining control of my life in so many areas. that's that part that feels really great. okay, looking better in my clothes feels pretty decent too. so the next goal is not monumental and I hope it's without a ton of fanfare, but the last time I lost some weight [like 3 years ago] I couldn't get below a 25 lb weight loss. SO. I need to lose 7 more pounds to get past that hurdle. since I started at a higher weight this time, it will be closer to 28lbs gone when I get to that point, but regardless that next 7lbs are pretty important ones. the weight I will be at that point is not one that I can ever recall being in my adult life. okay, so I have a short memory and didn't actually weigh myself for an entire decade, but I'm still going with it.

I did some reading on weight loss plateaus recently and the word that resounded was: PERSEVERE. hold on. endure. press on. I am reminded of a Donnie McClurkin song from over 10 years ago where it says:

Tell me what do you do when you've done all you can, And it seems like you can't make it through, Child you just stand, You just stand, Stand, Don't you give up, Through the storm , through the rain, Through the hurt , through the pain...Don't you bow, don't bend Don't give up, don't give in Hold on, just be strong...

there's a whole bunch more, but this is the part that resonates. just be strong. don't give up. it applies to so many things, doesn't it...

it's been two weeks since my last confession.

yeah. school has started.

today was a pretty okay day over all - the school part of my life is fairly predictable, fairly routine and occasionally over-the-top drama. today was good.

nate started grade one today, and I was a bad mom. he went to school with another kid, not a parent in sight. now, I know that doesn't really make me a bad mom, because I know darn well that the reason he had a good start to his day is because there was no adult there to cling to and cry with. I know my kid. on the other hand, the time between 5 pm and 7 pm has left a lot to be desired. I know he's tired. I am too. I know he worked hard today. I did too. I know he should be in bed. I should be too. tired mom, tired kid. not a great combination. good thing I get another go at this whole mom thing tomorrow. maybe one day I'll get it right. for today, I'll wear the crown of "bad mom" and tomorrow I will strive to leave it on the shelf. tomorrow, John and I will begin with plan A. I don't really want to jinx it by talking about it, but it does have to do with being fully attentive to our children and NOT our computers, tv's, iPhones, etc for the hours of 4-7pm. I know the problem is with us, not solely with them. I can fix me, especially when I don't feel like I can fix them right at this moment. phew.

with a cherry on top

so, I've been feeling really out of sorts this last bit. I've blamed it on too much family time [the love-hate relationship of vacation!], not enough sleep, not enough booze, the time change, the weather...I even commented to john last week when I was all weepy and weird, the I thought I may be pregnant. THAT'S how out of sorts I was. just cranky. did it occur to me that I was pms'ing? no! that was still a week away! yeah. it explains EVERYTHING [and so no, not pregnant!]. needless to say, while on vacation, I've been going to weight watchers meetings. in the US. in oroville. I tell ya, they are the NICEST people. some lady gave me a cucumber from her garden tonight! such a small gathering, but I was totally inspired. last week and again tonight. last week I was down .4 and this week down .2 - not too bad considering the above confession...and being on vacation! not to mention, I normally have a 3-4lb span between am and pm. in edmonton, I go to a morning meeting. here, it was 5pm. if I haven't kicked some ass when I weigh in at home, I'll be surprised. anyways, that's the story.

tonight I am sitting an enjoying the heat. and some cherries. and a glass of gehringer bros. merlot. life is good.

two for the price of one

just found this:

"One of the advantages of being disorderly is that one is constantly making exciting discoveries."

{a.a. milne}

half a dozen...

well, the weather has sucked, but we've been to a bunch of wineries over the last few days:hester creek, burrowing owl, silver sage, tinhorn creek, road 13...to name a few! the ol' camera died out just as we were pulling up to hester creek, but I'll post some photos of a few other places... [oh, and we went on the first ever Fraser-Family-Nature-Walk...NEVER again! I'll tell that story a different time!]

vacation pics

as promised...! [and yes, that is John coming out of the pool in the first picture!] and the picture of the boys and I was taken today at tinhorn creek vineyard. LOVE!

day 1

well, we made it to BC in one piece. all kids are still alive and we still kinda like them! 13 hours in a car with a 4 yr old and a 6 yr old is rather INSANE, but really, the kids did exceptionally well! we were up at 3 am, packed up the car, threw the kids in and just went. the boys were awake until hinton [SUPER excited]. I gave them some gravol to get over the mountains and they generally slept on and off until kamloops. then the 45 minutes of hell began. okay, so I'll blame the mcdonald's on their general demeanor, but it really might be that I, the driver at this point, couldn't solve problems. john was asleep [until rudely awakened by piercing screams!]. needless to say, I pulled out the ol' gravol and they settled down, and in fact fell asleep near pentiction...and slept all until we woke them up in the parkade under our building. SWEET! a swim, some food and some well deserved tv time and they were sound asleep again by 8pm!

the weather here is GORGEOUS! and we spent all afternoon today at the pool. I'll post some pictures soon!

I'm a winner, you're a winner...

everyone's a winner. okay, the FOUR of you. email me your mailing addresses and keep an eye on your mailboxes. allison, I can send your treat to germany, if you'd like...!!

in other news, I have spent the last four days at lake wabaman with Connie and Ty. as a result, I have a lovely sunburn [AGAIN] and I haven't been to a yoga class in 4 days. EEEEKKKKKK! good thing there's a weekend, so I can get back on track!

have a great, safe long weekend! [oh, and only 7 more sleeps until we leave for osoyoos. YIPPIE!!!!]

I am a dork

really. you all know it. I'm just stating the facts! as I type, there have been 10013 visitors to my lovely blog-o-rama! last week I had said that I was going to post a picture of some blog-candy. YEAH. like THAT happened. seriously, I just forgot. REGARDLESS, today is the day. there is no picture, but I will randomly choose someone from the comments left between today [it's 9:46 MST] and wednesday sometime [let's be random and say...9:46 MST???]. I would do it tomorrow, but I am out at the lake and will be forgetting in a mass of martini or margarita!

this is what the winner will receive: [I was contemplating this during yoga class tonight...] a handmade accordion album using all current SU! product. I will mail it to you and you can just SLAP in your pictures!!

there it is!

and in other random news...

I was up a pound at WW this week. DAMN my crazy hips. this is HARD, HARD work. I drove directly to yoga and sweated it all out [gross, I know!]. yesterday and today I have been fighting a feeling of defeat, although my head knows I am not a loser [am a loser? mmmm.] my heart is having a rough go of it.

so my word of the week is PERSEVERE. HOLD ON. KEEP GOING. DON'T GIVE IN. DON'T GIVE UP. KEEP REACHING. HOLD TIGHT. PERSEVERE. when I get into this space I typically cave. I eat junk and stop moving and gain back every last pound and more. not this time. I had a seriously great yoga class today and if anything, I am getting stronger. I AM STRONG. this whole weight thing will NOT beat me. so, here's the deal. whatever you are going through, just keep holding on with me. WE CAN DO IT!!! [no, don't start with the Bob the Builder chant!].

leave comments - otherwise Susan or Kathy will win by default!!

xoxo!

almost 10 000!

perhaps there needs to be some celebratory blog candy. let me see what I can cook up for tomorrow - I'll post pics...THEN, you'll have to actually leave comments. shocking, I know! but that is how it works, folks. mmmm...my mind is a going...what kinds of sweet treats [sweet in awesome, not just sweet as in opposite of salty!] can I dream up?

I'll let you know tomorrow!!!

my sweet baby...

is SIX! EEEEEEEEEEKKKKKKKKK!!!! hard to believe that my first born has been on this planet for six years. John & I had a moment tonight looking at some photos...of which I'll share with you. in the meantime, here are six things that I love about my Nate:

1. he has an amazing memory [just like his father!]

2. he is kind to others [not always family, but ALWAYS to others!]

3. he is sensitive and often overwhelmed when people are nice to him

4. he gives the best bear hugs

5. he always gives me a hug on both sides and a kiss on both cheeks when I leave the house

6. he is curious and imaginative [dare I say, like me?? LOL]

happy birthday, son. I LOVE YOU!

I DID IT

okay, so yoga is tough. it's physically tough, but I have a hard, hard time with dizziness. it's getting better, since I am getting use to the ups and downs of the poses and with drinking more water. trying to smile more and not clenching my teeth totally helps. so yesterday night I tackeld "THE CAMEL". okay to look at this pose, it totally seems impossible [okay, in this picture it TOTALLY is!] but every time I go to to lean back on this pose, I totally get a huge head rush and it puts me in la-la land. well yesterday, I leaned back and grabbed my ankles and held on for dear life! and then I did it again today. yup. I rock. okay - just looking at this picture and I'm scared...do not be mis-led. I do not do this...yet!

and this is Monday

so, a morning of CRANKED music and some rockstars doing their thing...[I believe we were listening to "maneater" by nelly furtado], a trip to the library and then to the park with the cousins [bottom picture!!]. a good monday!