My p365 was so far behind the times...it was almost three months out of date...
It's not now. I'm starting to go cross-eyed.
And the layout has changed. It might change again in the next few days.
I'm not sure if I like it...we'll see...
Wednesday, December 15, 2010
Tuesday, December 14, 2010
Time for the full GAPS diet
This post was originally published at Get Fit Chicks. It may refer to posts on Get Fit Chicks that no longer exist. Please email me if you run into any of those and I will break the links. More information about the reposting is available here
Life is going to get easier!
Today I got to start the full GAPS diet and there is so much more on that list that I can eat than there was on any stage of the intro diet.
Honestly, I wasn't convinced I wanted to continue with the diet until I actually saw the naturopath this afternoon. I was considering moving straight to the Nourishing Traditions cookbook and giving up on the GAPS diet.
I wasn't hungry. I wasn't craving anything. The biggest problem was that I often didn't feel satisfied after I ate. I wasn't hungry anymore, but my meals weren't making me happy.
And I feel that eating is for fueling our bodies but that it should also be a positive experience.
Before I announced I was done with the diet, we went through the complaints I had last time:
Then she asked me what the status of those things is now:
So after that little chat, I decided I wasn't making any announcements this week. Sticking to the diet is a bit of a pain, but if it means that all those things will continue to improve, well, it’s worth it.
Oh, and the bonus? I hoped I'd be able to wear my wedding rings by Christmas. I've been wearing them for a week. It feels so great to have my rings back on my finger where they belong!
The naturopath also ran some tests and the most interesting result was that my cortisol is LOW. Very very very low. The last time I had extreme fatigue, my cortisol was off the charts high. There were some other interesting results, confirming what I thought – hormones a bit out of whack which in turn makes my thyroid unhappy – and telling me things I’d never thought of – my insulin production is out of whack so my pancreas is a bit unhappy (coupled with the weird hormones means no weight loss) and a few other things that I’ve since forgotten but were interesting at the time!
Life is going to get easier!
Today I got to start the full GAPS diet and there is so much more on that list that I can eat than there was on any stage of the intro diet.
Honestly, I wasn't convinced I wanted to continue with the diet until I actually saw the naturopath this afternoon. I was considering moving straight to the Nourishing Traditions cookbook and giving up on the GAPS diet.
I wasn't hungry. I wasn't craving anything. The biggest problem was that I often didn't feel satisfied after I ate. I wasn't hungry anymore, but my meals weren't making me happy.
And I feel that eating is for fueling our bodies but that it should also be a positive experience.
Before I announced I was done with the diet, we went through the complaints I had last time:
- horrible cramps, evil periods, vicious PMS (the PMS part was new following the birth of J two years ago)
- horribly chapped lips that wouldn't heal
- fatigue. EXTREME fatigue
- frequent migraines
- difficulty losing weight
Then she asked me what the status of those things is now:
- horrible cramps? nope, just a few little twinges. evil periods? not so horrible, still not perfect, but we’re getting there. PMS? none of that
- horribly chapped lips that wouldn't heal? GONE
- fatigue? improving. There are some environmental factors that need to be addressed and that will likely help too
- frequent migraines? how about no migraines since I started the GAPS diet. I haven't gone this long without a migraine since I was pregnant.
- difficulty losing weight? solved. For now. Now I just need to keep it up and then maintain…
So after that little chat, I decided I wasn't making any announcements this week. Sticking to the diet is a bit of a pain, but if it means that all those things will continue to improve, well, it’s worth it.
Oh, and the bonus? I hoped I'd be able to wear my wedding rings by Christmas. I've been wearing them for a week. It feels so great to have my rings back on my finger where they belong!
The naturopath also ran some tests and the most interesting result was that my cortisol is LOW. Very very very low. The last time I had extreme fatigue, my cortisol was off the charts high. There were some other interesting results, confirming what I thought – hormones a bit out of whack which in turn makes my thyroid unhappy – and telling me things I’d never thought of – my insulin production is out of whack so my pancreas is a bit unhappy (coupled with the weird hormones means no weight loss) and a few other things that I’ve since forgotten but were interesting at the time!
Monday, December 13, 2010
A little update on 101 in 1001
So, as usual, I'm way behind in updating 101 in 1001.
I'm just way behind in most things. 'Tis the season. Or not.
I've decided it's time to review my expectations of myself and not expect quite so much. And first on the list of not expecting quite so much is not necessarily updating 101 in 1001 AS SOON AS IT HAPPENS.
But.
I will be blogging about these later...maybe tomorrow because tonight I have other things to do. So that I remember what I was going to blog about, I've got a quick update here...italics means in progress. No italics means done. If it's not here, I either haven't started it or I'm done and it's been blogged about. Go here for the full list.
Update begins now
ME
1. Fit back into pre-tumble down the stairs clothes
The GAPS diet has helped this a bit, but I'm a tad concerned than when I do get to reintroduce grains and beans I might have a bit of a gain...I'm working hard to be prepared so that doesn't happen.
2. Enroll J in swimming lessons before she turns 3
She's enrolled. Lessons start in January. I'm not considering this complete until we actually complete the lessons.
7. Pack away all of J's clothes and things that are too small or too young for her
I think this is going to be an ongoing game....one day it will be complete!
10. Really reconnect with an old friend
Oh yeah, this is happening. Stay tuned for details (they make take months to materialize) about a potential (VERY FUN) reunion with said "old friend"
11. Mail Christmas cards before December 24th
One can hope, right? It could still happen.
12. Get up every workday morning for a week without hitting the snooze button
OOooooh...I did today...maybe I can keep it up all week? We'll see!
13. Weigh less on day 1001 than on day 1
A direct quote from above (these are two different goals): The GAPS diet has helped this a bit, but I'm a tad concerned than when I do get to reintroduce grains and beans I might have a bit of a gain...I'm working hard to be prepared so that doesn't happen.
16. Update address book
This is an ongoing process, but once the book is free of post its, I will consider it updated. Even if it's only for a day or two!
Family
21. Do an insurance inventory of the contents of our home
This is going to take forever! All the more reason to get rid of more stuff!
22. Get our 72 hour emergency kit properly stocked
Almost done!
25. Stick to our budget for Christmas gifts
So far, so good!
26. Write 10 thank you cards with J
We're at 5/10. Christmas should look after the rest!
Food
31. Make gingerbread with J at Christmas
Gingerbread is made...now we just need to roll it and cut it and bake it and decorate it. The dough is in the freezer, waiting for the perfect time...hopefully before Christmas...
36. Try 50 new recipes
They're here and I've tried 16/50 - the five new ones are cake and icing à la Martha, hummus à la Martha, Mars Bar squares, and almond bread (it's not as good as it sounds, but more on that later)
38. Eat at ten new restaurants or coffee shops [2/10]
Back in, oh, October and November. We don't get out much...obviously!
Home
40. Decide what we're going to put on the clutter collecting wall in the living room and buy it/have it made
I think we've decided. Now we need to clear the stuff out of the space, put the current pieces of furniture on craigslist, and then go get the new furniture. Maybe in the spring.
44. Clear J's closet of the boxes from the move
I've done two boxes...we're getting there
50. Declutter 101 items to toss, give away, sell on craigslist or give to charity - they're all here [12/101]
I keep forgetting to take pictures or make note of what we've gotten rid of lately. But not to worry, I should still have little problem reaching 101!
Entertainment
57. Get an iPod and load all of our CDs onto it
It's ordered...
59. Have a dinner party one weekend a month for three months [1/3]
Does it count if we had four in two weeks in November?
62. Host a Christmas party
Done! It was fun...
Creative and writing
70. Knit a winter hat for J
Done...totally by accident! Oh knitting, how I missed you!
73. Blog about each one of the 101 things
It's happening...I'm just a little bit behind...
76. Send a special thank you letter just because
I'm still writing it...
77. Get the postcard section of the blog up to date
This could take a while...
79. Make a list of 101 beautiful things in my life
So could this....
Professional and Volunteering
88. Take a risk and take on a BIG challenge that is outside my comfort zone on the next project at work
Project isn't over yet...but risk is sort of taken...
90. Sponsor a family at Christmas
91. Find a new position within Guiding
This might have solved itself...I took on a project that will last past my end date, so I might have a new job...
92. Clear my personal email inbox - home and work
Every time I get two clear, the third one goes out of control. Soon...that is my goal!
Fun and Random Stuff
100. Put $5 in a special savings account for every item I cross off this list - 9/101 saved
It's growing...slowly but surely!
So that's that...I've now completed 9 of the 101 and have 28 in progress...we'll get there I'm sure!
I'm just way behind in most things. 'Tis the season. Or not.
I've decided it's time to review my expectations of myself and not expect quite so much. And first on the list of not expecting quite so much is not necessarily updating 101 in 1001 AS SOON AS IT HAPPENS.
But.
I will be blogging about these later...maybe tomorrow because tonight I have other things to do. So that I remember what I was going to blog about, I've got a quick update here...italics means in progress. No italics means done. If it's not here, I either haven't started it or I'm done and it's been blogged about. Go here for the full list.
Update begins now
ME
1. Fit back into pre-tumble down the stairs clothes
The GAPS diet has helped this a bit, but I'm a tad concerned than when I do get to reintroduce grains and beans I might have a bit of a gain...I'm working hard to be prepared so that doesn't happen.
2. Enroll J in swimming lessons before she turns 3
She's enrolled. Lessons start in January. I'm not considering this complete until we actually complete the lessons.
7. Pack away all of J's clothes and things that are too small or too young for her
I think this is going to be an ongoing game....one day it will be complete!
10. Really reconnect with an old friend
Oh yeah, this is happening. Stay tuned for details (they make take months to materialize) about a potential (VERY FUN) reunion with said "old friend"
11. Mail Christmas cards before December 24th
One can hope, right? It could still happen.
12. Get up every workday morning for a week without hitting the snooze button
OOooooh...I did today...maybe I can keep it up all week? We'll see!
13. Weigh less on day 1001 than on day 1
A direct quote from above (these are two different goals): The GAPS diet has helped this a bit, but I'm a tad concerned than when I do get to reintroduce grains and beans I might have a bit of a gain...I'm working hard to be prepared so that doesn't happen.
16. Update address book
This is an ongoing process, but once the book is free of post its, I will consider it updated. Even if it's only for a day or two!
Family
21. Do an insurance inventory of the contents of our home
This is going to take forever! All the more reason to get rid of more stuff!
22. Get our 72 hour emergency kit properly stocked
Almost done!
25. Stick to our budget for Christmas gifts
So far, so good!
26. Write 10 thank you cards with J
We're at 5/10. Christmas should look after the rest!
Food
31. Make gingerbread with J at Christmas
Gingerbread is made...now we just need to roll it and cut it and bake it and decorate it. The dough is in the freezer, waiting for the perfect time...hopefully before Christmas...
36. Try 50 new recipes
They're here and I've tried 16/50 - the five new ones are cake and icing à la Martha, hummus à la Martha, Mars Bar squares, and almond bread (it's not as good as it sounds, but more on that later)
38. Eat at ten new restaurants or coffee shops [2/10]
Back in, oh, October and November. We don't get out much...obviously!
Home
40. Decide what we're going to put on the clutter collecting wall in the living room and buy it/have it made
I think we've decided. Now we need to clear the stuff out of the space, put the current pieces of furniture on craigslist, and then go get the new furniture. Maybe in the spring.
44. Clear J's closet of the boxes from the move
I've done two boxes...we're getting there
50. Declutter 101 items to toss, give away, sell on craigslist or give to charity - they're all here [12/101]
I keep forgetting to take pictures or make note of what we've gotten rid of lately. But not to worry, I should still have little problem reaching 101!
Entertainment
57. Get an iPod and load all of our CDs onto it
It's ordered...
59. Have a dinner party one weekend a month for three months [1/3]
Does it count if we had four in two weeks in November?
62. Host a Christmas party
Done! It was fun...
Creative and writing
70. Knit a winter hat for J
Done...totally by accident! Oh knitting, how I missed you!
73. Blog about each one of the 101 things
It's happening...I'm just a little bit behind...
76. Send a special thank you letter just because
I'm still writing it...
77. Get the postcard section of the blog up to date
This could take a while...
79. Make a list of 101 beautiful things in my life
So could this....
Professional and Volunteering
88. Take a risk and take on a BIG challenge that is outside my comfort zone on the next project at work
Project isn't over yet...but risk is sort of taken...
90. Sponsor a family at Christmas
91. Find a new position within Guiding
This might have solved itself...I took on a project that will last past my end date, so I might have a new job...
92. Clear my personal email inbox - home and work
Every time I get two clear, the third one goes out of control. Soon...that is my goal!
Fun and Random Stuff
100. Put $5 in a special savings account for every item I cross off this list - 9/101 saved
It's growing...slowly but surely!
So that's that...I've now completed 9 of the 101 and have 28 in progress...we'll get there I'm sure!
Wednesday, December 08, 2010
Does anyone know...
The title of a book, written by a woman, with a yellow cover, about our disposable society that overspends?
It's a one word title if that helps.
It might be something like Spend or Buy or Consume or Cheap. But it's none of those four.
I checked.
The writer lives in New York. There's at least one paragraph about paying for a parking spot.
I think it was published in 2009.
I saw it when we were on Salt Spring Island this summer and decided that I'd get it from the library instead of buying it. I took a picture of it with my phone. But when we got home, it appears I actually took a picture of the floor.
I saw it on a book blog a while ago and went, AHA! That's the name of the book.
But do you think I thought to write it down.
No.
Because apparently I'm not smart like that.
Anyone have any idea?
Thanks.
PS this might show up twice in your RSS feed because I posted it here and there. Sorry if you got it twice.
It's a one word title if that helps.
It might be something like Spend or Buy or Consume or Cheap. But it's none of those four.
I checked.
The writer lives in New York. There's at least one paragraph about paying for a parking spot.
I think it was published in 2009.
I saw it when we were on Salt Spring Island this summer and decided that I'd get it from the library instead of buying it. I took a picture of it with my phone. But when we got home, it appears I actually took a picture of the floor.
I saw it on a book blog a while ago and went, AHA! That's the name of the book.
But do you think I thought to write it down.
No.
Because apparently I'm not smart like that.
Anyone have any idea?
Thanks.
PS this might show up twice in your RSS feed because I posted it here and there. Sorry if you got it twice.
Tuesday, December 07, 2010
Buffet Lunch and GAPS
So, today was our semi-annual portfolio lunch. I had thought I'd skip it (our little department is made up of two people and the other person, our Director, my boss, is away for a month) and go to yoga instead.
I wasn't sure what I was going to do about the food...
I knew it would be a buffet, but I had no idea what was going to be in the buffet or if I could eat any of it. Buffets are always a challenge - you never know what ingredients have been used to make the food and it's often hard to find someone to tell if you if a specific ingredient is in that dish right there.
But I changed my mind and decided to go. And I'm glad I did. It was a Moroccan buffet and it was tasty. There was of course a huge basket of rolls and some green salad. There was as beet and orange salad which I avoided - there was an unidentifiable sauce and I think beets taste like dirt. Literally. There was rice and couscous and chick peas. There was lamb curry (I also avoided that...my body and lamb are not friends) There was roasted chicken and roasted vegetables.
In the end I did okay and I was glad I went. I had some yummy chicken and vegetables and a huge serving of salad. It was good.
I was a bit disappointed in dessert. Usually at these lunches there is a platter of sweets and a fruit platter for each table, but today there was no fruit. :( I was looking forward to something yummy.
Eating out wasn't as hard as I thought it would be (I actually ate out on the weekend too and it wasn't bad), but I kind of feel like I'll be eating a lot of salad with no dressing because that seems to be the best way to know what exactly it is that I'm eating!
I wasn't sure what I was going to do about the food...
I knew it would be a buffet, but I had no idea what was going to be in the buffet or if I could eat any of it. Buffets are always a challenge - you never know what ingredients have been used to make the food and it's often hard to find someone to tell if you if a specific ingredient is in that dish right there.
But I changed my mind and decided to go. And I'm glad I did. It was a Moroccan buffet and it was tasty. There was of course a huge basket of rolls and some green salad. There was as beet and orange salad which I avoided - there was an unidentifiable sauce and I think beets taste like dirt. Literally. There was rice and couscous and chick peas. There was lamb curry (I also avoided that...my body and lamb are not friends) There was roasted chicken and roasted vegetables.
In the end I did okay and I was glad I went. I had some yummy chicken and vegetables and a huge serving of salad. It was good.
I was a bit disappointed in dessert. Usually at these lunches there is a platter of sweets and a fruit platter for each table, but today there was no fruit. :( I was looking forward to something yummy.
Eating out wasn't as hard as I thought it would be (I actually ate out on the weekend too and it wasn't bad), but I kind of feel like I'll be eating a lot of salad with no dressing because that seems to be the best way to know what exactly it is that I'm eating!
Progress with the GAPS diet?
This post was originally published at Get Fit Chicks. It may refer to posts on Get Fit Chicks that no longer exist. Please email me if you run into any of those and I will break the links. More information about the reposting is available here
It's debatable. But I'm going to keep up with it for a least another week – that's when I have my follow up with the naturopath.
It's be a hard go this time...They don't recommend doing the intro diet with a toddler and Alex isn't too into the GAPS diet, so I'm just going to integrate them into the full GAPS diet when I get there. In the meantime, I'm making at least one and half meals every time I cook, sometime two. I'm not at the point yet where I can always just make dinner and opt out of the potatoes or grains and add a salad and they're not really into eating soup five times a day.
We'll get there and it's not forever and I need to just keep reminding myself of that! It's been surprisingly easy to resist the goodies that have been everywhere for Christmas...I did skip a dinner with my committee on Saturday night because I checked the menu and there was nothing I could eat...I don't think they would have appreciated it if I had wandered in with my Thermos of soup in hand!
Now that we're two weeks in, my patience is beginning to return...thank goodness. That's not really something you want to be without when you have a toddler!
On the fatigue front, I think we're improving. It is less of a struggle to get out of bed in the morning and I've been really productive before work – making up a few days worth of soup, hard boiling eggs, making muffins for J and Alex – and usually making it out the door at just about the right time! I have been going to bed earlier and I know that's helping too.
My boss and I have been talking about the fatigue issues, and interestingly, we've both been experiencing them since we moved into the building. I was talking to one of the women who works down the hall earlier and she moved into the building a month or two before us. She said she was fine in the summer, but she’s been having trouble since the weather turned cooler and she had to keep her windows closed…so, maybe the problem is the building...
So overall, while it's been frustrating, I think the diet is doing some good...I'll find out for sure on next Tuesday when I have my appointment.
It's debatable. But I'm going to keep up with it for a least another week – that's when I have my follow up with the naturopath.
It's be a hard go this time...They don't recommend doing the intro diet with a toddler and Alex isn't too into the GAPS diet, so I'm just going to integrate them into the full GAPS diet when I get there. In the meantime, I'm making at least one and half meals every time I cook, sometime two. I'm not at the point yet where I can always just make dinner and opt out of the potatoes or grains and add a salad and they're not really into eating soup five times a day.
We'll get there and it's not forever and I need to just keep reminding myself of that! It's been surprisingly easy to resist the goodies that have been everywhere for Christmas...I did skip a dinner with my committee on Saturday night because I checked the menu and there was nothing I could eat...I don't think they would have appreciated it if I had wandered in with my Thermos of soup in hand!
Now that we're two weeks in, my patience is beginning to return...thank goodness. That's not really something you want to be without when you have a toddler!
On the fatigue front, I think we're improving. It is less of a struggle to get out of bed in the morning and I've been really productive before work – making up a few days worth of soup, hard boiling eggs, making muffins for J and Alex – and usually making it out the door at just about the right time! I have been going to bed earlier and I know that's helping too.
My boss and I have been talking about the fatigue issues, and interestingly, we've both been experiencing them since we moved into the building. I was talking to one of the women who works down the hall earlier and she moved into the building a month or two before us. She said she was fine in the summer, but she’s been having trouble since the weather turned cooler and she had to keep her windows closed…so, maybe the problem is the building...
So overall, while it's been frustrating, I think the diet is doing some good...I'll find out for sure on next Tuesday when I have my appointment.
Monday, December 06, 2010
Bring on Christmas!
I was a little Grinch-y on Friday. But I'm over that now.
I had a weekend meeting that I thought was going to be long and tedious and it turned out it was very productive, we had a nice time visiting, and we were extremely efficient.
I wanted to make gingerbread for the meeting, but even though the dough is made and in the freezer, the prospect of rolling, cutting, and baking just didn't appeal, so instead I made the Mars Bar Squares that Melynda posted on Friday. Apparently they were delicious
We decided on Saturday that our goal was to be finished by noon on Sunday. Alex and I figured that gave us just enough time to get downtown for the Santa Claus Parade. I've never been to the parade before even though I've lived here every single year it's happened (mostly because this meeting is an annual event and we're never done until early afternoon). Imagine how happy we all were when we were done by 10:30. And even with clean up and some post-meeting visiting, I was home by 11:00 (okay, so we live four blocks away, but still!)
I was surprised to find our house empty when I got there. Alex had taken J to the park we I left for the meeting and it was a bit chilly so I thought they would be home by then. Turns out they went Christmas shopping and then J fell asleep. So Alex decided to take advantage and keep looking!
We walked downtown with a goal of getting a spot in the last block of the parade. We haven't ever done something like this with J before and we wanted an easy escape route if necessary and something closer to home.
We managed to snag a great spot right by a tree. Unfortunately Alex had to stand, but he was okay with that.
Before the parade even started, J had managed to acquire a candy cane from the Ballet BC people. Her first of MANY as the afternoon progressed.
J was quite happy to wait quietly for the parade to start - there were so many people to watch (it probably helped that she woke up on the walk over so she was still a bit drowsy when we first got there)
The motorcycle drill team opened the parade and after that, for most of the rest of the parade, J kept asking when the motorcyclepolicecars were coming back.
There was a lot of this "Look at THAT!" happening...
...particularly for the firetruck that had a puppy in it and firemen giving out more candy canes.
This was one of our favourite floats...and J was apparently a favourite of the people handing out treats - two of them stopped to give her chocolate. And not just one or two. I have a little stash that is bigger than the supply Santa usually leaves! Too bad I can't have chocolate...Purdy's is one of my favourites.
These girls looked so cold in their evening gowns....Too bad they didn't think to wear winter shrugs/shawls and long gloves.
After the dancers and tumblers came by J wanted to join the parade and "DO IT TOO!" I guess we'll be looking into toddler dance or gym classes the next time the community centre puts out their guide.
As we drove in this morning, J wanted to know where the other buses' Rudolphs were. I'm sure she was a bit confused because when we got home last night, we Skyped with my parents and my dad showed her his car...all dressed up in Rudolph gear too.
One of J's favourite things to do right now is watch the Sound of Music - songs only. And in Do-Re-Mi Maria and the kids go in a horse-drawn carriage. Guess who always asks when she gets to do that? And guess who wanted to go get in the one in the parade, because, obviously, it was time for her ride! She particularly loved the ponies. There were lots of horses, but the ponies were her favourites.
And then Santa came. Followed by the hoards of people who had been watching for blocks and figured they should follow the parade to the end.
I would definitely sit at the end of the parade route again. We missed out on lots of the handouts, but that meant less stuff to drag home and less sugar for J. And, considering we were, oh, ten metres from the end of the parade, J got lots and lots of candy.
That's when I realized I was freezing...we had a few things to do, so we bundled J up and headed to the mall. WHAT? Were we nuts? We exchanged the one thing we needed to exchange and decided to do everything else some other time and headed back across the bridge for dinner.
And now, now I'm totally ready for Christmas! I kind of wish it would snow too!
I had a weekend meeting that I thought was going to be long and tedious and it turned out it was very productive, we had a nice time visiting, and we were extremely efficient.
I wanted to make gingerbread for the meeting, but even though the dough is made and in the freezer, the prospect of rolling, cutting, and baking just didn't appeal, so instead I made the Mars Bar Squares that Melynda posted on Friday. Apparently they were delicious
We decided on Saturday that our goal was to be finished by noon on Sunday. Alex and I figured that gave us just enough time to get downtown for the Santa Claus Parade. I've never been to the parade before even though I've lived here every single year it's happened (mostly because this meeting is an annual event and we're never done until early afternoon). Imagine how happy we all were when we were done by 10:30. And even with clean up and some post-meeting visiting, I was home by 11:00 (okay, so we live four blocks away, but still!)
I was surprised to find our house empty when I got there. Alex had taken J to the park we I left for the meeting and it was a bit chilly so I thought they would be home by then. Turns out they went Christmas shopping and then J fell asleep. So Alex decided to take advantage and keep looking!
We walked downtown with a goal of getting a spot in the last block of the parade. We haven't ever done something like this with J before and we wanted an easy escape route if necessary and something closer to home.
We managed to snag a great spot right by a tree. Unfortunately Alex had to stand, but he was okay with that.
Before the parade even started, J had managed to acquire a candy cane from the Ballet BC people. Her first of MANY as the afternoon progressed.
J was quite happy to wait quietly for the parade to start - there were so many people to watch (it probably helped that she woke up on the walk over so she was still a bit drowsy when we first got there)
The motorcycle drill team opened the parade and after that, for most of the rest of the parade, J kept asking when the motorcyclepolicecars were coming back.
There was a lot of this "Look at THAT!" happening...
...particularly for the firetruck that had a puppy in it and firemen giving out more candy canes.
This was one of our favourite floats...and J was apparently a favourite of the people handing out treats - two of them stopped to give her chocolate. And not just one or two. I have a little stash that is bigger than the supply Santa usually leaves! Too bad I can't have chocolate...Purdy's is one of my favourites.
These girls looked so cold in their evening gowns....Too bad they didn't think to wear winter shrugs/shawls and long gloves.
After the dancers and tumblers came by J wanted to join the parade and "DO IT TOO!" I guess we'll be looking into toddler dance or gym classes the next time the community centre puts out their guide.
As we drove in this morning, J wanted to know where the other buses' Rudolphs were. I'm sure she was a bit confused because when we got home last night, we Skyped with my parents and my dad showed her his car...all dressed up in Rudolph gear too.
One of J's favourite things to do right now is watch the Sound of Music - songs only. And in Do-Re-Mi Maria and the kids go in a horse-drawn carriage. Guess who always asks when she gets to do that? And guess who wanted to go get in the one in the parade, because, obviously, it was time for her ride! She particularly loved the ponies. There were lots of horses, but the ponies were her favourites.
And then Santa came. Followed by the hoards of people who had been watching for blocks and figured they should follow the parade to the end.
I would definitely sit at the end of the parade route again. We missed out on lots of the handouts, but that meant less stuff to drag home and less sugar for J. And, considering we were, oh, ten metres from the end of the parade, J got lots and lots of candy.
That's when I realized I was freezing...we had a few things to do, so we bundled J up and headed to the mall. WHAT? Were we nuts? We exchanged the one thing we needed to exchange and decided to do everything else some other time and headed back across the bridge for dinner.
And now, now I'm totally ready for Christmas! I kind of wish it would snow too!
Friday, December 03, 2010
Three weeks?
Plus a day.
Ack.
Seriously. I'm starting to worry a bit. I woke up this morning and realized that, hello, today is December 3. DECEMBER THIRD. That means Christmas is 22 days away. That means there's only three weeks left to get ready.
Then I started making lists in my head of all the things I need to do:
But I'm dreaming, right? Cause when I look out my window it looks like maybe it's October 3. Could we go with that instead? PLEASE?
Anyone have any strategies for quickly plowing through my list? Or for gifts for gentlemen in the late-twenties/early thirties bracket or the mid-forties range??????
I'm going to make a list. That will make me feel better. Might not accomplish anything, but I'll feel better...
Ack.
Seriously. I'm starting to worry a bit. I woke up this morning and realized that, hello, today is December 3. DECEMBER THIRD. That means Christmas is 22 days away. That means there's only three weeks left to get ready.
Then I started making lists in my head of all the things I need to do:
- Baking
- Shopping
- Make the four gifts I've committed to making that aren't food. I've started one. I'm 1/1000 of the way done it. That's it.
- Christmas Cards
- Get some decorations out - not too many, but some...currently there are some tea towels and Christmas mugs that I forgot to put away last Christmas and that's it. Oh, and the advent calendar. I went down and got it a few weeks ago, but J is not so interested in it. Lights, she loves those, advent calendar, meh.
- Wrap presents...oh wait, I haven't bought any of them yet. Right.
But I'm dreaming, right? Cause when I look out my window it looks like maybe it's October 3. Could we go with that instead? PLEASE?
Anyone have any strategies for quickly plowing through my list? Or for gifts for gentlemen in the late-twenties/early thirties bracket or the mid-forties range??????
I'm going to make a list. That will make me feel better. Might not accomplish anything, but I'll feel better...
Thursday, December 02, 2010
Maybe I'm not going crazy
I thought I was going crazy.
The healing crisis has passed, but I'm still grumpy and impatient. Even when I know I don't need to be. But I can't make it go away.
But, I've managed to connect with a few people who have all been very reassuring. Apparently this part lasts for a couple of weeks to an entire month. Eeep.
But at least I know I'm not going crazy.
And tomorrow I get to add cooked fruit and some raw veggies back into my life, so it's all good.
But an entire month? That brings me pretty darn close to Christmas. The grumpies better be gone long before that. (on a side note,I've been scouting out tasty-looking recipes on other people's blogs that we could have for Christmas dinner...like pecan pie! We're doing a small Christmas dinner this year, only seven of us, so I have little bit of control over what there is to eat and I can easily find out what's in each dish.)
Anyway, the common suggestion is hot baths...so as soon as J goes to bed tonight, you know where to find me!
And thank goodness I'm not going crazy (or is that crazier?)
The healing crisis has passed, but I'm still grumpy and impatient. Even when I know I don't need to be. But I can't make it go away.
But, I've managed to connect with a few people who have all been very reassuring. Apparently this part lasts for a couple of weeks to an entire month. Eeep.
But at least I know I'm not going crazy.
And tomorrow I get to add cooked fruit and some raw veggies back into my life, so it's all good.
But an entire month? That brings me pretty darn close to Christmas. The grumpies better be gone long before that. (on a side note,I've been scouting out tasty-looking recipes on other people's blogs that we could have for Christmas dinner...like pecan pie! We're doing a small Christmas dinner this year, only seven of us, so I have little bit of control over what there is to eat and I can easily find out what's in each dish.)
Anyway, the common suggestion is hot baths...so as soon as J goes to bed tonight, you know where to find me!
And thank goodness I'm not going crazy (or is that crazier?)
Wednesday, December 01, 2010
Awesome Yoga Practice
This post was originally published at Get Fit Chicks. It may refer to posts on Get Fit Chicks that no longer exist. Please email me if you run into any of those and I will break the links. More information about the reposting is available here
I went to yoga yesterday for the first time in a week and a half. And the time before that was the first time in three weeks. And, ugh, I was really not looking forward to going yesterday. I was happy to sit cocooned in my little office and sip soup all day.
But I am so glad I went!
The last time I went to yoga, it had been three weeks because of work meetings and a lung infection...and my lung weren't quite ready to be doing anything. Anytime I squished my lungs, I ended up having to drop out of a pose so that I could breathe properly. When we did a reclining pigeon at the end, I couldn't even support myself – the instructor had to assist me. I felt so weak afterward too...oh lungs, you are important.
So, yesterday I was still a bit hesitant...my lungs should be fully healed. I'm not coughing anymore, but my body had just gone through a brutal healing crisis. I figured it would be another weak day.
Boy was I wrong. I couldn’t believe how strong I was. I was holding poses for ages without any shaking!
Oh GAPS diet, is this your handiwork? Because if it is, I might be able to forgive you the evil healing crisis. MIGHT.
And, to top it off, I'd been having a hard time with Tuesday classes. We have a new instructor for Tuesdays and I just wasn't enjoying it. The practice wasn't too hard or too easy, it just wasn't doing it for me. But I really enjoyed the whole class yesterday, so hopefully that means I'm over my dislike of Tuesday class! Yay!
I went to yoga yesterday for the first time in a week and a half. And the time before that was the first time in three weeks. And, ugh, I was really not looking forward to going yesterday. I was happy to sit cocooned in my little office and sip soup all day.
But I am so glad I went!
The last time I went to yoga, it had been three weeks because of work meetings and a lung infection...and my lung weren't quite ready to be doing anything. Anytime I squished my lungs, I ended up having to drop out of a pose so that I could breathe properly. When we did a reclining pigeon at the end, I couldn't even support myself – the instructor had to assist me. I felt so weak afterward too...oh lungs, you are important.
So, yesterday I was still a bit hesitant...my lungs should be fully healed. I'm not coughing anymore, but my body had just gone through a brutal healing crisis. I figured it would be another weak day.
Boy was I wrong. I couldn’t believe how strong I was. I was holding poses for ages without any shaking!
Oh GAPS diet, is this your handiwork? Because if it is, I might be able to forgive you the evil healing crisis. MIGHT.
And, to top it off, I'd been having a hard time with Tuesday classes. We have a new instructor for Tuesdays and I just wasn't enjoying it. The practice wasn't too hard or too easy, it just wasn't doing it for me. But I really enjoyed the whole class yesterday, so hopefully that means I'm over my dislike of Tuesday class! Yay!
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