JLDACQ's SparkPeople Blog

Easter Weekend 2013 (my never-normal life)

Tue, 2 Apr 2013 13:11:02 EST

Some holidays are easier to handle than others, and Easter is one of those. I'm happy about that, especially about not weeping during a whole weekend.

Friday was nice & tame, no big things going on, just enjoyed the sunshine and the downtime. Saturday was a little busier with a couple trips to the city, and a late night as well. Sunday, I spent most of it alone, but that was planned, albeit near the last minute. In-laws didn't call at all, which didn't surprise me; I opted not ...

Trying to get comfortable with this notion

Wed, 27 Mar 2013 15:22:07 EST

Remember I mentioned that FWB & I are dating? It's going great, by the way.

And before I go any further, you need to know that I am not your normal, average person, sexually. Never was, never will be.

The big part that I didn't mention is the gender of the FWB. And it's not a man.

I've known for a long time that I'm bi, but I had never really had an opportunity to find out until My Guy came along. Several years ago, we had tried a poly-amorous relationship...

Today is a better day

Thu, 21 Mar 2013 07:52:39 EST

So not all my days suck, and sometimes I'll even post about them. :-D

I stayed home yesterday, and my FWB showed up Tuesday evening. We spent the snow day together, which was a lot of fun. I needed that kind of fun. I thought a lot about the guilt, and another friend said some words that made me rethink my guilty feelings. He said that My Guy never wanted me to be sad, nor guilty, for enjoying life. It took a couple hours to wrap my brain around that, but it made sense. It's...

Sometimes I actually have good days...

Tue, 19 Mar 2013 10:27:10 EST

Somedays I actually have good days. Today is, again, not one of them.

There's a lot going on, it seems, in my life right now.

Last Friday would have been our anniversary, and through a series of coincidences, I heard our song over a tv video. I thought I would draw blood from my lip, as I bit it, trying to keep it together.

Mom put the house up for sale, she has said she's not going to buy out Dad's half, and she can't maintain the house on her own. I vis...

Not one of my better days

Wed, 6 Feb 2013 17:32:49 EST

There are things that I do out of defiance of healthy living, bingeing is one of them.

And then there are the ones that I do just because I'm not paying attention. Which usually results in what happened today.

I had company over this past weekend, and last week, I worked hard to get the house clean. Then Saturday night was a late night, and from Saturday to Monday, there was a family issue that kept my stress levels up a bit. Monday night was GriefShare, and although ...

Updates for early January 2013

Sun, 13 Jan 2013 19:57:22 EST

One of these days, I'm going to use the video blog option, it would be so much faster.

I bought the '06 Nissan XTerra, tires & rims tomorrow, along with insurance. I should be driving it by Thursday.

Funeral bill is paid off.

Bought a snow blower today. Delivery & setup & hands-on instructions later in the week.

I've done more yardwork in the last month then I've done in the last year, I'm sure. It's hard not to feel overwhelmed.

Signe...

New, slightly used, or private sale

Mon, 10 Dec 2012 12:01:40 EST

I have to buy a newer vehicle soon, the Pathfinder's inspection is due in March, and unless I throw a couple grand at it, it won't pass inspection again.

I'm in a position where I could, if I wanted to, buy a brand new vehicle, right off the lot. It's a lot of money, but the vehicle would be expected to last me 8-10 years, and that's assuming I don't void the warranty.

I could also buy a slightly used one, again from a dealership. Same deal as above, but it would only ...

I'm getting there

Fri, 7 Dec 2012 09:18:34 EST

So with the holiday season just around the corner, I'm working on my Christmas plans. I have booked off from Dec 21-Jan 6 inclusive, and I'm leaving myself the option to come back to work early if I get shack-whacky.

I've thought about skipping Christmas this year, but I like the holiday and its spirit too much to forgo that this year.

As for food, well, the appetite is back. Dammit. I'm still not able to work out more than 30 mins per session, but I'm working on that...

My Guy's Tribute

Fri, 16 Nov 2012 15:19:12 EST

Tal is the type of person that people liked…just because.
As I met with his many friends, I heard many stories of how he touched their lives. It was so heart-warming and comforting to me to have confirmed what I already knew: Tal was a pretty cool guy!

I could hear laughter during the visitations yesterday; roaring laughter, at times, from both old and newer friends. And I heard a few stories where his quick reflexes and quicker mind saved a few people’s lives. Some I had hea...

It's still hard to be without him

Wed, 31 Oct 2012 09:08:46 EST

Since my last blog, things have developed quite a bit.

I now have a lawyer, to protect what is now mine. Deed is being updated today or tomorrow.

The Ex will need to prove that anything she wants for the (grown) kids did not come from marital funds.

I have deadbolts on the house and the garage.

The Pathfinder needs some serious work, but I need a few months of driving it before I can get a loan for another vehicle. And I will need a 4WD or AWD veh...

Keeping busy doesn't help, it seems

Fri, 19 Oct 2012 09:47:09 EST

I have a list of phone numbers I have to call, in order to handle issues with the estate. I don't really want to call any of them, but there is one I have to call today, to see if I qualify for a one-time payout from a provincial department to help cover his funeral costs.

Step-Son texted me last night, he wants to talk. I'm not looking forward to this one at all, but it has to be done soon.

Tal's shop called, they want me to come in today for a short visit. They have...

And now the healing begins

Wed, 17 Oct 2012 06:21:24 EST

I miss him so much. I've gone into his favourite room of the house several times each day, just to see his things, smell the last clothes he wore, and just remember what life was like with him.

The memorial was nice. I heard many tell me it was beautiful, and that the tribute I wrote that the reverend read for me made many people choke up and weep. His ex also had some words to say, and although she's not my favourite person, I will give her credit for not going over any lines. ...

My best friend, my lover, my everything... Talbot, I will always love you.

Sat, 13 Oct 2012 19:44:07 EST

My friend, my lover, my everything... Talbot, I know you loved me as much as I love you. And always will.

www.yorkfh.com/sitemaker/sites/YORKF
U1/obit.cgi?user=763332Anderson

We have awesome friends... look at what Kate did for us.
http://www.stuffmadeincanada.com/mem
orial.html

Many of your friends from Barkers Point now know you were taken suddenly from my life. All our friends that we visited often also kno...

It's not that I can't eat corn.....

Tue, 18 Sep 2012 09:45:56 EST

Ok, it's time to suck it up and go back to what actually works.

Evening snacks are the time of day when I top up my protein for the day, make sure I get the last of the carbs, and somehow stay clear of fats. Before this spring came along, it consisted of berries or fruit, granola cereal or whole grain cookies, and some Greek yogurt. Satisfying, crunchy, and at that time of day, guilt-free.

This spring, when My Guy was looking for a better snack option for his evening s...

I will NOT quit pledge

Wed, 12 Sep 2012 15:00:46 EST

So I'm browsing around my SparkPeeps' pages, and one of them posted this. I like it. And I believe it.

Will you?

"Today, I promise I will not quit.

I pledge that no matter, how many ups and downs I pass through, I will continue on my journey.

I pledge to make a NEW START today, and forgive myself for my past, and to stop being so critical of myself.

I pledge to take control of myself, to stop making excuses, and stop blaming other pe...

Going to try this notion

Tue, 11 Sep 2012 08:15:27 EST

I've been doing food combining eating plans for so long, that it's still hard for me to eat something as simple as a cold cut sandwich with full-fat cheese & margarine. While on my Acadian Festival trip with Mom, who is pre-diabetic, told me her dietician told her to eat some protein with her fruit, especially if she needed the sugar to go a long way.

Finding a low/no fat protein is HARD!!

Then I remembered she kept a lot of Laughing Cow light cheese in the fridge. I ...

Of Festivals, End of Summer and Overall Health

Sun, 9 Sep 2012 16:31:58 EST

This past Labour Day weekend, Mom & I visited Prince Edward Island (the home of Anne of Green Gables), for an Acadian Festival in Mom’s home village. Just like any down-home type of gathering, there was food. And I mean food. And REALLY good food. :-D

I got my poutine rapee. It looks like a dirty snowball made of grated & mashed potatoes that surround a salty pork/ham ball in the centre, and then simmered in pork brine for hours. If they’re made right, they won’t explode whil...

The Meatatarian enjoyed Veggie Patties

Tue, 21 Aug 2012 18:23:48 EST

Tonight is Pancake Night for supper, and for the last few months, I've been trying to find a tasty protein to go with it. I thought about chicken or turkey sausages, but I knew they'd take too long to cook for supper tonight.

I strolled down the veggie burger aisle, and found Yves Veggie Breakfast Patties. Nutritionals look good, no cholesterol (vegan food rarely does), and really low in fat & calories, although I wish the sodium content was just a bit lower.

Now, how ...

My birthday

Thu, 16 Aug 2012 17:34:03 EST

I don't usually brag about my birthday, although it's what my inner voice loves to do. Today is my birthday, and so far, it was a pretty good one.

I had lobster.

I had pizza.

I had amazing sex.

I'm still on vacation.

I have an awesome life, surrounded by awesome people.

Today is a good day to have a birthday.

:-)

I think I'm ready

Thu, 9 Aug 2012 21:44:26 EST

Blueberrries - 2 x 100g bags - Check!
Cherries -3 x 15 pieces - Check!
Apples - 2 fresh - Check!
Skim milk - 1L - Check!
Pineapple - 1 large container + 2 fruitcups - Check!
Strawberry Shortcake - 2 yogurts, 2 small angel food cakes, 1 container strawberries - Check!
Cheese - 2x 4oz bags - Check!
Pork chops - 2x 100g - Check! (but I'm not trimming that fat! :-P)
Burgers - 4x extra lean beef patties - Check!
Water - 48 x500ml bottles - Check!
...

Overtraining. Me. Really?!

Thu, 9 Aug 2012 10:50:15 EST

Yesterday, I pulled an oblique muscle. I knew it wasn't the lower back, the glute or sciatica, just by how it felt, and what I do that makes it hurt.

Earlier this month, I had a charlie horse in one leg, and the other leg keeps threatening to do the same.

My shoulders have been quite sore during July, and I chalked that up to learning how to do real pushups on the floor (not the wall).

*sigh* Really?? did I really have to do this just before my vacation? ...

Geez, I can't stand "Hopeless Mondays"

Mon, 30 Jul 2012 08:23:36 EST

I'm trying not to whine, really. But today, I feel like I should turn around and just go home.

Not that I think it would help, but at least I wouldn't be around people today.

*sigh*

1) I started TOM. I'm disappointed, because I only had another 5 months to go to be officially in menopause. If you're wondering, I'm looking very forward to the 1-year mark of not having any periods. I'm bloated, and the moodiness is just below the surface. Midol can only do ...

Where was this site when I needed it? :-D

Tue, 10 Jul 2012 08:00:08 EST

I finally decided to try one of the apricots I bought last week at groceries. I have a 3-lb basket worth of them, and I was hoping I would like them enough to try them for the rest of the week. So far, I'm right. :-D

Then I wondered.... how many apricots in a serving of fruit?

I love Google.

www.nhs.uk/Livewell/5ADAY/Pages/Port
ionsizes.aspx

I could've used this site AGES ago!! It's not exhaustive for details, but it does gi...

A Sunday morning check-in

Sun, 8 Jul 2012 08:38:55 EST

*yawn* *stretch* *sluuuuuuurp!* Ahhh....

Thought I'd post this morning, since I have a moment of peace while Someone Else uses the big lawn mower.

Yesterday was fun, way over on foods, but he cooked, so I will not complain.

Dorlene's in the mall is closing out, so before most of the good stock was gone, I popped in on Thursday and bought some pieces. The capris were black or white, the tops have a mostly reddish theme to them, some are for this fall, others...

HELP! Need a better flavour idea than Dill!

Wed, 20 Jun 2012 14:08:37 EST

So I got talked into cooking salmon tonight for supper. It's not that I don't like salmon, but I don't love it. I've always had a hard time cooking it so it's moist, but actually cooked all the way through. Steak & pork chops and chicken I've got figured out, but fish -- that's still a mystery to me most of the time.

I'm going to put it in a foil packet so we can cook it on the BBQ tonight, since it's stinkin' hot, and I mean STINKIN' HOT today for mid-June. And I need some her...

New Brunswick and Nova Scotia SparkRally

Tue, 12 Jun 2012 14:25:04 EST

On June 23rd, New Brunswick and Nova Scotia (Canadian provinces) will host our first SparkRally!

In Halifax, it will be held at The Prospect Road Community Centre starting at 11am. INSH8P(Gail) is the contact person, and you can look forward to introductions to Yoga. There is NO CHARGE for this event! Wrap-up will be around 2pm, but optional offsite sessions for SparkPeople members, if desired, will be held at Peggy's Cove and Finer Diner restaurant.

In Fredericton, it...

14's

Thu, 17 May 2012 12:11:59 EST

It's official: I finally fit into size 14's. I bought my first pair of size 14 pants today, the first ones in about 30 years. Really.

That makes 135 lbs off and 12 dress sizes down.

AND the pants were on sale!!

Yay me. *grins*

SparkRally in Atlantic Canada is ON!

Mon, 14 May 2012 09:49:11 EST

Calling all Atlantic Canadians!

We will be holding a SparkRally on June 23! We're still planning the finer details, and we're trying hard to keep it FREE!

Mark your calendar, this is the first SparkRally in this area!

There are planned events in Fredericton and Halifax, and it looks like St. John's will have things ready too. We're still looking for someone from PEI to help organize events over there.

If you're able to help with the organizing, pl...

Planning a SparkRally in Atlantic Canada

Sat, 5 May 2012 12:03:43 EST

Hey Sparkers!

So I'm going to try planning a SparkRally in Atlantic Canada for soon, and for those of you here, I'm wondering which Saturday would work best for you. My options at the moment are:

May 26
June 2
June 23
July 7
July 14

And here's what I'm thinking for the rally:

Each province will have a gathering city of their choice, and if there are many who can't make it from one city to the gathering one, we can definitely hav...

Compliments I have received today

Thu, 5 Apr 2012 14:21:19 EST

Sometimes, it's not what I look like on the outside that people notice, it's what's on the inside, what I do for people, or how I help others.

Today, like most Thursdays since March, I emailed the couponing group at work, highlighting the sales from the 3 major retailers in the same centre as we are. These are simply highlights, I don't re-hash the entire flyers, just the really good stuff. We're a small group, and we're not all in IT, some are in Payroll, so I have a variety of ...

3 Years on Spark.... already?! Really?!

Tue, 27 Mar 2012 08:59:38 EST

I knew my 3 year Sparkversary was coming up, and during the last week, I had been checking to see if I could nab the trophy for 3 years to post on my page. The trophy became available today. :-D

So you're probably wondering what I've learned in 3 years while on Spark. A bunch. :-D Seriously, though, there has been so much I've learned through Spark that summarizing it in 20 minutes isn't going to be possible. But I can give you some highlights.

In 3 years on Spark,...

One more thing I learned while on SparkPeople

Wed, 21 Mar 2012 17:48:27 EST

I had company this weekend, and sweets were brought over. One person brought cheesecake, and for some really odd reason, it didn't get eaten that night, so it stayed in my fridge.

And then I took the next 3 days to eat it all myself.

*sigh*

No more full cheesecakes in my house. I can't deal with it and stay on The Plan at the same time.

*sigh* Bummer.

This is what I feel like

Wed, 14 Mar 2012 16:06:44 EST

Last week, one of my co-workers didn't like what I had to say in an email, and he decided to call me up and express his discontentment. Except he yelled at me on the phone. I tried to remain calm, even spoke softly in reply while I told him the why's & who's of the topic. And he kept yelling at me.

So I told him to stop yelling at me and I hung up on him. And then I went for a walk right away, becaus...

Is this a good sign?

Wed, 7 Mar 2012 15:02:37 EST

Earlier this week, I found myself in a department store, looking for the tax software that I usually use. They didn't have it in that store, but since I was in the electronics department, I thought I would go look for the new SparkPeople workout DVD. They didn't have it either, which didn't surprise me, but what I did find was a large bin of workout DVD's, all for $5 apiece.

So I sifted through them, while killing some time, looking for specific titles. Ooh, I like that one! Ge...

I'm gonna eat the world

Wed, 29 Feb 2012 14:22:31 EST

To borrow an expression from KiYoshi04 that fits the mood well, I'm gonna eat the world. Don't quite know what's going on, but I have the empty pit in stomach feeling today. It didn't help that there's a big bag of buttery popcorn, 2 bags of Bits & Bites and a bag of potato chips in the office today. I've tried warm liquids, cold liquids, I've already reached 8 glasses of water today, had 2 pieces of fruit, my salad at lunch, lots of protein for breakfast....

But if I even smel...

Day 10 and a peek into how my brain thinks

Fri, 10 Feb 2012 08:29:49 EST

Daytime smoke is hanging in there. I'm still croaking throughout the day at the office, but I don't like the cold temps, so stepping out for a puff is a good deterrent.

At least until I get home.

Last night, My Guy "found" 3 smokes in the house. The stinker, he's been hoarding them! One of the guys at his shop bought him some Cuban cigarettes last February, and they're just now making an appearance. There are less than 2 packs of those left, and lemme tell ya, they a...

Day 9 .... um, yeah....

Thu, 9 Feb 2012 14:12:42 EST

So I had my smoke yesterday afternoon, and I was all set to not have any last night.... till My Guy decided he really wanted one, and couldn't we just share one? *sigh* There's none home, Sweetheart. His reply was a cheeky grin, and a finger pointing to the garage. The little sneak had hidden some in there.

*sigh*

So we shared 2 smokes together.

Any smokes I have, I'll have to keep them at work, so he can't find them and tempt me.

I'm not sure h...

Day 8 and I'm hopeful

Wed, 8 Feb 2012 15:24:33 EST

Picking up where I left off yesterday, my last smoke then was before I wrote the blog. Today's first (and only) cigarette was around 1:30 today.

I croaked most of the morning, and stared at the Nicorette gum. Why I didn't use the gum, I'll never know. No, that's not true, it's because I suspect it will taste minty, and I don't like mint.

Now don't look at me like that! I really don't like mint. Never did.

Which really doesn't explain why I only smoked met...

Day 7 and getting a little better

Tue, 7 Feb 2012 13:41:12 EST

Monday, I decided to slow down the afternoon smokes, and the last one I had yesterday was around 2:30pm. I was ok, a little edgy, but ok.

I had my next smoke this morning around 11:30am.

And then one more about 10 mintues ago.

I'm going to not have any more this afternoon, and none tonight. My goal is to do at least as well as I'm doing today.

I don't feel quite as blah today, which is helping.

Days 4 & 5 and peek at Day 6

Mon, 6 Feb 2012 11:55:04 EST

Well, that was a weekend disaster in the making.

Did ok Friday night, had a couple.
Saturday was just not gonna happen for not eating well, let alone not smoking.
Sunday was just as bad.

Found out Friday that an old friend of My Guy's passed away Tuesday, and I didn't find the obituary until Saturday at lunchtime. I saw what time the funeral was starting, but it was a 2hr road trip to get there, and we would have missed even the reception if we had left right ...

Day Three and Dwindling

Fri, 3 Feb 2012 13:40:47 EST

No smokes at home last night. This one's getting easier to do, especially in the evenings.

At work, I've now moved from "going on smoke break with the gang" to "go on break alone". This is allowing me to decide if and when I'll go for a puff. It's also allowing me to smoke a lot less when I do go out. I decided to smoke until I get light-headed, and then put it out. I've smoked more half cigs all week than full ones, even though I puffed as often as before.

My plan ...

Day Two on cutting back

Thu, 2 Feb 2012 13:51:02 EST

Last night was good, no smokes at home. It felt kinda weird, though. With the extra time I had from not smoking, I was able to finish up the grocery list for tonight, including where to get the best deals with the coupons I have.

So tonight is no smokes again. Tomorrow should be interesting, though.

It starts today

Wed, 1 Feb 2012 14:39:06 EST

To my fantabulous SparkFriends, you're going to get sick of this storyline. To the Sparkers who don't know me yet, I expect this to be the first of my whine-&-cheez fests while I quit smoking.

Yes, I'm at it again. I'm going to renew my efforts and quit smoking this time. And I need someplace safe and non-judgemental to post my thoughts while I refrain from kicking the snot out of my cubicle neighbour.

So I have 8 smokes a day, and I have to whittle it down to none. ...

I finally decided on a Reward for a Goal

Wed, 18 Jan 2012 15:36:58 EST

I think I figured out a new reward I want to give myself for reaching goals. I've always wanted to have a wardrobe makeover, mainly because, well, I don't have a good sense on how to dress up. I try, but only about 25% of my clothes actually make me look good, pretty and professional. One of the clothing stores in the mall is a Lindor reseller, and they offer fashion consultations. I spoke to the one who does the consultations yesterday, and it's $20/hr. All things considered, I expected it t...

How my holidays went (better late than never)

Thu, 12 Jan 2012 16:08:31 EST

I promised myself I would actually take the time to write down how this past holiday season went, as far as weight loss goes.

Here's my promise. :-D

I had full intentions of Walking with Ms. Leslie (Walk Away the Pounds) every other day during my vacation, but that didn't quite happen. I'll get to that later.

Visited a lot of family between the 22nd and 26th, and surprisingly, I didn't overeat. It's surprising, because for the first time in quite a while, I...

The Other Day One

Tue, 10 Jan 2012 08:08:45 EST

So I'm trying this again, now that the holidays are over and My Guy is more determined than ever to quit smoking.

This morning is Day One for him.... and I'm sitting here at work, debating whether today will be my Day One too. I'm croaking, I feel edgy, the smokes are not just calling my name but screaming loudly and jiggling my coat to be put on.

I know I substituted eating for smoking when I started smoking about 12 years ago (again). It's not like it's any easier kn...

I'll have to patch it

Tue, 8 Nov 2011 15:39:58 EST

Over the weekend, I decided to work on the quit smoking plan once again. My Guy & I have stopped smoking in the house, and going to the garage for a puff. This would be great, if he didn't start a fire in the woodstove before I got there for my first smoke of the evening or weekend. What's happening is that we're staying in the garage, instead of returning to the house. So, aside from not getting any housework done (which doesn't break my heart), we're smoking just as much. And this week...

Ever have one of those weeks?

Thu, 27 Oct 2011 07:45:03 EST

Well, today is one of those days that feels like a week, and it's not even 9am.

Last night, I emailed a friend who recently lost her father to liver disease, and apparently I said something very wrong. I wake up to an email reply that basically blasted my @ss out of the water... I'm not even sure if we're still friends, it's that bad. Great. Ask a simple question and get the verbal snot beaten out of me.

And then I get this email at work this morning. I'm not sure if...

A workout not to miss!

Fri, 21 Oct 2011 15:34:36 EST

www.youtube.com/watch?v=yEH4Yum4nN4&
feature=youtu.be

My turn!! My turn!!! :-D

Nikki from the office, if you see this blog, thanks for the link!

I think she moved out

Sat, 17 Sep 2011 11:04:47 EST

Today is the day! StepDaughter and GGB have finally moved into their new home. I haven't been over yet, it's been a little (ok, a lot) chaotic, and My Guy in transit of load #2, which should be pretty much it.

It's a start. It's not all rosy peachy keen yet, it's only a start.

It is probably the best "start" she's had in a while. We've talked a little bit in the last couple months, and she's emotionally grown up since moving in with us. Rather, ended up moving away ...