Hop into a New Year

Another year is almost over and we are marching into 2011.  The years seem to go so fast.  I see this especially with friends with kids.  One day they are just born, next thing they are walking and talking.

I have to say as I look back it has overall been a great year.   It hasn't been without its challenges and stressful moments, but we have been very fortunate overall.  I think the number one thing I am grateful for is our health.  I say this because we had a scare with my dad this year and we were very lucky things turned for the better.  I know others have not been so lucky so we should be grateful each and every day that we feel good!  My co-worker just found out that his wife has terminal liver cancer and may live a year if she is lucky.  They have a three year old daughter and are overwhelmed with sadness.   So I say to myself...if I am not in that kind of situation I should suck it up and be happy for the life I have.

With age comes wisdom.  This is true.  As I get older I feel more at peace with everything.  My perspective on what is important has solidified and I feel very comfortable in my own skin.  I know what I like to do with my time and who I like to do it with.

So as 2011 approaches, I am excited.  I can't wait for spring to get back to into the gardens.  Friends will be popping with new little ones.  We can get back into our farmer's market Saturdays and eating all the delicious bounty that we acquire.  I can't wait to go to the new Holes Enjoy Centre when it opens!!!

So I hope 2011 brings everyone good health and luck.  The year of the Tiger is winding down and in February the Chinese gauntlet will be handed to the Rabbit.

2011 - Year of the Rabbit
A placid year, very much welcomed and needed after the ferocious year of the Tiger. We should go off to some quiet spot to lick our wounds and get some rest after all the battles of the previous year.

Good taste and refinement will shine on everything and people will acknowledge that persuasion is better than force. A congenial time in which diplomacy, international relations and politics will be given a front seat again. We will act with discretion and make reasonable concessions without too much difficulty.

A time to watch out that we do not become too indulgent. The influence of the Rabbit tends to spoil those who like too much comfort and thus impair their effectiveness and sense of duty.

Law and order will be lax; rules and regulations will not be rigidly enforced. No one seems very inclined to bother with these unpleasant realities. They are busy enjoying themselves, entertaining others or simply taking it easy. The scene is quiet and calm, even deteriorating to the point of somnolence. We will all have a tendency to put off disagreeable tasks as long as possible

Money can be made without too much labor. Our life style will be languid and leisurely as we allow ourselves the luxuries we have always craved for. A temperate year with unhurried pace. For once, it may seem possible for us to be carefree and happy without too many annoyances.

Merry Xmas

We wish you a Merry Christmas and a Happy New Year!

Lunar Eclipse

Last night there was a total lunar eclipse during the winter solstice.  Apparently this is a rare phonomenom.  I will have to ask my friends 7 year old son for a full explanation, but it was pretty interesting to see.

Coming home from work tonight, the moon was low in the sky, red and massive looking.  What a great site! 

Mug of Evil Goodness

Tis the season to eat and enjoy some good food with family and friends.

This year I have worked on loosing some weight.  I am really motivated by feeling healthy and preventing issues before they happen as best I can.  I have managed to loose and keep off 33 pounds, even while in Mexico.  I like good food and don't feel too deprived as I have found options that satisfy me.  I often ask myself...is that "whatever" worth it?  I calculate the weight watchers points and then decide. 

Most of the time I make my own lunch and cook at home.  Eating out is reduced but hey....you have to have a life, and sometimes have a treat.  I like to EAT my calories, not drink them.  It's often such a waste to have something really high in calories that is just a beverage.  Here is an example of what I am talking about:

Starbucks Caramel Brulée Latte

PER SERVING (one 16-oz./Grande drink with 2% milk and whipped cream): 420 calories, 15g fat, 200mg sodium, 66g carbs, 0g fiber, 48g sugars, 8g protein -- Points™ value 12*

To put this beverage into perspective, I get 25 points in a day..so this one drink is half my points.  It is as much as a double hamburger.  I don't know about you but I would probably rather have a double burger if I am going to go for it!

Now I will enjoy some good hot chocolates over the season, after all, it's a great idea by the fireplace.  But I will make my own 2 point version.  This is a prime example of all the fat and sugar out there that people consume and don't even realize the impact. 

I plan to continue my healthier journey and will incorporate actual exercise into my life (omg)! But I will continue to get educated about the food out there so I can make wiser choices overall.  I know there will be the odd day that I say..frack it...and eat whatever.  I did that with potato chips and Settlers of katan just last night.  But as long as they are less often, all will be good.

Close the Box

My "sister in-law" wrote a post about not being able to relax.  I can totally relate to this as I am also a "doer".  I like to have stuff done that needs to be done, I like to have the bills payed, house clean, laundry done....you get the picture.  While I think these can be good traits,  (I won't be a hoarder anytime soon), they also can have their down side.  I come to some of this logically as my mom was extremely organized and a clean fanatic.  It drove me a bit nuts as a kid and I am happy to say I am not "as" bad as she was/is.  However, I hold myself to high standards, with most everything I do.  I think this can often be a woman disease.  Too much of this can rob us of fun and peace of mind.  It is nice to allow yourself time to do nothing, or to turn your brain off for a while.

All the men in my life tell me that they don't have trouble turning off their brains...lol  They can open "one box" in their heads at a time.  Close the box, open a new one and move on.  Many of us women have numerous boxes open at once, pulling stuff out from each and juggling the thoughts at mock speed!

So I say to my fellow sisters from other misters....slow down a bit.  Find something that helps you slow your mind down.  Cut yourself some slack, you can't do it all.  Sometimes knitting or reading a book can take you away.  Play a game, garden, do some baking or whatever it is you like to do.  Is shoveling snow mindless enough???  I think it is!

Living La Veda Loca

Good-bye sun and sand, hello winter!  We just got back from a week in Mexico, where we attended my best friends wedding.  It was a beautiful wedding on the beach, short, touching and very romantic.  The resort took care of all of the details and did a great job. We stayed on the Mayan Riviera at the Barcelo.  We were very fortunate not to have our lobby explode or fall off a balcony.  These are the things you sometimes hear about in Mexico among others. 

However, in actuality there are a lot of great things as well.  The people are very friendly and kind and we had lovely weather the entire week.  While there, they were getting all the lights up on the palm trees and decorating the hotel for Christmas.  It seemed so odd to hear christmas music playing while wearing a bathing suit and flip flops. 

This resort is huge and has beautiful beach and pools.  We spent a lot of time in the pools, swimming, floating and bobbing over to the pool bar for another Mimosa or Miami Vice.  Chad and I found an adult only pool area that we dubbed "shangri la" that had these covered beds that you could lounge in.  That was certainly a heavenly place to have a nap or read a book.

I can honestly say I can do without a buffet again for a while.  While the food was delicious, after a while you just want to say...nooo...more...pleeeaaase!    I started to skip lunch as breakfast and dinner were more than enough. 

One of my favorite thing on the resort was the greenery.  Beautifully kept lawns, with lovely hibiscus trees and bougainvilleas plenty.  The color and fragrance were a gardeners dream.  I enjoyed watching the Iguanas eating leaves and hibiscus flowers and the little geckos scurrying around.  I must clarify that the Iguanas were nice from about 10 feet away...if they ran in my general direction  I would likely pee myself.

They also had many lovely statues that looked really pretty at night.  Chad dubbed them the "boob" statues.

On the last day there, we each had a relaxing massage at the resort spa.  Chad's words after that was "we have to hook that shit up in Edmonton".  lol   Yes, they have massage therapists in Edmonton too : )

All in all was a lovely trip, but I am also glad to be home.  I always get a little home sick and missed the cats a lot.  So now its time to get back into the groove, and get some xmas cards written and our tree up. 

Feliz Navidad