Guess what we did last night....and how good I felt

Well last night proved to be a bunch of fun. We went to see ZZTop. We were suppose to meet up with a bunch of people but those plans kinda flopped. But you know what we met up with other friends. We saved money by not drinking and probably had just as much fun.

By not drinking, I saved a ton of calories that I didn't need to be drinking anyway. I did have one beer, but I don't think that one will kill me. That and I don't want diet to over rule real life.

We watched so many "Young" people power drink and I thought of my own two boys. I can only hope that I can teach them better than that. I know it is different when they are older, when they are around their friends but I still can only hope.I think that this is so dangerous and kids have no idea what they are doing to themselves.

I didn't walk yesterday. I felt terrible. Not physically but emotionally.Because, I have been going everyday whether I felt like it or not. It all worked out though for the best because I got it in. my Parents live about 3 kms from where the concert was. We took our van to their house and took a cab from there to the concert. Darin has a very bad back and can't walk to far without being in total pain. However, afterwards it was so jammed packed with people that I told him to just walk up the hill to Tim Horton's, and I would walk to get the van. He didn't like me walking at 11pm all alone in the dark. Seriously, I said there are 10000 people walking the same way.

Ended up though, that I walked there with 2 young 16 year old girls who were kinda spooked because it was thunder and lightening out.It took my less than 20 mins to walk the 3 kms. But trust me (Steph) my feet and calf was killing me and it was almost an all uphill grade!The two girls were glad to have the company. We were lucky, it didn't rain until after I got the van and picked up Darin.

We did something bad after that though, we were both starving and we went and got subs. I ate tons of veggies and made it as healthy as I could but I am hoping that I really don't pay for eating so late at night.

So after all that we had a great time and I got my exercise in and all was good. It didn't start out too bad either though. I had bought some new jeans way back at Christmas. They were tight and I could barely do them up. Well last night I hemmed them and put them on. They have been washed and dried in the dryer. And they fit. They were loose. I couldn't believe it.I needed a belt to hold them up! I was one happy girl. When this happens and I feel good I forget about the scale.

Sometimes I drive myself crazy and can weigh myself up to 3 times a day. I know that isn't good, but I get fixed on something and too late. But after that I realized. The scale doesn't matter as much as how I feel. I feel great so if I just keep doing what I am doing then the scale will start to see it like I do. Maybe it is time to give Darin the scale to put away for a few weeks and forget about it.

So today is father's day.Here is an old pic I am sharing. It is when Tyson was 10 months old Dalton was 6. It is at Canada's wonderland. It was probably the last time that we went there as a family. Since that, I have gone with Dalton alone up till last year Tyson and Colleen came with us.

Happy Father's day. To my wonderful husband. You drive me crazy... With your silly songs, your foolish ways, when you don't pick up after yourself, when you make more work for me, when you are selfish, and when your the only one who thinks your funny.

But here's the thing. I wouldn't have you any other way. I love you till death. You have turned out to be a great father. For the guy who didn't want any. Our kids adore you. You are gentle and kind, and love them for who they are( even though some days Ty is a challenge). You take the time to make their childhood the best that they could have and that is why I love you. Their lives wouldn't be the same with out you.

And to my own Father and Grandfather. Thank you for making me into the woman I am I hope I didn't turn out too bad either!!

I love you.

Love, love, Love them....

I have to put this post in pink. Just for Lauryn.

Dalton has a friend Keaton. They are really good buds. Like best friends. Keaton has a great sense of humour and is so kind that sometimes it gets him into trouble. (ie. he does something wrong, knows it and tells on himself. LOL) He comes from a great family. Over the years we have all become friends through our kids. Keaton's mother is a very creative woman.

Creative in so many ways. She scrapbooks for a major American magazine, she works for a scrap booking company, she does demonstrations all over the USA, and she is a photographer. Just recently Leslie has started her own business. It was a long time coming and she is such a talent at it.

Stephanie and Todd went to the funfair with us back in May and Leslie was offering a photo shoot as one of the silent auction items. I told Steph it was so worth it because Les is so good at what she does. So she bid and she won.

Well Leslie definitely didn't disappoint. She posting just a few pics so far on her web page. I am so in love with them. She did a fabulous job! I am sure that Todd and Steph are not disappointed either. Steph told me what a good job Les did before she even saw any of the pictures.

Leslie is coming to the east cost in August so if you want her to take some pictures for you call her and book her quick!!

Here is her link!! Check our all her beautiful photo's and of course the little pumpkins photo's too!!

http://leslielightfootphotography.com/

Thanks Les for doing such a wonderful job. I know that Todd and Steph will cherish them forever.

( photo is copy written and is used for advertisement for Leslie Lightfoot photography only)

It all takes an effort.

Did you ever notice that anything that is ever worthwhile in your life takes an effort?

• Your kids bring you so much love, grief, comfort, pain, happiness, unhappiness but most of all Love. They take so much effort. They need people to take the time to make them into good human beings. Caring human beings. Not selfish, not hurtful, just all around good people. It all takes time. In the end if you have taught them right it will be worthwhile.

• Your job. If you don't put some kind of worthwhile effort into it and you don't enjoy it and then your unhappy, struggling and miserable. It takes an effort to be happy and good at it. No matter what the job may be.

• Friendships. If you want a friendship to last for a lifetime, you have to put an effort in. If you don't the friends distance themselves and the friendship fades and people move on. Friendships are 50/50 both people need to make the effort or it won't last.

• Marriage. It works alot the same way as a friendship. If it is going to last then you have to make an effort. It has to be 50/50 whether it is money, kids, time, housework all the things that come in a relationship, it has to be an honest effort by both people or it just doesn't work. And divorce is inevitable.

My health is finally one of those things that I am going to make an effort. I have been making an effort. It is a priority. Pain or no pain, if it is worthwhile then I have to make and effort.

So I guess with that being stated that I must think......

THAT I AM WORTH IT!

It takes a lot to admit it but as I have been feeling better I think I have become better at all the things I said above. whether it is because I am not tired, sluggish and exhausted I don't know but whatever it is I am glad that after 38 years that I am finally not afraid to say it!

9.5 inches...

9.5 inches....

Do you measure yourself? I have to admit. I normally don't. I haven't in the past. I have noticed though that since the new year when I decided enough was enough and that I wanted to get this done, accomplished and start reliving and enjoying all my life. That I figured I would just take some measurements to start out with.

Well. since January 7Th it would appear that I have lost a total of 9.5 inches over all.

I have lost 6 in my waist. hips was 1. Neck was 1.5. And my arms were 1. I knew that my pant were loose but holy am I happy about that.

Steph has been keeping me going. I have walked everyday this week with or without her. My feet and one calf are giving me struggles but I am going to win. I have to win. She is a real goer which I love, but holy. My feet are glad to shed those shoes once we get home. THANKS STEPH!!

I just think. 9.5 inches. That's something to be proud of.

And I am.

Looking forward to summer...

Summer has always been my favorite time of year. We spend lots of time outside. LOTS. We have a pool and the kids bug to go everyday, rain or shine. Which is good easy exercise. Lots of days while they play and swim I jog around the outside of the pool. They think that I am doing it for their benefit, and for many reasons I am. My health, easier on the bones and joints and they love the cyclone effect they get.

I have to admit though, I think that even though I look terrible in pictures. I am feeling much better even when I put that swimsuit on and it is loose. Not tight sucked to every inch of my body.

I still don't look good in a swimsuit. Compared to last year at this time, I certainly feel better in it. I feel better in it and I feel better emotionally in it.

It's no bikini body, and I am not ever wanting it to be. I just want to be comfortable in the skin I wear and whatever I wear over it.

Then...then I'll be totally happy.

pictures....

Pictures..... Why is it in pictures that large people look larger and small people look the same?

Does it have anything to do with the way we see ourselves? Do we really look that bad? I know that all my life I have been a bigger girl. I know that all my life I have hated having people take my pictures.

I know that I have made progress, I can see it in my shape, my clothes, and the way I feel. my pants are loose, my shirts are too big, my gut doesn't hold my breasts up, my bra cup is too big but still...

Somehow though I am still not happy with what I see in pictures!

Drop me a comment , click on the little "comment" below

Amanda The graduate!

This is Amanda. She is such a wonderful young woman. Hard to believe I can say that now. We have had the privilege to be a part of this wonderful girls life since she was just 4. It is amazing over the years how the kids have grown and become their own people.

Well she graduated from Loyalist college this week. She had excellent marks. She has finally finished her child and youth worker and has already found a job.

Her parents had a small party for her on Thursday night. This was her opening her gifts.
She will unfortunately be moving out of Ontario but she will be with Ethel's family ( her Mom's) she has already got and apartment and is starting her life. One day her parents will move down east and be with her again when the retire but until then we look forward to seeing her when she comes home.

So Amanda. We cannot tell you how much you mean to us, how incredibly proud we are of you and what a wonderful young woman you have turned out to be.

We all love you very much and will miss you!