What I Did on Winter Vacation - Part II

The next part of the holidays did involve me going to work - but only for a day and a half.

I missed my WW meeting on Dec 28 - mostly because I forgot to set my alarm and I just slept in.  Oh well, I will be back to weekly meetings on Saturdays starting Jan 4.

That evening I went out for dinner with my parents and grandmother, just as we do every Saturday.  I should have got a salad, but the beef dip was calling my name.  I think I was punished for my bad food choice.  Everyone else got their dinner, and the waitress (who was new), did not key in my meal.  So I had to wait about 10min after everyone else.  Second time in a row that Joey's messed up an order.  Last time they forgot the chicken on my mom's pasta.  Just like last time, they took the meal off the bill and the manager came over and apologized.  The food is always delicious and the servers are nice - otherwise I think we would stop going there, lol.

Sunday is was snowing lightly.  I met up with Kristine for a movie.  Passed three accidents on my way to the theatre.  Maybe I should have stayed home?  Oh well.  I just took it slow and it was fine.  Unlike the trucks that insist on going the speed limit or faster.

Monday I had to go to work.  Finished up all the month end accounting and made it balance.  My cousin and her husband and two daughters arrived that afternoon.

Tuesday I only had to work a half day.  When I got home we did a bunch of tidying up, and then my parents had two couples over for New Year's Eve.  We ate lamb braised in red wine & figs with roasted veggies.  Cindy brought a bread pudding made with Ferrero Rocher chocolates - mmmmm so good.  We stayed up to ring in the new year, and drank and played Uno Extreme.  I won three games.

Everyone stayed the night - so I ended up sleeping on the futon in the basement living room.  Not bad, but it was a harder surface than I am used to.

After breakfast everyone left (well after lunch for the cousins), and we had Grandma over for dinner again.  It was Wednesday but it felt like Sunday.

Thursday and Friday I have been back to a regular work schedule.  The last two days that I can use one of the parking spaces behind the office.

Overall it was a great couple of weeks.  Now I just need to get back on the program.  I will have a post with a review of 2013 shortly, along with another one with goals for 2014.  I hope everyone else had a fabulous holiday season!

What I Did on Winter Vacation - Part I

Often in the books I would read as a child, the main character would head back to school and have an assignment to write about "What I Did on Summer Vacation".  I personally cannot recall ever having to do this for any of my classes.  I also did not have summer reading lists.  Sometimes I felt a little left out, perhaps influenced by American television?

I feel like I just got back on schedule after a holiday.  Actually I AM back on schedule after taking a break over the Christmas/New Year's holidays.  It was not all bad eating choices, but I did not do any workouts - although I did do a lot of walking (some of it around the mall) and stairs (mostly in my home).

It could have been worse, but the biggest numbers I saw on the scale had me up over 4 pounds, and this morning it was closer to 3 pounds.  Not bad but I could have done better.

December 20 was my last day at work for over a week, and my boss let us leave at 3:00pm.  The next day was my WW weigh-in and I was down 0.9 pounds.  Sunday I got up and hit West Edmonton Mall when it opened and finished off the last of my Christmas shopping.  Monday I helped my grandmother wrap the rest of her presents.

Then it was Christmas Eve, and my BFF came over to celebrate with my family as her parents live on Vancouver Island (Parksville, BC) and since they had the trip to Italy & Switzerland this fall, they could not afford another flight to AB.  Plus she only got Christmas Day off work, so she would not have had time to spend with them anyway.

So it was Kristine, myself, my two younger brothers, the girlfriend of one of the brothers, my grandmother and my parents.  We had a special dinner, cooking meats and veggies on a hot rock (which is exactly like picture #2, but picture #1 shows how we cook the food better). 

Then we cleaned up, and put out Christmas cookies, and listened to Christmas carols while opening presents.

Of course I was spoiled.  I got a Persona bracelet with two blue charms and a purse charm.  My parents also got my a FitBit flex, which I like because it records how I sleep.  I got a Nintendo 3DS XL, as well as a couple of games, including Pokemon X - takes me right back to 1998/1999 when I played the original games.  Today I tried one of the teas I got in my holiday collection from David's Tea.

There is a K-cup holder that I am going to return so I can get one that holds more cups, and also so it fits next to the Keurig instead of under it, as I do not know if cupboards in a future home would be high enough.

I now have two lights on the High Level Bridge "Light The Bridge" campaign.  That is pretty cool.  I also started reading a new book that was a gift "I Am Malala".   

There is a silly scarf that lights up and plays music.  I also can't forget to mention the greatly appreciated gift cards to Starbucks and Addition-Elle plus money from my Grandma.

On Christmas Day we had delicious sticky buns and eggs and special coffee.  There were "wakie-wakies", which are pineapple juice, orange juice, lemon juice, gingerale and gin.

Christmas Eve the dishwasher started leaking.  There was a crack in the drainage hose.  We tried to see if we could fix it, but it's a German made Miele and no one carries the correct size parts.  My brother tried something, but we just ended up with water all over the floor right before Christmas Dinner.  It's working now (but we are still careful as there is a 1 inch part used where it should be 7/8) and the new part has been ordered.

With my aunt and uncle also joining us for dinner - we moved the kitchen table into the dining room.  This of course required us to flip the heavy oak table, take off the legs, carry it to the dining room and then put the legs back on. 

Boxing Day I woke up at 3:00am - picked up my brother and his girlfriend around 3:30am - and dropped them off at the airport at 4:00am.  I was back in bed at 4:30am where I slept for another few hours.  Tim and Tracy were headed to Bathurst, NB to visit with her family.  The rest of the day I just hung around the house.  We had second Christmas Dinner (which I often love even more than Christmas Dinner), and there is still tons of turkey leftover for turkey pie. 

December 27th I went over to Addition-Elle.  I bought two new pairs of jeans in a smaller size (22), and the size 20s almost fit.  I also got a nice shirt for New Year's Eve.  Since I had a VIP member offer that was mailed to me, plus my gift card - I saved over $60 and only paid $30.   I should have picked up socks and a second pair of yoga/workout pants.  Not to worry - I have two savings cards for Pennington's and one for Addition-Elle.  I just have to wait until February to use them.  It gives me a chance to save up some money.

That was the first week of holidays.  I am always super appreciative that my boss gives us the week of Christmas off of work. 

Weekly Update: Dec 11 to Dec 17

It was an all right week.  I was a bit unmotivated to workout.  I did manage to set up the other workout game I have for the Wii, which is EA Sports Active 2.  I like this one because I have two sensors that I wear - one on my right leg and one on my left arm.  The one on my arm has a heart monitor.  Of course I set it up on Thursday and have not played it since.  I only managed the BLC game on Wednesday and then this Monday & yesterday.  If I could just develop some consistency with the workouts, that would help improve the numbers on the scale. 


 Weight Watchers Weigh-In:

Original Weight: 314.8
Previous Weight (Dec 7): 277.3
Today's Weight (Dec 14): 277.4
Change: +0.1
Total Loss: -39.9

Total Loss since May 2012: -47.3
Total Loss since Nov 2005: -61.1


Spark People Weigh-In: 
Previous Weight (Dec 7):  272.2
Today's Weight (Dec 14):  272.2



So no movement this week.  I am glad that I maintained.  Hopefully I can lose a pound or two this week and then maintain over Christmas.  My mom is making her delicious sticky buns, and I just can't resist having one or two.

I am going to make some healthier options for sweets -  such as pineapple cake using just pineapples and angle food cake mix, and chocolate candy cane cookies using Splenda.  I also love the peanut butter cookies from Kraft that only using PB, an egg and sugar (and I have made them with Splenda).  I am going to look through my old emails (from WW and SkinnnyTaste etc) and see if I find anything else.

It's not that I can't have all the yummy foods of the season, I just need to eat them in moderation.

Weekly Update: Dec 4 to Dec 10

It has been a really cold week up here in the frozen North.  I finally took my car into the garage.  Ended up getting a couple of things fixed as well as a new windshield.  Now I just need to find the warranty information so that I can get some money back. 

I also finally met up with Dani for dinner at Moxie's on Thursday night.  Of course we also had to wander around a couple of stores in typical Karen/Dani fashion.  I finally found the delicious WW brownie bliss bars - which I highly recommend. 


Weight Wacthers Weigh-In:

Original Weight: 314.8
Previous Weight (Nov 23): 274.8
Today's Weight (Dec 7): 277.3
Change: -2.5
Total Loss: -40

Total Loss since May 2012: -47.4
Total Loss since Nov 2005: -61.2


Spark People Weigh-In: 
Previous Weight (Nov 30):  274.8
Today's Weight (Dec 7):  272.2


Woohoo !!  I am down a total of 40 pounds since I started back with WW on November 17, 2012.  At my 1 year anniversary of WW 2.0, I was down 37.4 pounds. 

This time last year was when my ex and I had a horrible conversation after his work Christmas party (Dec 14 or 15).  It would have been so easy to turn to food every time I was angry or sad - and I do admit that I had many times in the past year where I made bad food decisions - but overall I moved forward.  Separation, moved 300km, new position at work and I still lost 40 pounds. Not bad, not bad at all.

This week I worked out (with my Biggest Loser Challenge Wii game) on both Saturday and Sunday.  I have no excuses for not getting off my butt for just 30min a day.  Dinner is ready when I come home from work.  I do not have a husband or kids to take care of and minimal responsibilities around my house.  It won't always be like this, so I need to take advantage of the situation while I can.

My next small goal is to get into the 260s.  I think the last time I was at that weight would have been sometime in the middle of 2009.  I really need to go back through my old WW record books and make a chart/graph for myself.

Top Five - Things I Love About Winter

I think these were supposed to be posted on Fridays, oh well, whatevs.  I am totes getting this done, obs. 

My house is all Christmatisized up - my youngest brother and I emptied the one side of the storage room and put up everything we could find, that was not normally used somewhere else in the house.  I think I just have to put up my little Christmas tree in my room along with a little paper village.  Then I have these old posters/characters that were always up at my Grandma's house in Medicine Hat.  The basement is now a little Christmas crazy.

Anyone up for a Top Five list about decorations?

The deep freeze seems to have abated a bit today, although that wind is very gusty.  I am fine with it being between -15 and -20, but when you drop below that temperature, it is just too cold.  I cringed when I heard the windchill on both Thursday and Friday morning.   


On that note here is the latest Top Five:

THINGS I LOVE ABOUT WINTER


5.  The way the trees look when covered in frost/ice/snow.  I admit, I do enjoy this best from inside my warm, cozy house. 

4.  Building things out of snow.  I still remember the awesome snow fort we built in grade 6 next to the ice rink at school.  I also love building snowmen. 

3. Christmas lights and decorations.  I love walking down Candy Cane Lane on a nice winter evening in December.  Looking at the decorations around my house makes me smile - a lot of them hold special memories from my childhood.  I had a great time at The Festival of Trees.  I used to love going to see Bright Lights at Hawrelak Park.

2.  Delicious coffee and tea beverages, preferably made with Eggnog.  Who am I kidding, I just love a cold glass of Eggnog, and all of the other delicious treats of the season.  My mom makes the best sticky cinnamon buns.

1.  Spending Christmas and New Year's with my family and friends.  It's still my favourite time of year.  I love giving gifts and cards.  The white elephant gift exchange at work is always good for a laugh.  This year will be the last holiday celebrated in the house in Edmonton.  I miss the Christmases that we spent in Medicine Hat with my grandparents.  I truly enjoy our whole Christmas Eve dinner/opening gifts tradition.  There is the music, the movies and the books.  It is all super fantastic!

Weekly Update: Nov 27 to Dec 3

Weight Watchers Weigh-In:

Original Weight: 314.8
Previous Weight (Nov 23): 277.3
Today's Weight (Nov 23): N/A
Change: N/A
Total Loss: -37.5

Total Loss since May 2012: -44.9
Total Loss since Nov 2005: -58.7


Spark People Weigh-In: 
Previous Weight (Nov 23):  274.4
Today's Weight (Nov 30):  274.8


So I did not make it to my Weight Watchers meeting on Saturday morning.  My car has the check engine light on, and had an appointment booked for Tuesday.  My mom's car had an oil change booked for Saturday.  My dad helped my mom drop off her vehicle, and then he and my mom went shopping with his vehicle.

I was going to take the bus.  I made myself coffee and a breakfast sandwich.  Either my clock was off, or the bus came a couple minutes early - I walked out the front door and saw the bus driving by the cul-de-sac.  Doh!  The next bus (either the 2 or the 106) did not come for another 30min.

I think that the 0.4 pound gain (if you can even call it that) on my home scale was due to my time of the month.  So mostly bloating and water weight.  I know that things will be better this week as I weighed in at 274.6 this morning.

I have a goal to do at least 10min (if not 30min) of exercise everyday in December.  I know this will help move the numbers on the scale.

Top Five - Things I Would Do If I Won The Lottery

I went to the Festival of Trees on Friday after work with a co-worker.  It really got me into the Christmas spirit.  I loved all the trees and decorations and gingerbread houses and cakes.

Saturday I watched all four of the "Step Up" movies.  Then I helped my youngest brother build our village on top of the pool table.  I will post some pics here later.  Then we took Grandma out for dinner as usual, except it was just Greg and myself and Grandma. 

Sunday was the regular trip to the grocery store.  Then Sunday night dinner with Grandma.

My alarm did not go off this morning, but I still managed to make the 7:08am bus to the LRT.  Dressed up warm for the walk to and from the station before and after work today. 

Now for more catching up with the top five lists:

Things I Would Do If I Won The Lottery

 I think that I would attempt to follow this list no matter if I won $1 million or $50 million - it would just vary to different degrees.


5.  Pay off all my debts/put money away/invest

I would love to have even just a month two where I had no bills to pay.  Now unless we are talking about a BIG win, I would still have mortgage payments.  There would also always be utilities/phone/cable/internet payments, but it would be nice not to have to stick to such a strict budget. 
 

 4.  Have a personal trainer

I could really use someone to make sure I am doing movements correctly.  Also someone to kick my lazy ass into gear.  I'm not horrible, but there is definite room for improvement.  Maybe someone could finally improve my balance and teach me yoga?

I'm a good cook, and I actually enjoy it too - so I don't need a chef or a nutritionist.  Having money would hopefully mean more time to prepare food and also the ability to buy good quality ingredients.

I just really need help with exercise. 

3.  Travel

I want to be able to go to all the places I have always wanted to visit.  Travelling there in style would also be nice (if I had enough money).  Of course I would want to take my friends with me so that we could enjoy it together.

Those 3 to 4 month long cruises around the world sound like a great opportunity to see multiple destinations.  I would also like to go to the states and go shopping crazy.

2.  Spread the Wealth

I would of course like to share the money with friends and family.  Whether it be to fly everyone out to Victoria, or to join me on a cruise (see above), or to help me spend money in the US.

My one brother could fix up his house.  I could pay my parents back for all the financial help they have provided for me over the years.  We could put my grandmother up in style with good nurses in Victoria.

1.  Buy a House & Car

I really do like my car, but it would be awesome to have a brand new model with all the bells and whistles.  Even better would be an awesome place to live.  It doesn't need to be a mansion, I would rather have a smaller place with super upgrades. 

Eventually in 2014 I will get a place of my own.  There are a bunch of details to work out, but it will all happen in time.  It would just be really nice not to have to stick to a budget for the mortgage.  A girl can dream.