Professor Snuggles and Paddington are Friends!

I got up when My Honey left for work again this morning - just couldn't sleep in for some reason.

I made myself a couple of fried eggs and a coffee then sat down with my book.

It was really quiet and it was still dark out.

It was quite peaceful.

I got up when my fitbit would alarm me so I could get the 250+ steps per minute then once I reached the goal I would sit back down and continue reading.

I was nearing the end so I just read it until I was done.

This is the second book I have read by the same author and I really liked it.

It kind of kept you guessing all the way through and it had an unexpected twist at the end.

I would recommend it for sure.

I made mom & I grilled cheese, ham & spinach sandwiches for lunch with a side of pickled beans.

After we ate, I drove her to church and dropped her off.

I headed back to the house myself and got my work out in. 

I prefer to take my pictures from this angle because it makes me look thinner.

I was really trying to get a picture of the sweat dripping off me.

Plus I was pleased with myself for getting the work out completed.

I did 54 minutes.

I did some intermittent jogging, just randomly but the more I do it, the easier it will become.

I just have to continue to push myself a little more each time.

I also did 10 minutes on the Precor (it is similar to an elliptical machine).

That amounted to 1474 strides and....

another 86.3 calories burned. 

My little workout buddy kept me company as usual.

One of mom's friends gave her a lift home from Church then another of her friend's picked her up to go to a dinner in the Fort.

She is sure getting out there and it is so awesome to see!

I warmed up this soup that I picked up at Costco for supper.

I decided that I wanted sour cream, green onions, cheese and tortilla strips for it so I had to turn it off, run down to the store to get those things then come back to the house and warm it up again. 

I am pleased that I did - it was worth it.

The soup was tasty and the extras I added pushed it into the realm of awesome.

I would absolutely buy this soup again.

My Honey wasn't even hungry when he got home as they bbq'd at work today but he tried some anyway and ended up having a whole bowl full with all the fixings. 

This happened tonight.

I looked over and not only were they cuddled right up together, but Paddington was cleaning Professor Snuggles and the Professor was allowing him to do so.

Will wonders never cease?

We sure have come a long way from the way things were the first day I brought Paddington home.

Look how cute they are.

Their colors even compliment each other.

Missed out on the stairs goal and I ended up having a bath this afternoon that lasted a little long so I missed an hour of my 250+ steps per minute.

I started the new book I just got in the mail - Paperboy.

I am really liking it - it is going to be a super quick read.

That is all for today, until next time, be happy!

Edmonton with Mom

I got up early this morning with My Honey.

He got ready to go to work and I made a coffee and sat down to read my book The Lake House a bit.

I set my alarm for 7:30am because I know that sometimes when I get into a book, time no longer has any meaning to me and hours pass by as if they were minutes.

I wasn't quite ready to stop reading when my alarm went off at 7:30 am but when my Fitbit reminded me at 7:50 to get some steps in to make the hour, I put the book away and headed down for a work out.

I made myself this work out tracker because I love lists and tracking things and my little mantras on here became the focus of my workout.

It felt great to have a workout under my belt by 9 am.

I got 45 minutes in again - I did do a bit of jogging too.

I also did squats, lunges, sit ups, push ups, hula hoop and a plank.

Then I so the Precor just sitting there and thought maybe I should give it a go.

I used to do only the Precor before I had a treadmill and I did get a good work out on it.

I only did 6 minutes but every little bit counts!

That amounted to 810 strides in total, 

and 48 more calories burned.

My strategy is going to be "Every Little Bit Counts".

So if I am able to do a couple of squats in the middle of the day, or take the stairs or go for an extra walk I will.

Some days I may do more than others but instead of focusing on what I don't do, I am going to focus on all the little good things I do.

I am feeling like it is a good strategy.

I also feel like getting a work out under my belt first thing in the morning is going to be the key to my success.

I can do it - I am going to do it.

After working out I grabbed a shower then mom & I left for the city.

We stopped at my brothers to drop off Max for the day and my SIL was out with the kiddos.

(My brothers live across the street from one another).

So the kids came over to say hi to mom and I.

I love seeing their smiling faces.

I stopped at the store to pick up road trip snacks for mom and I.

Another ELBC - I chose healthy snacks - small victory for me.

I told mom to smile - this was what I got.

The guy that I accidentally captured in the back ground wasn't even smiling, ha ha!

We stopped at Costco and all the Christmas stuff is out.

I love checking it out but won't let myself buy anything because I have so much stuff already.

I almost caved and got this guy.

He is an outdoor decoration, he was taller than me and I thought he was adorable.

I talked myself out of it though, not really a necessity.

We stopped at Chopped Leaf for lunch and I had the Bangkok salad again.

It was just as yummy as the first time.

I think this will be my new favorite "fast food" stop from now on.

We did lots of looking around but not so much shopping.

Mom was getting tired and so was I for that matter.

I tried to get out of going to Wally World until mom reminded me that I needed to pick up kitty litter.

So that was our last stop for shopping, I grabbed a sandwich at Timmies and then we hit the road just after 6pm.

That meant it would be after 8 pm when we got home so a long day.

My Honey was home when we got there and he help bring our groceries in,

Then I was pretty much done for the day.

I met all my Fit Bit goals for today - feeling good about that!

My Get Up and Go Came Back.

Today was my final chance for pulling in a loss for this week in the weight loss challenge.

It didn't happen for me.

257.8 lbs.

That's a gain of .4 which isn't bad really but any up in this competition means I owe $5 for the week.

(Really it was paid up front so it just means I won't be getting it back).

It would be nice to re coup some of my money at least.

I made grilled cheese & ham sandwiches for mom & I for lunch.

We ate them with pickles and they were darn tasty if I do say so myself.

I got back to the office to see a parcel for me at my desk.

Having a package arrive in the mail is always a little titillating even if you are expecting it and know what it is.

Just something about it arriving and looking forward to opening it makes a person excited.

It was the extra batteries and charger that I had ordered for my phone.

I am eager to find out if it is going to work and restore a good working phone to me.

I also ordered a book - Paperboy - and I am keen to get reading it.

When I ordered "Wonder" based on the opinion of my cousin's young daughter (Miss KA), this booked popped up on Amazon as an item that most people who ordered Wonder also ordered.

For some reason it jumped out at me, I read the reviews and they were really good.

If I do like it - I am going to send it along to Miss KA as a kind of thank you for leading me to it.

There are few blogs that I regularly read and for some reason one of them really inspired me today.

The blog is called SkinnyMeg.

She is in super shape and she had an old picture of herself posted on her blog today from before she started on the weight loss journey.

It resonated with me - like really resonated.

I realized that if she could do it, so could I.

I know I see skinny folks and I sometimes think that they are so lucky, they are likely naturally that way and don't even have to work at it.

I realize that is not often the case, more times than not, they do work at it really diligently.

Maybe they just live a more active life and eat better without having to think about it all the time.

Everyone it different and I am certain there are lots of people out there struggling just as much as I am.

I think that is what is so intriguing about successful weight loss stories and before and after pictures.

It instills hope in us that maybe we can do it too, they inspire us.

And for whatever reason, I felt inspired today and I am just going to run with that feeling as long as I can.

When I got home from work, I hopped on the treadmill.

This is before working out - I was just proud of myself for even getting on the treadmill.

I didn't know if I would just walk or jog or what but it didn't matter.

Anything I accomplished would be more than what I would have on the couch so I just got to it

Looking a little sweatier now and even happier because I am done.

I got 45 minutes in.

I also did (just a couple) sit ups, push ups, squats, lunges and a plank.

I also tried the hula hoop again and I was disconcerted to find that my hula hooping skills had fallen to the way side and I do mean WAY FALLEN.

I couldn't keep it up even for 5 turns around and I used to do a few hundred no problem.

Apparently it isn't like the proverbial bike but I kept picking it up and I got 50 rotations in.

I will keep at it until I get the skills back.

I was pleased with myself and this is just the beginning.

All in all, I was happy with my stats for the day.

Facebook Memories for Today.

A year ago today was the day my mom got moved to the Glenrose Hospital.

My aunties had arrived in Edmonton the evening before - my brother had to get them at the airport because I was in meeting for work in Calgary.

I wanted to surprise my mother but I ended up telling her they were coming.

They came with me and we drove mom to the Glenrose.

We were all so happy to see each other.

Having them there helped me feel a little less helpless about the situation and mom was super happy to see them.

They were happy to see her in person so they could discern the effects of her stroke for themselves.

She made some big strides while they were here too and I think their support and love really helped with that.

That is all for today.

Until next time, be happy.

Massage? Yes Please!

Thursday is here!

Still no losses on the scale front.

Still after a way to make it happen.

For lunch today I had leftover coconut soup.

So good - I ate it in my office - still trying to get caught up on blogging since our return from New Orleans.

It has occurred to me lately that my blog has turned into more of a journal or diary.

Which is not surprising to me.

I have always been an on and off journaler throughout my life so an online diary seems like a natural next step.

Even if it seems mundane and boring at times, I know that I will enjoy looking back at all these happenings and I will appreciate that I took the time to chronicle them.

I made mom & I grilled cheese and ham sandwiches for supper.

I've pulled out the grill press My Honey picked up for one of the Burger Love specials and I've been using it.

It is handy & perfect - I am predicting that it will be getting a lot of use in the near future.

Then I headed up to the hospital as I had an appointment scheduled for a massage tonight (she rents a room in the hospital to use as her massage room) and I was very much looking forward to it.

When I arrived at the hospital, I was a little early and there was a flu shot clinic going on so I randomly decided to get a flu shot.

I haven't had one in over 10 years so I don't know why I suddenly opted to do it but I did.

I think the ant-vaccination trend recently got me thinking about it.

I think their stance is so foolish and dangerous and frankly I am astonished that they would put their children in such harm and other peoples children too for that matter.

No matter how many physicians speak out against the dangers of not vaccinating or how many times the theory that they cause autism is debunked, people stubbornly hold on to their beliefs that vaccinating is a huge money grabbing scam and doing so is more dangerous than not.

Anyway, I am complete appalled and baffled by these anti-vacinators so I got me thinking, why would I feel so strongly about that then scoff at the idea of a flu shot?

Perhaps I am young & strong and could fight off the flu but what I was affecting others around me by not having it?

And it's free, and so easy to obtain.

Hence my "random" decision.

It barely hurt then I was on my way to my massagen.

All ready for me.

Miss KW did some facial cupping on me today - it's been a while.

I love it, it feels so nice and relaxing.

When I got home from my massage, my honey was already home from work.

He has been fighting a cold off since we got home from New Orleans so it wasn't long before he was ready to hit the hay.

Paddington was laid out in the hallway relaxing.

I thought it looked so funny the way his little back paws are pointed out so I just had to take a picture.

Tomorrow is Friday - my favorite day of the week!

Likely because I have the whole weekend full of possibilities and lazy mornings stretching out in front of me.

I am hoping that I will be down for my weigh in tomorrow but also doubtful as it would just be a fluke and I haven't earned it.

I will though - soon enough, I will!

Another day in the books - until next time, be happy!

Just an Average Wednesday.

Today was pretty uneventful at work.

Not much to report on that front.

I have been weighing myself every morning this week hoping for a miracle but not really doing anything to actually deserve one.

Being fit & healthy is something that I greatly desire but I just can't seem to get into the frame of mind needed to get there.

When I got home from work I watched Counting On.

It was the episode where Joe & Kendra got married - Congratulations to them, they are such sweet couple.

I thought it was endearing how emotional he got when she was walking down the aisle.

I try to watch it when My Honey isn't here to comment - he doesn't share my sentimental feelings about them and likes to poke a little fun about it.

So I have to revert to some Facebook Memories that popped up today.

These were from a birthday dinner we had at mom's back in 2014.

We had been away over Thanksgiving and my brother's birthday that year too so were were having a belated dinner to celebrate.

This is my handsome boy and I.

The birthday boy and his lady, Miss M.

My Honey and my Auntie V who was living with mom at the time are in the background there.

My boy and I again only this time we are joined by little Miss A.

My brother Mr R and my mama.

My Niecey poo Miss M and her friend that joined us for dinner.

It was a great family get together as always - when I am with them I always think that we should try to get together more often, not just on special occasions.

I enjoy spending time with the people that I love, I mean, isn't that what life is all about anyway?

That is a wrap for today, until next time, be happy!

Moose on the Loose!

After work today, My Honey & I headed to BH to see an accountant.

Now that the golf course is closed up, it is time to get the books in order.

On the way there we were lucky enough to see a couple of moose on the highway.

I would have liked to stop and get some better pictures of them but there was a vehicle right behind us and the moose weren't inclined to stick around for a photo shoot.

My Honey said not to worry that we would have another chance.

I didn't say anything but I was thinking that I don't see moose that often, it could be months.

The appointment went well, they guided me on what I need to do and then once I get it ready, I will take it back and we can get everything filed and finalized.

It's going to be a bit of work but I'm kind of a closet math nerd so it will be fun at the same time.

We asked them for suggestions on where to eat and they suggested Leals & Teals so we gave it a try.

We'd been in the same place before but it was a different restaurant at the time.

I have to admit that I didn't have high hopes.

I've never eaten at a restaurant here in BH that I wanted to come back to.

They had cleaned this place all up though, painted it white so it wasn't so dreary looking.

It appears that it is run by a family and both the food and the service were very good.

I had the chicken quesadilla with a greek salad and it even had kalamata olives which I love.

It was delicious!

My honey had the donair and home made fries.

I normally find home made fries to be too soggy or soft for me but these were nice & crispy and really good.

I told them we would be back and we will.

Then on the way home, guess what?

We saw another moose.

I couldn't believe it.

We pulled over as there were no other vehicles around but as soon as we did that he started to run away.

He only went as far as the tree line though and then it seemed that this fellow was wanting to be the object of my photo shoot.

It was just after dusk so although the moose was sticking around, the lighting was not.

This picture shows how hard these guys are to spot.

If I hadn't seen him run over there, he would have been near impossible to pick out just driving by.

Facebook Memory

This just happened to pop up today.

It was a witches costume mom & I put together for my niece Miss M about 9 years ago.

That is all for today.

Until next time, be happy!