Sugar is poison. Head on over to Sophie's Blog and find out why. It'll change the way you think about the food that goes in your mouth. Remember: live the best life possible!
*hugs*
Showing posts with label surprise. Show all posts
Showing posts with label surprise. Show all posts
Thursday, April 28, 2011
Monday, March 28, 2011
Non-fail?
I posted here that I was starting to exercise. I was. I was out there and doing my thing and all was good. Then winter hit and it all went to hell. I hate winter. Like, REALLY hate winter. I'm not 100% why I still live in Canada really...
Anyways. I did my usual thing - I hibernated. I went out only when necessary or when I got the urge to take the kiddies out and build a snow fort or go sledding for 20 minutes. But basically I did nothing. No, scratch that. I did nothing exercise wise, but I did start to implement other changes I had been wanting to make in my quest for a better lifestyle.
On August 29, 2010 I downloaded an app for my iPhone. It tracks weight - and your measurements if you want it to as well - and your goals and shows on a graph how you are progressing. This was a low point for me. After that other weight post, combined with working at a job that made junk food the norm, I put on an additional 4 pounds even with the exercising I was doing. That's right, I weighed 229 by the end of August. I was getting frustrated with how I looked and felt, I needed to put an end to it. I can't really describe it - although the few times I've been ill probably "helped" with some months - but I haven't made any major changes. I don't count my water intake - although I prefer water over anything else, so I'm not worried. I don't watch what I eat really. I don't count calories or points - I've just made sure to lower my portions, make my recipes simpler and with fresh ingredients and if I crave something unhealthy like chocolate, I eat some to curb it. Not a lot, but I do give in to most of my cravings.
It's working. Slowly - which I think is the best way so that I can adjust and maintain - I'm losing weight. Which is also nice as my family is currently having a contest...and I'm winning. LOL I got on the scale this week and weighed in at 213.4 pounds. I tried on my wedding dress this weekend, and it zipped up with ease! I have to keep pulling up the size 18 jeans I wear. It's a great feeling that the changes I am making are positive and sticking. I'm eating breakfast every day and having a morning snack of fruit. I've limited my tea intake and lowered my dinner portions. And I'm not hungry. Plus, with the warmer weather just around the corner, I know that it will get easier through the spring/summer/fall.
To help celebrate my continued success (coupled with my lacking ability to ever buy new clothes), Mr. Penguin gave me a great birthday gift this year - a shopping spree for bras. As I am losing weight, my band size has gone down and I've moved from a DD to a D cup - which means hello Victoria's Secret! I made my wish list last night. He gets to surprise me with what he wants off of it - it's only fair as he's footing the bill. ;) Along with reaching my goal weight, I think hitting a bra size of 36C would be the best thing ever. To be able to walk into La Senza or wherever and be able to pick a cute bra off the shelf and have it fit would be amazing. I miss that freedom.
Also, I am planting a container garden this year - no excuses!! I've got the plans for making cedar planters and I'm going to grow tomatoes (2 kinds), peppers, strawberries, beans, radishes, lettuce, carrots, zucchini and maybe cucumber. I also found an old tire behind the shed from the previous owners that I'm going to wash down and paint with the girls. It will be where we plant our Halloween pumpkin. I can't wait. The fresh food will help with my smaller portions, be better for us as a family and the gardening involved coupled with just being outside will help immensely. Plus, I hope to have an abundance of tomatoes to continue my canning hobby this year.
I'm proud of myself. Now to get outside more and move my butt!
*hugs*
Anyways. I did my usual thing - I hibernated. I went out only when necessary or when I got the urge to take the kiddies out and build a snow fort or go sledding for 20 minutes. But basically I did nothing. No, scratch that. I did nothing exercise wise, but I did start to implement other changes I had been wanting to make in my quest for a better lifestyle.
On August 29, 2010 I downloaded an app for my iPhone. It tracks weight - and your measurements if you want it to as well - and your goals and shows on a graph how you are progressing. This was a low point for me. After that other weight post, combined with working at a job that made junk food the norm, I put on an additional 4 pounds even with the exercising I was doing. That's right, I weighed 229 by the end of August. I was getting frustrated with how I looked and felt, I needed to put an end to it. I can't really describe it - although the few times I've been ill probably "helped" with some months - but I haven't made any major changes. I don't count my water intake - although I prefer water over anything else, so I'm not worried. I don't watch what I eat really. I don't count calories or points - I've just made sure to lower my portions, make my recipes simpler and with fresh ingredients and if I crave something unhealthy like chocolate, I eat some to curb it. Not a lot, but I do give in to most of my cravings.
It's working. Slowly - which I think is the best way so that I can adjust and maintain - I'm losing weight. Which is also nice as my family is currently having a contest...and I'm winning. LOL I got on the scale this week and weighed in at 213.4 pounds. I tried on my wedding dress this weekend, and it zipped up with ease! I have to keep pulling up the size 18 jeans I wear. It's a great feeling that the changes I am making are positive and sticking. I'm eating breakfast every day and having a morning snack of fruit. I've limited my tea intake and lowered my dinner portions. And I'm not hungry. Plus, with the warmer weather just around the corner, I know that it will get easier through the spring/summer/fall.
To help celebrate my continued success (coupled with my lacking ability to ever buy new clothes), Mr. Penguin gave me a great birthday gift this year - a shopping spree for bras. As I am losing weight, my band size has gone down and I've moved from a DD to a D cup - which means hello Victoria's Secret! I made my wish list last night. He gets to surprise me with what he wants off of it - it's only fair as he's footing the bill. ;) Along with reaching my goal weight, I think hitting a bra size of 36C would be the best thing ever. To be able to walk into La Senza or wherever and be able to pick a cute bra off the shelf and have it fit would be amazing. I miss that freedom.
Also, I am planting a container garden this year - no excuses!! I've got the plans for making cedar planters and I'm going to grow tomatoes (2 kinds), peppers, strawberries, beans, radishes, lettuce, carrots, zucchini and maybe cucumber. I also found an old tire behind the shed from the previous owners that I'm going to wash down and paint with the girls. It will be where we plant our Halloween pumpkin. I can't wait. The fresh food will help with my smaller portions, be better for us as a family and the gardening involved coupled with just being outside will help immensely. Plus, I hope to have an abundance of tomatoes to continue my canning hobby this year.
I'm proud of myself. Now to get outside more and move my butt!
*hugs*
Tuesday, December 28, 2010
January 10th
I have been working my little tushie off! January 10th is the beginning of something great!!
Oh yeah, and I quit my job.
:P
Come on 2011!!
Oh yeah, and I quit my job.
:P
Come on 2011!!
Sunday, November 21, 2010
It's unfolding...
Guess what?! My ex went for my idea. Yeah, who knew I had that kind of power of negotiation?! I should be a lawyer in my next lifetime.
I don't have much I can share. As this is a public blog I have to keep it to myself until all affected parties have been notified personally. But it is good stuff! And it is definitely lining up with my happiness project. I feel happier and more relaxed already. Considering how much I've been doing recently, 'relaxed' is an interesting term. But I'm more focused and I truly feel this is a great change.
YAY!!
I don't have much I can share. As this is a public blog I have to keep it to myself until all affected parties have been notified personally. But it is good stuff! And it is definitely lining up with my happiness project. I feel happier and more relaxed already. Considering how much I've been doing recently, 'relaxed' is an interesting term. But I'm more focused and I truly feel this is a great change.
YAY!!
Wednesday, November 3, 2010
Monday, November 1, 2010
Changes in the air!
The blog is getting a little bit of a make-over...it's looking so good! I'll have the new version up shortly.
All design is courtesy of Jessica <--- check her out! she does great, fresh work. ;)
*hugs*
All design is courtesy of Jessica <--- check her out! she does great, fresh work. ;)
*hugs*
Thursday, September 30, 2010
Ramblings
Work has been hell this week. That is all on that.
I have continued to read "The Happiness Project" and I am now into her month of August. As I get further into the book, I have grown and tweaked my own project. I am modifying my goals and challenges and making it unique to me. I am also stealing some of the challenges from the book! I have many of the same issues as the author. We both have 2 young girls, work, run a household, aren't very religious, have a spouse and find it hard to make friends. I am taking some of her ideas to push me further, but also trying a different spin on others that may not have worked for her. I am very excited.
In 17 days it will be my and Mr. Penguin's 1st wedding anniversary! Yes, we did things all backwards...what can I say? We're those kind of people!! But I wouldn't have it any other way. I was thinking of going to the local nature spa for dips in the hot/cold pools and maybe a treatment or a steam train ride with dinner. But we'll see what Mr. Penguin has in mind. Whatever it is, I have baby Penguin at my parent's place for the night and Monkey is at her father's place. It is just me and my Penguin. Sounds perfect already.
*hugs*
I have continued to read "The Happiness Project" and I am now into her month of August. As I get further into the book, I have grown and tweaked my own project. I am modifying my goals and challenges and making it unique to me. I am also stealing some of the challenges from the book! I have many of the same issues as the author. We both have 2 young girls, work, run a household, aren't very religious, have a spouse and find it hard to make friends. I am taking some of her ideas to push me further, but also trying a different spin on others that may not have worked for her. I am very excited.
In 17 days it will be my and Mr. Penguin's 1st wedding anniversary! Yes, we did things all backwards...what can I say? We're those kind of people!! But I wouldn't have it any other way. I was thinking of going to the local nature spa for dips in the hot/cold pools and maybe a treatment or a steam train ride with dinner. But we'll see what Mr. Penguin has in mind. Whatever it is, I have baby Penguin at my parent's place for the night and Monkey is at her father's place. It is just me and my Penguin. Sounds perfect already.
*hugs*
Monday, August 23, 2010
Shocked
I recently started receiving regular magazine subscriptions. I LOVE them and devour each and every one of them within days of them arriving. Until my last issue. For a magazine that claims to be about health and fitness and well rounded lifestyles, the model chosen for one of their features was so very, very wrong. I literally gasped out loud when I saw her.
I am not in the dark - I know models are thin. I know that they do not represent 97% of the population. I know that their bodies are mainly there to be the 'hangers' for the clothes they wear. But where does one draw the line? The woman used in the article had a pretty face, sure, but she did not need to be modeling clothes. She needed to be on an IV in the hospital to make sure she didn't collapse from starvation. It made me sick. I didn't even notice the clothes!
It also made me sad for all of those out there that see models as something to aspire to become. Those that view a model's body as feminine or healthy or sexy. Don't get me wrong, some models ARE healthy, but sadly, those few aren't used enough in fashion spreads. This woman was not something ANYONE should attempt body-wise. It was horrible.
I wrote my first letter to a magazine over this. Will it change anything? Probably not, but I voiced my opinion. And I called the magazine out for contradicting the values and beliefs about women they claim so hard to have and encourage. A step forward in helping women accept themselves was undone x1000 with just a few photographs.
I hope to pass on common sense to my girls. That models are 'hangers', that eating is a healthy part of life, that almost no body fat on a woman comes with severe trade-offs and that you get one body - don't abuse it.
*hugs*
I am not in the dark - I know models are thin. I know that they do not represent 97% of the population. I know that their bodies are mainly there to be the 'hangers' for the clothes they wear. But where does one draw the line? The woman used in the article had a pretty face, sure, but she did not need to be modeling clothes. She needed to be on an IV in the hospital to make sure she didn't collapse from starvation. It made me sick. I didn't even notice the clothes!
It also made me sad for all of those out there that see models as something to aspire to become. Those that view a model's body as feminine or healthy or sexy. Don't get me wrong, some models ARE healthy, but sadly, those few aren't used enough in fashion spreads. This woman was not something ANYONE should attempt body-wise. It was horrible.
I wrote my first letter to a magazine over this. Will it change anything? Probably not, but I voiced my opinion. And I called the magazine out for contradicting the values and beliefs about women they claim so hard to have and encourage. A step forward in helping women accept themselves was undone x1000 with just a few photographs.
I hope to pass on common sense to my girls. That models are 'hangers', that eating is a healthy part of life, that almost no body fat on a woman comes with severe trade-offs and that you get one body - don't abuse it.
*hugs*
Thursday, August 12, 2010
I love this site!!
Some of you may know from here that I recently purchased 2 pairs of glasses for an awesome price. Well, last week I received an email from clearlycontacts stating I had earned a FREE pair of glasses and all I had to pay was the shipping!
So, I of course, went shopping!! I purchased a third pair of glasses - in purple/blue to round out the options for my glasses wearing days - and was thrilled when they arrived. They are my favorite of them all.
In the end I purchased three pairs of prescription eye glasses for $122 CDN including shipping. Want to know the best part? Mr. Penguin's insurance accepted my receipt for the first purchase!! HAHAHA The final cost to me?
$122 $24
So, I of course, went shopping!! I purchased a third pair of glasses - in purple/blue to round out the options for my glasses wearing days - and was thrilled when they arrived. They are my favorite of them all.
In the end I purchased three pairs of prescription eye glasses for $122 CDN including shipping. Want to know the best part? Mr. Penguin's insurance accepted my receipt for the first purchase!! HAHAHA The final cost to me?
Life is good. And a whole lot clearer with the new prescription!
*hugs*
Friday, July 23, 2010
It works!
You may remember that back here, Mr. Penguin and I had decided enough is enough with our finances. We want more in life and it really shouldn't be that hard to balance a budget. You may also remember that *I* am the bad one for spending in our relationship. I know it, he knows it...I couldn't seem to change it.
In a weird and backwards move, Mr. Penguin and I divided our finances beginning July 1st. Most couples have separate finances when they start dating and need to join everything together later on - not us. We've had a joint account since 2 days after dating! Yeah, we're special. ;)
We kept the joint account where the house bills currently pull from, we just opened our own accounts too. I am now responsible for my car payment, my personal credit cards, my loan, my cell phone bill and anything else I choose for myself that isn't a "house expense". Mr. Penguin has the same things on his end - plus his school expenses coming this fall and his past student loans. So now if I spend too much - *I'm* broke, not him. We also calculated that I make 40% of the income and him 60%. So we determined that I would put 40% of the money required into the house account and him the other 60%. This way we're both contributing equally based on our salaries and neither of us is beyond poor.
I feel like I'm contributing to the bills now and not just dumping my entire paycheck into our account and him paying for everything else. I also don't have to account for every penny I spend from *my* money and I can purchase things I want without thinking about the house bills. It's a new freedom. It is also helping me with Mr. Penguin's spending money. With him bringing in a larger salary, he can be free to go back to school - which he is doing - or take a trip home for a week and I will not be wondering which part of the "house" budget is paying for it...as it will come from *his* money.
I feel this will help with our issue of "well you got to do/have X, when do I get to do/have X?" When it all came from the same pot it was like it all had to be equal to justify the expense. It was exhausting. He makes more = he gets more. Simple. It is also motivation to clear my debt and start saving for what I want for me. And that's exactly the point of this - I need to retrain myself financially.
We're open as a couple to changing things - no matter how weird they may seem - to get to our goals and live in harmony. If it doesn't work, change it. So we did.
*hugs*
We may have solved the problem!
In a weird and backwards move, Mr. Penguin and I divided our finances beginning July 1st. Most couples have separate finances when they start dating and need to join everything together later on - not us. We've had a joint account since 2 days after dating! Yeah, we're special. ;)
We kept the joint account where the house bills currently pull from, we just opened our own accounts too. I am now responsible for my car payment, my personal credit cards, my loan, my cell phone bill and anything else I choose for myself that isn't a "house expense". Mr. Penguin has the same things on his end - plus his school expenses coming this fall and his past student loans. So now if I spend too much - *I'm* broke, not him. We also calculated that I make 40% of the income and him 60%. So we determined that I would put 40% of the money required into the house account and him the other 60%. This way we're both contributing equally based on our salaries and neither of us is beyond poor.
I'm liking this.
I feel like I'm contributing to the bills now and not just dumping my entire paycheck into our account and him paying for everything else. I also don't have to account for every penny I spend from *my* money and I can purchase things I want without thinking about the house bills. It's a new freedom. It is also helping me with Mr. Penguin's spending money. With him bringing in a larger salary, he can be free to go back to school - which he is doing - or take a trip home for a week and I will not be wondering which part of the "house" budget is paying for it...as it will come from *his* money.
I feel this will help with our issue of "well you got to do/have X, when do I get to do/have X?" When it all came from the same pot it was like it all had to be equal to justify the expense. It was exhausting. He makes more = he gets more. Simple. It is also motivation to clear my debt and start saving for what I want for me. And that's exactly the point of this - I need to retrain myself financially.
We're open as a couple to changing things - no matter how weird they may seem - to get to our goals and live in harmony. If it doesn't work, change it. So we did.
*hugs*
Monday, July 5, 2010
Interesting...
Stolen from Facebook a while ago...thought it would be funny to do! Although mine turned out kinda serious. Whatever. If you do it yourself, please post a link to it! I'm interested in seeing what people get.
Ok, here goes:
1 - Go to Wikipedia. Hit “random” or click here. The first random Wikipedia article you get is the name of your band.
2 - Go to Quotations Page and select "random quotations" or click here. The last four or five words of the very last quote on the page is the title of your first album.
3 - Go to Flickr and click on “explore the last seven days” or click here. The third picture, no matter what it is, will be your album cover.
4 - Use Photoshop or similar to put it all together.
Here's mine:
"Fly...and resign yourself to the influence of each." by ShePenguin.
*hugs*
Ok, here goes:
1 - Go to Wikipedia. Hit “random” or click here. The first random Wikipedia article you get is the name of your band.
2 - Go to Quotations Page and select "random quotations" or click here. The last four or five words of the very last quote on the page is the title of your first album.
3 - Go to Flickr and click on “explore the last seven days” or click here. The third picture, no matter what it is, will be your album cover.
4 - Use Photoshop or similar to put it all together.
Here's mine:
"Fly...and resign yourself to the influence of each." by ShePenguin.
*hugs*
Sunday, July 4, 2010
Deck it to me!
I'm currently relaxing on our swing drinking my morning tea and watching my babies play. Life is peaceful and wonderful.
My thoughts last night involved thinking I might attempt to add onto our deck next year. I have a book with simple deck plans and how to expand and create different levels, and it uses basic tools that we currently have in my workshop. Now the plans themselves are a little scary, but I only looked at them briefly, so I think it could be done. It would definitely be an awesome project to take on with Mr. Penguin!! I'll see what he thinks.
*hugs*
- Sent from my iPod.
My thoughts last night involved thinking I might attempt to add onto our deck next year. I have a book with simple deck plans and how to expand and create different levels, and it uses basic tools that we currently have in my workshop. Now the plans themselves are a little scary, but I only looked at them briefly, so I think it could be done. It would definitely be an awesome project to take on with Mr. Penguin!! I'll see what he thinks.
*hugs*
- Sent from my iPod.
Thursday, July 1, 2010
HAPPY CANADA DAY!
For a stat holiday that should have been relaxing, it was anything but! I started out the morning running between two consignment stores in the area to update their ancient computer systems. The new tax system goes into effect officially today and the systems had to comply and the receipts had to reflect the new tax name as well as percentage.
Jobs that were originally scheduled between 9am and 11am actually took from 9am to 1:30pm. Computers are awesome. I went armed with a CD to override old files and was hit with a computer at each location that did not have a working CD drive. No problem! In the end it all worked out and the systems are updated and the owners are happy.
Once I was free to actually start my Canada Day -- my parents were over and the work really began! My Mom is a cousin of the Energizer Bunny. She has to be! For a woman barely into her 50's she has more energy than anyone I've ever met. In the seven hours my parents were here we (and I'm a VERY loose part of the "we" I use here) accomplished the following:
Both kids are now exhausted and in bed. I'm getting ready to start my day super early tomorrow as I have to change the cash system at MY work to be tax compliant. So early do-dos for me. All in all it was a super productive day.
And I got a free pair of shoes out of today too! One of the store owner's thought I was sweet and wanted to thank me for my extra time and also educating her on how to properly remove a flash drive. hehe Bonus!! Goodnight all.
*hugs*
Jobs that were originally scheduled between 9am and 11am actually took from 9am to 1:30pm. Computers are awesome. I went armed with a CD to override old files and was hit with a computer at each location that did not have a working CD drive. No problem! In the end it all worked out and the systems are updated and the owners are happy.
Once I was free to actually start my Canada Day -- my parents were over and the work really began! My Mom is a cousin of the Energizer Bunny. She has to be! For a woman barely into her 50's she has more energy than anyone I've ever met. In the seven hours my parents were here we (and I'm a VERY loose part of the "we" I use here) accomplished the following:
- Cleaned the kitchen
- Washed a load of dishes
- Steamed the kitchen floors
- Steamed the bathroom floors
- Washed two loads of laundry
- Had supper
- Folded and put away four load of laundry (I hadn't gotten to yesterday's loads yet)
- Mowed the backyard
- Pulled all weeds in the back and front yard
- Pulled the vine out that was attempting to kill my cedar hedges
- Organized the shed
- Rearranged the deck and set up the kiddie pool
- Emptied the dishwasher
- Bathed the kids in the outdoor pool
- .......I think that's it.
Both kids are now exhausted and in bed. I'm getting ready to start my day super early tomorrow as I have to change the cash system at MY work to be tax compliant. So early do-dos for me. All in all it was a super productive day.
And I got a free pair of shoes out of today too! One of the store owner's thought I was sweet and wanted to thank me for my extra time and also educating her on how to properly remove a flash drive. hehe Bonus!! Goodnight all.
*hugs*
Saturday, June 26, 2010
Happiness is a habit.
I've got a subscription to Chatelaine magazine. With the $1 subscriptions from Rogers Wireless, I now have 3 wonderfully cheap magazine delivered at different times of the month! But that's to gush about in another post. ;) In my Chatelaine this month is an article on happiness. Specifically how we make our own happiness.
Now, as a woman who struggles with mild depression on a random cycle (every 3 months to a year or so - not a daily thing) I have to agree. I find that it is when I lose my focus or don't have a purpose that I tend to back slide into negative territory. This is not to say that those requiring medication or with serious depression issues can be 'cured'. But, that for the average person it means that you have the power to control your own happiness.
You have exactly the life you want to live.
Think about that for a second. I believe in that statement 100% - it's actually going to be the inspiration for my next art project that I will be hanging in my office.
Do you hate your hair? Change it.
Do you want to be a doctor? Go to school and make it happen.
Tired of being alone? Work on your self-esteem and get out and socialize.
Hate your job? Quit it and get a new one.
Hate being fat? Put down the cookies.
(Insert issue with your life here)? CHANGE IT.
People love to bitch - it's human nature I think. But the more negativity you put out there, the more you get in return. Negative people attract NEGATIVE people. Why would happy people want to hang around someone who complains 24/7?
Want to be a happy person and join the "life is awesome" club? I do. I work to stay in that club - it's a conscious decision I make every single day. It's a matter of seeing the silver lining in every situation. And believe me some days it's harder than others! Just check back through my blog...I bet you can spot the days I hit negativity town from a mile away.
But I chose to be happy again and I got back up. <------ that's the key.
It's a conscious choice to be made. Every time life gives you a lemon, make lemonade - or lemon meringue pie or lemon chicken - whatever floats your boat! Choose to be happy and you will be happy. It's even been proven.
Some days when I'm driving to work and the day has started off in a funk, I make the decision to turn the day around. What do I do? I smile like a freakin idiot is what I do. All by myself in the car! I make the biggest, dumbest, goofiest smile I can make. Cartoonish, if you will. And then I picture myself as a person in another car watching this spectacle and I laugh. That's all it takes. :D By smiling - even if it wasn't 'real' - I send the proper message to my brain to release those happy hormones. Plus I may have made some random commuters giggle as well. So I guess I'm passing along the happiness as well! LOL
In my home I have a ceramic dish on my kitchen counter. I made it at a pottery store many years ago and it currently houses the small veggie knives, kitchen scissors and spoons used for tea. It has 4 sides and on each one I placed a picture of something and a saying.
My favorite is the side with the pink polka dotted chicken. It's my life motto - Happiness is a habit.
It takes 30 days to create a new habit...why not start with happiness?
*hugs*
Now, as a woman who struggles with mild depression on a random cycle (every 3 months to a year or so - not a daily thing) I have to agree. I find that it is when I lose my focus or don't have a purpose that I tend to back slide into negative territory. This is not to say that those requiring medication or with serious depression issues can be 'cured'. But, that for the average person it means that you have the power to control your own happiness.
You have exactly the life you want to live.
Think about that for a second. I believe in that statement 100% - it's actually going to be the inspiration for my next art project that I will be hanging in my office.
Do you hate your hair? Change it.
Do you want to be a doctor? Go to school and make it happen.
Tired of being alone? Work on your self-esteem and get out and socialize.
Hate your job? Quit it and get a new one.
Hate being fat? Put down the cookies.
(Insert issue with your life here)? CHANGE IT.
People love to bitch - it's human nature I think. But the more negativity you put out there, the more you get in return. Negative people attract NEGATIVE people. Why would happy people want to hang around someone who complains 24/7?
Want to be a happy person and join the "life is awesome" club? I do. I work to stay in that club - it's a conscious decision I make every single day. It's a matter of seeing the silver lining in every situation. And believe me some days it's harder than others! Just check back through my blog...I bet you can spot the days I hit negativity town from a mile away.
But I chose to be happy again and I got back up. <------ that's the key.
It's a conscious choice to be made. Every time life gives you a lemon, make lemonade - or lemon meringue pie or lemon chicken - whatever floats your boat! Choose to be happy and you will be happy. It's even been proven.
Some days when I'm driving to work and the day has started off in a funk, I make the decision to turn the day around. What do I do? I smile like a freakin idiot is what I do. All by myself in the car! I make the biggest, dumbest, goofiest smile I can make. Cartoonish, if you will. And then I picture myself as a person in another car watching this spectacle and I laugh. That's all it takes. :D By smiling - even if it wasn't 'real' - I send the proper message to my brain to release those happy hormones. Plus I may have made some random commuters giggle as well. So I guess I'm passing along the happiness as well! LOL
In my home I have a ceramic dish on my kitchen counter. I made it at a pottery store many years ago and it currently houses the small veggie knives, kitchen scissors and spoons used for tea. It has 4 sides and on each one I placed a picture of something and a saying.
My favorite is the side with the pink polka dotted chicken. It's my life motto - Happiness is a habit.
It takes 30 days to create a new habit...why not start with happiness?
*hugs*
Saturday, April 10, 2010
LMAO.
I laughed so hard at this! If only it were possible... ::sigh::
Take THAT myspace. :P
Courtesy of http://www.xkcd.com/
Gotta love that site!
*hugs*
Take THAT myspace. :P
Courtesy of http://www.xkcd.com/
Gotta love that site!
*hugs*
Tuesday, March 23, 2010
17 things...
...I love about Mr. Penguin.
1) his shoulders -- very manly and they make me feel protected.
2) his voice -- I could listen to him talk for hours.
3) his brain -- he's beyond smart and so very talented in his field.
4) his butt -- ::pinch:: ;)
5) his laughter -- it just makes me smile, even if I'm in another room when I hear it.
6) his extreme pride for our kids -- all accomplishments are noticed and recognized, no matter how small.
7) his willingness to get me chocolate -- enough said.
8) his lips -- they're soft, but I also like to watch them while he speaks.
9) his cooking -- he makes an amazing pasta dish.
10) his hair -- I like to run my hands through it. And it's red so I can find him easily in large groups. ;)
11) his height -- he's 6'4" which makes me feel feminine in comparison. And it helps in the group thing too (see above).
12) his friendliness -- as a Maritimer he's naturally friendly to most folk. Women tend to see this as flirting where we live (people keep to themselves here) and it makes me smile knowing he has NO clue about it.
13) his hands -- they always seem to find mine.
14) his eyes -- green or gray or blue. Depends on his mood and which colour shirt he chose to wear that day. Green is my favorite.
15) his thoughtfulness -- he makes me tea every night and tucks me into bed on nights that he has to work late.
16) his scruffiness -- Mr. Penguin sports a goatee and some serious 5 o'clock shadow most days...I LOOOOOOVE it.
17) how he looks when he's sleeping. He's just so CUTE!!
The end.
*hugs*
1) his shoulders -- very manly and they make me feel protected.
2) his voice -- I could listen to him talk for hours.
3) his brain -- he's beyond smart and so very talented in his field.
4) his butt -- ::pinch:: ;)
5) his laughter -- it just makes me smile, even if I'm in another room when I hear it.
6) his extreme pride for our kids -- all accomplishments are noticed and recognized, no matter how small.
7) his willingness to get me chocolate -- enough said.
8) his lips -- they're soft, but I also like to watch them while he speaks.
9) his cooking -- he makes an amazing pasta dish.
10) his hair -- I like to run my hands through it. And it's red so I can find him easily in large groups. ;)
11) his height -- he's 6'4" which makes me feel feminine in comparison. And it helps in the group thing too (see above).
12) his friendliness -- as a Maritimer he's naturally friendly to most folk. Women tend to see this as flirting where we live (people keep to themselves here) and it makes me smile knowing he has NO clue about it.
13) his hands -- they always seem to find mine.
14) his eyes -- green or gray or blue. Depends on his mood and which colour shirt he chose to wear that day. Green is my favorite.
15) his thoughtfulness -- he makes me tea every night and tucks me into bed on nights that he has to work late.
16) his scruffiness -- Mr. Penguin sports a goatee and some serious 5 o'clock shadow most days...I LOOOOOOVE it.
17) how he looks when he's sleeping. He's just so CUTE!!
The end.
*hugs*
Wednesday, February 24, 2010
Goals.
I have quite a few goals for this year:
........................and the list goes on and on.
For this coming month of March, I'd like to edit some of the photos I've taken.
- To make my new job into something I will love and be proud of for years to come.
- To get healthier than I was raised and have become -- making exercise a daily occurrence for me and the family and good food the norm.
- To show my darling babies new things.
- To get out with Mr. Penguin and try at least 2 new things.
- To make our house into a warm and inviting sanctuary...and actually be able to find the floor in all of its rooms.
- To keep discovering who I am, what I love and what it means to be me -- which includes taking some sort of class.
- To continue learning about photography, how to edit photos and utilizing our camera to its full potential so I can continue with our plans for a side business.
- To be ready for Xmas...in October.
- To continue with my scrapbooks so that I can preserve our cherished memories for years to come.
........................and the list goes on and on.
For this coming month of March, I'd like to edit some of the photos I've taken.
This requires some more studying of Gimp on my part. I'd like to make this shot into something amazing that I can frame for our office. It just screams home to me and I want to have it where I can see it -- but looking its best of course. ;)
And I also want to finish my Mom's Xmas gift in March -- the one for 2009 that I didn't have time to finish in time. Oops. I am finishing a half-stitch that she started when pregnant with me. It was of a boy and girl praying. She 'ruined' it (her words, not mine) and cut off the boy part she had started. Funny enough that left the girl part -- and then she had me and kept it for 18 years. LOL I had to restart the stitch as I ran out of the original blue wool it came with. So now I've updated the blue to a emerald teal-ish color and am hoping to frame it and give it to her. I thought it would be something really meaningful and sentimental.
She probably won't even know where it came from.
Oh well.
It's still a gift!
Have a good hump day!
*hugs*
Saturday, February 13, 2010
I'll take that...and that...ooh! and one of those too!
My birthday night away was amazing. Mr. Penguin took me to a cute little ski resort town about 2 hours from home for the night. The hotel was beautiful! Our room had a giant king size bed and a fireplace and jacuzzi tub...it was wonderful. We slept in and woke up on our own...not to an alarm or kids screaming! Aaaahh. Amazing what 8 hours of straight sleep can do for the soul.
In the morning I was greeted with the rest of my gift. We were going shopping all day -- for me. I could browse and buy what I wanted, no questions asked. I came home with a skirt, a top, 2 pairs of shoes, a purse, and a lunch container (I'm starting my new job soon). It was so much fun! I don't think I've ever been given that indulgence before. I recommend! LOL
In the end, it wasn't the hotel room or the things I bought that made this a great birthday. It was spending it with my penguin just being us.
And not having the kids around didn't hurt either...
*hugs*
Friday, February 12, 2010
Shhhhhhhhh...hear that?
...it's called a night away from the kids! LOL
I am currently packing (or attempting to) for my birthday night away from our two kids. If you could see the giant smile on my goofy face! I haven't had a childless night in over 6 months. This is deserved...and I am so excited! And the best part?! Mr. Penguin planned it all. :) I know the location is 2 hours away, I know we're not getting back until tomorrow night at 7:30pm and I know to bring my "sexy butt" as Mr. Penguin so romantically put it.
Hope everyone has a wonderful Valentine's weekend! Whether a cup of tea among friends, a card to your grandmother or a glass of wine in front of the fire with your special someone...make the most of it. Declare your love people!
*hugs*
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