Wow, where do I start?
First and foremost ... I'm feeling MUCH better! I'm getting my energy back big time ... look out world ... especially Barry! LOL Longer days help a LOT. And it was sunny today. Makes SUCH a difference.
BTW - I'm listening to the new Timberland CD so if my thoughts seem a little scattered, I hope you'll understand.
I found a steal of a deal (by Canadian standards I suppose) today. I went looking for a "little black dress" yesterday and was very disappointed. But then again, I went to Addition-Elle (plus sized clothing for those who don't know). Let's just say that they really don't know what plus sized women should be wearing. Never mind what "fashion" says ... there are things that should NEVER be worn by a 4X woman! I'm roughly a size 16 (not that size means anything these days) and I won't wear some of this stuff! But that's my issue ... I guess if you're confident enough to pull it off, good for you. I think. But it really goes against my sensibilities.... There are simply items that shouldn't be sold any larger than about a size 8. MAX. But I digress. I tried on 4 dresses and let's just say that the best of the bunch was OK but not great. And with a $170 price tag, definitely NOT worth it.
So I was going to go to Winners (discounted items ... nice clothes, some designer stuff) but a co-worker told me yesterday that Reitman's (one of my fav stores and where I've gotten probably 90% of my wardrobe) had dresses. So I went today. I went early, before the crowd could get there. And OMG OMG OMG I found my dress. It's plain black, a faux wrap, to the knees (or a litte above, I can't remember), sleeveless, more or less an empire waist and then it float away from the body. It looks freeking FABULOUS! It has 3 covered buttons in back at the neck with a little peephole. I definitely have to wear a cami with it but I can totally change the look of the dress depending on the cami, the shoes, the jewellery. It was EXACTLY what I was looking for. Price tag ... $15.00!!!!! I ended up getting a long black shrug (which I needed) and a pair of straight leg (I can't believe it) dark wash jeans (again, something I needed), all for a whopping $62 with taxes. I realize that by U.S. standards, it's not a big deal, but it's pretty good for up here.
I'm transitioning right now from a plus size woman to a "regular" sized woman so I really don't want to invest a lot of money, or buy clothes that are going to last years 'cause I won't be able to wear them in a while anyway! One of my recent pants purchases is big on me already. Good problem to have.
It's interesting, since I started upping my style, some of my co-workers (especially my quad-mates) have been upping their look as well. One of the girls (she's the youngest by about 17 years), who wears black, black and more black (not even grey and white), and who looks AMAZING in colour, is finally starting to wear colour! YAY YAY YAY! And she said I was her inspiration. WOW.
I really don't know how to explain how amazing I feel. I feel like I was lost for a long time (and yet Barry stuck with me) and I'm just now re-emerging, like before, only a LOT better. I'm older, wiser and calmer. I don't EVER want to go back to where I was last year. It was a pretty dark place. Interesting this change has happened since mom died. I think the pressure is off. I don't have anyone to take care of. Barry's great 'cause he's pretty self-sufficient. Except for food and laundry but he'd figure it out if he had to.
So I'm ready to start back at the workouts again ... I'll do some stretching tomorrow and maybe even get a walk in after work. I've been out and about during lunch hours but not enough. That's gotta change next week. Saturday I'm going to focus on getting my plan ready, food prepped, etc. so that Sunday I'll be ready to go again.
We're off to dinner and performance by one of our fav artists ... Zappacosta ... he's been around for years. Born in Italy, his family moved to Toronto when he was 6 months so we like to think he's a Torontian. It's a nice place, not too fancy, but nice. I'll be wearing my new LBD, shrug, gladiator shoes and some sort of bold jewellery. Barry will be wearing black dress pants, purple striped shirt, charcoal fine-whale corduroy sport jacket and his black Brogues (I really hate those things ... we'll have to get him a pair of shoes from this century). And yes, Sunday we'll do an outfit post. We'll even include a picture of us in our new specs. Plus I'll have my hair freshly done and a mani-pedi. Barry'll be clean shaven. Not a bad looking couple LOL
I'll say good night now ... stay tuned to Sunday's outfit post ... but we'll be in touch before then. Have an awesome Friday!
Thursday, February 11, 2010
Tuesday, February 9, 2010
It's been a rough 7 days ...
So I started off by getting sick ... again. Barry took good care of me, had to cancel party but that was OK 'cauz hardly anyone could make it. Quiet birthday but it was nice. Barry baked me cake, waited on me hand and foot, took me out to run a couple of errands including buying a scale. I had no clear indicator where I was going so I had to do it. It's only 1 tool, just as measurements are 1 tool. Clothing size ... NOT a good indicator. Sizing is all over the map. We actually played Trivia Pursuit.
Because I've been sick with another chest infection (this one not too bad), I haven't worked out the past week. And I feel like crap. I'm not sure which is worse, being sick or not being able to work out. I just want to get, and stay, healthy so I can work out consistently. I'm tired of being sick and tired. I don't want to fall back into my old rut. Although I doubt I could. I get antsy when I miss a few days. And that's definitely good progress.
I do have a confession to make ... I really haven't felt like writing lately. I know, that's not like me; I usually have lots (too much perhaps) to say. But I really haven't been on my site lately, or anyone else's for that matter. I've gotta get back to doing SOMETHING, ANYTHING!
But we do have a nice Saturday planned. I'm getting my hair styled, a mani-pedi and then we're off to dinner and a Zappacosta performance. LOVE his music. Although we're into Tiesto also so go figure...
I do want to thank everyone who sent me Happy Birthday wishes; I appreciate it a lot. Even though it wasn't quite what I had expected it to be, it was still a good day. I did have a tough few minutes ... I miss my mom at times like this. But at least Christmas and my birthday are over and those are the 2 toughest times so onwards and upwards.
As I'm writing this I realize I probably sound a little more down than normal. I'm just frustrated. I want so much to get things in gear and keep going. I like myself a LOT better when I'm working out. Never mind the weight loss, it's feeling better about me, about my life, about the future. So, as my mom would say, throw your tail up over your shoulders and get on with it. So tomorrow, I will get up early, do some yoga and a little light cardio and some ab work, I will go to work with more energy and drink more green tea and less coffee.
Thanks for persevering with me. I appreciate it. I hope you all have a great week ... it's a long weekend for us here in Ontario...Family Day on Monday. YAY!
"Success is a journey, not a destination."
Because I've been sick with another chest infection (this one not too bad), I haven't worked out the past week. And I feel like crap. I'm not sure which is worse, being sick or not being able to work out. I just want to get, and stay, healthy so I can work out consistently. I'm tired of being sick and tired. I don't want to fall back into my old rut. Although I doubt I could. I get antsy when I miss a few days. And that's definitely good progress.
I do have a confession to make ... I really haven't felt like writing lately. I know, that's not like me; I usually have lots (too much perhaps) to say. But I really haven't been on my site lately, or anyone else's for that matter. I've gotta get back to doing SOMETHING, ANYTHING!
But we do have a nice Saturday planned. I'm getting my hair styled, a mani-pedi and then we're off to dinner and a Zappacosta performance. LOVE his music. Although we're into Tiesto also so go figure...
I do want to thank everyone who sent me Happy Birthday wishes; I appreciate it a lot. Even though it wasn't quite what I had expected it to be, it was still a good day. I did have a tough few minutes ... I miss my mom at times like this. But at least Christmas and my birthday are over and those are the 2 toughest times so onwards and upwards.
As I'm writing this I realize I probably sound a little more down than normal. I'm just frustrated. I want so much to get things in gear and keep going. I like myself a LOT better when I'm working out. Never mind the weight loss, it's feeling better about me, about my life, about the future. So, as my mom would say, throw your tail up over your shoulders and get on with it. So tomorrow, I will get up early, do some yoga and a little light cardio and some ab work, I will go to work with more energy and drink more green tea and less coffee.
Thanks for persevering with me. I appreciate it. I hope you all have a great week ... it's a long weekend for us here in Ontario...Family Day on Monday. YAY!
"Success is a journey, not a destination."
Saturday, February 6, 2010
OMG I'm 45 Today!
I certainly don't feel it. I think I got stuck (or actually reverted back) to about 30. I find myself freeking out sometimes at my age. I know it's just a number. I know I look pretty good for my age. Great genes ... my mom and her mom never looked their ages either. I just can't believe how fast time goes. Something will have happened 20 years ago and it seems like 3 or 4. Barry and I have been together 17 1/2 years now. We've both changed a lot ... but for the better. And the good thing is we're both ok with the changes we're both making. We're both a lot more confident, more comfortable with ourselves. Maybe that comes with age and experience.
I'll read the posts of some of the 20 somethings, and part of me thinks "I remember feeling that way" and part of me thinks "Life's really not that bad" but then I remember that life was quite different 20 years or so ago. We didn't have the media attention of stuff that stresses us, we didn't have the internet which creates it's own issues. We all have to go through what we have to go through.
I remember my mom never understanding why I put myself in some of the positions I put myself in. She tried to tell me. I think most mothers do. They don't want their kids to go through unnecessary pain. The thing is, it isn't unnecessary. Just the opposite. If I hadn't had the experiences I had, I wouldn't be the woman that I am. And I kinda like who I am. I didn't like myself much until I hit about my late 20's, early 30's. I tried and tried to explain that to my mom so many times but she just didn't get it. We don't get strong and "tough" and able by having people coddle us; rather we grow and stretch and get strong by going through adversity. You know the old saying "what doesn't kill you makes you stronger"? It's true. And whether it's just minor aggrevations or major stuff, like losing a job, fighting cancer or diabetes (which runs rampant in my family and which is why I'm fighting hard to get back into shape so I don't get this potentially horrible disease), it all contributes to the person we are.
I hated my teens and didn't like my 20's much either. I turned 30 and somehow my life seemed to turn around. So those of you who are in your 20's ... the 30's are awesome! You're a little older, a little wiser, you've been working a while, you start to understand who you are.... 35 kinda freeked me out tho' 'cauz I realized I was halfway through my 30's. Turning 40 was a little disappointing only because of my expectations. I had hoped that Barry would throw a party ... didn't happen. I'm the party planner in our family. But we had a good night out with good friends. My 41st ... he threw a surprise party which I was very happy about. A good friend of ours came up from Cincinnati in February to join us. We had a bunch of people at a local wing place that was, at the time, one of our fav places. Unfortunately it went downhill then got bought out by another wing place. *sigh* things change.
Now that I'm 45, life is great. I'm comfortable with myself. I have an awesome husband (couldn't ask for anyone better for myself), we have a nice home, a good car, I have a good job which I enjoy (most of the time anyway), we have awesome friends. Now we just have to get the finances in order ... hmmm.
We were supposed to have our annual tiki party tonight ... then I got sick again with the same crap I had at Christmas. Hey, as long as I'm healthy for next Saturday, I'll be happy ... we're off to dinner and a Zappacosta performance. It's kind of our combination my birthday, Valentine's Day, Barry's birthday (25th) gift to ourselves. Although he bought me my laptop stand which has helped a lot ...encouraged me to work in my office instead of downstairs with the TV on.
I'm hoping to do the tiki party in early March. It might work out better for a lot of other people too ... this weekend seemed to be a bad one for people's availability.
Well, I'm off to do laundry (I know, exciting stuff for a b-day), and I'm going to help Barry bake me a cake. And we'll see what else the day brings.
Have an awesome weekend!
"Life, the ultimate challenge, is not a race to the finish but rather a process of continued growth." author unknown
I'll read the posts of some of the 20 somethings, and part of me thinks "I remember feeling that way" and part of me thinks "Life's really not that bad" but then I remember that life was quite different 20 years or so ago. We didn't have the media attention of stuff that stresses us, we didn't have the internet which creates it's own issues. We all have to go through what we have to go through.
I remember my mom never understanding why I put myself in some of the positions I put myself in. She tried to tell me. I think most mothers do. They don't want their kids to go through unnecessary pain. The thing is, it isn't unnecessary. Just the opposite. If I hadn't had the experiences I had, I wouldn't be the woman that I am. And I kinda like who I am. I didn't like myself much until I hit about my late 20's, early 30's. I tried and tried to explain that to my mom so many times but she just didn't get it. We don't get strong and "tough" and able by having people coddle us; rather we grow and stretch and get strong by going through adversity. You know the old saying "what doesn't kill you makes you stronger"? It's true. And whether it's just minor aggrevations or major stuff, like losing a job, fighting cancer or diabetes (which runs rampant in my family and which is why I'm fighting hard to get back into shape so I don't get this potentially horrible disease), it all contributes to the person we are.
I hated my teens and didn't like my 20's much either. I turned 30 and somehow my life seemed to turn around. So those of you who are in your 20's ... the 30's are awesome! You're a little older, a little wiser, you've been working a while, you start to understand who you are.... 35 kinda freeked me out tho' 'cauz I realized I was halfway through my 30's. Turning 40 was a little disappointing only because of my expectations. I had hoped that Barry would throw a party ... didn't happen. I'm the party planner in our family. But we had a good night out with good friends. My 41st ... he threw a surprise party which I was very happy about. A good friend of ours came up from Cincinnati in February to join us. We had a bunch of people at a local wing place that was, at the time, one of our fav places. Unfortunately it went downhill then got bought out by another wing place. *sigh* things change.
Now that I'm 45, life is great. I'm comfortable with myself. I have an awesome husband (couldn't ask for anyone better for myself), we have a nice home, a good car, I have a good job which I enjoy (most of the time anyway), we have awesome friends. Now we just have to get the finances in order ... hmmm.
We were supposed to have our annual tiki party tonight ... then I got sick again with the same crap I had at Christmas. Hey, as long as I'm healthy for next Saturday, I'll be happy ... we're off to dinner and a Zappacosta performance. It's kind of our combination my birthday, Valentine's Day, Barry's birthday (25th) gift to ourselves. Although he bought me my laptop stand which has helped a lot ...encouraged me to work in my office instead of downstairs with the TV on.
I'm hoping to do the tiki party in early March. It might work out better for a lot of other people too ... this weekend seemed to be a bad one for people's availability.
Well, I'm off to do laundry (I know, exciting stuff for a b-day), and I'm going to help Barry bake me a cake. And we'll see what else the day brings.
Have an awesome weekend!
"Life, the ultimate challenge, is not a race to the finish but rather a process of continued growth." author unknown
Monday, February 1, 2010
Outfits, a kitty, awards and a thought ...
A bunch of things have been accumulating so here we go.
So this is my going out the door/coming back in the door look. It does encourage some interesting looks, especially from those of the "gentlemenly" pursuation.
A couple of pics of what's underneath the coat today ...
and a new haircolour, although this isn't the best shot ... I'm back to being like my profile pic....
here's my baby ...
Jill and Melanie have awarded me a G.L.O.B. award!
I'd like to pass this award on to the following ladies ... (normally it's only 5, but since i was lucky enough to get 2 awards, I thought I'd share with twice as many
Style Artisan
Cafe Fashionista
Couture Carrie
Life After College
Ann Again and Again
Ms Arscott
ready to glow
Synchronistic Catalyst
Leah
Mad Madam Mim's
And a thought for the day ...
"I’ve failed over and over and over again, and that is why I succeed." author unknown
So this is my going out the door/coming back in the door look. It does encourage some interesting looks, especially from those of the "gentlemenly" pursuation.
A couple of pics of what's underneath the coat today ...
Jill and Melanie have awarded me a G.L.O.B. award!
I'd like to pass this award on to the following ladies ... (normally it's only 5, but since i was lucky enough to get 2 awards, I thought I'd share with twice as many
Style Artisan
Cafe Fashionista
Couture Carrie
Life After College
Ann Again and Again
Ms Arscott
ready to glow
Synchronistic Catalyst
Leah
Mad Madam Mim's
And a thought for the day ...
"I’ve failed over and over and over again, and that is why I succeed." author unknown
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