I think I might be wishing for these for Christmas.

Saw this on a scrapbooker's blog. Like it

Also, my dear dear dear friend "D" sent me this quote last week which also really speaks to me:

"Giving up doesn't always mean you are weak. Sometimes it means that you are strong enough to let go."

My set of three shifts is over for this week. The dayshift was steady, the second shift was unreal, with me working a strange noon to midnight shift to cover some sick shifts and it was busy in the ER with FIVE, yes FIVE transfers out. I didn't get home until after 0115 and my ankle was just ginormous. The adrenalin was just pumping and I saw in bed til 4am reading magazines. Slept on and off most of the day.

I am looking forward to my "turn around day" today. The weather outside is cold and wet and that just makes staying in bed all day perfect.

Tomorrow I am taking my dad to the city hospital for his pre op appointments; should be a long day.

Got great news that my g/f is coming up on the weekend so that means scrapbooking time together! I want to work on the gift projects and maybe another set of Christmas cards. And I do want to start on Samantha's grade 12 album.

I even baked this week. A pear apple crisp recipe from the latest Cooking Light. It went over well! :-)

A template of a card I started with last night. Used Sizzix embossing folder, Bazzill cardstock, Quickutz photo corner, unknown ribbon and new stamp. Tried to use my water pen. Still using up old paper and such.... only new is the stamp!

He's not my cat. I don't like cats. Why does he insist on plopping down RIGHT where I am working. I don't know how many times I had to pick him up and put him down. My Christmas cards will probably have cat hair stuck in the adhesive.

Close up of the Christmas stamps.... I'm a firm believer that a girl can never have enough Christmas stamps.... just like floral stamps.

Some of the Christmas treats I bought at my LSS on Friday. A little Figgy Puddin, Sandy Lion, Making Memories, Imaginence....

• Got awesome news yesterday at the lawyer's office. Not going to jinx anything but I will say that I should be getting the best Christmas present ever, this year.
• I don't know what is wrong with me but I am so tired and can't really function. I've been off all week and haven't done anything. House is a disaster; kitchen dishes piling up, laundry piling up, bills piling up. I've actually been sleeping at night the past few nights but need to sleep during the day as well. ugh.
• Gunnar is much perkier since the start of the arthritis medication. I feel bad he was in pain and I didn't know it. Guess I expected him to be vocal about it like humans, but there are other signs for dogs. The vet left a message saying his liver function tests were elevated, which is most likely due to his seizure medication. He really enjoyed his walk last night.
• Picked up some nice Christmas themed scrapbooking stuff at my LSS yesterday. Hope to get motivated to go play with it this afternoon.

Good news! My boy is in better spirits this morning, up walking around, wagging his tail. Guess the first dose helped!

Off to see the lawyer. Not looking forward to that. It's always depressing. Can I scream "Just give me the damn divorce already!"?

• My boy has arthritis. He had such a hard time getting into the truck today, to go to the vet. He hasn't been on the bed in days. The vet said "he looks like he's given up", which is how I feel. So sad. I don't want him in pain. We're going to try an arthritis medication just for dogs. Usually he howls the whole way to the vet's office; he was quiet the whole time. Unusual behavior.
• Still trying to catch up on my sleep. Had such a good time in Vegas, but immediately came back to tons of stressors. Lots going on in my mind, sleep is broken.
• My dad's surgery has been booked for less than two weeks away. So now I have to get time off and plan for that.
• Got some new Autumn Leave stamps in the mail the other day. Looking forward to playing with them on the weekend.
• Looking forward to CSI tonight.

Surprised?

We picked up extra work while down there. AS always... her boobs are perkier than mine... and she has ribs showing and I don't!

Us at the Elton John Red Piano concert. AWESOME

Godiva Chocolate Cheesecake at The Cheesecake Factory. TO DIE FOR!

Best friends forever. BFF.

Of course I wore leopard to Elton John!

I am innocent!

My beautiful best friend. Friends since grade 1. This trip was to celebrate her 40th. We laughed and talked so much; everything hurts! A wonderful bonding trip.

Self portrait (one of many) trying to be cute

Home from Las Vegas

OMG OMG OMG! Las Vegas with my best friend was a BLAST! We talked and laughed so much - we're both hoarse and our cheeks and sides hurt. So much fun.

Our travel day went smooth. Got to the hotel and checked in. Flamino is the original hotel on the strip and in some places, certainly shows it's age. The room was clean; but the bathroom was small with poor water pressure. I thought the housekeeping was not very good. But we were barely in our room. We went out and about, walking the strip, so my g/f could see stuff. Did a big of shopping at ABC so we could stock up on water and drinks... then decided it would be a grand idea to have one of the big Paris Hotel Eiffel tower drinks... don't ask how many ounces in there... BIG drink.... and after that, we went to our room, loaded everything off and decided to hit Margaritaville. OMG. What a blast. The band was awesome! Great music, great drinks. At this point, not remembering much. Went to bed shortly after that.

Up at 6am to start our day. Had coffee out walking by the pool. Had breakfast, went to Caesar's to get our tickets and then went to the outlet mall. My g/f found some good deals but I was hung over and hated trying on all the fat clothes so I did not end up with much. Back to the hotel to freshen up for dinner and ELTON JOHN. We walked over to Caesar's and had a fabulous dinner at the Cheesecake Factory. My favorite Luau Salad. Have it every time. And then Godiva chocolate cheesecake. To Die For. Then it was time for the concert. I am so thrilled to see ELton in Las Vegas. His voice and piano playing is so amazing, there really are no true words to describe. He is an ICON. He talked a bit and poked fun at Celine which was HYSTERICAL. The imagery behind him was sexual and often blatant nudity/sexual themed. But to watch him sing and play; pure joy. Our seats were so awesome as well. AFter the show we walked to see the Bellagio water fountains, then to NY NY, over to MGM and back to our hotel. We gambled when we felt it but never won much. The most I got up to was $75 from a $5 start and then lost it all. I played a leopard slot machine with a $5 and cashed out at $15 so I did win $10 thanks to my leopard addiction. Was fun to sit and play, watch people, have a drink or two. We didn't get back to the room til late. It was an 18 hour Vegas day.

G/f let me sleep for six hours and then it was time to get going. She bought me coffee but I can't remember if we ate breakfast. Walked up towards the Venetian. Oh yeah, we had food at the Venetian. Then over the FAshion Show Mall where we shopped for awhile. Then over to TI, then Mirage and back to Caesar's. Crossed over to our hotel from there to freshen up for dinner. I think we stopped and gambled for some time, somewhere. We went and had a late leisurely dinner (for us) at the Wynn Buffet. When I was in Vegas with my dear friends and daughter, we ate there and they loved the crab legs and prime rib. That was totally up my g/f's alley. So we stuffed ourselves at the Buffet. Everything tasted so good! And this time I wasn't too chicken to take a picture of exactly how big those crab legs were. We gambled for awhile at the Wynn and then headed back to our hotel. I think we gambled in the hotel for a bit and then wandered around a bit because I was adamant we were not going to our room to bed until after midnight. We just made it.

Next morning my best friend woke me up, after six hours of sleep. Went out for breakfast at the IHOP and then did something super secretive. Did last minute shopping and then it was time to get ready to come home again. The travel part went well and she drove until her home and then I did the last 30 minutes on my own. Spent all day in bed yesterday, waking up at 3pm. Feel brighter this morning so really should unpack, start laundry, do errands downtown and such. But I feel utterly EXHAUSTED. But I'm so happy I was able to keep up with my girlfriend. An amazing trip.

It's my best friend's 40th birthday today. We have been friends since grade 1. It doesn't matter that we don't see each other regularly; maybe talk on the phone every few months. She lives so close yet both busy lives. But when I need her, or she needs me, we are there, in an instant. It's like no time has passed. And so, to celebrate, we are off to Las Vegas tomorrow to celebrate. Her and I. I think it's going to be a memorable week-end.

Today is also the birthday of my deceased MIL. She would have been 78. I think of her often.

I've been coughing for three weeks, aches and pains on and off, fevers on and off. Depression feels worse. Too many things on my plate that just raise the stress. I'm hoping this little trip will be good for me.

Back next week!

MOD buttons by Autumn Leaves. I just LOVE buttons. From the very beginning when I first started scrapbooking, I used buttons. Still do. Love the ones from AL; great quality, colours.

Below are just a few pics of some of the treats I got while in the USA.

Rhonna Fharrer Christmas buttons. Yum.

Love this acrylic set by Heidi Grace. Not as much as my friend loves Heidi Grace but still can't wait to play with it!

DCWV line called "all dressed up". Going to use it with the Rockstar collection, for high school party pictures from DD. Gotta love sparkles!

Three wood mounted stamps I got in the US; one at Stampadoodle and the other two at Joann's.

Had a good day on Friday. Drove down across the border (sat at border crossing for an hour because of the lineup!!!) to visit my girlfriend, to shop and scrapbook. Didn't have much luck at the mall, but we found good stuff at the scrapbooking stores. Had a late dinner at her place with her kids playing about; lots of smiles, shy giggles and laughter. Good to hear. Slept overnight in their guesthouse, which was very comfy and cozy. Slept through the night! That's twice this week. Sad I had to pack up and come back, as I had to work nightshift. The girls wanted to scrapbook, so next time we'll have to make sure to plan that in. A nice little getaway.

Quiz: What's Your Spiritual Type?
You scored 45, on a scale of 25 to 100. Here's how to interpret your score:

25 - 29
Hardcore Skeptic -- but interested or you wouldn't be here!
30 - 39
Spiritual Dabbler -- Open to spiritual matters but far from impressed
40 - 49
Active Spiritual Seeker – Spiritual but turned off by organized religion
50 - 59
Spiritual Straddler – One foot in traditional religion, one foot in free-form spirituality
60 - 69
Old-fashioned Seeker -- Happy with my religion but searching for the right expression of it
70 - 79
Questioning Believer – You have doubts about the particulars but not the Big Stuff
80 - 89
Confident Believer – You have little doubt you’ve found the right path
90 - 100
Candidate for Clergy

boring update

• still feeling lousy and annoyed by it all
• changed the sheets tonight; nice cozy flannel ones to sleep in
• laundry going, kitchen cleaned
• did a fair amount of mail
• took the dog for a walk with my mom
• started pulling out outfits for Vegas

Guess who is going to see Elton John while in Vegas????

I got a rose from a patient. Actually, there was a whole vase of pink roses on the ER desk today, from a patient I had last week. I "stole" one for myself and have it in my bedroom.

the sample pink Christmas card I made....

• I'm sick with a cold and I have no time for it. Spent all day in bed feeling just miserable. I like being in bed, watching tv and reading magazines and such, but when it's because I HAVE to, then I'm not so happy. Wasted day.
• spent past three days working on a new, unusual Christmas card. Might post it later.
• getting the gray coloured today; yeah.
• weather has turned wet, which is a drag because my back yard is in really bad shape. The dog won't even go back there to pee anymore. I haven't poop scooped in ages. Need to package up the patio furniture cushions too.
• I've decided to sell my dining room furniture. It was the one set of furniture I was debating on. It's barely been used and in awesome shape. Sits 8-10. From Ikea. We got that size so we could accomodate both our families. Except shortly after we got it, he left. Go figure. Last year when I was in the US shopping with my g/f I saw a bedroom set (bedding) I liked; if I see anything this time, I will get it as I will have three bedrooms to do. All queen beds. Makes life easier. I will probably have a family dinner over the Christmas holidays and then I will pack up the wedding china, to store away in case one day DD wants to have it. Going to give the leather furniture to my brother. Doesn't leave much else, except for DD's furniture and what's in my bedroom. Stuff in the rec room the EX wants, so he can have it when we move. I look at townhomes every day online..........
• REALLY looking forward to Christmas shopping with my g/f on Friday.

I dream of......

It's been three years since my MIL passed away. I remember that day like it was yesterday. Miss her. Wonder what she would think of what has happened. Hope that if she was still here, she would have me in her life.

Who has these on order you ask? ME!!! :-)

Gorgeous fall day. Dog on the beginning of our walk. First through the neighbourhood and then we ended a local trail, alongside a small river. I haven't been in there for a long time. Nearly ended up in the river, on the rocks. Next time, I'm taking my cellphone. Also a bit eriey in there, I wondered about bears.... enjoy the pics... something about fall pictures.

my favorite shot

End of the trail; happy dog.

Divorce

Divorce. It's so difficult. An emotional hardship. Devastating to the heart, destroys all trust, self esteem. A huge financial hardship. It's been 16 months and $10,000 later and I am still married to a man who is in an adulterous relationship. I still consider it adultery seeing as we are still married and he's done everything in his power to prolong this divorce process. I am fair and just want what is right; morally and legally. Yet the battle continues. It remains a difficult process to be fair when the other person you are dealing with, is not. But what can you expect from someone who commits the worst betrayal. Why do I even expect fairness and honesty? I am so frustrated and broken down. Maybe that is the whole point. What I fight for now, is my daughter's rights. I've been cheated and now so is she. It's not right and I have to stay strong and keep going on.

small update...

• worked three nights. amazing how different they all were. First one was absolutely Hell. I ended up with 9 patients overnight. Oh yeah and I only have 8 bays. Yes, I had a cardiac patient in an ambulatory chair without a monitor because there wasn't enough to go around. Stressed me out so much. Next night was quiet and the last steady. I'm trying so hard to evoke change with the help of the union but I just don't know how much I can take it myself. And I want to be a positive role model for the new grads, but that is becoming more and more difficult as well. Thing is, I love being a nurse. It's all the other stuff that makes doing the kind of job I want to do, so difficult and causes me to feel so burnt out. Maybe a new job sooner than I thought might help.
• less than two weeks until Vegas. I can't believe I'm going again. I think my best friend and I will have a blast. She intends to not sleep which is a concern for me as we all know how much I need my sleep. The exciting thing for me is I found out Elton John is playing while we are there and I would LOVE to see him. We've been friends since grade 1 and we've never gone away anywhere; omg it's going to be a whirlwind trip of fun fun fun.
• I've totally fallen off the JC wagon. I really hate the food.
• fall has really arrived and the trees look fantastic. I'm hoping to take the dog for a walk later on, with my camera. He's achin for a good walk. He hasn't been feeling so hot the past week, a bit sad, lethargic, warm nose. No seizure activity though.
• want to continue on my projects in my scrapbooking room. House isn't in too bad of shape so that should be a possibility on my days off. I do plan to super clean my closet in the bedroom and get the winter clothes more organized and put away all the summer stuff. Dust off my gazillion crocs. ;)
• very much addicted to scrabble on facebook but I am really bad at it. still fun.

Love this purse. I always used to be a "gold" girl, but I've switched to silver. Isn't it fun?

More difficult to see. Second set of cards, made on World Card Making day.

First set of Christmas cards I have made for this year. No surprise when it shows up in your mailbox. I'm using supplies I already have; scraps of patterned paper, various embellishments. Ok, yes, I did get a few new Christmas stamps, but that's it!

Happy Thanksgiving

1. I am thankful for my daughter, who I am very proud of. Tonight at our family Thanksgiving table, she started a round table "what are you thankful for this year". It used to be a traditional thing with my inlaws but I think it's gone by the way side with the death of my MIL. I am thankful for my beautiful girl, my parents, my brother and his boys, good friends, a good career and life that is comfortable.
2. Yesterday was World cardmaking day. I celebrated with my two girlfriends; made eight Christmas cards. Exciting.
3. Had a good bye party for one of the docs. Small attendance, but it was good, Lots of martinis and lots of laughs. Late night. I can't handle it like I used to.
4. Today we scrapbooked; I did about 10 pages for a gift album and started working on a Christmas gift project. More good times.
5. Very very tired (see item #3); self inflicted. Heading to bed very shortly. My g/f is going to work for me tomorrow and for that, I am thankful.

• Ready for more exciting news? I'm going to Vegas in 21 days!!! My best friend and I had talked lots about going to Vegas for her 40th bday a long time ago and last week-end it was brought up again and now... we're going to Vegas baby! She's been my best friend since Grade 1.
• I've been given an OT shift for the long week-end, which means super OT for me. I think I can do it. But it does mean, I will be doing FOUR dayshifts in a row. Hope there is lots of coffee in the mornings!
• Had good chats on the phone this afternoon with two special people in my life. Am so thankful for them and their friendship and even sharing of wisdom. :)
• DD came home a day early (yeah) and we're going to settle into bed to watch our shows tonight. Can't wait for CSI!
• Having a casual going away party for one of the docs on the week-end. During the day, Saturday and Sunday, I'm going to be scrapbooking and cardmaking (especially on Saturday which is WORLD cardmaking day) with my two favorite scrappers! Going to be so much fun! Woo hoo!

1. Exciting news. I'm offically a HOMEOWNER AND an INVESTOR. Who knew? Feeling all growed up.
2. I made 8 Christmas cards over the week-end, using only scraps of paper. No new purchase of paper or embellishments. Ok, I have bought a few new Christmas stamps but that's it. My goal is to use what I've got.
3. Picked up the newest Papercrafts magazine last night and it's yummy.
4. Made 6 other cards over the week-end, mainly using my photography as the embellishment. Printed off black'n'white prints of flowers and some fall scenery. A little bit of me to you.
5. Did the big Superstore shop last night and it feels good to be stocked up on all the essentials.
6. Struggling with Jenny Craig. I'm soooooo fussy. Continue to have lots of headaches.

It's official. I am addicted to the scrabble game on facebook. I don't know if I have ever played it in real life but I am going to look and see if I can buy the game to play with my daughter.

I love these berries. It's a Norweigan treat; my mom would serve vanilla sauce with them. Yummy!

• CSI season premiere was on tonight. Happiness.
• Had a much needed pedicure yesterday. Got a dark blue/black. Like this trend.
• DD and I sat in bed together and watched CSI and GA. I told her I just won't be able to work Thursday nights anymore during the season! It was nice to sit with her and laugh and chit chat about what was going on.
• Took the dog for a walk down by the river; the day started off so promising. Cold and crisp but the sun was out. By the time I got him to the river the clouds rolled in and the rest of the walk was in the rain. It was funny to watch him try to jump up and climb big fir trees; the chipmunks were chirping at him, taunting him, driving him crazy. Running from tree to tree, jumping up as if he'd be able to climb.
• Have an appt with my banker tomorrow morning. Now THAT should be interesting.
• Went to the first parent/grad "prom/dry grad" planning/meeting. Exciting times.
• LOTS of stuff going on in my head. I was referred to this "zen" website but will have to find the link tomorrow and post.

"A year from now you may wish that you had started today."

Karen Lamb

Seriously in love with this new 12x12 Fancy Pants stamp set.

“ Willingness to compromise with others’ ways of living and cooperation in common tasks, these make living happy and fruitful. ”
- Sri Sathya Sai Baba (b. 1926), Indian spiritual leader, philosopher

Finally! Crocs has come out with a "specialist" version that meets healthcare's OH&S standards with closed heel and no holes. I've got two on order from the US; hope they arrive soon and are as comfy as the other ones.

• My dad was diagnosed with lung cancer on Tuesday. We go back in a few weeks to see a thoracic surgeon to see if he agrees it is operable and that my dad is a surgical candidate.
• The big meeting at work was a disappointment, and I am very frustrated.
• I've been fighting whatever is going around for nearly a week, but ended up waking up Saturday in the middle of the night with a fever and it isn't gone yet. I feel so out of sorts, kind of confused. Hate the fever smell the body produces. Sad as I realized during the night last night there is no one to take care of me.
• Saw the lawyer on Friday. I have now officially spent $10,000 trying to get a divorce and she told me I wouldn't have one by the end of the year as there isn't timely cooperation on the other side. Registry is backlogged by three months. I just don't understand.

Not feeling so hot. DD has the stomach flu and I'm worried I'm following. Stress feels suffocating right now. Doesn't help. Binged again last night; won't help weigh in tomorrow. Changed the sheets yesterday; put on flannels, first of the season. Simple pleasures.

"Health, happiness and success depend upon the fighting spirit of each person. The big thing is not what happens to us in life - but what we do about what happens to us." -George Allen

A dear friend sent these to me, aren't they so me?

I love this wooden stool. I'm such a logger's daughter/sister.

from Melody Ross' website:

The Paradoxical Commandmentsby Dr. Kent M. Keith

People are illogical, unreasonable, and self-centered.Love them anyway.
If you do good, people will accuse you of selfish ulterior motives.Do good anyway.
If you are successful, you will win false friends and true enemies.Succeed anyway.
The good you do today will be forgotten tomorrow.Do good anyway.
Honesty and frankness make you vulnerable.Be honest and frank anyway.
The biggest men and women with the biggest ideas can be shot down by the smallest men and women with the smallest minds.Think big anyway.
People favor underdogs but follow only top dogs.Fight for a few underdogs anyway.
What you spend years building may be destroyed overnight.Build anyway.
People really need help but may attack you if you do help them.Help people anyway.
Give the world the best you have and you'll get kicked in the teeth.Give the world the best you have anyway.

The version found written on the wall in Mother Teresa's home for children in Calcutta:

People are often unreasonable, irrational, and self-centered. Forgive them anyway.
If you are kind, people may accuse you of selfish, ulterior motives. Be kind anyway.
If you are successful, you will win some unfaithful friends and some genuine enemies. Succeed anyway.
If you are honest and sincere people may deceive you. Be honest and sincere anyway.
What you spend years creating, others could destroy overnight. Create anyway.
If you find serenity and happiness, some may be jealous. Be happy anyway.
The good you do today, will often be forgotten. Do good anyway.
Give the best you have, and it will never be enough. Give your best anyway.
In the final analysis, it is between you and God. It was never between you and them anyway.

I got off nights yesterday morning and basically slept on and off until 6;30 this am. Being in bed for 24 hours has killed my back. Now sitting up, enjoying a cup of Hawaiian Chocolate Macadamia Nut coffee and catching up on my favorite scrapbooker's blogs. Then I have to get ready to take my dad for his appt to find out the results of his lung biopsy......

I heard a line in a movie awhile back... "I can love you past your pain". Wouldn't that be something to hear?

a friend sent me some pics...stunning pics....

"We live in an awesome world people. Make it an awesome day.Peace To All and May God Bless You-Live simply. Love generously.Care deeply, Speak kindly.Leave the rest to God"

Here it is, my FAVORITE. Yes, I got myself a leopard print purse in Vegas. And yes it was half price too! Dillards was having a major purse sale and I had a hard time just with buying three. I think its my new favorite purchase. This one is made by SAC.

Worked an OT nightshift last night and it was busy. I couldn't get all my work done. Hope tonight is better because the place needs some serious stocking.

Plugging away on JC. I've made such changes in my diet yet I don't see it on the scale or feel it in my clothes and let me say, that is very frustrating. I'm all about instant satisfaction and really believe I should be seeing some weight loss. I don't have that extreme fatigue like I did when I first started, so that's good too.

Next week is busy on my days off with a ton of appointments. I'm so wanting to go into my scrapbooking room to work on pages. The October Scrapbooks Etc is DELICIOUS and at least I have that to look forward to, on my break (if I get one) tonight.

“ No kind action ever stops with itself. One kind action leads to another. Good example is followed. A single act of kindness throws out roots in all directions, and the roots spring up and make new trees. ” Amelia Earhart

http://www.forbetterlife.org/

• I don't know why, but I can't post any images to my blog. The BEST purse is yet to come: THE LEOPARD PRINT PURSE!!!
• Spent two days this week, driving into the province's inner city hospital for my dad's appointments. Minimum 2.5 hours each way, and then traffic. Next week we find out the results.
• Met a 90 y/o lady in the hospital today, very spry and fiesty. I asked her what her secret was. She said... "I live a riotous life!" LOL!!! and then she winked
• I was in the magazine area of Chapters and a woman approached me, a complete stranger, and asked if I'd like to join her for a coffee!!!!!!!!
• Saw my "D" twice this week. Looking awfully handsome in his suit on Tuesday. Today he treated me to lunch, even though I goofed up on his directions
• third weigh in at JC was a big fat zero. frustrated and disappointed. can't remember if I've blogged about that already. argh!

The very big red Fossil purse that I got half price. Very roomy.

Fossil purse I got in Vegas, for half price. Not my usual type of colour, but it "spoke" to me. Very soft leather.

The "fall" red crocs I bought in Vegas.

• fall is here; leaves are really starting to change, air is nice and crisp. hope to get out in the next few days and take some pictures
• used the bum warmer for the first time this season, after getting off nights today
• done my three shifts
• staying on program quite well
• looking forward to doing some scrapbooking and looking for ideas for Christmas cards

I need a new toaster. Just a two slicer. I like the look of the angled style ones. Anyone have a toaster that they just LOVE they would like to recommend? Saw this one on London Drugs' website:

Went back to work yesterday. The ER was alright; had it's moments where it instantly became swamped, then nothing, then swamp again. I can see a few things I would like to work on while I'm on my nights. Met the new stocking lady and chatted to her about a few things, so hopefully she will stick around and learn what we need a lot of and what not so much. I was so exhausted. So much more than ever before. I HATE that feeling. Had to go buy coffee after work and that took longer than I thought. Then home to the dog who's been alone all day long. So out for a walk we go. He is SO happy to go out. And however how far or short we go, he's just happy to have been out. Then he lays with me on the bed and we talk. I talk and he cries and whines and moans. His way of communicating.

Started a weight loss journal. Big thing I'm trying to do is read the labels. Some, are quite shocking. Starting to make smarter, healthier choices. I so need to learn to eat my vegetables and fruits. Just so fussy about them. Do not like cooked vegetables other than potatoes, rice and corn. And apprently, they all of a sudden become a starch! So it's raw vegetable preparation for me, which I hate. Right now I'm going to buy ready made but I have a girlfriend who's coming over to support me and help me dice and chop. I'm really enjoying right now, low fat splenda yogurt with frozen raspberries and organic high fiber granola.

The other thing I'm going to do to support myself with this weight loss journey is to scrapbook it. Who knew! I already have a great title for the front page. Will wait til I've done it to show.

Well......... I am sad to say, I am so dreading going back to work. I actually feel physically ill about it.

I have been so exhausted. Like scarey exhausted. I know it's because of the dramatic decrease in calories. I had my weigh in today and I actually gained. My consultant added up all the missed calories I didn't eat (particularly vegies, fruits and milks) and it was nearly 2400 calories for the week that I did NOT eat. She thinks my body has gone into starvation mode. I think, maybe so. I have now stocked up my house with fresh fruits and vegetables (mostly pre cut pre packaged) and healthy choices. Next week will be better. I need to think of the food as fuel for my body.

Picked up some albums at Michaels as they were 40% off. Fairly picked over but oh well. Happy to find the Oct CK at Safeway so I'm sitting in bed with that tonight.

DD had her first full day of school today and she was happy and enthusiastic, although quite tired. Good to hear her talk about school in a positive way. My girl is in Grade 12..........

The kitchen is tidy. I've got laundry on the go. Fresh sheets on the bed (oh how I love sleeping with fresh sheets). Quickly vacuumed. Treats bought for the dog. Even shaved my legs.

Got lots of scrapbooking pages done when my girlfriend was here. Now working on a sentimental layout about dd and I. Using pics from Vegas. Next layout to work on I think, will be the grad party from the other night. Using "Rock Star" themed products.

I have to go and finish planning out my weekly JC menu so it's all organized for me to go tomorrow.

Don't just go through life, grow through life. Don't just be good, be good for something and someone. Goodness heightens beauty. Become who you are, who you were meant to be. Seek out knowledge and experience. The more we see, the more we are capable of seeing. The more we do, the more we are capable of doing.
If you want change, begin it. If you want love, give it. If you want hope, embody it. Start immediately and do it flamboyantly. Once you've begun, don't turn back. Change and growth can be painful and challenging at times, but as Lauren Bond said, "Every flower has to go through a lot of dirt."
Life is about choices, growth and taking chances. It is about pushing through and moving forward. It is about loving courageously and not holding back. It is about finding a brighter, better way. You owe it to yourself and to the world to make the most out of the stuff that's in you.
Bloom into your incredibly, gloriously, brilliantly beautiful self. The world is waiting.

My beautiful daughter, on the eve of starting Grad 12.

Spent three days scrapbooking with my dear friend. Got quite a few pages done as well as worked/played on a layout about my daughter and I. We always have good chats and it's one of my favorite ways to spend time.

Yes, I joined Jenny Craig. $$$ and unfortunately for me, I'm pretty fussy and some of the foods I do not like. But I'm committed and need ALL the SUPPORT I can get.

Have not been sleeping well for the past few weeks; not sure if it's the exhaustion from Vegas or the decrease in calories with my new eating plan. But am sleeping so badly, and having lots of headaches and just feel wrecked all the time.

My nephew is home, still having a lot of pain with his leg. Poor kid.

Sitting home alone, stressing and worrying about my daughter who is at the traditional all night grad party. Kids plan to stay up all night and then go to school. I told her "please don't get kicked out of school the first day". Hoping she makes smart choices and paces herself. I just got back not too long ago as she called asking me to come take some group pictures. Hope they are happy with them.