Revisioning

Hi remaining readers.

Several things after the move led to me not updating my blog. Apparently adding another baby to the crazy house actually requires a lot of attention! Also, my purpose has changed. Obviously I'm not up north anymore. I do have bloggy things to say so I'm revisioning. I may revive this blog, or start new. In any event, since I've got FB at home now (as opposed to up north), I can notify eveyone when things are up and running again -- either under this title or another one.

See ya!

Ear Worms

We've all had songs (good or otherwise) stuck in our heads from time to time, but have you ever had one drill into your head, gnawing away at your sleep or punctuating every momentary pause in conversation? Ugh. Try as I may, I simply cannot eliminate ear worms from my brain.

I'm pretty sure that my husband had Annie Lennox's "No More I Love You" in his head for the entire duration of our dating relationship. What's worse is that he only knew the "do be do be do bup bup... whoa" part.

Last night a particular ear worm got in my head and stayed there. Without any exaggeration, the song was in my head all night. ALL NIGHT. I watched the clock turn to 1am, 2am 3am all the while this song circled in my head and I could not get it out.

Are you curious about which song it was? I won't be responsible for infesting you with the worm... all I will say is that it leaves a Psalty taste in your mouth and is the very best way to show that you believe.

This is the second time in 2 weeks that this pest has robbed my sleep. Any ideas for getting rid of them?

Love/Hate

In 2007 we bought a treadmill and ran ran ran. Both Hubby and I burned off frustration and pounds after work each day. It was hard work but we were stronger than ever. Now, after 2 kids and a few extra pounds in my life-preserver, it's time to push push push. I'm back up to 5km of running, albeit far slower than I'd like to be. My best running performance was 10 miles-- yes miles. I'm not sure how many kms that is. This isn't going to happen because I don't have 90 minutes to spend on it each day. I'm doing as much as I can in 40 minutes because that's all I can seem to carve out each day.

All this to say that in less than a month I've gone from huffing and puffing and hardly able to run a mile to over 3.3 (which is over 5km). I'm pleased with my progress and I've already dropped a  pant size and 4lbs. Operation New Leaf is in full effect. My goal was 1lb a week until Christmas, and I'm on track despite pigging out at Halloween. I'm pleased!

A love/hate relationship

I hate running.
I love the results.
I have been on the treatmill 5 out of the last 7 days with a minimum of 2 miles daily. Today was a good day. I ran for a solid 20 and then scaled back the speed and hiked up hills at a 9% and 6% incline. Much like the Grassy hills. Then Caleb pooped, and Judah woke up, so the session was over. The end result was a satisfying 3.4 miles. Not bad for day 5. I will meet my goals.

I will keep running although I hate it so.

Will I keep blogging? I don't know if anyone reads anymore.

cheesecake heaven

I made 2 hazelnut pumpkin cheesecakes for Thanksgiving this year. After the first dinner we had half a cake remaining, which I left with the in-laws ("Well done lady!" Exclaims my thighs. "Why'd ya do THAT?" Begs my tongue)

I am turning over a new leaf. 4 years ago, during the early winter of our first year in Grassy, I decided I was packing on the pounds and committed (in a way I can't dream of now that I have 2 kids) to losing it ALL. It was hard work but so rewarding. I felt good about myself; felt healthy and strong. I felt like I could go to any store and fit into anything cute. I remember nearly crying with delight when I bought a pair of size 4 Levi's. Then I got pregnant and had a baby and then another one, and the rest is history.

I need to get back there. I have accepted that the size 4s are never going to make their comeback, but I crave that feeling of being STRONG and comfortable in my skin. I am turning over a new leaf. I will meet my goal by Christmas.

And then I remember the cheesecake. It is remarkably good. Even now while typing this I am  salivating. How can one food so undermine my best efforts? I am beginning what I call the Grassy Narrows diet. Simply put, if we didn't buy it on Friday we didn't eat it. If I had the ambition to bake something, then I think the reward of eating it was acceptable.

I have a reasonable goal, but it still feels insurmountable when such tempting luxuries surround me.

Ex-Haust-ed

I love to cook. I feel as though I can pour out my love for others in the form of food. Starting on Thursday of this week I shopped, made a squash soup, ripped up lots of bread for stuffing, made a cheese ball, a pumpkin cake and 2 pumpkin cheesecakes. Oh, and a huge 17lb turkey. After a swing by Wingham to visit with Hubby's side of the family, we welcomed my side of the family over for a feast.

After 5 years of living far away we were delighted to have family over into our own home. We carefully unpacked all of our good china and set it upon a beautiful table of golds and reds. Soon we welcomed our family over and enjoyed a feast.

Families take on many forms. Life happens and we gladly add people, and sadly say goodbye to others. Family is important and we've missed them dearly. Although I got myself working endlessly for this dinner, the presence of those loved ones sitting around our table made me the recipient of the greatest gift of the evening.

Happy Thanksgiving!

September

So... where did September go? Does anyone else feel this? We had lots of fun, did lots of great late-summer activities and enjoyed watching the trees turn beautiful shades of red and gold, but it's like I blinked and now we're in October. It crept up on us so quickly that we didn't realize that our closets were still full of flip flops and shorts. I still refer to now as "summer" but we are most definitely not in summer anymore.

My baby is no longer a newborn. I need my fall sweaters (bliss!). I'm pulling out my fall harvest recipes, and whoa-- I think I just saw my first Christmas commercial!?

I love autumn, I just wish it would slow down-- or more accurately, I wish I could slow down, take it in, and enjoy each day as it comes... and enjoy the photos I took to remember it by (on my new very attractive new camera)!