Need Me Some Vitamin D!

Winter is a fact of life in many parts of the world, and here it feels like it lasts longer every time it comes around.

To be honest, I dread January through March. Everyone seems to be getting ready to go to some warm destination, or is coming back with a vacation tan. While I am happy for them, there is a small, petty part of me that is so jealous. I find I can muster no sympathy for their vacation preparation stress, nor can I empathize with their post-vacation blues.

The sun is shining bright here today. Too bad the windchill is sitting around -40*C. Not exactly comfortable to go out and get a little vitamin D.....I'm just not that hardcore.

Casual employee life is also not all I thought it would be. I love the job, when I'm there. I was so excited to be working for the entire month. That didn't happen. Had a couple weeks part-time, then things changed (the gal that was away came back from her trip early). I do work some hours this week, so I'm glad. *sigh* I must remind myself this is an investment in the future. I worry that I'll never become proficient in my position at this rate though. (Patience,patience.....must be patient.)

On the brightside, all this free time I've got, I'll be able to train for the races we have coming up. Need to start working on my mileage for the Seawheeze Half, and it looks like we'll be "Trying a Tri" at a nearby triathlon in the spring. Fingers crossed the snow is gone by June!

Jumping off the Bandwagon, I'd Rather Walk

Nearly half-way through February. Did you make a resolution for 2014? Have you fallen (or jumped) off the proverbial bandwagon?

I gave up on making hard (impossible) resolutions a long time ago. Promising to change things that have been a part of me since forever, it's just an invitation for feeling like a failure and self-flagellation.

Let's take the usual resolutions: Lose weight and exercise.

Both are great, right? Then, why is it, most folks have thrown in the towel by this point?

I have a couple of ideas (don't I always?)

*Biggest Loser Mentality:  love it or hate it, you've seen the show. The contestants lose ridiculous amounts of weight on a public stage.  Unattainable for the real world. I think that logically, a lot of people know that.  Still, somehow, we expect that exercising a few times a week and eating some salad will net us the same results.

Found it on Pinterest

*All or Nothing:  guilty here. If I make a "bad choice" then why bother grabbing those veggies or drinking that water?  Didn't exercise on Tuesday, might as well wait until Monday to start again. All food is good food (it's all about the quantity), and even 15 minutes of movement  is beneficial (not every workout needs to be an hour long, all out "beast-mode"  session).

Is it really that simple? Perhaps. I hate to think that to live as a strong and healthy individual I need to wrap myself up in a web of rules set out by a new fad diet every month.

So, while I may not be a size envied by most, I'm working on loving the skin I'm in while I'm focusing on my goals. Getting strong, being healthy, and training for the Seawheeze Half Marathon Baby!

Ultimately, I want my kids to remember their mom as someone who worked hard and smiled....not a woman who continually chased an idea that was unhealthy, and never meant to be. 

Why I'm Not Attending my High School Reunion

(I copied this from my other blog site, not loving it over there.)

I’m not sure what happened, but, somehow, we  have come round to the 20th anniversary of my high school graduation.

When I was in school, waiting to turn 20 seemed like an eternity. Now, I find, 20 years has blown by. And,folks…..I do not feel nearly old enough to be marking this milestone.

My denial of years passing has nothing to do with not going back for the reunion.

When I first heard that some old classmates were organizing  a little something  to commemorate our high school days, I thought: “Well, that’s nice. Maybe I’ll make the trip”

In the back of my mind, I also knew that my Fabulous Running Buddy and I were hoping to get in to the #Seawheeze Half Marathon in Vancouver.

2 reasons to travel this summer.  I was pretty sure I couldn’t manage both.

So. I chose the race.

Some background:
I only went to my high  school for 2 years. I only lived in that town for 3 years of school before I graduated. I got married and left town 2 years after graduation.  (5 years all told,if anyone was adding it up)
I don’t really have roots there. My  parents moved away over  5 years ago. (Although my sister is living there again).

While it would be fun to visit, and there are some people I’d really like to see, one trip is the limit. If I could manage going twice, I probably would.

I have some good memories of my time there, and some not-so-good memories (As  I’m sure most people do about those years). I was hardly someone that would be well remembered by the majority.

I hope everyone who goes has a wonderful time. I hope they all laugh and reminisce about those “Good old days”.

Me, I’m really looking forward to making the trip in August. I can’t wait to see the mountains again, the water (both ocean and lake). I’m so excited to see my sister, her mister and their Littles (I haven’t met the kiddos yet). Taking the kids there after so many years (7) will be fantastic for them as well. And the race of course! Our second Half Marathon! It’s going to be a good trip, if all goes according to plan.

There are some troubles that might be brewing, but, we’ll sort it out. Things have a way of coming together if you want it bad enough.

And hey, it’s 2014….an even number. My favourite kind.

Laundry and Other Thoughts

Winter blahs.

It would seem, that going back to staying home and doing the  House Wife thing is going to take a little longer to adjust to than I thought.

I've considered looking for something part-time, but am worried that it would limit my availability for the bank.

Next month I'll have a few regular shifts at work, so I'm looking forward to that.

As I have said in previous posts, taking this job was a leap of faith. An investment in the possibility of more in the future.

Patience isn't my forte (I'm sure I've also mentioned that). Time flies, and it's really a waste of time wishing away the days.

I should be using this time to organize the house, myself, do all those little projects I was too busy to do.

For today, I'll start with folding the laundry. Not my favourite chore, but better than letting it sit in the baskets until we need it again.

Bright spots for this week:
*I work half a day tomorrow. It'll be nice to see everyone.
*Friday I am taking a day trip into the city with my Fabulous Running Buddy! We haven't done this since August. :)

What's Next :)

I am....I'm not sure.

I'm finding my way.

No work for me this week (out of the house that is). I was supposed to have a couple of shifts, but, things changed. *sigh*

I'm a bit sad about it. I was really looking forward to being there (so,so odd, I know).

On the bright side: I now have plenty of time to make some stuff for the Littlest's bake sale at school, and to prep for Son #2's big birthday on Friday. (Did I mention he turning 13?!?!?!?) Oh my babies, they're so big!

The baking will be an adventure all its own. The oven is dying a slow, painful death. The element crumbled to ash this summer, so we replaced it. Now it won't hold anything close to a steady temperature. Set it to 350F, you'll get anything but that. Last week while making birthday cookies for our girl, it went up and down like a roller coaster! It's no way to bake folks, not at all.

Ah well, watching the goodies in the oven will keep me busy.

Now, if I could just get someone to pay me to bake on the days I'm not working.......a kitchen reno would be good too!

Investments: Not Always About Money

It's a New Year. No real resolutions for me. Be more organized, be nicer to myself and those around me, same as every year since I turned 30. Nothing with a definite deadline.

I am now living my life as a Casual Employee. It's a little scary (not quite the right word for it), and am still trying to wrap my head around this new schedule....or lack of one. I have plenty to keep me busy though. Back to enjoying baking for my own family, training for the upcoming races we're registering for, kids' activities, running our friendly little weight-loss group (to name a few).

Quite a change from this time last year, when I was feeling sick, tired & broken at work.

I feel bad that I haven't been up to the Old Job since I gave notice. I had a wonderful leaving-supper with a few people from there, and they invited me to their Christmas party (fun evening), but that's been it really. During my training at the New Job, I wasn't able to go up at all, since my hours were pretty much their hours. Now that I have time (and a bit of business for myself, as it's a centre I can access for services), I am hesitating.....silly nerves. I'm old news :)

I have bumped into some folks from up there when I've been out running errands, and while at work. Most meetings have been amicable (quick chat, good feelings), so that's a good thing. I tell my kids, you can't control the behaviour of others, only how you act and react.

I miss the morning chats, with co-workers and kids alike, at the counter in the kitchen.  I miss random hugs around my knees from the younger kiddos, watching them learn new things and hitting their milestones.

What I've traded those things for though is an investment in our family. My darling husband will most likely be changing careers in the not too distant future (life in the civvy world! EEK!). I am hoping this job move for me will, in time, afford me the chance to work full-time with some financial security during his transition. I'd like it to be less job, more career. At the very least, I am adding to my skill-set and work experience.

Perhaps I'm still in the Honeymoon period, but.....I really am enjoying this position. I wasn't sure I would. Somedays I feel overwhelmed with all I am learning and still have to learn. Every day has it challenges, and I like how it keeps me on my toes.

And.

I get to wear nailpolish.

and...

...pretty clothes...

and....

....I am not hurting and hobbling at the end of the day.

I guess the lesson I should take away from my ramblings here is this:
     

Hang on to the bright and shiny memories I have from the Old Job, let anything else go. Enjoy the New Job and all the new folks I work with and meet.  Life goes on, and time is too short to worry.

2014.....I Love Even Numbers

Happy 2014 folks! Yeah, a few days late I guess, but within the first week. It counts.

Not really sure where to start, what to share. Things have been busy, if not terribly exciting.

Christmas was really good. We went to my parents' place, relaxed, visited, ate a little more than we should of, shopped WAY too much.We were lucky enough to get together with some good friends as well.  I enjoyed it, but, I always do when we go there.

I made it through the initial 6 weeks of training for the bank. I feel that I am now semi-competent in my position. The most important things I have learned are:
     1. Take my time. Accuracy is better than speed.
     2. If you don't know the answer ASK SOMEONE.
When I made the choice to take this casual position, it sounded great. I was so tired and broken from my other job, I thought it was just what I needed. What I didn't count on was how much I would enjoy this new job! This is my first official week as a "Casual" employee really. I only work Thursday afternoon. Feels very odd, I think I'll miss it.

The kids are back to school tomorrow. 2 are excited and 2 are bummed. 50/50  split, not bad I figure. I think deep down they're all a little glad. After 2 weeks, I know they'll be glad to see their friends and get away from each other a bit.

I am also getting back to taking care of myself. I've let so much lapse....well, nevermind that. I can't change what's happened over the past 6 months. What I can do is start doing the things I love again. Running, Zumba, cooking and creating in my kitchen. So be warned: future posts will include food pictures and long ramblings about my fitness progress.