WW - Hitting the jack pot!

Remember my (incomplete) list of 40 gifts for my 40th birthday?

Well, I hit the jackpot!

My new Garmin - now, if I could only figure out how to set it for 10 and 1's!!!!

My new Bryce Courtenay book!

My BEAUTIFUL pendent from Star Creations!

My new gardening stuff and wonderful garden tool box made by my Mom and Dad!

Me, looking all refreshed after my after noon at the spa with my Mom.

Oh! Did I mention this photo is taken in Toronto? As part of my birthday celebration David and I escaped to TO for a wonderful kidless adventure! We saw "The Sound of Music".

OH Ya! It was an amazing birthday!

But, I was not the only person to hit the jack pot!

Madigan made the BIG draw for the Star Creations give-away.

Drum roll, please....

...and the winner is AMY from Amy's Quest to Skinny.

Congrats Amy!

And thank you everyone for entering the draw!

What a wonderful birthday!!!!!!

The hills are alive! ENTER TO WIN!

Oh! I have had a WONDERFUL day! I cannot wait to tell you all about it...but no time, gotta get a good night's sleep! We are off to Toronto tomorrow morning!

Remember this post??? Well, part of my 40th birthday celebrations include a weekend get-away to Toronto, one night accommodations at a swanky hotel, and awesome tickets to see The Sound of Music!

So, while the hills may be alive to the sound of music, the Fringe is alive with chances to win a wonderful piece of jewelry from Star Creations.

Everyone who leaves a comment (wishing me a happy 40th birthday) will be entered to win!

Want a better chance to win????

Simply click through to Star Creations and find your favorite piece and let me know what it is, and you will be entered into the contest again!

Want even more chances of winning???

Post on your blog about this contest and add a little linky back to The Fringe and you will be entered an additional 5 times into the draw!

Suzy over at Star Creations will be giving the winner a choice of gifts- you could win a Hammered Silver Tree on Ball Chain, or a pretty locket like the Chocolate and Roses Ball Locket.

Entries will be collected all Easter weekend - I am going to be way too busy having a wonderful time celebrating my birthday weekend and Easter to post - so, leave your comment, check out Star Creations and tell all your bloggy friends!

The draw will happen on Tuesday April 14th. Good luck!

You could be the next proud owner of a unique, beautiful, hand crafted piece by Star Creations! (I know I will be soon!!! Yep, David placed an order for the beautiful Enchanted Russian Amazonite Tree on Copper Pendent. I squealed with delight!!! I cannot wait to get it!!!!)

WW - Snowy Spring and Chocolate smiles!

Remember this garden shot from last Wednesday's Wordless Wednesday?

Well, here is this week's "Garden Cam" shot.
Yep, Mother Nature has played a cruel joke on us here in Ottawa, Canada!

My poor spring flowers!

So, as to not leave you depressed and snow-weary

(like we are here on The Fringe),

here is chocolaty smile to cheer you up!!!

Tomorrow is the BIG day!

Tomorrow I turn the BIG 4-0!!!!!!

Remember to stop by tomorrow, and enter for a chance to win a GREAT prize/present from

Star Creations!

Happy Easter!

Top 10 Reasons

1. Barfing 4 year old
2. Cold rainy weather and 3 kids at home
3. PD school day
4. Barfing Mommy
5. Barfing 2 year old
6. Winter storm watches and SNOW!
7. Toddler diarrhea
8. Endless Internet searches on Scarlet Fever
9. Unrealistic work load increase resulting in starting work at 3AM instead of 4AM!
10. Too many loads of laundry to count!

Just the top 10 reasons why I have been neglecting my blog!

One cool reason to keep visiting The Fringe?

MY BIRTHDAY!!!!!! (on Thursday!)

No, seriously, what is so what is the best part of birthdays?

PRESENTS!

And well, thanks to Suzy (my new BFF, not sure if she knows that yet!!!) over at Star Creations on Etsy you will have a chance to win a present! Yep! Something from her wonderful Etsy Shop. Oh! Her stuff is beautiful! I have been lurking on her site, you know, browsing all her wonderful jewelry pieces and basically checking the inventory count on this item...since it is on my birthday wish list!

You could have chance at winning a wonderfully hand-crafted piece of art from Suzy. Yep!

How cool is that? The first ever give-away on The Fringe.

Stay tuned!!!!!!

Details will be posted soon, you know, as soon as I get back from the pediatrician's office, finish mopping the floor for the four-zillionth time and throw in another load of the endless pukey-poo poo laundry. OH JOY!!!!!!

Symbolic Bling

I am not a fancy girlie-girl. I am not into diamonds or expensive jewelry. My track record with NOT loosing jewelry is NOT good! Remember THIS story????

Just the same, I love fun, creative, interesting necklaces and bracelets. Costume jewelry is really my style!

Here are a few little trinkets I found on Etsy that I would like to add to my birthday list:

I LOVE this pendent. It is beautiful! I would love to have it made with forty little gem stones and three little "eggs" in the nest. It certainly would be a true symbolic representation of my life at age forty. Symbolic bling at it's best - LOVE IT!!!! You (David), can click HERE for more details!

Here is another take on the same idea - I am really drawn to this design.

While I REALLY like the copper one above, this silver option is great since I wear silver quite often. David, or any of you, my loyal readers can click HERE for more details!

For my 30th birthday I got a really funky bracelet and love it to this day. I LOVE funky, cool, conversation piece bracelets! So, a bracelet option would be something like this:

If one wanted more details, they could click HERE, and place an order for this lovely spoon bracelet that features my FAVORITE flowers!

Or, if you think I would appreciate a neat hand crafted ring (and I would!) and you only want to spend $12.50 (cause, you know, I 'm worth at least that!) then this would be a great option:

To me, the four Swarovski Crystals represent each of the 4 decades I have been around - and the two side beads could represent David and I with the main pearl symbolizing becoming a family unit - meeting David, falling in love, getting married and having three wonderful children are the key highlights and wonders on my life thus far - so, yep, this ring would ROCK as a gift! Click HERE quick to order!

All of these wonderful gift ideas are from Etsy.com - this site ROCKS!!!! It is a GEM! The finds are purely PRICELESS and wonderful. If you have never checked it out - go - browse, ohhh and ahhh! If you are a Etsy customer, what has been your cool find thus far???

Less than a week till my 40th birthday....so, um, what are your doing hanging out at The Fringe???? Go! Get shopping for my gift already! Time is running out!

DESPERATE for some AMAZING sleep

Dear Programming Executives at CTV,

As you are probably aware of - how could you not be - my fortieth birthday is in sixteen days. It is guaranteed to be a huge celebration.

I am a huge fan of Desperate Housewives, The Amazing race and Dancing with the Stars. They are my escape from reality. My escape from the chaos of having three young children, an odd-hour work schedule, a new hard-core focus on getting into shape and well, life in general.

But here lies my problem. I am addicted to these show, on real-time. No, I cannot grasp the idea of pvr-ing or taping the airing of each and then watching after their original showing. I have tried, but I lay in bed thinking, wondering, pondering what could be happening? Nope. No can do...so, instead, I stay up late to watch these shows. Yep. I do...and then Monday morning and Tuesday morning and Wednesday morning come WAY too early. Heck, raising at 3AM is too friggin' early no matter what way you look at it. But, after staying up till 10PM mornings are crazy-hard!

Anyways, I was thinking, you know, since my birthday is coming up, and I am sure you are all trying to decide on the perfect gift for me...well, how about putting Desperate Housewives, The Amazing Race and Dancing with the Stars all at 7PM...that way I could be in bed and asleep way before 9PM. This would mean more than my regular 4-6 hours of sleep. Oh, that would be SWEEEEET!!!!

Ya. I knew you would understand. And, heck, no need to thank me for the great birthday gift suggestion!

Thanks in advance!

The birthday girl,

laura

Green Thumb Gifts

Last summer I started a veggie garden. I fell in love with planting, tending to and harvesting my little crop. Oh, some items did not grow, while others basically took over prime real estate! But it was great fun - and hard work...and very rewarding. All summer we had fresh tomatoes (still have 3 frozen bags in the freezer) tons of green & yellow beans, zucchinis and peas. Oh! I cannot forget the enormous squash. The fresh veggies were amazing!

This winter has been long...and finally we are having almost spring-like weather. That got me thinking of my summer gardening plans. My big plan is to almost triple the size of the veggie garden and move my herb garden and then double it in size.

But to do this, I will need the appropriate tools. Thank goodness I have a birthday coming up!!!!

Gift suggestion: New gardening gloves

Gift suggestion: Shiny new wheelbarrow

Gift suggestion: Cool set of gardening tools (with a lock so little hands cannot get hold of them!)

Gift suggestion: Raised bed kit

Do you like to garden? What is your favorite gardening tool? What should I add to my wish list?

Boy! I cannot wait for the snow to go and planting weather to come...well, I guess I can wait another week since we are heading to Mont Tremblant for a day of spring skiing!

Friday Fitness & Birthday Gift Suggestions

Friday? YIPPPPEEEE!

For me, this week has been one of those, "Dear Lord, will this week EVER end?" coupled with, "Holy crow, Friday, already!" A strange combination!

It was an exciting fitness week! I started new activities, had a little break and most importantly, completed my first road race.

Saturday I completed my 5k race. I am happy with my time - 33.06 though there were at least 3 times I slowed right down and one time I walked - so, lots of room for improvement!

Sunday I played soccer for my new indoor team. It was AMAZING! They are so much better than my former teammates. I ran around, played hard, and had a GREAT time! I even made what can only be described as "the pass of my career" - too bad Joanne could not capitalize on it! We lost, but I had a good work out!

Monday I had my first Running Room clinic. It is a huge group with a huge spectrum of fitness, running ability and commitment. I ran with a really nice gal - we hit it off and I am looking forward to running with her again!

Tuesday I tried an aqua fit class. It was in the deep water - it was challenging, fun, and I am looking forward to trying it again. I am taking the class with a great friend and I am looking forward to chatting, laughing and aqua-fitting with her!!!!

Wednesday - no boot camp this week. I missed it! My friend Dawn and I walked to our Weight Watchers meeting. As was expected, I gained this week - lots of factors contributing (bad choices, snacking, lack of journal keeping and my "time of the month about to start!")

Thursday - I planned on doing a workout - but never got around to it. David had a boys' night out so I had all three kids all day and night...so, no real time to work out.

Friday - I am hoping to go for a run this evening.

Saturday - I am hoping to find a pool and swim some laps in prep for my try-a-thon in May!

Sunday - Running Room Long Run at 8:30am and then I have a soccer game.

Next week I have a busy fitness schedule:

Monday - Running Room Clinic

Tuesday - Aqua Fit Class

Wednesday - Boot camp

Thursday - walk/run

Friday - Run

Saturday - Downhill skiing (Same resort where Natasha Richardson had her accident)

Sunday - Running Room Long run in the AM and soccer game in the afternoon.

Now, since I have lots of training to do before my try-a-thon on May 16 and my 10K race on May 23 I have been exploring tracking gadgets. Roni introduced me to an amazing little application for a iPod. You can read all about it here. It looks super cool and I love the fact you can chart out your runs and workouts and set goals and milestones. WAY COOL!

So, for my 40th birthday I would love this:

Nike + iPod Sport Kit for iPod nano 1G, 2G, 3G

...and since I do not have a iPod Nano, I would need one of these:

Oh! and one of these:

Hee hee...this birthday wish list stuff is fun!!!!

Have a great weekend everyone!

Gift of Life

If you are a regular visitor to The Fringe, you undoubtedly have been monitoring my birthday gift list. (I'm still waiting for the packages to start arriving...still waiting...)


Today, in all seriousness I am asking for one gift from each of you. The gift of life. I am encouraging each and everyone of you to sign your organ donor cards, register on appropriate data bases and inform your family that if, heaven forbid, anything should happen to you, that you would like to donate your internal organs to someone who desperately needs the gift of life.

By now you have probably heard of the tragic death of Natasha Richardson. This is so very sad. My heart goes out to her family - especially her loving husband and young sons.

Yesterday the media had so many conflicting stories and rumors. It was very confusing. Being a head-injury survivor I was very interested in the story and started looking for news on the internet.

I read an article that indicated that Ms. Richardson had been air-transported from a hospital in Montreal to a hospital in New York. I thought perhaps that Lenox Hill hospital was a medical facility hat specialized in brain-injuries. But the information I found basically classified the hospital as having a speciality in cardiac care.

That got me thinking.

Perhaps they moved her to NY so that she could be closer to family. I began to wonder why that hospital. And here is what I am hoping: I hope that she had made the decision to be an organ donor and that she had communicated her wishes to her family. If her head injury was severe then, perhaps, she was being transported closer to home, and that if she did pass away, she would be closer to family and also able to give the gift of life to someone else.

I have no idea of what Natasha Richmond's wishes were in terms of organ donation. Yes, I am sad for her and her family - a tragic loss for certain - but by all accounts she was a healthy, generous, caring being. I hope and pray that the most selfless decision was communicated and acted upon. Based on my personal knowledge and experience of a closed-head trauma - Ms. Richardson would have made an idea organ transplant donor. My heart aches that she suffered this injury. But the lives she could save...oh what a precious gift that would be...

Sadly, perhaps through her death, we can all become a bit more educated in brain-injuries, the importance of wearing helmets and protective gear, and that the gift of life is the ultimate gift we can give, once we are gone from this earth.

The fluke accident that happened to Natasha Richardson, could happen at any time to any of us. You just never know...that is the scary part.

I hope that none of us have to face the painstaking decision that Ms. Richardson's family had to make to turn off the respirator. I hope none of us ever need face such a terrible hardship. But I also pray that Ms. Richardson's family, and any of us who may one day face this unspeakable burden, that we all consider, and hopefully commit to helping to save someone else, when we, or someone we love are in a similar position.

Here are a few additional resources and information sources on organ donation:

The Organ Donation and Transplant Association of Canada
Organ and Tissue Donation (USA)
Gift of Life

For my birthday, I would like my gift to be informing my family and friends of my intentions. I would like to be an organ donor. I want to give the gift of life, when mine has ended. Do you?

Luck of the Irish

Apparently, when my great-great grandparents came to Canada they left the luck of the Irish in their home country!

On Saturday I ran in the St. Paddy's Day Road Race. While it was fun, there was no green luck on my side leading up to or post race!

On Friday I drove downtown to pick up my race kit. It was just after 5pm. You can only imagine how busy the downtown core was at this time. Obviously, I could not find parking, so I had the brilliant idea of parking in my parking spot for work. It would mean only a 3 block hike to The Running Room. I parked my car int he underground parking space designated to me and headed off. I picked up my kit, stopped at the sports store to look for new soccer boots, browsed through a few trendy shops and then headed back to my car. I almost dislocated my shoulder when I tried to throw open the front office door. LOCKED. Yep. My car was in the building, the building you need your work pass to access after normal business hours. It was 6:13pm!!!

I waited and waited till I saw a member of the cleaning crew. I banged on the door. She shook her head and walked away. I waited and waited, finally saw another member of the cleaning crew and got her attention. She must have thought me crazy! I was going on like a mad-woman. I think totally out of fear for her own life, this non-English, non-French speaking, older woman finally let me after I kept making the universal hand gesture for car and pointing down. WHEW!!!

Well, maybe I was lucky??? I did in fact get let into the locked building and I did get back to my car!!!!

The race went well and I finished it in one piece - so, that could be considered lucky.

After the race I hurried back to my office to pick up my weekend assignment. I was jazzed. I was sweaty. I was catching a chill. I remembered I had a warm fleece sweater in the trunk. I parked in my underground spot and grabbed my security pass (!!!) and popped the trunk and grabbed my sweater. Threw on my sweater and slammed the trunk closed. Yep. You figure out what I quickly discovered? Yep. I know you would figure out where this story of luck was leading. Car keys. Trunk. Yep. Inside.

CRAP! I race over to the door and thankfully it is unlocked...but in my car there is no trunk release. So, I am sure the security guard upstairs was having a great laugh at the show I was putting on the closed circuit camera! I had to remove the kids' car seats, pile all the junk onto the backseat floor, tug the seat down. Then I had to climb back into the trunk. Which I do, but not without kicking my rear view mirror off it's holdings and almost putting my foot through my sun roof. Oh ya! I could just imagine the security guard upstairs laughing his butt off at me!!! I was a sight for sore eyes!!!!

Yep. Even in lieu of me completing the race, finishing almost a minute faster than I ever-hoped to finish, the St. Paddy's Day Road Race is not that lucky for me! Though I am sure the the security guards would get a kick out of either episodes on the security tapes!!! While not lucky, I am good for a few laughs!

Wishing you all a very happy St. Paddy's Day!

In keeping with an Irish theme - Birthday gift suggestion # 25 would have to be one of these lovely creatures:

Unfortunately, since I am allergic to long-haired dogs, I would basically die! Put, I would like a dog. All growing up we has miniature poodles or cock-a-poos. I would love to have BIG dog! So how about a standard poodle????

How could you say no to on of these little cuties?!?!?!?!?!




Hee Hee!!!

Warm Temps & appropriate gift ideas

The weather here in Ottawa is sensational!

Today it was 7 degrees above zero...GOR-GEEEEEE-OUS!!!!

So, as I drove around town today with my sun roof opened, my thoughts shifted to summer soccer. The season starts after the May 24 weekend. Oh! I am sooooo excited. Only one of my summer soccer pals has even known about my weight loss journey - let alone seen me!!!! They will be shocked with my 70+ pound loss! I am so excited to play to my potential again!

So, gift suggestion # 28 for my 40th birthday would definitely be shiny, new soccer boots. These ones would be perfect!

There I was driving to soccer this evening, all excited about new soccer boots, and the warm setting sun was glaring into my eyes. Yep. That got me thinking. I have never owned a nice, designer pair of sunglasses. So, for gift idea # 26 I would like to suggest a new styling pair of specs!

The weather is suppose to stay warm for the next few days - the boys start March Break tomorrow...we have a super fun week planned...cannot wait to share our adventures!

Have a great week!

Fitness Friday - Prep for fun!

OK! My race is tomorrow morning at 9:15am. It is a nice route along Colonel By Drive (and Rideau Canal) from Pretoria Bridge to the Bronson Bridge and back. It is calling for a nice 3 degrees Celsius with cloudy skies. I think it will be nice running conditions.

Here are a few photos of the area where the race is being held:

I am taking it easy today. I have had a long, tiring week and need to rest up for what is for sure going to be a great weekend.

Here is a list of things I need to get organized for tomorrow morning:

- Pick up race kit

- Attach shamrocks to my running pants and coat as part of my costume (!?!?!)

- Drink lots of water

- Place out all my running gear

- Bake my shamrock cheesecake and chocolate chip cookies (2 batches of each!)

- Buy a new blade for my straight cutter

- Organize and pack all my photos

- Pack up all the ingredients to make the most fabulous scrambled egg breakfast ever!

- Get all my scrapbooking materials packed up and into the car

- Place my parent's house key on my key ring

- Pack my over night bag

- Pack my soccer gear for my game on Sunday afternoon

It is incredible all the things you need to do before running a 5k race!!!

Oh! Did I mention that, after my big race, 4 of the most wonderful ladies are meeting me at my parent's house about 45km away (away from work, hubby and the kids) for a girls' scrapbooking weekend! The funny part is growing up I NEVER disobeyed my parents and hosted a party in their absence!!! No, I think I did it right....no teenage party will ever out do a kidless, free, scrapbooking weekend away!!!!

Oh ya! No matter how I feel during or after my race, no matter my finishing time, no matter the weather, no matter what, this is going to be a great weekend!!!! (If I survive it!!!)

In honour of this bound-to-be-great weekend, I present to you birthday gift ideas # 29 and # 28:

29) I would soooo love a long sleeve running shirt that would be perfect for Ottawa spring weather. Something like this:

28) And as I move forward with my transition from strictly traditional scrapbooking to a hybrid form of mixing traditional and digital scrapbooking, I would totally appreciate a year membership to Heritage Makers. The extremely lovely Kristen from Mighty Morphin' Mama is a consultant and introduced me to her product line - it totally rocks and I think it would be a super cool addition to my scrapbooking tool set. Not only does the Heritage Makers' annual membership make my list of 40 gifts for my 40th birthday, but Oprah named it one of her favorite things too!!!! (Go check it out! Then, after you fall in love with it you can order one membership for me, and then treat yourself too!)

Wish me luck for my big debut race...Irish luck that is!!!!

Have a wonderful and great weekend...I know I will for sure!!!!

Bryce, Bryce Baby!

Ok... are you now humming that annoying MC Hammer song from like a neon ago?!?!?!?

For 40th birthday gift suggestions # 32, 31 and 30 I am asking for some wonderful reading material.

I absolutely LOVE Bryce Courtenay. He is an amazing author - my favorite of all time.

If you have never read one of his wonderful works of fiction and non-fiction, then I HIGHLY encourage you to run, not walk, to your local book store or library and dive into a wonderful journey of discovery.

I started with The Power of One - and in 1999 I took a trip of a lifetime to 6 countries in Africa - all because this book touched me so much.

I have enjoyed all of his works - and recommend each and every one.

For my birthday, I would like to receive the following works:

Oh ya! These would definitely be a welcomed gift! (though 2/3 are not yet available in Canada - so, if you are in Australia or the UK - this could be an excellent option for your participation in the Great 40 Gifts for 40 years meme I have started in my own name!)

Bryce, Bryce Baby - I LOVE YOU!

Monday Menu Planning and Video Options

Check out more Menu Plan Monday entries at I'm an Organizing Junkie.

I cannot seem to get my head around my menu plan for this week. On top of this struggle, I am not having a very good Weight Watchers day. I probably have eaten over my daily points...I have done the biggest no-no - I ate off the kids plates. But actually, my issues started way before lunch. Today I did not bring my pre-made steel cut oats to work - therefore no breakfast in the early hours. I got home from work at 8:30am and just started grazing. I even made rice crispy squares...though to by credit, I used 1/2 the butter and marshmallows and then used a mix of rice crispies and Kashi Go Lean and All-Bran. They are yummy!

So, even though I am sore tonight, I am going to go for a light jog. I figured I would job up to The Running Room and talk to someone about my up coming 10k clinic and then buy the socks I want for my birthday - and then jog down the road to the electronics store and look for the head set I want. No, do not roll your eyes or snicker at me. I must of checked the mail box a million times and these items have not yet arrived! So, yes, I am taking matters into my own hands!

OK - let's put an end to this food-failure day and come up with some yummy, good meals for the week:

Monday - Salmon Pin Wheels with noodles and long beans

Tuesday - Grilled Steaks with Chile, Cumin, Lime, and Scallions - a good site for diabetic food plan options

Wednesday - Daddy and Kids Pizza night as I have boot camp then Weight Watchers

Thursday - Broccoli-casserole - Love this site!

Friday - Baby romaine salad with assorted peppers, cherry tomatoes and grilled garlic-pepper shrimp

That's what is cooking on the Fringe....whatcha cookin' dis week???

Ok. Back to my 40 gifts in 40 days for my 40th birthday!

Gift Idea # 33

If I am going to eat over my Weight Watchers points, then I will have to up-the exercise options! Therefore, today's gift suggestion is the deluxe Turbo Jam video. I have the first one that includes a 20 minute cardio and a 40 minute sculpt program - but I have heard awesome things about this new offering:

Anyone try it yet? Any other suggestions? I usually rotate doing Turbo Jam, Tae Bo, and 30 Day Shed. Looking for something new and challenging!

Gift Wish # 34 and 33

These two items are also on my 40 gift wish list.

Early bird packages are welcomed, since well, I would like both items for my run on Saturday!!!

Please do not all volunteer at once! There are still 32 more gift suggestions to come - everyone will have an opportunity to shower me with gifts for my upcoming 40th birthday!

Friday Fitness & Gift Idea # 35

Fitness wise, I was doing great until Thursday morning...my Wednesday night Boot Camp did me it!

I can always count on Boot Camp to be a GREAT work out - but this week it was really tough and I am sure feeling it! The instructor's philosophy is that simple, hard work will work. Most classes we use one free weight and a mat - that is it. He is a great fan of the basics like push ups, squats and jumping jacks.

This week he was a bit peeved that the maintenance people buffed the floors. In fact, he was fearful that if we did our regular running circuit, someone would slip and fall. So, we all cheered when he informed us that running between circuits was a no-go! Little did we know that running would be replaced with, oh, about one million lunges!

The work out was pretty simple: I worked very hard...and now I hurt! Besides having that nice bad feeling in my legs, core and arms, my old (serious) hip injury flared up. The Advil and Tylenol are helping and I hope to do a light jog this evening. I am going to save my race practice run for Sunday.

I am getting excited about my road race on March 14. I am also getting a bit nervous. I do not feel as prepared as when I did a race - way back in 2001.


I am trying to focus on the reason I am doing this race. I am NOT doing it to get my best time ever. I am doing it just to say I did it! I am doing it to prove that I am on the right track in terms of combining healthy eating and exercise to create a positive, sustainable lifestyle.

I am working hard at mentally accepting where I am at in my fitness journey and taking time to enjoy this time as a success. It will not be a great finish time - I know that - I am slower, and still much bigger than I was last race day. I am trying to focus on the journey and not just each step.

I have 8 training days remaining. Taking all the wonderful advise I got from all of you, I made up the following training plan:

Saturday - Ski day with family (will be waling up and down the hill about a million times!)Sunday - 6km run at a 10 min run/1 minute walk interval pattern.
Monday - 4.5km run with one walk break

Tuesday - walk to local coffee shop to meet a dear friend!

Wednesday - Boot camp

Thursday - Lane swim (gotta start training for my "Try-a-Thon" in May!)

Friday - REST!

Saturday - St Paddy's Day Road Race - 5KM!

Sunday - Soccer game! (so excited, I am playing for a new team!)

So, based on how sore I a right now and how I anticipate I will feel when I finish my first 5k race, I happily present birthday gift suggestion # 35:

I would LOVE a nice big, jet tub to escape into and unwind. (Un)Fortunately, based on our current bathroom set up, redecorating and redesigning would have to be part of the gift!!!

Now, if a new bath with a jet tub is not doable, then I would make due with this outdoor set up. Yep. I could make due with that!!!!

Oh, baby either of those would ROCK!!!!

PS. I have never been one to write gift lists, and you know, I am having fun doing this one...maybe every year I will repeat my 40th and create a new list! It is fun to wish, hope, dream and hint!

Yawn! Gift Wish # 36

Yawn...a co-worker took this week off for bereavement reasons. So, instead of working my regular 4am to 8am shift, I am working 3am to 9am. Not only are my hours longer, but due to the fact that I am getting up at 2:30 in the morning and I am doing the work of two people - and hitting all my daily deadlines I am stinky-tired! Stinky-tired, I tell you!

My days are long, but for the most part, daily life with the kids has been going well. I am proud that my lack of sleep, work-overload mode, and busy evening workout schedule has not caused me to loose my temper, be short with the kids or slack in my parenting.

Yes, I am tired - but for the most part, mornings with Madigan have been going well and afternoons with all three kiddies have been fun, active and good humoured.

I really think that my weight loss and improved fitness level have improved my coping mechanisms. I am stronger, healthier and more agile. All positive aspects in coping with daily life, and with parenting.

Yet, another reason why I am proud of my weight loss journey so far.

So, this brings me to the next item on my 40th birthday gift wish: I would simply LOVE a new, romantic bedroom.

Currently, we have mismatched, hand-me-down furniture - my dresser is in rough shape. There is no style or decor in the room...unless you count the piles of clothes, discarded toys and books and cat posts. A sexy, relaxing, wonderful bedroom, I do not have! No welcoming bedding, no colour on the walls, only a black out blind on the window and a disheveled, unorganized closet.

I would simply love to redo our bedroom to look like this:

...or something like this:

...oh, ya!

Either of these sweet rooms would make for a

sweet birthday gift, and even sweeter dreams!

Weight Loss Milestone and Gift Wish # 37

My Journey thus far:

September 5, 2008 = 245.5 pounds

March 4, 2008 = 175.6 pounds

70 pound weight loss!!!!!

Last night I hit a huge milestone in my weight loss journey. I had originally set the goal of loosing 70 pounds in 52 weeks...and I did it in 27 weeks!

My new goal is to loose the final 30 pounds and then maintain my weight between 145 and 150.

When I started this journey I was addicted to junk food, fatty foods and huge helpings...now, I am addicted to exercise magazines and healthy cooking magazines.

So, for gift wish number 37 I would love a subscription to one, or all of the following:

Do you know any great magazines I should add to my list???? Let me know!!!

Tipping the Scales - and T Minus 38 days

This evening is my last "regular" Weight Management meeting. No more weekly hospital meetings. I now go into "self preservation mode". Instead of weekly group meetings and weekly doctor meetings, I will monthly doctor meetings and get to choose 6 sessions to attend in the next 6 months. 27 weeks have flown by! I still remember the apprehension I felt applying, committing and starting the program.

Initially, I thought the 12 weeks of of "no food" was going to be the hard part - but really, it was the transition and now, daily living. I NEVER want to go back to where I was - and I am so afraid of that happening. I do not want to be "that girl". You know, that poor girl who worked so hard to take off all the weight, only to put it all back on...and then some.

I have the potential to be that girl - and that scares me. But may, just maybe I can capitalize on that fear and keep focused and committed.

I have seen the results of weight loss. I feel great - I have so much more energy - I am see the benefits in all aspects of my life.

I am super proud of my commitment and hard work - and I still see areas I need to improve. I want to eat healthy. I want to live healthy. And, I think that desire will help me realize my ultimate weight loss goals and it will help me stay committed to this entire lifestyle change.

I hope it does...

I am sure there will be a strange feel in the meeting tonight. Most of us are not done our weight loss journey - and I think we all feel a bit nervous, anxious and tentative to be "on our own".

At the same time, I know that I am looking to define, follow and keep to a new lifestyle. I am confident that Weight Watchers will help me to get there and stay there.

My Weight Management Program with the liquid diet component taught m so much. I am walking out of the program with invaluable knowledge, acceptance and know-how. I am grateful to the program, and more specifically to the leaders - but my journey does not end, just because my program ends.

Thank you to everyone who has been following my journey. Thank you for your support. I hope that you will keep reading, commenting, inspiring, encouraging and cheering me on - I will never be able to properly express my gratitude.

OK - now, back to our Birthday Gift Count Down.

Drum Roll......at Number 38, my wish would be to get a little wave runner...a nice leisure and recreational vehicle.

This is the model I fell in love with at the Ottawa Boat Show this past weekend.

Anderson appreciated the fine steering and power of this fun-machine...

DJ could picture himself catching some rays and hitting some waves...

Madigan and Mommy were envisioning all the fun our entire family could have

enjoying this wonderful gift!!!

(and Daddy was salivating and drooling all over the place!!!)

Hee hee... no where in the rules does it say all 40 gifts have to be realistic...they can be the stuff dreams are made of!!!!