Paintercize

I'm seeing how many calories can be burned going up and down and up and down up and down and up and down up and down and up and down up and down and up and down up and down and up and down up and down and up and down up and down and up and down up and down and up and down up and down and up and down a ladder with a paintbrush and paint scraper...

I'm priming and painting the trim and siding on my house. It's taking a while as the time I booked off to do this was rainy the whole time so I'm picking away at it now after work before sunset, much to the entertainment of my neighbors.

Painting burns calories right? :)

Good times

I had a great weekend at the lake...even tho it rained saturday morning (complete with thunder and the whole bit) by the evening it was clearing up with a lake as calm as glass. We went for a few hikes once the rain stopped and then went out for a nice 2 hour canoe ride after supper (BBQ steak...mmm...). When we got back it was time for the last of the peach pie...YUM :)
Sunday it was gorgeous out so we got in a fishing trip (we all caught our limits!) and some swimming in the lake. The lake was very cold, but we were quite stubborn and swam for about half an hour after which we came in teeth chattering for some rum and coffee. Then a quick family meal and it was back home, jiggety jig. We got to play with our new camera this weekend (which is waterproof) which was cool...once I figure out how to get photos OFF it I'll post a few on my other blog.
It was over far too quickly. But it wasn't such a food fest like it normally is. I've found trips at the lake are a bit better now...my Mum has given up her "eat eat eat" thing she's always had for us all. There aren't snacks out 24/7 anymore. There's fruit and tea and the odd cookie STAT, but nothing like the snackery on every free flat counter top that she usually has had. I know my Dad is trying to be more healthy (he has a quite the jelly belly on him) so she figures not having it out will curb the nibbling. I know it sure helped me, that's for sure :) I have no willpower so my usual solution at home is to just not have treats about and then I won't be tempted (and give in to said temptation). It reminded meto continue to keep the treats out of the house...

It was so nice to see my Mum and Dad. They're both keeping busy and my Mum, who has some fairly major heart problems, has finally found a pace of life and gotten the medications she needs that makes her happy and full of energy...she was doing much better than she was last I saw her.
I heart my mum...

I did forget some work stuff up there...which made for me going in early to work today to do something AGAIN as I'd left the calculations up there and had to redo them all (boo)...but it's done now, and I'm here at work sniffling and sneezing as little as possible. As soon as I can I'm off home to bed to relax under the covers with some tea and nyquil...aahhh...

LATER: Screw the nyquil. Fiddling with my new camera is too much fun!
I've uploaded some pictures and video from the weekend.
Gaze in awe at my fishing skills.
Gasp in wonder at how my hair flies around in the fish boat...
Oh Yes...check it out...we are, indeed, all kinds of cool :)

All that and a piece of pie

Well my pie filled world is slowing down finally. The fruit we brought back from BC was made into pies, which I and my family have been eating for a week or so. I have also gotten the cold J had last week, but it's my own fault - I kept sneaking kisses from a sickly guy...what are ya gonna do? I'm just going to medicate myself up and have a good weekend regardless...

This weekend we are heading up to the lake to visit my parents...I've saved a peach pie to take up for them and I'm looking forward to a weekend of swimming and hiking and BBQs (I have some steaks to take along...yum). I'm bringing up my snorkel and flippers...I can't wait to swim around the lake with J - since he's learned to swim a few years ago it's been great sharing all these things I've enjoyed doing since I was a kid with him...I'm hoping that someday he'll be comfortable enough under water that we can go somewhere and snorkel at coral reefs. We'll see. For now it's snorkel and look at minnows...I'll take it. Even fishing and canoeing are up for grabs now, as he's not spending his entire time freaked out that he might drown (that tended to suck out any enjoyment he's had from those things before). My doc said swimming might help my annoying knee heal up better...I'll see how it handles the swimming there. If it likes it I may do some swimming when we get back home for a while :). Starting September I'm declaring my rest period for my knee over and I want to jump back into things without mucking my knee up again. Hopefully slow and steady (plus starting up my bellydancing again) will do the trick.

My Mum and Dad have friends at the lake right now so it will make the visit a bit less hectic. My Dad is always worried that we aren't enjoying ourselves when we come up and is looking for things for use to do all the time. I'm just glad to see them...and be in one of my most favourite places on earth. We just go up to see them and relax. I love to swim and hike...pick berries with my Mum...watch the stars come out over the lake at night one by one...fiddle out in the shop with Dad and drink hot chocolate and play cards and dominoes until the wee hours.

Can you tell I'm looking forward to the weekend? :)
Hope you all have a good weekend.

Mayday Mayday!

Yesterday was a gong show.
My hunger of ridiculous proportions lasted ALL DAY. This is rare for me, but I didn't handle it too well. At work was fine, as there was only the food I'd brought with me...When I got home I'd hoped a BBQ'd burger and some homemade potato salad would help...I still craved (and ate) popcorn when we went out to a movie later. All in all not a disaster, but I didn't like it.
There is nothing like feeling hungry all the time. Even after you've just eaten. It was ridiculous. I'm glad this doesn't happen to me every month or I'd undo my entire month's work of sanity each month.

I stepped on the scale this AM and it turns out I weigh the same as ever so I know I haven't done anything irreversible, and I am fine. I just do not like feeling out of control of myself like that. It was very unsettling. Like an addiction almost...not cool.

Thankfully this morning I awoke to normality. A little bowl of miniwheats and some coffee and I feel fine....back to it I suppose. Just a little sidetrack into insanity...but I"m back.
Phew.

This munchie attack has been brought to you by the letters P, M and S

It's 11 PM and I can't sleep. My brother has given me a copy of Pride and Prejudice and Zombies so I'm looking forward to reading that in bed. BUT, you see, I am so hungry I could gnaw off my own arm and slather it in tartar sauce. After trying to ignore it I have found that I can't so I must have a bit of *something*. I as a rule NEVER eat in bed unless it's room service in a posh hotel on holiday....which leaves me no choice in dealing with my truly ignorable hunger cravings but to be surfing the web in my kitchen while eating rice crackers dipped in salsa and fat free sour cream to try and make my stomach stop growling so I can get to sleep.

Wierd.

I'll try and keep the damage to a minimum :)

Whoosh! I'm back!

Sooooo..I'm back.
Didja miss me?
Say you did :)

I was off in beautiful British Columbia near the mountains by Nelson, camping.
Ubercamping really...some friends rented a super hugeass RV and let us tag along...it was fun on a bun. I'm spoiled for regular camping now-we had our own bathroom...and a fridge and stove...and a shower. Awha? So decadent :) Add to that mountain streams, hiking and lots of great times with friends. It was fabulous. While there we stopped in at a music festival and danced our pants off and even stopped in at an orchard for a bunch of fruit on the way back home. Popped in for the afternoon at Head Smashed In Buffalo Jump, an international heritage site (very interesting) on the way home. Oh yes - fun AND educational we are! :) I'd post some pictures but some asshat stole my camera bag...ah well...c'est la vie. I had such a great time I dont' mind too much. It was 7 years old and starting to malfunction, so now I have an excuse to get a new one :)

I'm back here stepping into normal life again...and I want more time off!
I've planned to paint the trim on my house this fall so, of course it's been raining non-stop. Hopefully that will get done. I actually have been able to scrape a few of the sills so they look horrid, so I have to finish them up at least. We'll see...

As for me, well my knee is still a bit odd. It doesn't hurt, but it does have "that" feeling like something isn't quite right. So I'm taking it easy...I've been going for lots of walks and am riding my bike to work.
I'm going to sign up for fall community classes this week - back to bellydancing ! YAY! One of my instructors is moving, so it will just be my tribal teacher, but that is OK..I"ll miss her. Hopefully someone will take up her classes, as it's nice to learn different styles. Plus my sis in law has been pumped to take classes with me and I'd hate for her to be disappointed - it's been good to see her be a bit more active... My tribal teacher has recommended me to a dance troupe in town for more advanced classes so I'm pumped about that - it is more expensive BUT the lessons are longer and more detailed and I'll get to learn how to use my sword! Finally :)

There is also a Fitness Boot Camp class on tuesdays I think I will sign up for...it sounds like fun. Fitness bootcamp is an idea that has always intrigued me. I can push myself and work hard with someone egging me on. I like to workout in groups...it's an all fitness levels group so I can't be out of place. I think it could be fun. It's only $30 as it is thru the community association so I'm going to give it a go if there are any spots in it...sounds like a fun time :)

Hope you've all been having a great summer. I know I have :)