Merry Christmas, Joyeux Noel, Happy Holidays!

I'm going to make this my last posting for the year. Have a wonderful safe fun filled holiday. Sending best best wishes for much joy and happiness, and finally one last wish:

May the sun shine all day long,
Everything go right and nothing go wrong.
May those you love bring love back to you
And may all the wishes you wish come true. ANON

See you in 2012

On Cue!

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There must be a lesson that I am supposed to learn and just not getting. The other day I was pondering how well I was coping with the up coming holidays. Let me just say that this time of year has always been extremely difficult and trying. These holidays leave a bitter taste in my mouth because of all the family bickering, plus the fact that Mom passed away on Christmas Eve certainly does not help.

Over the past few weeks I had been starting to feel actually excited, happy and looking forward to Christmas. Usually when I hear Christmas music or see decorations my first reaction was to be sad. However, this year I was finally happily singing along with the carols and thinking to myself that the decorations looked nice. But that happy feeling has come to a crashing halt when being hit by a wall of grumpy and controlling people. Ha, just when I thought that I had finally conquered my battle with the Christmas blues. When overwhelmed with negativity and control issues I want to disconnect and not engage with anyone, its a struggle not to get carried along on the blues train.

Its time to remember that I'm the one in control here, and it will be my loss if I let small hurtful, controlling people take my happiness away. I'm going to do my darnedest and get back my Joy!

10 Days To Christmas

And its pouring rain! A little unusual but winter does not officially arrive till the 21st of December. Do believe that I am probably one of the few people who does not mind the lack of snow. I'll take the mild weather and as long as it's not freezing rain I'm good.

My dinner with the ladies was fun, the service was slow, mostly because the restaurant was filled with Christmas parties. T'is the Season! The food was nothing special, but still better than having to cook it myself. I settled for my usual standard of grilled salmon and veggies. DH is not much of a seafood fan, thus it tends to be my go to meal when dinning out. We spent a couple of hours chit chatting and laughing, in my books the evening was a success.

Tonight is walking clinic, my guess is that lots of people will opt out because of the weather. I'm thinking of taking the week off between Christmas and New Year. With the guests in from out of town and the better part of the holidays falling on the weekend I don't want to stress about going to class. I'll just have to get out there and get some exercise on my own.

Still have many things to check off on my to do list. Ahhh there's plenty of time! says "Christmas Procrastinator Extraordinaire".

Bob and Doug Sing 12 Days of Christmas - Animax Entertainment

Here's a little spoof on Canadians celebrating Christmas. Countdown is on!

Let The Celebrations Begin

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This weekend was the kick off to the Christmas party season. The biggest event was Sunday which was a potluck luncheon with my walking group. It was lovely getting to chat with most of the ladies. Before the luncheon we did a 10KM. FYI my walking foe returned to the clinic this past week. I have done everything in my power to keep as far away from her as possible. So far so good.

Friends are in town from overseas, so we had to get together with them. Saturday evening was spent visiting a sick friend. Somehow we managed to put up the Christmas tree, and I baked myself silly. To tell you the truth there wasn't a single moment to spare.

Tomorrow its a Birthday/Christmas dinner with my girlfriends. Christmas shopping still needs to be settled, menu for Christmas Eve celebration is coming together; bit by bit I working my way through the list. Thankfully it looks like I will be having the week off between Christmas and New Years.

It's beginning to look alot like Christmas! Hope your days are filled with fun and not stress.

EEEEKKKK!

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Time I need more time. Surprise rush project this morning at the office, just when I think I've caught up. Also have a huge list of Christmas things I need to do over the weekend. Panic setting in!

Need A Pick Me Up

Spend some time with a dog.

"She is your friend, your partner, your defender, your dog. You are her life, her love, her leader. She will forever be yours, faithful and true" - Anonymous

Its another dull dreary day, but I was in stitches this morning watching Lola running and running around the yard throwing her toy in the air. It was snowing ever so gently and she was just enjoying it so much, anyone could tell it made her day. If you look closely at the picture you can see her Christmas Santa Chicken beside her. It clucks and bucks when she throws it around and it makes her growl. Quite humorous to see and certainly puts a smile on my face. Who cares if the sun never comes back.

Uggh Only Wednesday!

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I have absolutely no interest in being at work today. Maybe its because there an ever going list of things I need to do around the house. Or it could be the rush of last week has caught up to me. Whatever it is I'd rather be anywhere but at my desk.

I need to get myself in gear for the Christmas Holidays. Ooops I haven't started the shopping. Although I did ask the kids what they wanted/needed a couple of months ago. But I never received a solid answer so I've put off purchasing anything. To tell you the truth I'm not a fan of shopping, but time is running out.

Now that DD is back, looks like we will be hosting the Christmas celebrations. They wanted all of us to come spend it with them but since there is not enough room for both families and everyone else lives here, it made more sense for DD to come here. The in laws and families will be joining us Christmas Eve for supper. Christmas morning we usually have a brunch. New Years Eve is always spent at home. I need to remain calm and try to come up with simple things to serve, after all it is supposed to be a holiday for me as well.

But I feel the anxiety building. EEEEEEK!

Precautions

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After a busy day I headed out to the mass immunization clinic to get a flu vaccine. I only started taking the vaccine the last couple of years because I do not want the risk of infecting my father. The vaccine is highly recommended for people who have chronic or life threatening illness and to their caregivers. I'm covering my bases as his health is so fragile, I just don't want to be the one responsible for sending him to the hospital.

Followed that fun with an appointment at the nutritionist. We had a rather lengthy chit chat and reinforced that I was doing a good job. Since last January I've lost 16 pounds. Of course in my mind it is very minimal but in the big scope of things it is substantial. She said slow is better and it is a lifestyle not a diet. I have a couple of friends dieting. One is doing the cookie diet, the other is going to a clinic following a protein product diet. They both told me that although they had lost more weight quicker, keeping it off without these products would be a challenge. It is paramount for me to know that I am in control and that I can do this myself. Everyday is a struggle for doing what is right and what is best, but I am worth it.

Last week sometime I received a letter for the government asking me to join its program for Breast Cancer Screening. It is a huge study conducted throughout Quebec for women ages 50 - 70. They follow you every two years with a mammogram till the age of 70. Surprisingly I received and appointment for the 3 of January.

Hopefully all these precautions will keep me on the road of good health. That my friends is what's going on in my life at the moment.

Catching Up

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Been trying to catch up here at the office since last Friday. Survived the Trade show, everything arrived safe and sound. Can only say I'm glad it is over. Keeping my fingers crossed that things will be back to normal by tomorrow. Hope you are well.