Hockey Hockey Hockey

It's official - I am sick of hockey, and we're only in the second round of the playoffs! May is going to be a long month!

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Oil Wives

Tonight is the general meeting of the Oil Wives. What fun. I so don't want to go, in a way, because John's picking up the trailer tonight! (After having to spend $800 on our truck!)

Anyways, I wish I could say something really interesting happened today, but I don't even know what I did with my time today. Suddenly I looked up and it was time to get ready to go!

Willpower

OMG. Day 17 of the 17 Day Diet, and my willpower has left the building. Chocolate, crackers, oye. Not good. I have to get it out of my house, and get outside. Exercise some of the shit off.

Good news is that I lost 6.5 pounds total (apparently gained some water weight the past couple of days since my t-o-m is coming soon). That's not too bad in 17 days. And I've lost 2 inches too.

Now onto a different 17 days where I get to eat carbs and red meat. Fun!

Books of 2011 - #12

The Clan of the Cave Bear - Jean M. Auel


Ok, this book is super old, like published in 1980, which is 6 years before I was born. My mom had tried to read it when it came out, and was horribly bored with it. Then this winter my grandparents started reading the books, and I got intrigued. The verdict: I LOVE THIS BOOK! It's so cool. Basically, it's set before one of the ice ages, in a tribe (the clan of the cave bear) of what I can assume are Neanderthals. It's so cool (I won't give any of it away like my grandma did!) and I definitely think that if you have any interest in history, this book is something you should read. I love it. Love it. Love it. Love it. The way it's written is so plausible too! You can almost believe that this is exactly how they lived. Love it. 5 stars!

Easter Weekend

Well, I certainly hope everyone had a nice Easter weekend. Ours wasn't too bad. There was too much snow to hike around (which we tried) so we spent a lot of time indoors. We bought a trailer (YAY!) which is awesome. We should be able to pick it up this weekend, so I will definitely post photos then. Now, to share some photos from the weekend:

A quick shot that I took of John on our geocaching adventure. The weather was good, so we thought why not try out our new GPS? Bad idea. There was so much snow and slush in the community forest that we couldn't do anything.

My baba-girl Zahara. Usually, I have more photos of Zeus, but Zahara has become quite lovey in the last little while. She's a constant companion who doesn't try to steal my wool unlike Zeus.

My Easter decorations. Not much, but I sure like it! I've seen on a lot of blogs that I follow that they do an Easter tree, not unlike a Christmas tree. They use branches in a bundle and hang eggs and bunny figurines and stuff from them. I'm thinking I might do one of those for next year! I think most of these women are British - maybe it's an English thing?

Beautiful orange flower plant from my mom-in-law. I am notoriously bad with flowering plants (or any plants other than aloe vera) so I'm hoping that this one will live, though I'm not giving it much hope!

John's jersey was draped over our seldom used treadmill this morning. It's just going to hang out until the next game. I know there are some haters out there that want to bash the Canucks, but this is not the place. I have hope in them. I'm actually getting really sick of the bashing. It's fine when it's a friendly thing like between John, me and his step-dad. Lloyd is a die-hard Calgary Flames fan, and we are a Vancouver Canucks household. We joke back and forth, but when Calgary got knocked out, Lloyd started cheering for Vancouver. Now, I don't expect everyone to cheer for the Canucks once their team is out, but don't bash them. I had a FB status up about the game last night (which they did lose, but they played amazingly well and lost in sudden death OT) and I got a bunch of haters calling them down. Not cool. I'm so not up for that stuff. Poor sportsmanship on the part of the people who are just hating because their team is already golfing. If tomorrow night the Canucks lose, we'll cheer for someone else and not hate. It's annoying.

Anyways, now that my hockey rant is over, I should get cracking. Lots of laundry to do today!

Happy Easter!

Yep, it's Easter Sunday! I can't believe it's already April 24 - it seems like this year is flying by, even though I'm not working.

I'm still not 100% sure what I'm making for Easter dinner. I have my turkey, but what else? Brussels sprouts, and a salad? I've cheated on my diet a couple of times and had carbs, and I'm still not feeling well (I'm beginning to think I might be carb-intolerant) so I need to make sure there's a good sample of food. We have John's mom here, and maybe a couple of friends coming over, so I should make a little something more, but I want to follow my diet. I guess we'll see.

All I know is that I need to go for a run today. I am pretty sure the carbs went straight to my fat cells!

Truck & Trailer

Today was an interesting day.

We got the trailer! Yay! So, we now own a trailer, just have to get the electric brakes put in the truck and we can pick it up (and I can take photos of it!).

But, someone hit our truck AGAIN and drove off. Yes, we have been the victim of hit and run TWICE. Now the back end is all screwed too, but this time it's worse. It's down to the metal, so we're actually going to have to get it painted. Lovely, eh? Some asshole hits us, and now we have to pay a lot for it. Super awesome. Just what we needed when I wasn't working.

Oh, well - at least we got the trailer!

Geocaching

So, yeah. Today we decided to do geocaching. Well, there was too much snow. Much too much snow. Boo to that.

So, another day, perhaps.

17 Day Diet - Day 12

So, I'm onto day 12 today. Things are going fairly well. I can't say that I haven't cheated, but I haven't gone overboard at all.

And want to hear the best news?

I've lost 7.5 pounds in 11 days, putting me back in the 180s again! It's been so long since I've been there, but my goal of being the same weight that I was at Christmas by Easter seems attainable! Whoop whoop!

I haven't worked out in a few days, but I don't have a lot to do around the house today, so I'll be able to have some energy to work out. I've been thinking a lot about yoga in the past few days, so maybe I'll do JM's Yoga Meltdown. I've noticed that I'm not nearly as flexible as I was before, so some stretching is in order!

Soup Soup Soup

All I did today was make soup, I swear. Lots in the freezer for quick lunches and dinners though!

Temp Job

Holy man, what a boring day! Seven hours of nothing. I think I read 3/4 of my book.

I also got called in for a typing test at the OGC - which was so easy. I had 8 minutes to type some stuff, and I actually had time to proof-read it and sit there.

Now to watch BL11!

One Day Temp Job

Yup, I got me a one day temp job. Lame, but you know, it's work. Apparently most places are looking for experience, which I have none. If I wanted to go to Greggs or Northern Metallic I would be able to work right away. I hate that people don't necessarily like to give people chances to get experience. I do not want to have to go back to that. So don't.

Game 3

Yup, I made it through another game! And it was a nail-biter! But the Canucks pulled it off! One more game to send the 'Hawks golfing!

I watched John's last hockey game today too with mom and dad. Mom was cheering so loud that I was embarrassed! I'm not much of a cheerer unless I'm in a crowd, which we were not. The game ended in a loss for them but they had fun. The goalie on the other team was hammered, and the game started at 9:30am!

Anyway, off to hang with the hubbs.

SLEEPY!

OMG. I have done absolutely nothing today. Like, seriously, nothing. But eat. But, I've been eating turkey and carrots and cucumber. It's all good stuff, but I've really not done much at all today! I have a headache, and right now, at 8:03PM I'm in bed, and have been here for about an hour.

John's at his hockey tournament right now, and while I'm glad he's out enjoying himself, I can't help but wish he was at home so I had someone to hang out with. Last night he was supposed to come home after his game, and decided to go to one of the guy's houses to watch the end of the Canucks-Blackhawks game, and I thought, whatever because I was going to bed within half an hour anyways, and he thought I was the coolest wife ever. Pretty funny. But, compared with some of the guy's wives, I am pretty cool. Some of the other guys have to go home right after hockey, and have to account for every second they're not at home. I only worry when it's like 2 hours after hockey and he's not home because of how crappy the roads are around here all winter long. He's home almost all the time, and he works his ass off, why not let him hang out with the guys if he wants to?

Anyway, I think I'm going to get back to my magazine, and maybe I'll fall asleep before 9! Who's going to stop me? That's right, no one. No one at all.

Night all!

Phone Interview

Don't you hate the phone interview? I had one today, and I have to say, it is so weird. Not really a fan. But, good news is that I did really well, and the HR woman who interviewed me liked me. Hopefully I'll hear something soon. I also called our staffing service and they're having issues having the employers get back to them about people's resumes. I guess that's what happens when it's busy here.

Anyway, my 17 Day Diet is going EXCELLENT. I'm down 5-1/2 pounds since Monday. 4 days, 5-1/2 pounds. Pretty awesome.

John's got his hockey tournament, so I'm in for a long weekend. But, I started a new large crochet project so I should be busy enough.

Have a good weekend!

"Eat, Pray, Love" & Japanese Flowers & Green Tea

So, John is off to hockey, and I am watching my favourite movie, making beautiful Japanese flowers for a wonderful gift for a lovely friend, and drinking green tea. It's almost 10, and I've pretty much just drank a whole pot of tea. Yup, I have a feeling that I'm not going to be able to sleep too well tonight - I foresee many bathroom trips!

On the bright side, I have a phone interview tomorrow. I applied online for a job this morning, and I got a call later this afternoon. Phone interview at 10AM. Gotta dazzle! I need to get working! Momma needs a travel trailer!

Anyway, back to the movie, crocheting and tea!

Playoffs

Ugh, playoffs have started. Remember how I said that I would be so annoyed with hockey after a while? Well, it's already started, and playoffs for the Canucks started today.

And at least they've got the first goal of the game.

Still though. 8 weeks of playoffs? Not impressed. As much as I would like the Canucks to win, that means all 8 weeks. It would be easier if they got knocked out. Doesn't seem like it's going to happen!

17 Day Diet - How Did Day 1 Go?

The answer is: AWESOME.

Was I hungry? Definitely. When you go from eating whatever you want to eating lean protein and vegetables, it's bound to happen. But, it wasn't anything that I couldn't handle.

So, yes, I think this is something I can keep up with. Though, I'm going to need to do some research on meals. John is going to get really sick of salads, and last night's dinner was pretty crappy. Talapia and steamed broccoli and cauliflower. Not very exciting. But I can make turkey chilli without the beans, and chicken soup. Good enough for me!

And, I'm down 2 pounds already. Can't say anything better than that.

And, today I finished a cute crochet project. A string market bag - so cute. You can find the pattern here.

Kara's Crocheted Hanging Towel (pattern)

My very first written pattern! So excited! It's nothing fancy, but it's a start. All it's missing is a button!

Pattern for "Kara's Crocheted Hanging Towel"

Chain 11.

Row 1: Sc in second chain from hook and in each ch after (10 sc).

Row 2: Ch 1, sc in next 10 sc (10 sc)

Row 3: Ch 1, sc in next 4 sc, chain 2 & sk next 2 sc, sc in next 4 st (button hole made)

Row 4: Ch 1, sc in next 4 sc, 2 sc in ch 2 sp, sc in next 4 sc (10 sc)

Row 5-30: Ch 1, sc in next 10 sc.

Row 31: Ch 3 (counts as first dc), dc in first sc, dc in next sc, 2 dc in next sc, 1 dc in next sc, 2 dc in next 2 dc, 1 dc in next sc, 2 dc in next sc, 1 dc in next sc, 2 dc in last sc (16 dc)

Row 32: Ch 1, sc in next 16 dc.

Row 33-34: Ch 1, sc in next 16 dc.

Row 35: Ch 3, dc in same sc, 2 dc in each sc across (32 dc)

Row 36: Ch 1, sc in next 32 dc.

Row 37-38: Ch 1, sc in next 32 sc.

Row 40-55: Repeat rows 36-39.

Rows 56-58: Repeat rows 36-38 once more.

You can add length by adding repeating rows 36-39 and ending with rows 36-38.

I used Bernat Handicrafter Cotton and a size 6.00mm hook.

It only took a couple of hours to make, and is pretty simple.

Enjoy!

Here's what I get to look at today...

I hope you get a chance to enjoy some nice SPRING weather today. I think it's out of the question for me. And I really wanted to go for a run today! Out in the sunshine! Should have done it yesterday!

100th Post && Blogaversary

2 milestones today!

100th post of this blog - which means we are 100 days into the year!

And also, my blogaversary. One year ago today, I started blogging. Seems like yesterday.

Weird that both of these things fell on the same day.

So, we'll celebrate with some photos:

Poor truck! Frozen solid near Jasper!

This is where we stopped to go to the bathroom - so pretty!

Another view of the frozen truck.

Momma and me.

Have a great night everyone! 17 Day Diet starts tomorrow!

Feels like SUNDAY

Yup, something weird is going on this week. I'm running a day ahead, which sucks. In a way. At least tomorrow morning I might be surprised that John has another day off.

Now, instead of watching the hockey game (which I actually wanted to watch) we're going to watch The Tourist. We just watched Burlesque, and it was actually pretty good. McSteamy is in it (if you don't know who that is, crawl out from under the rock you live under and watch Grey's) and that makes it good no matter what, even if Cher is in it and she sings and it's scary.

Anyway. Movies, movies, movies.

A Day Ahead

I don't know what it is about today. It feels like it should be Saturday, which is weird, because for me right now, every day is a Saturday. But, John slept in today too, so it might not be just me.

Days like today I wish I was working. Mom and I went shopping, and I finally tried on a pair of Puma shoes. I never thought my super wide feet would ever fit into them, but yep, they do. Now I want a pair of them. So bad. Damn. Shouldn't have done that. Maybe I'll have to sweet talk John into letting me buy them.

Today is also the start of our trade show in town. John wants to check it out tonight. Something to do anyways. We didn't bother going last year, but I think it'll be fun to go this year. I like checking out all the booths.

Anyway, back to knitting! Have a fun weekend!

Walking with Hubbs

So, John and I went for a walk tonight, and I think I finally got it through to him that he might not think he needs to lose weight, but that he needs to do it to support me. Thank god! So, maybe he'll help me stick to this new diet that I'm trying, and will try to get to the gym more with me. It's only been a year since I really started losing weight!

But, now it's time to turn to hockey. Our Canucks are doing really well! Playoffs are around the corner, and we're looking good. But, in about 3 weeks I'll be so sick of hockey that I'll be complaining about it being on instead of watching it all the time!

More Resumes Out

Ugh, I'm starting to feel very unemployable. So many resumes out, and nothing. Not even through our staffing service. A girl I know just gave her notice, and I had applied there at the beginning of the year, and apparently her boss was asking if I was still looking for a job, but I haven't heard anything yet, so I dropped another resume off. Man, I hope I get something soon.

On a happier note, we just watched Tangled. So cute! The horse is so funny. Man, I love cartoons!

Hawaii-55

So, we're doing a play for our Oil Wives Convention in October. Hawaii-55 instead of Hawaii-50 because it's our 55th Convention, and our club's 55th year as a club. I was supposed to play Danno, but he was double booked, so I don't have to do it! Yay! I'm so glad. So so so glad. I did not want to have to be a main player. I would have done anything else, but I have no interest in doing a main role. So, score for me! Now I just have to paint. Someone got the idea that I'm an artist. They are going to be sadly mistaken. Oh well. We'll do what we can.

Anywho, night all!

Nice To Know...

...that your husband misses you when you're gone. Makes you feel appreciated. John said that he missed my pampering while I was in Golden. Not having someone to make you dinner and lunch sure makes a difference. It makes me feel good to know that he appreciates what I do and that he misses it while I'm gone.

While I was in Golden I got a chance to visit with one of my cousins. She's lost like 19 pounds. Looks awesome! It's hard to believe that she's done so well. She and her husband have been on The 17 Day Diet. So, after talking to her, I've decided to go on it as well. And John too, mostly. My mom and I bought the book and she read a bit yesterday, and I'm going to start it today. I think, if I feel like the diet is something we can do, John and I will start it Monday at the same time as mom. John didn't want to start it so soon because he has his drunken hockey tournament next weekend, and Easter is coming up, but it's all good. He'll just miss out on the one weekend, and we'll have a diet Easter dinner. It's just going to be us and John's mom, Heather, so it's not like it's a huge deal. Heather'll be game.

Anyway, I'm going to grab my book and run a nice hot bath!

Back in FSJ

So, made it home safe and sound today. I have to admit, though it was nice to be down in Golden to make sure that Grandpa was ok, it's nice to be home. I also need to admit that I wish I had taken that temp job that I interviewed for because funds are getting to be on the low side. I'm actually worried that we're not going to be able to go to John's cousin's wedding in Ontario, and that makes me sad. And a bit guilty, because we would for sure be able to go if I hadn't quit my job. But, I did it for my health, and now it's time to start taking care of myself, starting with going to the doctor to make sure that I get everything taken care of. Blood work and stuff. And making appointments for John! Both of us need to start taking care of ourselves.

Ok, got to go do something. I'm restless.

Leaving Golden

So, we left today, even though there were major wind warnings for southern Alberta. The roads through the Banff/Jasper Parks weren't the greatest in places, but they definitely weren't the worst. Very slushy (I'll post photos of the slush frozen to my truck when I'm home), but dry in some places. We made it to Hinton ok though! Tomorrow we'll head home. We're almost half way home, so it's good. I'd much rather have the trip split up this way. I finally ordered a bunch of photos from my wedding from Costco so I can pick them up tomorrow. My mom'll like looking at them all the way home from GP.
But, now I'm going to get some rest. I was mildly stressed out driving up here, so I need to chill out!
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Golden - Day 3

Today was another good day. Grandpa seems to be doing well, and everyone else is great. We got a chance to visit with my auntie Karen and her mom. I can't believe her mom is going to be 86. NUTS. Here are some photos:

Auntie Karen & Gramma Helen

Auntie Karen & Mom

Me and Auntie Karen

Looks like we're going to try to head home tomorrow. I want to. I just do not want to do the whole trip in one day. We have my truck, and honestly, I don't like my mom driving it. She isn't used to it and it freaks me out. Unfortunately, we're supposed to get snow tomorrow through the Banff/Jasper Parks, and I am a bit nervous. Not like a little bit of snow, like a lot of snow. 30cm in Calgary. Yikes. We'll see what happens.

I think I'm about ready for bed now. Night all!