21/365 4 more sleeps and a surprise

I was oh so brave when I booked my flight and

purchased my conference ticket 4 weeks ago
for Blissdom but now that I am 4 sleeps away
from a day of travelling alone to a different country,

to a city that I have never been to,
with the task of "being myself and not being nervous,

as truly everyone is just like you"

creating an ocean of butterflies in my stomach.

However, as I listen to the pep talks of my friends

and read the many posts of Blissdom alumni
sharing their past stories
I am finding my big girl panties and

getting ready to make the absolute most of this opportunity.

Deep Breath. Shelf the drama. Just get er done.

and if it's possible (doubtful) it is time to

stop over thinking the situation.

Hey, stop laughing... it could happen and no

I don't see that pig flying either

Anyways, I am finally in a head space of "it is what it is" and

I am who I am, so take it or don't

as I will not allow others opinions to define me.

Perfect, all ready to go.

Then to affirm my feeling of taking on the Blissdom world

there was a large box waiting for me and it

held many treats from the wonderful ladies at Blissdom

and a few of the sponsors ( ConAgra Foods, Freschetta, Hallmark, )

Kaeden and I had a great time looking through the box of treasures,

his favourite was the recordable book from Hallmark,

he had me record the story right away and has been playing it all night.

This would be a great gift for Aunties and Grandmas to get/record for the little

ones in their lives. It was really easy to use, well other than Kaeden and I cracking up

and I would have to re-record it but that wasn't the books fault!

I love the cookbook and the very fancy looking pizza cutter.

There was also some cool popcorn (that pops into its own bowl, have to love that Mr. Redenbacher - the stop sign in the picture is of the popcorn box), a few coupons (I just hope we can get most of these products in Canada, I will have to look into that), and a $10 visa card (for food to make a recipe out of the cookbook)

We are off to a good start, that Blissdom and I!

Take Two

Operation Healthy Family has begun...again.

We did pretty good last year but as soon as I stopped organizing meals and buying the healthy food all the great intentions fell apart and we all started to slip.

The question you may be asking is how can I change things this year,
so it won't fall apart again. Ok wait, that is the question I am asking and
I have no easy answers.

It started when I began a project at work that
took a lot emotionally, mentally and physically
and us going to the lake every weekend
where the marshmallows and pina coloda's called our names.

I realized how far I had slipped when I received a pair of jeans a size larger
than I was wearing in the summer at Christmas
and they were way too small.

I had come too far to let myself slip back,
into daily Starbucks,
no water intake,
crappy food,
late night snacking,
just total grossness.

If I stay on track
then the family stays on track.

It isn't possible that I can avoid all
stress,
ok, that was a stupid statment
stress is here to stay,
that is just my genetic makeup

I just need to try again,
hope for the best,
and see how far we can go this year.

One day is better than none,
Two is better than one, Three is better than two,
and so on and so on
so here we go again.

rules, rules, who needs freakin rules?

well apparently me so here they are,

1) Water, Lots of Water (4.25 litres yesterday)
and green tea,
for me, the kids just need to make sure they drink water
at every meal

2) No more lunches out (ok, maybe one or two but no fast food)

3) The white bread was SO good during the holidays but
back to Whole Grains

4) Very limited preseratives (which means no pre-packaged food).

5) Starbucks once a week (this should be none but I am not ready for that,
once a week is hard enough)

6) a green smoothie every morning that was reccomended by a friend. I have EVERYTHING for it but can't seem to get myself together in the morning enough to make it but I have high hopes tomorrow is the day!

7) Meal Plans and once a week shopping (usually Monday)

8) more Operation Healthy family posts including recipes as blogging seems to keep me on the right path

9) no eating after dinner....this one is killing me this time but I am working through it. A cup of tea with a little sugar seems to help.

10) water, did I mention that? and record all food and drinks in my journal.

It's only day two but so far so good!

a letter to 2011

hi 2011,

nice to meet you.

I like you already by the way.

How can you go wrong when your first day has a date of 1.1.11. ?

Any chance you would like to let me know what you have in store
for the next 365 days?

No? I didn't think so.

That's ok.

Let me give you a little heads up.

I am going to OWN* you this year.

Am I threatening you? well, no....

ok maybe.

Just consider yourself on notice that I
have all intentions of ROCKING it
for the next 365 days.

2010 was good but I have much higher expectations of you.

Bring it you say,

consider it BROUGHT.

Love,

Dee

* please note OWN is no reference to the Oprah Winfrey Network (OWN), I just thought it was the best word to use. Trust me I tried to find a different word.