Merry Christmas

August Pictorial Review:)

After a few days of playing and shopping in Amherst, my old hometown, we headed for PEI. After getting over Confederation Bridge (I've never seen it before) we discovered lots to do right there. One of the highlights was paying $2 each to dress-up as Anne with an 'e' as she was depicted upon arriving in Avonlea to be greeted by Matthew. You knew I had to do it:)



When we got to the cabins, we discovered a pool, playground, and boats. Plus the fire pits. I'm thinking of booking for a whole week here next year:)

J with Chestnut and Ci with Tina. This was right next door to the cabins. We actually canoed right under the bridge in the background and could see the paddocks from our cabin.

This is just a pretty picture I took while driving from MillsBrook to Cavendish. This area was full of beauty and the pictures just don't do it justice.




We visited Santa's Wood, where J took full advantage of the ride-on vehicles she doesn't have at home, while Ci discovered the bunnies and rock-climbing wall. This was a great place, with lots of stuff to do. We even met Santa - I think he's joined WW too.




The only museum we visited was Green Gables. There were lots of photo opportunities, since this isn't technically a historical site, but rather the location were LM Montgomeries relatives lived - and the location that the book was based on.

We walked the Haunted Wood trail at Green Gables. And the girls took a little break along the way.

My girls kicking back at Heather Beach. I used to walk from the cottage to this beach along the shore when the tide was out while I was growing up. The little one wouldn't go in the water past her knees and the older one kept wanting company out further so she could swim.

And of course she rolled in the sand...

Cottage poses of the vacationing girls and another with the hub.

Mom and I in the front yard at the cottage. She's sporting the bead necklace Ci made for her. Hubby and I in the sunroom while getting ready to leave on Sunday.

My baby graduated from preschool this week. A wonderful ceremony, which included 'The Alphabet Song' and many others, was held behind the Daycare.

Happy Birthday, Little Ones

Pictures - Like ya'll need more

Hi - This just in: pictures of the suites. Hubby was kind enough to take them today before my workout. I'm using them as my 'before' pictures and am hoping to be more comfortable in the 2-piece by vacation, which is August 4-17. Meanwhile, Mark loves the 1-piece and I guess I don't mind it. Tried to take the pictures on the deck, but the teenage boy neighbour came checking things out, so I abandoned that.

And of the size 8 jeans. Gotta go - family is waiting for some outside adventure.

Progress and comparison photos

Ohhhh, Ahhhh, I know EVERYone is SOOO excited about this post. Ya'll have been on the edge of your little 'ole seats. I'll try not to disappoint.

No - I wasn't sitting on her. She actually crawled up there and was squeezing in behind me and I was becoming annoyed at being shoved off the couch. Hubby snapped the photo and I'm not a fan, but it's a rare shot of my big butt and how I could fit on the couch with company.

Interestingly, all the pictures I could find of myself I was sitting and had some form of child or other camouflaging my front. Most of my weight was carried in my stomach - this crazy illusion of being flat chested - ahem, anyway...and my butt.

Then here I am able to button up my 14's. Very happy day, indeed.

Gotcha!

I'm just kickin' back enjoying some fun on the weekends. Totally loving the new bod.

Better get my feet off mil's couch before she catches me, though.

Progress pictures

Hoo boy, I can't believe I am DOING this, but I'm going to post the side profile before and after pictures from the 12-week Blast the Fat Challenge at PnP.

My daughter took the afters and I didn't have the heart to ask her to try to get the same distance and profile as the befores. I also couldn't find my shorts. I daresay the belly is shrinking though. I'm going to really focus on this in the next few months before NS beach weather.

The nice thing about this is, even with any flaws, the current after is going to be a before in a few short weeks. Onward and downward (the waist that is).

Oh, and I lost at WI last night. A nice 3 lb buffer between me and that WW 'goal'. Next week will be my last paying week - woohoo.

Cheers, and have a great day.

Phattie and Phittie

Say Hi to my Phat buddie. I call him Phat Pig. He and I are going to pack this little cooler every day with lots of healthy choices and stick to a menu plan we will draft each Sunday. Little Phattie isn't up to much exercise lately - he's a bit soft. Hopefully he'll be able to start a routine in a few months after incorporating some Phat eating philosophies.

I have a Phit buddie too. She is a faster runner, but I can lift heavier. Please excuse the bra straps. This was taken after a workout at home.

The Pictures

I've got a few. First, Christmas in Nova Scotia:

This was taken on my way to work the other day. The spots are not marks on my camera, but rather falling snow caught by the flash.

Next are the comparative photos of me: The first at around 177lbs just fitting into a 14, and now, around 20 lbs later: The current outfit is my weigh-in outfit, although I missed weigh-in this week.

Finally, some breakfast selections from this week.

I also included some instant coffee in my smoothie. 1/2C each of juice and LF soy drink and cottage cheese, a banana and 1/8C Wheat germ (and 1tsp instant coffee). I had 1C and hubby had around 2/3C. I'm looking to move into tweaking this and adding protein powder, but I haven't boughten any yet. They try to push the soy protein on me at the store, but as you will see, I think I get enough soy. And Corrine says Whey is better for strength training.

The wrap is a fried egg in olive oil with 1/2 small onion, some salsa and 15g LF cheddar + 1/2C LF soy drink

Then the old staple. Throw around 1-1.5C mixed frozen berries in the mic, then add a serving of whole grain cereal and 1C LF soy drink.

We a Happy Crew

J is not smiling because someone is actually looking at her and talking. If we weren't on a sleigh ride she'd be huddled behind Daddy's legs. Ci was playing hard in the playground before we climbed on, has ditched her jacket and removed her hat half a dozen times. Can't see Mark's eyes and mine seem awefully dark. I saw it and said "Perfect!" This is us, in all our glory.

Merry Christmas!

Rare before footage

Unbelievable that I allowed my picture to be taken without the 'child coverage' last Christmas. Only a head shot, but nonetheless. This wasn't at the largest I got, but I was not far off. I know - always hard to judge on a head shot. Stay away from full-length mirrors and you can bury yourself in self-denial for a while longer. It appears that I was having some fun anyway, so that's good.

I can't believe Christmas is only a few months away. Every year I plan to start early and never do. First thing first - gotta get through this week.

Oh, I finally got that link for an exercise program from my friend. My Dad, who was in the Royal Canadian Air Forces, likely used this. I also remember having to do many of these exercises in gym classes growing up. Here's the link http://www.gettingfitagain.com/ the program is the XBX for women or the 5BX for men.

Cheers all,

The Clown let me Down

So, the folks at McDonald's HQ must figure that Canadians live in igloos and require fat and carbs to keep warm. Sadly, the only Southwest Chicken I can buy is the deli sandwich for 12 pts. I was heartbroken. Really, I was devastated at this realization. Why, oh why, Ronald, do you withhold this glory from your Canadian patrons? Is our money worth less? (Oh yeah, it is). Is our happiness of no concern?

I did order a salad - the grilled oriental one - and the sauce is so HOT (probably to keep my figers from freezing on the way back to the igloo). Then a thought came over me. Yes, I 'm a genious! Next time I'll order the oriental salad with the Southwest sauce. I wonder if they have the packets? Yes, they must. They MUST!

Next time clown, I'll be the one laughing!

Pics and Chinese food

OK, This is me after having lost close to 10lbs. or 25% of my excess weight. My daughter took this yesterday and I realized that I don't have a picture of just myself in the last few years without children covering my front. Only a week and a half ago I couldn't get those pants buttoned up. I bought a pair of shorts and a black summer dress at Winners yesterday - all size 14!

In other news, I did good planning for Chinese, but still managed 14pts on lunch. Since I slept in, I only had a banana in the morning and I brought some carrots and an apple for an afternoon snack. Some pork in the evening and I have some left-over hot and sour soup for lunch today. I ended up with 2 coffees yesterday, but put milk in the second one and rounded off the evening with half glass of wine. I was shy a bit of water and a milk yesterday, but will get back on track with those today. All totalled:

Daily points: 23

Weekly points: 3

Day in week: 3

Weekly points remaining: 24

Activity: Nil unless you count a mall crawl with the family - nah.