Me - October 2009

So, I had to do it. In preparation for Mum and Dad coming to visit we're rearranging the spare bedroom and doing a bit of a clear out and in my needlework basket were a couple of pairs of pants that needed hemming. "Great!" thought I - I can take them up and add them to my limited wardrobe.... yeah well - that worked til I realized they were way way way too big.

How cool - almost 5 years to the day since I committed to being healthier and joined a gym in St Louis. October 14th was the day...... I've dropped 3 dress sizes, can bike and run and much as I need and can do a full 2 hour strength workout - and survive. What I love the most - is that I can completely overindulge (this past weekend being a good example!!! I'm on a detox week!) and still not feel like a failure.

For the first time in my life I truly feel like I could write a book about how to change your life - realistically!

First....our crappy weekend

It really doesn't matter how much you want to keep a smile on your face sometimes the world smacks you in the face! What a shitty weekend..... I keep telling myself "what doesn't kill you makes you stronger"

On Saturday afternoon after a rather taxing workout I went off to the shopping mall - when I got back Trev's bike had been stolen. I actually thought he'd gone out.....until I walked in the apartment. From our apartment garage - the door of the garage was left open for no more than 30 minutes. It was locked too - they jimmied it open, and left the lock on the floor right next to my bike.

Oh my - it was terrible. Poor Trev - talk about kicking someone in the nuts when he's down. He was completely distraught! It was awful.... then he cracked a tooth today.

Usually we'd find a new bike and replace it - just not quite so easy right now. Why couldn't the freaking thief just have taken my bike.......

Nevermind - it could be worse! Right?

Gotta love this cooking thing...

So since we're trying to cut costs we've stopped buying cookies and stuff - we are experimenting with making them instead....so each weekend we do something.

I'm pretty good at making oatmeal cookies - chucking in chopped apples is awesome. I'm also experimenting with what oatmeal to use (ie ideally the cheapest)....so the first week we used up all the old instant oatmeal which was great. Then I found a good website for cheap recipes.

But this cake..........awesome!

Preparing for Mrs. O'Shea

On November 14th Rachel and Mike get married in Chicago - it's been a fun run up to the wedding and I can't believe it's nearly here. Admittedly it's been more of a challenge with Trev not working but I'm really starting to look forward to seeing everyone soon.

It's weird feeling so removed from the wedding preparations - Rach is so, so organized (a chip off the old block we think!) and has everything under control. It's been fun listening, watching, participating and watching it all come together. Being so far away it's hard to be useful, but we have our responsibilities - my last one is to design and print the programs for the church service. We've picked out the design (well, one or two to choose from) - all we have to do now is put it together and print it.

I've had my dress for months - in 2 sizes ... and I'm pleased to report it's in the smaller size. I think I'm still going to get Spanx.....need to look fab in the pics, right? What I don't have is shoes or a bag - and I really don't like the jacket I have.....but I'm going to have to find time to shop.....

Trev's losing too - he got a couple of inches off the shoulders, and recently is now showing 11lb of weightloss. We're both going to be terrific.

On the work front, Trev is making some great connections and at some point soon I'm sure he'll have something, just it's a bit tough going into the holidays .... but I tell myself that others have it much worse than us. It's been good for us to be focused on what we really want - and it's preparing us to put everything to good use.

I also had an MRI on my knee last week as it wasn't getting better - but brilliant news - there's no tears or rips, and while it's sore, there's no arthritis or anything. So, as I've taken up running (albeit slowly) I can continue that...

More updates here as things happen ...

Busy busy September

My world is flying by at such a pace I'm not getting any time to catch everyone up here - while I like my life full...I feel it may be running away from me. I did do a bunk on Friday and we went up to see our friend Melissa in Connecticut. It's only a couple of hours away, but it feels so different. Large spaces, dogs, cat, green grass and quiet. It was lovely.

Trevor drove while I caught up with some work, then after a quick brunch Melissa and I went off shopping while Trev rested and played with the dogs. Well....sounds boring for him, but he prefers it to going around stores. There are a few things that I need right now - first, shoes for Rachel's wedding. I thought I had the shoes, but when I tried them on they're way too big - my feet have shrunk. Weird eh? The other thing is that I need are tops. I spent the first half of the year buying pants as i kept dropping sizes, then it stabilized over the summer. Now my boobs have shrunk ... and my tops are all too big - to the point where my bra shows too much at work. Funny, but true. I've never looked forward to cold weather before - because right now I'd really rather not be buying too much.

Onto news....

Work - it's been CRAZY. I cannot say that enough. While I would be bored if there wasn't so much to do, it's been really hard to balance work and home life. it seems to be squaring away now, but this year has been one for the record books. I am involved in many projects - and the more I get involved in, the more I have to get involved in.

Trevor - he's still looking. He has good days and bad - but over the past 2 weeks he's been back in contact with people that we both used to work with. It's been a positive week for him, and that really helps. He's so talented and it's a shame that it's taking so long. I'm thankful that we are able to continue to live here without too much stress. Of course, if he's still not working by the new year, it'll be a different kettle of fish - but for now it's ok.

Car- we've decided to get rid of our car as we don't drive it. We actually thought we'd sold the lease really quickly - we signed the paperwork etc etc - and the little arsehole dropped out at the last minute. We were totally bummed. I'm still hoping that we get rid of it as it's a waste of several hundred dollars a month.

Health - we're both doing good. We're so fit these days it's kinda scary......i think we've both finally accepted we're not the lard-ass anymore....but it is very difficult to change your view of yourself. My ankle/knee is kinda crappy but I think we're about to finalize the therapy so that we can start a lawsuit! Hopefully that'll mean big bucks!!

Rachel's wedding - well, she has the dress, i have mine, we all look fab - so we're very excited that on November 14th Mike and her will be married. Mum, Dad and Tim are coming over and that'll be cool too. I just have to figure out how to get all my vacation time in before the end of the year:)