2007 is looming

The new year is looming over my head, and I'm stumped as to what I should make priorities for the year. I thought reflecting on 2006 might be a good idea to start (and maybe that's why we get all those rediculous brag letters in Christmas cards -- they just want to "reflect" on the past year to prepare them for the coming one -- or maybe they are so dumbwitted that they don't realize that people make fun of all their bragging). Anyway, here's some of the highlights:

1. Turned 30 in August and took the trip of a lifetime through Europe
2. My grandparents celebrated thier 60th wedding anniversary giving me examples of good relationship rolemodels
3. I officially lost 112lbs and reached my goal weight in January
4. I stopped obsessing about my goal weight in July
5. Ran my first half marathon in April
6. Ran my first full marathon in September
7. Signed up to raise $6100 for the Canadian Diabetes Association and run a marathon in Dublin, Ireland in October 2007
8. Celebrated my year annivesary with Scott in November (I still haven't decided if I like him or the cat better; thus, we continue to live in seperate homes)
9. Got a new job at SaskPower
10. Signed up to do a reality show -- taping begins in January

I've been a good girl!

I got the best gift ever! I got a Garmon Forerunner 305! It's a GPS and heart rate monitor that does amazing things! What else did I get? Here's a list:

• 2 pairs of pajamas
• the second "Merde" book
• a Roots jacket
• earrings
• 2 Chapters gift certificates
• wine opener
• rice cooker

And that's only from Scott's side of the family! I still have my side to open!

I'd love to get into how much I've eaten over the last three days, but I think I'd vomit if I rehashed it all. I can't think about it . . . I would seriously barf. But the most seriously problem is that I haven't been getting rid of it, if you know what I mean. It never fails! As soon as I am taken out of my natural habitat, I can't go. Some animals can't eat if they are taken from their home, I am the absolute opposite.

The things we get ourselves into . . .

well, just as you were thinking she's running out of stuff to talk about, I come up with a new adventure!

I am one of three people in Regina (there's three in Toronto too) to be choosen to participate in a reality show! It begins taping in January and should run through to June. I will undergo life coaching to help me deal with a few outstanding issues in my life: (1) being that I lost the weight but it's a constant battle that sees me fluctuating up and down by about 10 lbs and (2) since the Tyler fiasco, I'm having a little trouble settling down. I love Scott, but there's a lot of hesitation to take the next step. As Sissy says, "Of course they were going to pick you! There's nobody more screwed up then you!"

Any way, this is being produced by

I try to be nice . . .

but I still make enemies! I was walking home from work and this woman was intently shoveling snow from the sidewalk. She didn't notice me so I politely let her finish her scoopful. As she moved up to throw it on the lawn, and I tried to walk behind her, but she started backing into me so I sweetly said, "Opps! I'm behind you." I cannot stress enough how sweetly I said that.

She throws her hands up and screams. I kind of giggle and say with sympathy, "Sorry! I didn't mean to scare you!" I thought that would be the end of it, but she certainly did not! "Well you just made it worse," she screamed.

I kept waiting for her to smile or say it was a joke, but she just glared me down. I awkwardly walked away, but she watched me walk to my house. Now she knows where I live!

The whole thing bugs me! I wanted to go back and knock on her door with some kind of a smart retort, but I guess it is better to let sleeping dogs lie. And I'll give you one guess who the dog (aka BITCH) is!

Christmas Shopping

Have you been to the mall lately? It's insane! And nobody seems to know which direction they're going in! And there is nothing but small on the racks!

Shopping sucks!

Donating Blood

Yeah . . . I know that I'm not working for Canadian Blood Services anymore, but here's a push to get your blood in those bags. Christmas is a good time to donate because they usually have special food and, even better, special draws and prizes.

I donated about two weeks ago, and it was number 23 on my card. It is the first time I ever had a bad reaction, but I suspect it was my fault. Learn from my mistakes people: don't drink coffee after donating. I was downstairs talking after the donation and things got really hot and spinny. Fortunately, one of the Clinic Assistants spotted me and took me back upstairs. I couldn't even stand up in the elevator. I had to sit on the floor, and then they had to use cold cloths on me. Very embarrassing.

The worst part was they called Scott to come get me. Scott had some trouble when he first started donating, and I, being the mean spirited person that I am, made tremendous fun of him. How's that for karma?

O Christmas Tree!

I'm currently in a battle for my fake Christmas tree . . . and I intend to win the war with Senor Don Gato. Cats and Christmas trees aren't always a great combination. The little bugger is gonna find himself out on the street soon.

But I've recently found out that real Christmas trees are more environmentally friendly for a number of reasons:

• While the trees grow, they replenish the air with oxygen; just one acre of Christmas trees produces enough oxygen to support eighteen people.
• Tree farms provide habitat for birds and other wildlife
• Due to their hardiness, Christmas trees are often planted where few other plants grow, thereby increasing soil stability
• For each Christmas tree cut on tree farms, 2 or 3 new seedlings are planted.
• Real trees can be mulched and used in gardens come summer planting

eating habits

I am not a big supper person. I could eat a mile high pile of pancakes, bacon, toast, eggs, etc. (not sausage though . . . that's just gross), but I really don't get too excited about big suppers. I would be very happy with cereal each and every night.

Currently, my favourite is Vector. And it is a complete meal replacement so that means we're actually getting protein from soy. It might just be the perfect food! Of course there is a lot of sugar in it, but that never killed anyone . . . oh . . . wait . . . it has killed a lot of people.

This brings me to contemplate what my ultimate day of eating would be. Hmmmm . . . that is a tough one, but I can tell you there's lots of sugar and not one veggie in that list. Really . . . if I never had to eat another veggie, it would be my idea of Heaven

Here's something funny: when we were growing up, Shannon would eat meat and I wouldn't eat veggies. My mother was WAY more concerned with Shannon not eating meat. I remember her even talking to a health nurse about it . . . but was she concerned about my lack of vegetables? Nope! It was nothing to worry about in the early 80s. Times have changed.

Cookies, cookies, and more cookies

Okay, I have a new plan. I am going to judge how much work each of my fundraising ideas will be and balance that against what the earning potential is. I made 17 dozen sugar cookies this weekend and decorated ALL of them. I FREAKING hate cooking at the best of times so why did I think selling Christmas cookies was a good idea?

And not only that, when you're cooking for other people, you're always on the look out for the finger licks. It's natural to lick your fingers when your cooking, but when it's for someone outside of your house, then you have to go and wash your hands after you do it. It became a serious time eater as I made cookie after cookie.

But here's something nice . . . I managed to catch one of Scott's high school buddies drunk. When I told him what I was fundraising for, he gave me $20. I think my new plan will be to go to the bar and ask drunk people for money. It worked awesome!