*Sigh*

I laughed when I saw this picture....

But when the laughter stopped, I just felt depressed.

I don't want to turn this into a weight loss blog, there are enough of them out there. But I do want to share with you my thoughts, that's what this blog is for.

I've had 2 babies. I love them. But OH MY GOSH did they ever kill my once average body. I wasn't skinny when I got pregnant with Miles. And I didn't loose all of the weight I gained with Miles before I found myself pregnant with Molly. Last week when I stepped on the scale, for some reason, I was surprised to see that I was heavier than ever. Then, in what can only be described as a complete melt-down, I saw an unflattering picture of myself. It looked as though my bum was eating my shorts in an attempt to get even with my body for making it carry around a 'spare tire'. Tragic. I'm almost relieved that the picture was only taken from behind & so unable to address the disaster that is my stomach. I suddenly (within a matter of moments) became aware of my body. I was uncomfortable, which annoyed me. And I was, no, I am big. Bigger than I would like to be. Bigger than I am OK with. And I start to look at other woman and wonder "Am I bigger or smaller than her?" How is it that I am so out of touch with my body when pregnancy put me so IN-touch with it? *Sigh*

So I set myself a weight-loss goal. It's a weekly goal. And this week I met that goal. And I almost cried. Because it was hard. I had to give up drinks while camping (and a nacho dip that looked FABULOUS), I had to run & I had to think about my body. *Sigh*

How, when I hate this process so much, do I make myself succeed?

How do I find the time? How do I make this a priority when I am the only beneficiary? How does everyone else succeed in this part of their life?

*Sigh*

Layout #172

...holding you by Haley Ross
I was trying to make a pink page that was suitable for baby pictures & deal with the black in Brian's shirt... this is what happened.
I am really enjoying scrapbooking during the day. It's making me set goals. Get the dishes done = scrapbook. Finish laundry = scrapbook. I am getting lots done both in scrapbooking & housework. Love it.
Materials: Patterned Paper: Crate Paper; Buttons: American Crafts, Tim Holtz & Autumn Leaves; Rub-ons: American Crafts; Floss: Bazzill Basics.

Layout #171

The Apple of my Eye by Haley Ross
I don't feel like this layout is done? Any suggestions?

Materials: Patterned Paper, Stickers & Die-cuts: October Afternoon; Rub-ons: Scrapworks; Alphabet Stickers: Thickers by American Crafts; Pen: Zig Writer by EK Success.

Layout #170

Full of Beans by Haley Ross
(inspired by.... ok, knocked off from Michelle Gier)
I used an actual bean tin label and I think it looks super cute. I am also so excited to finally use this old Basic Grey paper, it's cute huh?
Materials: Patterned Paper: Basic Grey; Journaling Spots: Jillibean Soup; Alphabet Stickers: Doodlebug Designs; Epoxy tag: Making Memories; Pen: Zig Writer by EK Success.

Love.

Brian & I use to go to Just For Laughs (Juste por rire)in Montreal every year. We have seen some fabulous comedians. Fabulous. Some of my past favourites include Lewis Black, Russell Peters, John Pinette, Debra DiGiovanni & Wayne Brady. I've also seen some highly over rated acts like Tim Allen (who was horrible) and Emo Phillips (Whaaaat?). My absolute favourite is when you discover a comedian who is just getting started. We were lucky enough to see Dane Cook before he was HUGE. In fact, I had to order his CD on his website as it wasn't available anywhere yet... Anyway, when I see skits from Just For Laughs I always miss our annual trips (which we haven't done since having kids). Tonight I saw this guy:

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=xtXzN1C2lCc

Arj Barker. Love him & so wish I had seen him live.

"I don't like Humans at all, I think we're the worst."

That kills me. I love & appreciate a comedian who can find 'funny' in the everyday. I think anyone can made Sex, Drugs & Alcohol funny. Big deal. And complaining about the opposite sex seems like a "gimmie" as well. But I think someone is genius when they can make you laugh while discussing the Solar System or the Kool-Aid man. I'm also not easily offended (hence my love of all things Chelsea Handler & Sarah Silverman). That being said, bad comedy can be offensive on it's own. Good comedy.... there's nothing better.

"There's like 150 people on Google a day."

10 Randoms.

I love weekends. Seems obvious huh? Most people like weekends. I love them.

10 Ways I Spent My Weekend

1. In the sun. Today we had breakfast on our deck & it was beautiful out there. (By 'breakfast' I mean 'Brunch', it was 2pm by the time we ate).

(Molly relaxing without any harmful UV rays that I am so addicted to.)

2. Ordering a cake from Marble Slab Creamery for Miles' 2nd Birthday. Brian won a free cake certificate in his last hockey tournament. Awesome. Now I don't have to make one (or feel bad about not making one) or pay for one.

3. At the Rusty Cage until 3am. I had such a great time celebrating my sister Kendra's 26th Birthday. I danced, drank, danced & even drank.

4. Cleaning..... our new-to-us Tent Trailer! Best time I've had cleaning in a long time... Brian & I got a new Tent Trailer this week. We are so pumped & we have 2 camping trips already scheduled!

5. Making Lists. Of things I need to buy to put in our new Trailer. I actually have a lot of camping stuff already (including my mom's vintage Tupperware dishes) but it was fun to head out to Superstore & load up on new things to fill it up!

6. Drinking Big Rock Lime beer in the Tent Trailer.

7. Playing cards in the Tent Trailer.

8. Staying up late talking about all of the fun we are going to have in our new Tent Trailer.

9. At the grand opening of the new SPRAY PARK (!) in Okotoks. It was great. And it's fun to see kids having such a good time. There were kids of all ages there & none of them seemed to have a care in the world (even though it was only 16 degrees and the wind was a bit nippy). What a great place.

Hey, did I mention we got a Tent Trailer this weekend???

10. Working out. I have finally started again. I know I was given the "good to go" when Molly was 6 weeks old, but I just didn't have it in me. Now I do. Maybe it's that swimsuit season is looming or maybe I just have a little more energy, either way, I gotta get this big butt in gear ;)

Layout #169

Love You 4 Ever by Haley Ross
I have been dying (dying) to use this line since it was released, oh, 4 years ago. It's by Brenda Walton for K&Co. and I just love it. So I stashed it away for years, hoping someday I would have a reason to use it. Molly is that reason. Isn't it beautiful? I got the layout idea from Scrapbooks Etc. but I changed it up & I am so happy with it. Simple & Elegant.

Materials: Patterned Paper: Scenic Route & K&Co.; Stickers, Grand Adhesions & Chipboard: K&Co.; Cardstock: Bazzill Basics; Pen: EK Success Zig Writer.

Layout #168

Sweet Love by Haley Ross
Materials: Patterned Paper:Making Memories & Creative Imaginations; Cardstock: Bazzill Basics: Photo Flips: Close To My Heart; Ribbon: May Arts; Epoxy Charm & Clear Frame: Making Memories; Metals Charm & Alphabet Stickers: K& Co.

Layout #167

Hello World by Haley Ross
This layout is boring. And I think I feel like it's incomplete because it has no journaling.
Materials: Paper: BoBunny; Die-Cut: My Minds Eye; Faux Wooden flowers: Lil' Davis; Buttons: American Crafts.

Layout #166

Kiss by Haley Ross
More of the beautiful pictures Michelle Gier took for me when Molly was born. I feel so blessed to have them. I used some old Basic Grey paper on this layout, I've actually been using up a lot of old stuff lately. With the exception of the cardstock pad the other day, I haven't really been adding to my 'stash'. And because I have been scrapbooking a bunch, it feels like my supplies are starting to thin out (!). I can only hope... for now, it just feels good to be adding to my albums, no matter how simple or old the layouts are.

Materials: Patterned Paper: Basic Grey; Frame & Transparency Piece: My Minds Eye; Flowers: Prima; Ribbon: Unknown; Alphabet Stickers: Making Memories; Button: American Crafts.

Shop first, ask questions later...

I've been shopping.....

Spring is just around the corner, Miles is turning 2 & we are preparing for the summer patio/camping season. So there is a lot to shop for (ask me anytime of the year & I can give you at least 2 reasons to shop...).

Here are some of my favorite purchases from the past couple weeks.

I follow the blog www.lifeatthestore.com religiously. For a couple of reasons: 1. The blog was started by a friend of mine who is an owner of the Home Hardware in Lloydminster. 2. The blog is awesome. It has great recipes, reviews, gardening tips & best of all, the 411 on all the great new products coming into their store. Herein also lies the problem: Lloydminster is about 6 hours from here. So, I save my pennies & look forward to May. This store is amazing. I can't even begin to tell you how lucky you'll feel to have discovered this gem (A Hardware store! In Lloyd!). I could spend an entire day here. There's a cafe for a good latte (and a kick ass chocolate chip cookie) & in the gardening seasons the garden center boasts an ice cream shoppe (with more than just boring old vanilla ice cream), live animals (Miles loved watching the goats climb on the roof of their house) & more healthy* vibrant plants than you can imagine. I am obsessed with this store (and not just because I know the owner.)
* I had to add that the plants were Healthy. It should just be assumed that a garden centre would have healthy plants but with every big box/chain store opening a so-called "garden centre" these days... it isn't so. Can you honestly tell me the staff at Wal Mart/Zellers/Superstore know anything about the plants they are selling, let alone how to keep them healthy? Unlikely.

Here are a couple of things I picked up on this trip (Sadly, after visiting & ice cream, I only had about 30 minutes to shop)

I got this little Gardening box as a gift for a friends daughter. It's adorable and a great way to introduce gardening to a child. It's fun for kids to watch things grow... but there's also some instant satisfaction for kids who can color cute little wraps for the Bio Pot container (pencil crayons are included!). And get this: The box turns into a play garden. Love it.l also bought Miles this sound puzzle from Melissa & Doug. I have bought him wooden puzzles in the past, but not the ones with sound effects. He loved it. He also loved the "How Do Dinosaurs..." books that I picked up for him. These books are great & the illustrations are impressive. Miles is really into dinosaurs right now so this is a great way to get him counting/learn his colors etc.

If I could buy stocks in these Floursack tea towels I would. There are some things in life that are so worth spending money on (like Glad Force Flex garbage bags...). THESE tea towels are one of those things. I know. You think your tea towels are just fine. You got 10 of them for $5 at Wal Mart. They suck. I know because I used them for years not knowing that there was something better, and not caring (I mean come one, they're Tea Towels for Pete's sake). Floursack Tea Towels aren't just nice to look at (the colors are beautiful) but they are the perfect size, super absorbent & they dry faster than regular tea towels. I've never felt so passionate about a Tea Towel (and likely never will again). Buy these.
I picked up a bunch more stuff at HH (they have fabulous candles, jewelry, bags & yoga wear.) including a great Sugar Booger day pack for Miles (ok, I got one for myself as well....). These bags are adorable & are the perfect size for little guys. Check out Sugar Booger's cute gear. I have the Weekender Bag & I love it.
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Miles Birthday is around the corner. He is so into Toy Story. And with Toy Story 3 coming out, the stores are filled with great merchandise. I was at the Disney Store today (I loooove the Disney store) and bought these. They are from the new Pook-a-Looz collection. Pretty freakin' cute huh? Shhhhh. Don't tell Miles, he won't get them until his Bday.

And my mini-spree wouldn't be complete without a stop at a scrapbook store. This time I hit up Pam's Photographs & Memories Scrapbooking. It's relatively new & I hadn't been there before. It's a small store but I love to support the 'little guys'. I picked up this embossed cardstock pad ($19.99) & I am pretty excited to use the embossed wood grain paper.

10.

10 Things About Thomas

(In honor of our big adventure at yesterdays "A Day Out With Thomas".)

1. Thomas The Tank Engine was a book written in 1946 but wasn't popular until 1979 when a British TV producer mortgaged her house to bring the series to life. I can relate. I may have to mortgage my house in order to collect the entire series. At $25.99 per wooden engine, how much does that mean we've spent (on engines alone) if Miles has 7 of these?

2. I've noticed that on the TV show the engines are paid compliment by Sir Topham Hat who calls them "Very Useful Engines". If someone called me "Very Useful" I would likely slap them.

3. When I was little, I use to watch Shining Time Station, starring Thomas. It was also starring George Carlin & Ringo Starr. (The highlight of their careers no doubt).

4. Both George Carlin & (get this) Alec Baldwin have been Thomas narrators... both are comedians I love, but would NEVER allow my little boy to watch.

5. Asking for Thomas Engines for your Birthday is a lot of work. First, you must specify Wooden or Take-a-long (we collect wooden). Then you must make sure Grandma & Grandma have a list of the engines you already have (Thomas, Christmas Thomas, Hank, Percy, Molly, Hector & Harvey).

6. In 2008 Thomas starred in his first feature film. We haven't seen it. Yet.

7. I bought Miles the battery operated Percy engine. You push a button & he goes. Miles was scared of him. Miles was also scared of Sir Topham Hat (below).

8. Tickets for A Day Out With Thomas at Heritage Park were about $25. I saw them on Kijiji and Ebay for as much as $120. On the way there I thought "I should have sold these stupid things". On the way home I thought "What an amazing day, that was worth so much more than $25."

9. Miles makes 'train sounds' the whole time he plays on his train table.

10. I was so proud of my little guy yesterday. He waited patiently to get on the train (40 minutes!), he didn't steal any trains from other boys who were playing with them & he managed to stay awake the whole morning.