a day to remember

Today is a day that everyone in my family remembers. 
10 years ago, my brother had a beautiful baby boy named Kevin.  Due to unforeseen circumstances, Kevin didn't get to be with us.  He died at birth.  Today would be his tenth birthday.  He is in our hearts, and always will be as our guardian angel. We love and miss you Kevin.
It is also the birthday of my grandmother.  I do believe, but not sure, that she is 89 or 90 this year.  She is still of life, living in her own little apartment, still enjoying life.  I wish you, Mémère Ouellette, a happy birthday and may the day be all you ever wished for, we will visit you tomorrow when the weather is not so cold.

-23c(-31c), sunny clear skies.

Fresh from the farm.....

did anybody say cold?

The sun is finally showing it's face, but we know that when he does, it means it's cooooold out there.  I almost didn't send my daughter to school, didn't want to have to wait for the bus in this weather.  It's the wind that's bad.  But well dressed, we made it.  The real challenge will be this afternoon when the wind has picked up.  DH working outside all day, poor him.  He came home very late last night, frozen to the bones.
Today at Audrey's school is crazy hair day.

 

Had to figure something out that her hat would fit on top of it, not an easy to do!

-18c,-28 with windchill.  Sunny blue skies.

back in action

I've been MIA for a few days due to a stomach flu that took over our lives.  First is was Audrey, then 48 hours later is was Rosalie, then 48 hours after that it was Paul and I.  I thought great, at least Paul can take care of the kids while I'm sick, but no such thing.  He got it too, so we were both out of it for 24 hours.  Lucky for us, Audrey went off to school, and we only had Rosalie to watch out for.  And a couple of good friends came over on a whim, and ended up taking care of us, and making us feel better, Thanks Sue & Steph.
We are back in action, so off to the treadmill I go.  I didn't take my regular walk outside, but i pulled both my daughters to the end of the road to wait for the bus, then came back home, attached another sleigh, put garbage bags in each one, and walked back.  It was heavy, I'm sure I will feel it in my legs tomorrow, but it's all worth it.

My silly cat managed to get in the way of the cold room door, just as I was about to shut it.  Let's just say, he got hurt.  From what I can tell, it's just a bad charley horse, as he's playing with the birds right now.  This is Bibitte(aka Salvat) the kitten I saved at birth.  He is now 4 months old, doing very well, and is now enjoying his first days of going outside to meet with the other members of my cat family.







Fresh from the farm.....

what a day!

The only people enjoying the weather today are my ducks.  They are out getting a well deserved wash after months of not having access to water.  So let's just say that my walk was canceled this morning.  So onto the treadmill we go.

Made a few more dietary changes over the weekend.  Changes prepared mustard for Dijon, mayo for no fat salad dressing, cow milk for soy milk(my least favorite change so far).  Now it's my 30 minutes of treadmill time, see you later.

+12c, raining.  Yes +12 in January.
Fresh from the farm.....

Our Canada

I've been a fan of a great magazine called "Our Canada", and it's counterpart magazine, "More of our Canada" for a few years now.  The only magazine that I read cover to cover, and the one and only magazine that my husband will read.  Once we've both read it, it become property of DD#1.  She cuts out all the beautiful pictures and posts them on her bedroom wall.  With money being tight, we had to cut on some expenses, and unfortunately, the sub was it!
Lucky for me, they have a wonderful website that I love to visit, and see wonderful stories from all across our nation.  After posting these thoughts in their blog section, they contacted me and gave me a one year free membership to their magazine.
It really touched me to know that someone cared.  I will be able to enjoy their magazine for another year.  This is when I can say, I'm proud to be Canadian.

You can visit their website and have a look for yourself:  Our Canada
-6c, bright sunshine
Fresh from the farm.....

day5

Went to karate lessons last night, wanting to go out walking while waiting, but i didn't.  I have no excuses, i just didn't.  And now DD#1 is sick with the stomach flu.  Been up most of the night with her, so we didn't go out for out walk this morning.  But I will do some time on the treadmill with the dogs, can't give up right away.
I'm just hoping no one else will get the stomach flu, so we're trying to keep the kids apart, but hard to do.
It breaks my heart to hear my princess retching, and there's nothing i can really do to help her except make her comfortable, and make sure she has plenty to drink.
Mommy needs a nap, but have to wait for daddy to get home first.

-7c, sunny skies.

Fresh from the farm.....

day 4

Still at it!  I have to admit, it's the longest I've ever stuck to a program.  Four days!  But I'm feeling good.  I admit, I'm hungry at times, but I don't give in, I just drink more water to compensate.  Still have to do my 30 minutes on the treadmill.
Dogs are much calmer, and listen better.  Less energy in their bodies.
Tonight DD#1 is getting her karate uniform, can't wait to see her, she'll be sooo adorable.  She's loving karate, hopefully it will help her with patience, which she has none of at the moment.
On February(never realized that it was spelled that way, always Febuary, just learned something, thanks spell check!) 21, it will be 11 years since I smoked my last cigarette.   Last Thursday, waiting for Audrey at karate lessons, some ladies got up to go outside and smoke a cigy, well, one passed by me while opening her pack.  I got a 5 second craving to smoke one too, after almost 11 years, wow!  Knocked myself upside the head, told myself not to be an idiot, and got over it!

Cloudy, with sun supposed to come out later, -7c(-13c with windchill).


Fresh from the farm.....

day 3

Day 3.  Did my routine walk down the skidoo trail, to the back of the property and back.  This is not an easy task.  Dress in Canadian winter garments, BIG barn rubber boots, two dogs leashed to me, and a 40 pound toddler enjoying the view and scenery from her cozy ride in the sleigh that mommy is pulling.
Dogs are walking better and better by my side, little hills are already becoming easier to climb.
Just made another change, I'm a peanut butter freak, i just LOVE IT!  But the "real" pb, just not as tasty, but i guess I have to get used to it.
This is the first time i weigh myself in a while, let's see how low i can go.
153.4lbs
cloudy skies, -1c

fresh from the farm.....

day 2

Well, it's official, I'm out of shape!!!  I got a 30 minute walk in my schedule this morning, and that's as far as I could make it.  Mind you, I'm pulling a sled with a 30 pound toddler in there, so it's OK to cut my time.  The weather was nice and mild.  The dogs were behaving.
I've taken over eating healthy at the same time, I've cut out pop and chips, which is a big thing for me, my addiction!  Cut out all or most of all saturated and trans fats.  Let's see where this will bring us, to a slimmer,healthier me?  I sure hope so!


Fresh from the farm......

50 week challenge

I'm an avid fan of Cesar Millan, and he has issued a 50 week challenge for us dog owners.  i decided to jump in.  First challenge of week #1, walk you pack for 1 hour a day.  It's kind of hard to incorporate a one hour walk every day, but will do my best to accomplish it.  For those Canadian days that it's just too miserable to go out, I have my friendly treadmill to do the job.  So off I go for hour #1 of day #1.  I should be seeing some improvements on my dogs behaviors, I'll try and keep track of it.  Let's see if I can keep this up for the whole year.  You are my witnesses, keep me motivated, I intend to lose a few pounds in the process.

Fresh from the farm.......

back in action

I should start with wishing everyone a happy new year, may 2010 be as good to you as i hope it will be to me! 
I've neglected my blog over the holidays, but I'm back in full force.
We had five new additions to our animal family, a beautiful litter of boxer puppies.  We thought we were ready for this, as this is our second time around, but nothing can compare taking care of 1 puppy to 5.
No matter how cute they are, it gets tiresome trying to keep a clean house with these five little mongrels running around.
We are lucky to know that at least two of these sweeties are going to friends', we will be able to see them grow up and become what they are.

DD#1 back in school, daycare back in full force, horses running away, cow sleeping in the hay stack....good start to 2010.  keeps me on my toes.


Fresh from the farm.....