Almost Did Not Make It, Spring Vanished, Winter has appeared again.

The other day the sun was shining,

it felt like Spring and I felt like soon the flowers would be blooming.

Yesterday we got hit hard by a snowstorm.

Yes Winter is Back.

I had my Emotional Eating Group last night.

It was the last class and I was a little sad that it was coming to an end.

I called a Taxi at 5 oclock, and it did not arrive until 6 o'clock

because of the roads and they were so behind.

So I was late to the class, but I made it.

I had a lovely talk with the Taxi driver too.

He was from Aftrica  and had lived in Italy

and now here.

He said he loved Canada,

but not the snow, and not the drivers

when it is snowing.

We actually were almost hit by another vehicle.

I know there was lots of accidents yesterday.

I was grateful I made it to the meeting

and wished him a safe evening.

........

The class went well and we just strategized

how to continue on

to be successful on our individual journeys.

How to stay on track, etc.

It is surprising how close some of us

had become, and we plan to continue

to get together on our own.

It was a very positive experience,

and one of the best things I have ever done for me.

I am glad I finally had the courage to do this

and to admit that I needed some help

with the Emotional Eating.

I would highly reccomend  this type of forum

for others if  they had the opportunity.

Must go for now and make some

breakfast.

.......

my sisters boys are coming to stay

with us for five days,

I am so excited,

they arrive tomorrow.

Have a great weekend.

I hope you have your

Very Best Days!

Cinner

bEAUTIFUL DAY.

It was an amazing plus 13 degrees today.

I opened my front door and watched the snow melt,

and all I could think of was soon

Spring will be here...

This picture is from a few years ago.

I am still tired from being away to visit family.

I had a great time,

ate out twice, had my favorite 

Vietnamese food

and at weigh in yesterday

I was down 1.5 lbs.

This is unheard of when I go to visit my Mom.

I was really proud of myself and my choices.

So now that I am home I want to start to exercise

on a regular basis.

Ha that is the key!

How can someone hate to exercise,

well I do, even walking.

But that has to change, so yes that is my new goal.

So here is to stepping it up!

Hope you are all well,

I will be by soon

to visit.

Be well.

Cinner

Just Sailing Along.

Hi Everyone,

Life is Sailing along at a fast pace around here.

I have been busy with appointments,

meetings and life, as well as getting enough sleep

for someone whom has Cataplexy.

Some days there are just not enough hours for me.

I am reminded that everyone has the same 24 hours in a

day to deal with and am amazed at people like

Mother Theresa whom made the most of every day

and look at all she accomplished.

There are many others like her.

I have been making progress towards my goal.

I am down 20 pounds for the year.

I am getting out of the house more,

I have made some new friends,

I went out all by myself this past week.

I am trying to get over the fear of falling,

or the fear of what ifs with my illness.

It was a major step for me to take a cab

yesterday. I had my paper in my pocket

explaining my illness and I am going to get

a medic bracelet. It was the first time

without any family around me,

so I have to admit that safe feeling

was not there, but I have to face my fears.

I think that is the only way I can grow as a person.

We had more snow this week,

it was kind of nice to have things

looking white again,

reminding me how lucky

I am to live in a region

where I get to experience all the seasons.

I have a new neighbor next door to us

and bless his heart but he shoveled the walk

this morning. I would have done it myself later,

I thanked him and what he did in five minutes

would have taken me at least a half hour.

So that was a nice way to start the day.

I hope you are all doing great

and I wish you all a very

Happy Weekend.

Until next time,

Cinner

pic by Kelsey H

Bring Me Some Water

This is a background texture

from texture ware house,

if you like editing pics you might want to check it out

.

one of the issues I fight with every day

is whether I have had enough water or not.

Maybe I need to feel more passionate about it,

love these ladies in this song,

and have had this bring me some water

playing over and over in my mind today.

I think my body is telling me something,

so off for another refill.

Tomorrow is weigh in day.

Thanks everyone for the links to good recipes

and thanks so much for the comments,

I hope you are all doing well,

Until next time,

Cinner

Achuckle, and update.

I found this on pinterest the other day

and have to say it was just the chuckle

I needed and I was thankful for a good laugh.

I am still growing strong here. This past

week I did not have a class so have to say

I am really looking forward to it this week.

I am proud of myself for making the best choices

for me.

Focus for next week is increaisng the water intake,

and finding good healthy recipes.

Do any of you have certain sites that you use.

I would appreciate it if you could let me know.

I hope you have a great week.

The weather here has improved and sunny days,

so will try to spend some time out tomorrow

in the fresh air. I will visit as soon as I can.

Thursday is weigh in day,

so will keep you posted.

Have a wonderful Week.

Take care, Cinner

On the Bright Side

Hi Everyone,

I don't think it is going to stop anytime soon

so here is my list of the benefits of  the rain....

The possibilities of a rainbow...sweet

No yard work, no mosquitoes while it is raining,

fresh air, clean vehicles, time to read a book,

everything is so green, birds sing whether it is raining or not,

I love to dance in the rain and I do,

a bowl of hot soup, time to walk on the treadmill,

love to catch raindrops on my tongue,

mud puddles, bright rain coats, cool boots,

barefoot in the grass.........

Have a great weekend.

Remember dance as if no one is watching.

What would you add to the list,

I would love to read it.

Have Your Very Best Days.

Cinner

I.m a Believer!

Alberta Canada

Many times I have crossed the old bridge

to the other side of the fast flowing river.

You can just see a little of the water in the corner,

crystal clear, cold, fresh.

This is where I forget the fast pace of the world in which we live.

This is my peaceful place I visit often.

When I look at this photo,

I see myself walking, exploring, laughing, living.

Hubby said that when I have all recovered from my operations,

that we should try to climb the mountains sometime when we go.

He says this to me whom right now is having trouble getting to the end of the block.

I say to him, sure would you like to do that before breakfast or after.

Whatever works for you, I know how you like to get up early.

The man is challenging me, he knows I can do it if I put my mind to it.

I said to him, I think you are putting your plan into motion

to kill your wife.

What are you talking about he says.

I said well knowing you, you will wait until I am half way up

the mountain, crack a joke, and I will fall off the mountain

due to my Cataplexy.

He says no we will be tied together,

I say great I am heavier than you, so where I fall you will fall with me.

Anyway we laughed and now it is in my mind to climb a mountain

some day soon, maybe next summer.

They say small steps, one step at a time,

so for now I walk the block morning and night.

It is good to have a goal in mind,

I believe anything and everything is possible.

I also do not put limitations on my life

for it is only by overcoming challenges and obstacles,

that we can get past the mindset of 

oh no I could never do that.

Today I want to do everything,

and I am going to try as hard as possible to make 

that happen.....

I can't tell you how stoked I feel today.

5.40 A,M.

Birds have been singing for an hour,

the sun is going to shine today,

and even though we are mosquito capital

of Canada right now...as per the news.

I have enough bug spray to venture out

and be able to enjoy the day.

..........

I hope you all have a fabulous weekend.

I am putting climbing a mountain on my 

Bucket List,

whats on yours?

I would love to hear about it.

..........

Thank you for all your comments,

although I try to respond to all of them,

I hope you understand if sometimes

I have not been able.

They really do mean the world to me.

Hoping your days are filled with happiness and health,

and that you have your very Best of days.

Take care Cinner!

wonderful moments, many

Hi Everyone,

Have you ever woke up and thought

This day is going to be just the best,

Well that is what happened to me today.

I am so happy that my surgery is booked

and that I know I am going to feel much better soon,

I have felt so long that the Cataplexy has me so tired,

but it is a relief to know that there are other reasons

why I have not been feeling as well as I should.

Nothing could go wrong with my day,

When the puppy got hold of some paper 

and tore it up all over the house,

I laughed and picked it up;.

When the sun was shining and the heat was 25 degrees,

I loved it, I closed my eyes and I enjoyed,

When my neighbor came to visit I took time

to be present and really listen. to focus on the moment,

When my other neighbor came over and had to rush away

to find his Dad, I went and helped and we were both

grateful to see him waiting for his son on the balcony.

When I forgot about the water hose running fresh water

through my pond and I left it too long and there was water

in puddles by the pond, puppy and I made trenches,

I felt like a kid. Tonight when Hubby is watching

the hockey game I am glad because he is

so enthralled in his sports this time of year.

I will go be a fan too!

Today was a great day, and tomorrow

will be another, Summer is almost here,

there is nothing like hope and faith to get you through 

a day, and to see it as a gift,

Can you think of all the gifts you had today.

And the day is not over yet.

Enjoy your weekend.

Cinner

June, I have been waiting for you.

June has arrived, I love this time of year.

I walked outside this morning and was met by the lilacs blooming,

smelled so beautiful. I always bring bouquets into the house

and put them in each room.

It is too bad they don't last longer. I have awaited June anxiously this year.

Tomorrow I go see the second surgeon and then the surgeries are 

decided if they will do them together or not.

surgery is schedule for June 23, so I know soon I will be feeling so much better.

I have been trying to exercise as much as I can and have to admit

that it has been with great difficulty, however next month I should be able

to go full force ahead again. I have really cut back on my food intake

because of my immobility right now. The waiting lists to have anything done in

our Health Care system just seem to get longer and longer, and yet we

are supposed to have one of the Best Health Care Systems in the world.

I feel sorry for the doctors and the nurses, as there are such a shortage of both.

I have Sleep Apnea and recently purchased a new hose for the Cpap.

what a difference in my sleep, so I wake up and feel rested.

Katie wrote a very good article on Sleep Apnea

and you can read up information from any Sleep Disorder site.

Thanks for all the kind comments about my Dad the other day,

you all made the day much more bearable.

Well I am off to get some sunlight and work a little in my 

flowerbeds, so until next time take care.

and Live your Best Days Ever,

Cinner

Lifestyle Warriors

How are My Lifestyle Warriors Doing?

Have you had some Fresh Air today?

Sometimes just opening a Window can change your whole mood,

maybe not if you live by a garbage dump,

but if you can it is a good idea.

My house is 99 years old

and I find the air can be stale in here,

so on a daily basis my windows are opened,

it makes me feel alive,

gets the good mood flowing,

beckons me outdoors,

usually for a walk first thing in the morning,

the sun was shining today.

There are so many places to go walking here in the city,

parks and bike trails, side streets, down by the river,,

there is always somewhere that you can find that you feel

is your special place.

Maybe you can only make it to the bench in the park at the end of the block.

How lucky we are that we can get out and live.

I really mean this.

I can't move fast, but I can go faster than yesterday,

That is progress,

I can drink more water than yesterday,

I have my meals prepared ahead of time today,

so I am not tempted to grab anything I should not.

Did you prepare for your life today.

Start by looking in the mirror, tell yourself

you are worth it, you deserve, and you are going to achieve it.

One moment at a time, celebrate each win,

celebrate a feeling of lighter on your feet,

a better attitude, excitement for the day,

laughter, great healthy food, water,

exercising, clothes fitting better, rewarding yourself with non food.

Smiling, just do, don't quit, keep going, 

Whatever it takes.

Now is never too late to start, or now is never too late to start again.

Right now, is all that matters, This very minute.

I can do this, so can you.

Have a great weekend,

and 

thank you to all of you whom encourage me every day.

Remember you are never alone.

The Miracle Drug!

As I have been aging, as we all do,

I have really started to notice the changes with my skin.

little lines looking like little highways on a road map.

There are freckles, scratches, age lines, dry skin.

The best thing any of us can do is to drink lots and lots of water.

I can literally notice within a couple of days if I am drinking enough or not.

Also because I have problems with circulation, sometimes just to touch my legs

feels sore to the touch. If I drink enough water, there are no pains.

I have read that when babies are born they are 85% water,

which I find fascinating. As we age we shrink, loss of body mass, and that

number decreases as we continue to age. Apparently stress and dehydration

have very similar qualities and are often linked to chronic illnesses.

Also our brains are about 85 % water,

so if we are not drinking enough then our brain is not acting

as best as it could be.

Some of this info I have read on wikipedia.

I know this, this is something I can control,

With proper levels of water I can look years younger,

I can feel years younger, I can have less pain,

so it is a win, win for me.

............

I hope this encourages you to make sure you are drinking enough water.

It really is Gods Miracle Drug!

Have a great day.

Cheers.

                                                                              Cinner

Sun to Shine.

As undecided as I am, so seems the sun.

It shines, it hides,

it graces me with an hour here or there,

teasing me, tempting me,

not quite dedicated to stick to plan,

but then surprising me as the heat from the rays,

seem to put my plan back in motion.

Renewed ummmph to prioritize

so that I too can shine.

............

Hope you are having a great weekend.

Until next time.

                                                                                Cinner

Looooking Fiiiiiiiiiine!

It's Your Turn To Shine

Look at you, you look amazing.

You were a seed and with proper care

you have blossomed into the amazing you that you are.

All your friends and loved ones around you surround you.

They are in awe of your accomplishments.

of your wonderful choices,

You are now the center of your Universe,

admired for your commitment.

You no longer blend into the background,

You feel comfortable being on center stage,

You know your worth, you know how hard each day was

as you worked to your goals,

thrilled when you could toss away your black clothes,

and get that lovely white and pink that your wearing now,

And did I tell you, you smell heavenly.

When I looked at you in this photo today,

it was as if the sun had come out and was smiling for you,

no more dark clouds hanging over your beautiful petals.

You were not satisfied to hide yourself in layers of weeds

that suck your energy and weaken you,

slowly loosing yourself.

I am so very proud of you,

I am just going to sit back, enjoy your moment,

breathe in the fresh air, even the birds are happy and singing for you.

Did you see that  butterfly that just flew by.

I think he did a double take and if he could he would have whistled,

look at Mr. Robin on the fence singing you a song,

oh my he is worked up and strutting around.

Your world is magical,

It is the applause that is due after all your hard work.

How lucky that now you are the finest flower in the kingdom.

I could tell by your attitude 

you already knew it.

It sure looks good on you!

Have a great Monday!

There Should Be a Limit Even For Me!

This is the cats favorite place in the whole house.

I put a rug on it otherwise she rolls around on it

and gets hair all over it.

I set up a hook system so I can lift my curtains so they are not in the way.

I love the treadmill and believe it was the best money I have spent.

Great to have this winter that is for sure.

I went outside yesterday

my usual happy self.

a long sleeve shirt, a vest, my jacket,

huge scarf tied around my neck and head,

mitts, heavy ski pants, big polar boots.

I open my door , I take one step out,

the outside door is ripped from my hands by a gust of wind

and once again I thought to myself.....

You have got to be kidding me

if anyone up there can hear me

please let it stop snowing!

Hello can anybody hear me?

So I get started bending knees, 

minus 30, shoveling, ice crystals forming on my face from my breath.

I would do as much as I could, then stop, lean on the fence,

catch my breath, do some more, into the house to warm up.

Four separate times I made it outside,

not one soul did I see anywhere.

Did I get the snow done.

Not even near, but I had a good workout,

got lots of fresh air.

I open my back door to let my dog out,

no steps to be seen, the wind had blown enough snow

that it was up above the bottom of the door

and I had to push to get the dog out.

It was a bit drafty, the cold air came rushing up my nightgown,

shiver to the top of my head.

This is the most snow we have had since 1976.

I was a kid then, building igloos, making tunnels in the snow banks,

sledding.

Now I want to be a warm kid,

sipping my coffee, in a big warm housecoat,

slippers and a blanket.

Until this snow slows down my treadmill is going to have to wait,

and I can feel like I have spent all this money for my cat to sit on it.

At least I am not using it to hang clothes on.

lol

I have noticed my tops are all getting big on me.

Will have to measure soon.

..........

March 1st...one day closer to Spring,

it's cold and I don't want salads,

I mean I love salads.

I think it is a soup day.

Hope you have a good day.

We almost needed Snow Shoes To Get Around!

We went to this park 

the other day

There was no one else in sight.

It really was beautiful,

The white of the snow made it exceedingly bright.

There was no laughter of children,

no one was showing off.

The playground was twisted metal,

so cold, calling to the children.

calling but unheard.

The wind was ripping around our faces

telling us it was time to go.

We held hands as we walked back to the truck,

laughing as we were all bundled up.

We talked about how beautiful life can be,

there is so much splendor all around.

we did talk about the snow melting,

and a green grass will grace the path beneath our feet.

We enjoyed our walk, felt rejeuvenated  and alive,

we got some exercise and were able to enjoy some time outside.

........

I hope you have a wonderful weekend,

make good choices, act like a kid,

laugh until your belly hurts,

turn your music up and dance,

and sing and smile

and love

and

be you.

Wonderful.

Unique, Beautiful,

Determined, full of will power,

King or Queen of

your Universe.

Love yourself.

Odds & Ends.

Hi Everyone,

this is a shot of my backyard last summer,

I am showing it so that I can say my statue is covered in snow up to her elbows.

She looks rather odd just with her elbows up sitting on the top of the snowdrift.

So yeah that is what a Canadian winter is all about I guess.

.............

I so appreciate all the comments and have tried to answer but for some

reason still having problems commenting on your comments.

I can do this on my other blog,

Does anyone have the same problem or suggest what I do.

I would appreciate any help with this.

...............

Know what's weird? Day by day, nothing seems

to change, but pretty soon ...

everything's  different.

--Calvin from Calvin and Hobbes

I think the above quote applies to keeping our goals in sight,

staying focused and arriving at our individual destinations.

...........

Have a Great Weekend

Are you watching the Super Bowl

and no thats not Supersized.

One layer at a time.

Guess what I am doing for fun?

watching the grader go up and down the street

finally removing some of the snow that has built up in January.

As I watch them I am thinking if they would do this daily or weekly

it would not be so hard for them now.

Oh maintenance what a wonderful thing,

Our bodies are the same way,

they can only take so much,

I hear the graders screeching and groaning,

going forward, then backwards, taking another run at it,

taking layer and layers off the street,

maybe getting down to the bottom of things,

Someone said yesterday,

it's not about what you eat,

it's about whats eating you..

I think there is wisdom in those words.

Maybe I need a grader to figure out some of the layers.

It's all in my hands,

and that can be a powerful thing.

I am the driver,

so here I go.

I'll Have Another!

Are you drinking enough,

and I don't mean wine,

although occasionally I like a red wine,

but I am talking water.

I am battling with water a couple of ways this week.

I am having a hard time drinking my full eight glasses,

I have a hernia and have been drinking lots of ginger ale,

seems to be the only thing that gives me any relief.

I see a surgeon on Feb. first,

I have a few other stomach problems

so I am anxious to get that consultation over with..

As for my other water problems,

we have had so much snow,

freezes, thaws, rains, snows,

and is starting to collapse a bunch of roofs mostly on large flat buildings so far,

Yesterday I noticed a discoloration on my one wall,

it was dry but definately a leak,

running down the one wall,

maybe I am supposed to be happy

and think I have started Spring cleaning early, lol.

so I think the ventilation in the attic must be frozen,

Hubby will be getting up there on the weekend.

Rained yesterday, streets and sidewalks were like skating rinks.

Two weeks ago it was minus 38, yesterday plus 7

which is usually unheard of for this time of year.

I keep walking on my treadmill,

making healthy choices.

One Day at a Time.

Have a great day,

Do something fun, Act Like a Kid,

Enjoy Your Day

picture courtesy of Marie's Freebies.

810 calories per hour! Whoooo Hoooooo!

This is out on my street last week,

picture the same street with about 2 feet blown in.

snow shoveling calculations for burning calories,

810 per hour.

I shoveled 3 times yesterday so 2430 calories burned,

and funny thing,

there is more of the white stuff out there today

than yesterday and the wind has blown snowdrifts almost as high as my fence.

and somedays it is okay to say I don't want to,

and then you go do it anyway.

and your out there thinking how cold you are and are wondering why

your sweating, and why you have to lean on the fence to catch your breath,

I feel sorry for the people that literally can not get out to do this,

so I am going to venture out, why because I can.

And that is enough reason for today.

Keep warm, enjoy,

Until next week,

cinner.

Because You Asked Thai Chi

   Hi Everyone, I have had a couple of questions in regards to Thai Chi lately so I thought I would start by telling you first of all how I became interested in it. I was about 22 and I was in a park on a bright sunny morning in Saskatoon.  I saw a group of elderly  Asians. They moved through their steps and I was mezmorized  at the beauty, the slowness, the peaceful feeling from watching them. They were amazing, so centered, so in touch with nature. It was one of those moments, like the first time you see a ballerina dance,
or you watch syncronized swimming, or you watch two beautiful butterflies fluttering before you. 22 years later I remembered the flexibility of these individuals. I  had been ill for five years, my muscles were deteriorating because until they got the medications right, well I  was pretty much sleeping most of the day. Thai
Chi got me going again. I am not graceful, but I do the best I can, within no time at all my flexibility came back, I was centered in  my mind, started to realize I could only control so much. I was grounded. Also I was very surprised at how sore my muscles were at the beginning. Also every morning and evening, living in a different city I see a group of Asians that go by walking morning and night. They will live long lives and I am sure Thai Chi is one of the many reasons.....Below I have a video, you will see that every motion and movement is beautiful. I would recommend it to anyone....I hope you find it interesting.  Enjoy.
Here is some information that I have taken from Wikipedia, finding info about Thai Chi, I do the am and pm Thai Chi for beginners....the one I do has the focus on the 13 steps of Brokay(not sure of the spelling)

Tai Chi, as it is practiced in the west today, can perhaps best be thought of as a moving form of yoga and meditation combined. There are a number of so- called forms (sometimes also called 'sets') which consist of a sequence of movements. Many of these movements are originally derived from the martial arts (and perhaps even more ancestrally than that, from the natural movements of animals and birds) although the way they are performed in Tai Chi is slowly, softly and gracefully with smooth and even transitions between them.

 In Chinese philosophy and medicine there exists the concept of 'chi', a vital force that animates the body. One of the avowed aims of Tai Chi is to foster the circulation of this 'chi' within the body, the belief being that by doing so the health and vitality of the person are enhanced. This 'chi' circulates in patterns that are close related to the nervous and vascular system and thus the notion is closely connected with that of the practice of acupuncture and other oriental healing arts.

Another aim of Tai Chi is to foster a calm and tranquil mind, focused on the precise execution of these exercises. Learning to do them correctly provides a practical avenue for learning about such things as balance, alignment, fine-scale motor control, rhythm of movement, the genesis of movement from the body's vital center, and so on. Thus the practice of Tai Chi can in some measure contribute to being able to better stand, walk, move, run, etc. in other spheres of life as well. Many practitioners notice benefits in terms of correcting poor postural, alignment or movement patterns which can contribute to tension or injury. Furthermore the meditative nature of the exercises is calming and relaxing in and of itself.Thai Chi also has, particularly amongst eastern practitioners, a long connection with the I Ching a Chinese system of divination. There are associations between the 8 basic I Ching trigrams plus the five elements of Chinese alchemy (metal, wood, fire, water and earth) with the thirteen basic postures of Tai Chi created by Chang San-feng.