Anyone heard of the Jillian Michaels 30 Day Shred?
I hadn't until one of hubbies friends wives told me about it. Said it kicks your you know what in a 20 minute workout and that you honestly get results.
Sounds good right? So I'm on day 4 and haven't actually had the moment when I think - oh shit I have to do that workout again and my head chants "I hate it, I hate it, I hate it".
When I'm doing the workout the end is in sight right from the very beginning...halfway through when I feel like punching myself in the face I think, hey, 10 more minutes...YOU CAN DO IT and I do.
So 4 days in and I feel good. I'm taking pictures daily of myself and will post photo of day 1 and photo of day 30 when I'm done. Let's hope the resuts are good. I have to tone down my eating but hey, I'm working out and that's half the battle.
So, for all of you thinking "I should" just do it, 20 minutes baby, 20 minutes.
Oh and if you want more deets about it basically it's 3 different circuits and they each are on a 3-2-1 basis. Three minutes strength, two minutes cardio and one minute abs.
Shred baby, shred!
Thursday, August 2, 2012
Thursday, July 26, 2012
Crushin' the ceiling.
Hm. Interesting title you say? Yes, it is isn't it!
So I said I was going to talk career moves in my next post...so here they are.
#1 - (and short term) I applied to a new role in my department which is a 1 year maternity leave position. I was urged to take the role before I left (which was full-time at that point and was filled with a girl who is now pregnant) but I didn't like the idea of going away for a year and having a contract person mould the brand new position and then come back and have to execute what they'd put together. Just didn't sit well with me. Looks like everything happens for a reason and the job is open as for September and guess when I go back to work? That's riiiiight - September. Done and done - I got it in the bag (not that I've interviewed yet but I just know it).
#2 - (not sure how long this will last) I'm getting a part-time job. I went for an interview at The Keg on Tuesday and after meeting with both the hiring manager and the scheduling manager I'm pretty sure that's in the bag. Training won't start until mid-August in hopes that the people they hire will be G2G in early September - I'm hoping the job will be fun (young people to work with and happy people on a fancy night out) as well as earn some extra loot for the much needed house related things we have coming up in the fall - such as a new furnace (2500) and a new ac unit (2500) in the spring. We're also going to need a new roof soon and I got a quote for that - $5000 bucks. FML. So yes, a second job is required and I'm doing my best to be a positive patty about it. Other bonuses to working here are that we get discounts (YUM!) and they're only open for dinner so say from 3 or 4 p.m. (depending on weekday or weekend) and they close at 10. So all I'll really be missing babywise is dinner and bedtime which is the crankiest period anyways.
#3 - (long-ish term) I applied a month ago or so for a management position at the College and didn't get it because I applied too late and they were already conducting 2nd interviews (I got a call from my mentor the day after I applied saying they'd hired someone - BOO!). It showed that it was a full-time forever type job on the website but I heard through the grapevine that the person they hired they only offered a contract of 1 year to because they weren't sure he could hack it. I WILL GET THIS JOB IF IT COMES UP. No doubt, no doubt.
#4 - (SO LONG TERM IT'S NOT EVEN FUNNY) I will be the Director of Communications and Marketing. I'm going to get my BPA in Communication Studies from Athabasca or I'll wait it out and see if UOIT offers something to DC staff. I'm not sure which route I'll take at the moment but I'm a big believer in things just falling into place so I'm hoping this will too! I worked in the department before, love it and just know it's my end spot. Not only will I love the job but I will also make it on the SUNSHINE LIST. Ya boyeee!
So, now that I've just put this on paper I'm accountable right? RIGHT!
Sweet.
So I said I was going to talk career moves in my next post...so here they are.
#1 - (and short term) I applied to a new role in my department which is a 1 year maternity leave position. I was urged to take the role before I left (which was full-time at that point and was filled with a girl who is now pregnant) but I didn't like the idea of going away for a year and having a contract person mould the brand new position and then come back and have to execute what they'd put together. Just didn't sit well with me. Looks like everything happens for a reason and the job is open as for September and guess when I go back to work? That's riiiiight - September. Done and done - I got it in the bag (not that I've interviewed yet but I just know it).
#2 - (not sure how long this will last) I'm getting a part-time job. I went for an interview at The Keg on Tuesday and after meeting with both the hiring manager and the scheduling manager I'm pretty sure that's in the bag. Training won't start until mid-August in hopes that the people they hire will be G2G in early September - I'm hoping the job will be fun (young people to work with and happy people on a fancy night out) as well as earn some extra loot for the much needed house related things we have coming up in the fall - such as a new furnace (2500) and a new ac unit (2500) in the spring. We're also going to need a new roof soon and I got a quote for that - $5000 bucks. FML. So yes, a second job is required and I'm doing my best to be a positive patty about it. Other bonuses to working here are that we get discounts (YUM!) and they're only open for dinner so say from 3 or 4 p.m. (depending on weekday or weekend) and they close at 10. So all I'll really be missing babywise is dinner and bedtime which is the crankiest period anyways.
#3 - (long-ish term) I applied a month ago or so for a management position at the College and didn't get it because I applied too late and they were already conducting 2nd interviews (I got a call from my mentor the day after I applied saying they'd hired someone - BOO!). It showed that it was a full-time forever type job on the website but I heard through the grapevine that the person they hired they only offered a contract of 1 year to because they weren't sure he could hack it. I WILL GET THIS JOB IF IT COMES UP. No doubt, no doubt.
#4 - (SO LONG TERM IT'S NOT EVEN FUNNY) I will be the Director of Communications and Marketing. I'm going to get my BPA in Communication Studies from Athabasca or I'll wait it out and see if UOIT offers something to DC staff. I'm not sure which route I'll take at the moment but I'm a big believer in things just falling into place so I'm hoping this will too! I worked in the department before, love it and just know it's my end spot. Not only will I love the job but I will also make it on the SUNSHINE LIST. Ya boyeee!
So, now that I've just put this on paper I'm accountable right? RIGHT!
Sweet.
Wednesday, July 11, 2012
Tuesday, July 10, 2012
Life is about to get crazy!
Not only is Alex going back to work after a 2 week hiatus but I'm in the home stretch of maternity leave. I will officially be back to work the day after Labour Day and although I have completely and utterly loved my time off I'm pretty excited to get my brain back into gear. As a kid I always thought my dream was to be a stay at home mom (perhaps because that's what I grew up with until about grade 8) but after being one for a year I know I'll be "ok" going back to work but I also know I'd love to work say, 20 hours a week versus 40. Unfortunately, that's not going to be possible (see a post a few back if you need more details) for a while so going back to a job I love, with people I adore suits me about as best as it can at this point in time. I am seriously going to crave - best word I could come up with - seeing my little man and I know I am going to cry for a week but I can do it. I know it. What I need to focus on is that I'm going to have PERSONAL TIME EVERYDAY FOR A WHOLE 8 HOURS (while AWAKE!!!) - no poopy diapers, no barfs, no nap schedules, a quiet lunch...(I'm trying to make myself feel better here but none of the things I just wrote actually bother me all that much) but also no snuggles, smiles, belly laughs, walks, dance parties, park trips or lunches smeared from head to toe etc.
I am so happy that the woman we're leaving our beast with is fantastic. I can literally see the love pouring out at her from the kids she already watches and one of the Mom's is keeping her kid with her 2 days a week because she'd miss her too much. Now that's what you want in a daycare!!
Okay, more to come. Maybe not baby related....next time I'm going to write about some career moves I'm going to make this year. It's going to happen because I'm going to make it happen - just because that's what I do. BAM.
I am so happy that the woman we're leaving our beast with is fantastic. I can literally see the love pouring out at her from the kids she already watches and one of the Mom's is keeping her kid with her 2 days a week because she'd miss her too much. Now that's what you want in a daycare!!
Okay, more to come. Maybe not baby related....next time I'm going to write about some career moves I'm going to make this year. It's going to happen because I'm going to make it happen - just because that's what I do. BAM.
Tuesday, June 5, 2012
Oh how I love my family!
Elbeanio, Lillymanilly and Balboski-pie. Jungle Cat World - June 4, 2012.
Meaghan and Emma came to visit and we had such a fabulous time! It was Emma's birthday so we had a mini birthday party on Sunday evening with all the local family members. Great dinner conversation as usual (which means it was all inappropriate!).
Lilly came to our house for the day instead of going to daycare on Monday so she, Emma and Meaghan could get to know each other better since they don't get to see each other often living a few hours away. We had sucha fabulous day! We went to Jungle Cat World and were about 4 feet away from so many crazy animals - lions, jaguars, tigers, hyenas, lynx and more. So amazing. The wee ones all got to feed a donkey and we had a peacock jump up on our picnic table trying to get at our lunch. Lilly and Emma had a fabulous time and Noah was so excited he wanted to walk everywhere. After 2 hours they were all smiles and we got this shot of them on the lion.
Such great memories.
Friday, May 25, 2012
Oh, life.
I'm about to admit something that most don't have the guts to do. They go on acting like everything is fine, racking up the credit card bills and closing their eyes.
I'm a pretty positive. Life has been extremely kind to my family and all in all I just don't have a lot to complain about. I am very blessed and haven't forgot that.....HOWEVER, having it all (what it feels like for me) for so long has made me spoiled. I've never gone without since I've been in the working world; things have come easily and I've been completely and utterly spoiled. Not to say that I haven't worked for everything that has come my way, but it's all come and that's what I'm getting at.
I suppose I'm finally getting a little dose of welcome to the real world. I thought having a baby would be a huge change, but it's been more like another re-adjustment period like moving in with Alex, buying a house, getting a new job etc. I mean, life has changed for sure, but for the most part (other than the lack of sleep) it is all pretty doable on a daily basis. Now that the wee man is 11 months (holy crap) he's as easy as pie and it's amazing.
So, for what is going on (and the real meat of this post)....our plan was to live in our old house for 10 years or so. We were going to save up and buy a house on our dream street once we were all set financially. Well, when the dream house came up on our dream street during my maternity leave, we went to the bank and they said we could "afford" (please notice the quotes) it. Of course, we jumped on it perhaps without really looking too far in advance. Looking back at our old life at our previous house, man we had it easy financially (which didn't feel like it was THAT easy at the time). We would've had no problem doing small renos, paying for daycare, going out for dinner here and there or into the city for a dance party night.
Oh, how things have changed.
For the past 6 months or so since we moved into the new house I've been doing my best to go without. I bought some new clothes at Christmas with gift cards and got my hair done (as inexpensively as possible) every 2.5-3 months or so but other than that my spending has been nil. I'm sure you all know Alex is a thrifty shopper to say the least so all was good there. But after 3 weddings in 4 months, a broken fridge, Alex's truck needing new brakes, opening the pool, and a couple of $500 winter gas bills...man, oh man, oh man. The savings are gone. The worst part is that in an old house there is always something....we need our chimney fixed sooner than later, the basement ceiling needs to be dry-walled and a woodstove is also something that in the long run will save us money (see $500 winter gas bill).
Please don't get me wrong, our bills are being paid but that's about as far as our money is going and to top it off daycare will be $700 a month pretty soon and me going back to work isn't going to change our income. BRUTS.
I'll admit that I've been slighty ignoring the situation. I really came to terms with it this week when I needed a couple of new bras because the old bod has made some changes. I honestly couldn't validate spending $50 on TWO bras. This is unheard of for me. Luckly the old girls have gone down a size so the flimsy Joe Fresh bras that were 2 for $20 at the old grocery store seem to be doing the trick (shoot me now).
I also was supposed to be going out this Saturday for a fantastic bachelorette for one of my VERY favourite girls including dinner/drinks, dancing, hotel, and brunch the next day. After figuring the night will cost about $250 and taking into account I couldn't bring myself to spend $50 on bras, I've opted out of the sleepover and am going to just do dinner, a couple of drinks and dancing. It's just about the saddest decision I've had to make in a while but it's the right one and I'll feel a heck of a lot less guilty in the long run.
I wonder how long life will be like this? I'm hoping a higher paying job comes up when I go back to work!
So I guess life is all about choices. We chose to go without now in hopes that in the long run we'd have much more by tackling a big mortgage while we were young. Maybe I wasn't prepared for how "without" it would be. I suppose putting a budget together is in order....
FYI - right now I'm sitting in a pair of shorts that are about 5 years old and they literally hang off of me. I must say, it's a good thing I have a husband who loves me, a baby who doesn't care what I look like and some pretty high self-esteem if I do say so myself!
So, if you don't see my outfit on the latest catwalk (not that you ever would have) - you know why! LOL.
I'm a pretty positive. Life has been extremely kind to my family and all in all I just don't have a lot to complain about. I am very blessed and haven't forgot that.....HOWEVER, having it all (what it feels like for me) for so long has made me spoiled. I've never gone without since I've been in the working world; things have come easily and I've been completely and utterly spoiled. Not to say that I haven't worked for everything that has come my way, but it's all come and that's what I'm getting at.
I suppose I'm finally getting a little dose of welcome to the real world. I thought having a baby would be a huge change, but it's been more like another re-adjustment period like moving in with Alex, buying a house, getting a new job etc. I mean, life has changed for sure, but for the most part (other than the lack of sleep) it is all pretty doable on a daily basis. Now that the wee man is 11 months (holy crap) he's as easy as pie and it's amazing.
So, for what is going on (and the real meat of this post)....our plan was to live in our old house for 10 years or so. We were going to save up and buy a house on our dream street once we were all set financially. Well, when the dream house came up on our dream street during my maternity leave, we went to the bank and they said we could "afford" (please notice the quotes) it. Of course, we jumped on it perhaps without really looking too far in advance. Looking back at our old life at our previous house, man we had it easy financially (which didn't feel like it was THAT easy at the time). We would've had no problem doing small renos, paying for daycare, going out for dinner here and there or into the city for a dance party night.
Oh, how things have changed.
For the past 6 months or so since we moved into the new house I've been doing my best to go without. I bought some new clothes at Christmas with gift cards and got my hair done (as inexpensively as possible) every 2.5-3 months or so but other than that my spending has been nil. I'm sure you all know Alex is a thrifty shopper to say the least so all was good there. But after 3 weddings in 4 months, a broken fridge, Alex's truck needing new brakes, opening the pool, and a couple of $500 winter gas bills...man, oh man, oh man. The savings are gone. The worst part is that in an old house there is always something....we need our chimney fixed sooner than later, the basement ceiling needs to be dry-walled and a woodstove is also something that in the long run will save us money (see $500 winter gas bill).
Please don't get me wrong, our bills are being paid but that's about as far as our money is going and to top it off daycare will be $700 a month pretty soon and me going back to work isn't going to change our income. BRUTS.
I'll admit that I've been slighty ignoring the situation. I really came to terms with it this week when I needed a couple of new bras because the old bod has made some changes. I honestly couldn't validate spending $50 on TWO bras. This is unheard of for me. Luckly the old girls have gone down a size so the flimsy Joe Fresh bras that were 2 for $20 at the old grocery store seem to be doing the trick (shoot me now).
I also was supposed to be going out this Saturday for a fantastic bachelorette for one of my VERY favourite girls including dinner/drinks, dancing, hotel, and brunch the next day. After figuring the night will cost about $250 and taking into account I couldn't bring myself to spend $50 on bras, I've opted out of the sleepover and am going to just do dinner, a couple of drinks and dancing. It's just about the saddest decision I've had to make in a while but it's the right one and I'll feel a heck of a lot less guilty in the long run.
I wonder how long life will be like this? I'm hoping a higher paying job comes up when I go back to work!
So I guess life is all about choices. We chose to go without now in hopes that in the long run we'd have much more by tackling a big mortgage while we were young. Maybe I wasn't prepared for how "without" it would be. I suppose putting a budget together is in order....
FYI - right now I'm sitting in a pair of shorts that are about 5 years old and they literally hang off of me. I must say, it's a good thing I have a husband who loves me, a baby who doesn't care what I look like and some pretty high self-esteem if I do say so myself!
So, if you don't see my outfit on the latest catwalk (not that you ever would have) - you know why! LOL.
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