Fighting the Dark Cloud of pudge!!

OK, I Had to write again.  First of all, I HAD (yes no choice whatsoever in the matter) to change my template.  I did like the last one, but I need something that convinces me that spring is on its way!!

Is it coincidence that so many of my “usual blog crowd” have not been blogging lately?  Planetary line up?  Maybe it is something bigger than just us.  Maybe we should stop beating ourselves up over what we should be doing and look to blame someone else!!  Yes, blame the hormones.  Blame the planets.  Blame it on the rain…ya ya ya…  (Ok, admit it, those Manilli Vanilli guys were cute - stupid without talent, but darn cute!).

We do what we can.  We do our best (and that is all we ever ask of anyone else).  But sometimes, it is out of our hands.

So, chin (chins??) up!!  It is a new day.  Spring is (or rumour has it) around the corner.  AND if all else fails, grab a hydroxycut pill.  Darn things never helped me lose a pound (ok, maybe excess water) but they must have some upper in them!  And no prescription needed!

Cheers!

Greetings all!  Sorry but life got in the way of blogging. Actually replace life with “work”!  I don’t have much life due to all the work I am doing.  Still, no point in complaining.  At least I can pay m bills!

Hubby’s immigration papers are “being processed” in Buffalo.  Not sure exactly what that means…other than someone is looking at them - or more likely they are on someone’s desk.  No time frame on that.  BUT he may get to move up here in May!!  It will be odd having him here all the time!

Thanks for the comments on my blog.  Canadian, yes.  Niagara, no.  Sorry, but I am a GTA gal.

Other than that, I applied for a couple of jobs (seemed ok but not enough to sell my soul for) so have interviews tomorrow AM and Monday PM.  They have to interview at least 3 people and as I have the VP style resume I think they more or less have to interview me.  So, it is not as hopeful as it seems.  Really, I am praying something better appears in rounds 4, 5 or 6!   Yes, we have many rounds of postings for next year.

Other than that, SNOW!  It is very cold today.

Blog on!

I saw the show, Menopause Out Loud, on Friday.  It was very cute and funny, so if you have a chance to see it sometime, (and are of the age) do see it.

After my complaints, I am the one who has been off line for a while.  And thanks, Flower, for offering to create a surprise party for me!

Not much new here.  Lost the added pounds - well some drift on and off.  I think in part due to the extensive PMS I am having.  Blame “out loud” for that!

Went to another wedding show on the weekend.  Largely I went to try to get my hands on makeup artist contracts (what do they look like??).  Odd that booths would have show specials but no contracts on hand.  Obviously they are not as “legal” as some other contracts.

On Friday I had a problem with a behavioural student.  He is now suspended for three days - and somewhat surprised that holding a lighter to cardboard was something one could get suspended for!  He is a very attractive and articulate kid but seems to be missing a couple of necessary brain functions.  I am not being funny.  Kids like that can be scary!  After he was suspended (but had not left the building) he made a point of walking past my classroom (at the other end of the school) and swearing.  As it was late and most people were gone, the caretakers have the radio blaring through the PA system so I could not make out all of what he said.  Fortunately there was a caretaker nearby or I would have been concerned  for my safety!  Unfortunately, the caretaker only heard the “f” word that I heard and no more - due to the blaring music.

After some amazing PD I had on the brain and learning disabilities, I am teaching the kids about their brains and re-wiring of them - in my learning strategies class.  In all honesty, the standard curriculum for that class is too boring for this audience.

Ok, enough about my job.  I am off to walk the dog!  At least he doesn’t swear at me - as far as I know!

Cheers!

I feel very yucky.  Guess I am finally en route to TOM!  Really us perimenopausal women have no idea when that will ever be, but I feel like one of those balloons in the Macy parade!

Other than my complaining, not much new.  Seems pretty quiet around here these days.  Is someone out there…planning a surprise party for me?????!!!!!

197.5 came back to haunt me.  I am hoping it is a brief visit - rather like Hamlet’s father (I am teaching Hamlet right now) and a lot less vengeful.

On a brighter note, I had my first fitting today.  I am really pleased so far.  Granted it is muslin but it is starting to take form.  I will see another updated muslin on April 5 (she could do it sooner but I keep hoping I’ll lose some more!).  She said the skirt will be close to ready by then.  She was also impressed that I am doing two pieces so I can wear them again.  I have added my (late) Grandmother’s broach to the mix.  You know how  some brides have a flower over their butt on the sash?  I decided to put an antique crystal broach in blueypurple and gold there.  It was the horrifying realization that people would be staring at my butt for 30 minutes that made me decide I needed a DIFFERENT focal point!

AND, I told the dressmaker that I am thinking of doing the bridal makeup business.  She loved the bridal makeup I had on for the fitting (she had told me that wearing the “look” for the day was a good idea for fittings) and she is going to be doing a photo shoot soon of her dresses.  I offered to do the makeup for free so that I could get some photos to put on the website I will be creating.  She said she was receptive - but then again she may be saying that because I am a client.

I am getting positive feeback to “IDOMakeup.ca”. Just to explain that “.ca” is a Canadian ending.  I could opt for .com instead, or in addition.  The company I am looking at will give you two domains.  All to consider.  In the meantime I am also going to look into creating a 6 week course through the school board’s continuing education for the fall.  There I can teach skin care and makeup and maybe even increase my team at Mary Kay!  I have mentioned that I have been a Mary Kay consultant for 10 years, haven’t I?  I am just not very active with it.  I absolutely love the skin care.  Before MK I spent a fortune on Christian Dior skin care and I think MK’s works better at a fraction of the price.   BUT enough of that.  Fear not, I cannot recruit or sell outside of Canada so you will have to locate someone closer to home if you want to check it out.

Must admit, I am enjoying this new holiday we have in Ontario.  Family Day.  It is a stat holiday that not everyone seems to get - but then again I didn’t get all the stats in various jobs I have had.

I am rambling…still accepting comments on “IDOmakeup” as my company name.

Cheers!

I am having such a good time planning my wedding that I am thinking of starting a bridal makeup business after my honeymoon (so in August).  For the record, I am a certified Special Effects Makeup artist and did do bridal makeups in the past (about 10 years ago), as well film and theatre makeup makeup.  In this day and age one needs a website to advertise these things.  After checking several domains I considered “IDOMAKEUP.CA”.  What do you think?  I thought it was kind of cute because it could mean that I do makeup or the wedding vow, “I do”.  Anyway, I would like your opinions before I drop the cash.  Consider yourselves a test group!

Flower, DH’s paperwork is in Buffalo now and we hope to fall into the “30% are completed in 3 months” group.

Dietwise, I am climbing back on the wagon as it is rolling by.  I am behind schedule but I hope to get more off by the end of February.

Alas, today is RAIN (not snow) so perhaps some of the snow will melt away.  DH’s plane was delayed due to the rain!

Cheers!

Well, I guess I overdid it yesterday.  Seems I was inflated back up two pounds, but hopefully they will be those “fake” ones that go soon.  DH flew in today.  We were going to go to a seafood buffet tonight but I didn’t think it was a good idea.  Granted, that lobster, shrimp et al is very tempting.  BUT I was at a thai restaurant at lunch and the portion was a bit too big (and I ate it!) so I don’t want to go nuts tonight.  Although it is our Valentine’s Day dinner I suggested lighter fare.  So we are going to go to the bistro owned by our cake maker.

Other than that, the same old stresses at work.  Our one strong VP is going off for knee surgery so we have a temp until May.  Should prove interesting to see how that works out.  In the meantime, next week is round 3 of the job postings for next year.  I saw nothing that interested me last round.  No point going from the frying pan into the fire.

At least it didn’t really snow today…just a tiny bit.  Not really worth mentioning.  We are expected to get a dump of it Sunday afternoon- just when DH is supposed to fly out.  I tried suggesting he stay until spring!

Boogie on!

Well, just to be different we have a SNOW STORM rather than just snow today.  I was to drive to the next city over for the orientation of the online course I am teaching but I cancelled when the snow started. I had driven (against my better wisdom) to work JUST IN CASE the forecast was off so had to deal with the car coming home.

AND how was it coming home??  I am so glad you asked. Like any seasoned Canadian I got outside, started the car and started to brush it off.  OBVIOUSLY I have offended my car in some way because it decided (for the first time since I bought it in 2005) to lock on me!  SO there I was, standing in the icy staff parking lot, a vision of loveliness in my ivory parka against the snowy backdrop….ARGH!  One of the teachers (mental note not to give that teacher some slack next time she annoys someone) called the automobile club but as it was sooo busy (and my purse et al were locked in my car so I could not access my CAA card nor my cell phone)!  You couldn’t even get through!

The doors to the school are generally locked at that time - only the FAR FAR one would be open - but I saw a caretaker who let me in and just happened to know the mechanic whose shop is around the corner.  He called on his cell phone and 5 minutes later there was a young guy trying to open my car.  It took him several attempts, but he did get it open.  He told me the mechanic/owner told him to charge whatever he wanted to - and he decided to do it for free!!  How is that for a miracle?!!

It then took me about an hour to get home (usually a 15 minute trip) and, of course, partway home I had to go to the bathroom!!  I kept thinking…”You’ve held it for ultrasounds..”.  OK, I did make it to my building and the nearest bathroom - for those who were worried!

Glad you liked the dogs.  I like them too!!  Actually I meant to put my dog’s photos in the park folder, but somehow did not  tick off the box.  At least you got to see him!  He does love the snow (although this is too much for even him!), as does Guido (the schnauzer).

Weightwise, I am pretty consistent.  Which is, of course, both good and bad. My real life night class started yesterday (Monday and Wed nights) and is considerably smaller than last semester’s.  YAY!  Only 27 of them.  (and I have 35 online but that should also shrink).  I am starting with Hamlet so need to re-read it (at least the parts I am teaching tomorrow!).  I am also starting with the Ethan Hawke “grunge Hamlet”.

So, that brings you up to date on my exciting life!

Cheers!

OK, today the scale was back at 195 - where I was before the blahs struck.  YAY!  Of course I am not close to my 192 by Feb 15 goal, but c’est la vie.  I can still make my goal of 190 by the end of the month, right??!!!

That is the one good thing about Blah weight gains, if you act quickly, they go quickly.  You really have to act before they start taking up permanent residency!

Yesterday’s weather was too unpredictable for me to drive across town to the Home Depot my Mother booked everything with. (why not a closer one?? The woman is 80 years old so I no longer question it!).  We are going at 2:30 today instead.

Yesterday I did get into visit Michael in the hospital. He is talking better and they seem to be  working his stroke effected leg. Unfortunately he still cannot swallow properly and he thought I was someone named Kelly.  But other than that, I only stayed a few minutes as he was very sleepy.  Of course someone else in the corridor thought I was Mary Ellen, whoever she is.  So, I can only conclude that I look like a lot of people.

Off to the supermarket this morning.  How is that weekends are gone before I can really relax?? Oh, I did get the online teaching gig again, but this semester I have the 1/2 credit careers course and the 1/2 credit English transfer for grade 11 students wanted to upgrade to the university path. So I have a busy week ahead where I start real life night school (Grade 12 Academic English) on Monday (Monday and Wed course) and I have to meet the online students on Tuesday night to teach them the computer programme.  All this on top of the day job.  Really, we were all right when we were 5 years old - we DO want to be princesses.  Forget this working for a living thing!

Cheers!