One of my best friends is in labor as we speak. Very excited to meet their new son!

Another great friend is celebrating his birthday tonight. Should be a wonderful time. Hurricane Earl turned out to be a dud, so even though the weather wasn’t terrible, I did opt to stay in. I made my first batch of blueberry jam, which I must say turned out awesome! I’m very proud of myself. Don’t be surprised if you all don’t get jams for Christmas.

Now onto more exciting news:

Weigh in: 222.8lbs

Chest: 45.5 inches

Waist: 43.5 inches

Hips: 50 inches

I think measuring with a measuring tape is going to be what satisfies me this time around. I really love seeing those #’s change. But I had an excellent week at WW, wish me luck on week two now that it’s becoming more routine!

I’m going to do what I can to get there tomorrow morning, from what every media outlet is saying I should be alright to get out first thing, it’s later in the day that is going to be wicked.

So this week I diligently used WW E-tools that come with the monthly membership. It’s been a very useful tool. I’m eager to see the results. One of the major reasons is because I used 1 flex point and had a hard time eating all my points everyday. This was a struggle because I really wasn’t hungry so I didn’t want to force them. Once I see how this translates on the scale it will let me know if I have to add something to my meals to get those extra few points in. Be it margarine or cheese or more protein.

I did a fair bit of walking this week. Really need to pick up a pedometer or a pedometer app for my Blackberry. See how much movement I am getting in.

Enough of the self analysis. It’s a long weekend! Earl is on the way, hopefully it isn’t too intense. Chris W’s Bday dinner is on Sunday evening. Asian themed… I’m eager to make pot stickers! I’ll report tomorrow with measurements and weigh in results.

Wish me luck.

Set up my E-tools for WW. I totally love the Recipe Builder and the online tracker… I’m going to try to use it for the week and see how it goes. I should be able to access it from work as well so I can look stuff up. That will nice.

I’m eager to see how this first week goes. I’ve promised myself I won’t get on the scale until I weigh in on Saturday, I will also measure every two weeks.

Thanks for coming along on this journey with me.

I was very surprised to see that since I stopped going in the late spring early summer, I have only gained 3 pounds back. In my mind… it felt like all of the weight I had ever lost came back.

I decided to make use of this blog space by chronicling my journey, and being loyal to posting. This is a commitment I’m making to myself. Of course comments, feedback and all that fun stuff will obviously make it much more fun for me to use this forum, so please…let it be interactive.

Without further adieu:

Weigh in: 225.6lbs

Chest: 46.5 inches

Waist: 44 inches

Hips: 51 inches

Now that these numbers are out there… there is no hiding from them.

Let’s see how this journey goes.

February – I turned 31. We had a birthday party for me, where I had a pretty cool “Edward” cake and some really nice prezzies from friends. It was in February that we also saw one of our dear friends Carter off to Japan for go knows how long, and Greg and Robert share their birthday as well. Robert turning the big ONE! We celebrated at Pizza Hut. We also found out in late January  early February that Dale and Juls would be parents, meaning I was going to be an Auntie in 2009! Well auntie to family by choice, not by blood. Either way, equally as cool.

March – In March we ventured to Toronto, by train. It was the longest train ride in the history of man! Jared, Chris, Hil and I had an adventure. Chris marked his territory at every GTA landmark with vomit, due to a bout of food poisoning. We reconnected with some old and dear friends. It was a great time. Chris and I were introduced to Tattoo Black Rum by Jody… and drinking hasn’t been the same since.

April – In April, we went to Halifax for Hil’s birthday and visited with Jared, Vicki and Sylas. It was a great weekend with great friends.

May – Jenn, Tara and I decided on a cross border adventure. We went to Bangor for a shopping weekend. We spent a fair bit of cash, and had some great laughs and great food. It was more amusing how many people we ran into that we knew from home. Ruby Tuesday’s Girls… Ruby Tuesdays… We also can’t forget that Mike and Cole became parents to a handsome little man, Alex!

June – Summer came…and well, I don’t recall one overly eventful thing in June.

July – I’m sure something happened in July too but it isn’t imprinted in my memory at all. Work was crazy busy which made summer fly by!

August – The scoobs went camping in Wickham. We endured the rain on Saturday until we couldn’t take it any longer and then made a night of it at Greg and Chris’s place. We followed it up with one of our famous big breakfasts…somehow Jared managed to get out of cooking it. Hrmmm…

September – Impossible Realities, Bill and Jody visited. It was great to see them and to show them our little corner of the world. We introduced Bill to Suwanna, and Jody and Bill introduced us to sneaky guys who pay the bill for a party of 10! Mark my words we will get you back on that grand a scale at some point guys! Danika Nicole Duffield was born. Dale and Juls became parents to an adorable little girl and I became and Auntie!

October – My great Aunt passed on, and my best friend got married. It was a busy month. Many months leading up to this were spent doing wedding prep. It came, and was beautiful. After making what felt like a million cupcakes, I survived and I think the tier looked great! My boss dropped a bombshell that he was leaving us at the beginning of October. I took on a lot of new responsibilities at my job and introduced a whole new level of stress.

November – We had a November? Dale started working with me, spiced up my days a bit. Started working on things for Christmas and thinking about Trois Riviere in March. Oh and of course Tara, Chris and I went to see New Moon when it came out. How could Chris miss out on Jacob? We also celebrated Dale and Juls birthday in one go with some bowling and a get together.

December – Well here we are. Christmas came and went rather quickly. As we get older, it always happens this way. It’s New Years eve…makes me struggle to remember where I was this day 10 years ago. I can’t quite recall. May this new year be filled with great friends and wonderful memories.

Happy New Year Everyone!

Disintegrate the pearly gates, I need to see you
I’m coming through.
Decide my fate on a later date.
Nothing’s gonna stop me from saving you.
Bullet holes in my soul.
I’m here getting wasted
Bullet holes in my soul
Maybe we could make it. Well I don’t know.
I don’t know.
Why does he have the strength to devastate and murder the beauty he creates.
I’m gonna bring you back if it’s the last thing I ever do.
I’m gonna bring you back to me I swear to God, I swear to god.
I swear.
Bullet holes in my soul.
I’m here getting wasted… wasted… wasted.
Bullet holes in my soul.
Maybe we can make it, well I don’t know.
Now we’re taking over
I wanna to die for you.
Now we’re taking over
Now we’re taking over
Now we’re taking over.
I wanna die for you.

I find myself very thoughtful since returning from Toronto. I think I got some closure in regards to some personal matters, which makes me feel a bit lighter. I also feel very good about things coming up in the future. So now I just have to make them happen!

I checked out Chris’s pics from the trip. They are located here. Feel free to check them out. I am still waiting for Hil to post hers. Wish I had taken more, but I was just having too much fun.

Tonight I plan on doing some source material reading. Going to brush up on my knowledge of the New World of Darkness. Some exciting things to come!

I’m thankful for all the good times that were had last weekend. I look forward to the many more to come.

“Coming Home” was so worth it.

The train ride was long, and honestly if I have to travel further than a 8 hour drive, I’m flying. Period. I know it will be the weekend before my body forgives me for 20 hours on a train both ways.

The social aspect of things was awesome. We did get out to see the CN Tower and did go all the way up to the Skypod. We also took in the Hockey Hall of Fame. I took selected photos of my favorite jerseys and such. Poor Chris spent most of the day sick, but he was a trooper and held on as long as he could before admitting defeat and we got a cab back to the hotel. We had actually taken public transit downtown, which was fairly simple. I was not intimidated by it at all once we got going. On Saturday we spent the morning going for Dim Sum and exploring Chinatown. Chris had never eaten with chopsticks or experienced Dim Sum, so this was an experience for him, and how the Dim Sum was served was an experience for me. I was used to a checklist and a lazy susan in the middle of the table. Not carts circling your table constantly like sharks with tasty dumplings, noodles and the sort begging to be eaten! Anyhow, the Dim Sum was great, as was Kensington Market. I felt so town over so many pairs of cats eye glasses and antique rings I thought I just might die. In the end I didn’t buy any of them… I came home pretty much empty handed…

Well almost. I bought some bracelets in Chinatown from a vendor. I also came home with a wealth of knowledge on Port! I had never tried it in my life and an old friend of Chris’s, new friend of mine Bill let us sample his and I swear it was like drinking honey… it’s the only way I can describe it! So I thank Bill for the education on Port. It shall be added to our list of options.

So now I am home…I feel a longing to create, a longing to build and foster our Camarilla Domain anew. It will take a great deal of hard work from those who have the same vision, but I think with our experiences as a guide, and the needs and wants of members we will be off to a good start.

I had more to write here tonight, but I am exhausted, I have 61 work emails I would like to put a dent in before tomorrow morning and I have episodes of Bones and Dollhouse waiting for me.

So on that note, to new beginnings, old friends and new friends.

Toronto was just as I said to Jody, coming home.

X’s and O’s

~Squigzella

I have been meaning to post for a bit now, but I have had absolutely no time. I lie, I meant to do it last night but I got sidetracked on packing.

Just about to eat my  breakfast and head to work. Working two days then I am off. I really can’t wait to go to Toronto. It will be nice to see everyone let alone anything else.

I spent this past Saturday at IR. It was fun to catch up with some people I haven’t seen in awhile, watch the guys play some Warhammer. Jay Miller asked me to join in on Star Wars but I just wasn’t in the mood to be more than a spectator sadly.

Saturday night Chris and I went out to Hil’s and assisted with a pre-trip ritual… it involved wax and torture! LOL But we had some laughs and that’s what counts.

I work Monday and Tuesday this week. I anticipate putting in some extra hours either tonight or tomorrow night to make sure everything is in order. I don’t mind that so much. Steve was super awesome to give me the time off!

We leave on Wednesday and get to Toronto at 3:15 on Thursday. Should be a fun filled weekend. I’ll be sure to post pics. I am taking the camera, so I promise some fun shots for sure. I don’t know if we should expect to sleep on the train or just to stay up all night catching up with Jared and telling stories. Either way, the last time we took this trip, I drove for 16 hours, so it will be nice to just sit, and chill.

Brekkie is ready so I gotta run. I’ll try to update again before I go.

X’s and O’s

~Squigzella

I slept through my clock, but managed to wake before I HAD to be out of bed. So that’s not so bad. Going shopping tonight. Looking forward to that.

Hectic work week.

Keep wanting to send an email to someone to get some stuff off my chest. I haven’t yet. Maybe it’s best. Either way… I don’t understand why someone would avoid me if they think they did nothing wrong… life is so strange. Actually it’s people that make it strange.

28 sleeps.

X’s and O’s

~Squigzella