Birthday Pictures

In case you were wondering if we were a witch and a warlock...we are not.

The booth was just gorgeous.

A bed of couscous with mixed greens and reds, crostini and goat cheese, golden beets and a pumpkin vinaigrette.

Mixed greens and reds, maple vinaigrette, candied walnuts and cranberries.

Ontario lamb with grated carrots and currants, under the lamb there were honey glazed carrots, lamb sausage, pureed parsnip and mustard spaetzle.

A bed of potato rosti, wilted greens with lemon and garlic, beef tenderloin with almonds and brie, cranberry sauce.

Pumpkin cheesecake, pumpkin brittle, cranberry sauce, candied walnuts, whipped cream and shaved white chocolate.

Espresso chocolate brulee, maple ice cream, white and dark chocolate square.

Mama and her baby.

My boys.

The three of us after filling up at Tucker's Marketplace.

"Hot" 100 Update

Goals:

1. Move for 15 minutes every day (walk, bike, swim, just move). Note to self, this means you HAVE to get up from your desk and leave your office or leave the comfort of your home.

2. Meditate every day.

3. Take the focus off food on my birthday.

1. 3/10

2. 3/10

3. Fail. Too many lunches (more coming up), too many dinners (pictures soon to be displayed). I did NOT manage to take the focus off food on my birthday. It was a week long eating extravaganza.

Weigh In #7

Shockingly enough this was exactly how much I gained at my last weigh in, so I thought I would use the same graphic.

It's My Birthday!

The day has arrived. I am 43. Thanks to all for the lovely birthday wishes. I will write more when I have time as I am getting ready to go for ANOTHER dinner. I did want to quickly get down what it said in the horoscope section of the Globe and Mail today.

If your birthday is today:
Are you making the most of your potential? If, like most people, you tend to drift along from day to day without a plan, then most likely, you are living below your true capabilities. Make it your aim this coming 12 months to be not just good, but the very best.

"Food" for thought...

Celebrating the One Hundreds "Giveaway"

Homelessness and hunger are of great concern to me. Back when I needed to, I accessed the food banks in my city and they also provided Christmas for my child several times. Those days are over, thank the Universe, and now that I am able to, I have continuously supported my local social service agencies.

Naturally, around Christmas time there is a greater need for food and also for toys, clothes etc. I don't celebrate Christmas and exchange very few gifts, but I do try to provide a wonderful Christmas for those less fortunate than I am.

266 had a really wonderful idea to celebrate reaching 100 followers on her blog! She is going to donate a $1 for every comment she receives on her post, and she will donate another $1 if you post about and link back to her post. Please take a moment and comment, take another few minutes and link back to her post. Thank you!

http://266-twosixtysix.blogspot.com/2009/11/celebrating-one-hundreds-giveaway.html

Prior Fat Girl E-Cookbook 2009

Need a gift for someone special? How about the Prior Fat Girl E-Cookbook 2009? Check it out at http://www.priorfatgirl.com/2009/11/priorfatgirl-e-cookbook-2009.html You certainly can't beat the price and the majority of the proceeds are going to the YMCA.

If you would like to win a copy, Enz over at http://the-4walls.blogspot.com/2009/11/prior-fat-girls-e-cookbook.html is giving one away!

I love blog giveaways! Maybe one day I will arrange my own.

11/24/2009 - Update. I won, I won, I won! Thanks Enz!!!

My Week, "Hot 100" Update and Blog Award

I received a comment on my blog from fellow blogger Beej over at http://journeytosanctification.blogspot.com/ He asked my how my week had gone. Well now, I have been struggling and my week did not go well. There was much eating, some exercising and some meditation, but I did not achieve 10/10 on either of those "Hot 100" goals. When I saw the comment from Beej, I started to consider why I am doing this to myself. I don't really consider myself to be a "good" person owing to the 14 287 967 mistakes I have made in my life. There were many and some of them are UGLY. UGLY as in not to be mentioned in the light of day or dark of night UGLY.

I love to read and I love to surf the 'net. I often find myself reading about self-forgiveness and how it is the first step to beginning to love yourself. If I can be certain about one thing, it is that I don't love myself. I would never be so unkind to myself if I did. I know there are people that love me. I KNOW it. They are many and come from all nationalities, religions and walks of life. People like me. Hard for me to fathom as I think if they knew some of the things I have done or some of the situations I have been in they would not even speak to me.

Is that true? Would people who like/love me turn on me and suddenly not care for me? The older I get and the more I think about it, I realize it is not true. I have many wonderful friends and they are not perfect. They have done things they are not proud of and have confided them to me. When they told me these things did I cringe and turn away? NO I did NOT. I loved them more. Sometimes I think the things we hide are the things that may belong right out there in the open for everyone to see. Things that are hidden in the dark seem scary until they are lit up and we can truly see them for what they are. Food for thought.

Back to my week. It was filled with a lot of bad food choices and a lot of self-loathing and it occurred to me to talk to the UNIVERSE about it. I believe the UNIVERSE has had a profound effect on my life. When I listen to the UNIVERSE things work out well, when I don't...well, let's just say there are problems. I also believe the UNIVERSE listens to me. I try not to be too demanding, but sometimes I want things. If I ask, it is usually delivered. I realized I have not told the UNIVERSE I want to lose weight, be fit and maintain my loss. What was I thinking?

Today I told the UNIVERSE I want to lose weight, be fit and my maintain my loss. The UNIVERSE spoke back and said "Kimberley, to achieve your goals you need to eat healthy, indulge infrequently and exercise." This is not news to me, but since the bearer of the news was the UNIVERSE how could I not listen? Especially knowing what happens when I don't.

This morning I met a friend from the ww.ca site and we had breakfast. I made great choices. When I got back home D and I went down to the gym and I did four miles on the bike and worked my quads, hams and calves on the machines. After working out and stretching I had a protein shake and some homemade apple sauce. Then I sat down and meditated. Just like that! I am listening to the UNIVERSE.

"The Hot 100"

Goals:

1. Move for 15 minutes every day (walk, bike, swim, just move). Note to self, this means you HAVE to get up from your desk and leave your office or leave the comfort of your home.

2. Meditate every day.

3. Take the focus off food on my birthday.

1. 7/10

2. 9/10

3. Entering the danger zone. I am going out for lunch next week with a friend only because he had his 50th birthday on the 19th...so it is really for him. I checked out the menu and I can make healthy choices. D and I are thinking of booking a hotel/spa night on my birthday weekend which will help take the focus off food as we will be working out, swimming and being pampered. I will not guarantee good choices for my birthday dinner, but I will guarantee good choices for all other meals and snacks.

Superior Scribbler Award

I received a blog award from Patsy over at http://weight-off-musings.blogspot.com/
Thank you so much Patsy! You certainly made my day! Now I have to follow all kinds of rules regarding the blog award and although I am a rebel without a cause I am going to do it since I know how great it made me feel.

Here are the rules and regulations:

-Each Superior Scribbler must in turn pass the award on to five most deserving bloggers.

-Each Superior Scribbler must link to the author and the name of the blog from whom s/he has received the award.

-Each Superior Scribbler must display the award on his/her blog, and link to The Scholastic Scribe http://scholastic-scribe.blogspot.com/2008/10/200-this-blings-for-you.html which explains the award.

-Each blogger who wins The Superior Scribbler Award must visit this post http://scholastic-scribe.blogspot.com/2008/10/200-this-blings-for-you.html and add his/her name to the Mr Linky List. That way, they'll be able to keep up-to-date on everyone who receives this prestigious honour.

-Each Superior Scribbler must post these rules on his/her blog.

Last, but not least, here is my alphabetical list of the recipients of the Superior Scribbler Award:

Beej over at http://journeytosanctification.blogspot.com/ Beej is so rockin' this weight loss journey. Always inspirational, always supportive and did I mention he is rockin' the weight loss!

Fran over at http://dutchgirlgetshealthy.wordpress.com/ Fran is supportive from all the way over in the Netherlands. This woman is a hard core runner and great cook. I haven't tasted her food, but I have seen pics and that is enough for me.

Ishmael over at http://livinginonederland.blogspot.com/ Ishmael's blog is a recent discovery. I love it. If you are looking for insight and humour, be sure to drop by. Her supportive comments on my blog and others are out of this world!

Kimmy over at http://alightway.blogspot.com/ Kimmy is filled with wisdom and insight. Read her blog to feel her warmth and honesty coming right at you. Not to mention she is a great support to me.

Lori over at http://findingradiance.com/ Lori is a power house!!! If she isn't running she is lifting. Did I mention this lady loves her coffee? Always great food pics, very inspirational and supportive.

Steve over at http://logmyloss.com/ Steve is such a source of inspiration, not to mention a great support, he is always positive and upbeat and you have to love that!

You may notice I picked six bloggers...I wish I could pick more, but I thought maybe I could get away with adding just one.