What's in My Bag

So as I mentioned, I just got a new bag, so I thought I'd take inventory of what exactly goes in there as I dump out my current choice and fill up the newbie.

Firstly, it's a Samsara Neuville Lg purse in plum colour and it's Awesome! It arrived today, after some ordering / shipping / phone call run around. But in any event, it's here and I love it!

So ... in dumping out the little and upgrading to the XL ( seriously the kids were like Miss that isn't a Purse, that's LUGGAGE! ) lol gotta love them and their honesty. Anyway... I've discovered immediately that I'm going to have to order up a Purseket that I've been eying for a long time too. The bag is just tooo deep to toss stuff in and hope to find it again later lol. But that's for another day.

The following are the contents currently in my bag:
1 pkg of 5 gum - cobalt flavour
A key to Janelle & Troy's house
A square goldish be-dazzled compact mirror - Gramma Honey just gave me for Christmas :)
A grey stay put tubey elastic hair band
My ipod in it's leather case with a cord wrapped around it so it can hook up to the car unit/stereo
A bottle of Equate brand cold & sinus caplets
A bounce lint & freshness clothes roller with a big grabby hair clip around it
A bottle of cool lubrificant Visine
A fibre 1 oats & chocolate bar -- YUMMM!
A tin of spearmint Excel mints - which Turbo has tried to steal a few times before
Some Halls Refresh - Juicy Strawberry flavour
A tin of Herbacin Kamille hand cream
A black change purse
Bath & Body Works Sweet Pea hand lotion & foaming hand sanitizer
One Step Spray sanitizer
A daily pill keeper - yes like the ones old people use.. if I don't I'll forget to take my viatmins
A reusable pink stripy bag from Bath & Body Works - LOVE THAT PLACE
My pink Keneth Cole wallet
A recycled paper note book from Chapters & a random pen
My Blackberry
Two mint chocolates from the Keg :) LOVE <3!!

okay... and here's where it gets slightly embarassing...

A tube of CO Bigelow "My Favorite Lip Balm" - shea butter & almond oil (BBW)
A tube of Liplicious "tasty lip colour" om whipped vanilla (BBW)
A tube of Blistex medicated lip ointment
A tube of Blistex Lip massage lip protectant & suncreen - Spf 15
Sally Hansen Gentle Lip Plumping Lip Treatment in "Happy"
Clinique Full Potential Lips Plump & Shine in Luscious Lilac
Clinique Colour Surge Butter Shine lipstick in First Love
....ahem....
A pair of black mittens
And finally my Oakley case, no glasses, but contains... a tube of Chapstick - vanilla mint - jeesh!

And that was a pretty little bag... goodness only knows what I'll get into with a big one like this!
Hope that was as uplifting for you as it was for me lol!

December Whirl Wind

So, as I'm sure you can tell, December has been just flying by. I held it together to get through all my concerts & performances this year. They all went fantastic, as I knew in the back of my mind they would. Those kids always know how to pull it off when it counts. Even the night of the Div 2 concert there was so much snow and the roads were terrible. I was so impressed with all the families that made it out. Some of the classes were down in numbers, but they still pulled it off. So they actually happened the 9th & 10th so I have had a full week to wind down and settle into our upcoming vacation. I was relatively healthy up until today really. I was sitting in the lunch room and MAN did it hit me fast. Almost as quickly as I felt nauseous, I made a run for it. Wasn't entirely sure at the time if I had overdone it with cold meds or what but whoa bessie I got hit hard. I pulled off the afternoon but zipped right home after to a hot bath and a cozy bed ... and a temperature of 102 to go with it. Not so much fun. I am starting to feel a bit better, and just had some soup so we'll see what happens in the next little while.

On a more positive note, we are leaving for DR next Thursday and I can't wait. I'm glad if I needed to get sick that it's now and not later. I have a week to rest & recoup so hopefully I will be good to go. I do still need to send my package home to my folks, planned on doing that today but it got put on the back burner. Perhaps tomorrow if I'm feeling better. Wrapping to do as well as a trip to the post office. A big box from my folks arrived yesterday and this year with no tree I was stumped as to where to put the gifts when I took them out of the box lol! I settled on the corner chair in the great room, Slash isn't to happy, but I'm sure he'll get over it. Clint should be home on Monday and my brother & Kim will arrive in Eddy tomorrow. I think they're going to try to get down earlier in the week before we leave. It will be so nice to see them, it's been a while. After thinking about it, I actually can't place the last time we've crossed paths. It might be a couple years now to be honest, which sounds terrible, but it doesn't seem that long. So perhaps I'm forgetting something. Ah well, it will come back to me eventually I'm sure.

So on a completely unrelated topic, I found myself enthralled the other day on youtube checking out "What's in your Purse" videos. I don't think I'm really game for making a vid right now, but I just got a new bag and I think I'll make another post answering the burning question of what's in MY bag. lol Geeker to the max, I know, I know! <3 xo

Beach Bum, Here I Come! -- Literally!

With all the countdowns that this season holds for a music teacher, the most important and highest on my list right now is the burning number 36 because that is how many days remain until I hop a plane with my besties and head to Punta Cana!! We settled, decided and booked and I cannot wait to go! We're staying at the Riu Bambu 5*- Stay @ 1, Play @ 3 and I seriously Can Not wait!

Now, to just get myself in beach shape before then.

After talking with Sarah C. today, she proposed a challenge and I accepted. We are working towards the greatest percentage of weight loss between us, starting today and running until December 21st. My scale here is a little wonky so I'll weigh in tomorrow at the gym. I have to find my measuring tape to, to get some accurate measurements and then we can Let The Games Begin! I think this will be good motivation to get going and stay going. I have a few gym partners now which makes life good too. My neighbour Julia has been going with me for a couple weeks now and Janelle is on a week trial to see if she want's to join as a member. Another Sarah that I work with has also expressed interest in going AND Rebecca, my first gym partner, her baby is now 5 weeks old and she's ready to get back to the gym. There should seriously be no excuses. I have all the support in the world. All that being said... I am about to get into the shape of my life! lol Here's hoping anyway.

H1N1?

With the expected "pandemic" I guess the debate is on. To get the vaccine or not? It is recommended that as a teacher I do go get it, especially in my case where I see each and every student in the school, and they are in and out of my classroom every thirty minutes. I am rather susceptible to the virus. Especially with hands on instruments, carpeted risers as well as the simple fact that it's air borne and we spend a lot of time expelling air in our room with singing and what not.

Last year was the first year I ever got a flu shot and well, I still got sick. Maybe not as bad as it might have been, but I guess I'll never know for sure. There has also been an initial study that has shown that those persons who received the seasonal flu shot last year are more susceptible to catching the H1N1 virus. Man... I just can't win sometimes.

So I guess with all that being said, I need to get the shot.

Everyone has been in wait for the vaccine and today it has finally arrived and is available. Unfortunately they cannot bring it to the school as they have in the past with the seasonal flu shot, and in addition, they cannot bring the seasonal shot to us either. They have set up 4 clinics around the city and you are free to go get it. Now, with that being said, people are lined up as far as the eye can see at each clinic and are saying the average wait is 3 to 6 hours. THREE to SIX HOURS??!! That is just madness!! And if you think you'll just beat the rush and schedule an appointment with your doctor, think again. They won't be available for you from your doctor's office until sometime mid-November or later.

So, on top of that, our school has had it's first confirmed case announced today. Apparently it was diagnosed on Friday but we are just getting the information today. Along with that case there is one other case diagnosed, and one case of Mono. I mean I assumed it was going to hit sooner or later, but this is definitely sooner than I thought.

So, does the vaccine help you if you pick up the virus before getting vaccinated? If you do get the virus, can you get it again after it has passed? I guess I need more information, and in the meantime I'll keep pumping the Cold FX and call Pharmacist Sue to see what she thinks. If you've got any great insights / ideas feel free to let me know!

October 2009

So lots of things have been happening this October but most notably, the weather. Our first snowfall for the season came on October 4th. It wasn't a huge amount, huge flakes though. And again, I'll remind you all, it was on OCTOBER 4th!!


The next snow that came lasted longer and came in MUCH bigger quantities. On October 13th it was a full on winter wonderland. I took a few pictures as I needed to head out to a dentist appointment. The roads were ridiculous and people were getting into accidents everywhere. I guess that's what happens when the city doesn't plow or salt. EVER!






Aside from the great outdoors, I have been keeping entertained in the great indoors by my two favorite fuzzy friends Turbo & Slash. These two can entertain me to no end. Thought I'd share some of their most recent action shots. Well Turbo's action shots, Slash's not-so-action shots ;)

Weekend Whatnots

I have had some rather productive weekends lately. I officially "gutted" the entire ensuite bathroom and think that Clint will be shocked let alone highly impressed. The only item remaining on the top of the toilet now is a box of Kleenex. If you had seen the overflowing basket of products, puffs, makeup and general CRAP that was there before you'd be impressed too.

I dug into the cupboards too and tossed all the junk I could find and organized everything left. It feels like a whole new space. (Although I do realize I should toss a few more clothing articles, but let's give credit where credit is due) ;)

The floors have all been vacuumed and mopped, in that order. There is not a piece of laundry to be washed and the only dish to be washed is the pan I just took the hot cinnamon rolls off of.

I also attempted to locate the plug & pedal for my keyboard this weekend, but failed miserably. That is a mystery for Sherlock Holmes I think. It has not been seen since we made the move to the house 15 months ago. I might just have to suck it up and buy a new one. Ugh! And then I'm sure I will promptly find the old one, as that is how the story usually goes.

I sat down and planned my lessons for the week - well at least the anticipated lessons... with my kids I tend to have to "go with the flow" a little more than some. Dealing with lots of energy in grade one and two of the three classes have aids, and the third should too. They're taking a lot of my energy but I'm dealing. Ask me again in two months.

The last of my weekend mission is to write up a proposal to our parent council to purchase some new Flip Form risers for my classroom. They are multi-purpose so I need to phrase the proposal as "stage risers" and go from there. I think I'm going to hit the H1N1 angle and stress the fact that they're polyurethane or something like that and not carpeted like the current ones I have. That should seal the deal.

Oh, and I told myself that I would have my Christmas concert musicals picked out and ordered by the 15th, so I guess that will be the rest of my days mission. I have a few in mind but am a little stuck with which will apply for what grades. If I haven't told you before, like planning a Christmas Concert isn't huge enough as it is, I need to plan 3! My school is big and we can't accommodate all our families in the gym at once so ... we have a K & 1 , 2 & 3 and a 4,5, 6 concert separately. And when I say concert, I mean Musical production. Awesome, I know. Guess I should go get on that.

Boot Camp

I went with Janelle tonight to give a Boot Camp a try. She has been doing back to back sessions for well over a year now, maybe even two. She really likes them and I was talked into joining her for a basic intro workout session this evening.

Workout:
50 jump squats
50 burpees
50 step up / lunge backs
50 tricept dips
50 box squats

All at your own pace, with a short run down a path in between each exercise.

Part 2: Countdown:
50 side plank hip dips (25 on each side)
40 oblique shimmies
30 mountain climbers
20 downward dog push-ups
10 whacky jacks

This was done with a "partner" who was doing either step up / kickbacks or long side lunges, alternating between as you completed each exercise. When the countdown was completed you switched spots.

Finally there was timed planks, 20 seconds hold, rest for 10 seconds & back up again for a total of 10 reps. DEADLY!

Pros:
I do feel that I got a decent workout
The weather was good (as it was outdoors) so the workout temperature was bearable
It was Free!

Cons:
It was kind of "on your own pace" so some people didn't get to finish their workout
There was not much "pressure" put on you from the trainer to work really hard or push yourself. (Janelle tells me that it is more intense when you purchase the workout packages, which I would hope seeing as its about $1000 to sign up.)
The flies were Horrible! ( I breathed in at least 3 and snorted a couple up my nose too :S eww)

Final Statement: It was a decent workout, nice to change things up from the routine of hitting the gym. Given the price to join for regular workouts, it's way out of my range, however I would consider looking into a more affordable boot camp to mix up my exercise routine down the road sometime.

Life List

Danielle has inspired me to think of a list (bucket perhaps?) I really don't know where to begin. Sadly, I don't feel that I have any HUGE aspirations that come to mind. I am writing this post to remind me to come up with some.

It's the Most Wonderful Time ... Or maybe not!

So it's official, my summer vacation is over :( Sadness I know, yet a new year brings new beginnings so I suppose it is an exciting time as well.

I have reorganized my classroom and really like how things are setting up. Much happier than the last two years in there already. I did some serious de-cluttering and shot a lot of stuff into the garbage / recycling bin. Felt better with every item. I have met most of my new students and feel that it is going to be a good year. I'm going to start a division two choir for the first time and am excited to see what I get. Hopefully we will do amazing things.

Had a great get together with the work girls for din tonight. Lise made the yummiest chicken, stuffed with goat cheese! She knows the way to my heart. Good times with good pals :) Glad I have nights out with good friends, especially when Clint's on the road.

Summah Stuff

So summer has been slipping away much more quickly than I would like but I do feel like we've done lots. We had a great trip back to Cape Breton for Janelle & Troy's wedding and were also able to make a quick trip to PEI (my first trip EVER) and into Halifax.
Everything was good, but the weather could have been better. Meh, there's always next year.
Since returning we also made a trip to BC (another first) which was awesome! Spent a few days on the water in 35+ degree heat! LOVED IT!
Now it's business as usual, house work and other everyday stuff like that. I can't believe there is only two weeks left of holidays, I guess I should make a plan to make the most of it.
Later :)

A few pics:




PEI




BC

Summer Vacay!!

Thank goodness the time has finally arrived. It's VACATION TIME!! We are headed back East tomorrow morning with a full schedule. Janelle & Troy's wedding is on the 11th and the week leading up will be filled with pre-wedding festivities starting with a girls night out on Saturday.

Hoping the Weather Network is lying about the weather forecast and that it really isn't going to rain the entire time we're home. Time will tell I guess.

Talk to you from the Cape!

March 14, 2009

Thought I'd try to get into the habit of updating this more frequently so here goes:

2009 is off and running and things are pretty well.

We had a nice Christmas here and had a lot of time to just kick back and relax. Soooo nice!

Work is work and I am counting down the days until March Break. (4.5 more teaching days, plus my parents arrive on Friday :D ) I got my div 1 choir started and there are about 100 kids! It's mildly crazy but when they sing they do sound lovely.

Clint is working in the NT right now and doesn't have cell service. Makes things difficult for sure. I have become a little spoiled I guess in being able to reach him basically whenever I so desired. It brings me back to a few years ago when its me waiting on his calls so randomly as they come. Craptacular. But with the economy in the situation that it is I totally understand he needs to take the work while it's available. I hope things pick up again for everyone's sake.

Janelle & Troy's house is going up pretty quick. Just another 6 weeks and they should be in! It will be so nice to have them so close :D

Still playing volleyball and the calibre of play has increased ten-fold this session. Last night is this coming week and then I think its 2 weeks til the next session starts up again.

Nothing else really exciting to report, well my guitar had a little accident last night but hopefully it can be repaired. More to tell after my parents visit I'm sure.

Peace out!