Continuance…

Just a quick update on the weight loss and body toning…body toning working out well. Picking up an exercise ball next payday. I found doing ab crunches and body stretching worked really well on the ball.

Weight loss…unsure at this time. Needing to pick up a new scale. I don’t feel like I have lost weight but I have also been toning a bit.

Also looking into different types of meditation. I found in the past meditation by music was the most successful for me. My main choice of meditative music is Loreena McKennitt…anything with a Celtic/Asian-Indian tone worked best.

Off for a bit. Cheers and <3 to everyone. Keep you spirits up.

Motto: Live, laugh, love, learn and be happy <3

Decision on What to Write About…

I have been trying to decide on what to write about.  Originally, when I first started out on Twitter, Facebook, Friendfeed etc…, I started out telling about my weight loss.  With major thought about my weight loss, I am going to write about me and my weight loss.  The decision for this is to maybe…hopefully give someone else the support they need to inspire their desire to lose weight if they need it…the safe and healthy way.  Plus this will give me insight as to whom I am now, and what else I need to change in my life.

One thing I have learned with losing weight is it involves three things to make for successful and long lasting weight loss.  These three things are exercise, healthy and controlled eating habits and a healthy view on one’s self to succeed.

Since moving to Victoria, BC about a year and a half ago I have lost approximately 20 pounds and with everything that has been happening in my life, I have put that back on but not more than that.  I am back to 264 lbs.  A lot of the gain has been because I have become lazy in my habits again…not exercising enough, eating good and not so good foods for me, eating at the wrong times and generally stressing out about everything in my life and to everyone around me.  Not so good when trying to lose weight.  Well the time has come to get back on the road to weight loss success.

For the last few weeks, Ed & I have been eating healthier (more vegetables, less starches and more protein and fibre, cutting out the junk).  This has helped to help my digestive system get back on track.   I feel more energetic now.  Now to get on track with little or no caffeine.  This is one thing even when thinner I could not quit…I have no will power when it comes to coffee and tea.  So as little as possible it will be.

Yesterday I had also checked out the recreation centre’s weight room, pool and work out area.  Will be picking up a pass to start exercising indoors through out the winter months.   And since I am a high stress person, I am looking into self-meditation to calm my inner self.

This is the start to a better me.  I love me and I want to be around for a long time.

Writing again soon.  Cheers & <3 to all!!!

Unbelievable Past Few Months…

Over the past few months I have had a wealth of things happen and in the end all things turned out to be good things.

The first thing was moving out of a good friends place and moving into the wonderful community of Sidney, BC (actually North Saanich but a very short jaunt down the road and I am in Sidney).  The move was like any move people make in their lives…stressful.  And this will be the last move for quite awhile.  Six in the last 2 years is way too many moving dates.

The next thing was fighting an ailment that I had no idea what it was.  I started out waking up sore.  It progressed to it being very difficult to walk and not being able to concentrate.  I had no balance.  I went through multiple doctor appointments and tests to find out what it was.  It wasn’t until I let my doc know that my eyeballs were sore and giving me a headache that he wanted me tested for glaucoma.  My first thoughts were…”Oh my God…not again”.  I had been tested for glaucoma about 7-8 years ago and tests came back negative then.  I was instructed by doc to get my eyes tested for glaucoma immediately which I did.  I did the testing and all signs for glaucoma were quashed.  I have optic nerve placing in such a way on my eyes that I could never et glaucoma.  But I did find out that I needed glasses for reading but also to correct for stigmatism.  Glasses ordered and all is well.  When your eyes start to go on you, your body really does feel it.  Take care of yourself peeps!!!

The next thing was two weeks of hives (welts usually caused by allergies or extreme stresses on your body).  I had tried Benadryl, ice cold rubs, calamine lotion and Aveeno (for the oatmeal base for itching).  Finally between Ed and a friend, I went to the docs to find out what I could do.  What the doc prescribed was 3 days of Prednisone in a high dose to help whatever allergy I had.  It worked and feeling non-itchy again (laughter).

My car is my baby (except for my Desmo – black Sylvestor looking cat).  The first thing at hand was a brake job.  Brake job done and brakes work good again.   The next thing was a new battery.  Got an Eliminator from Canadian Tire.  Good warranty.  The final thing that happened that was really unexpected was one of the drive pulleys for the alternator snapped right off while I was driving to work the other day.  Had the car towed to Reg Midgley Motors – Service Department on the Colwwod Crawl (in Colwood by A&W and Subaru lol).  They did an awesome job and I had my car back the next morning and the pricing was reasonable for the tow and the work done.  They have my business always.

So all in all, health good again (still working on the weight thing – sometimes up but going down), new place Ed and I call the home on the bay, his place is the home on the lake, and the car is still my baby.  Life is good and I feel great!!!!

Cheers & <3

Accidents this Summer!

I have noticed that lately I am seeing a lot more vehicle accidents happening while I am out and about driving. Yesterday (Sunday July26), I saw 1 – 4 car accidents, and 1 – 2 car accident plus the police and ambulance were attending to a person that was riding a scooter. Over the course of 3 days, I can honestly say I have been cut-off by other vehicles at least 3 times.

Are we not paying attention to the road and people around us? Are we constantly busy multi-tasking while driving to try and fit in as much as we can in the 24 hours that we call a day? Do we all have so much on our minds that a brief lapse in concentration happens?  Or trying to get from point A to point B in the shortest & quickest time slot available to us? AND NO PEOPLE….TAILGATING TO GET THE PEOPLE TO GET OUT OF YOUR WAY IS NOT THE ANSWER EITHER. I know I have been in this situation.  I leave a few minutes later than normal for work and stress that I am not going to get to work on time.  But I try to be courteous of people on the road as I would like them to do the same.

What can we do to alleviate some of the stresses we put upon ourselves then take out onto the road to be shared with other people.  How do we get to where we want with little or no stress put on us or others?   I always want to stop suddenly to shake the person up.  But then I think quickly about what if he/she doesn’t stop and an accident is caused.  I would feel aweful if someone was hurt because of this.

Share with me your tips for having a stress-free drive while out on the road!

Cheers & <3

Add Sugar and All Is Well…not Always!!!

I have noticed as of late that some things I am doing are causing havoc in the daily life of some.  One of them is my moving at the end of this month.  Over the last two and a bit years, I have moved into the following:

1) Moved out of home Ex and I shared and moved in with Walter (brother)

2) Moved out of Walter’s and moved into female friend’s home

3) Moved out of female friend’s home and into an apartment

4) Moved out of apartment in Campbell River, BC and moved to house on Daisy in Victoria, BC

5) Moved out of house on Daisy to living with long-time male friend (21 years)

6) And now moving out of friend’s place (where part of time spending in Shawnigan Lake) to moving to Sidney.

That is a lot of moving in two years.  I have decided that until I have my home built or buy a new home that I will not move again for some time.

In two of these moves (one still in progress), I have strained my friendships with friends and have realized that living with your friends should never be done.  Eventhough they are truly wonderful people and I still care for them and would do anything under the sun for them, our relationships will never be the same.

My words to all…Don’t live with your friends unless you truly know you can handle it.  If you can handle it, make sure boundaries are set up between you and friend (and friend’s family if there) right away or you may run into some issues.  Most of all (and I am one to talk sometimes) make sure a line of communication is always open.  If this is not in existence, then the situation will not work.

If situation not working out, try and make the best of the time you are there until one of you moves on.  Be respectful of each other as friends.  Don’t put the friend down behind their back.  This will only lead to hurt feelings on both sides.

Now with all said, this is what is happening in my life.  Just some words of advice to help others who may be thinking about moving in with friends.

Future…Revisiting My Thoughts :-)

Thinking about my life lately and where I would like to see myself in the future.   The “What would I like to do with my spare time”.  Well here are my thoughts on this.

I would like a house that I can call home that has a decent amount of property so that I can have nice flower gardens, a pond and a nice vegetable garden.  I used to help my parents from time to time (as did all of the kids in family) and really enjoyed it.  I would like my home to have a large deck so that I can sit and relax on deck chairs looking out over the yard (some type of view would be nice too but I can make my own view).  A pool and hot tub would be nice as well.  I would like a home that I would be proud to have family and friends come over and spend time there…when an occasion came around

I would have an office and work strictly from home.  I love computer work and I would really like to be my own boss again.  And don’t get me wrong, I love my job that I have now. I don’t have any immediate plans to leave here.  My boss is DA BOMB!!!  No one could have asked for a better person to have as a boss.

So now I have to ask…”How do I go about this?”   Working on this as I think and ponder about things.

The one question I have been asked is… “Are you banking on winning the lottery?”  I buy tickets from time to time but I am not holding out for the big jackpot to come around.   If I won a major lottery (and it would have to be a big one), I would share with my siblings and 6 other people in my life.  But would still make sure that all I want to accomplish I would be able to do.   So Lottery Gods…look down favorably on me!!!

That is what I would like.  And would really be able to get used to…

Thanks for reading and “Penny for your thoughts?”.  Cheers and <3

May15, 2008 Horoscope

For me, I like to look at a horoscope reading to see how true to word they are to what is happening in my life on this day.  I do not follow what is laid out in the write up but continue on with my day as usual.  Usually I read the previous day’s horoscope the next day as not to be influenced by what was written in the horoscope.  If that make sense.  But today’s horoscope is true for what I am going through right now in my life.

Please feel free to comment or tell me about your thoughts on horoscopes, astrology, Chinese astrology etc.  I am interested in all of these areas but am not a devout follower.  I do not let a write up lead my life.  Cheers <3

Dee Sun Sign: Libra October 4 Edit your Profile Today | Tomorrow | This Week | This Month

Love Rising Sign Career Wellness Chinese

Your horoscope for May 15, 2009 Social responsibilities may appear to be hitting you all at once; everyone you know seems to crave your company at this time. As a naturally polite and socially astute person, you may feel obliged to accommodate them all and accept all invitations. This is not a good day, however, to commit yourself. Wait a few days until you’re feeling a little more balanced, then send out your RSVP’s. Commit only to those who you would genuinely enjoy.

Mother’s Day…

Yesterday was Mother’s Day…I miss my Mom alot.  And my Dad too.

May is always a tough month for me. And ironically, my maiden name is May. For me, both my Mom and Dad passed away in May. Mom…four years ago on the 28th of May. Dad…ten years ago on May 9th, Mother’s Day. I have also had my mother-in-law and father-in-law pass away in May. My father-in-law passed away not more than 10 hours after my ex and I just got engaged. Really nice engagement. I was just happy that he had a nice surprise before he passed away. So May in general is a hard month.

Working through it and talking with Ed about it really helped me to understand that its okay to be a bit bummed out…but don’t let it rule you.   He is so full of good and trusting advice.  He made me feel so much better about things and especially on my dealings with May…my dreaded month.  I love him for this and many more reasons.

So to Mother’s Day…I worked, reminisced, was frustrated, cried, talked and realized.   I will never to forget…but now I think I can move on to May being a better month in my life instead of how I was viewing it.  Thank you Ed and thank you Mom and Dad for being such a big part of my life.  I Love You!!!

And The Winner Is….

We would like to congratulate Rachel from Victoria, BC for winning the “Help Us Help You” contest we had on.

We truly appreciate all of the help that everyone gave us.  It was really helpful and we will be using all suggestions as guidelines for what we will be carrying in our clothing transfer line-up.

The nice thing about this contest is that we had suggestions from as young as 13 years old to as old as 50 + years of age.  This is what we had hoped to achieve…a well-rounded group of suggestions.

Again thank you for all of your help and if another contest comes up…we will post again exactly how we did this time

Dee Lees, Static Image / representative

Edward Gravonic, Static Image / owner

Help Us Help You!!!

Hey…Ed and I are asking our friends/readers for help.  In return we will put your name in a draw for your choice of a t- shirt or hoody from small to 4xlarge with a design of your choice!  We have found a new place to order our designs from.

Check it out …Pro World Inc.

If you see something that looks good, please write down the item number(s) and send it to us.  We know what we like BUT we are not everyone.

Email your choice(s) by April 29th, 2009 (we extended the date from the 26th to the 29th) to    sales@staticimage.ca

Thank you for your help and best of luck to you

Ed Gravonic and Dee Lees