Flabby Dee

Going on vacation for a whole month can sabotage any diet, no matter how much willpower a person possesses. And trust me, I have none to begin with. So it shouldn't be too surprising that I was terrified to step on the scale when I returned. To my utter joy, I actually lost two pounds while I was home.

How is this possible? I took two months off running, ate fast food every single day, reignited my coke addiction (to the liquid kind) and ate about ten 100 calorie packs a day. It's like I defied the laws of nature.

I may have fooled the scales, but in no way did I fool my pants. They are pinching and bulging in all sorts of new places. And then I had a come to Jesus moment -- I think I lost about 10 pounds of muscle and transformed it into good old fat. I'm positive I've lost my runner's heartbeat and without a doubt my stamina has dwindled down to nothing.

I have 39 days until I have to hike Machu Picchu. I refuse to come this far and fail. Tomorrow I'm back on track. Hold me to it.

Missing

We are missing our sweet Maddie, who graciously babysat Abby during my vacation home. I wish that I could have snuck her in my suitcase and took her home with us.

We're just throwing the invitation out there again -- anytime you want to spend your summer vacation nannying (and traveling) around Europe, I know a very happy cousin that would hire you in a heartbeat. Seriously.

Should I?

Should I get this haircut? I've had a crush on it for a while. Regardless, I'm getting a round two on the Japanese hair straightening next Thursday. So excited.

Cute Cousins

Here are some professional shots we had taken of the cousins while we were home. Grandma even got in on the fun.

The McQueen Residence

Above are two photos of the new McQueen residence.

I also got some fun snapshots of Greg, Kim and Reese in the wheat field behind their house:

Great Find

I have no idea who this guy is, but I love his blog. I couldn't stop laughing. What a great find.

Check it out -- http://www.myregisblog.com/

Super Seats

Want to be the King of the Castle at church? Build yourself a super seat.

Directions: stack four hymn books on top of your chair, climb to the top and smile smugly at those around you. Don't let anyone touch the books, even when it comes time to sing hymns. If you have to, scream as loud as you can to stop them from pilfering from your tower.

See Abby for further details.

Saddle Up

Pioneers are awesome. Totally awesome.

I'm sure going West was a challenging and faith-testing experience for them. On the other hand, what an amazing adventure! Just thinking of exploring places and cultures few other people have heard of sends chills down my spine. I am nearly certain I would have done most anything to get a spot on a cart going West.

I feel like a pioneer every time we move. To a small extent I understand some of the trials they must have had -- we've left family and friends behind, moved to different countries, had to find housing and transportation in our new land.

The upside is that we can now talk face-to-face to our families through the webcam 24/7, research where we are going on the internet and arrive to a house already built and a car waiting at the airport.

I also enjoy getting rid of things we don't use, thoroughly enjoy packing and like the challenge of finding a new job everywhere we go. Although I'm never teaching English again. Ever. Those days are so over.

Just call me half-pint and buy me a little house on the prairie. I would look so good in a bonnet....

Kim is a Hero

My sister Kim is a hero. She stands up to bullies.

It was a sunny day and we were thinking of taking the babes down to our local Walmart for some last minute fun. Kim had just started layering Reese with sunscreen in the driveway when some went into her eye and she started crying. Over the fence we heard our next door neighbour's children start singing "crybaby, crybaby."

Before they finished the second "crybaby" Kim was already marching across the lawn that divided our homes -- with the flames of hell shooting from her eyes -- to lay the smack down.

Now Kim is a teacher. If anyone can "stare" you into submission it is going to be her. And let me tell you, I would have ran from her. But those punks didn't.

She immediately gave them a firm, but friendly, talking to about what it feels like to have sunscreen in your eye -- I wish she would have done a demonstration because I would have held one of them down for her -- and let them know that they're comments where "unnecessary" and "unfriendly."

Being around eight, they tried to talk their way out of the situation in a polite and engaging manner. Kim just turned on her heel and off we went.

I was so proud of her. Kim has never bullied anyone and has never allowed anyone to be bullied around her. She is the first to stand up against injustice and actively tries to improve the world around her. Reese is very lucky to have such a loving and protective mother! What a great example she is for those around her.

We found out later that they yelled over the fence for Abby to "shut up" when she was playing in our backyard the day before while my mom was watching her, and Kim thinks that she heard them swear at her when she left later in the day. Clearly, they need some serious help or a swift kick to the behind.

Loser kids like that almost make me want to home school....

Sound Off

I hate speakerphones! They are so offensive that I need to write a blog about them. I never realized how much until I got to Strathroy and watched my mom use and abuse them live and in person. I should have smashed it before I left to catch my flight to Japan.

The problem with speakerphone is that usually only one person in the conversation is using it. That offender is walking around, watching TV (which you can always hear in the background), not really listening to the conversation (they are constantly asking you to "repeat it" or "say it again") and have no time constraints because they can do a million of things while you are chatting.

The person they called (me!) usually ends up in a super long conversation (basically talking to myself) that goes on forever, and getting "updates" on what's happening in whatever show is conveniently playing in the background.

My mom is so out of control with the speakerphone that she actually barged into the bathroom while I was peeing so that I could take a phone call. Clearly I was busy. Normal people -- without a speakerphone addiction -- would have apologized and left. My mom turned the phone on speaker and left it on the counter in the bathroom so I could start my conversation.

HECK NO! Never EVER again.

I know tons of people other than my mom who could use speakerphone addiction group therapy. I'd be willing to pay for it. Let it be known.

Chowing Down

Abby has decided that I am not allowed to feed her anymore. Anytime I go near her tray she slaps my hands and yells NO. It's delightful.

This her new after dinner 'look.'

She is seriously proud of her accomplishment.

Reese is still a mommy's girl. I remember those days when one felt needed.

*Tear*

Ripoff

When Abby is silent she is usually up to no good! Last night's silent adventure -- ripping the wallpaper off grandma's wall while I blogged.

Notice anything missing on the wall behind that mischievous smile?

She also silently does Houdini tricks on the tea party table.

Fun in the T-Dot

My wonderful friend Kim was so sweet to fly to Toronto last week to see me. I was SO happy to show her around my old stomping grounds. Two things I love dearly: Toronto and Kimmers. We were so happy to get a room at the Westin Harbour Castle, which is about five minutes from my sister's condo on the waterfront. Even my mom got in on the fun and came up to help us with the Abbers.

This is the view from our room. This is the other view.

Pam's boyfriend's family was staying in her apartment and left her this furry surprise. Milo was the cutest dog. Everyone wanted to pet him, including all the local homeless guys.
Milo is quite the pup model.

Kim and Abby like to monkey around.

Bad morning hair.

Waiting for the boat cruise.

Having a ball on the city bus tour.

Kim took this fun photo of our bus in the windows of the ROM.

Kim and I went for a romantic dinner at Canoe Restaurant. The food was delicious and the company was sublime.

Steak -- medium rare (at least for her)

The Toronto Skyline

Dancing in the conservatory at Casa Loma.

Regal Kim

Hanging with Abbers

Loving the gardens at Casa Loma.

The fam at Casa Loma

Kim's future home.

Casa Loma I wonder where we are... Me

A Toronto trip is never complete until I meet up with my high school friend Shawn. We were so lucky that his girlfriend Mitali and co-worker Andrew were able to come as well. I was sad that this was my last night with Pam and Kim.

Keep Away

Nothing is more fun for Abby than teasing and taunting her cousin Reese. Last week's game was playing keep away with Reese's treasured bottle.

First we gave her a sampler of what she will soon be missing.

Then we ran around her in circles with the bottle in plain sight.

Next we snapped the lid on tight so Reese couldn't get it off.

Reese was still somewhat amused at this point.

She scoured the oceans blue looking for her bottle.

But, alas, Abby was smugly savoring her thirsty-quenching H2O.

I'm the king of the castle and you're the water-free rascal.

Ah, refreshing.

Hey! You forgot something...

Only people with bottles get to sit on the sun chair. Too bad, so sad.

Thanks for letting her up, Grandma. You're super helpful.