Oooo, been a while since I posted anything.  What I wanted to share today is that I'm back to following Flylady more seriously, no more Been-there-done-that-just-wing-it-and-things-will-come-together.  I'm on week three of babystepping back to routines and each day I am feeling better!


I keep reminding myself everyday that every little bit helps, and that I can do this!

I also keep reminding myself that "work" and "home" and "me" are three different areas that I have to fly around; I don't want to get overwhelmed and so I try to balance it out.  Little steps in all 3 areas, instead of just working on one then feeling defeated when the other areas are falling apart.

Procrastination is my biggest monster to fight and I suspect it always will be, but by building the routines then the battles will be much more easily won.

And by allowing myself to take care of "me" stuff first, I feel much better and more able to work in the other areas. It's okay to go for a run before I clean the kitchen! In fact, I feel so good about my running accomplishment that it motivates me to not just shine the sink, but get the floor swept too!  It used to be that I would do the cleaning first then if I'm not too tired maybe I'll go for a walk.  Well, the new way is working much better woohoo!

Oh, and the running thing?  It makes me giggle!  You see, I hated running in school.  Never ever thought I would get interested.  Then I learned about the the C25K program:  Couch To Five Km.  Or in my case, the Computer To Five Km, lol.  It was the program that got my interest, because it's broken down into babysteps.  However, it was finding free music podcasts to download that convinced me to do it, because now I had the music to do the run with, complete with cues to tell me when it was time to run, time to walk to recover, then time to run again, and so on until the session was over.  I didn't have to fuss with a clock to time the intervals, all I had to do was listen *and singalong* as I moved!  Another tool to make a job fun!  I even got two runs in while I was away for a weekend trip.  The entire concept of exercising while on holiday really makes me giggle - and want to go do it again!

3 Flybabies + 2 days = Lots of fun and a very shiny sink!

If you don't understand the title of this post, then I bet you're B.O. *snicker*

This past weekend I was very fortunate to meet with (in real life) two people whom I have been chatting with online for several years. Years! One I first connected with around 2001, the other around 2006. I had such a great time, and even though it was the first time we got together, after so many years of corresponding it felt so comfortable, like we get together all the time.

We went canoeing, horseback riding, geocaching, swimming (relaxing) in the hot springs, ate in, ate out, drank Bailey's and chatted and talked and stayed up way too late.

One of the most relaxing holidays I've ever had! If only I didn't live so far away so that I could meet more of my flybaby friends.

Great memories - including going through security at the airport on my way home. My bag was well packed (I flew with only a carry-on so I would be able to make my connection more easily) and so when it went through the scanner it required a more thorough check.

No problem; I kinda expected that, and I had plenty of time.

Then the agent did the chemical swab, and the computer beeped.

"I'm just going to retest it to see if that was just an anomaly" she was ever so sweet.

The computer beeped again.

"I'm going to have to ask you to step over here while I call my supervisor"

Sweetness is gone, she's all business now.

The supervisor takes my passport and asks me a bunch of questions and fills out a form. She finally pauses and I ask what was going on.

The swab showed traces of chemicals used in explosives, and she needed to know where I've been and who I've been with. (This is where outside I remain calm but inside I'm going OMG! How can this be happening! I don't understand!)

Turns out that if you go horse riding, then pack your dirty clothes and carry on that bag, their computer will pick up the minuscule fertilizer remains. Fertilizer is somehow an explosive ingredient. I'm sure there's a joke there somewhere, but I'll just leave it at that.

Both my bags were thoroughly searched, and I was completely patted down. All the while I'm checking what time it is and trying not to cringe when the agent is cramming things back in my bag even though there was plenty of room. Then she said thank you, everything was fine, and I was free to go.

I grabbed my bags and headed down the hall then let out a big sigh, I was going to make my plane on time. Yay!

Kudos to the security agents for doing a good job. Except the bag packing thing, but everything survived. And kudos to my friend who got me to the airport with plenty of time to spare.

No kudos to the flight that left 20 minutes late though. Although it gave me time to down a beer while I was waiting!

Come on over Flylady... I need you today!

In the grand scheme of life, this is insignificant, but it's sidetracking me today.

I love to travel. I love the exploration and new experiences and independence and freedom and even the airports.

I have been wanting for almost 2 years now for this bag to be my traveling bag. Pricey? Yes, that's why I've been waiting for it for so long. Worth it? I believe so - it's one of those items that will last a lifetime, even if I get to do all the traveling I dream of. And then some more.

I saved my 'allowance'. (It's part of our family budgeting that works for us. Dh blows his on comics and I don't stress about it.) I've been saving a long time. And I finally dove in and ordered it and it arrived!

Two days ago! But when they delivered it no one was home, so off it went to the post office.
One day ago - off I went to the post office! The staff had been ill and closed up early - Arghhh!
Finally today - back to the post office... that one person in front of me took FOR-EV-ER. I'm sure my anticipation didn't help though.

I got my parcel, jumped in the truck and took off to get to work. But I couldn't wait - had to start opening it to get a peek. Pathetic, I know.

So I'm at work. I've had the bag out and played with it and of course all my dreams are consuming all my attention. I've got plans man. I'm ready to pack up for my weekend trip in three weeks. I want to pack my stuff and go try out the bag and get a good feel for it. When I travel I want to be comfy and relaxed and ready for anything.

I'm sure putting a lot of hopes and pressure onto this bag. Even Dh knows it's part of our retirement plan.

So Flylady, that bag is taunting me while I'm supposed to be working. I'm making my list and setting my timer. Then I can go home and play!

*poof*

Just Checking in!

Hello flybaby friends!

A few were asking, so I'm here to let you know how the trip is going.

It's been a whirlwind! We spent 2 nights at my moms place where we visited and shopped, met up with a bunch of aunties and extended family (mom was one of 12 kids), and also got to visit with dh's Grandad and his wife in their new home. We had a 4-generation picture taken of Grandad, Dh's dad, dh, and the two boys.

Then it was off to Bellingham, which was mostly just for the shopping. I was hoping to get to meet up with Gwendy, but it didn't work out. Just more incentive to get out this way again!

After that, it was back into Canada to visit with my brother. He's been great at showing us around, we got to many fun activities - 3d imax films and a Lego Exhibition being the highlights.

Today we're off to the aquarium,, then a few more shopping stops for items that are harder to get back home - namely girly looking steel toes boots! Tonight we meet up with the boys cousins and tomorrow we're off on the 'real' holidays - beaches, sun, food and fun.

Hugs to all!

(please put the link in the chat room for those not subscribed)

We're almost ready to leave for our trip...

...and we're getting really good at using up the food in the fridge.