With Snow Comes Cold??

Well I received my wish of a white Christmas. Pity I didn't remember that with snow comes cold!! BRR!! BRR!!!

I spent the Christmas in Toronto, Canada. I've decided that cold is best to be observed than to be out there in it! LOL

HOWEVER, it was a very nice time that I spent with my relatives...and I'm happy to say it was DRAMA FREE!! How often do you hear that phrase!?!

Not to mention that I had all of my favorites...lovingly prepared by my sister/cousin. I know I gained weight...an half hearted attempt was made to work out on the elliptical machine the first day....after that...it was downhill! LOL

But hey...how often can I get sorrel, rum cake, Jamaican fruit cake, stew peas [with pigs tail], rum cake, punch [Dragon/milk, etc] curried goat, and did I mention rum cake...all in one week??

But I can truly say that I'm not worried. I know I'll get back on the ball....back to my lifestye changes of exercise and moderate food intake.

Its not in the falling....its in the getting up that makes a man [or in this case...a female]

So to all, I wish you a wonderful and prosperous 2008!

Saying Goodbye to a Talented Songwriter/Singer

One of the greatest song writers recently died from something that was curable.


Dan Fogelberg died of prostate cancer Sunday December 16, 2007.

Why? When such a simple test is all you need to detect it early?

Dan Fogelberg's lyrics have always resonated with me. Simple and true. Not frilly. Not over done. Simple.

Sorta like eating an ice cone on a hot Summer afternoon. A simple pleasure.

Such a shame that a talented soul like his had to go so early in life in his fifties.
One of my favorite songs of his is "Same Old Lang Syne". Thanks to http://www.danfogelberg.com/alphalyrics5.html for the lyrics
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Same Old Lang Syne

Met my old lover in the grocery store
The snow was falling Christmas Eve
I stole behind her in the frozen foods
And I touched her on the sleeve
She didn't recognize the face at first
But then her eyes flew open wide
She went to hug me and she spilled her purse
And we laughed until we cried

We took her groceries to the checkout stand
The food was totalled up and bagged
We stood there lost in our embarrassment
As the conversation dragged
We went to have ourselves a drink or two
But couldn't find an open bar
We bought a six-pack at the liquor store
And we drank it in her car


We drank a toast to innocence, we drank a toast to now
And tried to reach beyond the emptiness but neither one knew how

She said she'd married her an architect
Who kept her warm and safe and dry
She would have liked to say she loved the man
But she didn't like to lie
I said the years had been a friend to her
And that her eyes were still as blue
But in those eyes I wasn't sure if I saw doubt or gratitude
She said she saw me in the record stores
And that I must be doing well
I said the audience was heavenly but the traveling was hell

We drank a toast to innocence, we drank a toast to now
And tried to reach beyond the emptiness but neither one knew how
We drank a toast to innocence, we drank a toast to time
Reliving in our eloquence, another 'auld lang syne'

The beer was empty and our tongues were tired
And running out of things to say
She gave a kiss to me as I got out and I watched her drive away
Just for a moment I was back at school
And felt that old familiar pain
And as I turned to make my way back home
The snow turned in to rain...

Winding Down

Another year is winding down.
2007 is almost gone. Did I accomplish all I wanted? Did you?
Is the year ending up as you thought it would?

The leader of the band has died (RIP Dan Fogelberg) and the night is growing old.
Yes the night is growing old. When you wake up, will you like what you see?

I'm Dreaming of a White Christmas

I haven't felt Christmassy since I left NY for the sunny & warm state of Florida.
HOWEVER....I'm definitely feeling it this year. I'm heading to Canada for the holiday...and its snowing...yippee!!

Now if they could just hold it until Christmas Day.

I'm looking forward to playing in the snow, making a gingerbread house with my cousin...not to mention those liquid libations by the fireplace!

I guess one could wonder why I associate snow and cold with Christmas since I'm from JA and live in S. FLA LOL

Next on the Horizon??

I may be getting a tad bit ansy in my exercise routine. I did spinning classes for a year. Got hooked on them thanks to my cousin [the dear that she is!!]

I then started with the treadmill...started running. Took 8 week tennis lessons several times. I loved "playing tennis". Or was it just getting my aggression out on the court [hmmm]? LOL

The elliptical was and still is my modus operandi along with the treadmill, running in the park and weights. I spin now occasionally. Learned to swim over the summer.

Now what?? I may do tennis again. I'm too short and uncoordinated for basketball LOL

I need to get out my bicycle and continue learning how to ride. I do know that I need to work on my core and flexibility. Hmm...sounds like an intro to Pilates class is in my near future.

I don't know exactly what I want to do, but I do know that it is NOT an aerobics class. Oh the horrors!

But whatever I decide, it WILL be something.

I guess it took me until my ripe old age of 30 something to find my inner jock! And I'm loving it. I actually look forward to going to the gym...Who would have thought?? LOL

My motivations? The best ones...health and weight loss.

Start Where You Are

I recently ran a 5K and when informed, my brother asked me had my car broken down!??!

Now mind you, in my previous life, I would be the one to say that I'd never run unless being chased by a dog.

I find it hard to walk on the treadmill...have to fight the tendency to break into a jog. Am I developing into some sort of an athlete [albeit late in life...]?

Wow...what are the ramifications of that title?

Well for one, folks have forgotten that I'd never walk anywhere. They just see me NOW. When they complain about how hard it is to exercise, I suggest walking.

No special tools needed...just the one most folks have...the left and the right leg...plus a pair of sneakers...or just comfortable shoes to start!

Just start off walking for for a few minutes I say...Ah..but there's the rub...I can't walk as far as you. I can only walk for 10 minutes. Ok...then start there...Rome was NOT built in a day!

In fact, that is precisely where I started...10 minutes...well sorta. I would walk for 10 minutes...and then back. That adds up to 20 minutes...silly me..that didn't dawn on me the first time...but by then, the damage was done. I discovered that I could walk for 20 minutes...and did not die!

In fact, I enjoyed it...me, my mp3 player and nature. So you can't do 20 minutes, do 5 and add a minute a day! No even power walking...just regular walking. Heck, if you go to the mall, you do more that that.

Bottom line? Just do it! There''s no try, only do. Each journey begins with a single step. If you won't do it for you...who will?

Ok...no more trite sayings. Just start where you are!

Christmas Carols for Disturbed Friends

1. Schizophrenia -- Do I Hear What I Hear?

2. Multiple Personality Disorder - We Three Kings Disoriented Are

3. Dementia - I Think I'll Be Home For Christmas

4. Narcissistic - Hark the Herald Angels Sing About Me

5. Manic - Deck the Halls and Walls and House and Lawn and Streets and Stores and Office and Town and Cars and Buses and Trucks and Trees and....

6. Paranoid - Santa Claus is Coming To Town To Get Me

7. Borderline Personality Disorder - Thoughts of Roasting on an Open Fire

8. Personality Disorder - You Better Watch Out, I'm Gonna Cry, I'm Gonna Pout, and I Don't Know Why

9. Attention Deficit Disorder - Silent Night, Holy oooh look at the Froggy - can I have a chocolate, why is France so far away?

10. Obsessive Compulsive Disorder - Jingle Bells, Jingle Bells, Jingle Bells, Jingle Bells, Jingle Bells, Jingle Bells, Jingle Bells, Jingle Bells, Jingle Bells, Jingle Bells, Jingle Bells, Jingle Bells, Jingle Bells.....

Welcome Back...to me!

Its been quite a while since I've "blogged" and my inspiration is coming from an unlikely source:http://www.christinemills.net/blog

One day I will tell my cousin how impressed with her and just in awe of her life I am!

Big changes have occurred in my life since my last post.

65 lbs gone. Started on my doctorate program...and decided to stop. Investigating a career change. Job adjustments. Good and bad dates (oh the horror!!)

I think I've developed into a gym rat...well this is enough for now...don't want to over tax my brain. LOL