Sunday, December 20, 2009

Day 9 at Wii Fitting!

(This is yesterday's information and posted first on wiifitroutine.com).

Burned: 2,239 cal (according to this )

Time: 9 hours

New Activities Tried: See below

higgledy-piggledy

-adverb

1.

in a jumbled, confused, or disorderly manner; helter-skelter.

This is the way my brain feels today and I know why, too much crap (can I say crap) going in and not enough going out. In other words, I ate horribly yesterday and not near enough water intake. The boys & I went Christmas and grocery shopping, breakfast was ok, one slice of toast with peanut butter, a cup of that lemon detox I linked to previously, and a cup of tea, then an apple enroute to the store (remind me next year that Walmart on a Saturday is bad enough, but the Saturday before Christmas is just stoooopid).

We left just before 11 AM and didn't get home until nearly 8 PM. (Any decent shopping is at least a 45 km(27 mi) drive and this city is 65 km(39 mi) away). We started at McDonald's, actually I grabbed a large double double coffee at Timmies first, and at McD's I only ordered a burger (double cheese), no fries. Then we shopped, and shopped, and shopped and finally left there at oh 2:30ish, hit Dollarama for another hour, got petrol and hit Superstore until 6:30ish. (Oh, I encouraged someone to purchase Wii Fit Plus at Walmart as a gift for her daughter-in-law :D). At Superstore my youngest (7 yo) decided to wander off and I had to get the store to call a "Code Adam" (can I count a panic attack as calories burned??). I'm so glad these big stores keep people at the exits at all times, he was discovered in less than 5 minutes but it felt like hours. I was so freaked out and in tears by the time he walked up with a store employee.

I was tired, stressed and just plain wiped out when we left Superstore, my feet and legs were burning we'd walked so much, at that point I decided I had earned a Starbucks coffee. Went to park at the new Starbucks and saw a Little Ceasars in the same strip, yay, supper! On the trip home, I drank half my coffee and ate 2 crazy bread and as if the shopping wasn't crazy enough, when we hit the highway the fog was insanely thick, what is usually a 35 minute drive home took over an hour. At times I was down to 40 km/hr (24 mi/hr) on a highway that has a limit of 100(60). The fog was freezing on the windshield, I had heat on full and had to keep spraying the window. Then right beside my place, someone missed the stop sign in the fog and got their wee car lodged up on a snow bank across the road. Once we were safely home I ate 1 ½ pieces of pizza and all 8 chicken wings :S. I got the kids tucked in bed, and realised I really really needed a drink (I don't drink very often) so had myself a JD's and coke and despite all the caffeine I slept like a baby LOL!

According to Health Status.com, I burned 2,239 calories approximately, I think that's conservative, between panic attacks with a missing child, stress shopping, and white knuckle drive home, I'm sure I burned more. But then I'm sure I consumed more than that too LOL.

Happy Fitting !! 8)

Calories Burned Estimation:

Results:
According to the information you provided, below is an estimate of the calories you burn. Generally, to maintain your weight, the amount of calories you take in should equal the amount you burn. The Daily Energy Expenditure calculator will help you figure out the minimum number of calories your body needs each day to work properly. To lose one U.S. pound (.454 kg), you must burn 3,500 more calories than you take in as food.

Activity

Calories burned

Sitting / resting

88

Standing

99

Housework

122

Driving

266

Shopping

499

Walking 2 mph

1,165

Total Calories Burned

2,239

Wednesday, November 11, 2009

Remembrance Day 2009


On Monday, November 11th, 1918, the Allies and Germany signed an armistice agreement in Paris, France at 5:00 AM (Paris time). At 11:00 AM hostilities ceased and WWI was over. On November 6th, 1919, Sir George Foster, acting Prime Minister of Canada, rose in the House of Commons to read a message from King George V, addressing "all the peoples of the Empire":
Tuesday next, November 11th, is the first anniversary of the armistice which stayed the world-wide carnage of the four preceding years, and marked the victory of right and freedom. I believe that my people in every part of the Empire fervently wish to perpetuate the memory of that great deliverance and of those who laid down their lives to achieve it.

To afford an opportunity for the universal expression of this feeling it is my desire and hope that at the hour when the armistice came into force, the eleventh hour of the eleventh day of the eleventh month, there may be for the brief space of two minutes a complete suspension of all our normal activities. During that time, except in the rare cases where this might be impractical, all work, all sound and all locomotion should cease, so that in perfect stillness the thoughts of every one may be concentrated on reverent remembrance of the glorious dead.


We are 91 years since the end of the "War to end all wars", 20 years (plus two days) since the fall of the Berlin Wall. Lots to remember this year.

Remembrance Day has a lot of meaning for me. As a child it was an important part of our school activities. We drew or coloured pictures, we memorised, "In Flander's Fields", sometimes we had a field trip before the day at a war museum or special memorial, we had a service/assembly, and a moment of silence at 1100 hours. The assemblies continue at schools today, although there seems to be less emphasis to commemorate and teach about the importance of this day. It is now a general holiday in Alberta so we will take a moment of silence at home.

Today I will also take time to remember three special people from my life. My daddy, Andrew Ian McCann, who passed away on Easter Sunday 1996, My step-dad, Ivan Michael Zaitsoff, who passed away October 5th, 2008, and a beloved high school teacher, Phil McKay, who passed away yesterday of pancreatic cancer. Rest in peace, each of you have had a bigger impact on my life that you will ever know. To Mr. McKay's family I send my prayers and thoughts.



Green Day ~ 21 Guns

Songwriters: Armstrong, Billie Joe; Bowie, David; Pritchard, Michael; Wright, Frank E., Iii

Do you know what's worth fighting for?
When it's not worth dying for?
Does it take your breath away
And you feel yourself suffocating?

Does the pain weigh out the pride?
And you look for a place to hide?
Did someone break your heart inside?
You're in ruins

One, 21 guns
Lay down your arms, give up the fight
One, 21 guns
Throw up your arms into the sky, you and I

When you're at the end of the road
And you lost all sense of control
And your thoughts have taken their toll
When your mind breaks the spirit of your soul

Your faith walks on broken glass
And the hangover doesn't pass
Nothing's ever built to last
You're in ruins

One, 21 guns
Lay down your arms, give up the fight
One, 21 guns
Throw up your arms into the sky, you and I

Did you try to live on your own
When you burned down the house and home?
Did you stand too close to the fire
Like a liar looking for forgiveness from a stone?

When it's time to live and let die
And you can't get another try
Something inside this heart has died
You're in ruins

One, 21 guns
Lay down your arms, give up the fight
One, 21 guns
Throw up your arms into the sky

One, 21 guns
Lay down your arms, give up the fight
One, 21 guns
Throw up your arms into the sky, you and I

Monday, November 9, 2009

Menu Plan Monday

This is going to be a crazy week! Tomorrow is a complete write off as I have to go in for a root canal in the morning and I can't see myself cooking after driving an hour, sitting 2 hours in a dentist chair, then driving home. Wednesday is Remembrance Day, if we go to the service most of our day will be shot there too. This week I also want to get caught up on house work and get into my studying more, so the menu needs to follow suit.

§ MONDAY: Chili on a bun (both are from the freezer, the chili is homemade OAMC)

§ TUESDAY: Take out pizza (root canal day)

§ WEDNESDAY: Hamburgers & salad

§ THURSDAY: Home made Fish & Chips (Cod is my fish of choice)

§ FRIDAY: Boys are at their dad’s this weekend and I’m not sure of my plans yet

§ SATURDAY: no kids

§ SUNDAY: no kids

So I procrastinate alot on my procrastinator’s blog. At least I get to it here and there. I will try (try being the important word here) to do this weekly, I always have such great intentions. Oh, check out the link for the title! Great menu planner downloads.

Have a great week!!

~miss shannon

Thursday, November 5, 2009

BlogBlast for Peace
















Let there be peace on earth
And let it begin with me.
Let there b
e peace on earth
The peace that was meant to be.
With God as our father
Brothers all a
re we.
Let me walk with my brotherIn perfect harmony.

Let peace begin with me
Let this be th
e moment now.
With every step i take
Let this be
my solemn vow.
To take each moment
And live each moment
With peace e
ternally.
Let ther be peace on earth,
And let it be
gin with me.

Let there be peace on earth
And let it begin with me.
Let there be p
eace on earth
The peace that was meant to
be.
With god as our father
Brothers all are we.
Let me walk with my
brother
In perfect harmony.

Let peace begin with me
Let this be the moment
now.
With every step I take
Let this be my solemn vow.To take each moment
And live each momentIn peace eternally.
Let there be peace on earth
And let it begin with
me.


Friday, October 30, 2009

The Flu Vaccine Debate….

I’m asserting my opinion on this debate, this is NOT a medical opinion, I am not a professional. Please do your own research, weigh the pros and cons for you and your family and talk to your physician. Also, if you have a different opinion, good for you, I will never push my beliefs on another. I merely share what I feel is best for my family. Do what is best for YOUR family! ps. this is long, have a cup of coffee near by if you dare to read LOL.

Regarding both the seasonal influenza vaccine and H1N1 influenza (swine flu) vaccine and based on my own research, myself and my younger children will NOT be getting either vaccine.

I have been favouring the “do NOT” side for some time but still teetered on the edge of the fence. The media hype regarding the spread of this flu and the government insistence that this is necessary was at war within me against all I believed in about the danger of ALL vaccines. Hearing the reports of reactions (from mild to severe and even death) related to the H1N1 vaccine and the seasonal flu vaccine, had me concerned and weighing the risks of vaccine over contracting either virus. In fact, fear mongering has the exact opposite reaction for me, I distrust those that would use fear to push their agendas and that in and of itself was pushing me on the no vaccine side of the fence. Based on experience and research this is how I came about my final decision. Although my decision is for both vaccines, I am focusing on H1N1 here as that is the hot topic right now and the vaccine they are pushing.

First of all, as I said, using fear tactics caused me to DISTRUST those pushing the vaccine, the opposite effect they intended obviously. This pushed me to do research on my own (a good thing) and look closer at the assertions, but not pushiness, of those against the vaccine.

Secondly, lack of sufficient testing of the swine flu vaccine. This vaccine was proven to cause a myriad of severe reactions in the past and yet is once again being pushed, with the “new & improved” brand. But they have no proof of the improvements and the adjuvants are just as dangerous as always. I already know I react to thimeresol, would you believe they used to put it in contact solution… c’mon everybody, let’s pour mercury in our eyes WTH??

Nearly there on my decision, I then discussed the H1N1 vaccine with my bff. Her husband is a doctor of chiropractic medicine, I trust chiropractors before MD’s. They are not getting the vaccine, reason: too little testing, too risky, too many adverse reactions. That solidified how I feel. However with the virus spreading quickly through our small school concerns continued to nag at me, hummmm what’s a mom to do?

I am a single mom with several medical issues, the worst of which is fibromyalgia & CFS, I have no one to back me up if I’m sick, no matter what the cause. So now you may be thinking, well don’t you want the vaccine then??? No thanks, I had the seasonal flu vaccine a few years ago, I didn’t know why at the time, but I was sick, weak, fatigued and in pain for weeks after, most of the winter in fact, but oh goody, I didn’t get the flu! Two weeks ago I caught what I assume was the seasonal flu virus (not sure, but I don’t think it was swine flu). On the first day I was headachey, body aches, high fever, nauseated (without vomiting), muscle weakness and couldn’t walk to the bathroom without holding onto walls & counters. I was FULLY recovered in four days! No residual effects, no sudden return after getting better. My 8 yo also had seasonal flu (again not positive) about four weeks ago, same thing, FULLY recovered in less than four days. I think we’re doing pretty darn good at building up our immune system.

Today I learned that both vaccines can cause severe and lasting debilitating reactions to those with fibromyalgia, CFS or any of the chronic pain syndromes. Well, that explains my previous winter, apres vaccination. I’ll be darned if I can afford to be nearly bed ridden again for an entire winter. I have attached a video from youtube.com, a physician specialising in infectious disease AND an endocrinologist, Dr. Kent Holtorf is NOT getting his children immunized with H1N1 and indicates that it has been shown to be “devastating” to those with Chronic Fatigue Syndrome and Fibromyalgia. So based on my research, we’ll take our chances with no vaccinations and continue to keep our immune system fortified with healthy eating and daily vitamins.

Best of luck to everyone in making your decision and prayers for staying healthy. God bless!

Thursday, October 22, 2009

Life on the farm…. (cont’d)

Yesterday we woke to our world softened by a rather dense fog. Before daylight I couldn’t see past the edge of my deck. As I listened to the morning news the school board was even cancelling some school bus routes it was that thick. By 8 AM I could still could not see the road at the end of our driveway. The first photo is from my front door. I am including a shot of my view from this exact same location on a clear day so you can understand the extreme contrast. (And yes, I know I used a zoom lense in the 2nd picture lol).

After that I decided to venture out to our yard with my camera to see what I could come up with. These are my favourites. Comments, commendations and recommendations are welcome and encouraged on my photography always! I am no professional by any stretch of the definition but I really love playing with my camera.

Home 039

Home 004

Home 045

Home 048

Home 052

Home 062

Home 066

Home 056

Sunday, October 4, 2009

Blessing of the Fishing Fleet: October 4th Holidays & Observances

I am going to attempt to make Sundays the day that I search the world wide web to find holidays & observance for the coming week and share them with my readers. I will list a few that sound interesting, give some links for more and then focus on one that catches my eye. I hope to learn more about the world cultures and to remind us all how each and everyday is special.

For the 4th of October 2009 I am picking “Blessing of the Fishing Fleet.”

East Coast 032The Blessing of the Fleet is held at coastal fishing communities throughout much of the world. I have only found two sites that label October 4th specifically as Blessing of the Fishing Fleet, but I feel it is important to remember these hard working people. Each day, thousands of fishermen, worldwide, get in their fishing vessels and head out to help feed the many. Risking life and limb, they do what they love to provide us with the seafood so many of us enjoy. Each year, many fishermen, end up severely injured or losing their lives. So today, and everyday, I send my prayers out to each and every vessel, for a bountiful catch and to bring them all home safely to their families.

Psalm 104:25-27

Psalm 107:23-32

“Most gracious Lord, who numbered among your apostles the fishermen Peter, Andrew, James and John, we pray you to consecrate this boat to righteous work in your name. Guide the captain at her helm. So prosper her voyages that an honest living may be made. Watch over her passengers and crew and bring them to a safe return. And the blessing of God Almighty, the Father, the Son and the Holy Spirit, be upon this vessel and all who come aboard, this day and forever. Amen”

“Give a man a fish and you feed him for a day. Teach a man to fish and you feed him for a lifetime.”

East Coast 022

Links for October 4th:


Friday, October 2, 2009

Count Your Blessings…..

Yesterday, as I was heading out for an afternoon & evening of errands I was whining complaining commenting about how much I dislike shopping. The rude people, the lack of stock, how I can never quite find what I’m looking for, and the shock of how much it all costs when you hit the register. But I stopped and a picture similar to these came into my head.

And I thought to myself, who am I to complain? I live in one of the greatest countries in the world. I know we have poor and homeless, I know there are issues, I know it’s not perfect here. We do not however, have widespread famine, we do not have political unrest to the degree they do in third world countries, we do not have war literally at our doorstep. Most people in Canada have a decent roof over their head, a vehicle of some sort (not all, but most), and we have medical care for everyone, we complain about that care, but we have it. To my knowledge, no one is denied, at the very least, emergency care. I could be wrong, but I don’t think so.

My personal blessings:

I have my family well protected in a nice home, one that I own, no mortgage. We have comfortable, warm beds to sleep in at night. I have a motor vehicle to get myself and my family around. Not just any vehicle, I have my dream truck that is in great shape. I don’t have much money, but I have enough to feed my family, rent space for our home in the country, go to school, pay the bills, & have nearly all the modern conveniences we could wish for. I have a mother that, when money is tight for me, is able to help me out, and I will forever be in her debt AND eternally grateful. Even my church and friends have been there to help us out in a pinch. Life is good… no, life is great.

So, while I still really dislike shopping, it’s just not fun for me. I will do my best to remember, do not complain about it. Because it is a privilege to have the freedom and a blessing to have the means.

I may live in a bubble, rarely watching, reading, or listening to the news. But I know how blessed we truly are.

The Lord bless you and keep you; the Lord make His face shine upon you and be gracious onto you; the Lord lift His countenance upon you and give you peace. ~Numbers 6: 24 - 26

Tuesday, September 1, 2009

Modern Conveniences….

I hate doing laundry….. Anyone that knows me semi-well can attest to that fact. I really and truly hate it. I don’t even know what it is about laundry I despise so much, but it is one of my absolute least favourite chores. The other one is washing dishes….. ughhhh, dish pan hands…... But recently I was reading through my facebook news feed, someone had commented on how happy they were to have a new-to-them dishwasher. Sounds like it was portable and only cost her $50…. but she was overjoyed to not have to wash all those dishes by hand anymore.

So I started thinking about all the things that we, as modern homemakers, whether stay-at-home, or payroll-she/he’s, have that make our lives easier, or supposed to….

Today we have clothes washers…..

311lMK9hB5L._SS500_ …..rather than having to do this…. Washer-Woman





Dishwashers…..

31aB6K PsXL._SS500_…..so we have less of this…… OLYMPUS DIGITAL CAMERA

800px-Dirty_dishes






We have breadmakers…..

41tigxl-pAL._SS500_ …… so that if we don’t feel like it, we can avoid this…..

homemade-bread







And so many other appliances and machines that help us to get our housework done. Yet, we complain about the laundry, and having to unload the dw; we complain about the effort it takes to make a meal for our family. But what do we have to complain about?

Life is supposed to be easier so that we can spend more time with our families, yet we seem to spend less. We buy more clothing, because it is easier to wash them, then complain how much work ol’ Mount Washmore is. Our society is so blessed (or is it cursed?) with all these modern conveniences and so few of us truly appreciate it. Today I want to remind myself how really lucky I am with all that God provides for me, and try to stop complaining, because really…. What DO I have to complain about? Not much…..

Sunday, August 23, 2009

Ok, ok already.... I'm back....

Alright, I know, I keep getting harassed about not writing, since... well forever it seems like.... but I'm here and I'll get right on it if ya'll stop raggin' on me.... LoL! Kidding, I love you all to bits and I appreciate you care enough to get on me about my lack of blogging... xox.

Going to start with introducing you to the newest addition to my blogging adventures... Hard Way In, Easy Way Out ! The adventures (or misadventures) of my boys and I as we geocache our way around the county, country, world !

Things I've done since my last blog (a photo essay).......

Met someone related to Evel Knievel (seriously lol).…..

Home 026

Went dancing with good friends.….

Friends 003

Drove a tridem highway tractor pulling a 3 axle oil tanker (that's 27 wheeler in laymans terms.lol).....

Truckin' 016 (2)

Found out I'm going to be a grandma !!! ~:D.....

dgs1

Met a great bunch of people, also related to Evel Knievel ……

Knievel Christmas 014
Played on the skidoo lots ~:D.....

Home 067

Learned the names of, and visited, several Alberta towns I never knew existed.….

Map picture

Moved away from my acreage, to a small town in East Central Alberta.….

Home 035

Played with my new camera lots (more to come with that of course)…..Photography 037 (2)
Visited Edmonton for Mother’s Day…

Taking the boys to West Edmonton Mall, Getting my eyebrow pierced and visiting my sweet, wonderful Grandmother.….

Edmonton 006Edmonton 018

Visited friends and went fishing in Beaver Lake, then did some aerial photography of the area……

Lac La Biche 108

Met with some great friends that I’ve known online for 4 years now…..

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While in BC, we went canoeing in the Columbia Wetlands…..

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Went on an early morning trail ride…..

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And were introduced to geocaching in the lovely town of Radium Hot Springs….. BC 042 Stitch

Moved back home, where I belong.….

Home 042 Home 018

Not an exhaustive list by any means, but these are the highlights of what was keeping me buys….. that and just being bit by the procrastination bug again….

I really hope to be on here more, making my blogs part of my university education.

MAWOY !!!

Friday, July 31, 2009

Today's Project.... Master To Do List !

10 1/2 months since my last blog on this post... You know it is the ultimate in procrastination, if you procrastinate blogging on your procrastination blog..... how sad is that.... LoL !!! I am the Queen of procrastination....

I have 17 days..... For what you may ask, well, truth serum time, to find my home. Yes, find it! Right now I feel like we are living in a combination dump and box factory. A friend suggested I post photos... I'm too embarrassed to be honest. Perhaps by the end of the long weekend it won't be quite as embarrassing. This same friend, however, is absolutely INSTRUMENTAL in encouraging me to get started on my cleaning frenzie ! BTW, reason I have 17 days.... Big Man & Little Man are off to spend some of their summer break with their dad. So with no children underfoot or needs to cater to, I am free to get some bigger projects done

This very morning, after a hearty sleep in I might add, I was, as usual, indulging one of my biggest addictions... my computer. I cannot seem to start my day without signing into, msn, aim & facebook. This is before breakfast, coffee (or tea), and often before getting dressed even. I must say though, my bed is nearly always already made and of course I visit the loo, who can possibly get out of bed without that first trip to the loo... LoL.

Anyway, I digress. Each day I get up I go on my computer, think about the absolute multitude of things that need to be done inside and outside; I get overwhelmed with this list swimming around in my head and end up doing next to nothing with my day! Today, my lovely friend, Natalee, popped on to aim and asked me to be her cheerleader while she got some chores done, with admitting I too was having trouble, as usual, doing much, she suggested we encourage each other. Well Nat, a lovely mother of three boys, created a Chore Wars Adventure just for us. With this further encouragement I have started Today's Project, a spreadsheet, actually an excel workbook, for my Master To Do List. I'm also getting my kitchen cleaned up in between, so that I'm not just, as is per usual, sitting at the computer all day.

20 tabs later, I'm not done, but feel better for getting some of this out of my head and somewhere else. I don't have to think about it, I can just look it up as I am ready to work on each area. So if you click on the title of today's post, you will see this list in progress and what I am up against around here.

Ever onward, please feel free to join me over the next 17 days on my adventures in domestic procrastination, as I continue to update that list as to what is completed or at least in progress.