Let it Shine, Let it Shine

June 12, 2013
I am so happy to see sunshine today, geee I was starting to get the winter blues back. LOL
I didn't get to the gym yesterday, but I did do some exercising at home.
I went to the gym this morning and did 80 minutes and then walked home for another 10 minutes. I need to try and get in some extra time, since its weigh in time on Monday with Ken.
I have decided I will add a the inches I have lost to my spread sheet, so I will try to do that this evening or tomorrow. I also need to add a recipe, I made these amazing berry protein bites, they are so yummy, you will love them, they are very low in calories and make a great snack, since I can't have the milk yogurt, I need to come up up with other high protein snacks.
I'll share it later in the recipe section with calorie count and all.
Well I better run, the Glebe Centre is where I will be today, I love volunteering.
Do you have any high protein snacks to share with me?
Today's Quote:

 

It's Raining Again

June 11, 2013
My poor car is in the garage, so I didn't go to the gym this morning, it was raining so hard and the wind was blowing a gale, so I will wait and go in the afternoon or this evening, not worth getting soaked walking back home. I need to do some work on the recipe side of my blog, I also need to find an easier way to add them, other than linking to a word doc in google, so that will be my priority for later today. I have a friend coming over this morning to work on some paintings, we take a class together and decided to keep it up over the summer so we will take turns hosting at each others home. Painting has given me an outlet to relax, I love seeing what can be created on a canvas, I am working on 3 paintings right now and still have to do one for the Golf tournament that my brothers do each year. This year they will be raising money for The Breast Cancer Foundation in Kingston Ontario, they wanted the money to stay locally. There is such a need for money with the foundation, they support patients by offering exercises, wigs, support groups and many other programs. 
Do you have a hobby?
Do you donate your hobby for a good cause?
Today's Quote;

"There is only one way to happiness and that is to cease worrying about things which are beyond the power of our will"

 

Back from visiting Mom

June 10, 2013
I was so happy to have been able to spend last Thursday to Saturday morning at a friends cottage we walked her son's dog in the rain a few times and between down pours. I had been to the gym Thursday morning so I knew I didn't have to do a big work-out. We played some cribbage and worked on my digital photo album that I am doing for my husbands family. we ate very healthily and I decided not to take wine with me, I have a weigh-in with Ken next Monday so I am trying to stick very close to my diet. 
I spent some time with Mom on Saturday and Sunday, she is looking well and seems to be gaining more strength every day, She is even back knitting again.
I did run into a bit of trouble yesterday. I had taken my Mom and her friend out for breakfast and I asked for an omelet with no toast, cheese or milk in it, I am not sure what they put in it but I was very sick when I got home, they had to have used milk, I am allergic to it, so next time I will just ask for a poached egg. 
My poor hubby had a bad week and weekend and on his way home he was driving my vehicle and as her rounded the corner off the Champlain Bridge her heard a loud bang, so he pulled over and called me and I sent him a tow truck, I hope its not to bad. I will find out later.
I did go to the gym today and did an hour on the elliptical machine and then walked home after. I am feeling a bit tired today so I won't be doing much, just clean and straighten up the house.
Did you have a nice weekend?
Today's Quote:

 

The Results

June 6, 2013
Five years ago on this date I received the results from my biopsy. A call I will never forget, 4 pm on a Friday afternoon, the Dr called to say that yes it was positive as she thought, I had DCIS, but she was pretty sure it had traveled to the lobe and beyond, the full biopsy report would tell the tale on June 23. It did Grade 3 lobular carcinoma in situ and 11 of 16 lymph nodes were also involved under my arm. The journey had begun. It was the hardest thing I have ever done in my life, but hey here I am 5 years on and working harder than ever to get my life back on track.
Thank you to Florida Fitness for helping me make it happen.
I did 30 minutes today at the gym as I am heading out of town to visit my Mom for a few days. I did some extra time on Sunday to make up for tomorrow and the short day today. So I will be back on Monday.
Have you been in the fight of your life for your life?
How did you handle it?
Today's quote:

More memories

June 05, 2013
Five years ago today I had a biopsy on my RT Breast, the tumor was so hard that when they went to take the sample the retraction gun slipped off and hit a blood vessel, what a mess, the nurses were just telling me they had to cut down on paper towels, well I broke the bank that day, the blood was spurting everywhere. After they quelled the rush of blood they had to make a second pass and then a third. 18 days later when I had a mastectomy I still had a bruise the size of a baseball on my breast.
So today I am thankful again for being able to once again go to the gym and exercise. I did my usual 1 hour on the elliptical machine.
I called to book time last night with my granddaughters this weekend but no parents were home so I had a chat with each of them. I asked Trinity what she wanted to do this summer when she came to visit, her first reply was just spend time with your Gramma, awww that melted my heart. Then she added, go to the beach, have picnics and go to the Star Wars exhibit.
I am hoping to take Keyra out for dinner for her birthday and possibly a sleep over at Aunt Linda's as I need to help her with a project while I am in town.
I am off to the Glebe centre today for my usual  volunteer day, I love spending time with seniors. On Sunday morning I will take my Mom and her best friend out for breakfast, they so enjoy getting out. Its kind of like a random act of kindness, we could all stand to something for a senior we know.
Looking forward to the weekend. 
Do you do volunteer work for your community?
If not would you like to, check your local YMCA or Seniors Outreach.
Today's Quote:

Happy Anniversary to me, 5 years since the diagnosis that changed my life

June 4, 2013
Five years ago on this date I was diagnosed with Breast Cancer. It was grade 3 and at that time I was given a 50/50 chance on it returning after treatment. Did I ever expect to make it this far. NO. I had one treatment that nearly killed me and had me clinging for months for an end. It took me 12 months to return to work and recover from it, and even then it was only 3 days a week. I tried so hard to return to what I thought was normal, only to realize that I would never return to that imagination of what was normal before this date. I tried working for 7 months and in the end the Dr made me go back on sick leave the side effects from the chemo and tamoxifen were still taking their tole on my body. I still find it hard to not get up and go to a job everyday, it was what I knew for 31 years. I do volunteer these days for a Retirement home in Ottawa, I have always had a special soft spot for seniors, it at least gives me purpose in life.
So to be able to finally get up each day and have the energy to exercise each day is a milestone for me.
I am so THANKFUL to be able to make some changes in my life for a healthier me. It's been a long time coming.When I finished treatment my chances of return were 25% reduced mainly because of that one treatment. Only a few people know how bad that time was for me, I still shed a tear just thinking of it. Today I am thankful for the wonderful Dr's I had in Australia and for the medicines and treatments that have changed over the years to give us all an extension to our lives that we wouldn't have had 20 years ago and for the support group of friends and family that got me through, if you are reading this you know who you are. A special thank you to my husband Charles, he had to witness this twice as his mother passed away in 1981 from the same terrible disease, I hated to see the grief in his eyes as I struggled after each treatment. I am sure that returning to live in Canada and be around family has helped, my goal was to spend some quality time with my lovely Granddaughter's, I have done this each summer since I came back and any school holidays we could get. This year will be a bit different as the kids are getting older and more involved in sports so that cuts down on grandma camp. I think our time is coming to return to Australia and spend some time with our Grandchildren there.
Tomorrow is a new day and another milestone. 
I went to the gym today and did my usual hour. Ialso weighed in and had lost another pound, yipeee.
Do you have any special anniversaries?
Are you thankful for having one more day to make a difference, no matter how big or small it may be?
Today's Quote:

A Long Day Ahead

June 03, 2013
Well the rain made our weekend less busy, I did go to the gyme yesterday and did 45 minutes as I knew I was going to miss the gym on Friday. We also did a 30 minute walk down to the Ottawa River to see what festival was going on there, lots of kiddie rides, a clown car, and clowns, face painting, seemed it was a celebration to open the park for the summer.
I did go to the gym this morning and did an hour on the elliptical machine, I was struggling though because of allergies, breathing problems and heart palpitations, I made it through and came home to a nice shower and a cry, I haven't felt like this in a while, a bit frustrated I guess.
I did run into some problems again with my corn allergy, I have been trying really hard to avoid it and had to change my allergy pills because it had corn starch in it. Turns out it is in all over the counter allergy tablets.
Who knew, I was suffering big time so I went to the drug store last night in search of a brand that didn't have cornstarch as a filler, there is none in tablet form, the only thing I could get was liquid, I guess its better than nothing. I'll let you know how it works. I see the Allergy Doctor tomorrow and will have a discussion with him, I understand they can get rid of some of the allergies, so I am very interested in this.
Also last night I took a claritin allergy and sinus, it was non drowsy so it kept me away all night and gave me heart palpitations and kept me awake all night, my heart rate seems to be coming back to normal slowly. I think I will try to have a nap later on.
Have you ever had a bad reaction to over the counter medications?
Today's quote: “Enter every activity without giving mental recognition to the possibility of defeat. Concentrate on your strengths, instead of your weaknesses… on your powers, instead of your problems.”–Paul J. Meyer