What's in that glass..

I recently read a quote:

" It doesn't matter if the glass is half empty or half full,
it matters what you do with what's in the glass.."

I am currently working with "what's in the glass." So I haven't been able to blog in a bit, but blog again soon I will! A reality TV Show, a house sale, a BIG forest fire and some vacation time is keeping me very busy.. but the stories will resume soon!

Love ya SK xx

Body Geometric Fit - sounds fancy!

My work continues to get ready to start training for the half iron next summer.

Seriously it has been a crap load of work to just get ready to get ready!

Frozen Shoulder: The Creative Healing team is working on this one a combination of massage and chiropractic care along with exercises at home and some electrical stuff is all being applied. It does still hurt, sometimes I feel like it’s getting worse! But I think I have more mobility and just also seem to have more pain as the scar tissue etc breaks up.

Heart: Good news further to wearing the heart halter for a day I had a TON of blood work done and it all came back FABULOUS! yes my doctor used the works FABULOUS! Always nice.. but if cholesterol etc is all good.. what the blazes is going on?!? I have a date with a cardiologist and that will be explored. The doctor gave the go ahead on my training because monitoring of my heart plays such an important role in the philosophy behind the training with Chris Willett and ATP Endurance Coaching. Really when my zone is between 110 and 120 bpm on the bike and 120 and 130 bpm running.. my heart shouldn't be throwing a hissy fit of any nature.

Swim: I am watching from the beach until I get this shoulder moving, I am thinking about doing some flutter board work at the pool just because I like being in the water!


Bike: This is kinda neat! I had my bike properly fitted. I am not talking about the usual bike fitting at your local bike shop, I am talking something much more in-depth! Your flexibility is checked out, length of legs, what part of leg is longer, how your ankles bend, what your feet do when you push, your strength and weaknesses and then your bike is set for you.. and just for you! My seat was moved forward and tilted up, my handle bars were lowered and my tri bars tiled up. I also now have some lifts in my shoes, 2 on one side and 1 on the other. It took a good hour to get it all done, and it was pretty intimidating to have all these “expert” cycle dudes analyzing what I was doing on my bike.. I felt VERY uncoordinated and self conscience! But I noticed a difference on the ride home! I do have more power and felt like I had more room on my bike! One of my complaints had been I always feel to scrunched up on my bike.

I had an interesting conversation with the crew at Fresh Air Concepts about the fact that too many people let the intimidation factor get ion the way. It feels like a fitting like this is for the hard core elite athlete.

Sure it is.

But it is also for you and I, as a matter of fact it makes more sense to get it done early in your cycling life! Start right!! It will be adjusted as your skill level and body changes but why not start in the best possible way? You will have a better experience and in turn be more motivate to ride ride ride! I have found that cycling at a beginner level tough, every one seems so much faster and the clinics always seem to be for a higher fitness level than what I have.. but this bike fitting gives you the opportunity to get a better grasp of form, fitness, and the mechanics of your bike!

Book yourself an appointment TODAY at Fresh Air Concepts - which I think is the only place in town that does it! Ask for a “Body Geometric Fit.” Now.. you might find it a touch intimidating.. just take a deep breath, let Chris, Jim, Olaf or whoever is doing your fit know that you are feeling self conscious and go for it! Please leave me a note if you get it done and let me know how it goes - maybe we can go for a ride together one day!

Run: Still not moving too fast.. but now that I have more heart info back I can put together a plan and get moving!

Also on the go.. Dan is on holidays so I am running The Breakfast Club on my own - Lots of Fun and Steve and I are shooting a pilot of a reality TV show !! Plus Thursday night I MC the opening night of The Producers at Kelowna Actors Studio.. get your tickets now it will be a GREAT fun show! It opens Thursday and runs till early August.

Oh Canada!

The shoulder is still frozen and the tears are not dry yet from saying good bye to Shillaleigh but I am Canadian and celebrate I must!

Canada Day is a holiday that makes me grin. We have such a silly nature, full of laughter and heart. Try as we might to wave our flag and send fireworks into the air it always pales in comparison to the loudly patriot nation next door.

But I love every minute of it.

As a country we are still striving to sing our own praises from the top of the parliament buildings and around the world, we would rather have other country’s speak of how great we are, so we can politely say thank you and determine how we could do it better next time.

I have been blessed with the opportunity to travel, and it is my travels that reinforced how truly wonderful it is to be Canadian. Other nations would open doors just a bit wider and go that one step further to make sure I felt welcome and comfortable simple because I am Canadian! What a thrill to realize that I came from such a respected land! A place know for peacekeeping, a land that nurtures laughter and who’s beauty is captured by artists around the world and hung at acclaimed galleries!

At one time in my life I had the feeling that we were looked down on as a nation of wimps constantly in a sate of identity crisis.

Not any more.

We are a strong people. We stand up for the underdog and will fight for our friends. We have the strength to question who we are, why we behave as we do and question if our choices are correct. Our Patriotic spirit might be quieter than other nations, but it is strong and like iron when called upon.

Our country is varied from coast to coast. Sometimes we are not very nice to each other, sometimes our provinces feel like foreign countries because of our celebrated differences. But we live in a country strong enough to hold together when cultures collide and struggle to find away to bring ourselves together as one nation, one nation that is made up of so many cultures, attitudes, and customs.

Yesterday I made a comment that one day I would like to be bored with arrogance rather than annoyed by it. I think that comment can be reflected in our country. A country that pushes boundaries of tolerance and understanding, a country that readjusts it’s personal boundaries so we can all thrive together within our geographical one.

It is so very exciting!

A maturing changing people in a land with vast resources and beauty fitting into an ever shrinking global community. What an adventures it is to be Canadian!

Canada is like the young child with an old soul. We might struggle but look a bit deeper and an ancient wisdom resides. A wisdom that knows better, a wisdom of truth and calm, a wisdom with a toothy grin and belly laugh, a wisdom of the ages weather we always recognize it or not.

A wisdom that you are part of if you can proudly call yourself Canadian.

Happy Canada Day, EH!

OK.. I also love our British influenced lives, sex in a canoe, moose, beer, hockey, lacrose, cottage country, The fact that we have the right to bare breasts not arms, and that we DO NOT have the right to free speech because some things should not be said!

I like frozen popisicles much more than a frozen shoulder!

Thank you. So many kind words have made there way to us as news spread of our loss of little "bug." Truth told the tears haven't stopped and I still haven't been able to clean up her kennel, bowl or toys.. I am sure that will happen in time.

Tears over our little monster are not the only ones shed today. Ever heard of "frozen shoulder?" Here is the "official" definition:

Frozen shoulder, or adhesive capsulitis, is a condition that causes restriction of motion in the shoulder joint. The cause of a frozen shoulder is not well understood, but it often occurs for no known reason. Frozen shoulder causes the capsule surrounding the shoulder joint to contract and form scar tissue.

My definition: OUCH!!!!!

I didn't realize that the start of my training was going to be getting myself ready to start training! I thought I had that all under control! I had no idea the havoc my body has gone thru over the last 8 months. Enough that it is like starting all over again from 3 years ago.. but throw in a possible heart issue and this frozen shoulder business.

Let me clarify I don't have frozen shoulder... yet. But the process has begun, so I have a RMT (Kyla - who I have chatted about before) and a chiropractor (Dr. Liz - she is also at Creative Healing) both of which are working on my shoulder.. I have NEVER felt pain like that. The kind of pain that makes your whole body break into a sweat followed by the urge to "toss my cookies!" I didn't, but it was touch and go for a moment.

I have been told that I should have movement back within the next 2 weeks and we can work on the pain and strengthening after that. Which means I hope to be swimming laps again by the end of July!

Saying Good Bye is so very hard

My tears just won’t stop.

Our little Shillaleigh who we called “Bug” bounded into our lives and she has now left. My heart is broken. Bug was a wonderful friend, she worked hard, she played with great spirit and made it clear she loved you. She was our little princess, she was our little clown and she was in our lives for too short a time.

We had to send Shillaleigh on her way. Our little Bug who brought us so much joy also had a darker side, no matter how hard she tried to deny the urge she just couldn’t do it and for what ever reason she was wired to fight. It always came on fast, it even took trainers by surprise.. no sign, no warning.. just all fight. Very early in her life she picked and won a fight that she should not have.. and never backed down again. As time went on very few 4 legged friends were left unscarred. Our poor Barkley took the worst of it.

This weekend it became clear that even with all our work, hers and ours, this was just getting worse. She couldn’t live 24/7 in a muzzle or in her kennel and we couldn’t safely re-home her any where. Her last fight with Barkley had Steve caught in the middle and he ended up with both hands chewed up enough that a trip to the doctor was in order.

We gave her the best life we could, all be it short.

Bug and I choose each other 3 years ago, and yesterday I had to say Good Bye, from here on every tear I cry no matter what that tear is for a touch of sadness will be there for her. I stayed with her to the end, her last gaze was on me letting her hear and feel the love that I felt for her. I would not and did not leave until it was confirmed that she had gone.

I want her back... but I will wait, and the next time we play it will be with true abandon and joy. She loved me, she trusted me and I had to protect others from her and her from herself. I don’t think I will ever completely forgive myself for not finding another answer.

Shelia at The Spotted Spa has this “poem” on her website and it brings me some comfort.

Just this side of heaven is a place called Rainbow Bridge.

When an animal dies that has been especially close to someone here, that pet goes to Rainbow Bridge. There are meadows and hills for all of our special friends so they can run and play together. There is plenty of food, water and sunshine, and our friends are warm and comfortable.

All the animals who had been ill and old are restored to health and vigor; those who were hurt or maimed are made whole and strong again, just as we remember them in our dreams of days and times gone by. The animals are happy and content, except for one small thing; they each miss someone very special to them, who had to be left behind.

They all run and play together, but the day comes when one suddenly stops and looks into the distance. His bright eyes are intent; His eager body quivers. Suddenly he begins to run from the group, flying over the green grass, his legs carrying him faster and faster.

You have been spotted, and when you and your special friend finally meet, you cling together in joyous reunion, never to be parted again. The happy kisses rain upon your face; your hands again caress the beloved head, and you look once more into the trusting eyes of your pet, so long gone from your life but never absent from your heart.

Then you cross Rainbow Bridge together....

Author unknown...

*OUCH*

Today my RMT Kyla was determined to get my healing on the way.. It seems my shoulder is tight enough that when I lay on my back my shoulder is still tilted up! This does not make for a great front crawl in the water.. since I can't get my arm over and around it might lead to me swimming around in a circle! Not good if I want to be in the annual Swim Across The Lake, I did ask Kyla if I might be alright to do the breast stroke (she used to be a life guard!) I got the thumbs up as long as I am careful. Now I have to learn how to do the breast stroke again!! I don't think I have done it since I took swimming lessons 30 years ago! Please note that I am coming to terms with the fact that this might be the year that I don't do any triathlons.. I'm still holding out for "Summerland Sprint" at the end of the summer! If you would like to meet my "Mistress of Torture" sorry I mean Kyla CLICK HERE!

On the diet side of things.. I am down a pound and a bit.. I know... baby steps..



I am readjusting with my diet, back to making a point of having breakfast! Every night before bed I toss: 2 cups of frozen berries, 1 cup of OJ, 1 banana, 1 cup plain yogurt. This makes enough for 2 glasses so both Steve and I can grab breakfast and go in the morning! Admittedly I am grabbing and going 3 hours before his eyes even open!

Need a reason to quit?

A friend asked me to share this with you. We were discussing smoking. I was a smoker for years, as was my husband. I have now been smoke free for 4 years and my husband for 2. The question most often asked is how and why. The simple answer - we got over ourselves. Smoking is probably one of the single most selfish acts a person can do aside from suicide.

Smoking does not do any good for anyone besides the smoker. NO one. I am not just talking about the appalling act of smoking if you have any interaction with children, I am talking about smoking at all. Facts are pretty clear, it doesn’t matter if you know someone that lived to 106 and was a smoker, smoking contributes to crappy health and usually death. The death is ugly and painful. Smokers will sometimes say, it’s there choice if they put themselves at risk to a deadly disease. Tru-dat. But what about everyone that it effects? On a broader sense we are talking tax dollars and strain on health care, but closer to home, I am talking about the child that sits in the hospital while the sun is shinning outside, waiting for you to die. Watching someone you love at any age die an ugly death is not something we would wish on anyone, yet every person who smokes doesn’t care enough about the people that love them to make sure that can't happen.

Are you really that selfish? Than you should be ashamed of yourself.

Click here for help

It often takes more than one try to quit.. please don't stop trying.

The plan starts to take shape!

So here is the deal...

Next summer I will do a Half Iron Man.

Swim 2K
Bike 93K
Run 21.1K

I thought I would be in a much different place when I made this choice. I didn't think it would be after putting on weight, screwing up my shoulder and having my heart monitored for an odd beat.

But I have.

I have a little less than a year to get this train on the rails.

Thankfully I have the beginnings of a plan, which is to find someone else that can put together a plan for me!

Enter two very important people.

My RMT Kyla Feddersen (www.creativehealing.ca) who will help get this shoulder back into swimming shape and Chris Willett from Fresh Air Concepts (www.freshair.ca)

Updates to come soon!

Our life in Screw Balls

So life has stopped throwing curve balls... and has moved on to screw balls!

WOW.. what a crazy while it's been!! Ratings at work, a house fire, a pregnancy scare, putting on a ton of weight, getting trapped in the real estate crunch, getting lumps removed from my head and a possible heart issue!

No wonder I had to take 2 weeks off and just stay at home!!

Once again I send out thanks and prayers for my wonderful family and friends! I find that you can get threw just about anything with the right team around you.. and it's so much easier when you have them at the start and don't have to build as you go!

One important thing my friends did for me in this round of excitement was make it clear that I was going threw plenty of stress and I wasn't being a total wimp for feeling the strain! Girlfriends sent cards in the mail, work friends gently inquired if I was going to be ok, and family picked up the phone when I called! Plus having a team of professionals to seek advice from certainly helped! I want to give a BIG thumbs up to Julie Weimer at RBC. Banks often get a bad rap when it comes to mortgages, well Julie and RBC have created a new form of yoga in the flexibility and creative thinking that has gone into getting us out of our jam! That's not without sacrifice on our part.. saying Good Bye to the boat as the temp soared to 30 degrees plus on my holidays had me in tears more than once.. as does the pending sale of my FZ6. More kudos this time to the gang at Rayburns Marine World for helping us sell the boat and Charles at Kelowna Yamaha that is sending people my way for the motorcycle!

So the long and short of the money stuff.. with some sacrifices on our part, and what will be a pretty tight year on the horizon, Steve and I still call Jones Street home and will have a rental available at Waterscpaes.. know anyone looking?? All the deets are in the posting a couple below.. we will be asking 1500, and will be ready for move in September 1.

On to the work stuff .... YEAH TEAM! SUN FM rocked the ratings! With two new stations in the market that is a VERY good feeling.. I get to keep my job for another 6 months!!!! :)

And the health front.. the lump in my head was a bunch of fat (insert fat head joke here) I have had a lump growing behind my ear for couple of years now.. last week I had it removed, after a night full of nightmares that the Doc would find worms in my head!! ewwwwwww.. weird part.. it did strangely look like a caterpillar when he pulled it out!! As for the weight stuff.. living in a hotel during the fire repairs did some nasty things to my body! Eating out was NOT good for me!! So I am refocused on the diet to bring down those calories (especially since some of the other stress is pulled back) and putting together a plan to get more competitive in triathlon.. at least I thought I was.. in the process of getting some testing done to figure out how I can train better some weird results have come back.. and some test are being done to see what's up with my heart.. which appears to have a rhythm all of it's own.. ha ha ha. I'm not in too much of a tizzy about it.. but I am concerned.. I will update you as the tests get done!

As a matter of fact I'm thinking this blog is going to turn into a bit of a diary for me.. Next post I will outline the goals and how i plan to get there. I will be an exciting couple of years ahead!

Hopefully you can gain something from my road to success, professionally, financially and athletically that will help you on your own journey!

SK xx

Never a dull moment - Let's pee on a stick!

Life brings with it many unexpected surprises.. and we almost had one.

Let me explain. Steve and I had decided that we will not be having any kids. Not an easy decision, we both love kids and would of been proud to be called Mom and Dad.. but the bigger responsibility to having children is looking at your situation honestly and making a choice that is best for the child to be and not your yearnings to be a parent.. strangely enough the most parent like decision Steve and I have ever made is probably not to have kids. Therefore we took the proper action and Steve ended up spending a weekend with a bag of frozen peas on his crotch!

But that’s not the story that is to be told here.

Life has been pretty stressful and hectic with the recover from the house fire and the insurance company dragging it’s feet on paying us the money we had all ready doled out.. plus all the other ups and downs that life brings.. so I hadn’t really noticed that my “monthly friend” was no where to be seen..

(insert Hollywood type screaming here)

I hummed and haaed.. Thank goodness Steve and I have faith and felt pretty confident that if a baby was on the way it was a pretty special gift.. but still.

This was not the plan.

So what to do. My life has held many an adventure. I have managed to do so many things that so many have not. But never in all of my days have a needed to take a pregnancy test.

(insert more Hollywood screaming here)

I reached out to a few girlfriends .. after the initial “now wouldn't that be funny” I got lots of support.. and marched myself to the local Safeway pharmacy to purchase a test. Wanna feel like EVERYONE is watching you? Besides buying condoms or Preparation H this has to be up there.. I was just waiting for the “in-store” announcement..

“Welcome Safeway shoppers - today a fun surprise in the pharmacy! Please stop by to see local radio announcer Susan Knight purchasing a pregnancy test. If you hurry you can watch the blood drain from her face and sweat form on her brow. Thank you for shopping Safeway.”

Thanks to Tanya, a lovely pharmacist who moved quick as she watched me stumble around that section of the aisle, I purchased the test. There was a brief chuckle as she also had not that long ago filled Steve’s prescription for Tylenol 3’s after his snip.

So during this whole ordeal I had been trying to reach my sister in London Ontario, she has 3 kids, a good sense of “ha” and sound advice and I figured would be the go to gal... but no luck so Melissa stepped up to the plate. Did I mention girlfriends rock in a way your best fella just sometime can’t.

So she talked me home..

Meanwhile. I gotta go.. I mean I REALLY have to go.. I had a pee pee dance going that would make Nikko proud. So I storm in the house getting the DL from Melissa who has also had 3 kids and is a wonderful source of support, advice and seems to be holding in any laughter pretty well.. So I get the skinny.. no I don’t need to wait till tomorrow morning, just pee on the stick for at least 5 seconds. GOTCHA. Seems pretty straight forward.

And I am about to burst.

So I hang up the phone, rip open the package, glance at the instructions in case I missed something important.. sit and ... awwwwwww relief...

Yikes.. stick.. must make sure . Ok.. peeing on stick..

And

Than

The

Moment

The Stick Turned PINK. not pale pink.. not slightly pink. But HOT fuchsia PINK. the kind of pink that screams..

YOU ARE HAVING A BABY ....... IT”S GOING TO BE A GIRL!

*blink*

*blink*

*blink*

.... and sanity returns.

Turns out those people have a sense a humor that create these nifty little tests. Seriously of all colours to have a pregnancy test turn.. PINK?!? BRIGHT PINK?!?!

That just seems mean.

It turns out, after closer inspection of the instructions, you need to check for a + sign in another section of the stick.

We seem to be in the clear... but still no little “friend” we shall see what colours any future sticks might turn!

Puppy love

Blessings come in so many different ways. I am a lucky girl because I have so many of them.

Two of the blessings in my life are my "fur kids" Barkley and Shillaleigh. Barkley is a malamute cross and Shillaleigh is a terrier cross. I love my dogs. It's hard to explain the joy that the pups bring me. I don't have "easy" dogs. Barkley is older and fiercely independent and while generally very passive he is a thinker and decides when and if he will do something. Shillaleigh is the baby, full of energy and love, she wants to be loved and played with and the centre of attention at all times. Shillaleigh was also a rescue which has come with an issue, she doesn't like many other dogs. She tolerates Barkley. Barkley is the closest friend she has with 4 legs but on occasion (like if Barkley has the crazy idea to come into the house) she will rip off his ears. So in our busy world the dogs continue to be a work in progress and do take up plenty of time. I will give it to them, because my heart belongs to those little family members. But with a busy life and demanding jobs you begin to appreciate the services that are available.

I want to introduce you to "Team Canine"

The Spotted Spa - Aunt Shelia and the crew are the kennel of all kennels! Room for my dogs to run, day camp or overnight stays, she does it all... plus she understands that one of my pups is "special needs" and makes sure that she has fun.. and the other dogs stay safe. Here is more info:
http://www.spottedspa.ca

Doggytopia - I use this place for the "do-it-yourself" bath. With two very hairy canines I can't afford to go to a groomer, and the groomer I love retired.. so I use these facilities to keep my dogs clean. AGAIN a great owner makes sure that the room is suitable for my little one that doesn't always play well with others. Here is more info: http:// www.doggytopia.com

Pawpular Pooch - This is a WONDERFUL doggy place.. little jackets, collars and the best of the best food. Shillalleigh has allergies.. and we do EVERYTHING we can to keep her in a good mood. So we have raw food for her that is dehydrated so we just add water, wait 20 minutes and serve - PERFECT! Plus Barks is a tad "big boned" so food that keeps his weight under control is there to! It also happens to be the best place to find presents for dogs and owners alike! http://www.thepawpularpoochboutique.ca/

Copper Boppers - My poop angel. Seriously.. they come and pick up the dog crap in my yard!!! Professional, fast, easy.. PERFECT!!! Check it out here:
http://www.copperboppers.com/xcart/help.php?section=caninewaste

While I am introducing you to a wonderful bunch of businesses that keep my family in good shape what I want you to take away from this is the team philosophy. You don't have to do it all yourself, you deserve a team. The only way I can have the joy in my life that comes from my dogs is to have a team of people, it is a balancing act because of finances but take a hard look at the time, love and peace that comes from the investment and determine if it's worth it. I don't utilize all of my team all the time, because I can't afford it.. but when push comes to shove I know that hey are all there and I can use there services to make my life easier - which bring alot of peace when times get tough, busy or full of unexpected surprises.

Could something in your life bring you great or more joy if you had resources or systems in place? Start looking at building your own team. You deserve it!

SKxx

Adventure!! This will be a blast!

Life is an ADVENTURE.. OK it doesn’t always feel that way so YOU need to take steps to keep the fun, adventure and spirit in your life. What else do you need? Well add charity to the list and get involved with the Urban Adventure Challenge! I wish I could but I will be giving away a car lease to someone as part of SUN FX :( Seriously this is as close most of us will ever get to The Amazing Race!

Here is the info Ryan Watters passed along to me:

JCI Okanagan presents the fourth annual Urban Adventure Challenge (UAC) on Saturday April 25. The UAC is based around the reality television series “The Amazing Race.” Teams of two travel through Kelowna by foot or city transit to complete a series of challenges that test the Mind, Body and Spirit. The UAC is a charity event to help raise funds for the Kelowna Community Food Bank and JCI Okanagan, while at the same time the chance to win some outstanding prizes.

The UAC promotes fitness and the aspect of “Go Green” as teams must be prepared mentally and physically to complete the race by using their feet or city transit. Registration for the Challenge is on now at www.urbanadventurechallenge.ca Deadline for teams is April 15, 2009.

It is a fund raiser for the Kelowna Community Food Bank’s Tiny Bundles program which is a non-government funded program that supports pregnant Mothers and families with babies under one year. Participants of the Tiny Bundles program, categorized into pre-natal, newborn and post-natal, receive monthly hampers, gift certificates for baby supplies and weekly nutritional supplements, milk, eggs produce and fruit.

There are a number of ways you can help this event; 1) Become a Partner; 2) Participate - find a friend to join you and pick up your pledge forms on the website (www.urbanadventurechallenge.ca) under the “Register” tab; 3) Challenge your colleagues and friends; 4) Volunteer; 5) Donate prizes; 6) Pass this email on to others who might be interested... You will be glad you did.

This year's race has taken a new direction, new attitude and full of new Challenges.

For more information email - urbanadventurechallenge@gmail.com

JCI Okanagan is a non-profit, leadership organization that empowers individuals to achieve personal fulfillment and professional development within the community. JCI Okanagan’s mission is to contribute to the advancement of the global community by providing the opportunity for young people of develop the leadership skills, social responsibility, entrepreneurship and fellowship necessary to create positive change.

Swim - Ride - Run & Turn 40!

OK I can no longer complain about the house fire.. OK just a titch because insurance hasn't paid us back yet and things are a touch tight.. but other than that it's life back to normal.. sooo.. lets complain about the weather!

It's amazing. The last couple of years I have run threw the winter no trouble at all. NOT this year. My get up and go has said NO to the chilly temps. Has it been all that colder than last year.. not really.. but once you give in to that inner wimp you are doomed!

Doomed no longer am I!

I am a women with goals! We will focus on the sporty goals this time.

The Oliver Olympic Triathlon is coming up fast, race date: May 24.. (Yes I know the Queens birthday and if we don't get a holiday we will all run away)

I need help.

One of the most wonderful things about being a problem solver or dare I say solution seeker I know what to do! For a change I will even do it! I am going to take my slightly tubbier than wanted body to Fresh Air Experience and sign up for the upcoming Tri clinic that is geared towards doing the Oliver Triathlon or Oliver Half Iron. Yes I will.. and I will do it full out! Why? Because I mentioned to the trainer of said clinic that I don't really have any idea what "full out" means.

I am the queen of consistency..

I always have something in reserve "just in case" need a plan B, C or D I am your gal! Well not this year. This year I am seeking help.. not to finish, but to Finnish as fast as I can do it. Lord knows that won't be breaking any new land speed records but it does mean that for perhaps the first time in my life I will push past that trap door that says "IN CASE OF EMERGENCIES ONLY"

Why Not?

This is my 40th year. A year that sings of rebirth and celebration of everything I have becoming to this point. The ground work has been laid and I am ready to test it.

Excited? You bet!!

Here's the deets on the clinic:

Start date: March 25
Race Date: May 24 or June 7 (half ironman)

Wednesdays @ 6pm, Saturdays @ 8am.

All levels welcome - Sprint to Half Iron distances covered
Cost -$130 for Sprint/Olympic, $180 for Half Iron

All disciplines covered - technique correction as well.

Info and sign up at Fresh Air Experience (Harvey behind Wendy's)

My 3 Favorite non people pictures!

Bugs and Peanut Butter

Yesterday was an exciting day on the radio.. first a phrase that shall remain nameless was dropped on air.. entirely my fault and it was a doozy.. but I will not tell that tale here, just in case the boss is a lurker.. but I have another story!

We do a feature called the "Water Cooler Quiz," it's fun trivia that we hope people can answer to win a prize. Yesterdays question was ...The US Food and Drug administration says there can be no more than 145 of theses in a jar of peanut butter. The Answer: There may be no more that 145 bug parts in a jar of peanut butter.

You would of thought we had said rat poison!

I barely heard boo about the obscenity that was dropped.. but bug parts in peanut butter!! I had a father leave a message on my voice mail ripping a strip off of me because his kids were no longer going to eat peanut butter and what was he to make them for lunch? He informed me I had to be more responsible about what came out of my mouth! ( I didn't have the heart to tell him the average chocolate bar has 7 insect legs.) Honestly I did feel a touch bad, based on the panic and unreasonable fury in his voice I would guess it had already been a tough morning - and The Breakfast Club's antics were the straw that broke the camels back. So what to do?

This morning The Breakfast Club ate Peanut Butter on air - straight out of the jar with a spoon!! *SHOCK* Yes we did.. bugs be dammed! Of course we had to do it from the hallway because one of our fellow announcers is highly allergic to peanuts *sigh* he's allergic to just about everything. But we turned up the microphones and ate the peanut butter - it made for some fun radio and hopefully helped a few Mom's & Dad's get the kids eating lunch again!

SK xx

This just smacked of truth..

“We live in an amazing, amazing world, and it’s wasted on the crappiest generation of spoiled idiots.”

I have no idea what the proper ediquitte is in blog land to credit another persons blog.. so just check this out: http://tinyurl.com/dabrwn

I make an effort to stay positive .. always.. but this just smacked of truth!

ROAD TRIP!!!

ROAD TRIP!!

I can be a bit of a paradox.. Truth be told once I am in a community tend not to get out of it a ton. Part of that is just the nature of the radio beast, plus I have lived in amazing communities where there is so much to do! My weekend are filled with fun work events, fundraisers, remotes, celebrations in one form or another and when i do get a weekend off I want to get out and do all the fun things my current hometown offers... but I love to travel, near or far nothing is better! Planned, spontaneous, by accident it's fun to go on an adventure! Steve and I plan for New Zealand and the South Pacific in the relatively near future and Europe when we retire (simply because we Europe is more toury and NZ and SP a touch more active!) I could do short road trip a plenty, but the week seems to be short a couple of days to get it all in!

The good news is.. we did finally hit the road. We turned on the radio, sang along and headed over the coquahalla to visit family and friends that are like family. How did we finally manage to take some to to get in a visit. It felt like God sent us a direct message, it went something like this:

knock knock knock.. (the knocking is from the inside of my head) ummm.. Susan.. GO TO VANCOUVER!

Me: I can't

WHY NOT

Me: stop yelling

I WILL STOP YELLING ONCE YOU CHOSE TO GO TO VANCOUVER

Me: Well, hows that for attitude!

SUSAN!!!!

Me: fine.. I guess I don't have any scheduled events this weekend.. the dogs are in daycare and being taken care of already, we can't move into the house on Sunday, and we should test drive the new wheels on the highway (1998 Volvo CX *LOVE*)

SUSAN!!

Me: Fine. Just let me call Steve.

This all happened on Thursday, as soon as Steve was done work on Friday we were on the road! Lucky for us we have wonderful friends that took us in at a moments notice and included us in already existing plans and it turned out to be out nephews 3rd Birthday party that we were able to attend! Silly us assumed that we would be able to visit all the family in one shot at the party and get in a few more friends (KARLA!!!) but no such luck because after seeing them all at the party we had to follow up with an individual visit for each! Considering how long it had been since lying eyes on the family it was all good!

It was fun visiting friends on short notice, you get to see them in their own element. We all "know" the people we care about, but it's fun to be part of an exciting story and not one that is being written with you in mind.

All and all it was a wonderful weekend away! We came home to our "home" which isn't totally finished but is done enough for the dogs to be joining us at home as of TONIGHT! The family will be whole again :)

sk xx

PS: Please if you are going to complain about something, including other peoples lack of involvement in changing the world make a point of the action YOU are taking, people will respond to you better - you won't come across as just another "do gooder whiner".

How to be that voice

I am blessed with a circle of wonderful family and friends, oddly enough many of them have a belief system that is (on the finer points) polar opposite to mine. When I was younger it was easier.. I was supposed to be, expected to be.. out spoken and passionate about my beliefs! Forgiven if I was head strong and slightly belligerent in what I believed in because I was “young” and I would learn as time went on not only the full picture of what drove my beliefs but also perhaps a better way of presenting my views.

So, time presses on.. here I am at the other side. I have wonderful kids both teens and younger in my life who are passionate about their beliefs, as I am still today about mine. Here’s the quandary.. Many of these beliefs are far more conservative than mine! What?!? I know.. I though it was supposed to be the other way around to. It is pretty dangerous territory when the “child’s” beliefs are more conservative than the adults! I pondered.. and pondered.. and pondered.. I have wanted to say something.. to stand up and say.. hmmmm say what.. your wrong? In my soul that might be what I believe but age has taught me that it’s not always the best approach for the results you might want.

Outside of the superficial “I am right.. because I am right!” what is it that I do want? The pondering has brought me to this, I want people (kids and adults alike) to get the full story. Go outside of your faith, outside of your circle of friends, outside of your comfort zone, get facts and look at them like a scientist. People are bias. We can’t help it! Recognize that on both sides of the story. If the issue is important enough to you, pretend you are in a debate club and you have to fight both sides of the issue with the same passion and research. After that see where you sit on the issue. You might be in the same space, you might not be, but you will be more sensitive and wiser to the other side of the story and that is what will make the world a better place because that growth will make you a better person. We forget that our words have impact young and old, and those words can hurt someone far worse than we ever imagine, that shouldn’t quash what anyone has to say but it should effect how it is said.

I truly wish that the youth in my circle and the world will learn that lesson sooner than I did, because it truly makes a difference. I think I had to learn it because of my job, I do believe that I have a responsibility every time I turn on that microphone to think of every ear and heart that is tuned in.. sometimes I have to make a judgement call and know that I will impact someone adversely but I do try to stay within the parameters that my audience expects. In life, I find it harder. Very very few people get the unguarded Susan opinion (my sister is now rolling her eyes and laughing - stop it Cath!) but it’s true, someone has to know you and trust you very very very much to handle opinion, emotion and views unchecked.

Basically, just make sure that you truly understand all sides of the story not just the facts but also the compassion. You do have an impact - use that power for good!

sk xx

In like a lion out like a lamb.. hopefully!

“In like a lion out like a lamb” that saying might apply to the month of March.. how about 2009? If so December is going to be a great month for us!

I’m having one of those days.. when the slightest thing could set off a wave of tears, it’s not that anything is all that bad, it’s just that a lot of little stuff is happening all at once!
Some of it really good stuff.. so lets do the run down!

We are still in the hotel. BAH! You would think it would be more fun than it really is. The 42 inch plasma TV at the end of the bed is pretty sweet, and I will really miss room service.. but home will be great. The other nice thing is that the staff here is really great, especially Lucky and the rest of the food and beverage crew, they have done so much to make us feel at home! If you haven’t yet I would encourage you to try the restaurant in the hotel “Industry” two thumbs up for the Buttered Chicken!

I was brutally ill Monday night and called in sick Tuesday morning - only the 2nd time I have called in sick since starting here in Kelowna.. I felt really bad for the people in the room next to us! Imagine having to listen to someone throwing up on the room next door! *shudder* I did joke that I now knew what it was to be a rockstar.. sleeping on the bathroom floor and throwing up in a hotel! A rockstars life is not for me!! I am shocked that we have now been out of the house for almost a month!

We have a ton of work stuff on the go.. tomorrow I MC the 2009 Sport Hero awards, Friday we will be “blowing kisses” for Valentines Day on The Breakfast Club, Saturday I MC the Wentworth Music concert, Wednesday it’s all about Healthy Baby Weight with a crazy baby obstacle course as we broadcast from the lobby at SUN FM, Wednesday night we host the on-ice for the Rockets game and Friday back to the lobby for The Breakfast Club as we wrap up the 100 push up campaign! By the time that all wraps up we are one week away from March - which is already booking up fast! This is just the business stuff, never mind the personal stuff such as.. getting our house finished, selling the house, Valentines day, My Mom’s 65th birthday and my 40th! All in the next 6 weeks! *whew*

Plus...

I GOT THE PART! Once upon a time a long long time ago in a kingdom far far away.. or at least a couple of provinces I thought I would be an actress. For a number of reason I will save for another blog I didn’t travel that route, but it has also been close! It looks like I might take a bit of a wander down that road again. I auditioned for Bumbershoot Children’s Theatre, it seems to have gone well. I will be the mouse from the kids book “Give a Mouse a Cookie” in my case a gluten free cookie but a cookie just the same. This play only has 3 characters.. and me being a fast talking mouse I have PLENTY of lines to learn...

enter stage right: TERROR

Not part of the play, but for sure part of pre production.. did a mention PLENTY of lines? Please, if you have ANY tips on memorizing pass them along! I live in a radio world of reading and improv.. and it never has been my strong suit.. Oh dear Mr. Glossop looking down on me (former drama teacher at ESA that passed away) please HELP!! Play date is May 2nd.. if you have kiddies and want to check it out please get some tickets, it’s also so important that we support theatre and the arts in general in out communities with all the cut backs on the go to keep this very important facet of our world shining bright!!

Also in the world of “performance” I might be doing some “inspirational” work with a women's weekend on the go at Predator Ridge in early March. It still needs to be confirmed but I think I will be tackling your personal “owners manual” and if you don’t have one what should be in it and how to get it done.

I have also been thinking of starting my own business called “When the Sh&t Hits The Fan” Simply put, when you need a solution.. fast.. call me. From advertising dilemmas to personal issues I do seem to be a problem solver.. sometimes a band aid sometimes a cure but either way I often seem to be a source of solutions.. maybe i should market it?? Thoughts?? Let me know!

I’m closing this entry with a “Happy Happy!” This morning on The Breakfast Club we got a call from a lady that was thanking me for my positive and optimistic attitude and that she really appreciated it. That call made me feel really good. A long time ago I made a pledge to myself to stay as positive as possible, I do believe you get what you give. Does it backfire sometimes.. yup. But overall I live a much happier life in even attempting to stay on the bright side!


sk xx

Another meme.. reading it? Consider yourself tagged! LOL

Copy & paste into a new note with your answers replacing mine. Then tag a bunch of people for them to continue the trend. Make sure you tag me, too!

Where is your cell phone?.......Sitting beside me waiting to play "My Ding a Ling"
your hair ..........Dark brown the red undertones
Your father? ........Jim
Your favorite thing? ........ fun food gatherings
Your favorite drink? ...........mint chocolate milkshake
Your dream/goal? ...........25,000 people. one spot light. I'm in it. (Not sure why yet - working on that!)
The room you are in? ......The Green Room! My home away from home :)
Your fear? ......... not living up to my perceived potential
Where do you want to be in 6 years?... where ever life takes me
Muffins? .............gluten free
One of your wish list items?.......size 6 without effort (shallow but true!)
Where you grew up? .......... Mississauga and Oakville Ontario
The last thing you did? ....... ate an egg salad sandwich
What are you wearing?....... jeans, sneakers, brown and pink sweater
Your TV?........... clunky
Your life? .....non stop

Your mood? ........ happy but stressed
Missing someone?........ my sister
Your car?...... currently a 2008 Volvo.. soon to be a 1998 volvo
Favorite store?..... anything specialized.. hate BIG stores
Your summer? ......Swim, bike ,run, repeat... than wake surf!!!
Your pets? .......Barkley and Shillaleigh our dogs!
Your computer? ...MacBook Pro! *love*

Favorite color?....depends on mood
When is the last time you laughed? ...... this morning with Dan at work
Last time you cried? ....... yesterday - i cry easy
Three people who email me? .... Melissa, Dan, Cliff
Three of my favorite foods? .........Sushi, mac and cheese, POTATOES!
Three places I would rather be right now? ..... South pacific, Home, behind boat
Three people I think will respond? ....hmmm not a clue!

I think I am close to the edge.. I thinkI'm going to lose my head..

Hotel living can you kick you in the pants.

I am SHOCKED at how on edge I am. I deal with crap well. I rend to roll with the drama of life at a pretty good pace! It seems that I am pushing that ball up hill at the moment and every so often it rolls over me and I have to run after it and throw my body in front of it to try to get it to stop, so I can start pushing again. Do I think at some point that ball will roll on top of me and balance upon my chest and not allow me to get back up? No. As a matter of fact; HELL NO! This is just life. No one is out to get me, the bigger blueprint of my life isn't filled with despair and doubt, and I'm just not important enough to be the target of anybodies conspiracy theory! Bigger picture all is very very very good.. but little picture.. this SUCKS!

Steve and I are still in a hotel, and the dogs are at day care. No one seems able to answer my questions fast enough, get work done fast enough or even give me a flipping time line so I don't feel like I am in limbo! I'm confused. The longer we are at a hotel the more it costs, why not get us out ASAP? Admittedly I am a touch of a control freak, so my real issues are that I just don't know what is going on and can't fix it myself.

Than I pile the rest on.. The reno still isn't done (outside of fire damaged stuff), my rec room and downstairs bedroom are still highly unorganized and a jumbled mess, money is tight as we try to get it all done and our new place that was supposed to be done in August 2009 won't be done till March 2010. Breath 1.. 2.. 3...

Ok GOOD NEWS! It looks like we have sold our place (once his finance are worked out!) The guy that is tentatively buying it is great! It feels so good to know that that house is being passed on to someone that will not only gain financially because of the location etc but will also love it because of the lifestyle it offers! Other good news.. The Breakfast Club is going to do a live show at Big White tomorrow morning, which means Steve and I will be on the mountain tonight and tomorrow night and we get to play!!! Snowshoeing, tubing, snowmobiling, snolimo etc.. woo hooo.. we need it so it will be so lovely to be in a hotel.. and using it the way it should be!! Some other fun plans are also underway at work.. we shall see which ones pan out and I will update you soon!

sk xx

Our Fur kids!

I miss my dogs
Barkley & Shillaleigh

One of the toughest parts of not being at home is how much I miss my dogs! Steve and I don't have kids but we do have Barkley and Shillaleigh. Barkley has been with me for about 10 years and "Bug" as we call her is a new addition to the family who has only been around 2. While Barkley's hips are starting to give him trouble he is relatively no trouble, Bug is high maintenance.. she needs love 24/7.
I miss them both.

Sooo.. we had a fire.

So here I sit in a hotel room watching "Harold the Duck." Not the usual way I would spend a Saturday night..

This is the part when watching a movie it would rewind.. or time shift indicating that we are now going to the beginning of the story.. and we will return to this point later.

So Monday was a fun day.. start of the week.. a great work out.. diet going well.. and a house fire. That's what I said. A HOUSE fire.

I was sitting on the couch after getting back from a run, working on the energy to get into a shower. Steve was in the kitchen getting ready for a bowl of moose chili fresh from the crock pot before heading out to play poker with the boys.

As I sat about the couch a heard the tell tale sound "zzzzz....errrrrghhhh.. POP!" The light goes out, the breaker flips and Steve heads downstairs to flip it back on, he flips and "zzzzz....errrrrghhhh.. POP!" At this point I am standing in the kitchen as Steve heads back up the stairs.. he climbs up on the chair to see what is going on. "YIKES" ok, perhaps he used another word, the light fixture was hot! He put on gloves and started to take it down. At this point I notice what appeared to be an ember fall from the ceiling, my mind was moving slowly.. an ember?? Steve asked me to go outside to grab the ladder, I moved FAST. As I came back in Steve has the light down and was looking at the ceiling asking me if I thought that was smoldering. Again, slow mind "smoldering?" It did seem to be a little red around the edges, somewhere inside my mind I was putting it together and went for the phone. Steve meanwhile had gone up the ladder, looked into the attic, saw flame, realized we had no marshmallows or supplies to make smores and hollered for me to call 911. Which by this point I was already doing!

Next.. everything you have learned about a fire.. before it's "stop, drop, and roll" time. The dogs were sent into the backyard and I was told to grab what was important and get outside. I briefly debated how to get the harvest table out the door realized that wasn't going to happen and instead made sure I had my wedding ring, grabbed both the laptops and the keys to the studio for work in the morning and got out the door. Steve was flipping off the power to the house and heading for the door. Once outside we alerted the neighbours, since we are in a duplex, to get out of the house as we had somehow set it on fire and moved the car and the motorcycle to make room for the fire trucks when they arrived.

And arrive they did... 4 BIG red trucks with lights and sirens came roaring down the street.

It seemed like it took forever!!

I am standing in the middle of the street in my work out clothes, watching the fire trucks storm towards the house, neighbours coming out the doors, the dogs barking and just trying to comprehend that it's our house, our house that is on FIRE! " F%^&K"

It all seemed very surreal, plus I felt remarkable old as theses baby faced firemen donned the gear and rushed into our house. I wanted to cry out.. STOP! Does your Mother know that you are rushing into burning buildings? Give me that hose you have the rest of your life ahead of you! I did have a moment to smile as I approached the crew that first arrived and the Captain said to me "Susan, is this your place? Hey guys this is Susan from The Breakfast Club." In that brief moment everything seemed OK. I was no longer Susan in her sticky exercise clothes, terrified that her house was going to burn down. That Captain released Susan Knight, the capable, always smiling and ready for what ever comes her way woman to bubble to the surface. Maybe, if you asked a shrink not the healthiest way to live.. but I could of kissed that Captain for reminding me that I had the personal resources for what ever was coming my way.

What a humbling experience. My neighbours are gracious and beautiful people ready to come to our aid, the fire crews were professional and caring all at the same time. The hotel clerk "Luke" didn't blink an eye as we stumbled into The Grand looking for a room. Only one co worker has been rude about my experience, everyone else at work including my boss Mark and my bosses boss Don have been wonderful. My co-host Dan Freeman was ready to do what ever he needed to to help as did many of our friends. Special mention to Melissa who manged to get my husband a grilled cheese sandwich that evening as he hadn't eaten that day and his moose chili was unavailable.

The fireman gave us a tour before the lights were shut off.. a REALLY big hole in the ceiling above the kitchen, and a rather larger knee hole in the hallway where a fireman had missed the strut and went threw! Also some water damage and smoke but all in all not so bad. But no way we could stay because power was being shut off.

At some point in all the excitement I had gotten hold of work with a heads up that I wouldn't make it in the next day. The next day was a busy one.. Insurance agents.. house tour.. insurance.. and realizing that we could of been dead. Truly dead. If things hadn't happen EXACTLY as they did, chances of us sleeping soundly as the fire started were good *shudder* thankfully it didn't happen that way. This thought did haunt me for the first couple of nights and I could only sleep about 25 minutes at a time. The night I finally did sleep, I slept like a rock and when I awoke couldn't move my neck.. at all. So I sit here 4 nights after the fire with my ice pack, unable to steal the converter from my husband watching.. "Harold the duck."

Part of me does chuckle. I believe in the power of prayer. Part of my prayers as of late have included a requested for some help in the housecleaning department as we got the house ready to sell. You should see the job that the cleaning crew is doing - OUTSTANDING! God does work in mysterious ways.


Important lessons:

Make sure your fire alarms are up and working
Make sure your insurance is paid up both content and building. Capri and Southern have been great -- Our adjuster has been AMAZING!
A fire safe is a very good idea
The Grand Delta Okanagan hotel while great the first night (thanks Luke!) got "uppity" and unhelpful after that, plus charge 10 bucks a night per computer for Internet access!
The Prestige Inn has been good. The rooms are nice, the Internet free and the restaurant "Industry" fab!
"The Spotted Spa" is a WONDERFUL kennel, taking on both my low & high maitenance dogs without a question.
Respect fire crews. You never know where that fire truck with sirens on is going - get out of the way!
Most importantly in times of emergency, work with whomever you are with. Don't panic and move quickly but with purpose.
Plus for me; not only do I have friends to treasure that will drop everything to make my honey a grilled cheese sandwich, cover me at work, or whatever else is needed, I have a husband that is everything a girl could need both on nights where the only excitement is Shillaleigh and Barkley eating dinner and on nights when a fire breaks out in the attic.

SKxx

Hunt for Happiness

So this week is official "Hunt for Happiness" week!

What brings you happiness?

While I ponder what brings me happiness, leave me a comment and tell me where you find yours!

This hat has horns

We all have different facets of our personality. If we had a scale at one end would be the person who always comes across the same and has no idea how to access that different facets of who they are and at the other end is someone dealing with a multi personality disorder and isn't fully aware of when a facet has completely taken over. (This is a non-medical opinion and just my perception)

Where do you fit?

When asked to do a survey for personality purposes I often ask which Susan whomever is asking would like to speak with. Because I have some very different and distinct personalities that come to the surface when required. The Susan who can stand in front of 2000 people and MC has different views than the Susan that stops talking to allow someone else a chance to shine. Recently I have been describing these facets with hats. You know, like when someone puts on there "mommy" hat or "carpenter" hat or "banker" hat to describe a skill they are using to get something done. I put on "personality" hats to describe the facet of me who is being used to deal with a current situation. My hats were designed by my survival instinct.

Lately it's been switching between the "getting it done" and "hat with horns"

I will save the "getting it done" hat for another post.

The "hat with horns" isn't the easiest to deal with. Slightly bitchy and won't take any crap. It's my enough is enough hat that helps me deal.. the step before I can move past a situation. Usually the "hat with horns" is short term. This hat is firmly placed on and isn't easily knocked off, it cancels out the compassion, empathy and ability to care about "their" side of the story. If you are coming face to face with me and I have on the "hat with horns" you don't have to worry because likely pretty soon you will be shoved back into the masses and be just another person that passes threw my day. But be prepared, because the skills I learned from people who built this hat for me have been sharpened. My "hat with horns" was brought out to deal with too many people believing that they are still playing at the schoolyard and are "king of the mountain." Failing to see that there is no schoolyard or mountain! Have a problem with me? I will care if you are someone I care about.. but somewhere in the process if you choose not to let me know what is going on, I will stop caring, part of that process is the "hat with horns" I become a sly bully that pokes and pokes and pokes, until you are about to break. But it's at that moment another hat comes out.. it's more of a hood and a cloak and in it lives shame. It's a frustrating moment. I don't want to take off my "hat with horns" it's empowering to know that you aren't hurting me anymore and I am preying on your weaknesses but the part of me that has fought for growth and compassion says enough is enough right back at me.

Now here is the crunch, the moment the cloak comes on I am transitioning.. There was a time when I would fight for every friendship I had ever put time into. Not anymore, as I grow stronger and wiser I recognize when walking away is a mercy killing not only for you, but also for me.

Sounds like a lot doesn't it? But the "hat with horns" is a hat I wear for less that 10 minutes a day. A hat that is about to be thrown back into the closet. I'm not thrilled that it had to be dusted off for use. But I am thrilled that I didn't need to wear it for long, and while it was firmly placed on my head I was aware and thinking about what I was doing and what the results would be.

So what hat now?

None.

I am at my best when hatless, because that means that I am not in "survival" mode. No need to fictitiously adorn myself with a hat to help me make it in and around a situation.

But I will tell you this.

Do not be afraid to put on any hat you may need to get threw whatever situation is causing you unease, put it on and dive in. Because the really cool part, is that down the road you will find that unexpectedly you are dealing with that situation again.. hatless simply because you can.

Another upside of that.. no hat head.

xx sk

Is that a cliff? Hey. How do I stop on these things!

Just for fun let's talk fitness..

So I was cross country skiing the other day and really got to thinking about what I was doing in the bigger sense of the fitness world, why i got started and what has brought me to the point I am at now. It was either that or I would be focused far too much on my lungs which seem to be attempting to come out my nose while climbing a hill in very icy tracks with two long skinny pieces of wood attached to my feet! Even the ipod wasn't distracting me enough!

Here's the skinny.. hehe

I had been a "big" girl for awhile, how I got to that point is a story for another time. I began to slowly make changes, I was more active, road my bike to work, walked etc.. it really wasn't helping other than proving to myself that even at that weight I could move. I did try to alter the eating habits.. but it's really hard to figure out who is really just out to make a buck and who has some solid advice. I hate to say it but even your family doctor isn't a pile of help. I truly believe that a diet centre needs to be created that figures out what diet is right for you and than you go on it.. because the right diet will work for you.. and it might not be the same one as the person standing next to you in the Dairy Queen line up! The only thing I really learned is (for me) weight loss is about food intake - maintenance is about exercise & diet. My major weight loss happened after my divorce - nothing like a serious lack of appetite to get the ball rolling!

But no matter how it started, here I am now. I am a triathlete, I cross country ski, I wake surf and water ski, I ride a motorcycle, I lead an active life. Am I currently at my fitness goals? No. I need to drop 30 pounds and want to finish a triathlon before the 75 year old women ahead of me. I also want to run 10K consistently in under an hour, and do a 360 while wake surfing. But storming up that icy hill got me thinking.. why? Why do I really want this? Over the years I have had a variety of different answer, part of every answer is vanity - who doesn't want to turn heads while walking down the street. Another part is "ease of life." When you are in a plus size world.. and 5 feet tall shopping is NEVER easy. But the big motivator for me is simple, I like to do stuff. At the weight and fitness level I am at now, I can. Maybe not well.. or fast, but I can try. If you are thinking to yourself, it doesn't matter what weight you are at you can always try.. think again. I had to have a small enough butt to fit it in the kayak for my kayak trip, you have to be able to hold the basic positions for my Ashtanga Yoga class, you have to be able to bike up the mountain in order to learn how to ride down it. Yes there are ways around and we can all make it pretty.. but facts are facts - you need to be able to get to the starting line.

Ladies and Gentlemen: I have made it to the starting line!

I might be bigger than I thought I would be and no I can't keep up with most of my friends, but I am in the race. I love the fact that God gifted me with the ability to be brave and strike out on my own because right now that is where I am. Don't get me wrong I have an AMAZING support system, but at this stage of the game I am stronger than my friends that haven't reached the starting line and can barely make out my other friends who can sprint for the word "go". But I am here. Finally I am in the race.

So as my lungs past threw my nostrils and I gracefully slammed into a snow bank on those cross country skis I knew why. Because I just want to do stuff, I want body, mind and soul to be in running order at a level that will allow me to work, play and inspire with and in the world. The joy from that knowledge gave me the strength to climb out of the snowbank with a smile and continue down the icy tracks - it has taken me almost 40 years to get to the start line, but the "adventure race" that is my life is overall so much fun, right to the finish line. Thanks for cheering me on, it would be a whole lot harder to do without you!

BTW: If you have been waiting for the Great "Farting" New Years Eve blog. I promise it's coming! Also news on the 100 push up challenge and the 200 sit up challenge.

25 things about moi!

So had one of these pass my way.. I have ignored countless, but it came from one of those hard to say no to friends.. so I figured I would share! I was kinda suprised after I read all 25.. what does this say about me? Not sure..

Once you’ve been tagged, write a note with 25 random things, facts, habits, or goals about you. At the end, choose 25 people (or however many you please) to be tagged. You should also tag the person who tagged you.

1. I have been a cab driver and a roofer.

2. I have never broken a bone - much to the amazement of many

3. I think being homophobic is the same as racist and think worse of you if you are either

4. I am very comfortable going out on my own

5. My dogs bring me great joy

6. I am possible the worst housekeeper you have ever met.

7. I value my friends and family more than they know even the ones I only talk to a couple of times a year

8. I still dream of standing ovations and owning a pony named Tallulah

9. I spell at the same level as a child in grade 4

10. Sometimes I run out of words and therefore don't answer my phone

11. My belief in prayer was confirmed due to meeting my husband

12. I have highly intelligent friends sometimes I worry about how I come across in deeper conversations

13. I went to 3 high schools and 2 colleges (Given the boot at 2 HS and 1 college)

14. My sense of direction is disastrous but it makes going anywhere an adventure.

15. If I could go anywhere right now it would be the South Pacific

16. The best two lessons I have learned in 2008 is that charity should hurt and I can't and don't have to fix everything.

17. I hate to admit it but slapstick really makes me laugh

18. Jokes that use other people as punch lines are cheap and easy. I don't find them funny and when I do I am ashamed of myself.

19. I have lost a lot of weight but it is a daily struggle to keep healthy and even close to the weight and fitness level I want to be at.

20. I fight my urge to be the centre of attention all the time

21. Once you have my loyalty chances are very high you will have it for life

22. I don't have many close friends but the ones I do are phenomenal people and generally very different from each other

23. Not being able to make a difference scares me

24. I won't go to a movie if I know it's going to make me cry.

25. I have a hard time getting warm once I am cold