Happy *Early* New Year 10 in 2010

HAPPY NEW YEAR

A little early?

I will be taking a one week blogging hiatus to go on vacation to the Dominican!!
Our bags are packed, and the hubby's mom will be house sitting. We are all set to go!! Our flight leaves at 9:45 tomorrow (Tuesday) morning.

I won't be able to blog or read blogs while I am away, but I promise I will do a photo-jammed recap and catch up on all your blogs when I return.

Breakfast this morning was some oats with almond butter, coconut, and a sprinkle of chocolate covered cranberries.



I went shopping with my dad this morning and he took me for lunch to Applebees. I had a small French onion soup and a side spinach and prawn salad. I didn't have my camera, but it was actually delicious - unexpected for a lame chain restaurant.

We were meeting a bunch of friends for a late dinner, so to hold me over I had a berry smoothie (with 2 berry amazing grass packs, almond breeze, almond butter and frozen mixed berries).



And the hubby and I shared this plate of mini quiche.



Dinner was at a local pub. I ordered the spaghetti and meatballs, and it was GINORMOUS!!


I clearly only ate half.

Because I will be away on New Years Eve, I have 2 matters of business to attend to.

First, is my LOVELY sister's 23rd Birthday!! She turns 23 on New Years Eve, and I won't be around to celebrate with her.

Happy Early Birthday Leah!!!!!

This is her with her beautiful boy:


(Yes sister face, this just happened). Welcome to my blog.

The second matter of business are my goals for 2010.
I am not big on New Years Resolutions, as who ever sticks to them anyway ... but I am big on making small/ attainable goals for the year.

Before I tell you my 10 goals for 2010, I want to do a mini recap of the past 10 years.

Let me take you back:

2000 - Graduated from High school!! (10 Year Reunion this year!!!)
- Started University (Bachelor of Education)

2001 - Bought my first car (a 1989 Cavalier)

2002 - Still in school ... working at DQ to pay tuition :-)

2003 - Internship in a grade 7/8 room.
- Got engaged on December 7th

2004 - Convocated from University with a BEd Degree
- Got Married
- Moved out of my parent's home for the first time
- Bought a new car
- Took a grad class
- Started my BA in Psychology

2005 - Went to Hawaii!!

2006 - Went to school, worked as a substitute teacher

2007 - Went to Mexico
- Went to Cuba
- Nephew was born!!!!
- Bought our first house, gutted and renovated it!!

2008 - Busy with school

2009 - Became a certified wedding planner/ coordinator
- Finished our basement
- Bought another car (the hubby and I lived with 1 car for 5 years)
- 5 Year Wedding Anniversary in Las Vegas
- Completed my BA Honours in Psychology
- Got a permanent teaching position
- New Years in the Dominican!!

As you can see, I haven't had a break from school in 10 years. Actually, I haven't had a break since I was 4 and starting kindergarten. This winter semester will be my FIRST semester off of school! I cannot wait!

No school and nothing to do with the house ... This year is going to be about doing things for me. I am going to try and take the time to do the things that I enjoy doing as often as possible!

10 in 2010

1) Learn to Run. I will start with the C25K training plan (from the couch to 5k in 9 weeks) this spring and I hope that I can learn to enjoy running.

2) Run a half marathon in September (I don't know if this is possible, but I am going to go for it anyway).

3) Read books for fun. I LOVE reading non-fiction books about a variety of topics (nutrition and food, philosophy, mathematics, religion etc.). I would like to make time to read about 10 - 15 really good books this year as a bare minimum.

4) Find some type of system to organize my recipes and all the pages I have ripped out of magazines over the past few years.

5) Travel to at least 2 new places (by plane).

6) Get accepted into Grad School (Masters in Educational Psychology). I wouldn't be starting until the fall.

7) Have dinner parties on a regular basis!! I absolutely LOVE entertaining and dinner parties are just so much fun!! I love to try new recipes, and have themed nights with friends. Makes for fun blogging too!

8) Learn to swim well. I am going to get the husband to help me with this one. Surprise husband!!

9) Take some sort of class just for me - not for "school." I am thinking of something along the lines of a cooking class, or hip-hop dancing, or yoga. Something for the spirit, not the mind.

10) Post operation beautiful notes in as many places as I can.

~~What are your goals for 2010?~~

See you in the New Year everyone!!

I will return with a BIG recap on January 6th.

Boxing Day/ 27th Quick Re-cap

I hope that everyone had a wonderful Holiday! We were out of town yesterday and just got back this evening - hence the delay in blogging. With the hustle and bustle of the holidays I forgot a few pics - but here is the 2 1/2 day recap anyway.

Christmas Dinner

I had a plate of turkey, stuffing, potatoes, corn and perogies. I topped it off with some gravy and sour cream.



I drank punch, wine and coffee.





And for dessert I tried a bite or two of everything.



Boxing Day

We left for Saskatoon in the morning picking up a coffee and a chicken wrap (there was no breakfast food at the coffee shop).



Lunch was a veggie panini with tomato Mexican soup.







For dinner last night we went to my Grandma's for hot turkey sandwiches. On boxing day we ALWAYS have hot turkey sandwiches. They are just bread with turkey piled on top and then gravy poured over. So delicious. I had 2 slices of bread with 1 layer of turkey.

Dessert was a banana crumble type of dish and an orange.

December 27th

This morning we ate breakfast in the hotel. I had the traditional Benedict. I didn't eat the toast, and only had a few pieces of the hash browns. It was WAY too much food.



We had lunch in the mall. I had Sukiyaki beef from Edo Japan.

When we got home this evening we met our friends for dinner (they are in town for Christmas). The hubby and I shared coconut shrimp (I had 3). For my entrée I had garlic salmon and prawns with mushroom risotto and roasted veggies. It was really good, but quite garlicky.

I am exhausted now after a very busy few days - so I am off to bed.
Tomorrow I will do my NEW YEARS RESOLUTION post (10 in 2010), as I am leaving on Tuesday for a week!!!! I will not be blogging when I am gone to the Dominican (I don't think we will have access to the Internet).

Are you back at work tomorrow, or do you get a few more days off?

Merry Christmas Everyone!

I hope you are all enjoying a wonderful day with your families.

The hubby and his sister are playing her new video game - so I am taking the time to blog.

I was SPOILED ROTTEN this Christmas. I mean, I know I was good this year - but seriously - I could not have been more spoiled.
Before I show you the wonderful gifts I got, let me tell you about my eats.

Lunch yesterday was a cabbage roll:



And a glass of OJ.

We went to my dad's for Christmas dinner, games and gift opening. I ate an orange, a chocolate or two and some turkey, turnips, potatoes, stuffing etc.



A few of these celery with cheese whiz masterpieces:



Some wine and 2 beer throughout the night:



And frozen cheesecake for dessert:



After we opened gifts and played some games, we went to the hubby's aunt's for some visiting and snacks. I nibbled on a couple mini pitas, and other goodies.



This morning the hubby and I got up and immediately had some coffee and OJ. I also had a cabbage roll for a quick "breakfast" to hold me over until brunch at the in-laws.







The hubby and I opened gifts and then headed out to his parent's home.
After more wonderful and thoughtful gifts at his parent's house, we enjoyed a lovely breakfast prepared by my MIL. She had both the tables set, one for breakfast and one for dinner.







Gifts

Told you I was spoiled rotten.

Foodie Gifts:

































Reading Material:











Clothing Items:











Movies and CDs:







Other Fun Stuff:


(Essential Oil Burner with Various Oils)









And Assorted Stocking Stuff:



My SIL is going to do my hair and makeup for me, and then we are going to watch Christmas movies and wait for the relatives to arrive for turkey dinner.

I hope you are all having a WONDERFUL Christmas!

How are you spending the day?