5 Things About Me

Today's challenge:  5 Things About Myself

1.  Natural redhead who has never dyed her hair and likely never will (at least I tell myself that I will be cool with gray but not likely).

2.  Have never lived anywhere but Winnipeg and also never will.

3.  My dream vacation is to go to Prince Edward Island.

4.  I wish I could be a personal shopper as my career - I really love shopping and buying gifts for people.

5.  I love clouds and could spend hours photographing skies.

Serial

Just finished listening to the Serial podcast - have you heard it?

I highly recommend it.  I binged listened to it in three days because I learned about this the day the last episode was being released, so I had all of them available to me.

I don't want to give anything away but I will say that I found it very fascinating and really enjoyed listening to all the research and details that were found after the fact.  Since this case happened in 1999 we have so much more technology available to us now to do research, etc. that Sarah and her team found out way more information than the detectives and lawyers all combined.

I would love to hear what you think about the crime and the various people involved.

Do you believe Jay?  Anon?  Arial?

Book: The Garden of Letters by Alyson Richman

I'm starting this book today - has anyone read it?

I will keep you posted on what I think.

If you would like to see what other books I loved and are reading check me out on Goodreads. I can't quit figure out how to find my homepage to link it for you but search 'Christine Winnipeg' and I should come up.

Reflection

When I look back at what I wanted to accomplish for 2014 I can say I did everything except like one thing!  That is pretty good - especially for someone that feels like plans never seem to go the way I want them too.

Now it is time to reflect on what I want to accomplish for 2015. Ideas? Suggestions??

I know some more knitting projects will be on the list; need to save more money; and want to go on vacation but I will get back to you on the full list.

Have a great rest of the year!

Trying for a New Outlook

I'm just going to say it - 2013 sucked.  There.  Now that that is off my chest, its time to move on to 2014!

I really am determined to have a better year.  I'm still dealing with many of my health issues from 2013 but slowly I hope to have some resolution / diagnosis.  Here's hoping!

Resolutions are not really my thing but I do like to reflect and create goals or ideas for the future.  Here are some that I am working on for 2014:

Financial:

• Save $5,000.00.
• Purchase a new mattress.
• Paint my condo. 
• Transfer out my old fireplace for a new electronic fireplace.

Books:

• Other than the books I have requested from the library that will be coming at random times I would like to just read books that I already own.  And who am I kidding, there are a lot!

Food:

• This is where I have already made the most changes and I just want to keep on keeping on.  I recently purchased a 12 week meal plan from YUM Universe and I'm really loving it so far.  So my plan is to keep on making more healthy meal decisions based on suggestions like YUM Universe.

Health:

• Have more of a 'yes' attitude this year.  Be open to more things.

I purchased a daily calender from 'Don't Sweat the Small Stuff' and even though it is only January 6th I am really loving it.  It's totally speaking to me.  Here is today's quote:  "When you are wishing you were somewhere else, it's almost as though you are one step removed from life rather than actually being in it, open to life exactly as it is.".  Isn't that great?

Keeping me on my toes...

I have had so many changes lately life is definitely keeping me on my toes.

Let me start with the biggest:  I have discovered that my health problems for the last several years are due to severe food allergies that I have.  Now, while this is great news to know what the problem is, it is a huge deal to change my whole way of eating.

I have been forced (by my wonderful doctor) into this new world of gluten free, dairy free and egg free.  Talk about overwhelming!  I am now having to eat things I didn't even know existed - never mind know where to buy it or how to cook it.  Huge huge changes for this picky eater.  And on top of all that, weening myself off my old food caused major (and I mean major) withdrawals and made me very sick.  In fact, once we had some more test results back (and they were much worse than I or my doctor anticipated) she put me on an additional 30 day cleanse where I honestly thought I might die I was so sick.  So when you feel much worse it is very hard to get yourself excited about new food. 

I am about 3 months into my diet changes and am starting to see the light at the end of tunnel.  My doctor has assured me that my body is responding positively to everything, just slower than I had hoped for.  I am starting to feel like I have more energy and can do more than I used to.  For sure, I don't have the afternoon slump that I used to have...but I do have a long ways to go before I can say I feel great.

So with this major change I have had to delve into the vegetarian world quite a bit in order to find great dairy free / egg free recipes.  While my doctor wants me to eat meat and fish pretty much everything else I eat is vegetarian.  Let me give all you vegetarians props now because it takes a lot of creativity and planning (not to mention organization) to eat like this full time.

I am just currently working on changing over my menu plan for lunches and dinners - so if anyone has any great tried and true recipes I am all ears cause I have already had a few flops!

The other change in my life is that I am starting my own business!  Yes, I know!  I will wait and tell you all about that soon - it is very exciting!

I am still here...

...yes, it's true.  I haven't dropped off the face of the earth!  Just feels that way!

I have been feeling very uninspired these last few months.  Not loving my knitting, not feeling like baking (cause I will just eat it and who needs to add gaining weight with uninspired) and feeling quite drained.

This too shall pass!

Recently I was able to finally purchase a sewing machine (I'm expecting it to be delivered any day now).  I'm very excited however I have no idea how to sew - slight problem, I know.  In anticipation of my new sewing machine I have looked into some classes here in Winnipeg where I could learn but I was only able to find one that would teach me the basics that I need to learn and it is only scheduled on a night that I am not available.  Sheesh.  So now I am trying to find a book that could perhaps teach me step by step how to sew.  Sewing for Dummy exist?  If anyone has a suggestion I am all ears.  Or if you know of something that is good to sew for beginners, I would love to hear it.  I'm thinking pajama bottoms?

As always, if you are on Pinterest - feel free to follow me here.  Happy pinning!