Monday Monday Monday

Good Evening Ladies and Gentleman. 

Monday has come and gone. Nothing terribly exciting to report here. A nice drive to work with Paul, our morning chats are always entertaining. Work was the usual, lots of keeping busy little kids busy. Long day. A good phone chat with Kimberley.
I came home to relax and spend some time with my lovable parents. 
Then spent the latter part of the evening playing with Natacha's hair and hanging out. Monday was a pretty good day! 
A fresh start. 

Last week and the weekend leading up to today is chock full of stories. I'll try to stay on topic, my stories are so often scattered. Let's start with last Wednesday:
My first burlesque class. I was feeling ill prepared, having been sick for 4 days before hand, and not in the mind set for a work out. I registered for this particular class a few months ago, an 8 week Intro to Burlesque, with a fitness twist and the option to perform as part of a group in a Gala performance at the end of the class. The Gala for this semester's classes is themed "The Night Circus". Who could resist?

Burlesquercise, check out the web page! 

I decided to try it for a few reasons, my interest in burlesque, pin up, and all things va va voom.. 
A longing to step away from old shy Erin, who a few years ago would not have even considered the idea. and...

A little nudge from a friend helped too, thank you Jessica! 

The studio filled with nervous laughter and excitement, a room full of 30 some women. We started off with intros and dove right in to the to do's of dancing, toning and zoning. 
First came a warm up, then training our hips and torso's to move in rhythm. Let me just make this clear now, I have no rhythm, it's just not in my bones! I'm hoping rhythm can in fact be taught! The instructor, Annick, is a charming, funny and motivating teacher, describing herself as the boot camp burlesque teacher. I can't wait for more. My first class and a fantastic first impression, we laughed, we danced, we did squats! 
Needless to say I'm smitten. 

On Friday night Paul and I headed out of the city for the weekend to Edmonton, to visit with his family and check out the Edmonton Comic and Entertainment Expo. (If you would like more info, stories, etc. about the Expo and related topics check out Paul's page. 
your source for podcasts, live streaming video games, reviews, and so much more!)

Now where was I? Friday night, driving to Edmonton, I had some kind of melt down, I can't tell you how it started or why, only that it was melodramatic and wild. (The 4 hours of sleep I was fueled with may have been a contributing factor + energy drink) 
We arrived in Red Deer, and I fell apart, crying and feeling generally tense. After some deliberation and a much calmer second half of the trip we arrived safely in Edmonton. We spent the weekend, relaxing, hanging out with Paul's parents and two younger brothers and grandparents too! I <3 Family. 

I can't say much about the Expo, it was a mild version of the Calgary counterpart, for it's first year in Edmonton it was decent, but lacking a certain something. I acquired a really awesome cameo necklace, some stickers, and a print! 
I'll post pictures later. Paul bought some old Nintendo games. 
We wandered the halls and exhibits. I made a lame attempt at being a photographer for his web page (turns out being behind the camera turns me in a pathetic and shy marshmallow).
We ate over priced food, hung out with friends and went home. 
Good weekend! 

In other news, I have gotten back on the healthy eating wagon and subsequently fallen off so many times in the last 3 weeks, it only seems fair that the wagon take off with out me. 
I don't know what I have done with my motivation, but I pray it comes back to me. I have tried and failed too many times to count. I am not trying to adhere to a crazy diet, just eating mindfully, with common sense and a ravenous appetite for vegetables. I am still dive bombing!I need to restart,and will do so until I get back on track again. I can do this!
It's you and me veggies!  
After all it's 80 - 90% what you eat and 10-20% exercise! 

In the pursuit of pretty teeth, I decided to try Crest White Strips this week too. I have had many humorous side effects. 
First I left them on too long and forgot to brush my teeth afterwards and woke up with horribly sensitive and angry teeth. 
Then I destroyed my gums with them. Lastly it seems they have a lip plumping property.. Every time I use them my lips puff up like Angelina Jolie's. I don't like white strips,but they do make your teeth shiny, pretty and white. :) 

There it is ladies and gents. Mondays post, sometimes mundane.
But here it is. 

This week:
- back to healthy eating 
- work outs! getting back to 4-5 days a week! 
- adventures, so I have something to talk about next time! 

Cameo Necklace

and below: Expo Fun!

Hello? Is Anybody Out There?

Hello my lovely friends, readers and strangers alike, 

It's been a while. Too long if you ask me. Life has a way of sweeping me off my feet.That is neither here nor there. 
The point is.. I am here!I am happy, and determined, and damn well going to write this blog like I mean it. 
For those of you still scratching your heads please refer to my previous post(dated in June haha, life I tell ya!)I have taken my time. Sorry for the delay. 

Back to the same old, the usual and the new and interesting. 
A little update of sorts.. It has been 4 months since my last post, I don't know how the time escaped me...
I won't bore you with all the nitty gritty details, as I said it's a bit messy. The summer was long and emotionally consuming. Work is busy. My art making is on hold for the time being, or at least some what delayed. I am really trying to find my feet again, and things are looking up. Hooray for that! All I can say is I am a very lucky girl to have such amazing family and friends, people that stick by me even when the going gets rough and Erin checks out. Thank you to all of those amazing people.
Cheers to life. 

My weight loss journey has been a bit bumpy. I was doing so well for so long and then I hit a wall, plateaued and lost my unsinkable ship, burned the wagon down and took no prisoners. (No more cheesy lines I promise!) I indulged for a while, and gained back 15lbs. Now it's time to get down to business. 
It's not about numbers, it never has been for me. I am working towards a healthier me, whatever that may look like. In the wise words of my younger sister, "it's a feeling, and you will know when you find it". In the meantime, I am back on the wagon, and looking for work out inspiration and new ideas to keep me motivated. Yay! My goal for the short term is to hit 50lbs lost, and reward that with a new tattoo. 

So that's that. Life in a nutshell. 

Now why? Why am I writing again? Because to be perfectly honest, I need it. I need to write this all down and tell my ridiculous stories, and share useless facts and interesting links, and all of the in between.. because it makes me smile, it keeps me motivated, it fulfills something that nothing else can, and it's fun ! I do wonder if writing this blog has helped any one along the way.. but I've come to the conclusion that even if I am the only one who ever reads this.. I'm still going to keep writing. 

I am ready to tell you ridiculous stories, share links and keep you mildly entertained at the very least....
(all the while giving you too much information, stories that are long and drawn out and full of needless detail and being up front and up close about everything, are you uncomfortable yet?.. I am a little bit, also feeling a little bit nervous and awkward) Sometimes the things in life that are the most worth while are also completely terrifying. More than anything I am excited to continue this adventure.. 

Love is loving yourself enough to take hold of your own life.. 

October 2012 40lbs lost so far..  

Love has done me a world of good.