Thank you for your supportive comments on my last post. Needless to say my confidence was severely shaken by events that happened a couple of years ago but I am on the upswing and have great hopes for the future!

Part of becoming stronger obviously must take into account my physical shape...or lack thereof! It seems that I take in way more calories than I burn! My mother referred to her tummy as "middle-aged spread" which is scarily accurate as I watch my middle spread to my thighs and butt! I have good intentions to eat right and get lots of exercise but my good intentions are often thwarted by the fact I have so many retail stores near me that offer great deals on JUNK food! No Frills, Giant Tiger, WalMart and not just one but TWO Dollaramas!

I'm (sort of) glad I don't know where to buy
chocolate-covered black licorice!!

My greatest indulgence, as some of you know, is licorice and chocolate. Sometimes I buy dark chocolate instead of milk thinking I am making a healthier choice. HAH! More fool me!

So...anyways I try to balance things out by juicing at least once a day, eating oatmeal for breakfast and having dinners that are mostly based on vegetables. Add to that -daily exercise- which will increase with better weather and I still have a lopsided pear-shaped body but it's strong!!

THIS??

My exercise regime includes walking/hiking on Mon. Tues. and Wed., yoga on Thurs. and volleyball on Fridays. Yesterday it rained ALL day so instead of getting outside walking I rode my stationary bike instead. I hope to gradually increase the length of my walks/hikes so that when Annie's and my trip rolls around in late August I'll be strong and fit (well, fit for me!) Usually I don't do much in the way of exercise on the weekend but I may try to get on my bike for an hour each day.

Or THIS??

It's the age old problem, no?

Happiness is...

• a smart and funny child who makes me smile (she calls me "lady")
• my newish blog title :) (thank you my friends!)
• planting new trees on the old homestead (1 maple and 2 beech)
• discovering that previously planted trees are still alive!! (4 out of 5 maples, a red oak, an eastern pine, many many spruce seedlings)
• having a sister email me several times a day with positive advice and encouragement
• having a good friend spend 3 weeks with me to get me over a tough spell
• marigolds
• gathering enough dead wood for several more campfires
• a cold beer (or two) after mowing lawn around my forest during 30+ humid weather...ahhhhh!
• wandering around Victoria by the Sea with no time restraints; walking out onto the ocean floor when the tide is out!
• RAW FOOD - tonight's dinner is zucchini spaghetti with alfredo sauce made from cashews :)
• buying my very own adjustable wrench!!
• planting kale and lettuce seeds in July - why not?
• time for reading novels (not exactly classic literature if you know what I mean)
• icecream (toffee almond twist - a flavour I can only get on the island - I made it THREE WEEKS before I caved!!
• YOU and YOU and YOU and YOU!! My blogging friends - the best friends in the world!!
• loving myself, believing that I am worthy
• meeting relatives for the first time!! My second cousin Dawn and cousin-in-law Cindy
• travelling to Halifax for the first time - what an amazing city! I love your galleries and museums and especially your thrift/vintage clothing stores!!
• siblings who care
• crows for their entertainment value
• a strong wind that helps keep me cool in this scorching weather AND prevents mosquitoes and flies from landing on me :) :)  now THAT'S happiness!!
• high speed internet which I DON'T have, but wish I did; it took about 15 minutes to upload the following 5 photos - good thing I didn't try for more! 

                                     The tide is out!

                                    I want a turquoise house (in Victoria by the Sea!!)

                                Chocolate should be on the list - it makes me really really really happy!

                                  PEI scenery - the layers and layers in a landscape.

                              Trees, especially the largest tree in PEI!!!     Julie is a tree-hugger but this one was                                                        way too big for her though she tried!  

                                  Ain't she a beaut!?!