Oh oh… It’s the first grey day here in Calgary in over a month, and it’s starting to remind me of the frigid temperatures that we experienced last winter. For. Months.

Don’t get me wrong – I’ve chosen to enjoy sun most of the Calgary winter over constant grey skies we got in Vancouver during the winter months — but that cold… I think it’s going to take me more than a single winter here to fully acclimatize to the difference in cities, weather-wise.

A big upgrade this year will be real winter clothing. Last year, I made do with my Vancouver “cool weather” jacket, and non-lined gloves. This year, while commuting, I’d literally get frostbitten if I tried to get by with an unlined wool coat while I awaited the C-Train’s arrival. (and we all know how very much I *heart* the C-Train!)

I guess as the days start to get cooler outside, I’ll plaster a smile on my face, and hope that it keeps my outlook positive as I try not to freeze to death — I now fully get what a Canadian Winter is supposed to be like. At least there’s sun most days, right?

Thankfully, we only have 77 more sleeps until Barry and I will get a sunny reprieve for three weeks while the winter storms blow in!

YOUR TURN: How do you keep positive when the weather outside gets frightful?

Hi guys! Guess what I have in my hot little hands? (okay… I’ll admit, they’re digital, but they’re sizzling!) Cirque Du Soleil tickets! …And I’m giving a pair away to one lucky winner!

I’m super stoked to be seeing this awesome show on opening weekend – Every single Cirque show I’ve seen (and I’ve seen many!) have all blown my mind. So. Much. Talent! I’m sure this Calgary performance will be just as amazing.

OVO is running in Calgary at the Stampede Grounds under the big tent from September 7th until October 9th, 2011, and tickets are going fast – but, even if you don’t win a pair of tickets (see below for details on how to win!) I’ve got a promo code for your Cirque Du Soleil tickets right here, giving you 40% off! Don’t miss out!

Here’s a bit about the show…

“OVO is a headlong rush into a colourful ecosystem teeming with life, where insects work, eat, crawl, flutter, play, fight and look for love in a non-stop riot of energy and movement. The insects’ home is a world of biodiversity and beauty filled with noisy action and moments of quiet emotion. When a mysterious egg appears in their midst, the insects are awestruck and intensely curious about this iconic object that represents the enigma and cycles of their lives. It’s love at first sight when a gawky, quirky insect arrives in this bustling community and a fabulous ladybug catches his eye – and the feeling is mutual. OVO is overflowing with contrasts. The hidden, secret world at our feet is revealed as tender and torrid, noisy and quiet, peaceful and chaotic. And as the sun rises on a bright new day the vibrant cycle of insect life begins anew.”

SO… HOW DO YOU WIN TICKETS to the 8pm Calgary show of OVO on Saturday, September 10, 2011?!

This is the easiest random draw ever…

Just comment on this post from now, until opening day.. September 7th at 5pm MT – Tell me about your last Cirque experience (if none, that’s okay, too!) and you’ll be entered. And, if you spread the word, and one or more (no limit!) of your friends enters also (and shares that you sent them in their comment) you will both get an extra entry! If I can’t reach you by Noon MT on September 8th, I’ll draw another name.

Thanks for entering! The contest is over!

Barry was taking too long getting home, so I went next door and asked my neighbour to draw… Drum roll please… Al picked…

…HEATHER! You win!

UPDATE!!!!

Heather can’t go this Saturday, so rather than giving the tickets away, she asked me to draw another name… so… DRUM ROLL AGAIN!

SARAH, you won!

Hey guys! How was your weekend? Mine was awesome!

Nancy came into town from Yellowknife, and although she actually needed to be in Edmonton for Tuesday, she make an extra trip down to see us for the weekend. It’s always great to see good friends, even if it’s only a short visit.

Barry and I managed to get the projector in the theatre mounted on Saturday morning (it’s been sitting on the floor forever) so the weekend heat didn’t phase us in the evening because we were able to enjoy a movie downstairs in the cool that is the basement. Phew, was it a hot one… Thank goodness for air conditioning!

Speaking of home improvement tasks, we actually got quite a bit of running around done before picking up Nancy at the Red Arrow station – new filters for the hot tub (yay!), and a new wireless N system I’ll set up tonight (despite the fact that I really should be studying for my WME exam coming up… what’s a couple of hours, right? I’m a procrastinator sometimes!).

Barry’s parents moved from Cold Lake this past weekend, too, so it was nice having them stay Thursday night and share in the excitement when they got their keys on Friday… Too bad I missed the moving part during the day on Friday (well, okay, not really… The moving part is best left to the men) but, I did see them after work, and share their excitement.

So, houseguests = good times. When are you joining us, next?

It’s amazing how much perspective you can gain when you have a thoughtful, caring husband who listens, and helps formulate a plan to go forward. Hope and a positive outlook is everything to me.

After much discussion last night, Barry and I now have an updated gameplan and a bright outlook for the future.

Thanks everyone for all the thoughtful emails, Facebook messages, and texts. I’m sorry I have to be so vague on my blog, but I’m happy to share in person.

Maybe I’ll do a password protected post in the next few days. Stay tuned…

YOUR TURN: What are you looking forward to this weekend? Me? Nancy is coming into town, so I’m looking forward to spending some quality time with her!

Me? I pick at the cuticles around my thumbs until they bleed.

Today, I needed bandages. I’m pretty damn angry.

I wish I could talk about why I’m so upset, but alas, I can’t. All I can say is, I learned a valuable lesson today about getting things in writing, and making sure the details are very specific. I’m attempting to get the issue fixed, but, if that doesn’t happen… Well, I won’t say more right now.

YOUR TURN: How do you deal with anger?

I’m sick today, so I thought I’d post this little message that I found so thoughtful from a friend’s Facebook page. It’s a good reminder:

Life is too short…

Nobody said it’d be easy, they just promised it would be worth it.

Love that!

YOUR TURN: How are you doing? If I haven’t heard from you in a while… drop me a comment and give me an update!

Life happens when you are busy making other plans!

It’s been a great but busy time for me!

I’m maintaining my weight loss at 163 for the past month and I’m only 13 pounds away from goal! Yay!

Work is keeping me busy and I’m now studying to complete my certificate in Financial Planning and PFP (exam requirements done by December). Almost there! Next up… Sr. Associate at work – should be doable after I am successful with my WME in August.

Life otherwise rocks – I just wish I had more time for friends. That will change this weekend – Toni, Sean, Barry and I are heading for the long weekend at a resort in Canmore (happy birthday cuz!) and I can’t wait!

Of course, the gals are getting away in two weeks as well – I can only imagine what trouble the boys will get up to while we are away

YOUR TURN : What are you doing for the long weekend?

So, I’ve been asked for a weight loss update… For those that aren’t on Facebook to hear about it incessantly

Drum roll please… I’m down 35 pounds since December! Yep… I’m pretty damn happy about that!! Since mid-April, I’m down 25 pounds, and the end is very much close by.

I’m super-stoked about my progress, and I’m actually thrilled with how I look in a bathing suit for the first time in 10 years. Isn’t that crazy? I would make every excuse I could in the past to not have to wear one, and now I’m out shopping for mediums! Who would have thought?

I have to say though, my brain is still trying to catch up. I catch myself being critical on occasion when I’ve just gotten out of the shower, but then, I slide my size 10 jeans on with ease and grin. I’m getting there! It’s just so nice to fit into clothes that have been in my “skinny box” for years now.

So, I’ve got about 10 to 15 pounds to go – I’d like to fit into a 6-8 in most clothes, and I’ll see how I feel when I get down to 155. If I still think I’d be happier with 150, I’ll aim for that at the end of summer… Otherwise, being 10 pounds away from my goal feels great – I’m about a month away, I’m guessing. The weight loss gets much slower now as I have less abnormal fat to lose. That’s okay, I’m not in a hurry.

The biggest change I see in myself though, is my lifestyle differences, and how good my body feels with the clean eating I’ve been doing for the past two months. It’s hard sometimes to say no to that glass of wine, or that chocolate cake someone has brought into the office, but I just have to remember that I’ve got 3 weeks of a warm-weather vacation coming up in December that I need to feel good in a bathing suit for, and I step away from the temptation.

Barry has been such awesome support through all this, too. He’s put up with a lot of whining from me when I’m craving something sweet… I so appreciate that – I couldn’t have done it without his little reminders of why I’m doing this.

I love this quote: Being fat is hard. Making permanent lifestyle changes is hard. Pick your hard.