The Keg, Toronto, ON

My friend, Yvette, owns a marketing and communications company called Kaleidoscope with her friend, Kate. The company I work for hired them to build our brand image and change the "look" of and develop some of our sales collateral.

Since we are almost finished some major projects, we went out tonight to the Keg to celebrate a lot of hard work.

Teena, Kate, Terry (our VP of Sales) and Yvette

I stayed on my program (Weight Watchers). I passed on the wine (instead I had a couple Diet Cokes and lots of water), appetizer and dessert. I had prime rib and some rice (I had enough points for them).

We had lots of laughs and some great conversation!

Book ~ "She, Myself & I" Whitney Gaskell (2005)

From Amazon.com ~ The Cassel sisters find solace in one another as they stumble through divorce, childrearing and existential crises. Each outspoken sister narrates her own trials. Controlling divorce attorney, Paige, keeps a tight rein on her emotions as she comes to terms with her gay ex-husband and shies away from an over-eager boyfriend. Social, emotional Sophie gives birth to her first child and then struggles with post-partum depression, a shaky marriage and a crush on her pediatrician. Their baby sister, restless Mickey, flexes her newfound adult independence by giving up medical school in favor of a culinary career, falling hard for a married chef in the process. Connecting the tales are the three sisters' easy camaraderie and their bemused horror when their divorced parents reunite. The Cassel sisters' problems are never very menacing - they attract bland men and succeed professionally with ease - and it's difficult to sympathize with their dithering; Paige's realization that she doesn't know what she wants applies to all three. Fortunately, none linger in indecision in this slight novel and Gaskell moves each sister along to a frothy but ultimately satisfying conclusion.

This book had possibilities. I liked the idea that it would be written with three different voices. But it came across as three bad Harlequin romances stuck together. I didn't care about any of the characters and the three sisters were so whiny and indecisive.

I did find the writing style pleasant to read ... that's the only reason I stuck with it 'til the end.

I wouldn't recommend this book.

Book ~ "The Secrets of Skinny Chicks" - Karen Bridson (2006)

From Amazon.com ~ Bridson profiles 25 svelte women, including models, actors, athletes and regular folks, to reveal exactly what it is each one does to look so great. These women share with you their tips for planning menus, exercising, and staying motivated as well as advice on boosting metabolism. You will learn how to adapt these secrets into your own life safely and realistically.

Twenty-five women, who reportedly don't have high metabolisms, were interviewed. I found it amazing how poor some of their diets were. It's no wonder they have to work out two hours a day. You can eat junk but you have to work out extra hard to get rid of it. They were making room in their diets for cookies, donuts, etc. For me, it's all or nothing. I can't stop at one cookie so I avoid them altogether.

The fifty tips were good ... common sense stuff that was a good reminder.

Day 21

Today was Day 21 of listening to the hypnosis CD for Weight Control ... the last day on the program.

Lose Weight and Feel Great ... without sacrifice or willpower. Learn how to: feel better, control those cravings, remain at your ideal weight. A highly regarded weight loss program. This is a 3 week program.

I listened to it just after I got up this morning. Ironically today was the first day that I remember everything I heard.

Did the program work? I think so ...

1. I'm not thinking about food as much as I used to.
2. I'm not craving things. I have yummy chocolate in the freezer and it's not calling to me.
3. I'm not tempted by junk.
4. I'm not having a problem sticking with Weight Watchers.
5. I get fuller faster.
6. My energy level is high.
7. I'm conscious of everything I eat.
8. I'm making better food decisions without giving it much thought.
9. I'm snacking on baby carrots and cherry tomatoes.

... everything that I heard on the CD for the last 21 days.

Book ~ "Me vs. Me" Sarah Mlynowski (2006)

From Amazon.com ~ This is what happens to one woman when her wish comes true and she's able to choose both paths that open in front of her. Gabby Wolf isn't sure what she wants most: to marry her boyfriend, Cam, and stay in Arizona or move to New York for her dream job, producing a popular news show. She wishes she could have it both ways and, the next thing she knows, she's living two lives, going back and forth between planning her wedding to Cam in Arizona and working at the fast-paced, exciting job in New York. Neither life is perfect. Though she adores Cam, his overbearing mother is hijacking her wedding plans, while in New York, her roommate is somewhat unbalanced and the dating scene is dismal. As time goes on, the choice doesn't become any easier. Gabby still loves Cam, though she's starting to love her newly assertive self that emerges in New York, too.

It sounded like an interesting premise and I'd read a couple of Mlynowski's books in the past. I was enjoying the book ... until Arizona Gabby started getting really wimpy and letting her future mother-in-law walk all over her. I didn't mind New York Gabby (she was assertive and exciting) so wanted to finished the book to see how it ended.

Would I recommend this book? No.

Raclette with Yvette

I went to my friend, Yvette's, for supper tonight. I've known Yvette since we worked together in 1999. Her boyfriend, Brian, was there too. Gord was at a work function so didn't join us.

Two of her ferrets (Lily was snoozing)

Romeo

Cloe

Spunky and Yvette

Yvette had told me back in November that she had a raclette. She tried to describe it to me but I didn't have a clue what she was talking about.

A raclette, I now know, is a grill. You can cook anything on it ... we had chicken, beef, peppers and onions. Under the grill are containers that heat up. In ours, we put cheese with potatoes, carrots and/or peppers. When the cheese melts, you put the contents on your plate and eat it.

Brian and Yvette and the raclette

Brian and Teena

When everything is cooked

Yvette and Teena

Racletting (is it a verb?!) is fun! It's very social ... you sit around yakking watching your meal cook. And it's fairly healthy so I didn't veer too much from my program. Because everything is cut up, it seems like you have eaten a lot more than you actually have.

I stayed away from the wine (it's one of my Thursday Thirteen from yesterday) and drank lots of water.

I hope Yvette invites me back again soon for another one!

Book ~ "PS, I Love You" Cecelia Ahern (2004)

From Amazon.com ~ Soul mates, Holly and Gerry, married in their early 20s. When Gerry dies of brain cancer at 30, Holly is utterly bereft. But Gerry has a final gift: a series of letters which Holly is to open on the first of each month from March to New Year's and which will guide her on her journey from grief. Gerry correctly predicts that Holly will not have gone through his belongings by June, found a new job by September or considered falling in love again by December, but with his posthumous epistolary encouragement, she does all those things. She also enters a karaoke contest, takes a beach vacation and dances at a holiday ball she'd always attended with Gerry. The months pass as close friends help prop Holly up; around her, a marriage falls apart, a couple gets engaged and a friend announces her pregnancy. Within her tight-knit family, Holly's youngest brother makes a revealing film of her birthday party, her elder brothers change places in her allegiance and her parents take in one stray grown child after another for stays short and long.

My friend, Angie, recommended this book. Despite the depressing topic, I enjoyed it. It was funny at times and I liked the writing style. And I liked that the ending wasn't what I was expecting, which would have been too predictable.

Keep an eye out for the movie next year. Hilary Swank and Gerard Butler will play the roles of Holly and Gerry. Cast members include Kathy Bates, Lisa Kudrow, Gina Gershon, James Marsters and Jeffrey Dean Morgan.

Cecelia Ahern's website

Live Theatre ~ "One Flew Over the Cuckoo's Nest"

McMurphy is a charming, devil-may-care rogue who contrives to serve a short sentence in an airy mental institution rather than work in a prison.

He takes over the yard, and he accomplishes what the medical profession has been unable to do for twelve years - a presumed deaf and dumb man talks and others move out of introversion. He stages a revolt and makes demands on behalf of the patients. This, he suddenly learns, is a mistake. His charm does not work on the head nurse, however, but only aggravates her antagonism towards him.

Gord and I enjoy live theatre and this Single Horizons event was a good opportunity to check out a theatre we'd never been to (Stage Centre Production at the Fairview Mall Library Theatre). It's a small theatre that seats 260 people. All are great seats because the seats are elevated above the stage.

The play was good. Having seen the movie, I was curious to see how it would be done as a play. Most of the actors were good, especially the guys playing the patients. The actor playing the doctor, though, wasn't very good.

LeeAnn (owner of Single Horizons), me and Margaret

Book ~ "Museum of Kitschy Stitches: A Gallery of Notorious Knits" - Stitchy McYarnpants (2006)

From Amazon.com ~ Hideous hats, ridiculous wraps, embarrassing neckties, and more they're all on display at The Museum of Kitschy Stitches, a photographic gallery of knitting and crocheting horrors. Want to see sci-fi inspired headgear from the 1940s? Gender-bending sweater sets from the '50s and '60s? Groovy outerwear from the '70s? Museum curator, Stitchy McYarnpants, has sifted through decades of vintage catalogs, patterns, and advertisements to assemble this astonishingly awful collection. Along the way, she provides sidesplitting commentary about the models and their very unfortunate fashion choices. It's essential reading for knitters and nostalgia buffs!

This is a great book for knitters. Some of these patterns are really scary. Some?! I mean ALL! Definitely worth a look if you are a knitter to see how styles have changed over the years.

Stitchy McYarnpants' website

Book ~ "Turning Thirty" - Mike Gayle (2005)

From Amazon.com ~ Matt Beckford has a good job in New York and lives with his beautiful girlfriend, Elaine. But when Elaine breaks up with him, Matt finds himself on a new course, requesting a transfer and moving back home to Birmingham to live with his parents in the interim. Matt is none too thrilled by the prospect of turning 30 while living in his childhood home but he finds himself revisiting his youth by reconnecting with two old friends: his best friend, Gershwin, now married with a young daughter, and Ginny, the girl who was never quite Matt's girlfriend but with whom he shared a strong connection. Readers, especially those approaching 30 or just past it, will especially relate to the struggles of Matt and his friends to find direction and love in the face of a benchmark birthday.

Though I'm on the other side of 30, I really enjoyed this book and the writing style. Matt is a nice guy trying to find himself. With mere months before his 30th birthday, Matt laments that he is not where he thought he would be at this age as he reconnects with his past.

Mike Gayle's homepage

Southwestern EggBeaters

Gord loves eggs. Loves! Loves! Loves! He has them every morning for breakfast.

I like eggs but having them once every three months is plenty. But since I've been back on Weight Watchers, I've started having egg whites for breakfast.

Our favourite is Southwestern ... "a bolder flavor with a combination of real eggs, green and red peppers, onions, chilies and authentic Southwestern spices for breakfast burritos and omelets." It has a nice bite in the morning.

100ml is only one point. That's a lot of egg!

I put them on two pieces of Weight Watchers whole wheat bread and it's a filling two point breakfast.

Hypnotizin' update

Today was day eight of listening to the hypnotism CD for Weight Control.

Monday to Friday I listened to it at 9:00pm and I don't remember much of what Chris said. He spends the first ten minutes or so getting me to relax ... then the next thing I know he's counting to five and telling me to open my eyes ... and 25 minutes have passed! And it's not like I've fallen asleep because I'm awake for hours afterwards ("You will be more alert than before you listened to the CD.").

On Saturday and Sunday I listened to it at 10am. I remember having the sensation of being aware of what I was hearing ... but when it was over, I couldn't remember much of what I heard but I was aware of my awareness.

This evening I was gone halfway through the relaxing part and came back just as he counted to five at the end. I remember bits of what I heard. I got up, had supper and went to the gym.

But I think it's working.

• I've managed to stay on program without any temptations or cravings.
• One of the things he says is that I'll be attracted to healthy food ... I'm really diggin' cherry tomatoes and baby carrots!
• I was in a meeting last week and there was a big tin of homemade cookies in front of where I sat. It wasn't until later that I realized that I had unconsciously pushed them away. And it was a noticeable push because others in the meeting asked me the next day if I had an allergy because I'd pushed them away so forceably. Ha!
• There was a big box of donuts in the sales area today and I had no urge to even go sniff. Usually I'd be inhaling a couple.

Soup at Hand Chicken with Mini Pasta

I'm not a big fan of soup. I'll have some if it's part of the meal at a restaurant but I don't go looking for it.

Since I'm back on Weight Watchers, I'm looking for healthy filling foods. Campbell's Soup at Hand Chicken with Mini Pasta interested me because it was only one point.

I had it today and it's pretty good. I figured it would be runny broth ... but the broth is thick and there was a fair amount of mini pasta and specks of chicken in it. The sodium content is quite high (850 mg), though, so I'll have to increase my water intake today.

Do blondes really have more fun?

I don't colour my hair. But if I did ...

Beach blonde!

Ultra soft blonde!

Let's add some bangs and layers!

Brown and wavy!

Black and choppy!

Purple and playful!

Let's add some highlights and lowlights!

How about Beyoncé's hair?

Courtesy of Makeover Solutions.

Book ~ "Hitched" Carol Higgins Clark (2006)

From Amazon.com ~ Clark's winning ninth mystery to feature PI Regan Reilly. With her wedding to Jack Reilly, head of the NYPD Major Case Squad, only a week away, Regan thinks she has everything under control. But when she arrives to pick up her wedding dress at Alfred and Charisse's Coutures in Little Italy, she finds the young husband-and-wife designers bound and gagged, a wedding dress shredded on the floor and four others missing, including her own. In spite of all she must do before the wedding, Regan agrees to investigate. Jack, hoping to solve a big bank robbery case before their nuptials, is more than supportive. To Regan's surprise, not all the brides-to-be who've lost their gowns are that distraught. Regan's and Jack's cases convincingly intertwine as the sleuthing trail leads them from the streets of New York to Las Vegas. With her usual cast of quirky characters, Clark's lighthearted romp will keep readers guessing who will and who won't make it to the altar.

Entertaining but nice mystery. There were lots of mysteries intertwined and there was a very happy ending. It's worth the read ... it's just not as edgy as I'm used to.

Hypnotisin'!

Remember the CD I bought back in November?

Lose Weight and Feel Great ... without sacrifice or willpower. Learn how to: feel better, control those cravings, remain at your ideal weight. A highly regarded weight loss program. This is a 3 week program.

I was supposed to listen to it for 21 days in a row but I only listened once because I ended up going to Nova Scotia for a week ... and then the holidays arrived.

I listened to it tonight. The same thing happened as the last time ... I barely remember what he said in the middle ... something about wanting to eat healthy, wanting to be active, etc. But when it was time to be alert again, I was.

So I'm going to do it for the next 21 days and I'll let you know how it goes.