The past 7 days have held much newness for this momma.  In my quest to heal my insides, I still find myself battling hard against the bloat.  Ironically when we were in Fargo, at our very hotel was The Red River Celiac Conference.  After Brent's insistence, I asked if I would be allowed to poke my nose in (while the boys were occupied)and they happily moved out of my way. 

I wasn't able to listen to any speakers but did browse the vendors trade show.  In my travels I accumulated many leaflets that I have been reading since I came home.  Believe it or not, there was a fair bit of information that I hadn't yet discovered.  And better still, I rediscovered some of my favorite products pre-Celiac, which I had been avoiding, are SAFE.

Caesars and Oh Henry Bars are GF!  Yeah.  Last night over roasted chicken and yams, I dotted my palette with a delicious libation and finished my meal with but of course, a Oh yes, Oh Henry!  Hooray.

Also new this week was a trip to Fort Whyte (not new) but watching the evening migration (new) was an hour that delighted my soul. 

Nothing like a prairie sky to make you grateful to be a girl from Manitoba.

Also in the category of new, Brent and I had ribs, Bush's Bourbon Baked Beans, homemade apple cole slaw, our friends Katie and Tony and a bottle of Cline's Zinfandal.  Yum, yum and extra yum.  K & T were unaware but I have really been dabbling in Californian Zins these days.  I am speaking to the red variety of course.  I loved the full yet smooth fruity tones to this wine.

Quiet mind and ready body, tonight is a girls night out here with The Winos.  Sure to be full of new insights, new laughter and new experiences with OLD friends.  What's new in your life?
 

When I was a child I read In Flanders' Fields many times to entire school assemblies.  In fact to this day if I close my eyes, I can say almost the entire poem aloud, pausing where I was instructed.  And yet, I cannot find the words to do justice explaining to my boys what sacrifices men and women made so that today we may enjoy (and think the norm) FREEDOM.

In a quiet moment this morning, I felt sick thinking about saying goodbye to a loved one leaving to go to war.  I have been speaking this week about trade offs and cannot fathom a young man trading off his loves (babies, wives, parents) to fight for what he believed in.

Gratitude is an under statement but I will say this.  This is the first year that I have truly looked inward at what it would mean to have to choose between deep rooted soulful love and freedom.  I am so thankful that I do not have to face that choice as I quietly remember.

1.  I needed to get back to running, I'm feeling a little "doughy" and not in a nice cinnamon bun sort of way but rather a "need to lose 5 pounds before I gain 5 more at all the Christmas gatherings" sort of way.  Running is my vice, it makes me sane and it makes me make better food choices, so running I will go. 

2.  I needed to spend some time with this family, some nights where I don't run to the computer room after the kids go to bed to edit photos or blog.  I can't tell you the last time Chad and I sat down to actually watch a whole movie and it was very nice.  I think I'll date him again.  Soon.

3.  The "princess" turned 3.  3.  We celebrated with a princess party that left a wake of sparkles, pink and purple and tulle in i's wake.

The princess loved her party and despite her face here, she loved having the girls around.  They played hot potato with a magic  slipper, they danced and then the evil stepmother (you guessed it...me) put a spell on them and they "froze".  They learned the Hoedown and painted nails.  Girly. Girly. Girly.  No Boys allowed was the order of the day but 2 managed to sneak in.

 
I found the self proclaimed "big girl" alone with her princess candy castle, each princess placed lovingly around the castle and only a few candies missing.  Not bad!

Her friends literally showered her in gifts and like all mothers of daughters who say they will not by into the media and frenzy that surrounds the whole princess icon, I did.  Here's why.  Her face lights up like a pumpkin when the princesses are around and I know that Hannah Montana has her sights on this new 3 year old.  I am just trying to hang onto the magic of this little girl just a while longer.

 
Enjoy your remembrance day!  Get out and enjoy this, hopefully not but maybe, last day of good weather!!!

All I was asking for is 5 jammed pack, healthly super fun days with my sister...we got stuff to do, people to see, socials to be at, shopping, CMA's (on TV although one of my coaching clients is actually in Tennessee to see them - how cool) and Beer.  There are tonnes of activities for the kids -C'MON WORLD THROW ME A BONE I TRY AND DO GOOD BY YOU!

We have been barf free since early this morning and I am both willing and eating it away.  I am pretty sure there is a direct correlation to the copious amounts of Halloween Candy I inhlaed and the reduction of germs???  I feel a bit like I might barf but I am thinking that is all about the sugar highs and lows I have been inducing all day! 

Evy is napping it off right now and we are still heading top the airport - barf bucket ad all -wish us luck and send some willpower my way - you only lose weight if the stomach flu is your own otherwise I see the opposite effect.

OK, I have heard many times this year that people are cutting back on Christmas materialism.  I have work friends, blog friends, and wine friends who are all saying the same thing...Let's get back to what Christmas really means.  Minus the religious aspects, for me (and The Parnells) it is a time for BEing TOGETHER.  That being said, in lieu of gifts, all of the adult Parnells would like to hire a personal chef to cook dinner in one of our homes.

We want to BE together.  We want to eat good food, drink good wine, laugh and love.  For me, that is Christmas, being STRESS-FREE with the ones you love.

Unfortunately, I keep running into road blocks and cannot find anyone to cook for us.  Anyone out there know of a chef for hire?