Summer time in northern Minnesota....

Awwww-it's all I can say.  Warm 80 degree days and cool nights.  Warm breezes and waves gently swaying on any of the hundreds of lakes around.  We're lucky to live between two of those waters-we use them for cooling off and fishing in the summer and skiing and fishing in the winter....Awwwww      

Summers are short up here as we are only an hour south of Canada so we stay cool well into late May early June.  I LOVE to garden and drool at the gardens from down south.  I go online all winter long to look at garden pics-it's just one thing that I do to get me through our 9 month winters.  Our growing time is so short that our flowers and veggies barely bloom only to die off and hibernate.  It's alright tho, I take LOTS of pictures to remember them by each year :)

I've been sooooo busy with life and living it that I forget that I have this amazing weight loss tool that I love to talk about-the DS.  I'm pushing around a 70 lb. loss now but even more importantly to me is the health that I feel.  The energy, the stamina that I now have....WOW!!  I really do love the 10 sizes that I am down as well, don't get me wrong but I am THRILLED at the gift of health!

I'm currently in the midst of re-vamping my blog so please be patient as I figure it all out.  Any help you could lend me would be great as well!!  Look for changes in the coming weeks-that is if I can stay indoors long enough to do it!!  

As always-your favorite Northern Talkin Gal

Phew....where has it gone???

I'm getting older fast!!  It's because of these northern MinneSNOWda winters.  They say it makes us "hardy" and "tough", however true that may be, it still stinks at times!!
My winter has been pretty uneventful (which I always appreciate) except for the occasional trip and oh ya- my OWN HARLEY DAVIDSON motorcycle!!!  Yup-I am a card carrying member of the "HOG" group.  I could no longer be the B in the back as riders are called.  Now, don't get me wrong there is not a thing wrong wth riding as I will still be one at rare times, but I HAD to have one.  It is something that I have had in me the past couple of years-a stronger and different me you might say.  So my dear hubby got the Harley for me as a gift for meeting my first weight loss goal, 50 lbs. gone!
We  ventured down to the Florida keys again last month-Feb. and had an awesome and relaxing week of doing a lot of nothing but laying, sitting, eating and drinking (lemon water and virgin drinks for me) in 80 + degree weather.  Mmmmmm I am taken back there as I write....we stayed on a canal just off the ocean-woke daily to soft waves, a dolphin family and wonderful neighbors that changed every couple of days and we lucked out with REALLY nice folks too!!
We sadly were delayed in Florida for two whole days because of a massive snow storm in Minnesota where they closed down the Minneapolis airport (and that is RARE in itself) so we toughed it out in the 80 plus degree weather-driving up to Cocoa Beach to stay and lounged sad eh??
We were home a few days and ventured to the Detoit area for our neices wedding and it was BEAUTIFUL.  The wedding, reception and whole weekend was fun as was the visiting and catching up!  It was a quick weekend but totally enjoyable.  :)
 I still need to have regular appointments with my "gut" surgeon in Minneapolis and because of the long drive, we usually make it a two day trip....our dogs appreciate the fact that we are home for a while now.:0
Traveling post op is an amazing change to say the least!!  Firstly, I fit in the seat belt without an extender or uncomfy tightness-with several inches to spare!  Another advantage-ENERGY!!  Walking and hanging out without the tireds is simply AWESOME.....not to mention cuter and smaller clothes and....JEANS!!  My new obsession!! 
Looking forward to more newness as a healthier northerner and sharing my finds with you all!!
Love and hugs as you all learn to appreciate talking like a northerner :)

50 lbs. GONE!!!

Yes, I'll be 12 weeks out tomorrow and I'm 50 lbs. down.  I really can't say that it' been hard-well except for the first month was fairly unpleasant-but no worse than sitting in a small room with my family....ok maybe it was not that tough but you get my drift.
And it's become painfully aware that I'll need to buy some clothes at least a couple size smaller.  I'm not sure how to get my size 30 brain used to the size 20 though.  I'm told that it'll slowly come to me, after all i've been big for some years.  I'm going to also start taking some pants and shirts in-as clothes are sooooo stinking expensive!  A lot of my back fat has disappeared so my shirts are huge as well so because I love sewing-I'll be busy!!
I also found some darling patterns online and have been making things to wear next summer and for a trip to Florida in a couple months :)
I hope this finds you all celebrating Christs birthday in a festive way.  Take a moment to pause, reflect on your blessings.  And as always-don't forget to talk like a northerner!!

Trying to move on.....

This is a time for withdrawing your energy, attention, and efforts from the outside world and external goals in order to replenish yourself. Quiet reflection and attention to your inner world, your family, and the foundation that supports all of your outside activities, is called for. This is a time to "lie low".
This is what a good friend sent me after the loss of a friend.  It was a tough loss-it always is.  Like another  said recently "each time we lose another sister to this hideous disease, my heart takes a  hit".  I couldn't have said it better.  
I'm trying VERY hard to put breast cancer behind me. I'm a 4 year survivor and the oncologists will tell you that with each passing year, your chances of  reccurance lessen.  They say that if you may it to the five year mark-you're basically in the clear.  They are wrong.  It may be that a majority of women aren't re-diagnosed with cancer, that most will live a long life free of chemo, radiation and the obvious signs that you're a survivor. But then it happens.  A sister from the Komen board will be hit again. It's as if you can't breathe and you tell yourself-let the air out.   Can you even TRY to understand when you clearly can't.  Will that person have the luxury of another Christmas with her family or watching her first born graduate from high school.....and finally, am I next?  Am I next in line to get the news that the twinges in my back or legs are not the innocent pains that I thought they were?
Will there ever be a day when I can relax-enjoy the day for all it is without fear of having the rug pulled out?  I  had a life coach briefly and she explained the process of healing after treatment is over when you are trying to find a "normal" once more.  Survivors go through "Post Traumatic Stress Disorder".  Your suddenly thrust into this crazy unknown life complete with new rules-some that make sense but many that don't.  In my case it was 14 months of handing my life over to strangers to poison me but for a good reason.  And the treatment works too-for now.  
Now seems to be all that we have.  Now is enough for me to smile, laugh and enjoy today.  Being a northerner means we are tough beings-tough to live in these harsh sub zero climates for months on end.  Hardy, Survivor-whatever you chose to call me I'll answer to anything.  I'm honored to walk shoulder to shoulder with these other survivors in good days and bad.
Rest In Peace Elizabeth Edwards.  You were a bright star to so many sisters.  You will live on in the hearts of many, a role model to all people as you lived and conducted your life with decency and kindness.  You are now with your beloved son Wade who you spoke of often, your broken heart at losing him obvious.  
We will all meet in heaven someday-and cancer will not be an issue.