Operation Tubetop

Good morning everybody! I just got back from a great walk! I did not jalk this morning because I am tired... so very tired. So I negotiated with myself that instead of lying in bed and feeling sorry for myself, I would forgo any jogging and would walk to the center instead. And I did, and it felt great. Yay! Me! Now, today is weigh-in and measuring day. I got on the scale. It ain't pretty. Lady Macbeth came to town yesterday and I put on a couple of pounds of bitch. Also, Sunday was a bit of shit storm. Melted cheese had a starring role. This happened because the baby shower I co-hosted on Saturday turned into a frat party. An elegant frat party, but a frat party nonetheless. Also, the Kid has a bad cold and yesterday I stayed at home. I was avoiding junk until the Kid decided to vomit allover me and I decided that jelly beans would help me through any post-tramautic stress I was experiencing. Oh, and new rule, Kid. There will be no more standing on the sofa. Stupid physics. So I...

Finally! I finally got my mani and pedi. FINALLY! I was able to call yesterday morning and they could fit me in at 4. This the second time I have gone to La Ric in the 1st District. Last Winter, after dinner, a friend and I were walking down a pretty cobble-stoned street and both of us stopped and threw ourselves at the window of the nail salon. A walk in place in Vienna?! You don't say! I think we held hands and danced in a circle. We went soon after that night and I was happy with the results. It's a pretty place but the prices are a little high. But when you are desperate... you are desperate. I totally miss the nail salons on Yonge Street back in Toronto.  Yesterday I arrived at 4 and was promptly placed in a large comfy chair and my feet were placed in a basin with green salts and I let myself relax... for about 5 minutes. Then it was time to tackle my lizard feet. She asked me if I wanted a medical or cosmetic pedicure. "Cosmetic please!" I answered sweet...

Soooo. Here we are. June 24th. Not a bad day. It is slightly hazy. Slightly cool. It is a Tuesday. My nails are a mess because I had planned to "walk-in'" into a walk-in nail salon yesterday but alas, no space available. But I have an appointment today. Victory is mine. I'm thinking a nice coral colour. I like coral. It says "summer". Anyway, I digress. The date is June 24th. Not necessarily a day that has any historical meaning or bearing... or does it? Because I declare today the start of the TWELVE WEEK CHALLLLLLLEEEENNNNNGGGGGEEE!!! What is this? You may ask. Well, thanks to a friend at work who I would like to openly judge for reading the Daily Mail online but I can't because I read that crap as well, the Twelve Week Challenge has been conceived. So far there will be 4 participants and I am hoping some of you join as well. The friends that suffer together... suffer together. The idea is that for the next 12 weeks we keep ourselves accounta...

My jogging walks, or as I call them, my jalks are fantastic. There is nothing quite as peaceful as jalking through a beautiful park during sunrise. It's insane to be up at that hour but in a way, I look at it as my me-time. I'm the boss of me. It's silent, there's no toddler constantly tugging on my arm yelling "MOMMY MOMMY MOMMY HOCH HOCH HOCH!" (which is his way of demanding that I launch him in the air onto our bed. He weighs 35 pounds. He weighs a lot) or a husband asking me inane questions like "Why is our bank balance so low?" Jalking also gives me the chance to think about my day ahead, what I'm going to wear and what fabulous party will I be hosting soon. I also people watch because that is how I roll. There a few people in the park also getting their fitness on when I head out around 5:30. And yes, I make up stories about them. Walk with me: The Silver Fox Professor: This guy gets up even earlier than I do. He wears a grey t-shirt, bas...

Not much to report except that I have done the Bikram 3 times already! Holla! Does it get easier? No. Do I still love it? Yes. It really is a great thing to do and although I have no flexibility whatsoever, I do feel like I am getting a workout. A WORKOUT OF PAIN. A WORKOUT OF SWEAT. I am going again tonight. Last Sunday I roped in a friend to join me. She too enjoyed it. At the end of the class, my first instructor Phil, gave a shout out to my blog and yes, I blushed. But you couldn't tell because my face was the colour of an eggplant. Once again, I applaud the ladies in the class for their fantastic figures and dedication to hair removal. I too one day will be hairless. But for now, I have bike shorts. Our weekend was chillaxed and great. We tried out the new Peruvian restaurant. The Husband and I shared a dish that tasted somewhat like Chinese food but whatever, we had a fantastic time. The Kid sat at the table the whole time and was just about the calmest we have ever seen hi...

Even though it has been only a 4 day work week, it has felt like a pretty long week. I'd like to thank the daycare for that. Now, according to the new rules, the Kid cannot go on Fridays. And, the in laws are out of town for 4 days so we have to juggle our schedule. Thanks daycare! You are awesome! They also want to charge us 300 euros for the remaining 14 days left for the Kid. They say it is for the intern they would have to bring in. Funny... I think there is one already there. Well, two can play that game. I have requested the Husband to ask them for an itemized bill - to show exactly what the 300 euros are for. We will see what they come up with. Then, once we are out and happily in our new daycare, I will spread the gospel of their lack of professionalism and their obvious attempt at extortion. I am not a vindictive person. I don't like to burn bridges... but this time? It's on. I kind of feel like I should get some camo gear and set up a war room in our immense hallw...

Wellity wellity. The smug is strong today. Take a deep breath in...now out...now in...yes, just suck in that smugness. Last night I wrote about my experience with Bikram for the first time. I loved it and I will be back. I was a little worried that I would wake up sore but lo and behold, I be fine. I woke up tired because I didn't fall asleep until 11:30 and of course I set my alarm to go jalking at 5:30. I did jalk and it felt good. God! The smug! So thick! The great thing about Bikram is that it is a natural appetite suppressant. Not in that super model eat tissues for breakfast kind of way but more in the I should have some fresh fruit kind of way. One negative side effect is that my self tanner has suffered. There seems to be some white patches from me clawing at my calves to get into position. I told you I had no flexibility.. Hmm. Money making idea just hit me: Self Tanner for Bikram. I'm on it! I really hope that I can go a couple more times this week! I even took a ...

Well... I am back. It is late. It is dark. And I have showered. How did it go... well, walk with me. As you know, if you have read my previous posts, I might have been a taaaaaad dramatic about the whole thing. I made the big mistake reading stuff on Google and had kind oooooof put myself into a bit of tizzy. But a promise made is a promise kept and I even bought a new outfit so I had to go. I got home just before 6 and changed into my bike shorts, fuschia sports bra and racer back tank and put my hair back with a stretchy head band. I headed out around 7:25 and when I saw my friend, I remarked, "I look like Nathan Lane in between costume changes" At 7:40, the doors open and I reached for my flask. I had no flask. Stupid me. We approached the counter and were greeted by a very nice guy who goes by the name of Phil. He was not wearing a shirt. That's normal, calm down there, Tova. We filled out a little form and signed up for the 10 for 10 deal. Which pretty much m...

It was one of those unusually hot June days. The wind like a hot blanket and whipped at my legs as I made my way home, feeling oppressed by the sun's strong rays. I walked into our cool apartment lobby and like a dead man walking, made my way to the Mezzanine floor. I greeted my child with a hug and set down my purchases. I looked at him like only a mother can and whispered "Soon." Although only 3, he seemed to understand what I was saying. He straightened his back and "stayed strong for Mommy". Understanding my need for solitude, he retired to the living room, perhaps now more of a man. I bid a farewell to our nanny and closed the door after her, resting my forehead on the cool wooden door. Knowing. Waiting. Knowing. After some deep breaths I made my way into the bedroom, noting how the sun reflected off the opposite building and then playing with the little pieces of glass it found in our humble abode. Like little fireflies flitting around without a care in...

It has been a great long weekend! I brunched, I went out for an amazing meal, had an overpriced cocktail, got amazing gifts, met a famous person, had friends over and probably best of all, the Kid did something that made me cry tears of joy - more on that later. It is Monday early afternoon and I am feeling a little exhausted but a lot happy. The parental units were in town and it was a blast. It was great to have the Kid spend some time with them and to see that he tolerated them. I guess that is the best way to describe how the Kid deals with people he is comfortable with - he tolerates them. I swear to God he is a cat and I am totally creating a diagnosis called Catism. And I will be rich... and shunned by the medical world. Moving on. On Friday evening, one of my oldest and dearest friends came by for a drink and it was great to catch up with her, albeit briefly. I keep trying to get her to move back. She keeps trying to get me to come to Barcelona to visit. I see a plane trip in...

What up, Friday? Yay! It is going to be a busy long weekend once I leave work today. My parental units are flying in tonight for a weekend visit so that will be a lot of fun. And one of my oldest and dearest friends is in town so I will see her this afternoon! Yay! Saturday night I am going out with the parental units at a Georgian restaurant and then on Sunday morning we are having a Father's Day brunch. On Monday we are having friends over for another brunch. I am a bruncher and I love it. Will just have to be careful to not eat my weight in croissants and get blotto off of mimosas. So this week's stats are: Jalking 40 minutes: 5 times Healthiesh meals: I was very very good Pounds lost: None but that is ok Times I looked at Bikram Yoga Google Images and wanted to vomit in fear: Countless Times the daycare complained about the Kid not liking his new slippers or not eating: 4 Hours the Kid spent running around the park: approximately 15 Episodes of Melrose Place watch...

It's been a couple of months since I've done one of these. I was kind of busy... But now that I am mostly settled in and in between events, I's got the time. So here it is... Ooooh... aaaah... This necklace is perfect for any type of outfit. I love it long time. Anyone can win! I will ship it anywhere! This time, to qualify, all you have to do is share the Facebook page for Operation Tubetop on your own wall (yes, shameless self promotion) and then let me know in case I miss seeing it. The best way to let me know you've done it is just by liking this post. Once the deadline passes, I will write down all your names on scraps of paper and then the Kid will pick a name and I will contact you for your mailing address. So lots of luck my lovelies! The contest ends June 6 Friday CET at 3 p.m.

I am currently on my third week of jalking and it is actually getting easier. I now jog half the full length of the park and walk the other half. I am doing it 40 minutes each time and I think I am starting to get my strongs back. It is such a nice way to start the day and yes, I feel ridiculously smug. Also, I get to see this on my route. Yeah, that's right. Feel the jealousy burn. It burns. Our place is right at the end of this path. And there's wine, there. Now that I am starting to get back in workout mode, I am starting to feel like I need to eat better. All interrelated. Damn. Monday night I made an omelette and salad for dinner, last night I had a chicken salad (fried chicken, whatever, go judge someone else) and tonight I am making a grilled veggie and feta pastry with salad. I'm starting to feel better about my life choices and the Husband is happy because I am not sitting in the corner of a dark room wailing "I'm faaaaaat...". No, now I do it wi...

Holy crap! I cannot believe it is already June! How is that possible? 2014 is almost half way done. I did not get the memo. My goal is to savour every minute of the rest of the year. Well, there will be some bitching, but for the most part, I am pretty zen. It's been 6 weeks since we have moved in and just this past weekend I unpacked the last box and passed over the keys to the old place and I feel settled for the first time in a long time. That's a country song title, I am sure. Obviously he got the memo. Last week the Husband and I went to the movies. It was incredible. Two hours of no interruptions. Total bliss. We watched Blended which we loved and therefore should be judged. Part of the film took place at some incredible resort in South Africa and I think the Husband got a little nostalgic. On Friday night I did some super amazing Google search to find the hotel that was featured in the film. And by super amazing Google search I mean I typed in "What hotel wa...