This month’s Oxygen Magazine Page 21 has a photo and essay that I sent in on my training partner Tim Martin.

Check it out for yourselves ladies.

Yes another tick in the box off the ‘Things To Do List For Figure’. February is Costume & Accessories month. I’d already sourced and made an appointment with the designer for our posing costumes and asked for a referral for a material store. It’s the little things like this that make our lives much easier, especially when you’re not familiar with the area.

Katie and myself headed off on our little adventure together as we’re pretty much partners in crime. So anyway, when we pulled up and parked we were like to little girls going on their first shopping experience. We were so excited as it was all starting to feel real again. We made a bee line straight to the materail type we were looking for and boy, were there some really beautiful colours. I wanted them all. Luckily for the both of us they had the colours we were pretty much looking for. You coldn’t have found two happier souls this morning and that’s an under statement. We almost skipped out of the store with our purchases.

Then we headed to our appointment with the costume designer. We discussed in depth our desires of what we wanted and received some really great advice and suggestions from a professional perspective. We tried on costumes to help make decisions on the right cut for our physique and sorted out all the finer details. We paid our deposits and set in all in concrete. Lets just say that when we left there our feet barely hit the ground. You couldn’t wipe the massive smiles we had off our faces if you tried.

By this time it was well and truly time to head home for our next meals. All up it was a highly successful day and these scheduled outings have certainly help to keep us inspired but also motivated.

Sweet dreams.

Finished work on time at 1430h then proceeded to ride home only to face the strongest head wind yet. I spent the entire time trying not to get blown in front of any on coming cars. I have no ambition to become a hood ornament thank you very much. I did my usual unpack from work and pack for work ready for Monday morning.

Then I headed over to Richmond. That’s where I was picking up the tickets for the 2006 NABBA/WWF Commonwealth Bodybuilding Figure & Fitness Championships held on Saturday 11th March 2006 at the Camberwell Centre. Lindy Olsen a friend of mine is competing as well as doing some research on all things figure. From there I headed off to Macro Wholefoods also in Richmond for all things organic. Have I mentioned before how much I love this place.

Then on the way home I picked up a couple of DVD’s I’ve been wanting to see. My husband was out night fishing in the bay with the boys so I had the house all to myself.

And then this morning we took Odin & Jett for their yearly visit to the local vet. And let me tell you they were far from impressed with this little outing. To compensate we had to buy Odin a lamb neck and Jett a chicken wing to kiss and make up for it. All’s forgiven now though, dogs are so easily pleased.

Since then I’ve been doing my figure preparation. February figure things to do list focuses on posing costume and accessories. I’ve finalised my decisions on everything related to this seasons posing costume. It’s all top secret you see. Figure competitors treat their posing costumes much like wedding dresses, it’s all kept very hush hush until the big unveiling on competition day.

Well that’s about it from me. Enjoy the rest of your weekend and don’t forget, smile and have fun.

This is me now. Although I’ve put weight back on since competing it’s absolutely necessary to lift heavier weights to grow more muscle. I’m where I need to be in the big scheme of things.

I chose these photos because I wanted you to see me as the real me. There’s no spray tan, no makeup, no special studio lighting or props and wearing the exact same bikini. I want to keep this real.

I’m on the road to a better place and I can’t wait until I get there. In the mean time I’m having the best journey ever.

2006 INBA ADF Titles
Monday 25th September 2006
HMAS Cerebus, VIC

2006 INBA Victorian Titles
Saturday 7th October 2006
Camberwell Centre, VIC

2006 INBA Australian Titles
Sunday 29th October 2006
Camberwell Centre, VIC

2006 INBA Natural Olympia
Saturday 11th November 2006
Perth, WA