I guess the biggest thing going on in Stephanie-land is my job has gotten a bit more interesting this week...and I am really hoping this is the beginning of something good. VERY good. Like $$$.
My current job is being the Executive Administrative Assistant (oooh) to the Vice President of Management & Organization Development, Staffing, and Training. HR gobbledy-gook. My boss is incredible. He is the true definition of a LEADER. A good and fair one. Which is rather rare these days in Corporate America so I am really lucky. He is also very encouraging as far as his employees go - always giving them opportunites to do more - to strive higher. Or if you want to sit and be stagnate and just do your job, he lets you do that too. (I've been doing that since November 2005 when I got those 2 lines on the pregnancy test... but anyways.....)
He was out of town on business this week so instead of just manning his phones and taking piddly little requests from his MOD department (which all sit in the area right next to us in the HQ...) I have been helping the Staffing department which is located at the Operations Center (the building I used to work in years ago before the HQ was built and all of the NY people came down to work here...) To make a long story short, I LOVE IT HERE. I am depressed about Monday because I do not want to go back to the HQ.
The Staffing Department over here is truly a TEAM. I have contributed this week and I feel incredibly productive. They are so appreciative of everything I have done for them - and it hasn't just been admin stuff, they actually gave me MEANINGFUL work to do. They also gave me a permanent cube and ordered me a really nice, new printer and phone...I actually have a cube with high walls and a doorway. No counter where people can just walk up and tell me to do their stupid shit work. It's wonderful!!!! I have projects and goals and accountability.
So, I sent my boss an e-mail today giving him the summary of my week and also detailed how I can add future value to this department. I think what is going to happen is that I am going to have 2 "offices" and come over here when BossMan says I can... I am going to get more involved in our University Relations Recruiting...and all of the HUGE events that surround that program. You all know I love some Event Planning - esp with an unlimited budget. :)
Soooooooo, I am ready to prove myself. The assignment this week has given me a little bit of my career mojo back. I am ready to move up the ladder - jump job grade(s) - and get out of a purely administrative role. That's the plan, Stan.
So, I'm glad it's Friday. We have a few dinky plans this weekend but nothing pressing. I'm SO glad. At some point I want to stroll Lakeside Avenue...hit Kohls...Ben Franklin for craft supplies to make my old boss a wedding gift...stuff like that.
Our travels last weekend were awesome - Stella was a fantastic passenger in the car and a great travel buddy. She slept both nights in the hotel like a dream baby - like she usually is (we are so LUCKY.) We had dinner at the Coggins' house on Friday night - I had not seen Stacy since my wedding and that really doesn't count because we didn't get to truly "catch up" there. We were able to have dinner together Friday and Saturday nights last weekend and it was so wonderful to hear about her life. (Good grief, we were attached at the hip in college, esp our freshman and sophomore years.) I attended the Kim/Kim LMC Baby Shower on Saturday and that was really nice as well! The planners did a really nice job and it was lovely seeing everyone (and their offspring!) again.
So overall, this past week has been a really good one!
Miss Stella started saying N sounds on the way home from Winston-Salem on Sunday...and she's also following most everything we say with a cute (not annoying yet) "Mmm?" I can't wait for the day when it's "Why?" after everything - like that Tostitos commercial.
Happy Weekends, Everyone!
Friday, March 30, 2007
Wednesday, March 28, 2007
Soon! I swear!
I swear I will update soon. Work is really busy now - and it's a good thing for once!! I also will tell you about my trip to NC...but right now it's past my bedtime (it's 9:40 pm) and I am BEAT!
Here's a do-it-yourself picture of the girls to tide you over:
Here's a do-it-yourself picture of the girls to tide you over:
Wednesday, March 21, 2007
My friend, Cornell
One of my best friends in college was Cornell.
Me and Cornell - circa 1996
We started hanging out at the end of my freshman year but I truly can not remember the first time we met. (Unlike the first time I met Denny - when we went to McDonalds with mutual friends and he made the Happy Meal prize animals "do it" on the table. Or the first time I met Ashley - when she was drunk and rolling around on the floor in the dorm hall yelling "I've got demons in my shoulder!" and I gave her a Tums and she spit it out at me. Or the first time I met Stacy Coggins - she was dancing down the hallway - she was ALWAYS dancing. Or the first time I met Yates - he skateboarded up to me outside of the Ice Cream Social, on my VERY first night of being at college. Or the first time I met Donnie - he was sitting on the steps outside of the auditorium and he hopped up and starting trying out his new "clogging shoes.")
ANYWAY! (Fond Lees-McRae memories.....)
Cornell and I became fast friends. We had a "group" that we hung out with but we had a special bond outside of the group. He was extremely good looking - like a model - and I was NOT. I was always intrigued that he would be such good friends with little old me. (I felt that way about Yates too...) But anyway, we were good friends - through all of his girlfriends (hi Tennille, love you!) and all of the rebellious times and all of the parties and the all-nighters and the raves and the drama........... I could write a book. My favorite Cornell memory is when we drove from Banner Elk to NYC for Spring Break 1997 and stayed with Cece in Queens... that was a blast. (And I can't tell you how many times we got stopped on the street because people thought he was that long-blond-haired Calvin Klein underwear model. Yeah - we never let him forget that one.)
We kept in good touch after graduation. He went to a small law school in Grundy, VA and Denny and I moved to Richmond, VA. He visited us a few times and we even went to Grundy to visit him. The good ol' boys of Grundy ain't used to flaming gay boys with purple fingernail polish. Cornell loved Denny to pieces, but he did make him take off the polish before we went out to eat at a diner in town - for his own safety, of course. We met up a few times in Banner Elk too... It was nice.
The last time I saw him was when Toby and I had FIRST started dating. It was one of the best weekends! I lived in Shockoe Bottom in my little-ass apartment and Ashley came to visit that weekend - and then Cornell called and he and his then-girlfriend-now-wife Mindi were going to come visit too. It was AWESOME!! It also just happened to be the annual Madonna-Thon at a club downtown, so we all went to that. Do you think Toby Creekmore would EVER attend a Madonna-Thon with me now? HELL NO. But he was in his "courtin" stage. Amazing what man will do to win a girl over.
It was at the Madonna-Thon that Cornell pulled me aside and gave me a speech.
Stephanie, do you like this guy?
Yes. A lot.
Me too - he seems cool as shit!
He is - Glad you like him.
I do! But if he ever hurts you, I will hunt him down and kill him. Understand?
Yes sir.
You tell him that too.
I will.
Ok then.
And sadly, that was the last time we saw each other or even talked!! I tried to call him a few times after that and left messages but never heard back. I was never sure WHAT happened - if it was "something" or if it was just LIFE, know what I mean? I have lost touch with several people because of LIFE. (Wasn't it John Lennon who said "Life is what happens when you are busy making other plans") Anyway...we lost touch...and now it's 4 years later and I married that boy that he said he would kill if he hurt me...and we have a daughter. And Cornell doesn't know either of those things have happened.
Cornell has been on my mind A LOT lately. For about a month or so. I put his name in 411.com and it gave me his parents address in Kingsport. I printed that out and have been carrying it around in my daytimer for weeks. This morning I came across it again and thought I would try to google him. I put his name into the search box and this came up:
Cornell's Dad
He died 3 weeks ago. No WONDER he has been heavy on my heart!!! It kind of gives me chills to think that I have been feeling a "vibe" or whatever. My heart is just broken over this today. I know how much he looked up to his Dad. I remember his Dad being VERY tough on him, but despite that, he always wanted to make him proud. I remember his Mom and Dad being so nice to me.
I signed the guestbook and I also just sent his Mom a card. To that address I have been carrying around in my daytimer. I really hope he gets in touch with me.
Me and Cornell - circa 1996
We started hanging out at the end of my freshman year but I truly can not remember the first time we met. (Unlike the first time I met Denny - when we went to McDonalds with mutual friends and he made the Happy Meal prize animals "do it" on the table. Or the first time I met Ashley - when she was drunk and rolling around on the floor in the dorm hall yelling "I've got demons in my shoulder!" and I gave her a Tums and she spit it out at me. Or the first time I met Stacy Coggins - she was dancing down the hallway - she was ALWAYS dancing. Or the first time I met Yates - he skateboarded up to me outside of the Ice Cream Social, on my VERY first night of being at college. Or the first time I met Donnie - he was sitting on the steps outside of the auditorium and he hopped up and starting trying out his new "clogging shoes.")
ANYWAY! (Fond Lees-McRae memories.....)
Cornell and I became fast friends. We had a "group" that we hung out with but we had a special bond outside of the group. He was extremely good looking - like a model - and I was NOT. I was always intrigued that he would be such good friends with little old me. (I felt that way about Yates too...) But anyway, we were good friends - through all of his girlfriends (hi Tennille, love you!) and all of the rebellious times and all of the parties and the all-nighters and the raves and the drama........... I could write a book. My favorite Cornell memory is when we drove from Banner Elk to NYC for Spring Break 1997 and stayed with Cece in Queens... that was a blast. (And I can't tell you how many times we got stopped on the street because people thought he was that long-blond-haired Calvin Klein underwear model. Yeah - we never let him forget that one.)
We kept in good touch after graduation. He went to a small law school in Grundy, VA and Denny and I moved to Richmond, VA. He visited us a few times and we even went to Grundy to visit him. The good ol' boys of Grundy ain't used to flaming gay boys with purple fingernail polish. Cornell loved Denny to pieces, but he did make him take off the polish before we went out to eat at a diner in town - for his own safety, of course. We met up a few times in Banner Elk too... It was nice.
The last time I saw him was when Toby and I had FIRST started dating. It was one of the best weekends! I lived in Shockoe Bottom in my little-ass apartment and Ashley came to visit that weekend - and then Cornell called and he and his then-girlfriend-now-wife Mindi were going to come visit too. It was AWESOME!! It also just happened to be the annual Madonna-Thon at a club downtown, so we all went to that. Do you think Toby Creekmore would EVER attend a Madonna-Thon with me now? HELL NO. But he was in his "courtin" stage. Amazing what man will do to win a girl over.
It was at the Madonna-Thon that Cornell pulled me aside and gave me a speech.
Stephanie, do you like this guy?
Yes. A lot.
Me too - he seems cool as shit!
He is - Glad you like him.
I do! But if he ever hurts you, I will hunt him down and kill him. Understand?
Yes sir.
You tell him that too.
I will.
Ok then.
And sadly, that was the last time we saw each other or even talked!! I tried to call him a few times after that and left messages but never heard back. I was never sure WHAT happened - if it was "something" or if it was just LIFE, know what I mean? I have lost touch with several people because of LIFE. (Wasn't it John Lennon who said "Life is what happens when you are busy making other plans") Anyway...we lost touch...and now it's 4 years later and I married that boy that he said he would kill if he hurt me...and we have a daughter. And Cornell doesn't know either of those things have happened.
Cornell has been on my mind A LOT lately. For about a month or so. I put his name in 411.com and it gave me his parents address in Kingsport. I printed that out and have been carrying it around in my daytimer for weeks. This morning I came across it again and thought I would try to google him. I put his name into the search box and this came up:
Cornell's Dad
He died 3 weeks ago. No WONDER he has been heavy on my heart!!! It kind of gives me chills to think that I have been feeling a "vibe" or whatever. My heart is just broken over this today. I know how much he looked up to his Dad. I remember his Dad being VERY tough on him, but despite that, he always wanted to make him proud. I remember his Mom and Dad being so nice to me.
I signed the guestbook and I also just sent his Mom a card. To that address I have been carrying around in my daytimer. I really hope he gets in touch with me.
Monday, March 19, 2007
Weekend Update
Well, I haven't killed anyone or commited any heinous crimes since my last angry entry. I'm over it.
We had a very busy weekend!!
Friday was a really yucky, rainy day so I was in HEAVEN to get home and put on flannel pants and STAY THE HELL HOME. Toby went to sleep early on the couch (who's shocked?!?! not me!) and I watched a couple episodes of my friends as Seattle Grace.
On Saturday, I got up at the butt-crack of dawn, put my hair in a ponytail, threw on some jeans and my tennis shoes and headed out to do some yardsale-ing. (That is a verb.) I went by 7-11 first to fuel up on some coffee (I am SO mad at 7-11 for changing their coffee cups and lids - the new ones just do not measure up!) and a big, fat, blueberry muffin. (Yeah, I am obviously OVER IT - as mentioned above.) I met up with my friends Linda, Christy, Elizabeth, and E's husband Brian at Linda's house and then we all headed over to Mechanicsville for the annual RAMOM (Richmond Areas Moms of Multiples) Yard Sale. Doors opened at 8am. This was so awesome, it will be an annual event for me, for sure. They did a GREAT job with this event. It was so organized and clean and enjoyable. I was expecting Mom vs. Mom fights over the latest Elmo doll - but there was nothing of the sort.
I hit the motherload and got atleast 25 summer outfits for Stella for $55. Cha-ching!
I got home from my yardsale adventure and Toby's aunt and uncle were already there. Our front yard is filled with CRAP from the previous owner. We really aren't flower people - and we definitely aren't UNORGANIZED flower people. It looks like they just stood on the porch and threw out handfulls of different plant and flower seeds and they all rooted and bloomed...and the entire front yard is mulched with pine needles. Ugh! Toby really wants a yard with grass so he and Greg dug up over 20 Azalea bushes and Greg and Donna are pleased as punch to have them and put them in their yard. Donna visited with me in the house while they worked...and Mom and Dad came over for a bit too. Greg and Donna left around 2pm and Mike (our neighbor) came over and hung out for a few. He and Toby started cutting down tree limbs that were about to touch our roof and the power lines (Toby was on a yardwork roll... when he gets that way, I just let him go!) Mike's wife also came over and visited for a couple hours. Right before they left, Zana (Toby's Mom) arrived for the night. It was constant in-and-out visiting - which was LOVELY - but we ain't used to that!
We went down the street to the Hermitage Grill for dinner with Zana and that was so good! That place has 9 tables in it. It has been there forever... My grandfather used to go there and drink (too much) when my Mom was little...and my Dad used to go there and eat Moon Pies at the bar. But, believe it or not, I had never been there. I loved it! And since it's a little neighborhood joint, there are a lot of regulars. One of the regulars is an old man named Fred and he was sitting at the bar. We had Stella with us in a highchair and about halfway through our meal, the bartender comes over and puts a dollar on the table for Stella and 2 dollars on the table next to us where there were 2 kids with their parents... He said "This is for the kids. It's Fred Money." Apparently, Fred gives dollar bills to all the kids in the restaurant when he is there. I thought I was going to cry. What a sweet man. We thanked him and he just smiled and shooed us away. He loves doing it. I bet he's done that forever.
On Sunday, we went to Shoney's with Erik (Zana's man) and Kim (Toby's sister) and Kendall (her daughter.) That was really nice - and it was so fun seeing the girls together. We have not gotten together with Kim and Kendall in a looooooooong time due to some issues going on in their lives with their little "family unit"... But it seems those issues are in the process of getting resolved and hopefully soon we'll be able to do more with them. I really hope so because the girls had a great time playing.
Zana left around 3pm...and Mom and Dad asked if they could take Stella to visit some friends of theirs. Of course!! I get some ME time!!! Alone!!! Toby was out in the yard digging up some big Sea Grasses and moving them from the front yard to the back (I'm telling you - the front yard had 20 azaleas and atleast 6 HUGE Sea Grasses...Not pretty.) So I had the house to myself. Oh the things I will do!!!!! My head was swimming with the possibilities! I packed a bag for her and Mom and Dad picked her up and I waved bye to them and then turned around and immediately felt lost.
NOW what do I do?
I literally didn't know what to do with myself. I didn't want to take a nap. The house was pretty much clean so I just vacuumed a little and then played on the computer for a minute and scrapbooked 4 pages.... I fixed dinner and put in ANOTHER Grey's Anatomy dvd (I watched the 2 episodes with the bomb - I cried) and then here come Grannie and Grandpa with my girl.
I have never been so happy to see someone in my life!!!
We had a very busy weekend!!
Friday was a really yucky, rainy day so I was in HEAVEN to get home and put on flannel pants and STAY THE HELL HOME. Toby went to sleep early on the couch (who's shocked?!?! not me!) and I watched a couple episodes of my friends as Seattle Grace.
On Saturday, I got up at the butt-crack of dawn, put my hair in a ponytail, threw on some jeans and my tennis shoes and headed out to do some yardsale-ing. (That is a verb.) I went by 7-11 first to fuel up on some coffee (I am SO mad at 7-11 for changing their coffee cups and lids - the new ones just do not measure up!) and a big, fat, blueberry muffin. (Yeah, I am obviously OVER IT - as mentioned above.) I met up with my friends Linda, Christy, Elizabeth, and E's husband Brian at Linda's house and then we all headed over to Mechanicsville for the annual RAMOM (Richmond Areas Moms of Multiples) Yard Sale. Doors opened at 8am. This was so awesome, it will be an annual event for me, for sure. They did a GREAT job with this event. It was so organized and clean and enjoyable. I was expecting Mom vs. Mom fights over the latest Elmo doll - but there was nothing of the sort.
I hit the motherload and got atleast 25 summer outfits for Stella for $55. Cha-ching!
I got home from my yardsale adventure and Toby's aunt and uncle were already there. Our front yard is filled with CRAP from the previous owner. We really aren't flower people - and we definitely aren't UNORGANIZED flower people. It looks like they just stood on the porch and threw out handfulls of different plant and flower seeds and they all rooted and bloomed...and the entire front yard is mulched with pine needles. Ugh! Toby really wants a yard with grass so he and Greg dug up over 20 Azalea bushes and Greg and Donna are pleased as punch to have them and put them in their yard. Donna visited with me in the house while they worked...and Mom and Dad came over for a bit too. Greg and Donna left around 2pm and Mike (our neighbor) came over and hung out for a few. He and Toby started cutting down tree limbs that were about to touch our roof and the power lines (Toby was on a yardwork roll... when he gets that way, I just let him go!) Mike's wife also came over and visited for a couple hours. Right before they left, Zana (Toby's Mom) arrived for the night. It was constant in-and-out visiting - which was LOVELY - but we ain't used to that!
We went down the street to the Hermitage Grill for dinner with Zana and that was so good! That place has 9 tables in it. It has been there forever... My grandfather used to go there and drink (too much) when my Mom was little...and my Dad used to go there and eat Moon Pies at the bar. But, believe it or not, I had never been there. I loved it! And since it's a little neighborhood joint, there are a lot of regulars. One of the regulars is an old man named Fred and he was sitting at the bar. We had Stella with us in a highchair and about halfway through our meal, the bartender comes over and puts a dollar on the table for Stella and 2 dollars on the table next to us where there were 2 kids with their parents... He said "This is for the kids. It's Fred Money." Apparently, Fred gives dollar bills to all the kids in the restaurant when he is there. I thought I was going to cry. What a sweet man. We thanked him and he just smiled and shooed us away. He loves doing it. I bet he's done that forever.
On Sunday, we went to Shoney's with Erik (Zana's man) and Kim (Toby's sister) and Kendall (her daughter.) That was really nice - and it was so fun seeing the girls together. We have not gotten together with Kim and Kendall in a looooooooong time due to some issues going on in their lives with their little "family unit"... But it seems those issues are in the process of getting resolved and hopefully soon we'll be able to do more with them. I really hope so because the girls had a great time playing.
Zana left around 3pm...and Mom and Dad asked if they could take Stella to visit some friends of theirs. Of course!! I get some ME time!!! Alone!!! Toby was out in the yard digging up some big Sea Grasses and moving them from the front yard to the back (I'm telling you - the front yard had 20 azaleas and atleast 6 HUGE Sea Grasses...Not pretty.) So I had the house to myself. Oh the things I will do!!!!! My head was swimming with the possibilities! I packed a bag for her and Mom and Dad picked her up and I waved bye to them and then turned around and immediately felt lost.
NOW what do I do?
I literally didn't know what to do with myself. I didn't want to take a nap. The house was pretty much clean so I just vacuumed a little and then played on the computer for a minute and scrapbooked 4 pages.... I fixed dinner and put in ANOTHER Grey's Anatomy dvd (I watched the 2 episodes with the bomb - I cried) and then here come Grannie and Grandpa with my girl.
I have never been so happy to see someone in my life!!!
Wednesday, March 14, 2007
I. AM. GOING. TO.
SCREAM!!!!!!!!
So I just called the Dr. about my thyroid blood test and OF COURSE it was fine again. But my cholesteral was a little high - 226 (I don't even know what the normal range is...never had issues there) and the nurse told me that the Dr. told her that I need to work on a low-fat diet.
Well, FUCK! What have I been doing for the past 5 fucking years??? Excuse my french but this has just sent me over the edge. I am so sick of this.
The last time I saw this Dr. was when I was 6 months pregnant...and the time before that was my first time ever seeing him and I went to him with the same issue - trying really hard to lose weight and it just wasn't coming off. Basically he told me NOTHING other than he would write me a prescription for Xenecal but a side effect of that was pooping your pants. I said no thanks.
So now, it's 1.5 years later and he tells me to work on a low fat diet.
That's what I have been DOING since November, you shithead. Want me to print out my food journals for ya? Be glad too. I don't eat real mayo, or real cheese, or real salad dressing, or real butter, or real sour cream. I don't eat real refried beans or ice cream or soda. I don't drink ANY soda. I drink crystal lite and coffee. I even use fucking fat free half and half. I eat grilled chicken and ground turkey instead of beef. I use FF cooking spray. I eat BAKED chips and low fat Fiber One bars and fat free popcorn. I eat french fries once a month MAYBE. I eat weight control oatmeal for breakfast for GOD'S SAKE.
I can't enjoy anything I stick in my mouth because I analyze it and dwell on it. I can't function like a normal human because I keep daydreaming about my size 16 pants that are out in tubs in the shed and I guess I'll never get to wear them again because I can't lose a fucking pound to save my life!
I'm sorry.
I'm mad.
I need to go meditate.
I'm sooooooooooooooooo over this battle.
So I just called the Dr. about my thyroid blood test and OF COURSE it was fine again. But my cholesteral was a little high - 226 (I don't even know what the normal range is...never had issues there) and the nurse told me that the Dr. told her that I need to work on a low-fat diet.
Well, FUCK! What have I been doing for the past 5 fucking years??? Excuse my french but this has just sent me over the edge. I am so sick of this.
The last time I saw this Dr. was when I was 6 months pregnant...and the time before that was my first time ever seeing him and I went to him with the same issue - trying really hard to lose weight and it just wasn't coming off. Basically he told me NOTHING other than he would write me a prescription for Xenecal but a side effect of that was pooping your pants. I said no thanks.
So now, it's 1.5 years later and he tells me to work on a low fat diet.
That's what I have been DOING since November, you shithead. Want me to print out my food journals for ya? Be glad too. I don't eat real mayo, or real cheese, or real salad dressing, or real butter, or real sour cream. I don't eat real refried beans or ice cream or soda. I don't drink ANY soda. I drink crystal lite and coffee. I even use fucking fat free half and half. I eat grilled chicken and ground turkey instead of beef. I use FF cooking spray. I eat BAKED chips and low fat Fiber One bars and fat free popcorn. I eat french fries once a month MAYBE. I eat weight control oatmeal for breakfast for GOD'S SAKE.
I can't enjoy anything I stick in my mouth because I analyze it and dwell on it. I can't function like a normal human because I keep daydreaming about my size 16 pants that are out in tubs in the shed and I guess I'll never get to wear them again because I can't lose a fucking pound to save my life!
I'm sorry.
I'm mad.
I need to go meditate.
I'm sooooooooooooooooo over this battle.
White shoes, white teeth
I ordered these. I hope they fit her chunky feet. If not, I am giving up and she can build up some crazy calluses be like her Dad and be able to walk barefoot across the gravel driveway without screaming (like I do.) Chris - thank you for your comment regarding the Carter's socks. Carters is the BEST but I have never seen their socks!!! I have not had a chance to go by Marshall's - and I was shocked to see you listed Tuesday Morning - I thought they only sold old flower pots! I'll have to get there soon. By the way, your little one is precious too. :)
So, my new teeth are great. I think they are great. They seem to be scaring everyone else. I'm getting a lot of "Oh. They look nice." comments. People don't know what to say because they do look bad at first, I guess. They are WHITE. It will just take getting used to.
Tuesday, March 13, 2007
Extreme Makeover: Teeth Edition
BEFORE:
AFTER:
Not good pics but I'll do better later when my mouth is not throbbing and my entire face doesn't feel like it's melting off.
I'm so happy!!!
AFTER:
Not good pics but I'll do better later when my mouth is not throbbing and my entire face doesn't feel like it's melting off.
I'm so happy!!!
Monday, March 12, 2007
I must like to torture myself...
...because I watch entire episodes of My Super Sweet Sixteen...and fume the whole time...and cuss and yell at the TV...because these parents are idiots and they are raising horribly snobby, self-richeous, entitled, rotten kids. This should be a crime!!
Yet I still watch.
Anyway, I forgot to mention earlier that I am FINALLY having dental implants tomorrow PLUS a lot of cosmetic work done SO by noon tomorrow, I should have a Hollywood Smile.
Look out! I hope I don't blind you with my new Pearly Whites next time we see each other. Bring your shades just incase!!
Say goodbye:
Yet I still watch.
Anyway, I forgot to mention earlier that I am FINALLY having dental implants tomorrow PLUS a lot of cosmetic work done SO by noon tomorrow, I should have a Hollywood Smile.
Look out! I hope I don't blind you with my new Pearly Whites next time we see each other. Bring your shades just incase!!
Say goodbye:
My Baby is cuter than Crocs
Where did this day go? Dang!!
The Daylight Savings thing has really thrown me for the first time in my life. I have never even cared before (other than losing an extra hour to sleep off the hang-over) but this year?? Ever since I got up at 7:30 am yesterday (AKA 6:30) I have been out of whack. And here it is 4pm and I have done nothing today but run around like a chicken with my head cut off. Who made up that saying because it's disgusting; yet I use it all the time.
Anyway, this weekend was a good one. On Friday Night, I did some Power-Greys-Anatomy-Watching. If that was an Olympic Sport, I would win. I got through the first 2 discs of Season 2 by 1pm on Saturday - and then was sad I had to send them back and WAIT for the next two. What am I going to do when I actually catch up and have to wait a WEEK for the next one. (Or God Forbid waiting a whole SEASON.) Toby was out with the boys on Friday night so it was easy for me to fly through the episodes without commentary from the "peanut gallery" about the unrealistic-ness of the show and all the "relations" between the staff. This is GOOD TV, people!! Leave me alone!
Saturday was pretty chill. I put together a corner Baker's Rack for the dining room all by myself (that had been in the box for a month) and it looks great. We were going to visit Zana in NoVA but ended up not being able to go because the giant Rottweiler we have, Elvis, has figured out he can get a running start and CLEAR the 3 foot picket fence on the side of the house between our house and Mom and Dad's. He got out again on Thursday - luckily the nosy old lady across the street saw him get out and called Mom - and Toby had to go chasing him again. (This is like the 4th time she has called to tell us Elvis got out...does she just sit and watch?? No one will ever rob our house without her catching them in the act!)
The rest of our backyard (which is huuuuuge) is surrounded by 6 ft privacy fence - just this one side is picket fence. So, we decided to get a chain link fence and section the back 1/3 of the yard just for the dogs. There's a gate to get back there and PLENTY of room for them; and they still have access to the garage so they can go shoot a game of pool or grab a beer out of the fridge. Kidding. But anyway, they have the set-up. AND we get the front 2/3 of the yard for US to use (with an eventual swing set for Stella) and not have to worry about the Doggie Doo Landmine. (We are eventually going to tear down that picket fence and just put up a privacy fence across the front from Mom and Dad's to our house - so our yards will be connected on one side - we will have free access to their pool and they will have free access to the eventual playground for Stella...) It's a win-win!
Dad and Toby worked ALL DAY Saturday and Sunday and I tell you what - it looks AWESOME. I'll post pictures tonight. They worked really really hard and it shows.
All the way across the back of the yard:
View of garage:
View towards the house - now the HUMANS' part of the yard (free of dog doo):
The "kids" in their new home:
On Sunday, we went to church with Mom and Dad and finally got to see Dad play music. He has been playing during the services at this church for month and months and we had never been (bad bad bad....) And yesterday was probably not the best day to do it with the time change - OF COURSE we were running around like chickens and we were horribly late and frustrated by the time we got there. GREAT way to start the day.
The service was nice and the music was FAB, of course. I'm really proud of Dad. Yesterday they did "Doctor my eyes" by Jackson Browne and an original song by Mike Shiflett - my Dad's friend. I'll talk about him in depth in another post - he's a cool character!
Anyway, after the service we went out to lunch which was LOADS OF FUN (sarcasm) as Stella was a grumpy mess and I was anxious because I was SURE we were ruining everyone's leisurely Sunday Lunch throughout the entire restaurant.
We got home and she took a very-much-needed nap and I used the time to clean and empty the dishwasher and swiffer vacuum (I love this thing) and sort/wash/fold/put-away laundry. When she woke up, I decided that it was too nice of a day to stay inside again. To Short Pump we go!!!
We strolled the mall and I had a coffee. It was lovely. I found her Easter Dress on the clearance rack at Macy's and it's PERFECT for her. Not too girly or frilly as that ain't her thang. And I FINALLY got myself a pair of Crocs that I had wanted for a million years and they are so ugly but they are so comfortable and these days comfort outweighs looks by 10,000 miles.... So there.
I also got Stella some shoes in size 3 because the size 2 gave her blisters!! BLISTERS! On a foot that isn't even walking yet!! (bad Mom alert!) But come to find out, the size 3 shoes are like skis. So I guess we are officially in the "in-between" stage and can't find shoes at all. (Even the Robeez slipper-type shoes are like this!) I have "Stella Shoe Angst." Any advice would be appreciated. She can't be the first baby this has happened to! I'm just sick of putting her socks back on.
I can't even tell you how many times I was stopped in the mall by someone telling me that Stella is the cutest baby.
Yeah. Tell me something I don't know.
Ha!!
The Daylight Savings thing has really thrown me for the first time in my life. I have never even cared before (other than losing an extra hour to sleep off the hang-over) but this year?? Ever since I got up at 7:30 am yesterday (AKA 6:30) I have been out of whack. And here it is 4pm and I have done nothing today but run around like a chicken with my head cut off. Who made up that saying because it's disgusting; yet I use it all the time.
Anyway, this weekend was a good one. On Friday Night, I did some Power-Greys-Anatomy-Watching. If that was an Olympic Sport, I would win. I got through the first 2 discs of Season 2 by 1pm on Saturday - and then was sad I had to send them back and WAIT for the next two. What am I going to do when I actually catch up and have to wait a WEEK for the next one. (Or God Forbid waiting a whole SEASON.) Toby was out with the boys on Friday night so it was easy for me to fly through the episodes without commentary from the "peanut gallery" about the unrealistic-ness of the show and all the "relations" between the staff. This is GOOD TV, people!! Leave me alone!
Saturday was pretty chill. I put together a corner Baker's Rack for the dining room all by myself (that had been in the box for a month) and it looks great. We were going to visit Zana in NoVA but ended up not being able to go because the giant Rottweiler we have, Elvis, has figured out he can get a running start and CLEAR the 3 foot picket fence on the side of the house between our house and Mom and Dad's. He got out again on Thursday - luckily the nosy old lady across the street saw him get out and called Mom - and Toby had to go chasing him again. (This is like the 4th time she has called to tell us Elvis got out...does she just sit and watch?? No one will ever rob our house without her catching them in the act!)
The rest of our backyard (which is huuuuuge) is surrounded by 6 ft privacy fence - just this one side is picket fence. So, we decided to get a chain link fence and section the back 1/3 of the yard just for the dogs. There's a gate to get back there and PLENTY of room for them; and they still have access to the garage so they can go shoot a game of pool or grab a beer out of the fridge. Kidding. But anyway, they have the set-up. AND we get the front 2/3 of the yard for US to use (with an eventual swing set for Stella) and not have to worry about the Doggie Doo Landmine. (We are eventually going to tear down that picket fence and just put up a privacy fence across the front from Mom and Dad's to our house - so our yards will be connected on one side - we will have free access to their pool and they will have free access to the eventual playground for Stella...) It's a win-win!
Dad and Toby worked ALL DAY Saturday and Sunday and I tell you what - it looks AWESOME. I'll post pictures tonight. They worked really really hard and it shows.
All the way across the back of the yard:
View of garage:
View towards the house - now the HUMANS' part of the yard (free of dog doo):
The "kids" in their new home:
On Sunday, we went to church with Mom and Dad and finally got to see Dad play music. He has been playing during the services at this church for month and months and we had never been (bad bad bad....) And yesterday was probably not the best day to do it with the time change - OF COURSE we were running around like chickens and we were horribly late and frustrated by the time we got there. GREAT way to start the day.
The service was nice and the music was FAB, of course. I'm really proud of Dad. Yesterday they did "Doctor my eyes" by Jackson Browne and an original song by Mike Shiflett - my Dad's friend. I'll talk about him in depth in another post - he's a cool character!
Anyway, after the service we went out to lunch which was LOADS OF FUN (sarcasm) as Stella was a grumpy mess and I was anxious because I was SURE we were ruining everyone's leisurely Sunday Lunch throughout the entire restaurant.
We got home and she took a very-much-needed nap and I used the time to clean and empty the dishwasher and swiffer vacuum (I love this thing) and sort/wash/fold/put-away laundry. When she woke up, I decided that it was too nice of a day to stay inside again. To Short Pump we go!!!
We strolled the mall and I had a coffee. It was lovely. I found her Easter Dress on the clearance rack at Macy's and it's PERFECT for her. Not too girly or frilly as that ain't her thang. And I FINALLY got myself a pair of Crocs that I had wanted for a million years and they are so ugly but they are so comfortable and these days comfort outweighs looks by 10,000 miles.... So there.
I also got Stella some shoes in size 3 because the size 2 gave her blisters!! BLISTERS! On a foot that isn't even walking yet!! (bad Mom alert!) But come to find out, the size 3 shoes are like skis. So I guess we are officially in the "in-between" stage and can't find shoes at all. (Even the Robeez slipper-type shoes are like this!) I have "Stella Shoe Angst." Any advice would be appreciated. She can't be the first baby this has happened to! I'm just sick of putting her socks back on.
I can't even tell you how many times I was stopped in the mall by someone telling me that Stella is the cutest baby.
Yeah. Tell me something I don't know.
Ha!!
Friday, March 09, 2007
My First (and only) Born
Check it out! Another opportunity to talk about Stella because I never do that!! (sarcasm)
MY FIRST BORN
Here you go mommies - a different kind of survey for a change - it's all about your first born!
1. WAS YOUR FIRST PREGNANCY PLANNED?
Sort of - but it was still a surprise.
2. WERE YOU MARRIED AT THE TIME?
Yes
3. WHAT WERE YOUR REACTIONS?
Excited, scared, nervous, hysterical, petrified, happy, thought I was going to puke and/or pass out
4. WAS ABORTION AN OPTION FOR YOU?
No way
5. HOW OLD WERE YOU?
29
6. HOW DID YOU FIND OUT YOU WERE PREGNANT?
I thought maybe I was pregnant, so I peed on the stick, and it came back postive real quick - on the SAME DAY I started my new job working for a Vice President. Perfect timing! (Turns out, my new boss was incredible about it.)
7. WHO DID YOU TELL FIRST?
My husband... then my Sister in Law who had a 2 month old at the time.
8. DID YOU WANT TO FIND OUT THE SEX?
Heck yeah! I'm too much of a planner not to. Toby didn't want to but I had the Uterus Trump Card so I got to decide.
9. DUE DATE?
July 29, 2006
10. DID YOU HAVE MORNING SICKNESS?
Yes, I had morning sickness, and night sickness, and afternoon sickness, and every kind of sickness possible for 7 months straight. The last 2 months were wonderful when we finally figured out which meds worked.
11. WHAT DID YOU CRAVE?
Fruit (pears and pineapple especially), diet coke with lots of ice, club sandwiches with mayo and SHREDDED lettuce
12. WHO IRRITATED YOU THE MOST?
People who didn't understand that I was ill and could not go out or travel or even leave the house at some points... That really hurt my feelings that people tried to make me feel guilty.
13. WHAT WAS YOUR FIRST CHILD'S SEX
Girl
14. DID YOU WISH YOU HAD THE OPPOSITE SEX OF WHAT YOU WERE GETTING?
At first I wanted a boy, but then as it got closer to 20 weeks I REALLY had a feeling it was a girl; and by then I really hoped it was a girl.
15. HOW MANY POUNDS DID YOU GAIN THROUGHOUT THE PREGNANCY? 32 lbs
16. DID YOU HAVE A BABY SHOWER?
Yes - 3 of them! I have such amazing friends, family, and co-workers.
17. WAS IT A SURPRISE OR DID YOU KNOW?
The work one was supposed to be a surprise but it wasn't. :)
18. DID YOU HAVE ANY COMPLICATIONS DURING YOUR PREGNANCY?
Just major sickness - which was hell - but I was really lucky that the baby was fine the whole time.
19. WHERE DID YOU GIVE BIRTH?
Henrico Doctors on Forest - they were so great. My delivery nurse was AMAZING.
20. HOW MANY HOURS WERE YOU IN LABOR?
19 hours
21. WHO DROVE YOU TO THE HOSPITAL?
Toby - at 3am - in a Jeep Wrangler because my Mazda was about out of gas!
22. WHO WATCHED YOU GIVE BIRTH?
My husband.
23. WAS IT NATURAL OR C-SECTION?
Natural
24. DID YOU TAKE MEDICINE TO EASE THE PAIN?
Hell Yes.
27. HOW MUCH DID YOUR CHILD WEIGH??
7 lbs, 13 oz
28. DID YOUR CHILD HAVE ANY COMPLICATIONS???
Not really. She had a little bit of fluid in her lungs but they said that her crying and screaming would help get that out - and she did a lot of that!
29. WHAT DAY WAS YOUR CHILD ACTUALLY BORN ON?
July 23, 2006
30. WHAT DID YOU NAME HIM/HER?
Stella O'Dell
31. HOW OLD IS YOUR FIRST BORN TODAY?
7 months
OK mommies repost this as "MY FIRST BORN
MY FIRST BORN
Here you go mommies - a different kind of survey for a change - it's all about your first born!
1. WAS YOUR FIRST PREGNANCY PLANNED?
Sort of - but it was still a surprise.
2. WERE YOU MARRIED AT THE TIME?
Yes
3. WHAT WERE YOUR REACTIONS?
Excited, scared, nervous, hysterical, petrified, happy, thought I was going to puke and/or pass out
4. WAS ABORTION AN OPTION FOR YOU?
No way
5. HOW OLD WERE YOU?
29
6. HOW DID YOU FIND OUT YOU WERE PREGNANT?
I thought maybe I was pregnant, so I peed on the stick, and it came back postive real quick - on the SAME DAY I started my new job working for a Vice President. Perfect timing! (Turns out, my new boss was incredible about it.)
7. WHO DID YOU TELL FIRST?
My husband... then my Sister in Law who had a 2 month old at the time.
8. DID YOU WANT TO FIND OUT THE SEX?
Heck yeah! I'm too much of a planner not to. Toby didn't want to but I had the Uterus Trump Card so I got to decide.
9. DUE DATE?
July 29, 2006
10. DID YOU HAVE MORNING SICKNESS?
Yes, I had morning sickness, and night sickness, and afternoon sickness, and every kind of sickness possible for 7 months straight. The last 2 months were wonderful when we finally figured out which meds worked.
11. WHAT DID YOU CRAVE?
Fruit (pears and pineapple especially), diet coke with lots of ice, club sandwiches with mayo and SHREDDED lettuce
12. WHO IRRITATED YOU THE MOST?
People who didn't understand that I was ill and could not go out or travel or even leave the house at some points... That really hurt my feelings that people tried to make me feel guilty.
13. WHAT WAS YOUR FIRST CHILD'S SEX
Girl
14. DID YOU WISH YOU HAD THE OPPOSITE SEX OF WHAT YOU WERE GETTING?
At first I wanted a boy, but then as it got closer to 20 weeks I REALLY had a feeling it was a girl; and by then I really hoped it was a girl.
15. HOW MANY POUNDS DID YOU GAIN THROUGHOUT THE PREGNANCY? 32 lbs
16. DID YOU HAVE A BABY SHOWER?
Yes - 3 of them! I have such amazing friends, family, and co-workers.
17. WAS IT A SURPRISE OR DID YOU KNOW?
The work one was supposed to be a surprise but it wasn't. :)
18. DID YOU HAVE ANY COMPLICATIONS DURING YOUR PREGNANCY?
Just major sickness - which was hell - but I was really lucky that the baby was fine the whole time.
19. WHERE DID YOU GIVE BIRTH?
Henrico Doctors on Forest - they were so great. My delivery nurse was AMAZING.
20. HOW MANY HOURS WERE YOU IN LABOR?
19 hours
21. WHO DROVE YOU TO THE HOSPITAL?
Toby - at 3am - in a Jeep Wrangler because my Mazda was about out of gas!
22. WHO WATCHED YOU GIVE BIRTH?
My husband.
23. WAS IT NATURAL OR C-SECTION?
Natural
24. DID YOU TAKE MEDICINE TO EASE THE PAIN?
Hell Yes.
27. HOW MUCH DID YOUR CHILD WEIGH??
7 lbs, 13 oz
28. DID YOUR CHILD HAVE ANY COMPLICATIONS???
Not really. She had a little bit of fluid in her lungs but they said that her crying and screaming would help get that out - and she did a lot of that!
29. WHAT DAY WAS YOUR CHILD ACTUALLY BORN ON?
July 23, 2006
30. WHAT DID YOU NAME HIM/HER?
Stella O'Dell
31. HOW OLD IS YOUR FIRST BORN TODAY?
7 months
OK mommies repost this as "MY FIRST BORN
Thursday, March 08, 2007
Work? What work?
Welcome to the 2007 edition of getting to know your friends.
Change all the answers so they apply to you, and then post this in your journal.
1. What time did you get up this morning? 6:20
2. Diamonds or pearls? Diamonds
3. What was the last film you saw at the cinema? Stranger than Fiction
4. What is your favorite TV show? Grey's Anatomy (I'm a new convert and am plowing through seasons 1 and 2 from Netflix to catch up.)
5. What did you have for breakfast? Yogurt Parfait with blueberries, raspberries, and granola
6. What is your middle name? Was Denise; now it's Taylor
7. What is your favorite cuisine? Mexican
8. What foods do you dislike? raw veggies like celery, brocolli, carrots - I like them cooked the SOUTHERN way - like MUSH.
9. What are your favorite chips? tortilla chips
10. What is your favorite CD at the moment? The new Indigo Girls CD is really really good. Also, Continuum by John Mayer. And Motion City Soundtrack OF COURSE.
11. What kind of car do you drive? 2002 Mazda Tribute
12. Favorite sandwich? Tuna on wheat - toasted - with tomatoes
13. What are characteristics you can't stand? People who are losers and moochers and don't work and take advantage of other people; yet they look down on others like they are better than everyone else. I have a few of these jerks in my life.
14. What are your favorite clothes? FLANNEL PAJAMA PANTS - no question about that.
15. If you could go anywhere on vacation, where would it be? Scotland
16. Favorite brand of clothing? I am banned from buying clothes right now at this size...but if I need something I go to Cato's and get something cheap.
17. Where would you want to retire? Banner Elk, North Carolina
18. Favorite time of day? Never thought I would say this but I like the mornings. Stella is always so happy to see me after a long night of sleep.
19. Where were you born? Richmond, Virginia
20. Where have you lived? Richmond, Mechanicsville, VA, Banner Elk, NC, and back to Richmond, Chesterfield, VA, and BACK to R, VA again. :)
21. What is your favorite sport to watch? as sick as this is: Cheerleading competitions on ESPN
22. Coke or Pepsi? Diet Pepsi
23. Beavers or ducks? What??
24. Are you a morning person or a night owl? Morning. I'm in bed by 8:30 pm.
25. Pedicure or manicure? Pedicure
26. Any new and exciting news you'd like to share with everyone? Stella has 2 teeth! That's as exciting as we get these days!
27. What did you want to be when you were little? A Ballerina, of course
28. What is your best childhood memory? There are too many to list - my childhood was incredible. But I guess I could say Matt and I playing down at the creek with our neighbors Scotty and Brian Redd - And we wore those moon boots all summer so we could walk in the creek.
29. Piercing? Ears...and I had my nose pierced twice. (Remember a post a few days ago about "cringing" when thinking about the past. Yeah. That would fit right here.)
30. Ever been to Africa? No - and there are big snakes in Africa so I will NEVER be visiting.
31. Ever been toilet papering? No. I would feel too guilty.
32. Been in a car accident? Two very small ones. Thank God!
33. Favorite day of the week? Saturday
34. Favorite restaurant? Mexico
35. Favorite flower? Gerber Daisy
36. Favorite ice cream? I'm enjoying Edy's Low Fat Slow Churned "Take the Cake" lately.
37. Favorite fast food restaurant? Chipotle
38. How many times did you fail your driver's test? Written - none. Driving - twice. haha!!
39. From whom did you get your last e-mail? Ashley "Trashley" McFalls Lane
40. Which store would you choose to max out your credit card? Target. One stop shop. :)
41. Bedtime? 8:30 or 9 - WOO HOO PARTY PEOPLE!!
42. Last person you went to dinner with? Toby, Mom, Dad, and Stella - went to Chili's.
43. What are you listening to right now? Other cube dwellers talking...
44. What is your favorite color? Red
45. How many tattoos do you have? None
46. Favorite magazines? People, In Touch, Life and Style, Us Weekly, Weight Watchers
Change all the answers so they apply to you, and then post this in your journal.
1. What time did you get up this morning? 6:20
2. Diamonds or pearls? Diamonds
3. What was the last film you saw at the cinema? Stranger than Fiction
4. What is your favorite TV show? Grey's Anatomy (I'm a new convert and am plowing through seasons 1 and 2 from Netflix to catch up.)
5. What did you have for breakfast? Yogurt Parfait with blueberries, raspberries, and granola
6. What is your middle name? Was Denise; now it's Taylor
7. What is your favorite cuisine? Mexican
8. What foods do you dislike? raw veggies like celery, brocolli, carrots - I like them cooked the SOUTHERN way - like MUSH.
9. What are your favorite chips? tortilla chips
10. What is your favorite CD at the moment? The new Indigo Girls CD is really really good. Also, Continuum by John Mayer. And Motion City Soundtrack OF COURSE.
11. What kind of car do you drive? 2002 Mazda Tribute
12. Favorite sandwich? Tuna on wheat - toasted - with tomatoes
13. What are characteristics you can't stand? People who are losers and moochers and don't work and take advantage of other people; yet they look down on others like they are better than everyone else. I have a few of these jerks in my life.
14. What are your favorite clothes? FLANNEL PAJAMA PANTS - no question about that.
15. If you could go anywhere on vacation, where would it be? Scotland
16. Favorite brand of clothing? I am banned from buying clothes right now at this size...but if I need something I go to Cato's and get something cheap.
17. Where would you want to retire? Banner Elk, North Carolina
18. Favorite time of day? Never thought I would say this but I like the mornings. Stella is always so happy to see me after a long night of sleep.
19. Where were you born? Richmond, Virginia
20. Where have you lived? Richmond, Mechanicsville, VA, Banner Elk, NC, and back to Richmond, Chesterfield, VA, and BACK to R, VA again. :)
21. What is your favorite sport to watch? as sick as this is: Cheerleading competitions on ESPN
22. Coke or Pepsi? Diet Pepsi
23. Beavers or ducks? What??
24. Are you a morning person or a night owl? Morning. I'm in bed by 8:30 pm.
25. Pedicure or manicure? Pedicure
26. Any new and exciting news you'd like to share with everyone? Stella has 2 teeth! That's as exciting as we get these days!
27. What did you want to be when you were little? A Ballerina, of course
28. What is your best childhood memory? There are too many to list - my childhood was incredible. But I guess I could say Matt and I playing down at the creek with our neighbors Scotty and Brian Redd - And we wore those moon boots all summer so we could walk in the creek.
29. Piercing? Ears...and I had my nose pierced twice. (Remember a post a few days ago about "cringing" when thinking about the past. Yeah. That would fit right here.)
30. Ever been to Africa? No - and there are big snakes in Africa so I will NEVER be visiting.
31. Ever been toilet papering? No. I would feel too guilty.
32. Been in a car accident? Two very small ones. Thank God!
33. Favorite day of the week? Saturday
34. Favorite restaurant? Mexico
35. Favorite flower? Gerber Daisy
36. Favorite ice cream? I'm enjoying Edy's Low Fat Slow Churned "Take the Cake" lately.
37. Favorite fast food restaurant? Chipotle
38. How many times did you fail your driver's test? Written - none. Driving - twice. haha!!
39. From whom did you get your last e-mail? Ashley "Trashley" McFalls Lane
40. Which store would you choose to max out your credit card? Target. One stop shop. :)
41. Bedtime? 8:30 or 9 - WOO HOO PARTY PEOPLE!!
42. Last person you went to dinner with? Toby, Mom, Dad, and Stella - went to Chili's.
43. What are you listening to right now? Other cube dwellers talking...
44. What is your favorite color? Red
45. How many tattoos do you have? None
46. Favorite magazines? People, In Touch, Life and Style, Us Weekly, Weight Watchers
Wednesday, March 07, 2007
Inquiring Minds Want to Know...
I did it! I actually followed through and went to Gold's Gym with my free One-Week pass.
And I hated it there.
I do want to say, I LOVED getting back in a gym atmosphere and walking on the treadmill felt fantastic. I even was able to say at 3.0 MPH for most of my 25 minutes (could NOT make it to 30 minutes. I got bored and wanted to get home!!!) So, I was pleased with that.... I am starting from NEGATIVE scratch so being at 3.0 made me happy.
But I did not feel welcome there. The girls in the locker room were all skinny skinny and snotty. No one said "excuse me" when they push past you. And overhearing conversations between girls in there, I hear a lot of "like, oh my god" and "whatever!" and it just got on my nerves. Maybe it was the time I went - 5pm - but I just didn't like it and could not see myself there on a regular basis. The main floor was crowded as hell and it actually felt kind of DARK to me... I didn't like how it was all set up - in rows, all facing one wall. I act like I am a Gym Designer or something - which I am not - but I just didn't get a warm fuzzy feeling - and for someone who HATES TO EXERCISE WITH A PASSION, I need some warm fuzzies to keep me coming back.
(To be fair, I think they have great group exercise classes - but I am not a "group exerciser." Atleast not until I lose 50 lbs...)
The deal was sealed when I asked a guy if there were hand towells to use (like to wipe the sweat off of your face) and he said "You can rent one."
Ummm. I'm too spoiled. I'm going back to my PM Fitness Center where they GIVE me towells AND workout clothes and then wash them for me. They GIVE me a radio to use to tune into the TVs and I can tell them which channel I want to watch. And it's FREE.
So, the "grass is always greener on the other side" theory came into play here. I checked out the "other side" and I didn't like it. It's greener where I am.
That being said, Toby and I talked about me getting a regular after-work gym schedule down starting next week. The rest of this week I am working at a recruiting event downtown and don't really know my schedule but I know I'll be later getting home... So, plan to see some workout updates next week.
It DID feel good to get on that treadmill. And you know what is the coolest thing ever? An Ipod Shuffle. (Thank you, my brutha Matty Poo!) That thing ROCKS!! I only had about 20 minutes of songs on there so I really need to get some tunes uploaded. (My husband keeps "stealing" my Itunes gift cards - the turd.) Anyway, I like to workout to rap and dance music so I was jamming to some Usher "Yeah" and some Digital Underground "Humpty Dance" - Oh Yeah.
But you know what song had me ready to break into a run and I don't do that unless a big gorilla with a knife is chasing me... "Here we go again" by OK GO. (Aka: The Treadmill Song) Oh, the irony.
And I hated it there.
I do want to say, I LOVED getting back in a gym atmosphere and walking on the treadmill felt fantastic. I even was able to say at 3.0 MPH for most of my 25 minutes (could NOT make it to 30 minutes. I got bored and wanted to get home!!!) So, I was pleased with that.... I am starting from NEGATIVE scratch so being at 3.0 made me happy.
But I did not feel welcome there. The girls in the locker room were all skinny skinny and snotty. No one said "excuse me" when they push past you. And overhearing conversations between girls in there, I hear a lot of "like, oh my god" and "whatever!" and it just got on my nerves. Maybe it was the time I went - 5pm - but I just didn't like it and could not see myself there on a regular basis. The main floor was crowded as hell and it actually felt kind of DARK to me... I didn't like how it was all set up - in rows, all facing one wall. I act like I am a Gym Designer or something - which I am not - but I just didn't get a warm fuzzy feeling - and for someone who HATES TO EXERCISE WITH A PASSION, I need some warm fuzzies to keep me coming back.
(To be fair, I think they have great group exercise classes - but I am not a "group exerciser." Atleast not until I lose 50 lbs...)
The deal was sealed when I asked a guy if there were hand towells to use (like to wipe the sweat off of your face) and he said "You can rent one."
Ummm. I'm too spoiled. I'm going back to my PM Fitness Center where they GIVE me towells AND workout clothes and then wash them for me. They GIVE me a radio to use to tune into the TVs and I can tell them which channel I want to watch. And it's FREE.
So, the "grass is always greener on the other side" theory came into play here. I checked out the "other side" and I didn't like it. It's greener where I am.
That being said, Toby and I talked about me getting a regular after-work gym schedule down starting next week. The rest of this week I am working at a recruiting event downtown and don't really know my schedule but I know I'll be later getting home... So, plan to see some workout updates next week.
It DID feel good to get on that treadmill. And you know what is the coolest thing ever? An Ipod Shuffle. (Thank you, my brutha Matty Poo!) That thing ROCKS!! I only had about 20 minutes of songs on there so I really need to get some tunes uploaded. (My husband keeps "stealing" my Itunes gift cards - the turd.) Anyway, I like to workout to rap and dance music so I was jamming to some Usher "Yeah" and some Digital Underground "Humpty Dance" - Oh Yeah.
But you know what song had me ready to break into a run and I don't do that unless a big gorilla with a knife is chasing me... "Here we go again" by OK GO. (Aka: The Treadmill Song) Oh, the irony.
Monday, March 05, 2007
I am going to the gym. Today. At 5pm.
So, I am going to the gym today after work. At 5pm. Today. To the gym. Gold's Gym at Willow Lawn. I got a free pass for a week and I am going to check it out. Today. In one hour and 36 minutes. And I am going to walk on the treadmill. For 30 minutes. Today. At the gym.
(I figure the more I tell myself this (and tell everyone this) the less likely I am to just go the other way home to avoid the place like I have been doing for over a year....)
This weekend was pretty good. Friday night was a bust but in my new resolution to not re-hash things that make me anxious, I am not going to re-hash it. (Dont' worry, you aren't missing much.)
Saturday started at 6am when Stella got up. We got ready, both of us dressed and fed and in the car by 8am. Mom joined us and we headed to Aunt Cissy's in Farmville for the day. It was a nice day with the girls at a furniture auction - proceeds to benefit the school where Cissy is a teacher. Sunah scored a really cute "whatnot," Mom got a crockpot, and Jacob got a volleyball. And we ALL got to listen to a highly annoying and loud auctioneer for 4 hours. It was fun!!
We arrived home around 5pm and just chilled for the rest of the evening. I watched 3 episodes of Grey's Anatomy Season One from Netflix ("Nobody knows where they might end up..Nobody knows.....................") and ordered a thin crust pizza from Papa Johns. It was lovely.
On Sunday, I had an appt for a tour at Gold's Gym so Toby and Stella tagged along so we could run to Costco afterwards. When I got to Gold's, a young strapping boy in his 20's introduced himself and asked me to fill out some paperwork.
It asked what my reasons were for being there. I checked "Lose weight" and "Tone."
It asked how much weight I wanted to lose. I put "50 lbs."
It asked me on a scale of 1-10 how serious I am about reaching my goal. I put "10" - well, duh!
So he looks at my paper and comes back over to me and Toby and proceeds to announce to me, my husband, and the world "So you say you want to lose 50 pounds."
To which my husband yells "50 POUNDS!" Like he is in total shock.
Ummm. Nice.
So then the strapping young lad asks "When was the last time you were 50 lbs less?"
He was expecting a short answer I'm sure, but because I was already embarassed at this conversation in the first place, I launch into a total explanation of my weight issues since birth. I told him about how I used to be really really fat and then I did Body for Life and got into better shape but then got a boyfriend and gained some back so I joined Weight Watchers and lost some and was a nice size where I was happy at my wedding but then I started gaining weight for no reason so I had my thyroid checked and it came back normal but I was sent to an endocrinologist anyway and HE said I was fine too and it was really frustrating but then I got pregnant and I gained 36 lbs with the pregnancy and I have only lost 12 lbs since giving birth even though I have been back in WW since November and I am going to have my thyroid checked again on Monday so we'll see what happens since sometimes having a child does mess with your thyroid and I just need to add some exercise and maybe that will help this issue?
(Silence)
"So what time can I write down that you were 50 lbs less?"
I said "Middle school."
Then he asks "How do you feel right now being like you are..." He was struggling for the words - He should have just come out and said "What does it feel like to be a giant lump?"
I looked at him like he was an idiot. I mean, what is this?? I just want a freaking tour! So I said "Basically, I feel like crap."
"In what way?"
JESUS! "I don't have any energy. How's that?"
So he wrote that down. And then we went on the tour. It was a neat gym and I REALLY like the fact that they have a whole separate area of cardio and some weights JUST for women. That's where I am going this afternoon. At 5pm. When I go to the gym.
Sooooooooooooo, after the gym tour and interview of humiliation, we went to Costco to stock up on chicken breasts, ground beef, dog food, and laundry detergent, we headed home. I spent a couple hours weighing ground beef in 1 lb incriments and putting it in ziplocs for the freezer and cleaning out the fridge and organizing cabinets that had gotten out of control. Stella took a nap and Toby cleaned some and then spent some time in his garage. I browsed cookbooks and made a weekly menu and a grocery list and headed to Kroger. After that trip, I was home to STAY. I cooked dinner (which was nasty) and then watched the rest of Season One of Grey's so I can send the 2 discs back and start into Season Two. I AM SO INTO THIS SHOW!!! (I haven't had a favorite show since Six Feet Under ended.) But I have to say, if I heard "Nobody knows where they might end up..." one more time last night, my head was going to explode.
So anyway, this morning I went by the Dr to get some blood drawn to have my freaking thyroid checked AGAIN. I'm sure my diagnosis will come back as "You are fine. You are just a lazy fat ass." I'll keep you posted!
Now here is the MOST exciting news for this March 5, 2007: Today the world welcomes Molly June Surma weighing in at 7lbs 11oz. For those of you who were at my wedding, Molly's Dad was the awesome DJ and Molly's Mom was the lovely red-haired lady who sang our first dance. (They are also dear family friends.) Congrats to the Surma family and Happy Birthday Molly!!!
(I figure the more I tell myself this (and tell everyone this) the less likely I am to just go the other way home to avoid the place like I have been doing for over a year....)
This weekend was pretty good. Friday night was a bust but in my new resolution to not re-hash things that make me anxious, I am not going to re-hash it. (Dont' worry, you aren't missing much.)
Saturday started at 6am when Stella got up. We got ready, both of us dressed and fed and in the car by 8am. Mom joined us and we headed to Aunt Cissy's in Farmville for the day. It was a nice day with the girls at a furniture auction - proceeds to benefit the school where Cissy is a teacher. Sunah scored a really cute "whatnot," Mom got a crockpot, and Jacob got a volleyball. And we ALL got to listen to a highly annoying and loud auctioneer for 4 hours. It was fun!!
We arrived home around 5pm and just chilled for the rest of the evening. I watched 3 episodes of Grey's Anatomy Season One from Netflix ("Nobody knows where they might end up..Nobody knows.....................") and ordered a thin crust pizza from Papa Johns. It was lovely.
On Sunday, I had an appt for a tour at Gold's Gym so Toby and Stella tagged along so we could run to Costco afterwards. When I got to Gold's, a young strapping boy in his 20's introduced himself and asked me to fill out some paperwork.
It asked what my reasons were for being there. I checked "Lose weight" and "Tone."
It asked how much weight I wanted to lose. I put "50 lbs."
It asked me on a scale of 1-10 how serious I am about reaching my goal. I put "10" - well, duh!
So he looks at my paper and comes back over to me and Toby and proceeds to announce to me, my husband, and the world "So you say you want to lose 50 pounds."
To which my husband yells "50 POUNDS!" Like he is in total shock.
Ummm. Nice.
So then the strapping young lad asks "When was the last time you were 50 lbs less?"
He was expecting a short answer I'm sure, but because I was already embarassed at this conversation in the first place, I launch into a total explanation of my weight issues since birth. I told him about how I used to be really really fat and then I did Body for Life and got into better shape but then got a boyfriend and gained some back so I joined Weight Watchers and lost some and was a nice size where I was happy at my wedding but then I started gaining weight for no reason so I had my thyroid checked and it came back normal but I was sent to an endocrinologist anyway and HE said I was fine too and it was really frustrating but then I got pregnant and I gained 36 lbs with the pregnancy and I have only lost 12 lbs since giving birth even though I have been back in WW since November and I am going to have my thyroid checked again on Monday so we'll see what happens since sometimes having a child does mess with your thyroid and I just need to add some exercise and maybe that will help this issue?
(Silence)
"So what time can I write down that you were 50 lbs less?"
I said "Middle school."
Then he asks "How do you feel right now being like you are..." He was struggling for the words - He should have just come out and said "What does it feel like to be a giant lump?"
I looked at him like he was an idiot. I mean, what is this?? I just want a freaking tour! So I said "Basically, I feel like crap."
"In what way?"
JESUS! "I don't have any energy. How's that?"
So he wrote that down. And then we went on the tour. It was a neat gym and I REALLY like the fact that they have a whole separate area of cardio and some weights JUST for women. That's where I am going this afternoon. At 5pm. When I go to the gym.
Sooooooooooooo, after the gym tour and interview of humiliation, we went to Costco to stock up on chicken breasts, ground beef, dog food, and laundry detergent, we headed home. I spent a couple hours weighing ground beef in 1 lb incriments and putting it in ziplocs for the freezer and cleaning out the fridge and organizing cabinets that had gotten out of control. Stella took a nap and Toby cleaned some and then spent some time in his garage. I browsed cookbooks and made a weekly menu and a grocery list and headed to Kroger. After that trip, I was home to STAY. I cooked dinner (which was nasty) and then watched the rest of Season One of Grey's so I can send the 2 discs back and start into Season Two. I AM SO INTO THIS SHOW!!! (I haven't had a favorite show since Six Feet Under ended.) But I have to say, if I heard "Nobody knows where they might end up..." one more time last night, my head was going to explode.
So anyway, this morning I went by the Dr to get some blood drawn to have my freaking thyroid checked AGAIN. I'm sure my diagnosis will come back as "You are fine. You are just a lazy fat ass." I'll keep you posted!
Now here is the MOST exciting news for this March 5, 2007: Today the world welcomes Molly June Surma weighing in at 7lbs 11oz. For those of you who were at my wedding, Molly's Dad was the awesome DJ and Molly's Mom was the lovely red-haired lady who sang our first dance. (They are also dear family friends.) Congrats to the Surma family and Happy Birthday Molly!!!
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