Reflecting time!

Now I will take time to reflect on all that I have accomplished over the past decade...

Finished school.

Lost weight.

Quit smoking.

Started working out.

Found a job and a career path I really like (art and legal)...

Have cute hair.

I really don't have much to complain about. Sure I'd like to be a little more outgoing (okay, stop laughing now...)... but I'll work on that.

Yesterday at the gym I ran for an hour straight on the treadmill. I really am going to run in a half marathon this coming year...

I think tonight I am just going to hang out with my dogs. Tucker is a little bit ouchy again in her front section - we've started force feeding her the anti-inflamitories again... and Zoe will probably be out of it because of her little operation.. I have a few movies from netflicks... 500 days of summer and some other Larrs von Trier movie - with Bjork in it.... sounds like fun to me!

Tomorrow I am not sure what's going on... maybe a new years day run??? I think that might be in order...

If things get interesting later on I'll post some more - otherwise I'll see you next year!

Hello second to last day of the decade!

I could get used to sleeping in until 6:30 every morning... It's kind of nice but it makes my back kind of sore from being horizontal so long...

Last night we went to Red Robin at Southcenter for my cousin's birthday. It was fun. I branched out and had a bacon cheese burger. It was pretty good...

Today on the agenda?? not much - work for four hours... work out... sounds pretty good to me.

Tomorrow Zoe goes under the knife and I get my new years massage.... I'm probably looking forward to my day than Zoe is (but she probably has no idea what is going to happen to her...).

My money saving is going well... I've been writing down all that I spend. It reminds me of the old days when I was trying to get out of debt... I did it then so obviously I can do it now... it might just take a bit longer...

I don't have much to say this morning so I think I will wrap it up. I have to rest up for tomorrow!

My legs have lost all feeling...

I subbed both cycle classes last night and let me tell you, I was wiped out... Let's see how much weight I sweated off by doing that. I was so stinking tired I went to bed a little after 9 last night.

The good news about teaching both classes last night is that I don't have to teach tonight and I get to go to Red Robin to celebrate my cousins birthday.

I am not quite sure about this working four hour days.... what's the point. Not a lot to do, but that's alright... I like going in... I like the people I work with... I am really looking for my new years eve massage I have scheduled... I'm even more jazzed because I don't have to pay for it... it's a Christmas gift!

What else? I don't know... I've started tracking all my spending so I can save up for the big move out... that's exciting... Zoe goes under the knife on Thursday... no puppies for her...

Short days here I come.

I don't quite know what to do with myself. I slept in until 6:20 and I don't have to leave for work until 9:00 or so... what to do? what to do?

Here's the status of me since I last posted... I taught my class yesterday and Mr. Arms came up to me afterwards (he wasn't in class). He commented on the fact that there were a lot of guys in my class to which I replied "well you know, the boys like me!" they do though.... I then gave him a hard time because he never takes my class... he said, he'd taken it at least twice - my friend Kira said he didn't take it because it was too hard for him. Oh, the witty banter...

I've been thinking about what to do in the new year... I'm thinking about signing up for the Mercer Island Half Marathon in the end of March... can I train for it by then? Maybe... it's a thought... I"m also thinking about the possibility of finding my own place to live... just under the surface - but I'm thinking it's about time to give myself and my momma some space. I have to start taking a look at my expenditures and seeing where I can curtail my spending. I know I should probably start shaving my legs again.... oh how I don't want to though.... maybe I should just start starving myself.... nah, I'm just kidding. I'm not going to make any rush decisions - I need to save money for a deposit etc...

I haven't told my mother that I'm thinking about this yet... it's still in the early stages...

Okay, I just told her.... now I have to do something about it...

What else should I do this morning before I leave..... drink more coffee? Check. Snuggle with my dogs? Check. Watch the Today show? Check.

Do I smell waffles?

Mom is making waffles.... hmm...

I think I could probably eat one and then cycle...

I was lamenting yesterday that everyone was talking about all they had to eat for Christmas breakfast and I didn't have any....

I am not sure that's happening today - I had thought I may be going to Olympia but I'm not sure... I am cycling... Yesterday I went to the studio for a few hours... didn't get a lot done but I did go.. that was good.

Less that a week left in the year... have to start thinking about those resolutions. I'm thinking I am going to run a half marathon next year. I can do it... I might even be able to pull off a full marathon....

I'm also going to practice looking people in the eyes more often...

Let me see, what are my plans for New Years? I've been invited to a party... Zoe is going to the doctor to get snipped... I'm getting a massage (and I'm going to use the best present ever - a gift certificate from my mommy)....

Here's a quick change of subject... I got a few books for Christmas which I will not use... what do I do?? no gift receipts - can I take them back anywhere??? I got them from my sister - she meant well - but it's all about what to eat when you eat out. I don't eat out though... hmmm... what a quandary. What to do...

I think I'll go now... I am going to try to pull out a new playlist before class this morning.

Post Holiday Sugar Coma.

Here are some photos taken with my niece's new digital camera.

Argh...



My groom.



I am in the midst of my sugar coma... I really didn't eat too much sweets - but I'm sure I will be up this morning when I weigh in a ww.

That is alright. I know I'm doing what I need to be doing for the most part.

This is the pound of bacon I received from my friend Ken. Maybe we'll have to try some this weekend.



Today I don't have much on the radar... just ww and the gym. Maybe I'll try to clean something..

I have to get going... have to face the scale.

Already in the PJ's.

Here I am....
Recap of the day.
Went for a run.
Stopped for a latte.
Ran back home.
Made bacon salted caramels... (a little gooey).
Showered.
Watched the telley.
Went for a walk.
Opened gifts.
ate.
Pj's.

bed at 8:30?

Maybe.

It's a wrap.

I am done... well, almost.

I am in the process of cooling the bacon for the bacon salted caramels that I am making for my friend Ken. Then I will be done with the holiday preparations.

I tried to sleep in this morning but it didn't work... well, I did manage to stay in bed until 6:30 so technically I did sleep in.

Once the sun comes up I may go outside and try to run. I know it is against my character - but we're going to try it anyway.

I also have to do some cleaning around here...

Yesterday was busy and pretty fun... with the exception of hanging out at the doctors office for two and a half hours - but no biggie.

I should start cleaning.... time waits for no one.

Who you calling a ho?

Not me hopefully...

The time has drawn near... I think I am done with all my shopping. Yesterday I got in a bit of a panic because I couldn't figure out what to get my nephews. I finally settled on PJ's. I also managed to finish off the rest of the family... now I just have to wrap everything.

Today I am heading to the gym at 8 and then it's off to work to open the mail etc... then picking up and delivering Dad to a Dr. Appointment.. then I get a quick break to go home, change, go back and pick him up to go to Bellevue.

If I have time when that's all done I'll go to my friend Malyn's house to see her family.

Last night at the gym I decided to try running for a change. I ran over a half an hour on the treadmill. I think the thing is to not try to run too fast. If I run slower I can run longer... I'm sure I'll be able to increase the distance I can run over time. I'm thinking I might try to work up to running in a half marathon this coming year.

I slept in this morning until 6. I know that doesn't sound like much but it is. I don't have to work a full day at work for the rest of the year. Next week we're only open 10 - 2.

Well I guess that's it for this Christmas eve post... I might add more later if there's time...

Happy Holidays everyone.

In for the long haul...

If today is anything like yesterday at work I am going to be twiddling my thumbs. It's going to be slow.... maybe I can come up with some great ideas for gifts while I'm sitting there...

Last night at cycle one of my regular guys gave me some homemade cookies and a matchbox car.... I had mentioned that I wanted a car for Christmas... now I have it.

Last night I also made caramel corn to take into work. It's good - I have to get rid of it all though or I may eat it.

Did I mention that I made hotel reservations for Chicago? Maybe I did... I have to start putting together copies of my resume and cd's of my work in case I decide to go in for job interviews...

I'm still not done with the holiday shopping... I'm going to do some power shopping during lunch to try and get it all done.

Here's what Zoe looked like this morning - she likes to think she's a parrot!

I'm running out of time!

I have come to the conclusion that I am not going to get everything done. Oh well, it was a nice thought. Oh who am I kidding - I'll pull something off.

I was looking at the books I was going to give my nephews yesterday - they are pretty funny... okay, funny is not the word. Disturbing is the word I'm looking for. The dinosaur book has a picture (drawing) of a dinosaur ripping the head off of it's baby because it is starving. The insect book shows a man falling through a porch and breaking his ankle (the termites had gotten to the wood)... it's just a bit too much I think.

I am still waking up croupy - it goes away after a while but I wish it would just end.

I've been having problems with my left hip lately so I have made an appointment with the chiropractor... It's a new one... my old chiropractor is still around but he hired a new guy to be in his practice.... I thought I should give him a shot. It's rough to be new sometimes and I thought I would see if he can compete with Dr. Dan.

I have two days to figure things out.... Christmas wise... hmmm.. can I do it?

Not much more to tell...

Zoe decided to get out of control last night and she jumped up on my back... I caught the action on my computer's camera.

I did not use very good judgment food-wise this weekend. Time to get back on track. I'll just have to figure it all out...

Yesterday I was looking at the picture books I bought for my nephews - they were pretty cool... but once I started really looking at them they are a bit violent... I'm going to have to return them... they show how various and dinosaurs kill(ed) things... (including humans). My sister might frown upon that.

Only 3.2 workdays this week. I have to go in Thursday for a few hours to get the mail etc... but after that I'm free. The week between Christmas and New Years I work from 10 to 2. Pretty sweet!

Okay, my chest congestion is a bit better today but still not completely gone... maybe by Friday?

Last night I posted the casting call for Survivor on Facebook... I got an email from my friend Annie who I know from Chicago - she has a friend who does casting for the show and she sent me her contact information... I think I shall contact her. An inside track??? maybe.

Last night I reserved a hotel room for Chicago... I got a pretty good rate. It's at a Hilton Suite located near the John Hancock Building. The rate was 75 dollars a night. Not too shabby. If any of my friends decide to come to the conference I can defray the costs by having them stay with me. The hotel is at the opposite end of the Magnificent Mile from the hotel the conference is located but I can walk to the conference every morning and it will be just fine... more exercise.

I think I shall retire to the bathroom now.... got to get ready!

Say What???

Yes, this is a post 10pm post... ha ha (I used the word post twice)...

I am still up this evening because I had to watch the final episode of Survivor...

I didn't end up going to Olympia today, instead I went to the mall and ran into my friend Bill. We walked a few laps around the mall before we went our separate ways. I still have not finished my shopping. It's hard when you don't really enjoy buying things and the people you're buying for don't really need them.... oh well, I have a few days left to get my act together.

Are you done with your shopping?

I had honestly hoped to finish everything up yesterday - it didn't happen. I did manage to go to Red Robin and have a hamburger. That was worthwhile.

I went to the Mall and realized that I don't have the patience to deal with a ton of people... I'll just put everything off until Wednesday I think.

I had promised a new holiday playlist for my class today... I think I'm about half way done... if even... I'll pull it off... (I hope). I'm relaxing here with the puppies... wouldn't it be nice to hang out and sleep and eat all day? I could probably get used to it.

I am supposed to head down to Olympia this afternoon... I don't know if that's still on the radar though. I guess I'll find out sooner or later.

The other day I was looking for different 5k races to participate in.. it turns out there's one on New Years day which includes a Polar Bear Dive as well... that's where crazy people jump in Lake Washington and try not to freeze their tails off! I might just do it.

Countdown to Christmas.... how many days? four I think... I can manage it...

Remember I wear size 8 1/2 shoes (in case you're looking for something to get me...).

It's the Weekend!

Today I am going to be a wrapping queen... I received most of my "Dad holiday shopping" items yesterday and now I get to wrap.

I only have one complaint today... I keep waking up with that croup in my chest - I wish it would go away already.

uhhhh.... not much is coming out of my fingers today.... maybe there will be more later.

Friday

hello everyone...

Every morning before I get ready for work I get on the Wii Fit and do a body test. It tests your reactions in various tests and weighs you... every morning it tells me I'm overweight... I'm not really overweight but my BMI is high because of all that muscle I have... yesterday morning I was very surprised to find out that I was normal! That will all be blown to hell after what I ate last night...

Which leads us to my holiday party. I had a swell time... we ate a lot of yummy food - I actually drank a beer... it was charming - I was charming! For dinner I had a kona coffee crusted top sirloin with mashed potatoes and vegetables followed by a flourless chocolate espresso cake for dessert. I managed to walk in my "big lady shoes" for a few hours... (translated that means high heels)...

We also got a little bonus yesterday which was nice - the partners also came through with gift certificates for "Spa Day"... I've been working on that since day one...

Overall things are good...

Today I am driving into work to deliver nuts and soda... I am having a bunch of items delivered from Amazon.com so it will be good to cart everything home.

I think that's it this morning - I should get cracking...

It's a bit awkward (like me).

Yesterday at work the partners had a meeting (they're all partners at my firm)... the conference room is right across from my desk and I can see inside.

The topic of discussion was Holiday bonuses. How awkward is that - sitting outside and trying not to look like you're interested in what's going on - but on the inside you are just dying to know.

I never count on getting anything... that's why it's called a bonus. It would be nice though...

I also talked to my Dad yesterday and was asked to do his Christmas shopping for him. No problem - it's not like I don't have enough problems finding gifts to give myself...

I subbed cycle class last night. It was a small group... that's okay though... I still get paid.

This morning I am dropping my momma off at a doctors appointment and then heading off to work... I get to watch a little of the today show! I also need to figure out what I'm wearing today for the holiday party. We're going to the Capital Grille... I've been there before - it should be pretty good.

My head is hurting - my chest is still a bit croupy. Nothing a little mucinex won't fix.

Okay, I think I better get a moving and find more gifts to give (online).

A little bit of a rant.

I was riding home on the bus yesterday and I saw a grown woman on the bus wearing a Santa hat. it was the most inane thing... maybe I'm just a Grinch - but Santa hats should be left to the fat man. or dogs. It may be cute when you're a toddler or in elementary school but no one should go out in public in one of those if you're over the age of 10.

I actually accomplished some holiday shopping yesterday. I am 50 percent ahead of where I was at this time last year.

Okay, here's another rant... two in one post... last night after class a woman who comes pretty regularly comes up after class and tells me that there is no constant tempo in my song selections so she has a hard time getting into it.... well, don't come to my class then! I just smiled and nodded my head. - she's lucky I didn't slug her... no, it's not that bad.

Tomorrow I have a busy schedule... I get to take my momma in for a Doctor's appointment in the morning and then there's work and then my office holiday party. I haven't decided what I 'm going to wear just yet. I still have my "almost slutty" dress that I bought last year... that might be a little too much for dinner - I don't know... maybe we could all use a little bit of slutty around the holidays...

I think it's time for more coffee...

Good morning lungs!

Last night before I went to bed I started feeling a bit of tightness in my chest. This morning it's a bit worse... I don't feel bad otherwise... just a sense that the phelm is coming... just in time for the holiday party...

Yesterday at work we celebrated a birthday - it was strange - we had a cake and we all sat around the conference room table and ate it... it was like we were a little family... a bit strange but nice. I'm used to just grabbing a piece of cake and leaving... no chit chat...

I finally started some of my Christmas shopping yesterday. If I haven't mentioned it before it's not one of my favorite things to do... people I know don't need things... I bought gifts for my nephews yesterday... I already have a few things for my niece... I have just over a week to get everything done. I think last year I was still shopping on Christmas eve... I'll get it done because I always do.

ummm... what am I doing today? working and teaching... I ate too much crap yesterday so I am going to get back on track today... good thing I work at a gym don't you think?

bah humbug.

Sleeping in (for five minutes).

I slept in five minutes this morning... I have a Dr. Appointment to get my elbow checked out one last time. I still can feel it every once in a while but it's not nearly as painful as it once was.

Last night we went to the Wedgwood Broiler for Dad's birthday... I had top sirloin... yummy yummy yummy... All that and running yesterday filled up my card. I didn't really do anything in between the run and dinner though. Oh well....

This week I have the office Holiday party... that should be fun... not much else other than that. My nephew turns six on Wednesday... I have to find a gift for him...

I'm happy that I'll get to watch Ann this morning on the Today Show... maybe I'll see people I know in the crowd.

I think I'll go now...