Thursday, March 31, 2011

A Thought for Thursday

Maybe this is why I stay in a lot ...

=====================================================================
Today's blessings: Boost boot camp note; new desk delivery; WDW orientation with Charity; Las Palmas for dinner via Steve; cabinet dude at Molly's house; bracing and arranging Molly's DVD shelves; afternoon time with Lindley

Wednesday, March 30, 2011

The Cat's in the Bag

Of course, only at my house, would it be a Disney World bag!!
=======================================================================
Today's blessings: Tabata boot camp; Target-ing and picking up Lindley at day care with Steve; IM-ing with MB

Tuesday, March 29, 2011

Today Is ...

... if only I knew what I was in control of ...

========================================================================
Today's blessings: sinus headache = lazy morning; mole control dude; picking up Lindley at day care and Steve and the airport; 2012 cruise ressies; getting Maribeth's potential house inspected

Monday, March 28, 2011

Geese Is Good

How to have a pretty good day:
1. Wear your daddy's 25-year-old hat.
2. Get somebody to stroll you around
3. Pick a sunny day with a clear blue sky
4. Take time to chat with the geese
5. Have milk in a sippy cup on hand

What could be better than that?
=========================================================================
Today's blessings: Monday butt camp; sweet email from Karen B; picking up Lindley from day care and taking a walk in the park; Red Lobster lunch with Molly

Sunday, March 27, 2011

How To Numb Your Brain

1. Watch "Sex and the City 2." The sheer stupidity and absurdity of the plot is brain numbing enough, but factor in the costuming and length of the movie, and you have a recipe for a very dull brain. Of course, if you were silly enough to watch the whole thing AFTER reading the reviews (both from professional reviewers and family), then it probably wasn't a far stretch for your pea-sized brain to go completely numb.

2. Watch "The Real Housewives of Orange County." I think that watching any of the various incarnations of this television series would count. Basically, I know of no housewives in any city who would behave as these women do. None of my friends and I get in to verbal or physical fights. None of my friends had full-time nannies to take care of our offspring. Whenever we could get away on vacation (usually to the Thrifty Inn), we felt fortunate to pack one suitcase for three days - not ten. Also, my friends have foreheads and upper lips that actually move and demonstrate expression (and not filled with botoxy or epoxy or whatever the latest thing is). As far as I am concerned, it should be "Housewives from Mars" because these housewives are just that alien to me.

Unfortunately, I did both of the above in a relatively short period of time, so I'm using what brain cells I have left to compose this thought-provoking and provocative blog post. Yeah - if you've done both of the above, then reading this should just about finish you off! Sweet dreams!
===================================================================
Today's blessings: Brunch at Noshville, Starbucks, and playing with Lindley and her parents; getting a few rooms straightened up; lunch and dinner furnished by Molly; sweet cyper-notes from Michelle and Emmie

Saturday, March 26, 2011

Saturday In The Park With Friends

This morning, a few friends and I completed the Runnin' To Beat The Blues 5K. Gloria and husband Jim ran the dang thang but very sweetly waited until the rest of us finished. Karen B, Karen P, and I alternated walking, jogging, and ambling, and managed to finish just ahead of the last few stragglers still out on the course. I'm not sure when the duck finished.

It was a bit cold and overcast when the race started this morning. Earlier, there were a lot of emails, facebook messages, and texts about who was going. But in the end, we all showed up and enjoyed some time together.

Because that's what good friends do - enjoy each other in all kinds of weather - even weather that's best enjoyed by ducks!!
=======================================================================
Today's blessings: 5K-ing it with 3 butt camp buds and 1 butt camp hubby; McGriddle from McDonalds; Sonic and CPK with Molly, Sam, Lynnette, and Lindley; watching Lindley practice walking; table shopping with Molly and picking up table/bench/sideboard for delivery to Molly's house

Friday, March 25, 2011

Hitting the Right Button

This week I attended all five days of boot camp. Every night before I went to bed, I told myself that if I overslept the next morning, then I would be okay with skipping boot camp for that day. But I never overslept. One day I had about five minutes to get dressed and out the door, but I made it. I wondered every day if I would make it through the session and still maintain a heartbeat by the end, but each day I not only maintained a heartbeat, but possibly improved my overall health.

I also started back trying to eat responsibly. I logged back in to Sparkpeople, and dutifully recorded what I ate, even though most days what I ate was not so responsible. I considered fudging what I ate and recording something like fruit and vegetables, but instead I owned up to my ill-chosen meals (well, for the most part). While it wasn't exactly a report to be proud of, at least it was a reporting.

I finally got back to the swimming pool and swam a few laps. So what if it was only on one day, and it was only for 20 minutes. At least it was 20 minutes longer than I've done in a year.

I guess what I'm saying is that this week I've hit the Restart button. Here's to hoping that I keep it going.
========================================================================
Today's blessings: Friday butt camp; rolling change and Baha Burrito with Molly; bank teller error in my favor; delicious mocha frap from Starbucks

Thursday, March 24, 2011

In Case You're Unsure of The Day ...

Time to make plans for the weekend!!

=======================================================================
Today's blessings: Watching "The Office" and rolling change with Molly; chatting with Susan; picking up Lindley at day care

Wednesday, March 23, 2011

Dang It! I Still Got It Wrong!!

After yesterday's junk-food-fest, I thought I had learned my lesson. While still reeling from the ice cream sundaes (yes, you read correctly - sundae-S), I thought today would be better. And it was - sort of. I had my usual healthy breakfast and gave in to a Whopper Junior for lunch (although it WAS a junior whopper and I skipped the fries). I had a granola bar for a snack and carefully planned my dinner. And that's where it all fell apart.

First of all, my intentions were good (as most intentions are). I decided I would have mashed potatoes, corn, green beans, and turkey. I did, only I made a little too much. It tasted so yummy that I ate a lot too much. A lot a lot too much.

Therefore, tonight's lesson is that truly, you can have too much of a good thing. Here's hoping that tomorrow I will get it all figured out - if I can manage to get up off the floor!!

======================================================================
Today's blessings: Getting up late and still making it to butt camp; getting caught up on bills; picking up Lindley at day care and walking in the park

Tuesday, March 22, 2011

You Are What You Eat

Any questions about all the crap I've eaten today?!
=======================================================================
Today's blessings: Taking Steve to the airport and making it back in time for butt camp; outside butt camp; beautiful spring day; straightening up the den; chatting with the Mole Dude

Monday, March 21, 2011

A God Thing

Last night just before I dozed off, I mentioned to Steve that "if I overslept, then it meant I was skipping butt camp." It was a busy weekend, full of physicality (for me, anyway), and I thought that perhaps I would take today off.

This morning, I woke and looked at the clock - 4:30 am. I promptly turned over and went back to sleep. I vaguely heard Steve headed for the kitchen to make coffee. Soon I was off in dreamland - which I will tell you about:

Apparently in the dream, I was fresh out of counselor school, which I had gone to so I could counsel people (as in emotional therapy). The question was (and I'm not sure who asked it) how much was I going to charge. I started with some amount (but I don't remember what it was), then went down because I wasn't licensed yet (thank you, Lynnette for that subliminal contribution from yesterday), and then went down again until my price was $25 an hour, which in my dream seemed reasonable.

Anyhow, I was in my new house (I had apparently recently moved) in the living room with a group of people, maybe about seven. I could only identify two - Gregg (my childhood friend Pam's husband, whom I haven't seen in over 20 years) and a person that was a combination of several people - my cousins Susan and Kathy, and their mother Nancy, and Phyllis from The Office. At different times, they were one of those people (perhaps a multiple personality was going to be my first client?).

Well, I was talking with Susan/Kathy (they kept changing back and forth) of Susan/Kathy/Nancy/Phyllis. I was asking her/them about her/their mother (even though the mother Nancy was part of the bundle) and asking how the mother' death had affected them. At this point we were in my new bedroom which was very large. I was in a recliner and Susan/Kathy/Nancy/Phyllis (who was now all Phyllis) was about to let loose with some great revelation. But before she could spill her/their beans, Gregg came in and jumped over my recliner and bed to the microwave that was in the far left corner. He opened it and took out several pieces of pizza, which he put on a plate and jumped back over the furniture to leave the room. One of the other nondescript people was with him. Phyllis (of S/K/N/P) clammed up and wouldn't talk. Gregg seemed nonplussed about interrupting the counseling session and was more concerned about getting the pizza.

Then we were all in my living room, seated around the room in a variety of chairs - recliners, upholstered, straight - and looking at each other to talk.

So, apparently at this time, God had either witnessed enough of this dream, or decided that I did indeed need to go to butt camp, because Steve's alarm went off at 5:15 am. It is an IPOD clock radio contraption that has a variety of buttons and options, so the only way to turn the *#&%^ing thing off is to get up, walk around the bed, and push on some buttons until it goes off. According to my calculations, I had just enough time (thanks, God) to get dressed and ready and get out the door to be on time for butt camp. Which I did.

It's good to know that God is concerned about all of my life, even my getting to butt camp. I just wish I knew if Susan/Kathy/Nancy/Phyllis worked out her/their issues and and I got my $25!!
=======================================================================
Today's blessings: Monday butt camp with my buds; looking at Maribeth's potential house; swimming for 20 minutes (hey - it's a start); beautiful spring day; getting back with Spark people

Sunday, March 20, 2011

Happy Night Hours = Day Hours Day

It's the first day of spring. Summer is less than 100 days away. I've lost 0 pounds, but have a new plan (I just haven't figured it out yet). Flowers are blossoming and the grass is getting green (except for the sod from last fall - the mower dude said it would still be a few weeks). The official change of seasons has come, so I guess it's time to get things going.

If only I knew what those things were ...
============================================================================
Today's blessings: Beautiful first day of spring; doughnuts with Steve, Sam, Lynnette, and Lindley; an hour with Gina; shopping with Molly; phone call from Maribeth; Ruby Tuesday via Steve

Saturday, March 19, 2011

What Not To Wear - In Public

So here's how my Saturday went: Just before 6 am (yes, that's 6 am on a Saturday morning), I put on my t-shirt and workout capris. I brushed my hair and headed out the door to nail the garage sale signs to the street corner light posts. Sure enough, some bozo saw me nailing and decided he would come to the garage sale - an hour before the thing started. Of course, Molly had not arrived, so I had to man the sale by myself. Naturally, Dude bought nothing, and had no guilt about being there early.

Anyhoo, Molly soon arrived bringing Sonic drinks, and the garage sale was in full swing. Since I hate garage sales (and since Molly was keeping all the proceeds), I spent most of the morning inside. I left the house at 8:00, headed to go walk with my fellow butt campers with whom I'm going to do the Country Music Marathon. Our plan was to walk 4 miles, then attend the Saturday free butt camp put on by our leader, Josh. Yes, you read correctly - FOUR MILES AND THEN AN HOUR OF BUTT CAMP WORKING OUT. We may be fine specimens of female prowess and athletic-ness (well, some of us, anyway), but sometimes all that physical exertion thwarts our thinking process.

We did our four miles, managing a little sweat along the way. We finished in time to start butt camp with the other ladies, and proceeded to run, side shuffle, jump rope, lift weights, crunch, sit-up, push-up, and other assorted activities which involved more profuse sweating. We finished the session by running (theoretically) up a hill and down and back up. Soon I was headed back home.

The garage sale was still in progress. Molly's friend (a very effective garage sale saleswoman) had set up shop and customers were busy looking and picking and haggling and buying. It was too intense for me, so I decided to go warm the couch and rest my eyes. I managed to get up in time to get chicken taco salads for us and surf the Internet. Miraculously, soon the time came that Molly called the garage sale over.

Now it was time to load up all the crap and box it up for Goodwill, or so I thought. Instead we loaded it in the car to unload at Molly's house for a future garage sale. The boxes were a bit dingy, so soon my pristine white t-shirt was pretty dingy itself. The boxes were delivered to Molly's house, just in time to get a call from Sam requesting the red chairs that did not sell in the garage sale, that he brought over last week because they did not want them, but they did now. We also were to bring over the recliner that they already had the match for.

We took the chairs over and reloaded the car with the chairs they didn't want, along with some recycling and laundry (their dryer isn't hooked up yet). By this time (and that time would be 7 pm), I was a pretty sight. My hair was last brushed at 6 am, my shirt was sweaty and dingy, and I still had on my workout capris. I had removed my running shoes and had on my Disney crocs. My entire body was coated with various layers of sweat. I had taken out my contact lens and was wearing my glasses. In other words, I was lovely.

Most people would be ready for a shower, and I certainly had that on my to-do list. But Steve was hankering for some french toast, and suggested we go to Cracker Barrell. So we did, Steve and the homeless lady that he brought to dinner.

The good news is that I saw no one I knew at Cracker Barrel. I can only hope that no one I knew saw me!!
=======================================================================
Today's blessings: Molly's garage sale and the characters who came; four miles with Karen, Karen, Gloria, and Sharon; taco salad for lunch; clearing out the garage sale; Cracker Barrel with Steve

Friday, March 18, 2011

Stuff, And Too Much of It

Earlier this week, while travelling down to Mississippi and back, I noticed how many storage building businesses there were along the way. It seemed that every town had at least two "U Store It" places. In other words, there is a profitable market for people who have so much stuff that they can't store it in their own homes.

I should know. I currently am renting two such units. Of course, it helps when two out of three of my offspring have been remodeling their houses and needed the space. When my house couldn't hold their stuff and mine, we needed extra room in which to stuff the stuff.

Today I cleaned out both units because we are having a garage sale tomorrow. As we loaded out the this-and-thats and the doo-dads and the six billion storage containers that stored more bric-a-brac, I was both amazed and overwhelmed at how much stuff our family has - to get rid of.

I guess there's only one question I wanted to ask myself - why do we have so much junk? Maybe it's because once we needed it and haven't gotten rid of it because we might need it again. Maybe it's because somebody gave it to us and we kept it for the requisite period of time. But mostly I think we have stuff because we thought we wanted it, and once we got it we didn't want it so much - but kept it anyway.

Anyway, tomorrow we'll get rid of some of that extra stuff. The storage sheds are empty and the house will have a little more space to breathe - as long as we don't fill it up with some new stuff!
===========================================================================
Today's blessings: Pancakes at the Pantry with Karen, Karen, Kelsey, and Gloria; getting the garage stuff together with Molly; Maribeth making her flight to Baltimore; putting in a contract with Susan; night chat with Sam, Steve, and Molly

Thursday, March 17, 2011

Happy St. Patrick's Day!!

======================================================================
Today's blessings: Beginning the yard-sale work; dryer delivery dudes; Steve bring Diet Dr. Pepper float and cooking Bubba burgers

Wednesday, March 16, 2011

Fun Times

Tonight I've been looking at old pictures. One of the benefits of these modern days is that pictures are stored on a hard drive, so it's easy to look at them. Of course, none of mine are labeled or dated, so they're all mixed up. But it's fun to look at them and remember fun times.

Of course, it's also fun to remember the questionable things I've seemed to experience.

... like the cruise where Marilyn and I took a tour and had lunch in some shack where the chickens roamed around the "dining area." Of course, did it stop us from eating whatever the heck they were serving? Certainly not!! That was also the tour where we ditched the bus when the tour guide stopped at his brother's jewelry store. Thank goodness Marilyn speaks Spanish and could get us back to the ship via taxi!!


... like the time Maribeth and I decided to hike to the local Kroger for groceries, about a mile or ten down the road. While the road wasn't the interstate, it was still full of cars zooming past. Great idea, especially when you have a backpack filled with milk and who knows what else.




... like the fireworks cruise when it was freezing and the only warmth we had was from the towels and snuggling with each other. If only the fireworks had been a little closer - like right over the boat so the fireworks remnants would warm us up!!




Yep, thank goodness for pictures - evidence of all those good times!
====================================================================
Today's blessings: Safe road trip back to Nashville; lunch at Demos's in Florence; Molly coming over and preparing dinner for the girls; phone chat with Kay

Tuesday, March 15, 2011

Can We Just Deal With Tomorrow, Please?


In case your “100 days until summer” goal is too soon, I just learned via NBC that the Olympics are in 500 days in London. Just in case you're working on your calendar ...




======================================================================
Today's blessings: Safe road trip to GDiz's; shopping, McD's and internet in Florence; dinner at the Grille with Steve, Ann, and GDizzle

Monday, March 14, 2011

Okay, I'll Take It!

It doesn't take much for someone to sell me something. Case in point: I have signed up for a half-marathon because there is a "special medal" involved. And a discount coupon. Oh, and it's at Disney World. Tomorrow at noon I will sign up for a half-marathon relay for the exact same reasons.

Forget the snake oil - just slap a Disney label on it, and I'm sold!!
=====================================================================
Today's blessings: Sending off two surprise packages; Lucy's engagement; picking up Lindley at day care; Sam on the news; organizing photos; Shoneys dinner with Steve and Maribeth

Sunday, March 13, 2011

Lazy Day

In order to recover from the lost hour of sleep last night, I decided to do nothing today. Actually, I didn't decide to officially do absolutely nothing until I had already spent several hours practicing doing absolutely nothing, but I had to practice to see if it would be worth the non-trouble. Trust me - it totally was.

So, just in case you need an absolute lazy day, here are the guidelines:

1. Uniform of the day: Pajamas. Pajama bottoms are required, but a clean t-shirt change is permissible.

2. The clean t-shirt change is permissible because all meals should be consumed in a supine position.

3. Someone has to be the designated runner for take-out, since all forms of cooking are off-limits on lazy day.

4. Some sort of TV marathon watching is a necessity. Today it was "Criminal Minds," but usually there is a marathon of some version of "Law and Order." Or "Sex and the City."

5. The best partner in lazy day is a cat, because cats were created for lazy days. They will cuddle and snuggle and burrow into the blankets, and are great encouragers of such actions in humans.

6. Rainy days make great lazy days because nobody wants to go out in the rain. So if it's not raining on your lazy day, don't look outside. Your head should be under the covers, anyway.

7. And finally, just remember this: anything worth putting off until tomorrow, is worth putting off with gusto!
===============================================================================================
Today's blessings: brief Molly visit; Applebees dinner furnished by Steve

Saturday, March 12, 2011

Spring Forward Yourself

I've been busy this week, catching up and yet still getting behind. I've been trying to get back in a routine, yet I'm still flying by the seat of my rather ample pants. I've been trying to get back to normal, only to find that normal is still way off yonder in the distance.

And now I have to change my stinkin' clocks forward an hour. I will lose an hour so that tomorrow I can be all confused about what time it is. It will be dark when I'm used to it being light, and it will still be light when it should be getting dark. Since lately I have been struggling to stay awake until 9pm, I will be totally confused when I go to bed at what seems like 7pm.

Eventually I will get used to the new schedule. I will relish all those extra hours of sunlight, be on a routine, and back to normal (whatever that means). At least until October, when I will gain an hour by falling back. Yippee!
==============================================================================================
Today's blessings: Walking 6 miles with my butt camp buds; Krogering with Molly; finding Steve's keys, my camera's SD card, and my Massage Envy appointment card; Steve's Bubba burgers for Davidson-Ogle dinner; Lindley's blinking; cruise docs in the mail; Minnie gets a name

Friday, March 11, 2011

It's 100 Days Until Summer


Just in case you needed a little motivation to get to work on that bikini body...
=============================================================================
Today's blessings: Last Friday of this butt camp session; delivering Sam and Lynnette's stored clothes; homemade pimento cheese from the neighborhood grocery; picking up Steve at the airport

Thursday, March 10, 2011

Here's How It Is

I butt-camped this morning. I did 900 loads of laundry. I watched "The Karate Kid" - the new one with Will Smith's son. I semi-cleaned the den. I loaded the dishwasher. I ate and then over-ate and then had a Diet Dr. Pepper float. Put all that together and this is what you get:

We'll try this again tomorrow ...
==================================================================================
Today's blessings: Butt camp, basketball, and buds; getting the laundry done; napping with no-name-yet kitty; pizza with Maribeth


Wednesday, March 9, 2011

Get A Cat

Especially if you already have a cat.
Everyone needs a little life shake-up every now and then.
I'm just hoping to wake up tomorrow with nobody's claws embedded in my neck!
======================================================================
Today's blessings: Red Lobster with Maribeth and Molly; visiting the cats at the pound and Laurie the cat lady; bringing Not-Yet-Officially-Named cat home; Molly coming over and bringing cheeseburger; watching movies with Maribeth

Tuesday, March 8, 2011

Today In Butt Camp ...

We were supposed to be doing a lot of this:


Instead, I felt like doing a lot of this:


Wonder what tomorrow will bring ...

======================================================================
Today's blessings: Finishing sewing the curtains; Logans with Maribeth for dinner; picking up the Ogles at the airport

Monday, March 7, 2011

Today I Returned To Butt Camp After Two Weeks of Vacation

If only somebody had told me there were photographers present.

===================================================================
Today's blessings: seeing most of my butt camp buds; shopping and lunch with Steve; sewing curtains; Lindley and her new chair; Steve and Wendy furnishing dinner

Sunday, March 6, 2011

Somebody Please Stop Me ...

... before somebody films me doing something akin to this:

====================================================================
Today's blessings: moving stuff for Sam, Lynnette, and Lindley; Lindley's new bedroom; Sonic lunch via Molly

Saturday, March 5, 2011

Home Once Again

I'm home again, hopefully for awhile, but we'll discuss that later. We got up this morning and jogged a 5K, then drove home in good weather until the last three hours, when the rain started. But we persevered and now we're home. There's unpacking and cleaning and mail reading and catching up, but we're home.

Think I'll go to bed now. Looks like I have plenty to do tomorrow...
======================================================================
Today's blessings: ESPN 5k and medal; seeing Aisling on the course; safe drive home; gift card from Matt and Mary Beth

Friday, March 4, 2011

Vacation Un-Goals

Tomorrow, after the ESPN The Weekend 5K, Steve and I will load up the car with the remaining 600 suitcases/sacks/bags/boxes and head home. Our vacation will be over.

Before I left home, I had a few goals to achieve while on this vacation. Thought I would just catch you up on my progress:

1. Flossing, brushing, and rinsing, oh my! I did all three - at least once during the past two weeks. I don't think I'll be the poster child for good dental habits.

2. Exercise/walk daily - I walked in the parks and in the stores. My exercise consisted of lifting a fork to my mouth. I did complete a 5k and half-marathon, but the real lack of exercise effort will be apparent upon my return to butt camp on Monday. It's not going to be pretty.

3. Eat sensibly. Get real - I overate, period. However, I did not consume one single Mickey bar. Probably because there was absolutely no room left to put that particular delight.

4. Organize all my pictures on my computer - yeah, didn't happen.

5. Redo my Ipod - didn't even make it out of the case.

So, I accomplished none of my goals. I ate too much, bought too much, and had a lot of fun. It all worked out anyhow - now I have a list of things to do once I get back home!!
===================================================================
Today' blessings: First watch with Emily and Jeanne; baseball game and free picture with Steve; picking up 5K stuff; gas station pizza

Thursday, March 3, 2011

And A Good Time Was Had By All

Good friends - is there anything better? I didn't think so!
______________________________________________________________________
Today's blessings: Room cleanup; bus driver from Hollywood Studios; Jeanne and Emily arriving; Epcot walkabout; manis and peids; dinner at GF; Steve's pickup; Jeanne's strawberries; Emily's lotions

Wednesday, March 2, 2011

Butterflies and Flowers and Topiaries, Oh My!!

March says "Hello" at Epcot!





________________________________________________________________________
Today's blessings: Walking with Elaine around the Flower and Garden Festival at Epcot; flamingos with mouse ears; bippitied girl and her mom on bus; maintenance dude at bus stop at GF; race pics online

Tuesday, March 1, 2011

Number Three

The third most important thing in my life are my friends. They give me the chance to view new avenues in this life that might be worth considering. They help me define my life by offering new ideas, new adventures, and new perspectives based on their lives that they share with me.

There are the old friends with whom I share a past life - several past lives. I am blessed with my childhood friends, my early-marriage-and-kids friends, my teacher friends, my mid-life friends, and my new friends. The best thing is that through the Internet and facebook, those friends that I thought had been lost have been found, and I'm still learning from them.

Without my friends, I might be stuck in a life that had few opportunities for change. With them, I see possibilities for my life that I could not have imagined. My friends inspire me, encourage me, humble me, impress me, and help me define my life. With them, I can find who I am in this life, and one thing I am is a woman blessed with many good friends.
_______________________________________________________________________
Today's blessings: Zero day in the room; safe flight home for Maribeth, Molly, and Adam; Steve bringing W/Pucks to the room for dinner; beautiful day after the rain; seeing Steve playing golf on the hole outside the balcony