Just Another Manic Monday

Okay, not really. But one of the radio stations here is sponsoring a Bangles concert, so the song got in my head.

I had the fattest week I've had in a reeeally long time last week. i figured since I didn't have to fit into my bridesmaid dress any more, I deserved it a little. I still worked out, but only about half as much as usual (plus I didn't work out today-I'm on doggy duty and I didn't want to put Otis back in his crate after he had been there all day (yes I'm using the dog as an excuse)). And oh, my friends, did I eat. Enchiladas, fried dough, doughnuts, mac and cheese with bacon baked right in, ice cream for dinner, soup in bread bowls.  So tasty.

It's going to be a little difficult to get back in a healthier state of mind and body.  Especially since eating all that cheese and sugar just makes me feel like taking a nap.  I'll ease myself in this week.  Maybe.  My birthday is Friday, so I've got at least one happy hour and one dinner on the schedule.

And a massage.  I can't wait.  My back has been so sore lately.  Too much sitting, slouching, stressing, etc.  I have a knot the size of a walnut in my shoulder, so I am very excited.  Yay for Living Social and $40 massages!

On a completely unrelated note-I did the volunteer orientation for Habitat for Humanity. I'm so excited to go to a build.  There's one maybe 10 minutes from my house.  I've wanted to do it since high school, and it just kind of hit me one day....why haven't I?  So I am.  I like being able to physically help someone out.  Plus I learned a lot about the organization that I didn't know. Job #1 is for a not-for-profit, but I don't get to see a direct correlation between what I do there and how it effects who we're serving.  This way I will be.  Plus, who doesn't like getting their hands dirty every once in a while?

And There Was A Wedding

Kellifish is now a Missus!  I'm so unbelievably happy for them.  She's now lounging on a beach in Aruba spending time with her hubby.  As the MOH, I had to give a speech. I hate public speaking.  I always have. I don't know why.  I'm great one on one, but in front of 20-50-100 people I get nervous, my heart pounds, I get really hot, and turn various shades of pink.  Here's my speech.  Short and sweet so I could sit the eff down quickly.

I’ve known Kelli since 8^th grade.  And we’ve talked a lot about weddings and getting married and prospective grooms, but back then we were mostly referring to Justin Timberlake (and fighting over him). 

We’ve seen each other through a lot- boyfriends and breakups, hard times and the best times.  Almost three years ago we were hanging out and Kelli started getting texts from some guy at her new job.  She said his name was D and said that she was “like, in love with him. Well not in love, but you know what I mean.”  So I knew I had to keep an eye on this one. 

It doesn’t seem like too long ago that they started dating. And it seems like just yesterday that D contacted me for a top secret mission and sent me some pictures of engagement rings.  Since getting to know D and seeing him and Kelli together, you can just feel how much they care about each other and you get a sense of the love that’s there.

The afternoon of the rehearsal dinner Kelli, Amanda, and I were talking upstairs and we heard D laughing at something on TV downstairs.  And Kelli said “I love Saturday mornings when I’m still lying in bed and I just hear him laughing at something on TV.”   And I could see in her face how happy she is and how they’re just right.

I’m so excited for you two as you start your new life and your family.  And I wish you all the best. 

The wedding was lovely.  They had a piper since D is Scottish.  She/we got compliments on her dress, the bridesmaids dresses, the centerpieces (which we made), the flowers and everything.  I really feel blessed to have been a part of it. She's the first one of my close friends to get married, and even though it was stressful I wouldn't trade it for the world.

Congratulations, Biffle!

Cast On

Image via google

I love knitting. 

I love being able to make something and give it to someone I care about and it meaning something.  I’m a big fan of making gifts for people.  There was a year or two that I made pimp cups for all my friends for their birthdays.  They were pretty sweet if I do say so myself.

Anyway.

I have more yarn than I have time to turn into things.  I'd like to do a craft fair some time and sell the scarves and washclothes that I have piling up.  I can make a scarf without looking at my hands-which means it’s perfect when I’m catching up on the TV that I missed.  But when I’m working on something with a pattern, like a blanket, it become almost meditative.  Knit, purl, knit, purl, knit, etc.  It stops my brain. In a good way. And there are few things that can stop what goes on in my head.

I’m working on a baby blanket for my baffle.  I hope it turns out cute.  I also I hope I get it done in time for her shower.  I also have plans to make a little hat for her.  I need to find a pattern that I can manipulate a little.

Maybe one day I’ll get to the blanket that I want to make for myself.  Do you have any favorite hobbies?

Happy long weekending!

Hurricane Day

So I have an Aunt Irene...can I blame her for any damages to my stuff?

And why is Mother Nature so pissed off this week?  I’m so glad I don’t have to work on Sundays anymore-when Irene is set to hit my area.  She is getting in the way of my yoga class, though.  And since I haven’t been able to go the last two weeks, I’m in a fight with her.  Guess who’ll win that one?

My county is in the “Tropical Storm Warning” area as opposed to the “Hurricane” area.  For now.  I guess that’ll depend on which way Irene swings.  My aunt in Jersey had to evacuate, she’s making her way to my house today.  And my other aunts in Delaware and the Outer Banks got out of dodge as well. 

My hurricane activity options list is pretty good.  I’m prepared for with and without electricity.  My aunt suggested making hurricanes and then playing Pirates of the Caribbean Monopoly (“But why is the rum gone?”).  I also have quite a few books to choose from, but I’ve finally started “Pride and Prejudice and Zombies”, so I’ll probably stick with that.  I could also watch the “Pride and Prejudice” DVD (BBC version!), I’ve got a couple of Joy Juice prompts coming my way, and a few assorted knitting projects.

I’m planning on yoga and running tomorrow.  I don’t want to use the hurricane as an excuse not to work out.  I've also got to move my car away from the giant tree in my driveway.  Luckily there's an empty parking lot across the street I can probably use.  If not, that's why have insurance.  But, I'd like to avoid as much damage to Lucille as possible. And we've got water, batteries, a cellar pump and all that jazz set up for safety and stuff.

Do you have anything planned for the storm?

I hope everyone has a safe weekend!

Grandparents, Baseball, and Happy Bottom

Yesterday was my Great Aunt Gladys’s 90^th birthday party.  (She’s also known as Happy Bottom.  Get it? Gladys=Glad Ass à Happy Bottom.)

Anyway…

Ninety.  That’s so old.  She’s still pretty quick though. 

I love old people.  Probably because I don’t have any grandparents that are still alive.  I love when they come into job #2.  There’s just something about a cute old man that melts my heart.  Both of my grandfathers were adorable.  Seriously.  One of my favorite memories is of my Pop-pop mouthing the words to “Take Me Out to the Ball Game” while watching a baseball game (I'm a baseball girl because of him).  Mom-mom passed when I was still in elementary school, so I can’t remember too much about her (my memory is not so great all the time), but I do have a photo of me, here, and my cousin’s daughter that I love.  Grandma and Grandpa were cute because they were small, Polish, and such happy people.  My idea of the love that I want comes from them.

Both my grandfathers died at 85 and with Happy Bottom turning 90 I know that I have longevity in my genes.  Along with some pesky things like heart disease, but that’s why we have exercise. I do wish my grandparents were still around, but some of my happiest memories are from spending time with them, so I can’t be too upset about it.

Anyone know of any old people I can adopt?

I Kind of Suck, but the Shore Does Not

You guys…I kind of sucked at being healthy last week.  I didn’t work out at all.  Unless you count walking on the boardwalk exercise.  Which I would, except that I got Kohr Brothers frozen custard and a small is NOT a small.  But chocolate and peanut butter swirl is SO worth it.

Anyways-I skipped the gym Monday because my legs still hurt from Saturday and Sunday.  Except I forgot that Wednesday was my friend’s bf’s bday-so I skipped that day too.  And then I was at the shore Friday-Sunday (re: Kohr Brothers), so I missed my Saturday gym time and my Sunday yoga.  I took my running shoes with the best of intentions, but being lazy got the better of me.  Also, I ate way more cream cheese brownies, cheese curls, and ring bologna than I’d like to admit.  I’m really afraid to get on the scale, so we’ll just wait on that until my normal weigh-in day this weekend.

So we’re getting serious now.  I have three and a half weeks to look amazeballs in my bridesmaid’s dress and I am determined, damn it!  So here’s the plan:

1.       Eat less crap. That means anything from the bakery at job #2 except fruit cups. No baking for the next few weeks.  And choosing meals out wisely.

2.       Not eating the free food that’s left on the table in the lunch room.

3.       Getting back on track with C25k, ie running 3 days a week (Monday, Wednesday, Saturday)

4.       Going to yoga twice a week.  Beginner’s class on Saturdays before  I hit the gym for running and so weights. And Vinyasa on Sunday to get the week started right. Side note-Vinyasa is effing hard.  Downward dog is our “rest position”.  My shoulders/arms best look amazing at the end of this.

I’m already on track.  Sort of.  There are a couple of brownies left, but I did not buy fudge on the boardwalk this weekend.  I could have…the other girls did, but I didn’t. This is a first and also a little bit of a miracle.

The weekend was fun though.  It was a bridal beach weekend.  We were down a bridesmaid because she had to work, but it was still fun.  I got to read, lie on the beach, eat, and help the youngest girl with her summer history homework.  We hardly turned on the TV, except Sunday before we left because the weather was crappy.  Hopefully I’ll be able to get down there once more before the summer is over, but it might not happen because there’s so much going on. 

The only part that was less than awesome was the drive home.  It took three and a half hours.  Ridiculous for what’s supposed to be a two hour drive.  FYI-New Jersey floods in heavy rain.  Not a fan.  You know it’s bad when I’m happy to see the Blue Route.  (For those of you not from this area-I hate the Blue Route.  It’s always, always backed up at some point no matter what time of day I take it.  And it’s usually for no reason.)

I hope you all had a good weekend!

I Can't Think of a Title...

Last week was a rollercoaster.  And not of love. (Say what?)  (Now I’m going to have that song stuck in my head for the rest of the day).

I had official wedding duties, helped a friend (ok, ex-manfriend) going through a really hard time (he’s feeling a lot better and is going to work on the stuff that he needs to work on), finally got to the city (Varga! Yay!), and cleared most of my to-do list.  So I checked out during my free time.  I hardly read (Knit Two-Friday Night Knitting Club novel (I wish I was in a knitting club)), but I watched a lot of On Demand.  Which doesn’t really count as productive, but I needed it.

This week is going to be more of the same: taking the bad with the good.  My mom had an MRI and was diagnosed with stenosis.  She’s going to meet with her doctors and figure out what her options are.  And this weekend I’m headed to the shore with the rest of the bridal party to relax.  This is Kellifish’s bachelorette weekend. Which will be really low-key considering she’s pregnant and three of the other girls are under 21.  I’m hoping that goes off without a hitch (fingers crossed).

On a completely unrelated note-I hurt.  I’ve increased my workout time to 4 days a week and I overdid it this weekend.  I finished out week 2 of the couch to 5k program and did some (too heavy) weights Saturday, and then I went to vinyasa yoga on Sunday and headed into the city.  I didn’t do too much walking because it was ridiculously humid, but my friend lives on the third floor, so there were stairs.

I’ll be looking for a 5k to do in the fall.  Hopefully I won’t make a fool of myself.  What’s a good time for a 5k? I feel like 30 minutes would be good for me.  Anyone have any running tips?

PS- I skipped the gym today.  I'll make it up later in the week, but I can hardly walk right today let alone run. I hate making excuses.  Urgh.