New Year's Eve!

I am in NY and have a few minutes to post. Otherwise, next week's will be very long. I arrived in NY with little problem. The planes were on time (had a lay over in Atlanta), they weren't bumpy and nobody ran into them with the luggage truck (like Alaska Airlines). Always a plus. I had chatty man on the way to Atlanta. Nice guy so I didn't mind chatting. Seemed like he was trying to impress me because he kept talking about his 30 acre ranch he just bought. Sounds like a cool thing, but he really was driving this thing home. We chatted so that made the trip a little shorter.

On the ride from Atlanta to NY, I had the loud child behind me. She wasn't crying, so I should be grateful. And actually, her song about leaving Georgia was very endearing. However, towards the end of the flight, when I really wanted to be off the plane, she was grating on the nerves. As we were flying into NY she started in on the "I see a boat", "I see a bridge". Low blood sugar and noisy children don't mix........ The pilot also did some scary move that made us veer to the left very quickly and then we flew over water to the runway. There is a reason I like landing at LaGuardia at night. You can't see the water you are flying over. That was the only point of the flight I kind of felt sick. It is a very strange sign when even the flight attendant claps for a safe landing. Anyway, we landed safe, the pilot knew what he was doing and all is well. LaGuardia's flight control tower looks like a martini shaker to me, and during the holidays it is always lit up. Kind of missed seeing that but it was good to actually get to NY in daylight hours. However, I need to not look when we start to land.

The driver taking me to Glenn's house was kind of funny. Had that strong NY accent, dark hair. Nice guy and he got me to my destination safely (can you tell that is important to me :-)). I was tired most of the way, so I didn't really talk. But he asked several questions about TX. My favorite was "Do you live on a farm". Um............... Okay..............

I finally get to Glenn's, have the key and ready to come in out of the cold. I complained about TX cold before. NOTHING compared to NY cold. And it got colder and colder. Put the key in the door and the darn thing DOES NOT TURN!!!! I struggle with it before wondering if there was some special spell or chant needed to enter the house, whether in the few hours on the plane they had actually changed the concept of locks or if the blond dye actually seeped into my brain and destroyed the ability to do the simplest task. It is embarrassing to have to call and say, can't operate a freakin lock!!! He was still at work and I was really getting cold! So, I finally kicked, screamed and struggled enough, the door finally opened and I was warm again. So, all was good. I was afraid I wouldn't get in, cleaned up and looking like an actual human being before he got home. Red noses just aren't attractive if you aren't a reindeer.

Time to run. Have a wonderful New Year's Eve!!!

Ah, the joys of vacation

I officially started my vacation last night at 9:30 -- just had to get those little things done for work. I know I missed something else, but it really can wait until Jan. 3. I am taking 3 days just for me. Today is cleaning, cleaning and more cleaning. I am so far behind on laundry it is very sad. The only place I have to be is at the gym at 1:00 for my training session. So nice! Tomorrow is girly day. Hair cut, mani/pedi and all the other fun stuff you do before seeing a boy. Ex-boyfriend or not, I still have to look hot. :-0> Friday I will be flying all day, so I also need to pick up some good magazines. I need to read up on all my entertainment news. Admit it, you do it too :-).

Christmas was great this year. I actually got a hippopotamus for Christmas. Mom adopted one for me from the Ft. Worth Zoo. I even got tickets to go visit him. That was the fun Christmas gift. Mom and Dad were generous and covered tuition for the last session of school (seriously, I couldn't think of anything to ask for after learning about that awesome gift!). I will post a picture of my hippo once I visit him and get the family photos :-).

Well, gonna run now! Vacuuming is calling my name. The fun stuff will come later -- I just have to get some things out of the way!!!

Christmas Eve

Jon and I are just hanging around the apartment right now. We just got back from the mall -- it wasn't as busy as I thought a Christmas Eve trip to the mall would be. And of course, even though I thought I had all my shopping done, I had to pick up one or two more things. Didn't know I needed them!

Last night we had dinner and drinks with Michelle and her friend Megan. I am not sure where the migraine came from, but all of a sudden it hit. Maybe Jen's call stating she had one triggered something in me. But I kept getting sicker and sicker as the night went on. I feel a little better right now, but I can tell it is wanting to come back. Let's just hope it goes away for good so I can enjoy Christmas tomorrow!!!

Now it is time to straighten up the apartment and rest from the day of walking the mall :-).

Later!!!

My Christmas Spirit

I have been in such a good mood these days. The Spirit of Christmas has hit me. I have nothing to big to report. Since everybody has been gone at work, it has actually been pretty easy. It is amazing though the amount of HR issues that have popped up in the last week. That is my job, but they just all came at one time. Oh well. At least I know my skills haven't gone away :-).

Time for Christmas movies and wrapping presents!

Yippee!!!

Okay, I might be just way too excited about this, but we did measurements today at my session (it is the beginning of my 4th week). I have lost 2 inches on my waist and 2% body fat. Teehee!!! We did the happy dance (or I did. Tim thought me crazy :-)) But it was nice to see the progress in actual numbers. I have seen the difference in my clothing, but today was a "fat day". Nothing better to knock you out of that than seeing results from hard work. None really off the hips, but I am getting there. So, that is all I have to report today. Little brother arrives tomorrow so all is good.

Later!!!

This is what I found when I got home from work today. I should have hid their gifts better........ :-)

Happy Monday!

TGIF

Yes, stolen from Jen. No, I really have no guilt about it :-). It has been an interesting week, to say the least. Yesterday was a not so good day, but I saw Trainer Tim and he kicked my butt into shape. I told him I needed some stress relief for the day and man, he gave it to me. Now I know what Jen is truly talking about when she says leg night. We worked just on the legs last night (before we mixed it up for strength training). I literally fell on my a** at the end. He had me doing a jumping exercise. My legs couldn't hold me and I fell. On my booty. And I think I will have a bruise. He did try to catch me but it was a little too fast. I was told that is what we really want to happen. Only he can make falling down seem like a good thing :-). I feel good today. Oh, and I am at a total of 9 lbs lost. Woohoo!!!!

In other news, I am going to New York over the New Year's Weekend. I have an old friend, ex-boyfriend, sorta person there. Yes, most of my readers know how I am talking about. I haven't seen him in forever so it will be fun. I doubt we will go to Times Square to see the ball drop due to the sheer craziness. Plus, if there is indeed a transit strike, we might not make it into the city at all. I have to do one afternoon there though. I love NYC and its energy!!! Just not on New years eve in Times Square...........

Okay, I think that is it for now. I have a Christmas Party tonight, another party tomorrow (get to see my friend Chris), and at some point shopping this weekend. I guess that makes up for the last few slow weekends, huh. And little brother comes to the States on the 21st!!! Woohoo!!!!

Later!!!

Ah, the good life!!!

I just returned from our holiday party at the Mansion on Turtle Creek. It was amazing! The food was great, decorations were beautiful and the wine was awesome! I don't even want to know how much the whole thing cost, but man, it was worth it. It was a nice end to a very interesting year. And, in a nice surprise, we even got a Christmas bonus. That really did surprise me, but it was a pleasant surprise (duh!!!). It will definitely help in buying the gifts I want to for the people who really helped me throughout the year.

Now onto the White Elephant gift exchange. Um, I ended up with a Clapper. Yes, clap on, clap off, the Clapper. If anybody needs a gag gift, I really have no problems with letting this go. I ended up giving Christmas CDs. I should have stolen them back -- one of them had "The Chipmunk Song" and "Grandma got run over by a reindeer". I was singing "I'm Gettin' Nothin' for Christmas" all through Target. The check out lady was highly amused. Can you imagine if I had found a CD with the Hippo song!!!! I did at one point have a massager and a cool candle set, but those were stolen from me. Mean, mean co-workers!!!!

Off I run!

Later!!!

My Happy Tuesday

Wow, it is amazing what a week will do. Last week I wanted to burn down the building and today I am pretty happy and optimistic. Work is better -- there are a few changes taking place that make my work life a tad more positive. I will still get stressed, but it will be easier to handle and I won't feel the weight of the world on my shoulders. Plus, even after 2 1/2 weeks of working out with the trainer, the stress just rolls off of me. He wants to up it to 3 x a week starting next week to up the intensity and get me to my goal faster. I am all for it.

Wonderful news: Most of you may remember me talking about my friend Chris who went to Iraq with the National Guard. Well, all the thoughts and prayers were heard and he is back in the States safe and sound. He arrived Saturday which I confirmed with Michelle (who had to confirm with others :-)). I haven't seen him yet (which, really isn't too odd), but I am sure I will soon. He is a wonderful man and I appreciate all he did over in Iraq. I am sure his wife and daughter are very happy to have him home for good!!!!

My company Christmas party is tomorrow at the Mansion on Turtle Creek. Yes, all fancy :-). It should be fun. And while I haven't gotten my White Elephant gift, I know what I am doing and will be picking it up tomorrow on the way to the party. I have to do yet ANOTHER sexual harassment training class. This time to satisfy a CA law. Why do I have to take it since I am in TX, you might ask. I have employees IN CA and so I have to do it again. I am considered a supervisor with the ability to fire and discipline, so there you go. Working my way up the corporate ladder. They won't accept the fact that I taught the class for 3 years at Canon............ I will probably pick up new information and be able to sexually harass all my co-workers. :-)

Later!!!

There is progress

Don't tell Tim the trainer, but I did step on a scale. Although my scale is rather off, I can tell I have lost 5 lbs in the last 2 weeks. I am going to the doctor on Monday morning for a blood test (don't worry mom, it is the cholesterol test :-)) and I am going to see if they can weigh me then. Doctors are always happy to weigh you and I can then not be responsible for having to step on the scale :-).

Nothing else to really report. I had thought the signs in our apartment complex warning us of freezing temperatures was silly until I read poor Jen's blog and the busted pipes (from the evil neighbors upstairs). She is okay, she is just being moved to a new apartment. But it sucks beyond sucking!!!! At least the complex is taking care of her.

This weekend might just be calm. I do have to do some work for a presentation I have to do on Tuesday. Our Christmas party is on Wednesday (at the Mansion. I will have some good stories then!!!). So, Tuesday, we are all going to meet and have an intensive meeting. I will have to be running in and out due to payroll, but it will be interesting for all the pieces to be together (there are 2 off-site recruiters. ) I will also take some me time and hit Target. I have to buy a White Elephant gift. I am never good at that!!! Any suggestions would be good. Maybe some random book or CD.

Have a wonderful Saturday!!!

Burrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrr..........

It is cold. I am not being dramatic. Weather bug says it is 17 degrees outside. Due to the ice and crazy drivers, I will be working from home today. I actually think I will be able to get a lot done. My guess is it will be quiet and I can pop out that administrative stuff easily. I probably will not get out today until my 7:00 training session. The gym is only 4 minutes away and I don't have to go on any overpasses, so I don't see it as any big deal. :-)

Nothing much else to report. I did find out how old the cutie trainer was on Tuesday. It was his birthday and well, he is 21. I was feeling a little old Tuesday!!! But, I guess since I don't look 33, I should be happy :-). I still get carded and that is all that matters!

Have a wonderful Thursday!

I am running out of titles......

How many more "Happy Day" titles can I use :-)? This week is going MUCH better than last week. I am kind of between the home office and EDS. I go in the morning, get the face time with the client and then come home because I need access to my files and things on the network. It is working out pretty well. And if the weather gets as bad as they say it will, I will be going home early anyway. I won't mind. Doing conference calls in my sweats is a nice way to end the day.

I am now in the biggest loser contest with Jen. We had to weighin as the base line (honor system, so nobody gets to actually see it but Tim at the gym). I am just going off the weight last week when I started with him. He did inform me that if I got on a scale and let it slip to him, I will have to do 100 pushups. So, he will never know. But that does mean I have to get on the scale, which is by the trainer office, when he is not there or buy a new one. Mine is so off that I really don't trust it anymore! And I don't want to do 100 push ups. At least not at this point in the game. I do feel much better even though it has been only a week. I actually did 4 days at the gym last week :-). So happy!

PS -- I have a special prayer request for my aunts. There are details I am not able to divulge, but I know thoughts and prayers would be appreciated. There is a lot of pain right now that needs to be healed. Luckily God knows the details.

The Day Begins

Okay, it actually began earlier, but I just got back from the gym. Today was cardio day, so I did the elliptical. No horror there. I am a little sore, but nothing that won't go away. It isn't like Tuesdays and Thursdays with Tim. I have a lot to do today around the house so I thought I would get my blood pumping to start the day. My closets are calling to me to clean them out and organize. I might ignore them until the end of the day, but eventually, they will get done. Other than that, this weekend has been very low key. I have gotten a lot of rest done and so now I need to make my apartment spotless. All the normal Sunday stuff!

Have a Happy Sunday!

The Week is Over!

well, I went in to the office today although I still have no DSL access. It is important for client contact, but kind of difficult to work on the computer. I had my laptop, but no network access. I worked it out, but it will be fun. I don't understand how hard it is to actually turn on the DSL line. If I can do it by myself then they can flip the darn switch and get it set up. We have a wireless system that might work -- it will be fun! The joys of being on-site at the client. I did meet a lot with my manager so it was worth it. We have a meeting coming up that I have to prepare for with the group, so we've been talking about that.

I have nothing too exciting planned for the weekend. I might head up to the gym tomorrow for a Pilates class. They have yoga tomorrow too, but it is at 8:00 AM. Yeah, um, I think I will just do Pilates. Work on the core. My trainer will be so proud.

I am waiting to find out what the plan is tonight. Might be going out, might not. Who knows. This weekend is wide open. I think I will actually spend a lot of it reading. Haven't done that in awhile.

Have a great weekend!

The Pain Continues

Work out session number two with the trainer occurred today. He was taking it easy on me Tuesday. I swear. I am dying. It is a good pain, but pain none the less. I told him about the challenge with Jen and Denise. Better watch it girls. He said he had some tricks that will rock my world. :-) It really is a fun workout session and the time goes by pretty quickly. I feel awesome! And it really does not hurt that he is a cutie.

Work is still work. Enough said. I had a nice heart to heart with my manager again yesterday. We can get through it and back on track, but it will take a few more weeks. I can probably make it, but not before burning something down........ The works out have helped though. I really do feel good and confident. I will just continue working hard and get through it.

Man, okay, nothing more interesting than that. I guess that is a good thing..... Not sure what the plans are for the weekend. I know I am going to hit the gym tomorrow after work. I have to go into the office for another meeting so on the way home I am going to hit the cardio. Jen and I have tentative plans on Sunday, but things ebb and flow.