Wednesday.. oh boy.....

I really don't think I have too much to report. It is Wednesday and life is still good. I had a good workout with Ryan last night and am in a fair amount of hurt! We switched up the workout again, so I am not doing those "power workouts" anymore (at least for awhile). Well, I kept asking yesterday if we could go back to them! He kicked my booty just a tad. Always a good thing, but he did get death stares yesterday :-). I still have to have to get in a spinning class this week - he made that one of my cardios. I am not looking forward to it, but gotta get it done. I will tell you if I survive it :).

Not really much else to report. Work is going well, except for some reason, this week seems to be negative week! All the people at work seem to be doing a lot more complaining than normal. I stay in my little cube and ignore them, but sometimes they just seep in and I want to tell them all the hush!!!! Oh well. I will just let them be. They will reap what they sow and if they put that negativity into the universe, they will get that negativity back! Plus, it is kind of funny to watch them act like 12 year olds.

Well, later!

My Weekend

It has been hard to get into the swing of things this morning. I have accomplished some stuff, but I am still so tired. I might actually get out for lunch and take a walk to the Bank of America building to get the blood flowing. It only feels like 93 degrees, according to yahoo weather -- so I will only sweat a little :-).

So, the weekend was very good. Friday, I slept and slept. I don't find that at all wasteful. I was tired! Saturday, I did my normal workout with Ryan and ran some errands during the day, along with brunch (more like very late lunch) with my mom and brother. Saturday night, I had dinner with Mike's mother, sister and brother in law. It was the brother in law's birthday and they were celebrating at Maggiano's (hadn't been there in forever. It was soooo good!). Mike didn't really understand this, but I was just a little nervous meeting the mother and sister. Come on, the two important women in his life meeting another potentially important female is a big deal. He didn't get it :-). I kept fretting over what to wear, but I have to say, I was presentable and looked good :-). The dinner went well, and from what I understand, I got thumbs up. I really liked the family so all is good. (In case you are wondering, his father passed away several years ago. That is why there is no mention of him.)

Sunday he spent studying and I ran more errands and cleaned my apartment like there was no tomorrow. However, that statement really doesn't make sense, because if there was no tomorrow, I sure as heck wouldn't be cleaning :-). I finally got some big things crossed off my list so I felt very productive. We then went to Mia and Brian's house for dinner. Mia made some awesome pasta and homemade bread. It was all so good! She is such an awesome cook! We had a great time at their house and of course, Mike got thumbs up from them. Like there was any doubt :-).

Well, time to get back to the grindstone. I have some letters to produce this week so I need to get going on them. Those fun letters that I have to keep every legal consideration in mind. Not as fun as writing a persuasion paper :-). But that is why they pay me! Later!

I am going to brag right now......

I just got back from the gym (because, really, with Mike in school during the week, that is all I have :-). J/K of course!!!). Met with my other man, Ryan, and went through my normal workout. I ended up doing 210 lbs on the leg press!!!! Okay, so it was only 5 reps, but man, I was proud!!!! Okay, enough bragging:-). I met a gal during my warm up who just started working out with a trainer. She was pretty nice. She was asking me who my trainer was because she might be switching to another one. I said all these great things about Ryan -- and she pretty much figured I liked him since I had been with him so long. Anyway, we get started and I tell him that my lower back has started hurting. And he shrugs his shoulders....... I almost hit him. He was kidding of course and we did a stretch that would help the back. I guess if he doesn't talk to me or joke with me, then I should worry!

So, not really much else to write about. Jen is home from her vacation and we are happy to have her and David home safe and sound!!!! I can't wait to see pictures!!!

later!

The Weekend!

The trip to Austin was so much fun! Mia and I got a late start on Friday morning, which was totally okay. Her Chihuahua, Paco, had wasn't feeling well and she wanted to make sure the little guy was stable before we headed out. Paco is the canine version of Simon. Just about as crazy :-). I saw Mike, got some errands run, and updated my ipod, so I thought I was having a productive morning. The drive down was pretty good.

We checked into our hotel and tried to settle in. Mia calls me and tells me there is a weird smell in her room so I checked it out. Yes, there was definitely something wrong! I took one sniff and walked right out! She changed rooms and then we got ready to go to Barton Springs. If you have never been there, you must go! It is a natural spring that has been formed into a swimming pool type area. The water is 68 degrees (from what I understand, it is that all year round!). Yes, going from 100 degree heat to 68 degree water puts a shock on your system, but not if you go in gradually. It felt so good and really cooled us off. We did a little swimming and then laid out a bit. Aveeno sun screen really works. You can't tell I got any sun!!!! I am still pale :-).

After Barton Springs we went back to clean up. By the time we got back to the hotel, the band had arrived. Perfect timing! We decided to get ready to go eat and hit 6th street. Apparently the humidity in Austin, the soft water and the lack of a hairdryer actually make for great hair conditions. I thought I was going to have to shave it all off, but it ended up looking pretty good - not just my conceited opinion. Mia said I should wear it that way more often. I just don't think I can replicate it!

We decided to take a cab to 6th Street since the guys weren't leaving for awhile and traffic/parking was a pain. We ended up with the rudest cab driver ever. Bad, bad customer service. There was no tip for him....... Any way the restaurant we wanted had an hour wait. And the band started playing in an hour, so that wasn't going to work! We ended up at a Mexican food place near the club where the band was playing. It was actually really good! The guys had just started playing when we got there (yes, we even got called out on being late by the lead singer.......). I thought they played great. All in all, a fun time on 6th Street. I guess I don't remember it as jumping during my college years as a visiting Aggie. It was pretty interesting!

The rest of the weekend wasn't as exciting as that. Sunday I spent some time at Borders where Mike was studying. We talked a little and then I just went and found magazines to read. It was nice to just be there with him. I had to leave to get my hair done. Now I am a tad blonder than I was before! Natalie came over and did the highlights. The rest was spent watching a movie with Mike and eating the yummy Central Market food he brought over. We ended up watching "Transamerica". That was a great movie! I was having a hard time convincing him that Felicity Huffman is actually a very beautiful woman. When I showed him her picture, he was amazed at her transformation. She had an amazing performance in this movie!

Okay, it is almost time to hit the gym. I slacked off yesterday so I need to hit it hard today!

Later!

It's Mini Vacation Time

Woohoo! Today was my Friday and I can tell you I am so happy. It was a long day. I can truly say I have become someone they now can throw things too. I juggled all day but it was all good. The frustrating part was I had to deal with the same idiot all day long. She just wouldn't go away. I had to be at the gym at 5:00 so I did what I could and left in time to get there and changed. It was a great work out and got out all those frustrations of the day! Ryan continues to kick my booty and all is good. I even hit my weight goal this week so that was nice considering last week's frustrating weigh in. I am back on track!

Welp, I am off to Austin tomorrow and I am looking forward to the trip. I will get some pics to post of all the fun! I will be home Saturday but I am not sure what the rest of the weekend will hold. We will see! I know some of that time will be with Mike, but who knows what else we will do.

Have a good evening and a happy Friday!

Tuesday Update

There really isn't too much to report these days. I had a nice, relaxing weekend. Jen and I had dinner at a great place called Cafe Madrid. So, so yummy. Mia was supposed to join us, but she was running late and ended up having to drop out at the last minute. We will just have to go back so she can enjoy the yumminess of that place. I ended up seeing 2 movies this weekend: "The Devil Wears Prada" and "Strangers with Candy". Both were very good. I loved the book so I was happy to see that they did a great job on "Devil". And "Strangers with Candy" was just freakin hilarious! I need to see it again because I think there was a lot I actually missed. I actually cooked dinner this past weekend too. I hadn't cooked in a long time and it was nice to actually be in the kitchen. It is just very hard to cook for myself. So, Mike gets to be my guinea pig :-). He did like the Vegetarian Rice Tacos. I have a new recipe to try out on him this coming weekend. This will be fun :-).

Mia and I are headed to Austin on Friday morning to see Saints and Sinners there on Friday night. I can't wait. It will be fun to head down there, even for one night. I am sure I will have lots of great stories!

Well, that is it for now! Later!

The Dental Hygenist is my friend.....

Or so I kept repeating this morning as she was poking sharp metal objects in my mouth. I know it is a necessary evil and I want to keep my great teeth in my head, it still was the least amount of fun all week. I would rather be on an elliptical for an hour. Going fast the entire time. And then have a 'Ryan' workout. I was in pain, let's just say that (it will teach me to floss more......). Oh, and NEVER have the Strawberry flavored fluoride -- that stuff leaves the nastiest after tastes! I can usually handle the other flavors, but never, ever again with this flavor!!!!!

As I was checking out, I had an interesting situation come up. They called to check the status of my eligibility since I just got this insurance. The front desk was told that while I became eligible for insurance on June 1, I didn't have eligibility in the month of July. Um, huh???? That is a new one for me. I ended up paying out of pocket and came back here to talk to my company benefit help desk. She was pretty helpful, but she had never heard that happening either! So, I am awaiting a call so we can get this sorted out. No reason to have insurance if I am going to have to shell out for the whole darn thing!!! I will keep you updated.

Other than that, there is nothing new to report in the last 24 hours. Tomorrow night, I am meeting Jen and Mia at Cafe Madrid for dinner. I haven't been there forever! It is a great Spanish restaurant with Tapas and awesome Sangria. I will be a good girl (mostly) since I have to work out in the morning with Ryan, but I can have one glass. "Stranger's With Candy" opens this weekend too. I can't wait to see that! Amy Sedaris is so funny and totally amazing as this character. Mike and I going to see it this weekend since we were both fans of the Comedy Central show when it was on the air. I will have to shell out for the DVD set next pay period.

I am a bad girl, I know

I know, a week and a half. Really, no excuse. I am sure everyone wants to hear about my workouts, work situation and all that fun stuff :-). We did a re-assessment yesterday at the gym. NOT GOOD!!!! I have no idea what the heck happened. I even went up in body fat. After like two measurements, Ryan wouldn't even let me look at the numbers because he knew I was getting upset. He didn't want me to get discouraged but it was too late. I know it is a temporary set back, but it was just frustrating. I work my butt off and my body was not reacting. So, we tweaked things and I should be set back on track. I lost some of my calories -- apparently I can't have 1800 anymore.......... But we then had a good workout, I felt motivated and back on track. So, here goes!!!

I have started to date a new guy. I can't believe I am even mentioning him so early in the 'process' since I always have the fear of jinxing it! I really do like him and so we'll see. It has only been a week, so that is all you get!

Jen 'officially' asked me to be a part of her bridal party yesterday. I guess since she finally "came clean" yesterday in her blog (seriously though, who didn't know she was talking about a wedding :-)), I can write about the honor of being asked to stand with her while she marries David. Okay, I am getting weepy so I won't type anymore! But, I am so thrilled she has found the man she will spend the rest of her life with. And David is a very good guy. I will have to start a different blog for any Bridezilla stories :-). (If I can travel to Paris with this woman, than I think we will be okay though. I am guessing no bridezilla stories....)

In sad news, a family friend passed away last week. His funeral is today but I am unfortunately unable to attend. However, my thoughts and prayers are with the family.

Talk to you later.

Oh, quiet Monday Morning!

Yes, I am at work, but it is kind of slow this morning, so I thought I would post while I had some time. :-). It was an uneventful Sunday but that is totally okay. I actually found myself addicted to the Twilight Zone Marathon on the Sci Fi channel. I didn't want to turn the tv off and go to sleep! I forgot how good the stories are in that series. It is great writing and some of them just freaked me out! And yes, if I had been off today, I might have just stayed in my pjs and watched all morning. (It is on through tomorrow). There were several that were favorites so far, but one I watched before I feel asleep just really made me think. I am surprised I didn't have strange dreams:

A lady in white is on a horse and she is riding through a meadow. She is beautiful, young and full of hopes and dreams. Enter a lady on a black horse. She is older, a little more "worn". She sees the lady on the white horse and starts chasing her, yelling out her name. Young Ann doesn't understand what she is saying and runs off scared. But wouldn't you be too if some lady in black was chasing you -- on a black horse no less!!! It turns out her tattered future was trying unsuccessfully to warn her youthful past about the mistake she was about to make. The one that would throw the family in financial ruin (basically, she marries the wrong man......). You have to watch it to get the whole story because it gets a tad long for a blog -- at least if I want to give you all the nuances of it.

Okay, I guess I need to get some work done. I am leaving work at 12 today then headed to the gym for cardio. As long as it is still working, I will keep up the dreaded elliptical!

Later!

Passing out at the gym is never a good thing

Okay, well, I didn't completely black out, but I did get dizzy and was unable to make it through the full workout. Ticked me off too! Ryan was very sweet about it but I was still kind of irritated. We had moved my session to 8:00 AM and so I don't think I ate enough to sustain myself through the "power" workout. I did get abs and stretching done, so it wasn't a total lose. The stretching wasn't actually planned but I pulled a hamstring and kind of made him stretch the leg back since he could get a better stretch for me by pushing the leg. And of course, I had to do the other leg. So, I did get something done, but it still disappointed me that I only got half way through the second set! Apparently people can end up throwing up through this "power" session, so I should be happy I only got dizzy! And I now know that if I move the session to 8 AM, I really need to get up even earlier to eat way more!

Oh well, I need to get going. I have to do some cleaning and then off to a yoga class. Stretching really needs to be incorporated into my workout routine with the cardio and training sessions. So, yes, I will be working out everyday now!!!

Later!

A new level of hurt

I just got back from the gym and my work out with Ryan. Today we started this thing called EET. I have no idea what the initials stand for (he has told me several times). In reality, it is a new level of butt kicking. You basically go through sets with much heavier weight and quicker than you would normally do (since the weight is 85% of what you can normally do, you can only do 5 reps). He says it burns about 10 calories a minute, you can only do about 30 minutes so that is 300 calories in the session (wow, I can do math!). I feel that "good" burn right now. I was thinking of doing cardio either before or after the sessions, but if we are going to keep that up for 4 weeks, there is no way I can do that. I would kill myself. I have this feeling I will be hurting tomorrow, but it is all good. It was the first time in awhile I had called him evil. In front of his boss. :-) The boss said that was a good thing. I was starving afterwards, but I was a good girl and got a salad from Baker's Bros. The kitties needed food too, so I had to go close to the PetsMart! I did buy them a toy, but they are ignoring it and sleeping........

Other than that, all is good. I have been in cranky mode since I had a hive attack last week. Um folks, I only get stressed when you ask me if I am stressed (which most people believe cause the hives). It is only a trigger -- although I really wasn't stressed so I don't think that was my trigger. With the heat and allergins in the air, I might have to contend with hives more often. It stinks since I hadn't had a break out in a few months!!!! Yeah, you know I am excited.......

Later!

Hump Day

Well, I do have to say I was disappointed that the Mavs weren't able to force a game 7, but I was proud of the team for making it as far as they did! I wasn't a big basketball fan before the playoffs but the Mavs definitely have a new fan!

So, today was a pretty normal day. I am discovering how the government works first hand. I am working on an issue and I have pretty much talked to 5 or 6 different people. One person sends me to the other. It might be the fact that I was just handed this and am pretty much figuring it out myself. Everyone is very nice about things, and I really just have to laugh. The only thing I can really discuss about my current projects is the Bird Flu Summary I have been working on. I am now a bird flu/pandemic flu expert so ask me anything :-). (And really, it does have something to do with my job)

I think tonight will be movie night. Working out kind of took it out of me. And for some reason, I am having some serious hives this week. The time on the elliptical helped ease them a bit, but rest might be another good thing.

Okay, gonna run. In case I don't get to blog early enough in the day tomorrow, I want to wish Jen a Happy Birthday for Thursday!!!!! Do like me and celebrate as long as possible. Oh, and my brother is coming home tomorrow night from China for good! I know he will miss China, but it will be cool to have him back in the States.

I can't watch

But I will!!! Argh. Back in Dallas. GO MAVS!!!!!! That is all I have to post today!!!

Later

It isn't over yet!

The Mavs are in a hard position right now. They lost that 2-0 lead and now it is 2-2. Okay, so the last game, they got spanked. I think it might be the kick they needed to re-focus. I surely hope so. I haven't given up hope though!!! Go Mavs!!!! It appears that they tend to win when I don't watch, so I might just flip back and forth tonight and not intently watch. I know -- supertitious of me :-).

This has been a pretty good weekend. Friday night was girl's night with Mia and Jen. We went to Monica's (great Mexican food) and then to the Velvet Hookah. I hadn't been there since last year -- I had forgotten how cool the place was. Now I don't remember the martini's costing so much, but I guess a girl needs to splurge sometime. Oh, yeah, and I got my belly button pierced. I was thinking about getting one anyway since I lost all that weight and my abs are starting to look the way I want them too. It really didn't hurt at all -- a bikini wax hurts more! So, at 34 I am starting to be cool :-).

Yesterday I got an ab kicking by Ryan (as opposed to a butt kicking). I think we talked too much during my ab workout though. Oops. We didn't get much of the other things done. That is okay, I really do feel it today. I guess Tuesday I should just keep my mouth shut and just get it done. He gets paid the same no matter what I do and I still hurt the next day, so it all really works out. Mia and I went to the mall Saturday night and had a blast. No tattoos or belly button piercings, but I did get a great new pair of shoes. I am kind of holding off buying new clothes because I am in between sizes and I just want to make sure I get a few more pounds off and they fit right. But the shoes rock! We had dinner at PF Changs (oh so good!) and just hung out.

My parents are coming over tonight for dinner (Father's day present). And then it is time to re-focus and get ready for the upcoming week. I start working out with Ryan 3 times a week starting now and that will hopefully get me to my goal and I can cut the cord so to speak. Well, I will probably keep him around, just won't see him 2x a week! I probably should just focus on the here and now with that though.

Later!

GO MAVS!!!

Wow, 2 and 0. I am pretty darn excited. I am going to watch the game tonight with Michelle in Irving. Haven't seen her in about a week, so it will be cool. Ryan is still sick, so there was no butt kicking tonight. I actually pulled out my Carmen Electra Strip Aerobics DVD. I hadn't done it in awhile. It was kind of nice to do dance moves -- it stretched out all those sore muscles. Dancing works you out in whole different ways and I truthfully was getting just too used to that darn elliptical. I do hope he feels better on Thursday, mostly for selfish reasons because I need a good weight workout :-).

I sat through a morning Worker's Comp class. I know, very exciting. And not only WC, but Federal WC. Yes, even more exciting. The teacher did a great job and I did learn some stuff. I will be the WC queen in all due time. Hey, gotta be good at something :-).

Okay, time to get ready for the game. You know, look cute, but not look like you tried. Always, always fun!!! Jeans and a t-shirt go far (it is always cold in the place we are going, so jeans are necessary. Maybe even some winter clothes!!).

Later

Lazy Sunday

I have pretty much slept all day. Very, very lazy day. I worked out hard yesterday and I am going to blame that :-). Poor Ryan wasn't feeling very good yesterday so it wasn't a normal butt kicking. I still got a work out, but I was kind of worried about him! I told him I was expecting a butt-kicking on Tuesday. I am still sore, but it wasn't our best session. Luckily, since I am an established client, I understood. Salsa, however, did kind of kick my booty. Dancing in 3 inch heels will do that to you. We learned turns and the right one was not working for me! You have to do this pivot thing and I just wasn't getting it. Well. It felt like I was about to fall down every time! Slowly, it worked. Once we sped it up, man, I was all over the place! It will take practice, but I will get it down. There is a Salsa Social on June 23. That should be fun. Mia and I plan to go and get some practice in.

I went to see "The Break-Up" on Friday night and I thought it was pretty good. I laughed a lot and it was just a nice end to a week. Jen looked stunning, as usual. And Vince was hysterical. Loved them together.

Well, I have to run. Have a great Sunday evening!

GO MAVS!

As I type, the 1st game of the NBA Finals are beginning. I will try to watch it all. It depends on how stressed they make me. I feel Dallas can take it all, I just have to take breaks from the action!!!! I am a dork, I know :-).

Okay, I have to admit something. I knew that the Branglina baby pics were being published in People tomorrow. Now, we all know how I feel about these two...... but I thought, might as well take a peak at the little bambino. I took a look at People.com and there she was with momma and daddy (no commentary of the relationship......). Well, um, she's a baby all right. I don't know what I was expecting. Maybe a halo considering how heralded her birth was. She is a cute baby. No halo. Chloe was actually cuter at birth (and still so absolutely beautiful, by the way!). I know I am biased because Chloe is family, but I stand behind my statement. So, media, let Angie do her goodness and let them raise the baby in peace. Shiloh isn't saving the world. Let's just let her be a baby. And while I am on the subject of baby pictures, does anyone find it weird that we have not seen any pictures of Tom and Katie's baby. You would think that would be just as hot as baby Branglina. I have a theory on that whole thing, but I will keep it to myself.

So, other than surfing the net looking for baby pictures, there is really nothing much going on. Work is picking up. I am learning more and more each day and it is all pretty cool. I love the fact that I work with a lot of knowledgeable people who I can just learn from. I work with a woman who knows this stuff like the back of her hand -- she doesn't even have to look it up the books, she can just tell me where to look and there it is. I like that. I haven't even heard anything from my old co-workers. I even sent an email to Mary to give her my new email address. Last week. I have yet to hear from her. Yeah, I guess they miss me a lot. Eh, I have a good place now and I am much happier. They can stew in their disfunctional relationship with the client.

Mom and I are going to see "The Break-up" tomorrow night. Can't wait! I don't think I can get her to go see the Omen (actually, I can't get MYSELF to see the Omen. I will see scary movies, but movies dealing with the devil are way out of my realm of wanting to see. I can explain all that later!).

Later!

Progress

We did a re-assessment tonight at my session. In the last 2.5 weeks I have lost 2% body fat and gained a pound a muscle. It was pretty cool. My hips still haven't budged - it is weird since my clothes are fitting looser. Oh well. I will take it. All that time of the elliptical has paid off!! I am pretty tired right now. I was going to watch a movie but I think I might hit the bed early. I should have all this energy from working out and eating right, but truthfully I am just tired all the time!

Later

Not really too much to report. I had a good weekend. After working out with Ryan (still sore, by the way) I went to Salsa lessons. I was supposed to meet Jen and Mia there but they had emergencies come up and couldn't make it to the studio (at least they weren't abducted by aliens which was my first thought :-)). While all we did were the basic steps, it was still tiring and made my legs hurt. I am looking forward to learning more and getting good at the dance!!! I rested Saturday afternoon and then that night watched the game with my neighbor. She had stopped by to pay a huge compliment -- she had seen me leaving that morning and wanted to say how great I looked. Seriously, you never tire of hearing that! After the Mavs WON (Go MAVS!!!!), I headed out to meet some friends at a local club. I stayed out a little too late and was pretty useless Sunday. Sunday was Mom and Dad's Anniversary, by the way! 35 years -- woohoo!!!

Well, that is my Monday report!

Later

Salsa! (The Dance not the condiment)

I was at the gym today and what new class have they added (kind of gave it away in the title!). Salsa is coming to my gym. I was so happy I almost didn't see Ryan when he was leaving the gym for his break. Now, you know I was really excited! I am not sure how you do salsa as a gym class but we will see. I will be there next Thursday night! And it is a fun new way to do cardio. Seriously, the elliptical is starting to bore me. I am seeing results so I keep at it. And along with the salsa lessons on Saturday with Mia and Jen I will have alternatives to the elliptical cardio workout.

I had a whole entry yesterday and when I went to publish it, it disappeared. Where it went, I have no idea. But I guess you will never know about my weekend now, will you :-). It was good, by the way. And I found a swimsuit that covered my belly but showed off my back. It was actually pretty cute. I was happy.

I had lunch with my dad today at a cute little sandwich place in downtown Dallas. I never would have gone there had he not shown me. And they have a great grocery store next door. It is close enough to power walk to during lunch (only have 30 minutes) and get some things. Since it is getting hotter and hotter, I really don't see myself doing that anytime soon. I have this feeling downtown will be a scorcher.

Well, I guess that is all for today. Worked, worked out, now relaxing. I might go out tonight but not too late. Geesh I am getting old :-).

Go Mavs!!!!!!