Some of you already know this, but the surgery had to be postponed.
- Dad caught a stomach virus and had to be hospitalized Sunday night.
- I woke up yesterday at 5 a.m. with the same stomach virus, so I called the doctor to let them know. They of course said I had to reschedule, so it's now taking place January 14. Two more weeks of stressing out about it.
- I did lose 4 pounds yesterday due to being so sick. So I got that going for me. Which is nice.
I cannot remember ever being so excited for a year to end as I am today. 2008 has not been good to me. In some ways, it's been an amazing year. As I wrote in an earlier post, I am so thankful for the people in my life, for my health, for the things I am able to do. But in many ways, it's been an absolutely horrible year. We lost one of our dearest friends. I had a cancer scare. My heart has been broken in several ways by several people. The economy tanked, and so did my personal finances as a result.
I'm ready for a new beginning. Here's to 2009 and all the wonder and magic it will bring to all of us.
Wednesday, December 31, 2008
Sunday, December 28, 2008
Schizo
I am now vascillating between extreme terror and mild excitement. 2 more days. I've paid the doctor, had my pre-op appointment and my pre-op phone call with the hospital, and done my bloodwork. Too late to turn back now.
In other news, it's going to be 62 degrees here today. In December. What the ???
In other news, it's going to be 62 degrees here today. In December. What the ???
Wednesday, December 24, 2008
*Gulp*
I had my pre-surgery appointment this morning. My first question to the doctor was, "Is it normal to be TERRIFIED??" He assured me that it is... which somehow wasn't really all that reassuring.
Basically, I'm in for a world of hurt. The surgery itself will last about an hour to 90 minutes, but the pain will worsen over the first 24 hours and will last at least 4-5 days. I'll have swelling, bruising, pressure, and bleeding, and my eyes will be black and blue. I'll have to wear a splint on the outside of my nose until my post-op appointment on January 5. Keep small children away from me; I'll be S.C.A.R.Y.
Here's the worst part. No workouts for 10 days. 10 DAYS! I may possibly lose my mind.
In all seriousness, though, I really am panicked about this. This is my FACE we're talking about. I'm sure I'll be happy with the result -- primarily because I'm so unhappy with the change in my nose and overall appearance since I broke it in March (and trust me, it wasn't all that great to begin with) -- but it's absolutely terrifying to consider that I'm going to purposely re-break my nose in order to set it again. Yes, my breathing will improve. Yes, I'll probably be happier with my appearance once the increased width across the bridge is reduced. Yes, yes, yes. But holy carp am I scared.
Basically, I'm in for a world of hurt. The surgery itself will last about an hour to 90 minutes, but the pain will worsen over the first 24 hours and will last at least 4-5 days. I'll have swelling, bruising, pressure, and bleeding, and my eyes will be black and blue. I'll have to wear a splint on the outside of my nose until my post-op appointment on January 5. Keep small children away from me; I'll be S.C.A.R.Y.
Here's the worst part. No workouts for 10 days. 10 DAYS! I may possibly lose my mind.
In all seriousness, though, I really am panicked about this. This is my FACE we're talking about. I'm sure I'll be happy with the result -- primarily because I'm so unhappy with the change in my nose and overall appearance since I broke it in March (and trust me, it wasn't all that great to begin with) -- but it's absolutely terrifying to consider that I'm going to purposely re-break my nose in order to set it again. Yes, my breathing will improve. Yes, I'll probably be happier with my appearance once the increased width across the bridge is reduced. Yes, yes, yes. But holy carp am I scared.
Monday, December 22, 2008
Tentative race schedule
OK, the lack of purposeful workouts has led to a HUGE weight gain. As of this morning, I'm up 6 pounds from my lowest point of 137 in early September.
This. Must. Stop.
Even though I promised myself I wouldn't race for a while, I think I need that sense of urgency that a goal race provides. Here's a tentative schedule for the spring:
March 8 - Snowball Run 5-miler (Wilmington)
March 22 - New York Colon Cancer Challenge 15K (Central Park)
April 11 - Scotland Run 10K (Central Park)
May 9 - Prospect Park Mother's Day Duathlon (Brooklyn)
June 13 - Thundergust Duathlon (New Jersey)
I feel much better now.
This. Must. Stop.
Even though I promised myself I wouldn't race for a while, I think I need that sense of urgency that a goal race provides. Here's a tentative schedule for the spring:
March 8 - Snowball Run 5-miler (Wilmington)
March 22 - New York Colon Cancer Challenge 15K (Central Park)
April 11 - Scotland Run 10K (Central Park)
May 9 - Prospect Park Mother's Day Duathlon (Brooklyn)
June 13 - Thundergust Duathlon (New Jersey)
I feel much better now.
Sunday, December 21, 2008
Update
- Cards were mailed Friday.
- All purchased gifts are wrapped, except for my godson's because I'm waiting for something that was supposedly delivered on Thursday but never arrived.
- Still need to buy 2 more things... sometime. Not sure when/how that's going to happen.
- Most of the family drama is under control, I think. Who really knows with these things. :)
- My to-do list is still a mile long, unfortunately. Again, not sure how/when I'm going to get everything done. How have I managed in the past? I feel totally out of control and out of sync this year. Is it just me?
Speaking of to-do lists, time to give Shaggy a bath! She'll hate me for it, but she'll look so pretty for Christmas. :)
- All purchased gifts are wrapped, except for my godson's because I'm waiting for something that was supposedly delivered on Thursday but never arrived.
- Still need to buy 2 more things... sometime. Not sure when/how that's going to happen.
- Most of the family drama is under control, I think. Who really knows with these things. :)
- My to-do list is still a mile long, unfortunately. Again, not sure how/when I'm going to get everything done. How have I managed in the past? I feel totally out of control and out of sync this year. Is it just me?
Speaking of to-do lists, time to give Shaggy a bath! She'll hate me for it, but she'll look so pretty for Christmas. :)
Thursday, December 18, 2008
Boot camp
My legs may possibly fall off. Here's why.
Wednesday, December 17 HEAT class
Everyone had a step, and I had them put extra risers underneath to make their steps a little higher than usual.
1 minute step-ups, right leg leading
1 minute step-ups, left leg leading
1 minute jumping jacks
1 minute squats
1 minute step-ups with a knee lift, alternating lead legs
1 minute jacks
1 minute squats, going lower this time to almost touch the butt to the step
1 minute step-ups with a knee lift, pausing at the top to work on balance
1 minute jacks
1 minute crossover tap (tap the right hand to the left corner of the step, crossing the right leg back behind the left leg, then switch. the goal was speed)
30 seconds jacks
1 minute crossover taps again, this time counting how many times you touched the step
the highest number of touches was 37... so we did 37 squats, down low again to almost tap the butt to the step
1 minute dips off the step
1 minute mountain climber
1 minute dips
1 minute mountain climber
1 minute jumping jacks
1 minute hustle around the step (stand to the side of the step, touch it, then hustle around the back end of it to the other side, touch, repeat. again, the goal was speed)
30 seconds jacks
1 minute hustle around again, this time counting
the highest number of touches was 101... so we did 100 alternating lunges onto the step with body bars across our shoulders
(if you're keeping track, we've now done more than 100 squats plus 100 lunges)
1 minute jog in place to shake out the legs
30 seconds jacks
30 seconds football feet
30 seconds jacks
30 seconds football feet
10 crazy pushups (5 with the right hand in tricep pushup position and elbow going back and left hand out wider with elbow going out to the side, then switch the hands and do 5 more)
10 tricep pushups
1 minute jacks
1 minute repeater glute squeeze right
1 minute repeater glute squeeze left
weighted abs with the body bars
stretch
Wednesday, December 17 HEAT class
Everyone had a step, and I had them put extra risers underneath to make their steps a little higher than usual.
1 minute step-ups, right leg leading
1 minute step-ups, left leg leading
1 minute jumping jacks
1 minute squats
1 minute step-ups with a knee lift, alternating lead legs
1 minute jacks
1 minute squats, going lower this time to almost touch the butt to the step
1 minute step-ups with a knee lift, pausing at the top to work on balance
1 minute jacks
1 minute crossover tap (tap the right hand to the left corner of the step, crossing the right leg back behind the left leg, then switch. the goal was speed)
30 seconds jacks
1 minute crossover taps again, this time counting how many times you touched the step
the highest number of touches was 37... so we did 37 squats, down low again to almost tap the butt to the step
1 minute dips off the step
1 minute mountain climber
1 minute dips
1 minute mountain climber
1 minute jumping jacks
1 minute hustle around the step (stand to the side of the step, touch it, then hustle around the back end of it to the other side, touch, repeat. again, the goal was speed)
30 seconds jacks
1 minute hustle around again, this time counting
the highest number of touches was 101... so we did 100 alternating lunges onto the step with body bars across our shoulders
(if you're keeping track, we've now done more than 100 squats plus 100 lunges)
1 minute jog in place to shake out the legs
30 seconds jacks
30 seconds football feet
30 seconds jacks
30 seconds football feet
10 crazy pushups (5 with the right hand in tricep pushup position and elbow going back and left hand out wider with elbow going out to the side, then switch the hands and do 5 more)
10 tricep pushups
1 minute jacks
1 minute repeater glute squeeze right
1 minute repeater glute squeeze left
weighted abs with the body bars
stretch
Drama!
So much drama right now! Family stuff (way too much to go into, but suffice it to say that some members of my extended family are making the rest of us go kooky), Y drama, super busy at work -- which is actually good, as I'd much rather be busy than bored -- and of course holiday drama. I'm so far behind schedule this year. Any other year, I'd be done shopping and have all the gifts wrapped and cards sent by this point. I'd have lists with all my gift ideas checked off, itemized expense sheets to share with my brother and IronHubby, and gifts organized under the tree by which household they ultimately go to -- my mom's, my dad's, or my in-laws'.
This year, not so much. I'm done cards through K in my address book but need to buy more stamps. And possibly more cards! I seem to be running low. I bought tons of gifts last weekend in NY, but I haven't wrapped a single one. I don't even remember what I bought for whom, so as I'm wrapping I have to create the lists I normally would have been using as a reference. I still have gifts to buy: Mom, Dad, my brother, and my former roommate are still not done. (I have most of their gifts purchased, but I still have to supplement with more.) Ugh.
HOWEVER, and this is a big however, someone I love very much got great news this week. I could not be happier. The news was a long time coming, and it's absolutely the best holiday gift any of us could have asked for. Congratulations, A. I love you, and I'm so happy for you. You absolutely deserve every success. xoxox
This year, not so much. I'm done cards through K in my address book but need to buy more stamps. And possibly more cards! I seem to be running low. I bought tons of gifts last weekend in NY, but I haven't wrapped a single one. I don't even remember what I bought for whom, so as I'm wrapping I have to create the lists I normally would have been using as a reference. I still have gifts to buy: Mom, Dad, my brother, and my former roommate are still not done. (I have most of their gifts purchased, but I still have to supplement with more.) Ugh.
HOWEVER, and this is a big however, someone I love very much got great news this week. I could not be happier. The news was a long time coming, and it's absolutely the best holiday gift any of us could have asked for. Congratulations, A. I love you, and I'm so happy for you. You absolutely deserve every success. xoxox
Tuesday, December 16, 2008
It's baaaa-aaack
Sunday night I woke up every 20 minutes. That is not an exaggeration; I stared at the clock each time I woke up, and it was every 20 minutes almost to the minute.
Last night I did a little better. I managed to sleep for 30 minutes at a time. Woo. (Please note the sarcasm.) Yup, I woke up every 30 minutes last night.
F***ing insomnia.
This morning I came VERY close to passing out again. After my swim, I had to grab the table in the drying area in the locker room because I was swaying all over the place. I stayed in the locker room for about 20 minutes and then sat in the Y lobby (once I was finally dressed) for another 10 minutes before I felt OK enough to drive myself home, less than a mile. Ugh.
But, there is something happy to report. :) The chiropractor thinks my toe issue is either a neuroma or an embedded something in my foot -- either a splinter or possibly even a sliver of glass that I stepped on and never removed. I have to soak my foot in epsom salts and then examine it to see if I find anything that I can remove on my own. Because I had a meeting last night and didn't get home until after 9 p.m., I didn't soak my foot; instead I got my Christmas cards started. More cards tonight during the Biggest Loser finale, but hopefully I can soak my foot first. If I can stay awake and upright, that is.
Last night I did a little better. I managed to sleep for 30 minutes at a time. Woo. (Please note the sarcasm.) Yup, I woke up every 30 minutes last night.
F***ing insomnia.
This morning I came VERY close to passing out again. After my swim, I had to grab the table in the drying area in the locker room because I was swaying all over the place. I stayed in the locker room for about 20 minutes and then sat in the Y lobby (once I was finally dressed) for another 10 minutes before I felt OK enough to drive myself home, less than a mile. Ugh.
But, there is something happy to report. :) The chiropractor thinks my toe issue is either a neuroma or an embedded something in my foot -- either a splinter or possibly even a sliver of glass that I stepped on and never removed. I have to soak my foot in epsom salts and then examine it to see if I find anything that I can remove on my own. Because I had a meeting last night and didn't get home until after 9 p.m., I didn't soak my foot; instead I got my Christmas cards started. More cards tonight during the Biggest Loser finale, but hopefully I can soak my foot first. If I can stay awake and upright, that is.
Monday, December 15, 2008
A fantabulous weekend :)
THURSDAY
The weekend started early for me. With my boss' generous permission, I took the day off and got a lot of things done -- bills, laundry, pet food purchasing, etc. -- before meeting Heather to go to the Flyers game. I rarely buy tickets to games (way too expensive!), but this was an exception. We determined that rather than buy each other Christmas presents, we'd treat ourselves to this date. I bought the tickets from the auditor who visited our office earlier this fall, so we at least got the season ticketholders' discounted price and free parking.
Upon walking into the Whackoff Center, I spotted Bernie Parent, Bob Kelly, and Gary Dornhoeffer signing autographs. And flirting, apparently, with very tall Greek women! :) The game itself was pretty stinky and boring for two periods, except for the very fun cheers of "Refs, you suck!" at every opportunity. Good times. The third period, however, was another story altogether. ALL Flyers. We overcame a 5-1 deficit at the beginning of the third period to tie the game with a few minutes left and ultimately win it in a shootout. Talk about the best game EVER!
FRIDAY - SUNDAY
Friday morning I woke up, packed, filled the car with gas, and set off to pick up Mom at my uncle's house in NJ for our annual holiday weekend in New York City. We met up with my friend Liz at Alice's Tea Cup on the Upper West Side, then set off via subway for downtown. Mom and I shopped a teeny bit in Soho before it was time to meet up with my brother for dinner at a Greek restaurant called Snack in the West Village. It was a tiny, loud, super crowded place with really good food. The rest of the weekend was a blur of more eating, lots of shopping, a quick meet-up with Maria and J, TONS of walking (more on this later), eating, shopping, some eating, did I mention we ate a lot?, more shopping, etc. The weather Friday and Saturday was crisp but clear, and Sunday was a bit warmer and slightly cloudier. All in all, it was a wonderful weekend... one that reminded me yet again that I am desperate to live in NYC. Why oh why don't I live there? I am so alive and happy when I'm there.
MY TOE
Unfortunately, not all was sunshine and roses. A month ago, I did my first ever group run -- a 10-mile trail run. Ever since, I've had recurring and worsening pain in my right foot. It is concentrated mainly under my middle toe but also radiates into the ball of my foot. At first, I thought I had jammed my toe, so I grabbed it to pull it out (as I did almost every day with my fingers in college; we volleyball players are used to jammed digits!). Oh. My. God. EXCRUCIATING pain when I tugged on it.
My toe is fairly swollen and still extremely tender. It doesn't matter what shoes I wear -- flats, heels, slippers, barefoot. Pain no matter what. The only time it doesn't hurt, strangely enough, is when I'm running. Well, that came to a screeching halt on Saturday. During a tempo run in Prospect Park, I had fairly significant pain in my foot. By the end of the day Saturday, when Mom and I had probably walked 5-6 miles with 5 huge shopping bags on our shoulders, the pain was so severe that I was limping.
Of course, Einstein that I am, I ran 7 more miles on Sunday morning. The pain was there, but it was much less severe than it had been Saturday. By the end of the day yesterday, though, the pain was worse again.
I have an appointment at 4:45 today to get it checked out. Please don't let my toe be broken!
The weekend started early for me. With my boss' generous permission, I took the day off and got a lot of things done -- bills, laundry, pet food purchasing, etc. -- before meeting Heather to go to the Flyers game. I rarely buy tickets to games (way too expensive!), but this was an exception. We determined that rather than buy each other Christmas presents, we'd treat ourselves to this date. I bought the tickets from the auditor who visited our office earlier this fall, so we at least got the season ticketholders' discounted price and free parking.
Upon walking into the Whackoff Center, I spotted Bernie Parent, Bob Kelly, and Gary Dornhoeffer signing autographs. And flirting, apparently, with very tall Greek women! :) The game itself was pretty stinky and boring for two periods, except for the very fun cheers of "Refs, you suck!" at every opportunity. Good times. The third period, however, was another story altogether. ALL Flyers. We overcame a 5-1 deficit at the beginning of the third period to tie the game with a few minutes left and ultimately win it in a shootout. Talk about the best game EVER!
FRIDAY - SUNDAY
Friday morning I woke up, packed, filled the car with gas, and set off to pick up Mom at my uncle's house in NJ for our annual holiday weekend in New York City. We met up with my friend Liz at Alice's Tea Cup on the Upper West Side, then set off via subway for downtown. Mom and I shopped a teeny bit in Soho before it was time to meet up with my brother for dinner at a Greek restaurant called Snack in the West Village. It was a tiny, loud, super crowded place with really good food. The rest of the weekend was a blur of more eating, lots of shopping, a quick meet-up with Maria and J, TONS of walking (more on this later), eating, shopping, some eating, did I mention we ate a lot?, more shopping, etc. The weather Friday and Saturday was crisp but clear, and Sunday was a bit warmer and slightly cloudier. All in all, it was a wonderful weekend... one that reminded me yet again that I am desperate to live in NYC. Why oh why don't I live there? I am so alive and happy when I'm there.
MY TOE
Unfortunately, not all was sunshine and roses. A month ago, I did my first ever group run -- a 10-mile trail run. Ever since, I've had recurring and worsening pain in my right foot. It is concentrated mainly under my middle toe but also radiates into the ball of my foot. At first, I thought I had jammed my toe, so I grabbed it to pull it out (as I did almost every day with my fingers in college; we volleyball players are used to jammed digits!). Oh. My. God. EXCRUCIATING pain when I tugged on it.
My toe is fairly swollen and still extremely tender. It doesn't matter what shoes I wear -- flats, heels, slippers, barefoot. Pain no matter what. The only time it doesn't hurt, strangely enough, is when I'm running. Well, that came to a screeching halt on Saturday. During a tempo run in Prospect Park, I had fairly significant pain in my foot. By the end of the day Saturday, when Mom and I had probably walked 5-6 miles with 5 huge shopping bags on our shoulders, the pain was so severe that I was limping.
Of course, Einstein that I am, I ran 7 more miles on Sunday morning. The pain was there, but it was much less severe than it had been Saturday. By the end of the day yesterday, though, the pain was worse again.
I have an appointment at 4:45 today to get it checked out. Please don't let my toe be broken!
Wednesday, December 10, 2008
23!
Last night at the Y a man asked me if I had played basketball for Newark High School. I replied that I hadn't, and he said I looked like someone that had played with his daughter. I replied, "Oh, I know who you're talking about. She played volleyball too, right? I've been told before that I look like her."
Now mind you, I know nothing about this girl except her first name and that we slightly resemble each other. Oh, and that apparently I'm nicer than she is. :)
He said, "Yeah, you do look like her. My daughter is 23 now. You're about 23, right?"
HAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHA
I said, "Uhh, NO, but thank you SO much for thinking I could be!!!!" He walked away smiling and said, "Well, Merry Christmas!"
That might be the best gift I get this year!
Now mind you, I know nothing about this girl except her first name and that we slightly resemble each other. Oh, and that apparently I'm nicer than she is. :)
He said, "Yeah, you do look like her. My daughter is 23 now. You're about 23, right?"
HAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHA
I said, "Uhh, NO, but thank you SO much for thinking I could be!!!!" He walked away smiling and said, "Well, Merry Christmas!"
That might be the best gift I get this year!
Tuesday, December 9, 2008
Holiday Meme
(I'm not sure what that title means, but it's what Kris and Maria called it so I'm going with it.) :)
If you want to play along, copy the questions onto your blog, post the answers, and leave a comment here so I know to go read yours.
Wrapping paper or gift bags? I mix it up so there's lots of variety and visual interest under the tree.
Real tree or artificial? Real. Always.
When do you put up the tree? The day of my annual cookie exchange. :)
When do you take the tree down? January 6 so that I keep it up until the Epiphany.
Do you like eggnog? Mmmmmmmm, eggnog...
Favorite gift received as a child? A red 10-speed bike when I was 10 years old.
Hardest person to buy for? My dad.
Easiest person to buy for? Anthony.
Do you have a nativity scene? I have the barn but not the figurines to put in it.
Mail or email Christmas cards? Real mail.
Worst Christmas gift you ever received? I have no idea!
Favorite Christmas Movie? It's A Wonderful Life. I cry every stinking time.
When do you start shopping for Christmas? Usually early December, although I'll buy something at any point of the year if it's a perfect gift for someone.
Have you ever recycled a Christmas present? Like regifting? No.
Favorite thing to eat at Christmas? Um, everything? Is that a valid answer?
Lights on the tree? White non-blinking lights only.
Favorite Christmas song? See the post below... That song is followed closely by Linus and Lucy, which I'm listening to right now. :) Trust me; the Charlie Brown Christmas CD is the only one you need.
Travel at Christmas or stay home? Luckily, my family and IronHubby's family are both local. Unluckily, that means we never have an excuse to miss a get-together. :) We end up eating like 3 hugemongous meals at every holiday. Oink.
Can you name all of Santa’s reindeer? Let's see. Donner, Dancer, Prancer, Vixen, Comet, Cupid, ???, Blitzen, Rudolph. Shoot! Who's missing??
Angel on the tree top or a star? An old-fashioned Santa.
Open the presents Christmas Eve or morning? Since we visit three homes, we end up having three present exchanges too, one of which is always Chrstmas Eve. But the real orgy of presents is always at my mom's house on Christmas morning, followed by her annual Christmas brunch.
Most annoying thing about this time of the year? The lack of self-restraint some people have, as evidenced by the trampling to death of a Walmart employee on Black Friday. WTF is wrong with people???
Favorite ornament theme or color? My tree has several themes, including the Nutcracker (which I performed in three times as a child), angels, gold ribbons, and of course the requisite two Ironman ornaments. :)
Favorite for Christmas dinner? I'm not picky. I love it all!
What do you want for Christmas this year? What I want isn't for sale.
If you want to play along, copy the questions onto your blog, post the answers, and leave a comment here so I know to go read yours.
Wrapping paper or gift bags? I mix it up so there's lots of variety and visual interest under the tree.
Real tree or artificial? Real. Always.
When do you put up the tree? The day of my annual cookie exchange. :)
When do you take the tree down? January 6 so that I keep it up until the Epiphany.
Do you like eggnog? Mmmmmmmm, eggnog...
Favorite gift received as a child? A red 10-speed bike when I was 10 years old.
Hardest person to buy for? My dad.
Easiest person to buy for? Anthony.
Do you have a nativity scene? I have the barn but not the figurines to put in it.
Mail or email Christmas cards? Real mail.
Worst Christmas gift you ever received? I have no idea!
Favorite Christmas Movie? It's A Wonderful Life. I cry every stinking time.
When do you start shopping for Christmas? Usually early December, although I'll buy something at any point of the year if it's a perfect gift for someone.
Have you ever recycled a Christmas present? Like regifting? No.
Favorite thing to eat at Christmas? Um, everything? Is that a valid answer?
Lights on the tree? White non-blinking lights only.
Favorite Christmas song? See the post below... That song is followed closely by Linus and Lucy, which I'm listening to right now. :) Trust me; the Charlie Brown Christmas CD is the only one you need.
Travel at Christmas or stay home? Luckily, my family and IronHubby's family are both local. Unluckily, that means we never have an excuse to miss a get-together. :) We end up eating like 3 hugemongous meals at every holiday. Oink.
Can you name all of Santa’s reindeer? Let's see. Donner, Dancer, Prancer, Vixen, Comet, Cupid, ???, Blitzen, Rudolph. Shoot! Who's missing??
Angel on the tree top or a star? An old-fashioned Santa.
Open the presents Christmas Eve or morning? Since we visit three homes, we end up having three present exchanges too, one of which is always Chrstmas Eve. But the real orgy of presents is always at my mom's house on Christmas morning, followed by her annual Christmas brunch.
Most annoying thing about this time of the year? The lack of self-restraint some people have, as evidenced by the trampling to death of a Walmart employee on Black Friday. WTF is wrong with people???
Favorite ornament theme or color? My tree has several themes, including the Nutcracker (which I performed in three times as a child), angels, gold ribbons, and of course the requisite two Ironman ornaments. :)
Favorite for Christmas dinner? I'm not picky. I love it all!
What do you want for Christmas this year? What I want isn't for sale.
Shaggy ran away
Don't worry, the story has a happy ending. I just had a heart attack in the meantime!!!
This morning I skipped my planned swim in order to get to a work meeting earlier. Miss Shaggy was very excited when I came downstairs all dressed in warm clothes... so excited that she ran out the front door when I opened it to take out the recycling!
My first instinct was to chase after her, until I realized (a) I didn't have her leash with me, and (b) I wasn't wearing a coat! After retrieving both items, I set out after her, deciding to pretend that I wasn't mad.
"Shaggy!" I called out, trying to sound as friendly and non-threatening as possible. It worked! She was a few houses down (luckily AWAY from the main road and deeper into the neighborhood instead of vice versa) and stopped when she heard me. I held up her leash and said, "Wanna go for a walk?" She actually took about 5 steps toward me and then stopped to sniff something. I just kept walking toward her, talking in a soothing way. "Come on, Boo, let's go for a walk!"
That silly dog actually waited for me! I couldn't believe it! She just stood there until I got to her.
Of course, she was rewarded with a little smack across her snout for running away in the first place, followed by multiple hugs and kisses for not continuing to run. She must have thought I was a complete psycho.
After she had a nice long walk and some playtime with Brodie across the street, I brought her home and gave her a treat. When I tried to pet her, she flinched. Oh, the guilt!
I'm a horrible mom. :(
This morning I skipped my planned swim in order to get to a work meeting earlier. Miss Shaggy was very excited when I came downstairs all dressed in warm clothes... so excited that she ran out the front door when I opened it to take out the recycling!
My first instinct was to chase after her, until I realized (a) I didn't have her leash with me, and (b) I wasn't wearing a coat! After retrieving both items, I set out after her, deciding to pretend that I wasn't mad.
"Shaggy!" I called out, trying to sound as friendly and non-threatening as possible. It worked! She was a few houses down (luckily AWAY from the main road and deeper into the neighborhood instead of vice versa) and stopped when she heard me. I held up her leash and said, "Wanna go for a walk?" She actually took about 5 steps toward me and then stopped to sniff something. I just kept walking toward her, talking in a soothing way. "Come on, Boo, let's go for a walk!"
That silly dog actually waited for me! I couldn't believe it! She just stood there until I got to her.
Of course, she was rewarded with a little smack across her snout for running away in the first place, followed by multiple hugs and kisses for not continuing to run. She must have thought I was a complete psycho.
After she had a nice long walk and some playtime with Brodie across the street, I brought her home and gave her a treat. When I tried to pet her, she flinched. Oh, the guilt!
I'm a horrible mom. :(
Monday, December 8, 2008
It's officially Christmas
IronHubby bought a beautiful tree Saturday, and I decorated it Sunday morning.
We decorated the house. (The outside lighting is having a little trouble, but I'm sure he'll fix it soon...)
I hosted my annual Holiday Cookie Exchange yesterday afternoon.
I did a little online shopping last week.
But the #1 reason it's officially Christmas is that I heard this song
over the weekend.
Throw your arms around the world at Christmastime.
We decorated the house. (The outside lighting is having a little trouble, but I'm sure he'll fix it soon...)
I hosted my annual Holiday Cookie Exchange yesterday afternoon.
I did a little online shopping last week.
But the #1 reason it's officially Christmas is that I heard this song
over the weekend.
Throw your arms around the world at Christmastime.
Monday, December 1, 2008
Yikes!
I just turned in my articles to Delaware Today. Gulp!
I ended up writing six articles, one of which is just a short intro to the rest of the articles. I sure hope they're OK!
Now I wait...
EDITED 12.5.08 TO ADD:
The editor just emailed me to say he'd been on vacation a few days and is catching up. He received the articles but hasn't taken a good look at them yet, so I'm still waiting for feedback. (I'm really nervous about these. Even though I've been published before, this was a bigger assignment and a more prestigious magazine, so I tried to do a really good job.)
I ended up writing six articles, one of which is just a short intro to the rest of the articles. I sure hope they're OK!
Now I wait...
EDITED 12.5.08 TO ADD:
The editor just emailed me to say he'd been on vacation a few days and is catching up. He received the articles but hasn't taken a good look at them yet, so I'm still waiting for feedback. (I'm really nervous about these. Even though I've been published before, this was a bigger assignment and a more prestigious magazine, so I tried to do a really good job.)
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