(In no particular order)
My pets
My family
My friends
My health
My jobs
Wearing a size 6 skirt
Chocolate
Getting my father settled very soon (this weekend!)
Strengthening my already ridiculously close relationship with my brother
Finding black tailored pants at Banana Republic for $14.99
My clean car
Free lunch
Getting paid to work out
High heels
Nailing my presentations at work the past 2 weeks
My surgery, which WILL take place Tuesday even if we get 10 feet of snow and my right arm is falling off
The new U2 album in a few weeks
My blog and the freedom to say whatever is on my mind
The readers of my blog
Adding more:
The Flyers (how could I forget????)
Nice people
Chopsticks
Swimming
What are you happy about?
Thursday, January 29, 2009
Tuesday, January 27, 2009
Polls
Last week's poll was about where you sleep. This week's poll is about your favorite (or most common) sleep position.
Last week, I learned that I cannot possibly share a bed with five of you, as we all prefer the right side of the bed.
I also learned that one poor reader sleeps on the sofa. Hugs to you, mystery reader. (((Mystery Reader On The Sofa)))
:)
Last week, I learned that I cannot possibly share a bed with five of you, as we all prefer the right side of the bed.
I also learned that one poor reader sleeps on the sofa. Hugs to you, mystery reader. (((Mystery Reader On The Sofa)))
:)
Thursday, January 22, 2009
All I have to give
My friend Resha sent this to me this morning. It made me smile a sad little smile. My heart is about all I have to give right now, too. And even it has seen better days... but I'm happy to share it.
Tuesday, January 20, 2009
Hail to the chief
Inauguration Day. We've waited a long time for this. (Some of us loyal Ds have waited eight years.)
On Saturday Heather, Avery, Lynn, and I went to the Wilmington Train Station and Tubman/Garrett Park to see and hear the President-Elect and Vice President-Elect. It was freezing, we couldn't see much, and poor little Avery was miserable... but I'm so glad we went.
In the picture above, Joe Biden is coming down the steps off the dais to shake hands. Barack Obama is just in front of him, already in the crowd.
Can't see them? OK, how about now?
Before the train arrived, a speaker said something about changing the world. Since long before Election Day, I've thought about changing the course of US history and making history and those sorts of things. But changing the entire world?
I was overcome with emotion. I changed the world on November 4 with my vote. We all did. We changed the world... for the better.
Hail to the chief!
On Saturday Heather, Avery, Lynn, and I went to the Wilmington Train Station and Tubman/Garrett Park to see and hear the President-Elect and Vice President-Elect. It was freezing, we couldn't see much, and poor little Avery was miserable... but I'm so glad we went.
In the picture above, Joe Biden is coming down the steps off the dais to shake hands. Barack Obama is just in front of him, already in the crowd.
Can't see them? OK, how about now?
Before the train arrived, a speaker said something about changing the world. Since long before Election Day, I've thought about changing the course of US history and making history and those sorts of things. But changing the entire world?
I was overcome with emotion. I changed the world on November 4 with my vote. We all did. We changed the world... for the better.
Hail to the chief!
Monday, January 19, 2009
The restorative powers of a good, hard run
Some of you know I have some pretty heavy stuff going on. I haven't blogged about it in the interest of protecting some family privacy and dignity, but suffice it to say my brother and I are in the process of seeking living arrangements for a loved one. Our goal is to find a place that allows a fair amount of independence while also providing the care that he needs. Since I live in our hometown and my brother does not, much of this has fallen on me. I'm not complaining. It's just the way it is. My brother has been home much more than normal during this time and also has taken it upon himself to make tons of phone calls and do whatever he can from New York. I have no complaints about the situation.
The past three weeks have been a blur of work, teaching, trying to be a good wife, daughter, sister, and friend, facility visits and tours, phone calls, financial disclosure forms, applications, appointments, laundry (mine, IronHubby's, and the loved one's), and near-daily visits to our loved one in the hospital for the first nine days and in an inpatient rehab facility since then.
I'm exhausted.
During this time, I've tried my best to keep up my workouts, if for no other reason than my own sanity. On Friday, the question of the day on kickrunners.com was, "Fill in the rest of this sentence: running is..." I wrote, "Running is my therapy."
It's true. Running (and working out as a whole, but particularly running) is therapeutic. It's my time to myself, when I don't have to account to anyone, talk to anyone, or see anyone if I choose a remote route or trail. It's my time to collect my thoughts... or cease thinking altogether. And when I run hard, as I did yesterday, it's my time to just focus on and appreciate what my body can do. The only sounds are my feet hitting the ground, my breathing, and, in the trails, little critters scurrying around in the woods next to me. Without the distractions of phones, emails, work, and other responsibilities, running is my time for me.
Due to circumstances beyond my control (wonderful overnight company (I miss you already, Heather!), a stray dog that ended up at my house for the third time, and a cancelled appointment at the Y that I didn't know was cancelled until I drove TO the Y), yesterday's long run turned into a much shorter run. All I had time to do was about 4 miles. As I set out, I decided to make the most of them. Without any speedwork the past two months, I practically raced the 4 miles and made it home, panting and exhausted, in 32:21.
That run healed my spirit.
The past three weeks have been a blur of work, teaching, trying to be a good wife, daughter, sister, and friend, facility visits and tours, phone calls, financial disclosure forms, applications, appointments, laundry (mine, IronHubby's, and the loved one's), and near-daily visits to our loved one in the hospital for the first nine days and in an inpatient rehab facility since then.
I'm exhausted.
During this time, I've tried my best to keep up my workouts, if for no other reason than my own sanity. On Friday, the question of the day on kickrunners.com was, "Fill in the rest of this sentence: running is..." I wrote, "Running is my therapy."
It's true. Running (and working out as a whole, but particularly running) is therapeutic. It's my time to myself, when I don't have to account to anyone, talk to anyone, or see anyone if I choose a remote route or trail. It's my time to collect my thoughts... or cease thinking altogether. And when I run hard, as I did yesterday, it's my time to just focus on and appreciate what my body can do. The only sounds are my feet hitting the ground, my breathing, and, in the trails, little critters scurrying around in the woods next to me. Without the distractions of phones, emails, work, and other responsibilities, running is my time for me.
Due to circumstances beyond my control (wonderful overnight company (I miss you already, Heather!), a stray dog that ended up at my house for the third time, and a cancelled appointment at the Y that I didn't know was cancelled until I drove TO the Y), yesterday's long run turned into a much shorter run. All I had time to do was about 4 miles. As I set out, I decided to make the most of them. Without any speedwork the past two months, I practically raced the 4 miles and made it home, panting and exhausted, in 32:21.
That run healed my spirit.
Sunday, January 18, 2009
Friday, January 16, 2009
Thursday, January 15, 2009
Things that could only happen to me
1. My fertility doctor turned out to be someone I know from the Y. See The Long Slow Road blog for the full story. :)
2. This morning I didn't get out the front door quickly enough, so the storm door hit the back of my leg. No big deal, right? Except for the fact that the corner of the door caught in my pants and created a small pull in the fabric. No big deal, right? Except for the fact that I'm wearing the most expensive pants I own. No lie, these babies cost me more than $200 (purchased obviously when I made a lot more money than I make now).
3. I had to go to court this morning to serve as a witness in a harassment case. (I saw a guy late one night who was harassing my neighbor, so I was called as a state witness.) At the courthouse, you have to pay on foot before you go out to your car, and then you insert the paid ticket at the gate to get out. I tried to pay with my debit card, but the machine wasn't reading it so I had to put $7 in cash in the machine. Since I'd paid cash, I didn't request a receipt. I walked to my car, put the ticket down on top of my cell phone, and then picked up the cell phone to turn it on. As I picked up my phone, the paid parking ticket slipped into the tiny crack next to my emergency brake and fell under the center console!! So the ticket was under the emergency brake, cup holder, and storage area... deep in my car where it could not possibly be retrieved! The attendant gave me a VERY hard time about letting me out. I asked to talk to his manager, so he made a phone call and then told me to pull around so he could open the gate for me. I said, "Dude, seriously, I could not possibly make up a story like that."
4. On Tuesday I showed up at the rehab facility for a care conference about my father's progress. There were no parking spots available, so I had to sit in the car for several minutes and wait for someone to leave. When I finally went inside, the receptionist gave me a pointed look to show her displeasure in my tardiness (I was 3 minutes late). I was shown into the conference room, and someone went to get my dad. A few minutes later, the social worker came into the conference and said, "Umm, Theia? Your dad's meeting is NEXT Tuesday."
Calgon, take me away!
2. This morning I didn't get out the front door quickly enough, so the storm door hit the back of my leg. No big deal, right? Except for the fact that the corner of the door caught in my pants and created a small pull in the fabric. No big deal, right? Except for the fact that I'm wearing the most expensive pants I own. No lie, these babies cost me more than $200 (purchased obviously when I made a lot more money than I make now).
3. I had to go to court this morning to serve as a witness in a harassment case. (I saw a guy late one night who was harassing my neighbor, so I was called as a state witness.) At the courthouse, you have to pay on foot before you go out to your car, and then you insert the paid ticket at the gate to get out. I tried to pay with my debit card, but the machine wasn't reading it so I had to put $7 in cash in the machine. Since I'd paid cash, I didn't request a receipt. I walked to my car, put the ticket down on top of my cell phone, and then picked up the cell phone to turn it on. As I picked up my phone, the paid parking ticket slipped into the tiny crack next to my emergency brake and fell under the center console!! So the ticket was under the emergency brake, cup holder, and storage area... deep in my car where it could not possibly be retrieved! The attendant gave me a VERY hard time about letting me out. I asked to talk to his manager, so he made a phone call and then told me to pull around so he could open the gate for me. I said, "Dude, seriously, I could not possibly make up a story like that."
4. On Tuesday I showed up at the rehab facility for a care conference about my father's progress. There were no parking spots available, so I had to sit in the car for several minutes and wait for someone to leave. When I finally went inside, the receptionist gave me a pointed look to show her displeasure in my tardiness (I was 3 minutes late). I was shown into the conference room, and someone went to get my dad. A few minutes later, the social worker came into the conference and said, "Umm, Theia? Your dad's meeting is NEXT Tuesday."
Calgon, take me away!
Tuesday, January 13, 2009
High Maintenance?
In the past 10 days, I've completely pampered myself: pedicure, facial, haircut, and massage. Now, lest you think I'm (a) independently wealthy, or (b) completely high maintenance, let me 'splain.
Pedicure - At the cheapo place near my house, but honestly it was one of the best pedis I've ever had. Moi (sp?) did a fantastic job! Very relaxing and nurturing, despite not being at a chi-chi expensive place.
Haircut - Jackie gives me a discount because I've been a loyal customer for so long. Just a clean-up and reshaping, since my last haircut was shorter with lots more layers.
Facial - Nearly free, thanks to a gift certificate from my in-laws. Unfortunately, I have had a bad reaction to the treatment. Normally I have a glycolic acid peel (as unpleasant as it sounds). This time, Jane recommended microdermabrasion PLUS a glycolic peel. Yeeeeoooouuch! My skin is still pretty irritated and dry, AND I actually have small abrasions on my temple and cheekbone. The microdermabrasion cut me! :(
Massage - Sports massage. Nothing relaxing about it. Not as painful as it was the last time I had one, primarily because I'm not running as much. It was 75% massage and 25% therapy. Vicki is a wonderful listener and a thoughtful friend.
So yes, I've been pampered. But no, it wasn't all Lady of Leisure stuff. I wish!
Pedicure - At the cheapo place near my house, but honestly it was one of the best pedis I've ever had. Moi (sp?) did a fantastic job! Very relaxing and nurturing, despite not being at a chi-chi expensive place.
Haircut - Jackie gives me a discount because I've been a loyal customer for so long. Just a clean-up and reshaping, since my last haircut was shorter with lots more layers.
Facial - Nearly free, thanks to a gift certificate from my in-laws. Unfortunately, I have had a bad reaction to the treatment. Normally I have a glycolic acid peel (as unpleasant as it sounds). This time, Jane recommended microdermabrasion PLUS a glycolic peel. Yeeeeoooouuch! My skin is still pretty irritated and dry, AND I actually have small abrasions on my temple and cheekbone. The microdermabrasion cut me! :(
Massage - Sports massage. Nothing relaxing about it. Not as painful as it was the last time I had one, primarily because I'm not running as much. It was 75% massage and 25% therapy. Vicki is a wonderful listener and a thoughtful friend.
So yes, I've been pampered. But no, it wasn't all Lady of Leisure stuff. I wish!
Monday, January 12, 2009
HELL YEAH!
(That pic was not taken during yesterday's game (obviously, since you can clearly see that it is from a game in Philly), but it's such an amazing picture of my boy B Dawk that I chose it anyway.)
E! A! G! L! E! S! EAGLES!!
Thursday, January 8, 2009
Random cuteness
This blog has been nothing but doom and gloom recently, and that's really not like me. I'm usually such a happy person. I hate that things have gotten me so down the past several months.
So, here's something that will make me -- and hopefully all of you -- smile. Just 'cause.
Look at that face. How can you not be happy when you see that face? :)
So, here's something that will make me -- and hopefully all of you -- smile. Just 'cause.
Look at that face. How can you not be happy when you see that face? :)
Wednesday, January 7, 2009
Boy, I can really pack it in!
I just took a mental inventory of what I've eaten today. Good grief!
cereal with skim milk
Mojo bar
yogurt
small bag of chips
small cup of soup
turkey sandwich
4 Nutter Butters
apple
Yikes! That's a lot of food, isn't it??? I mean, it's only 4 p.m!
cereal with skim milk
Mojo bar
yogurt
small bag of chips
small cup of soup
turkey sandwich
4 Nutter Butters
apple
Yikes! That's a lot of food, isn't it??? I mean, it's only 4 p.m!
Tuesday, January 6, 2009
One bright spot...
... in my otherwise suddenly shitty life.
http://phillyfit.com/Articles/01-09/14-15%20PhillyFIT%200109.pdf
My weightlifting article was finally published! It's on page 14 of the January/February issue of Philly Fit -- the first article after the publisher's column and letters to the editor -- AND it's one of the featured articles on the cover.
Ah yeah.
(I'm choosing to ignore the punctuation typos the EDITOR created in my article. I know how to use a semicolon correctly. You all know I do.)
http://phillyfit.com/Articles/01-09/14-15%20PhillyFIT%200109.pdf
My weightlifting article was finally published! It's on page 14 of the January/February issue of Philly Fit -- the first article after the publisher's column and letters to the editor -- AND it's one of the featured articles on the cover.
Ah yeah.
(I'm choosing to ignore the punctuation typos the EDITOR created in my article. I know how to use a semicolon correctly. You all know I do.)
Unfreakingbelievable. Again.
The doctor's office called this morning. There was a mistake on either their end or the hospital's end, and my surgery was NOT entered into the system for next Wednesday. Yes, folks, that's right. No surgery until February, UNLESS I take an appointment for tomorrow that someone else just canceled.
So. If I can rearrange my entire life -- and either my mom's or Ironhubby's, since someone needs to drive me, sit and wait for me, and hang out at home with me all day to make sure I don't die or go into convulsions or whatever -- in the next few hours to be able to take tomorrow's appointment, it'll happen tomorrow. Not likely. Not likely at all. Otherwise, I'm looking at early February.
I cannot freaking believe this. I am about to cry, but I'm at work and have to hold it together.
So much for, how did I put it?, all the wonder and magic of 2009. So far it sucks ass just as much as 2008 did.
So. If I can rearrange my entire life -- and either my mom's or Ironhubby's, since someone needs to drive me, sit and wait for me, and hang out at home with me all day to make sure I don't die or go into convulsions or whatever -- in the next few hours to be able to take tomorrow's appointment, it'll happen tomorrow. Not likely. Not likely at all. Otherwise, I'm looking at early February.
I cannot freaking believe this. I am about to cry, but I'm at work and have to hold it together.
So much for, how did I put it?, all the wonder and magic of 2009. So far it sucks ass just as much as 2008 did.
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