Did You Know.....

That every hour on the hour from the moment I get up here in the States until the moment I go to bed I can watch "New Year's" live?

Yup - all day.Maybe this is why "New Year's" celebration is not such a big deal for me. By the time I go to bed I've already seen the New Year 14 - 15 times - LOL!!

!Anyway - bit of bad news this morning at the gym.....my beloved Gauntlet is down for repairs AGAIN!! I am starting to get concerned! How many times can Don save this relic for me? My fingers are crossed and my thoughts are with you Don - please save my precious stairmill. Please!!

In other news.....When I returned to the gym this afternoon for my lifting session I had PB's in all leg areas!!!!! YES!!!I then had my first "road trip" - to the Natur Tyme store a whole 20 min.'s away from me - LOL! But as some of you know - I have not been to this side of town in over a year - so this was a nice short "adventure" - LOL!

I verified what I already suspected - my local vitamin guy has a better selection and better pricing. But Natur Tyme sponsors cool classes and seminars - so at least I got some brochures on upcoming "events".

I've also decided that I'm going to "splurge" and try a new haircut/style. My natural state is VERY curly - unruly - and difficult. There's a salon in town who has folks certified to deal with and texturize this mess so I will - hopefully - be able to wear my hair curly and not resemble Don King or the Heat Miser or someone who was just really *surprised*! Straightening my hair every day simply can not be good for it - and it's time consuming. So everyone cross your fingers for me:) I figure what's the worst that can happen - I waste some money and end up straightening my hair every day anyway - right?

In sad news, layoffs are coming at work as predicted. It even made the front page Saturday right below the execution of Sadaam! I didn't think it would be THAT big of a news story - but it will be the first time in the history of our company. I am safe, those that are "special" to me are safe - others.........Only time will tell.

I'm also 90% certain that I will not be reshooting my pics in March. The haircut seems self indulgent enough right now.

On a happy note - we had another record breaking warm day today - and highs tomorrow are predicted near 50! Sheer craziness!!! I LOVE it!!!!!

Guess that's all for now. I have a Family Guy Marathon waiting for me!

Here's to a Happy and Healthy New Year everyone!!!!!

Let me explain.....

I've received some VERY concerned and well meaning emails after my last couple of posts. Seems people are concerned that I am becoming cynical, depressed, over just plain negative. (I sure do have some sweet friends looking out for me)

Let me assure you all that NOTHING could be further from the truth.

What I mean when I say I don't really see the point in New Year's, and in fact Holidays in general, is that why are people waiting until a certain date appears on the calendar to appreciate all that is around you?

EVERY DAY is a Holiday to me!!! EVERY DAY is a new beginning!!! Why should I "celebrate" because the day on the calendar says "it's time?" Toast because it's 1/1 - what's wrong with toasting 10/10? Say "I love you" because it's 2/14 - why not because it's 4/12?

If I see a present and it makes me think of someone - I buy it - and give it to them the very next time I see them!
Every morning when I wake up I am excited about what this new will bring. Who will I see? Talk to? Meet? How much will I lift? How fast will I run? What will I have for dinner? It's ALL exciting to me!!!

If I want to dress up - I do! If I want to sleep in - I do!!! If I want to have people over and cook for them - I do!!! If I want Turkey in July - O.K. Cut out cookies in March - why not? BBQ in December - let's get the grill Feel like champagne - sure - I'll go to the store right now!

I appreciate each and every moment in my life, both good and bad. Because these moments make me the person that I am today. And for that -- I am TRULY happy!!!!!!

Now - about that road trip........it's actually along the same line of thinking. Why HAVEN"T I done something "exciting" since April? Seen something new? Visited a friend? What am I waiting for?

So it's time to put some miles on the new car - I just need to decide doing what.......or where....or with whom.....

And the pics - it's the same inner battle as before. They're only for me - no one else. A lot of time and prep go in to them. I'll be training anyways - but do I want to invest the time, energy, and money to have professional pics done again. Does it mean that much to me.......

Or do I want to keep my physical achievements to myself:)

So thank you all for your concern - but I'm still running, sweating and grunting!!! In fact today is Friday - which means double gym time for me! Cardio is already in the books - and lifting after work!

I can't wait!!!!!

Decisions......

So yesterday I am driving in my car when I notice my odometer.......

4970.

I bought this car back in APRIL.......8 months ago........

4970.

I haven't traveled 5000 miles yet?!

This seems unacceptable. This means I only go from work to the gym to the store to Heaven.
Yup - sounds about right.
So I DEFINITELY need to decide where and WHEN I will be traveling - soon!

I also need to decide if I will be "re shooting" my pics in March. How badly do I want this black and white muscle collage thing........Is it REALLY worth the effort to me............

I've given myself a week to decide.
I HAVE decided that someone below me has a NASTY cold!!! Here in Heaven I almost never even hear folks coming and going, never mind a t.v. or a voice - it's GREAT here. But while brushing my teeth this morning this poor person below me is sneezing and coughing iicckk. I'm glad germs don't travel through drywall and carpet!

So...no plans for New Year's eh?

Ahhh - G'ma. Such a warm loving person!! And what a way with words - LOL!

Her words can only be outdone by her facial expressions, glares, and stares.

Her "looks" sent a strong message that she did not care for the spaghetti and meatballs, was not impressed with ANY of her gifts - and she would not even try a cookie.

Yes Virginia - I survived another Christmas!

Dad was surprised that I was SERIOUSLY going to make spag and balls for Christmas - why do I bother getting their input on these then? - but he was FLOORED my his Mother's homemade recipes. He ate cookies for dessert on Christmas, snacked on peanut brittle when he got home, had cookies for dessert at breakfast the next morning, and when he went to have fudge for dessert to his lunch - his body screamed for mercy and he finally had to at least press pause - LOL! Everything in moderation Dad - everything in moderation.

He was also VERY surprised by the clock and pens from "Down Under". Thanks for your help with this Kerry!!

So no, I have no plans for New Year's. I am not a big Holiday person to start with - and I never really understood this one. If I have the desire to get drunk, wear a paper hat and count down from 10 couldn't I really do this ANY day of the year? Midnight happens EVERY day. And every morning is a NEW day - so if I want to give up a habit or start something new why wait until January 1? Why not August 18? Or December 12? Or April 8?

So I am usually in bed by 10 on New Year's. Veerrry Exciting........veeerrrryyyyy exciting!

I hope everyone had a great Holiday!

The "gifts" keep coming - LOL!

So my DSL was sorted out, sort of, on Thursday as I hoped for and I've spent what little free time I've had catching up on the "to do" list.

When I got my maiu last night I received yet another "gift" from my online provider.........

DOUBLE BILLING!

WUNDERFUL - and really - are we surprised at this point? But at least I am back on my p.c. and able to resume some sense of "normalcy".

I'll deal with this next week.

My mail also brought an unexpected prezzie from Sue - I love the unexpected gifts - they are simply the best kind!!!! And this one suits me perfectly - THANK YOU!!

I've created some G'ma's secret Holiday cookies - peanut butter, pumpkin, "Holiday Candy", fudge and peanut brittle. I did not sample any of these - my word there is not a healthy thing in this box of "treasures" but I did take half of everything in to work and had them sample for me. They were all successful - until I told them what the Holiday Candy was made out of...........

Nobody went back for seconds - though they never would have guessed if I hadn't shared the details:)

Anyway - there should be some fuzzies around here Christmas Afternoon. The presents are wrapped, wine is purchased - hehe - movies rented, Heaven is clean and the food is prepped and ready to go - Ahhhhhh.

AND my good weather continues! 50 and sunny right now as I type this!!! CRAZINESS!!!!!

AND my gym is empty while the others all scurry about doing last minute things - so I have one more week to train in "peace" - YIPPEE!!!

This morning I couldn't resist the treadmill - HAD to run - simply needed it! Tenacious and Steve can back me up here - these words coming off of my keyboard are simply unheard of........I HATE running - or so I thought.

Now I seem to crave it - go figure!! But I reached a new PB on my sprints today 8.3 mph for 40 sec!!!!!!! 8.3!!!! In kph 13.28!!!!! INSANITY!!!! Tenacious and Steve can again back me up when I say that I NEVER thought this was possible - NEVER!!!!!

WOO HOO!!

So I'm off - time for my afternoon lifting session then I must check in on some of my peeps!!!

I hope everyone is having a very Merry Holiday weekend!!!!

Santa came early......

As I walked in to the gym yesterday morning - all excited about my shin's feeling up to running, I glanced longingly at the Gauntlet - completely expecting to see the "down for repair" sign hanging off the control panel.

But guess what......INSTEAD there was no sign!!!!!! I immediately went over - suspicious - and but sure enough - the parts had arrived and Don had saved it from death yet again!!

YIPPEEE!!!!!

I was smiling the whole time - such a great workout!!!!!

And yesterday was 52 F and SUNNY!!!!!! Sorry Jaemi - I know how you like the snow and cold but I'm loving this weather!!!!

Today is the day that my DSL is supposed to be brought back from the dead.......will Santa be good to me two days in a row........

It's also is the turning point - where little by little we start to get a bit more daylight hours every day - HOORRAAYYY!!!

Sorry Aussie's - I want my sun back:)

Speaking of Aussie's Di - is your Energenizer Bunny different than ours? Ours is a rabbit - pink - that sells batteries while beating a drum? He just keeps going......and going......and going.........

So I like that nickname:)

However here in the States "full of beans" is like saying you're full of ......P**P or C**P or S**T - LOL!!!!!

Which some would say applies to me too:)

Anyway - I here my Gauntlet calling me..........

Remember.....

The only "Normal" people are the ones you don't know yet.

Author Unknown

TMT

Too much treadmill!!! I am having so much fun running - o.k. sprinting - that I have forgotten the golden rule - everything in moderation. Everything in moderation.

But what's a girl to do? I feel so GREAT I have energy to burn!! And my precious Gauntlet is STILL down for repairs - I swear I didn't break it - though the folks at the gym are blaming me for "overuse" - LOL!!!

But my shin were a bit bothersome this morningas I walked across the parking lot......ought oh.....better rethink thsi plan. But what to do with this energy? My "need to sprint"?

I moved it to the eliptical! And it was GREAT!!!!! I LOVED it - really felt like sprinting intervals - but no impact!!!!!

In fact - it felt so good - I might just go back for another round this evening!!!!

Still relying on XBF's laptop - they assure me the parts on on their way - whatever - just give me my DSL back. NOW apparently I need a new connector and I would have had this problem without THEIR little mistake on cancelling my entire package instead of just downgrading. WHATEVER - I'm so sick of their nonsense. Once I am back up and running you better believe there will be a long letter waiting for them.

Anyway - back to happy news - my weather! Try all you want Steve to send me that white stuff you've got - it's 60 here again today. No sun - but who cares! I have the window open in December - YIPPEE!!!! Looking like a green Christmas - sorry kiddies - LOL!!! Oh wait - I spoke too soon - I see sun coming in trhough the window - HOORRAY!!!!!!

I'm hosting the family on Christmas - note to self - hide wine throughout Heaven for quick access if necessary - kidding - maybe:) And we are NOT having a traditional dinner/ And they all approved this meal - but we can be certain they'll complain - whatever! I'm in the mood for some spaghettit sauce from scratch - with homemade meatballs and a big salad. So - that's what we are having.

No real dessert for this meal though - except wine-LOL!! But I'm thinking I'll break out Grandma's secret familyrecipes and surprise them all with some Holiday cookies G'ma style. That should make them happy.

Anyway - that's it for me. And it's nice out - so I gotta run - literally!!!!!

AAAaarrrrrggghhhhh!!!!!

This one word describes how my past week has been! One headache after another!!

It all started simply enough, I called on Monday to DOWNGRADE my package with my online provider. DOWNGRADE - not I repeat NOT cancel my entire package.

I was very clear - do NOT interrupt my online service. I work online. I can not stress this enough - do NOT interrupt my online service.

Guess who's account was closed.

And guess who wasted 3 separate 1 hour phone calls trying to straighten this mess out.
And guess who sat in Heaven for 3 ADDITIONAL hours waiting for a tech. to make a house call who never showed.
And guess who is still sitting here using XBF's laptop because mine is still not correct.

So fortunately XBF is still BFF and has received MUCH geek squad training as of late. He has managed to band aid my situation so I am at least able to work onlline and make contact with all of my peeps - but it is a bit slower than usual. But still I am greatful. Beyond greatful!!!!! I'll be buying dinner again this week for certain:)

Meanwhile - back in the gym - my favorite "toy" the gauntlet is down for repairs - AGAIN! And as you can see I've had a stressful week - so guess who has been back on the tready - runnning sprint intervals?

I'm sure I look like a total spaz because I have been beaming with pride at how fast I can go! My 45 sec. sprint's were at 7.5 mph this week - a PB for certain!!!

I'll have to see what I was running last year this time - once I get my p.c. back - but I am positive it wasn't that fast!!!! YIPPEE!!!!

And it's not that I am out of breath or feel tired/exhausted - it's that my legs can'yt seem to go any faster! Yet! I have discovered a new speed improving cardio plan that I'll be taking for a test "run" starting thsi coming week. I am SO excited!!!!!!

Oh - and excited also applies to my weather this week - high's in the 50's - nearly 30 degress above normal!!! And while there wasn't much sun - there definately wasn't any snow and the rain drops were few and far between! I actually have a window cracked as I write this! It's almost "nice" out:)

So that's it for my quick update. They tell me all will be normal Saturday when I wake up - yeah - I've heard that before!!!

Wish me luck!!!!

Not so fast.....

Trying to send even more snow my way are you Steve? LOL - well the 7 day forecast has high's predicted in the 50's - so looks like it will be rain.

Although I almost wish it were cooler - all of the last snow has melted and now I'm left with a nasty muddy mess. And cold winter rain is nobody's friend!!!

This new training technique leaves me with a feeling of exhaustion like I've never experienced! Deep down physical drain - so I must have the technique right since it says right here "your clients may complain of excessive exhaustion and drain the first week."

Yup - that's me!!!!

But the detox is working WONDERS!!! My head is clear and alert - physically I feel "cleaner and healthier", and the problem is clearing up!!! A few more days and I'll be on all 8 cylinders again!!

Just in time for more lifting this weekend - HOORRAAAYY!!!

Did you know.....
A 130 lb woman burns more calories SLEEPING than watching T.V.? It's TRUE - 113 calories for sleeping for two hours vs. 64 for watching T.V.!!

AND

Not getting enough sleep affects your metabolism and causes increases in teh stress hormone cortisol encouraging fat storage!!!

So better get some rest!!!!! :)

Thanks Steve!

I knew snow was coming - it's inevitable here - and I watched the weather - not the whole news - too depressing - but I did watch the weather "just in case", so I knew a few inches were due to accumulate on my car Thursday night in to Friday......

I start my tea - check my emails and see Steve's comment...Glad you got some snow. :/
"oh yeah - I wonder how much" I think to myself - so I peak outside to find.......

11 inches of snow on my car!!!!!!

I was so "freaked out" that Steve can now predict the weather - LOL - I couldn't blog.

Plus - I had to go find my car.

Luckily here in Heaven finding my car is the only snow removal I have - not like shoveling a 4 car driveway full of the stuff - THANK GOODNESS!

But still didn't make a.m. cardio yesterday *sigh* - but I had a nice empty gym waiting for me when I got out of work - so I made up for it!!!

Most of family is spread out across the country - so the last of the gifts will be dropped off at Santa's Parcel Service on my way to work today - and I am officially done - NOICE!

Now if I can just survive all of the commercials, Holiday Music, t.v. specials, flyers, cranky people, pushy people, people with too much Holiday spirit - both the kind you have naturally inside and the kind you "add", and of course........the next family dinner.........

17 days to go..........17 days to go..........

Here's a "challenge"......

While you are sitting there sit up straight, shoulders back and square, hold in your "tummy"........

Not your stomach girls.....your tummy...the area below your belly button that we so lovingly call a "pooch"........

keep breathing....keep reading....keep holding.....

I think every individual muscle group is sore after training this weekend - I am LOVING it!! I feel like a walking talking muscle chart!

Are you still holding?

This is my FAVORITE time of year. No - not because of the snow - although that arrive this morning - Grrrrrrr - not because of Christmas or whichever Holiday you may celebrate, and certainly not from all of the social functions that seem to creep up....

It's my favorite time of year because the gym is almost always empty!! YIPPEE!! I can do whatever I want! Try new techniques...new machines.....hog the Gauntlet...WHATEVER!!!!

So I did just that this weekend - tried new things - worked on perfecting my technique from the "new" timing method and sadly, I even ran intervals again - because I know they are good for my metabolism and no one was around to see how I look running - very determined and grimacing I am certain!

Are you still holding?

I met a VERY inspirational man this weekend. His name is Otto and Friday was his 90th birthday. We have a physical therapy center within our gym - and he was using a walker and going to p.t. when I saw him. I was all sweaty post workout and he commented on how "good" that looked.

"'xcuse me?"

"I wish I was that sweaty!! You see today is my 90th birthday - and I'm stuck using this thing. I can't break a sweat - I creak just getting up. This is not what I wanted today."

"What did you have in mind sir?"

"Nothing special - but some adventure. When I turned 75 I spent my birthday water skiing. When I turned 80 I climbed a rock wall. 85 downhill skiing - but today.......Dr. appt and walker"

LOL - we should all have such frustrations!!!! This man has more "life" in his eyes than some of the patients I see who are in their 50's! And I told him so!!!!

We continued to chat from there.

Are you still holding? See - you can get a good "workout" right from your desk. We can all hold in our "stomachs" - the upper 2/3's easily - but hold in those lower abs..........

It's a whole different story.

Just like Otto and his way of life.

I'm going to live like Otto.

I'm becoming a "nut"

Now - there are some who would say that I HAVE been a nut for quite some time now - LOL - but today it has a different meaning....

A HEALTH FOOD NUT!

Yup - I said it - Loud and proud. I was never a big "follower" or "believer" that organic food could POSSIBLY be that much better than conventional food. I thought so long as I ate clean - meaning fresh or frozen - not even canned - that I was doing pretty darn good.

But then I tried some organic stuff - and you know what - I can be doing better.

The flavor difference is simply STUNNING! One way to describe it is like scratch and sniff - 2 apples of equal size on the counter top. Both look GREAT, both came from the same store, both are granny smith.

I hold apple A to my nose....*sniff* nothing.
I hold apple B to my nose - don't even have to get close - it smells like an apple!
And the taste - fresher, cleaner, fruitier!!!!

So the next time I went to the store I went for butternut squash - why - they are not even the same color! Seriously!!!! What the heck is wrong with that picture?

Chicken - hormone/antibiotic free - melts like butter in my mouth - without marinading it first!

Eggs - wow - don't even get me started - who knew my food had been so "gross"!

I even bought some organic aloe Vera toothpaste - this is when I knew I had crossed the line into official "nut" but guess what...

My teeth feel like I just left the Dentist office! No joke!! And my breath...no need for rinse!

Yes - it is a bit pricier - and harder to find - but when given the chance I am convinced it will now be organic in my cart - as much as possible!!!!!!

Try it - see for yourself!

How to feel like a "million" while spending less than five......

I know some of you guys are fortunate enough to be enjoying summer right now - but where I am it is getting down right nasty! There is a huge storm that started on the West coast and is slowing rolling across the States and now literally banging on my door! We had record "heat" earlier this week and now we have 50mph winds, rain , sleet and it's trying desperately to snow. Probably will be snowing by morning.

But after work I headed to the gym - nothing stops me from lfting:) And after the gym I hit the grocery stores for some more - what else - VEGGIES:)

I don't know if you guys have these "folks" in Australia - but here Holiday season means one thing....Salvation Army kettles. Volunteers stand outside in the elements ringing a bell in front of a bright red kettle - hoping that nice folks will donate some spare change to help those less fortunate in our area. Most folks walk on by these kettles - some stores even ban them from their property - but to me it wouldn't be Christmas without them.

And on a night like tonight I find it hard to believe there is anyone less fortunate than the volunteer who is standing outside in this weather seeking donations to help others. Although at least this guy has a warm home to go home to - and I know there are some who are not even that fortunate.

So as I am leaving the store - and fussing with my coat, gloves, bags, and change, instead of cramming my money into my wallet to be sorted later - I look at this poor fellow - smile - say that he is braver than I - and toss in my hand full of money. $4.39. Not a lot of money - but when he saw me toss in actual dollar bills instead of just the change - I thought he was going to hug me! His smile lit up and he was SO very excited - thanking me like CRAZY!! LOL! He made me feel so good that I went back into the store - bought him a hot cup of coffee - and gave him the coffee and the change from that too!

Doing little things to brighten the of others always makes me feel a bit selfish - I make myself so happy in the process:)

And speaking of making me happy - I received an EXTREMELY thoughtful and unexpected gift just the other day. Tenacious and I are blogging buddies from last year this time - and I must admit while we were excellent at keeping touch for awhile - this summer we seemed to have drifted apart. Then out of the blue - a gift appears - a gift so perfect and well timed - I had actually just ordered the very same thing for myself!

Little things truly DO make all the difference - in so many areas of your life!

“The greatest of all gifts is the power to estimate things at their true worth”

François de la Rochefoucauld