No one should be this busy...

But here we are again. I've had a busy week again. I did get some writing done but I'm a little bit behind in my writing class. It's nearly over and I'm having a hard time keeping up because of all my extra curricular activities. Work was kind of harried all week and I worked about a 14 hour day on Thursday. Interesting things are going on at work. Never a dull moment, I'll tell you.

Tomorrow we are having a cookout and I've been busy getting ready for this. All the kids are home now and it was a wonderful day! I think I'm happiest when they are all here. Julia and I have been cooking and preparing all day.

I started back on Weight Watchers last Monday. I have lost nearly 5 pounds since Monday. I'm on a mission here. I kind of let things get out of whack and I'm going to get them back into whack. Oh, and also, I'm probably going through menopause. I'm trying to become friends with it, making fun of it any time I can. I mean what else is there to do?

That's about all I have time for today. I have a few things to do before going to bed. More soon! :-)

Does our bathroom smell like coffee?

I'm in one room watching a very important first episode of the bachelorette. Mr. That sent me a message through FB asking me if the bathroom smelled like coffee...how should I know? I'm in the living room. I did say that I would go and smell the bathroom at commercial. weird. I mean even it if does, what could that possibly mean? There is clearly no coffee in the bathroom. Update: So it was just commercial and I went into the bathroom and I'm sniffing, and sniffing, and sniffing and Mr. That is in the bathroom and I say, Nope, it doesn't smell like coffee and he said that he spilled a cup this a.m. in the bathroom and BOOM all of a sudden, I smelled coffee. So yes, I guess our bathroom does smell like coffee.

I was very successful with weightwatchers today. This might not seem like much of a victory but I've been trying to go back on ww for months. I did go over by one point today but I did get 3 workout points so all is good. I have to loose a whole dress size and I don't think it's going to be easy. The first week is always a mixed bag. It's easiest to loose a few pounds the first week because of water and such. But by day three, I am really feeling the lack of food. It's all good though. I really need to loose some weight. I read in people about Jennifer Hudson who when from a 16 to a 6 and she did it on ww. That really got me motivated. Here I go!!

Very busy at work, beyond busy but I'm really trying not to bring much home. I think I do better if I leave work at work and I've been pretty successful at it.

Not much else is new. Cant' wait for the weekend when the kids come home and we have a big cookout on Sunday. :-)

Quote for the day: Whatever they grow up to be, they are still our children, and the one most important of all the things we can give to them is unconditional love. Not a love that depends on anything at all except that they are our children. Rosaleen Dickson

It's Sunday...

Why do the weekends go by so quickly? It was a wonderful one at that. We didn't do much of anything. I caught up on everything and it was so great! I do have another question though. How come I have all these early morning meetings all week and I have to get up so early, then on Saturday, I can sleep in until noon and I get up at 5:45? It's okay though, the back yard looks fabulous, The house is really shaping up. Almost makes me want to stay. I think we just might end up staying here for awhile. No one has looked lately, although to be truthful we haven't exactly made it easy for people to look. We have been out of town lately when we have received calls and haven't been able to show the house. I do have an observation about some Realtors. Some of them have no understanding about people who work full time and have to get kitties and a pup out of the house. Don't people know that you get more with sugar than with vinegar? Actually, this could be said of all professions, it's just that lately, I've been dealing with Realtors.

Life is going pretty good. Tomorrow I'm going to get back on Weight Watchers. I know, I know, I say this most Sunday's but I'm really going to try to get back on this wagon. I need to drop a dress size this summer and it's not happening the way we ate all this weekend. So tomorrow is the day.

I'm excited to be with all my children next weekend! I cannot wait! :)

Quote for the day: To me, there are three things we all should do every day. We should do this every day of our lives. Number one is laugh. You should laugh every day. Number two is think. You should spend some time in thought. And number three is, you should have your emotions moved to tears, could be happiness or joy. But think about it. If you laugh, you think, and you cry, that's a full day. That's a heck of a day. You do that seven days a week, you're going to have something special. Jim Valvano

The weekend!!

I was so happy last night that it was finally Friday. It has been such a long week with early mornings and many meetings. The first round of our campaign meetings began this week. I guess it's official, campaign 2010 is in high gear.

Things have changed. I used to find any reason to go out and socialize, I loved every minute of it. I know that certain things have led to me being very content just to stay at home. I hope this doesn't mean I'm getting old. I just want to pursue writing. I have goals and I want to get some of them attained. You know, when you get to the halfway mark, you have to take control and decide what is really important. I want to write. We'll see how much writing I can get done.

Next weekend is Memorial weekend. I'm very excited about all the kids being home. I think that Bobby's girlfriend, Kristen and her parents are coming for the weekend as well. Christina and Mike are coming home too!

Worked outside a lot today. I bought new cushions for the patio furniture and just a few touches for the back yard.

I've been taking care of Mr. That this weekend as he had some minor surgery yesterday. It's been nice doting on him. I'm the boss of him for 48 hours and so far, he's been the model patient.

Quote for the day: Writing gives you the illusion of control, and then you realize it's just an illusion, that people are going to bring their own stuff into it. David Sedaris

Joy Behar

Holy Cow, Jen Lancaster was on Joy Behar tonight! WOW! I only got to see a bit of it but kudos to Jen.

I'm working on my Twittering. I don't completely have the hang on it but Bobby said he would help me. I'll just bet Julia would help me too if I asked her. I try to tweet at least once a day. Sometimes it's difficult to think of something exciting to say.

Not much else for today. I'll post pictures from the party last night. I'll keep up by the weekend. My dogs are really tired tonight.

Quote for the day: “If someone is too tired to give you a smile, leave one of your own, because no one needs a smile as much as those who have none to give” don't know the author.

Jen Lancaster - My Fair Lazy

Who knew that someday I would want to go into a book store more than going into a clothing store?

Enter Borders Bookstore.

We got to the city a little later than we thought but set out on foot to find a place for dinner. We had a wonderful dinner last night at Bistro110. Leaving the restaurant I spotted a Barnes and Noble. I looked up to Peter and said, “Can we go in?” Now that I’m an official writer I love libraries and book stores.  There was a rack of books right inside the front door. ‘My Fair Lazy’ by Jen Lancaster was on display, it was an attractive book with an attractive cover. That’s all I needed. Mr. That asked if I knew about the book. No. Then he asked if I knew the author. No, but I’m a writer and I could get close to a successful writer and that’s all I really wanted to do. To be close to someone that is living my dream. I wanted to do it and I had never been to a book signing before. Mr. That shook his head and chuckled of course indulging me, like most times. My needs are simpler as I get older.

There was a sign that said to buy your book, get a wristband and move to the third floor. It was getting late and the girl said that she wasn’t sure if Ms. Lancaster was still upstairs but that I could try. I paid for my book, collected it and head to the third floor. Holy Cow! There was a line of nearly 100 people. I, of course, was the last person. No one else even had my color (yellow) band. I’ve never done this so I wasn’t sure how this worked but here is the drill. You put your wrist band on and they call you by colors. Well I’m from the school that if you are in line, you are in line. Well, that isn’t how it works. I didn’t need to worry about losing my place in line to go to the restroom. I was the last person with a yellow band. I didn’t care. I was just happy to be here among all the other people in line waiting for an autograph. People are always interesting. I’ve learned to listen and my life has gotten more interesting because of it. There were three girls in front of me talking to a nice looking gent who had a boat load of books. Seems his gf was working last night and she really liked the author, had read her books but couldn’t make it to the signing. He bought them all for her and stood in line for Jen to autograph them. The girls were so touched that a guy would do that for his gal. It was very sweet. They decided that since he had five of Jen’s books that he should have her sign them – Will You Marry Me? Ashida… well this gent wasn’t having any of it. He kind of blushed and laughed and said maybe in a year. These girls almost had this guy married off last night. I think he even hesitated thinking that it actually was a good idea. He did point out that his gf was probably ready for him to pop the question, the girls gushed that it was a girl thing that normally the girl was always ready by the time the guy got around to asking the question. Anyway it was a very cute thing that this gentleman did for his gf. Very sweet.

When I got up there, I wanted to blurt out that I’m a writer too. I imagined all sorts of interactions that might happen, none of them exciting. I could imagine her asking what I had written and I would reply, nothing, yet! I’m an optimist like that. But I did have my camera and so I got a photo taken with her. She thanked me for waiting and I said it was my pleasure. I was hoping she would put from one writer to another but of course I didn’t tell her I was a writer. It wasn’t that I was even embarrassed or anything. I just didn’t know what to say. She seemed like a lovely girl though and I thought about the life that she was living. And wouldn’t that be a great dream? Well, you never know…

Happy Birthday Bobby!

To my wonderful son who I think about everyday and miss so much. I can't wait to see you in two weeks. I feel like it's been too long. I'm glad you had a fabulous weekend! :-)
Love, Momma

Top ten memories of Bobby to date.

10. When he was seven months and I left the living room to answer the phone and he rolled himself under the dining room table and I freaked out at first because he was gone.

9. When Bobby was riding his smurf down the street, he hit a crack in the sidewalk, tumbled head over heels, got back up and continued to ride his smurf.

8. Bobby toting his ‘blankie’ around everywhere with him, and now trying to take it home with him every time he comes home.

7. When Bobby broke his ankle at the beginning of one summer and listening him tell one of his teachers at registration that he had a great summer. I looked at him and said, ‘Are you kidding, it was a crappy summer, you were injured most of the summer, couldn't play ball, or swim.’ He looked at me and said, ‘Yeah, but Mom, we got to spend a lot of time together.’ (I’ll never forget this)

6. When Bobby thought that all Christina’s Christmas presents were his.

5. At Senior day in high school, I went down to the gymnasium floor to see him and he gave me a hug, and I said. ‘Bobby, your friends might see’ and he said. ‘I don’t care.’ He was always like this.

4. Every time he calls me to ‘chat’.

3. Because he is all about family.

2. Because he is a great role model for the children that he mentors.

1. Because he is my one and only son and he is such a wonderful gift from God.

Love...

Tell me why?

Does it take a week to recover from a week's vacation and a weekend to recover from your weekend? I'm still getting back into the swing from being in Florida (which was wonderful, by the way) and now we're in Chicago three days later. I've been so busy catching up with my writing class and work that I haven't had time to blog at all. Same old thing but of course you know that I'll hang in there. I know that in order to have a successful blog, that one must write.

This is going to be an action packed weekend and I cannot absolutely wait to tell you what I've been up to this weekend. I promise exciting blogs ahead. :-)

Next weekend we will be home. Lots of catch up will go on next weekend and honestly, I can't wait.

Quote for the day: There aren't enough days in the weekend. ~Rod Schmidt

It's Saturday...

We left for Florida on Thursday. (Marco) I think it took us two days to fully relax. It's been a great two days. We haven't done much really but Mr. That and I do nothing pretty well. :-) We know how to be lazy.

We walked and ran this morning. I didn't know that I got sunburned while I was out this a.m. I've been so good about wearing sunscreen. My face has not seen the sun but my neck got nailed today.

We hung out at the beach today....oh and to the girl sitting next to me under her umbrella - the whole beach doesn't want to listen to your music. Just because you think it's good doesn't mean that it is. Yesterday it was a couple smoking next to me, today it was music...geez.

Recovery

I'm having a difficult time recovering from this half marathon. I know that there are reasons for it. Last week was tough at work, I wore heals too many days, I didn't get enough rest, I was exhausted by race day, I didn't get enough fluids. I'll have to be better next year. Today is Monday and I went to work today but I am just so exhausted that I came home early. I layed around all day. I'm sure I'll get stronger and there wasn't much I could do about it but I'm paying for not taking care of myself the week before the marathon. Here is a good article that you should read about taking care of yourself when training.

Endurance Planet Marathon & Beyond Monday: The Infection Connection www.enduranceplanet.com
You’ve probably heard it said that exercise can strengthen the immune system. You’ve also probably heard it said that exercise can dampen the immune system. So what are we to make of the seemingly conflicting ...

It's only eight o'clock but I'm in bed writing this post. I'm sure I'll feel better tomorrow.

Writing class is going good. I can't wait to have a few days to do some writing on vacation. I love these exercises but I would like a little more time to go over them. I'll share some more on vaca.

Quote for the day: The Grand essentials of happiness are: something to do, something to love, and something to hope for. ~ Allan K. Chalmers ~

Illinois Marathon debriefing

Well folks, here is what went down on Saturday, May 1, 2010. Race morning the temperature was 62 degrees upon arising. In my opinion we got to the race course a little too late. I'll have to remember that for next year. I was thinking that it might be a little too late for me. The line to the potty house was long...seriously at least 15 minutes. I don't even know if I had to go but I just felt like I should. I woke up thirsty and before the race began, I had drank a whole bottle of water. I think I was just so busy at work last week that I didn't pay any attention to hydrating at all. I was very tired the night before the race also but I did sleep very well so that was good. I think it took approximately 8 minutes to get to the starting line. Clearly, my times reflect a difference in training. Being out of town did not afford me my long runs some weekends. I think if I had more under my belt, my time would have reflected that. Last year, I ran the half in 2:58, this year it was 3:01:51. I know that it's only a matter of about 4 minutes but I truly thought I could do better than last year. I really will consider doing this again next year. I know I have said that I don't think I will but I'm going to change some things up and continue to run. We'll see how it goes. The humidity during the race was noticeable. I noticed more people needing help along the way this year. We ran 10 miles of the course last Saturday and it was humid so it didn't bother me that much. Here are some photos from yesterday that I thought I would share with you. :-)

Anyway, I'm taking about a week off from running. We head to Florida next week for a few days of R & R.

I need to get back to the task of writing now. Class is going pretty well and I'm really enjoying it.

Here is a quote that Bobby sent me last year that I carried with me again this year. Thanks Bobby! It really did help me. "The woods are lovely dark and deep, but I have promises to keep, and miles to go before I sleep, and miles to go before I sleep." Robert Frost