Sangria: The Homemade Edition

A Girl's Guide to Life by Katie Meier

2010-08-04T10:45:00.000-05:00

I received a copy of A Girl's Guide to Life by Katie Meier from Thomas Nelson Publishers and I found it to be wonderful for young women and great reminders for adults too. I love the fact that it is split into three parts: Mind, Body and Soul.

It jumps right to self esteem (something that young women struggle with daily) then touches on other subjects like peer pressure and sex. To hit the current generation it even addresses the heart of every teen: text messaging and the internet and how to use caution when it comes to technology. What kept catching my eye was the biblical references and placing them in today’s context for young women. It’s a nice reminder of how to live a godly life while dealing with finding yourself as a woman in this world.

I have passed on this book to the youth director of my church. I believe the messages in this guide will remind young women of what is important. I believe this would also be a great guide for mothers of teenage daughters. Great for those “talks”. The message is a powerful one and can help young women make the right decisions. It would have been a wonderful book to read during my adolescent years!

"Make it count, Friends!"

2010-04-27T12:45:00.000-05:00

Geoffry Abert

The most important thing about goals is having one.

In my last post, I made mention that I have a knack for starting things and not finishing them. Well…thanks to my lovely friend Jess (Musings of a Home Schooling Mom)…Back in January, I started the Bible in 90 Days program. Ok yeah…I was supposed to finish on April 6th…and it’s now April 27th. But I am in the book of Revelations now, and WILL be done by April 30th! Task of reading the Bible will be complete. It has been a fulfilling experience, and I am really glad I did it!

Jim Rohn

Goals. There's not telling what you can do when you get inspired by them. There's no telling what you can do when you believe in them. There's no telling what will happen when you act upon them.

New goal at hand? Insanity! A.k.a I’m a glutton for punishment! It is a 63 day program of purely insane workouts. I am currently on Day 14 (Rest Day), and as brutal as each workout is…I’m really enjoying it! My ultimate goal is to lose 20 lbs. I’m still waiting for my body to start losing those unwanted pounds because surely I’m sweating enough! It’s that darn diet that I cannot get my head around. That little voice in my head still throws a temper tantrum and wins whenever chocolate or french-fries are present. Sigh………………. So if you have any extra motivational speeches on hand…I can really use them over the next 49 days!

Harvey Mackay

Goals give you more than a reason to get up in the morning; they are an incentive to keep you going all day. Goals tend to tap the deeper resources and draw the best out of life.

Another goal? Yep! I am making a tote bag to take to the Farmer’s Market. I have until May 8th to get it done…though my goal is Saturday night. These bags are adorable…I would love to make our mom’s each one for Mother’s Day…but I fear that is stretching my abilities to complete these types of tasks timely. But one never knows. A few more rainy Saturdays and it may happen! I fear buying the materials because of the hundreds of dollars of quilting projects sitting unstarted in my sewing room.

Herbert A. Otto

To be come fully alive a person must have goals and aims that transcend himself.

So my theme here? Setting goals for myself. And not just pipedream blanket goals that the majority of us set. Attainable goals. Goals where I realized my capabilities, and perhaps add just a smidgen extra for that superior sense of accomplishment. So for now, as I work on finishing goals, projects, tasks at hand…my sights will be on the small things. Achieving a goal is a confidence booster and I intend to use each one as a stepping stone to the next. A friend of mine always says “Make it count, Friends!” That is what I shall do!

Elbert Hubbard

Many people fail in life, not for lack of ability or brains or even courage but simply because they have never organized their energies around a goal.

All Fired Up!

2010-04-08T13:49:00.003-05:00

Phew! Been a while since I’ve posted anything here. Let’s see here…Life’s been busy, things have changed, wasn’t inspired, nothing to say, don’t want to just complain… Did I cover all the possible excuses?

Since I last posted…I am no longer in public accounting and no longer travelling like a nut…Thank you economy. But it has actually been a good thing. My stress levels are lower and I get to sleep in my own bed at night. I’ve entered the world of contracting. So that has presented me some opportunities that I probably would have never had…like learning anything and everything I would want to know about soybeans! (My current contract is as a Senior Cost Accountant at Syngenta Seeds in Ames.)

What else? Spencer will be testing for his Tiger brown belt this weekend…Ty tried TKD for four months…became a Tiger yellow…but that was the end. He played basketball over the winter and is now “patiently” waiting for t-ball to start. Besides TKD…Spencer has taken on swimming and baseball…and is eager to get out on the golf course this summer and learn to swing a club!

Josh has made it his quest to qualify for the Boston Marathon…so “we” are back in training. Him running…me trying to keep him fed! So throw that intense training in with his high profile gig at Aviva, poker league, golf league starting and our family activities……he’s one busy man. But when he qualifies for Boston…it will all be worth it!

Now…in my “spare” time these last several months, I have taken up spin classes, sort of running again, and Josh and I have started swimming on Sundays. So I’m determined to do the Okoboji Triathlon over my birthday weekend! God help me!!!! But I find I love being active…and I want to be healthy and fit…so this gives me a goal for my working out. I also hope to do Dam 2 Dam in June…but I need to get my feet back on the pavement if that is going to happen.

Anyways…Spinning. LOVE IT! And I have found an instructor that I really enjoy. She kicks my bum each class all while playing great music. One of the songs she plays has come to reside in my brain…and I find myself singing it! So I had to go download it and add it to my workout mix. So I’m making it my lyrics for this post. Oh! What would you know……I had the lyrics wrong the whole time. But that just adds to my thoughts behind it.

All Fired Up by Pat Benatar

Livin' with my eyes closed, goin' day to day

I never knew the difference, I never cared either way

Lookin' for a reason, searchin' for a sign

Reachin' out with both hands, I gotta feel the kick inside

It seems to me that I have lived half my life this way…”goin’ day to day.” And just like my blog…before you know it almost 9 months have passed…and you’re left wondering where it all went. Periodically, I would get these bouts of inspiration that will charge me up for about a week…then any ambition I had fizzles. A new distraction always comes along. I mean…look at my sewing room and all the unfinished quilting projects down there. That’s just a starting place of the many things I’ve started and never finished. So I’m left with the millions of other peole searching for that one thing that will kick me in gear and keep me forever charged!

Ain't nobody livin', in a perfect world

Everybody's out there, cryin' to be heard

Now I got a new fire, burnin' in my eyes

Lightin' up the darkness, movin' like a meteorite

Oh…isn’t that first line the truth? And boy, haven’t some of use gotten really good in our years at faking it in front of others that our lives are perfect? I wonder how much energy I have spent over the past years faking it………………Anyways, a new fire. Maybe it’s the fact that the weather is warming up and the snow is finally gone. Maybe is this new contract I started a month ago. Maybe it’s these fitness goals I have set on myself. Maybe it’s making new friends and reconnecting with some old ones. Maybe it is the flowing love and energy in my little family. I dunno…but I currently have a fire to do “something”. Now to figure out what that something is. That is the real task! But for the first time in many springs…my heart has the energy to move like that meteorite! Even if I’m moving in a whirlwind of chaos…by gosh I’m going to be moving in my life. Finishing tasks, doing something new, relishing in what I have……really just living my life in confidence!

Now I believe there comes a time

When everything just falls in line

We live an' learn from our mistakes

The deepest cuts are healed by faith

This is the part of the song that I had the lyrics all wrong in. I thought the last line said “The deepest cuts are HUMAN MADE”. And each time I heard it…I thought about how true that is. Yes, we all get physical wounds that take a long time to heal and often times leave scars, reminding us of how it happened. But the cuts that take the longest to heal are the ones that are cut so deep it hits your soul…and more times than not, made by another human. I don’t know of a single person who has not been hurt like this. Now how much of the cut is seen by others varies…as well as how each of us deals with these wounds.

Which leads to what the song really says… “The deepest cuts are healed by faith.” But once again…how true that statement is! I take it as a religious context…because my faith is in God and that he would never let anything happen to me that I wasn’t strong enough to get through. But faith could be something as simple as the hope for things to be better. For where there is hope…there is mercy…and when we find mercy…we can begin to heal those deep wounds.

And it’s the charge from these healing wounds…having the puzzle pieces of our lives fall in to place…the weights being lifted from our shoulders…the inspiration we find from the little and big things in our lives that will keep us from getting back in to a life where we are just living day to day.

All Fired Up!!!

Falling in love...

2009-07-28T20:02:00.010-05:00

Trying to gain more prospective...better myself...do what it takes to strengthen my marriage...I have listened to many of my friends and got a copy of "The Five Love Languages" by Gary Chapman off of Amazon. So far I'm at least intrigued.

The premise of the book is that there are five languages of that we speak. And one of the five is the language we need to hear in order for our "Love Tank" to be full. Those languages: Words of Affirmation, Quality Time, Receiving Gifts, Acts of Service and Physical Touch. The end of the book there is an assessment to help you determine what your love language is...and there is one for your spouse to complete. The author states that in order to full our spouses love tank to give them fulfillment in love is to learn to speak their language...and vice versa.

The book goes through what each of these languages mean and what you can do to learn to speak a specific language. It also helps you gain a better understanding of the language you need to hear. But before the author goes in to these languages, he discusses love and what it is...and what it takes to keep a love tank full...and he has a chapter dedicated to falling in love. This is the chapter that I read last night.

The author refers to some research that states that falling in love is not really love...it's more a state of a euphoria. This immediately made me say "Huh? How is falling in love not real love? Isn't love just that? Love?" He goes further to say that once a couple gets past the falling in love stage (said to last about two years) that is when the work for that real love starts...this is also when people don't realize that you have to work for love and they give up. He gave three reasons why it is said that falling in love isn't really love.

Falling in love is not an act of will or a conscious choice.
Falling in love is not real love because it is effortless.

One who is "in love" in not genuinely interested in fostering the personal growth of the other person.

This got me to thinking. I met my husband back in high school, though we dated off and on for two years before we became a permanent item, I remember being in that state of falling in love. I don't really recall making the transition from falling in love to loving him, but I can recall times in the past 16 years that both of us have stopped working on loving the other person. We are in one of those spots now.

It's not that we don't love each other because we do...but that love that is needed to endure anything is what we are learning to do again. It's not easy to be here but we are both working on it. "Nothing will work unless you do" ~ Maya Angelou is the quote that I came across many months ago and I have made that my status message on GoogleTalk. It is my constant reminder to keep my end of the bargin to be a better wife and to work on that third point, to make sure that I am doing my part to help my husband be a better husband.

We are working on that "real love" that Mr. Chapman spends the rest of his book talking about. I'm hoping that once I'm done that I can talk my husband in to reading this book as well, but for now...I'm just waiting for him to ask me what I'm reading.

Grandpa, tell me 'bout the good old days...

2009-07-24T22:04:00.002-05:00

Sometimes I'm mesmerized at how my parents and grandparents made growing up and older appear so seamless and easy...as a child, I don't ever remember seeing my parents hit any major bumps. I know as children we were protected from seeing problems, but by time I was old enough to notice...things seem to be ironed out. So why is it that these days...seamless and easy...aren't even part of my everyday vocabulary?

During both eulogies for my grandparents the pastor dedicated a large portion of his talk about how my grandparents were true partners. They were each other's greatest compliments. They challenged each other from completing the daily crossword puzzle first to last minute entertaining of many dinner guests. My grandfather was a lawyer, law professor and dean...but I'm told that he always said his biggest challenge would be if her were to meet up with my Grandmother in a court room. The stories I'm told are of a perfect love affair that lasted beyond the 60 years they were married.

I'm sitting at home tonight...Josh is gone on a trip with his brother and both boys are asleep...and I'm listening to music feeling reflective. Thinking about the things going on in my life...taking and assessment that I am truly doing everything I can to make each day better that the one before. The song Grandpa begins to play...and I think about how I would love to sit down with my grandpa and say:

Grandpa, tell me 'bout the good old days
Sometimes it feels like, this worlds gone crazy.
Grandpa, take me back to yesterday
When the line between right and wrong
Didn't seem so hazy.

Grandpa, everything is changing fast
We call it progress, but I just don't know
And Grandpa, let's wonder back into the past
Paint me a picture of long ago.

I would then ask:

Did lovers really fall in love to stay?
And stand beside each other come what may?
Was a promise really something people kept?
Not just something they would say and then forget?
Did families really bow their heads to pray?
Did daddies really never go away?

Oh Grandpa...tell me 'bout the good old days......

What I Learned This Week

2009-07-14T15:04:00.002-05:00

I saw this over on Jess's page...and figured it's been a while since I've done this.

I've learned that "sometimes...there's those times...it's gotta be you."

I've learned that when I feel like I'm at the end of my rope...I can alway find more patience stored away to hang on just a little longer.

I've learned that butterflies will always be butterflies.

I've learned once again that I have really awesome friends!

I've learned that laughter truly is a great medicine.

I've learned that smacking someone in the ass with a volleyball generates great laughter!

I've learned that no matter how closely I watch her in the yard...Cede will always come up with a frog to eat.

I've learned that the sun is another good medicine.

I've learned that no matter what...the things that calm you...will forever calm you.

I'm alive and well...

2009-07-13T10:30:00.003-05:00

So damn easy to say that life’s so hard
Everybody’s got their share of battle scars
As for me I’d like to think my lucky stars
thatI’m alive, and well

Life’s been hard…and I’m not quite sure the wounds have scarred up yet…but yes…I’m alive and can honestly say I’m doing well…

It’d be easy to add up all the pain
And all the dreams you set and watch go up in flames
Dwell on the wreckage as it smolders in the rain
But not me, I’m alive

There’s a time in life when you have to realize that new dreams need to be made. To me that doesn’t mean drastic changes. There’s no need to pack up and move, no need to seek out new friends, and no need to abandon the life you have come to know. A drastic change can come from an attitude adjustment, admitting faults to begin righting wrongs, or simply offering forgiveness. That would require you not to dwell on the things that have gone wrong, so that you can move forward…

Stars are dancin’ on the water here tonight
It’s good for the soul, and there’s not a sole in
sight
But this motors caught it wind and brought me back to
life
Now I’m alive, and well

Life…Love…the hope and potential for happiness once again has been seen and felt. My sails are once again full. My energy for life is back!

And today you know that’s good enough for me
Breathing in and out is a blessing can’t you
see
Today is the first day of the rest of my life
Now I’m alive, and well
Yeah I’m alive, and well

The fact that I can say that I’m alive and well is a blessing. It is more than a blessing. The feeling of fresh air in my lungs gives me the courage to face what lies ahead.

And so it goes...

2009-05-13T06:45:00.002-05:00

Though I have not read Slaughter House Five by Kurt Vonnegut, I have been told that he writes the phrase "And so it goes..." each time someone was killed.

Part of me was killed last night...

And now I am picking up the pieces of what I still have and trying to figure out my next move. For the first time in a long while, part of me is at peace...

My Anchor...

2009-05-11T02:18:00.003-05:00

The anchor holds
Though the ship is battered
The anchor holds
Though the sails are torn
I have fallen on my knees
As I faced the raging seas
The anchor holds
In spite of the storm

To build on my last post...when I find myself in times of struggle and hardship...this song is always brought to the front of my mind. My ship is beyond battered right now...I know it can weather many more storms. But when the weather of our life is really beating us, it's best to lower our anchor and put faith in it to hold us through the storm.

It makes me feel guilty yet full of relief whenever I use my anchor. Guilty that I only seem to rely on it when times get hard. I never anchor in peaceful waters...I wonder why that is... The relief comes in the knowledge that I can still rely on my anchor. My anchor gives me strength and courage. My anchor heals my heart so that I can begin to forgive.

So tonight...while the storm in my heart surges...I will pray...for strength...for wisdom...for courage...for guidance...for forgiveness...for love...for my husband...for our children...for our home and for the vows and commitments we made nine and half years ago.

Yes...God is my anchor...and my anchor will hold...in spite of this storm...

Spirit of a storm...

2009-05-11T01:46:00.003-05:00

There’s a spirit of a storm in my soul
A restlessness that I can’t seem to tame
Thunder and lightning follow everywhere I go
There’s a spirit of a storm in my soul.

I can't sleep...Just had another one of those talks and I'm exhausted. I don't understand how he can snore like a baby, when my brain doesn't shut down. I want answers...he wants sleep. I want to seek answers...he wants to self reflect. My mind and heart and soul are so restless...yet peace eludes me...

There’s a hurricane that’s raging through my blood
I can’t find a way to calm the sea
Maybe I’ll find someday the waters aren’t so rushed
Right now they’ve got the best of me

I want to cry...my tears are sitting right on the edge of my eyes...but when do I have time? I keep telling myself that this won't last. I pray...I hope...I long...yet nights like tonight it feels liek my efforts are in vain. I silently grieve and wonder why I cannot give up hope so easily...wonder why I have to be the fighter...wonder how much longer I can carry us before I falter.

There’s a spirit of a storm in my soul
Every time I think it’s gone away
Dark clouds gather, that old wind begins to blow
The sun’s going to shine someday I hope
There’s a spirit of a storm in my soul.

I see those glimmers so very often...they shine so brightly...it's like a weight being lifted off my shoulders and I can finally stand up again. Then it all hits me once again...a sucker punch...a back handed slap...a pain that makes you want to drop to your knees and cry out. Yet somehow I have learned to stay silent, seek out a new drawer of hope, open a new window for sunshine.

Way deep down it feels like everything will smooth out...yet I also feel a really sense of pain that I cannot even begin to imagine. I just miss my husband...

Horoscopes...

2009-04-27T20:49:00.002-05:00

"It's hard for you to know where to jump in today, for your thoughts are racing at a mile a minute, but there's no real starting point. Your inner world is rather complex and it feels like it would take too much explaining to share even the simplest idea. You know exactly what's going on, but may choose to remain silent now. Don't force yourself to talk if you don't want to; there's always tomorrow."

Some days these are just too uncanny...too right on.

And truly...if I could just crawl into bed and pull the covers over my head to just avoid talking at all...I think I'd take that opportunity...at least today I would.

And wouldn't fate have it...the days I want to just talk...that opportunity doesn't arise either.

It's like a vicious cycle to teach us self survival, or something equally as unenjoyable. Or perhaps it's to put us into situations where we are forced out of our comfort zone and required to open up to avoid total catastrophe but risking hurting someone...or perhaps the opposite happens and it actually draws two people together...or perhaps give us the clarity to make it through one more day peacefully.

We all cross our fingers and say a little prayer in hopes for one of the latter two. Shouldn't we all be so lucky to have our cards fall that way?

Life Ain't Always Beautiful...

2009-04-15T07:57:00.006-05:00

Life ain't always beautiful. Sometimes it's just plain hard. Life can knock you down, it can break your heart.

Ten years ago today, I can say was when I first experienced the kind of heartbreak and loss that you never will get over. Ten years ago today, my life took a turn that shook me to my core. Ten years ago today, was the first time I truly felt broken. Ten years ago today...my father died.

To this day I still have tears that sting my eyes. I miss him so dearly. I have accepted that his is no longer with us and has gone to a better place than I can ever imagine. But my heartaches for all that he has missed in these last ten years and my heartaches for me and all the times I have needed him and his guidance.

But the struggle makes you stronger. And the changes make you wise. And happiness has it's own way of takin' it sweet time

My life has struggles...deep struggles...and today I need that guidance from him more than anything. Unless he was angry or felt he was wronged, my father was never a big spoken man. If he sensed something was wrong, he would take me for cheeseburgers at McDonalds in his convertible. Even if the spring air still had the chill in it, he would put the top down so we could feel the wind tossle our hair. He would suggest doing something like go to a baseball game, or a bike ride, or watch a Star Trek movie..knowing that these aren't my favorite activities, but it's time well spent together. Or we would just go driving. He would drum out the beat of the oldies that he loved listening to on the steering wheel singing along so carefree that I had to join him. I need him to sit on the couch with me, put his arm around me and hold me close as I cry...He would always say to me that things would work out, "Just you wait and see. I'm right on this, ya know." I need my dad.

We all have that person...the one that always fixes things...even if it's just temporary. I lost that person ten years ago, and that spot has remained vacant. And I so desparately need that spot filled today. Because today my heart is aching once again...I feel crushed...my struggles are making me feel weak and unwise...Happiness seems to be eluding me right now.

Someone reminded me yesterday that we determine our own happiness and we cannot rely on someone else to make us happy. I whole heartedly agree with this. The moments when I am feeling happy...when I feel things are turning in the right direction...the rug is yanked from under my feet and I find myself once again on the floor crying and feeling nothing but miserable and weak.

No, life aint always beautiful. But I know I'll be fine. Hey, life aint always beautiful. But its a beautiful ride.

No...life and proven over and over to me that it's not always beautiful...and yes, every time I'm fine...I survive... But I'm tired of "Fine". I want to be able to honestly say "I'm great!!!" when someone asks me. I want to do more than just survive. I want to thrive! And I want to be able to enjoy this beautiful ride...

C25K W2 R2: Take 2

2009-04-13T21:58:00.002-05:00

Oy Vey!!!

So last week went horribly. I'm not sure what was up with me...besides I was tired. But I only did 2 of the 3 runs...and they were both bad. So yesterday I decided that I was doing the week over again and at 10:30pm again...did W2R1 again. Such a different run compared to either of them last week. I maintained a 9:31 pace for 4 of the 6 intervals (run 90 sec walk 120 sec)...with my first two being the slowest.

Now...the dumb part? I felt so great...and I had so much energy...that "smart" me decided to do R2 tonight! The smart part is that over all...it felt great! Did a 9:31 pace for all six intervals. But two things...#1: the last set is where I realized that my knees were really starting to hurt, after all...I'm not in my 20s anymore :-) and #2: they trick you because the last running interval is actually 120 seconds not 90!!! WTF?!

Anyways...I am going to wait until Wed now before I do R3...should I feel the need to burn some energy tomorrow night...I will bike or do the eliptical or something...no running...not even walking tomorrow. Oh...and I decided that when I run...I'm only wearing my cutsie little skirts...shorts twist and ride and yuck! Now...I just need to get a few more...thankfully I like the ones at Target!!

C25K W2 R1

2009-04-07T23:20:00.002-05:00

FUCK!

I mean...Jess...that run Rocked!

For the rest of you FUCK! I couldn't even finish the last two intervals...Instead of running the full 90 seconds...I cut out after 60 and walked. And I did the last to at a 10:32 pace. Ok...pardon my french...but I was really disappointed in myself after such good runs last week.

Probably didn't help that I did it at 10:30pm...or that I ate at a greasy spoon diner 3 hours earlier. UGH. I need to get home where I an disciplined with my food...and I'm not doing crazy crap like running at 10:30pm...

So better run next time, I hope...

Throwing in the towel...

2009-04-06T12:50:00.002-05:00

A trip I was planning for the first weekend in May has now been moved to Memorial Day weekend because Josh just "HAS" to do something for work...

A mini-vacation to the Mall of America two weeks from now has been postponed indefinitely because Josh agreed to watch our nephew that weekend and I'm not taking an extra child with us.

Our 10 year anniversary trip will most likely be canceled because Josh feels it's important for him to go to this conference in Chicago for a week in August...and since he's now self employed he has to fund the entire trip...plus cover for the income he will not be making that week while he's gone.

I don't know why I even bother.

St Paul...

2009-04-02T11:57:00.004-05:00

So everything is in the skywalk system up here in St. Paul, MN. Our hotel, the client, banks, eateries, Macy's, and even schools. We walk past many of these establishments going from the hotel to the client each day.

And every day I cannot help but laugh (mostly internal now) at the sign that's posted in all the banks windows. "{ Insert Bank Name } does not allow guns on the premise." Including with such sign a picture of a hand gun. Seriously, is this a problem up here?! People walking around loaded down with lapto bags, cell phones, lunch bags...Oh and let's not forget the rifle today! Seriously?!

Guess next week I'll leave my combination AK 57 oozie radar laser triple-barrel double-scoped heat-seekin shotgun at home. Bummer!

C25K W1 R2 of 3

2009-04-01T22:27:00.002-05:00

Boy oh Boy! that run was much harder than it was on Monday...perhaps because I pushed myself to keep a 9:05 pace for each interval this time...I'm dog tired masser...dog tired! But I feel great! Now that I have "learned" to sweat...feeling it run down my face, back and even chest is revitalizing!

One thing I did tonight that I didn't do on Monday to be mindful of the music I selected for my cool down. I turned on my "Workout Jams" playlist on Monday...and I kept walking for another mile...but my bum hurt yesterday and still today. After talking with a few other runners...this program is designed to not exceed the program time limit...so I should just do a cool down once my music stops...so tonight I turned on my "Chill" playlist...I have definitely cooled down much faster tonight than I did on Monday. Ok...so sitting on the floor of my hotel room with the temp moved down to 65 with only my skivvies and sports bra on has helped too...

Now I'm just chilling listening to my calming music...downing water and typing...trying to decide when I'll get my third run in for the week.

Good run!

C25K Week 1: Run 1of 3

2009-03-31T09:11:00.005-05:00

Ok...So I started my running program yesterday. It is the same running program I do every year to get back in to condition. Granted, if I wasn't lazy and kept up with running all winter, I shouldn't have to do this...but oh well!

I do the Podrunner - C25K. And then continue on with their 5K-10K program. Pretty good programs - though I wish the music was different on it. Oh well...once I get to the end of the program (9 weeks for the 5K) I can go back to my rock music!!! Nice goal :-)

Anyways...Typically I run at an 11min pace on the treaddy...and knowing that when I run outside, my pace is always faster. So I pushed myself at a 9:31 pace last night...and I actually felt really good. My goal is to get to a 9min pace for a 10K this year.

Here's to a good start of my 2009 running season! ;-)

stuff

2009-03-30T15:44:00.002-05:00

So...I'm frustrated with Blogger...seems that I can't log into my blog without jumping through a variety of hoops...and it's getting frustrated.

That being said...I feel I have gone through the gauntlet of emotions today. I'm sure a large part of it has to do with me being tired. But I really seem to be suffering from CRS today. Seriously...

I think tonight after work...I'm going to go run...eat a light supper...and then spend the evening reading a book. No computer tonight!

Really...I'm severely blah right now...and I can't shake it.

More Lessons...

2009-03-26T11:28:00.002-05:00

I have learned that no matter how happy you are for someone, or how much you support them...the evil green of envy can still rear it's ugly head.

I've learned that carrying your stress really becomes a pain in the neck, and back, and shoulders...and heck even the ASS!

I've learned that it makes me really happy when my kids are estatic that they receive books in the mail every month.

I've learned that Legoland is a good bribery for good behavior in school ;-)

I've learned that no matter how hard I try...I will never be a morning person.

I've learned that a tummy tuck costs $7200, which really sucks :-(

I've learned that no matter how many lists I make I'll always forget something.

Et tu, Brute?

2009-03-26T11:21:00.004-05:00

I remember studying the play Julius Caesar by Shakespeare back in high school. Caesar was warned to be wary of the Ides of March...I'm not superstitious...but they say nothing good ever happens on the Ides of March...it's a jinxed day.

Every year, when I get my planner refill, I always write Ides of March on 3/15. Not sure why, but I do. It's become my day I suppose...I loved that day...and as the years went on, it seems that elements of that day brought about nothing but joy and happiness.

So then why now, in 2009, has the day left me thinking "Et tu, Brute?"

What I've learned...

2009-03-12T11:25:00.002-05:00

I've learned that I can easily waste a full day on the internet.

I've learned that no matter how hard I think I have it...someone close to me always seems to be going through something worse...so I should really relax.

I've learned that I need to get back in to exercising to help me reduce stress.

I've learned that I'm horrible at keeping up with my blog ;-)

I've learned that as much as I love my job, I love reading bedtime stories to my kids more.

I've learned that...I need to pay better attention.

Since it's been almost a year...

2009-01-29T08:07:00.002-06:00

...I figured it is about time to start actually doing the finishing touches on the house. Ok...so really Josh needs to get a job first before we start spending loads of money, I get that.

I have been searching for the furniture I want in each room, paint, window treatments, and accessories...and MAN ALIVE!!! Things are expensive! I can see me easily sinking $5000 into the living room alone...ACK! Ok...so that includes the TV, but just that dollar amount alone makes me feel guilty!

We are starting on Ty's room this weekend. I don't think Josh is appreciating the fact that the comforter I have picked out is from Pottery Barn Kids...but in my defense...it is one that he can grown into and have for quite a while. And it 's not like I am going to buy the sheets and stuff from there...that's what Kohl's and Target is for!!!

Anyways...bigger house, I should expect it to cost a lot more to finish...I'm just trying to get over the sticker shock!

Rainy days and Mondays always get me down...

2009-01-28T10:21:00.002-06:00

Ok...so it's not Monday anymore, and it's not raining...but still...

I used to love Mondays. Loved them...but in the past year I have grown to really detest them. Especially when I am waking up in a hotel bed on Monday morning...

But I've been kind of grumbly and seclusive since getting up on Monday...I need something to get past this little funk I'm in.

So it's been a while...

2009-01-26T09:31:00.002-06:00

Isn't it funny how quickly life gets away from us? I'm taking a few minutes and catching up on everyone's blogs and well...thought I should post too.

Let's see...We survived Christmas...Busy Season officially started for work...I fried my BlackBerry and am now in the process of getting my new one back how I like it...I'm running out of things for Josh's Honey-Do list...My Remicade treatments are going great and appear to be working wonders!...

It is my goal to start running again this week. I have not done so since October and well...I think that is part of the reason I'm feeling so run down.

So that's about it for now...hoping to update my pictures soon...

New Day...New Week...

2008-12-15T13:33:00.001-06:00

I took deep breaths when I got up today...bound and determined that this was going to be a better week.

Hopefully I can avoid dwelling on the fact that no Christmas shopping is done, Josh is sick, and I have some invasive tests scheduled for this week...

And I can be optimistic that the shopping will get done, Josh will be feeling better soon, and my tests will give my docs the informatoin they need to get the inflammatoin from my Crohn's under control.

raising coffee cup

Here's to a new week!

sigh...

2008-12-09T10:19:00.002-06:00

Ever been made to feel completely insignificant by someone you love...and it just seems like nothing you do is ever right or good enough?

yeah...Josh isn't talking to me now...I feel about as big as an ant...

Bah Humbug....

2008-12-08T10:05:00.002-06:00

Nothing like a family fight to start off the holiday season...

Yet, as usual, I am expected to be the bigger person...Not sure why I always get stuck with the "bigger person" card...but it's making me grouchy...and constantly on the brink of tears.

Nothing kills your spirit more than feeling like you just don't matter.

Death...and Thankfulness...

2008-11-27T23:49:00.003-06:00

Nine and a half years ago, my world was turned upsided down when my grandmother called me at work to let me know that my father just died in a car accident. To this day, I still miss him and tear up in my moments alone thinking about him. I also smile and laugh when people reminice about his antics or we are someplace that we knew Dad would love. It is my belief that he is in a better place, and I can do nothing but rejoice in that.

I was never really close with my grandmother. We visited often as kids; Dad would take us to their house a lot of the weekends when Mom was working. We'd talk with Grandma for bit, but then head into the woods, out to the tool shed or up to the pasture/garden with Grandpa. Some of my best memories at their house involved spending time with Grandpa. So, it didn't really surprise me when Grandma and I grew even further apart after Dad died. I still drug my family to every picnic and Christmas Eve...this was my father's family...this was my connection to him.

I was sad and grieved when my mother called to say that Grandpa had passed away. But what made his death hurt even worse was that I felt I lost another part of my father. Josh tried to comfort me with the reminder that Grandpa was now in Heaven with Dad. It helped but my spirit was still crushed. We all said that Grandma will probably go shortly after him...or in spite of us all...will live another 5 years...And that she did! :-)

Back in October, the phone calls went around that Grandma was in the hospital and not doing well. Mom had visited and advised that us kids should go and visit as well. In 86 years, Grandma had survived colon and breast cancer...and the outcome was that the cancer was back. She was too weak to withstand chemo or radiation. So the plan was set...she just wanted to go home...and her wish was granted.

This year's Thanksgiving was an odd one...or should I say different. My dad's older sister and her two daughters joined us for the first time ever (that I can remember). They had stopped and visited Grandma on the way. Their report was not a good one. Grandma was not expected to make it through the weekend. We spent the evening talking about my grandparents and my father...and how to most of my father's siblings and my grandparents, death was approached with nothing but fear. Fear and devastation.

It was once said by my grandpa that you're never know true devastation until you have to bury your own child. Death was never talked about, nor were the people who have died. I don't recall ever hearing my grandparents saying my father's name after his death. And while I only saw my grandma twice a year, I don't recall ever hearing her say a word about grandpa in the last five years. Only my one aunt would really talk to me about my dad, and she was the one who was at Mom's tonight.

Knowing my aunt's report on Grandma, a quiet anxiety overcame me. I ate dinner, but I don't really remember it. I drank probably a little more wine than I should have while playing a pathetic game of dominos.

My anxiety was replaced by deep grief when my phone rang at 8:30 this evening and seeing that it was my oldest aunt, that would never just call me. Grandma passed away around 7:15 tonight. I love my Grandma...I am deeply saddened by her passing...and as I stated above rejoice that she is in a better place now...a place with my father and grandfather.

But now I cannot sleep...tears keep coming...I once again have lost another part of my father and it is crushing me. Tonight, I had a great time with my aunt and cousins...it's a reminder that parts of my father are still around for me to be thankful for and enjoy. This is something that will get me to move forward am definitely thankful for...

Update from Josh...

2008-11-24T10:32:00.001-06:00

Here is an update on the child Josh helped out last week.

His name is Deagen!

As promised, I called the police department this morning and was able to get through to Officer Charlie Negret (I spelled his name wrong in my last email). Officer Negret was the first responder to my little guy yesterday. He said that shortly after the female officer left to take Deagen to DHS (which was right after I left the scene), his grandmother, in a panic, came hustling up the street looking for her grandson. The grandmother has full custody of Deagen. Finally, a positive sign that someone was looking for him! Officer Negret said she hurried up to him and was frantically asking if he could help her find her grandson. Coincidently, that’s why he was there! Officer Negret asked her to describe the child to him, just to be certain it was the same little guy. Thankfully, her description matched that of Deagen, who had just left a few minutes before in a squad car. Officer Negret informed the grandmother that her grandson was found safe, but was unsupervised, underdressed and alone. Upon asking the grandmother how Deagen ended up in that situation, the grandmother said that she was watching the little guy, as she normally does every day, and needed to run to the grocery store. She left her 20 year old granddaughter in charge of watching Deagen while she was at the store. The grandmother said she was only gone for 30 - 45 minutes and when she returned home, some three blocks away from where I found Deagen, she discovered the granddaughter was “passed out” on the couch and Deagen was no where to be found. When I asked Officer Negret what “passed out” meant, he said he couldn’t go into any deals, but said the granddaughter was not responsive at first when he arrived at the house. Officer Negret had accompanied the grandmother back to her house (again three blocks away! It breaks my heart to know that Deagen was meandering around for who knows how long over the course of three blocks!) to question the granddaughter. I guess it took the granddaughter a few minutes to become coherent. He said he couldn’t tell me much more because an investigation is pending, but he said he issued an on-the-spot incident report and recommended an investigation be opened. I then asked him if Deagen was able to go home and he told me that Deagen was still at DHS until they can determine that the grandmother is capable and the living conditions (I’m assuming he meant the granddaughter and why she was not coherent) were suitable for a toddler to be in.

Sigh….so that means my little guy is still waiting to go home. I pray to God that everything works out and he gets to go home soon. I can only imagine what all of this must be like for him. From being left pretty much unattended, to having strangers huddled all around him trying to help, to being whisked away in a police cruiser, to having to wait to go back to what he knows as home. I don’t mean to be such a downer about this story, as the happy ending is that Deagen’s family was found, but the overtone that his home life isn’t what it should be (in my opinion) is saddening. Instead of being upset (more like livid) at the granddaughter for being so irresponsible, I’m trying to stay positive and hope and pray that everything works out for Deagen to go home soon.

Deagen, I know you’re out there little guy; hang in there! Don’t be scared, you have an army of people praying for you!

My Amazing Husband...

2008-11-21T13:35:00.002-06:00

Josh sent me this e-mail yesterday...I have married an amazing man...The kids and I are blessed.

Enjoy!

Have you ever had that twinge feeling in your gut that something about a certain situation just doesn't seem right? You will not believe what happened on my run today…

I was out for my normal Thursday run over lunch. Today's route was going to be up Grand Ave to 63rd St. and back for an easy 8 miles. As I was approaching the corner of 40th and Grand, I noticed a little boy, probably no older than 3 and about the same size as Ty, standing on the corner of 41st and Grand. He was looking out at Grand Ave. I quickly scanned the area and there was no one else around; no other kids, no adults….nothing. As I continued my approach to the corner he was standing on, he started to slowly walk towards Grand Ave, like maybe he was going to try and cross the street! I thought, "Is that little guy going to try and cross the street?!?!". Sure enough, he kept inching towards Grand, you know how little kids do all timid and unsure. I was about half a block from him and just started sprinting fearing the worst. Realizing I wasn't going to make it to him by the time he reached the street, I jumped out on Grand Ave in the right-most on-coming traffic lane, waving my arms for traffic to move to the other lane and started yelling at the little guy. I was yelling for him to stop and wait for me. There is a large tree that partially blocks the view of cars at that corner, so I'm sure the oncoming drivers were wondering what the heck I was doing in traffic all the while not being able to see the little guy heading towards the street. I was getting honked and swerved at and I think one lady flipped me off. I got to the toddler right as he reached the curb and was able to grab him by the armpit and pull him back from the street. I couldn't believe it! This little boy, all by himself, was trying to cross Grand Ave in the middle of the day!! I looked around in a mild panic for his parents, or anyone for that matter, and didn't see anyone. I squatted down in front of the little guy and asked him where is parents where and his response was, "where's my mommy?" I felt so bad for him, he was obviously scared and cold, all he had on was a light coat over a short sleeve shirt (unzipped), warm-up pants and shoes with no socks. I asked him again where his mommy or daddy was and I got the same response, "where's my mommy?" After I zipped up his coat and gave him my stocking cap, I tried a different approach and asked him to show me where he lived and he pointed to the apartment building behind us, on the corner of 41st and Grand. About that time, a car had stopped and two older ladies got out; they had seen me yelling, waving and running in the road and asked if everything was OK. I explained to them the situation and together we all walked over to the apartment building the little guy had pointed at. I held his hand as we walked and kept trying to get him to tell me his name or where his parents were, but I kept getting the same response, "where's my mommy?" When we got the door of the apartment building, it was security locked, so I started ringing everyone's apartment on the call box. After two or three unanswered calls from apartments, a man answered and I explained the situation to him. Even though he was adamant that no children lived in the building, I was able to convince him to let us in to the entry way because it was cold. The man buzzed us in and met us in the entry way and I asked him if the little guy looked familiar or if there was anyone in the building that might be babysitting. Just hoping for something to help us figure out where the little guy's parents were. But, to no avail, none of us could figure out where he belonged. I even tried knocking on the other apartment doors with the little guy in tow just in case anyone recognized him. No on did. He was lost. I took the little guy back to the entry way where the two older gals and I decided it was time to call the police. As one of the gals, Karen, made the call, I was finally able to get the little guy to talk to me. I had him sit next to me on the stairs and I asked him if he liked Thomas the Train. Just like that, he started going on and on about his favorite engine, Edward. It reminded me a lot of when Spencer would light up and talk for minutes on end about Thomas and his friends. With him on a roll about trains and talking up a storm now, I tried one last time to get his name, but he didn't answer. He just asked me if I knew where his mommy was. It was heartbreaking to hear his little voice asking that question over and over. In the time it took the first officer to arrive, the little guy and I had covered Thomas, Bob the Builder, Spiderman and Batman. I had seen the cop car go by on Grand from the entry way, so I went out to flag the cop down. The cop parked on 41st and in the time it took us to get from his squad car back to the apartment building, I had filled him in on everything I knew. Including the near disaster that could have been had the little guy gotten into the street. I was actually surprised at how sympathetic the police officer, Officer Charlie Hegert, sounded and by the time we got to the entry way, he had already radioed for another unit to join him; an officer that specializes in lost little kids. And sure enough, after a few minutes another officer joined us at the apartment building. The female officer started right in with talking to the little guy and earning his trust (it was actually pretty amazing to see first-hand how quickly she connected with the little guy). She gave the little guy a sticker and let him give her a high five (I had told her that I had him give my five earlier to show he could trust me). Both officers took my contact information down, as well as the other two older ladies that had stopped. As a last ditch effort before taking the little guy to DHS, I helped the two officers knock on doors of the adjoining apartment building behind the one we were in. Just in case the little guy had wondered away from there. No luck. He was still lost. I waited as the female officer loaded the little guy into a toddler seat in the back of her cruiser before I headed back downtown.

I was actually saddened by the whole experience. From the rush of preventing a horrible accident, to the shocking reality that this little boy was really lost, to the sadness of not being able to find the boys parents and ending with hearing the officer refer to the little guy as "Little John Doe" over the radio. As I was walking away from the female officer's car, I told her that the one thing that bothers me the most about the whole situation was that in the 40 minutes I had been there, there was no one running around wild and frantic yelling the boy's name in a panic looking for him. She responded by thanking me for stopping to help, stating that some people would've just kept running by. She said to me, "It's nice to know that there are still some people out there putting faith back into humanity".

Those words rang in my head all the way back to the office. I'm going to call DMPD tomorrow and ask if the little guy's family had been located or if someone has come forward.

Welp...

2008-10-27T20:23:00.002-05:00

I am one week in to busy season and I already feel like the flu is setting in.....sigh.....and I forgot my Airbourne at home....too bad Walgreens is across the street, huh?

Thankfully, if I can survive this week on the road....I get to be home and in my own bed the next two weeks with my children and Josh....

YEAH TOAST!!!!!!

2008-10-17T08:46:00.002-05:00

Ok...this makes me giggle everytime I hear it on the radio....thought I'd share...

YEAH TOAST!!!!!

Because I can't do things simply....

2008-10-14T22:18:00.002-05:00

A little over two years ago, I was diagnosed with Crohn's Disease...just another indicator that I am anything but normal. Since then, I have been taking 12 pills a day...plus my bcp and vitamin. And that isn't counting the times when my intestines decided to show their irritation by flaring mad angry pain...when I would add more drugs to my daily regimen.

After a consulting appointment with my GI doctor this afternoon, we are once again going to treat the current flare that is going on...as well as change drugs, that will hopefully get this silly disease under better control.

So...yes, I have done research on this new drug...yes, I am aware of the fact that my GI and I had serious discussions about the possible side effects of this drug...and yes, I did the pre-treatment counseling with a pharmasist as recommended by my GI doc. But that still doesn't prepare you for when you actually go to start the drug and you read the Warnings that are attached to the perscription sheet I receive from the pharmacy.

This is the very first line:

WARNING: This drug has been know to cause certain types of cancer (e.g. skin cancer, lymphoma, Hogskin's lymphoma, etc).

Super...I'm super psyched that I will be taking this drug for an extended period of time. Granted, I am taking a low dose...and granted, side effects are rare for the dose that I am on...but in this day and age...and the fact that I am only 30...it doesn't make it any easier to swallow....(yes, pun is intended here...).

So I feel the need to brag....

2008-10-14T14:56:00.001-05:00

Gas is ONLY $2.59 here!!!!!!!!

$2.59

$2.59

$2.59

(Hey Cathie...did you hear that?! $2.59!!!!!!!!!)

Here's your sign....

2008-10-13T16:31:00.002-05:00

If you know Bill Engval's comedy routine...that you understand my title here...

I get a phone call from the doctor's office to confirm my appointment tomorrow afternoon. I am going to the downtown office this time instead of the office out west, as I customarily do. So when I tell the gal that yes, I will be there...I proceed to ask for directions to the office.

She gives me the street name, and I confirm that I know where that is...and then ask, "Is the office building on the North or South side of the street?" Her response....."Well, which was are you coming from?" HUH?!?!?!?! Isn't North always North? No matter which way you are headed?

So I go ahead and tell her that I will be coming in on 2nd Avenue (This is a one way street that only goes North!), so she says...."which street is that? the one on the right or left side of Mercy?" ARE YOU KIDDING ME?!?!?!

This time I say...I'm coming in from down town...I will turn left on to Laurel...which side of the street is the clinic on? North or South? And her response was "I don't understand which way you are coming in." At this point I wanted to say...Look out your windows....See the BIG buildings?! That's down town!

Anyways...she puts me on hold saying that she needs to ask someone else. Finally someone intelligent answers my question....but Good Grief! Do they not teach directions anymore in school?

So yeah...to the confirmation caller...Here's your sign......

Because Cathie Made Me...

2008-10-12T15:08:00.002-05:00

Eight favorite TV shows
1. Grey's Anatomy
2. CSI
3. Brother's and Sisters
4. Survivor
5. Dirty Sexy Money
6. Deadliest Catch
7. How I Met Your Mother
8. The Amazing Race

Eight favorite Restaurants
1. Cosi Cucina
2. Leaning Tower Pizza
3. Baratta's
4. Buffalo Wild Wings
5. Taki
6. PF Chang's
7. Basil's Prosperi
8. Racoon River Brewery

Eight things I did yesterday
1. Took the boys to get flu shots
2. Family pictures
3. Took a short nap with my babes
4. Went to the park
5. Had Chicken and Noodles for supper
6. Watched Sex and the City: The Movie
7. Ate Raisinettes
8. Crashed at bedtime

Eight things I love about fall
1. Pumpkin Patch
2. Football!!!!!!
3. Colors
4. Chili
5. Apple Orchard
6. Perfect temperature days & cool evenings
7. Football!!!!!!
8. Oh...and we can't forget FOOTBALL!!!!!

Eight things I look forward to
1. Halloween
2. Thanksgiving
3. Birthday's for ALL my boys
4. Christmas
5. New Years
6. The election results
7. Watching Football every weekend
8. Doing anything with Josh and the boys

Eight things on my wish list
1. New camera
2. Stabilized gut
3. GREEN BEES!!!!
4. Healthy kids this winter
5. New furniture
6. A vacation with just Josh
7. Josh to do well at the marathon next weekend
8. 6 winning numbers :^)

I'm not tagging anyone as everyone I know on here has already been tagged!

Gym Stalker / "Boyfriend" / Stalker - GG!

2008-10-09T13:16:00.003-05:00

As soon as I started going to the gym that Josh was a member to, I noticed this guy whom I felt was always staring at me. Somewhat flattering...but also somewhat creepy! Not long afterwards, I mentioned something to Josh about it and he verified that the guy is constantly watching me.

I make nice when we pass or are needing to share equipment and such, but I have never really spoken to him. When I work out with my trainer he always stops by to chat with my trainer while I'm warming up or doing a long set. And now I think he has figured out my workout schedule and ALWAYS seems to be there when I'm there. ALWAYS! Josh and I joke about this a lot.

So apparently, Josh go roped in to a conversation with him and this (nice looking) cop dude that Josh has befriended at the gym. The cop leaves and leaves Josh and "Brady" talking...when Brady says to Josh, "That girl that you are always talking to hasn't been here at all this week." (This was last week when I was traveling all over the Midwest.) Josh's reply?!?!?!? "Yeah, I think she's traveling this week. She should be back next week." Should be?!?!?! I was like...WTH did you not say that I was your WIFE?!?! Josh just starts laughing! He thinks this is funny!

So I go to the gym today...See Brady there...I can't help but laugh to myself. But he makes me even more conscience of the fact that he's watching me...and that's just flat out creepy!

Busy Season....

2008-10-08T15:33:00.002-05:00

Gearing up for busy season...the travel schedule has now been issued. Now I need to make sure my suitcases are is good working order, my suits are all dry cleaned, hotel reservations made...and good long looks at my children's faces are done.

Oh the life of an auditor....

I will be involved with our four largest insurance clients this year...Managing two of them. This will definitely be a test of my stress management as well as work load management.

Prayers and positive thoughts will most likely be very necessary and I work on prioritizing work life and home life....

now....let the chaos begin!

HTML makes me mad!

2008-10-07T14:25:00.002-05:00

jfdsak;ireaojc mzvc,cnvx 9EUIAROdnkvn eaoriua039ca f

Does that make sense to you?! if so...please translate!

Stupid frickin' irritating ERGH!!!!!!! I'm about to go on a Blog Beautification strike!

Pumpkin Patch!

2008-10-06T13:29:00.003-05:00

Fall is here...and Halloween is just around the corner, which means it's time for some pumpkins!

Saturday, we took our kids to a near by pumpkin patch and apple orchard for a day of fun! We always go to the Central Grove Orchard for this. They have an area where the kids can feed billy goats and pigs and ducks, the have the houses of the three little pigs, rubber duckie races, the bouncie pad, pumpkin patch, corn and hay maze, apples to pick, faces to paint...it just goes on and on and on...

Now it's time to make sure all the costumes are worked out so that we are ready for trick or treating at the end of the month!

Setting me straight...

2008-10-06T10:25:00.002-05:00

So...if ya couldn't tell, I was a little on the grouchy side Friday night while anxiously waiting to get home. Time didn't move fast enough and planes didn't fly fast enough...

When checking in to my flight, I selected a seat near the back of the plane, which is unusual for me, because it was the only set of two seats where I could sit by myself. After being up for over 40 hours, I was not in the mood to share an elbow rest with ANYONE! When I got to my gate in Chicago, I went to the ticket counter to verify that I was still in the double seat by myself. Selfish, I know...but the airline employee gave the "alls good", so I was a tad happier.

Happier until I am sitting in my seat, plane slowly filling up...and what do ya know...I catch the eye of a guy who is eyeing the seat next to me. ERGH! Since I am already seated and a line was quickly forming behind him, in the nicest voice I could muster, I asked if he wanted the window seat or if he wanted me to just slide over. In a very pleasant manner he said he didn't care either way, so I just moved my stuff over, planning to sulk on the 60 min flight home.

Right away the dude started jabbering at me! I grit my teeth and turn to face him with a smile to show I was listening...secretly hoping he would quiet down soon. But he was going on and on about how excited he was to be going to Des Moines! Ok...Des Moines?! Excited?!?! Now I am intrigued! I had to ask! So he told me that he had never been to Des Moines before and then was heading on to Boone. Ok...not only is this guy nuts about going to Des Moines...but now Boone?! He's lost it! So once again I had to ask.

He was going to Boone to speak the next day to a camp of kids who had been diagnosed with cancer, and their families. My jaw dropped. At this point is when we finally did introductions. His name was Jonny Imerman, the founder of www.imermanangels.org . This organization is a company that pairs people diagnosed with cancer to a survivor of the same cancer who is relatively the same age. (Shannon = Speechless now). He went on to share his story about when he was 26yo and was diagnosed with cancer. He said even though his family and friends were always there for him to provide support and care, all he wanted was to have someone who had actually been there at his age to tell him what was next, what to do, and that things really will be alright.

I'm not sure where that hour went...but I was immersed in his stories of pairing people up with his organization, and the group they put together to run the Chicago Marathon next weekend. It was just one of those moments where it made me put my attitude back in check. For the first time in a very long time, I have met someone who not only loved what he did, but was so enthusiatic in making a difference to someone's life. I'm not sure he realized the impact he had on me and my day and how much I truly appreciated it.

Granted I crashed in bed as soon as I got home...but I left the Des Moines airport with a spring in my step...my heart going out to this lively, charasmatic, loving and caring man...Someone determined to make a difference.

I think I can...I think I can...I think I can...

2008-10-03T20:13:00.002-05:00

...finally make it home to stay for more than 24 hours!

This week has been work horror at it's finest. Last Thursday, I was given the assignment to observe a cash count for one of our casino clients in Muskogee, OK. I make all my arrangements and dutifully head down there Tuesday morning. My job was to start at 3am on Wednesday morning when the casino does their cash drops from the slot machine and gaming tables. But at 7pm on Wednesday, I got the call that the arrangement letter was not signed by the client, so the job was cancelled.

I make arrangements to leave first thing Wednesday morning...and joyously arrive home around 12noon.

I go to the office the next day as usual, only to arrive to an e-mail that said they finally received the arrangement letter from the client and I was to be ready to do my observation at 1:45am Friday morning. Grrrrrrrreat!

Luckily, I hadn't unpacked my suit case yet and the suit inside was still clean. So I rush home and barely make the last flight out of Des Moines to Tulsa for Thursday. I arrive in Tulsa at 8...it's a 80 minute drive to Muskogee from the airport, so if I get there by 9:30...I can sleep from 10-1 and at least be a little rested...right?

Wrong! The Director incharge of the job e-mailed me and said the job was moved up to start at 11:45pm...and again...Grrrrrreat!

So that is where I am at...I have been up since 6am Thursday morning...it is now 8:20pm Friday night and I am not scheduled to arrive in Des Moines until 11pm...add 30 min to get my suitcase and 30 min to drive home so Midnight is my ETA...

Can ya hear me yawning?! I'm now off ot wander O'Hare as I have another 90 min before my flight leaves, in hunt for the closest Starbucks and the biggest cup of coffee they have!

Yearbook yourself

2008-09-29T11:33:00.001-05:00

This was fun to do...to see how I would have looked each year...with the popular hair styles and such...

Yearbook Yourself!

And here we go...

2008-09-29T11:14:00.000-05:00

My very own personal blog! Yay me!