work, working out, travel

I have the time to sit down and write and I have 3 posts circulating in my head. One post for all my thoughts would be way too much!

The Friday after I wrote I picked up my friend Chelsea on Friday afternoon. I met her through my friend Paula. Chelsea was flying in to NC this past spring to go to the Downtown Abbey thing at The Biltmore. Paula couldn't pick her up so I agreed to meet her and take her to dinner until Paula could get there.

Chels is amazing and of course I fell in love with her and we had a fantastic time at dinner. Her visit to NC was just what she needed and when she returned back to college (she was here during spring break) she applied to UNC Charlotte and was accepted. She moved to campus in August and has started her junior year there.

I wanted her to see Southpark area because I love it and when you are in University area it's easy to stay there and never venture out and that's not what I wanted for her. So I gave her several different options and she picked one and I picked her up and we hung out and caught up with each other.

I love that I'm able to pick her up, take her to dinner, hang out, and it not be a major battle because my spouse is a huge jerk about it. When my friend Lisa lived in Charlotte I didn't see her nearly as often as I would have liked because I was married to someone who made life ridiculously difficult! Ugh!

Saturday morning I went to Bikini Bootcamp and then went home and got ready and Mom and I went to High Point to see the boys. They are just so precious and they change so fast and it was awesome to spend a few hours with them!

Saturday evening we met with friends at Captain Steve's, sometimes there is just no better place to be on a Saturday then Captain Steve's!

Sunday I had the 8 prayer service, 9 service, 11 nursery. I was in the 1 year old room with my friend Nancy and I loved catching up with her! I love that my church is so home to me that I can walk in and see all these people that I know and yet I'm still good with the fact that I sit alone during the service most of the time.

After church I ran home for a few minutes to take Jack out. Then I had a party with the organization I volunteer with. After the party I met an old friend of mine for dinner. She's another friend who I have known since church nursery days. She and I haven't stayed in contact over the years like Patrice and I have but we've reconnected over the past few years and she's a friend who I really love so much and I love what her story is, she's another example of God absolutely making something so broken into a completely new beautiful story.

Last week at work I felt more acclimated. I think I'm starting to understand more. I'm definitely excited about what we do! I think I pretty much have the coolest job ever now and I'm thrilled!

Monday night I met my friend at the gym for a run. Tuesday morning I got up early and went to the gym to do strength training. Wednesday morning I was going to get up to go run but I hurt and I didn't feel up to it. So instead I slept in and I took Jack for a walk that evening.

Thursday morning I did get up and go to the gym for a run. Then Thursday evening that allowed me to pack, mostly. I was leaving to visit my friend Jess on Friday morning.

After my oil change I hit the highway and made my way for a weekend visit.

working out, hanging out, letting go, moving forward

Last Monday night I got a run in. Tuesday night I went to circuit class. Wednesday night I was supposed to run but it didn't happen. Thursday night I went to chair fit. Friday night I tried to run with Jack. That stinker ran to a point and then parked his furry little bottom on the ground and refused to go further until I turned him around. Saturday morning I had bootcamp. So I mostly got back on track for working out.

Saturday after boot camp I drove up to High Point to meet my newest adorable nephew. He's perfect!

I got A after church yesterday and spent several hours with her. I went to a class on Friday and while I was in class I got a text from the girl telling me how much she missed me and that she wanted to see me. I called her later that afternoon and we figured out that she could hang out with me Sunday. So we played pick up sticks, uno, skipbo, she watched Barbie Dream house on netflix. Jack Banner was thrilled to see her! After a few hours at the house she was getting restless so we hopped in the car and drove to Southpark. The American Girl Doll store is just outside of Macy's. We made our way up, she got distracted by the shoes in Macy's.

She enjoyed the American Girl store but she was way more interested in the animals than the dolls themselves. I took her to H&M which is across from the AG store and I think she had more fun in there looking at the clothes and shoes. After we finished up there we went and got her a cookie and found a perfect spot to watch the fountain. We wandered through a jewelry store and oohed and aahhed over the sparkly stuff and then made our way to Gap kids. By that time we had to leave to get her home.

This time around was way easier than when I had her for several hours last January. I miss her. I adore her. I think about her all the time. I didn't cry this time, it's still bittersweet, but I know that when she's ready to see me again she'll let us know and we'll get it figured out. Her mom and I had a conversation with her that she is free to talk about her Dad and she doesn't have to not talk about him around me. We told her how much we love her and I explained that I send her cards because I can't see her all the time anymore. She's 6 1/2 but I swear she's always been such an old soul. She'll do things that remind you just how little she still is but because she looks and acts so much older so much of the time it's hard to remember she's just a little girl.

The subject of her Dad is one that I have so many mixed emotions. So much was resolved when I went on my HQ but because I have chosen to remain a part of A's life there are things that come up and I have to remind myself that it's no longer my battle to fight. I might want to send an email or write an open letter detailing exactly my thoughts, and opinions, but instead I'm going to pray. I don't get to judge although sometimes I get downright judgmental because OH MY GOSH HOW CAN YOU BE SO (INSERT ADJECTIVE) (INSERT ADJECTIVE) (INSERT ADJECTIVE) X INFINITY...... Then I realize that I actually married this person and that makes me start reflecting on what do I still have to work on. Because while I do have strong feelings regarding his failures regarding his child I have to remember to take those prayers to the Father and let God be God.I also have to acknowledge that long before him I was making bad choices and let's make sure that I don't repeat my own bad choices and mistakes.

This week my working out is going to be hit or miss for sure. I am supposed to have dinner with my sponsor tomorrow night. I should be able to get a workout in on Wednesday night. Thursday night I have church. Friday night I have a concert. Saturday morning I have a race. Saturday afternoon I have a shower. Sunday I have Patrice's baby W's baptism and I'm pretty sure I'm Godmother and then we'll have a party after that.  I think the following week is likely just as crazy. I'm thankful. I'm thankful for the enormous blessings in my life!

Life is a blur

Last week was a blur! I had Thursday off for taxes but because of my work load I only took 3.25 of the planned 8 hours of pto. I'm kind of not as far behind, but not really. There is always something!

I was at the tax place early Thursday to avoid having to wait. They don't take appointments so I've learned to get there right when the doors open. I went home took a nap and then went for a long run. The weather app said it was going to be completely clear with no chance of rain. It was wrong. I was 5 miles in and I see raindrops and then it started raining. It wasn't a complete downpour so I sucked it up and finished the 5 more miles.

Friday I was back at work. That night I went to my meeting. Saturday I went to Abs and Booty at Sassy Girl. I found my itunes music and got it loaded on my phone. I had an epiphany of sorts on Saturday. If I ever decide to date again the guy will have to like country music and let Jack sleep in the bed.

Saturday evening I had the opportunity to catch up with an old friend of mine. You know you're old friends when you sit down and talk to each other and it's like no time has passed at all. Originally Patrice was supposed to be there too but L passed along his stomach ick to her so she decided to stay in and not share.

Yesterday I had a 4 miler. I PR'd it. My time was 36:08 and my pace was 9:03. I sat for a long time researching my previous 4 miler results to make sure it was a PR. My friend Nicole keeps a spreadsheet which is a great idea but I'm just not that detail oriented… so instead I sit and research race results back to 2009…

I have gift cards to several stores and I have yet to use any of them. This is totally not the norm for me. I've been so slammed at work that I'm not taking hour lunches. I have been so busy outside of work that I haven't made the time to go to any of the stores.

I figured out how to get my iphone pics transferred to the PC. I was so proud of myself for figuring that out! I'm definitely going to have to post the pictures from the National Botanical Gardens!

This week is set to be another busy one and I'm thankful. I'm ready for the chapter to close!

"I waited patiently for the Lord; he turned to me and heard my cry. He lifted me out of the slimy pit,
out of the mud and mire; he set my feet on a rock and gave me a firm place to stand." Psalm 40:1-2

Life Lately

Friday at work we had a bridal shower for one of my coworkers who is getting married. She's all cute and adorable and excited and I look at her and hope for her a much happier beginning then mine, and I'm sure it will be.

I picked Audra up on Friday night and we had fun. We danced and had dinner. We went to bed watching Cinderella.

About 2 I was up, and I was up several more times, not fun. I had a stomach bug and I thought maybe it was something I ate at the shower and it was just food poisoning. So I told D to go on to his appointment and I would take Audra to ballet.

I should have called someone else to come help me. She and I were standing at the door when I realized that I had better make it quickly, after I threw up I felt a lot better actually. I made it to ballet and quarantined myself to a corner. Amy texted me back yesterday that Audra is fine. I'm praying like crazy she doesn't get any of this!!!

I have 3 coworkers who had the same thing I did over the weekend. 2 of them were not at the party on Friday.

I'm back to normal today. I was in bed all Saturday afternoon and on the couch most of Sunday. I was hoping for a gym workout followed by a run Sunday but the fever and chills prevented that from happening.

I went to the Abs and Booty class last night. I got a toning workout in at the gym last Thursday night. I tried on skirts last night. I wish I could say that reading inspirations of working out and working weight watchers was enough for me to give up sugar.

I looked for a pill to curb sugar addicts. For real, I googled it. FYI there is no such thing that I could find.

I was trying on skirts because after the weekends fun virus anything pressed against my stomach right now bothers me and makes my stomach revolt.

Sunday my MIL asked if I was pregnant my reply was I still have a fever but I'm feeling somewhat better. I didn't bother to actually answer the question because it's not possible.

I had a conversation with D last night about an opportunity to clean an additional office on Thursday nights. Several months ago I was looking to take on another office to clean on Wednesday nights. This was before I had a big loan payed off and I still had an HOA assessment. He pointed out that I had said I would be willing to help clean another office.

So I really thought about it. With my week and what it looks like. I leave at 6 every day during the week. I drive an hour. I work 7:15-4:15. On Mondays, Tuesdays and Thursdays I'm home just after 5. On Wednesdays I'm home usually around 7 and on Friday's I'm home usually around 6. The idea of another night cleaning when I already know how my schedule stays and I know that it's not absolutely necessary is not really something I want to do.

So I wrote a letter, because D was already asleep. I told him that while I'm happy to help short term I am not going to commit long term. I feel like if we broke everything down we would see that we each contribute fairly equally just in different ways. I can't say that I do more then he does and he can't say that he does more than me. I think we've established a pretty good balance when it comes to who does what. I was very nice but basically I told him once I have a tenant and if my raise goes into effect then he can take back cleaning the office.

This could all be null and void as he hasn't even yet bid this new opportunity.

This weekend is my 4 miler race, which I am looking forward to. I ran 3.8 the Sunday before last so I know I can handle the distance. I'm a little concerned about the all uphill finish but I'll suck it up and move on Saturday. My time will likely be dismal but I haven't been running. I've been focusing on toning and strength training.

Work is crazy so that makes the day go by fast. Speaking of I had better wrap this up. Happy Tuesday!

Recapping and the Review

This past weekend was so awesome! Saturday morning Jack and I had an awesome run! I got to hang out with  Jess and her sister for a little while. I was able to clean the bathroom and vacuum. I picked up Girl Clean. We went to church. We came home and hung out.

Sunday Girl Clean's mom picked her up around noon. The trainer was coming to work with us and Jack around 2. I had guiltily confessed that I believed training had not been what it needed to be for Jack because life has been so busy. I was not looking forward to this session.

I was oh so pleasantly surprised! The trainer was actually really impressed with Jack's improvement. He warmed right up to her when she came in the door. He was able to take a nap on his pillow while she was there. He is much less fearful then before. We discussed some situation that had happened and heard how to better handle them.

I am so thankful that I found this trainer, she absolutely rocks!!!

After the training session the rest of the day was low key. It was so rainy and yucky there was no reason to go anywhere other then a quick trip to the grocery store.

Last night was back to reality, I worked both jobs. They are gearing up for a huge Fat Tuesday party tonight. All the decorations arrived last night and they will transform the restaurant for the party!!

I had my first negative guest review that said I was rude upon checking in. In all honesty I believe that I was probably more short then rude. However I know that short can be taken for rude. I had emailed my manager regarding the review because I felt badly about it. My manager told me that everyone knows how professional I am and that Valentines night was absolutely crazy busy and we all know this. I felt better, a negative review is never a good feeling.

I noticed last night that it stayed light outside longer. I noticed driving in this morning that the light was coming earlier. This makes me so happy!!!! I can now start running and walking with Jack during the week in the afternoon!!!

Happy Tuesday!!!

reviews, talking restaurant, laziness is no excuse

Friday I had an awesome review with my manager. I was so thankful to hear that my efforts over the past year have been noted and recognized. Friday night kicked off restaurant week in Charlotte. My restaurant participates, thus a very busy Friday evening. Fortunately I was able to leave at 10. The restaurant is open until 11 on Friday and Saturday nights but I’ve been extremely fortunate to be able to leave at 10 most Friday nights.

I arrived home and there was food waiting for me, thank goodness!!! I was so hungry! I checked email and ate and watched an episode of how I met your mother and then crawled into bed. I was anticipating Saturday morning because I had a hair appointment. I drove the hour to Pineville for my 10 appointment and sat and waited and waited. 10 minutes after 10 I got a phone call that my hair girl had a stomach bug and she was not moving fast, meaning she was going to be 30 minutes late. I told her no worries, she can’t control being sick and I don’t need what she has so I told her we would reschedule and I drove to my parents to pick up Jack.

Jack was oh so happy to see me. My mom was excited about the pictures I printed from the wedding. CVS does a photo collage print that turned out really well. I was excited! I printed one for my parents and one for my Grandmommy and picked out frames to put them in. I talked to my parents for a while and then headed home. Mr. Clean has been sick with a man cold. He went to the doctor last Wednesday because he felt so awful. He had made it from the bed to the couch by the time I got home. I got Jack settled and went to the gym. I did squats, lunges, legs and cardio. Lunch was waiting for me when I got home. We had a low key Saturday and opted to wait to go to the early service for church. Mr. Clean was hoping he would feel better in the morning.

He didn’t feel any better Sunday morning so I went to the early service on my own. I actually like going by myself and the service was awesome. I made a grocery store run and we made lunch. We spent the next couple hours on the couch watching tv and then I dragged myself to the gym for a run. My injury from the end of last year has flared and it hurts, but I was able to run as long as I was careful. I’m glad I made myself go. Laziness is not an excuse although I totally wanted to be lazy yesterday. All weekend was rainy and cold, a perfect weekend for being inside and not doing much of anything. Part of what made the run easier (especially since I was on a treadmill) is the fact that each treadmill has it's own tv. I need to remember to bring headphones. I watched HGTV while running, that was the perfect distraction!!!

The rest of the afternoon evening was spent watching Big Bang Theory. I was in bed by shortly after 9. Yet I still feel sleepy today, I’m blaming the weather, it’s still cold and gray outside. I’m trying to stay focused but it’s hard!

This week is restaurant week, which means busy nights which is fine. Busy makes time go by a lot faster! Honestly I’m praying hard that something changes so that I don’t have to keep doing the 3 nights a week at the restaurant. I may take it down to 2 for a while and see if that fills in the financial gap but also allows me to not feel quite so run down.

I signed up for my March race. I’ve got 2 5k’s in February and now a 4 miler in March. I know that when I have races on the calendar it keeps me motivated!

Like Clockwork, Biting, Upcoming

Last night was one of those ideal restaurant nights. We were busy early on, we were steadily busy. It went like clockwork. I had 2 large private parties and enough diners in the regular dining area that my server numbers were absolute perfection!!!

Nights like last night remind me why I love my part time job. The really crazy off the wall nights. The nights when I walk out thinking I'm so tired. Those nights fade quickly when I have evenings that are as fantastic as last night.

While working I also get to talk to lots of people. Our event coordinator and I were talking and she said I couldn't email this comment to you but you do understand you need to do something about Jack and the biting. I have another friend who had said something similar to me. I completely agree.

While I don't know what happened Sunday and my stance still stands, and I will not give an inch with Mr. Clean regarding my dog, this is something I need to address ASAP with my Jack Banner. I've known for a long time now that my dog bites. He's super cute but I tell people not to approach him. I muzzle him. I have no idea why he's like this. I think it's because he somehow wound up with the worst characteristics of the dachshund and chihuahua.

He can be downright scary to other people. Not going to lie. The event coordinator also made it a point to say it's not my fault. Which it's kind of not but I also have to acknowledge that I haven't socialized him the way I needed to. I've tried, I just haven't been as consistent as I needed to. My other friend who had pointed this out has also said it's not my fault. However, if I'm responsible for him then yes it pretty much is.

Both friends are huge dog people. Both have trained numerous dogs, both have spent hours volunteering with different organizations that work with dogs. I understand that I need to find someone who can work with both Mr. Clean and I on helping Jack understand that biting is not ok. I think more than anything it starts with me because Jack is mine.

Last night I forgot my change of shoes which meant I ended up in heels for 4 hours. This aggravated the injury that I thought I had completely rolled and worked out. I got home last night and re-did the rolling and stretching. It still hurts today. The Saturday race is a hilly course. I know that I can walk if I need to it is just not my preference.

Have I mentioned that I'm doing a Turkey Trot 8K? Super excited about this!!!

running, new tv, bossy and opinionated

Let me start with the weather…. Oh my word is the weather GORGEOUS these days!!! I know that we will probably have a few more hot days but right now, it's perfection!!! Last night I got home and I was actually able to take Jack running at 6pm. It was amazing!!! So beautiful!!!! I asked Jack if he wanted to go for a run and he was all over me basically jumping up and down in excitement. I had to hold him back when we started because he was ready to go and I can't start off that fast.


Mr. Clean made a very yummy dinner!! It was waiting for me when I got home! Then we finally (finally) after 3 weeks put up the new TV that he got for his birthday. His TV that he had is older then mine and the DVD player works but not the VHS player. My TV that is 6 years old (I bought it when I bought my condo) has a VHS player that works but the DVD player does not. We now have a fantastic TV to watch movies on. We discussed cable but when he asked me for my honest opinion I said that it's a time drain and that I prefer not to have cable. We are going to get internet so we can quit borrowing the neighbors but for now no cable. I will say that watching the football game last night was totally different with such a fantastic picture!!!

I'm loving my new commute, it's super easy!!! The downside is that Jack goes the first time I take him out but not the second. The good part is that Mr. Clean now takes him out for me before he leaves for the day. I get that 6am is a little early for a 2nd time out.

Yesterday we had a meeting at the full time job. My bosses boss was here as well as my bosses, bosses, bosses, boss… if you can follow that. Basically it's the guy who is over all the account manager in my division for my company, very important person in my world. He used to work in our office and grew up in High Point. Graduated from App State. Super nice guy! The meeting was interesting, informative, and gave us the chance to discuss some things that need to change.

I'm not shy and I'm always happy to speak up. When we were given the opportunity I waited for the one who was supposed to ask the first question to ask it and he didn't so I asked my question. Then when we stayed too long on that same topic (I say stayed too long because the same thing started to be repeated over and over again) I found a chance to ask the next question to steer the topic towards something new. Apparently I impressed people. My bosses boss told me great job as she was leaving. My boss came up to me today and told me she's had several comments about how great I was in the meeting.

For me it comes down to understanding that we need to speak, professionally and keep what we say relevant to the topic at hand. Then once they have heard what you have to say move to the next topic, so that you can have a conversation where progress can be made afterwards. I wasn't going to sit and let one person do all the talking, that's just not my style. I'm way too bossy and opinionated for that! For all my preference of being a behind the scenes person I also know when to stand up and be heard!

Happy Friday!!!!!

Traffic, Gym, Sugar, Sugar, Sugar

I tried to capture a picture this morning from my driver seat of the traffic. I was not able to capture the taillights as far as you could see in front of me, the difference between this morning and yesterday morning is we were constantly moving. I know that our traffic is not as bad as the big cities ie: DC, NY, LA, Chicago and even Atlanta. I can't fathom how much worse it is if ours is as bad as it was yesterday morning. I left the house at 6:06 this morning and arrived at work at 6:55. Yesterday morning I left the house at 6:33 and arrived at work at 7:43. Hopefully with changing my time in at work this will help to adjust my time spent sitting in traffic.



I arrived home from work yesterday afternoon and pretty much fell asleep immediately. I woke up and went to the gym and then after showering and squeezing some time in with Jack and Mr. Clean I was in bed again. Over the summer I had pretty much adjusted to my new schedule and then school started back and threw everything off. The gym workout was interval. I ran 1.5 miles and then did squats/lunges/arms and then ran the next 1.5 miles. I'm trying to push up the speed. I did not feel like going at all but afterwards I felt great and I was glad that I sucked it up and went. There are days when it just hurts and then nights like last night when I'm tired but once I get started I feel fine and it doesn't hurt at all.

I consistently did something Thursday, Friday, Saturday, Sunday, Monday and Tuesday which makes me feel good. Normally Friday and Monday I would have had to work at the restaurant. Tonight it's back to reality and I have to work at the restaurant. I'm hoping that my consistency will help some to combat the ridiculous amount of sugar consumption since my birthday. For the past 2 weeks I have eaten pounds of sugar, pounds! It's one of those knowing you need to stop things that is overridden by the overwhelming desire for all things sweet. I need to kick the habit, and yet I still hear the call of the candy bucket!!

Have a wonderful Wednesday!!!

A week in the life

Tuesday night I had dinner with my parents to celebrate my birthday. Jack Banner was oh so excited to see me. He followed me around and made sure that when it was time to leave he was going with me!


I worked at the restaurant last night. It was a busy evening, which makes time go by much faster!!! It was winding down when I walked by the men's room and I see the door propped open and a guest on the phone while monitoring another guest. A few moments later the fire truck and ambulance arrived. Stress is not healthy, and took it's toll on our guest last night. A fun family dinner to celebrate a birthday turned into an evening in the hospital. My prayers continue to be with this family!!

Tonight I will run, not sure how far, most likely 3 miles and hopefully outside. It will really just depend on how hot it is by the time I'm ready to run.

This weekend is a girl clean weekend. She and I will hang out on Saturday morning while her Dad attends a writing workshop. I love the weekends when she stays with us just as much as I appreciate handing her back off to her mom on Sunday.

Somehow we are almost to the end of August, this summer has been a blur, a very hot blur but a blur!!!

Tuesday Wednesday

Tuesday I went for my 3 mile run earlier then usual. Normally I wait until after 7 to allow time for the temps to cool. Because it was cooler then normal I thought I would be OK going at 5:40, I was fine up until the very end. By the time I got home I was way overheated and thought I was going to be sick, fortunately that didn't happen.

Yesterday I had my review for the full time job. In my department we all have to meet with out boss once a month for review. I dislike this, in a major way. It's usually just depressing. My QC scores are what they are supposed to be but my boss wants them higher because they are right on the line. To me this is absolutely aggravating and arbitrary but I do like my job and I do need my job so I have to refocus yet again on details that I find ridiculous. The process annoys me but I need my job.

Last night we were busy at the restaurant. I'm so loving the weather right now. It's unusual for August to be so reasonable and last night I was a little jealous of all our guests sitting out on the patio. For those who told me it was too hot to sit outside I looked at them they like they were crazy I'm sure.

I got home and Jack Banner was super excited to see me. Mr. Clean was working on a batch of chicken and dumplings, which I love but not at 10 at night. I was so tired so I talked to him for a minute and then headed for bed.

I married a man who can cook better then a lot of restaurants and I do enjoy food, a lot. However, I like for my clothes to fit and that means I have to watch what I eat. So I'm still trying to find that balance of not hurting his feelings but also watching my food intake. It's an uphill battle all the time. I'm glad he can cook though, otherwise he would be hungry a lot!!!

The relationship between Mr. Clean and JB is night and day different and I could cry this makes me so happy.