I'm participating in the art fair that Neil organized. If you want to see the work I have for sale right now, I posted all the information on Color Me Kyra: http://colormekyra.blogspot.com/ There are pictures of the work, prices, and payment and shipping information all right there, so you don't have to try and load my flash site. Plus, these pictures you can look at in a larger size. My gallery site still has a lot of hiccups that I just haven't had the time to work on.
One of the things I found so funny about Neil's post this morning was a little laugh at the starving artists, and being thankful that you went to business school instead. And here I am... I went and got a degree in art 10 years ago, and now I'm in business school. No wonder both sides treat me strangely, the business folks like I might infect them, the art folks like I have turned traitor (for which the punishment is death by air brush.)
But they'll have to wait their turn, because right now I think my professors are trying to see who can break under the pressure first. A sort of little social experiment with a high entertainment value. On Tuesday I have to give a 50 minute presentation with two partners, one of which hasn't contributed anything and keeps asking what out presentation is about, and another who keeps suggesting that a couple shots of liquor before hand will seriously improve her presentation. I thought she was kidding until she started listing the people she knew who had done it, including herself in the past, and how well it had all worked out for them. Between these two, if anyone is going to need liquor it's probably... the professor.
I had to buy a snazzy little suit for the presentation too, apparently some of these functions at the college are run like black tie events. I really like it, but I bet there won't be many occasions I can wear it. It's sort of like those fancy ball gowns you have to buy for some big event; you keep thinking that you'll wear it to the opera or the ballet, or maybe some neat Broadway shows... and then you realize that you have kids and live many many hours from New York City, in the boonies, and there is no way you are ever going to wear anything fancy unless you decide to dress up for grocery shopping.
I might have to do that once, just to see what would happen. The locals would probably have a heart attack. I remember going shopping in Chicago and I saw people in black-tie dress looking for something in the same aisle as the guy in the chicken suit from the diner next door, and a hassled looking mom who had her shirt on backwards. Out here there is an unwritten dress code for shopping. Jeans, top, sneakers. If you deviate, you draw attention. (Stepford, I'm telling you.)
Hmm, where was I? Art fair, business school, fashion report... right. Well, I think that about covers it. All except that my entire world is stressed out beyond normal capacity. Finals and final projects are looming, both for me and my husband (he's after his masters part time as well,) my daughter has pneumonia, I'm dunking myself in antibacterial soaps and disinfectant trying to avoid having the plague when I give my presentation, and my kids have both informed me that they miss me and should be allotted several hours of my time each night, each individually. I sat down and divvied up my hours needed in a day to get everything done and found that I actually need a 33 hour day, and 40 if I want to include sleep in that.
Suddenly the holidays aren't about the holidays, but about NOT having this much to do. Come ON Christmas!!!
Friday, November 30, 2007
Wednesday, November 28, 2007
Working My Ethic
I had one of those mornings where I was in a dream, and sure everything wasn't perfect, but I was seriously disappointed when reality came crashing in before dawn. Usually I am happy to wake up and realize whatever it was I was dreaming wasn't real. This time it was depressing to realize how very much I have on my plate right now.
I have to run up into town (two hour round trip) and return the pants to my suit that are a different black from the jacket. Why? Because I am required to wear a suit for my business presentation on Tuesday... that isn't ready yet, and one of my partners has completely bailed on the project but plans on taking full credit. I suppose I should check to make sure that blood will come out of the suit pants too, as long as I am there.
I have noticed over the last three semesters that this seems to be the prevailing behavior. On the radio yesterday, I heard some right-wing-nut go on about the state of our country (I hit the wrong channel, and got stuck on it since I suddenly needed both hands to avoid the giant flock of turkeys - they always come out to gloat after Thanksgiving. I'm not kidding.) One of the things he said was that he is so glad to see that the generation in college right now are "go-to" people who are always working hard and getting the job done, regardless of those left-wing teachers. (I haven't figured out what wing I am in yet. Which one has the Pirates of the Caribbean and the Haunted Mansion ride? I forget. I'm going to open my own wing, and it will have cake, ice cream, and pizza for all!)
Well, that is certainly not the case at my university. If anything, the dominating school of thought is to not pay attention, not do any of the work until the last minute, take credit for any "team work", and then try to slide by when asked by using terms that sound right, yet don't actually apply to what they were working on. Worse yet, I see teachers letting them slide by with this behavior. Sure, they don't get A's or B's, but they're getting C's! It's infuriating.
Mr. Savy has often talked about this type of behavior in new hires right out of college. You either get the kid who is going to work himself to death (a rarity), or the one who thinks his boss owes him a debt of gratitude. Usually it's the latter. I used to just ignore him when he talked about this, because I am the type that if I am working I am WORKING. I guess I'm the working to death type, and Mr. Savy is too. Actually, he's so bad I had to sit him down a few years ago and give him directions back to our house and explain that meals are served there with a nice warm fluffy pillow to rest upon.
But now, for the third semester running, I am grouped with people who looked promising but turned out to just talk a good game. It's not legal to use a cattle prod, is it? I was thinking that maybe a good jolt would get them rolling again. Or perhaps a good shake, clean the slate off like a echer-sketch so they have room to work. No?
I suppose it's just frustrating to me. If I have a project, I am there to work and get it done. I can't stand the mere thought of taking credit for someone else's work, it seriously makes me ill. I can't imagine not caring enough to just contribute, even if you hate the project. It's just beyond me. But I will admit that it is becoming very tiring doing the work of four people. I have previously tried not doing the work, seeing if people will step up to the plate, but I have found that they will fail rather than do anything. I am working too hard, paying too much to fail.
So, I am finding it harder and harder to wake up and face reality right now. Reality is not being very nice to me, and it's wearing me out.
I have to run up into town (two hour round trip) and return the pants to my suit that are a different black from the jacket. Why? Because I am required to wear a suit for my business presentation on Tuesday... that isn't ready yet, and one of my partners has completely bailed on the project but plans on taking full credit. I suppose I should check to make sure that blood will come out of the suit pants too, as long as I am there.
I have noticed over the last three semesters that this seems to be the prevailing behavior. On the radio yesterday, I heard some right-wing-nut go on about the state of our country (I hit the wrong channel, and got stuck on it since I suddenly needed both hands to avoid the giant flock of turkeys - they always come out to gloat after Thanksgiving. I'm not kidding.) One of the things he said was that he is so glad to see that the generation in college right now are "go-to" people who are always working hard and getting the job done, regardless of those left-wing teachers. (I haven't figured out what wing I am in yet. Which one has the Pirates of the Caribbean and the Haunted Mansion ride? I forget. I'm going to open my own wing, and it will have cake, ice cream, and pizza for all!)
Well, that is certainly not the case at my university. If anything, the dominating school of thought is to not pay attention, not do any of the work until the last minute, take credit for any "team work", and then try to slide by when asked by using terms that sound right, yet don't actually apply to what they were working on. Worse yet, I see teachers letting them slide by with this behavior. Sure, they don't get A's or B's, but they're getting C's! It's infuriating.
Mr. Savy has often talked about this type of behavior in new hires right out of college. You either get the kid who is going to work himself to death (a rarity), or the one who thinks his boss owes him a debt of gratitude. Usually it's the latter. I used to just ignore him when he talked about this, because I am the type that if I am working I am WORKING. I guess I'm the working to death type, and Mr. Savy is too. Actually, he's so bad I had to sit him down a few years ago and give him directions back to our house and explain that meals are served there with a nice warm fluffy pillow to rest upon.
But now, for the third semester running, I am grouped with people who looked promising but turned out to just talk a good game. It's not legal to use a cattle prod, is it? I was thinking that maybe a good jolt would get them rolling again. Or perhaps a good shake, clean the slate off like a echer-sketch so they have room to work. No?
I suppose it's just frustrating to me. If I have a project, I am there to work and get it done. I can't stand the mere thought of taking credit for someone else's work, it seriously makes me ill. I can't imagine not caring enough to just contribute, even if you hate the project. It's just beyond me. But I will admit that it is becoming very tiring doing the work of four people. I have previously tried not doing the work, seeing if people will step up to the plate, but I have found that they will fail rather than do anything. I am working too hard, paying too much to fail.
So, I am finding it harder and harder to wake up and face reality right now. Reality is not being very nice to me, and it's wearing me out.
Monday, November 26, 2007
In The Mood
(I finished my 12 page research paper! Yay! AND another painting, which you can see here on Color Me Kyra.)
I was doing some thinking about the holidays this weekend. I was thinking about how it used to feel during the holidays when I was a kid verses now as an adult, and I figured something out.
As a kid, the holidays were these magical non-days. They didn't count as actual days of the week... it couldn't be a TUESDAY! It was Christmas! It was officially NOT a real day, like those other boringly normal weekdays. You went to bed anticipating a colorful blur of events that all added up to something mysterious and wonderful. It wasn't just a break from the week, it was a break from life!
As an adult, the realization of reality seeps in. The holiday season is still there, the magic still exists, but now it is fraught with uncertainty. The danger is in falling out of the magic and not only realizing, but feeling that a holiday actually is "just a day", just another Tuesday with different plans. The worst part is that if you blink just once and fall into that "just another day" mind-set, it seems to drag you down into the blackened depths of the tar pit of scrooges past and you are left staring out at the world as it zips along the holiday express without you in the front seat, dragging you behind it instead.
I've had both types of holidays as an adult. I have had the magic in full swing, and truly felt the holidays sparkle about me (no, it wasn't the champagne.) That's really what the difference is, that feeling that makes all the lights glow just a little bit brighter, the pine smell just a little bit sweeter, and the air crisp with possibilities every time you set foot outside. I have also had holidays that lacked that feeling. I tried hard on those holidays to get it back, because I knew it was missing. I went through every ritual I could think of, but nothing helped. It's not that I wanted to be out of sorts, it just happened.
Why is that Holiday feeling so elusive and fragile?
This year I have a tentative grasp on the feeling. It's there. I can feel it. It's fighting for breath though. It's buried alive under all my scholastic endeavors. It's slightly depressed by the fact that we will see no family or friends at all this year. No one was here for Thanksgiving, nor could we go there. The same will be for Christmas and New Years. I don't know how much I realized as a child that family and friends were a big ingredient in the Christmas feeling, but going Christmas shopping all alone sure brings that one home to you.
Fortunately, I have found that the magic of the holidays also hides out in children. Being that I have two on hand, I can tap into that whenever I want. Some people say they had kids to help out with chores... I think I'm in it for the magic.
I was doing some thinking about the holidays this weekend. I was thinking about how it used to feel during the holidays when I was a kid verses now as an adult, and I figured something out.
As a kid, the holidays were these magical non-days. They didn't count as actual days of the week... it couldn't be a TUESDAY! It was Christmas! It was officially NOT a real day, like those other boringly normal weekdays. You went to bed anticipating a colorful blur of events that all added up to something mysterious and wonderful. It wasn't just a break from the week, it was a break from life!
As an adult, the realization of reality seeps in. The holiday season is still there, the magic still exists, but now it is fraught with uncertainty. The danger is in falling out of the magic and not only realizing, but feeling that a holiday actually is "just a day", just another Tuesday with different plans. The worst part is that if you blink just once and fall into that "just another day" mind-set, it seems to drag you down into the blackened depths of the tar pit of scrooges past and you are left staring out at the world as it zips along the holiday express without you in the front seat, dragging you behind it instead.
I've had both types of holidays as an adult. I have had the magic in full swing, and truly felt the holidays sparkle about me (no, it wasn't the champagne.) That's really what the difference is, that feeling that makes all the lights glow just a little bit brighter, the pine smell just a little bit sweeter, and the air crisp with possibilities every time you set foot outside. I have also had holidays that lacked that feeling. I tried hard on those holidays to get it back, because I knew it was missing. I went through every ritual I could think of, but nothing helped. It's not that I wanted to be out of sorts, it just happened.
Why is that Holiday feeling so elusive and fragile?
This year I have a tentative grasp on the feeling. It's there. I can feel it. It's fighting for breath though. It's buried alive under all my scholastic endeavors. It's slightly depressed by the fact that we will see no family or friends at all this year. No one was here for Thanksgiving, nor could we go there. The same will be for Christmas and New Years. I don't know how much I realized as a child that family and friends were a big ingredient in the Christmas feeling, but going Christmas shopping all alone sure brings that one home to you.
Fortunately, I have found that the magic of the holidays also hides out in children. Being that I have two on hand, I can tap into that whenever I want. Some people say they had kids to help out with chores... I think I'm in it for the magic.
Saturday, November 24, 2007
There's a Light...
(Over at the Frankenstein place...)
I'm having a lot of difficulty grasping the fact that 2007 will soon be a memory in a short set of weeks. I am finding myself continually amazed when I see ads on television referencing 2008, and I have to catch myself in the middle of the thought that "why on earth are they advertising that NOW? It's soooooo far...." oh geeze, that's in a month or so, isn't it?
Then the panic sets in.
Oh my gosh! 2008 is only a month or so away!!! Did I do everything I meant to in 2007?
Of course, then I have to try and remember what it was I wanted to do in 2007 anyway. I didn't conquer the world, but I'm pretty sure that wasn't one of my goals anyway. Didn't win Lotto... but hey, that's not exactly a shocker. Wow, did I mean to do anything in 2007 at all? I looked back in my archives and I found that I planed to be like Mother Teresa (bombed that one, big time) and make a fortune like Bill Gates (another dud) and take an exotic vacation where I got to wear a bikini and have drinks brought to me with cute little umbrellas in them (a very disappointing failure as well.) I suppose it was a good thing that I picked resolutions that I had no hope of meeting, there is a lot less disappointment attached to not achieving them. Plus, I don't have to scamper about in these last few weeks trying to accomplish them.
That's good, because I am on a serious painting bender. I don't know what it is, and I cannot properly explain it... but know this; there will be a serious explosion of newly completed work over the next couple of weeks. So, keep an eye on Color Me Kyra if you are curious.
The upside to seeing the end of the year drawing closer on the horizon is that there is a light at the end of this scholastic tunnel of torture. Of course, I have to get through a 12 page research paper on economic policy, another on anti-trust laws, and a massive strategic business presentation and paper (video taped, no less) as well as finals before I can collapse into a happy eggnog stupor. Maybe that's why the painting binge is upon me. Stress-relief... Survival instincts.
My paintbrush and I will survive this, because we can see the light at the end of the 2007 tunnel.
I'm having a lot of difficulty grasping the fact that 2007 will soon be a memory in a short set of weeks. I am finding myself continually amazed when I see ads on television referencing 2008, and I have to catch myself in the middle of the thought that "why on earth are they advertising that NOW? It's soooooo far...." oh geeze, that's in a month or so, isn't it?
Then the panic sets in.
Oh my gosh! 2008 is only a month or so away!!! Did I do everything I meant to in 2007?
Of course, then I have to try and remember what it was I wanted to do in 2007 anyway. I didn't conquer the world, but I'm pretty sure that wasn't one of my goals anyway. Didn't win Lotto... but hey, that's not exactly a shocker. Wow, did I mean to do anything in 2007 at all? I looked back in my archives and I found that I planed to be like Mother Teresa (bombed that one, big time) and make a fortune like Bill Gates (another dud) and take an exotic vacation where I got to wear a bikini and have drinks brought to me with cute little umbrellas in them (a very disappointing failure as well.) I suppose it was a good thing that I picked resolutions that I had no hope of meeting, there is a lot less disappointment attached to not achieving them. Plus, I don't have to scamper about in these last few weeks trying to accomplish them.
That's good, because I am on a serious painting bender. I don't know what it is, and I cannot properly explain it... but know this; there will be a serious explosion of newly completed work over the next couple of weeks. So, keep an eye on Color Me Kyra if you are curious.
The upside to seeing the end of the year drawing closer on the horizon is that there is a light at the end of this scholastic tunnel of torture. Of course, I have to get through a 12 page research paper on economic policy, another on anti-trust laws, and a massive strategic business presentation and paper (video taped, no less) as well as finals before I can collapse into a happy eggnog stupor. Maybe that's why the painting binge is upon me. Stress-relief... Survival instincts.
My paintbrush and I will survive this, because we can see the light at the end of the 2007 tunnel.
Friday, November 23, 2007
The Day After
The thing I most love on Thanksgiving is the smell of turkey and seasonings filling the house. The thing I most hate about the days after Thanksgiving is the smell of turkey and seasonings filling the house.
There really isn't anything you can do either, is there? Every time you think you have got the smell under control, someone microwaves leftovers. The entire refrigerator smells like turkey and side dishes anyway, so no matter what you pull out it will taste ever so slightly like the thanksgiving dinner. Coffee is Coffurky. Apples are Turples. (ew) There isn't a vat of baking soda big enough to take on a full blown Thanksgiving dinner in the refrigerator.
One of the hardest parts about eating a healthy diet is that after Thanksgiving and the big day of indulgence you are ready to get back on track, and everyone else is having a four day food fest weekend all around you. It's ok. Better in them than me, I suppose! I dragged myself out of bed and worked out, ate a healthy breakfast while other people had sausage, bacon and PIE (not all piled on each other, but close to it.)
Today is actually very special, though. Today is my son's seventh birthday. Seven years ago today it was actually Thanksgiving morning and I was sitting at a table timing contractions while my mother and Mr. Savy argued over how to set the oven for the turkey to turn off automatically so we could head to the hospital. The doctor was angry with me for going into labor on Thanksgiving and took it out on me, but afterwards a nurse sneaked Mr. Savy and I some Thanksgiving fixings that had been brought in for the staff. And now my baby boy is seven years old. Time has passed so quickly. *sniffle*
We bought him the "Creepy Crawlers Bug factory" for his birthday, so we'll be sitting around cooking up disgusting spiders and scorpions today. At least they won't smell like turkey!
There really isn't anything you can do either, is there? Every time you think you have got the smell under control, someone microwaves leftovers. The entire refrigerator smells like turkey and side dishes anyway, so no matter what you pull out it will taste ever so slightly like the thanksgiving dinner. Coffee is Coffurky. Apples are Turples. (ew) There isn't a vat of baking soda big enough to take on a full blown Thanksgiving dinner in the refrigerator.
One of the hardest parts about eating a healthy diet is that after Thanksgiving and the big day of indulgence you are ready to get back on track, and everyone else is having a four day food fest weekend all around you. It's ok. Better in them than me, I suppose! I dragged myself out of bed and worked out, ate a healthy breakfast while other people had sausage, bacon and PIE (not all piled on each other, but close to it.)
Today is actually very special, though. Today is my son's seventh birthday. Seven years ago today it was actually Thanksgiving morning and I was sitting at a table timing contractions while my mother and Mr. Savy argued over how to set the oven for the turkey to turn off automatically so we could head to the hospital. The doctor was angry with me for going into labor on Thanksgiving and took it out on me, but afterwards a nurse sneaked Mr. Savy and I some Thanksgiving fixings that had been brought in for the staff. And now my baby boy is seven years old. Time has passed so quickly. *sniffle*
We bought him the "Creepy Crawlers Bug factory" for his birthday, so we'll be sitting around cooking up disgusting spiders and scorpions today. At least they won't smell like turkey!
Wednesday, November 21, 2007
Weird Winter Wonderland
The day before last I actually did end up painting. I didn't get into the studio when I wanted to, instead getting side-tracked by homework all day. Eventually, I made it there after the kids were in bed, finished a new painting (which you can see on Color Me Kyra) and then finally got to sleep well after 1 AM, only to get up at 5:45 AM to get the day rolling yesterday.
Tuesday was a marathon shopping event, with me trying to get my Christmas-Son's birthday-business suit shopping DONE. I woke up to a blizzard of snow outside and just wanted to bang my head on the wall. Of all the days to need to go out, I get the perfect one for staying IN! Still, I braved the roads and made it to the mall. I got my business suit (which I now have to return because once at home in natural light, the black is in two different shades,) and managed to waste a rather large amount of time at the mall looking at nothing in particular while trying to figure out what to get my husband this year.
Why do men make shopping for them SO HARD? Do you take a class in it? Plot with your friends on how best to drive the woman in your life over the edge? Just curious.
We went to the Christmas Tree Shops next (if you haven't heard of this store, it's hard to describe but has very little to do with Christmas except during that season. It's a bargain store, but a lot of their stuff isn't total junk. That's the best way to put it.) While checking out, the cashier eyed the baseball bat I was purchasing for my son and said in a rather angry tone "Gee, I could use one of these for my husband!"
Er... Ok. There isn't much you say to that except sort of laugh uncomfortably and move on. But SHE didn't move on. Instead she immediately launched into how she has been married for 25 years, four kids, grandkids, dogs, cats, and used to live in Texas until her husband moved them up here in Vermont just this year, bought a house, and then just a few days ago decided the marriage was over and not only walked out of the marriage but flat out just LEFT - as in they have no idea where he is. And so that day was one of her first working, ever.
I was speechless, and that is really saying something for a blabbermouth like me. The story was so involved, I seriously considered glancing around to look for cameras on the off chance I was on a hidden video show of some sort. I didn't know what else to say except that I was so sorry and that I hoped things worked out for her. Kinda lame, but what else do you say to something like that? "Have a good Thanksgiving!" seemed kinda cruel.
Eventually, we made our way to Wal-Mart where the local television station was filming a story on holiday shopping and the lead dangers in toys combined with tight budgets this year. Before anyone says that I shouldn't BE at a Wal-Mart in the first place, you need to remember that Target (the preferred box store) doesn't EXIST in my state. They refuse to open a store here, so it's Wal-Mart or nothing. Anyway, the television crew cornered me in the Star Wars aisle and tried to get me to do an interview on camera "to be on the news tonight!" (so said the giddy, cute little reporter, next to the cynical tubby camera man who looked like he needed a cigarette so bad he was ready to mug the next blue-haired lady who wandered by with the slightest hint of tobacco about her. I wanted to laugh at the stereo-type come to life, but I figured the camera man might actually take me out if I did so.)
I know some people say they don't want to be on television, and then jump at the chance when presented because deep-down most people do want to be on television even if they have to look like morons when they are. I am NOT that person. I have never secretly nurtured the hope that someone would see me and make me a star. I do not enjoy having my picture taken, I do not enjoy being in front of people. Blogs are easy, none of you hear me stutter or say the wrong thing. Blogs don't count for the best reason of all - being heard and being seen are two completely different things, and blogs are all about being heard.
So I said no. They didn't like that, so they tried the most blatant manipulation right from the book that I have ever seen. Seriously, it was reporter-101; give the target a compliment to get them talking, then switch to the topic you want to talk about to get them comfortable with both you and the subject to make them see how little you want from them and how easy it'll be to talk to you with the camera on. I answered their questions (probably smirking at the time, because it really was so transparent that my companion actually went around the end-cap to have a good laugh,) but then said a firm "no, I honestly really am not comfortable being on camera. But I wish you luck with your story!" I was nice, I know I was being a pain in the butt for them by being difficult and I feel bad about that, but the store was packed with people. It can't be that hard to find someone else to interview - someone who wants to be on the news.
Mr. Savy was very disappointed in me. He is the type who would have jumped at the chance for an interview, and has for his company a couple of times. He likes the spotlight, and felt that I had somehow let him down by not appearing on the news and even felt that having an interview with a "local" that actually sounded coherent would have been a public service. The lead story on Monday was a man who had cut a peep hole from one port-a-potty to another and was spying on another man and making rude gestures at him, I kid you not. The interview with "eye witnesses" was priceless, so I can kind of see Mr. Savy's point... but I still don't care.
I finished my shopping in a hurry, and finally made it home after dark. I worked on more homework (I think my professors are trying to kill me) and then fell asleep and couldn't get out of bed this morning. Seriously, I am exhausted. I'm trying to round up the energy to go for a run, but so far... I got nuthin'.
Lastly, speaking of exercise; for those trying to figure out how to fit exercise in on those Holiday trips, or maybe just anytime if you need to spice things up check this out. The idea is on Vita Juice Daily, and all you need is a deck of cards. Just in time for Thanksgiving!
Tuesday was a marathon shopping event, with me trying to get my Christmas-Son's birthday-business suit shopping DONE. I woke up to a blizzard of snow outside and just wanted to bang my head on the wall. Of all the days to need to go out, I get the perfect one for staying IN! Still, I braved the roads and made it to the mall. I got my business suit (which I now have to return because once at home in natural light, the black is in two different shades,) and managed to waste a rather large amount of time at the mall looking at nothing in particular while trying to figure out what to get my husband this year.
Why do men make shopping for them SO HARD? Do you take a class in it? Plot with your friends on how best to drive the woman in your life over the edge? Just curious.
We went to the Christmas Tree Shops next (if you haven't heard of this store, it's hard to describe but has very little to do with Christmas except during that season. It's a bargain store, but a lot of their stuff isn't total junk. That's the best way to put it.) While checking out, the cashier eyed the baseball bat I was purchasing for my son and said in a rather angry tone "Gee, I could use one of these for my husband!"
Er... Ok. There isn't much you say to that except sort of laugh uncomfortably and move on. But SHE didn't move on. Instead she immediately launched into how she has been married for 25 years, four kids, grandkids, dogs, cats, and used to live in Texas until her husband moved them up here in Vermont just this year, bought a house, and then just a few days ago decided the marriage was over and not only walked out of the marriage but flat out just LEFT - as in they have no idea where he is. And so that day was one of her first working, ever.
I was speechless, and that is really saying something for a blabbermouth like me. The story was so involved, I seriously considered glancing around to look for cameras on the off chance I was on a hidden video show of some sort. I didn't know what else to say except that I was so sorry and that I hoped things worked out for her. Kinda lame, but what else do you say to something like that? "Have a good Thanksgiving!" seemed kinda cruel.
Eventually, we made our way to Wal-Mart where the local television station was filming a story on holiday shopping and the lead dangers in toys combined with tight budgets this year. Before anyone says that I shouldn't BE at a Wal-Mart in the first place, you need to remember that Target (the preferred box store) doesn't EXIST in my state. They refuse to open a store here, so it's Wal-Mart or nothing. Anyway, the television crew cornered me in the Star Wars aisle and tried to get me to do an interview on camera "to be on the news tonight!" (so said the giddy, cute little reporter, next to the cynical tubby camera man who looked like he needed a cigarette so bad he was ready to mug the next blue-haired lady who wandered by with the slightest hint of tobacco about her. I wanted to laugh at the stereo-type come to life, but I figured the camera man might actually take me out if I did so.)
I know some people say they don't want to be on television, and then jump at the chance when presented because deep-down most people do want to be on television even if they have to look like morons when they are. I am NOT that person. I have never secretly nurtured the hope that someone would see me and make me a star. I do not enjoy having my picture taken, I do not enjoy being in front of people. Blogs are easy, none of you hear me stutter or say the wrong thing. Blogs don't count for the best reason of all - being heard and being seen are two completely different things, and blogs are all about being heard.
So I said no. They didn't like that, so they tried the most blatant manipulation right from the book that I have ever seen. Seriously, it was reporter-101; give the target a compliment to get them talking, then switch to the topic you want to talk about to get them comfortable with both you and the subject to make them see how little you want from them and how easy it'll be to talk to you with the camera on. I answered their questions (probably smirking at the time, because it really was so transparent that my companion actually went around the end-cap to have a good laugh,) but then said a firm "no, I honestly really am not comfortable being on camera. But I wish you luck with your story!" I was nice, I know I was being a pain in the butt for them by being difficult and I feel bad about that, but the store was packed with people. It can't be that hard to find someone else to interview - someone who wants to be on the news.
Mr. Savy was very disappointed in me. He is the type who would have jumped at the chance for an interview, and has for his company a couple of times. He likes the spotlight, and felt that I had somehow let him down by not appearing on the news and even felt that having an interview with a "local" that actually sounded coherent would have been a public service. The lead story on Monday was a man who had cut a peep hole from one port-a-potty to another and was spying on another man and making rude gestures at him, I kid you not. The interview with "eye witnesses" was priceless, so I can kind of see Mr. Savy's point... but I still don't care.
I finished my shopping in a hurry, and finally made it home after dark. I worked on more homework (I think my professors are trying to kill me) and then fell asleep and couldn't get out of bed this morning. Seriously, I am exhausted. I'm trying to round up the energy to go for a run, but so far... I got nuthin'.
Lastly, speaking of exercise; for those trying to figure out how to fit exercise in on those Holiday trips, or maybe just anytime if you need to spice things up check this out. The idea is on Vita Juice Daily, and all you need is a deck of cards. Just in time for Thanksgiving!
Monday, November 19, 2007
Doin' the Dance
I had an interesting experience yesterday. I don't really ever drink coffee, but over the past 6 months or so I have found the fancy flavored kind to be not too bad, and effective for keeping me up and moving when I'm desperate (i.e. about once a month... maybe.) Still, there is just something about the taste, a sort of sourness, that I do not like. That applies to all coffees, except a holiday spiced one that my husband found.
I had some of that yesterday and I thought it was great. So great, it turns out, that I didn't pay attention to how much I was having over a period of time. It was only when the lights started to sparkle before my eyes, and I realized I was bouncing up and down on the tips of my toes that I clued into the fact that something about me was... off. You know that scene in the Disney movie George of the Jungle? The one where he eats coffee straight from the can and starts zipping around saying "javajavajavajavajava!" That was me. Seriously, has anyone else ever had an experience with caffeine (I assume it was only the caffeine, is there anything else it could be?) that was similar to OD'ing on something much more serious?
It kinda freaked me out to be honest. Plus I made the interesting discovery that too much caffeine does not equal more work done. It actually causes less, because you are darting around and looking at the pretty lights, and then OOO! What's that over there? And must flip through 600 channels before the number changes on the clock, and what about cooking something? Right on! Lets cook something! Oh, but maybe I should go check and see if the lawn tractor is winterized because snow is coming and we'll need to plow, but maybe I could organize the toys in the garage before I get there, and wouldn't it be nice to read a book? Oh, but after I fold 16 baskets of laundry of course, and maybe redecorate the living room...
Even though I accomplished nothing yesterday, I am declaring today a painting day (so, I will be posting what I am up to today on Color Me Kyra) because I need to chill out. I haven't been sleeping well (even before the coffee) for a couple of weeks now. It's been bad dreams, or physical issues like I woke up the other night with my left shoulder out of joint. I thought my kids screaming in the night was the only thing to bring me from deep slumber to instant clarity, but it turns out that the excruciating pain of a shoulder trying to divorce itself from your body has the same effect!
Just look at all the stuff I'm learning lately!
So, it's a painting day. Yes, I have a ton of work to do for classes, and it's a big deal. Yes, the house is a disaster. But I HAVE to paint, or I think I might literally end up twitching on the floor babbling about sugarplum homework fairies and little laundry elves. It's really an issue for public safety, I'm thinking.
Switching gears, because my end of year plan has changed I plan on going a whole round of P90X classic, with a sub week break from Christmas to New Years. It was pointed out to me by a friend that I never take breaks unless I am sick, and that isn't really a break. It's funny because as a trainer I advocate body breaks to my clients as well, and I certainly wouldn't let them get away with claiming illnesses were breaks. I just find it hard to go through a week chilling out and just taking walks and relaxing type stuff. Where is the blood sweat and tears, I ask you? I suppose we're all a little harder on ourselves than others about some things. This one is apparently mine. Christmas is usually my normal break that I manage to take anyway, so it works out in multiple ways.
Additionally, I have been getting some emailed questions on how to handle the holiday dining situation. Some people want a menu that is healthy to offer for thanksgiving, and others seem to want permission to go on a week long binge with artery choking items that cannot possibly exist in nature. They want to know where I stand, what I advocate. Well, alright then! Here it is: Moderation.
Do I think you should make a 100% perfectly healthy refined tiny portion meal for Thanksgiving? If it's more than just you at the table, the answer is no. Do I think you should go all out and try to see if you can stroke out on Aunt Suzie's gravy and pie? No. I think the first thing everyone needs to remember is that the holidays are about the PEOPLE that you are WITH or wish you could be. NOT FOOD.
Every holiday, no matter what it has been warped into by mass retailers and modern life, is about connection to others; whether it be your family, your significant other, your neighbors, your country, your servicemen, your government, whatever. Food is the garnish on the plate of personal interaction and appreciation of those people in your life who make a difference either from afar or in your own backyard. Do NOT forget that.
Now, noting that we can move on to the food. Yes, food is a huge part of every celebration. It has been, my guess, since the dawn of time. It's because we need food to survive, so celebrating and feeding each other is an act of caring and compassion for ourselves and each other. Stuffing ourselves is an act of disrespecting ourselves in the midst of something that was meant to be good. It doesn't make you feel good, and it doesn't make your company feel good either.
So, what do you put out on the table? How about both types of dishes, healthy and not? Make options for all, without exclusion. You don't have to please everyone, but not every dish has to be 100% healthy, or 100% unhealthy. You will have options you can exercise to make you feel as though you were not left out, but not uncomfortable either. Double bonus, right there! Also realize that most of the traditional dishes at a holiday dinner can be modified without a loss in taste (some actually become more flavorful) by eliminating the nasty things in them like lard and butter. Use spices, use low-fat alternatives when you can. And when you can't, accept it and don't vilify the selection.
One day of moderation with enjoyment of the food and the people will not derail you. I challenge those of you who are out there trying to lose weight to continue to do so, but without deprivation or over indulgence on the holiday. I challenge you to enjoy the company more than the pie, the conversation more than the mashed potatoes. Not to avoid them, but to learn that there are other sweet treats beyond what you put in your mouth. And lastly, if you are having problems and find yourself seriously contemplating diving head first into the stuffing and not looking back for the next couple of days ask yourself whether you want to be moving forward with your health/fitness/life next week or fixing all the damage you did once you finally come up for air.
Enjoyment is NOT based on quantity. Think about exercise and how important it is that you do a movement CORRECTLY with correct form, rather than an extra set. It's because your body benefits from doing it correctly more than it does with the bad set (in fact the bad set can actually be worse for you in the long run by setting back your progress.) Quality is more important than quality. The same is applicable to EVERY aspect of your life.
We live in a world where more is better. It's a lie. A lie of marketing, of media, of perception. More is just more, and more can mean worse. Don't make a "more mistake" this week of holiday celebrations or any of the others to follow. Make a decision to enjoy your life to the fullest. This means without deprivation, but without over-indulgence. When given a choice, pick your own best option and you'll have something to really smile about at those family get-togethers.
I had some of that yesterday and I thought it was great. So great, it turns out, that I didn't pay attention to how much I was having over a period of time. It was only when the lights started to sparkle before my eyes, and I realized I was bouncing up and down on the tips of my toes that I clued into the fact that something about me was... off. You know that scene in the Disney movie George of the Jungle? The one where he eats coffee straight from the can and starts zipping around saying "javajavajavajavajava!" That was me. Seriously, has anyone else ever had an experience with caffeine (I assume it was only the caffeine, is there anything else it could be?) that was similar to OD'ing on something much more serious?
It kinda freaked me out to be honest. Plus I made the interesting discovery that too much caffeine does not equal more work done. It actually causes less, because you are darting around and looking at the pretty lights, and then OOO! What's that over there? And must flip through 600 channels before the number changes on the clock, and what about cooking something? Right on! Lets cook something! Oh, but maybe I should go check and see if the lawn tractor is winterized because snow is coming and we'll need to plow, but maybe I could organize the toys in the garage before I get there, and wouldn't it be nice to read a book? Oh, but after I fold 16 baskets of laundry of course, and maybe redecorate the living room...
Even though I accomplished nothing yesterday, I am declaring today a painting day (so, I will be posting what I am up to today on Color Me Kyra) because I need to chill out. I haven't been sleeping well (even before the coffee) for a couple of weeks now. It's been bad dreams, or physical issues like I woke up the other night with my left shoulder out of joint. I thought my kids screaming in the night was the only thing to bring me from deep slumber to instant clarity, but it turns out that the excruciating pain of a shoulder trying to divorce itself from your body has the same effect!
Just look at all the stuff I'm learning lately!
So, it's a painting day. Yes, I have a ton of work to do for classes, and it's a big deal. Yes, the house is a disaster. But I HAVE to paint, or I think I might literally end up twitching on the floor babbling about sugarplum homework fairies and little laundry elves. It's really an issue for public safety, I'm thinking.
Switching gears, because my end of year plan has changed I plan on going a whole round of P90X classic, with a sub week break from Christmas to New Years. It was pointed out to me by a friend that I never take breaks unless I am sick, and that isn't really a break. It's funny because as a trainer I advocate body breaks to my clients as well, and I certainly wouldn't let them get away with claiming illnesses were breaks. I just find it hard to go through a week chilling out and just taking walks and relaxing type stuff. Where is the blood sweat and tears, I ask you? I suppose we're all a little harder on ourselves than others about some things. This one is apparently mine. Christmas is usually my normal break that I manage to take anyway, so it works out in multiple ways.
Additionally, I have been getting some emailed questions on how to handle the holiday dining situation. Some people want a menu that is healthy to offer for thanksgiving, and others seem to want permission to go on a week long binge with artery choking items that cannot possibly exist in nature. They want to know where I stand, what I advocate. Well, alright then! Here it is: Moderation.
Do I think you should make a 100% perfectly healthy refined tiny portion meal for Thanksgiving? If it's more than just you at the table, the answer is no. Do I think you should go all out and try to see if you can stroke out on Aunt Suzie's gravy and pie? No. I think the first thing everyone needs to remember is that the holidays are about the PEOPLE that you are WITH or wish you could be. NOT FOOD.
Every holiday, no matter what it has been warped into by mass retailers and modern life, is about connection to others; whether it be your family, your significant other, your neighbors, your country, your servicemen, your government, whatever. Food is the garnish on the plate of personal interaction and appreciation of those people in your life who make a difference either from afar or in your own backyard. Do NOT forget that.
Now, noting that we can move on to the food. Yes, food is a huge part of every celebration. It has been, my guess, since the dawn of time. It's because we need food to survive, so celebrating and feeding each other is an act of caring and compassion for ourselves and each other. Stuffing ourselves is an act of disrespecting ourselves in the midst of something that was meant to be good. It doesn't make you feel good, and it doesn't make your company feel good either.
So, what do you put out on the table? How about both types of dishes, healthy and not? Make options for all, without exclusion. You don't have to please everyone, but not every dish has to be 100% healthy, or 100% unhealthy. You will have options you can exercise to make you feel as though you were not left out, but not uncomfortable either. Double bonus, right there! Also realize that most of the traditional dishes at a holiday dinner can be modified without a loss in taste (some actually become more flavorful) by eliminating the nasty things in them like lard and butter. Use spices, use low-fat alternatives when you can. And when you can't, accept it and don't vilify the selection.
One day of moderation with enjoyment of the food and the people will not derail you. I challenge those of you who are out there trying to lose weight to continue to do so, but without deprivation or over indulgence on the holiday. I challenge you to enjoy the company more than the pie, the conversation more than the mashed potatoes. Not to avoid them, but to learn that there are other sweet treats beyond what you put in your mouth. And lastly, if you are having problems and find yourself seriously contemplating diving head first into the stuffing and not looking back for the next couple of days ask yourself whether you want to be moving forward with your health/fitness/life next week or fixing all the damage you did once you finally come up for air.
Enjoyment is NOT based on quantity. Think about exercise and how important it is that you do a movement CORRECTLY with correct form, rather than an extra set. It's because your body benefits from doing it correctly more than it does with the bad set (in fact the bad set can actually be worse for you in the long run by setting back your progress.) Quality is more important than quality. The same is applicable to EVERY aspect of your life.
We live in a world where more is better. It's a lie. A lie of marketing, of media, of perception. More is just more, and more can mean worse. Don't make a "more mistake" this week of holiday celebrations or any of the others to follow. Make a decision to enjoy your life to the fullest. This means without deprivation, but without over-indulgence. When given a choice, pick your own best option and you'll have something to really smile about at those family get-togethers.
Saturday, November 17, 2007
It Wouldn't Be Anything Without It
I braved the throngs of wide-eyed, chronically confused, and dazed shoppers today. It was unavoidable because we had some things we just HAD to get due to putting them off during the past couple of weeks while everyone was sick. You know... like a turkey.
Thanksgiving = Turkey.
Mom Forgets the Stupid Turkey = Thanksgiving dinner with pop-tarts, kids grow up and write a book about how mom didn't really care about them, making millions while they store her in a roach infested nursing home near a tar-pit in Alabama and forget her real name, and she develops an imaginary best friend that speaks to her through the peeling wall-paper who likes to remind her she was the only person who ever forgot a Turkey for dinner in the history of the Tukilization of Thanksgiving.
It was only after I was driving home with the stupid thing that I realized that there isn't even enough time to properly defrost the 21 lbs monstrosity (seriously, if it's that big sporting plastic wrap, imagine it coming after you in full feather regalia? Though, this is a much smaller bird compared to Turkzilla of two years ago clocking in at 37.3 lbs.) I had to google how to thaw it. Apparently you babysit the thing in a cold bath, changing the water every 30 minutes. Seems kinda mean, but if they say so. So, on Wednesday I'll be around all day bathing a turkey should anyone have a burning need to chat.
In Wal-Mart we had to pick up another couple of necessities. Holiday music was playing in a background hum like a swarm of drunk bees. You couldn't make out the tune, but every now and then I heard a sleigh bell ring. I still can't quite get into the music, but I realized that even more than that, I am not in a holiday shopping mood either.
I was feeling a bit confused about why I'm not all tinsel out the ears yet, and feeling maybe just a little bit guilty, when I accidentally bumped into another shopper. It was light, no one stumbled, fell, broke anything etc... but that woman turned around like I had tried to scalp her first born, with fire and smoke shooting out of her nose and glowing red eyes of death and dismemberment.
She actually GROWLED!
The woman growled and mumbled incoherently under her breath while glaring daggers, and I only caught the barest of cuss words when she finally turned around. I sat there for a moment in complete shock. I kept thinking of that stupid saying "smile and the whole world smiles with you... act like a witch and everyone wants to kill you" No... wait... that's not how it goes is it?
Anyway, it was during the moment of my contemplating really giving the stupid, psychotic holiday shopper something to complain about that it hit me. THAT WAS IT!!!!!!!!!!!!!
I broke into a huge grin. It seriously ticked her off even more, but that wasn't the point. Well, actually it was. You see, holiday shoppers are the worst human beings on earth. They'd commit genocide if it meant they got that last pair of light up musical reindeer socks for that uncle that they pretend to like. They're mean, nasty, horrible human beings and everyone knows it. They're there without fail every year, and here was my inaugural psychotic witch of the 2007 Christmas Season!
It really IS that time of year again, isn't it?!!!
I left the store grinning like and idiot and had to explain to Mr. Savy that apparently my Holiday Season could not be kicked off without the annual "Screw YOU!" from some demented, disturbed, sad little holiday shopper... and I just got mine!
Christmas music all the way home, baby! All I needed was a "Merry F'you!" Who knew?
Thanksgiving = Turkey.
Mom Forgets the Stupid Turkey = Thanksgiving dinner with pop-tarts, kids grow up and write a book about how mom didn't really care about them, making millions while they store her in a roach infested nursing home near a tar-pit in Alabama and forget her real name, and she develops an imaginary best friend that speaks to her through the peeling wall-paper who likes to remind her she was the only person who ever forgot a Turkey for dinner in the history of the Tukilization of Thanksgiving.
It was only after I was driving home with the stupid thing that I realized that there isn't even enough time to properly defrost the 21 lbs monstrosity (seriously, if it's that big sporting plastic wrap, imagine it coming after you in full feather regalia? Though, this is a much smaller bird compared to Turkzilla of two years ago clocking in at 37.3 lbs.) I had to google how to thaw it. Apparently you babysit the thing in a cold bath, changing the water every 30 minutes. Seems kinda mean, but if they say so. So, on Wednesday I'll be around all day bathing a turkey should anyone have a burning need to chat.
In Wal-Mart we had to pick up another couple of necessities. Holiday music was playing in a background hum like a swarm of drunk bees. You couldn't make out the tune, but every now and then I heard a sleigh bell ring. I still can't quite get into the music, but I realized that even more than that, I am not in a holiday shopping mood either.
I was feeling a bit confused about why I'm not all tinsel out the ears yet, and feeling maybe just a little bit guilty, when I accidentally bumped into another shopper. It was light, no one stumbled, fell, broke anything etc... but that woman turned around like I had tried to scalp her first born, with fire and smoke shooting out of her nose and glowing red eyes of death and dismemberment.
She actually GROWLED!
The woman growled and mumbled incoherently under her breath while glaring daggers, and I only caught the barest of cuss words when she finally turned around. I sat there for a moment in complete shock. I kept thinking of that stupid saying "smile and the whole world smiles with you... act like a witch and everyone wants to kill you" No... wait... that's not how it goes is it?
Anyway, it was during the moment of my contemplating really giving the stupid, psychotic holiday shopper something to complain about that it hit me. THAT WAS IT!!!!!!!!!!!!!
I broke into a huge grin. It seriously ticked her off even more, but that wasn't the point. Well, actually it was. You see, holiday shoppers are the worst human beings on earth. They'd commit genocide if it meant they got that last pair of light up musical reindeer socks for that uncle that they pretend to like. They're mean, nasty, horrible human beings and everyone knows it. They're there without fail every year, and here was my inaugural psychotic witch of the 2007 Christmas Season!
It really IS that time of year again, isn't it?!!!
I left the store grinning like and idiot and had to explain to Mr. Savy that apparently my Holiday Season could not be kicked off without the annual "Screw YOU!" from some demented, disturbed, sad little holiday shopper... and I just got mine!
Christmas music all the way home, baby! All I needed was a "Merry F'you!" Who knew?
Friday, November 16, 2007
The Cookie Law
The time has come. The first Law of Winter (there are 12) in the Savy household has now gone into effect. The law clearly states that on the first snow (regardless of accumulation, multiple snowflakes must be involved for an extended period of time to qualify as an actual snowfall with overcast skies and low temperatures) the household must, without fail, make homemade chocolate chip cookies with the fireplace roaring and hot chocolate bubbling on the stove top (microwave hot chocolate is just missing something, and the stuff made with water? Oh, no no no. You haven't tasted REAL hot chocolate if that is all you have. Not to mention I also make a fantastic adult version for the grown-ups involving Amaretto.)
This is a law I enacted when I was much younger. I spent a great deal of time on my own from the age of about 6 and onward, but holidays and wintry weather seemed to bring people together. Noting that, and a general penchant all humans seem to have for scarfing down cookies while snow batters the windows and swirls around the eaves, I started baking cookies every first snowfall of the season. It evolved into tradition. Tradition became law.
I wouldn't want to break the law, now would I?
Snow started falling this morning and I heard loud cheering from the kids before I even realized that the rain had changed over. Unfortunately, I was still in rather chilly workout clothes because I had just finished Kenpo and figured I'd cool off while walking the kids to the bus. It turns out that no matter how hot and sweaty you are, if you walk out into 30 degree weather with rain changing into snow (i.e. it's wet enough to soak you first, and then cold enough to freeze you) it's tantamount to suicide. Or at the very least torture.
The bus was late, and I was just dying out there. But I was also being used by my kids to block the bitter wind, so I couldn't just bail on them to run back to the house. Kinda makes mommy a wimp if I leave them to fend for themselves, even if they were bundled head to toe. Speaking of which, clearly my entire brain isn't on in the morning if I have enough working to correctly dress my children for the elements, but then think I will be fine in spandex and a sports bra. It's a good thing that I am not the rocket scientist in the house, I probably would have vaporized myself long ago.
By the time the bus showed up, I had literally hit the point where my body was so numb from the cold that it gave the illusion of being warm. I was so stiff from the cold that even after the kids were on the bus and I could run back to the house, I couldn't get my body to move that fast and had to walk instead with the snow blowing into my face. It was like being stuck in those bad dreams where you can't run fast, no matter how hard you try.
Speaking of bad dreams, I don't know what is up with me lately but every morning I am SO grateful to wake up and realize that this is reality, not my dreams. I also had my first ever blogger-dream (at least I think it was my first) and I was out in Seattle wandering a graveyard with Dave, and talking to Hilly on a cellphone while Lisa kept running and ducking behind trees stalking us, and then we all ended up at a freaky cabin in the woods that had about 20 skylights with Neil. It wasn't a nightmare exactly (except for the fact that it was apparently 1989) but I woke up so confused that it was a relief to roll out of bed. I have no explanation for that one. Maybe it's a hint I need to attend one of these darn blogger conventions already! Geeze!
And on the dreaming note, my cat (Socrates) is sleeping curled up under the tree in the study here. He is SO happy he has the trees to cuddle up to again. And since there is one in every room except the kitchen, he can follow me around and still occupy his favorite spots either under or IN the trees.
Makes me want to take a nap... Anyone want a cookie?
This is a law I enacted when I was much younger. I spent a great deal of time on my own from the age of about 6 and onward, but holidays and wintry weather seemed to bring people together. Noting that, and a general penchant all humans seem to have for scarfing down cookies while snow batters the windows and swirls around the eaves, I started baking cookies every first snowfall of the season. It evolved into tradition. Tradition became law.
I wouldn't want to break the law, now would I?
Snow started falling this morning and I heard loud cheering from the kids before I even realized that the rain had changed over. Unfortunately, I was still in rather chilly workout clothes because I had just finished Kenpo and figured I'd cool off while walking the kids to the bus. It turns out that no matter how hot and sweaty you are, if you walk out into 30 degree weather with rain changing into snow (i.e. it's wet enough to soak you first, and then cold enough to freeze you) it's tantamount to suicide. Or at the very least torture.
The bus was late, and I was just dying out there. But I was also being used by my kids to block the bitter wind, so I couldn't just bail on them to run back to the house. Kinda makes mommy a wimp if I leave them to fend for themselves, even if they were bundled head to toe. Speaking of which, clearly my entire brain isn't on in the morning if I have enough working to correctly dress my children for the elements, but then think I will be fine in spandex and a sports bra. It's a good thing that I am not the rocket scientist in the house, I probably would have vaporized myself long ago.
By the time the bus showed up, I had literally hit the point where my body was so numb from the cold that it gave the illusion of being warm. I was so stiff from the cold that even after the kids were on the bus and I could run back to the house, I couldn't get my body to move that fast and had to walk instead with the snow blowing into my face. It was like being stuck in those bad dreams where you can't run fast, no matter how hard you try.
Speaking of bad dreams, I don't know what is up with me lately but every morning I am SO grateful to wake up and realize that this is reality, not my dreams. I also had my first ever blogger-dream (at least I think it was my first) and I was out in Seattle wandering a graveyard with Dave, and talking to Hilly on a cellphone while Lisa kept running and ducking behind trees stalking us, and then we all ended up at a freaky cabin in the woods that had about 20 skylights with Neil. It wasn't a nightmare exactly (except for the fact that it was apparently 1989) but I woke up so confused that it was a relief to roll out of bed. I have no explanation for that one. Maybe it's a hint I need to attend one of these darn blogger conventions already! Geeze!
And on the dreaming note, my cat (Socrates) is sleeping curled up under the tree in the study here. He is SO happy he has the trees to cuddle up to again. And since there is one in every room except the kitchen, he can follow me around and still occupy his favorite spots either under or IN the trees.
Makes me want to take a nap... Anyone want a cookie?
Wednesday, November 14, 2007
Fa La La *gag* La!
There is a radio station out here (likely with affiliates all across the U.S.) that switched over to playing only Christmas music a week or more ago. Now, I know I just got done a few posts ago explaining that I am putting up Christmas decorations already, but I must confess that while I am gearing up for the lights, I am NOT ready for all the music.
I can't quite put my finger on why I am alright with a wreath going up, but I run screaming when I hear the slow tones of Elvis crooning about mistletoe. Ok, it's Elvis, so no real mystery there, but even the other ones. Actually, now that I think about it, that station doesn't seem to play any good Christmas music. Maybe that is the problem? It seems that every time I flip that channel on out comes a "Feed the World!" song or one of the 10 others they seem to play repeatedly that should probably be locked away for at least another decade until they're heard again.
Yesterday I tried. I really did. I was driving to college, and since its an hour and I was a captive audience I figured I would give it a shot. I turned on that station and really tried to listen and get into it. At first I seemed to be doing all right. But then my left eye started twitching, my hands gripped the steering wheel too tightly, and I kept thinking about diving out the window. I think what they're playing is a huge part of it, but I also think I just can't get into Christmas music when it's still green outside. I think I need snow. It just feels far too early for me for Christmas carols. And, yes, I think I need Thanksgiving to happen first too.
I guess I'm not a complete Christmas freak. How disappointing.
I can't quite put my finger on why I am alright with a wreath going up, but I run screaming when I hear the slow tones of Elvis crooning about mistletoe. Ok, it's Elvis, so no real mystery there, but even the other ones. Actually, now that I think about it, that station doesn't seem to play any good Christmas music. Maybe that is the problem? It seems that every time I flip that channel on out comes a "Feed the World!" song or one of the 10 others they seem to play repeatedly that should probably be locked away for at least another decade until they're heard again.
Yesterday I tried. I really did. I was driving to college, and since its an hour and I was a captive audience I figured I would give it a shot. I turned on that station and really tried to listen and get into it. At first I seemed to be doing all right. But then my left eye started twitching, my hands gripped the steering wheel too tightly, and I kept thinking about diving out the window. I think what they're playing is a huge part of it, but I also think I just can't get into Christmas music when it's still green outside. I think I need snow. It just feels far too early for me for Christmas carols. And, yes, I think I need Thanksgiving to happen first too.
I guess I'm not a complete Christmas freak. How disappointing.
Monday, November 12, 2007
Bombs and Splinters
I have no idea what the exact details were in my dream that had me diffusing a bomb like a busty Macgyver, but there I was in a panic with the wire clippers made out of ductape and hair-pins watching the numbers count down... 5... 4... 3... 2... 1... BEEP!!! BEEP! BEEP! SLAM! *gasp* ow.
My stupid alarm went off when the blast from the bomb went off in my dream, and I went off the damn bed.
Yeah, laugh it up. Mr. Savy and my cat shared a moment of laughter and tears.
Bite me.
I then stumbled off to my P90X workout, which is Plyometrics since I switched back to the Classic version this week (and plan to continue it until New Years and then reevaluate.) It was as I was hopping around my basement like a derranged rabbit on catnip that I felt a stabbing pain in my foot. I sat down, pulled off my shoe, and found a GIANT SPLINTER over two inches long sticking out of the bottom of my foot!
Ok, isn't that why we wear shoes in the first place? So we don't GET splinters the size of a support beam from Noah's Ark in our feet? Who gets splinters in their shoes? Not to mention that the worst part of a splinter isn't the discovery of it, but the extraction. But hey, at least I have kindling for the bonfire this weekend.
It's a Monday. Without a doubt. None whatsoever. Nadda. Zip.
Though, to be honest, I can't blame it all on being a Monday. I've felt totally wiped out for a couple days now. Mentally and physically I just want to crawl into a corner of my closet and not come out. That sounds reasonable, doesn't it? I think so. Forward all my mail to under the bed and be done with it for about a week. Yep, that sounds just about perfect.
Switching gears a little, do any of you ever find yourself going through the motions on something and realize that this is when the character in the movie gets killed because they're stupid? Every now and then, that happens. Last night it was very dark downstairs. I hit the light switch and nothing came on. It wasn't that the bulb was out or some normal sort of explanation; it just wouldn't turn on. I then heard weird noises from the room in front of me, rising up out of the pitch black darkness.
Since the wall switch works with another switch at the other end, I decided to walk down there - into the darkened room, and try to turn on the light with the other switch. It was as I was reaching for the switch in the dark with the strange noises coming at me that I realized that this is when the stupid characters are eaten in the movie. This is when reason deserts the character and they irrationally decide to head towards the other switch even though they hear the monster noises coming from the dark, and then are honestly surprised when the giant radioactive blob with 16 sets of retractable titanium tipped teeth comes out of the darkness and snaps them in two.
The monster was my cat taking personal offense at one of the artificial Christmas tree decorations. Sure, I survived. But it's becoming abundantly clear that if I were out at a cabin in the woods with friends, surrounded by mutant towns people intent on flossing their teeth with our ligaments, I would probably be the first to go.
Assuming the splinter in my foot didn't kill me first.
My stupid alarm went off when the blast from the bomb went off in my dream, and I went off the damn bed.
Yeah, laugh it up. Mr. Savy and my cat shared a moment of laughter and tears.
Bite me.
I then stumbled off to my P90X workout, which is Plyometrics since I switched back to the Classic version this week (and plan to continue it until New Years and then reevaluate.) It was as I was hopping around my basement like a derranged rabbit on catnip that I felt a stabbing pain in my foot. I sat down, pulled off my shoe, and found a GIANT SPLINTER over two inches long sticking out of the bottom of my foot!
Ok, isn't that why we wear shoes in the first place? So we don't GET splinters the size of a support beam from Noah's Ark in our feet? Who gets splinters in their shoes? Not to mention that the worst part of a splinter isn't the discovery of it, but the extraction. But hey, at least I have kindling for the bonfire this weekend.
It's a Monday. Without a doubt. None whatsoever. Nadda. Zip.
Though, to be honest, I can't blame it all on being a Monday. I've felt totally wiped out for a couple days now. Mentally and physically I just want to crawl into a corner of my closet and not come out. That sounds reasonable, doesn't it? I think so. Forward all my mail to under the bed and be done with it for about a week. Yep, that sounds just about perfect.
Switching gears a little, do any of you ever find yourself going through the motions on something and realize that this is when the character in the movie gets killed because they're stupid? Every now and then, that happens. Last night it was very dark downstairs. I hit the light switch and nothing came on. It wasn't that the bulb was out or some normal sort of explanation; it just wouldn't turn on. I then heard weird noises from the room in front of me, rising up out of the pitch black darkness.
Since the wall switch works with another switch at the other end, I decided to walk down there - into the darkened room, and try to turn on the light with the other switch. It was as I was reaching for the switch in the dark with the strange noises coming at me that I realized that this is when the stupid characters are eaten in the movie. This is when reason deserts the character and they irrationally decide to head towards the other switch even though they hear the monster noises coming from the dark, and then are honestly surprised when the giant radioactive blob with 16 sets of retractable titanium tipped teeth comes out of the darkness and snaps them in two.
The monster was my cat taking personal offense at one of the artificial Christmas tree decorations. Sure, I survived. But it's becoming abundantly clear that if I were out at a cabin in the woods with friends, surrounded by mutant towns people intent on flossing their teeth with our ligaments, I would probably be the first to go.
Assuming the splinter in my foot didn't kill me first.
Thursday, November 08, 2007
It's All In Fun
Is anyone else completely fed up with all the toy recalls? Every single day there is a new "This will kill your kid too!" in the news. It's not that I don't think it's important, I think we need to get this junk off our shelves. That isn't what bothers me. What bothers me is that this stuff has probably been in the market since I bought these kinds of things for my kids when they were young, and were probably there when I was a kid too.
Heck, thinking back to a lot of the toys we had (which were far fewer in number, these kids have no idea what having a limited selection means) I figure I'm lucky to be alive! Not to mention the things we did with them. I don't suppose anyone else tried melting down the little army men? Not that I did, or anything. *ahem*
You all know that I am getting my degree in business (I was told I should look into possibly seeking a law degree too - can you imagine? Fine Art, Business Administration, and Law? They'd probably put me into a circus. Maybe I should collect one in biology too or something... Oh wait, I am a certified personal trainer, so that counts on a lesser level, right? Alright, so maybe... Astronomy? I would say chemistry, but considering I can cause a casserole to spontaneously combust, I think that's dangerous to even contemplate.) One of the things they hammer into the business students is ethics. Business ethics, and a lack thereof to watch out for. A lack as in, you KNOW there is lead paint or date-rape drug compounds used on your toys and you still sell them because you don't care about anything but the money. I'm SO tired of this mentality that if a child is a million miles away it's acceptable to harm them so long as we keep the costs down. The reverse holds true for a lot of US business practices affecting those in other countries. We're not the lonely victims here, and it'd be naive to think we are. Heck, in a CNN article about bad employees they stated that while the national population average for psychopaths is 1%, in the executive population it's %3.5.
Still, it's not as if this stuff appeared magically over night. The news started having a field day with the recalls, so more focus was given to testing things and whaddyaknow? Harmful junk everywhere! Shocker. Really.
It is, as the media wanted, doubly a pain in the neck trying to figure out what to do about Christmas this year. Not only are we all broke and hemorrhaging money by the bucket (or the barrel as the phrasing would be more appropriate), but now we can add feeling like we're risking our children with every gift. Happy Freakin' Holidays?
And speaking of the holidays! I got all my Halloween stuff down, and now I am slowly but surely pulling up the Christmas stuff from the crawl space. Now, reading that sentence, how many of you were instantly irritated? Decorating - this early? Who the hell does she think she is? Have you ever wondered why that is? I understand being annoyed at retailers having Christmas stuff out early (my local Wal-Mart had Christmas stuff out since September.) They're just cashing in, and trying to shove commercialism down our throats. But why be annoyed at your neighbor? They're not selling you anything or expecting anything from you, it is simply something that makes them happy - why does that tick everyone else off?
I catch tons of flack for putting up my stuff early. But if you had to put up as much as I do you would start early too. I like it, but lets face it - a tree in every room is a full time job for a week! Yes, they're fake trees. No, we do not decorate our main family Christmas tree now, our tradition is to gather the family after thanksgiving dinner and decorate it while everyone has pie. Our family is scattered to the winds, so Thanksgiving is a rare time we're all together. And here is something else; we don't do big Christmases. Our budget is low and the kids get one gift from us and one from Santa + stocking (and of course each other, which they usually make.) We aren't about the gifts, we're about the lights and snuggling in front of the fire with hot chocolate. I love this time of year. I'm in it for the lights, the warmth, and the snow (which some is predicted to fall this morning.)
So, even with the "haters" out there, I'm slowly putting my decorations up. It's a lot of work. The spiders alone are freaking me out! I feel like I'm in a deleted scene from Arachnophobia!
The cat is inordinately pleased, running from one tree to another and flopping on his back as if the trees were constructed out of catnip. My neurotic labrador is driving me insane though. Because I have several wreaths leaning against walls until I find the hangers for them, my dog's OCD has been triggered and he has decided that to move from room to room must include going THROUGH the center of the wreaths. I'm not making that up, I wish I were. Imagine cooking dinner and seeing your black labrador go by wearing a giant wreath like everything was normal. Seriously, there must be medication for him or something.
And now I'm off to take care of Mr. Savy's favorite part; hanging the mistletoe. And if anyone has a problem with that, they can kiss my...
;)
Heck, thinking back to a lot of the toys we had (which were far fewer in number, these kids have no idea what having a limited selection means) I figure I'm lucky to be alive! Not to mention the things we did with them. I don't suppose anyone else tried melting down the little army men? Not that I did, or anything. *ahem*
You all know that I am getting my degree in business (I was told I should look into possibly seeking a law degree too - can you imagine? Fine Art, Business Administration, and Law? They'd probably put me into a circus. Maybe I should collect one in biology too or something... Oh wait, I am a certified personal trainer, so that counts on a lesser level, right? Alright, so maybe... Astronomy? I would say chemistry, but considering I can cause a casserole to spontaneously combust, I think that's dangerous to even contemplate.) One of the things they hammer into the business students is ethics. Business ethics, and a lack thereof to watch out for. A lack as in, you KNOW there is lead paint or date-rape drug compounds used on your toys and you still sell them because you don't care about anything but the money. I'm SO tired of this mentality that if a child is a million miles away it's acceptable to harm them so long as we keep the costs down. The reverse holds true for a lot of US business practices affecting those in other countries. We're not the lonely victims here, and it'd be naive to think we are. Heck, in a CNN article about bad employees they stated that while the national population average for psychopaths is 1%, in the executive population it's %3.5.
Still, it's not as if this stuff appeared magically over night. The news started having a field day with the recalls, so more focus was given to testing things and whaddyaknow? Harmful junk everywhere! Shocker. Really.
It is, as the media wanted, doubly a pain in the neck trying to figure out what to do about Christmas this year. Not only are we all broke and hemorrhaging money by the bucket (or the barrel as the phrasing would be more appropriate), but now we can add feeling like we're risking our children with every gift. Happy Freakin' Holidays?
And speaking of the holidays! I got all my Halloween stuff down, and now I am slowly but surely pulling up the Christmas stuff from the crawl space. Now, reading that sentence, how many of you were instantly irritated? Decorating - this early? Who the hell does she think she is? Have you ever wondered why that is? I understand being annoyed at retailers having Christmas stuff out early (my local Wal-Mart had Christmas stuff out since September.) They're just cashing in, and trying to shove commercialism down our throats. But why be annoyed at your neighbor? They're not selling you anything or expecting anything from you, it is simply something that makes them happy - why does that tick everyone else off?
I catch tons of flack for putting up my stuff early. But if you had to put up as much as I do you would start early too. I like it, but lets face it - a tree in every room is a full time job for a week! Yes, they're fake trees. No, we do not decorate our main family Christmas tree now, our tradition is to gather the family after thanksgiving dinner and decorate it while everyone has pie. Our family is scattered to the winds, so Thanksgiving is a rare time we're all together. And here is something else; we don't do big Christmases. Our budget is low and the kids get one gift from us and one from Santa + stocking (and of course each other, which they usually make.) We aren't about the gifts, we're about the lights and snuggling in front of the fire with hot chocolate. I love this time of year. I'm in it for the lights, the warmth, and the snow (which some is predicted to fall this morning.)
So, even with the "haters" out there, I'm slowly putting my decorations up. It's a lot of work. The spiders alone are freaking me out! I feel like I'm in a deleted scene from Arachnophobia!
The cat is inordinately pleased, running from one tree to another and flopping on his back as if the trees were constructed out of catnip. My neurotic labrador is driving me insane though. Because I have several wreaths leaning against walls until I find the hangers for them, my dog's OCD has been triggered and he has decided that to move from room to room must include going THROUGH the center of the wreaths. I'm not making that up, I wish I were. Imagine cooking dinner and seeing your black labrador go by wearing a giant wreath like everything was normal. Seriously, there must be medication for him or something.
And now I'm off to take care of Mr. Savy's favorite part; hanging the mistletoe. And if anyone has a problem with that, they can kiss my...
;)
Wednesday, November 07, 2007
It's Raining Cows!
Well, it is if you're in Washington apparently. How does one explain that to an insurance adjuster? "Look, we were just driving along and then a 600 lbs cow dropped out of the sky and onto my minivan!" Who's going to believe that?
Maybe I've been watching too many cartoons with my children, but I have a mental image of the cow pulling an Icarus stunt. You know, build yourself some wings and fly, get caught up in it, fly too close to the sun and then plunge to your death bemooooooooooaning your fate.
They DID say that the cow had been missing for a couple of days... who's to say it didn't break into the chicken coop and steal a bunch of feathers? Crafty cows happen, I'm telling you. I live in Vermont, and I KNOW they're plotting world domination. I can see it in their eyes. Maybe that cow was a suicide bomber? Oooooooo! Maybe it was a B-52, as in BOVINE-52!
(Stop groaning, I can hear you from here. Sounds oddly like mooing.)
Maybe I've been watching too many cartoons with my children, but I have a mental image of the cow pulling an Icarus stunt. You know, build yourself some wings and fly, get caught up in it, fly too close to the sun and then plunge to your death bemooooooooooaning your fate.
They DID say that the cow had been missing for a couple of days... who's to say it didn't break into the chicken coop and steal a bunch of feathers? Crafty cows happen, I'm telling you. I live in Vermont, and I KNOW they're plotting world domination. I can see it in their eyes. Maybe that cow was a suicide bomber? Oooooooo! Maybe it was a B-52, as in BOVINE-52!
(Stop groaning, I can hear you from here. Sounds oddly like mooing.)
Tuesday, November 06, 2007
I'm Watching You
Right now the local media is all abuzz with the idea of microchipping children. The idea is that you chip your kid at birth or now, and viola! Instant tracking. You can GPS them down to the room of the house... ok well, not quite that detailed (yet) but pretty close. So many people are for this.
I see the point; if you know instantly where a kid is anywhere in the world kidnappings become a thing of the past for the most part. You can keep track of your children and make sure they're where they said they were going to be. YOU can be "big brother" to your own offspring. I understand the compulsion, I do. I love my kids, I want to lock them away until they're 104. I get it.
Except... if I was that kid, and I was chipped, I would be seriously ticked off. Heck, I would probably find a way to dig the darn thing out of me myself. Not to mention, isn't there a part of growth and development which involves having trust placed in you and you deciding whether or not to live up to it? AKA building of character and responsibility? I'm all for no kidnappings. I'm not so hot on no personal trust.
And, of course I have to consider the conspiracy side of things. Isn't chipping your kid one sneeze short of chipping your employee? Spouse?
Mr. Savy doesn't care. He is all for the chipping. He doesn't care even if he ends up chipped, because he says "I am a law abiding citizen just trying to live my life, I'm not doing anything wrong. So, the chip affords me all the benefits and none of the disadvantages." He didn't even bite when asked what happens when his employer has a computer tracking system on the chip and questions how much time he spent at the drinking fountain per month, etc.
Me, I have no desire to engage in illegal practices, but I still don't like the idea of someone tracking my every breath. It's disturbing, even if I'm not doing anything wrong. There is just a certain level of policing that seems like a crime all on its own.
On the other hand, maybe I'll tag Mr. Savy just for fun... you know, seeing as he doesn't mind.
I see the point; if you know instantly where a kid is anywhere in the world kidnappings become a thing of the past for the most part. You can keep track of your children and make sure they're where they said they were going to be. YOU can be "big brother" to your own offspring. I understand the compulsion, I do. I love my kids, I want to lock them away until they're 104. I get it.
Except... if I was that kid, and I was chipped, I would be seriously ticked off. Heck, I would probably find a way to dig the darn thing out of me myself. Not to mention, isn't there a part of growth and development which involves having trust placed in you and you deciding whether or not to live up to it? AKA building of character and responsibility? I'm all for no kidnappings. I'm not so hot on no personal trust.
And, of course I have to consider the conspiracy side of things. Isn't chipping your kid one sneeze short of chipping your employee? Spouse?
Mr. Savy doesn't care. He is all for the chipping. He doesn't care even if he ends up chipped, because he says "I am a law abiding citizen just trying to live my life, I'm not doing anything wrong. So, the chip affords me all the benefits and none of the disadvantages." He didn't even bite when asked what happens when his employer has a computer tracking system on the chip and questions how much time he spent at the drinking fountain per month, etc.
Me, I have no desire to engage in illegal practices, but I still don't like the idea of someone tracking my every breath. It's disturbing, even if I'm not doing anything wrong. There is just a certain level of policing that seems like a crime all on its own.
On the other hand, maybe I'll tag Mr. Savy just for fun... you know, seeing as he doesn't mind.
Monday, November 05, 2007
A Dash Of Success
I debated posting about this for a while, but I figured what the hell. It's my blog, right?
For those who have tracked me for a while (as in years) you know that I had hit my goal weight (of about 150lbs) many years ago and maintained. I then trained for a marathon for an excessively long time because the dates got moved around, and mysteriously gained 34lbs by the time I ran it. The why's had to do with my body reacting to what it considered extreme circumstances and changing it's metabolism in a sort of metabolic panic. I gained eating next to nothing and running 20+ miles in one shot. Truly a mathematical impossibility to many, but it was true.
I saw many doctors, talked to many people, and eventually found some information. I found a supplement which halted the gain (plus I stopped running that far) and eventually, over a couple years, turned the nightmare back around. At first it simply halted and I couldn't lose no matter what I did for over a year. This was very emotional for me, a sort of trapped feeling. For someone who used weight as a control mechanism, this was NOT a happy place to be.
Eventually it started releasing some weight, but then it stuck at my once-upon-a-time old set-point. Sure, I weighed what I weighed in high school, and technically it wasn't considered over-weight by the charts, but it was overweight for me by about 20+ lbs (us tall folks have a huge weight range to play with on the BMI charts.) But I couldn't budge the set-point. The best I got was a few pounds below it, and then something would happen - usually being ME. I would get tired, frustrated, chuck it all when nothing changed for months on end of hard work (even though I could lose, it wasn't at a normal rate like everyone else and my metabolism would have mini-freakouts where it would gain again for no reason before chilling out.) I then became the problem, not my metabolism issue. Ironic, eh?
So, that is what I have struggled with since my marathon in 2004. It's been a pain in the butt, to say the least. So, why am I rehashing this? Because I wanted to share that I have well and truly broken through that old set point. I'm the lowest I have been since months before my marathon, and I am continuing to go down - finally. I'm sharing because I feel like I am finally in the last leg of my own personal marathon, and it's a damn good feeling to finally cross over.
We make a lot of noise on the blogosphere about things that aren't going our way. I thought I would share about something in my life that finally IS going my way. It's such a good feeling, and what is more is that I am at a completely different point in my head than I was even four years ago. I have a balance and peace I didn't have then, and it is such that one day (at goal, of course) I might even be able to look back and say that this struggle was worth it.
Oh, not yet, of course. But maybe someday.
Oh, and last night at midnight I registered for my LAST semester in college. I graduate in May! I had to stay up that late to register as soon as I was allowed because I have no choice about my classes and I would hate to have to resort to ugly tactics to get in what I need. Midnight was a much more peaceful solution. I have one more hurdle tomorrow with a class that has to be registered separately, but then I am done with registering! No more registering again! No more classes after one more semester. Can you believe it? Yay!
For those who have tracked me for a while (as in years) you know that I had hit my goal weight (of about 150lbs) many years ago and maintained. I then trained for a marathon for an excessively long time because the dates got moved around, and mysteriously gained 34lbs by the time I ran it. The why's had to do with my body reacting to what it considered extreme circumstances and changing it's metabolism in a sort of metabolic panic. I gained eating next to nothing and running 20+ miles in one shot. Truly a mathematical impossibility to many, but it was true.
I saw many doctors, talked to many people, and eventually found some information. I found a supplement which halted the gain (plus I stopped running that far) and eventually, over a couple years, turned the nightmare back around. At first it simply halted and I couldn't lose no matter what I did for over a year. This was very emotional for me, a sort of trapped feeling. For someone who used weight as a control mechanism, this was NOT a happy place to be.
Eventually it started releasing some weight, but then it stuck at my once-upon-a-time old set-point. Sure, I weighed what I weighed in high school, and technically it wasn't considered over-weight by the charts, but it was overweight for me by about 20+ lbs (us tall folks have a huge weight range to play with on the BMI charts.) But I couldn't budge the set-point. The best I got was a few pounds below it, and then something would happen - usually being ME. I would get tired, frustrated, chuck it all when nothing changed for months on end of hard work (even though I could lose, it wasn't at a normal rate like everyone else and my metabolism would have mini-freakouts where it would gain again for no reason before chilling out.) I then became the problem, not my metabolism issue. Ironic, eh?
So, that is what I have struggled with since my marathon in 2004. It's been a pain in the butt, to say the least. So, why am I rehashing this? Because I wanted to share that I have well and truly broken through that old set point. I'm the lowest I have been since months before my marathon, and I am continuing to go down - finally. I'm sharing because I feel like I am finally in the last leg of my own personal marathon, and it's a damn good feeling to finally cross over.
We make a lot of noise on the blogosphere about things that aren't going our way. I thought I would share about something in my life that finally IS going my way. It's such a good feeling, and what is more is that I am at a completely different point in my head than I was even four years ago. I have a balance and peace I didn't have then, and it is such that one day (at goal, of course) I might even be able to look back and say that this struggle was worth it.
Oh, not yet, of course. But maybe someday.
Oh, and last night at midnight I registered for my LAST semester in college. I graduate in May! I had to stay up that late to register as soon as I was allowed because I have no choice about my classes and I would hate to have to resort to ugly tactics to get in what I need. Midnight was a much more peaceful solution. I have one more hurdle tomorrow with a class that has to be registered separately, but then I am done with registering! No more registering again! No more classes after one more semester. Can you believe it? Yay!
Saturday, November 03, 2007
Oh Save Me
10 children.
No more movies they're willing to watch.
Vats of candy consumed.
No sign of them going to sleep any time soon.
No flights to a tropical paradise available.
No more movies they're willing to watch.
Vats of candy consumed.
No sign of them going to sleep any time soon.
No flights to a tropical paradise available.
Friday, November 02, 2007
Unabomber and Dentists
I'm having a truly bizarre week. I didn't get the photos/post of our Halloween night up until very late yesterday because I left my house at 7:30 a.m. and didn't get back home until well after 10 p.m. I was at school all day long. Ugh. Why? Because I had to attend a speech by the Unabomber's brother, the one that turned him in.
Yeah, that got my attention too. If I had to attend a late night conference, at least it was going to be interesting.
In summary, it was about David Kaczynski and his dawning realization (brought on by his wife's insistence) that his brother likely was the Unabomber, and having to turn him in. It was also a presentation about how he is against the death penalty, especially in cases involving mental illness. Manny Babbit's brother (Manny Babbit was put to death in 1999 for killing an elderly woman) was also there to speak out against the death penalty.
It was a sort of surreal evening. I am, actually, against the death penalty. However, I see serious problems with a system that will not hold criminals away from the public as it should. I guess you could say that I am conflicted. What I found particularly interesting was the assertion that it is more expensive to put someone to death than it is to hold them for life in prison (all costs considered, including all the legal action up to the point of execution.) That was one little tidbit of information I was not aware of, and the more research I do the more information I find to back it up.
I'm not trying to start a debate, just throwing out some of what was said last night. It does make a person think.
Moving on to dentists (nice transition, don't you think?) I just got back from mine. I HATE the dentist... ok I don't hate him, but I hate that I feel like I have a mouth full of sand for hours afterwards! And... Well... I'm kinda ticked off actually.
My dentist is a honest guy. Never hinted at a cavity for me, and when it came time with my daughter having issues, they were clear. I trust him as far as dentistry goes. But lately, there has been a push on the last couple of visits towards the orthodontist for my children. First it was all about the spacing of may daughter's teeth (starting when she was only 8.) My husband's were spaced the same way and he ended up with perfect teeth and no braces. But they keep pushing, just trying to get me to at least "go once and talk with the orthodontist."
Today it was about my 6 year old (ok, almost 7) and his bite. Apparently it isn't perfect. Sure, maybe it'll work out fine but... and you know, the orthodontist might recommend a thing to make his upper pallet wider, or whatnot. And when I said "but it's not severe or anything right? (no) So then, what if I don't do anything?" Well, maybe it'll be fine, but maybe not. Could be costly years down the road. "Costly, HOW exactly? What's the risk here?" Well, it could affect his muscles in his jaw maybe a little, and maybe make him uncomfortable... etc.
In short, maybe there is a problem, maybe not, but what I am feeling is a big push to throw kids towards the orthodontist. Are they the new cash-cows for the orthodontist industry or something? It's weird to trust my dentist but to get a feeling in the pit of my stomach that this is about business and not my children's wellbeing, if you follow. Wanna chime in on this one? I could use the input, feedback, whatever. And if you are an orthodontist and offended, don't go there on a nasty level. I have a right to feel this way, and it's bad enough I have to defend my questions in the dentist office with a mouth full of gravel as if I haven't a right to ask in the first place. (Me defensive? never. *ahem*)
Yeah, that got my attention too. If I had to attend a late night conference, at least it was going to be interesting.
In summary, it was about David Kaczynski and his dawning realization (brought on by his wife's insistence) that his brother likely was the Unabomber, and having to turn him in. It was also a presentation about how he is against the death penalty, especially in cases involving mental illness. Manny Babbit's brother (Manny Babbit was put to death in 1999 for killing an elderly woman) was also there to speak out against the death penalty.
It was a sort of surreal evening. I am, actually, against the death penalty. However, I see serious problems with a system that will not hold criminals away from the public as it should. I guess you could say that I am conflicted. What I found particularly interesting was the assertion that it is more expensive to put someone to death than it is to hold them for life in prison (all costs considered, including all the legal action up to the point of execution.) That was one little tidbit of information I was not aware of, and the more research I do the more information I find to back it up.
I'm not trying to start a debate, just throwing out some of what was said last night. It does make a person think.
Moving on to dentists (nice transition, don't you think?) I just got back from mine. I HATE the dentist... ok I don't hate him, but I hate that I feel like I have a mouth full of sand for hours afterwards! And... Well... I'm kinda ticked off actually.
My dentist is a honest guy. Never hinted at a cavity for me, and when it came time with my daughter having issues, they were clear. I trust him as far as dentistry goes. But lately, there has been a push on the last couple of visits towards the orthodontist for my children. First it was all about the spacing of may daughter's teeth (starting when she was only 8.) My husband's were spaced the same way and he ended up with perfect teeth and no braces. But they keep pushing, just trying to get me to at least "go once and talk with the orthodontist."
Today it was about my 6 year old (ok, almost 7) and his bite. Apparently it isn't perfect. Sure, maybe it'll work out fine but... and you know, the orthodontist might recommend a thing to make his upper pallet wider, or whatnot. And when I said "but it's not severe or anything right? (no) So then, what if I don't do anything?" Well, maybe it'll be fine, but maybe not. Could be costly years down the road. "Costly, HOW exactly? What's the risk here?" Well, it could affect his muscles in his jaw maybe a little, and maybe make him uncomfortable... etc.
In short, maybe there is a problem, maybe not, but what I am feeling is a big push to throw kids towards the orthodontist. Are they the new cash-cows for the orthodontist industry or something? It's weird to trust my dentist but to get a feeling in the pit of my stomach that this is about business and not my children's wellbeing, if you follow. Wanna chime in on this one? I could use the input, feedback, whatever. And if you are an orthodontist and offended, don't go there on a nasty level. I have a right to feel this way, and it's bad enough I have to defend my questions in the dentist office with a mouth full of gravel as if I haven't a right to ask in the first place. (Me defensive? never. *ahem*)
Thursday, November 01, 2007
Halloween PIctures
I know, I know, I'm late. But honestly, I have had the LONGEST day, and I only got home a couple minutes ago (it's almost 11 p.m.) I'll explain tomorrow.
But for tonight, here are the pictures of trick-or-treating I promised! These are out of order, but it's late... give a girl a break!
Just a fun house with a tiny not-so-cowardly lion stalking my two kids.
I love the lilacs that people have on their walkways. I turned this picture blue (not posted) just to freak out my mother though, she's afraid of aliens with the whole eye-thing that my son has going on his mask. I take my thrills where I find them, what can I say?
This was the sunset that was happening just as we set out to start trick-or-treating.
My daughter skipped along whenever she could. Turns out she skips faster than she runs - HOW is that possible?
This was pretty typical for the houses; all decked out and cute at the same gaudy time.
Several of the houses had home-made graveyards like this one.
With big piles of leaves everywhere, we kept having to pull the kids out of them. I think I still have leaves in my hair.
This is the local library, they got into the act too.
There were a lot of older kids this year, I was rather surprised. I guess anything for candy, right?
We kept running into people we knew. It was social hour for the parents.
Leaves! Seriously! Their house is going to be buried at this rate! They lost three kids in that general area. Wonder if they're still there.
The churches all get into the act too, and all the candy has the church's name printed on the back. I think the different denominations compete for the best candy given out.
There was a troupe of local drummers (every year) which were kind of neat to listen to.
And the firehouse is always open for Halloween. They're my favorite, because they always give me a Reese's too... and I have a thing for sexy firemen.
So there you have it, our Halloween 2007 rounds! Both kids came home happy and with bags of candy we sorted through. My husband demanded anything with coconut, which the kids were only too happy to pay up (they hate coconut) and I refrained from asking for anything. Yay me! Of course the kids took it upon themselves to try and give me their very favorite candies, which made me slightly teary-eyed and just want to hug them for hours.
Now all I have to do is survive the "not quite done with Halloween slumber party bash" being held here on Saturday. NONE of the kids turned us down. It's going to be a massive party. I hit Wal-Mart today and got a ton of clearance Halloween junk. I'm ditching the pirate costume, and donning a ball-gown and tiara instead. I'm going to be the barefoot princess. It should be a blast... assuming I survive.
But for tonight, here are the pictures of trick-or-treating I promised! These are out of order, but it's late... give a girl a break!
Just a fun house with a tiny not-so-cowardly lion stalking my two kids.
I love the lilacs that people have on their walkways. I turned this picture blue (not posted) just to freak out my mother though, she's afraid of aliens with the whole eye-thing that my son has going on his mask. I take my thrills where I find them, what can I say?
This was the sunset that was happening just as we set out to start trick-or-treating.
My daughter skipped along whenever she could. Turns out she skips faster than she runs - HOW is that possible?
This was pretty typical for the houses; all decked out and cute at the same gaudy time.
Several of the houses had home-made graveyards like this one.
With big piles of leaves everywhere, we kept having to pull the kids out of them. I think I still have leaves in my hair.This is the local library, they got into the act too.
There were a lot of older kids this year, I was rather surprised. I guess anything for candy, right?We kept running into people we knew. It was social hour for the parents.
Leaves! Seriously! Their house is going to be buried at this rate! They lost three kids in that general area. Wonder if they're still there.
The churches all get into the act too, and all the candy has the church's name printed on the back. I think the different denominations compete for the best candy given out.
There was a troupe of local drummers (every year) which were kind of neat to listen to.And the firehouse is always open for Halloween. They're my favorite, because they always give me a Reese's too... and I have a thing for sexy firemen.
So there you have it, our Halloween 2007 rounds! Both kids came home happy and with bags of candy we sorted through. My husband demanded anything with coconut, which the kids were only too happy to pay up (they hate coconut) and I refrained from asking for anything. Yay me! Of course the kids took it upon themselves to try and give me their very favorite candies, which made me slightly teary-eyed and just want to hug them for hours.
Now all I have to do is survive the "not quite done with Halloween slumber party bash" being held here on Saturday. NONE of the kids turned us down. It's going to be a massive party. I hit Wal-Mart today and got a ton of clearance Halloween junk. I'm ditching the pirate costume, and donning a ball-gown and tiara instead. I'm going to be the barefoot princess. It should be a blast... assuming I survive.
Subscribe to:
Posts (Atom)
subscribe in a reader
