Really?

My goals update for this week:

Health – Been working out consistently for 6 weeks now, feeling really good and getting stronger. Yay! My friends at work have been a huge motivating factor, thanks ladies. I feel like

Marrick – Just about over whatever bug he had, no more fever.

Quinton – getting along well this week, I have chosen my no nag attitude and left the dishes in the sink … and the laundry in the basket … and the …

Extended Family – I really, really, really wish I could scope Laura Lee up and take care of her. This crap is not fair and she is too sweet to go through all that she does. Maybe she should become “bad” so we can at least justify all this. (Divorce crap this week, her lawyer is a shitty ass piece of … you get the picture) Luura, go raise some cane girl!

Work – Good.

Charity – My charity has been me!

Fun – My fun has been finding ways to eat low-carb for a few weeks. Now doesn’t that sound like fun? Trying to “shock” my body into losing and I’ve never giving this Atkins/South Beach thing a fair shake. I will let you know how it goes. I’m on day 4 now, never made it this long in the past.

I will post pics this week, promise. I’m also making a resolution to blog at twice a week instead of sitting on facebook.

I did Tony Horton!

Yep, I did Tony Horton yesterday on my lunch hour. What a nooner, thank goodness we have showers at work! My friend Lori at work has been kind enough to bring in all of her workout DVD’s and this week she brought in P90X DVD’s by Tony Horton, they are awesome. Yesterday we did this crazy core cardio one and today I’m sore from shoulders to knees. I would highly suggest him … I’m mean them!

Tony Horton

My goals update for this week:

Health – I worked out all but one day this week, eating was about an 8 out of 10.

Marrick – We had a lot of fun this week practicing letter writing.

Quinton – mmm, well no date alone, but we did go out to dinner last night with Marrick. I also started reading a marriage self-help book, now we need to do the exercises together.

Extended Family – More horrible crap happening in Rolla, man does it ever stop. Get out of Rolla!

Work – Good, productive week.

Charity – This is more long term!

Fun – No fun learning the camera, but I’m going to the movie tonight with sis.

Gotta’ go, my house is a wreck and I want to make it to the gym before the daycare closes. Have a great weekend.

Gold’s Gym

OK, I can’t be the only female at the gym that checks out chicks … please tell me I’m not. Don’t get me wrong, I check out the guys too, but I will never look like them no matter what I do.  Today I was hard at work going from the elliptical to the treadmill getting in my 4th workout in 4 days; yep that’s 4 for 4, when I looked up from my new Ken Follet novel and noticed this one ripped girl carrying a block of wood to the other side of the gym. I thought hummm, what is she going to do with that? I have a habit of checking out what the in-shape people are doing, so I can imitate their behavior (why imitate the less than ideal candidates in sweats?) She put it down and proceeded to do a crap-ton of ab work, I was thinking well why the hell did she carry that all the way over there if she wasn’t going to use it … and then she pulled it out. She squatted down, put her toes up on it and proceeded to do 15 straight-leg push-ups with her feet up on this thing, with ease. I was floored and by now more fascinated that she had this much upper body strength than most the men in the weight pit, than I was my 13th century masons and peasants in print. She proceeded to do a few more rounds of this and by the end could only master around 10, still impressive however. New goal for January, hang on, let me see how many straight leg push-ups I can do, brb. I’m back and the answer is two, now I’m even more impressed by this lady. So, my new goal for January is 15 straight-legged push-ups (no wood block). I’ll let you know come February 1 how I’m doing. How many can you do? Come on, get down and check and let me know.

2009

I am a blessed person, I have a great life which includes my husband, kids, and job. So 2009 is going to be a year of refinement! I’ve decided to try new tactics and this is what I’m thinking:

Health – instead of focusing on what I shouldn’t do (chocolate), I’m going to focus on what I should. Like filling my body with nutrient rich foods and making it strong through exercise. I will treat it like a temple!! tee hee, my husband’s words.

Marrick – Much more one-on-one time. Now that I’m done with school I can focus much more energy on him. Yeah.

Quinton – At least one date a month, we never get any alone time and I would like to feel like an married person who is dating her husband, not just living with him!

Extended Family – Try and quit worrying about problems I can’t fix. Offer support and love.

Work – Love my work and want to be more goal oriented and focus on tracking results and helping those around me.

Charity – I did two large charity projects last year. One was for The March of Dimes and the rest for the ADA. Not sure what this year will bring, but I would like to do another video.

Fun – Learn to use the D10 my sister loaned me, would like to be a much better photographer.

I will update on the status of these goals  every two weeks to hold myself accountable. I will also make myself some measurements to track progress.

What are you going to do in 2009?

Questions from a blog I read all the time. Linda is my blogging hero, what dedication.

1. What did you do in 2008 that you’d never done before?

Added on to my AS education and graduated with my BS.

2. Did you keep your new year’s resolutions, and will you make more for next year?

I don’t remember them … if I even made any. How lame! Yes, I am going to make some this year.

3. Did anyone close to you give birth?

Yes, my friend Stacey had baby Gabe and Brenda had Ben, both are adorable (of course). See previous posts.

4. Did anyone close to you die?

Yes, a close family friend committed suicide after being very ill and not being able to take it any longer. I’m still haunted by the image of him shooting himself. I also had a great aunt and uncle pass away within a few days of each other, they were brother and sister. Very sad.

5. What countries did you visit?

Nada, I’m destined to travel domestically for the rest of my life because I can’t get my hubby out of the country. Any girls want to go to Europe with me?

6. What would you like to have in 2009 that you lacked in 2008?

Muscle tone.

7. What dates from 2008 will remain etched upon your memory, and why?

November 6, the day I finished class.

8. What was your biggest achievement of the year?

Once again school graduation and moving into a new position at work.

9. What was your biggest failure?

Cutting back on my son’s television exposure and not working out regularly.

10. Did you suffer illness or injury?

Yes, gall bladder sickness and surgery and more frustrating bouts with vertigo. Talk about a ridiculous illness!

11. What was the best thing you bought?

Nothing big, maybe a large photo of Marrick.

12. Whose behavior merited celebration?

Barack Obama, whoop. Now let’s see what you can do Barack, don’t let us down.

13. Whose behavior made you appalled and depressed?

My brother-in-laws. No details, just really bad behavior … trust me.

14. Where did most of your money go?

The mortgage, daycare, and groceries.

15. What did you get really, really, really excited about?

Hummm, really, really, really. Nothing. I will do better next year.

16. What song will always remind you of 2008?

Dora, Dora, Dora the Explorer.

17. Compared to this time last year, are you:

a) happier or sadder? Sadder
b) thinner or fatter? About the same
c) richer or poorer? Same

18. What do you wish you’d done more of?

Communicated with my husband and work out.

19. What do you wish you’d done less of?

Been on the computer.

20. How did you spend Christmas?

In Rolla fighting with my husband and looking for a lost camera.

21. Did you fall in love in 2008?

Yes, with my son over and over again. He is the love of my life.

22. What was your favorite TV program?

I was introduced to Weeds and fell in love with it and no, I don’t smoke!

23. Do you hate anyone now that you didn’t hate this time last year?

No.

24. What was the best book you read?

I just started the new Ken Follett sequel to The Pillars of the Earth, this will be the best started in 2008 and finished in 2009 read I hope. I have high hopes for World Without End.

25. What was your greatest musical discovery?

Didn’t really have on. Oh wait, Garth in concert. Not a discovery, but it was awesome.

26. What did you want and get?

A degree.

27. What did you want and not get?

A husband who helped out around the house without me having to ask … or even when I did ask.

28. What was your favorite film of this year?

Slow movie year for me, I guess The Duchess.

29. What did you do on your birthday, and how old were you?

I honestly can’t remember, is that because of my age? 42.

30. What one thing would have made your year immeasurably more satisfying?

A stay-at-home wife of my very own. Yes, Linda wrote this first, but I’ve been saying I want a wife for a long time!

31. How would you describe your personal fashion concept in 2008?

What’s fashion?

32. What kept you sane?

I’m not sane.

33. Which celebrity/public figure did you fancy the most?

Barack Obama.

34. What political issue stirred you the most?

Do the elections count? The war and the recession.

35. Who did you miss?

Brenda, Vanessa, Diane and Kristin.

36. Who was the best new person you met?

All the new people I work with, they have been fantastic. Also, Christine and Julie at school.

37. Tell us a valuable life lesson you learned in 2008.

That my current “tactic” to get my husband to help out around the house isn’t working. I will need to learn new skills to make my marriage stronger.

38. Quote a song lyric that sums up your year.

I’ll love you forever

I’ll like you for always

As long as I’m living

My baby you’ll be

The C word.

The last few weeks have been rather emotional for me. My little sister Laura was diagnosed with skin cancer and was far enough along she has to go in for surgery to biopsy lymph nodes, as well as have chemo for several months. I’m just praying that her biopsy comes back and nothing has spread. Laura Lee is one of the sweetest people on the face of the earth and the fact she has to go through this just breaks my heart. I love you Laura and I’m always thinking of you.

I’m a biker chic!

Well not really, but I finished my charity video for the March of Dimes, Bikers for Babies benefit. Check it out and let me know your thoughts.

Hubby

My husband got talked into signing with a talent agency and had pics taken this week; I just had to show off a few … he is so handsome. Or maybe it was my sister’s amazing photography skills!

Party!

Last weekend my three-year old son kept me busy with his social calendar; he had two parties in two day that I had to take him to. The first one was for Cole Gibbs, who decided to grow-up too fast and turn four. We were in luck though, it was dinosaur themed and Marrick was in heaven. In fact, I think he was bit confused because he didn’t know which dino to play with first. Nickie, doesn’t it seem like you were just peeing on a stick a few weeks ago? Wow! The second party was for our neighbor Elijah, he is Marrick’s best friend and I’m sure he will teach Marrick all kinds of naughty things in the future. Not that he’s bad kid, it’s just that he is older and wiser in the ways of parent manipulation! We also attended a salmon fest at my sister Kelly’s house, quite delicious and I had left-overs for three days. Thanks Dad for the 50 lbs. of salmon you sent.

Marrick confused!

Cole & Marrick wait for cake.

Yum, cake.

You can do it.

Marrick Pinata

Batter up.

3 amigos

Wow, I see a future here.

Anika, Jacob, Elijah, Marrick, Leo, & Evan.

Two pees in a pod.

Evan & Bryce

Jensen hat.

New York, NY

I went to NY this week for the first time, it was very New York! I had a busy schedule with a new web property we are partnering with called collegeclicktv.com, check it out. We are making a lot of changes to the site and helping monitize it, should be huge and I’m very excited to be working on the account. It couldn’t fit more perfectly with my video and web experince. Here is a picture from the offices, crazy awesome.

College Click Office View

Rockefeller Center

Times Square

VDW (PlattForm) NY office view