Thursday, December 18, 2008

Bah Humbug!

It takes me awhile to get into the holiday spirit. I don't get excited about Thanksgiving until the day before when we start cooking and I have just this week (with 6 days till Christmas) get excited about Christmas. That was mildly sequestered when I was told we are no longer having Christmas dinner at our apartment but instead having to go up to Tanner's Grandmothers. Not that I don't like her, because I do...a lot, but I just wanted to spend the day at my house for once. So now we will have to open presents with my mom and dad, have breakfast and then head up to Gtown, schlepping all the groceries required, to Grandma's house and then cook there. I am not sure why this irritates me, but it does. Anyway....I have sorta of felt Scrooge like for the past few weeks listening to freaking Christmas songs non-stop on the radio, in the elevator, at the grocery store and with everyone at work bustling around on their lunch hours, buying presents and the ginormous gift baskets that are arriving from vendors. I don't want to buy any co-workers gifts, not because I don't like them, I do, but because I don't want to spend my money on them. Obviously this year has been tight for everyone, but I am feeling it and don't want to spend my hard earned (on easily earned) dollars on people I have only known for a few months. I am having a hard enough time with just my family. My sister is canceling Christmas b/c they are buying a house and close on dec 30th. Which is fine with me, since her birthday is just 2 weeks later. I will get her something for that.
I haven't started my Christmas shopping, but plan to do it next week while I am not working. It makes me nervous as I have NO IDEA what to buy for Tanner's brothers. 24 and 26 year old young men....HELP! I have exactly the right present for Monica his sister and we are going in on a gift for him together. I know what I got my mom and my dad, and so do they - our family likes to tell each other exactly what to buy...it makes it easier and we all like our gifts!
I haven't even dug out the decorations yet, but hopefully Tanner will do that tonight. We still need to clean the house, which is a mess.
Anyway, today I am starting to feel a little less grinch-ish and plan to make a fresh Christmas mood start today!

I hope you all have a happy, safe and wonderfully joyful Christmas!

Wednesday, December 10, 2008

What Am I Missing

I was sent an article about getting the most from my downtime. This made me start thinking are the more succesful people in my life doing these things? I don't want my life to be the status quo. I want to accomplish things and go places and see things. Is this going to be possible for me? I don't know. Right now my focus is getting married, getting out of debt and getting going on my career. I want to start a family soon, but obviously would like to get the debt and marriage done first!
I usually come home from work really tired, have dinner and watch TV. I am sure this is not the most productive thing to do with my time, but I think all day at work and sometimes I just like to veg out when I get home. I usually read for 30 minutes or more before I go to bed, then lights out and the day starts all over again the next morning. Am I missing something? Should I be doing more with my time? Sometimes between my real job and working for the apartment complex as the resident team, I feel over scheduled! Where is the balance?

Friday, November 28, 2008

8 Things About Me

A cool blog that I like called The Yellow Brick Road tagged me for something called 8 random things. So here are 8, maybe not known things about me, which was harder than I thought! And since I am supposed to tag 4 people, I tag One Weak at a Time, Must Love Dogs..., Lone Starr State of Mind and Knight of Nothing.

1. I have to sleep with a small fan on. It doesn't actually circulate any air, it just makes noise. I started sleeping with it on in college to drownd out the noise of the dorms, but now I have to have it - but it keeps Tanner awake, so I am trying to sleep without, but isn't good sleep!!

2. I used to be a blonde! Many of you just said "WHAT?!?!!" but yes in college I dyed my hair blonde, really blonde. It looked pretty good!

3. My parents have been married for 41 years. This is a big thing to me. They havne't always gotten along great, but they love each other and always work it out. It is certainly something I look up to.

4. I love to bake. I love baked goods...they are my weakness, but I love making pies, cakes, cupcakes, brownies, etc!

5. While I think this might be a known fact, since I have an entire entry dedicated to it, I love coffee! I worked as a Barista for over 2 years where my knowledge of the drink and my love for it grew!

6. I hate working out. I know I should, I know it is good for me, I know I need to, but I hate it! I have to basically drag myself. I always feel better afterward and know it is good for me, but I hate it!!

7. I love wine! I want to become more knowledgeable about it, but I love wine. I contribute it to a bonding experience with my sister, who also loves wine.

8. I am the perfect consumer. If a commercial or show is made to make you laugh, then I laugh. If it is made to make you cry, then I cry. I can't help it. I fall for it every time! Those damn Visa commercials where the little girl is imagining walking down the street with an elephant, but really it is the toy elephant that her dad bought her at the circus totally chokes me up! So if you want to know if something is going to work on consumers, I would be happy to tell you!

Hope you enjoyed learning more about me!

Wednesday, November 19, 2008

The Diet and some progress

I have been doing Nutrisystem for a little over a month now. I have lost a total of 16lbs. I know I have lost inches b/c my clothes are fitting better and I can tell there is a reduction in my belly. I no longer look as though I am 4 or 5 month pregnant! Now stop right there, I know you will say "you didn't look pregnant" but kids will say the darndest things and before I started this diet I was hanging out with a friend's 6 year old daughter and we went to the pool. While we were there she came up, put her hand on my belly and said "are you having a baby?" That might have been the last straw for me, knowing that I had to do something! I am glad I did. I have found NS to be very easy to follow and a good way to learn about portion control and what portions of things should look like. Now it is short on the carbs, outside of what is in the NS food, you really aren't allowed. This is the hardest thing for me b/c I LOVE bread and toast. Overall I have been impressed with the food. Sure some of it needs to be doctored with spices and salads get boring after awhile. NS has discussion boards where you can read about other people's ideas/struggles, etc.
Coming into the holiday weekend I am scared of what will happen on Thanksgiving. I am going to Tanner's sister's in Keller. I think there will be a ton of people. I can eat the turkey (4oz) and I am going to make myself some mashed cauliflower fake potatoes instead of eating the real ones. I am also in charge of pies, so I plan to make a lowfat or fat free pumpkin cheesecake and then a regular pumpkin and a apple pie (made with Splenda instead of sugar) But I love dressing and gravy! I am going to miss them! At least I can eat the cranberry sauce! And I guess as long as I don't gain weight a by-week of weight loss will be ok.
Hope you all have a Happy and Safe Holiday!

Monday, November 17, 2008

PC America is getting out of hand

Today has gotten me thinking being PC is getting ridiculous!! Don’t get me wrong, I think all people are created equal, I am not racist or a bigot and I think everyone deserves the same rights. I do not, however think that I am a bad person because I used the word ‘black’ to describe someone of African American decent! I would not be offended if someone described me as ‘white’, nor ‘straight’ or republican. But why is it that I am made to feel like I practically used the “N” word when I said “you know that black guy”? I have friends that are black….all of which consider themselves American, not African American, because as my friend Sam said “I am from Florida! I haven’t been to Africa, my mom and dad haven’t been to Africa and my grandparents haven’t been to Africa!” I have gay friends, now I won’t use words like ‘dyke’ or ‘homo’ but I call them gay. They are GAY! I don’t judge, I am just using words to describe people! Come on world, when did it get sensitive to use adjectives? If I say them in a descriptive, not hurtful way, what does it matter?
I was watching a comic this weekend, he was making a lot of non-PC jokes, but they were funny. He was a Hispanic and poked fun at everyone equally. He made a comment that I thought was a poignant …”if you are white and don’t know if you should laugh or not, turn and find the nearest black or Mexican and see if they are laughing, if they are you’re good!” Why do only the white people have to figure out if it is ok to laugh?

Elf Yourself

I encourage you all to Elf Yourself! It is fun times! Here are Tanner and I doing a jig!



Send your own ElfYourself eCards

Wednesday, November 12, 2008

I am a Bette -- "I must be strong"

My friend Lauren had this quiz posted on her blog, so I thought I would give it a shot! I would say this is pretty spot on! :)


Bettes are direct, self-reliant, self-confident, and protective.
How to Get Along with Me
* Stand up for yourself... and me.
* Be confident, strong, and direct.
* Don't gossip about me or betray my trust.
* Be vulnerable and share your feelings. See and acknowledge my tender, vulnerable side.
* Give me space to be alone.
* Acknowledge the contributions I make, but don't flatter me.
* I often speak in an assertive way. Don't automatically assume it's a personal attack.
* When I scream, curse, and stomp around, try to remember that's just the way I am.

What I Like About Being a Bette
* being independent and self-reliant
* being able to take charge and meet challenges head on
* being courageous, straightforward, and honest
* getting all the enjoyment I can out of life
* supporting, empowering, and protecting those close to me
* upholding just causes

What's Hard About Being a Bette
* overwhelming people with my bluntness; scaring them away when I don't intend to
* being restless and impatient with others' incompetence
* sticking my neck out for people and receiving no appreciation for it
* never forgetting injuries or injustices
* putting too much pressure on myself
* getting high blood pressure when people don't obey the rules or when things don't go right

Bettes as Children Often
* are independent; have an inner strength and a fighting spirit
* are sometimes loners
* seize control so they won't be controlled
* figure out others' weaknesses
* attack verbally or physically when provoked
* take charge in the family because they perceive themselves as the strongest, or grow up in difficult or abusive surroundings

Bettes as Parents
* are often loyal, caring, involved, and devoted
* are sometimes overprotective
* can be demanding, controlling, and rigid

Monday, November 10, 2008

What a weekend

I flew home to Colorado on Thursday and met my dad, and some really cold weather! I was not prepared...good thing I can wear my mom's clothes! Friday I went over Aaron's mom's house and helped finish the picture board she had made for the memorial service and met his girlfriend. The board turned out awesome and it was fun looking back at Aaron's life!

The memorial service, on Saturday, was at a park in downtown C. Springs. It was a chilly, but sunny day. Blue skies with just a few dots of fluffy white clouds. Perfect! Aaron's stepdad, Mike, spoke then opened up the floor for the rest of us. I went first. I read my piece about our relationship and how I felt about him, how I would miss him. Then I had two letters from people who couldn't be there, and read those. I didn't make it through mine without crying, did pretty well through Scott's but lost it again through Chris' letter. A few others spoke, including an ex-gf from college....who by all means is crazy! It was weird b/c the tone of her letter lead people to believe she was his gf now, which wasn't true, but his now gf just couldn't get it together enough to say anything. It was nice to see so many people out for this, especially since it was sort of word of mouth.

It was nice that I had some support there. A group of guys from high school, that all knew Aaron and really were there for me. Danny, Kerry and Travis, thanks! Travis came and hung out with me after the service so I wasn't alone. It was nice to know that even after all this time, I can still call these people friends and our bonds are still tight. I wish it weren't things like this that get us back together again.

The lesson is that life is too short. Be kind to your friends, tell the people you love, that you love them - everyday. Don't miss out on the opportunity to spend time with someone, you never know if it will be the last time you see them.

Sunday, November 2, 2008

My Friend Aaron

I know people are wondering what happened...so here is the information I have on what went on. Aaron's mom is asking for a full autopsy, we will know more when that is over. His mom and I are talking daily. The story starts back in May when Aaron went to Puerto Rico with a group. While he was there, he was separated from his group and got in a cab. He was taken to the wrong part of town, where he was robbed and severely beaten. Aaron is trained in martial arts and a good fighter, so if it had been one or two people, he could have taken them. Since then he has been suffering from post traumatic stress and couldn't sleep or eat or go out. Thursday he was complaining of horrible stomach pains. His gf took him to the hospital. he was admitted for observation. They told Maura (his gf) to go home everything was fine. Friday morning he stopped breathing and went into cardiac arrest. They called his mom to come to the hospital after they had revived him. They were not sure how long he was without oxygen, but the doctor thought he had suffered brain damage. then while his mom was on the way, he suffered another cardiac arrest, it took them an hour to revive him and put him on life support. The doc told his mom there was almost no hope that he would recover. She decided to unplug the life support and he died between 6 and 6:30p on Friday. They have since found internal bleeding and the doc thinks he may have been bleeding out since May, but it was just so small that it wasn't until all the blood collected in his abdomen that he was in pain. They also believe he was suffering from minor seizures. His gf said that he would have these moments of 'zoning out', but they think there was previous brain damage and he was suffering this mini seizures. I know now that he is at peace and that give me peace.

Aaron and I have been friends or more than friends for 15 years. We met in high school history class. We dated briefly, but it just didn't work out, but we were always friends. While we have both changed a lot, our friendship hasn't. He called me every year on my birthday to sing to me. Aaron was a fun, outgoing, passionate man. He was always a gentleman and he was always a good friend. Aaron was the type of person to always put others first and make sure everyone around him was happy. I loved that about him. I have so many memories of him, I won't share them all. I am heartbroken and will have a place in my heart where Aaron will always be with me.

Pray for his mom and family. I know their grief is great.

Friday, October 31, 2008

very sad news

Tonight I got very sad news. I am still processing, but here's what happened.....I am watching Pushing Daisies on TiVo and my phone rings. I see that it is my friend Aaron's mom. I got excited and said "hello" and it is Aaron's little sister. This surprises me, but I said "hey what's up" and then she proceed to tell me that Aaron died. I didn't know what to say, I didn't really know how to feel. I haven't talked to him in at least a year, but I would consider him one of my closest friends. We dated in high school and while that didn't really work out, we remained close friends. I loved him very much. He was a great man. A great friend and a great brother and son. I somehow am relieved for him. I am happy that he has peace and has gone to be with the Lord, who will love him and take care of him. He had a rough life. His dad left when he was just a little kid and his mom worked really hard to raise him and his sister as good people. He just never seemed to get around to getting things in his life together. I know it all weighed on him and he felt like he was a failure at parts of life. So while I am sad and worried about his mom, I am glad he is finally at peace. I guess I take comfort that he is with our Lord.
I am very close to his mom. She always thought we should haven't stayed together and ended up married. At tough times in our relationship and friendship she has always been there for me, a friend and an insight into Aaron at times. His sister said his mom isn't ready to talk to anyone quite yet, but hopefully I will be able to talk to her tomorrow. I would like to go home to the funeral and say goodbye and be there for his mom. I don't know if this is possible, we will have to see.
To make matters worse, my own mom and dad are out of town, on a cruise! So I can't even talk to my mom! It sucks. And I wanted to tell people from school about what happened, but most of them I can only contact through facebook. Is that wrong?? I feel like they should know. I feel like a lot of them would like to go to the funeral. Oh this is so tough. I want to be there to help his mom. I know this is killing her. At least she was there when it happened and there with him. I am sure that is comforting to her.

Sorry this has been totally rambled, but I just needed to get somethings out. Pray for his mom and his sister, that they too can find peace. Just another reminder that life is too short and that you should cherish the time you have with loved ones. May GOD rest your soul Aaron! I love you!

Wednesday, October 29, 2008

I couldn't resist...there was the scale taunting me!

I worked out this morning, for the second week in a row on Monday, Wednesday and Friday at 6am. There is a gym on the campus of my company, so I am taking advantage. I want to just weight myself once a week since things can change over the course of a few days – you didn’t go to the bathroom first, you have on a heavier sweater, etc. But today after I got out of the shower, there was the scale taunting me! “Saying you have been working out for 2 weeks, you have been on the diet, come weight yourself!” Now yesterday I had a hard day with the diet. I was really tied, so I had a latte – nonfat of course, but still an extra 130 calories. Then last night the dinner didn’t look so good, so I added 1oz of nonfat cheese…which added 42 calories. So now I have added 172 extra calories…man they add up! So I was thinking I couldn’t have lost anything. So I get on the scale and pull the weights down to what I weighed on Monday, and the level falls!! WOO! So I slide it back 1 slot, still down!! I slide it one more and it pops up, but then levels off. So I lost 2lbs!! J These little progressive steps help me to stay motivated. For some people it doesn’t matter, but for me, I need to see the results of my hard work! It is highly motivating to me and helps to keep me on the path! Oh and then when I got my cube this morning, I discovered that I didn’t have both my protein servings yesterday morning, so I actually only added 112 extra calories. Good thing I increased my reps this morning to 15!! J So far, so good! I am happy and surprisingly not that hungry!

Tuesday, October 28, 2008

In no particular order - DTWS the results

Tonight we have Missy Elliott, the Pussycat Dolls and Michael Flatley and his feet on fire. Okay one questions - Missy Elliott with the Pussycat Dolls??? hmmm okay. And please tell me what the hell is with Samantha's hair??? Can't she just wear it normally? Why does it always have to defy gravity???

After the great group dance as the dance of choice they hopped right into the announcement. In no particular order...Lance & Lacey are safe and so is Cody and ??? who ever might be his partner. Finally someone knocked Brooke and Derrik out of the top! Can I get a "hell yeah"!!

Then it is on to the junior under 13 competition. So the older siblings of one of last years couples is on. I really liked Cara last year, so hopefully her family can live up to her standards!

Craig & Samantha - the fighting was rather annoying! The dancing was ...ok.

Simon and Lucy - well I think they are in the 'awkward' stage, but the dancing was excellent. I can't believe they are only 13. They are my winners - but not the judges!

And our host Tom makes a witty joke about Julianne completing part of the Iron Man since she thought she would be back! LOL And now it is Michael Flatley dancing. Tanner put it best when he said "so The Irish guy is playing an Italian criminal figure from Chicago doing a Celtic dance named for an African animal?" all I could say was "yup" He is just so amazing! How do his feet moved that fast??? Are those tap shoes?? Did you see the weird heels?? I guess that helps with the sound?? Mesmerizing! I kind of want those shoes....not the tappy part, but just the look of a high heeled saddle shoe!! Hi I am Tiffany and I am a Shoe-aholic.

The filler was quite funny...a Marine?? Really?? Come on! I have a hard time believing that guy watches DWTS, although I am going to marry one, and he is now watching....so maybe!
Again revealing in no particular order, which couples are safe - Susan & Tony in jeopardy. Brooke & Derrik - safe, Cloris & Corky - in jeopardy, Maurice & Cheryl -safe. AND now a well placed commercial tease.

FINALLY!! Cloris is going home!! Crazy grandma who never makes sense!! She is funny, but not a good dancer! I can't wait to see what she pulls from the audience. This season is turning out to be a good one! I can't wait for the 'group dancing' that will be hilarious!

DTWS Week 8 - The Dancing

DWTS was FANTASTIC last night! I loved our guest judge Michael Flatley – Lord of the Dance. Oh the accent is crazy sexy!! Yum! So we find out that Julianne is having surgery today (Tuesday) to remove her appendix and that she has endometriosis, which I am not sure why they had to tell us that part…but whatever! She danced really well and I was impressed with Cody’s performance. So next week, if Julianne isn’t feeling well we will see Edyta back. Corey almost looked like he was going to cry when they were talking about it. And Tanner and I have decided that Corey reminds us of his youngest brother!
I thought Lance did an awesome job and deserved a 10 from at least one of the judges! I was sad Flatley gave Brooke a 10. I don’t think she really deserved it.
I agreed with Carrie Ann that Cloris doesn’t deserve to be there and that it was sad Toni went home last week and Cloris stayed, but I think she has a lot of fans and she might be around. At least I feel like the judges are doing their best to get rid of her. It was funny to hear Tanner, who actually VOTED last night, screaming at the TV how Susan Lucci or Cloris needed to go. LOL

Cheryl & Maurice - uhhh well they did an ok job, but I am just not digging him! His footwork was sloppy and I just didn’t but the connection between them! Like the judges said, it was fluid movements. After Cloris and Susan go home, I think he might be next. He got none of my votes last night!

Lance & Lacey – first I love them! I think they are sexy and fresh and great to watch. I was happy to see my favorite member of N’Sync, Joey, come by to help his buddy out! The jive was Awesome! WOOO HOOO HOOO!!!! Bruno was hilarious mimicking Carrie Anne, but jeez can she wear some sleeves if she is going to wave those old lady arms around!!!

Warren & Kym’s Rumba was so sexy! Who knew the big guy has moves! I liked his taunting of Brooke…and actually thought his was better. SO cute seeing Warren slap Tom on the back of the head for making Carrie Ann stop flirting!! LOL

Brooke & Derrik’s Rumba lacked umm….dancing by the star?!? It just didn’t seem like Brooke was actually dancing. I know she was injured, but Derrik just sort of danced around her. What the hell?? A 10????

Susan & Tony - I don't think she rocked it out?? I don't think she was out of the box! I don't think ....she can DANCE! I should also mention at this point that Tanner hates that she is so skinny and has those big fake boobs. He is screaming "go home! take your skinny chicken legs and your fake boobs and go home!!!"

Cody & Julianne - I thought it was great. He is hilarious! And maybe we like him b/c he reminds me of Tanner's brother!

Cloris & Corky - GO HOME CLORIS!!!

And was it just me or was Samantha making HORRIBLE faces back stage?? When she was throwing it back to Tom, she was trying to be hip but just looked like a idiot!

The group dance was awesome, but as Tanner pointed out, not ballroom. I thought it was fun and showed who could dance. It was neat to see the rehearsals, and I think Derrik is a great dancer…Am I the only one that thinks he is sexy?? Speaking of sexy, did anyone else see the sneaky ABC intern’s attempt to keep Brooke on the show during the group dance rehearsal? Having her tuck her shirt up into her bra to expose her stomach?!? Was it just me??
Susan and Cloris – GO HOME!! Susan Lucci (who I love as Erica Kane) is just too reserved and can’t break out of her box. Also, she looks like a stick I could break over my leg…eat something! Warren was AWESOME! He is so full of life and I agreed with Carrie Ann when she said that he reminds her of Emmitt, but has something more, the ability to really find the character. He is a great dancer for a 300lbs guy and I think he is even losing some weight. I think there are a lot of women voting for him…the big teddy bear. I am glad to see Kym got a good dance partner this season and hope to see her go far…this makes up for giving her Jerry Springer. I loved the taunting between Warren and Maurice, especially since I seen white guys dance better than Maurice!! And Warren's little solo was awesome and the crowd went wild!! Cody's beat boxing was really cool and reminded me Justin Timberlake!! The costumes were awesome and totally reminded me of high school!! I think this is certainly where Lacey and Derrik shine! I am completely amazed by the way Derrick can moved his body! And Lacey just looks like a natural...did anyone catch the mullet that Lance was sporting?? Again...Sudan Lucci CAN NOT Dance!! She couldn't even remember all the steps!

Ahhh who will go home???

Monday, October 27, 2008

NutriSystem Day 1

So I decided that I am not happy with how I look, how my clothes fit and am not satisfied to look like I do now at my wedding. So I decided that I wanted to loose weight and I was going to take it seriously. I know that in order to loose you need to have a higher output than you do input...easy math right?? Well actually accomplishing that is the hard part. Knowing my problem is portion control and that if I get bored, I will quit, I looked at a lot of different weight management programs. *I don't want this to be an advertisement for the one I picked, but I want you to understand why I did pick it.* I picked NurtiSystem. I think it will work for me b/c I get a variety of food, I don't have to count anything except glasses of water and everything is portioned already.

I went online, picked out my 28 breakfasts, lunches, dinner and yes desserts!! :o) I read everything I could online about how it works and what I needed to do, etc. They even have online and over the phone counselors available 24/7. I talked to a very nice guy that helped me answer some questions and away I went! Now they mail the food to you (yes I know it is weird) and it is all 'soft canned' which means nothing has to be frozen or refrigerated until you open it! Crazy I know!!

I tracked my package of food across the US and it arrived Friday. It was much larger and heavier than I thought, but then it was 28 days of food what did I think! I got home, lugged the giant box up the stairs and tore into it. I grabbed out the beautiful pink folder (I am assuming this is b/c I ordered the Woman's meals. I read through the info (most of which was available on the website and I had already read it) Then I followed the directions and sorted the food into piles of breakfast (blue) lunch (green) dinner (red) and dessert/snacks (pink). I counted each pile to make sure there was 35 items...yes b/c I got a free week of food... I felt special for about a minute till I realized that I used a coupon that gave me three weeks for free!

I decided since my friend Sarah was coming into town and we were already planning dinner at Chuy's that it was best I start on Monday (today). Last night I went to the grocery store and bought all the additional stuff for the diet...yes you pay for the food plus groceries! Okay let me back up...

NS (NurtiSystem) provides the entrees for each meal, then you substitute dairy, protein and fruits. They suggest that you make a meal plan for the week ahead of time. So while I was watching Made of Honor (cute movie BTW) I went through the food and picked out stuff to eat depending on my day and what I was going to be doing and I made a grocery list. I ended up spending $80 on groceries, but I could spend that eating out for lunch this week.

I came home and made up my goodie bag for today. I got a NS Peanut butter Granola Bar, 8oz Skim milk, 1/2 cup of unsweetened applesauce (I like it), then for lunch I really wanted to try the NS Black Bean and Tortilla Soup, a salad (lettuce, onion, cucumber, mushrooms) 2tbsp of fat free dressing (which was not enough to cover the salad I made!!) and 2 Dannon Light & Fit yogurts (I get two b/c your dairy serving should be 120 calories and 8g protein and each DL&F is only 60 calories), my snack 8oz milk and an apple, which in my excitement over how much food I got for lunch, also ate the snack apple :( For dinner I am having NS Lasagna, a salad -I get to add a fat to dinner, so I am having sliced avocado on my salad, then I get 2 veggie servings so I am having sliced tomato with cracked pepper and green beans. Then for dessert I am having the NS Chocolate Pudding with chocolate chips!

Now this morning I was working out, so I ate my granola bar prior to the work out and the applesauce and milk were not enough for me afterward. Now I know that I will have to eat after the work out. My stomach was growling so loud other people literally heard it! Now after lunch I am full and feel good. I am almost completely done with my water intake for the day, so that is even better. I can have diet soft drinks on the plan, so I decided to use it as a reward. If I drink all my water before dinner, then I can have a diet soda with dinner.

I also plan to stop eating by 7:30pm everyday and to work out three times a week. So far so good! Wish me luck! Watch out for a great night of Dancing with the Stars!!!

Tuesday, October 21, 2008

11 Things I Love

Lauren at Must Love Dogs...and My Parakeet tagged me for this meme

Here are 11 of my favorite things.

1. Clothes Shop - I guess Academy Sports & Outdoors. I know some of you are laughing out loud right now, but where else can you buy stuff for work, stuff for your workout and your allotted Longhorn apparel all in one place?? And it is really a bargain! I also love Banana, Target and Ann Taylor, but I am on a budget so Target, Wal-Mart and Academy are my current go to's. Last night in fact I found GREAT jeans at Academy. They make you appear "instantly slimmer" ;)

2. Furniture Shop - I love Furniture Row! In fact we are going to buy a new mattress next month and I am out of my mind excited!!

3. City - this is hard!

4. Sweet - Reece's Peanut Butter Cups - chocolate and peanut butter! What could be better?? Nothing I say, but Tanner consistently reminds me that no one else shares the affinity I have for this combination. I am actually going to have it as my wedding cake. Tanner of course is making me also do the traditional white with fruit filling, but I like that too!

5. Drink - diet coke, if it is fountain, then I could drink 64oz no problem!

6. Music - so I am not a crazy music person. I don't particularly like going to live shows and just listen to the radio in my car. I don't even own an IPOD, yes I am that one person!

7. TV series - oh there are so many!! My 100 hour TiVo is constantly full. I would say, in no particular order, Dancing with the Stars, Grey's Anatomy, Project Runway, The Big Bang Theory, How I Met Your Mother, all CSI's and NCIS.

8. Film - I just love the movie Pretty Woman! I also like Sixteen Candles and Dirty Dancing.

9. Workout - I prefer not to have one! I seriously hate working out! Seriously, I hate it, but since I have reached an all time high with my weight I have started working out. I found a buddy, which always makes it easier. We have a free gym at work, so we are meeting M, W, F at 6am to work out. I printed out some workouts of a website and

10. Pastries - doughnuts!!!

11. Coffee - currently I am drinking Venti Nonfat, 1 Splenda Latte from Starbucks.

Wednesday, October 15, 2008

Gone So Long

Sorry blog followers...I have let you down! I am hoping to return to a normal blog posting pattern now. I have accepted a job with a micro processing company here in Austin. I will be working on the Global Sticker Program! LOL what does that mean...well I will be working logistics, forecasting and fulfillment to make sure the logo sticker appears on your computer to tell you which processor it has! It should be exciting.

As for DWTS, I will get back to regular posts next week, but here are my quick comments from the last few eps.

Maks and Misty - what a shame! Did you see the clip? You could hear her tendon snap! OUCH! I will miss her, b/c I thought she would go far, but I will miss Maks too! HOTNESS!
Kym & Warren - okay officially this is my new fave couple! She is awesome and I hope to see her go far. She has been duped with horrible dancers in previous seasons, do I need to remind you of Jerry Springer??? And I freaking LOVE Warren Sapp! He is hilarious and a good dancer!
Kim K & Mark - glad they didn't get to come back with the departure of M&M. She wasn't a good dancer!
Rocco & Karina - I really thought he was fun to watch, but I guess there wasn't enough The Restaurant fans to keep him on the show.
For the record, what is going on with host Samantha Harris' hair? Who thought 'wow let's give her an elegant side pony twist' It looks like a growth out of her head! Then all the extra hair they are adding makes her look like she is wearing a helmet of hair. Last night it was down and simple, thank god!
Oh and how I love our host Tom Bergeron! He is hilarious and I love his wit! I love his inflection like last night when he was like "And now we will announce the next couples safe from elimination IN NO PARTICULAR ORDER" freaking priceless!

There is a lot going on now, but I will blog more later!

Wednesday, September 24, 2008

DWTS - The Results

"Combing the judges scores from last night and your votes from last night, we will now reveal, in no particular order, the first couple safe tonight" Come on say it along with our host Tom Bergeron! I love him!

Tonight was a big night, Jonas Brothers, Jesse McCartney and dancing! We opened with the PROs dancing to the Paso, which is one of my favorite dances. I think it great. Does anyone else get skeezed out when Julianne and Derek dance together??? Just me??? Especially in the Paso which is so sexy, it is just weird!
Tom and Samantha announce that Brooke & Derek, Kim & Mark and Cloris & Corky are safe. I am glad to see Kim staying. She might be this year's Jennie Garth and improve over the weeks. Then we have Jesse McCartney. Who is this kid? I have heard this song, but pictured some older black singer...not a 15 year old little brother of one of the Backstreet Boys...really is he the little brother of one of them?? And what does he know about flying on a G5?
After multiple freaking commercial breaks, Maurice & Cheryl are announced safe. Now the Jonas Brothers preform. There is massive screaming! Ok...what is the big deal...they aren't even that cute, well maybe the middle one, but come on! On a side note, they preformed a the wedding of my bridal gown consultant, who married their road manager/uncle.

So this season they are letting the home viewers choose the dances and songs for a 'future' Pro's dance on the results show. Presumably the NEXT results show to be seen next week???

Then we have the predicable, totally scripted trash talking montage. Did it occur to anyone else watching that Cloris and Cody look like the same person??? Just me again????

Now another announcement of two more couples that are staying....say it with me "Taking the judges votes......" Misty & Maks and Warren and Kym are safe to dance another day! The 100th commercial break and we come back to find Susan & Tony and Rocco & Karina are safe. The 101st commercial break, then Lance & Lacey, Cody & Julianne are safe. Then we have the super long, drawn out pause while the talk about the last two couples standing. Which while it is no particular order, I am surprised to see both of them in the bottom. Some horrible music and the panning back and forth, Tom announces Toni & Alec are safe!

I am sad. I liked Ted and I think he could have gone far. I am surprised he didn't have enough fans to save him b/c he was in that middle pack of 4 tied for 6th place. Sad to see him go, but I am blaming Inna...it is her first season and I think the dancers have fans now too, which keep celebrities longer. Can't wait till next week!!

My Rating

My blog is rated the following due to the use of the word "death" once.


OnePlusYou Quizzes and Widgets


DWTS Night 2 -Updated!

Damn that TiVo! He didn't record! I tried to find it online this morning, but with no luck...so I guess I will only be able to make comments tonight! :( I will keep looking for it online.

UPDATE!
I found all the dancing on YouTube! Thanks to RhiannaMusicFan.

Thank GOD that Jeffrey Ross is gone. I like Edyta, but I hated him and he wasn't a good dancer. And what is with Samantha's hair??? Can't wait for tonight's show!

Kim K & Mark - so the Tush can shake her tush? She looked stiff and uncomfortable, but I think she will stick around for awhile. Score: 6,6,6=18

Ted & Inna - CUTE!! Loved it and he had fun with it. Score: 6,6,7=19

Maurice & Cheryl - Great! Full of energy. I think he will stick around. Score: 7,7,7=21

Cloris & Corky - So uncomfortable to watch! It was like watching my grandparents flirt! I think she is freaking funny, but she is NOT a good dancer! She is going to be the Jerry Springer of this season. She will be around just b/c the entertainment value. Score: 6,5,5=16

Brooke & Derek - She is really good! I was impress and I think she will go far in this competition. Judges LOVE her! Score 9,8,9=26

Lance & Lacey - pretty good dance, but he seems awkward. I think her teaching methods are totally out there and maybe that is part of the problem, she isn't a ballroom dancer. Score 7,6,8=21

Misty & Maks - She moves extremely well. I was impressed especially after what trouble she had moving in rehearsals. Score: 7,7,7=21

Rocco & Karina - It was again really fun! Rocco seems to like dancing, so he connects well with the audience. I would like him to stick around and I want to see his potential develop.
Score 7,7,7=21

Warren & Km - The Purple People Eater did a great job! I don't know if I could move around the dance floor like that and he weights 300lbs! Score: 7,7,8=22

Susan & Tony - She is so graceful and the ballroom dances will be easy for her. She did a great job and will be around for awhile. Score 7,7,8=22

Cody & Julianne - Pretty awesome! He is going to go far and is going to be a great dancer!
Score: 8,7,8=23

Toni & Alec - I was worried watching the rehearsals, she was having a hard time breathing and didn't make it through the dance once. But it ended up beautifully! Toni is so graceful and a beautiful dancer. She will be around for a long time. Score: 8,7,8=23

My favorite dance was Warren & Kym

Tuesday, September 23, 2008

Dancing with the Stars

This is the biggest season yet! First - I love Tom Bergeron, almost as much as Lincee loves Chris Harrison from The Bachelor. ABC does a great job getting hosts! This week there is three nights of dancing. Here is my first opinions of the dancing and who I would like to see around.

1. Julianne & that guy from Hannah Montana Cody Linley - They are the youngest couple this year. They were cute. I think the HM fans will keep him here for awhile. I think he is rather annoying, but he was a good dancer. I was impressed by his toe leads.
Score: 6,6,6 =18

2. Karina & Rocco DiSpirito - I love her! She is dancing with a seriously sprained ankle. Rocco is a chef, but he has a lot of potential. He was having a good time, that will get him far b/c his foot work won’t. Not sure if he has enough fans to keep him around. He might be going home.
Score: 5,4,5=14

3. Alec & Toni Braxton - I think Alec is sorta a jerk, but he is a good dancer and won season 1. But Toni is amazing. She is a dancer, but she has a heart condition (Micro vascular Angina), which makes it even cooler that she is doing this!
Score: 7,7,8=22

4. Cheryl & Maurice Green - He did really well and I like Cheryl ever since she won with Drew Lachey. I think they will stay around for awhile.
Score: 6,6,6=18

5. Derek & Brooke Burke - I think this is a weird pairing, but they have chemistry and Brooke is a good dancer. I can’t believe she has FOUR children! I can only hope that I can get my body to look like that BEFORE I have kids. I was impressed and so were the judges. She will be around for a long time!
Score: 7,8,8=23 Best Score of the night!

6. Inna & Ted McGinley - This is Inna’s first year. I don’t know if I like her or not yet. I love Ted! He is a guy’s guy and really funny. He is an alright dancer, but I think he will stick around this week.
Score: 6,6,6=18

7. Lacey & Lance Bass - she came in 3rd on So You Think You Can Dance, now she is a ballroom dancer??? And she is paired with the gay from N’Sync! What could you not like about this pair? And the dancing was good! Young hip and full of energy! I think they will be around for awhile.
Score: 8,6,8=22

8. Corky & Cloris - Cloris is 82 years old, and quite the firecracker! Combined couple age of 129! Actually she did pretty well. It was the fox trot, so it was elegant. She got a standing ovation. Battleship Geriatrica (Bruno) Mind your cleavage (Len) Cloris is a riot! So funny!
Score: 6,5,5 = 16

9. Edyta & Jeffery Ross - I don’t think he is that funny, but he hosts the roasts. He got poked in the eye in rehearsals and thinks it is cool wearing a eye patch and dancing against Dr. orders. They got the ChaChaCha he is a slow mover and the blue pants do nothing for me. Overall it was not a total mess, but I don’t think he will stick around. I don’t want to see him again.
Score: 4,4,4 = 12

10. Mark & Kim Kardashian - The Tush! He is the champ but he can overcome her super bad balance? It must be the tush and boobs! They got the foxtrot, which is slow and controlled. It was a good dance. I think they pulled it off and will be around for awhile.
Score: 6,7,6 = 19

11. Tony & Susan Lucci - First it is freaking Erica Kane!! She is a soap legend!! She is the tiniest person! Pretty good dancing, but she needs a little more ‘snap’ to her moves. She was nervous and messed up, plus it was careful. But she will stick around b/c the crazy soap fans will vote for her. I think she will improve and it will be worth it.
Score: 5,5,5 = 15

12. Maks & Misty May-Treanor - Maks is back! WOO HOO bring the hotness!! I hope they stay just b/c I love Maks. She is going to have a hard time being graceful, but Layla Ali did it. They did the foxtrot well
Score: 6,8,7 =21

13. Kym & Warren Sapp - He looked really good. I think this is a good competition for football players. They seems to always do well (Jason and Emmitt) I will be excited to see if Warren looses weight. The audience loved him!
Score: 7,7,7=21

Happy Watching!! :)

National Stay at Home Week

TV is BAAAAAAAACK!! WOO HOO!!
I am so excited the normal programing is returning! The CSI cliff hangers (Both Vegas and Miami had big cliff hangers) I am glad for the return of The Big Bang Theory, it is a well written hilarious show! How I Met Your Mother, Sarah Connor Chronicles, Grey's Anatomy, Dancing with the Stars (which I will be chronicling this year) Smallville, Bones, House, NCIS, Survivor, Chuck, Dirty Sexy Money, Desperate Housewives! Oy I watch too much TV, but thank GOD for TiVo! There will be some other new shows that I want to check out, but we will see if I can fit them into my watching schedule! Plus I still have Project Runway (a few shows left for this season, plus a new LA season starting in January) and The Hills. Hope you are all enjoying the beginning to a full season of some great TV!

Friday, September 19, 2008

Animal Lovers

I love animals...most of them. Snakes and bugs excluded, I love cats, dogs, birds, mice, rats, horses, cows, lamas, and pretty much you can call a pet. When I got my cat I could hardly leave for work I just loved him so much. I would come home at lunch just to see him and play with him! He is just the best. He must know I am writing about him b/c he just climbed up to my lap! He just gives me unconditional love. He comes and wakes me up with his little head butts on my chin, curls up with me at night and just makes me happy. Just this morning I was at the hair salon and was getting my hair washed and the lady next to me was telling her stylist about her 2 new puppies. How much she loves them and hates to leave them. I totally know what she means. She thinks one of them is part Rottweiler and was talking about what a good demeanor he has. That got me thinking about my sister's rottie, Rucker. Rucker is the best behaved dog I have ever met, and I give that credit to Tyler her husband and the time he took to train Rucker. We were out riding bikes and he would stay right by my sister, so then she says "watch this" and falls back from me. Rucker is running right along and he falls back with her, she yells for me to fall back, so I do. Rucker runs up with her until I start falling out of his eye line. Then he runs next to me b/c he can see both of us. What a good dog! He also is constantly backing into people when he meets them. It was explained by the vet that he is showing his non-aggressive side (the side without teeth)!!

So where am I going with this...well today I was watching Bones, the TV show and it was about a vet that was killed by a dog with filed teeth. At first it seemed that the vet was involved, anyway I won't ruin the show if you haven't seen it, but it made me sad to see the dog fights, filed teeth and everything else that goes along with the horrible treatment of animals. The lack of respect for another living things life. The horrible people that make animals go against their nature. It was a great opportunity for the animal rights people to show some commercials. So they choose this one.



It is one of the best commercials I have seen in a long time. I made me actually cry tears! I just love animals and this is the animal point of view. I guess sometimes I think people don't think about that. I also assume that all animals are inherently good, they are trained by humans to be mean. My sister has what people call an aggressive breed, but I have seen Chihuahuas that are more aggressive, they just have smaller mouths. Rucker is the friendliest, most protective and loving dog b/c he was trained that way. I love pit bulls. They are gorgeous animals, but people are scared of them b/c other people have created a stigma b/c they have been trained to fight. It is like the Dog Whisper says, "A dog that doesn't trust its human to be a good pack leader becomes unbalanced and often exhibits unwanted or anti-social behaviors." If you beat a dog and chain it up, starve it, and over all treat it badly, then it obviously won't trust you.

If it moves you donate to this or to your local SPCA! Don't pay for your animals, there are plenty (even pure breed) that need homes and can be adopted, spayed or neutered and even get first round shots for under $100! And remember when you adopt an animal that it has an expected life time (8-10 for dogs, 10-15 for cats) they also don't stay kittens or puppies, they grow into dogs and cats! You are making a lifetime choice...they pet's lifetime, so you need to be prepared for that commitment. Now the other side is, the animal will love you, unconditionally, 100% of the time, be happy to see you every time you come home (even if you just went into the other room) and will serve as a great companion!

Anyway...that is rant for now! Love your animals, adopt from shelters and support animal rights!

Tuesday, September 9, 2008

Obsession with Coffee

I have talked about my liking for a good cup of joe before, but it has reached a new level. I am an honest SBC follower, but now only for drip coffee or espresso I make. While I can make a great espresso with their coffee, I have found that the baristas here are lacking the skills to truly make a great espresso drink. Unfortunately, due to the lack of SBCs here in Austin and the truly super convenience of Starbucks, I have been going to Starbucks. Now you are saying ok, but what is my new level of obsession? Well it is that I can't not have a latte if I am out of the house. I am not working right now, but yet feel compelled to hit up Starbucks every time I am out of the house and pay the $3.52 for a Grande, non-fat, 1 Splenda latte! I can't help it. I love the taste of the creamy, silky, frothy milk swirling around with some espresso. Now b/c it is Starbucks, I add the Splenda to help cut down the serious bite their over-roasted coffee has.

I leave the house as little as possible since I haven't gotten my first unemployment check yet and I don't want to waste gas or spend useless money, but when I do venture out it is like a serious voice in my head that says "GET A LATTE" and the next thing I know I am pulling off the highway and into the Starbucks drive thru. Then I get that Grande, non-fat, 1 Splenda latte in my hand and it is like ultimate release. It is seriously 16oz of heaven in a paper cup. It tastes so good. I love it. Yummy.

I need to stop this before I spend all my savings on Starbucks, or I need to find a job so that I can keep affording my habit! Or I need someone to purchase the Breville Espresso Maker off my registry so I can start making my own at home!

Saturday, September 6, 2008

Wedding Registry

We have to register for the wedding, so people can buy us gifts right? My whole thought process, as I have lived on my own for about 10 years now and have most stuff needed to live, is to register for stuff that I wouldn't normally buy myself but that I can use. Of course mostly this means kitchen gadgets and such things as the corn zipper!

I really want to register for china. I want some nice, only use it on Christmas, Easter and Thanksgiving china. Tanner doesn't see it this way. He wants new everyday dishes and thinks we can kill two birds with one stone by registering for some basic white or ivory china and can spice it up with table linens and chargers for the holidays. Am I being selfish? Everyone I know has registered for it, and I want to! So now, do we register for everyday dishes (even though we have some that are perfectly fine) and china? Why not is what I say!! I mean if people don't buy it, then they don't buy it right? Plus we have a nice pots and pans set, and didn't register for that, so what else is there left to buy?

Now my other dilemma is that Tanner is studying for the AFD academy and has like no spare time, so I have to go do this registering myself. I guess if we get it and he HATES it then I can go ahead and return it and get something, since by the time we are married, he will be done with the academy. But I want to make the decision now! Ok Ok Ok I am being a little bit whiny, but damn it, I want china.

My friend Jenny went with me today to help me with the Macy's registry. She was my stand in groom. ;) We had fun, but again it was hard to pick what I wanted since I know Tanner is going to have an opinion about it. AGGGG!! So now I have narrowed it down to 3 choices, of course he hates my first choice and can't decide about the other two! It is making me crazy!! Oh well, hopefully we will get registered for it and some people will actually buy it!!

The other dilemma is luggage. Do we register for nice luggage? We have a lot of miss matched luggage, but I don't actually have a nice suitcase. Tanner has a set of three matching black suitcases which are pretty nice, but do we need a set as a married couple, or just for me?? Oy! What to do what to do???? Who knew there was so much stress picking out presents for other people to buy you!!

Monday, September 1, 2008

Did you have to labor on Labor Day?

Today is Labor Day and we are supposed to be celebrating the working people of America. While most people were off, some had to work. I honestly at this point, one week of being unemployed, am wishing I were having a day off from Laboring. I actually wish that I was having to labor. Being unemployed sucks, to say the least. I applied for jobs, sending my resume out into that big world wide web. But these days how do you even know if someone sees your resume? I even tried faxing my resume to some companies...thinking that would be different, but I haven't heard back. It is really frustrating! So on this day I celebrate the Laborers, wishing I were part of them!

On another note, I did find my wedding dress and the dress for the bridesmaids! While I do NOT want to be unemployed, it does have its privileges. I took the day Friday and went up to Dallas. I got to have lunch with my friend Sarah and my future sister in law Monica. We had a great lunch at Uncle Julio's. Then Monica and I headed over to the bridal salon and spent about 2 and 1/2 hours trying on dresses....well I tried them on and Monica helped me get in and out of them. I have to say that it is certainly a work out! But I found my dress....and I love it!!! It is gorgeous and like nothing I have seen other people wear. And it has pockets! I think that is cool. My dad said "well what do you need pockets for?" I didn't have an answer but I think it is pretty cool! I guess I will keep my tissues in there. It makes me feel beautiful and it has all the things I wanted.

So while we were there waiting for the consultant to help us, we were looking at the bridesmaid's dresses and I wasn't really planning on them getting the dress there. I thought they might want to just get a dress from David's Bridal or something, but Monica found one she really liked. So she tried it on and it is amazing! All the girls think so, which is a great sign. Now I can check that off my list of things to do.

On Saturday we hosted a breakfast for the apartment complex and unfortunately it didn't go that well. We bought 120 tacos for breakfast and still had more than 1/2 left! I am hoping that some day we will get into a grove of how many people we will get to show up to these things.

After breakfast Tanner stayed home and studied for his big test tomorrow. I went out to the lake. While I was driving out there I saw a horrific motorcycle accident. Unfortunately I am not sure if the guys on the bikes lived or not. It appeared that one guy had lost both his legs! It was really horrible! I was coming down the hill toward the accident and saw it happen. There appeared to be enough people stopped to take care of everything and there were people on their cells, with 911 I guess. I just kept driving. I did see both police and EMS cars and trucks heading toward the scene. I just pray that they survived or that they at least didn't have a painful death. Other than the accident, the lake was great. We floated for awhile and then Jeff made us a great dinner. We then decided to make s'mores! It was the ultimate!

Sunday and today we didn't do much. Just went to church, had lunch with Tanner's Grandma and then hung around the house today. Sunday afternoon I did go with some friends to watch the CSU/CU Rocky Mountain Showdown. It is the first game of the season for the schools. It is the big in state rivalry. This year CSU has a new coach, Steve Fairchild. He is an alum which is good, means he might be around for awhile. We didn't play well and lost 17-38. Some time soon, we need to beat those Buffs! But hanging with the Alumni Hometown Huddle was fun. And CU's group was also at the same bar which made it a lot of fun! I wish the game would have been closer, but maybe next year!

Hope you all enjoyed the weekend.

Saturday, August 23, 2008

Take this job and shove it!

I went into work Friday morning hoping that we would at least get off by 5pm, but I thought it was going to be a long day since I was bugging my boss all week for the sales goals for all the stores, so I could do the associate quotas. I went in to my office set down my stuff, opened my email and started working some other stuff. Then I hear Larry ask his admin to take him to the airport. I run out and say "what about quotas" he says "it will be done, I will email you" So I go back to my desk. Then another VP comes over and gets the other admin that sits in my area and says they have a meeting and take off. So there I am all alone. I go off to get more coffee to help me through this day and when I return my voice mail light is flashing. I check the message and it is the HR manager. She says "hey Tiffany, I am working on commissions, can you come down to my office?" So I head down there. She says "have a seat".

So I sit down. She says "we have decided to eliminate your position" I totally didn't see this coming, first thing I thought was "WHAT?!!?!" Then she said "it isn't you, but they weren't strategic in hiring for this position. They don't know what they want, and it has been a frustrating couple of months." Including that they can't give very good direction and that they didn't really know what they wanted out of the position. Of course, it was 'no reflection on me' and I have 'great potential'. I say "you know what, you couldn't have said it more perfect. This has been frustrating. And when I was hired, I told all of you that I was not qualified for this job, yet you all said "we want someone with potential" which I mistakenly thought meant you were willing to train me. I haven't had a single ounce of training since I started." She informs me that of course I am eligible for unemployment, which pays a whopping $377 a week!! And hands me my last check.

So then I am escorted to my desk by the HR lady and she lets me get a few personal things off my computer, asks for my black berry and laptop back. Of course I don't have my laptop, so she asks that I be back within the hour to return it.

As I pack up my sad little office, a few pictures of my bf, a few personal trinkets and load them into a box, I am just sort of stunned. What just happened? Did I just loose my job? I am pretty proud of myself that I kept my composure and didn't cry. So I took my box and was escorted to my car. Once in the car my cell phone rang and it was my friend Jenny who had just walked out of this same office the day before. She asked what happened and I told her, so she of course said "let's have lunch" so we met for lunch. While I was driving up to my own house, because I still had to bring that damn laptop all the way back, I called my parents. They were of course supportive and 'look at the bright side but I was just pissed. Pissed that I left a great job, and a great severance package to take this opportunity and then I was just let go and given my check through today. What the hell????

Now, as stated before I hated my job and was looking for other employment, but now I was being pushed out! So this little weenie of a boss I had couldn't even fire me himself, and I was lied to about why I was going to the HR office, do I really care? I don't think I do. So as I head to lunch, I decide I will not be upset about it, look at it as a blessing and move on. I meet up with Jenny and Heather (who plans on resigning on Monday) and we had a great Mexican lunch at Chuy's and I had a few beers.

So now what??? I don't know. I guess I start looking for work since to get my unemployment, I have to apply for 5 jobs a week. :)

Monday, August 18, 2008

The Notebook

It is obvious the Olympics are dominating the airwaves, so some of the other stations are showing the same things over and over all weekend, as was with ABC Family. They must have shown The Notebook about 10 times between Friday and Sunday. So I watched it. Why do I do that to myself? It is the saddest movie of all time! I was freaking balling my eyes out! I was a sniffling, snotty mess! I started to watch it Saturday night while I was waiting for my bf to get home from work, but was smart enough to turn it off, since we were going to meet up with friends and didn't want to be a red nosed, blurry eyed sniffling idiot in front of them. I actually changed the channel and watched Just Friends with Ryan Reynolds. In that movie he takes the girl he loves (and his mom and best friend) to see The Notebook! And that made me cry! So then I had to change the channel again. This movie is so well acted and the story is well told! I love it, even if it makes me a big ball of snot! Every time I see it, even as I write this post, or when I just saw a snippet of the movie inside another movie, I tear up! Why do we do this to ourselves girls?? Now if you haven't seen this movie, don't read this post...I will spoil it for you. Go rent the movie, grab a HUGE box of Kleenex and then come back after you watched it.

The first time I saw this movie in 2005, my bf, who wasn't yet my boyfriend, brought it over and watched it with me, my best friend Heather and our neighbor, Sarah. All of us girls were sitting on the couch, huddled together, balling our eyes out. I am not really sure what it is about this movie that moves me so much, but I can only guess that it is because we all hope that we are loved that much by someone. I want someone to love me so much that when I can't even remember who they are, but they come read the story of our lives to me just to have even 5 minutes of the person they love come back. I of course asked my bf this through all my tears, and he as the perfect man he is, answered 'of course!'. He also told me as I was sniffling, snorting and do that hyperventilating this girls do when we are really crying, that I was beautiful! I am not sure what is wrong with him, but hell if he thinks that when I am sure to look like a mess, I guess I can't complain.

So I stayed up till 11:30 to watch the final scene where James Garner's character, Noah, sneaks into his wife's room at the nursing home, climbs into bed with her, as she has a moment of clarity and remembers him. She says that she is afraid he will leave her, but he of course reassures her that he will never leave her. She then asks if he thinks they will ever be together again, and if they can leave this world together! OMG!!! So sad! Then they say 'good night' and drift off to sleep holding each other. The next shot you see the nurse coming down the hall, whistling, and she enters the room, sees them laying in the bed, holding hands, and she goes over to touch them. She then realizes they are dead. They left the world together, to be together again. OMG!! So there I am sitting on the couch, curled up, sniffling, hugging a pillow and my bf is just got his arms around me and I can't help but wonder "why don't guys get choked up about this stuff???" I makes me crazy...why don't they have the same reaction. So I asked him "doesn't it make you sad" and he said "yes" That was it, 'yes', no tears, nothing!! BOYS!

So if you want a good cry and a good movie...The Notebook is my pick!


Saturday, August 16, 2008

There is no crying in the Olympics....oh wait, I mean there is LOTS of crying

I have been following the Olympics very closely this year. Not sure if it was that damn commercial about the track guy not being able to finish the race so his dad comes out and helps him or if it was just the idea of the US banding together for one common purpose. I am not really sure. Unlike 90% of the world, while I am excited that Michael Phelps is the human rocket, I am getting bored watching him just clean people's clocks. I did find tonight's race interesting, since he took that last 1/2 stroke to win by 1/100th of a second and looked like the other guy was going to win.

This is all pretty cool, but I personally thought the men's gymnastics team was much better to watch. It is like the difference between watching pro sports and college. In college you have hero stories, but in the pros, you usually know how it goes. I feel that way about Michael Phelps. He is a total pro...were we really wondering if he was going to be the most metaled Olympian of all time? I sorta figured that is the way it was going to be...so no serious surprise. But watching the men's gymnasts on Wednesday night at the team finals was amazing. Brought me to tears. I enjoyed how hyped they got and cheered each other on. Also, I appreciated that they didn't celebrate till AFTER all the other gymnasts went. I heard Johnathan Horton state "hey there are still people on the floor" after they figured out there was no way the German's could take them on the pummel horse. It was a great show of sportsmanship. They also were a team that totally came from behind and won a metal beyond all their troubles...like loosing both the Hamm brothers, the only ones on the team who had been to an Olympics. Then they were just SO EXCITED to win a bronze metal, which is a great accomplishment! I appreciated that they came to win....something.

But back to my title, the damn crying! Every time I hear the National Anthem, it makes me tear up damn it! Doesn't matter who won or what event, but I am teary eyed! It is like one giant American Hallmark commercial! My bf and I have ATT U-verse, so we have been DVRing the Olympics all week. Tonight we watched the ladies gymnastics. I watched a Russian Texan and a little girl from Iowa walk away with a 1-2 win! It was amazing. They were both crying, which of course made me cry! My bf was like 'why are you crying' and just sort of laughs at me, but I can't help it. It makes me proud to be an American. And Naz sang some of the words of the anthem. She has been the first athlete (from America) I have seen actually sing it!

One thing I have noticed is that the American athletes don't SING the National Anthem...what is with that?? The bf says it is b/c not everyone knows it. While I believe, unfortunately that he is correct, if I were planning to win 8 gold metals, damn sure I would learn the words! If I though, there is a chance I might stand on a podium in front of the WORLD, I would learn the damn words! So, note to all you athletes out there....learn the words to your National Anthem!

It is now late and I am still watching the Olympics...this has been my whole week! I need to go to bed, but I can't stop watching! So while this might not be totally coherent, it is my thoughts on the Olympics...and crying....and America.

Good night for now!

Thursday, August 14, 2008

My Job

First off I should state that I hate my job. Hate is a strong word, but in this case warranted. There isn't anything particularly horrible about it, I just don't like it. I left a great company, who unfortunately couldn't keep my division open and had to lay everyone off. I started the job hunt and found what seemed like the same job I was doing, but for a growing and expanding global company. So I packed my desk and left my severance package for what I thought might be a better opportunity. They said they wanted someone with potential, which I mistakenly took as they wanted to train me, which they don't! I did point out that I was not qualified for the position in both my interviews, which I can only assume at this point, they never heard! And yet they continue to expect me to understand things in which I don't have any experience. I think I pick things up pretty quickly when they are explained to me, so I have to believe that it is the lack of training making my job so hard. They are really unorganized and my boss can barely use a computer! It makes it difficult to train me when he has no idea what I am supposed to be doing. Also they have, to this point, refused to outline my job expectations, which makes doing my job effectively impossible! Okay there is one horrible part...my office backs up to the Executive Men's bathroom. Yes the execs...they same one that can't save a file to his desktop without his admin asst helping him, get his own freaking bathroom! And they go in there and talk on the damn phones! It is gross! The final straw....they have HORRIBLE coffee (Folgers)!
As you will find out, I love coffee! I love good coffee. I can't however function without a good solid latte in the morning and a great not too fizzy diet coke in the afternoon. I spent 3 wonderful years of my life working for a franchise of Seattle's Best Coffee here in Austin. I think I might even still regret leaving, although it was ultimately better for my friendship with Ben and for mental health! I worked like a dog, and finally lost the drive to keep performing.

Seattle's Best is now a division of Starbucks, which is ok since they have held the intergry of the coffee and the roasting styles of the original SBC. They didn't sell out, but yet made a great decision to enter into a relationship with their biggest competition. It makes sense. SBC customers are a different segment of the coffee drinking populus, so now Starbucks owns two instead of one segment of their target market.

My First Time

I am new to this whole world, but thought it was time that I put some of the thoughts of mine down on virtual 'paper'. I am not sure if people will find my thoughts interesting, but I think this could be a cool journal for the way I view life and how I go along in mine. So join me on my little journey! Welcome aboard!

Here are my latest thoughts on who I am. I am not a writer, nor do I really care about grammer or spelling, so don't judge me. I write pretty much exactly like I speak, but sometimes dumb it down b/c I can't spell the word I really want to use! LOL

I don't know how to write a 'description' of myself. I am multi-faceted and complicated. I always start with what I do, while that isn't "who" I am, it gives insight into my brain I think. I am an operations analyst. I crunch data into information. I think doing it. It is a problem solving job. I think I am good at it. I also am 1/2 the Resident Team for my apartment complex. I plan the social and functional events for the residents. I love it! And it gets me a great discount on rent! I think I mostly forced my boyfriend to do it, but he was a good sport.

I love to read fiction! It is a serious escape from life for me. I like to watch TV, it is rather an obsession. Yes, I like reality TV. The Bachelor, Project Runway, Big Brother, any Real World/Road Rules challenge...I love it! I get sucked in and just can't get out. I also love all the CSIs, pretty much anything on Food Network (especially The Next Food Network Star, to be referred to as NFNS), Bones, Sarah Conner Chronicles, oh the list goes on and on and on.

I get excited about stupid stuff and am somewhat of an exaggerator when I get excited...I know it, I accept it. You should too.

I have a pretty good business mind, although it always seems to go against the people who are in charge of businesses. I think it is a lot simpler than people make it. I think business is just the art of making your customers happy and continuing to turn a profit. Along with numerous other reasons, that is one reason I will never be a CEO.

I am in a very serious relationship with a great man. He is everything I always wanted for a partner, and even things I didn't know I wanted! He tolerates my excited states, he knows when I am exaggerating and constantly points it out to me and others. He makes me more level headed than I would be otherwise. And he is my hero! I love him so much that it hurts sometimes. I want him to succeed in life and be really happy. I will do anything to make that happen, which is why I know he is the one that I am supposed to be with forever.

I love my friends and I love being busy. I am constantly filling up our social calendar, again something my bf hates. Sometimes I need to escape and hermit up for a bit to explore my own mind and thoughts, but usually I like to stay busy and have a ton of people around me. I belong to a group who watches Project Runway, another who watches Grey's Anatomy. Mostly it is a good excuse for us to all meet up once a week, have dinner and conversation and watch a show we all like. I love hosting and cooking for everyone.

That leads conveniently to another part of me...I like to cook. Actually I am a good cook, not a chef. I can't just go into the kitchen and throw stuff together and have a meal, unless it is spaghetti. I like to make my own spaghetti sauce and it is never the same and always seasoned to taste. Anyway, I like to cook. My bf is a chef. He love to create things in the kitchen. And he is good at it. Which explains why I currently am 20lbs heavier than when we met. I LOVE to bake, although you need a lot more counter space than I have to really get into it.

So that is just some of my facets...more to come!