Not Bad if I do say so Myself

May holds the official all time high for number of workouts, at 24!!! I'm at 103 workouts for the year. Which is only 5 workouts away from the number of times I worked out in 2008 alone! It feels good, but I feel a challenge approaching. I'm 5 months into my goal, and never have I ever worked out more than 5 months in a row. But I'm going to accept the challenge and keep on going. Once June has passed I know it'll feel great to say that I've worked out continually for half of a year.

I am super proud of myself even though I'm not getting the results I want on the scale. The fact that I worked out 24 times in one month is quite an accomplishment, even more so since I had a full week vacation as well.

Thank you all of your support and comments! They definitely help encourage me.

Saturday Night BBQ

Tonight my friend Ginny had a BBQ at her house, and it was nice and relaxing fun. Everyone was drinking except me. I didn't drink mainly because it is just wasted calories, and because I knew I wanted to drive home.
I got some good bonding time with Alycia. We had good food, and company. We blew up some poppers, that Ginny thought was firecrackers. We then had a water gun fight with the guys.
Good times.

Ginny & I

Alycia, 13 mos

Physical Therapist

Kids say the most random things. Jake is such a creative, random kid and I was a witness to it during my trip to Florida. He says these words that he hears probably everyday, but has no idea what it is that they mean. I wish I would have written them down so that I could do his creative thinking justice. Here is a sampling.

During my date night with the boys we played Bowling on the Nintendo Wii. While playing Jake was rambling on and being silly, when at one point in time he goes: "I think I need to go see my physical therapist." I ask him: "Do you know what a physical therapist is?" Jake: "No, I have no idea what that means, I just make this stuff up." The conversation ended with me having a coconut for a brain and going to see a physical therapist to fix it.

Throughout the rest of trip we all would randomly say that we need to go to the physical therapist. I suppose you probably had to be there, but it was seriously laugh out loud funny.

Florida in Pictures

Florida was perfect. A perfect balance of alone time with Tina. Time with her boys, and time as a family. Just perfect. For your viewing pleasure my fabulous trip to Florida.

Tina and I at the Magnolia Tea Room for a yummy lunch 5/22/09

Girls Night Out: Tina, Me, Jessica, Valerie
We had good food and drinks at CineBistro, while watching the movie "Dance Flick" 5/22/09

Enjoying the pool: Max and Jake 5/23/09

Walking around Mirror Lake 5/24/09

Magnolia Tree around Mirror Lake

Happy Family: Jason, Tina, Max, and Jake

This lake was so pretty. Lots of pretty art and flowers all around.

On Sunday afternoon Tina and I decided to indulge and go to the Omni Orlando Resort for a massage.
My last massage was in January 2008, so it was well over due!

We arrived plenty early and enjoy some champagne, the hot tub and steam room before our relaxing massage. It was definitely quality time.

On Memorial Day we traveled to the Orlando Science Center.
It was really cool, and fun family time.

Jake, 7 and Max, 9 Super cute Brothers

This part of the Science Center was really cool. It's called "Grossology". You learn about farting, burping, vomiting, pooping, all the gross stuff you are probably curious about but don't really really research about. It was very entertaining.
Me, Max, and Jake~Jake was going along with the theme, hence the finger in his noise.

Tuesday 5/26/09 was a day at Clearwater Beach.
It was beautiful, and spent with some more quality time with Tina.

I went into the water for awhile, and just as I got out 2 dolphins swam up into the shallow end. It was awesome to see. I had never seen dolphins in the wild like that, so I loved it.

Back

My life is like a one big culture shock, because the type of life I lead isn't normal. The real sucky thing about returning from vacation is the instant void in my life once I exit the plane. The void of having no presence of another human being around me that I know, can talk to and can laugh with. The void of getting a hug from a friend, or her 2 cute boys I've known since they were born. It is a wave of sadness that just comes over me, and I realize this is my life.

I'm back from Florida. I had such a great trip. Tina and I are both proud that during my stay we got in 4 work outs! Four very hard work outs, I might add. A work out this morning wasn't planned but once we realized I had a afternoon flight, it only seemed natural to go to the gym this morning. So that's what we did.

I'm exhausted and heading to sleep. Stay tuned for updates and of course pictures!!!

First Ever

Just got back from Spin Class.
I've never done a class like that before.
The theme for this vacation?
Try things that are out of your comfort zone.

Pretty sure that has been accomplished.

Another Fun Fabulous Florida Day

This morning Tina and I went to a step class at her gym. And it was a major work out! We both left the class drenched in sweat. It was super hard, and at time frustrating because just as I would get the steps the instructor would change them.

After the gym we had a family lunch at Wendy's and then went to a park so Max could practice his soccer for a try out he has on Tuesday.

In the afternoon we took a dip in the pool. It's been raining nonstop so the pool was a colder than usual. But I played with the boys and we had a great time.

After the pool I went and got a manicure from Tina's friend Valerie.

The evening was date night for myself, as well as Jason and Tina. My date was with Max and Jakob. We had pizza, played the Nintendo Wii Bowling, then watched "Hotel for Dogs" while Jason and Tina had a night out.

I'm looking forward to NOT going to the gym tomorrow!

Vacation is so Lovely

Florida is great so far! This morning Tina and I did a class at her gym called Body Pump. It is all strength training and weights, it was hard, but still fun at the same time. Their is nothing like working out with a friend!

Then we went to the Magnolia Tea Room for lunch. It was super yummy. Lots of great conversation and catching up.

Central Florida has been drenched with rain lately. It was raining when I got in yesterday, and while driving around this afternoon it felt like we were in a hurricane, but we weren't ...obviously. I'm hoping the rain will go away for a few days so I can enjoy their swimming pool in the backyard.

Tonight we are off on a girls night to a movie/dinner place, which I'm really excited about.

I'm Off!

I leave tomorrow morning for Florida. I absolutely cannot wait!!!
Tina has planned a fabulous vacation for me, and I'm looking forward to the sun, beaches, and quality time with her and her family!

Check for updates. We do have workouts on the agenda!!!

(via)

May 19th

Tomorrow is May 19th. I'm kinda crazy about dates. A lot of life changing events have happened to me on this date, and now every year when it comes around I wonder if anything else could happen.

May 19, 1998 - I graduated High School
May 19, 1999 - I started my job at Victoria Secret Catalogue
May 19, 2008 - I started my new job at Qwest as a Senior Administrative Assistant

I'm just waiting for my "one day". Who knows maybe it is tomorrow! ;)

Frustrated

Today at the gym I did a "Fit Point". My gym offers these every 3 or 4 months. I got one back in November when the gym opened. Today I did my second one, 6 months later. I wanted to know my results so that I could talk to Tina about them, when I go see her at the end of the week.

I've lost 10 pounds since November. Ten freakin' pounds. I'm not happy. I'm sad, and I'm crying. I've lost 21 pounds since August. I'm physically working my @ss off, and it isn't paying off. I'm pissed. The last time I lost weight I was working this hard, I got results. Good results. Results that showed the work I was doing. This time I feel like I'm working out harder (mainly because of the different workouts I'm doing) and I feel like I'm hardly getting any results.

The trainer recommended I go see a doctor. Which I'll do, because I'm not working this hard to only lose 10 pounds every 6 months. I don't know what the deal is, but something just isn't right.

I'm frustrated about so many thing right now, but this is at the top of the list. I just hope I can push past this and not give up.

Another Boring Saturday

So I'm getting kinda sick of telling you about my lovely, time spent by myself, laid back Saturdays. Because well it's kinda old, and lets you know how bored and lonely my life really is. But I don't really have anything else to write about, so that's what you'll get.

I'm actually having a little bit of a problem, that I need some help with. My house is a townhouse which means I share an adjoining wall with my neighbor. We share bedroom walls. I have yet to meet or even see my neighbors (they moved in at the first of year). All I can assume is that they are a young couple, who have relations ....a lot. Example, this morning at 2:30am and at 7:45am. I know this because it wakes me up. I can hear them having relations. And over all they are just loud. I can usually hear their TV going, sometimes even talking. It is all very frustrating but getting woken up in the middle of the night is really starting to get on my nerves, and happens at least 2 to 3 times a week. So that was the start of my day.

I then headed to the gym to swim class. Next weekend the outdoor pool opens, and I can't wait. I won't be here next weekend for the opening. But I'm super excited to have the class outdoors. I think it'll be super nice.

After the gym, I filled up my car with gas, and the music playing at the gas station was MC Hammer, 2 Legit 2 Quit, seriously.

Then I stopped by Starbucks where my friend Sarah works, because she'll be keeping an eye on my house while I'm out of town next week. Thanks Sarah!

Then I came home and watched some TV. Then headed out for some shopping. I have needed some new workout shoes, so I got that taken care off. I stopped by Verizon Wireless to complain about my phone battery ...again.

Came home watched some more TV. I watched to finale of "The Biggest Loser". I hate to say it but I Helen didn't look to good. I mean she looked good, but she didn't look healthy. Kinda scary.

Tonight I changed out my closet. I do this twice a year. I put all my summer clothes up and my winter clothes away. ...Hopefully Colorado will stay in summer mode for the next few months.

Bill Phillips Taco Pasta Salad

Last summer while I was in Florida my friend Tina was doing Body for Life. So we ate a bunch of Body for Life meals, including this one. It is in the cookbook: Eating for Life by Bill Phillips. I enjoyed the meal so much I bought the cookbook myself. I cook this meal regularly, and like Tacozagna, I've made it with ground beef, ground chicken, and ground turkey. I've made a few changes/additions in blue.

What you'll need:
Tri-Color Rotini Pasta, lean ground beef (or chicken, or turkey), taco seasoning mix, chicken stock, green bell pepper, onion, sour cream, cheese, cilantro, and avocado.

Bring your water to a boil, and cook pasta.

Brown your meat.

Cut your bell pepper and onion.

Add bell pepper, onion, taco seasoning mix, and chicken stock.
The recipe calls for water, but chicken stock add flavor regardless of the type of meat you chose. But water is a good substitute.

Mix it all together.

Drain and then add pasta to meat.

Mix.

Cut up your toppings. I like avocados and cilantro.

Top with cheese and sour cream too!
Tastes super yummy!

Here is the official recipe copied from the book:
2 portions rotini pasta (about 4 oz uncooked)
2 portions lean ground beef (about 1/2 lb)
1/4 cup water
1 Tbsp taco seasoning mix
1 green bell pepper, diced
2 Tbsp salsa
2 Tbsp fat-free sour cream
2 Tbsp reduced-fat cheddar cheese, shredded

1. Prepare rotini pasta according to its package directions.
2. While pasta is cooking, brown ground beef in a medium skillet over medium heat until no longer pink. Drain the beef of any excess fat and return it to the skillet.
3. Add water, taco seasoning and bell pepper to cooked ground beef; simmer until the sauce thickens, stirring occasionally.
4. While the beef is simmering, combine salsa and sour cream in a small bowl. (I don't do this.)
5. Place a portion of pasta on two separate plates. Top with a portion of ground beef mixture. Sprinkle each with half of the cheese and a dollop of salsa-sour cream sauce.

Not this Week

I seriously have nothing to write about. I can't think of a thing. Well I can, but that requires uploading a bunch of pictures and right now I'm too lazy to do that.

This week I'm only going to get in 5 workouts. I took off the past 2 days! I went and got a facial and eye brow wax in preparation for my Florida trip next week. I'll shoot for the 6 workouts once I get back.

I'm feeling very stuck right now in my progress. But almost 2 or 3 times a week now I'll see someone and they will tell me I look good. Which of course is great to hear. Specifically since I was just starting to question if all of this work was doing absolutely nothing.

Ok, that's all.

Doodle 4 Google

Beauty by Emily Dorsey, Age 16
This one is my absolute favorite, and it got my Vote!

Untitled by Britney Stine, Age 14

A New Beginning by Christin Engelberth, Age 12

Ending Breast Cancer by Sinceraty Alexander, Age 6

Today during my visit to Google I saw this link: Doodle 4 Google. I've always thought all the different "google" designs were really cool. Google 4 Doodle gives kids the opportunity to have people see their special "doodles". This years theme is "What I Wish for the World." This reminded me of when I was in elementary school and each year we colored a big bulletin board to be shown on a road sign for everyone to see. I always wanted to win, because I thought that was the coolest thing. This is like that but so much cooler! I picked out my favorites for each age group.

You Only Have One

I seriously have the cutest mother ever!
In the Playboy Store~Las Vegas, April 2007

Denver, December 2006

She is seriously the best! She has her moments where she drives me absolutely crazy, but I don't know what I would do without her.

She's beautiful inside and out.

Happy Mother's Day Mom!!!

My Bucket List: Part 2 of 2

I figure I've been putting this off long enough. Well, more like a combination of being busy, and now going back to being alone, I figure I should write about what I really wanted to write about when I first wrote this blog.

Sarah had originally asked about what "My Bucket List" is, and this is really hard because a lot of the things I want to do with my life involve love and having someone in my life to love and to love me. Which is why I felt I had to write the previous blog on this subject. And it's difficult because I'm starting to have to come to terms with the fact that a lot of things that I want for my life may not happen(getting married, having a family). So I had to think of things that I want to do with my life that don't involve another person being in my life, or having a family.

In no particular order My Bucket List:

• Travel - Specifically Beijing (this became high on the list after the Summer '08 Olympics), New Zealand, Australia, Iceland, and all the places in "Eat, Pray, Love".
• Write a book.
• Keep on the look out for opportunities to move to Central Florida.
• Ride in a hot air balloon.
• Visit all 50 states.
• Learn American Sign Language.
• Attend a showing of "The Rachael Ray Show".
• Shower in a waterfall.
• Get passionate about a cause and spend time helping it.
• Overcome my fear of failure.

I'm sure I have more, but in all honesty this was a lot harder than I thought.

Behind Bars

Are you in the mood for a funny story? I hope so, because I have got one to share! Although I have a fear that this could easily be one of those instances where it seems like its funny, but it just doesn't come out that way, and I'll embarrass myself for absolutely no reason what so ever. But oh well, I'll give it a go. Lets begin.

It was in Middle School, I can't remember what grade I was in, but somewhere between 1992-1994. Myself, Michelle, Emily, and Melissa all lived within a few blocks of each other and our mothers took turns driving us to school. I think, I can't really remember that either. All of our moms worked except Melissa's, so maybe it was just Melissa's mom who drove us. Anyways, on this particular day Melissa's mom was driving.
Before I go on, let me give you the setting. To go in/out of my parents house their are 3 doors.
I'll start with the picture below. First is the big wooden door, this is on the interior of the doorway. Second is the screen door. Third is the iron steel door. Following, good?

Ok moving on, so Emily gets down to ring the door bell to let me know they are at my house ready to take me off to school. I saw her coming, and made my way outside. Also you should know majority of the time the iron steel door is always locked (even to this day). Like all mornings, on this particular morning the iron steel door is locked. The wooden door, you can lock from the inside.
Ready for the climax? I lock the wooden door from the inside, and slam it shut. I realize: "Oh crap, I forgot my key on the ledge inside the house." Turn the handle on the iron steel door, of course it is locked. Emily walking up the sidewalk to my front door looking at me like "c'mon lets go." I say "I'm locked between the two doors." Emily instantly thinks this is hilarious. She goes to tell the rest of the group waiting for me in Melissa's moms car. Ilene (Melissa's mom) comes out, I tell her I forgot my key, and that I'm stuck. She goes over to the neighbors house to call my mom at work, and to notify the school that we will be late. (this was of course before the time of cell phones). My mom comes the rescue and sets me free, and we all head off to school.
And well by the time lunch came around, my friends had just about told everyone at school, and before long I was known as "the girl who got stuck between 2 doors."

The End. And yes, this is a true story.

Too Lazy

So I have a pretty funny story to tell, with pictures, but my camera is downstairs in my purse, and I'm too lazy to go down and get my camera. Hopefully tomorrow.

So rather than my funny story, I'll give you a run down of my afternoon/evening.

My classes at the gym Mondays and Wednesdays are at 5:30pm, so when I get home from work, I am literally in and out within 5 minutes to head off to the gym. Tonight's class is at 6:15pm, which is nice because it gives me a little bit of a breather. So when I got home today I did some cleaning and started a load of laundry. This class is seriously hard core. You start sweating 5 minutes in, and you don't stop. The instructor really pushes you, which I like. "You can do anything for 3 minutes." 3 minutes is a long freakin' time!, let me tell you. Once I returned home I finished cleaning the kitchen and folded laundry. Then had dinner. Put the my clothes away, and am now winding down.

~something I love~

Avocados

Seriously so good. I could probably top just about anything with avocado pieces. My love for avocado's is pretty recent. Not too sure where they were my whole life.

Great for:
Salads
Sandwiches
Top any mexican dish
That's all I can think of for right now.

T.G.T.I.Tues.

Thank Goodness Tomorrow is
Tuesday!!!

The really crappy thing about working out 6x's a week, is that their are only 7 days in a week, which means when you workout 6x's a week, those 6 days are. in. a. row. It is utterly exhausting. On top of it 2 out of my last 6 workouts are new workouts, and my body isn't used to them. So my body hurts that much more.

I've been trying to take care of a bad left knee, my right hip hasn't felt normal since my Barefoot Definition class 2 Monday's ago, and I wore fairly new shoes for yesterdays 5k. My right foot/ankle hurts now from the new shoes. I'm not too sure how much longer I'll be able to do this. Thankfully tomorrow is my day off! I get to truly give my body a rest. Hopefully I'll be able to start right back up on Wednesday. The whole workout 6x's a week seemed like a great idea, but I'm beginning to doubt myself. I think I just did too much too soon, specifically with putting that 5k in with the mix. I think that is what really threw me off.

Wish me luck!

Colorado Rockies Home Run the Homeless 5k

This morning I did my second 5k! The running race started at 8:15am, with all of the walkers to follow. I got to the start line at about 8:25am, their was nobody there! I was seriously the last person to cross the start line. But thankfully I caught up to the cop car who was behind the last group, so that I wouldn't get run over!

Crossing the Platte River

Walking onto Coors Field

The main reason I wanted to do this 5k, was because the Finish line was home base on Coors Field, where the Colorado Rockies play (the baseball team). Well I was mistaken. The final "lap" is around Coors Field. Which was still a lot of fun, and a great picture opportunity.

This race was a completely different experience compared to Race for the Cure. Obviously not has many people, but still a fun experience. I finished this race in 50 minutes. Their wasn't as much to take pictures of, and a lot more room to run, although I would have liked 45 minutes, oh well. Their is always next time!

enjoy the ride

My Uncle John recently sent this to me, and I thought it was beautiful, and worthy of a blog. If you would like to watch the video you can do that here. Enjoy

here are some tips
that may bring you a beautiful life!

take a 10-30 minute walk every day
and while you walk, smile.

sit in silence for at least 10 minutes each day.

when you wake up in the morning
complete the following statement,
"my purpose is to ...today."

live with the 3 e's ...Energy, Enthusiasm, Empathy
and the 3 f's ...Faith, Family, Friends.

spend more time with
people over the age of 70
and under the age of 6.

dream more while you are awake.

try to make at least three people smile each day.

realize that life is a school
and you are here to learn,
pass all your tests.
problems are simply
part of the curriculum
that appear and fade away
like algebra class
but the lessons you learn
will last a lifetime.

smile and laugh more.
it will keep
the energy vampires away.

life isn't fair, but it's still good.

life is too short to waste time hating anyone.

don't take yourself
so seriously.
no one else does.

you don't have to win every argument.
agree to disagreements.

make peace with your past,
so it won't mess up the present.

don't compare your life
with others.
you have no idea
what their journey
is all about.

burn the candles,
use the nice sheets.
don't save it
for a special occasion.
today is special.

no one is in charge of your happiness except you.

forgive everyone for everything.

what other people think of you in none of your business.

time
heals almost everything.
give time, time.

however good or bad a situation is, it will change.

your job won't
take care of you
when you are sick.
your friends will
stay in touch.

get rid of anything that isn't useful, beautiful or joyful.

the best is yet to come.

no matter how you feel,
get up, dress up
and show up.

do the right thing!

call your family often.

each night before you go to bed
complete the follow statements:
"i am thankful for..."
"today i accomplished..."

remember that you are too blessed to be stressed.

enjoy the ride.
remember that this is not disney world
and you certainly don't want a fast pass.
make the most of it and enjoy the ride.

The author of this powerful video is unknown. However, a large majority of its content is from a newsletter authored by Jon Gordon, which can be accessed here.

My personal favorites I highlighted in color.

Tina bo-bina!

Las Vegas~May 2007

Orlando~May 2008

Nickleback, S. Florida March 2007

Today is one of my dearest friends birthdays! Tina! I met Tina almost 10 years ago(5/19/99) when we were in the same training class at Victoria's Secret Catalogue. At the time she was very introverted and I was extroverted. And well crazy as it seems over the past 10 years we have changes roles. She's definitely more outgoing now, and I more so stay to myself. One of my first memories of our friendship was when we went off site for lunch one day to Burger King, and she told me she was pregnant with her first child. I was so excited for her! Once we graduated from training we were working from 4:30pm to 1am, as was her husband who was working across the street at the time at Gateway. And one night after we got off of work, her husband had band practice, and she was saying that she had a bunch of stuff to do to get ready for her babies arrival. So I invited myself over to help her organize her baby stuff, and that was the start to the amazing friendship we now have.
Above are just some of the recent memories we share.
Tina has truly been their for me through all of my highs and lows of the last 10 years. Which I will always be so grateful. She has a beautiful family, and a strong marriage that I look up to. She moved to South Florida in December 2004, and is currently in Central Florida. I've been out ever year since to visit. It is a trip I always look forward to. She was my first friend to come visit me in Denver when I moved here, and if an opportunity comes by for her to travel my way she comes. I leave in a little less than 2 weeks to go see her and her family again, and I can't wait! When we see each other we just click and it is as if no time as gone by. She as grown to be like my sister(people often say we look like sisters!), and her two boys often call me "Aunt April" which I love.
Tomorrow her and her family leave to go on a fabulous Disney Cruise, which I know they will enjoy and treasure their family time.

Happy Birthday Tina!!!