That's what my birthday was... truly amazing.
I'd have to say this was one of my best birthdays in a long time. The wishes and thought were more than I think I've ever had.
Friends got me gifts that really didn't have to
My family celebrated with me
My in-laws all wished me happy birthday
My work friends decorated my desk and made cupcakes
People showed up at my party, even people I haven't seen in a long long time
My hubby got me a thoughtful girl and threw me that special party
Overall this was one of my best birthdays. I feel truly loved... I am a very lucky gal.
Tuesday, March 30, 2010
Saturday, March 27, 2010
So they say it's my birthday
I turn 26 today.
I can't believe I'm hitting my later 20s... It's just so surreal... 10 years ago I turned Sweet 16... that means I've had 10 years of driving experience.
I also remember when I was planning my life when I was younger I want to have my first kid when I was 27... that's only a year from now... and that is not going to happen. I'm going to repeat this... that is not going to happen.
While this birthday isn't over, it's already been so special to me... so special. Everyone has been really great and I'm truly thankful for the amazing people in my life. I am a very very lucky girl.
I can't believe I'm hitting my later 20s... It's just so surreal... 10 years ago I turned Sweet 16... that means I've had 10 years of driving experience.
I also remember when I was planning my life when I was younger I want to have my first kid when I was 27... that's only a year from now... and that is not going to happen. I'm going to repeat this... that is not going to happen.
While this birthday isn't over, it's already been so special to me... so special. Everyone has been really great and I'm truly thankful for the amazing people in my life. I am a very very lucky girl.
Thursday, March 25, 2010
Work...
Work has been driving me crazy lately... seriously.
I have this big, higher profile conference coming up at the beginning of April in Indianapolis... right now this conference is driving. me. crazy!!
Seriously. This is the most complicated conference I've worked on. It's a two day conference for two groups of people. On the first day they are all together and the second day they split up. So there are two different brochures, two different sets of faculty and two different sets of problems.
These are higher profile people I'm dealing with also, so they don't always realize that it's important to send me the information I need.
The complexities keep growing and growing which gives me a growing feeling that I'm going to drop the ball somewhere... I hate that feeling. I like to be as on top of things as possible, and honestly I think I'm doing pretty good job of handling all the pieces, but this group is not making it easy... at. all.
Next week I ship which will be a bit of a relief... but not enough considering I still have to go to the conference and survive that. So... April 9th can't get here fast enough (well really April 8th at 6ish I'll be pretty happy)
I think this will be the first trip that I will be driving myself to the airport as well... that should be interesting... it sucks b/c I have a 6:10 flight... whew that's early!!
Alright, back to figuring out how I can plan ahead to make the next couple of weeks easier, but if you don't hear from me, you'll know why!!
I have this big, higher profile conference coming up at the beginning of April in Indianapolis... right now this conference is driving. me. crazy!!
Seriously. This is the most complicated conference I've worked on. It's a two day conference for two groups of people. On the first day they are all together and the second day they split up. So there are two different brochures, two different sets of faculty and two different sets of problems.
These are higher profile people I'm dealing with also, so they don't always realize that it's important to send me the information I need.
The complexities keep growing and growing which gives me a growing feeling that I'm going to drop the ball somewhere... I hate that feeling. I like to be as on top of things as possible, and honestly I think I'm doing pretty good job of handling all the pieces, but this group is not making it easy... at. all.
Next week I ship which will be a bit of a relief... but not enough considering I still have to go to the conference and survive that. So... April 9th can't get here fast enough (well really April 8th at 6ish I'll be pretty happy)
I think this will be the first trip that I will be driving myself to the airport as well... that should be interesting... it sucks b/c I have a 6:10 flight... whew that's early!!
Alright, back to figuring out how I can plan ahead to make the next couple of weeks easier, but if you don't hear from me, you'll know why!!
Sunday, March 21, 2010
Shopping
I had a fabulous Saturday shopping with my mom, Grandma and awesome Aunt Ruth for my birthday. Quite frankly it didn't need to be my birthday to have fun with these awesome ladies. I really enjoyed just hanging out, commenting on clothes and trying on things.
I'll back up a little... Every year my grandma likes to take me shopping for my birthday. So yesterday me and my mom headed out to my aunt Ruth's house (where my grandma stays.)
After we arrived we headed out to lunch at O'Charlies. I had a half rack of ribs. They even gave me a free piece of Caramel pie, and it was deliciously rich.
We headed over to the big JCPenny's near O'Fallon. I wasn't really sure what I wanted, but had been thinking dresses might be where it's at. I picked out a few things, but the other 3 picked out a bunch for me too... and that was a lot of fun. I think I tried on nearly 12 dresses and liked several of them. We narrowed it down to these three. (please disregard my white legs and sloppy hair and just look at the awesome dresses)
This one will be great for conferences... I should have taken a picture of the back, it dips in back like it does in the front... totally adorable and completely comfortable.
I really love the straps on this one... it really makes my boobs look good and mom and Ruth said it has a slimming effect. I will say there's something weire about how I'm standing in the picture, Chad was sitting in front of me when he took it and I think the lower angle caused my bottom half to stand out a little more than my head... so ignore that in this picture
Here's the back...
And our favorite from the day... (my bottom half looks bigger in this picture too, I swear it's just the angle the picture was taken...)
Aren't they adorable??
My aunt Ruth also graciously bought me this adorable cardigan. I love the scrunched up sleeves and the flower and the button. Since these pictures I took myself in the mirror, they are just not as good and does not do the cardigan justice!!
After we were done at JC Penny... everyone coming away with something. We stopped by Target for a few things. I was able to pick up some sports bras (since I didn't have any!!) and shampoo. I also got to talk to Ruth about some type of hair product that I can put in my wet hair to get it to curl/wave better... although I didn't buy any yesterday she said she could pick me up some at the beauty supply store at a discount.
Overall it was a great great outing. I love spending time with these family members... we laughed and smiled a lot. I love you guys you made my day very special.
I'll back up a little... Every year my grandma likes to take me shopping for my birthday. So yesterday me and my mom headed out to my aunt Ruth's house (where my grandma stays.)
After we arrived we headed out to lunch at O'Charlies. I had a half rack of ribs. They even gave me a free piece of Caramel pie, and it was deliciously rich.
We headed over to the big JCPenny's near O'Fallon. I wasn't really sure what I wanted, but had been thinking dresses might be where it's at. I picked out a few things, but the other 3 picked out a bunch for me too... and that was a lot of fun. I think I tried on nearly 12 dresses and liked several of them. We narrowed it down to these three. (please disregard my white legs and sloppy hair and just look at the awesome dresses)
This one will be great for conferences... I should have taken a picture of the back, it dips in back like it does in the front... totally adorable and completely comfortable.
I really love the straps on this one... it really makes my boobs look good and mom and Ruth said it has a slimming effect. I will say there's something weire about how I'm standing in the picture, Chad was sitting in front of me when he took it and I think the lower angle caused my bottom half to stand out a little more than my head... so ignore that in this picture
Here's the back...
And our favorite from the day... (my bottom half looks bigger in this picture too, I swear it's just the angle the picture was taken...)
Aren't they adorable??My aunt Ruth also graciously bought me this adorable cardigan. I love the scrunched up sleeves and the flower and the button. Since these pictures I took myself in the mirror, they are just not as good and does not do the cardigan justice!!
After we were done at JC Penny... everyone coming away with something. We stopped by Target for a few things. I was able to pick up some sports bras (since I didn't have any!!) and shampoo. I also got to talk to Ruth about some type of hair product that I can put in my wet hair to get it to curl/wave better... although I didn't buy any yesterday she said she could pick me up some at the beauty supply store at a discount.Overall it was a great great outing. I love spending time with these family members... we laughed and smiled a lot. I love you guys you made my day very special.
C25K - Week 1
We finished week one!!
The workout: Brisk five-minute warmup walk. Then alternate 60 seconds of jogging and 90 seconds of walking for a total of 20 minutes.
The first workout was tough... It made me realize just how out of shape I really was. I also realized that I had no clue how to control my breathing... I would start the shallow breathing and be doomed from there. But we made it through and it felt really good afterward. I was also surprised at the last of soreness the next day, which was awesome!!
The second workout went a bit smoother, although we went a way that involved lots of hills, so I'm not sure we should do that way every time. Also Chad and I hadn't yet perfected how to run together with one timer. He can run faster than I can so it was tough to know when to run/walk. We had a talk about it afterward so I think it should be better from now on. I was a little worried after this workout that I wouldn't be ready to move onto the next week. I felt like I was really struggling. I think this is more due to the fact of Chad walk/run issue as well as the hills. On a good note, I did a better job controlling my breathing. I talked to my good friend Carrie and she gave me some great advise... so that really helped.
The third workout we decided to take the dogs along. I'm not sure how well it will work with them, but hopefully someday we'll get better at taking them. This workout went by really well. It is amazing how much we both improved in 3 short workouts. When we got back to the house we even did sit-ups.
We'll be moving onto week 2 next week.
The workout: Brisk five-minute warmup walk. Then alternate 60 seconds of jogging and 90 seconds of walking for a total of 20 minutes.
The first workout was tough... It made me realize just how out of shape I really was. I also realized that I had no clue how to control my breathing... I would start the shallow breathing and be doomed from there. But we made it through and it felt really good afterward. I was also surprised at the last of soreness the next day, which was awesome!!
The second workout went a bit smoother, although we went a way that involved lots of hills, so I'm not sure we should do that way every time. Also Chad and I hadn't yet perfected how to run together with one timer. He can run faster than I can so it was tough to know when to run/walk. We had a talk about it afterward so I think it should be better from now on. I was a little worried after this workout that I wouldn't be ready to move onto the next week. I felt like I was really struggling. I think this is more due to the fact of Chad walk/run issue as well as the hills. On a good note, I did a better job controlling my breathing. I talked to my good friend Carrie and she gave me some great advise... so that really helped.
The third workout we decided to take the dogs along. I'm not sure how well it will work with them, but hopefully someday we'll get better at taking them. This workout went by really well. It is amazing how much we both improved in 3 short workouts. When we got back to the house we even did sit-ups.
We'll be moving onto week 2 next week.
Thursday, March 18, 2010
C25K
I seriously need to get into shape. I've gained a bunch of weight and although I carry it well, I know that I have... I'm also becoming more and more out of shape and I have high choesteral... it's time to do something about this.
I cannot stress this enough, but I am NOT a long distance runner. I did Track and Field in high school and I did the events that involved the least amount of running possible. I even figured out a way to get out of the "warm up" laps each day. It's something about endurance... but mostly I don't know how to control my breathing very well.
I had heard a lot of buzz about the Couch to 5k Running Program. I've heard several stories people just like me (NOT runners) that used this program to be able to run a 5k. Never before have I actually wanted to be a runner... every once in awhile I would get a glimmer of desire to run and would try it but would push myself too much. I'd immediately try to go out and run for 30 minutes or a particular distance and would be dead and hate it by the end... I think that's why this 9-week program will be different. I will slowly work into the long distance running.
A year ago I refered to people running 5ks or other races as trendy... but maybe that's not a bad thing. I'm hoping to run a race in May or June... I want to do a couple of weeks of the program to gauge how well it's working for me. I am making myself except the fact my body might need more time on each week... and the directions say I can take the time that I need... I don't want to kill myself but I want to challenge myself as well.
One of the best parts of this is I got Chad to agree to train with me. I think he'll be a big help in motivating and pushing me... and I hope that I can do the same for him. Right now he doesn't plan to run a race with me, but maybe that will change.
I'm excited b/c I have a few friends that are runners or at least like to do 5ks. I'm excited that I can have a couple of running partners. My friend Carrie just moved closer to us so I'm really hoping to run with her sometime... after I get over my embarressing running.
I need a favor from all you loyal blog readers... I need you to help me stay on it. Usually when I try something like this I don't tell many people b/c I don't want to admit to people that I failed. This time around I'm telling everyone so you can be sure to keep me/us on track.
We've already done one work out and I will be updating every week (hopefully on Monday) about the previous week's workout... so stay tuned to see how we're progressing
I cannot stress this enough, but I am NOT a long distance runner. I did Track and Field in high school and I did the events that involved the least amount of running possible. I even figured out a way to get out of the "warm up" laps each day. It's something about endurance... but mostly I don't know how to control my breathing very well.
I had heard a lot of buzz about the Couch to 5k Running Program. I've heard several stories people just like me (NOT runners) that used this program to be able to run a 5k. Never before have I actually wanted to be a runner... every once in awhile I would get a glimmer of desire to run and would try it but would push myself too much. I'd immediately try to go out and run for 30 minutes or a particular distance and would be dead and hate it by the end... I think that's why this 9-week program will be different. I will slowly work into the long distance running.
A year ago I refered to people running 5ks or other races as trendy... but maybe that's not a bad thing. I'm hoping to run a race in May or June... I want to do a couple of weeks of the program to gauge how well it's working for me. I am making myself except the fact my body might need more time on each week... and the directions say I can take the time that I need... I don't want to kill myself but I want to challenge myself as well.
One of the best parts of this is I got Chad to agree to train with me. I think he'll be a big help in motivating and pushing me... and I hope that I can do the same for him. Right now he doesn't plan to run a race with me, but maybe that will change.
I'm excited b/c I have a few friends that are runners or at least like to do 5ks. I'm excited that I can have a couple of running partners. My friend Carrie just moved closer to us so I'm really hoping to run with her sometime... after I get over my embarressing running.
I need a favor from all you loyal blog readers... I need you to help me stay on it. Usually when I try something like this I don't tell many people b/c I don't want to admit to people that I failed. This time around I'm telling everyone so you can be sure to keep me/us on track.
We've already done one work out and I will be updating every week (hopefully on Monday) about the previous week's workout... so stay tuned to see how we're progressing
Monday, March 15, 2010
4/25
Like I thought, New Moon went a lot faster than Twilight. I would still not refer to myself as a Twilight series fan, however I am enjoying the books. I did like New Moon... the lovely parts toward the end got a little bit corny... I'm not exactly sure where I'm falling on this whole Team Edward or Team Jacob... and I do feel weird having a dilemna on who I want to see Bella with... I like to have those kind of things figured out. My sister Lindsey has been so generous to let me borrow Eclipse, so that will be my next book and I am interested to see where this story goes, even though I kinda know what will happen in the end I don't know how it gets there.
Thursday, March 11, 2010
Catch Up
Here's a few things going on right now...
- Chad and I have been walking nearly every night... the weather has been so nice!! It's been great to get out with the dogs and walk.
- Last night we (Chad, Keith, mom, and me) went to the the movies for my mom's birthday. We saw Alice in Wonderland in 3d. It was the first time I've seen a 3d movie and I have to say it was pretty cool. Much easier to watch than I thought it might be. I really enjoyed the movie as well. I couldn't want to see Alice and wasn't really sure what to expect, either way it was very enjoyable... Keith doesn't agree but sometimes he's a bit of a movie snob... sorry Keith... afterwards we went to Olive Garden for dinner... very nice.
- The crack on my windshield is getting out of control... i think it kinda looks like a profile of a girl with a very protruding forehead.
- Speaking of walking... I wasn't able to on Sunday my legs and feet hurt so bad. I went out with some lovely ladies on Saturday night for a Girls Night Out. We went to Home at Ameristar... I wore heels, which I probably shouldn't have done. I came home with my feet hurting so bad and my legs aching like crazy. I think I bruised the bottoms of my feet... ouch it hurt so. bad. I'm better now.
- Work has been crazy this week... true I'm writing this at work as we speak, but I just don't have the time to start on anything now... there's just too much to do.
- I've already got travel lined up for the rest of the summer... it's going to be crazy around here in a few months... eek!!!
- Survivor and chili tonight... nuff said.
Thursday, March 4, 2010
3/25
I'm behind in posting this... I kept thinking, hey I'll post that tomorrow at work, and then being super busy at work and not able to do it... so here I am... finally getting around to it.
I caved in and read...
I feel I need to preface this review with a couple of things... one, I was really trying to wait to read this series until the hype died down... I felt like I would judge the book b/c it's very trendy right now... luckily I think I did ok not judging it for that.
the second thing is my sister, Lindsey, read these book looooong before the became popular. I wanted to give her a shout out for finding something before everyone else jumped on board. Lindsey, thank you for letting me borrow the books... and I have a gift for you!!
So... what did I think? Well... I had a little trouble getting into it... it's how I felt about Harry Potter at first... "figure out you're a wizard already" here it was "figure out he's a vampire already." Once I got past that it went a lot faster. I will admit that I watched the movie before reading the book (which typically I'll do the other way) so that did have some affect on the read at first as well. Putting all of that aside, I enjoyed it. It's a light nice read. I'm excited about reading New Moon next (started last night) I feel like it will go even faster b/c I don't know what will happen.
Ending results: I'm not a die hard Twilight fan like some are, but I did really enjoy it.
I caved in and read...
I feel I need to preface this review with a couple of things... one, I was really trying to wait to read this series until the hype died down... I felt like I would judge the book b/c it's very trendy right now... luckily I think I did ok not judging it for that.the second thing is my sister, Lindsey, read these book looooong before the became popular. I wanted to give her a shout out for finding something before everyone else jumped on board. Lindsey, thank you for letting me borrow the books... and I have a gift for you!!
So... what did I think? Well... I had a little trouble getting into it... it's how I felt about Harry Potter at first... "figure out you're a wizard already" here it was "figure out he's a vampire already." Once I got past that it went a lot faster. I will admit that I watched the movie before reading the book (which typically I'll do the other way) so that did have some affect on the read at first as well. Putting all of that aside, I enjoyed it. It's a light nice read. I'm excited about reading New Moon next (started last night) I feel like it will go even faster b/c I don't know what will happen.
Ending results: I'm not a die hard Twilight fan like some are, but I did really enjoy it.
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