Supinating Pronating Beast

Yes mam, that would be me. I'm a super-pronating BEAST! Or at least my shoes are.

This morning was the first of the Expo's for the 3Day. Super Jock&Jill (my new favorite store) had a shoe expo in which they chatted about feet, supinating, pronating etc. Did you know that everyone supinates and pronates? It's just a matter of to what degree. I was pleasantly surprised to find out, officially, that I'm "average". And that in this rare case you don't want to be above average. Yay me!

Two hours later and $165 I walked out of Super Jock&Jill with ONE more pair of kickass shoes, two pairs of kick ass socks, a blister pack, and a tube of Nuun. The shoes purchased were the second runner up when I bought the last shoes. They are ubber support, almost like walking in ski boots, and oh so comfy. They are Brook's - like the first pair - and are called Beast. Yes, that's right. Because I'm a walking BEAST in them. I got an extra discount on mine because they were "last year's model" - and mine are highlighter green. Oh and I should mention that mine are actually a woman's shoe. And being a feminine shoe Brook's decided Beast was too manly apparently and so call the woman's version Ariel. But see, that's just doesn't strike fear in the pavement like BEAST does. GRRRR!

Oh sweet mama that shoe is awesome. After the Jock&Jill experience, Blueberry and I pondered whether to walk or not. See, lucky Seattle has been hit by a "Spring Snowstorm." Yes, you read that correctly, it's snowing. Snow fell yesterday for about 2 hours. Didn't really stick though - thank god - or the Stang and I would have headed home early. Today it was butt cold. And if you're wondering how cold is butt cold, well, let's just say for us Seattle types, it was cold. And so Blue and I debated. But since we both had new shoes on - or at least I was wearing the BEAST - we decided a quick trip around Greenlake wouldn't be bad, and after that we'd decide. I shivered my way around and then pulled the pansy card, and said, "Let's do lunch."

Tomorrow though is supposed to be nicer. We plan on 10 miles tomorrow weather permitting. Neither one of us want to walk in the wet, icky, cold weather. Though even as I type this it's snowing outside, so who knows.

Tomorrow is also PhotoSafari day. Though non of my co-safari-ites are going to join me in this great adventure. This month's "theme" is night time. Little hard in the northwest since it gets dark later now, but I'll manage. Again, weather permitting, I'm heading to a bridge that overlooks one of our major freeways and will test my skill at fast moving cars and streaking lights. And maybe I'll throw in a few snowflakes for fun.

Hello Old Friend

This past weekend I picked three very lucky recipes out of the recipe bowl. You know I speak so frequently about this bowl, I think I'll go take a picture.

Now, where is the camera?

Ah yes, in the fanny pack for walking. What? Isn't that where you put your camera?

DOH, no card. Where's the card? Why would the card not be in the camera? Oh yah, it's in the Pink Laptop.

Right, okay back to the picture. Anyhow, as you can see the bowl is really an oversized brandy snifter (and oh my god - dirty - ick).

Anyhow, this past weekend I chose three lucky little recipes to make this week. The first was the Spanish Chicken and Rice. While one of my favorite recipes, I must not have been paying attention while cooking because it didn't turn out so good. Still good, but not as good as I remember. Hmmm, makes me wonder if my "favorite" is another recipe? Huh! The second recipe was Steak Teriyaki. Good, but I over did the ginger on it.

So the last was Spicy Szechwan Chicken. ZOMG so good. First, it wasn't spicy. Second, it was, OMG so good. Did I already say that? I tried, I honestly tried to follow the recipe. But see I have this birth defect (thanks Mom) that causes me to "change it up" as I cook. This particular case wasn't so much as me adding things as it was I didn't have the "correct" ingredients so I improvised. Which if you check out my "other" blog, you'll see what I mean.

The point to this entire blog, yes there is a point - albeit probably not a great point, is this weekend's shopping trip was to Central Market.

I had made a habit of Sunday morning trips to Central Market for grocery shopping. I don't find their prices any higher than any other place. The store is laid out PERFECTLY, and smartly. I stop at Starbuck's for my elixir of life, then cross the parking lot to shop. I generally have a list and generally take my time. It's a glorious trip. My sanctuary, every Sunday.

Then I started training for the 3Day - which by the way is going great, thanks for asking. That meant that Saturday was for walking and Sunday was for all the things I didn't do Saturday. And somehow shopping never made that list. I missed my trips to Central Market. So this past Sunday I revived my spirit and went. It was like coming home. It was like visiting a long lost friend. It so reminded me I need a life.

PS - The Spicy Szechwan Chicken was DELICIOUS!

Thanks for Stopping by...now leave!

XXXCrush stopped by in my dream last night. He and his arrogant self stopped by to inform me he was moving to Colorado but before he left he'd help me water my tomatoes.

What? I can't explain dreams.

I can, however, control them. Way...Back...When...in college I took part in a dream study. It was $100 for a three month study. $100 was a lot to a beer depraved college student. I, of course, immediately too the money and bought beer paid mom off. More importantly the study was to see if we could control our dreams.

I have a very personal, close relationship with my dreams and generally remember them. I even think I dream in color, but that can be argued. Anyhow, after several months I was able to control what happened in a dream. If I didn't like the dark shadowy path I was wondering down, I'd tell myself to take a left and it'd be all sunshine and bunnies.

Lately I've been watching The War by Ken Burns. I'm not a huge WWII fan, but I am a European history fan. And while I realize, thanks for pointing it out, that this film is the US side of the house, there's a lot of history to be seen/heard about in this film. I just finished disc 3 last night. I did 5 hours of disc 1 and 2 on Sunday night. Consequently I'm dreaming about WWII. I'm not actually in the war, but rather a by stander floating above it watching it.

Last night I was yelling at some soldier to not go in a building. I can remember consciously thinking he'll die if he goes in. But if I dream of something else, he won't. So I switched gears. I didn't think about the XXXCrush, it just happened. I just wanted to dream about anything else, but this poor kid potentially dying.

Anyhow, if you've not seen this film and you're a fan of history, I highly recommend it. It really is quite well done and WOW the things I'm learning.

Thanks Easter Bunny! Brahck! Brahck!

Happy Easter everyone. I'm celebrating the day in a not so traditional way. I'm having Spanish Chicken and Rice for dinner. YUM! It's a recipe I've mastered over the years and I thought it sounded delicious for today. It's all wet and drippy outside, so it's the perfect comfort food.

It's been a long and very enjoyable weekend. We got Friday off for Good Friday. Not a common holiday I don't think to have off here in the US, but I'm not complaining. Our UK compadres had Friday and will have Monday off. Which means work will be Q-U-I-E-T! Yay Quiet!

Friday I hung out at home and did homebody stuff like cleaning and watching really bad afternoon TV. Then BigBro showed up and we managed to walk 5 miles (5.18 to be exact) around the lovely hood. It was a nice little walk and so glad I got out.

Then Saturday, we had no "team" walk planned so I figured I could go out on my own. The sun was shining, and the route BigBro and I took Friday could be altered to stop at a Starbuck's. So off I went. Before I went though, I decided to try those 5 hour Energy shot thingys. After gagging it down, berry flavored my butt, I sat and patiently waited for it to kick in. I knew that 10 miles would take me 4 hours give or take, so I took it about 30 minutes before I planned on walking. Within minutes I was hopping up cleaning stuff, and feeling very energized. Strapping on the shoes, I was off. Shin splints be damned, I couldn't stop. I felt so much energy it was quite frightening and I couldn't help but wonder if that was what being on crack was like. I managed 10 miles with a 15 minute stop at a Starbucks to rest and do other things. I didn't end up getting ANY coffee because I didn't think my heart could stand it.

I made it home in what I considered record time for a 10 mile walk and realized I had to get ready to go to a friends house for a spring gathering. Hopping in the shower I was still all jittery. It was as if I had several shots of espresso (but it tasted worse). Off to The Newlyweds for a spring festival. My hands were shaking, I was talking 50 MPH, and I couldn't sit still. I drank gallons of water hoping that would help. Then a glass or two, or three of wine. Then as if a clock chimed inside, I hit a wall. I could barely stand and realized that apparently the 5 hr energy had finally wore off. I didn't feel like myself, but felt like I had run a marathon. Deciding to pack it in for the evening, I managed to make it home and fell into bed and asleep with no effort. 12 hours later I awoke to Easter. TWELVE HOURS! I never sleep that long.

Moral of the story, I wouldn't recommend the 5 hour energy drink unless you plan on being busy and full of energy for 6+ hours. I took it at noon and by 7 it wore off. I guess I got my bang for my buck.

On another front, I'm not sure I mentioned that the old computer completely died. Stupid me didn't take my 1200 recipe database off the old computer. And now I can't seem to get it to run without over-writing the hard drive altogether. Which means adios to that database. So on a whim, I thought I'd try to load the recipe software I've been using on my new pink Vista machine. The company who made this lovely recipe software said it won't run on Vista, so I didn't bother. Well, guess what...it does! Yes mam. It does! I spent a good part of today already fishing through the printed recipes I have and see that only about 300 aren't printed. That's a lot, but not as bad as I thought. So now I've started the long process of inputting them all into the new database. And yes, I'm backing this one up (on my new pink external hard drive of course).

So with that, I have recipes to enter. Which of course makes me hungry. Maybe I'll have an early dinner tonight.

WooF!

No really. It's official. I have no life. I'm the worlds biggest dork. And OMG I'm in love.

As I sit at home tonight I decided to watch a few reruns I had taped. You won't believe me when I tell you I watched this again.

Hang on! There's no way you watched that entire preview that quickly.

Go Back.

Watch it again!

And Again.

Right, now you see what I'm talking about.

Oh.

My.

God.

I'm so in love with this car. I swear to Dog I was sitting, again, on the edge of my seat with the remote control in my hand. Fast forwarding to the car scenes. Stopping. Drooling. Fast forwarding. Rinse, lather, repeat.

I think I might need a cold shower.

What? As if you didn't drool! I must go now. I need to go stalk a car.

By the way, in case you're wondering, and you know you are, this is a Shelby GT 500KR. 540 HP 5.4 L Supercharged V8. WOOF!

I try to discover, A little something to make me sweeter

PMDude marvels, yes I said marvels, at my ability to come up with what he calls bad songs and get them stuck in my head. Random songs too that really don't have anything to do with whatever the conversation is, but something that is said reminds me of a song.

Case in point, the title of this blog. I was recounting a story - which I'll recount shortly - to a friend via email, and for some reason this song popped in my head. The video should come with a warning: "Serious 80's Ahead - Proceed with caution."

As if you need yet another example, or look into my mind, yesterday PMDude said I was a dreamer. So what song popped in my head? This one. What? Didn't you think of that? The best part, it got stuck in his head.

Right. The story.

So a couple of weeks ago when BigBro took us on the 9+ mile walk through the streets of Seattle, I craved a Dairy Queen blizzard later that evening. And by "crave" I mean, I could NOT get the thought out of my head. It's nagged at me and nagged at me like a little door knocker being overused in my head.

I did, of course, what any person training for a 60 mile walk would do. I hopped in the car, reset the mile clocker thingy-ma-bob, and hit the road. 1.5 miles later I was at Dairy Queen. Waiting not so patiently in the freakin line for my blizzard. Actually, I should state the line wasn't long, but all the rejects from the DQ world are sent to this particular store to "take their time" making ice cream joy. Anyhow, on the way home I thought, "Wow, just 3 miles to DQ. I could walk there. Get my blizzard. And walk back with little to no guilt."

Speaking of guilt, this song popped in my head. It's a curse. I know.

What is...116 and 13 years of goodness?

Why, my weekend in review of course.

116 is the total number of training miles I've clocked since January. BigBro and I walked somewhere in the neighborhood of 10 miles. There's some difference between his pedometer and mine, so I'm guessing on this. I was tired and I could feel the walk in the back of my right knee. But significant stretching, lots of water and a little nap, I was good to go.

Then as if that wasn't enough, I got up - not early by any stretch of the imagination, which I'll get into in a bit, and I walked 5 more miles today.

Its amazing to me to think that I walked 10 miles. In December of last year if you would have asked me that, I never would have imagined myself getting out and pounding the pavement. The funny thing now is, walking a mile, or two, or three just seems silly. Simply no effort really, and doesn't really tire me out. At 6 miles, I can start to feel it. I definitely need to consider stretching some more during the walk. Somewhere between 6 and 9 miles I think I need a little break. I was hurting by the time we hit BigBro's house yesterday, which I'll blame on a lack of water and stretching. But if I were to stop and rest for 5 minutes I think I would have felt good.

After a long, hot shower, a quick little nap, I dressed myself to go celebrate 13 years of Dudley Manlove goodness. They combined St. Patty's dat with their celebration, and not once last night did they mention their anniversary. No big I guess. I've been going to their shows for 10 years now. Which is hard to believe, but it's true. It's been fun watching them change their songs up and add a few opening acts here and there.

Their "opening act" last night was, well, not all that. In fact, I had to video tape them because no one would believe me if I told them it was an Irish Folk band. Now for the theme of St. Patty's day, they fit. Dudley fans, they did not fit.



Aside from the opening act, VikingGirl and Mark/Vanessa joined. HikerGirl and her new man bailed on us. Hmph! VikingGirl was a Dudley virgin and had her reservations when she saw the Haggis Brothers. Her eyebrow shot up with a very questioning tone in it. But by the end of the night, she was officially a Dudley Fan. My work here is done.

Dudley went into the old Dudley coffers and pulled out some of their very old songs that they've done for years. Songs like, What's New Pussy cat?(Tom Jones), Me and Mrs Jones (not my favorite song, but I love Paul's voice when he sings it. Incidentally, Mr. Michael Buble does a pretty damn good job too.), If Could Read My Mind (Gordon Lightfoot) - Dudley speeds this one up quite a bit too, and even Joey Scarbough's Greatest American Hero theme. (Shut up! You know you know the words to that song.)

December 1963 is one of my FAVORITE songs. Yes, it's a Franki Valli song, but it's fun and really quite nasty if you understand the lyrics.

The crowd exploded when Dudley did this song. With the flashy lights and the sounds of people talking, it totally reminded me of prom. If you listen closely, you can hear the entire crowd singing along. ( And the distortion in the sound would me and my dumbness. I discovered the microphone on my camera is right where I put my finger to hold the camera. So it sorta covered it part of the time. Sorry. I'll do better next time.) And you can't see it very well in the video, but Paul was holding up a lighter...ahhh memories. We did notice no one else in the crowd really had lighters, but we all had cell phones.

And finally, they closed their show with their standard closer, Suspicious Minds. We were up on a balcony watching the show this time - actually thankful we weren't down front - so from up above, I thought it was fun to watch the entire crowd bounce at the same time.

And my destination makes it worth the while; Pushing through the darkness still another mile

You get big kudos if you know what song that's from. You'd have to be alive and functioning in the 70's to appreciate it. PMDude will just roll his eyes at the song choice. (Can we say Holy Lip Syncing?)

Right! So....

Friday couldn't have come at any better time. Man what a week. Firs week in the new office has proven to be most pleasant though. PMDude might be questioning wanting to "office-mate" up with me since I'm not afraid to share all the random thoughts and songs that pop into my head now. He'll survive!

Speaking of surviving, I spent a significant time last night sending letters out requesting donations. I've been very tempted to not send to a few people I have in my linked in list because I've not actually corresponded with them for some time. They were all people who have played a significant role in my career development - positively or negatively doesn't matter. Some were friends once, but life and lack of desire from their part to stay in contact with me has put them in the "no need to contact" list. Still, I sent the letters. I caveatted it with the fact I was putting shame aside and hitting anyone and everyone to help find a cure. And with that....

HUGE SHOUT OUTS TO ....

Former CatShack boss and his two fantastic little dogs Punch and Sulli. You Rock! As do your dogs. I had no idea your dogs were so financially secure.

For shizzle R.Tizzle....Despite the fact you're an Oregon DUCK A HUGE THANK YOU for your donation!

D - "The Topic is..." THANK YOU SOOO MUCH! We really should keep in touch more.

These donations have put me at a kick ass $1230 in donations ... and it's only March.

I also sent an email to all of work personnel too. Stressful! My god, hitting send was hard. I'm not a big fan of sending emails to "all" at work. No bites there yet, but I'm sure there are a few who will donate.

I also sent an email to the boys of Dudley Manlove. Well, one boy anyhow. Also stressful. I played the "I've been coming to see you all for 10 years now..." card. I requested if they would consider our team setting up a booth at one of their shows and collecting donations. And in lieu of that, donating themselves. We'll see. I'm not holding my breath. But so far, every single person who has donated to me has shocked me with their generosity. And I mean "shocked" in a good way, not in a finger in the light socket sort of way.

I had several topics to discuss today, but they've all seemed to have left my little pea brain. As soon as I hit publish I'll remember. So maybe I'll hit save and see if that works. Hold on.

Nope...nothing.

BigBro and I are "planning" on 9-10 miles tomorrow. It's dependent on the weather. Sounds funny maybe, but I have no desire to walk 10 miles (3 hours) in pouring rain. I bought some mole skin today to put on the blister point on the bottom of my foot. One would think that one's foot would be calloused enough now by one's commitment to walking. But NoooOOOoooo! This is not my foot for the record, but this is what it'll look like tomorrow.

This morning something wonderful happened. I found that all the clothing I had that fit was dirty. Okay well not ALL of it, but the stuff I like to wear. With horror I realized I had to go to the "other" side of the closet. All women know of that side. The side in which clothes you one day want to fit back into live. Yah, so I pulled a pair of pants out that fit, but were a tad uncomfortable to wear (too tight in the waste). I was again "shocked" when they fit and were loose. YeeHAW! This walking thing is sure helping in the clothing department.

BTW iTunes bugs the !#$%^& out of me. It is my nemesis. I moved over my songs from the old computer and apparently a few of the songs were authorized already on up to 5 computers. I deauthorized all the songs, and yet they won't play. Discussing this madness with iTunes they said, so sorry, those songs were bought using a different account ...IF I could get to that computer I could deauthorize the songs. Right. Like I can remember which computer in my past has those songs on it. So, smart girl that I am, I thought "I'll show you iTunes." and I pulled out all the back up cds I had made. Hah...so there. Well, except NONE of those blasted songs made it to the back up CDs. iTunes: 1 Jenn: 0! There are about 250 songs lost. Some I think I have on other CDs I've burned, but not all. GRRRRR!

Um....WTF?

And this from PhotoGirl today.

I'm not even sure how to comment on it. I'm, (how do you say?), speechless.

That would be Miss Ambassador to you!

No need to courtesy. No need to bow. I'll still be the same old Jenn. Just an ambassador. I'll be signing autographs later.

Earlier this week I was contacted by what appears to be the PR firm for the 3Day. Through web searches they found my blog and read all the wonderful and motivational things I've written about the 3day and my journey. From there they thought I'd be an excellent ambassador for the 3day. They were looking for walkers who would be willing to share their story with the media. Newspapers, TV, radio apparently look to interview participants about the event, and I quote, "bringing it to life these Ambassadors are our best resource." I filled out their form, and waited patiently for an "approval". I wasn't sure if I was applying for it and it had to be reviewed, or if it was a sure thing. I chose to not write about it at the time for fear of jinxing it. And yes, I am that powerful.

So today, I got an email back from them welcoming me as an ambassador. I'm royal. I think.

Anyhow, it's quite a nifty little set up they have. They have online tools that help with getting media coverage, and tips for interviewing etc. As I was reviewing their stuff I thought, hah, this is just the thing to do for when the Saving 2nd Base team decides to do a fundraising event. We can call the media. Get the coverage for the 3day and maybe get more donations to find a cure. Everyone loves a good human interest story. I'd like to be sure we can give them a happy ending too and eradicate breast cancer (or all cancer for that matter).

The best part of the email from this PR rep was as follows: "I suspect you won’t be shy about sharing your story since you’re so open about it on your blog." Who me?

Now if you'll excuse me, my public awaits. Well, okay a project schedule awaits, but it's close!

It’s happen! Finally, it’s happened!

I’ve been waiting, ever so patiently, for my first 3day story that I can carry with me for motivation. As if having a best friend who’s suffered through breast cancer wasn’t enough motivation. Or as if all the millions of women who have suffered, or will suffer isn’t enough. No, now I have even MORE motivation.

Her name: Unknown. Her spirit, remarkable, as is just about everyone I’ve met who’s had to deal with this.

Yesterday, I got home and decided to get my butt out there and walk. I mapped out a 5mile trek that would take me through a good part of the hood and get me back in time to head over to the Newlywed’s house for dinner (and planning of Blueberry’s 40th birthday party). Off I went. About 3.5 miles into it, the allergy attack from hell kicked in.

Sidebar: Allergies. Hate them. Last season I didn’t have a single sneeze, sniffle, or difficulty breathing. This season, it’s making itself up ten-fold. My goodness it sucks.

Now, back to the show.

Right, allergy attack. I sneezed SEVENTEEN times in a row. No lie. And anyone who’s lived with me know’s this happens during spring. It’s a ton of fun. By sneeze 10-ish, it hurts. Really really hurts. My eyes started watering and started to itch. I literally wanted to pull my eye balls out and scratch them. Ugh. This whole time, me with two kleenexs, couldn’t walk fast enough.

Then the clouds opened up. I’m a mile or so from the car. Rain pouring down, sneezing, and feeling like crap. Questioning why the hell I was doing this? Telling myself how stupid it was to have ever thought this was a good idea. And as soon as I get back to the car I’m calling the whole thing off, well, after I stop at Starbucks for some warm cuppa love.

Now, picture, if you will, that I’m a vision in pink. I have on my new pink – albeit soaking wet – fleece breast cancer vest and pink shoe laces in my spiffy new sneakers. Out of the corner of my eye I see two women sitting at a table near the door. I don’t really pay much attention to them as there are people in Starbucks usually sitting chatting.

As I’m standing waiting for the warm Americano to be served up, I feel a tap on my shoulder. There standing beside me is one of the women from the table. She has a pink baseball cap on covering her clearly balled head. She looks to be somewhere in her 30’s though it’s hard to tell. She says to me, “Are you a survivor?” I responded that no, I was training for the 3day/60 mile Breast Cancer walk. The smile that took over her face can be compared to nothing I’ve ever seen. She asked if she could give me a hug. As she did she said, “Thank you, I appreciate your effort.” Even typing this now my eyes get all misty.

I grabbed my Americano – doctored it up with cream and sugar – walked out to my car and just sat there. As I sat there I thought about how incredibly crappy and cranky I was when I went in. All things in perspective now I realized I didn’t really have anything to complain about by comparison. But I did have yet another reason to continue to train and fight to find a cure.

As for how I'm doing with regards to this adventure. I'm over my $1000 mark in fundraising - just $4000 left to go. And I'm just a measly 6 miles away from my first 100 training miles.

Ow Ow Ow Ow....Ahhhhhh

That was how my day went yesterday. Fine starting out the walk, at about 7 miles, the right ball of my foot started to ache. And hurt and ache. Those stupid shoes I was wearing hurt. That was that. Off to Jock and Jill we went. Well actually VikingGirl and I bagged out a bit earlier to hop in her car. She parked up the lake some and my foot hurt so I hopped in.

At Jock and Jill, John the super sales man helped us. This shop is a small mom and pop shop who's sales people don't work on commission. Blueberry bought her shoes there and I immediately felt that they would do us no wrong. So John the salesman spent an hour with myself and VikingGirl. I tried on 5 different pairs, wearing one shoe on the left foot and another on the right. Walking up the hill outside the store, switching the shoes, walking some more. Oddly the first pair I tried on was the pair I bought. Jock&Jill's gives a 10% discount because we are walking in the 3 Day. In two week's they'll be having an expo and they'll be selling things at 20% off. I plan on going back and buying another pair of shoes to have them ready for walking. I mean 20% off, you gotta take advantage of that. You just gotta!

BigBro walked with us yesterday and took us on quite a fun little trek. We met at Starbucks at Greenlake. From there we did one lap of Greenlake, then off track we went. We went up 65th to I think 15th to 45th and the Ave (not sure it was 15th). From there we went up 45th - stopping at Dick's burgers so VikingGirl and I could get a snack. MMMM Dick's Burgers. From there around the zoo and back down to Greenlake. According to BigBro's pedometer he had walked 15miles - but he started from his house and had 5 miles on us when we started at Starbucks. So we figured we waled 10 miles yesterday. My pedometer said 9, so I'm going with somewhere between 9-10 I walked. I'm sure I got the extra mile just from the trying on shoes and walking up the hill outside the store. Then walking to where we parked...I'm SURE it was 10 miles.

What was truly amazing about these new tennyrunners I bought is how much my foot hurt going into trying on shoes, and how little it hurt walking to my car. Going in I didn't think I'd be able to walk to the car and thought I might have to break down and let Blueberry go get the Stang (gulp). But once these new kickass shoes were on, my foot didn't hurt. In fact, I felt I could walk another lap of Greenlake.

Once I got home, I got the foot spa out of the management office - it had been delivered earlier in the week, but I couldn't get home in time to get it. But Oh. My. God. I am so glad I bought this thing. I put my hot water in, the salts that came with it and I sat here for 15 minutes soaking. Ahhhh, how good that felt.

It's a VERY Good day

Today, my friends, was a good day.

I got to work and was very cranky. I had festered all night over a conversation that took place during my 1:1. Then when I got up this morning I was still mad. I had a conversation out loud with things I wanted to say, but wasn't quick enough to say them. I hate that.

But today, while it started out with me wearing my crankypants, got better. Approximately 2:00PM today, PMDude and I got notified that we were approved to move into an office. YIPEE! We - PMDude more than I - had been asking for some time to allow he and I to co-exist in an office away from "others" in the office. Today, we moved. I will take a snapshot later of the office digs once they get situated. We both pretty much just moved and then went home. Well, that's not completely true. My desk is all put together, but I stayed later to do that.

I got another surprise today. I was "found" in Facebook by a long lost friend from my Tasis days. Little Martini Pearce. Martin, Claudia and I pal'ed around a lot. He was a lot of fun back then, and I'm sure he still is. He lives in LA with his partner and currently raising a their special needs child. I'm so happy for him. And I'm so very glad that he found me. His sister Rachel and I were roommates my senior year. After graduation, Rachel fell off the radar and hasn't wanted to be found. Martin informs me she's good and doing well.

Tomorrow we are all meeting to walk 9-10 miles. I'm hoping to buy some new fancypants shoes. The ones I have now are 10 mile AT THE MOST shoes. My feet started hurting after 9. Not to mention a blister. For myself I bought a gift. This nifty little foot massager. It was delivered on Tuesday and I've not had a chance to pick it up from the office. Hopefully tomorrow I'll 1) be able to pick it up and 2) use it in the afternoon after the walk.

Blueberry is about to turn 40. The Bride of the Newlyweds and I are going to be planning a bday party for her. I haven't had to plan a birthday party this big in a long long time. At least there's no need to determine a color scheme. Black I think should do just fine.

Make it Stop

What a horrific week/day. I can't really put my finger on it, but this week sucks.

I think I might be allergic to my laundry soap. My legs itch like crazy. I thought perhaps it was dry skin, and have been lotioning up, but that hasn't helped at all. I suppose I could be allergic to the lotion, but wouldn't my arms itch. Actually now that I think about it, my arms would itch if it were the laundry soap. Either way MAKE IT STOP!

Some of my projects aren't doing so well. It's a little of this and a little of that to be blamed. There seems to be way too much to do and my stress level is off the chart. (I wonder if stress makes one's legs itch) I do have PM skilz but man something isn't meshing right now. A multitude of things that have happened lately just has me bummin about work. I just get so tired of the crap sometimes. The lack of desire to even think, or god forbid act, about change frustrates me. A few ideas I've had (in conjunction with another who shall remain nameless) to improve our way of collecting data were dashed and made me feel rather stupid for even thinking I could make a difference or affect change.

Did I mention my legs itch?

Allergy season is starting. My eyes are all scratchy and itchy. Stupid Scotchbroom is starting to bloom. I hate that stuff. It looks all pretty and springy, but it stinks. Not literally, but in the allergy world....it stinks.

I feel all out of sorts too. I have hermit tendencies and I like to spend time at home. I've not had any time at home really. Each night I've had something going and not getting home until late. I think I need my hermit time to feel all sorts of sorts. This weekend isn't looking too promising for hermit time either. Walking 0 - 10 miles on Saturday. I hope. Right now I really don't feel the motivation, but am sure over the next day or so I will find that motivational need. Oh I know what will do it. This video. Watch it! It'll put a lot into perspective.

Well I think I've whined long enough for one blog. I think I might go tuck myself into bed with the rest of my smut novel I have left to read.

Back in the Saddle

So I'm back in the dreary wet Seattle land. Ugh. I stepped off the plane yesterday and was greeted with a blast of 40 ish degree weather. It was all I could do to not turn around and get back on that plane. Except that plane was going to Alaska, so that wouldn't work. But you know what I mean.

I had an absolute blast with the fam. I spent a significant amount of time trying to figure out the family with regards to who belonged to whom, and where and why, and oh my God my head hurt. Something has changed in me in the last 2 years, I find I'm very interested in my family's history. I want to know who is who and where and why. I'm kicking myself now for not having a tape recorder going while listening to the Aunts and Uncles tell their stories. So much I didn't know. Of course a lot of it makes sense to me now as to why I'm the way I am. I blame the family!

Now for a few shout outs:

A BIG HUGE SHOUT OUT TO AUNT JEAN FOR HER DONATION. I know the decision of either buy "scrapbook" stuff or donate to a good cause. I'm very glad that she chose to donate.

ANOTHER BIG HUGE HUGE SHOUT OUT TO PHOTOGIRL AND THE YANK FOR THEIR GENEROUS DONATION. You both rock and I'm so very thankful to know you both.

The donation from PhotoGirl and The Yank put me over my $1000 mark. I'm 20% to my goal of $5,000. And it's only March. I might have to raise my goal.

I Wear My Sunglasses....

during the day because the sun's so freaking bright. In fact, I've not been able to post because the computer screen and the sun create a heck of a glare. I think I got sunburned from the glare. No lie.

I was going to post yesterday but got too busy sitting in the sun. Then I came back in side to rest, cause it was a lot of work sitting outside in the sun. Once inside, I sat on the couch to type, but the glare from outside on the computer just wouldn't allow typing. So I went back outside.

Sitting on the deck, I was laying back soaking up the sun when a loud flutter sounding like a bee with wings of an eagle jolted me back to reality and just about scared the poo out of me, thinking it was a bee. Instead it was a nice little humming bird. Still, it could have been a bee with wings of an eagle.

Yesterday was the big family reunion. I've not known the Spaid side - the MomUnit's side) very well and sorta regret that. What a bunch of amazingly odd people. I know where I get it from now. I sat at the table last night with two uncles, and an aunt who all told stories on one another. I laughed until my sides hurt. Funny how one story told by three different perspectives can be so different.

From Left to right: Uncle Dick, Aunt Jean, the MomUnit and Uncle Bob.

Aunt Jean is one of my favoritest aunts. She's the one responsible for my scrapbooking addiction. I told her I'd send her my bill and she said she can't be responsible for such a large tab. She lives in Medford Oregon, so I could see her more than just once every 15 years. Uncle Dick now lives just below my parents during the winter. As long as I can remember he's been in Alaska. It's too cold for me to visit up there. Uncle Bob lives in Colorado and has for as long as I can remember. I vaguely recall as a child visiting them, but can't recall if it was in Colorado or if they visited us in California.

It saddens me a bit that we didn't get a chance to grow up with this family. Being part of the military we moved a lot and so rarely got to see family. We generally spent summers in California with the grandparents and so at least knew them.

I've been shocked at some of the trials and tribulations these aunts and uncles lived through. I've learned a lot about our family history, and am writing it down so it's captured somewhere. It surprises me that they are "normal" as they are. And that's all relative.

I walked just 3 miles yesterday because it was so flipping hot. And I found myself out of breath quicker. BigBro did warn me about the higher altitude, but that doesn't seem like I should have been that much out of breath. Still, it was nice to get out and walk.

Today we're having brunch with the whole fam damily and who knows after that. I might sit out in the sun again, oh who am I kidding, there's no might about it. I'm soaking up as much as I can. It'll be cooler today at 79. Yesterday it was 86 and that is a bit toasty.

Oh and on the plane on the way down here I actually sat in a window seat. I normally like the aisle so I can get up as much as I like. Every screaming child in Seattle was on this plane and I swear sitting next to me. Anyhow, we flew over the Grand Canyon. Gorgeous from the sky!