I'm Back

Hey there! Did you miss me? I can’t believe it’s been over a year since I updated this. I owe anyone that actually reads this a major apology for my slacking. I’ve had MANY blog worthy stories to share this year. I just never could find the time to write them down. Actually, I think the correct statement is, I just never took the time to write these stories down. So, I’m back on track. I plan to be much better about updating my blog and I also plan to try and retell some of the more unbelievable stories I missed this past year.

I’ve made some big changes in my life recently. First and foremost, for those of you who didn’t know I QUIT SMOKING!!! For real this time too people!!! I know I’ve said that before but this is really it. Now, don’t get me wrong, I still really want a cigarette, but I am done. I’ve made it past my milestone and won’t smoke again at least until I’m in my 80s and it doesn’t matter anymore.

The second big change in my life is I joined a GYM. No, this isn’t a joke, there is no hidden camera. I really did this.

For those of you who know me, you know I HATE to exercise. I think most of that is from when I was on the swim team in High School and the coach there scarred mea for life. We worked out 3-5 hours a day, 5 days a week, and probably 50 weeks a year. I did this for 3 full years and then quit the team due to events for another story. Nevertheless, I haven’t really worked out or been to a gym, more than 10 times since 1993.

To make matters even more exciting and strange, I hired a personal trainer. Knowing myself as well as I do, I knew I wouldn’t work out or push myself without someone making me do it Jillian Michaels or HS swim coach style. I’m lazy. I know this, you know this, and now the world knows this.

I do want to change though. I want a smoking hot body and to not get winded sightseeing on vacation.

So, how did all this come to pass? Well, to start with, most of the people I spent all my time with had babies this past year and therefore I never see them anymore. Then, I quit smoking and suddenly I had nothing but free time on my hands. When I first quit smoking (October 3rd) I had to stay busy to keep from smoking and so I finished almost all of my outstanding projects. Once they were all done, I realized I wasn’t doing anything except watching TV and knitting. So, I decided since I was gaining all this weight, was out of shape and had the time, that I should go sign up for a gym. The theory was that if I paid even just a little for a membership I would feel obligated to go and not waste my money. So, I signed up for a membership and it came with a free session with a personal trainer. What I now know is that these “free” sessions are well designed sales pitches. Now, don’t get me wrong. I am super glad I am doing this. However, after being weighed (no, I’m not sharing that awful number) and having my bmi (yes, he told me I was obese) taken by some hot young trainer and then doing what he called a 10 minute easy workout (totally lies). I was so worn out that my legs gave from under me and I wiped out on the stairs in front of the entire gym. I knew right then, I really needed help and so I signed the contract for 1 full year with a trainer.

Annie Oakley at the Farm

This past weekend Nita invited me up to Red Boiling Springs for her childhood friend Sam to teach me how to shoot. My father has given me his 32 revolver and I am taking the Handgun Carry Permit class in April. The problem is that I was terrified (still a little) of guns. I had never shot one before and needed some major help. Sam, according to Nita was the perfect person to teach me. Was she ever right!

So, Sunday morning Beth and I loaded up in my car and headed to the farm. It was a beautiful drive for such a glorious Sunday. We could not have asked for better weather. The drive took us about 1.5 hours and we just cruised along the highways.

We got to the farm around 11:30 and Nita and Linda had made us lunch. The 5 of us sat down and enjoyed some homemade barbecue, coleslaw and potato salad. I’m sorry to say I did not try the potato salad due to my low carb diet. I did get it on good authority that I had really missed out though. Hopefully I will get another chance to try it at another time.

Just as we were getting finished up some of Nita’s extended family showed up. We were not expecting them and I believe it really threw off Nita’s plans. Suddenly she had two extra adults and five children to entertain.

Sam decided it was time for us to get started so Beth, Sam and I started up to the barn. Sam spent a good amount of time walking me through the gun and all its features. He then explained the differences in ammunition so that we both had a much better understanding of the whole process. Once we were ready to start shooting he got an old gas can out of the barn and set it up about 10 feet from me. He only put one bullet in the first time so I could see what it felt like to shoot. It was not as bad as I thought it would be. So we loaded up the gun and turns out I was pretty good. I could consistently hit the can after the first couple of shots. Truthfully, I never dreamed I would be able to hit anything I was aiming at.

Sam was great and thorough. He had me shoot a few rounds with it cocked and aimed, then he had me aim and just pull the trigger. This is a bit harder but I figured it out. Finally he had me just point and shoot to check my accuracy there.

As a souvenir they had me load up my bulleted gas can in the trunk. This way I can prove to daddy that I actually did hit it as many times as we said.

When we got down to the farm house again, Nita’s family was still there. So, Sam took the time to show me how to clean the gun while we waited on them to leave.

After the family left, Nita and Beth wanted me to see the pond. So the five of us started up the street to the pond. In route we lost Linda. Not literally lost, but she took a spill on the side of the road and busted up her lip pretty good. Luckily we had not gotten very far and Nita ran across the street to her neighbors (actually her grandparents old house that has been restored) to get some paper towels to try and clean Linda up. Her neighbors came over to help and drove Linda back to the house in their ATV. Such wonderful people!

After looking over the pond we walked back to Nita’s and decided to go see Sam’s son’s house across the field. Apparently Sam had found this house that was going to be demolished and asked if he could have it for his son. Sam moved the house himself and his son and friends have been remodeling it. All I can say is “Wow” They have done an incredible job and the house looks like brand new construction at this point. We did a walk through and it is just gorgeous! I really wish I had remembered to take some pictures.

After we had walked through the house I discovered that they raised goats. In the pen were 4 or 5 new baby goats. I of course wanted to pet one and so Sam’s son went and caught me one so I could pet it. I had never petted a baby goat before. It was actually very soft and sooo cute!

All in all it was a wonderful day and very productive. Too bad the extra family showed up. Nita had brought her camera and video camera to catch all my training on tape. Maybe next time.

Do you drink coffee or hot tea?

I got the greatest Christmas gift ever! If you like hot drinks such as coffee, I know you have experienced how quickly they go cold, even in a "good" travel mug. Up until recently I had tried several makes and models of mugs with still only lukewarm coffee after about 30 minutes.

Hammacher Schlemmer has a fabulous solution. It is touted as The 2009 Best Commuter Cup and it doesn't lie! This mug keeps my coffee hot until I finish it. If you like to sip on coffee it will stay very hot for 4-6 hours! It will also keep your cold drinks cold for the same amount of time!

Another great feature is you can drink from anywhere on the lid. No more turning the mug around to find the drinking hole. Once you push the button to open it you can you turn it up and drink. When the button is closed, not a drop will spill out. the mug is $24.95 plus shipping and and can only be purchased from Hammacher Schlemmer. It will make and EXCELLENT gift for any hot coffee or tea drinkers you know.

Here is the description from HammacherSchlemmer.com You really should invest in this if you like hot drinks!!

Office Bathroom Etiquette

Ok, ladies! I feel I need to go over some rules of public office bathrooms. I’ve been fuming over this stuff for a while and it has hit a peak this past couple of weeks.

1. I know we still have some germophobes out there. I even subscribe to this theory at several places that I have had to stop. However, just because you are afraid to sit on the toilet at work doesn’t mean the rest of us are. If you insist on hovering over the toilet, WIPE YOUR PEE OFF THE SEAT BEFORE LEAVING THE STALL. There is nothing more disgusting than for those of us that aren’t afraid of the office bathroom to sit in your urine!

2. Do not talk on your cell phone in a public/office bathroom! Nobody is that important that they need to hear you or I going to the bathroom. It just so happens to be an invasion of MY little bit of privacy at the office. If you really need to go to the restroom you can ask the person if you can call them right back or wait till the conversation is finished.

3. WASH YOUR HANDS! I seriously cannot believe that this still needs a reminder, but apparently it does. This is especially crucial at an office or public place where you will inevitably infect everyone with your germs when you open doors, shake hands, type or talk on the phone. It is good hygiene and always has been.
And Finally

4. I know this must be a lost art that parents don’t teach their children anymore. I do know that most people at my office are older than I am though and were probably raised the same way I was. I also understand that this is a natural process of the body. However, can you please refrain from blowing out your butt when there is a bathroom full of people. It makes everyone uncomfortable. At our office I even know there is a private/handicap bathroom that can be used for just these emergencies!

Hope everyone has learned something today!