bring on the minivan

I am officially one step closer to soccer-mom status. Today I put Bug on the waiting list for the local gymnastics club. She will go once a week as soon as a spot opens. This is exciting. She is going to love it. The class is a parent and toddler class - which means I get to be very involved. And the best thing is that the class only has 6 children. Nice and small. Considering she is already trying to do somersaults - I think she is taking after her daddy.

under the christmas lights

"You have such pretty nails" - coworker yesterday

Blogging at work. That hasn't happened in some time. I have been so busy at work. That is a good thing. I like using my brain. I love solving the problems. I love "closing" and reconciling. I am a sick sick person.

But working also means a hurt shoulder and today a hurt wrist. Blah.

Last night we enjoyed holiday tradition with Charlie Brown Christmas and Rudolph. And Bug ate soooo good. For those of you who do not know, my Bug would rather do anything but eat. Well, last night it was oatmeal. She fed herself and ate more than most of it. YAY.

I changed my goals - yes again. I am not walking in the Austin Marathon in Feb. I, instead, plan to train for the Cap10k in March - yes you have heard this before. But I believe the shorter distance will allow me to work on speed as well as study for the CPA. I need to start on that. And Sweetie is going to do it with me, although he is running. He started his training last night while Bug and I wandered up and down the street looking at the Christmas lights - it was fun.

Sweetie got me a SWEET GPS pedometer for my b-day. It tells you distance, time, pace, everything you need. I love it. He used it last night for his run and it was great. I cannot wait to use the distance option - it will beep when you reach your distance goal. I am feeling much better today - so tonight might be the night for me to start my training.

I love Christmas - I love the season. Tonight we are putting up more decorations and doing a little shopping.

Today I was lucky enough to have lunch with Sweetie. Mongolian Grill - yum yum. I love that place. He is the best to meet for lunch. He always makes me smile.

I am very emotional today. Both good and bad. But more good. I am just feeling fat. I think it is my meds. I am just so sick of this weight gain. I go in next week to get my blood tested. I hope hope hope they have to reduce the meds and how I am feeling right now is related to Hypo.

Regardless, the new year brings new eating habits. I am not crazy enough to try and start anything right now. Other than my walking - I can start that now without feeling like I am depriving myself. And yoga, I really need to start yoga as well. I think it will help me a lot.

So exercise now and food after the holidays. And the holidays end on my Anniversary - which is in January. So come the 2nd week in Jan watching what I eat will be the focus. I really need to give eating right - for my thyroid - and exercising consistently a try.

I just have to have faith. I know, even with the weight gain, I am much healthier than I was last year at this time. I know it. My attention span, nails, hair, skin, eyes, and other things show it. It is just the weight gain that gets me down. Honestly, if I could just get back to where I was when I was diagnosed, I would be thrilled. My focus is May. When Sweetie and I will have been together for 15 years.

Don't worry - you will get to follow me on my journey.

I will post pictures tonight. But now it is time to go and get that sweet girl of mine.

Headache

I title today's photo - Headache!

I have a horrible headache. So no in depth post. I will say that we bought some more lights for the house tonight - they look FANTASTIC. Bug loves them.

Now I am off to bed and listen to my Sweetie read chapter one in book five.

Weekend Ends

It seems the weekend is at an end, even the 5 day variety go by too quickly. But I must say, I am looking forward to work tomorrow. That is such a nice change. And while I am still fighting my sinus infection, I am feeling good. The remainder of the weekend was filled with some shopping, family and more family, baking, napping, long discussions, putting lights on the house, and decorating the Christmas tree. Oh and this morning I woke to Sweetie and Bug bringing me breakfast in bed - homemade waffles and eggs - yummy!

Currently, we are watching Miracle on 34th Street - the remake. We love this movie. It would not be the Christmas season without it. We watch it every year as we decorate the tree.

Photo Check In

Day After Thanksgiving

One year later and she still crawls under the coffee table.

Happy Thanksgiving

Happy Thanksgiving to everyone. Today is a day to be thankful for everyone and everything in your life. I am truly thankful.

We did not make it to the Turkey trot. I was not feeling well yesterday - I think my sinus infection is back - and the extra rest this morning was exactly what I needed. I am feeling much better today. That and Sweetie had to get up at 4am to start the turkey. I can try and put too many traditions into a day - so this year the turkey won :-)

With dinner at 6, we had a relaxing morning and afternoon. I made homemade cheesecake - it was very good. I also made my famous fruit salad. I almost didn't make it - due to the amount of food coming. However, Sweetie insisted. And, I must say, it was the best so far.



The dinner was fantastic. Sweetie's turkey was falling off the bone, as always. We had more than enough and I believe everyone left nicely stuffed.



What I am thankful for this year:
~ A baby that lights up my life
~ A man that bring me more happiness everyday
~ Family that I can depend on
~ SILs that feel comfortable talking with me
~ Friends that I know that I can depend on, even when I am hiding in my hole
~ A job that I really like
~ Learning about my disease so that I can fight it
~ Learning more about myself everyday
~ A beautiful day to celebrate my thanks
~ Having a family doctor that we trust even when semi scary things are said

The last year has felt like a decade. So much is different from last Thanksgiving. I am thankful for the changes, I am even thankful for the confusion and pain associated with the changes.

Sweetie and I did the wishbone. He won. That makes me happy.

Blah

Today I am home. This works well as I do not feel well. Blah. I.cannot.get.sick! My to-do list consists of cleaning the house, mopping the floors, and baking a cheesecake.


But first - I must nap.

Catch up time

Photos are now up to date :-)

This is the 17th year that I received my fruit cake. Not your normal fruit cake, but Collin Street Bakery's Every year my mom orders it for me. And I received it this weekend. Yummy. Sweetie does not care for it, so it is all mine. It is traditions like this that make my holidays complete.

Sunday Evening

How is it Sunday already? And I owe two pictures. Blah. Friday was wonderful with my mom. I am 99% done with the shopping for Bug. Everyone else falls to second now. Although I did get Sweetie a couple of things. Saturday was lazy and Sunday has been the normal errand day. I did find out that Bug prefers "The Producers" to "The Never Ending Story". But that is ok. I can't argue, the girl loves a musical.

I woke feeling a tad under the weather - I cannot get sick. I have 11 people coming to my house on Thursday for dinner. I also woke with some depression. Don't worry, I am nipping that in the bud. Mom helped with our errands. She and I chatted and that always makes me feel better. I need to walk - not sure if that is going to happen tonight. With the way I was feeling this morning, I don't want to push it. But I would really like a 4 mile under my belt before the 5 mile on Turkey Day.

And then there is Turkey Day. I love hosting this holiday. And I do it the smart way - divide and concur. That helps a ton. But it still means cleaning. And while that is less after the cleaning for my b-day - there is always more to do. And I have to make sure my floors are clean. Always mop your floors before cooking Thanksgiving dinner, in case you drop anything. Shhhhh That was one of my Grandmother's secrets.

The neat thing is that we are having new people at our celebration. FBIL's family is coming. This adds three people. Not bad. But the funny thing is that we almost had my SIL's (brother's wife) parents come. They want to be a part of the tradition. However, their plans changed. So I planned on an additional two then it changed to an additional three instead. Life is funny.

Tonight Sweetie is helping Brother install FFXI, which is pretty cool. Other than laundry and getting Bug to bed, I hope to take a bubble bath. We will see if this actually happens, but I continue to be optimistic.

But laundry and nails. Those are the mandatory chores before the work week begins - all two days for me. YAY!!! Of course those two days are going to be rough - trying to get a full week's worth of work in. But such is life :-) Have I mentioned how much I like my job? I really do. Apparently it is good to use my brain.

ok off to get photos. Be back.

Shopping day

Post to follow. Here is my photo. Me driving to start our shopping day to celebrate my Dad's b-day.

Tonight we remembered the diapers

Camera

This is what I got for my b-day. Yay! Now I can take pictures while Sweetie takes video.

Tonight was an adventure to Target. We went for diapers. We left with many things but no diapers, lol.

I cannot believe next week is Thanksgiving. I love love love Thanksgiving. Sweetie and I want to walk the 5 mile Turkey Trot. In order to do this comfortably we plan to walk 4 miles this weekend.

Nails

Day three 0f 365. Look at my beautiful nails.

Good things today: Lunch with Sweetie, dinner while watching Gilmore Girls with Mom, playing at Barnes & Noble, and sharing left-over b-day cake with Bug. Good day.

Sleeping Baby

My baby sleeps.

Today is a good day. I am tired from the busy weekend. And I was very happy for today to be a rest day for my walking - I am a little sore from my walk yesterday.

Tonight is planned to finish watching Heros, transfer the sleeping baby to her bed, listen to Sweetie read the next chapter in The Unfortunate Events, and drift off to sleep in each other's arms.

Oh and 6 weeks and no biting my nails.

Happy Birthday to Me!

Today I am 30! This weekend has been wonderful. Friday night was party with friends, Saturday was Bug's Assistant Director's going away party. I got very.drunk! And today was a great actual b-day. Sweetie made me my favorite breakfast, we watched Spirited Away, took a nap, I walked for an hour, and then the family came over.

This is the button that Sweetie made for me. He also made a t-shirt for me with the design.


So far, 30 rocks. Today begins my 365 day challenge.

Goodbye 20s - a couple of days early

Today is my last Thursday of my Twenties. So much has happened over the last 10 years. I am a completely different person than when I entered my 20s. When I entered my 20s I lived at home, had a boyfriend (he proposed Feb 97), was attending college, just joined WW for the first time, and worked for my parents - my dad was still alive. Now I live in my own home, have a wonderful husband and beautiful daughter, have completed two degrees, work as an Accounting Manager, I at least chat with my mom on a daily basis, and while I still struggle with my weight, I feel much more comfortable in my own skin

My 20s were a rollercoaster ride. I experienced the highest of highs and the lowest of lows. My thyroid broke and flipped. I lost weight, gained weight, lost weight, and gained weight. I experienced depression, went on meds, off med, back on meds, and then resolved to try and do without them. I lost many family members and friends - family to death, friends to life. I completed two half marathons. I continued with my schooling even when Sweetie lost his job. I met incredible people who I am happy to say are still in my life. I reconnected with lost friends that mean the world to me. And I became closer with my brother and SIL. I made my family a priority. I made myself a priority. I felt sorrow, heartache, emptiness, happiness, accomplishment, love, and giddiness.

I learned that life is too short to hang around people that do not amaze you. This includes you. You need to amaze yourself. I am finally at a point where I amaze myself. I learned that you never know when you will receive a phone call or email that will change your life forever. Regardless of what the Boy Scouts say, you can never be prepared. I learned, in a very difficult way, that you can never be in control. I learned that family is the most important thing in the world. I learned people are human. I learned that I do not like traveling without my husband beside me. I learned that I am deeply moved by tradition and want nothing more than to pass our silly ones on to the next generation. I learned that I can do anything that I put my mind to. I learned that there is nothing sexier than self confidence. I learned to forgive those who hurt me. I learned that relationships change and, if you are lucky, for the better - and I am so very lucky. I learned that you can fall in love with your husband time and time again - for completely different things. And I learned that at the end of the day, all I want is to watch Simpsons and other stupid TV with Sweetie.

While my last day of my twenties is not until Saturday, tomorrow is the beginning of my celebrations. So today feels like the last day. And since you know me, you should know that I am a very sentimental person. Turning thirty is not freaking me out. I have accomplished a lot in my 20s and I look forward to my 30s. However, it is a changing of the tide. It makes me excited yet nostalgic. And with every birthday, I tend to make resolutions. I tend to make birthday resolutions rather than New Year's. I am sure there will be another post on that topic.

And a strange turn of events, our plans have changed for Saturday. This was going to be our date night. However, when Sweetie dropped off Bug at school today we got an invite for a b-day party for one of Bug's classmate's dad. We don't know them, only through our kids - they are boyfriend/ girlfriend. He kisses her (sometimes bites) and wants to hold her hand - she growls and pushes him away. They invited us since the kids get along and we get along whenever we see them at the school. And neat thing is that he is turning 31 - same age as Sweetie. Funny thing is that we really thought they were older than us. I think we are older than we think we are, lol. So it looks like it is going to be a date day with the party that night. I am excited. Should be fun. Does anyone know what "Colombian aguardiente" is?

Tonight Sweetie and I are doing the final touches on the house for the party. That and eating Vietnamese - yummy spring rolls.

Election Day

I voted! That means I get to complain. Sweetie and I met at lunch to vote together and then enjoyed some food together. It is beautiful outside. Unseasonably warm and clear.

BLAH.

You heard me right, BLAH. My b-day is supposed to be cold, overcast, and raining. This past weekend I looked at the 10 day forecast and it showed a high of 70 and 60% chance of rain for both Saturday and Sunday. I was so excited. Of course, this has changed. Now it is mid 70s and only a 20% chance of rain on Saturday. Now don't get me wrong, it will be a beautiful weekend. But I tell you, my best b-days have been freezing ones. Don't worry my b-day will still ROCK.

Last night was cleaning the kitchen. Why I decided to have a party at our house on a Friday night, aka no time to clean beforehand, I have no idea. I cleaned the fridge, counters, and even some of the pantry - YAY. Tonight the goal is the living area (dining room, living room, and hall tree). I can do it. I am motivated.

There is a 5k right by my house on Saturday. We are thinking about doing it. We shall see.

And once again I am bragging about myself at work. I totally rock. I am catching on quicker than I expected. I really like it here.

OK, time to pick up the Bug. I promise a more in-depth post soon.

Glich in the Matrix

Strangeness. Ever feel like you are living in the Matrix? I mean seriously. When I interviewed here everyone seemed familiar. One guy, I swear I know him, he even went to SEU - but many years before me. But that happens all the time. When I started I heard the IT guy's name and I was like, hmmm sounds familiar. I then meet him, sure enough also looks familiar. I ask Sweetie if he knows him, he admits the name sound familiar but we cannot place him. Well, a lot of the people here are the same way - familiar but not sure why.

So I have felt this strange sensation that I have been here before. It is the weirdest feeling and one I have never had at a new job. Well, I receive some checks for coding in my in box. I receive them a couple of times a week. Every time the envelopes say "Melissa". However, today it says "Missy". This is very strange as no one knows me here as Missy. But maybe they do?

Another strange thing. I know that I am reporting a week early. But after three weeks of not weighing I got on the scale. I have been BAD, I mean in complete rebellion. Bad food and not exercising. I was dreading the number but told myself that with my birthday I would start being healthier.

Well, I got on and was very excited to see the exact same number. Seriously, I should have gained 10 pounds. But I guess I have not been as bad as I thought. Which makes me want to be good.

And I am feeling very good about myself. I know it sounds vain, but I am having a "man, I'm sexy" day. I love days like this :-)

And on a related note. Sweetie and I were talking this weekend about walking. He wants me to get back into my long distance walking. He says it improves my mood and my confidence. I agree. And there is the perfect amount of time to train for the Austin Half Marathon, pending me getting my butt out of bed in the morning. I am a fair weather walker. While it may not get too cold here in Texas, it is cold enough to want to stay in bed.

So that is what is going on with me today. And I must say that I ROCK. I have been working on a reconciliation for two days. I finally solved it. I feel great. That is one thing about my job, most days are word problems and when you solve the word problem, it feels great.

Now I need to close so I can get my Bug and get home for some "knock your panties off" potatoes.

Thank you antibiotics

I am finally starting to feel better. Thank goodness. Looks like I should be feeling close to normal for my b-day.

The weekend was not as exciting as last week, due to me resting, but Sweetie and I were productive, nevertheless. We spent our weekend talking, napping, and getting another home improvement item taken care of (new blinds in the living room - woo hoo). Luckily, I didn't have to do anything for the installation other than to watch. Well, that and make oatmeal. I make great oatmeal.

Quick Check-in

I have a sinus infection, I am tired and need to sleep. So, this is a quick check-in.

I got my b-day invites out - so now the main thing is to get the remainder of the house clean.

Other than feeling icky, I am doing good.

Pictures

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