It is sooooo on! I can't believe how excited about this I am, I hate push ups! But I am feeling very motivated, and I need your support to keep this up. So, I am inviting you all to participate &/or cheer me on! I know Carey & Karen have already started, but I want to make my official entry into the contest tomorrow, Monday. I will post my progress everyday, all I ask from you is please don't let me get discouraged. Help keep me going!! I also signed up for belly tips on how to tone my flab. Awesome arms & toned tummy here I come!

Carmel Macchiato.....that is what I am eating right now! Yummmmmm-o!

The Downside of Facebook...

Is when people from work find you.

Especially when one of those people is the Chief Operating Officer!

I was very reluctant to be friends with anyone from work, but gradually I accepted a few friend requests. Then the COO asked to be my friend. I ignored her at first, but the second time she asked, I felt that it might not look good if I ignore her again. So, now I have to watch when I get on Fb, and sometimes what I say. I hate that. So now I am waiting for our CEO to send me a request. I've been told she is on Fb.

:(

Don't ya just love this pic of Rooby?! We started our hiking challenge yesterday, and even though it was in the upper 30's and snowing big flakes, it was a pretty good hike over all. We went to the Garden of the Gods, rain or shine this place is beautiful. Will post more pics. I woke up at 5:30 am, thinking over & over in my head that I will get to take a nap later today (The nap was a total of 5 hours, seriously!). Picked up my friend Yvonne, and made it early for the hike. Yes, that is a feat! We hiked on some trails that I had not been on before, so that made the hike better. So, good start to the challenge! Unfortunately, I will be out of town next weekend at a conference, so I can't go to Waldo Canyon with the rest. Will have to do a make up hike somewhere else this week....if it ever stops snowing! I have lost 2 whole pounds so far, so I'm happy!! Have a great Easter everyone!

I.....am.....so.....sick of COLD!! I think I have hit a wall with it. Colorado really hasn't had a bad winter in terms of bad snow storms, but it has been cold. I am tired of cold. Here it is April, and it was 35 degrees today. I remember last winter reading Bobbi's blog about how depressed she felt because winter just kept hanging on, and I remember feeling glad that I live here because even in winter, we have many days that it is sunny with 50-60 degree temps. This year just seems to feel colder than I remember. Maybe I am just antsy because I am so ready to wear Spring clothes, play golf and go hike. My first Pikes Peak Climb hike was canceled Sat. I am just ready. I am ready to be warm. Please??? My poor little flowers, that are trying so hard to come up and bloom, are freezing!

Meet River. This is my little nephew hangin out, waiting for the day he comes out and says hi to all of us! Allyson's due date is April 23rd, so it's coming up fast. One problem though, he is breech right now, and Allyson is having to do weird exercises to get him turned around. She does not want to have a C-section if at all possible. So prayers are much appreciated! I am so excited to be an Auntie, I hope I am a good one, even far away. I will not be there for the birth, which is a bummer, but am planning on getting there for baptism since I am Godmama! Anyway, this is the closest I will get to being a mom sorta, and I can't wait. Pray for my brother too, who is scared he won't be a good dad. He has so much love in him, I am just hoping he doesn't let the past get the better of him.

Anyway, looking forward to meeting you little River!! You are already much loved.

Question

Is it a deal breaker if you don't connect with someone with Humor?

What if he has everything else but you just can not connect in that way, like he doesn't have the same sense of humor as you. Or that part just does not connect.

Is that a deal breaker?

Spring. Sheesh! This is my Springs Break people. Last week we had upper 60's & 70's all week. We were dreaming of getting out the golf clubs for at least part of the break. Mine all wrapped up neat and tidy in the box they came in over Christmas. I am so excited about my new clubs that I can't even get them out of the box! Seriously, I know that sounds weird, but I guess I wanted to save them for the first time I am read to play with them. Today was suppose to be that day. I was going golfing at 8am this morning with my golfing buddies form work. Last night while watching news, it became very clear that I would not be golfing this week. They forcasted cold temps. and snow for the next couple of days. It was 29 degrees at 8am this morning with a slight blanket of snow. My poor little plants that are trying to come up are freezing as we speak! Below is my first ever daffodil, poor sad thing. I know things could be worse. I could be buried in a blizzard like some of my friends are. We do need the moisture, but I think I would rather have rain and thunderstorms by now. I have gotten some projects underway. My floor is regrouted in my living room, just needs to be sealed now. One wall of my shower tile is clean of grout globs and ready to be regrouted and sealed, just two more sides to go. I cleaned off my desk in my office! I can see my pretty desk wood now. Plus, I have gotten some other cleaning done. But man! I wanted to go for a good hike, golf, maybe go shopping. Ok, the shopping part is a little far fetched since I have no money, but it was the thought! Anyway, it is suppose to be in the 50's by Saturday, so hopefully we can try a game of golf in the afternoon. Happy Spring!

For Bobbi:

Here's the latest on my little friend Digby. Well, He graduated his first Doggie class. He was neither at the top or the bottom of his class, but I KNOW he would have been at the top if I had practiced with him more. That dog is so motivated by food and pleasing you, and he is smart too! I decided to not sign up for the next class right now, but will try harder to practice what we have already learned:)

He has had only one Introduction since he was "adopted" before. He met a family who seemed very nice and I thought they liked him. We decided to be very honest with them about the last adoption, but also told them what we have & are going to do about it. It didn't seem to bother them, but they did not ask to keep him. I'm sure you all know I was relieved just a tad. Even though I want him to well with all this, I also love the little dude. Someone from our class asked me why I don't adopt him, I hear this a lot. So, I broached the subject with one of the Allbreed people. They said I would be considered a Foster Failure, which really means they would never let me foster through them again. Even though I am tempted to keep him, it doesn't feel good to keep him like that, you know? Plus, I don't know if I would have to pay the $108 it costs to adopt him or not. Don't really have that. So, I continue to try and keep things in perspective.

A funny thing did occur during the Intro with that family. The girl that heads up Allbreed was in the Intro with me, and playing with him on the floor. He was rolling over to get a tummy rub. Laura asked me, didn't you say he was fixed? I said, yeah that is what Karen told me, and it was written on the certificate from the Humane Society, why? Uh, because he is not fixed! Everyone had a big laugh at my expense because I did not figure this out on my own, including me! But I am telling you, I couldn't tell! I am use to bigger animals, ok. His little balls(excuse me!) do not hang like big dogs! So, now he has to under go the snip-snip! Poor Digby!;)

Ok girls, it is on!!

It is time to get serious, there is much at stake! The big one is coming. The big 20 year class of'89! And I know my friends, you all are workout fiends when there is the proper motivation especially. I know I am not fat, but I know I have let myself get a little soft in the middle. I need to look awesome, or at the very least be able to hang with my friends, who I know are all going to look awesome! The biggest thing is being able to wear a bikini and not feel self conscious about it if we go to the lake. So, I guess what I am saying, is I have to get serious. There is only little over three months left to shed a few pounds and tone up. Can I do it?? Answer is, AAAARRRGGGGG! I hope so. This is some of the plan:

1) I first took Carey's test: and I am a balanced oxidizer. Which, after some research really tells me to eat balanced portions of good foods that contain proteins, carbs, and fats. I already do this pretty well, although I wish I could afford to buy fish more often. But in taking the test, it reminds me about good balance and portion control.

2) Continue my walkin dogs routine. Gets me outside nearly everday. But also step up the weights, yoga & Pilate's. One thing I HAVE to do is get home earlier from work!

3) I signed up for the Pikes Peak Hill Climb Challenge through work. We have a fitness committee, that puts on several events over the year, and this is an annual one. I didn't do it last year because you are required to get up at the butt-crack of dawn on my precious sleeping in Saturdays! You have to meet everyone by 6:30am, hike starts SHARPLY at 7am. Seriously, they will leave you! So imagine me all excited that Digby's classes are over, which only required me to get up by 8am. Not from April 4th until June, I will be getting up before 6am! Every Saturday! Anyway, it works like this. Every Sat. we hike somewhere different, each hike gets more difficult. The last hike is, of course, going up Pikes Peak. It's a tough hike from what people tell me, a 14r. Most people don't even walk back down because they are so tired! So, wish me luck. People are already making bets that I don't make it past two weeks!

Here's to looking awesome to impress only ourselves!;)

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Today's funny:

Late for work this morning, and pulling out of driveway realize that I am way past E.

I think, I can make it!

Can't be any later than I am today, have trainings all morning.

Note to self, will get gas as soon as I leave work today.

5pm, turn engine, notice it took a bit to get started.

Pulled up to a stop sign, car feeling weird.

Pulled up to stoplight with gas station right across the street.

Car dies right there at light!

Had to tell drivers behind me that I couldn't move my car across intersection to fill gas can.

Sorry, you have to go around me.

Listen to various honking as I walked across street.

Filling gas can, I twitch, gas spills all over me and ground.

Screw on cover, walk back as if nothing is wrong.

Fill tank with what little I had.

Drove to gas station to fill up rest of tank.

Filling up tank, thought it was full.

Pulled hose out as it is still gushing out.....

all over me.

Drove home stinking of gas.

Oh the high.

:)

I am sitting here with a warm pack on my neck(this comes after the ice pack), fighting a migraine while catching up on the millions of blog posts I have missed out on for so long. I am trying not to take my last migraine pill, because my stupid insurance makes us pay up front for everything, then they reimburse you a portion of what you spent. My medication costs $250 for 12 doses! I do have some saved posts to finish and get out, but I am not sure how long my migrained head can keep looking at a computer screen. I just wanted to write a short one here to apologize for taking sooo long in writing. The weekends are really my time for catching up, but something always seems to be getting in the way of that. So, I guess stay tuned. I will write. Now, I think I may go back to bed.

Story about my mommy.

I know that some of you saw the prayer request that Karen put out for me about my mom. Thank you for all the prayers. I have been praying for my mom for a loooooonnnnggggggggg time, and I think I just need more help. My mom is such a good person, but during most of her life, she has not believed in herself or loved herself. She gave up on God, I think, a long time ago. My theory is that because of what has happened in her life, especially with relationships and how hard it was to raise us kids alone, she doesn't think that God has ever been there for her. She has suffered from depression, I think her entire life. She is really shy and introverted, which makes it really hard to form good friendships. Despite being smart, strong, and courageous in many ways, she has always been extremely down on herself. She does not normally fight for what she deserves or wants. She has made a habit of sacrificing herself for others or to avoid. My mom has worked so hard her whole life, but despite that doesn't really believe that she deserves to be happy or deserves everything she has worked for and more. Right now she is feeling very disenchanted with her job. She has given 20 years to a bank that works her extremely hard, but has never made the effort to pay her what she deserves. She won't ask or demand what she deserves, instead believes the worst. That she must not be worth what she should be. She really thinks that they don't value her work ethic and that she must not be doing a good job. My theory is that they know she won't ask or demand what she deserves, so they go on under paying her and asking more and more of her. She is afraid to even start to look for another job because of her age, why would anyone hire her so close to retirement in their eyes? And no amount of trying to boost her up helps. I tried to witness to her, I really did. I have been planting seeds for a long time now, but she only listens respectfully. I know she isn't buying it. I guess I am getting so tired of praying the same thing for her, and nothing happens. Years and years of praying. All I want is for God to get himself into her heart and hold on. I want her to let him in. So, now I need more prayer help please. I want, for once in my life and hers, for her to be truly happy.....and to know that she deserves it.

It seems that I have dropped off the planet, well my cyber planet anyway! I have been busy working on having a life, weird! I didn't realize what a safe little world I set up for myself because I was forced to initially for the last 2 years. It is funny to me that it has been a little hard to let go of the routine I have set for myself. I had specific TV shows I watched every night. A routine. I come home, take dogs for a walk, exercise, make dinner, get on the computer, clean, at times do work at home, then by 9pm, it is time to veg on the couch with pooches. I have gotten out of the habit of calling people on the phone, of going out and having fun, of cultivating friendships.

Now, I am starting to live a little, and I find myself missing my Friday night on the couch! I get anxious if my week is too full because where is my down time?! I feel exhausted right now, because it is exhausting for me to relearn how to make friends. I also am exhausted with trying to fit everything in I want to do. I am NOT complaining, please don't think that, especially from all the whining did these last two years. I think this is just an adjustment. It just amazes me how easily you can get yourself into a safe little routine. So, here is a run down on what I have been up to:

1. I started learning how to play my guitar. Eric has been teaching me for free on Wed. nights. We sort of make an evening out of it. We both like the TV show Lost, so we practice guitar and watch Lost at the same time. I either go to his house or he comes to mine. This last Wed. I made him dinner as a thank you. We also talked until about 11pm. I was tired the next day!
2. I started going to a Bible Study group for singles, also with Eric on Tues. Nights. I really have only been to one Tues. night so far, and this Tues. I have a work thing to go to, so I won't go again until next week.
3. I am trying to connect with some friends, new and old. I talked to a girl that my friend Suree wanted me to connect with off of Facebook. We went to high school with her, she was in choir with us, but couple years younger than us. She seems like she will be fun to get to know, if we can find a night to actually get together. I have phone #'s for some other people that I haven't found a good time yet to stop and call.
4. I have been playing phone tag with that guy I told you about last time, Craig, who is a set up by a friend from Denver. We finally talked this last week. I think we will meet for dinner later this coming week if I can squeeze it in.
5. I starting trying to fit in a single/marrieds group from another church, the group is called The Carpool. It is suppose to be a 20's-30's group. Yesterday we had an event called Bowling for Tacos. We met at King Pin and bowled a couple of games, then met at someones house for tacos. I walked in by myself at the bowling alley, and there were a lot more people there than I thought was going to be there. There were a couple of familiar faces that I met before in Dec., but many new faces. I felt really intimidated because it was sooooooooooooooooo obvious that I was thee oldest person in the group! I did, though, kick all their butts in bowling! I was high scorer the first game, and came in at a close second the second game. At Grace's house, host for tacos, it was so hard for me to feel comfortable! They are all so nice, but young! It really felt like work. But I kept trying to find things in common. About the time they all started talking about graduating from high school in the mid-to-late 90's, I decided it was time to go home. I was exhausted at 7pm! I couldn't wait to lay down on my safe couch in my safe little house!
6. I had a date with Eric Friday night. I could not let myself relax at all! I really don't know why except that I really do try to over think everything, I just can't seem to help it. He and I are really suppose to be working on getting to know each other as friends right now, but the fact that he really wants more is hanging out there, hence the over analyzing on my part. He is being really respectful, and not trying to ne physical at all. I can not just be in the moment. Instead I am constantly thinking about the what ifs, and future, and what is God doing with this...... He and I can really talk about a lot of things, and that is great. I keep worrying though, that the just being able to let loose and laugh part may not be there. I did talk to him about that. He thinks that maybe I just need to see him in some different situations. I don't know, I really think my brain just needs to shut off! Anyway, he is really wanting to fill up more and more time together. He is asking me to do things all the time, and if you know me well, you know that causes anxiety for me. I don't know how to tell him that I can't spend that much time with him right away, because of that reason. I have dated long enough to know that that feels like rejection to a guy. If a guy is interested in a girl, he shows it by wanting to spend lots of time with the girl. That makes me want to run screaming! And anytime I have tried to explain that to a guy, they feel hurt and when they back off, they back way off. It has happened so many times before in the past. I don't want to reject him, so I come up with excuses to beg off. Like, I am suppose to go to a Superbowl party with him today, but I saw him Wed. night and Friday night, he asked me to go see a movie with him and his son (whom I have never met!) Saturday night (last night), and then he told me his kids will now be at the Superbowl party (yikes!). He also asked to go to church with me today.....I told him I don't feel well, isn't that dumb? I want to get to know him, but this is a little too much. How neurotic am I?!
7. I am skipping around a little, sorry, but I also wanted to include that I went Country dancing with a District co-worker last Saturday night. I did not want to go at all, but wound up having a lot of fun actually! I danced with several oldtimers, but they were great to dance with because they just wanted to dance, and they didn't care if I needed a little counting and coaching. I did however, forget that wearing high heals is NOT a great idea when country dancing. I developed a slight blister on my foot by the end of the night, but well worth it.
8. Mr. Digby started his first class, which of course I was 15 minutes late for!! It was a good class, he did really well, and I think we are going to learn alot!

Ok, are you as tired as I am? I didn't even go to church today because I could not get out of bed, and was so tired. As I am typing this, my eyes feel really heavy like I could totally go back to bed and it is 12:30pm! Again, not complaining, I just need to get out of this anxious state so I can really let myself have fun. Anyway, go Steelers!!

facebook magic!

Facebook really has opened up a whole new world for me. Not only am I reconnecting with tons of past and present friends, but I am meeting a few new people too. It's ok that my facebook reunion in RC was a bust, I did get to see a couple people there that I haven't seen since high school, and get to know the faces I knew from a few others but really didn't know well. I have gotten several phone numbers from people in my past and from suggested friends too. I found one of my best guy friends from HS that I haven't talked to in 11 years. We didn't get to meet up over Christmas because of weather, but we have been playing phone tag ever since. One of Suree's friends, who lives here in the Springs, wants to get together and get to know each other. A friend of mine from college is now living in the Springs, her name is Rita, and I didn't know it before Fb. She also wants to get together. I reconnected with a guy, Eric, that I dated about three years ago, who is a Christian, and we have been doing things as friends for the last couple of weeks. But recently he told me he would like to date now. A friend in Denver is trying to set me up with a guy, Craig, who lives in Denver. He has called me twice now.

All of a sudden I am sort of getting a life, but my habit formed hermitism (my word) is a little hard to break, weird huh?! I have not called Jaleen, Suree's friend, or Rita yet. Jay, my long lost guy friend, called me a week-n-a-half ago, and I still have not called him back. I have yet to return Craig's calls. And even though I have been doing things with Eric, part of me wants to run away and stay warm and safe in my little house of a world. What is wrong with me???

Well.......Digby is back! Bad behaviors in his new home is bringing him back. Digby does need the people to establish dominance with him right away, and if you don't he takes over. These people are just too sweet, and really need a sweet docile dog I guess. They let him intimidate them with his old man growl, and then he ended up biting the man. They had him just a couple days, and hadn't gotten him into an obedience class yet, and they decided he was too much for them. I tried to talk to Amy, the mom, about how he tried that with me at first and what I did about it, but they has already made up their mind. He is coming back. I am about to go get him now. Maybe that is why I couldn't cry. Maybe God was telling me to wait cuz he'll be back. So, next steps for Digby are to enroll him in a class that specifically helps me to teach him that all humans are his boss. As much as I am happy to get him back, I don't want him to always get bounced around. He deserves a forever home dang it! He also needs someone who has experience with dogs, not first timers. I just keep thinking back when I first got Millie and how hard that first month was especially. Millie chewed up a door! Ripped up blinds, escaped from the back yard repeatedly. I cried a lot, but somehow I couldn't give up, and if I had, where would she be? I pray that his next family will have that kind of stamina I guess. Anyway, I am going to go pick up the little booger right now. So yeah me?

Digby is in his new home as I write this. He got adopted shortly after New Years, but I was able to keep him for a few more days while they completed their classes. I did cry when they first told me it was official. I figured that I would be a wreck for the next several days, but I have been working with God. Those who know me, know my attachment to animals, and that I can go into a deep depression when I lose one. I kept telling myself going into this that I was serving others by giving a deserving dog a home while a Forever Home is located. And that I was helping to give a very special gift to someone else. I also kept telling myself that Digby is not my dog, he is someone elses. That and continually talking to God about this has helped my heart so much. So, All Breed called me Monday, and I worked out a time with the new parents for the drop off to happen this Thursday. I had a few days to really prepare for this, because since I have had him since October, of course I fell in love with the little guy. My grumpy old man turned into a lovey snuggler with a fun attitude. I expected, and prepared myself for the inevitable good cry when I dropped him off, but it still hasn't happened. Digby's new mommy was so happy to see him, and he wanted to explore every inch of their house. He has a little doggy door just for him, and a bed with a canopy on it! He was happy to see her too. I really don't think he knows I am gone. I didn't cry in the car, and I am not crying now. I feel both happy for him and them, and also feel a lump in my stomach. We are going to miss him so much. But I am so glad I did this. It really feels good to have done something like this for someone other than me. I know I will let myself cry at some point, I wouldn't be me if I didn't. But for the moment, and thank you God for wine, I am ok. Bye Digby, we love you, and hope to run into you at the dog park.

I'm back!!

Whewwwww!!!! I should so not try and do cool techy things like change to a fancier background. I thought I had lost everything! So, I am going to stick to the same-o-same-o for awhile. I would have been so upset if all that I have wrote after the last couple of years was lost in cyberspace. Sheesh.

So, I am trying to teach myself how to cast on. My crafters group hasn't met in awhile, and I just feel like I need to start over yet again! I haven't finished anything yet folks! One of the craft ladies that was helping me learn mentioned that you can find a number of websites that have free instructional videos that help get you started, and then give instruction on more challenging projects you might want to try. So, since I don't have anyone right now to help me get started, I thought I would give the websites a try. This one seems great: KnittingHelp.com. She talks you through it slowly and repeats several times. I am still struggling, but it just could be that my mind takes longer to process things, I don't know. When I watch it, I think I can get it, it makes sense. But when I then try it out on my own, I still seem to be doing it wrong, and I don't know why. But anyway, I am going to keep taking cracks at it. Karen, try this out and see what you think. Or you might find a few other sites that work for you online. Happy knitting.....soon I hope!;)