August 31, 2009

Light at the end of the tunnel

A friend of mine had a really tough year. She was in the process of selling her home and well, it got the best of her. I remember meeting her for lunch and her telling me about how they had been on the market for over a year, the showings were not going well and feedback was just as bad on the home. To be honest, I didn't understand why she would want to leave her cute home, but you could see it chipping away at her and her livelihood. I promised myself that I would try to not let myself get in that zone should I be in the same shoes; I broke a promise to myself.

Our home went on the market back in September of 2008. We were in the process of moving to California and the housing market was about to crash into foreclosure land. When things didn't work out with our move, we decided we'd keep it on the market, sell and move to another part of town to be out of a wall-sharing years and into our first grown-up home. So here we are almost a year later and if we are to sell our townhouse today, we'd owe on it. I am frustrated, I am mad and I getting depressed. I understand the feeling of stuck my friend felt; not just physically in our neighborhood, but emotionally in this rut. How did I let myself get in this place where the smallest thing sets me off?

I am trying to get myself back into my happy place and this road looks long and narrow. I blame the economy for being so crappy. I blame our president for not helping us who pay our mortgage on time and have nothing to show for it and I blame myself for letting it all get the best of me. So for now, I am going to try and google as many happy, hopefully, don't give up quotes and focus on what I can change, which is my attitude.

p.s. My friend sold her home a few months ago to start the building of her new home when it fell through and the company filed chapter 11. She is now building another new home and living in a apartment making the best of what is yet to come.

Welcome to Monday

Here's the check in for the week.

Mind:
One-word description of the workweek: bleh - having a case of the Mondays.

Books I've finished: does a magazine count?

News story that stuck with me: More death this week (another Kennedy) - just sad and depressing really.

Body:
Workouts this week: I got in one day at the gym and the rest was walking or hiking with the pups. I got a reminder this morning that the race is in less than 3 weeks. Time is flying by.

Spirit:
What I did for myself: I got a mani/pedi after a really bad day at work. Things have been really bad at work and I am having a hard time focus. I blame the weather - I always get this way when the weather starts to change. p.s. I chipped off all my nail polish this weekend. Not a usual habit, but just not the best weekend.

Looking forward:
A long weekend coming up. Not anything planned, but ready not to be at work right now.

August 24, 2009

Mind:
One-word description of the workweek: Tired (one day of vacation=lots of catching up!)
Books I've finished: Almost done with Twilight - less than 200 pages left and finally liking it a little more.
News story that stuck with me: A recent one I read today about Annie L. (photographer) who spends more than she makes - sounds like it doesn't matter who you are, this entire nation has money issues.

Body:
Workouts this week: I got 3 days of working out last week - one day in strength class and two days running. I missed out on my long run yesterday due to travel, and well - being lazy. Looks like I will making up for it this week - and all the crappy food I ate this past weekend.

Spirit:
What I did for myself: I took Friday off to enjoy some time with the hubs before heading out of town. It was so nice to sleep in.

Looking forward:
Getting our home sold. We are hoping to be out of their before the end of this year - both of us are just ready to move on in every sense of that word.

August 17, 2009

It's that time again...Weekly Check-In

Mind:
One-word description of the workweek: Roller-coaster (lots of things in the fire this week)

Books I've finished: Still on Twilight - but half way through.

News story that stuck with me: Michael Vick making a comeback in football by joining the Philly Eagles. As mean as this sounds, I am happy to know that I am not the only one who doesn't think he should ever play again. I can't let go of the fact of all the horrible things he did to helpless animals. If I did what he did, I would be fired and not asked to show my face again. It is amazing that we allow people to abuse animals, children or even our elderly. We cannot blame these traits on our up-bringing or even our environments. We make choices everyday and well mine is to be kind to others, human or animal. I know that people will not agree with me, but I don't think that Vick has served his time considering the million dollar pay check he'll be taking home at the end of the day. Yes, I am passionate about this topic, but I also know that complaining isn't going to make it go away. I volunteer my time/photography with a local rescue group and hear some really heartbreaking stories. And so far, the success stories are pouring in weekly. We should all do our part to clean up this world from such hatred.

Body:
Workouts this week: I got one day in last week and then got terribly sick. Add in puking too. Back on the wagon this week hopefully with a workout this evening and a run scheduled for tomorrow. The race will be here before I know it.

Spirit:
What I did for myself: I gave myself a weekend to relax and rest up which I think my body needed.


Looking forward: A rescheduled trip to Atlanta this weekend. Beyond that, any good news this week brings. Have a good week and remember to be kind to others. It isn't hard to smile at others and it could be catchy!

August 10, 2009

Weekly Check-In

Mind
One-word description of the workweek: Patient
Books I've finished: Still on Twilight - been mostly busy with editing pics.
News story that stuck with me: Since we cut cable and I rarely turn on the TV, most of the news I get is via Twitter - sad, I know. Two stories of the week - the death of John Hughes (Pretty in Pink will never be the same) and the dog born with a heart on it (huge dog-lover here).

Body
Workouts this week: I worked out 5 days last week. (that wasn't a typo!) That included a one hour workout session on Friday. 10K will be here in before I know it. Staying on track with not over eating, and hoping I see a difference in my body in the next couple of weeks.

Spirit
What I did for myself: Might seem silly but I worked on my other website this weekend. I still have a long way to go, but I am so proud of myself for making time to get it going. All this working out and pushing myself is also helping me get into a better place in my head. I can see how people get addicted to exercise.

Side note: Adding a new Category: Looking forward to - this weekend I am headed to Atlanta to see my bro, SIL and also my nephews. I can't wait to spend some quality time with them! Also looking forward to planning our trip to Canada next summer - anyone want to join?

August 5, 2009

What was I thinking?

Do you ever find yourself talking in circles with friends? Like having the same conversations, regardless of the time of the year or how long it has been since you last saw them? This was me and friend who I saw last weekend. We both seem to gravitate towards the part of the conversation to be about weight and the gain we both suffer from. Add in all the pretty clothes we both have in our closets we can't wear anymore either. It's mostly our own faults due to the ridiculous beer and wine availability. So we decided to make a change. We decided to sign up for a 10k. Did you blink? Thinking you saw a typo, like maybe it should have read 5k? No, you read that correctly. In less than eight weeks, we will be running a race here in Charlotte that starts at 7:45am. So yes, I signed up for a really really long race that takes place in less than eight weeks and also really really early in the morning (if you know me, I am not a morning person ever).

Did I add that we have a six day workout week? I've been hitting the gym about once to none a week since the wedding over a year ago. I will say that I am lucky not to be starting from ground zero, but I don't feel far from it. The funny part about all this, is that I believe I can do it. I want to give it a try. I don't think I will be able to run the whole thing straight through, but I know due to my past 5k races (all of 3), that I can do at least half of it - so how bad will the last 3 miles be...riiiiiiiiight? Ha.

Here's what we have for training set up so far this week:
Monday: Weight training
Tuesday: Run 2.5 miles
Wednesday: Weight training
Thursday: Run 2.5 miles
Friday: Cross Train/Weights
Saturday: Day of REST
Sunday: Long run

So far I have two days behind me and a sore body to show for it. I also started drinking protein shakes and I won't lie that even though it says chocolate flavor, it tastes like the aluminum wrapper the chocolate bar comes in. I snack throughout the day, so hopefully this will get my post wedding weight off. I am also going to really push myself to have more water. I got some True Orange to help flavor my water to make it go down easier.

Some may call me crazy, some may even call me a little strange for diving into such a massive task, but when life isn't changing, you have to figure out a way to shake it up and try again. Here's to training and running my first ever 10k.

August 3, 2009

Weekly Check-In

Mind
One-word description of the workweek: Awkward
Books I've finished: what's a book? Does a CB catalogue count?
News story that stuck with me: the economy and how people get so negative about it; even when they have 5 kids - I don't see the point on complaining about it, unless you want to make a difference.

Body
Workouts this week: You ready for some big news? I ran 2.5 miles last week (in one take) and really thinking hard about signing up to join my friend in a 10K in about 8 weeks. Am I crazy? I am starting to think more asking for punishment.

Spirit
What I did for myself: with the hubs out of town, I decided to splurge on a diet of pizza and Ben and Jerry's - also lots of chick-flicks. Not the best, but it was fun while it lasted.