Go Shorty, It's yah birthday!

This water bearer is celebrating her 32nd birthday today. It's been awesome, so far. I woke up and started working on my computer and only a half hour into working, I received my first, "Happy Birthday," call from my dear, sweet hubby. Last night, he had flowers waiting for me when I got home. He'd also prepared dinner (stuffed halibut, mixed red bean casserole, stuffed crab shells and bread sticks). Hey, it was heaven for me and I saw the results of my feast on the scale this morning (ouch!).

I continued working, then went into the kitchen for tea. What did I find? One of those singing cards that television has been advertising for a while. The outside says, "Out of a whole big world, I found my one and only. Lucky Me." Inside, it says, "Amazing you" and plays the song Some Kind of Wonderful. I nearly woke up the baby when I opened the card, but it was so sweet. Also, a new eternity necklace and CZ earring studs.

I went back to my room and received my second phone call; a birthday serenade from my mother (we all do that in my family). It was very sweet, complete with runs, rolls and lots of vibrato. We chatted for a bit about what she was going to get me and I (for the first time ever) declined her homemade biscuits or a red velvet birthday cake. I wonder what she'll come up with, now that she doesn't have to cook? Oh, how I'll miss that cake.

Hubby called again later, to see if I'd seen the cards and gifts yet. He wanted me to take my flowers to work, but I decided that I didn't want to leave them in the office over the weekend in no light to die. They're quite tropical looking and I can keep them alive a lot longer at home. (oh, he just called again. It's 10:50am).

On my way to taking the babe to school, I turned on my cell phone and it started to vibrate after a bit. Hubby had left an "I love you more than you'll ever know," message on my phone from when he'd first headed out to the gym this morning at 3:15...crazy guy. At work, a 9-pack of chocolate cup cakes (I'll have one, only) potted daffodils, a card, a balloon and many birthday wishes. It's good to be the Queen.

Tonight, I have no plans...only to take the babe to dance class. She starts gymnastics up again next week and dad has said he'll take her swimming starting next week, too. That child will have no opportunity to get into trouble. She'll be way too busy! I guess, it's good to be the princess, too.

Still Making Up

Hubby was especially amorous, last night. Unfortunately, it didn't last as long as I'd hoped. He pretty much passed out at around 6:30pm, so I watched Made in America with the babe. It's like a going on a field trip at home. The babe asked lots of questions about the trash compactors being made last night and also the fire alarms. I'm glad she's inquisitive, but sometimes it gets down-right irritating. "What's this? What does this do? Why is that on? How come it's that color?" etc.... I was glad to see 8:00pm roll around. "Off to bed with you, child-of-many-questions."

I've been doing really well with the eating plan (see the other blog) but regular exercise has been put on hold while I recuperate. I've been coughing and hacking like a mad woman...more so because of the nasty inversion. Oh, we got our snow last weekend but it wasn't enough to wash the crud away. It's too bad because the air quality is just getting worse and worse. Newscasters say things like, "Elderly people and those with bronchial troubles should limit their time outside," and "Commute if at all possible." I've been running the humidifier and that helps, but I've still got the crudies. Even going skating caused a coughing spell at one point. I wanted to push myself harder, but didn't dare. I hope we get a nice, strong wind soon.

My girlfriends are taking me to lunch today for my birthday. We can't go tomorrow (the actual day) because of some weird meeting one of them has to "participate" in (that usually means she has to make sure the catering comes when it's supposed to and set up the meals, snacks, drinks, etc...). She seems to like her job, but I'd feel like a servant. Oh, well. So, off to lunch we're going today. It's actually the first time I've been to a restaurant in the year 2007 while watching what I eat. I think I'll be fine and won't go overboard (keeping fingers crossed).

Let's Make Up!

That's what the evening was filled with (and with the best way I know how). I went to bed at around 8:30, but I didn't get to sleep till midnight. Needless to say, I'm in zombie mode right now, but oh, the memories.

We took the babe roller skating last night and it actually turned out to be a really fun evening. Let me set it up:

Two years ago, the babe was taken to the skate center and put into some fisher price "learn and grow" skates. The experiment was unsuccessful. After several falls, lots of tears and only fifteen minutes after paying the full price to get in, we left the skate center. I decided that I would buy the babe some "learn and grow" skates of her own to practice in. Fast-forward a year and still no skates from mom. Auntie takes the babe on an outing to where? Why, the skating rink of course. After paying full price, Auntie and the babe leave the skating rink after only ten minutes.

The babe's birthday is coming up so, mom seeks out roller skate prices on the Internet. She finds a really cute purple pair that only cost her $24.oo. The skates arrive and are unwrapped on the babe's sixth birthday. She is ecstatic!

Over the next four months, the babe practices rolling around the kitchen (just as her mother had done years before, in order to learn how to roller skate). She skates slow, she skates fast and she falls a lot. Not to be deterred, she keeps at it and soon begins to look somewhat like the skaters on Xanadu. Hmmm. Mom comes up with a plan. Why not try the babe at the rink again on a night where it doesn't cost your first born to get in. See how it goes and then take it from there.

The family is admitted for a flat-rate of $10.00 for unlimited skating and rentals. Awesome! Mom picks up some skates, while hubby rolls Indy around in the stroller. The family finds a table to park our stuff and mom proceeds to put on the strangely shaped rental skates. The babe laces up her own. In only a few moments, mom and dad are wondering where the babe has gone, "Did you see her? When did she leave?" The babe is out on the rink...cruising. Success! She stays out on the floor for most of the time (about one hour and thirty-five minutes). Mom and dad are ready to hit dollar nights...a family activity to carry us through the winter.

I've pretty much decided that I've got to purchase my own pair. Those rentals were killing my toes! They only had men's sizes and you know, no half sizes. So, a seven was too small and an eight was way too big. They're definitely on my wish list. After a couple of rounds, I was looking like my old disco-rollering self (okay, not really), but it was fun and great exercise. I'm really excited to go again. I'd forgotten how much fun it can be!

Trials and Tribulations

Well, me and hubby are in the thick of one right now. It all has to do with a stupid comment I made (yes, admittedly by me) that snowballed into a not-so-nice evening at home last night. It's too bad, too. I mean, hubby was all set to stay home and not go to church with me and the girls. He complained about not being on schedule yet and I said, "If you had to go to work today, would you go or would you call in?" I guess he thought about this because the next thing I knew, he was in the shower shaving.

Sunday was nice and we were having a really good day. In the midst of it, he made quite a few phone calls to friends and relatives, while I worked on the babe's hair. This took about two hours (washing, plaiting then interlocking the braids). We then piled into the car and went to the store. On the way back, we drove past a Japanese steakhouse (which we've seen often, but never gone to) and I say very casually, "When are you going to take me there?" He goes into this speech about being practical and our having kids and not being able to spend $100 on dinner. Okay. Point taken, but why did I have to finish off with, "Don't talk to me about practical. I'm Ms. Practical besides, I'm not the one who ran up the credit cards." Yep, not good. Totally uncalled for and a cheap shot. But, it was out there and no apology or anything was going to make him feel better.

So, we ate our fabulous king crab legs (courtesy of my father's gift card to us for Christmas) in silence. He cleaned the house like a mad man afterwards, then we all went to bed. It was sad and I felt really bad about it. So, this morning he calls to talk to me and tell me how he felt. I wanted to tell him how I felt and apologize, but by the time he was done talking, the rest of the office had come in for work. No privacy. I can't spill my guts or say really anything at this point. "Oh, well." I tell him. "Now I can't talk." Of course, this irritates me from his end too, because, he'll talk for hours before I can get anything in. (It's actually a major sour of irritation and he knows this now, but he's too old to stop, I guess). At any rate, even getting an apology in wasn't going to happen.

Tonight, we're supposed to take the babe roller skating for all the good behavior points she's gained from school. We're so proud of her and I actually wanted her to go last Tuesday, but that's when I started feeling sick. I hope we can go without too much tension. She shouldn't have a horrible time because mommy and daddy can't get it together. I actually hope that I can talk to hubby before I get home today, but who's to say. He may decide not to answer my calls after this morning. How's this to a great start for my birthday week?

Apeculture.com

Here's a survey I stumbled upon (I've edited some of the questions because I thought..."Gosh, there's no way I can answer this). So, here it is! Consider yourselves tagged.

1. What's the strangest place you've made whoopee? Probably the basement of my mother's house. We tried to be really quiet, but I don't think anyone was fooled.
   

2. Name a part of your body you detest. My arms. Ugh! I'm a linebacker...it's crazy!
   

3. What is your most painful childhood memory? I went through a thievery phase in elementary school. I know now that it was for attention, but I changed everyone's perception of me when I was caught. No one trusted me.
   

4. Describe how you lost your virginity. I was dating my now husband for about five months. He'd been begging and begging for a while, but I was pretty sure I could wait until I married. I figured it would be him (Justifying, yes). Four days after graduation, we were getting pretty hot and heavy in his bedroom when one thing led to another. Black satin sheets...could it be more cliche?
   

5. Name 4 porno movies you watch over and over. We don't have any anymore, but theirs plenty of smut samples on the computer. Haven't watched any in a long time (no need to).
   

6. Name something you have shoplifted. I lifted a comb set from a kiosk at Marine land when I was a child. I didn't have enough money for it and the stuffed dolphin. It's seems so stupid, now.
   

7. What's the highest your credit card debt has ever been? About $12,000 -$15,000 combined (me and hubby). He's credited home improvement purchases on cards, but that's about it. I just hate using them. When I do, I try to pay them off right away.
   
   

8. On a scale of 1-10, rate your self-esteem. Right now, it's around 6, but once the baby weight is off, look out!
   

9. Name a celebrity of the opposite sex whose bones you would like to jump. Just one? Nuh, uh. There's no way I could name just one:Vin Diesel, LL Cool J, Christian Bale, Jason Statham. Whew! Hot, hot, hot!!
   

10. List a medical problem you had that you were embarrassed to talk to the doctor about. I was ten and had taken a very aggressive round of antibiotics. A week later, I was all itchy in the neither regions and eventually had to tell my mom (because it was driving me crazy). This was before yeasty beastie medicine was over the counter, so off to the doctor's we went. I had to get a special inserter because I was still a virgin and hadn't started my period (I wasn't used to having things in there). I remember being so embarrassed.
    

11. When was the last time you voted and who did you vote for? The last Presidential election. Um, not Bush. I'm not crazy. I was one of the millions that voted for Kerry. Oh, well.
    

12. When was the last time you picked your nose? Did you get caught? Yesterday. Nope, I was in the bathroom.
    

13. When was the last time you farted? Yesterday...I had black beans. It couldn't be helped.
    

14. Women: do you groom yourself "down there"? I was much better about it when I was thinner. I would shave what little I have completely off. I think my hubby likes the variety so, I go back and forth. He's the only one who cares about it anyway. Oh, and I'll make sure "nothings hanging out" when swim season appears.
    
    

15. How much money do you make? Not enough :-), but above average in my field.
    

16. How much money does your dad make? Who the hell knows. Probably a lot less than me. It's too bad, since he could make 6 figures if he really wanted to.
    

17. Have you ever considered suicide? When and why? What method? Once, when I was younger. I could never go through with it, though. I'm not that selfish and way too chicken.
    

18. Have you ever been so drunk or high you didn't remember what you did? What did your friends later tell you that you did? It was New Year's eve 97-98. I asked my boyfriend to buy me a bottle of Champagne. It didn't taste right at some point in the drinking, and I added sugar. Oh, the agony the next day (my one and only hangover). There are parts of that night that I don't remember. I'm glad I was in a safe place.
    

19. Have you ever had an abortion or paid for someone to have one? No
    

20. Was potty training easy for you? My mom says it was, but I always wanted to bring my little potty out when company was around and show everyone.
    

21. If you could eliminate one religion from the face of the earth, which one would you pick? Mormonism
    

22. Have you ever danced with the devil in the pale moonlight? What about in a sleazy dive bar? Yep, and boy was he sweaty. Never been to a sleazy dive bar, but would love to go one day and people watch.
    

23. Have you ever eaten a lot of junk food and then thrown it up on purpose? Yes. I had
    several slices of pizza, a lot of soda and what seemed like buckets of candy. I felt awful and didn't want to have to endure the misery for the night, so I brought it back up. Oh, the colors.
    

Sickness and Reality T.V.

Yesterday, I felt like stir-fried crap on a stick (you know, that expression leaves me with many questions, but I'll say it anyway). Indy has pretty much kept a cold this winter and it was inevitable that I or the babe get it. Then, we've got this nasty inversion hanging over the valley. It's a dirty red haze that just sits. You can't even see the city! It's disgusting! It happens when a high front moves over and pushes all the cold air down to the valley floor. Doing so also traps all the pollution too. It makes for really crummy air quality and ours has been in the red for days. No relief can happen until either wind or a storm comes in (and we're not due for one anytime soon).

So, yesterday the cough was strong, the throat was scratchy and the body was aching. I stayed in bed pretty much the entire day (only rising to see about Indy's needs, taking the babe to school and eating). She took a really long nap, which allowed for primo rest. I'm feeling better today, but not 100%. I hope that the weather changes and allows for something to happen. If not, I'll ask hubby about going up the canyon for the weekend to get above the nasty air. We did that last year (the babe and I) and it was great for our lungs and morale. This time of year tends to bring on the blues for a lot of people. Thankfully, I haven't had that part happen yet.

At home with the baby asleep, I caught up on reality shows. I hate that I'm watching these things and that we have so much fun talking about them at work. I've got to start reading again. This is beginning to be an obsession! I watched I Love New York, The Surreal Life Fame Game, and American Idol. I missed the first night of Idol, but caught it last night. It still amazes me that people come on with this fall sense of talent and get completely belligerent with the judges because they can't sing. Unreal! (unreal, reality...wink, wink). The New York show has pretty well convinced me of why people see African Americans the way they do. I keep hoping a glimmer of intelligence appears, but alas. All of them really are just mindless entertainment and I don't take any of it too seriously. I guess as long as I keep that attitude, I won't completely fry the brain. (There are those, however, who have reached the level of the guy in the picture above...scary).

Death and Taxes

You've heard the saying: The only two things you can count on are death and taxes. It's a such a morbid turn of phrase, but morbid or not, it is the truth. I sometimes am very aware of my mortality and try very hard to do the things in day that would, at least, leave my children with pride in their mother. Other days, I rely on the idea that as has happened with most of the women in my family, I will live to a ripe old age...living alone watching my shows, the news and going to church at every given opportunity.

Yesterday, I got a reality check of my mortality. Our neighbor who lives directly across the street, went in for back surgery over the Christmas break. He is a K-9 officer and pretty good friends with my hubby. He, unfortunately, had complications from the surgery during his recovery period and passed away. This would be easy to take if he was a man in his 70s or even in his 60s, but no. He was 33. Oh, God...33.

The babe and his children would play together on his trampoline in the backyard. He had a daughter (two years older than the babe) and identical twin boys (one year older than the babe). They weren't best friends by any means, but the babe felt safe at his house and was comfortable talking to him. I haven't told her yet, but I'm dreading the very thought of it. She's so sensitive and this is the first human being she's known that has died...and, he's close to her own father's age.

This has been rough to take and the idea that a man so young and virile is no longer among the living just breaks my heart. I feel so vulnerable and exposed. I suppose if you dwelled on the idea of your mortality day in and day out, you couldn't enjoy the life you have. The fact that we are able to keep going, knowing that death could strike us down at any minute, is our own sort of defense mechanism to enjoy life. What on earth would we do if we didn't have it?

An Anniversary of Love

Today is the 10-year anniversary of the day I told my now husband that I loved him. It was the day we officially became a couple. I presented him with sort of a funny gift this morning, but he seemed happy to receive it nonetheless. He's been all goofy and happy today, calling ever chance he's gotten. Not that he's whispering sweet nothings or anything, but he has picked up on the frequency of his calls even more for him. What a guy.

I haven't planned anything, other than the gift and card that I gave him because we have the girls and he's working this weekend. I just feel like a movie night at home is all I need. Am I becoming boring? Nah. I think things will pick up in excitement, once Indy's at the age where I can say things like, "Go get your coat," or "Did you go potty?" and "There are fruit snacks in the cabinet, just grab one." Ah, I love that about my oldest. Maturity is a good thing.

So, what have I learned through these ten years of love? Communication is key. You have to talk to each other...unending opinions, thoughts and feelings most flow like water between you and your mate. Don't take each other for granted. It's easy to get into a familiar pattern with things. Tell the one you love that you appreciate the things that he/she does. Even the small things are important and should be recognized. Sex, Sex, Sex. Inside, outside, under the table, loudly, quietly, quick, slow, clean, messy, with our without toys...you've got to. Intimacy and affection are the more general terms to encompass all the tings that make you want your mate and your mate want you like melted chocolate or cheesecake. Get it in any way that you can.

Finally, have fun. One of the greatest things about my hubby is his sense of humor. Sick as it can be sometimes, he always makes me laugh. We can even have fun and laugh about our sex life, and that's a level of comfort that only comes with work.

It's not easy. I won't fool you or anyone else with the idea that relationships are all glorious and romantic, running towards each other in the wheat field or melting together in a passionate kiss on a bridge in the rain. You may argue and fuss for hours before you're even at a point where grunting to each other is a happy and acceptable form of communication. You can disagree about everything from what's for dinner to how your children will be raised. Relationships are tough, but if you're willing to put in the work and time, they are oh, so rewarding.

To my hubby who will someday see this blog when I'm dead and gone, I love you from the lint under my toenails to the dandruff on my head. You are my life, you are my love, you are my everything. Happy ten years, honey.

Happy Birthday, Indy!

A narration on my life one year ago...

I awakened to my hubby coming in from working. My back was sore, my feet hurt and I only got a few hours of sleep. A couple of hours later, we were on our way to the doctor's office. I waddled into his office remembering what he'd said at our last visit, "If your pressure is still high and we don't see any more progress with the baby descending, we may have to admit you." I hoped the baby had motivated herself to move so that I wouldn't have to be induced. The nurse checked my blood pressure and I produced a urine sample, both came back with not so great news. My pressure was high and now, there was protein in my urine. My doctor's comments, "Guess who's having a baby today?"

I called my office and let them know that I would be induced. Hubby called my mother, who had taken my daughter to school, to let her know the news. We then went next door to the hospital and checked in on the maternity floor. My nurse was awesome! Unfortunately, I cannot recall her name but, she was thorough and made sure to tell me (in detail) everything she was doing and everything that was happening. The pitocin drip and other fluids were started and within an hour or so, I was in the midst of heavy labor. Phew! There is nothing like that sensation in the whole world. Your entire body radiates with it and I was breathing like air was going out of style. My water broke with the intensity and my discomfort level increased 10 fold. There's nothing like having major contractions and being covered in water. Eww! The nurses helped me up to change my garments and padding as I tried not to fall over from each contraction.

I finally caved and new nothing was probably happening down below (previous experience) and asked for the epidural. Oh, sweet drug enduced haze how I love you! The contractions were reduced to subtle flutter and I soon relaxed. As I suspected, I went from a 5 dialation to an 8. Unfortunately, that is where I stayed for the next hour. The doctor came in and basically stated that the baby still had not descended and that he was going to prep for a C-section. I told him, "Your the doctor, so I trust you know what's best." He rubbed my forehead and smiled at me. I love my OBGYN!

Another epidural was given to numb me completely from the waist down, hubby entered newly fitted in his scrubs and a sheet was draped high over my chest. I talked to hubby as he videotaped and watched the procedure at the request of my mother (brave man). I had the sensations of tugging and wrentching as the doctor tried to free the baby from my abdomen. He soon told me why the baby had not descended on her own: the umbilical cord was wrapped around her head. Poor little thing. I had been saying things like, "I wish she'd get motivated to leave and move and down," to friends and coworkers for weeks. Then, I realized that she probably would have, if the umbilical cord hadn't prevented her from dropping.

The baby was taken to the nursery and her apgar score went from a one to normal range. My mother, sister, daughter and husband all saw the new baby. I did not. It was 9:30 or close to 10 before I saw my newborn. Oh, what a pretty baby but, oh so pale. We (me, hubby, friends and family) all thought she'd be as chocolatey dark as her sister. What a surprise! She looked more like my mother's side of the family. When girlfriends came to visit a couple of days later, they each held her, her hand in theirs. Hers was the lighter of the two (did I mention my friends who visited were of the European persuasion?). At any rate, Indy was lovely and huge, at 8 pounds 6 ounces and 21 inches long. Her darker ears indicated the color she would become (a warm caramel) and a very visible trace of what the umbilical cord had done was left on her: the hair grew in a circular pattern to suggest where the blood supply was limited...think, Sherman Hemsley during the Jeffersons. I'm glad to say her hair is finally coming in nicely.

Indy will have a small party tonight with the family. A Strawberry Shortcake, baby cake with her photo and Chinese for dinner. We're even more pleased that, after looking for weeks, I was able to pick up a TMX Elmo from Wally World. They've been sold out and nearly impossible to find. We knew that we would wait to get her one for her birthday, but didn't realize that we'd still have trouble finding one, even after Christmas. I'm so glad they had them. I wonder who will play with it more, Indy or big sis? Either way, bring on the celebration!

Happy Birthday, Indy. Mommy loves you!

Just One More Day

I can't believe my baby turns a year, tomorrow. I was thinking about what my state of mind was around this time last year. Thoughts of, "I just want her out!" were repeating in my mind and I had no idea the 10th would be the day she'd come (by this time, last year, I thought she'd never come). She's currently a happy, healthy baby girl who refuses to walk on her own (the little stinker). I picked her up from daycare yesterday. By far, the largest and tallest baby...she's zumming around all over the floor like a Nascar driver. One of her little friends who will be a year in a couple of months was toddling around her. Silly girl. I guess she'll do it on her own when she's ready.

Jury Duty didn't happen (thank goodness!). I was dismissed but, even if I hadn't been, I had already passed judgement. I probably would have been dismissed anyway. One of the questions to the potential jury by the judge, "Are you related or affiliated with law enforcement in any way?" The plaintiff in the case was a cop, fully equipped with his utility belt and gun. The defendant? A young kid who was being charged with distributing alcohol to a minor and driving with an open container. I'd already passed judgement, as I said and I would have had to tell the judge I was/am a cop's wife. One lady, who was a potential juror, indicated that her father was on the force for 35 years. She indicated that she was unsure if she could make an unbiased judgement and was quickly dismissed.

Other questions from the judge were pretty standard: name, occupation, level of education, marital status, and hobbies. One of the potentials owns a large resort, here in Utah. It was interesting to watch this little bit of the process, nonetheless.

I'll be in training a bit this week. Seems like it's the lot of my life, lately, but I'm up to it as long as it makes working easier and more productive in the long run. The trainer we had yesterday? I'm pretty convinced it's time for her to retire. She made a lot of lame jokes and was desperately trying to engage us with her slide show and her anecdotes of the last 30 or so years. She also went over all of the information we already know. It was supposedly an introduction and our true trainer will be here today. I hope she brings more to the table than that lady did.

I've been good about my eating and working out. I lost two pounds last week. Woohoo! (but, unfortunately, there's more to the story). I sat up and watched I Love New York on VH1 last night. I know, I know. I could feel the I.Q. points melting away. It's bad television at it's best and I was completely sucked in. I'm so ashamed. I guess I better sign up for RTA now. (Realty T.V. Anonymous)

First Day Back...Home Early

It was my first day back in the office today. I hate to admit it, but I kind of missed my coworkers. I was happy to chat with them about their holiday festivities. They all lead such fun lives, it was good to hear about everything they did with their time off (for those who took it or had it to take). I came back with a new do and was told that my look was "glamorous". Hmm. I hope I'm looking even more glamorous in the coming weeks. I've been off to a great start with my workout and eating plan.

After only four hours at work, I received a call from a coworker that the roads headed home were terrible. We got hit with a snow storm that was only supposed to dump 1 to 3 inches. Well, not so much. I think there's at least half a foot in our driveway. Wow! If only we could have had all this while I was off. Oh, well.

I received a summons so, I get to call and see if I have to appear in court tomorrow. Big fun. I hope I don't have to go. It would mean hubby getting off work, then coming home and taking care of the baby all day. Poor, guy. But what choice do we have? Hopefully, I don't have to go. Then, he can come home and sleep and I can try and last a full day at the office tomorrow. (P.S. These are photos I took today, believe it or not. I'm always saying I'll post photos I take and I never come through, well I came through. Ha! check out the winter wonderland that is my front yard. Craziness)



UPDATE - 10:04pm

Well, I have to go to court tomorrow. I've been summoned four other times and out of those, there were three times where the case was settled out of court. The fourth time, I had to go and witness the jury selection. What a long day that was. I wonder if when I take my laptop, they'll have wireless I can access? Probably not. I'm guessing the government will have a tight hold on that area and all I'll get to do is read (which is okay) and type long, endless blogs in notepad, word, wordperfect or wherever. I'm a little nervous. Why am I nervous? I guess because TOM is on the way and I'm emotional about everything. I wonder if that's a good excuse for ducking out of jury duty; "Sorry, your Honor. I feel that I would not be an unbiased juror because I may break down and go into hysterics over any little thing the plantiff, defendant or random witness may say about the case." Somehow, I don't think that'll fly.

Happy New Year

It's a brand new year and I can hardly believe it! The holidays were nice, but I'm glad they're over. Indy's first Christmas was nice and the babe seemed happy with everything she received. I've been home (and still am) since December 19th and boy has it been nice. It's always amazing to me how fast time flies when you're out of your normal routine. I blinked and January was here, or at least, it felt that way. In a week, Indy turns a year. The next day, hubby and I celebrate a decade of being together. A couple of weeks after that, yours truly turns thirty-two. It's a big month, suffice to say.

I've started up on my plan again. The whole staying fit thing is always such a struggle in the beginning, but once I'm in the mode, things always go well. I become addicted to the workouts, the adrenaline and endorphin rush as well as the change in my physique. I understand why people like my hubby continue building their bodies, even when they aren't competing. He's so lucky to have the metabolism he has. Even with all the gorging we did over the holidays, he still looks amazing (or maybe, I'm just too biased).

On a separate issue, my office hasn't been too far away, even though I was off and didn't want to think about it at all. I think my coworker called 5 or 6 times about this or that issue while I was home. Personally, I feel they were all things she could have figured out on her own. She claims that my knowledge and history in the place are the reasons why I knew the answers to her issues, but I'm not buying it. I trained my last coworker in a full day before the holidays, two years ago. I called her one day during my vacation to answer any questions she had (she only had two). After that, I didn't speak to her again until my return to the office.

During the holidays, we're so slow that I knew it would work out this way with my new coworker. Also, she's been there a year herself but, to no avail. I still got calls. Oh, well. All I can hope for is that one day, she feels secure in what she's doing. Not surprisingly, her personal life is sort of the same way; insecurity in her home and family life, so much so that she's afraid to have children.

So, my last day of lounging tomorrow along with a two-hour hair appointment. My hope is to enjoy every moment of the time off as I've done for the past couple of weeks. Then, spend my work days pining for the next block of time off. Come on spring break!