First Day and Pre Memorial Day BBQ

So, I got through my first bunch of calls on Friday. Scary! I wasn't really sure what to expect but, overall, I think everything went well. I'll have more this week and will continue to follow-up with the my people. Friday, I'll take a half day to spend with my oldest, as it is the last day of school and their school's field day. It's the one day of the year where I can volunteer in good conscious whilst taking vacation time.

The Babe's sleepover went well. Her cousin didn't come over until after 7:00pm but, before that time, I had the Babe and Indy make their own pizza. They loved it and when cousin came over (even after already having dinner) had a big piece herself. They ate popcorn and watched a scary movie. After wards, they came upstairs and performed makeovers and painted their nails. By midnight, I was ushering them off to bed.

In the morning, I made pancakes and bacon for breakfast. I skillet fried an entire package and they managed to leave one slice for my hubby...one. Wow. Hubby worked out in the yard while they played for about an hour. Then, we ran errands the rest of the day. They were all pretty tuckered out by the time we dropped off cousin at home. Interestingly, her brother seemed glad to have her back.

My mother grilled today and boy was it tasty! Giant hot dogs, halibut, salmon, tilapia, and chicken...corn on the cob, potato salad, spinach salad, green bean casserole and fresh fruit. I wish I could say that I'm excited for the 4th but, unfortunately, my choices will be limited then, too. Anyway, it's always good to get with family and have a good time (regardless of food).

My Memorial Day thoughts are with my grandmother this year. Today was her birthday. I miss her a lot, but I know that she must be happier and at peace. I hope that I have her as a guardian angel to watch over me and my family. I could certainly use the extra help through life.

Nearing the End of My Training

I'm glad that's it's almost done, but I'm also very nervous. I don't have any idea how I'm going to sound to all the newbies I call tomorrow and next week. Will they be receptive to me? Will they feel confident having me guide them through their programs? Will they see through my facade and realize that I have no idea what I'm doing?

The babe is having her cousin over tomorrow night for a sleep over. This is after their school's yearly carnival. I'm sure I'll be over kids, but I did promise her she could do it. I'll be creative and find fun, healthy things for them to eat (since we already had pizza earlier this week). I am glad it's just her "girl" cousin. Having both of them here is tricky, especially since the "boy" cousin has lots of issues. Besides, he gets bored quickly, only having girls to talk to.

I renewed my car today. They said they'd take 30 minutes and that's exactly how long they took (for emissions and safety). Yeah! Love it when people follow-through on their promises.

We're going to my mother's for a BBQ on Sunday. Her reasoning is that, we have Monday off; better to grill out Sunday after church, then enjoy the day off. I love that reasoning and am sure she'll do the same for the fourth. If we have a new deck table, perhaps we'll host the 4th this year. Hubby sure loves his grill.

The diet is hard. It always is, the first three days. So, if I can get through tomorrow without gnawing off my arm, I'll be golden.

New Job and Long Training Hours

I'm still here, but my new position has some crazy long training hours (well, crazy long for me). I am on information overload and I keep wondering if everything will come together. I hope so, I don't want to steer anyone in the wrong direction. That has been the hard part for me; I just don't know very much and the comfort of knowing exactly what to do has evaporated.

Hubby had his last competition of the spring, this weekend. He won! He is now an NGA pro-card holder which, in lay-men's terms; he is now a professional bodybuilder. Sweet! I was so proud of him and it was a very good show. We mixed his music, using the music from my daughter's competitions this year. She was so overwhelmed she cried back stage for him. Too precious. He's on cloud nine, as you can imagine and I'm floating right alongside him.

I'm going back on my diet tomorrow. It's weird to think that I'll be doing this again. I'm raring to go, but a bit nervous. People try a second time usually have troubles. I'm just hoping that I can prove that I'm above type and really accomplish great releases. I'm certainly not off to a good start, however. The whole family has been celebrating hubby's success this weekend with food...bad foods.

Next week is the last week of school and, along with being official in my new job, both girls will be home. Yikes! I've got to start planning what to do with them. She can't just sit around eating all summer. I think I'll pretty much force her to enjoy her summer outdoors being creative. Too bad there aren't the kind of camps here that I had as a child. Aside from one week of drama camp and one week of dance camp, that's all she'll get.

Finally, I've been reconsidering the whole "try the figure competition" idea. I dunno if I have "the stuff" hubby's got but it would definitely make me stand out, here. There are no black figure competitors in this state (well, that I've seen). Where are they? I've seen several fit black women around. Perhaps they're just not aware such a thing exists. If I decide that I'll try, there's a lot of investment involved (physically and financially). I think I'll keep considering and see if things fall into place.

A Mixed Feeling Week and a Big Weekend

This past week has been very odd, indeed. I've been saying good bye to my in-office coworkers and trying to prepare myself, mentally, for the change in my employment. I've had so many people reach out and say how much they appreciated my work and dedication. It has meant so much to hear from people; some of whom I haven't heard from in months. I suppose I've made a mark in my company. Sometimes, it's hard to know if what you're doing is really making any difference.

Yesterday, my team had balloons, cake and wonderful gifts for me. I was so touched by their kindness, but I held back the tears. Two coworkers, whom I haven't seen for months, came in with their kids for a visit. It was great to catch up and hear about their lives. It was also interesting to see how "out of touch" they both were with the goings on in the company (they both telecommute full time). I now see aspects of the job that will be hidden from me, once I'm home all the time. I don't mind being "out of the loop" where work bureaucracy is concerned.

Hubby and the babe are competing in a show together tomorrow. I'm so excited and nervous for them. Hubby is supposed to be working with the babe on her routine (it has yet to happen). I was going to add my "feminine flavor" so that she doesn't come off too masculine in her performance. I hope they get it together today because she really is feeling a bit insecure. I don't blame her; however, it hasn't shaken her resolve. She's still ready to take on the kid events tomorrow. What a trooper!

We've booked our vacation! I'm so excited but still in disbelief. We bit the bullet this year and spent the money to try something new. I won't go into the details yet but, I'll say this: I think it's exactly what we all need and definitely something we'll do again. I am confident of that.

Updating Myself

With a new body, I've been seeking out clothes more than I used to. It always happens when I lose a little weight, but even more so now. I've been taking an opportunity to actually look at the clothing sale emails I get and have considered placing orders for lots of cute gear.

The fact is, I have so much (still) that I haven't worn and have been looking forward to wearing for just this time in my life. Some of it I'm a little afraid to wear. My hubby likes what I call, "naked" clothes and I'm a little self-conscious yet about wearing that stuff. I still have about 15 more pounds I want to lose and the plan is to get those off this summer. I've been wondering if I'll feel a little more self confident at that time to wear the "nakedness".

I haven't begun my workout plan this week like I wanted to. Some thing or another has sabotaged every morning that I would have gotten in a cardio session. It usually starts with whatever drama I've created the night before. For example, this weekend hubby has another show. We were up until midnight last night mixing his 60 second posing song for his routine (Didn't know I was a D.J., did you!). Anyway, after I completed the mp3 creation I knew there was no way I was going to get up and do the elliptical thing.

I don't dare say, "Maybe I'll start tomorrow," anymore because I keep jinxing myself. I do want to and the motivation is certainly there. I don't want arms flapping in the wind when I bust out the bathing suit. No matter what any one says, that is never a good look (young, old, big or skinny).

With all this updating, it really won't matter in a matter of weeks because I won't have to worry too much about my appearance. Working from home, I suppose I'll need only to update my sweat suits?! Of course, I'll still go out to grocery shop and taxi my kids. The occasional date with my hubby and church will be the time that effort is truly expended. It seems so weird! I could just look good for me and my dogs. Nah.

The night before, he kept me up discussing house projects we have to complete before the summer. Why do these discussions occur at night? Because, he doesn't get home until nearly 8 or 9 o'clock most evenings. An earlier night this week, we were helping the babe with her crazy math homework. I don't remember my homework being this insane in elementary school. What's going on, these days?

Whenever I do, I'm prepared. It's been two months and it's going to kick my tail all over the basement. I'll need plenty of potassium and apple cider vinegar for cramps and overall soreness. Why am I inviting all this agony? My hubby can't be the only one in the house who's rockin' a hard body. It's my turn.