Vacation is finally almost here! I feel like I've been waiting for this for so long. We booked the beach house back in June and were talking about it for about a month prior. All I know is that when I booked it, summer wasn't even here yet by an official count, and I didn't want to wish the summer away in order to get to my vacation.
Today is August 28th, and I can now say I'm ready for vacation. Labor Day weekend is the unofficial end of summer, but we're going to push it for an extra week. ;-)
I have about half an hour of work left today. Once I get home I'm going to become a Bluemoon whirlwind of productivity. I have a load of laundry to do, I need to get to the gym for an hour. I *MAY* brave the horror that is Walmart, albeit a new, shiny Walmart, near me all in the name of cheap allergy meds. Most importantly, I need to pack! I've got to retrieve the large suitcase I hope I have (!!) from my storage downstairs and get to packing. I had a list going all week long, so at least I have that part mostly under control. Still need to definitively decide on clothes for the week, though I have lots of ideas.
I love the anticipation of vacation. I've taken mini-vacations over the years, but nothing this long, and I still don't quite believe it's happening! Maybe on Sunday when the car is all loaded and we're on the road? :-) I'm also just really looking forward to tomorrow at 5pm, when I get to walk out of my office building like John Bender in "The Breakfast Club", throwing my pumping fist into the air, victorious in my escape!
Tomorrow night I'll be heading to BF's to hang out with him and his daughter. Saturday we're going to see Ghostbusters and watching the Mizzou game at home after. His daughter will get picked up at five, and we'll spend the evening in final prep and planning and such for the vacation, and Sunday, we leave! CANNOT WAIT. :-)
Thursday, August 28, 2014
Thursday, August 21, 2014
Read All About It
Still on a pretty good reading run lately. I've finished a couple of books in recent weeks. The first was "This Is Where Leave You" by Jonathan Tropper. The book has been out for awhile, and I'd always heard good things, but for some reason I just never felt compelled to read it. Now that it's coming out as a movie soon, with a pretty great cast, I felt like it was time to give in, as I generally prefer to read the books before their movie adaptations come out. It was a really good book. Very well written, interesting characters, and I enjoyed it. I will say that it was one of those books that, while I liked it and recognized it was strongly written, I didn't feel enamored by it. I wasn't particularly disappointed when it ended. Strange, but true. I think sometimes I can appreciate the quality of something while also knowing it's not the kind of thing that really speaks to me on a personal level.
After that I read "Me Before You" by Jojo Moyes. I'd heard a fair amount of good things about this book as well, but delayed reading it for a bit because it sounded possibly depressing. I decided that after the dark humor of the previous book, I could handle it. This was a very good book. It wasn't nearly as depressing as I expected, and it was just a good story. Again, not a book I was madly in love with, but I connected with it a little bit better emotionally. I recommend it.
Right now I'm getting ready to read two more books. I have the hardcover version of "The Ocean at the End of the Lane" by Neil Gaiman. Got the book ages ago, but never read it. I've repeatedly seen it mentioned as one of the best books of the year, and so I'm going to give it a go. I also just bought the Kindle version of "Wonder" by RJ Palacio since it was only $2.50 today! I've heard nothing but fantastic things about that book, so I'm looking forward to it as well. Both of these books are on the shorter side, so it's possible I'll get through them prior to vacation.
I have two books lined up to bring on vacation with me, though my Kindle will be at the ready in case I need more. ;-) The current ones include:
"Before I Go to Sleep" by S.J. Watson. Saw a preview for a movie coming out soon that is based on this book. I'd never heard of it, but it sounded good, so I snagged it in mass market paperback as a beach read.
"Bittersweet" by Miranda Beverly-Whittemore. This is just one that sounded good that I got in hardback for my birthday. Sounds like an interesting beach read as well. Of course the Kindle version is currently only $1.99...go figure! ;-)
I love all the reading I've been doing this summer. I still have several large hardback books waiting to be read, but they are harder to plan for in light of their size in terms of commuting and such. Eventually I'll get there!
I'm really hoping to discover my next book I'm really in love with, where I hate putting it down and can't wait to get a minute to read it again, and where I'm truly sad when it's over. I'm due for one!
After that I read "Me Before You" by Jojo Moyes. I'd heard a fair amount of good things about this book as well, but delayed reading it for a bit because it sounded possibly depressing. I decided that after the dark humor of the previous book, I could handle it. This was a very good book. It wasn't nearly as depressing as I expected, and it was just a good story. Again, not a book I was madly in love with, but I connected with it a little bit better emotionally. I recommend it.
Right now I'm getting ready to read two more books. I have the hardcover version of "The Ocean at the End of the Lane" by Neil Gaiman. Got the book ages ago, but never read it. I've repeatedly seen it mentioned as one of the best books of the year, and so I'm going to give it a go. I also just bought the Kindle version of "Wonder" by RJ Palacio since it was only $2.50 today! I've heard nothing but fantastic things about that book, so I'm looking forward to it as well. Both of these books are on the shorter side, so it's possible I'll get through them prior to vacation.
I have two books lined up to bring on vacation with me, though my Kindle will be at the ready in case I need more. ;-) The current ones include:
"Before I Go to Sleep" by S.J. Watson. Saw a preview for a movie coming out soon that is based on this book. I'd never heard of it, but it sounded good, so I snagged it in mass market paperback as a beach read.
"Bittersweet" by Miranda Beverly-Whittemore. This is just one that sounded good that I got in hardback for my birthday. Sounds like an interesting beach read as well. Of course the Kindle version is currently only $1.99...go figure! ;-)
I love all the reading I've been doing this summer. I still have several large hardback books waiting to be read, but they are harder to plan for in light of their size in terms of commuting and such. Eventually I'll get there!
I'm really hoping to discover my next book I'm really in love with, where I hate putting it down and can't wait to get a minute to read it again, and where I'm truly sad when it's over. I'm due for one!
Wednesday, August 13, 2014
Redo
I've come in here to start a post probably half a dozen times in the last week or so, but I end up just staring at the screen and then calling it a day.
I lost one of my cats a week ago this past Monday. I found out he was really sick on that Saturday and spent the rest of the weekend spending time with him. I let him go on Monday morning, and it was ridiculously difficult and horribly sad. Still is.
I don't have kids. I don't expect I will have kids. Say what you will, but my animals have been the closest thing I've had to kids, and they mean the world to me. I had them all since they were babies, and they survived many moves, a marriage and divorce and other relationships. They've all made me laugh so often, but also been there when I cried. They were my little family.
My little family is reduced down to one cat now. It's a lot more lonely around my apartment with just the two of us. There's definitely a void without my big, orange, cuddly tabby around anymore.
It was an incredibly stressful few days. BF and I got into a fight because of the heightened emotions, and it was just one more thing to deal with. We sorted it out pretty quickly Monday night, but it took a few days to feel OK in the relationship again. Everything started because I still SUCK at letting people in when things are hard. I don't know how to accept help very well, and it made things challenging. I'm glad we worked through it, but it was intensely stressful nonetheless.
I really cannot wait for my vacation. I desperately need to check out of the real world for a week and just have time to myself. I'm hoping for good weather, and I look forward to beach time, hot tub time, grilling, mini golf, reading and talking and relaxing on the deck and just spending time together when it's only about us, away from work and pets and kids. I personally really need it and cannot wait. Two weeks from Friday at 5 pm marks the beginning of my ten days of freedom!
Week has been all right, though it's moving really slowly. Had trainer last night, and tonight BF is coming over. I'm going to get him out of my apartment for the evening so we can get a quick dinner somewhere and then play some miniature golf. It's supposed to be a really nice day outside, so I thought it would be a good time to spend some of our evening outside.
Tomorrow night I'm going to see either "What If" or "Boyhood" with a couple of girlfriends. Really want to see both, so I'm not sure how we'll decide. Maybe based on times.
Friday I am finally (and begrudgingly) getting moved from my current office to another office on a different (less fun) floor. Better office space, just crappy location. Such is life! At least it's still an office with a door. Late that morning I have a hair appt. (Yay!) and in the afternoon our CFO is having a twee little "welcome" get together for me joining the rest of my dept. on this new floor with some sort of sweets to make the afternoon brighter.
That night I'll head to BF's house for the evening. I'm sure we'll just relax. Saturday late morning we'll return to my apt., where I'll get ready for a wedding we're going to. It's about an hour drive away, and another gf is going with us, so it's going to consume the bulk of the day between getting ready, the drive and the actual wedding and reception. We're spending the night at my place after, and I suspect BF will leave by noon Sunday to get home in time for his NASCAR race LOL. I plan to spend my day at the gym, cleaning up my apartment and maybe hanging out with a gf in the evening. Good weekend ahead, I think.
I'm glad there are good things coming up on the horizon. I'm looking forward to tonight with BF, and tomorrow with my gfs, and the whole weekend of fun. Anything after that is just inching me closer to my vacation, and the time when I can start planning and prepping for that with my usual packing lists and such. I definitely need all of this, as it's been a tough couple of weeks.
Anyway, meeting a girlfriend for lunch today shortly, which is good because I'm super hungry! Nothing fancy, just a quick Potbelly lunch where I'm going to try out one of their new flatbread sandwiches. Fairly healthy as far as lunches out and about go, except for the INSANE SODIUM. :-o I will be drinking LOTS O WATER today to flush that nonsense out.
I've managed to lose almost 6 pounds since buckling down with trainer again, and have been making good strides in slowly modifying my diet: making better choices, tracking food and just being really aware of what I'm eating. It's way too easy to just eat like total hell when you aren't thinking about it.
Feels like thursday today. Wish it were, aside from the date night with BF tonight... :-) Can't wait to see him and hug him.
I lost one of my cats a week ago this past Monday. I found out he was really sick on that Saturday and spent the rest of the weekend spending time with him. I let him go on Monday morning, and it was ridiculously difficult and horribly sad. Still is.
I don't have kids. I don't expect I will have kids. Say what you will, but my animals have been the closest thing I've had to kids, and they mean the world to me. I had them all since they were babies, and they survived many moves, a marriage and divorce and other relationships. They've all made me laugh so often, but also been there when I cried. They were my little family.
My little family is reduced down to one cat now. It's a lot more lonely around my apartment with just the two of us. There's definitely a void without my big, orange, cuddly tabby around anymore.
It was an incredibly stressful few days. BF and I got into a fight because of the heightened emotions, and it was just one more thing to deal with. We sorted it out pretty quickly Monday night, but it took a few days to feel OK in the relationship again. Everything started because I still SUCK at letting people in when things are hard. I don't know how to accept help very well, and it made things challenging. I'm glad we worked through it, but it was intensely stressful nonetheless.
I really cannot wait for my vacation. I desperately need to check out of the real world for a week and just have time to myself. I'm hoping for good weather, and I look forward to beach time, hot tub time, grilling, mini golf, reading and talking and relaxing on the deck and just spending time together when it's only about us, away from work and pets and kids. I personally really need it and cannot wait. Two weeks from Friday at 5 pm marks the beginning of my ten days of freedom!
Week has been all right, though it's moving really slowly. Had trainer last night, and tonight BF is coming over. I'm going to get him out of my apartment for the evening so we can get a quick dinner somewhere and then play some miniature golf. It's supposed to be a really nice day outside, so I thought it would be a good time to spend some of our evening outside.
Tomorrow night I'm going to see either "What If" or "Boyhood" with a couple of girlfriends. Really want to see both, so I'm not sure how we'll decide. Maybe based on times.
Friday I am finally (and begrudgingly) getting moved from my current office to another office on a different (less fun) floor. Better office space, just crappy location. Such is life! At least it's still an office with a door. Late that morning I have a hair appt. (Yay!) and in the afternoon our CFO is having a twee little "welcome" get together for me joining the rest of my dept. on this new floor with some sort of sweets to make the afternoon brighter.
That night I'll head to BF's house for the evening. I'm sure we'll just relax. Saturday late morning we'll return to my apt., where I'll get ready for a wedding we're going to. It's about an hour drive away, and another gf is going with us, so it's going to consume the bulk of the day between getting ready, the drive and the actual wedding and reception. We're spending the night at my place after, and I suspect BF will leave by noon Sunday to get home in time for his NASCAR race LOL. I plan to spend my day at the gym, cleaning up my apartment and maybe hanging out with a gf in the evening. Good weekend ahead, I think.
I'm glad there are good things coming up on the horizon. I'm looking forward to tonight with BF, and tomorrow with my gfs, and the whole weekend of fun. Anything after that is just inching me closer to my vacation, and the time when I can start planning and prepping for that with my usual packing lists and such. I definitely need all of this, as it's been a tough couple of weeks.
Anyway, meeting a girlfriend for lunch today shortly, which is good because I'm super hungry! Nothing fancy, just a quick Potbelly lunch where I'm going to try out one of their new flatbread sandwiches. Fairly healthy as far as lunches out and about go, except for the INSANE SODIUM. :-o I will be drinking LOTS O WATER today to flush that nonsense out.
I've managed to lose almost 6 pounds since buckling down with trainer again, and have been making good strides in slowly modifying my diet: making better choices, tracking food and just being really aware of what I'm eating. It's way too easy to just eat like total hell when you aren't thinking about it.
Feels like thursday today. Wish it were, aside from the date night with BF tonight... :-) Can't wait to see him and hug him.
Friday, August 1, 2014
August and everything after
I truly cannot believe it is already August. Where is the summer going? It's one of those strange things about life that once you're out of school, time has no logical beginning and ending points throughout each year. Days turn into weeks turn into months turn into entire seasons and suddenly summer is almost over.
On the other hand, I've been waiting a long time for August. While I never wished for summer to be over, I definitely wished for my vacation to get closer. The second and last installment of our vacation was paid today, so we are officially all set! I can now honestly say that I am really looking forward to leaving for my vacation LATER THIS MONTH! Sure, it's not until August 31st, but it's true all the same. :-)
I have been sitting here racking my brain and I can't think if I've *ever* taken ten days off for anything before, not even my wedding and honeymoon. If I did it at all, that would have been the time, and that was in 2002. So best case scenario, it's been TWELVE YEARS since I've had that much time off. It's five actual work days thanks to the Labor Day holiday, and we'll be at the beach from Sunday-Sunday, so I get a little cushion of down time at home before and after, which is lovely.
Last night all of my plans went kind of awry. Initially it was a trainer night, but I'd asked about rescheduling to an earlier session in the evening since a friend was possibly going to be in town. He couldn't swing the reschedule, and ended up not feeling well, so we just cancelled the session entirely. I ended up heading out around 9 pm to pick up my friend from his hotel. R is just in town until this evening, so we managed to get together for a late dinner/dessert. It was good to catch up, as he's got a lot of things going on right now and I think he needed an outlet. He remains entertaining, too, but it was nice to see the real side of him instead of the usual entertainer every single second.
In other news, today is the first day of my tracking using My Fitness Pal. Time to start taking note of everything I eat and drink, as well as logging my exercise. I'm not going to lie-I'm not excited. But I am hoping that this level of accountability, not only tracking it myself, but having to send my trainer the weekly report, will at the very least shame me into making better choices. ;-) My willpower can be decent, but I'm way out of practice, so I know the next few days in particular will be very tough. I hate the feeling of being so crazy hungry because I'm used to ingesting so many empty, useless calories all the time.
Taking a step back in terms of my eating habits can only be a good thing, though. I definitely eat way too much sugar on a daily basis, and I definitely eat a wholly inadequate amount of vegetables. Fruits I'm hit or miss on. I'm not going to be too obsessive about sugar levels just yet. I don't want to beat myself up over eating a greek yogurt that has a fair amount of sugar when I'd have been eating chocolate chip cookies otherwise, you know? Change is slow, especially the lasting kind. I've done this before, I just have to focus and do it again.
I figure it's not a bad time to start with my vacation a month away. Sure, it would have been better to start three months ago if I wanted to look and feel my best for my beach time, but a month of change is better than no change!
Tonight's plans, weather allowing, revolve around going to a Nats game with my friend, A. We got our firm's seats, which we've had before and are awesome. The weather is really gray and gloomy today, with rain predicted throughout most of the weekend, including today. I'm hoping that the forecast of off and on rain with a likely lull during the evening hours holds so I can get to this game, as I've been to only a couple this season.
Time to wrap it up for now I suppose. Happy friday to all!
On the other hand, I've been waiting a long time for August. While I never wished for summer to be over, I definitely wished for my vacation to get closer. The second and last installment of our vacation was paid today, so we are officially all set! I can now honestly say that I am really looking forward to leaving for my vacation LATER THIS MONTH! Sure, it's not until August 31st, but it's true all the same. :-)
I have been sitting here racking my brain and I can't think if I've *ever* taken ten days off for anything before, not even my wedding and honeymoon. If I did it at all, that would have been the time, and that was in 2002. So best case scenario, it's been TWELVE YEARS since I've had that much time off. It's five actual work days thanks to the Labor Day holiday, and we'll be at the beach from Sunday-Sunday, so I get a little cushion of down time at home before and after, which is lovely.
Last night all of my plans went kind of awry. Initially it was a trainer night, but I'd asked about rescheduling to an earlier session in the evening since a friend was possibly going to be in town. He couldn't swing the reschedule, and ended up not feeling well, so we just cancelled the session entirely. I ended up heading out around 9 pm to pick up my friend from his hotel. R is just in town until this evening, so we managed to get together for a late dinner/dessert. It was good to catch up, as he's got a lot of things going on right now and I think he needed an outlet. He remains entertaining, too, but it was nice to see the real side of him instead of the usual entertainer every single second.
In other news, today is the first day of my tracking using My Fitness Pal. Time to start taking note of everything I eat and drink, as well as logging my exercise. I'm not going to lie-I'm not excited. But I am hoping that this level of accountability, not only tracking it myself, but having to send my trainer the weekly report, will at the very least shame me into making better choices. ;-) My willpower can be decent, but I'm way out of practice, so I know the next few days in particular will be very tough. I hate the feeling of being so crazy hungry because I'm used to ingesting so many empty, useless calories all the time.
Taking a step back in terms of my eating habits can only be a good thing, though. I definitely eat way too much sugar on a daily basis, and I definitely eat a wholly inadequate amount of vegetables. Fruits I'm hit or miss on. I'm not going to be too obsessive about sugar levels just yet. I don't want to beat myself up over eating a greek yogurt that has a fair amount of sugar when I'd have been eating chocolate chip cookies otherwise, you know? Change is slow, especially the lasting kind. I've done this before, I just have to focus and do it again.
I figure it's not a bad time to start with my vacation a month away. Sure, it would have been better to start three months ago if I wanted to look and feel my best for my beach time, but a month of change is better than no change!
Tonight's plans, weather allowing, revolve around going to a Nats game with my friend, A. We got our firm's seats, which we've had before and are awesome. The weather is really gray and gloomy today, with rain predicted throughout most of the weekend, including today. I'm hoping that the forecast of off and on rain with a likely lull during the evening hours holds so I can get to this game, as I've been to only a couple this season.
Time to wrap it up for now I suppose. Happy friday to all!
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