I think I've bruised my abs...

Well, not really - I mean, I don't even know if it's possible to bruise one's abs - just from doing sit ups... but I've done enough in the past 2 1/2 weeks that I think I may have internally bruised them. I'm in for the long haul this week and next - going to bootcamp every day and my abs - they are a feeling it. I can sit down now though - which to me is a major improvement. I'll keep you updated - until then, it just hurts to breathe!

Bootcamp ~ Round 5

After a week of illness, lots of eating out and only t minus 3 months to wedding wonderland (my cousins and my sisters - not mine), I began another round of bootcamp. Only this time - it's back outside. Remember I live in Nebraska - so this morning at 4:5o am it was SNOWING. And I couldn't find my hat. I was in for the long haul.

It actually wasn't too bad! This group has some older ladies in it (read, I won't be the last runner in the pack) so that made me feel better and I felt very much accomplished as this time I was able to run the usual 2 laps we begin with without passing out and without walking! I was also the 3rd from the front. Quite an improvement from the last camp in which I always came in last, had to walk most of the laps and thought I would faint just after warming up.

I also got some handy dandy new running shoes which make me feel like the wind (cue - she's like the wind song from dirty dancing). I thought they were hurting my back, but when I'm actually running in them - they're terrific. All I could think was the song by Paola Nutini "I've got my new shoes on, and everything is all right".

Alas - it was a good start to the bootcamp - hopefully I'll continue to improve, firm up and lose some weight while I'm at it too.

As always - I'll keep you posted.

Only To Me...

If there is anything my friends can count on from me - it's a damn good laugh. For instance - last night while having mexican food and margaritas - I happened to spill my purse under the table. Now it's not just any table - it's a small booth with the table nailed into the wall and there is not much room to move. You must also know that I am known for carrying some of the biggest purses possible (I have a lot of stuff okay?!) so not only did my purse spill all over the grungy floor of mexican restaurant - but it took all 4 of us to gather my things up and put them back in my giant bag. At least my friends were rolling around on the floor because it was so funny - and thanks to them for helping me pick up my stuff too. :)

Friends...

I just wanted to say how blessed I am to have so many caring, awesome, wonderful friends! Thank you to all of you for giving me advice, standing by my side, listening to me, cheering me on, laughing with me and sometimes at me and for being able to get together at a moment's notice! I love you all and am so excited to have you as a part of my life! THANK YOU!

I have found my match...

There are only a few "ah ha" moments that I have had in my life and the most recent ones involve my boyfriend Erik. This is why I know we're meant to be together - forever...



1. We had a serious discussion on how cool minivans are and how at some point in our lives, we will definitely own one - kids or not. They have tv's and swivel chairs in them now!



2. He sent a dozen roses to me at work on Valentine's Day - aka in my book as "Black Thursday" - he has renewed my love of Valentine's Day and has made me feel more loved than ever!



So this Bud's for you - awesome boyfriend Erik... this Bud's for you!

The Kitchen Gestapo

Holy Hairballs... if you ever want to make a bunch of people mad - heat up your lunch in the microwave at 12:09 p.m. like I did today. Imagine one microwave for a floor of 80 people. Not good when everyone else brings a microwave meal. And then they give you the evil eye and when you're done they crowd around you to get to the microwave. Geesh! From now on... peanutbutter and jelly sandwiches for me!

Welcome to "Cube Land"

As many of you know - I lost my luxurious, corner office with windows when our entire division moved from main campus to a building on the edge of the edge of campus. No longer do I have my office - but now a shoebox - I mean a cube to work in. In all honesty though - it's not as bad as I thought. Besides, now I can throw paper airplane notes at people and that's always entertaining.

Speaking of airplanes - this place reminds me of a huge intercontinental jet. Let me tell you why:

• there is always a quiet hum of a fan going so it sounds like a plane
• It's cold in here and my feet are always freezing. Just like in a plane!
• The building shakes... just like a plane does
• The aisles between the seats, I mean the cubes are about as big as those in planes
• people walk the aisles for excercise... just like on planes!
• there are snakes in here - just like on planes! (kidding)
• the people sitting next to you are always loud and annoying
• the bathrooms smell
• this place is about as big as a plane with 600 people jammed in it
• the phone rings sound like the beeps on planes when the pilot pages the flight attendant

I'm sure there are more - I'll continue when necessary.

Enjoy!

3 Down... 4th Round...

Yep, I did it. I signed up for a FOURTH ROUND of bootcamp. I think I have completely lost my mind but when I have a week off in between... I miss it... so I sign up again. It's like some weird sort of addiction. Which I guess is a "good" addiction if you're addicted to working out because then at least you're doing something good for your body.

And then, because I'm not crazy, tired or sore enough from the 5:30 a.m. workouts 3 times a week, I've decided to add some gym time on to that in the evenings. I'm looking for results here folks. The wedding (my sister's) is in less than 6 mo's and I've GOT to fit into that dress.

I'll keep you posted if you're interested.

Until next time !