Melting on a Terrific Tuesday!

[squirrelly]

Good morning lovely ladies! How are y'all??? Me? Well, my foot is much better and I had a date with Coach Sean and my spin bike this morning, so I am doing fine! Love that dreamy voice...

Leanne--You are so sweet! Thank you for the kind words. About BIL...if he works those days could he BEGIN moving his stuff out, so that by Saturday morning he would be OUT? I don't think there is anything wrong with asking him to move out by Wednesday though. Both of you have been very generous with him already! You are so wise to get up earlier. I have been trying, but failing miserably. I keep staying up late to watch The Office!

Allison--Thanks for starting the thread. I am so glad that you are feeling better!

Deb--Grace has a tendency to lie a lot, doesn't she? Like...there is only 30 seconds left and 90 go by while I am cursing her with my labored breathing...I hope it was fun though!

Shannon--I wish I had some intelligent hair advice, but I don't. I hate spending time on my hair, so I always tell my stylist to give me a cut where I don't have to do anything with it. She says that cut doesn't exist. Phooeeeeeee!

BG--I am going to use you for inspiration too girl! I canNOT give up my diet pop addiction, but am determined to do it when I get back from the RT. I have a feeling I will need my caffeine to get through the weekend. Good luck with the program. I am rooting for you!

Lainie--I hope the doc can give you some answers today! I will be thinking of you.

Shelley--We saw "Journey to the End of the Earth" last Friday at the theater. it was pretty good. The 3D glasses were rockin' too. Enjoy your day with Sophie and the bread!

Tneah--CC7 is my favorite! I hope you have fun with it! Enjoy the boat *ride*!

Peggie--Hi! I hope find loads of SEMEN today.

Kristi--Hi! Thanks AGAIN for the helpful RT advice. How are your girls doing with the driving?

Well, ladies, I have to paint Emma's toenails and take Colin driving. I will try to pop in later. Have a good day!

 

[PinkMom]

Peggie -- when you started working out at 12, what did you do? That's awesome! I wish I'd spent less of my life being a chubby couch potato!

Advice for RT'ers: if you are carrying on your bags, there are a few exceptions to the toiletry rules -- eye drops, contact solution, lubricant, breast milk, etc. You can carry them separately from your quart size ziploc, and I think they can be bigger than 3 oz.; however, I did find a 2 oz. contact solution. You have to declare that you have medically necessary items, but when I did that, no one in security even blinked. Here's the website where I learned this: http://www.tsa.gov/travelers/airtravel/prohibited/permitted-prohibited-items.shtm

Leanne -- def. post a photo of the bracelet -- I'm sure it's fine, but I totally understand your frustration -- I'm such a left brained person that I will do & redo my jewelry projects so that they are "right."

Kara -- I drank a diet coke at RT while waiting in the lobby, and I could feel all the glares and stink-eye from the others. I only drink them occasionally and just one a day, but I do put Splenda in my tea every morning. I think that falls squarely in the category of "life's too short!" The girls said their dr. ed. teacher takes it very seriously! (To that, I said "thank God!")

 

[SRP]

Kristi - Oh, the commute is okay. At least the electronics all work in the new car and I don't have to endure this annoying beeping every time I start it, and every half hour after.. LOL! Okay... a laziness gene? That's the stupidest thing I've ever heard.

Leanne - Oh, I'll bet Cathe's bracelet looks just fine! I would imagine you're a perfectionist when it comes to beading, so anything you do is going to be gorgeous. And so.. it sounds like moving BIL out early is perfectly doable if he doesn't have too much stuff. Good luck with that!

Allie - well, I like you, so I guess that's what I'll call you. Thanks for the compliment on my hair.. but trust me, it's a mess in that photo. It's just too small to be able to tell.

Kara - I'm very glad to hear that your foot is better! YAY! I have the exact same conversation with my hair stylist.. nearly every time!

 

[crazystepr]

Kara -- I drank a diet coke at RT while waiting in the lobby, and I could feel all the glares and stink-eye from the others. I only drink them occasionally and just one a day, but I do put Splenda in my tea every morning. I think that falls squarely in the category of "life's too short!" The girls said their dr. ed. teacher takes it very seriously! (To that, I said "thank God!")

OMG, Kristi I felt the same way!! I was drinking a Coke Zero the first day of the RT in the hotel lobby and felt so self conscious and guilty! I was actually trying to hide it!!! Whatever. But then as the RT goes on everyone's eating cookies and cake and then we were all drinking wine at the hotel at night! It's hysterical!

 

[Tiffany(tneah)]

Hey all,

What do you think about doing a kettlebell workout while the boat is moving? I am tempted to do Extreme today...with Mr. Sand Dune.

Kristi, are you serious about getting the stink-eye over a stupid Diet Coke? Give me a freakin' break! Oh dear, are the ladies that uptight? Maybe its good I am not going! I am very laid back and could give two shee-ots what other do or do not in regards to what they eat, drink, smoke, inhale or whatever.....

Allison, you mentioned something about "life changing?' Oh do tell chica, do tell! And if you can swing it, get the elliptical! I use it for CC's instead of the treadmill. And your lips look pretty as is!

Kara, I am so glad your foot is feeling better! That would suck having a bum foot at the RT! Have fun with your spin bike and CC7!

Leanne, post a pic of the bracelet so we can give our honest opinion.

Shannon, you must use product chica! If I do not, then I have flyaway hair that lies flat as a pancake against my head. I think little hair gel never hurt anyone, and it would help control your lovely curls.

We fished off the boat last night, or rather DH did. He catches the poor things and then releases them. But I think it hurts their little mouths and detest it.
Funny though as a child I fished all the time, and had no qualms about conking them over the head and cleaning them. Strange that I cannot "hurt" a fish now....I have lost the innocence of childhood and picked up the guilt of adulthood, or I was a heartless kid...strange.

Anyway, headed downstairs to workout--I think. Hey, BG and Peggy where the heck are ya??

 

[PinkMom]

That is hilarious, Allison! I'm glad I wasn't alone in feeling that way! But you are so right, by the end of the weekend, everyone is eating cake & cookies & sausage at breakfast.

Tneah, everyone is super nice and there's no real judgment. There is every imaginable shape, size, demographic, etc. I just think that early in the weekend, everyone is sort of "sniffing" each other (for lack of a better example) to sort of see if everyone is real and down to earth or if everyone is uptight about stuff. I'm like you -- I could care less, but before I went, I was even uptight about what people would think of my tattoo!

 

[crazystepr]

Oh, I can vouch for the fact that Kristi's tatoo is super duper sexay....

Tneah--Kristi's right. No one at the RT is judgemental at all. It was all in MY head that I felt bad drinking the diet coke. We're all normal gals (and guys). (except for, well, our obsession with Cathe....the hotel employees sure didn't think that was normal....)

Leanne--don't be silly! I'm sure your bracelet is phenomenal! Cathe is going to love it! Post a picture when you can, ok?

Ooooohhhhh....I really want this elliptical. Except I have to go pick it up and it's like 45 minutes away from where I live. And I have to borrow my friend's truck. And inconvenience Jim to ask him to help me move it. I DID talk the guy down to $110 from $125, though. It's not that much, but good for me. I'm a terrible bargainer. (Is that a word???) You don't want to see me on the streets of NYC. I end up paying 200 bucks for some fake Coach bag that fell off the back of a truck....

 

[SRP]

Kristi - that's a hoot about all those looks you got for drinking a Coke. But I'm glad everyone relaxed as the weekend progressed.

Tneah - so, how did that crazy KB workout go? Did the boat sling you all over the place? You're a braver soul than I am. Oh, ick - do I have to use hair gel? I don't wear perfume or makeup either. It works great for other people, but it's just not me....

Allie - Are you going to get the elliptical???? Oh boy!!! DO IT!! A 45-minute drive is nothing, and so very worth it!

Well, we have a staff meeting this afternoon. I typically do not like those meetings, but hey, it'll give me something to do for an hour or so. I wish the company would let us work from home. Then when I have days like this, I could get up and do something far more interesting and productive. ... And that's probably why the company won't let us work from home, huh?

 

[PinkMom]

Shannon -- you're funny! Have fun at the staff meeting.

The girls and I are off in a little bit to sort books at Reading is Fundamental.

 

[crazystepr]

Kristi--you're such a dang humanitarian! I wish I could/wanted to volunteer that much. It's just so hard between school,. work, family, the Boytoy, etc. But I think I found my passion in life, you guys! Ok, ya ready? Here goes....

In school (I'm taking Business Law right now--all my classes are only 5 weeks long so they go quickly) my teacher keeps showing the most phenomenal documentaries. One week we watched one called "The Plea" about low income people who are basically forced to plead guilty to crimes they often didn't commit in order to reduce the backlog and reduce inmate crowding--and these people's lives are subsequently ruined. It broke my heart. Then last week we watched one called "The Corporation" about American corporations. Tough stuff to watch and hear, let me tell you. I was crying to my teacher after class last Thursday!! Can you believe it?!?! The reactions of my classmates to these documentaries are just awful. They're all so heartless. When I mentioned that to my teacher she said she understands but that we (she and I) have to remember that I'm in a business degree program and the people in my classes are very corporate and business-minded and aren't in this field to save the world and/or the environment. Which is a good point but is still sad. So, anyway, long story short, I've decided to contact the Connecticut Legal Aid department and see if I can volunteer there to help people. I'm not much into law but it's at least a start. I really want to take some sort of action after watching "The Plea".

My teacher has been so great. It's really overwhelming for me to watch these documentaries because I immediately want to save the whole world but don't know how. She told me to start small--I can't save the whole world at once right now but I can start by helping one person. Or start by saving my back yard, as she put it. Then move on to bigger things. I just can't believe that I--ME--I found something that lights my fire and that I'm passionate about. My teacher told me to come into class on Thursday with a list of organizations I want to contact to see if I can help. I'm procrastinating a little because it's scary to me, but I have the number for Legal Aid on my desk here and I keep looking at it. Now I just need to call.

Anyway, sorry for the long-winded post. And THAT'S not even my life-changing story I wanted to tell you! (I'm still too embarrassed to write about that...) I'll get to it tonight, I promise.

 

[SRP]

WOW! Allie, that is HUGE news! I'm so excited for you, and proud too. You are so sensitive and seem like you have so much compassion for people. I think it takes people like you to truly "save the world", because you have to care very deeply to keep going. I expect it'll be hard for you, because when you see people in such need, it'll upset you. But I think you really have the passion to hang tough and really make a difference.

And if THAT isn't a life-changing story... well, good grief. You're going to blow our socks off if you decide to tell us.

Whattawoman! You go girl!

 

[crazystepr]

OMG, Shannon, you just made me cry!! Thank you, thank you!!

One of my older sisters (who I lived with in Boston last year) does stuff like this for a living--she majored in Economics and Women's Studies at Mount Holyoke College and is very strong and actually quite brilliant if I may say so myself. She's going to help me research stuff for this and write my paper and she is keeping me going. I get really overwhelmed trying to defend myself in class--I get all nervous and teary and can't think of anything to say. She's been a big help. She worked for a long time for Clean Water Action in Boston and is a big environmentalist and feminist. She's pretty cool. Much more extreme and proactive than I am, but she's still pretty damn cool. She's also a vegan. And a lesbian. Kind of the "odd one out" in the family. But she's pretty much the coolest ever in my book.

To be honest, compared to that post I just wrote, my other news isn't as exciting. Prepare to be disappointed......

 

[SRP]

Allie - what is your major? I mean, are you taking business law as part of the major, or as an elective? And why on earth do you have to defend yourself in class? You know what is right for you, and obviously your moral standards are quite different (ahem - dare I say better?) than the rest of the class. You are your own unique self.

Quite frankly, I admire people like you and your sister. You have a passion that I've never been able to find.

 

[lainiefig]

Well, still sleepy here. I hope I’m not so tired at the RT. Probably adrenaline will keep me going. So, like I said, went to the doc today. Of course, I had to take my two little boys with me and they were bouncing off the walls (they’re usually pretty well-behaved, though energetic). So I walk in with these two rambunctious kids and say “I’m tired; what do you think is the deal?” Naturally, she notices I have two active little kids and she asks about how much sleep I’m getting. She thinks I need to go to bed earlier. But then when would I get my quiet time (besides now when Ewan’s napping, but I’m often busy now). Oh, and she asked if I ate a lot of carbs…guilty. So I’m supposed to eat fewer carbs and sleep more. Also, she thinks I need to find more a “Mommy and Me” group and make friends who can swap off babysitting duties.

And ya know, I didn’t feel too bad at the doctor’s office, so I agreed with her—yeah, maybe I just need to make some changes, etc. Then I came home and I feel like sleeping again. Maybe it’s this couch. It is awful darn comfy.

So after the doc, we went to Target and I got a couple prescriptions filled (just previous prescriptions, nothing new). Then I did just a “little” shopping. I stocked up on little toys for the boys for them to have specific goals with their potty charts—so if they get a row of 10 smiley stickers they get a toy. I also got some simple stuff for myself like socks and undies. Then we came home and had lunch and I put Ewan down for his nap and here it is already 3 pm. Where does the day go?

Allie, Wow, that is awesome news about this passion for helping others. I remember a girl I knew in Texas was working for an organization that helped kids dealing with the court system—sort of a personal advocate for the child in custody cases and stuff like that. She wasn’t a lawyer or anything, just a volunteer making sure the kid was represented. I thought that was a neat program. And yes, you have a gorgeous smile. I don’t have much of an upper lip, either, but to me it’s always been my crooked teeth that are the real smile-killer. My sister and my mom have full upper lips, but I had to go and take after my chicken-lipped father—and he wears a full beard and mustache so you don’t even notice the thin lips. Ooh, I’m so jealous about the elliptical I’m tempted to go online and steal it from you. It’s not 45 min. away in this direction, is it?

Tneah, those boat traditions sound sort of fun, but I’m a weird tradition-loving gal. Do you also get to break a bottle of champagne or something on the new boat? Or is it just open a bottle? I don’t know, seem to remember seeing bottles broken on boats on TV.

Shannon, good luck with the garden planning. I had to do a ton of weeding and stuff in my garden yesterday. We get these ivy things that go nuts climbing all over everything else. Ugh, they pull out easily but they are everywhere.

Kristi, you felt judged about a Diet Coke. Sheesh, I’ll be sure and not bring some of my favorites to the RT. I do keep Diet A&W in the fridge all the time, but I don’t have it every day. I mainly need it for certain meals—like spicy foods I feel like I need a stronger drink or the water just tastes like the food. Oh, and thanks for the great RT tips you sent us—very handy stuff.

 

[lainiefig]

OK, how did I miss Kara and Leanne?

Leanne, I bet the bracelet looks better than you think—you should post a pic here to show us.

Kara, good luck with the driving today. Just thinking about my sons driving (a whole decade from now) makes my heart pitter patter faster.

 

[crazystepr]

Lainie--did you ever get the PM I sent you a few months ago regarding finding a bike on craigslist? I swear, I live on that website now. I just sold an old coffee table and two end tables this morning that I wanted OUT of my apartment. And I've bought a bunch of stuff from people there. I was just checking my area and there are a bunch of cheapo exercise bikes for sale. It's brilliant, I tell you! Your hubby would be so much more inclined to agree to have you buy one if you found it there. The only problem is there's no delivery or anything so you have to find a big car or truck and pick it up. But it's still cheaper than buying new. Plus you keep things out of the landfills. I'm a huge advocate of craigslist and freecycle.org. Keep things out of the landfills and reuse them! I've gotten and given away so much stuff on these sites. Check out your area on craigslist.org and search for a bike under "sporting". You'll find one today I bet.

ETA: Ok, I just checked craigslist in CT under the "fairfield area" section and didn't see any bikes but found a TON of ellipticals. Go check it out, missy!!

 

[LeanneM]

Hey ladies!

Just got back from a round of errands! I'm so nervous about this weekend that I've had butterflies all day today and can't eat (a rarity for me!), but I'm going to force down some lunch here in a minute. If anyone needs any, I stopped by Express, and they had some of those wonderful camis that Allie recommended in their clearance bins for $9.99, plus an extra 30% off! Woo hoo! I'm such a bargain shopper that it's pathetic.

How funny about the Diet Coke drinking! I'm planning on pigging out since I know we're going to work good and hard this weekend!

So do regular lotions have to go in the stupid quart bag? I always put them in there, but I was just looking at the link that Kristi posted, and it just says gels and liquids. Hmmm . . . what do you all think?? ETA: Never mind! I just looked more carefully at that website, and lotions have to be teeny, too. Drats!

OK, I'll try to post a picture of the bracelet this afternoon. I guess it doesn't look too bad, but still . . . .

So I forgot to mention that when DH and I talked about giving BIL the boot early next week, I came up with the "brilliant" (ha ha) idea of telling BIL that we decided to go out of town for a few days to a B&B in Orange County (which we had actually talked about doing). So we would tell him that we'd be leaving Thursday morning, and so needed to help him move Tuesday and Wednesday. Wouldn't that be nicer than just telling him we want him out ASAP?? He doesn't have a lot of stuff, so one quick trip to the storage unit with a small U-Haul should do it. What do you all think? If we use that story, then Mike and I talked about "hiding out" at home all weekend from his family and mine. We need some alone time!

Oops! Sorry that I just wrote a book.

Where are Peggie and BreckGirl at today? Of course, Peggie is on her Semen Hunt, but usually she checks in early . . . .

Allison -- OMG!! I am soooo excited for and proud of you, all at the same time! I know you've been frustrated in school for awhile, but I always feel like things are meant to be, and it was because you pursued the path you're on that you found something that you're really excited and passionate about. I'm so, so happy for you!! Will you be able to take more classes with this professor? It's always so wonderful to find a mentor, and it sounds like she's got great resources to share with you. I think you definitely need the elliptical, too. What a steal! Now I'm excited to hear the rest of your good news!

Kristi -- You and the girls are so amazing! You always have so much time and energy to give to others. Your passion for helping others is truly humbling.

Shannon -- Hope the meeting is alright. How have things been with that co-worker since you had the chat with her?

Lainie, Lainie -- No wonder you're tired, chica, with all that you do! Seriously, having two little ones must really keep you busy, plus they're still on summer break, right? Maybe when they go back to preschool you can squeeze in more sleep. I'm glad it was nothing serious! What a cute idea for the chart for the boys!

Tneah -- Did you end up doing Mr. Sand Dunes on the boat? I thought you were going to take it easy today!!

Kara -- I'm sooo glad to hear that your foot is feeling better! Just try to rest it tomorrow, though, so it'll be alright for this weekend. Will you post a photo of your new haircut so we can all see it?? Pretty please! I bet you look adorable in it!!


Oh, and SEMEN!

 

[crazystepr]

Tneah -- Did you end up doing Mr. Sand Dunes on the boat?

BWAHAHAHAHAHAHAHA!!!

 

[Tiffany(tneah)]

Alright Miss Alli--git yer mind outta the gutta! PS...Mr. Sand Dune is blond, whereas I prefer brunettes.

Alli gal, super happy you have found a cause that pulls at your heart strings so hard, I am very happy for you, you have a huge heart, and are such a great person! I love that you found such a supportive teacher...you will always remember her.

Leanne, oh dear, you and your nervous tummy! Its hard to fly and pack the right stuff, I hate it, everything has to be 4 ounces, I am sorry to say, I use more than 4 ounces of body lotion over the course of 3 days, I am sure of it! But just go to the drugstore and buy those airline approved bottles, fill 'em up, or go to sephora! They have a whole line of airline approved beauty items, I just remembered that...plus you can always pick up extra at the mall that is next to where you guys are staying, there is a mall right? I saw others talking about it...I love your idea, what is BIL gonna say to that? Nothing! So get his arse moved, and enjoy your alone time already, it'll help with those nerves too.

Speaking of nervous tummies, guess what? I found out today out in the middle of the ocean, that I get seasick. Yep. Seasick. Almost tossed my protein shake overboard. If we ever take our boat traveling, I am going to have to use medicine so I am not sick the whole time. Out in the ocean there are swells that just make you sick. Oh! I saw a school of dolphins though, jumping through the air, it was magical, I love dolphins, they look like they are smiling.

Thankfully I finished Sand Dune workout before we started moving, have I mentioned how hard that freakin workout is? I even used my 20 pounder on a few exercises. It kicked my butt good, but loosened everything up..good thing. Its hot here and now I am pooped, wanna take a nap.

Lainie, so you really did not get alot of answers today?? Shoot, but seriously, it might just be the munchkins...I cannot imagine running after two little ones all day, than working out, trying to watch what you eat, plus caring for DH! Oh dear, I am sleepy just thinking about it.

Hugs to Shannon, Kristi, Kara and Pegsters...BG??? Hey chica, how is your first day on Mr. Trainerman' plan??

Did someone just mention..dare I say it? SEMEN????

 

[LeanneM]

BWAHAHAHAHAHAHAHA!!!

Oh my goodness! I didn't even mean it that way -- really! Of course, now that I think about it . . . .

Tneah -- OMG about the dolphins!! How cool is that?! But oh no about the seasickness! That stinks! Oh, I used my 20# with Mr. Sand Dunes on a few of the rounds, too! That workout just kicks butt! Thanks for the great idea about the travel items!


Oh, and SEMEN!