2 month re-cap

You're probably rubbing your eyes to make sure you aren't seeing things...a new post?!?! Well, your eyes are not deceiving you. It's true...I'm back.

I can't really explain why I didn't feel like writing for the past couple of months. I have been keeping my Facebook up-to-date, so if you aren't on Facebook, you should be! It's fun and addictive to see what everyone is up to in a moment by moment update. I really am more addicted than I'd like to admit ;)

It's funny, because I thought having a laptop would cause me to blog more, but along with the laptop came a free iPod Touch which has become such a part of my daily repertoire, that the laptop has almost taken a backseat. The iPod is so small and handy that I can check Facebook, Google an unfamiliar term, check the class schedule at my gym and even send emails from just about anywhere I am. I could actually update my blog, but it just hasn't happened.

There's not much news to report. My sister moved in a couple of months ago and it's been fun to have her around. She really loves home cooked meals and has been doing alot of the dishes so dinner time has been fun. We've been taking turns in the bathroom and juggling all 3 cars in the driveway better than I thought. Plus, with Andy working and in school, it's been fun to have someone to pal around with on nights that he's busy.

I've continued to go to alot of classes at my gym, and I'm still smitten. I really ought to cut back on my food intake a little more so that I could lose a few lbs, but work has been pretty stressful so at least I'm able to get away with more snacks since I'm doing all the workouts :)

Halloween is coming up and as silly as it sounds, I'm kind of excited about it. We stopped passing candy out a couple of years ago because instead of cute little costume-clad children, we were getting van loads of inner city teenagers without costumes. That really takes the fun out of it. I've gotten a few Halloween party invites, so I'm trying to craft a good costume right now...we'll see what I end up with and I'll definitely post pix.

Work has been really good, but really busy. I love that the day goes by and I get a lot done, but it's hard when I don't feel like I have enough time to take care of everything that needs to get done. I used to leave when my work for the day was done...now I leave when I just can't think anymore. Our new website is launching soon, so I'll definitely share that when it's ready.

Fall is here and I'm doing my best to appreciate it even though it feels like sand slipping through my fingers. I can't believe that Thanksgiving and Christmas are just around the corner...yikes!

I'm still alive...

I can't believe it's been almost a month since my last post. The time has really flown by! Work has been busy and I've continued with my classes at the gym, so I haven't given myself much time to blog. Plus, even though I'm doing well and enjoying my life, there hasn't been a whole lot going that has inspired me to blog. Here's what's new:

• I've renewed my passion for cooking and have had fun experimenting with new recipes.
• We gave the bathroom a makeover and I'm still amazed at what a difference it's made.
• I decided to make some mindset changes on my birthday and it has been revolutionary how much my life has improved just by deciding to start thinking differently about some things.
• I've watched a few interesting movies lately -- independent-type films that I wouldn't necessarily recommend, but that were a nice change from my usual pix (Jarhead, The Last Kiss, The Good Girl... in case you were wondering)
• I read a quirky memoir about a flight attendant from Philadelphia who ended up stationed in NYC...it made me miss NYC.
• I've got a wish list at Borders right now....I'm wishing the books weren't $15 each. I may go to the used bookstore tomorrow to see if I can find them there for cheap.
• I'm really excited that Ellen is moving in OFFICIALLY on Sunday. I'm also excited that my wardrobe is about to double because of it :)
• I have a haircut tomorrow at 12:30 that I'm way too excited about!
• It's been really fun to hear stories from Andy about his new job. I love old people!

There's probably more, but that's what's on my mind at the moment.

The Big B-Day Surprise

I never got around to telling the story of my birthday surprise. Well, let me just say it was fantastic! Andy had told me a few days before Friday that he wanted to take me out and that I should be dressed up and ready to go by 8:00. I tried a few times to figure out what the plan was (by citing that I was almost 30 and too old for surprises) but nothing made him budge. I even googled local Detroit events for that night, but all of the ones that seemed to fit started earlier than 8pm, so I figured I better just go along with the plan.

I bought a gorgeous dress for the occasion (one that I had been eyeballing since I bought my blue suit for work) and couldn't wait to wear it with a pair of shoes that I already owned and loved. So after spending an afternoon at my aunt's pool (in the shade mostly - this summer had been underwhelming to say the least!) I came home, ate a little dinner and started getting ready.

I have to say that most mornings it is no fun to shower, do my hair and makeup and get dressed for work. It usually just seems like a big pain and I'd rather be in my pj's with bed head all day. However, being a true girly girl at heart, I really do relish the times that I have a couple of hours to shower, shave, lotion, polish, treat, blow-dry, curl, spray, perfume, powder, and gloss myself up for a night out! There is something to the process that strikes that deep place inside every woman. The place that craves beauty. I believe that God created women not only to be beautiful, but also to want to bring beauty into the world. Whether it's via a nice garden, a pretty home, a good relationship, an encouraging word, a random act of kindness, a bold word spoken at the right time, or whatever He may lead us to do. I think it's just part of who we are.

So I got all dolled up and wouldn't let Andy see me until I was all ready. So much of the mystery of a woman is taken away after marriage. I mean they get to see us with the hairy legs, pits, whatever and then they sometimes even see us shaving. Then, the finished product - smooth, lovely lady just seems like the result of a little elbow grease rather than the 8th wonder of the world. I mean when you're dating, I'm sure the guy thinks the girl never farts and always has good hair, smooth legs and pleasant breath. Then they marry her and find out that her farts are worse than his, her legs are prickly more often than not and she has morning breath that could kill small children and elderly people. Let's bring some of the mystery back!!

So, it's 7:58pm and I'm ready. I made my grand entrance into the living room, did the obligatory swirl and soaked up the compliments :) We snapped a few photos and then prepared to leave. I was antsy and Andy seemed to be stalling, so I told him I'd go wait in the car. He insisted that I wait and then he ducked outside for a second, came back in and let me know that we were ready to leave....

We started walking down the driveway and there it was...a gorgeous limo! I was totally surprised and my mind started reeling...was this huge limo just for us? What is he up to? Is anyone else inside it? Where are we going?

So we got to the limo, the driver opened the door for me and when I peeked inside, there were several of my close friends and my sister! It turns out my friend Marie had thought up this whole surprise and worked with Andy to make it happen! Ellen told me that she would be working Friday night, so I did not expect her to be there and I was totally overwhelmed by all the plotting and planning just to give me a special night!

We headed downtown and ended up having an AMAZING night! We went to an awesome bar at the MGM Grand Casino. It was called Ignite and it had actual flames in the walls!

I had a delicious plate of sushi and thoroughly enjoyed the hip atmosphere and great company. After a while we loaded up in the limo and headed over to Cliff Bells (probably the coolest jazz club ever!)

And we ate some of the most delicious Mac and Cheese ever!

There was a live jazz band playing on the old stage in front of a gorgeous starburst mosaic that was restored from the original one back in the the 1930's! This place is gorgeous and full of luxurious mahogany and brass...definitely makes you feel like you've gone back in time.

So, we had an amazing time there, a fun limo ride back to our side of town, a nightcap at Robusto's Martini Lounge and back to the house. The rest is history...

All in all, it was a fantastic way to ring in the big 2-9!

Birthday Surprise

I'll have to write the story later, but here's a picture of Andy and I before we went out for my birthday surprise last night.

DSO

This weekend Andy and I went to a free Detroit Symphony Orchestra concert at Metro Beach. It was a lovely warm, breezy evening and definitely the perfect setting for the event. We packed a picnic and a bottle of wine and found the perfect spot to lay our blanket.

We had about an hour or so to eat and rest before the music began and we slowly relaxed and cheered up after a very stressful day. We feasted on a smorgasbord of middle eastern foods: hummus, tabouli, baba gounoush, stuffed grape leaves, cheese, pita and kabobs. Everything was delicious!

My boss bought me a lovely bottle of red wine for Administrative Professionals day and I had been waiting for the right moment to enjoy it -- since for me a "nice" bottle of wine is anything that costs more than $9...and this certainly did!

The weather, food, music, wine and atmosphere were perfect. I'd highly recommend anyone check out one of the free concerts next summer. The event is sponsored by Target and is probably also advertised on the DSO website.

Step, Kick, Pain!

A couple of months ago I started attending a cardio tease class at a local dance studio.  It ended up being so much fun that I hardly noticed that I was working out.  I'd look forward to Tuesday evenings each week and I got a workout too!

That class has been on break and will resume on July 2 when it changes to an advanced class.  I have really missed the energy and intensity of working out in a class setting, so I decided to check out the free classes at the gym I belong to. 

The first class I tried was a step class on Monday night.  I figured it would be a low to medium intensity workout, but I was ready to just have fun with it!  

It turns out that step classes are really challenging!  There are so many different moves and you have to start with the right foot and know how to transition from one move to the next and just as you start to get the hang of a move, it will change!  The instructor knew it was my first time, so she encouraged me not to leave.  I am pretty tough and definitely determined, so I didn't even think it would occur to me to leave in the middle of the class....but I have to admit that I was tempted to!  On more than one occasion I was so lost that I had to just watch and try to get back into the swing of things.  I was soaked from head to toe, and a little frustrated, but I'm going to go back next week and give it another try.  A girl that I met at the beginning of the class told me that she went home after her first class and watched a bunch of YouTube videos to help her learn the moves, so I'm gonna give that a try.

Tuesday night I raced home from work just in time to make it to the evening Kickboxing class at the gym.  After the step class, I was a little bit intimidated, but I decided to give it a try.  We started out with some basic punches and kicks, ended up running around the room squatted down punching to right and then punching to the left.  We did jumping jacks and simulated jump roping, we kicked high and low and to the front and the back and then we ended with a crazy series of ab moves.  Again, I left the gym soaked from head to toe and worn out.  I think the kickboxing class was definitely a harder workout, but at least I could do the moves!

Yesterday I could hardly walk and I discovered that I have muscles that I didn't even know existed!  My calves are sore and so are my shoulders and my back.  I actually like the post workout pain though, it makes me feel like I accomplished something.

Tonight I took another kickboxing class with a different instructor.  He did some different moves and spent the second half of the class doing strength training.  It was a nice change of pace from my normal biking or elliptical workouts.  

I think I'm officially hooked on these classes! They are alot of fun and they really push me to work out longer and harder than if I was on my own.  Maybe they'll help me get down to my goal weight (and the weight that I put on my drivers license renewal form!).

I found this picture of Jane Fonda's workout and it reminded me of the aerobics classes that I used to go to at the Hunt Club with my mom when I was little.  She sweated it out to Jane Fonda while I sat behind the bar in the back of the room sucking on ice cubes covered in SweetnLow!

Sultry Female Jazz

Tonight on my way home from work I visited my friend Mary and her sweet 9 day old little boy. She's my book buddy and last Saturday she gave birth to a healthy baby boy with a unique and exotic name -- Kroi Matthew Abram.  Both mom and baby are doing great and it was really nice to see her.

After that, I came home, put on some new jazz music that I stumbled upon recently and started cooking dinner.  Andy started school today, so he wasn't home, but I had some chicken and veggies in the fridge that needed to be put to use.  As I listened to the smooth, velvety voices of Melody Gardot and Madeleine Peyroux I sautéed onions, garlic and red peppers in olive oil.  Then I lightly coated chicken in flour, coarse salt and cayenne pepper and cooked it until sunny, golden brown.  I added fresh mushrooms, diced tomatoes and topped it with fresh mozzarella cheese.  I covered the fragrant feast and let it simmer until the cheese was melted and bubbly on top and then ate it over whole wheat penne rigate...yum!  

I really relished the moment.  I didn't hurry just to get the meal onto the table or into my mouth.  I soaked up the music and enjoyed the process.  It was so satisfying and peaceful to create a meal at an easy pace with a glass of red wine in hand.  

After everything was ready, I sat down to enjoy the fruits of my labor while watching an episode of my favorite show. Although I didn't get out in my garden to weed like I had planned, it was a really peaceful and enjoyable evening.