According to Mr. Punxsutawney Phil, we have 6 more weeks of winter. Thankfully in 5 weeks I'll be in California. Now, this winter doesn't even compare to last year, and I haven't found myself complaining about the cold....unless I have to go out in it before 8am. Brrrrr!!!!

I can't even go to my orthodontist w/o someone in the office mentioning my CA blood, and how it's dealing with the frighid cold. "Oh, I'm doing ok. I just layer my clothes, and stay indoors as much as possible." People who know where I'm from, just look at me with this "is she crazy?" look - like they feel sorry for me. I don't feel sorry for me. Why should you? I'm doing ok. I'm braving this weather the best I can.... I get anxiety when I have to drive in it - when the weather is really bad w/snow & ice. But when the roads are clear, I'm good. Looking forward to my AWD vehicle, that's for sure. And I'm hoping it'll come w/an automatic starter.

Hey Dawna of 2010

How am I doing?
I think I'm doing pretty good.
I ended last year in total frustration, just sick of my unhealthy self and my down-in-the-dumps type attitude that I've had.
I needed a change.
When it comes to HEALTHY eating, I've decided to go towards "clean" eating. My girlfriend Shannon and her family are living this way, and I've heard only good things about it. I love food, munchies, soda...but I've never thought real hard about what I was putting into my body. It was a major reality check. (For example: Last week I had a meeting down at the Convention Center, where they feed you well - always. Laid out for us were breakfast items. I'm not even sure exactly what was over there - but I avoided it. As I sat there, la la, during the meeting, I thought to myself how easily I could just down an entire bagel - covered in cream cheese, a few pieces of lemon loaf and coffee filled w/cream and sugar. Easy.) Well, 6 years and 35 lbs later, I'm unhappy and sluggish.

I had been hitting the gym 3-4 times a week, and I'm sure that's what helped me not gain any more weight. I'm going through all this pain and agony, and my jeans are still tight. I knew what the problem was. Could I admit it? Yup. Did I change my ways? Nope.

2010 was going to be different.

I would say, I've had 16 good "clean" days so far. (I didn't start right when the clock struck midnight on Dec. 31st. Too many leftovers that I mingled over. I've had a couple cheat days, but it's more like cheat dinners. This past weekend was a mess, I have to admit. My days started off just great, but as the day progressed, I gave in. And it was due to eating out. Our friend Brent was in town, and we ate out quite a bit. I easily could've ordered salads, but I didn't. Even this past Football Sunday, Autumn and I were so strong (she's eating "clean" as well), she made turkey (breast) burgers, and they were sooo yummy. We resisted the temptation of pizza. 8 boys downed 2 Party Pizzas. (Neil alone ate 10 pieces, if not more....ridiculous.) But as dinner rolled around - surprisingly these guys wanted to order Chinese take-out. Autumn and I looked at each other, and decided to give in. It was not such a great weekend for me, eating-wise. Besides the eating, it was a really fun weekend.

Along w/eating CLEAN, I have decided: no soda (but every once in great while - which happened this past Saturday night), no snacking (unless it's clean), no sweets, and no red meat...at least for 3 months. Guaranteed I'll screw up that last one due to my trip out to CA in the middle of March. But I'll just extend it through April, how's that?

I didn't even get on the scale for a starting weight because I could care less what I started at. Too depressing. Especially when you weigh almost as much as your husband.
3 weeks in, and is it crazy to say my clothes fit better? Is it too soon? Maybe it's a mental thing, but they honestly fit better.

When it comes to the YMCA, I plan to be there more often. My goal is 5-6 times, but that just depends if my schedule allows it. First week of the new year doesn't count in my book. Due to snow storms and a single car that was in the shop 4 out of the 7 days, I didn't work out but ONE day. Not that I couldn't have worked out at home....because I could have. I just didn't. Don't ask. The last 2 weeks have been better. I've gone when I was able to. With working the box office more (I need CA spending money) - it's been a bit difficult to get myself over there. Plus, it's so dang crowded right now with "new years resolution" people, even when I am there, I can't get on a treadmill. I've improved in my weight classes. I started them in the spring last year, and pulled out 3, 5, & 7 lb weights. Now, I get 5, 10, & 12 pounders.

Another goal of 2010? To become a runner. Yep. I hate it. I dislike long distance running sooo much. I'm a sprinter. Softball, basketball. Sprint. Fast. Running is so BEYOND boring to me, that I eventually just jump off the damn treadmill and seek some other cardio machine. But I never feel I get as good of a workout, as when I was on the treadmill, or while running outside. What makes me want to achieve this goal so badly? I want to be able to run outside when the weather is nice. I want to run down by the lake, and enjoy the scenary. You ask, why not run outside now? When the air is so cold, your lungs feel like they're freezing over - I take it indoors. And I don't think my feet, and ice/snow like each other all that much. I can't seem to master the balancing act when it comes to walking on this stuff!!! ("Shuffle your feet" is a constant advice I do not practice.) In the end, I want to run. I am slowly working my way into it. After much reading, I need to take it slow. I can't expect my body to just adjust, and be able to accomplish 3 miles in 30 minutes - which is what I was attempting just a month ago. (Ya know Dawna, just because you were an athlete in high school, doesn't mean your body is same as it was back then.)


The new me is just around the corner and I can't wait. My braces should be off in a few months....then I have some post braces cosmetic stuff to be done, then I'll really be a new person. I will be a more confident person.

Can't. Wait.

Catch you on the flip side Dawna of '09....

Blogs to come....

*California vs PA (My heart is still split. I have a love for both & a hate for both....)

*New Way of Living (Hitting F5 on my computer doesn't work when it comes to life, darn it.)

*My puppy turned 1!

I have been slacking on my blogging - when don't I? My "New Way of Living" blog, should hopefully get me on here once a week. I think it'll hold me accountable. Plus it'll give Shannon an update on how well I'm doing ;) This involves eating better, and running....my most hated way of working out.
6 years have come and gone - in a FLASH! And I need to pull on the brakes, no joke. I'm beyond disgusted with feeling uncomfortable all the time. (Re-reading old blogs...my head could not hang any lower. How many times have I vowed to lose weight? It's embarrassing.) Turning 30 is insentive enough to get me going. And my girlfriend Jenny is getting married in April, and I'm a part of her entourage. (She is only having her sister in the wedding party...that's what happens when you have a gazillion g/fs and have been in 10 weddings....)
Neil and I have really been wanting to get involved in our community more, and just be a light in this dark city. We haven't narrowed down anything specific, but we're working on it.
Another thing I want to look into, is getting my dog Cali involved. Cali's dermatologist (yes, she has one...she has skin irritations, ok?!) told me that she would be such a great candidate to be a Therapy Dog because she is so sweet. It would give a good name to pits...and I'm really going to work on doing that. She needs a bit more training...and that doesn't involve Neil. He is the sucker when it comes to disciplining.

Are these New Years Resolutions? I don't know....maybe. But this new decade, is going to be a fresh start for this Hartman.

952 W Hartmas Lane...

Neil has been putting lights up, little by little over the last few weeks. Finally, tonight we turned them on. I attempted to video tape this moment, it's kind of dark out - so bare w/me.
At one point I ask Neil "What do you think?" His reply, which you can't hear is: "There should be more, we need more." Great. Look out Christmas 2010.
You can hear me fine, but if you want to hear Neil - you'll have to turn it up a bit.
Of course, at the exact moment we want to film this, a police/ambulance siren goes off in the distance, and a car drives by. Oh well....

1/2 a Brace-Face

As you can see, my bottom braces have been removed... I'm not sure how much longer my top ones will be on. (I'll drill my orthodontist next time I go in.)
In 2 weeks I get my retainer. I was so excited to be able to pick out a crazy color...but guess what? They don't do that anymore. They all come in clear. BORING!

Anyways. I'm excited!

Thank you Jesus

....for this amazing weather. Last year, this very week - we were at 20 inches of snow.

Last weekend, it was in the mid 60s w/clear skies. In Erie?! I know I've only been a part of this crazy-weathered city for 18 months, but I've picked up on the chaos. We're 18 days into November, and NO snow. Do you know, people have their Christmas lights up, bright & shining? Thanksgiving is NEXT WEEK people!!!! When I think of Christmas, I think of snow...I don't want the ice weather yet...I don't. Next week, sure.

We did however take advantage of the nice weather, and Neil pulled out the ladder & got himself up on the roof to hang our Christmas lights. Turned them on for a brief few minutes to test them out...then shut them right off. Next week, on November 26th - after we've stuffed our faces...we will come home, pop in a Christmas movie, (or spin Frank Sinatra on the record player), and deck out our home with Christmas cheer.

But not a minute sooner.

71 in November?

I took full advantage of the beautiful weekend we just had. And from the looks and feels of it... it's continuing through today. According to the news (and my memory), it was snowing this time last year. So far, so good on this Fall season lasting - and winter not bulling it's way into November.

Friday I had the day off and decided to take Cali to the groomers for a manicure, then a walk through Frontier Park. I got a hold of Autumn and asked if she'd like to join me. And I got a very excited reply: "YES!!!" I beat her to the park by about 15 minutes and let Cali take advantage of the empty park. She was a very good baby doggie, and came when I called her. She wouldn't stay put though when I attempted to take a photo of her. These are what I ended up with...not bad, but there was a lot of yelling involved.

Then on Sunday, another gorgeous day - 71 degrees, I texted Autumn in hopes she would like to join me again for another walk - and without fail, she came with Owen and Emma in tow. It was a bit chilly down by the water, but she shnuggled up her little ones and we were off. Cali about pulled my arm off with excitement....she's working on her "walking" skills. We were not the only ones who wanted to take advantage of the weather - the peninsula sidewalks were packed with cyclists, walkers, runners, doggies - it caused slight difficulty due to the somewhat not-wide-enough path. We had quite a few run-ins with other doggies, but all canines were on their best behavior :)

Natalee and Ford Gregson

When I got the call, back in January - I didn't pick up my phone. The charge on my cell was just about dead...not to mention I didn't have my charger w/me in my new home. I was at the top of the ladder, in the kitchen, with green paint just about every which way. Then a text message came "Yeah, I'm pregnant" Just like that... I instantly called her. I was able to get about 5 minutes into the conversation before my phone died, but I could tell Natalee was beaming with excitement....or maybe it was nerves. Either way, I was excited! Since we were out in CA in June, I wasn't sure if I was going to make it out to see her and Ford right away. But thank the Lord, I was able to.

Growing up, it was always hard for me to hold onto friendships due to moving so much. Not many of my friendships go past 10 years old... When Natalee and I first started hanging out, it was very clear to me that we would be friends for a really, really long time. Not only is she so great, but her family was always so amazing - good thing they didn't mind me hanging around, because I would spend weekends at a time in their home. The Corpus familia - they are one of a kind and I just love them.

The very beginning of this month, I was able to take a trip out to California, with one task at hand - to spend time with Natalee and witness the new chapter in her life as a mommy. It filled my heart to see her w/Ford. Her and Eric are such great parents! Ford was only 3 weeks old when I met him, and I'm sure he won't remember me - but that's ok. My 1st day out, we took a trip to the grocery store. Boy, was Natalee nervous. I assured her that she could do this. I was there, I have her back - Ford will sleep the entire time. And he did just that. We were even able to make a pit stop at Starbucks, which we both needed desperately. The night followed by walking over to Redlands Market Night. It was a great 1st day.

(I'll talk more about my CA trip part II in another post, and add more pictures...)

The weekend ended with quality time with the Gregson family. Which was great for me. To just sit in one place w/no agenda was so relaxing. On top of the fact, everytime I have been back to CA, I only get to soak up about 2 hours of Natalee...so time spent with just her, was so nice, and it was well overdue.

37.5 hours

I worked 37.5 hours this week. I haven't worked a full week in like a year & a 1/2. I thought I'd hate it, but surprisingly it felt really good. Like I accomplished something. I appreciated that today was Friday...I'm really looking forward to the weekend. Next week, I pull the same amount of hours. I'm looking forward to it. Sort of.... the reason behind the additional hours is, my boss is out for 2 weeks recovering from surgery. Now, anything and everything that could go wrong - went wrong. Not that any of it was my fault. Just technical errors. It was all silly really. The week fleeeeew by...which was awesome! Next week is payroll week. I'm just a tiny bit nervous. I don't want to screw anything up!!! We'll see what I have to post at the end of the week.

Upload FAIL

I went to upload my pictures from my most recent trip to California - and guess what? The end of the usb cord that connects to the camera, has teeth marks, and is unusable. Thanks Cal.
So, my CA Trip Part II is on hold until I receive my new cord in the mail....in 5-7 days.

What is also making it's way to me via mail? My "L'Occitane Shea Butter Ultra Rich Face Cream" Doesn't that sound intense? Well, it has to be. I attempted to use my usual "winter" moisturizer last year, and that was just a joke. The bitterness basically laughed in my face. After about 3 days of cracked, flaky, painful face, I went online and did some research. I even went to Macy's to ask the ladies at the counter there what I should use, beings they live in Erie, they should have an answer. They did. I listened. I got samples of a few different options. My face, still not happy. After convincing Neil that spending $38 on a face lotion was my only option - I prayed this stuff would work. If not, I'd have to use it regardless. $38!!!!
Needless to say, it worked...and beautifully! And with Fall here, and the chill in the air....my face is screaming at me for comfort. I have just a teeeeeny bit left from last winter, maybe a week's worth. I swallowed, and walked over to Neil to inform him of the bad news. I need more. After a few suggestions by Neil, like: Isn't there anything else? We decided that $20 of my "fun" money goes back in the bank 1st thing tomorrow. We split the cost. Will Dave Ramsey agree with this method? I'm afraid to ask...