My Jenny.....

This is my Jenny. Jenny Murphy.
We met, just over 10 years ago - and since then we've had this amazing friendship. This friendship had all the elements of a good, strong relationship. We had our fights....along with all the love in the world. She is one of my bestest friends!!!!!!!
Tomorrow she will be honored, and will be front and center at her Bridal Shower. More than anything I wish I could be there - but living across the U.S. - it isn't possible. I am attending the wedding of course. Wouldn't miss that for anything. I am so beyond excited for her. And for what God has in store for her, as a "wifey" - she is going to be uh-mazing at it.

I am counting down the days until I get on my flight, to San Diego - 12 days. Five and a half years ago, she stood by my side as I got married, as my maid of honor. And boy, was she a trooper, let me tell you. And now, I just can't wait to hug her and laugh with her, and just "be" with her as she prepares for the big day....which, by the way, is in 15 days. 15 days and she will be Mrs. Ryan Freeman. Man, I'm getting teary eyed just thinking about this day, and all that it will entail.

I do have to note that we already have plans for the 1st few hours of my arrival. True Southern California style....Food, Starbucks, and gettin' our nails did.

HOLLLLLAAA!!!

What I do NOT like about Erie, PA

Black ice in the winter.
Any degree below 30. (brrrr!)
The local mall.
Having to travel to Buffalo, Cleveland, or Pittsburgh for some good shopping.
Not being able to travel, due to the weather.
Stop lights/signs on almost every corner.
Pedestrians. (They never look before they cross the street, especially on State Street)
The lack of maintenance on ones self.
The humidity in the summer.
*Shoveling snow
*That I'm far away from loved ones during special occasions

(* Add ons, after 1st initial post)

What I love about Erie, PA

Hartman/Orelski Family.
Friends.
Spring, Summer, Fall, and Winter (well, the first couple months of Winter anyway...)
Cost of living.
Being able to purchase a home, in just 8 months of living here.
Family-owned restaurants.
Romolo's chocolates.
No traffic.
The Peninsula.
Lake Erie.
My part-time job, being a part of Erie County County Convention Center Authority (ECCCA).
Trees and all the greenery.
Relaxing by the lake.
Everything is just about 10 minutes away....
WEGMANS grocery store.

What I do NOT miss about CA

Traffic.
Adding "traffic" to the amount of time it takes to get anywhere.
Gazillion people.
100 degree heat.
Spring, Fall, and Winter not really existing....(Didn't know what I was missing.)
Vanity
Cost of living.

*I visit in about 2 weeks, I'm sure I'll be adding to this list as well

What I miss about CA

My mom.
Friends.
Old job.
Beautiful weather, all year-round.
Disneyland.
San Diego.
Beach.
Laying out at the beach.
Reading/relaxing at the beach.
I don't have to worry about "black ice" in the winter months. (Not that winter exists in CA.)
Great shopping.
The Lakers. (Not that I've ever been to a game, but I always thought about it.)
Palm Trees.
Del Taco.
Mexican Food.
Carne Asada Fries.
Jack in the Box tacos.
In 'n Out Burger.
Normalcy of tattoos on females.
Pismo Beach, just a 4 hour drive.

I'm sure I'll add to this as I think about it some more.....

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!