March Maaadness

I started the month off slowly getting off the "healthy eating" train...and within hours of landing in CA, I was completely off. (There was no way I'd be in CA for 5 days, and eat healthy...who are we kidding?) Weeks that followed, I did not improve these old habits of snacking, drinking soda, laziness... nope, I did not. Why? Birthday. I had it set in my head that my Birthday week would be filled with crap eating anyway....why eat healthy now?
But guess what? Birthday week is over - and boy did we celebrate!!! I'll have to post more about it in another blog because I have a few pictures to share - that I'm just too lazy to upload at this very moment (hence the word LAZY)...but it was a good time. Ate a LOT, and didn't make it into the gym all that much. (I even slept for 3 hours today, 3pm-6pm...with no attempts to make it to my 6:30pm Weights Class....laaaazzzzy and bleh.)

Neil and I, as you all know, love food. With the history in Neil's family, he should not be eating the way he eats. And we've come to the decision to eat healthy together. When I started the year off eating "clean" I did it alone. As of tomorrow, according to him "what you cook, I'll eat." We've decided that during the week, only healthy eating. Saturdays and Sundays, we can venture off a little bit. I mean come on, Spring is here - and grilling season is around the corner.... Burgers and hot fudge sundaes... We couldn't do without!

Today is Neil's last day of Spring break, and we're ending the vacation on a sluggish, but oh so yummy note: Chinese take out! And yes, today is Monday. But vacation ending trumps Monday. So there.

*Plus my goal of becoming a runner by the end of the year isn't going to happen on it's own. But now that the weather is nice, I'll take the attempt to the streets....

Tomorrow is a new healthy day! (I hope so anyway)

March 15th, 2010

I'm back tracking a little bit because I just stole the photos below from Virginia. I thought they were really fun, and I wanted to share them....

Outside of Rio Rico's, where we ate lunch - we decided to take time out & take pictures. Apparently Brooke and I thought something was funny. It was probably an attempt I had at smiling - which I have to say, I mastered on this very day. And to think, just the day before I had issues with my eyes bugging out.... and then there's Virginia and myself. Lastly, a shot of the 3 of us....

I'm still hunting for more pictures from these 5 days in CA that I can steal....

7 days...and counting.

Am I really turning 30 in t-minus 7 days?

Of course one of the 1st things my husband says to me this morning is:

"In a week, you're going to be an old lady."

Gee thanks babe.

I am completely & totally disecting this photo above...

One eye is bigger than the other.

I have neck fat.

Zero cheek bones.

Zits.

One eyebrow looks raised, even though I didn't do it. Is this a condition of some sort?

(It's freakin' me out!)

And it seems my nose is getting BIGGER!!!

7 days.

CA March 2010, Mr and Mrs Freeman

I made my way out to California (I can never stay away...) and I went out for one purpose....to be by Miss Jenny Murphy as she prepared for her wedding day. Through all the stresses and little sleep - I survived. The 5 days just flew by. (I would like to thank Starbucks and Redbull for helping me stay awake through those 5 days.)
My first day was non-stop. I woke up at 2:30 am, eastern standard time and headed to Buffalo, NY where I then ended up in NJ. With that....the next flight into San Diego was almost 6 hours. I had plans to sleep, but the idiot that I am, I paid the $6 for Direct TV. I got caught up in everything. The Blindside was playing on one channel, then Dexter, Nurse Jackie on another....etc.... It was ridiculous. I finally turned my ipod on, and dozed off. But that lasted about 20 minutes. The stewardess walked by, and I politely asked for "COFFEE PLEASE?" I knew my day was going to be geared by excitement, and caffeine.
As I walked my way down to baggage claim I spot Jenny before she sees me and I ran and squeezed her tightly. It was so great to finally hug her and be there with her.
We headed to Fashion Valley, got Rubios (yum), and had to deal with some returning and buying of make-up. The rest of the day is a blur...all I know is we did the following:

Purchased a 4 pack of Redbull
Stopped at her apartment to drop off my stuff
Vans Store (I needed a new pair of slip ons - they don't have a Vans store in Erie!)
Starbucks
Nails
A bunch of wedding stuff......

The rest of the week consisted of being by Jenny's side and helping her with last minute stuff and decisions. I did a couple of stuff for the wedding, calligraphy-wise...and catching up with her wonderful family that came down from Utah. I just adore the Murphy clan so much! It was so great to see them, and spend time with them. Also, my girl Kelly Wildman came down Thursday and remained in Escondido the rest of the weekend. Of all of Jenny's friends, I know Kelly. So, it was great for me to have her there. :) Getting to know Jenny's other friends, was such a blessing for me as well. She is truly blessed. These friends in her life - AMAZING.

So I didn't take many photos of this trip - I'm losing my touch, I know.... But after I realized I didn't take many, I made a vow to myself that I will never let that happen again. Seriously.
But what I did take.....
Gettin' her nails did.

Dawna and Jenny (yep, not many from my 1st day, until the day. I'll have to steal some from Rene)

Almost Mr & Mrs Freeman....too an hour later as Mr. and Mrs. Freeman....

Dancing with her father (wesssiiide Pat!)


The following day, which was my last day - I spent the 1st 1/2 with the Dunns, which I didn't get any pictures of except of their gorgeous landscaping.... We did breakfast, then church. Then afterwards, went to lunch with Gin and Brooke. I'll have to steal pictures from Virginia as well... And the 2nd 1/2 of the day was with Carol, Zach, Stella and Murphy....which I'm really upset because I didn't take any photos of our adventurous night together. We ate In 'n Out Burger for dinner (mmmmm...) and went hunting for big bags of hot cheetos. We hunted in every grocery/convenient store in San Diego it seemed...and came up empty handed. (I also needed magazines for my trip home.) Finally, in I think a Rite-Aid, by her old apartment did she dig up 2 bags that were hidden. Best bags of hot cheetoes. Ever. It was great being able to spend time with Carol, because I hardly ever get to. Strangely enough, as we were trying to figure out what to do w/ourselves for the night ahead....as we walked the streets of SD....we discovered that we were both 2 episodes behind on this season of Lost. Perfect. So, that's what we did. After all the hunting, we cozied up on the couches and relaxed (sort of) with Lost.

It was a great last day in CA.

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.