March Madness

It's been a crazy month.

Just got back into town from 5 days in Indiana. Grandpa Turner passed away early Tuesday morning (3/23), and off we drove. This was an especially difficult time knowing neither Jon nor I have grandfathers any longer. But, Grandpa was so loved and beloved as evidenced by the hundreds of folks at his wake and funeral.

Harrison was our comic relief and rock during our visit. He could keep a smile on anyone's face. We were both so grateful to have him by our sides.

Turning over 3 projects in order to visit was the hard part. I did it in less than 2 hours and called in and kept up with email as best I could. So, I still pulled a 46-hour "work week" with 24 hours of bereavement leave. Now, if only I can figure out the best way to get a raise...

And, tai chi testing Wednesday night. Gotta practice these stances!!!

Woooooooooooo!

Overwhelmed with work right now. Maybe I shouldn't be posting on my blog while waiting for a con call to begin, but it's a break! Engineering Summit tomorrow...5 hours of fun-filled engineering stuff I don't understand. I think I'd rather be testing (if not for the free goods and food). After the meeting, we're throwing my boss a mini baby shower w/ cupcakes and tons of baby stuff. I know he'd have preferred a few beers, but his wife will appreciate our hard work (the diaper cake alone took me hours to make!).

Birthday was good. Got a flower cake from my sister. Went to boot camp and pushed it hard! One of the older women on my "team" as we went thru stations/circuits said "Wow, you're sweaty". It took a lot for me to hold my tongue and not say "Well, lady, this is boot camp, not a friggin' Sunday stroll!" Sweat = 4 lbs down from the other week (when I got discouraged that I had gained the one pound I lost and wanted to divorce my scale). So, good times and happy thoughts!

I'll miss tai chi tonight. I'll actually miss it. I'm going to attempt to test out of Block A to Block B in a couple weeks. So, tonight, I'll just have to practice with my sister!

Other than that, got the hair colored, the nails painted, etc for a whole day or two in Chucktown. I figure, most days, I don't have to wear makeup or look good for anyone, so it's nice to pretty myself up!

Gettin' Down with My Plaid Self

The title is really irrelevant. Well, maybe not. So, last year I learn all about our engineering department and the reference to Space Balls' "They've gone plaid!". And, it's often used as my avatar on gTalk as work tends to drive me too crazy, too fast. I love the fact the Danish flag is just a piece of plaid...I get to incorporate a little me with a little work and get a giggle. But, my message was "getting down with my plaid self in tai chi tonight!" And, that I did.

Class was great tonight. I felt like I really got to try everything and perfect things a little more and practice each thing for testing in a couple weeks. I sweat a little more tonight than has been the case the last couple weeks; nice to push myself.

And, as I sit here and eat my "vegetarian" ravioli dish (I don't think you can call a dish vegetarian just b/c it has no meat, it should have actual veggies) and make my normal rounds in Twitter & FB, I can't help but start to feel saddened that I'll be celebrating my birthday alone this year. I'm all about a birthday and presents and cake and indulging. And, I'm sad hubby is traveling this week & won't see the twin sis until Thursday when I'm in CHS for work. But, I'm not sad about no cake. I'm not sad about the new running shoes I gifted myself this weekend. I'm not sad I'm choosing to indulge on my birthday in a babysitter, so I can make it to boot camp. Just sad it'll be just Harrison who gives me my only birthday hug. On second thought, what more could a mommy ask for anyway?! Just gotta keep my head up about the new and improved Lise I'm becoming for 30 next year! Watch out 30, I'm gonna kick your ass (right after 29)!

It should not snow in March

OK, Charlotte, give me a friggin' break already! Snow in MARCH???

Aside from abnormal winter goings on, things are good. Boot camp and tai chi are rockin'. I need to really start practicing at home. There are March tests to move up from Block A to Block B training in tai chi, but I know I'm not ready.

Got my fitness vision board up. Got my mission statement in plain view. Got my menu I try to stick to (with the occasional box of Little Debbie cosmic brownies). Life is on track.

So, it begs the question, what's next?

I'm thinking of beginning a walk/mini-jog routine during at least 2 lunches a week and once on the weekends. I need to add in some cardio to keep seeing results. And, if things start to go well, I'd like to attempt a 5K in the latter part of the year. Wow, next year, my 30-year-old self will look back at my almost 29-year-old self and say "Good lord, you actually got your ass in gear. WOOOOOOO!"

Now, thinking about picking up that guitar. I think I'll need lessons to get good at any good pace. We'll see. I'm terrified to touch it b/c I feel like I'll suck. But, can't suck at something I don't even attempt. :)

Moving along, work is good. Same old same old. Except, the last girl on my team just quit. So, more work for me! Hoping this year yields many prosperous outcomes at work!