10 Random Things for Friday

1. I wish I hadn't taken a moment to catch my breath last week. There are things I wish I'd accomplished that I don't have time for now!
2. I'm so glad hubby is handy. The lawn mower quit working for him the other night, but he was able to fix it pretty quickly this afternoon.
3. I get to go out with my friends tonight (more or less...). One of my friends is having a candle show, so we'll all catch up there. And I'm not bringing Maggie this time. She and daddy can stay home and have their own fun :)
4. I am loving this beautiful weather today! But it sure made it hard to quit taking a break for lunch and get back to work.
5. When I finally called to reserve our spots for the Fairie Tea for Mothers' Day at one of my favorite bookstores, I got the last two tickets! Talk about lucky!
6. The clipboards I earned as a March sales incentive came in today. Another yay!! They are customizable on the back where you can slide in any sheet of paper with information you'd like to promote. I want to set them up right away, but I hav a lot of other things that need to be done first.
7. The end of my tongue feels like I burned or bit it. Ouch.
8. I think the only thing we have scheduled this weekend is my Cakes class on Sunday. This should mean we can have a really fun weekend, but it will probably mean I'll try and get more hours of work in. Oh well...
9. I keep forgetting to order more catalogs and order forms...I've got to get that done...
10. We hadn't gone to Max and Erma's in quite a while. Maggie and I took Grandpamamama for lunch today. I ate every bite of my Erma-sized BBQ burger. Yum!!

Hope Summer's Ready!

I think we're finally heading into warmer weather for good, right? I hate the spring allergy stuff. I feel like I'm continually clearing my throat, although I've luckily avoided the cough I usually have that sounds like I'm a regular cigars smoker! I know I've already complained about it, but boy I miss my regular allergy meds (that I can't take with the meds I'm on after my heart procedure).

Today, I've heard, is supposed to be sunny with temps in the high 70s!! Yay! Unfortunately I'm working, but I'm sure Maggie and her Grandpamamama will have a great time outsdie this afternoon!

Thursday Thunks

As far as I can find in my own silly tags, this is my first go round with Thursday Thunks - enjoy!

1. Robins have red breasts. Why are their eggs blue? It's complicated. It has to do with the filtering of the color red as it goes into their little birdy bodies and away from the oxygen. Kind of like the opposite of why blood is red when you're losing it, but blue in your veins. Get it?

2. The doorbell buzzes at the same moment the phone rings. Who was on the phone? Just check the caller ID and find out!

3. It seems that there are several very popular memes each day of the week. Which meme did you first become a regular of? I don't really remember. I did Thursday Thirteen for a while. Now I like the easy ones like Tuesday Random Thoughts (which I keep forgetting to do lately...).

4. It is about time that Berleen and Kimber meet in person. Should we start a collection to fly one of them to the other, or just hope Thom's bus and get from Hawaii to Kimber in Arizona and take her to Berleen in Minnesota? You can start a collection if you'd like. I don't know who you're talking about just now though. They should all arrange to go to the same blogging conference - somewhere in the middle?

5. Tell us about your pets. Do you have one that you wish would run away? I only have one cat now. Her name is Audrey and I don't want her to run away. The dust bunnies, on the other hand....

6. What was the last thing colored red that you wore? I think I have a pair of red underwear. I shop at Target too much to have a red shirt. I hate when people mistake me for someone who works wherever I'm shopping.

7. I have a train that runs by where I live several times a day. I actually find it peaceful. What's the longest journey that you have taken by train? I think I've only taken one journey by train. When I was in school our Girl Scout troop took a train somewhere in Canada. Since then I've just done the train that loops around the zoo or an amusement park.

8. If Kimber threw a five dollar bill off a building that was five stories high, and Berleen threw a twenty off a build that was six stories high, who do you think would find the money? Hopefully someone who would appreciate it!

9. If reincarnation really happens, whose life would you like to know that you have already led? Hmm....someone who could cook, just so I could know I'd done it once-upon-a-time.

10. What are your three favorite possessions? My car. My wedding band/engagement ring. My penguin pajama pants.

11. A lot of people still believe that Elvis is alive. Have you ever worn blue suede shoes? No. But I do have some cute pink tweedy ones.

12. Do you have siblings? If yes, are you anything alike? I have one younger brother. We're not very alike, but that's okay now that we're more mature. :)

13. Has anyone ever asked you to strip naked and cluck like a chicken? My attorney has advised me not to answer this.

I Cooked - No, Really!

What a busy afternoon! Maggie and I were running, and running, and running! The best moment for me was at one of our stops when some office people gave Maggie a sucker because she was so cute. Then apparently one didn't cover her cuteness, because they gave her another one. Which led to the very best part. She brought one sucker over to me to open. Once I opened it and went to give it to her, she said, "No, that one's for mommy." Which of course was so cute they wanted to give her another one :) That's my girl!

If she keeps sharing this well, I'm going to need weight loss products, especially if she has as much of a fondness as I do for junk food!

But my big impressive feat tonight was making dinner. We're seldom all home in the evening anymore, so we don't have many 'real' meals. Tonight I made an effort (well, more than usual, I mean). I tried to hide the packaging, but hubby recognized the rotisserie chicken I'd picked up already done. But I did cook noodles, corn on the cob and asparagus to go with it! It was quite yummy, if I do say so myself...

Building!

I just started reading Build It Big (101 Insider Secrets from Top Direct Selling Experts). Sure, I've been working my chocolate business and it's going well, but I keep hearing a little voice that says, "Where could you be if you worked it like you should?" So this year I've been trying to start listening.

Back in February I decided that on any weekdays I don't have a chocolate show scheduled, I will make at least five business phone calls. It's been going well, and I'm definitely getting positive results from my new level of dedication.

In examining my goals going forward, I've decided not to reinvent the wheel, but to use the motivational and training resources which are already out there! And now we're to why I've started picking up and following things like Build It Big.

One of the initial actions suggested in Build It Big is to start a journal of your accomplishments and the things you need to improve. I can do that!

My greatest accomplishment with my business lately is that I promoted to Team Leader this month! This has been accomplished through persistance. Consistently working my business and making my calls or doing shows each day isn't always easy, but it's paying off!

I need to improve my organization. I can usually find what I need, but I feel I rely on my memory a little too much. I want to be better about documenting what I've done or plan to do, especially when dealing with individual shows.

Working on my business is a win-win for me and I want to stick with it. There are obvious financial rewards, but my business also gives me a sense of purpose and accomplishment separate from being a mom, and also introduces me to fun people and future friends.
I'd be remiss if I didn't throw in that I'd love to help you have a sweet business like mine - check it out and let me know if you'd be interested!

A New Skin Wow?

I'm a Googling queen today! I've looked up about some Japanese fashion stuff (from the 17th century) that I've read about in passing, tried to find fun stuff for Maggie to do on her 'play dates' with her grandparents this week (so I can get in more hours of work), and even found out about blue light therapy for treating acne. Yeah - sitting under a light to clear up your skin. Huh. I suppose it makes sense. My skin always looked clearer in the summer. I figured a lot of it was from just airing everything out, but it sounds like the sunlight helped too :)

Monday Meme

Check out the Monday QuizMeme Meme!

List three things you like about spring:
1. Flowers!
2. Warm weather!
3. More daylight!

List three things you hate about spring:
1. Allergies/headaches :(
2. Mud/flooding road and yard :(
3. Spiders :(

Do you set your clocks forward in spring? Do you think it's a good idea?
Yup I do. It's a really good idea, because if I didn't I'd start running late for everything!

Do you have allergies in the spring? Do you take any allergy medications?
I do have general allergies in the spring. I usually take some sort of cold/sinus pill to fight the headache. This year I've been taking Mucinex D.

What are you looking forward to the most this spring?
I enjoy going for walks and playing outside with Maggie. Everything is such an adventure for her at this age :)

10 Random Things for Friday

1. I'm not sure how crazy it makes me, but I consider whether to write the number '10' or spell out 'ten' each time I do my Friday random things in this quantity...
2. Hubby and I are half-heartedly looking at tvs again. If we got one of the newer ones that looks so nice, then we'd also have to look at tv stands to hold one on the wall. Why does new furniture and toys cause such a snowball effect?
3. I think at least Maggie and I (hopefully hubby too, but he'll probably be busy) will head to the Maple Syrup Festival tomorrow. Woo-hoo! I always enjoy a road trip.
4. When we tried telling Maggie about going to see Mimi and Papa in their motorhome tomorrow, her response was, "Do I get a juice box?" Well, yes, probably. She promptly started jumping up and down and saying, "Yay! I get a juice box in the motorhome with Mimi and Papa!" Silly girl.
5. My headache went away for almost a week, but now it's suddenly threatening again. How is this fair?
6. I have a feeling hubby and Maggie are tearing into the fresh apple cake I just made while I'm in the office trying to come up with ten things!
7. It's been months since we've seen the movie, but Maggie is still talking about the characters in 'Horton Hears a Who.' I imagine we'll go ahead and get the movie...someday.
8. I got two new shirts, some new socks and a new belt today. Yay for happy shopping!
9. I was really hoping my new bras would be delivered today, but no dice so far :( Hopefully tomorrow.
10. There had better still be apple cake left...
    

What the Hell Wednesday

First off, I've already lost a day this week. I sat down just now ready to write my Random Thoughts for Tuesday, but WTH??? - It's WEDNESDAY!

Apparently the universe approves of my fondness for black clothing. I'd been getting away from it a bit, but last night at my bra party I went with my gut and ordered two black bras and one 'body-tone' (beige) one. Today the bra lady called to tell me the beige one is on back-order til JULY! Good thing I like black clothes, but I don't think I'm in the majority - what the hell!??

Once I win the lottery, I am totally getting my acrylic/gel nails back on with the lady who used to do my nails. I just polished my nails this afternoon with a gorgeous dark color called Flirt. It looked a little patchy, so I knew a second coat was needed. A couple hours later, as I went to apply the second coat, I saw that the color was already wearing off the ends! Seriously? Polish that lasts less than an afternoon? What the hell??

And last but certainly not least - there are days when I feel like I could bitch nonstop. Today? I'm pretty positive, ambitious, energetic, and a bunch of other seemingly good qualities that don't work well when I'm trying to scowl and write about What the Hell Wednesday!
Hahahahaha.....

C'mon Summer!

Almost...
I'm always ready for warmer weather, but right now I'm dreading showing my arms, of all things. I've got three or four doozies of bruises on my arms since I've been taking the blood thinners for my heart, so I still want long sleeves for this week or so.
I noticed last night that my pants are getting baggier - huh? Was surgery some magical best diet supplements or something? Of course, having had the same jeans for like three years, maybe they're just finally wearing out. I suppose one belt to go with all of them will be cheaper than buying new jeans.
And once it warms up just a smidgen more, I think my shorts may be fitting pretty well!

We're Busy Bees!

First off I wanted to share this picture I took of Maggie last week. It reminds me of one of myself when I was about five years old, standing outside my elementary school. And I like looking like Maggie (okay, or her looking like me...).

Her personality is getting to be a little..erm..livelier lately. Daddy is sitting in her room now. We tried putting her to bed, even after she'd had a shorter than usual nap this afternoon, but it didn't work. She wanted to go to our bed, or have someone sit in the chair in her room, or just plain get out of bed. Luckily daddy got done with his outside work so mommy could watch 24. One show all week, I think that's fair, kid!

And as much as she wanted to stay up, I'm looking forward to going to bed. My neck/shoulder has been bugging me the last couple of days. Ordinarily I'd be able to take a nice hefty pain pill and it would relax and pass, but while I'm on the blood thinners too, I'm out of luck! And an achy mommy is a cranky mommy :( I went to the chiropractor earlier today - hopefully a night's rest will put everything back where it belongs so me and my girl can have fun tomorrow.

Random Tuesday Thoughts

Ugh. I'm too tired to be doing this, but I feel guilty about not posting, when it's something that should be as mindless at Random Tuesday.

The busy times start again soon...I'll have the scoring job again starting Friday, plus my chocolate biz keeps growing while I'm doing what I should ;) Apparently our place in the article in Woman's World a couple weeks ago is helping too. I'm getting lots of company leads again, and I want to give them 100%!

My party tonight was a lot of fun. We thought about it, and the hostess and I have been friends for almost 15 years! She knew me before I got married the first time! And then divorced...and then married my last time!

Is the weather doing something screwy again? My head is thinking about starting to hurt, but I'm hoping it's just because I'm tired and was so busy being 'on' at the party that now I'm crashing. Otherwise I'll have to take more allergy stuff in the morning...

Fun Evening

Maggie had a friend over tonight. Okay, at her age I guess that isn't how it really happens. The reality is, a friend of mine has a daughter close to Maggie's age, so the four of us had a 'play date.'
We don't get to do it very often, since my friend is going to school for - here's the quote - "more letters after [her] name." Fortunately she enjoys her job, so the degree will further her career and she likes it! Go figure :) She does something financial, I think. Maybe she's the one to ask about cheap term life insurance quotes?
Anyway, the two younger girls both seemed a little tired or less interactive than when we got together a couple weeks ago, but it still went okay. Maggie seemed to be sharing a bit better this time and I only heard her growl MINE once or twice...yes, I can call that a success :)

I Refuse to Have Bad Luck

That's right - I refuse to have bad luck. A while ago I started trying to cut internal chatter like, "That figures," or "Just my luck," from my vocabulary when something unfortunate happened. It's working. "Isn't that the way it always happens?" Well, no, not in my world! I watch for the good things to happen and I can usually find them.

Which brings me to my current streak of bad choices regarding check-out lines at the grocery store. See, it didn't even merit a mention in a post the first time last week because it was just a one-off - things usually go my way! But when we got in line last week at Kroger, the lady in front of me was not aware that things usually go my way. Either that, or she didn't know that hanging out in line with a toddler is seldom a bliss-filled experience.
The woman had one cart of groceries. I figured it was a good line choice. But then she started dividing her one cart into three or four separate bills. And she need to bag half of them herself. The bagger apparently didn't look competent enough to handle her canned goods. Go figure.
Once she was done paying, she started bagging. She was still bagging after my full cart was checked, bagged, and loaded sideways into a cart in the next aisle over by the bagger. Luckily Maggie didn't voice any complaints.

Today? I got behind two women with only one cart. Should be a breeze, right? But they had to partially unpack the cart while they determined which groceries belonged to which woman. Seriously?
And then they scrutinized all of their items as they rolled past on the conveyor. Of course there were a few things they realized they didn't need after all.
Once both of their orders were scanned, bagged, back in the cart and paid for, they started - while still standing at the register - to go over their receipts and compare them to the sales flyer.
C'mon people!

I refuse to have bad luck, but I'm learning about making smarter choices. Last week I decided I should stall before I actually load my groceries on the conveyor and commit to a check-out lane. Today I learned that two woman and one cart could spell trouble.

And Then There Were Two!

So much for our moms' night out! Only two of us showed up for bowling. There had been a couple of 'maybes' earlier in the day, but apparently they ended up having family time or installing Toto toilets or something.

Since I don't care much for bowling and she didn't care either way, we ended up heading to Red Lobster for an early dinner. We both got the Rock Lobster Stuffed Tilapia - YUM!! And we'll both have leftovers for lunch tomorrow - yay!

When I got home, hubby and Maggie were playing in the front yard with the new tire swing. As I sat on the porch with hubby, Maggie kept coming up behind us and trying to hug both of us at once. Luckily hubby had the camera handy as he'd been showing me the pictures from their day together, so he was able to get this awesome self-portrait of the three of us. I think this one will be printed and hung in a prominent place in the house, since it makes me smile every time I look at it.

Sunday Stealing

It's time for Sunday Stealing!

This week's meme was stolen from Calvin's Canadian Cave of Coolness (doesn't that just roll off your tongue?!). Sunday Stealing is calling it the Me Me Meme. Feel free to hop over to Sunday Stealing and join in!

1. Never in my life have I been: a good athlete.

2. The one person who can drive me nuts is: just one? My daughter, when she sets her little mind to it!

3. High school was: 20 years ago.

4. When I’m nervous I: giggle.

5. The last song I listened to was: I'm not sure. The stereo's playing in the background, but nothing is really standing out.

6. If I were to get married right now my best man/maid of honor: I didn't have a maid of honor the first two times - what makes you think I'd pick one if I were getting married now?

7. My hair is: still a mess today. I need to do something with it before I leave in an hour or so.

8. When I was 5: was a while ago. I don't remember much.

9. Last Christmas: Maggie got her dollhouse :)

10. I should be..: putting stickers on postcards. Don't worry - I'll get to it!

11. When I look down I see: show folders.

12. The happiest recent event was: playing with Maggie at the birthday party yesterday.

13. If I were a character on 'Friends' I would be: confused, since I'd know nothing about myself...only watched the show a few times in passing.

14. By this time next year: anything's possible!

15. My current gripe is: I need guest lists from at least one hostess ASAP!

16. I have a hard time understanding: political stuff that doesn't interest me.

17. There’s this girl I know that: has legs. And mermaid arms.

18. If I won an award, the first person I would tell would be: my husband. Or my mom, if I couldn't find my husband.

19. Take my advice: It's all okay in the end. If it's not okay, it's not the end.

20. The thing I want to buy: is a new camera.

21. If you visited the place I was born: you may as well stop by and visit me too, since you'd be pretty close.

22. I plan to visit: New Orleans again.

23. If you spent the night at my house: you'd be sleeping on the couch, since we don't have a spare room.

24. I’d stop my wedding if: I felt like it.

25. The world could do without: people who put their license plate renewal sticker in the wrong place.

26. I’d rather lick the belly of a cockroach than: french kiss him.

27. Most recent thing I’ve bought myself: is business supplies. Postcards, stickers, and chocolate, of course!

28. Most recent thing someone else bought me: was dinner yesterday - thanks, hubby!

29. My favorite blonde is: Charlotte in The Princess and the Frog.

30. My favorite brunette is: sort of a reddish auburn.

31. My favorite red head is: Ariel.

32. My middle name is: Nancy.

33. In the morning I: wake up.

34. The animals I would like to see flying besides birds are: something small like fish. Because if pigs could fly, think of the mess if they left 'pig droppings' as they flew overhead...

35. Once, at a bar: Huh? Only once? Probably a few times more than that.

36. Last night I was: asleep before midnight.

37. There’s this guy I know who: can do a lot of magic fixing cars.

38. If I was an animal I’d be: less talkative.

39. A better name for me would be: hard to choose. I'm sort of used to the one I've got.

40. Tomorrow I am: going to the post office.

41. Tonight I am: going bowling!

42. My birthday is: June 13, the day after hubby's birthday!

Saturday Nine

Saturday 9: Have I Told You Lately That I Love You

1. When was the last time (in a romantic setting) you have told someone that you loved them? Within the last week, I'm sure.

2. Tell us about your very first romantic kiss. Oh my goodness. I think I was in my first boyfriend's car. I'd imagine that's pretty typical?

3. What was/is your idea of the perfect date? I'm not picky - it's more about the company than the activity.

4. What music would you prefer when you are “getting it on”? As long as I can't hear the baby crying, it's not really important to me. ;)

5. What is the most amazing experience you’ve ever shared with a partner? Yikes - that certainly is a broad question...but the first thing that comes to mind is that we've traveled the world together :)

6. Sex is best saved for: love, marriage, alcohol, days that end in “y”? Days that end in 'y'. But only with my husband.

7. Have you ever kissed a stranger? Not recently.

8. What's missing from your life? That winning lottery ticket...

9. Are you a giver or taker? A giver. But the question makes me wonder - would anyone honestly describe themself as a taker? Huh..

Shocking!

I actually feel like I have more energy since my heart procedure. I've heard anecdotal reports of other people feeling better and I was optimistic, but I have actually been feeling better - yay! I think part of it is because I was feeling so frustrated trying to get it all taken care of, but I'll take what I can get, right?

This afternoon I still need to make a one-on-one call for my networking group, work on some more laundry (although I did get some done this morning), find a recipe for the skillet steaks we have for dinner, call a hostess with a show at the end of the month about her guest list, and start entering my show from earlier this week.

Luckily it looks like I did the orders all right at my chocolate party this time. Sometimes I miss wrong prices written with item numbers, or items that aren't very good without something else (like chocolate to make mousse). Maybe a receipt printer would help? No matter. For now I try to enter them sooner rather than later so I have time to follow-up on any boo-boos ;)

10 Random Things for Friday

1. My fun packages have started arriving! Today I got the t-shirt and tote bag I earned in a sales contest for February, as well as a sample box of the Mothers' Day assorted chocolates from my chocolate biz. Yay!
2. I waste so much more time with Bejeweled Blitz than I should need to. It takes about a kajillion attempts to just log into the games section of Facebook. Rat bastards. It would only take me a minute to play a quick game....
3. I'm excited about my Essential Bodywear party in a week and a half!
4. Every time I sit down at my desk I see a check that I keep forgetting to deposit from a party earlier this week. I need to more the darn thing by the door and/or my purse so it gets to the credit union before I need it...
5. I keep meaning to confirm a date with hubby, but we're having a couples WineShop at Home party next month.
6. The people I was hoping we'd run into at story time at the coffee shop weren't there this morning. Darn. Haven't seen them in a couple months, but I'd feel weird contacting them out of the blue.
7. Next week gymnastics starts back up again. I hope Maggie enjoys it as much as she did last session.
8. Next weekend I start another home job again. I should use the time up until then to get all the rest of my ducks in a row!
9. I hope the weather warms up again soon!!
   
10. I'm still waiting for:
• my Vistaprint label order
• my Booster sticker and postcard order
• my Crop Chocolate order
• my Dove Chocolate supply order
• the clipboards (20!) I earned in the April sales contest

Safety Girl

As complicated as my random health issues sound, I'm generally the one in our marriage with 'safer' hobbies. Scrapbooking? Reading? Not a lot of serious injuries here. Hubby is luckily getting less daring with his skiing, and he's so good with most of his automotive stuff that things sounding dangerous for others turn out okay for him. But this weekend we're switching places, sort of.

I'm going bowling. I'm assuming I'll be all right, but the other folks at the alley may want to check life insurance rates. The old joke when I dated a guy for a while who liked going bowling was that I'm a happy bowler. If I throw a gutter ball, I'm happy the ball stayed in the alley. If I throw it into an adjoining lane, I'm happy I threw in the right direction. If I unfortunately propel the ball behind me, I'm happy when no one gets hurt...you get the picture.

While I'm still pretty confident in my safety, I hope all bystanders are okay after my afternoon out this weekend :)

Random Tuesday Thoughts

It's almost time for Maggie's nap, and then my to-do list truly starts. I've got a bunch of calls to make, some cleaning to do, some stuff to get ready to mail and ideally I should start packing for my chocolate show tomorrow evening. I feel bad, because all my mental planning for so much to do in a short period of time really detracts from the time I spend with Maggie. I wish I could focus more on the moment, you know?

When we first got up this morning, we had no internet, and in turn, no VoIP (translation: phone). I stressed out a lot worrying about all the stuff I wouldn't be able to accomplish. Luckily once I unplugged and replugged the boxes in in the office, it all started working again.

I figured out this morning that I've been driving around for several days without my drivers' license. Oops. They're still in hubby's wallet from when I gave them to him last week at the hospital.

I had to quit wearing bandaids on my groin/cath site. The skin is getting too sensitive! After almost a week of adhesive residue, it hurts around the site more than at the site, because the skin is so abused from the constant friction of bandages/bandaids. So far, so good.

I'm out of Cherry Coke. This is how I know the grocery shopping will get done this week. Priorities, people.

Curiouser and curiouser...

Don't you love seeing what other people do on a computer? I always assume I'm nearly the only one on my desktop and laptop computers (except hubby) so I don't bother with clearing out cookies or history or such.

Using the computer at the library can be amusing. When you see some of the sites in the history, doesn't it make you wonder if someone made a special trip to the library to read xenadrine reviews or look at stories about celebrities?

Interesting speculation...

Spring Break - Really?

What a great week we've got planned! It's spring break for a lot of people, but I took more time off to chill last week, so now it's back to work!

This morning I got to catch up with a great friend. It was a last minute visit, but I really enjoyed chilling with a grown-up (with Maggie playing in the other room) for an hour.
This afternoon we're going to meet with a new chocolatier on my team. She has a daughter the same age as Maggie, so she's really excited about having a play date.

Tomorrow we've got nothing planned, but since I've been trying to get rid of a headache today, I really need to do the grocery shopping tomorrow! We'll probably go to a play date with the mom's group in the evening.

Wednesday is story time at the library! This session started last week and Mimi took Maggie while I was in the hospital. Maybe we'll go play with our friends in the class afterward.
Wednesday night I have a chocolate party.

Thursday is play date central! We're going to meet up with the friend who stopped by today, but of course we'll see her son on Thursday as well. Their new house has so much room - the kids love playing there!
Thursday evening we have friends coming over here for another play date. The fun just doesn't end around here ;)

Friday there's a free story time at a nearby coffee shop. We've made some casual friends there - but that's the only place we see them. Since I missed last month while I had a cardiology appointment, it'll be fun to see them again!

Whew! So glad to be back in the swing of things again :)

Still Dreaming ;)

So I'm still optimistic about my 'start working out' plan, but wouldn't it be nice if there were some magic pill that would tone up the body I have like lipozene reduces body fat? The bulk-up things on the market are of course just adding mass, but not necessarily muscle unless you're working out.

I think the only way I'll get the body I want is to work for it. Huh. Novel concept.

To anyone who's done it: What's a good area of my body to start on so I can see encouraging results sooner rather than later? And how long would it take for me to notice results? Thanks!

Happy Easter!

No, Seriously...

One of the totally weird things I'm looking forward to after having my heart repair done is working out. Yeah, weird, I know. I have a shelf full of work out DVDs because I've wanted many times to be in better shape than I am. Not that I've invested in a bunch of best diet pills - I don't want to lose weight, just tone up what I've got. But every time I tried one of my DVDs, I got winded and felt like a loser even after trying it over and over for a few weeks.

Now I've found out it may not have been all my fault? I'm excited to test out my new, whole heart and see if my stamina is better than it's ever been.

I'll be ready for the beach this year!

Saturday Nine

Saturday 9: Hurts So Good

1. Tell us about the last time you really got hurt. Well, this is still pretty fresh in my mind. My heart procedure on Wednesday was done through a cardiac catherization. Yeah, they slice through the largest vein in your body. No biggie there. My pain? You have to lie flat on your back (okay, you can elevate your head up to 30 degrees) for SIX HOURS with your leg out flat so the cut will start healing. My back cannot take that! As of about halfway into my six hours my blood pressure started coming in at 140/100 - way too high! Luckily my nurse believed me that it was just because of the pain. Once they gave me some motrin for my back, my blood pressure started coming back down to normal. By the time I was allowed to get off the bed, my husband had to almost carry me because my back and legs were so out of it and painful. :(

2. What's your oldest possession? Huh. I'm looking at one of my older possessions, sort of. It's the alarm clock I used to wake up to when I was little. Except it isn't the same one. I went to eBay and spent way too much for a replacement almost ten years ago.

3. Do you have any phobias? The honey bear. And I don't want to talk about it.

4. What values did your parents instill in you? Lots of em! And then I went and made up some of my own that my parents have NO IDEA where I got them ;) I definitely credit my parents with my good work ethic and my respect for others.

5. What are your plans for Easter? We're getting up early to join my parents at church, then heading to their house for brunch and an egg hunt for the little ones. Then in the afternoon we'll head to hubby's mom's house for dinner.

6. I like sun more than snow. Okay. Me too.

7. Tell us about 3 fads from your teenage years. Yikes. Pegged pants. Fluorescent clothes. Big hair. Yes, I grew up in the 80s.

8. Tell us what is the most important attribute in a lover. Consideration. And a sense of humor. Face it, sex can be very funny.

9. What new piece of technology have you resisted buying and what would it take for you to change your mind? I don't know if Wii counts as a new piece of technology, but I'd totally get one if they were...well...free.

Like a Hurricane!

I have to say I am making good use of my day without a toddler underfoot. I think I'm keeping busy in part because otherwise I'd be missing my baby (oh yeah, and hubby), but hey, whatever works, right?

My done list includes: five business phone calls made; tried to call and schedule follow-up with my cardiologist (left a voicemail); made 16 greeting cards (which will mostly be used as thank yous); and searched far and wide for Easter decorations and Easter baskets (no luck there....where could they be??).

Still to do: mail thank you postcards to guests from March chocolate shows; work on Maggie's scrapbook (hopefully); eat some of the leftover Chinese in the fridge for dinner (so glad it sounds good, instead of just wanting a diet supplement to get something in me fast...); and putter around cleaning up some of the office.

What I've done that I shouldn't have: left MTV and 16 and Pregnant on for like four hours straight. Those people are driving me nuts! And remind me to never, ever leave it on when there's, like, a, like, cheerleader who, like, doesn't want to nurse because it will, like, ruin her body. ARRGGHHHH!!!
I've switched over to What Not to Wear now and I'm much happier :)

Lucky Me!!

Thanks to Vixen's Den, I won a coupon for Pillsbury Orange Sweet Rolls and a photo album! Sorry I can't get pictures up for you, but you know this week has been pretty crazy. I spent time at the hospital for my heart stuff, and now that I'm home recovering, hubby took the little one off for the weekend so I could have peace and quiet..and he took the camera so I can see what I'm missing. Regardless - I love winning! Thanks, Vixen :)

Savoring the Excitement

In just a few minutes, I'm going to make some cards. From a kit I got from a friend back at the holidays. While I certainly could work on my office, I figure I'll do some of that later. For now, it's something fun for me. Not grueling away on sat prep or cleaning or anything else un-fun. Crafting. I can't remember the last time!

After the cards, I just may get into some scrapbooking too! For now, I'm off to find a couple stamps I want to use as sentiments on my cards. Yes, the cards I will now make :D I'm excited!

10 Random Things for Friday

1. I'm home alone and totally weirded out. Hubby took Maggie to the cottage this weekend so I can rest. I couldn't have her crawling on my lap while my leg is healing from the cardiac cath, and I wasn't allowed to pick her up for a few days. So off they went. I'm trying to just appreciate the peace and quiet instead of missing them...
2. I got beautiful flowers from my sister-in-law and brother yesterday. They had them sent after my heart procedure. They look so sunshiney and smell wonderful!
3. Curious George is giving me a very dirty look. He's lying on my office floor waiting for his head to be sewn back on. Apparently we're all in pretty rough shape around here!
4. I was watching a little bit of 16 and Pregnant earlier. Just a few words of advice: A JOB - get one!
5. I love having the windows open in the house and the breeze rustling through....
6. I'm looking forward to working on Maggie's scrapbook this afternoon and tonight. Oh, and probably napping intermittently too :)
7. Cheeseburger Macaroni is the best flavor of Hamburger Helper. I'm not putting this out for discussion - I'm stating it as a fact.
8. I should also go downstairs and find Maggie's easter basket this afternoon...
9. We're doing our egg hunt tomorrow evening when hubby and Maggie get home so I can then devil the eggs and take them to brunch or dinner on Sunday. I certainly won't need a dozen hard-boiled eggs on Sunday night.
10. I wish my grody bruise wasn't on my pubic bone so I could show the world a picture of my pain ;)
    

I Told Him it was Good!

Hubby's currently in the other room watching The Princess and the Frog. And the baby went to bed an hour or so ago. It's not like we have some new fancy Samsung TV or something - he's watching it on our 5+ year old TV. It sounds more like something I would do than him.

Have you seen the movie yet? Earlier I sent out daughter out during one of the songs and told her to have daddy dance with her. I didn't peek, but I didn't hear any arguing, so I think he gave in and danced rather easily with our princess. :)

Success!

It's shaping up to be a pretty successful week! Yesterday was the repair of the hole in my heart, and the procedure was a success :) The hole is now plugged, and I'm home and recovering.

While I was in the hospital? Another person signed up to be a chocolatier on my team - yay! Not a lot of jobs will give you a promotion while you're in the hospital ;)

Hope your week is moving along quite successfully as well. I think a lot of folks are heading into spring break, anyway. If you're one of them, enjoy the time away from 'normal.'