Sleepless night

I just haven't been able to close my eyes tonight. I COULD get to work, but I have PLENTY of work ahead of me in a few hours.  I guess I'm wired from a visit into the city earlier today.

I got a call from Sistah' Girl and it was AWESOME to vent for a bit and chat with someone who both "gets me" and challenges my thinking. It's something I value about the people I hold dear.

I also got to share a meal with my bio-dad, which is always a good time. His work brought him into my neck of the woods, so we made time for it. It's been about a year since we last visited and A LOT has changed in a year!  I'm looking forward to sharing Disney World with my lil sis next year. We had such a great time at Disneyland last year for her birthday - she's the perfect age for this stuff.

Speaking of Disney - I've been a bit nostalgic lately, so I thought I'd share this nugget of J trivia with ya'll.

The first Disney movie My Sailor and I saw together in theaters was Tangled, last year.

This particular part had us both a little misty-eyed - and I don't think I'm giving anything away if you haven't seen the film. She's a princess in a Disney movie - OBVIOUSLY she's going to fall in love.  But that isn't the premise of the story. I just thought this scene film was too well done NOT to deserve a nod from me. So please enjoy this moment of beauty and nostalgia on me dear readers (ye brave, ye few).

AThanksgiving breakdown

So I guess I've been a bit grumpy lately. I don't really "feel" grumpy. I'm smiling often at folks and all that jazz, but I guess I've sounded short and matter-of-fact a bit more than usual. I guess I have a lot to say, but I'm not sure where to start.

I enjoyed my visit home, but it's true what they say - you can never go home again. Despite many vocal protests about me moving, the people who protested the most couldn't make time to meet up with me. True, it's a family focused holiday, but I sort of expected those who missed me so much could make time for coffee...

Anyway, that said, I got to spend more time than I had expected with my family.  Dad even got us tickets to an AMAZING performance of Jesus Christ Superstar. I've seen the show before. In fact, I know every part, every lyric, of that entire show by heart. But seeing it done by such an amazing cast made it feel like a whole new show. That was fun. Lots of chatting, some shopping, and lots of eating out later, it felt almost disorienting to arrive "home" at the Seattle airport. But Clydas did great and was happy to see me, and the house didn't burn down or anything, so I know I'll feel a bit less restless next time I go out of town.

I guess it just doesn't feel like home until My Sailor gets home. But despite that, it felt GREAT to sleep in my own bed again.

How did my fitness plan go while traveling? Pretty well! I stayed active, even getting in a treadmill work out, and I ordered smart when we ate out, leaning towards salads and grilled foods. I just proved that I could do it over Thanksgiving, so I'm confident that Christmas will see me continuing toward my health goals. 8 more pounds to lose by the time My Sailor gets back to reach my first goal.

2 cents and Black Friday

"Through this endeavor, Shaich has proven that humanity is good – that when you trust in people, they won’t disappoint. " - Source

Today, I saw an expose on Panera Cares. You'll have to click on the link to find out the details.

Basically, it's a "pay-what-you-can" cafe.

During the same news cast, there were reports of shootings out front of several Walmarts, stampeding, beatings, and pepper spraying all connected to Black Friday.

Now, I'm all about getting a good deal. But even stronger than my urge to stay debt free during Christmas time, is my understanding that, for many, "the holidays" are just another day to be cold, hungry, and homeless. With Black Friday being a HUGE success this year, I'm saddened to think of the number of people who will wait in line at 3pm on Thanksgiving for a television, will refuse to put change or $1 in the Salvation Army tin.

Ever wonder how many people could be fed if EVERY BLACK FRIDAY SHOPPER put $.01 into a charity to feed people? I don't think anyone would be homeless.

So this year, my family has decided to give back. Sure, we'll have something to unwrap, but we're far more focused on what we can give back, rather than what we can shop for. This year, my folks decided to adopt a military family. I couldn't be more proud of my parents. In fact, if anyone reading this wants to get me a gift, get me this: Donate to a local charity. I don't just mean money. I mean time, food, toys, whatever you can.

Santa - I heard your challenge loud and clear this year.

DO SOMETHING.
So, leave your comments and tell me what you will do.
(Looking for some ideas? Click here.)

Visiting the Parents, the Dress and Proving a Point

I made it safe and sound to Southern California with an uneventful flight. Don't worry - I'll be posting pictures from a recent friend's visit to Washington, but today is about different stuff.
Today is about visiting the family and enjoying time back in my home town.

This morning, we stopped by Starbucks for a bit of breakfast and then came home. Then Mom broke out "The Dress". It was GREAT to see it and not see pictures. The colors turned out more beautiful than I could have imagined! I'm SO happy with it! I didn't try it on yet though. I want to make sure I have the right undergarments on under it first. The dress still needs some of the custom work done and I'm so happy to see things coming together. It feels "real" finally.

Now on to the point I'm proving.

Thanksgiving is a decidedly European American holiday. (Trust me, the Native American people do not celebrate it as the more Anglo Saxton population does.) And I'm reminded about how unhealthy our nation has become. Feasting is often associated with good events, but we also find it as a common trait among fallen civilizations. My family gave up on "feasting" a long time ago. Instead, we enjoy the holiday favorites, in moderation, usually followed by a walk.

So this year, I'm out to prove my new mantra as "true". THERE ARE NO VACATIONS FROM A HEALTHY LIFESTYLE.

Expect more on that one that soon on the Wellness blog, but I'll just say this much - it's noon and I've already run 2 miles on the treadmill. Eat that turkey!

Just in Case you Didn't know...

I sing and songwrite a little...
Click here to hear some of my tunes.

A quick Boost before bed.

Here's a mood booster our moral officer shared on Facebook today. Take some time and sit through it - no matter how you feel about marching bands, football, or politics. The designs are REALLY cool! Can you spot the Sub?

Snow on the horizon?

As the forecasters would have it, it appears that SNOW may be heading my way this weekend!

It'll be my first experience living in snow and I'm kind of excited about it. (I'm sure My Sailor would take this opportunity to tease me about being cold to no end - and honestly, I might just miss the ribbing, but I'm sure we'll have PLENTY of time for that when he gets back.)  There has been frost on the grass 2 mornings in a row now. I'm fixing the freezing situation around the house as quickly as I can. No, I haven't gotten to those curtains yet, BUT I did get a heater that uses a lot less electricity. I also picked up 2 new blankets, and I'm building up my winter wardrobe every chance I get. Next on the list is a winter coat. I'm still shopping around, but so far I have options. I just need to get into a store and try them on. My fall coat I LOVE and I can layer under it, but it's wool - which means not water proof which means not snow friendly. I do have a pair of snow-friendly boots on the way thanks to a sale at Famous Footwear.

I guess there is a lot on my mind that I'm a little too exhausted to write about at the end of 10 hr work days, so my blog may be a bit sparse - AND I'm more interested in keeping/getting my Wellness Journey blog moving lately. I guess it's because, outside of 10 hrs of work/day, preparing for company, and emailing My Sailor, not a whole lot is going on over here.

Expect pictures if the snow does arrive! I wonder how Clydas will take it...

Being what you are...

Source

Yet another day is drawing to a close and yet again, I'm up past my bedtime. And I didn't work out today. Which probably accounts for some of my added stress - not to mention the girly hormone stuff that just tends to amplify what I'm feeling anyway.

"Love builds bridges where there are none." R. H. Delaney

I've learned long ago that trying to be someone or somewhere I'm not never works. They say there are 3 stages to deployments - and the middle stages are the hardest, specially over the holidays. It feels like he's been gone forever.  And yes, weeks without word is very hard.  I will give myself credit where credit is due - but there are times when I can't hear "I'll be home for Christmas" without getting choked up. Torture is going through the romantic Christmas card section in a Hallmark Store, looking for the perfect sentiment - only to flip through a thousand that read something like, "Being with you is the best gift this year," and knowing that that is impossible.

I don't regret my choice for this life. Even in the toughest moments, I don't second guess my choices for a second. Yeah, it's not easy, but I love my life. But to say there aren't times I need a moment to collect myself wouldn't be honest of me. I believe it makes me human. To pretend that it's easy (even on an independent spirit like me) would damage the authenticity of my heart, and My Sailor's investment in himself, his country, and this family.

Today was one of those days where I needed a little encouragement.

And I found it.

I found it in the comfort of knowing that Clydas will be well taken care of when I leave for home by chatting with his caretaker.

I found it in remembering that life is an adventure; that this is just one chapter in a story worth telling.

My story.

Coffee Talk

It's official! I had my first gal pal coffee talk since moving up here. Felt SO GOOD. She was a vet tech at the clinic where Clydas underwent his toe amputation last month. Turns out her husband is in the Navy as well, and a submariner at that. We went to coffee this morning and chatted it up for about 3 hours. It felt really nice and I'm glad to have a new friend - that I have more in common with than just the fact that our guys are in the military. (Trust me, you CAN'T talk for 3 hours about THAT.)

Well, I wish I had something more interesting to share tonight, but I don't. I'm settling in for Fred Clause and to kick this headache.

See you in the funny papers!

Staying Power, And Old Friends.

Just Dance 3 is proving to be an amazing work out. My shoulders and arms ache in places that weight lifting never could, and, no matter how hurt I am, I seem to forget all about it when I'm in the throws of "Airplanes" or "California Gurls". So much fun and such a great work out.  And ya know, I think I actually AM picking up dance moves! Anytime I hear one of my favorite songs to play in the car, I start dancing in my seat. :) For a motion-challenged-dancer, that's a pretty big deal!

If there is one thing the journey to wellness has taught me - it's that there is really only one "trick" to healthy living. It's a huge part of just about anything in life - Staying Power.  My eating habits, drinking habits, work out habits, meditation habits, artistic habits and all that all have to do with Staying Power.  It's a pretty big concept to consider.

Small world - one of my childhood friends and I are planning to meet up next week. We were best buds through most of grade school, went different directions in high school, and just happen to end up in the same corner of the country now, so many years later. It's kind of a track to meet with her, but I'm sure it'll be fun.

An Off Day

I don't really have a good way to describe this day.

It feels like an eternity and I can't wait for it to end.

I woke up aching all over. Part of it work out soreness and part of it maybe feeling sick, and even maybe some early ToM stuff.

So I dragged myself to my office chair and worked.

I knew I was too sore to go through with more Just Dance 3 tonight.

I went to the YMCA and did a gentle Hatha Yoga class on lunch. It was JUST what I needed and felt great. For a while, I wasn't sore, but all the aches came back as I went back to work.

Figuring that I could use a moral booster, I decided to re-read the last card My Sailor gave me before he left for work.

Bad idea. Missing him got the better of me and I cried it out for a few minutes before getting back to work.

Then Clydas was being extra whiney (maybe sensing my energy a bit). I finally finished up and sat on the floor with him, hugging him and crying it out a bit more while Clydas sat there. (Did I mention how amazing my dog is?) It's all normal, I'm sure, and part of the process. All things considered, I'm doing really great 99% of the time.

But darn that 1%...

I've reached out to some people who will hopefully hook me up with some local friends. Honestly, I haven't been out with anyone local in about a month. Not for lack of trying. Everyone has just been busy. I've kept in touch with a lot of folks from home by phone - which is great, but it's not quite the same. It wasn't until I got a facial yesterday that I realized how long it's been since I've had any physical contact with another person. The self-hug position we did in yoga felt so good. In a lot of ways, that's a HUGE step for me. See, I've never been too keen on just randomly being touched by people. If I physically let someone in, it's sort of a big thing for me. I used to have to challenge myself to look people in the eyes and shake someone's hand. Being in theater was part of that personal challenge. I didn't even get a professional massage until last year - and I couldn't completely relax, but I DID enjoy it.  So to realize I miss some sort of physical contact (even a friendly hug) is sort of big for me. At the end of the day, I can pat myself on the back for that. (And yes, I'm pretty good at keeping eye contact now and shaking hands and the regular everyday stuff.) Just blogging it out ended my pity party. I love it.

With that said, I'm looking forward to a warm soak in some bubble bath, slipping under warm flannel covers, and ending the day catching up with Jamie and Claire.

10 Things that make me smile right now

10 Things That Are Making Me Happy Right Now

1.My dog's thick winter coat is coming in - and it's GORGEOUS.

2. I'm doing well on MyFitnessPal today, despite a lazy day.

3.I get to send a package to My Sailor. It's fun coming up with goodies to send that are Sub-friendly.

4. Pumpkin Pancakes this morning. DELICIOUS.

5. That I'm about ready to GET OUT OF THE HOUSE and find a nice, warm, quiet place to sit down and right.

6.Having great coupons for new shoes, and actually NEEDING some.

7. 2 words PAY DAY!

8. Day dreaming about what that first kiss will be like after SO LONG.

9. My Ipod with Christmas music on it.

10. One of my fellow Disney Wedding Mentor's came through with some AMAZING photos I can use for my next article, which I'm finishing today!

Tomorrow's Excursion and Being a Tourist

Today I found out that a co-worker who LOVES to travel is coming up to visit in 2 weeks for a weekend. I'm pretty excited about that! It'll give me someone to be a local tourist with for a couple days. I don't have an itinerary planned yet, but I'm working on it. If the weather holds, the Space Needle, Pike's Market... and maybe another tour? But there might need to be a stop in Poulsbo for some delicious Norwegian pastries! Gotta do the walking to walk them off though! I'm sure we will.

Tomorrow I have an appointment with Alfred Angelo's local store. I use the word "local" loosely as it's about 45 minutes away - one way. But I'm looking forward to it. The plan of attack - try on my dress. Well, not "my dress", but the same style in the size I ordered it. It's really just to check my progress since I've been losing weight. I'm also going to look at accessories and to check out some new bridesmaids dresses. No one has ordered their dress yet since it's so far out, so if I can find a cheaper option that I like, I'd like to offer the girls some options.
Photos to come later!
But for now, it's time for bed!

The Value of a Friendly Voice

I feel really lucky the last few days. Yesterday My Sailor's dad called just to check in on me. Today a co-worker-turned-friend called to chat and My Sailor's brother called too.

It's amazing how a quick friendly voice can make your day. Okay - so the shortest of those phone calls was 20 minutes, so it may not feel "short" for some. But it's great hearing a friendly voice when I get off work (even more so after a weekend of leaving voice mails and feeling frustratingly lonesome).

Since I'm keeping it short tonight, I figured I'd inject some humor in here. Click here to discover some of the fun and creative things a blogging Missile Tech Wife came up with to explain where her husband is.

Even if you're not Navy, it's worth a look - and a smirk.