I'm already tired....

I figured out my annual list of projects I'd like to accomplish around the house for 2013.  No, they're not resolutions, but a list of things to do around the house.  I do this every year.  If I'm lucky, half the items will be crossed off with a sense of accomplishment and achievement.

So what kind of things made the list?

• Cleaning out closets
• Donating unused items to charity
• Reorganizing books and cd collections
• Thorough cleaning of each room - with focus of one room per month.  (it shouldn't kill me if I do a little bit each week to complete a room.)  Unless my procrastinating perfectionist (see top of page for  definition) kicks in. 
• Clean the garage, basement and attic.  Might I add here that these three are my least favorite tasks and therefore do not get crossed off my list very often.
• Etc., etc., etc.

I must fit these household tasks or projects in with my normal weekly cleaning and laundering, grocery shopping, yoga, exercising, mother-in-law, daily cooking, bookwork.    Considering that I spend 6 days a week in town, my Sundays become the day to "do what I can" that needs to be done and prayer is said that I can accomplish one project per week.

Hence...the reason why I'm tired.  lol

Back in the Groove

Lord, do I hate the day after a holiday.  Well, perhaps "Hate" is a strong word....dislike is more it.  I had to be to work at 7am this morning .  It took me until 7:30 to read all the emails, write down the phone messages and read briefing notes to get a handle on what happened in the institution over the holiday.

Of course, this also gave me time to drink a LOT of coffee and rev up the brain for the days events.  I start thinking about my task list the minute I leave the garage.  What do I need to do first, what can wait, what don't I want to do....you know...prioritizing and procrastinating.  lol

I'm happy to say that everything was accomplished with a minimal amount of hair pulling, kicking or screaming.  :)

I even managed to hit the gym for a little bit tonight.  I just need to work on getting there for longer than "a little bit." 


I'm back in the groove....

Wrapping Presents

I'm no good at it.  Never have been, never will be.  As far as I'm concerned, the only to way to wrap a present is to put it in a bag, slap a bow on it and say "voila!" 

See, I just don't get how people can wrap a present, so pristine and precise.  Everything is so nice looking. 

My presents literally look like a 5 year old did.  In fact, I bet a 5-year old could do a much better job of it than me. 

I always have way too much paper on one end of the other, no matter how much I try to center the gift, or measure the paper, etc.   I even buy the wrapping paper with the "assistance" lines...you know, the lines that say, "cut here.".   For crying out loud!  I even fail at that!  Lol

 And the tape??  I'm not even going to comment on that....

No, wrapping presents isn't my cup of tea.  

I think I'll have another glass of wine.  Maybe that will help!  ;)

I've been released...

Now, I Know some of you jumped right to the conclusion that I've been released from the "funny farm."  Funny peoples!

No, my physical therapist released me from his care for a week "or so" to let me go it alone and to see how it feels.  If I feel I need his services after a couple of weeks, then I can call and get back on his schedule.  Otherwise, I'm on my own.  Yay!!!!

However, his exact words as I was walking out the door were, "try and restrain yourself."   What??!!   Ok, ok.  I'm busted!   I have to admit that I was doing an internal happy dance and thinking yes...I can do cardio now and start running.  

Nope.  I'm back to square one in EVERYTHING I'm doing.  I am to WALK at 3.5 mph every time I hit the treadmill and increase my time by one minute as I do so.  When I can comfortably WALK for two miles without pain or discomfort, then I can ramp up to a whopping 3.6 mph.  Oh my god, this is going to kill me!   (Quit laughing Running Mentor!!!)

I'm under strict instructions to: 
ICE, ICE, ICE
Stretch, stretch, stretch and
Massage, Massage, Massage. 

I can handle those cuz they feel good.  I also know that taking it slow is the answer.  Going fast is what got me here in the first place. 

 Soooo, all you blog stalkers out there....if'n you see me running...rat me out to someone, anyone...so that I knock it off and get back on plan.

I am also on to my 9th...yesss....9th trainer!

I'm very, very frustrated with UBF right now.  I upped my contract from 4 to 6 times per month on the condition that trainer   #8 was going to stick around.  Not so much.

Bye bye Danny....Hello Jarad!   (insert heavy sigh here).

As frustrated as I am, it's ot Jarad's fault.  I met with him last week to talk about scheduling, status of my fitness, what my goals are and how we can achieve him.  He's good, and I like him.  He was straight up with me and told me that he's going to be married in August and that he would be leaving. 

My contract is up in August.  I told him straight up that I would NOT be renewing my training contract.  He totally understood.  Again, it's nothing personal with him.  The UBF need to quit hiring young college kids who graduate and move away.  Hmmmm, maybe I should go to school to be a fitness trainer??  Nahhhhh....  maybe??....nahhhhhhh.   lol  I need health insurance!

So I met with him for a training session at 7:30pm on Thursday night.  Yes, that is the time slot that I've been awarded (due to his schedule being freakishly busy).  And I am literally...back at square one with him also.   His words are:  "Until I know how you're doing with your injury and what your fitness level is, I am not going to push you until I'm comfortable you can handle it." 

 Handle it.   I looked around to see who he was talking to.  "You talkin to me?"

 I promptly told him the philosphy of me: 

1)  I didn't get where I am just to "handle it."
2) I push myself ...hard...but I also know my own body and will back off when I need to. (Ok, running being the exception - I pushed a little too fast on that one)
3) Trust me to always...I repeat..ALWAYS do whatever you give me to do.  
4) I'll try anything....BUT
5) Refer back to #2
6)  You give 100% and I'll give you 110%

He understood and gave me feed back.  "We've got some work to do in the next 7 months then, don't we?" 

Amen!

Sadness

My heart weeps for those parents that have lost children in the senseless elementary school shooting in CT.

How do you recover from losing a child...  how do you put a positive spin on a loss of life...how do you go through your day knowing the miracle you brought in to the world, was taken from you so quickly?

Faith.

I'm not a religious person, but I believe in the spirit.   The human spirit is strong...when broken, it licks it's wounds for a while - however long it takes to heal - then gets back up stronger than ever and says, "You can't break me that easy."

Those little children's souls are Home now, where they are safe and loved.  Their memories will be amongst there loved ones always.

Christmas Parties

I was invited to an office (company) Christmas party last night by my friend, Becky.

Background History on my friendship with Becky:  Becky and I have known each other 16 years now.  She first started working for me in my Crop Insurance Agency/Processing Center.  When our company was purchased and the new company decided to close my office down, she eventually went to work for Rough Rider Industries (JRCC).  She informed me of a job in the JRCC administrative offices to which I applied.  I've been working there since.  In October, Becky left employment with RRI/JRCC to work at First Community Credit Union (Administrative Offices) as a Credit Analyst.

Thus, the Christmas Party that I was invited to last night.

It was actually quite fun, as my sister also works for FCCU (payroll, HR dept.).  Becky and I kept it a secret that I was going to be there, so the look on my sister's face was priceless.  I assured her that I wasn't there to keep an eye on her or put a damper on her fun (like I could even try!). 

Anyways, the differences between DOCR (Department of Corrections & Rehabilitation) parties and the FCCU Christmas parties are in sharp contrast to each other. 

FCCU:
Meals are paid for both employee and guest.
Meal selection:  Prime Rib, Talpia, Champagne Chicken
Drink Tickets (2) each person.
Free "Do it Yourself" Photobooth
$25 Gift Cards to every employee to places such as Applebees, Starbucks, etc.
Grand Prizes of: $300 (My sister won!), $200, and $100.
A Band! 
AND...every employee received a Kindle Fire.  (It was apparently a milestone year for them and they hit a goal, so the board of directors reward their employeess for their hard work).
Anyone who travels over 10 miles to come to the party gets a motel room paid for if they want it.
If you take a taxi home, it's paid for.

DOCR/JRCC:
Employee Meal is paid for, guest must pay $10.00
Meal Selection:  Chicken, Beef, and other standard buffet fare.
$10 gifts or prizes to those whose names are drawn.
DJ
A "Thank You for all that you do" is given. 
Did I mention, that most of this is provided by the funds that we the employees raised through through Jeans Day throughout the year, Flag Football League, Dodge ball Tournaments, etc.

The Christmas Party I attended last night was amazing.  I'd forgotten what Christmas parties in the private sector could be like.  Of course, it is a banking institution so money is readily available to throw an event such as this. 

The DOCR/JRCC Christmas Party is sparse in funds and we get what is afforded.  This may very well be the last year that we have a group/facility Christmas party, I don't know.  If it goes to individual shift parties next year, I'm just saying this to any shift workers out there that may be reading this:  IF I do not get invited to your shift parties next year, I'm gonna hurt someone.  AND you can forget about me supplying free candy and chocolate in my office ever again.  EVER!  Just sayin!  :)

What I do know is this:  The DOCR/JRCC employees work their asses off 24/7 - 365 days a year to keep society safe from the likes of the inmates that grace our facility.  It takes a special breed of person to report to work every day and work with these individuals (inmates).  It's not pretty folks.  What happens behind those fences is down right nasty. 

So yeah, we may not have a lot of "frills" and "fluff" to our Christmas Party, but by God - those of us who attend sure make the most of it.  We work hard, but dammit, we play hard too!  The FCCU has nothing over on us where FUN is concerned. 

My daddy always said "If you have a State Job, you've got the moon." Maybe those words is what  has kept me working with the State all these years, cuz my Dad was a pretty wise man.  But I'm pretty sure its the PEOPLE working the state job that have kept me at JRCC for this long.  It's my home.  I have a work family that is second to none, and I'm damn proud to work with all of them. 

Our party happens on January 11th.  It'll be more like a Charlie Brown Christmas Party, but I'm pretty damn sure we'll blow the roof off the place!

Sherry's Top 10

I'm going to start a Sherry's Top 10 corner.  Hopefully.  We'll see how many top ten things I can come up with so that I can keep it going.  I'll post here in the body of the blog as well as make a seperate page on the side so you can check back periodically and see what if I've changed anything.  lol

So here goes.

Sherry's Top 10 Pet Peeves!

10:  People who chew food or gum with their mouth open. 
9: People who eavesdrop on conversations then ask you all kinds of questions about the conversation that they overheard.  If I want you to know my business, I'll tell you!
8: When I can't find the mate to my socks.
7:  Going to use (insert item here) and finding an empty container.  Really?!
6:  People who do not know how to properly use a 4-way stop. 
5: Sales clerks who "hover."
4:  Flat tires when I'm running late for work.
3: Finding a product that I really, really love in a store only to find that the manufacturer has discontinued it.
2:  Those supposed friends who will dart in to another aisle so they don't have to speak to me.  Seriously, you're no longer a friend if you have to do that.  Sorry for your loss. 
1: Know it all people. 

Faith Hill - "The Lucky One" (Official Video)

Lyrics

I'm having a difficult time sleeping tonight.  I've been up and down, paced the floors, opened the refrigerator a dozen times and closed it - luckily empty handed.   So what do I do when I can't sleep?  I cruise Itunes, Youtube, or othe websites for fun things.  Many people do not know that I like to write.  I write poetry and short stories.  I don't feel that they're good enough to post - although I did put one up one the page.  I hope you like it.

That being said, another hobby of mine is looking up song lyrics.  One of the songs that I like  and have always loved the lyrics words to is" I'll Be" by Edward McCain.   So, tonight - or rather this morning -  I'll share them with you. 

I'll Be
Performed by Edwin McCain)
The strands in your eyes that color them wonderful
Stop me and steal my breath
Emeralds from mountains thrust toward the sky
Never revealing their depth
Tell me that we belong together
Dress it up with the trappings of love
I'll be captivated

I'll hang from your lips
Instead of the gallows of heartache that hang from above

I'll be your crying shoulder
I'll be love suicide
I'll be better when I'm older
I'll be the greatest fan of your life

Rain falls angry on the tin roof
As we lie awake in my bed
You're my survival, you're my living proof

My love is alive not dead
Tell me that we belong together
Dress it up with the trappings of love
I'll be captivated I'll hang from your lips
Instead of the gallows of heartache, that hang from above

I'll be your crying shoulder

I'll be love suicide
I'll be better when I'm older
I'll be the greatest fan of your life

I've been dropped out, burned up, fought my way back from the dead
Tuned in, turned on, Remembered the things that you said

I'll be your crying shoulder
I'll be love suicide
I'll be better when I'm older
I'll be the greatest fan of your life

Another Weekend

So here it is, another Weekend in the northland.  I have the usual things on my to-do list:  Mother-in-law grocery shopping, lunch, Wal-Mart, and gym (Anytime Fitness), home to clean house, laundry, dishes, and cook dinner.   I'm exhausted already thinking about it.  My weekends go so fast.  I try and cram so much in to them.

I'm not complaining though.  I have a lot to be thankful for....just in the fact that I'm able to do all of those things on my list without assistance or at all.  I just read on facebook a young man in our community who is in a wheelchair and unemployed.  He's posting that he will make those cool fleece blankets for $10-$20....all he asks is you buy the fabric.  I need another blanket like I need a hole in the head, but I may just go pick up some fabric and contact him to make me one.  Anything to help him out during the holiday season.  Bonus is I'll get a really nice blanket. 

What else is on my mind?  My physical therapist isn't releasing me from therapy.  He's ordered another month.  He did clear me to walk in the park at a "brisk pace - NO running!" - so I'm going to try that today after I hit the gym for weights.  

I've been headed in to a pretty big funk lately and I think it's safe to assume that I need to get my head out of a$$ and get with the program.  My salvation has - and will always be - movement.  It helps clear my mind and get some focus. But  I've used this injury as an excuse to slack off.  No more.  It stops now.   As I said, earlier...I can be thankful that I have mobility and I'm able to move.  Other's aren't as fortunate.

That's it for now.  If I find time later, and I feel like I have something else to share, "I'll Be Back" (said in my best Arnold voice!) :)