Do You Know?

. . .How $*^(*&^ heavy a king-size bed is? REALLY HEAVY!!!

I decided a few weeks ago that I wanted to move my bed to a different wall in my bedroom - the one without any windows (duh - why didn't I think of that 10 years ago?). . .

Today, I got the brilliant idea to do it NOW. Thank God I've lost all the weight that I have and have been working out. It took all of my body strength, a few walls (to push said body strength against) and many hours to get the bed moved.

Don't ask about the rest of the furniture or how I plan to get to my closet tomorrow morning. And I really don't want to discuss the mirror that I hung 10 years ago thinking it was centered on the wall. :(

I feel like I've had two work-outs today and am a little scared of how my muscles will feel over the next two days. Sadillac has already been put on notice - if I decide to move the @%*# thing again, he is getting a phone call!

Namaste.

"Experience is a good teacher, but she sends in terrific bills." Minna Antrim

C-Boy. . .

Hey this is C-boy. I'm on my aunt's blog. Well tomorrow I'm going to the Bengals Game. There going to spank the Falcons butts. Michael Vick is going down. My favorite part about the game is probably tailgating. U get to meet new people and of course I, C-boy, gets to meet the LADIES!!!!. I also love to play cornhole. I guess you could say I'm pretty good at it. HA. Well guys, I'm going to go and let my aunt say a few things.

PEACE!!

Naw - no need for me to say anything!

Namaste.

Want List Great and Small. . .

. . .Yes, I have one! I started it back in late 2000 with the idea that I would cross at least two things off of it each year. This list has many of my dreams - from so grand (Eliminating Violence Against Women) to so small (Walking on a Beach in the Moonlight).

I was off to a great start!

5 in 2001:
Kiss The Blarney Stone; Listen to Irish Music in an Irish Pub Drinking Irish Beer;
Visit Highlands; Visit My Homeland (in Ireland); Watch the Changing of the Guard
4 in 2002:
Find a Spiritual Home; Visit the Golden Temple; Bake Bread from Scratch;
Learn a New Craft (Quilting)
7 in 2003:
Attend Mass at a Cathedral in Europe/UK; Have Fish & Chips in England;
See a "Broadway Show" in London (Chitty Chitty Bang Bang); Have "Tea at the Ritz";
White Water Rafting; Water Ski (even though it only lasted about 3 seconds);
Take a Cruise

Then, nothing! At least on paper. I haven't updated the dern thing since 2003! I have done lots of great things over the last 2.5 years, I just haven't bothered to update the list.

So, I have to go back through the scrapbooks and mark off with the appropriate date, all of the fan-tabulous stuff that I've been doing. I also need to add more things to the list - any suggestions?

Namaste.

"There are shortcuts to happiness, and dancing is one of them." - Vicki Baum

Catching Up. . .

I took the weekend off from the gym - not by choice, but because of "busyness". Well, Sunday was by Bengal choice, but Saturday was just so jammed packed that I couldn't get there before they closed.

The Bengals game was a nerve-racker! I seriously think I saw two different Cincinnati teams play - one the first half (although there may be an argument in there that there were different teams between the 1st quarter and the 2nd quarter even) and a different one the second half. At any rate, Carson's 4-and-1 long pass to Chad Johnson and Kevin Kaesviharn's 4th quarter interception in the end-zone were phenomenal! I even got to cheat on my diet a bit as tomorrow is Sadillac's birthday, so we had a cake (I only had three bites - my trainer was watching!) and two beverages (notice, I didn't have three!).

The full bathroom is about 95% complete. Update: My hot water tank lasts approximately 42 minutes with my new shower jets (is there a new tank in my future???). It should be done tomorrow, but I am under orders to get some pictures up.


You'll see in the shower door reflection that the recessed shelf by the vanity is not done (the thing that looks like a frame is the primer).


There wasn't enough room between the toilet and the vanity for the toilet paper - so we hung the holder side-ways. There's room now!




Found this article on the net via the Monday Morning Quarterback article on SI.com. Makes one think (at least it did me). Don't get me wrong, I will still send the packages - but it is getting harder as more and more of my soldiers are not walking / talking when they come home. http://www.truthdig.com/report/item/200601019_after_pats_birthday/

Tomorrow starts a pretty strict diet from you know where (though I'm pretty happy that it is not carb he!!). I have 2.5 weeks to get some weight off for the competition at work. No more Subway with the sister-roos until final weigh-in. :(

Namaste.

"You will never 'find' time for anything. If you want time you must make it." - Charles Buxton

In Less Than 24 Hours. . .

I will be taking a shower and I will NOT be at Gold's Gym!

I technically could take one in the morning, but then I would be rushed to get to an all day meeting and that would just be horrific, even potentially blasphemes.

I searched and searched and searched for an phenomenal jet shower thing-a-ma-jig.
I practically cried over the multiple tile selections.
I endangered my vision experiencing all of the ugly chalk yellow tiles in order to analyze many display features.
I have been hauling my shower stuff to the gym for 2.5 weeks.

IT IS HEREBY DECREED: The hot water tank, at the condo currently under discussion, will run out of water when this amazing masterpiece is used for the first time.

Says me.

Namaste.

"Home is an invention on which no one has yet improved." - Ann Douglas

It's Blank. . .

. . .My mind that is. Trying to come up with something new to blog about is getting a little much for my tired brain.

When I started blogging, I never thought I'd be going to the gym this much - hence, blogging this much.

I read an article somewhere with difference blog starters - I may have to find it again to give me some different ideas!

Namaste.

Time To Drywall!

As the bathroom is getting into shape, I have to shake my head at the condition of the drywall in my bedroom. It is a mess and either needs to be ripped out and replaced or covered by the thinnest drywall I can find. I'm still debating that one. Whatever I do, I have to do in the closet room as well.





The bathroom is on track to be done this weekend. The sealant is on and tada. . .The shower hardware is installed! I love how the mirror reflects the tile in the back of the shower. The coloring is a bit off as the bathroom only has ~25% of the lighting it normally has. You'll just have to come see the true colors for yourself.

MommyMarie wanted to see the shelves completely tiled - here it is!



Now, I get to pick out the wall color. Decisions, Decisions!



Namaste.

"An idealist believes the short run doesn't count. A cynic believes the long run doesn't matter. A realist believes that what is done or left undone in the short run determines the long run." - Sydney J. Harris

As The Remodeling Continues. . .

The tile was installed. . .
Tomorrow is grout day (I hope!).


I'm really liking how the tile design turned out in the shower.


The floor tile continues into the closet where I am going to make a large walk-through closet room.





Namaste.

I think this is what I didn't like about Week 6:
a. Stupid, idiotic roughing-the-passer call by Mike Carey's crew on Justin Smith in Cincinnati's 14-13 loss to Tampa Bay. Instead of it being second-and-18 from the Bengals' 40 with three minutes to play, the Bucs had a first-and-10 at the Bengals' 25. Smith was flagged for driving Tampa QB Gradkowski's head to the ground, though replays clearly showed that all Smith did was tackle the guy. "I guess you've got to cuddle him to the ground," Cincinnati coach Marvin Lewis said. Great line from Bengals.com guru Geoff Hobson: "The Bengals thought they were in the middle of the NFL and a tough football game when the Kennedys broke out." Edgy, Geoff. Very edgy. - Peter King's Monday Morning Quarterback on SI.com

More Amazement

Holding a baby just seems to make everything right in the world - especially two babies weighing in at 3lbs and 3lbs 3oz. Those big dark blue eyes are just so amazing. The innocence in Princess and Fighter is so bright that I just want to build a wall around them to protect it - they don't know hatred, bigotry, meanness or any of that other crap that so many kids are exposed to today. Love it and love them!

Which reminds me of this morning. I was walking up to church and suddenly I am engulfed in a hug. . .From one of the kids that I had sponsored years ago. I did a double take when he mentioned his car (and all of his facial hair). . .But amazingly, he still looks at me as a big sis that he feels comfortable talking to. I miss that.

Interesting how all of this amazement I had today makes me realize that a bad call in a football game isn't so important in the big scheme of things.

Namaste.

It's Amazing. . .

It's Amazing. . .What 12 hours of sleep does for a body & mind!

It's Amazing. . .How great a wall looks after just a bit of spot painting!

It's Amazing. . .How time is just flying by - ~72 days until Christmas!

It's Amazing. . .How precious babies are!

It's Amazing. . .How much we take the simple pleasures for granted - such as a shower!

Namaste.

"They who see only what they wish to see in those around them are very fortunate." - Marie Bachkirtseff

Huhhhhhh?

Yep - that about covers what is running around in my brain right now.

The only thing left to say is: GOODNIGHT!

Namaste.

As The Remodeling Continues. . .

Here are some "in-process" shots of the full bath.




These two were taken earlier this week.

The square box on the wall will be a recessed shelf by the vanity.

The green board was starting to go up in the shower. No more moldy drywall!









Today, a portion of the shower was tiled.

It's wonderful to come home and see big progress!

Makes the stress of the tile shop visit worth it.


Namaste.

No Time For A Break

As I start to fight off the sniffles, I realize that I am feeling tired - very, very tired.

Not sure exactly why (though nine straight days at the gym and lugging all of my shower stuff back and forth may play a big part of it). . .Not sure exactly how (ok, maybe getting up at 5am everyday to get my Bengals medallions plays another part). . .But I do know that I have way too much on the verge of being done to stop now.

So, I'm going to rummage through my medicine box (since the medicine cabinet is temporarily unavailable) and get into proactive mode.

Namaste.

"Opportunity is missed by most people because it is dressed in overalls, and looks like work." - Thomas A. Edison

Crazy Goal

Sadillac, my trainer, and I came up with a new goal tonight: For him to weigh more than me on an ongoing basis.

If we had made this goal three years ago, heck - even one year ago, I would have cried myself to sleep nightly because it was so unattainable. Instead, we were laughing our rears off (yes, in the middle of a workout). . .Not just because it is so crazy, but because it is within sight and damn, that feels good!

His competition is this weekend and then he'll be able to eat again (no way can I get down to what he is right now!). Currently, I am hovering just above the weight that he normally hovers around. With me loosing and him gaining. . .We are going to have to find another goal to laugh hysterically at soon.

Namaste.

"The main thing in one's own private world is to try to laugh as much as you cry." - Maya Angelou

I'm Wondering. . .

. . .How many consecutive days I can make it to the gym.

. . .Why it takes five minutes for the hot water to make an appearance in the showers at Golds.

. . .How many things are extremely valuable, but don't cost a cent to give away.
(love, hugs, kindness, smiles, wisdom)

. . .Why a company would discontinue a Halloween nail color in SEPTEMBER.

. . .How long it will take before I start to go crazy from not being able to shower at home.

. . .Why Mother Nature is such a female dog.

. . .How many things at Michael's can I buy at 40 - 50% off in one week.

. . .Why my tomato plants have so many green tomatoes in the fall, at first frost.

. . .How good are fried green tomatoes.

Namaste.

"A candle loses nothing by lighting another candle." - James Keller

Jello Shots!

On my way to Nickey's to enjoy some Jello Shots!

Yes, I know that they are not on my diet, but my trainer has redesigned my diet and work-out schedule - it starts tomorrow. So, I am determined to enjoy the jello shots tonight as I will be entering weight loss he** tomorrow.

Wish me luck - 25 more to go.

Namaste.

"A true friend laughs at your stories even when they're not so good, and sympathizes with your troubles even when they're not so bad." - Proverb

Running On Empty. . .

As I sit here trying to type. . .I realize that my brain has shut down. It is now boycotting anything that remotely resembles work - which includes trying to form complete, coherent sentences on a computer screen.

I am about to crash (and crash hard) before gearing up for another packed-full day. As much as I hate to admit it, I think it is a good thing that the Bengals have a bye this week. Shhhhhhh - don't tell anyone!

I am going to get caught up on sleep, laundry, etc over the next few days. Since I'll be at the gym a lot (after all, that's where the showers are!), I'll try to get my brain restarted for the upcoming posts!

Namaste.

Am I In The Right House?

I came home from work today to find this. . . Isn't it pretty?

I couldn't get a picture of the whole room, because the half bath is so small.

The toilet is one of those comfort heights - pretty nice! The wall behind the toilet (the opposite wall from the mirror) is a few shades darker than the other three walls (though looking at it now, I am wondering if it should be darker).

The tile on the floor started out looking very gray with a touch of purple. Once you put it next to the purple walls, it suddenly has much more purple in it than originally thought!

Now, I just need to get outlet covers and decide what to hang on the walls.







Then I headed upstairs to see the progress on the demolition.

WOW!

Am I in the right house?


Namaste.

Cravings!

I had a bad, bad craving today. . .I saw the words peanut butter and Dairy Queen in the same sentence. OUCH. Since then, I have been craving a peanut butter - chocolate blizzard.

What did I do? I worked out. I burned calories on the elliptical. I was good. I'm a losing weight fool.

Then, I went to the grocery store.

I did not. . .I repeat - I did not. . .get anything related to a peanut butter - chocolate blizzard.

My compromise? Healthy Choice chocolate bars. Craving gone.

Namaste.

Frustrated. . .

Ever had one of those days when all you wanted to do was sit down in the middle of a store and cry?

After about an hour and a half of searching, we found the tiles for my main bath. . .The shower wall tile was a combination of silver, gold and black. Looked great with black tiles for the shower floor and a darker tile for the room floor. I was glad we were done 'cause it was past time for me to eat and I was still in my stinky gym clothes. Then I saw the look on the clerk's face. . .No tile in stock? GOING TO TAKE OVER A MONTH TO GET IT IN?

Ok, I'm 0 - 2 with tile selection so far.

The store was closing in 45 minutes and I had to find tiles since demolishing will start soon.

I was frustrated, tired, depressed, _____ (feel free to fill in the blank). It was obvious that I wasn't happy, but I think / hope that I showed some character today. I buckled down, let myself hear different suggestions and became open to looks that were different from the one in my head.

My main problem was that I have lots of chrome and black iron with a vanity that has a slight gold tone. I am not against "light", but I do not like the standard tile color of most of the tiles (a yellow-chalk color) and I had to find something that would go with chrome and black.

It was 8:57 when we finally hit a home run (we found the tile, anyway). I tried to take pictures with my phone to post, but no color showed up (at least I figured out how to transfer the pictures from my phone to my computer!). If you had told me earlier that I would have a room in my house that was a warm, copper color - I would have said that you were nuts. Guess what. . .You are nuts. If I tried to describe it, you wouldn't believe it. . .So, you'll just have to come see when it's done.

Stay tuned for the next episode of "As The Remodeling Continues. . ."

Namaste.

"Instead of developing your personality, charm or intellect, try exercising your character today." - Stephanie Goddard Davidson

Slacking?

It seems like I am slacking because the gym and the blog appear to be neglected. I wish I was slacking! I think I'd enjoy relaxing and doing nothing for awhile. . .But alas, it is not so.

I feel like I've been running around like a chicken with my head cut off (that's not a pretty visual to have, by the way) trying to get everything done. I am making tons of progress (I have lots of cuts and bruises to prove it) and have enjoyed spending some time with family and friends. But now, I am rededicating myself to the gym. I have about 21 more pounds to go, so I cannot start slacking now.

Slight set-back on the bathroom. The marble tile for the shower walls (pictured in a previous post) will not work. I am meeting my contractors at the tile shop tomorrow to reevaluate. I can guarantee you that the black iron and the chrome will be staying in the room, but I have no clue what color will be in the tiles or on the wall at this point. Wish me luck!

Namaste.

PS. Bengals are 3 - 1 now.