MY KNEE’S MY WITNESS

Posted on September 4, 2008 by Jenn

Horrible pun, if that’s what you’d call it. But seriously, my knee is killing me. And it seems the only way I am comfortable sitting is indian style, which is no good for your knees.

Anyhow, the reason my knee hurts: I went running tonight! Yea! I took Izzie for a run/walk tonight and it was really nice. Instead of thinking about how much I hate running, I thought about Izzie, and how cute was running next to me. Nice distraction! I swear the leaves are starting to change colors already, I could smell that fall smell, which is actually leaves rotting. But, I love it!

So thanks to Colleen‘s suggestion, I mapped my route after the fact with mapmyrun.com to see how far we had gone. We went about 2 miles! Of course, I didn’t run the whole time. But who cares, I was out there, exercising, doing something active besides hiking or biking – yea!!!

I kept telling myself, and Izzie, that I should get up and do this every morning. I wish I knew I wasn’t fooling myself. Maybe I’ll try next week!

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NOT YOUR TYPICAL MONDAY POST

Posted on September 2, 2008 by Jenn

. . . And that’s because it’s Labor Day and I had the day off, boo-ya! I had a great weekend. We went to see A Midsummer Night’s Dream at Hartford Stage on Friday, thanks to tickets from Stefania! On Saturday, we were so lucky to attend the much anticipated nuptials of Elaine and Christopher Nash! Congrats to the beautiful couple, who pulled off a beautiful wedding and reception with only a week and a half’s notice (he’s in the Army)! The wedding had a piñata, fireworks and beer pong. On Sunday, we had a lazy day. We ate blueberry waffles with maple syrup that we got as a favor from Chris and Elaine’s wedding. We took a little hike with Izzie up Case Mountain and then had a relaxing afternoon. We rented the movie 21 and then went to Evergreen Walk for people watching and milk shakes. It felt so good to not be getting ready for work on a Sunday evening. Today, we got some stuff done around the house and then played frolf with Molly, Pat, Chris, Jackie and Caleb. We had a yummy dinner at Chili’s and have been lying around on the couch watching football this evening. Other fun things this weekend . . . I started my book club book, Self-Made Man. I am not so sure I am going to like it, but trying to go into it with an open mind. I also baked yummy banana bread, had fun thinking about our trip to New Hampshire next weekend, started to plan out our trip to Florida in 2 weeks, and took up knitting again. I’ve already knitted about 1/5 of a scarf for Ryan that I started more than a year ago! I think I’ll learn to knit a hat next.



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ALMOST PERFECT

Posted on August 29, 2008 by Jenn

My original title for this post was “Not Quite Perfect,” but I am trying to be more optimistic.

Some days when I ask my dad how he’s doing, he says “I’m perfect.” And I actually believe him. He’s just that kinda guy that can really tune everyone else out and if he’s happy and content I can see him being/feeling perfect. I can’t even imagine that feeling. That feeling is rare for me. I guess I am a worrier. Who am I kidding, I know I am a worrier. However, today I woke up and decided to have the most perfect day I could possibly have for a Thursday while working a very hectic job and having a 3 hour meeting after 5pm. However silly it might be, I looked myself in the eye in the mirror and I said 2 things:

1. I am going to stop swearing.
2. I am going to stop talking sh*t.

And then I realized I already broke the first thing, and I said the f-word. Oh well, baby steps. I am very open, usually saying exactly what’s crossing my mind. It’s a fault. Today, I decided to really think before saying my thoughts out loud. It worked, and I really felt better about myself and my actions towards others.

After my 3+ hour off-site meeting after work, I got on the highway going the wrong direction, for about 10 miles. My day was still Almost Perfect. I finally made it home about 9am to see my husband, who I haven’t seen since 6am Sunday morning. I think the fact that I am about to have a 3 day weekend really helps my positive attitude!

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BIG DIFFERENCE

Posted on August 28, 2008 by Jenn

Tonight I thought I rented The Secret but actually I rented The Secret of God
Too bad, I was really looking forward to watching the actual movie, not the movie the Christan church made as a response to the original. Click here to see the trailer.

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LET’S TALK BUSINESS

Posted on August 27, 2008 by Jenn

“A hard thing about business is minding your own”

I am having a lot of trouble with this lately. And a lot of trouble being the positive, caring, loving, kind person I want myself to be. Whenever I say something I am not proud of, I think, I should say, that is not something I would normally say – I am a nice person. But it’s starting to look like I am not as nice of a person as I make myself out to be in my brain. I need to shape up. I have been saying this a lot lately, and having a really hard time making that a reality.

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LATE SUNDAY LET DOWN

Posted on August 25, 2008 by Jenn

It’s the same every week. Some weeks it’s worse than others, some weeks it’s not bad at all. Sunday always gets me and gives me mixed emotions. I always wake up with a sense of accomplishment. I done so much already in the weekend, and I still have an entire day ahead of me. As the day goes on, I start to think about the end of the weekend. And then I start to think about the beginning of week. And that’s when I start to get depressed. Tonight I feel especially mopey (however you spell that!).

I started out the weekend, or I should say I rounded out the end of the week, with a wicked migraine. Yes, I said wicked. What word did I use to describe my headaches before I moved to New England? I have a feeling that whatever that word was, it did not do my headaches justice. Thanks, mom. Anyhow, we spent Friday night grocery shopping for the fish fry on Saturday. I had to lay down in the darkness before dinner I was feeling so bad. I was also having a freak out because this police helicopter was doing sky laps around our house for about 3 hours on Friday night. I almost made Izzie go to bed without going out to pee!

Saturday, I still had a little headache, and with all the party prep to be done, I wasn’t up for our normal bike ride. This week would have made 4 weeks in a row. Oh well, maybe next week. We got the house in tip-top shape for the party, and Ryan even did a TON of yardwork! After 10 mins before Gretchen & Graham arrived, Ryan made the decision that he needs to go to WPB to see his Grandma, since she’s in the hospital. We got him plan tickets and all packed before anyone arrived. G & G got here safe and sound, and all the doggies got along smashingly! The Fish Fry was a hit. We had a great turnout of really great people (Amy was sick, and we missed her)! The sangria Ryan made was a hit.

Got up super early to see Ryan off. He left here about 6:15am I think. He was back in WPB before G & G and I were even home from breakfast at Pastrami on Wry (I had the Southwest Egg Burrito thingie, it was great!) I guess I need to stop calling WPB home. My home is here now. When I feel homesick, it’s usually only for my parents and for the beautiful breeze off Lake Osbourne that flows through their dining room. G & G stuck around and Gretchen and I took the doggies to the park while Graham watched the gold medal Olympic Men’s Basketball game (go USA). After they took off, Izzie and I just put our jammies back on and lied around. I finished up Season 6, and the series of Sex & the City. I think watching that, having an empty house after a houseful of people, and having Ryan far away just all came together to make me a bit solitary tonight.

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I’VE GOT FLORIDA ON MY MIND

Posted on August 18, 2008 by Jenn

We had another great weekend. We watched a movie at home (Charlie Wilson’s War) on Friday night. I know it might sound dorky, but that’s my idea of a great Friday night. On Saturday, we had a big breakfast and then I started to get a little stressed about everything I wanted to accomplish this weekend, but after a nice bike ride with the hubby, I calmed right down. We’ve now gone on bike rides on CT’s Rails to Trails for 3 Saturdays in a row. We’re liking exploring while bike riding, meaning locking our bikes up and going off the trail a bit. Last week we hiked over to a stream and sat on some rocks in the middle of the stream for a little while. This week we spotted an old cemetery and explored. We also walked to the front of the cemetery to see where it would spit us out, and it was really neat to see where we ended up. After the bike ride, we got a bunch done around the house. We had a fabulous dinner with Colleen and Dave at our house. Ryan made chicken, black beans and rice. I made a yummy southwestern salad with avocado, chick peas and corn.

Today, we went on a 5-mile hike with Colleen and Dave at Gay City State Park. There were several little streams to hike over. Needless to say, Izzie went through them, instead of over them. She had a great time being off the leash almost the entire time. Afterwards, we lounged around the house, took a nap and then got Ryan a bike helmet. We enjoyed a yummy dinner of Italian chicken and leftovers. Gosh I love eating, and cooking, and cooking with Ryan. We took Izzie on a little walk around the neighborhood to try out her new backpack, so she can hold her own water on hikes. She did pretty well, but she’s pooped from the long hike this morning.

I’m feeling a little anxious tonight. Last week, we decided that since Ryan’s planning to take his exam in late January, planning a big trip for early February for our anniversary might not be the best idea (just in case the test is delayed). I was pretty bummed about that, but it makes sense. Anyhow, we decided that maybe since I do have 3 weeks of vacation, we could look into a week long trip to Florida. I found a great price for tickets online. The thing that’s stressing me out is that it’s in one month. I don’t think I have EVER planned a plane trip (probably even a weekend away) with this little lead time. We were all set to buy the plane tickets, but then I started to feel nervous, and think I should run it by work first. Hopefully tomorrow at this time I will have the plane tickets to Florida, and the price will not have gone up! And hopefully work won’t mind me taking a week off with such short notice!

On another note, my husband is the best! Saturday marked 6-months of marriage for us. On Friday, I finished putting all of our proofs into 4 albums! We also got some framed wedding pictures hung up in the hallway. He’s got such patience to put up with my stressing out. He even went so far as to have a nightmare about my job the other day for me, so that I could sleep peacefully – what a guy!

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IT’S NO MAXIDENT

Posted on August 14, 2008 by Jenn
Ryan and I went over to visit Jenna, Luke & Max tonight. We brought Pizza and enjoyed it on their beautiful new back porch. Ryan even got in a swim, but couldn’t get Max to go all the way in. Luke was adorable, as usual. I think he just keeps getting cuter and cuter, if it’s possible that he could get any cuter than he already is! He was a little fussy, but we didn’t mind at all – we oogled and baby talked and bounced him none the less. Below are pics, at my mother’s request, and because he is just so dang cute!

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MY SUMMER GYM SCHEDULE . . .

Posted on August 13, 2008 by Jenn

. . . is non-existent. This post will be all about me fighting with myself, and making excuses. Just a little warning. I’ve been feeling a little guilty that I haven’t really been to the gym regularily since before we got married. And on the other hand, it’s been really nice coming right home from work. To make the gym at 5:30pm, which was my normal routine before I started working downtown, I would have to leave my office at 4:45pm. That is NOT possible. If I change before 5pm and leave at 5pm on the dot, speed like crazy, and run from the parking lot to the gym, I can make the 5:30pm classes. That is nearly impossible. Most days I am not ready or able to leave by 5pm, and on the days I am, I feel guilty about leaving right at 5pm when most others are staying until at least 6pm. And it’s not like I am resting on my laurels, whatever that means. Ryan and I have gone biking on the rails to trails for the last 2 weekends. We even went on a hike with Izzie after work last night. I consider myself a reasonably active person. Maybe I just need to be ok with not being the gym-rat I was before I got married, got a better job with a longer commute, and got a dog. Of course, there are things I could be doing at home that I am not doing. Oh, and the other thing that’s making me feel funny is the Manchester Road Race. I know I hardly ever prep by running a lot, but at least I had been at the gym a bunch. I am afraid this year I willl really suck, or just skip it! I don’t want to skip it! Maybe it will rain and that will be my excuse! So while I think I am ok with not going to the gym everyday, I think I should probably try to get there 2x a week. Then maybe Yoga once a week, biking once a week, and hiking once a week. That’s a nice balance. We’ll see. I just know I am not ready to let go of the membership yet – I am not really into being outdoors (winter sports) in the winter.
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LAST WEEKEND ALONE

Posted on July 27, 2008 by Jenn
It’s been a pretty good 2 weeks home alone, but I sure am glad the hubby is coming back tomorrow!

Friday night I avoided all other human contact and watched S&TC with my sick doggie. I know, I am so cool. Thanks to Stefania for loaning me seasons 4, 5 and 6 so I can catch up with the rest of the world, and maybe actually rent the movie on DVD some day. I finished up season 4 (I had watched most of it with the girls) and am now half way through season 5. I don’t anticipate finishing the series before Ryan gets home tomorrow night.

Saturday morning, I joined Colleen on her self-guided tour of Glastonbury farms in search of the perfect, yet affordable, organic, local egg. On the way we found crazy ladies, turkeys, chickens, berries, doughnuts and a black cat. Jasper was sad I didn’t bring home any barn kittens. Surprisingly enough, I didn’t see any actual barn kittens. Sharon told me they are everywhere out in the “country.” Anyhow, we got some info about possibly doing a CSA next year, which would be great! Colleen even got to stand on a tractor!

After a nice walk with Colleen & Izzie, I took a fabulous Saturday afternoon nap to get ready to celebrate Janet’s quarter century birthday. The party was lots of fun! Although the beer pong table wasn’t quit regulation, that didn’t stop anyone from playing! My favorite saying of the evening was from Steve, “I’m sweating like Mike Tyson in a spelling bee.” Or maybe it was OJ Simspon, I can’t remember which. It was funny none the less. Going from the hot tub to the pool back to the hot tub took me back to Florida. And I slept great last night with the windows open and wet chlorine smelling hair. I used to love to hop in the pool to cool off just before going to bed. Some pics from the party . . .




Happy Birthday Janet!


This weekend was great. I had a rough week this week dealing with (and worrying about) Izzie being so sick. I think for the most part she’s on the up and up. She isn’t throwing up anymore, and she’s back to sleeping in her kennel instead of on the bed. She’s still coughing and hacking like crazy. Hopefully it will only be a few more days of that. I really want her to be able to play with other dogs again soon, and I need to make sure she’s 100% before she does play with other dogs, so we can be sure she’s not passing it along to her doggie friends.

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