I stink at returning phone calls, emails, and other forms of accepted communication. And...I am not alone.
I know its cliche. But I really am trying to figure out a way to keep in touch with people on a more regular basis. However, without burning my cell minutes or spending all my hard earned money on stamps...email is really the only way. But then you get bombarded with 100 emails from people that you haven't talked to in ages...and get so overwhelmed with replying...that you just don't. In at least 3 cases I have been playing phone tag with people for months. Months!
So how do we do it? How do we stay in touch? Mass emails are good for general updates...but very impersonal. I just don't know.
Beyond that...how do we find the folks we lost? I haven't heard from my high school best friend in almost 8 years. I have tried to find her...but no luck. Sadly we didn't even have a HS reunion.
Any ideas? And for those that I have not replied to...HI! I miss you! Please don't give up on me!
Monday, June 23, 2008
Wednesday, June 11, 2008
Jammies Day
I, Jess, with no actual title or power, declare a PJ's day!
A day where you get to stay home, spend time with your family, roommate, cat or whatever and just not be burdened with all that stuff out there. A day to "cleanse" ourselves from the everyday.
In grad school Dave and I lived in different states (no surprise to any of my readers I know). We juggled schedules and commitments to get together as often as possible. I remember one particular weekend, while planning what we were going to do, I declared a PJ day. A day where I did not have to leave, make phone calls, do homework or anything else. I just wanted to bum around in my PJ's and enjoy my company. And we did. I think we spent most of the day watching movies. It was nice.
As I now am juggling a mountain of responsibility and decisions I am yearning for a PJ day. One where I don't have to track down the bank, insurance, builder or HR rep. One where my phone isn't ringing everytime I curl up with a book or for a nap. Maybe...just maybe...one where I can go for my run without feeling like I might be missing an important phone call or email.
No matter what stage of life we are in...there is something demanding our time. Be it work, kids, school, moving blah blah blah. Our time is never our own. If we do take time for ourselves, we typically have to scramble to catch up when we are done. But where does that leave us? Tired? Cranky? Resentful? Who wants to be like that???
So I declare it....PJ DAY 2008. You pick the day. Have your snacks ready...or the delivery menus by the phone. Turn off the email and turn on the voice mail. Snuggle up to whoever or whatever makes you happy and just enjoy life for all its worth!
A day where you get to stay home, spend time with your family, roommate, cat or whatever and just not be burdened with all that stuff out there. A day to "cleanse" ourselves from the everyday.
In grad school Dave and I lived in different states (no surprise to any of my readers I know). We juggled schedules and commitments to get together as often as possible. I remember one particular weekend, while planning what we were going to do, I declared a PJ day. A day where I did not have to leave, make phone calls, do homework or anything else. I just wanted to bum around in my PJ's and enjoy my company. And we did. I think we spent most of the day watching movies. It was nice.
As I now am juggling a mountain of responsibility and decisions I am yearning for a PJ day. One where I don't have to track down the bank, insurance, builder or HR rep. One where my phone isn't ringing everytime I curl up with a book or for a nap. Maybe...just maybe...one where I can go for my run without feeling like I might be missing an important phone call or email.
No matter what stage of life we are in...there is something demanding our time. Be it work, kids, school, moving blah blah blah. Our time is never our own. If we do take time for ourselves, we typically have to scramble to catch up when we are done. But where does that leave us? Tired? Cranky? Resentful? Who wants to be like that???
So I declare it....PJ DAY 2008. You pick the day. Have your snacks ready...or the delivery menus by the phone. Turn off the email and turn on the voice mail. Snuggle up to whoever or whatever makes you happy and just enjoy life for all its worth!
Wednesday, June 4, 2008
Motivation and Re-examination
On June 13th I will have hit an important anniversary. On June 12, 2007 I sat up strait in bed and came up with a plan...that then kept me up the rest of the night. Thank God for bedside post-its!
It will be exactly one year after my 29 by 29 campaign. Inspired by some pictures that were taken at the first annual "Girls Gone Wild" weekend hosted by my mom, an overall lack on energy and enthusiasm and a need to not end up looking back after Dave and I started having kids thinking that I should have gotten in shape before babies.
Very few people were privy to details...and most people didn't even know the dramatic life style change that I undertook. Thank-you mostly to Mom, Dave, Mark, Maureen and Martha for your constant encouragement!
Step one: I dumped 5 liters of Mountain Dew down the drain. For those who know me well...you are probably sucking in air. But honestly...it has been proven to be one of the easiest ways to kick start a weight loss program.
Step two: Make a plan. I love spreadsheets...this was fun. And while making the spread sheet I had the idea that I could lose (safely) 29 pounds by my 29th birthday. I kept careful track of my weight, measurements and exercise. I wrote out my meals and played around with balancing different food groups to maximize my energy during the day (don't forget I was still working and going to school at this point).
So did I succeed...yes and no. I did not hit my goal. But I did lose 20 lbs and have been hovering in the 15-20 lb range since I moved to the south. I felt so much better about my appearance. Do you know how uplifting it is when someone says...I have noticed that you lost some weight and really look great! ***Jess pats herself on back*** because it was HARD! I lost 2 (and in girl sizes that's actually 4) pant sizes. And most importantly can see the healthy options available...and the unhealty traps that can ensnare people.
I had started running in that time and now I am training for the tri. When I started I couldn't run 2 minutes without dying...I was up to 28 yesterday...and it was 90 degrees with 86% humidity. Not to mention I am much faster now.
So now I am looking back. Its time...afterall...to make sure that I am not slipping back into my old ways. And...I am! Yikes. So I am going to stop with the soda again (though I never drink as much as I did!), give up the excessive sweets (no one needs a banana split) and keep training for the tri. I am also dumping the fast food...which has become a fall back for the evenings when Dave and I are both running to get somewhere and don't have time to sit down and eat.
Do I think I will ever get down to that -29. Not sure. With all the muscle mass from the training and the need to stay hydrated...I am thinking that it might be an unhealthy weight for me at this point.
Thanks again to all my cheer leaders out there! For my healthy lifestyle, for my tri training...and for life in general! And...anyone who wants to jump on the band wagon...there is always strength in numbers!
It will be exactly one year after my 29 by 29 campaign. Inspired by some pictures that were taken at the first annual "Girls Gone Wild" weekend hosted by my mom, an overall lack on energy and enthusiasm and a need to not end up looking back after Dave and I started having kids thinking that I should have gotten in shape before babies.
Very few people were privy to details...and most people didn't even know the dramatic life style change that I undertook. Thank-you mostly to Mom, Dave, Mark, Maureen and Martha for your constant encouragement!
Step one: I dumped 5 liters of Mountain Dew down the drain. For those who know me well...you are probably sucking in air. But honestly...it has been proven to be one of the easiest ways to kick start a weight loss program.
Step two: Make a plan. I love spreadsheets...this was fun. And while making the spread sheet I had the idea that I could lose (safely) 29 pounds by my 29th birthday. I kept careful track of my weight, measurements and exercise. I wrote out my meals and played around with balancing different food groups to maximize my energy during the day (don't forget I was still working and going to school at this point).
So did I succeed...yes and no. I did not hit my goal. But I did lose 20 lbs and have been hovering in the 15-20 lb range since I moved to the south. I felt so much better about my appearance. Do you know how uplifting it is when someone says...I have noticed that you lost some weight and really look great! ***Jess pats herself on back*** because it was HARD! I lost 2 (and in girl sizes that's actually 4) pant sizes. And most importantly can see the healthy options available...and the unhealty traps that can ensnare people.
I had started running in that time and now I am training for the tri. When I started I couldn't run 2 minutes without dying...I was up to 28 yesterday...and it was 90 degrees with 86% humidity. Not to mention I am much faster now.
So now I am looking back. Its time...afterall...to make sure that I am not slipping back into my old ways. And...I am! Yikes. So I am going to stop with the soda again (though I never drink as much as I did!), give up the excessive sweets (no one needs a banana split) and keep training for the tri. I am also dumping the fast food...which has become a fall back for the evenings when Dave and I are both running to get somewhere and don't have time to sit down and eat.
Do I think I will ever get down to that -29. Not sure. With all the muscle mass from the training and the need to stay hydrated...I am thinking that it might be an unhealthy weight for me at this point.
Thanks again to all my cheer leaders out there! For my healthy lifestyle, for my tri training...and for life in general! And...anyone who wants to jump on the band wagon...there is always strength in numbers!
Monday, June 2, 2008
Why I Love Sundays!
This weekend I was lucky enough to only have to work Saturday, leaving Sunday open for whatever my little heart desired. Along with the usual ritual (church, etc), we drove out to the house site and had a BBQ with some friends.
Much to our delight the siding and brick have been started and the dry wall is complete! (One little problem are some itty bitty bugs that are hanging out pretty much everywhere they sealed the dry wall...yikes!).
I rode with the Bee Team yesterday afternoon. It was not a great ride in terms of training thanks to a pop-up thunderstorm that we had to take shelter from...but we did log in 12 miles. I am starting to adjust to my new bike more and more...and today I got the new pedals installed.
After that we headed out to Colonel Beatty Park. One of the many little treasures tucked away in the suburbs of Charlotte. It has a big beautiful lake, hiking trails, biking trails, various fields to play in and picnic areas with BBQ pits (and geese). We opted for the "bring whatever you want as a main and a side to share" plan which worked out quite well. My fruit pizza was quite yummy if I do say so myself. =)
We wrapped up the day with video games (Dave) and some leisurely reading (me). All in all...a mighty enjoyable day!
Much to our delight the siding and brick have been started and the dry wall is complete! (One little problem are some itty bitty bugs that are hanging out pretty much everywhere they sealed the dry wall...yikes!).
I rode with the Bee Team yesterday afternoon. It was not a great ride in terms of training thanks to a pop-up thunderstorm that we had to take shelter from...but we did log in 12 miles. I am starting to adjust to my new bike more and more...and today I got the new pedals installed.
After that we headed out to Colonel Beatty Park. One of the many little treasures tucked away in the suburbs of Charlotte. It has a big beautiful lake, hiking trails, biking trails, various fields to play in and picnic areas with BBQ pits (and geese). We opted for the "bring whatever you want as a main and a side to share" plan which worked out quite well. My fruit pizza was quite yummy if I do say so myself. =)
We wrapped up the day with video games (Dave) and some leisurely reading (me). All in all...a mighty enjoyable day!
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