Another 'lately' post - because I am unmotivated to REALLY blog!

Feeling: Ready for Thanksgiving, some good eats, time with friends and a break from working so much

Loving: My husband - who keeps me going and gives me reason to tackle each day, even when I am exhausted

Craving: TURKEY!! One of many reasons I love Thanksgiving!

Needing: Sleep! I've been so restless the last week or so. I need to shut off my brain, relax and just sleep!

Thankful for: My husband. My close friends. My mother-in-law. My Janet. Obviously, I am thankful for people ahead of everything else ;)

Reading: Well, I SHOULD be reading my materials for the CPP exam, but I've been too mentally exhausted and unmotivated to really start.

Wanting: A glass of wine, a hot bath and my pajamas

Missing: I try not to think about or dwell on what I may be missing

Wearing: Sweats and fuzzy socks!

Thinking about: Cleaning the house and all of the people we'll see and spend time with over the Thanksgiving holidays

I can't believe it's November... or Thanksgiving... or almost Christmas! Where has this year gone!?

Lately...

The last few weeks have been stressful. Getting the totaled car situated and finding another in a short period of time was very overwhelming. Then, work has been slammed lately and I find myself frazzled more days than not at the office. In comparison to the place I was working previously, I welcome the opportunity to be busy and productive. However, sometimes, I do not know when enough is enough - and I tend to bite off more than I can chew at times, just for the sake of standing out and/or impressing the higher ups. A blessing and a curse, I suppose. But, it's led to some mental exhaustion and I think my body is feeling it too.

This is the second time in a month where I have been experiencing leg pain/cramps/strain/awfulness. A couple weeks ago, it was painful - but bearable. I could walk on it... it just was uncomfortable. Then this past Thursday, I was coming up our stairs and, when I reached the top, I stepped "wrong" and immediately felt pain in my hamstring. On Friday, I went to work - and now that I work downtown and have quite a trek from the parking lot all the way around the building to get to the elevator and up to my floor - it was not fun. By midday, I had to end up leaving work and barely made it to my car. In fact, my leg "cracked" really loudly as I was getting into my car and I thought, "Oh #@@%#.... now I'm really going to be jacked up!" Surprisingly, I think the crack may have helped the hamstring issue - only to be followed up with a severe tight calf muscle that will not subside. It's like having a constant worst-charlie-horse-of-your-life-kinda-feeling.... I am NOT digging it. It's now Sunday and I have been a total grump bucket to my husband who is only trying to help me. I should be napping - but instead - I am sitting here, dreading the week ahead and wondering how I am even going to walk functionally enough to make it into the office tomorrow.

I know I am out of shape. I have known that for a while. But, I need to find a way to get these muscle strains/cramps/pains out of my life. I just started seeing a new doctor and, after talking to her about all the trauma I've experienced in relation to my legs (3 falls in a six month period last year), I think she is, at least, willing to try some treatments to make it better and maybe then, I can finally find the energy/strength to get back in the gym and build some muscle strength again. For now, I just want to shake this limp and be able to walk like a woman again...

Girlfriends...

Friendship is a beautiful thing. Despite how much I enjoy spending time with my husband, sometimes, girl time is a must. I am hitting the road the last weekend of the month to hang out with these ladies in Nashville. I'm excited to have some girl time (even though on the night of this picture, we had just as much fun with my husband there too!) :)

Now that my beautiful friend to the right has moved away, we don't get to hang out or have impromptu dinner or drinks nearly as often as we used to. But - what happens in Nashville (and Vegas next Spring) stays in Nashville (or Vegas!).

Good girlfriends are hard to come by. I plan on keeping these ones - even if I have to drive down I-65 to hunt them down! :)

A "total" mess...

My poor car... My poor "Penny"... She and I were rear-ended on my way to work last Monday. By an uninsured motorist nonetheless. While it may not look like much, the frame was totally jacked and the insurance company totaled the car due to the extensive damages. It has been a long, stressful, tiring week dealing with police, hospitals, insurance companies and trying to stay composed throughout the ordeal.  Thankfully, I was not seriously hurt... only had some muscle strain in the neck and back mostly. It could have worse... it could have been much worse... I try my best to remember that when I start to get overwhelmed by all the hoops I have to jump through to resolve this mess.

I will miss my "Penny". We only got 2 short years of time to ride together. Perhaps someone is trying to tell me something! The other Civic I had years ago was also rear-ended pretty badly (although this one was definitely worse). As a result, I will be taking a turn down Toyota Avenue and see if I can have better luck staying away from careless, uninsured drivers.

Currently...

Loving: An extra day off from work - but why does it have to fly by so fast??

Feeling: A great deal of anxiety. It has been a tough couple of days. Life is just a bit overwhelming at the moment and I lost sight of how to cope momentarily. (My poor husband!)

Craving: Rocky Road... luckily, my husband knows his wife and picked some up the other day!

Needing: Sleep. I haven't had good sleep in days.

Thankful: For my husband... who loves me at my best... and at my worst...

Reading: Almost finished Whitney's book (from my Big Fat Fabulous Life). Looking for another good read - which is absolutely shocking for a non-reader

Wanting: Stressful things to dissipate... a job blessing for my husband... and world peace ;)

Missing: The simpler days - before mortgages, car repairs, bills and responsibilities!

Wearing: Pajamas - since sleep is hopefully in my near future

Thinking: About the stressful work week ahead. I will be cramming to learn a new big responsibility from a girl who is leaving on Fri. Lordy, how will my brain ever retain all of this??

I thought this might be a good way to catch up my very neglected blog. I just don't have the mental capacity or energy to blog most days. But I need to get back to it to keep my sanity. 

Hoping this week will not be as bad as I anticipate! Oh yeah, and Happy 4th of July! 

I love the beach...

Although there have been numerous hiccups during our beach vacation this week, it has been wonderful to spend time away and relax to the sights and sounds of the beach. Despite stressful situations, this atmosphere has such a calming effect on me and, sometimes, I wish I lived closer to escape here more often.

Panama City Beach is beautiful. It was a beautiful week for one of my best friend's wedding. I can show you better than I could tell you...

Happy 4th Anniversary!

Happy 4th anniversary Boobear! It has been a crazy journey - but I can't imagine sharing it with anyone else. You truly "see" me. You understand me like no one else and you help me see the world through different eyes. I love you very much and I love being married to you. Now, if we can make it to the beach more often :) You definitely make it worth living. Can't wait to spend the rest of our days together!