They've Been Ordered

In 4 weeks they will be mine. I know that they aren't flashy, but they are good every shoes. A daily reminder of just how far I have come.

Life is...

...Full of unexpected surprises. Just when you think you've got a handle on things; you never know what is going to come your way. Life's awesome like that.

News Flash...

I am capable of having a life. This normally wouldn't be a news flash. I am a sociable girl. I am gregarious when needed. It is just that when you only get 60 hour at home on the weekend because of your crazy work schedule; it puts a damper on one's ability to be a social butterfly.

Since I am home this week in combination with the three day weekend; I haven't had to cram a weeks worth of interactions into 2 days. Today I got to have brunch with Jess at our absolute favorite hang-out for brunch. The only thing comparable to her company was the fact that the inagural H2Omelon Margarita of the summer were consumed. There are v. few things in this world that are better than freshly juiced H2Omelon, tequila, and a drop of triple sec. Just looking at the picture of it makes me happy.

Tomorrow, I will continue the trend of having a life.

There will be movie going and Bar-B-Queing with Joel and Claudette. I could get used to this "having a life" unfortunately for me it is going to end up being a fleeting notion.

Airport Hell

I think there needs to be some sort of ranking of travelers at the airport. To be fair there should be a test.

Sample Questions:
1. Do I need to take my shoes off to get through security? y/n

2. Can I tote my gallon of H2O in my purse? y/n

3. Do I need to hang on to my boarding pass? y/n

4. Because You've managed to spawn; you can use said troglodyte as an excuse to jump the no longer effective frequent flier line. y/n

5. Can a airline charge you for checking extra bags? y/n

It is mother of all amateur hours at the "airport du ATL" today. Stupid people don't deserve to fly.

Starvin' Marvin

Man alive have I been hungry this week. Although, I am continuing my "Amazing Shrinking Amazon" progress. I have absolutely no idea what has brought this about. Let's look at the usual and unusual suspects.

1. Stress

Work has been just this side of "cruel and unusual" as of late. I am working my flat Polish ass off. There's the whole 7 out of 8 weeks on the road thing combined with the 10 centers that need to be opened for the first day of school. Top that off with the crazy amount of driving that it takes to get to my three rural sites. I am the walking embodiment of stress.

2. Boredom

Travelling for work is neither fun nor glamorous. It totally messes with your social life and makes you terribly lonely sometimes. Reading a book and eating dinner at the bar of a restaurant (bartenders tend to be chatty so it's almost like talking to someone you know) gets old. Sitting in a hotel room by your lonesome gets old. Being bored and alone is a dangerous combination for me; as it allows me ample time to brain fuck things to death. My brain is 65% brilliant, 10% full of stupid shit, and 25% scary.

3. Working Out

It may be totally possible that all of the exercise that I am partaking in may actually need to be fueled. As unimaginable as it seems; I could actually need food for its intended purpose, to fuel the amazon suit.

That's a scary ass thought...after 33 years I may be actually learning that stuffing my pie hole with crap doesn't make me any less stressed or bored. Craziness! I tell ya...Craziness!

Seven for Eight

Looks like a great hitting performance in a double header. It is also the number of weeks that I have been travelling for work.

People that spend more time on the road than me
1. Cross Country Truckers
2. Touring Musicians

I may actually get to be home the week after next. However, I'll be the girl not holding her breath.

On the Road Again

I have travelled over 1200 miles since Monday. WTF is up with that?

"Cause Oscar Mayer Has A Way"

As I was driving up to Chattanooga; I saw the Weinermobile. I instantaneously acted like a kid. I honked my horn and waved. Then my Blackberry rang ruining a perfectly awesome moment.

I Can...

...order my new Nikes!

Crocker Recipe Part Deux

I haven't put a crocker recipe up in a while. Granted I haven't made anything in my crocker for a while. Here is my recipe for the world's easiest fancy chicken dish.

Chicken with Artichoke Hearts

Serves 6

Points 6 and I think it's Core

6 Boneless, Skinless Chicken Breasts

1/2 cup Onion, chopped

12 Garlic Cloves, minced

1/2 cup Reduced Sodium Chicken Stock

2 tsp Dried Rosemary, crushed

Juice and Zest of 1 Lemon

1/2 tsp pepper

9 oz Artichoke Hearts, frozen or canned (drain first)

Place chicken in the bottom of your crocker. Dump onions, garlic, and artichoke hearts in. Mix everything else together and pour over chicken and veggies. Let rip on HIGH for 6-7 hours. I serve over couscous and garnish with extra lemon slices to make it look fancy.

I Heart the Swoosh

I have spent the past 3 months working on shrinking the only part of myself that I'm not all that fond of...my weight. It is something that I have always struggled with and something that I will always have to give thought to. In those 3 months I have lost nearly 30 lbs, 27 to be exact.

As a to Jules from Jules, one of my favorite kinds of gifts, I have designed myself a new pair of kicks for working out. Unfortunately, the good people at "the swoosh" won't allow me to show you all my handiwork. I will tell you they are sweet...two tone gray and navy. They will be mine in 3 lbs and 4 to 6 weeks. I can't wait.

My House...

...is a very, very, very fine house.

I am super excited that I get to go home tomorrow; granted that I don't get to leave until 4:00. I haven't been home for 11 days. I get sleep in my own bed and get caught up on Robin Hood from the BBC I actually have plans for Saturday night, I'm catching a show at the Beachland. It will actually appear that I have a life.

Then I have to leave again on Monday morning...I'm trying not to think about that part.

I Heart ESPN

I would like to thank the "world wide leader in sports". You keep me such great company during commute from hell season. You're there for me in the morning with Mike and Mike. I can enjoy Dana and Jay on the artist formerly known as Cold Pizza if I have late meeting and am working out of my room. I spend the afternoons with Jim Rome(you should always wear you glasses), the writers of Around the Horn, and personal Jules' favorites Tony and Wilbon.

I would also like to thank you for Thursday night soccer. I'm sure that the rating for it aren't so hot, but I appreciate your dedication. I most grateful that you have given up your stalker like obsession with David Beckham...it was getting a little creepy.

12 year ago today....

...my dad died. The night before I tried to convince him to go to a Dave Matthews Band concert with me and my friends in Pittsburgh. The next morning he mowed the grass and had a heart attack.

I really want to break out all of the windows in my hotel room and down a fifth of Jameson. Seeing as how that kind of behavior is frowned upon...I won't do any of those things. But I really, really want to. I guess I'll just cry as I do some work...slightly more acceptable behavior.