4:45 is way to early to get up.

I was awakened at 4:45 this morning by the 4 year-old sleeping next to me barking like a seal. Yes, Hunter has the dreaded croup. He sounds awful, however the doctors say his lungs are totally clear and no, there is absolutely nothing we can do for him other than hot steamy showers.

I am not a morning person, but turning on the TV at 4:57 for H2 and listening to Noggin for an hour and a half and rolling out of bed at 6:30 to put him in a steamy shower, wake Mr. Big Shot to get ready for school & Mr. Husband, who looked rather cute sleeping in Hunter's bed, was not all that bad. We got through the morning without me having to ask anyone to do something twice, we got off to school on time (maybe even a little early), I even didn't feel like a total zombie on the drive to school. I'm not saying I want to get up before 5 on a regular basis, but maybe I need to re-adjust my time clock just a little bit, to make the morning run just a little bit smoother.

Do I really need to tell you who this is?

He just misquoted the score of the game during the recap. What a doofus!

Cowboys vs Packers

For those of you that are Packers' fans, this is not a dis for your team. I am a big Farve fan, in fact one year he did wonders for my Fantasy Football team. This is to talk about what a complete waste it is to have Bryant Gumbel doing play-by-play on the NFL Network. What a complete sports dork! He kept referring to the Cowboys as the Packers and the Packers as Green Bay during the first half of the game. At least he got one team correct. He also said that Barber was the "Heart & Soul" of this Packers team. WHAT???? This brought on a 10 minute rant from my husband. Does he not do his research? How does a stupid morning show host, get to do play-by-play on the NFL Network? They want cable networks to subscribe to it, they should spend a little money and get an announcer that actually knows football.

I have never heard my husband complain so much about the announcing of a sports game. One more thing, GO COWBOYS!

That was HOT.

I have lived in Texas all my life. At my house a fun game is to see how many chili petins you can eat before you break out in a sweat, go for the cheese or milk or water or whatever. I was raised on Mexican food and would eat it every day of the rest of my life and be totally happy.

So when I came home today, I opened up a new jar of hot sauce I bought at Central Market yesterday to see how wonderful it was. Well, it knocked my on my a**. I have lost all the mascara on my eyes, I used an entire box of Kleenex blowing my nose (well, at least I'm not stopped up anymore). I am a little tweaky in the stomach due to the peppers. I also feel like there is heat coming of my eyeballs. THIS STUFF WAS HOT!!!!

I'm embarrassed to actually admit this, because my parents will read this and laugh at me and I will never live it down. Dad, I dare you go by some Two Hot Mama's Salsa Co. Salsa Roja in HOT.

I can't help it, its just the way I am.

I AM A TOTAL NERD! I didn't get to work out today, so somewhere in my brain I decided that I would work out at home. I tried some core exercises. One is where you hold yourself up and only touch the ground with your toes & forearms. I made it a whole 15 seconds. I also tried push-ups due to dome inspiration from Krista who did 82 push-ups yesterday. I manage 10. I did some leg lifts 3 sets of 8 on both legs, they now feel like I ran a marathon. I have no endurance, none, zippo, zilch. I workout three times a week, in fact I burned 401 calories at Curves yesterday. How can I do that and not be able do more than 10 push-ups?

So now what am I doing? I'm sitting on my exercise at the computer because somewhere I read that it suppose to work your abs. Ya right! Just call me NERD ATTACK! I'm destined to be a voluptuous size 14 for the rest of my life (yes, voluptuous, I don't use the word fat.) How many times do I have to say that Marilyn Monroe was a size 14. I should be considered hot not overweight.

FYI, the definition of voluptuous:

1 a: full of delight or pleasure to the senses : conducive to or arising from sensuous or sensual gratification b: suggesting sensual pleasure by fullness and beauty of form
2: given to or spent in enjoyment of luxury, pleasure, or sensual gratifications

Ooh, that sounds dirty! Works for me!

Everyone needs a little music in their life.

I'm sitting here listening to some of my favorite songs by Bill Withers. He is so amazing. What a voice and collection of songs! Yes I realize he's 69 and not throwing out any new music, but you hear him all the time, and when I say Bill Withers, I get a lot blank stares. Take a little time and listen to Bill Withers, I guarantee there is something for everyone. Use Me, Lovely Day & Ain't No Sunshine are just a few that move me.

I'm three Superheroes in One

Which Action Hero Would You Be? v. 2.0 created with QuizFarm.com

You scored as Maximus After his family was murdered by the evil emperor Commodus, the great Roman general Maximus went into hiding to avoid Commodus's assassins. He became a gladiator, hoping to dominate the colosseum in order to one day get the chance of killing Commodus. Maximus is valiant, courageous, and dedicated. He wants nothing more than the chance to avenge his family, but his temper often gets the better of him. Maximus 71% James Bond, Agent 007 71% Captain Jack Sparrow 71% The Amazing Spider-Man 63% Neo, the "One" 63% Batman, the Dark Knight 63% Lara Croft 58% Indiana Jones 58% El Zorro 54% The Terminator 50% William Wallace 46%

Angela is the bomb!

I just had the most amazing massage. Yes, it was given by Angela. I have never in my whole life been this relaxed. I am looking forward to the best sleep I've had in probably a decade.

Sweet Dreams.

Happy Thanksgiving

As tomorrow is Thanksgiving, I thought I would take a little time and copy The Unstable Blogger (mine is not nearly as revealing as hers) and make a list of the things I am thankful for, well mostly.

I have the most wonderful husband; I usually complain about him, but he will come home after a busy day of work and make dinner, because I am just too tired to do it. He will take the kids anytime I want to go anywhere or do anything. He's a pain in the ass at times, but I love him. He also gave me two very annoying, but extremely charming children who drive me crazy, but seem to make everyone else believe they are total angels. I love them too.

I'm lucky to have a good sister, a great set of parents, two awesome sister-in-laws. I am thankful for Uncle Denny, because without him Mason wouldn't be graduating in a few weeks.

I have a good job and good co-workers, two really good cats (we won't talk about the third, I am not thankful for him). I am thankful for dark chocolate, Dirty Sexy Money on Wednesday nights, the Food Network, satellite radio, really soft cotton, my 600 thread count sheets and my girlfriends - every one of them, even the ones I've never met and only communicate thru our blogs - You Rock Girls!

Leader Test Results

What Famous Leader Are You?
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Can you say whiney kids?

I've gone from one kid with a sinus infection and one kid with maybe a sinus infection, to one kid sicker than a dog and one kid doing fair. Ethan seemed to be OK until about noon today and he's popped a whopping 102 degree fever. Hunter is eating popcorn, drinking Gatorade and watching Finding Nemo. Ethan has only gotten up from his bed in the last 1/2 hour to lay on the couch.

OH, and Hunter's Thanksgiving Play was today, so that was an interesting deal. Both kids are on antibiotics, so I didn't infect anyone. I promise. I am feeling lost and a little discombobulated. I want to make poor little E feel better and I just can't do it. He's been so good and not complained, he just lays there looking pitiful. It just breaks a mother's heart.

Classic Movie Test Results.

What Classic Movie Are You?
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That's interesting. Never would have come up with this one.

MMM... Interesting

My horoscope for the day:

You will be graced with a huge dose of beautiful, magnetic energy today. In a crowd, you will be able to draw people around you with your supportive ways. People will feel especially safe and confident around you, and will be ready to divulge some critical information that others would give their eye teeth for. This is not a day to use your charms to get something out of someone. Rather, it is a day to just be yourself, and let people open up when they want and how they want.

I'm waiting for the big "scoop", it hasn't come in yet.

Is it 5 o'clock yet?

This has been a blah nothing of a day at the office, except for the Dork-A-Rama experience. The router in our office is down so we can't send any e-mail. Thank goodness I can still blog. What would the world come to if I couldn't blog? It would probably stop all together.

I have done pretty much nothing all day. I had a few closings, but that didn't take long. I've had to cover the phones a few time this morning. Moved a few files around on the server. (I'm suppose to do this, I wasn't playing a joke on anyone) Now I am patiently waiting for 5:00 to roll around so I can get out of Dodge. OH! I just looked down, its 10 minutes till - I gotta clean off my desk.

OMG! The biggest dork ever was just in our office.

Why is it that so many women are completely bowled over by a handsome face and a little charm? Just because a man is charming does not mean he is a man of substance. This particular dude has got to be the biggest dawg. I've heard him talk about making-out with old chicks at a fundraiser (he was talking about women in their 40's); I've heard his friends talk about trolling for women on a street that is know for its hookers.

He holds a party saying it is for charity, then doesn't give but a teeny-tiny amount of the money to charity and keeps the rest for himself. Not only does he think he's fabulous, women I've always considered smart, savvy & on top of things fall for it hook-line & sinker. What is wrong with the world?

I'm still moving.

Well, it seems that I've been a little lax about posting lately, I will probably totally make up for it today. I worked out Wed & Friday - 388 calories burned Wed & 338 on Friday. At least I have continued to maintain my workout schedule. My pants are a little big on me today, but it maybe because all I ate was tomato soup for dinner last night, the scale still has me at the same weight.

I've been very good about keeping a food diary and will maintain it for the month (without conveniently forgetting to write down something) and then I'm off to the a new doctor to see if we can't determine what is really going on.

Attitude is everything so I'm trying to stay positive.

Determined.

I am determined to do something about my weight. So far, I have re-started my food diary in hopes of convincing the world I am not eating that much. I've exercised out the wazoo today. I spent 30 minutes at Curves - got weighed and measured so I can track my progress. I burned a good 382 calories, and this afternoon I spent an hour raking the front yard of leaves and evil acorns. That should be worth something. My big complaint is that my shoulders and hips are killing me. I spoke with my father today and he thinks I could have a food allergy so I guess the food diary will help with that too. I'm giving myself a month then I'm off to a different doctor for whatever still ails me.

Could use a little bit of help!

I don't feel good most of the time. I am always tired, my joints hurt, I feel bloated and stopped up, I don't sleep (maybe I should say I have a hard time getting to sleep and then staying asleep), its so hard for me to get going in the morning (it takes about an hour of being out of bed before I can think normally) and I can't lose weight no matter what I try. I also have problems with my legs - the doctor says its probably Restless Leg Syndrome, however I can't take any medicine, it makes me nauseous and doesn't allow me to sleep at all.

Now regarding the weight issues, I am currently working out 3-4 times a week at Curves (been doing so since May). I am now participating in the Curves Smart which tracks your progress on each machine and adjusts the machines accordingly. It takes in your weight, body measurements & range of motion and sets up the machines just for you. At the end of each workout you see the results - like which muscles groups you worked the most, where you need to improve and total calorie burn. My calorie burn ranges from 327 to 462 in 30 minutes over the past three weeks. I have also been working on portion control and limiting processed foods, I also haven't had a soda of any kind for over 2 1/2 months. I have not lost a pound!

I've had every blood test known to man, I feel like my doctor and my husband think I'm a hypochondriac and I think my doctor thinks I'm depressed because he keeps shoving anti-depressants at me. I may have issues, but I tend to be in a manic state, not depressed and I don't respond well to any medication and I do mean any medication. I can't take anything for allergies, pain meds make me sick - nothing. My doctor has also said it could be Fibromyalgia - great a damn disease you can't take anything for! But could be and is are two different things.

My mother (and I) think it might be thyroid, but all test come back normal the only thing I haven't had is a MRI or CAT scan of my thyroid, but that tends to be a little expensive. I could be in menopause (I'm not even 40, but I am having hot flashes). Do I find a different doctor, do I go get acupuncture, go on a liquid diet, become a vegan?

I'm so sick of feeling like crap and not being able to lose weight. I frustrated and would appreciate any advice and/or words of encouragement.

Open Mouth, Insert Foot

I've embarrassed myself and I don't deal with that well. I got an e-mail from my replacement as PTA Chair at the Preschool my youngest attends. I meant to forward a comment to my co-room mother, but instead replied to the PTA Chair. It wasn't awful, one sly comment (lot of good that did me) which really isn't that bad, it just wasn't meant for her. Now originally I had a three paragraph tirade, because I think the new girl is just a little overbearing, obsessive and a giant control freak. I'm a control freak, but 60's hippie style, not 21st century know it all. Trust me - the School's Director says she's driving her crazy!

So now I'm obsessing about that, embarrassed - when I do this I start talking to myself trying to fix the problem. The Karma Gods replied by giving me my period. Great!

Reward thyself!

Like a good girl, instead of curling up and doing nothing I unwedged myself from the dinner table and went to work out. I somehow managed to burn a killer 393 calories in my 30 minute workout. My first thought as I am walking out the door is I should reward myself with a coke. I haven't had one for two whole months except for the plane ride to & from Vegas because I have a little motion sickness thing going. My second thought is well, I can have a glass of wine without guilt.

Somewhere I have to get it in my head that to lose weight, I actually have to stop doing those bad things, no sugar, no coke, no wine, no white bread - I refuse to totally give up carbs - except I did sneak in a few flour tortillas yesterday.

Anyway, somehow I came to my senses and decided to order some books online. I figured if I workout I deserve a little lie down with a good book. Just please don't make me feel guilty that they are not what sophisticated people would call "literature" they are popular fiction & chick lit. A girl gotta have her vices right!

Which way is up?

I've had three "I'm not home all day" days in a row. Monday it was Sam's, Tuesday it was Target, returning shoes & Central Market. Today it was a hair appointment. I usually do laundry on Monday's and I just started my first load this week at 4 o'clock today. Oops! I'm a little behind.

They did my hair flat as a pancake today - usually I have that Rosanne Rosanna Danna look (for those of you old enough to remember), but today I've got a more Jennifer Aniston flat look. Well, I can promise you it won't look that way tomorrow.

I also need to try to get a workout in. Where does my day go? If you find it will you please return it to me.

It's Official

Yesterday at our office meeting (I wasn't there) they announced to the agents that I am leaving my staff position at the end of the year. They also announced that the girl that was suppose to replace me decided to go back to school full time and won't be there either after 1 year of training and that everyone should be forewarned that things will be different. I've been staff there for over 12 years and its not an easy thing to change positions for me or the agents I've worked for.

I'm excited about the possibility of really getting out there and helping people get that home they always wanted. Believe me when I say this - DO NOT RENT, BUY!! Why throw your money down the drain (or into a landlords pocket) when you can buy a house or condo and put equity into your home not someone else's. I know its hard, initial investment that kind of thing, don't wait until you can buy your dream home. You'd never get there because your dream home would keep changing with all the new trends. But if my husband and I would have waited to purchase a home, because of the increase in property values, we couldn't afford the home we own now. It has doubled in value in 10 years. Talk about a return on our investment!

Don't know how to start, talk to a Realtor, talk to an Investment Counselor or a Mortgage Broker and see what you qualify for and start working towards homeownership - its never too early.

The girls in Vegas

My sister-in-law, Anjie, turns 35 this month and she wanted a trip to Vegas - so four of us went to Sin City to celebrate. We stayed at the fabulous The Bellagio, it was awesome. We ate Friday night at Circo, which was absolutely delicious. On Saturday we ate at the steakhouse in the Wynne casino called the Country Club.







We gambled, but truly we shopped 'till we dropped - or to be honest, we shopped till the blisters on our feet could no longer be ignored. While shopping we saw this display window and I couldn't help but think that my husband would appreciate it. Its a shop called Agent Provocateur it was an interesting shop to say the least.

Vegas Baby!!

I'm fixing to leave for Vegas Baby!! There are four of us, and as much as I would like to say its all about me, it's really all about Anjie (my husband's sis) and her 35th birthday. I'm looking for a lot of fun, a little drama & a lot of other I'm not ready to talk about.

I will miss my boys, maybe my husband and most definitely my cats. Honey, take care of my babies for me & maybe I'll bring you a little something-something!!!

I watch too much TV

I enjoyed Grey's Anatomy last night. I'm happy to see that Meredith has finally realized that she really wants McDreamy, but I keep wondering if its too late. Izzie will never be the cut throat surgeon that she wants to be, Christina well she has a lot to learn and all on an emotional level. And I absolutely loved when "The New Burke" asked McDreamy & McSteamy if they were a couple.

Freak Out!! And not the disco song.

So I had a little freak-out today. I got an e-mail from my boss stating that the "Big Boss" was going to announce my "leaving the staff, eventually..." This should not really freak me out, because like I said in an earlier post, I gave my notice last summer. It doesn't help that my boss asked to have lunch next week. She wants to have lunch to talk about my exit strategy. Then I get the announcement e-mail and I feel like I'm about to be launched into the world of Real Estate Agent stuff before I'm really ready. (And hopefully not next Thursday!) Its not like I can't do the job, I've been writing contracts for the agents in the office for over a decade, its my mouth that gets me in trouble. That and my lack of confidence. I'm lucky that I work for such an awesome company (obviously because who would stay at a crappy job for 12 years?) they have been supportive, accommodating and they just are a great bunch of people from the BIG BOSSES on down. Its just change sucks! its stressful! its well, change!!

And all commission stuff is kind of scary. Its not like I'm raking in the dough working 13 hours a week, its just that 13 hours a week is going to look like a fortune next to no paycheck unless you sell something. Does anyone need to sell a house? Or buy? I'm available.