the fifteen minute rule . . .

I don't know exactly how or when it happened but I've had this fifteen minute window of time engrained into my psyche. I was raised in a home where being fifteen minutes early for an appointment or meeting meant you were on time.
I consequently passed this on to my kids.
I can honestly say, we are very seldom late for anything.
I am a precision German instrument in that respect.
I can quite accurately gauge how long it will take me to reach my destination and, with my fifteen minute cushion, tardiness is seldom an issue.
Why doesn't the rest of the population run like this?
My first appointment today- VERY LATE.
Second- SAME
so, what does this do to the rest of the day?
How do I face the patient who actually runs on time but has to wait due to the inconsiderate behavior of those who came before?
Moral of this rant . . . If you are waiting in the lobby for an appointment, frustrated that your MD or whatever is running late- it may not be their fault, but the accumulated fault of those who came before you and gummed up the day!
If you run on time- ALWAYS make your appointment FIRST thing in the morning, or FIRST after return from lunch.

Whispering, a learned skill . . .

Last weekend Randy and I had a quick getaway to Reno.
The drive was pleasant, the weather lovely.
Randy had a great time playing in the casino and I caught up on reading, movie watching and working out in the gym.
We had tickets to the new stadium where the AAA Diamondback team plays in Reno.
Included in our package was seating and food in a giant luxury box.
As we stood in line getting ready to enter the stadium a pair of local ladies stood behind us.
Lady one kept pointing at me (mind you I was about 2' away from her) and saying (loudly) "that is the kind of hair cut I want, sort of short, but not diky". She repeated this several times, each time with the "dike" reference.
I was patient for a bit, and then thought I would have a bit of fun with her.
I turned around, smiled sweetly and said, "thank you for complimenting my hair, but you should know, I am a dike"
I thought she was going to die on the spot
Her friend kept saying "oh my God, oh my God, oh my God"
It was terribly fun.
After about 20 seconds I told her to relax, I wasn't a "dike" but she should watch the volume a bit. My phone rang and I started a conversation with Ashley- Randy called Kyle and we passed the next few minutes engaged in our separate phone conversations.
As I hung up I heard her again, "now, see that lady over there, I thought she was a guy- that is diky hair"
Clearly, this lady had not learned her lesson.
I turned around, looked her in the eye and told her "she can hear you".
Lady number two went back to the "OHMYGOD" refrain.

The funny part of this whole story . . . I wish I had a picture of this woman who so desperately didn't want to look like a "dike"
overweight, no makeup or styled hair, mans flannel shirt, shabby jeans and old tennis shoes.
I think the ship had already sailed . . . she looked the part already.

Lost . . . and found

as with many good intentions . . .my ability to "keep up" with my blog has been dismal.
I think about this daily- I have brilliant ideas to share (okay, maybe not brilliant, but ideas to be sure) but then the day concludes and still no post.

I can't nag Ashley about her lack of posting if I'm also negligent, can I? and, let's face it, we would MUCH rather be hearing from Ashley than me!

so this will be short- but sweet.

I've lost (to date) 24#
I've found the ability to wear my wedding ring.

I've lost my insecurity in my workout 2 piece
I've found (besides a great belly tan) more confidence.

I've lost (or rather put aside) some Capri pants that fall off when I wear them.
I've found my clavicle. (collar bone which was hidden by a bit of FAT)

I could go on, but you get the picture.

I still have a ways to go- but I'm firmly on the right track.

Now, i can badger Ashley without guilt.

I've "found" the ability to badger.

Love my Czech friend . . .

do you remember quite a while ago when I mentioned that my lovely Czech friend was the one who told me "you have a beautiful color . . ." in reference to my unwanted tan?
Well, today she struck again.

In mid April I finally decided to join weight watchers. I'm not sure what my final motivation was, and it really doesn't matter . . . regardless, I've been faithful and thus far have lost 21.8 pounds. I still have a bit to go, but so far, so good. My blood pressure is fantastic, lipid levels fantastic, glucose great . . . HEALTHY!

In the past several weeks I've heard many different things. First it was, "did you get a new haircut?" second "you look so tan" third, and this the most ridiculous "you look taller". But today, my lovely friend Helena (of you have beautiful color fame) said to me . . ."you look fantastic, you have lost weight" I could have kissed her.

It hasn't been hard. No sacrifices at all. Healthy eating and healthy results.
I really don't want to become one of those "come to Jesus" ladies extolling the value of weight watchers but . . . I'm off all prescriptive meds now and I'm feeling healthy. Appearance isn't a goal, it's a side affect.

Wednesday, what's on my mind

I have a couple of things on my mind this evening and I'll start with the easiest. Do you remember just a bit ago my complaining about having "pediatric illnesses"? Well, again, I've been struck with the problems of a typical two year old. Over the weekend, while Travis was home, I started feeling quite punk. My head hurt- my ear hurt- I was nauseated and dizzy. When I swam I was shaky and tired. Yesterday I felt so crummy I didn't even go out for my regular swim . . . that was when Randy knew for sure something was wrong. (that, and I looked like shit) Regardless- I went to work today feeling crummy. I went downstairs to visit with my friend Marcie- to commiserate with her after yesterday's supreme court decision (her marriage stands) anyhow . . . during our visit she commented that with all due respect, "you look terrible" I told her my pain problems and she looked into my ear- Yupp, as expected. Left ear is infected with a ruptured ear drum. So upstairs I run to make an appointment to be seen by a "grown up" MD. I made an appointment and then found my manager to explain the situation. "you can leave early, but why no have one of our pedi's examine and treat you?" Since I didn't want to get Marcie in trouble I agreed to her plan and the chief of the department examined me- Yupp same as before. Now I have one week of oral antibiotics to take, and a nice ear drop that numbs the pain- Tomorrow I'm hoping to feel much better.

In the meantime, I have something to keep me feeling a bit better.
Remember before I told you about my Czech friends who comment on my "beautiful coloring" and now whenever someone tells me "you are really tan" in that snarky tone I substitute (in my mind) "you have beautiful coloring"? I have a new such thing going on.
THREE time today I got complements on my new hair cut and or hair style. THREE times, three different people. Strange, because I haven't done a single thing different with my hair.
Here is the rub. I've been diligently "working the program" of weight watchers for the past 7 weeks. So far I've lost 14 pounds (one stone in the British measurement system) and not one SINGLE person has noticed. I've been around people who haven't noticed, but don't see me frequently- and, I have to say, it's been a little discouraging. Well today I realized, they don't know what is different, it MUST be my hair. Finally, to one of my work friends I said, "nope, my hair is exactly the same, there is just a little less of me" She looked at me and then said "okay, yes, that's it"

At the pool one of my friends Carl says, "I like your hair, it's different, isn't it?"
to him I replied "Carl, when do you see my hair? it's always in a cap!" He said, "I don't know, your hair just looks different"

I didn't tell him what was really going on.

so, from now on- you say "you are so tan" I hear "You have beautiful coloring"
you say, "Did you do something new with your hair?" I hear, "Damn you look fine with that weight loss"

so, one stone down- two more to drop

Lesson learned last year

If you remember the tale of last years triathlon you will recall the enormous transition times I endured trying to get the appropriate gear on for each leg of the race.

I went totally old school- one piece bathing suit for the swim, donning a tank top and bike shorts for the cycling and then just changing into sneakers for the run. Of course fretting about going to the bathroom between legs didn't help either.

This year I decided I was going to shave at least 5 minutes off of last years time in transition only. I'm also hoping to shave another 5 minutes off in the course of the three events. Step one, which I have easy control over, change my "outfit" for the day.

Consequently I ordered (and have received) a "tri suit" this one piece wonder will take me from swim to run with no changing. My only obligation will be to change into appropriate footwear. This year I'll forgo all the bathroom fussing as well.

so, in anticipation of "tri season" I'm beginning my cross training in June determined to be more succesful this year. Anyone out there care to join me?

Happy Birthday Travis!

Happy 22nd Birthday Travis!

After a weekend of record breaking heat yesterday we had clouds and a couple of raindrops. I said to Randy, "the weather was exactly like this 22 years ago when I had Travis!"

Wow, that time has flown.

In less than a month Travis will graduate from UCSB.

With boundless pride, admiration and love- Happy Birthday Travis!

Watch out world- here he comes.

been gone, haven't forgotten

where exactly does time go?
I have every intention of updating this thing on a regular basis but the day slip away and no update!
Currently I have nothing important on my mind . . . so, this is a quick hello and a promise for more than monthly updates in the future.

scouts honor.

some observations

I'm a little mad with myself that I don't have the cord to my phone to upload pictures.

I haven't commented on my recent trip to NYC and had a couple of cute shots to share, oh well.

This was my first visit to Ashley's new apartment. The observation here: If you watch any TV set in NYC you are bound to believe that everyone has spacious apartments. Seinfeld, Will and Grace, Mad about You, How I met your Mother, scenes from CSI NY or any other show would lead you to believe that living space in the city is relatively the same as here in California. NOT!

Ashley has a darling new apartment, in a fantastic location but her bedroom is roughly the size of Randy's truck (maybe a teeny tiny bit bigger). The living room/kitchen combined are about the size of my bathroom (granted I have a huge bathroom). We take big space for granted here, the average New Yorker does not.

The other observation: in NY a scarf is not a accessory, it is a necessity. Living in California I'm always amused by coats and scarves. It really isn't that cold here. I packed two coats and two scarves for the trip. Glad I did, it is cold there . . and when the wind kicked up YIKKES.

My daughter loves her new city, and I love my daughter.

I will enjoy visiting her as much as time permits, but I know that I could not be an Urban dweller at this point in my life.

Big spaces and the ability to drive wherever I want, buy enough groceries for a few days and DRIVE them home, now that's what I'm all about!

Fantastic!

I'm so cross at myself for not posting this a couple days back when I first heard it . . . better late than never.

go to this you-tube link for a treat.

Lesson: NEVER judge a book by it's cover.