It's October... Fall weather in New England!

Ok, so it's been since March that I last updated this blog. What can I say, life gets away from me, I am sure anyone can say that. Things have really been moving along quickly here. I'm still working two jobs, still living with my fabulous boyfriend, Ben, in Kingston. In fact we just celebrated 1 year of living in Kingston, crazy to think how time flies. We both really love Kingston. Hopefully we can find a nice house somewhere.

So what's happened since March.... well on April 6th, the season opener for the Red Sox.... my brother and his fiancee got married! It was a small ceremony, its just crazy to think that my baby brother is now married. Well later on in April my brother and his wife (!) moved to North Carolina. Lindsay had finished her nursing degree and was offered a job at Duke Hospital. It's a 2 year commitment, so my brother moved down there and it sucks. I miss him so much, I knew I was going to miss him...my father and stepmother are planning on spending Thanksgiving down there with him which is awesome, but I wish I could be there. Unfortunately, between work and Toy Bank, November isn't a good month for me to be traveling. I talk to my brother on the phone or facebook about every few days, but at least once a week. I am so happy and proud of him, but miss him so. He is talking about going to school down there, but it would require them to be down there for another year....

March 24th, one of my best friends, Nichole gave birth to her beautiful twin girls! Allison and Jillian. By now (October) they are getting huge! And still just as beautiful. Made all those drives to Portland with her so worth it! I was so happy that I was able to do that for her.

I stimulated the economy a bit, I bought a new vehicle. I traded in my 2001 Honda Accord and bought a 2009 Jeep Patriot. The place I bought my Honda from (Pre-Owned Automobile Superstore, in Stratham, NH) - which is now out of business - offered me free oil changes as long as I owned the car, when I bought it back in 2003. Well I had never had a problem with them until.... I brought it in for service, and apparently, they put the wrong oil filter on my car!!! Oil had leaked out and I was running my engine without oil! I don't know for how long, but it was awhile. Finally I brought it in to my usual mechanic and he said that he couldn't tell without tearing things apart if my engine had gone bad. But that if I had the money, now was the time to by something new. The car had just cracked 100,000 miles! My original plan was to keep the car for another year and I had saved up some money to do the 100,000 mile service.

So I went car shopping instead. After looking at Honda's and Toyota's - BTW, I had a BAD experience with Hulbert Toyota in Epping... and after talking to my dad, I decided to go take a look at the Jeep line at Gil's in Stratham. There I fell in love with the Patriot. I test drove the Patriot first, and then the Liberty, the dealer offered me to look at the Compass, but I wanted nothing to do with it. Apparently its the girlier version of the Patriot... The Liberty was nice, but very boxy and basic, I didn't care for it. I got a fully tricked out Patriot. Black exterior with a tan/black interior, Premium sound package, I got to keep my moon roof!!! And Sirius was build into the dash, I didn't have to keep my Sportster unit. I love my SUV. It has all wheel drive, which will be helpful in those Kingston winter storms when my landlord is sleeping on the plowing. I miss the great gas mileage my Honda got, but I love my Jeep!

This summer flew by, June was pretty much a washout. It rained practically every day. It was terrible. My birthday came and went. I didn't really do any sort of celebration, in fact I worked the night of my birthday. July was better weather wise, I wasn't able to go down to Rhode Island with Ben to see his best friend Mike and his wife Crystal, which was unfortunate. But I was able to see some of my extended family on their yearly trip to NH and to Bow Lake! Last year I didn't use Bow Lake as much, so I vowed this year that I would. Well since June was a washout, I made up for it in July and August. I must have been to the lakehouse about a handful of times. It was wonderful. Ben and I both got our NH Boating License so I was able to take the boat out on the lake. So wonderful!

This summer, I met a wonderful friend named Kathleen, she owes Patch Wood Farms, in Sandown, NH - about a 15 minute drive from my house. Well she was looking for someone who was willing to do farm work in exchange for ride time with her horses. I thought it would be fun, I really didn't expect a friendship out of it, but I guess everything happens for a reason. She is a great friend and I am so glad that I had the opportunity to meet her and be part of her world!

August, Ben and I took our yearly vacation to Surry, Maine, right outside Bar Harbor. His family has a small camp there that every year he goes to. This is obviously my second year going. This year, I went for the full week. It was so nice. The first few days we were on our own, and then mid-week, his mother joined us. It was such a lovely time, and the weather was perfect. The only day it rained was the day we were driving up. Ben really can vacation like the best of them. He is slowly teaching me that I am given vacation time for a reason, and when I am on vacation, I need to take a vacation... its a valuable lesson, just takes me some time for it to sink in.

September came, we had a nice stretch of weather, almost like a late or Indian summer feel. But towards the end, it was more fall like. In Hampton, we had the 20th annual Seafood Festival, which it rained one day and was beautiful the next. I can't believe its been 20 years for the fest. Seems like forever! September is also about the time that HCA (my second job) wanted me more. They had acquired a new office (Portsmouth Internal Medicine) and one of their staff was out extended and needs some help keeping up with the work. So I am splitting my free time between Clipper and PIM. Its crazy and hectic.

September was also the month of my beautiful friend, Christin getting married. She had a perfect day for a wedding, I was so happy for her. It was also the day of the NH NASCAR race, which sadly I had to miss because I didn't want to miss this important event for my friend. But it was also a perfect day for a race too!

One of my best friends, Tricia announced also, that she is pregnant and due the first part of January! As of right now, she is having a girl and Kaylee is the current name they have picked out. I am so happy for Tricia and Jayson!

One of our dispatchers went to the floor, and became a firefighter! I am so impressed with Kate, she really has the guts and determination. She really is an inspiration. And right now, we are in the midst of hiring a new dispatcher. So I am working extra at the fire station and extra at HCA (doctor's offices). There's been no time for me! I am hoping that this changes soon...I do it to myself though, I really have a hard time saying no.

A few of my girlfriends got together awhile back and we did a weight loss challenge, each week we would weigh in and at the end of the month, the person with the highest percentage of weight loss won. Every other player would pay the winner $10. We would get together once a month and go to dinner, well when Tricia announced that she was pregnant we suspended the contest, but we still have the occasional girls night out. Its nice that I have some wonderful friends that I can vent to and enjoy life with.

And now it's October, I love fair season. Unfortunately due to work, I will probably miss both the Deerfield and the Fryeburg fairs this year. Just the way my schedule fell this year, my shifts fall on the fair dates. Oh well, can't go every year. But I still love fall and can enjoy the season. I love watching the leaves change - the colors are so brilliant. I really still want to take a day and drive up north, maybe I'll have to convince Ben to take me out ;-)

Kelli and I are in talks to join WW again. She had really great success on the plan the last time we did it. And I think if I put my heart into it (more so than last time) that I too will find it successful. I've really got to put a stop to working so much and making a little more time for me.

Work is difficult, we have been working without a contract for 4 years. Which means that I am still working for the same money as when I got hired. It's hard when the town doesn't support you and give you a raise for years, and now the economy has bottomed out, and you don't want to be viewed as greedy and looking for a handout, when other people have been laid off for months on end. Several of my friends have been laid off, and its scary to think that the worst is yet to come. I don't like thinking like this, but its hard not to when its all over the news and in your life. My second job which before was just extra income has become more and more of a necessity.

Things are crazy, I've resorted to using Google's calendar feature to keep track of things, its crazy how life gets, but I need to do it. Its wonderful, and really keeps things in order. I love my life, I really feel like I am living my life to the fullest.

Phew... ok that's a lot! But I have to remember its been 7 months since I last updated, and I am sure I missed many things! I hope to post here a bit more frequently!

Happy Birthday God...aka Chuck Norris

Today is Chuck Norris' birthday. He turned infinity. He was actually born 3 months premature because he had asses to kick.

PS - he's 69 in human years....

So Much Going On Right Now!

I'm back from Vacation! For those of you out there who don't know me, I went to Georgia this past week to see my cousin, Amy. I miss her so. I am so glad that her and I are so close. I love my relationship with her and wouldn't dream of giving it up...to the point that I am trying like h-e-l-l to convince her to move up to NH :-D I highly doubt it will ever happen, she hates the cold...but it still makes for a fun time.

Georgia was fun, but more importantly relaxing. I haven't really had a vacation since August and Bar Harbor, so I was overdue for some time off. Between all the overtime and Toy Bank, I was stretched very thin, and it showed. Things have calmed down a bit more and Thankfully I am trying to get back into the swing of things. In Georgia we went to Atlanta for one day, to the Aquarium and the World of Coca-Cola, both were really cool. The Georgia Aquarium is by far the best one that I have been to and beats the New England Aquarium hands down! We also got to see and spend some time with Kenny and Wendy and their children. It was nice to spend a day with them and get to know Wendy a bit better, since they are now married :-D They have quite a lovely house and life for them in Georgia. I also spent some time with Amy's mom, Barbara and she is a wonderful woman. I can see where Amy gets a lot of her good traits from ;-)

I'm glad to be back home. I missed it here, I missed Ben...the flights home were interesting. Time spent in Airport Terminals...wow...all I have to say is I don't think that I could have a job where I would have to travel a lot. I love to fly, but I just don't think I could do that grind all the time.

Last night Ben and I headed North to his friend Amy's place. Really middle of nowhere...but we had a good time. Game night, and although we did play some games, it was also more of a get to know each other better time as well. I had such a great time. Ben has some amazing friends who care very deeply for him, I just hope that I am meeting their high standards ;-)

While in Georgia, I didn't really focus on eating well and exercising, I just had fun, and I paid for it, I gained a little over 2 pounds. But I am back at it, and plan on hitting Curves 3 times a week and watching what I eat! I've seen pictures of me from my trip and I don't like what I see. I know I can be better and will be better. I even went for a walk today before the rain came.

Things with Ben are going very well. We are actually getting to see more of each other, scary I know! It took the use of Google Calender in order for me to get my life straight and for Ben to be able to know what I am doing. I haven't been able to spend much time on the apartment, we still have a few boxes left over, that need unpacking, but obviously nothing desperately needed. I would like to get my scrapbooking stuff organized and out so I can do that some more. I miss doing that, and I am way behind in my albums.

Anywho, I hope things continue to go well and I can keep up being more organized. I am trying to keep my New Year's Resolutions of some form of exercise at least 3 times a week and also to be more organized. I think that I also mentioned not swearing as much and hanging out with friends more...

To which I can say, that I have hung out with some friends, and we've done the game nights and dinner nights which have been fun and amazing, its nice just to have some chill nights with some good friends and whatnot. The swearing bit...well I think that will always be a work in progress, but I am more mindful of what I am saying...and Ben still catches me every now and again :-D

Baby it's Cold Outside...

So I got in my car this morning and was driving to work. In the Winter my hands get very dry and cracked. So to help cut down on the dryness, I keep hand lotion in my car. Well I went to grab some lotion today, and its frozen...I can't even get a little bit out! Seesh! I had to keep the bottle under my thigh for about 10 minutes before I could use it! Man was it cold out...it's still cold out! Thankfully I replaced my car battery this past summer, so my car really shouldn't have any trouble starting.

I was driving down 101, east of the landing road lights, I was out over the marsh, and I looked out on the ocean and there was this huge snow storm cloud over the water! Ocean Effect Snow! Thankfully it never came ashore. It was so beautiful to look at though!

So in other news, last night I had dinner with a dear friend of mine from grade/high school. It was so good to see Rebecca while she was in town. Some things have changed, but some have stayed the same, and its so nice to see that not everything has changed. I hope its not another 8-9 years before I see her again!

I got on the scale and I am not liking what I see, I had a great low number on Tuesday morning but yesterday and today have not been kind. I chaulk it up to it being a certain time of the month, and I am very uncomfortable, and I'm eating to try and feel comfortable, which isn't working, duh! I have to get out of that mindset! I slipped and fell on some stairs a few days ago so I didn't workout yesterday, but I woke up early this morning and did some Wii Fit, and I intend on going to Curves after work tonight as well.

I have been trying to keep better track of how much I exercise and trying to keep a food journal. It seems to be working more. Just being more aware of what you are doing and what you are eating can help!

Other than that things are going well. :-D

I can be better....

I entered into a weight loss challenge with some friends, 10 dollars a month and the person with the highest percentage of body loss wins. Continue to do each month until we decide to stop.

Well last week I was down a pound, and this week I didn't loose anything. I've been keeping track of my activity and one of my resolutions was to do cardio 3 times a week. I think what I need to be doing is cardio every day plus Curves (strength training) 3 times a week. I think that will kick up my routine the notch that I need.

So yesterday I went to Curves, but I did not get any extra cardio in...so tonight, I'm hitting the Wii for an hour. Tomorrow will be Curves after work and either cardio in the am or at night...I think I am going to do the Wii on my off nights from Curves and for my cardio either go for a walk, or do one of my Walking away the pounds (WATP) DVD's. I am going to track my progress on my calender and hold myself accountable for my goals.

It will be interesting to see what I will have to do while I am in Georgia for 5 days, but I am sure that Amy will be happy to help me.

I can be better...

Happy New Year!

Well my New Year's party went well...not really a party, more like a gathering, no club music, just getting together with friends and playing games and watching Dick Clark and the ball drop. Mind you, Dick Clark, man, the poor guy needs to retire, I just felt bad for him. He is looking older more haggard, and his voice...oh I just felt bad.

So as far as any New Year's Resolutions. Which I never know why I keep making them, they are bound to fail. I don't think I know anyone who has successfully kept a resolution...

Anyways, my resolutions (Self torture) are, to be more mindful of my language. I swear entirely too much. It's very common to use foul language at the fire station and I just do not think that its very becoming of a lady to use such language. So I will soon have a swear jar...and every time I swear, I have to pay 25 cents. I've been keeping track so far, and its already above $7 in slip-ups. Even more of a reason to think before I speak...That was part of the fun on New Year's Eve was to come up with a list of no-no words that I cannot say.

My second resolution is to get some form of cardio in 3-4 times a week. Whether it be a walk, Curves, Wii Fit, just something. And at least for 20 minutes. Since the first of January I've been to Curves 4 times. It would have been 5, but they closed early due to weather so I went home and did the Wii Fit. Actually, I've done cardio mostly everyday. I think I have only missed 3 days.

Curves has a weight management class that I am going to partake in. And also I will be making an appointment with a nutritionist to see if they can help me. I am such a picky eater and it tends to be the wrong foods. So I am hoping that they can introduce some new foods for me that are better choices to be making.

I hope to carry this enthusiasm throughout the year. I really want to be better and look and feel better. I still have my goal if I hit 250 pounds I can do horseback riding lessons at UNH this summer. Now its a lofty goal, but if I can do it, it would feel so rewarding.

I bought new glasses this week. I had the old ones for almost 5 years, it was time for a new pair. It's hard to imagine that this May will be my 5 year anniversary of me graduating college. Really scary how time flies. Thinking back. I do not think that I would be where I am at now. I enjoy my job and love my job. But never in a million years did I think that I would be working here. Kinda funny how life throws things at you.

Ben and I are doing great. Yesterday we went to Rhode Island to see his best friend Mike and his wife Crystal. We spent the day together just hanging out and catching up. We also went to Dave and Busters for dinner and games. Very cool atmosphere and while Ben and Mike were playing the shooting games, Crystal and I were playing the ticket games. What a fun night! We originally planned on leaving Providence around 8 we didn't leave until 10:30, we were having way too much fun. I fell asleep in the car on the way home, since I had to work today...ugh. And on top of it all more snow. I was late to work this morning, because my stupid landlord does not plow regularly, he waits for the storm to be over...well that didn't help me in my little Honda who wanted to get out this morning....so I got stuck and poor Ben and some random guy had to help get me unstuck. Which reminds me I need to call my landlord later on.

Anywho, things are going well, the new dispatcher officially starts this week. I hope she stays, so that I can get some much deserved time off to rest and get a few things done that have been left undone for far too long.

Take Care!

In other news...

Gross Warning!!! Do not read any further if you don't want to be grossed out! LOL.

So any of you know know me...even just a little bit, know that I talk very openly about many things. One thing I do not like to talk too much about (especially in front of members of the opposite sex) is my period.

I thought that it only happened to me, but while I was reading the December issue of Cosmo, I noticed in the Cosmo Gyno section that it talked about 'my' issue...I call it my PPP (Pre-Period Poo). A day or two before my period would start (BTW - thank God for BCP and regulating my cycle...) I would have a huge bowel movement and I never knew why...

From Cosmo Gyno...Period Mystery Solved; Why Do I Get Diarrhea? Answer - The same body chemicals that trigger uterine contractions to help expel blood inadvertently cause your lower intestine to contract as well. The result: Loose stools. Taking an anti-inflammatory painkiller at the first twinge of cramping stops the contractions.

It kinda makes sense! So at least I know now that it's a) not just me and b) that I can do something about it.

Anywho, I don't know why I felt the need to share that, but oh well.. :-D