Fern-tastic

I feel much better today, which convinces me further that my crappy attitude Sunday and Monday were caused by horrible nutrition. I also went to PiYo yesterday at Refinery, and that did wonders for my mood (unfortunately not my knee). But best of all - I worked in the yard.

Since buying a house in Champaign over 4 years ago, I've worked pretty much nonstop inside and out. That's okay most of the time, because it gives me a sense of satisfaction and makes me really happy. The rest of the time it makes me manic and aggravating. The weather was beautiful yesterday and I didn't feel like painting the bathroom trim - and I needed to plant the ferns my cousin gave me over the weekend. Those 8 little shoots should multiply and spread, filling two beds that desperately needed help. They look pretty great already! Everything was wonderful except for the weeding, which as usual was excessive and neverending. I've realized that even if I do my very best, the creeping charley and clover will ALWAYS win.

People were everywhere and as always, neighbors smiled and waved and actually SPOKE. I love our street. I've battled weeds and roots, rocks and _______ (insert inclement weather of your choice here) and NOTHING has been easy. But it's great therapy and exercise, and when a stranger walked by and said how great my hostas were I beamed with pride. lol

Now I have to get my act together and plant a garden. The bed of knee-high weeds has to go.

Imbalanced

Rode my scooter today! Rain - stay away!

OMG, I'm a big crab lately. I had a really great weekend with my parents but I ate so much sugar and salt that I think I'm off kilter and it's messing with my head. I'm not trying to be all foodie-preachy, but it was really ridiculous. KFC extra-crispy chicken, Taco Bell, rocky road ice cream, popcorn, jelly beans, chocolate, soda, corned beef hash, biscuits - the salmon I had Friday night (in an attempt to start off right) seems laughable now. I can't be around bad stuff - I'm unable to stay away. A fast 40-minute walk Saturday morning was great but really didn't help much.

Life has really slowed down around here, though, thank God! My goal this week is to get back into my gym routine (sciatic issues permitting) with PiYo today and maybe spinning tomorrow. That'll do a world of good for my bad attitude and blood sugar. I'm walking the Kirby Derby 5K Saturday in Monticello. : ) Can I get another PR for this one? I can walk pretty damned fast.
Sadly, I can walk faster than I run....if you've ever played our team in softball, you know exactly which one I am. I joked the other night that I'll be playing at 80, and the walker will help me move faster than I do right now.

OMG, where am I?

Can I say that I HATE how difficult Blogger can be sometimes? This entry is done and spaced all stupid, no matter what I do. Sorry if I end up giving up and it looks terrible...

I've been so stinking busy that I have totally abandoned some things, like writing in this blog. The past month or so has been just crazy - the Keyword to Cash contest has me occupied on two of our four stations, we pulled off another successful Working Women's Expo, and the 3rd annual Christie Clinic Illinois Marathon has come and gone, What else? (these were supposed to have bullets, but it wouldn't work correctly)

I've started physical therapy for a degenerated disc causing sciatica, blah blah blah.

We did a complete bathroom remodel that was wonderful but not without its complications and stresses.

My parents visited Easter weekend and I ate everything that wasn't nailed down (with the grand finale chowfest at the Holiday Inn brunch).

Parkland Concert Band ended with a great concert Sunday, and softball is in full swing two nights a week.

The weather sucks and I've barely done anything outside except mow a couple times. My garden (currently fantastically healthy weeds) is waiting to be planed...after Mother's Day. Of course I'm going home for that this weekend. Because I can't slow down, I checked out three book tapes for the occasion (have to decide en route). There's no such thing as down time with me, really.

Despite all the chaos, things are good. I walked a personal best in the half marathon Saturday - 3 hours, 10 minutes even. That beats my time last fall in Indianapolis by 4 minutes, and my time at last year's C/U race by 12!! Considering my hip/back issues with this disc, I'm thrilled. I love the Illinois Marathon so much....what a tremendous event. If you were a volunteer or enthusiastic spectator, THANK YOU. If you're the guy who was pissed on WCIA because he sat in traffic for so long, you might want to check the race guide (or listen to our pre-race broadcast) for traffic info before you drive right into the mess.

This is a pic of me and my great friend, Bettina, after we crossed the finish line together.

"Heaven in Your Eyes"

That was my Prom theme - yes, I'm pretty much putting my age out there, but that's all right. The only option to being my age is not being ANY age anymore, and between the two I'll take getting older wholeheartedly. I bring up Prom because I just had a really happy moment on the air. Our audience is mostly comprised of women in their 30s and 40s, and when you say "Prom" most either roll their eyes (overrated event) or can barely remember that night so long ago. I agree with both sentiments, personally. But today I got a super sweet email from a boy named David, asking if I could help him ask "Lori". Long story short, I went on the air and passed that on...she heard it and screamed...and said yes. : ) It's a tiny moment in my day, but will surely be a HUGE memory for both of them. That makes me really happy. I know I haven't written in a super long time, but between the Keyword to Cash contest and a bathroom remodel (starting tomorrow) at home, I'm crazy stressed and distracted. Of course my stress is nothing compared to how it must've felt to publicly ask that girl to Prom!

I miss you, Don Draper

I'm a HUGE Mad Men fan. I love everything about the critically-acclaimed show - the characters, the dialogue, the style, the unwavering attention paid to EVERY detail, and it's luxuriously slow pace. I love the drinking and smoking, I'll admit it. It's so sinful...and accurate. (Heck, I was watching Carrie last night and the gym teacher was smoking in the principal's office! Things used to be a lot different.) Mad Men is gorgeous and indulgent and amazing. The men are infuriating yet somehow charming (e.g. Roger Sterling). And don't get me started on Don Draper. OMG. It's an odd thing to say, but I really don't like watching Jon Hamm on SNL or 30 Rock. He's funny and smiles too much and it weirds me out. If you watch MM, you know what I mean. If you've never given the show a chance, get the first 4 seasons on DVD. They're all available...and you'll have PLENTY of time to catch up in time for season 5. It was finally announced that creator/producer Matthew Weiner has resolved contractual issues, and we'll get three more seasons (with no casting cuts)! Unfortunately, 5 won't start til March of 2012. Thank goodness Nostradamus isn't calling for the end of the world til December!

Wow!

If life were a yearbook and there was a "Best Nails" award, I'd win today.

I went for my 3rd manicure at BJ Grand Salon and Spa, and Lisa said I was ready for french tips. My nails have really grown a lot and while I loved the purple from last time, I think the look above is really ME. Wow! A friend at work just asked, "Are those YOUR real nails?!?" Yes, they are. For the first time in my life, all 10 are perfect. I'm telling you, if you're desperate to stop biting (so nasty), THIS is the way to do it. I've never looked down and actually seen PRETTY, feminine hands...and I'll do whatever it takes to keep them.

Really, Miley?

I've been shaking my head for the past few hours at a statement Miley Cyrus made. I typically don't pay her much attention and since I don't have kids I've never been subjected to "Hannah Montana." I realize many little girls love(d) her, and I get the whole teen idol thing. We've all worshipped stars only to laugh (or cringe) years later. I had a Shawn Cassidy iron-on t-shirt. I had Teen Beat pages taped all over my walls. If your daughter loves Miley/Hannah, I'm sorry if you're offended that I'm critical. But on USA Today's website, I couldn't miss this headline: MILEY CYRUS BITTER ABOUT REBECCA BLACK LOL! That just makes me laugh. Miley is NOT happy about Rebecca's ridiculous rise to fame after "Friday!" went viral (nearly 70 million views), and had the nerve to say, "It should be harder to be an artist." I can't even fully wrap my head around how crazy that is coming from her. I totally agree with you, Miley. And to you I say, "A person should be able to sing before they become a star."