Blog Archive

Sunday, August 30, 2009

A really fun weekend...

I have to say that I had a blast at my friend Jen's wedding. She married her high school sweetheart...so cute!! In trueness of how small the world is, we actually went to high school together...but I don't remember her...she was class of 97 and I was class of 95. Years later we met at work...and have been having fun ever since. In high school, I had two really good friends...both of whom had names that started with J (Jen and Jeremy). And the cool thing is...years later...I have two really good friends...whose names also start with J (Jen and Jamelle). We worked together in the same office for a bit...and have been friends ever since. The Three J's!!! :) Now...if I could only get my J girls on Facebook. Then I will have both sets of J's...

Isn't Jen's cake adorable? So fitting...and you will be happy to know that I did not eat anything bad yesterday despite the amazing food offerings at the wedding. I did have a glass of champagne...but that was the only bad form of carbs. I had a blast out on the dancefloor...and I know that extra bit helped to push me to one of my goals. I am officially Joy minus Ten!!! Now for the next goal...

Saturday, August 29, 2009

Light up my life...

I treated myself to some Vera yesterday...I know right? What a shocker!! One of the groups I interact with regularly at work was nice enough to give me a gift card, so the good news was...it didn't cost me anything. So really, this it isn't that bad. I decided to get something that I had been eyeing for several months...a cute little lamp with a Peacock lampshade. I'm undecided where to keep it at the moment. Should I take it to the office? Should I put it on my writing desk? Should I put it on the desk in my bedroom? So many decisions...but it is so cute.

It is a treat (with no carbs) in salute to my continued focus on being a good diabetic. The past week, despite some rather momentous moments at work, went really well for me. My blood sugars were pretty good. I managed to exercise each night except for one. I have been rather calm despite some long work days and I know that it is because I took time for me each day. Walking before bedtime is the key for me...I let the stress of the day fade away and it also makes the next morning's blood sugar much lower. I really hope that I can keep this up next week too. It is a must..

And in case you curious about any whether or not there is any icing on the cake so far, I am also down 9 pounds already. :)

Friday, August 28, 2009

Thursday 13 - Favorite Movies

Wow...I missed the deadline. I have thirteen things...but it is no longer Thursday. Oh well...in the spirit of fun and a three day weekend...my Friday Thirteen is a lovely listing of 13 of my favorite movies. To kick it up a notch...I added in some of my favorite quotes.

Favorite Movies

1. WallStreet - this was the first rated R movie a saw...is there any wonder I would grow up and get an MBA?? And that was when I fell in love with Charlie Sheen. Everyone else was lusting after Tom Cruise...but not me. "Greed is Good..."

2. Overboard - wonderful in every sense of wonderful. I could watch this movie over and over again. I love the song in the ending credits...but can't for life of me find it anywhere. "Katerina!!"

3. The Saint - this movie is soooo my kind of movie. "You don't believe in all this cold fusion mumbo jumbo..."

4. The Sound of Music - pefection. "...ever since you sat on that silly pine cone."

5. True Romance - alabama and clarence were destined from the start. This movie is brilliant. "Amid the chaos of that day, when all I could hear was the thunder of gunshots, and all I could smell was the violence in the air, I look back and am amazed that my thoughts were so clear and true, that three words went through my mind endlessly, repeating themselves like a broken record: you're so cool, you're so cool, you're so cool."

6. Holiday - ummm Cary Grant...need I say more?? "...and oh how I will believe in those peanuts."

7. Chasing Amy - anything Kevin Smith does it for me. "I am forever changed..."

8. Working Girl - this movie strikes a cord with anyone who has been an assistant. "I am afterall...me."

9. The Talented Mr. Ripley - Jude Law. Jude Law. Umm...Jude Law. "Dick? Dickie? I know you can hear me. What am I doing, chasing you around...? I was going to say I would count to three and if you didn't open the door, but I won't count any more. On you. I won't count on you any more. Whatever it is, whatever you've done or haven't done, you've broken my heart. That's one thing I know you're guilty of, and I don't know why, I don't know why, I just don't know why..."

10. The Wind and the Lion - what every epic should aspire to be. "It is the wind that passes but the sea remains."

11. True Colors - politics...and John Cusack. "My father used to say that friendship is like the morning dew.......... it settles on rose petals... and it settles on some dogshit."

12. The Philadelphia Story - such a sucker for a great love story and a snarky younger sister. "My, she was yar... "

13. Sabrina - any Audrey Hepburn movie really. This one is my favorite...how could you go wrong with a guy named Linus...i mean really?? "No, father. The moon is reaching for me."

Perhaps one of the above is one of your favorites too...

If you would like to check out other Thursday 13's...have at it by clicking here!!!

Tuesday, August 25, 2009

Catapult...

So I have been thinking about words to describe how I have been feeling and all that is going on. The feeling that I have catapulted seems to capture it...I'm not sure if that makes sense from a dictionary standpoint...but I may just have to coin it. Let's just hope I land where I am supposed to land...and that I'm not banged up to badly. Hope, Hope!!

Saturday, August 22, 2009

Balance Lessons...

So I have not been good at balance lately, but I figured something out last night and into very early hours this AM. I am really not living my life very well. My week was full of "did not's" - I did not get a vacation, I did not pay attention to my blood sugar, I did not exercise, and I did not keep things in perspective. All of these things are totally within my control...I am the one who can make my life full "did's" instead of "did nots". Okay...does that make any sense at all??

After having time to see my camp friends it really started to hit me how much I need to make camp a priority in my life again. Like writing, camp is something I just do. I don't think too much...I just swoop in and do whatever it is I do. It seems to work and fit into the greater scheme of things. Thursday afternoon and night were a huge gift for me...so many hugs and smiles. So much happiness. I was overjoyed...and you wouldn't think I could be...but I was. It was just what I needed. This high lasted until about 3pm the next day (yesterday) where work got the best of me and I got totally stressed out again. So much so, that I waved the white flag and left before finishing everything I needed too. It was well after 5:30pm...and I was just done.

I was mad at myself...because I let work take away my camp high. See the key phrase there - I let it happen. So it got me thinking...I can make camp a priority. I can make my diavista life a priority. Those are the parts of my life that are lacking and I really learned this week that they are crucial to my being. I have a sneaking suspicion that I will be much better off at work too. So here is to balance...I am going to make it priority. Perhaps if I write it on my to do list everyday...I will actually do it!!

Thursday, August 20, 2009

Thursday 13 - Status Updates...Camp Style

My Thursday 13 this week is dedicated to some of the status updates I have been creating my head over the past week. Typically during this week of August I would be at Camp Fantastic...but life and work have kept me away this year. That doesn't mean that I have not been thinking about it 24/7 and imagining all of the entertaining facebook status updates I would be creating. Here is my list...hope you enjoy!!!

Facebook Status Updates (if I were at Camp)


1) Joy is happy to see one of her homesick campers from last year back and having a blast. And...I should note...without a wheelchair!!

2) Joy is making coffee for med staff and counselors.

3) Joy has vowed not to be afraid of the popcorn machine and swears not to accidentally drop the F Bomb...because that is not "How How" Language. (Note - "How How" is a camp term that equals all the amazing things about camp, good things, happy things, like a pat on the back or a standing ovation)

4) Joy is sitting on Molden Porch watching the sunrise...before campers start rolling in with their room numbers.

5) Joy thinks Dr. Steve holds up the start of medline and not the med staff.

6) Joy is still in love (after a whole year) with the fabulous duct tape purse that Ann made her.

7) Joy really would love to be a human sundae again...it makes for a perfect ending to Bonkers Day.

8) Joy is so proud that one of her former campers is now a counselor...world turning...it's a beautiful thing.

9) Joy is proudly wearing her friendship bracelet from 2005 because it reminds her of Chass and all that is really important in life.

10) Joy is sitting back and enjoying all of the creativity happening in her creative expressions class.

11) Joy is so happy that there is no cellphone/blackberry reception.

12) Joy is yelling out room numbers and loving every second at it. She never yells...and this is totally prohibited.

13) Joy measures her success by how messy campers can make the "Hot Spot" each time they pass through. The messier the better. She loves to clean it all up...so they can mess it up again!!!


If you would like to check out other Thursday 13's...have at it by clicking here!!!

Saturday, August 15, 2009

Do you have a calculator handy??

Why yes..yes I do. I always do. How else could I calculate how much insulin to give myself after eating X number of carbs. This is my life. Constant subtractions and divisions. Blood Sugar Hight? Subtract from 100 and divide by 20. Ingesting carbs? Divide by seven. So...if you ever need a calculator...I am your gal!!

As long as you don't mind purple...becuase...well...not any old calculator will do.

Friday, August 14, 2009

Boy is this ever true...

I finally took a break from working to eat some lunch...my few days off from work were somewhat interrupted today...but I kind of expected it...so you know me...I planned for it I guess. ;) I was thumbing through the Washington Post as I like to do and then stumbled upon my horoscope. It seems quite fitting for today - -

You are given a pretty tall order. You'll be asked to fill in the blanks and solve problems. This is just the kind of challenge you thrive on.

Wow...accurate much??

Thursday, August 13, 2009

Thursday 13 - Pieces of Me

Another Thursday and I'm a bit late with my 13...but I'm taking a few days off work to recharge...so it doesn't really matter when I get my list done...as long as I get it done. It is one if not the only writing highlight of my week!! :) After blogging a bit about the need to get some balance in my life, I decided to dedicate this weeks Thursday 13 to the pieces of me. The facets that make up who I am. Hope you enjoy...

1) A Vera Bradley enthusiast

2) A Workaholic

3) A Writer who never takes time to write

4) A Hater of Cancer (see #2 above)

5) A Sister who is a best friend

6) A Granddaughter who is patient

7) A Daughter who is a best friend, peer, and baby moose

8) An INFJ who is introverted, intuitive, feeling, and constantly needing closure

9 A Believer that pedicures are one of the best stress relievers

10) A Camp Fantastic Volunteer who will be there in spirit this year (see #4 above)

11) A Romantic who recognizes that he is taking an extra long time to get here...but it is totally worth the wait

12) A Driver who balances safety and fun

13) A Type 1 Diabetic who promises to be better

Well...there you have it...what makes up you??

If you would like to check out other Thursday 13's...have at it by clicking here!!!

Tuesday, August 11, 2009

I am a Diavista...

So now that I am in Week 2, I felt that it was time to blog a bit about one other facet of my personality. As a reminder, here are few:

1) A Vera Bradley enthusiast
2) A Workaholic
3) A Sister (and best friend)
4) A Writer who never takes time to write
5) A Hater of Cancer (see #2 above)

I think that is the short list...but it totally gave me an idea for an upcoming Thursday 13!!

There is another piece of me that I don't pay enough attention to...some may say it is the most important piece. The piece that I should rank first on my list...but I don't. I don't...but I should...before something really bad happens. I am a Diavista (dia - vee - sta)...which is a little tag name I gave myself to give the T1 Diabetes part of my life some snarky, snazzy spice...or should I say give my sugar some snark and snazz? Anyway...back to the original point of this post...for those of you who know me you know that I am not a good diabetic. I guess. I intuit. I float along taking no real responsibility for things. I know right? Me lackadaisical about something??

Well it will be 22 years since I was diagnosed at 10 at the end of September...and given all that is going on at the moment...work especially...I need to be better balanced. I need to pay attention to what I need. I need to pay attention to me. I know, I can't believe I just wrote that...but I'm starting to believe that it is true. Actually I know it is true...so I am taking active steps to make this happen. Perhaps my Thursday 13 will be a list of those things...I was going to do it on my favorite movies...but maybe I should save that one for a rainy day.

Stay tuned...much like my musings about Vera...this could be quite an entertaining ride. :)

Monday, August 10, 2009

A little bit of Vera's what I need...

A funny thing happened on the way to the grocery store yesterday, I had a hankering for some Vera. Actually, it was just one item in particular...a lanyard for my work ID and keys. Seemed simple enough...the biggest decision I had to make was which pattern to get it in. I picked Pirouette in case you were wondering. But then I saw them...the new microfiber bags...thump, thump...thump, thump. The 100th Anniversary Journal...thump, thump...thump, thump...I am in love again. And about to splurge a bit on some Vera.

The journal is adorable and covered in many past Vera Bradley Patterns...it is a visual history to all the Vera's we have loved before. You remember your very first pattern...and the exact purse style. I resisted for years because I have always had a purse and bag "problem". I will never forget when my fellow Vera Girls came back from a sale and told me that I needed to go. The rest...well...I don't need to go on...but I will. I bought a limited edition plaid bag that was a cute octogon shape. Then...some Chelesa Green...and then Emily...and then...well...you really don't want me to go there.

So today my new black microfiber Crossover Hipster made it's debut at work and it is super cute!! I love the shape and it looks quite smart with my fabulous red patent work tote. I of course got a wallet to match...very functional. Lots of pockets and plenty of nooks & crannies to store all kinds of things. I fully recognize that I have a problem...but sometimes you just need a new purse. It sparks something inside...gives you an extra kick and boosts your spirits. Vera always delivers...never a moment of buyer's remorse. Never ever...

Thursday, August 6, 2009

Thursday 13 - Guest Blogger

Thirteen Things....

today marks the 29th anniversary of when my sister and i first met in person. while i can't say i remember any of it (i wasn't 24 hours old yet!) i've heard many times of how our Grandpa held her up so she could look in the hospital nursery window at me. but i'm sure if i knew what i was going on i would have greated her with a resounding wazzzupppp!!! so, anyway, in honor of our 29 fabulous years as being sisters and best friends, Joy has graciously let me do a guest Thursday Thirteen in honor of this fabulous event.

so, on to the list. i can't thing of one cohesive theme for this, so the best i can do is write a random list of thirteen things about whatever.

1. running errands, especially going to target. there is so much fun to be had, from raiding the dollar bins and getting hot dogs to buying organizational items and cute sticky notes. there is like, no better way to spend some quality time.

2. going to shows. my favorite thing is the moment when you first get inside the place (after going through the gate thing where you get our ticket scanned) and hit the restroom, even if you don't need to, because that is the only time you know there's still paper towels.

3. taking morning walks when on vacation. she totally puts up with me stopping every two minutes to snap pictures of ducks and clouds, and when i get cranky and tired.

4. reading books together or in succession. it's so fun getting each other's perspective or guess on what's going to happen. i especially love it when she's reading a book after i have, because she always figures out what's going to happen.

5. i love when she stops by my office. it's always a nice surprise, even if i knew she was coming over. i love that we get to work down the hall from each other.

6. vera! it's so much better when you can share. and it's great, because we like fairly different pallates so between to two of us, a coordinating bag can be found to go with any kind of outfit.

7. i can't wait until we retire so we can travel and do whatever we want. we have so many wonderful plans!

8. throwing parties. she is so fabulous at planning menus and getting decorations and things. even if we're just having dinner out on the deck, it is so much fun making a fun evening for the family.

9. christmas shopping. we always go the last weekend before christmas and get all of our shopping done. its a great tradition.

10. getting oil changes. we get some einstein bagels and coffee and wonder around the grocery store. there's always something to do!

11. winnie the pooh. when the going gets tough and things are really bad, there is great comfort to be found in reading it aloud to each other.

12. movies and books about siblings. there's pretty much always one sibling each of us can identify with. and of course, it's so hard to take when one sibling is a total meanie and horrible. we're lucky that we find it so horrible and unlikely that a sibling could behave that way toward another.

13. no matter what is happening, we are always there for each other. there is nobody more important!

snaps for sisterhood!

If you would like to check out other Thursday 13's...have at it by clicking here!!!