Random Musings from The TravelDiva

I had a wonderful day last Thursday. My appointments for work went well. Then I met Sissy for lunch and I hadn't laughed that hard in a while. It is always great to hang with her. After lunch, I found a Starbucks across the street from TriBecca's gym and got 2 hours of work done. That evening I did spin & swim with TriBecca. When I got home, The FireMarshall had made me some dinner.

I slept like a baby.

I went shopping for a bathing suit to train in on Friday. The dressing room had a three way mirror inside. Got the bathing suit on and I immediately had a MELT DOWN. I that mirror (and probably reality) I looked like a whale trying to squeeze into a seal suit. MELT DOWN. It was so bad, I immediately called a lifeline (Ms. Pattey) but she wasn't in to talk me off the ledge. I had to practice some yoga breathing and work on my self-talk so I wouldn't commit Hara-Kiri right there in the dressing room.

I've got work to do.

I had a physical on Saturday. SIGH. Preliminary results say that I am short, fat & hypertensive. "Do you have a headache" is NOT what you want to hear as they take your BP 4 times to confirm. I don't even want to really know the rest of the details from my blood work - I already know that I am a walking ball of death. Do I need a spreadsheet of data to confirm that my head might pop off at any moment. To top it off, I'm peri-menopausal. KILL ME NOW. Please, thank you. My doctor (she is actually a PA) is VERY detailed oriented and gives you a to-do list. I am scheduled for an Echo, Mammogram, Pap & Ultrasound (checking on those fibroids), Thyroid scan (nodule?), Eye exam. She insisted that I keep a food diary, fill these scrips and make an appointment to see her in six weeks.

After a short pity party, I regrouped. All is not lost. I know what I got to do. Exhaling.

Since my iPhone is an extension of my hand and is with me at all times, I wanted to be able to keep & update my food diary on the go (since I'm always on the go). After a little research, I joined Wei.ght.Wa.tch.ers Online which has a very comprehensive online food & activity tracker. I was motivated.

After one day of tracking my food and activity, I realized that I have essentially been eating WAAAAAAYYYYY too much. When you HAVE to log/write down everything that you put in your mouth either as you are doing it or before (I try not to do it after the fact, 'cause some stuff might not get in there, ya know), you have a tendency to snatch your hand back...at least I do. I ain't about to write THAT down (looks around for a better option, or grabs a bottle of water).

The food diary is a good thing. I believe I will rebound. I have faith.

Prince Jordan is home for Spring Break. He is hella-funny.

The past two nights, my house has been the Kool-Aid Mama house as all of Prince Jordan's crew came by to hang out. The carnage thus far has been a devastated refrigerator, a broken mask left on in pieces on the floor and a stolen bottle of MY Makers Mark. The Prince managed to get it back (well, he got a new bottle from the perp), but had to tell him "Ya know, Man, you can't come over any more - I told you not to touch my Momma's ish. She don't play that."

You know The FireMarshall & I have "The Most Wanted" posters up on the wall in the kitchen. We just added a new perp to the roster. WHY do I have to be this way?

Those recipies for Bacon & Shrimp Empanadas and the Blue Cheese & Caramelized Onion Empanadas on Today Show Cooking School were FANTASTIC. Absolutely delish and relatively easy to fix.

Guess what? There is app for that! Today Recipes is an app. Now all my favs are at my fingertips.

I love people who believe they are THE Subject Matter Expert on EVERYTHING. I mean everything and if you are not doing it, participating in it or think on it the same way - you are WRONG. Whatever. I do what I want, when I want. I'm not much for being a big follow them cause dey say so kinda chick. I'm just sayin.

Yeah, I do me pretty darn well.

This whole daylight savings time has me totally throwed off today. I'm so behind on everything...could be that I procrastinated too. HUMPH. I still got that run in.

I'm off. Gotta get it together for this work week, hanging with the Prince and jetting off to Kentucky to get my workout on with MsPattey this weekend. Busy Busy.

What Random Musings do you have?

Workout Hair & UmmFooFoo The Bush Byatch

I was having our daily "workout" converstaion with MsPattey and we got to talking about....HAIR. Her concern today was (and I bust out hollerin) that her head was "perfectly round" and thus the head bands she was using to keep her hair outta her face was falling off. Bandana - a no go too! Everything was sliding of her "perfectly round" head. So, added to my assignments for my visit next week is not only to do some training runs with her, but to solve the dilema of the headband on a perfectly round head. I can't wait.

I started talking about my hair as it relates to all this swimming and stuff I've been doing. In general, I honestly don't really think about my hair very much at all. I taught myself how to do my own hair MANY, MANY years ago (...think White mother, black hair and not about to send me to the hair dresser every week). So, working out regularly, doing Bikram Yoga etc. didn't really give me a moments angst about what to do with my hair. I just washed, blow dry, flat iron, style. Kept it movin.

To me...it is just hair.

However, when I added swimming to the mix after I signed up for an indoor triathalon, I had to start thinking about what was I gonna do with my hair after submitting it to chlorine a couple of days a week.

It was suggested by some to go au natural. Well, I considered my hair natural because I don't have a relaxer. Haven't had one in over 3 years. The only chemical I have on my hair is some color...done by my FABULOUS Master Redken Colorist, Amy at Victoria & Alberts. I thought because I don't have a relaxer that was natural. Well, I have been informed (...and by one or two hair nazi's) that I was wrong. NO HEAT. Ummm, okay.

So, I went ahead and tried to do the wash & wear, no heat route a couple of times. NEVER AGAIN. I tried twisting/braiding - followed by a twist out or whatever you call it. I've tried just going with my natural curl pattern with a little mousse/gel/curl master/blah blah blah. I've tried that with pinning it up, trying different hair styling options. I spent a small fortune trying different products and spent upwards of 2 hours twisting, braiding, squishing, fluffing, arranging my damn hair and I still ended up looking like.....

UmmFooFoo The Bush Byatch...PERIOD. Wild. Crazy. The FireMarshall even remarked "Well, that's okay for the weekend in the house, but when we go out together...will you be putting some heat on that?" DAMN. His preference is definitly NOT the no heat natural look. I'm not gonna knock him for that.

Thus, after all that fiddling with my hair (TOO TIME CONSUMING); after all of those products bought (TOO DAMN EXPENSIVE); after the confirmation from the FM that he would prefer I not go that route...I have given up the ghost. I asked him what he thought about me locking my hair and told me it's my hair, if I want to try locs then go for it but his preference is the way I've been doing my hair forever. Nuff said.

I whipped out that blow dryer and flat ironed my hair back to the way it was. DONE.

Now will I do that to my hair every day...after every time in the pool. NERP. I don't have a problem with H.I.B. (Hair I Bought) at all. I have a reciept, so it is my hair. On occassion I plan on whipping out a phonytail, hair piece or even a wig (I have plenty of HIB to choose from) so that I can keep it movin' in and out of the gym without so much as a care in the world.

I would rather spend 2 hours in the gym or with my family then 2 hours fiddling with my hair to try and get it to look fabulous. I just don't look fabulous like all my natural friends do; I don't care to spend a whole heap of time trying to get it that way - and I'm not ABOUT to go out the house looking crazy as I "work on it". Locking would be the only other alternative and that just isn't FM's preference.

So, to not look like UmmFooFoo The Bush Byatch - that crazy, crunchy haired woman who looks like she don't know what to do with all dat hair - you'll see me rocking my bandana, ponytail or headband at the gym and maybe some HIB later if I don't have time to do my hair myself. My hair WILL NOT EVER keep me from my workout or goals.

It is just hair...to me

Hardcore Workouts

That is your heart...That is also your heart beating rapidly after working out with me...at least according to TriBecca. Yeah, yeah...I've heard it before...I'm kinda "hardcore" with my workouts. I actually think it is more like focused & intense. When I am working out, I ABOUT it. I don't pussy foot around. I'm also not cute when I workout. I'm there to workout - NOT to pick up some guy or to impress anybody else. I'm sweating, my hair is probably wrapped up under some bandana, and if I came from work - then my makeup is probably all running down my face or I don't have any on at all.

NOT CUTE. I'm about business.

TriBecca and I got our workout ON tonight. Seriously. We did a 45 min spin class first. Sprints & Hills. Uggaaaahhhh! We had a great class. Yes, I did look over at TriBecca and firmly declared that she needed to stop bouncing on that seat. She grinned at me with the smile that will get you to do just about anything (like sign up for a triathalon)...but she did add a little more resistance so that she wasn't jiggling up and down.

(Kudo's to the VERY large gentleman to my left for tearing it up in spin; however, I was very concerned for his - ya know - cause that bike seat disappeared for 45 min. I hope you are okay and can sit tomorrow. I recommend the treadmill for awhile, doh)

I really enjoy working out with TriBecca. She inspires me and pushes me to work even harder. We don't talk much - 'cause we busy breathing gasping - but we push each other through.

After we finished the spin class, off to the pool we went. LAWD HAB MURCY. That damn pool gonna be the death of me. 30 min of laps, 800 feet or meters or whatever is equivalent to 16 laps. Yeah, I was DAWG tired. I wanted to turn to TriBecca and say "Ize tired, boss. Dawg tired. Can I rest now." She wasn't having none of that. With that damn GRIN, she replies "5 more minutes." HUMPH. But, ya know, I went ahead and gave her a good 5 more min & 3 more laps.

I may have zapped her in spin, but this new fish lady has opened a can of pool whoop azz on me. How da hell am I 'spoze to hold my coffee cup tomorrow.

I am loving this workout with buddies thing.

Just makes me even more Hardcore!

...Are you ready for me next weekend MsPattey?

StoneWall Steptoe

...because "don't nuttin get past him"

Being the mother of a goalie is one of the most nerve racking, nail biting jobs out there. I manage somehow. Nevertheless, you'll know that I am a huge fan when you hear me yelling "Be Beastly!!!" during the games. Now I have a new nickname to add to "BEASTLY!".... STONEWALL - cause nuttin get's past him - after Indian Tech's win against Perdue.

GO WARRIORS!

It Takes A Village

I talk to MsPattey (AKA HandyHotNESS-Kentucky) almost every day - sometimes 2-3x a day - just depends on what's going on. Lately we have been talking about fitness, working out, eating healthy and just DOING THE DAMN THING to be better - stronger. She has been following TriBecca's Journey and loves the fact that we (some of the Usual Suspects here in the DMV) support each other, workout together, talk with each other and basically help each other stay accountable in our journey of fitness, health and achieving new goals.

She lamented that she wished she had that out her way. She doesn't have a Tribe or a couple of Usual Suspects that she can hang with, run with, workout with...etc. etc. I have to admit that this blog/FB/Twitter thing and the subsequent friendships that I have made here in the DMV and beyond is just amazing. I appreciate it and value the relationships that have come from it. However, right now...I am MsPattye's "Tribe" (and Swaz too).

It takes a village to not only raise up kids, but it takes a village to keep us accountable to our goals and visions...to believe in us when we stumble...to pick us up when we fall and put us back on the road. It takes a village to be a cheering squad, to provide great advice as well as constructive criticism.

...And isn't it wonderful when you achieve that goal - the dream, to have A Village there with you to celebrate. They were there for the journey and they are there at the triumphs (and even the setbacks).

I ask you to join me and add one of my bestest friends in the world to your "Tribe" - your village and follow her as she Embraces the Journey. Check out her blog...and let's all

GET 'ER DONE!

An Act of Congress-Verizon's EPIC FAIL Resolved

Today! we have resolution. After 30 days of no service, 1 service call where the tech didn't really want to do what it was gonna take to make the repair (trace every jack in the house), 3 more scheduled appointments - 3 no shows...I managed to get a tech to come to the house.

What did it take...practically an Act of Congress. I have a friend who is a liaison for a Congressman. This person saw my rants on FB and asked me if she could help. I said I would take all the help I could get. A few phone calls & emails and I had a point of contact at Verizon that had some power/pull to make things happen. I talked with this VERY NICE woman this morning and she promised I would have a tech out to my house today. She even called me twice with updates. I don't know exactly what she did, but the tech told me on the phone (I couldn't believe I was actually talking to the repair man) that someone had freed up his afternoon schedule and moved my call up in line...he would be at my house in 15min.

After all the drama, I was stunned to say the least.

The tech arrived - a very nice young man - who had to test every jack to trace where the short was, rewired some stuff and WHA LA! I was back in business. It took him an hour. He revealed that it was possible that the previous tech knew what it was going to take and how long, knew he had to make more calls today to make "quota" (did you know that those guys have to make so many FIOS & copper calls a day or "they" start investigation you...to be fired? - WOW), and decided to bolt. It is possible.

I even received an email today from a customer service rep telling me when I would be getting a credit for the time I did not have service.

An Act of Congress.

I still have to say, shame on you, Verizon, for the aggravation, for the poor customer service, for the amount of time that it took you to make this repair & for the fact that it took a phone call from a Congressional Liaison to make this happen. What about all the customers who don't have that kind of advocate? I wonder.

Many thanks to my friend. Many thanks to Ms. S at Verizon, who had the patience of Job with me and made things happen.

I am grateful but DAMN - it should NOT have taken An Act of Congress.

Randoms from Princess Cara's 6th Bday Party

20 6year old kids, Chuck E Cheese and a birthday - wear is my flask.

"Are we out of district?" - The location was off Rt 40 in Baltimore. We didn't have a problem identifying any of our guests and helping directing them to our tables & booths. Imma let you figure out why.

Yet The FireMarshall quipped all dead pan..."We are having a 'We Are The World' party". I hollered.

Why was there a moment when I thought I needed to have security for Princess Cara's gifts. They took up an entire booth. THANK YOU! There was some longing eyes.

"You invited the entire Kindergarten class?" *Knitting brow, thinking who was I gonna leave out* Yes. "Wow, must be nice."

I hate people sometime.

YES! I did arrange to have snacks & sodas for the parents. Why? Cause most parents stay with their kids. I just think it is polite. It wasn't Filet Mignon & champagne. Stop walking around all shocked with a wing in your mouth. Seriously.

Princesses Erin & Charlee were the BESTEST sisters in the world. They ensured Cara had a good time, supervised all the kids and allowed me to just take pictures. Job well done!

Princess Cara was just SOOOOOO happy today. Wait till I make her sign all these thank you notes. Good home training is painful sometimes.

Master Gabrielle came over for a "playdate" after the party. I haven't heard hide nor hare from the two. I think we need to have more playdates.

Happy 6th Birthday, Princess Cara. We love you!