Our Country We Strengthen - The Strength of the Nation

The AUSA (Association of the United States Army) Conference & Expo was this past week at the Washington Convention Center. The Theme: The Strength of the Nation - U.S. Army. I was there with The FireMarshall & staff as The Steptoe Group, LLC did a demonstration with Bo.ei.ng. If you have never been to AUSA, you have not seen an exposition yet. It boggles the mind. The equipment, the companies, the demo's - unbelievable. If you do business with the Government and/or Military - then you NEED to attend AND your company NEEDS to become a Sustaining Member of the AUSA. The deals are done & contacts are made by attending the AUSA events. That's where the decision makers, deal breakers & contract awarders are at. If you're not - well, good luck with that. I'm just sayin'.

The convention also afforded The FireMarshall & I the opportunity to get together with several of our classmates that were in town for the Conference or just lived in the area. It was so great to see everyone. Thank you, DebH & TedF or coordinating the event and getting us all in the same room--I know that with all of our busy schedules and families that it is like herding cats.

Here is a short video I put together from the pictures I took at the our Mini-Reunion.

Our Country We Strengthen - Class of 1987

The Army Ten Miler

Check these ladies out! This is Team The Usual Suspects! We came together from near & far to run this race together as a team. What a wonderful experience. From the team energy, laughter & shenanigans - ummm...we are glad that Sweet Neet managed to read the team emails in time to actually get her race packet...and that one husband didn't actually end up driving to the Richmond Marathon due to wrong directions left - FUNNY!!! - to the 30K runners plus all the spectators ---- It made a great day for a race.

The weather was phenomenal too! I think my body finally decided to say, "Seriously?! 10 more miles. Did you not just do a Triathlon, a 5 miler and now you want me to do WHAT?! Naw player, Imma slow this heffa down with a hamstring strain." With sheer determination and feeling like I was running like Quasimoto - dragging one leg behind me, I finished the race is 2:06. Nothing earth shattering, but within a reasonable amount of my goal which was 2 miles.

My body actually hurts worse today than after the Triathlon. I think my body fired a warning shot over the bow. REST or ELSE. I'm taking the week off and then I'm going to start up with the Insanity Workout & the 100 Pushup/100 Situp routine...till about Jan/Feb.

*looks around room to see if my body is evesdropping* Then I'll start training again for some races & 2-3 Tri's. SHHHHH!!! Don't tell the FireMarshall.

Thank you to Team Usual Suspects for a great race - NEXT YEAR?! Also, many thanks to Becca, GBaby & Pier that came out to cheer us on at the finish line. It makes SUCH a difference to have a personal cheering section. NO DOUBT. Thank You!

Dinner with Friends

This was definitly a action packed, fun filled weekend. It started with a Dinner Party in honor of one our favorite bloggers - ForNot over at Forward Notion. We had such a wonderful time...especially if 6 bottles of wine and a huge bottle of vodka (for the Halloweeni Martini's) was any indication or the fact that we didn't wrap it up until about 2am. Just fun times.

The FireMarshall even got into the action and hooked up Pandora and we used the kitchen floor and our makeshift dance floor - ROCK, SKATE!

Here is a video slide show of the fun times. Enjoy!

Say Cheesecake!

Last night I hosted a soiree in honor of one of our favorite bloggers, ForNot over at Forward Notion and I made a....

Pumpkin Cheesecake with Gingersnap-Pecan Crust & Maple Sour Cream Topping

It was DELISIOUS!!!! I got a bunch of requests for the recipie, so here goes:

For The Crust -

Process; Stir in:

24 small gingersnap cookies (to make 1 cup crumbs)

4 grapham crackers (to make 1/2 cup crumbs)

1/2 cups pecan halves, toasted

3 T.unsalted butter, melted

2 T. sugar

Pinch of salt

For The Filling -

Beat; Add:

3 pkg. cream cheese, room temperature (8oz each)

1 cup sugar

1 can pumpkin puree (15oz)

3 eggs

1 t. vanilla extract

1/2 t. ground cinnamon

1/2 t. ground ginger

1/4 t. ground nutmeg

1/4 t. ground cloves

Juice of 1/2 a lemon

For The Topping -

Whisk Together

1 1/2 cups sour cream

1/3 cup pure maple syrup

Preheat oven to 325; coat a 9" springform pan with nonstick spray.

Process gingersnaps for the crust in a food processor until fine (remove any big chunks); transfer to a bowl. Process crackers until fine and add to cookie crumbs. Pulse nuts until chopped and add to crumb mixture. Stir in butter, 2 T. sugar, and salt until sandy, then press into bottom and 1" up sides of prepared pan. Place pan on a baking sheet and bake for 10 minutes, or until lightly golden. Remove and cool slightly.

Beat cream chese and 1 cup sugar for the filling in a bowl with a hand mixer until fluffy. Add pumpkin, eggs, vanilla, spices, and lemon juice; beat until incorporated, craping down the sides of the bowl periodically.

Pour filling over crust and bake 50-55 minutes, or until sides are set but center is still slightly jiggly. Remove cheesecake from oven (leave oven on).

Whisk sour cream and syrup for the topping together in a small bowl. Carefully spread topping over cheesecake, return it to the oven, and bake 15 minutes more, or until set. Turn oven off, crack the door, and leave cheesecake inside for 20 minutes. Remove from oven, cool to room temperature, then cover loosely with plastic and chill overnight. To serve, remove sides from the pan, then slice with a sharp knife dipped in hot water and wiped dry before each cut.

Enjoy! We sure did.

No Way Out? No Options?

I don't think I've ever believed that I had no options; no way out of a situation. I've never been in a place in my life where I would let other people abuse me, diminish my worth, de-value me and/or use me like their personal byatch because I felt that I had no way out - no other options - no where else to go.

That is the situation the girl who is the not only the Nanny but also the Personal Assistant Byotch to the Executive Director at the little start up I am was working at feels she is in. It is just a sad state of affairs...

...and after hearing her story and working with this girl for over 4 months, I am so pissed off about the situation I could spit nails. I have spent every evening after the convention we were working at last week listening, coaching & trying to give some moral support to this young lady who fought back tears trying to figure out how she was going to make it (both mentally & financially) if things keep going as they are. I was so fired up that it became a mini-mission to help her back onto a track where she isn't being used like a "Hebrew slave" of old - making bricks with only the straw she cleaved from the fields during off hours. HUMPH!

I told (via Twitter) the story about the alleged "actress/model" the company hired to work as a "floor girl" for the booth. Her job was to pass out brochures and get doctors to come to the booth. Well, she got to Chicago and when she found out that she would have a roommate and that the room was not ready upon her arrival - she up and quit. Re-booked her flight for the next morning and rolled out stating "I'm an actress & model and I don't room with other people." Whatever. Girl Bye. I got this 2 bathroom suite all to myself.

Not so fast. The HR person had this itty bitty room (you couldn't have the bathroom door open at same time as closet or main door) and asked if her roommate could move to my suite. Being the nice lady that I am not, I said sure. So, that is how I ended up rooming with the Executive Directors Personal Assistant Byotch (PAB).

PAB moves in and during our honeymoon (get to know ya) period, I find out that this chick is 22 years old with a son and a triflin' baby daddy. Now PAB has GOT to be THE HARDEST WORKING, most detailed oriented, meticulous, dedicated 22 year old I have ever met. Whenever I have tasked her to do something in the office, she always delivers above & beyond the call of duty. Without question - Without hesitation.

So, when she lamented about he $30/day per diem, asked if we were getting that money AT the show, sobbed that she had used all her cash paying for cabs running back & forth to the hotel/Hom.eD.epot/Tarje' for booth items and finally blurted out that she only makes $800 every two weeks to act as the Directors Nanny & PAB, I lost it.

She went on to tell me stories of how:

• she has been asked to stay late (w/o overtime) to work - sometimes till 10pm or later
• pick up the director's kids (making PAB late to get her own son to the tune of $10 every 30min late w/o reimbursement)
• yelled at for leaving the desk to go to bathroom (nobody else is qualified to pick up the MF'n phone)
• pay to feed the Directors kids w/o reimbursement
• called at all hours of the night to do random stuff w/o compensation (I say don't answer the friggin phone)
• if the Directors CC is declined or she doesn't have cash to give PAB, asks her to use PAB's own money and she'll get it back to her - taking days & sometimes weeks to do so.
• ...and so on & so on & so on

I asked PAB why she didn't "just say no"; why didn't she tell the boss that "this is unacceptable" or "I can not accommodate your requests without immediate compensation" and what not. That was when PAB told me the "thing" that kept her "afraid" to do or say anything. She proceeds to tell me the story about the time she was living with her baby's daddy (BD), but he decided it would be more fun to live with his boy than PAB & his son. BD and his boy thought it would be best if they got PAB to pay B.G.&E and cable set up and then they would put PAB out...on the street. SERIOUSLY? Who puts their kid & kid momma out on the street? WHO DO DAT? N. E. Way...PAB overheard the plot, confronted them and friend decided PAB need a good ole slappin' around while BD just watched. GTFOOHWTBS! PAB fought back while BD watched and must have got some good licks in cause friend presses assault charges. Now PAB has a PBJ (probation before judgement) on her record. And she still got put out.

She's afraid she can't get a job anywhere due to the PBJ on her record (she got an offer somewhere, but it got rescinded after background check - she didn't disclose) and took a job as the nanny for the Executive Director on a family recommendation which morphed into more and now she is getting pimped out at the office.

This girl is the nanny & PAB for $1600/month. DAMN. The average rate in Maryland for just a Live-out nanny is $500-700/week ($2000-2800/month). Just the nanny part. She takes care of those kids & works in office. Hmmmm. I know the kids are in school during the day now, but she need to get paid at least the going rate for both jobs...at least. I'm just saying.

I tried to tell her that she still has options. She is still afraid. She wants to take care of her son without borrowing money from her parents or relying on an inconsistent and unreliable baby daddy...yet the fears are paralyzing her.

I immediately text'd a friend to see if she was still hiring. I called a few other friends to find out if they needed an assistant. I told PAB to send me her resume and I would update it for her and help her shop it around. If you are looking for a nanny or personal assistant, I personally vouch for this young lady. I'm a pretty good read of people and she is what we wish all of our young people would be...Duty, Commitment, Dedication, Perseverance, Drive. If nobody scoops her up, then I'm hoping The Steptoe Group can (will) in a few months. I'd like to see her catch a break.

There ARE options. There IS a way out. I'm encouraging her to keep her head up. This too shall pass. SIGH.

I LOVE MY HAIR

I saw this on FB yesterday and thought it was so KEEEEE-UUUUUU---T.

I love my hair!

I don't talk about my hair (or hair period) much.

It's Hair. It just isn't that much of a big deal to me. I started learning how to do my own hair when I was bout 10 or so. My mother was sick of trying to figure out what to do with it besides two pic-tails or two ponytails on each side, I was sick of that too and she wasn't about to send me to the hairdressers at 10. Nerp. I've taught myself how to wet set, twist, blow out, flat iron, curl, put in relaxers, give a trim...blah blah blah...all on my own. Doing my hair now on a daily basis ain't nuttin' but a thing to me.

I like my hair how I like it. It is about as natural as it is gonna get - no relaxer, a little color professionally done every now and then, flat ironed or curled with a curling iron. From wash to final do - 1 to 1-1/2 hours. That's it. I use the products that my colorist recommends and that's that.

I love my hair...and I'm teaching Princess Cara to love her hair - though she is going through a spell where she wants "long hair" as she calls it. What that means is she wants to wear her hair "out" like the little white girls in the class and be able to fling it around. That makes my life a living hell because I'm the one that has to do it every dang on day. So, (and you hair nazi's are not gonna like this - WHATEVER!) I put a texturizer in her hair and we deep condition each week & wrap our hair every night. This week, I even was a HORRIBLE hair Mommy since I wanted to give her hair a rest (no heat, not pulling, etc) so I cornrowed her hair up into a bun on the top and (OMG!) I attached a couple of ringlets (it's her hair - I have a receipt) to the top. THE HORROR. She loves it. And it takes either me or The FireMarshall 5 min to "do" her hair.

We are happy & stress free, Daddy is learning how to do girl hair too (he is a monster with a flat iron - impressive) and Princess Cara is looking like the princess that she is. Happy Happy Joy Joy.

We love our hair.

Out of The Game

I was talking to one of my recently single girlfriends the other day and she regaled me with a "dating" story that happend to one of her co-workers. It was a doosey and left us with a lot more questions that we could answer. Why? Cause obviously we have been out of the dating game WAAAAAYYYYY too long and just don't get the new fangled dating rules of the 21st technological century.

So - maybe some of my single readers can chime in and help us out.

What had happend was...

MissA told MissB that she wanted to introduce her (MissB) to a guy she thinks would be great match. MissB says okay. MissB & MisterMan start communicating via phone & text. She sends a head shot of herself, he sends one back. He then says that he is going to send another picture and he hopes that MissB can handle it. (RED FLAG ON THE PLAY in my book, but I digress). MissB says okay.

Wait for it....Wait for it...He sends a picture of The Full Monty of
himself.

That ended all future converstation for MissB with MisterManNasty.

Here are our questions?

• What kind of a guy carries ON HIS PHONE a nekkid picture of himself?
• What kind of a guy thinks it is even REMOTELY okay to send ANY woman that mess?
• Where do you go from there in the dating game now that you've seen all the goods without so much as a real date?
• Do you date after sharing the Full Monty or do you just go straight to bumpin' uglies buddies?
• Is there a protocol/rules for dating when you get almost to the chex stage by sexting?
• Who should get the beatdown first? MissA for introducing you to such ignorance or MisterMan?
• Is this what is normal in the dating world these days?

My girl and I have been out of the dating game for over 20 years. All I can do is shake my damn head. I have no words. Help us out...What ya'll got to say about this?

Smoke Signals

The FireMarshall and I were up until about 1:00am Friday night talking & catching up with one of OUR Top Mafia (*side note - do you and your husband have any Top Mafia together/in common?) that is GOING THROUGH IT!!!!...like Through the Fire going through it. For all of the upheaval, drama, uncertainty, heartbreak and just uggggaaahhh! - he is still standing.

He sounded strong. He is going to survive...and what a testimonial he will have.

There was a lot of introspection and if hind sight were 20/20 yet he is moving past that woulda, coulda, shoulda and moving forward. It is a sight to behold.

Now, I don't know how the conversation steered toward what was going on in my head (yeah I do - The FireMarshall wanting to fix/solve/repair anything that he thinks might be amiss - and I appreciate the effort), but it did. Guys - I'm good. I'm not going to all of a sudden become some sullen, bitter woman and run off and do something irrational because I've harbored this feeling too long and it went all sinister. If that was the case, I've have gone Lizzy Borden a LOOOONNNG time ago. Seriously, I'm fine. Just because I express my thoughts out loud does not necessarily mean that I need y'all to immediately find a solution. Everything can't be fixed with a man-aid. Listening, empathy, head nodding, some positive affirmations - that part is good. The "Baby, let me tell you what you need to do" - Not so much.

I appreciate the concern, but I know my role. I play my position and for that I generally get to do whatever the hell I want, when I want. I'm good. Sometimes a Diva just wants more.

I'm a work in progress.

I really didn't know what else to say after all that solution finding-here's what you should do advice I was being given. I appreciated the thought from both of these men...I did...but I don't need fixing. A group hug, doh, that would be great. N. E. Way...I was left with my thoughts, yet felt a little bummed that I had nothing left to add to the conversation.

Until Saturday evening. I was straightening up my desk in my bedroom and I found a "Reflections & Meditations" sheet I had saved from a trip I took to Green Valley Resort & Spa in Nevada a few years back. (I am NOT a hoarder). It was entitled Smoke Signals:

A lone shipwreck survivor on an uninhabited island managed to build a rude hut in which he place all that he had saved. Every day he prayed to God for deliverance and anxiously scanned the horizon in hopes of seeing a passing ship.

One day while he was cooking breakfast in his little house, he saw on the horizon the outline of a ocean liner. Frantically he ran to the beach and jumped up and down excitedly, waving his arms and screaming at the top of his lungs. Alas, the ship just kept going and made no movement in his direction.

Dismayed and dejected, the man turned back to his hut and found that it had caught fire. Within the hour it burned to the ground; all that he had was gone. The man sat on the rock and cried -- surely this was the worst day of his life.

The next morning the ship arrived to rescue him. He was elated beyond word.
"How did you know I was here"? he asked the captain. "We saw your smoke signal." the captain answered. - Adapted from Walter A. Heiby

What is the lesson from this story? What is the message I want to leave with my friend?

Never judge an experience on face value alone. Sometimes what seems to be the worst thing that could happen turns out to be the best. A setback is really a setup (didn't we talk about that?) and behind every tragedy awaits a gift. If you are open to the gift, it will be revealed.

I'm open. I can see the horizon. How about you, my friend? From what I heard - I know you are.

I love you always....

Live Brilliantly

Back in March, I ended up needing a little help in the eyeball department and got me some progressives. The take some serious getting used to. I'm bad about wearing them all the time and I'm really bad at taking care of them. I toss these suckers (I have two pair) just about anywhere when I'm not wearing them...bottom of purse, gym bag, car cup holder...who knows.

Problem with that is when I do want to put them on - they are covered in fingerprints & smudges - I can't see any better with them on if I tried. I have a cleaning cloth, but that just seems to smear the prints all over for a lovely haze. Water work or hot breath but...whatever...forget it, toss em. My glasses are abused and harassed. I must do better.

Just in the nick of time I received a sample of Brilliant Lenses in the mail to give a try. LOVED IT!

It came with a cloth. I've been using it for the past week on everything - including the front of my iPhone and it cleans those glasses & screens Brilliantly. No joke.

My glasses, sunglasses, and even my laptop screen is fingerprint & smudge free. One thing I noticed over this week was that, while it did say it had a scratch resistant formula, I noticed that everything seemed more resistant to more accumulating more smudges. I could just wipe with the cloth.

Here are the specs:

• Cleans Glass & Plastic Lenses
• No Alcohol or Ammonia
• Added scratch resistance with SR-8
• Comes with a Micro Fiber Cleaning Pad
• Also works on Phones, Monitors, and MP3 players!
• Brilliant LensesTM with SR-8TM provides gentle superior cleaning while imparting an invisible durable barrier that resists scratches, soiling and water spots.
  

Brillant Lenses is a keeper. Will I take better care of my glasses? Ummm. Well, er. Imma try. I'm doing real good with my Maui Jims, iPhone & Laptop. I'm a work in progress.

Sponsored by Tomoson.com
This Product Was a Free Giveaway

Any Given Sundy - Good Times

Last night I hosted a MyGetTogether Chex Mix Party at the house. And we had a great time. Not because of the Chex Mix, but due to the wonderful company & conversation with a great group of women.

Now I don't know how in the hell I was supposed to feed 15 people with the 3 little bags of Chex Mix. Seriously?! They made a nice snack/finger food thing but didn't mount to sustenance...and these ladies came packin' an appetite.

That crab dip - yeah - tore down like starvin savages. (That's a keeper). I also made Skillet Burrito's and Southwest Chicken Soup. Gobbled up. There was just enough soup for me to take for lunch today. The Bloody Mary's - I sent one person on home with a sippy cup. *Hangs head in shame*

The conversation...I think we covered every topic under the son and almost came up with a way to achieve world peace. And even the game was good - what I saw of it.

We had a wonderful evening. I'm looking forward to spending more time with everyone.

*working on putting gourmet cheese platter together for ForNot's dinner party this month*

P.S. Didn't get your evite for the dinner party? Send me a message.

Truths for Mature Humans

A friend of mine sent this to me today and they made me laugh...only because there was truth in all of them.

1. I think part of a best friend's job should be to immediately clear your computer history if you die.

2. Nothing sucks more than that moment during an argument when you realize you're wrong.

3. I totally take back all those times I didn't want to nap when I was younger.

4. There is great need for a sarcasm font.

5. How the hell are you supposed to fold a fitted sheet?

6. Was learning cursive really necessary?

7. Map Quest really needs to start their directions on # 5. I'm pretty sure I know how to get out of my neighborhood.

8. Obituaries would be a lot more interesting if they told you how the person died.

9. I can't remember the last time I wasn't at least kind of tired.

10. Bad decisions make good stories.

11. You never know when it will strike, but there comes a moment at work when you know that you just aren't going to do anything productive for the rest of the day.

12. Can we all just agree to ignore whatever comes after Blue Ray? I don't want to have to restart my collection...again.

13. I'm always slightly terrified when I exit out of Word and it asks me if I want to save any changes to my ten-page technical report that I swear I did not make any changes to.

14. I keep some people's phone numbers in my phone just so I know not to answer when they call.

15. I think the freezer deserves a light as well.

16. I disagree with Kay Jewelers. I would bet on any given Friday or Saturday night more kisses begin with Bud Lite than Kay.

17. I wish Google Maps had an "Avoid Ghetto" routing option.

18. I have a hard time deciphering the fine line between boredom and hunger.

19. How many times is it appropriate to say "What?" before you just nod and smile because you still didn't hear or understand a word they said?

20. I love the sense of camaraderie when an entire line of cars team up to prevent a jerk from cutting in at the front. Stay strong, brothers and sisters!

21. Shirts get dirty. Underwear gets dirty. Pants? Pants never get dirty, and you can wear them forever!

22. Sometimes I'll look down at my watch 3 consecutive times and still not know what time it is.

23. Even under ideal conditions people have trouble locating their car keys in a pocket, finding their cell phone, and Pinning the Tail on the Donkey - but I'd bet everyone can find and push the snooze button from 3 feet away, in about 1.7 seconds, eyes closed, first time, every time!

24. The first testicular guard, the "Cup," was used in Hockey in 1874 and the first helmet was used in 1974. That means it only took 100 years for men to realizethat their brain is also important? (Ladies.....Quit Laughing.)

The Look of Accomplishment

After a couple of weeks of back & forth with the race photography company, I finally received the download I had paid for.

Taken minutes after I crossed the finish line...this was my look of pride...of accomplishment. I still have the medal hanging from the top of the mirror on my dresser. I look at it every day. It reminds me of something I already knew - I can do ANYTHING I put my mind to. It is an affirmation that I don't have to say out loud. All I have to do is look up at it.

I swore I wouldn't do another race...and yet have the link to the Columbia Sprint Tri & the Columbia Triathlon in my inbox with a reminder of when registration opens. Go figure. I guess I got the bug. We'll see.

Whatever I decide....

I can do ANYTHING! I put my mind to. Hear me roar.

FINISHER!

YES! I finished the Navy 5 miler in just the time/goal I had set for myself coming off the Nation's Triathlon two Sunday's ago. After the Triathlon, I took the week off from all forms of training to give my body a rest. Last week, I did a couple of short runs just to get the feel of my legs back under me.

I felt slow. I WAS slow. My legs still felt like concrete slabs but I pushed through. I set a goal to do the 5 miler is an hour or less and I FISHISHED just as I planned.

Now, it is time to put in some work for the Army 10 miler (I am the Team Captain for the Usual Suspects - see our team shirt over to the right). I plan on doing a lot of interval training in an attempt to pick up a little speed and add 1-2 distance runs during the week. Under 2 hours for the Army 10 miler is the goal. That would be awesome.

Regardless, I will be a FINISHER!!!

Princess Cara Gets Her Yellow Belt

I thought I was over the whole "Soccer Mom" deal with Erin grown & Jordan off to college...but alas, with the addition of Princess Cara to the family, The FireMarshall and I are doing the drill all over again.

Here we go again with PTA's, Sports, Play Dates, All Things Disney & now Karate. Except this go around, 13 years after Jordan, The FireMarshall and I are those old parents that are like "Whatever makes you happy, baby." (within reason, that won't turn her into an axe murderer). If she falls or hurts herself, we don't get all in a huff or make a big deal out of it...we are like if there isn't arterial blood, then oops, you be a'ight. Princess Cara is spoiled; we spoil her rotten...but she is a good girl. Ya'll know we love it.

"Mommie, I want to get all the belts my brother has!" Prince Jordan is a Black Belt.

Absolutely Princess Cara. You can do it. We will be there cheering all the way.

Sucker Punched

I had a doctors appointment today. It was a follow-up, but I had to discuss another issue that has reared its ugly head AGAIN (fibroids). No biggie. Right up until the nurse who took my BP and weight, decided to tsk, tsk, tsk me about my obviously not controlled BP & my weight.

"Don't you work out and stuff? You got gym clothes on an all?"

BYATCH WHAT!!!! That red haze of rage & watery eyes of frustration clouded my eyes and for once I was stunned into silence. Why? Cause I was being tsk, tsk, tsk'ed by a nurse that was 2x larger that me. Da Hell YOU know about it? But okay.

Enter the doctor. Who promptly told me she only had 10 min to conduct this exam..."But let's TRY (you know what I think about trying) and see if we can address your other issue." She flipped open my chart, told me what we needed to do first to "rule out" other causes (Listen, honey, been there-did this, let's move along) and then told me "You know, for your height your weight makes you morbidly obese. If you would JUST loose some weight, you might not have so much difficulty with the fibroids." FUGGGGGG YOU!!!!

Two weeks after finishing my first triathlon - still feeling pretty damn good about myself - I get SUCKER PUNCHED in the gut that I am a walking ball of death about to stroke out and that if I simply lost some damn weight I'd be all hunky dory.

It just isn't that fuggin simple.

I have been struggling with my weight for over almost 30 years now. FIGHTING a battle that just seems futile. I was put on "TRIM" tables at West Point which stood for The Right Image of Me for years and threatened that I wouldn't graduate if I didn't make weight. What the fugg do you think that does to you psyche when you are constantly reminded that your image ain't the right one. I was told that I would get a poor "performance" rating from my commander if I didn't make not only the "tape test" but also the weight standard. Didn't matter that I was a Master Fitness Instructor and could whoop his azz up and down the track or was one of the ONLY officers or soldier in my unit that maxed out the PT test.

The stuggle, the battle continues...and today a bit of the wind got let out of my sails...and I wanted to lay down my armour; my sword and give up the fight.

...and then there was TDJ - who, while at work, took the time to walk me back from the ledge. There was MsPattey that gave me the biggest phone hug ever and real talk. The converstation of forever friends. They gave my wind back and I picked up sword.

...and then there was The FireMarshall, who, when I wailed "Why can't just one thing be easy! Why can't just one thing NOT be a struggle." enveloped me in his arms and said "We are easy, baby. We are easy."

He gave me the strength to continue the fight. I put on my armor and with my sword in hand am ready to get back in the fight.

I am a warrior. I refuse to get beat.

Zevia Natural Diet Soda

Sponsored by Tomoson.com

Being the fitness & nutrition buff "willing to try new healthy stuff" ho that I am, I was excited when I was asked to give this relatively new Natural Diet Soda - Zevia - a try. I do drink my share of diet C.o.ke & Dr.P.epp.er on a regular - along with plenty of water too (so SHUT UP) - and was like what the hell.

Zevia promotes itself as the first all natural zero calorie soda with only "pure ingredients." It says that it contains none of the chemically processed artificial sugar substitutes, artificial flavors or artificial colors found in other diet sodas. ZEVIA is all-natural, has zero calories, zero net carbs, zero fat, and little or no sodium (depending on flavor). On the can it says "ZERO net carbs, calories, glycemic index."

I pulled out a can of one of my regular diet sodas and compared "nutrition facts" The number of ingredients were pretty much the same, EXCEPT for the 40mg of sodium in my beloved Diet C.o.k.e. Now that is not really a lot, but if you don't watch it - 2 soda, plus a bunch of other crappy processed food can put you way over the daily intake PDQ (pretty damn quick).

Hmmmm.

Before I got started with my taste test, I decided to look up the two primary sweetners/all natural ingredients in a Zevia Natural Diet Soda.

Stevia is a natural herb native to South and Central America. For centuries, native Americans of Paraguay and Brazil called it "sweet leaf" and used it to sweeten native foods. Stevia is used as a food additive in China, Japan, all of South America and in the United States. The extract from the stevia leaf has no calories, no effect on blood sugar levels, and is hundreds of times sweeter than sugar.

Erythritol is a natural sugar alcohol found in fruits and vegetables, has no calories, and has no effect on blood sugar levels. Erythritol does not promote tooth decay.

Well, that hundreds of times sweeter than sugar thing was spot on. I popped the top on the Cola flavor and my gut reaction was DAAAAAMMMM that is REAAAALLLL sweet. I just wasn't used to a diet soda being sweet and my initial take was "yuck". But I decided to finish it with a sandwich I had made for lunch and it grew on me. Not bad...but I wasn't sure I would just go and buy it...but that damn sodium thing really was standing out to me. I needed to weight that in my mind.

I then decided after about a half hour that I would try another flavor and see what happens. I popped the top on the Ginger Ale flavor and SHAZAM! A hit. I loved it.

Unfortunately, there is a little detail about the Erythritol that is not really mentioned.

As a whole, erythritol is generally free of side-effects in regular use, but if consumed in very extreme quantities (sometimes encouraged by its almost non-caloric nature), effectively consuming it faster than one's body can absorb it, a laxative effect may result. The laxative response does not begin until the body's natural absorption threshold is crossed...

I would NOT recommend downing two cans of Zevia in a sitting...but I do feel oh so lighter for the effort. Thanks.

So, where do I find this all natural diet soda? I is not at my local grocery store, but it is at my local health food store right up the street (R.oo.ts) and at our Organic Food Store (M.o.M.s) just down the road, giving me an excuse to do better and visit R.oo.ts more often. I'm going to give the other flavors a try...the Cola, while it did grow on me, was still a little too sweet.

Enjoy.

UPDATE!!! I forgot that I can GIVEAWAY! a six pack of Zevia to one of my readers. If you would like the opportunity to give Zevia a try, leave a comment and tell my why. It's that simple. You will get another entry if you follow my blog (google, networked blogs, or FeedBlitz) and if your RT this on twitter (include @TheTravelDiva in the tweet so I know).

Easy Peesy!

This Product Was a Free Giveaway

Diet? - EXACTLY!!!!

Slayed in the Spirit AGAIN!!!! This is exactly how I feel on the subject - both sides.

Foamy The Squirrel is my hero.

HumpDay Randoms of a Traveling Diva

Getting back in the saddle of running again after the Triathlon is NO JOKE. I'm really not feeling it but I have the Navy 5miler on Sunday. I best get to trodding along. I have no doubt I can do it, I just won't be posting no lickity-spit time.

I designed the shirt for the Army 10 Miler for our team - The Usual Suspects. KEEEUUUTTTE.

I think I'm going to hop over the Michaels and get supplies to bedazzle hats for the team. Perhaps a craft activity for the MyGetTogether. Bring your hot glue gun and bedazzler if you have em.

I decided to read the sequel to "Waiting to Exhale" entitled "Getting to Happy". Well, I figured I actually read the 1st book instead of just going off the movie and then start the new one. Fine. I enjoyed Waiting to Exhale...it was much better than the movie (always is). However, when I picked up Getting to Happy, I got through the 1st couple of pages and threw the book down. Same damn sniveling bullshyat I hear and know a lot of women are doing in real life and I just wasn't down for reading about it.

What do I mean, you ask? I was so friggin annoyed with the age ole story of a woman that LIVES with a man for a year, KNOWS that he is scared to fly, thinks Den.n.y's is fine dinning and REFUSES to try anything else, only reads magazines, REFUSES to go on vacations or to movies or plays..blah, blah, blah...and then she is MAD ABOUT IT after 10 years of marriage, BLAMES HIM for her boring life, RESENTS HIM, doesn't COMMUNICATE with him about her needs and LONGS for a DIVORCE or has an AFFAIR.

BULLSHYT. You made that bed, now lay in it or woman up - BLAME YOUR DAMN SELF - and move on. I just hate that sniveling, blame everybody but yourself for your miserable lot in life crap.

HUMPH. But one of my Top Mafia - MsPattey - insisted that I keep reading so we can have a "bookclub" conversation about the book.

Anybody else reading it? Would you be interested in an online book club review/conversation about the shenanigans? Let me know.

N.E.WAY...

I've had the pretty much the same Top Mafia for 20+years. My ride&die, don't ask no questions, just bring a shovel & Lyme kinda gals. I have recently been blessed to be able to say that I have added a new best friend to the team. Do you know how hard that is? But we are just kindred spirits and I feel blessed to have found her. Tree. Apple. Seed.

...but I often have to say "Why ARE you that way?" She brings me joy.

I'm sorry, but I just can't help, consult with or turn over my Rolodex to everybody. Imma need you to stop. People ask too much.

I REALLY wish there was a dislike button on FB.

My new Scrubbing Bubbles Sonic Scrubber is the most FANTASTIC cleaning tool EVER!!!!!! Don't ever clean without it. There is no greater joy than getting well water mineral stains out of your ceramic anything. I'm in love!

I also love my new Sink Snake that I bought on a *gasp* infomercial. Drano wasn't working AT ALL. I slipped that sucker down the sink, twirled, and pulled out the HUGE hunk of *GAG* nastiness.

No more stopped up sink. I'm in love!...but it was really gross.

All I have to say is I am leaving the chapter in way better condition, with more money, more sponsors, more members than I found it in. I'm done!

BTW - not all married women who comment on a "relationship" post are jumping up & down, lording their "superior" married status over the single women. Seriously. In my case, I just state my opinion (just like a belly button - everybody has got one) and roll out. If the person reading the opinion reads some "extra" stuff into it - that's on THEM. Whatevz.

I think from now on I'll add...."and I've been married for 23 years, so there." to all of my comments. Just kidding - you know I can be snarky.

I do find amusing what some people call a "standard/non-negotiable" vs a "preference". SMH.

Do you, ladies! Do you...and good luck with that.

I hate when people say they "will try" to do something or be somewhere. Just say you won't or no, you can't. I am a graduate of the Yoda Jedi Master School of Thought...DO OR DO NOT, THERE IS NO TRY.

Learn to say NO. That try bull crap is some passive aggressive nonsense. IMHO. Yes or No. Do or Do Not. Simple.

The FireMarshall has some great things poppin off. We are ready.

I miss The Prince, Heir to the Empire. Letting go of my son is one of the hardest things I am (have ever) done.

Happy HumpDay. What random thoughts are you having today?

MyGetTogether - Any Excuse For A Party

Well, it really doesn't take much to get me to throw a little get together. MsSmart told me recently that I need to have a "Welcome Fall In" Cocktail Party. Juanita & my MIL consipired on FB to throw a party at my house and invite me. The Queen Mom is no better with her "what's on the agenda for this weekend" quips.

...and when the people over at General Mills asked if I would be interested in being a MyGetTogether host for their Chex Mix Snacks "Game Day" get-together where me, my friends and family can sample a trio of flavorful and fun Chex Mix Snacks during the big game (or whatever activity I dream up), I couldn't resist. We are going to mix and mingle with Chex Mix!...and some fall cocktails that I have already started dreaming up.

Ya'll know that I'm "The Mixologist".

A lot of you have already recieved an email invitation - go ahead and pull it out of your spam box or open it up and RSVP so I can have enough cocktails & snacks for the festivities.

If you didn't get an invite and would like to hang with the TravelDiva and Welcome the Fall Season in with a bang, then drop me a note with your email addy and I'll send you an invite.

I look forward to seeing you on Oct 3rd. *click glasses*

First Ever Super, Super Reunion

Written by CPT Marcus Brooks, USMA 2007
Youngest USMA Graduate in Attendance at the Inaugural Black Service Academy Graduates Super Reunion

During 26-28 August 2010 history was made as the “First Ever” gathering of African-American Graduates from all five US military service academies got together for a Super Reunion. The focus for the Reunion was to connect diverse skilled professionals with limitless opportunities for collaborated community service; network on one of Maryland’s finest golf courses, learn how to access the many services available through the Veterans Employment Office, rekindle old relationships and expand their social and professional network. (Photo: LTC (R) Minton Francis '44 and Captain Marcus Brooks '07)

The attendees learned how to best leverage their pool of resources from Herman Bulls '78, CEO, Public Institutions, Jones Lang LaSalle (USMA ’78); William “T” Thompson, CEO, USAF Academy Associates of Graduates (USAFA ’73); Rear Admiral Michelle J. Howard, the first African-American woman to command a ship in the US Navy (USNA ’82); Eugene Campbell, Vice President, Domestic Minority Business Development, Walt Disney Parks & Resorts.

Invaluable dialog was exchanged with the Military Leadership Diversity Commission with invited panels; Commission Chairman General Lester Lyles (USAF Retired); Lt Gen John Hopper (USAF Retired): and, Brig Gen Rebecca Halstead '81 (US Army Retired). The culmination of the event was the celebration of History in honor of those who first blazed the trail – the “Most Senior Living African-American Graduates” from each of the five service academies and recognizing the “First African-American Female Graduates” from each academy. From West Point LTC(R) Minton Francis USMA Class 1944 and Pat Locke USMA Class 1980 were honored with gold medals and a thunderous standing ovation from the all those in attendance.

The West Point Admissions (represented by Major Michael Burns '00, Captain Marcus Brooks '07, Captain Maurice Hickman '06, and Captain Kirsten Rowe '06) held a 150 min breakout sessions specifically for the West Point graduates to dialog about the State of the Academy, a Minority Admissions update, Field Force opportunities and the expansion of Strategic Partnerships.

The energy was transferred to the Potomac as the graduates sailed along the Potomac during sunset while enjoying great food, a live band and a beautiful ambiance. It was an epic event, a beautiful event, treasuring the past and looking towards the future with a collective positive and opportunistic approach.