Just put on a little lipstick...

I used to play this Bangles song to get Jenni out of bed when she was little, it's been running through my head all day: Six o'clock already I was just in the middle of a dream I was kissin' Valentino By a crystal blue Italian stream But I can't be late 'Cause then I guess I just won't get paid These are the days When you wish your bed was already made It's just another manic Monday I wish it was Sunday 'Cause that's my funday My I don't have to runday It's just another manic Monday Have to catch an early train Got to be to work by nine And if I had an air-o-plane I still couldn't make it on time 'Cause it takes me so long Just to figure out what I'm gonna wear Blame it on the train But the boss is already there It's just another manic Monday I wish it was Sunday 'Cause that's my funday My I don't have to runday It's just another manic Monday

The weekend ended with a cookout at the Spears house. Mike grilled some fish and Lori made some delicous vegetables and fruit. Sandy brought a delicious cake for Angie and I to celebrate our birthdays. It was a great end to a great weekend with friends and family!

Saturday we had a wedding shower for my cousin Megan. I had planned to get all the shopping done and clean my house on Friday night, but with the surprise party - that idea went out the window. Thank goodness, Bryan, Josh, Chassi and Jenni all chipped in and helped me get everything ready. Linda and Lisa arrived bearing food and lent a hand as well. There was plenty of food for everyone, and Megan got some beautiful and useful gifts to get her and Carson started in their happy home. Megan's mom, Brenda, is my first cousin and when Bryan and I married and moved to Memphis she helped us more than she will ever know. Bryan and I were young and needed lots of guidance getting set up, in addition to learning our way around Memphis. I don't know what I would have done without her. I hope we can be here for Megan the way Brenda was there for me. I tried to invite all the first cousins that were within driving range of the shower, and it was a fabulous day! It was so great to spend t...

Friday the 14 th , was my 44 th birthday. I think next year I may start counting backwards, but after last year I am very glad to be here to celebrate. I took the day off from work and slept late. Then Jenni and I went shopping and bought some new Nikes and workout pants to go with the new workout tops that my friend Katherine gave me. Since I am committed to do this wellness pilot; I did go into work at 4pm for my Thrive workout. I can actually tell I am making progress already with the program. Tracking my calories was not my favorite thing to do on my birthday - so I just tried to take it easy and still enjoy. I thought I was meeting a couple of friends at J. Alexanders for a quick appetizer and some cheer, but when I arrived there was a surprise party waiting for me! If I had known I would have at least applied a bit of make up and showered, instead of just sponging off after my workout. Oh well, guess it wouldn't have been a surprise if I had been tipped off. Thank you fa...

I usually have a book I'm reading and an audio book for my commute. This week's audio book is The secret life of Bees by Sue Monk Kidd. Sue does a great job describing her characters and the settings. I can almost taste the honey and feel the heat of South Carolina.  The book I'm currently reading is Burnt Toast by Teri Hatcher . Yes, it is the Teri Hatcher of Desperate Housewives. I know, I know several of you are reading Wuthering Heights or Jayne Eyre and I am sure you are growing as a person for doing so,  but I need something light to read before bed. This book helps me unwind and laugh. Teri talks about watching her mother eat the burnt toast and giving everyone else the good slices, and as a result she grew up and did the same. I can totally relate to that. I grew up with one of the most self-sacrificing mothers and grandmothers of all time. Teri reminds us in the book through humorous and often sad stories, that we have to remember to take care of ourselves, i...

I've made it through day 1 and 2 of the fitness and nutrition pilot at work. Yesterday we did some core exercises with Mitch our trainer. My chest muscles are very sore from the push-ups we did, but I know it will get better. Today I wore my heart rate monitor and did my cardio . The heart rate monitor helps me to know that I am working out in my target range. My BMR (basal metabolic rate) was calculated at 1128, so I am on a 1200 calorie diet. I've started food journaling and realizing that I eat a lot of empty calories. I am trying to pay attention to what and when I eat. So far I've been able to avoid the snickers candy bars, but I am sure at some point I'll have to write that in my journal. I know it is important to eat healthy, but life is too short to completely cut out my very favorite candy.

Saturday night we attended a fabulous party in our neighborhood hosted by Candy and David. They had a huge food spread and I'm sure I exceeded my daily recommended calorie intake, but everything was so delicious. I also connected with a neighbor I had not met. Her name is Kim and she lives a few houses down from me. She is a 7 year (triple negative) breast cancer survivor, and we even have the same Oncologist. It's always comforting to meet fellow cancer survivors, and to have her right down the street will be great. I am positive we will become great friends.