This Is Me!

not that I would EVER consider giving up caffeine, though. That would be like David Letterman giving up his top ten lists.

Getting Rest = Getting Sick

Josh's parents took the kids last week. A whole week of not having to be responsible!

We had one fun day together.

Then, I got sick.

Then, Josh got sick.

Then (well, actually before this), something chewed through the cable in the basement and our internet and ON-Demand were broken.

The kids came back on Saturday.

I feel better now. Last time the kids were gone, I was sick.

I'm destined to be tired forever because getting the chance to rest apparently makes me ill.

How I Get Up in the Morning

As you know, I've been trying to get up earlier in the mornings to work out before going to work. I am NOT a morning person AND work begins at 6:30 most mornings, so already odds are that I WILL NOT get up at all.

I have, however, been getting up about 3 times a week. I would like to move my average up to 5 rather than 3, so I am obviously still working on it. Here is what has motivated me so far:

Clothes. I pack my WORK clothes into my gym bag the night before, even the shoes and makeup. This way, I know that if I don't get up early, I still have to go to the trouble of unpacking before I can get ready. I also either wear my workout shorts or have them close by (read: can't get out of bed without stumbling on them) so that I put them on as soon as I wake up.

Co-Workers. Since my gym (Maryland Farms YMCA) is about 5 minutes from work (okay-exactly 3 minutes), I am usually still red-faced and sweaty when I get to work in the morning. Even though I've showered and gotten ready, I don't allow my body enough time to completely cool down before I arrive at work. My co-workers have begun noticing when I'm NOT red-faced, so that helps keep my accountable. It also helps keep me accountable because I talk about working out with them.

Joe's Goals. This isn't really too motivating, but a little. I put the widget up on my blog so everyone can see if I've worked out or not. Honestly, this isn't much of a help at 4:00 in the morning. I don't care if ya'll think I'm a failure for not getting up at fucking four o'clock in the fucking morning! Those are my thoughts in the morning. I'm a bit disappointed in the afternoon when I look at it, though...

Metabolism. Whenever the thought crosses my mind that I should keep sleeping and just wait until afternoon to workout, I think about how much better my metabolism will work if I workout in the morning. Honestly, I've done no research on the subject and don't know if it is true, but it helps motivate me, so please don't tell me otherwise.

Morning Self-Talk. When my alarm goes off in the morning, I consider that even if I don't get up right then to go work out, I still only have about an hour (actually closer to an hour and a half, but I've convinced myself otherwise) before I HAVE to get up to get ready for work. I consider this: an hour of sleep won't make much difference; however, an hour at the gym will.

Self-righteousness. There is a bit of pride knowing that I worked off 1,000 calories before most people even rolled out of bed that morning (OK-1,000 is the most, usually it is around 700, but 700 still rocks!) I feel self-righteous when people are all bleary-eyed and grumpy when they walk into work and I'm energetic from working out. I also love it when people ask how many calories I've burned and I don't have to say, "Well, I didn't get up early this morning."


So far, these are the answers to my question from before, "How do I make myself go to the gym in the morning?" I'll let you know if I come up with any more.

Straws

Twice this week when ordering drinks, two different people said that they wanted a straw with their cokes. Why would you find it necessary to ask for a straw before you even get the drink? Are straws in that high of a demand that you are afraid the restaurant will run out? Even if I happen to forget to give you one, there are 12 other servers with no less than 50 straws in their pockets who would be happy to give you one.

Ordering your straw when you order your drink is just weird.

Sonic

Have ya'll seen the Sonic commercial about the new cranberry flavoring for drinks? Here, go watch it:



A few weeks ago after the kids had gone to bed, Josh was telling me about the commercial and how funny it was because he could totally see himself going on and on and on and on with the whole "cran" prefix thing.

A few days later, after I have completely forgotten about the conversation (I have a bad medium-term memory-I'm okay with short term and I think I'm pretty good with long-term, but that medium-term really throws me off), Night talks us into going to Sonic to get an "AFTER DARK SHAKE" because shakes are better at Sonic after dark (YES-my family watches way too much tv). When we are there, I notice that they have cranberry flavoring that they can add to any drink. Wow-what a concept. I decide to get some in my diet coke.

As we are pulling out of Sonic, Night tries desperately to get my attention. "WHAT?!" I finally yell. He says, "Do you know who else would like this?" Still not catching on, I say, "What are you talking about?" He laughs and says, "Your CRANmother!!!"

I looked over at Josh and I could see that he has suddenly become the proudest father in the whole entire world. Night was not around when we talked about the commercial a few nights before-he is just that much like his father.

The rest of the way home, Night proceeded to ask who would like it, followed by various forms of crans. Keira also joined in by saying, "THIS?" and waiting for a response, followed by, "Mudder!!"

It is now an on going joke to anyone who comes near my children!

Here they are in full force:

Text Message

Sent to me from my handsome husband while I was at work:

Your daughter climbed up on the couch next to me and pinched my nipple while giggling and yelling, "Dad's buttons!"

Gay Rights

Last week on the way to work, I got myself all riled up listening to Ralph on talk radio. He is usually a bit too conservative for me, so I don't know why I listen to it--every day, but I do...

He has this lightning round section in which he asks an opinion, giving two or three options as the answer, and asks people to call in and cast their votes.

The lightning round question for Friday was: ""Which do you approve for gay marriage: Gay Marriage, Civil Union, or None?" based on the fact that at a recent political gathering, 2 of the Presidential candidates approved of gay marriage and the other 4 approved of a civil union.

97% of the people who called in (mostly from here in the Nashville area) said that there should be no gay marriage or civil union because God said it was wrong.

Whoa!

Usually, I'm not too opinionated-you live your life and I'll live mine. As long as you don't interfere in mine, I don't really give a shit what you do; however, these people were being ridiculous.

If you are not gay, how are you, personally effected by two people who are gay and love each other getting married? As for all those people who said, "God doesn't approve of gay marriage," what about the whole aspect of separation of church and state? Who are you to quote the Bible and say that we should make our government laws based on what it says? Can I quote the Qur'an and say we must follow those principles? Or heaven forbid-what if I wanted to create a law that followed a Muslim belief?

I got so riled up about the topic that I called in to voice my opinion, which I never ever do. The only time I call radio stations is when they are offering money and I'm desperate to win!! I didn't get to be in the poll because time ran out-I was next in line when Ralph said he had to stop taking calls due to time constraints. (convenient)

Since I did not get to voice my opinion then, here I am voicing my opinion now. Only, I was going to have to be brief for the lightning question on the air. Now I can ramble as much as I'd like. Here is what I was going to say:

I think YES gay people should be allowed to get married-for no other reason than non-gay-people are allowed to get married; however, I think all of the people who used God to back up their opinions need to consider this-one of the seven deadly sins is gluttony. Should people over a certain weight not be allowed to go to restaurants or buy certain foods?* How is it any different?

But now that I have a bit more room to voice my opinion, this is what else I have to say:

I think that people who look down on gays are also sinning by judging them. I am not a Bible-believer. I kind of look at it as just another book. It may have some really good principles to live by, but it isn't infallible and it has been interpreted quite a few different ways, according to what the reader or interpretor wants to get out of it. If you are a Bible-believing Christian, more power to you, but quoting the Book does not really do anything for me.

I will now use some examples to back up my opinion.

Leviticus is the book in the Bible that people use to quote, proving that being gay is wrong.

"You shall not lie with a male as with a woman. It is an abomination." (Leviticus 18:22)

"If a man lies with a male as he lies with a woman, both of them have committed an abomination. They shall surely be put to death. Their blood shall be upon them." (Leviticus 20:13)

Leviticus has a lot of useful advise that applies to our daily living:

"For everyone who curses his father or his mother shall surely be put to death. He has cursed his father or his mother. His blood shall be upon him." (Leviticus 20:9)

Since I am going to interpret the Bible in order to get my point across, I read "Anyone who talks back to their parents should be killed."

"If a man lies with a woman during her sickness and uncovers her nakedness, he has discovered her flow, and she has uncovered the flow of her blood. Both of them shall be cut off from her people." (Leviticus 20:18)

If you have sex when you are on your period, you and your husband should be disowned.

"Do not cut the hair at the sides of your head or clip off the edges of your beard." (Leviticus 19:27)

Don't shave your sideburns or trim your beard.


Now, why is it that THESE topics aren't debated in the national election? If we are going to be a Bible-following nation, we need to follow all of the rules.




*Sorry, Kat, I know you don't like when people pick on fat people! I'm just trying to prove my point. I have nothing against eating too much.

Why I Won't Ever Be President

Everyone would know my weight.

Mover or a Stayer??

When I was growing up, we moved a lot. I was born in Arizona. We moved to Texas, back to Arizona, then to Michigan, and then to Ohio, all before I began 5th grade. I have no idea how many houses I have lived in. After getting married, Josh and I have lived in various apartments; we then moved to Colorado (from here in Nashville) just for a change of scene. Then we couldn't hack it (read: we were too poor to be parents) once Night arrived, so we moved to Indiana to be closer to family. We couldn't hack that either (read: I hated being so close to family), so we moved back here to Nashville.

We've lived in a few more apartments since moving back, then we moved here to Franklin. We are renting a wonderful (historic) 2 bedroom, one bathroom, house. We are near downtown, and we love the area. Our house is too small-we need one more bedroom and one more bath.

Guess what-it is time to move. Well, it actually is not time to move because our lease doesn't end until February; however, I'm feeling antsy. I'm definitely a mover. I like to see new things and have changes in scenery.

The big question is this: do we stay in Franklin, which we do like a lot-more than anywhere we've lived thus far. Or do we explore somewhere new? We are looking into Austin, TX or Seattle, WA. Of course, Melbourne would be perfect, but that isn't going to happen any time soon, probably never... Should we put down our roots here and just visit the other places or should we make an ultimate plunge and just move? That is more exciting, but more risky as well...

Are you a mover or a stayer? Did your childhood influence your present?

Yay for Mari!

I did it! I went to the YMCA BEFORE work twice this week! The first day I went was Wednesday. It was wonderful. I felt so energized and my workout was terrific. Then this morning, I got up and went. I wasn't so energized and my workout was okay, but I still worked out, and I felt so proud of myself. Maybe someone who is NOT a morning person CAN work out in the mornings.

The Y in Maryland Farms (a business district here in Nashville) was PACKED. I arrived 10 minutes after after they opened-yep 5 AM, and the place had about 50 people already there working out. That is crazy. I want to be crazy. I'm working on it!!

Thanks for all of the encouragement.

Motivation

Well, I've been trying to go to the gym every day and work out. I've been trying to eat healthier.

I need some motivation, though. It is so weird. I have this goal (lose weight), I know how to achieve it (exercise, smarter eating), and I even enjoy what it takes to reach the goal (going to the gym). Yet, I don't do it. When my alarm goes off, I talk myself out of getting up. Who in their right mind gets up at 4:30 in the freaking morning to go exercise? That is just crazy.

But then I'm disappointed in myself for not getting up. We usually go to the Y in the afternoon with the kids and I can workout then, but I really want to do it in the morning.

What makes some people just do it? Where do I get the motivation to be one of thoese people? I was at Borders last night looking for a book to help motivate me. All I could find was "diet books" or "exercise books." That's not what I want. Someone should write a book. I would love to be the one to do it because I'd love the money, but then that would take motivation!

Experiment

I've decided to try something new. I'm wearing jewelry to work every day this week.

Let me explain the way it usually goes down-I roll out of bed, shower, put gel in my hair and comb it, then maybe look in the mirror, and then leave for work. It is hard to make yourself look pretty when you have to leave by 6:30am. (sometimes 6:00!!) I truly enjoy my sleeping time.

This week, the only thing I have changed is that I've put on a different pair of earrings and necklace for each day. Well, I did get some new polo shirts, but I don't really think that matters too much; a polo shirt is a polo shirt.

So far this week, I've made $72 more than I did last week at this time and $112 more than the week before that! Do you think it is the jewelry? Do people tend to tip their servers better based on appearance, even such a little change in appearance?

Hmm...

Locked Out!

This morning, Night woke up before my alarm went off (6am) and asked if he could watch tv. I told him that when my alarm went off, I would turn on the tv as long as he went back to bed until then.

He then took his pillow and stuffed animals and laid on the couch in the living room while I got ready.

I then said my good-byes and left out the back door through the den, locking the door behind me. Oops. My keys, which are usually in the side pocket of my purse, were actually hanging on the hook on the inside of the door in the den. NICE.

Luckily, Night was awake, so I just knocked softly, sending the dogs into a uproar and waited for Night to come...and waited....and waited. Finally, I ran to the front of the house, and peeked in the living room window and motioned for him to come unlock the den door.

When he unlocked it for me, I explained that I forgot my keys.

He laughed and said, "Ha! You can't drive without your keys! That'll be ten dollars."

"Whoa. Okay," I said with a smile and reached in my pocket for my pretend ten dollar bill.

"No. I need REAL dollars. You can pay me when you get home. I love you!"



Luckily, I've just convinced him that a REAL dime would be a much better payment than a REAL ten dollar bill since it is worth TEN pennies!

Not a Nerd

As I sat by myself in the middle row of the theater reading my new Harry Potter book, waiting for the Harry Potter movie to begin yesterday, I thought to myself, "Boy, I am such a nerd."

Then I realized I wasn't there at midnight on opening night, so I couldn't be a nerd. (Josh's friend was in town and I decided to let them watch it while I stayed home with the kids.)

And I definitely couldn't be a nerd because I wasn't watching it on I-Max. (It was sold out, even though I showed up an hour early.)

So there-not nerdy at all.

I have to go read now...

The Last Straw

More about waitressing...

I absolutely HATE it when people ask me for a straw-when my hands are full of drinks. Be patient. This usually happens when I have a large party and I'm holding a tray with one hand and passing out drinks with the other.

You'll get your damn straw, and if by chance I happen to forget and I start to walk away, THEN it would be okay to ask for a straw. It is impossible to hand out straws when my hands are full.

I know that it is kind of rude, but my usual response is kind of snotty, "It is in my pocket." I just feel like people need to be TAUGHT that I can't put my hands in my pocket at the same time that I am setting drinks on the table. People also ask me for cream when I'm passing out coffee; I can forgive this one a little more since you can't actually see that I've put it in my pocket, but don't worry-it is there.

Even worse than asking me for a straw when my arms are blatantly full, people sometimes grab straws out of my pocket! Whoa. Besides the obvious fact that my pocket is right in front of my hoo-haw, my money is also in my pocket. Not only do I not want you stealing it, neither do I want it to fall out all over the table and floor.

Who would have guessed straws would cause such a hullabaloo in my daily life??

Roller Derby

I went to the ROLLER DERBY this weekend. It was a blast. I loved it!

Girls dressed in short skirts, fishnet stockings, and roller skates pushing each other down! It was amazing. I would love to be a roller girl, but I'm too much of a pussy.

Check out the link, though. It was so much fun.

Like Father Like Son

Riding in the car, Night asks me, "What does 1 and 1 make?"
"It makes 2."

"WRONG. INCORRECT."

"No, honey, it does make 2."

"It makes ELEVEN, MOM."

Should've known! It wasn't a learning experience for him. It was a chance for him to be a smart-ass.

Happy Sushi Day!!

What did we do to celebrate Independence Day?

We took the family out for sushi, of course! Josh is excited that both kids tried squid, and they enjoyed it.


HPIM1139
Originally uploaded by mari_ickes.


HPIM1140
Originally uploaded by mari_ickes.
I actually had a day off from work, so we went to RU SAN's, where they have a fabulous all you can eat sushi buffet for $9.95. It is tradition to go there on any day that I don't have to work, you know like once a month or so...literally.

Then we went to Target, of course. What is a day out without going to Target? We didn't find any exciting clearance items this trip, but maybe next time! I do think I'm going to go back to get the third season of Charmed. It is on sale for $19.99. I have the first two seasons, so it is time for the third. I'm trying to get through the Shannen Doherty years and move on to Rose...

We then went to the Y. We took the kids swimming. We were hoping to get a workout in, but the daycare closed at 1:00, so we had to decide between sleeping in (till 9:30!!) and going out to eat or getting up early and working out then going for sushi then going back to the Y to swim. Sleep won. Notice skipping sushi was NOT an option!

After the swimming, we came home for a short nap then headed down for the Franklin on the Fourth Festival and fireworks. We had pretty good seats for the fireworks-on top of the (only) parking garage in town. I'm sure the fireworks were beautiful, but Night decided he had to pee about 5 minutes after they started. Good thing we spent that 30 minutes holding our prime seats...

I'm saving the story of the walk home for another time. I'll leave you with this little tid-bit, though...lost dogs are very attracted to our family for some reason!!

I Waited on a Celebrity Today

Tyler Hilton was in town for a singing engagement and came in for breakfast today. And before you ask, he didn't pay the bill, so I don't know if he is a good tipper. His manager or whoever it was that was trying to schmooze him paid the bill, but he did leave a little over 20%, so I was happy.
In person, Tyler is super skinny and had really tall hair. He asked me to suggest a muffin for him, and I offered the double chocolate muffin since everyone loves chocolate (I don't like it, but I'm weird). He scoffed at it (politely), but then he did take me up on my second offer-the traditional yet very yummy blueberry muffin.
Malia and Shauna will be excited to know that when they came in, they sat at the same table he did today. Maybe THAT is why the deficient hostess wouldn't let them sit in my section-the celebrity gods had other plans...

Talk about a Power Trip!

I got home from work yesterday, and Night told me that his dad was in the living room playing Father God.

What?

Apparently, Josh had rented "The Godfather" for the Wii from Blockbuster. Night got his words mixed up...