3.12

I woke up and was tired. I don't like changing the clocks in the spring because I'm so tired.  But then I do like it because I like having more daylight after work. Too bad it's not a win win.

I worked. I was extremely busy.  I went to Body Pump at 5. I wasn't going to go but Jen kept asking me and then I asked Dave if I should go and he said yes.  My knee hurt pretty bad from my run with Kelly. Going down the stairs felt the worst.  I went to pump anyway and I just used lighter weights for the leg tracks.  I impressed myself at class when the instructor was going over the moves for the chest track and I thought based on the moves and the combo that the song was Right Round. Go me. First of all I don't ever know any music ever and then for me to be able to know what song based on the moves is even more of a shocker. We did a mix of old releases and I was shocked that 3 (at least) of the 10 songs were the same as what Kelly had done the previous week. They probably each know 10 more more tracks and so it was just odd to pick the same ones.

Jen and I stood and talked for probably a good 20 minutes after pump.  We have to talk when we can anymore because we never eat lunch together and we're so busy that we don't IM at work.

After all that, I went to a few stores to do some errands. I went to Staples, Lowe's, and Target.
I feel like I got home so late.  I left Target after 7pm.

I ate leftover tuna noodle casserole for dinner. We watched TV.

I wanted to go to sleep at 8:30 but watched TV and blogged a bit until after 11. Then I was really tired. Dave made a comment when he went into bed at 11:15 that I was waiting until he went to sleep. He was right. I feel like if I go in to sleep before him I'm going to sleep way too early no matter the time. Sometimes he falls asleep at 8:30 so if I went to sleep before him that'd be accurate. But then other times he's up past 11:30. (We're old so 11:30 is late on a work night.)

12.7

Jen had my camera so I had to use my crappy camera for these.
Boots: Famous Footwear
Skirt: Loft
Cardigan: Target
Cami: Express
Necklace: Kohl's

I worked...until 7.  I was going to go to Steph's gym at 6 for Body Pump. When I missed that I was going to go run.

After work I was going to go to the gym to run but knew I had to get to JoAnn Fabrics one of these days to return the 3 punches I bought that don't work so I did that.  So I returned them and told the lady why then she just stuck them in the normal return bin where they put the stuff back in the shelves.  I think that's what the bin was for anyway based on the labeling.

I picked up panera after and they were out of the bread Dave wanted his sandwich on.  I got the group soup thing which I think is supposed to feed 3 or 4.   Then I went to Giant Eagle for some eggs, milk, and bread.  That was all I bought.  I bought the eggs to do some baking but by the time I got home and ate it was after 9pm and thus bedtime.  I still had to get the cards ready for the people who got to-go packets for my Christmas card class.  It was a challenge with Poly in my way.   I also wanted to clean up the room but I never got to that.

10.11

Shirt: Work (prize)
Skirt: Loft
Shoes: Famous Footwear (Sherri)

(These shoes were not meant to be worn when you have to stand for a couple hours. Ouch)

What a day...
I woke up hoping to run before work. It was too dark so I decided not to and tried to go back to sleep. Dave kept being loud getting ready and trying to talk to me. I couldn't fall back to sleep but still kept trying.

Finally I got out of bed and got in the shower.  While in the shower 2 of my alarms went off and I got out to turn them off. That's what I get for constantly hitting snooze even when I wake up.  Then as I turn the water off to get out of the shower I notice my phone is ringing. I do not know the phone number. I answer it. It was a teacher for the NA-YGN drawing contest I was trying to get in touch with. She wants me to present that very day! There was some back and forth and we kept missing each other.   I learned I not only would have to give the presentation once but twice. I guess I need to look at the slides for the first time.   The presentations impact other appointments I have for the day.

When walking from my car into work I overheard the following conversation:
Guy 1 gave Guy 2 a ride into work
Guy 2: I normally park as far away from the door as possible to walk more
Guy 1: I normally park as close as I can do the door.
(some chit chat about exercise)
Guy 1: Well I biked 120 miles this weekend so I think that cancels out your parking far from the door
Guy 2: No I don't think so.
(then silence the last 20 steps into the building)
The car they got out of is the one I've been eyeing up lately wondering who drove it because it had 2 stickers on it that I was intrigued about. I knew the guy was a runner based on them; 26.2 and 50k. I didn't know he biked too. Too bad they were right behind me. I didn't get to figure out who he was. I caught a quick glimpse but that was it.

I get to work and am going nuts trying to get work done before I have to leave.  I'm also trying to call the doctors office to move my allergy shot appointment. Well my stupid doctors don't have an answering machine so I have to wait until they open. I had to wait until 10am for that. So then once it hit 10:00, I tried calling every 2 minutes until I actually got through instead of the stupid busy signal. Once I finally got through (12th time), I was immediately put on hold. I was on hold a total of 20 minutes. Finally I talk to someone and say I can't make my noon appointment for a shot but could come now or reschedule for a different day. I specifically mentioned waiting 90 minutes last time for a shot and how I did not want that again. The lady told me no day is good! Then she tells me to go in right then.  I head out.  I have to wait 15-20 minutes before getting called back for my shot. Then I have to wait to make sure I don't have a reaction. Time was up so I get up to have someone check me for a reaction (I knew I didn't have one but apparently a medical professional has to confirm) and I wait 10 minutes standing there while the lady at the desk tries to get someone  to look at it.  The nurse finally comes out to look. Touches it looks and says something like it is a little puffy but no reaction but says it in a way like she was reassuring me and I thought I had a reaction. Stupid. I told her I knew and then I left.

Immediately from there I headed on the turnpike to go to Verona  to do the NA-YGN drawing contest presentations. I eat my uncrustable on the way. I get there (almost late) and the people at the desk have no idea how to check me in or page the teacher to come get me.

The presentations went well. The kids asked good questions. I wish I had more pens to giveaway.

As soon as I was done there I headed to drive to my laser hair removal appointment. (This was the appointment I had for 2 weeks ago but had to move a week then the place called to move it a week. then they called me back wanting to move it back but I didn't do it).  I plug the address in my phone and realize I'll be 2 minutes late. Then there is crazy traffic in Oakmont so I dig out my reminder call and call them to say I'll be 5 minutes late.   I was almost only 4 minutes late, but then my GPS had me turn the wrong way on 19 so after I figured it out, I had to turn around. I was a total of 8 minutes late.

The laser removal didn't hurt as bad as I thought. I didn't even squeeze the stress ball. But after my bikini line on the right sure had 20 dots of blood or more  and the left side had many little welts (or what looked like welts). I wonder if that is normal.

I was going to head back to work after but since I'll miss my telecommuting day on my normal Wednesday, I figured I could go home and work.  I did stop at Dunkin Donuts on the way. I got home, worked, ate dinner, then worked more.

During dinner Dave and I watched some of Singoff but I asked to watch something else.  We tried to watch House but it was the TV show before it that taped. I guess some TV show pushed everything late.

Then we watched The Office and How I Met Your Mother. I wanted to watch more but Dave wouldn't have any parts of that so then I got to work. I had on the Simpsons in the background and worked. I barely paid attention to the show but sometimes I still had to pause it to think.  Once 8:20 hit, I turned on the recording that was still in progress of 90210.  I watched that and worked. That took until 9:30 to watch so it was a little obvious that I paused it a lot to think while I was working.

Then it was time to go upstairs and crop pictures and blog.

Is it a sign I was busy or on the go when the only pictures I took all day happened before I left for work?

7.20

Skirt: Loft

Shirt: Express

Shoes: Famous Footwear - Sherri

Necklace: Work - My 5 year gift

Belt: Target

I was walking to my car and saw some geese walking.  I didn't workout.  I had to go in to work because my organization was being audited. I didn't get to telecommute. Being audited takes a lot of my day up. I have to pull data and explain it all. No findings which is good, but it just took forever to provide all that was asked for.

I had to finish planning for the Stampin' Up party after work on Thursday the 21st.  I actually had more prepped before the day before than I have in a long time.

I had Dave take some pictures of the guys outside while I was at work. I wanted a sneak peek but then he didn't send them to me so I didn't see them until after I got home. (I had another post with the final reveal.)

6.21 - No Vacation

I was presenting to Explorer Scouts so I wore my Westinghouse polo. I never wear them and hate having clothes I don't wear.

Skirt: Loft - 2009
Shoes: Famous Footwear - 2009

Boy do I need a haircut

I think this truck is open by mistake. While driving I could see things moving slightly around in there.

I only did a little presenting to 40 Explorer Scouts. The presentation I did followed an excellent presenter so I was more nervous than usually.  I never like following someone good because I'm not that good.

I was busy like crazy at work trying to get a million things done before going on vacation.  I was still at work at 6:45 PM and get a call from my brother. He goes on to tell me the trip to Colorado is cancelled. I can't believe it. After 5 minutes, we get off the phone and I got rid of my out of office email response. At least he called me shortly before I made my out of office voice mail. I hate making a new voice mail message.  Well I missed my workout for nothing. I also worked late for nothing. I was already partially packed too.   At least I don't have to miss out on the picnic and going away celebration.

My mom was happy that my brother and I weren't going to Colorado because she was worried we would die.  We were going to drive out with Callie, then hang out with her and camp with her, then fly back.

I really wanted to go. The main thing I was looking forward to was running with Callie, with the high elevation of Leadville that might have been awful.

Do you go on vacation each year? Have you ever had a vacation cancelled or postponed?

DC Day 3 - May 9

 I forgot to take my picture in my third outfit. 3 outfit days are why I did not pack enough for the conference.

Outfit 1 - Conference daytime (skirt: Loft, Shirt: Westinghouse, shoes: Famous Footwear)
Outfit 2 - Evening reception with NEI (dress: Lazarus in December 2002 for $9.99 at the Lazarus downtown that no longer exists. I mean the store downtown isn't anything but also Lazarus isn't around. Shoes: Famous Footwear (2nd time I wore them.)
Outfit 3: Jeans from Express, Blue shirt and white cardigan (like here or here)

I feel like a million bucks in my dress. I don't know why. I feel like it looks better than it photographs.  This is only the 4th time I've worn this dress. At least it was only 10 bucks.

After I got back from the reception, I realized I forgot to put on my fancy necklace. I actually wore a necklace with a small charm but I'm not sure if I had it on yet in the photos above or not.

There were a few morning sessions then right at the beginning of lunch they wanted all the Excellence Award Winners to go to the stage and get their awards while everyone else ate. Last year during the awards portion of the conference, they called everyone up one by one.  This year they just did this during lunch and then had them all stand at one point during the awards ceremony.  What bugged me is later I learned that 1 of the 4 sessions got out late so a ton of people missed the photo. A ton of those people were my friends so I was sad for them. They do a lot of work to get an award and then don't really even get recognized for it.  I guess since they gave 50 awards this year it would have taken awhile but still I feel there should have been some more recognition for them.  So I got my lunch, sat down, and said I was going in to sneak a photo while they took the official one. Everyone gets lined up and then those in charge look at me. Apparently I was the official photo. Oh boy what pressure. I didn't have my longer lens on. I didn't work to try to get settings better to make the picture coloring turn out better. Sigh.  Then after I took the photo (or the 5 that I took hoping I'd get a decent one), I was asked to take the photos during the awards ceremony when all the chapter and individual awards were given.  I don't know how I became important all of a sudden.

All the Westinghouse people are wearing blue Westinghouse shirts.  We should take up more of the picture, but so many of our guys were late.

Rob is proud of his Award!

Rob is tired.

During a morning session I talked to the Past President and we figured out where to meet and when to have our Westinghouse group photo taken... during afternoon break.  Then I texted everyone that I had been texting about the shirts and told them about the photo and hoped they told their friends. I was worried I didn't have everyone's numbers but I had a good portion and probably told 20 of the 30. I felt like that was good and everyone else should see us congregate and show up. It kind of worked well. I wished we didn't stand on steps and have the photographer down lower. Nobody ever looks as good when they are looking down.

I believe there are only a few people I don't know, which is pretty good considering we are from 5 sites (or more if you break up all the Pittsburgh locations.

Windsor

Charlotte

Columbia

Pittsburgh

PAR (I think. Can you tell these are the people I don't know?)

Excellence Award Winners from Westinghouse

Officers from Pittsburgh

After another session (or was it 2), it was time for awards.

There were a ton of awards given, one of which included the New England Chapter Achievement Award that our Windsor Chapter won.

One special surprise award went to one of our very own executives with Westinghouse.

Past President receiving an award

After the Awards Ceremony, there were Regional meetings. Only the chapter Presidents had to attend so I was in attendance while the rest of my chapter got to go back to their hotel.

The sessions were to end at 6. I was supposed to walk 2 blocks, change, and walk 6 blocks to get to the reception by 6. You can see how that timing doesn't work out right.  I hurried back to the hotel and ended up ruining my heel in a grate.  I made it to the reception by 6:30.  I did talk to some people. I wanted to talk to the CEO but he is one fast walker and I could not catch up with him the few times I spotted him.  Just like last year at the reception, I was one of the very last people to leave.  This year some coworkers updated me on where everyone was going after so at least I wasn't totally out of the loop.   I ended up leaving the reception at 8:30. It was originally supposed to end at 7:30.  A little after 7:30, I heard someone say they were serving drinks until 8:00.  At 8:20, I happened to look around the room and noticed not only were all the other tables clear but all the table clothes were off. The buffets were all broken down. I guess we were supposed to leave.

After the reception, I walked back to the hotel with Mallory. We heard a car honk while walking. Mallory insists they were honking at me but I don't believe her.  No other cars were on the road and nobody was walking through an intersection that could have been honked at but I still don't think it was me.

We changed and then headed out.  We had to walk about 10 blocks to get to the bar that everyone else was at.  We stopped for "dinner" first. We got to Pot Belly's at 9:57 and they closed at 10. Their hoagies are awesome. This was one packed bar. It was packed with everyone from our conference.  The bartenders were not used to it.

Here's a story I heard about later but I did see the bartender wearing the glove when I eventually went over to try to get a drink.  I may remember the story slightly wrong too but still the main parts of it are right.
People were having such issues getting drinks. Nobody felt like they could get the bartenders attention.  Someone was served a beer in a cracked glass. When they were getting a new one, a girl got up on the bar to get his attention to get a drink. It scared him, he dropped the glass. The glass broke but also the beer thing broke and wouldn't shut off. He had to run in the back to turn it off back there.  He comes out of the back wearing a rubber glove. While he is making drinks, my friends sees it filling with blood. He stuffs napkins in there to try to sop up the blood and he keeps making drinks.    I saw him probably an hour later and he had on a glove that didn't appear to be bloody. I also heard that at times he was swapping out the gloves.  Too bad I didn't see it. Seems like it would have been fun.

Later when I'm about to order my drink one bartender knocks over some glasses and one breaks into the ice bin. I had to wait longer while they cleaned that up.  What a night for those guys. What a night.

I left around 1:00.  Others left at 2 when it closed.   I walked back with a few people that were also staying in my hotel so I wasn't walking alone at all. They wanted Pizza but places weren't opened so we went to bed.  I wasn't hungry but was going to join them because I hate missing out on any potential fun.

After I got back to my hotel room, I felt the need to upload pictures and put them on facebook. That took forever with the hotel internet so then I was up until 3 trying to do things with the photos.  Staying up until 3 was not the smartest thing but when I start to do something, I want to get it down before I move on to something else. Tuesday morning, we had to be at breakfast by 7:30 to have a pre-job brief by 8:00.   At least I went to sleep early the other nights.  I went out 1 night late. Others went out 4 days. I'm too old to go out every night. I'm almost too old to go out at all. Or maybe it is that I'm responsible. Responsible sounds better than being old.  I always complain at conferences when people skip sessions and then go out and party so I wanted to make sure I was there so I wouldn't be a hypocrite.  When you go to a conference do you attend all the offered sessions? When you go to conferences do you tweet using a conference hashtag?  I do but I was one of only 5 or so that did. Last year there were maybe only 3 or 4 that tweeted so I guess it's an improvement. 

April 11

Shirt: Express - 2003 - ~$40
Skirt: Loft - March 2009 - ~$30
Shoes: Famous Footwear - 4/9/11 - $4.25
Belt: Target - 4/8/11 - $16.99
Necklace: Walmart - 2009 ~$8
Earrings: Kohl's - 2007 ~$10
(Don't fear, my old method of labeling pictures will return. I have just been short on time and trying to play catchup)

I was really confident in this outfit. I think it was the new belt. I wore a similar outfit before and wore a different belt. I like this thicker belt better. Also I was knew at the belting thing before and didn't knot my belt.

I took a ton of pictures and in most of them my face has the confused or scared look. I was probably scared people would catch me taking my picture. Not sure what I was confused about though.

What didn't work: the belt slightly twisted so the belt part came off the circles at an angle instead of straight.  It was hard to keep the belt in position especially since there were buttons and some extra fabric in the belt region.

My first outfit post Color Rotation Challenge

Why do I only try to jump when I'm wearing heels? Also why is it days that I jump are days that the flash goes off sometimes and doesn't other times so it is harder to time it all?

Nothing interesting. I did do 20 minutes on the exercise bike. Poly was cute. Same old stuff.

30 for 30 Winter Edition: Day 9 (February 10)

I did not get dressed on February 9 so no outfit for my 30 for 30.
I worked. I watched TV. I hung out with Poly. I COOKED DINNER. I went to sleep at 11 even though I meant to go to sleep early.
That was my February 9.

Cardigan: Target
Shirt: Express (years ago when their shirts washed and dried perfectly without having to be ironed)
Skirt: Ann Taylor Loft
Tights: Target
Boots: VS
Watch: Valentine's Day Gift
Necklace and Earrings

I went to the gym at lunch and then wore my hair down after my shower.

What didn't work:

• My chest appears to have disappeared in this outfit.
• My normal slip is MIA so I wore a different one that is longer. I had to be careful all day that my slip didn't stick out of my skirt.
• My watch needs some links removed

What worked:

• I still love the button down under a cardigan look.
• Lack of normal makeup still looked OK.

Here I am on the plasma screen at work

It was hard to time it right and not have people talking to me. I missed my picture the first time through because someone came over and talked to me. Immediately after this picture, someone else came to talk to me. 

At the gym I ran 2 miles and then lifted weights. My total workout duration was 55 minutes. On the last thing that I did, I kind of blacked out a little. I guess it was time to stop.

I worked until 7pm. What fun. Then I got Chick-fil-a on the way home.  I only got fries. I then ate leftover tuna noodle casserole.

How Dave and Poly greeted me when I got home.

"OK I've had enough. Let's turn this thing off."