Gina the Coward, Boot Camp Update, and other snoozers

So, yeah, today I was called, pretty much, a coward.  But I know I am NOT a coward, at least in the circumstance the related situation occurred.  I have been a coward before, certainly, but other people with unrealistic needs and demands do not necessarily define courage – at least in my book.  And, for what it’s worth, when someone says “this is the last message”, it appears a bit irrational when there are several afterward…….so to me, all “rules” fly out the window when you are dealing with that type of person….especially when you really don’t know them.

ANYWAY!  I went in yesterday for my assessment, to see what (if any) progress I made in boot camp.  First, let me share the standard goals for a first time enrollee:

  • 2 pounds weight loss – this takes into account the increase in muscle, which weighs more than fat
  • 2-3% reduction in BMI (body mass index – pretty much the fat…..gross)
  • about 1/2-1 inch reduction in abs

Here are my actual results (well, that I remember….Sonya needs to email me the actuals…):

  • I lost 4 pounds.  This was after being VERY bad in New York eating wise…..
  • 5% reduction in BMI
  • I consistently lost 2 inches in my upper abs, abs, hips, and butt!
  • I can’t remember the numbers, but I did well in my thigh especially and my arms were good.

My instructor was pretty surprised that I did so well, and actually so was I!  So I was jazzed!  All that TOUGH work paid off!  And, if you really want to know a secret to my success, here it is – eat every 2-3 hours!  ALWAYS include something that has protein, eat even if you’re not hungry, and before you know it your portions are smaller and you are always “satisfied”.  I fell out of this habit the last week or so, but I have to tell you – when I was doing it I felt MUCH better!  I never got that shaky, I think I am going to pass out feeling because my body was always energized by the food (and protein).  Another secret is to drink water – enough is to take your weight, divide it in half, which gives you the number of OUNCES you should drink PER DAY.  I didn’t so as well in this area, but I did make progress.  Most importantly, I got up and broke a serious sweat doing cardio, pilates, core work…..crap, I hated it most days!  But it’s great to see results!

So, Sonya and I aren’t doing the next boot camp – it’s kind of expensive – but we ARE going to go to the gym each morning!  I also am toying with the idea of beginning to bicycle ride as I truly hate to run.  So we shall see.

Also, today I had the pleasure of going to the beach with Kenny and Josh.  We had SO MUCH fun!  Kenny and I caught so amazing waves on our boogie boards!  Kenny is getting quite good actually – he totally looks like a surfer dude.  Josh was doing quite well too – he and I “rode the waves” together as well and he is much braver than I thought!  He knows when to dive under big waves, when to jump over them, and when to say, “Mom, hold me for this one!”  It was totally a blast.  Now, I need to find out about surfing lessons to Ken!

Also, update on Edgar’s business – it’s taking off!  Remember, if you need a web designer, check him out!

Okay, if this hasn’t helped you fall asleep, I suggest Advil PM or something!

Gina OUT!

Back in California and other fun facts

I had a good time in New York – didn’t see nearly as much as I had hoped, but thoroughly enjoyed both Bon Jovi concerts!  The All American Rejects opened for both concerts – Bon Jovi fans didn’t seem really interested, but I like this band – especially their older songs – and enjoyed them as well.  The lead singer is a little weird and one of the guitarists overdid it, but I still enjoyed them.  Oh, and their drummer ROCKED.

The first concert we were in the front row, on Richie’s side.  Check out this awesome shot!

Let me just say this, both men are VERY attractive, VERY charismatic and VERY good musicians!  The first night, I seriously fell in love with Richie – there’s something about an amazing guitarist standing 10 feet in front of you!

Gracie is doing very well!  She was very good for Auntie Rona (and Auntie Stephanie) and is doing much better in a METAL crate (as she tore up the portable one I purchased before I brought her home).  I love her.

The kids are doing quite well, too.  Kirstie is sweet and today I am hanging with the boys.  I love them.  Duh.

Okay, gotta run.  Will write more later!

Gracie and other news

It’s been a few days since I posted because it’s been busy here with my new baby!  Gracie has done extremely well – she is very loving and smart.  The reactions to my comment about me not seeing the chihuahua in her are about 50/50 – some totally see it (even with one good eye!) and others don’t see it either.  The vet told me, when I took her in for a check up to make sure she was healthy – told me he thought she was mixed with some sort of terrier breed.  He also said she was very healthy and the perfect dogs for kids.  The boys were with me when we went and they were happy to hear that!  They LOVE LOVE LOVE her!

Rona and Sofie returned Saturday and they have been doing well.  There have been a few tense moments as they both jockey for the alpha position, but overall it’s been good.

Oh!  I finished my four weeks of boot camp!  Friday we did another times mile – I was apprehensive because I’ve hurt my left calf and running is very difficult for me.  I was concerned that I would not be able to finish or that my time would be very bad.  But, if you know me, you know I am very stubborn and decided to run as much as I could through the pain.  I was disappointed that I didn’t do better, but I still ended up cutting some time off.

First lap 4:03, second lap 4:02, final lap 3:53 for a totally time of 11:58, down from 12:21.  Oh, and when I first did push ups I could only do 6 without stopping.  I ended up doing 16 this time…..I think I could have done more but I got bored.  🙂  I go for my post evaluation on Thursday and will let you know the outcome.

Tonight I am leaving for New York City!  My friend Cathy is a huge Bon Jovi fan (and I am not exaggerating!) and invited me to go to TWO concerts out there!  I guess the tour is ending and they will probably not tour again for a couple years.  So she invited me!  She flew out Friday as there was a free concert yesterday in Central Park.  Originally I couldn’t go because I had motorcycle lessons this weekend, but they had to be rescheduled to Sept.  ANYWAY, I leave tonight on a red eye and arrive Monday morning.  The concert Monday night we have front row tickets!  And then the concert Tuesday night we are in the 8th row.  It should be very fun!  I am also excited because I’ve only been to NYC once, when I used to work for ADP.  I was in New Jersey for training and a coworker took me driving around one night.  I was able to go into the Twin Towers, the subway, etc.  But it was only for a few hours.  So this should be exciting to be there through Wednesday.  We are staying at the Trump Towers and that is AWESOME!  So I will take pics and let you know how it does!

Kids are doing great.  I am doing pretty good!  That’s all for now!

I have a new BABY!!!

Well, don’t get all worked up! I have a new puppy! Her name is Gracie and I love her!

Let me tell you about the history of my Gracie!

As you may remember, I have become very fond of Lady, the beautiful dog that belongs to Sandy. Sandy and Aaron moved to Northern California, and yes, logic tells you that so did Lady! So I was sad and lonely for her….and quite honestly, so was Sofie! So, because she is an awesome friend, Stephanie suggested I should get a cat to make me fill in the void. She found a beautiful Tabby named Lenny at the SPCA near her house. I thought it was a beautiful cat, but due to life and my busy schedule (ha) somehow the topic of Lenny died away. Then suddenly, last week, I start getting messages on MySpace with pics of Lenny from Steph – what is going on? When are we going to go see him! So I pulled Rona in and said, let’s do this!

On the way to the shelter, I began receiving texts from Stephanie describing how cute Lenny was, etc. Then, suddenly, I received a text that read, “I found a little girl dog I have a feeling about. The same feeling I had about Sofie!” Rona and I looked at each other and were like, “WHAT?!!?!!?” But me, being the open minded person that I am, decided I would check out this dog Steph was talking about.

Here she is the day we met her:

Needless to say, I fell in love – she is so sweet, has a great disposition, and I love her! Lenny was cute, and I am sorry that it didn’t work out, but Gracie stole my heart.

But, there was more in the adoption process in order to secure Gracie into my life! Sofie, Rona’s dog, would be required to meet her and they needed to get along before I would be allowed to adopt her. So, we put Gracie on hold and made plans to return the next day for the ominous meeting.

Although I was a little anxious, Rona and I returned with beautiful Sofie and excitedly waiting for the workers to bring out Gracie. Would they like each other? What if they didn’t? Suddenly, the worker came out and said, “there’s a little problem”. Apparently, the shelter had a new vet, and to give her plenty of experience with spaying and neutering animals, the shelter was taking all animals that needed the procedure that day. Gracie was one of them, and in fact had already had the surgery and was in recovery. So, no meeting could happen that day! What made it complicated was this was July 3rd and Rona (and Sofie) would be in the mountains until July 9th. So I nicely asked for Gracie to be held beyond the usual 24 hours. Since this was kind of their mess up in the first place, they were nice enough to accommodate this request with no hesitation at all.

So, Wednesday came and I was nervous. Kenny especially had been tortured during the wait, not knowing if things would even work out! The boys and I left for Steph’s house, where we were meeting Rona and Sofie. Then Steph, Rona, Sofie, and I headed to the shelter. We were all so nervous and excited! Sofie was very attached to Rona, as I don’t think she really understood what was going on, but when Gracie came out they hit it off right away! It was so awesome to see! So we got the green light and I was able to bring Gracie home that day!

We went back to Steph’s house where Gracie got to meet Kenny, Josh, Emma, and Austin. And Gracie and Sofie really got to let their hair down! They were running so fast around the backyard and having so much fun! Gracie immediately loved the kids, she is so wonderful! And Sofie is such a great dog, too! I know they will be the best of friends

Here is Kenny and Josh with Gracie:

The shelter told me that Gracie is a Chihuahua Mix. Don’t know what is mixed in and I don’t see the chihuahua part really, but it doesn’t matter. I love her. She is very affectionate and did well at home and overnight. I put her in a crate and I think she would have preferred sleeping with me, but that will come in time.

Today, we are going to the vet to make sure everything is cool!

I am sure I will be writing more soon! I feel so great because I know I will have this dog her entire life and that makes me happy!

Gina, and Gracie, out!

Why?

That question has been popping up in my head a lot today.  Why?  Why did I hit the wall?  Why do I subject myself to boot camp each morning?  Why are people sometimes so very stupid?  Why is it so hard to find a freaking job?  Why ask why?

I am dumb, I am sure!

But really, I am NOT sad!  I am sitting here, after KICKING BUTT on Guitar Hero (Sorry Rona, I killed Satan the first time and am catching up with you!), I had a yummy dinner of roasted chicken, am watching a new Intervention, received an awesome call from Kenny, look forward to seeing Kirstie tomorrow, and realized life is amazing.  So why ask why?  Life is what it is – if I knew the answer to some of my questions, would that change anything?  Maybe, maybe not.

Special shout out to an “old” friend, Journi, who has found me!  MySpace is COOL!  We have been “chatting” all day online and it’s amazing how the years we’ve been out of touch have melted away!  Um, like 14 years I think!  Whoa there!  I am very happy to be in touch with her again.

Okay, I have to get back to Intervention, which is going down right now!  I need to see if the dude is going to get help and if he actually stays off the drugs……yeah, such a crazy life I live!  But I won’t ask why……

Independence, Woohoo!

Having survived the 4th of July and the traditional celebration of our country’s independence, I am rather intrigued by the idea of independence.  Yes, there is a definition to follow!

As derived from the root word “independent”:

1: not dependent: as a (1): not subject to control by others : self-governing (2): not affiliated with a larger controlling unit <an independent bookstore> b (1): not requiring or relying on something else : not contingent <an independent conclusion> (2): not looking to others for one’s opinions or for guidance in conduct (3): not bound by or committed to a political party c (1): not requiring or relying on others (as for care or livelihood) <independent of her parents> (2): being enough to free one from the necessity of working for a living <a person of independent means> d: showing a desire for freedom <an independent manner> e (1): not determined by or capable of being deduced or derived from or expressed in terms of members (as axioms or equations) of the set under consideration; especially : having linear independence <an independent set of vectors> (2): having the property that the joint probability (as of events or samples) or the joint probability density function (as of random variables) equals the product of the probabilities or probability density functions of separate occurrence 2capitalized : of or relating to the Independents

So, having read that, I am glad that our country fought for independence from the English crown so many years ago.  Yet, I can’t help but analyze my own life.  I like to think of myself as very independent – self reliant, a free thinker, autonomous.  I get all prideful at times regarding this as well!  Yet, as I sit and type this, I realize that this is a crock!  I realize that I am very, very dependent on others.  How so?  Well, I rely too much on others’ opinions to define me.  I am too afraid to share my true feelings, afraid to be rejected.  Yet, if I do that, do the others really KNOW me?  I work so hard at fitting into other’s perception of me, I lose myself, and yet I sit here crying inside, hoping they see the real me – and yet do nothing to present the real me!  What is THAT about?

So, I am dependent and dumb at the same time!

Okay, I can sense the pity party coming on so I will end this analysis!

Special shout out to Edgar, who is doing a great job starting his Web Design/Programming/Drafting business!  If you know anyone who needs help with any of these, you should contact him!  He does a GREAT job!  Check out AdvantaSky for more info.

It’s Amazing to Realize……

…..how CONTENT one can be!  A few days ago I wrote about happiness – and many of you commented about this topic!  Before I go on, I think I should shout out to my Dad regarding Harleys.  So Dad, you need to help me find the right Harley and I have no idea what “apes” are (handlebars?)  We take lessons next week I think and Rona and I want to get bikes by the end of the summer.  Will ya help????  Please?

ANYWAY, I fully accept and acknowledge that my contentment is rooted in Christ, who has sustained me and will continue to do so for the rest of my life.  He is the foundation for my happiness.

However, I was sitting here this morning feeling the horrible ache in my legs (yep, another kick-butt boot camp today) and began to reflect on many things.  My life has totally turned around in many, many ways.  Oh sure, I could bemoan the fact I am unemployed or focus on the negative (and real) areas of my life that suck.  However, this morning such thoughts have been far, far away.  Instead, I have meditated on the fact that I have an amazing new friend in my life, I am content and even happy.  I am so happy!  I now know what it feels like to be loved – my family, my friends (both old and new) are all that matter to me now.  I no longer look back – and for that I am so pleased and feel to fulfilled.  How cool to realize the difference between today and my past, and realize I never have to look back again!

So, I hope this realization encourages you as well.

Serious Contest Rules the House!

There is one thing you really need to know about my living arrangements……the people in this household are serious competitors!  Guitar Hero, Rock Band, telling jokes, drinking wine……and COLORING CONTESTS!!!!

Coloring contests?!?!!?!!  YES!  Check this out:

Apparently, one of the adults won a coloring contest when they were a child and it was a big deal.  As such, there was some smack talking going on about how that must have been a fluke!  And, therefore, the coloring book and crayons came out.  The judges (Rona, Josh, and myself) had a hard time deciding on the winners, and decided each would get a prize (can you see that was a decision made by Rona?  LOL)  However, there WAS a Best in Show winner….more on that later.
Picture One

Picture Two

Picture Three

Picture Four

The judges came up with the following results:

Picture one – Best use of texture in a crayola medium, colored by Sandy

Picture two – Best in show, colored by Aaron

Picture three – Most creative use of crayons, colored by Emma (who is 10)

Picture four – Best use of color in a crayola medium, colored by Stephanie

Now, you should have SEEN the faces when the above were announced!  You see, the person who had won as a child was AARON, so he won again!  I seriously thought Stephanie and Sandy were going to KILL us!  Of course, Aaron was saying booya left and right!  Sandy was all making fun of Tinkerbell’s tan lines in his coloring, etc.  It was hilarious.  But I have to say, Emma did a GREAT job of adding bling to her drawing!

So, this is a great example how competition, in and of itself, is so important to us here in PTown!  Pathetic?  You be the judge…..