Four Day Work Weeks Go Faster

Well of course four day work weeks go faster than five, it is simple math. I promise I am up to date on simple math (complex, too for that matter) but what I am referring to is exponentially longer than one more number. The three day Memorial weekend was a much deserved and rewarding break from work coupled with a four day work week to follow. I can hardly believe it is Friday again and I am looking forward to yet another relaxing weekend to recharge and recooperate.

My Michael celebrated his official birthday last night with me, his best friend and (much to his chagrin) his little brother. To celebrate the arrival of his 11th year we ate at Blue Coast Burrito, a scoop of ice cream at Baskin Robbins and ended with Pirates of the Caribbean....which I really did enjoy, by the way. Not only because I have a HUGE crush on Johnny Depp but I truly appreciate his acting ability and I think he exudes a crazy amount of sexiness. The latter mentioned is way way down on my list of reasons....extremely unimportant :)

I really wish I was starting another three day weekend but that cycle doesnt start until next week. I think I only have about a half day of work today so maybe I can start a little earlier than anticipated.

1. Hey! I am doing the best I can considering the circumstances so give me a break.

2. Are the lies people tell truly a lie if they contain one kernel of truth.

3. Eat your favorite foods at least one time a week. Especially if it makes you happy.

4. One of the worst feelings in the world is to feel like your constantly in the middle.

5. First thing to note: I have got to be serious and regimented in regards to eating better for me any my children and exercise. I truly want to do another triathlon this fall but I am not even close to being ready.

6. No matter how hard I try, it has been very difficult to find a solid distraction.

7. And as for the weekend, tonight I'm looking forward to watching my kids at soccer practice and going out to dinner with a friend, tomorrow my plans include soccer games and heading out of town to shop and see family for the weekend and Sunday, I want to have a safe trip back home, spend some time with my children and get ready for another work week!

Started Off Right

Yet another close to my one-zillionth crazy week in a row. I survived once again but only with a little help from my friends who really know how to help me relax. :)

Let's see what went on this week.....my nanny started work on Wednesday and will be with us for the summer. I have actually known her since she was Marshall's age and it is so weird that she is so grown up. I do believe that makes me old!! Two main qualities I love about her, 1. She actually plays and interacts with the kids, 2. She takes initiative to do stuff around the house. WOW, initiative...I haven't been around people who actually practice that religion in so long that I almost forgot what it was all about. Michael has enjoyed his first week off from school and has caught on his R and R. I am sure he and Marshall both are looking forward to living at the pool this summer.

I am looking forward to a much deserved three day weekend and getting a little R and R myself. The summer will be over before you know it, therefore I want to slow down at work and take full advantage.

1. This week I allowed myself to slow down a little and have a good time in the interim.

2. Good deeds offer many returns but don't perform them expecting said returns. Do them because you want to and because its the right thing to do.

3. It's all about trying to enjoy life regardless of your situation. It takes more energy to sulk than to just go with the flow.

4. I plan on spending this entire holiday weekend in the sun. (protected, of course)

5. I demand my children to respect adults and others. It is a dying art.

6. On a forest path path, it's filled with lot's of really fun things. :)

7. And as for the weekend, tonight I'm looking forward to going on a date with my youngest to see Kung Fu Panda II while my oldest is at a sleepover , tomorrow my plans include hanging out at Nashville Shores all day, Sunday, I want to sleep in for a bit and spend the remainder of the day at.....you guessed it.....Nashville Shores and Monday, I want to sleep in (at least until 730) and then spend Memorial Day with my dad and brothers in Franklin.

That Time Again, Unbelievable

I swear I need to rename this Sunday Somethings or Saturday Shenanigans. The odds of me actually doing it on Friday are so far removed that I just dont really care anymore. Now that I am finally getting to them on Monday...I think I will name them Monday Musings. I had a busy but pleasant weekend and now it is time to put the nose to the grind again. To start the week off with a bang, one of my assistants had a death in the family so she will not be at work today. I really really hope this is not a precursor to the rest of my week. I hope that last statement didnt sound selfish because that wasnt my intent. I have just been running around like a headless chicken for almost a month now and my dual end burning candle is about out of wick.

1. I see trees of green, red roses too.

2. Yippee, its that time of year again for mosquito bites that make you scratch.

3. They begin the same but hopefully they will end differently.

4. I would have never guessed this would be my life so many years earlier.

5. This I know: I am not even close to figuring out what it is I would like to accomplish in the next five years.

6. Steak lightly drizzled with maple syrup and topped with pecans and feta cheese for dinner.

7. And as for the weekend, tonight I'm looking forward to having dinner with friends at Maddux Station, tomorrow my plans include going bike riding, watching soccer games and heading out of town to visit friends and Sunday, I want to ride about 12 miles, visit with more friends and have a safe ride home!

Close Of The Day

Here I sit at my computer and it is 630 in the morning on a dreary Sunday. That sounds like I am a little down but I am just a lot tired. I have been in Chattanooga again for the weekend but this time it was mixed with business. My company holds a mandatory corporate compliance meeting every two years to catch everybody up on the new Medicare rules and regulations. My choices were Gatlinburg in April or Chattanooga in May. Well, since I am one of the select few who finds Gatlinburg more kitschy than entertaining, I chose Chattanooga. They put us up in the historic Read House and other than the faint waft of old in the air, it is pretty swanky.

Friday night we ate at one of the best pizza places I have ever been to, Lupis....yummy. Saturday, I was supposed to be in class until 3 but the last few hours of class was information I had just been taught 3 months ago...so I was allowed to leave early!! Look at me! I had to spend part of that time finding a mall since I was ill-prepared and didnt bring one long sleeve shirt and it was chilly outside. We followed that with Michael and I doing two challenge courses at the zip line/obstacle course in the sky thing they have at Ruby Falls. It was loads of fun and I have pictures but I am going to wait until I get home to upload all that.

Lastly, today is a couple of hours of Osteoporosis and the like. I think we will head to the river one last time after that and walk across the huge pedestrian bridge and then head home. As usual, weekends go waaay too fast!

1. I know and feel like I am truly waiting patiently for the light at the end of my tunnel.

2. I am going to try to stay on top of things or at the very least, a teensy bit behind them if at all possible.

3. This weather has been great for walking around downtown Chattanooga. We have kept the truck in the garage all weekend except for the 8 mile trek to the mall.

4. I don't like people who always walk around as if the have a problem. Show me one person that doesn't have any problems and I will show you someone who is either lying, medicated or dead!

5. I'm really happy I have the ability to look at the bright side and keep smiling at people even when I am not feeling it. I am not saying I do that all the time, then I would be in the category mentioned in #4 :)

6. Meant to be, happens for a reason, or something to that effect.

7. And as for the weekend, tonight I'm looking forward to getting settled in Chattanooga and eating at Lupi's, tomorrow my plans include going to class and ziplining and Sunday, I want to have a safe trip home, pick up Princess Leia, and catch up on some things around the house!

I Am All Over It

I am all over the deal today. Blog finished by 9:30, only 5 patients to see today followed by a relaxing evening...I hope, I hope, I hope.

This week has been super crazy and I found myself in a little bit of a funk on Wednesday morning. I think the pressure of all the home work that needed to be done coupled with all the paperwork from both of my jobs that I keep getting behind on hit my like a truck and I felt crazy overwhelmed. Luckily, I pulled through and convinced myself that sitting around being sad and anxious about it all doesn't get it done either so I might as well get started. Unfortunately, I am still behind but my outlook on it all is...it will get done when I can get it done. No more stressing about it!

1. Seinfeld is my favorite TV show (or movie) because its a show about nothing, of course!

2. Go to page 45 of the book you're reading or of the book closest to you; go to the 6th paragraph and make a sentence out of 7 words from it: The rain slowed to a drizzle as we continued to shovel mud into the hole.

3. I am so glad it's Friday.

4. I prefer jogging a few leisurely miles instead of taking long walks.

5. Take some time to to reflect and try not to make the same mistakes again.

6. My chicken Parmesan needs a bit of a kick. It was awful bland.

7. And as for the weekend, tonight I'm looking forward to relaxing with Michael and getting to bed early, tomorrow my plans include chaperoning a trip to Dollywood for the concert band and Sunday, I want to drive to Franklin and spend time with my mom, grandmother and the rest of my family I rarely get to see.

Too Good To Last

I should have known the bragging which ensued last week would be followed by a bitter disappointment. Not only am I late this weekend, I have almost waited until the eleventh hour.

It was nice to wake up to a light, stormy Sunday morning. I know that sounds a little strange but when my windows are slightly open, I love waking up to the sounds of a storm. The wind rustling the leaves, the soft hum of a steady rain and the low rumble of distant thunder...especially on a morning I don't have to jump out of bed. If only I had been served a big cup of coffee while I stayed snuggled under the covers. :)

It's official, as of Friday we have a new member of the family. Don't even think about it being anything more than a four-legged addition. She is a Shi-Poo and the boys have lovingly named her Princess Leia. At first I wouldn't describe myself as being excited about that name because it sounds incredibly corny to call it aloud. However, the name and most definitely the dog have grown on me big time. She will make a wonderful addition to our family and as a bonus she is taking to this potty training thing fabulously. Only one little accident since we brought her home Friday afternoon. I hope everyone had a fabulous weekend.

1. I love to let myself go and be completely uninhibited.

2. I like to end my day with a lot of laughs and a smile.

3. It's how you look at things in life which determine how good or bad they are .

4. If you have a lot of negative things to say, don't tell me!

5. Well, would you ever give it a shot.

6. I love looking at my home through spring peepers.

7. And as for the weekend, tonight I'm looking forward to bringing home our new puppy, tomorrow my plans include soccer, soccer, seeing my mom, getting lots of laundry done and washing my car and Sunday, I want to hanging out at the house and going to the movies!

I'm On Time, I'm On Time, I'm On Time!!!

Holy cow, look at me. Friday fill-ins being completed on a Friday....what a concept. I am definitely not going to get too comfortable with my timeliness because I am positive this is a fleeting thing.

Well, for a little impromptu vacation, we finally arrived in Chattanooga yesterday for a little much needed R and R. We had no agenda initially as to how we would spend the time here...then last night my Clark Griswold alter ego emerged and I scratched up a rough draft. Couldn't help myself.

Well, we are off for a day of mostly unplanned fun. I hope everyone has a great Easter weekend.

1. Pardon me, while i burst into flames.

2. For anyone who truly knows me, I am always looking for a good deal.

3. I was surprised to find that I really like a lot of things I have recently discovered.

4. Most things physical is one of my favorite forms of entertainment.

5. Hi, my name is Angela and I'm self-consciousalohic.

6. I love low humidity, just rain kissed summer afternoons.

7. And as for the weekend, tonight I'm looking forward to swimming and relaxing after a busy day in Chattanooga, tomorrow my plans include seeing Rock City and having a safe trip home and Sunday, I want to have an early Easter egg hunt at the house and enjoy some Easter lunch with my mom and kids!