Some people really, really like Valentines Day:
And for some people, it’s just too much:
Hope you had a great one … no matter which side you happen to fall!
* The nephew, brought to you by the impromptu photoshoots new parents (who am I kidding, we All) love so dearly.
To follow-up on the babies post from a few days ago…
Yes, we want to have children. We are planning to wait for a couple of years, but the timeline is variable, so who knows?
But … there are things that just make me want to grab husband and say “Give me a baby! Now!”, while my ovaries explode. You know how it goes.
For example:
– Holding my 10 day old nephew, and hearing comments (from family) like “Oh, he looks just like you!” *
– Listening to the radio and hearing the following:
Thanks to you, a woman will get the chance to feel the kick of a tiny foot under her ribs. Thank to you, a woman will have to shop for pants with an elastic waistband … and be happy about it…
It was a radio spot for egg donation. GAH. And yes, I started sobbing.
– Reading the morning’s blog posts and coming across this:
Photo via APW, by the incredible Seth Kaye
LITTLE BUTTON! **
Excuse me while I go dissolve into a puddle.
What, if anything, does this to you?
* He really did look like me, in his earliest days. Mostly because he looked like my dad, and so do I. Now, though, he’s clearly not mine. Interesting how that worked out.
** That’s the only word that came to mind when I saw that. Button. In a squealy voice, naturally.
So, in my field there are several large organizations that will … with much hard work, and even more money … provide you with training and certifications. Big, fancy certifications. Certifications that provide you with acronyms that you can attach to your name on business cards and email signatures. Fun, right?
In discussing my goals with my boss, we got to disecting a recent promotion announcement … figuring out what about the woman who’d been promoted (totally deservedly, lady ROCKS) GOT her that promotion. The announcement kept coming back to classes she’d taken in her time with this company. So, we looked into the classes. 3 required for a certificate, 6 for the full-on certification.
The goal is to get my full certification by the end of 2013. And my certificate by the end of 2012. Last Wednesday was my first class: Budgeting and Accounting. Oooh, fun. *
I was the 4th to arrive to my class, and sat down to open the book.** Across the table from me were two women … one much older than the other, but clearly trying to appear younger. Ok, there are plently of women like that, right? Each was dressed in a black blazer and many necklaces, and had perfectly manicured nails.
As I sat down, they looked up. I was in a blouse and cardigan combo … no blazer to be found. The younger of the two looked me up and down, and huffed … loudly enough that the entire room could hear her. Then she turned to her friend, and they both started laughing.
Well alright then. Asshats.
Class filled up (about 15-20 men to 6 women … not uncommon in this industry), and we began. It was immediatly clear that while I may be one of the youngest in the room, I was also one of the most knowledgable. I thought nothing more of it than to heave a sigh of relief (I was terrified I was going to know NOTHING) and continue answering questions. I’d made a point to sit directly across the table from the instructor, so I could make eye contact … and as a result, she addressed a lot of quesitons to me. Fancy.
About halfway through, though, I started noticing the same two women, this time glaring at me. When I finally answered which company I work for, the glares got more intense. I attempted to ignore them, and went on doing what I had been doing. But now it was awkward.
WHAT IS IT about women that makes us so catty? Why was it that my clothing/workplace/age/knowledge should be subject to open ridicule? Why should I be made to feel ashamed of my acomplishments? And for that matter, why should the one thing I remember (besides her behavior) about the older woman be that she was trying to look much younger?
It feels like we’re back in high school, and the cliques are at war.
I don’t get it, and I don’t like it. If this continues, it’s shaping up to be a very uncomfortable class.
Do you have experiences like this?
*Please note the scarcasm. I mean, my undying enthusiam.
** Book is a bit of a misnomer. It was a fancy 3-ring binder with the pages shrinkwrapped, hole-punched, and ready to go. That stupid shrinkwrap took AGES to get off. Ugh.
So, last night, as I was preparing dinner, the husband came up behind me, wrapped his arms around my waist, kissed my cheek and said:
Will you be my Valentine? You don’t have to, I guess. But I want you to be.
Can I get a collective AWWWWW?
I smiled, and went back to the grilled cheese and turkey preperation. Tough stuff, I tell you.
What I DIDN’T know * was that he immediately went and posted this exchange on Facebook. Where the conversation took a rather … interesting turn:
For the record … the first two commenters are his friends, the rest are family. HIS family. Except for the last couple … those are my mom.
WHY does it always have to come back to babies? Yes, we want babies! No, not right now!
You’ll notice none of MY friends were pushy enough to comment. THEY have manners. Pssh. COUSINS.
* Didn’t know until this morning, as I blearly brushed my teeth and checked the various social networks.
You don’t see any of MY friends being pushy like that.
Oh hey there … was I gone long?
10 second excuse: Sick. (Wah.) Pneumonia. (Ewww.) Struggling to breath does not make for easy blogging. (Pity me?)
So, while, I’m not 100% yet, my head is a little less fuzzy. Onward!
As you all know, some of my big goals for the early part of this year are to get my health* and really, weight, under control. Pay attention to what I’m eating, exercise more, etc etc etc. All in all, fit back into my work pants (I miiiiiiiiiisssss you, work pants!) and be aware of the effects my habits have on my weight and overall health.
Insert the Nosy Bitches™.** Spearheaded by Miss Kinzie, about 15 of us have embarked on a competition of sorts … we’ve all set our goals and put up our money … at the end, those that come closest to their goals (or hit them!) will split the winnings (or it might go to charity, we haven’t decided yet. As you do.). Hey, look at that! Built in motivation!
In setting up my goals, I did some long thinking. First off … I know how my body works. My weight fluctuates all over the place. So it’s not fair to myself to say ” I will be 135 lbs this week, or I’ve failed”, when I could easily be 135 one day, 137 the next, and 134 the day after that. Or hell, say I loose 3 lbs one week and none the next. While I’d technically be ahead of the game, I’d still owe for NOT HITTING MY NUMBERS. I stand firm in that the healthiest way to go about weight loss is to let your body set the pace, while you do the work. So, eat healthy, exercise, what have you. But don’t try and force yourself into tiny little boxed numbers. It can just lead to heartache, disappointment, and a lack of motivation. ***
So, I did not set a weight loss goal. I’m still on My Fitness Pal (it’s really been a game changer for me) … and it’s helping me keep track of what I’ve lost and gained, and keeping me honest. What I DID set were workout and calorie goals:
Goal 1: Workout 3 days a week or more.
Goal 2: Come in at or under my calorie count, 4 days a week or more.
The way I see it, if I can get comfortable hitting those two goals, my targeted weight loss should naturally follow … right?
That’s the hope anyway. And if not? Well then, I’ve got a bigger body than I used to, but a SIGNIFICANTLY healthier lifestyle.
And that, in itself, is a win.
So … who’s all in on this? I’ve got 14 friends on my goal list right now … is anyone missing? What are your goals? How did you decide on them? What’re going to buy with all your winnings?! (That last one’s only partially a joke. ::winks:: )
* On the heels of a super nasty health issue, this strikes me as INSANELY funny.
** Yes, NosyBitches™. Kinzie used it a while back, and Shaelyn and I are all about making it happen, on Twitter this morning. It has a nice ring to it, doesn’t it?
*** This is not meant to shame anyone. This is how my body has taught me it works, and what is healthiest for me. Your body works in a different way? Awesome. Get on with your bad self. We have goals to reach!
Little Pieces Everywhere 