Friday, February 25, 2011
Tuesday, February 22, 2011
Meat Head Alert (and a funny story to go along with it) =D
While at the gym last night I was suddenly taken back by a complete stranger (male) acknowledging me by my name. I was 110% certain I’d never met this guy and yet he knew MY name. I was dumbfounded and a bit alarmed, but my type A personality got me thru it. I spoke back and commenced with a little ‘small talk’ with he and his gym buddy. Throughout that conversation I learned that he had asked a gym employee for my name last week. Anyway, after sizing him up for a moment I realized he was harmless and fun to mess with. I like confident men but never a man that forward so I continued on with the conversation as it was simply taking my mind of the strain of the workout and making the time go faster. By the end of the workout I had learned that “Mr. Forward” was married with children anyway. Seriously! (Have I mentioned dating SUCKS?!?) Turns out “Mr. Forward’s” gym buddy is a single (divorced) dad who has been in the dating scene for a while now. So, while “Mr. Forward” got his tan on (no kidding) Mr. Gym Buddy and I talked. I have really been hoping to meet someone (a friend) who has done or is doing the “suddenly single at 30+” thing. Mr. Gym Buddy is quiet and polite and likes to work his way off the bench rather than come out swinging like his MARRIED friend. What a treat it was to open his shell and ask him questions about his experiences. He even offered advice of which MOST of it I will keep in mind. There are a couple things he did say that has bothered the hell out of me though… He insisted I needed a rebound relationship. He assured me my next relationship would fail. He even had statistics backing that up. He also said I’m probably going to have to eventually settle or I am going to end up 87 years old with a bunch of cats!?! I simply responded that I refuse to settle. I want the magic like I had the first time. It fell into my lap and I have to believe it can (and will) happen again. He then said – you better get to working on that rebound relationship. =) Too funny.
Oh – a couple of side notes:
1) “Mr. Gym Buddy” and I were still conversing when “Mr. Forward” came out of the tanning bed. You should have seen “Mr. Forward’s” face when he noticed we were STILL talking! He totally had the “are you messing with my girl” face on. What a slime ball! =)
2) When the long and drawn-out conversation was finally over, the gym head manager came up to me making sure I was OK, and offering to interrupt any conversation I’m uncomfortable with. He even gave me a “code word” so that he would know when to intervene. What a great guy! What a great manager!!! This gym thing is working out for me in more ways than I could ever imagine. And Dad, (now that I know you read this blog) doesn’t that make you happy knowing that the gym manager is looking after me too!?! =)
Have a good Tuesday Y’all!!!
-Amy-
Oh – a couple of side notes:
1) “Mr. Gym Buddy” and I were still conversing when “Mr. Forward” came out of the tanning bed. You should have seen “Mr. Forward’s” face when he noticed we were STILL talking! He totally had the “are you messing with my girl” face on. What a slime ball! =)
2) When the long and drawn-out conversation was finally over, the gym head manager came up to me making sure I was OK, and offering to interrupt any conversation I’m uncomfortable with. He even gave me a “code word” so that he would know when to intervene. What a great guy! What a great manager!!! This gym thing is working out for me in more ways than I could ever imagine. And Dad, (now that I know you read this blog) doesn’t that make you happy knowing that the gym manager is looking after me too!?! =)
Have a good Tuesday Y’all!!!
-Amy-
Friday, February 18, 2011
Wednesday, February 16, 2011
Long long ago in a faraway place…
It’s fairytale time. Who didn’t love fairytales, right!?!
This past weekend (as ya’ll know) was Valentine’s Day weekend. I was blessed to be asked to share this weekend with my awesome parents. Momma Deb was willing to share Timbo with me and I enjoyed it! While enjoying dinner on Sunday we got to talking about weddings after I had noticed a ‘Save the Date’ card on their refrigerator. As some of you know, I LOVE weddings. I love planning weddings, going to weddings and being a part of weddings. So naturally this was a fun topic for me. Somehow or another we began talking about my NEXT wedding, and I joked it would be at the park under a picnic shelter seeing that the NEXT time would be on MY dime. And then Daddy Timbo smiled disagreeing. Momma Deb then said, well this is under totally different circumstances than the normal ‘second wedding’. Like I said – AMAZING parents. Anyway, obviously it was an all in good fun conversation as I am not even seeing anyone in particular. But let’s just say I enjoyed it.
Needless to say, this conversation sparked my imagination and I’ve found myself planning my NEXT wedding in my head. So – why not have some fun with it?!?
I’ll be wearing this gown that I wanted from the first time I saw it in 2004 (after my dress was already purchased).
I love anything that gives me HOPE…
Happy dreaming folks!
With love,
Amy
This past weekend (as ya’ll know) was Valentine’s Day weekend. I was blessed to be asked to share this weekend with my awesome parents. Momma Deb was willing to share Timbo with me and I enjoyed it! While enjoying dinner on Sunday we got to talking about weddings after I had noticed a ‘Save the Date’ card on their refrigerator. As some of you know, I LOVE weddings. I love planning weddings, going to weddings and being a part of weddings. So naturally this was a fun topic for me. Somehow or another we began talking about my NEXT wedding, and I joked it would be at the park under a picnic shelter seeing that the NEXT time would be on MY dime. And then Daddy Timbo smiled disagreeing. Momma Deb then said, well this is under totally different circumstances than the normal ‘second wedding’. Like I said – AMAZING parents. Anyway, obviously it was an all in good fun conversation as I am not even seeing anyone in particular. But let’s just say I enjoyed it.
Needless to say, this conversation sparked my imagination and I’ve found myself planning my NEXT wedding in my head. So – why not have some fun with it?!?
The location: Savannah, GA under a large Spanish Moss covered Live Oak like this…
I’ll be wearing this gown that I wanted from the first time I saw it in 2004 (after my dress was already purchased).
And we will dance to this song that I LOVE by the very talented Irish musician my mother introduced me to at a very young age. My favorite artist of all time. Mr. Van Morrison…
I love anything that gives me HOPE…
Happy dreaming folks!
With love,
Amy
Tuesday, February 15, 2011
A table for…
It is simplest the things that bother me the most… Very strange!!!
I LOVE to see my friends in love. Happy, healthy and completely head over heels in love. Doesn’t bother me in the least. I am so happy that they are happy. Not in the least jealous. I’m just grateful they get to share in that kind of love I was blessed to know all so well. It’s magic. It gives me hope.
I love love love going out these days. I am loving makeup again, fixing my fair and I’ve even brought out all my cheap costume jewelry to accessorize. I have time for ME again and I am using it to make ME feel better about ME again. Although I HATE the reasons behind the fact that I have all this ME time now, it is nice to feel good about myself after placing me on the backburner for so long. Going out isn’t the problem. One of my biggest “Suddenly Single at 30+” hang-ups is the 3rd, 5th, 7th wheel thing. Table for 1, 3, 5, 7, 9 SUCKS. I am better as a team. I miss my team. I need EVEN freaking numbers people.
Solution:
Goodbye…
Table for 1
Table for 2!!!
Don’t get too excited folks. I haven’t found my ‘teammate’ yet, but I am getting better at looking each and every day. =)
Lots of love,
-A-
I LOVE to see my friends in love. Happy, healthy and completely head over heels in love. Doesn’t bother me in the least. I am so happy that they are happy. Not in the least jealous. I’m just grateful they get to share in that kind of love I was blessed to know all so well. It’s magic. It gives me hope.
I love love love going out these days. I am loving makeup again, fixing my fair and I’ve even brought out all my cheap costume jewelry to accessorize. I have time for ME again and I am using it to make ME feel better about ME again. Although I HATE the reasons behind the fact that I have all this ME time now, it is nice to feel good about myself after placing me on the backburner for so long. Going out isn’t the problem. One of my biggest “Suddenly Single at 30+” hang-ups is the 3rd, 5th, 7th wheel thing. Table for 1, 3, 5, 7, 9 SUCKS. I am better as a team. I miss my team. I need EVEN freaking numbers people.
Solution:
Goodbye…
Table for 1
Table for 3
Table for 5
Hello…
Table for 2!!!
Don’t get too excited folks. I haven’t found my ‘teammate’ yet, but I am getting better at looking each and every day. =)
Lots of love,
-A-
Friday, February 11, 2011
The definition of a friend…
I have been blessed with tons of great friends. Truly B-L-E-S-S-E-D, blessed. But you know me. I’m honest. There are all different variances of friends. The there when you need them friends. The there when they need you friends. Always there friends, and the there too much friends. You get the idea. We are human and that’s how we roll. It doesn’t make us bad or good. It just is. That’s us. Humans.
Today I am celebrating one of those few, cherished and special friends… The rare and priceless kind. The kind you are separated from for 10+ years and then suddenly they show up because they know you need them. The kind you tell EVERYTHING to. The kind who knows your innermost secrets and the kind that will take those secrets to the grave. The kind that spends countless hours of their demanding days planning, organizing and hosting a benefit to see to it that your dying husband has the funding he needs to continue the fight for the time he wants so badly. The kind that works you through the moment you realize your time with that ‘warrior like’ husband is coming to an end, and ensures you she’ll be there to see you through. The kind of friend who isn’t searching for the right words to say, or is too cowardly to face the hell you are living. I’m talking about the kind of friend who has seen death and prepares you in detail what to expect. Not only did this friend hold my hand as I walked that hell-like journey, she drew me a map. And she was there. She is there…
Happy Birthday to my bestie.
Today I am celebrating one of those few, cherished and special friends… The rare and priceless kind. The kind you are separated from for 10+ years and then suddenly they show up because they know you need them. The kind you tell EVERYTHING to. The kind who knows your innermost secrets and the kind that will take those secrets to the grave. The kind that spends countless hours of their demanding days planning, organizing and hosting a benefit to see to it that your dying husband has the funding he needs to continue the fight for the time he wants so badly. The kind that works you through the moment you realize your time with that ‘warrior like’ husband is coming to an end, and ensures you she’ll be there to see you through. The kind of friend who isn’t searching for the right words to say, or is too cowardly to face the hell you are living. I’m talking about the kind of friend who has seen death and prepares you in detail what to expect. Not only did this friend hold my hand as I walked that hell-like journey, she drew me a map. And she was there. She is there…
Happy Birthday to my bestie.
I’ll love you forever. I’ll appreciate you always, and I will never be able to repay you for all that you have and will continue to do for me. But I can promise I will live the remainder of my days trying. Thank you Heather!
Always,
Finns
Friday, February 4, 2011
Widow Weight…
Widow weight is a very real issue for me. For those of you who don’t personally know me. I am a small girl with a very tiny frame. I am 5’ 2” and have always hovered around the 100 – 110 Lb mark. This has changed. And it has changed more than I would like… =/
I gained weight with David’s illness but never much. Just stress weight. A few pounds on and off here and there. For the most part my weight was under control because of how hectic my life had become and the mere fact I was cooking very healthy meals for us. And then he stopped eating. That was about this time last year. And then he got weak. Very weak. Dave was prideful and stubborn and I absolutely loved (and still do) those qualities about him. David lost 35 pounds quickly, and wasn’t able to maneuver on his own safely. But there is the pride factor. He WAS going to get better and he didn’t want ANYONE to see him like that. He needed me and only me and I was there. I did everything my 110 lb body could do for him. I did more than I ever should have been able to do, but it is amazing what adrenaline and love will allow you to do. Home health was NOT an option for David. It was OUR fight and it was only worth fighting if WE could handle it. And so I was there. I ate whatever was quick. Whatever I could get my hands on and yet away from his eye view because he wanted to eat so badly. He just couldn’t. He tried so hard to get better. Harder than most would. And he did so with pride. I honored his wish and it was just OUR fight to the end. Unfortunately the end came all too soon after that…
The solution to the problem…
Last month I joined a gym. I walked in the door day one at 134 pounds. Believe me. ONE-THREE-FOUR. The scale doesn’t lie. I don’t drink soda anymore, I avoid fried foods and believe it or not – I drink WATER. I hate water, but I drink it. What I am most proud of is the fact that I go to the gym at least 4 times a week, and I am there actively working out for at least 2 hours each time. It hurts – I press on. I sweat – I press on. I want my freaking Swedish Fish – I eat spinach salad. I sacrifice. Why?
This… (After 2nd Craniotomy)
It is this… (2/27/10 - 13 days before he earned his wings.)
Scratch that. I can name a whole pathetic group of people who constantly disappointed him (and I’m sure still are). I personally couldn’t live with myself knowing that I’m disappointing him and therefore I’m doing something about it. There is not better motivation!
Have a great weekend all.
See ya at the gym?!? =)
With love,
A 128 Lb much more tone version of Amy =)
I gained weight with David’s illness but never much. Just stress weight. A few pounds on and off here and there. For the most part my weight was under control because of how hectic my life had become and the mere fact I was cooking very healthy meals for us. And then he stopped eating. That was about this time last year. And then he got weak. Very weak. Dave was prideful and stubborn and I absolutely loved (and still do) those qualities about him. David lost 35 pounds quickly, and wasn’t able to maneuver on his own safely. But there is the pride factor. He WAS going to get better and he didn’t want ANYONE to see him like that. He needed me and only me and I was there. I did everything my 110 lb body could do for him. I did more than I ever should have been able to do, but it is amazing what adrenaline and love will allow you to do. Home health was NOT an option for David. It was OUR fight and it was only worth fighting if WE could handle it. And so I was there. I ate whatever was quick. Whatever I could get my hands on and yet away from his eye view because he wanted to eat so badly. He just couldn’t. He tried so hard to get better. Harder than most would. And he did so with pride. I honored his wish and it was just OUR fight to the end. Unfortunately the end came all too soon after that…
Dave would hate that I have gained 24 pounds following his passing. He didn’t care if I could still fit into my size 2’s or what color my hair was. He didn’t care if I wore makeup or not. He did however care if I were healthy or not. He would encourage me to drink water and less soda, and eat less candy and more vegetables. And he did these things because he cared about me. Not how I looked but because he wanted me healthy. And even knowing this, for months I still ate sugary cereal for dinner and drank Mt. Dew and ate my beloved Swedish Fish. I had nothing but bad eating habits and I am now paying the price.
The solution to the problem…
Last month I joined a gym. I walked in the door day one at 134 pounds. Believe me. ONE-THREE-FOUR. The scale doesn’t lie. I don’t drink soda anymore, I avoid fried foods and believe it or not – I drink WATER. I hate water, but I drink it. What I am most proud of is the fact that I go to the gym at least 4 times a week, and I am there actively working out for at least 2 hours each time. It hurts – I press on. I sweat – I press on. I want my freaking Swedish Fish – I eat spinach salad. I sacrifice. Why?
This… (After 2nd Craniotomy)
My motivation isn’t my size 2’s in the closet.
It is this… (2/27/10 - 13 days before he earned his wings.)
And this… (During Stereotactic Brain Radiation)
And this... (After successful Thoracoscopy)
And who could disappoint this face??? (Pre-Cancer living)
Scratch that. I can name a whole pathetic group of people who constantly disappointed him (and I’m sure still are). I personally couldn’t live with myself knowing that I’m disappointing him and therefore I’m doing something about it. There is not better motivation!
Have a great weekend all.
See ya at the gym?!? =)
With love,
A 128 Lb much more tone version of Amy =)
Wednesday, February 2, 2011
Subscribe to:
Posts (Atom)