The Young and The Restless

I think I have been denying myself my youth lately. After a W on the board for Team Arterx, our team went to the Lincoln Park Pub in Tremont for a few celebratory drinks. We somehow got onto the age game. Everyone on the team is late 20s, early 30s or older. I on the other hand am sitting pretty at 23 yrs of age. "Well, I was born in 1986." A little laughter crawls over the table. J. Byrne reminds me of something I have forgotten lately; an idea that got lost among the bills, grocery shopping and apartment decorating. "Shelley, your like in your prime right now!" You know what, I totally agree.

Lately I have fallen into the pattern of single, working girl/domestic goddess. I rarely go out and have even skipped out on my weekly bottle of wine, due to bills, dates with my Swiffer Wet Jet and the gym. I'm very happy for my accomplishments in life thus far in my life - Graduated from college, found a great job, got a place of my own.... I have followed all the rules, well most of them - I deserve to get out and celebrate once and a while. Which is why I am so glad I went out with my friends in Willoughby on Friday night...

Sarah and I got a few drinks at 1899 in DTW. We had a couple hours by ourselves and than the boys came to meet up with us. All was well in the world and I had a great time! Saturday, as I mentioned was the first Winter Football Game. Unfortunately I was completely exhausted after Friday nights (err mornings) rendezvous til 8am, football and 4 beers, that by the time I got home at 3:45pm today, I passed out til 8.... It was well deserved don't you think??

I had to drag myself out of my warm bed; I only ate chips and guac for the day so I figured food was necessary. Giant Eagle, late night, is like being on the set of a scary movie. Bread looks different under the dark shadows of the store running at half electrical power. The deli, butcher and seafood windows are cleared and blacked out. The rent a cop in aisle 4 makes you feel like you just committed a crime for checking the nutrition facts on 100 calorie popcorn. Luckily, no cart traffic made shopping a breeze and I was able to escape unscathed

So now, here I am watching Buffy the Vampire Slayer reruns, eating 100 cal popcorn and wondering why I can't have a secret vampire relationship like Spike and Buffy...

Pop corn, reruns and vampire fantasies on a Saturday night. Maybe I am ready to grow up.

2 words: Cleveland Winter

Today at about 2:30 pm, it started snowing, a lot. So much actually that we received an email from HR that if conditions were as bad tomorrow and we couldn't drive to work, we should work from home. To bad the office is 5 minutes away from my apartment. Driving in the snow is extremely fun for me because I have Izzy underneath me. She's a happy healthy 1 year old Subaru Impreza, and the chick knows how to tear it up on the side streets. Unfortunately if your from Ohio, you've come to realize that even though we're used to extreme conditions, some act like they are from Florida. "What is that white stuff and why am I fishtailing everywhere?" Seriously! Pick it up people! I know you want to be safe, but you're more likely to spin at 5 mph than keeping it a steady 25. I can't even imagine what people did when they didn't have snow plows. According to this picture from the Cleveland storm of 1950, they had shoveling parties to clear the streets.

The weather is going to be pretty bad for the next few days, just in time for our first winter football game on Saturday! The team looks great this season - broken bones have healed and we have added some height in the back zones. Nothing like playing outside in the middle of a Winter Snow Storm! PS: If you google image "touch football" you get a lot of results, some involving "touch", some involving "football" and a few involving Elvis??

Positive Energy Needed

Being a firm believer in the power of positive thinking, If you could please send positive thoughts to my Grammy, they will not go unnoticed. I just got word from my dad that Grammy is in the hospital and they are unsure what is wrong. Truth is my mom went over to her house yesterday and she was fine, but over night and into the morning things took a turn for the worse. They are treating her for meningitis which means I am not allowed to see her or go see my mom who is with her. My sister and I were just talking and were both in shock. Grammy, to us, is immortal. Being a caretaker for 25 years to my grandpa who passed away 2 years ago, she was never sick - she was the one bedside and now she's in it. What makes me so upset is that I want to talk to my mom, she would tell me it will be okay, but right now, she is telling her own mother it will be okay. My mom and grammy are the 2 strongest women I know. I can't see my mom lose another parent so soon after losing her father, so please send us your positive thoughts and prayers.

Update - 9:16pm - No change yet, but grammy hasn't gotten any worse. I think the positive prayers are doing us good! Please keep them coming...

Update - 01/07/2010 - 12:14pm - As my mom said to me this morning, it is no longer in our hands. Grammy asked this morning, "what is wrong with me" - although this is sad, its a good sign; it shows progress. She is a strong lady, she will survive this, she needs to survive this. Thank you for your thoughts and prayers.

Update - 01/07 - 9:45pm - Mom called this afternoon and said Grammy is doing okay. Stef went to see her and said It wasn't the best, she just doesn't look the same. The woman is a saint, she is a caretaker, a baby sitter, a role model, and the best damn cook I know. With this being bacterial meningitis, there is a chance she will not fully recover. I don't know how she, being so stuck in her ways of always moving and working hard, will be able to just do nothing. Its in Gods hands right now. Your thoughts and prayers are working... things are slowly getting better

I... get... so... weak in the knees, I can hardly speak.....

....No seriously! The elliptical is killing my legs and taking my breath away! Luckily I'm enjoying every second of it! I joined the Lakewood YMCA just before the new year and have to say I have only seen 1 attractive male there so far... WTF! I mean sure that's not the only reason I joined. As my mom says we all need to be a bit healthier this year. Also it helps relieve some of the stresses of the work day. Of course I did think, maybe, by some act of God I would happen to stumble into the man of my dreams. I'm sure no one wants to really approach me after 3 miles on the tready. A girl can dream though.

Here are a few other reasons I like the Y:

1. I can swim whenever I want and I look really good doing it next to all those older people.

2. Working out never made me feel crappy. Endorphins are always buzzing!

3. Workout Mixes... I love the way my butt starts to move a little bit more when a really awesome song comes on

4. Because what else am I supposed to do this winter - I live in Cleveland!

A few things I could do without:

1. Remember those older people in the pool... try that in the locker room. ugh

2. Stinky people

3. Dudes who grunt while they lift - I think I can hear you moaning over Girl Talk

4. Forgetting my Nalgene in the car, going to purchase water from the vending machine, and now having $4 in quarters sitting in my book bag because I only had a 5 on me

All in all, I'm starting to love going to the gym.

What helps you enjoy your workouts???

SO far things are going well... BUT lets be real, it's only Day 4!

I am proud to say that so far 2010 has rocked! I have been going to the gym regularly, meeting lovely new people and really enjoying my single life on the west side. Things are going so well and I am really holding my own, even when it comes to random early am text messages from the navy. Yes, Dubs has struck again! This is what I like to call ST's texts from last night:

(814) "You soooooo need to come over tonight"

Okay... I don't think need to do anything for you:

1. I haven't talked to you since I told you to "grow up" three weeks ago

2. I'm not getting out of bed for you

Dubs and I had a bit of a fling in the Senior year of my College career. We still keep in touch, but come on - I don't want to hang out with you after 1:00 am unless your willing to spend some quality time with me at 12 noon. 2 years ago, I would have flirted my way into a nice compromise. This time, I got called a bitch and it was so worth it! I'm holding my own on this one. Sorry Dubs.

For all you single ladies out there, don't let some jackass expect you to come over in the wee hours of the night. Just tell em you'll be over really soon, turn off your phone and go to bed.... you will wake up with a whole new appreciation for yourself and a whole lot of crazy text messages.

Stay strong ladies!

-S

You watch football... I'll go to target

Currently sitting at my parents house finishing #4 of 4 loads of laundry. The TV is showing the Browns game and the radio is playing the Steelers game. I grew up in a house divided: Dad is a Browns fan and Mom bleeds Black and Gold. I'm willing to watch both, but I lean more towards the stillers. I enjoy watching football, but all you crazy Browns fans I just drove by while passing the Stadium are nuts! I mean its like 10 degrees outside. Than again, our touch football team practiced yesterday for about an hour in the same weather - first game is this Saturday!

So instead of watching the first half of the Browns game/listening to the Steelers game, Madre and I went to the local Target. Steffie and Chase came along too! It was a family affair at The Bullseye. I got some rugs for the kitchen, mom got some things for the house, and Chase got a new dinosaur coloring book. The kid loves dinosaurs!

He also loves my socks. Chase is my nephew for those of you who aren't familiar. He is also one of my god sons and the smartest 2 year old I know. Here he is lounging on top of my funny purple socks.

Tonight, I have big plans and they involve an Elliptical. Anyone have song suggestions to add to my new work out mix??

Enjoy the evening!

-S

44 things you might not know about me...

1. I love to be in the kitchen. I feel it is the heart of every home.

2. Natalie Wood is my favorite female actress, and even though Christopher Walken is a great actor, I still believe he had a role in her death.

3. I have a slight fear of heights and an even greater fear of dark water - and I have been swimming competitively since I was 8 years old

4. I tell my mother most everything, but have not been able to tell her I'm a social smoker.

5. I strongly believe in the power of positive thinking

6. Pam and Jim's relationship on The Office is amazing, I can't wait to find my best friend.

7. I do not like being in a car or plane for more than 2.5 hours

8. I would really enjoy going to the Olympic Games once in my lifetime

9. I love performing arts. Opera, ballet, concerts, Broadway... love it

10. I enjoy watching old dance movies that feature Gene Kelly - An American In Paris is my favorite

11. While I was in middle school, my family and I lost all our belongings in a house fire. If my mom wouldn't have woken up, we could have lost my father as well. I never take anything for granted. Life is too precious.

12. I believe I am equal parts of both my sisters. I have the positivity and creativity of my sister Sara; strength and humor of my sister Stefanie.

13. Most people hate hospitals. I don't - I still think about becoming a nurse

14. I enjoy listening to covers of The Beatles; Across the Universe and I Am Sam are favorite soundtracks of mine

15. I think Turkey Hot Dogs are amazing

16. I am completely obsessed with Diet Dr. Pepper and not ashamed to talk about all 23 flavors

17. I have fallen in love, but was not loved the same in return - I hate the feeling of a broken heart, its as if an elephant just came and sat on your chest.

18. My parents have been married for 30 years and are still going strong- they are a great inspiration to me

19. Penny Lane - Kate Hudson's character in Almost Famous - is a profound inspiration in my life. "It's all happening."

20. My friend doesn't know, but I started crying at the LIGHTS concert when I realized I would never be as skinny as she is

21. I love to write people. Everyone feels special when they receive mail and I like to make people feel special.

22. Out of the 5 love languages - physical touch is my first love language. words of affirmation is my second

23. I love to dance, and I think I'm pretty good at it

24. I steal my neighbors wireless

25. I have a fascination with wearing lingerie under normal day clothes. I like that I'm the only one that knows

26. I love the smell of chlorine on someones body after they have been swimming.

27. I read Eat Pray Love and decided I would learn Italian - I stopped trying after 2 weeks.

28. I have never been out of the country and am totally willing to suffer through the flight to jump the pond

29. I had braces for 5 years and still think my teeth are messed up

30. I have never been ice skating or skiing/snowboard - I'm hoping to change that this winter

31. When I'm upset, the two people I turn to are my parents. They have a way of saying exactly what I need to hear - Usually a hug and "I love you"

32. I believe that I will die by drowning - so does mom. She had reoccurring dreams of me drowning when I was a baby.

33. My dream house is a large house, New England style, wood floors, white linens, french doors and windows that are constantly open, wispy tall grass, a willow tree, and a large lake in the front (possibly the one that will take my life)

34. While in college I studied Fashion Merchandising with hopes of one day owning my own eclectic boutique. I'm a bit off track right now with my 10 year plan, but I hope to get there... one day.

35. I have only been in one legitimate labeled relationship and it lasted 4 months. I was a freshman in college and he took everything. We still talk here and there.

36. My grandmother died when she was 68. I wonder what she would have done at my age if she knew 1/3 of her life was over. I have started to live every day as if it were my last.

37. Although I don't go to church regularly, I still feel a spiritual connection to the lives around me and the undefined spirit world

38. Whenever I fret about money. I take a deep breath and look around my apartment. There are some people who don't even have that.

39. I feel dreams are a powerful reflection into the soul, and if read correctly can be a guiding light towards the future

40. I am looking forward to having children and if everyone is healthy, I would like to have my kids the most natural way possible - I don't want medications or hospital gowns to take away my experience of child birth.

41. I have a tattoo and got it strategically placed in a location my mother and father would never see it, but I told them about it the next day.

42. Even though I don't have much experience in Love and relationships, my friends still trust my advice on them.

43. I think schedules are needed at times, and when a spontaneous moment comes along I'm not afraid.

44. I have yet to say "I love you". I'm very happy I still have that moment to share with someone.

Happy New Year

S