Here a Turkey...

There a Turkey. Thanksgiving was really great this year. I totally enjoyed the addition of the family Turkey Trot. We had some really crazy ones (mom and sis) who thought running from Albany to Avon and back would be great; then we had some semi-crazy ones (three aunts, an uncle, Matt, and me) who went from Avon to Albany; and we had the ones that got it just right and went about 3 miles or so. It truly made it more fun to eat though - not much quilt when I went back for more sweet potatos. Looking forward to the next one (good tradition Terry!).

Black Friday was fun as usual. Robin, Mom and I were up and atta um by 4. We got some good deals, however, I didn't get one xmas gift- I just bought for myself. OOPS. Later we went out to eat and had some really good food. It was nice to relax with just the ladies.

Saturday we celebrated/surprised my Gpa with an 80th B-day party. Most of the fam was home so we thought the timing would be good, if not a little early. He was shocked and we enjoyed games, drinks and food at the Albany Golf Club.

I think in my last post I recommended Family Tree, well, yesterday I read another I thought was good. Sugar Daddy (probably just for the females) is a great story about lost love, finding yourself, trusting yourself, and your partner. I started it hoping it would give me tips - no such luck, I guess I am not going to find a Sugar Daddy of my own :).

One Conundrum

Down, one (or maybe more) to go. As some of you know for the last two years or so I have had sporadic, routine stomach cramping and pain. Previously, I was told it was associated with my anxiety, it was my gall bladder, and at one point I think heart burn (which I completely never thought)...but we finally have a more concrete answer after I spent some time in the ER last friday (the 16th) because of the most recent attack of pain. They found a cyst on my right ovary, a fibroid in my uterus, and signs that most likely (I need some additional tests) I have endometriosis. They are all common issues with women my age, but I am meeting with a Gyno Specialist in mid December to find out what to do next in order to alleviate the pain if possible and determine how this affects my fertility, etc. I am just happy to have answers. Not that I can really blame anyone but myself that it took so long - I was just trying to suck it up thinking it had to do with my pention for spicy hot foods. Guess I don't need to cut back on those anymore!

I can't believe I haven't updated this in almost a month (thanks for the nudge to get on it Amis). I have been super busy with work, school, and some family committments. I missed a GNO last week (when I was in the ER) which I was looking forward to. Hope they had fun.

I am looking forward to waking up at the crack of dawn - well, earlier - to shop on Friday. I can't quite grasp why its the only day I willing get out of bed. Robin, Mom and I plan to get as many deals as we can...and laugh at all the ruckus as people pummel to get through to the limited items advertised. And get a Caribou, of course.

I just finished a good book for any interested parties: Family Tree by Barbara Delinsky. Its a great story about acceptance and trust. I was super excited to see Transformers, one because I loved the cartoons (robots in disquise) and because Josh Dushamel (sp?) is HOT. However, not a good movie. I am a girl who loves an action flick as much as the next guy...this one just sucked. They should've just edited a whole bunch of the cartoons together. That would have been great. Another movie I was hoping to enjoy was Little Miss Sunshine. Its was alright - but really the last 10 minutes are the best and I think made me feel a little better about the whole thing. I have come to realize thatm in most cases with a few notable exceptions, if the critics praise a movie, I usually don't like it and if they bash it, I love it.

A couple weeks ago we had a baby shower for my cousin, Kim. (15 days and counting!!) I am so excited to see the little one. At first I was defintely thinking a baby boy - now I am not so sure. My uncle Terry was hilarious...he said he hopes it's a girl because he dosen't want a grandson named Griffin (their name of choice - which I love - for a boy). Too funny! Not that he would really care, I just think its cute that he said that.

Well, I hope you all have a great (or had as most of you will probably be reading this after the holiday) Thanksgiving. I have to start out bright an earlier in the morning as the Oehrlein's and their relentless pursuit of all competitions are having a Turkey Trot (a race/exercise event where we all have to run, walk, etc for any hour or so) before dinner. Works for me though I guess - I will feel much less guily about the amount of sweet potatos I consume.

Do you wake up happy or sad?

I have to ask, because lately I feel like everyone (with the exceptions of family and friends) - so strangers or mild acquaintances - is crabby. I call to order flowers, the person is crabby. I call to check on a work vehicle being completed at a body shop, they are crabby. I call to check on a death certificate being completed and Kristi (who I love) is nervous/anxious because the doctor she needs to check with is mean. So, I guess what I am getting at - is everyone crabby until they are made to be happy?? I feel like I wake up in a good mood (granted sometimes early mornings aren't my favorite) - but I wake up HAPPY. And, if throughout the day, things maybe don't go my way I might be annoyed for a bit but for the most part I am still HAPPY. I don't get mad or rude to people I don't know. I don't wake up looking for someone to make me happy.

I just needed to vent. I just think it takes too much effort/energy to be that crabby all the time.

TGIF

I don't know if I have ever been so glad for a Friday afternoon. I NEED TO GET OUT OF HERE! Not that I really had that bad of a week, but the rain it draining me. I need the sun to shine again. I need it to be light in the morning when I wake up.

Tomorrow I am heading to my Dad's in Sauk Centre. He and his wife have been adding on/remodeling their home for the last few months and they are ready for paint. So that's what I have on tap for the weekend. Ironically, I didn't even paint my own home - I am not that great at it and don't really enjoy it that much. However, it'll be nice to pay back some hours he spend helping me with my basement.

On the TV front - since my fist couple blogs a few weeks back, Grey's has gotten better. I am enjoying it more now. I think because they brought back the Karev/Izzy connection last night. I like those two together - or maybe, I should say I like Izzy better with him than I do George. And I am interested to see what happen next week with Ava back in the picture.

Tonight, I am going to endure the cost of beauty - extreme pain. Mom's going to do some laser treatments - YEAH!

Ok - I think I've learned my lesson...

But, that dosen't mean I have do anything about it - does it? I am studying/cramming for an Exam in A and P tomorrow because I have not been paying much attention in class and I missed a couple days because of work obligations - so, I think I may be in more trouble than the last time I just winged it. So, I decided to read the book. Novel Idea, I know - and hopefully effective.

Is the rain ever going to stop? I feel like its spring, only cold and gloomy. I guess I should be glad its not colder and than it would be snowing 24/7. But at least we can play/do stuff in the snow. (uhhhhhh, I can't believe I just said that. I hate winter.).

To update you on the workinng out change of lifestyle - guess what? Mornings aren't going so well. I switched to afternoons/evenings - much better!!

Weekend Wind-up

Well, I started the weekend with one set of plans and finsihed the weekend having done another. Friday night was dodgeball - we had a double header and one both (kind of a surprise, we have been playing really well this season). Mom and I were going to grab a bite and a Long Island after, but ended up stopping at Herberger's until closing time. I don't think we ever get tired of shopping. Saturday, mom and I met my aunt Amy in St. Cloud to shop (AGAIN) after I spent part of the morning hard at work. She's been having a rough time of things and we needed to lift her spirits. Hopefully, we did. And can I just say that I miss a mall like St. Cloud in Brainerd. I can't believe that there aren't more stores wanting to penetrate the 218 market - we have lots of people with no where to spend any money on a great pair of shoes or a new handbag. Later, we went to G-ma's to spend time chatting with Amis (and I was supposed to hang with some friends scrapbooking but I never made it...hopefully next time, I need some good girly time!!)

And today - not much, I went to work out, got a Caribou and worked for a bit. And tonight I am going to watch Space Camp...which I am super excited about. I haven't seen that movie since I was 10, maybe 12?? Thank God for NetFlix.

I want to be Italian...

I just decided that last night after serious contemplation (or a couple bottle of some vino). Really, though. I think I would be well suited for their culture. We went out to eat at a new(er) Italian restaurant and it was awesome. I mean awesome. Way better than Olive Garden, Ciatti's, etc. And they had this little synopsis of what life was like in the old country and how their family came over here with this dream of bringing italian style living to the states. And italians are famous for eating good food and being with family all the time and laughing around the table. And I thought to myself: I am Italian and I didn't even know it. And add to that the fact they are home to Louis Viutton and George Clooney's summer retreat and I know I should live there.

Anyway - if any of you are ever up in the Brainerd Lakes area you need to try Maucieri's - AWESOME.