How is it only Hump Day?

I began this morning with a VERY sobering thought. My best friend/roommate and I were on the elevator leaving our building to go to work. As usual, we were rushing because I piddled flat ironing my hair and we were short on time. I have been taking her to work because her car is in the shop. As we were making a mad run for my car I said "You know, if retirement age is 65, we have 40 more years of this." Not to sound lazy, I'm not (not at all, I grew up on a farm and I can work like a farmhand) but 40 YEARS!!! Oh My Freaking Goodness!

I can't really complain, my job is pleasant, my co-workers are amazing, I have great benefits and retirement (if that time ever gets here) and I have my own little office with a big window in a beautiful old building. I am blessed, I know, especially right now when so many are looking for jobs.

However, it's still sobering and I had to cheer myself up by reminding myself Easter is right around the corner! I LOVE Easter. Springtime, bunnies, Easter dresses, and I always watch Steel Magnolias (because I love the Easter Bunny riding a motorcycle at the end of the film). I emailed my Easter Basket Wish List to my grandparents (because they spoil me and because I'm never too old for an Easter basket) and you better believe I did not neglect to put these babies at the top of my list. YUM.
I can't do a post about Easter without at least mentioning the huge, pastel, ruffled dresses I wore every Easter. I wish I had a picture of one of them on my computer, but I don't, so this will have to do. This is me and my cousin in 1988. Don't you just love how I have on WHITE tap shoes with RED socks?
XOXO
Gamecock Queen

Random Post....

I have a few things to catch up on. I'll start with the weekend. We went all out for Saint Patrick's Day!

1. I really want to put bows on Trinket, but the fur on the top of her head (right where a bow would look so cute) is too short. I have been trying to use the clip on bows you get for babies that don't have a lot of hair and those actually stay in for a little while. Trinket is camera shy, but I tried to snap one of her in a yellow bow. You can barely see the bow, but here she is.

2. My new car does not get great gas mileage like my last one did. Today at lunch I was talking gas prices w/ a friend (who I met through blogging and just happened to live in my neighborhood!) and she told me about looking up gas prices on the internet. You just google "gas prices in my area" ! I have taken to watching out the window like a hawk and calling out the prices as we pass gas stations. I think A thinks it is really annoying, but that won't stop me.

3. I'm still in love w/ my new car. It's an adjustment to have a nice car that I have to take care of. I think I took my old car through the car wash about two times a year. I have had the new car two weeks and have already washed it! If any of you are into caring for your car, I discovered that they now make spray on wax. Best idea ever!

4. Just for fun, I have been re-watching (and watching and watching) season 2 of Mad Men on DVD. I am just in LOVE with this show. I think Betty is so beautiful and her vintage clothes are to die for.

I am beyond happy that tomorrow is Friday!

XOXO
Gamecock Queen

On A Roll

I have been on a roll with working out this week. I created a new workout and thought I would share it! This one is hardcore. By the time I was on maybe the second stint of running at 6.5 on the treadmill I was dripping with sweat {gross, sorry}. I am alternating this workout with the one I posted earlier this week. I try to do a super hard workout 3X a week and then do an easy workout (such as just 30 minutes on the elliptical) 2X a week. That allows for two days off.

I know a lot of people only take 1 day off each week, usually Sunday, but I like to allow for two because I know something unplanned will come up at least once a week!

Here it is:

I use light weights….5 lbs dumbbells.

Start with a warm up on the treadmill, a walk increased to a slight jog for 5 – 10 minutes.

Upright or bent over row. 3 sets of 20. Alternate w/ 3 sets of 20 of external rotations.

Follow by 3 sets of 20 of squats. I hold my dumbbells on shoulders for this.

Routine continue as follows:
•Lying Dumbbell Triceps Extension: 2 – 3 sets of 20 – 24 reps
•Reverse Lunges: 2 – 3 sets per leg, 12 reps per set (per leg)
•Treadmill – 8 minutes at 6.5 mph
•Bicep Curl 1 set of 18 reps. This is supersetted with
•Lateral Raise 1 set of 18 reps
When you get used to this make it a superset of 3 sets of 18.
•Treadmill – 8 minutes at 6.5 mph
•Reverse crunches 1 set of 20 (where you lay on your back and move your legs up and down)
•Kneeling Butt Lifts, one set of 18 on each leg. Follow w/ Fire Hydrants, 18 reps on each leg.
•Treadmill: 5 – 8 minutes of cool down
•Forward Lunges: 2 – 3 sets x 10 – 20 reps
•Traveling Lunges: These are just lunges but instead of staying in place you walk across the room. I do this holding a pair of dumbbells.

I've been a little down in the dumps from my "Mr. Big". We went on a date two weeks ago from this coming Sunday. It was WONDERFUL. Then we texted and kept in touch some of last week, A LOT last weekend, probably b/c he knew I was at the beach where I could meet a guy. And I did - but he was a weirdo and I wish he would he stop calling/texting my phone...does he not get that if I was interested I would respond? He prompted me to join the Facebook group "I Wouldn't Have Given You My # if I Had Known You Were This Annoying" LOL. I heard from "Mr. Big" early this week, then as of Wednesday, he never responded to my last text and I have not heard from him since! I will not break down and make contact w/ him, but believe me ladies, I'm sitting at my desk agonizing! Obviously he does not care enough to even see if I am still alive. Of course, as soon as I start to move on or meet someone he pops up like a bad penny. Every time. Never fails. And because we are supposedly "best freinds" -his words, not mine (we've known each other since I was 5)- he gets so so jealous when I start seeing someone. See why I call him my Mr. Big? Ugh, him!

Have a fabulous weekend!
XOXO
Gamecock Queen

Fitness Post....

I have been so busy at work I thought I would never catch up! Updating my blog has fallen by the wayside. Good news is I am finally caught up and it is spring break for the students so things are quiet around here today. I am liking it so much I don't even have my radio on, which is a rarity for me. I'm just enjoying the silence and drinking a Mountain Dew (I took one of yours this morning if you are reading this A, Thanks).

I decided to name my new car Daisy Duke. I couldn't remember exactly what Daisy Duke looked like so I googled her. I found this picture of a girl in a Daisy Duke costume and couldn't believe this girl's stomach! How does someone even get a stomach like that? Anyone?
I don't think my stomach has been that flat since I was 18! Even when I was in a large state pageant and in incredible shape I wasn't that flat.

I am trying very hard to be good and stay on track w/ my workouts. I hope it doesn't sound like I'm whining, but it is so difficult. When I get off work I feel rushed to get everything done and go to bed at a decent hour. I know everyone else must also. After work I run an errand like going to the tanning bed or the grocery store, try to make it to the gym, cook dinner and eat, and usually have a TV show I want to watch. Add to that trying to take Trinket out for a walk and visiting/cutting up w/ A and you can see how how time flies in my hours of freedom from work.

I'm starting this week and making diet and exercise a priority! I am doing better w/ eating and making getting to the gym at the top of my list! I'm cutting out all the sodas (just one a day and I try to make it diet), coffee (which I like to load w/ cream and sugar), junk food and sweets.

One of my absolute favorite bloggers, who is one of my regular reads, Corkyshell is a personal trainer and left this workout in the comments section of my blog. I've been doing it and I love it so I thought I would share it. I can't wait to start seeing results!

30 minutes on the treadmill.

1 minute at a quick walk pace (4-4.5mph)
1 minute at a sprint (6-9mph)

and continue that rotation for 30 minutes.

Corkyshell says this is effective b/c it keeps your heart rate elevated for the entire workout and that is key to burning fat. I do some light weight lifting with this routine.

I might even post a before and after picture! I should take a pic today and then again in a few weeks since I'm hoping in a few weeks I'll have lost some of this bulge! My goal is to lose about 10 pounds which is what I've put on in the last several months from eating poorly.

XOXO
Gamecock Queen

My Dream Car!

Thanks for all the well wishes about car shopping! Car shopping was an experience for sure. All went well, better than expected really, and I took home the 'Stang! I absolutely LOVE her and I am very grateful I was able to get her!! This is me with my preicous Granddaddy (who spoils me - I'm the only grandchild) and the new pony.
I got the "Torch Red" color and I'm loving it! Besides pink, red is one of my favorite colors. I love the way the Mustang drives. It's fast and smooth, my only compliant is that compared to my old car this one is bad for blind spots. I really have to be careful and look twice when switching lanes or anything.

I can't say enough good things about the guys at the Ford Dealership. They were so nice to me and the finance man hooked me up w/ a deal. Seriously, if you are in the market for a new car right now, go to Ford. I was very impressed and they really want to work with you.

This weekend I went on a date with my "Mr. Big". Some background for you, if you don't follow my blog regularly {where he is the subject of many a post}, we have known each other for about 20 years, dated as teenagers, broke up and I went to college, stayed friends for about three years, lost touch for a few years (during which time he almost got married and I had a serious boyfriend for a few years), and then reconnected last summer. I like him A LOT. When we reconnected ALL my old feelings were still there. He and I texted some last week and I mentioned I might be coming home. He said we should get together, but then I didn't hear anything else out of him and we didn't talk for several days. Sunday I got a voicemail from him asking if I was home and did we still have plans. He sounded put out that he did not hear from me to confirm plans, but come on man, the phone works both ways! I just don't get stuff like that! I ended up going over to his house on Sunday night. He bought a house and I had never seen it before. It was way way cute, adorable really, and I saw all his animals. We played with his kittens, petted his horses, hit some golf balls, and went to eat at Dairy Queen. I just really enjoy his company! On the way home from DQ he was saying how a lot of people hate their exes, how I'm not friends w/ any of my exes but him, and how we've become really good friends. In my head I was thinking, "ouch-you think of me as a friend?" but I didn't say very much. Then when it was time to leave we kissed and it was oh so wonderful.....who knows?

Today is my best friend and roommates birthday and we are taking a three day weekend and heading to Myrtle Beach to celebrate. This friend is so close I classify her as family. We are really more like sisters than anything! I am very blessed to have a friend like this, especially since I am an only child! We lived together all through college and can about read each other's minds by now.

HAPPY BIRTHDAY FABULOUS!!!
Here are some pics of us from over the years...




XOXO
Gamecock Queen

The Post of Mixed Emotions!

Today I am all over the place....excited, happy, sad, nervous...what's the occasion? Well, my beloved little car has about had it and tomorrow I am going to get a new one! Or at least I hope so!

I have had my 2002 Cavalier for a long long time and let me tell you, it is TIME for a new car. This car has been the BEST! She has been extremely reliable. I got her when I was a teenager and she has been worth every penny my Granddaddy paid for her. She has made many many trips to Myrtle Beach full of girls, has gotten full of sand, dirt, has been driven to Florida, used to haul kids around when I've babysat, eaten in, spilled on, and who even knows what other calamities! This car has a stained interior, peeling paint, dings and dents and I am so sick of driving it! Beyond sick really. It has almost 200,000 miles on it and lately seems like it is barely going to run to get me to work and back. I have mixed emotions about parting ways with this car. On one hand I am desperate to have something new and on the other hand I am sad to see her go.

I am also super super nervous about financing and paying for a new car. I have a great job and I love my work, I could not ask for a more pleasant work environment, but I don't make a ton of money. I am just really stressing how this is all going to work out tomorrow. I really really want to buy my dream car, a Ford Mustang tomorrow. We will see what happens!

I want a 5th generation (one of the new 'Stangs for those not familiar) when I get a car tomorrow. I know a good bit about cars and classic cars and such from ex-boyfriends. I think I have a little tom boy in me after all. Isn't this classic Mustang beautiful?

I will (hopefully, b/c like I said have A LOT of anxiety over the purchase and financing of a car) post a pic of the new car soon!

I am praying I can find the right car at the right price and reminding myself "all things work for good."

Romans 8:28 (NIV)

28 And we know that in all things God works for the good of those who love him,and who have been called according to his purpose.

XOXO
Gamecock Queen

Movies...

I have been swamped and super busy at work but I thought I would take a minute to post about the movies I saw this weekend. A (my best friend/roommate) and I went to the movies not once but twice this weekend! I love going to the movies and we went all out and went to dinner too. I joked and told her she was the best date I've been on in a while!

Friday we saw Dear John. I loved this book and was a little bit disappointed in the movie. Just my opinion, but this is one I think I could have waited to see on DVD. I felt like compared to the book the movie was just not as good. I love the movie of The Notebook so much and I thought Dear John might be a classic like that - not so. Channing Tatum is wonderful to look at, but other than that I felt like the characters weren't really developed very well. The girl character isn't really likable in in the movie, at least to me. The story seemed to skip or jump around and sort of rushed in the movie. It was OK but I would recommend waiting for the DVD of this one.
I really love him!

Sunday we saw Valentine's Day. This is a really good movie! It was really cute, upbeat, and a feel good movie! I want to buy this one when it comes out on DVD. A and I both can't wait to see it again. This one is definitely worth seeing. If you have seen the movie Jessica Beil's character was the one I could relate to the most! There are some good laughs in this movie for sure.

Coming soon: a fitness post and a post about the dates....

XOXO
Gamecock Queen