Work Week Over

I have just completed my first week of work at my new job. The computer system is Linux based rather than the Windows based system I am used to, but I am learning more on it every day that I'm there. The volume is a lot lower than I am used to (like that's a bad thing), but I feel a lot more appreciated and a lot less stressed (with the exception of trying to learn everything). So far, the people have all been patient and nice. I do still miss some of my old co-workers and I have stopped by on a couple of occasions to visit.

On the fitness route, I have not had much chance to workout. I have been pretty tired when I have gotten home lately, just from being mentally exhausted. I was, however, down two pounds when I weighed in last week, so we'll call that a win!

Next week should be challenging because my kids will be back in school and now I will have to get up earlier and get them ready and myself and still get across town in time!

First Day Jitters

Today was my first day at my new job! I have been SO anxious and this morning was no different. I made sure to eat breakfast because, even though I knew my stomach would be upset, I also knew that being hungry AND nervous was not an option! I actually arrived nearly 20 minutes early and just sat in my car. I finally worked up enough will to walk in 5 minutes early and I was greeted by a friendly face (whew!).

I'm still doing the same work I did before, but the techniques are all different. It's going to take some time to learn an entirely different computer system and all of the little things that come with something different, but I think I will catch on quickly. And, so far, I like it!

My Weekend of Unemployment

Wow. Those two weeks just flew by! I start my new job tomorrow. I'd like to take this opportunity to say that having anxiety issues kinda sucks because I have spent the past two days scratching at the anxiety-induced hives that continue to pop up on my neck, back and arms. NOT. FUN.

I have spent this three day weekend of unemployment cleaning up my house. Yes, it takes three days (actually more since I'm STILL not finished) to clean up my house. It's the problem with working full time and leaving your part-timer husband to fend for the kids and the house. If I have to pick which one I want to receive more attention from him, the kids win and the house gets cleaned when I can get to it.

I haven't worked out (officially) this weekend due to the insane amount of cleaning I have been doing, but I think, since it's out of my norm, there has to be a substantial calorie burn involved in all of the activity. I mean, I have carried full laundry baskets up and down the stairs at least six times each. I have sorted laundry and cleaned up counters and floors. I did so much bending and stretching on Friday night that when I woke up on Saturday, my abs hurt (and still do!). If I have some time left this evening, I will hop on the treadmill for a half hour. May not happen as I do want to squeeze some "me" time in, which always involves catching up on past episodes of The Vampire Diaries. I'm finally up to the current season and I'd like to get to the ones that I can pull up on Hulu.com instead of whatever backwoods place I can find that takes forever to download!

The kids are on winter break this week and they are already driving me crazy! I think we'll have a frozen pizza for dinner and go to bed early. I'd like to give myself plenty of time in the morning to get to work! (fingers crossed)

Valentines

Happy Valentines Day!!!

That being said, it was a bittersweet day for me. Today was my last day at work. It was a surreal two weeks and I don't think it has even still all settled in. Goodbyes are terribly awkward for me!

I spent the evening after dinner last night making valentines for the kids to take to school and I am proud  to say that I did NOT use Pinterest for inspiration!!

Here is a sample of the teacher's valentines:

And here are the ones for the Kindergartners:

And last, here are the Valentines for the 3 year olds:

When I arrived home tonight after work, I was going through the kids' bags and I am so surprised at all of the crap stuff that parents feel compelled to send for kids. When I was a kid, you got the normal, character cards and you were lucky if it came with stickers, a tattoo or a pencil. Sometimes, there was even candy involved! Now, there are little bags FULL of candy and junky toys. As you can see by the pictures, I still try to keep it simple, but my goodness! It's INSANE!!!

Tomorrow is the hubby's birthday and we have a busy day ahead. Hopefully, I'll take some pictures. I also hope to get a workout in tomorrow!

Mardi Gras Fairy

Today is Fat Tuesday. Really makes me want to go back to New Orleans. I haven't been since before Hurricane Katrina and I loved it. Definitely one of my favorite vacations. That being said, I haven't been back because I have children now and I just don't think that New Orleans is a great place to vacation with small children (older children, maybe). Anyway, I put a status on my FB page saying, "Happy Mardi Gras! I really want a King Cake!" I thought about that King Cake all the way to work.

Apparently, one of my co-workers was checking FB on her phone, because when I arrived, there, on the counter was a KING CAKE!!!

It was super fresh, in fact, just out of the oven at Publix! Now, this isn't a real King Cake, but in Georgia we take what we can get on Fat Tuesday!

It's a good thing I ran a mile on the treadmill today, because I think I ate those calories back with that cake! Now, I just have to decide what to give up for Lent before tomorrow!

Looking Forward

There hasn't been much of interest to post lately. I have done a few Zumba workouts, but mostly none at all. It's kinda funny, but not. When I am doing Zumba, I wish I was running and when I am running, I wish I was doing Zumba. I'm about ready to throw in the towel and try to alternate the two. I suppose it would work out for the best, since I am running a race in a few weeks and heaven knows I need to train.  I certainly have not gotten any smaller in nearly two months!

I thought that my next challenge/goal was to do the Yourself! Fit workouts, but I am pleased to see that March is for logging all of the food I eat. I'm glad that I did it that way. I know at the time I was trying to establish a workout routine and scoot back into the frequency, but I think I was also inadvertently saving myself from exercise burnout. (I know, how can you have burn out over something that you aren't even really doing?) I guess what I'm thinking is that it took me a long time to break my healthy habits, just like it takes a long time to build up weight gain and, like weight loss, it will take a while to build those habits up again. When I did this before, I was in the right frame of mind, I wasn't busy dealing with school and activities for two children, and I was determined to look good decent in a bridesmaid's dress. Unfortunately, almost all of my close friends are married now, so that isn't a possibility for a motivator. Hopefully, once I establish a routine with my new work schedule, things will start to get easier.

Until then, I will continue to let Zumba kick my butt for the rest of the month. I do think that I will alternate it with running on the treadmill so that I am prepared for this race. I would like to beat my last time on this course and that isn't going to happen if I don't train. So, look forward to me not completing the February goal, but know that I am OK with it. I shouldn't be OK with failure, but I know that if I get too hung up on the terminology of it all, I will get discouraged and that would be worse.

Source

A New Start

February 3rd and I am just doing my first Zumba workout. I didn't actually make it through the entire workout. I had to stop 16 minutes in because my legs were hurting SO bad, in an even different way than they hurt when I run too much. On a brighter note, that's not the first time Zumba has kicked my ass and I'm sure it won't be the last. I am hoping to finish an entire workout tomorrow morning. 

I have a full morning planned for tomorrow. I have to wake up and get the kids ready for school and pack their lunches. I have to drop them off at school and then drive to work. Not because I actually have to work, but because I have to talk to my boss. You see, I am doing something I have never done before. I am handing in my two week notice and I am really nervous as to how it's going to go. I have had the same job for 15 years and the same boss for 13 of those years. I know that I am making a good decision, but I am going to miss most of my co-workers. It's really hard to leave when you have so many good relationships with so many people. These are people that I vent to when I am sad, mad and frustrated. They are people who understand me when no one else seems to. They joke with me, they cry with me and they RUN with me. I wish I could take them with me. (And believe me, I will try). Everyone keeps saying that I am making a good choice and that I have to do these things for me. While half of me believes that it's true, the other half is begging me not to do this. I hate goodbyes and I hate that feeling that sometimes friendships, even with the best intentions, drift and fade and I don't want that!!

So, with a heavy and anxious heart, I will head off to do that tomorrow and then I will go to the grocery store and pick up the kids and do all those things I normally do on Mondays, plus a Zumba workout.