Spring Fever & my Top Ten

I have a disease that wrecks your whole nervous system.  It makes me jumpy and excitable; ruins my concentration at work and makes me neglect very important chores and responsibilities in my life; I can't sit still.  I have.....SPRING FEVER!  It's that disease that occurs once winter is over and spring/summer is here to stay, when it stays light until 8:00 : )  I have spring fever so bad that I have begun to neglect my list : (  I haven't picked up a book in almost a month, only cooked maybe twice, not taken a single picture and haven't run since March.  What I HAVE done is successfully managed to spend little to no time in my house for the entire month of May.  I went out EVERYDAY and NIGHT of Memorial Day weekend beginning Thursday evening.  You know its bad when you see the same bouncer 4 times in 2 weeks. smh...it's a shame. 

But there has been a little progress made towards my goals. I have purchased a ticket to Memphis in August to visit fam there and I went to Cajun Canvas for a painting class with my Girl's Night In group.  It was a lot of fun and very therapeutic.  I would love to go again with a group of friends.....I should probably set that up. 

Ok so anyone that knows me knows I LOVE making lists.  To do lists, list of goals, any kind of list & I'm ready.  So I was having a conversation with a young relative of mine.  Nice young man a few years out of school and we were discussing serious dating and relationships/marriage.  Not sure how we got on this conversation but of course I developed a Top Ten list for him  : )  My top 10 focuses on the things to watch out for in women when in real relationships.......not saying that he shouldn't continue to date said women but to just be careful and proceed with caution.  He thought I was insane, I think its a darn good list.  My disclaimer is that I am in no way an authority, just my opinion : )

1. Be wary of women who do not have custody of their children..i.e. live with them - there's a reason
2. Be wary of loud women...unless they are hard of hearing - tend to have a need for attention and control
3. Be wary of women who constantly diet or talk about dieting - will find it hard to be happy with themselves
4. Be wary of women with NO male friends - its because she's slept with them all
5. Be wary of women who have never lived by themselves (excluding her children) - she has no clue who she is yet
6. Be wary of women who don't love your kids - if she loves you, she should love your kids
7. Be wary of women who with no beauty routine - doesn't have to be overly girly but not having one may lead to her letting herself go
8. Be wary of women who are in debt with no plans of getting out - just spells trouble
9. Be wary of women with no goals - she won't be able to help, understand or support you with yours
10. Be wary of women who don't read - from magazines to romance novels to cereal boxes- we're talking about the primary educator of your future kids........think about it

Stop Playing, You're Married........or you have a live-in girlfriend.....or you only want sumthin

Ok, this is too good not to blog about.  So here goes my update.  I usually try to protect the innocent on my blogs, but only 2 to 3 people are reading this so who cares : )

Ok, so during CIAA I met this guy who asked for my phone number.  Very rarely do men under the age of 50 even speak to me when I go out, and his approach was very respectable and nice so I gave him my number.  I didn't really get a chance to look at him, because I was very ladylike dancing and backing it up, so I didn't see his face.  He called the next week and we conversed for a bit and he seems like a nice fellow.  We met up for lunch a little while later and he still seemed nice & normal.  No sparks or anything, but I wasn't scared or bored to death either.  One of the topics we talked about were my "rules" for dating.  Yes, I have a few guidelines/rules for simple dating just to weed out big time trouble makers(married men, fiends,etc....)  Here are the only 2 that I shared:

We go on 3 planned, confirmed dates before any "house" dates
I have to see & go inside your house before you know my address

He even commented how simple they were.  Fast forward 2 months later and he has been trying EXTRA hard to get to my house, LOL!  "I know we were supposed to go to dinner tonight but I got caught up at work.  How about I come by your house and make you dinner?"  or "You like movies too, why don't I bring over a couple to your house and we have a marathon viewing?" and my fav "I think if you were really feeling me like I'm feeling you, I could bypass the 3 dates rule"  Ummm, I think if you really wanted to see me, you would set aside some time and make sure I set aside some time and make a date.  Seriously...... outside of that first lunch, no confirmed plans have been made.  And when I say confirmed, I mean planning on date and time ahead, not calling and saying "wanna go grab something to eat?"  No, I don't.  I'm nobody's back up plan, male or female.  In case we already cool and I want to go  :) but you  know what I mean.  Now honestly, I wasn't feelin him like that, but he seemed cool and would have definitely hung out with him again.  I don't know too many dudes, so we could have been cool.  But now I think I'm just tired.  Stop calling me with lines and excuses, just be real. 

So onto another subject that this has me thinking about, what is my type?  It has been a while since some one has piqued my interest.....am I weird?  time to do some more self analysis  : )

Just Because

I don't know why, but I am very emotional today.  It could be because I haven't cried in a while, and I used to average one good cry a week.  I did get teary at church the week before last, when they were singing my song, but I couldn't let it all out, I was too close to the front.  I know I need prayer for saying this, but I don't like getting emotional in church because I don't want anybody coming by fanning me or patting me or trying to make me do a holy dance or shout........ I need prayer for saying this too but there is an extra cute usher at church; "you want me to sit here?".........But I digress, back to me needing to cry.  I am not sad, I am not angry or anything like that, I just need to release.  I guess I will listen to some sad love songs tonight to get it all out, that always helps : )  My favorite achy breaky heart songs are: I Try by Angela Bofill, Is It Still Good to You by Ashford & Simpson, and Where Will You Go by Babyface.  Then, throw some early Toni Braxton on top of that and you will be crying FOR REAL!

Update #5

"Oooooh, now I know who you are."   I don't know about ya'll but those words scare me!!!!!  What DO you know about me?  What have you heard?  Who told you?  I heard these very same lines Friday night.  Now I know how this person knows about me, but I don't know what information was shared.  Was it good or bad?  Was it the truth?  Was it just general information and finally now a face to the name?  The latter is the most logical case, but you always wonder.

I actually have no update this week.  Haven't done much to tackle my list, you know what I'm lying...yes I have.  I have tried out some new recipes.  Philadelphia, the cream cheese people, have this new cooking cream that you can throw on some meat and vegetables and VOILA!  instant meal.  Here is the catch, be careful with the ratio....a little cream actually goes a long way.  I also finished another book and have started 2 others.  I have ordered 3 new books as well, so I think I am on my way!

I am really sleepy right now.  Really sleepy.  I worked out at lunch and that didn't go so well.  I felt flustered and rushed trying to get back to the office, and my hair looks a hot mess.  Not that I care about my hair looking a hot mess at work, but I have to be somewhere right after work today.  I'm going to try agian tomorrow and see what I can make happen.  wow, i just closed my eyes for a minute......that felt good.  They might be looking for me at the end of the day.  I might just sneak out.....

Anyway, on to sports.  So glad the Hornets are giving the Lakers a run for the money.  Wouldn't it be awesome if LA was eliminated first round?  I wonder who Carolina is going to take in draft?  Where does Ray Allen's mama get her bedazzled jerseys made?

Speaking of mamas, have ya'll seem Mama Jones?  Jim Jones' mama.......high comedy!!!  I put her, Frankie, LeBron's mama, and Toya's mama on the ballot for most entertaining.

Ok, my eyelids are closing on me now and if I don't take a "smoke break" soon, I will pass out on this desk.  Will give a more comprehensive updater soon :)

Update #4

Ok, ok, ok……..I know, it has been a LONG time.  Wasn’t I supposed to be blogging weekly?  Whatever happened to that?  Trust me, it is not because of lack of activity……so much to catch up on.  But I can sum it up in a few simple phrases…..God has truly blessed me with wonderful people in my life  J   I have terrific  friends and am so thankful for their support, company, prayers and love. 

Here’s just a few of the events that have passed - CIAA 2011,Asheville Girl’s Trip, half marathon relay, Prince concert, karaoke & pool at Midtown Sundries,  Bobcats vs. Magic bball game

Because I wouldn’t be able to do the stories justice, I will just mention some random highlights, quotes, and lessons learned from these past 2 months from some great girlfriends and a couple of cool dudes  J

1.       You can run a mile with a broke leg.  This may come in handy as you are planning your escape route from a 3 story cabin.  Just be sure to warn the others

2.       Sometimes taking the road less traveled is not a good idea (especially if you drive a Ford Fusion and that road is red clay with SERIOUS dents and its dark in the woods……)

3.       Invest in yourself…….(a)get some real business cards made;  I’m really not going to believe you work for the IRS if you have a business card that looks like a paper coupon.  (b)get your speakers together! dj, the music you’re playing may be great, but your equipment is horrible 

4.       Johnny Gill and Eddie Murphy have been buddies since Eddie’s “Put your Mouth on Me” video.   You know this because Johnny is in the background playing a guitar, when have you ever seen Johnny Gill playing a guitar?

5.       Not everyone needs to work in customer service/hospitality…..if there have been 2 fights over a bucket of beer in the last 2 weeks, the common denominator is YOU

6.       Be very afraid of grown men who still play fight/slap box………especially if that ish goes on for 15 mins

7.       True friends do not let friends walk uptown with no shoes on in the rain……….I’m not a good friend

8.       If the security guard follows you home from the mall, be careful

9.       I am very good at talking to people who don’t know me.  They wonder in puzzlement, where do I know her from?  You don’t.

10.   Try tackling a drag queen, see what happens

Now, onto my update…….  Let’s see, I have run 2 5ks, visited my Uncle Curtis, went to Asheville – so that makes 2 trips this year, hosted a jewelry party at my house, read 5 books and went on one confirmed date.  I have also done VERY well on my exercise goals. But have fallen short on my nutritional goals.  I went and visited my fitness goal prize at the mall not too long ago, and discovered that it just doesn’t look good without the matching necklace  J  So I have to be extra committed in the upcoming months….the summer is around the corner. 

One way I have been keeping in shape is ZUMBA.  I am a helper for a ZUMBA class on Thursday evenings and have been having a BLAST!  I just ordered some ZUMBA cargos, so I will be official.  But I will be one of those people who wear the ZUMBA cargos to the grocery store and on the weekends, without even working out….SMH

Update #3

Hey folks out there in e-blog land........I have created my vision board : )  It is too cute too!!  I have small wallet size copies all around to remind me daily of what I am working towards.  I have an abbreviated vision board this year because I am targeting a very specific area of my life.... MY HEALTH.  In general I am considered a pretty healthy individual,  I am not overweight and I exercise 1 to 2 times a week.  I have even run several 5k's and typically have a good amount of energy to do the things I want to do.   But I have a hidden secret.....My eating habits are CRAP.  There, I said it.  I get nowhere near the amount of cardio, water, green vegetables or fiber that my body needs.  And the older I get, I REALLY realize how important it is for me to treat my body well.  My metabolism is crawling now, I already had hormone issues, and if I had not started this laser hair removal, I would have a full grown beard.  Not sexy.  So I have made a conscious goal this year to get my body used to being treated well, so that it just won't accept anything else. 

So what does that entail?  First...WATER.  I absolutely must give my body the fuel it needs to survive.  I sometimes add a little Crystal Light to my BubbaKeg(by the way, they are the BOMB for meeting your water requirements) when I need some pizazz.  But I have researched and found that I need 10 eight ounce glasses of water daily to remain hydrated and flushed.  Now some of that can and will come from the foods that I consume, but to have a daily goal of 10 glasses is the right start.  Have I done it yet?  Not quite.  But I got the BubbaKeg and I just came up with the goal last week so give me a minute to put it in practice  :) 

Second....CARDIO.  I am actually very good at my resistance training.  I typically go 1 to 2 times a week and use the weights, but I only do it for 30 to 40 minutes.  I am not in the gym all day...I have important things like eating, shopping, happy hour and sleeping to do.  And please forget getting up in the morning(as has been suggested) and starting my day off with a good 40 minute exercise.  The bed feels too good.  But after further review, it appears I am doing the proper number of sets and full body exercises necessary for strength training.  I was even told that my 40 minute rule was good because I don't take long breaks...... usually 30 seconds and I'm on the next set or exercise.  But where I am dangerously lacking is cardio.  I hate the treadmill and elliptical.....I try running but I can't stay consistent.  That's why I am aiming for 4hrs of cardio a week.....I can chop it up however I want to....an hr here, 20 minutes there, 10 minutes over there....JUST GET IT IN!!!  I'm good for 2 weeks in a row achieving this goal.  Wish me luck that I keep up.......My body has never gotten to that place where I feel funny if I haven't worked out......I want to get to that point.

Third....NUTRITION.  Did I mention that I my eating habits are crap?  They really are.  The only times I eat a balanced meal is when I get the daily special from Deli on the Green, when some girlfiriends and I get together and have dinner or when mother is in town or I visit her.  I have passed the fast food junkie stage....that's not my issue.  My issue is that I don't prepare fresh green veggies and my meal combinations are weird.  Who eats bologna and cereal for dinner?  I do.  salami & crackers with cream cheese and jelly?  me again.  a bag of that minute garlic & herb rice?  you guessed it again ME.  WTF?  why the face?  Why do I find it so hard to make and eat a balanced meal?  I love veggies......I just hate making food for myself.  And then I get tired of the leftovers.  That's why one of my goals for this year is to try a new recipe a week.....just to get me in the habit of actually preparing food and not just throwing whatever is fast and in the kitchen together.  This may be the hardest to accomplish.  Maybe I should invite a different friend over for dinner  once a week....that may also encourage me to keep my house clean........hmmmmmm

If I accomplish my goals I get a prize!!  How am I measuring this goal?  By body fat/BMI.  Forget what the scale says but to get my body into an energy producing, fat blasting, hydrated machine.  I really don't know how else to measure, this seems to be the best way.  My target date is 6/30/11 because I MUST stay consistent.  I have a very realistic goal and looking only to drop 3% BMI, but if I don't set my goal until the end of the year,  I will be lax until after the summer.  As I stated earlier, I have made a conscious goal this year to get my body used to being treated well, so that it just won't accept anything else.  Perhaps that will flow to other parts of my life as well.......

                               

                         

                         

Update #2

I met my cardio goal last week!  WOO HOO!  ok, let me not get too excited........ That's only 1 week down and this week ain't looking so good.  But, if I get my lazy bones and go to spin class today, I know I can get my 4 hrs. in for the week.  Ok, its settled, I'm going!  Plus the instructor is kind of cute.  Actually, I'm just telling myself that because I really don't know what he looks like.  I sit in the back and sweat runs all down my eyes and I can barely keep my head up.  But he does have nice arms :)  Hopefully that's enough to make me want to go to class.  I probably should learn his name.
Babies are everywhere!!  Two of my friends just welcomed newborn boys into the world......  all together now - - - awwwwww(sigh).  I joined twitter this week to.  Follow me @amikable2002.......I have no clue what I'm doing or the purpose but I'm trying it out.  So, I did well on my cardio, bought my ticket to NOLA for 4th of July, and did my taxes.  I really need to work on finishing my book club selection and taking my shoes to get fixed.......CIAA is coming up soon and my black shoes would be fierce for a Thursday night party.  After that, the heels will be retired for the rest of the weekend.  By the way, I need to start planning my CIAA festivities.  I need to get in CIAA shape, and not like losing weight or anything but ENDURANCE.  It takes a lot of energy to dance for 4 hrs straight!!!
Why did my taxi driver from NY call last weekend?  are you serious?  i gave you my number to secure a ride to the airport, not for you to start calling me and say you are in Greensboro for the weekend and I should come down........nah