Frustration

I couldn't bring myself to blog yesterday as I had another week of 0 pounds gone on the scale. It was pretty heartbreaking, especially since I feel I am being really good with watching calories and working out. So, after the 0 pounds down, I decided to get out a pair of jeans that had gotten too tight to wear. YEA! They fit again. I wore them out to lunch with Jani. And while I wanted to just go overboard on the lunch, I was good and ordered a salad, dressing on the side. It was a pretty small salad and the most fattening thing I think was the dressing, but I used only an ounce.

The talk with Jani was great as always. I am going to build her website for a program she wants to launch. I am excited as I am pretty sure I can use it for my capstone class for my Web Design classes. She is going to work up a sketch for me of what she has in mind and then I'll work up so different design looks in PS. I am excited to have this opportunity, and I think I'll really get into the site as she will be doing all the writing and deciding of what will be on it while I get to focus on the design elements. We're planning to get together again next week to go over some preliminary ideas.

Today was a terribly long day and part of me didn't know at one point of the day to scream or cry. First, I started the day off getting notified that I was drawn to work Labor Day. A full eight hours, so not impressed with that. I know it will be the last holiday I have to ever work in my life so I am trying to focus on that to get me through. Then a bunch of orders were messed up in the Internet error batch I work each day, so I had to through all my energy into fixing that. After I admittedly hung up on a rep over an issue that shouldn't have even been an issue, I have one last bomb dropped on me for the day - they are pushing our new website upgrade early tomorrow morning, 1 am. We got exactly 10 hours of notice. I was so frustrated and hurt and angry that they think so little of us to tell us at the last moment. I know its a team effort, but we are the backbone of getting everything to come together and it is so upsetting for them to not take note of that. So I had knots in my stomach the rest of the day... the last time they did one of these "upgrades" we ended up simply deleting 1000s of emails as we couldn't provide the tech support needed. Nor did we know what was needed. I am dreading tomorrow.

So, I came home tonight in a rotten mood and migraine number four of the week. DH was a sweetheart though and said we should go out to eat. I was all for going out and ordering the biggest plate of greasy fatty guilty food there is, but he suggested we go to Applebee's and that I keep it healthy. So I did and ordered off the WW menu, 350 calorie meal. Then I got him to spoil me just a tish more and we went to DQ, just a small hot fudge sundae though. I looked it up and its only about 250 calories, so I feel I did good for the day, ending up around 1700 calories with a special treat. And my migraine went away too. I feel a little better, but hoping for some sleep tonight. Last night was nothing but tossing and turning. Must have been a foreshadow of the day I had coming to me.

Power of Facebook

I had a wonderful chat with a very good friend who I had lost touch with for many years (which yes, was stupid). Amazingly, it happened through that craze called Facebook. I haven't decided if I am a Facebook fan yet. I just spent the last hour and a half going through about a 100 requests from various friends, half of which I am guessing didn't work as I didn't give the system time to load. But, I am down to 25. That's all the matters.

Facebook though - like I said, the ability to be able to connect with someone like I did tonight was awesome. Denise and I spend about a half hour just catching up - she lives in California now, so it was late for me and she needed to get home as well, but still having that moment to chat... Anyways, typically Facebook drives me nuts. I know its just all the rave and people are on it all the time, but I just can't get into it. Or may its that I can't keep up with it. I don't have time. I guess if it weren't blocked at work, I could probably get on track better, but yeah, no go there. When I come home, I simply don't want to waste time online. I am online a lot, but I feel I am online constructively, not just surfing. Not that there is anything wrong with surfing. I am all for it when you need to pass time. I guess after sitting in front of a PC all day troubleshooting what I feel is pretty standard issues for people online, I don't want to spend more time doing that.

I think I am tired and need to go to bed right now... seems like I am going on about nothing. LOL, oh yeah, this is my place to rant and I guess I am doing just that. Now though, sleep is calling my name. I think all those Facebook requests pooped me out.

Random Blatherings

I am trying to blog more and while I should be getting ready for bed, DH is playing Wii so I figured I'd take a few moments and blog. He claims the Wii was neglected as we had one of those with a "glitch" in it so had to send it into Nintendo for repair. Now there is something I could blog about, but watch for the letter I write Nintendo coming soon. I'll be sure to post. Needless to mention, I am not happy about that whole situation.

I managed to put in all eight hours at work today. It was slow, but I took some scrap booking pictures in to crop and also had a book to read. I am re-reading Marilyn Manson's book as it has been about eight years since I first read it. After working on my own literacy site last spring for a web design class, I realized in trying to reflect on books, how I couldn't remember a lot! I needed to read a synopsis of it or the back cover as a refresher. I am not sure why I picked Manson's book to read (over) first. Probably my continuing obsession with him.

I realized today in a month, I'll be a full fledged college student again - call me a nerd, but THANK GOODNESS! Don't get me wrong, I have loved the free time and summer and not really having to worry about anything, but I miss school. It's really making me think about continuing on with my education. NDSU doesn't currently offer a PhD program for English and I know that if I wanted to pursue that road, I'd have to some how talk DH into moving someday. Not a feat I want to take on right now. Like I told Des the other day, I'll see if when I have a job in which I love and am appreciated, hopefully things will be better and I'll be content in not furthering my education. I have plenty of time either way. Going back to school as an "older" student has taught me you are never too old or not young enough anymore to do something. And honestly, I've loved being the older than average student. I am sure the youngsters don't like me much, but that's ok. Maybe I keep at least one of them on track a little better in trying to keep up. Can you tell I really do want to be back in class? I know, in two months I'll be dragging butt and be tired and wonder what I was thinking. LOL, not regretting it though.

Boy, for not having much on my mind as I sat down to blog, I've certainly come up with a lot of rambling... I miss writing. I know that. I need to work on writing more. For now though, I need to work on getting some sleep - "Friday" for me tomorrow. YEA!

Another Weekend Almost Done

One of the best parts of a new job will have to be not having to work weekends. Sure, I know sometimes I'll bring work home with me or even perhaps go in on a Saturday or Sunday to catch up on something, but the simple fact that none of that will be required will be great. I don't mind weekends at SHP. It's just for the most part they are long and usually I am tired. No one really ever gets into a mode of working a weekend and stays out late or up late or just doesn't head to bed at a reasonable hour. Usually I stick out the hours at work, no matter how bored I am, but I just couldn't today. I left two hours early, but when there are two emails an hour to answer, it's just too much. I am hoping by leaving early today, there will be plenty work tomorrow for the entire day. I might take along a few scrap book pages to help pass the time. It's a lot to take to work though... so we'll see.

With that though, I realized as DH and I were out getting groceries that if things go as planned, I will only have to work five more of those dreaded weekends!!! I've had a countdown going at work since February, each day I get to tear a link off a chain. No one really knows what it signifies as I usually say it's a countdown for a cruise. Only my most trusted friends know the truth. And technically I am not really lying as DH and I are going on a cruise. You just need to add another 365 links or so to that chain. LOL. For those reading this who may be as confused as heck, I am graduating this December from NDSU for the second time and am hoping that degree fast tracks me to a better job. One in which my talents are appreciated... and properly compensated for. For now, I'm half way through the sixth weekend. Eight hours and counting. Woohoo!

Slacking

While I certainly have been slacking in the blogging department, I've totally been rocking in the diet world!!! Last week I lost 6.5 pounds in a week! I don't know if it was a fluke or if finally after six weeks, my workouts finally paid off. I really am thinking it was the later and felt good about it. It's awesome to lose that much after weeks of dieting and exercise! I didn't lose any this week, but I expected that. And was ok with it. I kept up with the exercise and wow, are my legs looking good! I can see and feel the muscles, and that is just a good feeling.

Last Sunday my hubby and I took a bus trip to the Twin Cities for a Twins game, and while I will admit to cheating a tad with ice cream (really, I didn't know they'd give me what looked like a pint), I managed to stay on track during the trip by simply taking along healthy snacks. I packed a container of fruits, crackers, and a snack bar. When we stopped at a bakery like truck stop on the way home, the fruit did the trick and I was able to not order that huge caramel roll. I will admit, I do want to go back and try it. Just not on a day where I've already treated myself to an ice cream splurge.

Another big difference I've noticed in myself is ENERGY! Wow. It feels good. Even on days I am tired, something makes me come alive to go workout. It's a really really great feeling. It has been hot here so working out is the last thing a person wants to do, but I got out my ski machine and bust butt on that. Some nights the 30 minutes just flies! I miss walking outside though, but I must be happy with the warm weather. Winter comes much too fast here to complain about it.

Our Summer Vacation

A few months ago Jason and I decided we weren’t going to take any spectacular vacations this summer due to the price of gas and the months it took to pay off last year’s Vegas outing. However, after visiting my old stomping grounds over Memorial Day, we decided perhaps we should explore North Dakota. We’ve already undertaken much of the western part of the state during our honeymoon and 1st wedding anniversary, so we choose to trek through the southeastern part over the long holiday weekend. To help make it budget friendly, Jason and I choose to camp for our excursion. We love to camp, but we just don’t ever plan it into our trips.

So Thursday we packed up the Jeep and headed out for the weekend. Our first stop was the Maple River Winery in Casselton. We’re lifetime “members” of the winery and decided this would be a good place to stock up for a few beverages. We tasted about five wines, bought a few bottles and headed south to the Sheyenne River Valley national scenic byway that starts in Lisbon, ND. Of course we made the mistake in both assuming that a byway would be paved. Well folks, only in North Dakota would it be solid gravel… though this was much to the liking of our Jeep. It really hasn’t been “off-roading” and got broken in over this trip. After several photo op stops, Jason and I arrived in Fort Ransom and checked in to our campsite at Fort Ransom State Park. We set up camp and went into Fort Ransom to check out some of the attractions, all of which took about a half hour of our time. We then dined at a local color restaurant that due to the holiday weekend, had a menu of five items. Little did we know it would be one of our better meals of the trip. Really though, the food was good and the atmosphere certainly pleasing. We finished the day by hiking a bit on a trail in the park and then roasting marshmallows over a campfire… that had taken us nearly an hour to get lit. Note to self, lighter fluid is a must pack for camping trips.

That first night on our air mattress was like being on the Titanic went it sunk, but we survived and arose the next morning to continue on our journey. The Jeep got to do some serious off roading to see the Standing Rock State Historic Site, basically a site marker in the middle of nowhere, and after many more miles of gravel, we arrived in Valley City. After driving around for hours looking for a campsite (who would have thought in North Dakota that the sites would be booked solid), we finally set up camp outside of Valley City. Lunchtime had arrived, and I was in serious need of coffee. We easily found The Broken Spoke, a cozy little diner in downtown and enjoyed a pleasant meal. The company wasn’t as pleasant as two little old ladies next to us complained about the price of their meals and how much food one got while the other didn’t. We were somewhat glad to leave. After hunting down some lighter fluid, Jason and I started in on the sites of Valley City. While we thought a busy day was ahead of us, we completed the tour of VC attractions in just several hours, including a 6.5 mile bridge tour on foot (really, it wasn’t 6.5 miles as the brochure touted). Still, we had worked up an appetite and since the campsite we ended up with didn’t have any place for a campfire, we figured we better grab a bite. Luckily along the way we had come across a brochure, Eats and Sleeps in Valley City. After driving around town to the seven different restaurants listed, we arrived back at The Broken Spoke. While the company had improved this visit, the food certainly had not. Well, mine was decent but Jason opted to try the sirloin steak. He could have dined on an old piece of shoe leather and not have noticed much difference. The day’s events ended with a drive out to Baldhill Dam and Dairy Queen, a much needed stop for Jason’s stomach. After several stops around town for ice, including a liquor store, it was determined this city has a shortage of ice on the 4th of July. All in all, the city came up short in many areas.

A good night’s rest changed our outlook though, and we were off to Jamestown. This town had ice, a huge improvement already. Our first stop was the National Buffalo Museum. We were lucky enough to see both White Cloud and her little one Dakota Miracle. A little ways up the path is the Frontier Village and many gift shops. Lunchtime had arrived so we were off to Grizzlies. While the restaurant didn’t appear busy at all, there was a 15 minute wait upon our arrival. We were seated right away and decided to wait using the time to cool down and relax a bit. Over an hour later, it was myself who ended up with the bad lunch and left a bit on the hungry side. We continued on to Wal-Mart as we have been in search for a Wii Fit since it came out last month. They didn’t have one, so our next stop was K-Mart. You just never know where one might be. We didn’t end up with a Wii Fit, but we found a clearance bin in which a few Wii games were $10 each (marked as $20, but only $10 when we checked out!). From here, we decided to head out to the Jamestown Reservoir and set up camp. Jamestown was celebrating their 125th year and we figured the rest of the day would be filled with events. How disappointed we were. Our first stop was the Ft. Seward Interpretive Center. Jason is convinced though that we missed something here as this stop was again pretty non-existent. But, we didn’t want to miss out on the events downtown and choose to go there instead of trying to find exactly where this interpretive center was. So, it was off to the Street Fair. We arrived around three to one block that they considered a street fair. Some of the vendors had even left already or started to tear down their spots! The fair was to last until 7, but it didn’t appear as if it was even going to make it until 5. To not waste the trip completely, I had to make a coffee stop at Babb’s Coffee Shop.

Luckily, our campsite for the night had much to occupy us. We changed into our swimming gear, but then found out we’re both a little wimpy as the water wasn’t exactly warm. Or clear for that matter. They had paddle boats for rent, so we hooked ourselves up with one for an hour. While we ended up bailing out water thanks to an overzealous boater, the outing was a lot of fun. We headed back to camp to start a fire and have supper, this time the fire only taking about 15 minutes to light, not with any help from the lighter fluid either. We dined over hot dogs, one of the finer meals of the trip, enjoyed our fire and then another night on the Titanic.

Sunday morning brought us more excitement in the world of dining as we stopped at Perkin’s to enjoy breakfast before our drive around the countryside that day. The table across from us was quite entertaining as the gentleman was convinced his water had salt in it and a lady at the table was complaining about the size of the plate her breakfast was served upon. Needless to say, they weren’t pleased by the price of a cup of coffee either. It certainly was good humor for our day.

We continued on to another byway of North Dakota, this one appropriately named a backway as once again, we drove on gravel much of the way. We drove through the ghost town of Merricoat, which made for a lot of great photos as well as our own personal tour guide, the one resident of the town that stopped and gave us a tour. We were then to Whitestone Hill Battlefield. During our route home, we planned a stop at Rutland, home of the World’s Largest Hamburger. Much to Jason’s dismay, the hamburger is no longer there. All that remains is the framework of what used to hold the sign announcing this achievement of the town. I had to hear about it the rest of the way home… well, only until about Hankinson. It was then I dozed off after a 556 mile jaunt around the south central part of the great state of North Dakota.