Another Date....

It's weird to say I had a second date with someone I dated sort of seriously before...but it was our second new date!

I was even more nervous for this date, because I had less than 24 hours notice of said date.

I am a planner. I have my whole week planned out on Sunday! Actually, I have my whole life planned out.  I know the days I go to the gym, the days I run, the days I take my dogs to the park, when I grocery shop, when I prepare my food for the week...and yes, I realize how very single, and tragic this may sound!

So, I got a text one evening asking if I'd like to meet the following evening...after WORK..because he was working near my side of town the next day (we live about an hour apart)...my first instinct was to say I was busy. I mean, I go to the gym at that time every single week... But my second instinct was that I am trying to break out of my shell, and this wouldn't happen very often, and I wanted to see  him, and so I said YES!

At dinner, in the spirit of being honest, I told him that I am a planner, and this was outside of my comfort zone, and that I usually like a 48 hour advance notice to go out, but that I knew this was something that just came up so of course I said yes, and it was good to do once in a while....even though I was laughing when I said this, I meant it.

He got some extra points for saying he noted that I like advance notice for going out. And it sparked a really great conversation after that!

It was about 20 degrees that night, and he walked me to my car, like a gentlemen...and we hugged...and still no kiss!!

I remember the last time that we dated, years ago..it took him about 4 dates to finally lay one on me. I remember thinking he didn't even like me, because he didn't make a move.

How My Date Went..

So, aside from my two one time dates with some internet winners, I haven't been out with a new guy in a really...really long time.

Sure, I have gone out with exmanfriend a few times over the past couple of years but I don't think that counts since did in fact break my heart via a letter.

I'd be lying if I said I wasn't a little nervous, but not the 2013 nervous...the 2014 me is suppose to be spontaneous, and try new things, and that...I did!

He was running late, and as any respectable lady (with a DUI under her belt) would assume, I thought he would be picking me up. When we talked it was decided that I had to meet him so we could make it on time.

In about the first hour I already decided that maybe I liked him. He was easy to talk to, and made me laugh. We had a two hour window after the wedding before the reception, so we went to the winery. He seems to be just as open as I am, so of course, we had a  really good conversation. I was starting to think this was going to be a fun night.

At the wedding, I told him he is like a local celebrity, he seems to know everyone. I said "I think I know like five people in real life". The venue was on the lake, so we went down to the water and sat at a picnic table and had drinks, and talked for hours...turns out, we missed the entire wedding. Dancing. Dinner. Cake. Boquet toss...the whole nine.

I told him that I had expected to have fun, but in the back of my mind, I didn't think I would like him as much as I did. I had the same high school mentality that he was kind of a jerk, and I have to say I was pleasantly surprised!

And then, there was kissing...and he is a really good kisser.

After the wedding we went out to some bars, and long story short, we were up until about 6 in the morning! Two days later, I am realizing, that a 38 year old woman does not stay up until 6 am because I am still feeling very rough!

What happened next? We did spend some time together the next day, and we went to lunch. But the moral of the story is, he has been hung up on his ex for well over 10 years. I think he is me up until a year ago.

I told him I know far too well what it is like to have trouble getting over an ex, and so I wasn't going to expect anything to happen in the future. Do I hope it will? Of course!  I would love to go out again, but what is meant to be, will be!

The 2014 me decided to be honest and tell him the next night before he left that I was thinking about him. I figure I have nothing to lose, except for regretting not saying what was on my mind at the time.

At the very least I put myself out there, I opened up, and had an amazing time.

Yes..I Hate Sports..But I've Made an Exception....

It's only a few days into the new year, and already I am well on my way for not only trying new things, but being spontaneous. The past couple of years I got so regimented, that I wouldn't stray from my plans, and in a sense, I got kind of boring.

Just on my birthday I had an invite to dinner before my get-together, and I just couldn't bring myself to go!

So, without my usual "week's notice rule" (I'm that annoying!)  I went cross country skiing with one of my bff's on a whim! I mean, we had a great snowfall (about 7") and I had a half day off of work to burn! Yes, it was freezing, but the sun was beautiful and it was such a great work out, once you get going, you keep pretty warm!

I have never had a better time outdoors! We laughed the entire time, from how ridiculous you look doing it, to how fun it was to catch a little speed!

Look at all of this untouched snow! It is just beautiful!

One of the best parts of the day was when I started zipping along thinking "this is just like the nordic track" and I was catching some speed.

Here I am, skiing along, pretty bad-ass!

And then here I am when I totally biffed it! On flat land. 

Here I am signaling that I'm Ok...you notice my bff didn't come to help, but rather got pictures.

Later, while trying to turn around I got my two ski's overlapped, and boom! I biffed it again while standing. We were laughing so hard about the fact that I honestly could not untangle my ski's and figure out how to stand back up, that my bff fell down in laughter!

One of the trails we took. Stuff like this makes you see the beauty in the snow!!

 The sun on the snow seems magical!

Snow covered trees!

The next day, despite my rigorous workouts, I found muscles that I didn't even know I had!

After skiing, we had hot toddies, (a first for me) and I tried sushi. Which I don't like. But I had an avocado roll, which I would totally have again! And saki...and I guess..who doesn't like saki? I didn't care for the fish smell of the joint, but I had fun nonetheless!

Now, we are buckeling down for a -40 wind chill here in NE Ohio. We get cold and snow, and the occasional subzero temp...but this is something none of us are use to!

Warm thoughts!

Even Small Accomplishments, are Great Ones!....

This whole vegan thing is pretty hard. Not just giving up meat and dairy, but all the things that contain meat and dairy that you never thought did!

For instance, I have one cheat meal a week, and I was so excited to go to Chipotle because I could get a vegetarian bowl, and have BEANS! But I found out the beans are cooked with bacon. I was very appreciative of the workers to point it out to me, but I was also disappointed. Because of my strenuous workout routine...I was really looking forward to some extra protein in my meal, so I got cheese. I felt like a quitter, but I am not going to dwell on it.

I have been hungry. Really, really hungry, and struggling with my calorie count, because the vegan proteins are so high in calories, and making up for it with fruits/veggies make me hungry just about every hour. I have to plan more snacks to help curb hunger pangs. Next week I'll be better prepared.

I'm also having a hard time being a "clean eater" and eating all the processed vegan proteins. Unless I have dried beans and legumes that I prepare myself, I am really at a loss for what else to eat that isn't "processed".  I have had all my nutrition dead on for so long, that now I have to branch out. A challenge.

 My first attempt at a vegan meal was whole grain pasta, with tofurky italian sausage ,spinach, tomato, and I melted tofutti garlic and chives cream cheese in my noodles. I used a small plate so it looked like more. This is only 3/4c noodles, and half of a tofurky link. Total score taste-wise, it tasted like the real deal..... but the calories, and processed food part, worried me. Turned out, my noodles contained egg whites....another loss. 

For dessert I had tofutti chocolate "ice cream" and a sliced strawberry. The ice cream was just the same taste-wise as real ice cream, and the same calorie wise too. The calories scared me. I'd been having Arctic Zero ice cream, which contains whey...so it is not vegan. The calories in that are amazing!

In the end, for a week, I accomplished a lot. I'll get there eventually. I'm going to allow myself the ability to fail from time to time, because I'm going to try to do this meal by meal. Small accomplishments! I may have had cheese this week, and egg whites in my noodles, but I didn't have an animal protein for 12 out of my 15 meals for this short amount of time. I consider that a win! 

In other news, I joined my gyms new bootcamp program, which is an hour of high energy athletic interval training. My first class, I was picked out of the 6 girls as "boot camp buddy of the day". (You pair up in two's)

When I was announced winner he said it was, because of my perfect, controlled form, and my refusal to give up. (the instructor spends a lot of 1:1 time with you in the smaller classes, and offers you "modifications" in case you are tired and I never took one single modification, I pushed thru)

Sure, my prize was just a small toy soldier. But I was recognized in front of the group and this little guy made me feel Strong! 

I'm going to take all my little accomplishments as they come.

On Great Things...

I got my new furniture today. Soooo worth the wait!!

Here it is by day...

 

 

 And it looks like this at night!

 

 

I am kinda in love with it. My chair is super comfy, and will soon be getting a matching twin because it is just that fabulous! My entertainment center is my first brand new piece that is not particle board! I have a few things that I've purchased second hand at the Salvation Army store, but they don't count.

 

And how about my beautiful television?  I am so in awe of it, that I stay up far too late watching TV! I don't even care what I'm watching!

 

If I'd have known my 30's would be so fruitful, I'd have not wasted so many years dreading their arrival! The me that worked two jobs for years just to make ends meet, never imagined I'd be where I am today!

 

The best thing about this week?

 

Besides new furniture?

 

MADONNA.....

 

In just 4 short days, we will share the same air space! I will be living the dream for an entire night!

 

Then, I'll go home to my fabulous apartment, and fall asleep in my (practically) new bed, with my very new bedding.

 

 

Very similar to my old set, minus all the rips that occured from machine washing a dry clean only bedspread...

 

 

Yes...great things come to those who wait, and work hard for what they want. Now....we are just awaiting that prince charming fellow..

 



Stuff I Happen to Love...

• Having a new bed. Oh yes, I slept, for three whole nights in my very own bed, which I have not done since the great break up with exmanfriend, over a year ago. Sure, I have gone to sleep there a handful of times, but never slept comfortably, or uninterrupted. I spent 98% of my time on the couch! There are no bad memories in the brand new Sealy Posturpedic! Yesss!

• My new sofa. I feel like a freaking rock star. Nuff said!

• Plyometrics. Who knew I would start to love the burn? An hour and 15 minute class of just strength training seemed impossible, but I am amazed at how much it is aiding my running stamina, and I cannot wait until I say bye bye to my "bye bye" arms, and hellllo to my rock hard rumpuss, toned core, and calves to be proud of!

• Martini's! This is my new moscato! There is nothing like enjoying a (very dirty, thank you, with two blue cheese stuffed olives courtesy of Acme #1 in Akron, OH ..holla) martini after a hard day of work, and two workouts. Or, any day for that matter. It only takes one to make you feel fabulous, two to be done, and the calorie ratio to the wine I have been consuming pales in comparison! Score!

• Being friends with an Esthetician. Come fall, when I cash in my stock savings plan, I'm totally having a makeover, at a great price! Wrinkles? Me? Not anymore! Watch out world, you won't know what hit ya!

• The dog park. I frequent my local dog park with my handsome Mr. Magoo at the very least, weekly. But they started having "singles nights" every second Friday of the month. Come on, if there was ever a place for me to meet the future Mr. Me, this is it, right? Such an adorable idea!

• MDNA. Ok, I'm partial cus I have loved Madonna from the start, but this album is awesome. It's totally dance worthy, and I can't wait until I'm shaking it live at her concert in November!

• Happy Hours. The best idea my only single friend had was for us to peruse local hot spot happy hours. We get cheap drinks, and amazing food that I could otherwise not justify paying full price for! This is the best invention ever!

• Netflix. I never thought I'd be a joiner, but I have subscribed at a mere $8 a a month and it's a savings when you consider all the redbox rentals I was renting. Plus I get to be in the "know" with series I'd never watch otherwise!

• Wineries. This is what summer is all about. Wine tasting with your best girlfriends, under the shimmery summer stars. We kick this off mid-May, and I cannot wait!

• Rockin on the river. I am very lucky to live within 4 miles of the riverfront which boasts free concerts every Friday, complete with canned beer, and a miriad of food truck vendors. This is what summer is all about!

• Hip Hop Class. I like to think I have some moves, but usually it's because I'm drunk and I don't know better. I recently took up a hip hop class at the gym. It's taught in a club like atmosphere, by disco ball and club lights, it's pretty much the most fun workout I have ever done! And I'm gonna learn that Beyonce butt bounce, if it kills me!

• Being Single. As much as I miss being in love, my life totally revolves around me. I do what I want, when I want. I answer to no one. If I don't feel like doing it, I don't I'm not obligated! I am almost afraid that I like it so much, I may actually turn into a cat lady one day. I'm holding on hope that "the one" will change that mentality. But until I find him, being single is pretty awesome!

• Determination. I am so going to smoke my last 5k time of 30 minutes this weekend, because of sheer will!!

Trying new things...

This probably looks kinda boring and/or gross. But it is not! I have been hearing about **kale chips forever and a day, and their delicious "chip like" snackability. Like most people, I thought it was the dumbest thing I'd ever heard.

But I tried it! And, no, it isn't as good as a (baked lays, or pringles) potato chip, but it is a good snack!

I made mine in the oven with a little olive oil, onion, and garlic powder, and a dash of salt.

Of course, you have to enjoy vegetables, because it isn't a real life junk food. But, it is something different! I highly recommend trying this!!

And secondly, After a sweet chardonnay, and two plum wines, I tried shrimp at the hibachi for the first time in my 36 years, and I just might try it again! It wasn't horrible, or fishy, as I had thought!!

I also finally went to a wine bar. That is located 2 miles from home. I've never been!

Who knew trying new things wouldn't kill me?

**Kale chips

1 bunch of kale
1tsp veg oil (i did this twice, the first time this didn't seem like enough oil, but trust me it is. otherwise you get soggy kale)
salt, seasoning to taste (salt after, before, brings out the moisture and you get soggy kale)
I cooked mine in a single layer, (stems removed) on my pizza stone
350 20 m but keep an eye on it, once the edges brown take them out and let them set

There are a ton of ways to make this, so just find what works for you! I have made these three times this weekend!! YUM!