A Night of Dressing Up, Fun, Drinks, Philanthropy and Me!!!

I had a wonderful evening last night. I was a guest to the William Pynchon Awards to honor a dear friend and mentor, Dr. Carol Leary. She is an amazing woman and deserves the honor. She inspires me to be a better woman.

I got dressed up, put a heel on the left foot and the cast on the right, a gorgeous black shift dress with satin trim and a jeweled neckline, hair was in a sleek bob style and I was ready to dash off for a fun and exciting night of socializing and networking. The dinner honored three recipients all who better the lives of children and education. It made me feel good to be in their company and in the job I am in. It made me think more about how I could be a better person and more involved.

I firmly believe not only was the night about honoring and networking but about realizing getting involved in the community is key. My mind is already spinning as to how I can get involved more and in what organizations I want to be involved with. It is time for this lady to dabble in some philanthropy.

~xoxo

Surgery update

I am sooo excited!!! I scheduled and confirmed my date - January 3rd but at 7:30 in the AM!!! I have to be there at 6:30 and it is about an hour trip!!!! OMG!!!! But then I can start to feel better.

The Cute Trainer Update

Sully is truly a good friend of mine. Today I emailed him when I was so frustrated with some goings on at the gym where I work part time. Not sure I can get some of my classes back when I can come back and that annoyed me. Sully played the role of friend and boss and did it so well I could hardly argue. However, I did go back and forth with him for a while and he sat and listened and took it in an replied honestly. I even went so far at the end to be a bit witchy and say I can get paid more but I don't I like the members I work with. He did tell me to share my honesty with the people irritating me and that I deserve the truth... he is right. His favorite quote he left me with earlier - "Truth can be harsh, but it can be helpful." I do agree 100%.

I do enjoy working with, being friends with and having my butt kicked by Sully. He is a great guy and one of the only ones who have seen me cry, ok get teary eyed!!!

By the way, he says he has deep, dark secrets.... hmm, get him drunk and take advantage??!!! Kidding, kind of! :-)

~xoxo

The pup update

He called and emailed!!! :-)

The Puppy, take 500 (???)

I feel like this saga never ends and when I fold... of course it won't. I folded this weekend. I called the puppy. I left a message apologizing and asked him to call me. I haven't heard from him but I am guessing an email will come my way tomorrow morning. I don't know if he is dating Jess or not...

I called because my friend S.F. as thought bailed on me for Thursday night and I don't know if G is coming. I figured the best one to attend if not her would be the pup. He will wine, dine and socialize with the best of them. He is the male version of me. We can work this room like no one's business and enjoy every minute of it.

He doesn't even know about my foot. Ok, well he does but it was back in August or so the last time he knew. He doesn't know how bad it is and the surgery I need. I don't know why I called except he is the guy I want to entertain with.

He and S.F. are so similar except pup likes socializing and S.F. hates it!!! S.F. is 2 years younger than pup and even the years won't help him be a pup. Pup always loved being the center of attention and always liked being my escort. S.F. would rather crawl in a whole and hide... or so I gather. I always try and get him out in the real world, the one he says he wants to join... but he never wants to. Maybe it is me. I don't mean to be pushy, it is just my nature to try and make things happen...for me, for others, who ever I can help.

Back to pup... what did I do??? Did I do the right thing? Should I have left him alone??? It has been 3 months without him...

The Cute Trainer

To me Sully is the quintessential trainer for a female. He is young, cute, funny, cute, smart and an overall great guy. Oh and did I mention he is my colleague and my pseudo trainer. He is my go to guy when I need my butt kicked into shape (kind of hard at the moment with the foot) or when I need a little diet/food check. He is an all around great guy from the eastern part of Mass. so he has the adorable accent I love and find myself falling back into sometimes.

I know what female wants a cute trainer???!!! Well hello, this is your chance to look cute while working out!!! Ok, let's not go all glam here but you can make sure your attire is matching, hair in almost perfect place and think of all the guys watching you because you are working out with a trainer. And the ladies will be jealous because your trainer is cute. :-)

Sully always makes me smile and laugh. I ran into him when I stopped in the club on Friday for my check. He was heading out to lunch. I suggested we grab some drinks before my surgery. He agreed. Yes, he is cute and yes that could be danger for me as I am single now but we were good the last time we went out... so I think we can both handle being good again. Besides he is one of the guys I would love to have at my bedside when I awake from surgery. He will say I look beautiful no matter how awful I look, be amazed at how chipper I am anytime of day, make me laugh and smile and would even offer to carry me to the car and he just might offer to make me a cocktail of pain meds and wine - in small doses of course... (kidding, kind of)

Anyways, Sully is amazing and I do love him to death. Another reason why I will find it hard to leave the club... that is if I ever move. If you know me, live close by or want a trainer or a gym... let me know!!!

~xoxo

Wrap Up from the Holiday

I hope your holiday weekend did you well; mine did. I got in some extra sleeping, extra eating (oops), visiting with family and lots of relaxing. Today will find me in the crunch of going back to work tomorrow by doing work but at least I feel relaxed and less stressed. I found myself at Starbucks too many times to count this weekend, bought new curtains and lamps for my bedroom which obviously meant cleaning the bedroom, we put up our candles in the windows, and some smaller holiday decorations. I realized this year I won't be out finding our tree, too much walking and the cast can't handle the mud. Maybe I should stay home and bake gingerbread men!!!

This weekend in my mind truly kicks off the Christmas holiday season. Everything feels a little more special and holidayish once Thanksgiving comes and goes. I know we start seeing decorations out at Halloween and yes I did start the holiday music last weekend when I went shopping in the Berkshires but starting the Friday after Thanksgiving I felt more festive. The cars carrying trees are out, the holiday lights starting lighting up the neighborhoods and Bright Nights in Forest Park starts. This is the one time of year I wish we lived in NY state by the lakes where we get lake effect snow - or at least snow flurries more. There is something about the holiday and snow that really gets you in mood.

How did you spend this kick off to Christmas weekend???

~xoxo

Happy Early Thanksgiving

To all my readers... Happy Thanksgiving a day early. I want to make sure the craziness of tomorrow does not aide in my not posting and wishing you all well.

Enjoy your family and friends and travel safe.

~xoxo

(p.s. surgery will be taking place on my ankle after the holiday season...)

Let it Snow...

Let it Snow, Let it Snow, Let it Snow... I am so thrilled to see some snow out my window this morning. I always find it nice to step outside my front door and find a few snow flakes in my hair. Granted I am at work right now but I can see it is snowing a little harder now. There is nothing like the first snow to get you in the holiday mood.

Sorry S.F. for the early snow... I know you wanted it Dec. 22 but this almost always cranky girl needed some cheering up. Besides it won't last for your birthday. Have a change of heart, at least for the next hour or so...

~xoxo

It's Not All About Me...But Isn't It???

I want you to take a minute and really think about the title. I am not trying to be selfish or sound selfish here but really think about it - isn't everything about us??? Think about it we do everything to make us better people, happier, friendlier, prettier, healthier...everything. We try to live by a motto "It's not all about me" but take that motto down a notch or two and it really is all about you. You go to a doctor to make you feel better if you are sick, you donate your time or energy to a good cause or charity because it makes you feel better, you get plastic surgery to make yourself feel or look better, you buy makeup because it helps you look better, younger, and I could go on.

Granted some are more self-centered than others but what we do every day is really in a response to making us feel better. If you have 2 piles of clothes to get rid of - do you throw them away or donate them?? Chances are you donate them because someone else can use them. Why not throw them out - because it makes you feel better thinking someone else could and probably will use them. I am not saying that this is a bad thing, not by any means, but our actions are done because we chose to do them and in choosing so we feel better about ourselves. If you threw those clothes out you would feel guilty about it later on.

I am not conveying that living your life with the "It's All About Me" attitude or motto is the way to go. I truly think that it is selfish to do all the time, but sometimes it is all about you and you do deserve to feel that way. I am working on fixing my foot because it is all about me after all. I want to walk and run again. I want to compete in a road race again, hopefully a marathon but I will settle for a 5k right now.

Really think about this topic over the next few days, especially as the holiday season is knocking down the door. Think about what you do and how it effects you as a person and effects your feelings.

New Foot Update

I am going to see another doctor Wednesday for my foot. He is an ankle/foot and sports surgeon. We will see what he has to say. I am just not sure and I want to be sure to go under the knife.

Foot Update and a lil Retail Therapy (oops)

Everyone has been on pins and needles apparently waiting for the foot update so here it is - surgery is now my option. I have waited 3-5 months for this to be my next step and now that it is here I just don't know. NEOS doesn't think it is nerve related and the doc is comfortable with the surgery now. He wants to do two procedures - excise the bone which means a trite and true cut the ankle and then do an arthroscopic procedure on my talus and remove the cyst that is forming there. I am in a cast for 2 weeks, a boot for 4 weeks and then start PT. He said the recovery is about 6 months. What's another six months??? I now have to decide to move forward and when. There definitely is not a good time for surgery but do I wait for before the holidays, after, during... I just don't know. I think I am going to call the nerve guy tomorrow and see if I can get it soon and see what he says but investigate with work my options as well. I need at least two weeks off and then flex time for PT plus I won't be driving for a while - so I have to be dependent on family and friends again... What to do...

On another note I truly spent the weekend shopping. Thursday was my Friday so I spent some money Thursday night at a jewelry party, went to Lee Friday night with mom and shopped, Evergreen Walk yesterday with mom and nana and bought more and wait for it... today I was at Macy's. Yep four days and shopped every day. But I bought some jewelry, wide leg jeans, some sweaters, some works clothes... I think I covered all bases and I didn't spend all my money either. Ok so I forgot the shoes and pocketbooks but I can't wear lots of shoes and well I have lots of bags right now... :-)

Oh yeah, some of the clothes I bought were bought with impending surgery and needed comfort in mind... think I am subconsciously telling myself something??? I know in my heart or I did know that it needed to be done and if I compare my foot to my arm when I had some nerve issues there, my foot doesn't feel the same. My foot hurts more than my arm and I mean hurt... could I just be a little scared???? I wish it was a cut and dry thing...

A Sigh of Relief

You know that feeling when you finish a "huge" project at work... well that is me, I have it. I have a minor piece left actually but it will be nothing compared to what I spent the last month doing. It should have been an "all hands on deck" project but it wasn't. I could complain but why at this point. I left here late last night but after a good conversation with a mentor of mine - he gave me some good ideas and then I went out for a glass (ok 2) of wine. It is the first time in a while I truly felt like having a drink.

Now on to my next project - figuring out what my boss really wants me to do (should I be worried when she has NO idea??!!!) and figuring out my next big move. The questions that come into play with my move are do I stay here, I like Colorado and all it has to offer and skiing but do I want that year round, do I want a warmer climate and which coast, and lastly do I stay in education or go back into PR. I am leaning more towards PR and guess what... I want to get back into teaching at a college level - adjunct, but still back to teaching. It is starting to come together and I am realizing I don't need my answer tomorrow, although it would be nice.

~xoxo

Snow

Don't yell at me but yesterday I wanted nothing more than for it to snow. It felt like the perfect day and it was clouded over, that chill was in the air... All you New Englanders or snow lovers know exactly what I mean. I am the last person I expected to say that but when it feels right, sometimes it just feels right.

So let it snow... ok maybe until birthdays finish up this month - so after November 23.

Friends and Smiles

I am going to get all sappy here but sometimes all you need is a good friend to put a smile on your face. Of course it makes it more fun and interesting when you are giving them hand signal directions while they are driving because you are giving them the silent treatment. Ladies... it can be done, I did it last night. Although the silent treatment I gave was in pure fun and wasn't meant to be true. But I have to give my friend lots of credit for trying to get me to crack. I lasted about 15 minutes - me quiet for 15 minutes and I was awake and alive... I know!!!! :-) He tried lumping Red Sox fans into certain categories, women into categories - actually said women nag, etc. I finally broke my silence and was like - "I don't nag!!!" He did very well at trying to crack me and trying to be silent right back but in the long run - neither of us could do it.

For a few brief hours last night I had something to do which meant something to look forward to and someone to spend time with who at the end of our time together made sure I had a smile on my face, whether he meant to or not. It is friends like those, male or female, you want in life. Someone who can with the stupidest thing make you laugh or smile.

This foot thing has really changed me as a person and not for the better, slightly for the worse. I am not the same outgoing, bucket of fun I used to be. Getting dressed to go out these days is a struggle. I always have to plan around a big 'ol boot. So no jeans - only comfy, cozy pants or dressier pants. Then that leads me to wondering which shoe group I am going to wear - sneakers or clogs, and finally what on top. Just dealing with that every day stresses me out. And if I go out and spend the day somewhere be prepared for a tired girl later on. I am just not the same person but when someone like my friend can manage to put up with me for a few hours and make me smile helps me get through another day.

On the flip side, back to the doctors on Friday and maybe a little shopping with this same friend this weekend!

Family

This seems to be the topic of the weekend. This weekend found a friend's relative in the hospital, my great, great aunt in the hospital, my sister annoying the heck out of me with her bratty attitude, my "brother" in town, time with friends and then what I consider the "whole" family at dinner tonight.

As much as siblings annoy me some days it was nice to sit down and share a meal with my sister and her husband, my "brother," my parents, my nana and aunt. Aunt Anne was late as usual but it was still a family dinner. We were celebrating my dad's and my birthdays as a family. So it was especially nice to have Caleb in town. I miss him but it looks like he may be moving back to town and buying a house or a condo. I hope he is doing this because it is what he wants, not what he feels he needs to do. All in all, it will be nice to have him around.

After dinner and cake as we are cleaning up the power went out. Apparently it was out for blocks and blocks so you could find the Chapell family cleaning up in candlelight and then hanging around the family room talking and catching up. Something we haven't done in years. It was nice.

Whether it is close family, distant family, friends, anyone who you call family it is always nice to spend time with them and put differences or feelings aside and come back to the central emotion at hand - love for your 'family'. Through thick or thin, they will always be there for you. And sometimes the best times are spent talking and laughing even when the lights go out.

Horoscope update

Remember my postings from earlier in the week on how on target my horoscope was that day??? Well, here is what mine says today...

It's all coming back -- your good energy is amazing even you. Even if you've been down in the dumps or took a fall recently, you should find yourself almost all the way back to where you were by the end of the day. (Astrology.com)

I agree with this 100%. I have taken on a new philosophy to try and get over the madness at work and find the me I once new - happy, outgoing, friendly, always smiling - the light in your day. That person changed to a grumpier version but I decided to focus back on me and focus on smiling more and meaning it. I am trying to smile so much that my liver smiles. It is working and I feel more of myself again. Maybe it is my birthday getting to me, maybe it is me trying harder or maybe I am just ready to let go of the madness but I am ready for whatever positive change is occurring and I am happy about it. Keep it coming I say!

Happy Birthday

I am being selfish...but for a good reason... today is my BIRTHDAY!!!! And I put on one heel (matches the height of my boot, don't worry) because I wanted to feel good and look good too! It's been a long time since I felt this happy!!! :-)

Freaky, part 2

Update on my prior post about my horoscope. Today really and truly was a marathon in more ways than one. I woke up and left the house at 4:45 a.m. and didn't come back home until 7:30 p.m. The project at work I was working on didn't complete itself 10o% so we had to scrap it and start from step 1 today. But because I keep all documentation on issues I am able to cut down checking/processing time. All this and still managing to come home looking beautiful - changed the hair color today. How do you feel about chocolate brown??? :-)

Night 'all, almost my bedtime.

Freaky...

Too good not to post now....

My horoscope for the day - How true it is!!!

Daily Overview for November 06, 2007
Provided by Astrology.com
Quickie:Eat a really good breakfast, because this day will be quite a marathon!

What doesn't kill you...

...makes you stronger. If this is true where did my strength go??? I went to open a door Saturday in the Natick Mall parking garage and almost didn't open it!! With all the stress and craziness at work lately I should be as strong as a super body builder.

By the way, who came up with the phrase "what doesn't kill you makes you stronger?" And, I know it wasn't Kayne West but I do like the song.

Birthdays

Once upon a time my birthday was the greatest day on earth. I lived for it all year...just like Christmas. Somehow I noticed the past two years the fun of my birthday is slipping. Funny because I thought once you turned twenty-five your relationship with your parents improves, meaning you get them and their actions more, your sense of the world changes and you look at things more widely now but never did I think my favorite day would change. I used to start the 6 month countdown on May 8th and then Tara's birthday was August 8th, three months before. Now... no such thing. The only thing I am planning is my 30th birthday cake which HAS to come from Party Favors in Brookline.

That is my favorite bakery and if someone loves me enough they know how to make me happy. (When I lived in Boston, my friends and I stopped in every Friday to pick up cupcakes for our office... a great job and great food...loved it!!)

Anyways, my birthday is coming up and in some ways it makes me sad. It makes me realize I am still living in my parent's house and I am single with no prospects. Ok, ok I know. In almost all respects I am happy with that part of my life but being a female, I have to admit while I may not be ready to settle down I do miss the friendship, companionship, closeness. Part of me is also cranky because with my foot in the shape it is in, I don't feel like I can dress up and have a good time. :-(

Oh well, another year almost gone and another one about to start... too bad I am going into it alone... no plans, no two good feet. Just me, my dog, my parents and oh yeah my favorite spot on the couch. I guess it could be worse!

(My Cake...)

Checking In

I know it has been a few days since my last post...sorry work has been crazy. Speaking of work...how do you feel when people check in on you 24/7, or so it feels. Most people I know don't like to be micro-managed including myself. Especially when a prior boss let you do what you want/need within constraints. It isn't fun when someone calls you every hour to see where you are or wants you to email and update every step of the process. I know what I do and what you do is important but sometimes we can do our jobs faster if you leave us alone!!! It takes time to send an email or answer a call. If there is something you want us to do, fine email or call but don't keep checking in.

A good leader/manager can walk away and trust his/her employees. They build their employees confidence by loosening the reins a little and trusting them. When the trust is broken I understand it is necessary to pull that person back in but it shows a true leader who has faith in his/her employees to let them do their jobs. Someone who isn't confident in themselves and their abilities is someone who is a micro-manager and needs to know everything about everyone at any moment. It shows they are not comfortable in their own skin/position.

If you are one of those micro-managers, how would you feel if your boss checked in on you 24/7. Not great right as it takes away from your job on checking in on everyone and whatever else you have to do.

Loosen the reigns a little... you may be surprised.