It's Just Plastic

Does anyone else find laminating to be one of the coolest, most facinating things out there?! I am completely 100% enthralled in that little piece of plastic that I fear if we ever purchased a laminating machine for the salon here, I would hole myself up day in and out...laminating!

I am heading to BHS tomorrow to hang out at the High School and promote our store and the Prom lines we carry. In an effort to do this, I went to Wal*Mart early this morning and purchased a bunch of candy, celophane, little twisty ribbons, and of course some laminating paper, and headed to the salon to being my crafts.

I created business cards on the computer stating simply that "We Carry Tuxedos" and then announcing our Prom sale on the other side, to give to each of the students that come to our table. I of course laminated each of these cards, punched a hole in them, and tied them to my carefully, celophane, wrapped candy. A brilliant idea! I then created a mailing list page and purchased a candy gift basket to raffel off to the students that fill out a form both allowing us to give the students something fun to take home, and also giving us a well equiped mailing list for next year's prom season.

But I have to say the most fun through all of it, was the laminating! Why? It's a stupid piece of plastic but I found myself trying to find things in the store, other than the business cards, to laminate! Size charts, call lists, pens...they all became free game. Good thing I was too busy with customers to start doing any real damage (ie: I think the computer screen could use a good protective laminate coat). No, I stuck to the intended business cards but rest assured my mind is moving with new laminating options as we speak. I do after all, have an entire extra box at my disposal!

Poor, Poor, Piggies!

Back in October, my family had to make the executive decision to release custody of our two pugs Cooper and Farley, and hand it over to a sweet girl named Jenna. While the idea of them no longer being in my care saddened me, it made me happy to know that wherever they were they were happy and they were together.

Occasionally from time to time I think of my two little piggies and wonder how they're doing. If they're still fat or if they still cuddle like they would on the floor of my Lakeview apartment in Chicago. I wonder if the noises they make are still obnoxious and gross and if Cooper still hasn't quite grasped the concept of fetch. I miss them every day and wish to see them even more. But the idea of visiting my own dogs just saddens me even more...I'd have to say goodbye all over again, every time.

Then yesterday we receive a phone call from Jenna who said she had to talk to us about the pugs. Scared that one of them had gotten sick or worse, died, I made my mom call Jenna back first thing this morning to see what was going on. I've since spent the entire morning in tears, trying to keep my mind off of it.

Long story short:

Farley hurt one of Jenna's other dogs (Farley thinks he's a big mean pit bull sometimes...especially when he's protecting Cooper) so Jenna gave them to a woman that lives near her where she could still visit them every day, but where Farley would be away from her own dogs. Suddenly, without notice to Jenna, the woman moved, giving Cooper and Farley away to another caregiver. Thankfully Jenna somehow found the address for this woman and was horrified to find that this woman was crazy, leaving the pugs in the car for hours, locked in cages, no attention, etc. Just a bad caregiver in general. Jenna was able to get Farley back, she literally walked into the house and stole him away, but couldn't find Cooper anywhere. After weeks of searching she finally found him at the Lakeview Animal Shelter, and my mom has been on the phone ever since trying to get him out before he gets adopted, which was supposed to take place today!

I'm so sad thinking about my poor little piggie all alone at the Animal Shelter. If anyone knows my dogs they would know that they cannot be split up. Cooper doesn't exist without Farley! It just hurts my heart to think of the horrible things they have been going through the past few months, and it's all because neither of us can have stupid animals in our stupid apartments!!

My lease is up in August, I'm getting a place where I can have animals and I'm getting my two little babies back. I can't handle thinking about them suffering at the hands of someone else. It hurts entirely too much.

Quote to Live By

I can't help but post this. Everytime I get it in my inbox it just makes me smile!

As we grow up, we learn that even the one person that wasn't supposed to ever let you down probably will. You will have your heart broken probably more than once and it's harder every time. You'll break hearts too, so remember how it felt when yours was broken. You'll fight with your best friend. You'll blame a new love for things an old one did. You'll cry because time is passing too fast, and you'll eventually lose someone you love. So take too many pictures, laugh too much, and love like you've never been hurt before because every sixty seconds you spend upset is a minute of happiness you'll never get back.

I was going to blog it, BUT....

You know what the great thing about the blogging world is? When you hang out with two of your friends, that each have their own separate blog, you KNOW they're going to be blogging about the time you three spent together, and therefore, saves you the effort of having to regurgitate the weekends activities a third time! Horray for time saving! Granted everyone does have their own points of view on how the weekend unfolded, and I'm sure I could add a few details here and there that both Amanda and Erin forgot, but who cares right? If you want to know about our fabulous weekend full of surprises, wine, and dildos (yes I did say dildos) then click on their blogs. Plus, it's good exposure for them =)

But I do just have to say one thing about the weekend... WE'RE GOING TO VEGAS!

That's it.

I myself, am on day 2 of my fasting/detox diet and I have to admit that I'm feeling pretty good. I'm a little hungry but other than that I'm well on my way. 22 more days!

I had my second belly dancing class last night. It is so much fun I can't stand it! I just miss getting out there and learning a dance, and seeing it all come together. It's the Pom-Pom girl in me. My mom and I bought our little coin skirts last night and I have to say I was feeling pretty Middle-Eastern after that. Minus the blonde hair and blue eyes of course. Just give me my finger symbols and I'm ready to go! =) We learned some belly twists (which if I can brag my teacher said mine were BEAUTIFUL) and learned a few more steps to our dance. By the end of 6 weeks I'll be able to do a full routine! I'm excited.

Round 2

HAPPY FIRST DAY OF SPRING BLOGGING WORLD!!!

It sure doesn't feel like spring right now though! I'm looking out the window at the bank thermometer and it keeps blinking 32 at me. Instead of it being a bright, sunny, spring afternoon, I am instead surrounded by cold and gloom as I patiently wait for the temperatures to finally rise again. I hate waiting for spring. It can never come fast enough!

Aside from today's cold weather, I have to say that the weekend was pleasantly warm. In fact, much of the snow we received here in the Milwaukee area melted away by Saturday. Not necessarily because of warm temperatures, but because of the bright brilliant sunshine. That works for me!

Now that the weekend is overwith (which I'll post more about later), I can get back onto my fasting diet. Yes, I AM going through with it. I have my schedule cleared (for the most part) and my body is ready to be detoxed! I'm sitting here right now with my fruit smoothie (minus the yogurt) and my cup full of vitamins, anticipating the hell my body will go through for the next 3 weeks. I WILL do it though!!

Okay, You Win

To all you Christi skeptics out there...You Won! I have failed in my detox diet.

Maybe failed is the wrong word. I have POSTPONED my detox diet. There, I like that better. After a full day of eating apples, pinneaple, and a very bland tasteless salad, I began to think about my weekend and how much I would be missing out on if I continued through with this 23 day detox. Between dinner and drinks on Friday and Heather's wedding shower on Saturday the timing on this program just couldn't be any worse. My mom said I should just detox until Friday, go off of it for a few days, then continue on after the weekend, but what's the point in that. I'll just shock my body right back to where it was after a few days off of it.

Therefore, I have decided to clear my schedule for the next three weeks (starting Monday) to allow myself ample time to succesfully complete this detox program.

I know that I can do this! Regardless of how poor my daily habits are =)

Detoxification Issue

I'm running with this Trend idea!

For the past few months, I have been hearing countless stories about detoxification and fasting, and the benefits it has on our bodies. I'm always a little skeptical of trendy diets but I guess if it's popular to the masses...it must work right? Otherwise people wouldn't do it!

In Hollywood it is tres chic to compliment your detoxification with a colon cleanse, but I think for purposes of this blog...I'll stick to the diet. One trend at a time =)

Before I decided to do this detoxification cleanse, I knew that I couldn't just do it, and trust the stars on it's health benefits, so I opened up Google Scholar, and did some research myself. I found an article written by Pioneer Nutritional Formulas that speaks about the detox program I am currently following, a 23 day, fruits and veggies program. So far everything I've been reading supports the health benefits of it! Sure there are a few health officials that think the program be a waste of time, especially since it doesn't promote any sort of drug intake (sarcasm), but for the most part my findings have been pretty positive.

So it's full speed ahead!!

Today, I begin my fast and for the next 23 days I will be in hell as my diet is limited to fruits, vegetables, and a whole lot of salads. THAT'S IT! No Jimmy John's, no amazing Honey Mustard Sub from Quizno's, and no Diet Coke during my daily lunch run. It's just me and nature!

I'm ready to be cleansed.

Belly Dancing...The New Fad

The fitness world moves through its fads almost as fast as my jeans move in and out of style, and it can become very tiresome to try and keep up with them all. Instead of mastering each of the trendy techniques that arise in popular culture, I prefer to just dabble in them all. Get a taste of what exists in the world; see what I like!

I've taken a Spin class with the bike Nazi's, I've centered my chi with a Yogi, I've even stripped off my clothes and climbed a pole during a Cardio-Strip session at Crunch Fitness in Chicago. In the end however, I always end up back to the basics of the running and sit-ups…as much fun as everything else is =) But it doesn't hurt to keep trying them all out!

Tonight, my mother and I discovered the ancient Middle Eastern art of Belly Dancing, the 2006 workout fad of the year!

We arrived at the little studio ready for some dancing and a hard workout, but were completely taken aback when the instructor showed us where to put our tennis shoes, and then where to sit. What? Sit? Bare Feet? What kind of place was this?! You can't possibly expect us to get a good workout in without my shoes can you?

I decided to humor my instructor a bit longer.

We took our seats and she ran through the coming weeks with us. The dancing sounded really exciting, the stretching was just up my alley (I have to admit out of all the trendy workouts, Yoga is still my favorite…enter my love of stretching), but I was most excited when she pulled out the little skirts with coins on them in flashy colors that were available to buy…and encouraged to wear! (Jayne, I know for sure you can relate…I hear Dorothy is borrowing yours he he). Note to self: bring $28 dollars for cute little coin skirt to wear around during my 6 week Belly Dancing class, and then never again after. By the end of the discussion, I was willing to ignore the fact that I was barefoot, and get down to business.

It's been a while since I've done any real sort of physical activity, and I must admit that just the opening stretches had me groaning in pain. Good pain though of course. After stretching, she ran us through a few of the basic moves and then we learned our first three steps of the dance. Hooray for dancing! One of the most exciting things in the world for me is learning a few steps and then feeling the rush of putting that all to music and seeing how it all flows and coordinates together. I felt myself wanting to bump and grind a few times to the music (It's the modernist in me) but I had to remember that we're working on control and isolation, not random movements of whichever body parts happen to feel the music at the time. It's hard though…I love to dance!!

I wouldn't say that I left feeling as though I had done a fantastic workout, but I did get some stretching in, a lot of laughter, and a great hour of fun. I think its well worth my time for the next 6 weeks…or at least until the next big workout fad comes along ;)

Hmm..I think I may have just found my purpose for a blog....Trend research!! I'm going to look into it and get back to you =)

Pictures

PICTURES FROM THIS WEEKEND!

It's a LONG post, but it was a LONG weekend =)

I had forgotten how much I truly LOVE to ski!

On Thursday of last week, the Anderson clan (Aunt Micki and Neil and their 3 kids, Uncle Johnny and his 2 kids, Aunt Dianne and Paul, Grandma, and our family) piled into an R7R Limousine shuttle bus, destined for Chicago, IL. The 15 of us were headed for the Amtrak stations to catch our train to Pittsburgh PA.

Ever since my Grandpa Dave died a few months ago, the family has been adamant about spending more time together (other than at each other’s funerals). So my dad and Uncle David set up a ski weekend away in the mountains of West Virginia and by March 2, 15 of us were on our way.

We arrived at the Amtrak station within plenty of time before our train so after getting our tickets, checking our baggage, and doing whatever it is a group of 15 people do, we headed to our gate so as to ensure we were first in line for boarding. After all, we all DID want to sit together!!

After an hour delay, a gate switch, and a whole lot of “Get off the Tile” yelling by Amtrak employees, our crew finally made it to the train (together of course) and anxiously awaited the next 9 hours of relaxation.

The train ride itself was not so bad. I had my books, my IPod, and of course my family to keep me occupied and entertained. Sleeping on the other hand, was a completely different story and as our train rolled into Pittsburgh around 4:30 am, I realized that sleep for myself and most of the Anderson clan, was just not going to be happening that night. Instead, we exited the train and took our seats in the waiting area to wait for our luggage.

I loaded up on coffee and mingled with the fam as I tried to ignore the fact that I had not yet slept and instead was spending my exhausting morning sitting in the Pittsburgh train station. About 45 minutes later our luggage arrived, but the waiting was not yet over as the men still had to pick up our rental cars…30 minutes away!!! The rest of waited patiently (some slept) and by 7:30 the caravan of SUV’s was outside the train station. We could finally leave!!!

The ride to my Uncle David and Jackie’s house was about a 2 hour one, which wasn’t exactly the most appetizing of endeavors considering our long train ride, but we made the most of it. We stopped along the way for some more coffee and waffles at the Waffle House just outside of Pittsburgh, which was enough energy to keep us awake for the rest of the trip. If you’ve never experienced a Waffle House before, you’re missing out on an experience! =)

We arrived to David’s around 11:00 at which point I was dying for some sleep! But it just wasn’t happening yet. We helped David and Jackie pack up their own SUV and then hit the road by 1:00 for yet another 2 hour car ride. This time, into the mountains of West Virginia!

I find it very unfortunate that West Virginia gets such a bad wrap. Sure the state is relatively poor, and yes those “mountain people” do exist, but the beauty of the state is so much more than it’s people. The rolling mountains, and the green prairies and valley. It’s really an unbelievably beautiful place! I tried to enjoy the view from David’s to our cabin in the mountains, but the winding roads made me quite sick and I spent the majority of the trip hunched over my legs.

By 3:00 we had arrived to our cabin. Our beautiful 6 bedroom, mountain top, ski-on, ski-off cabin. I had officially arrived in heaven. After figuring out room situations, unpacking, and getting the kids settled in, we gathered in the living room to relax and unwind. We watched the skiers pass us by out the living room windows and anxiously anticipated our own ski trip in the morning.

As the children one by one filtered to bed, the adults took full advantage of the empty cabin by popping on our swimsuits, and enjoying a few glasses of wine in the outside hot tub. We waved at the night skiers as they passed right by us, and chatted about life. We soon retreated inside to play a quick game of Phase 10, my new favorite card game, and by 9:00 I was ready for bed. I could finally sleep.

We woke up early on Saturday to get as much skiing in as possible. I was nervous at first as I had not skied in a number of years, but the second I placed my boot into my binding, 15 years of skiing all came back to me. It took once down the hill before I was comfortable enough to hit those double blacks I love so much.

After a few times down, I ventured to the bunny hill to see how the rest of the family was doing, teaching their children how to ski. I offered my helping hand and spent the next few hours snowplowing along side my cousin Jesse, showing him exactly how he needs to stop while on a pair of skis. I was so proud of him. He picked it up after just a few runs down. Hooray for skiing!!

We returned home around 5:00 once the cold set in and headed straight to the hot tub to relax our sore muscles. I had forgotten how much work skiing is! Especially when you’re completely out of shape! The rest of the night we spent just relaxing in the cabin. I love being secluded in the mountains! =)

On Sunday, I woke up bright and early again to get a jump on skiing before we had to leave. Today, was a bit different as I was going to try snowboarding. Seeing as how I have been skiing almost my entire life, I was ready for a change. I figured snowboarding was just the winter change I needed. My cousin Melissa and I headed to the hill before everyone else arrived so we could rent our snowboards, and figure out just how the stupid things worked. Thank god we had my professional snowboarder brother along (He’s been snowboarding about as long as I’ve been skiing) otherwise I don’t think we ever would have gotten out of the lodge. He showed us how the bindings work, which foot to lock in, and how to walk with this huge board attached to our foot. He took us on and off the lifts and taught us about the stomp pad and finally, he showed us a few quick snowboarding moves.

We started off on the 2 mile long green hill, Salamander, thinking that would give us just enough time to learn the basics instead of practicing on the little bump they call the bunny hill. BAD IDEA! I didn’t realize how much I would fall. Every time I got up, I fell right back down. Up, Down, Up, Down, Up……….Down. This was how it went for the first hour of skiing. Melissa and I laughed and laughed as everyone kept lapping us on the hill. “Christi, I’ve seen that man three times since we’ve been on this hill, and we’re still not even half way down yet!” It’s true we spent the remainder of the run on our butts, but along the way we finally got the hang of it. Our boards turned and stopped when we wanted them to, and we were actually able to snowplow a few feet before falling face forward into the snow. Once I was up I was able to balance long enough to actually move down the hill, and a few times I was even able to turn the board back and forth to move out of people’s way! Of course near the end I took a few very hard falls and that pretty much ended my snowboarding experience. There is only so much falling you can take in one day before your body just yells. 2 ½ hours was my bodies limit =)

We made our way back to the cabin in pain and ready to go home. I was a little annoyed at snowboarding since I couldn’t pick it up right away, but I had a lot of fun regardless. I think I may have to think about taking a lesson around here before the winter ends. I could just become a snowboarder soon =)

It was a fast weekend complete with a lot of traveling, but it was a lot of fun regardless. Between the mountains, and the skiing, the family, and the laughter, it is something I’d do again in a heartbeat. No questions asked.

I’m just glad to be home. For the moment =)