Tuesday, June 28, 2011

A very special 3rd birthday

A very special little girl in our life turned 3 last week. We fondly remember the call from the hospital, the rush to get there, walking into the NICU and watching her look right at us, as if to say "I've been wanting to meet you too!" Hard to believe its been three years!

Noodle: we love you and you always have a room in our home

I made her a quilt for her new big girl bed :





Tuesday, June 21, 2011

All about ME.

1600 calories. That's the dietary goal set by the nutritionist last week. Seems like a lot, right? well, not considering my BMR (basal metabolic rate, and the # of calories per day to keep me "as is" is 2893) is 2104. So, by losing 1293 calories per day, I will have a calorie deficit of 9051 over 7 days which is 2.5 lb (3500 calories in 1lb) per week.

Totally do-able.

Why now? Well, a recent medical appointment showed that my PCOS is being actively managed by my medicine, so I'm in "prime shape to lose some weight" according to my endocrinologist. So, I say: bring it on.













Hopefully this summer, you'll meet my nutritionist (Paula) and my trainer (Steve) through the blog. Paula is part therapist (why we eat) and dietitian (what we eat); Steve is a kung-fu trainer who lets me kick things. I forget I'm training when I'm in his studio-- instead, I'm being active, focusing on perfecting my kicks & balance. And, funny... my core gets a work out and I'm drenched in sweat when I leave. :)













And, I'm returning to yoga and my daily power walk. New power walk goal: 2 miles in under 45 minutes.




















Oh, and PC went hiking boot shopping with me, and we picked up some trekking poles, so expect some photos from our weekend adventures soon! (and, yes... i'll do anything for new shoes....ha ha ha)





















So, what are YOU doing for YOU today?

Tuesday, June 14, 2011

Our Song...

Ten on Tuesday was inspired by Dale & Carole's 14th anniversary today (woohoo! *clink*clink* -- time for a smooch!)... :)

top 10 love songs:

1. The Best is Yet to Come (PC & Mini's song...)


2. I try... Macy Gray. Well, this one's a bit personal, but trust me: it's a love song. :)



3. Home....Michael Buble. It's on my mp3 and I listen to it every night when i'm away from PC when I travel. And, each time he picks me up at the airport, my stomach does this little flip.



4. Always on My Mind.... Elvis Presley



5. Buy Me A Rose.... Kenny Rogers. This one reminds me of my parents (hard working dad, mom who just wants him home more) and me & PC, who brings me flowers for no good reason and tells me each day that I'm the most beautiful woman.




5. Remember When... Alan Jackson. Coming from a family of very long marriages, this reminds me why it's worth waiting for the love of you life. favorite line: "remember when 30 seemed so old?"



6. You're Still the One... Orleans. 9 years as of August 16! *insert twirling around the kitchen here*





7. Angel Eyes... Jeff Healy Band




8. Kiss Me Each Morning for a Million Years... the Casinos



9. Say Nothing At All.... Alison Krauss. For those of you who know PC, he's not loud, he doesn't say much... for my quiet man.




10. How Do you Fall in Love...., Alabama. because love is not perfect, it's not always kind, it's not always the guy you think, and it kinda sneaks up on you. And, like everyone says: you'll look and look for it, but you'll know it when you find it. Love you, PC.


Monday, June 06, 2011

Philadelphia

I'm in Philadelphia. Again. I know I've really never discussed what I do for a living, because I'd really like to keep my personal and business relationships separate. This job, though... it's really become a part of who I am. Or is it that I've just found a job that shows the best parts of me? Either way, I do love what I do. And where I get to go. Like Olde City in Philadelphia.

The job? I'm a life science conference producer. Nope, not a meeting planner; that's a different role. My job is to identify topics, research KOLs (key opinion leaders) and brilliant scientists, and put together a program of presentations that other scientists will love. And pay to attend. This means: Philadelphia. At least this week. Best thing about the travel? New restaurants and king sized hotel beds.
This is B, our meeting planner for this event. Yes, she has a full name (a real name), but for the sake of the blog, let's call her B. Last night's dinner of 2 producers, one manager/producer and a meeting planner was full of giggles and forks crossing the "invisible line" (that line around your plate that says "do not eat my food"). For the record: getting to the point where your colleagues say "oh, you have to try my fish!" is a real treat. This is a great team for this event and well, you're never really working when your working alongside friends. (B was being a goofball in the photo, but she's going to love telling her hubster, S, that she "made the blog." Check! one more thing off her bucket list.) Restaurant: Cuba Libre (on Market & 2nd street.. YUM.)

(right side, according to YK)
Know what else this job is good for? Knitting. I'm exhausted when I'm done at the end of the day, but knitting a few rows settles me down and gets me ready for bed. This is the English Ribbed Pullover from Yankee Knitter. I love the Yankee Knitter; timeless sweaters, beautifully written patterns (in that no nonsense way about us New Englanders) and the numbers always work out. In fact, you'd have to try really hard to make an ugly sweater from one of their patterns.

But, I have a dilemma with this one (*gasp*). I kind of like the wrong side better. So tell me... can I make the wrong side the right side? Or should I trust in YK and proceed as directed?

(wrong side, according to YK, but oh-so-right in my eyes)

Thoughts?