What Vacation Taught Me

I've been out of the office for 2 weeks now; the first was spent at our annual conference, this year in D.C., and the second was spent in Cancun, Mexico, celebrating our friends' 10 year wedding anniversary. Even though the conference wasn't technically vacation, in a way it is b/c the sightseeing was incredible, and the conference itself is always so awesome, that it's a blast to attend. So looking back on it all, I learned (or was at least reminded of) a few things that I need to put down, lest I forget them this first week back on the job. Here goes:

1. I am blessed beyond measure that I have a job that allows me to take vacation without requiring I stay in contact 24/7.

2. I am fortunate to have a husband who likes to walk as much as I do and see new places by foot. It's the only way to really get the feel of the heart of a city. And my feet are living proof--I literally got 6 blisters in D.C. alone.

3. I need to commit to using the sauna at the Y at least 3 days a week--I used the one at our resort in Mexico everyday, and it was pure bliss, and my skin sure thanked me for it.

4. I cannot sit at my desk for the duration from 7:30-4:30 everyday. My body needs to stretch and walk, and I need to consume lunch someplace other than behind my computer. Nobody expects me to be at their beck and call every second of the day, and if they do, they need to re-evaluate their expectations.

5. Vacations are a great time for me to take a technology fast. I maybe twittered/updated Facebook once while I was away, but then I was ashamed and turned my phone off for the remainder of the trip. It was pure bliss, and my body sure thanked me for it. And it was all there when I returned for me to catch up on.

6. My husband and I travel extremely well together, and for this I'm so grateful. We've already begun planning for our next big trip...

7. Work is never so important that you can't make time for rest. If it is, you probably need to re-evaluate your priorities.

8. Pina coladas are SOOOOO good.

9. TVs should be banned from hotel rooms. Vacations are meant for exploring and getting away from daily life.

10. Clean your house before you leave; it makes for a much more relaxing, stress-free return.

Reasons Why I Love OKC's Red Cup

If you have never been to the Red Cup, OKC's wonderful little hole in the wall just off of Classen and 31st,you are really doing yourself a disservice by not going. Here's a rundown of why I love this little cafe so dang much and would work on their wi-fi every day if I could:

1. It's located in an old home, complete with wood floors and old fireplace.
2. It's eclectic, as is the clientele who frequent the joint.
3. It's a local business. You know how I feel about chains.
4. It's cozy, and they don't give me dirty looks if I stay for the whole afternoon.
5. They serve my Japanese green tea in a red mug.
6. They make DELICIOUS soups.
7. Their ranch dressing is divine.
8. They play Tom Waits on their playlist.
9. They are laid back and always friendly.
10.I can go in looking like crap and don't feel gawked at or embarrassed.
11.It's not in Nichols Hills.
12.They hang really cool artwork.

So check it out! Or don't, and free up some space for me.

Does the "Normal Woman" Ever Get Over Her Weight Issues?

I'm currently trying to lose a few lbs. that I've put back on in the past year (thanks Napa wine and delicious food and Istanbul friends who force-feed me plates of sinful concoctions, oh yeah, and me and my chocolate addiction) because in 1 month and 3 days, I will be jetting down to Mexico to help some friends celebrate their 10 year anniversary, and yes, this means I will have to venture onto a beach in -- gasp -- a swimsuit. This word sends terror up the spine of every woman I know, and so I ask--will this ever change?

They say as you age, you start to lose a lot of the self-conciousness that plagues you in your youth, but at 33, I still have it. Granted, it is less than it used to be, and with most things, I don't care too much what others think. My thighs in a swimsuit, unfortunately, do not appear on that list.

What's sad, is that we shouldn't be so anxious about what others will see as we walk along the sand, enjoying the surf and the sun and let's face it--our life!. I mean, what guy spazzes over it as obsessively as we do? I lost count at about age 5 of the flabby, obese males prancing around in too-small suits who couldn't care less what another soul thought. Yet even those women who have little to no cellulite and who are, by any standards, considered thin, still dread the event!

Now, in no way am I tiny--I fit comfortably in a size 8--but I still could lose (even according to my doctor) a few, and so I'm attempting to do just that. But isn't it sad, that even without losing a single pound, I would do just about anything to avoid stepping out in my bathing suit? True, I'm not a big sun addict and try to take very good care of my skin, but even with 70SPF sunscreen slathered all over every inch of me, I still find it difficult to step out, especially among friends, to have a good time at a beach. Heaven forbid I ever hear a friend whispering "oh my God, did you see Sarah's thighs???" I would crawl into a hole and die!

It is definitely due in HUGE part to the media's obsession with apppearance, and this was confirmed even just last night as I read my latest Smithsonian magazine. There was an article about the old Coney Island boardwalk, and a picture was included of men and women in bathing suits. Now we all know that the size of the average American has grown quite a bit since the 30s, but even in that photo, there were flabby, not too fit women parading around in suits that, even though weren't as skimpy as today's, still exposed lots of leg, cellulite and all, and they weren't shrinking away into the shadows or covered up from head to toe, trying to avoid the judgment of others.

So when are women going to stand up and say 'enough is enough??' Some attempts have been made, but they aren't nearly enough; the problem is still overwhelmingly prevalent among most age groups of women and girls. It definitely starts at home with making sure our daughters know how beautiful they are, no matter their size, but I also believe no matter how difficult it might seem, we really need to monitor what magazines and TV shows/movies they watch; so many of them are inundated with actresses and images of emaciated women who in no way are at a healthy weight, and that just promotes the obsession.

Some will say "Are you kidding? Don't you know that is next to impossible--the media is everywhere!!!" But I say no; obviously, parenting is no easy job. I don't even have children of my own, and I know that, but when you take on that role, you are agreeing to protect your child, and this is one area that must be addressed. Period. I don't see how anyone could argue otherwise! Of course you can't protect them from everything at all times, but you can cut as much out as possible. And isn't it worth even a shot?

So I'm trying to put myself in the mindset each day leading up to my trip: enough is enough. I want to be healthy, and if I lose the weight I am striving for, awesome. But if not, I'm not going to beat myself down for it. And I am going on this trip to have fun, relax, and celebrate a momentous occasion with my friends. I REFUSE to let my appearance ruin that for me--or anyone else, for that matter. I would never forgive myself if after the trip, a friend made a comment about how fun it was but it would have been even better if we had all been on the beach, even Sarah.

So girlfriends, here's to showing it all and being proud of who we are.

A Little Saturday Fun for the Fam--No Explanation Necessary

Awkward Family Photos

No Plans for Memorial Day and That's Just Fine By Me

Lately, it has seemed that many nights each week and most weekends are filled with tons of going, going, going, and not enough rest and naps and vegging. So, it was much to my delight when MJ and I were talking the other night and he suggested we do absolutely nothing but hang at the house and MAYBE take the boat over to Overholser. We'll do a bit of easy yardwork, but then I'm just going to spend my time on the couch knitting, watching movies, and resting this tired, haggard old body cuz dammit, she's starting to fall apart. It has taken me close to 3 weeks now to start to feel normal again after that horrible head cold/chest congestion crud I had, and then this week, I broke out in some kind of rash from God knows where. I think it's just the bod saying "dammit, slow down and rest, crazy woman!!" So that is exactly what I intend to do, and if anyone tries to get me to go to any get togethers or social events that require clothing other than pajamas, well, you can just forget it.

No offense, but mama needs to exercise my inner hermit and humbug it around for a couple of days.

Has the Icechic Come Home?

It seems I have totally abandoned my blog for faster status updates via Facebook and Twitter. Can it be that my attention deficit has increased so much that I no longer have the capacity to sit still enough for 1 measly blog entry?? That is just shameful. And so much has been going on that I haven't shared! First off, I have taken up knitting, and have already completed a bunch of projects, including a wrap, a baby blanket, couple of hats, scarves, and a swine flu mask. It has become my latest addiction and somethign I do believe will stick with me for my whole life--I absolutely love doing it and love the satisfaction of creating something from scratch. I never thought I had it in me--especially with my lack of patience, but lo and behold, looks like Mom and Mandy aren't the only Icechics with crafty skillz!!

I also have 2 friends who are currently pregnant (one with twins!!!), so I'll be busy with baby projects soon...if only I could make a business out of this! In any case, Marc and I are still trying to decide if the child route is one we'll end up on or not. I'm feeling so much pressure--not from anyone I know, but just at the very fact that I'm now 33 and closing into the end of my fertile years (according to my doc). So do I take the plunge when I'm not sure if it's what I want, or do I just say no until the time comes when I really want one, even if by that time comes I'm no longer able to conceive?? It's such a huge decision, and I'm completely unsure what my final answer is. It's so hard.

Other than that, MJ and I both still have jobs--thankfully--and we have 2 trips coming up in the summer. One to D.C. for a conference, and the other is to Cancun for our friends' 10 year anniversary. We weren't jazzed about going there because after all, we're not 20 year old college coeds, but hey--it's their choice, and we are just there to help them celebrate. They came to our wedding, after all, and now that we are starting to prepare for the trip, we're actually looking forward to it. It'll just be fun hanging with 2 of our couple friends for a week and not worrying about work or anything else.

My mom and step dad are living out in Colton, CA for 2.5 months while he is getting proton therapy treatments for his prostate cancer. It's so weird to not be able to hop in the car and see her, but they'll be back soon. He has a really good prognosis, so we're just thankful for that above all.

I've also been seeing an acupuncturist for about a month now--1 session per week, and OMG--it has changed my life. I haven't had my crazy headaches or knots in my back. It has truly been amazing. She also does cupping while I'm there, and while I hate all the nasty hickey-like marks it leaves all over my back, I truly believe in the power of what she is doing. I mean the proof is in the fact that I have been pain free ever since my first session--no other proof needed, baby! This Thursday, I'm going to have Tuina Chinese massage, and she said basically it has the same effects as acupuncture but without the needles. I cannot wait, and even though it's a good amount of money out of my account each month, it's so worth it. I would have paid double just to be rid of agonizing headaches and visible knots in my back/neck/shoulders. I mean, you know it's out of hand when you are calling in sick more than once each month. Mine was becoming almost a weekly occurrence.

Sooo, more to come! I'm kinda liking this whole blog thing!

I'm the World's Suckiest Blogger

...just because I haven't written in so long. I feel terrible, not because I have thousands of readers (which we all know is far from the truth), but it seems I love to guilt trip myself for things I haven't done or am not doing when I know I should. God, the blog guilt is terrible. And then sometimes I think to myself, "ehhh, I'll just delete it and then won't have to bother with updating my blog, my Facebook and my Twitter," but then I think about all the hours I have put into this effing site and all the entries that have detailed events in my life. How could I possibly delete that??? It would be like erasing part of my existence.

So instead, I continue to blog once in a blue moon, while my 1-2 readers sit faithfully by, hoping for something other than a lame ass entry like this one. Sorry, folks.

I've just been so busy. Work is kicking my ass, as always, but I keep telling myself, "at least it's not boring, and at least I'm still employed in this God-awful economy." And then I've taken up a new hobby that I am trying to perfect, and being the Type-A that I am, I obsess over it until I've stressed myself out so much that I want to punch someone in the face if I mess up.

AND I'm trying to exercise faithfully AND continue reading as many books as I can, so my schedule is quite full. I really need about 4 more hours in the day. That would be ideal, so if someone could make that happen, that would be GREAT...

Anyway, we thankfully survived the 5 tornadoes that came through Oklahoma (last week, was it?), and the USAA adjuster came by yesterday to inspect the roof from the massive amounts of hail that hit, and surprisingly, we had no damage, so we don't need to get a new roof! THANK GOD is all I have to say to that. We got a real break. The guy said 2 miles west of us, the roofs were demolished. So it looks like we just missed having to replace the roof and quite possibly other property. I hate storms. At least ones that come with tornadoes. So scary.

Anyway, that's all for now. I have a 1:30 meeting to attend, and I have to catch up from being in another meeting all morning. Ugh. My life has become one big, boring meeting.