Best Day EVER

So as I mentioned earlier, I had a very stressful last two weeks. Things at work have been super crazy too. There is a lady who has been out of the office for an entire month now, as her husband has been in and out of multiple gruelling surgeries. He has colon cancer, but there was something else wrong with his stomach or colon first, so they operated, and then there was a major infection. It has since been a downward spiral for him. He ended up with a bleeding ulcer (ulcers are holes in the lining of the stomach, when they are bleeding ulcers, there is generally significant damage to the stomach and in his case, surrounding organs). So, she has been out of the office, and we have had to pick up her slack. We've been really busy here. One of bosses went out of town for 2 weeks, and he had a bunch of last minute things I needed to get done, and I'm way behind on filing (blech!) and that caught up with me on Friday (a co-worker complained to my supervisor). That's not even mentioning the LOADS of homework I've had due, as we are now closing in on Mid-Terms (also-blech!). I worked a ton at the Roof (it felt that way anyway) and got all my hours in here at DMBA, and most of my homework got done. Luckily, my Math class gives me an extension on 3 assignments during the semester (as there is an assignment and a quiz due everyday and a test about once every 8 school days). So Saturday, I taught my lessons, and I had a no-show (again--blech!), so i practiced some pieces I haven't played for a long time, it was great. I miss playing. I probably don't miss 3 hours of practice (yes--I really actually did practice 3 hours most days for awhile...), but I do miss practicing. Never thought I would admit that on paper (or out loud for that matter)! Anyhow, I taught my lessons, went to the gym, read a little bit of the Screwtape Letters (like 5 pages) and then went to work at the Roof. I went to bed fairly soon after I was relieved of my duties for the evening, and slept long and hard. Sunday mornings are hard for me. Twice a month, I go to my friends house and help her get the kids ready for church, as her husband has meetings before church, and there is a crunch to get the kids ready and to church by 9 a.m. (Now for a sidenote of irony--She and her family --3 kids-- are always on time to church, and Josh and I still have yet to be on time. Go figure!) That's fun for me. I get to talk to the two older kids (6 and 3 or 4??) and braid Sarah's (the sunbeam) hair. It's fun for me. Anyway, then it's church at 9, and it seems that we normally go to one family's house or another most every Sunday. This is usually so nice. I don't have to cook, yet I still eat fantastic food (and pig out might I add...) and we get to spend time with family. We ended up at home yesterday, and it was actually really nice to have a day to relax. I picked up the front room, Josh cleaned up the kitchen, and we both took a little nap in the middle of the day. The rest of the day was spent with various activities we don't usually have time for during the week. I got to read for awhile. I read about half a book (don't be too impressed, it's only like 355 pages), and we got to chat on Skype with our friends in Minnesota, I painted my fingernailes, oh, and I updated my blog (see below). So if you don't know what Skype is, it is a free online calling service. You can video chat or just talk without the video. So basically it's like a speaker phone, and if you have a webcam (the new macs have them built in), you can see each other too. That was great, and fruitful I might add. I get bummed every once in awhile that we can't seem to go anywhere on vacation or anything, but it's because we are so dang busy, we don't have the vacation time. Or one of us has it, and the other doesn't. So anyway, our best friends (Trent and Heidi) are moving home at the end of the summer (hurrah!) but they want us to come visit (and the feelings are reciprocated) before they move home. Lucky for us, Trent works at an airline, and was able to help us get buddy passes, so we decided we are going to fly out on the 24th and come back the 27th (of July). I am elated. I have been floating since we decided for sure that we will go. Also, I think the elevated emotional status has something to do with the fact that my kind husband loves me enough to let me buy the new Coldplay c.d. at Costco on Saturday!!! I love it! The whole thing is good, though we all could ascertain that I bought it solely for Viva la Vida, and Violet Hill. Strawberry Swing is good, so is Life in Technicolor, Lovers in Japan/Reign of Love, Aahh! It's all just so good. It's just great! Yay!!!! (Oh, and when I was loading it on Josh's iPod, I accidentally told it to replace his library. Luckily, I think it only got as far as the photos, which were easily restored. Oops!!) I'm sitting here listening to it now, and can't seem to keep my feet still (I even found myself dancing a little bit, shoulders are loose and swinging, head is following, and my fingers even seem to type in a rhythmic complement to the tunes floating through my brain. Woo hoo! Here's to better week! I'll just keep singing and dancing, cuz I can't stop when this is in my head! I just can't be sad when I know I get to go hang out with our bestest friends ever in about 5 weeks! Hurrah for Coldplay! Hurrah for Minnesota! Hurrah for vacation!!!!!

Jessie's Birthday and Father's Day

The week leading up to Father's Day was quite eventful. Josh had an interview for a Supervisor position, Jessie had her birthday (watch out--she's a teenager now!), that Friday was Temaire's birthday, and then of course there was Father's Day. Yesterday was Kristen's birthday, and Friday is my Dad's birthday. Whew! A lot going on in our families these last couple of weeks. This last week was the Lewis Family Reunion in New Mexico. Unfortunately, we were unable to attend (makes the time we got "rained" in on the mountain with Grandpa even better!), and it was also Suzuki (violin) training in South Jordan. Again, it was unfortunate I was unable to participate in that. Too much work, and a lot (but not too much) play. Laced with the fabulous joys of studying I am so wont to participate in, all in all it was a good couple of weeks. Yes, the occasional hiccup caused a little (a LOT) of stress, and a few (many) headaches, and just barely (not enough) sleep. Anyway, here are the last two weeks in pictures. Keep the comments coming (you wouldn't believe it, but they brighten my days, totally appreciated) and don't forget to sign your name after you leave an anonymous comment. It makes me like you more if I know it's you. ;) Oh, and mad props to Temaire, for finally commenting on my rants and raves. Oh, and yes, I'll let you know how the Step Classes are going--assuming I subject myself to another near-death experience. I think I'll stick with running and body pump (weight-lifting--my FAVE) class. And now for the illustrations:

The Pre-Father's Day Festivities were celebrated with dinner at the Roof Restaurant. As fate would have it, we got the best seat in the house, and my desserts were complimentary. Dad was able to take some really cool pictures (don't worry, he brought MOM'S camera, it's a little bit smaller...) and I think everyone had a good time. All you can eat Prime Rib, and desserts (there were over 25 on the buffet, and Bob was the pianist, so should you have felt so inclined, requests were welcomed, though completely unnecessary. Bob covered all the love song staples: All I Ask of You (POTO), Can You Feel the Love Tonight (The Lion King Soundtrack), Fields of Gold (Mr. Stinger), what more could you ask for?), and a great view. The server (Courtney) was awesome, and it was a definitely a fun night. Could you believe Kevan and Sara had never been to the Roof before ?!?! ;)

These two strangers showed up just prior to our festivities. Man did they have a great view! (Jessie and Judd; Judd and Josh are cousins.) Look at the happy newlyweds...

This is a view from our table. Once it started getting dark, half of the restaurant was lined up in front of the windows taking pictures. We all know they were super jealous of the fabulous table we had. Dad must have bribed one of the hosts or something. It was that good!

Dad checkin' the pictures.
Mom and Dad (I think this is the point where Mom was eating flan, you know, the poor man's version of Creme Brulee...)

Mom and Kevan

Ahh, the best pictures of the two of us all night...

My husband is a goof...
Josh's new look...Actually I came home from the gym, and he had just gotten home from Thursday Night Basketball, and this is what his hair looked like. I think he looks like Incrediboy/Syndrome (minus the point in the front) from The Incredibles.

Jessie's Awesome cake! Sara's friend Holly made this. It was super tasty!

Chillin' at Jessica's party. (Kevan, Holly, Terri, Sara, Jessi [standing] and Grandma Lewis/Mom)
This is looking down from Marybeth's balcony. The kids were playing hide-and-seek. You can spot them running around if you look closely.

Sam, on the balcony, chillin' with some toys. You can't see it, but his shirt is hilarious. It says, "My Parents are Exhausted!!". Hee Hee Hee

As promised, real live video footage of Dad opening the present. (You can hear my Mom on the phone in the background, but the real part to watch for, is Jessie on the left. There was a styrofoam thingamajig that was in the box with the sealer, and she was looping it around her head. You can see her playing with it in the background. It made me chuckle...)

Death by Step Class

I have been so tired all day for the last week and a half. I keep thinking it's the asthma prescription, but my Mom said she gets energy from hers...so I don't know. Maybe I just don't sleep well altogether. Last night for instance, I woke up probably ten times throughout the night. I would have a dream, and wake up. Have another dream, and wake up. Another Dream, wake up. Ugh. So this morning, I didn't hear my alarm (or register that it was the alarm, rather) until it had been going off for at least 5 minutes. How do I know? Because I set my alarm for a certain time (this is information I will NOT divulge hee hee) and when I heard it and turned it off, it was already 5 minutes later. So--the other day, tired got the best of me. I went home to have a nap, but I still needed to go to the gym. I was going to get up and go to my body pump class, but honestly didn't hear my alarm. Josh said I just turned it off (whatever) and kept sleeping. He tried to wake me up a couple times, but that didn't work either. I thought he was just pestering me and that he really wasn't telling me the right time. Anyway, I slept through body pump, so I decided to go to a body step class. My feet were really hurting where my arches would be if I weren't flat-footed. I couldn't take it anymore. Not to mention the hurts-so-good burn in my thighs. I decided sticking it out for 35 minutes was good enough, and I left. Good thing I left when I did. As I was walking out of the gym, I wasn't feeling so great. I was kinda dizzy, and super light-headed. It was as if my head was floating about 10 feet above my body. I got home safely, but was still pretty dizzy and light-headed. I was glad to be home though. I sorta just flopped down and sat there for a few minutes--staring. It wouldn't have been so bad, if the arches in my feet didn't hurt so much. I will try again this week. I liked the class. It wasn't so bad. I do opine however, that if I die this week, it will be from the step class.

BTW--siblings: I have a video of Dad opening his Father's Day/Birthday present. He really liked it. He even went off on some spiel about rice...

Facebook Fetish and a Nimietous Neighbor

I hope nimietous is a word. I know nimiety is...but I think nimietous would be a proper form! Anyway, so I finally relented and joined facebook. When I realized I was checking Josh's Facebook account more than he was, that it was time to get my own. There are things I like (sending and receiving cupcakes) and things I don't (finding out even MORE people younger than I am have finished their degrees). I like it, and I can't seem to get enough. Today I had a nostalgic chat with a good friend from Weber (whom I miss terribly!) and reminisced about our International adventures (China, Austria, Hungary) and fun things we did at Weber State. I was glad to have found her online and am planning on setting up a regular "girls night out" with her, as soon as I coerce her into agreeing to it :o) . The best part was that it was an online chat, so my work neighbors weren't bothered, nor would they bother. Which brings me to the latter half of my post title--my nimietous neighbor.


Last night, when I was really tired and had just gotten home from work, I really didn't want to go to the gym, and I almost broke my 4 month streak, but decided just to go for a few minutes. So I did. I went to the gym, and I somehow coaxed myself into running 3 miles. (Okay, you got me, run/walk 3 miles). I ended up running about 2.4 miles, and walking 0.8 miles. If you know how to add, you'll see that's a little more than 3 miles. Yay for tired Katie. That means my running shoes have logged about 6.5 miles in 2 days. My legs are only relatively sore, and my hips don't hurt at all. I found this great video of hip workouts on runnersworld.com so my hips won't hurt when I run. :) I'm very happy with them.

One more really cool thing...we got a sweet new car almost 2 weeks ago. We got a 2002 Toyota Camry. It had a LOT of miles on it, so it was a really good price. It is in great shape, and has awesome rims (that's what Josh says) but don't worry, we didn't buy it for the rims. or the tinted windows. or because it was pretty and silver. We traded in my old car (the Ford Contour) for the Toyota. The Contour was only getting about 17 mpg and the truck gets like 15 mpg. Our nice new Toyota--28 mpg (city miles, not highway miles). Josh used to fill the truck every week just driving to and from work. He is driving the toyota (I still ride the bus unless I work at the roof, which is generally only Thursdays and saturdays to and from work. After the first week of driving the Toyota the same amount as Josh used to drive the truck, we had only gone through a 1/4 of a tank of gas. How awesome is that??? We are excited about it, plus it's really well taken care of. (It's a 4-cylinder by the way, and manual, that's why it gets such great gas mileage as compared to other 2002 camrys). I'll post pictures later. I have to take them first.

Persistence and the Cardio-Cranium Malaise

So tonight we went to the gym, and we only had 40 minutes, but I wanted to try to run/walk 3 miles. I only made it through 2.5 and some stretching, but I pushed myself. I tried really hard to run 1 mile without stopping, and I pushed, and I pushed and when I thought I couldn't push any harder, I pushed a little more and almost blacked out. Ha ha. When I started (and have since been continuing) to go to the gym consistently, I could barely run for 1.5 minutes without huffing and puffing, and finally quitting--which ended up resulting in my abandoning the gym after a mere 2 weeks (or less). I have been persistent about going, and I have tried really hard to push myself a little more each week. Not to say the asthma medicine hasn't helped (tremendously), but today, I actually ran for about 10 minutes and I'd like to give my lungs credit for all their hard work. How do you get from 1.5 minutes of running without stopping, to a little under 11 minutes of running without stopping? Persistence, and endurance. However...today my persistence paid off by my being able to go a little further, a little longer--but I also got this really great headache that was just as persistent (and most likely will endure just as well until I take some lovely little advil...) and gets worse when I bend over...as in when I stretch. One day, I'll run a 1/2 marathon. :) I decided it's not ideal to "train" for a 1/2 marathon, and try to lose weight at the same time. As much as I love the weight loss shakes I drink for breakfast and lunch, they just aren't the greatest source of energy for enduring the labored huffing and puffing of trying to run a mile...*sigh*