Rug Burns and a Refill

I don't know what happened with yesterday. This physical breakdown just sort of snuck up on me, and took me by surprise. I'm happy to report that I'm feeling much better. I went home and slept for nearly 4 hours! It was fabulous. So, I've had a little refill, but I think I'm due for some more extra hours of sleep. We'll see how that goes tonight.

Josh has an overnight camp with the Young Men tonight, so I'll actually have to go to bed tonight, instead of falling asleep on the couch to 'wait up' for him. I'm actually supposed to head out to a baby shower tonight if I don't have to work. I haven't gone to work at The Roof at all this week, because they haven't been busy enough. There was a question as to whether or not I would even have to go in last night, so when I called in and talked to my manager yesterday, she offered to get it covered for me. Thank heaven! Last week I worked on the desk on Saturday, so that was great. I got to read a book and answer phone calls. I actually really liked it. It was quiet and I was all by myself in the offices.

I'm feeling like I'm back on top of things, and can handle what is coming next. I never realized just how much I need good, restful sleep. Lesson learned.

In other news, I've tried to hit the gym hard again this week, and I've been pretty successful. I skipped Monday, but I made it to Tuesdays class and I hoisted 100 lbs off of the ground and up over my head. :) I felt really awesome about that, so it was easier to go the rest of the week. I feel like I really gave it everything I had every day this week at the gym, and that is encouraging. Yes, I'm a wimp and I am not as fit as others in the gym, but I'm feeling pretty good about my accomplishments and my progress. Really though, isn't that what is important? It doesn't really matter what anyone else does, it's what I do, and how I change. Yesterday was an absolutely 100% perfect diet day, which I'm also proud of. It hasn't been easy, and I've been a little to relaxed about it, but I'm back to serious business and I plan to keep it that way. While it's often hard to excel at both my diet and my exercise, after I push through the hard points, they actually serve as motivation for each other. When I do my best in my workouts, I am more motivated to work harder with my diet. When I refuse the cookies, chips, whatever else might tempt me with my diet, it's easier to push through the exercises with everything I have.

I have picked myself up off the floor, dusted myself off, and I'm back in the game.

Now, to get my house back in order...

Drained

It's only Thursday. I have to keep reminding myself, because I keep thinking it's Friday today. That means tomorrow is going to be rough too. I feel like I have pretty much given everything I've got to everything, and now, I'm running on empty. I'm so tired, because I choose not to go to bed when I'm so tired. It gets to the point that I'm too tired to go to bed - and that's a bad sign. I have sort of gotten used to having Josh around a little more, which makes it so hard to want to go to bed instead of just falling asleep on the couch and waiting for him to get home. We both had work off (at night) 2 nights in a row 2 weeks ago, and then Josh had his root canal stuff, so he's been home more, and Tuesdays, he goes in early and gets off early. I've just gotten used to having him around at night, which is dangerous for my sleep habits. Last night I was laying down feeling so much more lonely than usual. I have sort of accepted/gotten over the fact that he is gone so much at night, but last night was particularly hard. So, instead of going to bed, I fell asleep on the couch to "wait up" for him. Then we went to bed at 2:00 a.m., and I was back up at 5:00 to go to the gym. Obviously, I got more than 3 hours of sleep, but it wasn't restful, and I'm soooooo drained. I got home from the gym today and just laid down on the floor and stayed there for about 15 minutes.

I felt like I was possibly getting sick yesterday, but I'm feeling a little better today. I just don't want to take any more time off work.

I'm just feeling overwhelmed. Probably just because I'm so dang tired, and I can't process or deal with things properly when I'm this run down.

I'm so tired, I don't even want to deal with the things I have to do today.

Some Pictures

Last week was our 4th Anniversary. Is it dumb that Anniversary #4 seems like such a big anniversary? Speaking of anniversaries, Happy Anniversary to Josh's parents: Cliff and Lee. 39 Years! I mean, 4 and 39 are very different numbers, but 4 makes me feel so...seasoned??

Anyway, my family has the tradition of taking family pictures every year (anniversary year, not necessarily calendar year) and Josh and I are continuing the tradition. Well, we barely made it this year, since we had them done ON our actual anniversary. Last year, they were done the day before our anniversary. ha ha ha. I guess that goes to show how busy life can be - or that I'm a schmuck and a procrastinator. Either one... :) Anyway, I was looking for a photographer and asked opinions from people on facebook. Since everyone these days seems to be a photographer, EVERYBODY knows a photographer. ;) Last summer, Josh's cousins Tisha, Jessica, and Tiffany, all had their family pictures taken by Liz Bowles. I thought they were fabulous pictures. I was thrilled when I found out she is a Utah Resident! Woo hoo!! Better yet, I thought she was very reasonably priced. The zinger? She could fit me in just in time for our anniversary!! I couldn't have been happier with the experience. She brought her assistant Andrea Allred with her, and they were such a fun team. They had us relaxed and laughing in no time. We drove down to Provo for the pictures, since Liz and Andrea are down in Mona, UT. The light and weather was perfect! We started our Anniversary celebrations with a bang! Without much more babbling, I'm sharing just a few of the pictures she took:

This was my Mom's favorite

The train conductor was not too thrilled that we were hanging out on his tracks...

This is one of my favorites!

Please check out more of Liz's photos here.

After our pictures, we got some donuts from the Creamery on 9th (yummm!!!!) You'll have to hear about the rest in another post! If you don't tell anyone that I took pictures of the room we stayed in, maybe I'll show them to you...

4 Years

4 years ago today I was:

Taking a gazillion midterms as a Music Major

Eating Gandolfo's Deli sandwiches with my brothers Kevan and Jeff, and my saster Kristen in my parents' kitchen

Trying on my Grandma Ridings' (and Great Grandma Catharine Michel's) Diamond Ring

Modeling my new red shoes (in honor of Grandma Lewis)

Eating dinner with my family at Chuck-a-Rama

Painting my toenails red to match my shoes

Praying for clear skin and clear skies

and of course:

Looking forward with anticipation (and some slightly chilly feet) for the events of the next day, and consequently forever after.

The Weekend Docket

That title up there is actually quite deceptive. From the sound of it, you would think I have exciting plans for the weekend. Actually, I don't.

From the looks of it so far, I won't be working tonight. Not unless we get at least 100 more reservations in the next 3 hours. Since the clouds are dumping snow everywhere, it's more likely that we will have cancellations, than bookings. So, here is my first exciting piece of weekend fun: I don't have to work -- well -- sorta... I don't have to go to The Roof tonight, but I do get to teach 2 violin lessons instead. 1 is a brand new student. Today will be the first lesson.

A night off of work so I can work a different job. Fabulous.

Then, I think I should mention I have a Staff Meeting tomorrow. You know, that blessed free day Saturday? And, it's conveniently in the MIDDLE of my day. 2:30. Perfect. I love taking from the middle, especially if it's pie. Or pizza. Or even Watermelon.

Other than that, I have no plans. Except for preparing a Relief Society lesson for Sunday. I had some thoughts together on my lesson, and had things a little bit planned out, and then last Sunday (as in 5 days ago) I was in Welfare Committee Meeting and I was told I was supposed to teach a different lesson. From Preach My Gospel. About Stake and Ward Leaders.

***GULP***

So, tonight after I have a night off of one job, I'll be teaching violin lessons, and then studying and preparing a new lesson for Sunday. As in 2 days away Sunday.

Have I ever mentioned how terrible I am about speaking in front of people? Lessons, speaking in church, testimonies in church - whatever it may be - I sort of freak out about it. I get super nervous, and end up crying my way through with a bright red face and a leaky nose.

So, that's my weekend. What are your plans (plans, plans)**??


**echo