I get older.

This week I am feeling old.

First, I put my hair up and that lovely little grey hair I seem to get at the corners of my head popped up. The good news is that it was curling ever so nicely with the rest of my hair so I didn't pull it out.

This time.

Mostly thought, my joints hurts. Either I'm paying more attention to it or all my joints seem to make noise when I move. In particular my shoulder has been bothering me more than normal.

So a few years ago I had a sledding accident. During this accident I messed up my shoulder pretty bad. No surgery but I created a cosmetic defect and had 6 weeks in a sling followed by a month of physical therapy. That was back in 2009.

For the most part that shoulder has been doing pretty good. I can still do pretty much anything I like. Rock climbing, serving, swimming, classes at the gym, and if I really felt like it, probably some push ups that I should be doing.

Over all, even though not the same as before it has has healed well.

However, last week, I was really having some problems. It just hurt, like all the time. Just an achy not working thing. It mostly flared up when I was trying to sleep too.

My work has a nurse practitioner come and visit and if we have any issues we can go ask her. Well, I like talking to doctor type people and was tired of being in pain, so I went and had a little talk with her.

After a few minutes and moving my arm in some random positions, she said that I have bursitis. Awesome.

She told me a little sack that keeps your bones and tendons separate is probably inflamed and just take a whole bunch of ibuprofen. That was the moment when I had to admit that I am getting older. It isn't the grey hair, or everyone being so young, or thinking about career and family and big life events like that. It isn't paying all the bills, and food, and taking care of the house and stuff, it is the aches and pains.

I haven't figured out if this is just something that will come and go or if it will be a constant thing yet.

However, instead of holding me back, it kind of makes me want to do all of my other physical goals and keep on going. You cannot guarantee days or you body staying a well oiled machine. So now I'm thinking of adding a Tough Mudder to the list. What do you think?

This shoulder thing and the problem of getting better at swimming, will put a damper on my goal of a triathlon this year but that is what next year is for right?

Anyone else have this pain? What to you do to help it?  Ice or heat?

I booked a trip.

Now to start this off, this isn't a bragging thing. This is, yet again, I had no idea what I was doing, fumbled around with a nice person, and made it work.

So my friend V. and I have been going on random trips now for about 3 years. We pick a spot, we go visit, we do something random, and call it a day.

The first time we did this it was a cruise.

Last year it was camping in Pennsylvanian.

This year, we're going to Jamaica to an all inclusive resort.

I'm super excited for the drinking on the beach and the playing in the water. So much so I'm already looking for some sun screen.


We also are using a Groupon. I have used these before for other random adventures, food, movie, horse back riding, you name it I've been using them. I think they are kind of awesome. However, a trip? With a travel time of about 8 hours? Really? We'll well just see what happens.

After figuring out the dates that we would like to travel, I went to go book this trip so then we could try and get our tickets. I wrote down the dates I wanted, the code from the group, the name of the resort, and walked out into our parking lot during my lunch break so I can make this clearly personal phone call.

While I sat waiting on hold, just for a few minutes, my mind started to wander. What  happens if they have a really heavy Jamaican accent and I have no idea what they are saying? I was starting to hit panic when a super nice lady, with little to no accent at all comes on the line. I think she was actually from Virginia originally.

So right out of the gate I'm my worst enemy. I had it planned out all in my mind she was going to ask when would you like to stay? Instead she was asking when I am arriving. Arriving? I hadn't I haven't bought the plane tickets yet so I don't know. After a polite excuse me I don't understand she clarifies she wants to know what days I want to be there.

Alright cool.

I can handle that. I tell her the dates. She is like okay. And what kind of room do you want?

Room? Um, I don't know. I know I had a Groupon, it was $xxx and I had a room with a view and mini bar? I don't know. I'm still pacing around the parking lot trying to remember what the Groupon said when I realize, I have a smart phone! I can look it up through my e-mail.

As I'm waiting for my e-mail to load I'm answering other information, giving her my contact information and things like that. However after about 5 minutes it isn't coming up. I cannot find this e-mail so I start to walk back to the office.

I'm half walking half running to my desk. I open my computer and the e-mail is pulled up, which I'm assuming is why I couldn't see it on my phone. I then also grab my my credit card.

There was a few more minutes of questions, answer, terms, conditions, prices, and things like that. This painful ordeal is almost over. I ask her how the shuttle works. She explains we call them back with the plane information and when we're at the airport there will be a desk that we go to right after customs.

I profusely thank her for all of her help and told her I had never done this before. Which, after this rough conversation she probably didn't need to be told that. I was that obvious.

Kicking, screaming, and royally sounding like an idiot the trip is booked.

My only other shock was when it came to booking my plane ticket. I was getting so freaked out by it that I asked V. if those prices seemed high. She has lots of extended family and has traveled WAY more then me. She said that was about what they cost, so I said okay.

So now, we're both booked both for our room and the plane. Now I just have to stumble one more time through the conversation to give them our flight information.

In summary, when booking at a resort, know the dates, room name/type, have your credit card with you, and the code for the Groupon. That will make everything go SO much smoother.

Has anyone else had a problem like this before? If so let me know below! Thanks!

Pop's Ice Cream & Soda Bar

Store Front

So I love to be a tourist all the time any time. This means pictures, this means bringing people along to try these new things with me.

Well in my town we have a little place called Pop's that I had heard nothing but good things about. Not only was the food suppose to be good but they had a real soda fountain. I kept wanting to go visit but never actually put forth the effort.

Well the other day, I told New Dude that is where I wanted to go for date night.

So after circling the block just once, I was able to park. There had been spots, but due to some people on a scooter not paying attention, they got up on my tail and did not leave enough room for me to parallel park. 

We walked in the door and saw a small little shop with lots of people. Looking lost and unsure a guy cleaning the tables told us to seat ourselves and once we know what we want to order at the register.

So we opened the menu and it took several minutes to decide. The drink options, ice cream options, and food options were plentiful. After some debate and agreeing to split things, we made our oder. They asked us where we were sitting and they would bring us are our food.

So we started off with our waters, an vanilla and cream soda. They make their own syurps with sugar cane. New Dude thought it was good and even the non-soda drinker like myself really enjoyed it.



We also had a cup of tomato bisque soup. I miss heard New Dude who wanted potato, but it was still a win. He had never had tomato bisque, and we were about to enjoy some grilled cheese, who wouldn't want a little tomato soup. 

The food arrived and it looked great! For being different kinds of grilled cheese, these were huge, great and filling. I had a three cheese deluxe and he had a pizza grilled cheese. The side was pop corn and some smiley potato cake. 

I was enjoying the sandwich so much I didn't pause long enough to help take a good picture.


We saved enough soup to dip some of the sandwich and it was amazing!










We saved enough room to split a sunday. This was a coffee chip ice cream with hot fudge and caramel sauce topped with whipped cream and a cherry. It was so good!

This was a picture of the bar that I took right before we left. The chalk board in the background has all of their ice cream flavors and the soups for that day. It was going for a classic feel and it was. 

It is defiantly a nice little gem that I will be sure to share with more friends and family when they come to visit.

Is there any little gems in your area that you love to visit? Or is there a place that you've heard of but have yet to make it too? I suggest you make it a date night, with friends or your better half, and head out and go discover it! Places like Pop's Ice Cream and Soda Bar are what makes the area that you live in unique and fun. Go find it!

To find out more about Pop's Ice Cream & Soda Bar you can visit their Facebook page.

Skinny Bitches

Ever since my first pub run I still keep trying to go to them when I'm not working. Now that the weather is getting super hot, it makes it hard to get outside for a run.

Well this is a picture from a few weeks ago. I didn't even know that anyone took the picture. I saw it posted on my Facebook wall and was like, awesome!

I look hard core!

I look like I'm not about to puke!

I also noticed that I look really thin in this picture. I like it!

It also made me stop and think a little bit. As I looked at this picture and felt good, I realized, I really need to stop hating skinny people.

It isn't because I feel like I am part of that group, nor do I truly want to be skinny, thin maybe, but not skinny.

No, I need to stop hating on them, because a lot of those people have to work hard to stay thin.

If you're around runners, and bikers, and hikers, and rock climbers, soccer players, or any other sports or physical activity people, you learn that people don't normally just wake up and can do whatever said activity and really well, really hard, and win or do very well without first putting in the effort.

Yes, I know there are exceptions to every rule, but I know how much it takes to just maintain a weight. I also know others like me who have gone from a higher weight down to a healthy weight. I know how much hard work, time, effort, energy and will power is used to say no, most of the time, to the sweets, drinks, junk food, and sodas.

All of these ripped runners without their shirts on, or the people that are doing more then just jogging, they are hard core running or biking, or just doing whatever it is they are doing. I should applaud their efforts and accomplishments, not belittle them with my jealousy. Not point out all their flaws which is just really me projecting my insecurities onto them.

I like to think I have a high self-esteem when it comes to my body. Sure, the scale and I currently fighting and it is totally winning. However, how can I live the motto I say "Love the skin you're in," if I keep getting jealous of the runners that can take their shirts off? Or the people with their 6 pack abs. 

Short answer, I'm half living it.

I think part of a healthy life style is accepting certain things, like I'm never going to deny as many cookies and sweets as I need to get a 6 pack of abs. I am never going to be 5'7", and my thighs will always touch. That tiny little gap is beyond my reach, without dramatically altering my life. And for me, that little gap isn't worth it to me.

So I propose that we stop hatting the skinny bitches. I think we should instead ask them what works for them. I would also do a little soul searching to maybe not find your ideal number as much as your idea image of yourself. Embrace your flaws, think about what you can truly, realistically change, what you would need to do to change it, and then accept who you are, what shape you are, and actually love the skin you're in. It's the only one you have, so why not start to look in the mirror with happiness then constant disgust?

What do you think? Flawed in my thoughts? Or do you have thoughts or suggestions? Let me know with a comment below! 

World War Z

So I really wanted to make Tuesday's post about the blitz trip to NYC with New Dude.

However, working two jobs, having a blitz trip to NYC kind of took all my energy away from me. Sad excuse I know.

Wednesday night though, we had another adventure. We went to go see the new movie World War Z.

I went with New Dude, his brother and little cousin.

Now, let's start this off with the fact that I did go to this movie voluntarily. Also, that I even asked to go see this movie.

Also, note that I DON'T DO SCARY MOVIES. This, was not a horror movie, however it was a scary movie and a suspense movie. That means, I was kind of excited to see it, but by the time my butt was sitting in the chair and my hands already covered in popcorn butter, I was regretting this decision.

The PREVIEWS for the other movies were already freaking me out. I was doing the whole ears being plugged with fingers and eyes closed before the movie even started. What kind of set up is that? Why is there not a couch to hide behind? Or at least a pillow or blanket to put over my face?

I have never read the book, I might now, but New Dude's Broha had, and he like most of the reviews I read on-line said, they only had the title in common. That's fine.

I did have to be told to breath a few times, and I jumped out of my seat about 6 times, at least. Followed by some serious hand squeezing I survived the movie. Everyone really enjoyed the movie but it New Dude's little cousin and that I were still very shaken that random pictures of faces in bathrooms were making us jump.

So, like the adult I am, I kindly asked New Dude not to go to his brother's place like originally planned. I needed him to stay with me to protect me from zombies. I know it was selfish, even told him that, but I really have a wild imagination so....I needed a non-empty house to be in.

To help ease my mind after the movie we broke down, cleaned, and put together some guns. Also, worked on some basic gun drawing skills. Followed by an episode of Burn Notice.

I'm posting a video for you to enjoy. Go see World War Z, Brad Pitt and the cast did a great job of making it realistic, scary, and makes you think a little bit.

Better video uploaded tonight I hope. Until then enjoy this wonderful thing!

Road Trip!

Road trip with New Dude. Epicness being created as we speak come back on Tuesday for random pictures!

New Baby!

Baby

My sister just had a baby.

My other sister's and friend have had babies. Every time I am very happy for them. I am excited, proud, scared, and am there to root them on. Also bring food, sweets mostly, and stay far away for a little bit.

However, this new baby, is my TWIN sister's baby.

It has been kind of crazy for me emotionally actually.

I think her hormones are affecting me because I feel an epic week of PMS coming. I even already apologized/warned New Dude about this. As females go and as PMS go, I am usually pretty good. I have one bitch/angry day and that's it. This one, I feel will not be as smooth sailing. Stupid over whelimg pregnancy hormones.

I've held this little one. She looked like a creepy alien when I first held her, the first day she was born. She had the cone head and goop all over her eyes. Scray.

This is day 2 and she looks a lot better. More like a baby should look.

A few thoughts this newest edition to the family has caused to bounce around my skull.

She doesn't look like anyone yet. She just looks like a baby.

The whole idea of my TWIN having a baby just scares the crap out of me. How is it that she is so in this stage of her life and I am not? (I cannot say prepared because who in their right mind is prepared for this huge of a life alterting event? Even if they say they are, they aren't. They just have told themselves a better lie then most people.) I then take a step back and a breath and go, this is her time line, not mine. Mine is just a bit slower. Always has, always will, but it fits me, not her, so it is okay. (Probably to the slight stress and dismay of the parent folk.)

I am also astounded about how proud I am of her and her husband. She just had a BABY! Holy crap that deserves rings, trophies, songs, and probably a parade. (This also goes for any woman who has had a baby.)

When around the new parents I can see the love radiating off of each other a poorly placed back light. They are taking it in stride, they are learning, they are helping, they are doing it the way it works for them, in other words, I believe they will be great parents. I can see it on their faces and it makes me both so happy for them and am slightly in aw, and yet still scared shit less of babies.

After having now been around quite a few new  born babies, I think my scared face isn't as etched on, but it is still there. I can feel it. Hopefully they cannot see it as much.

Anyone else have first baby experiences running through their heads? If so leave a comment below! Thanks!