Last Post

I have seriously been slacking on blogging for the past year and have no idea why. I currently have two google accounts and one is tied to my business and the other? I do not receive a single email just a sign-in for this blog.

I am looking for a fresh start.

So this will be my last post here. I did start a new blog.

If you want to still follow my oh so crazy life, shoot me an email mondaymorningfitness@gmail.com for the new link :)

Trainer Ramblings.

This week started my first week training clients 1-on-1. As exciting as this sounded, I think I was more nervous than excited. For the past year, I do not mean to brag, but I knew everything about the gym and how to train women. I was a self-proclaimed expert. I was on top and I now I feel like I am back on the bottom.

Do not get me wrong, I absolutely love the creativity and feel I am getting better each session. I have so much to work with...bosu balls, body bars, kettlebells, plyo boxes. It's what I wanted. And I know I will work my way back to the top. It's just hard being the newbie.

Before I knew all 550 members, their life stories...At the new gym, I just know the men and women I've trained so far. I guess I just have to give it time.

When I left, one of my favorite members handed me a card on my last day. I think from time to time, I may forget why I enjoy and love my job. I have this card posted where I can see it everyday. She wrote:

Corkshell,
Thank you so much for all that you have done for me over the last year. When I walked into the gym for the first time, I was lazy, unmotivated, and very overweight. You were so instrumental in changing all of that. You have been my favorite staff member. since the beginning. When I walk through the door and see your smiling face, it makes me more motivated. I feel like you sincerely cared about me and my progress every step of the way. You have helped me to permanently change the way I feel about food, fitness, health, and life! I am happier and healthier than I have been in about seven years. Thank you from the bottom of my hear. I will miss seeing you, but know that I am strong enough to do it without you. I wish you the best of luck in your new work ventures.

M.



It keeps me going. I also start my very own Yoga class on November 16th. Again, I am excited, but just a little nervous too. But I guess nervous can be a good thing.

Mexican Get Away

Quite a few family members on my husband's side were none too pleased when my brother-in-law and fiance informed us their wedding would take place in Puerto Vallarta, Mexico.

And me? Could not be happier. I loved our honeymoon, traveling the country and seeing sights such as Niagra Falls and the Grand Canyon, however, when you think honeymoon, most people think pool side with a drink.

And the best part of this wedding? It was not mine! No running around, trying to socialize with everyone. Nope, not me. I just grabbed my books and went straight to the pool before I even unpacked my bags.

My husband and I seriously had the best time. We got along with his brother's friends a little too well. We went running on the beach, kayaking, ziplining, beach volleyball, card games by the pool. And my husband stayed out late every night, smoking cigars in his brother's beautiful penthouse suite hot tub overlooking the entire town.

Their beachfront wedding was something straight out of a fairytale.

The kindle is a must have for laying by the pool. I read my hard copy of "Change Your Brain, Change Your Body" and only got about half-way through, mostly because I was so frustrated with holding the book and turning pages. I switched to "The Girl Who Kicked the Hornet's Nest". (which is the best book by far) With the kindle, it rested so nicely on my stomach and I could turn the "pages" and hold it with 1 hand.

I want to go back.

Hey, its my birthday...

Yesterday was a special day for me, my birthday! I turned the big 2-6 and caught myself on more than 1 occasion saying, "I can do this, it's my birthday".

Now by no means am I an angel when it comes to food, drinks, and shopping, but I broke a few rules yesterday and thoroughly enjoyed each rule breaking.

Last night over dinner with the hubby, I enjoyed my favorite alcohol beverage, a margarita on the rocks with salt.

On Sunday, he took me shopping. Mostly to find a dress for his brother's upcoming wedding. I made two mistakes yesterday, first, walking into my favorite store Black House White Market. I use to shop here all of the time when I brought home the bacon (not the "bacon spray" like now according to my husband, haha) and worked a "big girl job". And my second mistake, silly me tried on a dress without looking at the price tag. I fell in love and $168 later, I brought her home.

In exciting news, the bakery who made the cupcakes for our wedding, opened up a shop in our current town. I big puffy heart cupcakes. And yesterday after lunch, he took me to the bakery to indulge in my favorite dessert.

Finally, I hang my head in shame. I gave up diet soda completely about a year and a half ago. I really do not miss it, but every once in a great while (like my birthday), I'll get one of these:

I had a wonderful birthday full of lots of love from my amazing friends and family. Not to mention full of some of my favorite vices, now that's a good day :)

My Guardian Angel.

Three weeks ago, I ran in the Women's Half Marathon. It was a beautiful day, just uploaded a bunch of great music on my I-Pod and felt ready to go. When I hit Mile 1, it felt like I was running a pretty fast pace. I looked down at my watch, 7:30.




Yes, I wrote that correctly and yes, if I went outside to sprint a mile, I do not think I would run at that pace again. FAIL. As a result, my first 6 miles, were MISERABLE. I really thought I might stop and find a nice volunteer, borrow their phone and call my husband to come pick me up at the next mile marker. I knew exactly what he would tell me, suck it up, buttercup. I realized I have never worn a watch in any race or worried about my time. My best running technique, take your mind somewhere else.





So I continued to run. And then said a little prayer to his grandfather (who the night before took a awful turn for the worse). My next 7 miles, I felt great. Even at mile 12 which was all uphill (not fun at all). I ran my best time at 2 hours and 8 minutes.

Saying the past few months, career wise, have been nothing short of miserable would be an understatement. Every night from July to the beginning of October, I tossed, turned, cried, made myself sick, etc.

Now...I decided to take a new job as a personal trainer. They are incredibly short on trainers and want me to start training asap and make double what I use to make. I am also on interview #3 for a Yoga Instructor.

And finally, I attended an amazing fitness convention and fell in love with one of my workshops I attended. I spoke with their CEO afterwards and she talked with me about possibly opening up my own fitness license through her company.

The past few days, I have researched and researched and researched some more. I spent hours on the phone with their CEO, other licensees, my wonderful F-I-L who is a CPA accountant, not to mention making sure the hubby is on board. I have an entire legal pad filled with notes and their leal documentaion in front of me.

The last piece, money.

We are currently trying to refinance, fix our roof, and AC. Not to mention, I cut back my hours nearly a month ago so I am not making nearly what I use to. Last night, we thought about possibly holding off on this new business because of funds. My husband was mid-sentence when his phone rang.

His father called to let us know that Grandpa, in his will, set aside money for the two of us. The money will more than cover our set-up costs.

And now? I am still nervous about this next chapter, but also more than ready to jump in to these new adventures.

Kindle

My wonderful mother-in-law handed me my birthday present a week early since I was in town this past weekend. She bought me an Amazon Kindle! This is why I love her, I've been secretly wanting one and haven't told a soul yet. Her and I are the only ones in the family who read and always talk about what good, new book is out.

The best part? She put me on her account and said buy whatever book, since she'll probably want to read it as well.

And I get it at the perfect time, in 16 days we are heading to beautiful Mexico for a week for his brother's wedding and I go through so many books on vacation. I was worried about carrying an extra bag just for books.

Right now I am planning on "Change Your Brain, Change Your Body" and "The Girl Who Kicked the Hornet's Nest", I read the previous two and put off the third until I completed my Yoga Certification.

Any other suggestions?

Mr. Right not Mr. Mom

So for the second day in a row, our puppies found mischief. The hubby called me to tell me they chewed up two of my favorite wooden spoons, a coffee filter, his favorite Hawks hat, and his sunglasses.

He swears up and down, he put everything away. He is convinced Daisy, with her long legs, somehow reached the back of the counter to knock everything down.

Two years we've been leaving them out in the kitchen with baby gates and never have they chewed up something I put out of their reach.

This makes me laugh. I wish he would just admit that he misses me picking up after him and putting everything away.

Cha Cha Change

On Monday I put in my two week notice at work...

And I felt a million pounds lifted off my shoulders. My last day will be on my 26th birthday so I have a feeling 26 is going to be a great year. In the past 2 weeks I dropped off my resume at four different gyms/fitness facilities and received 3 interviews.

I am torn between two job offers right now and feel incredibly blessed to have two options, but really want to make the right decision. I am sure it will all fall into place in the next week.

Do we want more good news?

Today I received my Yoga Fundamentals Instructor Speciality Certificate (say that a few times). I took a workshop with about 50 other women and men. Most of them have been practicing yoga for about 5-10 years. And me? 3-4 months. However, I have fallen in love with it since it has helped tremoundously with my headaches.

It feels good to have the pieces finally fall into place slowly. I have three more days of workshops and continuing education so I hope to soak up as much information as possible.

The conference is in Chi-town, so I left the hubby and the girls back home. Since we moved in together two years ago, this is the longest I have left him. Of course he leaves me all of the time, but I have yet to leave him for more than 2 days. He already texted me a picture of Daisy, who chewed up a blue pen today, with bright blue paws, haha.

Cross your fingers for a clean house!

Your way of thinking...

On our 12 hour drive back from PA, I thought a lot about his grandfather. My husband calls him, "One of the last true great Americans" and we also joked and called him the medical miracle.

It truly makes me wonder, how did a 94 year old who has only 17% of his heart working (1 artery = 100% blocked), cancer, and kindey failure get stronger as the weekend went on?! You heard me right, his grandfather is now set to leave the hospital. The doctors continued to say, "He is making liars out of all of us". This same man was blown up in WWII, stayed in a hospital for over a year, still has shrapnel from the bomb in his body.

I just keep shaking my head in amazement.

Makes me think I am weak. I complain about all kinds of stuff...aches, pains, work, etc. Maybe Grandpa tells himself he is going to be ok and he ends up being just fine. I thought in the car, I need to start thinking more positively and stop worrying so darn much.

After 26 hours of traveling in 3 short days, the trip was well worth it. I learned a valuable lesson from him, I just need to change my way of thinking.

Emotion Overload

One of his closest friends has hit rock bottom. His girlfriend of 8 years moved out of their house last week and this just devasted him. So much so, he asked to come stay with us to avoid being alone. Along with him, came his dog, Rowdy. This dog is eating us out of house and home. My Dakota has not been too pleased with this.

His friend cannot snap out of it. My heart just breaks for him.

Speaking of heart breaking, his grandfather took a turn for the worse. The doctors lost him twice in his recent surgery and he went into a coma.

Yesterday morning (it seems like 15 years ago) around 5:30am, my hubby finished packing for his 30 day training trip. We were about to walk out the door when I saw Rowdy head for Dakota's food. I tried to pull him away while Dakota growled. Next thing I knew, Rowdy lunged at Dakota and Dakota did NOT back down. I started screaming. The hubby tried to grab Rowdy and I tried to grab Dakota. I saw blood going everywhere.

Scariest thing I've ever seen. I could not stop shaking.

Afterwards we realized most of the blood was my husbands. His hand looked awful. I told him several of his cuts needed stitches. Typical male, he assured me, he would be just fine and needed to AMC this cross-country flight. I dropped him off at 6:30am and headed to work. I received a phone call after 30 minutes that the flight surgeon wanted him to get stiches.

On our way to the hospital, we received a call from my father-in-law. The family decided to take him off his life support and gave him 2-24 hours.

One short hour of a hospital visit later, we headed straight home and packed up for ? amount of days. Which I can say, is not an easy task. I am a planner and now I know why. I just threw every kind of outfit in my suitcase and sat on it until it closed.

12 hours later, we made it to small town USA in PA.

His grandfather, in typical Grandpa style, is again proving us all wrong. The doctors say he's stronger, but a lot of his organs aren't functioning the way they should and will probably never recover.

It's been a long day and I am sure its the first of many long days ahead.

Let it out.

Eight weeks ago at work, I....

Received a letter of reprimand
Was suspended for 6 weeks of work
Was Demoted
Received a pay deduction

I would love to tell you it was deserved, I really would. I have no problem owning up my mistakes. It was honestly the most bogus thing ever. In 15 years of having a job, I've never had any of the above happen.

I truly believe it was because I held my ground. I have zero regrets. But man I cannot stop questioning myself...

There was not a doubt in my mind, while my boss told everyone, "I was honeymooning", during those 6 weeks I would come back and hand her a letter of resignation.

But I cannot. Why? I love these women so much.

I walked back into work with my head held high and my boss started bawling and I just stood and stared at her. She told me everyone asked about me and that she missed me.

What?

You think after 8 weeks it wouldn't make my stomach turn, but it does.

Whew. I feel some kind of relief letting it out into "the open".

Do not drink the water.

Last night, he turned over in bed and looked at me and said, "You want a baby now, don't you".



I should have guessed he would have said something along those lines. She's my younger sister...graduated college before me, engaged before me, married before me, now baby before me. I swear the day she announced her engagement, my now hubby turned white, probably thinking he would need to pop the question sooner than he would have liked.



No competition between us, I swear. I am more than pumped to spoil my little niece or nephew rotten. But I am sure my sweet husband feels the heat whether I put it there or not. There is no denying it, there is something in the water.

We sang the song in grade school...first come love then comes marriage...oh wait, now baby?



I dislike the phrase, "We are not ready". Maybe cause I am one of three kids and none of us were planned or I truly believe God is going to give you a baby whether you are ready or not.



So for now I am sticking with the phrase, "There is no rush, we are extremely content where we are right now". I know a baby in the future will be the biggest blessing.





For right now, I have these blessings :)




::Sidenote:: Daisy is obsessed with the hubby, I mean obsessed. Our girls are NOT allowed on the furniture, but a friend's dog came over and everytime the dog got anywhere close to HER daddy, Daisy jumped on his lap ready to pounce. We could not stop laughing and even allowed her on the furniture to snap a picture.

A Happy Monday...by Choice

I came across a quote this morning, perfect for a Monday morning:

"Each day when I get up, I CHOOSE to be happy and then try to build my day around that"

There are ugly things looming over my head, but today I am going to remember a few things.

1) I just found out this morning I am going to be an aunt for the very first time! It's going to be hard to keep it a secret for the next month, but thank goodness I can share the news here. I feel everyone around me is pregnant, but this will be the first in my immediate family.

2) My 3rd half-marathon is in 11 days. On Saturday I completed a very difficult 12 mile course and felt suprisingly good afterwards. It *almost* convinced me to sign up for a marathon in 2011. I ran with some amazing, inspiring women and I think they made all the difference.

I am also running for a charity which I truly believe provides a little more incentive in my training and of course with the 13.1 mile course coming up.

So I am going to build my day around that.

Why blog...

I think the word "busy" would just be an excuse.

During our three week honeymoon, we stopped to visit his grandparents in small town USA. His grandparents are notorious for sitting on their front porch and making small talk.

I have sat on that front porch numerous times over the years and never in all my visits did I hear so many stories. Stories of his grandfather in the war, how they met, their favorite memories of each kid, including my father-in-law. We talked out there for almost nine hours in our short 24 hour visit.

You see, his grandfather is nearly 95 years old and the entire family has been trying to convince him to move into assisted living. Everytime we mentioned it, he prefaced another story with "I've lived a great life and have great memories. I wouldn't change a thing".

We shared some of the stories with his parents and sat in shock. Some of these stories they have not even heard.

During this same time, I was finishing a book by James Patterson, "Suzanne's Diary for Nicholas". The book is about a mother keeping a diary for her newborn son.

I guess during this time, I realized the power of a story or a memory, whether good or bad. I also remembered why I started my blog nearly 7 years ago....

Get busy living.

The past few weeks I've surprised myself. I am enjoying and doing things that if you asked me a couple of years ago I would laugh and say never in a million years...

Baking & Cooking

With the extra time on my hands, I've made dinner almost every night. A week ago I received this from a dear friend:

Since receiving this and my wonderful cookbook holder, I've managed to whip up homemade chili, citrus tilipia, banana bread and get this....A berry (blackberries & blueberries) pie from SCRATCH! Huge accomplishment. And not only was it edible, it tasted delicious. Minus the whole wheat flour, I swear the personal trainer in me has substituted every baking/cooking item in my house. Next time, I might use white *cringe* flour.

Reading

Also finished my second book this month. Both by Elin Hilderbrand, Summer Affair and this beauty:

I recommend both of them if you are looking for a good trashy, summer read :)

Exercise

I've attempted every workout under the sun. I've never been a big fan of Yoga. I grew up playing basketball, soccer, and volleyball which means the more sweat the better. I tried 7 yoga classes and walked out of 6 of them. I started enjoying it a little more after P90X, still would never try it more than once a week. That being said, my physical therapist strongly recommended it for my headaches and stress with wedding planning.

I began DVRing Namaste Yoga on Fit TV. I can now say I love Yoga. Like truly enjoy, do it 4 times a week now, like it. And not only am I enjoying it, I can see results and am getting pretty darn good at it.

All three of things just shock me, even while typing this post. However, they all make me proud and smile just a little. I guess I will just have to keep trying new things :)

Oh yeah t-minus 9 days...

Bridesmaid Gift

Ah, not going to lie, it's been weighing on my mind what exactly to get some of the most important women in my life.

And then I came across these:

1) I am not a name brand person, except when it comes to Vera Bradley. Sure some people think its overpriced, but for someone who traveled almost once a month during the WP years, those bags were lifesavers.

2) Match the colors of the wedding

3) The "name" of these type of glasses is actually MY name!

4) Super cute pictures of me + bridesmaids in these.

5) They were on sale :)

And all is right in my world. I told my mom after I ordered them and she started pouting on the phone that she wanted a pair, so I got her some too.

Extra hours.

I cut back my hours from 8 to 9 to 6-7 a day. So really, I only cut back two hours. Two hours?! It doesn't sound like much, but I think it's made a world of a difference in my life and more importantly in my marriage.

Those 8-9 hours, in addition to the stresses of work and my boss, made me mean. I swear. Not to mention the heachaches and wedding planning made me crazy. I can honestly say at certain points in the day, I hated him. I thought he was doing everything wrong and not helping me with anything. When really, the problem might have been me.

I stressed and stressed and stressed some more. But really it's been my entire life. I suffered from anxiety in college and probably continued with me in the years after.

So what have I done with those extra two hours?

I've invested or "put them back" into my marriage. I make more lunches and dinners, fold more of his laundry, stress less about a dirty house, and even *gasp* sleep in an extra hour or so. If I do not work early, I am wide awake by 7am. Is it weird that I use to get all huffy and puffy about him sleeping soundly when we "should" be doing something? I usually either wake him up or get up and start working on things all upset that he is not helping.

On Friday evening while driving home from work, I get a call from work that one of our circuit coaches quit. This news a month ago would send me into a tizzy. The old me would head into work the next day, Saturday, and stress all weekend. I simply told my boss, "I will handle it on Monday".

I walked in the door, smiled and gave my husband a hug and asked him how his day went.

It's only been three weeks, but I have never been happier. We laugh all of the time. He helps out more around the house (I swear I didn't ask for him to). He touches me more, smiles more.

The old me would think, he's been really nice and I don't know why, but I do know why. I am being nice too. I guess it's true, you get what you put in...

I love my extra two hours.

Restrepo

Hubby asked me last night to attend a free showing of a documentary. It took place where he did a majority of his flying and our new roommate Brandon, one of his best friends, met and replaced the Unit in the documentary.



It is called Restrepo.

See it.

Incredibly eye-opening. Sure I hear stories and picture their life over there, but with this movie, I can actually see it with my own eyes.

We met one of the men who stared in the documentary and he actually remembered Brandon. This documentary hit so close to home. The names and places...I know these people. I know these places.

Made me incredibly proud to be an American, proud to know so many soldiers, especially my own soldier.

During the movie I remembered several months ago, I met a few ground guys from TX . They immediately hugged me and told me that, "Your husband saved my life, many times".

Again, so proud.

What a difference...

...a month makes. The difference between me now and me 30 days ago...Oh the stress might be catching up with me.

Actually I don't think it's stress as much as every single minute (yes I said minute, apron timer is out for me to blog for exactly 15 minutes) is planned between now and August 7th.

We were SPOILED rotten, absolutely spoiled rotten this past Saturday at our shower. However, my hand does feel like it is going to fall off with all of the Thank-Yous. Don't get me wrong, the Thank-Yous are a must and well deserved. I just like to get things out within a matter of days, not weeks.

Oh yeah, we found out on Monday that our Cupcake Lady went out of business last week, so we are scrambling to find something new because honestly, the cupcakes might be more important than the dress.

Tis the Season...

In a few short hours, the whole gang (hubby + puppies) will be driving north to our hometown for my bridal shower!

I love organizing and planning, but sadly I do not love organizing and planning our wedding. I do not know if "the jig is up", we are already married or what.

But to catch everyone up to speed.

I will be wearing:

My bridesmaids will be wearing a black dress of their choice and all of us will be rocking these:He will be wearing his uniform. Neither one of us are crazy about the military wedding. In the end, I made it his decision and since he is too lazy (his exact words) to rent a tux, he decided to wear what he already has in his closet.

And we will exchange our vows and dance the night away here:

Wedding in a nutshell. Now on to physical therapy, clean, pack, and head home!