Thursday, February 24, 2011

Renovations

Goodness gracious, I haven't blogged since Valentine's Day?  My sincerest apologies.  I'm going through a phase right now.  I knew at the start of the year with my list of resolutions that this was going to be a big year of changes for me.  Sometimes I wish I could glimpse in the future to see what life will be like, I think I'd have a whole lot less anxiety.  Just as today I can look at a situation that I had anxiety about years ago and wonder why on earth did I feel that way, everything worked out for the best.  I wish I could go back and tell that self to chill and enjoy life more instead of stressing things unnecessarily. 

Right now, I am in that up and down mode of stress that comes with life changes.  One day I'm so excited about the future I can't sleep at night.  The next full of doubt and anxiety, because nothing has happened yet.  But..I guess in the grand scheme of life, it's only been 2 months, I should chill right?

There are 2 areas that I'm making changes to.  The first is my body..I've been talking about and trying to lose weight for the past 4 years, and literally keep gaining and losing the same 5 pounds.  In reality, I need to lose at least 50 pounds, but being a woman, you know, 65 would be ideal.  It's time to stop pussyfooting around (excuse the expression but that's what it is!) and do something major..100% commitment.   And I know I can do it..I just did a 21 fast and it went really well!  I'm turning to Tracy Anderson for the exercise portion, I bought her book/boot camp dvd, which I attempted to start a few weeks ago and then got the sick that's going around.  The diet..I'm still working on but hope to have it figured out by tonight.  I know a couple people doing really well on the hCG diet.  It is really intense but also really structured which is what I need.  I will update later on which diet I choose!

The second area of changes coming is in my career.  Not much to say about this, other than it's a rough time in the business world right now and I am trudging onward.

With a new bod and a new job on the horizon, 2011 could be the best year ever...as long as I remember to chill and enjoy life and stop with the anxiety!



Monday, February 14, 2011

The Proposal

It has been a while since I've written my Memoirs of a Flight Attendant, but I thought, being it Valentine's Day, and that I had a nice heartwarming memory, it's time to reopen this book for a quick story.



The flight attendant crew on this particular day was all female.  We believed in having fun on the job, because if we had fun, so did the passengers.  Happy passengers = happy flight crew, it goes full circle. 

"If we could have your attention for just a few minutes we'd like to go over the safety features of this aircraft.  Please pretend to be interested..."  Such were our announcements, little cracks here and there to keep people on their toes, and it was a good crowd this flight. 

"Should this flight become a cruise we have provided you with fashionable swimwear.  Life vests are under each seat.  Take them and kick paddle kick paddle your way to shore, where we'll be waiting for you with mai tais in little coconut cups."  Cue the flight attendants in the cabin, pulling out little coconut cups.  The passengers all clapped when we finished with our safety demo.  We could see them loosening up a bit from the hubbub and chaos that is the airport. 

Service went well, when we joked with people from the start, people made a point to joke back at sometime during the flight.  Full circle, see?  After collecting trash I was in the galley cleaning up with the other flight attendants.  A man came up to us then, tall, well dressed, nice smelling..

"Hey!  I loved your announcements.  I wonder if you could help me out with something.  I am flying up with my girlfriend, I am going to meet her family.  I was going to wait until later in the trip but this flight is so much fun I want to ask her to marry me right now.  Can you help?"

Oh my...I don't know..I mean, that does sound like fun..sure, we can come up with something. 

After staring at each other blankly for a few minutes, racking our brains for a great idea, I picked up the PA.  "Ladies and Gentlemen, we are going to have a contest!  I dare say we have the best prize ever for the winner too.  All you need to do is guess how many miles per hour we are currently traveling, whoever comes closest to the actual number wins.  Write down your answer and the flight attendants will walk through to find our winner."

Of course, it didn't matter what anyone wrote down, because it was already fated who would win, no matter how outlandish her guess was.  But still, we had to keep up the farce, so we went up and down the rows, to every passenger, pretending to write down their answers. 

By now the boyfriend had gone back to his seat and was playing along, acting oblivious to our ploy.

"We have a winner!  Congratulations Lisa in 27C!!!  We have an amazing prize for you!"  Now I'm getting a little choked up.  I've never proposed to anyone before, and even though it wasn't me, well, it kinda was.  I was nervous, eyes starting to get a little watery. 

"The man sitting to your right wants to know...Will you marry him?"  The entire plane, which was sold out, erupted into loud applause.  I got chill bumps and at that moment, had to stay hidden in the galley because then for sure my eyes were watery, and I felt silly, because I didn't know why.  I felt better only because one of the other flight attendants was right up there with me with tears in her eyes.  Peeking out in the cabin, we saw Lisa raising her left hand to show the plane she said Yes!

The third flight attendant walked up to the galley, "Oh you two saps!" she grumbled at us, grabbing 2 bottles of wine and bringing it to the happy couple.

After we landed, I said good bye and congratulations to them, both beaming as they got off the plane.  I hadn't actually talked to them since she had said yes.  Lisa was happy as can be, and I was so happy for her that my eyes got teary.  Again.  When did I turn into such a sap?

It was quite an honor to be a part of someone's proposal.  Now I take their story and tell it as one of my own, which maybe isn't right, but man if I can't help it.  That was one of my favorite flights ever.  ♥




Sunday, February 13, 2011

Wednesday, February 9, 2011

Mr. and Mrs. Cootieface Sickly

A week ago I was at work and sent the hubs a text to see how he was doing. "Sore throat" was his response.  That was the day hubs let the cooties into our house. A short 24 hours later, I found myself also feeling the cooties.  For the past week we've been useless, laying around all day whining, watching movies, and taking endless naps.



One whole week later and who ever would know these cooties would stick around?  Today I used a sick day from work.  Sick days, in my humble opinion, are best spent not sick. Are you with me? They should be spent going to the beach or something.  Today I napped, stayed in bed and pondered how to remove a face that is nothing but a big ball of hurt. 

Hubs just started a new job so he can't call in sick.  Or do you say call out sick?  I don't know.  Either way, he went to work to share the cooties with even more people.  The difference between he and I, he likes to "Let his body heal itself."  ie - take nothing, suffer in pain to let his body try to fight the germs.

Me?  Give me drugs!!  Lots of drugs, as much as it takes to stop the ick!

I never got Jersey Shore and why anyone would watch such a show.  Stay with me, I'm going somewhere, promise.  I never actually saw it myself, but once in a while would catch one of them on a talk show here and there.  They seemed like knuckleheads and I wonder what on earth people saw in the show.  Well.  Yesterday after hubs dragged himself galliantly to work, I turned to On Demand to keep me company.  After watching all episodes of I love selling NY, which I highly enjoyed, I saw Jersey Shore listed.  What the heck, I thought.  Check it out and see what the hubbub is.

I found myself strangely drawn in.  I watched all 4 episodes that were listed!  And...I still don't get it.   Surely there is some sort of hypnotic force at play here.  I mean, watching a bunch of overly tan 20 somethings, all with crazy hair, drink, party, and sleep around.  How come?  And how come I couldn't stop watching either?

One of life's great mysteries.  I'm just glad there were only 4 episodes!

Watch out for the cooties, friends.  They grab hold and don't let go and make you watch silly tv shows.



With Love from the Sick House,




Monday, February 7, 2011

Take me Away

One of my new year's resolutions was to stop buying People and US Weekly magazines. I found myself spending way too much money on them, and celeb gossip?  Really?  Do I need to know why the stars are just like us?  No.  I'm sure they are and just knowing that helps me sleep better at night.  I don't need a magazine to tell me that I drink the same nonfat grande chai latte as Sandra Bullock.  We all drink coffee.  We all carry our purses more than one time.  Don't we?

Dang it all if I didn't buy a People yesterday.  And then I looked at US online to boot.  That resolution lasted one month and one week.  But it's not the absolute worst resolution to break right?  Diet and exercise plan still going strong, as is the book writing.  Did I tell you I'm writing a book?  I am.  After starting my memoirs I realized there is way too much juicy stuff, why not create a fictional character so as to not disclose anything too sensitive.  Anyway, major resolutions still in check!

And what is with celebs jaunting off to Hawaii anyway?  The weather isn't horrible in Charleston but still..I am having intense desires to go to Hawaii.  It's a yearning really.  An ache that I don't think I can fix until I have the Hawaiian sand between my toes and pineapple drink with a little umbrella in hand.  And lei around my neck of course! 






Oh, to be there. 
Staying focused on those resolutions: diet and exercise will give me a fabulous bikini body to frolic on the beach.  Publishing a book will give me a little spending cash.  Hawaii will be a fabulous reward for reaching my goals.
 I.Can't.Wait.


Saturday, February 5, 2011

Turkey Apple Salad

Happy Superbowl weekend!  As I thought would happen, I have revised my superbowl menu, because I'm indecisive like that.  It's just going to be hub and I so I realized I was going to be making much too much food for just 2.  Simplified, I will be making taco dip.  I have some avocados that I need to use up so I'll make some guacamole with it.  That should do us, but heaven help me if I can't stop thinking about these Mexican Chocolate Brownies featured by Mary at One Perfect Bite.  On Monday I will be starting the 30 day Tracy Anderson method, so those just may be my last hurrah. 

Here is one of my favorite recipes lately, Turkey Apple Salad from the Sonoma Diet Cookbook.  I can't get enough of it quite honestly.  It is amazing when just made but out of this world the next day.  We like to eat it on crackers or just as is, grab a spoon and dive in.  It would also be great in a wrap or on lettuce. It is ridiculously easy to make too.  Hope you enjoy!




Turkey Apple Salad
Recipe from the Sonoma Diet Cookbook

12 ounces cooked turkey breast, shredded
1 cup chopped green apple
1/2 cup chopped celery
1/2 cup chopped walnuts, toasted
1/2 cup chopped green onion
1/2 cup chopped parsley
1/4 cup dried tart cherries (I didn't have any, but it would be great with or without!)
1/2 cup light dairy sour cream
2 Tbsp lemon juice
1/2 to 1 tsp bottled hot pepper sauce
1/4 tsp salt
1/4 tsp black pepper

In a large bowl, combine the turkey, apple, celery, walnuts, green onions, parsley, and cherries.

In a small bowl, stir together the sour cream, lemon juice, hot pepper sauce, salt, and pepper.  Add the sour cream mixture to the turkey mixture, stir until blended.



Wednesday, February 2, 2011