Now, I'm not trying to be like a 21st century female Aristotle. I'm just writing about what I'm thinking and what I'm going through at this interesting stage of my life and I think maybe some people can relate (and it will never be about hot flashes)! I am all about change. I like change. I am always thinking of ways to reinvent myself. Improve this - tweak that; say yes to this; no to that; it's all good. No settling in; too boring. Plus, I think if we're always changing then we're ready for life's curve balls. Today, I'm bored. Today, I'm too busy. There's no perfect day. The trick is the balance. Everyday you wake up, your feet hit the ground and you make decisions. Some good; some bad: but it's still all about the balance.
I've started working the past couple of weeks. One of my sisters hooked me up. It's something I've wanted to do for awhile and now here it is. I like it. It's throwing me a lot of curve balls. It's challenging me and making me feel a little more important. I know not everyone needs that but I think it's okay to admit I do. I didn't realize how much I do during the day for my family. It's very interesting shuffling priorities around. Does my house really need to look like it could be shown by a realtor at 10am? Not that there is anything wrong with that. When I can, I will and I do take pride in that side of me. But I can actually let it go here and there and it's okay. Again, for me it's about changing my way of thinking and balance.
I know someone who just changed jobs after 23 years in the same job. My mom didn't work a full time job until after she had been home almost 13 years. I've been doing the mom job pretty exclusively for 13 (almost 14 years) and I am positive that I needed a change. The good thing to remember is change isn't permanent. It can be for as long as it is good and adding value to your life. This is definitely a life lesson learned from my mom (see picture above).
So balance - that is the challenge. Update here - I'm not at my skinniest and I'm not at my fattest. I've been enjoying the wine, but not necessarily downing Oreos. Now, that is good balance. See this is easy. I've been very consistent with exercise. I changed my hair do for the fall. I changed my purse. If you don't know about the Dooney & Bourke trade in program; let me fill you in. You can send any old Dooney & Bourke purse or wallet to www.dooney.com and they will send you a gift certificate towards the purchase of a new bag. So join me this week and embrace some sort of change. Peace out....
Sunday, October 30, 2011
Wednesday, September 28, 2011
When In Rome vs When In Cary
Well, the eagle has landed. What do I mean? Visualize this...a Halloween pumpkin with legs. That is what I feel like today.
Ahhh, Italy - those were the days. Only weeks ago, but it seems like forever. Wine for lunch and why the heck not - wine for dinner. So delicious, relaxing and fun. So hard to stop. Keep in mind, I haven't stooped to having wine for lunch (well, unless I was in good company - if you insist - maybe). This is the problem. Wine and a skinny waste line do not go together = that sucks, but true.
So two weeks of overindulging has led to a eating/drinking downward spiral. Is there any truth to the thought that once you stretch your stomach by over eating - think pizza, pasta, and bread at every meal that it is almost impossible to stop. Feels like it. I can do it. Maybe I'm part bear preparing for a long winter of hibernation? I think my underwear feels tight. That is not a good feeling by the way.
The good news is it's almost sweater weather and what a good cover up a nice big sweater is. I hear you saying, "but you exercise all the time and you cook healthy". Bottom line here. Too many calories are going in. Period. Has nothing to do with amount of exercise or eating healthy. I'm just eating too much.
So yes, the food and fun in Italy was beyond memorable but I need to stop the vacation mentality and get back to real life. I really want to fit into my jeans and not feel like a Halloweeen pumpkin. Back to food journaling; join me!
Ahhh, Italy - those were the days. Only weeks ago, but it seems like forever. Wine for lunch and why the heck not - wine for dinner. So delicious, relaxing and fun. So hard to stop. Keep in mind, I haven't stooped to having wine for lunch (well, unless I was in good company - if you insist - maybe). This is the problem. Wine and a skinny waste line do not go together = that sucks, but true.
So two weeks of overindulging has led to a eating/drinking downward spiral. Is there any truth to the thought that once you stretch your stomach by over eating - think pizza, pasta, and bread at every meal that it is almost impossible to stop. Feels like it. I can do it. Maybe I'm part bear preparing for a long winter of hibernation? I think my underwear feels tight. That is not a good feeling by the way.
The good news is it's almost sweater weather and what a good cover up a nice big sweater is. I hear you saying, "but you exercise all the time and you cook healthy". Bottom line here. Too many calories are going in. Period. Has nothing to do with amount of exercise or eating healthy. I'm just eating too much.
So yes, the food and fun in Italy was beyond memorable but I need to stop the vacation mentality and get back to real life. I really want to fit into my jeans and not feel like a Halloweeen pumpkin. Back to food journaling; join me!
Wednesday, September 14, 2011
All is Fair in Love and Bikinis
So, I didn't take a picture of an Italian man in a "man bikini" or what we always called a "banana ham mick". And I sure didn't see anyone who rocked it like this picture. But my thought process was this. Wow, they have really stuck by their guns and have not gone with the American fashion of baggy swim suits. I respect their resilience and I gotta say, I like how it evens the playing field of bikinis on the beach or at the pool; equally humiliating men and women alike.
There is absolutely no room for error in a bikini. Now we (American women) have known that forever. Every spring we torture ourselves with bathing suit shopping. We've gone the the string bikini (very young days or possibly one of the "Housewives", the tankini route, the skirt bikini etc. I (we) kill myself in the spring working out so that there isn't more than 1 or 2 rolls poking over the bottoms. I think we might sweat this process out a whole lot less if our man was going to wear one too! It was awesome. Couples - not perfect physical specimens - sporty bikinis together. American men, standing around gawking on the beach, might have a lot less to say about what women look like in a bikini if they were wearing one too. I'm sure of it and I now know one Christmas present someone is getting.
The Italians even take it as far as lingerie. Seriously! I loved walking by the "lingerie" store and seeing Men's and Women's Lingerie in the window. OMG, seriously. Can you imagine getting your "American" husband lingerie and him appreciating it in anyway. Is there anyway he wouldn't think you were joking? I'm not talking about baggy, long, drawstring flannel pants. I'm talking about a sequined, bedazzled bikini bottom. And I don't think this is just for holidays...
So as much as this fashion wearing topic is not going to change anything in my house, it does say to me sometimes it doesn't hurt to level the playing field. What I mean is - we (women) shouldn't have expectations for ourselves that we wouldn't expect of our spouse or vice versa. It speaks to the whole "double standard" way of viewing things. In this instance, the Italians got it right. "Better not eat that cookie honey, you have a bikini to wear very soon." It makes me laugh just thinking of it...
Speaking of all this bikini wearing, I'm glad I don't have to put one on anytime soon. I fell into some "Neopolitan Oreos" lately and have to drag myself out although I think it was too late. It's almost jean time and that means - well you know; join me!
There is absolutely no room for error in a bikini. Now we (American women) have known that forever. Every spring we torture ourselves with bathing suit shopping. We've gone the the string bikini (very young days or possibly one of the "Housewives", the tankini route, the skirt bikini etc. I (we) kill myself in the spring working out so that there isn't more than 1 or 2 rolls poking over the bottoms. I think we might sweat this process out a whole lot less if our man was going to wear one too! It was awesome. Couples - not perfect physical specimens - sporty bikinis together. American men, standing around gawking on the beach, might have a lot less to say about what women look like in a bikini if they were wearing one too. I'm sure of it and I now know one Christmas present someone is getting.
The Italians even take it as far as lingerie. Seriously! I loved walking by the "lingerie" store and seeing Men's and Women's Lingerie in the window. OMG, seriously. Can you imagine getting your "American" husband lingerie and him appreciating it in anyway. Is there anyway he wouldn't think you were joking? I'm not talking about baggy, long, drawstring flannel pants. I'm talking about a sequined, bedazzled bikini bottom. And I don't think this is just for holidays...
So as much as this fashion wearing topic is not going to change anything in my house, it does say to me sometimes it doesn't hurt to level the playing field. What I mean is - we (women) shouldn't have expectations for ourselves that we wouldn't expect of our spouse or vice versa. It speaks to the whole "double standard" way of viewing things. In this instance, the Italians got it right. "Better not eat that cookie honey, you have a bikini to wear very soon." It makes me laugh just thinking of it...
Speaking of all this bikini wearing, I'm glad I don't have to put one on anytime soon. I fell into some "Neopolitan Oreos" lately and have to drag myself out although I think it was too late. It's almost jean time and that means - well you know; join me!
Monday, September 12, 2011
Italy - The Beginning
Finally, I have my pictures. Daughter left camera battery charger in the wall at the hotel in Florence. Our camera battery died in the ruins of Pompeii on our second week of vacation. I had to order replacement battery charger from Amazon. It was all a process. I needed to be inspired by pictures for my stories. This picture was the beginning. My husband dropped us off at the airport. We were dressed comfortably, but also ready to spend the day in Italy should we not be able to check into our room early. It's so funny to think of now. We really cared how we presented ourselves leaving. Coming back totally another story. I'm pretty sure we were in yoga pants and tshirts (and there's no picture documenting return). My dad travels in a suit coat. Always, no matter the temperature. It's a family thing I guess.
I'll continue with Italy stories tomorrow. Today, I need to get my long run in early. Philly Rock n Roll 1/2 Marathon is this coming Sunday. I need to get one more long run in before. Looks like I'm officially starting a work project (assisting one of my sisters) today. She's expecting me at my desk ready to take her call at 9. I need to be showered and dressed to feel professional by then - it's amazing how just dressing the part can help feel/be successful for the job/event. It's all related somehow.
So if you're still thinking about running, playing tennis, trying yoga etc.. Maybe the first step is going out and getting a new outfit for the event. That makes it sound more fun...and take a friend; it's more fun to shop with someone special - dress the part and get moving; join me!
I'll continue with Italy stories tomorrow. Today, I need to get my long run in early. Philly Rock n Roll 1/2 Marathon is this coming Sunday. I need to get one more long run in before. Looks like I'm officially starting a work project (assisting one of my sisters) today. She's expecting me at my desk ready to take her call at 9. I need to be showered and dressed to feel professional by then - it's amazing how just dressing the part can help feel/be successful for the job/event. It's all related somehow.
So if you're still thinking about running, playing tennis, trying yoga etc.. Maybe the first step is going out and getting a new outfit for the event. That makes it sound more fun...and take a friend; it's more fun to shop with someone special - dress the part and get moving; join me!
Tuesday, August 9, 2011
We Made It
Well, I shut original attempt at blog down and am starting again on my sisters laptop in a little hallway outside our room in Florence where we have a window of WIFI.
Rome was exactly what everyone tells you. You have to go there if you're in Italy. But it was dirty, expensive, not that friendly and a little bit full of itself if that makes sense. Love the double decker bus tour as a quick way to see all of the city and take little naps as needed, but you have to get out on foot to find good food that's not a tourist trap. I have to say even with my limited geographical abilities getting from airport to the city to our hotel was not that difficult. But after being at our front desk for the 100th time with question/problem etc we finally asked the guy why he seemed so grumpy (I was starting to take it a little personal). He said they have never been this full in August and he wants to be on vacation. I'm thinking "Dude, everyone else in your country is thankful for the business," but weirdly I didn't get that vibe. And who gets to just say they are cash only, seriously, they took my $ and gave me 1/2 and then complain about VISA charges? We called the Vatican Museum tour on their 5 euros extra to use the credit card machine and then suddenly it was broken. Vatican City and the Sistine Chapel were awesome as were the coliseum and numerous fountains.
We saw what we needed to see and are now in a much more beautiful place - Florence.
Took the train from Rome. It was relatively easy and not crazy expensive (17 euros) but the express was cancelled and what should have been a 1/2 day trip took all day. After setting up shop and heading out, we were really getting into the whole experience and quaintness of Florence. Yep, you guessed it not me but my sister had her wallet stolen. I swear I felt a little jynxed as I had read and heard so much about pick pocketers. Lucky, she had spread out her stuff and isn't completely devastated, but what a pain. Ridiculously hard to make a collect call from here. They definitely have cut back on the expense of having international operators.
Oh well, it is going to be a great day tomorrow.... watching Francine plank and "owl" may be the most entertaining when all is said and done. Look at pic at bottom of page to figure out what that means. I'll work on better pics of "owling". Too funny.
Rome was exactly what everyone tells you. You have to go there if you're in Italy. But it was dirty, expensive, not that friendly and a little bit full of itself if that makes sense. Love the double decker bus tour as a quick way to see all of the city and take little naps as needed, but you have to get out on foot to find good food that's not a tourist trap. I have to say even with my limited geographical abilities getting from airport to the city to our hotel was not that difficult. But after being at our front desk for the 100th time with question/problem etc we finally asked the guy why he seemed so grumpy (I was starting to take it a little personal). He said they have never been this full in August and he wants to be on vacation. I'm thinking "Dude, everyone else in your country is thankful for the business," but weirdly I didn't get that vibe. And who gets to just say they are cash only, seriously, they took my $ and gave me 1/2 and then complain about VISA charges? We called the Vatican Museum tour on their 5 euros extra to use the credit card machine and then suddenly it was broken. Vatican City and the Sistine Chapel were awesome as were the coliseum and numerous fountains.
We saw what we needed to see and are now in a much more beautiful place - Florence.
Took the train from Rome. It was relatively easy and not crazy expensive (17 euros) but the express was cancelled and what should have been a 1/2 day trip took all day. After setting up shop and heading out, we were really getting into the whole experience and quaintness of Florence. Yep, you guessed it not me but my sister had her wallet stolen. I swear I felt a little jynxed as I had read and heard so much about pick pocketers. Lucky, she had spread out her stuff and isn't completely devastated, but what a pain. Ridiculously hard to make a collect call from here. They definitely have cut back on the expense of having international operators.
Oh well, it is going to be a great day tomorrow.... watching Francine plank and "owl" may be the most entertaining when all is said and done. Look at pic at bottom of page to figure out what that means. I'll work on better pics of "owling". Too funny.
Friday, August 5, 2011
Fair Warning
Well the Stylski girls are 1/2 packed and have one foot out the door.
I'm leaving with the following ground rules in place. No sleep overs for the next 2 weeks at Casa Stylski. Sleep outs welcome! Papa Bear doesn't go up to the third floor (slumber party location) to survey the damage. It almost feels insurmountable when I return from a trip. I'm talking dishes, clothing, cases of empty drinks bottles and just plain ole crap everywhere (potentially including dog crap). And just for the record and I may be repeating myself here; there was a slumber party that involved streaking. I'm sure you don't want your children involved in these sort of shenanigans. Needless to say Papa Bear is a very heavy sleeper so nights could be a free for all. Keep your children away. Rule #2 - No friends over after school when there is not an adult home especially for BMXing. Now this may sound obvious, but somehow it will be overlooked and ignored. We used to have a trampoline. I am an idiot and really do I need to say more. As soon as I'm gone there's been head staples, loose teeth, concussions - and you thought I was just a "Nervous Nelly" to be leaving? Trust me, I have sufficient reason to be cautiously optimistic that everyone will still have their limbs when I get back. I just saw this morning (and I was here for the BMX party yesterday) a hatchet and hand saw for some reason out on work bench in the garage. I'm waiting to confront the boys when they get back from school today as to what the uses of those tools was yesterday. I'm scared...........
So fair warning. Lock your children up and don't let them anywhere near Casa Stylski for the next 2 weeks. I will be blogging from Italy and can't wait to share our adventures so you can all feel like you've joined us. "Cioa" or the country girl in me really wants to say "chow"...
I'm leaving with the following ground rules in place. No sleep overs for the next 2 weeks at Casa Stylski. Sleep outs welcome! Papa Bear doesn't go up to the third floor (slumber party location) to survey the damage. It almost feels insurmountable when I return from a trip. I'm talking dishes, clothing, cases of empty drinks bottles and just plain ole crap everywhere (potentially including dog crap). And just for the record and I may be repeating myself here; there was a slumber party that involved streaking. I'm sure you don't want your children involved in these sort of shenanigans. Needless to say Papa Bear is a very heavy sleeper so nights could be a free for all. Keep your children away. Rule #2 - No friends over after school when there is not an adult home especially for BMXing. Now this may sound obvious, but somehow it will be overlooked and ignored. We used to have a trampoline. I am an idiot and really do I need to say more. As soon as I'm gone there's been head staples, loose teeth, concussions - and you thought I was just a "Nervous Nelly" to be leaving? Trust me, I have sufficient reason to be cautiously optimistic that everyone will still have their limbs when I get back. I just saw this morning (and I was here for the BMX party yesterday) a hatchet and hand saw for some reason out on work bench in the garage. I'm waiting to confront the boys when they get back from school today as to what the uses of those tools was yesterday. I'm scared...........
So fair warning. Lock your children up and don't let them anywhere near Casa Stylski for the next 2 weeks. I will be blogging from Italy and can't wait to share our adventures so you can all feel like you've joined us. "Cioa" or the country girl in me really wants to say "chow"...
Monday, August 1, 2011
Summer Life
This is not your normal summer. Wow, that says it all for me right now. We had our annual family vacation in Avalon, New Jersey in June. I don't understand how a vacation is a vacation when I swear it takes a week to prepare; you're gone a week; and that it takes a week to get back to normal. It was awesome though. Just came back from my sisters/girls weekend at the beach in Delaware. Still recovering; not fun at all. What's fun about hanging out on the beach, laughing, dancing and partying with all girls? This Saturday, I leave for Italy for two weeks with my daughter. We are meeting one of my sisters who is on a round the world trip and basically offered to put up anyone that wanted to join her for any portion of the trip. My daughter and I decided to join her for her two week leg in Italy. Honestly, I don't think it has really sunk in that we're going. I've said it before and I'll say it again, "my life does not suck".
I do have a few worries. Things don't necessarily go that well when mommy is gone. When I walked in the door recently from being gone for 4 days; things were definitely a little out of control; think empty pizza boxes, crazy dog, dog pee on new carpet, whining - sleep deprived teenagers claiming to have no homework (emails from teachers detailing missing work); you can picture the situation? I'm guessing; maybe you've even been there before?
The boys have started 8th grade (year round school) and there is a lot of homework. They had been on Track 1 since 4th grade. I changed their Track to Track 4 for 7th grade thinking it would be nice for them to be on the same schedule as their High School sister. Big mistake. Nice for the family Spring Break trip, but every 9 weeks they were off for 3 weeks with only 1 friend. They missed their big group of friends, so I switched them back to Track 1 for this year which means they only had one week off in between 7th and 8th grade. In my defense, they wanted to do this; in their defense this is hell! Seriously, could there be anything worse for a teenage boy than to have only one week of summer? This summer has been rough for them and getting up at 5:50am a little rough for all of us at times. There is also a lot of crazy 13 year old testosterone being thrown around Casa Stylski. When mommy is gone people don't follow as strict of a schedule, as in really no schedule. They don't go to bed when they should. They don't eat normal meals. They eat anywhere, but in the kitchen. They fight. They touch walls like they're tagging a basket every time they leave a room. It's like someone got a hall pass. So I've called in the recruits. My friend's college age daughter is going to hold the fort down week one and my mom is headed here for week two. Now, my parents have preached from day one they are not babysitters. But, my mom is currently in between jobs and I think she sensed the desperation in my voice when I recapped coming home recently. She has agreed to come and I bought her the ticket. The boys are happy. I can't wait to see how this goes. The good news is as hideous as they may be for me they tend to be angels for other people. If my mom sees them at their worst they may be enrolled in military school when I get back which I've given seriously thought to myself. I may not be that upset/shocked about their absence.
Physically, I was doing great leading up to the girls beach trip. We had good intentions of getting in some good runs. The heat combined with some late nights didn't lend itself to exercise, so we ended up taking a few days off. This led to a down slide for me. There's something about being in a bathing suit for a few days that had kept a girl on her toes. Plus, the fact that I was competing for beach bodies with my sister that is 10 years younger than me and has been doing Sean T's "Insanity" for 2 months and my fitness trainer buddy who is still in her 20's. That's a tall order for this old lady to fill. I managed. And then I threw in the towel. I let myself enjoy some (I can't even repeat the list) but now it's back on the healthy bandwagon (with the exception of tonight's Bachelorette Finale). There is no way I'm getting through this awful show with out a few cocktails with my buddies. So really, I'll be good starting tomorrow!
I completed my "Navy Seals" competition Saturday and had a blast. It was a challenge, but rewarding. Next up is my Philadelphia Rock n Roll 1/2 Marathon in September. I can't wait! I plan on being very active in Italy and enjoy as much culture as I can on foot.
I know I've been slacking with the blogs. Fame doesn't seem to have found me yet. Still waiting for the call....I'm going to make August an awesome last month of the summer; join me!
I do have a few worries. Things don't necessarily go that well when mommy is gone. When I walked in the door recently from being gone for 4 days; things were definitely a little out of control; think empty pizza boxes, crazy dog, dog pee on new carpet, whining - sleep deprived teenagers claiming to have no homework (emails from teachers detailing missing work); you can picture the situation? I'm guessing; maybe you've even been there before?
The boys have started 8th grade (year round school) and there is a lot of homework. They had been on Track 1 since 4th grade. I changed their Track to Track 4 for 7th grade thinking it would be nice for them to be on the same schedule as their High School sister. Big mistake. Nice for the family Spring Break trip, but every 9 weeks they were off for 3 weeks with only 1 friend. They missed their big group of friends, so I switched them back to Track 1 for this year which means they only had one week off in between 7th and 8th grade. In my defense, they wanted to do this; in their defense this is hell! Seriously, could there be anything worse for a teenage boy than to have only one week of summer? This summer has been rough for them and getting up at 5:50am a little rough for all of us at times. There is also a lot of crazy 13 year old testosterone being thrown around Casa Stylski. When mommy is gone people don't follow as strict of a schedule, as in really no schedule. They don't go to bed when they should. They don't eat normal meals. They eat anywhere, but in the kitchen. They fight. They touch walls like they're tagging a basket every time they leave a room. It's like someone got a hall pass. So I've called in the recruits. My friend's college age daughter is going to hold the fort down week one and my mom is headed here for week two. Now, my parents have preached from day one they are not babysitters. But, my mom is currently in between jobs and I think she sensed the desperation in my voice when I recapped coming home recently. She has agreed to come and I bought her the ticket. The boys are happy. I can't wait to see how this goes. The good news is as hideous as they may be for me they tend to be angels for other people. If my mom sees them at their worst they may be enrolled in military school when I get back which I've given seriously thought to myself. I may not be that upset/shocked about their absence.
Physically, I was doing great leading up to the girls beach trip. We had good intentions of getting in some good runs. The heat combined with some late nights didn't lend itself to exercise, so we ended up taking a few days off. This led to a down slide for me. There's something about being in a bathing suit for a few days that had kept a girl on her toes. Plus, the fact that I was competing for beach bodies with my sister that is 10 years younger than me and has been doing Sean T's "Insanity" for 2 months and my fitness trainer buddy who is still in her 20's. That's a tall order for this old lady to fill. I managed. And then I threw in the towel. I let myself enjoy some (I can't even repeat the list) but now it's back on the healthy bandwagon (with the exception of tonight's Bachelorette Finale). There is no way I'm getting through this awful show with out a few cocktails with my buddies. So really, I'll be good starting tomorrow!
I completed my "Navy Seals" competition Saturday and had a blast. It was a challenge, but rewarding. Next up is my Philadelphia Rock n Roll 1/2 Marathon in September. I can't wait! I plan on being very active in Italy and enjoy as much culture as I can on foot.
I know I've been slacking with the blogs. Fame doesn't seem to have found me yet. Still waiting for the call....I'm going to make August an awesome last month of the summer; join me!
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