Hurt Pride

My pride took a hit this afternoon. I had an errand that absolutely had to be run today (no I didn’t put it off to the last minute), and Matt had the car and it is kinda rainy out. It is not really raining all that bad, you could almost say it was misting. Anyway I was a little ticked that I had to ride my bike in the rain, I will say it, I had a bad attitude over nothing. So, I was riding my bike stewing when my phone starts to ring and I can hear Matt’s ringer (who I am currently peeved at because he didn’t do said errand even though he was way busy) and let’s just say I was a little distracted. There was also a tricky part in the side walk that I was riding at the same time my phone was ringing, basically the side walk ends unless you take a sharp 90 degree turn, not overly hard, but it was slick and I was definitely distracted. Well I caught just the edge of the side walk. Now if you have every just caught the edge of the side walk with a bike tire, you can probably guess what happened, I ate it big time. Oh and did I mention this was right at a stop light where quite a few cars were stopped. Oh the embarrassment of a grown woman wrecking her bike going less than 10 miles an hour (I was also wearing a bright red jacket not necessarily inconspicuous). Some nice man did ask if I was alright as I was trying to act like nothing happened. I limped off feeling like a total loser and called my husband back, who by the way was calling me to offer to come home and run the errand. Isn’t he a sweetheart? I now also felt like a fool for being ticked at him. The lesson learned here, don’t be ticked at your husband over nothing and it is not going to kill me if I get a little wet.

I also apparently did not learn the lesson of not letting go of my handle bars when falling yet because my left wrist is sore, but don’t worry mom it wasn’t as bad as the time that landed me in urgent care. Lesson to those who ride bikes: Learn to fall without letting go of your handle bars. You could avoid wrist injuries.

Anyone else want to share an embarrassing story?

Silly Me

So, I recently heard that I should be doing three 20 minute sessions of cardio exercise a week and that you should exercise at 80% of your maximum heart rate. I thought to myself that is not too bad I can totally devote one little hour a week to cardio. I calculated the heart rate I should exercise at, 152.8 (220-my age * .8), and proceeded to start exercising again. I refused to wear my heart rate monitor because I knew it would tell me I wasn’t working out hard enough. I figured I would just put it back on after I got back into a little better shape. I did four butt kicking sessions of cardio and had a near melt down on Tuesday because I couldn’t believe how out of shape I was. Well today I finally decided to wear my heart rate monitor. The verdict, I was exercising too hard! I was getting my heart rate well into the 160s, oops. It could have been going higher, so I nipped that in the bud today. So, I did my workout today watching my heart rate and keeping it between 152 and 156. My workout went much better and I realized I don’t have to kill myself to get in shape.

Happy Valentines Day!

Happy Birthday Arizona!

A Conversation with My Dad

Here is a quick conversation that took place yesterday with my dad.

My Dad “I can’t believe how much less stuff is going to the landfill now that we have a recycling bin.”

Me “Yep a lot of stuff can be recycled.”

My Dad “I was shocked. I didn’t think we would even half fill the bin the first week, but it was all the way full and there was less than a foot of stuff in the garbage bin.”

Proof of what one simple change can do.

Absolutely Fabulous

The weather that is! We have had a gorgeous couple of days here in Arizona. Highs in the 70s, lows in the 40s. It has been sunny and no wind! I do not like windy (i.e. dusty) days, so I have been loving the weather. This time of year makes it worth living through July and August. (Feel free to remind me of that when I am complaining about how hot it is.)

I am just glad I don’t live here. Burrrr!

Way to go Mom and Dad!

I thought I should give a little shout-out to my parents. They have been making lots of small changes to their daily lives in an effort to live greener. My parents have started recycling, using reusable bags, changed to CFLs, and started using more environmentally friendly cleaners. The real kicker for me this week was when I went to their house and realized they had stopped feeding their dogs on styrofoam plates and started using reusable bowls. I told you it was the little things that make me proud. This wasn’t even a necessary change I had brought up to them (even though it was secretly driving me nuts), they thought of it all on their own. They have made great strides in looking at the way they live and how it impacts the environment and I am proud of them! Thanks mom and dad, love you guys!

So proud of myself

Okay I don’t blame you if you think I am a big dork for posting this post, but I was seriously proud of my accomplishment this morning. First thing this morning I got out my recipes and made my grocery list for the week, so I could go grocery shopping before it was crowded out (not what I am proud of I am getting there). I arrived at the grocery store and went to get my list out, but it wasn’t there, oh man I thought I was in deep trouble, but decided to shop anyway. I frustratedly walked through the grocery trying desperately to remember what I needed and hoping I wouldn’t have to come back again. When I got home I anxiously got out my list to see what I missed. Are you ready for this? Only one item, green onions! Now that is impressive if you ask me. I didn’t even buy anything that wasn’t on my list. It is the little things that make me happy! Okay I am done being a dork for now.

Matt Kicked out of the house

Is what Stephanie wanted to post. But It was a mutual decision.

So some of you may know Our Design firm has been getting busier and busier. Lots of new projects, great clients, and so on. We have out grown the concept of working in Matt & Stephanie’s house. I’m excited, but I think Stephanie may be more excited.

So as we are growing in staff members, More space is needed. Today was a long day as we have moved to some great offices.

Check out the pics.
(click for larger image)

The Lobby

lobby

The Conference room

confRoom

Matts Office

matts

Other offices are not ready yet. but will look the same.

2008 Goals

Matt and I have never really made New Year’s Resolutions. Recently while reading another blog I realized why we don’t do resolutions. We are both goal oriented people.

Concrete goals don’t evaporate in the face of adversity, hardship or laziness. Resolutions are broken — and usually abandoned — with one misstep; goals are such a long journey that bad footwork days are to be expected. There have been goals that have taken several years to accomplish but that have been achieved over time.

Continue reading “2008 Goals”

The Tank Award

For those of you that have had the great pleasure of meeting our black lab mutt Tank, you will get this great comic. The trophy image is also appropriate.

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Click to enlarge

For those that dont know, Tank is a little special when it comes to people, and behaving. He either likes you, or he doesnt (Just ask Stephanie’s brother Jason). The dog also has separation anxiety, making for more issues that we should allow.

F-minus is the greatest comic since farside.

beard & mustache champs

Beard Team USA competes for the United States at the biennial World Beard and Moustache Championships. In doing so, the primary goal is to promote the worldwide appreciation of beards and mustaches.

Why should you care you ask?

[english accent]To my fellow Beard and Mustache Gentleman: It is with great honor I would like to announce that The 2009 World Beard & Mustache Championships are to be held in Alaska. [end english accent]

this is awesome for so many reasons.

check these out:

For 2007 I rocked a beard. But I may have to groom a better mustache beard combo so I can compete in the 2011 competitions (I’m not yet ready for 2009). I am currently looking for a good coach and manager to assist in strategy and conditioning. It will be grueling training, but i must represent my country.

So if you are, or know of any top notch, aggressive, and dedicated beard & mustache aficionados willing to take on a coaching role, let me know.

Happy Thanksgiving!

Today is my favorite holiday and I cannot wait to be celebrating with family, stuffing my face, and watching the Cowboys. I began to realize last night that watching the Cowboys made me a hypocrite in my last post because I am against people working on holidays instead of being with their families. I still am and would be more than willing for them to move one of my favorite traditions to the Friday after Thanksgiving so more people could spend the day with their families.

I would also like to share what I am most thankful for today. The short answer Matt. The long answer is he is the most loving, caring husband, he is always there for me, he knows just how much to push me to help me be the best I can be without going too far. He is always respectful, kind, and he can almost always make me laugh, sometimes he does think he is funnier than he is. You are amazing honey and I love you so much.

Please remember all that you have today and enjoy your family traditions. Feel free to post what you are most thankful for in the comments section.