Shelley who????

Hello all those out there in the crazy world we call the internet. I have seriously adbandoned my blog...and it's now mad at me and no longer talking to me. lol

I think I've finally settled in to living at my dad's. I still have a ton of work to do in order to make the house seem more like home...and so much stuff to put away, throw away or find a place for. But, it's getting done...slowly, but surely.

Just to start things off....let's do a weight loss/maintenance update. So, take a wild guess....do you think I've lost weight, gained weight or stayed the same??? Umm....as much as I hate to admit it, I've gained a little bit of weight. When I was moving home and then a little after it...I got into the bad bad habit of eating crap food and a lot of it. I think I had an ice cream bowl from Stewart's everyday for almost 2 weeks. Ridiculous! So, yep...I gained some weight. I stepped on the scale and I gained 11 lbs in the last month. Not good...but well, at least I am putting the breaks on and changing it. In the past, I would just keep gaining until I was at my starting weight again. I am going to work hard in the next month to lose that weight...and then give this maintenance thing another shot. I really gotta work on that concept of moderation!!!

Oh...another update. When I moved out of my apartment, I had heard horrible rumors that the apartment complex was notorious for not giving you your deposit back. So, my roomie and I made sure everything was clean (I think I cleaned each room twice) and did some touch up painting and fixing of things. Well, on the last day in June...I did the inspection with the apartment people. I fully prepared to have to battle when them about my security. I took pics of the apartment (if I needed it for a small claims court case)...and prepared to fight for me money. Initially, my roomie was going to be at the inspection too...since she wanted to see the drama go down, but she was unable to make it. Well, I am happy to report....no drama. We got ALL of our security deposit back. I expected to lose a little here or there on things, but nope...none of it was taken. I told the woman the gossip I heard and she said she would love to show me pics of how people left their apartments when they lost their security. So...whoo hoo...I'm gettin' my money back!!

Hmmm....anything else to update??? Oh yeah....my dad is mean and won't give me $7000 so that I can bid on an auction to be able to meet and hang with Boston's Jonathan Papelbon who I like to call my baseball boyfriend. Oh yeah, you get to see a band play and meet Pap's wife too, but I am ignoring that part of it since he is my baseball boyfriend and all. Isn't my dad mean and unfair?? (P.S. If you wanna give me 7K...I'd be more than willing to take it!)LOL. I've been watching Sox games a lot lately...and came across the auction when I was reading about them online. Go Sox!

I hope everyone had a great 4th of July holiday....mine was pretty boring, but that's ok...that's a good thing!

I didn't disappear...I swear!

Hi all....

I haven't updated in a million bajillion years....literally. I didn't disappear. I wasn't abducted by aliens. I didn't check myself into drug rehab. lol
I've been a busy kid the last few weeks with packing, cleaning and working on being out of my apartment, etc.

Also...it's been nasty weather wise the last few days. As the weather guy says, it's a triple H day...HOT.....HUMID....and HAZY! It's been hot and humid since Saturday. On Saturday, I had a local 5K race. I considered skipping it because of the heat, but I am glad I went...it was a good time. I finished in 35 minutes and then cheered on some of the other runners. It was a local race which sponsored an organization that works with young girls and fitness in the schools. It was pretty cool...even if it was so humid when running. I was sure happy to see those water breaks when I came across them.

On Sunday...it was hot as could be again. I went to church and then continued packing and moving a bunch of my stuff. It was too hot to do a lot...but I got myself moving along. And on Monday and Tuesday...it was in the 90s and the humidity was off the charts. I didn't even think of biking over to work since it was basically an oven...no wait...a sauna when I got out of work.

Last night...I finished packing and moving. That's right...I'm officially out of my apartment and moved into my dad's. Things are all over the place and I am still trying to make everything seem like home again, but it's nice to have it done and over with. I still have a bunch of cleaning to do....and some repair work on the apartment. I hope to get most of that done on Friday since I have the day off. I've almost finished cleaning the kitchen...and next is the living room and bathroom. My roomie still has some stuff to move out...and once that is done, we can get the carpets cleaned and get it inspected and hopefully get most of our security deposit back.

It was nice and also strange to be sleeping back at my dad's house. I moved around my room, so it doesn't feel just like my bedroom when I was in high school...so I think that helped. I woke this morning....got ready for work...said g'bye to my dad...and biked myself to work. It takes a little longer to bike to work from my house than it did from the apartment. It took me 30-35 minutes vs. the 15 minutes it took me from my apartment. Hey...it's just more exercise, eh?

I hope everyone else's week is going well....and that you survived the heat wave. Today...it's warm, but not in the 90s and for the most part, the humidity is gone.

Weekend Recap

Hi all.....

This weekend has come and gone....and I survived! It was definitely an active weekend for me. I didn't miss having my elliptical moved over to my dad's house at all. I participated in Relay for Life on Friday night. Last year, we stayed all night long...and walked from 7pm to 7am. This year...not so much. I stayed until 11pm and then headed home. I wore my Nike+ sportband and in that time, I walked/ran about 8 miles. Plus, there were tons of people there...all walking for a cure. It was just a cool image...seeing all these people in our community come together because enough is enough when it comes to the loss and devastation of cancer. If you still want to donate, click on my page...and donate away. We are allowed to accept donations up until the end of June.

And on Saturday....I headed on down to Albany and ran in the Freihofer's Run for Women. It's the 30th anniversary of the run....and this was my first year participating. The race was the reason why I didn't stay all night at RFL. I needed at least a little sleep before heading over and getting my run on. I woke up about 5am, got myself ready...and my dad and I headed out about 6am. I got there, got registered and then did a warm up walk for about an hour around the area.

I was still tired from walking at RFL and lack of sleep...but I was also really excited. This is a pretty big race...people who have gone to the Olympics are running in it...people who are going to the Olympics this year are running in it. It's the race that holds the record for the best 5K time. The woman who won it this year...who has won it the last 2 years as well, she won the race in 15:46. That's amazing....I was about a mile and change in when she was winning the race. LOL

I finished the race in 36:59. I pushed so hard in the last few seconds to cross the line in the 36 minute marker and not push over into the 37t minute, so I was happy to see that I made it just under the line. I had hoped to finish closer to 30 minutes, but with all my activity and what not on Friday, my legs were tired....so I was really happy with my finish. I am SO glad I went...it was definitely an interesting experience. I already have it in my calendar to run again next year.

When I got home, I moved some stuff around the house....went grocery shopping and then came home to relax. I planned on moving more stuff, but my body was having a flippy fit and wanted me to take it easy....so I did.

On Sunday....more moving some stuff and my dad and I got my bedroom set up at home. I just have to move all the stuff in, but my bedroom (including furniture) is all set up. It is such a relief to have that done...because I feel like I could actually be in soon. A few weeks ago, I wasn't sure we could get the clutter out of my or my brother's old room without it being a huge mess. But...my dad and I rock and we're getting it done.

So...that's basically my weekend. Walking...jogging...running....packing...moving. You know, you're typical lazy weekend. LOL.

Last Minute Shelley...and Relay for Life

Hi everyone....of course, I am posting this last minute....but well, what else do you expect from me? I am participating in this year's Relay For Life this Friday night and wanted to give all those on the world wide internets an opportunity to donate to the cause.

Last year, I signed up to do Relay For Life on a whim because my roomie was doing it. I thought...why not? I didn't even think much of the cause, but wanted something fun to do with some friends. As I thought more about it, it started to mean more to me. Think about it...everyone's life has been touched by cancer in some way. My grandmother died of cancer when I was a little girl...and I wish I could have gotten to know her better. She was the nicest, kindest woman and I would have loved to have learned more from her. I wish for a day when we have a cure for cancer and we don't need to have walks like this anymore...but this year is not that year.

Last year, my friends and I walked the WHOLE time...from 7pm to 7am. I think I stopped once to sit down and have some food. I wore my pedometer last year and it clocked to over 30 miles. That's longer than a marathon people!

So, if the issue touches your heart...and you would like to support me in this year's Relay for Life, please head over to my page and make a donation. I appreciate anything that people can give....a dollar...a penny...a million dollars! (lol).

Another weekend recap....

Hi all...oops, I didn't realize I didn't update since Monday.

I did fix my bike...err...my dad fixed my bike. We went out and bought a patch kit and it was easier than I thought it would be. The weather was nice all week long...and I rode my bike to work each and every day. I know people say we need the rain...but pfft...I want it to be sunny and warm each and every day, so I can be a biking fool.

On Friday, I went shopping with my dear ol' daddio. We did the usual grocery shopping...and we also went shopping for projects around the house. We got some little ties for the tarp that we put up over the back porch....for shade and what not. We also puttered around Home Depot to price out some fencing, some exterior shutters and some paint for the rooms upstairs. We didn't buy anything...but at least got some good prices and what not.

I had a good ol' time on Saturday. I thought I would sleep in, but it just didn't happen. I ended up waking up before 6am...bright eyes and bushy tailed. But what made the day fun...I ended up going to our local amusement park with a friend. I haven't seen her in a little over a year, so I was really looking forward to it. We met up at her apartment...I got to see the digs...and then we headed to the park. We had a really good time. I forgot how much I LOVE hanging out with her...and I definitely don't plan on letting another year go by before we hang out again.

It was a fun, fun day...it tuckered me out though...I came home and was in bed early.

Today...boring day all around. I went to church, hung out with my dad, helped him put up the tarp in the back yard and then came home, did laundry...and then cleaned the apartment. I know...an exciting day.

I hope you all enjoyed your weekend....and did something fun.

Finishing up a 4 day weekend...

Hi all...a belated Happy Mother's Day to everyone. I was going to post something yesterday, but well...I didn't want to end up being a Debbie Downer, especially since all and all, I've been pretty gosh darn good.

So, what did I do with my LLLLLOOOOONNNNGGGGG weekend? Well...here is a quick recap.

Friday: I went for a long bike ride. I biked from my apartment to the local video store...and then over to my dad's. I went through a bunch of stuff in my brother's room (which we are using for storage right now and are going to turn it into a workout room when I move back in). I found such weird things in there....a couple of checks people wrote me back in 2000. I am not going to cash them now because well, I've seen that episode of Seinfeld, so I just shredded them. I also found so much stuff I could have been using: blank notebooks, crayons, tape, a stapler, boxes of Papermate pens, rolls of unused film, etc. I just threw stuff in a box and never looked at it again. After sorting for a while, I rode my bike home...and then started to pack some stuff.

Saturday: I took a long, long, long bike ride...I rode over to the Post Office in town...then I headed to the video store again...and rode beyond and went on the bike trail for about 4 miles and then headed back to my dad's house. I am LOVING riding my bike around town. Dad and I went shopping...and bought lotsa stuff. I came home and continued packing things I didn't need. I filled my car...and worked up a nice sweat. Oh...and I had a nice, hour long conversation with a friend on the phone. We haven't hung out in about a year...but, it was SO nice talking to her. It didn't feel like so much time had passed. We are going to make plans to hang out next weekend and actually *see* one another. I am glad I am not being such a hermit...slowly, but surely. I also watched 2 movies...Juno and Superbad. Both very funny.

Sunday: I went to church. I almost biked there because my bike and I are in love. I was running a little late, so I drove instead...plus, I don't know how long it would take me to get there, so I played it safe. Church was really nice...and was glad I spent Mother's Day there since my mom always loved going to church. I had the nicest conversation with my Pastor...and she asked me to get involved in a service project I am really excited about (more about that at another time). I headed to dad's...unpacked all the stuff from my car and started to pile it in my dad's house. My dad and I headed to my mom's grave marker and brought some fresh lilacs from the house. My mom LOVED lilacs, so I love the idea of the smell of lilacs surrounding her marker. We came home...puttered around the house a little and then I headed home. I watched some crap tv and was in bed early. It was a sad, but more than that...a really good Mother's Day.

Monday: Ah, my last day off. I could get really used to not having to work...if only that paid the bills. I woke up, puttered around the apartment and then headed out (yes, on my bike)...and yep...went to the video store. Then, I headed over to my dad's and this time went through a lot of the stuff in my old bedroom. It's kind of cluttered now and since I am moving myself and all my stuff in...I have to declutter it. I threw away 2+ garbage bins full and found bags of clothes to donate. I also found...and this is hilarious, some alcohol I had stashed and hidden from college. So, I've had wine coolers stashed in my closet since probably 1998. If that's not funny and pathetic at the same time, I don't know what is. Anyways....I finished what I could, had lunch at my dad's...and headed back out towards my apartment. I decided to take the long way since I wanted to know how long it would take to bike all the way from dad's to work. Well, I got about halfway...and went over a rusty metal hanger and it plunged right into my tire....splat...flat tire. So, I got off my bike and walked her home. It was a little less than 2 miles...and so I got some walking workout in. I came home...watched some crap tv...continued to pack and now dad is coming over and we are going to get a patch kit and hopefully fix my bike.

So...that's my weekend...which basically is packing, decluttering and my constant love affair with my new bike.

Hugs all....

Happy Thursday....because it feels like a Friday!

Hey all...

Yep, today feels like Friday to me...why is that? Because I have tomorrow off from work. I have a bunch of time at work that I NEED to use, so I decided to make it a long weekend...taking Friday and Monday. I'm not doing anything really exciting. I am taking some stuff to the Salvation Army. I'm going over to my dad's and continuing to sort and throw away a lot of stuff...and starting to make my bedroom ready to move into. I plan on going for a long bike ride, as long as it doesn't rain too much. I am going to start the process of packing up and moving things ASAP...so I can do it all a little at a time, instead of having one day of crazy moving where you are dead tired by the end of the day. I did that last time when I moved and it made all the difference in the world. My roomie moved all in one day...and she and her friends were hurting units by the time she was done with the whole event.

I've been a happy camper this week...since the weather has been really nice. The rain has really held off, so I've been able to bike to work every single day this week. I am really excited about it. One, I get instant exercise added into my day. From my apartment, it's just a smidge under 3 miles to get to work...and so I can get there in 10-15 minutes. With the round trip, I get about 30 minutes of exercise each and every day. I've also been doing weight lifting at home...but I am loving the added cardio. Mr. Elliptical is probably getting lonely...but I'll spend some time with him this weekend.

I have to figure out how long it is going to take me to bike to work from my dad's house for when I move home in June. I still wanna bike to and from work...it'll just take a little longer. It's an additional 2 miles since I think it's about 5 miles from the house to work. I am thinking it'll take about a half an hour, but I won't know until I test it out. I am thinking...if the weather holds out...I might give it a test ride one day during my long weekend.

I hope everyone is enjoying their Thursday...I sure am, since my Thursday feels like a Friday...and I LOVE Fridays.