Missing GusGus

Cliff and I took Gus to summer puppy camp (obedience school) on Wednesday. We drove out to the boonies (Alvord, which is out near Decatur), and he is staying at Collier Kennels (http://www.collierkennels.com) for at least a month. Our main problem is the potty issue (#2 in the house, to be exact), and James will also work with him on basic obedience (sit, stay, etc.). I thought I would cry, because I cry at the drop of a hat. I was tearing up just looking at Gus that afternoon. However, he's staying on an awesome property where he can run around a lot and play. James was a super nice guy, and I know he'll take care of my baby. I am going to give James a call this weekend and get a progress update, and maybe he'll put me on the phone with GusGus :)

Stacy and Craig came over on Tuesday for dinner and The Biggest Loser finale. Stacy brought Kona, so GusGus had a friend to play with. The behavior comparison definitely made it evident that Gus needs some training!

Gus before Playdate:




The recurring theme of the night:




Kona

Less than 2 weeks!

Yikes! I can't believe we leave for Mexico a week from Thursday. I fell off Operation Wedding Dress pretty hard this weekend. I started off well on Friday with the hilly 7-mile run, but then we stopped at Taco Casa for a snack on the way to Oklahoma. Two bean and cheese burritos later, we were on our way :) Then we hit up Cracker Barrel for dinner (the hash brown casserole, dumplings, and biscuits and cornbread more than offset the grilled chicken). On Saturday we had Braum's for breakfast (pancakes & syrup and a banana), sushi for lunch (fairly healthy, but we also got sake and a beer), and Abuelo's for dinner. Then I drank WAY TOO MUCH on Saturday night. So Sunday consisted of a cure-the-hangover lunch at a barbeque restaurant in Lindsey, Texas and then Subway for dinner. On top of that, I didn't work out at all over the weekend. So I am getting back on track today. I got up at 4:20 and did 47 minutes of weights and 45 minutes on the Stair Climber this morning at 24 Hour Fitness. I'm going to Baker Brothers with some friends for lunch, so I won't get my lunchtime workout in, but I am looking forward to a big ol' salad.

We stayed in Oklahoma City this weekend since Leslie graduated from OSU (in Stillwater, which is about an hour away from OKC). The first night we were in a dump of a hotel, but it was only $35. On Saturday night we stayed at a nicer place (the Sheraton in Bricktown). Leslie's graduation was on Saturday morning, and then we all went out for dinner and drinks on Saturday night. Cliff and I walked over to the Oklahoma City Memorial on Saturday afternoon. It was really sad (especially the gate where everyone sticks little mementos) but cool to see.

This week is going to be pretty busy. I need to drop off my old camera at the shop today to get it fixed, and then I'm coaching dryland at Benbrook this evening. Tomorrow Stacy, Craig, and Kona are coming over for dinner, The Biggest Loser finale, and some puppy play time. Wednesday we're taking Gus to puppy camp (obedience school) where he'll be for at least a month. Thursday we're going to lunch with DJ Dan, our GSA wedding shower, and a happy hour with some friends at Angelo's. Plus I need to pick up my wedding dress at some point. At least the weekend should be a little relaxing (hopefully).

Cliff, Leslie, and I after Leslie's Graduation:


Cliff and I after a "few" drinks:


The Oklahoma City Memorial:

A Possible *FML* Story

Yesterday started off pretty well. Chuck called and said he fixed the pool and there was no damage. I also got a nice little run in at lunch, and I was looking forward to my massage. I left work at 3:30, and I was driving down 10th Street to Walgreens. I was in the left lane (one-way street), and I was about to pass Macon when the girl in the center lane tried to make a left-hand turn right into my car. She was on her cell phone, and she totally was not paying attention. I had quite a bit of bumper and fender damage, there was water leaking from the bottom of my car (turns out the windshield wiper fluid is right over there), and I had some tire damage. I drove my car two blocks and heard the fender rubbing against the tire, so I stopped in the Walgreens parking lot. I called my insurance company to report it, and I called Cliff to come pick me up. Fortunately the body shop I have used before is only a couple of blocks down 7th Street, so I headed over to Caliber Collision. I called her insurance company to report my claim, left my car at the body shop, and rode home with Cliff. My insurance company called to tell me they had spoken to her and she said she was lost and not paying attention, so I was happy to hear that. I am still waiting for her to file a report with her insurance company so they can accept liability and I can get a rental car.

Then I checked my Gmail last night and I had an email from Wells Fargo saying I had fees for insufficient funds. I thought I had transferred money from my Emigrant (online) account to pay my credit card bill, but apparently the transaction did not go through (note to self, always right down the confirmation number or Emigrant won't do a darn thing about it). Fortunately Wells Fargo was pretty good to me. They lowered my fees from $25/each to $12.50/each (so $25 total), and I can keep my balance negative for 4 days before I incur a $5/day fee. The money won't be transferred until Monday, but at least that should work out well. It was so frustrating, because I had plenty of money to pay my bills, but it is all tied up in that online account (which used to earn 5% interest and now only earns 1.65%).

On a happy note, I got up early this morning and had a nice stress-relieving run. I did the 5K loop around Golf Club and Lake Country (super hilly) and the 5K run around my neighborhood, so I ended up with exactly 7 miles. That was a good way to start my day. I'm working from home today, and then we're leaving at 2:30. We're dropping Gus off at Auntie Shawna's on the way to Oklahoma.

Peace, Love, and Puppies...

Hungry, Hungry Hippo!

My workouts have tapered off since Monday. Yesterday I got up at 4:20 again and went to the gym. I did 34 minutes of weights (arms) and then 30 minutes on the Elliptical. I gave my friend and her husband a swim lesson during lunch, so I didn’t do a lunch workout. I was starving all day long. Cliff and I stopped at The Eagle’s Nest on the way home for a couple of beers. I only had three 10-ounce Miller Lites, but I was feeling it. We went home and inhaled 4 chicken soft tacos each. They were healthy (wheat tortillas, chicken, lettuce, tomato, onion, fat free sour cream, fat free cheese, avocado, salsa), but I had a ton of calories and followed it up with a Smart Ones dessert and two bags of 100-calorie popcorn. EEEEK! I carpooled with Cliff this morning and I didn’t workout. I still got a 3:30 Gus wake-up, but I took care of him and went back to bed from 4-5:45. I did a 60-minute (6.12-mile) aerobic run on the dreadmill during my lunch break. Hopefully I burned off some of those extra calories J

We have had a TON of food at work this week since we have a Quality Management Review going on (and our director is nice and wants to feed us and make us happy). So I’ve been walking by donuts, muffins, chips and salsa, cookies, etc. for the past three days. She brought a huge bowl of fresh strawberries in this morning, so I was finally able to indulge in something. Hopefully my crazy appetite tapers off after *girl time* and I can lose those last 5-8 pounds (but the clock is ticking!!!).

Our Water Works 2 (age group) swim practices were cancelled this week, so I’ve had a week off from coaching (hence the beers after work on a Wednesday). It’s been a nice break, especially since we have moved to Lockheed Martin (instead of TCC, which is only about 7 miles from our house). So I will start back coaching on Monday.

When Cliff and I got home yesterday, we discovered the pool water was down at least a foot. One of the steel clamps on the PVC pipe had come off, so a crazy amount of water was drained from the pool. Fortunately we didn’t damage the pump/motor. Chuck checked it out today and all is well. He said we just need to tighten the steel clamps every 4 months or so since the equipment vibrates so much.

Racking up the gym time

I had a decent workout on Saturday, the 10-mile run on Sunday, the huge workout yesterday… and I am FEELIN’ it! I got up at 4:20 again this morning to squeeze in a small workout before work. I did 30 minutes on the Elliptical and then 30 minutes of weights (legs) and abs. This afternoon I did spin class (woohoo – second week in a row!), which is always a killer. I am definitely looking forward to my massage on Thursday! I am achy breaky.

I am still hovering in the low 150’s (153 this morning). My goal was 145 for the wedding, and 8 pounds is a lot to lose in 2.5 weeks! At least I’m much happier with how I look compared to

I’m getting my hair highlighted this afternoon while Cliff is getting his massage (I feel like Cynthia is cheating on me with him). I’m looking forward to a relaxing night. I think I’ll make some chicken soft tacos, and it’s Biggest Loser night! Hopefully Ron will finally get the boot.

Kickin' it up a notch on OWD

Morning Workout at 24 Hour Fitness (1:51:19):
Weights (31:04)
Elliptical Machine (30:00)
Swim (50:15)

Swim Workout (2,500 yards):
500 warm-up
8 x 100’s flutter kick with fins @ 1:45
8 x 75’s pull (breathing 3/5/7 on odds, 7/5/3 on evens) @ 1:20
8 x 50’s dolphin kick with fins @ :55
8 x 25’s no-breather w/ finger paddles @ :45
200 warm-down

Lunch Workout at Federal Gym:
Stairmaster (50:00)

10-Mile Run

1:33:01, 9:18/mile avg, 148 avg HR

Mile 1 - 9:34, 113 HR
Mile 2 - 9:33, 151 HR
Mile 3 - 9:38, 149 HR
Mile 4 - 9:32, 151 HR
Mile 5 - 9:32, 156 HR
Mile 6 - 9:21, 151 HR
Mile 7 - 9:29, 153 HR
Mile 8 - 9:17, 154 HR
Mile 9 - 8:45, 153 HR
Mile 10 - 8:15, 154 HR

Shawna took off at about Mile 6, so instead of letting her go, I decided to try to keep the gap as small as possible. I kicked it into gear for the last two miles, and I was really happy with the 8:45 and 8:15, especially considering my HR stayed consistent. I was feeling quite a few aches and pains before this run and I didn't even know if I'd finish ten miles, so it was a pleasant surprise!

Yesterday I did 30 minutes on the elliptical, 30 minutes of weights, and a 32-minute swim (1000 swim, 500 kick with fins, 500 pull). I totally haven't been in the mood to swim lately. My weight is still hovering in the low 150's, so I plan on kicking it up a notch on OWD these last two weeks!

Super Cute Pic of GusGus (with my new C#non P#owershot):