mandaloo

i had no original thought for my blog title.  in fact, that’s kinda been the theme for the last week.  nothing has gone on too terribly exciting. 

operation blubber blast has improved, with me making it to the gym to work out three times in the last week.  must be a personal record for me or something because i hate exercise.  but i’m really trying to keep with it.  when i go, i either do the elliptical machine (which can be more challenging than it looks i found out) or the good ‘ol treadmill.  i’m not as sore as i thought i would be.  and actually – kinda miss the sore feelings because i guess i like having them as a reminder that i’ve accomplished something.  my calves ache (from the elliptical, i’m sure) and my shoulders ache (from weights last night) and that’s about it.  i really would like to rid myself of my monster thighs, but it’s hard to make them feel like they’re working.  oh well – i’ll just keep at it and hopefully, it’ll all start chipping away.  i’ve been not too horrible on my diet.  granted, i indulged in chik-fil-a last night, but for the rest of the week, i’ve been sticking to grilled chicken, salads, etc.  and lots of water.  i haven’t really felt any results of the last two weeks of my efforts so far, but that’s okay – i know these things take time.  if anything, i know i haven’t felt myself getting bigger, so stopping the trend is a step in the right direction. 

the approaching weekend is going to be super busy.  i’ll be taking bacon to a fundraiser on saturday morning to benefit the north tx basset hound rescue group.  they’re having a “shuffle” in which your dog can walk 1/2 a mile (quite a feat for a basset) and get pledges from people to raise money for the rescued animals.  there’s also supposed to be games and food and such there… so, that will be fun.  i need to get her a bandanna or something to wear to make her feel all special.  apparently, a lot of the bassets show up wearing costumes.  i don’t think my dog has the tolerance required to wear a whole outfit, but i bet she won’t mind if i tie something cute around her neck.  i’ll try to take pics of the event.

on saturday night, i’m having two friends over since it’s their birthday weekend.  i’m attempting a dinner party of some sort and will be cooking (gosh help us all).  so, tonight and tomorrow, i need to get on the ball and get my apartment looking decent and maybe get around to hanging the pictures that never made it up when i moved in over six months ago.  and yes – i know i said i’d do this before, but i think it might actually happen now.

jeromy and i are having lunch with my dad tomorrow just for fun.  mom’s convinced that “something’s up” and that we have some major news to spill or something, but that’s simply not the case.  it’s just lunch.  i’ll be glad to have my two favorite fellas together.

as indicated by my blog title, time is quickly passing by.  i can hardly believe that i met neo around this time last year at a card game at his house.  shortly thereafter, i was introduced to jeromy.  it’s been a fast year.  i know it’s a little premature, but i’m actually excited for christmas.  i love the season and i can’t wait to hear those fun carols on the radio soon.

i was reminded today through the words and experience of another just how much we can touch each other – even within brief periods of time.  this particular someone was talking about a friend of mine and it just really resonated to me how god puts certain people in your path for a reason.  maybe it was just so that you wouldn’t feel lonely for a couple of hours while at an event.  or perhaps someone said “just the right thing at just the right time” when it didn’t pertain to what they were talking about at all.  or a smile.  or an encouraging word.  we all have had it done to us and all have the ability and opportunity to give it back on a daily basis.  it goes against our grain, sometimes, but i guess that’s why it’s called character.  the more i’ve been living this somewhat care-free day-to-day life i’ve been embracing for the last year or so, the more i see that very little is left to chance … if that makes sense.  i know that i need to be better about this.  it’s sometimes hard for me to be aware of things or people or feelings around me.  and trust me… the oblivious state is nowhere connected to any place of malice on my part – i’m just clueless sometimes.  i just kinda go in auto pilot and don’t really think about my fellow neighbor.  but it’s funny – when you pray for experiences and opportunities to be an instrument or to have an affect – they oftentimes come fast.  this topic was in my heart last night and was in my mind this morning.  and this evening, i received a call from a friend that is going through a hard time, but seldom admits such things to me.  and even though i think i helped little in this person’s immediate situation, i still felt joy at the friendship and memories i have with this individual.

i’m still at work right now and just got done with some emails and other tidbits before meetings tomorrow.  i’m off to head home.  when i see the cleaning people, i know i’ve been here too long.