Here's to another great year

Wow - I can't believe the last day of 2006 is here. Like I always write, where does the time go?

Costa Rica was a wonderful getaway. We really didn't do much. Lay out by the beach. Read a few books. Eat Mom's great cooking (and some not so great food at nearby restaurants). Open Christmas presents. Take lots of pictures. Canopy in the rain forest. Drive for hours and hours. I just really enjoyed spending time with my family! And I can't wait to do it again! Pictures will be posted in the new year (most likely).

Joe and I have been laying low since we got home on Friday afternoon. We saw Dreamgirls with Marc and Darryl on Friday. Afterwards we ate a late lunch/early dinner at Barnaby's, went to the grocery store and rented a documentary about Tupac and Big E.

Yesterday I had to work, but fortunately we weren't crazy busy and we already hit our target so the mood in the office was relaxed and happy! I do have to see one day post-ops today but it should only take about an hour or so.

I am also happy that although my butt and back have really made me hesitant about working out so I haven't been, I haven't gained any weight, either. In fact, the 132.4 lbs I weighed this morning is the lightest I have been in a long time! This supports my theory that your body like a certain weight and will keep it around there, as long as you are in some kind of shape and not eating everything in sight. I would like the eat more healthfully in 2007 and lose a few pounds - or really lose a few inches - which is one of my goals for the new year.

That's all for now. I am going to try to post some more before the day's over.

Our casa next week

We are staying at this place in Flamingo Beach, Costa Rica. It looks awesome!

Early morning run

I still love working out in the mornings...when I actually get up. Matt, our noisy neighbor, was having a party last night so we didn't get to sleep as early as we usually do. Then he had people over starting at 4 AM (or at least that's when they woke us up!), so my sleep last night was spotty, to say the least. Joe got up around 5:30 and I was going to try to sleep until 6:30 but my guilt and the noise was too much. So I ran from the house for about 30 minutes. The sun is not quite up yet so I am probably not being as safe as I should, but I run in well-lit, well-trafficked areas so I was ok.

I also hate when I can't think of good come backs until 5 minutes later. A couple of partiers were on Matt's balcony smoking and the guy was like "you're making me feel uphealthy," when he saw me coming in from the run. I should have been like "I'm sure smoking cigarettes at 6 in the morning adds at least 10 years to your life" instead of just nodding and saying "true." Stupid!

We really should start calling the po-po more often, especially on school night!

Tonight I have a happy hour with my Met friends at Cafe le Jadeite. And tomorrow is Kurt and Mike's party. And we leave for Costa Rica Friday! I am looking forward to getting away!

Only 3.5 days left

until we leave for Costa Rica! Woo hoo - I am looking forward to getting out of dodge! I am pretty much done with our Christmas shopping - I may look for a few small things, but I really have what I need.

I can't believe the end of the year is almost here. Seems like we were just celebrating the new year a short while ago. I guess time flies when you're living your life!

Out of shape

Goodness - I ran for an hour and a half today and I am tired! What a difference a year makes. Last year this time I would have been able to run this without a problem. This year, with my foot surgery and back problems, I am lucky to make it to the gym a few times a week! One of my goals for next year is to definitely get back into shape. I hate being out of breath when I have barely even run for 20 minutes!

We had James, Val and Lori over for dinner last night. After the initial awkwardness, we ended up having a good time. We took a picture for the family, which I am getting printed today. Gotta love the digital age!

Bulging discs

Ugh - the discs in vertebrae L5 and S1 are bulging and the spine is pressing on them, which is causing my pain. I thought it was just an inflamed piriformis muscle, but it's so much more. My doc has me on the 3x/week program and I had my first visit yesterday. Right after I felt better, and they gave me a stretch to do, but I definitely will need more help before I am 100%. This totally stinks because I feel limited as far as exercise. I really haven't been able to do yoga very well because all those forward bends are really painful and I think kind of bad for it. But at least I have been running again. I am in such bad shape right now - I am just hoping I can make it for the half marathon in January. My plan is to run 1.5 hours on Sunday to at least build up some endurance before we leave for Costa Rica.

I had dinner at little Berry Hill with Matt and Rob last night while Joe was at the Galleria Christmas shopping and getting his hair done. That boy is almost more maintenance than me!

I am off to enjoy my morning until work starts at 10.

Monday off

I feel like it's been a long time since I've been off on a Monday. Which is a good thing because it means I've had regular weekends off as well. Today is a rainy and dreary day, which is good because it reflects my mood. I amy trying to finish my BPS Year in Pictures project, but am having trouble with the journalling. At least I have all day to work on it!

We are going to see the doctor tomorrow about my behind. I am hoping the MRIs turned out and he will be able to help. I have been in pain for over 2 months now - not fun!

What a day

Today was supposed to be a productive Saturday off work. I was going to run, clean the house, have lunch with Marc and get my haircut. I guess 2 out of 4 is not bad. I got sidetracked when I lost my keys along the Bayou during my run. What I planned to be an hour long run turned into a 2 and a half mission to find those stupid keys. I never did. Luckily Kirt and Mike were home and helped me find a locksmith. Marc kept me company while the locksmith eventually picked our lock. I started my run at about 8:45 am. We didn't make it to lunch until almost 1:40pm. Needless to say, the rest of my day was just about as productive.

Oh well, such is life! We are having dinner at the Rues tonight. And luckily I have Monday off to be productive :)

Bad blogger

I feel like this week has been going on forever and it's only Tuesday. Ugh!

Our party was a success! We had too much dessert and not enough vodka (well, we had enough vodka, but we probably could have used more) but overall everyone enjoyed themselves. We literally had to move the party to Club Rue at 1 AM so that we wouldn't disturb the neighbors.

So the beginning of this week has been spent recovering from the weekend. I went to Joe's DC about the pain in my butt and am having an MRI done. He thinks the issue is with my lower lumbar nerve. I am just hoping he can help me. I have been in pain for over 2 months now. NOT a good situation.

I will be posting party pictures soon.

Disaster averted

We are having the first party in our house tonight. Actually this is the first real party Joe and I have hosted alone since we've been together! So yesterday the heater broke (again). The original contractors who fixed it a few weeks ago had to order a part which wouldn't be here until Wednesday. So Joe was freaking out all afternoon yesterday, trying to figure out what to do. He was able to get a hold of Blaine, a friend of an ex-co-worker of Joe's, who happened to be in the neighborhood. Apparently he cleaned the motor, tapped it a little to keep the bearings from rattling, and it has been working ever since (knock on wood). Otherwise, it would have been a cold party!

This week we have been running around like crazy getting things ready. I forgot what goes into planning even a simple cocktail party. My decorating skills are sorely lacking, but we did buy a tree and I got a huge pink (of course) bow tree topper. Love it!

After seeing patients this morning it's off to finish up with last minute stuff. I am looking forward to seeing all of our friends tonight!