Homeward Bound

I've been counting down the hours until I can hop on I 65-South for another trip to Florence. This time, I'm celebrating a big milestone with my family...my 25th Birthday.

I'm definitely NOT getting a cake like this!!

I don't have much planned for the weekend, but I'm determined to make the most of it since I have to work for the first time EVER on my birthday.  I managed to make it all the way through school with only a 1/2 day in school since I spent the morning getting my driver's license.  Oh, well...gotta put on my big girl panties and get over not seeing Mother and Daddy on my day.

I'm so glad to visit with Grandaddy again this weekend.  He won't remember that it's my birthday, but he's never made a big deal about birthdays in the past, so I won't be upset that he doesn't remember this year.  Birthdays were always Grams' time to spoil us--she took care of making each of our favorite cakes/pies and also made our favorite meals for our Saturday family lunch.

I've got a hair appointment in the morning--I may or may not have done a little begging to get an appointment at the last minute!  I'll feel so much better when I don't have horrible roots anymore!

I'm taking the ingredients and my pan home to make caramel brownies per Mother's request and I'm hoping to make a caramel cake if I can convince someone to help me make it.  I always made it with Grams and I don't think I'm coordinated enough to stir two pots at once without burning the sugar in one of the pans.

I'll go to church on Sunday and then I guess I'll have to head back to Nashville.  I'd like to stay all night and drive back in time for work, but that just won't work since Emma is FINALLY coming back to stay with me.  I think she, Mother and Daddy are going to have some serious withdrawal issues!

Time to hit the road!  I'll be back early next week with a recap of the weekend and my actual birthday on Monday!  Have a great weekend!

Body Pump Update

I went to Body Pump again tonight. This was my fourth class and it's not getting any easier!

The instructor says you can tell a difference after four classes, but I don't see anything. That's not going to keep me from going back, though.

I definitely think more about what I'm eating. I haven't really changed anything, per se, but I have found myself wanting chips or chocolate and choosing not to eat either since it would take at least an hour to burn off the calories. That's a good thing, I guess.

I ate and drank anything and everything I wanted last weekend while I was in Memphis and this weekend is not looking better with my birthday next Monday. I'm sure it won't work, but I'd love to go to at least two of my favorite Alabama restaurants including, but not limited to, Ricatoni's, Frank's, Casa and Stanfield's. Just thinking about the food at these places is making my stomach growl! I'm also hoping to make a caramel cake (one of my favorite and most-requested cakes from Grams) and goodness knows there is nothing low-calorie in that!

I skipped the Y last night because I was so tired and I felt off all day. I'm planning on going tomorrow and Thursday as well unless I manage to get a hair appointment--these roots are getting pretty bad!

I know this is a boring post, but I'm writing about it to try to keep myself accountable. Hopefully, I can talk about positive results soon!

Walking in Memphis

There wasn't that much walking, but I had the BEST weekend in Memphis!  My best friend from Auburn's MAc program, Molly, lives in Memphis and we decided it was high time I came to visit!

I left Friday right after work and made my way down 40 West.  The drive was not bad at all, but nobody maintains a steady speed, so no cruise control for me.  Once I got there, we watched the Opening Ceremony of the Olympics and talked for a while before bed.

Saturday morning, we watched more Olympics before heading out.  We had a yummy lunch at Central BBQ before going on a tour of Memphis, getting pedicures and doing a little shopping at the Williams-Sonoma and Pottery Barn Outlets.

Later that night, we watched more Olympics before getting ready for dinner.  We went to Memphis Pizza Cafe (so good, btw) before going to a couple bars.  We were out pretty late and I think I was asleep before my head hit the pillow that night!

Sunday, we were slow-moving and didn't make it to brunch, so we decided to go to Young Avenue Deli.  I definitely ate too much here, but everything was so good!  I'm positive I was the group fat kid, but that's why I went to the gym four times last week!

Not long after we got back from lunch, it was time to say goodbye.  I definitely didn't want this weekend to be over!

Thanks so much for a great time, Molly!

I had to make this picture B&W so I didn't look completely day-glo!  For some reason, this is the only picture I have of just the two of us. We need to work on that!

  

Sore

I went back to Body Pump tonight. I'm already very sore, but it's a good kind of sore!

I have to say the second class was easier--maybe because I had a clue what I was doing or maybe just because it's not my second day at the Y this time.

I'm afraid I won't be able to comfortably climb stairs tomorrow, but that's alright. Every time my muscles protest tomorrow, I'll be reminded that I'm doing the hard work and I'm going to see results!

It's so much harder than it looks...

I tried a BOSU ball class at the YMCA last night. I thought I knew what I was getting myself into, but I grossly underestimated how hard this class would be.

I did fine with the crunches, but soon discovered this was not the class for me. I'm not coordinated or strong enough to do push ups with my feet on this ball and then suddenly push up and take both legs off the ball.  I'm having a hard time even describing the ridiculous things we were asked to do in this class.

I told Mother what we did in this class and I think she thought I was stupid for even trying it.  She was quick to remind me of my alternate first name, Grace.  Mom has often called me this when I do something silly like fall down stairs--something I do far too often (at my house, at the Florence Post Office...I could go on for a while, unfortunately!).  Too bad Daddy wouldn't agree on this name for a baby girl--maybe I'd be more graceful if I had had been named Grace Elizabeth instead of Katherine Elizabeth?

Conversations

I've spent most of the evening talking to Uncle Mark reminiscing about our family. Aunt Nancy (his sister) and I were so close and I was absolutely devastated, and am still, by her death. Like I told him earlier, the only good thing to come about after her death was he and I have become closer than I ever imagined. I talk to him for hours at a time and from time to time he tells me about things Daddy either doesn't remember or doesn't want to talk about. Thanks to him, I know more about my family from our conversations than I would have ever learned otherwise.

We talk about what Grandaddy Larry and Grandmother Ann would have thought of me, what they were like, how close I felt to Aunt Nancy and regrets I have in my relationship with Grandmother (actually my great-grandmother) among other things.

I often think about how awful it was that I never knew Daddy's parents and that I lost Aunt Nancy at such a young age, but so I'm glad I have him. I don't want any regrets about knowing enough about him. I hope he knows how much I love him, how proud of him I am (He's had an amazing career with two--that I know of--Sports Illustrated feature articles) and how glad I am that he's part of my family.

I'd post pictures, but until last week, I didn't have a picture of him since my christening at three months old. I guess I'll respect the photographer's wishes to not have pictures of him--for now, at least! :)

Weekend in Florence

My family had a bit of excitement with Grandaddy last week, so Mom and I didn't get to go to Gatlinburg with Daddy. Instead, I still took Friday off, but went to Florence to help Mama. Although I wish we could have gone to the mountains, it's more important to help Mama and spend time with Grandaddy while he remembers me. I'm so afraid I'll come in one day and he won't remember that I'm his "first baby"--for some reason he skips Mama and her sister and goes straight to me!

I got there late Thursday night and picked up Emma from Grandaddy's house. She was most displeased when I couldn't sleep and did all of our laundry instead.

Friday, I spent most of the day with Grandaddy. Mama and I cleaned out a closet so Grandaddy's clothes could all be upstairs instead of leaving some in the basement. It wasn't nearly as sad as I expected giving away most of Grams' everyday clothes. I actually enjoyed reminiscing about some of her favorite outfits. We definitely kept a few things for sentimental reasons, but there were bags and bags of things we gave away.

Saturday, I went back to Grandaddy's house and spent most of the day with him before going to Casa for my favorite Mexican food. The menu may be the same in other places, but the food is certainly not the same.

Today, I woke up early, but still managed to be late for the first church service. I spent some time with my choir friends and then sang in the second service. I certainly wish I could join then tomorrow night for the Handy concert, but it just won't work logistically.

Now, I'm back home and getting ready for the work week. I had a long weekend, but I do wish for another day off. Wouldn't anyone?

This week shouldn't be too bad and I'm planning on a trip to Memphis next weekend, so that's definitely something to look forward to. After that, I'm back to Florence the next weekend to celebrate my 25th birthday--geez, that sounds old!