PickleBall

Yesterday a bunch of us decided to get together for a game of PickleBall. It's kind of a cross between table tennis and tennis...Like a mini tennis game. I'm sure it doesn't sound like it would be very hard, but you'd be surprised by the amount of work you actually do. It can be pretty competetive and intense, at least with the group that I play with. We had a great time, I'm sore in some places where my muscles didn't realize they were muscles, mostly my gluts(aka my ass).

Arachnophobia

As most of you know my fear of spiders is worse than arachnophobia. I will either kill a spider myself (not that often) or find someone bigger to do the job. Some might argue that killing the spider is unnecessary. I absolutely disagree, they are repulsive!!! Don’t talk to me about how helpful they are…To me killing a spider is merely self-defense. My bedroom is not a haven for arachnids! Those of you who know me also know that I am a huge chicken and I did not actually kill said spiders myself.

They were huge! Friday night was my encounter with the first one…Brianna, my niece, and I were sitting on my bed playing with my laptop when I glanced over at the wall…and there it was, this huge, monstrous sized spider. I ran out of the room and knocked on Steve’s bedroom door, keep in mind it’s about 1:30am. When I told him that what was wrong, he just said okay and fell back to sleep…Poor Steve, he probably didn’t realize he was moving in with such a puss when it comes to bugs. I stood there wondering what to do now, I wanted my daddy! Thank god for Brianna, if she hadn’t been there I would have been stuck sleeping on the couch! How sad is that? My 15 year old niece had to kill the spider…I think I heard her laughing at me and calling me a sissy while she was putting me out of my misery.

Sunday afternoon was the dreaded second encounter. I walked into my bedroom, turned on the light, and just happened to glance up. Good thing I did too…there it was on the ceiling. A few years back I was stuck my bedroom for almost 30 minutes before because I refuse to walk under a spider. I had to wait for someone to get home to kill it. What if it fell on me, or what if it jumps on me. Spiders can jump ya know! I would freakin’ die of a heart attack!!! Once I spotted the demon on the ceiling I ran to Steve’s room, knocked on the door, and in the most sincerely whiney voice I told Steve that there was another spider in my room, could he please come kill it for me? (Since I am the biggest puss in the world). I also informed him that I will be making a call to the leasing office to have the apartment sprayed for insects this week.

LEO...

I found this article on line about LEO’s…and since I’m a leo I found it pretty interesting and comical…My thoughts are in italics.

Leo’s Positive Traits:
You're almost always the center of attention - and easy for potential dates to spot
If I’m so easy to spot then why do I not have more dates???
Your happiness and optimism is appealing to all... and contagious!
Some of you may disagree with this, but I think I am extremely optimistic…
You don't hold grudges - getting over little fights is no problem for you
Hmmm…really I don’t hold grudges? Maybe we should consult some of my former friends on this one? I can hold a grudge for years!!!

Leo’s Negative Traits:
You tend to ignore relationship problems, until they are too big to handle
I get this from my dad…If I ignore the problem long enough it will just go away, right?
You crave luxury, and you are disappointed with partners who can't provide you with it...
What the hell…The fact that I crave luxury is not a bad thing!!!
If someone does you wrong, you'll coldly and cruely break their heart
Usually I give someone more than one chance…however, if someone does me wrong more than once then yes, they totally deserve whatever they get!

Leo’s Ideal Partner:
Someone high status enough to bring you more attention - but not so great that they upstage you…
I don’t think so…Let’s look back at the ex-boyfriends, 2 didn’t have a car or a job for that matter, a couple of them still lived at home w/ their parents…Does it seem like I care about status? Wow, I have some pretty low standards, huh? Maybe that's what it is about New Guy...he has a job, a car, a house.
Makes you laugh and brings excitement to everything you do together
This I have to agree with…it’s very important to me that my guy can make me laugh.
Is aggressive and confident enough to butt heads with you every so often
Sure, I like an agressive guy, not like beat up agressive, but a guy who knows what he wants and what he likes. And I need someone to try to keep me in check, but after about 5 seconds he needs to back off because I always win!

Leo’s Dating Style:
High expectations. You need to be impressed with an incredible first date for a second one to occur.
Again…ex-boyfriends, no car, no job, which equals no money, which means bad 1st date…then again maybe it’s incredible sex that keeps me coming back for more? Oh, wait, not that I've had sex on the first date...Ok, maybe once!

Leo’s Seduction Style:
You like to make the first move - you're fearless about initiating things
So not true!!! I hate to make the 1st move…I want my guy to believe that I am sweet and innocent at first. And besides, what if I made a move and got turned down? I know it’s hard to imagine…

Passionate: You really get into any intimate act
I have nothing to add, I totally agree with this…
Aggressive: Most of the time, you find yourself wanting sex more than your partner.
Like this is a bad thing? Let's take a poll of all the men and ask them if this would be a bad thing...And just think now that I’m 29 I’m approaching my 30’s which is when women are supposed to reach their sexual prime…Woo Hoo!!!

Tips for the future:
Try to not need so much attention. You'll feel less ignored, guaranteed.
The problem with this is that I don’t feel ignored now…
Learn to love your partner for who they are - not how they help advance your life
Again…back to the ex-bf’s…
Let your partner shine occasionally. You don't always have to be the alpha dog.
Um…I do have to be the ALPHA, it’s either my way or the highway baby

Weekend Update

Pretty uneventful...Friday night a bunch of us went out to celebrate Derek's birthday. We just went up to Fox and the Hound for a few drinks, everyone was ready to leave by 11:00, so Steve and I went up to Skybox for a little while. I was determined to find a girl for him while we were there. The first girl I spotted was way hot, but I got the impression that she was a more interested in females than males...Scary! The next girl I pick out was cute, much more Steve's type of girl. When Steve finally got the nerve to ask her for her digits she said she totally would but she didn't think that her husband would like that too much! Oops...my bad! Maybe I'm not the best at picking girls for Steve.

Saturday night I decided to stay in...I was still pretty hung over from Friday night and needed a night off.

Sunday Derek and I tried to take Titus to the dog park, but it was closed due to reseeding. Titus was so disappointed, he pouted the whole way home. Then Sunday night I finally had the chance to spend some time with the New Guy...We played tennis. I was terrible, but the New Guy never seemed to get too frustrated with me and he was really patient...Awe, what a nice guy. Even better is the fact that this is the first time that we have done something when there hasn't been alcohol involved...At this point I'm not sure if that's a good thing or not??? Don't get me wrong, I had a great time, it was a lot of fun, but I have a hard time reading the New Guy. I guess if I don't hear from him for a while I know why.

I'm Sick!!!

I began feeling sick on Friday I woke up with a sore throat and a stuffy nose..."No time for getting sick" was my motto. I had plans for the weekend ahead. My sore throat grew worse throughout the day, and I am sure that with the way my body was aching I had a fever also. I should have taken the hint and slowed down a bit, but it was the weekend and Saturday was Oktoberfest. Friday after work and after a few cocktails with the girls I decided to stop at Wal-Mart to buy cold medicine, and to purchase "Click"...not the best Adam Sandler movie but it was still pretty good. After stocking up on Airborne, Zycam, Nyquil, Dayquil, and Tylenol I headed home, put on my jammies, curled up on the couch and watched my movie. Pretty exciting stuff for a single girl on a Friday Night, huh?

Saturday I woke up feeling a little better...I actually had myself convinced that I wasn't sick after all, that despite the occasional dizzy spells, I was just suffering from a day or two of bad allergies…I was determined to make it to Oktoberfest.

I woke up on Sunday feeling like I was suffocating, like I smoked several packs of cigarettes. My eyes were watery, my nose was runny, I was wheezing, my body ached all over. I knew at this point that I was in fact sick…I was actually hoping for this to be just a really awful hangover, but as the day went on my symptoms only grew worse. I slept on the couch for most of the day, New Guy asked me to meet him for a drink and I had to say no. As much as I would have liked to, I knew that if I looked as bad as I was feeling he would have turned and run the other way as soon as he saw me! I took some Nyquil, rubbed Vic’s on my neck and chest and crawled my sorry sick ass into bed. I knew before I fell asleep that I would not be going into work on Monday.

Even though I was sure it wasn't possible I actually felt worse on Monday. Now my left ear was hurting…what the hell? Here I am 29 years old and I’m getting an ear infection??? As much as I am a hypochondriac I did not want to go to the Doctor, but after lying in bed with a warm washcloth on my ear Tuesday morning, and not going into work until lunch I thought I better bite bullet and go see my Doctor. I was given prescriptions for antibiotics and ear drops…nothing fun like Percocet or Soma though…I have an upper respiratory infection (bronchitis) and an ear infection. Like I needed to see a Doctor to find that out?

In All Fairness...

In all fairness to the New Guy I feel that I should make it clear and explain that he has in fact asked me to go out during the week...more than once. Unfortunately, whenever we plan anything during the week something always seems to come up. Maybe I should take it as a sign that something always comes up...Either nothing to serious is meant to happen between me and New Guy or I have too much drama in my life!!! Okay Mom...I know what your thinking...it's the drama, I know!!!

Update

Steve went up north camping this past weekend, so I really got to experience being alone. It wasn’t as bad as I thought it would be. On Friday night I watched chick flicks, ate popcorn, played on my new laptop, drank a few beers…Saturday night Nikki stayed over, we had to get up early on Sunday morning to do the Susan G. Komen: Race for the Cure. I’ve never walked for or done anything like that before…It was like a sea of pink! There were thousands upon thousands of people participating, 38,000 people to be exact, and $1.8 million was raised. It was incredible! What an emotional and inspirational thing to experience.

There isn’t anything exciting going on as far as men are concerned…No new prospects and I didn’t get to see New Guy this weekend, no new developments there. It’s a little disappointing, I know…here I am single and nothing, not dating, not meeting anyone. I don’t know if I consider New Guy a dating thing. We have gone out a few times, but only on the weekends, is that really dating?

1st Week

I’ve spent last week adjusting to my new apartment and my new routine of independent singledom. Think about it…from the time I was 0-22 I lived with my parents, from 22-22 I lived with “Dickhead”, from 22-25 I moved back in with my parents, and from 25-a week ago I lived with Derek, so this is a whole new experience. Okay, so technically I don’t live alone, I do have a roommate…Steve. And even though I have a roommate I am thoroughly enjoying my independence. I slept in yesterday until 10:30am, and I didn’t feel guilty. I haven’t been able to do that in such a long time. I don’t have to answer to anyone, don’t have to cook for anyone, don’t have to pick up after anyone, I am able to make my own decisions or mistakes, I have sole ownership of the remote control (Steve’s not a big TV guy)…I realize that all of this must sound extremely selfish, but after all this time of not being selfish I think I deserve to focus on me for a little while.

It's Official

You'll be happy to know that I have officially moved out of Derek's house! It's about time, huh? Deep down I know that this is what I needed to do, but that doesn't make it easy...It's not my relationship with Derek that I miss, that's been over for a long time and I have moved on from that. But it's the comfort and security of living in the same place for 6 years and having to leave that is whats bothering me...And of course leaving Titus just kills me. I know I will still get to see him, but it's not the same. He's not there to wake me up before the butt-crack dawn for a treat or snoring in my ear or drooling on my pillow. I'm sure once I get used to this it'll be great, but until then I'm afraid I will have many sleepless nights!

Once I get my new place in order I'll post some pic's...

Does He Like Me?

Since I’m not 12 years old anymore I am beyond the does he like or does he like me like me phase. I guess I shouldn’t get my friends to ask him and pretend that I don’t know they’re asking and sending a note with boxes to check (yes, no, maybe) is also a bit out of bounds at this stage in life.

I’m old enough (29) and mature enough to go beyond these childish tricks…even though they used to be very reliable back in the day. I should be able to tell if a man’s attracted to me right? So why am I totally confused about the “New Guy”. All of the obvious signs are there…He looks at me, not in an “I want to sex you up” kinda way, but really looks at me. He listens to me…women (especially me) talk a lot more than men…the fact that he isn’t on autopilot when I’m talking, that I don’t have to mention beer, sports, or sex to get a reaction is good right? He makes me laugh…and this is very important to me, all women want a man with a sense of humor. He has manners, he opens doors for me (except the car door…it doesn’t work). But honestly most men are so ill behaved that getting them to do anything nice is a definite bonus.

Sounds like he likes me likes me right? I was sure that I had him hook, line and sinker…but now I’m not so sure.

Here’s my question of the day, or should I say my temper tantrum for the day!!! This is something for everyone to think about…why can’t a man ever call when he says he will? Why, when a man says he’ll call later, it’s like days, weeks later??? After you’ve already gone out a few times and he’s called a few times he is not allowed to invoke the 2 day rule, this rule is null and void…a man should no longer be aloud to wait 2 days to call…this rule only applies when they first get your digits. Why does this have to be some big mystery, do they not know how to tell time? It’s not like I sit by my phone waiting for him to call, staring at it trying to make it ring…but how inconsiderate can he be?

100 Things About Me!

100 Things About me…that you may or may not find interesting. This post has been a work in progress for a few months.

1. I am 29 years young!
2. Currently single and I’ve never been married
3. My only child is my dog, Titus
4. I consider myself conservative
5. But I’m actually sorta liberal
6. I’m a registered Republican
7. I used to weigh almost 200 lbs.
8. I grew up in Michigan
9. I moved to Arizona when I was 16 yrs. old
10. I hate the desert
11. I love rain
12. Dolphins are my favorite animal
13. I love leopard print patterns
14. I’ve never believed I was pretty or smart
15. I visit my friend, Mark, in prison at least 1 a month
16. I despise doing laundry
17. I love to cook, but hate to clean up afterwards
18. I'm half slob and half “Monica” from friends
19. I workout 5-6 days a week
20. Money burns a whole in my pocket
21. I attempt to scrapbook
22. Jeans and a t-shirt…my favorite outfit
23. I won’t wear shorts until it reaches 95 degrees
24. I think 70 degrees is cold
25. I sleep with my dog who snores
26. Thanksgiving to Christmas is my favorite time of year
27. I’m a huge football fan!!!
28. I have a tattoo of TIGGER on my lower back
29. I have a Yellow Rose tattoo on my right foot
30. I don’t know how to change a tire
31. I suck at math
32. I wanted to teach American History
33. I’m afraid of heights
34. But I love riding rollercoasters
35. My fear of spiders is beyond arachnophobia
36. I had braces for 6 years
37. I have never lived alone
38. I was born in Florida
39. And I won’t swim in the ocean
40. My feelings get hurt more often than I will ever admit
41. I’ve been in 4 car accidents w/ in a 4 month period…in the same car
42. I love the smell of whiteout…and sharpies
43. My first job was at Dairy Queen
44. I got stood up 2 days before my Senior Prom
45. I went to girlscout camp
46. But I was never a girlscout
47. I talk in my sleep
48. I used to walk in my sleep
49. When I was little my mom and dad called me “rubber lips” because I couldn’t keep a secret…
50. I’ve never tried sushi…yuk!
51. I saw the New Kids on the Block in concert 3 times
52. I’m the youngest of 4…I have 2 brothers and 1 sister
53. I was a tomboy when I was little
54. My favorite color is green
55. I pray everyday (surprised?)
56. I consider myself more spiritual than religious
57. I wish on the 1st star I see almost every night
58. I believe in Soul Mates
59. I wish I could learn how to snow ski
60. I believe in the death penalty
61. I’m addicted to the news, even though it’s usually depressing
62. I actually watch the “Girls Next Door”
63. The 1st boy I ever kissed is Josh
64. I didn’t lose my virginity until I was almost 20 yrs. old
65. I played softball and volleyball in high school
66. And I was really good at both!
67. I wanted to play on the boys football team in 8th grade
68. I got suspended in 6th grade for smoking
69. And I wasn’t even smoking!
70. I didn’t start smoking until I was 21 yrs.
71. I took 2 years of Spanish
72. My favorite food is Mexican food…Yum!
73. 2 guys that I dated have died…
74. The stars, astrology, fascinates me
75. I’ve gotten up at 3:00am to watch a meteor shower
76. I want to get plastic surgery…just a small lift, gravity is not my friend!
77. Feet totally gross me out!
78. My first car was 1982 Chevy Spectrum, it was blue with silver doors on the passenger side
79. I am definitely not a morning person
80. I attempt to complete a crossword puzzle at least 3 times a week
81. I’ve been doing crossword puzzles for about 5 years
82. I’ve never been able to complete one without help
83. I hate the taste of coffee
84. But I love the smell of coffee?
85. I’m addicted to Diet Coke
86. I like to take long drives to clear my head
87. I have a tendency to be a hypochondriac
88. I get bitchy when I am under a lot of stress
89. I’m an extremely competitive person
90. I think have an addictive personality
91. Someone recently told me they think I have ADD/ADHD and it really bothers me!
92. I want to go back to college
93. One of the students at my school has my cell phone, she calls me every night just to say goodnight…
94. I have a tendency to over analyze things!
95. I try to optimistic and look for the good in everyone and everything
96. I am very critical of myself…probably too critical of myself!
97. I had my tonsils removed when I was 23 yrs old
98. I’m a snoop
99. My mom and my sister are 2 of my closest friends!
100. This took a long time

Moving On...

Okay, here’s the thing…I have the desire to be a part of something special and I have a need for independence…

I have accepted my singledom...I know it's been a long time coming, but I am finally moving out of Derek’s house next weekend. I keep telling myself I do not need to find my 'other half' in order to feel whole, I am a whole person, all by myself. But this does not mean that I have resigned myself to the fate of an eternal spinster, instead am going to follow my life where ever it takes me. My Mr. Right is out there somewhere, and when I find him I’ll know it. So for now I will be patient while enjoying the single life…I have come to realize though that patience, rather than being a virtue is actually a royal pain in the ass!!

So what now? Hmm...Tough question. But one I actually have the answer to. I want to spend time with my friends. Enjoy the single life, one day at a time, having fun as I go. One day, a man will walk into my life (if he hasn't already) and change everything.

Dating Dilemma and the New Guy...

Dating is truly an emotional rollercoaster…I could write a book on my last 2 Saturdays nights what they entailed and the rollercoaster of emotions that I went through before, during and after. But let me try to keep it short…

I met the New Guy through a mutual friend, the mutual friend is someone that I dated 10 years ago, nothing serious just a few dates and some so-so sex. New guy and I have been talking via e-mail, text messages, phone calls…We seem to have a lot in common, this guy actually has quite a bit of potential. He’s good looking, funny, smart, has a job, a car, doesn’t live with his parents…all the qualities I look for in a man. New Guy and I go out for drinks 2 weeks ago…things are going great, better than great. I was actually myself with him...didn’t try to be fake to impress him…he even knows my real age (which is 29 for those of you who don’t know)!!! So we have a couple of drinks and he informs me that he can not go out with me again! Can you believe it? Apparently the mutual friend seems to have an issue with New Guy and I dating…We have permission to hangout with each other but nothing else can happen…oops! Then we went out again this past Saturday…once again we had a great time…oops again! I guess what the mutual friend doesn’t know won’t hurt him, right?

But seriously though is this total f***king bullshit or what??? How adolescent can the mutual friend be? Wouldn’t you want one of your close friends to be happy? And it’s not like he and I just called things off…It’s been a f***king decade for cryin’ out loud!!! There’s even a “Man Law” commercial that says as long as it’s been at least 6 months it’s okay. And of course the New Guy likes me…I think maybe he’s tried to resist my charm but he just can’t help it!

Is This It???

Lately I've really been thinking about my life, and the fact that the last 8 years of my life I was in a relationship that ended in a friendship. Maybe it's because I see all of my friends and family moving forward, getting married, having babies...After everything is said and done I find myself wondering, "Is this it? Is this what my life is going to be like?" I know I shouldn't feel like I have to ever get married or have kids, just because society says that's "normal" but honestly I like the idea of having someone to grow old with. I'm not crazy about walking the road of life by myself. Maybe I'm too normal, too average, too plain...Or not enough of something. How else do you explain it?

Someone said to me yesterday, "I'm surprised no one has snapped you up, that you're not married." Okay, so the last 8 years I was not "on the market", but honestly, I'm surprised too, I mean I just don't get it. I have a decent job, I love to travel, have a longing for meaningful wild kinky sex, just a little dependent, not a total psycho, laid back, easy going, not all that bad to look at, have big boobies, I have a great sense of humor, and I'm just a lot of fun...So, what's the deal?? What am I doing wrong?

Am I too plain? Am I too average? Am I too heavy? Am I too ugly? Am I too confrontational? Am I too addicted to Reality TV? Am I too high maintenance?

This is not a pity party. I am not depressed or moody or PMS-ing or even putting myself down. I'm thinking and wondering with a perfectly logical mind, "Is this it?" I have made myself into all the things a guy would want in a partner and it seems like I must have broke the mold. Don't get me wrong, I'm not perfect (far from it) And I don't think I am looking for perfection, I just want some love, some attention, from a self supporting, good-looking, non-addict, non-psycho, who knows how to have fun.

Update

I've been pretty busy lately with work, working out and looking for a place to live. Yes, I said looking for a place to live. I am determined to not procrastinate any longer and move out of Derek's house! I am going to move into a place with Steve, a guy that I work with, we don't see each other very often so I think it will be okay.

I went to the doctor yesterday, my ankle has really been bothering me, like maybe I have arthritis. I know what your thinking, how could I be so young (29) and have arthitis. Even worse than that is that I had to get weighed...let's just say that I was ready to slit my wrists and throw myself from the roof tops!!! I have gained 10 lbs. since Mexico. I know it's not really swimsuit season anymore, but I am still working out all the freakin' time and I only cheat on my diet like once a week...okay maybe twice a week! This week I am really staring to be serious about diet and exercise...no more cheating.

I chickened out...

I was totally afraid to get on the scale. I know I've put on a few pounds and I don't need to know how many...the goal is just to get rid of them. Why stress myself out by getting on the scale, right? So yesterday I did really good. I had a Greek Salad for lunch (only 300 calories). I had no idea that it would be so good...and because of that I had a Greek Salad for dinner last night. And of course I worked out too...I did 45 minutes of cardio on the elliptical trainer, it kicked my ass!

I'm not feeling very good today. Nikki, one of my co-workers and friends, went home today because she has strep-throat, and her doctor said that she is highly contagious. I know it's probably psychological...but as soon as I heard that my throat started to hurt, and now I have a headache too! Hopefully I'm not coming down with it. With school just starting (ARG!) and the students back here I can't take any time off!!!

Hittin' the Gym...

Ever since the week before Brooke's wedding I haven't been able to get back into the groove of going to the gym everyday. I vow hear and now that will no longer be the case. I'm back and I'm motivated to really get into shape. I know that swimsuit season is almost over (not in AZ, but everywhere else) and the holidays will be here before you know it...so what a better time to commit to this? I'd rather get back into this now then be able to come up with more excuses why I can't. Also, I need to change my eating habits too...It's not that I eat really unhealthy food, but it's just that I eat so late and then in the morning I'm not hungry. And I'm cutting back on the diet coke...I've only had 2 sodas today and it's 4:30pm...I think tonight at the the gym I'll weigh myself to see where I'm at and if I have gained any weight. I'll have to give an update tomorrow...

Happy Birthday to Me!!!

Yep, you guessed it...I'm 29!!! I really don't feel 29...Suprisingly enough I feel a lot younger than that.

New Tattoo

Last week was Amy's birthday and for years she has been saying that she wanted to get a tattoo...On Saturday we decided to go to Bright Ideas. I wasn't even sure that I was going to get one, but once we got there I couldn't help it. Of course Amy tried to chicken out, and I wouldn't let her, I kept telling her that if she didn't get it that day, that she never would. She got "Brianna and Cheyanna" wrapped around her ankle with vine that goes through the names, and she can eventually add rosebuds to it if she wants. This is a pic of my tattoo. OMG...It hurt so bad and I was such a baby about it...I kept jumping and holding my breathe! I don't remember it hurting that bad when I got my tigger! You're probably wondering why yellow roses...It's a long story so I will just say that it has to do with Troy. Next I'll be getting a tattoo with dolphins...I'm not going to run out this week and do it, but it'll have to be sometime soon (Sorry Mom)!

More About Mexico...

This was definitely the highlight of my trip to Mexico...It's not everyday that you get a chance to swim with dolphins. It was incredible, I didn't want it to end!
Another enjoyable part of my trip was checking out all hot guys! I was totally pining for Facundo, he's part of the entertainment staff at the resort that we stayed at. Speaking of the resort...here is a link to check it out Dreams Tulum Resort & Spa It was absolutely amazing!
Okay, back to Facundo, so he wasn't really my latin lover...But, if I had been there with friends instead of my students I totally would have hooked up.