Day 80 - Uplifting (Part Deux)

72 posts ago, I blogged about my previous bra fitting disaster and had made an appointment with a renown bra fitter in Chicago. This past weekend was my much anticipated appointment and I loved it! Despite almost being derailed and made late by public transportation (by the way, I'm getting good at this bus riding thing!) I arrived just in time.

Rochelle, my bubbly consultant, was amazingly fun and professional. She immediately found me garments that fit and explained how a bra should feel and fit. Wow, what a difference! Despite having blown my bra-budget on recent veterinary bills, I still had fun and felt very confident leaving the store that I will be able to return and purchase the life changing items I fell in love with. I can't wait!

Day 79 - 5K #2

- Post Race Breakfast: Guiness Beer & Banana -

Today was the St. Paddy's Day 5K run/walk event which is the third event of my monthly challenge. I really would have rather slept in, all snuggled up warm in my bed, but at the last minute I threw on some clothes and headed out in the drizzle. As I hailed a cab to head to Lincoln Park I wasn't the least bit excited to do yet another event, alone. I had a lot on my mind, and admittedly am a bit in the dumps about the well being of my cat (see "Tird" post). Despite mood and lack of motivation, I planned on finishing what I started.

As I walked about the sea of people in green waiting to start the race, I stumbled upon two women and thought I had nothing to lose by striking up a conversation with them so I did just that. "Have you guys participated in this race before?", I asked. And the rest was history. It was as if I had known Shelly, Jodi and Tom (who joined us later) for years. The conversation flowed between the four of us throughout the race and ended with beer and bananas for breakfast (post race carb-loading).

By forcing myself out of the house and rejecting an invitation for one to my own pity party, I met some really great people. I was thankful that our paths crossed and the conversation made for a quick 5K. I left the post race festivities with hugs and an email address to keep in touch with my new friends. I hope we can do more events like this in the future, together.

Day 78 - Tird

- I See You! -

I had to take my cat, Tird, to the vet for unexplained facial tics or tremors, I'm not quite sure how to explain what's going on with him unless you actually see it. But I was very afraid to confront a diagnosis as I don't believe this is a good sign in his advancing age. Despite a near, $400 vet visit, I'm still left with no comfort or real diagnosis. Of course, in my vet's defense, I am still waiting on one additional blood test, at a cost of another $100, that may or may not explain my concerns. Other then the facial tics, my kid is in great health.

Despite being overly stressed and worried, it's always fun to take Tird to the vet as the receptionist, assistants and vet assume that either I'm bringing in a stool sample (turd), or that there must be type-o on the paperwork. It's always the same as they review their appointment book, they look up with a puzzled face searching the lobby for an animal that looks tired. They then, in embarrassment, call out, "Tired?" and I correct them and say, "No, it really is Tird". In response, they look at me even more oddly as they internally question why someone would name a beloved pet Tird. It's then that I feel obligated to share the story of how Tird got his name.

When I adopted him, my cat's name was Cowboy. I had no intention of changing it, despite not really caring for it. As he was my first cat, I had no idea what type of feline antics I was in for. Totally unprepared for behaviors such as a cat jumping off the sofa, launching himself into my fake tree, subsequently knocking it over and then running down the hallway in what I'm sure was laughter I would yell things like, "Stop it you little shit!". The same phrase was repeated when I invited a date inside, only to find that Cowboy had taken my dirty under garments out of my laundry basket and strewn them about the living room floor for my visitor to see upon arrival.

I'm sure it was around the time my tennis shoes became play things, and got dragged down the hallway by their laces that I thought yelling the word "shit" was inappropriate and changed my explicative to, "Stop it you little turd!". Believing turd was a bit softer on the ears, I continued to shout it out as Cowboy did such things as knocking over my cage of pet mice and setting them free in the apartment (it took two days to find them all). And I'm pretty sure the word turd was yelled when I found my new glasses had to be replaced as I found teeth marks and piercings in them as someone seemed to use them as a personal chew toy. As the ridiculous behaviors continued, so did the name calling.

It wasn't until my roommate at the time either called me a turd (for acting like one) or said the word turd for some reason that I can't remember, that Cowboy came running over to her. It was at that point we both realized, the cat thought his name was Turd. Continuing to call him Cowboy was futile as he never responded to it again. To make myself feel better about such an odd name, I believed if I spelled the foul word with an "i" instead of a "u" it some how made the word less offensive.

As if on que as I typed this blog, Tird decided to get a grocery bag full of garbage stuck on his head that I had forgotten to tie up and toss out earlier. He then proceeded to zoom around the apartment with the evil bag chasing him, making sure to emtpy all of it's contents onto the kitchen, dining room, living room and bedroom floor - what a mess! In the heat of the moment and out of utter frustration watching the disaster unfold, I yelled, "Stop it you asshole!!!". As I finish this post, I realize I really better watch what I say or I'll be re-naming my cat something worse then his current name! Anyone have a bar of soap I can wash my mouth out with?

Day 77 - Wash

- Car Wash -

As a child my aunt would often take me out on errands with her. One of the errands I remember we repeated quite often was getting her car washed at the automatic car wash. I don't think I ever let her know I was afraid, but I had multiple fears about the car wash and still do today, just not on such a large scale. As a child, I was always afraid that the big blue and red rolling scrub brushes would somehow burst through the windows and come and get me, or allow enough water into the car to flood it and drown me. Another fear was that we'd get stuck in between the brushes and never be able to leave the car wash with no hope of rescue.

To this day, I am not a big fan of the automated car wash and prefer having my car hand washed. But as winter snow and salt have taken it's toll on my car, I felt the need to get my car washed as quickly and conveniently as possible. As I paid the extra money at the gas pump to get the offered car wash, I pondered the thoughts of the rotating brushes spinning right through my windshield but didn't let that deter my purchase. With receipt in hand, and after having filled my gas tank, I drove over to the automated track of the on site car wash and let the suds begin! As my car rolled along the track, the brushes slapped my car as if to beat it into submission. I must admit, I got a slight adrenaline rush as I heard the "thump, thump, thump" of the brushes against the car. My car progressed slowly and as the brushes parted ways, I was happy to see daylight at the end of the service bay and coasted to freedom. Flood and disaster averted, clean car achieved!

Day 76 - Shake

Today being St. Patrick's day, I thought I'd try the Shamrock Shake that everyone raves about at McDonalds. I first ordered a chocolate shake as I wasn't quite ready to face my fear of the green monster, but once at the drive-thru window to pay I saw the Shamrock eye-balling me. I changed my mind and inconveniently asked to change my order. I'm sure the staff did not appreciate my last minute change up but none the less, I received my Shamrock shake and drove away. I quickly unwrapped the straw (after taking numerous pictures of said shake for my blog) anticipating minty-goodness.

I think I took half a sip of the neon green, semi solid beverage and my taste buds voted an immediate "no". I took another taste and couldn't convince myself to drink anymore. I stowed the shake in the freezer in hopes it would be consumed by the visiting boyfriend, but alas, he didn't want it either. Maybe if I keep it in there long enough, I can auction it off on E-bay to a desperate Shamrock shake fan who can't wait until their return next year. Fear of the unknown conquered, and let it be known, from now on I'm sticking with chocolate!

Day 75 - 3/16

Ten years ago today, my father passed away. I can't explain the hole this has left in my life or the grief I still feel despite believing he's in a better place. I don't talk about the subject much in fear of sharing my vulnerability I suppose, or in fears that some days, I may burst into tears. It amazes me how, while not constant, some days the pain can still be as fresh as it was all those years ago. I don't dwell on the pain of my dad's passing, but try to focus on the good times we shared and the memories we created.

My dad is probably the person who got me stuck on quotes. It seems he had a quote for almost any situation, whether I wanted to hear the advice they held or not. He was fond of quoting Dale Carnegie and Franklin Roosevelt, but most of all the Bible. There were many times as a "strong willed" child that I didn't want to be reminded of the good I should be doing by being advised to read certain scriptures or to have them verbally spouted off to me. The Bible played a huge part in my dad's life, as well as my upbringing.

My dad left this world on 3/16 and what I find ironic is, that one of my dad's most repeated scriptures was John 3:16, reminding me and our family of God's great sacrifice. Of course, my father would probably be delighted I've made this connection, knowing he can still "force" me to refer to the Bible even today.

"For God so loved the world, that he gave his only begotten Son, that whosoever believeth in him should not perish, but have everlasting life." - John 3:16 ~ KJV

Day 74 - Moving?

I received my lease renewal notice tonight, and don't appreciate the proposed rent increase. Despite fear of uprooting myself and possibly leaving my comfort zone, I put an email out to a friend about finding a new and cheaper location to live. It scares me to think about moving and all the effort that goes into it, but change is good, right? No major decisions have been made yet, but just thinking about it is scary.