Last Post

I have seriously been slacking on blogging for the past year and have no idea why. I currently have two google accounts and one is tied to my business and the other? I do not receive a single email just a sign-in for this blog.

I am looking for a fresh start.

So this will be my last post here. I did start a new blog.

If you want to still follow my oh so crazy life, shoot me an email [email protected] for the new link :)

Trainer Ramblings.

This week started my first week training clients 1-on-1. As exciting as this sounded, I think I was more nervous than excited. For the past year, I do not mean to brag, but I knew everything about the gym and how to train women. I was a self-proclaimed expert. I was on top and I now I feel like I am back on the bottom.

Do not get me wrong, I absolutely love the creativity and feel I am getting better each session. I have so much to work with...bosu balls, body bars, kettlebells, plyo boxes. It's what I wanted. And I know I will work my way back to the top. It's just hard being the newbie.

Before I knew all 550 members, their life stories...At the new gym, I just know the men and women I've trained so far. I guess I just have to give it time.

When I left, one of my favorite members handed me a card on my last day. I think from time to time, I may forget why I enjoy and love my job. I have this card posted where I can see it everyday. She wrote:

Corkshell,
Thank you so much for all that you have done for me over the last year. When I walked into the gym for the first time, I was lazy, unmotivated, and very overweight. You were so instrumental in changing all of that. You have been my favorite staff member. since the beginning. When I walk through the door and see your smiling face, it makes me more motivated. I feel like you sincerely cared about me and my progress every step of the way. You have helped me to permanently change the way I feel about food, fitness, health, and life! I am happier and healthier than I have been in about seven years. Thank you from the bottom of my hear. I will miss seeing you, but know that I am strong enough to do it without you. I wish you the best of luck in your new work ventures.

M.



It keeps me going. I also start my very own Yoga class on November 16th. Again, I am excited, but just a little nervous too. But I guess nervous can be a good thing.

Mexican Get Away

Quite a few family members on my husband's side were none too pleased when my brother-in-law and fiance informed us their wedding would take place in Puerto Vallarta, Mexico.

And me? Could not be happier. I loved our honeymoon, traveling the country and seeing sights such as Niagra Falls and the Grand Canyon, however, when you think honeymoon, most people think pool side with a drink.

And the best part of this wedding? It was not mine! No running around, trying to socialize with everyone. Nope, not me. I just grabbed my books and went straight to the pool before I even unpacked my bags.

My husband and I seriously had the best time. We got along with his brother's friends a little too well. We went running on the beach, kayaking, ziplining, beach volleyball, card games by the pool. And my husband stayed out late every night, smoking cigars in his brother's beautiful penthouse suite hot tub overlooking the entire town.

Their beachfront wedding was something straight out of a fairytale.

The kindle is a must have for laying by the pool. I read my hard copy of "Change Your Brain, Change Your Body" and only got about half-way through, mostly because I was so frustrated with holding the book and turning pages. I switched to "The Girl Who Kicked the Hornet's Nest". (which is the best book by far) With the kindle, it rested so nicely on my stomach and I could turn the "pages" and hold it with 1 hand.

I want to go back.

Hey, its my birthday...

Yesterday was a special day for me, my birthday! I turned the big 2-6 and caught myself on more than 1 occasion saying, "I can do this, it's my birthday".

Now by no means am I an angel when it comes to food, drinks, and shopping, but I broke a few rules yesterday and thoroughly enjoyed each rule breaking.

Last night over dinner with the hubby, I enjoyed my favorite alcohol beverage, a margarita on the rocks with salt.

On Sunday, he took me shopping. Mostly to find a dress for his brother's upcoming wedding. I made two mistakes yesterday, first, walking into my favorite store Black House White Market. I use to shop here all of the time when I brought home the bacon (not the "bacon spray" like now according to my husband, haha) and worked a "big girl job". And my second mistake, silly me tried on a dress without looking at the price tag. I fell in love and $168 later, I brought her home.

In exciting news, the bakery who made the cupcakes for our wedding, opened up a shop in our current town. I big puffy heart cupcakes. And yesterday after lunch, he took me to the bakery to indulge in my favorite dessert.

Finally, I hang my head in shame. I gave up diet soda completely about a year and a half ago. I really do not miss it, but every once in a great while (like my birthday), I'll get one of these:

I had a wonderful birthday full of lots of love from my amazing friends and family. Not to mention full of some of my favorite vices, now that's a good day :)

My Guardian Angel.

Three weeks ago, I ran in the Women's Half Marathon. It was a beautiful day, just uploaded a bunch of great music on my I-Pod and felt ready to go. When I hit Mile 1, it felt like I was running a pretty fast pace. I looked down at my watch, 7:30.




Yes, I wrote that correctly and yes, if I went outside to sprint a mile, I do not think I would run at that pace again. FAIL. As a result, my first 6 miles, were MISERABLE. I really thought I might stop and find a nice volunteer, borrow their phone and call my husband to come pick me up at the next mile marker. I knew exactly what he would tell me, suck it up, buttercup. I realized I have never worn a watch in any race or worried about my time. My best running technique, take your mind somewhere else.





So I continued to run. And then said a little prayer to his grandfather (who the night before took a awful turn for the worse). My next 7 miles, I felt great. Even at mile 12 which was all uphill (not fun at all). I ran my best time at 2 hours and 8 minutes.

Saying the past few months, career wise, have been nothing short of miserable would be an understatement. Every night from July to the beginning of October, I tossed, turned, cried, made myself sick, etc.

Now...I decided to take a new job as a personal trainer. They are incredibly short on trainers and want me to start training asap and make double what I use to make. I am also on interview #3 for a Yoga Instructor.

And finally, I attended an amazing fitness convention and fell in love with one of my workshops I attended. I spoke with their CEO afterwards and she talked with me about possibly opening up my own fitness license through her company.

The past few days, I have researched and researched and researched some more. I spent hours on the phone with their CEO, other licensees, my wonderful F-I-L who is a CPA accountant, not to mention making sure the hubby is on board. I have an entire legal pad filled with notes and their leal documentaion in front of me.

The last piece, money.

We are currently trying to refinance, fix our roof, and AC. Not to mention, I cut back my hours nearly a month ago so I am not making nearly what I use to. Last night, we thought about possibly holding off on this new business because of funds. My husband was mid-sentence when his phone rang.

His father called to let us know that Grandpa, in his will, set aside money for the two of us. The money will more than cover our set-up costs.

And now? I am still nervous about this next chapter, but also more than ready to jump in to these new adventures.

Kindle

My wonderful mother-in-law handed me my birthday present a week early since I was in town this past weekend. She bought me an Amazon Kindle! This is why I love her, I've been secretly wanting one and haven't told a soul yet. Her and I are the only ones in the family who read and always talk about what good, new book is out.

The best part? She put me on her account and said buy whatever book, since she'll probably want to read it as well.

And I get it at the perfect time, in 16 days we are heading to beautiful Mexico for a week for his brother's wedding and I go through so many books on vacation. I was worried about carrying an extra bag just for books.

Right now I am planning on "Change Your Brain, Change Your Body" and "The Girl Who Kicked the Hornet's Nest", I read the previous two and put off the third until I completed my Yoga Certification.

Any other suggestions?

Mr. Right not Mr. Mom

So for the second day in a row, our puppies found mischief. The hubby called me to tell me they chewed up two of my favorite wooden spoons, a coffee filter, his favorite Hawks hat, and his sunglasses.

He swears up and down, he put everything away. He is convinced Daisy, with her long legs, somehow reached the back of the counter to knock everything down.

Two years we've been leaving them out in the kitchen with baby gates and never have they chewed up something I put out of their reach.

This makes me laugh. I wish he would just admit that he misses me picking up after him and putting everything away.