The Longest Hour

I signed up for an exercise class through the local community center that is a combination of kick boxing and high impact aerobics and led by “Master W”. It was the longest hour of pain that I have experienced in quite a while. I fully admit to being out of shape, but it was the first week of the class so I expected it to start somewhat slow. Not so! Turns out everyone except for three of us had taken the class before so Master W said we were going to jump right in. He looked at me and said, “You work out, you’ll be fine”. Trying not to show my fear I said, “I’ll figure it out”. I took a spot in the middle of the room so I could see Master W and follow along. Too bad Master W was not actually doing the exercises with us…he would start each new move and then walk around the room. I mostly followed along with the people in front. This is a one hour class and my goal was just to get through it…Master W had different ideas for me. At first I thought he was spending more time with me in case I needed help, but he refused to let me do anything the easier low impact way…as about a third of the class was doing. HIGHER, FASTER, SUCK IN YOUR STOMACH, MY GRANDMA CAN KICK HIGHER THAN THAT AND SHE’S DEAD. These are all things I had yelled in my face. I felt like I was being singled out, but I was too tired to pay attention to what he was doing to anyone else. The worst part was toward the end when we were doing some twisted kind of sit ups with one leg off the ground and the other straight up in the air. I only got ten of the fifteen done in the time he gave, so he made me do the extra five in front of the entire class while they watched. I do not believe for one second that everyone in the class did all fifteen. At least the class applauded me when I was done. I just kept thinking that all I need to do is get through this hour and then I never have to come back here again. The class finally ended and when I was walking to the car, one of the other newbies came up to me and said, “He was really picking on you!” Someone else noticed it too! I cannot attend the class for the next two weeks, but now I want to try to improve on own and then go back and show Master W what I can do. Now I know some may not have sympathy for me and that is fine. I understand Master W was trying to push me, and that is great, but I just would have preferred some positive feedback instead of riding me for the hour and never telling me “good job” or anything.

I Love Las Vegas!

I took my first trip to Las Vegas when I was 18 years old for a college bowling tournament. I was immediately hooked on the place and have visited about 15 times. My next trip is next weekend with my good friend Julie.

Here are my favorite things about Vegas:

• Slot machines in the airport! The fun begins the minute you step off the plane.
• There is always the chance to come home a millionaire and never have to work again…Megabucks jackpot is currently at $19M!
• I can stay up all night. I am a night person and mornings are always a struggle for me. In Vegas, it is perfectly normal to sleep in and then stay up all night.
• Spending time with my friends on trips we will never forget.
• Drinking is acceptable, and encouraged, at any time of the day or night.
• Everyone is happy.
• It’s Disneyland for adults...it is a vacation from life with no worries.
• Staying at a different hotel each time. So far my favorite is the Wynn.
• The quality and variety of the shows. Where else can you see Tom Jones, Celine Dion, Cirque du Soleil and Phantom of the Opera all on one trip?
• There is something for everyone…gambling, restaurants, spas, shopping, pools, bars and clubs.
• The cab drivers are like tour guides…except for the one who spent the entire ride talking about the time he got beat up by a prostitute, which he completely deserved.
• Dry heat. I love a nice hot dry day.
• And of course…gambling! Blackjack and craps are my favorites.

Meet the Boys

Manny and Minky are brothers that we adopted when they were about 12 to 14 weeks old. I now believe the saying, "dogs have owners, cats have servants" after living with them for the past three years. They are extremely close and will cuddle and clean each other when they think nobody is watching.

MANNY
Manny is a big territorial boy cat, but he is also a scaredy cat. He was a really cute kitten and now he is kind of a fluffy mess, but he is getting better at taking care of his coat. He is “my boy” and can do no wrong in my eyes.

Nicknames: Manny Bear, Manners, Bear, Piglet

Likes: kibble, playing, watching leaves fall, chasing bugs (even if they are on the other side of the window), chasing his brother, rolling around on the garage floor

Dislikes: loud noises, strangers, anything associated with the kitchen, closed doors, hot days, being ignored

MINKY

Minky is quite soft and is an excellent hunter. He was awkward looking as a kitten, but has matured into a fine looking cat and can be chatty at times. It took a while for him to trust us, but he likes us now…or he realized this was as good as it was going to get.

Nicknames: Minky Moo, Minx, Moo

Likes: going outside, sitting in sunny spots, playing, meat (especially shrimp, tuna and beef jerky), hunting (real, fake and imaginary mice), cat nip

Dislikes: being an indoor cat, the door bell, winter, cloudy days, not getting his way

Welcome!

Welcome to my blog! I will be writing about my life and random thoughts to keep friends (old and hopefully new ones) up to date on my life.

Topics I will write about:
· Travel – I love to travel and am always planning my next trip
· My kitties – aka “the boys”
· Starting my pet bakery business
· Food and baking
· Weight loss and exercise – my constant battle
· Life in Virginia - things are a little different here than in California
· My house, the money pit

Things I will rarely write about:
· My husband – he is private person and does not want me to write about him, and I respect that
· My job – plenty is already written about the company I work for on other blogs and in the news

Hope you enjoy!