Karen's Retirement Party

My boss and I stayed later than usual last night when she rode in from the airport to address a bunch of things on my to-do/to-ask-about list and then we went to Happy Hour afterwards with 2 other coworkers. First thing this morning, I had her signed off on a bunch of things so I could take the weight off my shoulders and then we did my performance review (I'm hoping my promotion will be effective any day now...I just want an official email with the news!). She then went to have her final chat with the Executive Director while we were setting up for her party. I was a little nervous about the cake because it was raining outside when I went to pick it up from Giant. It didn't fit in the grocery cart, so I had to lay it across the top. I was crossing my fingers that it wasn't going to slide off and land in a puddle before I made it to the car!

The retirement party that I coordinated for my boss was a success: pizza, cake (marble with buttercream frosting), plaque commemorating her 22 years of service, presents (a very nice tote bag with other travel related gifts) and a PowerPoint featuring funny pictures of her (I had a little bit of help from other staff).

I was able to hold off on the tears until our final hug before she gathered her belongings and headed to the airport. One of my coworkers said she almost teared up watching us hug because we were both crying (I almost didn’t want to let her go).

Her parting gift to me was her collection of giant microbes: syphilis, gonorrhea, H1N1, etc. Yay, science! I stitched her an amaryllis plant, which based on the florist's website, is given to commemorate a big achievement. I usually send her flowers for events, but they only last a week or so. These will last forever! I also made a card for the office to sign.

Guess it’s my time to grow up a little and take the helm of the department.

Long-Lost Craft Projects

I was looking for one of my stamps with the intention of making cards tonight, and in the process, I found a Ziploc bag with 3 unfinished cross-stitch projects inside! I’m missing some colors, but I hope the craft store has them in stock when I go tomorrow. In the meantime, I’m going to work on the middle project until I get sleepy.

CrossFit and New Grocery Bag

6:30 AM CrossFit, check! Ah, it was nice to be back at the gym since I’ve been out all week on work travel. The coach set up a pop-up class today so that I could make it!

We worked on our squat clean and jerks. 5 x 2 at 70 lbs.

WOD. We decided to do Thursday's WOD, but since me, Maria and Julie didn't make it to a class yesterday. Today's WOD was a partner workout (I suppose we could have made it work for 3 people) and there was a lot of rowing so Thursday's seemed a lot more manageable.
- 3:00 AMRAP: 20 goblet squats (26 lbs) 2 lap suitcase carry (1 lap each arm)
- 3:00 AMRAP: 20 alternating pistols 100m row sprint
- 3:00 AMRAP: 40 burpees (I got to 30 burpees and the time ran out…) max hollow hold

I’m doing the scaled version of 16.2 tomorrow morning, eek!

For my telework day, I actually stayed at my parents' house because, um, well, that's where all the food is. I have wi-fi, food, and my cat, so that kept me happy throughout the work day. I took a nice nap in my old bed once the work day was over. :D

Tee hee, one of my new tank tops came in the mail while I was out. Also, I’ve officially reached new levels of cat lady-ness. To be fair, the grocery bag was free using a Shutterfly coupon my cousin gave me (I paid for shipping). I couldn’t let a good deal go to waste! When RJ and I got home, I hung up the cross-stitch I did of my alma mater’s coat of arms. Mom framed it while I was out of town. I’ve unpacked and did a load of laundry. It’s been a productive evening! I’m excited to sleep in my own bed tonight.

Snowstorm Jonas, Day 3

Someone challenged me to a burpee competition, so we agreed to do 100 each. I did it for time this morning. Whew! With sweat in my eyes, I tapped the lap button instead of stop, oops. Next time, I hope to be sub-10:00.

And after breakfast, I tackled my sidewalk. I'm glad that the snow was not too heavy. I'm not too happy with my neighbors who haven't done their neighborly duty of shoveling the sidewalk. Some of the townhouses stick out, so no, you don't just shovel the front...I think you should have to shovel the sidewalk around your house!  I haven't been able to access the parking lot behind my house because both access points are blocked by f-ing snow.

After approximately a month’s worth of work, I’m done with this cross-stitch project of my alma mater. In other news, work is closed tomorrow. 6:30 AM CrossFit is canceled, which is fine by me since I’ll be digging my car out from the snow. Anyone wanna help? I’ll trade dumplings, cookies, banana bread, etc. for your efforts!

Sunday Funday!

I woke up really sore from Friday and Saturday's workouts, so no spin class for me today! It was a productive day anyway!

• Worked on my cross-stitch project with Harry Potter and the Sorcerer’s Stone playing in the background while watching the snow fall outside (it didn't really accumulate)
• Did laundry and scrubbed down the kitchen
• Did my nails.
• Made chocolate chip banana bread from last week's leftover meeting bananas.

Happy Sunday Funday to me!

Workgroup Meeting, Day 1

Today’s full day meeting was a success! Everyone was participatory, and ideas were flowing. There were a few moments where it got super technical and I had no idea what was going on, but fortunately, the workgroup chair took notes on that part. There was some brainstorming on next steps and wow, these people are very ambitious about what should happen next. Hello, let's try to get to through the annual meeting in June first, okay?  Why are we even talking about building a website right now?  We have no material TO PUT UP on the website. And who do you think is going to do all this work? Um, this is not the only project that I'm working on and stuff just doesn't appear out of thin air! One step at a time, folks!

The workgroup and staff went out to dinner afterwards. I got the chicken tacos, but only ate 2 of them because I was so full from other stuff we ate today. My boss and my former committee chair gave me their leftovers since they don’t have refrigerators in their hotel rooms. Is that weird? Meh, we’re like family. Yay, I can hold off on real grocery shopping for another two days!

Here’s tonight’s stitch session. Off to bed for me…only a half day meeting tomorrow.

P.S. RIP Alan Rickman, aka Professor Snape. Also, Julie and I got an email from Dad. He lost his American and Taiwanese passports!  AHHH!  (Sigh...)

Snatches and Magic Mike XXL

6:30 AM CrossFit, check! We worked on our hang squat snatches. 5 x 2 at 30 lbs (I’m still working on form…this is a complicated move! The WOD was AMRAP…8:00 of 25 kettlebell swings (26 lbs) and 10 pull-ups (I did mine with resistance bands).

Yay for meeting breakfast leftovers! Side note: where do all the forks go in this office?! Is someone stashing them somewhere? You should get one fork with your employee handbook on your first day. If you lose it, too bad! The thought crossed my mind of bringing a pair of chopsticks to work, because unless you know how to use them, it'll be too much trouble for you to use.

I borrowed Magic Mike XXL from the library and decided to watch it tonight while I was cross-stitching since it's due tomorrow. UGH, it was awful! I mean, so bad that I didn't even finish it. Channing Tatum couldn't even save it. Maybe I wasn't in the right mind set since I have to be up early tomorrow for work and sleep was more important? 

Meh, no, it was just awful. WTH? :(

Push Presses, Car Maintenance and Cross-Stitch Progress

6:30 AM CrossFit, check! We worked on our push presses. 3 x 5 at 70 lbs. WOD: 100 air squats, 50 lateral burpees (jump over the barbell and do a burpee), 100 air squats. 10:00 cap. I got through 19 of the second set of air squats.

I took my car in for maintenance before going to the office this morning. Oh, hello, cute mechanic….

And then he calls me to tell me there’s a nail in my tire (I have the worst tire luck ever!) and recommended that I get my filters changed. At least there are meeting breakfast leftovers.

Pull-Ups, Interview at the Office and Cross-Stitch Progress

Monday, ew! Sigh, let’s get this show on the road. 6:30 AM, CrossFit, check! We worked on our pull-ups. I did these on Friday and for some reason, they were harder today!  Probably because I cheated a little with swinging on Friday, ha ha.

And the WOD was: 100 single unders
5-4-3-2-1
Bear Complex: clean, front squat, press, back squat, press (45 lbs)
Box Jumps (20 inch box)
100 single unders
The goal was sub 9:00, I was able to get it done in 7:07. Whew!

The interview for the governance/executive assistant position was a success. Actually, I felt like this second interview was more of a formality. I learned that the Executive Director brought this woman in on Friday and then was so impressed with her that he brought her in today (?!). She seemed really personable and eager to get started. Well, good, you'll need that energy. You have a lot of big events coming up for you: committee applications and the Annual Meeting and I'm sure many meetings in between.

Star Wars!

After 2 intense CrossFit workouts on Friday and Saturday, I decided to take a rest day today and go see Star Wars. Now, I'm not a huge Star Wars buff, but I wanted to see what everyone is talking about. I'm glad that I went to see it in the theater because the special effects were awesome (of course). I'm also glad that I didn't go see it in IMAX with all the flying in the movie. Whoo hoo for Han Solo and Rey and BB-8. It was really well done...what a great way to spend a rest day!

My cousin texted me this picture of Dad on vacation, hah. Anyway, after going to the movie, I chilled out at home and then it was time to pick Julie up from the airport. I came back home to work more on my cross-stitch project.

Pull-Up Work and Cross-Stitch Progress

Regular telework day, hooray!

I took a break in the morning to drive Julie to the airport. She has a weekend work trip to Atlanta. It's weird to have my parents and sister out of town all at the same time. All alonnnneee. Ok ok. Enough with the dramatics.

I made it to 5:15 PM CrossFit where we worked on our pull-ups. Technically, we're supposed to work on chest-to-bar pull-ups, but since I can't do pull-ups with a little help, Level B folks worked on regular pull-ups. The resistance bands I used this time were lighter than ones I’ve used before. “Tina, stop swinging!” the coach said. Heh, okokok…well, how else do you think I’m going to be able to lift myself up?!

WOD: 10 x 150m row + 30 seconds rest. I was averaging about 33 seconds per round. There were 4 of us in class and 2 rowing machines, so we had to double up. It actually worked out fine because Chip and I went back and forth encouraging each other as we started to get more tired. My arms felt like jello all the way home. I’ll be back for more fun tomorrow morning at 9:30!

Do I look as tired as I feel?  If I do, don't tell me. All that rowing was so taxing!

More cross-stitch progress, complete with Captain America: The Winter Soldier playing in the background.

Feeling Better

Thankfully, I'm feeling better today, but not to the extent that I wanted to get dressed and go to the office. I'm glad I brought my work computer home with me so I could telework. I did make it to 6:30 PM spin class. We had a full class, so I guess the New Year's Resolutions folks are still in full force. Good for them for keeping it up! The spin instructor said she really liked the set of homemade cards I gave her last week.

Right after I closed up my work computer, I got back to my cross-stitch project. I totally ran out of red floss, so I need to remember to get some the next time I'm near the craft store.

"I don't see what's so great about you teleworking. It's not like you're giving me extra treats..."

Sick Day

I needed to take a sick day today. WTH?! This is like the third time I've gotten sick with some sort of stuffed nose/cough. I don't know if I'm recatching my own germs or I'm picking it up somewhere else. I was bummed that I missed out on CrossFit class this morning, but I figured it was better to get the rest today than extend the sickness through the weekend. I'm lucky that my boss is still on vacation and there's nothing really pressing that needs to happen work-wise.

In other news I've been making progress on my cross-stitch project.

Front Squat Work and Baking Banana Bread

6:30 AM CrossFit, check! I worked on my front squats. The WOD was 4 rounds: 15 push presses, 25 kettlebell swings, 35 lateral jumps. The goal was sub 12:00. I did it in 14:27. Whew…

I fell asleep when I got home, which actually turned out to be a terrible idea because I had some weird bad dreams. It put me in an off mood for most of the day.

BUT I turned it around by:

• Working on my cross-stitch project (I filled in the pages of the book. It’s tough to tell since it’s white thread against white cloth)
• Some shopping for friends and dumpling supplies (yes, again…)
• Making chocolate chip banana bread. I didn’t want my spotty bananas to go to waste, ya know?  Half will go to my sister when I see her tomorrow morning at CrossFit…because I’m nice like that.

Pitch Perfect is on tv! Please hold.

Target Holiday Clearance, Taco Salad and Harry Potter Movie Marathon

Sunday Funday!

• 8:30 AM spin class, check!
• Went to Target to see what Christmas goodies were on clearance and came out with some cute fox wrapping paper, chocolate and white chocolate peppermint Boom Chicka Pop.
• Went grocery shopping and got stuff for taco salads.

And then my productivity took a nose dive with some major deep couch sitting because a Harry Potter movie marathon was on tv.

Well, I should give myself more credit. I did make some progress on this counted cross-stitch project. I had started it once already about 10 years ago, but spilled ink on it and had to trash it. Frustrated with myself, I put the pattern away and have only recently decided to restart the project. I could have made more progress tonight, but I noticed that was using 2 strands of thread this session when it should have been 3 (ugh!), so I had to backtrack. The last time I picked it up with Halloween, but with no work this upcoming week, I'm hoping I can put a dent in it!