EATING Part Two

After our Dorney trip, on the way home, we stopped at Crayola Factory.  This is the place where I thought I had lost my child because one minute he was by my side and the next he was gone.  Luckily I found him in a different area because he said he was looking for something.  Thanks for letting me know before you left my side lil one! When we speak about Crayola, two things he states, "oh yes, that's where I left you and I promised I would never do that again because you would be very sad if I were gone forever; and "mommy, that's where you read me Shoo Fly."

Now, I also know Daniel loves this place for the molding clay and water canal exhibit.  But I am, by no means, an artsy person.  However this, my 3rd time, at the Factory, I had a lot of fun making some arts and crafts.  Now, I also knew my reward for being a nice mommy was to go to Cici's Pizza Buffet, but I really did end up enjoying myself.

The fruits of our labor:


Daniel playing with the Crayola Molding Clay

My jungle themed safari sachet 

Is he using two crayons?

 And the dirty dishes from my fruit of labor:

Now you can see why I work out.  Until the next vacay...

Not so Lazy Rivers, Roller Coasters, and EATING! Pt 1

What a  long winded title to this long winded blog.  Wow!

Last weekend I was afforded a Dorney Park trip with the family for my niece's 10th birthday!  It was a very nice stay at the Holiday Inn Express and a lazy relaxing fun filled time time at the park.  Upon arrival in Allentown, we stopped to eat at Carrabbas where mama ordered  a mojito.  No, this time it was not me!  It was my mom.  I can't believe I haven't had a drink in a while.  Said me.  Said my family.


Dan driving his cousin Meggy Meg and my sis Michele


It was then time to head to the Holiday Inn where everyone was staying.  Now, the plan was that we'd crash for the evening in my sis' rooms however as one of my sis' declared "be a grown up and get your own room," and in turn a room was booked.  You know...I was going to chip in some money for their rooms!  Oh well.

Saturday morning we woke up and sat down to our wonderful breakfast at the Holiday Inn:
Coffee with FLAVORED creamer
2 cinnamon rolls
2 biscuits
scrambled eggs
sausage pattie

No, this wasn't the menu.  This is what I ate.

Off to the park to hit the water area as soon as it opened.  But before then, the task was to cross the street.  Picture a highway, now picture us running across it to get to the park.  Easy?  Sure.  Frightening? Sure.  And only 3 more times we needed to do that.

We ran to get some chairs by the wave pool near an umbrella.  Because really how much darker can I get? Really, my mom needs a little shade when we are in the sun all day.  Most of the day was spent in the wave pool but we hit some water rides:
Daniel did the Acqua Racer 4 times, scoring a 4 on the Thrill Ride scale and rightfully so.  I couldn't look.  I was so scared for his life.  In the end, I had to take my try on it head first because I needed to see why he liked it and wasn't afraid.  And once you push off, it was fun!  But I still didn't feel safe about his bravery!

Next up were the 3 Not so Lazy Rivers:
I put my booty in those tubes under the impression I was going to get to relax.  Not so.  I had a lot of work ahead of me.
Riptide Run-I guess I should have figured out this was no lazy with the name of the ride.  Because at times, we were caught in a riptide and couldn't progress down the slide into the next area without using our arms  and legs to get us out of the jam.  Mom really LOVED this ride!
Wildwater River-Yeah, I guess my brain wasn't in tact this weekend.  Maybe it was because I skipped lunch looking forward to a heavy dinner. Took a lot of energy to help the lil ones (okay, and me) to get away from the hail force water dropping on our heads.
Runaway River-the most calm and pretty long river.  Almost relaxing except the one place where you could not avoid the water banging your head.

After the waterpark, we headed back to the hotel to dry off and change.  Then we headed back across to watch an ice skating show: Snoopy's Big Bow Wow.  It was a cute show. Brings you back to when Peanuts was shown on the television.  Was never a fan... But I do love ice skating and the costumes were pretty. 

Then it was time to eat. FINALLY!!! 8PM and I get to eat.  Shared a pull pork and spicy chicken sandwich at the Game Day Grill.  It was a yummy dinner but because it started raining our ride adventure was put off. So...I looked for dessert.  Nothing interesting at the grill. 
Actually nothing interesting in the ENTIRE park!!!  I know, this is not Hershey (we return next year).  I finally settled on vanilla soft serve in a waffle cone topped with Reese's Pieces. 

Dan was tired so he only got to go on 4 rides and I got to tackle the Hydra.  There was no line so it was a no brainer to hop on.  At night, in the pitch black, it was definitely a score of 5 on the Thrill ride scale. 
A successful day with the family, and my niece out partied us all.  I think it was the fun dip.

Slept through the night, except for when mom screamed in her sleep: Pick me, pick me!  I wonder what she wanted to be picked for?  Sounds like something I would say.

It was again that time for Breakfast:
too much coffee
2 pancakes
2 cinnamon rolls
2 biscuits
2 hard boiled eggs
bacon

Did I just eat more than yesterday I asked myself?? I promised to drop 1 biscuit and 1 cinnamon bun in exchange for the pancakes.  And this is why I am on Jenny Craig!

So It's just not me...

This week has been bountiful of writing and reading.  Thank you for reading and the traffic! 

I hope that my blog does help you believe "hey, it just isn't me."
We all have a lot going on in our lives and we all have a story to tell.  For me, as I have said before, writing about my story helps me and I hear that it helps you. 

With that said...I work out a lot twice a day enough to make me happy.  I have the opportunity to work out differently with different and fun people.  My morning routine on the Boardwalk is amazing.

Shout out to Tony from Staten Island Boot Camp!  With my lovely women and our hard core man (RS0-thank's for joining me here), we work out to the sunrise and rainbows.  We are people that come together, once, twice or even three times a week on Staten Island in South Beach.  Even though different in shape, age, gender, and physical ability, we work to our potential. We also enjoy the music and sights, including tricycle girl, sashay chick, the "old" men club, blue man, etc.  A great place to sight see in the morning while working out.  This feeds two of my addictions: people-watching and working out!  Check out the boot camp if you like to wake up for a 6AM class that makes you feel energized throughout the day!

Thus it doesn't hinder on my evening work out, it serves as a foundation for our day. 

So then twice a week, I get to work out with my lovely girls Ann-Marie and Margaret!  And our amazing trainer Chris.  Kettlebells and body weight are used until we are dripping with sweat and our muscles feel like they are on fire.  Thanks Chris!

Occasionally I run.  I don't love it but I do it and I feel good.  And it keeps me competitive and trim in my tummy.  I can only hope!

And, I work out with my Obstacle Course Race (OCR) Group, my Killa Beez!! 

However I do want to stress that my friend Dori Dori (yes I meant to write that twice) is really THE person who I look up to in the exercise world.  The intelligent cute young chickie who I wish I met in Binghamton has really shed light on the doable and fun exercise world!

I am very happy that I have met or (re met) these individuals who help me push through, help me find out things about myself, and show me the commonalities in us all which make us stronger!!!!





  

1984-Did you know I am truly a brunette?

No, this is not a blog about what I did in 1984.  But if you must know: I was a third grade, nine year old child attending PS 52 (John Thompson Elementary school)  (BTW My teacher Mrs. Murray, the former Ms. Connelly  still teaches 3rd grade there).  I had my own room, painted blue, where I liked to sleep on the floor and play teacher.  I carried my Cabbage Patch Kids everywhere.  I loved to lip sync to Culture Club, Cyndi Lauper, and Prince. 

Anywho...    

This also is not a blog entry about the George Orwell book.  Well not exactly.  But there is a connection. 

Big Brother is always watching.

And this year I again am watching CBS' Big Brother sequestered in my own house.  Big Brother is the only competitive reality show that I have interest in-watching or participating.  Yes, I did try out three times for Big Brother.

Twice I made it to the semi finals.  Twice I had to think about the consequences of my going away for three months.  Twice I got really excited to be on television and show my desire for competition. 

The open casting call is always fun.  Waiting on line, listening to everyone's story and angle.  I'm an observer so this feeds my habit.  I might talk a lot BUT when it's time for competition, silence is key. 

When I participated in the Miss Staten Island Pageant, nobody really knew my introduction or my potential answers to questions regarding my platform.  Whether they were good or not, those responses were my own and I owned them,

 My runner up placements at the SI Pageant.

My first try out, I was a newlywed, married less than a year, and thought what better way to start off a marriage but to separate for three months. 

My family thought thinks knows I am crazy and when I have my mind set on something I give it my all.  And I did.  I gave it all HEATHER!!!  But I was not what they were looking for as a part of that cast.  Second time around I didn't make it to the semis.  No problem.  I must have had an off day but the open casting call was a great experience. 

Third time a charm?  Well you can see that it wasn't since I'm here and the cast has been chosen.  But my trip to the call was amazing!!!  My being chosen for the semi finals were awesome.  Now I had to face the family again.  This time I had a good job, a son, and some household obligations I needed to tend to.  But I discussed and found a way to overcome these obstacles.  Hey, my son would get to "see" me three times a week and if he had live feeds even more.  Kind of like facetime right? 

I really thought I had the edge this time.  My body is in great shape, my mind and eye was on the prize, my personality would be a ratings killa!  A little much?

I really thought about strategy, what I would and would not do (I would not not do anything in order to achieve Big Brother winner!).  But it was not my time, again. 

So onward I go.  I watch, I analyze, and I aim to try again.  Sorry mom!  You only live once on this earth and I need to give it my all .  I never want to regret. 

Forget regrets or life is yours to miss.

Safety comes first-Warning DIRTY pictures ahead

Did you ever have a safe haven or a place with no worries?  A place that you have created or otherwise discovered.  I have had many safe places.  Where I was only delighted to find happy moments, peace, relaxation.

My safe places over the years have included: a person's arms; The Anderson Center at Binghamton University; the towns of Binghamton and Vestal; Fort Lauderdale; Disneyworld; Times Square, the bathroom; and the Miss Staten Island Pageant.  I also found reading, divulging my life story, or singing in the car at the top of my lungs with every emotion I had in me to be a really safe place.  Now- I really don't have that safe zone. 

All the places above are still lovely as a whole.  However each place has supplied with me a situation that went from safe to stressful, and some are not as easily accessible to travel to, well except the bathroom.  The bathroom is my retreat.  Yes.  I read, I relax, I bathe because I do like to get DIRTY!

 So with that said, if you know me, my anxiety level rises just as fast as I drive. I need a safe place.  Recently, exercising, I guess, can be considered my temporary safe place. I do feel secure, alive, and calm when hitting the kettle bells or running.

I rarely sing in the car; can't find much time to read.; and, the divulging actually has made me more stressful.  How dare people know every facet of my life. Thank you Facebook and Twitter.  Now people expect me to answer an open ended question with a full compliment of facts and examples.  I did create that monster.  That used to help me.  Talk to somebody.  Hope that somebody was listening and hope that they would want to share as well. Well, I have learned, thanks to a friend, that it is not necessary to divulge everything.  Less is more.  There are other outlets.

 I guess I will take my temporary safe place  for now but I really need to find that happy place again.