Ugh, Finally...

So, after 7 days of complete gasterointestinal HELL, I think I'm finally starting to feel normal again. Last Tuesday at about 3 pm, while leaving a meeting at The Four Seasons, I seriously thought I was going to have pull over and hurl. I thought maybe my blood sugar was just low and that it would pass. Back at work, I was simply too busy to eat anything and it was quittin' time, so I willed myself to ward it off until I got home. Once at home, I ate some pasta with chicken, but barely had an appetite. At about 8:30, I barfed! I never, ever puke when sick, so I knew something was awry. But, as per the usual relieved feeling after puking, I of course felt better. Until about 1 in the morning, when I woke up with extreme nausea. Horrible night #1. Couldn't call into work the next day, as there were executive meetings that I had to get stuff ready for. I decided I would go in and do what I needed to do and leave. Needless to say, Wednesday was spent laying in bed, answering emails and sleeping. Thursday & Friday I fooled myself into thinking I was better, regardless of the massive amounts of poopage. Friday night...laying on the couch, watching Six Feet Under, back comes the barfing. THREE times this round! Again, I never, ever puke, so this was a big deal. Saturday, I think I slept about 18 hours, which was super nice, but still did not feel rested. Dehydration had set in. Sunday, could barely eat anything, but the nausea was starting to subside. I was happy. For a bit. Well, Monday was spent on the toilet and most of today. But, back to my main point - I'm starting to feel better. The cramps are gone, the belching/gas is done and no more nausea!

I have no idea what the hell that was. Food poisoing? Possibly. Stomach virus? Quite possible. Something more serious - I hope not. As long as I don't have a relapse, I think I'll stick with one of the above. If I do, then a doctors visit is definitely in my near future.

Just glad to be feeling better. Hoping to get out there and enjoy some of this amazing fall-ish weather! So ready for a nice, long run and then a big ole glass of wine.

Cheers!

I remember

It seems like there was a lot more attention towards the 9-year anniversary of 9/11 this year. I don't know if it all stems from the whole Ground Zero/Islamic Center controversy or what. I do know that for the first time, since 2001, I really sat down and listened to the stories and watched the news coverage and remembered. That day in 2001, I was working for a real estate company in West Houston and living with Guad. On my way to work that morning, I remember it was a beautiful day. I had the windows down and was jamming something...which I cannot remember. September 11th is my brother's birthday, so I was planning on calling him when I got to work to wish him a happy 24th birthday. We had a little radio that we listened to at work and during my normal morning routine, I flipped it on and heard something about NYC and a plane crash. Our corporate office was actually in the heart of NYC, on Avenue of the Americas - to be exact, and within about 15 minutes, probably close to 9:30 or so, one of the VP's from the corporate office to tell us they are evacuating and that they would not be reachable all day. There was a television upstairs, so me and the other assistant ran up and turned on the news. I really don't remember too much of anything and/or seeing the second plane hit. I think at that point, it was a sure thing that it was a terrorist attack and not just a freak plane crash.

Of course we were sent home early. I believe Guad was already home when I got there. We sat down on the couch, watching the news, smoking cigarettes and calling people for a good 3-4 hours. I know some people came over and it seems like there were lots of people coming and going that day. I just know that when we saw those people jumping from the buildings, it was all over. It was heartbreaking to know that they made that decision to jump to their deaths. I was so saddened by what happened that day and was in a state of shock with the rest of the country.

Since 2001, I really never paid attention to, or made an effort to watch or read anything about that day. I think the furthest I made an effort to "remember" was during my weekly Rescue Me episodes.

This year, something changed. I wanted to watch the news coverage, and I wanted to hear the stories. I started recording a bunch of the specials that The History Channel began airing, and I was excited to start watching them. Saturday, I watched about 3 hours of 9/11 specials. I cried like a baby.

I think it's really sad that so much has happened since that day and because of that day. The few weeks following 9/11 felt like something out of a history book. I remember thinking that this is what it must have felt like during WWII - all of the patriotism was astounding. It seems like we, as a country, have strayed so far from what I think, holds us together as a nation. There is so much political bullshit that gets in the way of reality. Everything and everyone has an agenda. Well, we didn't on that day nine years ago - we were all Americans, and we were all shocked and saddened and in disbelief that something so tragic happened on our soil. There were no party lines drawn - no partisanship present - when those people were killed that day.

Smorgasbord

This blog is going to contain a whole smorgasbord of updates and stuff! I think I just really like writing and saying the word smorgasbord. I've been so busy at work it's been hard to take some time to update stuff! But, it's Friday and it's kind of quiet, and I'm caught up enough to take a few minutes today.

So, last night we went to Lola's "Open House" at her school. She's been there now for 3 weeks. It was basically a meet the teachers, see what their daily schedules are and watch the kids play. It was good. Lola seems to have adjusted quite well. The first week, she cried every time I left her in the morning (except that 1st morning), but the second week was better. She plays well with the other kids and she's doing really great with potty training. I hung up a chart in our bathroom at home and every time she goes in the potty, she gets a sticker. She still needs some work in telling us before she has to go, but she'll get there. We moved to the "pull-ups" and I think she's beginning to understand a little better. I think she's adjusted well and that she's happy at her school. This makes ME very happy. Yay!

Officially down 18 pounds. Still need to get off about 10 more, as I think this will improve my running times and get me back to my official pre-pregnancy weight...the one I maintained for about a year before getting pregz. It's all so very exciting, but I know that the last 10 are always the most difficult, so I will really need to dedicate myself and work hard.

Speaking of running - Looking forward to beginning actual "training" for the half. This will start once the cooler weather arrives. Which, by the way, seems like it never will! Longer runs, faster runs, MORE runs. Come on FALL, get here! First race on the list is the Monster Mash 10K. All I know is that last Halloween was freeeeezing, and it was great. I am hoping for the same temps for this years Monster Mash 10K. So far, I think I've improved my pace time - even in this hot, humid weather to under 10:30/mile - average. I think once it cools down, I'll be able to get it to flat 10:00/average. I think last year my marathon pace was 11:25 or something. Working to improve on that.

Work. One word. Busy.

I've been reading a lot lately. I got a bunch of books on sale that are stacked and waiting. I pretty much love sitting down with a good book and getting lost in it. It's the best.

Almost have a paint picked out for the office. I have about 7 different swatches taped to the wall right now and I think I'm pretty close to a decision. Can't wait to start doing stuff in there!

I think that's it for now. Will try to post more this weekend!