Archives for September 2006

I walked down the stairs to change for today’s run. Time had gotten away from me today. I hadn’t even eaten my morning snack bar yet. Since I began on the JC program, I’ve needed something to carry me through my mid-day run. Today, I grabbed an over-ripe (for me) banana.

The day was off kilter from the very beginning. Just out my front door, I dropped some salsa on the front of my shirt. I tried not to let it fluster me. I drove back home to change and meet my carpool partner after dropping off the kids. But my carpool partner wasn’t there. And she didn’t answer her cell phone. I waited until 7:30 am. No show. Reluctantly, I began my horrible trek to work. The traffic had really built up. There were many accidents along the way. It was rapidly turning into a bad day.

And at work, the funk continued. It seemed wide spread. On my office chair was card being circulated for signatures and well wishes to another employee jumping ship. When will it all end? I began to wonder if I should be resuming my hunt for another job.

During my lunchtime run, and then in the fitness center I could smell a stink. It was foul. Wait a minute…It’s me. My sweaty workout clothes have gotten *really* ripe over the last few days of repeated use. Since I’ve been running hard, I’ve been sweating a lot. They were far more ripe than my banana. Pee-yoo!

In August my radio station was talking about women and their preferences. The male DJ did not believe that women would actually want a digital camera over a new diamond necklace or $4000 shoes. I cannot even imagine spending that kind of money on shoes. What a waste.

I’m not a tom-boy, but I am also not your stereotypical female. I don’t like to go shopping. I hate malls. I want to get in, go directly to the store that I need something from, and get out. I hate the crowd, the closed in feeling, the lighting. I hate the commercialism and my kids wanting everything that they have seen advertised on TV, or by some other child. I am also someone who would rather have a nice new digital camera then some fancy purse or name brand shoes. Perhaps even over the diamond necklace.

I am usually most comfortable in jeans or shorts, without make-up, and my hair pulled up in a ponytail. But every once in a while I feel dumpy if I am caught in a crowd of dolled up women. I can only take so many bad-hair days.

On Saturday, our neighbor’s had their yearly party for little Connor’s Birthday. He is now 4 years old. By the time Sunday arrived, I was still tired from the party. We weren’t up late, and I only had one alcoholic drink. Perhaps it was the all day in the sun thing, or perhaps it was feeling “dumpy” amongst a crowd of beautiful young women. They were welcoming and friendly, as always. In fact, many were in awe of me for my running. It was all in my head. But it was nothing a little green drink couldn’t ease.

Early Sunday morning, Tom nudged me and said, “Weren’t you going to go running.” Perhaps it wasn’t *that* early; it was about 7 am. Getting up early *was* the plan, but I was tired. I reluctantly got out of bed and make my way to the bathroom, only to discover my body’s way of reminding me that I am a woman. *sigh* That was probably the culprit of the “dumpy” feeling.

[Read more…]