MIA

I knew that was going to happen! So what the heck have I been doing for the last few months? I'll start with the most recent and try and work my way back!

I started coaching again! A few years ago, I started coaching and I love it. Work got crazy and I had to take a year off and only offer my time as a sub. This year, I'm back and coaching Learn to Skate, private lessons and helping with the synchronized team, when needed. I'm pretty happy and wish I could do this as my "real job" but I'm just not sure I'm the brave, leave your job and depend on X amount of lessons per week, type of person. Maybe when I get married : ) The below photo is of my Niece, Samantha and Nephew, Balin. I taught Sam to skate when she was two - she didn't remember much and pretty much hated being on the ice. Balin thought it was fun until he fell. He then wanted off the ice. It was pretty much a huge bust. Oh well.

My Nephew, Balin and Niece, Samantha

 

My Parents came out for their first PITT game - which just happened to be against FL St. who we do not like at ALL (we're a U of FL Gator family!). PITT lost and there was nothing worse than seeing happy FSU fans. I quickly responded to any FSU bragger with "I'm really a Gator fan (said with the Gator chomp movement). That shuts them up pretty quick.

 

 

Bret and his wife, Jaimy, came out to Pittsburgh for the game. Jaimy went to FSU but despite that flaw, she's pretty awesome. We went to dinner Sunday night and then as an extra bonus, their randomly purchased tickets were in the row over from ours!! It was great spending the weekend with them.

 

I turned 30 - that was pretty awful I basically had a HUGE meltdown and spent the following month miserable. I'm still pretty bitter but I think I've let go of the disappointment of not reaching life goals I'd set and realized that I can't hold myself to goals/dreams I set when I was 16. Goals and dreams change and I am proud of everything I've accomplished during my 30 years of life.

 

Lost 20 pounds! My weight has been a HUGE struggle the last few years and I thankfully found a wonderful doctor who has really worked with me to find the issue and help me reach my goals. I have a long way to go until I hit my target weight but it feels great to finally see the scale go down. I wish all 20 pounds melted off my waist and belly BUT it's slowly coming off on all areas of my body. I'm keeping my fingers crossed that the weight loss continues and realized that I probably wont be the size 0 I was in high school/college BUT I will take a 6 or a 4 : )

 

Hit the two year mark with Doug and hope to spend many more happy years together!

 

I think that's it!

 

 

  





Gas or Electric??

It's always the small details that get me. This past weekend, Doug and I set out to find a new dryer (I guess really, I set out to buy a new dryer and he was along for the ride....since it's going in my house and I'm the one spending the $$). Again.....the details. ANYWAY. I'd been told to stop down to the Sears Scratch and Dent location.....Not being one to pass up a great deal, we braved traffic and headed to the city. Can you say commission?! I'm pretty sure when I opened the door to the dryer a sales guys head came out to ask me if I had any questions. I found one that I kinda liked but felt that I needed to go, do some research and talk this over with Doug while eating lunch and drinking a beer.

"Well, we're going to go grab a bite and talk this over".......I'm pretty sure after I said that I could hear the rubber squealing against the floor from the sales guys shoes. He couldn't get away fast enough. Alright then.

We made a quick lunch break at Penn Brewery and hit the road.....back to the suburbs and decided to stop at h.h.greg (this is new to our area and I'm a fan) - I went in, looked around and headed over to the dishwashers (I'd found a dryer that I thought would work and had moved on to bigger and better deals). Doug then comes to find me and points me in the direction of this beauty. I may have seen lights shining down. It was everything that I had ever dreamed of (but unwilling to pay the price for!). It has steam and lots of other options that I'm not even sure what I'm supposed to do with. I mean a drying rack! Event better....this baby was an out of the box deal (someone bought it but it wouldn't fit in their house so it had to come back - more on that below) and I'm telling you.....I paid like $700 under the original price. A-freaking-mazing! I may never find such a great deal again in my life.

 

 

Just one very small problem.....It's electric and I have a gas connection. Opps. By the time I figured it out, I had already removed the door to the basement, could hear the delivery truck coming and talked things through with my Dad. It's apparently an easy fix.....and I wasn't returning this dryer. If I have to wait till I move into a new house (I'm not planning on moving), I would have waited. lol

 

By the way, if you haven't lived in Pittsburgh, you need to understand that doors are small. To bring in the couch, we had to take off the door frame. I believe it measures 28 inch but you lose an inch with the door. 

A sore body can only mean one thing.....Another great event!

This past weekend, we packed our bags and headed up to "Happy Valley" (State College, PA) for the 2013 Beaver Stadium Run - Seeing as how I went to PITT, I'm never thrilled to be surrounded by thousands of people dressed in blue and white, who believe that PSU is the best place in the world because....They would be wrong. PITT is! The only thing worse would be a visit to WVU.



Putting my school spirit aside and slapping on my adult work hat....I gave my best smile and realized that this is a great fundraiser and friendraiser for Special Olympics PA. What I wont do for the Athletes! The event (a 5K Run or 1 Mile fun walk) raised over $350,000 (which fell just behind the top fundraising event for SOPA, the Pittsburgh Plunge - woohoo!) and had over 3,500 participants. Amazing.

Many people has asked why I love my job. It's simple. I love the Athletes. I'll leave you with a few photos and videos. The video's are of Greg - an Athlete who is running his first 5K - his motivation....seeing his parents at the finish line.


Greg's first 5K

Greg gets some new kicks!

Gregs Running Team

 

 

Greg and his running team (Greg is in the hat next to the guy with the blue sock things)

 

Crossing the line with Franco Harris cheering everyone on!

 

 

I wish I could remember this Athletes name....But he finished and WON an award. He later went to the DJ booth and said..."I'm the only kid in a wheelchair and I won an award"

 

Special Olympics PA has been so good for my heart.

 

Cat Kong

The other day I was making a visit to my cats favorite store.....PetSmart! PetSmart for me ranks with Target......I can go in either store and find around 100 extra things I never knew I needed but am pretty sure that the items will make my life so much better.

This last visit, I picked up a cat kong - it was on sale and I figured, what the heck! This thing has been a HUGE hit at the Hucker house. My oldest cat Edgar, whos 10 (pushing 11), is a pro at rolling the kong and getting treats to fall out.

It keeps them busy....and sadly makes them tired. Lazy cats.

Closet Update....

My house is 56 years old and judging by the size of the closets, people didn't have a ton of clothes 56 years ago. It's 2013 and this home owner was having a huge issue with the one rod closet........

For Christmas, I asked my parents for a closet organizer and new doors.....well Santa delivered. Now, after months of looking at the box in the basement, I decided I would tackle the task of putting my new awesome unit up - the motivation.....This will make getting dressed and hanging clothes up more exciting.....

1.5 hours later and with the help of my snazzy hand drill (thanks Dad and Mom), I was looking at this!

 

I'm pretty happy and for now.....I can find things!

 

I think I"ve got friends.....that I can't see

That's right....I said it, I think I have a ghost(s).

I believe in spirits and "ghosts" and have always had a strange "six sense" if you will. My Grandfather (my Dad's Dad) passed shortly after I was born. My Dad has said that my Grandfather was so proud of me and couldn't get over how small I was (I was born 3 months early and just a little thing when I went home). Growing up, I've always had a mental picture of a sterile room, my Grandfather and him holding me --- remember, I was just months old before my Grandfather passed and all my parents have said is that he loved me so very much and that I made him happy in his last months (he died of lung cancer)

Growing up, I would always say, Grandpas in the hallway. My parents passed it off as me being silly. When I was 4 years old, they started to believe. We were on vacation, I was outside playing....My brother and I crossed a road that we were told not to cross. We could hear our names being called....TROUBLE! My brother held my hand. Carrie, we cross on 3 (I'm about 4 and he's 5).....1.....2....drops my hand and runs without me. I get scared and start to run....without looking. A car of teens is headed right for me. I freeze. My parents and cousin will tell you that something picked me up and moved me out of the way of the car. There is no other reason that I wasn't hit by the car other than God (and I like to believe my Grandfather)

When I was around 12, my Dad's Uncle passed away. I met him once, just before he passed. That night, I was sleeping, I had a dream of a woman searching through a phonebook, white lights and my Great Uncle rushing down a hallway.....That next morning, I walked upstairs for breakfast with my Grandma, Mom, Dad, Aunt and Uncle....I sat down and said, Uncle George died. A few moments later, the hospital called. My Uncle had passed.

Many years later, I'm in college. I wake-up early in the morning from a deep sleep, look at the clock and start to cry. That morning, my Dad called, my Grandmother had passed away unexpectedly at the exact moment I woke. I actually told him what time she had passed before he could tell me

So you can say that I've embraced my "six sense" - The Bible talks about spirits and I believe in them.

I moved into this house a few years ago and my laundry has always found it's way out of the dryer and onto the floor....My cats are awful but they aren't smart enough to open the door and throw everything on the floor.

Then I started to hear voices.....I thought maybe I was going crazy. It will be super silent in the house...I'll start to hear very faint talking...nothing that I can understand. I often thing that it sounds like men playing poker. I get annoyed and want to yell "keep in down" to the people sharing the wall....then I remember.....I live alone, I don't share walls and there isn't a good reason other than I'm sharing my house.

Just the other day, I felt cold. I checked the heat.....It had been turned off. Well my cats are 5 ft tall and I didn't do it!

Anyway, I embrace spirits. I don't feel as if they are here to hurt me. Some may think I'm crazy.....I just think I've always felt someone special around me and keeping me safe.

If they start to cut the lights, hurt me or my pets.....then I'm calling in Grandpa. Until then, we can all share the house : )

Is this normal??

I'm an Event Planner by day....and night and all I have to say about that is......I am my Fathers Daughter. I would lose it if I couldn't plan my life out by a calender or a clock....even on vacation I like to know how long things will take, how long travel time will be just so I can ensure I'm fitting in as much as I can.

What do I mean by that? Well, everything for me has a schedule. For example.....I had a birthday dinner tonight. It started at 6:30pm and this is how my brain works after ending work.....

6:30pm - Dinner
6:25pm - Park car and walk to dinner
6:00pm - (15 min drive) - Drive to work, may hit traffic but have some wiggle room.
5:45pm - Leave house, pick-up wine and hit the bank
5:30pm - get ready to leave...fix hair and make-up.

It's sick.

My Dad's brain works the same way - he hates to be late. He always says....If you're early you're on time, if you're on-time, you're late and if you're late.....don't show-up.

Sometimes I wish I could tell my brain to forget about a clock and all that jazz but that would drive me 10 times more crazy.

Can you say YUMMY!!!

I made this last night for dinner and it was a-freaking-mazing! Lick the dish, get in my belly, is it time for lunch so I can heat up leftovers, good! (I took the photo mid dinner and yes, we ate at the couch last night)

You can get the recipe here -  http://www.foodnetwork.com/recipes/cajun-chicken-alfredo-recipe/index.html

You may notice that my pasta looks nothing like the photo on the website....I made a few changes...

- I added a whole onion. We love onions and when cooking we pretty much feel you should have an onion with every everything.
- I added about a 1/2 cup of white wine. I used a pinot grigio - I figured I would have to drink the rest of the bottle, why not pour in something I enjoy.
-I added a whole bag of cheese - it was well worth the extra calories.
-I took some of the sauce and poured it over my noodles while my sauce was cooking down....to keep them from sticking (I didn't time my sauce and noodles correctly)

I think that's it - This was not in my points range but so worth it and to be honest, it was really super easy to make.

Life....It's so short.

Each day I wake up and I try to remember, it could be my last. However, I sometimes forget this. I continue on with my life as if I have 100 years to spare and as if everyone around me will be here always.

I've been crazy busy the last few months with work. My relationships, I feel, have been neglected. My phone calls and time spent with Doug, friends and family have been minimal and that's not OK.

I feel that I need to mention, I love my co-workers and the volunteers who I spend much of my time working with. They are awesome people and if I'm going to share my time away from those I love the most, I'm in great company.

This past weekend, Doug and I planned to spend the weekend together (we both took off work on Monday for an extra day). It was exactly what we needed. We went to a party, cooked breakfast, went out for dinner and beers, watch movies, laughed, went shopping, at breakfast at 11am, lunch at 3pm and dinner at 7pm - it was wonderful. We need to do this more often. When we first started dating, we spent every Saturday together out and about. Over the last year, as work for me have become more and more crazy, I find that I've made this less and less of a priority. Shame on me.

I use to travel home once a month to spend a long weekend with my parents - March has been the exception to the rule this year but I haven't been doing that. Going home once an month is something that's really important to me. I wont have my parents forever and I want as much time with them as I can get. I need to be better at this.

I've been trying to grab a weeknight dinner with a friend and forget about the 100 other things I "should" be doing because the laundry, extra hours of work and the other 98 things I "should" be doing, wont really matter if I lose a moment with someone I love and care about.

I need to remember to say "I love you" "Thank you for your time! You're an awesome person" "Thank you for being my friend" and 100 other things I should say to show those around me just how much I care.

Malkin!

Nine years ago, I "adopted" my first pair of cats as an adult. I was super excited due to the fact that I love cats and if I love anything more, it's a kitten! Malkin (L) and Stallzy (R) were born on in a yard and needed a home - I was more than happy to bring them to my home.

These two are sisters and raised by the same Mom, me! They couldn't be more different. Stallzy (R) is friendly, smart, annoying and ready to get into anything that isn't cat friendly. Malkin (R) is shy, scared and sweet all rolled into one. She was born with an eye issue and after a visit to the eye specialist at a young age, it was determined that there is nothing that can be done. She could have eye surgery but it would be painful and the results would only be temporary. I've never been able to pick her up and hold her....sometimes she will allow pets, if you are sitting and she comes to you.

This photo is so big for one reason.......After 9 years, I was finally able to walk in the room, sit on the couch, get up and come back.....all without her running away. She just sat there. Maybe it's the old age kicking in. Maybe shes finally realizing that I'm not going to hurt her. Whatever it is....It made me pretty happy.

 

 

I needed that....

So much that I had to share before I run out the door....... I lost 2.4 lbs this past week! Even better, I was able to button my fat jeans. I had thought that my legs and butt were looking a little more fit and that my hips felt smaller but I wasn't ready to give it a try, until today, when I realized I didn't have any clean pants to wear to my meeting (I work from home - It's always a big deal when I need to leave and look like a normal person!) Well, my muffin top is there but to be honest, the black shirt and sweater cover it enough that I could really care less. These pants fit and it's really all I care about today!

I was home this past weekend for a black tie dinner, my Dad took me out to buy an outfit since I can't fit into any of my dresses.....Well, I left in tears after trying on 10 dresses and looking awful in each one. I went out on my own the next day and found the most perfect dress. I still felt fat and under dressed but it's the little things that count right now when it comes to clothing.

Fingers crossed that this continues......

I love this face....

 

This is my Nephew, Balin. He's 6 and I just love him more and more each day and I just love getting to know this little dude over the summers.

This is the best cat in the world, Buddy. He has a temper issue and when he gets angry....he will walk over a hit you.

Update.....

As I mentioned, I joined Weight Watchers about three weeks ago. The first week (I based my weight off a doctors visit the week before), I lost 7 pounds. I was pretty excited. Basically, all I've done is gain. I'm 3lbs under where I started.

This is overly aggravating. I've been following the program and working out like a crazy person. That said, this is what I expected. I'm trying my best to keep a positive attitude, trying to not let this break me or turn me to tears daily but it's hard!

My main purpose in joining WW was to follow a program and report the lack of progress....I was keeping my fingers crossed that I would be proven wrong. I'm about two months out from my appointment with the specialist and eager to report my progress (or lack of) - I'm always being told that I need to change my diet....I want to walk in and be able to say see, this is what I'm eating! Now lets get to the bottom of this. All current blood tests are pointing that I gain weight when I'm stressed due to a wonderful hormone in my body. Well, I'm always stressed with work....so yeah, that works out well for me!

 

This is my proof - Ignore the bottom shelf. This is Doug's beer (and mine, which I reward myself with).

 

Hoping that this coming week is a little better.

I need a maid.....

My house and life are currently overwhelming me. I'm a total creature of habit....I'm lazy all week, except for cleaning the kitchen and picking-up after myself and then do one massive clean on Friday night. 10 years ago, I would have thought you were out of your mind if you told me I'd ever say this....but it's the truth. Nothing beats a night in, away from people, with a bottle of wine, cleaning products and some Dateline and 20/20. That said....I've been away the last three weekends for work or personal trips....which means....I haven't been cleaning b/c who really has time for that during the week with a 40+hour schedule and working out three days a week?! Not this girl!

Anyway, this weekend in BOOKED and I feel like crap (a nice winter head cold).......I'm worried I'll be wearing my PJs out to meet friends :) Oh well.....I feel a personal day coming my way.

Home is where the heart is....

This past weekend, D and I packed up the car and headed back to my parents house for the long weekend. While I wish I lived 4.5 min away from my parents and not the 4.5 hours, I find myself really luck that I'm A) close enough where I can drive and B) that D enjoys my family enough to visit with me!

The main purpose of our trip was to attend a charity dinner auction - My parents have been involved with Freedom Hills Therapeutic Riding Program since my younger sister was just a toddler and she benefited greatly from the program. My parents have served on the BOD for years and help with the planning of the dinner auction. That said, they were super busy Friday night. D and I took the free time to meet up with an old childhood friend of mine. He and his wife just moved back to the DE area and it was wonderful to catch up. There's something to be said for the connection two people have when you can sit down and remember the smallest of childhood details that nobody in your adult life know about. I had a lot of fun and loved getting to know his wife, who is wonderful.

After we finished dinner, D and I went on a bar crawl.....it wasn't much of a crawl since I had to drive to the locations but it was nice to be out and about on my old stomping grounds.

We had a great time Saturday - we didn't really win anything that we wanted. Everything I had my eyes on was stolen from me at the last second by a rude person who would slap their number down after the table had closed. I wasn't in the mood to start a fuss but it kinda made me really upset!

We headed back Sunday AM and hit the worst weather - snow, snow and more snow! I'm really tired of the snow. Enough is enough.

It's always wonderful spending time with my parents but it's never enough. I just need to pick my life, job and friends and move them all back to Landenberg.

I joined....

Weight Watchers. I'm only on day two (so far so good!) and the most beneficial aspect of the program has been realizing just how many points the foods I eat are! I have some running around to do today and I thought, I'll swing by Panera and pick up a sandwich and a cup of soup....checked my points and NO! I will not be stopping by Panera for a sandwich (maybe the 7 or 8 points for the soup is worth it....maybe...) but I will be swinging by the store and picking up turkey and some fruits and veggies.

I joined Weight Watchers to track my weight loos and what I'm eating - I've been having a very hard time losing weight over the last 5 years after becoming really sick and needing a prolonged treatment of steroids. I have an appointment with a specialist in April (3 month wait....really?!) and wanted to show that I really do put effort in trying to lose the weight.

Many times, I feel that you go to the doctor, explain that something is wrong and they look at you and say...."you need to exercise, eat healthy, cut out sodas....blah blah blah" - I'm not lazy and I do exercise, I don't drink (a lot) of soda, and I do eat fairly healthy! After five years of an ongoing fight to figure out why I have the body and health issues of a 60+ year old lady, I'm going to track the heck out of what enters my mouth (and everything else going on) and they are going to listen!

I'll report back throughout the next 3 months but unfortunately, I'm not expecting huge progress. I also figured I had noting to lose by doing this....other than some weight : )

I was born to be a Napa girl

If I have my pick of a nice cold beer or a huge glass of wine, I'm picking the beer! Except if I'm in the most beautiful, relaxing and happy place in the USA.....Napa, CA!

 

This latest trip marked my second time to Napa and I still love it! It still feels like my second home and I'm pretty sure, I belong there. My BFF lives in Napa (she's so lucky) - having a friend in one of the most amazing spots isn't an awful thing....at all. She gives me great pointers on where I should spend my time and she never and I mean never gives me bad advice.

 

This trip was much needed. I was coming down from a few crazy and stressful months at work and life in general has been crazy. My friend and I headed out and we didn't set a schedule at all. It's truly a wonderful thing to not follow a clock. We ate, drank, laughed and had a great time.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

We even had time to make the drive down to my Aunt and Uncle's house in Half Moon Bay and spend the day (and night) with them! I just love them and my Uncle's cooking. Once a year they have whats called Maverick's Invitational, surfers from all over the world come out to surf waves over 60 ft high! It just so happened that this was taking place the same day and we were lucky enough to see it. It was awesome! Big thanks to my Uncle Ron for getting us tickets!

 

 

*I stole this photo but this is a photo from the event.

 

If you ever get the chance to go out, do! It's so worth it.



Snow, Snow and More Snow.

It's been snowing for days! As I type, I can hear D outside cleaning the driveway - this is the 5th time he or I have cleaned it in 3 days! They are calling for 3 more inch's between tonight and tomorrow.....ugh. The temps have also been very low, in the 20's and below...burr!

I'm very much looking forward to the grass cutting days of spring and summer!

Wood Floors....

When I bought my house, one of the top selling features (there were a lot) were the floors. I have hardwood throughout the whole house, except the spare bedroom and I love it. I just feel as if the house is a lot more clean looking Anyway I use to have a Shark that I used to "vacuum" the floors but it broke : ( I then gave my vacuum a try and it just blows the dirt back at me.....ugh not fun.

Now I'm looking to replace the Shark and buy something new. I loved the Shark - It was a Groupon find and was well worth the $35.

What are you using? I'm looking for any suggestions on what you use. I hate, hate, hate using a broom. I feel as if it's a lot of work and not that great of a return. I want something that I can plug in, pull out, clean with and put back away.

Tired!

For the last year I've been tired, all the time! And not the normal "I went to bed late and need two more hours" tired. I'm talking I can't get out of bed, lift my head kind of tired.

About a month ago I had an ear infection and went to the doctor, my normal P.A. (who I love) wasn't available and I was sent to see a new doctor and I love her. She asked all the right questions. Symptoms that I thought were due to stress and "old age", pointed her towards a bigger issue.

My doctor sent me to have blood test done and they found that I have a vitamin B12 and D deficiency. They started me on a B12 prescription supplement and an over the counter D vitamin. I can't even start to tell you how amazing I feel.

For the last year or more, I've been struggling....I was always tired. There were days that I didn't and couldn't get up. I wanted to get up but I just could not physically get out of bed. When I did (a girl has to work) I just felt awful. Not anymore. Two weeks later, I have 100 times more energy. I'm sleeping my eight hours and waking up feeling like a normal person. A few other symptoms have vanished or become less noticeable. It's simply amazing at how wonderful I feel. While out the other day, I had a "flashback" of my life a few years ago, I felt joy, I felt the "old" Carrie.

Finally after five years of not feeling like myself, I'm starting to feel like we are finding answers and taking steps in the correct direction to finding my old self.

I wish I had pushed a little harder over the last years but as of now, I'm pretty happy that I'm able to get out of bed at a normal hour (7am) and not feel as if I'm going to smack my head off a table as I fall asleep.

Am I old and cranky or has TV turned extra trashy?

Honestly! When did it become acceptable for shows to curse every other word....or at all!?

TLC use to be a great channel....In the last year, it's gone downhill in my opinion (along with a lot of other channels). The other day I was watching TV, it was a Saturday and I had been watching, I believe, Say Yes to the Dress....The next show on was something covering a washed up "singer" from I believe, TLC. All I could hear from the other room was....beep, beep beep..Really? Isn't the name of your channel The Learning Channel? What am I learning? How to be trashy?

I've been going back and forth as to if I should cancel my cable and move over to Hulu and stick with a movie rental service (not that the movies out are all that wonderful). The only channels I NEED are ABC, HGTV, FX and Lifetime and LMN!

Maybe I'm crazy but I just don't want to support trashy TV!