Busy, Busy, Busy!

I am so sorry for my inconsistency in blogging - this is a busy time at work and I'm all over the place.

But, by this time tomorrow, I will be reunited with my wonderful fiance and I am elated! I can't wait to see him. He won't get in until late, but we're going to grab dinner out. Then, I bought single servings of mint chocolate chip ice-cream (our favorite) to treat ourselves with once we get back to the hotel.

By the way, this hotel is awesome. If you ever have a chance to stay at a Home2Suites DO IT! I'll have an "office" day tomorrow but I have a lot to do - for work AND school - and am thankful I have an entire day to catch up on it all and have it out of the way by the time Logan gets in.

I have managed to get 2 work outs in the past two days - I'm so proud of myself. I really do feel better when I work out, but hotel gyms can be so BORING. But, yesterday, I broke up the monotony by jogging 15 minutes, and doing a circuit of weights, jogging for 15 minutes, and doing a second circuit of weights. Add a good stretch at the end, and you're at an hour! Today I did the elliptical for 30 minutes (swimming breast stroke for 16 years ruined my knees and they can't take running two days in a row) and upper body and abs.

I have to stay focused on my dress getting here soon! And I have to remind myself how awful I feel after I eat something bad for me. Lucky, I don't have a big sweet tooth, so cakes and other treats aren't too tempting for me, but I'm a sucker for chips.

Time is ticking so I need to stay focused. Any advice on how to stick to my workout plans?

Counting down to Friday!

I get to see my wonderful fiance again this weekend -- I got to see him right after Valentines Day, but a visit is much needed. After this visit, the only definite visit will be when he graduates IBOLC in April, then it's off to Ranger and Airborne schools and visits will be pretty last minute if at all...

So, we have a fun weekend planned, including...

Friday night, we splurged and will stay a night at the Home2 Suites!

He'll be a zombie coming in from the field and claims he'll be so stinky I'll want to dump him but we'll have to see about that ;)

Saturday, we plan on being lazy bones for a while, maybe catching a movie (any recommendations of good ones in theaters now?), I may convince him to car shop a little, then we're hunkering down for the Duke/Carolina game!

(Source: http://instagram.com/p/WczklKxGYo/)

Logan is requesting all kinds of fan favorites for food, but we may just grab heavy snacks to eat during the game.

I cannot wait to see him and spend the weekend together - and alone! I love him coming to my hometown, but him living alone is a definite bonus - no sisters, roommates, or kitty cats to distract us! Just some much needed alone time.

We also plan to catch up on the reading and prep for our premarital counseling. We've both gotten a bit behind on reading, and the topics will make great conversation while we're together.

I'm about to hop a plane to Alabama -- maybe my next post will be dedicated to my favorite things in Birmingham!

XX- C

Airplane Etiquette

I travel a lot for work - primarily in the fall and in the spring. I'm so lucky to have a job that lets me see the country and spend time traveling to all kinds of places.

However, I hate people who have no travel manners. The way I see it, there are some cardinal rules that should never be broken:

• The armrest should be put down, and you should be respectful of the people next to you. There is nothing worse than someone "flowing over" into your seat, or worse, getting too close to your personal space.
• The plane should be unloaded row by row. If you are concerned about making a connection, you should approach the flight attendant before your flight leaves to let them know you'll be cutting it close. There is nothing worse than people running down the middle aisle to get off the plane first. We're all anxious to unload as well.
• If you stored things in overhead storage, you should store it so you can grab it as quickly as possible when exiting. You fussing over your bag only makes everyone else antsy - bottle necks are no fun.
• If you are a gentlemen, you should offer to help women load their suitcases. I can't tell you how many times I've flown with a bag heavier than I can hoist over my head and wrestle to get it into an overhead compartment well over my head. It's call chivarly and it doesn't stop when you board an airplane.
• If you're asked to switch seats, especially if family members would like to fly together, do it! I would bet it's no inconvenience to you, every time I've switched the flight staff have treated me to a drink, and it's making someone else's experience that much better.  If you have that much of a preference of where you sit, it would probably be worth it to just shell out the money for first class. Problem solved.
• When you're walking between gates, and need to walk slower, walk on the outside of the halls. If you need to send a text message, check a departure time, wait for someone, step to the outside of the hall to stop - don't simply stop in the middle of the walkway.
• If you choose to take a moving sidewalk, but are standing, keep your belongings close to you and stay to the right! Those of us in a hurry need to squeeze past you on the left and don't want to worry about our bags getting tangled in yours.

Can you tell I'm stuck in an airport now on a layover? My first flight was delayed, but a friend from high school's Mom works at our airport and fixed my connecting flight so I would have time between. I take off as the Duke basketball game begins, so I'll miss most of it, but such is life. (If they play as poorly as they did on Thursday I'll be happy to miss it.)

What are some of your traveling rules? What bugs you the most?

XX

Friday Letters

Boy, this week was bittersweet. On one hand, it feels as though it flew by, and on the other, I didn't think it was ever going to end. Being back at work was great - especially coming in with the motivation I got from my appointments late last week - but I am 100% burnt out right now.

Logan and I celebrated being together for a year. The long-distance thing was particularly hard this week, hitting such a milestone and not being able to see one another. It was doubly hard that he had his second Op Order this week which monopolized his time - not that he could help it.

Bonnie and I vowed to get our finances in order, and we're doing our best with the help of Mint.com. It picks up on all of our credit cards, debit cards, and student loans and organizes it for us. It helps us to set a budget for various categories so we see exactly where our money is going. Today was a clean slate for me and I hope I can stick to it!

So, with all of this in mind, here are my Friday letters:

Dear Army - Please stop hogging my fiance. Take it easy on that ruck march tomorrow and don't let him be TOO pooped when we actually get to see each other next weekend!

Dear Duke - It pains me to watch away games this season! And I'm more and more anxious for the Carolina game coming up at Carolina - I have a feel it's not going to be pretty! Can we at least beat Miami at home Saturday?

Dear Travel - Please go smoothly tomorrow - I have a lot going on this trip and would love for everything to fall into place perfectly! (Please and thank you.)

Dear Co-Workers - Thank you for being so great. It means the world that I can come to you with my problems - personal and professional - and have you be there for me!

Dear Student Assistant - I'd be lost without you. You are a God send.

I travel all next week, but I'll do my best to bring you highlights from the road!

Happy Weekend!

XX