Life

The Bachelor

| cheriarmour

Let’s get one thing out of the way first.  I absolutely did slip on the ice yesterday leaving my job.  Now, as I was slipping, I felt it happening and didn’t even trying to resist it, just let myself flop on the ground.  THAT is how you do it, ladies and gents.  That’s my bit of helpful advice as this entire country freezes over, just let it happen, and you’ll be okay.

The Batch

So I am the kween queen of trashy television, and I have been since I was a teenager, and The Real World was a thing.  I don’t think I’ve ever actually desired to be on reality telly, because in my mind, there’s some stuff that needs to stay private, however, I have enjoyed it.  But I truly have not watched the Bachelor in it’s entirety in years.  But one of the girls who works in my office definitely watches it, and we seem to relate really well over my love of reality telly, so I thought, hey, let’s DVR this and catch up when I’m working on the blog at night!

And I can’t look away.

There are so many questions I have as it relates to The Bachelor. 

  • Kelsey, Kelsey, Kelsey.  What in God’s name is the matter with Kelsey?  Why does she think she’s better than the rest of the girls?  Why didn’t one of the producers provide her with some Roc Retinol for under her eyes knowing full well that she would be on camera?  Why does she cut her hair like a 40-year-old woman? (Shoutout to the 40-year-olds, but we don’t need the mom cut until we are in fact, moms.)  Is she actually a widow?  Who would marry her?  Why is she so grouchy when Chris isn’t around?  How come she thinks just because she threw around the word “amass” one time, she’s a MENSA candidate?  Why did she fake a panic attack for?  Does she know it’s not cute to make a mockery of people who actually have experience with those?  Listen, anyone who fakes anything really isn’t to be trusted.

Panic Attack

  • How do the girls drink constantly?  They are not fat.  I drank nonstop the week of my wedding and gained like 90 pounds in a day.  How?!  Are they working out off-camera?  We also NEVER see them eating so, maybe they just eat green beans and things.
  • Why do these girls wear so much makeup?  I am strictly a BB Cream, mascara, and eyeliner (on a great day), type of lady, so it’s actually really alarming to see girls with lipstick, highlights, eyelashes, eyebrow pencils.  What do you really look like?  Maybe I’m just jealous…

Bachelor

  • Why is everyone crying all the time?  All the time.  I have cried over two boys, one of whom I was involved in a dysfunctional relationship with.  Why are you crying over someone you don’t know?!

Are you following the Bachelor?

Running on freezing

| cheriarmour

So, it’s cold as eff here, and as far as I know, I’m still running a marathon in two months.

Lord Jesus please someone explain to me why the low on Thusrday is 5 degrees?  I live in North Carolina, this should not be the case.

via WRAL.com
via WRAL.com

This is straight, unadulterated bs. And I’m trying to figure out the best way to go about running this week without injuring myself or going crazy on the treadmill, not only because the treadmill is ridiculously boring, but also because the treadmills at my job try and close you out at 45 minutes for the courtesy of others. I may have to guest it somewhere and run on a treddie or a trail here that will allow me a little more time and still allow me to pack on the mileage. But hey, I won’t whine too much because I have a warm bed and a roof over my head.  More than some folks can say.

But I digress.

Beside the fact that we’re freezing for whatever reason here, I have an actual question for you all.

So, I may be the only woman on the planet, but I never read Fifty Shades of Grey.  I never got into it, and in fact, the summer when the series’ popularity had reached a fever pitch, I was working in the mountains of Pennsylvania, and I truly just didn’t have time to read it, plus I didn’t want my girls to see me reading it (even though a really decent number of them, juniors in high school, were reading it).

And now, with the movie last weekend, and with the proliferation of articles for and against it, I’m genuinely curious as to what all the hype was about, and if we ARE pushing something dark and abusive.  Knowing all of this, and knowing that I’m still training, and running a lot, I’m definitely considering putting that in the queue for treadmill books, really to see what this controversy is all about.  I honestly feel weird commenting on it at all without having read it, and I’m surprised to see that a lot of the folks who are writing blog posts and articles about it haven’t so much as cracked its spine.  But that’s just me.

Are you staying warm?

Did you read 50 Shades?  What did you think about it?

V-Day Weekend

| cheriarmour

I have an admission to make.

After last week, I was completely overwhelmed, and I was a mess to deal with this weekend.  Between a really big week at work, trying to deal with my car issues, I’m sort of dealing with these feelings that I absolutely suck at life.  As I sit here, I’m looking around at my couch covered in pet hair, and dealing with the fact that the beagle managed to act up enough so that the woman who adopted her is bringing her back (not kidding) I’m wondering how people with kids do this, and have cleaner houses and seem to have their shit together better than I do.

But I digress.

Here are a few snaps from the weekend.

Friday, I hosted a Zumba/Dance Fitness Party at my Y, and we actually had a really really good turnout, which had me nervous all week.  It can be really really tricky to get folks to commit to anything on a Friday night, and I was terrified that no one would show, and I would look like a butt in front of my bosses.

Three hours before the party, I was testing the playlist out on my iPod, when every single solitary song on my device disappeared, and I watched my life flash before my eyes.

“I’m the boss. I’m in charge of this party.  And I just screwed up all the music.”

I raced home, managed to update the software on my husband’s laptop, and load the entire playlist onto Austin’s iPad, literally with 15 minutes to spare before the party.  The party went off without a hitch, our attendance was huge, and I was so proud of my team!

Zumba Party
Zumba Party

Immediately following, I raced-raced to Ruthschris to meet my husband, and I ate everything in sight, including this little cheesecake for dessert that I told the server I would only take a bite of.  Then I ate the whole thing.

Then this girl…

Alyssa Edwards via imgkid.com
Alyssa Edwards via imgkid.com

I met my girls, and hit Legends in Raleigh to see Alyssa Edwards, a contestant/favorite from RuPaul’s Drag Race from a few seasons ago. When I say that she was fantastic, I mean FANTASTIC. Her makeup was on point, her wig was on point, and she had a better body than most people.  She actually was inspiring – I think a lot of times we see drag queens as funny, but in reality, it really can be an art, and what she did was an art.

Saturday, I hit class early, and taught an 8:30 toning, and ran over to our branch to teach an 11:15 Zumba to a packed house.

Sunday, I went to work, caught up on some work, and then hit drag brunch, benefiting a foundation here that hat encourages and promotes the development of services for persons living with AIDS and/or HIV infection. I got brunch and got champagne, AND managed to benefit a sweet nonprofit?  I’ll take it.

This week, we are gearing up for some sort of winter event here in Raleigh and my goal, my only goal, is to keep my head on straight despite life’s…things.

How was your weekend?  What did you do?

What are your goals this week?

On hating Valentine’s Day.

| cheriarmour

Krispy_Kreme_Doughnuts

First off, I have had to work so hard with myself to resist the feeling like I want to get a heart-shaped donut from Krispy Kreme and a coffee. And the main reason is because even though when it goes down it tastes good, that thing will sit in your stomach like a sweet rock.  Plus I’m kinda trying to decide if I want to get a package of those red velvet Oreos so I can eat a few and go to town writing about the delicious medley inside of my mouth.

So, I feel like in high school, that it was really cool to hate on Valentine’s Day. Wear all black, pull your hood up, and profess that the day was “stupid,” “manufactured by Hallmark,” and that “you shouldn’t have to wait for a special day to tell your spouse/partner that you love him or her”.

I always loved the day because I guess I’m just a hopeless romantic idiot, but even single, the concept of pinks, reds, whites, and candy candy candy at a time when it’s not Halloween is simply magical to me.  To demonstrate this, enjoy this summary from one of my favorite books when I was like in 7th grade.

This sassy Cinderella story centers on 14-year-old Ashley Ella Toral, who has just received an invitation to the biggest bash of the season, a New Millennium’s Eve party held at the prestigious Ocean Crest Country Club and hosted by her heartthrob, Trevor Cranston. Thwarting her chance to usher in the year 2000 in style are her two bratty, scheming stepsisters, Paige and Jessica, and Ashley’s stepmother, Phyllis, who wants Ashley to baby-sit on the night of the big event. At the same time the unpampered princess is wallowing in self-pity, her unlikely fairy godmother (Phyllis’s grandmother) is flying in from Florida to bestow enough gifts, cash and service upon Ashley to make most of her dreams come true. Besides offering plenty of laughs, this updated classic adds much color to characters traditionally painted in black and white. Ashley’s stepmother is not evil so much as self-centered and overwrought by financial concerns, and Ashley, virtuous though she is, can be rather testy at times. Jukes has a ball adding new twists to an all-too-familiar plot, and readers will want to get in on the fun, too. Ages 10-up. (Sept.)

All I wanted was romance.

So…need a few reasons to love V-Day?

  • Reese’s hearts.  On par with the Reese’s big cup, Reese’s eggs, and Reese’s trees, Reese’s hearts are perfect for one reason, and for one reason only.  The peanut butter to chocolate ratio.
Yes Daddy.
Yes Daddy.
  • The colors pink and red. They ain’t nobody who doesn’t look good in a hot red dress.
  • Glitter.
  • And finally,  75% off CANDY?!  Now granted, this will only occur in the day/days following the big day, but HOLLA for some candy.  When I was in social work, I may or may not have taken full advantage of this to get clients to accomplish their goals.

So…do you love or hate the day?

Well hello there!

| cheriarmour

I took a few days off from blogging because of how crazy things have been over the past few days.  But don’t worry, I will fill you in on everything going in.

For one, remember how I said I would never drive a minivan? This is why you never say never.  After I managed to total my car (the Lancer is a total loss) I’ve had a lot of trouble with Metlife getting any answers on my car.  Which is a completely separate issue, which we can talk about later.  But the car that I’m being given in the meantime is a minivan.  And everything about it screams “mom”.  It’s a Maroon mom color.  There are like 6 seats in the back.  But the one really nice thing about the minivan is that it’s got mom features – it’s got the hands-free bluetooth thing, which is nice because I can work in the short amount of time that I spend in my car.

Second, I’m having huge issues with trying to get the issues with my car resolved, which I may have to address in a separate post.  But suffice it to say that I’m not satisfied in any way with my experience with the insurance company.  My understanding is that provided that you pay your insurance, that your insurance company is supposed to have your back, no?  That has not at all been my experience, and I’m getting extremely frustrated – I spent hours on the phone yesterday to try and get some of this resolved.  How do people do this?

My husband is back from China!  I am really excited, and he definitely had some stories for me. He talked about the flight (17 hours from Dallas), the air (very smoggy), and showed me pictures of the food, which looks good on him.  He said that the food was not super calorie-dense, and it showed – not that he needed to lose an ounce, but without the chance to work out while he was in China, he manged to slim down somewhat – very interesting!

What has your last week been like?  

Chipotle Sofritas + Good Customer Service

| cheriarmour

How do you guys feel about tofu?

I’m a vegetarian, but I’m always really surprised at how many of of my meat-eating friends have never tried tofu, or think that tofu is something disgusting that only people who are really weird about their diets eat.  I actually probably first had good tofu at fat camp, where the chefs would actually marinate it and cook it up similarly to the way you would do a steak.  I started buying my own tofu and cooking it then, and have loved it ever since.

So a few weeks ago, I was working late, and I asked Austin to bring me a Chipotle burrito so I could split it in half and eat it for lunch the following day.  Spoiler alert:  I ate the whole things right then 😦 But I didn’t give Austin a whole lot of direction as far as it concerned the burrito, and he showed up with something called a sofritas burrito.

At first I was like “look playa, this looks a little meaty,” and after a few bites, I had to inspect to make sure what I was eating didn’t contain some sort of ground beef.  because the texture was really ground beefy.  I apologize for the disgusting adjectives, but you get it.

But the burrito that Austin got me was absolutely delicious, and we owe it all to something delicious called sofritas.   Sofritas is a tofu that’s textured really well, and is marinated in some sort of flavorful sauce thingie (helllloooo Padma), and it’s a really tasty addition to a burrito bowl

via Chipotle

A few Mondays ago, Chipotle ran this special where they were trying to get folks to try sofritas, and with each sofritas thing you tried, you got a little coupon thingie for another meal on another day. So ol’ Dave Ramsey chick over here was like YEAH, I’m about that life!

So I went to the Chipotle prepped to buy my meal, and prepped for my coupon…if you split that meal in half, that’s like FOUR DAYS of food! WHAAA! But when I went, they were running out of things, and I was turned away (really politely) at the door. But I was really relentless, and the next day, I called, spoke to a manager, and explained what had happened the day before with no expectation.

The manager of the Chipotle at Hillsborough St. across from NC State gave me my meal for free, and was very apologetic about them having run out of stuff the night before.

Now THAT is customer service, and even though Chipotle is hell bent on making me fat, I will visit there the next time I need my southwestern fix.

What is the best customer service you have ever received? 

My thoughts during the Super Bowl

| cheriarmour

I’m not an NFL fan by any stretch.  American football is really challenging for me to watch.  It’s so stop and start, and seems to drag on forevs, you get it.  But I won’t miss the SB ever, because I have a classic case of FOMO, and I adore the half-time show.

So I present to you, a few thoughts that I had during the Super Bowl in 2015.

  • John Legend sounds so good!  My brother was sitting next to me and remarked on how young he looked!
  • I’m so-so on Idina’s national anthem.  She did it a cappella, great, that’s wonderful.  But there was really no tempo to speak of, and she was having a rough time staying in the original key.  Which happens when the orchestra doesn’t accompany you.  But hey, Idina probably doesn’t have student loans, so who am I to shade her?
Rob Carr/Getty Imahes
Rob Carr/Getty Imahes
  • The game started, and I felt bored.  I WAS bored.  I contemplated taking the beagle out because I ate a lot of nasty food that day.  Shame on me.
  • Better not leave, I don’t want to miss Katy my lady.
via USA Today
via USA Today
  • Omg Katy Perry is doing a good job! Her voice sounds really good – I think she’s actually singing some of this live?
  • Loving this Katy, this looks so fun!  There’s Lenny Kravitz!  What a fun combo!  He sounds great obvio.
  • Is that…MISSY ELLIOT?!?!!!!! Omg it’s Missy Elliot!!  IT’S MISSY ELLIOT!!!! This is so good!
  • Aw, it’s over 😦
  • Why the hell are like, none of these commercials funny?
  • What the eff is up with that Nationwide commercial?  So not cool!
  • ::closes laptop:: Ohhh this game is getting interesting.  That interception is not good.
  • A FISTFIGHT?!

So those were my thoughts…my deep deep thoughts.

What were your thoughts during the Super Bowl?

First time for everything!

| cheriarmour

Broken LancerSo a little update about my car.

I may have totaled it.  Which is completely unexpected to me – the car doesn’t look that bad, but I would be absolutely lying if I said I was a car specialist.  I will keep you updated, but it’s a little sad…I bought this car about two years ago, and documented it here how it all went down.  I’m waiting for the insurance company to let me know what they think, but the guy who did the estimate said it was a “borderline total loss”.  Psh.  Once again, this is why we absolutely don’t drive while preoccupied, and why there is a such a thing as insurance.

First time for everything!

So, funny enough, when I got into the accident, I was coming from my first time at the chiropractor!

So, for a long time, Fleet Feet has had a partnership with a local chiropractor, and I’ve just sort of danced around the topic of going to get adjusted.  But about a month ago, I started experiencing some weirdness with my left shoulder, a lot of stiffness and an inability to move it around comfortably.  I took a lot of Aleve, begged Austin for massaged, and sought advice from a friend’s husband, who is studying to be a chiropractor now.  But I forgot about it, until I woke up with a pulled neck two weeks ago.

I described it, and still describe it as very Miranda-esque, I was working out hard the day before, and woke up with a stiff neck – couldn’t really turn it right to left, and the up/down was no good either.  Again, I did a ton of Aleve, some muscle relaxants, and slept a LOT, all while continuing to work out and teach my classes, so it’s taken a while to heal.  So I finally made an appointment at the Chiropractic Cafe in North Raleigh, and made my first appointment.

First impressions – I was really, really impressed with how they did patient intake.  Rather than getting to the office like 20 minute early for my appointment and filling out paperwork in terrible handwriting, there was a computer system for it where I filled out out my info, including my insurance info.  There was even a spot for you to upload an image of your insurance card!  The paperwork was thorough, but it was nice because I did it while on my couch, answered honestly, and never felt rushed to get it in before the nurse came out to get me.

So I get there, and was whisked back into the exam room pretty quickly, where I was able to describe, more in-depth, what was going on.  Dr. Rick (who also practices with his wife and a a massage therapist in the office) had be describe the pain and stiffness in detail, and then went over what the practice was all about.  This part was interesting, because it is a really holistic approach to health and wellness.  Now I’m not someone who’s against medications, despite the fact that I’m pretty healthy and into some weird natural things, I honestly believe that God made pharmaceuticals for a reason, however, I love to explore things like massage and chiropractic.

After explaining to me what the practice was all about, Dr. Rick got me on the table and examined me, going down my spine and pointing out to me problem areas.  He went on to stretch my spine (which felt AMAZING), and starting by having me breathe deeply and pushing down on some of the problem areas.  SO good.  Some of the pressure resulted in pops and cracking, and some didn’t, but the cracks felt SO satisfying.  Dr. Rick flipped me on both sides, and adjusted my hips – the BEST cracks of the day.  After that, he sat me up and worked on adjusting my neck, which didn’t feel so good when it was adjusted, but felt a lot smoother and much better afterward.

Of course, I left the session feeling great, and followed it up by crashing my car into a Rubicon.  So cray.

BUT I went back this week, and had an even better adjustment.  At this point, I definitely feel like my neck is on the mend.

I would say, if you’re thinking about trying a chiro out, give it a try, and give it a few sessions before you do.  It was cool, and a way to try and heal my neck (and my beaten-up body), without pumping myself full of meds.

Have you ever been to a chiropractor?

 

 

Get to know me better!

| cheriarmour

I’ve never really met this chick, but cutie-pie over at Two-Thirds Hazel always has the best quizzes and prompts.  She posted this the other day, so I grabbed it up – feel free to laugh J Then grab these up and do these yourself!

  1. Something you will…

refuse to do for the rest of your life: Hm.  It’s hard to never say never, but I think I won’t drive a minivan.  My parents had one, but driving a minivan isn’t really me.  Also, I will never use the derogatory f-word that is used against gay people.  That word makes me feel sick.  Sorry to get heavy so quickly!

always do forever: I will always make weird voices to my pets and talk to them.  I tell Coco all the time that “Mama loves you,” and that “You da best dog in the whole world,” in this weird doggy baby voice.  I can’t help it, pets just turn me weird.

Coco

  1. Something you think is… 

certifiably disgusting: When people like snarf their snot.  I get it, you have some congestion up in your sinuses.  But that is absolutely disgusting, and I actually feel really nauseated when I hear people doing that like in a meeting or something.  Absolutely disgusting.

absolutely amazing: There is just so much.  I’m not super religious, but the way that God, that the Universe, has always taken care of me?  Amazing.  There have been things that have happened to me that I don’t always understand at the time, but when all is said and done, I’m amazed. Everything in my life, even the hard stuff, seems to have happened for a reason.  That amazes me.

  1. A compliment you’ve been given that’s made you…

feel on top of the world:  Someone told me the other day that I make them feel really special when I ask them questions about their life.  I make it a point to do that and to pay attention to the answers because I’m genuinely interested, but it was cool that someone noticed.  Also, folks have told me I’m creative before and I’m like…me?  But I’m definitely cool with that.

pretty upset: Eh. This gross guy once said “Is this the YMCA or Hugh Hefner’s house!” upon seeing me one day at work.  I was disgusted.  Who told that guy that sort of “compliment” was okay.  How would he feel if someone spoke to his mother/sister/cousin/daughter that way?

  1. A name you…

hate: I’m not sure.

love: Hm. I have always loved the name Poppy.  Poppy Elizabeth.  I’m not sure why.

  1. Something people say about you that you…

know is entirely false: I think sometimes folks think I’m dumb.  I sort of sound like Hilary Banks (Fresh Prince) when I talk, but I’m really sharp.  No one had told me I’m dumb, but sometimes, I sense that because I really like to watch reality TV and love pop culture, that my intelligence is sometimes in question.

think is on point: My sisters say I’m the Kourtney of the bunch.  I get it.  I can be into some strange things.  Kombucha, soda water, and my salads.  I get how that can strike folks as a little odd.

  1. A taste you…

can’t stand: Mushrooms.  Broccoli.  The gourds.  Hot onions.

can’t get enough of: Franks Red Hot Extra Hot hot sauce.  I love anything hot.  Mmm.

  1. A song you always…

turn off immediately:  Friggin anything by Nickelback.  What a terrible sound they have!

belt out the lyrics to: Jealous – Nick Jonas.  I sound damn good at it too!

  1. Animal you…

fear: I hate little roachy things.

need in your life right this instant: None.  Absolutely not a one.  We have too many damned pets in this house, and I am not looking to increase that number anytime soon.  Not cool.

  1. Something you…

will never ever eat:  Mushrooms.  Because they taste like shit and can be slimy.

 would eat for every meal if you were given the chance: Mexican?  Or Asian food.  I love sushi (Japan), egg drop soup (China), and making my own pad thai (Thailand!).

  1. To enhance your looks you…

would love to, but would probably never resort to:  I don’t think I would do anything.  Maybe I would get under my eyes filled if they got baggy?  But I’m relying heavily on Roc Retinol and water to keep the bags at bay.

just stick to: BB Cream, mascara, eyeliner, and a spritz of perfume.

Feel free to steal it!!  

ow was your weekend?