Saturday, June 26, 2010

It Was a Better Week

Thanks for all the encouraging comments on my last post. Last week sucked! This week was much better. I didn't really put myself in a position to be flaked upon and kept things very low-key.

On Monday, I tried out a new workout class through the rec department which employees described like Bar Method. I love Bar Method and it's an intense workout but it's a little out of budget for me. So I signed up for this cheaper class and was kind of disappointed. It was 1/2 modern dance and 1/2 bar method. I don't really like dance classes per se because you have a bunch of dancers who know what they're doing and then there's me going...what are they doing and how do I do that?! Yea...unless it's tap or swing, I'm pretty lost in the dance department. So the modern dance portion was lost on me but the bar method portion was much more my speed. I pondered whether I would keep with the class but the next two days brought about reminders of muscles I forgot I had because I haven't used them in uh....months! So it was definitely a good workout! I'll try it this week and see how I feel.

On Tuesday, I had my crochet class. I felt really bad that I hadn't done any of my "homework" since any focused minute I had went towards Letter C. So, I brought it with me to class and the ladies dutifully oohhhed and aaahhhed over it and I felt much better and motivated about it. They even said I had to bring it to the next class...and was reminded I had to crochet too! Ack! Letter C has gotten some attention...the crochet however....not so much!

The rest of the week was a blur of laziness, self-pampering and stitching. No plans...no expectations. Too much time on my hands and I go a little batty. But what has helped immensely is making plans for the Fall. Looks like I will be jetsetting! Woo! It won't be on the scale as travelling to London, Rome and Greece but I'll take what I can! In September, I'll be heading to the Shepherd's Bush Retreat. I am so excited! So far, everything is booked except for a rental car. I'm considering this my birthday gift to myself for the entire decade seeing as it's a tad pricey but my birthday is the Friday following retreat. I know a couple of other bloggers such at Katrina and Terri are going and I am really grateful Katrina is kind of taking me under her wing since I was initially supposed to go with Mr. Ex but am now (obviously) going solo and am kind of nervous about it. Thanks Katrina for making me feel better about it! Is anyone else going to the retreat?

I was talking to my sister (hi Karen!) about this too. Moaning about driving around UT on my own and not knowing a single thing about the state other than a lot of Mormons live there. She reassured me about it and said it would be exciting and fun...a little adventure! And then she asked me what happened to the girl who picked up and traveled to Paris alone and spent nine days traipsing about. Yea...what happened to that girl?! Oh, yea...that was me. Shoot, talk about a lifetime ago! After a different terrible breakup, I called the airline and asked what would be cheaper...Paris, Rio or Rome. Paris was the cheapest, I booked a ticket and three weeks later...I was on a plane. My mother about had a heart attack. It was a good trip! Mind you, when I got there...I was pretty much in shock myself and had to take a nap because I was very much in a "what the hell am I doing in Paris...I don't know anyone here!?" frame of mind. But the nap helped and I walked and explored and visited every museum, famous monument/church/opera house and met a couple of other tourists along the way. I do have to share that Paris probably wasn't the best choice post-breakup seeing as it's called "the city of love" and there were way too many couples I wanted to smack in the head but it was fun all the same. I mean, where else can you see Operation Petticoat and The Rocky Horror Picture Show performed in French plus acquire dark noir renditions of a slutty Tinkerbell-type that have thus been labeled as "pixie porn" from friends and apartment manager alike. Yea, Paris was interesting and fun! I need to find my adventurous streak again. I've become too "I'll wait for when I have someone to go with" but in all reality, I don't have a very good track record with relationships so I may as well go and have fun on my own and be open to new things.

So on that note, I am also going to New York in the Fall too. Ticket booked, oh so excited! A friend of mine moved to NY last year and has been reminding me that she has a sofa bed I can crash on whenever I want and I've waited long enough to travel to NY. Things have always come up, plans have always gotten canceled...the one place I've wanted to visit forever. Really...what am I waiting for now? New York...here I come! I can't wait!

Said friend is getting married in Dallas and it looks like the wedding is happening a lot earlier than I thought which means that will be my third trip this year. That's a good thing seeing as my sister lives there and I can visit with her and her family and spend some time with them as well. I was hoping to meet some DFW stitchy bloggers but the trip will coincide with holidays and I think that might be hard to coordinate this time around.

I hope you all don't mind my rambling. I figure I may have more retrospective posts in light of my new single status. Hopefully, I won't lose readers because it's more talk and less stitching! Tomorrow, I'll be back with stitchy pictures and more weekend stuff! :)

Hope everyone is enjoying their weekend!

Until next time...

19 comments:

Andrea said...

Glad you had a better week :-)

Oh, NYC, how fun! I've only been once, and it was a very short trip, but I'd love to go again someday! And LMK when you're in the DFW area, I'd love to meet up with you! I usually have to work around the holidays anyway, so I never go too far, and what family we have comes here. Just email when the time comes (my email is same as my blog name at hotmail) and we'll work something out!

Have another (better every day) week!

Andrea said...

geesh, that last sentence came out weird, I was trying to say, have another good week :-/(it's late, I'm tired, lol)

Margaret said...

Glad this week was better for you. One day at a time! Your travel plans sound great! I wish I were going to the SB retreat. You'll have a great time! And New York and Texas too! You'll have to let me know when you're in NYC.

Jackie's Stitches said...

The SB retreat is going to be fabulous I'm sure. I've seen pictures of Utah on blogs - it is a beautiful state. I think you'll have a great time!

Sally said...

So glad you have had a better week and here's hoping the next one will be even better.

Ooh I would love to go on an SB retreat! Need a lottery win first though!

Katrina said...

Glad your week was better :-). And what fun travel plans! I am so looking forward to Shepherd's Bush, we will have lots of fun and it's easy to get around in Utah.

Kelly said...

Happy to hear you had a better week. Your trips sound great. Stitching people are so nice. It is easy to travel by yourself to stitchy places. I live in NY for a year. It is a great city. Look into the Onion Walking Tours. They take you different places that you may not have visited and are very reasonably priced.

Pumpkin said...

That's great! I'd love to go to the SB retreat. Maybe someday...

You went to Paris on your own? I wish I had enough guts to do something like that.

I hope you make the most of these trips :o)

Lisa said...

I, too, am glad that you had a better week. Sounds like you will be the ultimate traveller. I am jealous about the Shephards Bush retreat. I read about these and would love to go and experience them. I hope you take your camera and computer with you so that you can blog about your adventures :)
Take care...and here is to an even better week.

Cheryl said...

Oh my goodness, just been catching up with your blog and and everything that has been going on for you recently! I hope you are doing ok. Thats great you have these trips lined up

Natasha said...

Wow Paris all by yourself. Thats awesome! NY is a place that I would love to visit it should be a fun trip for you.

Utah is beautiful, yes alot of mormons live there but alot of regular folk to but the views of the mountains are so awesome it is amazing. That SB retreat should be great fun.

Okay I have to ask what is Bar method?? When I read that I instanly thought of Bar Rafel, that super model and then I thought of a candy bar LOL

Take care!!!

Deb said...

Wow, you're really going to be a traveler this year. That's a good thing. Wish I was going to the SB retreat, but think I'm going to try to go next year. I always go to NY in the fall, but maybe I"ll give that trip out and have some fun at the retreat. You've got so much to look forward to!!

Carol R said...

Good to hear you are keeping busy! Your upcoming trips sound fun - especially the SB retreat.

Carol said...

Hi Valerie! So happy to hear that this week was better for you... And what a nice group of trips you have lined up--fun, fun! Make sure you take lots of pictures to share with us, okay :)

Missy Ann said...

1. C is for Crochet! lol

2. Don't let "supposed to's" get in the way of having fun.

((Valerie))

Meari said...

Wow you'll be going all over. You go girl! I figured out a long time ago that if I ever want to see places other than where I live then I'll have to go alone. It's a bit scary but indeed an adventure!

If you're ever in the midwest let me know :)

Karin said...

Hi! I am going to the retreat with Katrina as well (she pointed me to your blog) and I am sure we all will have fun!!!
Looking forward meeting you!

Julie said...

Lots to look forward too, i'll enjoying reading all about your adventures.

Shelleen said...

as you can see I am still catching up on reading your blog. So where in NY will you be visiting? I am in western NY between Buffalo and Rochester. If you are out this way maybe we can meet :-)