not great

Today was a not-so-great day. 

 It started with me finding out this morning while I pulled in to work and went to get out of my car that my wallet was missing.  I had a freak-out, called Matt crying, pulled myself together and went inside.  I knew it was gone.  I know I had it yesterday morning at work, but then after that I never got into my wallet until this morning when I went to check and it was gone.  I called the sheriff who works security at the hospital to file a report.  There's two possibilities and neither one is good.  It was either taken at work yesterday or out of my car last night. Yes, I know what you are thinking.  From your car? Who leaves their bag with their wallet outside in their car overnight? Trust me, I know.  Bad, bad idea.

Since our garage is still full of stuff from moving, I haven't been able to pull my car in so it sits right outside in the driveway.  I always lock my car once I get out and since I worked 3 in a row this week I just left my bag in my car last night to not lug my bag in and out. So either it was taken from my bag at work (sucky) or it was some fluke that last night was the one night I didn't lock my car and also the night that someone decided to grab my wallet from my car (sucky again).  Either way, my wallet is gone and it really stinks. I know it didn't fall out or get misplaced.  I spent my morning at work called my banks and insurance companies to get new cards.  I've actually thought to myself before, "Don't have so much stuff in your wallet, what if it gets stolen one day?" Welp, it did.  And I'm sad I had so much stuff in there.  

Being busy at work was a neutral situation.  Bad because I felt so busy and behind all day, but good since it kept my mind off my wallet.  I am going to the BMV tomorrow to get a new license which won't even come in the mail for 10 days and so they will just give me a piece of paper.  I am waiting 7-10 business days for my debit/credit cards to be mailed and 10-14 for my insurance cards to come.  I feel like I have no identity.

Soooo if you see a green leather Coach wallet lying around somewhere, call me!

QT with the Harley

On Saturday, Matt and I had a day full of riding.  We started off the morning at 10 where we met everyone at Harley-Davidson on 96th St for a benefit ride.  We rode for Kammy's Kause.  It was an all day event.  The ride itself took about 5 hours and then we all made our way to a park in Fortville where there was a hog roast.  I had never been on a benefit ride before, but Matt had.  It was so fun to be out on the bike all day and to ride with a huge group of people.  We had police escorts everywhere we went, in the front, side, and back of us to keep everyone safe.  The first leg of the ride was from Indy to Kokomo Harley.  After I took my helmet off I realized I needed an intervention.  Luckily, Kokomo Harley had an awesome hat I fell in love with so that was my go-to every time we stopped and I took my helmet off.

Pitstop at Kokomo Harley

Matt and his buddy Matt from Central Transport

All lined up

LOVE this guy!  It was such a great day. 

Off we go!

Next, we made our way to Spyke's Harley in Frankfort.  It was about an hour ride.  They had hot dogs, chips, and pop at Spyke's for everyone.  It was awesome!  Then we were off to our last stop, the hog roast in Fortville.

Police escort

What a gorgeous day!!

Another copper

Spyke's Harley in Frankfort

Morse Resevior.  We rode past this and I had never heard of/seen this before,

Park in Fortville- Hog Roast

After the ride, we came home to rest for about a half hour and then we were off to Motorcycles on Meridian.  We had heard about this last year and were sad we missed it.  Luckily, I had off work this time and we could go!  It was so much cooler than I thought it would be.  There were SO many motorcycles down there.  They were all lined around Monument Circle and all up and down the middle of the roads and on the sides.  We parked and went walking to look at other bikes and go check out the entertainment.  They had beer tents and bands and stunt bikers.  It was awesome! I want to go every year.

Drove right up next to Lucas Oil

Bikes everywhere!

Riding down to the circle to park

Matt's buddy Matt and his wife Rachel

Us!

Bikes around the circle

Love this picture!

Checking out the band

It will probably take me a couple days to recover from riding all day.  My back, legs, and butt are sore. I haven't rode like that in forever so I need to break myself back in.  We had such a great day!

zappos

I love Zappos SO much! 

I have ordered a couple different things through them and they are always so awesome.  First of all, they include FREE SHIPPING every single day of the year no matter what you buy or how much you spend.  Plus, they have free returns and you don't pay for that shipping either.  It's basically shopping in a store but it takes a day or two to come on.  You buy what you think you might like in a size you think might fit and then if it doesn't, send it back for free and get a different one, no questions asked.

 Secondly, the shipping is free so you'd think it would take 2 weeks or something outrageous for it to come? Nope! They usually send you a cute email saying you've been upgraded to faster shipping and I get everything in about 2 days.

I forget the reason I called them the first time a while ago, but I just remember calling late at night (I think it was about the shoes I ordered for my wedding or something), they answered, and they were amazing and so helpful.  I just had to call them tonight (at 9:05 pm on a Friday night after work) to tell them that my boots fit funny.  I tried them on as soon as I got home and noticed that the right boot was tighter and not as comfy.  They felt like completely different sizes.  And no, I don't think my foot is bigger than the other.  I thought he was going to say, "Ok, well return those and re-order a new pair."  I really didn't want to chance my luck.  I was almost embarrassed to call and tell him that because I knew they couldn't do anything special for me.  Oh wait! Yes they did! He looked it up and they have my size in stock so they are sending me another pair (while I keep my current pair) at no charge so I can see if they fit better or if I want to mix and match them to find the perfect fit.  All I have to do is return the ones I don't want within 14 days.    

Best part is I had a $100 gift card from work for working overtime during our new-computer-order-entry crazy learning week so I got these boots for a great price!

Ok, now I am done with my personal infomercial on Zappos :).

it's a green kitchen!

We are so very close to having our kitchen done! So close, yet so far away.  The countertops were supposed to be in today, but apparently our sink was on backorder so they pushed our install date back to next Tuesday.  We've waited so long that we didn't even make a fuss.

A couple weekends ago, Matt got the whole kitchen painted.  If you have forgotten the cool paint color name, I'll remind you...Homestead Resort Par Sage.   It looks soooo awesome.  The color goes great with the rest of the house and looks fab next to the cabinets.  I can't even wait to see the counters in there now!

Ok, now I got a new camera between then and now, so the next few pictures are on the new camera with the flash on.  It makes the green look way lighter and limier than it is.  I'd say the above pics are more representative of the actual color...but here is the finished product!

Matt started getting all the trim put up this week.  This whole install-your-own kitchen thing is sure a lot of work! He does such a great job though.  Today, we went to Lowe's and picked out all of our hardware for the cabinets.  I can't wait to get that on the doors and drawers.  We went with "pulls" instead of "knobs".  Hopefully, Matt will get those installed soon...I am so excited!  We also bought our new over-the-range microwave today at Best Buy to go in the little nook between the cabinets above the stove.  I am going to pause here to talk about how much I love saving money.  Our microwave was on sale...plus I used a 10% off small appliance coupon...plus the rest of my gift card=$22...plus $115 worth of reward certificates we had from buying our washer/dryer from Best Buy and using our reward card.  So with the microwave AND a 2 year protection plan we got our new flippin' awesome microwave for $70!! I just love watching the price go down and down and down.

Next on the list:

-Hardware and finish up trim

-Baseboards or kickboards or whatever they are called

-Install microwave (and fumble with moving the exhaust etc.)

-Countertops next Tuesday (YEAH!)

Could we possibly be moving closer to being done with this dang kitchen remodel?

Buell and the Colts

We have been working on selling one of Matt's motorcycles for over a year now.  Well, we weren't really trying that hard.  There is just no use for us to have two of them...no WAY I am ever driving one.  I spent a couple months updating Craig's List with the Buell with no real luck.  We had a bunch of hits, but no one ever really followed through. Speaking of Craig's List, I don't know how I feel about it.  I have never ever been able to sell anything on there and I don't really trust buying anything from there either.

  Ok anyways, Matt had a buddy at work that seemed really interested in buying the Buell.  On Sunday, Matt got it back to prime working order and the guy came and saw it.  He ended up loving it and wanted to buy it. YES! We can finally get this off our hands and get a little cash from selling it too.  I used to love this bike but ever since the first time I sat on the back of our Harley, I just don't think I could ever go back.

So Matt's buddy bought it! Want to know the absolute bestest best best best part? We got Colts tickets out of the deal!  I guess instead of offering us the entire amount we asked, he offered a little less and included 2 sets of tickets to 2 Colts game this year! He has season tickets and can't go to these games so it worked out perfectly! I could not be more excited!  It's hard enough to even get Colts tickets, much less be able to afford them at the drop of a hat.  I've never been to Lucas Oil Stadium either.  Matt and I went to one Colts game a couple years ago at the RCA dome, and he has been to 2 games at Lucas Oil since, but I've never gotten to go.  This year I totally am.  We have one game in November and one in December.  I can't wait for football season. GO COLTS!

sunday night update

A lot of exciting stuff going on this week!

Tomorrow I am meeting up for lunch with a baby I primaried at work and his Momma and brother! I am so excited to them! I sent him home at the end of June and have only seen him once since.  I love him!

That evening, I am meeting up with the Group Fitness Manager at my gym to go over employment! I already applied and she just wants to go over a few things.  I am also teaching tomorrow after that! I am team teaching with another instructor so that the manager can see me in action.  I haven't been up on stage since the beginning of June so I am a little nervous. Ok, a lot nervous.  Especially since she will be watching me. I'm not in my mode like I was when I taught for 2 weeks in a row.  Wish me luck!

Work is still crazy.  We hit 75 babies on Friday and there are no signs of slowing down too much anytime soon.  It's nice to have the option of working overtime...it has really helped to pay for most everything we've bought for our house with cash and not having to use a credit card.  It's hard work but it pays off!

On Thursday, our countertops are supposed to be installed.  It feels like its been forever! It will be a little over 3 weeks since we installed our cabinets that we've been without counters.  I really hope it all goes as planned and they come in Thursday.  It's my only day off for them to come!

certified

I PASSED!!

I am officially a Certified BodyPump instructor!!! 

I started this journey (see BodyPump label) in March when I signed up for my initial training weekend in Columbus, OH for the first weekend in April.  I wasn't sure I really wanted to be doing this and really had no clue how long the process would be.  I am so happy I chose to go along with it.  The initial training kicked my butt (see posts here, here, and here), but it was a weekend of growth and the realization that I could really do this.  I have gotten stronger through this whole thing too...not only stronger as an instructor, but also stronger in the amount of weight I can lift (I have gone up in weight in a lot of the tracks and really push myself to my limit).

I sent my assessment video in the end of June and started being patient for the next 6-8 weeks.  Today, I had a funny feeling since I STILL haven't heard anything back so I started browsing the Les Mills website.  I found a link on my profile that said "Programs" and I clicked on it.  It listed all of the Les Mills programs and had "Book Training" next to all of them besides BodyPump.  Next to the BodyPump tab it listed my sequence of certification.  March 13 2011-initial training booked; April 3 2011-initial training-PASS; August 3 2011- Certified.  Wait what? Certified? I haven't heard anything! I didn't want to get too excited because I was supposed to be hearing back from an email when I passed.  I called Les Mills corporate and was transferred to the Assessment Coordinator to let her know I hadn't heard back, but that it says I am certified on my profile.  I just got an email from her confirming that I definitely did pass (on August 3rd) and she attached my assessment form.

At first I was so excited...I did it!..and then I was uh-nnoyed.  You mean to tell me I passed 2 weeks ago on August 3rd and I am just now finding out on August 15th?  And I probably still wouldn't know a week from now if I hadn't gone searching.  I could have gotten the ball rolling 2 weeks ago and might already be teaching right now.  After my pity party, I was right back to being excited.  I can't change anything about when I found out, so I just need to get going on the next step.

I talked to the Group Fitness Manager and she told me to apply online again for the position and she'd get the ball rolling.  I assume I will start out by subbing other people's classes before I eventually get my own.  I can't wait to start teaching!

TGIF

Today is awesome.  I have the day off and I didn't have 1 million things I was supposed to do or places to go.  Yes, I should be unpacking and getting the house in order, but it feels so good to just not worry about it.

Last night, Matt got off work early and we were going to be getting home at the same time.  That never happens! He headed home and I stopped at the grocery store to pick up some stuff to grill out. We haven't really had a chance to grill out this summer.  With his work schedule, it's hard to do dinners together except on the weekends and our weekends have been busy working on the house.  We were both so excited to be able to grill out and hang out on our patio together!  

This morning I went to BodyAttack at the gym.  I have only done this class a few times, but I am really starting to love it.  It's an intense, sports-inspired, interval training cardio class.  I have to admit I searched the room for the trash can at the end of one of the tracks (TMI?).  I love it! It's a great balance to doing BodyPump and BodyCombat.  Now I just need to fit some yoga and more stretching into my life!  Speaking of BodyPump I should be finding out soon if I passed my video!  It's been 6 weeks since I sent it in and they say it takes about 6-8 weeks to get results.  I just want to finally be completely certified so I can start teaching.  I got my copy of my DVD back last week in the mail so I hoping that means they are close to letting me know. Come on people!

After that I ran to the grocery store to pick up the fixings to my Sausage Dip I am making for Saturday.  Matt and I are going to the May's 3rd Annual Beer Pong Tournament in Lafayette tomorrow evening.  Matt went last year and him and his partner actually won the whole thing! I won't be participating since I couldn't find someone to work for me on Sunday, so I'll be heading back home that night.  It's ok though, it will be so fun to see everyone.  This will be so good for Matt since he's been booked up doing the hard labor with the house for so long.  He hasn't gotten a day for himself in months! It will be so awesome to be with him and not be working on stuff.  I am also meeting up with my friends Lauren and Ashley (and baby Madi of course!) during the day so I am very excited for Saturday :).  I always cram a ton of things into one day, but I just can't help it.  

This afternoon Jax and I hung out in the backyard.  I laid out for what seems like the 3rd time all summer (CRAZY!) and he played and layed around too.  To make myself feel better for not having the time to lay out this summer, I've been telling myself I am decreasing my chances of skin cancer and wrinkles :).  It was so nice to not feel guilty for relaxing.  Everything else WILL get done, I have to tell myself that.  Speaking of Jax, we almost considered getting another dog last night.  Matt has been wanting a play-mate for Jax for a couple months now, but I said no way.  I just really don't want another dog right now.  BUT a lady at work has a GoldenDoodle that just had puppies and she is selling them.  There are gold ones and black ones (the poodle was black) that I am obsessed with.  I sent Matt a picture of them just for fun and he called back and said we could do it.  After much debate, I don't think we are in the market for another dog right now :/.  I really would love for Jax to have a friend.  He LOVES playing with other dogs, especially ones that are bigger than him.  I guess he will have to just deal with playing with the neighbor dogs for now :).


Ok, one more random fact.  I got on last night to pay our credit card and noticed the Reward Points tab.  I clicked on and saw that we had 31,500 points! At first I was so excited but then I got to thinking that maybe that's not a lot.  I went to the website and started browsing.  Come to find out that IS a lot.  I was going to use some of them to get a new camera since mine started showing funny spots when I take pictures with the flash.  After some research, I found the exact camera I loved at Best Buy on sale for cheaper than the amount of points on the site.  Long story short, we were able to get $300 in gift cards instead and I am going to just go buy the camera at Best Buy for a better price and then we are using the rest to buy our new microwave for our new built-in area above our stove.  YES! We also got a gift card to Sears so Matt can go buy some tools (boring for me, so exciting to him).  I feel like it's Christmas! While speaking of gift cards, I also got an extra $100 gift card for working an extra shift this week since we rolled out our new computer order system and it's been crazy.  Matt encouraged me to get the gift card for wherever I wanted (best husband ever award...I guess I will if you're making me :).  I got one for Zappos.com so I can finally buy a pair of shoes I have been wanting for forever!  I heart gift cards.

fun at the fair

On Saturday, Matt and I went to the State Fair! There are things I absolutely LOVE about living in Indy and I'd have to say that taking a 15 minute motorcycle ride to the State Fair is one of them.  The "plan" for Saturday was actually to get the rest of the kitchen done.  We still needed to prime, paint, and put all the new trim up for before the countertops get here in a couple weeks.  Matt made sure I knew alll week that Saturday would be a workin' day.  Bummer.  I sooo badly wanted to go to the fair.  The fair runs for 3 weeks, but Saturday was literally the ONLY day that we could both go together.  We went last year and had a lot of fun so I wanted to be sure we went this year too.  I love the fair!  

We had lunch at El Rodeo after I got done with my 3 hours at the gym for the Les Mills launch (I did the BodyPump launch and then 3 other classes' launches) all the while planning on coming back to work on the kitchen.  Once we made it home and we both sat on the couch, it was a mutual decision that no work was going to get done.  Off to the fair we went!  We hopped on the Harley for what felt like the first time all summer and rode down to the fairgrounds.  It was so awesome to get to hang out with Matt doing something other than working on the house.  I love being with him.

I was so obsessed with the baby pygmy goats last year and we couldn't find them this year.  I whined a little bit about that.  I love the little goats!  I assume it just wasn't time for them to be shown since we went the 2nd day the fair opened.  I found a new animal to obsess over...the two litters of baby piglets.  Matt could not pull me away from them.  

Love this guy

Huge horses getting ready for the parade

Llama :)

There were 3 things I wanted to accomplish while at the fair...

1. Lemon Shake-Up

2. Corn dog! (with ketchup of course)

AND

3. An elephant ear!

We also bought a huge box of Salt Water Taffy that lasted a whole 12 hours.

Here are some more pictures of our night at the fair...

We got lucky and caught a free concert too! Jason Michael Carroll was performing that night.  We went and watched some of his performance while we ate our elephant ear.  There were a bunch of people coming to the fair I wanted to see but can't...Lady Antebellum most of all, Sugarland, Gloriana, Train/Maroon 5/Gavin Degraw, and Jack Ingram.  Maybe next time.

Good day at the fair :)