The MAD Shitter!

So I’m back from the fabulous land of Las Vegas and it was…AWESOME!  Everything went perfectly.  The trade show went off with a hitch, the weather couldn’t have been more superb and the people I traveled with were a blast!  And for the first time in a long time (on a business trip to Vegas), I had a significant amount of down time and let me tell you…I took full advantage of it.  I even spent six hours poolside one day and that never happens.  At night we went out and enjoyed all of the fun that Vegas has to offer and of course, we gambled.  We gambled a lot!

There was only one bad part to the whole trip…

Saturday I woke up bright and early as I had to be at the airport at 9:30 a.m. and it was a rough wake-up.  I had a wicked hang over (to be expected in sin city) but it’s not like I haven’t been hung over and flying before.  You just get a cocktail on the plane and power through.  Except that everything else about the ride was TERRIBLE!  I had a four hour flight from Vegas to Charlotte.  I had the aisle seat and next to me in the middle seat was an older woman who was slightly larger.  Not obese but big enough where we couldn’t put the arm rest down in between us, so I felt like she was invading my space the entire time.  Across the aisle from me was this guy…oh my!  He was probably in his early 40s and was wearing black skinny jeans with paint all over them, work boats and a Metallica t-shirt with the arms really cut out.  He had this weird ‘70s hairstyle and he wore the most ridiculous sunglasses the entire time.  What made him terrible to sit next too was that it was only his second plane ride and he had absolutely nothing to do to occupy his time for four hours.  So what did he do instead?  He asked me and everyone else that walked passed – flight attendant, passenger – for the time.  Do you have any idea how long that makes a four hour plane ride?   After the sixth time he asked me, I handed him one of my rag mags and told him that he was making the flight longer by needing to know the time every five minutes!  But wait…it gets worse.  About two hours out from Charlotte, we hit a lot of turbulence and it was bad.  Being that I was very hung over, I became quite aware of where my puke bag was.  But being pukey wasn’t what was worse.  The woman next to me, the larger one, started to get sick and she burped and farted for the last two hours, excusing herself every time.  I wanted to DIE!  I couldn’t get off the flight fast enough.

Finally…I’m in Charlotte.  I hall ass to my connecting flight only to get there and find out that there was mechanical issues with our plane and we have to move to another gate.  The new gate was exactly where I just came from.  On the way back to that gate, I’m on the people mover and I’m walking and moving.  There’s an older gentleman directly ahead of me (late 50s early 60s) wearing shorts. 

This is where it’s going to blow your mind…

He starts shitting his pants right on the people mover directly in front of me!!!!

Let that sink in for a minute.

Again, he starts shitting his pants right in front of me.  I’m wearing flip-flops and almost flip-flopped directly into it.  The smell made the woman’s farts on the plane smell like roses.  I mean, this man was sick.  His poo smelled worse than a babies diarrhea.   Needless-to-say, the guy tries to hurry but once on the people mover, you can’t get off.  The poo was running down his leg.  It took everything in me not to vomit (remember…hung over).  Are you still processing this part of the story?  Let me say it one more time…he pooped his shorts on the people mover in the middle of the Charlotte airport!!!!

Finally, I get to the new gate and although the flight was delayed over an hour, we got to board and…wait for it…wait for it…the crazy time guy was sitting directly behind me!  I should have known by the way he was dressed that he was heading to Pittsburgh.  I mean where else in the world could one dress like that and get away with it?  Only in the ‘burgh!

By the time I got home at 1 a.m. I was beat and so glad to be home!

One more time…he shit his pants on the people mover in the Charlotte airport!

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Part of Something Bigger

In any given aspect of your life, you hope that your little contributions make a big difference. At work, the small part you took in the big project pays off. The little things you do day in and day out for your family eventually make big differences. But, at times, it is hard to remember all those little things that added to something really big.

Last Sunday, my husband, along with a few thousand other completely insane individuals, ran his first marathon (I refuse to write "and last" because something tells me he will do it again, though he currently says diffferent). Our boys and I were there to support and cheer him on at mile 6.5 and mile 20. We spent the entire day chasing him chasing his goal. I have to admit, it was exhausting. Not in the "I ran 26.2 miles" exhausting, but in the "I have to watch out for two little people with no fear and minds of their own while there are literally hundreds of thousands of people around" exhausting.  Needless to say, by 4 o'clock, I'd done my fair share of parenting for the day!

Rob starting training in January for the race. Five long months of short runs, long runs, run group, solo runs. Again, while I wasn't the one out there pounding the pavement, I was taking care of everything else so he had the opportunity to do so. As women--working at home, working at a job, taking care of everything--we do this. We handle everything so that someone else can do what they need to do. If we are lucky, we have someone around us who appreciates everything we do and maybe even reciprocates.

But it got me thinking about all of the accolades. My husband is a pretty accomplished person personally, professionally and academically. And though he was the one in the thick of all of his trainings and schooling and everything else, I was on the sidelines cheering and handling everything so he could, in essence, make the big difference.

No man is an island. He doesn't take for granted AT ALL that he couldn't have done it without me, but sometimes I forget this. Sometimes, as the one not moving forward as quickly as I would like in my own life, I forget that I have helped make some big things happen for someone else.

Honestly, at the end of the day, I wouldn't have it any other way. When it comes down to it, as much as I love the spotlight, I also like hanging back and being part of something important for someone else.

On this, the eve of Mother's Day (I realize it actually isn't the "eve," but it sounds so much prettier than "six days before Mother's Day), I'm patting myself on the back.  I do a lot for my family. No, I take that back, I do a TON for my family. I may complain now and again, but overall, I wouldn't change it.  I love that they all need and depend on me. That I'm the only one in the world who knows where everything is, when everything is due and how to take care of just about anything!

Read this. No, seriously. Click this link and read it and digest it. Such an important message. While we may sometimes feel invisible or not important, it's the everyday, little things that add up to something huge!

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Heading Toward the Finish Line

The Pittsburgh Marathon was run yesterday, a beautiful Sunday morning. While I wasn't a part of the running crowd, I was a part of the cheering crowd. Part of my Saturday included making a sign for our own runner representative!

The beginning stage

I have had a little bit of experience making signs for runners. I made a sign for my brother a couple of years ago when he ran a half-marathon in Chicago. However, I don't think he appreciated the effort as much as I thought he should. But it was still fun!


The majority of the runners put a lot of time and effort into training for this event, so it was fun to cheer them on as they ran by.

The almost finished stage

My mom graciously pointed out that I left out the letter N in Kenyan. So I had to stylistically add it in (AKA - squeeze it in between the letters). Thankfully, it didn't turn out too bad!

The finished sign! Also, check out the

enthusiastic runner waving in the back ground.

Even though I wasn't able to stay for a long time at the race. It was a good start to a Sunday!

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Releasing my Inner Kenyan

It’s Pittsburgh Marathon weekend! And I am embracing my inner Kenyan.  I am going to be surrounded by thousands of runners – which, running is their life!  Running is not my life. I’m doing this to support a good cause, and “It Seemed Like a Good Idea” at the time when talking with friends.

I’m running the relay – not the half, not the full. I give props to those who are. I’m running one small section in support of the Animal Rescue League.

But, I am going to try and release my inner Kenyan.  My goal is to finish my section without walking, successfully find my teammates at the exchange zones, not get lost when migrating back to the finish line, and to not be the last person trucking along.

I’ve done a little less than “decent” training for this event. I won’t run if there is inclement weather, or if it’s too cold, or too hot. Really, any excuse I could find to get out of a day of practice, I used.  I did successfully run 5 miles the other day in an hour, which for me is outstanding, because I can’t honestly say I ever ran 5 consecutive miles in my life – even when I ran track in high school.

I’m hoping the “race day high” everyone talks about will allow me to find my inner Kenyan, and run like the wind! I will be smiling when I see my friends cheering me on as I cross the West End Bridge and on to Carson Street. I will make this fun.

It has been a stressful, long, busy week at work (I have bitten off every nail I have). But this weekend will bring new successes, will be shared with friends, and in the end, I will feel like I have accomplished something. I may not have run the entire marathon myself, but I AM part of a team that completed all 26.2 miles.

So if by chance you are down watching on the route on race day, or even flying by me as you work to complete your full or half, just yell at me to release my inner Kenyan.

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The Joys of Being a Homeowner

The same month that my husband and I got married, we purchased our first home. Actually, we signed the papers on my birthday so happy birthday to me! That was three years ago...and today we are still working on the house.

I've told you all a bit about my house before when I was looking for windows (and yes, they were installed and look great!) but this time it isn't a remodel that upsets me...it is my oven.

When we moved in, my husband totally re-did our bathroom and kitchen. Literally gutted it out and put everything new in. So my oven will only be three this September but yet, it has decided lately that it does not want to heat up correctly. I started to notice this when I made brownies and I have made brownies numerous times but this time they just came out like crap! I knew they were bad when my husband who, bless his heart, really does try to like everything I make even though he speaks his mind, told me that they were just bad. The middle wasn't cooked at all and I know I baked them on the right temperature. So I figured it was a fluke....bad mix, bad eggs, bad oil, something but not my oven.

Well the next day I tried to cook chicken in my oven. It was a recipe from a spice package so it's not like I was doing anything from scratch and it said the chicken would be fully cooked in 45 minutes to and hour. Well 45 minutes rolled around, not done, an hour, not done, an hour and half after that I was reallllly pissed and super hungry. So we started to look into it and now I have been fighting with a thermometer I purchased for my oven.

My husband thinks the thermometer is garbage and that it really doesn't tell me the right temperature. Our manual for our oven does say not to go by a thermometer but considering my oven obviously doesn't heat up to the right temperature anyways, what can I trust? At least things are baking now when before a 350 degree preheat was only making it to 250 according to my thermometer!

Has anyone else out there experienced this issue? It is a gas Frigidaire oven. Everything is hooked up right. I really don't want to have to buy a new oven especially when this one is only two and a half years old!! HELP!

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Easy As Pie

The first step to an addiction is admitting you have a problem. I am taking the first step and admitting I am addicted to getting a good deal with Groupon. How can anyone pass up a good deal? Just click it and buy it... easy as pie. If you have not yet made a Groupon or Living Social purchase, I urge you to at least browse the website and look at what deals they’re offering.

I get excited at the daily emails, what will be the next offer? I eagerly await my next half off (or more) purchase. I have gotten Groupons for all sorts of things, restaurants, shellac manicures, wedding gifts, mother’s day presents and my latest, laser hair removal. Don’t worry, I am sure some of you will want to hear about my laser experience (or not); usually weird, humorous things happen to me so I will find a way to share in a less graphic way. 

I have yet to purchase one of the travel deals, but you better believe I will at some point, I am sure of it. Some of the deals I find are just too good to pass up – sad, yes. No, I don’t always need the things I purchase but they are a way for me to pamper myself and save. I actually now go to the woman who did my cut/color from a Groupon purchase, I turned into a loyal customer. Not only am I getting something out of it but clearly these businesses are too. It’s a win-win situation. 

Traveling to another city? Why not look on Groupon for a good deal on local entertainment or local cuisine. The greatest thing is that you don’t need to print the voucher. If you have a smart phone you can either download the app or log onto the website and show the voucher on your mobile device. It works the same way as printing.

Couponing isn’t just for your grandma anymore, it has become a huge trend, and even shows are being made about it. Groupon is a more hip way of saving. Everyone’s doing it. Mine has gotten out of control as last week I realized I bought three Groupons, I must stop. I must delete the email and stop my eyes from reading the tantalizing subject lines.  But please, just one more mani/pedi, one more $29 haircut with color treatment included. 

Have you made a purchase on any of the deal-saving websites? Have you bought one of the travel deals? I would love to hear any feedback to see if it should be my next purchase. 

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What Happens in Vegas...

So it begins…my travel season for my “big girl” job officially begins tomorrow at 7:20 a.m.  I’m off to VEGAS baby and I couldn’t be more excited.  Not just because I’m going to my favorite city in the world but because I’m getting the hell outta dodge!

Each year I’m on the road about 10 to 12 weeks, whisking off to here there and everywhere.  Most of the time I’m going to great places like Vegas, Orlando and San Diego but,  sometimes I have to go to not-so-great cities like Philly, Dallas and Atlanta.  Not to say that these places aren’t nice, I just seem to have bad experiences.  Case-in-point…I was stung by a scorpion seven times in Dallas.  Not fun!  But I am really looking forward to this trip.  It’s the first trip of the year, the weather in Vegas looks perfect and I’m traveling with some of my favorite people in the company.  Also, the show that we’re exhibiting at is one of my favorites to organize each year.  It’s just the right size, the attendees are very nice and willing to talk and the show hours are very short leaving us plenty of time to enjoy all of the great parts of Vegas i.e. laying by the amazing pools, gambling, eating delicious foods and sipping on all those wonderful cocktails!  We also have two great parties that we HAVE to go…sounds rough I know.  Are you all jealous yet? 

Now, as the year goes on and I continue to travel, I’m sure there will be many posts that talk about where I’m going and what I’m doing.  Not all of them will be this upbeat.  This happens to be one of my easiest trips of the year in a fantastic city.  Most of the time when I’m on the road, I work four times harder on very little rest and barely any food.  Traveling for work is never as much fun as it sounds and for any of you out there reading this that travel, I know it’s a love hate relationship.  It gets old being out on the road, staying in hotel after hotel, eating out and living out of a suitcase.  I seem to always count the months down to when my season is over and I’m home for a few months.  On the flip side, I’m always counting down the months till I’m back on the road. 

At least I’m starting this year out on a good…did I mention I’m heading to VEGAS?!

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