Motivational Monday!!

Happy Monday friends! :)

Todd and I started our morning off saying good morning to Ole Abe. We met up with a running group from a local running store at 0530 and off we ran over the Memorial Bridge and up the steps of the Abe Lincoln Memorial. I'll be honest, I've never been at the monument before 6AM, but there was a calmness that was so inspirational.... It was really amazing.

I'm so lucky to live in this part of our country.

As I ran back over the Memorial Bridge I looked out over the Potomac and Arlington Cemetery and prayed that this view would NEVER get "old". It's breathtaking before the crowds (and heat).


Now to keep you energized and working towards your goals....

I have a friend who just started her own blog documenting her quest to being the BEST woman she can be. I'm so excited for her and what's in store for her and her family. This friend is the perfect example of the do-it-all-mother and working professional. Yes, she's GREAT at taking of of everything and everyone else (literally).... but she cheats herself of many things she really needs to stay a balanced, sane and healthy woman. She is an example of taking personal responsibility for herself, but also finding accountability with the help of her family, friends and probably, her new blog.

I would LOVE to share her blog with you guys, but I need to check with her first. I'm not sure she's ready for EVERYONE to know it exists yet... but I promise, it's well written, humorous and real. She's amazing!

But here's your motivation for the week. I know it's "sales" related... but if you listen to the short 2:50 clip, you'll take away a lot. I first discovered Jeffery in college when I started reading "The Little Red Book of Selling". He knows how to motivate the heck of anyone! I instantly wanted you to see this video "Kick Your Own Ass" when I saw it. I had a crazy spin instructor in college who was the first person I had heard use the phrase... In the midst of screaming (seriously, she was intense!), cussing, sweating, ripping hamstrings and near dehydration... she'd say she wasn't "making us do this"... she was "only motivating us to KICK OUR OWN ASSES!". After she yelled that the first time, I got it.


You're in charge. Enjoy Jeffery's message.

Go out and KICK YOUR OWN ASS today! :)

16 Things You Didn't Know About SLEEP

Recently I've developed a great love for reading...

blogs.

Oh my goodness. It's almost embarrassing. I still haven't finished the 4th and final book of the Twilight series (Sorry Taylor! I promise, I will so you can have your book back!), last night I almost got to crack open the book Todd's been telling me I need to read forever ... and well, even my online news reading has fallen through the cracks. Blogs are addictive. Some are informative. Some are like juicy gossip. Others... serious soap opera material. I generally stick to a lot of running/athlete's blogs, but a few are way too good NOT to read and get sucked in to the drama. DC has some very talented bloggers. Mine is terrible in comparison.

But we won't compare! :)

ANYWAYS! This week, Sarah, on her blog: Sarah Runs a Lot, posted this GREAT little factoid about SLEEP. Interesting enough. Enjoy.

From Psychology Degree/http://www.psychologydegree.net/

Welcome... AGAIN!

I say "Welcome... AGAIN", because I officially start my NEW JOB next week!! YAY!

I will be working as a Critical Care Nurse at The Potomac Hospital. It's actually in Woodbridge, VA. About a 25 minute drive when traffic is moving. In other words: day shift will be simple. All traffic is coming North (to DC) when I'll be going South. Night shift: NIGHTMARE! Going South when Everyone else is going South!?!

I really didn't think that one through when I agreed to be 100% night shift.... did I?

Well, in all honestly, we planted ourselves in a really great location for Todd. His daily commute is actually great... I think he saw more traffic on his evening commute from Charlotte to Salisbury. Soooo... I'm very grateful that his daily grind is much easier, drive wise, than it has been in years. My original intention was to work close to here: INOVA, Virginia Medical Center, GWU, Georgetown (eh?), or maybe even a doctors office. I wasn't ruling out much (only oncology, L&D, and huge Med-Surg floors where pt:RN ratios were absurd).

My heart was (and still is) really set on working at GWU (because my "re-found" friend, Jancie, works there AND because they've got a nursing school with a lot of options available in my interest - BONUS: they help pay two-thirds of it too!!) and VA Medical Center - because the community RAVES about it. I've asked SOOO many nurses, strangers, bus drivers, neighbors and grocery store clerks "Which hospital would you go to, as long as you had the choice, for your medical needs and WHY??!?".

Most of them had the same response: Babies at INOVA and everything else: VA Medical Center - "They're the best" and "their staff is so kind". To hear the PUBLIC say that about it's community hospital... when they're amongst some of the nations most innovative and advanced hospitals, means a lot.

I care about the perspective of my patients and their family members. It makes a huge difference to EVERYONE involved. If our patients are happy, it makes my job easier. If I'm happy, my employer's job is easier. Happy patients make a happy community too. Nursing and medicine in general are services provided to everyone whether they want it or not, but to leave a good taste in the mouths of consumers regardless the circumstance? Something good must be happening. ---- One day, I'd love to see how they're doing things.

Potomac Hospital of Woodbridge, VA

Until then, I will enjoy being back at the bedside, at the small community hospital. Here, I'll have lots of room to grow and learn, lots of flexibility with scheduling, no med students and time. My patients won't be nearly as sick as what I would see at FMC, but really - I don't care!!

I jumped lots of hoops and hurdles trying to get a position closer to here, but either they didn't have an opening in ICU; HR was moving so slow that I was fearful if I waited on them, Christmas would be here and I still would not have a job; or for some reason (unknown to me or anyone else actually - b/c no one can check my answers) I didn't "pass" this assessment they require all clinical staff (0-100 years of experience) to take called a nursing career battery (NCB). The NCB is supposed to be on critical thinking skills and some personality. Allegedly, the NCB has been approved for new grads alike, but even the Director of HR at GWU said she's really beginning to rethink that for new grads.... but she also said she's seen nurses with 20+ years under their belts not pass it either. Unfortunately, corporate policy states that you must "successfully complete" the NCB to be hired and you can't take it again for six months. So, after bumming out a few potential employers and co-workers, crying and carrying on a bit, I found a few more hospitals to look at and practically the next day, Gina from Potomac called me. (How's that for Gods timing?!)

Instantly I felt good about it. Gina and I hit it off immediately and she "talked" the ICU manager, Sharon, in to interviewing me that week. All things have moved smoothly from then on. Fingers are crossed I don't show up next week sounding and acting like an idiot because I've not been working for two months or at a bedside since May. [YIKES!]

Needless to say - I'm giddy about having a patient again. SOON! :)

Workout Wednesday: ZUMBA!

Okay - So, I'm really, really, really working on putting up more tips and ideas weekly. I'm going to do my best! I've received so many emails from readers asking how to, what to, and why.... it's time to answer them for everyone or at least offer a few suggestions.

Now, each Wednesday I'm going to dedicate my blog to a workout, a new strength move, a goal or a trainers tip (if I can get all my favorite trainers out there to help!).


This week, I bring you ZUMBA!

I'll be honest. I've NEVER tried Zumba. I know, crazy... and here I am suggesting it to you guys. Well, honestly... It's a suggestion to find something FUN to do to help you reach your fitness and health goals. Last week I Kathie & Hoda on the TV while I worked around the house and it so happened, Kathie Lee & Hoda had gone all Latina!! It was a crazy Zumba fest out on the Plaza and everyone was dancing and shaking their money makers to the rhythmic beats of Zumba! Check out the link I included to see a clip from the show if you didn't see it.


Zumba looks like crazy fun. I've watched it several times through the windows at the gym while twerkin' it on the the treadmill or something. The downer for me: Coordination. Or the lack there of.

I'm a runner for a reason. I lack a lot of the skills for dance coordination. Maybe it's because my parents didn't let me stick it out in ballet/tap/jazz as a little redhead? Maybe it's because I grew up watching my mom dance and twirl around a big musical stage in awe (the big poofy skirts were every girls dream!) and I shied away from the art and pretended I wasn't interested.

I don't know, don't really care, but I do love to dance! College definitely taught me that! Drinks or not, if the girls wanted to go boogie to Britney, we did it. Occasionally, I'll get jiggy with it around the house to make Todd giggle... or the car, but I don't break it down regularly in public now (I would never count running around Arlington with an extra-enthusiastic-pep in my stride while blastin' "Til the World Ends" as technically breakin' it down).

Although, I haven't enjoyed the new exercise craze personally. I know MANY people who simply rave about it. I'm quite certain that even my Step-mom, Sharon, has fallen in love with this workout. Maybe one day I'll give it a try too... but I try to avoid those group exercise routines that involve dance moves. I get frustrated with my lack of "let it go" ability and that I think about it too much ... and then by the time it's over I've barely elevated my heart rate and I get mad because I 1.) didn't have fun, 2.) didn't really get in the workout I had in mind and 3.) I probably didn't sweat = therefore, I've wasted my time.

SO... if you're unlike me and LOVE to shake your groove thaaang... Give Zumba a whirl and let me know how it was! Maybe you all can convince me to give it a swing. :)

I'd like that. Have fun!! ZUMBAAAAA!

 And PLEASE tell me how it was!!! Are you hooked? Do you love it? Give us some feedback here... maybe your comments can help someone else (umm, me) give ZUMBA a shot! 

Motivational Monday

So, I'm going to do my best to give you all some type of MOTIVATION each Monday morning. Something to get you moving. Get you groovin'. Something that get's you ready for your week. Motivation to keep working hard on YOU. 

Please share your clips, quotes and ideas with me too!! If you've been inspired, I'm sure it will inspire someone else too. Email them to me!

To start us off, here's an awesome commercial by Under Armor. 

 

Who's footsteps are you hearing now? GET GOING! 

"Welcome"

Okay - so this blog is probably WAAAAAAY overdue, but it's better late than never.... Right?

But hey! We're in DC now... well sort of. We're "slummin'" it in the really close suburbs. :) In our hunt to find a home, we would have loved to live IN the district... but let's face it. It's hella expensive!!! Good grief, NOVA ain't cheap, but at least we have grass all around our apartment for Ginger to do her business in instead of a flower pot. Honestly, I feel bad for those little (and big) dogs roamin' around the city looking and longing for a big, plush, plot of GRASS just to poop on.

I have recently discovered several blogs by local DC peeps and a few "born and raised" DC brats. In one of the blogs, one of the girls went on a rampage about people "moving to the city" and then not "living IN the city". She just didn't understand, she couldn't comprehend why anyone would want to "slum it" in the suburbs.

If it's not obvious already to you, my fellow readers and friends, she's NEVER LIVED ANYWHERE ELSE! Spending $2,500+ a month in rent for less than 900 square feet is "normal". HA!

Are you puking yet?

Seriously, it's ridiculous. I mean, okay... if you've got the money to do it, by all means do it. Spend your hard earned money to live IN IT. DC is a wonderful city and anyone wanting to live the city life would LOVE to live there... it's an easy city to live in.

But do explain why there are soooo many people living in the city to live and thrive off of a delectable diet of Ramen and booze?

Yea, I'm sorry. I'd rather save my money and buy a house... with a drive way... perhaps with a garage for my CAR (the one you can't afford to pay for or to pay to park it in the district)... some grass... neighbors who also have their own space to make noise in so that I don't hear while I'm trying to blog...a few extra rooms for family and quests to stay while they come to visit me (or just while they sight see)...  and maybe even room for a real BBQ.

I KNOW buying a house here in NOVA is a big deal too. Did I EVER think I'd say I'd be interested in saving/buying a modest home that costs $500,000!?!??!?!?! HELLLLLS NO! In NC I thought that was probably my later in life upgrade! You know, after you've had your kids and raised each of them to the age where they're all in school and going through their hormonal and independence rage where they practically DEMAND their own room (or backyard bungalow). *deep breath*

Certainly not what I thought would be in the plan for the next 5 years. Kids, probably... but a half a million dollar home without an acre of land............  uummmmm didn't see that one coming 5 months ago and I'm crossing my fingers now for the HOPE we'll find something we like, can live in, that's not a million miles away, not in a "bad neighborhood", and actually that "cheap".

GAG! I'll probably throw-up the day it actually happens.

Until then... I'll just keep laughing at the "DC Natives" who can't imagine living anywhere else. I'm quite certain that if they gave it a try, a few years and a couple major elections (because YOU CAN'T VOTE IN DC!), they might learn that the grass really CAN be greener on the other side.

Or well, maybe just in the "slums".

Kelly Loves Stella & Dot!

So, I sat down to catch up on my blogging and saw on my Stella & Dot homepage that Kelly Ripa has discovered our jewelry!!!

Funny thing is, I was watching a segment yesterday (maybe the day before) and thought her serpent cuff looked like ours... but wasn't sure. Today, I discovered IT WAS OUR SERPENT CUFF!!! Way exciting for Stella & Dot. 

Watch Kelly's cute episode of Fashion Finder for today...  She cracks me up!

Here's the Serpent Bracelet up close so you can see it. It's AWESOME!

Kelly shows a lot of other pieces from the new Fall Collection, but go check the whole line out for yourself! I think it's the best collection we've had in a while. Seriously, had I been working at the time I had 50% off for the new line.... I would have spent an entire pay check on Stella & Dot!

This is what I'm saving up for NEXT! :)

Our new collection of Stella & Dot Handbags will be released SOON!