coffee twalk

I am sitting here with my second cup of coffee for the day recapping my morning..it is only 11:15am..though I have to say here in my little tiny world I had a big morning. you might be asking, so what did she do that is so big...well.. I had a gym date! Yes, I made a new friend, her name is Lacy. WHOOT! WHOOT!

We decided to meet up to do some cardio this morning before our Yoga class (Lacy and I met while waiting for a Monday night yoga class). We did some cardio and chatted. We got on the subject of real estate--she is a real estate agent. We both were commiserating on the market out here. She did give me some great insight to the market that is ridiculously inflated out here in Southern Cali. We then go to YOGA--holy cow--did we get our butts kicked! I am still trying to recover from this class. I got such a great workout then I came home and just devoured my leftovers from last nights dinner out. I was so hungry! sheesh, who knew yoga and a little cardio in the morning could kick your bootie to the point you cannot control your hunger.

Last weekend I was in Chicago for SIL baby shower. The shower was nice..lots of people turned out and she received great gifts for the baby. What I really want to talk about is the house, I mean MANSION the shower was held. So I have never been in a $4MM dollar house and I do not believe I will ever be again. So I decided to take myself on a self guided tour of this place and take some pictures. The level of architecture and detail and the size of the granite counter tops literally blew me away. The house had 4 levels..downstairs had a whole nanny quarters and kitchen for their live in nanny. There was also a rooftop deck that you could see the beautiful Chicago skyline. I included some pics down below.

This week we also went to look at a few properties..OMG! THEY WERE HORRIBLE!!! I am more shocked at the level of horribleness that people allow themselves to live in and these are not dirt poor folks. I guess if we had more money we could take into account a fixer upper and see past some of the crazy things people do to their homes. I don't know my head is spinning with what is the right thing to do.

One thing I should mention is that "we are still free to move about the country" as two guys from E's work at Southwest stepped up b/c they didn't want him to quit and the three of them are going to shift trade. YAY!!! So which means E can still work at Southwest--two days a week, those 2 days will most likely be doubles which = money coming in--and we don't have to dip into our savings as much. This also means E can do the fast track program for his pilot training. AND the best part of it all (at least for me is that I still can retain the flight beneies) Those Flight benefits are my saving grace to get me back east. Those flight beneies are the reason I agreed to move out here so that I can get back to see my folks and friends at my pleasure. Deep breathe of relief that everything is working out. I am sure the "buy or not buy" question will figure itself out as well.

I am starting to smell up the joint so I must take a shower..we are heading to SF today for tomorrow Bay to Breakers and the SF youth orchestra reunion.

Here are some pictures of the 4MM house....












My girls-Corianne, Ashlee, Me and Cari

May Day, May Day..

Wow, I cannot believe it is May 1st! Craziness! So it is official, Eli is quitting his job!! On June 15th I will become a Sugar Mama! Well, half sugar mama, we have to dip into our savings to get us through b/c my income just doesn't quite cover everything. Darn! I am visioning large bonuses for the remainder of this year. I received a sizable bonus for Q1 and so we are spoiling ourselves with some gadgets, couples massage and nice dinner out and the remaining will go to a beater car since we only have one car right now. It will be nice to replenish our savings and get us back on the housing track next year.

So I have caught the Yoga bug. I am going two to three times a week and I am loving it. I am amazed at the health benefits--dealing with stress, relaxation and as well as the physical benefits--I feel so strong and since I am so not flexible it is really helping loosen up my hammies and my lower back, plus I feel so sexy!!! My arms and shoulders are getting shapely.

I bought the Yoga book for dummies so I can understand where Yoga orginated and how to breathe--b/c that is the HARDEST part of Yoga...keeping your breathe regulated and using it to help you move into the positions. I am really identifying with Yoga philosphy of living as it as helped me become very centered. Creating a peaceful mood in my heart and remembering your connections with everyone and everything has really helped me be more open to what is around me. Letting go any negative feelings that I may be harboring--because negativity is what brings us down, makes us sick, unable to move forward with our lives. It is definitly giving me an outlet as I handle the changes in our life and this adventure we are about to embark with Eli.

This month is a busy month for us. This weekend we are heading up to the bay area and going eli camping..which is hiking a mile or two or three to the campsite and carrying only what you can on your back. This will be my first adventure with Eli camping. Should be fun. My new hiking boots are broken in and Eli doesn't mind carrying my clothes in his pack so I think I am ready. :)

Next weekend is my SIL's baby shower in Chicago. Another trip to chi-town. The following weekend is a couples shower in Cincinatti for a college friend of mine. I am going to try to see if I can get there flying standby..Thankfully we have nothing planned for Memorial Day Weekend, just Eli's normal work schedule.

Oh tidbit--my new favorite author Jen Lancaster who wrote Bitter is the New Black has a new book out called Bright Lights Big Ass. It's out today and I am counting down the hours till Eli get's back with the car so I can run out to the bookstore to pick it up. Check out her link on my blog--Jennsylvania. For some reason I cannot insert the link in the post.

Happy Tuesday!