Tina Fey wrote a book called Bossypants.  It’s a book about her life and how she got to be who she is… but instead of just a general here is my life this is told in classic, sarcastic, honest Tina Fey style.  Awesome!  Not only does she write the book but she also does the audio reading… it was just really so great I think everyone should listen to it.  And no I’m not being paid or asked to do this, I just sincerely had a great time listen to the book and think everyone should try it out.  So, please, do and let me know what you think. 

So, with that… last week was fairly successful in the walking and I’m glad to state that we both are just plain feeling better.  We even are looking forward to the walk. 

note:  I tried to enter it here for you all to witness but please just pretend you see it…

I have to explain this schedule… now since my knee needs some time working up to this I thought I’d need a plan.  Well, I can get a little overwhelmed when doing the research and in the process of being overwhelmed a friend of mine (different from above said friend) was also talking about how she wanted to start walking/working out again – click! Light bulb goes off!  Not only is she an amazing research/planner extraordinaire, she needs to me to keep her motivated, and she keeps me on schedule to keep me motivated.  This is the worlds biggest win win – amazing we are not in the news!  ;)

Bottom line is that we are loving it, I’m getting Back to the Basics this year, starting to move more and it feels good.  :)  If you want to join us, let me know as we can even do long distance motivation/communication to keep everyone moving.  Oh and in case you were wondering, yes, I’m back in ballet classes!

Unlike DC, the Mid-West can go for months without seeing the sun… or so it feels like.  Though a couple of years ago I was visiting a friend in the Mid-West and I was following him somewhere – him in one car and me in another.  He pulled off the highway, I pulled off the highway; he turned on a street, I turned on a street; he turned into the parking lot, I turned into the parking lot…. oh wait, we were NOT supposed to be going to this store?!!!  I got out of my car so confused to ask is something wrong, is the car ok, why are we here, change of plans, etc… to my surprise we pulled over to gaze at the double rainbow?!  Haha!!

Welcome to the Mid-West.

However, that wasn’t the case at all to my situation!  Actually, even before I had made my declaration out loud I felt so much relief.  I took some time, really thought through me and knew where I wanted to go.  Yes, even my declaration will have positive and negative consequences and I, of course, want the positive side but I’m no longer frightened by the idea of the negatives.  Why?  I don’t really know, because it’s the same situation with the same paths as a few months ago but maybe it’s different because I said it should.  Or maybe it’s different because I know more or other information.

Either way, whatever the reason… whatever the situation, I encourage you to make your own declaration.  I don’t need to know what it is, but if we are anything alike, then maybe at least take the time to sit and think about it – the it that you have been putting off.  Who knows… before you know, maybe you’ll be dancing in the shower again!  :)

The year started with an unexpected job turn over.  While stressful transition, I’m now working as a financial education coordinator for a foreclosure prevention agency.  Thankfully, I work with amazing people both co-workers and clients.

Next, unfortunately, I was with a friend walking home from dinner and we got robbed.  No worry, only our stuff was stolen and we are both totally, completely unharmed and thank goodness for online accounts.  By the time the police arrived we had almost everything notified and/or canceled.  Throughout this incident and the aftermath, my life has weirdly felt like an episode of Law and Order!  Haha!  After the robbery, we had to send various documents to both insurance and detectives, then in the summer there was a line up, then late summer we testified before Grand Jury, and this fall a trial date was set and then postponed.  Can’t you just hear the music and the black screen with date posted on the bottom just like in Law and Order?  To be honest, this is DC, I never in a million years thought that a simple robbery case would get this far – very surreal!

I’ve had plenty of money and health woes throughout, too. Nothing major, but it’s been one thing after another, non-stop, this entire year. Things had finally settled and I realized I now don’t fit into any of my pants.  All that hard work of losing weight and getting into a healthy shape went out the window with all the stress and life transitions.  So now I’m rushing around trying to get into shape and prep my knee before a big marathon walk in May, it’s just not exactly ideal.

There has been so much going on in my personal life I kind of checked out on my blog and friends. I’ve just felt completely overwhelmed by everything I’m dealing with, compounded by holidays, and who cares about blogging, right?  So while I was off licking my wounds, I’m hoping that I’ve kept a good perspective on life.  There’s something humbling about a reality check on life, isn’t there? Sure, I had to get a new job but I have the experience and education to find one in my field that I like.  We survived the robbery with no physical signs. While my income has drastically decreased, I’ve never had to worry about having a roof over my head, clothes on my back or food on my table. Life might not have been smooth this year, and while I’m mourning the loss of my skinnier waistline and less-stress life style, I’m very grateful for the friends and family that continue to be supportive of me – even when I’m MIA or crazy (yes, Mr. that one’s for you).

I’m not sad to see 2011 end. It HAS been rough – really rough. I’ve contemplated the meaning of life hard, cried harder (this coming from Ms. No Feelings), and laughed some. I’ve grown to cherish my friends even more and learned a hard lesson about listening to gut reactions the first time (even when it involves work related situations). I’m ready for 2012 and all the amazing things and new friends/opportunities it has to offer.

I hope you’ll keep coming back to visit as I can’t stay away for too long (back to the basic for 2012 – that includes blogging again)!  So enjoy the holidays and see you in the New Year!

Love ya,

Chasity, Chaz, Chas… or C

Every year I like to do a year in review or my highs and lows to reflect on where I’ve been; keeps me grounded and learning (or at least that’s the hope).  I feel like part way through 2010 was the start of a very stressful time for me – the kick off was McKinley’s untimely death.  :(   As with every low point in our lives, I don’t need to go through and remember how bad I felt (as that’s kind of given) but remember that through that time I had amazing friends/family that came through it with me.      So, for as much I as continually miss my puppy dog there is an element of gratefulness to the support and the stress of the situation being over.   Maybe now I won’t feel so guilty donating my time to walking other dogs or pet sitting or volunteering at an animal shelter?  But then again, if I do that… I’m liable to take home all the animals and become that crazy cat lady?!!!  hahahaha!

My high point of the year would have to be my turning a new decade.  :)   I choose this point, not because it’s a birthday and those are always fun (um, there’s cake) but because this was the moment I looked around my life in DC and realized that I had actually created the all important sought after ‘community.’  Need I say more?  …nopers!  :)

Next up is Christmas festivities themselves… we have the tradition of baking our goodies on the 24th, having a nice dinner, heading to church, and sometimes over to a friend’s for desserts.  This year however the dessert party was postponed until after I was already back in DC.  Instead Mom and I came home and just chilled – it was great!  Actually, now that I think about it not only did I spend the whole week eating I spent a good majority of the week on the couch (which is suuuuuper comfortable)!  …maybe that’s why I gained those extra pounds?!

Anyway, so we’re sitting there watching a Christmas movie, counting down the minutes until Santa comes when I heard it… he was coming early to my house!  Normally, he comes to my house just like everyone else is – after I fall asleep.  But this year, he was coming right at mid-night?!  (Can you just see the grin from ear to ear?)  Yup, Mom thought it might be fun to have our little family Christmas a few hours earlier than normal – awesome!!  …and then not so awesome…

I got coal in my stocking!  I don’t know if Santa thought 2010 wasn’t a very good year for me but man, really?, coal?!  …ok, it might have been stuffed with a little money and super cute in its little Santa hat! 

Soon after we headed to Grandma’s and had a chance to play with the rest of the family – always awesome to hang out!  We even got to see a 3-D movie with Grandma the next day – of course along with a little shopping.  In all, it was a very good time at home and fun celebration with all. 

So Mom’s new house has an awesome hill in the back yard -well just right for little ones- and since I had the privileged of hanging out for a full day with one of them and the key to the awesome day was the back yard.  Check out the fun!

That being said, DC is now my home and my community is here… so last year I brought the Savage family baking tradition to my friends.  Granted, it’s not on the 24th (because I’m home in Michigan) but I love the idea all the same.  I will admit the treats are nothing healthy, but definitely a personal favorite and, I think, all were received with big smiles.  So, I’m excited to see how this little piece of my home will continue to carry over as the years pass… stay tuned!

On another note, I cannot talk about Christmas baking traditions without mentioning another good friends’ tradition… mostly because each year I’ve been in DC they have graciously incorporated me into their long-standing baking tradition.  Even better as this started so many years ago with her grandma and has carried over thru the generations however the recipes have maintained the same. 

Of course, in both baking adventures there are many laughs, smiles, flour flying and delicious smells with tasty treats – which is pretty much the recipe for a perfect Christmas tradition in my book!