Parental Guidance

They say you can never go home again, and while that's true, you can stop in for a visit. I got my wedding video this week and since my parents only live an hour away I decided to take them a copy and spend some time with them. I love my parents, they have always been there and always offered support.

My sister and I always talk about how lucky we are to have such great people as parents. I often think about thanking them for everything they've done. From raising me right, giving me every advantage, and for always making me feel loved.

But despite all my nostalgic musings things never go as planned. For some reason no matter how hard I try, whenever I get together with my parents I turn back into that surly 16 year old who just wants to be left alone. I cross my arms and answer their questions with a bored tone... I complain about what's on TV... I argue with my mother about her views on current events.

It's like a switch gets flipped and all my promises to myself to tell my folks how much I appreciate them get pushed aside. My sister says the same thing happens to her, and I've seen my husband do it with his parents. Maybe it's just an ingrained action... like Pavlov’s dog. Whatever it is, I hope they realize how much they mean to me.

Final Spin

Hard to believe 8 weeks went by so fast, but here I am... feeling sexy and without a pole. Class is over, only there was no final exam so I'm not quite sure how I did. My goals at the beginning were to gain confidence and a social life, plus get into better shape.

Well I know how I scored on the last one… pretty damn good. I'm not a toned Goddess, but I have more strength than I can remember ever having (even if that means I also have bruises I've never had before.) Sure I still jiggle but it's not as bad as when I started. Plus, let's face it... I will ALWAYS jiggle… even if I weigh 100 pounds... it's part of my genetic make-up.

So what about my social life? Well, I'm not sure if it's the class or the end of winter but it sure seems like I've been going out more with different people. Maybe I'm just putting more effort into it, but I like it.

As for my confidence, I'll give myself a solid "C." I do stand up for myself more but I have a ways to go. It's nice to have a little more spring in my step and know I could put a man on his knees with a few sexy moves. Although I already have JR and he has always been crazy about me.

Still, I secretly fantasize about having everyone I think treats me badly (boys and girls) come and watch me dance. I want to show them I do have power and that there is so much more to me than what they see at work. Right now I'm just jonesing bad for the pole and it's only been a day. I've even considered buying a portable one I can use at home (however I don't think the Rents would approve.) It's a silly thing to want, considering I'm basically a novice. And even though I have performed all the moves at least once, I still need a lot of work.

But never fear... I have a solution. I've signed up for the next session... now if I can just make it until the end of the month!

Shrinking

Apparently JR and I will make terrible parents.

We decided to try growing some sprouting garlic bulbs a few weeks ago. If they lived we thought we’d try a pet, and then eventually a kid. Sadly, I don’t think the garlic is going to make it. They were doing well until we moved them into some new dirt... now they’re shriveling up and turning brown. Today, I set the pot in the sun on our balcony in a last ditch effort to save them, but I fear it’s too late.

Granted it wasn’t really a plant and we were just experimenting to see what would happen, but I’m still bummed. My mom has always kept plants around the house, and JR grew up on a farm for crying out loud! But it looks like neither one of us has a good green thumb.

On the plus side... the diet is going well. Together JR and I lost 11 pounds this week.. not too shabby!

Hungry for Something

I don't know if it's because I'm sick, or if like many things in my life I've lost the motivation... but I've hit a road block in class. I didn't go yesterday because I didn't want to infect anyone so I dragged my ass out of bed on my day off to swing around the pole this morning.

The new move we're doing involves tons of upper body strength.. something I have none of. Blame genetics, or a birth defect, but the fact is after 6 weeks I still can't support my own body weight with just my arms. I'm not the only one... but I'm probably the most pathetic.

On the flip side I'm making more friends and actually had a busy weekend (even with work.) Maybe I'm just cranky because I started a diet yesterday... who eats just 1 cup of cereal?!?! Honestly!