Relief

I am so relieved - a big project that was due at work is finally completed. My only disappointment was that I didn't complete it by the deadline date. I am such a perfectionist at work that I have been having anxiety attacks for the past month because my project wasn't done. The thing is, too, it wasn't my fault it wasn't done. Everyone at work thinks I am the go to person, and no one would leave me alone to do what I needed to. I thought I did everything to tell people, "hey, just to let you know, I'm tied up with an important project, please take messages for me" - but calls still came through, and people still showed up in my office. So how do I prevent this from happening again? I thought I did everything - told my Chief I had to finish it and asked for permission to deny calls, and ignore people, let everyone know that I was on a time crunch and needed to devote my time to my project, told them to take messages, and let me be for a few days. Yeah, nope, that didn't happen - phone calls came through, and people invaded my office. So, my project was 30 days late - I'm so ashamed, because that has never happened before, but I can't help but think if people had actually let me concentrate on it I would have been done on time. It's like my coworkers don't think what I do is important, it's all about them.

So my next step is to be more assertive when I have a deadline and not let them walk all over me. I have the power in my position, I just need to use it. I need not to be to go to person - I have way to much work to do to do everyone else's. But I feel like because the Chief has an open door policy, I need to have one also, since I am his administrative assistant. And honestly, I like helping people, and I don't mind doing it - but not when I have a deadline, I need something that will let them know that I need them to leave me alone. Any ideas?

The good news is the project is done, and it's not due again until July. Hopefully, this time I can keep on top of it, and not have a time crunch at the deadline. I'm certainly going to try. Maybe I just need to go run - now I need to find the time.

Feeling a little old

13 years ago today, I was 8 1/2 mths pregnant, headed to work as normal. I was determined to work up until the day I delivered, so that I could spend my full 12 weeks maternity leave with my baby. Little did I know, today was the day I was starting my maternity leave. I remember this day like it was yesterday. I got to work, and it was business as usual. At about 11, 5 hours into my shift, I felt a bit funny, and realized that my water broke. Oh crap, what was I supposed to do next. After standing around for a few minutes, and gathering a few towels, I did what every normal woman in labor does - drove myself to my doctor's office that was 20 minutes away. Yeah, yeah, I know - that is not what normal women in labor do.

So I got to my doctor's office, and I was 4 cm dilated. My doctor decided that I could not drive the 2 blocks to the hospital, and needed to wait for someone to drive me. Well hubby was over an hour away at work, so luckily my mother in law came and drove me, and we waited for hubby. Well, I'm happy to say that I had the most uneventful labor ever. My insurance made us sign up for an epidural in advance, and since I'm cheap, I didn't want to waste the $100 if I didn't need one, so I didn't sign up for one. Luckily my doctor gave me painkillers that made me feel loopy, and the only eventful thing that happened in my labor was that I smacked my sister in law in the face. I have not lived that down, even 13 years later.

Ok, so fast forward to 13 years later. I now have a teenager, and while he is an awesome kid, I am starting to feel the effects of teenage hormones. Why is my sweet kid talking back? Ugh, I don't know if he and I will make it through his teenage years. My only comfort is that I know I am not alone in this. Ryan's saving grace is that is focused - he knows what he wants, and so far he isn't letting anything (and by this I mean peer pressure) derail him. I hope and pray that he stays on this track through his high school years.

So no more complaining - I have an awesome teenager. Happy Birthday to my baby, who is no longer a baby, Ryan. I hope your teen years are even better than your preteen years. You are a smart, ambitious, talented young man, and I am so proud of you.

2Toms Stink Free Sports Detergent and Giveaway

Well folks, this is my very first review and giveaway - so I hope I do a good job. I was the lucky recipient chosen to receive a 2 load sample of Stink Free Sports Detergent from 2Toms.

Now, I don't typically have a problem with sweat stains, and stink staying in my workout clothes after the wash - not that I don't stink when I sweat - it's just that my detergent seems to get my clothes clean, so I can't really tell if this got my workout clothes any cleaner and better smelling than my normal detergent. What I did like is the way my clothes felt after washing them. I'm not sure how to explain the feeling, but they just seemed to feel cleaner, with no residue - like the package claims. One thing about the product which could either be a plus or minus, depending on how you feel about fragrance, is that there was no perfumey smells with this detergent. My clothes just smelled clean, not like the rain forest, or a bunch of lilacs. I personally found that a plus - my workout clothes don't need to smell like flowers, they need to be clean.

With only 2 loads, I really can't tell you how well this detergent preserves your clothes - but if any of my readers have any experience I would love to hear about it. My only issue with this detergent is that I'm a busy mom that really doesn't have enough running clothes, nor time to save up to run a full load of running clothes to do with this detergent, and it's a bit more expensive than regular detergent, so I don't want to do all my clothes with it. If you worked out every day, or twice a day, I could definitely see having enough clothes to do a full load of workout clothes and then I feel this detergent would be really beneficial for you.

Ok now, to the giveaway portion. Since this is my first, it's not a huge one, but giveaways are fun anyways, right? I am giving away 1 trial size portion of 2Toms Stink Free Sports Detergent. It's 2 oz, and enough to do  2 medium size laundry loads. Definitely enough to see if you would like to invest in a full bottle of their detergent.

Now the hard part. HOW TO ENTER:

One entry for each.  Leave me a comment letting me know which ones you did.

• Become a follower of my blog.  To do that, just click "join this site" on the right hand side of my page.
• Like 2Toms on Facebook. 
• Follow 2Toms on Twitter.
• Like Pamdemonium2 on Facebook
• Blog, facebook or tweet about my giveaway.  

Happy entering!!!

Giveaway ends on Saturday, March 17 at 11:59pm.

Products were supplied for review and giveaway by 2Toms.  I was in no way paid for my review.  This review is completely my opinion, alone. 

The Happy Runner's Subway Review & Giveaway

The Happy Runner is giving away a Subway gift card. If your family loves them as much as mine does, you will definitely want to enter.


http://thehappyrunner.blogspot.com/2012/01/subway-turkey-melts-review-and-giveaway.html

Running, Loving, Living 34th Birthday/1st Blogiversary 3.5 Mile Virtual Run Race Recap

So anyone who knows me, knows I absolutely love virtual races. I don't know why, other than I don't have to get up early in the morning and go somewhere to run, but I still have the "thrill" of a race with the possibility of winning prizes. So when I came across this virtual run today to celebrate Toni's birthday and 1st blogiversary, I knew I had to jump on it. I was already running tonight anyways, so why not make it on honor of her birthday and blogiversary.

I have been sick all week, so I figured this would be a hard, slow run and I warned my son that we would probably be walking quite a bit. We set off at a comfortable pace, the two of us and the dogs. My younger son decided he did not want to ride his bike with us today. We decided to do our normal route because it has a few hills, and it goes by the lake. We kept at the same pace and got around the lake, and to the big hill. This hill is big for Florida standards, so we ended up walking most of it, which was still hard.

After we were about 2/3rds through our route, my son said to me, "mom, I thought you said you were going to go slow this  run, it feels like this is our fastest." I thought, really, it didn't feel too bad. We hit 3.5 just as we ran up to the door - 37:30, 10:43 minute pace. While definitely not a PR, it was a quick run for us. Kid happy, dogs happy, and I'm happy. Got to love family runs. Thanks, Toni for allowing us to share your birthday and blogiversary!!

Virtual Run

Come help Toni celebrate her 34th birthday with a great virtual run. And to top it off, you can win prizes!!!!

 http://www.runninglovingliving.com/34th-birthday-and-1st-blogiversary-3-5-mile-virtual-run

Marriage

A post that a fellow running mom made got me reflecting on my marriage. I'm surprised how much I think I take it for granted, always expecting that it will be there tomorrow when I wake up. But, after reading some of the comments, I realize that might not always be the case. I need to constantly work at my marriage to make it stronger and allow it to grow.

Adam and I have been together for over 18 years and married for 15. For me, it was love at first sight, and we moved in together only a month after dating. Since that day, we have rarely been apart. We do almost everything together, except run - he does not share my twisted love of it :D. I guess that's why, I just expect him to be there doing everything with me tomorrow and the next day. Don't get me wrong, we have our share of arguments, and let me tell you, we do have some doozies, but in the end, I know he loves me, and I love him, and I always think that's enough. But it really isn't, is it? Yeah, love is the backbone, and without it, there would be no point to our relationship. But, don't we have to put more into it? If all I do is say "I love you" day in and day out, would he really feel like I love him? My guess is no - I need to put more effort into showing him I love him, doing things for him, and being there for him.

So my resolution this year, and my advice for all is to put more into my marriage. More love, more caring, more selflessness, and more me. And hopefully, that will be enough to get us through the next 50.