Imagine My Surprise...

Having done the Online Dating thing, you get a feel for the scammers that try to convince you that they're in love, willing to relocate and want to be with you.

They use various stories like:

1. I'm stationed in Afghanistan on a peace keeping mission. I'm going to retire soon. An Afghan Prince gave my unit money. We're splitting it.  I'm sending it to you, please sign for it, etc and pay yourself back from the money in the box.
2. I work for a construction company, doing a project in Africa. My 13 year old son is with me. I'm looking for a good woman to be a mother to my Son, to treat like a queen, etc.
3. I live in Wisconsin. I'm willing to relocate for the right woman, blah blah blah

But who would've thought that this same scam is alive and well on FaceBook.  When I get friend requests from someone I don't know, I message them and ask them who our mutual friend is, etc.  

The latest guy said we didn't have a mutual friend, he's looking to make friends.  I told him that I wouldn't accept his friend request at this time. So he asked if we could send messages back and forth and I said that would be fine.  He apparently lives in Florida and starts off basically giving me a resume of why he'd be a great partner.  I said that I wasn't looking for a cross country love, but it's ok to be friends and chat. 

In our messages, I start to see that English is a second language to him.  This is the classic tipoff of a scammer. They don't say things quite like we would.  Peruse the example below, and we'll discuss....

1. I will like you to know i am currently working on a project down in Nigeria now i will be back to state as soon i finished this project probably 3weeks time This my first time of coming down here I lodge in hotel here and is very close to site where i work.. I use to drive 5mile everyday to work is pretty good down here the time zone is different here and the weather and lot of animals..,I am looking for a serious relationship but start with friend first and see where it goes..

"I lodge in hotel here"....and we'd say "I'm staying at a hotel here".  He's working on a project in Nigeria....classic scammer tactic.  And yes, his son is with him.  So if I were to let this continue, and feed into the whole "You're the man for me, come stay with me, we don't need to meet, we'll live on love" crap, there would be some reason that he needs money.  The company didn't cover all his funds, or he was arrested and doesn't have access to his money, or something.

I really didn't expect to have to deal with this crap on FaceBook, so lesson learned for me.  If I receive friend requests from anyone I don't know, I will not engage them!  

The thing is...what do I do with this idiot?  Do I rake him over the coals, make him think that he's successful and then drop the bomb on him?  Oh the choices...

Dance Monkey Dance

Today was all about presenting my project to the Steering Committee.  The committee is made up of my project sponsor and all the upper management that has a connection to the success of my project.  When I have to present, I call it Dance Monkey Dance Day.

If you've ever seen the Zoolander movie, there's a scene where Derek Zoolander was dressed as a monkey during a photo shoot.  The photographer was screaming at him "Dance Monkey, Dance" and I've always remembered that line.

After being gone for a month, it was important for me to catch up to where the project was and fill out all of the monthly reports.  The really cool thing is that I have an awesome team and they know their stuff.  Most of the time, my job is to run interference so that they can do their job in peace and make sure no obstacles are in their way.  Yes, I do have to be concerned with budget, scope and schedule...but for the most part, my team makes my job fun.

But presenting to the higher-ups is always a challenge, but I've found the trick is to be short, sweet and to the point.  Cut all the filler crap.  If there's something wrong, get down to it and fast.  They don't have time for froufrou stuff and their days are filled with meetings.  I try to make sure mine is the meeting they enjoy because they've allowed for the 1/2 hour, but we're out in 10 minutes, giving them a 20 minute break in between meetings.

But I still get keyed up about it. I still dress in my monkey outfit and put on all the makeup. Ah well...truth be told...I kinda like the nervous energy that these meetings give me.  Kinda like the rollercoaster feeling without the coaster.

I think this is why I enjoy Project Management.  It's always different, it's always a challenge, your butt is always on the line, because the success or the failure of the project always points to you.  I'm a glutton for punishment.

VitaMix

Ok, I said this would be a different blog subject.  I'm in love with my VitaMix.  Yeah, I know it's an expensive machine.  People struggle with getting one.  Is it worth the money? Will I use it? Why spend so much on a blender?

I had those same concerns. But if you've ever spent 4 bucks on a Jamba juice and like what you drank...and wanted to consume more fruits and vegetables easily...you can continue to buy the Jamba juice or you can blend on your own.

My friend D has smoothies all the time during the work week.  She and her husband blend up their smoothies for dinner at night. It helps them eat light, sleep better and watch their waistline.  But they go through blenders every year. Sometimes sooner. If you think about it, they are using their blender at least 250 to 300 times a year (including the margarita's, etc).

When I divorced separated in 2010, I had to start over. It meant creating a home with those things I would need.  I didn't take a lot in the divorce, fighting over the small things wasn't important to me. But once I renovated my home and started putting stuff in it, I knew I'd need to plunk money down for a blender.  I decided to make it count. I bought my VitaMix from Costco.  It came with a 7 year guarantee, but I spent a little extra money for the 10 year guarantee.  I later bought the smaller canister, and the dried ingredient canister (for making my own flour, nut butters, etc.

I have NOT regretted this purchase.  This thing cuts through whatever's in it like a hot knife through butter. I'm known in my circle as the person who can make a margarita out of anything.  Now, when I make margaritas, I use whole fruits and vegetables.  If I'm gonna indulge in a libation, I might as well make it somewhat redeemable.  Have you ever had a cucumber margarita on a hot day? Refreshing!

Strawberry daiquiris so smooth that it slides down your throat like silk. Smoothies with whatever you want in them (see prior blog post).  I have a friend that has a Ninja.  Although I do like it, and it blends better than a regular blender, it doesn't touch the smoothness of the VitaMix.

I started making my own pesto with the VitaMix. Since I have access to fresh basil when it's in season, I thought 'I can do this'.  OMG!  I never knew pesto could taste so good!!!  And I can freeze it, as long as I leave the parmesan out, so I can have it all year round. My neighbor doesn't like pine nuts, so I've made it with pecans.  I've also substituted the basil for arugula.  It tastes wonderful, and it's addictive.  I have a hard time keeping my fingers out of it.

I've made soups and salsa's. There's so many things you can use it for.  It comes with a cookbook with great recipes.  Mine is the Legacy Series, and VitaMix now allows you to make monthly payments for it, for those on a budget.

Although I wasn't quite on the budget when I purchased mine, I am on a budget now.  There's things I want paid off before retirement, so I'm watching my pennies.  Being able to purchase my fruits and vegetables at the farmers market saves me money, and blending makes meals a snap.

Don't take my word for it.  Check out a Costco presentation or a presentation at the County fair.  Ask the hard questions and make sure that this purchase is worthwhile for you.  Something tells me, you'll love yours as much as I love mine.

Smoothie

Summer is coming!!!  Not only that, I need to consume more fruits and vegetables.  In order to get the proper "daily" allowance or servings of fruits and vegetables, it's almost impossible to consume them in their natural state...well, at least for me.  I know that some of you can feel my pain.  Don't get me wrong, I love fruits and vegetables.  I don't know that there is any that I don't like. But to eat them all and make sure I'm healthy??? Well...So this is where the smoothie comes in.

I am not a professional smoothie maker, but I do stick to this one rule...I always use a 60/40 ratio. 60% fruit and 40% veggies. This way, I never taste the veggies like "kale, brussell sprouts, spinach, cabbage, etc." I make up the other percentage of veggies with my afternoon salad, dinner or whatever.

I shop at my farmers market and living in California, I have a huge variety of fresh produce at my fingertips.  I also shop...don't laugh...at Grocery Outlet.  I love this store!  Yes, I do have to look at things like expiration dates, but I can always find frozen fruit there that may not be in season at the farmers market and it's inexpensive.  I also get my juice cheap there.  I'll write about my love affair with Grocery Outlet in another blog.

In this morning's smoothie I begin with a mini banana, 1 cara cara orange (my fave), 1/2 mini avocado, 1/2 tomato, 1 handful of spinach, 1 handful of kale, 1/2 cup frozen peas, some frozen Honey Dew Melon chucks (these were extra sweet that I got at the farmers market, but I couldn't eat it all..they wouldn't sell me one, so I cubed and froze them), some Acai powder and some red yeast rice  powder (Acai is extremely high in the different omegas and the Red yeast rice powder helps with cholesterol), 1/2 cup of Welches unfiltered pure berry juice (read the ingredients..you don't want a bunch of crap in your juice) and a half a cup of low fat milk.  I forgot to put in my little chunk of fresh ginger, and I'm out of protein powder.

Lucky for me, I have a VitaMix (another future blog subject), which is the same machine that Jamba juice uses.  This machine is so awesome...and as long as I layer the ingredients right, it will blend right up.

Now I'll grant you...This smoothie may not look appealing to you.  It is a thick green color, but the taste is the right amount of sweet and fruit with a slight taste of veggies.  And no, I cannot pick out the kale/spinach taste.  Even my 14 year old niece will drink my smoothies and tells me I'm the best smoothie maker in the world.  Although I know I'm not..as long as she'll drink them, I've done well.

The great thing about smoothies is that it never has to be the same thing every day.  You can mix it up with your favorite fruits and vegetables.  My niece is partial to pineapple and apples.  With apples, I wash the outside but I don't core them..I just cube them than throw them in.  The VitaMix will blend them smooth! If you find that maybe your smoothie isn't sweet enough, I always keep Agave nectar on hand...not only because I make margarita's with it, but it's a natural sweetener that's low on the glycemic index.

I made too much this morning and can't drink it all, so I split it in half and put it in the fridge for tomorrow morning.  That's the only problem I have with the smoothies...I have a hard time figuring out the right amount for one person.

Don't be afraid to have some fun. Add a scoop or two of protein powder so it will be filling and hold you till lunch time.  I use IsoPure Zero Carb protein powder.  This powder has no fat, carbs, fillers, sugars or lactose.  I like the unflavored powder because I can add it to anything...hot or cold!  I've added it to soups and to oatmeal. You could even drink it with water.

I also buy frozen mixed vegetables and will throw a handful of that in to make it easy on me, plus it keeps the smoothie cold.

Have fun with your smoothies.

Lunch With A Friend

Today I had lunch with a cool work friend.  It had been awhile since we touched bases and it was good to just sit down, share a meal and talk about our lives.  

I work in a facility with around 6,000 people.  And although I’m blessed to work with and know quite a few of my coworkers, it’s amazing how time can go by and you don’t see someone for a length of time.  It’s almost as if you lose touch.  The further I go in my career and they go in theirs, the less we see of each other.  Our lives are filled with meetings, deadlines, and making sure those in our immediate circle (unit) are covered.  So it’s easy to let friendships slip and have no clue as to what is going on in the other person’s life. 

We decided to go out to lunch at Jacks Urban Eats.  If you’ve never been there, the place is really good.  I had the tri-tip cheesesteak sandwich and a glass of tea, and we shared the Urban fries.  Crispy French fries with a blue cheese dressing and chili oil drizzled over and chili flakes.  YUM!

It’s amazing how time flies.  I remember when she was pregnant with her son…now he’s starting little league.  Her daughter just hit the “terrible two’s”.  She’s having fun juggling parenthood and a relationship and all the little things that make up a life.  I love that about her.  She glows when she speaks of her family.  Her job is going well also.  She just got a new promotion and is figuring out her new role. 

Spending time with her makes me realize that we need to spend time together outside of work.  Carve out a little weekend time to enjoy the friendship. There is a 20 year age difference (yes, I’m the geezer), but I don’t really feel it when visiting with her, and that just makes me love her even more. 

True friends are like diamonds, precious and rare.  False friends are like stones, found anywhere.

Moving Day

I got my “badass” on today. A friend needed to move out of her home immediately and needed help empting a uHaul with her stuff in it. Unfortunately, there were not a lot of people able to assist her, being a Monday and the beginning of the work week.  I had meetings in the morning, and I’ve been off of work for a month, so it wasn’t like I could skip out the entire day.  She understood and I told her I’d be there as soon as my meetings were over. I headed out about Noon.

When she pulled up and opened the uHaul, I knew we had our work cut out for us.  Most of her life was in that truck..i.e., beds, furniture, clothes, dishes, etc. It is so hard to start over, and I do know that from experience.  We just put our heads down, our backs to it and went for it. It actually felt good to feel my muscles moving, tensing, flexing.  There’s something about hard work that makes you feel alive.

We started with the lighter stuff and anything that was in the way of the larger items to be moved. The smaller stuff went rather quickly and the challenge was finding the right place to put it and not stack fragile items below heavier things. We had a good time just going with the flow.  She’s upset with herself for getting herself in this situation and wondered what she was doing wrong (no, this isn’t her first rodeo) and asked about it.  I just had to laugh and tell her that she got herself into this because she’s a romantic and believes in Love. I’m not wrong.  How would you like to live your life?  As a skeptic?  When you’re in love, you believe in the possibility of all things.  You see the good in everyone, especially your partner, and it gives you such a natural high.  Why wouldn’t you want to feel this way all of the time?  Were mistakes made? Of course!  But given the chance to do it over, wouldn’t you do the same thing?

I’m a little more cautious myself.  This, in my opinion, does NOT make me a better person…it makes me worse. I would rather believe the best in all people than look at them as if they’re going to mess this up, or wait for the other shoe to drop.  If you expect to be disappointed, you generally will.  Not to mention that I’m hard on myself knowing that I’ll do something to mess up my friendships/relationships and feeling like I’ll disappoint someone else.  That is no way to live.  I’m getting better at not controlling all the situations in my life and taking it as it comes.  But I always admire someone who can throw their heart on the line and just go for the ride.  And this girl does that.  This girl knows how to “feel”…good or bad.  I’m still trying to learn that skill. 

But I digress.  We hauled in all kinds of heavy stuff and waited to move the heavy Armoire until last.  This thing was a beast and we kept trying to figure out how to get it off the truck, onto the ramp and down to ground level.  We used the dolly to move it on it’s side, from the top, from the bottom and was just having a hell of a time getting a good solid grip on the heavy thing. We didn’t want it to crash.  But then, we realized there was a sleeping bag lying there and used it to put it underneath the back side of the armoire and slid it down the ramp.  We then used the dolly to move it to the door.  Now…how do we get it inside the apartment? After about 10 minutes…we used the same approach.  We laid the sleeping bag down and rested the armoire on its side and slid it in…all the way through the living room to the bedroom.  We then slid it off the sleeping bag and along the carpet to it’s resting place and righted it into position.  I can’t tell you how good it felt to know that we accomplished moving that thing…even though I would’ve gladly let a couple of guys do it.   There was some serious whooping and hollering going on after that.

The really cool thing is that we were able to get the uHaul back to the moving place before 5, so she didn’t have to pay any extra money.  I made the trek home and filled the tub for the second night in a row. It was as hot as I could stand it.  I poured myself a glass of wine, sank into the tub and watched the unrated version of “The Hangover”.  After that, my kitties and I headed to bed.  We earned it.

Why the New Blog...and other things

Why a new blog?  Yes, this is my fourth blog.  I have a travel blog, a rant blog and a weight loss blog. I could've used the rant blog, but I needed to disconnect the posts from the past and start fresh.  Not that there's anything wrong with the past, but the future is ever changing.  And sometimes it's not just about my future, but the future of others, so it's just best to let things stay where they belong.

So, I spent the month of February in Zihuatanejo. This trip was more than just a vacation for me.  I needed to clear some cobwebs from my head and the time away afforded me the break I needed. I decided to erase all of the online dating websites and just focus on me for now.  My perspective has been somewhat skewed by these sites and I just need to cleanse myself of it.

I'm not implying that this happens to everyone.  But I think that's what happened to me. It's amazing how much the questions and the back and forth from others wear you down.  They (meaning the male online dating candidates) want the perfect woman, i.e. athletic, smart, beautiful, looks good in jeans but dresses up for black tie events...blah blah blah.  These very same men don't meet their own requirements.  How is that fair?

And I absolutely despise any man that sends me an email and the first thing he says is "You're beautiful". Really?  How do you know? What do you base beauty on?  Of course I'm posting the best pictures of myself (although, granted...a couple of them had no make up and one had dirt on my face..I like to be realistic). If your definition of beauty is skin deep and based upon a picture...I DON'T WANT YOU!!!

What all this does is force me to continually re-evaluate myself...in a bad way.  I start worrying about my weight. I start worrying about my personality. I start to doubt myself and wonder if I'm good enough for any prospective suitor. This is not good.  The one thing I have going for me is my confidence.  Ok, maybe my delusion as well, but still.  If I allow someone, anyone to break that down, that isn't good.

This trip allowed me to get comfortable with ME.  Without the worries of work, home responsibilities, etc. Granted, I did worry about the vehicle situation, but....I swore there would be no men, and there weren't (I have a bad habit of meeting men on vacation).  I ate some great food, had some quality time with family and friends and had some alone time, with me.  This is good.  If I can't be happy by myself, I can't be happy with a partner.

Now I'm home and ready to take care of some business. Time to replace the Durango.  I'm heavily leaning toward a truck. We shall see.