Guaranteed Piece of (well you know)...

Last October I started a new job and not being familiar with the new area, I decided to buy a GPS to help me get around. I did a ton of research on the various options out there, and after recommendation from my parents as well as the salesperson, I decided to go with a Garmin unit. I was fairly happy with it for eight months but that was short lived.

I used it on a regular basis, even if I knew where I was going, I used it to give me an idea of traffic and estimated time of arrival. I once used it on a trip to the beach (a trip I have made many times over the years) to see if there was another route that I could take to get me there faster. After all, who isn't in a hurry to get to the beach?! :-) While trying to program the unit with the location I was going to, it couldn't find the beach I was going to. It's not a small beach, it's actually a pretty major area. So why could this GPS not find the area? It actually froze while trying to find it. I turned it off and continued my trip. I found the number for Garmin and gave them a call to see if there was an update I was missing. I was on hold for two hours and no one ever answered. I was very annoyed. I hung up and gave up. When I was about an hour away from my destination, it decided to "find" the location. Do you really need to be an hour away from your destination for it to be found?! This happened on several of my trips to this location.

Last month I plugged in my unit to go somewhere and it wouldn't even turn on. Well, it would start up and then the screen would go black, then start up again. Endlessly. I pick up the phone and call Garmin first thing when they open and was on hold again, this time for a total of three hours, again with not one person answering. They recommend you call first thing to prevent a long wait time. I wonder if I should call about an hour before they open to "get in line". Makes me wonder if there are that many customers calling due to the same issues, or if there is one lonely person answering the phone. (Maybe no one at all....)

So I decide to e-mail the company. They respond a couple of days later and recommending doing a reset of the unit. (Thanks, that didn't occur to me!) If that doesn't work, update it by syncing it with the computer. Umm, hello?! How can I sync it with a computer when the thing DOESN'T TURN ON?! So I politely write them back thanking them for their simple but difficult "solutions". They agree to let me send the unit back (on my dime) and they will send me another unit once they receive mine. So almost a month later, I get my new unit.

That was last week. Since I live so close to work, I didn't use the unit this week until yesterday. I was headed to see some friends, and since I moved to a new area, I wasn't sure the best way to get to their place. So the first time I use this replacement unit, it freezes on my en route. It almost caused me to miss my exit. So I have to turn off the unit and turn it back on and hope it turns on in enough time to tell me where I am going. Ok, I think, it's just a glitch. Wrong. It happened again today on the way to my appointment with my client. So I got to write this wonderfully responsive company again. Yay... NOT! I can't wait to see how long it takes this time...

Needless to say, I will not be recommending Garmin to anyone! I'm just saying...

HuntingLife.com » HuntingLife.Com Launches iMapMobile iPhone Application for Hunters and Outdoorsman

This app is awesome! I have used it so many times to see the weather for the week as well as tracking some of the spring storms we have been having lately. I was able to tell how long I would be driving in a storm this weekend while out of town. The zoom capability helps you to be able to view the exact area you are in! Even if you are not a hunter, you have to buy this app and use it on any outdoor activity!

HuntingLife.com » HuntingLife.Com Launches iMapMobile iPhone Application for Hunters and Outdoorsman

New Years Resolution

Here it is again, that time of year when we all decide to do something different in our lives. The new year brings us a new opportunity to change those things that we aren't happy about. Some people may choose to diet, or further their education, or a variety of other things. I am choosing to do those things and many more this year. In order to hold myself accountable, I am choosing to share my resolutions publicly. I challenge my readers to do two things. Check in on me, I want you to hold me accountable too. I will be posting about progress (and frustrations) here for you to read. The second challenge, if you feel comfortable, share your resolutions with me, if anything to just make me not feel alone. :-) We can all support each other grow in this new year.

The first resolution, and I know I am not alone in this, is to be healthier. I am back on the Body for Life program. I have planned my week, went to the store and bought everything I need. My problem is I am away from home for about 12 hours a day. When I get home, I don't feel like cooking. I usually either pick something up on the way home, or pull something quick from the refrigerator or pantry, not usually the healthiest. Today (and every Sunday) I plan on cooking up a storm, portioning out my meals for the week and enjoy. No more hitting the fast food on the trip home, with having meals already prepared, I can come home and heat and eat something healthy.

The other half of being healthy is getting myself to move! One of the things that is a huge challenge for me is working out. I have a torn tendon in my ankle that scares me. I am prone to turning it and re-injuring it. I was starting to be a runner (granted it was years ago) and I enjoyed it. I plan on starting out slow and am seeing a surgeon to try to take steps to repair the ankle for good. Until then, I am taking things slow. I found a Wii under the Christmas tree this year. I went out yesterday and purchased the "Your Shape" for the Wii. I started with my profile and did the initial fitness test. (I will mention that I "tested" well, but I am a bit sore today already! No pain, no gain, or I guess in my case, loss...) There were several things I like about this game, and therefore, the reasons I purchased it. First of all, I didn't need to purchase the Wii Fit. Since it is after Christmas, the finances just weren't there to fund this purchase, although it is something I will most likely buy in the near future. The second reason I decided to purchase this game is that the package comes with a camera that attaches to the Wii sensor bar. The camera detects your movements to ensure you are doing the motions properly. One of the most frustrating things about exercising is doing all this work and not seeing the results. I am excited about having someone to check my form and not be in a gym for all to see my being corrected. I am just not ready for that kind of public humiliation. :-) The game also scans your body (and no I didn't try to suck anything in!) to get an accurate representation of your body. This scan allows for the computer to suggest areas that you might need help on. There is a calendar that allows you to select the number of work outs you want to schedule per month and time. I am excited to get to working out with this program. I think that the fact that it is "game like" and in my home may make it harder to ignore. It allows me the flexibility to work out at any time. We will see how it goes....

The second thing that I am going to focus on this year is myself. Ok so I know being healthy is focusing on myself, but there are other parts of me to focus on. I am going to further my education and get a certification to help further my career. I am also going to focus on being more organized. I can be really focused and organized at work, but I need to bring that home. I am going to get into a routine to make life easier. I am hoping that since I have my Sundays planned out with cooking that I can portion out the rest of the tedious tasks around the house during the rest of the week. If I schedule out my evenings, I can accommodate not only the work out routine, but also the dusting, laundry etc. I am hoping that becoming a mom with a routine will help encourage my daughters to do the same. I also want to ensure that if I have scheduled myself to do all of these things in the time allowed, it will allow for me to do some of the things I love. I want to write more as well. I have said it before, but writing is the door to my soul and provides me with sanity. I am doing more to ensure that my stress level is in check. I am hoping that writing will help me with that.

I will continue to be a dreamer this year though. There are dreams that I refuse to give up on. Dreaming makes me happy. I don't think I am unrealistic in my dreams. I know what I love to do, where I would love to be, and who I would love to be. After all dreaming is the imaginative thoughts indulged while awake.

As I write I am enjoying one of my protein shakes. I guess that is a good start. Now if you'll forgive me, I have some cooking to do. I hope you all have a blessed new year and it brings you all that you dream about.

Wow

Has it really been that long since I have been able to sit down and write?! I am amazed at how quickly time flies. Just as I was ready to jump into my Mary Kay business, I lost my full time job. I was unemployed for part of the summer and into the fall. It was a long and difficult time for me. I was wondering when it was going to end. It was a daily struggle. I do not know know where I would have been without the love and support of my family and friends through this time.

I am saddened by the fact that I haven't written about most of this experience. In my trials, I ended up retreating into myself and really reflecting on my life. It would have been more therapeutic for me to write more, but I just didn't. Sitting here writing now is such a relief and joy. I write this mainly for me, but if I can help just one person realize there is silver lining somewhere for them as well, then it would be the best scenario possible. It would make all my times of struggle worth it.

Well, the hands of fate had finally turned in my direction. A job that had come my way last year around Christmas (and had turned down) became available again this October. I think that things happen in your life, things you go through, a divorce, a bad relationship, or losing a job, to help you understand how strong of a person you are. That is not to say I didn't struggle, or wonder why me, I had my days. I have, however, been able to look back on this whole ordeal and realize how much experiences in life shape you and help you grow as a person. I am a better and stronger person because of the things life has handed me. I can't say I am grateful for them when I am gong through them, but after getting through them, I realize how much of an experience it was.

I have been very busy with my new job and trying to get myself back on my feet. I love the everyday challenges of my job and feeling such a sense of accomplishment. I am now able to start focusing on my Mary Kay business again, and enjoying all that it has to offer. I am also able to be the mom I want to be, providing for my kids. I am a very lucky girl.

To hunt or not to hunt...

That is the big question for me this year. This year isn't turning out as I planned. The job loss has kept me from purchasing the equipment that I would need to be out in the woods this year. I have some clothes to wear, but the lack of income, kind of hinders my ability to purchase ammo, binoculars, or most importantly, the license.

I was looking forward to getting into the woods and hunting my first deer this year. I wonder if there are ways around this, gear I might be able to do without, or something else I haven't thought about. I don't know. Maybe this year just isn't meant to be my year....

Serious frustrations

I am sorry it has been a while since I have posted. It has been a crazy last few days. I have had my kids for most of this month, which is a great thing. I love my kids and enjoy the time I get to spend with them, so I have been focusing on being with them. I have also been focusing on the job search. I have sent out several resumes, without even a call. This begins my frustrations.

Adding to my frustrations is the dieting. I got on the scale after being (what I thought was) good on the diet. I didn't lose any weight. Total frustration! In my situation, I am on a very strict budget right now, and can't really go to the store to buy fresh foods every week. I am now struggling to figure how to lose weight, follow the program as closely as I possibly can, and to do it on a budget. I am counting calories and exercising (maybe not as much as I should) and drinking water (surely not as much as I need to be.) I know this is all a work in progress and I just have to choose wisely. In my stressful situation, that is not always easy, but if I don't choose wisely, accept it, don't blame or make excuses, and move on. I can choose to blame my lack of employment or use it as an excuse for not eating right or not working out, but it doesn't help me. I can only choose to try to do the right thing for me. And I will...

Iconic Statue on the move

The iconic Mack bulldog statue is going to have a long day. It is on its way from it's home in Allentown, Pennsylvania to it's new home in Greensboro, North Carolina. Mack Boulevard has been home to the Mack World Headquarters and the Mack Bulldog statue for years. Mack is transitioning to their new location in NC, moving the bulldog there is one of the last steps. Some Mack employees are sad to see it go. They took pictures before seeing it depart for it's new home.

The building that has been World Headquarters will be taken over soon by the Lehigh Valley Health Network. I grew up in Allentown, and to me no matter who is in that building, it will always be the Mack World Headquarters building. It is a sad day.