33

Tonight is the eve of our 33rd wedding anniversary!  2-24-79...seems like so long ago.  We have been through so much in the last 33 years.  I must admit, it has not been without trials and challenges...but we keep coming out on top.

We have been blessed with two amazing children.  We did something right that's for sure.  They are both successful and happily married to amazing spouses ~ Holly and Matt are fast approaching three years and Jon and Stephanie ~ just hit their 1 month anniversary.

We face many challenges - Mauro and I are always separated by 3000 + miles - we spend many weeks apart but we persevere.  We are reconnecting!  Many people don't understand why our lives are like they are, but we do what we have to do.  People don't always admit to themselves that not all is a bed of roses...I think being able to admit that allows us to change that.

So, this weekend we are again together in Cali, if even for a few days before he heads out to Latin America again, but we are making the time for a together trip. I'm excited!!

I just couldn't resist sharing a couple of then and now pics...

Then....

The Newlyweds 2-24-79

Now...

1-21-12

I think we look pretty dang good!!

Happy Anniversary Honey..here's to another 33!

I love you.

xo

Physique 57 Nudge!

Nudge: 

To push against gently, especially to gain attention or give a signal.

I received a gentle Nudge today!  N sent it to H and H sent it to me. 

Allow me to share :)

(Read it from top to bottom...it will be much more meaningful)

It's ok....I'm just kidding! Just giving you a hard time like you used to give me about my blog. ;-) love you!  

Start physiqueing when you can....you'll feel much better! ;-) and then you can start blogging again and N will be so happy! ;-)

Xoxo

Sent from my iPhone

On Feb 21, 2012, at 2:33 PM, Suzie <mm8483@aol.com> wrote:

I know I actually have a draft started.....:(..I'm trying to get my pics downloaded so I can finish it.  I'm having such a hard time getting motivated. I was actually going to get up early to Physique this morning but tossed and turned all night because my legs were acting up...kinda that restless leg syndrome. I didnt fall asleep until 4:30...Give N my love. Love u baby girl xoxo

Sent from my iPhone

On Feb 21, 2012, at 9:22 AM, Holly Hendricks <danzer3685@gmail.com> wrote:

I got this from N today...

Tsk Tsk ;-)

Love you!

Sent from my iPhone

Begin forwarded message:

From: Natasha Attal <natasha@physique57.com>
Date: February 21, 2012 12:13:55 PM EST
To: Holly Hendricks <Danzer3685@gmail.com>
Subject: mama suzie

Why isn’t she blogging anymore L

Natasha Attal

Social Media Manager

Physique 57

161 Avenue of the Americas, Ground Floor

New York, NY 10013

646-588-4850 p

917-214-1237 c

www.Physique57.com

Point well taken ladies....I came right home from work today, took Tiffy out for a walk, came back home, went immediately upstairs, put on my work out clothes (Old Navy)...sound familiar...

Pulled these babies out...

And I Physiqued tonight!!! Can I get a WOOT WOOT for Physiqueing tonight?  I was very rusty (but still got my push-ups done..mini Woot Woot), Tanya kicked my bootie (tell her I said hi), and it was hard keeping up. I'm tired, sore and a bit smelly (I kinda want to break out in song to Phoebe's Smelly Cat but I won't).   BUT....I'M BACK!!!

I have been having a bit of a hard time getting re-motivated to blog and do my Physique 57 workouts lately.  At first my lack of Physiqueing was legit...I hurt my back (that's a whole new post that is soon to come...it deserves it's own), then I was busy with all of Jon and Steph's amazing wedding plans (that too deserves a solo post-it will be fantastic)....but I must admit, I fell back into my old ways.....the Suzie excuses :(.  I don't know why I do that.  I was feeling so goooood when I was Physiqueing but I just did it.  No excuses, no real reason, no pity party, no good answer. BUT....I'M Back!!

So my lovelies...H & N....thanks for the gentle, much needed NUDGE. 

xoxoxo

Until next time my fellow Physiquesians....

Getting ready for Christmas....

Things have been super crazy these last few weeks.  I've been trying to get everything ready for Christmas while still trying to keep up with my Physique 57 workouts....and I cannot fail to mention that Jon and Steph are getting married in 38 days!!

It seems that each weekend we are doing wedding stuff - I am so loving it!  There still seems to be a ton of stuff to do but our days are slowing running out. Stephanie is taking on so much herself and doing an amazing job.  She is one lovely bride-to-be and she is not showing any trace of being a Bridezilla either.

Last weekend my awesome, amazing son put up my Christmas lights.  He outdid himself and made me oh so happy.  Our house looks wonderful and Christmassy as Holly said.

I finally finished the inside of the house as well.  It took me two weekends to finish our tree and the inside decorations but I am really happy with how the inside of our house looks.  I love coming home and turning on the lights inside....even tho Christmas is such a stressful time, I love it!!

Just a quick blog post for tonight.  Oh yeah, I forgot, I've been getting up at 5:45am to do my Physiqueing - I seem to be so busy after work that it makes it easier to start my day with my Physique 57 workouts.  And....N has been keeping tabs on me too :)

Until next time my fellow Physiquesians....

Here's hoping that everyone stays as stress free as possible as we all prepare to celebrate Christmas...

Thanksgiving 2011.....

We had a blast!!! Holly and Matt are such great hosts. I feel so blessed that we were able to spend Thanksgiving with them this year...their 1st in their new home. I arrived Sunday night (Momma has to get a few days solo...selfish, yes...I don't deny it).  Matt's parents arrived Tuesday evening and Mauro came in on Wednesday night.  Two newlyweds, 4 parents (that actually like each other) and 3 cute lil pups!  Holly and Matt had a houseful.

Maggie Lu, Peanut and Tiffy

I got my groove on with Holly at Physique 57 (two times, I was thrilled).  Got some much needed corrections and now feel rejuvenated to keep up with my Physique 57 DVD's at home.  I've actually set my own challenge...I'm gonna try to Physique every day until Jon & Steph's wedding so I get into that beautiful dress and look great so I make Jon proud when we do our Mother/Son dance.  I'm on track, but I must be honest, I was so jet lagged, I skipped yesterday, but pulled out my arms and abs booster tonight and now I feel really good.  This ol' body doesn't recover from my east coast travel quite as easily as I used to.

So anyways, back to Thanksgiving.  All of us got up bright and early, 3:30 am, on Thursday (Happy Thanksgiving), loaded all six of us in the Cube (Matt's mom's car) and headed thru the Holland Tunnel into NYC to brave the masses for the Macy's Thanksgiving Day Parade!! Check that off my bucket list...Woot Woot!

We bundled up (luckily Penny and Dale had blankets and towels in the back of the Cube), walked a quizillion blocks and found our spot.  We, with a ton of other people, sat, visited, tried to keep warm, and waited, and waited, headed down to the Starbucks for a quick bathroom break while the gettin' was good, then waited some more.   Holly and I pulled off our best layered look to keep warm while we waited for the parade to start.

The six of us had a great spot right next to the Dakota, which is where John Lennon was shot and Yoko Ono still lives (just a little bit of trivia for everyone!).

Penny, Dale, Suzie, Holly, Matt, Mauro

The parade was amazing.  I'm so happy we braved the cold and the long wait to see it.  Watching it all these years on TV is just not the same.  

The balloons are a site to see; it is so amazing to see how many handlers each balloon requires.  I took a ton of pictures, got several of each balloon...here is a sampling of some of them.

Neil Diamond, Scotty McCleery, Mary J. Blige, Johnny Weir and Santa, just to name a few, all joined the fun too.

Dinner was amazing.  Holly made a homemade apple pie that was to die for. Holly's Physique 57 friend Laura joined us for dinner and we had enough food to feed all of us for three days.

Our Amazing hosts.

The moms and Holly 

Delicious!

The best desserts anywhere

Tiffy had a long day!

Friday we all headed into the city after Holly was done teaching at Physique 57 so we could check out the Macy's holiday windows.  They are just beautiful and so creative. 

Holly and I made a digital ornament that was actually in the window for a short time. 

Our ornament in the window

This was such an amazing week and a wonderful way to start this holiday Season.  I cannot wait for Christmas to get here!

Physiqueing in NYC......Woot Woot!!

I am one happy Physiquer! I have been able to take two Physique 57 classes so far and I have loved it. Being at Physique 57 in person has been amazing.  I took a class at Physique 57 on Monday and finally got to meet N....

....and further confirmed that we are BFF's!  (I'm not totally happy with the way I look in these pics (a bit too rolly polly), but they give me yet another before/after goal).

Monday, Holly and I headed into the city and I took class, then we got mani's then went out for a super yummy lunch and then headed to her Vissi rehearsal (the piece she is working on is amazing BTW).  A lovely day with my baby girl to say the least.  I was thrilled that I got to meet Tanya as well.  She is so nice and seems like such a fun person.  I really enjoy doing my Physique 57 DVD's with her (I'm taking the advanced 30 minute express DVD home with me) - being at the Physique 57 studios was great because I got some much needed corrections and realized that I have not been doing stuff correctly but will from now on.  Tanya asked me if I was doing straight legged pushups yet...I told her NO but I took that as a challenge and ...

Yesterday, I again went to Physique 57 UWS with Holly and took her class. Man or man, my daughter is one tuff cookie.  But.....guess what Tanya?? I did 10 straight legged pushups for the very first time and my daughter witnessed it!  I was so proud of myself.  I cannot say enough about how great I feel Physiqueing! And I must add, I could not do even 1 pushup a couple of months ago!!

I was talking to N about a December Challenge...hmmmm, what will it be?  I decided to do my own challenge in conjunction with the November, and soon to be, December Challenge (keep me posted N).  There are 59 days until Jonathan and Stephanies' wedding so I am going to do my very own Physique 57 (+/- a day) 57 day challenge...(this gives me a day to get back home to start it)...but I am energized and ready to hit my Physique 57 DVD's so I am svelt for the wedding.

I am hoping to get in one more Physique 57 class before I head home on Saturday.  H&N...please tell all of the other girls that I had the pleasure of meeting, and seeing again while in town, that I thank them all so much for making me feel so welcome and a part of the Physique 57 family.  As a mother who has a daughter living 3000 miles away from home, it is nice to know that she has such a great circle of amazing ladies in her life :)

Happy Thanksgiving everyone...tomorrow we are up bright and early to head to the 

Macy's Thanksgiving Day Parade!  

I'm so excited.

So until next time my fellow Physiquesians.....

Leaving' on a jet plane....but gotta Physique 1st!

Today is the day.  Tiffy and I are heading back east to spend Thanksgiving with my Jersey Girl, Matt, and Maggie Lu.  Matt's parents arrive on Tuesday and Mauro comes in on Wednesday.  I'm really excited to celebrate Thanksgiving with my beautiful daughter; it has been way too many years since we have shared this holiday together.

I woke up this morning feeling aches and pains all over, probably because I dug out my boots and wore them all day yesterday to get my feet used to them.  So back to the aches and pains....I figured what better way to prepare for my flight than to Physique!  I ran up stairs, dug out my old work out clothes because I've packed my Target and Old Navy gems because I'M TAKING HOLLY'S PHYSIQUE 57 CLASSES IN NYC! (well N & I are taking Holly's classes ;))....I'm so excited.  I found my Physique 57 socks, packed my stuff, and I'm ready to get my groove on in the Big Apple.

Oh and by the way, all of those morning aches and pains are now gone.  My morning workout left me feeling great.  I'm glad I made the time for two reasons: #1) I feel really good, not sore anymore; and #2) I think I will be much more comfortable during the flight.  Physiqueing is the way to go!

Here is a way too cute picture of my precious, adorable traveling companion...

Tiffy Lu is ready to go spend the week with Maggie Lu

Until next time my fellow Physiquesians....

See you in NJ/NYC!

Oh, any luck on that snow request ;)

Phelling Sick and Physiqueing....

Well, today I broke down and went to the Doctor.......

these didn't work..... 

So....I got these.....

I don't want to miss my Physique 57 date with H&N next week, so I needed to get the heavy hitter stuff so I am not sick for my trip.  I leave on Sunday so I wanted to make sure I could get the infamous "Z Pak" in me before I left so I will be in good shape once I get there. The OTC stuff just didn't cut it...I needed a dose of the big stuff.

Oh and while I was at the doctor's office....I got this too!

I braved it up and finally gave in and got my tetanus and whooping cough shot. Seeing as I am the Queen of Bronchitis, and we have a ton of little precious ones in our family, it was best that I get both, especially the whooping cough shot. BTW, it's good for 10 years, so I am also covered when I become a Grandma ;). Oh, and because my arms are getting so toned from Physiqueing, the needle almost broke off when she stuck me.  Not really, but it sounds good right?!

So, that brings me to my Physiqueing for tonight.  Most people would say, oh there's Suzie, she has a perfect excuse to miss her Physique 57 workout tonight. Ordinarily they would be right. Hmmmm, were they??

I got home from work, took Tiffy out, fed her, headed out because I wanted to try to get some boots and sweaters for my trip back east, went to the mall, didn't find anything, was gonna go to WalMart but was too tired (again, people are thinking, excuse #2 to skip Physiqueing), drove home, took Tiffy out again (short walk around the cul-de-sac this time), fed her again (she eats several small, home cooked meals a day), and wait for it wait for it......(this was fun...I really wanted to keep H&N guessing). Did she or Didn't she Physique?! hehehe.

I went up stairs, put on my Physique 57 work out clothes (Target), I rolled out my pink mat, hit play and started my Physiqueing!  HAAAAA, I didn't skip my Physique 57 tonight.  But I must be honest, I didn't make it thru the whole thing either.  My arm is a bit sore (those shots are tiny but mighty) and I'm hacking up a lung (see above re Queen of Bronchitis), but at least I tried it.  I may not have made it thru the whole workout, but I did not give in to my old ways and use being sick as an excuse.  I gave myself only 1/2 credit because I want to be honest with the Physique 57 November Challenge, but 1/2 is better than nothing.  That is quite an achievement for me! Alas, I did not skip, I did my Physique 57 tonight!

So, I am going to start my "Z Pak" tonight, I know I will feel much better by Sunday when I take off. I plan on hitting my Physique 57 DVD's for the rest of the week - maybe modified, but I'll still do it so I will be ready to Physique it with H&N....hopefully I will see T too :)

Oh, and BTW, I have totally gotten over those dreaded work pictures.  I am happy with my Physique 57 results and will continue to work towards a healthier Suzie :)

So, until new time my fellow Physiquesians....