Carty, Party of ONE...Carty, Party of ONE??

Maybe it's because I've lived in locations without many friends nearby in the past, or because I work without co-workers when I'm in my 'office on wheels' and am alone often, or perhaps its because I was a bartender through college and know that with their company, you're never quite alone; I feel that there is absolutely nothing wrong with a person dining solo. I have had this discussion with my gf Stephanie many a times as she is the type of person who has to order 'to go' or have the phone glued to her ear while she is at the grocery so not to feel like she is dining or shopping alone, GASP! She isn't the only one that feels this way, as I've talked to other friends of mine when I'm dining alone who immediately respond to my 'oh hey, I'm just grabbing dinner at Bdubs and cant hear well, can I call you back'? with a "Who are you with? What, you're alone??!!' many many a time before. I love grabbing a magazine or newspaper that I otherwise wouldn't have the chance to absorb and enjoy my food in the silence of my own thoughts. Why would you invite someone to join you out of fear of being embarrassed to enjoy some alone time? I think that is far more disturbing than enjoying ones self. 

Last weekend I did the dine alone thing twice as Blair was out of town for a coaches conference, and friends were doing the ol' Halloween gig (which I had 0 interest in doing this year). So, Saturday night I went to Bdubs to catch the first half of the Buckeyes over a frothy cold one and a naked tender wrap (my fave) before hibernating in the 'movie room' for the second half. Per usual, I sat at the bar and was approached by the manager SEVERAL times not asking how my food was or how my service was, but asked me each time 'Ma'am is everything okay?' or 'Are we doing okay tonight?' all wide eyed and somber looking, like I lost my puppy dog or the love of my life or something!!? It didn't upset me that he did this, nor did it alter my enjoyment of my food, drink & large screen--but the icing was put on the cake on my way out with his 'please come back again ma'am, we really enjoyed having you, hope you have a better night' comment. Have a better night? I had a FINE night thank you very much.

Sunday, I went to my usual spot to flip through records to add to the collection down in the Short North and was craving my old 'go to', TASI for their oh so  fab-u-los Greek Yogurt and Mamosas! Again, I'm asked as I place my order 'how many are in the rest of your party'? 'Nope, just me', I replied with a huge happy grin on my face. "Oh, just one, okay... (forced grin) perfect, what can I get you"..... and again, I'm the poor girl who has no friends who has to dine alone!! I know, I know, at this point in the story you're probably rolling your eyes to yourself thinking,' really Andi, were they really acting that bad? Maybe you're making this worse than it is from your own insecurities of dining alone?!' ...truthfully, I'm not. I think more people should give it a go. It's actually quite nice & I must say I savor and enjoy the food that I eat solo 100x better than I do when I'm wolfing in bites in between long catch up session conversations +1. It's good to get away for some 'me time', in whatever way that is for you, but I promise that if you truly try to enjoy your Party of One event when you make a go of it, I'm certain your efforts to your 'self' will be appreciated. Go on, I dare you......

The ever so amazing TASI Greek Yogurt & fresh orange squeezed Mamosa!

Unplug heaters, plug in coolers....

My all around life motto & something that I've been neglecting the past two weeks which this months 'Oprah Magazine' so kindly reminded me of fell into my hands just before I over heated: Tap into your Chill Principle. Yes, I'll admit it, I read it monthly & love it!!! This months May We Help You article couldn't have come at a better time for me to read; "Unplug heaters, plug in coolers". With work sucking me dry the past two weeks, starting my gymnastics coaching season & drowning in house hunting this alerted me to pump the breaks and truly listen to my internal speed. I think too many times people are caught in the everyday over stimulation and pressure of work that surrounds us, especially in this down climate, that the pressure to be everything to everyone has taken on an entirely new level. Personally, I've been pressured to finish this order for Dr. Harts' Nigeria Trip that I haven't even left my home office to SHOWER until 3pm, let alone keep my workout schedule, personal/home life up to speed, or treat the rest of my customers with attention fairness. I spend nights in bed on my laptop working until 2am, only to 'sleep' restlessly thinking about all the things I need to complete the next day!!! I continually say to myself 'if only there were 34 hours in a day I could get more done'--ridiculous. Granted this is a unique order that is shipping to another country and one that he will have no way to receive additional products if something goes wrong or cuts out on him (just adding to the pressure) which is unlike offices who can call me in the US and get things taken care of same day. Good news is, with the help of Jessica Baker in Customer Service constantly (my heaven send) it has nearly all been finalized, almost ;)

Next to this article falling into my hands and my laptop completely frying out, having to be shipped back to IL last Thursday ( a true sign from God), I finaly had my 'aha moment' (yes another Oprah pun) and it's time to practice a bit of peace this weekend. I know, I know, it's Halloween weekend and time to hit the town for the festivities, but I had to dial back and do some 'me time'. Find what relaxes me and tap into it for a few days. Below are some great reminders of things you can do to dial back:

- Unplug technology and reconnect with nature--take a walk in a park.
- Take a nap, lie down for 5 mins and just breathe
- Unplug from the chaos of life long enough to connect with whatever calms you
- Tap into your inner-creativity (paint, stroll through the neighborhood with your Nixon, cook a delicious meal)
- Let out your passion

The fact is, all of us can choose peace, but it doesn't just happen; its a skill that takes regular practice to master. Choose and use such practice, whether it's prayer,  mediation, or simply clearing your mind. Though you may never reach Yoda-level equanimity, devoting even five minutes a day to telling yourself I am all right in this moment builds increasingly effective air-conditioning into your body and mind. In order for me to be fair to myself and my relationship with others, I have to refuse to burn. Claim the time it takes to be happy. Everything you value will benefit as long as you learn to keep your cool.

Happy Relaxing All!!


-Namaste

Thank You, from the bottom of My Hart.....

I love what I do....I do!!! I'm one of those people that craves a challenge, a competitive environment, and the high after the many lows. I have questioned why I do what I do many days, but never have I questioned why i'm in sales. It's never boring, I always have PLENTY of work to do, and I love the i-have-no-idea-what-i'm-walking into feeling. Being in medical sales is an entirely different arena, especially when it comes to product knowledge. I work for a manufacturer that makes over 500,000+ products and I also distribute another hundred or so manufacturers' products!! There is never a time that i'm not learning and helping others, and for that I am thankful. I especially love days like today when I pick up two new customers, one of which is strong residual business who chose me to provide all of their products & the second who has now become my biggest sale to date!


I happend to be in the right place at the right time overall, and have my sister to thank as she works for Dr. Hart, but never in my wildest of dreams did I think I would make such a rewarding sale. Of course i'm excited that it's one step closer to my year end bonus quota, but it was so much more than that. Dr. Hart origionally had a need for BP wall aneriods (BP cuffs), yet after a few trips into Adena Cardiology, I found out their products are all purchased through the hospital, therefore I couldnt be of assistance as they are part of an IDN (dont ask!!). However, Dr. Hart did have a need for a supplier to help with 100%  of the product and pharma needs towards his upcoming November trip to Africa, too cool!!! I spend day in and day out in awe of all of the wonderful MD's and patients I meet that it overrides all of the crap gatekeepers and Nurse Nancy's out there, especially on days like today. This evening I met Dr. Hart and his head nurse to review products which lead to viewing pictures from their trip last year to Nigeria. It made me question for a second why I didnt continue down the previous nursing path I started, but then it hit me, I get to be a small part of this amazing-ness while satisfying the salesperson that I truly am. Providing people with top notch products to assist with their health and wellness is so much more than 'being in medical sales'. I am so greatful to play a small role in helping those Nigerians wellness that it makes today so much larger than 'my biggest sale'. So I thank you Dr. Hart, from the bottom of my heart! :) I am so thankful for where I am in my career today, and that my friends is pretty cool.

St. Francis De-Hydrate

Ok, so I married my opposite in many ways. Many would argue we are the yin to each other's yang, especially when it comes to 'Following The Rules'. Blair is structured, likes repetition & feels that rules are meant to be followed. I, on the other hand, have a panic attack at the thought of my day being structured, and quite frankly make about 5 illegal U- turns daily because I think that law in Ohio is ridiculous. He has the same routine every morning & evening, and I'm lucky to change into PJ's before hitting the sack. This leads me to my story from yesterday while making my rounds at St. Ann's Physician Offices. The Office Manager meets with me in the lobby and we're discussing the very interesting bladder scanner & pregnancy test cost savings she could find if she used Medline, when two girls from DeSales High School come in with their uniforms on. Turns out one was the managers daughter, and I immediately asked them if they knew Mr. Albright. One lit up & said that she did and that she had him last year as her Junior English teacher (Yah, I wish I had a hot teacher back in high school to light up over too). I ALWAYS ask students if they love him or hate him, because frankly with Blair, people don't find an in-between. She said she really liked his class, but that he 'threw out her water bottles every morning in home room'. I was like 'what? your water bottles? why? that's ridiculous'. Clearly she agreed. All day I couldn't wait to get home and pry into the mind that is my husband's on WHY IN THE WORLD he cared to dump out a nice, all academic athlete (full ride in lacrosse to be exact) & sweet young girls water?! His response, 'Andi, its the rules'!! Are you joking? RIDICULOUS! Why would St. Francis DeSales not allow students to have water bottles in class? They pay 7k a year to go there, and they aren't allowed to HYDRATE? He said 'when the bell rings and class is over, they can go to the fountains and get as much water as they want, they aren't allowed to have food or drink in the classroom'.

This my friends, is why I'm not a teacher, a cop, a judge or someone who enforces rules for that matter. We got into quite the debate which ended in 'well, my public school upbringing makes more sense for our future kids than private school life especially because I want my kids to BE ABLE TO DRINK WATER'. Am I being a bit too dramatic? Probably.

Just say NO to Saint Francis De-Hydrate!!



Signing off,
The Good Cop

Move Over Bacon...

So, I know everyone says it--but I'm confirming it--MOVING SUCKS! We just made the huge decision to head to the burbs from The Short North, and honestly, I'm loving it so far.The rental situation moved MUCH faster than we imagined, luckily, as I wasn't willing to make an offer on a house with an existing mortgage not covered. So we found an awesome tenant, paying our full mortgage amount, who signed a 2 year lease with 3 months down!! I'm certain that after 2 years there, he'll want to stay for longer. We miss 'Melrose Place'--aka-- Victorian Gate Condos, but it definitely felt like the right time to move. Working from home (a 900 sq ft 1 bedroom/1 bath condo) with 2 pony dogs, wasn't going to cut it anymore. My Medline medical boxes took up our entire coat closet. We didn't realize how much CRAP we really had at that place until it was on our backs, up and down our steps1000x, loading, unloading, again MOVING SUCKS. We donated our couches and alot of other things, as we'd like to buy new in 'Our First Home Together' (considering the other home was basically Blair's Bachelor Pad). It will be better once we're in our new home, I just know it.

The condo will always hold a special place in our hearts as it holds so many dear memories to us. It was the place that held our first dates, spend overs with the girls/guys in tow after way too many bevs downtown, and our first holiday's together. It is the place we woke up in with our 4 leggers and walked to the park on snowy weekend mornings, followed by our Starbucks Chai Tea Latte runs (that is sadly now Chocolique or something that will go under soon). It's where we popped a bottle of bubbly to celebrate our engagement, & the place where Blair surprised me with our first Christmas Tree (I begged for him to get into the X-mas spirit for long enough that I came home to a tree propped up just for me to decorate one afternoon that he picked out & hand delivered all by himself). It's where we spent many a Tuaca nights listening to the bands downstairs on Gallery Hop Weekends & Betty's Breakfast Nacho mornings to soak up the aftermath. It's where I'd open our wall of windows to chat with Bob @ EUROPIA across the street. He'd always offer up free tastings while shopping & was the one that suggested my fave I'll never stray from: Menjetrois blend. It's the place we re-decorated from the horrendous bachelor pad paint colors (3 different shades of green/pea/puke) & brought in my furniture to remove the book so cleverly disguised as a couch leg (at least the book was a classic) to our first home as a couple. It's the home we (especiallyAtty & Nova) first met and cared for our goddaughter Lucy. It will be missed.

The dogs, front row seats @ The Doo Dah Parade

Nights out with the gang

Bernies HH's

Lu Lu Bean comes to The Short North

Nova & Atty babsitting

My fave pic of Lu & Blair

The Christmas Tree Surprise

 I never thought it possible we'd be happy out of The Short North, but honestly, it's good to be back (and good to have a driveway)!! We'll retire back @ our Short North property & act like 20 somethings again some day, but until then.... BRING ON THE BURBS! Okay, Alum Creek/Olentagy area to be exact, ie: (dog parks, water, walking trails)--don't count us into the 'old lame suburbians' file yet.....


We'll always love & miss you 5 W. Lincoln St <3 A lovely pic from the last evening we had, backs propped up against the wall of windows, enjoying a glass of red, per usual.

GOOD TIMES HAD BY ALL....ESPECIALLY @ GOODALE