Wednesday, November 28, 2012

That's Me In The Corner...

... That's me in the spot light, losing my motivation....

mo·ti·va·tion

noun
1.
the act or an instance of motivatingor providing with areason to act in a certain way: I don't understand what hermotivation was for quitting her jobmotive,inspiration, inducement, cause, impetus.
2.
the state or condition of being motivatedWe know that thesestudents have strong motivation to learn.
3.
something that motivatesinducement; incentive: Clearly, thecompany's long-term motivation is profit.


Mom, Nancy, Me
I've lost my running motivation. I'm not exactly sure where it went or why. I should be flipping out excited. In about 45 days I'll be going full Dopey as I do the 5K, Half Marathon and Marathon in Walt Disney World. A favorite place to go play, the home of some of my favorite races, and soon to be the place where I run 3.1 + 13.1 + 26.2 miles. And what am I doing about it? Not a damn thing. I'm training by running half marathons. Woo. I can do that in my sleep. I mean really, I don't train for half marathons anymore, granted my speed isn't increasing either, but I don't even care. *Incidentally, at the last half marathon I ran my fifth fastest time! 

During the day I want to run. I think about how fun it is was and how I wish I could get back that sense of fun. So then I wonder Why? Why isn't it fun. I don't have an answer. This whole post is me just thinking aloud. When I'm actually out running, for the most part, I am enjoying it. I think I'm kind of over the headlamp though. Sometimes it hurts my head. I'm not liking that the cold weather makes me have Meniere's issues when my ears aren't covered. But weather conditions aren't even the issue I don't think.

Nancy and I this past summer
I think the biggest trigger for my downward spiral happened in September. I had just done insane training all summer. I was doing 20 mile runs, finishing when it was 90 degrees outside. I was training harder than I have in my three years of running. The heat was killing me. But I was doing it. And while doing that I got engaged (yay!!!) and started the fun planning things. A big event was buying my wedding dress. I bought it on a Saturday with Jessica and Cilley Girl at my side picking out their bridesmaids dresses. Also in attendance was my mom, quietly giving her input, and my boisterous aunt/godmother.  It was such a memorable day, and one that I am certain I'll never forget. Saturday night I had a lovely dinner with my mom and my aunt at a restaurant we all have loved for years but never get to go to. The car ride home was hysterical. So many moments where we were rendered speechless.  But also a moment that we won't ever forget (and not in a good way).  Tuesday morning I was hysterical (and not in a good way), trying to figure out how to speak and breathe and tell my mom that her sister just committed suicide. Days after we had such a fabulous time together, discussing the fun of Vegas that lies in store, talking about how exciting the future is .... and there I was just lost. I was so upset I didn't realize that I never told my mom how she died. My mom thought it was a heart attack. Driving to my grandpa's house (mom and I work together), I cried the whole way and was mad at her. How could she put us in the position of having to tell Grandpa what she did. Being there when my mom told him was the single worst moment of my entire life. I ended up pretty much sitting on his lap, sobbing with my arms around him. I never want to go through anything like that again. It was horrible.

Last Christmas
That day changed things for me. On Thanksgiving I felt a big hole. The person I was always by and talking with wasn't there. Nobody wanted to discuss the Bravo Housewives. We all did talk about Vegas because of the wedding, but not how Nancy and I talked about it - making a girls trip to see my drag queens and someone like Celine (barf) or Cher (yes!). That hole wasn't just on Thanksgiving though. It's like that Tuesday happened and I zoned out of everything. I spent Tuesday just spacing out staring. I don't even know what I stared at. Staring and crying. (I'm so uplifting!) Wednesday night I was on my way to get Jessica so we could go to Disney World. MF had to drive me because I couldn't be alone. Even in Florida I couldn't be alone. The one time I was I ended up sobbing in bathrooms at Epcot. I guess Disney was a good way to cheer up while grieving though!

My mom (Sinderella), Nancy (Mommie Dearest)
and myself (Malice in Horrorland)
I came home the next week, missing the memorial for Nancy due to being in Florida when it happened. When I got home I had no desire to do anything. To this day my suitcase is still full of things from WDW. I know, don't say anything! ;)  I don't even know if I did any running before the marathon. I just lost my spark when I lost my aunt. And then the marathon happened and I got hurt and had to walk the last 10K. Not the way I planned on doing my first full marathon!  That messed with my head and I was nervous to run again. But I keep trying. BUT when I run I think, and so then I talk things out. Most runs since that September day have been me talking about my aunt and venting about the whole situation. It's rather complicated. I mean I guess it was an event that shouldn't have surprised us, but I was there the days before and witnessed an incident ... and basically I see what was the catalyst, and I just can't find forgiveness in me. I feel like this really important person was taken away and I see what caused it. I am washing my hands of said catalyst. I want the negative out.

I'd say still 2 or 3 nights a week I have the nightmare where I am sobbing in my sleep. I have had loved ones pass away before, but never by their own hand. I didn't know the whole grieving process would be so long and complicated feeling. It's like I go up and down. And in turn I'm just moving on auto pilot getting up, working, coming home, sleeping. I mean look at my blogging .... what blogging? Oh, those few most boring posts ever about pathetic runs? I'm just in an overall funk. I love running so much and I just hope that I can at least get through the funk and get back that drive I used to have. 

I don't know what I just babbled up a storm. I think better writing it out I guess, and so much is going on in this head that I had to write. 

Run 2.11, 2.12 - Terrible and Nice

Run 2.11 - basically I used to love running in the cold. Now that I have the wonderful company of MF in my house and our 3 little furballs, well, being inside a warm home is just too tempting! So the other night we set out for a run. I didn't really warm up. I didn't put my ear warmer thing on. I set myself up for failure. I'm learning that when my ears get really cold my Meniere's Disease messes with me. I didn't even run long enough for that to happen this time. My legs got all tight and then hurt. No good excuse - just plainly my fault for not preparing at all. Blah. It was the slowest two miles. Absolutely ridiculous. A waste of my time. I mean I ran TWO miles?? Seriously? Who trains for Goofy by running two freaking miles and not even running all of it?!?

Which brings me to run 2.12 tonight. The weather was absolutely perfect. It was dry, a tinting of warmth, a beautiful moon that looked so pretty it seemed photoshopped. I had my ears covered, headlamp and ankle light on, and I just felt a bounce in my step. With absolutely no plan of how long to go or where, we just started running. In the end it was a great 5 mile run. I could have done more but didn't. I do have a half on Saturday, so that will let me get in a nice long run (potentially a super cold one), and then Sunday I want to do another run to get into the groove of back to backs for Goofy weekend.

I'm trying really hard to get ready. My mind is just not in it, which might be my next blog. But tonight's really great run gave me a boost, perhaps it's the boost I needed!

This was painfully boring, I'm sorry. 


Friday, November 23, 2012

Run 2.7-2.10 - Wedding Update!

I've been seriously slacking in blogging for a LONG time now - but MF hooked me up with wifi in my living room, so I am happily couched out watching TV and blogging!!

Run 2.7 was a long run, and a race... the Scappoose Half Marathon, which you can read about here. It was freezing cold, but enjoyable. During almost every long run I say how I wish they'd come complete with bathrooms and water stops with people cheering me on. Finally I have that!! Racing for a long run is just much more rewarding I think!

Run 2.8 I can't even remember. I know I did it. I vaguely remember a lot of zigging and zagging through my neighborhood. It was dark. I think, yes, I tested a long sleeve shirt as a potential race shirt in the upcoming months. 

Run 2.9, the Run to Stay Warm, was my 17th half marathon, and my fifth fastest! It was raining before the start and very cold. Once I started I warmed up and my legs felt great throughout the entire time, only stiffening a hair in the last 5K when the wind and cold picked up again.

Thanksgiving silliness!
Run 2.10 was a nice 2 mile run on Thanksgiving morning. It was rejuvenating, and a great way to start the day!

Now let's talk wedding!!!

RSVPs are slowly trickling in, and any time I get a response I get ridiculously excited! My black Friday shopping consisted of buying things for the wedding reception being held in Oregon.  What might that entail? Try sequins, candles, feather boas and strobe lights! Man Friend and I have a ton of ideas, and have even worked out a tentative floor plan for the tables and dance space. MF's mom has volunteered to hook us up with table clothes made just the way we want them, too! Things are really falling into place.  I can't remember if I have shared the link or not, but if you want to see the story of how we met and how the proposal went down, click here to see our official wedding website!

So that's all for now. If you'll excuse me I need to get back to planning, shopping and doing all the things that go along with creating a fabulous wedding reception! Is it April yet??



Tuesday, November 20, 2012

Run To Stay Warm Half Marathon

The shirt - I like the shoes!
In my quest to half-ass train for Goofy weekend by doing half marathons I just ran my second in a string of four before the end of 2012. This was the EWEB Run to Stay Warm in Eugene, Oregon. Two years ago I was peer pressured by Kim to run the 5K even though I was getting over a cold … that was my first ever blogger meet up! I also got to meet Small Town Runner and Laurie, so imagine my excitement when I walked in to pick up my bib and sitting there was none other than Small Town Runner! I knew then that it was a good sign that this would be a good race for me!

Getting my bib, chip and shirt was a breeze. Everyone was so friendly – and the building was nice and warm, bonus! I thought the shirt was pretty cute, but it had such a strange fit… big around the body, but short on the sleeves. I took my things and went back to my car to wait for the start and stay warm. I watched the rain come down and stared at the temperature staying at a steady 46 degrees. I decided to add on one more shirt, putting me at a total of 3 shirts for this race. On went the gloves, the ear warmer and the Garmin. I was ready to run! The bathroom line was outrageous so I decided I could hold it. Well lucky me, as I walked to the start line there were 2 potties with only 4 people in line. Score! Soon I was at the start line and accepting the fact that while I might run well for me I was in Eugene, Track Town USA, and basically I was telling myself it was okay that I would be the back of the pack. (Long story short, I was!)

The gun goes off and I started with a bounce in my step and smile on my face. I always enjoy running in Eugene. I think my ego and being around such great runners always forces me to do just a bit better. The start was pretty congested since we were running on a smaller path, but by the time we were one mile in it was thinning out. The runners had spaced out and people were pretty much in their spots that wouldn’t vary much for the remainder of the race. It was during this first mile that I discovered the person I “knew” I “had” to beat. She was so loud behind me. Nonstop chatter, which is fine, but just soooo loud. I didn’t want to force myself to go too fast at the start to stay ahead of her, and then burn out, so I just let her pass and celebrated that one small victory – the noise was gone!

Something I just loved during this half marathon was the dog! A beautiful yellow lab that seemed to run my pace – if you add in her potty stops. She was just as cute and happy as can be. Dogs as spectators always make me so happy, so to run near one that wasn’t in my way was just tops in my book! *The dog did beat me, and that’s okay. Good girl!

The course was on trails I have raced on before, except for miles 7 through 10. Seven through ten were nice, too. I got to see parts of Eugene I’ve never seen before. It was also in this stretch that I started to pick out my rabbits. I was sticking to my run/walk ratio since that’s my plan for Goofy weekend and this race was essentially a long run as part of Goofy training. The intervals were really working, too. I was feeling strong the entire race until the very end when the wind picked up and made my legs cold and stiff – but that was only the last couple of miles, nothing to complain about. Feeling great I knew that I’d have to start making my move. That loud talker from mile 1? I could see her and I declared that she would NOT cross that finish line before I did. This motivated me to pick up my pace a bit and just keep chipping away at the distance between us. It was at mile 11 that I passed her and the other runner in her Portland Marathon finisher shirt. Maybe it was just their marathon shirts that made me feel like I had to pass them, I don’t know. But I do know that it felt like sweet victory when I did pass and then keep increasing the gap in my favor. I did pick out and pass a couple more runners before the end ….

…. And then true R0nda came out. That would be the girl that sees she is doing well, gets excited and nervous and then her upchuck reflexes kick in and it’s a race of praying for the finish line to get to my feet BEFORE I throw up. I stopped trying to pass people and focused on enjoying the race, running a nice pace, breathing, and not puking. Once I hit mile 13 and could see the finish line I did go for my final sprint and did NOT get sick!!! This race was only 3 minutes slower than my finish time at Seattle Rock’n’Roll, which for me was a huge deal! I’ve been feeling so slow and sluggish since the marathon, so this made me feel like I had a huge physical and mental victory over myself!

I am really glad I signed up for this one --- and I am REALLY glad the rain stopped before the race began. We all got pretty lucky that day!

Sunday, November 11, 2012

Scappoose Half Marathon

Training run.
Rural.
Inaugural.
Freezing.
Smallest half EVER.

Punctuation? Complete Sentences?
The above are ways I would describe the Scappoose Half Marathon put on by the local rotary club.  When I couldn't make it to the Runaway Pumpkin Half I decided to find one to sneak into my schedule to keep me busy racing. A little search on my phone led me to Scappoose! With only a few days until the race I decided to register. It promised a finisher's medal, t-shirt and boxed lunch. What's to complain about!?!

The race started at Scappoose High School at 10am. We were basically there while they were still setting up, and took advantage of the situation and time by staying inside the warm high school. I snooped around the girl's locker room, checked out the cafeteria, used the "girls room", marveled at the gym and entertained myself by reading some signs...

Check-in, once I finally decided to, was very simple. I got my cotton t-shirt and crazy enough didn't even complain that it was cotton. I realized quickly that this truly was a race put on by older men without any sort of race/running knowledge. They had good intentions and I thought for a first time during a cold month in a small town, well I think they pulled it off. Every single volunteer was very nice and chatty, even on the course! We got our bibs and MF noticed that there were hardly any people getting bibs for the half marathon. It was then that I knew I'd officially be the back of the pack. I didn't care. We later learned from locals that there was no advertisement for the race, hence the small turn out. Good thing I had no ego going into this race. 

I found Prefontaine in the locker room!!
This race was strictly a long training run as I prepare for Goofy weekend in just 2 months. I'm still getting back into the groove and rebuilding my ability to breathe, so I knew I wasn't going to be "racing". Fun was the name of the game!

Soon the 5K, 10K and half runners were making their way to the track. I was shocked at how many people were in shorts as it was still not even 40 degrees out (I think it even got cooler during the race)! I was in pants, long sleeves, gloves and a headband to keep my head warm. Just a week before I was in a t-shirt and skirt and sweating!  The half started first with a lap around the track before heading into the wilderness. I did push myself and keep up with the pack for that lap, staying around 9 minute mile pace or lower. Off the track I slowed down and four tenth of a mile into the race I was officially in the back where I'd stay the rest of the 12.7 miles!

Early on I decided to "Galloway It" with a .4 run/.1 walk ratio. We kept that the entire time and it really did help, especially mentally. I was able to assure myself that I could run .4 miles with no problem. Those .1 breaks were glorious! After the first 2 miles we were on our own. The 5K runners and come, turned and gone while the 10K runners were fairly sparse. Drink stops happened quite frequent in the beginning. I think we had 3 of them before we hit mile 3! And I'd call them water shots, certainly not big cups. I think at each stop I had two "shots". 

So there we were, on our own, just MF and I. Most of the race we could look ahead and behind and never see another person. I decided it would be fun to play music from my phone that was in my iFitness belt. It helped keep us entertained, especially around mile 5 when we had a full performance of Bohemian Rhapsody. I bet the wildlife really enjoyed that!

We saw horses, llamas, dogs, cows, birds and a snake that I had to jump around to avoid stepping on it.  I heard all sorts of animals as well. It was pretty cool! Not as cool was the road kill I had to avoid stepping on. 

Smells were prevalent. For a while it was pine trees. Loved it! But, crazy as it is, I was really excited near miles 9 - 10 when it smelled like .... wait for it .... manure. Yes, wildlife and manure. I don't hate it. It reminds me of when I was a child and of the county fair. 

The course was pretty quiet, human wise. We rarely had cars pass us, and only at a couple houses did we see residents out and about. Most interactions we had were with the volunteers at the water stations - minus the station that was only a table, bottled water and plastic shot glasses! I can't say enough how nice all the volunteers were. They were out there freezing and always greeted us with smiles and encouragement!

It was a very cold race.  MF had no gloves or pants yet (we remedied that later that night!), so he was losing feeling in his hands. I was pretty toasty compared to him, but I also have tons of accessories available for warmth. I started going numb and my legs didn't want to bend anymore. I think the pain started in my ass and worked its way down, making every joint stiff. I did my best to ignore it so I could get myself to the finish line sooner than later. 

The exciting finish line....
And soon it was there, the end.... Most of the time you hit the finish line and hear cowbells, announcers, music, cheering family members. This was not one of those times. I had a hard time even seeing where I was supposed to run to enter the track. Once I did I saw the finish line right there ... with 3 men. They were the 3 men running the timing equipment. Not one single spectator or volunteer welcoming us to the end of a cold, long race. They did say our names when we crossed, gave us bottled water and were nice, telling us where to go to get our medals, warm soup and sandwiches. We quickly went back into the high school.  Finishers were few and far between so nobody even realized there were two new frozen people arriving, wanting food and medals.  The boxed lunches were really nice - a BIG sandwich (sadly ALL of the meat variety), a banana, cookies and a Clif bar. I had to go find someone else for my medal. Being one of the last runners I ended up with a 1st in Division medal versus a regular medal. I didn't complain, again I knew this was a first time race put on by older men as a way to kind of celebrate Veteran's Day. I just decided I came in 1st in the Awesome Person division.  

We hurried to the car to thaw out and decided on pizza for some post-race food. It was glorious! Pizza, nachos and bread sticks. Pure Heaven!! Later on I checked the results. I wanted us to finish in less than 3 hours - and we did with no problem at all. AND I was 3rd in my division .... ignore that there were only 4 of us in my division. A half marathon with 55 runners! Smallest half I've ever done. And really, No complaints! For someone wanting a nice, relaxing run through the countryside and a lunch at the end, I'd actually recommend it! That's my Sweet Sixteen half marathon, and a sweet little race it was!


Run 2.6 - Adding in Yoga Booty Ballet

I'm posting this mostly just for my own sake to remember, so when you're like "gosh, this is the second most boring blog I've ever read," ... well that's totally okay. I know I can never be THE most boring blog ever ... that title is given purely to this girl and her obsession with her cat and her husband that might some day eat said cat. Anyway.....

I set out to run 4 miles. Apparently running a) in the dark b) with a headlamp on while c) cars are zooming by with headlights blinding me and d) my ears are frozen for the first time ... Hello Meniere's attack! 1.6 miles in I was very unsteady on my feet and really nervous about continuing further from home. We decided to turn and head home to finish out a three mile run. I actually powered up the two hills quite nicely, I was proud of myself!

Post-run I ditched the shoes and put in Yoga Booty Ballet (YBB). Due to the fact that I couldn't balance myself because of the vertigo I skipped the ballet portion. I always skip the yoga part (I just find it for me to be so blah). So it was a thirty minute workout with cario/weights, abs, inner thigh work and stretching. Oh man did I feel it! Man Friend was a trooper and even tried it, too!  I'm hoping to make this a normal part of my routine since I quit the YMCA.

And that's that. Nothing special. But I am loving the new shoes.

Wednesday, November 7, 2012

Run 2.5 - Election Night

While many people spent the evening watching election coverage I did not!

After work I was pretty excited to put on my new shoes, flashing ankle light, head lamp and flashing light on the back of my head and head out for four miles! It was perfect weather, clear and mildly cool. I loved it!

What I didn't love was how hard it is to get back my speed, not that I was at all fast. Strep throat wiped me out!! I feel almost normal, until I run. I was working so hard and felt I should be seeing low 10s on my Garmin. Yeah, 11:14 average pace for the four. Ugh. But I'll take it. Besides when I'm running I still feel the pain in my leg from the marathon so I won't complain. At least I'm back out running!

And so after the run I completely forgot about the election. I did some facebooking then had a yummy dinner .... With vegetables!!! Then Dexter. When Dexter ended I finally, accidentally, saw election coverage. Didn't last long. I saw the winners then switched to the Beverly Hills Housewives. Am I really supposed to believe Kim is clean? I'm not buying it!

And that was my night! Running and trashy tv!

Monday, November 5, 2012

Run 2.3, 2.4 - I'm Winded!

Taking such a huge break in running wasn't planned, and it is sure making for a difficult return. I'm trying so hard to get back to where I was. I think I'll try to not get strep throat anymore.

Saturday morning was my 3rd run since the Portland Marathon. It felt really good, mentally and physically, to finally be able to be out running again. The weather was nice and being out so early left for empty pathways, which is always a plus. The bridge triggered some Meniere's nonsense again, but after a brief pause to get my bearings we were back moving and finished it out. Nothing worth bragging about at all, but when I realize that just days before I couldn't even walk to the kitchen from my bedroom, I'll take any run I can get!

Sunday I wanted to do 8 miles for my birthday run. The best part? I had a new Skirt Sports skirt to test out AND the present I bought for myself for my birthday. Behold! Yet another pair of Adidas, and this time they are so neon they make my other bright pink shoes look pastel!  

These shoes are so freaking light, and when I held them up with the insert out, I could see through the soles. No joke! They felt pretty darn nice on my feet!

For the 8 miles I had us run over the river and through the woods .... not to my grandmother's house though. We ran along the freeway bike path and ended up at the county fairgrounds to stake out the building we have reserved for our Oregon wedding reception. Unfortunately an auction was happening so I couldn't go check it out easily. It certainly looks like it will be big enough! We visualized where chairs and tables would go --- so we'd have ample room for a dance floor! I plan on dancing the night away!!  

Most of the run was spent discussing Goofy weekend in January (on the way to the fairgrounds) and then planning our wedding events on the way back home. Time flew by! It did get pretty toasty, I was shocked. I regretted not bringing any fluids with me, especially when I resorted to using my hands as a cup and drinking out of a sink. Whatever works!

We finished out the 8 and felt really good about it. It wasn't any fabulous time, but right now I'm just trying to get my stamina back after the stupid sickness. New shoes help with that I'm pretty sure!

Sunday, November 4, 2012

How I'm Spending My Birthday Weekend

Happy Halloween!
Hello! I'm alive!! I've recovered from strep throat and am back to normal for the most part! And happily I was 100% healthy for the weekend where I had to say good bye to 33 and hello to 34. Yikes.

Saturday MF and I started our day with a 3 mile run. Not gonna lie, it was challenging. I was just getting back to running when strep throat happened, so doing 3 miles wasn't so bad on my legs, but hard on the lungs. I was a little wimpy thing. But it felt so good! We'll call that Run 2.3 in preparation for the next marathon!  

After the run we got ready to head north. First stop ... registering! On Thursday night we were up in Eugene at Bed, Bath & Beyond to register and we didn't get to use the scanner gun. Darn it! So we decided to stop in Eugene on our way up to OSU to register at Kohl's and Target. Way too much fun! They let us have the scanner and be on our own to click away at whatever we wanted. Being the frugal person that I am, I resisted temptation and didn't ever scan the fancy pants Margaritaville blender. I did, however, click on the foot massagers and foot bath things!

We don't have a Target where we live, and let me tell you - registering there was a blast! Finally something that would sell you a set of measuring cups for less than $50! Soon we had leave to get up to Corvallis for the football game. But first! I have this plan for my wedding/Oregon reception (I have two different events in two different states). In order to make this plan happen I have to do some investigating. This led me to Best Buy, which did not offer what I need. On the way I was humored by the school bus and pulled in and parked in front of the porn shop. Yep.

Next stop, Oregon State University. In the Spring it is covered with beautiful flowers and in the Fall it is just gorgeous. All of the trees are so colorful and the ground dusted in leaves. I love it so much. I always miss school even more when I'm up there on a perfect day with the beautiful colors and sound of football in the air. As per usual I just show up to tailgate and spend the first half of the game hanging out. MF and I wandered around campus and paused at some of my favorite spots, like the stairs in the Memorial Union and the tables I used to sit and study at that look out into the big, open green quad. I really did get so lucky spending my college years on such a picturesque campus!

Just a portion of the Memorial Union

I got a new hat, too! Now I have two hats with ears that are not of the Mickey Mouse variety! It was Dad's Weekend. I always liked Mom's and Dad's Weekend. My step-dad and I reminisced the old days of my youth and how we did a Father/Daughter bowling tournament, terrible hotel rooms with water beds, shag carpet and silver wall paper, nice dinners out, and more. Ah, the good ol' days. Seriously, I can't even believe it's been 12 years since I was going to OSU. Twelve?? Crazy!!!  Twelve years ago right now I was probably busy studying, as I was in my final term of college and had a full schedule of Psychology courses, including my writing intensive course that was actually pretty cool, and my fun photography class - which I had with someone that is now in the NFL! He was pretty funny ... and cute.


After half-time Man Friend and I began our drive back home. We took a little detour to go by the bar I used to dance and have drinking contests at every Thursday. Oh, Top of the Cock, how I miss you so!

I'd like to say I wasn't a crazy party girl ... but I can't lie, so yeah ... Let's just say I had A LOT of fun back in the day! My liver likes me much better now I'm sure!

And here it is, Sunday, November 4th. At 4am I turned 34 years old. I was treated to breakfast in bed, with my two cats and dog (and MF) all there with me. I was given the choice of spending the day however I wanted ... and corny as it is, I just wanted to be home with my little family, the front door open so my dog could go play in the sunshine, some "Tidy Janes" and tater tots, and a run. *Tidy Janes are the vegetarian version of Sloppy Joes ... the name created by none other than Cilley Girl! Tomorrow night my mom and step-dad are taking me out for dinner .... we all wanted to just have a lazy Sunday and not have to get all dressed up!

It's been a perfect day. I'll write about the run later in it's own post. On tap for the rest of my evening I envision perhaps some popcorn, a little bit of Dexter and then Breaking Amish. Okay, does anyone else watch that show? I'm so addicted to it. Now every time I see a girl in boots I ask 2Fish (MF) if she is Amish. Watch it if you haven't, it's addicting!!  Oh, and I'll probably continue being Bridezilla. My invitations are going out in the mail tomorrow, so now it's on to creating the guest list for my Oregon party and continuing to make the most fun music set list ever. And then the choreography.....  I forgot - I'm registering for a half marathon that's on Saturday. I need to make up for the one I had to skip when I was sick. Addiction ... apparently it's not only for the Amish show!