On Again

It's been 5 days since I've ran. That's the longest I've gone in a while...I'm only running every other day but my run day fell on Friday and since we were out of town it never happened.  I really didn't plan for it to either - I didn't take my running shoes.  Besides the fact that I'm not sure where I would run, I knew I wouldn't be able to get it in.  Nope, I was too busy hanging out and eating.  Because, well, that's what my family does.  Laugh and eat - that's about it.

Monday was suppose to be my big day back on the treadmill but I accidentally forgot and ate some Cheetos right before I was suppose to run.  Isn't that strange?  I was putting some things away and I mindlessly started munching on them.  I wasn't even really conscience of what I was doing ...I think that was a residual effect from the weekend. I was in eat mode.

So tonight I ran.  I didn't get 2 miles, although I feel like I could have if I would have pushed myself.  But I still feel really good - I ran strong.  So I'm sitting here pumped from the run, trying to cool down.  I'm all gross and sweaty and I get that this is completely disgusting but being hot and sweaty makes me feel...well, hot.  But in the different kind of way.  Pretty gross, huh?  I'm sure it's so super attractive too.

I am going to take a chance and track down the hubby and see if I can't convince him to go for a second round of exercise.  Because if you do it right, it should count as a workout...

Purple Pants Eater

So I’m tired of the heavy blog material and thought I would brighten it up by sharing something fun and silly…but I got nothin.  So I guess I will go with boring and random instead…

I’ve been on a wild shopping spree lately – really, this month I went a little crazy.  Clothes for me, clothes for Benny, clothes for the girls…I’m a thrifty shopper so it wasn’t too bad but I need to reign it in before it becomes a habit.  And I need to get rid of all the clothes I have that I don’t wear – although it seems like as soon as I get rid of something I suddenly want it. 

I had a purple suit that I used to love…I know it sounds hideous.  For some reason I just had an image of MC Hammer in a bright purple suit pop in my head…but it wasn’t like that at all.  I loved that suit.  Well, I haven’t been able to wear it in years. Years.  And it hung at the back of my closet, neglected and sad. 

At random times I would pull it out and try it on.  Because if clothes hang long enough sometimes they magically stretch and suddenly fit, right?

So I was in one of my purge modes and I threw out a bunch of clothes that I couldn’t wear.  I just got tired of seeing all these clothes that my body was too big to fit into – even when I was sucking in.  So I took three huge bags to goodwill.

 Now I’m just the size to wear all that stuff.  Not that I’m so much smaller or anything – it’s just when you’re short you can’t carry any weight.  There isn’t any place for it to go, except out.

So I randomly found the jacket in my closet last week.  I was so excited – I threw it on and it fit.  I was so stoked. But wait, the pants.  Where are the pants?  Pants are important.   Unless you’re a celebrity and then it’s perfectly acceptable to go out in public without pants – just wear stockings and a hat and they’ll praise you for being fashion-forward.  For the rest of us, well…trust me, you don’t want to forget the pants.

So the stinkin pants are nowhere to be found.  I looked everywhere.  And then I remembered.  I saved the jacket, thinking that I could still wear it.  That’s one of my little chubby chick tricks – if a shirt or jacket is too small, who cares!  Unbutton it and wear it anyway.  So I guess I was applying that rule in this case…but now I have a random purple jacket that won’t really look right with…anything.

But I am not getting rid of that jacket!  The minute I do the pants will randomly appear.  Let’s just hope that when that happens I’ll still be able to wear them…

Circle of Life

The same weekend that I get news one life is close to ending, I celebrate a life that is just beginning: my baby turned 2. 

It hardly seems like two years has passed since she's come into my life - what a whirlwind it has been.  And it was from the very beginning.  I remember so vividly laying on the table when she was delivered, hearing the doctor say something about her being breech and the cord being triple wrapped and feeling the atmosphere in the room change.  I could feel her being delivered and then nothing. Silence.

I didn't panic.  At first.  I thought my concept of time was skewed, that any second she would cry.  But then I knew too much time had passed and nobody in the room was saying anything.  And then a sudden and overwhelming rush of fear.  And I started to cry.  And I was asking Benny what was wrong - he kept saying she was fine but I could see in his face that he was worried too.  The anesthesiologist leaned down and said something that was meant to be reassuring but it was too vague and carefully worded to offer any comfort.

And then, after what seemed an eternity,  a tiny little cry.  It was low and deliberate.  And furious.  She had made her entrance and that little stinker was stubborn and demanding from the very beginning.

Afterwards the doctor told me that her angel was watching out for her that day - I have no doubt  that is true.  Sometimes when I'm playing the worn out, over-worked and frazzled Mom, I forget how grateful I should be.  I forget how hard I prayed to hear that first cry. I forget about all the Mommy's who weren't so fortunate.

So to my beautiful baby girl - thank you for bringing me so much joy and happiness.  I love the way you scrunch your nose when you smile, how you dance every time you hear music, how you sing your ABC's, and how you say "Hi!" to every single person you meet. You've brought me joy beyond measure and I'm so lucky to be your Mommy.  Happy birthday - I love you from here to the moon!

My last pregnant picture...ever



Our first day together...




And baby makes four...



Break Through

Guess who just ran 2 miles?  You got it - this little blue eyed babe right here!

Okay, so I'm really not a babe but I did just get in two whole miles.  I had a pretty slow pace (3.5) but I was consistent and kept that pace the entire time - except for the very end and then I bumped it up to 3.7,  just because...and I finished it off with a half mile cool down. 

I. Feel. Awesome.

I was really getting frustrated and so needed to get over that hump. One more bad run and I think it could have become a mental block.  And that would not have been good.

In running related news, I got a new pair of running shoes.  They're actually cross trainers so I wasn't sure if I would like them for running or not...but I wore them tonight and I liked them so I'll probably keep running in them for now.  They are super cute and make me happy.

You can't really tell in the picture but the Nike swoosh is hot pink...I don't know why but I love that.

And I'm on some kind of roll tonight because I've been cleaning like it's the weekend - actually cleaning and not just picking things up.  I love being productive; I'm not sure why I don't do it more often...

I've been in purge mode too - going through and getting rid of a bunch of stuff.  Apparently my phone is in purge mode too because I have lost every single one of my pictures.  All of them.  I took  my phone to US Cellular but there is nothing they can do...I knew that before I even went in but I was just hoping that maybe they could provide a miracle.

I am beyond bummed.  I've lost pictures of the girls, pictures of some trips, pictures of parties and holidays, and even a few pictures that probably shouldn't have been on my phone in the first place...

Guess I'm starting with a blank slate...this time I'm going to make sure and download.

Fall Love

I broke out the first sweater of the season which means it is officially Fall! Hooray for Fall! Football, cool weather, pumpkin patches, holidays, and comfy clothes - I love this season!

Drowning in my sweater...

We're spending the weekend at the lake and this is the absolute perfect weather for it - I'm so looking forward to sititng outside on the patio, taking a long walk, and maybe even some fishing. The countdown to the weekend has already begun!

And in other things related to happiness - I've got a total of 23 vendors scheduled for our annual conference! My goal was at least 15 so I am beyond ecstatic! Man, I really worked to get them too - sales is not my forte! Now to decide what to get them as a little thank you...

It's a super day in my world and I'm celebrating my happinesses with the official Fall meal - yep, it's chili for dinner!

McFlunk

We've got a big birthday around here - my baby is almost 2! I can't believe my little monkey is almost entirely out of the baby stage.  I guess technically she has been for a little while but...I don't know...2 makes it sound so...official. 

We had to convert her crib to the toddler bed last week - she was crawling out. M wasn't like that at all - she never tried to climb anything so this is all new.  And it's funny too because M2 is built like me - short and squat so I could not believe she was actually making it out of her crib.  How could she possibly get out when she's barely taller than the railing? 

I had a suspicion, at first, that she was getting some help from big sister but I spied on her one night and apparently she's limber like me too.  She just hiked her little leg up there and kinda tumbled out.  And that's why we actually did the conversion.  Not that we minded her escaping - she just wasn't all that great at it.

We also lost the binky last week.  She only had it at naps and night time but we are officially done. So goodbye all things baby.  Almost.  We've still gotta tackle the potty training...but losing the diapers is something I'm actually looking forward to.

I need to get started on her birthday poem - I've waited a little late this year and it's almost caught up to me. Actually, her entire birthday has just snuck up.  I just went tonight to get her birthday decorations and I usually have that stuff weeks in advance. 

I've had a couple days off from running - one because I had plans this weekend that kept me busy but I also really just needed a break from running so that I could refocus and avoid getting frustrated.  A self-imposed time out. 

So tonight was my night back.

Except while I was out getting birthday stuff I also picked up a Rolo McFlurry. Oh my goodness - that was some good stuff!  But I didn't eat all of it - just enough to make me feel fat. 

I did get on the treadmill and attempt to run.  The problem with that is that you can't eat a McFlurry and then expect to run like a person who doesn't...

List Bliss Flush

Tonight I decided I was just going to forget about my last two runs, put it behind me, move on and knock it out.

Yeah.  That so didn't happen. 

I did get on the treadmill.  And I did run.  But those were the only positives - it was a pretty crappy run.

Speaking of crap - I've had some interesting bathroom experiences lately. Twice in one day I visited public restrooms with a broken lock on the stall door.  Not that big of a deal, except the last place I want to meet an unexpected visitor is in the bathroom stall.  It's happened to me before and there is no graceful way to recover from the shock of a stranger literally catching you with your pants down. 

Now for most women, the cleanest, quickest thing to do in a public restroom is to not sit on the seat.  We hover directly above it and pray that we don't sway or rock or touch the seat in any way.  This is made way more difficult when you have to balance and push the door shut. Especially if you're short and can just barely reach the door.

It's the hover and lean.  And it's hard.  Really, try it next time. 

So it made me think about all these bathroom things that we all experience but never talk about...sooo, I made a list.

It's a little early, I know.  But I didn't post a list last Friday and I'll be out of the office all day this Friday and have plans for Friday night...so I'm meeting in the middle because what would you do without a list from me, right?

What Everyone Should Know About Using Public Restrooms:

1. You don't have to talk to me through the stall. Really. I get that your trying to be friendly but...it just kinda freaks me out.  Unless you're a good girlfriend, and then it isn't weird at all.
2. Some of us have temperamental bladders and at random times, no matter how long we wait,  we just can't go while you're around.  So do your business, wash your hands and go.  You can mess with your hair and fix your makeup somewhere else.  Get out so I can pee.
3. People actually do notice when you don't wash your hands. So yeah, I'm gonna have to pass on the casserole you bring during our potluck dinner.
4. If you decide that you're just anit-hygiene, for whatever reason, at least follow the example of the wet and run. At least these people get the importance of hygiene enough to at least pretend to wash their hands.  Apparently, sticking your hands under water for 2 seconds,without soap, makes them feel that they are doing their part to prevent the spread of germs and disease.
5. Don't comment on bathroom performance.  I may have just peed for like 5 minutes straight but that doesn't mean it's okay for you to say something like "Wow, you really had to go."  How am I suppose to respond to something like that? "Yeah, I'm training for the National Urination Championship - working my way up to a 10 minute stream." Just do what the rest of us do- don't say anything, wash your hands, and then when you get back to your office tell them all about it.
6. Just like you learned in Kindergarten - if you make a mess, clean it up. Really. Don't be gross.

Okay, I'm off to sulk about my bad run and figure out how to turn this around...