Funky Chicken

Ugh, I am in a funk.  I have been all day. 

The day started off pretty dang poorly - I was in tears before 8:30 a.m. 

And I'm not a big crier.  Is that even a word? Oh well, you get my point.  And it's not hormones.  It was just out of total and sheer frustration.

I thought surely things would turn around but nope, the whole day was pretty much just bad.

And it really kinda makes me mad because I'm usually able to jump over it but I just couldn't today  - there was just too much.

Thank goodness today is my off day because I wouldn't have run anyway. I just don't have it in me...

And It Begins

Today was my first actual training on the Jeff Galloway method. I thought I would start last week but a series of things like kids, holiday programs, and life just got in the way.  This is actually the very worst time of the year to start anything like this - it's such a busy time...but the clock is ticking and I don't have much time so I'm just going to have to make it work.

So let me tell you, Jeff is a sneaky SOB! Looking at it on paper, it seems completely doable.  But running it was a lot tougher then I thought it was going to be.  Tonight was just a 30 minute run, no big deal, right? 

Yeah, about 10 minutes in I was cussing him out in my head. 11 minutes in I was cussing myself out for being dumb enough to sign up for this thing. 12 minutes in I was cussing myself out for every other dumb thing I've ever done. 

Yep, if you ever wonder what goes through my mind when I run it's basically just a mini confessional - it's like I replay ever mistake I've ever made...and the bigger the mistake the more I think about it.  Not like I beat myself up about it.  I just...process. 

Or I do the complete opposite and don't think about anything.  It's weird.

So anyway, I'm running thinking that I am in some SERIOUS trouble because there is no way in hell that I'm going to be able to make 6 miles. But then I look and I'm almost done.  And I've ran over 1.5 miles. Over 1.5! And I haven't ran in...well, a long time. 

I was busting my rear before to work my way up to 2 miles and that was after a significant time of steady runs. So for me to do this on my first night...it makes me happy. 

Soooo like I said, this Jeff Galloway guy is a sneaky SOB because I think this may actually work...

Also, I know that Santa does not read my blog.  Santa doesn't understand blogs - he thinks they are a silly waste of time. But just in case, I want Santa to know that I understand that the tv and computer were our Christmas presents but if he is so inclined to bring me something else...I would really like some new running shoes. Some real running shoes - not some Nikes I bought because I thought they were cute. I could also use some new sports bras...yes, we're both disappointed the girls have shrunk but let's try to protect what's left. And socks. The short ones you can't see. 

Actually, Santa, you know what?  Just get me a gift card to Academy and let's call it good...

It's All Just Stuff

Money is such a weird thing - it's amazing how it changes people.  Actually, I don't think it changes people at all - I think it just reveals part of our deepest character.  Give someone money and you'll really see where their heart is. A generous person will continue to be generous, a considerate person will continue to be considerate...because people who have that kind of heart have it regardless of how much money is in their pocket.

And it's disappointing to see the other side of that. Because really, it's all just stuff. And at the end of our lives, what we've spent our life working to buy will either end up in the trash, or at goodwill, or maybe will be taken by some relatives...so that when they die their kids can throw it away or donate it to charity. 

Because in the very end, it all becomes garbage.

And that's what I really believe - it's just stuff.  But I got caught up in a moment tonight and I don't know...it's so easy to lose sight of what is really important.  I mean, I'm just as materialistic as the next person - I like nice things.  But I also have to keep it in perspective - there isn't anything in this world that I really need that I don't already have...and that says so much.

My husband works himself to death so he can provide a future for our girls.  He wants to make sure that they will always be taken care of...and I love that and appreciate that he is always planning for the future.  But at the same time, I wonder what it will really be like when we die...will they fight over the money we will leave them?  Be irresponsible and blow through it without anything to show?  Will they argue over who gets the painting in the entryway or what to do with our Eufaula property?

Or will they be able to put it in perspective,  look at each with love and know it's all just stuff?

The Importance of Pretty Panties

One of the best things about dating is the excitement. There is something really thrilling about knowing that someone finds you attractive, that someone wants you.  So we date, get in a relationship and then…something fades.  We tell ourselves that our relationship has changed into something more comfortable and assure ourselves that this is a new level, a better level, that it’s normal because the fire and desire can’t last forever.

Yes, relationships change and it is wonderful to know that you have a partner that will love you forever – it is comfortable.  But being comfortable doesn’t mean that we have to forgo the excitement. 

The newness may have faded but the attraction does not – he still, and always will, want to get you naked. 

Really the thing that’s changed is the way we feel about ourselves – we forget how sexy we really are.  We trade our lingerie for terrycloth robes, our tight jeans for sweats, our sexy underwear for cotton briefs…And then blame our husbands for not making us feel sexy anymore. 

Wanna revive that inner hottie?  Begin by wearing pretty panties, and here’s why:

1. Cute panties are the antidote for frumpiness.

2. People will wonder why you’ve got that silly grin on your face.

3. You don’t have to worry about being embarrassed if you get into an accident  and end up being rushed to the hospital– you know the medical staff will be adequately impressed.

4. Your husband will forgive the sweatshirt and flannel pants if he knows there is something better underneath.

5. It soothes the embarrassment of an accidental flash. Yes, it’s still embarrassing but a flash in unattractive underwear reaches mortification level.

6. There is just something wrong about anyone under the age of 50 wearing panties that go all the way to the waist.  Full coverage is fine, but keep it below the bellybutton.

7. You want to feel exciting, vibrant, and saucy…not like a character from the Golden Girls.

8. There is a reason guys enjoy Victoria’s Secret commercials. They are visual creatures; give them something worth looking at.

9. It will make you feel sexy.

10. Think of it is a present. We all know the real gift is inside but it just seems more exciting when it’s nicely wrapped.

I heart Jeff & Carbs

I start training tonight.  I’m going to use Jeff Galloway’s method.  Thanks Brittany for suggesting it!  It’s a run/walk method and it seems like a good way to make it through.  I’m only doing 6 miles but I’m going to train for the half marathon that way I can be in optimal shape when the day arrives.  I think I can do the running part, especially following his half marathon schedule.  I really, really like his stuff!  It makes me feel like this is actually feasible!

I’m more concerned about the food, which I know is an important part of training.  I found a couple of articles that talked about the intake of carbs and the “dead leg” phenomenon.  Which is crazy because that is exactly what happened to me a few times – I literally could not get my body going.  I thought it was probably food related but it was nice to know exactly why it was happening.  It’s not nice to know that I’m going to have to cut out some of my favorite foods.  This is going to be tough – I am such a carb girl! Bread, potatoes, pasta…yep, gonna be dang tough!

So be prepared – you’ll be hearing a lot about these struggles.  But I’ve got to try to do something to keep myself accountable.  I figure if I put it out there then it will help me stay on track.  Although, I really think I need to create some sort of support group or something, maybe get someone to send me a text message oh...about every hour with  “Avoid the fries!” or “Salad is your friend!” messages. Because honestly, I need that much help! 

Speaking of being accountable – I never posted the after pics that I planned to post.  Yeah, about that…well, see, after pics only work if the after body looks better than the before body.  Which I thought it would…but it doesn’t. That’s what happens when you get derailed and sloppy about working out.  So, no after pics.  And you’re welcome.

And I have to give a shout out to my oldest, dearest friend - HAPPY BIRTHDAY!  I wanted to share with the whole entire world (okay, the three people who read this) how much I love you and how much your friendship has meant to me.  Thanks for sharing the last 21 years with me – I love you!

Bedlam Blues

Disappointing weekend for Sooner fans.  After 8 years we blew the Bedlam game.  And I mean literally, we blew.  I don’t know what team was out there but it wasn’t OU.  We have way too much talent to play like that. 

Usually I try to be compassionate – they’re just young college kids, they have a lot of pressure to perform, and I’m not the one out there playing…but really?  Really?  That game was just embarrassing.  We could have played better, we just didn’t. 

Here’s the game – would you like that gift wrapped?

Always #1 to me!

OU has won the Bedlam game every year that I’ve been married – guess I need to find another way to remember how long I’ve been a Mrs…

Let Me List The Ways

I’ve been asked to serve as Treasurer for our state association.  It’s time for me to make a decision but I still don’t know what I want to do.  There is a part of me that would like to do it – I believe strongly in stepping in when there is a need and I like being involved.  The other part of me is hesitant for a multitude of reasons...and if I sign on then I’m committed for a year.  I just don’t know…sometimes I have the hardest time making decisions!  But that’s not the only thing I have difficulty with, here are some other things I find challenging:

1. Putting clothes away.  I can throw them in the washer, transfer them to the dryer, and even sort them out but I can’t seem to actually put them away in the drawers.  The positive side to that is when the clothes actually do get put away I always feel a real sense of accomplishment and pride.

2. Anything athletic.  I’ve tried different sports and I suck at all of them.  When I first met my husband he was convinced that wasn’t true; his philosophy was that it was all just a matter of practice. I played for a short time on a church coed softball team and I didn’t want him to come to any of the games – we hadn’t been dating that long and I wasn’t quite ready for him to see me embarrass myself.  One night he came to a game.  I was mortified. After watching me play, he was certain that all I needed was practice. I quickly disproved his theory.   So I accept my role and put my big mouth to use by cheering in the stands – it’s the closest I’m ever going to get to being in the game.

3. Not flushing my toilet paper.  I’m probably not alone on this one either.  My in-laws don’t flush toilet paper; they put it in the wastebasket.  And it doesn’t matter what kind of business has been done – it’s not suppose to go down the toilet.  And I just can’t do it.  I try to be respectful of the way they do things but I just can’t.  So every time I go to the bathroom during a visit I feel like I’m committing treason…and I always have to check to make sure everything is gone after I flush so there is no evidence.

4. Taking over.  I don’t ever mean to, I just have a lot of enthusiasm – I just jump in and do it.  I try to be conscious about it when I’m working with someone but still, sometimes I worry that I’m stepping over the other person.   And even though I will continually ask, I’m not always certain the person would tell me even if they thought I was. 

5. Folding my tongue.  You know how some people can like bend their tongue in half?  It’s supposed to be a sign of higher intelligence or something like that…never been able to do it, ever.  And I have tried! The same with tying a cherry stem with my tongue, which was the ultimate impressive thing to do in high school because it gave all the boys something dirty to think about. Reason #1457 I couldn't get a date in high school.

6. Holding my tongue.  If you know me at all then you understand that one completely.

7. Balance.  I have a tendency to be an extremist – I’m all the way in or all the way out and either way I go full force.  It can be tough because I can get consumed.  And it makes it difficult too because there have been times when I should have walked away or moved on but I was too tied and wasn’t ready to let go or give up.  A positive to the extremist mentality is that once I love you I will love you forever.  Even though I would probably never admit it.

8. Math. I know just enough to get by and anything beyond that I’m not even really sure I care to know; I just don’t have an interest.

Hummm, maybe I should consider that last one when making my decision – math is probably an important skill for a Treasurer to have…