How being obsessed with 'The Office' saved my ass

I'm putting together a report for an internal client on counties in southern New York and northern Pennsylvania about the loss of jobs, failing industries (i.e., mining, lumber) and how this could be improved by drilling for Marcellus Shale in the Appalachian region (have I bored you to death yet? Yes, this is my actual job).

So I'm putting together a list of counties and I remember a study that came out last year about how Scranton is getting very hard hit--i.e., no one wants to move there, people are moving out--basically, it is (was?) a dying city.

And since this is county by county map (no cities listed), I'm looking at the PA map and cannot for the life of my find Scranton. Where the crap is Scranton?! (because I have no damn idea where Scranton is in the grand scheme of things)

That's when I hear Jim's voice (no joke) "This is actually a really big deal--the client is our county, Lackawanna county--our whole county" from 'The Client' episode.

So, thank you, Jim. Thank you The Office for making me not look like an ass. Lackawanna county is now part of the report.

And yes, I realize I could have just Googled Scranton, but, it wouldn't have made this story happen, now would it?

PS. I had a teeth cleaning this morning (shiny!) and nearly fell asleep. This means that either a) I was/am insanely tired, or b) I find people poking at my teeth relaxing. I think it's a).

PPS. My dental hygienist (who I adore) was wearing Grey's Anatomy scrubs. As in, on the pocket, they had the little logo from the TV show. I did not know that Grey's made scrubs. Alright.

Why I don't like bikes

(let me start of by saying, this has nothing to do with those who do enjoy bikes--my husband is one of them--as is one of my dear friends husband--um, yes, talking about you Glamorous Newlywed--they're both just crazy like that--each to their own)

1. As transportation: Really? Really? If I need to get somewhere, obviously, I'm going to take a limo, coach or pony of course--I'm not riding a bike anywhere. Hell, I'd even walk.

2. As exercise: I don't do those padded butt bike shorts--this princess does not need anymore junk in her trunk--trust this (example: ordered a new skirt last night, yeah, didn't fit over the ol' bum--too bad I took the tags off it before trying it on!). I prefer running. Or yoga. Or body sculpt. I mean, have you ever seen cute bike wear? Yeah, notsomuch.

3. I can't bike: No, for real, I can't. We bought me a bike several years ago and the whole expression "it's just like riding a bike"--so untnrue! I fell over seriously 15 times just "trying it out" around my block. It's a wonder I was able to finish a triathlon. I haven't touched it since. For real. As in, the exact same water bottle I used for my triathlon is still on the bike. I tried to throw away my helmet, but, the husband said that would be like tossing $100. I haven't touched it in 4 years. For real!

4. It's dangerous: Case in point: my work mom's daughter took a spill over her handlebars last week and broke her face. Literally. Half her face looks like ground meat, and her nose currently resembles Owen Wilson's. She's met with several plastic surgeons and is having corrective surgery this week. She's none to thrilled, but, in my humble opinion, it's an excuse for a nose job! (hey, that gives me an idea....) Although, she's one of those internal beauty types who thinks everyone will judge her because she had a "nose job"--but really, it's corrective surgery--girlfriend needs her nose fixed.

So dear reader, it is terrible that I have a husband who loves cycling and I have a perfectly good bike in my garage, but, I refuse to use it?

Maybe one day I'll overcome my fear. Who knows, for some (stupid) reason I decided to become a "runner". Maybe one day I'll get back on the bike. But, until then, when the husband is out pedaling away, I will most often be found parked in front of the TV watching The Office, or trolling Anthropologie for my latest "must haves".

What about you my lovelies, any fitness activities you're scared to try?

(also, rockclimbing. I don't do heights)

Musings & Monday

OK, first up, I just have to ramble about my Saturday, then we'll move on, K?

Saturday was a huge day for me. I had 18 miles on my training plan and let me tell you I was nervous. I usually don't sleep very well on Friday nights because I'm nervous/excited about my long run the next morning, but, I was out like a light and slept fine.... Which made me almost reconsider my run (bad juju perhaps)...? I had a stuffy nose and my eyes were puffy when I got in my car and headed to our meet up spot--was not thrilled. I considered turning around and sleeping for a few more minutes and just running by myself. Boy, am I glad I did not do that! I somehow missed the message that it was a Social Saturday, which meant group breakfast of homemade goodies after our run. That put me in a peachy mood, knowing that there was no way I was going to be able to eat with my friends. Ugh! Luckily, the group ran 14 instead of the scheduled 13, which gave me an extra mile and I was thrilled about that.

The course we ran was really hilly (it's actually the course for an upcoming half, so, I was pleased as punch to know what to expect) and there were several moments where I started crying and wondering what in the hell I had gotten myself into.

My legs hurt, I was tired, I wasn't very fast, I wanted to quit. But honestly, where the hell was I going to go? The husband was at the lake, and my SIL doesn't have a car--honestly, what were my options? Once we hit mile 14, I said my goodbyes to everyone as they went to go eat (bastards!) and I headed out for 4 more miles. At mile 14.5, a blister on my toe popped, making every step feel like I had a needle poking my toe. It hurt. It sucked. I hated every second of it. By mile 17.25 I was thrilled. I knew I was so close to being done and I actually started to smile. I had done it. I had gone a mile further than last week, and I was about to hit 18 miles. Something I never in a million years thought I could do. But, I did. I stretched, walked to my car, downed some Powerade, and wanted to cry (happy tears!).

I'm scared to death of my 20 miler next week, but, I know I can do it. I just can't believe my marathon is so close. And I can't believe I have a race this week! I was too tired to run this morning, but, plan to pound out some miles at lunch today. Can't slack off now, sister! And, luckily, I'm not nearly as sore as I was when I did my 16 miles last week--awesome!

OK, enough running babble! What else can I ramble about?

1. I got a flu shot last week and am really horrified that not only did they a) give me one of those super boring teeny beige Band-Aids, but, b) that I wasn't even offered a cool one. I'm still annoyed.
2. Half my office is out sick today--all claiming the flu shot got them sick. I feel fine y'all!
3. We're still deciding what to do for Thanksgiving--I had hoped to convince everyone to come out here since Tulsa is only a 4 hour drive, and everyone will be in Tulsa the weekend before. So far, I lose this battle. Currently, it looks like Thanksgiving (and actual birthday) in Prescott, Arizona with my aunt, uncle and cousins.
4. We're calling this "The Arizona Circus".
5. I love Arizona, don't get me wrong, but, what the crap is there in Prescott? And I have to spend my birthday there? Now, if we were talking Scottsdale, or Phoenix, I could offer up many options, but, I haven't a clue what there is in Prescott. I'm less than thrilled.
6. Which means, birthday celebration will take place probably the first week of December. Take note, kids.
7. Went to Anthro on Saturday and made it out of there under $100--this is a record!
8. The husband thinks he may have dislocated his shoulder while tubing at the lake on Saturday. Because he is a child.
9. He also stated that The Sound of Music is his all time most hated movie. It's my all time favorite. I'm not really sure how we are married...
10. Really nervous about my race this weekend. I fully intend to kick it's ass though, don't get me wrong. That just means, speedwork. My hatred for speedwork is matched only by my hatred of hills. Awesome.
11. I'm getting my hair done tomorrow night! Whoot, whoot! And I debated going short--for about 10 seconds. Then Wedding Crashers was on TV and I remembered how much I love Isla's long hair. Not going short. Not doing it! (I can be strong)
12. Ugh. Class tonight. Ugh.
13. Super busy day today--better get to it!

Have a great day!
xoxox

Let the planning begin

Alright my lovelies, today is a v. very exciting day (besides it being Friday and all--and a Friday with brownies--I only had a teeny one--pinky swear!).

Today is September 25th (also, it's the StepMom's birthday--Happy Birthday!).

Which means, it's two months until my birthday. And three months until Christmas, obviously.

But, more importantly, it's two months until my birthday (and no Dad, my birthday is not on Thanksgiving this year--it's not on Thanksgiving every year--contrary to popular belief).

And, this year, I plan on having a fabulous huge and gawdy birthday bash.

You're all invited, by the way (unless of course you're creepy, a stalker, or you know, a serial killer--in which case you are not on the guest list).

I haven't had a fabulous birthday party since I don't know when, and since we're celebrating my finishing a marathon (!) and my Golden Birthday, I figure that now is a good a time as any to have a shindig to remember.

In intend on having a fabulous cake (I'm thinking ice cream...?), balloons and streamers. I may even consider karaoke. Because after all, why not make a fool of myself?

And presents. I demand good presents.

Ahh! I can hardly wait. This is the most excited I've been to get older since I was 16. And my dad picked me up from a friends house to take me to a birthday breakfast in a brand new Toyota Tundra!!

It was his.

He bought himself a new car on my birthday.

I'm not joking.

I cried all the way to breakfast.

(not that I expected a car, new or otherwise, but, I was so flippin' excited when I saw him drive up and just couldn't believe that he'd bought me a car--I was so excited. And then crushed)

And yes, I realize that I'm being rather narcissistic and whatnot, but, I am a Thanksgiving child--much like summer birthdays, I constantly got the shaft in terms of birthday parties growing up. Clearly, I am making up for it now.

Only question is, what should the theme be? Should we go out, or turn our house into party central? Too many decisions!

Reasons 5,482; 5,483 and 5,484

Why having my sis in law live with us is freakin' awesome:

1. Not only is she freaking fabulous, but, she has a green thumb. In the last 48 hours she and the husband have transformed our overgrown heinous jungle yard to a beautiful paradise.

2. She enjoys vacuuming. Not only has she vacuumed her room every day, she also vacuumed our room size rug --for me! (I should note that she's kind of allergic to the cat, so, the vacuuming with the pet hair eraser vacuum is partly for her too)

3. Someone else to side with me on remote control wars. We usually win.

I puffy heart her. She can never leave. Ever.

The three of us at the husband's graduation (also, in the family, we're the three college graduates)

Updates:

Operation Skinny Jeans: I'm sick, I know better than to weigh myself when I'm sick. I manage to gain 5 lbs in a two day period. Not cool kids, not cool. So, no update on that. Bleh. When I'm sick, I've noticed that I crave calorie dense, high sodium food--french fries anyone? Yeah, it's a problem. Today is another day....

" Kick Marathon's Ass: It's rally time as marathon training kicks into high gear. I'm running pain free ::knock on wood:: and although I've slowed significantly (a slow time is better than no time, am I right?), I'm OK with that. I've even gone to yoga twice this week and might try for a two a day run today since I decided that staying in my warm bed and getting snuggie with the Ella Mae sounded better than going to the gym. It was.

" Joyful Life: Other than being sick, things are good. Having a blast with the sis in law, enjoying class (although it's so freaking late) and work has calmed down--at least for this week. I can't wait until next weekend when I have a race and can sleep in (because it doesn't start until 8!). Ahhh, bliss. Oh, and next weekend, I'm making waffles for breakfast. Both days. Awesome.

You know you live in Texas when...

The temperature drops below 75 degrees and everyone is talking about how cold it is.

When I went to lunch yesterday, the thermometer in my car said 68--you'd think there was a damn ice storm or something with as quickly as I ran from my car to my office, etc. I was seriously cold!

Yes, it's official--I think I've become a Texan.

And in honor of the first day of fall and the official 2 Months to Marathon mark yesterday, I tried out my Nike running capris--and am in love. Yes, those will be my Official Marathon Pants. Now I just have to find a cute (but warm!) top.

Happy fall y'all!

I'm being stalked

And not by Hugh Jackman or Daniel Craig (which is tragic, really).

By geckos.

Lizards.

And other creepy crawlies.

::shudders::

Now, I'll kill a spider (sorry, PETA, but, I will), a cockroach and most bugs--if it is deemed necessary--although, usually we just find dead bugs. Ick! (let me clear this up: I'm not some big ol' animal hater that gets her jollies killing bugs--I'm just saying, if it's necessary, I can step up to the plate--ask my co-workers, last year, we had an invasion of cockroaches)

However, lately, it's been the onslaught of geckos that has me screaming and running the other direction.

I don't mind those blue bellied lizards we had in California (they're still gross, don't get me wrong) and big ol' giant pet lizard things don't really creep me out (although you couldn't pay me all the money in the world to have one in my home)--it's probably because they are big. You can see big.

But man alive, I did not know how many damn geckos Texas would have.

They creep me out because 1) they're kind of see-through, and that's f-ing gross 2) they're freaking everywhere 3) they're uber attracted to light so walk into someones home in the evening and you'll usually find them around their front porch light. ICK!!

Now, my first issue with lizards happened when I was very newly married and housesitting for my parents. I had just quit my job as we were getting ready to move to Texas and was for a glorious 4 weeks, a desperate housewife. My husband worked a 12 hour night shift, so, it was just me and my Liz kitty at home at night.

I should mention that my parents home was very Mediterranean, which meant doors and windows were left open all the time because there was no A/C and we lived by the beach--it was just natural.

Well, somehow an alligator lizard got in one evening (shocking--now I close doors and windows obsessively). And mind you, this wasn't just some ol' lizard--it was like a mix of a snake (the spawn of all evil) and a giant lizard--basically, a snake with legs (omg, I just threw up in my mouth a little bit) and it was big. A good 12 inches or more (seriously, probably more like 14 inches).

And it was just slithering around the house and I'm pretty sure chasing me. I was petrified it was going to bite my cat (yes, absurd)--but she wanted to play with it and I'm fairly certain it could have taken her. For real.

So, what does any grown woman do?

Call her husband screaming and crying and force him to turn around (10 minutes from work--um, we lived 45 minutes away at this point) and get the blasted creature out of the house.

Which he did. But he has never let me forget this story. I still think I was in the right. Hell, I would have taken the cat and gone to a hotel before I'd spend the night with that thing running lose. And yes, I was too scared to get within 10 feet of it.

So, imagine my love and adoration for me new home state when it's swimming with teeny little lizard monsters. And yes, I know they eat bugs. The still aren't cute.

I will not kill a gecko (mainly because, ew).

But they are too damn speedy to chase out of the house. So, you can imagine my utter horror when the husband was out of town several weeks ago and when I let the dogs back in for their nightly potty session, two damn geckos came running in (the bedroom light was on--rookie mistake). Of course, dogs wanted to play with them, and I'm frantically shoving a magazine towards them to go back outside already! They wouldn't budge. I tried picking them up with paper towel (gagging again)--they're too fast! Finally, I cornered them and put an empty Mason Jar halfway over them--enough for the dogs to stay away, but enough that they could escape if needed. But, I'm pretty sure they died of heart attacks or something (just please, let me think this). Ick.

Two nights later, one snuck in (lights off!) and ran under the bedroom door to the living room.

Let's just say I shoved a towel under the bedroom door and prayed that it would find it's way outside again (and didn't sleep very much that night either).

Fast forward to last night.

I'm in the fancy second floor internal no windows bathroom of my office building getting ready to head to class, and what do I see scaling the wall above me?

A damn gecko.

I have never moved so quickly in my life. I'm still scared to go back into that bathroom (which is awesome, because it's the only one on the floor of my office!).

I swear, they're stalking me.

ICK!

PS. My marathon is in exactly 2 months. 2 freaking months, people!! (and, I didn't run this morning--up all night sick=awesome). Can you even believe it? Two more months and it's done. Which means, it's 2 months and 3 days until my birthday. Start present shopping now, kids. OMG, two months. I have to go freak out now. Operation Kick Marathon's Ass is in full swing.

Musings & Monday

I feel like it's been foreva since I've set our week out with a lovely ramble... I could be wrong, but, in any event, away I ramble.

1. The blessed husband did not let me cook on Friday night after my particularly challenging week--which was fabulous. We went out to eat and it was the perfect Friday night (except that I'm 100 years old and go to bed at like 9:00).
2. Managed to run not 16, but 16.25 miles (I know!). I can't even tell you how great I felt when I finished--well, besides being tired and hungry and sore--it's been a long road to get here and hopefully, I'm on the downhill slope of this injury laden last few months.
3. I did not run this morning--I should have, it's on my plan, but, I didn't sleep very well, am still kinda stiff and figured another day off might help--after all, it's 100% all about staying injury free at this point.
4. Thanks to my 16.25 miles, I spent all of Sunday eating--and sleeping. It was fabulous (since I was too delirious/in pain to be cognisant on Saturday). Although I do feel like a stuffed little piggy this morning--we're just going to ignore that.
5. Have I mentioned how much I love having my sister in law here? (a lot)
6. We watched X Men Origins: Wolverine on Saturday night--le sigh, we love Hugh Jackman.
7. I remembered why I really didn't enjoy school: homework! I spent the remaining bits of the weekend cramming for tonight's class. Ugh! So.sick.of.marketing!
8. Long day at work + late night class + early AM run tomorrow= crazy!
9. Those evil pumpkin spice cookies are finally gone (tear), but have been replaced by dark chocolate covered almonds. I have no self control (fully aware, thanks).
10. It's almost 2 months until my marathon (and ahem, birthday). Holy yikes!
11. Which means it's like 3 months until Christmas. Can you even believe it? (and I'm saying this when the high temp is supposed to be 90 today, sure.)
12. I might as well start the winter weight gain now :)

What are you rambling about today?

Happy Monday y'all!

Thankful Friday

In accordance with Operation Joyful Life, I hereby give you things getting me through this particularly heinous day (to cap off week from hell, fyi):

1. 'Sweet Treat Friday' a lovely plan implemented by myself and my fab co-worker. Each week, one of us brings in a treat for the office on Friday morning--last week, I did cookies, this week, the boss brought Dunkin' Donuts...And I only had a teeny bite of one (for real! Plus, someone already stole the kind I really like, so, it all worked out cause believe me, I was in a pissy mood and that triggers stress eating...Wow, did you like my little life story there?)

2. Sister in law is here!! We spent last night watching The Office. I love her so. And, even though I was especially bitchy to everyone I came in contact with yesterday, she's still here (major props to you sis in law, major props!).

3. There's a big ol pumpkin scented candle waiting for me at home--yay for a yummy smelling house!

4. Long run tomorrow. I think I'm going to run it by myself. Now, I normally don't recommend running long distances alone (for moral support reasons), but, after today, I think I just need some alone time. And pouding the pavement is my version of therapy. (I reserve the right to wuss out and run with my friends running group tomorrow--but that means I have to leave my house at like 4:50--and I'm not joking).

5. Friday = carb night! Yes, yes, I know, carb loading is a myth--and I don't have a race--but, lemme tell ya, there's nothing like some good ol' bread or pasta to cap off the week and encourage me to run, run, run. (!)

6. Diet Coke. Enough said.

7. These fabulous little Mexican candies I've been stealing from our office mail room.

8. Operation Skinny Jeans: down 1.5 lbs. Which means I'm really only down .5, since I gained last week, but, whatever, I'm still happy.

9. My yoga instructor calls crunches "crunchies"--it makes ab work a wee bit more enjoyable.

10. Silly little puppy dogs who jump on me when I get home from work. Muddy feet and all.

11. Operation Jack. I can't tell you how inspiring it is or how much it helps me. Yesterday, when I was about to jump off the treadmill, I had to remind myself that I'm doing this for Jack. And I can't let him down. That pushed me to pound out 7.55 miles.

12. Family and friends.

One thing I'm not joyful about? The fact that my niece just turned 16 and got a truck (not new!). The thought of her driving frightens me to my core. But I still love her a whole bunch.

Happy Friday y'all!

How to undo your workout/diet in 10 easy steps

1. Buy a spice cake mix, a 15 oz container of canned pumpkin (not pumpkin pie filling), and a bag of chocolate chips.
2. Turn your oven to 350 degrees.
3.Mix spice cake mix, pumpkin and 1 generous cup of chocolate chips until well blended and all sorts of delicious smelling (note: you don't need eggs, oil, anything--just the dry cake mix, the pumpkin and the chocolate chips)
4. Drop by rounded tablespoon onto a cookie sheet.
5. Bake 16-18 minutes.
6. Anxiously wait for them to cool. Seriously, calm down--they'll cool.
7. Grab the biggest cookie, shove in mouth.
8. Smile.
9. Repeat steps 7 and 8.
10. And, thus, your diet and or workout have been undone.

You're welcome.

Holy mother of yumminess, these are seriously the easiest and freaking yummiest cookies I have ever made--and I don't even really like pumpkin. They are the perfect fall cookie. And would be very festive at Thanksgiving.

And now I can't stop thinking about them.

And I haven't even touched the Autumn Mix yet

I really, really haven't!

Now, dear readers, as you know, SP is currently embarking on several new improve thyself 'operations'--for lack of a better term. Casa de SP is amok with ramblings of Operation Joyful Life and Operation Skinny Jeans (repeats mantra to the tune of pre teen girls hoping to no longer need to stuff their bras--"I must, I must decrease my butt"--who remembers that? Who actually did that? ::raises hand::).

Howevs, OSJ (Operation Skinny Jeans, obvs) will be put on hold for a day/24hours as we prepare for the arrival of my fabulously lovely sister in law! She's moving in with us for an unspecified amount of time and I am personally tickled pink about the whole thing. She's positively one of my favorite people in the entire world (even though she doesn't like chocolate--I know, there's something wrong with her head) and I cannot wait.

This of course, means cleaning the very messy Casa de SP--or really, this involves picking up pieces of my shoes that the dogs have eaten (bastards--they have figured out how to get the toys off the tables and yet cannot understand that they do not chew on Mom's shoes), and my favorite work out towel (there are little shreds of blue terrycloth all over the upstairs). Sheesh.

Alas, my mind will be racing of how to prep her new living quarters and how to recover from a food coma that I ate myself into after class last night--because apparently, getting home at 10:30 (not 11) is just an invitation for me to eat myself silly. Even though they fed us dinner. Awesome.

But, the goodness of all this, and that which directly relates to decreasing the size of my bum is that I have not even looked at a bag of Autumn Mix, nor have I purchased any other types of lovely Halloween goodies (for serious!).

Which is fabulous, because one year ago, I was literally knee deep in those damn little pumpkins.

Musings & Monday

Holy Monday!

How is it Monday again? Despite doing absolutely nothing (that is of course, if you count watching season five of The Office as 'nothing'--which I don't, by the way--huge success in my book), the weekend flew by. Gr.

1. Went to bed early Friday night with notions of an early early rise to get in my extra miles before meeting up with my training group. Funny. At 2:45 I woke up to move the dog off my feet and changed my alarm clock settings. We do not enjoy getting up at 4:40 on Saturdays. I did enough of that in college (stupid being an athlete) and I'm done.
2. Plus, it was raining.
3. I don't like to run in the rain (said in the voice of Phoebe Buffay a la 'I don't like to fly in the rain').
4. But guess what? When you're part of a damn marathon training group of 20+ people, you don't really get a vote. So, a rainy run it was.
5. And actually, not that bad. I didn't hate it as much as I thought I would. I think I "hated" it because I've seriously lost my speed thanks to my illness and my several week running hiatus, so it was like pulling teeth to stay at the middle front of the pack (where I like to be). (don't get me wrong, this won't be a regular occurance if I can avoid it. I need a treadmill)
6. I did manage to almost hit my miles for the weekend, but, by 13.7 I was sick of being wet, it was raining harder and my damn iPod was only playing music into one earbud. So, I stopped .3 miles short of my goal. WHATEVER. I don't care. I'm over being obsessed with that stuff. I finished strong and that is all that matters (oh, and pain free, of course!).
7. Took the hottest shower possible (I was freezing) and went to Target with the husband where we purchased my new love, the Bissel Pet Hair Remover Vacuum. It's changed my life. It took me 5 minutes to vacuum our huge living room rug last night--previously, that task took 20 minutes--not joking! Love it. Love. it. LOVE. it!
8. Spent Sunday sick (of course I did).
9. Am still sick today--which meant, yep, I slept it and didn't run this morning (even though my legs want to move!), nor did I run at lunch because I have class tonight and never feel quite fully put back together after a lunchtime run--and because honestly, I just wasn't feelin' it. I'm not thrilled about having to get up early to run tomorrow (plus I won't be home until after 11PM--awesome), but, that's OK--I can hammer out 3 days of running in a row. I think.
10. Yes, did I mention I have class tonight? From 6-10PM? For the next 21 weeks of my life.
11. I'm taking a graduate marketing course. That lasts until 10PM. Yikes. (because I want to pretend I'm smart)
12. This also brings up the lovely discussion of when to take my sleep inducing pills (and yes, I am--and have been, only taking half a dose--what a full dose must do is beyond me!). I've got to get up early tomorrow, but, have to stay awake during class. This is just annoying!
13. This will be a weird schedule for me for the next 21 weeks of my life, but, it will be worth it in the end!
14. My leggies feel great today and I felt pretty good on my run on Saturday--this week will be the true telling point of if I can do the half marathon I signed up for in October and also be a gauge for my training. In June, when I did my first (and only) 16 miler, it was the following week that I was full on hit with an injury stick. I'm hoping that by controlling my speed (i.e., running a long, slow distance like I'm supposed to) and not worrying about my overall time, that I'll be able to be injury free. I think 16 is the mile that is the often hardest for people to cross. I know I can do it, I've done it before, I'm just petrified of going through all this injury stuff again. That's my gameplan. Wish me luck.
15. Cause really, I want to run that half marathon. Half marathon finishes mean shiny medals, and big pizza dinners. This is really all I want in life.
16. And maybe a good nights sleep--because my meds? Yeah, cause me to have some funky dreams.
17. I want to buy Ella Mae a hot dog costume for Halloween. Since she is the hot dog eater in the family. Or a monkey, but, I haven't seen a monkey costume for a dog. Anyone?
18. We've begun putting the dogs toys on the dining tables when they aren't playing with them (otherwise, Ella will shred them just because they exist) and last night we caught her up on the table (again!) throwing toys down to her brother. These damn dogs just continue to outsmart me!
18. But they are super fun.

Alright, I'm off! Off to panic about class tonight, off to search from some additional Diet Coke (yes, I've already gone through my rations!) and possibly a bag of gummi bears because hell, when I'm sick, it's physically impossible to lose weight, I might as well enjoy being a pudge.

Happy Monday!

Warning: Drowisness May Occur

Really? Really.

This is the warning on my new meds (because when all else fails, just prescribe more medication--if nothing else, I'll be so loopy that my stomach woes won't bother me).

So, the lovely doctor (who I adore--waaay better than my last specialist) tells me to take it at bedtime.

Fine, I can do that.

First night, took it at 9:30ish. Was toast by 10:15.

And had a bear of a time waking up the next morning (we're talking sugar and caffeine to get me out of the house).

So, last night, I figured I'd take it a bit earlier, so that I could actually pull myself out of bed and to work on time.

I took my med at 8:30. Sounds reasonable, right? I'd go to bed early, thus being able to wake up and get to work without double stuft Oreos and Diet Coke. Ahhh, bliss.

Apparently, taking my meds before 9 o'clock is just an invitation for the sleep Gods to play tricks on me.

I fell asleep on the sofa at 9:00--while watching The Office (and y'all know how much I love The Office).

Ended up in bed--with jewelry and glasses on, by 9:15. The husband came in to check on me and had to wake me up so I could take off my jewelry (but was in my pajamas? weird).

And I'm still exhausted this morning. FAIL.

I mean, could there please be a scale on the prescription labels? Like a 1-10 thing? 1 being I don't know, you need some caffeine or a nap and 10 being hello you're asleep in 15 minutes (and apparently this crap doesn't wear off until you know 10:30 the next morning...ish). How on earth do people take this crap during the day? I'd become a narcoleptic!

I may just take up writing to prescription drug makers that they need to figure out a more deliberate warning than "drowsiness may occur".

After all, a princess needs her beauty sleep, but, would like to stay awake past 9:30.

Thanks.

Also, even in my drugged stupor, the always fabulous LegallyBlondeMel of I Pick Pretty has featured me on her blog today (imagine me jumping up and down like a child on Christmas Day--cause, really, I am)! Hop over there and let me know what you think (pretty please?).

PS. This brings a whole new level of drama to this evening. I've got to get up extra early to run with my group tomorrow, so, do I take my damn meds at 6 PM so that I'm ready to go at 5:00 AM? (thus falling asleep at the dinner table) This is all so weird.

The spy who loved me

Well, not exactly.

More like, the spies I love.

Le sigh...

I spent most (ahem, all) of the 3 day weekend hunkered down with the puppies watching DVDs.

No, I didn't lay by the pool or do anything I had sworn I would do. But, it was a perfectly fabulous way to spend the weekend (post run and house cleaning, I might add).

We watched a lot of this, just so we could stare at him....

source

Then we channeled our inner Bond Girl and had pleasant dreams thanks to these lovely flicks.

source

source


And no, I have no shame (and the husband is fully aware that if he dies, I'm packing up and moving to England to stalk Daniel Craig. If that fails, I'm setting up shop in South Beach to stalk Jeffery Donovan).

I'm sucker for a man with an accent. Or the ability to rock a pair of aviators.

I want to be a spy. I'm just sayin'.

Chunky Monkey

No, that is not in fact my favorite ice cream flavor (mint chocolate chip is, fyi).

It is one of the many nicknames for our Ella Mae pup, because, generally speaking, we're certain she's part monkey.

It's also quite possibly, my new moniker.

"Hey, SP, how's the whole back on the weight loss bandwagon thing going?"

"Oh, it's going just fabulously dahhhling, in fact, I managed to gain 1.6 pounds this week. Isn't that fantastic?"

Shoot.Me.Now.

I have no idea. No idea whatsoever. I ran on Saturday, and Monday(which is big for me cause y'all know I've been gimptastic since July), plus 30 minutes of weights. I watched what I ate obsessively--this was the most controlled I've been in weeks. And I gained weight.

I got nothing. No answers. Nothin'.

But, I promised to hold myself accountable, and tell y'all the truth, and there it is. As embarrassing as it is...

So, Week 1: Not so good. Bleh.

Here's hoping Week 2 is better!

The Divine Ms. M

Today is a hard day.

Today is my mom's birthday.

And I thought I was handling it better than usual.

(I'm not)

The strangest thing, is that time goes on, it often gets harder--not easier, harder. Maybe because as more time passes, the more real it is; or that fact that more things happen in my life that I can't share with her. I don't exactly know.

And because I'm working on living a Joyful Life (even when my eyes are puffy and I freaking want to wail that I miss my Mommy!), today shall be a focus on my fabulous mother, or, the Divine Ms. M as she was known in her circle of uber cool friends.

I'm joyful because...

• My mother was an amazing cook
• Her laugh was infectious
• She wasn't afraid to be bold
• She taught me that accessories make the outfit
• That red nail polish and red lipstick will never go out of style (and in her honor, my toesies are painted red--first time in months that they haven't been naked!)
• She knew that family was the most important thing
• Her talent for photography was amazing and I am lucky enough to have a majority of her prints in my home
• She never met a stranger
• She taught me that you can and will shove your foot into a too small shoe if necessary (which she did repeatedly with my shoes--she big ol clodhoppers ruined many a shoe of mine)
• Her caring nature was unsurpassed
• Best.spritz.cookies.ever (my dad still has one single cookie in the freezer from the batch she and I made the day before she died)
• I inherited her toes (weird, I know)
• She could kill a container of Chinese takeout and mint chocolate chip ice cream with me any day of the week
• Best.Hot.Chocolate.Maker.Ever
• She always bought me a new mug for holidays--a big fancy soup mug--which often got used for hot chocolate or ice cream
• Her talent for writing was something she passed to me
• She taught me that the best cure for anything was a musical (sidenote: The Sound of Music was on ABC Family all weekend!)
• Playing dress up was always encouraged
• She taught me to appreciate different foods at an early age (um, how many kids do you know who eat shrimp? My babysitters always thought my mom was joking when she left them with a note regarding shrimp, beets and a dinner salad for me...complete with gummi worms, obvs)
• Her love of travel

She was an amazing woman. At the end of the day, I miss her terribly. There aren't words to describe how much I miss her, and nothing will ever replace her.

I was leaving the store yesterday and saw a mom and daughter walking out together--the daughter was probably mid 30s and it was just so sweet. You could tell they were mother and daughter. I got a little teary because I'll never have that--sure, I have fabulous in laws and a great step mom, but, it's just a connection that can't be replaced.

As much as I miss her, I know how lucky I was. Many people aren't blessed to have fabulous parents, some don't even know their mothers. The 19 short but wonderful years I had with her was better than many people will have over a lifetime--f0r that, I am joyful.

Thanks for indulging me in a walk down memory lane....

Operation Joyful Life

It's well noted that I've been in a bit of a funk lately. And I am 100% over it (sadly, not necessarily the funk itself, but, the attitude that comes with it). It's time to make a change.

There is a fabulous blogger, Bobbie at N Her Shoes, and she just exudes joy. I absolutely love reading her blog because her smile and her attitude is positively infectious.

Taking a note from her, I want to exude joy in my life. I want to inspire. I want to be joyful. Of course, life isn't always roses and buttercups, but that's the whole point isn't it? Just because life isn't all rosy all the time, doesn't mean we can't put on a happy face.

So, it's day 1 of Operation Joyful Life--my journey to remember the joy in everyday life.

Today, I'm joyful because...

• I woke up extra early to run with a work colleague
• I managed 9.4 relatively pain free miles
• I had that fabulous 'free' feeling that running gives me
• Two smiley puppies and one lazy kitty
• I have sparkling clean house (that um, I cleaned of course)
• I'm wearing a fabulous new shirt
• My TV has On Demand--which means, it's all Burn Notice, all day

I know that we all have things that should bring us joy, but, sometimes, we forget. Let's all remember to smile.

What are you joyful for? Your pets? A fabulous new outfit? Long weekends? A great book?

Let's spread the joy, y'all!

On the wagon...ish

Y'all. Y'all.

It's been a rough couple of weeks (months?) around here. Between a bum leg (damnit!) and spending literally all of August sick (and no, I'm not pregnant--I swear, if I get asked that again, it's on), it's been a rough go for SP. The weight gain doesn't help matters.

I know that I need to take care of me, and focus on getting healthy again (bum leg not excluded). I've had to scale back my running (um, we're looking at two weeks of no running--bite me), and the biggest problem with my "illness" or whatever the heck it is is that I have the most random and awful cravings--i.e., a fabulous spinach salad makes me want to hurl. Ummm, the other day, if I didn't have french fries (when was the last time I have eaten these?), I was going to eat my arm instead. So, I eat crap because that's really all I can keep down.

That said, the lbs are packin' back on my hips. Awesome.

Thanks to the inspiration of the lovely Erin at BlueEyedBride, I'm hoppin' back on the wagon. I realize this might be tough because my tummy is actin' up, and I'm not logging my 30+ miles/week, but, after seeing my tum tum in the mirror this AM, I'm all sorts of motivated.

I'll weigh in once a week a share my loss or gains with y'all. Holy yikes.

OK, that was a lot of rambling, but, point is, let's keep SP accountable.

Word to my skinny jeans: It's on.

Who says blueberry muffin batter isn't a meal?

Not me, considering that was a bulk of my dinner last night.

Let's just break this down, shall we? Blueberries + banana = serving of fruit. 1 Cup of milk = protein and dairy. Muffin base = grains. Obviously, it was a well rounded meal.

Thankfully, I seem to be able to stomach muffins, but not much else (including peanut butter!). Soup, saltines and Jell-O. Freaking awesome.


Things are getting dicey around Casa de SP.

And last night I managed to drop almost $200 on race entry fees. Even though currently, I can't run.

Yes, I see the irony. Not a fan.

Thanks for all your well wishes --you have no idea how much I appreciate your kind words--it really makes my day and it really means so much. :)

xoxox

Daytime TV really is boring

And I know this because I spent all Monday curled up like a lump on my sofa watching daytime television. Not exciting at all.

And why exactly did I spend Monday at home with the remote?

Because I spent the wee hours of Monday morning at the ER.

Good times.

I got sick on Friday, which meant, no bike race for the husband, or trail run for me (boo!), only to get sicker as the weekend wore on, finally breaking down in a early morning trip to the ER.

Where I got a morphine drip. It was fabulous.

I have no idea what's wrong with me, and the doctor's don't seem to have a clue either. I am on a pharmacy worth of meds and nothing is helping.

It's the most frustrating and annoying thing ever.

But, y'all would be proud, I'm not even trying to run while sick (which is an improvement from my normal stubborn ass self). I have a race this weekend. I'm worried.

Mostly, I just want my life back. No calf injuries, no stomach issues (which, also, by the way, cause me to gain a good 5-6 lbs), just, happy.

We'll see.

Sorry for the debbie downer post.

I'm off to go munch on saltines and soup (I am so over soup).

PS. You'll be happy to know that I survived 24 hours without soda (never.again) and it may have helped as I was able to kind of pound out 14 miles on Saturday. Taking the week off really did screw me, I won't lie.