So, sad news

Remember the Spy Shoppe? Yeah, so, turns out it’s just like home security stuff, not night vision or anything cool like that.

I discovered this yesterday on yet another trip to the sketchiest UPS Store ever when I finally peeked in the windows of said spy shoppe.

I mean, shouldn't it be called like "Home Security Shoppe" or something? "Spy" is kind of misleading. It's not like they're handing out Sean Connery/Pierce Brosnan/Daniel Craig statues or anything.

Bummer.

But, don’t be too dismayed, I discovered something equally as awesome the other day on my lunch break: a bartending school right next to a tattoo place. Lord help the poor fool that gets those mixed up.

This cracks me up to high heaven.

Weekend Wrap Up

So, as some of you may know if you follow me on Twitter, my exciting single girl Friday night was interrupted by a slight flooding situation. Yep, that's right, our downstairs bathroom and hallway flooded. Awesome. I spent my Friday night mopping up water and getting the dogs to stop playing in the water already! So, anyways, now my downstairs stinks and we've got to figure out how to take care of that. Yay me.

The husband took off for his crazy ass bike ride and got sick around mile 50 and wasn't able to finish the 100 miles. I think he made it to 80? Poor guy! He worked so hard and trained correctly. But, I'm glad he's OK, that's all that matters! Pushing to 100 would have been really, really dangerous since he was super dehydrated!

I had an awesome time with this awesome photographer and got to participate in a super amazing and unique photoshoot. And, spending time with my BFF is always a win in my book!

I yet again spent an insane amount of money at Pier 1 on candles, but, now my house smells all festive and fall-like. And, it's clean because I vacuumed twice in two days and swept and scrubbed like a madwoman. I love a clean house. I just hate cleaning.

On Saturday night, I got the wackado idea to watch Little Women. Because I am stupid. It has always been a really special movie to me; it was my mom and my movie. We always watched it together and especially during the holidays while making cookies. I bought the DVD last year and told myself that I would watch it over Christmas with my sisters in law. I didn't. I was too scared.

So, on Saturday, I finally started watching it. And, within two minutes, was in tears. It took me forever to watch as I could only watch it in short increments, but, as of yesterday afternoon, I finished it! It makes my heart hurt, but, it's such a wonderful movie (honestly, how could you not love Winona Ryder as Jo March and a young Christian Bale as Laurie? I mean really. It's fantasitcalness). And I can't wait to read the book to my daughter as my mom did with me. Sigh....

We had some friends over for dinner last night and I made a kick butt berry peach cobbler which I am abnormally proud of. My favorite dessert is cobbler, and I've been on the hunt for the perfect recipe for years--years I tell you! And, the recipe I used last night? So freakin' easy but so yum. ::pats self on the back::

And that brings us to today. Today when I've got a zillion things to do before I take off to Virginia for work this weekend and somehow pack, run, etc, etc. But, that's OK! Because ya know what? Next week is a three day weekend! Whoot! I'll be sleeping off my jet lag, but, that's besides the point.

How was your weekend? What did you do?

I am crazy, but, not THAT crazy

Y'all, my husband and two of his buddies are riding 100 miles tomorrow. That's 100 miles. On a bike. In the heat. In Texas.

Yes, he's riding Hotter n' Hell 100. It's been his big dream for like 15 months, so, I'll let him have this.

I have no desire to do such things. Y'all know how I feel about bikes. I might run marathons, but, 100 miles is a heck of a lot longer than 26.2 miles, let me tell you.

Anyways.

They are leaving this afternoon, which gives me a whole 24 hours of secret single behavior.

Which I'm sure will include (but is not limited to): a 3-5 mile date with my new bff, my treadmill--who is still yet to be named; a spray tan (unlikely if I run); going to bed super early (we're talkin' like 8:15 kids); chick flicks (usually on the docket for a weekend alone? Under the Tuscan Sun); shopping for Baby R and a photoshoot with this super talented photographer (who also happens to be my real life Texas bff).

I am super proud of my husband and while it may seem like I win the award for worst wife ever, I can't take time off work to drive out there with them, and driving to the race tomorrow morning would mean leaving at 4:00AM. Um, no. Plus, none of the other wives are going, so, it's like a guy weekend thing. And I think he's secretly looking forward to me not being there. Ha!

So, feel free to come keep me company--we can make s'mores. Or, something.

Oh! Oh! Oh! I'm so thrilled that you guys a) love the chandeliers which will be mine someday (please ignore the fact that I don't think my house is big enough for one of them, let alone all three!) and are b) traumatized by the cat mural too. This? Is why we're friends. I love you guys!

Well my dears, happy weekend!

xoxoxo

Do not adjust your monitor

No need to mess with your computer--you are seeing that correctly. It's a painting of a cat (and bunny, mouse and dogs if you want the whole shebang).

Above the fireplace.

At my parents house.

Here's another look. And no, my parents did not buy the house "as is". They had that done. It's of their animals. Well, it's of their living dogs--and the cat died two years ago. And? They've had the cat repainted four times. Because it doesn't capture his "essence".

Oh, and just so you can see how out of place this really is in my parents home, here's their backyard:


And their pool:

And their 20 feet ceiling with out of this world chandeliers (which I'm laying claim to when they sell the house--or when they have to go into a nursing home--whichever comes first.... I kid, I kid...sorta) (but seriously, to.die.for):

Did you forget what the mural looked like?

Didn't think so.

Oh my gosh! I walked into my parents newly finished gorgeous "California Colonial" (confession: I have no idea what that means, but, I assume it means "semi Tuscan design with a lot of material from Cuba") home and see that. No mirror or framed giant painting above the fireplace.

Nope. A mural of their family pets. Don't get me wrong, my pets are my kids--but, but, but! I'm not having them permanently memorialized over my fireplace in the form of an on the wall mural.

Just sayin'.

Wedding Weekend 2010: The Pictures

Eeek! Y'all, Wedding Weekend 2010 was so.much.fun! I can't even tell you. Being with my family--all of us together, it was great. And, the bonus that it was super nice weather (except the day of the wedding it was 100, naturally) and there were no fiascoes--ah, love, love, love.

My brother in law and now sister in law got married way out in the sticks, which is totally fitting because my brother in law is a cowboy and my sister in law teaches ag science. It was perfectly country and sweet.

A little backstory: We never thought my brother in law would get married because, well, that's what conventional people do, and he is not conventional and also, why get married? He's very stubborn and must do everything his way.

And so about 5 years ago the brother in law was dating a chick, who, well, had some issues with the law (I prefer the term “crackwhore”, but, that is not in good taste. But, it’s the truth. Tacky or no). And then, because God has a sense of humor, she got pregnant. The day she was released from jail. You can’t make this up.

And I was all upset because I’m the married one and I married the oldest son and damnit, why am I not pregnant? (still, not pregnant, fyi. Suspect am barren, but, that’s another story for another time) Thus ensues several years of turmoil as my brother in law tries to do the right thing and stay with Crazy. He’s a great dad. Crazy is crazy. Crazy runs off with child, and thus ensues custody war. Then child support. Then more drama because Crazy is crazy.

Then brother in law meets sister future sister in law and she likes him despite the Crazy. And she’s sweet to his kiddo and he loves her too. And she also buys him a parakeet and if nothing else, this kid gets bribed with pets more than anyone else I know. Mother in law bought him chickens. It’s hilarious.

Future sister in law wants to move in together and brother in law freaks out because oh my hell, that might be conventional and no will not do it. To which I say “you want to live with him?”. So then they break up. And it’s on again, off again, etc, etc.

Then it was on again, and pretty serious. And we all gave him hell about “propose to the woman already” because a) she WANTS TO MARRY YOU b) she has a job! C) she is not crazy (except for the whole wanting to marry you thing, which, is suspect, but, whatever) d) her family is from Hawaii=we want family vacations e) for real, she’s totally out of your league, marry the girl before she comes to her senses.

So, he finally proposes and by “proposes” we mean, throws and ring at her and says “wanna make it official?”. He’s romantic like that. (I suspect this runs in the family because my proposal went something like that as well. Sheesh)

Then, they plan a cowboy wedding in the country because what’s more authentic than my redneck brother in law and my Hawaiian rancher sister in law to be than getting married in the sticks? Exactly.

And it’s lovely. And no one gets drunk and pukes on the dancefloor (not that this happened at my wedding or anything… I’m looking at you Malia), no one starts a fight, and my brother in law does not stumble through handwritten vows (because they took that part out).

And now, I have a new sister in law. And my brother in law has a wife. Which is funny. Because I never thought I’d see this day. We love you J&J!

My husband walking his grandmas down the aisle.

Jamie (my new sissy!) and her dad walking down the aisle to an Alison Krause song--I can't remember which one! (looooved her dress!)

Saying their vows!

Jamie giving my nephew a ring just like the one she gave his daddy. It was so sweet. He gave her a smooch right after this.

Husband and wife walking back up the aisle to "A Little More Country Than That".

My sissy Rachel and our nephew after the ceremony.

Me and my momma in law after the ceremony.

Me and the hubs waitin' for this shindig to get started.

Mother son dance to "Don't Let Your Babies Grow Up To Be Cowboys". Too perfect! And Jamie danced with her new son!
J&J's first dance to "Look at You Girl" by Chris LaDue.
Family picture!

My husband and my momma in law!

Y'all, it was seriously so sweet. My brother in law walked his son down the aisle to "Highway 20 Ride" and I don't think there was a dry eye in the place. He drives or flies to Oregon from LA every month to have a week with his son. It's so heartbreaking and so sweet.

Having a sweet moment with his son and new wife during the ceremony was beautiful--and Jamie giving her new son a ring was so sweet--just like her (step)dad gave to her when he and her mom got married--which she still has, 24 years later.

Jamie--welcome to the craziness we call our family. We're thrilled for you! The girls and I are so excited to welcome another sister into our fold. Yay!

I believe....

• In pink
• In the simple wonders of an Oreo cookie (they're my favorite)
• In naps
• In sleeping in
• That tomorrow is another day
• In pound puppies (they are the best!)
• In 26.2 mile walkabouts
• That all things can be cured with a flat iron, a Diet Coke and a Hugh Jackman movie (another option? A James Bond movie)
• That road trips are simple pleasures
• In the calming roar of the ocean and the distinct smell of salty air
• That In N Out is ingrained in the heart of every Californian
• And that the best calm chowder comes from Brad's. Or Splash. Depending on the year
• In Jenna's Bill
• In shooting stars
• That dogs make the best therapists
• In a kind word
• That hugs are underrated

What do you believe?

You can't teach and old dog new tricks

* Or why I am the most stubborn person ever and refuse to learn my lesson(s). Because I somehow feel that I am smarter than said lessons and that I will eventually win. But, I never do. Because I'm stupid.

You'd think that in all my years of life and you know, education, I'd get the memo. But, you'd be wrong.

See, as someone who grew up with summer that hovered around 110-120 degrees and who has lived in the land of heat and humidity for 6 years, I tend to think I can handle the heat--especially since I detest being cold and my favorite places on earth happen to be hot, hot, HOT beaches. So, I'm a summer person, right?

Right.

But, I don't learn.

I don't learn that even though I am a summer lover, and that I'd take a dreamy summer day for a blustery winter one in a heartbeat, that, well, the heat, it's hot, and dangerous. And you know what? Running in the heat is really hard. And dangerous.

And? I'm prone to getting heat exhaustion. At least once a summer (this summer, I think we're on 4 times, and dancing with a fifth).

So, it makes total sense that I would get up at 4:15 on a Sunday morning, go out to my car, throw my gear in and turn it on to see 90 degrees on the thermometer. No worry, I think, maybe we'll cut our mileage down because sweet baby Jesus, someone is going to die.

But, we didn't cut our mileage down. Instead, around mile 9, I'd decided I'd had enough of this crap and was refusing to admit that we were only halfway done. Not cool. So, I, along with two others, turned around and ran walked the last 6 miles. If which I have never done before. But sweet heavens, it was too hot to run. Yes, I would have been done faster, but, I also might have been dead in a ditch somewhere. The cold prickleys were there and I was gettin' hot. Bleh.

And? I never cooled off.

So, I was supposed to run 18. And I shuffled stepped 15.25. I don't even care. It's too hot to run.

Lesson? No more fall marathons. After MCM, I'm stickin' to spring 26.2. Running this far in this heat? Not for me, kids, not for me.

Even if I am a summer lover.

Hopefully, I have learned my lesson.

But, it's doubtful.

Losing Sleep and Losing My Mind

Y'all, the last few nights I have not been able to sleep. I mean, maybe 2-3 hours. Which means that I'm a real peach, which also means I'm downing the Diet Coke like it's my job, which also means that I cannot get out of bed, so, I'm not running. Driving.me.nutso! Nuts, I tell you! 18 miles this weekend? Ha. Funny! Lord help me.

You see, I can't sleep, because my mind is racing. I can't turn it off. When I get on something, I cannot stop until it's complete. Yes, I tend to obsess. Over stupid stuff.

What's keeping me up these days?

My house.

For real.

This is two fold.

1. We moved in two years ago (count them, 1, 2) and I'm still working to get it just right. I blame this on my annoying sofas (they were free and big enough for the room, so we said "yes, please", but, they are mauve. HATE. And haven't found slipcovers that a) fit, or b) I like. And recovering them would cost the same as new furniture--you see the issue). And my ghetto mantle. It's a shelf, with creepy little Danish (?) people on the hooks. Perfect for hanging stockings at Christmas, annoying the other 364 days of the year. We have a gorgeous fireplace, but, the mantle is a total killjoy. So, I've literally spent 2 years trying to make the mantle pretty and make mauve work.

We're close, people, so close! I finally got a pretty set-up on my mantle and it's only missing one thing. That one thing? Is stressing me out. Tall taper candleholders. How stupid is that? That I'm losing sleep over it.

Like I said folks, I obsess over the dumbest things. I don't have children, so, honestly, this is what I obsess over.

2) I'm starting to freak out that we may have to move sometime in the relative near future. With month 20 looming over our heads with the husband unemployed, we're starting to discuss that we may have to move. And none of that "he would have a really long commute" type stuff, we're talking a whole different state (holla, Erin, he applied for a job in Denver!). Which makes me super duper sad because this was our house to raise a family. And damnit, I don't want to move. Which then makes my first point stupid, because, why am I putting all this effort into it if we're just going to leave? And will we ever find a house we love again? Can we afford to move?

Stressed out.

Did I mention that the husband hasn't even had an out of state interview yet? And I'm still freaking out.

As you can see, I'm crazy. Like, losing my mind, out of this world, crazy.

Honestly.

I need a new distraction.

That doesn't involve Pier 1, Target, Pottery Barn or Crate and Barrel. However, if you know where I can get some tall and relatively inexpensive taper holders, I wouldn't turn down the advice.

Just sayin'.

Anyone else have any silly things they obsess and fret over?

Glory Days

It’s that time of year again. The time of two a days, drills and camp.

The start of football season!

My word. I am a sucker for high school and college ball. NFL, I can take it or leave it. Perhaps it’s because I have no emotional tie to it. But HS or college? Be still my fluttering heart, I love it.

This should come as no surprise to those that know me, but, I was a cheerleader in high school (shocking, I know). I think I even got a plaque or something for most photogenic, or most smiley, or crap like that. I don’t remember. But, at the time, it was a really big deal. Maybe it was most improved? Grr, this is going to drive me crazy. Must find that next time I am home!

We each had a football player that we had to buy weekly goodies for, and make treats for. Mine was my surrogate little brother. We also shared a locker. He was my high school BFF. We had so much fun together. I miss him.

I love nothing more than pep rallies and run throughs (that’s what we called that big sign that the players would rip to shreds—what did y’all call it?). I love poms (do not add the extra “pom”), megaphone and pleats. I adore all things football.

I so desperately want my future children to be cheerleaders and football players—this horrifies my husband to no end—I was Suzie High School, he was Too Cool for School. It’s a wonder we're married! Our boys will play football and our girls will cheer. Done and done.

The Kenny Chesney song “The Boys of Fall” makes me all happy. It reminds me of simple times. Of screaming my heart out every Friday night, of away games and Oreo cookies, of cleaning my shoes every Saturday morning, of bonfires and late nights—the happy days of my youth.

Not to say that high school was the best years of my life, because it surely wasn’t, but, it was a good time. My mom was alive. My mom was the best cheer mom EVER. My dad and stepmom had season tickets to my high school football and basketball games, for no other reason than to watch me cheer. It was fun. My biggest worry was how much hairspray I needed, or if we had enough green paint for our cars, I mean, really, it was a simple joy.

The victories. The defeat when we were so close to a CIF Championship game…. The tears we cried. The fun we had.

Our glory days.

T--T-E--T-E-M-P-L-E-T-O-N—We’re Templeton ::clap clap::

Sack that quarterback—defense—make contact!

E-A-G--L-E-S, Eagles, Eagles, We are the best!

Yes, those were some of my high school cheers. Am slightly mortified....

I can’t wait to live that again.

Even if it means I’ll be old, and the parent of a teenager.

Of course, I have to have a child first in order for him/her to become a teenager. Details, people, details!

Do you love football season as much as I do? What are your favorite high school memories?

Wedding Weekend 2010: The Highlights

Lunching with my sister and my younger niece (my older, college bound niece had to work).

Buying fantastic new jeans and instructing said niece that she better finish college before she gets married. And also, that dating high school boys is lame. This said as she was fielding love letters from boys all summer long.

Going to Abercrombie with her and having them ask her to model for them. She's 15, step off!!

Surviving my sister in law's to be bridal shower/bachlorette party.

Being judgemental with my sister (in law).

Kisses from my nephew.

Giggling with my sisters (in law).

Seeing my brother in law get married. A fact that still hasn't sunk it. Are we sure this wasn't all just a mirage? I mean, him--married! What?

Welcoming a new sister to the fam. She, like me, signed up for this kind of crazy.

Watching my nephew welcome a new mama into his life. So sweet.

Saying goodbye to my favorite sister in law. And I still haven't started crying. Yet.

The beach!

My family all together again.

Me, sissy (in law) Rach, sissy (in law) Rebecca, the husband, Aunt Marilyn. (why do I smile like a damn chipmunk?)


More pictures and recaps to come!

Ta-Da!

And just like that, I’m back at it.

Whew. There’s been a lot going on lately. And things are better. Not great, but, better. I can actually get out of bed each day (except for the over the weekend when heat exhaustion hit me like a freight train and I was physically painful to get out of bed—this is why you shouldn’t run 15 miles when it’s 100 degrees and humid out. Just a thought), so, yay for little victories!

I’ve missed y’all. A lot. Like, a lot, a lot. Y’all rock my socks off, do you know that? The nice emails and sweet comments. I obviously suck for NOT responding, but, this is me offering you all a hug. And a cookie. Because I like cookies, and cookies make people happy. (pancakes do too, but, I suck at making pancakes. I always burn them. I can rock a waffle iron though. Wanna come over for waffles?)

Anyways.

So, I went to Boston for like 24 hours. It was fun. I love Boston. I saw way too many people bound for The Cape and then I got annoyed because I wanted to be bound for The Cape, but whatevs. I still need a vacation, in case you couldn’t tell.

Then, I ran 18 miles at night. And I was tired and hot, and my hip hurt like whoa. But it was still fun in a weird sadistic way.

Then I went to sleep for a few hours, got up and went to cheer my husband on at his first bike race. Which I guess wasn’t really a race since the “race” was only for the 100k distance and he did 42 miles or whatever, so, it wasn’t an actual “race”. This makes zero sense to me and just further confuses me about cycling and yet another reason why bikes are stupid.

And my husband wore a Hooters jersey. You read that correctly.

Then it was my SIL’s birthday and I totally ruined it by having a migraine from hell that literally laid me up for 2.5 weeks. I have never felt worse than I did about being MIA on her birthday. No shopping trip, nothing—literally, in bed, yelling at Lance Armstrong on TV (why, Lance, why?!). I even missed my chance to watch a Paul Walker movie with her because good Lord I couldn’t even open my eyes. That sucked. She made a cake for my youth group girls and I cried because she’s the best person ever.

And I will spend every single one of her birthdays for the rest of my life trying to make it up to her, because she deserves awesome. And I was lame with a capital L.

Then I was supposed to run an ultramarathon, but, that didn’t happen. I was all amped up and ready to rock, but somewhere around mile 11 I said to hell with it and dropped to the 25k. Which is still freaking awesome considering the race started at MIDNIGHT and was a freaking LOOP so I wanted to pull my hair out after the first loop. And we trained at night on a loop! So I should have been able to rock that bad boy. GAH. So, anyways. First DNF. Cried the whole way home, but, eventually got over it. I suppose almost everyone has a DNF at some point, so, I’m glad I got it over with. Still sucky though.

I had one friend also DNF, and another who finished 3 minutes before the timing mats were pulled up and he ended up running almost an additional mile because of the course markings—dude, at night, it’s really easy to get lost—even if you’ve run the damn loop several times already. I also broke my husbands blinky light that night. It was way more intense than any of us thought, that’s for sure. Hello, ass kicking, party of one? Thanks.

I pouted about my DNF for a week and then, because I am a glutton for punishment, I signed up for Marine Corp Marathon (go big or go home, right?) (it’s a race put on by the Marines. Do you think it’ll be easy? Hell.No. The course map scares me) and then joined another local running group so that I can stay accountable and actually run during the week, and since I will be working most Saturdays this fall (sad face) I won’t be making my DRC long runs, and this group of crazies meets at 5:30 on Sunday, so, I run, ice bath and make it to church on time. And then try to stay awake. Which is really the hardest thing.

And then we went to Austin with my sister in law as a bon voyage. We came home, she packed up her room and I cried. But it’s OK because I’ll see her this weekend at her brother’s (my BIL) wedding. But then I’ll have to say goodbye to her again and won’t see her for 18 months. I’m sad because she doesn’t live with us anymore, not sad that she’s going to be gone for 18 months. Well, I’m sad about that too, but, I’m excited for her mostly. I’ll just miss her. A lot. So, I think when I say goodbye to her this weekend, I’ll really lose it and bawl my eyes out. Because it’ll be real. Right now, she’s just at home visiting. Until I go up to her room and it’s empty and I want to die inside. Gosh, I love my sisters in law so much. And having her here for the last year was wonderful. She’s awesome. I love her and my other sister in law more than I thought I could love “in laws”.

We bought a treadmill too. And getting it into the house was a b*tch. Our hardwood floors are scuffed in a few places, which I am nonetothrilled about, but, eh, we’re hoping to replace them in a few years anyway. And this means, success, I can run when I get home from work and not fight for a treadmill at the gym. This is very exciting. I need a name for said treadmill. I was thinking Lola, but, that was my old GPS’s name until she got stolen. I also want to name my future daughter Lola (steal my name and I will cut you), so, I don’t think a GPS and a treadmill are the best. Thoughts?

And that brings us to today.

Today when I’m running around like a chicken with its head cut off trying to get everything ready to leave for Wedding Weekend 2010. The husband is already wedding bound and I’m here with the critters until tomorrow when I’ll leave at an ungodly hour to arrive back in the Golden State in plenty of time for lunch + setting up for rehearsal dinner (I’ve heard rumors of tying bows on plastic swans as payback for my wedding, I am not thrilled) + shower + hair + get to rehearsal dinner. Hopefully.

And then there’s still the matter of work, nails, tan, buy bridal shower gift (yeah, um, I forgot) and cards for the bride to be because she’s awesome and really what is she doing with my brother in law? And I can’t figure out what shoes to wear because I don’t know her very well and you know me and how I like to be fancy pants but I don’t think this is really a fancy pants wedding, but, no one tells me anything so I’m showing up in a plum dress with either cream and gold shoes or tan croc shoes and my shiny gold Anthro earrings. And if I’m too fancy, well, then crap.

Obviously, you can see, I haven’t thought this through at all. I’m just using it as an excuse for In N Out and a lunchtime shopping date with my sister and my niece WHOSE A SENIOR IN HIGH SCHOOL. I can’t even deal. They went looking at colleges in June. It hurts my soul. She’s 11. That’s really all there is to it. She is NOT turning 18 next month. She’s really not. I can’t handle this. Lord help me when I have my own children.

And that’s that. I’m alive. I’m back. I’m better. I’m tan. But, I’m still not skinny.

Can’t win them all.

PS. My "tan" comes in the spray variety, no tanning beds or laying out for this reformed sunbaby!