Freaking out, freaking out, freaking out

Y'all.

Y'ALL.

Marine Corp Marathon is less than three weeks away.

Excuse me while I go pass out from a panic attack.

Be back soon.

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OK. I'm back. Still freaking out and all, but, back.

When did this happen? How is it October? How am I less than THREE WEEKS AWAY from marathon number five?

::crawls into fetal position and rocks self::

I demand that time stop now. NOW. Stop it! Stop! Also, if time stops, does that mean my wrinkles reverse? Cause that would be awesome.

Goodness. I am so overworked and undertrained that I'm sure marathon number five will be a fiery disaster. But, I rocked out a good solid 15 miles yesterday and have 22 on tap for next weekend (I just gagged), so, I CAN DO THIS. Right?

What can you do that you never thought was possible?

Pretty in Pink

So, y'all (OK, like one of you) requested a race recap about the race that I paced. And I'd love to provide you with a ton of details, but, honestly, I'm so stressed, overworked, tired and blah that I don't remember a ton. HA. Why isn't that surprising?

Suffice to say, I had a blast. It was tons of fun and I pretty much just want to pace races from here on out. No need to PR. I'm good, thanks. My next half is the week after Marine Corp and I got all excited about pacing that for a second and then was like "yeahhhh, not gonna happen. I'll be the last person to cross the finish line, for sure!". Anyways.

It was fun. I loved it. I'd do it again in a heartbeat. I haven't had a half marathon PR in a year and don't see it happening in the near future, but, I'm OK with that. I'm having fun with it. Well, as much fun as you can have running 13.1 miles and all.

Remind me why I do this again? What is sleep like? Because I have no idea.

Here's all of us in our pink and black finery. I agreed to wear bows with my monkey buns, having no idea how big they would be! HAHAHA. Cracks me up. It's like a hot pink halo!

Shannon and I ready to rock 2:30. It was kinda windy and our balloons totally popped at like mile 4. Oops.

Chillin' at the finish line after our breakfast burritos. Loved the medals! (seriously, does the hot pink halo not crack you up?! I'm dying!)

And that, my friends, was my first adventure into pacing. I would love, love, love to do it again.

I suggest that any of you runners find a way to give back to the races--either pace, volunteer, something! It's so worth it and you really get a taste of how much work goes into those events.

Happy Friday!

I'll be working at a 5k tomorrow morning and then run, run, runnin' on Sunday. Super exciting, yes? What are you doing?

I just don't have time for the pain

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My life right now.

I'd love to have something exciting and earth shattering to share with you, but, I don't. I mean, do you really care that I've given my Visa card a serious workout lately? Or that there needs to be a support group for Anthropologie addicts? Because I kinda feel like I'd be a good leader/club president for that particular club.

Although, on second thought, I'd probably lead the followers astray by informing them of the newest merchandise. Damn postman that keeps delivering my catalogs. Damn him! (and then someone Tweets a picture of this dress and then I obsess about it and am now fully 100% broke)

Where was I?

Oh, yeah.

My life currently consists of emailing the non missionary sissy about Bones (and wishing I had the funds for Season 1-5 on DVD. I don't. That money went to Anthropologie last week, as you've seen. I don't want to talk about it.), and blowing through seasons 1 and 2 of Sons of Anarchy (SAMCRO). Because I will watch this season, I will! I will not do my track/speed/hill/tempo runs on Wednesday morning so I will stay up on Tuesday to watch. I will.

And praying my ankle stops hurting.

It's currently swollen the size of a damn football and I have no recollection of what I could have done to injure the damn thing. But, MCM is just a few weeks away, and, quite frankly, "I just don't have time for the pain".

So, I shall be icing, elevating, and Advil-ing in front of my TV until my long run this weekend.

Get excited. Obviously.

(images from here, here, and here)

Monday, Monday

(dun un, dun un... come on, you know you want to sing it)

Well. This weekend. Let's just breeze past the Texas game, shall we? Sigh.

Anyways.

BFF L and I had super fun afternoon on Friday which involved lunch and queso (obviously), Party City adventures (don't even ask, because I have no answers):

Target trip, Pier 1 adventures and then sitting in my car and people watching.

Because seeing the Hotel ZaZa Yukon pull up to Party City had us very intrigued. And then the guy in the UT polo who seemed to be friends with the Hotel ZaZa guy. We imagine this was for some sort of game watching party, but, couldn't be sure as we were unable to make it to ZaZa as she was photographing a wedding and I was working/sleeping/sick whilst attempting to watch the game from my house.

And then I pulled myself together and had a lovely girls night at mi casa wherein we (and by "we" I mean "me") ate way too much pizza and laughed ourselves silly. I love this. My soul needed it.

Then, when my alarm went off at 4:15 on Sunday morning, I hopped out of bed feeling woozy and having trouble walking. My ankle has been giving me fits lately and it was swollen like whoa. So, I made the judgement call to go back to bed and ditch out on my 20 miler. Which was probably not my best move as MCM is in like three weeks, but, I don't want to risk getting hurt.

Honestly? I slept until 10:15AM. That's the latest I've slept in YEARS. And I don't even feel a little bit guilty. I've been working every weekend since August and running my long runs on Sunday before church--so, obviously, my body needed to rest. I can do this. I can run MCM. It's OK to take a break.

But, the best part of my weekend?

This new beauty:

Y'all, I got a new car! I got a new car!

The hubs drove her down from Montana and she arrived yesterday afternoon. I'm a bit annoyed that he got to drive my car before I did, but, eeekkk, she is so gangster. I feel like Phoebe when she gets the mink coat--I must go places, I need to be seen.

It's a bittersweet farewell to my Sasha, but, it'll be so nice to have space again. Between shclepping kids, dogs and bikes around, an SUV has been much needed these last few years.

Here's the kicker: She doesn't have a name! Yes, I name my cars. The husband is calling her Esmeralda. Just, no. I mean, I could be swayed, but, for now, no. I was thinking Vivian, but, now that I've had her for a day, I don't think she's a Vivian. Then I thought Karen--like Karen on Will & Grace. What do you think? Any good ideas for a name?

And everything was all so wonderful and rainbows--until I remembered I need a new TollTag for her. And that's what I'll be doing at lunch today. Kill.me.now. Ugh.

Hope y'all had a spectacular weekend!

My People

I paced a race over the weekend. It was my first time doing it. I was really honored and humbled to be asked.

Y’all? It was so.much.fun! Can I just pace every single race? Oh my gosh. Yes, there is pressure, but, it’s not the pressure I put on myself to PR every.single.time. It was way more fun than running a race normally. Although, I won’t lie, around mile 7 I was kinda like “OK, can I go home now?”—which I usually get around mile 7 anyways, so, this was nothing new.

I had so much fun. Chatting with other runners, seeing old friends, and just getting out there. I finally felt like I fit in. Like, we were all friends. We have a common bond, after all: running. Such a blessing.

This coming from the girl who never fit in, ever. Even as a cheerleader I was the outcast… I was kind of a wild child.

Cheerleaders were not supposed to be wild. We were supposed to be the girls next door—not in Hugh Hefner kind of way! Did you know that my high school sweetheart used to call me “Trouble”? Funny, right. Me? Trouble. I die laughing!

But with runners? I fit in. I now finally have found “my people” and I love them.

Who are “your people”?

I have an awesome life. Don't be jealous.

(sense the tone)

Let me explain how my weekend went down.

Saturday:

Worked in the pouring rain for several hours. That was fun. I resembled a drowned rat—why I even bothered putting on makeup is beyond me. Seriously, looked like hell. I’m sorry to anyone who saw me on Saturday.

Went home. Ate lunch. HOT shower. Bones-a-thon. Then, more Bones. Carbloading. A few episodes of Sons of Anarchy (SAMCRO) before bed.

Sunday:

Up early to run a race. Had a super fun kick butt 13.1. Breakfast burrito. Work. Home. Shower. SAMCRO-a-thon. Bones. More SAMCRO.

I know, I live a very, very exciting life. Very glam and such.

But, on the upside, I spent the weekend with these fine boys, so, it’s a win in my book.

Special Agent Seeley Booth (“You’re all Special Agent Seeley Booth and Doctor Brennan,” “Don’t be an accused murderer, don’t go to jail, have a Christmas pageant in your own home,”. I might have watched that episode twice over the weekend. Maybe.)

And Jax Teller. Be still my heart.

(Could my TV crushes be any more opposite ends of the spectrum?)

What’d you do this weekend?

(images from here, and here)

Damnit

Remember how a long time ago I was all "I'm not going to get sucked back into Lost"? And then I was all "I didn't even watch the series finale"? Because I'm so above getting sucked into TV shows again or some crap like that.

I lie.

I blame Thursday night TV.

As long as I can remember, Thursday has been the night that reigned supreme in terms of must stay up to watch all my shows type thing.

There was Seinfeld.

Then Friends.

And Will & Grace.

Then The Office.

And Grey's.

Bones.

The Mentalist.

Community.

It's a very busy night for a gal without DVR (I know, the horror, right?!).

Suffice to say, well played, Community, Bones, The Office and The Mentalist, well played. I'm sucked back in. And, I'm a very sleepy gal this morning.

What are your favorite Thursday night shows?

Breaking Up is Hard To Do

(done in the sing songy voice, obviously)

Y’all. Y’all. It had to come eventually.

The end of my longest relationship to date.

Seven years. Almost to the day.

Seven years ago my life was changed.

I went from bus riding, randomly getting hit because people don’t know how to stop at red lights, begging my roommate for a ride—to—woo whoo I have my own car again (I didn't bring a car to college--mistake number uno). Sweet baby Jesus, I am free. Only not really because no one ever went anywhere because if you lost your parking space (which you always did) it would take a good 2 hours to find another one. No joke.

That’s right, my life was forever changed with my sweet girl, Sasha. AKA my 2003 Honda Accord (yes, I name my car. And yes, she's a she).

She and I have been through a lot together. She survived the trip from Utah with my dad (poor girl). She drove me home and back several times. She survived a crash on the country roads where I thought it would be a good idea to try and flip a car (read: I over corrected a turn and lost control. Fun times). Also? You can roll a Honda. It’s just hard to do, but, I am gifted enough to do it. This was the crash in which I lost my mother’s wedding ring (I was wearing it) but the windows automatically rolled down so I could climb out the window. True story.

She’s driven me to almost all my marathons, to the beach and so much more.

I’m going to miss her. I’m going to miss being able to park her in my garage! I’m going to miss her gas mileage.

But, all good things must come to an end and she’ll go onto live a happy life with my cousin in Arizona (be good to her, Serene!).

Now, I just need to name my new car. Which I don’t actually have yet. It’s in Montana. Long story.

I can’t wait to introduce y’all!

Judgement Free Zone

True Story:

I was almost late to church yesterday because I got sucked into a 90210 marathon on SoapNet.

For real. (you will not judge me for this)

I was out of town and working on 9/02/10 so I was unable to enjoy the amazingness of 90210 day--I figure 9/19/10 is better than nothing, yes?

I freaking loved that show. I can't even tell you.

We lived in the sticks for years and when we finally moved into town and had cable I was so excited to watch 90210 again that I don't think I turned my TV off for three whole days. It was glorious.

And I'm not even a little bit ashamed that I drove like a crazy person to get to church. Donna Martin is totally worth it.

I'm totally naming my firstborn child Donna Martin.

(image from here)

Please join me on this emotional rollercoaster

(you can bring booze if you want. In fact, it's recommended)
So, here's how yesterday played out:

1. Am having an emotional breakdown because listening to Sublime on the way to work makes me deliriously happy, but, also gives me the sads because it reminds me of high school and my mom and my high school sweetheart and then I remember that hey, guess what, you're NOT 18 anymore, you're NOT skinny anymore, you haven't talked to your high school sweetheart in SIX years, and oh yeah, you're mom has been dead for SEVEN years. So then I cry.

2. And then there was this whole text message exchange that we just don't even need to talk about. Suffice to say that I was teetering on Courtney Love crazy territory, but, kept it fairly Lindsay Lohan. I'm holding back on the C. Love. I suspect that may eventually seep out in the form of verbal/text vomit. Lucky I have my photographer BFF to talk sense into me. Anyways, the text exchange took up most of my energy yesterday and was exhausting. But, a blessing too.

3. I go to Kroger to get a salad for lunch because I really want Taco Bell, but, there isn't one near my office and I figure I'm feeling fat, so, a salad it is. As I'm pulling out of the parking garage (in which I do not get signal) my sissy calls me. This is the last time I will see her number on my called ID for 18 months. Gulp. And we talk and I tell her how proud I am of her and how much I love her and will miss her so much, but, I'm so happy for her. We talk for a few minutes and then I start crying and tell her I have to hang up and she needs to make some more phone calls. And then I cry for an hour because it's actually happening. I won't get to text her about celebrity gossip, talk about Bones with her, go shopping or be judgemental with her for 18 whole months.

--Note--

At this point, it's already been an exhausting day. I'm ready to pull the covers over my head and go to sleep at 3:15. Too bad I get busy at work at my master plan of leaving early has failed and before I know it, it's 4:59 and I'm still knee deep in work.

4. Then, that evening, as we're heading off to youth group and my stomach has finally calmed down (because I decided it would be a good idea to continue the text message exchange while trying to cook dinner. Read: stupid. Also? Leads to almost chopping your finger off) I get a call from my dad (he can be blamed for the text message exchange, but, I'll yell at him about that later. He's already in trouble for missing my mom's birthday last week). I'm not really in the mood to talk to my dad because I'm exhausted, remember? And parents are exhausting in general. But! But! He called to tell me that the California State Supreme Court decided not to hear an appeal, thus upholding an original verdict. You don't really need to know the backstory, suffice to say: my mom died seven years ago, we went to court. We won. It got appealed. And then appealed again. And then again to the State Supreme Court. And we've been on pins and needles about it for months. Until last night. And then I started screaming and crying and I was so happy I just couldn't believe it. And wanted a cookie.

This was at 6:50PM and I had thoroughly used all my energy reserves for the next two days at this point.

Which is why I fell asleep at 8:40 last night. And am still tired.

Whew. Emotional day over at Casa de SP.

How are you doing?

Oh, and because this post needs a picture, here's a cute one of me and my BFF Lara while I was in California in August. I love her times five hundred billion.
(please ignore that I look kind of chubs and am smiling like a chipmunk. This is a recent development and annoying the hell out of me)

Meet My Friends Mike & Liz (seriously, meet them)

You guys, I want to introduce you to some very good friends of mine. Meet Mike & Liz. (see their picture and link on my sidebar? Aren't they cute?)

Mike & Liz are two of the best people I know. And I know a lot of pretty darn good people, but these two, they are special. Even though I haven’t seen either of them in FIVE YEARS, they each hold a special place in my heart. And, thanks to the wonder of blogging, I’ve been able to stay in touch with them, and that means so much to me!

I want to tell you about them because I want as many people as possible to get to know them because, they’re hoping to adopt. They have been married for nearly six years, and will make crazy good parents.

When I found out from Liz that they were hoping to adopt, I started crying—for several reasons. One, because they so deserve to be parents. They are the best people and deserve to be a mommy and a daddy, and two, because I’m so excited for them and hope and pray that there will be an amazing birthmother out there for them. I know there will be. This baby will be loved like whoa.

So, Mike & Liz. Meet them. They’re awesome.

Mike is super duper special to me because he’s the missionary that baptized me. Squee! He sat through my endless questions and he figuratively, of course, held my hand every step of the way. He and Elder Laws were the best missionaries. He may never know how special he is to me, but, he really is.

Liz was in the relief society (Liz, were you the President or was it Alicia? I can’t remember!) when I joined the church and her fun attitude and gentle spirit were always on display. She was funny, approachable and real. She has a kick butt sense of humor too (well, they both do). An amazing teacher and an amazing friend.

These two make friends everywhere they go. We all love them. Oh, and Liz gives awesome hugs. For reals, y’all.

But, most importantly, they are two of the most dedicated and caring people I know. They are selfless and kind, funny and warmhearted. And, they live in Denver, and y’all know my love of Colorado.

So, please, click on over to Mike and Liz’s blog, get to know them, spread the button love, and let’s find these two a birthmom. I want nothing more than to spoil their kiddo with all the love in the world.

Keep them in your prayers, please—I can’t wait to share the happy news that they are parents. God is good, He will do His work. I know this.

PS. In case you couldn't tell, I really love Mike & Liz. And really want them to be parents. You should too. So, keep them in mind if you know of anyone who might be looking to place a child for adoption. OK? Promise? Promise? Good.

The one with the canoe

Yes, this is my life.

I go to Chicago for work over the weekend, and I come home to find that my husband has procured a canoe.

Yes, that's right. We have a canoe. It was in our living room (is now in the garage).

I'm going to let you all marinate on that for a bit.

(are you finished marinating?)

Oh, and the reason we have said canoe? "It was $100 on Craig's List!". This is seriously the most proud he's ever been.

I mean, we can use it for canoeing and camping and stuff. Ya know, cause I'm so outdoorsy and enjoy that kind of thing. Jeezus.

Perhaps we just move all our furniture out of the living room and use is as seating a la Friends (note: this is not my worst idea)? (image)

So, anyone wanna go camping?