Life & Love and everything in between

A2A- And This One Makes Three

2011-03-21T09:33:00.000-07:00

Wow- what a fun weekend! I told the husband several weeks (if not months) ago that I wanted to do the A2A Half Marathon in Ardmore, OK. He wasn't ever very interested. On the one hand, it's in a fairly small town in our state, and on the other, this weekend was his mom's 60th birthday. And, although I didn't know it at the time I registered, her birthday would turn into an entire weekend of celebrating, and I would be the bad guy for not being there. I'm a planner, what can I say?

So, I talked my mom into being my lone cheerleader for the weekend, and when I told her that our little road trip would include shopping, she was happy to join me. So, we left OKC on Saturday morning, and filled the day with eating and shopping before checking into our home-away-from-home at the Candlewood Suites on Saturday night so I could prepare for race day. Prepare =coordinate an outfit.

Sunday morning, we left the hotel by 6:30 am so mom could drop me off at the busses at the finish line. All participants had to be bussed to the start line in the middle of the Arbuckle Mountains and spectators weren't even allowed up there. It was a very well organized process except that we had to sit at the start line for almost an hour before the 8 o'clock gun, and it was cold and windy!

Anyway, the race was advertised as a flat and mostly downhill, fast course. The organizers even said to be prepared to PR, and here's the elevation chart that was posted on the race website.

Easy, right? So, based on that information, I went in with a gameplan consisting of 3 things: run the downhill 8 miles at a comfortable but fast speed, walk the one giant hill at mile 9 if I needed to, and TRY to enjoy the course and the view. Well, all I can say is that somebody was smoking crack when they came up with that elevation chart. It was NOT a downhill course. Yes, there were downhill areas, but downhill is not the same as rolling hills AND when you add in 16-20 mph winds that you get to run into the entire time...BRUTAL!!!

On the other hand, the race was well organized, the volunteers were friendly (where else do you get homemade cinnamon rolls at the finish?) and I got to see a male participant run off the course to take a shi* in the woods! Plus, the swag bags were great- we got two shirts, a medal, a water bottle and a bag of local fresh roasted peanuts.

It was tough though, and I would have to be in better shape to participate again. But, I finished- not with a PR by any means, not even close. But I finished and got another medal to add to my display, and that is all that matters.

Tuesday Tidbits: Shane's Edition

2011-03-15T13:48:00.000-07:00

In honor of my awesome husband and his sweet hairdo, this post is going to be mostly centered around him. He's acting like he needs some attention this week anyway. But don't feel bad- guess where he is right now...

Anyway, I've been calling him Shane all week because that name sounds most fitting for a red-headed dude with a mullet or a tail. And since the husband currently has both, he's earned it. Seriously, his hair is SO BAD he can't even argue with the nickname.

And some other things...

I lost a follower today and am deeply saddened- I feel like someone in real life just said they didn't wanna be friends with me :)

During the Bachelor last night, husband said "Do you think they cleaned all of Chantel's tears and snot out of that limo's backseat before they put Emily in there?"

Then, he asked if we could marry Nellie (our girl dog) with Fletcher (our boy dog), but decided that she may be better suited for Jack (the cat).

I don't think he was drunk.

Ok, but seriously and on an important note, my cousin, Holly, is hosting her first ever real and VIRTUAL 5K to benefit the Leukemia and Lymphoma Society through Team in Training! Yay for her! So, here's the deal... the real race is in Florida on the beach, but since not many people will physically be there to run it (including myself), she added the virtual component. So, basically I can run or walk the 3.1 miles at my leisure, or maybe if I'm feeling lazy, I'll just pretend I did it, but, who would really do that?!?!

So, you're probably asking yourself why you would want to do this. Here's why- four reasons:
1) to help this really cool chick you've never met raise over $3000 for Team in Training
2) to help the Leukemia and Lymphoma Society out- it is a tax deductible donation!
3) to get a cool t-shirt
4) to get out there and burn some calories!

Now, go HERE and register. It's $25 if you want the shirt and $20 if ya don't. Then, grab some friends and make a morning of it. You can even follow it with bloody marys??? or coffee??? And, you can feel really good about it!

An Anniversary of Sorts

2011-03-14T17:15:00.000-07:00

I almost forgot! Today is the 1 month anniversary of my vegetarianism! It's so funny because I didn't know if I could do it and even considered only trying to go "meat-free" for two weeks. I also have a veggie friend at work who suggested I just try to "cut back" at first and only allow myself to eat chicken or beef 1-2 times per week. Haha, friend, no need to cut back for me!

So, I am proud to say that I did it cold turkey and haven't missed a beat. Honestly, I really haven't missed eating meat at all, and I haven't had any cravings for it either!

So, here's the deal: As of now, I have no plan to eat meat anytime soon. I will continue this process for as long as it feels comfortable- as long as I don't feel like I am lacking anything nutritionally and as long as I don't feel like I am really missing out.

Oh, and I was kind of excited the other night when, after placing my dinner order at a restaurant, the waitress said, "you're a vegetarian aren't you?" Well yes, I guess you could say I am!

And on a totally unrelated, random note, I'm obsessed with this metallic polish! I want it on my toes right this minute!

Happy Monday!

MEDALS!

2011-03-14T13:57:00.000-07:00

So, if you read my blog (yes, I'm talking to both of you out there in cyberland), you might remember this post where I talked about my obsession for medals. And, yes, I'm still obsessed, and happy to report that I will (hopefully) be receiving at least 3 more medals between now and May 1st since I am signed up for 3 more 1/2 marathons.

So, since I am sooooo proud of my hard-earned medals, I decided that I needed a place to show them off. And, what better place is there than the LAUNDRY ROOM?!?!? But, I did make these hangers for them, and I am pretty proud. The one on the right is the husband's since he is the triathlete, and mine is the one that says "live inspired" because that is the saying on my Road ID.

Please notice whose display has more bling- thank you very much!

Today was That Day

2011-03-03T18:36:00.000-08:00

Ever have one of those days that just seems perfect because you are busy all day with things that you want to do?

Today was one of those days for me!

It started off with an amazing hour of private yoga. Trust me, I didn't book a private lesson- it just happened that way, but it was fantastic! And if you live within 50 miles of Tulsa, please check out Cozy Yoga in Bixby!

Next, the husband took me out for lunch at a local chinese/vietnamese vegetarian restaurant- Be Le. It was fun to try a new restaurant and be able to order anything on the menu!

Then, I went on a treasure hunt at my favorite junk shop. I took this picture because I thought the sign was cute and texted it to the husband to get his opinion. Of course, he didn't care. I didn't buy it, but I kinda think maybe I should have?!?! it's cute and vintage-y!

I came home, changed my clothes and headed to the river trails for a 6 mile run in my new kicks.

And finally finished the evening in front of our new chimenea.

Today was perfection, but tomorrow I have to go back to work and am not looking forward to it!

Diet Ice Cream

2011-03-03T16:41:00.000-08:00

Do you believe it? Do you believe there's such a thing?

Well, there is a lot of reduced calorie, reduced fat or otherwise "diet"ice cream out there, but it generally ends up being almost as bad for you as the regular stuff or giving you the worst stomachache ever (read: gas).

But, (supposedly) not this stuff...

It is low calorie, zero fat, and just about zero everything else. And, it doesn't upset your stomach like the other stuff might.

So, what's the catch? It tastes like flavored ice! There's not a whole lot that's creamy about this stuff.

The husband and I bought the chocolate peanut butter and cookies and cream flavors last night (to the tune of $4.50 each) and we tried them both. CPB was a total let down, and while the c&c was somewhat tasty, it was gray!

So here's the deal, if you are on a diet and you might die immediately if you don't have a bite of ice cream, go ahead and try it. it might satisfy that craving. But unless it's a life or death situation, I'd stick with the good stuff!

Baby Bump!

2011-02-25T14:07:00.000-08:00

Haha! Got your attention, didn't I?

No, but seriously, I had this conversation with one of my patients yesterday:

him: You're pregnant?
me: Nope, it's just a food baby.
him: Oh, it's left over from your first baby?

...........COULD THIS GET ANY WORSE?...........

me: NO! It's just a food baby!
him: So, it's your 3rd baby?
me: wow, ok. no, it's just food. my stomach's full, ok?
him: ah, a food baby. Yeah, I have one of those too.

Aren't you supposed to not say anything like this to any woman ever unless you actually see a baby falling from her vajayjay?

Has this ever happened to you? How do you respond?

BTW, mom and dad, I am not in any way, shape or form pregnant.

Is it MOOSTASH or MUSTASH?

2011-02-23T18:26:00.000-08:00

I wasn't going to post anything tonight because I had a crappy day at work and I'm tired.

But then I started thinking, wouldn't it be fun to have a dinner party?

And serve Italian food.

And lots of red wine.

And make ALL of the guests wear a moustache....women included.

Maybe like this...

Or this...

Or even this...

But maybe this isn't such a good idea in case I end up looking like this...

Minus the cigarette of course- because smoking is just plain gross.

The Three B's of Racing

2011-02-21T13:34:00.000-08:00

The husband and I completed a 15K this past weekend in the Tulsa area. While we had fun and it was good exercise, I didn't come away with that "oh my gosh, that was fun" feeling that I normally have after an organized event. So, since race fees can add up quickly, I started thinking about what makes a good race for me and came up with the 3 B's. Before signing up for another race, I will look for the following:

1. BLING! I was a little disappointed when I finished 9.3 (actually 9.5 but who's counting?) miles on Sunday and no one was standing at the finish line to put some bling over my head. I know it was only a 15K, but us runners really like our medals...so much so that we sometimes choose our races based on the coolest medals. And it doesn't even have to be a medal per se, a Tiffany's necklace will suffice (yes, there is really a race that gives out Tiffany jewelry)!

2. BENEFICIARY! Now I know that not all races can afford to provide medals. For instance, one of my favorite races this year was the local Humane Society 5k- we got a t-shirt but no bling. Would I do it again? Absolutely, but only because I truly believe in the beneficiary of the race and would like to see the race bring in all the money it possibly can. So, what I am saying is that if the race benefits an organization I believe in, I will spend the money to support it. Oh, and this race was also one of my favorites because I got 2nd place in my age group, and I am pretty sure that this turtle will never see that happen again!

3. BEHIND! Like I just said, I am SSSSLLLLLLLOOOOOWWWWW. I run between a 9:30 and 11:30 minute mile and I am ok with that. I will never be fast, and that's ok, but I don't want to be last! So, before registering for a race, I have to make sure that there are enough participants that I won't be last. 'Nuff said.

So, what makes for a good event for you? What was your favorite race? And, what race has the best bling?

2011-02-21T13:24:00.000-08:00

If you will remember, I said I am trying vegetarianism for 1 month because it is something I have always wanted to do. I know it is not for everyone, and I AM NOT trying to push my views on anyone. I am doing this for myself. However, since the picture above sums up my feelings and motivation, I had to share.

I have officially been a veggie for one full week now, and I am happy with my decision thus far. I have found myself eating things I would normally not eat just for nutrition's sake. For instance, I went to the mall food court for lunch today, and instead of ordering my usual chick-fil-a chicken sandwich, large fries and coke zero, I went to the cajun stand next door and ordered a veggie platter with red beans, green beans, rice and mac-n-cheese. Also, instead of my usual chocolate ice cream breakfast, I had a Luna Bar. So, even though I can't tell a difference on the scale yet, I know I am making better food choices because I am forced to think about what I am putting in my mouth! I don't miss anything yet, but there may come a time when I miss my McDonalds, Chick-Fil-A and Indian food. We'll see.

On another note, if you have a couple of hours to spare, watch Food, Inc. It wasn't as sad as I expected although there are some scenes that are very hard to watch. I was definitely enlightening though!

I Took the Pledge

2011-02-15T16:14:00.000-08:00

I knew I wanted to write this post, but I wasn't exactly sure what to say or even where to start. So, I google vegetarianism, and of course, the first thing that popped up was PETA's website.

And within 35 seconds of being on the site, a ticker said that 66,000 animals had been killed since I logged on. I read a few animal facts, and was immediately in tears.

I'm not saying that this is a lifetime decision; I'm giving it 30 days and will then re-evaluate based on how my body feels.

I'm not saying that this is a decision for everyone; humans seem to be carnivores by nature.

But, I am saying that since I have become increasingly disgusted with myself everytime I have eaten an animal within the last few monghts, I am taking a pledge to not eat meat for 30 days.

For me, personally, this is about a love of animals, and the thought that I do not want one animal slaughtered for my enjoyment.

The husband is still very much a meat-eater and will continue to be since he is one of those people who thinks he will die without some sort of meat with every meal.

Anyway, I started this process yesterday, Valentines Day, and watched as the husband devoured a steak with his dinner. I didn't miss it one bit!

So, in honor of this journey and to help kick it off, we our watching this movie tonight.

I just hope I don't cry through the whole thing!

This Weekend and Other Randomness

2011-02-10T09:10:00.000-08:00

This weekend, I'm headed to New Orleans with the girls to run really fast in my first 1/2 marathon since 2006! Yep, I'm doing the Rock and Roll New Orleans, and I was kidding about the running fast part because I actually jog vvvvveeeeeerrrrrryyyyy ssssssllllllllooooooowwwwwlllllyyyyy. My goal is to finish in under 2:30, so I'll let you know how I do.

Since the run is not until Sunday and I will have some other time to kill, this is what I plan on doing...
-spending ridiculous amounts of time and money on all of the amazing running clothes and accessories that the expo has to offer. Bondi Band, here I come!
-spending ridiculous amounts of time and money on whatever else New Orleans has to offer me. I feel a need to shop. I don't know what for, but I do know it won't be for beads....maybe some voodoo dolls???
-possibly taste-testing a hurricane or two?!?!
-eating, eating, and more eating!

And speaking of eating, guess what I just had for breakfast!

One piece of pizza crust and a couple of spoonfuls of ice cream.

Can we say breakfast of champions? Yes, I have geared my diet toward sustaining me for a long-distance run! Ha

And in the other randomness, here is something you must try...it's heaven in a cardboard container.

Wish me luck this weekend! Please.

Let's Talk About....

2011-02-03T14:25:00.001-08:00

My legs. For just a minute.

They aren't pretty. At least I don't think they are.

I nicknamed them the "half-moons" in college, and since then they have become chubby, little fat-girl legs.

With cellulite.

But, I'm ok with that.

A girl I work with recently told me that she's glad I have "cankles" like hers. Ummm, gee thanks?!?!

But, they take me places.

I have run 100s of miles on them and walked 1000s more.

They get me through 12-hour shifts at the hospital.

And, they are going to carry me across the finish line of a half marathon in just a week and a half.

Sometimes I dress them up in a pair of fabulous Louboutins,

and pretend that the shoes will transform me into a supermodel...with supermodel legs.

And then I remember back to a time in my 20s when my legs looked pretty dang great,

but I was starving.

And for now, I would prefer to enjoy my French Silk ice cream and smorgasbord of candy,

and let my legs continue to be what they are....a metaphor for my life in general.

Not perfect.

But healthy and happy.

P.S. Ignore the stupid look on my face. I couldn't believe my husband was taking pictures and video of me as I crossed the finish line of a recent race.

P.P.S. The shorts I'm wearing are THE BEST running shorts ever, and I just bought my 3rd pair today! You can find them through the Roadrunner link on the right side of the page. They are the women's 6" compression shorts.

Princess for a Day

2011-01-31T13:43:00.000-08:00

Well, I didn't win the camera strap and that makes me really sad. And no one bought it for me either, which is weird because I figured someone would be nice and surprise me. But Daymom bought it on my recommendation, so I guess I will just go over to her house and look at hers and be jealous. Oh well. Sigh.

But maybe the person who would have bought the strap for me decided not to because they want to buy me something way more awesome- say a plane ticket to Orlando to run the Disney Princess 1/2 Marathon?!?!?

I'm dying to go.

Where else can a 32-year-old woman wear this in public?

Paired with something like this...

Or maybe just an outfit like this...

Or maybe all of it together. Ridiculous, gaudy and fabulous.

But, the plane ticket is $380+, and I would probably have to go alone (I know someone running it though), and who knows where I could stay. So, long story short, I don't think it's going to happen. But, for now, I guess I can keep wishing.

Super Powers

2011-01-26T10:50:00.000-08:00

Remember when I set my goals for 2010?

Probably not, but that's ok because I barely remember them myself.

But, it was a goal to take a photography class.

And, I did.

But, I can't say that I'm much better since I still take pictures that look like this...

And this...

But, today, I figured out what would make me an incredible photographer.

This camera strap would probably bring my skills to a whole new level.

Yes, It's THAT cute!

And I'm hoping to win it in the designer's current giveaway.

But if not, it's available at eclecticwhatnot.bigcartel.com if you want to buy it for me!

Some People Just Don't Get It

2011-01-25T20:10:00.000-08:00

...But apparently, most people haven't gotten the memo.

I am amazed every day at how my patients behave. I am a nurse at a local hospital, but you would think it's the Ritz Carlton.

Here's a glimpse into my week so far, and it's only Tuesday...

My day always starts with "get me coffee," "get me juice," "where's my breakfast?", "where's my doctor?"

But, for some reason, my job has been extra brutal lately, and I need to vent. It's 12 hours of this. Every. Day.

Patient 1 yells at me because she can't breathe. I know you can't breathe. That's why you are here. And, I'm sorry you can't breathe, but I'm pretty sure that I didn't force you to smoke those 2 packs of cigarettes every day FOR SIXTY YEARS!

Patient 2 yells at me because the woman across the hall is confused and yelling. Dude, I know it's annoying, but I do not have time to write up a new hospital-wide policy for screamers, even though YOU think I should.

Patient 3 yells at me because the pharmacy discarded her used nasal medication AFTER SHE WENT HOME. Hmmmm, would she rather we re-use it on someone else? Mail it to her? Keep it in storage just in case she decided someday to come back for it? Lady, it wasn't yours to take home anyway- it doesn't work that way.

Patient 4 yells at me because I am asking too often to assist her to the restroom. Patient 4's family yells at me because "mom" is "going" in a diaper instead and they want her to go to the bathroom IN THE BATHROOM. Here's an idea- maybe the family could work this out with mom and not blame me?!??!

A doctor yells at me b/c a patient won't leave the hospital after being discharged. Doctor tells me to kick him out. So now I'm the hospital bouncer?

I think you get the picture.

But, next time you're in the hospital, please be kind to your nurses- it's true- we are there to save your ass....not kiss it.

Why oh why

2011-01-21T18:17:00.000-08:00

has nobody told me about this website before? I can relate.

Fifteen Memories Since May

2011-01-21T16:09:00.000-08:00

I'm back, and this is my 100th post! Woo-hoo! I figured I couldn't quit on 99- that's just weird. Plus, I received an email this week that went something like this...."I tried to become a follower of your blog, but I can't figure out how to. I was thinking that if you got some more followers, you might consider blogging again?!?! Think about it." Ok, so the message was from my mom, but still, at least someone's paying attention.

Anyway, since it's been awhile, here's 15 things that have happened since May.

1. We spent a week in Austin-ate a lot, did some shopping, watched a good friend say "I do" and watched my husband complete his first Olympic-distance triathlon.
2. I turned 32.
3. The husband took me to San Fran and Napa for my b-day.
4. Started a new full-time job at the local hospital.
5. Spent lots of time at the lake.
6. Returned to my old job part time (in addition to the hospital job).
7. Ran a 5k after not running for months- it was sad.
8. Ran a 5k after taking up running again- got 3rd place in my age group!
9. Started training for a 1/2 marathon- RnR New Orleans.

10. Went to Midland to see the husband's cousin tie the knot.

11. Dressed up as Flo from the Progressive commercials for Halloween. The husband was Justin Beiber.
12. Missed out on Thanksgiving b/c I was at work.
13. Took the husband to Playa del Carmen for his 32nd b-day and spent the trip in the hotel with Strep.
14. Celebrated with my little bro after he proposed to his long-time girlfriend.
15. Watched every minute of Real Housewives of Beverly Hills, Big Bang Theory, Parenthood, Modern Family and Teen Mom.

Two Things Tuesday

2010-05-25T17:31:00.000-07:00

1- Have you tried these yet? The new Pretzel M&Ms are incredible and only 3 points for a 1-serving bag! You have to try them, especially if you love sweet-and-salty combo snacks, but be sure to buy the individual serving packages because it's really hard to stop otherwise!

2- OK, so I skipped out on my weigh-in this week because I felt like I would have yet another stagnant week. We now have a scale in the bathroom, so I know FOR SURE that the needle hasn't moved anywhere. Plus, I have been feeling so fat and bloated lately since I haven't been exercising like I was. But, I'm getting back on track! My goals for this week are to journal/record all of my points and to run 2 miles 4 times. Easy enough, right?!?!

An Itsy Bitsy Teeny Weeny

2010-05-11T19:59:00.000-07:00

I bought a new bikini this week

a pink and turquoise one

not so much because I would be caught dead in it

I won't

not right now anyway

but I figured for $7 I could hang it in my closet

and maybe it will give me inspiration

to lose 10 more lbs.

And yes, I was the girl taking my own picture

in a bikini

in the Target dressing room

but for now, I'll keep them to myself

I'm not that brave...

yet.

April Showers Bring May....

2010-05-11T19:52:00.000-07:00

TORNADOES!!! If you know anything about Oklahoma weather, you know that it's not a matter of "if" the tornadoes will arrive each Spring but "when" they will arrive. Well, we got 'em last night and there was significant damage in several cities across the state. Sadly, there were also a few deaths. We were lucky; the storms had settled before reaching our neck of the woods, but we were ready and waiting with plans to hide out in the hallway bathroom if we needed. It wouldn't be the first time and probably not the last either, but it still doesn't change my mind that I live in a great state.

A Whole Lot of Randomness

2010-05-06T12:49:00.000-07:00

The husband surprised me with tickets to game 6 of Round 1 of the playoffs, which means I got to see the Thunder play the Lakers on Friday night. It was a blast! We lost by 1 point, but I have never had so much fun at a sporting event!

We went to Weight Watchers on Monday, and I was expecting a HUGE gain b/c we missed last week's weigh-in and I hadn't been making good food choices. I only gained 0.6 though and I was happy with that. I am trying to run again, but the sciatica/piriformis issue/ pain in the ass/ whatever it is is still very annoying. BUT, the above picture is of me following a run....not dressed as a clown (as my mom said).

Food Find: I am a carboholic, and was sad when I thought that I would have to eat whole wheat pasta for the rest of my life. I don't like it. SO, I found this stuff this week and it's great! Plus, it only has 3 WW points per serving!

Here is what a serving looks like. I just added one serving of 0 point broccoli and cheese and it was VERY filling.

Last night, we went over to my BIL's house for some 10:30 pm fajitas. Doesn't everybody eat dinner at 10:30? Anyway, I think moths are creepy, but I had to take a picture of this one on the husband's shoulder....since I put it there.

And today, I bought the hipstamatic app for my phone and it takes the greatest pictures! Here's Fletcher, the fluffy dog from the previous post.

And here's Nellie, the little dog that we gave the bad haircut to the other day. She looks sad. She's not though; I promise.

That's all I got for now, but thanks everyone for your running advice! I love your comments!

Monday Minute

2010-05-03T10:52:00.000-07:00

So today I was planning to blog about what I just ate for lunch or the "art" I made for the husband for Valentines Day but never showed you. But instead, I think I'll play along with Ian's Monday Minute, which I found courtesy of Tammy. I'm joining in because I like the questions. They remind me of questions I would ask the husband. You should join in too, and let me know if you do because I want to read your answers!

1 - How much would you have to be paid to eat a human cadaver's finger?
Whatever amount I could live well on for the rest of my life without working. 5 million? BTW, I asked the husband the other day how much I would have to pay him to cut off his pinky or one of his toes. He didn't want to play.

2 - Describe the worst physical fight you've ever been in.
In high school, a fellow cheerleader punched me in the stomach because I pointed and that was apparently more rude than punching someone in the stomach.

3 - Name one song that if you never heard it ever again, you'd be thrilled.
Me So Horny, but only because my friend played it in the jukebox on Saturday and it livened the place up.

4 - Describe the "drunkest" situation you've ever been.
St. Patricks Day 2006. It was the only time I have ever "celebrated" SPD, and the night ended with me not able to tell my "driver" which house was mine. I was awake, but couldn't recognize my own house, and when I couldn't get my key in the door, she thought someone was going to call the cops b/c we were at the wrong house. She yelled to me from the car that we were at the wrong house, and I SPRINTED back to her car and got in...scared the cops were on their way. It was my house.

5 - What's your biggest regret?

Not taking advantage of the past 8 months of not working and traveling the world or doing something really incredible. Also, not studying abroad or doing Semester at Sea in college when my dad offered to pay for it. I was afraid my boyfriend would cheat on me if I was gone. He cheated anyway!

Easy Reads

2010-05-02T11:55:00.000-07:00

I just got on my local library's website to look for a book that I am interested in reading. I was going to buy it, but I love that I can save $100s each year by checking out books and CDs instead of buying them. I know, I know....the artists and authors hate me, but half the time I don't read the books or like the music enough to put it on my IPOD anyway, so at least I didn't waste any money!

Anyway, I found the book I was looking for and requested it, but I was wishing while I was on the site that I could think of some other books to request. I LOVE it when I stumble upon a book that I am so into that I look forward to getting into bed at night to read. Plus, the weather here is so nice right now, it is the perfect time to sit on the patio with a book while the dogs play at my feet.

So, since I sincerely appreciate literary recommendations, I would like to give you a few of my own. BUT, I must preface this by saying that the 3 books I am about to recommend are nothing more than GREAT stories. They are written by real people with a story to tell....NOT professional writers, and you must keep that in mind when reading them. Just enjoy these books for the story they tell.

Number 1 and one of my all time favorite books is Left for Dead by Beck Weathers. Weathers is a husband, father and dreamer who aspired to summit Mt. Everest, and when he finally got the chance he was caught in one of the deadliest storms of the mountain's history. As the book's title indicates, he was left for dead by his climbing team, but was incredibly fortunate to live to tell his story. I love this book because it is not as technical as other sport's related stories I have read. Instead, Weathers tells his story from the perspective of a mountaineer, husband and father and relates his climbing decisions and their repercussions back to each aspect of his life.

Next, I highly recommend My Lobotomy by Howard Dully. I'm not gonna lie, I only bought this book because it was cheap and I had a gift card to Borders that was burning a hole in my pocket. But Dully's story was so unbelievable, I found myself wanting more even after I had read the entire book, so I followed up the novel by listening to his story again on NPR.

As a child, Dully had a lot of energy like most boys his age, but he also had a stepmother who didn't understand his behavior and attributed it to psychological issues. Her solution was to take him to Dr. Walter Freeman who, for $200, performed an "ice-pick" lobotomy on the boy to "fix" him. Now, at 54 years-of-age, Dully revisits his youth and his medical records to paint a tragic picture of what his "guardian" did to him.

And last, if you are looking for a REALLY fast read, pick up Mistaken Identity by the Van Ryn and Cerak families. When the daughters of these two families were involved in a tragic car accident, one family was notified of their daughter/sister's death and the other family spent months at the ICU bedside of the girl they were told was their daughter. However, as this title also indicates, the girls were identified incorrectly following the accident, leading to what would become another story of faith, hope and unbelievable courage and strength. Trust me, you will laugh, cry and stay awake until you finish this book!

So, what are some of your favorite page-turners? What books can you not stop thinking about long after they have begun to collect dust on the shelf?

Hope everyone had a great weekend and happy reading!

Tonight, I'm Sad

2010-04-28T20:37:00.000-07:00

Yeah that's right. I'm sad but in a super happy way. Here's the deal....

I don't have anything really sad going on. In fact, all of my sadness has a reverse/flip side that makes me realize just how fortunate I am.

Like this....

I'm sad because I don't have any money to go shopping with....but I've taken an 8-month "vacation" by choice.

I'm sad because I can't run due to right leg pain....but I have an excuse not to exercise.

I'm sad because the husband and I gave our sweet girl puppy a butchered hairdo tonight....but she's still cute and she seems to like it.

I'm sad because I have to THOROUGHLY clean the house tomorrow....but that's because mom and dad are coming to visit.

I'm sad because I missed ww this week and feel like I have gained weight....but the husband took me out to 2 amazing restaurants to celebrate our anniversary.

I'm sad because I haven't found my dream job yet....but I have turned down two job offers.

I'm sad because I've lost a good friend...and there's no "but" about this one.

OK...time to get over it.

Feminine Hygiene

2010-04-18T17:02:00.000-07:00

The husband and I had lunch at the grocery store today. I know that sounds weird, but Reasor's is our go-to spot when we can't agree on anything else, so we usually eat there around 3 times a week. Anyway, it worked out perfectly that we ate there today since I needed to pick up some feminine products...that way we could actually kill two birds with one stone.

Here is the conversation between the husband and I that ensued from the Tampon aisle....

him: Are you scared to buy tampons?

me: No. I'm 31 years old.

him: Well, do not get that (generic) brand. They might make you sick.

me: K. Fine. I'll get the expensive ones.

him: K. Let's go.

me: No, hang on. I'm not done yet.

him: What? You need maxi pads too? I thought only 80-year-olds wear maxi pads.

me: No. These are panty liners.

him: What are they for?

me: Protection.

him: Oh for overflow?

me: Sure.

him: Do you need a plastic shoe-box to keep all of these in? (I gave him a look). Are you gonna put some of your new tampons and maxi pads in your purse?

me: Probably, but they're not maxi pads. (I opened the box to show him how thin they are).

me: You can't say that's "maxi" anything.

him: Flat screen tvs are getting thinner and thinner too aren't they?

I'm not sure I understand the logic there, but I always think it's funny to hear guys talk about "that time of the month."

Hope you had a great weekend, everyone!

Friday Fragments

2010-04-16T11:21:00.000-07:00

Let's face it, cooking scares me and cookbooks are not my friend- they stress me out. If a recipe has more than 4 ingredients, forget it. And if I have to make a trip to the grocery store, nevermind. But, I have been wanting to try out some of the food from the latest Hungry Girl cookbook (Mac & Cheese and Smores Sundae, anybody?), and I figured the only way I would get my chance was to buy it and cook it up myself. So, I picked up a copy at Best Buy yesterday when I went in to get an ab workout DVD.

Anyway, to say that I am excited about this book is an understatement. Some of these recipes look incredible and they are all low calorie, low fat and low point. I made the Mac and Cheese today, and while the cauliflower in it isn't my favorite thing in the world, I got a huge bowl of food for only 4 points. I was stuffed, and it will definitely do the trick for a Mac & Cheese craving! Next on the list, maybe some HG French Toast or a Sundae!

In other news, I bought a pair of white jeans last night, and even though I am excited about the pants themselves, I am most excited about the fact that they are a size 6! Two months ago, I was trying on 10s and 12s.
And sadly, I have had a pain in the butt this week. Literally. I don't know what I did differently, but ever since my 6.71 mile run on Saturday, I have been babying a pain that extends from my right buttock to my right knee. And I am so frustrated. I want to run. I need to run. Of course I am no doctor, but I'm pretty sure this is piriformis syndrome/ sciatica. Anyone know how to fix it? Should I just run through it? Help!

That's all I know today.

Happy Friday and have a great weekend!

A New Favorite

2010-04-13T10:01:00.000-07:00

I'm not really gonna go into all of the details of what makes up my new favorite non-alcoholic beverage. Frankly, I don't know and I don't care. What I do know is that it is AWESOME! I found this drink at 7-11 after my (just under) 7 mile run on Saturday, and it was surprisingly refreshing in my wind-blown, sweaty state. Honestly, I was looking for low-cal Gatorade, but they didn't have any, and I am so glad they didn't. This drink was a substitute for water, which I don't particularly care for, it has ZERO calories and it tastes great. It is a little expensive...I think it was $1.59/bottle, but it is now my go-to convenience store treat. And, if you're in the mood to try it, check out the Pear flavor; it's my favorite of the 3 that I've tried so far.

Have a great Tuesday!

Running, Snakes and Dead Bodies. Oh My.

2010-04-06T13:29:00.000-07:00

According to my 1/2 marathon training schedule, I was supposed to run 8 miles on Saturday- "supposed to" are the operative words here, as I didn't even come close. I think I was able to run something like 2.5 miles, cursing at the cars, the grass, the hills, and my new hydration system the whole way. It was miserable.

So, after our weigh-in last night, I decided I would partially make up the miles that I missed on Saturday and run 5 instead of the 3 that were scheduled. Again, I was cussing the cars, the people, the hills and everything that crossed my path, especially the broken water fountain at mile 4.

And here is a sampling of the other things going through my head during this 5 Mile Run of Turture...

-Man, that guy is totally creepy. Why is he walking around down here by himself. I should have brought my mace, but that might make my arm tired. Where would I keep it?

-What would I do if a snake crossed my path? Probably run really fast. Or have a heart attack and die and then the creepy guy would try to give me mouth-to-mouth.

-I wonder if there are any dead bodies over there.

-This sucks. I'm miserable. I'm gonna die. Who said I could run 5 miles anyway? Who's stupid idea is it for ME to train for a 1/2 marathon. I'm gonna die. I have to walk or I'm gonna die.

Sounds fun right? My psyche and I are at odds and I need some serious help/encouragement. Please. Runner's how do you get through it? How do you motivate yourself when you want nothing more than to quit?

So, I guess Karma's a bitch and she came for me today (probably for all of these negative thoughts) because look what I stepped on....

And I didn't even have a heart attack and die.

By the way, in case you have been following or even care, I lost a little over 2 lbs this week, making my total weight loss so far 21.2 lbs!

The Games People Play

2010-04-05T10:44:00.000-07:00

My family is full of traditions, and we have some for every holiday. Christmas morning stockings, brunch and pickle hunting, huge birthday celebrations, 4th of July at the lake and Easter games. And because the grown adult children (my brothers and myself) have no kids of our own, we still get to play the games, and they are always a blast.

So my super-creative mom comes up with the games each year and they always vary. Last year, we had a balloon animal-making contest, for which my brother made a car and my husband made a sweater vest....yes, they made these out of those long clown balloons. We have hunted Easter eggs, played relay games and dice games, but this year, our golf game took the cake.

My mom bought these toy golf sets at Wal-Mart- one for each of us- and set up a 9-hole golf course around the lake house. It was complete with pins, hazards and pars and we spent a good few hours outside completing all nine holes of golf in our first mini tournament. Needless to say, we spent the afternoon laughing, and it certainly helped my golfing case that the boys had already played 18 holes of real golf and had come home less than sober.

So, with a score of 47, yours truly was the winner (against 3 boys) and took home the incredible cash prize of $10, which may just go toward a manicure!

Here's to traditions and a very Happy Easter!

Weekly Weigh-In

2010-03-30T19:45:00.001-07:00

This picture looks familiar doesn't it? You probably remember it from this post, except that the woman's boob miraculously shrunk. Thank God. So, I just had to post it again- mainly because I cracked up typing the word "boob." I'm like a 14-year-old boy...or my husband.

Anywho, yesterday was Monday, which means that I had to stand on the scale in front of "weightwatchersjulie" as I like to call her. No big deal....she really is one of the best leaders I have ever had, but that's beside the point.

So, I wore my usual workout gear minus any jewelry (wedding ring and earrings) and lotion b/c those things could really weigh me down and stood on the scale waiting for wwj to tell me how well I did this week. After all, I ran just under 20 miles in the week since I had last weighed.

But, it didn't work out that way; the scale did not read in my favor. Instead, it turned out that I gained 0.8 lbs. Again. The same amount that I gained about 3-4 weeks ago and 3-4 weeks before that. I think I'm noticing a trend here. But since I am a woman, I guess I don't have a choice.

Better luck next week I suppose.

Oh and on the positive side of life, I am training for a 1/2 marathon or 2 and completed my 6 mile run on Sunday and it went really well. And since I have been running pretty regularly again, I have picked up some pretty specific product preferences/recommendations that I can't wait to tell you about....soon.

Sweet dreams!

Calling All (female) Runners...

2010-03-25T11:16:00.000-07:00

If you are a woman and you love to run, you have to head over to Running Diva Mom's Blog this instant for a chance to win everything in this picture! That's a lot of awesome stuff! While you're there, check out the rest of her blog too. She's a great running inspiration and does lots of really good product reviews. Good luck!

My Armpits are Convex

2010-03-23T16:44:00.000-07:00

Have you ever noticed that all of the skinny people of the world have concave armpits? Seriously, look around (especially at the actresses on tv) and you'll see. Their armpits dent in so much that they could probably hide stuff in there. "No need for a purse tonight. I've got my id, phone and lipstick in my armpit." OK, so maybe this is something that everyone but me already knows, but I have only very recently- like in the past 18 minutes- decided that the armpit just may be the best measure of skinny. And that's what I'm gonna go by...for now at least.

So, last night was my weekly weigh-in and it went better than expected! I lost another 3pointsomething lbs, bringing my grand total to 19.6. The Husband has now lost 22 lbs too and he will get really upset if I forget to mention it on here, so now you know. But, although I am thrilled with having lost almost 20 lbss my armpits don't yet cave like I would like.

Anyway, after we went to the meeting, we went down to the river and The Husband rode 10 miles on his bike and I ran 4. I would like to do another 1/2 marathon soon and according to my training schedule I needed to run 3. I chose to do 4 anyway because I am an overachiever like that. Actually, my new Garmin gives me magical running powers. More on those to come....someday.

Then, on the way home I made him take me to McDonald's because heck, I love their food. I love any fast food. And since you can eat anything on Weight Watchers (as long as you count it), I opted for one of these...

and one of these......
and I sat out in the car and ate them while The Husband went in the grocery to make himself a salad. Who's the overachiever now?

Well, the fast-food turned out to be a bust. The sandwich was too peppery and the fries way too salty. So, I ate about half of each and then made The Husband sit in the car while I went in and made the world's smallest salad. And, when I got back...the rest of my McDonald's was GONE.

Moral of the story: Don't expect your husband to not eat your McDonald's food even if it is gross. AND concave = skinny.

Peace out.

There's a Horse in My House

2010-03-21T20:55:00.001-07:00

First off, this picture looks like something my brothers would have in their house (right next to the random 8x10 Glamour Shot of some girl they've never laid eyes on). That's why I picked it.

So, husband and I, as we are prone to do, had another interesting conversation on the way home from the gym tonight. I think it really exemplifies our intellectual sides.

Oh and I should preface this by saying I graduated high-school with a guy who wrote a term paper on the meaning of "deep." He was admittedly stoned when he wrote it, but he got a 100%. And, this is the opposite...

H(usband): Wouldn't you hate to be a horse and have to walk around in that snow all the time?

M(e): yep

H: If I had a horse, I would keep it in the house.

M: Would you ride it in the house?

H: Yep, I would have 12 ft. ceilings and one really long hallway, so he could just run up and down.

M: What would you feed it?

H: People food.

M: Me too.

H: And he could just come up to the kitchen island and help himself whenever we are cooking, but it would kinda suck when you leave the kitchen to go to the bathroom and your horse comes in and eats all the food you were making.

Happy Sunday! I promise to write something much better sometime!

To the Oklahoma Weather Gods

2010-03-20T10:50:00.000-07:00

Dear Oklahoma Weather Gods,

Why oh why must you do this to our great state when you have been so nice to us lately? I thoroughly enjoyed my run at the river yesterday, for which I wore shorts and a t-shirt. Granted the shorts did not have the proper elastic and were riding up the whole time (they were too big, thank goodness), nevertheless, it did not stop me from basking in the sunlight on our gorgeous 75-degree day.

And now, you decide to play this mean, mean trick on us? You get our hopes up that Spring has sprung and then this. Let's just say this better be your last hurrah. I am already tempted to move to the always sunny state of California. Don't make me do it!

Sincerely,

Your Fair-Weather Friend

Jello Shots!!!

2010-03-19T18:52:00.000-07:00

My mom called me yesterday, which is weird in and of itself because she NEVER calls me. Yes, we talk at least every day, but it is never because she makes the effort; that stopped when I went to college. "Well, you're in college now, and I don't want to bother you," is what she would say when I asked why she suddenly disappeared off the face of the Earth. And 10 years later she still doesn't call.

Anyway, she was really excited when I answered the phone. And we spent the first few minutes exchanging the customary pleasantries- what are you doing? and how was your date night?- but, I could tell there was something much more important weighing on her mind, and this is how our conversation went...

mom: How was your date night?

me: It was fine. We went to the melting pot.

mom: And the movie? Was it good?

me: Well the glasses hurt my nose, so I had to hold them up the whole time, but it was pretty good. Worth seeing.

mom: Yeah well our movie wasn't good and it made me carsick so I had to spend half the time with my eyes closed.

me: Really? That sucks.

mom: But it's ok because Dad took me to APPLEBEES after (and by this time she's bursting with excitement over her dinner at Applebees).

SIDENOTE: The last time I went to Applebees, not only was my sandwich disgusting but our waiter talked to us in a voice so creepy I'm pretty sure he belonged on the sex offender registry. Not to be crude but that is my experience with that place.

mom: And not only did we get to eat there, but I also got to take jello shots!!!!

Holy weirdness batman...I'm not sure what bothers me more- the fact that my 60-something mother was taking jello shots BY HERSELF at a restaurant or the fact that that restaurant was Applebess!

Yummy Food Find!

2010-03-18T09:10:00.000-07:00

Ok, so if you are on Weight Watchers, are a carb-addict, or just love bagels like I do, you need to find these NOW. Made by Thomas, these bagels are slightly thinner than a regular bagel, but for only 110 calories (and 1 ww point), they definitely do the trick. Just think...slop some Weight Watcher's 1 Point Cream Cheese or some 2% shredded cheese or maybe even some P.B. Loco Chocolate Chip Cookie Dough Peanut Butter (just sayin') and you've got quite a treat! Now go find 'em...trust me! And if you are lucky enough to find the Everything Bagel flavor, please mail me some!

DATE NIGHT!!!

2010-03-17T19:46:00.000-07:00

So, based on my incredible weight-loss skills and the fact that I created a system whereby my husband has to buy me something for every 5 lbs I lose, tonight was date night! Wow...it sounds really sad that I have to lose weight in order to get a date with my husband, but it's my fault- not his. Oh and because I had two rewards come up at once- one for another 5 lbs and the other for sticking to it for another month- I planned a SUPER date, meaning I took over the whole night. And believe me, I made him follow my plan, and he was adamantly against it.

Of course I wanted the Melting Pot; it's my favorite. But, he argued with me the whole way there because he knew that we would be ordering cheese and chocolate fondue and no meat. "And a guy needs his protein." I bribed him by telling him we could order the cheese that comes with the summer sausage dipper and he could have all the sausage to himself. It worked, and as usual, dinner was incredible. Plus, we got out of there y only paying $22 and that is after a $12 tip.

Then, we ventured to the other side of town to the IMAX 3-D to see Alice in Wonderland. I can't believe the stuff these people can create, let alone dream up! It wasn't my favorite movie of all times, but it was definitely impressive and probably worth the $12 ticket. So, overall it was a fun night. Honestly though, the real reason I am telling you this was so I could post the creepy picture of us in our 3-D glasses. Attractive huh? Ugly and they hurt!

Weekly Weigh-In & Some Other Stuff

2010-03-16T09:51:00.000-07:00

Ummm...what's with the ginormous boob?

I guess it's time. I've been putting this off not because I don't have anything to say, but mostly because I'm incredibly lazy right now. But, I figure I need to weigh in because I'm pretty sure I didn't do it last week. So, here goes...

Last Monday, I had lost a total of 4.0 lbs, which was pretty amazing to me since I had hosted a party called "Cupcakes, Cookies and Comfort," for which I bakes all sorts of sweet treats (and wanted to eat all of them). Instead, I tried to limit myself and I sent the leftovers to Josh's work. They were devoured and I felt better because I didn't have to write each tiny cupcake, cookie or brownie in my food journal. BTW, did I tell you that I write down every morsel that enters my mouth?

So, this Monday, my weight was EXACTLY the same. Ugh. But, I won't complain too much because we spent the entire week in Scottsdale and I ate pretty much whatever I wanted. Frozen yogurt with Snickers bar? Sure! Frozen yogurt with heath bar for the 2nd time in one day? Why not; I'm on vacation! So, I'm pretty happy that I didn't gain any weight.

Now, I'm teetering on the edge of the 140s, which means I lose a point. No big deal though...I'll be that much closer to my goal weight (and rewards)!

Are Ess Vee Pee Puhlease

2010-03-07T16:27:00.000-08:00

See that? It's a soapbox. Now, imagine me standing on it. Ok...I'll make this short and sweet.

When I was growing up, there was a class taught to all little girls to make them sweet, prim, proper and all of those sugar-and-spice kind of things. Apparently, I didn't need it because I was never sent there, but I somehow managed to learn some manners somewhere along the way. And to this day, I am continually amazed by the lack of manners of some people.

Now I'm not saying I'm perfect. I am by no means perfect. But, I am very aware of some general rules when it comes to etiquette.

1) Someone gives you a gift, you give them a thank-you note.

2) Don't use your cell phone at dinner or in the middle of a wedding reception.

3) Don't say "shut up."

4) Do say "please" and "thank you."

5) And for the love of God, please RSVP.

And the purpose of this post....and for me standing atop my soap box at the moment....#5.

Ladies and gentlemen, when you are invited to a party, whether it is by me or Kenny G himself, please acknowledge the invitation. If you can make it, great; if not, say so. And if you don't want to come to my party, fine. Just tell me you don't want to come. That way, I will not make a dozen cupcakes and cookies in your honor.

I am done, and I will step down. But, if you remember NOTHING else from this blog, please remember that when an invitation says RSVP, it says it for a reason.

Weekly Weigh-In

2010-03-02T09:14:00.000-08:00

I couldn't sleep last night because I was thinking about all of the things that I needed to blog about. A bunch of fragments really...no great stories...just bits and pieces that really only add up to the fact that I have blogging ADD. Scary. I mean who can't sleep because they are thinking about their blog?

Anyway, first, if you haven't tried this No Pudge Brownie mix, YOU MUST! I was having a serious chocolate attack at the grocery store a few weeks ago and I insisted that the husband buy this for me. He said, "OK, but you're gonna make 'em and eat the whole batch." I said, "No, I won't but I need them really badly," knowing that he was right. I would eat the entire pan in a day or two.

Actually, he wasn't that mean and I'm pretty sure he didn't say "batch," but needless to say, the brownies found a new home in my kitchen. And then, I realized just how fabulous they are. On the back of the box is a single-serving recipe. Yes, folks you can make a warm brownie for yourself in under 2 minutes. Perfection!

And the other thing, I went to WW last night and found out that.....ugh...I gained .8 lbs. Yes, I know it's only .8, but I had a great week; I journaled every day, worked out 3 days and ate in moderation. And because I think I did everything right, I am blaming it on the sodium. So, better luck next week. At least the scale at the gym likes me; I weighed 2.4 lbs. lighter on it last night!

Don't walk....Run!

2010-02-24T19:39:00.000-08:00

If you are within a, oh I don't know, 1000 mile radius of T-Town, run to this place now! It is Dragonmoon Tea Company and it is located around 20th and Harvard. Can I say incredible? I'm obsessed.

I heard about this little treasure from a lady I've never heard of who requested my friendship on Facebook. Although I think that's weird and I usually don't "become friends" with those people, I am pleased with my decision because it led me here. Thanks, weird, random lady.

Anyway, I've been to the tea room twice now and the food has been fabulous both times. I love the Spinach Salad with Chicken Salad on top, and today I tried a pot of chocolate chai tea, which was rich and sweet...perfect for my sweet tooth. I want to go back tomorrow.

Do you think they would notice if I started eating there everyday? Because I might.

P.S. The husband LOVES it too. He thinks it's girly because it's a tea room, so he has me secretly get him food from there. Secret's out, babe.

P.S.S. or is it P.P.S? I stole the picture from the Tulsa Food Blog. Thanks, Tulsa Food Blog.

Peace out.

Weekly Weigh-In

2010-02-23T14:25:00.000-08:00

Ok, so I want to just start off by saying that these aren't actually my feet. I wouldn't necessarily say I have the best feet, but mine are nowhere near that ugly, and my left Biggie doesn't have that much hair on it.

I was informed, however, when I was a sophomore in high school that I have fat feet. I didn't know it until that moment, but I certainly haven't forgotten since. The informant was mad at me for stealing her boyfriend and that was the most hurtful thing she could come up with?

That, my little bitches, was a tangent.

Now for the real deal....I went to WW last night and....drumroll please....

I've lost 13 lbs!!! And, the husband has lost over 14! So, I am now, according to our rewards chart, deserving of a date night. Melting Pot Happy Hour, here we come!

But not tonight because I have photography class where maybe they can teach me how to turn on my DSLR and I can post real pictures for you...at least it will be something other than stock images. Wish me luck.

Happy Tuesday!

A Wish

2010-02-22T11:52:00.000-08:00

I feel like I'm in a sort of funk. Nothing bad, really, and I'm certainly not trying to complain. Seriously, I know I have NOTHING to complaing about. Just with the cold, dreary Oklahoma weather we've been having FOREVER, I'm just ready for a change. That's all.

So, I've been thinking that I want to buy this house.

And move it here. I'm not sure where here is, but is sure is purty.

And of course I'll take my favorite husband with me. And his Jack in a box. Seriously, that's our cat, Jack, and he loves boxes.

And our other pups-kids 'cause we would miss them too much otherwise.

And I would fill the house with these since they are my faves.

And we may come back to visit someday.

But, maybe not.

Happy Monday, everyone! Here's to daydreaming!

H-E-A-R-S-E

2010-02-17T20:53:00.000-08:00

The little brother and his forever girlfriend came to visit last weekend and we headed out on the town to make the rounds. Our first stop was the wonderful flea/antique/garage sale/junk market of fabulousity that sits right here in the middle of my little town. Not kidding. I heart this place and I always walk out with multiple treasures, but that's beside the point.

Anyway, we pulled up and parked next to this car.

Innocent enough, right? I'm sure people who drive hearses need to shop for treasures too.

But, do they have to do it without their teeth?

WTF?

By the way, my dear readers, it only took me about 10 minutes to figure out how to spell hearse.

Poker Run

2010-02-13T10:49:00.000-08:00

I've lost my freaking mind. Guess what the husband and I did this morning in the nice-and-toasty 32 degree (plus wind) weather? Ran 5.37 miles!

I am excited that we did it, but seriously what was I thinking? I used to be a runner. I've even completed a marathon, 1/2 marathon, 10K, 2- 60 mile walks, etc. But, remember folks that I am on weight watchers, and that means that I am overweight and out-of-shape.

So, I've been kind of following a couch to 5k program for the last week or so, and I've done really well, but it was THE FIRST WEEK. Who doesn't do well the first week? Apparently, in my twisted mind I thought "Hey, I can make it through 3 days of this, why not get up at 6:45 on Saturday to run over 5 miles in the freezing cold?" 5.37 to be exact.

The husband rocked it, and I did ok- just happy to finish faster than expected, but the reason it was fun was that we gathered poker cards at 7 stops along the way to make our 5-card poker hand. Then, the organizers had three tables set up with prizes and the people with the best hands got to pick their prize.

According to the director guy with the megaphone, "The table on the left was for the men. The table on the right was for the women, and the middle table was for bisexuals." Do huh? Yes, he really said that! Then, he corrected himself to say the middle table was for ambidextrous people. Obviously, he meant unisex, but it was funny.

We didn't win anything; we both ended up with a pair of 2s, but it was a fun challenge and we got some exercise. I am thinking that when the ta-ta trekker mood strikes again, this might just be the perfect fundraiser!

Friday Fragments

2010-02-12T12:12:00.001-08:00

So, I stole this title from someone (sorry), but it was perfect for what I wanted to say. So I went with it.

First, please check out the husbands hair in this picture. I literally sent this text to his stylist yesterday..."HELP! I'm about to cut his hair myself. It's atrocious!" Still no appointment. And yes, we were in the car when that picture was taken, which means he went out in public like that.

I am so excited about this weekend, not only because it is Valentine's Day, but more so because my little brother and his GF are coming to visit and we have some fun stuff planned! Shopping anyone? Either way, we will start the day with this super fun poker run that I found thanks to Tasha Does Tulsa and end the day with drinks and dinner at the Melting Pot. It doesn't get any better in my world!

I love the Shear Genius show and have always watched it, but I am even more excited now that I saw the previews for the next episode. One of the guys gets sick and one of his competitors says, "Straight guys are such babies." IT'S. SO. TRUE. I just thought maybe I was the only one who thought it, or maybe I wasn't allowed to say it aloud.

Last, the husband and I are giving ourselves a reward for sticking with Weight Watchers for one month. We'll get a treat each month we stick to it. So, for his Feb 11 treat, he chose new running shoes and I am still up in the air. Should I get the latest Hungry Girl book, some nail trimmers for the dogs, a subscription to WW Magazine or a new shirt? So many options!

Happy Valentine's Weekend, Everyone!

Touching Tongues

2010-02-10T13:04:00.001-08:00

Poor dog.

When the husband and I were changing clothes last night to go to the gym, we had this conversation. I now know it's weird, so please don't judge.

Me: What's so funny?

Him: The dogs just touched tongues with each other.

Me: So? Didn't you touch tongues with your brothers when you were little?

Him: Um absolutely not.

Me: Oh. Ok.

Him: Please tell me you didn't touch tongues with your brothers.

Me: Yeah but not in a weird way.

Him: And is there another way?

Me: I get it...you were saving up to touch tongues with your friends when you got older.

Him: What the F***, Mizzle. That doesn't even make sense.

I thought all kids did it.

And if you're bored today, try googling photos of "black hairy tongue." That's always fun.

Like It?

2010-02-06T08:35:00.001-08:00

Yall like my new header?

Because I was bored at 11 last night, I decided I would learn about blog design. I knew nothing. But, as I mentioned in a previous post, I want a custom-designed blog, but just can't justify the expense right now. So, fine, I'll do it myself.

Anyway, I decided to tackle my little project using Photoshop, another program about which I KNOW NOTHING! And I spent the next 4 hours (3am if you can't add) designing this little piece.

Not too shabby if I do say so myself.

And if you don't like it....well, just keep that to yourself :)

Happy Saturday, everyone! I'm off to sell some jewelry. You know you want some.

A V-Day Rubberband Ball

2010-02-04T10:39:00.000-08:00

On the way home from the gym last night, I was being really quiet and I think the husband gets nervous when I get quiet. Seriously, I'm not a loud person by nature, but in this marriage I am the talker.

Well, I was trying to decide which charity I would donate $12000 to. Not that I have $12000 to donate, but if I did, where should it go?

So he asked me what I wanted for Valentines Day.

And I should preface this by saying that I decided and informed him weeks ago that because we don't need anything I was setting a $20 limit on gifts and I was making his.

Him: So, what do you think you want for Valentines Day?

Me: Well, I don't think that's what V Day is for. It's supposed to be romantical.

Him: And I can only spend $20?

Me: Well I actually spent around $30. Just so you know.

Him: Yeah $30 and about 20 man hours. So, that's like $200.

Me: Hmmm...not really. It's not that great (it is though). What's important is that it was made from my heart.

Him: Well I could make you something, but it would probably be along the lines of a rubberband ball and I'm not even sure I could make that.

Me: Oooooooooooohhhhhhhhhhh. Well maybe there is something i want.........

But you have to figure it out yourself because I'm a girl and that's what we do.

Dear Diary, I'm Fat. Sparkle*

2010-02-03T09:48:00.000-08:00

My top 10 reasons for joining Weight Watchers (yet again):

1. Because if I were to ever get pregnant, it is almost definite that I would have reached 200 lbs. if I started at my fighting weight. That is unacceptable.

2. Because all of my fat jeans are starting to get holes in the crotch, so I need to go back to my skinny jeans. It's that or scrub pants, which are just weird if you aren't a working health professional.

3. So my husband can recognize the sexy b**** he married.

4. So his friends will be jealous.

5. So I can wear a bikini at the lake this summer and not have to sit there in the sweltering Oklahoma heat with all of my clothes on.

6. So my half-moons errr legs will look hot in my Louboutins.

7. To learn how to eat something other than fast-food and donuts.

8. So I don't get hemorrhoids. Because that can happen when you are overweight.

9. So I can get another tattoo. I've got a couple in mind.

10. Because I needed a use for my darling journal (see picture above) that one of my favorite soon-to-be-sister-in-laws-if-my-brother-ever-gets-off-his-ass-and-proposes gave to me for my birthday. I keep track of every morsel that goes in thank you very much.

The End

Love, Mizzle

Weekly Weigh In

2010-02-02T08:09:00.000-08:00

Yesterday, I was so excited, so proud of myself because I was going to my WW meeting alone, sans husband. He says he is still into it, and he is still gonna follow the plan, but by skipping the week 4 meeting because he didn't have a good week, I am pretty sure he has already fallen off the wagon.

Anyway, meeting wasn't until 5:30, so I decided to do everything humanly possible to ensured that the scale read in my favor. Read: I didn't eat anything all day because I didn't want to have anything sitting in my stomach that could weigh me down. Anything. So, I drank a cup of coffee to make sure to get everything out that was already there. And by the time 5:00 rolled around, I pulled on my weight watchers uniform and drug my empty body to the church to step on the scale.

0.4 lbs. That's it. A measly .4. That's all I lost.

So, during the meeting, I was thinking "I can do better than this. This next week I am not going to eat at Mahogany or spaghetti and garlic bread or taco salad or an entire bunch of grapes in one sitting. And I will drink water, more than what soaks into my skin in the shower. Because as it turns out, all I drank from Wednesday to Monday was coffee and diet root beer. Not one single glass of H2O.

So the second I got home, husband and I raced to the gym. You know because I had so many calories in my body to burn off and all.

And I did my work on the elliptical machine and then it happened. And I was that girl. The girl who doesn't eat all day and then works out to the point that she passes out right in the middle of all the meatheads.

Ok well I didn't pass out, but I did feel so sick that I had to sit on the cold windowsill with my head between my legs because I didn't think I could make it to the exit without either throwing up, unloading myself, or passing out cold. I even asked husband if I could lay down on the floor, but I could tell he wasn't really in favor of that idea. So, when I felt that he was becoming a little impatient errr embarrassed of me, I made the attempt, but not without grabbing his hand a couple times on the way out, and I guess you aren't supposed to do that...hold hands with a tough guy in the gym in front of other tough guys. Not a good idea.

Anyway, I made it to the car, did a little dry heaving in the parking lot and then curled up in a ball in the seat with my head on the console. I even made a nice little sweat puddle.

I guess that husband was really worried though because he asked me a question and when he didn't hear my response he asked it again with panic in his voice. And then he took my pulse! After years of working in hospice, I guess that's what it comes to.

Well, I made it home, had a snack and felt much better, and after a lecture from husband I will not be going to the gym on an empty stomach. Ever. Again. I cannot risk being that girl. Ever. Again.

Is it Me?

2010-01-31T18:00:00.000-08:00

I called my mom the other night and told her I wanted to get my nose pierced. She got really quiet. She does that when I talk about tattoos too.

So, I sent a text to a friend telling her the same, and she suggested another tattoo instead.

Husband wasn't really for it either, although he did say I can do what I want.

I guess the fact that I was 0 for 3 meant it wasn't gonna be the best look for me.

So, maybe I should go for this hairdo instead. I've always wanted pink hair. Or pink anything for that matter.

Of course, by the time my hair is long enough to go pink, I will be about 60, and then it really won't be a good look.

Ah, what's a girl to do?

Question of the Day

2010-01-31T08:37:00.000-08:00

So, today's question of the day is.......when does one become an official blogger?

I used to ask myself this back when I was trying to become a runner. Is one a runner after a 5k? A marathon? Once a runner, always a runner? Well, probably not the last one.

So, are you a blogger if you post everyday? Every week? Do you need a certain number of followers? Is it when you get comments on every post?

If it's the followers and comments thing that makes one a blogger, please start coming by more often and saying hi when you're here.

I really, really want a pretty, custom-designed blog, but I can't justify the expense until I know that I am a real blogger! Or, if anyone wants to design one for me....

Time is Running Out

2010-01-29T21:05:00.000-08:00

I'm thinking about boycotting M&M (the company) not because they aren't Weight Watchers- friendly, but because I can't find my favorite product anywhere! And I mean I have searched EVERYWHERE, only to find them in a Walgreens in Chicago back in August. Sad that I can find the weird flavor combination of peanut butter and strawberry, but not the oh-so incredible coconut. If anyone knows where to get these, please let me know. I love them.

Lettuce Salad: A Recipe

2010-01-29T11:51:00.000-08:00

You know how some mom's hang things on the refrigerator to show their pride in their children? Well, my mom doesn't. Not anymore at least; her fridge is completely bare. No pictures. No nothing. She may have when we were young. I don't remember. And I am certainly not saying that she isn't proud. I guess she just prefers a clean fridge. Except for this.

This "recipe" was created by my brother and hangs proudly over my parents' stove. It has for years. Let's see...Colby is 30 now, so he must have made this when he was about 28. Kidding. But don't worry, he laminated it, so nothing can hurt it. It will last forever.

In case you can't read it, it says:

Slice tomatoes

Put lettuce in bowl

Add some sliced carrots and white dressing (any white stuff will do?)

Then add sliced cucumbers plus sliced squash and brocolli.

Put salad in refrigerator with sprinkled water for 10 minutes (better set that timer).

Eat it after dinner (it's a dessert salad!).

But my favorite part is the drawing. What is going on with the dog's back side, and is the salad on fire?

Well, if you are stuck inside because of the snow and ice like we are, now you have a new recipe to try out. If you like it, let Colby know though because I am not taking credit for this one!

My brother told me the other night that he reads my blog and I'm not so sure I believe him. Now, I guess we'll see!

A Link...and a smile

2010-01-27T19:33:00.001-08:00

I am sure most of you out there in blogland are already quite familiar with NieNie and her story, but if you are not, you must check them out here. Anyway, I fell in love with her and her darling family after catching her on Oprah this year. At the time, it was her incredible style that I was drawn to, but now that I am caught up on their story, it is so much more. I wish I could be friends with her. I always want to make new friends, and I think she would be a good one.

Anyway, NieNie and her husband, Christian, survived a plane crash, and although they are clearly still struggling with the daily reminders of that accident, it is obvious that their incredible relationship (among other things) will pull them through. They seem to have one of those marriages that any couple wants to emulate, and they inspire me to be a kinder, more loving wife. With Valentine's Day quickly approaching, I am thinking a lot lately about my Valentine and the many, many other things that I am grateful for, and in the spirit of NieNie's blog, I thought I would share my list for today.

Today, I am thankful for:

1. My sweet husband, who filled up my car with gas (without me asking) because I was about to head to the big city.

2. A brother who helped me tonight with the design of sweet husband's V-Day present when I knew he would rather watch basketball.

3. Weight Watchers because I can actually feel my collarbones again.

4. Iced tea with lots of Splenda

5. My incredible mom for stalking her fridge with ww-friendly foods.

6. Dinner at Mahogany with the family (minus a few members who were dearly missed).

It's Not a Diet...

2010-01-26T08:42:00.000-08:00

It's a lifestyle change....haha. I checked in on my "lifestyle change" yesterday at my weekly weigh-in to see how I was doing, and I was a little disappointed to learn that I only lost 2 lbs. last week. 2 lbs. is 2 lbs. though, and I should be happy with that. I should be thrilled, but after last week's 6.4, I don't think anything would have seemed enough. Anyway, I have now lost 8.4 (I can add), and it has been much easier than it should be. I'm exercising, journaling, counting my points and eating chips, queso and the Mexican Kiss at Juanita's and Dynamite Shrimp at In the Raw. Did I just admit that?

10 Things You Probably Didn't Know About Me...

2010-01-25T08:05:00.000-08:00

1. I recycle...not paper, not cans, not anything that I should recycle. Nope. I recycle dryer sheets, and by recycle I mean use them more than once. I always add a fresh one, but there are usually two or three in any dryer load.

2. I have always worried about not having enough friends, but as I grow older I am much more concerned with quality, not quantity. And I've been thinking a lot lately about what makes a good friend.

3. I love the library and I get excited just thinking about going there. Where else can you get endless hours of FREE entertainment in any city? I especially love checking out CDs and making new Ipod playlists. Sorry Itunes but you're too expensive for me these days.

4. I am a huge advocate of animal rescues. Yes, I have bought from a breeder, and I love my dog dearly, but I am still slightly ashamed that I bought. Please rescue and have your pets spayed/neutered.

5. I have some sort of an anxiety-provoked mental issue whereby I pick my skin off until my digits bleed. Fingers, toes...it doesn't matter. Yes, it is painful. No, I can't stop. There is an actual scientific term for this, but I can't remember it at the moment.

6. I have zero willpower in the dessert category. I can pass up any other type of food, but if it has loads of sugar in it, count me in!

7. I LOVE garage and estate sales.

8. Besides Big Bang Theory and Reba reruns, I only watch reality TV. Tough Love, Intervention, The Real Housewives, Everest, Little Miss Perfect, Hoarders....these are my shows!

9. I write left handed but do EVERYTHING else right handed.

10. I could never relate to how military families feel when they have a loved one overseas until today. I just found out that my cousin is deploying soon and it is such a scary feeling.

In Case You Are Bored

2010-01-24T17:21:00.000-08:00

Ok people... I am not trying to be rude or crude or crass here, but I have what I believe is a funny story. I wasn't going to share it with you for fear of offending someone until I read this post on the joys of tampon insertion (it's funny; it really is) and laughed out loud. So, I figured I may as well risk it and share the wealth; you never know who might need a good laugh.

I was laying on the bed the other day. J was at work and Fletcher (our big dog) was laying on J's pillow watching me on the computer. With just me and the animals at home, the house was pretty quiet, so I was quite caught off guard when Fletcher farted OUT LOUD. And I mean loud. Up until that point I didn't know that dogs could make auditory emissions. But, I guess it caught him off guard too because he looked at me with that "Did I really just do that out loud?" kind of look and then turned to look at his butt to see where the noise had come from. I honestly think he was a little embarrassed.

Well, like I said, I didn't know that dogs could produce loud ones like that so I decided to do a little research. Yes, I spend many hours a day doing "research" on the strangest, most meaningless topics out there. Today's topic was John Phillips of the Mamas on the Papas, and I was mostly just looking for pictures of his trackmarked arms. More to come on that later.

So, I googled "do dogs fart out loud," which I obviously already knew the answer to but was trying to understand why I had never heard it before. And I came across a website called smellypoop.com. You can check it out for yourself if you have any lingering (no pun intended) questions about the bowel system, but I must say it is pretty gross. Not only does it answer every related question you can ever come up with, it also suggests that you try this simple experiment...just in case you are bored...

How much gas does a normal person pass per day?

On average, a person produces about half a liter of fart gas per day, distributed over an average of about fourteen daily farts.
Whereas it may be difficult for you to determine your daily flatus volume, you can certainly keep track of your daily numerical fart count. You might try this as a science fair project: Keep a journal of everything you eat and a count of your farts. You might make a note of the potency of their odor as well. See if you can discover a relationship between what you eat, how much you fart, and how much they smell.

People, I couldn't make this up if I tried (nor would I ever want to). But why oh why does this author think that anyone would ever try this "science fair project"? Like I said, I hope I'm not offending anyone. Being a nurse, it is sometimes a little too easy to find the humor in bodily functions that other people find repulsive!

A Letter to Cesar Millan

2010-01-22T11:50:00.000-08:00

Dear Cesar,

I'm at my wits end and I need your help. Back in November I adopted this precious little thing from the Humane Society, and although she looks tiny, she will be a year old this month. When I brought her home, she was as sweet as can be- not quite housebroken, but crate trained and willing to learn. We followed the same steps with her as with our other dog (who is fully housebroken) and it was working. She would go to the door when she needed to potty. The only problems occurred when we were sleeping or didn't see her waiting by the door, so needless to say, we were pretty pleased with her progress.

Then the holidays came and went and it was time for a family vacation. We dropped the dogs off at my brother-in-laws house because he and his girlfriend volunteered to watch them for the week we were gone. They had been there many times before to play with his dog, so I wasn't worried.

But since we have been home, my dog has become NEUROTIC. She is terrified of the grass and won't go near it, even for a treat. If I set her on the grass she immediately runs back to the porch. If i hold her there, she stands on two legs for as long as I hold her and then sprints to the porch. And, the worst part is that she is now only going to the bathroom in the house. The problem is getting so bad that I have bought stock in the carpet cleaner we use. Kidding, but I should. Puppy pads don't work- she goes around them. Treats don't work- she doesn't get it. I'm about to put her in diapers, but I'd hate to clean up that mess. What's a girl to do?

Sincerely,

Nellie's Mom in Oklahoma

I Heart Botox

2010-01-21T08:13:00.000-08:00

It's my new obsession.

I've been seriously thinking about it for months now.

I finally had it done...once.

Now I'm obsessed.

I analyze every face I see. Male or female. Especially celebrities.

Does she have wrinkles? Did he have Botox? How do they take care of their skin?

Not trying to be rude. I just can't help it.

I don't want wrinkles, and I don't want to go through the pain of a facelift or resurfacing.

So, for now, I'll stick with the Botox.

And hope it does the trick.

P.S. If you want it too, come to my party!

A New Favorite Food Find

2010-01-20T06:11:00.000-08:00

Hubs and I stumbled across this popcorn at Reasor's the other night and decided to try it since the packaging made it look so tasty! With 120 calories, 2 grams of fat and 5 grams of fiber, each individually packaged serving has only 2 points! Yes, the packages are small, but the popcorn is rich enough that one serving is the perfect size snack. I am in love with the Chocolate Cookie Caramel Pecan, and he loves the Cranberry Almond. We have yet to try the Honey Multigrain, but it may be next on our list. So, if you are looking for a healthier, sweet snack, pick up a box of Smartfood next time you are at the store. Enjoy!

A Brief Update

2010-01-18T21:15:00.001-08:00

As I mentioned below, hubs and I started Weight Watchers (again) last week, and I figure if I blog about it, it will help me be more accountable. So here goes.

Week 1- 6.4 lbs gone!!!

We had our weekly meeting tonight and here's what I learned...well, nothing actually, but it did feel really good to tell the group how much I lost over the past week.

"My name is Mizzle and I am an overeater and sugar addict. And, this week I lost 6.4 lbs. Yay!"

Clap. Clap. Clap

Ok that's not exactly how a WW meeting goes, but it may as well.

Anyway, this is what I did differently last week...

1) I went to the gym 4 times. My goal was 4 times and I did it!

2) I chose fruit and veggies over cookies.

3) Major cutback on ETOH

4) I made a rewards board to keep me focused on the prize. My first reward is coming up at 7 lbs. and hubs has to take me for sushi!!! Other rewards include a new dress, pedicure, bathing suit and tattoo.

Hubs was definitely upset that I lost more than he did though. He said that he needs to "start trying this week." LIAR (said in my best sing-song voice)....he was at the gym with me every day and counted his points as well as I did. He just can't stand that a girl beat him at something!

The Red Soled Shoes

2010-01-15T15:00:00.000-08:00

I would never, ever consider myself a fashionista. As I type this, I have on jeans that are two sizes two small and have a hole in the crotch, black Tom's that my dog chewed on for a bit, a bright red OU hoodie and a ball cap. And I'm pretty sure that fashionista and ball cap don't go together. Ever.

Oh and on a side note, I just looked down and realized that I am still wearing my purse from when I got home about 1.5 hours ago. Weird.

But, my husband, who claims he has better style than me, is trying to turn me into one. And he might be onto something.

Anyone who is a fashionista knows all about the red-soled shoes, and now I do too.

Check out my Christmas gift from hubs. He did this on his own. I would NEVER ask for a gift this extravagant, but I sure do love them! And I have now joined the ranks of Oprah!

A New Set of Goals...on Paper

2010-01-13T14:19:00.000-08:00

My dad has always encouraged me to set goals and stick with them. He says that if you actually write them out, you have a much better chance of accomplishing them than if you just say or think them. So, after um 31 years of not accomplishing a single New Year's resolution, I think it's time to try it his way. So, here goes...

My Top 9 Goals of the Year

I would have 10, but I'm stumped at 9...can't think of anything else.

1. Set a Budget. Hubs and I are horrible about spending money that we shouldn't spend on things we shouldn't spend money on. Ha!

2. Lose weight. It's weight watchers time again and I really am committed this time. I promise. The other 3 times were just trial runs. But, I figure if i blog about it, I will be more accountable. So, more to follow on that note.

3. Take a photography class. My local community center is offering one in Feb. and I am going to sign up. Anyone wanna join me?

4. Continue to work on communication and patience in my marriage. Oh by the way, did I mention that these are in no particular order? This is an important one, folks.

5. Get rid of all credit card debt. I don't have much, but what I do have nags at me ALL. THE. TIME.

6. Join at least one women's club in the Tulsa area and hopefully make some new friends. Bunko? Book Club? Scrapbooking?

7. Drink at least 2 full glasses of H2O/day. I'm starting at ZERO, so even this will be an improvement. Baby steps.

8. Figure out a way to run without leg pain and do the couch to 5k program. Then, run one. And then train for another half marathon.

9. Donate a few hours a month to a local animal shelter or other rescue organization. Please, Please, Please rescue, people!

And since I've never, ever accomplished or stuck to a single new years resolution, I'll be happy with just 5 out of the 9...it's a start right???

The Little Things

2009-12-16T12:41:00.000-08:00

It's been one of those days and that is especially sad since it is 2:41 and I haven't even left the house. I'm still in my pajamas.

To begin with, the limo company from which I rented Josh's b-day limo, has overcharged me. I called last week and the guy said, "I'll work on it and get back with you." Then, he didn't get back with me. So, I called again today and a different guy said, "Yep, I can see that we charged your credit card twice and you paid in cash, but I'm not sure what to do." What do you mean you're not sure? Just pay me back the money! Ugh.

Then, my internet went out.

Then, our dog did this to our coffee table...

And this to our stairs...

And this to the runner in our hallway...

But seriously, I can't be too mad at such a cute face!

And I'm not gonna lie...I did consider having a drink as my husband suggested. But, wouldn't that make me some sort of an alcoholic???

Lip Plumping Goodness

2009-12-13T12:13:00.000-08:00

My husband is a bit of a hypochondriac. I can say that on here because I know there is no chance that he will read this. He couldn't care less about my blog.

Anyway, I think he learned somewhere during his childhood that the way to get attention was to complain. A lot. About everything. In his world, a splinter warrants a trip to the emergency room.

So, Friday night I wasn't surprised when he started whining about his chapped lips. I was thinking "this is your 31st winter...you should know by now that your lips will get chapped and it isn't the end of the world." But, I didn't say it....I only thought it. It and a few choice words because he wanted ME to go OUTSIDE to get his chapstick from his car.

This was at 12:30 am, when it was about 30 degrees outside AND I was in my pajamas.

J: Well if you won't go get my chapstick, do you have any?

T: No

J: What can I use then?

T: Lipgloss

J: Would lotion work?

T: Probably

J: What else could I use?

T: Lipgloss

J: Fine, give me the lipgloss.

So, I happily hand over my favorite tube and watch as my super manly husband applies it all over his lips. BUT, as he is doing so, I realize I have made a huge mistake because hidden in the bottom of my makeup bag is a tiny tube of Super Cinnamon Lip Plumper. Although it tastes ok and smells really nice, IT IS PAINFUL. This product apparently works by burning the *&%^ out of your lips, causing them to swell.

T: Oh try this instead. I think it will work better for chapped lips.

He applies the lip plumper and is midway through his next statement when he starts to feel the burn and knows instantly what I did.

It was worth getting a glass of water thrown on me.

I love this chair...

2009-12-04T19:32:00.000-08:00

I found this picture on Beth Jansen's Blog. I love this chair....mainly because I have two ugly wingbacks that need to be recovered. This chair is my inspiration. Does anyone know someone who can make my chairs look this cute for cheap?

An Update

2009-12-04T19:15:00.000-08:00

We went into Trochta's the other day, and the first thing I spotted was a stack of the Nosey Parker books. The SUPER nice lady there explained that the stores have to purchase the books and then they are allowed to do with them what they please. They can sell them, give them away, give a discount, tell you to F- off if you ask for a discount, etc. I'm just glad that she told me. I get it now and I'll stop asking.

I won't post much tonight....too grumpy. I'm tired of people I don't like dictating MY life. Nuff said.

Nosey Parker Say What?

2009-12-01T20:52:00.000-08:00

Mom and I went shopping yesterday at some darling new stores in Edmond and when I was making my purchase at one of them, I happened to pick up the Oklahoma version of the Nosey Parker guidebook. The owner of the boutique we were in asked if I had heard of it and since I had not, she went on to explain the book to me. Our conversation went something like this...

saleslady: Oh that's the new Nosey Parker Book...have you heard about it?

me: No. What is it?

saleslady: You buy the book and then register the card that's in it online. Then, you show the card to any of the merchants in the book and they give you a discount.

me: How much is the book?

saleslady: $12. So, it's really easy to make your money back.

me: How much is the discount in your store?

saleslady: 15%

me: (I flip through the book and realize there are two merchants in it that I plan on buying gifts from anyway, so I figure I might as well get the discount) OK. I guess I'll get this too.

So, once I got home I immediately registered my new card.

Flash forward to today. Mom and I go shopping again and our first stop is On a Whim because she is in need of a gift for a friend and they are in the book. So, we figure, why not shop there and get the discount. Well, we search and search and finally come up with the perfect gift for said friend and when it is time to pay, I flash my brand new Nosey Parker card, and this is the response I get...

saleslady: We don't take that. We told whoever made that book that we didn't want to be in it and somehow we ended up in there anyway. So we aren't going to honor that (She turns around and walks off).

Ok, so I am not a customer service expert or anything, but I am pretty sure that wasn't the right (best) way to handle that situation... It was a tone thing. It was an attitude thing. And I found it quite sad because my family has done a lot of shopping in On A Whim throughout the years; J and I were even registered there for our wedding. But, I am pretty sure that everything they carry in that store can be found elsewhere, like maybe on mackenzie-childs.com. Oh and those MC dog dishes I have on my Christmas list, well I guess they will have to be ordered off the web. Just be nice to me when you tell me that you won't honor my coupon.

Next stop, Blue 7. The employees at the store had no idea what a Nosey Parker card was, but they got on the phone with the owner and decided to give me 15% off. Easy Peasy.

Last stop, Jamie's in Casady Square. I pick up a couple of items that I have on my shopping list (remember the original reason I bought the card), and when the saleslady asks if she can set them at the counter I say, "Do you all accept the NP card?" Our conversation then goes as follows...

saleslady: What do you mean accept it?

me: accept it...for the discount. I have my card right here.

saleslady: Oh there's no discount. We don't do discounts here unless it is Premier card week.

me: But the girl I bought the card from said there's a discount for all of the merchants in the book.

saleslady: You bought the book?

me: Yep. It was $12.

saleslady: But we have them here and we are just giving them away to our customers. Free

me: Wow. OK. Well. Hmmm.

And then no discount.

Moral of the story: What the *&%$ is a Nosey Parker card and why did I spend $12 on it??? Can somebody please enlighten me?

Because I am the Older Sister

2009-12-01T07:21:00.000-08:00

I met a fellow blogger yesterday at one of my trunk shows and her enthusiasm about blogging was contagious. She is an up-and-coming PW with her own domain name, hundreds of followers and even more daily hits. That's serious blogging.

Anyway, she said she posts every day and I asked her how she comes up with things to write every single day. She said, "Oh, I just tell stories," and I thought to myself, "But I don't have any stories." And, at the time, I couldn't think of a single one.

Until this morning.

So, just to give you a little background on what I'm about to tell you...I am the older sister of two younger brothers. We have always been a close family, and I have always been slightly protective. And bossy.

Bossy to the point of picking out (err rather trying to pick out) my brothers' girlfriends. It's a wonder they were able to pick out the amazing women they are currently with on their own, without any help from moi.

Anyway, there was Bethany, Brooke, Shawna, Alex, and another girl whose name I don't remember. I actually tried to force these women on my poor brothers! But, my absolute favorite was Miss Amy O and for years, I would beg the youngest of the three of us to go out with her. "But Matt," I would say, "She's so cute and so sweet. Yall would be such a great couple." His response, "T, she's crazy, psycho, and trust me, you don't want me hanging out with her." But, I think she did actually go to Johnnies one night with the fam.

A few years later when I was still begging him to find Miss Amy O and start some sort of relationship with her, I think he said she was in jail. Or pregnant. Or pregnant and in jail. Not sure.

But today, I can finally say I trust my younger brothers' abilities to make decisions for themselves. Not only do they have two wonderful women in their lives, but I opened the Oklahoman this morning to find this in the newspaper...

Please watch. Sorry but you'll have to sit through the ad.

Miss Amy O was arrested in OKC this week for hiding a stolen baby (her own) in the backseat of her car under other possibly stolen merchandise. She and the male she was with were apparently in my parent's neighborhood and about to attempt some burglaries. Wow. Thankfully, the baby has been returned to her father. And Miss Amy is behind bars. Again.

I guess if younger brother wants to start something now with my pick for him, he can find her in the OK County jail.

BTW, he was right....the newspaper article listed multiple arrests for Miss Amy over the past 8 years. And judging from what Matt said, she was pregnant and in jail.

And in honor of Thanksgiving...some links

2009-11-16T17:50:00.001-08:00

There is a girl about my age who lives in Oklahoma City. I don't know her, although I know several people who do. And she has been invited to several of my trunk shows, but I have still yet to meet her. I do think she has impeccable taste though and I have been blog-stalking her on a regular basis; her posts are inspiring. She is a designer and I wish she would make a stop off in Jenks to do some designing. Maybe I could pay her in jewelry.

P.S. I know this pic is from a magazine, but I found it on her blog and I love it.

I found this picture on Design Crush and think it's hilarious. I drew my brother's name for our Christmas exchange and if he doesn't get his list to me quickly, guess what he's getting!

Last and in honor of Thanksgiving, if you are in the mood for a laugh, check out Cakewrecks, the blog devoted to cakes gone terribly wrong. Be sure to read the captions; they are always hilarious!

Free Jewelry Anyone?

2009-09-29T06:54:00.000-07:00

Well, I did it. I quit my day job. And now I've embarked on a whole new adventure. Actually, I quit my day job for reasons totally unrelated, but then this opportunity fell in my lap and I just couldn't resist. I love jewelry, and I love this jewelry. So, why not?

In under a month, I have gone from being a nurse to being a stylist for Stella and Dot! Actually, I will always be a nurse and will probably soon find an additional job in nursing, but for now this is it and I couldn't be more excited!

For anyone who is not familiar with Stella and Dot, it is a fabulous direct sales jewelry company. I know, the words "direct sales" are a little scary to me too, but here's how I see it...A friend invited me to a girl's night out at her friend's house last week. I didn't have anything going on and since I don't know many people in the area, I thought "why not." So, on a Thursday evening, we went to Erin's house where there was wine, food, and a great selection of really fun jewelry to purchase. It was fun. No pressure. Just girl-talk and jewelry!

After I fell in love with everything I saw at the party and had a blast, I figured that this would be a great way to earn a little money, meet some new people, go to more fun parties and get great jewelry! It's a win-win for me!

So, I'm sharing this with everyone in cyberland because I'm hoping you will check it out. Go to my website and look at all the fabulous products. You can buy directly from my site, or you can host your own girls' night out and earn tons of free and half-priced items. Free jewelry- it doesn't get any better than that! Just let me know what you think, and I can help you start planning your own party.

Or, if you love it like I do, you can join my team!

a few things

2009-09-12T20:09:00.000-07:00

It is amazing the things you will discover about yourself by spending nine days at the lake. Almost alone. At the end of the summer. When the lake is eerily calm and empty and it has rained over six inches in a thirty-six hour period. Although nice, it leaves you wondering where everyone is. It is too quiet here. Oh yes, I almost forgot. Football season has begun.

Anyway, this quiet, calm period of nothing-to-do except exactly what I want has forced me to realize a few things. These are not necessarily important things, yet they are things nonetheless and I am in a sharing mood.

So, a few things....

1. I am addicted to HGTV and even if I don't particularly care for a certain show, I can't turn the channel. I watch and watch until I have developed completely unrealistic ideas/ goals for my home. House project number one: elevate the house until it sits on a hill overlooking the city. Tear out the walls and replace with gigantic windows allowing all of the sunlight to come streaming in. Finish the project with a giant all-glass bathtub. See the problem here?

2. I want to be a runner. There is something so freeing about setting out on the open road with nothing but an ipod filled with your favorite tunes to keep you company. However, my body has other ideas for me, and exercise isn't one of them. It only takes about ten steps out of the front door before I have shin splints. They are painful. And they refuse to go away.

3. If you are a realtor and you want to sell a house, why bother posting it online without a single picture? Come on people. Oh and don't make a youtube video with your own personal shaky camcorder to take me on a tour of the house. It makes me carsick.

4. I want to do something creative with my life. I want to have my own booth at the market. I want to open a tiny scrapbooking store at the lake (or all things paper). I want to own the retail portion of Annie's future cupcake store. Today, I want to do anything but nursing.

5. Why oh why does Nate Berkus have to be gay?

6. I can read an entire novel only to try to reread it several years later and not realize until 100 pages in that I have read it before. And then only vaguely remember the book. Did I read the whole book? Did I only read this chapter? I am so confused.

7. Speaking of books, I highly recommend Left for Dead and Into Thin Air. I am not a mountain climber, and I will never be a mountain climber (refer to #2), but I found these books thrilling to read.

Well, that's enough for tonight. But I hope everyone is having a great weekend and is safely celebrating our Sooner's tonight!

16 things

2009-08-16T08:53:00.001-07:00

Because today is August 16th, and because I have not posted since June 30th, I am pretty sure it is time to write something. I do have several posts planned, but they all seem to take a lot of time, meaning that I really have to think about what I am writing or upload some pictured before I can post. So, just because it is Sunday and I am still in my pajamas and just had cookie dough for breakfast, I am going to settle with this post. In honor of Sunday, August 16th, this is 16 things that are on my mind today.

1. The awesome chandelier art by Erin Glover that was debuted on HGTV yesterday. I would LOVE to have one of her pieces. Google her.

2. I have a million pictures to scrapbook. I really should be doing that instead of writing this.

3. I am going to have to get in some exercise today to burn off the cookie dough.

4. I wish my brother would call me back b/c I could really use his advice.

5. I am so ready to move back to OKC. Anybody hiring nurses? Haha....that's a silly question.

6. I hope my parents had fun at my mom's reunion in Albuquerque. Drive carefully M&L!

7. I can't believe my husband told me I have a "cold, negative heart." I don't think I do, but maybe I do. Regardless, I'm pretty sure a husband isn't supposed to say mean things like that.

8. My feet are still recovering from the 3day walk, but it was soooo worth it! I think I may have to do it again!

9. Because I want to move, I suddenly have a new addiction to HGTV. I love seeing the changes they make to these houses, but they make it look so easy.

10. I need to clean. Ugh.

11. Jack knocked the lamp over and burned a hole through the shade and two layers of carpet last night. Had I gone out of town this weekend, would I have come back to a house engulfed in flames? Scary.

12. Anyone ever seen a cop in a pink uniform? There were several along the 3day route. They were pretty darn sexy if you ask me. (I'll post pictures soon).

13. my younger brother is about to turn the big 3-0 on Tuesday. Wow, I'm old! Happy b-day C!

14. Seeing as how it's after 11am, I should probably brush my teeth.

15. Aren't you supposed to be able to rely on your friends? Isn't that why they are friends to begin with? Ok just checking.

16. An orange and cream soda should sounds good, but is it worth a trip to reasor's....prob not!

The End. Enjoy your Sunday, everyone!

The Things We Do When We Are Bored

2009-06-30T18:09:00.000-07:00

The Wallet Melter

2009-06-30T17:39:00.000-07:00

J and I just got home from The Melting Pot, aka The Wallet Melter if you ask him, and it was AMAZING as always. I love that place. But I love it even more now that I know about their happy hour. Any day they are open you can sit on the patio or at the bar and feast on half-priced cheese, chocolate and cocktails. We just had an awesome dinner and plenty of cocktails for under $50 with tip. I think I may become a regular.

Hungry Dog

2009-06-28T20:54:00.001-07:00

The things Fletcher has eaten today:

dog food

cat food

a black Old Navy flip flop

a dog bone

Hank Panky underwear

one of Josh's dress socks

a blue plastic water bottle

some plumber's tape

a paper towel

my hand

a dead bird

a dingleberry that Jack dropped

I've Failed

2009-06-28T20:42:00.000-07:00

About a week ago, when I first accepted the 365-day challenge, I didn't take weekends, holidays and other busy days into account. For a brief moment in time, I thought I had more time than I actually do. No, I guess I have the time; I just, at that moment, felt like dedicating more of it to this blog than I actually should. So, I have failed at the challenge this weekend; I didn't post yesterday.

However, the purpose of the challenge was to be able to look back at the past year and have in writing a snippet of each day of one's life. Now while I didn't write about it yesterday, I will tell you today that the writing is there. It is permanent, and there will always be a picture attached as a reminder. All I have to do if I want to remember yesterday, June 27, 2009, is take a look in the mirror and I am sure that many memories will come flooding back. Just as I can remember everything about my 27th birthday, the day I got my first tattoo, I am sure that I will be able to remember everything about yesterday, the day I got my second tattoo. So, that is the reason I didn't post....I went to OKC to get tatted up! I may post a picture someday, but I feel like this is a private thing. It is in a private area, one that I will show if I want to, but one that most people will never see (it is not gross; I promise). I did it for myself, so I really don't care about anyone's opinions. It is there, and I love it and the memories that I have associated with it!

6ix

2009-06-26T20:25:00.000-07:00

Josh scraped his finger the other day, and asked me for a bandaid. All I could offer him was a pink Hello Kitty bandaid, which I love and wear with even the slightest hint of an abrasion, but he refused. I don't know why; they are pink and therefore fabulous. But, I came across these tonight on the net and think they may just be what my big, macho hubs is looking for. They seem to be the manly cousin of Hello Kitty, and I think they just scream to you to venture a guess as to what is underneath. If the sore you are trying to hide is not bad enough, just slap on a giant piece of plastic meat resembling a giant bloody scab. It's attractive. Trust me.

5

2009-06-25T19:20:00.000-07:00

My decision to start this blog was the result of an agreement with a good friend that was made one night after several glasses of wine. She had broken up with a serious boyfriend (they lived together), and we were taking a break from packing her stuff so she could move out of his house and in with her parents. She said that she was thinking seriously about starting a blog on which she could chronicle her breakup and use for her own therapeutic benefit. She already had a title picked out. I was glad to hear that I wasn't the only one who had had this thought, and we decided at that moment that we would take the plunge together. I plunged; she didn't.

It's not that I blame her. Blogging takes up time, and I am sure that she didn't have much time to spare at that point. Whatever the case, I am glad that I carried out the plan as writing about my daily experiences has been a release of sorts even though I haven't been going through anything nearly as serious or painful as a breakup. Knowing that I have the opportunity to share the highlights or low points of my day/week/year, forces me to really reflect on my life. And, even though posts are rarely serious, I am constantly thinking about what is good and what is real and constantly taking stock of the "graces" in my life..

So, in honor of "daily graces," as brought to life by Wallycado, today I am thankful for...

-My patients. These roses are thriving in the 106 degree Oklahoma heat, outside the home of one of my patients, and because she can't get outside to see them for herself, I took this with my phone to show her. Although the flowers are beautiful, they are not my grace. Instead, I am thankful for the opportunity to spend time with patients like this little lady; I learn something from every one of my patients every day.

-The library. I love to learn; I get this from my father. Where else could I have gotten information on business plans, writing grants, traveling to Europe on a budget, growing old gracefully, and some sheet music for the piano all at once and all for free? I'm like a kid in a candy store the second I set foot in the library. See the stack of books I checked out this evening...I'm still wondering why they don't give out sacks at the Jenks Library though.

3. Michael Jackson. I am a child of the 80s. I have moonwalked. I have worn a single metallic glove. He was weird, but he was talented, and his legacy will live on.
4. Farrah Fawcett. She was a classic beauty, there is no doubt. But, by documenting her battle with cancer she showed a grace and inner beauty that most people don't possess. I am thankful that she publicized her horrific experience to teach others just how ugly cancer really is.

- And last, thank you to the news-, weather-, and sportscasters on Channel 2 news. I'm not sure if they all passed around a joint or a case of "pink eye," but whatever it was, they all seemed to be sharing whatever it was that makes one's eyes really red, squinty and glossy. Thank you for giving Josh and I a laugh at 6 and again at 10.

Quatro

2009-06-24T20:00:00.000-07:00

Today was one of those roller-coaster kind of days. Nothing too bad happened, so I'm really not trying to complain. It was just one of those days that you are excited to roll out of bed because of something that is supposed to happen. So, you wake up with a "high." Then, when said something doesn't happen you feel disappointed, almost deflated. Then, you learn that the plans will actually work out after all, and voila, you are on cloud nine again. Oops, wait....nevermind, it's not gonna happen, and suddenly, you find yourself back down in the dumps. Up and down, up and down. Well, the one constant happiness of the day was this smiling face...he makes this ride worthwhile.

Three

2009-06-23T19:18:00.000-07:00

When we adopted Fletcher, we immediately went to Petsmart to purchase everything we could possibly need for our new puppy. I figured we had to crate train even though I honestly didn't even know what crate training was. So, we bought the crate, and in an attempt to build a nest for new puppy, we bought this top-of-the-line brown velvety soft pad (with egg crate cushioning) for the bottom of the crate. This thing was so soft, I may have even considered sleeping on it a time or two. It was also nice looking and was a perfect fit for this crate. Well, I guess Fletcher didn't see it the same way because when I came home from work today, this is what I found. He'll have to make do with a hard plastic bed from now on.

Day 2

2009-06-22T18:55:00.000-07:00

You would think it would be easy to pick out the single most important/exciting/ interesting point of your day to highlight, but surprisingly, it's not. I'm certainly not going to complain about my day because it really was a pretty good one, especially for a Monday. There just wasn't one stand out moment from this pretty mellow day, so I will share a couple of less than spectacular events.

1. The first thing I saw when I pulled into work this morning was this helicopter parked in the parking lot across the street. The photo is not great; it was taken from my phone out the passenger side window as I tried to make a left turn. Nevertheless, a helicopter in the middle of a parking lot is a strange sight when it's smack dab in the middle of Tulsa and not associated with a hospital. Look closely.

2. Jon and Kate as in Jon and Kate Plus 8 made a really sad (although not surprising) announcement on tonight's show- divorce proceedings began today to dissolve their 10-year marriage. I'm not going to delve into personal opinions about Kate's personality or what Jon did or didn't do. Instead, I just wanted to mention it because I have spent many, many hours following their show and therefore can't help but feel some sadness for their entire family. These are human beings; lets cut them some slack.

3. I spent a solid hour this evening trying to get some sort of foreign object out of my eyeball. It was painful. And frustrating. But in the process I noticed that I have a freckle in the middle of my blue eye. I had never seen it before.

Day 1

2009-06-21T20:45:00.000-07:00

I had a particularly bad day at work a couple of weeks ago. I don't remember exactly what precipitated it, but I do remember that whatever those events were lead to several sobbing phone calls to my closest friends and family. These were the kind where you are crying so hard you can't talk, and the person on the other end is going into panic mode because they are already fearing the worst. The calls usually start out with "Mom, I'm OK but..." before I can barely mix in a few unintelligible words with many, many breathless sobs. I'm sure we have all had them, but my bad days seem to be occurring more and frequently lately, leading me to believe it's time to make a change.

Anyway, the purpose of this post is to show off my sweet flowers. After said bad day, I came home to find them laying in the kitchen with a super sweet card from Hubbins, and although they have been sitting in my kitchen for weeks now, I just can't yet bear to throw them out. They still make me smile. So, this morning when I changed the water yet again for what will surely be the last time, I snapped this picture to share. Thanks, Hubbins, for brightening even my worst of days.

Project 365: A Challenge

2009-06-21T09:11:00.000-07:00

Hubbins and I have been talking a lot lately about how we feel like we are just going through life but not really living it. I think that being in our line of work (hospice) really makes you think about your own mortality and how short life really is. I meet people every day who have been given a prognosis of 6 months or less, and almost all of them will share with me the things they regret never doing. I don't want to feel that way. Ever.

So, I have decided to challenge myself to living life to the fullest. I know it's easier said than done though, so I will document one moment of every day to remind myself of my lofty goal. At the end of the year, I can (hopefully) look back and remember all of the little details that make my life mine, make me me. I thought about starting on my upcoming birthday, but why wait? I'm starting today, and I plan to write a post with a picture (probably from my iphone) for every single day. Anyone wanna join me?

The New Man in My Life

2009-06-20T17:26:00.000-07:00

We got a puppy! He is a Goldendoodle, and is name is Fletcher! We have actually had him for a couple of months now, so I figured it was about time to post some pictures. He is very sweet, but he wants to chew on my hands ALL THE TIME.

The Big 3-1

2009-06-20T15:45:00.000-07:00

Today is June 20th, which means it is exactly 22 days until I turn the big 3-1. Although I am tempted to call it the "dreaded" 3-1, I think I will abstain since it really isn't any worse than the big 3-0, and they probably won't get any better from here on out. Not better. Not worse. Just older. There's just something about moving out of your 20s and into the next decade of adulthood, where there exists a certain expectation of maturity, responsibility, and establishment. And whether I am there or not is beside the point. Regardless though, my birthday is looming on the horizon, so I have decided to share with you some things that will soften the blow.

1. A Clary Sage Giftcard

Clary Sage is a T-town cosmetology school that I like to frequent when I feel the need to be pampered. Although the services are performed by students, they are fabulous. Where else can you get a full-body massage or facial for under $40 with tip? Plus, the students are graded on your reviews, so they really strive to perform great work.

2. The pink tutu in the window at The Spotted Umbrella (Jenks)

This tutu has been sitting in the storefront window for months now, and to be honest, i don't even know if it's for sale. Plus, even if it is for sale, I don't know if it will fit me. But, everytime I pass by that shop I dream of a fun night out in that tutu. Now, I just need some really snazzy shoes to go with it.

3. Some Seasonal Whisper Bracelets

I spotted these on the arm of a friend recently and have been drooling over them ever since! Since said friend works at a boutique that sells them, she told my husband that she would pick them up for him if he would give her the money. Hubbins, please take her up on this offer!

4. PB Loco Peanut Butter in Chocolate Chip Cookie Dough

It's peanut butter combined with cc cookie dough. Need I say more?

5. Tickets to the Oprah Show

If you've ever read this blog, you've probably read about "the walk" I am doing in August. It is in Chicago around the same time that Oprah resumes taping of her show, and I am dying to go. So, if anyone out there has a "hook up" and can help get my mom and I a pair of tickets, I will be so grateful! We will be there from August 10th to August 12th.

6. A trip to Thailand

If I could go anywhere in the world....

Oh and no, I'm not asking for anyone to pay for my trip. I'm just saying that I want to go!

7. Photography and/or Yoga classes

I want to learn photography (I have a really cool DSLR camera) and I need to take yoga. I just wish I could find someone to join me.

8. Dinner at the Melting Pot

It's my favorite restaurant and I would eat there once a week if I could!

Just in case anyone was needing any ideas....and feel free to share this with others!

Tidbits

2009-05-09T07:22:00.000-07:00

I have a friend at work who periodically asks for a new blizzle. I am sure he asks only when he is bored during the day and can't find anything else to do, but he did ask this week, so I figure it's time to give him something! Since I can't think of anything really great that I need to tell you about, I have thought of a few sorta great things.

First, Josh and I just got back from celebrating our first anniversary in NYC. We had a blast, and every time we go (we've only been twice), we talk about moving there for a year or two. Anyone who knows our families, also knows that they might freak out if we actually did this. Anyway, we started our vacation at the Pod Hotel, but after one night in the bunk beds and TINY community bathroom, we decided we had to go, and we didn't care where. So, we plopped ourselves down on the curb on the edge of central park and used our phones to connect with Priceline, and within minutes, we had a new hotel. BTW, if you've never used Priceline before, it's really kinda fun. You tell them the area you want to stay in, the quality (star level) you are looking for, and your maximum price. Oh and your credit card number. Then, if it can find a room for you at that price, you are locked in. Scary and fun at the same time. Anyway, we ended up getting a room at the Hudson hotel, which was great, albeit the size of a cruiseship cabin/bathroom. But hey, it was NYC, so it worked, and I highly recommend the hotel for the price!

We did some really fun things while we were there, and if anyone is ever going to NYC, I would be happy to share some things I've learned. For instance, we EASILY got tickets to the David Letterman show and we were in the audience the night Dolly Parton was there. It was an absolute blast and I highly recommend that you do it the next time you are there. Also, you have to visit P.J. Clarke's for a cheeseburger and onion strings; one of each is enough to share, and follow that up with a walk right down the street to Dylan's Candy Bar for some Crispery rice krispie treats (previous post). Oh yeah, I almost forgot to mention that we had multiple celebrity sightings, in addition to Letterman and Dolly Parton, we also saw William H. Macy and Felicity Huffman and Ed Norton and Woody Harrelson sat right behind us at the theater. Mr. Norton was kicking my seat.

In other news, Josh and I are seriously thinking of adopting a dog. I have always wanted one but been afraid of how Birdie would react (after the devastating Huntleigh incident of 2003), so when my wonderful brothers kept the cats and forced them to play with their new puppy, Duff, I saw that Birdie may not react the way I imagined and it may be possible to add a dog to our family. So, after many many hours of looking at different breeds and many, many lengthy conversations, I think we have finally agreed on a mini goldendoodle. If you don't know what that is, google it.....they are soooo cute! I have found a breeder in Oklahoma, but a new puppy costs $750, and I have always preached for adopting from a shelter to give an innocent animal a a chance. So, my dilemma is, do we pay the money to get the dog we really want from a breeder? I'll let you know.

Last, Josh and I had planned a fun date last night, but when I ended up taking call for the night AND doing an after-hours admission, our plans went down the drain. So, we made use of the little time we did have and tried out a different restaurant in town- Juanita's. It was freshly prepared authentic Mexican food, and it was excellent! Some of the best guacamole I've ever had! The service was slow but very friendly, so overall, I would recommend the place....we will be back! And if you live in the area, you should try it too!

Start Spreadin' the News

2009-04-15T16:36:00.000-07:00

I have the sweetest husband in the world! I was in-between meetings at work today and he told me that he put something in my office that I needed to see immediately, so I hurried back to my desk to find....wait for it....I know you're gonna be jealous! In my chair was an envelope containing my travel itinerary for my surprise anniversary trip to NYC!!! Yep, he is taking me to NYC for 6 days and 5 nights and all of the fabulous shopping and eating we can do! How lucky am I?

Sold!

2009-04-12T19:56:00.000-07:00

I have now sold all of the jewelry! Thanks to everyone for your support!

Jewelry!

2009-03-29T15:27:00.000-07:00

I've already sold several necklaces and bracelets, but still have a few left to sell. So, I thought I would post some pictures here of what's left for those of you who have asked. Please let me know if you are interested, and remember that all of the money I raise goes to the Breast Cancer 3-Day, which benefits Susan G. Komen and the National Philanthropic Trust!

The above necklace is a grayish color with pink and purple accents. The beads are very large when compared with the other necklaces as you can see in the second picture. It is a medium length and will go around only once.

The three above are also medium length and will go around once. The necklace pictured on the left is orange. Very cute! They are also $20.

This last one is the long length and is $30. It will go around the neck at least two times. For more information about the necklaces, please check out 31bits.com.....such a great cause from both sides! Thanks everyone for your support!

P.S. I only have one bracelet left!

31 Bits

2009-03-21T19:53:00.001-07:00

There's a link below to a blog called Wallycado. I read it regularly not only because the writer is a good friend, but also because the author and I are just different enough from each other that I feel I can learn about something new and interesting every time I visit her blog. Every time she posts, she writes what she calls her "points of grace," which is a list of the things that made her happy that day/week, and that list always leads me to a new recipe, a new band, or a new website that I wouldn't have otherwise heard of.

This week, from Wallycado, I learned of a company called 31 Bits Jewelry, a company created by a group of young women to provide aid to the people of Uganda. Because Uganda is plagued by poverty, poor sanitation, poor healthcare, and a lack of jobs and education, the women of 31 Bits have joined together with several Ugandan women with a vision of hope. The goal of 31 Bits is to help these women get out of poverty, get their children a proper education and provide food and healthcare for their families, and they hope to accomplish this by selling the beautiful jewelry that these Ugandan women are creating.

Upon reading about this plan and the short stories of the Ugandan women who are involved, I decided that I also wanted to get involved. I figured that by buying this jewelry, I could support 31 bits. Then, by selling it, I could support Susan G. Komen and the National Philanthropic Trust (through the 3Day), making it a win-win situation for everyone. The girls at 31 Bits agreed, and they sent me some bracelets and necklaces to sell. So, please check out their website at 31bits.com and let me know what you think. Consider buying a bracelet for $10 or a necklace from me for $20 or $30 (depending on the length). Remember Mother's Day is coming up, and this is a purchase you can feel GREAT about!

An Obsession

2009-03-12T17:27:00.000-07:00

I don't know what happened to me when I reached my late twenties, but it was something that wasn't present when I was younger. I grew up with two brothers, and I liked to consider myself a girly-tomboy (if that is really even a thing). I was not (in my mind) a girly-girl at all. Yes, I took dance and gymnastics and dressed in all the latest fashions, but that was only because my mom signed me up for those classes and bought all of my clothes. I spent all of my afternoons out in the yard with the boys or on my skateboard down the street. I thought I could "hang,"and as my husband will tell you (and he tells me frequently) there is not one ounce of athleticism in my body.

So what I have come to realize in the last couple of years and have mentioned in a previous post is that I love the color pink. In fact, I have an obsession for the color, the most girly color on the planet. As a matter of fact, I recently bought a colander at Anthropologie just because it was pink. Now, since I have no idea what to do with a colander it has not even come out of the cabinet, but it is very cute!

Anyway, I am in need of a sleeping bag for the walk because we walk 20 miles in a day, then camp out, then walk 20 miles, then....you get it. So, the other night when J and I were at Bass Pro Shop getting a b-day present for his brother, I took the opportunity to check out the sleeping bags. FYI, sleeping bags are made for men. Apparently, someone somewhere thinks that men are the only people who go camping, and all the bags they carried were in very masculine colors.

So, my next step was to do a search on the internet, and although the pink sleeping bags were few and far between, I lucked upon the perfect one....it was just what I was looking for...pink and inexpensive. Without another thought I got out my credit card and started to purchase my perfect pink bag, and just before finalizing the sale, I read the product description. Well, ladies and gentlemen, I was ordering the perfect pink sleeping bag......FOR MY BARBIE! Can you imagine my surprise had I actually completed the purchase and opened the box expecting an adult size sleeping bag?

Crooked Teeth

2009-03-01T17:00:00.000-08:00

Most people don't know this about me, but I LOVE Kenny G. I don't know what it is about his music, but he is one of the few artists that I will always listen to if his song is playing on the radio. In fact, I love his music so much that....

- I listen to his Christmas CD year-round in my car. His version of Have Yourself a Merry Little Christmas is one of my top five all-time favorite songs.

- I own one of his piano songbooks and play his music often

- I went to his concert last night in Norman and was REALLY excited about it, and...

are you ready for this????

- I asked for and received a saxophone and lessons when I was in high school b/c I thought I could learn to play just like him. Unfortunately the instrument I was given must be broken because the noise that comes out of it is excruciatingly painful to the ears! If I remember correctly, I only made it through a couple of lessons; my instructor may have actually encouraged me to quit....I'm not exactly sure.

Anyway, when my mom called a few weeks ago to see if I wanted to go to his concert, I jumped at the chance and have been looking forward to it ever since. He played at the Riverwind Casino, which is actually pretty nice, albeit smokey, and I would highly recommend it as a great place to see concerts. We had second row seats, and we were so close that I thought a couple of times that Kenny and I actually made eye contact.

So, the point of my story is that during the show he announced that at some point he would be bringing an audience member up on stage where he would play a song for them and then give them the sax that he just played, making it theirs to keep. In order to get in on this little deal, you had to go to the merchandise table and buy two items in exchange for a ticket. These could be t-shirts, cds, etc. So, I left my seat (in the middle of the concert) and stood in line for my two items and the chance to win a new soprano sax (mine is an alto sax). I waited and I waited, and when I was five people from the front of the line, Kenny's bodyguard announced that the contest entry period was over :(. So, since I was already at the front of the line I decided to buy a CD anyway, and I returned to my seat for the remainder of the concert.

Well, as the concert came to an end, Kenny made the announcement that he would stay after and sign autographs for all of his fans. So, with CD in hand, I jumped into line and waited my chance to speak to Kenny and get my autograph. Yes, I am THAT girl.

As I got closer to the front of the line, my stomach was churning because I wanted to say something other than just "great concert" like everyone else had said, but I didn't know what to say. So, I finally decided to ask him the question that a friend has asked me during the concert, "why does he hold the sax in the side of his mouth instead of in the center?" Our conversation went a little something like this:

T: Do you hold the sax in the side of your mouth because it is easier to take breaths that way?

K: No, I hold it that way b/c the sax rests against my teeth and that is the most comfortable position. My teeth are crooked and they slant down, so that is how the mouthpiece rests on them. See...

(He smiles really big to show me all of his teeth)

T: Oh, well I really can't tell, but it makes sense I guess. Maybe holding the sax that way caused your teeth to do that?.?.

K: Yeah. I guess. That's a good question. I never really thought about it that way. Do you play?

T: Well. Uh. Hmmm. No. No, I don't. (I was deciding wether or not to launch into my personal sax history and finally thought better of it.)

K: Well you should. It's never too late to start.

K's Bodyguard: Come on guys. Less chit-chat. We gotta keep this line moving.

So, that was my conversation with Kenny G! I didn't get the picture with him that I was hoping for, but I am happy to say that I got to talk to him and am once again inspired to learn how to play the sax! I told Josh that I am going to become a groupie, but I think I will be going at that alone. Most people my age (including my husband) aren't huge Kenny G fans. Oh well, their loss.

P.S. I am really having to bite my tongue to resist saying something in poor taste about the person I heard saying she would like to kill him with his saxophone!!! Nuff said.

Random Facts

2009-02-22T18:06:00.000-08:00

We just got back from Orlando tonight, having spent the last five days in Florida for a work conference. We had a blast and got to eat lots of amazing food, buy lots of wonderful (discounted) items, and go lots of awesome places (Universal Citywalk and The Magic Kingdom), but those were certainly not the reasons for our visit. Nope. Instead, we were there for work, and we got to attend a conference on Hospice and Palliative Care Physician Billing. Don't get me wrong, it was actually pretty interesting, and I learned so much on the topic that my head is STILL spinning, but I have to say that the best thing I learned all week is that TURTLES CAN BREATHE THROUGH THEIR BUTTS. Yes folks, I said it....and now you know.

BTW, I learned this from one of the physician presenters at the conference.

Reach for the Stars

2009-02-10T17:28:00.000-08:00

When we were little, my brother and I had dreams. These were serious, serious aspirations; we were reaching high, aiming for the stars. I was going to become a Broadway chorus girl, and I planned to ride back and forth to my big city job in my electric wheelchair. Does that make sense? Of course not, but as a 10-year-old I thought an electric wheelchair would be the best gift ever. It was on my wish list for many birthdays and many Christmases, but I never got one. Can you believe it; what on earth were my parents thinking by not buying their sweet little girl and electric wheelchair?

My brother, on the other hand, had the incredible wish to spank a black cow. Anytime we passed a pasture, he asked my mom to stop the car so he could fulfill his long-time dream. She would, and he would try to muster up the courage to actually do it, but he never did. I don't even think he ever got out of the car. Yes people, the children in our family dreamed big.

J and I recently made a day trip to Woolaroc in Bartlesville (a.k.a the Big City to Pioneer Woman fans), and when J got the chance to spank a black cow, I made him take advantage of the opportunity. He didn't understand, but it has significance for my family, and that is why I love this picture.

I also love this picture. As creepy as it is, it reminds me of my last visit to the museum as a middle schooler. These are THE shrunken heads. Yes, they are real.

W-O-W! That's all I can say!

2009-02-08T18:55:00.001-08:00

I have had the best day today! Got up and had breakfast at the Blue Dome Diner with hubbins, did a little shopping, spent time in my scrapbook room, and got many, many donations for the silent auction part of my fundraising effort. Yep, that's right....many, many donations.

So, here's how it happened. I was bored last night while Josh watched a borderline inappropriate/scary movie called Alpha Dog. I couldn't bare to watch it because it was all about drugs, sex, more drugs, and murder. Oh and did I say drugs? Not my kind of movie. Anyway, I was playing around on the Internet and I got the bright idea to make a post on a particular site asking for donations. Don't worry- it's a reputable site. Anyway, I didn't think anyone would respond because after all, I have been posting on my blog and on myspace that I am trying to raise money and no one is donating. So, imagine my surprise when I checked my email this morning and had over 30 people trying to donate to my project! Wow! That's all I can say.

Since then, I have had many more offers, and they just keep coming...everything from jewelry to clothes to paintings, etc! I am so thankful because I believe this is an indicator of what to expect from this fundraising effort! The kindness of total strangers....

Oh No, What Have I Done?

2009-02-05T16:35:00.000-08:00

Ok, so the title of this post makes me sound a little scared, a little apprehensive of the journey ahead of me. Well, I'm not. In fact, I'm nothing but excited. For anyone who has not been reading my blog, I will catch you up to speed. Here it is: I have signed up to walk in the Susan G. Komen 3 day 60 mile walk in Chicago this summer to raise money for breast cancer. In signing up, I also made the commitment to raise a minimum of $2300, and as a team, we will raise around $12,000. This is a lot of money, but I am incredibly excited for the challenge. I even considered making a deal with my co-workers where I would shave my head if they could collectively raise $1000 for the cause. Haha; you think my husband would like that idea? Probably not, so maybe that's not the best idea, but I would certainly dye my hair pink if it would encourage people to donate.

Anyway, why on earth am I doing this? Why would I make the decision to not only raise all of this money, but also to put my body through the torture of walking 20 miles three days straight and sleeping in a tent each night? Of course, the simple answer is that is is fun, it is for a good cause, and because I can and believe that I should. But that's not really it. The truth is...

another family will have heard the words "it's breast cancer" by the time you finish reading this, and that family will be forced onto a journey they would have never envisioned for themselves or their loves ones. I walk because within the next 13 minutes another family will lose their mom, their sister, their daughter, or their friend, and they will be thrust into a "before the cancer" and "after the cancer" life. I walk because just within the last 10 years, over 400,000 families have faced both of the situations I just described. I walk because I cannot walk away.

Together, we can make a difference.

Please click on the 3 day icon on my page to make a donation. Any support is greatly appreciated! Also, if you are unable to make a financial contribution, please consider making a donation for a silent auction. Our team is planning an event/silent auction, and we would welcome any donations. Thank you for reading!

P.S. For more information on the 3 Day or the Susan G. Komen Foundation, please check out the3day.org.