Thursday, May 30, 2013

Pause for paws

My run this morning was a little... Haphazard? Disjointed? Uneven? I dunno. I hadn't even gone out the door, before my husband reminded me that our friend was coming over to drop off his doggy to stay for the day, so I had to stick close to home. Totally doable - there's a loop, and a park...I can see the house from there.
I ran literally just across the street before I ran into (and almost got clobbered by) this guy's dog, a purebred Alaskan Husky. This isn't the exact dog I saw, but it's close. The dog was GORGEOUS, and I couldn't stop "ooh"-ing and "aww"-ing over the dog. So pause...but I didn't pause my Garmin. Oops.
Halfway into my first loop, I saw a sign on a bench advertising an outdoor boot camp this summer, so I had to stop to check it out (no pause job the Garmin). A loop and a half later (0.6 miles total, at that point), and I saw my friend pull into the driveway. I ran to the house to make sure he got in okay, and again didn't pause my Garmin. We talked. No pause. When I started running again, I crossed paths with Mr. Husky, whose dog had spotted me and gotten all excited, ran around a picnic table, and I tried to help the guy untangle them by sort of corralling the dog (pause my Garmin? Didn't even cross my mind; I'll never learn!).
This dog needs to be named "Tigger;" it's very fitting. So I did just over a mile in about ten minutes, but you know, with all those un-paused pauses, I think that's okay.

Tuesday, May 28, 2013

Memorial Day and my scrappy side

Memorial Day was the icing on the cake, if the preceding three days were indeed cake...and they definitely were. Filled with time together and apart; both times were very needed, appreciated, and thoroughly enjoyed.
We painted. Then we painted again. Aaaand again. Three colors, times two coats each. That's six coats more than I wanted to paint. But my sweetie was there, pushing me (kicking and screaming, sometimes), so it was okay.
So here's how it turned out, kind of an overview of the room as you enter it from the hub in the hallway. If you step a foot into the room and face the left, here's what you see (at least for right now, because we aren't finished yet): our new daybed (we need a cover and tons of fluffy, squishy pillows) and a couple (there will eventually be four) bookcases. I just hope that's enough to house all of our books.
Here's another overview...um...view:
And... (drumroll, please...), the piece de resistance, my... SCRAP AREA!! Yaaaaaaay! Isn't it lovely and gorgeous? Yes, I know you're jealous.
But it's mine, all mine. And I love it. Every inch. Every nook and cranny. Every strip of paper. Every little detail!
Just imagine all the things I'll create here!! My next project, I think...shall be an encore to my much-beloved (even if only by me) wedding scrapbook. I think I'll focus on our travels over the past almost seven years! Yes, and it shall be...probably pretty decent. Any other scrappy people out there in blog-land?

Monday, May 27, 2013

Memorial Day Weekend: Fri-Sun

This weekend was awesome! For starters, I came home after work on Thursday to this:
The top two-thirds of the scrap room upstairs was completely finished (which of course left the bottom third unpainted...more on that later). We had the most amazing, relaxing Thursday night; it was like it used to be, with no specific appointments or outings scheduled.
Oh wait, I take that back: somebody bought tickets to see "Star Trek Into Darkness" in IMAX 3D on Friday morning in Fresno. I thought going to Fresno for the second weekend in a row would be a hassle, but no. Totally worth it. The movie was awesome (for the second time)!
Gotta love my sweetie, though. Always gets everywhere early. Like, 10:30 for a 12:40 show. So we wandered, and found this bakery. Looked awesome, but actually, just kinda ho-hum.
After the movie, we went to my all-time favorite burger place (tip: the reason I love the place sooooo much, is for something other than the burgers), Eureka ! Burger. I got the Fresno fig burger, and loved every bite... until I got a few bites into the second half, and I stopped in my tracks, started sweating, and felt like I was gonna puke right there. I put the burger down, and (for me, this next part is amazing) didn't pick it up again. No idea what happened there, but I hate puking. Definitely didn't want to puke. No puke-y. But then, we went to Sam's Club to pick up a few random items, but fell in love with a daybed (as well as a mattress to go with it), so my ride home was a little cramped; but at least I didn't have to drive!
It wasn't so bad for the first half hour, but then my knee started killing me! It ws great to not have to work on Friday (I REALLY miss my four ten-hour days schedule!), but that meant that Saturday had to be back to work, but it was just home stuff; we didn't have to go anywhere, and there were no desks or paperwork involved.
Yaaaaaaay! We got up early and got started on the lower third of the upstairs wall, which we covered in two coats of "berry wine."
It was lookin' good, but needed to dry overnight. There was nothing left to do except...
Tutti Frutti. Smashed almond roca. And carmel. Yum!
Sunday, we taped and painted, this time a five-inch "chocolate swirl" stripe. We think it came out great!
See? Good stuff! I could tell you what happened on Monday, but that would be like opening presents on Thanksgiving: it just wouldn't be right.

Tuesday, May 21, 2013

Things That Make Me Happy

Raindrops on roses and whiskers on kittens, Bright copper kettles and warm woolen mittens.... Like it or not, I try to think positively on the outside, especially when I'm freaking out on the inside. And I've been thinking positively a lot lately! Here are a few things that make me happy, or at least make me smile: 1. Gotta start it off with a picture. Love this guy.
2. Watching mindless TV. Right now, my favorites are oldies but goodies: "Cheers" (the Rebecca seasons) and "Seinfeld." 3. Crafting.
4. Remembering good times. Times I couldn't breathe from laughing so hard. Happy times that I never want to forget.
5. Food. Yes, food makes me happy.

Sunday, May 19, 2013

California Classic Race Recap

As usual, I woke up in a great mood this morning, even though it was 4:55 a.m. on a Sunday. I could have slept in. I could have define so many other things. But I, like so many other running freaks, made a conscious decision to run 13.1 (or, according to the GPS on my cell, 13.5) miles. The drive there was fine. The organization there? Meh, not so much. The line for the porta potties occupied the same space as the line-up for the start line.
I was in a good mood, despite the disorganization.
I started off okay, completely realizing that I had grossly under-trained for this one. Still, I just wanted to break 2:45. I chased the 2:30 pacer until mile eight to ten or so; it gave me hope, but I kept calculating his time and thinking that his pace was off.
One of the big selling features of this race was running through the zoo, and especially past the new sea lion cove! Sounds kinda exciting, no? Well...not really, no. It had to be less than fifty feet. Well, maybe I'm not the best when it comes to estimating distance, but it was all over in less than five minutes. And I don't run fast. Very disappointing.
I was feeling okay, just a little disappointed. I kept running my intervals as planned (at least, for the most part).
I started feeling like I wanted to die at about mile 10-ish, and this hill (overpass) didn't help. About halfway up, a woman appeared at the top of the stairs and gave me half of an orange Otter Pop. It was like a light shone down from the heavens, and the bright colors of the box just glowed! It was amazing.
Mr. Kilt and I kept leap-froggies each other, and not just for a few miles here and there, either. We paced each other THE ENTIRE DISTANCE. We even talked a few times, to make the time pass.
This chick was awesome, dressed up as Bat Girl; when we passed a guy dressed as The Flash who was handing out water, she had to stop to take her picture with him. It was awesome. I love people who dress up for races. I'm not a great fan of it - tulle chafes my forearms after just one mile.
At this point, I was pretty much ready to die.
By my Garmin, I did - what - 13.25 miles, but by my cell GPS, I did 13.5. Either way, I ran the full thing, and I did it in 2:41-ish.
It was fun, actually. Really not bad. I'm not saying I'd do it again. My favorite half remains the Shamrock'n Half in Sacramento sometime around St. Patrick's Day. I've done it twice, and I'd love to do it again and again and again.

Thursday, May 16, 2013

Three Things

It's Thursday, and that means three things!
It feels like I haven't had a calm, cool weekend in a while now, and this weekend should be no different, with a Star Trek viewing, a baseball game, and the California Classic half marathon, I'm kinda worried, actually. It's pretty active for a run weekend. I still can't believe how fast May 19th just popped up!
My three things for today are my goals for this race. I'm not as trained as I would like to be (like I was for my first half, where I earned my PR of 2:22 (which I realize is small beans to some, but it was a great feat for me)).
My goals for this run: 1. Finish in 2:30 or less (who knows..."shoot for the moon, land among the stars," right?) 2. Finish in under 2:45. Please, oh please, let me reach this one. I'd seriously be happy okay with 2:44:59. 3. Have fun. Don't melt. Live and breathe. Survive. No emergency room visits. Enjoy the ride. See the animals. But no talking penguin. That'd be greeeeat, mmkay?
- - - - - Anyone else running this weekend, or anytime soon? Tell me about it! I'm dying to know!

Tuesday, May 14, 2013

10 Things

Last night wasn't my best night sleeping. I was hot and thirsty, but too tired to do anything about it. I finally gave in at around midnight, got some water, threw back the blanket, and fell back asleep, out like a light, until 4:20 a.m., when we walked. So I was cruising the blogs and found this: I like it. The daily prompt is exactly what I need! So here, in no particular order, for day #14, are ten things that make me happy: 1. Running. Seeing sights. Taking time to enjoy where I live. Breathing and relaxing, while sweating.
2. Thinking about my little brother, and all of the stories about him, and things he told me. I miss him lots, daily. Him, and his music.
3. Rain. Actually, any kind of weather that isn't just "clear, calm, sunny and warm" 350 days of the year. Give me rain, wind, sleet, overcast...anything that isn't boring. 4. People watching. Crazy. Lovey-dovey. Business. Friends. Arguments. Connections. Relaxing. Driving. Sun bathing. I love watching people. And I can't wait to do some people watching in San Francisco soon!
5. Food. Need I say more? 6. Cuddling on the couch with my Love. It doesn't even matter if we're just cuddling, watching a movie or TV, or quietly falling asleep. I love the feel of him next to me. 7. Knowing that at least there's at least one thing in this world that I know really well.
8. Connecting with people, whether it's my co-workers, clients, friends or family. Having that connection means a lot, and makes my day. 9. Having a job, and a reason for waking up. Having a purpose. Living a life. I know I'm fortunate to have a job, and I really love that I don't hate going every day. It's a good thing. 10. Spending ANY kind of time with my Love. Meeting him for lunch at home. Going out. Staying in. Talking. Walking. Running Rocky Hill. Cooking together. Watching movies. Falling asleep. Holding hands. Driving. Laughing. Inside-joking. Anything. I just love him, that's all.

Monday, May 13, 2013

Phone Dumper

My answer to Skinny Runner and her random phone dumps. That I had already written this morning, before my old app lost it, And I was forced to start all over. I love the random purging. On phones and in life, sometimes it's just necessary. Y'know?
We had a ton of fun Friday evening. As usual, everyone ate way too much, but still swore we'd do it again in a heartbeat. Classical conditioning isn't my thing, I guess.
Despite my best attempts, my services won't be required for addressing a friend's wedding invitations. (Note to self: learn calligraphy.)
I call this my "Lucy face," because it reminds me of my niece who always tweaks her face for pictures. Less pressure on always having a great smile. I love it.
I ran. I did run. I will run again. But...it was so hot! And I don't even have a great excuse for wimping out. There aren't even any hills here. The entire loop around my neighborhood, the elevation changes a grand total of six feet. Total.
We went to lunch before seeing "The Great Gatsby" on Saturday. These are what Bravo Farms calls "nachos." They're more like eating a pound of cheese (white cheddar), with a chip here, and a bean there. Mostly, it's just cheese. I love cheese, but after that I was ready to not have cheese for a few... hours. - - - - - - - - - - Wish me luck: next weekend is the half!! ...And I'm kinda nervous!

Testing, Testing...

I blog almost exclusively on my phone. There are a number of reasons for that, not the least of which is that all the pictures I take, I take on my phone (with very few exceptions). The last two or three times I've blogged, the app I use has completely lost my post. It's not in "draft;" it's just lost. Gone entirely. So I'm trying this new app. But I'd love to know what anyone else uses.

Monday, May 6, 2013

Creatively nagging my neighbors

I always think my most creative thoughts when I have no opportunity to write notes.

"I can be this creative later...just watch!"

And then, wah wah...nothin'.

My top two creative-thinking times are when I'm falling asleep, and when I'm running (or biking).

Yesterday morning, as I was running, I realized that there are three kinds of stop-sign-ers:
1. People who obey the rules of the road (definitely no more than 20%).
2. People who pay no heed whatsoever to these "rules" that they've never personally seen in writing, and absolutely don't remember signing anything, so while they might occasionally slow down, there's no way they're going to come to a "full and complete stop." (This is about 50% of drivers.)
3. People who remember taking a test at some point, but don't really remember anything on it, except for 0.08% blood alcohol, because that's what they thought would become important. These people (about 30%) stop at the stop sign and wait for it to turn green. And so they wait, minutes on end...

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Have you realized any strange habits of people in your neck o' the woods recently? Am I the only one?

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Wednesday, May 1, 2013

Walking, sans electronic distractions

Monday morning, 4:30. I was ready to walk with my Love, but my Love was too tired to wake up at 4:30, so I fell back asleep too.

Tuesday morning, same story.

This morning, though, it was different. We woke up. We got out of bed. We got dressed and we walked. For 2.58 miles, talking the whole way. It was a great morning. A great walk. And I love my quiet time alone with my Love. No TV. No computer. No cell phone. (Most of those things, I'm #1 offender, for the record, not him.)

I can't wait to do it again tomorrow. But Friday? That's a run day. I should have these beauties in my possession by then...