Living My Dream

Tricky question.

My Dream changes often.

Right now, I’d have to say yes.

I’m working towards running my 1st half marathon. I think I might have mentioned that before.

I’ve wanted to be a runner for years.

For years I’ve been afraid to even try. Once or twice I did try. But then game up after a week or two. It was easier to give up than to all out fail.

I’m sure I’ve mentioned this before. One of my best friends ran her 1st Half Marathon in January of 2012. I went to Disney Land to cheer her across the finish. Only that didn’t happen. Don’t like your fingers while you’re at Disney Land.

Anyway, I remember telling her over and over how she was crazy. How I’d never be able to do it. Ever. How I wouldn’t even try. There was no way I’d be able to run 1 mile, let alone 13.1.

In April, when they announced the 2nd Annual Tinker Bell Half Marathon at Disney Land, she messaged me. She told me next year I’d be crossing the finish line WITH her, instead of just being (sort of) at the finish line to meet her.

The words that came to my mind?

Fuck. I better start running.

And I did.

And it was hard.

Really hard.

I could barely run a mile and a half in 30 minutes. My average minutes per mile were hovering around 18 or 19.

But I kept on.

It got a little easier as time went on. As I remained dedicated to running 3 times a week.

Now, when I go out for a 30 minute run I get about 2.4 miles in.

My longest run to date is 11 miles. It was really, really, (fucking) hard. Well, not the whole thing. Just the last 2 miles. They were brutal. But I finished them.

My minutes per mile are about 12 to 13 now. Not fast, but much better when I started.

I’m proud of myself.

I even cranked up that dream a notch. My 1st half marathon will be the Disney Wine & Dine at Disney World this November 10th.

Wow.

Living my dream and feeling better than I ever have.

Go me.

This is me and Carly after our 1st 5K together in August of 2012. She came up from Arizona to run in The Color Run with me. She really loves me.

Day 6 of BlogFEST 2012 hosted by Corinne Rodrigues of Everyday Gyaan. Of course it’s not to late to join us!!

Online College Courses?

No thank you.

I gave it a shot, once. It wasn’t worth my time or the debt that followed after it.

I was enrolled in an online University that is highly advertised and seems pretty popular. I think I lasted through 1 1/2 classes before I gave up.

The first class was the mandatory study skill type of class they make you waste your money on. It went okay, but I didn’t really learn anything new.

The second class was one that dealt with management and the different styles and whatnot. The teacher was absolutely AWFUL. We had to write many essays. The 2nd essay was due long before the 1st one was ever graded. Therefore, our grades were lower because we didn’t know exactly what the teacher was looking for, his particular style, etc. It was a total pain in the ass. I couldn’t deal with it.

I don’t think I’ll ever try another one. Never say never, but it’s highly unlikely.

I don’t have a picture that goes with this  post, soooo here’s another pretty picture. It was taken at Helen Hunt Falls in Colorado Springs about 2 years ago, I think.

The days are getting colder. I hope this picture warms your heart, just a little.

This post is in response to Day 5 of BlogFEST 2012 hosted by Toni Lynn Cloutier of tonilynncloutier.com

Take Charge

Sometimes my life just feels out of control. It’s like I’m just sort of here, going through the motions, hanging on dearly, just along for the ride.

Sometimes I don’t even go through the motions. I’m just sort of existing.

I’m trying to get better at this. Really, I am.

One of the things I’ve found that has significantly impacted how I, well, just AM in my life is my weight. Not only my weight, but my general health and well-being that has gone along with my obesity problems.

If I could grab hold of the reigns and take charge of just one thing in my life it would be my health. Unfortunately, my weight plays a HUGE part in that. No pun intended.

This is a work in progress. I mostly grabbed those reigns, back in April of this year. I wrote a few posts on my running, but then quit. After one of my favorite readers said something like, “What’s with all this running stuff?” I just didn’t know what else to say about it. I did start a new blog that deals with just the running stuff.

This is me a few years ago. I remember spending most of my days snoozing on the couch. I didn’t give a shit if the kids were home or if a friend was over. I was tired and I just didn’t feel good. At all. It showed. Please, be kind. I know I didn’t look very good. I sure didn’t feel good. My blood sugar was high, my fibromyalgia was horrendous.

Last year I started losing some weight, just for no good reason. To this day I’m not sure why the pounds started dropping. I went from my all time high, around 280 something to down to around 225. I didn’t look that much better, lord knows. However, I felt a wee bit better. I was able to get up and out of the house a little more. My blood sugars went back to almost normal. My pain level didn’t drop at all. I think that was probably because I still wasn’t active.

Like I said, in April of this year I started taking charge. I started running 3 times a week. I started doing Zumba 3 times a week. The last time I had labs drawn, my blood sugar was down to normal. My cholesterol is much better. My bad cholesterol is good, the good cholesterol is good. My triglycerides still need some work, but they are down to 184. Doc says they need to be under 150, but I can see the light at the end of the tunnel. They started out over 500!!

All these things are good, but what’s great is that my mind is quieter, my depression better. My pain is almost nonexistent. It does creep back if I don’t take a pain pill before I go to sleep at night and if I don’t run for a few days. Best of all, I actually feel like getting up and doing things. Going on outing with the family, shopping, taking photos of pretty things, walking the dogs.

I strive to keep taking charge. Keep running, keep eating well. I want my life back.

This is day 4 of BlogFEST 2012 hosted by Stuart Fish at StuartFish.com

Make A Wish

I’ve had a lot of time to think about wishes, lately.

I have many of them.

I wish I could be thinner, more healthy.

I wish I was pain free.

I wish we had more extra money. Who wouldn’t love to be able to buy whatever their little hear desires, or to take vacations to the beach, whenever they want? Maybe the beach thing is just me.

I wish I could run faster. I do okay. I’ve improved a lot. I would still love to be able to get out there and run 10 miles in just over an hour rather than it taking 2 hours.

Oh, I could go on and on. I could add so many superficial wishes to this list.

I could even add a few, less superficial things.

I wish I could be closer to all of my family. It would be wonderful to be loved by all of them.

I wish I could see my grandma or grandpa just one more day. To hear the stories grandpa would tell. To eat one last bowl of ice cream with him, maybe two. I would love to give my grandma one last hug. One last kiss. To tell her how much she meant to me. To tell her I am who I am today because she truly loved me.

I could put more here, too. I’ll stop now. I’m in tears. Those memories of my grandma and grandpa always do it for me.

But, if I could have just one wish…. What would I chose? I’ll tell you what I would chose, hands down. No questions asked.

I’d wish that my son, Dylan, could see through all the bullshit that goes on and see right down to his true self worth.

I’d wish that he would quit lying, stealing, and sneaking around. Why he does these things is completely beyond me.

I’d wish that he would just do his stupid school work, bring home work home. He’s smart. He’s one of those gifted people who can just be good at school, without even trying. Unfortunately, he doesn’t try at all.

I’d wish he could complete something his heart desires, so he would be able to see that he is talented, and amazing, and totally worth it.

When he ran 1.5 out of the 2 miles for his time trial, but then quit before he could get the jersey and run for his school in the meet. My heart folded in on itself. I cried inside for him. He wanted so badly to run for his school.

I wanted so badly for him to shine.

 

Dylan all dressed up in Las Vegas.

Here is Dylan on his 1st day of 8th grade.

Dylan, Michael, and me after his 1st 5K.

This post is for Day 3 of BlogFEST 2012 hosted by Slyvie at Tree Girly. Take a peek, come join us. It’s fun!

Insomnia

The stars have to align, just right, for me to sleep. My daughter can sleep no matter what. She most certainly didn’t get those genes from me.

I guess it all started when I was a teenager.

I’ve never been much of a morning person. I’ve always liked to stay up late, then sleep late the next day. In the words of my sistah-in-law, I’m a night person living in a day person’s world.

It sucks.

My mom didn’t like to allow naps during the day. So even though I couldn’t sleep at night I wasn’t able to try to make up for it the day after. Every few days I would end up crashing once I got home from school and sleep until the next morning.

I remember being able to sleep when I was first married. Maybe. It could have been before I got married, but was living with my now husband. A lot of those years kind of run together.

I never was able to just fall asleep. Not right away. It always took me a while to fall asleep, but I was always able to get at least 6 hours a night. Something like that. I could at least function the next day.

To this day, it grates on my nerves when I hear the first, low snores out of my husband about 2 minutes after his head hits the pillow. I want try waking him up, just to ask if he’s really asleep that fast and just because I’m jealous he can fall asleep (Is that mean?). It’s not fair. Ohhhh, the injustice of it all!! And please know, I’m not exaggerating here. If he doesn’t fall asleep within about 10 minutes (extremely rare), he’s tossing and turning. Huffing and puffing because he just can’t fall asleep. Then about 5 minutes later *POOF!!* He’s asleep.

I’m left laying there for hours. Listening to the sweet sounds of his easy slumber.

I worked nights for about 10 years. I can tell you that didn’t help me at all. There are many in my family who are night owls, rather than early birds, so I am inclined to think this runs in the family. Maybe not.

No amount of medication or meditation seems to help me. Every once in a while I can get myself back on what society deems a normal sleep schedule. It usually lasts about 5 days. Tops.

You can bet, no matter how tired I am, no matter how many hours I’ve been awake in the last day or two, that if I have something important to do the next day, like an appointment or a trip out of town, there will be exactly zero sleep for me the night before.

This makes for a lot of days of just trying to get through.

Anxieties over real things and things that are only perceived to be real keep me up. Over and over.

I long for those days where I could sleep at night. Oh, how I long for them.

I don’t have a picture of me sleeping (you can thank me later), so here are a couple pretty pictures to look at.

This post is for Day 2 of BlogFEST 2012, hosted by Susan at Today’s Working Woman. Come on over and join us!

Party Time!

I don’t do parties so much any more. I want to. I really do.

My anxieties and felling of awkwardness just make it pretty damn near impossible. I just feel so out of place when I’m in a group, whether I know the people attending, or not.

Getting drunk used to help, but not so much these days. I can drink a few drinks, at the very most. I think this is karma biting me in the ass for the countless times I’ve told anyone who would listen that, “I never puke.” Top that off with the wicked heartburn I inevitably get, there you have it.

I guess I’m just getting old. Oh well.

This is me back in a time of excess. We would drink almost every weekend in my friend’s basement. I’m not sure what I was drinking here. Generally, vodka and OJ was our choice of drink. I would drink until one of my friends would hide the bottle. I could NEVER find that damn bottle….

Yep. Real classy. My friends were all a year older than me. Sadly, we didn’t get to hang out much after they graduated high school, so I’m guess I was a Junior here. Sorry mom.

This was 1997. I was in training while in the U.S. Army. It was Christmas time and one of my dearest friends drove down to Georgia from North Carolina to pick me up. That first day we drank screwdrivers and shots in her dad’s hot tub. For a really long time. I was inebriated enough that she had to shower me. Dress me. Fix my hair and put my make-up on. Shortly after that I think I tried to hump her Christmas tree.

Well, shoot. I cannot find that picture anywhere. I will keep looking for it and share it with you. I’m sure you’ll get a good laugh out of it.

 

This post was written for BlogFEST 2012 and hosted by Jenn at Wine-n-Chat. It’s never too late to join us!!

Incredibly Quiet Here

Happy 4th of July! There is a very strict ban on all things fireworks in Colorado, so it’s been eerily quiet all day.

Why I love running in Colorado: You get to see some beautiful wildlife, if you’re lucky. I saw these guys a few days ago. Today one ran across the path, just 10 or 15 feet in front of me! I was in awe, so I was quick enough to get a picture today.

I did have a great run this morning. I ran for a total of 45 minutes. Not very noteworthy, other than I hit a PR!

I think I was able to run so well this morning for a few reasons:

1. No kids. I usually take my 9 year old son with me, and sometimes my 7 year old daughter. The 9 year old does really good, but my daughter is even less of an athlete than I am.
2. No dogs. If the kids don’t come with me, many times I will take one of my dogs. Both are crazy spaz cases when it comes to other people or animals. Not to mention, when I run, their energy level is like times a billion, so they’re just hyper and weird. I spend a lot of time trying to get them to quit pulling (something they don’t do while on a regular walk) or to not be so scared when a biker rides by.
3. It was gorgeous! Not too hot. I think it was only in the 70’s when I got out this morning. It’s been incredibly hot and very rare for me to be able to run when it’s less than 80, even early in the am. Our days have been over 100 for quite a while now, without much relief at night.
4. I found an awesome interval timer for FREE on iTunes!! It’s exactly what I’ve been looking for. I was able to run without having to stare at the timer on RunKeeper to make sure I was running my intervals correctly. The app is by Gymboss. It was incredibly freeing to be able to just run and listen for the beeps. I actually had a fall a week ago from watching the timer on my phone. Ouch!

I’m actually incredibly proud of this scrape on my knee. It’s my 1st running injury. Sort of. My Aunt was quick to point out that I had a similar accident about 15 years ago, when I was learning how to run so I could join the US Army. Only I gouged a hole in my chin, rather than a scrape on my palms or knees.

Yes, I am incredibly talented.

Race Recap: Welcome To Summer Virtual 5K

Okay, okay, this was more of a slowwww run rather than a race. I admit it. Sigh.

I had great expectations for this race, which was part of the Welcome To Summer Virtual Run. I was going to give it my all and get a PR!! I was!! Really!

But then my 7 year old daughter, Maddy said she wanted to run with me. I’ve signed her up for a 5K on July 7th, so I figured I better see if she even COULD run an entire 5K. She is much like me and is not very athletically inclined.

The good news is that she can. Just barely.

My 9 year old, Michael, ran with us too.

Our time was 48:01 (See….very slowwww. Even for me)

Mile 1 - 14:42 For about half of the 1st mile I had high hopes that she would be able to keep up and finish with a 15 second run/45 second walk pace. Not so. She could only do about 4 or 5 of those before she was too tired. We dropped down to a 10 second run/50 walk interval and she was able to handle that much better.

Mile 2 – 15:42 Maddy insisted on getting a drink every time we finished a lap. I kept going, but a little slower, while she finished her drink and caught up.

Mile 3 – 16:06 Maddy was still trying to get a drink of water after every lap, but after the 1st lap she sat down. I had to yell at her and threaten her life to get off her ass and catch up to me. She tried to cut across the track to catch up, until I yelled “cheater!!” (I am such a mean mom!) The last 10 minutes or so I had to hold her hand and encourage her to run for those 10 seconds.

Although it was a little slower than I would have liked, I am very proud of Maddy for running it with me. She had a hard time, but in the end she was able to finish it. And even with a bit of a smile on her face. I’m not sure if she will volunteer herself to run with me again (except for the run I’ve already entered her in), but I really hope she will!

I had a huge fibromyalgia flare-up and couldn’t run the 10K part of the race today. I’m really hoping I feel better tomorrow and can get it in before the end of the contest.

Here’s a picture of my brats and I, right after the run. Terrible picture, I know, but we had to wait until dusk for it to cool down enough to run. My iPhone doesn’t take the greatest pictures when there isn’t enough light.

Summer Virtual Run 5k/10K

Yes! I found another one to enter! And this one is FREE! Do you realize how much some of these runs are to enter?

Running, Loving, Living is hosting a virtual run. It’s extra awesome because you can participate regardless of where you live.

This event has already started, but you have until June 25th to complete your runs. You can find all of the information here.

I’m going to run both the 5K and the 10K. Call me crazy! Luckily, I can get both runs in and it will still work with my training calendar.

Go! Join now! Someone asked if they could walk the 5K because they weren’t a runner, and she gave permission.

Give it a try! What do you have to lose?

P.S.  I’ve also added the Run, Stroll, & Roll 5K to my schedule. It’s in Colorado Springs on July 7th at America the Beautiful Park. It’s FREE, as well. If you live here, come join me. My kids will be running with me too!

Lose A Marathon

Jess over at Run with Jess has this super awesome weight loss challenge going on right now.

I decided to give it a try. I have much more than just a marathon to lose, but 26.2 pounds seems like a great place to start. Losing anything will help me to run easier. The challenge runs for 13 weeks, so my weekly weight loss goal will be 2 pounds.

This weeks mini challenge is to write out my weight loss plan.

• Eat less than 1600 calories a day.
• Keep carbs to the bar minimum to help with my blood sugar.
• Zumba for 1 hour on Monday, Wednesday, and Friday.
• Run for 45 minutes Tuesday and Thursday.
• Long run on Saturday (Anywhere between 3 and 13 miles)
• Try to walk 6 miles Monday, Wednesday, and Friday.
• Try to walk extra on Tuesday, Thursday and Saturday for a total of up to 6 miles (to get the maximum points for charity on Earndit.com)
• Sunday is my rest day if I feel I need it. If not, then walking up to 6 miles it is.

This is actually the plan I’ve been following for the last couple of weeks. I do see some very small results on the scale. Nothing major, but every bit helps.

I will be measuring myself tomorrow. I think it will help if I’m able to see some good results there, just in case that damn scale doesn’t want to budge. I’ll post those, hopefully tomorrow. I might just wait until next week and add them in on my update post.

We also had to take some “before” pictures. I bit the bullet and did it, even though I really did not want to.

We can only hope there will be a very marked improvement in the next set I have to take. Don’t mind the shiny face. Zumba kicked my ass just shortly before the photo was taken. And the goofy grin? My husband is not much of an iPhone photographer. It took many, many shots before he could get one with my entire body in it, somewhat centered and not too blurry. It was hilarious!

You can join the challenge for the next week. Did I mention there are PRIZES involved?!?! Get on over to Run with Jess and sign up! Oh yeah, if 26.2 miles is too daunting or you don’t need to lose quite that much, you can sign up for the halfer, or just 13.1 pounds. Give it a try!

If you’re on RunKeeper look me up. There’s always room for one more on my Street Team (that sounds so dirty).

Blissful Mochatini

What’s better than coffee or alcohol? Not a whole lot. Except maybe coffee AND alcohol mixed together.

I'm a member of the Coffee-Mate Brew Crew and got word that Coffee-Mate Natural Bliss has a recipe contest happening on their Facebook page right now.

I think Jarod did an outstanding job with his video, so I wanted to share it with you. I really want to try this, but may not be able to until these blood sugar numbers are a bit better controlled.

This is where you come in. Give it a try and tell me how good it is! Please! I will live vicariously through you, my friends.

Looks like some good prizes, so if you have a recipe you’d like to share, do it here. Hurry though, the contest ends June 25th.

This Is What A 5K (plus some Zumba)

looks like for me.

Please forgive the squinty eyes. It was very sunny. And the gray hair. One of these days I will get around to dying it or something. Fucking gray hair. And the caterpillars that are hanging out above my eyes.

I was the only one who ran. There were 4 or 5 people who walked about half of it.

I was slow. However, I’ve come a long way in the last month and a half. I’ve knocked about 4 minutes off each mile. My goal is to knock about 5 more off, but we’ll see how that goes.

Words Cannot Describe

how I feel right now.

Just a short while ago I purchased my entry ticket to the 2012 Wine & Dine Half Marathon at Disney World in November.

I bought the plane ticket too, sooooo….there’s not getting out of it.

There are so many emotions running through me right now.

I’m excited, mostly. But in under that current of excitement is a bit of nervousness and maybe some self-doubt.

I never – in a hundred bazillion years – thought I would ever be signing up for a 5K (I’m registered for 2 of those already), let alone a half marathon. Just ask my friend, Carly. Just a few short months ago I was giving her props for running a half marathon, while telling her that I would never be able to run one.

I know I can do this. That’s what I keep telling myself. I’ve been training, and still have many more months left to train. I’ll be fine. But then there’s that little voice underneath all that. I’m too old. I’m too fat. I’m not strong enough.

It’s not fair that I allow myself to talk like that. The only way to get past all that is to just DO IT!! And that’s what I’m going to do.

Carly, in a roundabout way, made me do this. And I love her and thank her for that. I started running a little over a month ago. For the first time in years I am having more good days than bad. There are still many rough days, but the fact is, I just feel a whole lot better. She provided that encouragement and inspiration.

Wow. So anyway, I had no idea that this post was going to go there….I didn’t even realize there were so many crazy emotions swirling around inside of me until I was typing it all down.

Here are my plans for the months ahead:

• Summer Bash 5K Run – June 16, 2012 – Pueblo, CO (My 1st 5K!!)
• The Color Run 5K – August 11, 2012 – Colorado Springs, CO
• Step Out Walk to STOP Diabetes 5K Walk – October 20, 2012 – Denver, CO (Please consider donating to this cause)
• Disney Wine & Dine Half Marathon – November 10, 2012 – Disney World, FL (This will be the 1st time I miss my husband birthday – Sorry Baby!!)
• Disney Tinker Bell Half Marathon – January 20, 2013 – Disneyland, CA

I’m still working on more things to add, but I think this is a pretty good start.

Near & Dear To My Heart

I was diagnosed with Type II diabetes around 5 or 6 years ago. I can’t remember the exact amount of years, but what I can tell you is that it was absolutely devastating.

Yes. Devastating.

Even though I was pretty much expecting it.

I had a family history. I had gestational diabetes with all three of my pregnancies (one that even required insulin to manage), and I was overweight.

When I got that call from the doctor, it was like a punch in the gut.

How? Me? But I’m too young. I’m not THAT fat. Do over?? Please?

I have battled it since. My blood sugar numbers have never been perfect, no matter how “good” I eat. No matter how much exercise I do. No matter how compliant I am with my meds. (Yes, “MEDS,” I have to take 2 different ones).

Currently, I can eat 1 serving of carbs a day. Not that bad, you say? A diabetics serving of carbs is only 15 grams. Just 15 grams!! Tiny! That’s about half a banana, 1/2 of a cup of potatoes, or 1/3 of a cup of pasta. And that’s a day. Not per meal.

I’d love to help find a cure for this disease.

On October 20, 2012 I am going to do the 5K Step Out Walk To Stop Diabetes. The one I’m participating in is in Denver, Colorado.

I encourage you to click the link above and donate. Even if it’s only a few cents. You can make a donation here using your credit card or PayPal. (YES! They take PayPal now!).

If you don’t have anything to spare, that’s okay!! Spread the word to your family and friends. Help me make this Viral!!

Orrrr…..You can join me if you live close enough. There’s always room for one more. It would be fun to have a teammate or two.

Still At It

Yep, I’m still running.

It’s kicking my ass!!

But in a totally good way.

I feel so good after I run. That’s never happened in the past. You know when they say all those feel good endorphins kick in while exercising? I finally know what they feel like.

And I’m addicted.

I’ve been doing Zumba, as well. I found a place here in town that has FREE!! sessions 4 times a week.

Zumba kicks my ass too.

In a totally good way.

Today we went for a hike.

Hiking is a lot harder than I thought it would be.

Hiking kicks my ass.

In a totally good way.

Plus, I got a pretty picture.

P.S. If you use Runkeeper to track your fitness let me know! I’d love to add you to my Street Team.

I Finished It This Time!

As my 13 year old is asking me how C25K is supposed to help us and my 9 year old is literally running circles around me, I thought I just might die.

Not quite, but almost.

Ohhh, to have the energy of a 9 or 13 year old.

I did Day 1 Week 1 of the C25K running program over. It pissed me off that I didn’t finish it the first time.

I was able to finish that last minute of running tonight.

I stopped for a split second, but then kept running. I only had 13 seconds left. It wasn’t going to beat me.

My pace was a little faster.

I was happy about that, until I realized that I’m actually running twice as slow as when I was in the Army.

That was a few years ago…..but that’s besides the point.

I’m happy. I feel good.

I can’t wait to wear that sparkly skirt!!!

First Run!

Week 1 Day 1 of the Couch 2 5K program.

It was tough. Not too tough, but much harder than walking, that’s for sure. And yes, you can all say, “duh” here.

My 9 year old son, Michael, ran with me. In fact, towards the end of the run, he was doing laps around me. Brat. ;)

I wasn’t able to finish the entire last minute of running. Other than that, it was good.

I’m going to keep plugging on.

I want to finish that Tinker Bell Half Marathon in January 2013!!

I’m Gonna Do It

Finally.

I’ve always wanted to run a half marathon.

One of my best friends just asked me to do the Tinker Bell Half Marathon at Disneyland.

I said yes.

If nothing else, at least I get to wear a pretty, sparkly skirt and maybe a set of wings while I’m trying to kill myself.

It’s not till January 2013, so I have some time to get ready for it.

I have a lot of training to do.

Now, if only I could walk more than 2 miles without feeling like I’m going to die….

I Just Dropped Not One, But Two

chicharones on the floor.

The urge to bend down, pick them up, and pop them into my mouth is overwhelming.

I have 4 dogs, which makes this impossible.

Well, not impossible, but really fucking gross, just the same.

I am saddened by the loss of some of the best fried pork fat I’ve ever tasted.

Fuck.

365 Day Photo Challenge ~Day 3~

This one was taken with about 3 minutes to spare. Sheesh!! (So it’s another crappy iPhone picture – sorry bout that)!!

I got these for Christmas.

Well, not really for Christmas, exactly.

It was around Christmas and I made my husband buy them for me.

Close enough.

I love glasses. I especially love the ones that drinks come in at restaurants. A lot.

Don’t give me a bag to put my to go boxes in….Chances are there will be a few glasses from your restaurant in them.

I almost feel guilty about that.

But, fuck, if I’m being ripped off $7 bucks for some stupid fruity drink, I think I just might deserve that damn glass.

365 Day Photo Challenge ~Day 2~

Yep. You guessed it. I almost forgot.

Anyway, with 27 minutes (in my time zone) to spare, here is a picture of my sleepy, old dog, Goldie. Who is obviously NOT amused that I’m taking her picture.

This one isn’t such a great photo, it’s just from my iPhone, but hey, it works, right?

I wanted to get out and take some pictures today, but yesterday I took a 3.32 mile walk and fuck if I don’t hurt today.

Then around noon my oldest son’s school called. He didn’t want to do anything at school, so I was to go pick him up.

Yep. You heard that right.

My 13 year old didn’t want to do anything at school. So they made me bring him home.

The principal just walked away from me when I told her that if he didn’t feel like going to school tomorrow, I was just going to leave him home. It seems like it’s the thing to do.

I mean, if she can send him home because he doesn’t want to be there, can’t I keep him home if he doesn’t want to go?

Oh yeah, I guess not. Something about the law here says I’ll get fined or sent to jail if one of my children exceeds 10 days of unexcused absences. And they take it seriously here.

I guess only the school gets to take the easy way out.

Fuckers.

365 Day Photo Challenge ~Day 1~

So, the other day I came across this website called Day Zero. The goal there is to create a list of 101 things you would like to accomplish. The only catch? You have to get your list done in 1001 days.

I’m working on my list. It only has 28 things. I think this link will take you there. If you decide to join, or if you’re already a member, please follow me! I’d love to follow you back.

Really. it’s taken me almost a week to put 28 things on my list. Obviously, I need some inspiration.

Anyway, back to the main point of this post.

I’ve wanted to do a 365 day photo challenge for a long time. The project just seemed too daunting.

I finally said fuck it. I’m doing it.

I started the day before yesterday.

But then I forgot to take one yesterday.

Soooo…I started again today.

I might have to start again next week. And maybe next month.

But I will eventually get it done.

I hope you follow along.

I hope you join me.

I’ve been told that even iPhone pictures count.

So have at it. If you show me yours, I’ll show you mine.

Oh yeah, and read the saying on the clock. It’s kinda neat.

Do Not Lick Your Fingers At DisneyLand,

no matter how fucking good that cotton candy was.

Or regardless of whether or not you're stuck on a scenic train ride with nothing to wipe that sticky, gooey mess on.

I promise you, no good can possibly come from it.

Alright. I was going to stop there. But serisously. My kids licked their fingers too. How come they didn't catch the same cooties I did? Really?

Kids are nasty and dirty.

They stick their fingers up their noses (I would never do that...)

They don't wash their hands. Ever.

I'm a germaphobe. My daughter relishes in this fact.

She loves to swing those stupid swingy lids on garbage cans when we're in public.

She never hesitates to touch a toilet seat. Anywhere. Or open those icky little bins women throw their trash in in a public restroom.

Yet, I'm the one who caught cooties from licking my fingers!!

Fuck the Magic of Disneyland.

All you get is cooties.

I Finally Had To Step Away.

I agonized about this for a long time.

I finally just had to do it.

Sometimes it hurts.

But not very much and not for that long.

This really surprises me.

We were "best" friends for a very, very long time.

Even when we lost touch for those years in the middle when you moved away, you were always still a part of me.

I was so happy when you moved back a few years ago.

I'm sorry we weren't able to keep our friendship alive longer.

I tried.

I tried so hard.

But you were always too busy.

You always had better things to do, other people to see.

You drove (still do) by my house at least 3 times a month and I was lucky to see you even once a month.

You nonchalantly cut me out of your wedding. You said it was because you wanted a smaller wedding.

What's worse is you didn't even tell me when you decided to do this. You dropped it like a bombshell when we were all at the bridal store looking for dresses.

You always took. You rarely gave.

I felt like such a junior high-schooler in this relationship.

I'm too old for that. Life is too short.

I thought it would be hard.

But really, it was easy.

I feel so much relief.

Goodbye, my friend.

I will miss what I thought we had.