oh, the marathon

Warning: This is the longest post ever. It's about running. Only. 

Well, it's been 7 months since I ran the marathon back in June.  In some ways it seems like yesterday, in other ways it feels like it was an eternity ago.  I really don't know why I've put off posting about it forever.  I have been thinking about running quite a bit lately (aren't I always though?).  Since I am pregnant now, my running has (obviously) changed.

The first trimester I was so tired I would have to take walking breaks every mile. In the second trimester I feel the need to take potty breaks every mile (but I never really have to go?).  I finally solved this problem by doing push ups between each mile to get rid of that feeling since going to the bathroom actually did little to help.  Yesterday I finally had a great day of running for more than 5 minutes (actually 40 minutes!) without feeling like I had to run straight to the bathroom. 

So far, I am not really 'showing,'  just lookin' a little pudgy so I haven't had to deal with any unsolicited advice from strangers that my baby will fall out due to my running or something crazy like that, but in case you are worried about me (or any other pregnant runners) just check out the American College of Obstetrics and Gynecology's website for their recommendations on exercise.  Which if you are too lazy to read is: to do it (exercise)! For 30 minutes every day (at least)! AND that if you ran before pregnancy you can generally continue to run throughout pregnancy (as long as your pregnancy isn't high risk) So there ya go, but really if you aren't a doctor you really shouldn't give out medical advice anyway, but that's just my feeling.  So you should talk to your doctor about what's right for you and I will continue to do the same ;)

So back to the marathon; I have been thinking about running and how I am really going to miss out on all of the races this year! Which to me, is sad.  Especially because I was planning on winning some... No that's a joke, I am as slow as molasses.  I was going to say especially because I remember the first thing I thought when I finished the marathon was, I can't wait to do that again!  So I can do it better! Okay, maybe it was 2 hours, 1 nap, and a trip to Arby's later.  Needless to say, I knew I wouldn't be doing it again for a while (if I was lucky) since this was a planned pregnancy.  Knowing we were planning to make room for baby in our life didn't stop me from wanting to run a marathon again though.

So since I won't be running a marathon this year, I wanted to write down what I learned from my training and the race day so I can do better next time.  If I don't write it down, I'll just make the same mistakes again.

Training

1.  Slow down on long runs, no really.

           While training for the marathon I kind of fell in love with speed work and I realized that my regular pace that I run at is kinda too easy for me, I could go harder and faster and I loved it.  It felt great.  I thought, "Why would I run my long runs so slow if I want to run my race fast? Shouldn't I get used to running fast?"  To me, this sounded like great logic.  All the books and websites say, run slow on long runs.  I poo poo-d that real quick and moved on with my own way since I was exploring my pace and what was fast or slow for me.  This is what basically killed my race and killed my time.  The longest run on my training schedule was 20 miles.  I had every intention of doing all my long runs outside.  Then I got shin splints.  And at that point all the long runs after about 13 miles got put on the treadmill.  I know right?  So I'm on the treadmill, obsessed with my newly discovered ease at running faster and pushing myself.  A real comfortable pace for me (maybe too comfortable) is 6.0 MPH, so the books say stay there or slow it down beyond that, but I was pushing it up to 7.0 MPH.  In fact, I ran my whole 20 miler at 7.0 MPH on the treadmill (at the gym, watching UP! twice, kill me now).  I did this partly because of my new need for speed and partly because a friend asked me to meet her for lunch and I felt like I couldn't turn her down so I was cramming the run in as fast as I could so I could go to lunch with her.  So the 20 miler took me about 3 hours.

Here's where the problem is:  My longest run was 20 miles and it took me 3 hours.  Even if my race day went fabulous and I ran the first 20 miles in 3 hours I'd still have about another hour of running to do beyond that point (4 hours of straight up running).  There is a BIG difference between 4 hours of running and 3 hours of running, at least to me.  If I had run slower, my 20 miler would have taken me longer and better prepared me for the TIME running versus the MILES run.  Next time, as much as it kills me and bores me, I will run slower at least on the very long runs.  A longer (time) run would've better prepared me mentally and physically.

2. Plan your day around your run, don't plan your run around your day.

       This goes back to my messed up 20 miler.  It's okay to ditch out on an outing with friends or family once or twice to fit in your training.  I can see how this can annoy your friends/family if you are constantly in training for a marathon, but you're probably not, I'm not.  So if you occasionally have to say, "No, it's not going to work for me today, I have my training."  They should forgive you and be supportive.

I did my long runs on Saturday.  Saturday was the day I did grocery shopping and chores.  This made for rough going and exhaustion.  Get other people to help out more, or rearrange your schedule to make sure you get what you need to done, hopefully on another day.

3. Don't miss any runs, but don't freak out if for some reason you do.

     I didn't have any issues with this, but I probably would have freaked if I missed a training run.  If I wrote it in my planner it was going to happen.

Race Day

1. Don't wear new gear.
       Everyone says that.  I wore new pants, it wasn't a tragedy or anything, but the waist band wasn't tight enough and I felt like my pants were falling down the whole time.  No bueno.

2. Do talk to others/meet new people.
       A marathon has such a great environment.  Head phones are great and music can really help you make it through rough points (Hello, cue a few glistening tears during Kelly Clarkson's 'What doesn't kill you makes you stronger." LMAO!) but it's also great to talk to others and find out where they are from, how they trained, is this their first race.  Everyone is so nice and encouraging.

3. Do wear your wedding ring.  Awkward....
        I never wear my wedding ring when I work out.  When I weight lift it literally hurts my hand, when I do cardio, I am paranoid it is going to fly off my hand and I won't notice and will never find it again.  So running the marathon I just thought it was safer to leave it at home.  As I already mentioned people are really nice and talkative at the marathon.  I think it's rude not to chat when people try to chat you up so I talked to a lot of people.  If it naturally came up that I was married I mentioned that, but I didn't want to say, "Hey, just FYI, I am married!" every time a man said anything to me, because that felt arrogant as if I assumed they were talking to me because they thought I was attractive.  Well, needless to say, I got myself a little stalker during the race. I don't even know how long he ran with me, probably at least 6 miles.  Off and on; he kept finding me again. and again. and again. The whole I'm married thing, never came up naturally.  Then it became clear it needed to.  Oh dear. It was pretty funny, sad, and awkward all in one.

4. Maybe you are like Deena Kastor or something, but if you are just a regular joe like me, nothing can really prepare you to run the marathon except to do it.
     I felt like I heard comments like this a lot. And it drove me crazy.  I also heard that 20 miles is the first HALF and the last 6 miles are brutal.  I didn't believe this going into it and I don't think it has to be true, but it was for me.  As I mentioned, I really messed up my training by running too fast and the last 5 miles were truly brutal.

 

Me at mile 21; feeling great before I "hit the wall" pretty sure a more accurate expression is

"a truck hits you!"

5. Don't start too... slow?
    Everyone will give you the advice, don't start out too fast.  I took that advice way too seriously. Which made no sense to do given the way I trained.  I started too slow.  I could have come out running under a 10:00/mile pace for the first chunk at least, but I tried to go slow to 'save my energy' but for me going slow used up more energy because it took more time, which I already mentioned, I wasn't prepared to run the time, even though I was prepared to run the distance. 

I had a goal to finish the marathon in 4:30 (about a 10:30 mile pace) VERY doable for me since a 10:00 mile is basically my very easy sweet spot.

Then I had a 'secret/dream' goal to finish in  4:00 (about 9:15 mile pace) not too crazy for me since I've done half marathons in under 2:00, but I knew it would be tough.

At the 21 mile mark I was all set to finish in my 4:30 goal.  That means I only had 5.2 miles left to go.  Somehow I didn't finish until 4:53:50.  Let's just NOT do the math there to see how slow I went.  I honestly wondered how I could ever finish at certain points.  But I did.

 The marathon was a great, wonderful, amazing experience.  Sometimes I felt like I would be defeated by it, but I wasn't.  And I honestly think anyone can run a marathon, anyone that's crazy enough to want to that is.

I can't wait to do it again, probably in the summer of 2014 if all is well.  I wasn't even sore the next day! That is one MAJOR sign for me that I could do it about a million times better.  For now, I'll be in training for labor and running for fun.

dreaming of a white.....

I am dreaming of a white Christmas, but I am also dreaming of a white couch. 

Yes, a lovely white loveseat for my formal living room which I like to call a parlor, because why not?

This is the white couch I want... lovely and cheap from the IKEA.  Just trying to keep it classy.

I have this puppy though, with black fur.  He doesn't shed much, although he does think he's the king of the castle and he is usually allowed on things like couches and beds.   After all, we are horrible dog owners and our dog doesn't think he's a dog.  He thinks he's people.  Not only do I have this silly puppy, but, one day I might actually have small children running around this place (running around with small smudgy fingers) but who knows about these things really?

So.. white couches.

Please discuss.  In the comments.   Pros and Cons.

it can't always be a PR

Today I ran the Hobbler Half Marathon.  I ran it last year and had a great race; one thing I have always loved about Run13 events is the Magleby's Fresh French Toast at the end of the race, but somewhere along the road I became one of those runners who gets sick from eating too soon after running.  I used to be ready to chow down the second I crossed the finish line, but not anymore.  It's actually pretty tragic since I was so looking forward to it. Plus, post script:  I am a foodie, so, you know, frown.


Last year my time was 1:52:53.
I had a VERY ambitious goal to run this race in 1:45 or at least 1:49:59.


Needless to say, after about 3.5 miles with the 1:45 pacer I was keeping up, but it was rough going, I knew that a 1:45 half not going to happen for me today (but it will happen someday)! I just wasn't ready yet.

I thought going into this race it would be easy for me since I just ran the full marathon 4-5 weeks ago (which I know, I know I need to post about it, and I will, I even have some very funny stories to share).  Teaser: Some stories include the importance of wearing your wedding ring to a race ;)


Unfortunately, it seems like the marathon held me back more than anything since I feel like my training already "peaked" and I am in more of a recovery mode right now? Just go with it.   And just to be really annoying and make up more excuses,  we have been so busy that the gym got skipped a good 5 times in the past 2 weeks, (which we NEVER do) including one day that was supposed to be a long run.  Needless to say, it wasn't my best race, but I am satisfied with it because I came to a pretty obvious and yet profound conclusion today...

Every race can't be a PR.

Sounds pretty obvious, but whatever.  I think in my mind I expect to get better every time, not just better, but a lot better.  If every race was a PR, we would all be a bunch of super human athletes and someone would have beaten the 2 hour marathon mark by now.  Am I right?

 (Watch out, 2012 Olympics it's gonna happen.  I've got a feeling. I can't wait. ) 


Just like many things in life what is the sweet without the bitter?  If you have to work really hard to get a certain time, you are going to appreciate it more than if it comes easily.  That's why we crazy running people do it, because it's hard, because we want to accomplish something difficult, because we want to fight for it with blood, sweat, and tears.


Subject change coming... now. 

The funniest part of this race was how none of my family/friends came to see me at the end.  I promise, I am not complaining at all. I run for me, not to get attention or recognition from others and I signed up for this race a little over a week ago,  so that's pretty short notice.  So here's the funny part: At the finish line: Everyone is hugging and talking to their families and what not and I am just kind of like this weird little orphan since most people don't go to a race alone.  Even if their family doesn't come people usually have a running partner or something.  I definitely saw people I know there and chatted a bit, but still I'm just kind of a loner.  Not that funny yet, but here it is...


An old ex-boyfriend of mine saw me from a few yards away and waved.  First, I didn't even recognize him, but then I did, and then I thought,  "I should probably go say hi to be polite, but it's kind of awkward that I'm just this weird little orphan here?"  I can't even remember if I waved back or if I just gave him a weird look.  I was tired/out of it!  Mostly I just didn't want to talk to this guy and his cute wife because I didn't want them to feel bad for me that I was alone, because I didn't feel bad about being alone.


The other funny part is that right before I saw him I was about to walk over to this wet grassy hill (next to where they were sitting) and flop down on the grass like a dead body, but then I saw him and unfortunately that wasn't an option anymore.  Something about pride?


Since I was an orphan there I took some photos of myself afterwards, myspace style in the bathroom.  Whatever, it's for posterity. Or something. 

PS: If you're into race times, the clock read 1:58:something, official time unknown as of yet. 


P.P.S: If you read this entire long post, you probably deserve an award for being such an awesome friend who listens to my ramblings.
  

ponderings

Sometimes you just sit on the couch in a stripey top and yoga pants pondering over those really deep thoughts in life like....

• If I leave in 5 minutes can I make it to spin class or shall I just drive to the gas station (where they know my name by the way) and buy a DDP?  Either way I really hope that, the dead dragon fly can somehow find it's way off of my windshield wiper without my assistance, but if not, what shall I do?
• Is it worth it to buy a house with a creepy crawl space that I will always imagine dead bodies are buried in, to have 2, count them TWO  walk in closets in the master bedroom?
• Stinky puppies are really nice to have around your house sometimes; like when they come sit next to you on the couch and act like you are really something special. Other times it is not so nice, like when their dog breath stinks up your car when you take them for a ride.
• Reading this blog always makes me feel poetic and makes me wish I could write with the same openness, femininity, and strength.  I really love this post.  I feel the same; that I am in the Tuesday of my life.
• Do other people look at me and think my life is strange?  I bet they do.
• Why do I always feel the need to use so many commas....
• Also this song and the rain are making me really happy today.  I pretty much melt when the temps go over 80.

I am going to open the windows, let the fresh air in, and bake something.  It's just that kind of day.

self worth

This morning I was reading this blog, which had a post about weight.

At the end of the post the writer posed the question: do you guys find that your happiness & peace fluctuates along with your weight?

I found myself compelled to comment on this and once I was done I felt like sharing those words here too:

I used to base my self worth upon my weight (which was never good enough) and the saddest part is that those are the type of thoughts that lead people to disordered eating. Exercise (and spirituality) actually helped me to change those thoughts. As I worked on becoming a better dancer (in college), learned to love running (I am running my first marathon in June!), and improved my relationship with God, I began to see that my body, no matter what it's shape or weight, no matter how much I hated my knees, my body was a gift from God, given to me in love that I had stewardship to take care of (aka eat healthy and exercise). I also began to see my body as a tool to help me accomplish things. If I want to continue to use my body to run, dance, clean my house, one day have babies, and most importantly to serve others I need to love it, take care of it, and not set stringent standards on what is acceptable or beautiful and what is not. No matter how much weight you lose, you are still not in control of your specific body type, and so many other factors, so just as you say, before you even begin to lose weight or change your life you must change your heart. You have to give yourself love.

good-bye february

good-bye to this month for lovers

 goodbye lovely magnets from the antique treasures mall...
on second thought maybe you can stay a while longer

good-bye snowboarding adventure, we probably won't make it out again this year

goodbye silly postcard, time for you to go into my secret shoe box of treasures

I guess boys do listen (sometimes) when you tell them your hopes and wishes

the best part of this sweet card is the back.

There is a message (in cursive) that says: 

Dear Hazle,

How are you feeling?

I just passed into the last part of 

the Third Grade.

GOOD By-

from, Francess

Biff wants to say good-bye to our new throw pillows,which he shows me when he spends ten minutes trying to get them off that chair because (in his mind) that is his spot and the pillows are in the way.

They are something we won't be saying good-bye to.

good-bye flowers

dear lee: you are right, they are too expensive, and they don't last very long,

 but my memory will last forever.

 thanks.

The last thing we said good-bye to this month was my sweet grandpa.  I remember there was a time during my high school years when I lived under the same roof as this grandfather.  I can recall many times when he would ask where his loving companion (my grandmother) was.  We would sadly remind him that she was no longer with us.  I believe they are together again now.  How appropriate for them to be reunited in this month for lovers. 

Do you believe that those you have loved will be with you after passing?
I do.  This is why.

move over redbox

I don't think I've mentioned this before, but I hate redbox.
The movies you want are never there and they have such limited selection.
Of course, when redbox came out I was just like everyone else.
Ohhh, aww, a movie for a dollar.  This is genius! Who needs blockbuster? Right?
Wrong! We were all wrong.
I hate that video stores don't exist anymore. I just want to go to the video store and peruse around with my significant other and stop and chat with my long lost friends and have the option of renting a really old movie sometimes. Yes? I know you are agreeing right now.

I have been wanting to watch An Affair to Remember for quite some time.

One of my favorite movies is Sleepless in Seattle.  If you've seen it, and I hope you have, you would know that all the women in the movie go nuts over the movie An Affair to Remember.  They act like it's the greatest love story to ever grace the silver screen.  So after all of this build up I want to see it.
But I don't want to buy it, I don't even know if I'm going to like it.

So I had this genius idea to rent it from the library.
And you know what? They had it.
And they only made me pay 50 cents to rent it for a full week.
Now that is just ridiculous.
And you know what else?
They had the entire series of Arrested Development right there in the "A' section of the movies.
I am pretty sure I am going back next week.
Public library, you coy little minx.  Who knew?

PS: Don't mind the photo I am just trying to emulate Deborah Kerr's sexy face she is making towards Cary Grant.   It did not really work, but this was the best out of ten and I am making goo goo eyes at a DVD case, not Cary Grant.

Have you seen Sleepless in Seattle? or An Affair to Remember?
 

on being a reader

there are 3 types of books

1. books that don't speak to you at all; with this type of book you either don't get to the last page it or you read the book slowly, agonizing for the ending because for some reason you want to finish what you started.

2. then there are books that you found entertaining or interesting, and that's all there really is to say about them.

3. lastly are the type of books that, if you were a child you would stay up late with a flashlight under your blanket just to read more. this is the type of book that transforms a person into a reader because once you've had a taste of a book like that you want to read another; if you can't find another, the book will whisper your name like a siren's call begging to be read again and again

i don't know about you, but i need more of that third type of book.
i never said that they were well written, though they usually are
i only said they capture your attention, excite you, make you fall in love with their characters, teaching you about love, loss, life, adventure, far off places, risk, romance, adventure, magic, friendship, and of course lord voldemort

a great book is a great friend

and if you don't understand that, i don't really understand you.

the truth of it is, that if you don't love books, you've never found a book that speaks to you on that third level. and i hope that someday you do.

frowny

Watching/reading the news really makes me sad sometimes...
After I was reading some details about that horrible massacre in Norway
I read another article on CNN
about how 1,200 infants were killed last year in Pakistan for being born
out of wedlock; 90% of them were baby girls who are considered a burden.

It really makes me grateful for everything I have.

that time I almost died OR that time I watched too many episodes of unsolved mysteries as a child?

the time I nearly died...

OR

the time my imagination ran wild...

you decide...

PS: look at that photo again and smile about Biff's paw being in it.
Did you do that?
Alright, I guess I can tell you the story now.

but FIRST push play on this video and listen to the music so you will be sufficiently ready to be creeped out.

Our story begins with me deciding to go running at the high school track by myself. I have done this quite a few times now and have never worried for my own safety.

I ran a mile as two gals ran up and down the bleachers.
I ran another mile barefooted on the grass and the two girls leave.
I went to put my shoes back on for the next 2-3 miles on the track and into our story enters a shady figure.

An older (50-60 years old) gentleman walks toward the track wearing jeans and and buttoned up long sleeved denim shirt. From a distance he looked like he could have been a custodian, so at first his presence seemed a little odd, but not too out of the ordinary.

As he approaches the track the weirdness begins and he unbuttons his long sleeved shirt to reveal his bare chest.

The man then begins to walk laps around the track holding his shirt in his hand.

At this moment I am thinking: a little strange, but whatever. He wants some exercise, he wants some sun.

As I (jogging) pass him, I notice he has something in his hand, but can't see what.
On my second and third lap since he arrived I can see that it looks like he is tossing the thing around in his hands, switching hands and doing bicep curls.

On my fourth lap I see that thing in his hand is a rock with about a five inch diameter.
With each lap I jog he seems creepier, until I have imagined him as a Ted Bundy like attacker and when I realize he is holding a giant rock I imagine he will soon be using it to bash me on the head.

This is where I book it to the car, decide it is time to go, and leave my workout early driving all the way to the gym to finish.

So here is where you decide. I cannot trust myself because I truly did watch too many episodes of unsolved mysteries as a child.

Did I almost die?

Or is it time for me to be diagnosed as a paranoid schizophrenic?

Now that my friends is an unsolved mystery...

For no reason at all please enjoy a picture of Biff's blue tongue,
because your dog's tongue is not blue.

learning

I have been learning a few life lessons lately; who are we kidding? I learn them every day, but here are some nuggets of brilliancy for you.

*don't assign things to your students that you don't want to grade
*new shoes did not cure my mysterious "pain"
*something nerdy in me is happy to watch Tron Legacy over and over in the cardio cinema
*there is such a thing as eating too many gummy bears
*hearing kesha on the radio makes me wish I was in spin class
*I can run faster and harder than I thought; even if I feel like I can't go on, I can. And so can you.
*raspberry hammer gel tastes just like raspberry jam, just like that hippy/biker salesman promised it would
*no one in their right mind needs 5 onions; sorry bountiful baskets this is one week when I say
boo

the thing about one o clock church

and a pointless picture just to prove to myself how green and not blue my eyes really are

As I sit on the couch watching biff, who is watching the window for any more intruders {he is on high alert since those fearsome fast collectors dropped by} I am lost in contemplation. Thoughts such as:

When will I finally escape the one o'clock church time slot? Due to moving and boundary changes we have had this time slot for at least 2 of our 4 married years, but I am thinking it's more like 3. I even had this time slot for my full two years of singles wards and you know what? I am over one o' clock church. I was over it 6 years ago.

or

When is enough finally enough as far as me enduring three years of Lee working on Sundays and going to church alone? Blah, I can't wait for Lee to get a new job.

or

I am so jealous of those people I saw out running on this beautiful day. The best part about Monday is going back to the gym.

Sundays are long. Sometimes I like it. Sometimes I don't.

and

What I am going to make for dinner?

Often times I am late to church. I have no kids to get ready and I drive the block from my house to my church. What is that? Even now I am sitting here procrastinating. I guess it's just daunting to think about sitting through 3 hours of church meetings without Lee to play hangman with or write notes to or give back tickles to or get back tickles from. This used to be so hard for me, but it's been a long dreary road of getting mistaken for a young woman or a single sister and I'm over it, but it still brings me a sense of melancholy. Especially when I entertain the idea that I might just feel a closer connection to God by hiking up the mountain and practicing some yoga and meditation rather than listening to people give talks or bear testimonies that I have a hard time relating to.
I do have a thing about obedience though.

So as much I am complaining I will go take a shower and wear a skirt. I'd love to top it off with flip flops, but you know how people are about that--that and jean skirts. Sheesh! Give it a rest, at least they are trying people!

So what is it that makes you sit on the couch and pretend you aren't going to church writing long blog posts when all along you know you will?

PS:) Reason No. 327 why I am so glad Lee married me: I can count on him to notice I changed my hair when not a single soul has; mostly because he knew I had an appointment, but who cares? I'm still giving him credit for it.

conference: thoughts from my brain parts

image

This weekend I spent a lot of time watching LDS general conference. I like to use this blog to share my life with people and sometimes I try to be funny (unsuccessfully according to lee! jk) but I also like to use it as a journal. I am not one of those really awesome/spiritual people who take diligent notes throughout conference, but I did want to write down some thoughts/things I noticed while watching, as well as any talks I want to be sure to revisit when I get a chance.

Pretty awesome stuff:
75th Anniversary of the Church Welfare program
Day of Service coming up? Cool!
3 New Temples announced

Speakers I enjoyed:
Thomas S. Monson/Temples
David A. Bednar/Revelation {metaphor comparing revelation to a sunset}
Richard G. Scott/Marriage
I am excited to read another talk about marriage from the priesthood session by Thomas S. Monson that Lee told me about.

Topics/Themes that seemed to come up over and over:
Service, Service, Service
being childlike
2 great commandments: Love God and Love thy Neighbor as thyself
Being an example of the believers
Spreading the gospel with technology
Marriage: It's awesome; everyone should get marriaged!
Temples: They are awesome; everyone should go to the temple!

Elder Dieter F. Uchtdorf said something pretty amzing which I did not write down, but paraphrasing the best I can remember, it went something like this:

Always share the gospel, and use your words when you have to.

I loved that; to me that means that being a missionary/being an example of the believers doesn't mean that you have to verbally proclaim your testimony to others; it simply means that people will be benefited by your example if you just do your best to carry the light of Christ with you always.

the cookie thief

Hope you enjoy this funny little poem to get your brain thinking on this lovely Sunday.

The Cookie Thief

by Valerie Cox

A woman was waiting at an airport one night
With several long hours before her flight
She hunted for a book in the airport shop
Bought a bag of cookies and found a place to drop
She was engrossed in her book but happened to see
That the man beside her as bold as could be
Grabbed a cookie or two from the bag between
Which she tried to ignore to avoid a scene
She munched cookies and watched the clock
As this gutsy cookie thief diminished her stock
She was getting more irritated as the minutes ticked by
Thinking "If I wasn't so nice I'd blacken his eye"
With each cookie she took he took one too
And when only one was left she wondered what he'd do
With a smile on his face and a nervous laugh
He took the last cookie and broke it in half
He offered her half as he ate the other
She snatched it from him and thought "Oh brother
This guy has some nerve and he's also rude
Why he didn't even show any gratitude"
She had never known when she had been so galled
And sighed with relief when her flight was called
She gathered her belongings and headed for the gate
Refusing to look back at the thieving ingrate
She boarded the plane and sank in her seat
Then sought her book which was almost complete
As she reached in her baggage she gasped with surprise
There was her bag of cookies in front of her eyes
"If mine are here" she moaned with despair
"Then the others were his and he tried to share"
"Too late to apologize she realized with grief"
That she was the rude one, the ingrate, the thief.

I think I'll go make some cookies of my own :)
and to try to give people the benefit of the doubt more often.
Enjoy your Sunday

things I just don't "get"

There are some things in this life that I just don't get. I'm not saying I hate it (or you, if you fall in any of these categories), I'm just saying I don't get it.

1. Zumba


People go nuts over zumba, but for me it's just awkward. It's not even the sexy Latin moves that make me feel awkward. It's the fact that most people look really stupid doing it, but the main thing is how awkward it is when the (often Caucasian) instructors yell out things like, "aye yigh yigh," and expect you to shout it back. It just isn't for me. I love me some yoga, running, regular dancing and I often force myself to weight lift, but zumba isn't my cup of tea.

2. TMI on facebook...

All I can say is about this is why?

3. Negative attitudes.

My ideas about this can be quoted from the ever popular Bobby McFerrin song (Don't Worry, be Happy) "In every life we have some trouble. When you worry you make it double."

4. What's the dealio with the fact that whenever people are at Walmart (or in their cars) some people just lose their humanity?

What I mean is this; when in these two particular domains people begin to only care about themselves and if anyone gets in their way they will run you over without even an apology.

5. Watching sports on TV.



I am actually a huge advocate of playing sports. I love to be active and I think it is really important for kids to participate in team sports from a young age. There are some great lessons you can learn about life and about yourself through sports, but I just don't get watching them on TV. After a while it's kind of all the same and you don't know anyone on the team, so what is the point? If I've seen 30 football or basketball games it feels like I've seen them all.