Thankful Thursday

Today I’m linking up for Thankful Thursday

Today I am thankful for

ONE

Girls night tonight. It’s been way too long and I’m super excited for a night of wine and friends talking over each other. CHEERS...and we may or may not be celebrating a friends umm..let's just say she is single and ready to mingle (don't worry it's a good thing). girlfriend is excited...and we may need a keeper.

TWO

The new season of SVU and Homeland. LOVE IT

THREE

Spark. Had my first drink today and I’m hooked.

FOUR

The power of prayer. It’s been a hard week but in the midst of it all God has truly answered my prayers this week. AND SCENE on the serious stuff.

FIVE

FALL. Fall everything cool mornings, hoodies, boots, and god love the fall décor. Love it. So excited to put my “fall mantle up” and yes, I need a life.

SIX

Group Runs on Saturday, I’ve missed the last 2 weeks and I am ready for a long long run this Saturday.

What are you thankful for?

Head on over and link up!

Happy Thursday.

Cara Box

August Cara Box…

I tell you what, blogging has really opened the door for me to meet new people. I love it. This girl cracks me up. I hope one day to we can meet and maybe run a race together, and by run a race I mean a wine drinking race! Ha, I kid. I’m not even sure how we crossed paths, but I am so glad we did. You should check her out…and her ADORABLE, makes me want to have a baby, son Marcus. He has cheeks for days…

I read this post a few months ago called Cara Box, and because I instantly felt like I was missing out and had to check it out!

You can read all about Cara Box HERE.
Meet new people AND get mail I was more than excited to participate this August.

Who received my box:
I was lucky to meet this sweet lady. Mary is married and has two beautiful daughters. She keeps children in her home. When she told me that, I just knew she has a seat reserved in Heaven. Anyone who can keep other people’s children everyday is a godsend. You have to check her out HERE.
Who sent me a box:
Elina, She is so sweet and I absolutely love all the things that she sent me.

Planner: who doesn’t love a pink planner? She hit it right on the nail with this. I have to write EVERYTHING down in a planner. Otherwise it slips my 86 yr old mind.

Frame: This frame will go perfect on my desk

Ear bud holder: once I figure out how to use this thing, I’m sure it will come in handy! I’m so behind in the times.

Plug organizer: I’m sure this will come in handy.

Hair towel: This is the softest towel ever!

Plaque that says: Friends are like butterflies who lift us up when our own wings have trouble remembering how to fly!

I highly recommend everyone to participate in the cara box exchanged. It’s a great way to meet people and receive something fun in the mail. Check out the link below.

Busy Week

 

 

It’s been awhile my friends….

 

I’ve been quite the social butterfly these last two week.

 

Monday- was payroll Monday. Shoot me now. I had to work late, like really late because the  time clocks were down and no one could figure out their "worked time" so we had to do it all manual. Let us reflect on my math skills….ZERO. I wanted to come home and chug multiple ice cold bud lights but I refrained.

 

Tuesday- Beauty shop day! Duh… I love Tuesdays, I’ve become pretty close to my beautician. So it’s more of an social hour, you know the kind that makes you step out of the beauty shop full of gossip, swinging your hair white girl style. Yep! And that is why I don’t miss a Tuesday.

 

Wednesday- I got a call from a friend. She decided to…let’s see how do I say this… part ways from her  DBAG, husband …. So proud of her, for standing up for what she deserves. SO what does a girl do?…She gets the biggest bottle of wine, drops by the bakery and shows up at her house for booze, cupcakes and CA*** bashing. Oh the life of a girl.

 

Thursday- BUNCO. I love Bunco. It’s a bunch of women boozing, eating and throwing dice. AND leaving with a prize. WINNING. (and yes, I do realize going to Bunco ages me) but hey, I’m 25 and I look dang good. Ok 32…

 

Friday- I get a lovely text from my husband:

  HA, bless his heart he missed me.

So we had a low key night. H went to bed early so we had a home date, which I love.

We watched Sinister. Help me Jesus. He watched it, I plugged my ears and closed my eyes for 98% of the movie. I guess being scared is not for the old. I can’t have my blood pressure raising like that. Too dangerous.

 

I did get a few runs in here and there. And by few I mean maybe 2 long runs. BUT I’ve been watching what I’ve been putting in my pie hole, walking to my building instead of taking the shuttle and walking up and down 7 flights of stairs daily.

You know instead of heading to the cafeteria for fresh baked cookies. I hit the stairs.

 

 

This week, I told myself I was not planning stuff during the week. H’s party is on Saturday and I had major stuff to do. Like clean out the pantry, shampoo the carpets, use the magic eraser on EVERYTHING in the house. Yes, I was a fanatic.

 

Did I abide by that… we’ll no.


 

Let me tell you a little secret about my friend

MARCIA-

 

Most people know my sweet running friend Marcia. She's cute, bubbly, hard working, loves the lord, chocolate, wine and JCREW. I couldn't ask for a better bestie.

 

What most people don't know is she has a small and by small I mean large unhealthy obsession with these guys:

So when I got this text:

 

I knew I better just clear my schedule for a girls STL weekend!!

 

 

I think he pork chopped me..

Let me just tell you about the time I got reminded that I am almost 32 not 21..

You ready?

So, my bestie L came into town from Springfield. I could lie and say she only came to see me BUT she actually came because she lucked up and scored tickets to go see..

Fleetwood Mac.

Yes, true story.

No, L is not 55 she is also almost 32. Well that chic is actually younger but she looks older so we'll just leave it at that. don't believe me? just ask the random guy that kept buying us "Scooby shots" last night. He felt the need to tell L she looked 27 and  I looked 23. Ha YATZHEE!

I digress.

About 6 months ago, I got an email from L. "Hey Fleetwood Mac is coming to LR" you wanna go?
I instantly responded back with "sure!, but who is Fleetwood Mac?"

Remember that bubble I was raised in...yeah, TRUST me, the sounds of Fleetwood Mac was not flowing..at all.

So I asked M if he wanted to go. I think the words he used was Hell no, I'm not going to that geriatric concert....and with that we were out. Which was fine because L and her Hubs were in, and that meant they were coming to LR. Which is awesome!!


So they drive their happy asses 8 hours to come see me and Fleetwood Mac. Originally the plan was for L to go to the concert with her hubs. I was going to stay home with M and we were going to have a quite evening of him watching the game and me watching my DVR alone with a glass of wine. GLORIOUS.

Things quickly changed after our day of shopping. We brought the boys pizza and beer home. We ate and they ate and ate and watched the game. The more they ate the less they(L's Hubs) wanted to get up. So L's hubs was out and I was in.

L and I were college roommates. Even though she went to Fontbonne and I went to St. Louis University. I had all of one friend at St. Louis. Probably because I spent ALL of my time at Fontbonne. People thought I went there. L and I were nothing short of a hot drunken mess in college. We quickly learned that we can have fun no matter where we were.

So even though I had not one clue of who Fleetwood Mac was, I went. I sang and I drank. a lot.

We had a ball. I swear I sat next to Annelle from Steel Magnolias. She was sweet, country and a little sassy. She was so kind  to tell me the line up of the concert, like every song they will sing and in which order. Like I had a clue what she was talking about. I just smiled and happily drank my beer.

After the show, we decided that we weren't ready to end our wild and crazy old people night. So we found our self the most raunchy bar that Pulaski county could offer us. Yep, you know it. I really can explain the electric cowboy. All I can say is they serve their drinks in mason jars, real mason jars. Since it's the only bar that stays open until 5am it brings all walks of life. Gangster's, Cowboys, Grandma's who love to line dance, truckers who are just passing through, Chester the molesters, and let's not forget the girls who think just because they can get leopard pants on, they should wear them.

It's a shit show for real.

At one point I look over at L and she says " I think he just pork chopped me" He just pork chopped me. Who does that?

of course I died laughing.

It was like any other night out, we laughed we people watched, and then we lost our voices and remembered that we weren't 21 and took our happy asses home.

There is something about knowing your kid will be awake before 8am that makes you loose your buzz and want nothing more than a glass of water, my fat girl pants and my bed.

Thursday Thoughts

It's Thursday,

• I'm totally slacking with my blog post. Can you tell I've been busy at work? Work is the only time I seem to find time to write here. I really hope the new gig allows me time to work on my blog.

• I think it's time to contact Hubby Jack so he can make my blog pretty

• My bestie (and her hubs) are coming for the weekend. I think I'm more excited that they are "good enough" friends that I don't have to make sure my house is clean. I'll just pick up a little and call it a day. ha gotta love true friends

• I'm loving this few days home alone with H. I also love when she plays quietly in her room

• I think I can say I've seen  every Barbie movie know to man #shootme

• I loath buying dog food. I think M should buy it. Poor Manny is out and I feel like it's dog abuse to continue to feed him doggie treats and leftovers...ugh...off to the store I go.

• I'm pretty excited for TAOD SUCK DAZE I can't wait for Lauren to really experience Arkansas. Camo, Toad races, corn dogs, Stuck on a truck. It's going to be a hillbilly mess.

• M and I were having a deep conversation (again) we thought H was playing quietly, to our surprise she was repainting the walls/window's PURPLE. Yep. It was a hot janky mess.

• The closer we get to Mother's Day, the more M gets moody. I feel really bad for him. I know he misses her like crazy. I vote to just skip Mother's day this year. I lie, he should buy me diamonds and then we can skip over Mother's day.

• I know I don't know how to hold, load or shoot a gun,  BUT I am about to shoot this ghetto squirrel who hangs from the fence and inhales all the food from the bird feeders. That shit is expensive. That squirrel needs to keep it moving.

• I have less than 30 days for the HH run. This is going to be a hard race. I owe it to myself to properly train. Plus I had to sell my kidney for my plane ticket.

• What's all this talk about SPARK. Has anyone tried it?

Bittersweet Day

Today is my very last day at my current job. It's really bittersweet. I'll never forget my first day here.

We had been in AR, just over six months. I would occasionally apply for a job here and there just to appease M. Let's just be honest. I was enjoying my time off, unpacking my new home, and enjoying my freedom to just "jump in the car and head to STL"

I digress

My very first day, in this office was like no other. My co-worker (Missy) met me in the parking lot and gave me the biggest most comforting hug of all time. It was just enough to wiggle off those first day jitters. Everyone was so nice. They were a hugging bunch. Trust me, half of the office was wearing my Sandy Beige foundation on their shoulder. I loved every minute of it.  I was warned that this office was full of mamma's and grandma's and I would be Mother Hen'd to death. They weren't lying. When I was prego, they wouldn't let me walk down the stairs, pick up stacks of paper and I was always asked how much water intake I had for the day. (yes, on my nerve) It was all done in love.

We were just a bunch of ladies, trying to feed the children. Yes, we'd bicker and had our moments. Gesh, a office full of women is dangerous.

I truly enjoyed my time here. This is by far the most laid back office I have ever worked in. This was my first family away from home. They watched me waddle my grilled cheese eating butt around here when I was prego, they've loved our little H like their own. They have become family and I will truly miss them.

Lincoln Presidential Half

Last week could not have been any more busier. I didn't know if I was coming or going.

Do you ever have those weeks?

Let's not even mention that I completely stopped training for the Lincoln half at week 8. That's right folks. I did not run one single mile 3 weeks prior to the race. Yes, I am crazy. I don't have any excuse. all I can say is I just did not make time to run. I did however find time to eat my weight in Easter Candy, watch all my shows on the DVR, and down 3-4 beers a night.

Seriously, I don't know what was wrong with me, I turned into a lazy arse BIG TIME.

I have to be totally honest. I hadn't been back to STL since December. I was more excited to hang out with friends than run.

First stop, Stacey. I love this girl we met years ago "working" at a golf course. We clicked immediately and I swear it's like we've been friends forever. Plus we were Prego at the same time so we were able to share horror stories about eating grilled cheese, breast feeding, and the joy of C-sections. It was nice being able to talk while the girls played.

Then I stopped by and picked up my crazy friend Maryann. She is probably my most crazy, mouthy fly by the seat of her pants friend. She be crazy but you call that girl and she is there for you in a New York minute. I love me some her. She was also running the Lincoln half. This was her first half. She also did no training and last minute decided to walk it. Told you, fly by the seat of your pants.

There was no way I could drive through STL without stopping at my parents. So we headed there  raided the fridge sipped on Lime A Rita's lime a Rita's count as carb loading right? and then decided to head to Springfield.

Springfield is only 1.5 hours outside of STL, somehow we managed to stop at Jack in the box for a glorious taco. YUM. I miss jack in the box. again carb loading for the big race

L was our host for the weekend. I just love this girl. So does H.

 

All I wanted to do was drink wine and talk all night with my friends. Which is what we did-minus the wine park. They drank wine and I drank water.
Running the Lincoln Half taught me a lot of things.

• The only thing I can wing, is wearing a pair of jeans two days in a row
• I am 31 not 21, Let's just be honest. The old grey goose just aint what it used to be
• Training is very important. Very. I must train

The course was beautiful. We ran through the historic part of Springfield which included Abe Lincoln's home and tomb. The course was very entertaining. Trust me, I stopped and did a little sight seeing. I also stopped and got the bug out of my eye, stopped to get the rock out of my shoe, stopped to help some random child, Stopping seemed to be the only consistent thing that I did during the race.
At mile 9 I was so mad at myself. The tears started falling down my face. Mostly because I was so disappointed in myself but the wind didn't help. Did I mention, it was windy because it was.
I tried really hard to push to the end, my legs seemed so heavy but I kept going. FINALLY I reached the finish line, only to see my parents. Which made me Oprah Cry. I was so surprised to see them.

 

I finished at 2:22. Which is 22 minutes over my goal time and 12 minutes slower than my last race. BUT I deserved to finish 2:22. Lesson learned. From this point I am moving forward. I will train for the Hospital Hill Run. No more excuses.

Tuesday Thoughts

This morning I debated staying in my jammies all day on my couch watching reality T.V while eating ice cream right out of the box. Doesn't that sound glorious?

 I put my big girl panties on and drove to work. Mainly because I have a hair appointment this afternoon. I CAN'T miss that. Priorities.

Cai and I booked our hotel for Hospital Hill Run KCMO I'm super excited for the girls weekend. The run terrifies me a little tiny bit.

I follow them on facebook and they had a post yesterday "If someone who had never done Hospital Hill Run had asked you to describe the event, how would you...?"

• The most terribly awesome experience you'll love to hate!
• It's called hospital hill for a reason but its a beautiful run
• It's a challenge and the name is very fitting. However, the route is beautiful and the people in Kansas City are very supportive. They brought out hoses, ice, water, etc. to encourage the runners. I am proud to have checked this race off
• At about the second mile is a Catholic church, "Our Lady of Perpetual Sorrows". If you ran those first two miles with your ego and not with your brains, the rest of the race will be Perpetual Sorrows
• You must prepare!
  This is not a run to take lightly!
  Hill training will make or break u

Umm...I'm scared. But we can do it! We can do ALL things though Christ right? lol.. I'm sure there will be prayers, tears, and cursing.

St. Jude has announced their 2013 date.

I haven't decided if I'm going to do the full marathon or wimp out and stick with the half. The feeling I get when I reach the finish line at 13.1 is so beautiful. I can't imaging going another 13.1(that's my story and I'm sticking to it) I'll pretty much do whatever cia does. Because I'm 10 and I can't make my own decisions.

March 2013 marks 4 years for us in LR. I can't believe we've been here 4 years. It's starting to feel like home (minus the dry county part, the camo and the ridiculous amount of snakes) I no longer cry when we leave STL, I now call this my home, and our house has become a hotel I mean a home :)
I still secretly pray we get transferred back to STL or Dallas.

I'd like to give a shout to to my bestie Lauren. Even though she totally flaked out on running with me and Cia (she had an injury) I have to give kudos's to her and her weight loss.

Before: Still amazing and beautiful

She's totally going to kill me for using this picture.

 

After:

Girlfriend has lost over 50 pounds! Doesn't she look great! I am so proud of her!

 

Lauren and I were college roommates, even though we went to different college. We instantly hit it off. It could have been our shared love for beer and Pointer's Pizza but what ev. She's my girl. I could not ask for a better friend. I call her for everything. She always knows what to say. She's the one I call when M is on my reserve nerve. She always talks me out of dipping his toothbrush in the toilet.  Lauren is beautiful inside and out. I miss her dearly.

 

I got this email from Cia today: It made me miss her too..

 

YOU are an AMAZING mother, friend, sister, and sole sista. Know God is with you, and I'm here if you ever need anything. An ear, prayer buddy, Babysitter, Dog Sitter, Albi, Cell mate. I got you covered. I LOVE YOU!

 

Wow I'm missing my girls, I think I need to plan a STL trip ASAP!

Happy Tuesday!

 

 

 

It's just 13.1 miles

I keep telling myself:
"It's just 13.1 miles"
"You've done this before"
"You can totally entertain yourself for 2 hours (plus)"
"You'll be just fine"

What was I thinking? I'm scared sh!tless! Um training in the winter on a dreadmil is for the BIRDS!
I've got winter weight, and I've been hit with the lazy stick. This is going to be a disaster.

What was I thinking?

On the bright side, the temperature will be a blazing 47 degree's (AS THE HIGH) something tells me it's going to be a tad bit nippy at 7am.

At this point it is what it is. No stress, I just want to finish the dang thing.

Of course my goal is to finish under 2 hours. But lets just be honest.

I am so ready for warm outside running weather.  I'll be more prepared for my April race. I promise. Yes I am talking to myself.

This race may suck but at least I get a weekend with CIA!!

Bunco Anyone?

 

Yep, I wouldn’t have thought in a million years I’d be a Bunco girl!

BUT I AM.

AND I’m hooked after just one night.

Wine, Girl Talk,  laughing, Music, Dessert, and did I mention wine? Where do I sign up?

This picture immediately came to mind when my friend mentioned Bunco

 

 

 

You know, proper old ladies who never talk above a whisper, smell like Ben Gay, and always have 5-7 pieces of Werther's Originals in their pocket. Yeah, not my idea of fun. I can't whisper, Ben Gay makes my nose run and I prefer 5-7 glasses wine over Werther's originals.

 

 

Good times! I can't wait for next month.

 

AND SCENE! I am officially old!

 



Things that make me smile

1.  M driving all 6.5 hours to STL. The plan was for him to take the “first shift” wake me and then I take over. I’m pretty sure I entered Lala land before we left the subdivision and I woke up in my parent’s garage 6.5 hours later. BLESS HIM
2.  Waking up early in my parents’ house, leaving M a “Dear John” letter stating that I was going for a run in Tower Grove Park. Oh running is the best therapy.
3.  Waking my Bestie up with a text that said “unravel yourself from Romeo’s arms, get dressed and meet me in TG park for a run. I totally felt like SR.
4.  Running 4 miles and decided that we’d rather go home and make pancakes and bacon. Not so much like SR
5.  Having a lazy day at my parents’ house. There really is no place like home. And the homemade cookies helped.
6.  Having drinks, dinner and laughing…lots of laughing with friends this past weekend. I now get what M means when he says “my friendsare my family”
7.  H puking on M. Poor baby. Puking in the middle of the night is never good. But when H puke and I was so glad it wasn’t on me. (seriously M is the best dad ever.)
8.  Stepping into H& M. SERIOUSLY LOVE THIS STORE!!!
9.  Getting a “13.1 finisher “necklace from my BFF
10.  Seeing my BFF at the funeral. What a great surprise.She.Is.The.Best.EVER
11. Getting all the “thinking of you”, “love you guys” you’re in my thoughts and prayers” messages from friends and family.
12. Having brunch at First Watch with my sis and Maryann
13. Wine, Wine makes me smile a lot
14. Running, Man I love  runing
15. Seeing Devin this past weekend.
16. Knowing Linda is at peace and out of pain

BOO at the Zoo

Friday night we took little Hannah Banana to Boo at the Zoo. I am pretty sure I was more excited than Mike and Hannah. Any reason to dress her up in this little costume..I was in!

 

 

oh and any reason to hand out with little Riley Roo Rat.. We are also in..

 

 

Is that not the cutest little duck you've ever seen. Look she even has a bow!

 

There was tons of stuff for the kiddo's to do. Rides, Fortune teller, games, bounce houses, etc... The only down fall was little H was a little too short to any of it.

 

 

She was able to do the slide with her dad. Every wife should witness their child going down one of these slides with their husband. HILARIOUS! I guess the slide wasn't slick enough. Mike and H bounced most of the way down. She loved it.

 

 

She loved the train! Minus the part where the dinosaur jumped out and scared the bajesus out of her.

 

So we went to the carousel and called it a day.

 

 

 

 

It was really ok that she was too short to ride most of the rides. she really enjoyed running around her dad more than anything.

 

 

 

Can we say wrapped around his finger daddy's girl