My shoes are trying to kill me

I've succumbed to the fact that I will be run:walking this half marathon in five days. Considering everything going on, I'm okay with that.

Eye on the prize!

During yesterday's run it was apparent that I am in desperate need of new running shoes. I've been putting it off because, well, they cost money. But with two races coming up, I need shoes that won't tear up my feet. My current shoes only have about 250 miles on them, but two days in a row of running 5–6 miles and I'm on the verge of many blisters. I'm thinking I didn't choose my current shoes very wisely. Looks like I'll be heading to the running store on Wednesday.



Speaking of running shoes, am I the only one who has a problem with one foot being smaller (and therefore rubbing more in my shoes) than the other? My left foot is the red-headed stepchild of feet. Little bastard.

You thought I'd be nice to your feet? HA!

Last night Alyssa mentioned to me that after she totally blows me out of the water and finishes a half Ironman in May, she wants to do more ab work. She has this completely insane idea that I have nice abs and said she's going to need some tips. Since I don't actually have amazing abs (My stomach is really the part of me I'm most self conscious about. And my nose. But I'm not rich enough to do anything about that.), and I really need to work on my core strength, we decided that, starting May 22, we're going to start an ab/core program. I actually really hate doing ab work. I know what to do and how to do it, but the act of actually doing it? Doesn't appeal to me in the least.

This would be so much easier.

So anyhow, look for us in the Best Abs of 2013 magazine.



How many miles do you put on your running shoes before they start feeling like they need to be replaced?

What's your favorite ab or core exercise?

And then my head burst into flames

I spent a part of this weekend thinking of home stuff. Shocking, right? I want to demonstrate a little something for you. This is a little taste of the style difference between my sister-in-law and me.

My sister-in-law's paint sample choices.

...and mine.

Nothing about these samples is in any way a final choice for the house, but these are colors I'm...flirting with. (What can I say? They talk a good game).

What I did not do this weekend was get in my long run...again! I fail at life. I've got a half marathon this upcoming weekend and a 10-mile race next weekend. And I'm signing a contract on a house this Thursday and I have a meeting at the bank to finalize the loan this Friday.

And I still don't have a vacuum or a hose or kitchen or bathroom soap or ceiling fans or a guest bed or shower curtains or toilet paper, napkins, paper towels, bath towels, hot pan holders, pots and pans, silverware, dishware, trash cans...

The dogs, however, think life is amazingly care-free. Add a new toy and you've got an hour of this:

Stress? What's that?? I'm totally kicking ass at squeaky toy tug-o-war!

Oh, and then, this morning, the radio in the Jeep quit working. For the LOVE!

So anyway, I've got an hour-and-a-half long run scheduled for today. I'm looking forward to it.



Hey, wanna see something fantastic?

Yeah. I know.

Wherein I use the word 'knobs' way more than is socially acceptable

So, today I caved. I got miserable enough to spend a ridiculous amount of money on the only OTC allergy medicine I haven't already tried. Allegra (or, more precisely, the Harris Teeter brand of Allegra). So far? So far I just want to drink all the water on the planet and take a really really long nap (ahem...."non-drowsy" my ass). Only time will tell if it actually fixes the issue.

I know a lot of you think the envelope money system is malarkey, but I'm going to give it a whirl anyhow. I found out yesterday that my monthly mortgage and fees will be a bit more than I expected, so any way that I can get a better handle on where my money is going, the better.

Being crafty is my magical power.

Onto the knobs!

Since I plan on painting all of the boring wood cabinets in the kitchen and bathrooms, last night I spent some time researching knobs. (heh heh). I'm shocked how expensive they can be!

Hi. I'm one knob and I cost $6.50.

ONE of us? That'll be $15 please.

We're knobs made of rocks, like the ones you find outside.
And 8 of us costs $66.

However, if you know me, you already guessed I'm planning on making my own knobs (that's what she said!)

I haven't decided exactly what kind of knobs I'm going to create, but I just ordered 16 of these bad boys for $10 (including shipping) and the possibilities are endless!

 
I already know what colors I'm going to paint the kitchen cabinets, so that's a start. (No, I'm not going to share any of that yet. You can find out early if you'd like to come help me paint, though!

I have a friend who is incredible with interior design things, so I may request her assistance with the knobs.

I'm also kind of smitten with this idea, but I don't know that it would look as cool on kitchen cabinets.

I also couldn't really call them "knobs," and that's kind of a bummer.

I'm determined to go for a run today after work, even if it's only for a half hour (an hour would be wonderful). They're calling for thunderstorms until 10pm tonight, so as long as they don't start until after 5:30, we're good. Also, as long as I don't collapse into an antihistamine-induced coma on the side of the road, we'll be even better. Fingers crossed!

Random. But true.

My dog can talk

Pippi has adopted her own language. Whenever she's feeling ignored, for example, when I'm on an important phone call or when I'm trying to pack stuff up and not paying her enough attention, she'll bust out with "words". Of course, to me it's just loud, obnoxious noise.

...and then she attacks. Some days I feel bad for Rocco. And then I remember when my brother first got him and he peed everywhere, including on my bed.

Speaking of packing stuff (yes, I'm still doing that), yesterday and today I've found a goldmine of things that make me feel old.

The first cell phone of everyone in my generation. It didn't
text. How did we even SURVIVE!?

Operating manuals for a boom box that played cassette tapes and a camera
that used film.

The portable CD player I rocked out to Linkin Park on over and over again
during my morning gym workouts.

Don't worry, these are all currently in the trash. It occurred to me that I don't have any owner's manuals for any of my newer electronics. And then I remembered, we have this fancy thing called 'the internet' these days.

Along with all this packing and digging through old stuff, comes lots of dust. Take that along with the fact that I have allergies sent straight from the devil and killer humidity yesterday, and you get a really crappy run. I managed 4 miles, instead of the hour-long run I was aiming for. I think I've decided I'm not signing up for Spring races ever again unless I can find something that actually works for my allergies. This race is going to kill me.

And now, a guessing game!

1. Someone is going to sign a contract on a house next Friday. You get three guesses and the first two don't count :)

2. What's a skrillex?

If you guessed "some famous music person that I don't know" you'd be correct. Of all the stuff in this world, the people who created Draw Something have pretty much he worst imaginations ever. (And the worst taste in music and stand-up comedians, apparently).


Does your dog "act out" when he/she is feeling ignored?

You totally had a pager in high school. Don't lie.

Did you know what a "skrillex" was before I told you?