The case of the apple napper

Dude, karma, really? REALLY?? FREAKING REALLY???

I think this week is proof that I'm in a rut, of sorts. It started Monday during spin class. I was feeling super dizzy on the bike, but since I was holding onto the handle bars, I was pretty sure i was safe. When I got home, every time I turned, a wave of dizzy fell over me. Yesterday morning when I woke up, I had a hard time just standing upright. I had to take yet another sick day from work.

Today I'm feeling a little better and I seem to be ok as long as I don't look anywhere but straight ahead when walking. Today's run should be super interesting. Damn you, eustachian tube!

Ohhh...oh yeah, and then after Pippi having normal...ahem....BMs  for a few days now, this morning she had an accident in the house with blood in it. For crying in the sunshine! So much for finally getting in a full week of work. I'm pretty worried about her. I hope it's nothing serious, but I foresee having to take her to the vet tomorrow.

In other news, Pippi's new obsession is apples. I had an apple on my nightstand last week and while I had my back turned, she stole it and ate half of it. Ever since then, whenever there's an apple around, she MUST HAVE IT. I was eating one the other morning and, thankfully her eyes aren't made of lasers or I'd be dead.

Apple? Apple? Apple? Apple? Apple?

I spent the time yesterday when I could at least sit up ok, making Noodle Huggers and collars like it was my job. In a couple weeks, I'm going to be a vendor at the NC State University Club Holiday Shoppe. I'm not a big people person, so this is a big step. If anyone is mean or rude to me, I'm gonna whip 'em with a Noodle Hugger.

Do you have a firm stick?

First of all:

You're welcome :)

And now that you have that stuck in your head, on to my training last week. It was much more successful than the week before! If you're like me, you have a total love/hate relationship with running. Currently, we're in love, we've set the wedding date, and our first love child is on the way. Halfway through my run yesterday, I was wondering why I don't do this all the time! Who needs sleep?! ...and then the muscle pain in my calves from Saturday's long run (7.6 miles) quickly reminded me. I foam rolled, I wore my calf sleeves, but it's still killing me. Because I'm a big researcher, I discovered another fun tool yesterday. The Stick.

Yeeaahh...in theory, it might work great, but I just couldn't get past the name. Because there's a 12-year-old boy in my brain. If you're like me, check out the How to Choose page and you'll understand. (long sticks, firm sticks, flexible sticks...I mean, come on!)

I actually do wonder if anyone has tried these and what you thought of them...if you were able to get past the name.

So anyhow...NINETEEN miles last week! A new personal weekly record. Wee!

And now, because Pinterest is like my new bedtime story, I've found some real gems lately that I want to share.

I'm now thinking Pippi is mixed with fennec fox

Story of my life.

This is a newborn hippo. I want to snuggle him.

How was your week of training?

Ever snuggled a baby hippo?

The people have spoken!

America has voted. It was a tight race, with many worthy contenders.

But alas, there can only be one winner.


<insert drumroll here>


With ten votes... the winner...of two free headbands from Little Slice of Awesome is...

...going to be announced after a word from our sponsors...

No, just kidding. I would never do that to you. Ok, I actually would, but I don't actually have any sponsors, so it would be the shortest commercial break ever.

Congratulations, Rachel! Pippi Bands was the clear winner of this competition!

In close second was Noodle Huggers. Kari, you've won one free headband!

Rachel and Kari, let me know which bands you'd like and I'll get those out to you.

I really like both of these names and I'm having a tough time deciding which to choose. My thinking is that, since the other headbands out there all have names with the word "bands" in them, I want to be different (because, well, I am different!) and use Noodle Huggers. I love the thought of having Pippi as the mascot, of sorts, though. But, for the sake of standing out from the crowd, my non slip headbands will now go by Noodle Huggers!

Thanks everyone for participating in this little competition. I'm excited at this new stage in my "business" :)

Let your voice be heard!

The time has come! I've compiled all of your ideas (and a few of my own) for Little Slice of Awesome headband names. And now...it's competition time!

Here's the deal. Below is a list of all of the ideas (in no specific order). In the comments, vote for your favorites. Everyone gets three votes each. Please don't vote for one option more than once. (Only one will be counted if you do).

a.  Noggin Bands

b.  Emysue Bands*

c.  Noodle Huggers*******

d.  StayPuts*

e.  Head Hugger Bands*

f.  Pippi Bands**********

g.  Stuck on You Headbands**

h.  Awesome Bands**

i.  Fast Bands

j.  Noodle Huggers

k.  Badass Bands

l.  Banger Bands

m.  Cool Headgear

n.  Chica Bands

o.  StayPut Headbands

p.  Noggin Thongs***

q.  EmyBands******


You have until tomorrow (Friday) at noon to vote.
Once all the votes have been tallied, I'll reveal the winner of two free bands!