Shamrock Shuffle!

I got a weekend away!  *SIGH*  It was amazing!  I love going back to Kentucky but this time was extra special because I returned to Georgetown/Lexington!  I don't get there as often as I'd like!  My friends and I decided to run a little race called the Shamrock Shuffle.  It was a blast.  I won't mention my frustration with the dogs and strollers.  I will mention that I will know going into it next year that I will have to be okay with just walking.  Avoiding said dogs and strollers got to be quite a headache! 

Yes, I'm still injured.  But yes, I'm still planning on the mini marathon in about a month.  Crazy?  Maybe.  But this will be done.  Even if I have to walk half (or all) of it! ;)

Anyway, it was so nice to get a little break (thank you, Billy)!  Things have been a little chaotic lately.  And you may have noticed, I haven't even had the time to blog!  Or maybe you haven't noticed.  *sniffle*  Seeing dear friends is always a good way to recharge the ol' battery!  I feel like I have a new lease on life.  At least for now.  I probably won't be saying that in a day or two (or even five minutes from now).

A big thanks to my wonderful friend, Jenny and her family for allowing me to stay at their house!  It's always hard to host me during March Madness.  At least I got to watch the important games!  And I didn't scream and wake up the whole house!  Oh and can you believe this gal hasn't written ANY blogs about the madness I call the NCAA tournament?  I know.  Crazy.  So I will say a big congrats to the Cards for making it to the Sweet 16!  WOO HOO!  Thursday can't come soon enough!  And with that, I will post the only pictures I took from the weekend.  I apologize they are all small because they were all taken from my phone.  But hey...some is better than none.  Right?  Hope you all had a fabulous St. Patrick's Day!  May the luck of the Irish be with you ALL year long! :)

HAPPY! :)

It's that day again!  Funny how Monday just keeps rolling around! And I'm so thankful they do!  :)  I'm especially grateful for today because I had a pretty stressful weekend!  *SIGH*  But instead of complaining (and I shouldn't have even mentioned anything negative...), I'm going to be positive! :)

1.  Blake has become obsessed with all things basketball, as you all know.  He has since started trying to make half-court shots.  You know...just in case he has possession of the ball with only 2 seconds left and he's all the way at the other end of the court.  Anyway, he nailed TWO of them tonight in basketball practice.  I'd say he's ready!  His team finished 2nd and has a bye this week.  If they win two more games, they will be the champions! :)

2.  I'm back to dealing with all my running injuries which isn't cool  But I'm not gonna lie.  It was kind-of nice to just relax and take it easy today.  That's right, folks.  I'm not running AT ALL this week.  And by taking the week off, I BETTER BE BACK TO NORMAL by next Monday!

3.  Sophie Kinsella.  That should be all I have to say!  She's pretty much one of my favorite authors on this planet!  My awesome mother put herself (ME) on hold for the new book.  Billy brought it to me this weekend.  I started it yesterday.  I finished it today.  I want it to be a movie.  Like TOMORROW!  It was SOOOO good!

4.  I'm watching The Voice (OH HAPPY DAY) and the kids are getting ready to go to bed!  *FIST PUMP*

5.  I'm extremely stressed with the Pacers taking on the Bulls in Chicago.  But it's a pretty close game right now!  C'mon Pacers.....win your 7th game in a row!  Do it for me....and my HAPPY Monday! :)

I hope you all have a super fantastic week!  Remember how blessed we are!  I am especially thankful for all that I have....after the devastating storms in my neck of the woods over the weekend!  Please do whatever you can to help these families!  And because all blogs are better with pictures, I'm including this one of Lola from last week.

HAPPY! :)

I'm back to the routine.  Except I might be skipping my Two Cents Tuesday blogs for lack of opinion lately.  Hmmm....Anyway, there's always a reason to be happy, right?  Here's a list of my reasons:

1.  I was able to run 6 miles today.  I was off my total time by about ten minutes.  But running through injuries,  I'd say that's okay (for now).  I really look forward to the day I have a NORMAL run with no pain and back up to pace!  When that day comes, it'll be a super HAPPY day!!!!

2.  Blake was the best today!  He was helpful and kind.  When I have days like that, I'm always smiling.  Way to be awesome, B!

3.  I started making lists for our Florida trip.  I can't wait to get away!  Now if I can avoid a panic attack from the stress of getting ready AND being on vacation.....I'll be great!

4.  The Voice.  I pretty much love this show.  The Bachelor is quickly becoming my LEAST favorite show (Courtney....I'm talking to you).  While The Voice is quickly becoming my favorite.  I think it has American Idol beat.  But that's just my opinion.

5.  I lost a couple more pounds.  So I'm about to where I was before I started eating all kinds of crap at Halloween.  And I've been sugar free for almost 42 days.  And by sugar I mean candy, cookies, cereal, cake, ice cream, etc....I know there are sugars in everything I eat.  But for me to give up candy and CEREAL, is pretty much unheard of.  I'll probably be adding small amounts of sweet treats back to my diet after my race in April.  Yeah.  I know.  After giving them up that long, I should probably let them go forever.  Alas, I love chocolate.  And chocolate loves me.  Or something...

Happy week to ya! Oh and happy LEAP DAY (which also symbolizes the return of my REAL favorite show....PSYCH).  You know that's right!  :) 

Not a Happy Post...Just a Regular Ol' (WHY ME?) Post!

I decided I am not going to write a happy post tonight, as my title states.  This has not been an awesome day so instead of pretending like all is peachy keen-like, I'm going to tell it how it is! :)

Most of my day was spent wishing my dumb leg didn't hurt so bad.  I was supposed to run 6 miles today.  I made it about 4.7 (running, walking, stopping for stretches) before I could go no more.  I absolutely HATE not being able to train.  But today taught me that I'm going to have to take a little break.  I've got to let this stinkin' psoas heal and then I will continue training.

So since the day started off like that, it wasn't a good sign.  While out running errands, I felt myself sticking my tongue out at the BMWs and Range Rovers that were passing me.  Yeah.  I wish I had enough money to buy a car like that.  Shoot, I wish I had enough money to get my windshield replaced.  I'm tired of being in the "cracked windshield club."  I also found myself cursing the happy couples around me.  I mean....geez, is it too much to ask to actually LIVE with your husband?  BLAH.  Then I spent the aftternoon wishing my creative juices would come back to me.  Apparently I drained them, unknowingly.  I really want to work on my book but I haven't had the drive lately.  Speaking of drive...I also stressed out about driving my car all the way to Florida for our Disney vacation in March.  I'm hoping it can make the trip.  And I'm hoping I still have good roadside assistance! ;)

Sure, my thyroid is out of whack.  It could be the reason for this emotional roller coaster I'm currently riding.  So I apologize for making it seem like I need a dose (or several) of happy pills.  What I am doing for myself, my family, and the general population....is going to get my blood taken tomorrow morning.  My life will be a MILLION times better (I'm sure of it already) when my dosage is correct.  But until that happens....I guess tonight will be full of highs and lows.

I always like to mention when I'm being a big baby and whining (and yes....I would like some cheese with my w(h)ine) that I know things could be worse.  I'm so thankful that my problems, while large to me at the moment, are really small in the whole scheme of things.  I think.  I was on WebMD for like an hour last night and I could have any number of dreaded diseases.  But without insurance, I guess I'll just keep on worrying myself sick (literally).

In happy news, I'm posting several pictures from the Pacers game last weekend (not this last Saturday...but the one before that...heaven forbid I look at a calendar).  My sister, Beth came into town and we were lucky enough to have our dear friends hook us up with tickets.  And honestly?  While I'm typing this....I feel myself getting happier!  We started the night in row 7 but Alan was able to move us down to the court at halftime.  We sat right next to the basket.  That means that I handled the ball THREE times.  Yes,  that's right.  THREE times.  Once, I caught the ball and handed it to a ball boy.  Once, I caught it and tossed it to the ref.  And once, oh once, I handed the ball to ROY HIBBERT!  My heart was racing for a good long while after that!  He's my favorite player on the team.  So that pretty much made my night (and week...and month...and you get the idea).

I also thought it was cool to cheer the players on when they were right in front of me.  I had to make sure they knew I was familiar with all of their names.  I think Beth was a little embarrassed.  And I think the camera guys next to us thought I was a certified nut job (which I am...let's face it).  And after all that.....on our way to the elevator, we ran into George Hill.  Yeah, one of my other favorite players.  I tried to be discreet about taking his picture with my phone while he jabbered with his friend.  But the flash went off so I think he knew what was going on.  I wish I had been brave enough to pull the sharpie out of my purse (yes, I always carry one with me for situations like this) and ask him for his autograph.  *SIGH*

Anyway, here are the pictures.  I'm glad I told the story of the game.  Now I'm much happier!  Perhaps I should erase all the other sob story stuff? NAH.  I have to remember ALL my crazy!

Hope you have a happy week...full of sunshine and stuff!  :)

*I should point out that the picture below is of David West's legs.  His left calf has a tattoo that says "CARPE."  The right calf, of course, says "DIEM."  I think I should have followed his advice today.  Eh?  Maybe tomorrow....*

Two Cents Tuesday!

Happy Valentine's Day to all of you star-crossed lovers (ugh...I hate that word) out there!  Or hey, even if you aren't in looooooove....happy Valentine's Day anyway!  And on that note, I'd LOVE to point out something that drives me CRAZY!  People with Christmas decorations STILL up, I'm talking to YOU!!!

Okay so I usually don't judge people who leave their Christmas lights up because sometimes people just do that.  But your candy cane pathway lights, giant snow globes, ornaments hanging on trees in your front yard, CHRISTMAS TREES, and window decorations REALLY need to come down.  Normally (sometimes) I feel bad because it's so bitterly cold in the winter and not a bucket full of fun to be out there taking down decorations.  But guess what, folks?  It's been a MILD winter.  That means there really is NO excuse.  Well, I guess I would be okay listening to some excuses.  But as far as I can see right now, there are only a couple good ones I'd understand!

I'm getting tired of driving through my neighborhood and seeing Christmas stuff all around.  It's Valentine's Day.  By St. Patrick's Day, all that stuff better be down!  And I'd like to see it replaced with some shamrocks, blarney stones, pots of gold at the end of rainbows, or something.  I'm begging and pleading!

It feels good to get that off my chest.  Even if it is Valentine's Day.  Maybe I'm a tad grumpy because my love is gone and my running injury has got me down.  Or maybe it's just THAT annoying to leave your Christmas decorations up nearly TWO months after the holiday.  Sheesh.  And....that's my two cents!

Oh and here's a picture of our Valentine's Day brinner (breakfast for dinner)!  The kids loved their pink (needed a tad more food coloring), heart-shaped pancakes, bacon, and strawberries!