4:36

...Is my watch time for my VERY FIRST MARATHON! (my chip time is 4:38, either way, I am beyond thrilled). So, let me tell you all about it! (My Garmin, Garry, with my time)

So, I've been talking about it for months and training really hard for the past 18 weeks. I didn't miss a single workout and made a serious commitment.

I'll skip everything boring like, breakfast, the light rail ride, etc. I arrived at the Running Festival around 7:20 with my sister (running in the relay) and my mom (spectating). Temperature was in the 70s, but it was expected to drop throughout the morning.

I used the bathroom and met with my Geico Pace Group (4:30) around 7:50. It was very, very crowded and I could barely hear our pace leader giving us instructions. The confetti gun went off and the lead racers started off and a few minutes later I crossed the starting line. I had already lost the pace group! I expected them to be wearing crazy hats and carrying signs, but, they didn't do anything like that- so they weren't easy to find. Anyways, I figured once the first few miles thinned out I would find the pace group again. Not so much.

Within the first mile I saw another girl (Melissa) from my pace group and asked if she minded if I ran with her until we found the pace group. No problem. So, we trotted along together, briefly chatting and passed the first 4 miles without much excitement. Around mile 4 she picked up her pace a lot and I decided I couldn't go that fast. Then, about two miles later, she ran up from behind me! She had stopped for a long water break when I must have passed her.

So, we trotted along again. Both sorta bitching about the Pace Group thing. We had both counted on the camaraderie and encouragement from that group to get us through our first marathons. I talked about my race plan- break it into 2 ten mile runs and a 6 mile run. She liked that plan.

Around mile 10 we saw my Mom in the crowd and celebrated the end of the first ten mile run. We saw a guy dressed like Will Ferrel from the "cowbell" SNL skit- banging away on a cowbell.

At mile 13, we saw my mom again- blowing on a kazoo of all things! And celebrated being halfway done! My friends were going to be at mile 16, so we concentrated on getting to 16 miles. Along the way, we talked about everying- our lives, work, husbands and boyfriends, past races, other runners' choices to wear white spandex shorts.

At 16 we stopped to pee and saw my friends, drinking beer!! along the side of the road. It was a nice little boost. Our next goal was to get to 20, get to 20 and we can do the rest. It was all about mile 20. There were A LOT of hills (we both knew this going into it) and I think I managed them really well, but they were killer on my butt and thighs. I think this was the toughest part of the marathon. I wasn't in a lot of pain and mentally I was doing really well, but I just really wanted to get to mile 20! A guy dressed in a tiger suit dancing to "eye of the tiger" was great!

Unexpectedly, around mile 18 (I think) I heard my name (I had my name on my shirt so that was pretty common), but I recognized the voice. I looked up to see my best friend cheering and jumping up and down for me! I was so excited to see her..and it gave me a nice boost.

MILE 20! It was a fabulous sight. We cheered. SIX MORE MILES. We can run six miles, done it a million times before. We counted down each mile, each was one step closer to the end. We were both doing something we had never done before and it was amazing. Our spirits were really high.

I ran mile 25 for Boy- he said he wanted that mile. So it was, get to 25 for Boy...that was my mantra. Then, at 25, there is only one more mile to go!! It was crazy that we had made it. We saw the mile 25 sign and we both took off (well, it felt like we were flying, but we were running as fast as we possibly could!). We were passing so many people. The last quarter mile of the run
is through Camden yards and the Ravens parking lots and it's really really cool.

Just keep running was all I could think. I saw my mom again (and the kazoo), Melissa saw her husband and daughter. 26 miles came! .2 more. I sware I was sprinting. We crossed the finish line, smiling and hands in the air! I heard my name again and looked to the left. And there was my dad, standing right at the finish line, smiling and waving. I have never been so excited to see him! He yelled something about being so proud of me. I must have had the biggest smile on my face. I didn't think he was going to be able to sneak out of work to come, and there he was, at the very end. It's a moment I'll never forget.

Melissa and I walked through and got our medals and space sheets. And then, it was over. Here was a girl that had just helped me through my first marathon. Her company had meant the world to me. She said, "I'll never forget you." and I said the same, and she went to meet her husband. I really will never forget Melissa. She was the perfect running partner for my first marathon and I am very grateful that I found her!

My watch said 4:36 and I couldn't have been happier. My first goal was to finish and enjoy myself, my second goal was finishing under 5 hours, and my best case goal was to finish near 4:30. And I achieved it! All those lonely long runs and planning to run a marathon without anyone else had paid off. I am a 4:36 marathoner! I could not be happier with myself.

I felt fantastic afterwards. Of course my legs were sore, but it wasn't terrible and I felt really good. I found my sister and eventually my mom and we headed home. Ice bath, lunch, nap. Woke up and couldn't move!!! I am in so much pain. Stairs are impossible, I sware my butt muscles are going to tear. something is strained in my left foot. But, so, totally and completely, worth it. I'm wearing my medal right now and think I'll wear it to work. I'm getting a massage tomorrow and hopefully that'll help, but honestly, it doesn't matter. The feeling of finishing that marathon and being able to proclaim that I am a marathoner is the best feeling I have felt in a really long time. I will be running another. Just, maybe one with less hills.

Now, all I need is a 26.2 sticker to put on my car!

a picture of me and my sister before the Marathon. I'm on the left (with my name on my shirt)

Me, after the race, with my medal, looking like, well, like I just ran a marathon!

Marathon in EXACTLY one month!

In exactly one month from today, I will running in the Baltimore Marathon! I can hardly believe its this close! I feel like I've been training forever.
In two weeks I run my longest--20 miles, and then I start to taper. So far the experience has been more enjoyable than I thought it would be.

Begin 30 day countdown!

In other news, thanks for all your kind words, prayers, and thoughts last week. Things worked out well with Boy. I told him I would like him to come, but if he couldn't, I completely understood. Thankfully, he was able to be by my side during those rough days and come to the viewing with me. Those days went as well as they can go, I suppose. I guess its just a matter of moving forward now, one day at a time.

I promise I have more to write about life, in general, its just been a busy few weeks(months?) Hope all is well.

Waterproof Mascara

I own one tube of waterproof mascara. And use it only for high-crying probability events. Weddings, greeting new babies, graduation, funerals.

This summer, my waterproof mascara has been used far too many times. And not, for the happy crying events- like weddings and babies. Unfortunately, its been for the bad events- the funerals and hospital visits.

As I'm sure most of you know, Boy's older brother died earlier this summer. About a week after that, I found out that my Aunt Kathy's health went severely downhill. She had pretty advanced central nervous system/brain cancer. They started her on chemo, but the chemo caused her brain to swell, which caused her to have seizures. She was put into a coma to control the seizures; that was too weeks ago. She never woke up from the coma, and today, she passed on.

Today, I heard my father cry on the phone. I have never, ever, witnessed him crying. It was painful.

Throughout these past few weeks, I told Boy very little. He'd been through so much, I couldn't burden him with my tears. I am still hesitant to ask him to come to the funeral. I'm strong enough to do this on my own--should I ask him to come along after just loosing his brother. He is one of the strongest people I know, but would this bring up painful memories? I also haven't written about it all on here. I had already asked for so many prayers for Boy and his family, I felt I'd used up my allotment.

So, this has been my summer...Tough and depressing and consisting of loosing two people who were very close to me. I start my last semester of grad school on Wednesday. I imagine it going like this, "Hi, Im littlesack. I'm on the education track in the public policy program. This past summer...I went to two funerals and learned that holding up your boyfriend during his brother's funeral is immensely painful."

I need a Xanex.

Time again for Not Me! Monday.

In case you haven't been introduced to Not Me! Monday, yet, here are a few details. This fun game originated with MckMama. Here are the rules to playing, but in sum, you just list a lot of things you "didn't" (read: actually did) do this weekend/past week. All in the name of admitting that we all make mistakes and aren't perfect.

Saturday, during my long run, I certainly did not, stop running, duck behind a cluster of trees, and use the bathroom (#2 bathroom!!). This was not right next to some kids' blunt wraps and empty beer cans. It was not a complete emergency and waiting until the trail stop was totally not possible!!

Okay...That's all for the week. Although there are certainly more, nothing!! lives up to having to make an emergency pit stop in the woods during a two hour run. (I once read an article about runners embarrassing moments, and one of them said - if you've never taken a poop on a run, you aren't a real runner, well---guess I passed that threshold!)

What didn't you do this past week?

Not Me! Monday

It's been a looooonnnnngggg time since I did a "Not Me! Monday" and believe me, I have a lot saved up.

In case you haven't been introduced to Not Me! Monday, yet, here are a few details. This fun game originated with MckMama. Here are the rules to playing, but in sum, you just list a lot of things you "didn't" (read: actually did) do this weekend/past week. All in the name of admitting that we all make mistakes and aren't perfect.

So, here we go....

I clearly did not have a colossal freak out at work on what happened to be Douch Bag Wednesday (less formerly known as DB-dub) when the following happened... First, my boss hung up his phone in the middle of a teleconference simply because he did not want to hear what we were telling him. An hour later, he called me to tell me that our consultant emailed him to state that "my work was subpar and I was compromising the project." My response was that the consultant could take over the task himself, since clearly he did not like the way I was doing it. My boss did not tell me that I was being unprofessional. You want to talk about unprofessionalim?!?!?!?!!?! How about that meeting you just hung up on or the way you nasty-gramed me this morning. Neither of which are "professional." It did not take every fiber of my being for me to not tell my boss to shove his hippocratic, self-entitled, douchebag ways.

I didnot soothe myself with hershey kisses and chocolate covered raisins. I would never ever use chocolate to make myself feel better.

Over the past month or so, I have certainly not peed outside on more than half a dozen occasions. It has certainly not become common for me to stop mid run, hide behind a tree, drop trough, and continue jogging like that was totally normal.

I did not give my cat a bath. I do not have multiple scratches from this experience. I do not blame my mother.

I did not take a mental health day and then a mental health morning from work. Getting out of bed to get to that job is not becoming more difficult by the day.

I am not typing this post while sitting in my undies & sipping a glass a wine. I am not relishing having the house 100% to myself (besides my cat).

I did not spend 40 dollars on an alpaca fur teddy bear. It was not totally self indulgent but totally worth it. (I certainly couldn't have used that money for some new work pants that actually fit me).

I have not shopped at Target at least twice a week for the last month. I certainly do not know why I keep going back- except that a store that sells 20 dollar shoes and bags of hershey kisses in the same place totally gets me.

I did not wear a white dress to a Mother-to-be-Tea thinking it would be an excellent idea. I did not spill tea all over it.

Boy and I did not have the best time with Caleb at the zoo! I did not totally enjoy playing family for the day. And did not seriously consider taking him home with us.(a pic of Boy and Caleb feeding the ducks--except I didn't get any ducks in the picture--ill have to work on that!)

I have not totally and completely missed blogging and all of my blog ladies. and I do not promise to catch up on everything soon.

Something to giggle about...

Because even in the midst of some really bad days, everyone needs something to laugh about. Last week, a woman I work with sent out this gem of an e-mail.

"Hi everyone:

I lost a medela breast pump in the office last Friday, most likely in the Suite 310 kitchen. If you happen to see it, can you let me know

Thanks in advance"

The boys that sit next to me thought this was too-die-for funny. We all laughed about it for hours afterward. No, breast pumps aren't funny, but asking the ENTIRE company if anyone had found your breast pump that you left IN THE KITCHEN, is pretty funny.

And, how do you loose a breast pump? Aren't those things back-packed sized? Maybe we are all a little immature, but this made my day last week.

**On another note, thank you all so very, very much for your kind thoughts, prayers and words in these last few weeks. I was very hesitant at first to share this part of my life and considered abandoning the blog, but I'm glad I didn't. In a very needy time, you all were there like rocks--offering advice and unconditional love (and to a girl whose first name you don't even know). So, thank you all, so much; you are all strong lovely ladies and I am so grateful that I have been able to develop friendships with you all. I promise my blog will get back to its normal, snarky and self-indulgent ways soon.

Happy weekend.

Love, littlesack

Caleb

So, left in wake of Eric...is his three year old son, Caleb.

(an older picture of the little Ham)

An adorable, playful kid that has the most gorgeous eyelashes I've ever seen and an infectious personality.

His mother is one of the craziest people I have ever met in my life, and on numerous occassions has corned me in bathrooms to seek answers out about Boy, Eric, and family, and how things are when Eric has(had?) Caleb. (Eric and the mother weren't together after awhile)

She was very young when she got involved with Eric and very young to be a mother, and I just don't think she had the time to mature into a woman with adult sensibilities before Caleb came along and she hasn't grown up since. But, she is his mother, so I am just praying that she figures it out sooner, rather than later. I think I've written about it before, that if Boy and I were financially stable we would seriously consider adopting Caleb, but...that just won't work at the moment.

Boy is Caleb's godfather and although Boy isn't very religious, I know he takes this role--of raising Caleb with morals and values, very seriously. I also know that he is heartbroken that Eric won't be around to do the "dad" things--- camping trips, Boy Scouts, teaching him to play lacrosse, etc. Boy plans to do these things with Caleb.

We currently live about an hour from Boy's parents and Caleb. We've been house hunting for the past few months, but our area is so wide (and our budget so low) that it's really frustrating. I graduate from my program in December and hopefully I'll be able to find a full-time job. Once we know where I am going to be working, I think we will resume the house hunt. But now, a major priority for us is to move closer to Caleb. Even a half an hour closer would make things a lot easier. But--I don't know. It's difficult to talk these details with Boy and, well, it's just difficult.

We are going back to visit Caleb this weekend. It will be the first time we've seen him since his mother told Caleb about Eric (speaking of...she told Boy the day before that they were telling Caleb last Saturday, and he had to work. It pisses me off that if she really wanted Boy to be there---she should have given him more than one days notice). I think it's going to be horrible. but...it leads me to my current predicament. I don't know what to do to entertain a three-year-old. I'm not a mother and, well, honestly, I just have no idea what is age-appropriate yet fun? Any help? I know a lot of you are mothers and aunts, and any suggestions about how to spend the day with a three-year-old would be really appreciated.

Thanks, ladies.

Prayers needed

I've been MIA, I know. I'm sorry.

I hope to catch up on everyone's lives soon.

Boy's brother died two Fridays ago (7/17) unexpectedly at the age of 27.
His three year old son is left behind.
I meant to write about it two weeks ago, but I couldn't get the words down. Each post started and ended with "Boy's brother died." I couldn't get past that. Seeing it in print was even worse.

Everyone is doing as well as can be expected. Boy is a tough cookie, and although the viewing and funeral were the roughest moments of his life, I know he is glad that he stood in front of his friends and family and gave a heartbreaking eulogy.

The trauma of the moment has passed, but it will always linger for Boy and his family. I think it will be hardest for Boy when, it isn't Eric as his best man, but...it's someone else.

I hope to be back sooner, rather than later, but in the meantime, please send a prayer or two out for Boy, his family, and especially Caleb, Eric's son.

I hope everything in all of your fabulous lives is going really well. Send some happy gossip my way.

I feel violated...

Thanks for all your questions, I'm working on the answers now.
But, in the meantime, I need to share this story.

Friday night, Boy and I were at a friend's (Remy) house for a bbq with about 15 people. A place we have been dozens of times, camping, partying, etc. Everyone there was either related to Remy, or Boy's other friend, Nate. Boy and I consider about 95% of the people there to be good friends.

The bbq was also in a section of our state, where people have lots of land and there is no crime. Remy keeps his keys in his unlocked car at night. The nearest neighbor is more than half a mile away.

Midway through the evening, I threw my purse in Boy's car because I didn't want to accidentally forget it and then Boy and I walked back to the bonfire, leaving the car unlocked.**

An hour or so later, Boy and I get up to leave, get in the car, and my purse is gone. Just 100% completely missing. I was not drinking at all this night because I had a 11 mile run planned on Saturday, so it wasn't my foggy brain misplacing my bag. Without a doubt, someone had took it.
As rationally as possible, Boy and I talked to Remy and said, look, someone went into Boy's car and took my bag, and while we aren't accusing anyone of taking it--someone took it. It's that simple.

Yes, there is a 1% chance that a random stranger walked down this random road and walked down Remy's 1/2 mile long driveway and randomly spotted Boy's car, and randomly took my purse. Yes, it's possible, yet highly unlikely.

So---how do I go about processing this information? I am 99% sure that someone at that bbq took my bag. These are all people that we see on a regular basis and, in fact, have plans to go camping with them in two weeks. How am I supposed to get over it...knowing that someone we consider to be a friend, went into Boy's car and purposefully took my bag? Now, there were 3 people there that Brent and I don't consider friends, but they are family of Remy's or family of Nate's. So, even if this person wasn't our friend directly, we've still hung out with them before, and shouldn't they have enough respect for their own family not to put all of us in this situation.

and...it is a situation.. Congratulations-- you got 60 dollars in cash; my birth control packet; all my cards- insurance, library, gym, license, credit (which i cancelled); my 20 dollar sigg water bottle; my overly expensive prescription contact eye drops; my keys; my work keys; my shitty ass 4 year old phone, and a bunch of other random stuff that isn't that important, but that I miss. Oh, and also, you took my sense of security.

But--in taking all those things, you created a horrible situation. Now, Boy and I are super wary of these friends, and who they hang out with. And although we practically know that someone there took it, we had to ask all of our friends if they had "accidentally" picked up my bag. We accused our friends of stealing, because, well- someone did. Nate and Remy are both upset with Boy because we were asking their family members about it. (and I would be pissed too, if we were in there shoes, but I hope they understand how we feel- utterly violated and betrayed). I feel so tormented inside, its unreal. I can't even stop thinking about. It would have been better had it happened at a bar and my a random stranger. But now, we all have to deal with the aftermath of it. That, someone I KNOW STOLE FROM ME. Every spare second, I think about, running it over in my head- how could someone possibly do that?

I hope the shit you got outta my purse was worth it. I really do.



**In hindsight, I know this sounds so awful, but of the many times we have been at Remy's we have never locked our car. It's just not something you worry about there.

100th Post Q and A

*Ahem*
Pardon the interruption, but this post (yes this one right here) is my 100th post! Who new that since I started on this journey in November, I'd have 100 things to say. Granted a few of them were pretty lame (like the one about how my cat had a girlfriend). Some of them were fairly dramatic, like when Boy's jerk roomate left me a passive aggressive note.* And, of course, there is the series of free weekly therapy with Not Me! Mondays.

Over the course of these past few months, I have met some great bloggy friends and really enjoyed getting to know snid-bits of everyone's life. And, of course, I've shared some details of my life with the blog-o-sphere as well. But, perhaps there is more you want to know (or, you may want to say- "Littlesack, you and your blog are lame...and I don't want to know anything else about you"). But, if its the former, and you have some questions, I'd love to provide some answers. (Mostly) anything is free game.

I'm looking forward to reading your questions!






*HUGE news on this front, remind me to tell you later!!

Not Me Monday!

I haven't done a Not Me! Monday in awhile, but I've been saving up some good ones.

In case you haven't been introduced to Not Me! Monday, yet, here are a few details. This fun game originated with MckMama. Here are the rules to playing, but in sum, you just list a lot of things you "didn't" (read: actually did) do this weekend/past week. All in the name of admitting that we all make mistakes and aren't perfect.

This past week...

I certainly did not drop a tampon out of my pocket at a restaurant on my way to the restroom. Upon my return, I did not watch the waiter, bend over to pick it up, realize what it was, hesitate, and then say, "ooooohhhhh noooooo." Certainly not.

While in Venice I most definitely did not have a gluten attack in the middle of a museum tour. I was not pacing back and forth, sweating, waiting for the feeling to go away while doubled over in pain. I was definitely not the last person up the stairs and to the bathroom. I did not have to approach the woman at the front of the line and explain that, this was, in fact, an emergency, and could I please step in front of her. I did not have to wait what felt like an eternity until one of the stalls opened up, the entire time speaking broken Italian to the bathroom attendant trying to explain that if that stall did not open up in less than 2 minutes, it was going to be bad. No, that did not happen to me at all.

Last week at work, I clearly did not let another tampon fall out of my pocket in the middle of the hallway as I passed two coworkers chatting. When I walked down the hallway five minutes later, I did not see that little treasure sitting in the middle of the hallway, like a souvenir of my embarrassment since surely the coworkers saw me drop it, but weren't sure how to deal with that situation. Nope, not me.

And finally, in the midst of pmsing and day drinking, I did not beg Boy to drive me to the store to buy chocolate. I did not eat a king size Hershey bar. and I certainly did not finish it off with Sour Patch Kids. Nope, not me at all.

What didn't you do last week?!

Roma in Pictures

This is the second installment of my Italy vacation in pictures, this time of Roma.

Rome was our first stop on the tour and once I got all the cheesy puns - just "Romeing" around...and "when in Rome" --- out of my system, I was overwhelmed with the history and culture of Rome. One of my undergraduate degrees was in History and so the story of Rome was so amazing and it was difficult to realize that I was actually standing in the midst of places and buildings I had studied so intently.

I was raised Catholic, so going to the Vatican City really held special meaning for me. However, even if I wasn't Christian, or even religious, it is hard to deny the art work, craftsmanship and skill that went into building the Sistine Chapel and St. Peter's Basilica. Everything is Mosaic tile and centuries old paintings. I lack the words to describe it. Cameras aren't allowed into the Sistine Chapel, so I have nothing to share of it besides the fact that I could've spent an entire day in there staring and wondering and in awe of Michelangelo's creation. If you ever get the chance to go to Italy, you absolutely MUST visit.

This first picture (I originally posted when I got back), but it is of sun-light streaming into St. Peter's Basillica in Vatican City.

This is St. Peter's Square (and St. Peter's Basilica in the background) at night time. I'm not a huge fan of the way my shutter speed blurred the lights, but it was the best I could do. On the very right side of the picture, what looks like an apartment building is where the Pope lives!

This is a shot while inside the Vatican City (I'm not exactly sure where), but it is down a stairwell leading into St. Peter's Square. I like the light at the end.

The Trivoli Fountain. This is featured in many movies set in Rome. It's the famous fountain that you toss your coins into and make wishes for.

The Colosseum was unbelievable! I still can't get over how old it is and how steeped in history it is. (I also kept thinking that it would be a really cool place to have a modern concert). It was crazy to see the under ground tunnels where Gladiators roamed and even the cells where they and animals were kept. Pictures don't do it justice.

Simple, but I like it. A cross in the middle of the ruins of the Colosseum. (Sadly, it reminds me of a similar picture I have of a iron beam cross standing triumphantly in the midst of Ground Zero).

And, finally, this is a picture of my sister and me (I'm on the right in green) with the head waiter from our last night in Rome. This was the best meal I had in Italy. Two courses of gluten free pasta (one with the best pesto I have ever had in my entire life) followed by chicken with fresh tomatoes and (of course) gelato!! I wanted to stay and rent out a room above this restaurant, as long as this man would continue to feed me (of course the young, hot Italian waiter calling me "bella" all night, didn't hurt either).


Next Up: The Tuscan countryside.

Venice in Pictures...

I promised I'd give you more of Italy, so here it is. Venice was, by far, my favorite place we went. It beautiful, breathtaking and unbelievable. America has nothing as exquisite and almost impossible. The city felt like a fairy tale, with ancient characters and quaint views. I couldn't stop smiling in awe the entire time we were there.

We started our visit to the city with a water taxi ride down the Grand Canal. The weather could not have been more perfect, the sun was low on the water, the air was fresh and the breeze was refreshing. It was the perfect introduction to the perfect city.

This first picture is a snap i took from the water taxi- it is someone's balcony. My favorite part of Italy, in general, was that everyone decorated their windows with flower boxes and everyone had greenery and flowers on their balconies (even in the midst of Rome).

After the water taxi, we climbed into our gondola (with cute Gondolier). Luckily, my family was able to snag one with just us four, so it was a little more private. By now, the sun was setting on the water and the view was gorgeous.

This is a picture looking out of our gondola down a small canal.

Luckily, we were also serenaded in our gondola. On the bottom left of this picture you can see a man standing- he was singing opera as we were paddled through the the back canals.

I just like this shot (besides the fact that it has a man's tooshie in it). To me, it just captures the essence of the city- from the tall, statuesque Church in the background to the simple boating scene in the front.

And, finally, this is another picture I really liked, no particular reason, it just makes me smile. We finished the evening with dinner in a small restaurant where my sister and I were treated to delicious gluten free pasta and fabulous wine! The next day we explored Venice during the day, which included a glass blowing factory and beautiful glass jewelry. I purchased a necklace of lots of strands of tiny beaded glass featuring different strands of purple. I had never seen anything like it, and am saving it for something special. I try to snap a picture of it soon to share.

Next up: Tuscany & Rome!!

An Established Multitasker

This morning when I was out running, I passed a woman out for her morning walk with her curlers in her hair. I am all about multi-tasking and this woman was displaying multi-tasking at its finest: working out WHILE getting ready for work. I wanted to stop and congratulate her.

(And, while I'm not sure this is a look I would rock, it still made my morning).

I promise--more Italy stories and pictures this week, I've been trying to get them all organized.

And, I'm approaching my 100th post! Any thoughts on what I should do to celebrate?

random thoughts for a Friday

Yesterday at work I was updating my resume.

After deciding that "bitch work" was not an acceptable thing to put on a resume, I was at a loss.

I have an undergraduate degree and am one semester (hopefully) away from getting my Master's and these are the things I repeatedly do:

• Take meeting minutes
• Write meeting agendas
• Put numbers in charts. In fact, I repeatedly put different numbers in the same chart because someone can't figure out what data set they are supposed to use

Something is wrong with this picture. I'm hoping my lack of actual/real work is the fact that for most of the year I only work part time so its hard for me to get deep into projects. I hope, if not, I am being sorely underestimated.

On another note, remember when I told you that Boy was moving out? Well, he is currently looking for a place to rent short term, while looking for an actual place to buy and fix up. So, last night we went to check out a "basement apartment."

The house was in a really nice neighborhood and things were looking pretty positive. We walk into the house and the guy has two big dalmatians. Totally fine, Boy likes animals. Then, we are shown the "apartment."

I was under the impression that the basement was somewhat finished with hookups for bathroom fixtures that could be easily installed. Not so much!

First, not carpeted. Also, no dry wall on the walls--just concrete and insulation.

(okay, these are things I can get over and work around)

There are also not any hookups for bathroom fixtures.

Then, one of the dogs takes a poop, right in the middle of the basement!

(Now, I am trying to stay positive, but this is pretty ridiculous).

THEN...Boy and the guy are talking details and the other dog walks right up to Boy and PEES ON HIS LEG!

(This was completely ridiculous....something I only thought happened in movies and I was stunned).

Boy was pretty stunned too and as the guy went away to get a rag, Boy just started laughing and it was the kind of laugh that had it been me, it would have turned into a cry.

Boy was like, I can't stop laughing. If it had been too weeks later and he was really stressed about his living situation, I could see that laugh being the breaking point in his stress level. Luckily, it was just a road block.

And...back to square one.

Hope everyone has a good Friday and a FANTASTIC weekend.

My first Marathon in T- 125 days!

Eeeeeek! It seems so soon when I think about it. Today is the offical start of training for the Baltimore Marathon. It's an easy four miles. I'm sure I'll be blogging about it a lot.

Running a Marathon is something I've wanted to do since I ran my first half over six years ago, so it's time to bite the bullet and commit. By the end of it, I just really hope I'll be able to buy and proudly display that 26.2 sticker.

Italia in Six Pictures or Less.

I'm back from Italy and I could go on for pages about how FANTASTIC and BREATHTAKING it all was. I am still in awe of the beauty, architecture, and just outright wonder of the entire country.

Instead of words, I'll post a few of my favorite pictures (although it was REALLY hard to choose). and will share random stories over the next few weeks.

A view from up high on Capri looking down at the Coastline.

A shot of some Spirals on a church in Orvieto, a small medieval town in Tuscany.

The Vineyard and Olive Grove where we ate dinner (and drank their wine) in Montecarlo in Tuscany.

A beautiful shot that I feel really blessed to have gotten of the sun shining into St. Peter's church in the Vatican City.

A shot of a Gondolier in Venice. I have about 60 favorite pictures from this city, but I'll just post one.
And finally, a picture of a fruit stand from Sorrento. How red are those cherries?!

So, what did I miss while I was away?!

Littlesack is on Vacation

By the time you read this post, I will be in Italy! for a ten day tour of Southern Italy.

(photo courtesy of photobucket)

I will be back on June 3, hopefully with plenty of my own photos to share. I hope everyone has a fantastic holiday weekend and can't wait to catch up when I get back!

Marathon Playlist 2009

I've spent the past few days compiling lists of songs for my marathon playlist. My old playlist was pretty tired and needed some help. I'm also notoriously bad at making playlists; putting long jam band songs on running playlists, etc.

So, from suggestions from the bloggy world, my own list, and Chic Runner's running playlist, I have the beginings of Marathon 2009 Playlist. If you look at this list you might think I'm schizophrenic- the songs range from the beatles, 80s hair bands, songs that were popular 3-5 years ago and some pretty dirty rap songs! But, I just like to mix it up when I'm out on the trail for a long time.

But, I still need about an hour of music, so, please continue to leave suggestions. Thanks!

So, here it is:

Born in the USA- Bruce Springsteen

Journey Don't Stop Believing

California Phantom Planet (The OC Soundtrack)

Call On Me Eric Prydz

Colt 45 Afroman

Crazy Gnarls Barkley

Crazy Bitch Buckcherry

Crush Dave Matthews Band

Sledgehammer DMB

The Final Countdown Europe (I had this as the very last song to the Baltimore Half Marathon last year and it was surreal moment. I could barely hear it as I was running down the finishing chute through Camden yards towards Raven's Stadium, it was really awesome.)

F.B.I. Kelly Bell Band (This is a local Baltimore Band, but i HIGHLY reccommend him, he is awesome!)

Fat Bottomed Girls (Live) Queen + Paul Rodgers Reaching

Fool In the Rain Led Zeppelin

fuck it Eamon

Get Right (Remix) Jennifer Lopez ft. Fabolous

Give It Away Red Hot Chili Peppers

Helter Skelter Across the Universe

Hips Don't Lie 3:40 Shakira ft Wyclef Jean

Hollaback Girl Gwen Stefani

I'm In Miami Bitch LMFAO

Jerk It Out Caesars

just dance jamiroquia

Just Dance Lady GaGa & Colby O'Donis

lets get retarted in here black eyed peas

Love In An Elevator Aerosmith

Move Along The All-American Rejects

Mr. Brightside The Killers

Gin and Juice OAR

PROMISCUOS GIRL Nelly Furtado ft. Timbaland

Quality Control Jurassic 5

Revolution The Beatles

Temperature Sean Paul

Seduce Me Tonight Flashdance soundtrack

Seven Nation Army White

Single Ladies Beyoncé

So What Pink

Somebody Told Me The Killers

That was a crazy game of poker O.A.R.)

There It Go (The Whistle Song) Juelz Santana

Istanbull They Might Be Giants

Tripping Billies DMB

The Way You Make Me Feel Michael Jackson

We're Not Gonna Take It Twisted Sister

We Didn't Start the Fire Billy Joel

We Will Rock You Queen

What's Your Fantasy Ludacris & Shawna

Whenever, Wherever Shakira

99 Problems DJ Danger Mouse