Not Me! Monday

Time for another dose of free therapy...in the form of 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.

This past week I did not do a series of completely stupid things this week (I do not blame it on pms).:

My phone DID NOT go off in class. It was not utterly embarassing and totally awful. I did not feel like a complete asshole and really childish at the same time.

On Tuesday, I certainly did not drive right past my exit for work. like-- right by it. I am not scared that I am turning into a crazy cat lady that has lost her mind and can't even get herself to work in the morning.

I did not put both contact lenses in the same chamber one night. I did not wake up and wonder where my right contact had ran to in the middle of the night. They were not stuck together and my eyes were not super dry all day long. I am NOT totally disheveled and "that always forgetful friend."

I am not getting royally screwed over by my graduate program who is forcing me to stay an extra semester for ONE CREDIT. I did not have a miserable meltdown after finding out this news and over exaggerate by claiming they were ruining my entire life. I did not wash down my tears with a margarita.**

(Intro: Boy and I have our own blankets in bed because I am a notorious blanket stealer). So, Boy did not have the brilliant idea to "try and share one blanket tonight." Within one hour I did not steal all of the blankets so that boy was shivering by himself! haha!


So, lovely ladies, what didn't you do last week?

**I'm still fighting the staying for an extra semester thing, but it's going to be a long battle. I NEED TO GRADUATE. In all honestly, I can't help being exceptionally upset about this. Boy and I talk about getting engaged after I graduate (not immediately, but you know) and when i got this news my first thought was that it delayed getting engaged and then married to Boy. I haven't told anyone that part, but it's the deepest reason that I am upset. I know its irrational and girly, but I want to begin the next phase of my life...

The Difference Between my Mom and Dad

Littlesack: Hey, I signed up for the Marathon, did I tell you?

Dad: You go girl! (genuinely excited, and in the most feminine voice he can muster)

Mom: The WHOLE THING?! Are you kidding me?! Why would you DO that?!


...Can't you just be happy for me that I'm trying something I've been talking about for years?

Not Me! Monday

Time for another dose of free therapy...in the form of 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 who is quite the busy woman! 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 did not stalk all music festival websites praying for a great lineup. I was not sorely disappointed by the lack of good bands.

My car did not break 100,000 miles this week. I did not pull over on the side of the road to capture the moment with my camera.

I did not laugh hysterically (like more than anyone else in the theater) and at a certain scene in "I Love You, Man." (in the scene the girl's girlfriends were analyzing the history of her sex life with her fiance while the fiance (who was totally appalled) was listening in. A totally girl thing to know all those details and chat about it).

I did not attend a work luncheon where my snarky boss was not totally lively, jovial, and entertaining in front of the CEO, CFO, and President. It would not let his two-sidedness annoy me that much.

Ok, kinda lame this week, I know. But--liven it up with stories from what you didn't do last week?

I'm a Cat and I'm a PC.

My cat has a fetish with my school supplies-computers, pencils, you name it. Sitting on top of my lap top is one of Cheeto's top five favorite places in the house. Right on top of my lap top, while I am in the middle of writing a paper or something. He also really likes to sit on top of my textbooks when I'm in the middle of reading it or in between me and the book I am reading on the couch, so that I can't see the pages. Sometimes I let him get away with it and I try to read around him, but it is really annoying. Literally- he sits right ontop of my keyboard.

Last week he got into my post its and had them all over his face. He likes to rip them off the pages I have them on and chew on them, which makes it difficult to remember what pages I mark. He also really likes my highlighters. If I leave them unattended, he will bat them all over the place.

What a weirdo.

**Please ignore the snarky look on Cheeto's face, my excessively messy desk and corkboard, and my lighter that is large enough to start a bonfire**

What's YOUR Worst Running Experience?

Did you see "Biggest Loser" last night? I'm getting emotionally invested. I was so stressed when Kristin gained a pound and almost cried when her mom went home. Kristin's check is in the mail--the 100 pound mark is next week and I can't wait.
Anyways...the challenge this week was to run a half marathon, WITHOUT any training. Difficult! However, I guess this was filmed in the winter when most places had snow because a lot of the contestants had to run the 13.1 miles on an indoor track! I can't even imagine the misery of running for over two hours on an indoor track. Tara's track was only 1/10 a mile for each lap---that means TEN laps for a mile. I seriously can not even image that form of torture.

In college our gym's indoor track was 1/10 of a mile too. In late January when there was still snow on the ground we also did our soccer running on the track. The memories of it are so horrible...spending an hour doing intervals on a tiny track is seriously just miserable. I've never run a half marathon on that track, but I've run for hours. One year our fitness test upon return was the Cooper test--- 1.75 miles in 12 minutes. And we had to run it on the indoor track and if you didn't make it, you ran it until you made it. I had just gotten over mono at this point, but was never going to make this anyways- I am not a fast endurance runner, just an endurance runner. Anyways, I didn't make it the first time, or the second time, or the third time, or the fourth time. Neither did half the team- we only got to stop because another team had track time. That day I ran about 80 laps on that indoor track and the thought of it makes me want to throw up! So, I can only imagine the bajillion laps the Biggest Loser contestants ran to finish a halfy.

This certainly wasn't the worst running experience of my life, but it's certainly up there. The time I drank chocolate milk before a surprise fitness test was a pretty bad day too! So, what is your worst running experience (I know you tried to block it out, but let's all relish in the pain?!)

Not Not Me! Monday

I'm skipping Not Me! Monday this week. My Saturday was ridiculous enough without adding a bunch of "nots" in front of it.
So, as I posted about on Friday, I had month long plans with girlfriends to spend the day at the Spa at Hotel Hershey. I had to drive separately because I was driving to Boy's parents house Saturday night, which is in the opposite direction of home. So, Saturday morning, us girls hit the road in two cars to head up to Hershey, Pennsylvania to celebrate one of the girl's recent engagement. So far, so good.

About a half hour outside of Hershey my car starts making a tinkering noise. (My car is a 10 year old Ford-piece of shit- that I have spent more on repairs on than I bought the car for). I thought this was odd, so called the other car and we pulled off I-83. Right after we pulled off, my car died and the power steering went out (this has happened before). I restarted it and was able to get it into a gas station. Pissed. Looking around the car I can't find anything. Then, smoke starts pouring out of my hood. Not Good. I pop my hood and there is this gross slimy green substance that has exploded all over the insides. The smoke is disgusting. I figure a hose may have burst, but I can't find any obvious holes. Annoyed. I call my father (my car care knowledge was exhausted by this point). He suggests calling an auto repair place in the area and seeing if they can look at it. On a Saturday. And I am an hour away from anything familiar to me.

After literally 6,000 phone calls to the 6,000 auto repair shops in the local yellow pages I found a Ford dealer that could squeeze me before they closed for the day, I think my sobbing into the phone about being from out of town helped. Next, I needed to find a tow truck. The 500 calls I made were not helpful. Thankfully, the woman at the gas station's son knew someone who had a tow truck that was able to pick up my car. This whole process took about 1.5 hours, a huge headache and a melt down about halfway through. I was so stressed I was shaking and naseaus.

Finally, my car was towed and taken to the repair shop. The shop said my radiator had gone up and they were able to replace it same day and I could just pick my car up later. (Very good news, considering). I was in constant contact with the shop throughout the spa (really un-relaxing). The whole thing was a huge inconvenience to a bunch of people and involved cutting our spa day short.

We got there late, rushed through lunch, and were rushed into our appointments. Since we had to get back to the repair shop before it closed, we rushed out of there after our appointments to pick up my car. It sucked. I go to the spa once a year and like to make it a day long thing--totally indulging and relaxing. Because of me and my shitty car, I rushed my pals through their spa day and we didn't even get to gush about the engagement. I considered skipping my spa appointment and sending the girls without me, but I couldn't cancel my appointment without being charged the entire fee and if I was spending that much money, I damn well was getting a massage. The whole thing, was just totally shitty and not how I wanted to spend my "relaxing day."

I can say, however, that the massage was PHENOMENAL. It was the best I've ever had and utter bliss for the entire 80 minutes. It just completely sucks that the bliss of that day was surrounded by such complete stress.

So, in honor of not me monday, all in all, My car does not suck, and I didnot slightly ruin the completeling relaxing day I had planned. What didn't you do this week?

The Spa at Hotel Hershey

Tomorrow, I am going here:
The Spa at Hotel Hershey!
I couldn't be happier or more excited than I am now. If you've ever read anything I've written, you know that I am obsessed with Chocolate on an addictive level. Here, at the Spa, there are bowls of hershey kisses EVERYWHERE and I mean EVERYWHERE. Just for you to indulge in. I take handfuls and put them in my robe pockets and munch all day.
And the robes...oh, they are luxurious and beautiful and so comfortable.
The whole place is just magical, beautiful, oh-so-peaceful. Combining chocolate with my love of massages just makes me the happiest person ever.

Tomorrow I am going with my college roommates. We started going once a year during college (one of the girl's parents live near by) and since graduation, we still go. It is the best ritual I have ever been apart of. I can't even explain how much I am looking forward to entire day of massage, lounging, chocolate and pampering. OH! I am so excited.

I hope everyone has a lovely weekend, and I'll be sure to post about everything when I get back.

Please don't judge me...

I am in the middle of a temper tantrum and am defining the rest of this post as the "judge free zone." (If after reading you want to tell me to read during this time, please don't...I work and am in graduate school- I read enough and for the hour of free time I have each night I like to spend it doing something mind numbing like tv. Don't judge me).


As I've mentioned before, I moved home after graduation to have a free place to stay during grad school. As I've also mentioned before my mother is bat shit crazy and drives me out of my mind. I do not feel like my home is "home" and never feel like I have a place to myself (especially when my mother likes to snoop through my room for things- This is a entirely different story for another day, the fact that my mother feels she has the right to snoop through her adult daughter's room is something I DO NOT understand). Anyways...

I don't watch much TV at all, but during college I had a TV in my dorm room and I grew addicted to watching it at certain times. In the morning while getting ready, I need the Today show. At night, I need it on to fall asleep. On the weekends, I like to watch it when I first get up in the morning, while still laying in bed.

Because I don't feel like I have any space of my own, lately I've taken to watching some TV in my room for an hour or so before bedtime. I look forward to that solitude and cherish it.

Today...My parents switched cabele providers and being bat shit crazy as she is, my mom did not order a cable box for my room. As of 9:13 Wednesday evening, I do not have television in my room.

I might cry. I know I sound like a spoiled 12 year old, but this is really bothering me. I can not fall asleep without the TV on, unless I've taken 2 Tylenol pm and a bottle of wine, and that isn't a habit I want to start. I'm just annoyed that my only saving grace- that hour of down/TV time before bed is gone. Like, right now, its 9:20, the perfect time to snuggle up in bed and watch something on the tube and then set my sleep timer to 40 minutes and fall asleep. But, now, I will get in bed and stare at the ceiling in absolute silence until I can't bare it anymore, go downstairs to fall asleep on the couch while watching TV, and then wake up at some obscene hour only to climb back upstairs to go to bed.

UGH!

Not Me! Monday

Time for another dose of free therapy...in the form of 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 who is quite the busy woman! 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 did not throw a pillow at the T.V. at the end of two hours of "Biggest Loser." I was not super pissed about the "To Be Continued" ending.

I clearly did not register for the Baltimore Marathon in October and then nearly throw up with anxiety moments afterward. I am not incredibly nervous about this challenge!

I did take a bottle of wine to the face after my statistics exam Thursday night. It was not an hour and a half of horrible statistic-ness. I am not dreading getting my grade back. =(

I certainly did not forget that we had snow on Monday and that my running trail would be muddy on Saturday. I did not go for an hour long run in the mud and play around like a 10 year old boy. I certainly did not let a stranger's Labrador jump all over me with his muddy paws. I did not relish every minute of it!

I did not look in four different grocery markets for my favorite Easter candy, Cadbury Mini Eggs. I did not squeal with excitement when I found them! (Please do not judge the fact that I have a favorite candy for each Holiday, including Easter. I know I have an obsession, I'm working on it).

and I did not eat half a container of Ben and Jerry's pishfood last night. It was not totally worth every bite!!

What didn't YOU do last week?

Oh, and on another note, we bought Boy's nephew a playdough set with all the accessories and a floor "Cars" puzzle! Thanks for all the suggestions!

My First Marathon

I did it. That's right, ladies. Yesterday I registered for my first Full Marathon! The Under Armour Baltimore Marathon on Saturday, October 10.

I am scared shitless and also extremely excited about it. I've run two half marathons in the past (one last year and one about 5 years ago) and decided I was ready for the next challenge. And that challenge, just happens to be 26.2 miles.

I've been planning on running the Baltimore Marathon in fall 2009 for a little over a year now. This winter and spring my goal was to shed some unwanted pounds and get as strong as possible so that my running would be a little easier once I started training. And, I am SOOOO happy to report that since the middle of January I've lost 10 pounds!!! I am super excited and very proud of myself. It hasn't been easy, but I've been really focused on counting my calories, getting in a lot of cardio, and lifting weights like a mad woman. And, so far, so good. My goal is to loose another 10-15 pounds. I think that these 10-15 are going to be a little harder to get rid of, but I'm pretty optimistic. And, I'll keep everyone posted.

So, Saturday, October 10 seems like a long way away, but I know it will be here before I know it. I think I'm planning on a 20 or 24 week program, which makes my training start sometime in June.

For any marathon veterans, please leave some feedback on things that pushed you through and any success tips. I'm particularly looking for a good snack/gel that is easy on the stomach.

YEAHHHHH!!!!

Help from Moms Please...

Ladies,
I need your help please, especially if you are a mother/aunt/etc.
Boy's nephew's birthday is next week and we need to get him a present. Caleb is turning 3 years old and we have no idea what to get him. He is into typical little boy things: sports, cars, dinosaurs, etc.

Any and all suggestions are welcome.

THANK YOU!!!

Just a Thought...

Next time I'm at the gym, please remind me NOT to run on the treadmill next to the mirror, even if it's the only one left. Running next to a mirror allowed me to see all my not-so-perfect parts in their full glory and I can watch how slowly my feet appear to be moving even though I feel like I am running so fast I am going to fall over and die. It isn't good for the motivation factor.

And, next time I'm at the gym and forget undies to change into after I shower, please remind me to make sure that my pants are zipped up.

Just a thought...

Not Me! Monday

Time for another dose of free therapy...in the form of 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 who is quite the busy woman! 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 did not create a vision board of wedding dresses, colors, places, and accessories because I was excessively menstrual and couldn't control myself. Nope, I would never plan my wedding when I wasn't even engaged. Absolutely not!

I did not laugh hysterically when my cat got into my post-it notes and had them stuck all over his face. Instead of helping him out and taking the post-its off, I did not search for my camera to capture the moment.

I certainly did not give myself a pep talk in the bathroom before my re-scheduled performance review. Talking to one's self is really weird and I would never pep myself up to handle my egotistical and ass-hole like boss.

I did not just dance with glee when I found out my university is closed for the day due to snow!! I will not jump immediately back into bed and relish my snow day after I post this.

Due to my new obsession with Biggest Looser, I did not get myself to push through a workout by telling myself it was my "last chance workout." I am fully aware I am not on this show and I would never pretend Jillian was there pushing me.

On another note, I did not scarf down hershey kisses like a feen right after this completely negating the workout. Chocolate is killing me!!!

As always, feel free to post about what you didn't do this weekend!