I have gotten into the habit lately of having the TV on during days I work from home, for at least part of the day. Usually my work from home days consist of status checks on my cases. I try to do substantive work during the week, and save some of the busy work for Fridays when I'm working from home. It's so much faster to do status checks when I'm not in the office for some reason. Fewer distractions? For whatever reason, Friday mornings tend to be quiet on the email front, and so it's a good time to do the checks. I can send out a bunch of inquiries and then the responses roll in Friday afternoons and into the next week. When I'm reading responses, I usually have to turn off the TV. I sometimes wonder if I have ADHD or something -- it's so hard for me to have distractions on anything substantive. I need quiet or if it's remotely complex, I read the same line over and over.
Anyway, last week (? the week before? I wrote out the description when I watched, but not sure when) one day I worked from home and I put on a Lifetime movie I'd recorded. I've found Law & Order and Lifetime movies tend to be easy things to put on in the background -- amusing, mildly interesting, but if I miss 5-10 minutes, no big deal.
The one I was watching was called The Face on the Milk Carton, a 1995 movie with Kellie Martin, Jill Clayburgh, and Edward Herrmann. The description:
"A teenage girl searches for the truth after discovering she has been separated from her original family for 13 years."
I must have repressed the memory, but all of a sudden a childhood memory came rushing back. I was on a campaign for a long time, possibly over a year, I couldn't say for sure, to convince my next youngest brother he was adopted. I claimed I even remember our parents trying to decide if they reallly wanted him or if they wanted another girl instead.
Hahaha. Older siblings can be so awful! Or maybe it's just me...
I was trying to convince him he should try to find his real parents and go live with them.
Showing posts with label past. Show all posts
Showing posts with label past. Show all posts
Monday, April 6, 2015
Wednesday, March 18, 2015
Special Street
As I mentioned, this past weekend was my favorite 5k of the year. Even the more uneventful years are so fun -- so many friends run this race and it has a great atmosphere. This weekend, there was someone walking in front of me during the last half mile and she was struggling, I told her to come on, and she did and thanked me. It's an encouraging and fun atmosphere. Possibly because some people start drinking before the race? Haha.
I have tons of awesome memories from this race:
One year, I had an amazing pacer, and I remember feeling like a dog because she kept turning around and saying "Come on girl" to me. She also kept my watch during the race.
One year, I pushed my godson in a stroller. I think I shared this story before, but I ran as hard as I could with him, and on the big hill of the race, halfway up, I realized that directly in front of me (and therefore directly in my godson's face) was the butt of a guy wearing nothing but green boxer briefs.
One year, it was the day of my bridal shower and my mom did the race too, pre-festivities. It was a PR at the time and one of the happiest days of my life!
One year, one of my dearest friends was in town for the race and a day of fun following.
One year, a friend wearing a beer mug costume paced me and I clearly remember some spectator, a middle-aged guy with a belly, standing on the lawn of one of the apartment complexes as we ran by. As we passed, he said, "ah, now here come the fun runners." For an entire half mile I thought about going back to choke the guy and asking him how fun he thought a 7:xx pace was. Can't even remember what pace I was running, but I swear, it was not fun (though it was a cake walk for the guy pacing me).
Last year, one of my favorite running buddies who moved to California was in town and we got to hang out afterward.
One year my middle little brother and his wife came to visit that weekend and we all ran it, watched the parade and spent the day hanging out at house parties.
This is the brother who has been on my mind constantly lately with his new baby.
So it was extra cool to go to my secret easy-in-easy-out parking spot for this race and realize the street has the same name as my new nephew!
I have tons of awesome memories from this race:
One year, I had an amazing pacer, and I remember feeling like a dog because she kept turning around and saying "Come on girl" to me. She also kept my watch during the race.
One year, I pushed my godson in a stroller. I think I shared this story before, but I ran as hard as I could with him, and on the big hill of the race, halfway up, I realized that directly in front of me (and therefore directly in my godson's face) was the butt of a guy wearing nothing but green boxer briefs.
One year, it was the day of my bridal shower and my mom did the race too, pre-festivities. It was a PR at the time and one of the happiest days of my life!
One year, one of my dearest friends was in town for the race and a day of fun following.
One year, a friend wearing a beer mug costume paced me and I clearly remember some spectator, a middle-aged guy with a belly, standing on the lawn of one of the apartment complexes as we ran by. As we passed, he said, "ah, now here come the fun runners." For an entire half mile I thought about going back to choke the guy and asking him how fun he thought a 7:xx pace was. Can't even remember what pace I was running, but I swear, it was not fun (though it was a cake walk for the guy pacing me).
Last year, one of my favorite running buddies who moved to California was in town and we got to hang out afterward.
One year my middle little brother and his wife came to visit that weekend and we all ran it, watched the parade and spent the day hanging out at house parties.
This is the brother who has been on my mind constantly lately with his new baby.
So it was extra cool to go to my secret easy-in-easy-out parking spot for this race and realize the street has the same name as my new nephew!
Tuesday, July 15, 2014
Very Inspiring Blogger Award and TMI Questions
First a quick ankle update: I think it's fine. It still feels a little tender (and I cringe to think how much it would hurt if I took an uneven step and made it roll outward even a tiny bit), but I decided to try to run on it this morning. It was fine initially, felt a little wonky around mile one to two, and then seemed fine the rest of the run. I may have changed my stride slightly because my other Achilles is a little tight, but nothing concerning. Whew! That means I will get to enjoy the cold front from Philly. Right now the low there Thurs night to Fri morning is 64, quite exciting!
So on to my delayed post that I've meant to write for at least a week.
When I first saw that on one of my long-time favorite blogs, Amazing in Motion, posted her answers to a TMI survey she'd read somewhere, I thought I'd play along as well at some point, especially since sometimes when I feel uninspired to write, I love doing those surveys.
And then I saw that another newer-to-me favorite blog, Running Around the Bend, was nominated for a "Very Inspiring Blogger" award and in response to the award, posted his answers to the TMI survey Aimee had answered, so I was extra-inspired to answer them myself.
THEN one of my newest favorite blogs, Spiritual Creaminess, was nominated for the same award and in turn, passed the nomination on to me. And then Mike at Running Around the Bend did as well! Thank you both. You guys both have fabulously interesting blogs about running and beyond, and I wasn't joking when I suggested we all run Steamtown 2015 and get some other marathoning bloggers that we like to join us.
So, the basics for the Very Inspiring Blogger Award are as follows:
But when we get to step 4, it's the obvious problem: several of the blogs I read have already been nominated by Mike or Running Bear (Megan, Jennifer, etc.). So I'm going with some on my reader that haven't been nominated as far as I've seen.
I nominate:
Bella at Bella on the Beach.
Amy at 26.2.
Grace at Grace Dishes.
Sara at 100% Runner Girl.
Kim at Healthy Living in the City.
Anna at On Anna's Plate.
So on to my delayed post that I've meant to write for at least a week.
When I first saw that on one of my long-time favorite blogs, Amazing in Motion, posted her answers to a TMI survey she'd read somewhere, I thought I'd play along as well at some point, especially since sometimes when I feel uninspired to write, I love doing those surveys.
And then I saw that another newer-to-me favorite blog, Running Around the Bend, was nominated for a "Very Inspiring Blogger" award and in response to the award, posted his answers to the TMI survey Aimee had answered, so I was extra-inspired to answer them myself.
THEN one of my newest favorite blogs, Spiritual Creaminess, was nominated for the same award and in turn, passed the nomination on to me. And then Mike at Running Around the Bend did as well! Thank you both. You guys both have fabulously interesting blogs about running and beyond, and I wasn't joking when I suggested we all run Steamtown 2015 and get some other marathoning bloggers that we like to join us.
So, the basics for the Very Inspiring Blogger Award are as follows:
- Thank the person who nominated you.
- Add the Very Inspiring Blogger Award to your post.
- Share seven things about yourself.
- Nominate a list of bloggers that inspire you and comment on their post to let them know.
- Post on their blog about it.
But when we get to step 4, it's the obvious problem: several of the blogs I read have already been nominated by Mike or Running Bear (Megan, Jennifer, etc.). So I'm going with some on my reader that haven't been nominated as far as I've seen.
I nominate:
Bella at Bella on the Beach.
Amy at 26.2.
Grace at Grace Dishes.
Sara at 100% Runner Girl.
Kim at Healthy Living in the City.
Anna at On Anna's Plate.
TMI Survey
Here’s a little TMI about me:
1. What are you wearing?
Brown slacks, and a striped button blouse -- not normal stripes, a-frame kind of stripes, blue and brown on white. And brown wedges. Accessorized with my work watch, sapphire earrings, and a necklace from my husband (see answer to 28 below).
2. Ever been in love?
Yes.
3. Ever had a terrible breakup?
A couple, but by far the worst was while dating my husband. I remember it well because it hurt so much, though it's funny because he totally denies it even happened if I bring it up now. Less than three months after we'd started dating, he decided basically that things were going too fast. He hadn't been divorced very long and he thought he felt too strongly about me, so he wanted to take a break. That conversation happened over lunch and I went back to the office in a haze. That night, I left work to meet two girlfriends for a previously scheduled run at the lake, and within a mile, I was walking with one of them and crying endlessly. This may sound appalling, but I basically decided to kill myself -- the following week. I had plans the next day to fly to Chicago to meet up with my folks in the airport, then we were all flying together to NY state, where my one of my brothers was playing ball at the time. His now wife and now mother-in-law were going to meet us there. We were all going to spend the long Labor Day weekend watching his games and enjoying the time together, visiting Syracuse and nearby towns. In the back of my mind, I think I knew full well that as long as I held on for a few days, the pain and distress wouldn't be so bad and I wouldn't actually kill myself. But in reality, I don't think I've ever been so unhappy and wanting it to end as an adult as I was then (there was of course plenty of teenage angst in my life, but I don't think I ever would have been characterized as suicidal, though I definitely told my parents I wanted to die more than once, usually immediately after being grounded, forbidden from going to a tanning bed, told I couldn't go on an unsupervised spring break trip as a senior, given an "unreasonable" curfew, being prohibited from getting another ear piercing, etc.). I felt so thoroughly rejected. I felt like I'd put my entire honest self out there for the only guy as an adult that really felt like the right match for me, and if he didn't want me, then what hope was there? But like I said, in reality, I think I knew time (and in particular time with my momma) would help the process start to heal the wounds. I woke up the next day with a puffy face and feeling nearly as miserable, I parked at the airport and boarded my flight to Chicago. My flight landed, and as I was in the jetbridge deplaning, wondering if my flight had beat my parents', my phone rang. Lo and behold, it was him, saying he had no idea what he'd been thinking, that it had all been a mistake, that there was no reason we should both be miserable just because we happened to find each other quickly, that I was all he wanted in life, and wondering if we could just pretend the entire prior day had never happened. Oh, the relief! It changed our relationship of course, and I think I was more conscious of not rushing things, but essentially, it was nearly back to before -- talking, texting or emailing pretty much daily, seeing each other several times per week, and starting to have vague discussions about possible future plans -- though I know I was more reserved and more waiting for him to make the moves, him to call, him to make plans than maybe I was before. The downside to getting back together when we did, however, is that I was a fairly rotten daughter and sister for part of the weekend -- constantly on the phone talking or texting with him. I didn't tell my folks what had happened, and I remember my mom snipping at me that if this guy was so special I didn't even see 3 of my brother's 89 pitches or whatever that I should have either brought him with me or I shouldn't have bothered coming. Ahh, momma, but even that didn't make me stop smiling (though it did help me put the phone down).
4. How tall are you?
5’5″
5. How much do you weigh?
I have weighed between 100 and 200 for my entire adult life, though the actual numbers fluctuate daily.
6. Any tattoos?
No, my parents would never let me and while I sometimes consider it now, I've never done it. I like to joke with my husband about getting one and he vehemently opposes the idea (he has one he got int the military on his upper arm that he's considering having removed). But in June, thanks to a particular post I read by Running Bear, I entered the exciting world of temporary tattoos. I am contemplating never having an uninked day again. I promise I am going to do a regular post about this soon. It's probably going down as one of the most significant developments of 2014 in my world.
7. Any piercings?
I have two piercings in my each ear. I totally wanted more in high school and wasn't allowed, and funnily enough, I totally wish I didn't even have the second holes now. I wear earrings in the original piercing pretty much daily, but those second holes can still be seen.
8. Favorite song?
All time favorite is Angel, by Aerosmith.
9. Quality you look for in a partner?
Kindess (stealing Aimee's answer, but so true).
10. Favorite quote?
This one was actually the toughest for me to answer, so I'm going with a half-dozen or so.
"That which doesn’t kill us makes us stronger."
"It is the mark of an educated mind to be able to entertain a thought without accepting it."
"The only thing we have to fear is fear itself."
"Our greatest glory is not in never falling, but in rising every time we fall."
-Confucius (see also Ralph Waldo Emerson, "Our greatest glory is not in never failing, but in rising up every time we fail."; see also Thomas Edison, "I haven’t failed. I’ve just found 10,000 ways that won’t work.")
"I can do hard things"
-Janae (hungryrunnergirl)
11. Favorite actor?
I don’t really have one but if pressed today, I think I'll go with Denzel Washington.
12. Loud music or soft?
I'm not super musical, but when I do listen in my car, loud; when on a treadmill, loud; when at home during dinner, soft.
13. Where do you go when you’re sad?
Either to bed or for a run. One of the saddest days in recent memory was last April when I learned my grandpa had had a stroke. I remember running and seeing a cardinal, which either doesn't happen often or I'm usually oblivious. My grandpa loves birds (except blue jays) and I think cardinals are his favorites.
14. How long does it take you to get ready in the morning?
Out of bed to out the door for work takes me about 4 to 4.5 hours. That includes a run or a work-out (sometimes both), breakfast, getting dressed, packing lunches if necessary, etc. Actual time from alarm to out the door to workout is about 15-18 minutes, including grabbing what I'm going to eat in the car. In terms of getting ready for work, I'm pretty low maintenance. It takes me a while (15 minutes?) to dry and do my hair (a couple times per month, if I'm doing a second run in the evening, I'll just leave it in a ponytail, but I usually wash it on Mon-Thurs at a minimum). As for make-up, all I wear to work/court is eyeliner, lipliner, and lipstick (about 2 minutes). If I'm going to a wedding or something, I'll sometimes do powder, blush, eyeshadow, mascara, but that happens less than 6 times per year on average I'd guess. Showering and deciding what to wear are usually tied for what takes the longest -- shower is usually about 15-20 minutes (try to stay in long enough that I'm not sweating anymore). If I manage to decide on outfits in advance by choosing them on a Sunday or if I'm traveling and don't have choices, then getting dressed and "accessorizing" takes minutes. On some random day when I'm not working out, know what to wear, and don't have to worry about breakfast or lunch, I'd say wake-up, contacts, shower, teeth, hair, make-up, clothes, jewelry, shoes takes me about 40 minutes. On a weekend day, it's wake-up, contacts, teeth, hair, clothes, maybe jewelry, and it's all done within 15 minutes.
15. Ever been in a physical fight?
No (assuming fights with my brothers as kids don't count).
16. Turn on?
Kindness (generally sweet disposition), strong arms, bilingual, well-traveled, smiley.
17. Turn off?
Smoking, shorter than me, shouting, obesity, not married to me.
18. Fears?
My husband dying, financial ruin, dogs not on leashes, serious injury prohibiting me from running and/or traveling, my parents or siblings dying, drug addiction (since I went through the gate by attempting to smoke marijuana in Amsterdam in October 2013, it's only a matter of time before I am hooked on all drugs of all kinds), being left by my husband (I've said it before, he's a better person than I am and I wonder how he puts up with me when I'm particularly unsufferable), and gaining a lot of weight.
19. Last thing that made you cry?
I think it's good I don't really have any idea. I know I got pretty teary a few weeks ago when we had a friend visiting and we had a big conversation at dinner about some tough issues she's dealing with, but those were tears for her sadness and not my own. The last time I clearly remember crying my own sad tears was at Christmas when I saw my grandpa. It's hard to see him in a wheelchair, so small and frail and in need of assistance -- and most of all, so sad.
20. Last time you said you loved someone?
This morning at about 4:00.
21. Meaning behind your YouTube name?
Not applicable.
22. The relationship between you and the last person you texted?
This one's hard to answer because as I've been finishing up this post this morning, I've been going back and forth in two text conversations, one with my husband and one with my running buddy CW. Right now, the technical answer is "he is my running buddy."
23. Favorite food?
Probably cheese. Or olives. Or peas. Or grapes. Or baked goods. But probably cheese.
24. Place you want to visit?
Right now, the top new-to-me destinations that come to mind are the Taj Mahal (going in October!), the pyramids, Fiji/Bora Bora/etc., Israel, Dubai (going in October!), and South Africa. And the permanent "I'd love to go back any day, any time" list at the moment is Calabria (Italy), Chiang Mai (Thailand), Greece, Istanbul, and anywhere else in Italy.
25. Do you have a crush?
Yes! I'm sure he knows, but I should make a point of telling him today anyway. I hope it's mutual.
26. Last time you kissed someone?
This morning at about 4:00 when my husband left the house to go for a run, a shower/change at the gym, then to work. I kind of can go either way on Tuesday morning kisses. I love getting a kiss before he leaves, but I hate being woken up 45 minutes before my alarm if it is a random day when I can't fall back to sleep. The best is when he can kiss me goodbye and it doesn't totally wake me up, but I woke up this morning and we chatted for a few before he left. And I managed to go back to sleep! I'm counting on more kisses at about 7:00 tonight.
27. Last time you were insulted?
Nothing recent in particular comes to mind, but one of the most stinging insults ever came my freshman year of college from some pre-law type class professor. I went to talk to him about a C I'd gotten on an early exam in the class. He told me I had a placid mind. I don't give him any credit for where my life took me, but I will say that his comment spurred me to pull case synopses for class from Westlaw to review, and caused me to study harder for that class (and eventually earn an A in the class, despite the initial C). And I do think having a good grade in that class encouraged me to continue with the pre-law plan I'd had in mind since high school, and you know, eventually got me to a top 10 law school and to one of the best firms in the country (I believe).
28. Favorite piece of jewelry?
Very tough call. I've got a group of favorites (and hmm, seems like I've posted about all of them at one point or another): my engagement ring (a sapphire solitaire, which I almost lost), a diamond necklace from my husband (um, yeah, which I also almost lost), diamond earrings from my husband, a special Boston necklace from my mom, pearl earrings and a necklace from my husband's family in Italy (given to me to wear for our wedding), pearl bracelet and necklace (from our amazing friends in Shanghai), TWO charm bracelets (both with a lifetime collection of charms, the very first given to me by my grandma the day I was born). But I'd have to go with probably the traditional answer: my wedding ring (3 interlocking bands of white gold, yellow gold, and rose gold). Hubby and I have identical rings, which was important to me, but the inside of his is engraved (mine was too small to engrave). The only time I take it off is during a Bikram yoga class (when I set it on my towel, next to my water) or occasionally if my nieces want to play with it (but no one gets up until I've put it back on, nearly losing other favorite pieces of jewelry has taught me lessons). Honestly, just looking at the ring makes me feel warm, happy, loved, safe, and mushy.
A picture from the web (if the image doesn't work, I just searched "Cartier interlocking ring"):
1. What are you wearing?
Brown slacks, and a striped button blouse -- not normal stripes, a-frame kind of stripes, blue and brown on white. And brown wedges. Accessorized with my work watch, sapphire earrings, and a necklace from my husband (see answer to 28 below).
2. Ever been in love?
Yes.
3. Ever had a terrible breakup?
A couple, but by far the worst was while dating my husband. I remember it well because it hurt so much, though it's funny because he totally denies it even happened if I bring it up now. Less than three months after we'd started dating, he decided basically that things were going too fast. He hadn't been divorced very long and he thought he felt too strongly about me, so he wanted to take a break. That conversation happened over lunch and I went back to the office in a haze. That night, I left work to meet two girlfriends for a previously scheduled run at the lake, and within a mile, I was walking with one of them and crying endlessly. This may sound appalling, but I basically decided to kill myself -- the following week. I had plans the next day to fly to Chicago to meet up with my folks in the airport, then we were all flying together to NY state, where my one of my brothers was playing ball at the time. His now wife and now mother-in-law were going to meet us there. We were all going to spend the long Labor Day weekend watching his games and enjoying the time together, visiting Syracuse and nearby towns. In the back of my mind, I think I knew full well that as long as I held on for a few days, the pain and distress wouldn't be so bad and I wouldn't actually kill myself. But in reality, I don't think I've ever been so unhappy and wanting it to end as an adult as I was then (there was of course plenty of teenage angst in my life, but I don't think I ever would have been characterized as suicidal, though I definitely told my parents I wanted to die more than once, usually immediately after being grounded, forbidden from going to a tanning bed, told I couldn't go on an unsupervised spring break trip as a senior, given an "unreasonable" curfew, being prohibited from getting another ear piercing, etc.). I felt so thoroughly rejected. I felt like I'd put my entire honest self out there for the only guy as an adult that really felt like the right match for me, and if he didn't want me, then what hope was there? But like I said, in reality, I think I knew time (and in particular time with my momma) would help the process start to heal the wounds. I woke up the next day with a puffy face and feeling nearly as miserable, I parked at the airport and boarded my flight to Chicago. My flight landed, and as I was in the jetbridge deplaning, wondering if my flight had beat my parents', my phone rang. Lo and behold, it was him, saying he had no idea what he'd been thinking, that it had all been a mistake, that there was no reason we should both be miserable just because we happened to find each other quickly, that I was all he wanted in life, and wondering if we could just pretend the entire prior day had never happened. Oh, the relief! It changed our relationship of course, and I think I was more conscious of not rushing things, but essentially, it was nearly back to before -- talking, texting or emailing pretty much daily, seeing each other several times per week, and starting to have vague discussions about possible future plans -- though I know I was more reserved and more waiting for him to make the moves, him to call, him to make plans than maybe I was before. The downside to getting back together when we did, however, is that I was a fairly rotten daughter and sister for part of the weekend -- constantly on the phone talking or texting with him. I didn't tell my folks what had happened, and I remember my mom snipping at me that if this guy was so special I didn't even see 3 of my brother's 89 pitches or whatever that I should have either brought him with me or I shouldn't have bothered coming. Ahh, momma, but even that didn't make me stop smiling (though it did help me put the phone down).
4. How tall are you?
5’5″
5. How much do you weigh?
I have weighed between 100 and 200 for my entire adult life, though the actual numbers fluctuate daily.
6. Any tattoos?
No, my parents would never let me and while I sometimes consider it now, I've never done it. I like to joke with my husband about getting one and he vehemently opposes the idea (he has one he got int the military on his upper arm that he's considering having removed). But in June, thanks to a particular post I read by Running Bear, I entered the exciting world of temporary tattoos. I am contemplating never having an uninked day again. I promise I am going to do a regular post about this soon. It's probably going down as one of the most significant developments of 2014 in my world.
7. Any piercings?
I have two piercings in my each ear. I totally wanted more in high school and wasn't allowed, and funnily enough, I totally wish I didn't even have the second holes now. I wear earrings in the original piercing pretty much daily, but those second holes can still be seen.
8. Favorite song?
All time favorite is Angel, by Aerosmith.
9. Quality you look for in a partner?
Kindess (stealing Aimee's answer, but so true).
10. Favorite quote?
This one was actually the toughest for me to answer, so I'm going with a half-dozen or so.
"That which doesn’t kill us makes us stronger."
"It is the mark of an educated mind to be able to entertain a thought without accepting it."
"The only thing we have to fear is fear itself."
"Our greatest glory is not in never falling, but in rising every time we fall."
-Confucius (see also Ralph Waldo Emerson, "Our greatest glory is not in never failing, but in rising up every time we fail."; see also Thomas Edison, "I haven’t failed. I’ve just found 10,000 ways that won’t work.")
"I can do hard things"
-Janae (hungryrunnergirl)
11. Favorite actor?
I don’t really have one but if pressed today, I think I'll go with Denzel Washington.
12. Loud music or soft?
I'm not super musical, but when I do listen in my car, loud; when on a treadmill, loud; when at home during dinner, soft.
13. Where do you go when you’re sad?
Either to bed or for a run. One of the saddest days in recent memory was last April when I learned my grandpa had had a stroke. I remember running and seeing a cardinal, which either doesn't happen often or I'm usually oblivious. My grandpa loves birds (except blue jays) and I think cardinals are his favorites.
14. How long does it take you to get ready in the morning?
Out of bed to out the door for work takes me about 4 to 4.5 hours. That includes a run or a work-out (sometimes both), breakfast, getting dressed, packing lunches if necessary, etc. Actual time from alarm to out the door to workout is about 15-18 minutes, including grabbing what I'm going to eat in the car. In terms of getting ready for work, I'm pretty low maintenance. It takes me a while (15 minutes?) to dry and do my hair (a couple times per month, if I'm doing a second run in the evening, I'll just leave it in a ponytail, but I usually wash it on Mon-Thurs at a minimum). As for make-up, all I wear to work/court is eyeliner, lipliner, and lipstick (about 2 minutes). If I'm going to a wedding or something, I'll sometimes do powder, blush, eyeshadow, mascara, but that happens less than 6 times per year on average I'd guess. Showering and deciding what to wear are usually tied for what takes the longest -- shower is usually about 15-20 minutes (try to stay in long enough that I'm not sweating anymore). If I manage to decide on outfits in advance by choosing them on a Sunday or if I'm traveling and don't have choices, then getting dressed and "accessorizing" takes minutes. On some random day when I'm not working out, know what to wear, and don't have to worry about breakfast or lunch, I'd say wake-up, contacts, shower, teeth, hair, make-up, clothes, jewelry, shoes takes me about 40 minutes. On a weekend day, it's wake-up, contacts, teeth, hair, clothes, maybe jewelry, and it's all done within 15 minutes.
15. Ever been in a physical fight?
No (assuming fights with my brothers as kids don't count).
16. Turn on?
Kindness (generally sweet disposition), strong arms, bilingual, well-traveled, smiley.
17. Turn off?
Smoking, shorter than me, shouting, obesity, not married to me.
18. Fears?
My husband dying, financial ruin, dogs not on leashes, serious injury prohibiting me from running and/or traveling, my parents or siblings dying, drug addiction (since I went through the gate by attempting to smoke marijuana in Amsterdam in October 2013, it's only a matter of time before I am hooked on all drugs of all kinds), being left by my husband (I've said it before, he's a better person than I am and I wonder how he puts up with me when I'm particularly unsufferable), and gaining a lot of weight.
19. Last thing that made you cry?
I think it's good I don't really have any idea. I know I got pretty teary a few weeks ago when we had a friend visiting and we had a big conversation at dinner about some tough issues she's dealing with, but those were tears for her sadness and not my own. The last time I clearly remember crying my own sad tears was at Christmas when I saw my grandpa. It's hard to see him in a wheelchair, so small and frail and in need of assistance -- and most of all, so sad.
20. Last time you said you loved someone?
This morning at about 4:00.
21. Meaning behind your YouTube name?
Not applicable.
22. The relationship between you and the last person you texted?
This one's hard to answer because as I've been finishing up this post this morning, I've been going back and forth in two text conversations, one with my husband and one with my running buddy CW. Right now, the technical answer is "he is my running buddy."
23. Favorite food?
Probably cheese. Or olives. Or peas. Or grapes. Or baked goods. But probably cheese.
24. Place you want to visit?
Right now, the top new-to-me destinations that come to mind are the Taj Mahal (going in October!), the pyramids, Fiji/Bora Bora/etc., Israel, Dubai (going in October!), and South Africa. And the permanent "I'd love to go back any day, any time" list at the moment is Calabria (Italy), Chiang Mai (Thailand), Greece, Istanbul, and anywhere else in Italy.
25. Do you have a crush?
Yes! I'm sure he knows, but I should make a point of telling him today anyway. I hope it's mutual.
26. Last time you kissed someone?
This morning at about 4:00 when my husband left the house to go for a run, a shower/change at the gym, then to work. I kind of can go either way on Tuesday morning kisses. I love getting a kiss before he leaves, but I hate being woken up 45 minutes before my alarm if it is a random day when I can't fall back to sleep. The best is when he can kiss me goodbye and it doesn't totally wake me up, but I woke up this morning and we chatted for a few before he left. And I managed to go back to sleep! I'm counting on more kisses at about 7:00 tonight.
27. Last time you were insulted?
Nothing recent in particular comes to mind, but one of the most stinging insults ever came my freshman year of college from some pre-law type class professor. I went to talk to him about a C I'd gotten on an early exam in the class. He told me I had a placid mind. I don't give him any credit for where my life took me, but I will say that his comment spurred me to pull case synopses for class from Westlaw to review, and caused me to study harder for that class (and eventually earn an A in the class, despite the initial C). And I do think having a good grade in that class encouraged me to continue with the pre-law plan I'd had in mind since high school, and you know, eventually got me to a top 10 law school and to one of the best firms in the country (I believe).
28. Favorite piece of jewelry?
Very tough call. I've got a group of favorites (and hmm, seems like I've posted about all of them at one point or another): my engagement ring (a sapphire solitaire, which I almost lost), a diamond necklace from my husband (um, yeah, which I also almost lost), diamond earrings from my husband, a special Boston necklace from my mom, pearl earrings and a necklace from my husband's family in Italy (given to me to wear for our wedding), pearl bracelet and necklace (from our amazing friends in Shanghai), TWO charm bracelets (both with a lifetime collection of charms, the very first given to me by my grandma the day I was born). But I'd have to go with probably the traditional answer: my wedding ring (3 interlocking bands of white gold, yellow gold, and rose gold). Hubby and I have identical rings, which was important to me, but the inside of his is engraved (mine was too small to engrave). The only time I take it off is during a Bikram yoga class (when I set it on my towel, next to my water) or occasionally if my nieces want to play with it (but no one gets up until I've put it back on, nearly losing other favorite pieces of jewelry has taught me lessons). Honestly, just looking at the ring makes me feel warm, happy, loved, safe, and mushy.
A picture from the web (if the image doesn't work, I just searched "Cartier interlocking ring"):
Monday, May 5, 2014
Yoga Plan
I just saw this link and it's my new dream: http://www.doyouyoga.com/partner-yoga-poses/
I absolutely love partner/couple workouts in general. It started in 2005 when I ran the NYC marathon and I saw a couple running while holding hands. They had something cute on their shirts about how if they could make it through this, they could make it through anything.
And thus was born my dream of running a marathon holding hands.
Unfortunately, my husband has zero (maybe even negative) desire to run a full (he's done about 5 half marathons so far).
For the record, I may make my third serious play at getting him to do a full with me in the next month or so (glad he doesn't read this blog). I started raising the idea pretty much as soon as we started dating, but never really pressed it. The first time I seriously tried to convince him was immediately after his first half, because it struck me as the next logical step. No go. The second time I seriously tried to convince him was in 2008 when I decided I'd run the Marine Corps Marathon (and my husband was/is a Marine (never know how to say that, he's not in the Marines now, but there's this whole "once a Marine, always a Marine" thing)). No go.
And now, I may push for Miami in January solely because one of my best friends and her husband (my former boss, and one of my husband's best friends) are doing it. And it's going to be her husband's first (and last he says) full, doing in honor of his 50th birthday (it's funny that she and I both married guys older than us). So maybe I can convince him this time.
But anyway, aside from the "holding hands marathon dream", I like working out together in general. We have been doing boot camp together since 2007. We were first invited to a free weekend bootcamp in 2006 by my local bestie, and we loved it -- but it was a women's only camp aside from the occasional open weekend sessions. But the instructor recommended a co-ed boot camp where he worked out himself. And the rest was history.
Sometimes we shouldn't partner up at boot camp, because of different ability levels, but we usually do anyway. Sometimes it works out well -- if we have to do 100 push-ups and 100 situps between the two of us, he can do 70 push-ups (and I'll do 30), and I can do 70 sit-ups (and he can do 30). But then there are exercises like the one we call "the divorcer" (basically walking pushups face-to-face with a clap in between). But generally, it makes us stronger.
As for yoga, he's tried Bikram with me exactly twice. The first time he thought was kind of okay (or so he said), but by the second time, he said he hated it. When I started my 30 day challenge in April and he was complaining about not getting to spend much time together, I tried to convince him to join me. No go. He sang me the line from Meatloaf -- "I would do anything for love, but I won't do that."
In talking about it, it seems what he really hates is the 105 degree temperature of Bikram. He also doesn't love it because he's not super-flexible, but obviously, that's the point! He also doesn't like it because he has limited mobility in his neck thanks to a joint fusion and a plate that were put in before I knew him.
So as I try to figure out what my personal yoga future looks like, I think I'm going to attempt yoga at home for a month or two (collossal failure last time I said I'd do that), and then I'm going back to Bikram but will attempt moderation. But when I'm doing yoga at home, maybe these few partner yoga poses can be added (and maybe I can find more) and maybe we can do them together -- that would be an incentive to me. The butt-to-butt one just looks so funny. I can imagine laughing with him while we try to do it.
I absolutely love partner/couple workouts in general. It started in 2005 when I ran the NYC marathon and I saw a couple running while holding hands. They had something cute on their shirts about how if they could make it through this, they could make it through anything.
And thus was born my dream of running a marathon holding hands.
Unfortunately, my husband has zero (maybe even negative) desire to run a full (he's done about 5 half marathons so far).
For the record, I may make my third serious play at getting him to do a full with me in the next month or so (glad he doesn't read this blog). I started raising the idea pretty much as soon as we started dating, but never really pressed it. The first time I seriously tried to convince him was immediately after his first half, because it struck me as the next logical step. No go. The second time I seriously tried to convince him was in 2008 when I decided I'd run the Marine Corps Marathon (and my husband was/is a Marine (never know how to say that, he's not in the Marines now, but there's this whole "once a Marine, always a Marine" thing)). No go.
And now, I may push for Miami in January solely because one of my best friends and her husband (my former boss, and one of my husband's best friends) are doing it. And it's going to be her husband's first (and last he says) full, doing in honor of his 50th birthday (it's funny that she and I both married guys older than us). So maybe I can convince him this time.
But anyway, aside from the "holding hands marathon dream", I like working out together in general. We have been doing boot camp together since 2007. We were first invited to a free weekend bootcamp in 2006 by my local bestie, and we loved it -- but it was a women's only camp aside from the occasional open weekend sessions. But the instructor recommended a co-ed boot camp where he worked out himself. And the rest was history.
Sometimes we shouldn't partner up at boot camp, because of different ability levels, but we usually do anyway. Sometimes it works out well -- if we have to do 100 push-ups and 100 situps between the two of us, he can do 70 push-ups (and I'll do 30), and I can do 70 sit-ups (and he can do 30). But then there are exercises like the one we call "the divorcer" (basically walking pushups face-to-face with a clap in between). But generally, it makes us stronger.
As for yoga, he's tried Bikram with me exactly twice. The first time he thought was kind of okay (or so he said), but by the second time, he said he hated it. When I started my 30 day challenge in April and he was complaining about not getting to spend much time together, I tried to convince him to join me. No go. He sang me the line from Meatloaf -- "I would do anything for love, but I won't do that."
In talking about it, it seems what he really hates is the 105 degree temperature of Bikram. He also doesn't love it because he's not super-flexible, but obviously, that's the point! He also doesn't like it because he has limited mobility in his neck thanks to a joint fusion and a plate that were put in before I knew him.
So as I try to figure out what my personal yoga future looks like, I think I'm going to attempt yoga at home for a month or two (collossal failure last time I said I'd do that), and then I'm going back to Bikram but will attempt moderation. But when I'm doing yoga at home, maybe these few partner yoga poses can be added (and maybe I can find more) and maybe we can do them together -- that would be an incentive to me. The butt-to-butt one just looks so funny. I can imagine laughing with him while we try to do it.
Tuesday, April 29, 2014
Beer Mile Record and Travel Talk Tuesday
First, a fun video regarding a new Beer Mile record -- very impressive since I can't run a sub-5 (or probably a sub-6) even without beer. Since I've recorded my initial beer mile victory and about defending my title here, and since I've loved this event since I first read about it on Amy's blog, I had to share this video.
And now, since it's Tuesday (though this will be short)...
Today's Topic: College!
1) Where did you go to college (or are you still in college) and when did you graduate?I went to school in DC and graduated nearly 20 years ago, wow!
2) What did you major in? I majored in Law and Society, which was a mix of pre-law type stuff and sociology. I didn't know before or during college that a law-related major is not necessary or even particularly helpful for law school, which was my eventual destination. It was what interested me, but in reality, I wish I'd majored in history, which also interested me and would have gotten me into law school just as easily.
3) Did you participate in any studying abroad program?Yes, I spent the spring of my junior year studying in Rome, and then I spent some time afterward in Italy, and then backpacking around Europe -- I went to a total of 19 countries in those months!
4) Do you often go back to visit your college campus?Not really. Probably about 4 times? I don't even go back to campus every time I'm in DC.
5) Is there something that your campus is known for?
Not really. Large building on campus was named after a Saudi arms dealer when I attended, but they planted some bushes in front of the sign so it was not quite so obvious (but then he defaulted on a payment after I left and it was renamed). Decent international presence at the school, particularly wealthy and from the Middle East, crown princes, princesses, etc.
https://m.youtube.com/watch?v=HZ-XFC5qzyM
(Warning, the video is almost 10 minutes long, don't worry, no vomit.)
(Warning, the video is almost 10 minutes long, don't worry, no vomit.)
And now, since it's Tuesday (though this will be short)...
Rules for TTT - please take a moment to answer this week’s questions on your own blog then add your link in the comments section for this post at Without a License so we can all see your answers! Please invite your readers to link back to their post on this post too so we can see everyone's answers and connect with other bloggers! (Remember to add the TTT graphic above and these rules to your post as well!)
Today's Topic: College!!
1) Where did you go to college (or are you still in college) and when did you graduate?
2) What did you major in?
3) Did you participate in any studying abroad program?
4) Do you often go back to visit your college campus?
5) Is there something that your campus is known for?
1) Where did you go to college (or are you still in college) and when did you graduate?
2) What did you major in?
3) Did you participate in any studying abroad program?
4) Do you often go back to visit your college campus?
5) Is there something that your campus is known for?
Today's Topic: College!
1) Where did you go to college (or are you still in college) and when did you graduate?I went to school in DC and graduated nearly 20 years ago, wow!
2) What did you major in? I majored in Law and Society, which was a mix of pre-law type stuff and sociology. I didn't know before or during college that a law-related major is not necessary or even particularly helpful for law school, which was my eventual destination. It was what interested me, but in reality, I wish I'd majored in history, which also interested me and would have gotten me into law school just as easily.
3) Did you participate in any studying abroad program?Yes, I spent the spring of my junior year studying in Rome, and then I spent some time afterward in Italy, and then backpacking around Europe -- I went to a total of 19 countries in those months!
4) Do you often go back to visit your college campus?Not really. Probably about 4 times? I don't even go back to campus every time I'm in DC.
5) Is there something that your campus is known for?
Not really. Large building on campus was named after a Saudi arms dealer when I attended, but they planted some bushes in front of the sign so it was not quite so obvious (but then he defaulted on a payment after I left and it was renamed). Decent international presence at the school, particularly wealthy and from the Middle East, crown princes, princesses, etc.
Monday, December 9, 2013
FMM: Share Your Favorite Holiday Recipe
I am happy to report that I'm back in Dallas!
EXACTLY TWO flights went from Philly to Dallas between Friday morning and Sunday night. Both happened to be Saturday afternoon, and I was on the first one of them. Flights were landing here fine on Sunday, multiple friends and colleagues made it back to Dallas, but of course Philly was getting hammered that day, so nothing was able to leave.
I got stuck spending a lot of time at the airport though. Friday night, after a work disaster (which basically meant the entire trip had been futile and made me want to cry), I tried to catch two flights home, both eventually cancelled.
Saturday morning, there was one early flight around 6:45 and one around 8:20. I was on standby on the first, but they couldn't put me on the standby list for the second until after I didn't get on the first. So back to the airport, only to have them both cancelled. All I can say is thank goodness I was flying on American and I have status there. I managed to get a confirmed seat on the 11:30, which was not easy. Pretty much everyone had massive status on the plane except for the few people who had seats on that flight originally.
But on the upside, the 8:20 flight Saturday morning was cancelled early, and running groups in Philly run later in the morning (no need to avoid 100 degree temps, so I guess they're just not in the habit), I was able to meet up with a group for the Rocky 50k. Of course I wasn't doing the 50k, but it meant company for my 15k before I went back to the airport yet again...
I'll have to do a separate post about the Rocky 50k, or #Rocky50k as we're supposed to say.
Well, when I finally landed in Dallas, I discussed with my husband the idea of leaving the airport, driving to a nearby hotel and then taking a cab home and ditching my car there. Instead, I decided to white-knuckle the drive home. The roads were 90% fine. The bridges were 0% fine. They're calling it "cobblestone ice" here but it's nothing like cobblestones. It's like driving over a washed out road in Kenya, but more slippery. The ice has formed into these rock-like knobs that protrude and make it impossible to move forward in a straight line, no matter how slowly you go. Instead, your car shakes and moves right and left as you drive over the rock-like knobs. But as soon as you're off the bridge, it's dry and smooth sailing again. It took me more than an hour to get home from the airport. And I think in some ways, going home wasn't the best.
My husband was so happy to see me but I was CRABBY. Yes, with a capital C. And with all the other letters capitalized too. I was obviously over-tired from all that time trying to catch flights at the airport, and having my settlement conference bust was disappointing. I was just pissy in general. But we managed to get the tree up, though not decorated. And since I was so miserable my husband actually didn't complain at all when I put on the New Kids Christmas CD. Well, that's a lie. When it got to Funky, Funky Christmas, he made a few jokes and complaints, but he stuck it out.
After a night in my own bed and plenty of sleep, I woke up Sunday in a much better mood. And then when I saw the crap hitting Philly, oh I was so happy I'd made it home!
We have a few trees down near our house, but for the most part, it's life as usual here. My office has a delayed start today (10:00), but since I usually get to work between 9 and 9:30, it doesn't really make a huge difference to me.
If you’ve taken part in FMM then you know the rules. If you’re new, please take a moment to answer this week’s question on your own blog then add your link in the comments section here at: www.alltheweigh.com so we can all see your FMM questions and answers. Please invite your blog readers to add their links here too so everyone has to opportunity to be seen. The idea is to connect with other awesome bloggers so take a moment to post your own FMM post and comment on a couple of other posts. Now it’s time for this week’s topic!
Well, my favorite holiday recipe is a German Christmas bread my mom makes (stollen), but I apparently (and rightfully) can't be trusted with that recipe. She knows I love it so much I'd make it in July or something!
My mom's stollen:
So since I can't share that recipe, I'll pick something I can share.
Christmas cookies have always been a big family tradition. Lots of the traditions I grew up with I have adopted myself. One tradition in our house was that my mom would make several different kinds of Christmas cookies, but we weren't allowed to eat even a single one until after dinner on Christmas Eve. Then we could eat a bunch, we'd make a plate of cookies for Santa, then we could eat them again on Christmas and all through the 12 days of Christmas.
My mom's cookies one year:
Actually, that picture reminds me. Another favorite holiday recipe is the one for the cookies shown at about 7:00 in the photo above. They have jam in them and are so good! Another recipe my mom won't share with me though! Maybe this year I will have to make another pitch to get both of those recipes.
Anyway, I have adopted the Christmas cookie tradition, but modified it slightly. I always spend a full day baking Christmas cookies with my neighbor, and I give plates of cookies to at least 10 people. This year, I actually have more than a dozen people on the list -- a few people at work, a couple boot camp friends, a few neighbors, and a few friends. But since I always go home for Christmas, I make mine early and I do eat some before Christmas.
This year, we will be baking this coming Sunday (I'll make a couple of the doughs that need to be refrigerated the day before). One thing I got done yesterday was making a list of the cookies I will make. A few I make every year, but I usually try to make at least one new one.
But since my "new" cookie from last year was awesome, I had to do some rearranging this year.
Here are the cookies I'm making this year:
Here is a link to the hot chocolate cookies: http://www.hungryrunnergirl.com/2012/12/14974.html, well, that's where I heard about them. Hungry Runner Girl actually posts a link to the recipe, which is here: http://www.seededatthetable.com/2012/02/29/hot-chocolate-cookies/.
And here is the recipe:
Now it’s your turn to answer this week’s question! Don’t forget to come back and link up in the comments! Happy Monday!
EXACTLY TWO flights went from Philly to Dallas between Friday morning and Sunday night. Both happened to be Saturday afternoon, and I was on the first one of them. Flights were landing here fine on Sunday, multiple friends and colleagues made it back to Dallas, but of course Philly was getting hammered that day, so nothing was able to leave.
I got stuck spending a lot of time at the airport though. Friday night, after a work disaster (which basically meant the entire trip had been futile and made me want to cry), I tried to catch two flights home, both eventually cancelled.
Saturday morning, there was one early flight around 6:45 and one around 8:20. I was on standby on the first, but they couldn't put me on the standby list for the second until after I didn't get on the first. So back to the airport, only to have them both cancelled. All I can say is thank goodness I was flying on American and I have status there. I managed to get a confirmed seat on the 11:30, which was not easy. Pretty much everyone had massive status on the plane except for the few people who had seats on that flight originally.
But on the upside, the 8:20 flight Saturday morning was cancelled early, and running groups in Philly run later in the morning (no need to avoid 100 degree temps, so I guess they're just not in the habit), I was able to meet up with a group for the Rocky 50k. Of course I wasn't doing the 50k, but it meant company for my 15k before I went back to the airport yet again...
I'll have to do a separate post about the Rocky 50k, or #Rocky50k as we're supposed to say.
Well, when I finally landed in Dallas, I discussed with my husband the idea of leaving the airport, driving to a nearby hotel and then taking a cab home and ditching my car there. Instead, I decided to white-knuckle the drive home. The roads were 90% fine. The bridges were 0% fine. They're calling it "cobblestone ice" here but it's nothing like cobblestones. It's like driving over a washed out road in Kenya, but more slippery. The ice has formed into these rock-like knobs that protrude and make it impossible to move forward in a straight line, no matter how slowly you go. Instead, your car shakes and moves right and left as you drive over the rock-like knobs. But as soon as you're off the bridge, it's dry and smooth sailing again. It took me more than an hour to get home from the airport. And I think in some ways, going home wasn't the best.
My husband was so happy to see me but I was CRABBY. Yes, with a capital C. And with all the other letters capitalized too. I was obviously over-tired from all that time trying to catch flights at the airport, and having my settlement conference bust was disappointing. I was just pissy in general. But we managed to get the tree up, though not decorated. And since I was so miserable my husband actually didn't complain at all when I put on the New Kids Christmas CD. Well, that's a lie. When it got to Funky, Funky Christmas, he made a few jokes and complaints, but he stuck it out.
After a night in my own bed and plenty of sleep, I woke up Sunday in a much better mood. And then when I saw the crap hitting Philly, oh I was so happy I'd made it home!
We have a few trees down near our house, but for the most part, it's life as usual here. My office has a delayed start today (10:00), but since I usually get to work between 9 and 9:30, it doesn't really make a huge difference to me.
If you’ve taken part in FMM then you know the rules. If you’re new, please take a moment to answer this week’s question on your own blog then add your link in the comments section here at: www.alltheweigh.com so we can all see your FMM questions and answers. Please invite your blog readers to add their links here too so everyone has to opportunity to be seen. The idea is to connect with other awesome bloggers so take a moment to post your own FMM post and comment on a couple of other posts. Now it’s time for this week’s topic!
Share Your Favorite Holiday Recipe
My mom's stollen:
So since I can't share that recipe, I'll pick something I can share.
Christmas cookies have always been a big family tradition. Lots of the traditions I grew up with I have adopted myself. One tradition in our house was that my mom would make several different kinds of Christmas cookies, but we weren't allowed to eat even a single one until after dinner on Christmas Eve. Then we could eat a bunch, we'd make a plate of cookies for Santa, then we could eat them again on Christmas and all through the 12 days of Christmas.
My mom's cookies one year:
Actually, that picture reminds me. Another favorite holiday recipe is the one for the cookies shown at about 7:00 in the photo above. They have jam in them and are so good! Another recipe my mom won't share with me though! Maybe this year I will have to make another pitch to get both of those recipes.
Anyway, I have adopted the Christmas cookie tradition, but modified it slightly. I always spend a full day baking Christmas cookies with my neighbor, and I give plates of cookies to at least 10 people. This year, I actually have more than a dozen people on the list -- a few people at work, a couple boot camp friends, a few neighbors, and a few friends. But since I always go home for Christmas, I make mine early and I do eat some before Christmas.
This year, we will be baking this coming Sunday (I'll make a couple of the doughs that need to be refrigerated the day before). One thing I got done yesterday was making a list of the cookies I will make. A few I make every year, but I usually try to make at least one new one.
But since my "new" cookie from last year was awesome, I had to do some rearranging this year.
Here are the cookies I'm making this year:
- Christmas wreaths (think Rice Krispie treats but with Corn Flakes, green, wreath-shaped) (made originally by my mom for the first time when I was in high school and every year since, but now it's traditionally the recipe I make when I'm home (my mom does all the others), so I actually have to make these cookies twice, once for me and my friends, then once at home) (at about 2:00 in the photo of my mom's cookies above, and below:)
- Scottish shortbreads (my mom's recipe, she's made these every Christmas I can remember) (at about 10:00 in the photo of my mom's cookies above, and below:)
- White chocolate cranberry cookies (one of my favorites, a recipe I found) (on the right below, most years I've also made them with oatmeal, on the left below, but something had to be cut this year...:)
- Swirled mint cookies (I was surprised by how many of my friends tell me these are their favorites of the ones I make, a recipe I found) (below):
- Cream cheese kolackies (this year's "new" recipe, something I found on Pinterest) (http://allrecipes.com/recipe/cream-cheese-kolacky/) (not my picture, but hope mine look like this!):
- And -- last year's "new" cookie that has earned a permanent spot in the rotation -- hot chocolate cookies.
Here is a link to the hot chocolate cookies: http://www.hungryrunnergirl.com/2012/12/14974.html, well, that's where I heard about them. Hungry Runner Girl actually posts a link to the recipe, which is here: http://www.seededatthetable.com/2012/02/29/hot-chocolate-cookies/.
And here is the recipe:
- 1 cup unsalted butter, at room temperature
- 1 cup granulated sugar
- 2/3 cup brown sugar
- 2 eggs
- 1 teaspoon vanilla extract
- 3 1/4 cups all-purpose flour
- 4 packages (or 1/2 cup plus 3 Tablespoons) Hot Chocolate Mix (store-bought or homemade)
- 1 1/4 teaspoon baking soda
- 1 teaspoon salt
- 1 cup miniature semi-sweet chocolate chips
- 2 cups miniature marshmallows
Preheat the oven to 350 degrees F. Line baking sheets with parchment paper or silicone mat.
In a large mixing bowl, cream together the butter and sugars until light and fluffy. Beat in the eggs, one at a time, then blend in the vanilla.
In a separate medium bowl, whisk together the flour, hot chocolate mix, and baking soda and salt. Slowly add to the wet ingredients and mix just until combined, scraping the sides of the bowl as needed. Fold in the chocolate chips.
Drop dough balls onto the prepared cookie sheets and bake for 7 minutes. Remove the cookies from the oven. Working quickly, carefully add about 5 to 7 miniature marshmallows to the top of each cookie, and gently press. Return to the oven and bake an additional 2 to 3 minutes, or until the marshmallows start to puff. Remove from the oven and let cool on the cookie sheets for 10 minutes before removing. Transfer to a wire rack to cool completely.
Monday, November 25, 2013
FMM: Holidays and More Part 2
My weekend was so uneventful, which is a bummer because there was a lot of stuff I wanted to get done. My primary goal was a solid dent in Christmas shopping, but that didn't happen. I was just too lazy and it' soooooo cold here that it was a real struggle to get out for my runs -- after they were done, I just wanted to be back under the blankets. I did a charity 5k on Saturday and then my "long" run on Sunday -- only 14 slow slow slow miles.
In typical Dallas fashion, the weather people got all hyped up about a winter storm for nothing. As of yesterday morning, they were saying we'd have at least an inch of sleet and ice -- and today, nada. Rain. Indeed, cold rain, but 35 does not ice make. In some ways it drives me crazy living here. But actually, I think it's weather reports everywhere that just want to boost their ratings.
But just like when I was in school, when the thought of a snow day is planted in my mind, it feels like a major bummer when I don't get one. So today I was kind of hoping to have a good "work from home" excuse, or even a day off (very unlikely, my work almost never actually closes), but alas, no excuses. I need to go in to the office, but I will work from home Wed., and then I'm off Thurs and Fri.
On to Monday...
If you’ve taken part in FMM then you know the rules. If you’re new, please take a moment to answer this week’s question on your own blog then add your link in the comments section here at: www.alltheweigh.com so we can all see your FMM questions and answers. Please invite your blog readers to add their links here too so everyone has to opportunity to be seen. The idea is to connect with other awesome bloggers so take a moment to post your own FMM post and comment on a couple of other posts. Now it’s time for this week’s topic!
1. What state/country do you live in? Dallas, Texas.
2. Where were you born? Were you raised there? I was born in the Great White North (Wisconsin) and lived there until the end of 4th grade. Then we moved a couple times, ending up in Kansas City for high school for me, but now my folks are back in the Great White North, which is where hubby and I always go for Christmas.
3. How do you feel about stores like Wal-mart opening on Thanksgiving Day for pre-Black Friday sales? Will you participate? I think I'll be in the minority, but it doesn't bother me that much. So many people already have to work on Thanksgiving -- doctors, nurses, paramedics, police, fire, gas station attendants, restaurants (particularly upscale), race directors (usually just in the morning I guess), television programmers, grocery store employees (at least until noon), pharmacists, pilots, baggage handlers, taxis, professional football players, tow truck drivers, movie theater sales/concession people, etc. What's the difference in adding retail late in the day? Especially since a majority of those I named have to work ALL day. Obviously some of those are essential, but restaurants (including nice ones, not just essential truck stops) have been open for years and there seems to be no big uproar about that. But no, there's no way I would shop on Thanksgiving -- but not by choice, I frequently patronize multiple gas stations on Christmas! But I also wouldn't shop on Black Friday in hopes of scoring some special deal. I'm not a big shopper under any circumstance... But if people really objected to Thanksgiving day shopping, no one would do it, and it wouldn't be profitable to be open, and it wouldn't be an issue. So I guess since enough people shop for it to be profitable, maybe I'm not really in the minority as much as I'd assume.
4. Have you ever participated in a Turkey Trot? Will you do one this year? Yes! It's my grand Thanksgiving tradition. We have a huge (40,000 person!) race in Dallas. There are two choices, 8 miles and 3 miles (actually, a 5k the last couple years, but traditionally just 3 miles). In 2003, I did my first 8 mile race, and I've done it every year since. This will be my 11th!
5. What was your favorite toy as a child? I could just copy Kenlie's answer here -- I also loved my Cabbage Patch kid (Claire Carlie? Carley?), Barbies and roller skates. I also love puzzles and games -- bingo, Simon, Lite Brite, Connect 4, card games, hangman, Monopoly. If I had to pick just one -- I would choose Barbie dolls.
6. Will you count points/calories on Thanksgiving Day? I’ve never counted points or calories, so that definitely would not be the day to start! I eat my standard pre-race breakfast (instant oatmeal). This year, I might run home after the 8 mile race to bump my distance up to 12. But then I usually eat my usually breakfast at home (a fruit/spinach smoothie), while starting to cook. Then I eat a lot at a single meal, but many of our dishes are actually fairly healthy -- but the desserts aren't and I always eat dessert on Thanksgiving, which is fairly rare in my everyday life.
7. Will you watch football Thursday? No, not a big sports fan. We'll be at friends' house this year, so maybe it will be on, but actually, I don't think he's a big football fan either, and I know she isn't.
8. Do you decorate inside/outside of your home for the holidays? We always put up our 9 foot tall artificial pre-lit tree. It's a huge pain, but it's so beautiful. We buy ornaments as souvenirs on many of our trips, so when we decorate the tree, it's always lots of fun. I also put out a few other decorations -- stockings, garland, lights, a few candles, it's all contained to the second floor of our house (the living room, dining room, kitchen). Our tree is visible from the street, but no outside lights.
9. Do you have allergies that prevent you from eating traditional holiday meals? No allergies, but my conscience prevents me from eating dead animals, so no turkey or ham for me. And I suppose I'm allergic to nuts, so pecan pie is out of the question, but that was never a big family tradition for me (maybe because of my allergies I guess) -- our traditional Thanksgiving dessert was something called cranberry squares, and then some fruit and/or pumpkin pies.
10. Is it snowing where you live? Nope. Rainy, but even that is tapering off. But the high today is only 35 -- supposed to be back into the 50s in a couple days though.
Now it’s your turn to answer this week’s questions. Don’t forget to come back and link up in the comments. Happy Monday!
In typical Dallas fashion, the weather people got all hyped up about a winter storm for nothing. As of yesterday morning, they were saying we'd have at least an inch of sleet and ice -- and today, nada. Rain. Indeed, cold rain, but 35 does not ice make. In some ways it drives me crazy living here. But actually, I think it's weather reports everywhere that just want to boost their ratings.
But just like when I was in school, when the thought of a snow day is planted in my mind, it feels like a major bummer when I don't get one. So today I was kind of hoping to have a good "work from home" excuse, or even a day off (very unlikely, my work almost never actually closes), but alas, no excuses. I need to go in to the office, but I will work from home Wed., and then I'm off Thurs and Fri.
On to Monday...
If you’ve taken part in FMM then you know the rules. If you’re new, please take a moment to answer this week’s question on your own blog then add your link in the comments section here at: www.alltheweigh.com so we can all see your FMM questions and answers. Please invite your blog readers to add their links here too so everyone has to opportunity to be seen. The idea is to connect with other awesome bloggers so take a moment to post your own FMM post and comment on a couple of other posts. Now it’s time for this week’s topic!
The Holidays and More: Part 2
2. Where were you born? Were you raised there? I was born in the Great White North (Wisconsin) and lived there until the end of 4th grade. Then we moved a couple times, ending up in Kansas City for high school for me, but now my folks are back in the Great White North, which is where hubby and I always go for Christmas.
3. How do you feel about stores like Wal-mart opening on Thanksgiving Day for pre-Black Friday sales? Will you participate? I think I'll be in the minority, but it doesn't bother me that much. So many people already have to work on Thanksgiving -- doctors, nurses, paramedics, police, fire, gas station attendants, restaurants (particularly upscale), race directors (usually just in the morning I guess), television programmers, grocery store employees (at least until noon), pharmacists, pilots, baggage handlers, taxis, professional football players, tow truck drivers, movie theater sales/concession people, etc. What's the difference in adding retail late in the day? Especially since a majority of those I named have to work ALL day. Obviously some of those are essential, but restaurants (including nice ones, not just essential truck stops) have been open for years and there seems to be no big uproar about that. But no, there's no way I would shop on Thanksgiving -- but not by choice, I frequently patronize multiple gas stations on Christmas! But I also wouldn't shop on Black Friday in hopes of scoring some special deal. I'm not a big shopper under any circumstance... But if people really objected to Thanksgiving day shopping, no one would do it, and it wouldn't be profitable to be open, and it wouldn't be an issue. So I guess since enough people shop for it to be profitable, maybe I'm not really in the minority as much as I'd assume.
4. Have you ever participated in a Turkey Trot? Will you do one this year? Yes! It's my grand Thanksgiving tradition. We have a huge (40,000 person!) race in Dallas. There are two choices, 8 miles and 3 miles (actually, a 5k the last couple years, but traditionally just 3 miles). In 2003, I did my first 8 mile race, and I've done it every year since. This will be my 11th!
5. What was your favorite toy as a child? I could just copy Kenlie's answer here -- I also loved my Cabbage Patch kid (Claire Carlie? Carley?), Barbies and roller skates. I also love puzzles and games -- bingo, Simon, Lite Brite, Connect 4, card games, hangman, Monopoly. If I had to pick just one -- I would choose Barbie dolls.
6. Will you count points/calories on Thanksgiving Day? I’ve never counted points or calories, so that definitely would not be the day to start! I eat my standard pre-race breakfast (instant oatmeal). This year, I might run home after the 8 mile race to bump my distance up to 12. But then I usually eat my usually breakfast at home (a fruit/spinach smoothie), while starting to cook. Then I eat a lot at a single meal, but many of our dishes are actually fairly healthy -- but the desserts aren't and I always eat dessert on Thanksgiving, which is fairly rare in my everyday life.
7. Will you watch football Thursday? No, not a big sports fan. We'll be at friends' house this year, so maybe it will be on, but actually, I don't think he's a big football fan either, and I know she isn't.
8. Do you decorate inside/outside of your home for the holidays? We always put up our 9 foot tall artificial pre-lit tree. It's a huge pain, but it's so beautiful. We buy ornaments as souvenirs on many of our trips, so when we decorate the tree, it's always lots of fun. I also put out a few other decorations -- stockings, garland, lights, a few candles, it's all contained to the second floor of our house (the living room, dining room, kitchen). Our tree is visible from the street, but no outside lights.
9. Do you have allergies that prevent you from eating traditional holiday meals? No allergies, but my conscience prevents me from eating dead animals, so no turkey or ham for me. And I suppose I'm allergic to nuts, so pecan pie is out of the question, but that was never a big family tradition for me (maybe because of my allergies I guess) -- our traditional Thanksgiving dessert was something called cranberry squares, and then some fruit and/or pumpkin pies.
10. Is it snowing where you live? Nope. Rainy, but even that is tapering off. But the high today is only 35 -- supposed to be back into the 50s in a couple days though.
Now it’s your turn to answer this week’s questions. Don’t forget to come back and link up in the comments. Happy Monday!
Thursday, September 5, 2013
Trip Back to the Place Formerly Known as Home
I figured I'd share a few more photos and thoughts from our trip a couple weeks ago. We went back for my 20th high school reunion, which I posted about here.
It's kind of weird because I went to high school there but my parents moved away when I was a senior in college, so now I really have no occasion to go back except for something like a reunion or the occasional wedding.
Anyway, figured I'd share a few pictures from the trip that I hadn't shared earlier.
Notable:
We were surprised at times how beautiful the hills of Kansas were, though these photos really don't capture it at all!:
I don't know how to feel about this. My high school was not in a particularly wealthy suburb, but it wasn't bad. But the area has been hit hard by meth and it's really gone downhill. We lived in one of the nicest subdivisions, but even that has gone down a lot. Most telling of all -- there is now a daycare center in my former high school for babies AND TODDLERS of students. Wow. I suppose it's much better than kids dropping out, but it just shocked me:
Here is the cafeteria, the site of so much of my own teenaged angst:
Our high school gym, the site of more angst (though I did play tennis and certainly others had more angst here than I did):
The classroom that changed my life. It looks like a special needs class in some ways, but it's the debate and forensics room:
An explanation of the 4 kinds of debate that are now offered. "Back in the day" when I was in high school, the only two choices were policy debate (which I did) (a team of two against another team of two creating or attacking a plan based on a single topic that is the year's resolution) and Lincoln-Douglas debate (one v. one debate on more of a moral issue, not using evidence or cites, more persuasive):
The stage in the school's theater was filled with pallets of books since school was just starting, but all the people on our tour who were theater people were very excited to see the theater, even filled with books:
In the hallway, there are little collages of the several theater productions done each year in the past. Sound of Music, Tartuffe, Music Man and others were ones I remembered. I auditioned for Sound of Music but didn't get a part, but I worked behind the scenes on that one.
Our old house, where we lived when I was in 6th grade until 11th grade, then we moved to the house we built that was out of district, but since it was nearby and I was a good student with my own car, I was allowed to keep attending the same school. My room was over the garage, with a window on the side of the house, and a skylight in the bathroom on the back of the house:
The site of my very first kiss:
Driving home, crossing into Kansas:
Welcome to Kansas:
Welcome to Oklahoma:
And finally, welcome to Texas:
It's kind of weird because I went to high school there but my parents moved away when I was a senior in college, so now I really have no occasion to go back except for something like a reunion or the occasional wedding.
Anyway, figured I'd share a few pictures from the trip that I hadn't shared earlier.
Notable:
We were surprised at times how beautiful the hills of Kansas were, though these photos really don't capture it at all!:
I don't know how to feel about this. My high school was not in a particularly wealthy suburb, but it wasn't bad. But the area has been hit hard by meth and it's really gone downhill. We lived in one of the nicest subdivisions, but even that has gone down a lot. Most telling of all -- there is now a daycare center in my former high school for babies AND TODDLERS of students. Wow. I suppose it's much better than kids dropping out, but it just shocked me:
Here is the cafeteria, the site of so much of my own teenaged angst:
Our high school gym, the site of more angst (though I did play tennis and certainly others had more angst here than I did):
The classroom that changed my life. It looks like a special needs class in some ways, but it's the debate and forensics room:
An explanation of the 4 kinds of debate that are now offered. "Back in the day" when I was in high school, the only two choices were policy debate (which I did) (a team of two against another team of two creating or attacking a plan based on a single topic that is the year's resolution) and Lincoln-Douglas debate (one v. one debate on more of a moral issue, not using evidence or cites, more persuasive):
The stage in the school's theater was filled with pallets of books since school was just starting, but all the people on our tour who were theater people were very excited to see the theater, even filled with books:
In the hallway, there are little collages of the several theater productions done each year in the past. Sound of Music, Tartuffe, Music Man and others were ones I remembered. I auditioned for Sound of Music but didn't get a part, but I worked behind the scenes on that one.
Our old house, where we lived when I was in 6th grade until 11th grade, then we moved to the house we built that was out of district, but since it was nearby and I was a good student with my own car, I was allowed to keep attending the same school. My room was over the garage, with a window on the side of the house, and a skylight in the bathroom on the back of the house:
The site of my very first kiss:
Driving home, crossing into Kansas:
Welcome to Kansas:
Welcome to Oklahoma:
And finally, welcome to Texas:
Wednesday, August 28, 2013
Reunion Fun
Of my graduating class of about 325, about 100 came to our 20 year reunion last weekend, which seemed to be a great number -- I got to see many of them and had time to visit with those I cared about.
Our class was very lucky that a few people took charge of the reunion and did an amazing job of organizing it. There was a photo booth, a photographer roaming to take candids and group shots, a buffet, special vegetarian meals, a cash bar, a showing of our senior video, about a 15 minute slideshow of photos people submitted, and a dance floor that eventually filled up (playing the greatest hits of the 90s and today!).
What was most interesting to me was seeing how some people had changed, or hadn't. Obviously we are all about the same age, but some people looked so much older, and others looked so much younger, like we were maybe at a 5 year reunion. And there didn't seem to be any clear theme other than guys who lost or were losing their hair definitely looked older. Some had gained weight, but some of those people didn't look any older. Some had lost weight since the 10 year (myself included I think). A couple people had probably lost weight since high school but not many, and the ones who come to mind for the most part seemed to look older than I'd expect. Some people seemed to have about the same build as in high school -- and yet some of them looked older, some looked the same.
Another interesting aspect was to see how personalities have changed. The two women who come to mind as the main organizers were both prom queen types. I was acquaintances with them in high school (I'd gone to Europe with one, and I took 4 years of French with another), but we never were what I would call friends -- no dislike, but never socialized. I would have probably assumed they were kind of snobs since they both definitely ran with the cool kids. Both of them now seem insanely wonderful, kind and friendly, not at all clique-ish. But a couple of the guys seemed to have matured not a bit, which was kind of funny and maybe a little sad.
Overall, I'd say it was more fun than the 10 year reunion, though the 10 year had much more surprise since it was pre-facebook. Even though I've gone off FB this year, I still remembered details about the people I was friends with and that was kind of fun because it gave us common ground and easy conversation -- I knew who had kids, who runs marathons, who lives in the same area, some jobs, etc.
But of course the best part was being with my friends. Some of them I hadn't seen since I got married, and others I probably hadn't seen in 10 or 20 years. Yet it felt like not a moment had passed and I spent so much time laughing and reminiscing with them. It's so funny to hear stories that people remember in which you played a part but of which you have no recollection.
One woman was there who I remembered but I wouldn't say we were close in high school, aside from maybe freshman year -- she definitely gravitated to the "bad" crowd, while I gravitated to the debate crowd. Anyway, she was telling me that when we'd met in seventh grade, I got her hooked on Days of Our Lives. It was so funny to hear that. When I was in 5th and 6th grade, we lived in Minnesota and I used to spend a lot of time at my best friend's house there, particularly in the summers, and her mom watched DOOL. And therefore she knew all about it and when we played Barbies, she always wanted me to pick who I'd be and I had limited choices -- Kayla, Hope, Jennifer, etc., all characters from DOOL. So I'd picked up on the show and would sometimes watch at her house (definitely not allowed at my house!), and apparently I hooked someone else who still watches. I watched on and off in college, and even a bit as an adult since my husband and I started living together, but I've been off it for about 5 years now. Maybe I'll go back.
It was amusing to hear other stories where people remember me doing or saying something, or being there, and I had no memory of it. And of course I had some of the same -- things I remember doing or saying with others and they didn't remember.
After the reunion was winding down around midnight, there were several groups standing and talking, including us with a bunch of my friends, making plans to go to a nearby bar to keep the fun going, making plans to meet for breakfast the next morning.
Totally awesome weekend!
Our class was very lucky that a few people took charge of the reunion and did an amazing job of organizing it. There was a photo booth, a photographer roaming to take candids and group shots, a buffet, special vegetarian meals, a cash bar, a showing of our senior video, about a 15 minute slideshow of photos people submitted, and a dance floor that eventually filled up (playing the greatest hits of the 90s and today!).
What was most interesting to me was seeing how some people had changed, or hadn't. Obviously we are all about the same age, but some people looked so much older, and others looked so much younger, like we were maybe at a 5 year reunion. And there didn't seem to be any clear theme other than guys who lost or were losing their hair definitely looked older. Some had gained weight, but some of those people didn't look any older. Some had lost weight since the 10 year (myself included I think). A couple people had probably lost weight since high school but not many, and the ones who come to mind for the most part seemed to look older than I'd expect. Some people seemed to have about the same build as in high school -- and yet some of them looked older, some looked the same.
Another interesting aspect was to see how personalities have changed. The two women who come to mind as the main organizers were both prom queen types. I was acquaintances with them in high school (I'd gone to Europe with one, and I took 4 years of French with another), but we never were what I would call friends -- no dislike, but never socialized. I would have probably assumed they were kind of snobs since they both definitely ran with the cool kids. Both of them now seem insanely wonderful, kind and friendly, not at all clique-ish. But a couple of the guys seemed to have matured not a bit, which was kind of funny and maybe a little sad.
Overall, I'd say it was more fun than the 10 year reunion, though the 10 year had much more surprise since it was pre-facebook. Even though I've gone off FB this year, I still remembered details about the people I was friends with and that was kind of fun because it gave us common ground and easy conversation -- I knew who had kids, who runs marathons, who lives in the same area, some jobs, etc.
But of course the best part was being with my friends. Some of them I hadn't seen since I got married, and others I probably hadn't seen in 10 or 20 years. Yet it felt like not a moment had passed and I spent so much time laughing and reminiscing with them. It's so funny to hear stories that people remember in which you played a part but of which you have no recollection.
One woman was there who I remembered but I wouldn't say we were close in high school, aside from maybe freshman year -- she definitely gravitated to the "bad" crowd, while I gravitated to the debate crowd. Anyway, she was telling me that when we'd met in seventh grade, I got her hooked on Days of Our Lives. It was so funny to hear that. When I was in 5th and 6th grade, we lived in Minnesota and I used to spend a lot of time at my best friend's house there, particularly in the summers, and her mom watched DOOL. And therefore she knew all about it and when we played Barbies, she always wanted me to pick who I'd be and I had limited choices -- Kayla, Hope, Jennifer, etc., all characters from DOOL. So I'd picked up on the show and would sometimes watch at her house (definitely not allowed at my house!), and apparently I hooked someone else who still watches. I watched on and off in college, and even a bit as an adult since my husband and I started living together, but I've been off it for about 5 years now. Maybe I'll go back.
It was amusing to hear other stories where people remember me doing or saying something, or being there, and I had no memory of it. And of course I had some of the same -- things I remember doing or saying with others and they didn't remember.
After the reunion was winding down around midnight, there were several groups standing and talking, including us with a bunch of my friends, making plans to go to a nearby bar to keep the fun going, making plans to meet for breakfast the next morning.
Totally awesome weekend!
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