The sun is up
The sky is blue
It's beautiful
And so are you!

I got kind of irritated today when I was trolling on FB (per the normal newsfeed browsing) and I see someone asking "everyone to pray that I get on this flight so I can get home to see my husband." My immediate reaction was, "uh, no. you didn't buy your ticket so now you have to play it by ear." My prayers, though far and few between, are not given to someone who asks me to pray for them. Is this so selfish of me or is it selfish of the requester? I will give an extra thought to a friend whose baby is having surgery today but not the person who asks for something totally trivial.

One more example... I saw a "Had a great weekend at the cabin. So blessed." update. No, just because you had a great weekend with friends at the cabin binge drinking yourself into blackness does not mean you are blessed. I have no idea where this sudden annoyance came from but I'll step off my soapbox now.

It cracks me up that Danny DeVito is playing the Lorax. My husband had never heard of the Lorax and I had to try and describe the story to him. Dr. Seuss had to have been on some type of mood-altering hallucinogen when he wrote some of his books.

I just googled my name and this journal came up because I had stupidly put my own name in an entry. Siggggggggggh. I was going to go and make it super private but I just edited the entry instead. Sigh sigh sigh.

I love these things :) Even years after we all quit sending them in mass emails :)

1: Do you sleep with your closet doors open or closed? Open, it looks weird with them closed.
2: Do you take the shampoos and conditioner bottles from hotel? Not unless they're a "designer" brand...
3: Do you sleep with your sheets tucked in or out? Out, always out.
4: Have you ever stolen a street sign before? Nope
5: Do you like to use post-it notes? Only at work.
6: Do you cut out coupons but then never use them? Occasionally
7: Would you rather be attacked by a big bear or a swarm of a bees? Beeees! They won't kill me but a bear could.
8: Do you have freckles? Nope
9: Do you always smile for pictures? Yes, I look silly if I don't.
10: What is your biggest pet peeve? Umm, in daily life probably loud self-phone talkers. At work it would be when people put patients in the bathroom and then walk away leaving someone else to get them out. This is accompanied by a loud dinging.
11: Do you ever count your steps when you walk? Yes, frequently on sidewalks.
12: Have you ever peed in the woods? Many times as a child.
13: What about pooped in the woods? Not that I can remember.
14: Do you ever dance even if there's no music playing? Yep
15: Do you chew your pens and pencils? I do not.
16: How many people have you slept with this week? Uhhh one?
17: What size is your bed? King
18: What is your Song of the week? Don't have one.
19: Is it okay for guys to wear pink? Yes
20: Do you still watch cartoons? Yes
21: Whats your least favorite movie? Babysitter Seduction. It was on Lifetime Movie Network today. Awful.
22: Where would you bury hidden treasure if you had some? Nope
23: What do you drink with dinner? Usually water
24: What do you dip a chicken nugget in? I haven't eaten a chicken nugget in years.
25: What is your favorite food? Sushi!
26: What movies could you watch over and over and still love? Hocus Pocus, Bridesmaids, the original Twilight
27: Last person you kissed/kissed you? P
28: Were you ever a boy/girl scout? I was a brownie for about 5 minutes in 2nd grade
29: Would you ever strip or pose nude in a magazine? Meh, it would honestly depend on what it was for and if it were classy.
30: When was the last time you wrote a letter to someone on paper? A couple months ago?
31: Can you change the oil on a car? I cannot
32: Ever gotten a speeding ticket? Nope
33: Ever ran out of gas? Nope
34: Favorite kind of sandwich? I got a sammich in Duluth last month that was the most delicious sammy I had ever eaten.
35: Best thing to eat for breakfast? microwave egg, laughing cow cheese and english muffin
36: What is your usual bedtime? midnight if I don't work days
37: Are you lazy? I can be
38: When you were a kid, what did you dress up as for Halloween? Pumpkin
39: What is your Chinese astrological sign? Taurus
40: How many languages can you speak? English and phrases in German
41: Do you have any magazine subscriptions? Yes... People, Women's Health, Marie Claire (I think?)
42: Which are better legos or lincoln logs?Legos
43: Are you stubborn? I can be
44: Who is better...Leno or Letterman? Team Coco
45: Ever watch soap operas?Nope
46: Are you afraid of heights?Nope
47: Do you sing in the car?Yes
48: Do you sing in the shower? Yes
49: Do you dance in the car? No
50: Ever used a gun? No
51: Last time you got a portrait taken by a photographer? Wedding in 2009
52: Do you think musicals are cheesy? No, I absolutely love them
53: Is Christmas stressful? Not really, it always surprises me that it comes so quickly
54: Ever eat a pierogi? No, I love gyoza though. Nom nom nom.
55: Favorite type of fruit pie? Does pumpkin count?
56: Occupations you wanted to be when you were a kid? Pilot, musician
57: Do you believe in ghosts? I think spirits can get stuck "in-between" and I think there are signs that those who have passed away are still with you.
58: Ever have a Deja-vu feeling? Yes
59: Take a vitamin daily? when I remember
60: Wear slippers? In the winter
61: Wear a bath robe? After a shower or bath
62: What do you wear to bed? pj pants and t-shirt
63: First concert? John Mayer
64: Wal-Mart, Target or Kmart? Target
65: Nike or Adidas? Nike
66: Cheetos Or Fritos? Neither
67: Peanuts or Sunflower seeds? Sunflower seeds
68: Ever hear of the group Tres Bien? No
69: Ever take dance lessons? We took a single dance lesson before the wedding
70: Is there a profession you picture your future spouse doing? Well my current spouse works in metal fabrication...
71: Can you curl your tongue?Yes
72: Ever won a spelling bee?Yes
73: Have you ever cried because you were so happy? I've cried from laughing so hard
74: Own any record albums? No
75: Own a record player?No
76: Regularly burn incense?No
77: Ever been in love?Yes
78: Who would you like to see in concert? I don't love concerts, it takes too long to get to the main act. Love musicals :)
79: What was the last concert you saw? Glee :)
80: Hot tea or cold tea? Hot
81: Tea or coffee?Tea
82: Sugar or snickerdoodles?snickerdoodles
83: Can you swim well?quite
84: Can you hold your breath without holding your nose?yes
85: Are you patient?for the most part
86: DJ or band, at a wedding?Laptop
87: Ever won a contest?Sure
88: Ever have plastic surgery? Nah, not unless it was reconstructive
89: Which are better black or green olives? GREEN
90: Can you knit or crochet? knit
91: Best room for a fireplace? living
92: Do you want to get married? I am
93: If married, how long have you been married? 2
94: Who is your celebrity crush? I love me some Ryan Gosling
95: Do you cry and throw a fit until you get your own way? Nah, It just happens
96: Do you have kids? Nope
97: Do you want kids?Someday
98: Whats your favorite color?Don't really have one
99: Do you miss anyone right now? I miss my grandpa every day but that's a little heavy, I miss my family since they live a few hours away :(

Well hello. Its been a long time. I don't even remember the last time I posted?? I imagine its been at least a month so I'll start updating from Augustish.

August - The month never really slowed down once I got back from Idaho. I attempted to run another half marathon... but ended up dropping out at mile 6 due to runner's trots. I had never had any issues with it before and haven't had any since. I didn't think I was going to make it to the portapotties twice and even went off course to use one. I knew I made the right decision to stop when I spent the next 20 minutes in the bathroom. Awesome. I was disappointed that I felt like I was finally in shape to run a half and didn't even really get to try because I was running to the bathroom. That was probably the lowlight of August. Highlight was getting a pool in the backyard. It was from Target so nothing special but I really enjoyed having it. I also skated a half marathon and was really happy with how I did. It was sooooooo hot and humid though.

September - Spent more time running. All I remember from this past year is running and running and running some more. I changed it up in September with an inline marathon. Its the same one we do every year in Duluth and it was coooold. I felt the best I have felt in 8 years of skating. Not our fastest time but it was windy and people didn't really seem to draft. Then I ran some more. In my annual review last April, I agreed to orient to the charge nurse role. I finally agreed to do it but because of how we schedule, I don't actually do this until December. I'm sure it will be fine but the added responsibility scares me some. Really, that was it for September. I worked and worked. Oh yeah, we went to Vegas too. It was great. Saw Jersey Boys, which was excellent and wandered for 4 days.

October - Marathon month! I ran the 26.2 in five and a half hours. To put this into perspective, I ran the first half in 2 hours 22 minutes... this is 12 minutes faster than my half in May so I was really happy about that. Things went great through about 18 and then I got really nauseated with rising temps (outside, not me). I pretty much sped walk 20-24 with my sister holding me by the hand while I closed my eyes fighting dry heaves. I did it and I look back now thinking "what if we ran with a pace group? What if this? or that?" which has really made me want to do another though if you would have asked me Sunday at mile 22, I would have said absolutely not.

I'm still training for one last half marathon at the end of October (Monster Dash!). I've also contacted a running club in Rochester and will be "trying them out" tomorrow. And they go out for drinks after :) I'm nervous because I've always ran with K or on my own but I also started to feel really burnt out towards the end of training and this club's goal is "fun and fitness" with people of all paces. I also haven't had to go to anything where I know no one in a looooong time. Should be interesting.

In other October news, we're retiling our bathrooms. Well we're not, but a tile place is. Because of how my schedule falls, I am in the middle of a week off (I only worked Tuesday this week and someone was looking for hours so I gave my Tuesday up, 8 hrs PTO for a week off is pretty sweet). Still fighting the post-marathon rash which I think has to do with some type of stress response. Convenient that it I've had to take Benadryl on a week off and not miss work but not exactly how I planned on spending this time off. Much better yesterday and today though. TMI?

So I decided to start including a "favorites" section when I 'blog. This would include things I'm really liking or using or excited about so here are my October favorites...

1. Chai Spice Latte. I make them on my own and are soooo easy. Yum. I'm not even sure they're true lattes because I don't use steamed milk but I got the recipe from my mom and that is what on is on the recipe card.
2. Bejeweled Blitz. Ridiculously addicting game on FB. I started playing this game maybe 2 years ago and I go in/out of phases where I play it all the time.
3. Neutrogena Healthy Glow Sheer moisturizer. Basically a tinted moisturizer. I put on my normal moisturizer and then put this on when I'm going to wear make-up. I hate the feeling of foundation regardless of if its powder or liquid. I used Bare Minerals exclusively for years but in the winter, I get drier skin and powder + dry skin = not great results. Plus, I feel like this stuff helps my bronzer and blush "stick" better.
4. Conan O'Brien. I have watched Conan since high school. Just the monologue and Andy Richter banter and maybe the interviews if its someone interesting. TBS @ 10pm.
5. November! Italy!

That's probably enough for tonight. I've got trash tv to catch up on :)

Soooo... I forgot about lj again.  Oops.  Not really too much is going on.  A few things I've learned this summer...


1. Think twice before cutting your hair really short.  It takes way longer to grow out than you think due to the constant trims to avoid mulletness.  I finally have a haircut that I somewhat like and can almost tuck behind my ears.  Almost.  I never realized how much my hair defines how I feel about myself.  I got compliments when it was short but it wasn't me.  Yikes.  I know I am getting to the right cut because a resident at work called my haircut "pretty" and she never says anything nice about anyone or anything.  Haha.  I was also told today to "keep up what you're doing with your makeup in the past few weeks because it looks so nice" by a co-worker.  Thanks? 


2. I've probably been living the past 16 years of my life dehydrated.  I never really drank water outside of swim class and the occasional glass here and there.  I used to get headaches as far back as middle school in the afternoons and these have stayed with me ever since.  And the sideaches while running... I started drinking a liter of water every work shift on a recommendation from a friend and its helped immensely.  I hydrate the evening before runs and drink a full glass before the run, at least 2 after and then hydrating during the run.


3. I can go without biting my fingernails. I have not bitten since July 1st!  And the rules for nail polish at work were clarified so now I can wear "neutral" colors to work. 


4. Its OK to watch junk tv.  I DVR all my favorite junk shows and then watch them all in one evening so instead of spending all day watching tv everyday, I can cram it into one evening of trash tv.  I love Butch from Teen Mom.  Speaking of Teen Mom, I'm glad Amber put on her good pajama pants when the social worker brought Leah to her new house.


5. I no longer need to live like I am in college.  I set aside money into savings every paycheck, put some in the joint account and then what's left is my "spending" money.   Money for car maintenance, gas, and my personal expenses comes out of this spending money so its not like its a free-for-all. 


6. Anyone can run.  No really, anyone.  I ran 13 miles yesterday, by myself. 6 months ago, I couldn't run 2 miles.  Its gotten to a point where I have to designate a whole day for the really long runs and its getting old.  Running 4 hours at a time is not fun, its painful and makes you gross.


Well I should get ready for bed.  I worked nights this past weekend and my body is all confused about when its supposed to sleep.  I will end with a sonnet that my sister challenged me to write.

I saw that whale sittin' thurr on the desk
And I knew it had to be my best friend
Regardless that I am a bit grotesque

Crowds are not for me, I cannot blend
This new friend reminded me of Shark Week
Flippin' your fins, You do not get too far
Good thing I got braces upon my beak
Whales travel by refrigerated cars
They are the meanies of the ocean world
Be careful when talking about whale dork
People always ask if my hair is curled
I reply, "stuff that blowhole with a cork!"
One time I saw a whale with a fupa
Maybe she should lay off the chalupas

After some recent events, discussions and long-running jokes between P and I, we have put together the dealbreaker list...  I have some friends in toxic relationships and I am honestly amazed at what they will put up with in their relationships.  I understand that phrase "through thick and thin" but this goes beyond just a little bump in the road.  Everyone has those.  People can change and deserve ONE second chance but past behaviors tend to predict future ones.  So on to the dealbreakers.

---addiction.  Not the "Oh, I'm so addicted to Pretty Little Liars" kind but substance.  Booze, drugs, hookers, spending.  Its not so much the substance itself but the behaviors that accompany the addiction.  Listening to my friend tell me that she didn't know her now husband was addicted to hard drugs for 18 months without her knowing was heartbreaking.  The behaviors make those involved paranoid and that sense of trust disappears.  From these toxic relationships, it seems to be an ongoing cycle of really great times and then the behaviors that suck the life out of things.

---hookers and affairs.  I bring in hookers to lighten the mood.  We recently had a talk about KDWB's booty cruise and how I've always wanted to go.  I was surprised to find out P wasn't all for it.  I had to remind him, even if I were to get hit on (OK, lets all be honest, I don't draw in hoards of men looking for my phone number... I'm awkward, am growing out a bad haircut and don't dress like a 'ho) I will say no.  I have male friends at work and one of which, I run with which I think used to make P uncomfortable.  Traveling with a friend this weekend and hearing her phone conversations, I would go nuts in that relationship.  Her husband was so concerned that she was getting hit on constantly without him there to protect her that I was almost uncomfortable.  She is not going to cheat especially with a friend right there with her the whole time.  Wow.

...And there's a few more things that are in the dealbreakers list but I want to move on to independence.  We recently got a comment that P and I have a great sense of independence but have that sense of "coupleness."  We each have our own money along with the joint accounts.  I have my friends that I go out with on my own and we also hang out with them as a group.  I love my job and making my own money.  I have had discussions with friends and one person told me I "just don't understand because you and P don't function as one, We are one person who do everything together..."  I'm still a little irritated because though we don't do every little thing together, we still do a lot together.  We don't grocery shop together every time, workout together after work or spend every waking moment gazing into each other's eyes, we are most definitely together. 



I went to Chicago this weekend for work and it was a blast.  Last time I was there was for marching band in 2003... I briefly stopped there in 2007 but was only there for a few hours.  We had so much fun seeing everything and riding the train (thank you, SalPal for having me experience the train in Boston... I had a basic understanding of train riding which my friend did not... it could have been bad).  I would have loved an extra day.  Our presentation went great and we got excellent feedback.  Well my laptop is about to die.  I leave for Idaho in 2 days so I am gone July 13-23.  Adios!

It's really hot in rochy right now... Like 90 hot. Though I don't live on the beach, I have started a beachwear without the beach wardrobe and am on day 3.

I removed the bieber from my hair a few days ago and the compliments I receive mostly peoplemmissing the bieber... I do not miss it.

My july is rather busy. Grand marais this weekend, chicago next weekend, Idaho for ten days the week after that. I think I work maybe 6 days this month. Shucks?

Still running running running. My bunions are acting up so I tried to get into the foot clinic by just calling. No no no, I was told, my feet arent serious enough so see my primary. I call and they ever me right on over to the foot clinic... Next available appointment is... October 20th! But I can basically show up "standby" and wait to see if there are no shows whenever I want. Awesome. Oh, the marathon is oct 2. The golf all on my left foot begs to be seen sooner so I have x rays tomorrow and will go sit the week after I get back from chicago but before I leave for Idaho.

I have to work at 3 and I don't really want to... Arggghgh.

So my sister talked me into committing to the twin cities marathon into December... I used this thought process to make my decision...

PROS:
...reason to buy new shoes. Ohhhh yes!
...defined calves and maybe more than a flat behind. Sure, why not?
...ISee diet. I see it, I eat it.
...have a workout plan for the next four months basically spelled out for me. Ok.
...would get to use intermediate training plan because of the half marathon . Probably the only time I'll ever get to use the words intermediate and running in the same sentence.

CONS
...ugh, do I really have any?
...the half was quite painful and so were the days after.
..fear of runners trots. Not an issue during the half but it was for my sister during her full. I'm sure shes thrilled I'm sharing that.

So I already signed up and mapped out my calendar to accommodate the running but I have to watch my feet (bunions, y'all).

I bought a maxi dress yesterday. You know, those long ones. I haven't tried it on yet but I'm afraid that I'll just look silly in it.

I'm considering making my journal public... Like available to all in the near future. I have some hesitations because I write about stuff on here that is somewhat private but i suppose I could go make those entries friends only. This was a push from some friends who follow on Facebook. Apparently I entertain the masses with what is my norm. Well see... I don't know. I like my secret little cult on lj and have for years. P mentioned xanga today and I had to laugh a little :)

So last night at work I was asked if I am a perfectionist by one of the orientees I was assigned with. Background: she is and is struggling with not being able to handle things on her own yet. I am somewhat complimented but it gave me some insight on how others view me... I would like to hope I don't come off as the crazy type A type and I'm pretty sur im not because I work with a handful of those and one is a really good friend. I don't get that frazzled and worked up if things aren't going my way, I just like things done the right way and on time. I am never lazy at work and don't pass things on unless I have a valid reason to.

I am not a clean person at home but our house is relatively clean considering how my family functions in regards to cleaning. P is clean but again, look at his lifestyle growing up. I can definitely see it in other areas of my life...school, piano, reading, working out but the last three are things I genuinely enjoy. I love putting together a playlist and lifting to it. I feel awkward when people say things like "oh if I just had the time to do those things...". Immediately I think to myself, well why don't you? I set aside time for things I enjoy. Right now I'm sitting on my deck, enjoying some Internet time before I work at 3 and plan to read until 130 untilbi have to get in the shower. Yesterday I gotbup early enough to do the same and get a solid workout in and I'll do the same tomorrow. I don't really know where I'm going with this now.

I saw glee live last week and it was quite fun. I have a soft spot for the warblers and Blaine. Sigh... And we werent the oldest people there. Lotta little shorts. Yikes.

The month of may went by quick... I went to grand marais for a long weekend, got a raise for completing my msn, ran a half marathon. June doesn't have muchplanned but I am going to monti next week for some lake time, taking a class to get med surg certified, working some. July I have a conference in Chicago for work and then I'll be in idaho for ten days. I heart Idaho! I think I only work like 56 hours that month :) I have lots of PTO to burn so I am definitely ok with that. We can bank up to something like 300 hours... I have 120.87 hours just sitting there and I am only using 24 for vacay in July. Well I should get going... Back to sitting on the deck.

So I'm at home with a headache today and yesterday.  I don't get headaches that last all day very often.  Yesterday I thought it was more of a sinusy type but today I don't know.  I have also been sleeping 10-11 hours a night plus naps during the day so I'm thinking this is more stress related.  I think my brain and body are going through school withdrawal and just aren't quite sure what to do without the constant stress and time sucking that school causes.  I'm sure it'll regulate out but its like I'm so exhausted the only thing I feel like I can do is sleep.  And its that pressurey type headache that feels better after steaming so maybe its a combo of exhaustion and a cold... I don't know.  Its enough to keep me home from work.  I probably could go and feel OK for a bit but the headache by the end of the day would be killer.

My 26th birthday was this past weekend.  It went OK.  I had hinted at P all week that I'd like him to plan something for the actual day.  I knew no screws were turned in anticipation of this day when I was handed a "birthday" doughnut and he'd forgotten to get me coffee (which I don't drink plain but will all loaded up with good stuff) when he got himself some.  Then I cried like a 4 year old when I asked what he had planned and he looked at me blankly and said "uh, nothing, what do you want to do?"  I've honestly never been more disappointed about a birthday before.  Then I had a pity party by myself in my room for the next hour.  Was I really asking too much?  I don't think so.  Its not like it came out of nowhere, I kept dropping major hints all week and I made sure they were pretty obvious.  I'm still a little upset over it.  It was the first birthday where no one died the week before, no school, no wedding the next week so I did have my hopes up.  Arrrrrrrggggh. I mean his parents put more effort in when they took us out for lunch on Friday.... just sayin'.  Pity party is over.

Well I'm taking advantage of this headache by doing laundry and sorting through my closet.  Fun, right?  Maybe I should put my glasses on too...