Happy birthday, Shawna!

Today Shawna turns 25, isn't that lovely?

I have only known my fellow blogger and good pal Shawna for 5 of those 25 years, but they've been quality years spent together causing trouble.

Have a lovely 25th, friend!

I fail at blogging lately.

I started my new job yesterday, and I think I am going to like it even though it's entirely different from what I used to do. We'll see. I'm also not homeless anymore cause I'm renting a room from some married friends who feed me lasagna and cupcakes.

That is all.

Bittersweet beginnings...

Remember that job I interviewed for yesterday? Totally got it! I start Monday morning at 8 a.m.

On one hand, I'm super excited cause I'll be moving back to Central Oregon... and I'll be in the same town as Shawna! WOO! I love Central Oregon, and this is a new career for me so who knows what it might lead to. Also, it's a position that utilizes the fact that I am bilingual and I've always wanted to put my Spanish skills to good use.

On the other hand, I'm sad. I just let myself get happy about living closer to friends I've been away from for too long, and now I'm leaving them again. It's making my heart break a tiny bit to think about that. Also, I've worked for over five years to progress in the same career and now I'm switching and I feel like I'm giving up and losing all that I've worked for.

Also, I think I have to skip my half marathon. Sad story. Things happen, I suppose. I'm totally going to run 13.1 miles that day on my own, because that's enough for me.

So yeah... we'll see where this leads!

Frontier women

Today we churned butter and made cupcakes and washed our hair with beer. Oh, how glorious for the Pink Spandex authors to be reunited. For instance the following are only snippets of conversation:

Leslie: "Booze and coffee! Those are my two favorite things!"

Shawna: "I want to squeeze the butter!!!"

Shawna's mom: "No one's going to be pregnant at this party?"
Shawna: "Not after this, they won't."

We had planned on only making Kahlua cupcakes this evening, but soon our adventures spread to frontier girl chores like making butter from scratch and baking bread to go with it. We are awesome. Look at these pictures!

Never mind...

It's snowing harder now. Looks like an elliptical day for me! I'm okay with that, I'm probably going to injure myself if I run too much--but the weather has been so nice lately that I kept wanting to get out there!

Also, I'm trying to think of new things to take an interest in, and I've decided yoga is one of those things. And I just discovered you can find yoga classes on youtube! Let's try that, shall we?

Now I just have to find a way to do yoga with three dogs around me... Hilarity will probably ensue.

Oh come on, weather...

It is snowing right now. I briefly considered saran-wrapping my ipod and going for a run anyway, but I've decided to wait and see if the weather improves by this afternoon at some point. Is it just me, or is it almost the end of March? Yeah, that's what I thought.

Completely random blog about nothing.

I'm really excited to go back to Central Oregon this weekend to hang out with Shawna for her birthday. It has been far too long since we've caused trouble. Also, I fully intend to wing-woman-up and find her some birthday lovin. I'm a very efficient wing woman, so clearly this will happen.

I started out my day with a run this morning, and it put me in a good mood for the rest of the day. Basically, I think I should seriously become a morning runner, cause it works for me.

I also bought myself Carrie Underwood's new song on itunes for 99 cents. I'm so nice.

Does anyone know of a good armband to use with an ipod/nike+ that will make it waterproof? I'm afraid of my sweat frying it and don't know what to do about this.

I applied for a job today that I fully intend to get. I've just decided that it's my future career.

I read an article in Fitness magazine about how happiness is contagious and if you're happy, all your friends will be happy. As such, I've decided to be happy all the time because I'd like for my friends to be happy all the time. I'm happy right now, does that mean all of our readers are happy? All five of you?

That is all.

Ouch.

During March three (or four? Now I don't even know) of my closest friends are turning 25. This means mucho celebration and lots of alcohol-fueled evenings.

Last night involved a flashback to our college drinking days with cans of PBR.

So yeah... go me. I followed up an 11-mile run with some unhealthy craziness. But it was a damn good time!

I know the truth.

I went for a long run this morning while in Boise to visit friends... they have this really cool path by the river that has mile markers and such, and I love it so.

Three miles into my run my ipod/Nike+ froze beyond repair and I couldn't get it to do anything. I considered turning around, and actually did at one point, but luckily I turned back around cause I knew I'd just be mad at myself if I didn't do the 11 miles I was planning. The thought of running 8 more miles without music or a running buddy was not pleasant, but I actually ended up enjoying myself cause there were so many people on the path and all kinds of nature to listen to.

So yeah... Mini Leslie would have been up to 80 miles with that 11 mile run today, and Lance Armstrong totally would have talked to me at the end, but instead it says I only ran 3 miles. Lies, Nike+, all lies...

Luckily my friend's boyfriend is a technological wizard and totally fixed it for me. Apparently all you have to do when it freezes is hold down two certain buttons to reset it. This is why people read manuals, I'm guessing. Oh well--at least I know I ran 11 miles today! Thank you, mile markers on the Boise Greenbelt...

Spring has sprung

There's nothing I like more than starting out my day by going for a run next to a river rushing full of melted snow, with sunlight making sparkly pin pricks through the treetops above me.

Well, almost nothing more. Maybe I like chocolate more, it's kind of hard to say.

So excited!

My mother and younger sister are going to run a Race for the Cure 5K with me in May!!!!

Color me amused...

Conversation with the sister today:

Sister: I did something new today, guess what it was!
Me: Anal sex?
Sister: What? NO! Gross! You just ruined my moment!

Hahaha. It was funny.

Also, I gave up on dating today at 2:24 p.m. Remember that. It occurred when I was telling a friend that I'm trying to figure out how to get out of going on a second date with someone who has pending rape charges. Yeah, long story. Anyhow, I'm pretty much done and plan to be single forever. I've been sort of sad lately, cause 98 percent of my friends are all attached/married/pregnant and I feel like I'm getting left behind. But I'm suddenly okay with being the odd woman out, so long as they all still let me hang out with them.

That is all. Only two weeks till my run-iversary!!!!

Happy St. Patty's Day!

I attended a green-themed birthday party for my heterosexual life partner's 25th birthday this past weekend. It was a super awesome time, and we were looking pretty damn good. We started out our evening like this:



And several green jell-o shots later we ended our evening like this:



Hahaha. Oh, memories. She was feeding me cake directly off the cake platter. My shirt said, "I'm not short, I'm leprechaun sized" which basically made it my favorite thing ever. Also, it was sparkly! Everything is better with glitter.

I'm about 98 percent convinced that I'm going to run the half marathon I signed up for on April 5 for my runiversary, mainly cause it's already paid for and I feel like I should. The only thing holding me back is gas money, but I think I'll regret it if I don't go. Thus, tomorrow I'll be going for a run for sure!

Also, today I went on several adventures. At one point I found myself climbing onto the very top of the RV in which I currently live in order to help put a tarp over it (I had leaks), and it struck me that this was possibly the worst idea ever considering my accident prone nature. After that, I went to the auto parts store by myself and totally seemed like I knew what I was talking about and it was amazing and impressive.

Oh, and I forgot my parents' dog's birthday. But don't worry, I told him it was today and sang him a song. I'm pretty sure he's okay with that.

I'm going to go eat corned beef and cabbage now. That is all.

Woo!

I am totally going to be a census taker for eight weeks. It makes me feel better that I'm not going to be unemployed for at least two months... still a little bit homeless, though.

Also, I was recruited for a super awesome job that would kick so much ass today, that I really would like to do. But it's back in the community I just moved from, so I'm pretty sure that won't work. I think I would still feel too unsafe. Census taking it is!

I probably should have mentioned...

That I am unable to blog regularly for the next week or so.

Also, I'm fully going to hit 50 miles run with my Nike+ today, but am without an ipod cord to tell my computer that. But I'll know... oh yes, I will know.

Also, I used to do 50 miles in like a week and a half, so I really need to step up my game, apparently.

Amen, brother.

Well, the summertime aspect of this comic strip doesn't apply, but I agree with Calvin on this sentiment: There's never enough time to do all the nothing you want.

For the past couple of weeks I've been staring at my wreck of a bedroom and my closet that I want to clean out, but my weekends keep flying past before I get a chance to tackle these projects. I always want to hang out with friends, squish baby cheeks, finish the Twilight series, memorize information for work, etc. but all I usually get to is sleeping in late.

I already have my day planned for tomorrow, and cleaning out my closet is not on the list. Poo. There goes another weekend with no results for my good intentions. Maybe I won't sleep on Monday at all and make it a really productive day off. Maybe.

Ouch.

I was going to run ten miles yesterday, but then it snowed so I thought I would put it off until this morning.

That's not happening either cause right after I wrote my blog yesterday I stepped outside and somehow managed to topple down a set of cement steps. I'm so graceful it's unreal. Anyway, I made a really loud thud, thought I broke my arm, and today I'm covered in bruises. It really does amaze me how often I fall down or find some other form of disaster.

So instead of running today, I'm just taking it easy and heading off to visit some friends in a little bit. Oh yeah, I also have a wee bit of a headache cause my plans of watching tv in my pajamas last night turned into drinking beer and going out on a blind date. Not in that order, mind you.

So yeah. I haven't run since Tuesday. I blame this on gracefulness and Coors Light. Let's see if I can do better next week!

Babies and such.

Tonight I helped set-up for a baby shower that is going on tomorrow, and it reminded me of this recurring dream that I have sometimes. Actually, it's more like a nightmare.

In these nightmares I have a baby. Ooh, scary, right? These thoughts are probably perpetuated by my idea that I cannot imagine myself as a mother. Sometimes I think it would be nice to have a baby, but I don't know if I'd want that baby to have me. Does that make any sense?

In my most recent dream my baby actually turned out to be some creepy little monster, and it was sad because I didn't love her as much as I love my friends' babies. Sad. Maybe I'll always just be Auntie Shawna. There's nothing wrong with that, but I do wish I could be a person who imagines she would be a good mother.

Oh well, I guess it's okay. I love my stinky, squishy babies I don't have to worry about putting through college and laugh when I twirl them around and around.

Awesome things about today

1. It is Friday. This means nothing to me, seeing as how I have been going stir crazy due to lack of work for four weeks, but it means that everyone I know is happy cause it is the weekend. Also, it means tomorrow is Saturday wherein my plans include going to play Bingo. Oh yes, I'm that cool.

2. It snowed last night, which made me sad, and meant that I can't go for a long run today as planned cause it would end badly. However, today it is sunny, and that means the snow will melt so hopefully I can run tomorrow! And for today... shoveling! That's a workout in itself.

3. I shut off my internet at my old house and was a little confused when I got a bill for a little over the full amount a couple weeks ago, but just assumed it was the final bill and paid it anyway. Today I discovered that I have a $35 credit and they'll be sending me a check, cause I way overpaid them! It's like money I didn't know I had!

4. "Friday Night Lights" is on tonight and I'm moderately obsessed with that show. Seriously people, watch it. I didn't expect to like it but I did, and now I keep discovering random football knowledge in my head, which freaks me out a little. But it's a really good show.

5. I didn't realize that daylight savings time is this Sunday, but now that I do I'm glad that it'll be out of the way (I hate springing forward), so that means that today and tomorrow are the last few days before it stays light outside way later! This will probably greatly cheer me, and means spring is on the way.

6. I've been cooking dinner for my parents every night (and cleaning cause I'm OCD) so that I at least feel slightly productive and so they know I appreciate the whole letting me live here and feeding me thing, and I have some leftovers from last night to be used with dinner tonight, so it'll hardly take any effort at all. That's pretty cool.

7. I feel much less horrible about myself when I'm unemployed but its the weekend, so after today I'll have a couple days where I won't beat myself up about not being at work. Woo!

Much like Leslie and I in our snow shoes.

#12: noah demland
Originally uploaded by thimblewinder

Easily amused, party of one.

This made me laugh for far too long last night:



My life may not be too exciting right now (hello, twelve million job applications) but at least the small things keep me laughing.

Blast.

I don't have anything interesting to say. I'm working my way through Mad Men and counting down to this weekend's baby shower. Both occasions encourage me to drink, so I'll probably partake in a mimosa or two come Saturday. Also, I'm helping bake cupcakes for the party on Friday evening. I kind of stink at avoiding calories, huh?

I ate what seemed to be a lime vinaigrette dressing on a salad today. It was most delicious, and if you have any idea where I might find a similar recipe please let me know.

I'm so good at embarrassing myself.

Earlier today I was standing in the doorway of my traveling house, as I affectionately call the RV I'm currently living in, while waiting for my dog to take care of business in the yard. She was wandering around oblivious to anything, so I assumed that no one was near. My parents live in a secluded little area, so I also found myself rubbing my belly (it was full of a delicious sandwich) and stretching so that the belly was exposed as my shirt came up when I stretched. It was a cute sight to see, I'm sure.

My parents' dogs were outside as well, and one started barking. I assumed he was barking at me. My response was to say, "Hello, Cuddles! Hi my sweet Cuddle Bear!" Yes, I baby talk to the dogs. They like it, really they do. I'm not proud. Also, his name is not actually Cuddles, that's just what I call him cause he is, in fact, very cuddly.

Imagine my surprise when I heard a soft chuckle from the road... right next to me... where a couple people were walking by just in time to witness my exposed-belly-baby-talking ways.

Awkward.

Oops, I guess I ripped my pants!

I have this tendency to wear one pair of jeans constantly until they rip, burst at the seams, or otherwise disintegrate off my body. Sadly the day has come to demote my current favorite pair of jeans to backup.

I move about and kneel a lot at my job, so my pants tend to get worn down rather quickly. Just last week I patched up the knee in my jeans, and I thought they'd be good to go for awhile. But tonight, to my horror, I discovered that one too many brownies lately have added to the stress on my pants... Dum, dum, dum! Slight fraying and thinning of material in the thigh area! Blast.

It seems that I've gained 5 pounds lately, and I totally knew I'd been eating too much but I just chose to ignore the tightening of my clothes. But I can ignore the problem no longer! What if I went to work tomorrow wearing these jeans and I shifted just so and ripped my pants in front of everyone? My hot pink and lime undies would no longer be the secret that I keep under wraps. Oops. Forget I said that.

I must now begin Operation Anti-ThunderThighs so that I can comfortably wear the pair of jeans I bought last week. I'm going to have these guys around for awhile, so we might as well get relaxed around one another.

Give a guy a break...

I didn't know what to blog about today, but lucky me, I happened to come across some "controversy" surrounding a Biggest Loser contestant's marathon run. Seriously? People are that upset over it that they're creating controversy?

Apparently, the guy accepted a three-mile ride (but later went back and ran three miles that same day) after being told he had to keep up a pace to finish the marathon in six hours when he'd been planning to finish in 7 or 8. Now people are saying that he should give his finisher's medal back, blah blah blah.

I know that if I had to suddenly run at a quicker pace than I planned, I'd for damn sure be ready to accept a ride at some point or another. Not to mention, I've heard that lots of people hit a wall toward the end of a marathon, so I'm guessing lots of other people would accept a ride if given a chance. The other problem was that the clock read 3:53 instead of 5:53, but that's not really his fault, now is it? I can see how having people see something like that might discourage other runners who aren't as fast or haven't made progress as quickly as this particular person--but that's my favorite thing about running. Unless you're crazy awesome, the only person you really have to compete against is yourself. Or in my case, myself and sometimes an elderly man that runs toward the back of the pack.

But come on now people, the dude ran 23 freaking miles and has lost 140 pounds. I'd say he's worthy of a finisher's medal.

Still sick, and I love booze.

Sally Draper's Cocktail Cheat Sheet
Originally uploaded by Dyna Moe

Not at the same time obviously, but I've been spending my current state of ickiness watching episodes of Mad Men. I love this show! Love it! And absolutely every character is constantly drinking in practically every scene, so that's pretty fabulous. Here's Sally Draper's Cocktail Cheat Sheet, so that you can get in the mood for an afternoon cocktail, too.

Dear Universe...

I would really appreciate it if the job market could expand ASAP so that I may actually find jobs to which I am able to apply.

Also, I would like to immediately become exceptionally graceful so I don't do silly things like throw my back out just by lifting my chubby dog. It would be helpful if I also suddenly became highly rational so that I didn't decide to run 5.5 miles just to see what would happen with an injured back. I don't see either of these things happening, but you know, I thought I would throw it out there.

In addition, I would like a million dollars. And a pony. Oh yeah, and world peace.

Love always and forever,
Leslie

I'm sick

And I managed to do nothing productive today. I woke up at 11, and by 2 I had good intentions of cleaning room room and tossing out clothes that I no longer want. Instead I blew my nose a whole bunch and plopped down on my bed to watch a billion episodes of Friends. I guess Leslie and I were a couple of wrecks today.

I. am. so. frustrated.

Yesterday's long run (I was planning on about 9 or 10 miles) got postponed until today because I wasn't feeling well. I awoke this morning looking forward to a couple hours by myself, outdoors, just me and my ipod.

Then I lifted Suzy Macaroni, the rockstar beagle, down from my bed. My bed in the RV is raised up so far that she can't jump down without hurting herself, so I lift her up there every night as she is a quality foot warmer. Also, my dog is about 15 pounds overweight (partly due to my parent's love of giving their grandpuppy too many treats) so she weighs about 40 pounds. I could life 40 pounds in my sleep, but apparently not in my half-awake state this morning.

As I bent over to set her on the ground, I found myself yelling out in pain as my lower back decided to be all kinds of crazy. Then, I couldn't really walk. Did I seriously throw my back out at the age of 24? I think so.

It is feeling a little better right now, after walking around some, but I really must not have been "lifting with my legs" as they say. So now I don't know what to do with myself. Should I go running and see if that makes it feel better? Or should I rest it? Or should I just lock myself in a padded room so I quit injuring myself?

I'm frustrated. I can't stop doing stupid things that end up injuring me, and then I have to take time off from running. At this rate, who the heck knows if I'll be ready to run a 1/2 marathon on April 5, even if I am ready for it.

And I still can't seem to get a full night's sleep. I think I might very well go insane. The dog is so sleeping on the floor from now on. Except I know she probably won't, cause my dog is also some kind of ninja warrior and has figured out how to get up onto the bed but not down from it. It's all very mysterious and I have no clue how she does it--it must involve jumping onto a little ledge that's there and then somehow climbing up the side of the bed. Now if only she'd figure out how to get herself down, this never would have happened.