Oh the irony....

Awesome: Getting pedicures with your mom, especially when it has taken over a year to get said pedicures done. A day off during the week, a leg massage, hours to chat, and awesome Russian named nail polish. Lovely day :)

Not Awesome: Super cute pedicure girl does such a good job that my feet are all soft and smooth and girly, and all of my running calluses are gone. My feet hurt, for the first time in a long time.

Can't my feet be pretty AND tough????

Week 4

It is Week 4, right? This week was long, and hard, and the days all seem to blur together... I had a really bad week of training (read: none, 10 hour work days and being sick will do that to you), and boy did it show yesterday. Theresa and I both played the "should I pretend I slept through my alarm?" game, but toughed it out and showed up, dark and early at 630. That was the high point of our morning (that and my fantastic new shoes). She had an abundance of knee pain, I just felt groggy and sluggish, and the course was one of our least favorites. We made it through just under 6 miles, it took forever, and there was very little actual running done. Gross.
On the up side, I know everyone has bad days (weeks?), and it just makes me want to train harder this week. About 5 miles into our misery yesterday I decided I am definitely going to register to run the Full Marathon. I've been debating it, and been running more of a half marathon training schedule, but somewhere in the awfulness of yesterday I decided I could do it. Not sure where THAT inspiration came from, but none the less, next week I will write a $75 dollar check, and become Stephanie Nack, Full Marathon participant. Gross. But awesome :)

Hail to the Chief

On a larger, happier note than my previous post, today was an amazing day for me, and I hope, for our country. I took the day off so that Sean and I could celebrate the inauguration together at home. I made "Red White and Blue" french toast (with blueberries, strawberries, and whipped cream), and we cuddled up on the couch together and watched the swearing in of the man we've so ardently supported throughout the last few years.

I know not everyone feels the same way, and I totally respect that. But I hope that this new administration brings change that everyone benefits from and gets behind. A younger administration, with goals that look to the future, to bettering our lives and our planet, with emphasis on being better people, and being better citizens. There are lots of things about our world that need to change, and I hope everyone sees that if we are all willing to do our part, great things will be achieved.

Here's to change, to hope, and to being responsible for the changes we wish to see in the world.

Happy Inauguration Day!

"It's everywhere! It's in my raccoon wounds!"

I hate flying. Hate it. H.A.T.E. it. On my list of fears (and believe you me, that is one EXTENSIVE list), flying is number 1. Numero uno. The baddest of the bad.
I freak out. Hyperventilate. Cry. Worry. Any other thing you can think of that makes a rather intelligent girl look like someone coming apart at the seams, add it to the list. I'm the definition of it on an airplane.

Husband and I are hoping to take a cruise for our anniversary in March. This will involve us flying across the country. I understand this. I try and prepare myself, to be an adult, so that I can enjoy planning my trip. So I get online today, to check flight prices, and I literally start shaking and breathing crazy just looking at seating charts. This is RIDICULOUS!!! I know all about the statistics, how flying is safer than driving (I would drive ANYWHERE, regardless of how far, so that I didn't have to fly) and even safer than taking a bath, but really? I just can't reconcile it. I CONSTANTLY worry. In fact, when I went to google a picture for this post, the first few pictures were "pictures of airplanes with problems!" Thanks a lot! That's making me feel SO MUCH better!

In case you are wondering, I have flown before. Many times, and never with a serious incident, though I feel admitting that to the internet has now jinxed my flying future. I try not to let it interfere with my life (like never traveling because I won't get on a plane) but I just don't know what to do.... I'd really love to get over this.

Anyone have any helpful ideas to deal with flying fears??? Please gift me with your wisdom!

And on a closing, completely unrelated note, raccoons fighting each other make the CREEPIEST noises!!! My front yard is an awesome place to be right now.....

Look at the fun we had!

Here are some highlights of our fantastic weekend in Portland:

This guy:

We saw him on our way up I-5. Don't worry dude, if I was on a road trip, and could only pack one thing, I'd bring Scrabble too :)


The Hotel DeLuxe:
Located downtown, it was beautiful, with old Hollywood glamor, beautiful decor, and THE most comfortable beds ever! Like a cloud!!!


Getting ready for dinner and Movin Out:


Dinner at Rock Bottom:
A Portland tradition, it's our favorite!


The spoils from a trip to Powell's:
Yep, that's 14 books between us. INSANE, we know. We're ridiculous in that store. But don't worry Mom, I'm reading my Christmas books first. As soon as this post is over, Bob Welch and I have a date on the couch :)

The only thing I couldn't get a picture of was the sales guy at the record store across from Powell's. If his life goal isn't "be a highly paid Napoleon Dynamite impersonator," he should seriously consider it. It was AWESOME, but I didn't feel right blatantly taking his picture.... ah, the missed opportunities...

#7

While in Portland this weekend, Sean and I saw Movin Out at the Keller Auditorium. Not only did we enjoy a fantastic performance, but we crossed #7 off The List. Rock on Broadway Across America, rock on.

For those who are unfamiliar, Movin Out is a musical set in the 60s and based on the music of Billy Joel, whom we love! I was surprised to find that it was in fact a ballet. There was no dialogue between the performers at all, each scene was a song and it moved quickly from one to the next. The songs were performed by a "Piano Man" sitting in the catwalks above the stage, and his lively band. It was really well choreographed, and the dancers were wonderful, I was really impressed! Highly recommended to any Billy Joel fan!

Week 3

Week 3 went SO well!!! Theresa and I had a 10 minute conversation last night over text about HOW BADLY we did not want to run this morning. For those of you who are residing outside of our lovely Willamette Valley, the fog hasn't lifted in 5 days, the temperatures haven't been over 40, and that. just. sucks. But we got up, and we did it!! We went farther, walked less, and got done faster, than we ever have! And that was along the river, in 25 degree weather!!! I'm really proud of how well we did today, especially after a poor week of training!

And now, it's the beginning of a 4 day weekend, and the husband and I are off to have some fun, do some shopping, and cross something else off the list :) Have a great weekend, see you soon!