Weird Day

Today was weird. It felt like slow motion blank blech...if that's a feeling at all.

The weather felt like England in November, only with a lot more wind and no yummy cheese and bread.

Cierra gave me hell this morning, because she is getting harder and harder to wake up in the morning. Work DRAGGED and one a girl I am not so fond of stopped by to say 'hi'. uggg. The high point was talking to Todd, even though that brought bad news. To end the day properly, I just got woken up by my mom calling to say she has three blown tires and she's waiting for a tow truck. She called my little brother, he was there with her...so yeah. weird. day. ugg

I talked to Todd this morning to find out that his old partner Kirk Tynes lost his battle with stomach cancer.

The last conversation I had with Kirk involved him being amused that I said 'Yes!' to everything he said. I told him I was a 'yes' woman, lol. This went on all night. Out of nowhere he'd go, "Isn't that right Jen?" and every time, I'd say Yes!

Then he'd say, "Bless you woman and laugh".

I am okay, because in the short time that I knew Kirk, I made him laugh....I made him laugh hard.

Laughter is the best medicine...it is medicine for the soul. Now if I can just make my Cierra laugh in the morning; I'll give the weird day vibe a big fat kick in the pants!

I am missing Sebastian today... a lot.

Course Map Lincoln Half

In five days I'll be heading to Lincoln. wooo hooo

I've been taking it easy this week. Walked this morning and will do a slow six mile run on Tuesday. Cannot WAIT! (even though it is suppose to RAIN!)

I will blog more this week, I HAVE to tell you all what Todd's parents did for my Birthday.

Blurry Baby Noah Video

Here is me playing with my nephew Noah. He's so chunky and giggly, I just LOVE it! My mom took the video with her Blackberry; so don't hate on the blurriness! Yay Mom!

Rainshoes, Snowshoes

I don't know why it is; but I have problems wearing the correct shoes for the weather. lol See?

I wore flip flops yesterday, even though I knew it was going to storm. I wore my kitten heel pointy shoes in two feet of snow earlier this year and now all I'm missing is Uggs in the summer. lol

Dear in Chalco Hills...Among Other Things

Running Chalco hills the other day, there was a HUGE buck in the middle of the trail. By the time I snapped the picture, he was with his family, far from me! It was VERY cool! :)

You'll have to click on the picture to see them! :)

And.....Cierra demonstrating the correct way to wear a bike helmet as a 'bug costume'! ha ha I love that she is such a nut!

Lunch with my Sister

Last week, on one of my days off, Tiff, baby Noah and I went for a walk in The Old Market district (Omaha, Ne). I forgot how much I adore the Old Market in the spring and summer. After our long walk, we went to Spaghetti Works for some whole wheat pasta and marinara. The weather was PERFECT! The food isn't the best Italian I've ever had, but the whole wheat pasta is the best in Omaha. Plus it's a bit sentimental; I have so many memories in that particular place. My sister wouldn't let me take pictures of her, so enjoy the ones I DID take! lol

Noah's big, massive, man stroller fit between the bench and the railing like a glove!

We bore him....clearly!

Life Pauses, My Big Fat Blister and My Nails Have Their Own Life Cycle.

Today is Thursday. It has been a very busy week!

I had to call in to work to pick Cierra up from school. I am hoping that my boss will let me use a sick day; we shall see. I never call in sick, but when being a single momma calls...I don't have a choice in the matter! Sometimes, life pauses JUST when you need it to!

This morning was my long run, as you saw by my girl scout cookie post. I ran the Keystone Trail 'Bellevue Loop' and a couple miles of the Keystone Trail South. I thought it was just 10 miles, but ended up closer to 11 (since my map remembering skills are rusty and I cannot run with my laptop). At the beginning of the trail there was this big bike parts pyramid thingy. Though today was a good run, I probably won't run this route again. The trail is between freshly manured corn fields. It smelled SO bad for the first five miles that I almost puked. The smells went from wet swamp, to dog food, to poo, to a weird beef jerky smell. BLECH!

Behold! Cow Poop fields that produce the best corn you've ever tasted, out of the worse smelling fields your nose has ever had the pleasure of smelling.

I ran the WHOLE way! It is such a big accomplishment for me. I honestly don't think I've ever been this satisfied by anything I've pushed myself to do.....EV-ER.

After today, I feel super excited about the half marathon. I am even more excited since I talked to my mom and sister; they are going to wake up, drive to Lincoln and go to Memorial Stadium fifty yard line, where the finish line is to cheer for me. I didn't think anybody was going to be at the finish line to hug my sweaty butt when I was done (that made me alota sad).

Either way...I'm doing this for me.

Somewhere in the past three years or so, I lost focus of myself and the power to make things happen. I've learned a lot about myself this year alone that I forgot was there. I feel stronger and happier than I have ever been.

blah blah blah I digress.

I NEED new running shoes BAD! This is what happened to my toe, post-run.Lucky for me, my boyfriend most definitely does NOT have a foot fetish. I'm coming to realize that runners feet are kinda gross. (although I do not consider myself a 'runner'....yet)

My cuticles and nails are disastrous at the moment. They don't look that bad in this picture, but TRUST..they have their own life cycle (even with my beloved nail envy)

Running. What's my Motivation? Girlscout Cookies.

Lately, before my long run, the night before; I eat one thin mint girl scout cookie for every mile I will run the next day. Tonight I ate ten.

Just sayin'

I never thought...in.

my.

life.

that I would consider a 'short' run to be five miles....

I May Be Broke, But By God...I am Happy!

The first of the month is never good for me.

I try to plan ahead...but sometimes, things just don't work out as 'planned'; like the fact that Cierra grew a whopping two inches and one shoe size last month alone, or the fact that my brake light has been on for a whole month, or the fact that C is such a good swimmer that she moved up two groups, equalling... more time and money.

le sigh

I just shuffle things around...you should see me shuffle! I'm REALLY good! lol.

To fund the swim, I will postpone Crossfit membership, till May (it's right around the corner).

As for the brake light...well, I down-shift and drive cautiously to save my brakes, until I can get them fixed...in May.

As for Cierra's growth spurt, I am cutting and sewing her jeans that are stained/ ripped into Capri's and having a Craig's List 'garage sale' this weekend!

So, I may be broke...but, I am Happy...

definitely.

happy.

Guinea Pig Appreciation Day

I have two guinnea pigs. They are completely opposite. One is a chicken (in a guinea costume) and one is fearless. I took pictures the other day when they were eating, because, every pig needs a chance to shine!

On the left is Ada...the chicken. On the right is Rosy Brown, a.k.a. Rosy Knievel.

Pig kisses...because I can, and Rosy is Rad!

Zorinsky Runtabulous

I've been running alot more, mainly because the half marathon I paid fifty bucks to run is right around the corner. My favorite place to run in the mornings is at Zorinsky park. I really like running there because people always smile and wave, it is pretty and when I am done giving my body a beating...I can stretch on the dock. It is complete bliss! I took a couple of pictures for you: enjoy!

After this bend is usually right about where I get my second wind at mile 6ish.

S T R E T C H

Grandma's Garden and Juicin'

Last week, I helped my Grandma in her garden. The whole thing needs dug under. It's BIG! Here are some pictures. Her compost is like steroids for plants; I was giving her a hard time for juicin' her melon's. Ha ha I love my Grandma...she's one of my FAVORITE people in the world.