Category Archives: Uncategorized

oops, i bought boots!

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I really couldn’t help it, though!

I actually went into Ann Taylor LOFT to see if they had my size in some sequin-detailed peep-toe pumps that they recently put on sale (from $69.99 to $24.99). They were just the style I was looking for last year, when I settled on a pair of round-toe pumps instead. I didn’t really need another pair of black dress pumps, but just loved these!

Unfortunately, they were a touch higher than I like to go. I could have learned to walk in them, but they also slipped off my heels. I’m sure I would have been much more likely to fall down!

I did, however, find these boots.

I also didn’t particularly need tall black boots since I have a pair, but the ones I have are a little dressier, while these are casual. Besides, they were originally $119, marked down to $24.88. I couldn’t resist.

I also found a great lightweight sweater marked down to $14.88. Not sure of the original cost since there wasn’t a tag, but I’m sure it was at least $40.

Plus, the purchase of both of these items, and two pairs of tights, was still cheaper than the sweater I got for Christmas that I returned last week!

feeling better about the marathon

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I was kind of discouraged last weekend after my Saturday morning run.

My knee was bothering me from about mile six of an eight-mile run. I had been doing well for a long time, and now it seemed an old problem was back.

I got orthotic shoe inserts made six months ago. They put my feet in a correct position (since I seem to have been born crooked), to try to alleviate knee and foot pain. After a long, slow, adaptation period, I thought I was making progress.

But the pain has come back a few times. One morning in November, it was extremely cold, and we stood outside for an hour waiting for a race to start. My feet were frozen for the first two miles of the race. I attributed to the pain during the last mile of a five-mile race to my stride being off since I couldn’t feel my toes!

It was fine for a few more weeks, but happened one other time prior to last weekend. So I was worried, and started wonder if I should even attempt a marathon.

But my short runs were fine this week. Normally, if it’s more serious, the pain comes back within a few minutes. We signed up for the marathon this week.

And today, I’m feeling much more confident. Today’s run felt great!

Our training schedule had us at 12 miles today. I hadn’t run more than eight recently, and everyone else would have had a pretty big jump as well. We expected to cut it a little short and walk at the end.

I was happy with running 10 miles, walking back the final two. My knee was fine but I stopped running at 10 because I didn’t want to chance it. My feet hurt, anyway, seeing how my body isn’t used to this kind of mileage (yet)!

It was a great morning to be outside, partly cloudy, damp and fresh from yesterday’s rain. Odd for January, it was quite warm, too — 70F when it should be in the low 30s. A bit too warm, actually, with nearly 100% humidity.

Still … much better than icy toes!

sugar and spice, and everything nice

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That’s what little girls are made of.

When I was four or five, my family went to the zoo. I had the option to have my photograph taken with either a rabbit or a boa constrictor. My choice.

I’m sorry I don’t have a copy of the resulting photograph to share with you, but there is a lovely image of little me with a boa around my shoulders. It has been on display in my parents’ home for years.

The photo you see here is the eel I caught while fishing with my grandmother. (I am five years old, wearing a “Mork and Mindy” bathing suit!) My grandparents used to take me camping, and we would fish. In all the times I’ve gone fishing, I have never caught a fish.

This eel was my first catch. It was a freshwater eel, caught in a lake.

A summer or two later, we were fishing on a pier in the Atlantic Ocean, and I caught another eel. There are no pictures of me holding that guy … he had nasty teeth! He squirmed, anyway, and broke the line.

Then my goofy cousin tried to re-catch it with his fishing pole (of course, it was still attached to my hook).

I wasn’t a tomboy, though. Just not a girly-girl. I guess I just wasn’t afraid of things most little girls are afraid of!

preparing to say goodbye

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At least this time, I could see it coming.

It just hasn’t been the same since the accident last season. When the car Ryan was driving was forced off the road and tumbled down a hill. After Marissa died.

It was a hard time for everyone. Now, just as they’re starting to bounce back and move on with their lives, we will have to say goodbye forever.

Yes, I am 31 years old, and I watch “The O.C.” I have faithfully watched it since the beginning. And will, of course, continue to watch it until it’s February 22 finale.

I’m a sucker for this kind of thing, growing up with the “90210” crew. I know the two shows draw a lot of comparison, being teen dramas and all, but I knew the latter didn’t have the same kind of staying power.

I continue to watch “90210” reruns on the SOAP network, and we now have the first season on DVD. But I have no desire to relive “The O.C.” from the beginning (though, who knows, maybe I will want to in 10 years?).

Still, it’s been one of the things I’ve been addicted to — even though this season hadn’t been as good in the beginning. (Figures, the last couple of episodes have been a lot more compelling. Thanks, FOX, for sucking me back in!)

I’m OK with the decision, though. They are promising there will be closure. I can live with that.

Though, I’m still a irritated that they cancelled “Reunion“!

perfect attendance

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I had perfect attendance in high school.

Actually, I think it started in sixth grade and lasted through graduation. That is seven years of school without missing a full day.

Technically, I did go to the beach on senior cut day, but the award notices had already gone out.

I almost went to school that day because of the perfect attendance thing, though. I would have been there alone, aside from the few people who wouldn’t graduate if they missed any more gym classes.

Most definitely, this has molded me to be the person I am today. I wonder how many years into the trend it took to make me drag myself to school with a fever so that I could perform in the high school musical that night? They certainly would have missed third girl from the left …

I am a rule-follower. I will be where I am supposed to be. I keep my promises. I precisely measure when baking. (I’m not sure if that one is related, but I am very particular, even when mixing margaritas. Even if it’s the fifth pitcher of margaritas!)

It really bothered me when I had to miss a Messiah concert, and it just hit me that this must be related to my perfect attendance complex. (I did let illness pull me from a concert in college as well, I had bad cold or the flu. But I tried to perform. I went to the pre-concert rehearsal dressed in my concert uniform black and white, only to realize I felt dizzy every time we stood up and didn’t think I could make it through.)

I fortunately do take vacations from work without feeling guilty, apparently my mind can process that I have vacation time and I should use it. I’m still working on the sick days, though. I’ve only taken a handful in over six years of working with my current employer. But I have taken them! No more perfect attendance!

Now, let’s see … I’ve posted for 64 days in a row. Is this becoming a problem?