Ahoy Ya Scurvy Bastards!...

This year my BFF and I went haunting as pirates. Mr. Magoo's costume was only available in small, and he is medium (he isn't fat!), so he put on my hat so he could feel included.



Lessons from the night...

1. Mixing wine, energy drink, and dirty martinis does not help with your sea legs.
2. Falling down at 36 (a few times...) is not as easy as falling down at 21.
3. Trying to get a cab ride home at 1 am on a holiday weekend, is not easy.
4. It's freaking freezing in Ohio in October.
5. Giving your house key to your friend is a smart move.
6. Wearing high heels is not nearly as easy as running a half marathon. I am in a lot of pain.
7. Chilvary is not dead!! After four calls to the cab company, some nice young men shared their cab with us so we could get out of the freezing cold!
8. Club Zar in Akron, has something against playing "Pussy Control" by Prince. We waited forever and never heard our request!
9. I'm lucky to have a super fun friend who makes me dress up even thought I don't wanna, and likes to have a good time!

Did you celebrate your Halloween this weekend? What did you dress up as?

Smart Shopping...

So, I had to return my new entertainment center before it was even delivered.

One, because I got an invite to a VIP event the day after buying it...where I can get the same piece for 20% off this weekend.

And two...because after buying my new  42" TV, and seeing how big it is in real life I realized it is far too tall, so I am getting the same look, several inches shorter.

And then while I am at it, I am going to get this chair to go with my new couch. So, by the end of next week I'll have my living room put back together!

I cannot wait to see how amazing it all looks! I'm super excited!

My entertainment center, and current living room chairs were parked on the curb. My chairs lasted roughly 15 minutes before someone swooped them up.

I should have taken a picture of them. Underneath the covers, they were all tore up. I was shocked anyone wanted them. But, one mans trash..

Now, excuse me, as my giant new TV is calling my name!!

Sweetest Day Done Solo...

I guess you could call Sweetest day a made up holiday, that originated in my home state of Ohio. But who cares? It's real to Hallmark, so it's real to me!!

And after two years of single, I decided to take it very seriously.

Instead of focusing on my lack of a sweetie..and how all my friends are coupled up, I decided to be my own sweetie, and it turns out, I am the best sweetie I have ever had!!

I did fabulous things!

The day started early, with a nice run outdoors. I enjoyed the cool weather, the beautiful leaves, and time alone with my thoughts, all while working up a sweat!

I took Mr. Magoo to the Howl-o-Ween party at our dog park. He sniffed butts, and got his nails trimmed.

I bought myself flowers! I love flowers!

I bought myself a new entertainment center, the kind you get from a bonefide furniture store! (this will house my soon to be newly acquired 40" flat screen TV....eeek, technology!)

Thanks to my fuel perks, I got a full tank of gas for $31!

I got my second ever set of egyptian cotton sheets! And I bought all new pillows!

But the hilight of my day was that I had my very first ever, in 36 years, professional massage.....HEAVEN!!! As I lay in utter relaxation, I channeled my Dad and thought..."I wonder what the poor people are doing?" I see many more spa days in my future! Being pampered was pretty amazing!

I wound down the day by loungin around my clean house, and smelling  my favorite fall candle, pumpkin cheesecake. I ordered in chinese, because it is a definite no-no, and today was all about yes-yes!!

The rest of the evening will be spent cuddling under my favorite fuzzy blanket, sipping on champagne, and watching my favorite scarey movies!

These two brothers are invited to the snuggle party.
 

Being single is really pretty fabulous when you do all the things you most enjoy, and don't dwell on what you don't have!

These three kitty amigos say Happy Sweetest Day!

What a Difference Two Years Makes...

One of the best things about being single, is the time you have to focus on yourself. At first this is terrifying. Being alone. Oh, the horror! It's scarey. It's lonley. No one understands.

It's been over two years.

This the longest I have ever been single since my very first boyfriend at 12 years old.

Dating? Yes. But without the strong need for being a "couple" dating forces you to be more choosy. In the past I'd have held on to someone who wasn't right for me, simply to be a "couple".

Two years of trying new things. Spending more time with friends and family. Discovering the greatness of Friday happy hours with my girlfriends, and early Saturday runs. Getting in shape....NOT just losing weight. Running races (I still can't believe this one!!) and simply getting to know myself.

Two years of finally having a savings, paying off debt, getting new furniture, and a new car. Learning that you are what you eat, and loving that journey, just as much as I hate it.

Being single forces you to enjoy your own company. Loving your alone time, and being in touch with your own thoughts, feelings, and dreams, without the distraction of what anyone else has to say about it.

Was I letting others hold me back until now? No. I just wasn't ready to be alone. But when you need "something" badly enough, the universe finds a way of making you find out what that "something" is.

Sometimes I find myself wishing I was in love. But if I had someone else to focus on, I'd have never had the opportunity to learn my limits, or find out what I am capeable of, which is far more than I gave myself credit for.

The fact that I am still single doesn't mean I am horrible. Or unloveable. I won't wind up an old maid with 80 cats. To me, it simply means I still have more to learn. I'd rather take the time now, so that when love does find me, I am 100% ready.

I'm learning to embrace what life has given me, rather than fight it.

And what's to fight? Because honestly,  my life is really great. Instead of wallowing in self pity for two years, or needing the constant distraction of others, I've had the opportunity to appreciate who I am. I get to realize that while some people I know are in loveless, or unhappy relationships, I still have the opportunity to find my happily ever after!

And when the stars are aligned, that person with an equally great life is going to cross my path, and the possibilities will be endless.

Like a Girl Gone Wild...

I can hardly contain myself, as it is 100 %, without a doubt... less than a month, until I am in the same (all be it, a giant) room with my life long most favorite celebrity in the universe....MADONNA!!

I remember almost a year ago when I bought my (solo, but who cares) concert ticket how I thought this day would never come!



And now it is upon me!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

Love or hate her, I really don't care! This is the only thing I can remember ever wanting for my ENTIRE LIFE!!

I don't often get to make my own dreams come true, so this is legendary!

I loved Madonna even wayyyy before she sang Holiday on American Bandstand circa 1984.  At that time, I was 9 years old.

November 10th, 2012....is 26 years in the making!!!

In the meantime, I have made a total of 6 CD's of all my top favorite songs, (it's hard to choose!) and I spend most of my time performing them either at home, or in the car.

Don't Go For Second Best, Baby...

One of the exciting parts of races is getting your race shirt!

I did it! I ran another 13.1 miles! Despite a bathroom mishap,  I was so pleasantly suprised at how well I felt throughout, for over half of it!  I had to get up at 5, and leave by 6, so I could sit at the site for an hour and a half before race time. That has to be the worst part about races. Hurry up and wait.

It was barely 40 degrees. Ummm..brrrr....

This was a shared route, so we looped back, meaning you were suppose to stay single file unless you were passing. This helped me because I would speed up to pass people, and then I'd feel bad if I fell back to a slow pace, so I kept up quicker than I normally would on a long run.

Around mile 9 I was on top of the world! I felt great!  If I got to mile 10 by 10am (just short of 2 hours from start time), I had 55 minutes to run a measely 3 miles, and totally beat my first half marathon time! Anyone can run 3 miles in less than 55 minutes!!!!!

But then mile 10 came.

Out of nowhere, I had to go to the bathroom so bad. I knew there were no port o lets until the finish because I am an avid course map studier!

This was a #2 need, not a #1. It was pretty awful!  There as no stopping it! It would have been a "bridesmaids moment"!!!

It made me nauseus to the point that I had to stop running, I had to walk, and  tried to tell myself "it will pass" over and over. But it didn't pass! If I walked the last couple miles I would not beat my time! I was doing so good, and this stupid thing would not stop me!! I had no choice.

So I did what any self respecting runner would do, I started scanning the woods off the trail for a somewhat private spot, then went off road to expel the evil inside of me that was wreaking havoc on my intestines!!!

 I was then covered in pricker scratches all up and down both legs. OUCH!



 The lesson here is not to have greek yogurt with your eggs before a half marathon

Then I  somewhat ran the last two miles after my stop.  I do not do well with "breaks" once I stop running, the pain sets in and I have a hard time getting back to pace.  

The impromptu break aside, I still managed to beat my first half marathon time!!

First go-round I finished 2:55, at a 13.3 minute mile. . This race was  2:35 at an  11.45 minute mile!!

I shaved off way more than I thought I could, and it inspires me for next season!! (unless I find a taker in a 2 man half marathon relay later this month!!)

Another medal for the collection...I heart these!!

I think a good finish time justifies a poo in the woods any day of the week. But...that's just me!!

In the end, any time you do something you never thought you could, it's a win! Set your goals high and go for them! I never thought in a billion years I could do a half marathon, and now I have done two!







Adopt a Shelter Dog Month...

I was always a "pet snob". I only wanted pure bred cats and dogs. Papers in tow. I never ever thought I would adopt a "used" animal. That is, until one stole my heart.

It is adopt a shelter dog month. I put together a little video in honor of my trash to treasure dog in hopes that more people can see that just because a dog doesn't look perfect, he can still be a loving companion.

With love and patience, I rescued this shy little shih poo after a life in solitary confinement... a cage. Being good for only one thing...breeding in a puppy mill.

He didn't know humans, treats, toys, stairs, petting, snuggles potty training, or love. The biggest thing was..love. Shelter dogs deserve a happy ending to their lives of misery.



The song is by my favorite singer/songwriter Edwin McCain "The Lucky One".

I have had lots of pets, but the special bond you achieve from rescuing an animal, and showing them how life "should be" is unexplainable.

I hope that you take the time to consider a rescue pet. And if you are unable, make a small donation to your local no-kill shelter. If not monetary, they always need used towels, blankets, etc...

Shelter dogs aren't broken!

Race Season is Coming to an End...

This weekend is my last race of the season.

By last race, I mean one where I will receive a medal, and it will be a challenge. I'm doing the Towpath half marthon. I'm still trying to get people to get on board with a turkey trot, or a NYE 5k..or even a Zombie 5k for halloween, but I don't consider these "official races".

I only aspire to beat my May half marathon time of 2 hours 56 minutes. While I have not been "on" my training as of late, I am taking into account that my first-ever half was in a 108 heat index...and on the harsh city streets of Cleveland, Ohio.

This race will be in (predicted) a comfortable temperature of 47 degrees, and sunny. Mainly flat. And mostly on a heavenly crushed limestone towpath trail.

Im my beautiful home town...I will get to experience the changing of the leaves, and the crisp fall temperatures! This is my most favorite time of year!

I can't imagine living somewhere that you do not get to experience a "true fall".

 

Or, know what a "lock" is...