Tidbits, Take 2

I got home last night from a work trip to the lovely Reno, Nevada. Needless to say, I'm thrilled to be home again! I've had a lot of random things on my mind that I felt like sharing, so here's my mind vom.

1. Today feels like a Monday to me. I keep getting really excited every time I realize it's Friday. Woo!

2. James and I decided to get our bums off the couch and went hiking last weekend. We hiked the Grotto trail in the Santa Monica Mountains. It was fun until the way back which was mostly uphill, haha.

Do the Erin hunch

3. My birthday is one month from yesterday. Just a heads up so you can all start shopping for my gifts.

4. When we first moved into our apartment we painted one wall in our bedroom brown. I hated it immediately, and after a year of looking at it, James hated it too. So a couple of weekends ago we decided to paint it blue instead. It looks a million times better in my opinion! Now we just need to get around to decorating it...

Hi Donnie!

5. My last two runs were TERRIBLE. I'm not sure if I am suddenly the most out of shape I've ever been in my entire life, or if the elevation of Reno really affected me that much. I'm rooting for the elevation thing because any other option is just depressing!

Before...

6.    James has to keep his hair relatively short since he's in the military, but he's always wished he could have long hair. I don't really think the texture of his hair will allow it to grow down and flowy like he wants...it's more likely to just grow out into a fro because it's so curly...but he's determined to try. Since he is limited by the rules of the Navy, for the last several weeks he has only been having the sides of his hair cut, and leaving the top to grow long. This lead to him believing that he needs to use mousse to tame the beast. I laughed at first, but I have to admit it looks better with the mousse. In the last couple of days he has determined that his hair is now long enough to comb over. He is very proud of the new look!

Moussing...
  

Combed over!

7. James got accepted by a head hunter organization that specializes in officers transitioning from military to civilian jobs. In a few weeks he will be going to a giant job fair type thing where he will meet lots of potential employers, then those who like him will fly him out to their offices for official interviews...we have no idea what kind of interest there will be or what area we could potentially be moving to...it is exciting but extremely nerve wracking!! I am really hoping that we stay in California, but it could be out of my hands at this point.


8. I got a new purse a few weeks ago and it makes me feel like a whole new woman. I am in love. I feel so professional when I use it.  But the best part is the pink and purple polka dots on the lining!

Why yes...that is a bean burrito with no onions in my new bag.

9. It's Fondue Friday...we're going to the Melting Pot for dinner tonight! Woo!

10.  I'm not much of a gambler, but this year my office had a bet going on the Superbowl so I joined in.  I only had to put a dollar in the pot so I wasn't too nervous about losing.  My bet was that the Giants would win by 3 points.  A coworker of mine had bet that the Giants would win by 7.  As you know, the Giants won by 4 points.  I don't know how betting on sporting events works, but in my opinion I clearly won this bet, but the office is making me split the winnings with my coworker.  Am I just clueless about betting or am I the rightful owner of that additional $3.50 like I think I am?!? 

Sorry this post is so hideous.  I am a struggler.

Feeling Self Conscious About Irrational Things

I'm sure at some point in everyone's life they feel self conscious about something...whether it be their body, their education, their job, whatevs.

Me? I'm self conscious about all the normal stuff too. But...confession...I'm also really self conscious about the speed of my windshield wipers.

When I'm driving down the street I imagine other drivers looking at my car and scoffing because my wipers are going muuuuch faster than the current weather calls for. How foolish of that girl! How embarrassing!!

I think what we can gather from this is that the world revolves around me. Why else would everyone be staring at my wipers??

When Adults Act Like Children

I am one of those people whose hands and feet are almost always cold, no matter what the weather. Therefore it's only natural that one of my favorite things to do is stick my freezing feet on James' warm ones to heat them up, or to put my cold hands on his neck to make him squirm. It's a great source of pleasure in my life. Not so much in his I imagine.

The other night somehow James had one cold hand. Not sure what caused that, but he was certainly going to take advantage of it. He quickly ran over to me and stuck his cold hand on my neck. I jumped back in surprise. How dare he! Then I stuck my always cold hand on his neck in retaliation. Then James said, "I'll let you stick your cold hand on my stomach for 10 seconds if you let me put mine on yours for 10 seconds." Challenge accepted, my friend!

The experience was super cold, super retarded, and super fun. We don't have to act like grown ups all the time do we??

Big News

Big news everybody!! And no, it's not related to something growing inside of my uterus. I feel like that's all anyone ever has news about these days...annnnnywaaaaay, I got contacts!! And I'm pretty stoked about them, so just wanted to share :) So far getting them out has been a pain in the arse, but putting them in is a piece of cake.

Also in big news, I ran last night and didn't die, and didn't even feel close to dying. So that's always good.

Also, thank you Diana for my new Blogger banner!!! It's so fun!

Feeling Discouraged

As I mentioned in an earlier post, I intend to run a race this year. And I'm starting off with a 5k. Unlike several people I know, I unfortunately cannot get up off my bum after several months of binging on Oreos while watching SVU marathons and run 10 miles. I just can't. But I always feel like I should be able to, and then I get discouraged.

This time I decided to try Couch to 5k. It is a nine week program that just gets you moving and by the end you're supposed to be able to run 3 miles. So far I have really enjoyed having everything spelled out for me. No wondering what type of workout I should do today or how hard I should push myself. I just have to follow the schedule and I'm good.

I just finished week four, and I have to admit the first three weeks were extremely easy for me. But week four. Ohhhh week four. I despise week four. Every day of the week was the same run, but for some reason, when I did it on Saturday, I felt like I was going to DIE. I mean, full on dry heaving for the last 30 seconds, had to lay on the floor for 20 minutes afterward, face so red for so long that James was getting ready to take me to the hospital (that part may be an exaggeration) kind of dying.

I'm either extremely out of shape or just incredibly wimpy. I'm not sure which it is, but either way, I'm feeling discouraged about running right now. In fact, I never want to see my beautiful new running shoes ever again. The thought of a sports bra makes me want to hide under the covers and begin another round of Oreo binging. So my question for all of you is: How do you keep going??

The Folks' Visit

My parents came to visit us this weekend as one last hoorah before tax season really gets going and my dad is permanently attached to his desk chair for four months. Poor dad :(

Yesterday we went up to Santa Barbara where we rode bikes, ate ice cream on the pier, and shopped at the little art market. My parents rented a tandem bike, haha! How cute are they??















Love them!!

The rest of the weekend the men watched football and my mom and I crocheted. Can't wait for next time!

The Holidays

Today was our first day back at work after two weeks of wonderful vacation, holidays, travel,and time spent with family and friends. Needless to say, it was rough after such an amazing trip.

Our first stop was West Point, New York to see my sister and her fam. While we were there we took a day trip to NYC where we got to see Times Square, Rockefeller Center, Fifth Avenue, and--most importantly--The M&M store. That was definitely the most talked about stop of the day! When I was showing Sammie the pictures of our trip she asked why I had taken so many. I told her because it was a special trip and I wanted to be able to remember it. Her next question: "Well, did you get any of the M&M store???" Oops...I guess we'll just have to cherish our mental photographs on that one.















Such a fun day!!

After New York, we took a train, cab, bus, and subway down to James' family in Virginia. It was quite the journey...especially with two suitcases, two backbacks, and two gift bags full of presents! Aggh! But somehow we survived and spent a wonderfully relaxing week with James' family...and sadly we took no pictures :( I will have to try to get some from Mama Smith.

Next we flew down to Atlanta for the New Year's Eve wedding of James' friend from the Academy. I had met most of his friends and their significant others before so I felt right at home and we had a great time.











I didn't get any pictures that do my dress justice...also, before you judge me for wearing flats...I did indeed wear heels to the wedding...I just didn't last very long in them. It was a shame too because they were very cute!! Also, doesn't my man look dashing in his uniform?? Love it :)

Whew! It was a crazy trip but so much fun. Best of all was getting to spend every single day with James!! I was going through some major withdrawals at work today! But I have to say...it's so good to be home!!