Walkin' it off!

I uncovered an old MP3 player, during a recent organizational effort, and lent it out for use once last week.... As my sister knows, the minute someone plays with my toys, I become re-interested in them. I had absolutely NO interest in the MP3 player for the last several years... Last night I couldn't think of anything I wanted to do more than go for a long walk with the MP3 player. Not with the player on a leash like walking a dog, but using it to listen to tunes.

I covered 5 miles :) 1.5 to get to the park. I ran one mile around the park (yup, I ran it). Then I walked one more mile around the park, and walked the 1.5 home. I did this all in about 70 minutes so I was moving at a pretty brisk pace. I credit the tunes for pumping me up.

It was definitely good times.

Have you all been watching the lates Gilmore Girl episodes... the WB is kindly replaying the end of last season. Get pumped! The new season starts September 13th. Will Luke say yes to Lorelai's marriage proposal???? I can't wait!

Happy Wednesday!

Yeah for Shooting Stars!!!

I know some of you avid readers are waiting for the recap on the Seattle weekend. It's coming. I promise.

For today, I'm squealing about the awesome shooting star we saw last night! Just walking down a greenbelt (along a big deserted, probably soon to be developed, field) in North Natomas, the big ball of fire fell right in front us. We even saw the meteor explode into pieces at the end. It was almost like firworks!

Anyway, shooting stars make me happy. A warm fuzzy feeling of goodness comes over me when I see one. I'm still elated a whole day later!

My friend (to remain nameless) tried to burst my bubble and tell me that they are common. How rude! I want to feel that I'm seeing something special :) How many shooting stars do you see in a week?

Happy Monday!!!

Reminder!

My friends (colleagues, co-workers, confidants) are still running hard on a regular schedule to train for the Nike Women's Half marathon and raise money for Leukemia research. Their websites are linked on the side...visit their sites, see what they're up to, and enter your credit card number. It's for a good cause :)

Weekend Report

Apparently some of my readers (at least one) are a little impatient. So, just for you, here is the weekend report.

The girls came into town (names not to be disclosed) Friday evening...The early arrival accompanied us to a work party. Fun times with water balloon tosses and sponge relays! After the late arrival came in we caught up on old times and went to sleep.

Saturday morning began with an attempted breakfast at the Fox & Goose. We got too caught up at the neighboring tea shop that we missed our table and went over to the Waffle Square for an equally unhealthy huge breakfast. With a quick stop at Kohl's for a necessary sports bra, we were off to the Sacramento Monarch's Game around noon time.

It's really fun to watch the Sacramento Monarch's! We had great seats right behind the basket. My favorite part was Monty the mascot. She rollerbladed around the basketball court. The little kids that danced to hip hop during time outs and half time, were the cutest things ever!! Have you ever seen a 3 year old break dance? It's great!

Post game, we hit the mall. Girls don't get together and not shop do they? We all found some good clothes :)

Saturday night, we hit the clubs and danced the night away! We were 6 sexy ladies tearing up the dance floor. Fun times!!!

Sunday morning some of the playmates left for their homes, and the rest of us went back to the Fox & Goose for a leisurely breakfast. Great scones!

After breakfast, and some more purchases at the tea shop, the group dwindled to a cozy threesome of myself, sis, and boyfriend. We took ourselves to Express (I needed another pair of jeans I had bought the day before...they're great!) and to the movies. We saw Four Brothers.

It was an entertaining show..I laughed, I cried, I was entertained.

The late afternoon was for napping...and by 5pm we were off to Raley Field for the Jack Johnson concert. He was good.. It was nice to be sitting outside...and of course, we indulged in really big soft serve ice cream cones :) YUMM!!

The next part is scary. I'm not sure you want to hear it. Well, here goes:

Monday came. I had to go to work. It's thursday, and I'm still overcoming the trauma.

Take care!

Tom Petty Rocks!

I went to the Tom Petty concert last night (at Sleeptrain in Marysville). It was a blast!!!

Those of you that know me can picture me dancing the night away. We all (every single person in the audience) had a great time.

I splurged and had a king size Kit Kat purchased from the candy man. Oh yeah, and a beer. Goodness...Who am I?

Next week, I'll be back to Sleeptrain to see the Back Street Boys!

Oh oh oh, I can't believe, I almost forgot to mention this: Shooting Stars!! My pals saw one pretty early in Tom's show and I was really jealous. I seem to always be missing them. But, I saw one later...right over the top of the sky. It was gorgeous. I jumped up and down, danced harder, and wiggled all the excitement I had for seeing the shooting star. We also saw one near the horizon on the drive home. I love shooting stars!

This Weekend's Wingnut-ism

So, we're having a nice breakfast at the most popular breakfast spot in Sacramento: The Fox & Goose. It's a British pub in an old brick warehouse all decked out in eclectic british type decor. It's a really place. They have bangers!

Anyway, five of us are eating & chatting this past Sunday morning. I glanced down the long narrow seating area and saw a chalkboard with this written on it "Wines".
Wingnut inner dialogue: "Hmm, someone forgot the 't' and the extra 's' in "witness".

No, it didn't occur to me that a sign saying "Witness" would be odd. Needless to say, the table got quite a kick out of this when I shared my thought with them. Actually, the chalkboard listed the different types of wines offered, so it turns out that the title was appropriate.

the end

P.S. The Fox & Goose has the best scones ever!!!

I'm on a roll!

Last night, some co-workers and I went for a leisurely bike ride along the river trail. It's so nice living in flat country... We biked about 20 miles, and I felt safe with my extra tubes (from REI) and freshly pumped tires (from my new pump purchased at REI). I'm getting less and less afraid of my snazzy road bike and it's clip pedals.

In other news...the library finally got a copy of the Third Summer of the Sisterhood of the Traveling Pants for me. Be forewarned that my future posts may revolve around this final book of the series. What will I do when the stories end???

We've got a big girls weekend coming up, with friends rolling into town, a Sacramento Monarch's game, some clubbin' and a Jack Johnson concert. It'll be action packed...Stay tuned for the report!

Back on my feet

I did it! I did it! I ran a mile!

My ankle has not felt sore for a while now, I’ve been very good about not running on it. Two weeks ago, I started going for longer walks to test it out and it’s been holding up very well. No pain at all. So last night, I went for my evening walk…made it to the park, and ran a nice slow mile around the park. I walked all the way home and still no pain! (I wanted to run further than a mile, I was feeling good, but I refrained.) I’ll take it slow, but I’m very glad to know that I can use my ankle again!

I’m a huge advocate of evening walks. They are such a great form of exercise. And NO, you don’t need a dog to go for a walk. Although, I’ll understand if you feel silly without one. That seems to be the purpose of everyone else’s walk in the park. I, however, am perfectly happy walking myself.

I say to you: Take yourself for a walk. It feels great!

Big Box Rant (not mine)

For all you planners who read my blog, here is a great rant by Mark Morford: Big Box Rant

Civilians and normal people will also enjoy it. Trust me. READ!

The Greatest Store Ever

REI is the greatest store ever! I could have fun there everyday!

If you can't tell, I had a very productive shopping trip to REI, and finally joined the REI membership. I'm outfitted with a headlamp, hiking pants, bicycle pump, extra tubes for my tires, a new camel back bladder (mine busted, can you believe it?) and probably other stuff too.

Happy Tuesday!

I know. I know.

I know I'm supposed to be taking it easy, resting to cure my sore throat...But I couldn't help doing a little bit of playing this weekend. Friday night was a fun filled evening at Ross. I forgot how fun that store is! You know what I'm talking about. I'm sure you've all experienced the thrill of Ross. I finally found the perfect shelf for my kitchen cabinet. Now I can reach my dishes!

Saturday was an all day softball tournament. Nope, I didn't play, just supported. I'm still not running on my sore ankle. Darn ligaments.

Sunday, we took a stroll through the woods. Yup, a stroll. Not the strenuous hike up Mt. Tallac, as the original plan called for, but a nice stroll in the foothills somewhere near Auburn. The most fun part was swimming in the river. We found a great big deep swimming hole and even had a little fish buddy for a while. It was refreshing! (of course, I love swimming in rivers and lakes)

And, just like Mom directed, I came home from the river / strolling fun and took a four hour nap Sunday afternoon. That sore throat is healing miraculously, and my energy level is getting back up to normal.

I hope all of my readers had a great weekend and are enjoying life.

Read This!

Would it really be possible for someone to make me think I don't like cake????

You Now Hate Chocolate Cake/Implant fake food memories, lose weight! Great for a willpower-free nation. Mmm, lethal! by Mark Morford

Medical Advice

I'm nursing a sore throat this week. It snuck up on me over a few days...The doctor told me it's not strep throat. He said to take motrin, eat popsicles, and suffer through it with a lot of rest.

My advice to fellow sore throat-ians: Don't mix the honey-lemon throat losenges with the mentho-lyptus throat losenges. Pick a flavor of the day and stick to it. They don't taste very good when alternated.

I'll write about my trip to Seattle, when I'm feeling better. Stay tuned.

Support Emily!!!!

Go Emily!!!

As many of my readers know, I was psyched to train for a half marathon this summer. Unfortunately, I went out too hard, too fast and my ankle gave up on me. I had to pull out of the Leukemia Team in Training program, but I encourage you to support my very good friend. Emily Mah will be racing in the Nike Women's Half Marathon this October in memory of her relatives and friends that suffered from Leukemia. Please please visit her website and seriously consider making a donation. This is a great organization and a very worthy cause for your charitable contribution. See the link on the right!

Here is a note from Emily:

In 2001, I lost my grandfather to leukemia. I had lost someone important in my life and for the first time, leukemia had devastated me in a very personal way. I have joined The Leukemia & Lymphoma Society Team in Training (TNT), and I need your support. Several of my colleagues at Stantec Consulting are joining me in training for the Nike Women's Half Marathon in San Francisco, on October 23, 2005.I have committed to raise $1,900 for the Leukemia and Lymphoma Society as part of my participation in the Nike Women's Half Marathon. At least 75% of this money goes directly towards funding for research, patient aid, and community service programs. Please support me in this effort by visiting my webpage and sponsoring my half marathon.

All donations are 100% tax deductible and any amount is greatly appreciated.

The Leukemia and Lymphoma Society is one of the world's leading research organizations dedicated to finding a cure for Leukemia and its related cancers (Lymphoma, Hodgkin's disease and Myeloma). Each year, over 100,000 Americans will contract, and more than 50,000 will die, from Leukemia or its related diseases this year, making it the 4th major cause of death. It is especially devastating to the lives of children. While the survival rate for children has increased dramatically over the years, it has remained unchanged for adults who suffer from this disease.Each team has specific honorees, with ranges of ages and stages of illness.

I am participating in memory of my Grandpa Ben, Aunt Sally, childhood friend Scott Strobel, and in honor of Imani of Sacramento. Imani was diagnosed with Acute Lymphocytic Leukemia in January of 2001, just 12 days before her 9th birthday. Currently, at the age of 13, she is in full remission. With 8 surgeries and 5 blood transfusions behind her, she completed her chemotherapy treatments February of last year!

Thank you for anything you can do to help with this worthy cause. Training for the half marathon will be a challenging endeavor, but nothing near what the honorees who battle this illness every day have to endure. I will be updating my webpage throughout my training, so be sure to visit it periodically.

Again, I greatly appreciate your support in helping to find a cure to beat this deadly disease. Thank you in advance, and please forward this to as many people as you can to encourage more people to fundraise!
Take care,
Emily

Pacheco Parables

Today's entertainment comes from a guest writer. He is a very dear person to me. May I introduce my Pops and his Pacheco Parables! Read and enjoy.

Approaching 152 (Pacheco Pass highway) from Leavesley Road, as Ialways do, there's a sign that says "Expect delays on 152 Westbound."There's no warning about 152 Eastbound because that situation is too horrible to contemplate.

As I got on 152, I began to wish I were a cowboy. That's because the cows walking along the side of the road were going faster than I was. I had put the top down when I got off 101 because I figured it would be pleasant when driving more slowly than on the freeway. I didn'trealize I should have put the whole car down instead and simply walked.

Did you know that eucalyptus trees on the side of 152 have an averageof 23 peels each on the main trunk? I counted them. Twice.

I decided that no cop could give a speeding ticket on that road, so Iwould help them out. I got out my marker and changed the "Maximum speed 55" sign to "Maximum speed 5.5". Five minutes later, I decided that wouldn't help. I got out again, crossed out the decimal I had added and changed the sign to "Maximum speed .55". That might give the cops a fighting chance.

How slow was the traffic? A race between cars and banana slugs onthat road would be won by the slugs, hands down. Wait. Slugs have no hands. But they'd win anyway.

How slow was the traffic? Slow enough that I could think up all these bad jokes. And write them down.

One more down

This weekend there was a major battle. It took place in my apartment, between the front door and my dresser. The soldiers in the battle were me (mostly) and my sister (playing the part of peanut gallery most of the time). She spotted a HUGE spider just chillin near the floor. Oh yes, it was suspended. It appeared to closely resemble a black widow. I was taking no chances on this one. In fact, my sister, who paid me a wonderful visit this weekend, stated that she would actually drive the 2 hours home before sleeping next to that spider.

RAID to the rescue! She voted that I hit the spider with a shoe. It was wedged between the dresser and the doorstop and suspended, so I wimped out on that idea. After all, she didn't jump up and whap it. The worry with using RAID is that spiders run when they get sprayed. But, it seemed like the only feasible option.

Here's a play by play:
I sprayed him...He ran behind the dresser...I moved the dresser...I sprayed him again...He ran under the dresser...Sister helped me move the dresser further... I sprayed him again. He stayed put this time. DEAD! The battle was won by two beautiful (and brave) heros!

After squishing the spider with a wad of tissue, I opened it up to make sure he was really squished. At this point, my sister shared a bit of advice with me: Never throw a spider away in the same room that you found it(or a room you plan to sleep in).

Phew. We slept easily after defeating the evil monster.

Whose idea was it to clean?

Now that everything is organized..I can't find a thing!!!