TWISI's Xanga

No-Pants Monday

Tue, 06 Jan 2009 02:07:08 GMT

I'm completely insane. I woke up on my own, without my alarm clock at 4:30am CRAVING a workout at the gym. I know. Competely psycho. But who am I to deny myself a bank of burnt calories on which to use towards ice cream or pizza? :) I threw all my stuff in myfantastic new Nike bag (a Christmas present courtesy of my dearest), put the dogs outside and headed to The Centre. After a fabulous 60 minutes on the elliptical and a circut of lower body weights, I hit the shower and began getting ready for work. It was only after I got out of the shower that realized I had left my dress pants at home. 40 minutes away.

Sigh.

Do you know what it's like to go to Wal-Mart at 7:30am wearing a pretty top and dressy jacket and high-heeled shoes...and running pants? Yeah, I fit right in. My plan was to purchase the first pair of work-related pants I saw, change into them in the dressing room and take the tag up to the front to pay. How was I supposed to know that they won't let you do that unless there is a sales associate escorting you from the dressing room to the cash register? And of COURSE, the morning wouldn't be complete without seeing several co-workers. Joy.

To top off my day, Matt texted me a picture of the ocean and beach at 2:30, rubbing it in that he's in warm, sunny San Diego and I'm stuck in freezing Missouri. I hope his plane lands in the middle of a blizzard tomorrow when he gets home. Ha.

Kristen and I swam laps after work...have I mentioned how much I love The Centre? Have I mentioned how much I dislike wet hair in sub-zero temperatures? The walk from the gym to my car was a little miscalculated. I think I burnt out the seat warmers and heater in my car trying to stay warm on my drive home.

Today I love: Two workouts and the reward of a Lean Cuisine Deep-Dish Pizza.

Matt's Christmas Gift for the Next Million Years

Mon, 22 Dec 2008 21:48:13 GMT

So...Matt was on his way to Springfield on Saturday for a baseball camp, and his truck broke down. Again. That thing has had more problems over the past couple years, and we're getting sick of it. So Matt calls to tell me he might go look at new trucks - I had no problem with that at all. I'd rather put money into a more reliable vehicle than one that's held together with duct tape and prayers. Throughout the day he sent me text after text of trucks he was considering, along with the typical boy-response of "this is freakin' AWESOME" voicemails. (I kept wondering how the baseball camp was going, but kept that thought to myself.) Next thing I know, he calls and tells me that he bought a Dodge Ram on a trade-in. A 2009. Quad-cab. Four-door (is that what quad-cab means?) Silver. Has about 60 miles on it.

Let me explain how my idea of "new truck" is vastly different than my darling husband's. I was thinking, oh, maybe he'd get an '07 or '08 since they would be pushing those off the lots to make room for the new '09's. Plus, Matt is the penny-pincher of our family, so I knew he wouldn't want to spend money on a new new new truck, since we'd always agreed they depreciate the minute you drive them off the lot. I was obviously very wrong. I'll be the first to admit though that it's an awesome truck, and he got the deal of the century on it. I'll have to post some pictures later if he'll stop driving around Licking long enough for me to take one. Seriously. It's like a little kid getting a new Tonka truck or something. We went out to eat yesterday and Matt parked right by a window, and we were conveniently seated near enough to see out. He kept gazing out the window, letting out little sighs of contentment with love in his eyes. I cleared my throat a couple times and wondered if I should leave the two of them alone. Sheesh.

On another note, it was TWO degrees when I left the house at 5am this morning. I'm still on my early-morning gym kick, and found a new elliptical trainer that I LOVE. There are only two of this particular elliptical in the entire gym, so I try to get there super-early to grab one. It's a Precor something-or-other, and it is a total workout. I'm happily down 1.5 more lbs from last week, and I want to remember that feeling of accomplishment over the rest of the holidays.

Today I love: Meeting my best friend Sarah Burkhead for lunch at A Slice of Pie in Rolla! It was so great to catch up on everything and see a familiar face.

Wednesday, November 26, 2008

Wed, 26 Nov 2008 14:29:09 GMT

So...I'm 28 today.

And the biggest baby in the world.

Since we're leaving for Alabama around 1:00 today, I had to drop the dogs off at the boarding kennel before work this morning. For those of you who don't have dogs, this might sound strange and weird, but every time I leave them I feel like I'm leaving part of me behind. Suka was great - he was running around the big fenced-in yard playing with other dogs. But UConn just sat there in a little quivering ball of terror, trying to hide from all the barking, jumping, sniffing strangers. She looked at me with her big brown eyes, and I swear she was saying, "Momma, why are you leaving me? What is this strange place? Are you ever going to come back?" I think she remembers her days as a shelter dog, and it scares her to think she might be locked up again with no one to snuggle. Sigh. I miss them already...my silly, licky, 60 lb balls of fur. I cried on the way back to work.

I'm just hoping this morning goes quickly so we can get on the road. We have an eight hour drive ahead of us, and Matt hasn't been feeling good. I'm going to drive us most of the way so he can sleep. He's bringing his portable DVD player, so that usually helps make the time on the road go by faster. This morning he surprised me with a card and the first two seasons of 30 Rock on DVD...my newest favorite TV show. I love Tina Fey!

Another good thing that happened today - some of you know I've been struggling to get my weight back down to what it was last year...in between our move this summer, starting a new job, not having as many trails or sidewalks to run on, and generally just being stressed and lazy I've gained a little weight. Ok, more than a little. So my personal goal was to get back in the 130's by my birthday, sort of as a present to myself. I haven't really been following any specific plan, but I bought Bob Green's "The Best Life Diet" book (with insight from Oprah...who can go wrong with that??), and I really like the straightforwardness and motivation in it. So that, combined with weight watcher points and struggling with myself and my willpower levels...this morning - The Official Birthday Weigh-In - I was at 139.5. Barely in the 130's, but still there. I feel so empowered by meeting that goal, however close it was. Hopefully that feeling can stick with me through the next couple days and get me safely through Thanksgiving without overdoing it. I'm looking forward to running a 5K on Saturday with my MIL too!

Today I love: Knowing people care about me when I check my email and see a gazillion happy birthday wishes in my inbox, and family who calls first thing in the morning to make my day special!

Thursday, November 20, 2008

Thu, 20 Nov 2008 13:47:30 GMT

So, I know it's been awhile since I've posted...it's just so hard when we don't have internet at home and I don't like lugging my laptop to work just to use wireless. But I just wanted you to know we're still alive!

This weekend is our five year anniversary. We wanted to go someplace exotic like Arkansas (ha!) but since Matt has to coach a basketball game on Friday night, we've settled for Branson. Dixie Stampeed, here we come. Matt bought us tickets on - what else? - the South side. I'll just drive him nuts all night saying things like "ya'll" and "chitlin's." Hee hee.

Mysterious Yellow Rose

Fri, 24 Oct 2008 20:26:51 GMT

On Wednesday, the day of grandma's visitation, the florist made a huge delivery of flower arrangements and potted plants. Like we did in high school when we worked for dad at the funeral home, Erin and I started hauling flowers up from the back delivery door and brought them into the chapel. Dad came walking in with several vases of roses - one of which was a single yellow rose in a small bud vase. He set the rose on a stand close to the head of the casket, and then we walked around the chapel reading the cards attached to the plants talking about what good friends we had to send such beautiful arrangements. When we got back to where the yellow rose was, we couldn't find a name attached to the card. All it read was, "Dear Polly, Welcome Home."

We were stumped. No one had called grandma by her nickname of "Polly" since she was in college, so we started guessing about which of her classmates had sent the flower. It wasn't until halfway through the visitation that it hit one of my cousins.

Grandpa.

Grandpa's favorite flower was the yellow rose - his funeral back in 1989 was full of yellow roses. He called grandma "Polly" all the time. And he was in heaven, waiting for her to join him.

The rumor quickly spread throughout the funeral home, and we were all in tears. It was devastatingly wonderful to think that a little part of grandpa was there with us - a for-real message from beyond the grave. It showed us that he had been patiently waiting more than 19 years to be able to finally hold his wife in his arms once again and say, "Hey there sweetie. I've been waiting for you. Welcome home."

We all agreed that that was the story we were sticking to. Even if it wasn't true, we didn't want to know any different.

Dad, making funeral arrangements with another family today (poor guy, he doesn't even get to rest!), talked to the florist. The yellow rose was brought into the conversation. Dad told her that he didn't want to know.

"All I can tell you, Jim," she said, "is that the order for that flower was placed many, many years ago. I was sworn to secrecy, so all I can say is that the order slip has been on my desk for years."

Welcome home, grandma. Welcome home.

Sad news

Tue, 21 Oct 2008 12:46:01 GMT

For those of you who don't know, my dear, sweet grandma passed away on Saturday morning. She was 97 years old, and we are planning a huge celebration of a life well lived this week. My grandma was an amazing lady - how could she not be, when after already having three children, she had my dad and his twin brother at the age of 40? Talk about a model of patience and love. :)

I think when your grandparents pass away, you feel like you lose a sense of your childhood. Grandma lived right next door my whole life, and Erin and I would always go across the yard for tea parties, cookies, tree climbing and strawberry picking. I know we're all married and moved away now, but the memories are still wonderful. I know grandma is in a much better place, and she's finally reunited with grandpa. I know she's missed him terribly.

Please keep my family in your thoughts and prayers - this was my dad's last parent, so my heart especially breaks for him. No matter how old you are, I can't imagine it would be easy knowing you don't have any more parents around. I think when I'm 50 I'll still be calling my mom and dad for advice. :)

Ethel Mae Eaton of Sullivan, Missouri passed away Saturday, October 18, 2008 at the New Haven Care Center, New Haven, Missouri at the age of 97 years.

Ethel was born April 19, 1911 at Carbondale, Illinois to Charles Edward and Myrtle Marie (Stotlar) Trout. She was one of eight children born to this union. Her parents succumbed to death early in life; her father due to complications of Tuberculosis and her mother in the influenza epidemic. Ethel and her siblings were then sent to various foster homes, never to be a family again. Ethel, after living in less desirable home situations, was later taken in by the Dr. William Bailey family, a Professor of Science and Botany at the University of Illinois in Carbondale. Here she was afforded all the advantages of the Bailey family and later graduated with a degree in Education from the University. She had taught for a time in the Carbondale area and later became employed as an Emergency Relief Worker in Carbondale and Jackson County, Illinois. One day, during her evening chores about the Bailey home sweeping the front porch, a young male student came to the home to inquire if Professor Bailey was in, as he had questions about the next day’s assignment. (It has never been officially confirmed in family circles, as if were just a ploy to see Ethel!) Regardless to say that on June 21, 1935 she was united in marriage to Harrison M. Eaton at Carbondale and to this marriage five children were born which are her eldest son, Harrison W. and wife Kathleen of Sullivan; daughter, Mary Eleanor and husband Dr. Sam Farrell of Washington; son, Charles Edward and wife Marcia of Amston, Connecticut; and twin sons; James Douglas and wife Mary Ann of Sullivan and John Michael and wife Carol of Cape Girardeau.

Shortly after her marriage she moved to the St. Louis area where Harrison taught school for a time at the former Hohenshuh-Carpenter Mortuary College. In 1948 they purchased the J.T. Williams Funeral Home in Sullivan, Missouri and thus established the Eaton Funeral Home which is still in existence today. Harrison passed away in December of 1989 and sons, Harrison and Jim continued in the business. In the mid 1960’s Ethel returned to teaching and taught at the former Stanton School at Stanton, Missouri. There she was responsible for simultaneously instructing the third and fourth grades in one room. Along with her duties as teacher, she was also school principal for a time. When Stanton School consolidated with the Sullivan School system she retired, so to speak, and devoted her life to her husband and family.

Ethel was baptized at a brush arbor meeting in Carbondale as a young girl. She attended the First Christian Church and later, after moving to Sullivan, was active in the First United Presbyterian Church. She was an Elder and member of the Cornerstones and helped in the preparation of many a church dinner and rummage sale. Ethel was active in Cub Scouts as a Den Mother and was a crafter and accomplished artist. She was also a 50 year member of the Order of the Eastern Star, Sullivan Chapter #105. Ethel could make the best chicken and dumplings ever and enjoyed playing Bridge and Pinochle and the company of her 13 grandchildren and 14 great-grandchildren.

Along with her parents and husband, Ethel was preceded in death by two brothers, Ted and Carl Trout; and by four sisters, Ruth Raines, Dorothy Everett, Marie Jackson and Lydia Kuba Oliver.

Funeral services were conducted at 11:00 a.m. on Thursday, October 23, 2008 from the Chapel of the Eaton Funeral Home in Sullivan with Pastors Zack Strum and Scott Perry officiating. Interment was in Oddfellows Cemetery, Sullivan, Missouri. Expressions of sympathy may be made to the First Presbyterian Church Building Fund, the Ethel and Harrison M. Eaton Memorial Scholarship Fund or New Haven Care Center Activities Fund.

Friends may sign the online guest book at www.eatonfuneralhome.com.

Visitation: 4:30 p.m. until 8:00 p.m.,Wednesday, October 22, 2008 Eaton Funeral Home, Sullivan, Missouri

Funeral: 11:00 a.m., Thursday, October 23, 2008, Eaton Funeral Home, Sullivan, Missouri

Cemetery: Oddfellows Cemetery, Sullivan, Missouri

Donations: First Presbyterian Church Building Fund, Ethel and Harrison M. Eaton Memorial Scholarship Fund, New Haven Care Center Activities Fund.

So Happy

Thu, 16 Oct 2008 14:22:24 GMT

Lots of things to be happy about today:

NO MORE SORENESS! It's gone. Completely. I woke up this morning craving a run...but I'll hold back until next week. Still need recovery time.
Matt and I are leaving for Springfield tonight...because we sold our house and are signing the closing papers in the morning!! We're planning on going out to dinner, seeing a movie...and going to Target, my favorite place ever!
My mom-in-law and I just registered to run a 5K on 11/29 when we're down in Alabama for Thanksgiving!! It's called the "Living Waters Run" and raises money for people around the world who don't have access to clean water. We were looking for a local Turkey Trot, but this will be WAY better.
I'm giving blood at work today - if I give blood today and in the next three blood drives, I'll be entered to win a brand-new Wii or a $100 gas card. Sweet.

GOOD LUCK SARAH AND RYAN AT THE KC HALF MARATHON THIS WEEKEND!!! I'll be thinking of you guys.

Wow. There are a lot of exclamation points in this post. (!!!)

Chicago Marathon Recap

Mon, 13 Oct 2008 14:26:25 GMT

Friday – Erin and I get into Chicago, pick up our rental car and head to the massive expo downtown. We spent a good couple hours there – it was amazing. Nike had set up what looked like an entire city block of merchandise, and Asics, Mizuno, Reebok and New Balance all had huge booths too. The Luna Bar people had a setup where they were giving out mini Luna Bars, Luna Moons, Luna recovery shakes and new Luna electrolyte replacement drinks. LaraBar and Cliff Bar were doing the same thing, and I made Erin try a small spoonful of GU. She actually liked the chocolate one. J After the expo we headed into Wheaton to stay with some friends of ours. They have a super cute house – and dogs!! We had a great time staying with them, just relaxing and having fun. We ordered in pizza and watched Friends...how much better could it get??

Saturday – Got up early to head to the French Market in downtown Wheaton…I love that place and I’m so glad we got to go back. I hadn’t been there in a year! We bought fresh scones and coffee for breakfast, and I bought a mini watermelon for lunch. Saturday honestly blurs all together, because I kept zoning out thinking about the race. So I’ll just skip to that. J

Sunday – Race day. Erin and I woke up at 4:15am and were on the road by 5:00 heading to downtown Chicago. With no traffic, we got there really, really early and had to wait around for me to find my group. I was nervous, but excited. I had a goal time of 5 hours, 30 minutes to finish the race, and I was determined to do that. (That later completely flew out the window, but I’ll get to that in a minute). After a little while, I found my group, we had prayer time and then Erin headed off with other group members’ family to go to the first checkpoint.

The race officially started at 8:00am, but due to the massive amount of runners it took us 20 minutes just to cross the start line. I started off with a decent pace, trying to hold myself back so I wouldn’t get exhausted too soon. It didn’t work. The crowds cheering and all the runners around you just pump you up and before you know it you’re running 8 minute miles. For awhile, anyway. J I get to mile 3.5 and see Erin jumping up and down like a monkey, and that gave me another little boost. However, at mile 6 (yes, SIX!!) things started to go downhill and I just had this thought in my head that it was going to be a REALLY long day. The temps started in the 70’s and by time I crossed the finish line, it was in the 90’s. The city had opened fire hydrants along the course to keep runners cool, and it felt sooo good. The people of Chicago are AMAZING. They were bringing out bags of ice, hoses and cups of water out of their own homes, cheering us on even when we were dragging.

I made a pact with Jesus at mile 6 just to get me through with no shin pains or heat exhaustion...by mile 20 I was making deals with the devil. It was nasty hot out there, I was miserable and I told myself that I was never running marathons again. Heck, I was never RUNNING again. Ever.

Good news – my shins were great. Bad news – at mile 14 my knee started flaring up again, completely stiffening to the point that I would have to stop and stretch. I will honestly say that I walked the entire last half of the marathon, except the final stretch coming to the finish. I told myself that I WILL run across that finish line if it kills me!! Which it almost did. I was in so much pain, it was like nothing from any other marathon I’ve ever done.

At mile 20, when I realized I’d have to run seven minute miles in order to finish in 5:30, I laughed out loud and said, “What do I have to prove? All I have to do is cross that finish line and get that dang medal. That’s all I want!! Just give me the medal!!”

Matt and my parents had signed up to get text message updates of my progress, and I had to laugh when I got back to the car to see the messages Matt left for me. The first half was great, but when he saw I was majorly slowing down in the second part, he texted me things like, “What’s happening??? Are you ok???” I think he thought I had died out there. J I called him on the way to the airport and told him I was never running another marathon again, and he said, “Um, that’s what you said the last two times. You’re doing another one.”

I’m. So. NOT. It's only half marathons for this girl for awhile.

People I’d like to thank:

My sister for coming with me and being the best cheering section ever!! She’s also now my official race photographer – almost all the pics I posted on Facebook were taken by her. They are fantastic!!
Annie and Nick for letting us stay at their house in Wheaton. We had soooo much fun!
The lady at mile 23 handing out gummy bears. Enough said.
Mom for taking me to the airport and picking me up so I wouldn’t have to pay for parking. It’s nice to walk off the plane and see a familiar face when you're tired and can’t hardly walk.
Dad for providing some much-needed Percocet so I could sleep last night. That stuff is awesome.

Here’s what I accomplished out there:

My worst time EVER. I'm choosing to laugh instead of cry. J
With the heat, I just wanted to finish without passing out, since I forgot to fill out the emergency contact info on my bib. Oops.
I've discovered that the "Back of the Pack" people are a RIOT to be with!! Oh my gosh, they are just plain FUN. There's something to be said about just chilling, having fun and then getting your medal with a bunch of crazy people at the end.

Now I need a nap, but I’m at work. I hope I can leave a little early, seeing it took me 20 minutes just to walk from my car to my desk. And stairs are NOT an option right now. J

Leaving for Chi-Town

Thu, 09 Oct 2008 13:45:30 GMT

Matt had a game last night (they won 6-5 in extra innings with a walk-off homerun), but I stayed home to pack, unpack and re-pack for Chicago. I'm not checking any bags at the airport, so I had to make sure all my stuff in my carry-on is airport approved. Grrr. I hate the liquids regulations. Does GU count? I have about 10 of them in my bag, along with Sharkies and Fiber One bars. Two pairs of my favorite running shorts, four pairs of socks, three running shirts including my World Vision jersey...you just can't be too prepared for this.

Since I didn't get to see Matt much last night since I was sound asleep when he got home, he woke up early this morning so we could spend some time together since I'm heading to Sullivan after work and won't get to see him until I get back from the race on Sunday. Our parting conversation went something like this:

Matt: "Do good! I hope you have fun."

Me: "I just want to finish. I'm not going for any land speed records here."

Matt: "Finishing is good. But..."

Me: "What? You think I should try to PR on shins and knees that hate me right now?"

Matt: "No, not at all sweetie. I just still think you're insane. I don't even like to DRIVE 26.2 miles."

Me: "Oh for the love. I'm leaving for work now."

As I was walking out to my car he did the sweetest thing ever. He blew on the glass on the door, and drew a heart in the fog. So. Cute. I'll probably smile the whole weekend just because of that.

Anyway, I'm gonna finish my cheerios and banana, then try to be productive at work today. Not sure how well that will work though - I'm twitchy and excited about leaving in the morning!! I get to see my sister AND be in one of my favorite cities. Sweet.

Today I love: My Jesus and my husband!! Both are really important guys to me. :)

PS: Gas is $2.79 in Edgar Springs this morning!

Five Days.

Tue, 07 Oct 2008 00:51:57 GMT

I officially run the biggest race of my life on Sunday. Five days away until I'm running through the streets of Chicago...I KNOW I can do the distance, for heaven's sake this is my third time. So why all the butterflies in my tummy?

Plans for the week:

Monday: 6.5 miles on bike, 3.5 miles/30 minutes on elliptical

Tuesday: 6.5 miles on elliptical

Wednesday: Swim

Thursday: Swim

Friday: Fly to Chicago!! My sister's flight lands five minutes before mine!! I'm so excited to see her and be back in my favorite city. Erin and I will meet up at the car rental counter, then head to the expo. I can't wait for Erin to see all the maddness that surrounds a race expo. Hee hee. She won't believe the fanatics. I can't wait to be back in a runner's atmosphere. I'll get my miles in walking around the booths and then back to the car.

We're staying with friends outside of Chi-town in Wheaton...I'm not one to pass up free lodging. Plus, they have puppies, and you know me - that's a bonus. I love Wheaton!! Such a cute town. Not sure what the plan is Saturday, but I know I have to be at Charity Village near the start line at 6:30 Sunday morning (race time is 8:00am) for a World Vision group picture and to MEET RYAN HALL!!!! SWEEEEET! I'm missing the opportunity to see him speak on Saturday night - I just don't want to drive back into the city. Erin and I are planning a relaxing night of pasta and an early bedtime.

Also, I'm undecided. GU or Sharkies? Both work well for me - I've used both on long runs. Sharkies settle better, but how in the world do you carry the packs? I'm thinking snack-size ziplock baggie pinned to my shorts. I'm taking both the GU and Sharkies with me, so I'll probably make up my mind on race day.

So. Excited.

Also so excited - my mom-in-law did her first race ever on Saturday - a whopping 10K!! PLUS, she got a third-place medal!! She said she doesn't want to know how many were in her age group in case there were only three...that made me laugh. She sent me a picture today and it's a great medal!

LICKING BASEBALL UPDATE: The boys won 20-10 on Saturday, although it was hard to watch at times. I've never been so tense in my life. For every good play we had a massive mistake. It was fun though - Mom, dad and Grandpa were at the Lake of the Ozarks for the weekend and the game was only 25 minutes from the condo, so they got to come watch. I was SO glad Grandpa got to watch Matt coach - he's such a sports fan, and it was just really special to have him see Matt in action. For the past five years, he's just gotten play-by-plays over the phone... after the game he just went on and on about how proud he was of Matt and how he liked watching Matt do signs to the batter and runners. It made me smile. Now the boys play on Wednesday - we need to win to advance to the championship game! I won't be able to go since I'll be stressing over packing for Chicago, but I think they'll do fine.

Today I love: Tuna salad on a whole-wheat tortilla and puppy kisses when I get home from work!!