This is going to kill me...

I am still trying to recover from the run the other night. I am back at home and was going to get up and go to the gym this morning but I just can't do it.

I was looking at my results and I was not the last person in my age group. Okay so I was 40 something out of 60 something people but I wasn't last. (47 out of 63 - yikes)... I supposed if I was more committed I would do a better job, but I'm not.

This Saturday is Katie's first birthday party... I think 70 people were invited (I don't think that many will show up though...). It should be an event.

I'm sorry this is going nowhere this morning... Tucker is sitting on my lap right now and she just tooted... it scared me! I better go....

I can't decide...

If it hurts more the day after running or the next day. I must say that I am very stiff... I suppose that I should run more often if I'm going to become a runner.

Yesterday I ended up going to Bellevue Square where they were having the Art Fair. I think somewhere along the line I became an art snob (kind of). I guess I'm just not into the crafty type of art thing anymore... there's nothing wrong with craft but it's just not what I do anymore.

I managed to do some retail therapy (not a lot because I need to save money)... but just enough to keep me out of too much trouble.

Tonight I head back to my house - no more house sitting gigs on the horizon. Maybe I can get some stuff done around the house then.

Time's a wasting - more later

Oh, my official time was 52.06 - Just over a 10 minute mile...

Oops I did it again...

I ran. I hurt. I was sweating like a pig on a spit being roasted over an open flame.

I am happy to report that the slow person van did not pick me up but It's was looking a bit sketchy there towards the end. I will update this all on Jenerator Running when I get a chance.

My body is hurting today... not as bad as back in the old days (November) when this whole journey began.

I am tempted to go Bellevue Square today... maybe look for a nice pair of shoes...
Find a husband.

I was going to go to church but I can't seem to get out of my pj's.

Tonight's the night!

I am going to attempt to run for the first time in three months... I mean REALLY run. I'm going to make an audio recording durning it as well. I hope I don't fall.

I am meeting up with my friend Nick before the race. He's a camp person - we're going out for a beer after the run. That should be fun. Maybe I can get him to be my wingman. I don't know exactly how to use a wingman but I'm sure I could figure it out. I just have to try not to sweat too much. I suppose a glow wouldn't be too bad. I will report back tomorrow as to how I do.

TGIF

So I've only worked four days this week but what can I say??? I'm not used to it.

I have to get a good nights sleep tonight if I'm going to even attempt to run in the torchlight run... damn, I have to pick out a cute running outfit too!

I slept in until 6:00 this morning... I should move - getting to look beautiful takes time.

Yesterday I got a lot of exercise at work... I moved boxes of files for a major part of the day. Sorry I'm not more scintillating (did I spell that right? - I didn't but spell check caught it..).

Bailey the dog threw up on the new carpet last night... that was pretty exciting.

Live from Bellevue...

So, this is what dial up feels like... the slow loading, mind numbing wait for the pages to fully materialize. Things from the other side of the lake are just fine... I figured out how to make the coffee and I'm good to go.

The only hazzard about staying at other people's houses is that there is bad food. I polished off two Hershey bars and a few animal crackers. To add to the food fest I only walked about 3,000 steps yesterday... That's not good. I'll have to make up for it somehow... give me some exercise points.

Well, I suppose I should go because I don't know how long it will take me to get ready and I have to commute from the Eastside.

Word to your mother.

misty watercolored memories

I am happy to report that I survived my first day back in the working world.

I must admit that there is something kind of nice about working in an office environment. People talking about their late nights out... the soft whir of the photocopier... the potential of earning some money. I worked in the Records Department doing inventory on some files. I haven't really worked in records since the late 80's (holy crap I'm old). It wasn't too bad... I got to walk around downtown during lunch (oh the shopping).

Even though I miss the goings on of the office I realize that I couldn't do it forever. I am really glad that I decided to go to school. Now if only being an artist could pay as much as pushing paper the world would be perfect.

I woke up at 5:00 intending on going to the gym but it didn't happen. Maybe after work I'll suck it up and go.

I get to spend the next few days dog and house sitting for my sister and her brood of animals. Bailey, Emmy and Tooter... I'll post photos when I can.

I'm trying to find something cute to wear during the torchlight run... it's not happening. I suppose I could dress up like a pirate but that might be uncomfortable. (for those of you in Chicago the pirate idea comes from the whole summer festival called Seafair - there are pirates, boats and sailors galore...).

Well, I better get moving.

Sucking it up.

Yesterday I went to the gym and I THINK that I will be able to run the 11 minute mile required for the 8k. I figure I can't be the slowest person running... I bet there will be others who are slower.

This morning is shaping up to be a busy one, I am taking my momma in to get the cataracts taken off her other eye then it's back here to get ready for work. I sure hope my nerves don't get the best of me... everything will be fine. I just get a bit of an upset tummy sometimes.

Tonight there is an opening at the CMA gallery at the UW. I will try to make that if I'm not too exhausted. I'm not sure how late I will have to work today - I don't start until 9:30.

My leg is feeling a bit out of whack today (different leg than last week).... hey, maybe there will be cute single men where I work... oh crap - what will I wear?

How fast can a jenerator run?

I was reading the information about the Torchlight run last night and found out that I need to run at least an 11 minute mile to avoid being picked up by the slow person's van. That's the van that picks up all the people who can't keep up the pace. I have no concept of how fast an 11 minute mile is... I know what it means - you can run a mile in 11 minutes. Oh crap. I hope I can do it. At least if I have a cute outfit maybe people won't notice if I get picked up.

Today is my last day of freedom - it is going to be strange working full time again. It's been almost two years since I have and I hope It doesn't wear me out too much. This afternoon I am going to help the attorney I used to work for go through some files and then it's off to my last ww meeting. I am going to continue to work some Saturday meetings but this is my last Monday night.

I think I'll go to the gym this morning and see how fast an 11 minute mile is. If I can't keep up maybe I'll see if I can switch over to the 5k... then I only have to run a 15 minute mile... I know I can do that.


This picture of Stinky was on my mom's camera... I think it was taken last year sometime.... she sure is cute.

I am a winner

Well, maybe not a winner but I did manage to get out of the house on both Friday and Saturday night. It's a big accomplishment for me. I am a bit of a homebody... the urge to stay in often outweighs the urge to go out. Maybe once I start working full time I may have more energy to do things (It sound weird - but I do more when I am busy)...

This morning I am contemplating as to weather or not I should go to church... I haven't been for a while. I could either do that or go to the gym. I haven't been to the gym either... I would have gone yesterday but my knee was out of whack and I couldn't walk without it hurting. It's back to normal today. I should go work out because I am supposed to run in the torchlight run next Saturday. I should practice... do real runners practice? I don't consider myself a real runner... I'm just a pretender.

Maybe I'll go put on my workout clothes and see if it inspires me.

The most expensive piece of paper I own.

I know this is a moment you have all been waiting for... drum roll please.

dadadadadadadadada...



My diploma from the Art Institute. It only cost me a little over $50,000 bucks plus the $15.00 graduation fee they charged me. I suppose when you calculate the $6.80 it cost them to send it to me they're only making a profit of a little over 8 bucks.

Maybe if I carry it around with me I will be able to get into museums for free... or at least a MFA graduate discount... it could be worth a shot.

Try to be interesting...

I am afraid that I have lost the umph in my blog. I used to be on the edge, commenting about the style choices of people (the fact that women in Chicago don't often wear bras when they should).. I suppose I could comment on all the polar fleece in Seattle but is that original? No.

I actually went out last night and did something. I met two friends of a gentleman I go to church with (Lanny)... he thought I should meet them because they are art type people... (okay, that sounded cutting edge didn't it?)

Tonight I am going to Crawl Space for an opening of my friend Chad's work. It will be nice to see him. I haven't since I moved back from Chicago.

I better get going. I have to work at ww after my meeting.

A tough row to hoe..

I was mistaken when I thought I was going to be paid yesterday - The Art Institute paid on Thursdays and WW was Friday back in Chicago. Well, I checked my bank account this morning and I did get paid but only for one meeting. You can't pay bills with $31.27. Okay, you could pay the random minimum credit card payment but not much more. I guess I'll just have to hound the powers that be.

On the bright side I did get that temp job I interviewed for yesterday. It's good to have "mad administrative skills"...the office manager was wondering why I didn't want a permanent position - it sounded like I could have one if I wanted (I'll have to keep this in mind for later in the year).

The only drawback to actually having a job is that I won't be able to watch the Today show in the morning. I must admit that my viewing habits have changed since I moved back home... it was much easier to sit on the futon with the computer on my lap and the television on in 280 square feet of room than it is here. My wifi connection doesn't reach into the living room. Oh well, the sacrifices we have to make.

Last night I went out to dinner with my mother and the "ladies", it's a group of women my mother has known for years and years. They get together for dinner a couple times a month - Their dinners were always shrouded in mystery to me, but really they just get together and eat. It was a bit noisy so we couldn't gossip or anything.

On SYTYCD they eliminated Hoc and Anya. I had guessed that those would be the two... I was hoping that Lacey would be in the bottom three but she wasn't... she's good, but Sabra and Sara are better I think...

Today I need to enjoy my last full day of unemployment... maybe lay on the sofa with my dog. Paint my toenails - WAIT A MINUTE! the Nordstrom Half Yearly Sale starts today... I could spend my $31.27 on something pretty!

It all comes down to a dancing pickle...

I think I mentioned earlier that I had signed up for a free dating website. I received an email the other day from someone who called me "sweetheart". He said something about wanting to meet me and then he inserted a dancing pickle emoticon. I'm sorry, but I can't take anyone seriously with a dancing pickle.

I am happy to report that Stinky is feeling much better. The hives pretty much persisted all day and she was very uncomfortable. This morning she seems to be doing fine.

Today I have my interview and then I am stopping by to talk to talk to another attorney I worked for to see if I can help her out with some things.

I should be getting paid finally for all the ww meetings I've been working... it's only been about two months. Let's go check. Nope, no money yet, but Basic Health did get my payment and I will hopefully have some health insurance soon... do you know how long it's been since I've been to the doctor? I hope I'm not falling apart.

Stinky's eventfull morning...

It's mornings like this that you dread... at 2:45 this morning Stinky (Tucker is her real name for all you new readers) started fussing. My mom put her out and then tried to get her back to sleep but she kept on fussing. Around 4:15 she woke me up and I took her to my bed with me for a while.. I did notice that her breathing was a bit fast but didn't really think much more about it. I took her downstairs around 6 and went back to bed. around 6:20 my mom brought her upstairs and showed me her belly and it had hives on it.

We then noticed that she had hives all over her head and muzzle... we took her to the emergency vet because she was swelling up like a balloon. She got benydryll and steroids and seems to be doing better... The vet thinks she either was in contact with a spider or a wasp and had an allergic reaction.

I hate the feeling of being out of control... To think that Stinky might not make it... anxiety and stress... I was physically shaking before we took her to the vet.. (although it was just my knee).. I can only imagine what it's like when a human that you care for is in one of these situations...

So I guess if I had to sum up this morning I would say... let the people you care about know it, because you never know what's going to happen....

Good News...

I finally poured the casts of my feet today... it feels good to make things... I've been missing having a studio to work in.

On another note, I have an interview on Thursday for that temp job... it's working for a law firm as an office services clerk... artist/office services clerk.... sounds about as good as an artist/runner (oh, who am I kidding...).

I was perusing the law firm's website yesterday and saw that there are a few people who work there that I know. One of them is my former supervisor - she's now a paralegal. I could tell some stories about the old days - but then I'd have to kill you all and that would take far too much time.

Full Discolsure?

When you have a blog it's hard to keep things private, not that I have anything too serious to hide...

I suppose that's the nature of the beast - if you choose to spread the love and joy in your life with everyone in the universe (or cyberuniverse) you have to be able to deal with judgement from people. I say welcome to my life - messy parts and all.

I was talking to my friend Kristen yesterday and an attorney that we used to work for is looking for someone to help her out with office work temporarily... I am going to call her today. It will be nice to have something to do even if it is only for a few days. I also have a lead on a one month assignment that starts at the end of the month. I hope I get it because I need to save some money by the end of the summer (start your speculation as to why here).

I suppose I should head off to the gym. It will be good for me... maybe I'll mix it up and do some weights.

I leave you with another picture from the bridge run

More photos

Nothing like a few photos of workers and sunrises. They go together like coffee and donuts... (maybe?).

Photo's of the run...

I finally got photo's to upload... here are a few choice selections for you all...




I'm surprised I was so bright and cheery at 6:30 am






That guy in the black is my friend Bryan... you might recognize him from other posts. He's the friend who I have lunch with.





This is the trooper who was on the bridge deck... he's kind of cute don't you think?


And we end this post with a fashion don't... I like the idea of a running skirt, but not if you have cellulite.

Bridge run...

If I could ever get my photos to upload I would show you some swell pictures of this mornings events... Maybe I'll try from firefox...

It's 4:30 am...

I haven't been up this early since I was fishing up grad school and worrying about my little computer...
I can't stay long. I have to get myself put together for the 5k. Pictures to come later

Let's see if I can stay awake.

The amazing emoticon...

If you have no idea of what I'm talking about here's a picture...


They are those funny little things that express emotion in emails, personal ads and documents. I find the name emoticon sort of funny.... although I don't particularly like them when they are used... something to think about.

Today my weigh in went as expected... I was up six pounds from 5 weeks ago. I did commit to tracking what I ate for three days this week... (nice two minute motivation Phil!). I didn't think I could commit to more than that.

At the wedding I only screwed up once with the music - but I blame the minister... okay so you're saying to yourself "sure, she's blaming someone else" but really, right before for recessional he looked over to me in the doorway and nodded... how was I supposed to know that the father of the (bride or groom - I'm not sure which) was going to invite everyone downstairs to the reception. I don't think it was too bad... I still got paid. I took my wages and went to Trader Joe's on my way home, I bought brown rice and fake sausage links and patties.

Tomorrow I'm being picked up at 5 am to go to Tacoma... it should be fun. I'll be sure to post photos.

Slug.

I am one... yesterday started out so well and ended with a thud. I managed to watch a bunch of episodes of What Not to Wear and then go to bed at 9:30. How's that for a Friday night?

It's times like these that I wish I had a "normal" life... I've never been one to get out and socialize or just go do things with other people. I wish I could make myself do those things... I might be a bit happier. Not that I'm not happy, I just think my overall mood swings would be less noticeable if I had more going on...

This morning I have to weigh in at my meeting. I'm not looking forward to it, but I have to do it. It also turns out that I get to help with another wedding today. The person who was going to run the CD player for the ceremony backed out so I am going to get paid $75.00 for pushing a few buttons... I just hope I don't screw up.

I've got to go and face the digits... aye aye aye!

Atmosphere

The sky is a beautiful thing sometimes. These shots were taken last night from my back yard. It wasn't as hot yesterday which was nice - I slept fairly well.

If I was really motivated I would go to the gym right now... nope, my butt isn't moving out of this chair...

On Sunday I am participating in the 5k walk/run over the new Tacoma Narrows bridge. I will take along my camera and try to take some pictures for you all to enjoy. This will be considered my training for the 8k Torchlight run on the 28th. Man, I really should go to the gym...

I heart my new phone...

if I had a picture to post I would... it's just spiffy... I can even take videos on it.

I might have a long term temp job lined up... but it doesn't pay as much as I would like. I guess I should just suck it up and take it because I need to earn some money. We'll see how it goes... they want someone for two months but I am only available until the end of August (Start your speculation why here....).

I'm sort of at the point where I don't really want to work but I have to earn some money soon or I'll be in trouble.

Tonight my momma and I walked down to Jalisco's for dinner... it was yummy. I had arroz con pollo. Tomorrow I'm going to check in with my dad. He's been on vacation and I haven't seen him for a while... I have to get back to SYTYCD. Later

Heat is hot.

Duh... it reached 97 degrees yesterday... I was hot but not too uncomfortable. I have Chicago to thank for that... I would take a 97 with dry heat over 85 with humidity. I only had to take one shower yesterday as opposed to three.

High point today will be getting my new cell phone. I will try to make the casts of my feet as well... it will be good to do some work like that.

I have floated the idea of going to a pub mixer to my friend Kristen... I haven't seen her since I moved back, but we're both young (ahem) single girls... we have a lot to offer and I could give up my television watching for one night (even though Brother and SYTYCD are on).

I've had a few calls from the temp agency about jobs... I am going to return them today... I have to start earning some money... I also found out that WW had been holding my pay because my ex territory manager hadn't completed the paperwork on my transfer. This means no paycheck until next week.

Dial up... my old friend.

This morning I am having problems with my wifi connection so I am coming to you vial the old dial up way...

I went to the Chiropractor this morning and I am feeling better... now if I could just get a tummy tuck and thinner thighs things would be hunky-dory.

Yesterday I talked to Karolina for the first time since I've been back in Seattle. I sure do miss her. You don't usually realize what you've had until it's gone... and I sure do miss her being around all the time to calm me down (I have a tendency to get stressed out if you haven't noticed). If I could afford it I would take a trip to Chicago to see my friends... maybe when I'm a rich and famous artist I will...

I've said it before and I'll say it again...

my body is killing me. That slip and slide wrecked me. As usual it's the left hip and right shoulder... it's gotten to the point where it's waking me up at night. I also made a mistake and my chiropractic appointment isn't until tomorrow.

Sooo... on the dating front, I responded to some of my emails on the new site. I seem to attract very old men.. which is not necessarily a bad thing but... these are creepy old men. There was an average sort of fella who works on transmissions in Bellevue... maybe I should email him back. The problem is I don't know how to date... I'm pathetic in that sense.

Last night as I was channel surfing I came across the show on TLC called Big Medicine - it's about weight loss surgery. They were talking about a patient of theirs who looked terrific but still thought of herself as a buddy with guys because that's what she had always been. Now, when she was rejected she didn't have the weight to blame it on anymore and dating was becoming an issue. I hope that made sense as I explained it... to get to my point (and I do have one) I can totally relate to her thinking... I was large for so long it was a buffer... I still think of myself as the fat girl even though physically I'm not. I definitely think better of myself but it's been slow going even to get to this point.



Here is a picture of Julie and me (myself??) taken the night before I left Chicago (for those of you underage readers - yes, I was a little bit tipsy but I walked home and didn't drink irresponsibly)... that was one of my best nights in recent memory... I'm working on making other good memories it's just taking a bit....

Well, I better be off. I'm going to exercise with my friend Melinda today... the official weight when I got on the scale this morning was 147.5 (yikes)... I've just got to do what I need to do to get back down to where I need to be. I've been doing the emotional eating hard core for the last few weeks and it's time to stop.

I would have posted earlier...

but I was having problems.

It's official. I'm up a few pounds (five???) from my cookie fest at camp.

I went to the gym today and worked at WW this evening. I haven't been paid yet for any of the meetings I've worked in Seattle... I'm beginning to feel poor.

The photo above is of a tree on the lake at camp. As things get less weird (I don't know why things are weird, they just are...) I will post more.

Today I cracked out the Flex Wax and made a few molds of my foot. It was calming in a way... if only I had some studio space I might feel more normal.

I also signed up for a new singles website. It's called plenty of fish.. I've gotten a few responses - but It basically comes down to the fact that I am scared sh(&less to do anything about being single... I hate the thought of having to talk to people... I'm a wimp.

What now?

I'm having a weird day. I feel the pangs of lonliness creeping in again. It will pass as it always does.

Last week I had a little incident on the home made slip and slide at camp. My body still hasn't recovered.... good thing I'm visiting the chiropractor on Tuesday.

My head hurts... I think I'll go to bed soon.

Belly laughs???

I am back home now and my Mother pointed out the fact that I have gained a little bit of a belly while I was at camp.

I know she means well, but hey - I like my food. At least I can still fit into my size 4 shorts and small top... so there.

I guess it's back to the gym tomorrow.

Camp was great... I took some pictures this afternoon. I will post them later.

Dance Time!

Tonight we are having a dance. The first time I ever danced with a boy was here. I mean REALLY danced... I had that wooshy feeling.

I'll post an update later.

My tree...

In honor of my tenth summer camp counseling (nine years ago) a dogwood tree was planted in my honor. This is a photo I took of its blossoms yesterday.

If I were ever to get a tattoo I would get a dogwood blossom... or a tattoo of stretch marks over my stretch marks...

Talent...

I don't have it, but some of the campers do. I'm sitting here waiting for the talent show to begin. I am lucky... my cabin decided that I was not needed in our skit. Whew! I dislike the Talent Show with a passion.. okay, maybe dislike is a harsh word, but it's the first that comes to mind.

Last night I did an interpretive fireworks dance thing.... I think I pulled something in my shoulder. Hopefully I will recover in time for the dance tomorrow night. Maybe later I will reminisce about the first time I danced with a boy... it was here... we danced to a Cyndi Lauper song. Oh the memories.

The placing of the hands...

here are some of the hands that were cast....

I slept funny last night and my shoulder hurts... ouch. I'm looking forward to seeing my chiropractor next Tuesday.

Here we are again...

I don't exactly know how I feel about having wifi at camp. It's strange being able to blog here.

Camp has been good so far... eating too much... I have gas. yikes!

I don't have much time so I better go.
xo

Ouch again and again.

The day before yesterday I did this workout called turbojam... It should be call let's kick you A$$. My body hurts... I aslo went down this make-shift slip and slide yesterday and think I dislodged some food that had been stuck in one of my back molars for a few years when I hit the turf on my tummy.

I'm not saything that's a bad thing, but I'm sore. I have not been doing such a swell job of portion control... hmmmm.

But I'm at camp

Camp day two...

wore a bathing suit without covering up. BREAKTHROUGH! Art project a hit. I am a babe. Somebody date me!

Camp part due...

I'm here, there's wifi... no I will not be blogging daily but I will try a few times to get things posted.

I had turkey sausage for breakfast (a favorite of mine) and a biscuit with jam. yum.

I am going to gain twelve pounds while I"m here.

Five hours until the campers arrive.