Friday Fragments

Friday Fragments is brought to you by Mrs4444!





I've just about had it with winter and single-digit temperatures. I'm SO ready for spring! I know it's right around the corner, I can see the sun starting to peek over the hills on my way to work in the mornings.



I had Skyline Chili this week for the first (and last!) time. Yes, I've been in Cincinnati for 15 (!!) years and have never been to Skyline. It's just not my thing. I like chili and I like spaghetti, but I don't think those two things should ever be combined. We had an out of towner in the office and they insisted on taking him to this Cincinnati landmark. I think my friend Jeni said it best on my FB page - "yuck, sorry... I've never made it past the smell and way it looks like cat food that the cat threw back up."



Don't I just look absolutely thrilled to be there?



See my awesome ponytail? I haven't had the motivation to blowdry my hair since New Year's Eve. How sad is that? Part of the problem is that I'm in desperate need of a haircut (I don't rock long hair well) and part of it is just pure laziness. I'd rather sleep an extra 10 minutes.



I have to make cookies for Charlie's valentine's party on Monday. I want to do some kind of chocolate cookie with pink frosting. I have a great chocolate cookie recipe that I've been dying to try, but the idea of just dipping some oreos in white chocolate and covering them in pink sprinkles is starting to sound appealing. Especially since I promised mom homemade lasagna and chocolate lava cakes for her birthday on Sunday.



Last night's Office was pretty good. There were a lot of awesomely funny quotes, but not many that I was comfortable posting on my FB wall, which includes co-workers and young family members. In order to keep things somewhat clean, I went with a Michael Scott-ism this week.



Michael: It goes to show that you get everything you want in life, and you don't even have to work for it, it just comes to you.



In honor of Valentine's Day, NPR did a story on the best break-up songs. I was shocked to find that I had only heard of ONE of the five they showcased. My 15-year-old self was disappointed that Nazareth's Love Hurts didn't make the cut, as I spent hours upon hours listening to that song on repeat after my first "real" boyfriend broke up with me the night before my family left for a 20 hour road trip to Florida. But I'm not bitter, or anything ;)





Have a happy Friday!

It's Official! And, Big Plans.

As of 10 minutes ago I'm officially registered for the Flying Pig marathon. Whee! (I do feel just a little nauseous thinking about it)

When I decided that I wanted to run the Pig I briefly considered signing up with one of the charity teams, like Team in Training or the Race for the Cure group. I knew that I wanted to do something good with my time and raise money for a good cause, but I was afraid that I wouldn't actually be able to cross the finish line.

When I crossed the double digit mileage mark a few weeks ago and started to get pretty confident in my ability to finish the race, I started thinking again about what organization I wanted to run for.

Then I had the perfect idea - one of Charlie's favorite daycare teachers is currently undergoing treatment for cancer. She's super young - only 24! - and is missing a lot of time at work. We all know that care work doesn't pay super well to begin with, but to have an entire month of no income has to be rough. So I've decided to turn my marathon run into a benefit for her. I talked to her about it yesterday and the center director about it today, and everyone is totally on board with the plan. I need a website and a paypal account and... what else? I've never done anything like this before, but I'm really excited about doing something good.

Details to follow!

And of course, all I can think about is the Michael Scott Fun Run. Anyone for carbo loading?

Best Superbowl Commercial Ever

Maybe it's just because I have a little boy of my own who is obsessed with all things Star Wars (especially Darth Vader), but watching this one made me feel a little teary.

Friday Fragments

Friday Fragments is brought to you by Mrs4444!





I feel like Charlie grew into a little boy overnight. One day he was a little toddler, and then he woke up one morning and was a tall, outspoken, independent little person. Of course there's nothing better than watching them grow and develop, but it's still kind of sad at the same time.



Of course, if you ask him he'll tell you "I'm not a little boy, I'm a tiger!"



We're getting more snow tonight. MORE SNOW. I know I shouldn't complain, since we were (mostly) spared the massive storm the rest of the country got this week, but I'm not looking forward to running in the snow. Not just IN the snow, but while the snow is falling. That stuff stings!

I guess snow is better than sub-zero temperatures. I snapped this one two weeks ago when I pulled up in front of the Running Spot.





It's Girl Scout Cookie time! I submitted my usual order for one box of Thin Mints and one box of Samoas. Yum!



It probably won't surprise anyone that Thin Mints are the best-selling Girl Scout Cookie, accounting for 25% of sales. What is somewhat surprising is the second best - it's Samoas, at 19%. I would have thought Tagalongs were the second best, but they only bring in 13%. Samoas always seem so polarizing - you either LOVE them or you hate them. Mmmmm, cookies and statistics. What a delicious combination.



Did you know they've trimmed the Girl Scout Cookie lineup this year? They cut it down to six! I don't really mind all that much, as I thought the expansion of the product line had gotten a little out of control, anyway.

I was a Girl Scout for 10 years and Cookie Season was always my favorite. I loved selling cookies. Those 10 years also included an incredibly disastrous stint as a camp counselor, but that's a longer post for another day.



I was all set to revive my Office QOTW, but the last two episodes have just been disappointing.



I DVRed a program called Yoga for Runners last week and tried it out over the weekend. It's really freaking hard to do yoga with a cat in the house. He had no interest in sharing the yoga mat and then decided that it would be super fun to attack my feet and calves. Kitten teeth are like needles through the skin.



Sometimes C says things that surprise me, in the "I thought I knew you!" sense. We were giving Charlie a bath the other night and somehow Brooke Shields came up. I think it was in the context of Charlie Sheen. I don't know why we were talking about him, either, but that's irrelevant. Anyway, so C said something about Brooke Shields, and I said something about "who is she, anyway?" and he said "You don't know who Brooke Shields is? She was a model. A Revlon model. And then she had a TV show."



We had a date night last week. It involved Five Guys and UC Bearcat basketball. You know you're jealous....





Have a good weekend!

Flying Pig Training - Update

I've been trying not to let this turn into a running blog, so I haven't posted all that much about my Flying Pig training. I thought I deserved an update and brag session right about now.

I ran over 100 miles in January. 101.8 according to Daily Mile, but I ran two other days in January before I started using their program. Of course, I didn't write it down, so we'll just call it over 100.

Got some new shoes after my first long run when I realized that a proper pair of running shoes was pretty much a necessity.



I'm able to run at a much faster pace than I was anticipating. On short runs I can run 9:30ish miles with no problems at all. Sometimes, I can even run a sub-9:00, which is exciting. Given that, I'm still of the mindset that "slow and steady wins the race," so my goal for the actual marathon is a nice, consistent, comfortable 10:30, which translates to about 4.5 hours. I don't like running faster, I like running longer.

On Saturday, I ran my longest run ever, with the help of my running buddy. We ran 12.64 miles. Sure, sure, we only got that extra .64 because we made a wrong turn, but we still did it. That's a half mile short of a half marathon, or just about five more minutes of running.

I decided that I'm going to run the Heart Half Marathon in March. I'd like to have an actual race behind me before going into the Pig. That way I'll know what to expect.

I'm excited!

The Awesome

I eat my fair share of Luna bars - probably 4 or 5 a week, including the protein variety after long runs. Last week at Whole Foods I noticed two new flavors - Chocolate Chunk and Chocolate Dipped Coconut - so I decided to pick up one of each, in addition to my favorite standby (chocolate raspberry, in case you care).

I could probably do without the chocolate chunk. Wasn't anything special. But the Chocolate Dipped Coconut? I think I'm in love.



They taste just like my second favorite Girl Scout Cookie.



Speaking of Girl Scout Cookies, did you hear that they've cut back on the offerings? They're back down to only six now. But that's a post for another day.

And no, no one sponsored this blog post, I just like to share things I like.

The Sound of Silence

Charlie slept until 8:30 yesterday morning. Or so I thought.

C and I had gone out with some friends the night before and got back home pretty late - way past my usual bedtime. I woke up around 7, realized that Charlie was still sleeping, and went back to bed. I woke up again around 8:15 and jumped in the shower. Shortly after I got in, Charlie started whining to get up, so C went in to get him. A few seconds later I heard chaos from down the hall and then the sound of the bath water running. I knew it couldn't be good. It wasn't.

It turns out that while I was lying in bed enjoying the peace and quiet and thinking about how lucky I was that my toddler had decided to sleep in, he had decided to change his own dirty diaper (still in diapers overnight). I walked in to find the offending diaper on the dresser with an entire (new!) package of baby wipes mushed up inside of it. Not that he pulled the whole package out in one chunk, either. Each wipe was individually removed, used, and crumpled up. It took some TIME. Of course, that wasn't the worst of it. The worst of it would have to be the poop that had been smushed into the carpet.

Actually, I take that back. The worst of it would be the dirty diaper I found shoved under his bed a few hours later, when I realized that the diaper on the dresser with all of the wipes in it must have been the CLEAN diaper he was trying to put on.

At least he was trying to help, right? And WHEN will I learn that the sound of unexpected silence isn't something to be cherished, but something to be FEARED??

Friday Fav at Beantown Baker

I'm the Fridav Fav over at Beantown Baker's Blog today!




I wrote a post about what it's like to cook with and live with an engineer. Pay her a visit to check out my awesome post, and then stick around for the recipes. She was the inspiration for my peppermint baking spree last month.

I've also had her Chocolate Overdose Cake bookmarked for a while now, just waiting for the perfect occasion.

Ode to Mixie

A million years ago I was really bored at work and spending way too much time on the interwebs talking to my e-friends. It was right before Thanksgiving, 2006, and everyone was talking about the KitchenAid Mixers they were hoping to get for Christmas. I decided to write a song about mine (which I had named Mixie) to distract me from writing a report about shampoo.

Miss you much, Angi, Sara, and LT!

Sing to the tune of "Caress Me Down" by Sublime. (Translation is at the bottom.)

Mucho gusto, me llamo Mixie!
I'm hungrier than monster, cookie!
And if you want to not be hungry then
Go and get me a recipe
You hate me cuz I got what you need,
a kitchen aid mixer with a whisky thingy
and if you want to bake some brownies just
get the eggs out and dump them in me

So I go into the pantry and I get some food
Because I'm in a cooking kind of mood
Chocolate is something that I really must include
If I want a dessert that will be fun to chew
And it went Whirr!
And the mixer goes round and round
Whirr!
That's the mixing sound - it went Whirr!
And the mixer goes round and round
Whirr! That's the mixing sound!
When I need a snackie I just visit Mixie
And in a little while there will be cake or brownies
While I mix it up I lick the spoonie
Unless I'm making bread because that's just yucky
I love my mixer that I got on christmas day
My pookie picked it out for me and passed it my way
It's silver with a bowl lift and a handle to turn
Does everything but make sure that the food doesn't burn

My Mixie, I love it, because it does it all
Just remember to scrape the bowl
My Mixie, I love it, the attachments are so cool
It's such a crazy useful tool

And it went Whirr!
And the mixer goes round and round
Whirr!
That's the mixing sound - it went Whirr!
And the mixer goes round and round
Whirr! That's the mixing sound!

Me gusta oatmeal cookies, (I like oatmeal cookies)
Me gusta pizza dough, (I like pizza dough)
Pero la cosa que me gusta mas es chocolate brownies, (but the thing I love most is chocolate brownies)

Ponga la nalga en la aire if you love brownie bars, (put your [butt] in the air if you love brownie bars)
Ponga la nalga en la aire and you'll get a gold star, (put your [butt] in the air and you'll get a gold star)

No tenga miedo, it's only Mixie, (don't be afraid, it's only Mixie)
Take your recipes, y les mandan a mi, (take your recipes and send them to me)
Levanta, levanta, tienes que gritar, (Get up, Get up, you gotta shout)
Levanta, levanta, tienes que bailar. (Get up Get up, you gotta dance)

What's Worse?

What's worse than watching your team get totally steamrolled in the first half of the game, coming back and giving you a sense of hope in the second half, then failing to defend against the first down with two minutes left to go in the game, ultimately losing by five points?

What's worse? Dreaming that they actually came back and won the damn game, 26 to 24, then waking up and realizing that you were only dreaming, and yes, they actually lost the damn game.

33 days until the Yankees take the field for the first spring training game!

(and yes, I realize that it's only a game and there are more important things in life, but it's still fun anyway)

Friday Fragments

Friday Fragments is brought to you by Mrs4444!

Did you SEE that Jet game on Sunday?? What a freaking game. It was unfreakingbelievable. I felt like I needed a drink after all was said and done.

Can't wait for this weekend's game. J-E-T-S Jets Jets JETS!

I miss blogging. The last two weeks have been super busy and my time spent on the interwebs has been pretty much nonexistent. It's all good though, because I've been busy getting things ready at work for the deployment of our new website. I'm really excited about it. Once the finishing touches have been made and it's live on the site my world will slow back down again.

Next Friday I'm going to be part of Beantown Baker's Friday Favs program. I've been working on a post for the last week or so, which is weird to me because I don't usually write posts in advance. I tend to blog just when I feel like it and have time and random thoughts floating around. Look for it next week, and check out the rest of her blog while you're over there for a lovely collection of recipes.

Snowpocalypse is upon us again. The local news station has a user feedback spotlight on their broadcasts, where they share some of the comments and posts they get on their Twitter feed and Facebook pages. This was one of the ones they showed yesterday:

Back from the store with 3 cases of beer, a carton of cigarettes, and a tank of gas. All stocked up and ready to go.

Really? You couldn't find ANYONE else to include?

Are there any runners out there? I've discovered a site called Daily Mile (actually, I stole the link from For Slow Kids Everywhere) that lets you track your training and post with other local and national runners. It's my new favorite website. If you're a member over there or decide to join, come and find me!

Did you watch The Office last night? It was, hands down, the best episode they've had in a long, long time. I hope the rest of the season is just as good. I haven't laughed out loud like that over a TV show in quite a while. I chose Erin for my QOTW this time, to go along with the new year and the resolutions that so many of us are making.

Erin: My goal was to learn a new word every single day. And I must say, that it is going immensely.

Have a great weekend!

** yawn **

Today is my Monday, and not only am I suffering from a three-day-weekend hangover, but Charlie was out of town last night and I got maybe three hours of sleep. It's really quite ridiculous how scared I get when I'm home alone overnight. It's not like I didn't do it a million times in the past, but it was never as creepy when we lived closer to (or actually in) the city. It's just so quiet around our house, plus we're right up against the deep dark woods. Whoever said countryish living is relaxing didn't have a very active imagination. There are all kinds of things that could be back there. Crazy people, coyotes, aliens, vele, flukemen, teliko, el Chupacabra. (bonus points if you know what show I've been watching too much of)

I usually stay up as late as I can, watching junk TV, playing on the interwebs, or working on work stuff. That way when I finally get into bed (with the downstairs light on!) I'm so tired that I can't help but fall asleep. The downside is that it makes for a pretty rough morning.

Even if I'm 100% exhausted, I still agonize over every little bump and creak that I hear. I lay perfectly still and analyze the noise until I convince myself that it's just the cat or just general house noises.

Then I start to drift off to sleep, only to allow my mind to wander to the creepy girl from The Ring and I start to picture her crawling out of the TV downstairs (another great reason not to have a TV in the bedroom!). If you've seen the movie, then you know exactly what I'm talking about. If not, well, I'd post a picture for you, but then you I wouldn't sleep for days.

Mmmmmmmm, coffee.

Friday Fragments

Friday Fragments is brought to you by Mrs4444!

So apparently I'm not really a Virgo.

Guess it's just the OCD, after all.

Did your zodiac sign change? Will this rock your world, shake your foundation, and cause you to question everything you've ever known to be true? Yeah, me neither. Although, I did have a necklace with the little Virgo symbol on it when I was 14. When it was cool.

Jets at Patriots on Sunday. I know nothing good will come of it, but part of me is just a tiny bit hopeful that the green will prevail. Just a tiny part. That's all I'm allowing.

I really, really love to hate the Patriots, but I have to give it up to Wes Welker and his hilarious press conference - he used a reference to feet at every possible opportunity. If you don't know why that's funny, read this. Now that's snark I can believe in!

I go back and forth between NPR and ESPN radio in the mornings. Yes, I know it's an odd combination. It's even weirder when I happen to catch the NPR peeps doing sports reporting. It just sounds so forced and so restrained, especially compared to the excitement that you get from Mike & Mike. Sometimes I wonder if they've ever even seen a football game.

Sometimes I think we should all just stick to what we do best. Except Frank Deford. He freaking rocks.

The Office comes back next week! Can't wait!

Big long run coming up tomorrow. My goal is 10 miles. If you're a runner, have you heard of Daily Mile? If not, check it out. It's pretty awesome.

We had a DVRgument in our house the other day. I'm really bad about recording things that I want to watch and then letting them sit in the queue for weeks months just over a year. C always threatens to erase them, but I really want to watch them sometime. It's documentaries and movies that no one wants to watch but me. Maybe I'm a DVR hoarder.

Have a lovely weekend!

Jon Stewart Gets Serious

I don't know if I've mentioned it lately, but I love, love, love Jon Stewart. He delivered a very serious program after this weekend's tragedy in Tuscon, and I thought I'd share it. Generally speaking, I refrain from talking too much about politics on my blog, but I think that we can all get on board with what he's saying, regardless of our political views.

"I do think that its important for us to watch our rhetoric, I do think that its a worthwhile goal not to conflate our political opponents with our enemies if for no other reason than to draw a better distinction between the manifestos of paranoid mad men and what passes for acceptable political and pundit speak. It would be really nice if the ramblings of crazy people didn’t in any way resemble how we actually talk to each other on TV. Let’s at least make troubled individuals easier to spot."

You can watch the full video here. I definitely recommend watching all 9 minutes and 34 seconds of it. You'll be glad you did.

Know What Sucks?

When you get up early to get to daycare and work before the big snow hits, then get to your office only to find out that it's closed. It wasn't closed when you called at 6:30, because it was too early for anyone else to care. Yay for turning around and making the drive all over again 2 hours later.

Home now with peppermint hot chocolate and the laptop and Yo Gabba Gabba! after a harrowing drive back home, trying (and failing) to be productive. So much more pleasant to cuddle on the couch and play the pile stuff on mom game.

Flying Pig Training - Week 1

Week one is over and done!



I had my first long run with the training group on Saturday. I did a much better job at keeping my speed down, thanks to my new running buddy and one of the group coaches. It was a nice, comfortable run, a good pace to maintain a conversation but still know that I was working hard. We ran over the Cincinnati bridges, through parts of downtown, and past the stadiums. I ended up running nine miles at an 11:02 pace, which also included three shoe-tying stops and a few instances of getting a little bit lost and slowing down to get directions. NINE MILES. And I probably could have kept going. It was amazing, and I'm so proud of myself. That's 2.5 miles farther than I've ever gone before. Even more amazing, it didn't hurt. I even did my 3 mile recovery run yesterday without a struggle.

Good times! New shoes this week, for sure. I forgot that my initial complaint about the shoes I'm running in now (which I originally bought for P90X) was that they seemed a little too narrow for my feet. Makes sense that the discomfort I have is in the arch of my foot. Hopefully new shoes will take care of that problem for me.