September

So, we are only 4 days into September and already I have witnessed the following Facebook status updates/ads/notices of fall:

1. Pumpkins are available at the local grocery store!
2. Bought by first pumpkin spice latte at Starbucks!
3. An ad popped up showing tall wedge boots that had me on Zappos to see if I can finally find a pair I love this year.
4. Target is making room for their Halloween merchandise!

I am ready. I love fall.

I want to wear my most favorite Gap blue jean jacket, wrap a scarf around my neck, watch the leaves turn shades of gold, and sip a mug of hot coffee (sorry, pumpkin spice lattes doesn't do it for me), however, I will take that pumpkin chocolate chip muffin/bread/scone/cake, please.

I want to decorate glass containers with mini pumpkins and gourds.

I want to drink red wine with friends on a patio with a fire pit blazing. Oh, who am I kidding. I want to drink red wine with friends on a patio pretty much any season, but it's even more perfect in the fall.

I want to snooze on the sofa with a book while football blares in the background.

I want to make a big pot of chili with a side of fritos, sour cream, and cheddar cheese.

I want to eat grilled cheese sandwiches with tomato soup.

I want to have a real reason to buy bags of miniature-sized candy.

I want to run in long sleeve shirts.

However, our pool is still open for a few more weekends, my shoulders are still tan, my daughters are still wearing sundresses, I really don't want to put away my white jeans and Bonannos, plus it's still 80+ degrees with 80%+ humidity.

So what's a girl to do?

Transition

After four years, I will be changing to the role of Working Mom. It's really hard for me to believe that four years ago, I had all intentions to stay at work full time, but when I was laid off after M&L were born, I somehow just sailed into the role of stay at home Mom/somewhat freelance marketing person/Junior League President and made it work.

I'm excited and a little nervous. I'm also a little sad, because it also means that my babies are growing up and don't NEED me as much. They have happily pranced into their new daycare this week and not looked back. We have been working on an ease-in schedule, but when I stopped by at 3PM yesterday, they asked to stay. So much for not throwing them into a new school, but I'm sure if we had done it that way, my plan would have backfired.

So, starting Monday, I will be commuting 30+ minutes, starting work at an amazing company in a big marketing department, and hopefully getting back in the groove of full-time, office politics, commuting, etc.

When I had made the decision to return to work, I had an idea of where I thought I would end up and this was probably the furthest from my mind, but I am excited for the challenge and the opportunity. I went on interviews with 6 companies, received two offers, three polite no's, and one that deserves a blog post.

Here's to my last few couple of days of sipping coffee and checking blogs!

Random Tuesday

So, today started with a hard nearly-4 mile run in the neighborhood ... this was after oversleeping and not running at 5:45 AM with my girlies. Whoops. So guilt forced me out the door at 9:15 AM when it was already HOT. But, I managed 3.89 miles in under a 10 minute mile, so go me.

Funniest sight along the way ... "50 Shades of Gray Painting Company" sign in someone's yard. How much business is that guy getting!?!

Next, I went to visit a potential Showhouse location for the Junior League. Amazing, but I have been sworn to secrecy, but AMAZING including hand-forged wrought iron, elevator, murals, etc. etc.

A trip to Wally World with the girls who managed to get in and out of the cart about 1,000 times, but I was proud when there were no meltdowns over not buying miniature etch-a-sketches.

A late and much needed shower turned into someone scribbling with a green marker over all of the throw pillows on the sofa. Arrrrgh. No one fessed up, but luckily, everything came out and nearly all of the slipcovers are clean and hanging to dry around our house.

The night ended with dinner prepared by moi, a family walk around the neighborhood, a skinned knee, hydrangea picking, bathtime and bedtime.

Now, off to read Catching Fire ... I might have to download the 3rd book tonight. Squeeal!

Where to go, what to do

I had the opportunity to serve in a big role (President) of my local Junior League. As much as it has been a sacrifice and true learning opportunity, it has also afforded me skills, strengths, and dedication that I didn't know I had. It pushed my limits, humbled me on so many occasions, and gave me so much more than I ever bargained for.

As the last few days of my term are coming to a close and my part-time job is over, I am now faced with a looming WHAT'S NEXT?

I have worked part time, but made this volunteer position a priority. I have relied on my husband, family, preschool, and sitters to take care of my children.

There is part of me that literally wants to lie on the sofa, eat cheese and wheat thins, catch up on all my reading, Mad Men watching, etc, but then part of me is itching to figure out the next phase.

So, I am applying for jobs, or trying to find jobs to apply to. I am working my connections and trying to make this next step one that will be positive, life-changing, and done for the right reasons.

I am trying to sit down on the floor and play princess, or color, or just sit and read without worrying about the computer, or email, or phone calls.

I am trying to enjoy time with the Hubby that we can just talk, or not talk, and not worry about the computer, or email, or phone calls, or agendas.

I am trying to spend time with my friends that have probably suffered during this experience. I know I haven't been as available as I would have liked and without those women, I wouldn't have been able to do this. I didn't mean to put some of our friendships on hold, but in some ways I feel like I have.

I am going to run a marathon ... that in itself is still a little unbelievable and after a hard-as-hell 6 mile run yesterday, I have realized that I have to get my mind wrapped around this.

I am hoping to use this blog more, get back into writing, and using this community for the positive messages that it does bring.

So, stay tuned!

A little insomnia

will get you ...

Two organized kitchen drawers.

A pot of coffee.

A few returned emails.

Edits to a weekly e-newsletter.

Bad drawings on DrawSomething.

A little Facebooking/Blog reading/online newspaper reading.

Calendar updating.

A found tax letter that wasn't in our file to go to the CPA.

Feeling somewhat productive, sleepy, but not enough to fall asleep.

Now we're talking

Food and running. Running and food.

I can always talk/write about those two topics, so here goes.

Some of my running faves.

1. Garmin - yes, I love having a Garmin to keep track of time/pace while running, to analyze the heck out of fast runs/slow runs afterward.  It has been a helpful tool for me.  Otherwise,  I would have completely no idea how fast or how far I am running.  This is the one that Hubby and I have. Nothing fancy and we found it on sale at Target.

2. Shoes.  For me, it is the Brooks Adrenaline. I have been wearing these for several years and they are my favorite.  I wear them about a 1/2-1 whole size bigger than my normal shoe size.  They give me enough support that I need, don't seem to rub blisters like some other shoes did, and while they aren't cheap, they definitely aren't the most expensive shoe out there.  I do recommend, go to your local running store and get properly fitted for shoes.  I promise you that it makes a difference.

3. Of course, it's also all about the clothes.  I typically run in jog bras/tanks/tees from Target in the C9 line. Cheap, cute, and made with wicking material is usually good enough for me.  I did discover Old Navy running capris this that have been wonderful.  You can typically find them on sale for $15 and I think for the price, they are as good as the expensive brands.  I also love the Nike Tempo Track shorts, skirts from Brooks, and running jackets from Moving Comfort.   I go back and forth between paying $10 for a shirt to blowing the bank on a Moving Comfort jacket at a race Expo when I didn't properly pack.

4. Just so I can incorporate food into the conversation ... some of my favorite pre-run foods include bananas, oatmeal, whole wheat toast with peanut butter & banana, mini Luna bars or mini Clif bars.  I tend to run primarily in the morning, so breakfast foods are typically what I eat. It also depends on the mileage, time of day, how late I oversleep, and when I ate dinner the previous night if it's an early run.

While running, I like Clif Shot Blocks (a bit chewy, but they tend to be more gentle on my stomach), Honey Stinger chews, or Gu Chomps.   Sometimes I will pack a mini Luna bar, or try to schedule runs so I can pick up a banana from my car.  I have a couple of running buddies who will run with a banana, but I'm not sure if I'm that graceful.

Post-run, I am usually all about coffee, chocolate milk, gatorade, etc. Then, my hunger hits and I try to make healthy choices so I don't ruin the benefits of the run!  Again, I think that meal depends on the mileage, time of day, and when I ate dinner the previous night!

Marathon training officially begins in June, so there will definitely be more on this topic to follow.

Deep thoughts

So how bad is it when the blog is neglected for a month and no one notices?  Ahem.

I don't do twitter, so I don't feel like I can switch that platform.

I'm not really blogging about "love and labradors" anymore.  I could quite possibly change the title to "Volunteering, running, chasing two princesses, whilst trying to decide what I want to do when I grow up." A bit too long, don't you think.

I've contemplated shutting it down, but I love this community and still enjoy checking in on folks, stalking other blogs, re-reading old posts when I actually used to write.

So, in a nutshell, here is what is going on:

• Two more months left of life as a Junior League President - I think this could be a blog in itself.
• Contemplating full-time jobs and daycare.
• Enjoying my time with two nearly four-year-olds that add light, laughs, and gray hair to my days.
• I will be running a MARATHON this October.
• Thinking about turning 40(!) next year.

Hopefully, I'll figure out a direction soon, or at least post more than once a year. 

xoxo 

1-2-2012

It's hard to believe that we rang in 2012 in rain boots.  Well, with two 3 1/2 year olds, anything is possible.  It wasn't rainy, but actually almost balmy yesterday and Maddy insisted that she needed her boots to play outside.

I had a nice run with friends this morning.  Part run/part therapy session and those are always good. Now, finally to take a much needed shower and to take 5 bags of purge-related clothing and house accessories to the Bargain Box.

A look back and a look forward

2011 has truly been a whirlwind of a year ... I had to take a peek back at my 2011 resolutions.

http://loveandlabs.blogspot.com/2010_12_01_archive.html

Well, I did OK on some parts.

1. I did keep running ~ 428 ish miles this year and I ran two half's with a new PR of 2:09, a 5 miler, 5k, and 10k too.

2. Simplify/less stress.  Hmmmm, not so sure if I accomplished this one.

3. Something just for me.  Does President of the Junior League count?  The bikram yoga or photography classes sure didn't happen.

4. Job that I love.  Still trying - have a good contract job now, but it will end in Feb. sigh.  Maybe I'm not meant to work ... too bad that income thing gets in the way.

5.  Better mommy/wife/friend - I think I'm batting about a 50/50 here and it depends on the day.

I think the word busy sums up 2011.  I truly don't know what happened to the month of November and I keep trying to remind myself to slow down, breathe, and enjoy, but it doesn't always happen.

Our overall job situation was iffy.  And stressful.  And frustrating.  Hopeful for new beginnings in 2012 on that part.

So, looking ahead to 2012.

Running Goals

1. Run a marathon.  Ok, so there it is. In print.  On the internet.  Here goes nothing.

2. Run a 2:05 half marathon.

Can I just repeat #'s 2-5 for this year?

Possibly add a "figure out what the heck to do with this blog" resolution.  Running? Toddlers? I don't talk as much about love or Labradors anymore.  The big dogs are still around and still enjoying snacking off low tables, cleaning the floors after dinner, sunbaths, and belly rubs.

Looking forward to continuing to declutter/de-Christmasfy the house.  I have 4 trash bags ready to take to the Bargain Box thrift store and hoping to tackle the tree and decorations tomorrow.

So, here's to 2012!  Happy New Year!  Bring on 2012.

Cheating

Kelly tagged me recently and the deal is that you had to list 11 random facts, answer 11 questions, and then make up 11 questions, and tag 11 people.  Well, reading all of that wore me out, so I am cheating a bit and will just answer the questions she asked.

11 questions I am asking you!

1.  What is your favorite food? Oh so many. Cheese, salmon, a good salad, crabcakes, twice-baked potatoes, steak, flourless chocolate cake, e Can I just answer yes to this question?

2.  Coke or Pepsi? Really neither - I rarely drink sodas.  When I do, it would probably be a diet Coke. 

3.  Where did you go on your FIRST airplane ride? When I was in 2nd grade or so, to Cleveland, OH for my cousin's wedding.

4.  Favorite Christmas/Holiday tradition? Attending our Candlelight Christmas Eve service, then driving through a local neighborhood to see their amazing Christmas lights.

5.  What's your favorite Christmas song? Silent Night and Joy to the World

6.  Are you a morning or night person? Morning person, but more by habit, force, and coffee.

7.  If you work, and went to college, is your profession in the same field as your major? Actually, yes.

8.  What is your favorite state you have visited or lived in? Why? 

9.  If you won $1000 from a scratch off lottery ticket, what would you do with it? I would love to say something fun, but that $1000 would go to the regular ol' monthly bills.

10.  What's your stress reliever? RUNNING

11.  What was your first car? VW Rabbit nicknamed "Bucky" since I learned to drive a stick using it.

Testing, Testing ...

This morning, we were in our usual routine of guzzling coffee, helping dress children, packing lunches, a little screaming and negotiation, brushing hair and teeth, etc.

I was helping Libby get dressed when Maddy walked in the room, carrying something pink.

"Mommy, what's this?" she asked.

I looked down and said, "Well, that would be a pregnancy test."

"I like it. It's pink."

I told her to take it to Daddy.

Pause for about 10 seconds and in walked Hubby with a strange look on his face.

"Surprise!" I yelled and he may have mumbled something about an immaculate conception, but that's a post for another day.

Yes, I would be the nerd who saved my pregnancy test(s) from when I found out I was pregnant with Maddy and Libby. I promise, honey. Double pinky swear promise.

I will say that Maddy's timing is impressive. This week, four years ago, I took that exact test and was shocked and amazed to look down and see a pink plus sign.

Day 27

I am thankful for a mug of hot coffee to wrap my hands around and sip whilst reading all the lovely blogs.

Days 24 and 25

Thankful for Words with Friends and painting with friends.

Day 23

Thankful for
half - day workdays
surprise visitors at work
pumpkin spice cookies
cranberry relish
wine
dinner with hubby
good movies
Thanksgiving

Day 2 1 and 22

After venting about my girls, they can also break my heart. Last night, I arrived home after a meeting and they were still awake. I went upstairs to "re-tuck" them in. I was heading out of the room when Libby said, "Mama ... you didn't give me a hug, and a kiss, and a wiggle."

Just turn that knife in my heart, honey.

So, I am thankful for daughters that remind me to give hugs, kisses, and wiggles (eskimo kisses).

I am also thankful for the ability to run. It keeps me sane and healthy.

Day 20

Today, I am thankful for wine as a coping mechanism to deal with two grumpy three-year-olds who in the last hour have told me:

I cannot walk.

I can't get up (off the potty). My feet are too itchy.

I don't want to wash my hands.

I can't wash my hands.

I don't like to wash my hands.

They are now in bed, about 30 minutes early, but not asleep, and that is OK with me. I think we all needed a break from each other. Whew.

Days, Um 15 - 19

Ok, so one of my friends gently reminded me that I am waaaayyy behind on my days of thankfulness, so I will try to wrap up my week.

Thankful for a new half marathon PR - 2:09:46. I didn't see that one coming, so it really made me proud.

Thankful that I had the ability to hear Dee Dee Myers speak on why women should rule the world. In a room of nearly 1,000 women and a handful of squirming men, it was a very inspiring luncheon, with a few aha moments along the way.

Thankful for coffee this week. On rainy days, it makes me feel cozy.

Thankful for friends who help me keep it real. Fo' real tho.

Thankful that our JLG magazine, The Evergreene hit mailboxes yesterday ... a week earlier than scheduled and that it is truly full of great articles.

Day 14

Thankful that I have a husband who cooks and tries to do so healthfully.

Hubby found a new recipe for Rocco's "almost" General Tso's chicken and made it for dinner. Yummy, healthy, and spicy!!

Day 13

I am thankful for swings in our backyard. Not the toddler kind, but the rope swing that hangs from a limb about 100 feet up.

Lets just say that thirty-something year olds aren't too old to swing.

Day Twelve

Thankful for another beautiful fall day ... same as it was six years ago.

Happy Anniversary, Hubby!