Oops

I put myself out of commission the last few days. By kicking my desk at work last Thursday.

Seriously.

I reinjured my foot - the one that had a stress fracture from running my first half marathon in October of 2008. I knew the bones on the top of the foot are fragile, but I didn't realize they were that fragile. I have been sat up at our house during my weeklong vacation. But today I got my old Orthopedic boot from Kole's house and my little sis called to let me know she has crutches.

So, look out world. Here I come! If ever so slowly.

Beginning Slim in 6

So, as part of my 109 in 2009 list, I am trying to be more active. And the list item I have actually dreaded the most is doing Slim in 6, a 6-week, 6-days-a-week workout program. No, I am not a glutton for punishment, but I bought the DVDs a couple of years ago and never really used them. And I can't stand the idea of wasting money.

So, all that to say, this morning I started Slim in 6. And it is boring, the music is horrible and the fitness instructor loses count a lot, but my muscles are aching and I feel much better knowing I did some physical activity today. One of my main goals this year is to get back to a size 4 and maintain it (getting a stress fracture in my foot after my half-marathon run put a damper on my activity level).

So, please wish me luck. I need it.

2009 looks bright

When 2008 came to a close, I had big plans of wrapping everything I have done this year in a nice, neat package. But as anyone who knows me can attest, I suck at wrapping. So, instead, I will just summarize my 108 in 2008 list.

In 2008, I attempted to do 108 new things, or things I just haven’t done in a really long time. Let's see how I did.

1- Learn to knit (Thank you, Sherrie!)(1/09/08)



2- Hang something on my bedroom wall - a photo, a candle holder, some art, a calendar - something!

It was a calendar. Maybe I need to set my sights higher this year - like a photo frame.

3- Volunteer for a worthy cause


This had to be in addition to English School, because I began volunteering there in 2007. So, during December, I helped out at Clark's Christmas Kids with Clark Howard (from AM 750 WSB). You can see more photos from the event in this post.

4- Sing karaoke


(Me and one of my best friends, Bryan) I did this while playing Rock Band - it counts, right?

5- See a play or ballet performance


Cam took me to see A Christmas Carol at The New American Shakespeare Tavern on Peachtree Street. The show was wonderful! I also had food there for the first time and it was very tasty (and reasonably priced!).

10- Go to an opera I saw a live feed from the New York Metropolitan Opera of La Fille du Régiment. It was wonderful.

11- Try a new game


Rayman Raving Rabbids 2 on Wii - hilariously fun! - and Rock Band!

13- Run a half marathon (10/25/08)


I couldn't believe how accomplished I felt after finishing. And how painful a stress fracture can be.

17- Have a taco night


Cam and I made The Food Network's Turkey Tacos Picadillo one night at his place. They were very spicy and delicious. And see that guacamole? That is one of Cam's specialties. You'll have to ask him for the recipe. And just for fun, here is a photo of Cam (with his cousin, Brandon, in the foreground) fixing the infamous guac.


Handsome and he likes to cook. Or as he puts it, he likes to eat.

18- Read the entire Harry Potter series

I bawled reading the last couple of books. I didn't want it to end. I think the Twilight series might make my 2009 list...

19- Visit a state I have never been to, and not just a drive-through.


I went to Arizona for the first time in my life on a mini-vacation in September.


It is incredibly beautiful, I had a wonderful time and want to go back for another visit. You can read about the entire trip here.

23- Throw a party


I helped plan the annual Christmas party thrown by a political group I am heavily involved in.

25- Go on a trip with my sisters


I went to Florida with my beautiful sisters (L-Steph, R- Barb) to visit some family. You can read about the entire trip here.

26- Take a dance lesson

Kole and I took a very special dance class. If you want more details, you'll have to ask me personally. Or Kole.

32- Go to a concert (7/12/08)


Me and Abbs hanging out while watching 7 Sharp 9 in July. They were great!

36- Create a scrapbook

As Cam pointed out, I have referred to this blog as my online scrapbook.

41- Read Son of a Witch: A Novel by Gregory Maguire

I didn't enjoy this book at all. Boo.

46- Read Middlesex: A Novel by Jeffrey Eugenides

I recommend reading Middlesex. It was very interesting and kept me engaged until the very end.

49- Read The Secret Life of Bees by Sue Monk Kidd

This is one of my new favorite books. I hear the movie is pretty good, too.

50- Read Wicked: The Life and Times of the Wicked Witch of the West by Gregory Maguire

I LOVED the play when I saw it in London, the book, however, SUCKED.

52- Watch the movie Juno (10/02/08)

Over-hyped, but good.

55- Watch Stardust

I really enjoyed this film, but I'm a huge fantasy & science fiction fan.

56- Re-watch the entire British version of The Office, including the two Christmas specials

And I'd do it again in a heartbeat. You think Pam and Jim are cute in the American version, just wait until you see Dawn and Tim in the UK version. *sigh*

57- Try a new restaurant in Marietta

It was Wild Wing Cafe - VERY tasty wings!

58- Try a new restaurant in Atlanta

Cam took me to La Tavola Trattoria Restaurant in Atlanta. It was absolutely wonderful. I wish we had taken photos!

60- Run three miles without stopping

Please see half-marathon information above, and I ran a lot of miles while training for that half-marathon. :)

64- Have a facial

And it made me melt.

66- Participate in a Texas hold ‘em tournament

I didn't win, but it sure was fun!

68- Go to a comedy club(April 13, 2008)


My friend, Travis, being, erm, friendly with the comedian, Nick Guerra (who I highly recommend seeing, if you get the chance).

I LOVE live comedy and frequent the local clubs. I highly recommend you visit The Funny Farm and The Punchline to see great comedy in Atlanta.

70- Go to the Atlanta Shakespeare Tavern

Please see #5 above.

73- Try a new haircut


Do you remember this post?

I decided on long layers, with side-sweep bangs:


Me showing my hair to Coach Bill Curry.

79- Buy a new dress & 80- And matching shoes

I did, but I don't actually have a photo with me in the outfit. New Year's resolution: Take more photos.

83- Eat breakfast for dinner

This actually happens all the time. In fact, we had breakfast for dinner with Cam's family last night that consisted of country ham, crispy bacon, scrambled eggs, biscuits and grits. Man, now I'm hungry!

85- Try a new fru-fru drink [a.k.a. fruity alcoholic beverage]


I had lots of new fru-fru drinks this year, including a peach martini (YUM!) on New Year's Eve, but I don't take a photo of any of them. Though I did have a new drink the night the above photo was taken. And I just wanted to post it again.

87- Have a girls’ night


I have one pretty much every Wednesday.

90- Help someone find a job

I helped a couple of my friends unsuccessfully try to find jobs. Maybe this year they will be successful in finding them!

91- Watch home movies with my family


For some reason, my sister loves to show off the angel above. I've seen her a number of times on the TV at my parents' house.

92- Cook with my mom

We made French toast together - yum!

96- Pay off my student loans (3/14/08)


The idea of debt scares me, so I was so happy to pay this off before it went into payments.

100- Be at the hospital when Steph’s baby is born


Ava Gabrielle stole my heart the moment I touched her.

101- Be at the hospital when Barb’s baby is born


Nola Ashlyn is my sweet little angel. I couldn't love my nieces more if I tried.

102- Make a key lime pie


Key lime pie is my absolute favorite dessert. And this was the EASIEST recipe to make. And honestly, not to toot my own horn, but it was the best damn key lime pie I've ever had. I like to think that Cam agreed.

Groceries needed:
9-inch graham cracker pie crust (Deep-dish if you can find it)
Four eggs (you will just use the yolks)
2 (14-ounce) cans condensed milk
1 cup of key lime juice (you could probably use regular lime juice, but the key lime is what made the flavor for me! We found ours at the local Harry's Farmers Market)
Sour cream
Powdered sugar
One lime for zesting (optional)

Directions
Pre-heat the oven to 325 degrees F. Combine the condensed milk, key lime juice and egg yolks. Whisk until well blended and place the filling in the pie shell. We had so much mixture left over that we put them in tiny bunt cakes (please see photo above) and sampled them later that night after cooking the little bunts with the big pie and then chilling the little bunts for a short time - yummy sampler!) Bake for 30-35 minutes and then chill in the refrigerator for at least 4 hours.

Once chilled, combine about a cup of sour cream to three+ tablespoons powdered sugar (do it to your taste) and use to dollop on the top. Some people spread the topping over the whole thing before serving, but I like to give people the option, though I personally love the sour cream/powdered sugar mixture. Cuts the tartness of the pie. Then sprinkle lime zest as a garnish on top of the sour cream and serve chilled.

What I won't post is the video that Cam took unbeknownst to me while I whisked the key lime pie mixture. Let's just say I look like a hula dancer from behind.

107- Try a different dish at my favorite restaurants (at Murphy’s Deli, La Parilla and Outback)

Well, two out of three isn't bad. Cam, you want to go to Outback this year?

108- Finish a knitting project


My friend, Sherrie, holding the dishcloth I knitted for her.

And it is usually during these 'wrap-ups' that people talk about how thankful they are for everything in their life. And I'm not going to break that tradition. Because I am incredibly thankful.

I'm thankful for my sisters, their husbands and my incredible nieces.

A Christmas photo we had done for our parents.

I'm thankful for my parents.


At Steph's wedding rehearsal.

I'm thankful for my friends.


Some friends on New Year's Eve.

So many things happened in 2008 that weren't on the to-do list. Well, at least they weren't on my list. Items like having two nieces and falling in love. But those are the best things in my life. And I'm so glad I can add them to my life list.


Ringing in the New Year. Properly.

Happy New Year, everyone. May be it filled with as much love and hope as I feel at the moment. Which is a lot.

Georgia Tech Homecoming in Photos

Saturday after the half marathon, one of my best friends, Cam, treated me to a game at Georgia Tech. And sadly, while it was Tech's homecoming, Virginia won.

As a footnote (wait, wouldn't this be a sidenote?), I actually injured my left foot (now you see why I said footnote - ha!) during the half marathon. I can't put any pressure on it and I'm really hoping it's just bruised. So, while I was extremely excited to be in the front row at the game, I was less than excited about having to walk up and down a huge flight of stairs every time I needed to, ahem, answer the call of nature. Which happened once every quarter. And once every quarter Cam would have to help me up and down the stairs while people sent pitying looks my way and asked if I was okay. And every time Cam offered to carry me up and down the stairs, but even though he is a burly 6'4" and I am a slighter 5'8", I couldn't take the idea of being a damsel in distress. Because I am just that stubborn.

So, here is the game in photos!


Me and my friend Michelle at my first tailgate! It was a wonderful first time. They did it right with a great tent, great food, great beer and great company! And three guys asked me and Michelle if we are sisters - do y'all think we look that much alike? I think it was the fact that she and I both talk with crazy hand gestures and have long hair. That and all of us Georgia Tech girl fans look the same.


Me and Cam chillin' in the sun.


Michelle and I thought this little boy was too cute, so Cam went and grabbed his photo. I hope we didn't scare his parents.


Buzz!


Buzz and I became friends.


Me looking up in awe.


If you look behind us you will see how far up I had to go to find a restroom. Man, I'm complaining a lot. I really did have a great time!


Cam posin'.




Football player bums.


The band. Did you know I marched the sousaphone in high school?


Yep, he really is that tall!


It was a gorgeous day!


I'm so street.


Notice I have put on a sweater. It got chilly!


The Ramblin' Wreck, me and Cam.

I did it!

Well, WE did it! My fantastic brother-in-law and I ran the Silver Comet Trail Half Marathon on Saturday, and while he finished 20 minutes ahead of me - and with bloody ankles no less (Go Ryan!), the important thing is that I finished.


Could I be any paler?

My time came in at 2 hours and 50 minutes on the nose, which means I ran 12 minute, 58 second miles.

Running the half marathon was one of the easiest and most difficult things I have ever done. Easiest because I wanted to do it so badly and the most difficult, because hell! It's 13.1 miles! And oh my gosh, at mile 11 I became mentally defeated, which was the strangest feeling. But I still ran in the last half mile and could not have been happier that I did it.

I don't know if I'll be running another half marathon again any time soon, but now that my bro-in-law got a taste for the race (this was his first race ever and my second) I think I have found a new racing partner!



This also means I can cross #13 off the 108 in 2008 list!

Skinny jeans

Have you ever had a pair of jeans/trousers that you refer to as your skinny jeans? Yeah, me too. And guess what??? Last night, for fun, or for pure torture as the case could have been, I tried on my skinny jeans for the first time in almost two years. And oh my goodness. They fit. Perfectly.

I knew training for a half marathon would have many benefits, but is it REALLY vain to say that fitting into those jeans has made me happier than any other benefit, like being healthier, being more alert, sleeping better, etc?

Oh, who cares. I'm doing a chair dance IN MY SKINNY JEANS.

If it's not beautiful, useful or loved...

Today, Zandria has a great post about trying to downsize one's possessions to 100 items. She goes into great detail about how 100 things can be defined and she asks her readers if they could live with only 100 things. This really got me thinking.

While I may not downsize to 100 items, I do need to simplify my life. I once read an article that said: "If it's not 'beautiful, useful or loved,' get rid of it." And I think I need to live that solid, if not common sensical, advice.

And not just regarding possessions. For every aspect of life: work, relationships, health, etc.

So, in honor of trying to surround myself with things that are either beautiful, useful or loved, I registered myself and my brother-in-law for the Silver Comet Half Marathon today. And I realized that it fits all the criteria: I love to run, the exercise is good (useful) for my health and strangely, it makes me feel beautiful.

Does anyone else have some advice along these lines?

Training

Today I officially began training for the half-marathon that is on my 108 in 2008 list. Yeah, the list that I never cross anything off because I can't seem to manage more than one blog at a time. But the day will come when I concentrate hard enough to do both. Until then, be dazzled by my wit on this blog.

[somewhere a cricket chirps]

Anywho.

So, a half-marathon is 13.1 miles. And the half-marathon I'm running isn't until October. So, why am I beginning my training now? Maybe it's because I secretly want to spend as much time as possible at the gym in the hopes that super-athletic man will stretch in front of me more, Zandria. Or maybe because I am a weenie, because I can only manage three whole miles before deciding that walking is the only thing my legs were made to do.

Or maybe - just maybe - because after I run, I feel like I can fly.