Under 3

You may remember that my goal for the Illinois Half Marathon was to get under 3 hours. Sadly I missed that goal by 1:22. As I began training for the Mo' Cowbell Half Marathon I just knew this wasn't going to be a PR for me. I remember the moment as I stopped to walk after just a 1:30 of running, this race would be about finishing; not time. Frankly I was okay with that.

Today something changed.

In the middle of my 5 mile run I checked my phone and saw I was on 3 hour half marathon pace and wondered if I could keep it up. At mile 4 I looked again and I was about a minute behind; I dug in and sure enough at mile 5 I was at a 13.3 minute mile! At that pace I'd finish in 2:50!

I think I can do it!

Opa!

It finally happened... I got food poisoning.

It's no fun. No fun at all. After enjoying Greek fest with four of my friends, I went for a 5 mile run came home ate a salad and headed out for a walk with my neighbor and good friend. As we made the last turn home, I said "my tummy hurts." That was the beginning. 

The next morning after being up sick all night I texted my friends to see if anyone one of them were sick too. Sure enough, three out of five of us were sick. Opa!

I spent the whole day in bed sleeping and not eating. Wednesday was much of the same, but moved to the couch and I could do some work. It wasn't until Saturday that I could stomach normal food again. 

Good news... I lost 7 pounds last week!

Moved In

I've finally convinced myself I'll never have my apartment just how I want it... there will always be something little to change here and there. Shoot... that's what makes having a home fun. Right? Which means it's time to post the after pictures of my apartment I moved into a couple months ago.

The layout of my place is kind of awkward, but then again I'm kind of awkward so we belong together.

Ta Da! My bed. Yep, you walk right into the bedroom. Oh well...I love how it jumps of the purple wall. I've never been a huge fan of purple. But, my friend Krissy is and she happened to help me A TON with everything. When she suggested it, it just made sense. What you can't see is the stain glass window that has purple accents. And, shoot... it's paint $50 and an hour of work and it would be gone if I didn't like it. Thankfully, I do.

On the opposite wall is the despised faux brick wall. It was hideous! Not anymore...

Confession... the brick is still (and will remain) Kilz white. It was such a pain to paint! And, I like it white.

Through the french doors is the living room. 

I absolutely love my reading corner! I bought a crazy cheap couch in order to buy this lovely, comfy chair. Not regretting that decision. On the other side of the room is my "home office."

Instead of the ugly folded table, imagine a big wood, distressed antique desk with lovely, organized accessories. A chalkboard something was necessary in my apartment and Krissy surprised me with the magnetic primer. Yes, sir, a magnetic, chalkboard stripe... perfect for fun magnets (sadly not strong enough to hold paper) and inspirational messages. 

Past the bathroom where I've done absolutely nothing but paint the medicine cabinet mirror frame.

And you enter the spacious kitchen. Most of the work (albeit, not my work) went into the kitchen. Krissy's hard work with new cabinet doors was a shining success... They are great!!!

And, the reason for the bright green wall in the living room... the bright green walls in the kitchen. They're pretty much perfect.

What's left to do you ask?:

- paint bathroom

- hang pictures (separate post coming about this project)

- buy desk

- get more baskets/totes/bens for organization

- make book shelves for cookbooks

- buy a freakin kitchen trash can

- paint rest of the kitchen

- remove the stickers from the fridge

- organize all my crap in the basement

- hang my living room curtains

- fix the living room blinds (for that matter buy new blinds)

- hang new shower curtain

Wow... what they heck am I doing on the computer?!

Chicago

This weekend I had a wedding to attend. After desperately attempting to get out of it, I was stuck, I had to go. I originally bought a plan ticket on sale, but after a series of frustrating events, I drove the 5.5 hours up to Chicago.

I decided to make the best out of my plans getting all messed up by leaving crazy early in order to get to one of my favorite Chicago-area churches. After a side trip to Enterprise at O'Hare, I walked in just in time to take a seat and enjoy their service. Man, do those people know how to worship! It was amazing to be surrounded by people excited to be worshiping God. I caught myself with tears at one point out of joy of being part of God's family.

I sat behind one of the elders who were sitting by his wife and a friend with a baby. At one point the baby needed changing. I watched, nearly in shock, as the pastor offered and went and changed the dirty diaper (the diaper of a child that's not his). After they returned the baby started fussing and he again left and calmed the baby in the back so the mother could sit and enjoy the service. I was blown away by his selflessness, care, and support for his friend. But, then again, that's how these guys are; they model for their church exactly what it means to sacrifice first and most for their families and church. They serve each other and the church humbly, sacrificially, and wisely. I'm glad I sacrificed the few hours of sleep to make it there.

After church it was off to the wedding... a Sunday afternoon wedding. Weird. In the middle of the ceremony the best man started to look a little sick. Finally someone from the back walked up just in time to get him off the stage before he passed out. The ceremony went on without a hitch. I've always heard about this happening, but never actually saw it for myself.

Not to be out done, the bride started getting sick at the reception. Somehow everyone pulled it together and accomplished every stereotypical wedding reception task there is. When the dancing finally started the dj took center stage. He made every single person (and I mean every single person) get out on the dance floor so he could teach us all the moves he made up to the song...for every song!!

My sister-in-law and I quickly made our way to the restroom somewhere in the middle of the second one. And, after hiding out during the bouquet toss, I couldn't take any more mandatory fun and quickly said my good-byes and headed to my hotel room in the city.

Monday the plan was to do anything I wanted. First order of business... run! I was suppose to do 4.5 miles, but because it's Chicago I did 6.5 unknowingly.

Right around here I convinced myself that St. Louis needed a gigantic lake as well.

Then it was off to the Art Institute. This was one that I'd always meant to go to, but I'm much better at museums by myself. I'm selfish like that and want to go at my own pace. I spent two hours meandering through each room confirming the fact that I don't get modern art and falling in love with impressionist art from Monet to Vincent Van Gogh.

No trip to Chicago is complete for me without a stop at Ikea. Sadly I learned going to Ikea about two months after moving is the optimal time. Last trip I'd been in my new place just days and had no clue what I actually needed. Not this time! I went in for just a couple of items and walked out with two gigantic bags full of goodies.

By God's grace I survived another family weekend. Today at the office I was telling my co-workers all about the trip and what happened. One of the guys nailed it on the head when he said "Oh! I've become that bitter about going to weddings too." I think I have some repenting to do.

Fresh and Healthy

I just got back from the grocery store. As I put away everything I realized I had 4 items that did not go in the fridge or freezer... 4! To me that means I'm eating fresh, healthy food. Check out that basket...

Somehow I managed to get through the store sticking to a list and not purchasing any sugary (and/or salty) snacks. I'm rather proud of myself... especially considering the mood I was in while shopping.

Sound the Trumpet!!

THAT'S RIGHT 6 POUNDS!!

It's a wonder what eating healthy and having a stocked fridge will do to you! I LOVE the e-mealz! I really only ate two of the meals, but it kept a stocked pantry for me. A guideline to follow. When I felt like making something from the e-mealz I did, but there were a couple nights were I looked and thought... I can do something else with this. Insert creativity and healthy eating! A recipe for a great weight loss week!!

Big Dreams

I REALLY want to do the Chicago Marathon next year! All of it... all 26.2 miles! I've been thinking about it since I made a promise to one of my friends that we'd do a full marathon before we were 40. I forgot to calculate that she's about 9 years older than me and that we'd have to do it in 2012. Since then she got injured and her running career is in jeopardy. Can't blame her... I blame her abnormally small knee caps!

But, it planted in me a seed, a dream... could I finish a marathon?! Could I actually do the Chicago Marathon in 2012?! I'd really like to try!