I just realized I haven't posted anything about my half-marathon training for a while...things are going well. Slow still but well. I have a new toy (Garmin GPS watch) which I LOVE LOVE LOVE and I just got two new running skirts in the mail today.
Running skirts you say? That's crazy, right? Actually, it is possible to look cute while running! And there is a whole website devoted to it! That's my kind of website!
Deadline to be up to full speed is July 15th. That's when I absolutely have to start training for the St. Jude half so I have to keep it slow and steady right now.
Keep your fingers crossed and good thoughts coming my way!
Thursday, May 31, 2012
Setting Chicago on Fire (again)
Well we didn't exactly set it on fire but we did have a hell of a good time!! There are definitely advantages to living this close to my brother! Here's a summary of what happened this weekend (with some censoring, of course).
Friday I drove down after work and it was a pretty chill night. Went to dinner and Hamburger Mary's (close enough to my name for it to count as a restaurant named for me). Nothing too adventurous that night though I will say my brother is NOT SO ADVENTUROUS when it comes to his frozen yogurt. Ask him next time you see him. He thought I was the weird one but c'mon now...
Saturday was quite adventurous though it didn't start that way. We had to go to IKEA:
because I can't NOT go! Then ran some errands including a trip to Bed, Bath and Beyond for a mattress cover for my bro. He thought my cat had fleas and accused her of such a few weeks ago. Can you believe that? The only thing this adorable tubby kitten could have is a case of the cute as a bug syndrome.
His neighbor said she thought they had bed bugs so we decided to check out his mattress before putting the microfiber/seal/keeper of the bugs out cover on. Yeah...that was not fun! I'm typically not squeamish but when there is a gross bug crawling across my boob, I'm gonna freak out! And I did! That was followed by a deep clean of the whole room, putting items in garbage bags and sealed to be taken to the dry cleaners or the laundromat cuz I ain't about to bring those creepy critters home with me and we didn't want to put them in his washer. So, after that fun-filled adventure (3 hours later), we went out for drinks. Can ya' blame us?? I STILL feel like I have bugs crawling over me!!
Sunday was a FABULOUS beach day...
The best part of Wrigley Field, in my humble opinion, is this:
Friday I drove down after work and it was a pretty chill night. Went to dinner and Hamburger Mary's (close enough to my name for it to count as a restaurant named for me). Nothing too adventurous that night though I will say my brother is NOT SO ADVENTUROUS when it comes to his frozen yogurt. Ask him next time you see him. He thought I was the weird one but c'mon now...
Saturday was quite adventurous though it didn't start that way. We had to go to IKEA:
because I can't NOT go! Then ran some errands including a trip to Bed, Bath and Beyond for a mattress cover for my bro. He thought my cat had fleas and accused her of such a few weeks ago. Can you believe that? The only thing this adorable tubby kitten could have is a case of the cute as a bug syndrome.
His neighbor said she thought they had bed bugs so we decided to check out his mattress before putting the microfiber/seal/keeper of the bugs out cover on. Yeah...that was not fun! I'm typically not squeamish but when there is a gross bug crawling across my boob, I'm gonna freak out! And I did! That was followed by a deep clean of the whole room, putting items in garbage bags and sealed to be taken to the dry cleaners or the laundromat cuz I ain't about to bring those creepy critters home with me and we didn't want to put them in his washer. So, after that fun-filled adventure (3 hours later), we went out for drinks. Can ya' blame us?? I STILL feel like I have bugs crawling over me!!
Sunday was a FABULOUS beach day...
'Nuff said...
Monday was ballpark #17 for little ol' me. Only 13 more and I like to think that I'm the reason the Cubbies FINALLY won a game!
The best part of Wrigley Field, in my humble opinion, is this:
Seriously?? It's like this was made for me!
So no funny stories from this grand adventure but it was a fantastic weekend!
Sunday, May 20, 2012
What A Week!
So I had a busy week. Lots of travel but had a great outreach event at Fort McCoy. And what a beautiful base that is! I wish I'd thought to take pictures. Talked with over 50 Veterans and got some interested in using VA healthcare! I really enjoy talking with them and helping them understand that even if they have private insurance, they can still use VA if they qualify. So I'm going to follow up with them this week (in between all my traveling) and hopefully get some enrolled!
No brainiac moments for me on the drive to and from Fort McCoy but I did stop and take some pictures of interesting things along the way.
You know I had to stop and take a picture of this...
And of course this...
Now I don't know if you can see what is at the very bottom of that sign but I choose to pretend it's not there. I refuse to accept that those buffies are being sold for meat. I like to think that they are just hanging out, grazing and just enjoying life!
So I got home Saturday early evening and decided to go out for a drink. Now mind you, I don't (or didn't) have anyone to go out with so I was flying solo. I started at a bar across the state line called "Hitch -n- Post". As you can imagine by the name, it's a country bar. But actually, they had a pretty good band that played old school rock covers. Now the folks that were there?? WOWWIE WOW WOW! As I texted to one of my friends, the hair the women had was bigger than the Empire State Building and probably more flammable!
So since I was afraid I was going to be caught in a burning building, I vacated and went to a bar "downtown" Iron Mountain. I've been to Sol Blue a couple of times but it was never really busy. Last night they had live music and there were lots of people. Of course, I sat there by myself (are you crying for me yet?) and watched the basketball game. This guy walks in with a CU football shirt on and I almost fell off my chair! I couldn't believe it. So of course I went to talk to him to see if he played at CU and he didn't. He's actually from Iron Mountain but lived in Fort Collins for a year or so. Yeah...that was stimulating conversation. So I returned to my seat and then I saw someone I had met last weekend at a YP event. So I went up to say hi and she took pity on me (for being by myself) and introduced me to her friends and, let's just say that I have found my new peeps! She is freaking HILARIOUS!! She reminds me of my friend Tammy in Memphis. They could be sisters, they are cut from the same cloth! I was so excited to meet single, 30-something women who were fun just like me!! So we had a grand time all night! We actually ended up back at the Hitch -n- Post and then as her nephew was driving us back "downtown" we were all laughing and joking and then all of a sudden there was a freaking deer (okay, we might have used a different f-word) literally in the middle of the road. We only knicked it but it scared the crap out of us and sent us into laughing fits! Then there was the attempt (not by me due to the bad hip) to lift up a MG that was parked out front. I took a picture of it but my camera on my phone doesn't do flash well so it's just a black photo. And the "kidnapping" of a random guy who kept saying "I don't know where I'm going!" There is something hilarious in riding in van and having a 36-year old women (NOT ME) open the door and say "hey you. get in the van. yeah you with the hat. get in the van" and then we drive off with him in the van. I'm not sure he nor Karen's nephew really were expecting us to be that crazy!
So it turns out...I can have fun in Iron Mountain! And there ARE people for me to hang out with! HALELUJAH!!!
So at breakfast this morning, I learned something new. There is an instrument called a polka cello or stump fiddle and this is what it looks like. And according to the website http://partyfiddle.com/, it is common in Wisconsin, Minnesota and the Upper Peninsula of Michigan. Apparently, there is a bar matron in town that owns one and has been known to play it whilst tending bar. This I gotta see!
No brainiac moments for me on the drive to and from Fort McCoy but I did stop and take some pictures of interesting things along the way.
I thought this rock formation was cool. When I drove past it on my way down, I was going too fast to stop. On my way home, I was paying extra close attention to the road signs so I didn't miss it!
You know I had to stop and take a picture of this...
And of course this...
Now I don't know if you can see what is at the very bottom of that sign but I choose to pretend it's not there. I refuse to accept that those buffies are being sold for meat. I like to think that they are just hanging out, grazing and just enjoying life!
So I got home Saturday early evening and decided to go out for a drink. Now mind you, I don't (or didn't) have anyone to go out with so I was flying solo. I started at a bar across the state line called "Hitch -n- Post". As you can imagine by the name, it's a country bar. But actually, they had a pretty good band that played old school rock covers. Now the folks that were there?? WOWWIE WOW WOW! As I texted to one of my friends, the hair the women had was bigger than the Empire State Building and probably more flammable!
So since I was afraid I was going to be caught in a burning building, I vacated and went to a bar "downtown" Iron Mountain. I've been to Sol Blue a couple of times but it was never really busy. Last night they had live music and there were lots of people. Of course, I sat there by myself (are you crying for me yet?) and watched the basketball game. This guy walks in with a CU football shirt on and I almost fell off my chair! I couldn't believe it. So of course I went to talk to him to see if he played at CU and he didn't. He's actually from Iron Mountain but lived in Fort Collins for a year or so. Yeah...that was stimulating conversation. So I returned to my seat and then I saw someone I had met last weekend at a YP event. So I went up to say hi and she took pity on me (for being by myself) and introduced me to her friends and, let's just say that I have found my new peeps! She is freaking HILARIOUS!! She reminds me of my friend Tammy in Memphis. They could be sisters, they are cut from the same cloth! I was so excited to meet single, 30-something women who were fun just like me!! So we had a grand time all night! We actually ended up back at the Hitch -n- Post and then as her nephew was driving us back "downtown" we were all laughing and joking and then all of a sudden there was a freaking deer (okay, we might have used a different f-word) literally in the middle of the road. We only knicked it but it scared the crap out of us and sent us into laughing fits! Then there was the attempt (not by me due to the bad hip) to lift up a MG that was parked out front. I took a picture of it but my camera on my phone doesn't do flash well so it's just a black photo. And the "kidnapping" of a random guy who kept saying "I don't know where I'm going!" There is something hilarious in riding in van and having a 36-year old women (NOT ME) open the door and say "hey you. get in the van. yeah you with the hat. get in the van" and then we drive off with him in the van. I'm not sure he nor Karen's nephew really were expecting us to be that crazy!
So it turns out...I can have fun in Iron Mountain! And there ARE people for me to hang out with! HALELUJAH!!!
So at breakfast this morning, I learned something new. There is an instrument called a polka cello or stump fiddle and this is what it looks like. And according to the website http://partyfiddle.com/, it is common in Wisconsin, Minnesota and the Upper Peninsula of Michigan. Apparently, there is a bar matron in town that owns one and has been known to play it whilst tending bar. This I gotta see!
Thursday, May 17, 2012
On the road again...
I have a feeling I'm going to be saying that alot! I had lunch with my brother today (YAY!) and was sharing with him that when I had my second interview for this job, I asked my now boss if there was a lot of traveling involved. His exact response "Not as much as it would have been because of the cap on travel dollars." Hmmm...I hate to know what it would have been! When I returned the car today at the hospital, I had done exactly 900 miles in three days. No wonder I'm tired! And I get to turn around tomorrow and drive 5 hours down to Fort McCoy, WI for an outreach event on Saturday. Whew...
So here's my latest adventure, also called "How Smart is Mary Kay, really??" So the government cars these days are newer cars that take E85 gas. One of the ways the government is helping "save the environment" and save money at the same time. Turns out E85 gas is cheaper than even regular unleaded. So I'm driving the Blue Malibu (which I have nicknamed Ol' Blue) down to Danville for a meeting and when I picked up the car it only had half a tank of gas. Now...the Iron Mountain facility has thier own E85 pump but could I wait to get it filled? Of course not. I figured it would be easy peasy to stop somewhere along the way and fill up. That's what I get for figuring. Luckily, the wonderful guys in the Boiler Plant at work put a list of all the E85 stations on the road down to Chicago. So I stop in Manitowoc, WI to get gas...well...that gas station NO LONGER EXISTS! Of course. Why would it still be there. So then I have to pull over and look up the other E85 station. Thank heaven there are two in Manitowoc. So I get to the gas station and pull up to the pump. Now here is where the genius that I am comes out. I get out and go around to the gas cap side and there isn't a little place to pull open the gas cap door. So I get back in the car to look for the button that opens the door. Nothing. I searched everywhere: console, glove box, floorboard by door, dashboard by gauges, visor (hey! You never know!) and then I searched all those places again. So getting more and more frustrated, I call for backup. I called the Director's secretary back in Iron Mountain and asked her. She named all the places I looked and she was confused. So she suggests I pull out the owner's manual. Which of course, was no help at all. So, she puts me on hold and calls the guys in the Boiler Plant to find out. She gets back on the phone with me and, God love her, says that we both can be embarrased together. Apparently, all you have to do is push the gas cap door in and it pops open. SERIOUSLY?????? So I felt like a complete bonehead!!
After filling up, I continue on my way. I had to stop in Chicago to see my boss and as I'm driving down the toll road, I was completely oblivious to the toll station that I just flew by. Now mind you, I had managed to stop at all the other toll stations. Not sure what happened there. So I guess I will tell the guys in Engineering that they may get a bill from the Illinois Department of Transportation for me not paying a toll. Oops!!
The rest of the trip was fairly uneventful. I got to Danville and got to spend time with my friend Tracy who I only see once a year or so. That was fun. Meeting was good. Drive home was LONG. Except, as I said, I did get to have lunch with my bro. Living closer to him and having to go to Chicago for work is going to be GREAT!!! I get to spend next weekend with him and then he is bringing my cat up when I move it and then I will get to see him that next week when I go back to Chicago for work!
In other news, my training is going well. Still no hip pain though I am hesitant to get too excited about that for fear it may come back. I have decided this week that I really need to get back to running in the mornings because it is so much easier! Trouble is getting up that early. We shall see.
I can't remember if I told you all that I volunteered for Habitat for Humanity a couple of weeks ago. So fun! I will definitely do it again. Here's me in all my safety gear!
Hope you all had a great week!!
So here's my latest adventure, also called "How Smart is Mary Kay, really??" So the government cars these days are newer cars that take E85 gas. One of the ways the government is helping "save the environment" and save money at the same time. Turns out E85 gas is cheaper than even regular unleaded. So I'm driving the Blue Malibu (which I have nicknamed Ol' Blue) down to Danville for a meeting and when I picked up the car it only had half a tank of gas. Now...the Iron Mountain facility has thier own E85 pump but could I wait to get it filled? Of course not. I figured it would be easy peasy to stop somewhere along the way and fill up. That's what I get for figuring. Luckily, the wonderful guys in the Boiler Plant at work put a list of all the E85 stations on the road down to Chicago. So I stop in Manitowoc, WI to get gas...well...that gas station NO LONGER EXISTS! Of course. Why would it still be there. So then I have to pull over and look up the other E85 station. Thank heaven there are two in Manitowoc. So I get to the gas station and pull up to the pump. Now here is where the genius that I am comes out. I get out and go around to the gas cap side and there isn't a little place to pull open the gas cap door. So I get back in the car to look for the button that opens the door. Nothing. I searched everywhere: console, glove box, floorboard by door, dashboard by gauges, visor (hey! You never know!) and then I searched all those places again. So getting more and more frustrated, I call for backup. I called the Director's secretary back in Iron Mountain and asked her. She named all the places I looked and she was confused. So she suggests I pull out the owner's manual. Which of course, was no help at all. So, she puts me on hold and calls the guys in the Boiler Plant to find out. She gets back on the phone with me and, God love her, says that we both can be embarrased together. Apparently, all you have to do is push the gas cap door in and it pops open. SERIOUSLY?????? So I felt like a complete bonehead!!
After filling up, I continue on my way. I had to stop in Chicago to see my boss and as I'm driving down the toll road, I was completely oblivious to the toll station that I just flew by. Now mind you, I had managed to stop at all the other toll stations. Not sure what happened there. So I guess I will tell the guys in Engineering that they may get a bill from the Illinois Department of Transportation for me not paying a toll. Oops!!
The rest of the trip was fairly uneventful. I got to Danville and got to spend time with my friend Tracy who I only see once a year or so. That was fun. Meeting was good. Drive home was LONG. Except, as I said, I did get to have lunch with my bro. Living closer to him and having to go to Chicago for work is going to be GREAT!!! I get to spend next weekend with him and then he is bringing my cat up when I move it and then I will get to see him that next week when I go back to Chicago for work!
In other news, my training is going well. Still no hip pain though I am hesitant to get too excited about that for fear it may come back. I have decided this week that I really need to get back to running in the mornings because it is so much easier! Trouble is getting up that early. We shall see.
I can't remember if I told you all that I volunteered for Habitat for Humanity a couple of weeks ago. So fun! I will definitely do it again. Here's me in all my safety gear!
Hope you all had a great week!!
Monday, May 14, 2012
What the Heck??
So today's adventure...running until I'm dizzy. I'm not sure what the heck happened on my run today but it wasn't pretty. Luckily, I was not on a county road but was in town and near a gas station. Bottle of water and back on the road though I only ran a little bit.
As I'm sitting here writing this, I look down and there is chocolate on my white sweatshirt. I was good...I was having a Special K granola bar. How on earth do I always end up with chocolate on me ONLY when I'm wearing white? It's like a stinkin' magnet!
Anyway, I'm off on an adventure tomorrow to Danville, IL for a meeting. Returning to my VA roots, if you will since that's where I started.
As I'm sitting here writing this, I look down and there is chocolate on my white sweatshirt. I was good...I was having a Special K granola bar. How on earth do I always end up with chocolate on me ONLY when I'm wearing white? It's like a stinkin' magnet!
Anyway, I'm off on an adventure tomorrow to Danville, IL for a meeting. Returning to my VA roots, if you will since that's where I started.
Saturday, May 12, 2012
Starting Off...
So one of my good friends recently shared her blog with me and I thought to myself: "Mary Kay (yes I refer to myself in 3rd person), you should write a blog. You've thought about it before and with everything going on in your life, now is as good a time to start as any. So here I am.
The title of my blog is appropriate, I think, because my life is kind of crazy sometimes. Either that or I'm crazy. I think the jury is still out on that. But for those of you who know me well, I LOVE new adventures. Whether it's moving to the U.P. not knowing a soul or taking a trip to China, it's all about the adventure. Here is a pic of my first adventure in my new home from a few weeks ago...
BEAUTIFUL!!
So my other new adventure is training for my very first half-marathon in December. Considering I just had hip surgery in February, I think that's a pretty stinkin' good adventure to be on. Training is going a little slow right now but I think once I get to full speed, it will fly by.
Oh, and I'm planning an adventure to Italy and France with my bestie Janet! It's for a special birthday she's having but I will not reveal which birthday here for fear she do the same when I have a special birthday! I will be blogging from there too so stay tuned.
In the meantime, I will continue to find more adventures here in the woods (especially once I'm not living in a hotel and am in my apartment!)
The title of my blog is appropriate, I think, because my life is kind of crazy sometimes. Either that or I'm crazy. I think the jury is still out on that. But for those of you who know me well, I LOVE new adventures. Whether it's moving to the U.P. not knowing a soul or taking a trip to China, it's all about the adventure. Here is a pic of my first adventure in my new home from a few weeks ago...
So my other new adventure is training for my very first half-marathon in December. Considering I just had hip surgery in February, I think that's a pretty stinkin' good adventure to be on. Training is going a little slow right now but I think once I get to full speed, it will fly by.
Oh, and I'm planning an adventure to Italy and France with my bestie Janet! It's for a special birthday she's having but I will not reveal which birthday here for fear she do the same when I have a special birthday! I will be blogging from there too so stay tuned.
In the meantime, I will continue to find more adventures here in the woods (especially once I'm not living in a hotel and am in my apartment!)
Subscribe to:
Posts (Atom)