Security

I don't know if it's the hot weather, all my reading of Skinny Runner, or the hot weather, but I've been craving a good salad. Seeing as this doesnt happen often, I ran with it and met some friends at a restaurant I've been wanting to try.

All the ingredients are fresh and local. The orange roll is now local to my thighs, as I ate every last bite.

I've been dissapointed a time or two in my life, but this was not one of them. Especially when followed by frozen yogurt with frutti pebbles. We did rehash our feelings of the Casey Anthony verdict, which I won't go into. Naturally, like anyone still grasping onto their 20s, I tweeted about the evening when I left. I still don't get twitter. I don't even know if I'm sold on it. And this mention didn't help:

@erinsearson i hope you get food poisoning if you think Casey is guilty. She
has been given a bad rap by people like you.

I double checked my locks and immersed myself in a Primetime: The Appalachians. Happy to report no food poisoning today. Also happy to report I will probably never drink a Mtn. Dew again.

After being, um, complimented, on my run this morning from down an alley and in front of the courthouse, I'm thinking personal security is in order.

I'm thinking we call the diet off and put this guy on the job.

Or maybe I'll just invest in some mace.

Going Out With A Bang

This weekend was Rett and Haley's wedding. It started with cocktails, dinner and toasts at a local art gallery - one of my favorite venues.

Don't you think I need one of the paintings on the back left? I wonder how long it will take my change jar to reach $2200?

Our table. The food was catered by the same man who catered our wedding - so goes without saying we enjoyed it. Three kinds of pasta, hummus, pita and chocolate cake with raspberry. Ironically, my run Saturday was the best it had been in weeks, minus the stifling winds of hell blowing on my face. Bring on Friday pasta nights.

I tried to give Matt some talking points for his speech, per his request, since Mr. Easy Breezy hadn't thought of anything mere moments before he took the mic. "Everyone says the first year of marriage is the hardest. Let me tell you, it really hasn't been that bad." Cue everyone in the room staring at me.

I hope to get dinner or a pedicure out of this.

Seriously, minus putting his foot in his mouth (I HOPE), he did a good job.

As did the groom.

The wedding was at The Club - easily the best view of downtown Birmingham - which despite its abandoned buildings, lack of a major grocery store, and questionable street wanderers, I really love.

I totally coordinated my dress with the sunset.

Prom Pose.

Everyone else had the same idea. Except the bride - thank the Lord. Isn't she stunning?

The evening ended with an incredible fireworks show. It just about beat the 4th of July. If I had a better camera, you could probably appreciate it more. But you'll have to take my word for it.

To steal from MS' speech, its wonderful to see your friends find someone to share their life with. Haley and Rett -here's hoping the first year isn't that bad.

Congratulations!

Tightening the Collar

We've all been there. A few pounds overweight. Workouts feel harder. The body holds on to every calorie.

When I heard the scale hit 72 at his annual appointment, we were advised it was time to get serious and drop 20. The Grizz got sent home with a 55 lb bag of high fiber diet dog food. Thinking about taping this to his crate wall for inspiration.

Namath has seen leaner days - I think after a similar vet appointment - so I know he's got it in him.

What he doesnt have in him is poop. If Fiber One makes a dog food, this is it. He's a 3x a dayer now. Fun for everyone!


We really aren't into the floating head look, but if it keeps him healthy, float away.

Not to Beat a Dead Horse

But it's freaking hot. Yes, that's the scientific term. It's too hot to run, walk to your car or even sit near a window.

Which led to last week's last minute decision to chop my hair off. Ok, it wasn't that long before, but I consider 4 inches a chop.

Excuse the cheesy picture, I sent it to Matt when he was out of town.

Of course he was jealous. That, or after a hot run on Saturday morning that involved stashing Gatorades along the route like a vagabond, a buzz cut seemed like the best idea ever. Rooftop, so there's no hair to clean up. Some birds lucked out big time for their nest.

It was a little stressful. You know, since I've never cut hair before. And it quickly got too dark to see.

Fortunately I had a trusty assistant.

Watch out buddy, you're next.....

Good to the Last Drop

Last week we took these cuties to their swim lessons. I learned a few lessons of my own, such as community pools are filled with kid spit and who knows what else and the fact that this little girl wants to be a cleaning lady when she grows up.

Smart tactic if you ask me. Set the bar low and you'll never dissapoint mom and dad.

It was hard to get them out of the water, so we did what anyone who gets to give the kids back at the end of the night would do - bribe them with ice cream.

With as many toppings as they wanted.

I think it was a hit...

Summer Reading

I think I mentioned the obscene amount of books I lugged around on our vacation. (I think I'm the last person in the world without a Kindle).

I was always a big fan of the summer reading program at the library and with the pool sitting and car rides that summer brings (yes, I lead a hard life), a book close by is always a good thing.

In no particular order -

Confession time. I haven't finished this one. The first two in the series were great, but this one lost me. Its a lot of swedish names. A lot. They really started running together. I'm debating with my inner nerd on just spoiling the ending on wikipedia so I can watch the movies when they come out.

That being said, the first two are great, and maybe you'll have better luck. I did enjoy the 23 names MS came up for this one. "How's the Girl Who Burned Her Arm?" "Where's the Girl Who Fell in a Quarry?" I'm easily amused.

I grossly underestimated the amount of travel time I would have. Once I started making it through my stash of books, I had to jank one from the hotel library. That's what they're there for, right? I'll consider this the Greek thank you for doing my part to strengthen their economy. Clearly I wasn't that helpful. I digress.

I remembered this title from a Lifetime movie, and that was familiar enough for me. It was awesome. The book, I can't speak for the movie. Although I will be hunting it down On Demand soon.

While I was doing all this reading, I figured I might as well read something beneficial. I really enjoyed this one. The first few chapters get repetitive, but it gets better towards the end. Some of the examples are cheesy, but isn't every relationship book? Or maybe I'm just reading the cheesy ones. It basically drives the point home that men and women have different needs. I won't spoil the rest.

Just to make sure I felt like a total failure on vacation, I picked up the Dean Karnzes 50 in 50. I was dissapointed to read the whole book and got not one shaving tip. Don't his legs look silky smooth?

I really enjoyed this one - MS even read it! It is unbelievable what he is able to do. He spends a lot of time trying to convince you that, yes, you too can run 394 miles at a time, and that he is just another below average runner. Color me unconvinced, but entertained.

Nicholas Sparks. Need I say more? Cheesy. Unrealistic. Made the time pass quickly. Also stolen from the hotel library.

This was a recommendation from the in-laws. His books all seem to run together for me, but then again, I've never read one I didn't like. This particular one did make me think Grisham is a Christian - which would be new info for me.

So closes the chapter (haha) of Summer Reading part one. I'm trying to read more and watch less Housewives of _______, but I'm always out of the literary loop.

What are you reading?

Phone Dump

It's been a long week. And this is about how I feel.

But, we are now facing the weekend head on.

News good enough to make you want to dance on a table. Even if some people roll their eyes at you.

But, we do need strap this on and get a long-ish run in. For multiple reasons.

The least of them being things like this happening all week.

No fear, there is light at the end of the tunnel. I think we can all agree this makes running altogether worth it. Don't you worry, my fridge is stocked.

And really looking forward to some good company and postrun recovery at the pool this weekend.