I'm always on edge
The food bag exploded several times this weekend. I’d reach in to turn on the pump and Fin’s little back pack would be full of formula. The place where the bag and the tube met kept coming apart. This happened on several consecutive bags. I’d be having a normal conversation with someone and then the pump would alarm and I’d say excuse me and reach into the bag and my hand would come out covered in formula. It happened way too many times in a row, and I’m afraid each time made me look a little more nuts in public. It was nothing major, but the fact that it kept happening over and over again had us feeling a little crazy. And when I took the garbage to the dump, I tipped up one of the barrels and found it three inches deep with formula. There was just no containing the food, it was everywhere, like The Blob.
Friday night was the talent show at school which meant a bunch of kids got together and showed their parents that all those countless hours of dancing and singing to loud, repetitive music in their rooms was just practice for doing the same thing on stage for all their friends to see.
I drove through a couple used car lots on Saturday and ended up test driving a couple cars I had no interest in and taking a bunch of business cards and nearly punching a salesman in the face. You have to swat those things away like mosquitoes.
I was the designated parent at a pool party on Sunday. It was a dual party for two siblings; one kid was in my daughter’s first grade class and the other was her older brother, so I didn’t know half the people. I learned a few things. I’m not looking forward to fourth grade as the girls edge closer to becoming women and the boys are still giving each other wet willies and putting plastic bags over their heads and making armpit farting noises. It’s no wonder none of the girls in my class ever liked me.
Cookout with friends last night did not end well. Evidently, I was in some kind of drinking competition with myself and forgot it was Sunday night. I’ll never learn.
Bronte
Gotye1. Currently obsessed with this song and describes my current mood.
2. Father’s day was a tough one for me. I started writing 6 different posts about it, but couldn’t get the words out. Bottom line: my blood father is a piece of shit, which I have accepted, but sometimes it gets to me especially when everyone is posting about how amazing their dads are.
3. I have a lot of work to finish before Alaska in 11 days. EEEK.
4. My sciatica is KILLING me and I need to work out today to help remedy this.
5. Got new extensions this weekend am I am OBSESSED. They look so amazing. I heart my hairdresser.
6. Made 100 bucks from the garage sale this weekend and my 4 bags of clothes that have been sitting in my garage for a year.
Well I've officially graduated! (and some other things)
This weekend ended the month long celebrations I’ve insisted that family and friends bestow upon me. But this one really took the cake. Why you ask? Well, point #1: I had some out of town guests, and not just any guests but Mrs. Umcanyounot, with John and baby bump in tow. This trip was highly anticipated with lots of phone calls, emails, text and tumblr messages. I waited patiently for Ash and John to walk through the arrivals gate. I first noticed her rain boots (it was scheduled to rain for most of the weekend), then her baby bump, then her happy face! We hugged, I said “WOW, YOU REALLY ARE PREGNANT” and we headed home. It was John’s first visit to Boston so Ash and I surprised him with a Duck Tour around the city. The weather wasn’t the best, but we all learned some new history. I tried to make John drive the boat in the water (it’s totally safe, they let you do this) and he told me “It’s ok, I’m not 8 years old”. We got slightly annoyed with our driver who had this infuriating nervous laugh similar to Peter Griffin’s and we held our bladders for a lot longer than we wanted to.
After the tour, and relieving ourselves, we went to a sports bar to warm up with some clam chowder, beers for me & John and non alcoholic bevvies for preggers. We planned to get dinner elsewhere but upon stepping outside, running through the rain and many, many Boston city blocks. We got home, wet, tired, peeled off layers, got comfy on the couch and settled into the NBC DVR.
Saturday morning was an early start as my graduation began at 9:00 a.m. and they expected me to be there by 7:30 a.m. (RUDE). I left with my cap, gown and hood in tow- hailed a cab and headed to campus (this was totally different than my college graduation where we woke up, started drinking, piled into my car, put all the windows down, blasted music and danced our way to campus- honking at friends we passed). My parents picked up Ash and John, my brother and my friend/mentor/boss Deb all met on campus and grabbed seats. We marched out through the graduation processional and I looked around for my familiar faces and saw the bright purple of Ashley’s dress. I waved to my family and got pretty emotional.
Our speaker was Dennis Lehane, author of books like Gone Baby Gone, Mystic River and Shutter Island. Lehane is a Boston guy. He shared stories of growing up, funny anecdotes from his Irish father and encouraged us all not to be afraid of things or people we don’t know. My graduating class was complied of many different people from all walks of life. It was truly an international celebration. I am in awe of all the diversity. It really made the program have an interesting perspective, and provided some entertainment for my guests while they pondered over pronunciation of names.
When I crossed the stage, I felt a weight lifted off my shoulders. I sometimes put a lot of pressure on myself, unfairly to be where I think I should be in life. But it felt really, really good, to look out and see what I’ve accomplished. I could hear the cheering from my family and see friendly faces amongst fellow students. I felt really proud that moment. And thankful, so thankful for the opportunity.
After the ceremony, I found my family through the sea of others. We posed for some pictures and set off to meet my girls for brunch.
Brunch was a table of 11 people who make up the fabric of me. Old friends, newer friends, family & my mentor. There were lots of laughs, a toast, a lot of food and some yummy drinks. Again, just looking around and feeling thankful- I’ve got the best people in my corner.
The afternoon, following a much needed nap, was for heading Downtown, walking by the water, showing off some of my favorite places, getting cozy at the bar, eating some amazing Italian food and after dinner strolls.
The next morning I sadly dropped Ash & John off at the airport and said so long. Luckily, because of Baby C on board, I’ll get to see them again soon while we celebrate his anticipated arrival.
After the airport trip, I met up with my parents and brother and we drove 2 hrs up to New Hampshire. We had made reservations to go zip lining for my mom’s birthday. The weather didn’t want to cooperate and it was rainy pretty much the whole time. My brother and I were both slightly hungover and really tired and each napped in the car. During one point, Michael mentioned that he couldn’t remember the last time we were all in the car together for such a long time. We stopped at one of the New Hampshire liquor stores because I had to pee, then we stocked up on things we “needed”. We pulled into the parking lot for Alpine Adventures and was greeted by an employee, my Dad excitedly told him “We’re here for the 1:00 adventure!”. We got suited up, took a really bumpy ride to the beginning of the zip lining tour and had at it. This was something my mom had wanted to do for a while, my brother and I had both been once before on vacation. It was my family and a newly married couple from New York. We all had a blast, laughed at and with each other.
It was the perfect ending to a weekend filled with so much support and love.
The theme of this weekend was friends. And champagne.
Friday, our friends from Nashville, Craig & Heather, visited! It had been over a year since we’d seen them, so the reunion was much needed.
Saturday morning was ladies’ brunch, complete with mimosas & babies. Ah, times are changing.
Saturday night, my friend Meg braved the wintry weather and came over for a sleepover. We drank champagne [yes, more. sigh.], and had John take us out to dinner, where we dined on octopus & steak.
Sunday I ate all the calories. And laid around complaining how it hurt to breathe because I was so full. And then went to the fridge for a little something else. Repeat cycle.
It was a good one. I socialized 500% more than usual and I enjoyed it. I’m also looking forward to eating vegetables all week & hibernating again next weekend.
Some things never change.
Queens Half Marathon & Weekend Recap
Helloooo Sunday!
It’s been a busy weekend. Most importantly, I ran the Queens Half Marathon and it went really well! But first, let me tell you about the delicious dinner I had the night before the race.
Who says you have to eat pasta the night before a race? There is something so delicious about the mixture of egg yolk and rice.. and this provided me with ample carbs and protein. (I wouldn’t mess with broccoli the night before a race if you have a sensitive stomach, though.) Recently I picked up some brown basmati rice which I had never tried before — I love it!
Back to the RACE. I was expecting a seriously hot and humid day but was pleasantly surprised with mild temps in the 70s and a cooling breeze. I knew I wasn’t going to try for a new PR on this run, but I did manage to finish in 2:03:28, beating 4 of previous times! Here are the splits:
I enjoyed the crazy course in Flushing Meadows, although it was a bit disorienting at times. The course was completely FLAT which was my favorite part! Overall, it was an awesome race and I would definitely run this one again next year.
Today, I celebrated with a HEAVY brunch at Peels in the Lower East Side.
I’ve been dying to try Peels since it opened recently and I don’t think I’ve ever had such a difficult time figuring out what to order. Sadly, NYC law states you can’t order cocktails before noon on a Sunday! At least that meant not having to decide on a drink as well… because that cocktail list looks pretty amazing. I settled for the poached eggs with biscuits and roasted tomato hollandaise…
This was DELICIOUS, but after I finished I felt like I had two biscuit-sized bricks sitting my stomach. I think I’ve had enough eggs for the week…. A long walk helped me feel better and I probably wouldn’t order this unless it was the day after another half marathon! Next time I’m getting the whiskey milk shake… yah, you heard that right.
Hope everyone had an excellent weekend! This week I’m trying a few new recipes, so stay tuned ;)
Oh, look. It’s Monday. Again.
This weekend was dedicated to John+Ash. Friday, we went on a happy hour date (in which I indulged in mac&cheese and a sandwich dubbed The Animal Farm - smoked turkey, gouda & bacon, drizzled with spicy mustard & served on a pretzel roll - a fave!), and were home by 6:30pm with a case of beer and the urge to sing. So it was On Demand Karaoke in the living room, while James watched, judging. Always judging. We practiced our “Love Shack” duet… several times. John told me not to blog about that. LOL, John.
On Saturday, I focused on Halloween costumes. His is ridiculous. (He made me promise not to blog about it. Fine. John wins this one.) Then I got all fancy, just for the hell of it. We had happy hour at home, listened to Frank Sinatra, and talked. And talked. And made fun of each other. And got slightly tipsy. At 9pm, I declared “Johnny boy, you are taking me out!” So off we went, just down the street, to a “club” of sorts where we drank fancy drinks, and watched the beginnings of a Bachelorette party unfold. (Congrats, bride!)
Sunday, we took a tour of the newest rental property and let Jamesy run around in the fenced-in backyard (a luxury for a city dog!). We returned home, “suited up” for game day, and devoted the rest of the day to football. I got to snuggle with Miss Stella, and the five of us headed to our friends, Tim & Krista’s, house to watch the game. Home around halftime, 60 Minutes, Dexter & Homeland.
Enthralling, I know. But it was perfect, for me.
I hope you all had a great weekend. It’s the end of the month (again - how does that happen so quickly?), so I’ll probably be crazed all week. Friday! Get here NOW, wouldja?!
