"I Wish My Baby Was Born" - Dillard Chandler

According to legend, Ernest Hemingway once bet $10 that he could write a novel in six words.

His novel:

“For sale: baby shoes, never worn,” he wrote.

While on my mill, I heard this story on PBS last week.  Not sure why this story struck such a chord with me. [although, I have my thoughts].

The story came and went.  They moved onto another story . . . . but my brain/thoughts stayed with the past story.  The entire run. 

What are my "six words" ? 
What would I choose to say in "six words" ? 
How would others remember me in "six words" ? 
How would I describe myself in "six words" ?

I came up with quite a few. 
Some funny.  Some real.  Some were more like dreams.  Some I'd probably pay someone to say about me.  Some were lame.  Some were borrowed.  Some were painful.  Others, laugh out loud funny.

I told this story to the Peanut and Pita when they awakened.  [They didn't find it nearly as intriguing but.......]

Peanut wasted NO time saying her six would be:

"creative, artistic, nice, friendly, pretty awesome".

The Pita said:

"me, me, me, me, me, me"

Ya, thanks for playing.
Whatever.
Here's an inside view of my brain and what it came up with.  [* denotes a "borrowed" thought]

1.  My Life Is Defined By Moments.
2.  One decision can change your life.
3.  I want you to want me. *
4.  Stop in the name of love.*
5.  Don't be afraid He is there.
6.  Just breathe just love just forgive.
7.  Don't cry. Don't stress. Don't fear.
8.  Is there something I should know. *
9.  True friends are cheaper than therapy.
10. How can I keep from singing?*
11. I heard it through the grapevine.*
12. In my mind out of sight.
13. you bet ...I've freaking got this.
14. Sometimes silence is the best revenge.

15. Mom, wife, sister, daughter of God.

What's your "six" ?

"Money" - Pink Floyd

Quick post. 

This made me laugh today --- which makes it priceless & awesome.

There was a man who worked for the Post Office whose job was to process all the mail that had illegible addresses.


One day, a letter came addressed in a shaky handwriting to God with no actual address. He thought he should open it to see what it was about.

The letter read:

Dear God,

I am an 83 year old widow, living on a very small pension.

Yesterday someone stole my purse. It had $100 in it, which was all the money I had until my next pension payment.

Next Sunday is Christmas, and I had invited two of my friends over for dinner. Without that money, I have nothing to buy food with, have no family to turn to, and you are my only hope.  Can you please help me?

Sincerely,

Edna

The postal worker was touched.  He showed the letter to all the other workers. Each one dug into his or her wallet and came up with a few dollars.

By the time he made the rounds, he had collected $96, which they put into an envelope and sent to the woman.

The rest of the day, all the workers felt a warm glow thinking of Edna and the dinner she would be able to share with her friends.

Christmas came and went.

A few days later, another letter came from the same old lady to God.

All the workers gathered around while the letter was opened.

It read:

Dear God,

How can I ever thank you enough for what you did for me? Because of your gift of love, I was able to fix a glorious dinner for my friends. We had a very nice day and I told my friends of your wonderful gift.

By the way, there was $4 missing.

I think it might have been those bastards at the post office.

Sincerely,

Edna

"Janie's Got A Gun" - Aerosmith

How was yesterday in 5 [errr 6] words?

The
[freaking]
Best
Thanksgiving
Day
Ever.

I got up a weeee bit too early.  I was going to run with M1 & M2 but as M2 said, "It's too cold to run outside today".  nice [we Arizona peeps might be wimps].  M1 & M2 - we are running together in the first anual "Emz 5k Cold Stumble" - you pick the date, time & place and I am there!

So instead I did this:

I did run with my sliding door open.  Ahhhhh, nature.

Now bring on the cooking.

Only one fight with the Pita in the kitchen in three hours --- pretty freaking great. 
That's one for the record books.  YAY!

Dinner [I must say] . . was AMAZING.

The blue cheese mashed potatoes - insane.
Prime rib - ended up being - even better than I had thought.
We ended up roasting a thyme, lime & garlic chicken - which we didn't even slice into.
Forgot the stuffing in the oven.  [it was off, thank goodness]
The rolls - yum.  The orange rolls - yummier.

After dinner relaxing . . . . turned into a gun show. [I'll spare you the photos of my huge biceps] ;)

Janie's Papa's Got a Gun"

The company - the best.

Dessert fabulous [in my sweet apron].

The Saints winning - the icing on the cake - pie.

Fabulous Day.

And . . . . .

Happy Birthday to you Ang!!

We love you!!

"I Was Just Thinking" - Teitur

I was just thinking . . . .[I know you are scared]

* I love this photo from Mt. Lemon.
* Appreciate the simple things in life. 

* Eat that second piece of cake, if you really want it.
* Time is the greatest gift you can give someone.
* Pick your battles.
* Think before you speak, especially if you're going to say something with irreparable impact.
* Don't play your trump card unless you have to.
* Children should nurture talents in both one sport and a fine art.

*Seek therapy if you're weathering a storm within. People need doctors for both the outside and the inside.
* Try new foods. It's the easiest, least expensive way to add some adventure to an otherwise ho-hum day.
* Always have a valid passport.
* Take family photos.

* Dorothy said it best: There's no place like home.

* Blood is thicker than water.
* Be there for family.  Even when it's hard.

* Brush your teeth twice a day. Three times if you have braces or have just eaten garlic crusted Prime rib.

* Trust your instincts about people. NOT what other's tell you about people.
* Trust in God. There really IS a plan at work, even if you might not have a clue what it is.

* Can't say enough about that honesty thing.
* Take time to play with children.
* Always buy Girl Scout cookies.
* Never pay full price for something over 20 bucks.
* Good looks are only skin deep.
* It's nice to be nice.

* Say please and thank-you, excuse me, pardon and I'm sorry.

* Send handwritten thank-you notes when someone gives you a gift, tangible or otherwise.
* Don't pass on gossip. Pass on compliments.
* Call your parents once a week to tell them you love them.
* Tell your parents you love them in your blog . . . just to see if they are actually reading it. ;)
* Tell the truth, even when it hurts.
* This is another good reason not to drink:

* Listen to others with a closed mouth and an open mind.
* Know how to hold your silverware properly at the table. Table manners are priceless.
* Karma really exists.
* I'm grateful for friends who call because they "had a feeling they should share something with me".  Thanks S.A.W.
* That bad dream last night was just a dream.  Even when you awaken from that dream in full on tears.
* I love my family.
* And especially, I was just thinking . . . I am grateful for an older sister who is strong. caring. emotional. supportive. and always there.
 
What are you thinking?

"Right Thurr" - Chingy

So my official Christmas/work shopping began yesterday at Saks. 

I took the opportunity to multi task after I saw this add [below] and knew I had 800's on my running schedule.



But instead , I wore these.

Bring on "long run/black Friday".

What time will you be heading off to the stores Friday?
Got your game plan?
Game Face?
4" Heels?

This "Target Chic" is goin' down.

"Hungry Like The Wolf" - DDuran

Appetizer:


How much money do you plan to spend this upcoming holiday season?
 
* Is "way too much", specific enough?!
 
 
Soup:


What was the last television show you watched, and was it good?
 
* "Top Gear" [American version] last night on the History Channel.  It.  sucked.  This is one show we should leave to the Brit's.
 
Salad:


If you had to paint the walls of your living room tomorrow, what color would you choose?

* Well, all 3/4 of my living room walls are made of "block" [masonry block].  But the other 1/4 --- I'd either paint grey or red.

Main Course:


Name something clever or practical you have thought of that should be invented, but hasn't yet.

* A U-turn light/indicator for a car.  I swear I could make millions off this.

Dessert:


List 3 things you would like to receive as gifts this holiday season.

* A new PR.
* An organized [something] with all my running crap in it.  photos. etc.
* A coupon book with the following:

1.  "you are right"
2.  "I said we were busy"
3.  "you are right"
4.  "because it's your day today"
5.  "you are right"
Now for the real Turkey Day menu:

* Garlic and Parmesan crusted Prime rib
* Blue Cheese mashed potatoes
* Sauteed asparagus with grated Parmesan
* Sauteed button mushrooms
* Cornbread, pecan and cranberry stuffing
* Curried Butternut squash soup
*  Homemade rolls / Orange rolls
* The Pita's [3 hour] Rhubarb Pie
* Wilted Spinach salad with garlic and bacon
Ya, I'm starting the cooking today.

"Walk This Way" - RUN DMC/EMZ

Okay so truth be told I bought the self promoting shirts last week.

Patrick.

Patrick understands my need for music.  He claims to personally not like music but he'll come around.

I woke up one morning to see an email from him.  A short, to the point email with little if any frills classic "Patrick style".  But the attachment was back-flip [worthy] kind of  f a b u l o u s .

day.
made.

I n t r o d u c i n g  . . . . .

RUN DMC - - - - EMZ STYLE.
[I suck at taking photos of myself]

Thank you, Patrick!

My family thanks you too for their new favorite early Christmas gift.  And yet, another reason to bug the snot out of them.  YAY me!

Heck ya, I'm wearing my shirt right now. 

What? 

My Punk Rock Racing one is in the wash.

Happy Friday!

"Nowhere Fast" - The Smith's

That song title by the Smith's [that's for you, Slowmo] . . .Is pretty much the story of my treadmill running life.

I may be getting "nowhere" but I'm getting there nowhere fast.

now.
this.
post.

random.
doesn't.
even.
cover
it.

These are little thoughts that I found myself thinking of while running today.  Thursday's are my NO TV while running on "Ed" days.

* I am loving my new PRR shirt from Ron. 

Seriously.  how.  cool.  is.  that?
*  I wonder if he's gotten that bra top design started up for me yet? ;)

* Is it okay that I let Peanut eat this for breakfast?

* Am I really going to have to pay $300+/night for a hotel in Boston?

* Can I really [have enough patience] to wait until next October to run a 100 mile race?

*  Is it really only 37 sleeps until the Pita's family arrives?

* Am I really going to be 30-ish something in January?

* Why can't I look as sweet as my Mom did when I vacuum?

* I wish we still had that vacuum.  and those blinds.  and that sweet floral arrangement.

* Peanut hates tennis [all of the sudden] and I want to make her do it.  Is this ok?

* I hope buckle hater is okay.  Love you M1.  Sorry about your car.

* Is it okay to buy/have shirts made with the intention of self promotion giving your family something to wear at your races?  I mean, if they are "with me" they should look sweet right?!

right?
right.

Hmmmm, let me know by tomorrow.

Happy Thursday!

"Is It Live" - RUN DMC

So, I'm kinda, sorta an emotional girl.

Always have been.
This is nothing new.
[duh] I think know we've established that.

One song can bring me to tears/full out laughter or up on my feet shakin' what my mama [didn't] give me -- within a matter of seconds. 

Needless to say, I am quick to display my emotions.

Sometimes I get all funky and super aware of my mortality. Realizing that some day when it's all said and done this body of mine is going to end up in something that looks more like a pared down Buick than any sort of pine/cedar box.

Other days I'm all Pollyanna and sunshine and effervescently bursting with optimism. I am fully aware this overly positive outlook has a way of annoying people.

whatever. anyway.

Still, there are other days when I get into a funk because I care about something too much.  Way too much.  Something I can't change.  Maybe it's something with work, maybe it's a relationship/friendship that needs a little grease.  I over-think sometimes and it can make me feel a bit down.

And I'm SO not okay with that.

I've decided, to not wait until January 1, 2011 to do this NYR [New Years Resolution].  1/1/11 [creepy/cool].  It is way too close to my birthday.  And I intend to celebrate for 2.5 weeks.

I have a list of ten but the one I am sharing today is #3:

#3:  I am not going to let anyone steal my sunshine. 

Yes, that's right I said "steal" .

I hearby declare that I will do my best to treat people the way that I want to be treated. I will kill negativity with kindness and remain committed to brushing off bad attitudes, bad comments, hurtful remarks.

I spent so many years in stuck in a cloud of frustration, anxiety and insecurity and realized life is too short to live that way.

Live and let live. 
I intend to live mine happy.
Maybe. even. annoyingly happy.

Happy HumpDay!

25 days until Tucson Marathon!!  YAY!

"I Will Survive" - Gloria Gaynor

I think there are layers of "hell" .  [Sorry Mom, I mean  H  E double hockey sticks].  But for purposes of this post.  It's just hell.  One size does not fit "all".  I think Hobby Lobby is in the sixth ring.  Wal-mart is in the eighth.  Now, Home Depot . . . the first ring for sure.  Now as far as I know, there are ten rings of hell but should I somehow discover a worse place that HD . . . there could actually be more.

[I'll do the layers of heaven post another day, yes, of course, there is one.]

I will only set foot in Home Depot if:

* I have a photo of what I need.  [thank you iPhone]
* I have a recorded message of the Pita talking that I can play to the HD ass[ociate] to better explain what i/we/HE needs. [thank you iPhone]
* I am promised a chicken burro enchilada style [from Carolina's] on our return trip home.
* I am picking out a Christmas tree.
* It is the Pita's birthday.  The man likes power tools [to sit in the garage].
* If the Pita is home taking a sick [fake cough, fake cough] day and has a sprinkler related emergency and I must go.

It all happened so fast . . . such a blur. 

Pita:  "EM, you need to go . . now . . go get your crusty Runner, runner, runner shirt on and go, go go!"
Me: but I need a photo, a voice memo, something in writing.....a prozac, midol, something!!

[he's not laughing.]

Pita:  "Em, you've freaking got this!" [looks up winks.]

[happy me.....heeeeheeeheee someone's been reading my blog.]

His phone rings.  work people.  yikes.  not now --- I need better details.  He tells them to hold. 

Pita:  Em, it's like this but not this.  It's a 90 degree angle but one side screws, this side [points] not this side, it needs to be 1/2" this side, 3/4" this side.  got it?

[angry face]

Me:  No, wait but . . .fine whatever.  Answer your phone I'll be calling.
Pita:  Smiles. [smiles big . . whaaa, huh? why you so happy?!]

I get there grab the arm of the first orange apron.  sprinklers/plumbing whatever.  Please help now.  I hate it here.
[long boring, attempt at funny, not entertained but I smile and act interested and laugh.  he grabs a phone and called "associate in plumbing to front of row 11".

[five minutes that felt like 17]

I meet "Nick".  Nick is not helpful.  Nick keeps looking at me like I'm stupid.  Fine, I'm a stupid HD girl, I'm totally okay with that just help me!

Nick:  blah blah you can't have both 1/2 & 3/4 AND one smooth side and one threaded side in a 90 degree.

Me:  please hold.  call Pita. no answer.  again.  no answer.

Nick: [still talking nonsense....hands me one]  I think this is it but it might not be it.

Me:  [deep cleansing breath].  Nick, you've been great.  Which ones might it be?  I'll but any it might be and return all the others.

Nick:  man, you really do hate it here. 
[big smile from me]
Me:  The hugest understatement ever.

I return home to find the Pita done.  Like done with the problem.

Pita:  man, that took a while.  I found a spare in the garage, sorry.  What did you buy?  Holy crap, that's a full bag.

Rule #944:  never be lured into doing something you don't want to do by a wink from your man.  He's crafty.  He'll sort it out without you.

What/where is your LEAST favorite place to do/go?

"Tag" - Fast Eddie

Well thanks to Matty-O [MO, to me, says me]....you guys get seven more not so interesting facts about me.

1.  yes.  I.  do.  love.  my.  Ed.  Treadmill.  running.  is.  for.  me.

2.  I will not play Monopoly with the Pita.  He.  Cheats.  but.  I.  never.  lose.

3.  I'd rather stick pencils in my eyes than go to Home Depot.

4.  First job I ever had was working at Baskin Robbins.  Lasted 4 days.  or was it 3?!

5.  I don't wear contacts or glasses.  Perfect vision.  Tried failed vision tests until I was 14 then gave up.  Those eye doctors are cleverishly sneaky/smart.  Or I'm just bad at lying.

6.  I'm bad at lying.  Learned that at a very young age.  One of my favorite quotes is, "If you tell the truth, you don't have to remember anything." - Mark Twain

7.  Emily & Ajh ----- I finally.  finally. f i n a l l y .  got this yesterday from my new boyfriend [post man].

Awwwwwwwwwwwww.  ya.  Boston.  Baby.

NOW "tag" you are it......

1.XLMIC @ Taking It On.
2.Leah B @ Leah B's Running Life.
3.One Crazy Penguin @ One Crazy Penguin.

:)  :)  :)  :)

"Pure Energy" - Information Society [& Tagged, I'm it]

1/2 full?
1/2 empty?

Well, let's just say "training" has gone better than expected.  SO when my runs had been getting speedier . . . rather than celebrating . . . I called to have my dear sweet "Ed" serviced, as I swore it was giving me false positive results.

What?  I'm totally a glass is half full kind of girl.  ;)

Good great news.  Ed, is accurate.  YAY!  yay!  y a y !

SO I got this out of the way this morning at 5am [ugg].

So now to the fun stuff.

Allison at "Just Tri And Finish" tagged me for a Versatile blogger award.
YAY ME!

I like this twist though . . . Favorite Movies with 7 Random things about me related to the films.  Truth be told I have about 14 favorites but . . . here we go:

1.  Clueless. Always wanted that dang white Jeep Wrangler she drove.

Best quotes: 

"Helllooo that was a stop sign!"
"What?....I totally paused."
"And can I Remind you it does not say RSVP on the statue of liberty."

My personal fav:  "She's a full on Monet. Like the painting. From far away it's ok but up close it's a big ole mess."

2.  Can't Buy Me Love.  Awesome.

Patty: "Didn't you like, used to mow our lawn?"
Ronald Miller: "Yes, and you have the nicest pair of rhododendrons in town!"

Patty: "Rhodo-who's?"

The football big-guy:  "Quin-ton is in, let the fun begin!"

 RM little bro: "Cards with the tards. Who could beat a night of cards, chips, dips and dorks?!!"

3. Sliding Doors.  Love this one.
I posted about it [here] - a looooooooooooooong time ago.  It's one of my [personal favorite] posts.

4.  Jerry Maguire.  Before TC went all wack job.

GREAT quotes in this one:

"You had me at hello"
"Show me the money"
"D’you know that the human head weighs 8 pounds?"
"You complete me."

Dicky Fox may have said it best – “Hey, I don’t have all the answers. In life, to be honest, I failed as much as I have succeeded. But I love my wife. I love my life. And I wish you my kind of success.”


5.  Farris Bueller.  love this.  Pretty sure there are only about 3 lines I can't quote.

"He'll keep calling me, he'll keep calling me until I come over. He'll make me feel guilty. This is uh... This is ridiculous, ok I'll go, I'll go, I'll go, I'll go, I'll go. What - I'LL GO."

"Ferris Bueller, you're my hero."
"The key to faking out the parents is the clammy hands. It's a good non-specific symptom; I'm a big believer in it. A lot of people will tell you that a good phony fever is a dead lock, but, uh... you get a nervous mother, you could wind up in a doctor's office. That's worse than school. You fake a stomach cramp, and when you're bent over, moaning and wailing, you lick your palms. It's a little childish and stupid, but then, so is high school."

6.  Love Happens.
The only thing better than receiving flowers . . . .the card attached to the flowers.

"Poppysmic" - sound produced with smacking of lips - the best ever.

7.  Goonies.  childhood classic.

I'd trade him for his abs any day.

TAG:

Jannifer @ The Running Artist
Jill @ Run with Jill
The Turtle @ The Turtle's Pace

HAPPY FRIDAY!!

"Follow The Yellow Brick Road" - Judy Garland

So I got tired of my whining.

There is NO "fall" here.  No changing leaves.  No cold.  No need for long sleeves.

So last Saturday . . . we headed north.  North bound to Sedona.  You see a little co-worker told the Pita a thing of beauty . . . "the leaves are changing & beginning to fall in Sedona".

. . . . You had me at "changing".  My day pack is packed.  So we woke up Peanut bright and early [like she went in her P.J's, early] and off we went.  With a promise of colored leaves, a 8 mile hike & even some fly fishing for the big-guy.

After our normal bickering during travel. . . .

 . . . ."you are too close" . . . . . "You drive too fast" . . . . "you are an angry driver" . . . . "you are NOT teaching Peanut how to drive" . . . . and a freaking whole lot of honking . . .

Ahhhhh Sedona.  The only fabulous City in Arizona where they are too stupid to put in TWO lanes that lead to the city.

First stop.  holy bummer.  How did I not know the 50k was today.  super bummed.  Would have loved to run it!  Saw a few runners at mile 17.  They looked great & strong.

Here's the photo Peanut captured of me wishing I was running.

Next stop.  Fishing for Pita.  Frolicking in the water for Peanut and for me FREEZING.  I got what I asked for . . . cold.  And you guessed it . . . only a long sleeve hoodie-ish thing [minus the hood].  So I sat trying to find my inner lizard on a rock to soak up the sun.  Ya, doesn't work when the rock is freezing too.  Anyway, spent 1.75 hours picking out items out of the Nordstrom Christmas Catalog . . yay!  I found my must have boots Karen!!  Bummer they don't come in red. ;)

So it's lunch time but the Pita wants to get a hikin'.  We have a lot of water and almonds.  Oh yay.   We are off.  It's beautiful.  b e a u t i f u l.  Even prettier than I had imagined. 

Yellow leaves all over the path/walk-way.  Awesome.

We got about 1.5 miles in and Peanut mentioned the word.  lunch. 

Peanut: when is lunch? 
[I look at the Pita]
Peanut: Do we have lunch? 
Peanut: Mom, please tell me you packed a lunch? 
Emz:  Kid you ate your "lunch" at 10:05. 
Peanut:  Mom, what time is it?
Emz:  ummmm, ya.  I don't know.  we're walking.  we're walking . . .
Peanut:  Mom.  Time.  Por Favor.  [yes, when the Pita takes Spanish lessons, we all benefit]
Emz:  it's like one kjhdaswtaysf [that's me slurring]
Peanut: one what?
Emz:  uggg, fine 1:35pm.

So we make it another 1/4 mile and we see "Happy Camper Joe".  Who says, what we think was, "howdy [no joke], you are all gonna love the view.  spent the night there.  only 3 miles to go to beauty".

The look from Peanut was priceless.  Then without saying a word she went to the nearby tree and did this:

Awwwww, ya.  That's my girl.  Such fierce determination. Such vigor.  Such excitement.

So we did what all parents would do.  Played one hour of "I Spy".  I could care less if I ever play that game again.  But it worked.  We got there.  And it was wonderful.  And worth it.  And awesome.

We did see a super cool mouse with serious issues.  kept going in circles. 

We stayed at least 5 minutes and.  it.  never.  stopped. 

Pita was going to "put it out of it's misery" but tears from Peanut --- quickly halted the hunt.  I have a sweet video of it that I have no clue how to upload or attach.  It's sad but freaking hilarious at the same time.

Peanut & Pita decided to follow camper Joe's advice and get their feet soaking wet in the water and go the extra 1/4 mile around the canyon.  Me.  No.  Thank you.  My blisters are almost fully recovered from October 2nd.  I'm sitting this one out. 

Turns out, the party-pooper . . [me] . .  was smart.  Guess who had freezing toes and needed "beaver skin" [AKA ...mole skin, I swear the kid will never remember the right word].

The 4+ mile trek back was hilarious.  Fabulous family experience.  My kid.  She's pretty funny.  Loved every whine and comment.

Like:
[each statement below is al la Peanut, where does she learn the sarcasm?!]

* Mom, spare me the "50 mile stories"
* Mom, this is not mile 48.
* So next time you expect me to walk 8 miles, could we maybe pack 7 Cheerios?
* I am hopeless.  [As she trips over her 42 rock of the day.]
* Ehhhhh, who needs to feel their toes anyway?
* so do I get a buckle or a pat on the head when this is over?
* I spy something that starts with a "s".  [no pause] soup.  Oh wait that was just a mirage.  [this kid reads too much].
* Where are MY 300 Spartan sleeves?  I am Spartan!
* Mom, look I'm you . . .[flexes her abs, raises her arms, then says MY LINE!]...... "I've freaking got this!" heeeheeeheee.

Not sure where she gets this personality of hers . . .but....I.  Love.  It.

Yay for family road trips.  Even ones without proper food.

"Shiny Happy People [Peanut]" - R.E.M. & WINNERS!

Do you remember cameras?  Like cameras with film?

Well, I found a roll of undeveloped film when I was looking at real photos a few months back.  So yesterday I finally picked them up from Costco. 

To find 24 of these.

nice.

slightly creepy.

officially creepy & I think we will need braces on those teeth.

tasty.
a n d . .

my favorite.

Yay for six year olds who take photos without asking.  Made.  My.  Day.

Now for the winners!

1.  The PRR T - the NEW one.  I am jealous.  I need this one!

2.  The "IWYTWM" runner X 6 in BLACK unisex. 

3.  The same as #2 but in a "women's cut" - BLACK.

w i n n e r s:

1.  Comment #27 = "She Said I needed A Goal"
2.  Comment #121 = Jason at "Life of An Aspiring Triathlete"
3.  Comment #137 = Julie @ HLR "http://www.hotlegsrunner.com/"

****************************************



PLEASE email me at:  queenofjean[at]gmail[dot]com

Please include your address and size needed.

HAPPY TUESDAY!!

"Friends forever" - Vitamin C

Friday.  was.  awesome.

I got to see my VERY, VERY best childhood friend.  For sure my BF.  I have only seen her 3 times in 11 years [including Friday in the "3"].  sad.  and.  dumb.

Why?  Because we live about 30 miles away from eachother.



We did everything together.  Everything. 

We never officially "met".  Our Mom's were best friends.  We were raised together.

Yep, she's the cute one on the right.  I was one month old - she was two and a half months old.  Yes, I weighed like 24 pounds more than her at birth and through out our childhood.

Our Mom's worked together/wrote MAM cookbooks together throughout their/our lives [with another awesome woman/family].

Our families were inseparable.

Look at this group.  Enough for a freaking huge family reunion.  And it's only three [busy] families.

S.A.W [my BFF's initials] she got cool initials.  and a series of awesome creepy movies named after her.
ME:  "EE", ya, thanks Mom & Dad. 
But it's okay, I turned into "ET" which is pretty sweet.  And I know have a Katy Perry Song named after me.  awesome.

So lunch was awesome.  tears.  happiness.  sharing.  just like old times.  Same S.A.W. as ever.  Oh except that now, we have 5 kids between the two of us.  Yes, she has four.  And she brought the most beautiful blue eyed "M" with her [9 months].

Crazy.  Just amazing how much things have changed since the day my parents & I left Glendale, AZ [mid-high school --- ugggg] for Scottsdale, AZ.

But some things never change.

We sat there sharing some drama, some hurt, some serious talk, some laughter, some excitement, some accomplishments & some tears.  Each of us surprised at how the other had gone through, coped with, dealt with some trials and some losses.

But in the end it was the memories we shared together that were the fondest.

Summers swimming.  grocery shopping with our moms.  working out with our mom's using cans of beans and soup as weights.  running on water in her backyard.  Being able to quote lines from Farris B. & Top Gun.  volleyball teams.  tortillas with cinnamon and butter.

Good times with my best friend.

I am thankful.

"300" - Soul Coughing [+ giveaway]

Welcome.
to.
300.

Emz style.

Look what you started with these sleeves Angie B.

If only, I had those legs.


Now, I did love "Foges" idea of using my very first blog [click here-but please come back!] 

I [mostly] love how much things have changed since then.

Like:

* "number of people who will read my blog" - ummmm, look at the comments total on this post.  Yep, it was "one" too - thanks to [Matty-O].

* number of marathons I've run.  Was one now it's seven.  With and 8,9 & 10 just around the corner.

* number of people I will tell.  While I don't tell many.  I sure as heck have told more than one.

* I ran a 50 mile TRAIL race.  Would have NEVER - EVER thought I'd have done that 299 posts ago.

* I have friends in blog land.  Like real. true. friends.  Friends that are unlike any other.  Friends I hold dear to my heart.  not weird Internet friends.  but friends I'd help out in a heartbeat, if they needed me.

* number of toenails I've lost.  Increased by four.  dang 50 miler.

* I now have friends in Canada, Australia, Italy, Europe [I found out where it is Adrienne], Netherlands, Mexico & New Zealand.  And I wouldn't trade them for anything.
* I do still just have the one [albeit perfect] kido.  That one does surprise me.

* I have blog friends that probably understand me better than some family and without question, most friends.

* Only one blog meet up [so far] with one of my favorite girls who runs this planet Kera.
* I'll be running in this next year with RL.  My fellow AZ girl, I MUST meet!

* I never thought in a million years I'd get called out on the abs.  Still don't get that.  The arm crease now, that is weird and gross.

Big moments in blogging for me:

Amy & Brooke......without a doubt they are the reason I started blogging.  They made it look fun & they made it funny.

When I found Petra.  First runner I ever followed.
When MissZ became a follower.  I mean look at her profile photo.  This woman means business.
When BDD became a follower.  I'm still trying to figure out if he truly exists or is an urban legend.

Then there was "Q" & "SU&R" who - - - man, just speechless.  They are hilarious.

Patrick and all his [not] smiling.  Kovas in all his "strangeness".  DRog with his "tranny" issues [car...people, car tranny].  Andrew with his awesome posts and race shirts.

I could go on & on.  Wait, I must . . .Sarah [can't link her because it's private and I'm invited and you are not.  Love you Sarah].  Slowmo.  Awesome.  And who can forget Jamoosh.  Mooshy, to me.  His RR here.  The best ever.  And oh ya, thanks for putting my abs on the "map".

You guys have made this the best time in my life.  Through the uppest up's and the downest downs.  I thank you.

Now to celebrate:

Be thankful we are not celebrating in person or I'd have to break out my best "running man" .  Okay, we should ALL be thankful [thankful day #5] for ON-LINE parties.

** In honor of 300 post day. **

I have three items up for you to win.

Item #1: [wait I don't even own this one!]

#2:

In "unisex" sizing [black].

#3:

In "girlie" sizing [in black].

HUGE. HUGE. HUGE "thank you" to Ron @ Punk Rock Racing for the giveaway donation.  Have I mentioned, I love this guy?! 

If you don't want to wait to win. . . . click on the new added link on my blog and buy direct.  Tell him "Emz sent you" . . . ONLY because I think it sounds cool.

How to enter:

1. Follow- follow me into my constant state of confusion. +1
2. Follow me on Facebook - HA!  I've been dying to write that. -4
3. Tell me your favorite blog post of mine. +1
4. Tell me why you follow me. +1
5. Link to this post. +1

[rules on #4] . . . must be an appropriate comment that a 10 year old could read.  Because she does read.  So play nice.

** Wnners will be announced Tuesday, November 9th. **

YOU GUYS ROCK.

LOVE YOU ALL!

Emz