H a p p y. On "Happy's" Day.

I have this friend who randomly showers Peanut with gifts.


One day, it was a red plaid [very hip] top. Another time it was chocolate covered sunflower seeds in every color of the rainbow. I asked her once [okay, maybe more like seven] to watch Peanut and, upon accepting her new acquired package [Peanut], she took her to Panda Express [her favorite].  

Needless to say, Peanut loves [wishing there was a bigger font ;) ] her. (And her random gifts. But the best part is the love she shows me & my little family.)

She is an incredibly, devoted mother. Raising four kids of her own.

One night, not too long ago, when my own heart was too tender for words, she turned up at my door [with "d" her incredible husband]. She hugged me. And I cried. I was all grown up[as I'm going to be anyway], independent and [semi] strong. But life was/is hard. And I felt weak. Sad. Broken. And lost.

She/they filled me up. She is my strength. My courage. My listener. My comfort.

She is my sister.

And, in that moment, of seemingly utter despair, I needed her more than I ever had. And she was there. 

She was there.   She always is there.

My sister is hilarious.  This is a new[ish] trait of hers I have recently noticed.  She is fiercely loyal.  I admire her candor.  She is talented at about everything but cooking which is why I loved this photo so much.

She bakes lots - - but it's outside baking - - in the sun - - and what's being "baked" is her skin.
Happy married "D" when I was 7 1/2.  SO while I remember growing up with her, most of my memories of her include "d".  Which makes me HAPPY.  They are so  much fun to hang out with [see "d" below....what a sport]

After she left for the "married life"  - - - I actually got to see her... more.  And spend the night at their place.  And they had an eight track player and a bird.  It was awesome.  They made me an "aunt" when I was just eight years old.  Her oldest son feels more like a little brother to me.  And that makes me smile.

So what ?? that she flunked PE two years in a row.  The girl is a clean freak and sweat was not her favorite.  However, she is one of the hardest workers I know.  The only person I know who can spend six hours in her 90% rock filled yard doing "yard work". 

Did I mention she loves the Suns?  Talk about "loyal".  They stink!

Look up the words:  "thoughtful", "loyal" & "perfectionist" her name will be in the definitions.

An email here. A hug there. A forever prayer in her heart. A text just to "check in". A moment of understanding. Her pristine example and her stalwart belief that people can change and hope is the best four letter word.  ever.

Sisterhood has shaped my life.

My sister's are sacred and dear to me.

"Happy" the way you live your life - - - changes mine. It's what YOU do. You never stop.

And I love you forever for it.

It doesn't really matter that we are 13 years apart & that I don't remember much of living WITH you.

I think there are three things that will always be true.  I will never really grow up. I need  love.  And I will always need you as my sister [my friend].



Always.

Happy Birthday "Happy".
 
We love you.
And thanks for my nickname.
 
Love,
Emz

Back to school shopping already?!

This morning Peanut reminded me.  Our annual "back to school shopping" adventure needed to make it's way on to my phone [meaning.....my calendar which is on my phone and my brain which I'm pretty sure resides in my phone 90% of the time.] 

So, of course, I immediately thought of this post from last year:
Here's a copy [so you don't have to click]:

Back to school - Welcome to the jungle.

8/9/09

So Peanut reminds me at 11am:


Peanut: weren't you supposed to take me school {clothes} shopping today?

Me: Ahh yes! Give me 10 minutes, I'll get dressed.

P: But mom you haven't showered.

Me: this is WHY I work from home.

P: but take your time - we don't have to rush.

Me: Yes, we do. Have to be at post office by 2pm.

P: Can I pick out your outfit?

Me: As long as it's not too fancy - I'm not feeling fancy today.

{I am actually leaving A LOT out!}

P: how about this .....{enter sweet jeans - like that, really ugly green shirt I haven't worn for at least a year, my Harley-Davidson belt {hello U of A college days!!} and ZEBRA 4" heels - I swear they actually can look sweet with the right outfit {just not this one}.

Me: Ummmm remember - I'm not feeling fancy.

P: because you don't have make-up on. Do your make-up I'll be back in 5 minutes.

Me: {Ugggggggggg} ok sweet cheeks.

{ 2 minutes {tops} passes}

P: I said to put on make-up

Me: Ummmm it IS on.

P: uhh ok - take your hair out of a ponytail it looks like you just woke up.

Me: {ouch} I'M KEEPING THE FRIGGIN PONYTAIL - my little angel. ;)

P: really? Do you have to?

Me: yes, have to. okay - get out - I'm getting dressed in this sweet outfit. Be out in a few.

{I open my door - she's standing right there - in the doorway}

P: Mom you are the best. You are ready to go to the mall with ME!

And this is why I wore the "freak show" outfit - she thought I was the most fabulous mom there. The other appropriate mom's there {in their mom jeans and crocs}?

Not so much. ;)
***************************************************
Wish me luck!
She's already asked for these:

Heck, at least I don't have to wear them!

[Top of Utah marathon . . . 52 days!] Yay!

Friday Fotos

Yep, I'm hooked on phonics fonics.

So I found my perfect running shirt. I love the Ramone's.  I love Running.

Now, I get to love BOTH at the same time.

You can buy one here.

The back says "Punk Rock Racing".  Can you tell I kinda like, love am going to wear this shirt every chance I get!!??

Fabulous quote from the YMCA last night:

Chuy looking abused happy with his new "Project [dog] Runway" look.

My oldest sister rocking her new diamond.  Just celebrated her 27th Anniversary.  YAY S &D!

So awesome!

Almost as awesome as this burger I had yesterday.  If you live in the Phoenix area you must go to "Lucky Boy".  16th & Thomas[-ish]. 

Let me just say, the burger is amazing.  The owners....so nice.  The place.....it's a dive.  Just close your eyes & enjoy!

Happy Freakin' Friday!!

labels

I've always been a labels girl.  Remember Esprit,  Guess? [sweet inverted triangle label], U-knits?  I'm sorry to say, I have always cared about that stupid little label .  Not really sure why.  Here's some proof.  He's me on Christmas day. 

Prior to this photo, I had run in circles around my home yelling, "I got them, I got them!" ..... "Them" being "Guess" shorts.  Seriously, that WAS my Christmas.  One item & it was pure bliss.

I since have figured, I still crave labels. 

But not designer ones.  More like "me" ones.

Let me explain.

From 7-10, I was "Gymnastics Emily".  But then something happened.  I grew.  And long legs don't "flip" as well as cute little legs.  I am sparing you some sweet photos of this one.

Year 10-10.76, my Mom tried [must give her credit] to help me be, "musical Emily".  I mean anything.  Tried Piano. . .  Bad doesn't even begin to cover it.  Saxaphone . . .somehow, even uglier.  And if you've ever heard me sing in the shower, sing at church sing in my car - - - okay, you get it......no bueno.

So from 11-16, I was "Volleyball Emily".  I thought this was going to be "THE EMILY" at least until after my full ride scholarship.  Torn ligaments my Junior year "sidelined" me for months.  Add to that one of the worst experiences/trials in my life [to date] and I decided I was done.  Done with Volleyball.  What?  I felt the ground shake below me.  Or maybe that was my Dad's wallet/401K crying out, "take the full ride - you want the full ride".  ;) No Volleyball?  what will you do?  Who will you BE without Volleyball?

So, from 17-19, I decided "Skinny Emily" would be next.  Worst years to date.  What I can remember of them anyway.

Then from there, 19-21, I gained 35-40 pounds and happily became "workout Emily".  My thoughts . . . [I can only workout at 4am.....no problem.  I need to workout 3 times per day . . . perfect].  Done.  This is when "running Emily" was born.

Other brief stints included:
"Vegetarian Emily"
"work 3 jobs Emily"
"no fat eating Emily"
"I'm never wrong Emily"
"8 minute Abs Emily"
"Cooking Emily"
"rice & teriyaki sauce diet Emily"
"coupon Emily"
"frugal cheap a*s Emily"


At 21 and 10 months ;), I married the Pita.  At which time I thought I should be, "[Perfect]Wife Emily". Get up at 5:30-6am to make breakfast. check.  Do laundry.  Check.  Do ironing.  check.  Be the only one who [literally] can make money.  check. [he didn't have his green card].  Then when he could..... I'd pack lunch for him.  check.  Make cakes and deliver them to work because he forgot his assistants birthday was today.  check.  Did I/do I enjoy this?  99.7% of the time.  check.

Then at the ripe old age of 23, I added, "Mom Emily".  Most rewarding label by far.  I always wanted to have more little Peanuts.  She makes my world happy, happy, happy.

At 25, I found eBay.  Well, it found me and I became, "eBay Emily".  This label pays well [in dollars, anyway].  I love it. 

Lately, some of these labels have been [attempting] to change on me.  And it makes my heart hurt.  It's not that I'm opposed to change.  It's mostly, that I can't do things 1/2 way.  Mostly, that's a good thing.  But, not always.

The last 8 months have been a "challenge" in my life, to say the least.  This is when the sleeping marathoner in me was re-born.  "Marathon runner Emily" has arrived.  So, to celebrate the little [insignificant in comparison to REAL life] things . . . . to date, I have taken  56 minutes off my first marathon time.  Yay!

So, here's my  "thing".  I am running.  But I'm pretty sure I'm running so much because it literally is "cheaper than therapy".  I have pain.  I have sadness.  But please know, there is no pity party here.  I have life.  I have family.  I have a plan.  And, did I mention, I have my 3:20. 

I said that 3:20 was all I ever wanted right?  I lied.  I was told by someone way, way too close to me that, "a 3:20 wasn't worth getting on a shirt but maybe if I could run a 2:59, NOW THAT, THAT would be worthy."  That hurt.  However, I'd like to enjoy life too.  Maybe with a few less labels. 
Hey, what a concept.

So, here comes, wait for it - wait for it - [just] "Emily".  Raw & uncut.  I hope you'll stay [follow] and enjoy the ride as much as I intend to.

I mean seriously.

Check her out.

Is she workin' it or is she workin' it?!

So Peanut comes in while I'm running on the treadmill and asks, "ya know that pile that is donations.....can I cut up a pair of MY old jeans and make them into shorts?"

Me, "sure, just don't cut them too short".

Then [dun dun dun dunahhhh] she walks in like this:

[yes, of course I stopped the mill for this].

Hmmmmm, but then I realized OMGosh, those are my old True Religion Big T flap pocket, heavy stitch jeans that I was going to sell on eBay!!! [side note, yes, they were next to the give-a-way pile but SOOOOOOOOOOOO not in the pile - certainly, at least 3' away.

So, I did what every mom would have done.  Freaked out [silently] and said, those are mine!! JK, that's so what I wanted to say then I turned my thoughts quickly to [Jesus ;) and] what a "good" mom would do [took two and a half [or 47] deep breaths and] I really said, "you completely rock, Kid" and took her to summer camp - exactly as pictured.

Now if she gets a stain on those, I'm really going to be ticked. ;)

Not heavy medal

okay, so my assortment leaves MUCH to be desired but . . . it is what it is guys.

I can't find the medal from my first marathon in 1999 [the marathon I ran, unknowingly pregnant].  It's some where in my garage.  And I didn't include the photo of the plaque I won because - - I'm a bad sport.  [honesty candor, is my best quality].

Here's the pile [so far].  I know there will be one more in September and I'd love to have another in October and November and Decem .... [ok, you get it].

I have run 5 marathons in 7 months and have loved every mile of it.

My favorite medal is actually from Tucson [December 2009']. 

That was a very happy family moment/day.  One that I replay over & over in my mind daily.

And of course, I adore the one that got me my 3:20.  I love it more because Peanut put it around my neck.  She gave me a big smooch said she was proud of me then FREAKED out when she looked at it and it said, "1/2 marathon finisher".  She marched right over to the medal handout lady and assertively told the lady, "my mom finished the marathon not the half".  awesome.  That's my girl.

where is the love?

In my attempt to carelessly spend money yesterday - - I started looking for a fun, new, [possibly] funny, exciting running t-shirt. 

Not a "running shirt" but like a shirt to wear after running to the grocery store, dry cleaner, Peanut's summer camp to explain why I look so bad.  Ya know, so fellow shoppers, workers, critiquing mom's could say, "Ohhhhhhh, she must have just gotten done running".  Even though, I'll probably end up wearing it on days I look bad and there's been NO run in sight.  See, I'm a thinker.

But I kept finding crap shirts like this:

And this:

Why all the hate?

Am I not a "runner" if I only run indoors?!?  I personally know the answer to that.  but . . [and it's a BIG but]. . . . why are there so many who think otherwise? 

Do you guys hate treadmills?  If so, why?  Is it just the boring factor?  Lay it on me.  I'm ready.  I want to know!