Movin' and Shakin'

I'm feeling better about my closet.
Thank you all soooooooo much for the advice. I performed a major purge last night. I have half a room full of stuff that I am offering to some girlfriends or giving to charity. I have to admit that I only got rid of 2 pairs of shoes. I really do wear all of them. (Side note: last time I moved I specifically remember my dad saying "Do you really need 6 pairs of black heals?" Yes dad, I do and if you wear heals everyday it's nice to not have to wear the same ones!)

This is what I'm gonna do:
Spare bedroom closet will get all the shoes, suits, dressier dresses, bathing suits, purses and stuff that isn't worn on a regular basis. I will put some mirrored closet doors (eventually) in there and make it my dressing room.

The closet in my room will have all my work clothes and daily wear items. I will get a double rod in there and I think it will work. I also want to eventually get those awesome flocked hangers. I wish I could now, but dang my money is quickly evaporating.

My girlies are coming over to new place tonight to help me clean it all up (Thanks Dr Dev and Mrs. C). Then the big move in starts tomorrow!!!!!!

I did get my 4 miler in this morning. My mind was racing the entire time with my to-do list that I actually enjoyed my run. It went pretty fast. However, I'm still off kilter with my nutrition and hydration. When I'm busy and stressed, I do the opposite of most people - I don't eat. Actually I haven't had dinner the past 2 nights. I was just so absorbed in what I was doing. I haven't really been eating breakfast either. Just an apple. But with my girls coming tonight, I thought I would supply some food and drinks so I'll eat - don't fret. And next week when I'm in my new place with my fridge - I'll stock up and get my act together.

Closet Conundrum

I have to admit that this is completely humiliating and embarrassing.

I'm talking about my closet. When I moved into my little beach apartment, there was pathetic hole in the bedroom that they considered a closet. But luckily, there was an "office." I called my dad over straight away and he turned the office into a big ass walk in closet. You might also remember when my closet collapsed that one time.

Pic 1 is my current closet.

I have 3 racks for shoes and a basket of shoes overflowing. Yes, I need them all.

In a feeble attempt to be organized, I purchased some baskets (sitting on shelf). These contain hats, bathing suits, cover ups, costume items, and purses.

There is also a little shelf thing that is crammed with sweats and jammies.
Not in the picture (but on the left wall of the closet) is a dresser. The dresser is completely overflowing to the point that some of the drawers don't close. In the dresser are undies, socks, tank tops, tee shirts, running clothes and sweaters.

Hanging on the wall - belts, scarves and a robe. Oh, and you can see all my race medals on the door nob. Exciting place for them, huh?

This second pic is my new closet.

It is about 1/4 of the size of my old closet.

What the hiz-ell am I going to do?

I do have a few saving graces - I have a spare bedroom. So I can put stuff that is not frequently worn in that closet. Also, there is a closet down stairs where I can put jackets and such. Last, I have a very high bed, so that space can be utilized somehow.

I am reaching out to you. I need help!

Thoughts?

Suggestions?

Links?

**Please note that after all the home improvements I had to do, I am completely broke. Like won't have furniture broke.

The Fantastic, The Annoying and The Down Right Stupid

The Fantastic

• Condo home improvements going smooth. It looks like I'll be moving in this weekend! Yippy.
• Running getting there - did a 7 miler on Saturday and a 3 miler this AM.
• Yoga - loving it. Had awesome new teacher this weekend and I talked my boss into making it a weekly thing for us to leave early one day to catch the 4:30 class!
• With my move, I'm trying to figure out my new running path. I THINK that I might be close enough to this river jetty that runs into the ocean. So I'll have to check that out next week!

The Annoying

• The only hiccup with the condo so far was the mail situation. They have group boxes and since my condo was bank owned, I didn't have the mail key NOR did I know what box was mine. After several visits to the post office, $35.00 and a call to the post man (who had to put a sticky note on my mail box - it is finally resolved.
• Moving is annoying. I need to start packing tonight.
• I have a major closet issue. Right now I have converted an office into a ginormous closet. It is currently overflowing with stuff. My new condo has the smallest closet in the universe. Honestly it probably won't even fit my shoes. I might have to take pictures to get suggestions from you all. I need a closet solution!
• I have to get rid of my couch and chair. I think I have to put it on Craig's List. How annoying is that?

The Down Right Stupid

• Sunday, I was (kinda) play fighting a certain person you all love to hate. To defend himself he put his arms up. I socked his forearm and I think I broke my finger. I can't straighten it and it's black and blue. Ouchie. Stupid. You're not supposed to hit.

Prom Season

The prom season has begun. Some of you have kids going to the prom, others of us can reflect (and laugh) at our own prom.

I'm bringing prom world to bloggerland.... I TAG ALL OF YOU to bust out a prom picture and post it for us. Then if you feel so inclined, share your prom story. Let's see how many prom pics we can get....

1992

November Rain - GnR

Smells Like Teen Spirit - Nirvana
Boys II Men
P.M. Dawn
MC Hammer
Color Me Badd

I had the same boyfriend from 10th grade well into my college years. He was a year older, so we went to HIS senior prom (my junior prom). I remember he was really stressed about being able to afford it. I think he had to sell some baseball cards or something. muahhhhh

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I loved my dress - it made me feel like The Little Mermaid. Of course I had my shoes and purse dyed to match. I'm just glad my "big hair" stage was already phasing out.

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Also for your viewing pleasure, I used a picture that showcases my awesome black lacquer bedroom set, which I thought was sooooooooo cool. But still a little girl, you'll also notice the teddy bear.

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I think we went to Cask 'N Cleaver for dinner. That was the fanciest restaurant we could think of. The actual prom sucked, from what I remember. My boyfriend would not dance, so neither did I. We just sat there. I think we even got in a fight (which we did often).

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Here's the kicker of my prom story. I'm sure you'll all think I'm a hussy, but if you read my blog regularly, then that's already confirmed. So prom night was a BIG night... ya know? We booked a hotel room. We were cool like that. I went to Victoria's Secret and got some saucy little number, that most likely looked more like a dress than the actual dresses girls wear THESE days to prom (whoa, I sound old). Anyway, we check into the hotel and he says he'll be right back.

I waited.

And waited.

Then I heard a ruckus and realized that there was a big party a couple rooms down. It was obvious that it was people from our prom.

My boyfriend went to the party.

Without me.

I feel asleep in my fancy new nightie.

Alone.

And I didn't even break up with him after that.

AND that wasn't even the worst thing he did throughout our 5 year relationship.

But that's another blog.

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So bring on the prom pics people!!!!

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(PS: YES, I got up and ran this morning! Yeah for me)

Not Quite There

Operation Start Running in Mornings: FAIL

Must run tomorrow morning or else.
What is my problem????? I only have about 3 more weeks of running on the beach in the morning. Must get out and enjoy it.

Painters done! Kitchen cabinets are next. Then Carpet, then flooring.

I will post before and after pics as soon as the AFTER is done :)

We-we-weekends

Wow, weekends seem to fly by.

Holding with my short-term marathon plan, I scheduled a 6 miler this Saturday. I grabbed Big G (my Garmin) and hit the road. I knew I was slower than I was last year, but didn't realize HOW slow. Mile 1 was 8:59. WTH? Then I got to mile 2 and looked at my watch to realize that it said 1.2 miles. I guess it stopped right after mile 1. Then I remembered that I haven't used (or charged) my Garmin since my last race - Feb 4th. ha ha. Luckily I've run this path for 3 years now, so I know that 3 mile turn around. I have to say that I was disappointed with my slowness and felt like I needed to stop for water more, but I finished it and felt fine right when I stopped. Next weekend I'll bump it up to 7 or 8.

I met with my painter on Sat and they already started scraping & texturing my ceilings! They should finish all the painting by middle of week. Then I need to get the flooring guys in. So many things to think about and coordinate. I just want to get in and do the fun stuff!!!! I spent the rest of my afternoon at Home Depot and think I found my new home away from home. **Swoon**

Spent Mother's Day with my family - got to hang with my adorable nieces. My snuggle bunny youngest niece is in this mommy-only phase. So I didn't get all the lovin' that she used to give me. And the 3 yr old only gives love with presents. My granny was smart and stocked up on the presents.

Condo Update

My dad just told me I need to diversify my workouts. (By the way, my dad is super fit & athletic with 6% body fat - annoying, huh?)

At this point, I'm trying to just get anything in. So diversifying isn't really an issue.

I was hoping my condo would close today, but the stinkin' bank needs to sign ONE stinkin' piece of paper. We've been waiting for 3 days. I discovered the secret unknown 3-day rule in the escrow process. Everything, and I mean EVERYTHING takes a minimum of 3 days. Even if it's just when someone has to fax something. 3 days. Email something. 3 days. I just don't understand how this process is so convoluted.

BUT I have to admit that this 2nd go-around is so so so so so much easier. Everything has just worked out, without much hassle or fuss. I'm not even scheduled to close until next Wed but we have everything done except this one signature needed thing.

So the plan is that I'm meeting with my painter tomorrow to get a quote. Hopefully can get it painted the day after I close. Then get the carpet guy and flooring guy (different people) to come the following weekend. THEN I can start moving in. I have been saving, saving, saving for so long that I can't wait to get to SHOP SHOP SHOP - I have so much to buy. Weeeeeeeeeeee

Workout plan is 6 or 7 mile run on Sat and Bikram on Sunday. NOt sure what I'm going to do tonight. I forgot to pack my workout clothes so I have to go all the way home. I might just go for a walk or something.

Whoa This Might Be A Running Blog Again

MizFit commented the other day "You are so one to DECIDE and DO."

And darn tootin' she's right. If I don't have a goal, I will lallygag alls day and alls night. But this girl's got a plan peeps.

I reviewed my plan from last year. Since I cut almost an hour from 2007 to 2008, I'm sticking with that plan. Cuz Damn Gina- it worked. I looked at my schedule and I didn't really start thinking about marathon training until June. So I have a month to get my booty in gear.

My short term (this month) goal is to just get my mileage up. OBV - take a look at my side bar. This girl ain't been runnin'. I did 5 last weekend, I'll increase a mile each weekend and can be to 10 miles by the end of the month. That is a perfect starting point for me.

The other thing that I did last year was follow these rules:

1. Fashionably Flexible: Long runs on Fri, Sat OR Sun - whatever day works best for me.
2. Weak Weekdays: Only 3 times per week MAX and not over 5/6 miles. No need to go out and get injured.
3. Cerebral Caloric Intake: If you remember I gained weight on my first marathon, but I was a svelte sister on my 2nd one. Gotta watch what goes in the pie hole.
4. Luscious Longies: 3 runs of 20+ plus miles, maxing out at 22 miles.
5. Yoga Yahoo: Continue to do Bikram at least 2 days a week - aiming for 3.
6. Healthapotamus: Get refocused on hydration/nutrition/vitamins/supplements.

I know I've said it a million times but I swear that Bikram helped me stay uninjured during my second training season. So I'm sticking it.

On another note, do ya'll remember that one time I had a guest blogger??? Well "Clinton" has really gotten into running. We are trying to lure him into the realm of full marathons. We would have so much fun if he came with us to Wisconsin. We can talk about clothes and running and eat cheese. Come on Clinton, you gots to come with!

Last, and I'll stop rambling. I just want to say how awesome my girls are that we have decided to do this again. This is our 3rd year - they are very cool chicks and I'm blessed to have them as friends, even though we're all so far away. ((HUGS))

Get ready for a whole new wave of crazy! I didn't even mention that I signed DOCS yesterday for my new condo. ahhhhhhhhhhhhh yeah!

2009 Marathon

Totally freaking out.
Totally freaking out.
Totally freaking out.

You guys might laugh when you see the marathon I chose, but hear me out.

So I have 2 girlfriends that I have ran my past 2 marathons with. We support each other during training and chat endlessly about stuff that non-runners don't care about. The only problem is that we are all spread throughout the country. I am So Cal - which is where we ran our 2007 marathon (Long Beach). Kris is in Denver - we actually chose PDX for 2008 because there was no way in hiz-ell I would run a marathon in Denver. I almost died during the 5k.

So this year, we are going to Mel - she's in Wisconsin. We were thinking Chicago, but it's sold out and we would have had to spend way too much money for tickets, lodging, etc. We're going to stay at her house (save $$) and that made the decision easy. AND just realized I can use miles for my airline ticket :)

So we're going to Wisconsin... That's right.

Milwaukee Lakefront Marathon

So, anyone live in the area and want to run with us? I've read the reviews and it's supposed to be an awesome small marathon. Great support, etc, etc.

I've never been to Wisconsin. What should I expect? What the hell is a badger? Ya think I'll find a husband there?

I'm totally freaking the F out about another marathon. But we'll talk about that tomorrow.

Weighing In And Looking Back

I'm making a diligent effort to keep up on my blogging. So while I was pondering what to blog about, I thought I would take a look back to see what was going on this time LAST year. Well, last year, I was about to run a freakin' half marathon for Mother's Day.

Darn it, how have I gotten so far from where I was? I really need to get back on track with regular running if I am going to consider a fall marathon. So step one is to get back into a routine, with short weekday runs. Starting today after work.

I've kept up with the weekend warrior status. Remember at the end of March when I said I would do a science experiment for ya'll to see if I can just eat well and be a weekend workout warrior and maintain my weight???? Remember? Remember when? (Jk, sounds like a 2 yr old, huh?)

At that time I was about 139 - which is totally pushing it on the high end for me. At my hey day of marathon training last fall I was down to 128 (which might be a bit too low for me) but my happy-jess weight is 132-134. Well as of this morning I'm at 137. (If you're new to this blog, my highest weight evah was 168, about 3.5 yrs ago.)

So what this tells me is that FOR ME (everyone is different) it really is all about food to keep my weight low. Although running like a madwoman really helps.

So there ya have it.
The experiment is officially closed and my lazy a$$ needs to get back into the running routine. There really is another fall marathon in the back of my mind- more on that once I wrap my head around it.