Running update

It’s been awhile since I blogged about running. For those of you that don’t see my Facebook updates or talk to me IRL, I would bet you think I got off my running kick. Well, you would be wrong! I am happy to report that I am still working on running. I somewhat stopped doing Couch to 5K though, so I could transition to running outside. It’s been really tough, but not impossible. I have a really great coach/motivator/amazing friend (Ali) who has really helped with everything that involves going from running on a treadmill to running outside. Without Ali I would be totally lost and frustrated. I owe her some major thanks!

Another big motivator has been the overwhelming support I have gotten from friends and family. Of course, I knew my friends would be a great rock to lean on, but I was shocked at the overwhelming support from my extended family. Once they heard I was running a 5k they were so supportive. The encouraging words and excitement from them has been awesome. They also have been the providers of almost all of my donations for Race for the Cure.

The Race for the Cure is Saturday, and even though it isn’t a timed race, I am still looking forward to completing it. My goal is to stay at a steady pace as much as possible, and not have to walk more than 5 minutes of the whole race. I may end up doing more walking than that, and that is ok in my book.

So what happens with running after the 5k is over? I have been asking myself that very question a lot the past few weeks. While I don’t think running is the greatest thing ever, I have enjoyed my personal accomplishments and getting such a killer workout. Plus, I have enjoyed having a schedule/plan through Couch to 5k.

I have also considered how lucky I am to be able to run. So many people would love to run but can’t because of injury, time, whatever. And who knows, in a year I may not have the option. With all this to consider, I have decided to start half marathon training.

Yep, you read that right. I, Teresa, am going to start the 12 week training plan for a half marathon. Now, I may not actually run a half, even though one conveniently is scheduled about 13 weeks from now, but I want to at least try the training. Unfortunately, Couch to 5k took me so long that I am thinking that a normal 12 week half marathon training will take me more like 24 weeks. But, hey, I figure it is at least worth a shot!

Crazy idea? Maybe. But will this crazy idea have awesome health and mental benefits? Absolutely!!!!

Ahhhhh.....

I am seriously having a good last two days. Nothing all that wonderful or amazing has happened, but for me it is always the little things in life that really put me in a good place.
My little things:
*Going to Starbucks and getting a hot tea I actually like. I am really trying to like tea, and I am slowly transitioning from Chai to other tea lattes. While my Vanilla Roobos was a little strange at first, it was super yummy. For those of you that have drank the Roobos, was it just me or did you get a little bit of an apple taste?
*Booking a Trash the Dress session with a photographer I adore. I have debated forever about doing Trash the Dress pictures. I mean, I have been married almost four years! But my poor dress is already stained and really just needs a good send off. Plus, I am working with Pamela, who is not only a good friend, but a very artistic up and coming local photographer. The work that she has done is such a short time is truly art and I am so excited that she has agreed to take the pictures.
*A few friends came over for a super informal dinner. We ate, laughed, watched dogs play, and screamed with joy. No cared that I overcooked the oven fries or that a few of us were in yoga pants, it was simply just a great evening.
*I have gotten the most rejuvenating sleep ever the last two nights. My days have been so much better because of this.
I hope everyone is having a fabulous week…..if you have any little things that have made you happy this week, share them in the comments or write your own blog post.

The weight of work

I'm quite sure you think this is going to be a post talking about how crazy stressed I am with work. Ha! It actually isn't! I have been working a crazy amount already this week, and I can't believe it is only Tuesday; however, today as I was digging through my purse I had a realization. I have a TON of stuff that I carry around for my job. I thought some of you may be amused by the randomness of it all, so I snapped a picture with my handy iPhone:

What is this stuff you ask? Don't worry I am going to tell you.

Starting with the top left, a box like device called a magazine. It attaches to the inside of the vending machine and collects any dollars that go into the vending machine.

Next up is my mini tool kit. This little baby is easily the best $4 I ever spent at the wonder that is Walgreens. Pliers, screwdrivers, etc. are all in this mini fold out bag. It has saved me from calling a service guy out to a machine just to make a simple adjustment. If you are in need of such a convenient little bag I believe Walgreens still sells them.

Next row is two scan/key cards. One is to my new expanded account and another is to my office. Wearing two scan cards at once makes me look like a totally nerd as someone pointed out to me today.

Then onto my set of everyday work keys on my pink phonecord style keychain. It is hard to tell but that is 14 keys in total, most of them I use daily.

Thermometers for refrigerated machines and my small stack of business cards is pretty self explanatory.

Then a huge file folder of paperwork and spare keys which I normally have in my office, but somehow managed to wander into my overly heavy purse this week.

Of course, my phone is also essential to everyday work functions since some weeks I only spend a few hours in my office.

So there you have it...Teresa's work stuff all ready to be put to use. Kind of cool, right? :)

The Roxie scare

I had a little bit of a scare with Roxie this past weekend resulting in Roxie staying at an Emergency Clinic for almost two full days. Roxie had pancreatitis which could only be treated by continuous IVs. My vet isn’t exactly sure how she got it, but it is developed after eating something very high in fat or something spicy. The result is a lot of vomiting and diarrhea anytime Roxie ate or even smelled food.
Roxie is doing great now. She is on prescription dog food and some medicine for the next week, but is back to her normal self. I am still planning on continuing to make her homemade dog food, but making a few adjustments after talking over the diet again with my vet.
The whole experience has really taught me a lot. First, I have a gained trust for my vet and his staff. I always trusted them before, but Roxie has never had anything out of the ordinary happen to her, so I had never really seen them take emergency actions before. They far exceed my expectations, even when she had to be transferred out of their facility to a 24 hour clinic. My vet still considered Roxie his responsibility, and was in constant contact with the clinic. Second, when it comes to my dogs, I am not a tightwad. For those of you that know me personally, you know that I am quite frugal. When it came to Roxie, I even surprised myself at how much money was no object. I didn’t care what a 48 hour stay at an Emergency clinic cost, or how much an x-ray was going to run me. I signed those authorizations so quick, the ink of the pen got warm. Third, Roxie is such a lover, which I knew before, but was reminded of constantly when I called to check on her at the clinic. I love the fact that even though she is an excitable dog, people can still see that she has such a good heart and really just wants to be loved.
And last, I am an emotional wreck with stuff like this. I managed to keep it together Saturday during all of my Aunt’s wedding festivities, but Friday afternoon after I check Roxie into the hospital, I was in a terrible panic. I didn’t cry in front of anyone, but you better believe I lost it in the car on the way home. It was all just so scary, and I really hope I don’t have to go through that again anytime soon.
Everyone go home and hug your animals a little tighter tonight.

My Aunt's wedding

On Saturday, I had the privilege of helping to cater my Aunt's wedding reception. I was excited about it, because even though I love to cater events I rarely do it anymore. I was so glad that my sister snapped a few pictures so I could share them with you.

Here I am concentrating hard on kiwi placement. Don't you love my cayenne apron? It used to be the apron I would wear almost everyday in my Mom's restaurant.

The full table not quite finished. The empty trays represented where dollar roll sandwiches would be. There are also some gaps for large bowls of salads but it is hard to tell in this picture.

Here is the most difficult part of the fruit cascade...the part that actually has to stand up.

All in all, everyone was blown away by the set up. As I was finishing up, my Dad said, "I hope people know they can eat the stuff. You know, Teresa, the small town folk aren't used to this fancy stuff, they may not get it isn't all decoration." Funny, but true. Later I heard a guest say to another guest, "No you are supposed to eat all that!"

And I couldn't conclude this blog without giving major credit to my sister for her help on this part of the set up. I gave her some instruction on how to make the cascade effect, and then she practically did an entire half of the table.

Giveaway (with a few strings attached!)

Some of you know that completing Couch to 5k is a goal that I have set for myself. It has been very tough, but here I am at Week 7 thinking I may actually reach my goal. What better way to celebrate then actually run a 5k, right? And what better 5k to run then one for a great cause like the Komen Race for the Cure.

By now you probably figured out what the strings attached are....I am asking for donations to this amazing charity. BUT.....I wanted to give my blog readers a little incentive. Which ever (local) blog reader donates the most money will be receiving a gift basket full of Teresa made goodies to include fresh mozzerella, assorted breads, flavored olive oil, marinara with home grown tomatoes, pizza dough, almond biscotti, and anything else I can come up with. LOTS of gourment goodies for you!!! But those out of town, I have something for you too!! Since I can't ship this stuff, anyone not in/around STL will have to settle for a $25 Amazon gift card if they win.

Deadline to donate and be considered for the prize is Friday, June 5th. I will annouce the winner on this blog and then we communicate via email the details of claiming the prize. I reserve the right to alter the giveaway at anytime, but I highly doubt that will be necessary.

Any donation will be loved even if it is just $10. And it won't really give you an extra chance or anything, but reposting this on your blog would be a greatly appreciated since this is such a good cause. Thanks in advance for supporting my own personal big accomplishment and contributing to charity!

My donation page

Geez...grammar much?

I swear I read my last post before I published it, but as it just popped up in GR I caught some grammar mistakes.

I seriously HATE when I don't catch them. I sincerely apologize to the grammar enthusiasts for the bruises that I have caused when you start banging your head on the desk.