Freakonomics

By far some of my favorite books and my absolute favorite podcast, Freakonomics always gives me a smile on my walk to the train.

For you Mike-I-don't-Facebook-I-Tweet-Massey -- Is Twitter a Two-Way Street?

O U C H

Tough loss last night for FL yesterday and very sore legs today from my first [awesome] Bikram class at Yoga Oasis.

Great News - Jalepenos have sprouted at casa de emily! Lilies might bloom soon too. Eric and I spent friday night transplanting the cucumbers and tomatoes to the "big boy" pots. The 2 days of rain we've had should help the garden a ton (and the rain barrel). I'm VERY excited to hear how much Walt harvested with his homemade gutters :)

It's going to be a busy week with the Clothing exchange tonight at Molls' house and leaving for Cooper on Thursday.

Off to get a run in before the rain starts again...

Le Sigh

I'm not sure any two people could look more in love than Brad + Wen.

I'm still drooling over her outfits.

Happy Thursday.

Let Me See!

Yesterday was a great day with a nice run with Molls before my first class at Yoga Oasis with Matt and Molly. Le Sigh.

This Week:

• FL vs. BYU Thursday at 7:20pm (TBS) - who wants to watch it? .. pStone after a nice 4mile run?
• Saturday - Neil's Birthday BBQ at Lake Wylie ... Thanks Sarah for the note. I'll shoot out an email to everyone with the details when I get into the office.

WELCOME TO 25 NEIL :)

How to:

... get to your goal weight ...
     Have a stomach bug all weekend. FML.

Even though my tummy wasn't happy - Sarah and Mike threw and awesome BBQ on Saturday and Brian Regan was a hoot on Sunday.

Ryan Huff ran a redic 6:18/mile 4 Miler on Saturday -- as Patty Waddy nicely put, "How do you keep getting faster since you're getting older?"

Who is interested in running Sticks and Bones on April 9th?

Upcoming:

• Neil's Birthday (Friday)
• Clothing Exchange @ Molly's (Sunday)

#WINNING

Beer Mile Male and Female champs - Jim set a course record with a 7:18 blazing pace and Terri wasn't too far behind around 8min.

Jim wanted to make sure we all knew that this was their "cool" pose and that the "old folks kicked ur asses" with an avg age of 45.

Was a great couple of days ... now off to check out the garden and get some trails in before MIKE AND SARAH'S TONIGHT :)!

Happy Times

Gardening, Spring 2011

New Job, New Shoes

Last year I wore a lot more flats than ever with the increase in barefoot running and, now with the move to the Corporate Center on the horizon, it's a nice excuse to treat myself. These Madden Girl Pumps are a great classic shoe. I have them in pink now and just scopped up a couple more pairs since thier on sale for about $30. Note: They have them in taupe (below), which matches most everything.

Made Trader Joes brownies for Eric last night [since he cooked dinner]; they are currently still on my counter since he didn't want to take them to work ... I hope Sailor doesn't eat them today. They were super easy (only need 2 Eggs, Stick of Butter, Brownie Mix and 25 min in the oven) and a nice treat after a 3rd straight day of running [for me, S, and Eric].

Celebrate

Brad and Wen are engaged! It's turning out to be the year for weddings with Emily and Odis in May and Brad and Kacey sometime late this year [or next]. Couldn't be more thrilled at the news :)!

..they also had an excellent BBQ last night at their adorable home last night.

Eric/Huff/Tudor/Kev and crew had amazing runs Saturday (1/2 Marathon). Big thanks to Stacy putting up with monster puppy (aka the #1 Barking Fan) and I traipsing around town cheering everyone on. Sails pushed up her milage to 7.5 on Saturday - very proud of her! She got more "HI SAILOR" calls than Stac or I did ... humph. Guess she's a celebrapuppy. Shout out to Kev for his 1:27 PR ... way to go ... you're a mere blurr on my camera.

Eric and I got a LOT done on the garden (pictures to come). Carrots, Broccoli, Spinach, and Lettuce are in the ground. Tomato's (3 varieties), Peppers (Sweet, Banana, and Hot), Cucumbers, and Squash are all germinating now as well. E won the battle with neighbor-Mike's tiller and got the compost/10-10-10/soil mixed in with the [awful] Carolina clay. I have a new appreciation for the dirt I grew up playing in.

Itching to get to the weekend and have another fun filled time @ Mike and Sarah's.

Beer Mile prizes for Thursday have been acquired as well as some fab volunteers.
And...thanks to Molls, I have 5 yoga sessions at The Yoga Oasis to use --- feeling very lucky and more open a. Thanks for the sweet/thoughtful/awesome gift, Molls!

365 Days Later

Big Announcement - I've officially got a new job as of 4/1. Very excited to join my new group [still at BAML, but in nicer digs @ the corporate center] and sad to leave me awesome teammates. But, my window cube is going to someone very brilliant, awesome, and deserving.

So much on the horizon this year, and it's only March. I am truly thankful for all the wonderful friends here in Charlotte [and elsewhere] and how much we have all been there for/with each other over the past year. Thinking back to Beer Mile last year and now this year...what a difference!

Big shout out to Tud on being under contract on his [almost] home. Yay!

On that note ... for this weekend:

• Corporate Cup on Saturday. Sailor and I will be running around cheerleading Eric, Huff, Tudor, Kev, and some more Charlotte Runners on. Look for us on Tryon, Queens, and Morehead. I'll be the one with the howling red dog.
• Sunday: BBQ at the McIntosh/Norvell home. So excited to go see all the cherry blossoms.

Next Week:

• Thursday - BEER MILE
• Friday - Matty's birthday shindig in NoDa (Cabo Fish Taco and some Live Music at the Evening Muse)
• Saturday - St. Patty's celebration at the Mike & Sarah's; a drink in every room should lead to an exciting evening
• Sunday - Brian Regan!

For Walter

Charlotte Craft Beer Week coming this Friday. Who wants to do what? Email me!

Sailor is telling me time for bed by nuzzling right next to me, more tomorrow.

Blurry Growth

Thanks for the genetics, Mom and Dad. Eyes got worse this year, but it meant a cute new pair of Kate Spade spectacles (Spectrum Eyecare uptown is supurb).

What a weekend - Friday was a late OT Devils win (watched at Ed's ... thankfully they have the NHL package) followed by a fun jaunt to NoDa with Tud/Molls (Dolce Vita, adorable and had live music). Saturday I finally got the shop vac I have been eyeing since Christmas (chew as many sticks as you want now Sailor!). It was a steal at Sams Club for $30. Great little rainy BBQ at the ranch Friday with awesome friends ... and a great couple rounds of wii bowling. Thanks for making the hike everyone!

"No-Plans-Sunday" was relaxing. Came home to find my lillies growing :) Sunflowers are growing like weeds (note: Weeds Season 6 disc 2 comes this week, le sigh). Sailor, Eric and I rocked out some fast sub 8min miles for 4.5miles last night since the rain gave way to a beautiful night. Ended with some great salmon and flounder for dinner from Trader Joes.

Stretch and Breath

Fantastic run with Molls this evening and then my Molly Massage a day early! Feeling superb and thankful for such a great and quality friend.

Pending news about work, stay tuned. Thankful for the great people I work with [and next to] (that's especially you "tams" who always always always helps me troubleshoot and teaches me how "self sooth" when wanting to crush Excel under my heel).

Tomorrow was supposed to be a day off, but now is looking like "cult" TAC class minus Huff :( followed by a run with the pstone crowd. Eric hasn't been yet and since today was tugboat's off-day, tomorrow she'll need a solid 4.5 miles.

Friday is a Devil's game ... anyone up to coming out to the Ranch and being my partner in crime?! I'm not allowed to make plans for the weekend, so I've got nothing to really report :/

Garden Update - Eric sent me a pic of the lettuce that is already sprouting! We planted Saturday and by Tuesday there were signs of life - woot woot! My lilies look lively on the front window but, no movement yet on the Lipstick Flowers or herbs. Patience is a virtue I am constantly battle.

Upcoming:

• March 20 - Brian Regan at Ovens (Eric and I will be there!)

Feathers

Poor pillow didn't see it coming. I wonder how long it took her..

Even though monster puppy was as described, she had an awesome run tugging Matty Sandness and me around tonight.

Trying very hard to find the Devils on TV uptown tomorrow [but, no luck currently]. Had a g-r-e-a-t time with the cooper crowd tonight - so many thanks again to Wendy for everything that it has taken to get it organized.

Groupon Generation

In case you haven't seen this yet -- Redbox Groupon for $1 gets you 3 movie rentals.

Happy staying-in-nights!

(and yes Dad, as one of my 2 followers, if you're reading this, the slides will be done today for your presentation. I promise.)