READY TO RUN!!!

Yesterday ended in a way that made me feel "warm and fuzzy"..... definitely the kind of day to put one in the holiday spirit. I'll blog about that tomorrow though. :-p Yes... I know this is a tease... but I have limited time today, and would like to post something more immediate in its nature.

The SBI Marathon is THIS WEEKEND! On Sunday, I will be waking up even earlier than usual, and heading to Santa Barbara to run a team relay event. Our team "More Cowbell" is running to bring awareness to St Jude Children's Research Hospital and their St Jude Heroes program. Our team is a rag tag bunch, but we've got big hearts and stubborn minds.... the perfect match for this particular event and it's required training. : )

Please read the article linked below. It'll motivate you off the couch for sure! And while I have your attention... I need to point out that Cherri and the gang from El Diablo Power Plant are some of the most amazing friends/listeners that we at Sunny Country could ever hope to have. Y'all are incredible people, and we're lucky to have you sharing the planet with us.

Ok... go here... read this:

http://www.independent.com/news/2009/dec/01/sb-international-marathon/

Are we there yet?

Can we really be this close to the holidays already? I'm ready for the eating... but not ready for the competitive elbow throwing shoppers madness. Do you think it'll be insane this year? It seems like with the economy continuing to smack everyone in the wallet so hard, we'll have more people shopping online to grab the deeper discounts.

Are you an online shopper or a "get out and see what's available" kind? I love the ease of picking things up online, and having them shipped directly........ but I'm finding it has killed my holiday spirit. In fact, I might have to shake the smelly carcass out this year, and actually get in the car and go to a store. It's the only way to see the displays... experience the sights and sounds of holiday shoppers... and have the opportunity to gift wrap the presents personally. Ooooh... plus the added bonus of standing in that extra loooooooong line at the post office on the night before they really should have been shipped to actually make it there in time for Christmas. Yeah. Sharing that understanding glance with the rest of the procrastinators around you........... It's all part of the experience that, believe it or not, I think I've been missing. Grinch. My fingers were a bit green last year, and I swear I saw Auggie drag through the living room sporting an "antler branch" on his teeny little cranium. Not this year. It's not too late!!!

Really though. My focus has been on running... I should be in shape for all of the pushing and shoving and long lines... right?

................. Right?

plugging right along....

Do you ever get so busy in your life that weeks go by before you realize how much time you've lost? I constantly find myself wishing for the weekend to get here...... and then as it blows through, I wonder why I'm wishing my life away. Maybe it's the rapidly approaching birthday.... maybe it's the clear head from running (or the lack of oxygen to the brain?)...... but I've been super "reflective". Life should be enjoyed for what it is. There is no destination, so enjoy the trip. That said.... I take back the vile words I had this morning for the fella who cut me off on the way into work. :-p

Next time you feel your blood boiling, ask yourself, "Is this really worth MY stress?" You can't control other people or their behavior... only your reactions to it. I might need to tattoo that on the inside of my pupils. Can they do that?

time moves on...

My brain is filled with a lot of nothing. Every now and again I think it just shuts down for safety. The antibiotics are finished. The sinus infection is gone. I ran 8 miles yesterday, then ate enough sushi to choke a blue whale. It's really been a rather uneventful week. The Augginator seems to be on the mend. He still has oddball skin lesions, but his energy level and appetite have returned to normal. My car is clean, my shower is sparkling (note to self: sandpaper or torch for future cleanings), and I'm watching a depressing movie by the name of "American Gun"... which has far too much reality, but is well filmed, and well acted... soooo... I continue to watch. Sort of.

Eleven weeks to the Select Staffing Santa Barbara International Marathon. We're doing the team relay portion, so the longest leg of the race is only 7.6 miles. I'm ready to roll! I never would have imagined myself a runner. I should send a personal thank you note to our St. Jude reps for bringing St. Jude Heroes to my attention..... and for bringing Dan's exercise expertise to my muscles! I'm here... and I'm hooked! Anyone up for a half marathon in March? You've got plenty of time to prepare, and I'm going to need someone to pig out with at the finish line! I promise you'll be proud of you.

Nilla induced dreams.... whoa...

Two nights ago I had the most bizarre dreams. I have to wonder if it was brought on by the Amoxicillin, or the Nilla Wafers I had just before bed. My brain has always been prone to odd twists, but they usually occur when I'm awake... and typically as a Niki-ism response to some outside input. Most of my dreams make sense... like everyday slices of time. Thursday night has me curious as to what the dream interpreters would make of me..... moooooo ha ha ha ha ha!

It started out semi-normal........ I found myself suddenly in the midst of a soccer game. I haven't played soccer in roughly 15 years, but being on the field still seemed to be a natural fit. What didn't fit, was that the ball was a can. A beer can. Bud Light. Why I recall this kind of detail is beyond me... but I do. I also dream in full color. Whomever it is that says humans dream only in black and white, isn't paying close enough attention. Sooooo... I'm kicking this beer can.... well... TRYING like hell to kick it. Do you ever have those dreams where you simply can't do something physical? Can't move a glass. Can't open a door. You just have no strength or control. That was the position I found myself in. SO frustrating. All my power into this kick... and... dink... the can moves about 11 inches. ARGH! To complicate things further, the scoring end of the field has large sand sculptures on it. Why? I dunno. Ask the Nilla Wafers. Apparently, they were there from a design competition the night before. Our game simply wasn't important enough to warrant clearing the field. 

Anyway....... I made my way around the sand monuments (which were quite intricate!) with my Bud Light can... 4 inches at a step.... and got ready to take a shot on goal...... when I hear laughing behind me. I turn around to find that Chad and Andy (two folks I formerly worked with) were sitting in the bleachers, having a jolly time making fun of me. I turned back around, ignoring the two giddy bastards, to find that I was now in a gymnasium. What? Where did my goal go? Where's that darned Bud Light can? CRAP!

I'm not sure how I came to the conclusion that in order to score at this point in the dream, I was going to have to shoot a basketball into a hoop hanging directly over Chad and Andy. No problem.... except that, those darned Nilla Wafers placed some fat ducting in the gym ceiling, making the ball too thick to fit below the duct work, and above the rim of the hoop. Why? Professional complainer that I am.... I explained to Chad and Andy that this was an impossible task, and they would have to come up with a new way to earn points in this game.

It was at that moment, that Andy produced a skull shaped Halloween candy bucket from out of thin air. He somehow secured this bucket to his head, and tossed me a volleyball. The goal now was to shoot the volleyball into the bucket on top of Andy's head. Once I accomplished that task, I was allowed to go home. Excuse me? I'm now being held against my will in this gym? Yep. Those darned Nillas had me trapped!

I fired off about three shots.... missing every time... but coming close to pelting Andy in the nose... which was entertaining Chad to no end. Andy... being upset that Chad was now laughing at HIM, rather than me... decided to help "catch" the ball, by maneuvering his head under my shots. I finally managed to bounce one off the rim of the bucket, before Dierks Bentley commenced to starting his concert in the gym behind me. What? Really? Now Dierks is going to put on a show? Oh wait............ it's Blair Garner, "That's Dierks Bentley, getting a little Sideways on after midnite"........ and POOF.... I was awake. 

relax day! wahoooooo : )

It appears we're going back to some normal central coast temps today. Whew! I'm not a heat kind of person. I'd rather it be a tad on the chilly side, and I can toss on a jacket or sweatshirt... comfy clothes... comfy foods... yeah... 

Went for a run this morning with team "More Cowbell!" Pismo Beach is beautiful before it fills with tourists.  ;-p  Ocean air and a cool breeze... the waves crashing... gads... far too much fun to be exercise! Now it's coffee and the Mac! I might even uncover the hammock swing. Gettin' crazy!

Poodle update for those who knows my Augginator (or are just critter lovers in general). Blood tests for Addisons/Cushings came back negative. Good news! He is low on B-12 absorption. The cause? We don't know. That is step two. He seems to be doing worlds better... but we've been down this road before... soooooo... I'm holding on and holding out with hope. If the barfing starts up again... and the skin doesn't clear up... we'll be hauling back down to Santa Barbara for the poor little dude to be "scoped". Anyone who has ever experienced a colon scan will know what I'm sayin'. Yeeks. He's so teeny, it's going to have to be a fiber optic cable!  OUCH! I'll be buying him an ice cream cone on the way home from THAT appointment for sure! 

Seen any good movies lately? I was thinking of putting "The Ice Harvest" in. Might just settle down with my book and finally FINISH the goll derned thing! Seems a shame to hang inside on such a gorgeous day though. 

One final note..... the mucus. Yes, it just wouldn't be right for me to leave you all hanging regarding "the mucus". It has been top of mind for nearly three weeks now. Yesterday I finally broke down and saw a doctor. The pain in my face got crazy harsh. Not that I've ever been punched in the face... but I imagine the ache I had yesterday was a good imitation of a popped in the chops kind of ouch. Anyway... long blog long enough... I'm on amoxicillin. First pill kicked in within about 45 minutes, and I've been without pain. Yeah! Still on the decongestants, and hoping to clear this crud out once and for all by the end of the week. I blame the ash from the La Brea fire. Darned drug lords. They owe me a co-pay and $10 for a bottle of pills. Think I can get pain and suffering? Just a thought....

dogs and jogs... get off the couch!

I've transcended to the level of "Paris Hilton" this afternoon. I made a phone call to a specialist vet in Santa Barbara to make an appointment for my teacup poodle. Does that not have an amazingly snooty ring to it? Whaaaat? Really though.... this dog has been sick for entirely too long. I'm looking forward to carting him down there for a long sit down chat about his history and how we have reached this point of confusion. If this doc can get him to quit herffin' on every third day, it'll be an amazing thing (and worth every penny). The big question now becomes....... What outfit do I put him in for the visit? Basic grey sweatsuit, or spunky red hoodie? Perhaps his basic black security shirt?

That covers the "dogs" portion of the blog... now for the "jogs" portion............... I've been running, despite the impacted sinus cavity. I'm thinking the mucus should not be this yellow, and I may... just maybe... have to visit the doctor for some powerful decongestants. Wait... how did we get on the snot track? We're supposed to be discussing the RUNNING.  : )   Ok... the running... THAT has been a good time. Things have slowed down since I picked up this virus, but I'm still plugging along, and still amazed when my body really carries me through a 5 mile jog!  Did I just do that? Helllllls yes I did!

I've never been a "runner"... always needed that little spotted ball to chase and distract. Running was just a necessary evil during the fun of soccer. The strange thing is... now I enjoy the mental ease brought on by having NOTHING to think about while I run. The hardest part is putting one foot in front of the other. Once you have that down... you're good to go. Speed is determined by your lungs. Can't breath? Slow down. Legs getting wobbly? Don't go that far until you're ready. I think the problem most people have encountered with jogging, is that they're trying to go too fast. Oxygen deprivation sucks wee y'all. Nothing is fun if you can't breath. But if you SLOW DOWN (coach Dan is never going to believe that I, of all people, would be preaching to slow down... because he's always telling me I need to be reigned in... moo ha ha ha ha!)... but if you slow down... you might actually find that you like it. And you know your body is going to love it!

Motivated yet?  : )   Git yer shoes... we're goin' out!

uh... whatnot...

The sinus cavity is still packed... though no longer to the point of complete misery. I did, very briefly, consider the purchase of a neti pot. But really. Eww. I've seen very disturbing video footage.

Icky mucus aside, I've jumped back onto the run training track! WAHOO! For a few short days there, I feared I may suffer a full blown anxiety attack! I'm not back up to the five mile jaunts yet... but did put in a few three milers... and tonight the rest of the crew and I will be running a 5k in Goleta! Duuuuude. Should be a good time! Cool ocean air... nice scenery... good friends... and some exercise to boot. Sweeeeeeeeet.

Speaking of exercise.... Stacey G and I dropped by the gym for a marathon training workout yesterday. Naturally, our first stop was the ladies locker room. Much to our dismay, we caught a 60 something (maybe a 70 something) butt shot within seconds of entering the zone. Eah gads gals. We've all had to change in and out of gym clothes as school kids... but really... it's not as though we had wandered into Pirates Cove. I don't need to see your business all exposed and out there (no matter what your age!). G and I managed to remain composed, although we both later confessed to a silent Snoopy laugh. Yeah... we're immature... it's what makes us "interesting people". ;-p Thank goodness it was a rear view. I may just have died on the scene had we caught an eye full of... well... you know. Trust me... cataracts and loss of vision may just be a blessing as we age. I'm just sayin'. Silver lining y'all. The locker room has changing rooms with curtains. Let's say we all use them. Ok?

And on an entirely different note......... Did anyone else see the ebay ad for rat hair as an aphrodisiac? Six quality rats were cleaned and shaved. Oh joy. But hey... before you scoff... the ad included some recommended uses, just in case you didn't have your own reasons for spending your hard earned cash on Ben's pelt.

What will tomorrow bring?

ehh...

Slacked off on the blogging thing for a week now. Try not to be alarmed, but I have very little to say lately. Must be the head cold. How is it that such a teeeeeeeny little thing like a virus can do so much damage to the human body? And is it really necessary that my nose produce this much mucus? If I drink a glass of wine, will it dehydrate me and make things worse, or will the virus catch a buzz and have a weakened system that my white blood cells can more easily attack?

Common cold advice........ dish it at me.... I want this one GONE... and soon... or I fear I may go insane. I need to run again. Is it possible I'm addicted?

rambles on running....

For anyone who doesn't know it yet... I've thrown myself into training for a team relay marathon. Kelly (our lovely St. Jude Childrens Research Hospital rep) thought this would be fun for we radio types. I'm not sure... but I'm thinking she might just be trying to kill us all. Perhaps some revenge for yelling at her during radio-thon? DJ's are notoriously OUT OF SHAPE. Hell... we're paid to sit and talk! We're also not known for being exceptionally bright, which could explain why we were so quick to say "SURE! Sounds like a good time!" ... and then stepped out of the room moments later thinking "whaaaaat did we just do?".

ANYWAY.... we're in it... and obsessive personality that I am... I tend to have thrown myself in full force. Me? Noooo. Well... yes. Maybe.  It's possible I talk more about running now than new moms talk about their little tykes. Is that bad?

Mark (the bossman), Stacey (my lil Ms G!), and I (the obsessive one) have been training with Dan... who is gently kicking our asses. I don't believe anyone from the team has found traces of blood in their urine yet, so I guess he won't be letting up anytime soon.

The marathon is in December. Santa Barbara International Marathon. Yeah... running in Santa B... it's gonna rock! Spectators are welcome... so if you're within a reasonable distance... come on out and scream for team "More Cowbell"! We'll be the folks dragging our tongues down the sidewalk at the back of the pack.  ; )

so I'm blogging....

Well.... I've finally taken the dip. Partially for "work"...... but mostly, because I've had a tremendous number of folks tell me I should be blogging. As if what I have to say would be of some finer interest to the world. Buuuuuut... if you're bored enough to follow along... I'm definitely not a shy gal. Jump on... take heed of the potential overshare content warning... and here we go................