Friday Fill-Ins!

Here we go....

1. The first rule of working in an office and getting along is DON'T WORK IN AN OFFICE!!!!

2. BAKED clams (yum).

3. When I think of carnivals I think of COTTON CANDY.

4. TULIPS are favorite spring flower.

5. Things on my desk include - I DON'T HAVE A DESK (SEE #1).

6. MUSIC makes me wanna SING!

7. And as for the weekend, tonight I'm looking forward to RELAXING AFTER THE ZOO FIELD TRIP, tomorrow my plans include B'S BASEBALL GAME and Sunday, I am going to TAKE B TO A BIRTHDAY PARTY.

My OTHER Obsession..

Yes, while I love running and all that, my other total obsession is shoes. Call me Carrie Bradshaw, but I absolutely LOVE shoes...

I recently came across an online shop, shoedazzle.com. It was started by Kim Kardashian, and is a monthly shoe club. To sign up, go to www.shoedazzle.com, answer a few questions about your style, and within a few days, you will be sent a group of 5 pairs to choose from. You can pick one pair, for $39, and they will be sent directly to you. If you do not like any, you can pass that month and pay nothing, or call and have another group of 5 pairs picked for you. This is the pair I chose:



They came today, via FedEx, and they are GORGEOUS!! They fit perfectly, the quality is amazing and they came with a bag to store them in, in the shoebox. And really, $39 for a great pair of shoes?? I'm so in!

Friday Fill-Ins!

I am certain you've all missed this, so here it is....

1. Apparently there's some sort of KARMA, AND ITS GOING MY WAY!

2. THANK GOODNESS ITS A sunny day.

3. 2009 ROCKS so far.

4. 3 MILES TODAY that was it.

5. For too long I've been PUTTING OFF WHAT I REALLY WANT TO BE WHEN I GROW UP!

6. I am not obsessed with FACEBOOK; I am not!

7. And as for the weekend, Friday night I'm looking forward to the nice weather and hanging out with B, Saturday my plans include breakin' out the motorcycle and Sunday, I want to run and ride again, weather permitting!

Good Luck Boston Runners!

Today is the Boston Marathon, so good luck to all the runners out there this morning! I am watching it on the computer. Amazing..go Kara Goucher! Let's bring first place back to the Americans this year! Next year, I'll be in Boston supporting my friend Michele, who had to defer for this year, and Kristina, who WILL be there in 2010 (go Kristina!!!).

One would think watching this would allow me to get off my butt and actually do something more physical than typing...not so much at the moment. It's cold and rainy here in Northern Illinois, which makes sitting here, drinking coffee, much more appealing than running outside. However...I will get a run in today, only with a new twist....

I've changed my focus...while structure and having a race to train for does work for me, I need to take a step back. I need to run because it's good for me, because it relaxes me and gives me peace and just for the pleasure of running again. This means no Garmin, no worrying about time or pace or any of that.

I am signed up for a half on June 7th. I don't know if this will actually happen, and if it does not, that's okay. There will be plenty of time for more races, plenty of time to obsess over pace and time. For now, I'll be out there, happily moving along, just because...

Motherhood..

Anyone happen to catch the Oprah show today?? It was on the good, bad and ugly of motherhood. She had on two women - Trisha Ashworth and Amy Noble, who wrote the book "I'd Trade my Husband for a Housekeeper", Cheryl Hines (Curb Your Enthusiasm and In The Motherhood) and various Skyping mothers giving up their dirty little secrets. It was hilarious.

One of the mothers gave her advice on discipline...always let your kids think you're just a little crazy. That way, they never know exactly when you're going to snap. I love this...and practice it on a regular basis.

While doing research for their first book "I Was Really a Good Mom Before I Had Kids", Trisha and Amy noticed how there was a common theme among mothers interviewed..how overwhelming motherhood is and how most felt that they didn't have permission to admit how hard it was. And, that most mothers really wanted to open up, but it took some time. During their interviews, the mothers would open up, after an average of 22 minutes. Additionally, mothers demanded too much of themselves and have unrealistic expectations - that they have set for themselves.

All the mothers agreed that it's okay to admit that they can't - or won't - do it all, and that admission does not make them failures.

The stories were hysterical and helps you realize that you're not alone in your craziness. Whether you're a working mom, a stay at home mom, a work from home mom, or whatever....we need to realize what we do not need is criticism, but support. All of us make the decisions appropriate for our situation. Let's not judge, let's just be there for each other!

Friday, Friday, FRIDAY!

1. Angel or not, I will survive.

2. ????? any way you want me.

3. As my mother used to say, you're full of beans.

4. I eat after I'm done working out or doing something strenuous.

5. Even in the most crowded of rooms I feel right at home.

6. Bad weather during spring break (!) is a day fraught with peril.

7. And as for the weekend, tonight I'm looking forward to watching Friday Night Lights, tomorrow my plans include my brother in laws hockey game and dinner with the family and Sunday, I want to NOT have to shovel (yes, again this weekend)!