Number Seven

Why hello there. 

I went to Jaime’s sister and she definitely took care of me!  No pics- but that’s because my camera was dead when I grabbed it this morning… boo!  We took care of those nast scraggly ends that have been keeping me up at night and went a few shades darker.  Not a huge difference, but enough to make me happy.    The colors are “mochas”, and it certain lights you can see some reddish undertones.  Sweet…

Most people would find it funny that I decide to go darker for summer.  But I live dangerously.  This would be right up there with my use of expired pasta… scandalous!

I also appreciate her not judging me for wacking off half of my bangs last weekend in a desperate last attempt to style them before going out.  Yes, I’m a cutter.  And I’m horrible at it.  But Michelle just giggled and laughed a little as she tried to shape the leftover bangs.  I appreciate that.  Because I’ve gotten lectured before.  It’s like going to the dentist and  lying to him about flossing every day.  They know you’re lying.  But you do anyways.

I got home after the two-hour ordeal and was starving.  Being as how I was’t quite at 100% (see “multiple martinis on Saturday night”) I heavily considered getting carryout somewhere.  Something greasy and fantastic.  But as I sat there with color setting in my hair and flipping through a two-month-old People magazine, I became overwhelmed with the options.  Boneless wings?  Hamburger?  Loaded nachos?  Pizza?  But honestly, the big burger and fries I used to consume after every night of going out would probably leave me feeling even more gross afterwards being as how I don’t get them nearly as much as I used to.  Which would have inevitably led to me laying on the couch the rest of the day feeling dirty and used…  What are hangover/next day tricks that you used to swear by (even if they’re not so good)?

So I came home and made some more of the shrimp wonderfulness I had from the night before.  And seriously, I can’t let food go to waste and it’s gonna get bad soon.This made me feel sooooo much better.  And I even went for a three-mile walk afterwards to help me feel like I was “detoxifying”.  The Yoga Meltdown session with Jillian also helped this process.  I know it’s probably not scientifically legit, but I feel that “sweating out the alcohol” makes the rest of the day much better.

My cousin who was considering the 13.1 Chicago in a few weeks emailed me again- we’re not running together that day anymore because she didn’t realize it fell on a weekend she already has something going on.  I’m sad she won’t be down to visit again, but I’m working on getting her to run the Rock ‘N Roll Half with me in August instead. 

I also heard from my lovely friend Mary last night.  Along with my friend Laura, we’re the trio of best friends from college.(Mary’s the blonde in the middle in the tailgating pic.)  Btw, my hair sorta looks like that now… but better.  Because this pic of me was when my roomie and I decided to do the color from a box- it was my first and last time doing so.  The color was really flat and it’s a lot harder than you’d think when you have such long and thick hair!  I leave it to the professionals now…Mary and I also lived together over one summer and for a year later on in college.  I loved it because we’d just wonder across the hall to the other person’s room and get to sit and talk whenever we wanted.  She and I often had “Friday Night Dress Night” and shared a mutual respect for Goldshlager.  We don’t get to talk nearly as much now, but we make sure to get in girl talk whenever we can…  So she just recently got engaged.  And just asked Laura and I to be co-maids of honor.  Of course I said I’d do it!  I’m very excited! I’m sure Laura and I will have bachelorette party ideas flying around in no time at all… 

This is wedding number seven for me.  If you’re looking for a professional bridesmaid, please call me at least seven to eight months in advance.  I’m booking up very quickly.  I love doing it because I really have a great set of girlfriends, but I’m just wondering what I’m going to do with all these dresses?  That shorten it and wear it again crap?  Uh no….  So any creative ideas???

Happy Monday! This week will hopefully be a good one- I’ve got Thursday off randomly to get some stuff done. A nice break in the middle of the week will be very appreciated! 

Tonight’s another quick 3-mile run.  But again, it’s supposed to be rainy.  I’ve been lucky so far, so it wouldn’t be a surprise if it’s the night I get forced to the treadmill.

Was it worth it?

Um… there’s a reason this post is so late.  I’m nursing a bit of a headache…  Sorry.

Let’s start from the beginning.

I woke up to some serious rain yesterday.  And left early as to avoid any issues of getting to work on time. Fail.  For some reason unknown to me, I sat in traffic that took twice as long as normal to get to work.  Needless to say, I didn’t make it on time.  The work environment hasn’t been the most enjoyable and happy one recently, so my mood only worsened.  I won’t get into details, but it’s not exactly pleasant.  And of course, since it’s Tuesday, it didn’t surprise me that I had to stay late to work on a few things because of some IT issues. 

And take a few deep breathes on the way home…

Needless to say, as soon as Mon showed up, I pulled out the wine glasses and filled them up.  And then went on to create this:I couldn’t believe how easy it was to make… and how healthy it was (compared to what I figured it would be).  It was TJ’s whole wheat pizza dough, fat free pizza sauce, spinach, mushrooms, and TJ’s fat free feta.  Magnificent…  While we were waiting for it to finish in the oven, we had more of this:By the time the pizza was done, I was already two glasses into my night.  So I kinda didn’t take pics of the finished product.  I’m sorry.  Please imagine the above pic… just cooked. 

It was awesome.  Wine and pizza should be a new staple in my diet.  When I was checking out at Trader Joe’s with all the pizza goodness, the woman started raving about the dough (with good reason) and gave me a bunch of new ideas to try.  Sweet!  And Mon and I had a good time chit chatting and giggling like regular girls do.  My mood lifted by the end of the night for sure.  So at least our planned fun night did some damage control.  I’ll call it a success.

Because of my affection for wine and hatred of Tuesdays, I used a corner of my kitchen this morning that doesn’t usually see much action in the middle of the week.Oh my head…  I used my new Celestial tea mug for my coffee.  Yep, I really live on the edge by switching it up like that.Don’t give me that look, Vince.  You would have enjoyed one too many glasses of wine after a long day, too.  Hush!  Let me enjoy my oatmeal with way too much cereal and white chocolate chips in peace!

Yoga again tonight.  Run planned for tomorrow.  I’m feeling pretty good about the possibilities of doing the race on Sunday.  Things are looking up!   

I’m gonna go get more coffee… sorry I’m so boring today.  But that bottle of wine last night was totally worth it.  Yep.  TOTALLY worth it.  Just sayin’…

What just happened?

Excuse my grossness.  And the makeup I’m sporting leftover from last night.  (I don’t want you to think I attempt the smoky eye look specifically for the gym). I just got home from my two-mile run (what what!).  This is what I discovered when taking my shoe off.  What did I do?!?!  First I was like, “huh.  How is my sock stained?  I didn’t notice that earlier.”  Then I got smart and was like, “holy cow, how is my toe bleeding?”

Let’s rewind, shall we?

Could it have been from my Guess heels?  NO!!!!  Maybe???  I do remember some weirdness going on in my foot as we were walking back to my friend’s house from the Seven-Eleven.  And to be clear, I don’t party at Seven-Eleven.  A night of dancing until 4:00 at Big City aka Big Shitty requires refueling in the form of a krispy kreme donut.  Yes it does…  Not my idea, but it was a good one.  Cathryn and I split it.  We argued a little about the amount of donuts we needed to acquire.  I was very assertive about only getting one.  We had an appointment for hangover food at Stella’s Diner in the morning.  I did not want this to ruin it (I highly recommend the Firehouse special, but their hashbrowns are a little bland for my taste).  Donuts are an interesting departure from the hangover food of my college era (probably half a pizza from my beloved Gumby’s- with ranch).  But I kind of like it.  In my fiesty-ness, I tried to get a discount from the man working at Seven-Eleven.  I thought it mattered if these donuts were fresh as in just brought in, or if they were nearing the 24-hour mark.  He told me they were fresh.  Right…

Another poor decision under a slight influence of vodka clubs.  Red Ivy can be blamed for that one.  Not Big City.  By the time I got to Big City I was done drinking.  Red Ivy was where I decided to donate the majority of my money.  So we could do things like this:

Yes, if you didn’t know, I am 24 going on 12.

So now here I am.  Hungover. Bloody foot. Waiting for my girls to come over so we can burn down the kitchen in attempts to make some homemade caramel.  Should be interesting.

I had considered doing The Shred again (slightly addicted), but because I was eyeing the nearest trash can throughout the majority of my little run, I’ll pass.  Instead, I’ll just have to do my best at not being one of those people who eats their weight in food during the Super Bowl.  Which is a shame.  Because I do enjoy some good deep dish.

Dusting off the coffee machine

Coffee is something reserved for work.  I drink green tea (or tea of some variety) at home.  I believe the last time I broke out the coffee machine was last fall.  But it was needed today.  This could be one of the reasons:

Now let me clarify.  I am weird.  I may have discussed this before, just not in detail (my viewpoint I am about to discuss, not my weirdness- we already know about that).  I am on my quest for a healthier lifestyle (ignore the pancake wonderfulness below when I say this) and I am a girl who does not like fruit.  Yeah, I’m serious and yeah, I really mean it and yes, that means I don’t even like strawberries.  Don’t bother listing it out, I probably don’t like it.  I’m a veggie girl all the way.  Love them.  Can’t get enough. Nom nom nom…  So don’t worry about me.

That being said, there are exceptions to every rule.  I don’t mind sangria.  I actually enjoy it.  The taste isn’t overpowering.  As long as there’s not too much apple in there.  I prefer just having a hint of the citrus. 

*I do like coconut.  And avocado.  So that’s something.  But they’re not the first thing you think of when people say “fruit”.

So back to the sangria…

We split a pitcher at La Tasca- another cute little spot in downtown Arlington Heights.  It was quite a tease to go, though.  I’ve never been there and heard all the raves about how good the food is.  So I got to smell it all.  And see it all.  But not taste it all.  The sangria was still worth going, though!

Ended the night at Gatsby’s.  Typical.  I’m starting to think it may be time to branch out?  I guess that’s what we were doing by going to La Tasca…

So after last night, this was my prescription for how I am feeling:

That, my friends, is my doctored up pancakes from a box.  We have whole wheat-vanilla-oatmeal-chocolate chip pancakes with almond butter and a drizzle of light maple syrup.  I just finished them all and I’m pretty sure they are just what my body was craving.  ahhhhhh.  No need for advil here.

Today I am going to the gym again.  Three quarters of a mile.  Then tomorrow I am resting from running.  I might not need to, but I’m not taking any chances this time around.  So I’m planning to be very diligent about running a couple days and then having a day off.  The half mile last night went well- but like I said before, I’m wondering when I’m going to hit that endurance wall.  I see it coming.  Which is a problem.  In my state of mind last night, which is apparently “I am woman, hear me roar”, I bet one of my friends that I’d kick his ass at the Rock ‘N Roll Chicago Half marathon.  What?  Seriously- WHAT?  Yeah, I had contemplated doing it.  But I hadn’t seriously entertained the idea.  I’m still trying to work my way back up to a mile.  So… what?  

Using the words of a dear friend of mine- obviously, there is a gap between my brain and my mouth.  And that gap was filled to the brim with wine and vodka.

I mean really… what??? 

Well I’ve gotta cut this off.  Obviously, I have some training to do.  And I need more coffee.

Core Challenge Update:

Friday- 75 crunches 

Today I’m attempting the plyo’s.  My strategy is to knock out as many of those as possible right away so that the end of the week is not going to be completely horrible.  Thanks Kloe! 

Sluggish Saturday

I look like this often.  Unwashed hair.  Drinking the largest iced tea I can get my hands on.  Shades on.  Not because it’s sunny, but because I don’t have any makeup on and my eyes give off the look of severe exhaustion.  They stayed  on today pretty much the entire time I was out.  It would have been nice to keep them on while in the mall. I wasn’t sure which would attract more attention- shades or my disturbing glazed over look that might make children cry.  Either way, I got everything done.  And then some.  I should be under supervision when shopping hungover.

I made myself a sort of southwestern omelette for dinner.  I used a little of this stuff on top:

It’s my latest obsession from Trader Joe’s.  So good!  I’ve found an excuse to break it out every night this week since I got it.  And sneak a few pita crisps in it on occasion…  I love it because there’s no added salt- I’m a huge advocate of cutting back on the sodium, but it’s still got a little bit of a kick!  Weeee!  Now I have another excuse to go to TJ’s- salsa, peanut butter and wine.  The diet of champions…

I took a nap later this afternoon.  I woke up to the theme song of “Cops”.  It was a special Cops, too- Bad Girls edition.  Sounds about right…  I’m such a bad ass.

My workout was not in the gym, but a thorough ab workout in front of my fantastic tv.  That’s where you’ll be able to find me the rest of the evening- I redboxed it up tonight.  Try not to bother me while I’m drooling over Johnny Depp in Public Enemies.  Thanks…

Hello Couch.

I am sitting my little booty on the couch all day.  This is why:

1. Grey Goose.  It’s obvious- I went out for New Years, it was bound to happen.  $50 got us top shelf all we wanted to drink.  In all honesty- it could have been worse.  I could have been drinking wells (which I will do) and drinking much more. We had fun.  But it wasn’t one of our crazy random nights out.  We ducked out a little early.  We both agreed New Years is a little overrated.  The actual countdown wasn’t really that exciting.  We kind of looked at each other, said “yeah…. one more drink and let’s get out of here”.  We were lucky enough to catch a Kathy Griffen special once we got back to her place (hell yeah!).  Even if I was in bed earlier than planned, I am not a college student anymore.  I still hurt a little today.  Awesome.  I’m old.

2. My leg.  I still stay off of it more than usual.  Even when I’m standing, I take support off of it.  But last night I wanted to dance.  And I did. Not a lot, but I still feel a little ache today.  No bueno.  If the doctor tries to get me to use crutches again, I’ll throw a hissy fit. Awesome.  I’m childish.

3. Carb coma.  We took a little trip to Ann Sather’s for our traditional breakfast we always get when I stay with Cathryn.  Here’s where the confession comes in.  Supposedly, Ann Sather Restaurants are famous for their cinnamon rolls.  Cathryn swears by them- says they’re to die for.  And they made a guest appearance on Food Network’s show, The Best Thing I Ever Ate.  So did I eat one?  Yes.  And they come in two’s as a side to your meal.  So I have one sitting on my counter and staring me in the face.  Now- this is a sweet thing.  Does it count against my No Sweets Week?  Probably.  When I originally started the thing- I kind of meant more towards desserts and chocolate/candy things as such.  This was technically breakfast.  But I’m not going to try to justify it.  I think I failed.  On the last day.  BUT, I went strong for six days.  And I’m starting over tomorrow.  Damnit.  I could have pretended it didn’t happen.  Lied… but what good would that do?  Then I’d be a failure and a liar.  And what good is that?  By the way, I also had a breakfast wrap.  But compared to the cinnamon roll, it’s not worth mentioning.  Awesome.  I have no self control.

So yes, the couch it is.  I’ve been here for a couple hours… plan to be here for a couple more.  Until I have to get up and shower.  Because I smell like “bar” and have some neat raccoon eyes going on right now (washing the face hasn’t happened yet- yes, I’m gross) and I’m going to a movie later tonight with Mon (my fav from the workout room!).  Perfect way to spend the supposed National Hangover Day… letting my brain rot in front of a screen for hours on end.  Oh look, there’s a Jennifer Aniston marathon on Lifetime… And when I’m not actually watching tv, I’ve been doing research on buying a new one.  A flatscreen is my little Christmas present to myself… I just haven’t bought one yet. Partially because I’m trying to keep my eye on sales and partially because I’m terrified of spending so much money at once on something like this.  I think I’m going to look away and wince as they scan my debit card.  But I really really want one…

After we got out of breakfast, Cathryn was excited to hit the gym.  I frowned.  I knew my destiny of spending the day on the couch.  And as much as I enjoy relaxing (I really have loved this half asleep/half awake thing I’ve been doing the last few hours), I’d rather be running.  Which reminds me… where the hell are my vitamins?  I need my calcium pill…  I hate you, leg.

Low-Key Night In

I don’t think I’m going to use that phrase anymore.  It never fails.  I say this and it becomes something that it shouldn’t have.  Well, I won’t say that- we had fun.  But it definitely turned into a long night out instead.

Earlier in the week, my friend from the gym and I decided to make it a wine night over at her place.  We hadn’t really hung out except for in the workout room as two big sweaty hot messes, so the fact that she actually wanted to hang out with me elsewhere was hilariously awesome.  I go over to her place, my Trader Joe wine in hand, and we proceeded to get a little giggly.  I started talking about my friends and how we like to frequent Gatsby’s.  Her eyes light up a little.  My eyebrow raised.  A half hour later we’re hanging out in Gatsby’s with my guy friends.  Low key, my ass….

A night out is definitely what I needed.  It had been a long week at work.  I didn’t go out last week.  And I missed my boys!  No worries- I sat the majority of the time.  At the bar.  Perfect spot!  Too perfect.  This morning I did not stretch my arms and sing about the beautiful day with all the cartoon animals flying around my room as I usually do.  I’ll let you decide if that ever happens.  But if it did, this day would be the opposite of that.  I kind of crawled slowly out of my room.  I don’t normally pop advil.  I don’t like to.  I think it’s bad for you.  But this morning it was necessary.  Because I’m not a fan of advil and think it’s bad for you, I found out my handy bottle of happy pills was expired.  Very expired. Damn.  Good think I borrowed a sample pack of tylenol from work!  And I made coffee.  This, like the head pills, is not common for me at home.  Coffee is usually a thing I reserve for when I’m at work.  I’m a tea person (currently on a green tea kick) when I’m at home.  But coffee also made a guest appearance this morning.  Coffee and tylenol.  The breakfast of champions…  (I also had peanut butter toast, no worries!)

I got an email alert that one of my insurance claims had gone through.  Just for the office visit- but I saw another claim that hasn’t officially been posted yet for my MRI.  My heart stopped when I saw what was going on with it.  Let’s just say I hope they’re not done processing how much they’re going to pay.  Good bye flat screen tv I was going to get myself for Christmas.  I think I need more tylenol…

I did go work out the other night like I had planned.  I will tomorrow as well.  I crutched my way over to the gym all motivated and high-spirited.  There was a guy on the treadmill who watched me the entire time.  As I crutched in.  As I placed them against the wall.  As I walked somewhat normally over to the weights.  As I worked out and put my coat on and crutched back out.  The whole thing was pretty comical.  And probably blew his mind.  It was nice to be back at the gym.  But it was almost more of a workout for me to crutch my way there than actually lift weights.  Whew!

I still hate you, leg…