No socks, no service

When I think back now I don't know why I didn't take 10 seconds to find my socks. But in the end, those 10 seconds ended up landing me in a world of hurt.

I have to run with socks. Thin, barely-there footies, but socks nonetheless. Maybe it's the chemistry and/or shape of my feet, but I cannot run without socks. So tonight my run started out GREAT. Weather, music, breathing, pace...all working together in perfect harmony. I was feeling like a 5 mile run for sure. But 1.5 miles out, I started to feel the prickly burn of blisters. They always occur in the same spot, like mirror images of each other on either foot. I turned around to head back home, hoping to keep up my pace and not rip my feet to shreds in the process. I stopped once to tighten my laces as much as I could, but I just kept on running. I knew if I really stopped, the pain would keep me from starting again. I tried to focus on my other "zoned out" thoughts that keep me busy during a run. But all I could do was wince and try to keep my form. About a mile from home, the right foot blister popped and the REAL pain set in.
Lordy, me, when my Garmin beeped at 3.00 miles I stopped and walked the last 5 minutes home.

What really sucks about blisters is not just the initial pain, but the fact that any immediate plans to run again are majorly hindered. Strategically placed moleskin and bandaids may help, but I know for sure I'm not going to risk heading out until they are healed.

I don't know if you've ever walked 10 feet with blisters...but I ran 3 miles. I'll never forget my socks again, even if the only clean ones are thick black knee highs.


Edited to add: The real pain was not from running with blisters...it was when the shower hit them. I whined like a baby in there for a good minute or 2.

100 pushups...you game?

I am starting a new program today called 100 push ups. You can check out the sight here. With all the running I've been doing, my legs and most of my body have started to tone up. But my arms, oh, my arms. They're...flabby. I don't like them at all. I know push ups are a great (and free!) way to tone up my arms/shoulders/chest. Plus, what girl doesn't want to be able to bust out some good-form push ups??!! I found this program maybe a year ago and I think I tried it but gave up after 2 days. Well, things are different now! I've accomplished so many goals the last 6 months and now I'm taking this one on again. I'll keep you posted on my progress.

November welcome

Some trees shots on a beautiful sunny Sunday afternoon...

Birthday Dinner

We ended up celebrating my birthday a week late (I wasn't feeling well last weekend). So Friday night we went to a great restaurant on Lake Hefner. It was one of the best nights we've had in a long time! The food was amazing and, even though it was quite chilly, the weather was beautiful. We snapped some pics outside the restaurant near the lake. It was a perfect evening in my book.

Me & Dad

Mom & Dad

3 Generations
Jenni, Ruby, Linda

Edited to add: I forgot...Mom and Dad got me the stemless wine glasses I've been wanting! Here is a pic (and that's just water in there tonight).

Trick or Treat

Happy Halloween!

The following images may be disturbing to some viewers.

Finally! I'm posting some pics from my venture into Texas 2 weeks ago. I know, right? What took so long! Enjoy...

H-Town Trip Part I: The Family

Sydney & Samantha...apparently doing The Robot.

"Okay, Sydney, I want you to look crazy in this next pic..."
School Fall Festival 10/16/09
Brandon with red hair, the girls with face paint.

Samantha
Sydney
Peanut (he's growing up too fast...Aunt Jenni sad)
Jeffrey & Susan (awww...so cute)

Alex, King of the Castle

H-Town Trip Part II: OU/TX Red River Rivalry

Friends 'til the end, no matter the score!
Katie, Ashley, Kelsey, Missy, Meredith, Yours Truly
Me & Mer
(Warning! Double chin up ahead to the left. Proceed with caution!)
Mer sure is purty...even though she is a Horn :)

Mer & Patrick, the Superbaby!
(future linebacker for UT??)

H-Town Trip Part III: Kingwood High School Class of 1994 15-yr Reunion
(No one had time to take a lot of pics...it was a madhouse but so much fun!)

Pre-party at Sue's House...just some old buddies
Susan, Peter, Rachael, Mandy, Karen, Katie, Colleen, me
Back: Robbie, Shayne, Steve & Abbie, Josh & Courtney, James
At the reunion!
Karen & Mike

Allison, Karen, me
(courtesy of Mike)
(Please don't ask me why I look so bloated scared in this picture...my feet were hurting so bad from my high heels and I was ready to take them off!)

I love this pic of Sue...nothing quite like the combo of beer and gum!
(courtesy of Mike)

Karen & me
(courtesy of Mike)

Another awesome Mike shot...my favorite brewsky, hands down!

Can I just say it was a whirlwind trip and one of the best vacations EVER???!!!

Yeehaw, ya'll!

All's quiet on the Sooner front

Have you noticed my lack of OU football posts this year?

Have you seen any games and/or our stats?

Have you heard about Bradford's decision?

Well, I have...and it stinks. It's been a rough season to say the least. Once Sam hurt his shoulder in the BYU game things really started to go downhill. We just weren't able to rise up and, therefore, we tanked in the rankings. I do understand and fully support Bradford's decision to bow out gracefully...but it's still a sad situation. He could have gone out with a bang after securing his Heisman win and finishing a great 2008 season. But he stuck around like a true Sooner...unfortunately things just didn't work out.

As of Week 7, Oklahoma no longer had a spot in the top 25 BCS ranks. I can't even remember the last time that happened (or maybe I do remember but I don't want to reminisce). The season isn't over yet. As I have said before, I am no fair-weather fan. This is just the college football circle of life. We will rise again!

O-K-L-A-H-O-M-A
Our chant rolls on and on!
Thousands strong
Join heart and song
In alma mater's praise
Of campus beautiful by day and night
Of colors proudly gleaming Red and White
'Neath a western sky OU's chant will never die.
Live on University!

Tag! You're it!!

Yes, it's that time in the blogworld again...I've been tagged and will now tag a blogger. Why? Because you know you have plenty of time to fill these out...not. I'm not going to reveal the name of the blogger who tagged me. I don't like them much. I guess now they will be aware of this fact (is that mean?). Sorry. But it's a cruel, cruel, blogworld. Hey, I just keep on keepin' on...for reals.

I mean, to be quite honest, isn't this blog all about me?? ;)

1. Where is your cell phone? on the coffee table
2. Your hair? light brown
3. Your mother? my best friend
4. Your father? my other best friend
5. Your favorite food? MEXICAN food
6. Your dream last night? I kept trying to carry a dozen things that I was dropping and paranoid of losing. These things included: a golf bag, running shoes, my favorite perfume, school books.
7. Your favorite drink? Dr. Pepper (or vodka)
8. Your dream/goal? Finishing my first half-marathon 4/25/2010. Oh, and these shoes
9. What room are you in? livingroom...on the couch
10. Your hobby? running (and eating...and running...and eating)
11. Your fear? upchucking (especially in a public place)
12. Where do you want to be in six years? married with kids, healthy, happy, rich, skinny
13. Where were you last night? running, then on Facebook for too long, the shower, then bed
14. Something that you aren’t? afraid to speak my mind, a Mac, lame
15. Muffins? cake
16. Wish list item? a mortgage-free house and a tax-free income
17. Where did you grow up? Kingwood, TX
18. Last thing you did? watched porn (just checking to see if your paying attention)
19. What are you wearing? sweatpants and a t-shirt
20. Your TV? on, but muted...Family Guy
21. Your pets? 2 kitties, Charli & Cleo
22. Friends? I've got some of the best ones out there...most of them have known me for 20+ years
23. Your life? the future's so bright I gotta wear shades
24. Your mood? chillaxed--it was a good day
25. Missing someone? my future husband
26. Vehicle? dark gray Trailblazer; dirty
27. Something you’re not wearing? a bra (they ask, I answer)
28. Your favorite store? Hobby Lobby
29. Your favorite color? blue
30. When was the last time you laughed? about 10 minutes ago...been doing it a lot lately
31. Last time you cried? last Friday night
32. Last song you listened to? Push It by Salt n-Pepa
33. One place that you could go over and over? 8th grade (is that wrong? it was so fun!)
34. One person who emails you regularly? Nigeria, telling me they have my money
35. Favorite place to eat? geesh, too many to name! Guadalajara (The Woodlands, TX), Mazzio's Pizza, Flat Tire Burger, Chili's, Earl's BBQ, Charleston's (obvi, I have food issues)

Now I'm going to tag The Mer Show because I like to bug her. And because I know she has nothing better to do than fill out useless, trivial blog notes. :)

Live long and prosper,
jr

The Big 3-4

It's been a wonderful year and I am proud to be turning 34! Only great things are in store this next year...

Mom's latest blog post.

I feel so loved today!!!!!!!!!

Eternal Flame

Happy 40th anniversary, Mom and Dad!! I only hope to find the love of a lifetime you too have shared...

Your Little Girl,
xo