Weatherman

Well, I am sure that all of you have heard the saying, "If you don't like the weather in Knoxville, stick around a while because it will change." I totally understand that there is going to be varying weather in Knoxville. I love that you never know when it is going to be a million degrees and there is a chance that it could happen in November. I could snow in July, not sure that it has happened but here there is always a chance.

That is not the problem that I have with our weather, it is our weathermen. They are not very good at their jobs. I found myself asking Andy and his father, D2, "How in the world do our weathermen still have jobs? They are wrong more often than they are right. I guess if they get the weather right one day out of seven they get to keep their jobs."

The problem that I have with them right now is that I rely on them to figure out when we can do our training. I especially need them when planning our LONG runs. EXAMPLE when the weatherman says that Saturday it is going to rain in the morning, and we will have thunderstorms in the afternoon I schedule my day, mainly I schedule in my head, that I will not be running that day and will have to wait until Sunday. Then they say that Sunday it will be cold in the morning. I don't really like to run in the cold but have done it enough through this training process that I can deal with it. I really don't like running in the rain, that really stinks. Sunday, however was supposed to be really cold and there was this other little race (Knoxville Marathon and Half Marathon) that was going on and we did not want to get mixed up in it.

So when did we run you ask. Oh Saturday afternoon. Why, because there was no rain!!! When we started our run it was cloudy, and 65 degrees. I wore a hat just in case, remember the weatherman said that it was going to thunderstorm. It did not rain, I repeat, IT DID NOT RAIN! In fact, not only did it not rain, it got really, really hot. I think that when we finished it was closer to 70 degrees. Not fun when you are running the farthest you have ever run in your life and the last part of the run is hilly. Oh, but we made it. We were tired and hot but we were done. Now only one more really LONG run and then the marathon. I can't wait. Cincy here we come!!!

Just so you know, they get to keep their jobs. I was really cold on Sunday morning. I guess 1 our of 7 days is a positive in their books. Grrrrr...

In Review

The weekend was wonderful. The weather was beautiful, if only it will return for Saturday! Friday was nice, with the exception of a flat tire, and I mean really flat. I must have run over a huge hollow cable thingy on my way home from work because when I got in my car about an hour later it was flat. Like it was sitting on the rim. I should have taken a picture, but I was on my way out so instead I just looked at my dear, sweet husband and said, "Can I take the black truck." In the 45 min that I was gone he had the hollow thing pulled out an the hole that it left, plugged. He is awesome and incredibly handy. Most of you know that because if you are reading this blog then there is a good chance that he has fixed something for you at some point in time. I am just lucky enough that he is there to fix all the things that I break, which is pretty regularly, sorry babe!
Saturday we ran with D2. 13 miles was not too bad and I actually felt really good when it was done. Andy and the Scallywags had a football game that did not go as well as we would have hoped. That night we hit up the town with dinner with Jeff and Emily. We love hanging out with these guys. It is so much fun no matter what we are doing. We really treasure their friendship as it has come at a wonderful time in our life. The best thing about our friendship is that we can be totally honest with them about life. Sometimes without words they just know what we are thinking. This is especially true with Emily and myself. She is awesome and if you don't know her you should, and if you do, you should get to know her better! Another great thing about our friendship is that we all trust each other and can laugh at ourselves and pick on each other and know that no matter what that we are all going to love and care about one another at the end of the day.
Sunday was church and then I was off to help my mom in her yard. Leaves, yuck. I hate raking leaves but as an only child it is part of the duty. We accomplished a lot and I was so proud of my mom. She has asthma pretty bad and on this day she was able to help out a ton. She is the best mom ever and I could not ask for more. I love you Mama. (She hates it when I call her that, probably why I do it sometimes. If she had it her way she would still be Mommy!) Yard work was followed up with another Scallywags game and this one they fared better. After the game we went at ate with some of the guys and their wives/fiances for a sandwich and chips. Good meal and better company.
A good weekend, probably not as much rest as I would have liked but you can't win them all. I promise that my next post will not be a run-down like this one. Love to you all!!!

Tired

I am tired. Not sleepy but just tired. My body is sore and my mind needs rest. Last night was wonderful for so many reasons. I was finished with my run by 5:45 and didn't have my regular Thursday night class. Most of the time I would take this occasion to rush home and fix my sweet, darling husband a meal made from scratch with tons of LOVE. Not last night, I rushed home to shower and put on my favorite sweat pants and called in a pizza. Then I rushed out to pick it up, you know pizza always seems cheaper *ahem* more inexpensive, when we pick it up. Anyway came home added a salad to the mix, sat on the couch with the previously mentioned sweet, darling husband and chowed down on some pizza. We finished dinner off with some yummy Chocolate Irish Cream Cupcakes with Vanilla/Coffee Icing that I made for our St. Patrick's Day dinner and were leftover. (It was the only Irish thing we had that day and I felt like we needed to represent our heritage somehow. Remind me to fix them for you sometime if you like Bailey's Irish Cream and a hint of Coffee!!!) We then sat down on the couch and watched our favorite Thursday night TV. I love Thursday night TV. Andy has the Office, I have Grey's then we split between Private Practice and ER (sadly only 2 more new shows..boo!) and much to Andy's love the NCAA tournament was on as well. We were in heaven, spending time together. I love that man! This weekend will be filled with a short, long run and two flag football games, time with my hubby and REST! I can't wait!! Hope that you all have a lovely weekend!!!!

If ever we were to move...

Darien, Ga would be on the list.

This weekend I took my second trip to Darien, GA with my mom. This time was for a much happier occasion. A dear friend of mine from way back when I was little got married. It happened in November (he didn't tell anyone until after) so they decided to throw a reception party so that all of their friends could come on over and celebrate. They are such a cute and wonderful couple. This weekend I met Bri for the first time and instantly loved her. She is like a breath of fresh air. She is honest and funny, beautiful and smart. The only thing that I regret about the weekend was that I forgot my camera back in Knoxville and don't have a single picture of the weekend events that took place in some of the most beautiful settings I have ever seen.

Sherry, the mother of the groom, is one of my mom's oldest friends, someone that touch my life long ago and someone's whose voice I miss regularly. Sherry has the most beautiful accent I have ever heard. I remember when I was little and I would be at the Smith house and Sherry and Tommy (her husband, he passed away about 2 years ago. That was the first reason that I headed on down to Darien.) would lovingly pick on each other and I just loved to hear them speak. They had that deep south Georgia accent that rolls off their tongues so beautifully. I miss those times and I miss those people.

The weekend was filled with much laughter, dancing, story telling and too many hugs to keep track of. It was beautiful and fitting for Mitchell and Bri. Aside from being covered in bug bites, (I kind of look like I have the chicken poxs all over again, but totally worth it!) and being tired from the long drive I am so happy that I went. I wish that everyone could experience being is such beautiful places with beautiful friends and that everyone once in their life takes a trip to Darien, GA.

*the first picture was taken by Deshan Photo Gallery and the second from Motofreaky, both on Flickr*

TGIF

Well, am I happy that today if Friday! The week is over and I get to enjoy the weekend... kind of. We do have to run *gulp* 17 miles tomorrow and I am nervous. That is a long way, but I know that with Andy and with Andy's dad, Bill, I will make it.
The best news is that tonight I get to watch Reece!! I am so pumped and get so excited when Tori calls me in for baby-sitting backup. I love that kid and she is just so darn cute. I will have to take some pictures to show my bloging viewers next week.
Well, I am off for the lovely weekend and hope that the weather will continue to stay warm at least until my run is over. Pray for no rain and cool temps.
I spoke with Andy's mom, Amy, yesterday and when this whole marathon thing is over I promise to do a lot less talking about running. Since Andy's whole family is running it all we seem to talk about when we get together is running. We make a pack to be more conscious about not mentioning running until asked. It just really is our life right now. Apparently our extended family is a bit sick of hearing about it. Hee hee hee, just two more months. I hope I make it!!!!

Later!