Google is NOT Your Friend...

...don't let him fool you. Those bright colors saying, "GOOGLE" enticing you to type what you're ailments or something you're curious about. It's like he's holding a piece of chocolate in front of you, come on Lyssie....you can do it, just type in that information and I'll tell you EVERYTHING you ever wanted to know about it. Me? I ALWAYS fall for his little trick.

For instance, last year all the commercials were on tv about Yaz, the birth control I was on, so I start researching it and within 10 minutes I think I'm clinically depressed and all my ovaries are rotted out because of Yaz. FYI-upon discussing this with an actual health care provider, Yaz is only bad if you don't stay hydrated and don't get enough potassium.

But the down and dirty truth is, I'm breaking up with Google. I'm a worrier to begin with so why would/should I continue to put myself in situations that I know will cause me to freak out. So after my last round of Googling on Wednesday night which resulted in deep down real crocodile tears that even made my stomach so upset that I felt like I was going to puke, I decided that I need to call it off with Google. I think this will make everyone happier in my life. So I'm sorry Google, but this charade can't continue, I hope you understand....it's really not you, it's me...I hope we can still be friends.

The Hairs on my Chinny Chin Chin...

...yes ladies (and Slam Dunk), I am finally accepting the fact that I have hairs on my chinny chin chin. I mean this suckers are so long (and luckily mostly blonde except for the dark black ones I've picked at over the years) that I can stroke my chin hairs like Abe Lincoln while in a deep discussion or contemplating to be or not to be. I watched my mom Nair her chin for YEARS so that's why I've been putting this off so long. So any of you out there have this same issue? What do you suggest a weekly (or every other or however often) wax at the beauty shop? Nair? Self wax (if so, what kind and where do you get it)? Bleach? Shave it? Can you picture Matt and I shaving together in the mirror?

UGH! I hate getting old!!! As though shaving my legs wasn't enough of a hassle, now I have to think about shaving my chin too!

Another Race this Weekend...

...the Delta Gamma Race for Sight 5K is this weekend. Last year, I ran it in 37.43. My goal this year is to run it in under 35. I really need to hit my goal because I need my confidence back. Ever since the 10K, I feel as though I've lost my running mojo. I know it's just a mental thing but so far since Saturday, the furthest I've ran is 2 miles. Last week, I'd look at 6 miles and be like ain't no thang, this week, I am doing everything I can to get to 2 miles. If I don't hit my goal this weekend, it's going to be a long month of training for the half. Wish me luck!

Welcome Baby Nick!!!

...last Friday, I went to visit Angie and new baby Nick! Angie is doing great to have just had such a handsome little boy. Here is the proud momma and her son.
Here's Nick lovin' his new swing
Big sis Daisy got some love from me too.
Here I am feeding Nick while he's looking at me saying, "I'm not so sure about you lady..."
Thanks for having me over guys! Angie, he's gorgeous!!! I hope I get to see you two soon.

PS
Happy birthday to the world's best big sister! LOVE YOU SHA!

Girls' Night Out...

...so Saturday night, I met up with Sarah for dinner at The Fountain on Locust. I cannot rave enough about this place!!! Delicious food, the world's smallest sundae for dessert and good company-what could be better!!! I've been dying to go to this place for MONTHS after Angie and her dinner club went there in the fall but, of course, we don't eat out if its not in St. Charles County so I had to wait for a "city" friend to venture out there. I had the St. Louis salad on a baguette toasted with garlic and cheese and their homemade potato chips-YUM!!! Then I ordered the world's smallest sundae with the after dinner mint per Sarah's request-omg-the best three bites of ice cream-ever!!!

We then headed over to Jazz at the Bistro to hear Erin Bode play. She was awesome and who knew that her husband was in the band as well. I also indulged there in a Thin Mintini-watch out, I was getting crazy!!! We also sat with another couple that were big dog lovers, I hope when we "grow up" that Matt and I have a relationship like they do. So thanks Sarah for a fun and much needed girls night out!

The Mighty 10K...

...this morning I ran the St. Charles Community College 10K. I went all alone by luckily when I pulled up I saw my good friend Angie so I was able to hang out with her and keep the nerves calmed before the race started. Here's how I stored my key.
Here I am after the race holding my free Smoothie King smoothie. Sorry, I'm crouching, this was a timer where the camera was set on the hood of my car. Quickly after this picture I sped off to work. Okay, so let's get into this whole race thing. WARNING: This is not a good post and it is not a pity post, it's a what's really going through that crazy mind of mine post. I'd looked at the race results from last year and saw that the slowest person finished in 1 hour and 17 minutes. So crap, I'm stressing all week that I'm going to finish last because my goal time was 1 hour and 15 minutes. I start off doing well, rocking out to my workout playlist that my sister created me, I glance behind me and notice that I am pretty close to the end of the pack but there's still quite a few people back there.

Mile 1 goes by, then mile 2 then somewhere between 2-4 (I totally didn't see the sign for mile 3), I realize there's only 3 people behind me. I glance at my I-Touch and I'm off pace, WAY off pace. I start to panic and get really down on myself, I'm near tears as I think to myself, "How am I ever going to finish a half marathon?!?" And let me tell you from the waist up I felt good, I was breathing fine, wasn't cramping it was my damn heavy legs of stone. My shins were hurting, my hips pulling, I felt like I could walk faster than my legs were shuffling along. I told myself DO.NOT.CRY. or there is no way you will ever finish. I get out of the school we ran through and noticed that the race crew is picking up all the cones behind us-how embarrassing.

I turn back to the main road and realize I'm not going nearly as fast as I can. A couple ladies were right in front of me so I tried to keep pace with them which really helped then they took off and I lost them. I just kept thinking hurry up and finish, maybe the time won't be as bad as you think it is. After mile 4, some lady passed me who seemed like she would be in good shape so I tried to stay fairly close to her. All of 4 and about half of 5 she was ahead of me then I realized I was getting closer. Suddenly during mile 5, I found my pace and was running...easy! I was able to catch this lady then she'd stop to walk then speed up to me again then stop to walk then speed up to me again. She tried talking to me but my I-Touch was up super loud so I just smiled and nodded then took off. I crossed the finishing line feeling strong but very disappointed when the clock said 1:19:30 (1 hour 19 minutes 30 seconds). Not only did I miss my goal of 1.15 but that's almost a 13 minute mile pace not to mention I finished 4th to last. Angie was there cheering me on at the finish line so after a quick thanks to her and grabbing my free smoothie, I was off to work.

At work, I was very quiet and didn't say much. My "team" and I talked about the race so they tried to discourage others from asking about it because they knew I was upset. I didn't think to much about it but when I got in the car to drive home, I broke down and lost it. Yes, I finished and it was my first 10K ever. I thought it would be a good idea to get something longer than a 5K under my belt before the half-marathon. And let me tell you, physically the race wasn't that hard it was a pure mental thing. But I felt like such a failure!!! Way off pace, fourth to last, I feel like I let everyone down...myself, my co-workers who are always asking me about my workouts and encouraging me, my blog friends who think I'm doing great, my running friends at Daily Mile...pause while I wipe away some tears...

There is just so much going on in my life right now and I thought running would be a good, healthy outlet but now I just feel like this adds to the list of my disappointments and failures. But like my dad reminded me this morning, I told him once that, "I'm not a quitter" so I'll keep trucking on and training for the half on June 5. Hopefully it'll go better than today.

Mmm, I Heart PB...

...my co-workers know me well...very well. I heart peanut butter...a lot, I'm sure if you've followed/read my blog for awhile, you would know this. I mean hello people-I give it up for LENT!?! So long story short, I heart PB...a whole heck of a lot, got it?

My old boss stopped by around Christmas time to tell me about this PB he'd found. It's all natural by Peanut Butter & Company. It comes in Dark Chocolate, White Chocolate and I think a cinnamon swirl or something along those lines (if it doesn't say chocolate, then I don't care!). The only probably is, we can only find it at Kroger out in Troy!!! So in January, we were out visiting Matt's family and I stopped and got me a couple jars-yummo!!! Then the other day at work, Paula (who is prego so go over and tell her congrats!) brought me some of this yummy peanut butter! Yummy! Thank you Paula, it went great with my pretzels.
Okay, so my boss tells me about Inside Out Peanut Butter Cups. This recipe was super easy, a little messy and the only disappointing thing is that it only made 6. You can use mini cupcake pans (which I don't have) and make more though. When I took the crust out of the oven, it reminded me of a peanut butter cookie then the filling is like a melted Reese's...OMG! They are in the fridge right now harding but I taste the filling and it's to die for!!! Lucky Angie, I'm bringing her some tomorrow if Matt stays out of them like I told him to! Happy Friday everyone!