Category Archives: Bouncing about.

19 miles later.

Posted on by
2

Since starting my 5k, I have trained the distance of 19 miles. I haven’t run the whole way, but I have steadily been increasing my run times, per my training schedule, and I am seeing a difference, which really is starting to excite me. I have gotten faster and I’m only on week four of the eight week program.

I even ran when in Chicago, once alone (dying through the humidity) and once with my sister and our dog (who I suspect could have run faster given the chance.) I suspect my first post-Chicago run will be even better than the two at home.

Other accomplishments include not gaining weight when I was home on vacation, coming home to a clean house, and managing to (almost) stay on top of my food-posts over at GMS.

Pictures to come from my trip from home, but for now I leave you one for delicious, NOT fried eggplant that I made in lieu of the usual fried eggplant we make when I’m home. Recipe to come on GMS sometime this week.

Do you worry about traveling when on a training or weight-loss program? How do you deal with rewarding yourself on vacation while not losing site of your goals?

 

 

 

and i still love you

Posted on by
Reply

Today is Round Two of James.

Yesterday we arrived at 3 pm, were in line by 3:30, and were comfortably sitting on the lawn by 4:30. We had turkey + cheese sandwiches (my favorite.)

Last night was just the dress rehearsal, as Mikie said.

We set up our table and staked our claim, and then put out our hand-picked backyard flowers.

Then we quickly pulled out our vodka, mint, basil, cucumber drinks. Heaven.

Here is my brother, all decked out as Jackie, which is what we used to dress him up as when Nikki and I were little.

James played all the greats, and we spent a fair amount of time dancing. Today we’re going to do it all again, with fried chicken, cobbler, boxed wine, and a fair amount of watermelon.

Happy Saturday, y’all.

 

 

 

adventuring across the country

Posted on by
Reply

I don’t know how it happened, but all of the sudden I am taking two trips in three weeks to visit my family and some of my bests that live in/around New York.

First, next Wednesday, I head to Chicago to visit my family, see James Taylor, and generally frolic around the area.

Then, I come back the following Monday, work scant two weeks, then head to New York on August 14 to see Katie, Sierra, Marissa, and enjoy New York in August (I try to say this without a scoff. If it’s 100 degrees, we may spend our time fanning ourselves in a department store.)

The following week, Kelly and Aaron are in my neck of the woods, and then its basically September. Someone, please tell me how that happened?

I am so glad that these trips came together — I cannot wait! In the meantime, I want to say: Happy Birthday, SS. I remember when we celebrated your birthday circa 2005, and I can’t wait to see you soon to celebrate this one, eight years later!

Here is a photo of me and SS, circa 2006, when I convinced her to traipse around Europe with me on about $500 and some luck. She came, because she was a good friend. We survived, have lots of stories, and will never do anything that silly again (will we?)

I love you something fierce, and can’t wait to see you in a month!

 

all of these tiny little pieces, tiny little pieces

Posted on by
Reply

This weekend, Jeff is busy at work and I am taking the weekend to myself. I plan on reading a few books, doing some yoga, doing my 5k training, getting the blog spiffed up and ready for a special-something next Friday, and trying to catch up on Law and Order: SVU, and Shark Wranglers.

I also plan on cleaning out my inbox, updating the Book (yes SS, K, and M, I have it) and cleaning out my drawers so I can find some of those older “oh I own this shirt still?” summer clothes.

I’m also going to make a cobbler, drink a lot of iced coffee, clean out the fridge/freezer, puree some avocado, make homemade vitamin water (think citrus, raspberry, mint, rosemary…), and contemplate my next pedicure color.

This breakfast might be in order…

Or this one.

What are you doing this weekend?? Also: countdown to Chicago: 12 days.

 

i can never leave the past behind/i can see no way (i can see no way)

Posted on by
Reply

I remember being in fourth grade and seeing high school girls put there hair up without a brush, and thinking someday I’ll be able to do that and thinking it was the coolest. I was in modern dance class, before someone eventually told me Jen, you can’t dance.

***

I remember looking back at my younger cousins and thinking, I can’t believe they’re in high school, where did the time go? They’ve grown so much, and still so young.

***

I always wanted to live in an apartment, where I could do whatever I wanted and have my own home. I’ve never gone by a single day without thinking how lucky am I that this is mine and I can do whatever I want with it?

***

I remember seeing my mom cooking in the kitchen, and remember thinking one day, I’ll have my own kitchen. I remember the first recipes I used, the first meals I cooked without a recipe. Chocolate Chips Cookies, 3 cups flour, one cup sugar, one cup brown sugar. I remember knowing once I’d memorized the recipe at fourteen, I’d know it always.

***

Sometimes, I still have dreams I’m in high school and don’t understand pre-calc, and that I have forgotten my shin guards for final soccer game, and that I can’t seem to find a way home.

***

I remember the first day of freshman year, the last day of sophomore year, meeting SS for the first time, starting my relationship with Jeff, thinking I was so old, so grown up, had come so far.

***

I look back, knowing I knew nothing, and I still don’t. And I’m still learning. And I’m 26, and still so young and will be despite having a car, having an apartment, leading my life the way I want to lead it. Still looking up to those girls who could put their hair up with two movements of their hands.