Good to know: I still know how to hang

My cousin's future wife's bachelorette party was last night.





It's not a fanny pack, it's a holster:



"Mr Stud" has been to a lot of bachelorette parties since 2003.





The bride-to-be and her "date"



The bride's future sis-in-law, my cousin and occasional half marathon partner.



We totally rode around all night in a hot pink stretch limo. I swear.



And we're totally in our pajamas.



This morning:






Also, yesterday I realized:

1) I need to actually go out and buy new clothes. That fit and are in style. Clothing swaps are fun, but my wardrobe is looking a little dated. And because I've lost weight, I'm running out of pants that fit.
2) My legs can propel me lots of miles, but they can't take high heels anymore. Good thing I have so many pairs of cute flats.
3) I'm glad to know I can still stay up past 3am once in awhile, even when I woke up at 6am for a race. Although I'll probably be asleep by 9pm tonight.

Another Post-Work Fun Run

Even though we don't work or live near each other, Kim and I were able to meet up for a run tonight that was actually convenient for both of us. We did five miles on the North Branch Trail, which was new to me. Even though we were in Chicago (or maybe just outside the city limits), we saw deer on our run! It's kind of funny to me to see wildlife so close to urban areas.

Another shot using my trunk as the tripod. 

It's always fun meeting a fellow blogger in person. Even though this was our second time meeting (although we didn't get to talk much the first time), it felt so familiar, but I guess that's what happens when you read each other's blogs :)

Also it's nice that even though my commute is long and terrible, the fact that is spans almost the entire Chicago suburbs means I can meet-up with new running buddies!

And, the official Chi Town Half Marathon photos are up! Another plus for the race: no watermarks! Ali is in the blue and white tops, her friend Eileen is in the red top. (Hopefully you recognize me.)

   

   

This one's definitely a keeper! I grabbed her had at the end for this shot. 

PS - don't forget to enter my 13.1 Chicago half marathon giveaway. I'll pick a winner on Thursday.

Happy Valentines Day! Who do you love?

Borrowed from a Facebook friend: "To anyone on a public self-pity 'I hate Valentine's Day' kick, if there is one person in the entire world, whether it's family or a friend, that loves you, stop complaining. You are much more fortunate than many people out there. Valentine's Day isn't just about having a significant other; it's about celebrating love in every form, so be grateful for what and who you have in your life."

Who do I love??

The Sailor

April 21, 2007

My Parents

My Brothers

My brothers' wives

My Niece

My many besties (the non-sister-in-law edition)
Clockwise from top left:
Genevieve (and me) - best friend since we were 13
Scott and Vera - besties since high school (we often come as a trio)
(and I've known Vera since kindergarten) (and she hasn't lived in Illinois for 12 years)
Paula (and me) - bestie since 1996, she's engaged to The Sailor's best friend
Jessica and Sarah - besties from college

   

And, yes this might be cheesy, but I love all of my running friends, online and in-person! You guys are awesome and super supportive. So thank you to Kelly W, Kelly J, Amanda C, Amanda W, Kim, Erin, Sara, Kelsey, Lindy, Amy, Dan, Meg, Ali MC, and all of my F'N Runners. 

Today is the last day to enter the raffle for a swim lesson with Coach Judie! Every $5 you donate to the American Cancer Society before the end of the day = 1 entry in the raffle for a swim lesson with Judie in Lisle or Rolling Meadows! Learn more about Coach Judie: part 1 and part 2. 

Remember when it was in the 50s in January and we were all so excited?

Those days are over. At least my view at work is better. The empty lot across the street (that was supposed to be some kind of water park / baseball fields / hotel complex, before the recession hit) is much prettier covered in snow.







According to Facebook, everyone's commute home was like this tonight (this picture was taken at a red light). Actually this was the better part of my commute. I went down some streets that were worse. And the side streets I take to get to where I park at home weren't plowed at all and it kind of felt like I was steering a boat! Too bad I wasn't actually steering a boat. That would mean I'm on vacation somewhere warm and relaxing.



75 minutes later (to go 12 miles), I was home safely.



It sure is pretty though, isn't it? Once you are home and in sweatpants, it is.



I'll pretend that because of the snow we are staying in, but really, this would be our Friday night regardless. Side-by-side laptops in bed. Just as marriage is intended to be.



Also, another perk to living with your parents? Driving home in a snowstorm to homemade soup on the stove. AND corned beef and cabbage in the fridge for re-heating. Seriously. I don't know why more people pushing 30 don't live with their parents.

2011 in Pictures

Here is a look back on my year, or at least the stuff I took pictures of. Other stuff happened, I just didn't photograph it. (P.S. I promise this is my last year-end themed post. Sorry. I like them.)

We rang in the new year pretty low-key: dinner out with friends, followed by Guitar Hero and other stuff that I didn't take pictures of. Here I am trying to make sure my niece follows in the family footsteps and becomes a musician of some sort.



Remember the February 1 blizzard? 



In April, we went to Galena to celebrate our 4th wedding anniversary



Race #1: Strive 5K. P.R. And we both placed in our age groups.

 

Race #2: Soldier Field 10 Mile



Race #3: Commit to be Fit 5K. Won my age group. Another P.R.



Went to my first and last Cubs game of 2011. But got to watch the game from a private suite (thanks to my husband's company) for the first time ever. (But I didn't take any pictures of the suite. Go figure.)



In July, we went to the Quad Cities for a family reunion (my Dad's family)



Race #4: Rock 'n Roll Chicago Half Marathon with my cousin. Another P.R.



In August I went to Detroit to visit a couple of my college besties.



At the end of August, to help us better tackle our debt, we decided to move in with my parents. Packing up my precious cargo ...



Race #5: Fort2Base 10 Nautical Mile with The Sailor. Beat him by one second.



In September, I saw Ani Difranco in concert for the 4th time



At the end of September/beginning of October, my friend Scott and I went to Boston to visit our BFF Vera



Race #6: While we were there, I ran the Applefest Half Marathon with Vera. Another P.R.



Cape Cod



Race #7: Monster Dash 5K Obstacle Course with The Sailor and our friend Tiny. I wore an old pirate costume.



Halloween: Sally from The Nightmare Before Christmas & Michael Myers



Race #8: Palos Park Rec Dept Turkey Trot 5K with The Sailor. We both placed in our age groups. Another P.R. (for me at least ... I haven't been keeping track of his times).

 

Race #9: Running For Kicks 4mi Turkey Trot with The Sailor and my BFF Vera.



Race #10: Reindeer Run 5K (which was actually 2.9mi) at Brookfield Zoo. 2nd in my age group. Would have been a P.R. if the course was 3.1mi.



Another concert: Florence and The Machine



Race #11: Dash into the New Year 5K. (Race report coming.) Another P.R. (faster pace than the Reindeer Run 5K). I'll be sad when I stop P.R.ing every race.



Also this year, I started making more running friends (in person). Here I am with some F'N Runners (Frankfort New Lenox Running Club)



2011 may not have been the perfect year - we went from renting a room at a friend's house to living with my parents, so a step down from what already felt like a compromise.

But this year reminded me that I am so very lucky to be surrounded by such an amazing, supportive family, and really great friends. It brought me closer to my roots - not just literally back to the house I grew up in, but closer to people who have known me for a long time, through many different versions of "me," and still love me.

This year reminded me yet again that I may not have everything I want, but I am blessed to have everything I need. I have a roof over my head and food to eat. I have my health, and I found something I love to help keep me healthy, physically and mentally. I have people who I love and who love me, and I get to see many of them on a regular basis. I have a good job where I am challenged and respected.

And I have some bling! Here's to a fantastic 2012!