Double Digit (MILES) Fall Training

We survived our first double digit training run for the 2012 fall marathon training season.  

10 miles CONQUERED on July 21 at Lake Hefner!!!  

Running: Pros & Cons in Photos

PRO:  My running buddies are AWESOME!

Me, Lisa, Sheila, Gena, and Karl

CON:  My blistered feet are not-so-awesome.

Yep, this one is on the ball of my foot and it's double layered.  GROSS!

Color Me Rad

Me and my running buddy, Lisa.

Ready to be COLORED!!!

 Me, Lisa, Channing, and Rendon

 We finished another COLORful event together!

My colorful gear!

 We cleaned up real nice for a post-run no-so-healthy lunch at S&B's off 9th St.

 See what I mean? This BBQ Bloody Mary was delish!   

The Elvis slider.  I didn't eat most of the bun or the onions. 

 After lunch, we treated ourselves to a pedicure.  Sheila came too!

Aww.... Feeling refreshed!

Runner Girls Night In

DrH had his first 30 hour shift on Friday, July 13.  Did I spend that Friday night at home by myself?  NO WAY!!!!  I hosted a wonderfully fun Girls Night In!!!  Attendance was great and we had a blast hanging out without all the running shoes and sweat.  

We run so we can eat!  Check out our feast!

 What a spread!!! 

 Mozzarelle Caprese Pinwheels

 Gourmet cheeses

 Gotta love brie!

 Sara Sara Cupcakes... MY FAV!

 Vino!

 Homemade dairy-free vegan pizza

 Homemade Margherita Pizza made with fresh tomatoes and basil from my own backyard garden. I picked them just minutes before baking this pizza. 

 Homemade Pepperoni Pizza

 Vegan apple strudel muffins

 Yes, I'm the photographer.  lol!  

 Runner Gals!

Pageant

Mrs. Oklahoma City

David and I enjoyed a unique date last night.  We went to the Mrs. Oklahoma and Mrs. Kansas Pageant. My dear friend, Emily, was competing for the title of Mrs. Oklahoma so we wanted to show our support by attending.  She was absolutely beautiful and did a fantastic job in her first pageant.  Emily didn't win the crown last night, but she enjoyed the journey and may do it next year.  

Me with Mrs. Oklahoma City, Emily  

I'd like to give a special shout-out to Mrs. Melinda Meadows (Mrs. Edmond).  She's the mother of one of my HS classmates.  She also competed in Mrs. Oklahoma 2011 last night.  Melinda is a woman that has it all... personality, beauty, kindness, grace, style, elegance, and a freakin' 6-pack!  She was the third runner-up in the pageant and received six additional awards.  What an inspiration!  I may have to see if she'd like to share her beauty and fitness secrets with me.  She is amazing!  I hope she continues to compete in pageants.

After the pageant, David and I had a late dinner at Hefner Grill over by Lake Hefner.  Everything he ordered was great, but I wasn't impressed with my food.  I don't think we'll ever eat there again.  

Even though I didn't care for the restaurant, it's always good to try new places.  It was a fun evening because I spent it with David and some friends.  ; )

BOOMER SOONER!

The first OU game of the season was today. That obviously meant I had to sport my awesome crimson shirt and accessories. Boomer Sooner!

Unfortunately, I wasn't able to go to the game or watch it on TV (because I'm too cheap to pay for cable). Missing out on the game didn't mean that I was missing out on all the fun. I met up with my friend, Kaci, for dinner tonight. Her birthday was on Wednesday so we had to celebrate. We met for dinner at Big Truck Tacos because Kaci hadn't been there yet and BTT always sounds good to me. It was delicious!

Here's Kaci enjoying BTT for the first time...

Here are some photos that will make your mouth water.....

The MOJO

Refried Beans

Chips and Guacamole

The spread

30

So, my birthday was June 9 and Jordon's birthday is August 8. We got together for a birthday celebration on Saturday, July 31.

I went to Shoe Gallery that day since it was Chris' (my bro in-law) last day. It was steamy hot out so I took him a cold diet Arizona iced tea. Treating him to a cold beverage was the least I could do for a guy who's hooked me up with some major discounts. Anyways, I was looking through all their clothes (think boutique clothes at Target prices) and mentioned that I was going clubbing with my BFF that evening.

Well, long story short.... Chris and his friend, Nick, came over and I drove us all to Bricktown. We partied for hours! I lucked out and found FREE parking. I also didn't have to pay any cover charges to get into the club and I sipped on FREE water with lime all night. So... I put my cash to good use and bought my "body guards" several beers. I enjoy living vicariously through others. Ha! They were in heaven! We had a lot to celebrate!!!

Once we were done in Bricktown, the party was headed up to north OKC. I was beat and just wanted to go to bed, but the boys gladly took my seat in the limo and rode with everybody else up to the next location.

We all had such an amazing evening. I think I may have to get together with Chris to party a little more often. Hopefully David can join us next time. = )

Birthday Surprise!

Today I received a text message from a dear friend. Here's what it said...

"For your birthday, for a gift, I want to take some new photographs of you!

You have changed so much since the last ones."

Isn't that AMAZINGLY SWEET, GENEROUS, & THOUGHTFUL?!?!?!

What on earth did I do to have such an

awesome person in my life?

Thank you, thank you, thank you!

I really feel like I have something positive to look forward to about this whole turning 30 thing now. I guess I better start deciding on some outfits to wear.

Here are some photos of me from our last photo shoot in December. We'll have to do a side by side comparison after get some updated photos. We haven't even had time to talk about dates yet, but I'm kinda hoping it'll be after I get my hair cut on June 19. It's looking pretty ratty right now since I haven't had it cut since right before our last photo shoot in December. I'm on the twice a year plan these days. ; )

Portraits by Holly Austin

Playing Catch-Up... Again!

I've been out of town quite a bit lately and have been pretty busy. I still haven't made a post about my half-marathon experience. I don't have time to post about that one tonight, so I'll have to get back to you on that one.

Here's something to hold you over for now...

I received a phone call late Sunday afternoon (5/16) from a Principal inviting me to interview. The interviews were being held the following two days. I didn't have anything major planned that couldn't be rescheduled, so I immediately packed my bags and started the drive to OKC the next morning. My sweet friend, Rachel, was kind enough to spontaneously go along as my travel buddy. My interview trip was also a much needed Girls Getaway.

We had a blast together!

There is NO good Mexican in St. Louis so I had

to take Rachel out for a real tasty Mexican meal.

We had dinner at Ted's on Monday night.

YUM!!!

Rachel really enjoyed the chips, queso, and salsa.

Ted's has THE BEST salsa! Sometimes I would like to just sit there and eat it with a spoon.

I ordered a bottomless bowl of chicken tortilla soup.

They even sent me with a package of to-go soup.

Talk about customer service!

My Dad ordered their taco salad. He only ate half

and took home the other half to enjoy later.

Rachel ordered a chicken enchilada and Mexican rice.

nom, nom, nom...

I think my Mom ordered the Chicken Fajita Chimichanga

with Papas (potatoes) and refried beans.

A cinnamon sugar sopapilla drizzled in honey.

Rachel was impressed with her sopapilla...

My Mom smiles her biggest smile when she's eating Mexican.

= )

Rachel spotted a randomly parked buggy at Target and thought she'd take it for a spin.

It was hilarious!

This was her thumbs up granny pose. LOL!

YES! I had to be sure Rachel experienced Jimmy's Egg.

This was my delicious breakfast.

After breakfast we headed down to the

OKC National Memorial.

OKC National Memorial

We needed a little "pick me up" after visiting the

Memorial and Museum.

A trip to Braum's sure did help.

I had a scoop of the CarbWatch Vanilla Ice Cream with a

bit of peanut butter. The lady said she wasn't going

to charge me for the PB. Wasn't that sweet of her?!?!

I LOVE Oklahoma!

Hey... I haven't enjoyed a splurge like this in a year. Wowzers!

We drove back to STL on Wednesday. It stormed on us ALL the way to Springfield. The rainy weather really made for a long, miserable, and stressful drive. There were times I was forced to drive super slow. It really was a torrential downpour. We decided to stop at the St. James Winery for a little walking break and to take a look. My parents had been there before and said it was a great place to stop. Rachel purchased some wine and other goodies. I purchased a gourmet dark chocolate rainier cherry bar for David.

My interview went great. I just know that I'm up against people who have zero experience to many years of experience. I really, really want this position, but I can't beat myself up too badly if they don't choose me. My credentials are great and I feel that I gave it my all. Now I just have to be patient. Until I hear something I'll still be on the job hunt.