Best Intentions

This blog like everything else I have the best intentions of keeping up and then stuff just gets in the way. I had every intention of making or at least sending Christmas cards this year, I did get card stock cut. I may have to do a New Years card. I have had every intention of getting this house back in order, but oy, as much as I try to keep up with and organize things, things seem to pile up and my mini tornado flies through. I am  happy to say I got the bathroom clean and clean sheets on the beds. I couldn't believe I finished all my wrapping last night, I was pretty dang proud of myself, until I found a couple items I missed. I feel so pressured for Christmas and I don't know why. I have zero plans. Peanut Butter is with her dad on Christmas Eve and she doesn't come over until 10ish on Christmas day. My mom and I are supposed to do dinner or something on Christmas Eve, but nothing has been set. I am dying to get out and just hang out with some people, but I don't know what to ask people. I have also been confused about a certain someone. Out of the blue it seem this person starting talking to me and then a few messages back and forth. I don't know if it is just pure friend type talking, but I want to say just ask me out already. But knowing my luck this is just a huge misunderstanding on my part. Did I mention my dryer died, yeah, that is the kind of luck I'm talking about. I noticed the other night it ran all night on the shut off when clothes are dry mode, and they clothes were dry. Then I did laundry and crud, the clothes didn't dry. I had to wear semi wet pants to work. I've had a friend looking at it and I'm thinking I should just call it a loss and head to sears and just get another one. Well that's about it for the moment. Stay tuned for a Poland post and more ramblings from me.

dear running

It's not you, it's me. I used to feel like this:

Source: momsbyheart.net via Amy on Pinterest

But now I even feel like the bottom picture when I'm running. It is as if I am running in quicksand for 4 miles every time I go out. I think I need to move on for a bit and take a break. Through the wonders of pintrest, I found a web site that has all the insanity workouts and this body needs some insanity. The mind is saying food, fat, stay warm, my body is saying eek I am not fitting into my pants. I need some intensity back I need to not be able to walk the next day and quite frankly just running isn't cutting it. I need my ass kicked. I did Jackie Warner  Xtreme Timesaver the other day and crap, it was hard. But I actually felt like I accomplished something for a hot minute.

I was supposed to blog all month?

Yeah, that went well.
Time for a little catch up.

• After 2 months of waiting I finally got called and offered the job I really wanted to get me out of the big house. I was so excited until the guy said 2nd shift 3:30-11:30. My heart sank. I would never see Peanut Butter on this shift except my days off. I hated turning it down.
• I actually got vacation time in July, so Peanut Butter and I are Ocean City bound again. I think we might take our time and drive this time. I ended up getting 2 weeks back to back so we will have plenty of time, barring any protest from her Dad.
• Took PB to the Dells for the night last Friday. She had a blast. I have never climbed so many stairs in 2 days. I was surprised how much she loved the big tube slide, that is until we flipped over and she went underwater. It was almost hilarious how it happened. She was singing loudly, "I-I-I like it, I like it give me more." as we were going down and we dumped out the tube and flipped over on our innertube and she didn't like it so much any more.
• Spent way too much at the Disney store for Christmas and managed to buy somethings with PB with me how I managed that I don't know, though she did say, " I was peeking and saw you buy me a blue brush."
• Peanut Butter has a loose tooth. She is excited. She has been asking for months when she was ever going to lose a tooth.
• And lastly, My mom and I are headed to Poland next month, so excited. I just hope it isn't too cold.

Shoes

I have now come to dislike buying shoes for Peanut Butter. I bought a pair at Target, I swear a couple weeks ago and J brought them over today when he dropped PB off and the strap had ripped off. I went to 4 stores to replace the gym shoes. PB has to wear gym shoes everyday but Tuesday to school, so buying cute shoes is a waste since she can't/won't wear them to school. I found a pair I liked at shopko, but they were brown and I wanted the black in that style. Fleet Farm had nothing, I was afraid anything I bought at wally world would rip right away like the Target pair, so I found a pair at Kohls. They aren't my favorite because, well they are gym shoes, but I did have a 15% off coupon so I bought them. And can I just say, Sketchers, I despise you, my PB fawns over your Twinkle Toes and I just cringe at the 44 dollar on sale price tag. $44 for a pair of shoes my kid will be lucky to wear 6 months. I was praying there was a pair in her size on clearance, but alas they were all 2 sizes to big.

Happy Saturday

Things I am happy about this week:

1. Name changed, must remember to get my passport done.
2. I was happy how Peanut Butter's costume came out.
3. I ran 13 miles this week on my way to 50 in November.
4. Screw up my checkbook the good way. Deducted to much and said shoot it is going to be a tight week, but realized a few days later I was double deducting a charge.
5. Halloween candy, though this can be a negative too.
6. Got 2 of PB's Christmas gifts out of the way. The girl who owns 5 dollhouses between her dad and I wants another one, a barbie size one. Good Grief, I am torn on whether or not to get her one. The only reason I am considering a barbie size one, is I know it will get played with.
7. We get to set the clocks back tonight, a little extra sleep.
8. Honeycrisp apples with caramel and brie cheese, yum.
9. Hearing PB say I Love You!
10. Revenge, my new favorite show.

All about the Benjamins

This is a backdated post since I worked a double yesterday and didn't get a chance to post. Why would I subject myself to 16 hours at the big house, well I am flat broke and I have back insurance premiums to pay and unless your exhusband makes a boatload more than you, getting divorced is a big drain on the bank account. Working overtime is not my favorite thing to do, so what do I do? This introvert decided it would be a great idea to make extra money being a 31gifts consultant. I don't know what I was thinking, my kit arrived today and I am more than overwhelmed. The only plus in this deal is I have yet to see anyone in this area have a 31 party so, fingers crossed I hit my requirements and can get out. If it works out better, I will be pleasantly surprised. 

A New Territory

I was chatting with a friend today and when I was available for dinner came up. I was a bit taken aback. I said it depends on the night. I wasn't sure if this person has dinner in mine or date dinner. We continued talking and again brought up dinner, but said no strings attached, just dinner and maybe a chance to vent. I am new to the being single game, so I have no idea how to take this. To make matters a little worse I don't have any of "those" type feelings for the guy. Great person, like to talk with him, now scared where the conversation will go. EEK.

Halloween

Miss Peanut Butter wanted to be Frankie Stein from Monster High, I could of just bought the dang costume from wally world fro 20 bucks, but no, I being the want to be crafty person that I am, had to make it myself.

She was extra excited she got to wear "lip gloss" and had scars put on her face. She didn't do a whole lot of Trick or Treating, but some how came home with a load of candy. Candy, that she will never eat, so it sits here tempting me.

We did set a bowl up for Trick or Treaters on the honor system and yeah, that went to heck. We actually stopped back at the house for PB to use the potty and while we were in the house someone dumped the whole bowl. Jerks. PB was upset! so was I. We headed back out and PB wanted to hand out candy the last hour so I had to stop at the local gas station and pick up some more candy, so much for the coupons I used on the first batch. But she had a ball handing out candy for the last hour, and I got to get dinner made while she did. I worked out perfect.

Trampled in Milwaukee

Blogging month it is. I am going to give it a whirl. I have a few things to post about so, this is a good opportunity to do so.

First up. I went to my first concert in a long time and eek, by myself. I am a total introvert, so doing this was an adventure in itself. A friend of mine from high school who by the luck of facebook, we actually keep up with each other as best we can. He told me about this band Trampled by Turtles, I know crazy name, and I liked a couple of their songs he mentioned. Like this one:



 I kept adding songs from my free library downloads and saw that they were playing in Madison and Milwaukee the end of October. My friend said, "Go! Even if you go alone, you will have a good time." Upon that request I bought a ticket to the Milwaukee show since I had plans already for the night of the  Madison show even though that one would have worked better.

I went, I had dinner by myself at the longest bar east of the Mississippi, then went to the show. I have never seen so much flannel/plaid in one place since the early nineties. Apparently, the lumberjack look is in with the hardcore TBT fans and I have never seen so many people drink Pabst beer. I had heard it was the new/old hot beer, but wasn't real sure 'til then. A group 4 on the Floor opened and they were pretty darn good. These United States were next and then Trampled. It was a fantastic show, the sound could of been a little better, but all in all, loved it. I have to thank my friend for telling me to go, because I would have never, ever done this before. He did say I'd find someone to talk to, but I didn't, though I didn't try too hard either.

If you get a chance check Trampled by Turtles out, they are a little on the side of Mumford and Sons. It is funny in my iTunes they are considered: country, rock, alternative, and indie. So a little for everyone.

Whew, A Little Dusty 'Round Here

It has been a while since I've blogged, but I figure I'll dust things off a little and catch everyone with my amazingly busy life. HA!

Everything has been pretty good here. Miss Peanut Butter had her Parent/Teacher Conference today and she is doing really well; I love hearing that she is so fun to have in class. I hope they don't say that to everyone. She has surprisingly been a cold lunch taker. I am starting to feel bad about all the turkey sandwiches I have been sending. I should really branch out a little more. I bought sunbutter, since she had been begging for pb&j and her school is nut free, but she didn't like the sandwich. I think that is one I have to make that morning and not the night before because it got all soggy. Otherwise, I have a 6 dollar jar of sunbutter to eat myself.

Last week I went to the Twin Cities for my friend's husband's funeral. It was very sad to see a life cut short at 36 from cancer. So many nice things were said about him that makes me wish I had knew him better. My heart breaks for my friend. She is coming to the area this weekend and I'm looking forward to seeing her. I also wish I would have had more time in the TC to meet up with a few of you, but it was a very short trip.

I am still waiting to hear about getting a job that would get me out of the big house.  Hopefully I hear something this week. Waiting is so hard, especially when they have changed how we pick vacation. If I should take this job I will probably miss out on the first round of picking and will have to pray that a week will still be there in July so I can take  PB back to Ocean City next year.

Slow in the Blogging World

I've been slacking in the blogging world. The last week or so I've been meaning to catch up with ya'lls blogs, and today I see most of you have been blogging as much as I have. I skimmed all the blogs and caught up. Sorry for the lack of comments. 

It has been pretty slow action wise here. So bullet points it is

• .I interviewed for a job last week that I am hoping to get. I think the interview went ok so I have my fingers crossed. 
• I bought a new/used car. I needed to get rid of my gas guzzlin' SUV which was draining my bank account faster than anything else. I ended up with a Subaru Impreza '08. I wanted something with AWD and this had it and it was priced right. Though now I keep finding little things dents and such that I didn't notice before.
• Peanut Butter is loving school and is doing pretty good in swim lessons.
• I have become addicted to Pintrest.com love this site!
• I have begun to feel pretty happy about being divorced. I have not however changed my stance on being very unhappy about my daughter living in the same house with his skank. 

Could Things Be Getting Better?

I head into work today just hoping to make it through my eight hours and then it is Peanut Butter time, when I open my email and my ta-da mail sound goes off. I applied for a job in June that I really was interested in, but to be honest, my heart just wasn't in filling out the application, but I did and I scored pretty decent on it so I was sure I was going to get an interview. Well, like I said that was in June and I hear nothing. I was surprised I wasn't offered an interview since they were supposed to be hiring what seemed like a number of people and I ranked 14th on the application. I figured they took the top ten and I missed it. In my inbox today was a letter asking if I want to interview. I SO want to interview. This job would get me out of the big house. I would still be in my line of work per se, but it would be electronic monitoring. I want out of the big house. I can't explain how badly I want this job. I could not come at a better time. It would be a slight bump in pay and the best part.....they have first shift openings. Though, I think I will even consider third shift here just to get out of the big house. I really hope I can nail this interview. 

and life goes on

Peanut Butter started school last week. She was excited and seems to be adjusting well to full days. She does beg me to stay with her on the days that I drop her off though. It is heart breaking and frustrating all at the same time. 

The day before my divorce was final, I took Nicole's advice and had my hair chopped off. I wanted something new, I wanted to move on, and it is just hair. I loved it when I walked out, but I'm not so sure anymore, but I'll make it work.

After the divorce was final, I laid in bed for a day. I thought I would have this feeling of closure and relief when it was done, but I didn't. I was incredibly depressed. I just was sad that it ended like this and I feel hurt that he comes off as it is just another thing, no biggie, like he had no regret about hurting me the way he did. I know I cannot control his feelings or thoughts, I just expected more. I was also in complete PB withdrawal. I missed her terribly. I got her back on Saturday, I pulled myself out of bed and took some days off from work and just enjoyed being with her. Dropping her off at school yesterday was so hard knowing I wouldn't be seeing her until Saturday. She did call last night. I am happy she asks to call me. She doesn't often ask to call her dad when she is with me.

I am still feeling down, but I am starting to feel better. My problem now is I am back to having a really hard time sleeping. I am a worrier, I sit and worry and worry and worry. I obsess and can't fall asleep. Last night I was actually really tired, yet it took my a while to fall asleep and then boom 3 am awake, obsessing. I just want to sleep. 

I've also decided I want to tackle a half marathon. This is my first week of building miles or training, as they say. I found a 10 mile run on the week that I should be at 10 miles that is fairly close, well in the Midwest, that I think I'm going to do. That way I will have a goal to work toward. It is the Monster Dash in St. Paul. I've been told to do Las Vegas in December, but I really don't see myself pulling the cash together for that one, especially when I'm looking at traveling with my Mom the week after. We're looking at Florence or Prague right now. But who knows what will happen.

I turned down the promotion. It was just too much stress to add in my life right now. The money would be nice, but my sanity, what is left of it, is worth more.

and life goes on.

In A Funk

I know today isn't the best day to complain about my problems, but I'm going to anyhow. I am in a funk and I don't know how to get out of it. I know people get divorced everyday, I know people get cheated on everyday, I know horrible things happen to people everyday and they move on they get through and are normal again. I don't know how to suck it up and be normal right now. I don't know if it is because, I sucked it up too hard right away and put on the brave face and said this isn't going to get the best of me and then when the day comes to actually get divorced it feel like I've been run over. Needless to say I'd probably be feeling better if I hadn't drank myself into oblivion the night before the final hearing and said lord knows what to who knows who. I was sick of holding it all in. I didn't want to deal with my marriage being over. It wasn't supposed to end this way, we were supposed to have a chance to try and pull it together before we gave up. I wonder if I gave up to quickly, but I know I could have never lived like that. I couldn't live wondering 24-7. I'm not built that way. I am also not built to talk all my problems out. I've heard that people have said they are amazed how well I'm taking this. I'm not taking it well, I have built up these huge walls so no one can know what I'm feeling. I will joke and laugh about it. I will say it doesn't bother me, but it does. I wish I had better coping skills other than holding it all in and getting alcohol poisoning drunk to deal, which makes me feel even worse about my coping skills. I don't know if being on my 3rd day of not having my little girl with me and the loneliness of it got to me or what. I don't know. I feel worse now than I did last week and I should be semi happy. I should be moving on with the next chapter of my life, but I'm scared, I'm scared I'm going to be the lonely cat lady which I can't be because I'm allergic to cats. I'm scared I don't have it in me to move forward. I did get offered that promotion and as much as I would like to take it I cannot imagine being away from my girl seven nights in a row. I know I could make it work but, knowing my girl is with the other woman instead of me kills me. I could use the money, I could use some of the distance away from them, but I can't bring myself to do it. So I've taken some days off of work hoping to get my mind back together and to suck it up and figure out how to move on. I wish there was an easy way to do it.

Thank You Canadian Mama

For finding my new time suckage, and my new motto.

How to Blow an Interview Without Trying

I went in and took the interview for the promotion. I thought I was doing pretty well through the first 3/4 of the oral interview. The questions seemed easier than what I thought they were going to be and I tried to think of all the benchmarks they would be looking for in each one. I got a nod at one point saying which I took as you're doing great. And then came question 4. What do you think will be the hardest thing to adjust to by promoting and I started out that learning the policies and dealing with earning respect was not really a concern of mine, I can deal with that, the hardest part would be knowing I'd have to take another shift, (and the tears start to roll) and make my family life hard for 6-8 months until I could possibly get back to first shift. Yep, I broke down in an interview. How awesome is that? I don't have enough stress in my life, so yeah, why not add trying to promote for an extra 300 dollars a month, lose seniority, lose being on first shift for 6 months to a year, lose my baby at nights, add more responsibility, and pray that I'm not stuck working doubles. WTF was I thinking and am actually considering, if they look past the whole crying jag, and offer me a position.

Timing is Everything

A few weeks ago I put in paperwork to promote. We have had a watershed of retirements and I thought hey, I do six months on 3rd shift and get back to first, with a little more pay. Well, I then thought of how long those six months on third shift would be, coupled with the fact that I've gotten divorced and Peanut Butter is starting school how much change can she take? How much can I take? I said I'd take an interview and then immediately regretting saying I would. I talked with a friend of mine, who is one of my supervisors, about the whole mess, she said just take the interview, if anything it is good practice. She understood where I was personally and said she just do what is best for me. I resigned myself to just cancel my interview, I can't guarantee that it will only be six months on third, there are people with my seniority or more also promoting and well, that is how jobs go. I know that there will be another round of people retiring in January when my six months of probation would be up, but it is anyone's guess how many and from what shift. I went on break later this afternoon an in the hallway I was stopped by basically my head supervisor and she asked if I'm interviewing, I said I have one set up, but I think I'm going to pass. She said I should take the interview and decide later, she said she'd work to get me a days off group I needed, which basically told me, show up and don't totally blow the interview and your promoted. I now feel obligated to show up for the interview.  I told J about it and said I feel like I have to interview as to not blow my good terms with the higher ups. He said you know she is going to want you to take the promotion, they want people with seniority to promote. Argh, why didn't I do this a long time ago, but where I am is finally getting good, I'm finally getting almost any day off that I want the right way. I'm finally getting within a person or two of decent, not deal with inmates everyday, jobs. I will lose all of that by promoting. There are so many what ifs.

It's a Very, Very Fine House

So, I debated which blog to post this in and as you can see I've picked this one so here goes....

The past couple weeks have been unbearably hard. I went through a week where I was mad, ragey mad. I don't know if it is the onslaught of having the divorce become final next month compiled with Peanut Butter's birthday. I started obsessing over the house. How dare them take the house from me? I put good money into that house and she just waltzes in and takes over. I think how my place is so inadequate, what was I thinking? I have no idea where it is all coming from. I really didn't want the house, getting something monetary out of it would have been nice, but since we owe more that it is worth that isn't happening. I meet with my head shrinker and tell her I don't get what the deal is, my obsession with the house, I can't afford the house, the house needs so much done to it, the house is just a reminder of us. She said what does it represent to you and "ding" we have a winner, it was a home, it was happy, safety, family, it represented so much in that matter, and the fact that it is Peanut Butter's home and I moved out of it. That and someone wasted no time moving into it. 

I know my place isn't a palace and I know it isn't quite home yet, it is hard. It is hard to hear my baby say, "Mama someday you get a new house." Someday I will, but for now I have to make due with what I have. A nice little place in a nice quiet neighborhood that needs paint. 

FIVE

Peanut Butter turns five today. She will be headed toward kindergarten next month and I cannot believe it. It has been a hard week for me, I think a lot of it has to do with not having a "family" birthday. I tried to work something out with J, but it never came to. So what do I do I go overboard and over compensate.  I had the tea party on Sunday and yesterday before we met Nana for a birthday dinner I took her for a pedi to make her toes cute.

Then we walked by Claires and I though  hey maybe we should get her ears pierced. I asked J if he minded even though I knew he didn't since he wanted to do it a while ago. I asked Peanut Butter if she wanted it done and she said yes.

She did pretty good. They shot both ears at once, she cried a little when it was over, but she seems pretty happy with them.

We had dinner with my Mom and her sister. PB slept through the first 20 min or so on my lap. Apparently I wore her out at the mall. But she perked up and opened some presents.

This morning we have birthday morning. Peanut Butter opened presents:

She was pretty excited, I got her to Playmobil room sets to replace most of the Playmobil stuff that has been left on the floor and stepped on, destroying them. Hopefully now that she is a little older she will take better care of the stuff. She does love playing with the stuff though.

We did Birthday pancakes since PB doesn't like cake.

It was hard when her Daddy picked her up today. I know he should get part of birthday too, but I admit, I cried after she left. 

10 Days of You: 1 Picture

Last one

It's My Party and I'll Cry if I Want To

I planned a Tea Party for Peanut Butter's birthday. I found cups and plates at Goodwill, I got some foam crowns for the girls to create their own and JoAnns had great stuff on clearance so I was able to get make your own princess wands too. I was worried that no one was coming because I only had one RSVP by my deadline, but then a few more came in. Here's the set up:

Peanut Butter was up early and anxious all day for the party. I wonder if she was up a little too early. Her friends arrived and they went to town on the tiaras and wands. It was a hit until one of PB's friends used a ribbon from the wands on her tiara and PB had a huge meltdown about it. I felt horrible for her friends with her screaming and crying over a ribbon. She some how composed herself and the kids ate, I had turkey and cheese sandwiches, I did make pb&j too, but one of the girls has a peanut allergy so I didn't bring them out, fruit salad and my apparently famous carrot muffins. PB doesn't like cake so she asked me to make the muffins for her, they have received rave reviews from the daycare. 

Then something else threw PB off the deep end.

She sat and pouted, then she took the balloons for a ride.

She blew out candles, yes I had regular cupcakes too.

She opened presents the kids played in her room and then out in the backyard when the chaos started. I put up a swing in the back yard and it was a huge fight over who was on the swing, and PB went crazy that she had to share and take turns, OY! Luckily it was pick up time and the Parents started showing up. I hope the girls had fun even though Peanut Butter was a screaming crying mess for some of it.

Shoes

I just ordered two pairs of shoes I would have never ever thought to order before. I know what possessed me to order them, except I liked them, they were on crazy clearance and I had a 20 coupon so I got them both with shipping for 21 dollars.

This pair

And this pair:

Normally I would not have bought anything with a heel since J hated when I was taller than him, since I don't have to worry about it, and Peanut Butter is all about getting me to be more "girly" so I pulled the trigger. Piperlime has some great shoes on clearance, I just hope they fit since there are no returns on final clearance items.

10 Days of You: 2 songs

This is going to be really really hard......

Current songs
1. Learning to Breathe - Switchfoot
2. Waking Up - OneRepublic

Run songs
1. Wait so Long - Trampled by Turtles
2. The Show Goes On - Lupe Fiasco

Older Songs
1. Colorblind - Counting Crows
2. Pale Green Stars - Everclear

Only in Gooberville -long and possibly crazy

There are certain things that really only happen in certain places. Where I grew up is one of them. Recently the city has made national news for being the 4th kinkiest in america. Seriously, it has a population of less than 2000 and Kathy Lee and Hooda were talking about it on the Today Show. I would have to think it has to be close to having the most bars per capital too, because there are 32 for the 1500 people there, so ya'll know what the local pastime is. 

So anyway, it has been about a year since the last time I was up and I really only keep up on the local sports action when checking out the daily paper. Occasionally I check the obits and if I see a familiar name, I'll read the brief article there is. After our fantastic finish yesterday we headed to one of the local taverns and took in some refreshments. Blue Moon must be popular with the running crowd because the 2 places we went in were out of it. We decided maybe we should head out and grab some lunch. On the way out my friend Jill's Dad said something about our shirts and she said we got them at the local screen printer(I'm avoiding some names to protect the innocent) he said well he may be off to jail soon. I didn't think much of it because there are a number of offenses that the locals go to jail for on a routine basis. We then decide before we go have lunch we have to stop at the local screen printer's to thank him for the shirts. Number one thing that would only happen in Hurley, my friend Jill asks the owner, "hey, you still have the stripper boots?" "yeah, they are in the other room around the corner." Sure enough, he not only prints up shirts for the locals and tourists, he rents tuxs and has a large selection of stripper shoes and boots, along with a few outfits for the working girl. I about died. I know the girls gotta get their kicks some where, but it just seems like an odd pairing, but "that's how I roll." he says as he's starting to plan shirts that say, "where hwy 51 ends and the Kink begins." He also said the gem, "in Hurley you don't lose your girlfriend you lose your turn." NICE. My friend Jill's friend from the Twin Cities is just flabbergasted, but actually tries a pair on. Our other friend, Jason, asks him how the apartments upstairs are going. He goes on about how much money he has stuck into them and says let me set this shirt up and I'll give you a tour. 

We head up and people you will not believe this place, The first apt you walk into is like a fantasy hunting cabin bar. Horned chandeliers, weird wood clocks, and even the famous leg lamp. He says oh be careful of the table some girl was dancing on it the other night and it broke. In one of the bedrooms is a massage table and one can only imagine what goes on in there, and then a normal bed room. We head to the next apt and I can only imagine what is to come, I am surprised when it is a nicely done studio with a murphy bed. But, at this point he starts on about all the people who come through and he entertains customers, friends what have you. And again my mind goes to the bad place, "what in the world goes on up here?" We head over to the third apt and it is like a tiki lounge living room with a bedroom with a north woods theme and what everyone needs a room with a tanning bed and a shelving unit with any type of tanning oil you should need. He flips it on like one of us is going to get in a tan while we're there. We then go into the last room in this place which is a little bar area that has of course a fresh keg. He sets up a pitcher for us and says hang out, I gotta go check on the shop. The five of us, just look at each other, pull up a stool and about all of us just laugh as we are in awe of the total themeness and weirdness of the joint. At one point Jason has asked him which one he lives in and he said, "hell, I live in them all." He also went into how he was being set up for dealing a controlled substance. Where else in the world would this happen to someone.? All I can wonder is just how many strippers have frequented the place and am a bit creeped out. After we have a couple beers we decide we really should get lunch.  We end up sitting in the number of chairs outside the business waiting to say our good byes because he has gone off around the corner. Who just leaves their business, not only to give a 30 min tour of the upper apts, but to take a stroll leaving his dogs on the front stoop? He comes back and we say our thanks for the tour and such and say we're off to Don and GGs for lunch. He goes on about how we should do this other stuff and we say, yeah, sure and head out.  I wish I would have had my camera. Jill, Brent, and Caroline took quite a few. What was extra crazy is he at one point said, "my life is like a movie, it is Jumanji everyday." Jumanji, who compares their life to Jumanji?

So I meet up with a couple who are friends of mine later that night and say, "You will not believe what we did this afternoon!" I tell them about going to the apts and they look at me like I was bat $hit crazy. The wife was like you are now on a bunch of surveillance tapes, there are police cameras everywhere there. It was the craziest thing that would only happen in Hurley.  It ended up being quite the talk later in the the evening too when we told Jill's sister about it. Apparently, I need to read more than the sports section when I look at the local paper.

5 Miler in the Book

I did it. I ran the whole five miles of my part of our marathon relay. My team finished its 26.2 miles in 4:16:22. We were hoping to finish in 4 hours so we were pretty close. 

It seemed to take me forever to drive up. I had to drop Peanut Butter off at her Nana's and then go up from there. I think I was in the car for over 6 hours total. My hips were aching by the time I got there since they are already sore from running. I picked up our race packet and met my teammates to get our game plan. We decided to meet at 6:30 am and get to the start. I set my alarm on my phone, but where I was staying has poor cell reception so my phone searches for a signal and kills my battery. I heard it die and it was 5:00 am. I wanted 30 more minutes of sleep and there was this clock that chimed every 15 min. I heard it after the first 15 and didn't hear it again. I looked at the clock on the wall and it was 6:00, yikes. I quick showered, for reasons unknown since I was going to go sweat, and beat feet to our meeting spot. We headed out to the start of the race and my friend Jill started. A friend of hers, Jason,  from high school that I also know ran our second leg and the other 3 of us went to cheer him on since we couldn't watch Jill. After cheering we headed to the start of the 3rd leg. I was still feeling good at this point, it was still cool and I was still relaxed. But after meeting back up with Jill and Jason and my leg being next, I started stressing, can I do this, I can do this, good lord what did I sign up for. Caroline ran our third leg and we went to wait for mine.

This is me and Brent who ran our last, longest and fastest leg waiting at the start of my leg. I got ready for the switch and I heard, "Robyn?" I said, "oh hey." it was one of my best friends from high school's parents. They were like we haven't seen you in a long time. I said I know, I don't get up a lot.  And then Caroline came in and I was off and wouldn't you know it my right shoe felt weird, I though crap, just run with it, and then I turned the corner and the behemoth hill loomed ahead. I charged the hill and my crew drove by yelling on their way to the next split. After mile 1, I was not in my normal run mental mode, I was so worried about finishing and it started to get really sunny and hot and that is all I thought about. The shirts we wore just held the sweat and I couldn't get my sleeves to stay up, I was uncomfortable and just kept plugging along. I stopped to retie my shoes and just kept plodding along. I caught up to a group of 4 full marathoners who were walking/running. I said finally someone I can pass. I think it took me a mile and a half to actually pass them. I hit mile 19 and was so happy to only have a mile left, but it was a long ass mile. I finally saw Caroline and said, "How much further is it?" She said just around the bend. I'm like kick ass and begin to "sprint" to get this over with and I turn the curve to this awful hill. But I climb it and send Brent on his way.

According to the split times it took me an hour and ten minutes to run my five, which is really slow 14 minute miles. I walk 15 minute miles  and I ran this whole thing. My mom says the split times aren't always accurate and of course I forgot to wear a watch.

Here's my team at the finish:

After it was all done, everyone felt great and then some were talking crazy like, we should find a 6th and next year do 3 half marathon relay teams. Um, yeah, not quite ready for that yet, nearly died doing the 5 miles.

Stay tuned to my next post, things that only happen in Hurley.

10 Days of You: 3 Films

This is going to be a hard one, I like so many movies.

1. Life is Beautiful. Watch this one with subtitles it is so much better than the dubbed English, you hear the inflections and it is just that much better, trust me. Another WWII movie that is superb is The Pianist, I can only wonder what I would do to stay alive in similar circumstances.
2. Pretty in Pink. John Hughes was a genius. The music, Duckie, Iona, Blaine "that's a major appliance it's not a name, and James Spader is the perfect slime ball. I always wanted Molly's red hair. My other favorite 80's movie is Breakfast Club, my brother and I would go back and forth with lines from this movie all the time. 
3. Good Will Hunting, I just relate to Will, I wish I was a genius, and I wasn't abused, but I just seem to understand the character.  I also love Matt Damon in the Bourne series.

Ok, I sneaked a couple others in, but hey that's how I roll.

More Than I can Chew

Saturday I will be running in a marathon relay in my hometown. I think I may have bitten off more than I can chew here. I have yet to break five miles. I have come close 4.7 and today I did 4.5 hoping it was closer to 5 than it was. My problem here people is the sun. The brutal, harsh, hot, bright sun, it saps all of my energy as soon as I get started. I also took the leg of the relay that has horrible hills that I didn't think about when choosing the leg, I just thought about the pretty lake I'd be running through. My only ray of hope is it is supposed to be a high of 70 on Saturday. I'm hoping that is cool enough for my run forever feeling to kick in. There is a chance of rain too, since every race I've been in it has rained, I'm thinking it will probably rain too.  I'm looking forward to seeing some of my friends and hanging out at the party after, so I will run that 5 miles if it kills me. 

So my goals for this week are:  get a shift of overtime in, try and get a 5 miler in on Tuesday, make invites for Peanut Butter's birthday party, finish my 5 miles of the relay, and have a blast. Peanut Butter is going to hang out with Nana for the weekend and is super excited about that.

Keeping the Girl Busy on a Budget

I need a day to keep the girl busy, but not spend a lot of money. Peanut Butter mentioned going bowling, and I got a family fun pass from the Isthumus and it had 2 for 1 bowling. We headed out to the lanes.

In the middle of the 2nd game Peanut Butter had her fill and we finished the game and settled up. $9.50 for 2 games and shoes, not too bad. We went to Goodwill to hunt down some items for PB's up coming tea party for her birthday. Old Navy for some clothes for school and Target for glue sticks for school. We ate dinner at Pedro's which I also had a coupon from the family fun pass for and went to the Madison's Children's Museum. The first Thursday night of the month is free from 5-8pm and Peanut Butter had a blast.

Making pizza.

Making Shadows, this was pretty cool you stand against this white wall and there is a blast of light and your shadow is captured on the wall.

Feeding the chickens.

They had a beautiful rooftop garden. Peanut Butter is in the refuse to pose stage and it is impossible to get a photo of her.

If I could only get her to do my windows.

They have this amazing climbing apparatus. It was packed all night. Peanut Butter got lucky at the end of the night as no one was on it when we were leaving. Not that she didn't spend a ton of  time earlier in the night on it.

It was a pretty good day!

10 Days of You: 4 Books

One thing I like is a good book.

1. Lord of the Flies by William Golding
2. To Kill a Mockingbird by Harper Lee
3. The Road by Cormac McCarthy
4. The Chocolate War by Robert Cormier

A few others could have made this list, Harry Potter, In the Shadow of War, The True Story of Hansel and Gretel. Apparently I like books with a good struggle, whether physical or mental. These are all books I have no problem reading again and again. I'll also admit that The Road can be a hard book to get through. McCarthy does have his own style of writing. Yes, the other books that I have loved, I love a good Lee Child book, fast paced, kick ass, a good thriller/mystery, I like Michael Connelly and Dennis Lehane, and a good novel, This Much I Know is True by Wally Lamb is wonderful, The Spellman series is a hoot, and I like the YA with Hunger Games and The Book Thief.

Somewhat Wordless Wednesday

Peanut Butter and I took in the Olbrich Garden's butterfly house yesterday.

It was pretty neat. Peanut Butter liked matching up the butterflies we saw with the chart. But, Peanut Butter was unimpressed with the short walk we took in the actual gardens. So it was a fairly quick trip.

10 Days of You: 5 Foods

Food, mmmm, limiting this to five may be tough, but I'll give it a go.

1. Chocolate, especially dark chocolate. Chocolate brownies, chocolate ice cream, chocolate.
2. Pizza. Love it. Especially when it has a nice spicy sauce. I'm more of a thin crust kind of gal too. I'll eat just about any toppings, except onions, no onions. My fave would be green olives and pepperoni.
3. Fajitas including the rice and beans and the chips and salsa that come before you eat. Oh and avocados/guacamole 
4. A really good Italian sub/hoagie with salt and vinegar chips and crispy dill pickles. Yes, this is just me sneaking in more food that I like.
5. Buffalo Chicken w/ blue cheese. I like wings, boneless wings, sandwiches, I have yet to try the dip, but I'm sure it is delish.  I like hot, but not so hot that you cannot enjoy it. I am a bit partial to Quaker Steak and Lube. They actually have a bar-b-que one that I like, I normally want to gag on barbque, unfortunately it is name buckeye barbecue. Buckeyes in WI is a bad thing. But I can eat just about every one of their sauces with out dying unlike BW3 where hot  starts to be too hot for me. And I am not a big fan of the owls that hoots, but it has been a while since I have eaten there.

Well that's 5 but I also like a good chicken dinner, hamburgers, cake, damn I left off cake.

Beach Bums

I never thought I would really enjoy a beach vacation. I didn't think I was one for camping out on the beach in the sun. I am fair and heat isn't a plus in my book, but I took up my friends offer of going out to Ocean City, MD for a long weekend to just get away. I needed a get away. I needed to just camp out on the beach in the sun. It was great. 

The trip out was long. We left the house at 5:30 am to fly out of Milwaukee at 8. We landed in DC at 11:00am and then drove for what seemed like forever to get to Ocean City. We made a few stops to break up the drive and arrived into town around 4-4:30pm. Peanut Butter was one of those kids you don't want on a plane screaming how hungry she was when I wouldn't spend 5 dollars on graham crackers. My friends were out when we got there so we wandered down to check out the miles of beach.

We met up with my friends and had dinner at a restaurant set on the beach. 

We hit the beach the next  day and it was beautiful The weather was awesome. Peanut Butter was not. She was so afraid of the waves that she started screaming whenever she or I got close to the water. It was sheer hell at some points. 

But it got better as the day progressed.

We went to dinner that night at Dead Freddie's which had this wonderful pirate ship play set out for the kids, so adults could actually have a conversation before and after eating.

My friend Marla and I took in some outlet shopping the next day while her husband took the kids to the beach. Peanut Butter started warming up to the water.

We had someone to watch the kids so the adults could get their clubbing on. We went back to the place on the beach and hung out for a while.

The last day before we left was a morning from hell driving all over to figure out where we were going to set up on the beach. Getting 12 people to focus can be an adventure sometimes. Peanut Butter was a wee bit crabby by the time we set up and ended up napping for quite a while. But she did get out and hit the water.

It was all good until we decided to go out a little further into the water. I had PB in my arms as we headed out, when I looked up and said crap, as a huge wave pretty much creamed us. PB was done, she was back to screaming about the waves again. She did mellow out a bit later.

I think Peanut Butter ended up with heat exhaustion by the end of the day and was pretty much out from 5pm on. We headed back the next day and I've been missing the beach ever since.