Miss Fancy Chancey

This weekend Kb and I attempted to fish. With no luck. Guess that's why they call it fishing, huh? We decided to take my Sheltie, Miss Fancy Chancey along. Fancy Chance is just as her name describes. I'm not even sure she thinks she's a dog. She is the clumsiest dog I have ever seen. She can't stand up in the car or she'll crash into the floorboard if I barely tap the breaks. When she jumps off the couch or bed she more often than not, faceplants. Then limps around and barks for a bit like it's my fault or something. This happens almost every time. She's a bit over dramatic.

So at the deer lease we loaded our fishing gear up along with Fancy Chance. She didn't seem impressed with all the hard, dead grass she had to walk in. She followed us around even when we went back and forth to the truck to switch out fishing lures. She doesn't exactly get "exercise" so she was pretty worn out and hating life I think. Most dogs are pretty sure footed. My lab RemiDog can traverse any kind of terrain I put him in. Fancy Chance?? Not so much. You'd think she was climbing down a steep rock face to get to the water for a sip then God forbid if she might fall in. Maybe that's why I didn't catch anything. I was too busy laughing at her trying to be a "real" dog.

Lastly I'll leave you with this...

Most people have a Father/Son or Father/Daughter picture like this that I think is really sweet. Since Miss Fancy Chance and RemiDog are our only "kids" this will have to do for now.

I run like a Smurf

My run through downtown Goldthwaite proved to be very interesting. It's a town of about 2000 people and 20,000 goats I think. Here's what I learned on my run...

• Goldthwaite Eagles were 1-A State Champs this year and are proud of it.
• People there LOVE their yard art. (I thought 1 place I passed was an actual shop selling that crap but it just turned out it was a yard overserved with yard art)
• I never want to run by a meat processing plant again. That is not a whiff you want to repeat.
• In 7 blocks there's every possible church denomination and 1 non-denominational funeral home. (No, not 7 square blocks just 7 blocks)
• They have a thing for yellow cars (I passed a yellow hummer, a yellow jeep and some other yellow car)

Overall it was a really good run. I had 8 on the schedule and pushed it to 9. I learned I'm really slow the 1st few miles but after that I kick it into another gear and finish with a better pace. And that blister that showed up on the arch of my foot after 6.5 miles? I lubed up that sucker with Body Glide. I read a tip from Morgan at Caution: Redhead Running about that and it worked like a CHAMP! No pain whatsoever!

I caught a glimpse of myself running in the mirrored window of Mills County Bank. I thought for sure I ran like a gazelle despite my 5'1" frame. Instead I came to the realization that I run more like a Smurf. Short, squatty with my butt sticking out. Oh well, at least I'm out there!! Right?!?

The Redneck Safari did not disappoint. During our nightly round 1 guy got in a hog trap to try to fix it, you'd think we were under attack from raccoons, we came upon 1 jackrabbit and a very confused doe. I think she was sleeping and woke up to a big white pickup truck and 3 dudes including 1 in a hog trap. She must have thought she was in a bad dream. Needless to say there were no Boone's Farm or Animals killed that night.

Yurbud giveaway!!

Shut up and Run is giving away some SA-WEET Yurtopia Yurbud Earbuds. I NEED THEM!! I sweat like a maniac when I run and if my stinky old iPod Earbuds fall out when I'm running or working out it's OVER. They never stay back in! UGH!

Shut up and Run is TOO FUNNY! and cracks me up on the daily. She makes it hard to look like I'm working. Nothing in the engineering biz is as funny as her crap stories. And yes, by "crap" I mean poop.

Redneck Safari

Hello friends! It's FRIDAY!! Kb & I are headed to the deer lease this weekend to do some work since it's off season. During the off season, a lot of work gets done clearing trees, moving feeders or stands, building fences, etc so it will be a workout. Of course there'll be a lot of 12oz curls going on too. Then at night we head out for the Redneck Safari.

I coined the term "Redneck Safari" this past year. We used to have a Texas Safari here where you rode around in your own car kind of through a zoo and fed the animals. Our last trip consisted of me trying to feed an ostrich some dog food pellets and it tried to take my hand off. ( ok, maybe he didn't want to take my hand off but at 6yrs old I guess you're a bit dramatic, we never went back)

Yes, friends that's Boone's Farm. Oh and in the back what looks like Jack Daniel's... Nope it's a Jack Daniel's knock off Ezra Brooks. And Roscoe... Yep he was killed at our deer lease and hangs in the tree as our official mascot the whole time we're there. (Actually he was killed during my 1st hunt. I had killed a doe and he was headed for it. Sorry Roscoe, but you weren't getting my 1st doe) The Redneck Safari consists of driving around the pasture, drinking Boone's, varmint hunting. Hogs, foxes, rabbits, raccoons, coyotes and whatever other night creatures hanging around. Sounds like fun, huh?

On a running note, this week I wasn't feeling too great but I don't have time to take off since my race is 4 weeks away. YIKES! So since it was such a beautiful day I sucked it up and got out there. I'm glad I did, it made me feel a lot better. 8 miles on tap this weekend. During my last training 8 miles was my favorite so I'm actually looking forward to it. Should be in the 60s here so it will be perfect! Wish me luck!

A visit from Granny??

Why do some people pop into your head every once in a while? People that have been gone for years but were a huge part of your life? I've been thinking about my Granny lately. My Great-Grandmother to be exact. She was a really neat lady and taught me so many things. I recently made a blanket for a friends daughter. It was made out of crochet granny squares. Guess who I learned that from? I guess working on that made me feel closer to her. She was born in 1909 and would have been 101 this year on January 21st, a day after Kb's birthday. I was the first Great-Grandchild so I was spoiled rotten. When I was younger, I would stay over there all the time. Granny's was the first place I had homemade biscuits. She'd make sun tea and we'd sit outside in her back yard on her swing and she'd tell me all the changes she's seen in the world. I loved being around her. She came to my Baylor Graduation. She was so proud and I was proud to have her there.

She was very witty and conservative and wasn't afraid to tell you how she felt. She was very strict about the fashion rules between Labor Day and Easter. Mom (who is an in-law to Granny) says one day before Easter mom was wearing cream colored pants and my Granny said "Debbie, those pants aren't white are they?" Ha! Indeed, no white pants, shoes or purses after Labor Day and before Easter. Black Patent shoes are only for winter too. While this has all been thrown out I still abide by Granny's rules.

Even last night, Kb and I were leaving the Baylor Game (Who kicked that TTU Boo-Tay) on the trolley. (The trolley takes you back and forth from the Ferrell Center to the Parking Garage) Kb gave up his seat to a little, white haired old lady. (Granny had the prettiest white hair that was always curled.) She sat next to me and beamed about how nice it is to still have gentlemen in the world. She said she had been married to one for 63 years. I told her that was my boyfriend  that had offered her the seat and she said "Well, maybe he's a keeper...maybe" She just had this sparkle in her eye  and wit that really touched me. Just like Granny. 

I don't know if she's trying to get me a message or just letting me know she's there. All I know is, the times we had together are times I will cherish throughout my life. I'm so glad she's popped back in, I've missed her so much.

While I know she couldn't be here forever, I know I'll see her again.

Why I hate the Dreadmill...

Still cold here in the Heart of Texas so at 6 this morning I was at the gym... for a run on the dreadmill. I'd much rather be outside but with all my respiratory problems that I just can't kick, this cold weather just makes me more sick. Yuck!


Here's my morning routine.. Alarm goes off for about mmm 20-30 minutes before I finally drag my lazy bones out of bed. Kb and both dogs are still sound asleep. After manuvering in the dark to get dressed and find all my gear I'm out the door. Then back in because I forgot water. Out I go, then back in because I forgot my towel or something else. I'm really not a "morning person" I'm much more alert after 10am. In the car ride to the Gym I flip it over to Backspin on XM. If a little old school rap doesn't wake you up I don't know what will. Snoop, Easy E and Too Short... Backspin plays them all. Into the gym with all the other half awake people. I love these people. You can tell they just rolled out of bed, swished a little mouthwash around, threw some clothes on and are getting that workout in. These are the hardcore peeps. The ones getting the workout in because they need it. Not prancing around in their sports bras with their hair perfectly pulled into whatever cutsey poney tail or braid. They also aren't the roided out dudes grunting and throwing weights around. That's for the afternoon show. Nope, these are fatties like me that need to get that workout in or you can forget it because life just gets in the way.


Ok, I get on the dreadmill and off I go. No wait, I'm not going anywhere. I'm just running in place. One of the reasons why I hate the dreadill. I also don't have my speed figured out on that stupid thing. I feel like I run faster on the pavement because I'm not afraid of stepping off the belt or getting thrown back against the wall if I run off. I really just call it cheating since you aren't really propelling yourself forward but instead just catching the belt. I don't get the same sense of accomplishment as when I'm out there pounding the pavement and doing all that damage to my joints. So today I just went for time. About 40 minutes. Not really sure of the distance since I had to pause it to use the facilities. And by "use the facilities" I mean poop. That happens to me EVERY.TIME.I.RUN!! I read somewhere that runner's trots were "temporary" and that "your body was just getting used to the extra stress of the exercise". Nope, not me. Especially in the morning, it's like that extra jostling just shakes everything down there and it HAS TO GET OUT! The good thing about being on the dreadmill is that there's always a bathroom close by. (Well, lookie there, I found something I like about the dreadmill)

Valentine's Weekend Recap including a Surprise that Backfired

Happy President's Day everyone. And to those of us who have to work like me and President's day is just another Monday. Happy Monday. So... Valentine's day.. Kb and I decided we weren't going to do much for V-Day since we're planning  a vacay next month. Kb never listens and wound up making me a BEAUTIFUL flower arrangement with a couple of balloons. I was super surprised when I got home on Friday. I wasn't expecting anything but on Friday? That really caught me off guard. Saturday he came home with chocolate covered strawberries and some wine and truffles. My man knows what his lady likes! Wine & Chocolate! YUM-O!

On to Gruene... Saturday Papi came by and picked up Kb & I on the bus (the American Dream) and we headed south. 1st stop was Gruene hall to get tickets for the concert that night. Which we didn't end up with since it was a cover charge at the door. Well, that sucks. We spent most of the rest of the day shopping and trying to avoid Tk and Judyjudyjudy(Jjj). They had wanted us to come to the concert with them but since we were trying to save $$ we told them we just couldn't afford 2 nights in a hotel and all that jazz.. enter Papi and the American Dream and that made for a cheap trip since we can sleep in the 'Dream in the parking lot. We decided not to tell Tk & Jjj and just surprise them at the concert. Well, that backfired on us a little bit. When we got back to Gruene Hall to pay our way in, there was a HUGE line since they weren't letting anyone in until 8. An hour or more later and we were in. No sign of Tk & Jjj. We asked them if they were at the concert and they said "No, it's sold out" Well, it wasn't sold out and in fact after everyone got in after the initial rush, there was no problem getting in. So we decided to let them know we were there and it was all clear for them to come on. Well, the didn't believe that we were there?!?! We called, sent pictures and texts and still... they didn't believe us. Even the next day they didn't believe we were there. I think we finally convinced them we were there. Jjj asked us to get her a shirt and koozie.They can't deny us with that evidence..  Tk said, why didn't you tell us earlier. Umm.. HELLO?!?!? It was a surprise!! That would ruin it! They missed one HELL of a concert. Stoney put on a SHOW! We took our time coming back and stopped to shop and eat a V-day lunch at Papadeaux in Austin. No running for me this weekend. I am officially a slacker! I got up and did the 30-day shred this am and plan on running tonight or in the morning.

Happy Valentine's Day Sweetheart!!

Yes, this is a sappy Valentine Post to my Honey, you've been warned..

20 Things I love about you and us...

1 - I love your laugh. I can hear it in a crowded room over everyone's conversation.

2 - I love how you've turned me into a really and for true huntin, fishin, outdoor lovin girl. I know how much those activities mean to you and want you to know how much it means to me that you want to share them with me. (I'm still not camping unless we're in a travel trailer)

 3 - I love that our plans on vacation are "to have no plans".

4 - I love to tell everyone that you're the one who taught me how to cook. You also gave me confidence in my abilities. (And the knowledge that if it's too bad, pizza's only a phone call away. Not that we've had to call...yet)

5 - I love when you kiss my head.

6 - I love that no matter where you are you call and tell me good night.

7 - I love all my new favorite things you've introduced me to like Motorcycle riding, The Stockyards,  having my first real deer lease, Bandera

8 - I love that San Antonio is "our place"

9 - I love how you love to sing...anytime...anywhere... for anyone that will listen. (Except 1st thing in the morning. I'll never understand how you're so chipper)

10 - I love how we can be so silly together and laugh about stupid things.

11 - I love the pride I see in your face when you do something special for me. 

12 - I love our snuggle time. 

13 - I love how you take your socks off by wiping your feet on the floor. 

14 - I love how you make me feel safe and protected. (Especially now that you've bought me a couple of guns) 

15 - I love how you believe in me and are my biggest supporter. 

16 - I love that you're the first one I think about when I see something silly and HAVE to call and share it with you. (twenty twos!!) 

17 - I love how you would do anything for me. (Except maybe watch a scary movie) 

18 - I love to hear you interact with other people. You're always so respectful and see the light side of things. 

19 - I love that we consider and consult each other about everything.

20 - I love that you call me "Baby".

You truly are my best friend and I can't image my life without you. You mean the world to me. I Love You Sweetheart. 

A little bitching before Valentine's Day

Ok, seriously.. enough with this nasty weather. I don't even have any cute snow day pictures to share. It's just COLD, RAINY, WET & NASTY. No, not cute at all. How do people live like this?? I mean, give me 100+ degrees anyday but this overcast, no sun shining, wet weather can really bring a person down. The sun seems like it goes up late and comes down early. You have to pile on a ton of clothes, most of which can't be too cute since you're trying to stay as warm as possible. I mean, how sexy can a sweater be?? Ohh, or a turtleneck?? Yeah BABY!!

Next week it's supposed to be somewhat pretty and at least in the 50s. See, it just doesn't stay cold enough here to even try to get used to it. And with my self-imposed outdoor running cutoff of 40*, I've had to do some of my runs on the dreadmill. My race is only 5 weeks away so I need to do it to it!! Oh, yeah, my running buddy may have bailed on me so I'll have to navigate my 1st 1/2 marathon by myself.

Ok, enough bitching. It's Valentine's Weekend!! Kb & I are of course spending it together. We may be going to Gruene Hall to hear Stoney LaRue. Ahhh, Cold beer and Live Texas Music, 2 of my favorite things. Sometime this weekend Charlene and I have an easy 4 mile run. We may be doing that when I get back from our concert on Sunday. Good times Indeed!! Love is in the air!

My New Kicks

For Christmas my sweetie wanted to by me some new running shoes. The ones I had before were my first "real" pair of running sneaks. We aren't exactly Mayberry here but we don't have a whole lot a specialty shops so my first pair were bought at the mall. Ugh! I think the girl did the best she could. But after catching the running bug and reading all the blogs (see when I get into something I geek out and try to learn all I can) I realize I probably didn't get the best pair. I ended up with some Asics Kayanos. Fast forward through training for my 1st failed 1/2 marathon and shin splints and I decided to start over and get to a shop with some peeps who really know what they're talking about. Enter RunTex...


RunTex is a great running specialty shop in the Austin area. I went to the one in Georgetown. I heard so much about this place from friends and reading online I couldn't wait to check it out. When I got there they had me take off my shoes, do some flexibiliyt exercies with my toes and then run around so they could watch my pronation. Yeah, barefoot. It was pretty cool! I told them about the shin splints and that my outer 2 toes on each foot go numb after long runs. Wait... I never talked about that?? I knew it wasn't normal but since it went away I didn't worry about it. N-E Whoooo They said that my shoes were probably too small and suggested a 1/2 to 1 size bigger than what I had. They brought out 3-4 pairs for me to try and I decided on a pair of Brooks Defyance. They are so light and confortable, I was super stoked!!

Fast forward again to last weekend's 6.5 mile run. This was a first for me. I got a blister. And no not in a normal place like your heel or toes. It's on the arch of my foot!! Geez! I mean, what the hell am I supposed to do about that?? This morning I tried a 2nd Skin blister pad but it just inched it's way off my foot and attempted to jump out of my sock. So much for that idea.

Other than the blister, these shoes have been great. No pain in my shins, and no numb toes! Yippee!!

Superbowl Monday and other Ramblings

Happy Monday after Superbowl. Why can't the Superbowl start at noon or something, or on Saturday?? Kb and I helped host a Superbowl Party and after all the drunks left and cleanup was over we didn't get home until midnight. Happy Monday indeed.


I didn't win ANY of the Superbowl square pots I was on. So to the winners... You're welcome. We did put together a couple of shotgun pots at the party and I won 1 of those. So it wasn't all bad. I also won our nfl.com Fantasy Football Playoff Challenge. Yippee!! After winning the College Bowl pot this year I bet these guys won't let me play with them anymore. booohoooo


Backing up a bit... Saturday night we went to TK and Judyjudyjudy's house to start getting ready for the Superbowl Party. And by "getting ready" I mean, grilling steaks, drinking lots of wine and playing Super Mario Kart and Cabela's Big Game Hunter on the Wii until 1am. I can't drive that stupid Mario Kart stone sober much less after wine. Glad there weren't any young kids there to show us up.

On to something not Sports, Superbowl or running related but clearly newsworthy...A new analysis shows that beer is good for Bone Health?!?! According to an article on msnbc.com beer is full of dietary silicon, a key ingredient for good bone health. This breaking news story along with a headline I saw last year about "bigger thighs may equal better health" make me think I'm living life right!!

O Miller Lite, who knew your sweet, golden nectar wasn't just good, but good for me?? See you at beer-thirty!!

Saturday Run w/ a new Running Buddy

Well, I did it. I went back to tha riva and faced my 6.5 miler that almost killed me last time. It wasn't too bad. It was probably 50* colder than the last time and wasn't unbearable. My shin splints didn't bother me at all (Thank you acupuncture treatments!!) and I didn't even need to step into the water/spray park and scare any of the kiddos or their parents.

Ok so, remember my goal post a while back when I said I wanted to pick a charity to volunteer with?? Well, today was my first step. Throughout my life 1 thing has been a constant. Pets. Dogs to be specific. We've always had a dog or dogs. I can't imagine my life without them. We've either adopted them or they've adopted us. So, I've decided to help other dogs adopt a forever family and work with Fuzzy Friends Rescue. A friend of mine works there. They have a program where people can come in and take the dogs for a walk to get them some exercise so I asked her about a running buddy. She said it sounded like a great idea. So Saturday I met Charlene....

She's a mutt and they don't know how old she is but she's super sweet!! It was tough getting to know each other at first but she's been leash trained and did pretty well considering the circumstances. She was thrown into a new place with a new leader but she did great!! We saw kids riding bikes, guys playing disc golf, squirrels, some people fishing and kiddos feeding ducks. She was focused and stayed with me the whole way. When I took her back, everyone at FFR was so grateful and let me know how much that means to them and the dogs. They're excited to put this on her profile so maybe she can be somebody's forever running buddy. Until then, she can be mine. Sleep well tonight Charlene, I'll see you next week.

6.5 Mile Redemption

Ok, here's the thing. I have 6.5 miles scheduled to run tomorrow. When I think back to the last time I ran 6.5 miles it almost killed me. Mind you after that, 8, 9.5 and even 11 miles came and went fine. But those 6.5 miles were brutal.

At the time that was the longest distance I had ever even attempted to run. It was hot and I didn't exactly have my training down to know what to do when I'm running for an hour or more. Where I run, "down by the river", there's a small water park by a playground that the kiddos can go cool off in the summer. Or Where I can scare parents w/ their kids by walking into the water park fully clothed panting like a maniac, face flushed from the heat, sun, dehydration, or all of the above. Yep, I stripped off my fannypack and ipod, dove in and cooled my sweaty @ss off. I feel a little more prepared now, but still. I have to admit I'm nervous.

Nervous but determined. I'm going back to that 6.5 mile run. I'm going to run the same route as last time and show that 6.5 miler who's boss!!

Training in Winter S.U.C.K.S

So I haven't been this super start athlete for long. In fact, I really started my training right before the heat of the summer in Texas. Heat I can handle, I can dress for heat and know how my body will react in the heat. It will sweat... A LOT...

Winter is different. It rains. I.don't.do.rain. and it's cold. I know some people would love to have a balmy 40deg day to train in but that's my cutoff point. 40 is cold to this Texas Girl. When it's cold the cold air burns my throat and lungs and that's no fun. I suppose I could train on the dreadmill but I don't like that option either. You never get anywhere. After really getting out there and pounding the pavement there really is no substitute.

The running gods have been against me lately. It rained all weekend. It's raining now. It's been cold. I even got up this morning, got dressed and got out in the rain to go for a dreadmill run at the gym. The gym is supposed to honor the fitness program I signed up for through my insurance company. When I got there the front desk guy (who looked like he wasn't 100% awake) had no idea what I was talking about and turned me away since a manager* wasn't there. See... it just wasn't meant to be. I went home and did Jillian Michaels 30day Shred. Gotta cross train right?? Better than stopping at Starbucks or Daylight Donuts for a kolache mmmm kolache. So this morning wasn't a total waste.

*yes I called and talked to the manager and everything sorted out. RPM tomorrow baby!!!

I'm baaaaaack!!!!!!!!!!

Ok, so I've taken a little hiatus. But I've been thinking about so many things to post I decided I just have to get back into this bloggy world and have at it. So...here's a recap of what I've been up to: (in no particular order)

* I joined Twitter!! (I'll add that gadget later)
* As far as my goals post.. Haven't accomplished a 1 but they're still out there and I plan on working on them this year
* I rested as planned over the holidays and am back pounding the pavement (Side note: Winter training sux!)
* Christmas was great w/ Conway a.k.a. Kb *MWAH!! Love YOU!*
* We spent New Years in Bandera and Fredricksburg w/ our new travel friends Tk and Judyjudyjudy (she says anyone that wants to travel w/ us needs to have at least 3 travel references - more on that later)
* Deer season was a SUCCESS!!! 1 Buck and 1 Spike. My 1st Buck EVA!! Talk about buck fever! That stand was a shakin'! We now have plenty of meat in the freezer for the year.
* No, I haven't sold my house in da Hood yet..
* I signed up for Rock n Roll Dallas!! Come on Big 'D' - got a couple of recuits too, my hairdresser and some of her friends.

That's all for now. I'll try to get up to date on everyone's blogs and get back in the game. Happy Hump Day Everyone!!