Finish the sentence Christmas Edition!!!

I guess the only time I am ever going to blog is when Holly and Jake do this link up!

1. My favorite Christmas was when I was 6 years old and got my first bike without training wheels-banana seat and all!

2. The worst Christmas I had was in 2002 when I was divorcing my husband and trying to figure out how to make Christmas special for our son.

3. That one gift that made me scratch my head and say, "Hmmmm" was the bizarre comforter set my current husband bought for me one year (turquoise satin with orange Aztec print, anyone?) and it was ridiculously expensive.

4. One year I decided it would be a good idea to make apple butter, salsa, peanut brittle, peanut clusters, and spice mixes for 50 people.

5. I think the worst gift to give is something someone wants for themselves.

6. At Christmastime I typically I hate everything and everyone until school is out and then I get all happy and rush around wishing I wouldn’t have waited until the last minute.

7. Typically, family Christmas is so stressful I wish I could go on a cruise-by myself.

8. If I could change one thing about the Holiday season it would be my family’s never ending desire to buy gifts for everyone.

9. It is so hard to buy for my mother.

10. My favorite Christmas tradition is on Christmas Eve I fix cinnamon toast and make hot chocolate from scratch and we watch “Elf”.

5 on Friday

I am incapable of coming up with an original blog post. Link ups are much more fun and require very little thought :)

Five things I am in love with this week:

1. My giant Arkansas Razorback tumbler that a kind co-worker bought me last year. It has been filled with warm, sweet, hot tea multiple times during the day to get me through.


2. This book:

:

I love everything Rick Riordan has written and I am sad to get to the end of this particular series.

3. This show:


James Spader is so good at being a slime ball.

4. Elisabeth Shue as Fin on CSI. Showing us how to still be hot...




5. This stuff:


Being sick sucks, but Nyquil knocks me right out :)

Happy Friday Ya'll!!!

Finish the Sentence with Jake and Holly

That awkward moment when you realize your last post, was the last "FTS" link up. Oh well...here goes:

My happy place is anywhere without children, laundry, or dirty kitchens.

 

Whatever happened to Christian Slater? I mean the last thing I remember seeing him in was “Interview with a Vampire” or am I just that out of touch?

 

So what if I wear Crocs. My feet hurt and they are sandals at least. The hubs threw out all my other ones.

 

E! needs a reality show about nothing at all. I hate reality shows, except “Duck Dynasty”-wait, is “Ink Master” a reality show?

 

My go-to fast food meal is an 8 count Chick-Fil A meal with a side salad (fries, I mean waffle fries) and two things of Chick-Fil A sauce.

 

You might not know that I really enjoy a filthy, dirty rap song. If I can shake my booty to it-it’s all good J

 

The hottest quarterback in the NFL is....a tie between Aaron Rodgers (the State Farm commercials kill me!) with that grin, those eyes, and those dimples and RGIII he has a killer smile and the man looks like his arms and legs could have been chiseled by Michaelangelo. I am sucker for biceps.

 

If I could...turn back time (and now you are singing along with me).

 

My personality is awesome because I am fierce and loyal to those I love.

 

Twerking is a chiropractor’s dream. I can only imagine the amount of spinal damage done by people attempting to try it.

 

I think it's super gross when people chew with their mouths open.

Someone needs to tell Miley Cyrus they are called “squats” honey and you need to do them every.single.day. My 37 year-old booty looks better than hers! It’s a disgrace to young women every where, I imagine her trainer is so ashamed.

Finish the Sentence with Jake and Holly!

If I had one extra hour in the day...I would actually get all of the laundry folded and put away-who am I kidding? I would sleep.

I wish my name...was Princess Consuela Bananahammock.

I think anything chevron is...becoming last year's trend, but I need it to stay current because I have a dress I haven't had a chance to wear!

My last nightmare...had my principal telling me I had to teach Pre-K.

 Sometimes...I wish I could just not give f#$k about anything.

My last meal on earth would be...my mother's (even though we aren't on great terms) fried pork chops, with gravy made in the pan the pork chops were cooked, mashed potatoes, homemade yeast rolls slathered with butter, sweet tea with real sugar, and German Chocolate cake.

I would much rather be Khloe Kardashian than Kim because no cares that Khloe is fat.

Mayonnaise..is to be enjoyed in it's full-fat Hellman's Real glory, no Miracle Whip, Kraft Mayo or low fat crap allowed!!

10 years ago, I didn't think...I would ever be this happy and loved.

Selfishly...I spend money on my clothes instead of my kiddos (my relatives buy them stuff all the time and no one cares if Kara needs new shoes).

My favorite show on TV right now...Ink Master-Dave Navarro 'nuff said.

And, George Zimmerman...needs to spend the money he is going to get from NBC to hire a security detail to rival a Mexican drug lord or he isn't going to make it.

If I won the lottery....

I seriously HEART Holly Stanfield!! She is suppose to come to Dallas next weekend and I hope Megan remembers to let me in on the fun! Anyway, the link up today is one that is near and dear to my heart-winning the lottery. I am pretty sure I daydream about it.all.the.time. I never buy a ticket though, part of that is because I am never quite sure how to feel the damn thing out correctly.  Oh well here goes:

1.  I will hire a lawyer and a financial planner (my father-in-law) to make sure I don't blow several  million dollars on clothes, shoes, and Ferraris.

2. Anyone we owe money (I am talking to you Sallie Mae and William D. Ford) will be paid off.

3. I will pay off my family's debts as well.

4. Set up hefty trust funds for my kiddos.

5. Set up the retirement fund

6. QUIT.MY.JOB

7. Donate to a few local charities.

Now let the fun and frivolity start!!!

Hire a nanny, an honest to goodness live-in go anywhere with us nanny. We don't have grandparents to send the kid to and I WANT to travel.

Hire a personal trainer, shopper, and chef.

Schedule weekly housecleaning.

Buy my Range Rover. Buy my husband a new truck. Buy my grandmother a white Cadillac. Buy my son a Red Jeep Wrangler because he has wanted one since was about 2.  

Head to the Neiman Marcus downtown flagship store and buy any purse I want (Balenciaga Classic City in Red, thank you very much).

Go to a spa and get every treatment on the menu.

Laser hair removal...

Book a European vacaction-first class all the way.

Take the entire family to Disney World

Register for the Paris Marathon and hope I can do it!

After the dust settles, start planning our dream home.

So What Wednesday (again....)

I ADORE Shannon. I am forever thankful that she does the So What link-up.




So what if I watched three episodes of "Glee" last night instead of doing laundry. Lea Michele sang "Don't Stop Believing" for her audition in "Funny Girl" and I may or may not have teared up a little during the performance....

 So what if I felt like punching my lead teacher this morning. Telling me that working with struggling students isn't my "niche" before I have had my morning gallon of coffee is never a good idea.

So what if I 100% agreed with Mama Laughlin's post about running a mile in 16:00 and at 200 pounds is ugly. Yes, if you are running at 200 pounds (or in my case 230) there is a lot of wiggle and jiggle going on and yes going that slow IS UGLY, get over people. She speaks the truth; you just can't handle it....


So what if I buy Boom Chicka Pop popcorn instead of microwaving my own. It's good and I don't run the risk of burning it up.

Top Ten Tuesdays-Movie Quotes.

Trista over at Stewart Street is the weekly host of Top Ten Tuesdays. She is much better at putting cool things in her blog than me..

Once upon a time I watched movies constantly, at home and in the theaters. Then I had a baby and we have a serious lack of sitters for movie nights and for some reason having a baby has shrunk my already depleted attention span even further. I do good to make it through an episode of "The Following" on my DVR.





10. I'm not crazy, I've just been in a very bad mood 40 years!..."Steel Magnolias". It was hard to not pick at least 5 from this movie. 

9.Would you please put some pants on? I feel weird having to ask you twice...."The Hangover". I think this is the funniest movie ever made-I didn't laugh hysterically but I giggled from the the beginning to the end. 

8.  I want the fairy tale..."Pretty Woman". Another one of those hmmm..can't believe I watched this as a young girl movies where you really don't "get" what is happening.

7. Yes, but there's just something about him. Something around the eyes, I don't know, reminds me of... me. No. I'm sure of it, I hate him...."Tombstone". Oh Val Kilmer, you were so hot-what the hell has happened to you????

6.Just a fly in the ointment, Hans. The monkey in the wrench. The pain in the ass...."Die Hard". I don't think I truly appreciated this movie until I was an adult and I watch it every.single.time.it comes.on.

5.You're gonna need a bigger boat...."Jaws". Honestly one of my all time favorite movies and a truly scary movie.

4. When this baby hits 88 miles per hours, you're going to see some serious shit...."Back to the Future". I can quote the ENTIRE movie from beginning to end .

3.I just don't think that Brooke could've done this. Exercise gives you endorphins. Endorphins make you happy. Happy people just don't shoot their husbands, they just don't..... "Legally Blonde". I LOVE this movie.

2. Childhood is what you spend the rest of your life trying to overcome. That's what momma always says. She says that beginnings are scary, endings are usually sad, but it's the middle that counts the most. Try to remember that when you find yourself at a new beginning. Just give hope a chance to float up. And it will..."Hope Floats". This movie is all about second chances and I can so relate to Sandra Bullock's character.


1. Just so you know, judging from my little experience, I kind of believe in fate. It just works in really fucked up ways sometimes...."Can't Hardly Wait". If you have never seen this movie, do yourself a favor and watch it. It's about a high school graduation party and is so on point. 

So What Wednesdays (and maybe 24 things you never wanted to know about me)

I have missed "So What Wednesdays" for two weeks now. I like this link-up because I really feel like I can let my personality show. I tend to tone it down in the blogosphere and I am not sure why. I am pretty sure I have developed some kind of stalkerish crush on Jake's and Holly's blogs, so when I saw that were writing 24 things about themselves. I had to steal the idea (and add it with my so-whats)


1. So what if I am tired of vapid and shallow people (and their blogs and their Instagram pics...) you can only see so many hair and make-up tutorials before it all starts to sound the same. I hate wearing make-up.

2. So what if I hate wearing make-up but I am obsessive about moisturizing, seruming, and exfoliating. If you have pretty skin, you don't need that much make-up.
 
3. So what if I wear the same shade of lip gloss I wore in college. I am pretty sure that I am responsible for Clinique never discontinuing their Almost Lipstick in Black Honey.

4. So what if I drink almost 2 liters of coffee a day?

5. So what if I haven't cooked dinner in almost two weeks? No one in my family is anywhere near starvation and my kitchen has been so nice and clean.

6. So what if I hate make-up but stockpile samples and bonuses from three different make-up companies in addition to selling Mary Kay? Call me a hypocrite.

7. So what if I think my in-laws are the greatest thing since sliced bread? They raised an amazing man that I married and they are awesome grand parents. Wish I could say the same thing about my mother...

8. So what if I hate lingerie? I could care less about thongs and push-up bras. I do not ever want my husband to buy those things for me.

Now for #'s 9-24

9.  I like to eat chips on my sandwich, not with but  piled right on top of the cheese like lettuce. My favorite is ham, cheddar and Nacho Cheese Doritos.

10. I love super cheesy movies/musicals from the early 80's-"Xanadu", "Girls Just Want to Have Fun", "Rock and Roll High School", and "Annie". I can quote every.single.line.

11. I have an unnatural obsession with Ke$sha-I would totally love to hang out and party with her.

12. I am on the NTSB's watch list. My luggage gets "randomly" selected for screening every time I travel and I always get the body scan. The good thing is that I never have to pack neatly. I just toss everything in my suitcase and let them straighten it out :)

13. I do not like Judd Apatow movies. I think they suck, except for "Bridesmaids" that one was funny.

14. I get sad every time I look up at the sky and realize that the Space Shuttles will never fly again.

15. I still love The Dixie Chicks.

16. I don't understand Twitter, even though I was one of the first people to sign up for an account more than five years ago. I had Twitter before I had Facebook.

17. I can't have dirty dishes in the sink when I go to bed.

18. Odd socks are my nemesis and I will hunt them down.

19. I put mayonnaise on my eggs, not Miracle Whip or Kraft Mayo-it has to be Hellman's or it isn't right.

20. My odd man crush is Russell Brand. He's funny and that's enough for me.

21. I never want Lance Armstrong to have anything good in his life ever again. He left his wife for Sheryl Crow, then left her when she had cancer. Karma is a bitch Lance....

22. I still want to try out for the Dallas Cowboy Cheerleaders.

23. I have no desire to read "50 Shades of Grey".

24. I am pretty positive that I am going to receive my letter to Hogwarts any day now.......

Finish the Sentence!!!

I have been really absent from the blogosphere lately-only checking/reading a handful of blogs and not even attempting to write anything on mine. I missed Motivation Mondays, Transformation Tuesday, Weigh-In and So What Wednesdays, but no in way hell was I going to miss another "Finish the Sentence" link-up with Jake and Holly. I think Jake's blog has become my most favorite one (sorry, Skinny Meg), he makes me laugh and at this time of the year I need it. It helps that he is a fellow teacher and seems to have some of the jaded views of society that I do. I think I need to meet him-not weird or stalkerish at all....btw Jake if you are reading this my son will be attending U of A in the Fall and marching in the band. If you don't head overseas to teach, maybe a reader meet-up?!?

So, here we go:

Finish the Sentence

1. I laughed so hard I cried... when I watched "Wedding Crashers" the first time and Isla Fisher is going to town on Vince Vaughn under the table and he can't even string together a coherent sentence, and she is just sitting there smiling innocently.

2. My high school...was a K-12 school and we had a grand total of 28 people who graduated. Even though it was a small town, there was a college right up the road. I can say that 24 of us have Bachelor's degrees and a good number (6 at last count) have our Master's degrees. Only 2 have been in jail...which is really surprising :)

3. It really pisses me off...when people sponge off society for a living. I am tired of watching these parents parade in and out of school with multiple kids from multiple dads all fed, clothed, and housed on my dime. If you can afford to bring McDonald's every single day to your 4 kids, then they don't need to be on free lunch. 

4. In ten years...I hope to finally have a flat stomach and perky boobs :)

5. If I could erase one thing..it would be my second of year teaching-it nearly destroyed me.

6. In 1999...I graduated college and was ready to get the hell out of Bryan County, Oklahoma.

7. Honestly...I hate fixing my hair, putting on make-up and dressing up. I want to wear yoga pants because they are comfortable not because I am hiding my body or ashamed of my body or don't feel like I "deserve" to be pretty (and all that other bullshit). I am lazy and I like to be comfortable dammit!

8. To me, Sushi...is the best thing ever. I had just discovered the joy of sushi right before I got pregnant and I had to refrain from eating it for seven long months. The first post-baby date we went on was to eat sushi. I like all kinds of rolls-not sashimi though, can't just do raw fish and rice. I need some spicy mayo and Yum-Yum sauce drizzled on it. Great, now I want a Rainbow Roll...

9. Someone really needs to invent...a battery-operated portable Keurig with a 32 ounce mug attached to it. I NEED MORE COFFEE and Folger's just isn't cutting it for me today.

10. The first time I drank alcohol...I was 14, got drunk, passed out at a friend's house (where I was spending the night-not about to blow curfew), and my mother called the friend's house at 6:30 am to make me walk 2 miles to my house. I still do NOT know how she knew I was hung over..evil bitch.

11. The one question I would ask God is...did you really tell my ex-husband that it was okay to sleep with another woman (and get her pregnant) because I wasn't his true "soul mate". FYI God, he blamed that one on you! However, if you did tell him that-thanks! 

12. Lindsay Lohan...makes me sad. I love "Freaky Friday" and "Mean Girls" and it just depresses me to watch her and see how she is today. I know one morning she is going to be a tragic headline like Amy Winehouse and there is nothing anyone can do about it.

Non-scale Victories (NSV) Link up!

I hate the scale, I really do. I let it define my mood every.single.day. at least for the first 30 minutes of my day. Most days once I get off the scale and move around the house, look at my size 12s and my wardrobe of non-maternity clothes I feel encouraged.

This morning that lying whore scale swore I had gained 2 more freakin' pounds yesterday...not sure that is even possible. I let her make me feel bad, grabbed some 14s and tried to find a suitable outfit for work. I was NOT happy with what I had picked out to wear. I was afraid to put on my size 12s because of the scale. However, I was running out of time to be on time to work. I grabbed my new size 12s khakis and guess what? They still fit-not even tight at all. Take THAT you skank!!!

That was a BIG NSV for me. The second one happened during my morning hall duty. The size 00 teacher comes by with a box of doughnuts and do I eat one? Nope, did I want one-just a little. I had already eaten my breakfast so I wasn't hungry. I am trying very hard to eat only when I am starving. NSV#2!

My third NSV for this week was my husband telling me how "tight" my backside is getting :)

Happy Thursday!

So What it's Weigh-in Wednesday?!?

I am still new to this linking up (and blogging) thing. So I am not sure if it is cool to do two link-ups in one blog post or not. Once again, I do NOT have any pictures to put on here. I know that the really "good" blogs have lots and lots of photos. I haven't taken in an awhile, nor do I have time to cruise the 'net looking for some today.


Here we go:

So What if.....

I did not go all out for my kids' Easter baskets. My little guy received 3 other baskets from friends and families. Quite frankly, I am tired of candy so I just didn't add to it.

 

I let my child watch as many episodes of "Elmo's World" as he wants. When I tell him it's time to turn the TV off he doesn't protest.

 

I have no idea what is going in North or South Korea.

 

I do not dress my child in designer clothes, nor do I buy matching, hats, socks and belts for each of his outfits.

Easter candy is the best worst seasonal candy ever! I love Cadbury Mini Eggs (no, not the gross creme-filled ones) and I think I ate like 2 bags in a whole day. Also, I have a weakness for those marshmallow bunnies dipped in chocolate and my stepdad always buys me chocolate rabbit. I HAD to eat them all. However, my binge started last Thursday and didn't stop until late Sunday night.

Is it any surpise that when I stepped on the scale I had gained 2 pounds? Nope, I wasn't shocked or disappointed. I sabotaged myself all weekend and have no reason to hope that the number would stay the same.

Monday I pulled on my big (very big) girl panties and started over. I have worked out twice this week already and stayed under my calorie limit as well. Today has started out well and I have the right attitude. I walked right past the teacher's lounge and cupcakes this morning :)

One good choice at time is my new motto. I can set goals, make plans, do all of that but what it comes down to is one choice at a time. One choice to eat the right thing, one choice to lace up the running shoes, one choice to find a quick exercise video on YouTube and that it how I am going to do this. What is your one good choice?

Happy Hump Day!!!

Top Ten Tuesday

I am so digging the link up thing!

Trista has a great one today. Top Ten Workout Songs! I have to HAVE my music when I run. It is not optional. During my half last week I messed up my playlist really bad and it ticked me off. So here is what I am listening to right now:

1. Bad Romance by Lady Gaga (my ultimate most favorite song to run with EVER).



2. My Songs Know What You Did in the Dark by Fall Out Boy (Light em up, up, up)

3. Girl on Fire by Alicia Keys (my personal anthem)

4. We are Young by Fun (heard it on "Glee" back in 2011, loved it right away, still love it)


5. It's Time by Imagine Dragons (The lyrics so apply to my journey right now)


6. C'mon by Ke$sha (I dare you to not sing/dance along while listening to this one)


7. Anything Can Happen by Ellie Golding (another find from "Glee")


8. I Love It by Icona Pop (has a great retro 80's vibe and it is fun to shout along with)


9. Sound of Madness by Shinedown (run angry)


10. Just Like a Pill by P!nk ( run just as fast I can to the middle of nowhere, to the middle of my frustrated fears-when I am really stressed this song helps me center).

So there you go!

Motivation Monday

What is motivating you today?

For me it was the three pounds I have gained since Thursday...yep lost complete and total control for almost four days. Stuffed anything and everything into my pie hole, didn't exercise at all, drank copious amounts of alcohol, and ate out almost every meal. Easter dinner at my mother's was probably the worst. I ate three yeast dinner rolls and she made a snarky comment about my weight. Ouch and there were two boxes of marshmallow bunnies that definitely didn't make it my sons' Easter baskets. Let's not mention (oh what the hell) the THREE additional rolls I poked down my gullet when I got home. Any good running a half marathon a week ago was destroyed in one, single week.

Thank goodness for restart days.

I woke up today with the mindset that I would do better, I would make good food choices, and I would do some form of exercise (other than walking). I ate a small breakfast sandwhich, had an apple, ate a good lunch and then some yogurt for an afternooon snack. I decided to go for a run, because after my little guy's bad reaction to the gym day care and the fact that it costs me $10 to drive to the gym I didn't feel like it was worth it. I laced up and headed out into warm afternoon. I started running and I started thinking. I usually play games with my mind, if you can just get to that mailbox, you can walk, just make it through this song and you can walk, a dog is chasing me-better walk (that actually happened today) so he doesn't interpret my running as aggression, so on and so forth. Let's not forget that I haven't ran in a entire week and the weeks leading up the the half marathon my running was spotty. I am not fast at all. I have a 5K at the end of the month and I am thinking anything under 40:00 will be good. Back to the mind games....

As I was running I was playing my games, but I kept coming back to "why am I doing this"? Today my answer was "because I can and I need to be grateful for my body-flabby and gross as it is". I watched in complete and utter horror on Sunday when Kevin Ware broke his leg. I was stunned and saddened by this promising young man's injury. While I was running I kept thinking about him and how he would just be grateful to be able to walk again, let alone have the ability to run. I thought about my Dad, who has had surgeries on both knees and ankles from sports-related injuries and how proud he has been of me in taking up running. I thought of other people in my life that have health problems and cannot exercise. Pretty soon my RunKeeper let me know that I had hit the two mile mark. I eeked out another mile and then I cooled down by walking another mile and a half. Grateful that my legs were able to carry me and my weight that far.

I picked up the little guy from the sitter, came home and played in the yard with him and then ate a somewhat sensible supper. I am sitting here thinking how good a Reese's egg would taste, but also how terrible I would feel knowing that I am this close to having a great day. I also got in my 50 squats for the April Squat Challenge over in the MLFC.

Good night everyone!

Weigh In Wednesday and So What Wednesday!

Weigh-in Wednesday! I think this is the third or fourth link-up I have done! I will figure this blogging thing out if it kills me :)

Erin posed the following questions on her link-up this morning:


How are you really doing? I am actually not doing too bad mentally for once. I am having to adjust to my husband working part-time on nights and weekends. That has really been a struggle for me, but it is getting easier and thankfully, is only temporary.

 Are you making as much progress as you had hoped? No, but then again I am not exercising as hard or making great food choices 100% of the time. However, not gaining is progress in my book!



Are you struggling or succeeding? I am struggling in some areas (exercising hard and eating vegetables) but I am succeeding with my portion control, choosing healthier foods the majority of the time, and not eating my feelings.

Are you where you thought you'd be when the seasons changed from winter to spring? No, I had really hoped to break into the 170's by the end of this month and I had hoped to be running a lot faster.

Since I got my half marathon out of the way, I feel like a weight has been lifted off of my shoulders. I hate that running isn't my relase anymore. I went to the gym last night for Zumba. I was only able to do 30 minutes before I had to "rescue" my son from the child care center. I loved it though! I forgot how good it feels to just let yourself move to music and have a good time. Now, if they would just hand out cocktails when you walked into the class :) I can pretend I am at the club.

So after, I pushed the "publish" button I wandered over to Trista's blog and discovered another link up! Yay!!

 

So What If........

 

I drink Splenda in my tea and coffee-you have to die from something :)

 

I never want to look great in a bikini, I could care less.

 

My house is constantly a mess, not a neat freak and nothing is growing where it shouldn't and my house smells nice.

 

I don't ever qualify for Boston. I no longer care.

 

I feed my kid McDonald's and Easy Mac. He likes it!

 

I am a 37 year-old woman who enjoys watching "Glee"-Mark Sailing is HOT!

 

I hate Adam Levine-he grosses me out and I hate his voice.

 

I hate crafting, decorating, and scrapbooking-I would rather spend my money on clothes and food-Mama has to look good!

 

I adore Ke$sha, her music makes me happy!

 

Happy Hump Day everyone!!

 



 



Finish the Sentence with Jake and Holly!!

So, apparently Blissdom was not all it was cracked up to be for two of my favorite bloggers. Megan (who is actually one of my favorite people in RL) and MamaLaughlin has been telling like it was and it WAS NOT fun. However, through their blogging antics I stumbled across Holly's awesome blog and today I discovered Jake's blog. I know, I am slow to find new an exciting blogs but I am learning. So here is my Finish the Sentence:

1. If calories didn't count, I would eat pizza, bacon cheeseburgers, and chocolate cupcakes EVERY.SINGLE.DAY washed down with a nice, crisp bottle of moscato.

2. On my Prom night I did not have fun because my ultra-religous boyfriend was not there and I was more worried about him than enjoying myself.

3. When I go to the store, I always buy apples and cheese.

4. Family functions typically stress me out (for my family) we are slightly dysfunctional and a whole lot of crazy.

5. I think my blog readers are awesome! So glad that I have followers!

6. I'd much rather be in bed, asleep all the time.

7. I have an obsession with shopping. I am always looking for bargains and new clothes, shoes, etc. It leads to being broke all the time.

8. My work friends have become my friends outside of work! I have been at the same place for nine years and I can honestly say that the majority of my friends are my colleagues. We have a great time at work and outside of work!

9. When I created my Facebook account I was very leary of putting myself "out there" because I am teacher and everybody is always watching, even if you keep your privacy settings high.

10. My least favorite word is the "c" word. Seriously, no need for it ever to be used at all for any reason.

11. I really don't remember phone numbers.

12. Justin Bieber is ridiculous and I wish he would go away and take Rhianna, Taylor Swift, Bruno Mars, and Adam Levine with him and their music too!

Happy Tuesday!

Motivation Monday: I Finished My Half Marathon, Now What?

Hallelujah!!!

I am DONE-I finished the Dallas Rock and Roll Half Marathon yesterday in 2:49 and some odd seconds. I will take it, even though I know I could have gone faster but I didn't-will explain later in this post.

Race recap:

Friday I jetted out of work to get in my car, brave traffic and get to the convention center to pick up my packet. At the expo I ran into one of my neighbors, who was also running. I had no idea, so I told her good luck and hoped to see her on Sunday. I knew the weather was not going to be ideal and was having a hard time figuring out what to wear. I didn't have many options for long sleeves, so I wandered over the Luke's Locker booth and found a sweet Nike pullover and a pair of shorts (that sadly didn't get used). I paid a grand total of $33.84 for both :) love me a good deal!!

On Saturday I tried to eat right, and hydrate as much as possible but my stomach just didn't want to cooperate. I really didn't eat enough and I knew that it would come back on me. I was so incredibly nervous about trying to get everything together. I waffled back and forth between wanting to wear shorts, my unlined leggings, or my fleece lined legging. I laid all three bottoms out and went to bed.

I got up around 4:30 A.M. Sunday (ugh...) checked the weather and saw that it might rain, almost crawled back in bed and said "Screw It" but I didn't. I thought about all the support I have had from my friends and more important, how disappointed I would be in myself. So, I sucked it up, threw my hair in a ponytail, put on my warm leggings, ate some pb toast, kissed the hubby good-bye and went on my way. I knew I needed some coffee so I went through McDonald's and got me a small coffee.

I arrived at Fair Park, found the shuttles, and got on the bus. A really cute and sweet girl set next to me-she was running her first half and we were in the same corral. We got to the start line and could NOT believe how freakin' cold and windy it was. At the last moment I had grabbed a jacket to wear and I was so glad I did. Around 7:15 I went and checked my gear bag, dummy me I took off my fleece earband and my other jacket. I really figured I would be okay. I wasn't. The wind just ripped through my long sleeve pullover and my head was freezing. I finally went to my corral and was really regretting not adding a few more layers of clothes. I passed by a clothing donation box, spied a scarf, and did what any sane, cold person would do...

Yeah, not my best look-but I didn't care I just wanted to warm up. It gave the crowd a good laugh. I also grabbed a random jacket closer to the start line. I eventually ditched the scarf, but I kind of wish I would have hung on to it-it was cute!

 Finally my corral was allowed to go and I started running. I was so cold and the wind was awful, but I so sort of warmed up and ditched the random jacket at mile 2. I was feeling great. I turned off Runkeeper's updates so I had no idea how fast or slow I was going. I really didn't care, I just wanted to get it done. I started out following the 3:00 pace group, but I left them behind pretty quickly. As I approached mile 3 I spotted the 2:45 pace group and I passed them :) I felt really great at that moment.

I always walk through the aid stations and because of my poor fueling the night before I made sure to really drink up. At mile 7 I started really feeling crappy and was slowing down. I kept going, by mile 9 I was STARVING. Thankfully, that was where the GU station was and I think I down 2 of them (maybe 3). I grabbed some water and kept going. I was passed by the 2:45 pace group but I didn't mind.

At mile 10, I looked over and there was my neighbor! I asked her how it was going and she told me not too well. Here is a little background on her. She is suffering from a degenrative vision disease and is almost legally blind even with glasses, on top of that her mother unexpectedly passed away last month. It completely devestated her and prevented her from training. She was very close to her mother. She was telling me while were running how much she missed her mom and how she just wanted to finish the race. I did what any decent person would, I slowed down and walked with her. I could have just kept going, but I could tell that she was feeling really defeated and needed a friend. I

We got to mile 11 and started running again, then walked a little more and by mile 13 she was feeling better, but told me to go ahead to the finish line.

I crossed that finish line and almost cried..I waited for her to cross a few minutes behind me and gave her a big hug. We grabbed our medals and headed to get our pictures taken.

So, I finished. I did it. I ran my 3rd half marathon with minimal training. I am so grateful for all of my friends that were supportive on this journey and knowing that they were waiting for my updates really got through this race.

What's next for me? I am going to give long distance running a break for awhile. My husband is working part-time on the evenings and weekends, so long runs are almost impossible to get done. I am going to continue to run and try to get faster with 5K times and I am going to become a gym rat. I am excited to try some new and different things.