Pleeeeease Make the Snow & 20 Degree Weather Go Away!

Stupid groundhog! I guess the 6 more months of winter really came true cuz it's SNOWING today. Yeah, 70 degrees during the week and 20 today, of course, yay for Arkansas weather. It started last night and I thought it was done but now it's snowing pretty big flakes this afternoon. I'm surprised it's sticking as well as it is with it being so warm earlier in the week.

So I've mostly been stuck inside today but I did manage to get some fun snow pictures of "The Vincent". He's a very fun subject and I have lots of fun with my new camera around him!

I can't ever resist this face!...



He started to play when I walked outside...this is Vincent saying "Brace yo-self!"

The show at the Walton Arts Center was pretty funny last night! Afterwards, we headed over to The Wine Cellar and it was PACKED! We had a really good time even though we all had crazy weeks and were really tired. Sometimes you just have to suck it up, right?!

I loves my Tara!

Tara & Ben are such a fun couple!

The sleepiness was setting in at this point!...

Yay for Fridays

I can't wait till I get off work today, I'm really ready for the weekend to begin! All my co-workers are talking about their big drunk fest they had last night and I'm SO glad I didn't go because they all feel like crap today. There's a lot of drama and rumors going around because of it too, ugh. I'm glad I had the "I have a take-home final I have to work on tonight" excuse, when really, I went to bed at like 7:00 after I found out Grey's Anatomy was a re-run =)

I'm excited for this Walton Arts Center show we're going to tonight. And I get to catch up with Tara, we always have tons to tell each other on the weekends! Jeff and I are going to eat dinner at Wasabi first, then we'll go to the show with Ben & Tara, then we're all planning on going to the Wine Cellar afterwards, FUN!

Wow, I can't believe it will be March this weekend! I'm glad though, I'm very ready for Spring to get here and FAST! I'm going to go ahead and change my calendar to March so that the warm weather will come NOW =)

I guess I kind of have a lot to do this weekend =( I've got to finish my take home final obviously, and I need to do laundry and clean my house and go grocery shopping. Workouts will be BodyAttack and a 4 mile run on Saturday then a 4 mile run on Sunday (all runs with my Garmin!). I'm just going to go ahead and guess now that the weekend is going to fly by! I think the girls and I may go see Confessions of a Shopaholic too. I loved the books so I bet the movie will be cute too.

Well, sorry it's so short of an update, I don't have too much to talk about...except for all the drama going on at the office but I obviously can't blab about that, not so good for your career! At least I know I work in a really fun office with some fun loving people!

Hmmmm....

These could possibly be from their previous relationship though right? I don't think she would currently wear a clippy in her hair on a night out on the town right?

Last night on the “Real Housewives of the OC” Reunion show it was brought up that Gretchen has a boyfriend named Jay Rossi and that Jeff her fiance who had died of Cancer was paying Gretchen to take care of him and that they were not a true couple. Total drama! I don’t know about this Jay character or why he is so intent on getting his 15 minutes of fame but he is. Seacoast online had received some pictures and an email from Jay again claiming he is dating Gretchen.

Interestingly enough, on Friday, Feb. 20 a guy named Jay Photoglou sent me (and everyone else who has ever written about “The Real Housewives,” I’m sure) an e-mail, preparing the world for this TV moment.

“I am Jay Photoglou. I will be brought up by the cast of the Real Housewives of OC on the reunion show set to aire Feb 24th. I have a picture (several) of matching tattoo’s (on our ring finger) Gretchen and I got in Oct to show our love to each other. We have been together for over a year and she has now let the fame of the show be more important than us being together. I have alot more information on this but need to make sure it is out before the reunion show. I AM WILLING TO TAKE A LIE DETECTOR TEST. I also lived with Gretchen and still have MOST of my stuff at her house. I refuse to go get it because Slade Smiley is staying with her. I would like my full story told before the reunion show.”

He attached two photos – one dated New Year’s 2008-2009 with the two of them kissing.

Wow! The OC Drama Gets Even Juicier!

Former “OC Housewife” Slade Smiley Arrested at Gretchen’s House?
February 25th, 2009 at 5:13 pm by admin

Slade Smiley, who appeared as Jo De La Rosa’s fiancé in season one of “Housewives,” was arrested Friday in Costa Mesa. Smiley was arrested for unpaid child support. He had an outstanding, $10,000 warrant for civil contempt. He was released later that day on a $10,000 bond.

On Monday, Smiley, 40, issued a statement. He said he was unaware of the warrant until his arrest took place. The warrant was procured by the mother of Smiley’s son, Grayson, who suffers from a rare form a brain cancer. In his statement, Smiley said:

“This is an unfortunate situation that has occurred. My son is very ill and we have been working on resolving the issue of support vs. his enormous medical bills with the appropriate agencies for several months now. It is sad that individuals would take advantage of the situation in an attempt to defame and discredit me in such a public manner. For those who know me, there is nothing more important than my children.”

Slade’s says he was “unaware” that the warrant existed until he was arrested. The warrant had to do with money he owed to Grayson’s mother, to help with his son’s medical bills who has been suffering from a rare form of brain cancer for several years. Smiley has two sons, Grayson and Gavin, from two previous relationships.

Meanwhile, some blogs have been accusing Slade of shacking up with the much-hated Housewife Gretchen Rossi, alleging that the cops came looking for him at her house.

5 Miles...Check!

Kitty ate my headphones last night and I had to run 5 miles this morning on the treadmill without music! So not cool. But I did it! 55 minutes, pretty slow, but at least I did it. And I ran 3 miles yesterday afternoon plus stadium stairs. So that's a lot for me, I don't really consider myself a "runner" because I do a lot more cross training than running. I'm more of a fair weathered runner, I only like to if it's nice outside and I have a lot of energy.

We had date night last night, I cooked some yummy salmon, fresh green beans, and oven roasted rosemary potatoes. It was a very pretty plate, I wish I had taken a picture! Then we cracked open some Gnarly Head (Old Vine Zinfandel) and watched Nick & Nora's Infinite Playlist. It was pretty funny. Then I went outside and acquired the satellites for my Garmin!! Yes, it came in finally! It's sooooo cool, I can't wait to use it tomorrow. I think I've finally set it up the way I like it. Time/Distance/Calories/Pace is how I have the main screen set up.

I've got a pretty easy day today. I have to work on my take-home final, I've got a couple of meetings, Pilates tonight, and of course Grey's Anatomy. Then tomorrow is FRIDAY, woo hoo! Jeff and I and a couple of our friends are going to see a show at the Walton Arts Center tomorrow night called The Passing Zone. I'm very curious to see what the heck this is, it's a chain saw juggling comedy act...yeah. My first question was whether or not we're sitting in the first rows. Should be interesting!

I'm getting really sore already from this morning and yesterday afternoon's run...no bueno, I hope I can move tomorrow! Definitely need to take a LOT of L-Glutamine today and tonight.

Got's to Love Photo Shoots w/ the Pets!

Holy Catfight! Reeerrrr!

Wow, how about that Real Housewives of OC Reunion last night? That was the craziest one I've ever seen. I was shocked to hear about the "random guy/stalker/friend/family friend (who leaves his clothes on her bedroom floor)" guy that Tamra busted her out on. I'm not sure who to believe there. I want to believe Gretchen but she did kind of make it really confusing and backtrack the whole time.

So I guess I can see why the Wicked Witch of the West picked on Dorothy all season (maybe).

You could tell that she was very upset by Jeff's passing away. I teared up listening to her talk about him and how much she missed him.

Vicky and Tamra are so unnecessarily mean. I don't blame Lynne for "throwing rocks" back at them, they deserve it. I love how they didn't think they did anything wrong by calling her an idiot behind her back all season. And Lynne's right, they aren't exactly rocket scientists themselves, ha! But that part did have a good message, words really do hurt and we need to choose them wisely whether they are to the person's face or not.

PS - I loved Gretchen and Lynne's dresses.

My Garmin should deliver today, I'm so excited to go running later! It's 11:00 and already 63 degrees! Hello spring fever?!

I Heart Tuesdays

Happy Fat Tuesday! We're doing the whole King Cake thing at work this afternoon so it's a good thing I've scheduled some big workouts this week =)

I missed the first 5 minutes of BodyAttack this morning cuz I couldn't stop petting Millie! She's been the sweetest little angel ever since we brought her back home from the vet. I think my dog Vincent is getting jealous though because I've been giving her so much attention, I need to spread the love!

We actually got out of class a little early last night because she forgot to give us a 2nd break so I'm feeling pretty rested today! I really have to figure out this take-home final today, she confused us all last night by giving extra instructions that weren't already on it. Not cool. I guess I can work on it all day tomorrow when I'm working from home. I may even go to the library and work from there so I won't be tempted by Regis & Kelly and The View =)

I'm super excited for some Bravo TV tonight! It's the after show interview thingy for The Real Housewives of Orange County. I can't WAIT to hear how these mean women redeem themselves for all the nasty things they said behind each others back. I read Tamra's blog the other day and she was BS'ing about "oh it was all editing, so unfair, blah blah blah"....yeah right, you were a biotch and you know it, just own up to it! It looks like she attacks Gretchen some more on the previews so we'll see what fiestiness happens!

Then of course right after that is Real Housewives of New York City. I can't STAND Alex and what's his face. They're seriously the most annoying, pretentious couple on the face of the earth. I was really hoping they wouldn't even be on it this season after all that nude photo drama with her too...odd.

So yes, in lieu of Mardi Gras on Dickson Street, I think I'll stay in, watch trashy reality tv, maybe have a glass of wine (and possibly a Girl Scout cookie, so dangerous!), and rest up for the rest of my workouts this week (I've got PiYo and a 2 mile run left today).

Have a great day!

Sounds Like a Plan!

One of the reasons I want to give up skipping workouts for Lent is because I have a LOT of races planned this year, as you can see in my Upcoming Events section to the right of my blog. I'm kind of being crazy this year and planning on running my first 10K ever as the first event! And also, it's probably one of the toughest ones I could have signed up for. Tons of hills because it's in Eureka Springs, which if you've ever been to, you know that it's ALL HILLS! And not only is it hilly, it's also an hour away. Which gives me an hour to get reeeeeallly nervous and possible turn around and go home...j/k!

http://www.eurekarotary.org/rotaryvictorianclassic.asp

Here is the course...

Looks fun huh?

So obviously, I'm going to have to add a LOT more running into my training plans for the next couple of weeks to get ready. I feel like I'm already "in shape" endurance-wise, I just need to get my legs used to long distance running again. I think the Garmin will help, it should be arriving this week and I'm excited to try it out.

Here is my schedule for this week:

Monday: BodyPump (5:30am) **Done!**

Tuesday: BodyAttack (5:30am), 2 mile Incline Run + PiYo (5:00pm)

Wednesday: BodyPump + 3 mile Run (5:30am) **I may add an extra run in here or move the morning one to the afternoon because it's supposed to be 65 degrees and sunny!

Thursday: 5 mile Run (5:30am) I'm excited for this one! Pilates (5:30pm) **I'm trying to add flexibility back into my life!

Friday: BodyPump (5:30am)

Saturday: BodyAttack (9:15am), 4 mile Run (3:00pm)

Sunday: BodyCombat (2:30pm) **Combat is a "maybe" right now, that class has been ridiculously full on Sundays. 4 mile Run (4:00pm)

I'm also going to add more fruits and vegetables into my diet to give me some more "good carbs" for endurance.

Weekend Wrap Up

Now that I've caught up on my sleep I can give you a better wrap up of the weekend =)

Our Friday afternoon happy "hour" was fun, but I left early because I had a million errands to run for the party. The only thing I did Friday night was go to Wal-Mart, clean my house, and go to bed early. Fun times!

The party was really fun, we had about 25 people show up so good thing we had TONS of food! We cooked quail, duck, and shrimp, it was fantastic. The boys did a great job with the grilling. I took care of the inside cooking and made Tomato/Feta Bruschetta (it was gone in about 10 minutes), Oven Roasted Rosemary Potato Wedges, Fruit & Veggie trays, all kinds of different Hummus & Salsas, a Garlic Herb Cheese Ball, sausage and cheese tray, and I baked homemade brownies and cookies for dessert. I wish I would have taken a picture of the table before everyone attacked it, it was completely full!

As you can see from the pictures posted yesterday, my prediction was right, the boys stayed outside and the girls stayed inside as usual! We were telling some pretty funny stories so it was probably a good thing.

Jeff and I picked Millie up from the vet yesterday afternoon and she is doing much better. She's so happy to be home all she wants to do is cuddle and be held. She slept with me in my bed last night but around 2:30 in the morning I had to put her in her room because she was trying to sleep on my head! I didn't want to be the girl who was suffocated by her cat in her sleep =)

She's still walking pretty slow and I can tell her little feet are sore but I'm sure she'll be back to her fun little self in a few days.

My Statistics book came in the mail this weekend. I'm afraid....very afraid. I've got a take-home Final to work on this week for my class that I'm in now then my new one starts on March 9th. Then it's 8 weeks of H-E-Double Hockey Sticks!

So Lent is almost here, is anyone giving anything up? I give up sugar every year but I think I want to switch it up this year. I didn't eat sugar for the entire month of January and 1/2 of February so I feel like I've already done that. Plus I'm going to do my big diet again in May before we go to Italy. So this year I'm thinking about doing one of these:

1. Making myself study for at least an hour EVERY DAY

2. Giving up cussing. It's not that I cuss like a sailor or anything. But you know how when you're in traffic and someone cuts you off and that's like your first automatic reaction? I always feel bad about it so I want to break that bad habit.

3. Giving up the luxury of skipping planned workouts. Again, this doesn't happen often, but for some reason I sometimes get lazy after I've been keeping up with them for a long time.

Who knows, maybe I'll do all three. Jeff is thinking about giving up red meat or caffeine. I'll let you know which one he does and how it goes because it's probably going to be funny!

I love that giving something up for Lent really reminds me how much Jesus sacrificed for me. When I give up sugar I always think "Oh my gosh this is so hard, I want that cookie!" And then I think "Wow, that was dumb, that's so minute compared to what He did for me. I can handle one less cookie!"

Speaking of cookies! Guess what arrived at my desk today?

Thanks right, it's Girl Scout cookie delivery day! And it's so funny that they arrive RIGHT before Lent every year. When I worked at my old job, I made the girls in my office hide them and lock them in a drawer. Then after Easter, they couldn't remember where they hid them. (I'm thinking they ate them and lied about it!)

I ordered one box of Tagalongs (my favorite) and one box of the new sugar free Chocolate Chips. One good and one evil!

See why I'm not giving up sugar? =)

I received my first Blog Award today from Angela Darling at http://20-somethingdreams.blogspot.com/. Thank you, that was so sweet of you, I love your blog too!

Party Pics

The party was really fun and I'm sooooo tired today! I got up way too early to finish cleaning up and it's almost done. My trash can is overflowing that's for sure!

Jeff and I get to go pick Millie up from the vet at 5:00, I can't wait!

Here are some party pics from last night, enjoy!

Prepping the quail...

The boys, putting together the new granite outdoor firepit...

The boys getting the duck, quail, pheasant, and shrimp ready to put on the grill!