Drool

Can I borrow $170?

Source

I haven't really been doing much shopping lately. When I do shop, I don't buy anything. This is odd for me but maybe I'm growing up? I've seen these Ray-Ban Aviators with green flash lenses all over online but I finally tried them on the other day and just about lost my mind. I have yet to come up with a good argument for this expenditure except that I have had my current sunglasses for at least 7 years which is some sort of record for me. I told you I was growing up. A grown up needs grown up sunglasses.

Burnt Mountain

I was looking for a book about summer camp because it's summer and I have always wanted to go to sleepaway camp. While that ship has likely sailed, I did stumble upon Burnt Mountain by Anne River Siddons.

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Good Reads' Synopsis: "Growing up, the only place tomboy Thayer Wentworth felt at home was at her summer camp - Camp Sherwood Forest in the North Carolina Mountains. It was there that she came alive and where she met Nick Abrams, her first love...and first heartbreak.

Years later, Thayer marries Aengus, an Irish professor, and they move into her deceased grandmother's house in Atlanta, only miles from Camp Edgewood on Burnt Mountain where her father died years ago in a car accident. There, Aengus and Thayer lead quiet and happy lives until Aengus is invited up to the camp to tell old Irish tales to the campers. As Aengus spends less time at home and becomes more distant, Thayer must confront dark secrets-about her mother, her first love, and, most devastating of all, her husband."
What I Thought: I read this a few weeks ago and forgot to write about it. Thus, I can hardly remember my talking points. What I do know is that the plot was flimsy and the best part was the heroine's name. The ending was bad and barely made sense. Pass on this one.

Rating: *

July Running Round Up

Well, I didn't do a very good job this month. It started out great with good intentions, as most months do. I did have an awesome PR in my July 4th 5K. After that.....not so much.

7/2: 3.5 mi, 29:52 TM, 8:58/8:23/8:18

7/4: 3.1 mi race, 27:18, new PR

7/8: 4 mi TM, 34:31

7/10: 3.1 OUT, 27:15

7/15: 5 mi TM, 45:16

7/19: 3 mi TM, 25:26 8:49/8:25/8:12

7/20: 6 mi, TM, 53:13, 8:54 pace

7/22: 3.3 mi TM, 29:35

7/26: 4 mi OUT, 36:21

35 total miles

Much lower than my normal goal but these things happen. Let me tell you about a funny story though. My last run of the month was back in my hometown on a hot Saturday morning. I had on my new short shorts and was trucking along. An old man sitting on his porch stood up, put his hands up to his mouth and yelled, "You don't need it!" I chuckled to myself, waved and said, "thanks!" His response, "Well, you don't." I gave him a thumbs up and kept going. For a split second, I couldn't decide whether to be flattered or creeped out. He wasn't skeevy so I went with flattered and smiled for the rest of my miles.

That and the 5K were my high points. My low point has been within the last week. I've been having a lot of heel pain on my left foot. It's not so much when I'm actually running but the day after is not good. I'm worried it's plantar fasciitis. I took about a week off but the pain is still there. Not sure what I'm going to do about this...... I haven't worn my orthotic inserts for a couple years but I'm working them back in to see if that helps.

Here's hoping August running is more normal!

Already?

Oh, heeeeeyyyy August.

Where did you come from? Just like every month this year I am shocked when the calendar flips over. I have no idea where July went. But I also have no clue where June, May, April, you get the picture, went either.

Here's something I did realize this weekend. I have no plans for August. None. I have no social obligations until Labor Day weekend. Normally I would be freaking out about this but when John pleaded, "don't plan anything," I agreed not to. We have been go go go for the past several months (probably why they move so quickly). It'll be nice to slow down and just relax for a little bit.

We haven't tackled any house projects at all this year really so perhaps something like that is in order. Or maybe I can accomplish something on my summer bucket list, none of which has been touched. These are not difficult tasks: go for a hike, play putt putt, ride bikes to the ice cream stand, get John to the pool with me. Classic summer fare. We just haven't had time to do any of it. Time's a wasting!

You want to hear an unrelated strange story? John and I were at JC Penney's yesterday looking for a dress to wear to a wedding. I had on a polo shirt and seersucker skirt. A woman came up to me and said, "I just have to tell you, you look really nice today." I was a little taken aback but said thank you for the compliment, of course. She went on and on about how she likes to wear outfits like this but sometimes she thinks she's too old. She also said you feel better when you dress up and she asked if John treats me better when I wear a skirt, which I thought was really odd. Here's the kicker. She said to remember to wear a skirt or a dress when you want to manipulate someone and that it would help me get what I wanted. Um....okay? She was a nice, older woman but, weird, right?

Anyway, make it a great Monday out there!

Back to Athens

More years ago than I care to admit, John and I were fresh-faced undergrads at Ohio University. We started dating just a few months before we both transferred there from other schools (a decision in the works prior to us getting together, for the record). Athens holds a special place in my heart because our relationship started and grew there for 3 wonderful years. A couple weekends ago, we went back for a visit.

This is the most spontaneous overnight I have ever orchestrated and gotten John to agree to so excuse me while I pat myself on the back. On Wednesday, I told John OU was hosting Ohio Brew Week. On Saturday, we were there. Bravo! We hadn't been back to campus since 2008 which was just a day trip. We walked around, ate, bought t-shirts and drove the 2+ hours home. It was fun but this was better. We stayed overnight at the OU Inn which is the only walkable hotel option. It's a bit under a mile which may seem far to some but we are accustomed to this walk. John's apartment was up a giant hill across the street so it was all very familiar.

We got there in the early afternoon, checked in, and headed up to campus. A lot had changed but it had the same feel. All of the happiness we felt when we were carefree in college came rushing back in and we immediately knew this spontaneous getaway was the right decision.

The CI in the daytime is strange.

Being Ohio Brew Week, we didn't have to stoop to the Miller Lite of our formative drinking years. Although, I did love the prices on that schlock. I wish I could go through all of the 30ish beers we tried but I didn't take good enough notes. And no, all of them were not full pours by any means.

Here are a few standouts that we really enjoyed:

-Rockmill Brewery, Saison Noir
-Mt. Carmel, Coffee Nut Brown
-Jackie O's, Skipping Stone (actually -- pretty much everything we had at Jackie O's)
-Listermann, White Death (my new favorite Christmas brew by FAR)

While the beers were great, the atmosphere was just as awesome as we remembered. I was worried I would feel really old but because of Brew Week, the crowd was definitely more outsiders than undergrads. That and there aren't nearly as many students on campus in the summer.

The remodeled Junction now known as J Bar -- come on.

One tank top wearing 22 year old guy talked to me as if I was much younger than my 31 years and it made me feel really good about myself. I am aging well, apparently.

At the Pigskin

We capped off the night with a slice of pizza from Goodfellas (of course) for the long walk back to the hotel. Our t-shirt supply is now restocked too and we have vowed not to let another 6 years go by before heading back.

New Sweats

Can I tell you about a YouTube workout channel that I am loving lately? It's Jessica Smith TV.

I've done several of her workouts and they are a nice change of pace. I really like the ballet based ones but I did this fat burning yoga the other day and was pleasantly surprised at the sweat I worked up. It incorporated weights which I liked.

I love lifting heavy but small movements with light weights are a good way to mix things up. Also featured in many videos is her French bulldog, Peanut. LOVE this dog.

I've also been working my way through various kettle bell workouts on YouTube. THIS ONE from Bob Harper (of Biggest Loser fame) was top notch. I think it's actually a DVD series you can purchase but someone has put it on YouTube for free ninety-nine.

I'm really trying to shake things up since my weight loss has plateaued for the last 6 months or so. I'm still working out 6 days a week and eating normally. While I know running is still doing good things for me, it doesn't seem as effective as it usually is. Time to play around with some speed work and hills. My favorite! (Did that sarcasm come through?)

How is your fitness going? Any good YouTube channels I should check out?

Recipe Reblog: Grilled Corn & Crab Salad

This recipe for Grilled Corn & Crab Salad with Summer Ale Cilantro Vinaigrette from The Beeroness came across my blog feed and I knew I had to make it! Seemed like a perfect summery meal using local fresh corn and also tomatoes from my garden. I did make one major change in that I omitted the crab. I like crab but I wanted to serve this as a side dish for grilled chicken and I didn't feel like I also needed crab in there. I also skipped the avocado. I know, I know. But really, avocado is not my favorite. To me it's best in a good guacamole but not so much by itself.

The vinaigrette mixed up quickly and was full of flavor. I really liked the addition of the summer ale. It gave it a nice effervescence. Next time, I'll use a little less olive oil. Grill up your corn ahead of time so that it's chilled when you mix it all together. Then, ENJOY!