exploding bean

image from here

I just went into the break room to warm up a can of soup for lunch (since I am leaving at 4pm to go run), and I was reminded of a funny story from a few years ago...

One winter day, I went into the break room to warm up a can of soup for lunch. It was cold out, and warm soup sounded good (as opposed to today where it is warm out and soup didn't sound so good, but it was available and edible). After pouring the soup into the big soup-mug-cup-thingy and putting it into the microwave, I proceeded to open a Diet Coke and wait for 3 minutes for the soup to be warm. By the way, 3 minutes is the PERFECT amount of time for soup to be hot, but still edible. Anyhoo...

as I took the soup out of the microwave, I heard a loud pop. The next thing I know, I was writhing in pain. I shouted FUCK and put the cup of soup down to figure out what had just happened to me. My hand made its way up to my eye and cheek. A frigin' bean exploded. The insides of the bean had splattered onto my eyelid (thankfully, I got my eye closed) and cheek. I was burned!

I am sure you assume that co-workers came running to see what was the matter...but no! You see, I often cuss to myself: at the copy machine, at my desk, etc. Everyone just sat at their desks, assuming I was just cussing to myself. It took 1/2 hour for anyone to notice my burn and offer help. Thank goodness for the first aid kit in the warehouse!

As you might expect, I now make soup in the microwave with a paper towel covering the cup. I also wait for several minutes before I uncover said soup.

Happy Thursday!

playing with the macro setting

Early blooming Gerbera

soon-to-be carrots!

allium

peach iris (my FIL calls them flags)

About-ready-to-burst-open chive blossom!

While I was outside yesterday, I took a few shots with my macro setting on the camera.

Wow, I almost look like I might know how to shoot a photo! Enjoy!

spring

Today is really spring-like. The sun is out, it is cool, and I just feel springy. My outfit today is:

A crisp, white linen blouse (mine is from Allen Allen, but i couldn't find it on the 'net)

A pair of spring-green pants from the Gap, again years ago.

Cutest spring Qupid shoes. I got mine at The Buckle years ago

(could be why they are dirt cheap right now!)

While I was at home today, I made the best spring-time lunch:

• egg salad made from farm-fresh eggs, with fresh dill on hearty white bread

• served with fresh radishes
  
• and a Diet Coke (natch)

statistics

I DID IT! I finished the 1/2 marathon yesterday! Actually, I knew I would finish it, but I actually did OK. I was shooting for a 2:30 time, and didn't quite make that, but here are the statistics:

bib number: H1689
gender: F
location: KS
overall place: 3998 out of 5773
division place: 385 out of 594
gender place: 2175 out of 3585
time: 2:39:50
pace: 12:13
10k: 1:11

The temp when we started was 71 degrees, with overcast skies. The humidity was about 100% (or it sure felt like that), and there were wind gusts of up to 43mph. However, if there hadn't been wind, it would have been awful. I am thankful that Cara made me do some training in the wind. We needed that!

A few thoughts and memories:

• Once again, the car ride to OKC and back with the 5 of us was as memorable as the race!
• OKC is a great place to visit...many great places to eat and see
• 19,000 people in one place getting ready to run is a sight to see.
• 19,000 people running up and over a bridge ahead of you looks like a wave of human bodies.
• If there is ever a race in your area, go out to cheer the runners on. Especially at the finish line. I had energy I never knew I had for those last 4-5 blocks.
• Streets with spilled water, cups, and smashed pretzels and oranges are pretty slick.
• 5 women (ages ranging from 37 to 51) getting out of a van after running 13.1 miles and then riding for several hours look really, really funny. We could hardly walk, and were giddy with the adrenaline of friendship and running and racing.
• The larger the race, the less likely it is that you will ever run without many, many people surrounding you.
• A cheeseburger after running 13.1 miles sounds like it would be delicious, but I couldn't even imagine lifting my hand to my mouth after the race. Boy, they sure did smell good though!
• I'm pretty sure I have no desire to run a full marathon...ever!

On tap next: A 5K trail run in early June with the same girls. In September we are all going to do a mini-triathlon in Kansas City. There will be several other gals joining us for that one. I can't wait!

10

ten. diez. dix. the big one-oh.

Yesterday I did it. I ran ten miles. I ran to Target AND BACK. On my feet. As Todd said: "that is a long-ass way." Sunday is the 1/2 marathon in Oklahoma City. My girls and I are all ready for it...hopefully! What I am really looking forward to is our spa day next Wednesday. Our reward for all that training. oh yeah, and that bloody mary I am going to suck down after I cross the finish line!

*image from here.

a few fairly recent purchases

The Keen Presidio...purchased in Colorado

Gap ruffle neck tee (only 9.99 now on-line!)

And these Megan Bow Moccasins in Turquoise Patent from Target

Tagline: a form of advertising slogan (thanks, wikipedia)

Julie tagged me and I kinda liked this one, so here goes:

The rules:1. Respond and rework. Answer the questions on your blog, replace one question you dislike with a question of your own invention; add a question of your own.2. Tag eight other un-tagged people.

Why do you blog? I blog as a way to keep a journal. I have never been good at a real journal, but I have succeeded at blogging. I have also made some great friends.

Good fika place? Mokas here in town. I'm not a coffee drinker, but I am all over the diet coke or a hot tea.

Do you nap a lot? Any time I can. Most days I wish I lived in Japan where it is acceptable to nap during the day at work.

Who was the last person you hugged? Molly. She's the hugger in our family.

If you were a tree, what tree would you be? Bradford Pear, I love the blossoms in the spring. Plus also, it has a weak crotch, and I kinda do too.

Have you ever had an altercation with the police? Nope, unless you count the time in high school that my friends got busted for having a 6-pack in the car. It was just my ride. Honestly.

What was the last thing you bought? Professor Layton and the Curious Village Nintendo DS game for Molly. (Bribery for being good last week while she was at the office with me)

What are you listening to right now? The wind blowing 65 miles per hour, seriously, this is Kansas.

What is your favourite weather? I love all of the seasons. As much as I love California and Florida, I could never live anywhere where the changing of the seasons did not happen.

What’s on your bedside table? My Kindle, a pen and chapstick. Several hair rubberbands and a tiny empty photo frame. I just haven't gotten around to finding a tiny picture to put in it.

Say something to the person/s who tagged you. Julie has become one of my bestest friends. She may not know that, but it's true. I think we were sisters in a past life. But, she's so much smarter than I am.

If you could have a house totally paid for, fully furnished anywhere in the world, where would you want it to be? The mountains of Colorado.

Favourite vacation spot? Captiva Island, FL, with my whole family around me.

Name the things you can’t live without: My laptop and diet coke. Running shoes.

What would you like to have in your hands right now? my faithful running companion, Emmy the dog

What is your favourite tea flavour? Ginger Peach

What would you like to get rid of? I would Ike to get rid of all of the accumulated crap in our garage.

If you could go anywhere in the world for the next hour, where would you go? running on the beach...any beach

What did you want to become as a child? I don't remember what I wanted to be when I grew up. I need to ask my mom that the next time I see her. I am pretty sure I wanted to live in Boston, though.

What do you like better, e-mail or telephone calls? E-mail. Definitely.

What do you do when you get time alone? Read, nap and knit.

I will change this to tag 4 people, mostly because I don't have that many friends. I would love to hear from Jessie, Mary, Gin, and Kathy.

*image from here.

quoted

"you're not even close"

"close to what?"

"to what you were really put here to be...not to do, to be. Doing is overrated. Being is where God works, what he's most concerned about"

I love this bit from the book I am currently listening to in my car. Dogwood by Chris Fabry.

*image from here...the dogwood is the official flower of the state of North Carolina

school board and other things

Last night I interviewed for the vacant position on our local school board. It was a very interesting process as the interview was open to the public and occurred during the regular school board meeting. There were 2 other candidates who interviewed, but I got to go last as my name came last in alpha order...sometimes being last is a good thing.

They will announce their selection at the next board meeting on April 28th. I don't know if the candidates will know before then or not. I am excited and a little nervous. I will keep all 5 of you posted!

Easter was good at our home. On Saturday Molly had 2 basketball games and 2 soccer games and Carson had 2 soccer games. Our day was full and we rolled into bed exhausted. At least the day was beautiful and we were outside. Sunday, however, was another story. After church I had to do a 9 mile training run. It rained ALL DAY. Not a hard rain, but the soaking, damp, icky steady rain. Todd dropped me off 9 miles out of town and I ran home. I literally ran home. I was soaked to the bone when I arrived, but exhilarated that I had done it. I don't really remember the last 1/4 of the run as I was just on auto pilot and gunning for home! My reward was a Brookville Chicken Easter dinner. Yummo!

After next weekend many, many things that we are involved in will be finished: the marathon, a charity party we are hosting, a soccer tournament, and a few work deadlines. I will be glad. I feel a bit overwhelmed at this moment. I can see the light at the end of the tunnel, though.

**image from here

What the Fuck Wednesday (on Thursday)

toilet paper...I had no idea that there were so many opinions out there about how the tp must be put on the holder. We were at a lovely birthday dinner a few weeks back, and 1/2 of the adults there had very firm opinions about how the paper is placed. Several of them even change it when is isn't correct. What the Fuck? I mean it's tp and you wipe with it!

• Do you require the tp be hung over (like above) or under?
• Do you change it (if possible) when you are in the bathroom and it isn't "your way?"
• Do you prank folks who you know have a preference?

Some references for you "anal" folks: here, here, and here

no excuses

Image from Toni_V's photostream

Really...I have no excuses. It has been a week since I posted last, and things just seem to have gotten really busy. Take note:

• C and M both have 2 soccer practices each week
• C and M also have basketball practice once a week
• Both soccer and basketball seasons (for Molly)have started, that is several games each day of the weekend
• Todd is the asst. coach for C's soccer team and I am the manager for M's
• We are so glad that Carson didn't fight us over not playing baseball. Those practices started already too.
• The race is 19 days away. I have been running. A Lot.
• We have refinanced our house and had 2 appraisals
• I went to Atlanta
• I finished reading Loving Frank by Nancy Horan
• Todd and I are the chair-people for a charity party to be held on April 24th. Lots of committee meetings have been had
• We're hiring a new employee...interviews and paperwork
• There are only 6 weeks of school left for C and M. Field trips and "stuff" happening all the time now

Some days I have great thoughts that I want to take time and expand on, but by the time I get somewhere quiet for a few minutes, they are gone. Just. Like. That. On the other hand, I have really been enjoying the quiet reading time the kids and I spend together almost every evening(weekends included!) Bless those teachers for requiring at least 20 minutes of reading as homework every night. I hope and pray I am raising readers. To spend time with them snuggled up on the couch just reading is my personal heaven.

How about you? Are you feeling harried and hurried as this winter turns to spring? Tonight I WILL take a few photos of the brilliant tulips beginning to show their color. I think they may have been spared from the brunt of the 14 inches of snow we got 10 days ago.