The Driving Range

The hubster and I have had two lessons so far and they have been a lot of fun and very educational.  We've never played golf so I can't see that it's improved our game by X%, but I do know that we aren't as sucky if we didn't have these lessons.  I think this is something that the hubster and I are going to stick with.  The next thing we need to do is buy some golf clubs.

I've done a good amount of research on the topic and I can't decide if I want to go with a cheapy beginners set or get good used clubs.  I like the second option the best, but since I don't know anything about golf clubs I think I'd get ripped off on Craigslist.

Everyone I've talked to has suggested that I go cheap.  I want to, but I don't like the look of some of the sets.  I don't like hybrids (why? I really don't know.  Probably because I read somewhere that someone didn't like hybrids and they don't hit as well).  So it's hard to find something I like that is also cheap.  I think I'm just picky.  I also want to try and wait for a coupon from Dick's or Sports Authority.  And in that time I'm waiting, I'm still scouring Craigslist and going back and forth over used and cheap!

I'm getting a set right after I get back from Vail.  I have to or else by the time we finish lessons, the weather will turn cold and we won't be able to get on the golf course!  And then those lessons would have been a waste.  Let's hope I find something soon.

Wow, I got off topic.  This post was supposed to be about our visit to the driving range last night.  So we went because we didn't get to go on Sunday and the hubster's friend and girlfriend came with us.  We aren't getting better or worse, but every 4/5th ball is a good one.  We had a good time.  Our next lesson is on woods, so I'm just itching to buy something!

Ice Ice Baby

There is one redeeming quality to this new building.  The ice machine!  It's great.  It can dispense just ice or ice and water.  It was installed either last night or this morning and I used it for the first time at lunch.  Very nice.

Who's the sad panda now?

I am. I hate my new cubicle. I hate hate hate it. It's so exposed and so uncomfortable. I'm so glad that I'm only there for one more day. Yay Vail, Boo office!

Ikea

Ikea is one of those stores where you walk in with a list of what you want and walk out with about a dozen more items.

We went down to Cincinnati to attend a luau for the hubster's cousin who eloped in Maui over Memorial day weekend. After the party, we went to Ikea because I wanted some glass jars to store some simple syrup. I wanted to get a funnel too, but they didn't have any.

I was also keeping an eye out for some decorative frames or pictures to go with my mirror. The mirror is not quite big enough for the landing, so it needs something else to fill the space. I didn't find anything, but the huubster found A LOT. He got a "money tree" and planter as well as a CHAIR! A flipping chair that we did not need or really have a place for, but it was comfortable and the hubster rarely gets a "want".





I wanted to get the matching foot stool, but it was out of stock. I have to admit I did regret buying it, but it's growing on me. I really want that stool though!

Vail countdown

2 days!!! EEEP!

I've already freaked out about 10 times this weekend about the trip. Oh about really important things like towels and hair dryers and reffing and packing. I've finally narrowed down what I'm packing and what I'm bringing it in.

Now to start the 10+ hours days at work....again. I think by the time I'm done on Tuesday that'll be 6 work days in a row.

Yay

I finally bought a two bike bike rack. I tried to buy one last weekend, but it was missing a part and had to be returned. I had returned a jacket at Marshall's and had gotten store credit for it. I went back this weekend and they had another one on the shelf. I brought it home, put it together, and put up the bikes.

I also organized my side and found room for my grill. The grill was in three pieces prior (garage and Florida room) and now the grill, grill stand, and propane tank are all together. While I was in my organizing mood, I also picked up a dolly at Home Depot since the grill doesn't have wheels and is too heavy to move as one unit.

I felt so productive for just one hour of work. The garage looks so much better now. There's room to pass on the passenger side. I love it. Now to get the hubster to do something with his side.

Sad Panda

You see this sad mug? That's Red after she's had a bath. She's so emo. She's also deceptively skinny. It's amazing how she shrinks to a third of her size when she gets wet. She had the same pissed off expression the entire time she was getting bathed. Sorry baby, you were due.

New Project

The hubster and I went to a yard sale today looking for a used set of golf clubs. Unfortunately, the set we wanted to see had sold. Our criteria is pretty much based on how they look since we really don't know what we're doing. Since we had driven all they way there, we decided to look around at what else they had. I ended up buying a Polaroid camera for $1.50. I don't know why and they stopped making film for it. I think I felt nostalgic for my wedding guest book. We also picked this up:



I think it has lots of potential and it was $5! I want to paint it a different color. Not exactly the hardest project, but it'll kill a weekend. I also have no idea where I would put it. My house isn't really decorated and cohesive with a theme or anything. I'm sure I'll be inspired by something.

Bye cube

Today was the last day in the cube I've been in for the past five years. We're moving to a brand new building! There are the pros and cons to moving, but I'll focus on the positives!

No stinky bathroom
No dead flies on the light panel above my desk
Not thinking the roof is going to blow off
New office furniture




The cleanest it's ever been. I'll miss you desk. It's been real.

I must be crazy

I'm going to the Vail next week to play in the Vail shootout.  Perhaps one last big lacrosse hurrah.  I also signed up to officiate while I am out there.  I'm beginning to think it was a big mistake.  I just got the email with the preliminary assignments and I just got really nervous.  I don't have my own transportation and will be relying on the team van to get me to and from the fields.  I hate not being in control which only adds to my nerves and anxiety.

I just looked over some of the tournament documents and it looks like there are multiple locations.  Hopefully, the high school division and elite division play on the same fields or else I might be screwed since on Thursday, the high school plays in the morning and the elite in the afternoon.  Looking at the schedule, I'm there Wednesday morning for the first and fourth game.  Then on Thursday, I'm there for the first game and then play in the afternoon.

Add on top of that, the altitude, jet lag, and the insane amount of running I'll be doing during the tournament.  I'm just a mess right now.  I'm sure I'm working myself up, but I can't help it.  Maybe I should just pull out while the scheduling is still being figured out. =(

Pizza!

I love the pizza stone the hubster got me a while ago.  I've made pizza three times with it and with the exception of the first one.  It's been pretty darn good.  Well, it's hard to screw up pizza when you buy the pizza dough and pizza sauce pre-made at Trader Joe's.  Last night, I made pizza.

My half was tomato, basil, mozzarella and the hubster's half was pepperoni.  We had some issues transferring the pizza from the baking pan to the oven, but it was still tasty if a little ugly and messy.  I used basil that I had grown on my porch and it was yummy.  The only thing was that after I had chiffonaded my basil, it started to turn brown on the edges.  Maybe I need a sharper knife to cut it.

Is it getting worse?

It's sooo ugly!

Inventor Mice

This week at work we're moving buildings. I currently work in a rusty shed that used to be an old firehouse (no, there was no pole). I was cleaning out my desk and found these:



Inventor Mice! I had folded these maybe the first year I was here. I'm glad I still have them and they are coming with me on the move.

Wtf?!?

Developing bruise + tight jeans = bad idea

Father's Day

I can't believe I forgot to write about this story!

On Saturday, my mom called me to yell at me for forgetting to send my dad a Father's Day card.  Well, I did send one mom.  I did not forget.  I had the hubster mail it on Wednesday.  She said they hadn't received it.  I assumed that because it's Saturday and they didn't get it, then it would get it on Monday since there is no mail delivery on Sunday.  I told to expect it Monday and that I was a good daughter and did remember to send one to dear old dad.

After my game on Sunday, I decide to give my dad a call to wish him a Happy Father's day.  Well, guess what?!?!  My dad did get the card in the mail.  I don't remember when my mom called, but it must have been early afternoon for her because the mail comes around 3 or 4 in their neighborhood.  So there, mom.  In your face!

I had a nice chat with my dad.  The older brother sent a card, no card from the younger brother.  I told him even if he is local, he should still send a card.  I guess they didn't go out on Sunday, but will probably celebrate next weekend.  My family is soo practical.  I shouldn't say anything because the hubster and I refuse to celebrate Valentine's Day on the actual day.  We talked about the 4 course dinner promotion that Red Lobster is having among other things.  This is such a typical conversation between me and my dad.  I love it!

Ouch

My bruise doesn't look any worse than it did last night, but it sure does hurt wearing jeans that apply constant pressure on to it.  I can barely shift positions in my chair without setting off some pain.  My ankle hurts too.  It was quite the adventure trying to put on my booties last night.  I don't foresee running a lot this week or at least for the early part of this week.  I think I'll use the stationery bike at the gym today.

I <3 lacrosse

It's been one year since I started playing with the Cap City post-collegiate team, and I love it. We don't get together a lot, but when we do, I definitely enjoy myself. I must love lacrosse because I take a shit load of abuse when I officiate, but playing one game a year makes up for it.

I scored a hat trick today, but I also messed up a lot. I really don't like my new stick that much. With the way the ball leaves my stick, I have to re-learn how to throw. The hubster and my friend who officiated said I did well, so I'm pleased. I think that was a pretty good warm up for Vail.

I did get hit with the ball in today's game.




This is what happens when you don't catch the ball!

I'm so weak

I went on my morning run this morning and my body was not having it. I had originally wanted to run 5 miles, but I was noticeably tired 2 miles in. I think a lot had to do with me trying better my recent mile times. I was pushing myself, but it was a bit too soon for that. I still don't think I've accepted the fact that I'm not in the same shape I was in before lacrosse season. Anyway, I did 2.6 miles with a 9:20 pace. Getting better, but nowhere near where I wanted to be. I also ran with that damn fanny pack again. Never again, totally swearing it off. Such a pain in the ass.

After the run, I felt like shit because I totally copped out. So I went to the gym to do my mat/ab work out and lift some weights. Omg, I lost all my muscles. I had to lower the number of reps or lower the weight in everything I did. I'm not terribly surprised, but I'm so sad. I guess the good thing that came about from today is now I am 200% more motivated to get back to the gym to get my muscles back!

Wtf Bed, Bath, and Beyond?

The hubster and I went to Bed, Bath, and Beyond today to pick out a wedding gift for his cousin Rick who eloped on Maui over Memorial Day weekend. We picked our gift off the registry and went to pay for it using our 20% off coupon. They asked us if we wanted to take advantage of their complimentary gift wrap. We said sure since we saw some nicely wrapped purple packages when we came in. Imagine our surprise when we were presented with this:






Our lovely gift wrapped in a purple trash bag. Wtf. Really? To add insult to injury, we waited 20 minutes for this piece of shit. Notice the ugly wrinkles in the second picture. I wonder if the girl who wrapped this is actually proud of it. I mean why couldn't they wrap it on paper. It's your generic rectangular box. It's not even oversized. I see absolutely no excuse for this trashy monstrosity. I was tempted to rip off the trash bag in store after I had received it. I'm just going to wrap it myself, but i can't even reuse the ribbon since the bitch cut the ribbon too short. Where are the tails? Epic fail Bed, Bath, and Beyond.

Half marathon shirts

I was out shopping with the hubster and was inside of Express when I saw this guy's shirt that said "running sucks.". I wanted it! Turns out it was made from Nike, but the color options were not up to snuff. So I turned to trusty google and found an etsy vendor that sold the same shirt and charged $8 for any color combination you want. I sent her an email to make sure the color shirt I wanted was available in our sizes. 30 minutes later, I had completed my order and was anxiously awaiting their arrival. They came yesterday and I love them.






It's 5 months too early, but I don't care.

Frustration

There should be more stringent requirements for people who want to become parents.  Reproducing should not be a right bestowed on everyone.  There are some people out there who would make awful parents.  We see them around us almost every day.  The requirements that would need to be met to be granted reproductive rights would include passing a common sense test... I had some more in my head, but really this covers about 99% of the issues we see every day and also does not apply socio-economic restraints on the population.  Sure, being financially stable would help, but rich people make awful parents too.

I'll get off my soap box now.  I'll end this post with a list of pet peeves.

I cannot stand people who:

1. Back out of agreements because it doesn't suit their needs anymore
2. Think kids should make major decisions
3. Lie to the police
4. Contradict themselves constantly in attempts to make them look better while in fact, they are making themselves look worse (See 1)
5. Can't put the welfare of their children over their own egos
6. Are manipulated by others and won't stand up to it
7. Are petty

I've had some pretty evil thoughts run through my head in the past 24 hours, and I know I shouldn't think them, but honestly, sometimes you hope and hope that some people get what's coming to them.

Vent/Rant Over!

Changes and Aging

I had a brief conversation with one of my carpoolers this morning on the way to work about how I've begun to pick up hobbies and activities that I never thought I would when I was younger.  I wonder why though.  For example, snowboarding.  I lived in southern California (San Diego/LA) for the "prime" of my young adult life (high school through grad school).  I had ample opportunity and time to learn.  It would have been more convenient than here in Ohio, but I never did.  Why?

Same goes for golfing, "gardening" (I use quotes because I don't really consider what I'm doing gardening, more like potting (?)), biking, running, exercising.  Is it because I'm bored here in Ohio?  Is it because I'm afraid I'm getting old and won't have had these experiences?  Perhaps I've matured and realized I don't want to squander away my weekends shopping, sleeping, and watching TV?  Maybe by picking up new activities I'll have more common ground with people who could turn out to be friends?  I'm sure there are more, but they all ring true to some extent.

I've also gotten the itch to redecorate my house - paint, buy new furniture - to make it look cohesive and matching unlike the current mish mash of dark colored Ikea and Target furniture that we currently have now.  Too bad that requires a lot of money.

I'm happy that I've reached this turning point.  I'd rather learn and experience these things when I'm young, so I can enjoy them throughout my life, especially the more physically demanding ones.  I love that I have things planned and scheduled as opposed to my life 2-3 years ago when all I did was go home and play WoW for hours on end.  Even though I'm inching towards 30, I think this is the best I've felt in a long time.

Fore!!!

Last week, I went to play golf with some co-workers.  I was terrible.  Golf has been something that I've wanted to try/pick up for a while.  I think in the industry that I am in, knowing how to golf would be helpful.  So I finally set up a lesson with an instructor that one of my carpoolers recommended.  The lesson was last night and it was fun and educational.

After this one lesson, my golf game has significantly improved.  To give you an idea of the before and after, I think I hit maybe 2-3 good shots on 9 holes when I went golfing - good shots meaning were in the air.  After two practice swings in the lesson, all of my shots were air born!  That's some improvement.  The hubster and I shared a large bucket of balls.

I had a lot of fun, and I hope we stick with it.  I'll have to schedule another appointment soon.  It would be great if the hubster and I had another activity we can do together.  We already have our winter sport of snowboarding.  I just kind of dread buying two sets of clubs since I don't think we can share.  Yikes!  Better start saving.

Memories

You might be wondering why I have a picture of a soap dispenser in a post titled "Memories".  I walked in to the bathroom at my work to find this on the sink.  It looks like that nasty pink hand soap found in most public bathrooms was used to top off a bottle of dial-looking hand soap.  My mom does this exact thing.  It is the most infuriating thing too.  I don't have any weird disorder about mixing liquids that are different or anything like that.

Let me give you some background:

I'm 28.  Bath and Body Works and The Body Shop were all the rage when I was a tween.  I can remember spending hours inside one of these stores smelling all the different scents.  At this age, I did not have a job and did not have any money.  I relied on the cash my mom gave me whenever we went to the mall.  Obviously, this was not enough to indulge in these wonderful bath and body products.  So pre-"when Elaine had money", I had decided that pear was my absolute favorite scent.  Of course, when Elaine did have money, they had discontinued "Sparkling Pear" and replaced it with the inferior "Pearberry".  I still bought it and I used it all the time in my nightly showers until one day, mom struck!

I had gone through maybe 50% of the body and I came home from school one day to find my precious pearberry in the same state as the picture above, but with white milky body wash instead of the pink generic hand soap.  Oh, I was pissed.  I ranted and raved and yelled at my mom.  She, of course, had no idea what she had done wrong to deserve the wrath of her one and only daughter.  It took me a long time to get over this.

So this innocuous picture of hand soap brings back very painful and funny memories.  Of course, I overreacted, but at that age, body wash was important!

Blargh!@#@!

I had decided last night that I wanted to make pesto chicken on Tuesday (We're having meat ball subs tonight) and I can't find the flipping recipe!  This is why I love and hate the internet.  I found this recipe through one of the personal blogs of a weddingbee blogger.  And they found the recipe through another one of the "bees".  So it was a convoluted path that this recipe took to find itself to me.  This recipe was a great find and it tasted delicious the first time I made it; however, silly me, did I book mark the recipe?  No.  Did I email myself the link?  Most likely I did, but I can't find it in my inbox because I didn't put anything in the subject line and the body of the email most likely only consists of the link which makes it virtually unsearchable.

My last ditch effort is to call the hubster and have him rifle through my recipe binder to see if it's in there.  Keeping my fingers crossed.

That's more like it

Went on a run this morning before my games this afternoon because I've been eating like a pig. I only did one loop, but I cut a minute off my mile time. I think my lungs can take it, it's just a matter of getting my legs back into shape. As gross and disgusting i am after a run, I always feel great.

I also found and ordered matching shirts for me and my little brother for the half marathon! I think I'm more excited about the shirt than anything.

Gelish update #2

4 weeks after I for them. One word: AMAZING! Aside from the growth, they look perfect like the day I got them. I've even cut my nails and they didn't chip or peel then either. I'm sold on this and will spend the $20 extra for it.

Now the next question is how long so I keep them for. Right now even with the growth it just looks like short nails from far back. As the color section gets smaller and smaller when does it get ridiculous?

Really?

It must be national shitty retail customer service day. The hubster and I went to Easton to add to his wardrobe. We went to Buckle and Banana Republic, and they both had terrible service.

Buckle's service broke down at the register. He was ready to buy a shirt, so he got in line. There were two people on his side of the register, a boy and a girl. Once the girls finished ringing up her customer, she stopped and stood there. Then she decided she didn't like her register, and decided to open up the one behind her and help the next customer in that line. WTF! The remaining boy was helping out some real housewife of New Jersey wannabe who kept adding to her sale and wanted to order something. Not really hers or his fault, but they were taking to long and were incredibly inefficient.

At Banana Republic, I had wanted the hubster to try on a pair of gray jeans I had seen earlier when I got my pants hemmed. The dressing room attendant was a complete douche bag. He would not let him into a dressing room. He was too busy finding sizes and styling other women. Opening a door takes 5 seconds, but he chose to make the hubster wait while he ran down ugly ass outfits for cracked out white girls who can't put together their own cracked out outfits. As a side note, the outfit he chose was hideous and I cant believe they were both fawning over it. Then I finally got the hubster a room. The attendant overheard me talking about getting in line to get my alterations. He said I dint have to wait and then left, assumed he was getting my pants. Silly me, why would I ever think that? I gave up on him and asked another worker. I personally think this gay retail service worker is sexist against men. He's helped me before on previous trips and had been very helpful. He was very helpful to ALL the women in the fitting room, but when it came to the hubster, nothing!

The trip was not a total loss. I did get new sunglasses for running and I saw a great shirt for the half marathon for Kevin and me"
,

Shopping Fail

The hubster, the step son, and I went out Wednesday night for a Rita's run and I decided that I wanted to stop at a few stores before we got our desserts for the night.  I had a $20 gift card from Sports Authority that I spent on some new spandex shorts for officiating.  We then went to Old Navy to buy the step son some new flip flops as his current ones kept breaking.  While perusing the store, I wandered over to the baby section where I promptly spotted a pink superman onesie.  I automatically thought of my cousin and his new baby girl.  He loves superman and I thought it would be fitting.  I went ahead and bought it and a mailer to send it out in.  Right before I went to the post office during my lunch yesterday, I had a nagging feeling about the onesie.  I kept thinking I had seen it before.  I hoped on to Facebook and lo and behold, there was a picture of Parker in the onesie!!

I promptly called the hubster to see if I hadn't thrown the receipt away so we could return it. I'm just glad I caught it before it was sent out.

Glimpse in to Parenthood

For the past week, we've had the step son.  This is the longest amount of time that he's stayed with us and it revealed a lot to me.  The biggest thing was that kids take a lot of time and consideration.  I was driving to work this morning and was toying with the idea of seeing if a friend wanted to grab a late lunch since I'll get out of work around 1, but then I had to think of the step son and what the plans were for him.  If the hubster wanted me to see him or if he wanted us to have lunch together.  I think then got to thinking about how much face time I've had with the step son this week, and I was surprised at how little it was.  Definitely not good if I was a "real" parent.  Of course, the hubster spent all his time with him, but as a "step parent",  I think I failed or at least I felt I had failed.  Here's a breakdown of my week with the step son:

• Friday - Cleveland for state finals, left before the hubster picked him up
• Saturday - Cleveland for state finals, got home at 10
• Sunday - movies, errands, spent day with family
• Monday - work and run, first contact at 7:30 pm
• Tuesday - work, can't remember
• Wednesday - work, dentist, gym - first contact at 7:30 pm
• Thursday - work and golfing with coworkers - no contact
• Friday - work, will see before he goes home

Out of the 8 days, there are only 2 days where I spend more than 2 hours with him.  My current lifestyle is not suited for kids.  It may be because he's not my kid that I'm not that invested in him yet.

I've also noticed that having him around makes my laundry and dish load quadruple.  Ever since last August, I've exclusively hand washed my dishes.  I think on the odd occasion where I am out of town, the hubster will do a load.  In the week that he's been here, I've used the dishwasher 3 times!  WTF!  How does one little person cause so much change?  I think the hubster wears more clothes when the step son is around too.  I think I've already explained how the step son where's three outfits a day and also apparently, doesn't re-use bath towels.  The last thing might not be so uncommon, but when I was growing up, we used the same towel for a week, then it got washed.  I know some who use a new towel for each shower.  So maybe that's how he does it at home.

My house has gotten way messier in the week that he's been here.  It's like I have no time to clean.  I've already told the hubster that once he leaves, we're both going to spend the weekend getting our house back into order.

So this has been my foray into parenthood.  A little shocked, but hopefully, next month it will be easier, but I think the next time we have him for a week, I'll be spending the majority of time in Vail.  So maybe I'll never get used to it.

The worst dental assistant/hygienist

I was finally able to get my filling done on Wednesday.  It took about 2 months to get the pre-certification and lots of phone calls.  It ended up being pretty cheap compared to other costs for fillings.  I wonder why though.  I had two done and I've had similar experiences before and usually paid 3 times what I did.  Insurance is funny like that.

I arrive at the office and get lead back to my chair.  My dental assistant is Rachelle or Rochelle or Rachael and she was terrible!  Terrible on two fronts: she manhandled me while I was in the chair and she totally threw every Asian stereotype at me and was extremely passive aggressive.

First, the manhandling:

• Her knee was pushing against my shoulder during the entire procedure.  I get it, there's not a lot of room in those offices and she needs to work around my mouth which requires getting close, but one should not be pushing on a patient's shoulder while the dentist is working in her mouth with a drill!
• The inside of my mouth is sore because she kept jabbing me with the suction thingy over and over and over again
• She kept hitting my teeth with the UV light.

Second, the sterotyping - she loves Asian women and thinks they are beautiful because

• They look like dolls
• Are so petite
• Have nice hair

Yes, these aren't terrible, but it's just the way she said them.  Like we are an inferior race and aren't deserving of such traits.  She also went on to imply that I would "find someone soon" - hello crazy, I'm married, see my ring and band?!?! - and that I would no longer be small once I had children - just because you got big after you had kids, doesn't mean I will.  She kept saying how gorgeous I was.  It just got really awkward.

I was tempted to say something at the end of my visit to see if they could put a note on my file to never put me with her again, but I'm afraid of retribution or something.  Maybe I'll email or call today.  I just know I never want to see her again.

Boot camp booted me in the ass

I finally made it to the gym! Even though my dentist appointment for two fillings was pushed back an hour, I still had time to make it to the gym. I ended up going to the boot camp class I used to go to when I was a gym-goer.

I am out of shape, and right now I am paying for it. My arms and legs hurt, and I have to go golfing tonight. I was able to keep up with the class, but I was exhausted afterwards. It's been a long time since I sweated so freaking much. I was so tired afterwards that I scrapped dinner plans to grill chile lime flank stank to have the hubster go out and pick something up. I did end up grilling the steak just because I wouldn't have been able to tonight and we bought it on Sunday.

Elaine, spelled ... part 2

I was browsing through yahoo today and stumbled upon this:

It instantly reminded me of my Starbucks coffee that I got in Vegas a month ago.  Well turns out, it's close, but not the same.  My coffee said "Eilane".  I was so excited to see that that was a real name, but I guess I'm still hoping.

Eliane just looks like a dyslexic spelled Elaine.

The Little Things

I recently went to the doctor's to get this thing in the corner of my eye check out.  It looked like a little whitehead, but wasn't.  When I started poking around it, it looked like a tiny grain of rice was stuck under my skin.  I would push it around with the tip of a push pin (yes, I know, very smart, especially around my eye).  It didn't bother me until recently when it started to get bigger.  I finally made an appointment to get it checked out and to also establish myself with a new primary care physician (the 5th in as many years - that's a whole nother story).

It turns out it was milia and the doctor ended up slicing open the patch of skin and squeezing the rice grain out - just like a zit.  He wasn't able to get it all out, but got enough that it made a considerable difference.  I ended up being able to squeeze the rest of it out this week at work.

The point of this post is that something so small has such a profound effect on how I see myself.  I'd been looking at my face with this milia on it for at least a year.  It was always something that my eye zoomed in on. Bam!  Whitehead right there.  Now when I look in the mirror, my eyes still automatically go over that area, but now it finds nothing.  It's just weird not to see it anymore.  I don't think it added or detracted from how I look to others, but it's a big subtle difference to me (if that makes any sense at all).

I still take the random break to pull out my pocket mirror and look at my eye to make sure that it's really gone.

Helpless

Apparently, I look very helpless. My coworker traded in an old tank of propane for a new one to save me some money. He brought it in to work today and I went to pick it up at his car after work. I had carpooled into work today and didn't drive. Since I got to the car before all my other carpoolers, I put the propane tank down and sat in the ground and wasted time playing on my iPhone. In the ten minutes it took for my two other carpoolers to get to the car, two people drove by to ask me if I was ok! I must have looked pretty forlorn sitting on the ground playing UNO. I found it very odd, yet reassuring that the good folks at COATC always look out for their own.

Running

I went on a run last night when I got home from work.  I'm pleased to say that I ran further than last week's run.  I'm still a little disappointed at the pace I was going.  A 10 minute mile isn't bad, but for only 5.2 miles that's not where I want to be especially if a 10 minute mile is the pace I want to hold for 13.1 miles.  I'm bound to get slower as I go.

Yesterday was hot and humid.  This is going to be my training weather for the rest of the summer.  I can't run long distances at the gym and I hate running on a treadmill.  I broke out my little running fanny pack yesterday.

I can't say I'm pleased with it, but it has nothing to do with the product itself.  I had to cinch it really tight to my waist because it would bounce too much when I ran.  It kept rotating on me and getting loose.  I was just taken aback that I wouldn't be able to run with it lower on my hips.  Oh well.  I am glad that I had the water bottle with me.  It was hot and I used it to squirt water in my face.  It cooled me down, but got all my salty sweat in my eyes and mouth.  GROSS!  I definitely need to decrease my salt intake.

My knee started to hurt after 2.5 miles which is what would happen to me when I first started running.  I think I need to just push past that point.  The odd thing is that the pain moved from the outside of my leg towards the inner part around my knee.  I think that has something to do with my shoes and insoles.  I ended up going 5.2 miles in 52 minutes.  Not bad, but I've got a long way to go.  I think today I'll give me legs a break from running and either hit up the spinning class or the weights class at the gym.  This will be the first time in 2-3 months since I visited there too!

Decisions, Decisions

Now with lacrosse season coming to end (Ohio Cup this weekend is all that's left), I now have my nights back!  Yay!  That means getting back to working out.  I'm trying to decide what to do tonight.  The stepson is staying with us for the remainder of the week, so I'm worried about getting dinner ready at a decent hour.  If I get home around 5:30, that means dinner will be at 7:00 pm at the earliest.  That's an acceptable dinner time, right?

Now to decide if I want to run outside or go to the gym and work out.  I haven't lifted weights in a very long time.  I'm afraid to see if my arms lost all the definition I got from last year.  Maybe I'll run outside tonight since the forecast says rain tomorrow and Thursday.  I hope to make it to boot camp this Wednesday too after my dentist appointment.

State Finals

This past Friday and Saturday was the Ohio school girls lacrosse championship in Cleveland. I was fortunate enough to be assigned the division 1 semi-finals and the club final.

The Semi-final:
The teams were Upper Arlington vs Hudson. This was my game with Laurette. I was so nervous, and I think it showed. I didn't mess up too much, but it wasn't the best game I've ever done.  It ended up being a close game and ended 13-11.  I had a crazy situation happen where I ended up calling a time out to discuss with my partners what the hell I was supposed to do.  I can't help, but be a little disappointed in how it went.  It is what it is.

The Final:
I ended up being partnered with a Columbus official and a Cleveland official.  The game was ugly, but I think I did pretty well.  There were a few things I wish I had done differently, but overall, I think I did much better than Friday.  I think a lot of it had to do with the fact that the level of play was not as high and the final was not as clean as the semi-final.

Overall, it was a great weekend of lacrosse and I'm so glad I had the opportunity to be part of the finals this year.  It probably won't happen again any time soon.

Update: Herb Garden

I just got back from Cleveland last night and left my baby herbs in the care of the hubster. They lived through 36 hours under his care. I wanted to post some pictures of their progress. After I had potted them, they looked puny and dejected, not likely to live past the first week. Well, surprisingly, they are doing quite well in my opinion.

Parsley

Basil

Cilantro

Mint

And the newest addition, dill, just planted this afternoon.

I'm getting oregano and chives from a coworker, so there will be 7 in total. I think the basil and mint look very hearty compared to the picture from last week. Hopefully the others catch up soon and I'll have enough to cook with this summer. Now to find some recipes that use these herbs!

I'm Vain

That's how I felt at the doctor's office yesterday.  I've had this cyst by my eye for about a year.  It looks like a zit, but it's not.  It had gotten a little bigger in the past month and I decided to go in and have it checked out.  Turns out it's something called milia.  No big deal.  My options were to leave it alone or the doctor could make a cut and squeeze it out similar to popping a zit.  He kept stressing that it was only superficial and that nothing needed to be done.  He also said that we could have a plastic surgeon come in and look at it.  I thought that was a little extreme.  Even asking if this is something that could be that day, he kept saying how it's only superficial and there would be no harm in leaving it.

Well, I've been walking around with this thing that looks like a zit for a year.  I want it gone and if it's not major surgery, what's the problem?  It took maybe 5 minutes to make the cut and squeeze it out.  I have to say it looks so much better.  I should have taken a picture of it before he removed it, but I didn't have enough time in the doctor's office.  When I look at my face now, I can hardly remember what it looked like before it was gone.  I'm much more symmetrical now.

Irresponsible Pet Owners

We live in a condo community.  They have rules.  One rule that pertains to us is that we have to pick up after our dogs.  And we do, but someone is letting their dog go to the bathroom on our yard and not cleaning up after them!  That makes me so angry.

I came home from work one day and walked the girls, and there was a huge pile of poo on my lawn.  The hubster doesn't always pick up after the girls right away, but it gets picked up that day either by myself or the hubster.  I could tell from just the size and color of it that it did not come from my dog.  Yes, I know what my dog's poo looks like.

We live near an apartment complex and I've seen some of those residents walking their dog in our community.  It's never been a problem before.  Yesterday, I heard the dogs barking up a storm and I ran to the front room.  I see this woman standing in my yard with her dog.  I don't think the dog went, but it's of the right size to be the culprit from before.  After she passes my house, I walk outside and watch her.  This woman is just walking in people's lawns, not even on the street.  I almost think she lives in my community as a renter.  I wanted to shout after her "Pick up after your dog".  She did not have a visible doggy bag (aka plastic grocery bag) on her persons.

I do not want to get fined/cited for not picking up after my dog when 1) it's not my dogs and 2) when I do pick up after my dog!

Update: Spray Nozzle Mystery solved!.... Sorta

I finally got a hold of the hubster and this time he was fully awake!  I asked him again about the rubber band around the spray nozzle.  He says he was messing around last night.  That he was trying to spray off a bit of cereal off of his cereal bowl that had dried on to the bowl.  Huh?  It sounds like how a child would clean something, but maybe he was stressed out from all the studying he has been doing.  His last final is today.  Maybe a year's worth of education at OSU has cost him his mind.

I get that he's trying to clean the bowl, but what part of that warrants the rubber band?  I ask him.  Well, apparently, he had it set up so that the tongs were laying across the side sink and the spray nozzle was propped up against it and he was somewhere else?  I still am boggled at the whole situation.

But that's how the rubber band got there.  So not a satisfying story.

So random

I'm not quite sure what to make of what happened this morning. I wake up and go about my morning routine. I'm in the kitchen getting the girls some food and turn on the sink to refill their mugs when the obvious does not happen. Water does not come out of the faucet into my container. No, instead it comes shooting out of the spray nozzle towards the wall. Wtf! Upon further inspection of the faucet, someone wrapped a rubber band around the spray nozzle to compress the handle.

So I'm standing there thinking I'm glad the nozzle was facing the wall and not at me because I would have been pissed to have been sprayed that early in the morning.  I storm into the bedroom and wake the hubster up and question him about the rubber band.  He's completely incoherent and stopping mid-sentence.  I know that fucker did it and he wouldn't tell me why.  I asked him if he was trying to play a trick on me and he said "Why would I do that?".  I couldn't fathom why he would do such a thing.  I asked him if he was high or something last night.  He denied such allegations.  I have never seen the hubster use drugs, hell, he barely even drinks.  I seriously didn't know what else to ask him.

I'll have to call again when he is awake and able to form complete thoughts and vocalize them in an intelligent manner.

This is going to bug me all day.

Holy Cow

Heads up, if you're not into women's lacrosse and officiating, you probably won't get this.

I just got some big news the other night.  I was told that Laurette Payette wanted to work with ME at this year's state tournament this weekend!  Who is Laurette Payette?  She's just the USL Women's Division Officials Council (WDOC) Chair who is also a national rated official.  She's kinda a big deal.

Also, I got a state final game!  It's "only" the club final, but still a final.  I think I lucked out with these assignments because a lot of more senior and higher rated officials were not able to make it to Cleveland this weekend.  To be honest, I don't think I'll be getting another one in the coming years and I'm ok with that.  I'm just honored at the opportunity.

I don't know which news is better.  Either way, I'm going to pee my pants this weekend.  On a side note, this isn't the first time that Laurette (aka "the LP" as the hubster has deemed her) has talked about me either.  I've been told she briefly brought me up in a conversation earlier in the season.  What?!?  Me?!?!  So that's my big news.  I'm excited and nervous for this weekend.  I just hope I don't mess up.