By the grace of God, K has been safe.
By the grace of God, the deployment is set to end early, in January.
I have so much in my life to be thankful for -- and I am, every day -- but this Thanksgiving, these things are at the top of my list.
Thursday, November 27, 2008
Wednesday, November 26, 2008
How did I almost forget to share this story?
Last Saturday, the OU game was a pretty big deal. ESPN GameDay was there, and the outcome was going to make history no matter who won, not to mention the effect it would have on bowl contenders. The game started at 7:15.
K called me that night, and we talked until a little before 7. Even though it was 4:15 a.m. in Iraq, he was going to stay up and watch the game.
My husband, who I really worried/freaked out in September of 2005 by crying because we lost to TCU (Hello! It was the first game of the season!!! At home!!!! To TCU [who would actually turn out to be pretty good that year, but who saw that coming? Clearly we didn't!]!!!!!!).
We were in New Jersey at the time for the wedding of one of his closest friends. I had decided it would be OK to go only because it wouldn't be that big of a game, so I could justify missing it. It was my first game after I had graduated, so it was my first time to know OU was playing football and I was not there in my uniform to show my support.
When I found out we were losing, I felt helpless. There was nothing I could do. It was awful. So I cried.
K said to me, "Are you serious? Are you serious right now? It's just a game."
"Just a game?!" I shrieked, before filling him in on all that that loss could potentially mean for our season.
Eventually, thank goodness, K began to find my love of Sooner football endearing. He even told me that since he had never been to a football school in high school or college (while I've never NOT attended a football school. Seriously, there were less than 500 people in my entire high school, and two of our football players now play for the NFL), he would never be able to fully understand or relate to my dedication and love for the Oklahoma Sooners, but he was glad that I have that.
Over the course of this football season, K has actually referred to the OU football team as "we" and "us." When I told my dad this exciting news, his response was, "He just might work out."
But last week ... last week really did make me fall in love with K a little bit more. Not just the fact that he stayed up to watch the game even though he had a cold. He actually called me at halftime to give me a "Boomer!" and talk about how awesome "we" looked and how "our" defense was kicking a$$.
We had a comfortable lead, so he was going to bed -- as he should. By that time, it was after 6 a.m. for him!
K called me Sunday night, and his voice sounded awful. He could barely speak, since a night of staying up late had enabled his cold to get to him a little more. He was exhausted, but he was happy. He said something about the third quarter.
"What? I thought you went to bed at halftime."
"I was going to, but I couldn't. I was too excited."
Just when I thought he couldn't get any sexier ...
K called me that night, and we talked until a little before 7. Even though it was 4:15 a.m. in Iraq, he was going to stay up and watch the game.
My husband, who I really worried/freaked out in September of 2005 by crying because we lost to TCU (Hello! It was the first game of the season!!! At home!!!! To TCU [who would actually turn out to be pretty good that year, but who saw that coming? Clearly we didn't!]!!!!!!).
We were in New Jersey at the time for the wedding of one of his closest friends. I had decided it would be OK to go only because it wouldn't be that big of a game, so I could justify missing it. It was my first game after I had graduated, so it was my first time to know OU was playing football and I was not there in my uniform to show my support.
When I found out we were losing, I felt helpless. There was nothing I could do. It was awful. So I cried.
K said to me, "Are you serious? Are you serious right now? It's just a game."
"Just a game?!" I shrieked, before filling him in on all that that loss could potentially mean for our season.
Eventually, thank goodness, K began to find my love of Sooner football endearing. He even told me that since he had never been to a football school in high school or college (while I've never NOT attended a football school. Seriously, there were less than 500 people in my entire high school, and two of our football players now play for the NFL), he would never be able to fully understand or relate to my dedication and love for the Oklahoma Sooners, but he was glad that I have that.
Over the course of this football season, K has actually referred to the OU football team as "we" and "us." When I told my dad this exciting news, his response was, "He just might work out."
But last week ... last week really did make me fall in love with K a little bit more. Not just the fact that he stayed up to watch the game even though he had a cold. He actually called me at halftime to give me a "Boomer!" and talk about how awesome "we" looked and how "our" defense was kicking a$$.
We had a comfortable lead, so he was going to bed -- as he should. By that time, it was after 6 a.m. for him!
K called me Sunday night, and his voice sounded awful. He could barely speak, since a night of staying up late had enabled his cold to get to him a little more. He was exhausted, but he was happy. He said something about the third quarter.
"What? I thought you went to bed at halftime."
"I was going to, but I couldn't. I was too excited."
Just when I thought he couldn't get any sexier ...
Tuesday, November 25, 2008
Coolest Save the Dates* ever
I think so, anyway.
*Yeah, so we ordered them a couple months later than we'd hoped. It turns out it takes quite a bit of reminders, phone calls and help to get a list of family and family friends when you only have two dads to work with on it!
*Yeah, so we ordered them a couple months later than we'd hoped. It turns out it takes quite a bit of reminders, phone calls and help to get a list of family and family friends when you only have two dads to work with on it!
Monday, November 24, 2008
Sometimes I'm busy when I'm not blogging
- The Coldplay concert was awesome! I will so totally see them again. (Chris Martin, if you must retire at 33, you better have a big farewell tour, because I really really really want to see a Coldplay concert with K.)
- I got my first passport in the mail last week! I can officially travel the world now. And go to Mexico with a huge group of friends once our husbands get back from the deployment next spring. Woohoo!
- I went to see Twilight last Friday night with AJ and a friend from work. I haven't read any of the books, and I don't know if I'll start (Seriously, why doesn't he just turn her into a vampire already?! It's such an obvious solution!), but I sure managed to get a crush on Edward! Never mind the fact that he's only 22 ...
- Um, college football is awesome. (Sorry, Knot!)
- I'm a teensy bit (OK, really) scared for next Saturday's game. (We're playing our second-biggest rivals, the OSU Cowboys, at home in
Stoolwater*ahem* Stillwater. SO MUCH rides on the outcome of this game!!!) - I ran on Sunday for the first time since my half-marathon! The pathetic part: I can feel it in my calves. And I only ran 2 miles. Isn't it awesome how long it takes to build up to that strength and distance ... and how quickly your body can lose it?
- There will be a big military ball this spring after the soldiers return home from Iraq. I happened to be running an errand at the mall when I walked by a big rack that said "70% OFF." I stopped (duh!) and managed to find a gorgeous dress that was only $51 (original price: $170!!!). I now have my dress for the ball. Score!
Lots of little bits of pretty cool news. Saving the best for last:
- K is coming home in January!!!
I don't think that last one has hit me yet. It's starting to. Once it does, though, ohmygosh I'll be freaking out. So it's good it's taking its time, because I have WAY too much to do between now and then. But to look on the bright side, at least it'll get here even faster!
Wednesday, November 19, 2008
Sometimes you've gotta laugh at the irony
I bought the tickets months ago. I got up early the morning they went on sale and went straight for my computer. I had saved the venue's site on my favorites list, so I clicked on it and refreshed my window over and over until I was allowed to purchase.
The show was sold out in minutes, but I got my tickets.
When the band's latest album came out last June, I bought it minutes after midnight. I fell asleep listening to it and imagining how awesome it will be to hear the songs live.
So imagine how I felt when I woke up today -- the very day of the Coldplay concert -- and realized that sometime during my peaceful slumber, a cold had taken over my body.
Awesome.
(On the other hand, given the band's name, it is kind of funny ...)
The show was sold out in minutes, but I got my tickets.
When the band's latest album came out last June, I bought it minutes after midnight. I fell asleep listening to it and imagining how awesome it will be to hear the songs live.
So imagine how I felt when I woke up today -- the very day of the Coldplay concert -- and realized that sometime during my peaceful slumber, a cold had taken over my body.
Awesome.
(On the other hand, given the band's name, it is kind of funny ...)
Good thing I wasn't getting my hopes up
My first responses to my little ad:
Hi there 31 swm. I'm 6ft 197lbs with 9.6 % Body fat. I have brown hair, (if I don't have it shaved all bald) brown eyes, and tan. I do have my Masters in Business. I do have a job. My father and I own a Business ... building racing engines for professional racers. I never would have thought this, but I love what I do for a living. I love to dance, and work out in the gym. I also drink from time to time. I don't smoke or do any drugs. I've never been married, and I don't have any kids. I do have pictures if you would like to see. My cell phone is ...
Brian
Second response:
hi im 19 and I love running but havent been running andwan to get back in shape im 140 now but wan to run just because it will help me feel better and so on. well I would love to run with u . im hispanic
What I'd like to say to the first guy:
Dear Brian,
Thank you for taking the time to respond. However, I think we have a slight misunderstanding. I don't give a shit how tall you are, what color your eyes are or especially what your body fat is. I also think it's gross that you're tan in November.
I am married, although I don't have kids. My husband is about 5'11". I don't know his body fat or weight, but there's a pretty good chance his arms are bigger than yours.
Congrats on your master's degree, and your business sounds cool too. Maybe you should talk to my brother.
You mentioned absolutely nothing about running, though, so you won't be talking to me.
Thanks for nothing,
me
What I'd like to say to the second guy:
Dear hispanic, How can you love running if you haven't done it before? That doesn't make sense. Also, what does being Hispanic have to do with running?
TTYN,
White girl
Hi there 31 swm. I'm 6ft 197lbs with 9.6 % Body fat. I have brown hair, (if I don't have it shaved all bald) brown eyes, and tan. I do have my Masters in Business. I do have a job. My father and I own a Business ... building racing engines for professional racers. I never would have thought this, but I love what I do for a living. I love to dance, and work out in the gym. I also drink from time to time. I don't smoke or do any drugs. I've never been married, and I don't have any kids. I do have pictures if you would like to see. My cell phone is ...
Brian
Second response:
hi im 19 and I love running but havent been running andwan to get back in shape im 140 now but wan to run just because it will help me feel better and so on. well I would love to run with u . im hispanic
What I'd like to say to the first guy:
Dear Brian,
Thank you for taking the time to respond. However, I think we have a slight misunderstanding. I don't give a shit how tall you are, what color your eyes are or especially what your body fat is. I also think it's gross that you're tan in November.
I am married, although I don't have kids. My husband is about 5'11". I don't know his body fat or weight, but there's a pretty good chance his arms are bigger than yours.
Congrats on your master's degree, and your business sounds cool too. Maybe you should talk to my brother.
You mentioned absolutely nothing about running, though, so you won't be talking to me.
Thanks for nothing,
me
What I'd like to say to the second guy:
Dear hispanic, How can you love running if you haven't done it before? That doesn't make sense. Also, what does being Hispanic have to do with running?
TTYN,
White girl
Tuesday, November 18, 2008
Desperate times call for desperate measures
It's been 16 days since I ran my half-marathon. I had planned on registering for another in December. Thank goodness I hadn't yet -- that would have been $70 down the drain.
See, I don't like the idea of running by myself in the dark (and neither does K). And since, thanks to daylight savings time, it's now dark before I even leave work, I convinced Jeremy to train with me for the run, even though he couldn't run it. Awesome plan, right?
Except Jeremy keeps cancelling on me. I have not run since I crossed the finish line at my half-marathon. Bummer!
I've finally given up on him and put an ad on craigslist. Considering I read a listing there today with the title "i want you to lick my feet," I'm thinking I won't get my hopes up too much.
See, I don't like the idea of running by myself in the dark (and neither does K). And since, thanks to daylight savings time, it's now dark before I even leave work, I convinced Jeremy to train with me for the run, even though he couldn't run it. Awesome plan, right?
Except Jeremy keeps cancelling on me. I have not run since I crossed the finish line at my half-marathon. Bummer!
I've finally given up on him and put an ad on craigslist. Considering I read a listing there today with the title "i want you to lick my feet," I'm thinking I won't get my hopes up too much.
Tuesday, November 11, 2008
Happy Veterans Day, K!
My PowerPo!nt skills are a little lacking*, but it's the thought that counts. :)
*Also, not all of my snazzy transitions and animations copied over into this format. But you get the general idea.
Thursday, November 06, 2008
Weekend o' races
You may or may not remember that my brother works for NASCAR. And you may or may not know that the NASCAR race last weekend was in Dallas. Which meant my brother was here.
And he got me pit passes.
My friend Danielle, who is a big fan of NASCAR, came down from Oklahoma so she could join me for the VIP weekend. Saturday morning, we headed to the track so we could hang out with my brother, check out the action in the garages, and get pictures of and with as many drivers as we could.
We did a good job of keeping our cool. We were excited, but we weren't squealing or gushing. We got our pictures and let the drivers go on about their business. I think my brother was a little embarrassed by our incessant picture taking (although, being my brother, he should totally be used to it). (Note: This is just a portion of the pictures we took. We got even more drivers than this!)
Getting our credentials. (Credentials!!!)
The trailers in the garage area. And Robb!e Loom!s, who was Richard Pe.tty's crew chief back in the day.
The pit crew uniforms inside Bobby L.abonte's trailer. (Not just anyone can get inside the trailers. Lucky for us, we know people!)
Us with Kasey Kahne. He was the driver we both wanted a picture with most.
Brian Vickers
Martin Truex Jr.
Kevin Harvick. He was in a hurry, so since Danielle's a big fan of his, I sat this one out to be photographer.
Love Dale Jr., but he's impossible to get a picture with. You have to fight through the crowd.
Tony Stewart. Not a fan.
Carl Edwards. Like Jr., he had quite a crowd too.
Richard Petty! The King!
Bobby Labonte, who I totally have a crush on now. He's a little short, but he's so hot in person. (Yes, K knows about this crush.)
There was a race that afternoon, and we got to watch it on top of the team's trailer in the infield. Pretty cool!
After our long day at the track, we took it easy Saturday night and tried to go to bed early. On Sunday, we got up bright and early for my half-marathon. K's roommate's fiance (got that?) came up from Houston to run it too. We ran together for a large chunk of the course.
We weren't quite over the racing fun, so we headed back to the track to hang out with my brother some more and watch a race on pit row.
Carl Edwards, who Danielle and I both really like, won the race, which was awesome. We got to see him do his signature backflip out of his car!
As you can see, we had a looooooong, packed weekend, and it was definitely a rare experience. And (as you can see) we made sure to capture everything so we'll never forget any of it!
And he got me pit passes.
My friend Danielle, who is a big fan of NASCAR, came down from Oklahoma so she could join me for the VIP weekend. Saturday morning, we headed to the track so we could hang out with my brother, check out the action in the garages, and get pictures of and with as many drivers as we could.
We did a good job of keeping our cool. We were excited, but we weren't squealing or gushing. We got our pictures and let the drivers go on about their business. I think my brother was a little embarrassed by our incessant picture taking (although, being my brother, he should totally be used to it). (Note: This is just a portion of the pictures we took. We got even more drivers than this!)
Getting our credentials. (Credentials!!!)
The trailers in the garage area. And Robb!e Loom!s, who was Richard Pe.tty's crew chief back in the day.
The pit crew uniforms inside Bobby L.abonte's trailer. (Not just anyone can get inside the trailers. Lucky for us, we know people!)
Us with Kasey Kahne. He was the driver we both wanted a picture with most.
Brian Vickers
Martin Truex Jr.
Kevin Harvick. He was in a hurry, so since Danielle's a big fan of his, I sat this one out to be photographer.
Love Dale Jr., but he's impossible to get a picture with. You have to fight through the crowd.
Tony Stewart. Not a fan.
Carl Edwards. Like Jr., he had quite a crowd too.
Richard Petty! The King!
Bobby Labonte, who I totally have a crush on now. He's a little short, but he's so hot in person. (Yes, K knows about this crush.)
There was a race that afternoon, and we got to watch it on top of the team's trailer in the infield. Pretty cool!
After our long day at the track, we took it easy Saturday night and tried to go to bed early. On Sunday, we got up bright and early for my half-marathon. K's roommate's fiance (got that?) came up from Houston to run it too. We ran together for a large chunk of the course.
We weren't quite over the racing fun, so we headed back to the track to hang out with my brother some more and watch a race on pit row.
Carl Edwards, who Danielle and I both really like, won the race, which was awesome. We got to see him do his signature backflip out of his car!
As you can see, we had a looooooong, packed weekend, and it was definitely a rare experience. And (as you can see) we made sure to capture everything so we'll never forget any of it!
Wednesday, November 05, 2008
Do you think they have meetings for this?
My friend Danielle was in town for the weekend, and she came to watch me finish the half-marathon. She took some pictures when I crossed the finish line, and that's what I'd planned to post last night. She didn't realize I was planning on sprinting the last leg, so what she captured in the finish line photo I uploaded last night was a bunch of speakers and an empty finish line.
I'm that fast when I sprint. lol
So that's why I haven't posted pictures yet. Luckily, AJ came to take pictures as well, and she said she got some good ones that she's going to send to me today. They should be on here soon!
I feel completely recovered from the run now. A massage on Monday night definitely helped reduce tension in some sore muscles!
I had really been looking forward to a break from running, so it's been very surprising that I can't stop looking for more runs to do. I'm ready for another. Now that I've done a half-marathon and beat my first 15k time, I'm wondering how much more I could shave off my time if that was all I had to run. Or a 10k -- I could probably get a pretty decent time with that one, too.
So I guess this is where it all goes downhill. I can't believe how quickly it happened. For the girl who hated running, all it took was a little half-marathon to become totally addicted.
Yikes.
*******************
UPDATE: I found a half-marathon in December that I totally want to do, but Jeremy couldn't run it because his Christmas party is the night before (can't run when you're hung over). I ran it by him (badum-ching!) that he could train for the run with me, but just not run it.
He actually went for it!!!
I'm so signing up!
I'm that fast when I sprint. lol
So that's why I haven't posted pictures yet. Luckily, AJ came to take pictures as well, and she said she got some good ones that she's going to send to me today. They should be on here soon!
I feel completely recovered from the run now. A massage on Monday night definitely helped reduce tension in some sore muscles!
I had really been looking forward to a break from running, so it's been very surprising that I can't stop looking for more runs to do. I'm ready for another. Now that I've done a half-marathon and beat my first 15k time, I'm wondering how much more I could shave off my time if that was all I had to run. Or a 10k -- I could probably get a pretty decent time with that one, too.
So I guess this is where it all goes downhill. I can't believe how quickly it happened. For the girl who hated running, all it took was a little half-marathon to become totally addicted.
Yikes.
*******************
UPDATE: I found a half-marathon in December that I totally want to do, but Jeremy couldn't run it because his Christmas party is the night before (can't run when you're hung over). I ran it by him (badum-ching!) that he could train for the run with me, but just not run it.
He actually went for it!!!
I'm so signing up!
Tuesday, November 04, 2008
She's going the distance
I ran my half-marathon yesterday. I ran all of it.
And I ran it over 6 minutes faster than my goal time -- and about a minute and a half faster than the time I really wanted to finish in. (I had a goal time and a "shooting for" time. I was aiming for my "shooting for" time, but my goal time was a more reasonable expectation for my first run at this distance.)
What's also cool is that I hit the 15k marker in the run at 1:33, which was 7 minutes faster than my 15k time in July!
Final time for the half-marathon: 2 hours, 8 minutes and 41 seconds. My pace was just under a 10-min-mile. Plus, I had enough energy left to finish sprinting!
Next time, I'll shoot for 2 hours or less. But for the next week or two, I'm taking a little break from running unless I really really want to do it.
Pictures from the run and from my VIP weekend are hopefully coming tomorrow. For now, I'm going to bed. Once you read how I spent the rest of my weekend (and I really mean the rest of it!), you'll understand why.
And I ran it over 6 minutes faster than my goal time -- and about a minute and a half faster than the time I really wanted to finish in. (I had a goal time and a "shooting for" time. I was aiming for my "shooting for" time, but my goal time was a more reasonable expectation for my first run at this distance.)
What's also cool is that I hit the 15k marker in the run at 1:33, which was 7 minutes faster than my 15k time in July!
Final time for the half-marathon: 2 hours, 8 minutes and 41 seconds. My pace was just under a 10-min-mile. Plus, I had enough energy left to finish sprinting!
Next time, I'll shoot for 2 hours or less. But for the next week or two, I'm taking a little break from running unless I really really want to do it.
Pictures from the run and from my VIP weekend are hopefully coming tomorrow. For now, I'm going to bed. Once you read how I spent the rest of my weekend (and I really mean the rest of it!), you'll understand why.
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