Internet People, the worst is upon us. Yesterday Kenza and her friend were playing in the pool and they are all like “what’s that black worm thing?” and OH. MY. GOD. I nearly had had failure. Two oven mitts, some tongs, a 10-foot pool net and I manage to get the thing into a jar.
Do you see what I see, Internet People? It’s a leech. A. LEECH. My neighbor drained his pond and guess what, the leech decided it wanted to live in my pool since his home was gone. I am still having serious some heart palpitations. I’ll take a snake over a leech any day! ANY DAY.
On Saturday my Chef and I loaded up the car and headed to Oklahoma. The plan: drive 3 hours, run 3 hours. And it happened just as so, and it was a spectacular 50-degree sunny day. If the weather turns out like this on race day, the Martini Twins are going to kick some serious marathon ass. We ran our 17 miles in 3 hours and 5 minutes – a perfect training pace for us. This is the most I’ve run in a long, long time and it made me really happy and really hungry.
After our spectacular run, our wonderful hosts, Michelle and Phillip, fixed us the most delicious meal, which I proceeded to inhale in approximately 2 seconds. Hey, I ran 17 miles, I was hungry. And I proceeded to be hungry for the next 3 days. I normally have tons of pictures from my Oklahoma trips, but this is the only one that wasn’t blurry from my shaky hands from running 17 miles. We took this on Sunday, the day after we ran 17 miles and then proceeded with 17 miles of retail therapy to recover from the 17 miles of running we did.
Did I mention that we ran 17 miles? I’m not normally a beer drinker, but I think that was the best beer I’ve ever had in my life. I needed those carbohydrates for all the shopping we were about to do. And, Internet People, you are going to be so proud: I bargained shopped. And, I got some fantastic deals – for some unknown reason my Chef keeps reminding me about some recession?!?
So, humor me while I’m in the mood to ramble.
Our first stop was at Tuesday Morning where I procured a Spiegelau wine decanter for $5.99 and another wine decanter for $16.99. Now I have a total of four wine decanters. Which is good, because they are so pretty and for some reason wine decanters don’t last very long in our house. I also got a set of nested mixing bowls, which I need because since I’ve met Michelle, I’ve been inspired to cook stuff that tastes like real food. FYI – I’m still in training and have a long ways to go.
Our next stop was TJ Maxx where I got an adorable sofa throw and some salt scrub – I also had a really heated love-hate relationship with a gorgeous Steve Madden handbag that I reluctantly ended. I still haven’t recovered from that break-up. Then, we headed over to Ross where I found some really cute salad servers – and the most amazing thing happened as we were walking to the check out line – I found a salad serving dress. And for only $19.99. Is that not amazing? Because I totally did not own a salad serving dress of any way shape or form. Now I can toss salads with reckless abandon. I’m such a lucky girl.
(I feel a salad making picture going right here in the near future.)
I also ended up with a bread basket from Target, and a pepper grinder from a different Tuesday Morning. Do you see the trend in kitcheny stuff? I’m almost a full professional now – or, at least I look like one. I don’t think I spent much over $100, which makes the Chef me really happy. And all that after running 17 miles.
We headed back to Michelle’s house and had another better-than-gourmet meal, drank some good wine while we watched the Olympics with our husbands. Our husbands who bought us flowers for Valentine’s Day. A lovely, lovely weekend.
We had a blast. Chef Nicole took over my kitchen and taught me some awesome things! The wine was fabulous, the food was fabulous and the company spectacular.
I interrupt your regularly scheduled blog with a little maniacal organization and a massive purge unlike any other in Runner Susan history. This is what travel does to me, I can’t help it – a little late to call it spring cleaning – perhaps mental breakdown would be more accurate – but late is better than never, I reckon.
I’d post the before pictures but some might say they look the same as the after – I assure you there is a difference, maybe not in neatness but in quantity. It’s called minimalizing for Napa.
And yes, I own TWO shiny red bags – it’s my birthright as a woman. Bite me.
Coming soon the new and improved running closet and the ever-so-thankless office reorganization.
Well, it’s thunder storming again. No bike rally for me this morning. How about some garden photos? It has rained so much in May I haven’t been able to spend too much time working in the beds. Or make a vineyard. Grrr!
I know it’s horrible, but when I cleaned off the mower I found part of a snake and it sort of made me happy. Now I feel guilty. There are good snakes, this I know – but it seems the only ones I come across are copper heads. Copper heads with only one purpose in life: to freak me out. I know I’m a little obsessed with the snakes – but heavy rains have washed them out of hiding and they are EVERYWHERE.
Obviously, today is yard work day and as I type this it will amuse you to know that I smell like fish emulsion. I used the last of my chemically stuff, like Miracle Grow and Round Up, and have switched to Weedigar and fish and seaweed emulsion. We’ll see how it goes, but I can tell you it certainly smells like it’s working. Also, I have good green signs like ladybugs, lizards, frogs and worms. Ick. I don’t like worms but I’m getting better. Just call me Runner Mother Nature from now on.
I’m going so green I have requested a compost tumbler for mother’s day. I am somewhat traumatized by this decision because I’d really rather have new, pretty shoes. It seems criminal, but sadly, I’d use the compost bin more – although I hear you can’t put snakes in compost bins.
Enough about snakes. Let’s talk tomatoes. I’ve been trying to grow tomatoes ever since I moved to Texas. Nothing has worked because the weather gets so hot so fast they split before they ripen. So last year when my mom was visiting she brought me an Earth Box – but it was too late in the season to plant. So this year I planted two tomato plants in it. And wouldn’t you know, I’m growing tomatoes like a professional. I’ve yet to see any red ones, but the little green ones look promising and I should have real edible tomatoes in no time. But pretend I didn’t just say that so I don’t jinx myself.
I’ll have new pictures of the garden soon, but since it’s been raining forever and ever I haven’t had a chance to take pictures. Okay, so I need to go and shower or cats are going to start following me.
