Currently: Me

Currently drinking: Soda water, two ice cubes and the juice of half a lime. Delicious and fizzy!

Currently avoiding: Gathering the trash for trash night.

Currently wearing: Grey tissue T, gray and white striped maxi skirt and silver gladiator sandals. It feels like I'm in my jammies, but it's what I wore to work today. Comfy, yet put together!

Looking forward to: Running one of my favorite races (I actually love all the races I run, but this one is special!) this weekend - the Fallsburg half marathon. Tons of hills, tons of trail running and tons of fun. No, really!

Current Web-session: StyleMePretty.com aka "The Ultimate Wedding Blog." I added this to my google reader a few weeks ago after someone in my twitter feed shared it with me. I've been to two weddings so far this summer and have one more on the schedule. My good friend A and her man, B are getting hitched! My interest/fascination with this site is purely a spectator sport at this point, but you can bet I'm tucking ideas away for my "someday" wedding to my "someday" man. This was at one of my favorite locations so far: the Ace Hotel:Palm Springs, CA.

Current favorite song: "Raindrops" by Basement Jaxx. I love it when this song comes up on my ipod! I usually listen to it a couple times. And now that I've seen the video...even more fun!

Current food favorite: I call it Avocado Toast. If you make something more than once, it deserves a name! So it's super simple: Ezekiel 4:9(R) bread, toasted and "buttered" with Earth Balance soy butter. 1/4 mashed avocado with a little guacamole season mix stirred in. Then top it all off with a slice of smoked provolone flavor soy cheese. Unless you're vegetarian like me or vegan, this probably sounds terrible, but listen to me now and believe me later when you make it yourself (or your own version!) It's sooo good!

Current house annoyance: My bathroom faucet has started dripping, which of course means I can't just get a new faucet. It means I'll have to get a new sink to put the new faucet in. And if I'm going to rip out the current sink, I'll have to rip out the tile and put in new tile. Then I'll at least have to paint since the floor will be ripped up. Yeah, all over a little drip!

Currently grateful for: My kitchen away from home, Marie Catrib's and all the folks there who I see on the regular. Love that place! Oh, and I'm also grateful that I currently do not have a headache. I've had one on and off since Saturday night. I hope it stays away.

Currently listening to: the cicadas through the open windows and the faint conversation of my neighbor who must be in his yard chatting with someone. Now, sirens wailing through the neighborhood.

Swimming in the Current

The State of the Union Address is on NPR right now. I'm barely listening. I figured I'd follow suit with what's current in my world (the state of me address, hehe). I took the cue from TwoAdults, who posted Currently earlier today and Fluent Brittish, who did so before her:

Reading: "Cleopatra: A Life" for my book club

Looking forward to: Going to Costa Rica and Coachella this spring.

Stressing about: The amount of of work I have to do at the j.o.b.

Craving: Sleep.

Wanting: A tripod for my camera.

Proud of myself for: I seem to be getting a tiny bit faster with the running. I am pushing myself.

Wearing: My coat in the house. For all you know, I may live in an igloo!

Avoiding: Making that three minute, chocolate cake-in-a-mug.

Sick of: All the attention and money surrounding major league/college/high school sports when education and things that matter get the shaft.

Learning: That small changes can make a big difference.

Suffering from: Lack of sunshine.

Struggling with: Getting used to my new retainers. I so owe you a post about the end of my orthodontia journey. You're all waiting on pins and needles, I know it!

Overcoming: Dry skin. It's all about greasing up in the morning (I'm on a combo of Eucerin Calming Creme and a discontinued Korres body lotion.) and at night, always carrying hand lotion and Burt's Bees Hand Salve, running the humidifier non-stop and putting on some more lotion.

Hoping to: Get to bed at a decent time tonight.

Excited for: My book club dinner on Sunday night.

Relieved by: The fact that I've now booked my flight to Costa Rica. The anxiety can now leave me. I hate booking flights.

Splurging on: I bought two pairs of boots (on major sale!) in the last two weeks. Have yet to wear either pair because I still need to weather-proof them.

What are some of your currents?

Warmth

The weather has definitely turned to winter here in Michigan. I'm bundled up, but still feel a little chilly. So I'm blogging about things that make me think warm thoughts! Here are a few!

Zydeco music. Maybe not the first thing you'd think of, but it always sounds warm to me and I happened to be listening to American Routes, and they had a Creole Cowboys segment in the second hour featuring some great zydeco. If you click the link you can listen to that particular segment to get a taste!

SmartWool socks. I'm trying to remember my first pair of SmartWools. They were either from my brother and sister in law as a Christmas stocking stuffer a couple years ago or they were my SmartWool running socks. Anyway, if you haven't tried SmartWools, they're the way to go, so warm and comfortable. They're a treat for the feet!

Roaring fire in the fire place. This isn't my fire place (or even my picture!), but I promise once the chimney sweep comes this week and the fire is actually roaring, I'll be sure to post about it!

Beach. This was taken at Oval Beach in Saugatuck, MI, one of my favorite beaches. It's beautiful and close enough to home that it's easy to get to, but just enough of a drive so you feel like you really went somewhere. Wish I was basking in the sun there right now!

Cozy Bed. My mom, aunts & uncle and I went to Helsinki, Finland in 2005. We stayed at the Helsinki Radisson Royal SAS (now apparently called the Radisson Blu Seaside Hotel!). This was our room and the beds there were the most comfortable in the world. The sheets were amazingly soft, probably like 1000 thread count or something, seriously! High thread count sheets, alterna-down comforter and tons of pillows is the way to go!

The North Face. Nary a winter goes by that I don't mention being on Team North Face. I know EVERY one wears it now, but I don't care because I've been wearing it for years. It's the ultimate all out warm gear and with every piece I acquire, I usually say something like - this is the warmest EVAR - really! I'm even wearing one right now.

What warm things do you turn to or think about when the weather turns cold?

ArtPrize 2010 Day Eight, Top Picks

Day Eight! Amazing. Downtown is packed tonight as people are scrambling to see the pieces they're hopefully voting for! I took the Italian Motor friend downtown and met up with my friend A and two of her girls. They had only seen a few pieces on the main floor of the Van Andel Public Museum, so we started there. We were packed in like sardines in the third floor main gallery, but it was worth stopping in for a second look.

No new photos tonight since they'll be announcing the Top 10 tomorrow. There are about two more hours to vote! If you haven't voted for anything yet, but are registered to do so, get to it! Click here to get down to business.

I have high hopes for the Top 10, but just in case some of that kitsch gets in, I'm making my own Best of ArtPrize list to share with y'all who have been following along with me. In no particular order (except for the first two, they're my top two!), here are my favorites:

Koen, David Dodde, showing at the Van Andel Museum Center

Have you ever looked really closely at a photo in a magazine? You'll see that super tiny dots make up the image. This hand printed serigraph of the artist's son was created using the same process magazines use, only on a much larger scale and with fluorescent inks! The guy's got talent and after seeing him with his son tonight, it's evident that his heart is with his son and totally poured into this piece.

Vision, David Spriggs, showing at GRAM

Upon turning the corner to view this piece in its own private area within a larger gallery at the GRAM, I was taken in. I actually sat in front of it for a while just looking at it and watching others experience it. The execution is not like anything I've seen before, sheets of acrylic hung within a case to create a 3-D image. I wanted to touch it. Extra points for the overall quality of the piece, right down to the case the sheets were hung in.

Detroit Forsaken, Ryan Spencer Reed, showing at DeVos Place

I'll just get this out of the way, I'm partial to photography. These photos were begging me to climb inside so I could look around a little more. I loved that it's an entire series, not just one image. It tells a story. In my mind, that's what good art should do, tell a story or help you imagine one of your own.

Deep Breath, Pam Moxley, showing at GRAM

Ms. Moxley had a piece in last year's ArtPrize. It was at WMCAT and I loved that one as well. Again, photography, so yes! Black & White, yes! Creative execution/style that I've not seen before except in her work. To me, her work hints at high end fashion photography, but is clearly fine art photography. I spoke with her on opening night, she was lovely to chat with. I would love to own a piece by her.

Cavalary, Chris LaPorte, showing at GRAM

Before I even saw this piece I heard the plan for it. I couldn't have imagined how incredibly detailed and lifelike this piece turned out to be. Mr. LaPorte is a hardworking artist, who just happens to call Grand Rapids home. We're proud to have him in town and he's another delightful artist to talk to.

Stephanie Tubbs Jones Memorial, Michael Murphy, showing outside WMCAT

There a few pieces I've seen multiple times and this is one of them. I've seen it day and night and it's equally compelling any time of day. Apparently this is just the prototype to the actual memorial that will be installed in Cleveland . Imagine how much more cool the actual piece must be. The fact that it commemorates the first African American woman to be elected to the U.S. House of Representatives from Ohio is pretty sweet too!

Lure/Forest, Beili Liu, showing at UICA Fulton/Division

This is so simple, yet so complex. On the surface, it's just tons of little discs of of spun red thread and needles paired together. Deeper though, it symbolizes the Chinese legend of the red thread that is with you when you're born, connecting you to the one you're fated to be with. Come on, who doesn't love a story of fate? I'm in!

WaterPrize, Clausen, Bell & McNeil, showing at G.R. Ford Museum

This is one of the first pieces I saw, on my sneak peek the Sunday before ArtPrize opened. So much to like about it. The image itself is so memorable. The placement in the pool feeding the museum fountain is spot on. And, the cause for clean water is one that needs more attention.

Is anyone else going to the Top 10 announcement tomorrow? I'll be there!

Where I'm From

One of my favorite blogs, Yes and Yes, recently posted an ode to the Twin Cities, her hometown, and asked the question, "What do you love about your hometown?" I've done stints in Ann Arbor and New York City, but I've lived in Grand Rapids, Michigan longer than anywhere else in my adult life. You know what, it's pretty cool and getting cooler every day. Here are some reasons why I love Grand Rapids, it's Where I'm From:

Wednesday Evening Bike Rides. Riders of fixies, mountain bikes, regular road bikes or cruisers are all welcome to join up with fellow bikers on most Wednesday evenings for a ride around our fair city. It's an awesome feeling to ride on a warm summer evening with 100 or so other bikers. It's also a great way to meet new friends, see some sights and get some exercise.

Wednesday Evening Bikers Gather

ArtPrize. I wasn't sure what to expect last year when the world's large$t (the top prize in 2009 was $250,000 and it went to Brooklyn painter Ran Ortner for Open Water no.24) art competition determined by public vote was announced. What ensued though, was an amazing event that literally had art blooming all over Grand Rapids, discussions about art amongst friends and strangers, and this truly infectious, captivatingly cool vibe swirling about. I can't wait for ArtPrize 2010, which begins September 22, 2010 and runs through October 10, 2010.

New Century Dance Company, ArtPrize Award Ceremony Performers

"Nessie on the Grand", Top 10 Finisher

"Salt & Earth" Installation by Young Kim, winner of UICA Curator's Choice Award

Ample opportunities to get physical. Biking? Check. Hiking? Check. Running? Check. Grand Rapids is home to the country's largest 25k road race and a host of other races throughout the year. Sailing? Check. Whether you want to sail a small boat on a lake in the city or go big, Lake Michigan is just over 30 miles away. Rowing? Check. Rugby? Check. Roller Derby? Check. Dancing en masse outside to Electronic Music? Check. The Y? Check. I could go on and on, but you get the point.

Hiking at Townsend Park (one of my favorites!)

Dancing Crowd at 2009 Grand Rapids Electronic Music Night (I was out of town for 2010 GREMN!)

Farmers Market. Saturday mornings in Grand Rapids mean a trip to Fulton Street Farmers Market. Grab a cup of coffee, some cash and your market bag or basket to scoop up all the locally grown fruit, veggies and other assorted goods you can handle in a market where you're just as likely to run into an old friend, (if you're from here) as you are to make a new one.

Affordable Housing. According to a May 2010 study by the National Association of Home Builders, Grand Rapids ranks near the top of the list of the most affordable major metro housing markets. I'm well into my mortgage and am paying less per month than I would if I tried to rent a home of similar size near my neighborhood.

Balance. This town has more churches than the average town, yet we are also the proud home to a troupe of performers called Super Happy Fun Time Burlesque. How's that for balance? Kent County traditionally votes red, but Grand Rapids itself tends to elect Democrats. Everyone can do their own thing and some how for the most part it all works out for good.

If you're also proud to call Grand Rapids your home, what do you love about it? If you're living somewhere else, tell me about how cool your city is!

Spring Thinking

Spring is a time for cleaning, renewal, and new growth. It's also got me thinking about:

Peeps. I find these marshmallow treats to be strangely fascinating. I love the sugary texture on the outside and the squishy marshmallow middles.

Running. When am I not thinking about running though? HA! Saturday was the official start of spring. I ran my long run in the snow with my running buddy A and a bunch of folks from the Grand Rapids Running Club. Did not mind the temperature at all, it was the pelty snow hitting my face as the wind blew that I found fault with. It could have been rain, which would have been worse! There will be plenty of runs in the rain, I'm sure. There's been talk about keeping our running base up after Riverbank Run and training for our first marathon. This just might be the year for such a challenge.

Getting outta Dodge. Wanderlust. In my brain, this topic is so often thought of, but not nearly often enough taken up. I feel like the girl who cries "vacation!" In the past, I've struggled making solid use of my vacation time. I've got time booked this summer. But need to get crack a lacking on taking a quick trip to help keep my spirit fresh. I really want to go somewhere sunny/warmer than here! I'd even "settle" for a city trip.

Prom. Spring is the time for prom. My time for prom is not this spring! LOL. Yeah, I wouldn't want to go back to my own prom. It would be cool though to have a dressy occasion to look forward to. Perhaps a fancy girl's night dinner is in order?

Tulips. A bunch of spring tulips is such a simple way to brighten up a dinner table or a night table. They're so cheery and not fussy at all. They're hearty and beautiful.

Sandals. Looking forward to the weather being warm enough to have bare toes exposed in some cutie sandals.

Spring in your Step by *fish

What spring things are you thinking about?

Agent 99 (updated May 2014)

Today, we have the blog meme de rigueur. I saw it here and she saw it here. If you post it on your blog, know you're in very good company! Red=I have done it. *= I have yet to and want to.

1. Started your own blog
2. Slept under the stars
3. Played in a band
4. Visited Hawaii*
5. Watched a meteor shower
6. Given more than you can afford to charity
7. Been to Disneyland
8. Climbed a mountain
9. Held a praying mantis
10. Sang a solo
11. Bungee jumped
12. Visited Paris* (Made the trip November 2012)
13. Watched a lightening storm at sea
14. Taught yourself an art from scratch
15. Adopted a child
16. Had food poisoning
17. Walked to the top of the Statue of Liberty*
18. Grown your own vegetables*
19. Seen the Mona Lisa in France* (Trip to Paris November 2012)
20. Slept on an overnight train
21. Had a pillow fight
22. Hitch hiked
23. Taken a sick day when you're not ill
24. Built a snow fort
25. Held a lamb
26. Gone skinny dipping
27. Run a marathon (three halfs!)
28. Ridden in a gondola
29. Seen a total eclipse
30. Watched a sunrise or sunset
31. Hit a home run
32. Been on a cruise
33. Seen Niagra Falls in person
34. Visited the birthplace of your ancestors
35. Seen an Amish community
36. Taught yourself a new language
37. Had enough money to be truly satisfied*
38. Seen the Leaning Tower of Pisa in person
39. Gone rock climbing
40. Seen Michelangelo's David
41. Sung Karaoke
42. Seen Old Faithful geyser erupt
43. Bought a stranger a meal at a restaurant*
44. Visited Africa*
45. Walked on a beach by moonlight
46. Been inside an ambulance
47. Had your portrait painted
48. Gone deep sea fishing
49. Seen the Sistine Chapel in person*
50. Been to the top of the Eiffel Tower in Paris*
51. Gone scuba diving or snorkeling* (Snorkeling on trip to Turks  & Caicos, December 2013)
52. Kissed in the rain
53. Played in the mud
54. Gone to a drive-in theater
55. Been in a movie*
56. Visited the Great Wall of China*
57. Started a business
58. Taken a martial arts class
59. Visited Russia
60. Served at a soup kitchen
61. Sold Girl Scout Cookies
62. Gone whale watching*
63. Got flowers for no reason
64. Donated blood, platelets or plasma
65. Gone sky diving*
66. Visited a Nazi concentration camp
67. Bounced a check
68. Flown in a helicopter*
69. Saved a favorite childhood toy
70. Visited the Lincoln Memorial
71. Eaten Caviar
72. Pieced a quilt
73. Stood in Times Square
74. Toured the Everglades
75. Been fired from a job
76. Seen the Changing of the Guards in London*
77. Broken a bone
78. Been on a speeding motorcycle
79. Seen the Grand Canyon in person
80. Published a book*
81. Visited the Vatican
82. Bought a brand new car
83. Walked in Jerusalum
84. Had your picture in the newspaper
85. Read the entire Bible
86. Visited the White House
87. Killed and prepared an animal for eating (only if a fish counts!)
88. Had chickenpox
89. Saved someone's life
90. Sat on a jury
91. Met someone famous
92. Joined a book club
93. Lost a loved one
94. Had a baby*
95. Seen the Alamo in person
96. Swam in the Great Salt Lake
97. Been involved in a law suit
98. Owned a cell phone
99. Been stung by a bee

little things

I don't know about you, but it helps my state of mind to focus on the good, looking for things I'm grateful for each day. I could just as easily come up with a "not so grateful for" list, but if I choose not to be a Bitter Betty today, my day goes so much better because I've made that choice! Things have made the gratitude list lately:

A bowl big enough for the job, especially if it's stainless steel!

Packages in the mail.

New magazines.

Saving money.

Making healthy choices about food.

Finishing my taxes in record time. Earlier than usual!

Running. (This depends on the day and time you ask me and how many miles I've got to run, but since I didn't have to run tonight and training is going well, it's on the list.)

Fresh laundry. (This goes hand in hand with the running. Totally appreciate the fresh clean laundry, but hate actually doing it!)

Finding out that something I worked on helped my company get a law suit thrown out of court.

Having a night off where I didn't have to do anything! The snow helped out on that one tonight!

What's on your gratitude list?

Day Six

Going to go ultra simple bullet point list on the Day Six wrap up:

• Wanted to sleep in this morning, maybe because I stayed up way too late last night. Probably had nothing to do with what I'm eating or not eating!

• Felt super ADD this afternoon. I could not focus on one task and stay with it. Needless to say, I did not have a productive afternoon. Who really knows what this is about - Friday afternoon, maybe?

• Made it to the gym tonight for a three mile run.

• No new food items today. All meals contained something I've already eaten in the cleanse. I Have tons of lentil soup still! I should probably freeze some.

• Feeling the need to clean my house from top to bottom since I'm cleansing my innards. I've started the process and I'm sure it will continue through the weekend!

• I've saved a good amount of money eating all my meals at home this week. An added bonus of the cleanse.

Day Three (afternoon)

Dear Internets,
It's been three days aboard this ship with nary a sweet, cheese or bread stuff to be found. The cravings are so much stronger than the other days of the cleanse. This afternoon, I've been thinking about what it would be like to eat the following items, in no particular order and of course not all at the same time:

Frosting, heck, I'd eat the cake too!
Pudding.
Cheese in any of its melty forms.
Crusty delicious bread.
Big Bob's cheesy breadsticks, which combines bread and cheese!
A slice of pizza from NYC or Georgio's (have you tried Georgio's in GR yet?!)
Swiss cake rolls. Hey, Little Debbie, can you hear me?!
Cookies. Ginger snaps or chocolate chip cookies right out of the oven.
Butter.
Diet coke.
Ice cream.
Barbecue Sauce.

Really, these cravings are not any different from my usual cravings, it's just that I might actually eat some of them if I weren't so determined to make it the full seven days of the cleanse (some of you have asked how long it goes...). I will prevail. Going to try not to think about it.

Got any food cravings you want to share?

thinking about...

...in the wake of ArtPrize I have an intense desire exercise my own creativity and/or be around more creative people on a daily basis.

...the big moves I'm making with my grill. Braces are not coming as soon as I thought. Turns out we have to make some room to move my chiclet teeth around first.

...wondering about Halloween. Will I be required to don a costume for any reason? There's always the Zombie Walk.

...then I'm wondering about Thanksgiving. Where will I eat non-turkey this year? I don't even remember what I did last Thanksgiving. I think I went to Marquette. Pretty sure.

...I'm somewhat obsessed with leggings lately. I bought two pairs this weekend. I wonder though do people realize you're wearing leggings or do they think you forgot your skirt and are trying to pass off a pair of tights as a pair of pants? I know wearing longer shirts/tunic-style tops is the way to go, but still...just wondering what folks think? Also, is this appropriate for work or more of a weekend-y type style?

...finally going to get out of Dodge for a bit in November. Can't wait! Have I mentioned that I have time off that I'll have to carry over to next year because I did not and will not be able to use it within the short time that remains in 2009! Going to have to start planning NOW on how to use up my days in 2010.

...spent an arm and a leg at the VW dealer again yesterday. It's the only place that I routinely spend what I deem to be an obscene amount of money. I did a mental list of the $ I've spent there just this year and it was enough to make me sick. When I think about what I could have purchased instead. UGH! How about this? Or this? Or about five pairs of really sick designer shoes. Hello Jimmy Choo, YSL and Louboutin we could have been friends! Ok, in reality it wouldn't have gone down like that, it's just a diversionary thought tactic so I don't stay focused on what really happened yesterday. I am grateful I have a safe car to drive. I'll just leave it at that.

...candy corn.

How to...

I'm a big proponent of Lifetime learning.

By that, I mean never giving up on learning new things, whether in a structured school environment or on your own as you go through life. I realize those of you fond of Lifetime Television for Women may have read that an entirely different way. No Lifetime movies here. Here's a list of things I'd like to learn:

How to ride a motorcycle. The Vespa is fun and easy, but I still want to learn how to ride a motorcycle with a clutch. This will be helpful because I know at some point in my life I'll find the perfect vintage BMW and have to buy it. This way I will be able to ride it immediately.

Another language. I know enough French to be dangerous. Would like to add another language though.

How to swim well enough to compete in another triathlon. This just involves practice, practice, practice on my part. And maybe a few sessions with a swim coach.

Photo via NYTimes.com

Graphic Design.

DJ skills. Mixing, sampling, playing chronic beats.

Fashion illustration and how to create what I sketch. I can sew, but would love to be properly trained. I wanted to be a fashion designer when I was in 6th & 7th grade and probably still have sketches from back then. Project Runway brings up this desire with every new season!

When I had TV, I used to get sucked into MTV's Made and wish they had a show like that for adults, where you would have the opportunity to immerse yourself completely in whatever it was you wanted to learn until you got the basics down and could go off on your own and keep using the skills you've used. I guess schools/classes fit the bill, but it's not quite the same.

What do you want to learn?

Plan in Place

Inspired by the big lotto game on Friday and conversation at Book Club, last night over dinner R and I crafted our own plans for when we win the big lotto prize. Here's mine:

• I would not publicize my win. In fact, you may not even know that I've won.
• For the immediate future I would not quit my job, although I may go to part time, so I could continue to hang out with my co-workers.
• I would find a small, successful bakery that I could buy. I would spend chunks of time apprenticing, so I could learn more than I currently know.
• I would organize a trip for my family and a few friends. We'd go somewhere warm and beautiful. First class everything.
• I'd retain the best financial advisor. And call up an old attorney friend and put him on retainer.
• I'd hire a personal trainer who could help me run faster, build more muscle and of course swim better. Hello, triathlon!
• I would find ways to spend "apprentice" time with people I admire, either for the kind of person they are or because of the kind of work they do. Aveda colorist David Adams is one. Designer Isaac Mizrahi is another. I'm still coming up with the rest of the list, but the key is that I'd be learning a ton from amazingly talented people.
• I would not sell my house. I would, however, re-do the kitchen and bathroom. I'd also have the yard completely re-landscaped and the driveway done. I'd look into purchasing a place in New York.
• Since I only have a one car garage, I don't even think I'd buy a new car at this point. I like my car. Plus, a new car so soon after an anonymous lottery winner from Grand Rapids is announced might be a dead giveaway.
• I would also set up some sort of charitable foundation with the help of my financial advisor and my attorney.

I guess I might have to actually start playing these big lotto games if I'm going to be able to put this plan into action. I'll be on the look out for the next big jackpot! Do you have a plan for when you win big? It's good to be prepared!

100%

My 100th blog post shall be devoted to things that I favor 100%...

Flowers that are hand delivered in the moment.

Bike rides that are long enough, fast enough and full of fun and laughs.

Music that moves me. A few good beats played loudly...what's not to love?

Genuine people.

Laughter. 

Sunshine.

Adventures.

Holding my own as the only girl in a group of biker boys. Apparently, I can shred! :)

Pad Thai.

Artichokes.

Iced Coffee. Unless it spills on the floor upon arriving home after only having had 2 -3 sips.

Toast.

Muscles that I've been working for.

...and a very cute boy who makes me laugh, smile and wonder in amazement at the universe because he's so sweet.

TGIF

Well, well, we've made it to the weekend! Just one final day of work to wind up the week and then it's play time for a couple days! Whomever came up with the weekend concept should be given a medal. Maybe they already have one. I'll have to research that a little bit! Regardless, the fact that it's Friday, with all its weekend fun potential is main reason I'm even contemplating getting out of bed right now. 

Looking forward to a weekend where:

• I sleep in. I may even take a nap or two. (cut me some slack on that one, I'm not even out of bed yet!)

• Where the sun shines and it starts to act a little more like summer than it has the last couple days.

• Where I have at least one iced coffee.

• Where I don't do yard work because it's already done!

• Where I get to hang with my mom for a bit. 

• Where I go to the Local First Street Party.

• Where I may or may not go for a long run.

• Where I may go for another bike ride.

• Where the potential for fun is at an all time high. Could it beat last weekend, which was pretty amazing?! We'll just have to find out! For me, anticipation is a big part of the fun! And who even knows about the things I haven't even imagined yet! YAY!

What's going to make your weekend a fabulous one?

Dig It! Want It! Shelve It!

Dig It!

• Looking forward to getting things in the mail. Yay for postal treats!
• Starbucks Carmel Macchiato ice cream. Conveniently found in your grocer's freezer.
• Laughing. Being with friends who bring out the funny in everyone.
• Running into people you actually want to see in random spots at random times.
• One Hundered Pushups.

Want It!

• Relaxing pedicure. Need to cover my bruised-from-running toes with a fresh coat of polish.
• Vacation.
• New summer scent. Might pick up something by Philosophy or Dolce & Gabana's Light Blue.
• An assistant.
• New digital SLR camera.

Shelve It!

• Not getting enough sleep.
• Yard work.

Love/Hate Friday

Answering K's question of the day: What am I loving and hating today?

Love: That I got out of work a few minutes early.

Hate: That I still have a few projects I needed to do some more work. Brought them home.

Love: Sunny running weather.

Hate: Tomorrow's long run will start early and be chilly.

Love: My new bed! 

Love: How hard I laugh at work every day.

Hate: Smelling like the place I ate my last meal. Qdoba is starting to get on my nerves for this reason.

Love: Spontaneous invitations.

Hate: When I say something I end up regretting. Need to remember to think before speaking.

Love: This.

Hate: Feeling like I'm in a foreign language immersion program sometimes at work with a certain new project.

Love: That I have a job that challenges me. 

Love: Freshly painted nails.

What are you loving or hating today?

Summer Lovin'

K's most recent post about swimsuits and a lunchtime trip to Target that included a quick waltz through the gathering summer clothes has me thinking about summer. My most loved things of summer:

Trips to Jersey Junction for ice cream with anyone who is willing and able to eat ice cream with me at a moment's notice.

*****

Cute sun dresses.

*****

Trips out to the beach. I don't think I made a proper beach excursion last year - at all. My beach deficiency must be fixed this summer!

*****

Post beach hair and skin - a little more tan than when you left earlier in the day and definitely a little sandy to prove you earned your tan.

*****
Bike rides. Long or short. I dig being on my bike. Would love to get myself a cruiser bike for more relaxing bike adventures.

*****
Outdoor concerts. Neko Case at Meijer Gardens, I'm talking about you.

*****
Dinner outside with friends where we soak up remaining evening sun and revel in laughter and conversation.

*****
Fresh tomatoes and other fresh produce from my Farmers Market.

*****
Iced decaf hazelnut coffee or my other favorite summer drink "the sandy" - 1/2 iced tea, 1/2 lemonade.

*****
Warm weather and not being required to bundle up.

*****
What are your summer loves?

a few things

I'm wearing a sweater I may or may not have worn already this week. I don't remember, so if I did wear it, I'm hoping nobody else remembers either.

******

They're rearranging cube land and for the next few days until I completely move to another cube, I can see into the IT guy across the hall's cube and vice versa. I feel like I have an audience. I'm sure he's thrilled too!

******

I watched this Nova Marathon Challenge DVD from the library last night and it has me thinking about a marathon. There are seven more weeks left until my 25k and I'm thinking I could just keep training and run the whole Grand Rapids Marathon in October. Just a thought after seeing completely sedentary folks train for and finish a marathon in less than 10 months. I'm thinking it might not be out of my grasp. We'll see how I feel after the 25k.

******

I can't wait for my new bed to arrive!

******

My co-worker keeps talking about Sasquatch Music Festival. Every band I've been listening to recently and then some is playing. Kings! of! Leon! I want to go there! It's Memorial Day weekend. Anyone want to go with me?

******

Cannot wait for this movie to come out! It's not until October, but like someone in Cubeland just said, we get to go to the beach between now and then. At least we'll have something nice to do while we're waiting!

Things you might now know about me.

1. i secretly (not so much now) like the smell of self tanner when it's doing its "tanning" business.

2. i apparently need others to point out when men are flirting with me. or the men have to be ridiculously obvious. when it's a waiter somewhere, i just assume he's doing his job - working for a good tip.

3. i have cousins by marriage that i haven't seen in years. (long story) i wonder where they are and how they're doing. 

4. winter driving (and even thinking about the prospect of driving in a snowstorm) makes me very nervous. it's the only time i drive like an old lady. 

5. the oddest thing in my fridge is an unopened can of mango pulp. my sister in law gave it to me when they moved out of state. that was about five years ago. 

6. i sometimes have dreams that are like movies or TV shows - i'm not in them at all - just watching what's going on. i once dreamt an episode of Roseanne.

7. i rarely answer my door if someone knocks when i'm not expecting anyone.

8. i like wearing corduroys to work because they are as comfortable as jeans, but aren't.

9. rolling my eyes is one of my involuntary responses when i think someone or something is bordering on ridiculous. i've been doing it since 3rd grade, thanks Mrs. Fry for pointing that out. trying to become aware of when i do it, so i can not do it.

10. i punched a boy in 7th or 8th grade. he had been teasing me relentlessly and that fist of fury came out of nowhere. definitely not pre-meditated. his friends separated us and he left me alone after that.