Splish Splash!

This weekend I decided to go all out and get the dogs a baby pool!  I tried to get one last year, but that was back when I had my Dodge Neon and fitting a big plastic baby pool in that thing was not working out so well. So yes, picture me standing in the Sears Grand parking lot attempting to stuff a huge pool in my tiny car. Needless to say after about 5 minutes I had to go right back inside and return the thing.  BUT! Now that I have my trusty Ford Escape, it was no problemo!

At first, neither one of them was so sure about it.  I'm pretty sure they thought it was just a giant water dish.

Then Missy demonstrated to us that she must be part Lab somewhere in there, because she (very tentatively) got right in on her own.

Ted, on the other hand, wasn't having any of it. (It could perhaps stem from the lake incident last summer when he fell right off the dock into the water. Ooops!). We tried to lure him in with some Pupperoni since he'll do just about anything for that stuff. Turns out, getting in the pool is not included.

Much happier on dry land with dads!

It was a little sunny out, haha! I love Missy in the background. It's like she's thinking "I feel like I should be doing something other than standing here...."  She'll get it someday....

*Also please note... WE HAVE GRASS IN OUR BACK YARD!!! OMG!

Retract

Next Saturday I will be running the Hospital Hill Run 10K. Yes, that's right, 10K.

I have failed at my half marathon training. Miserably.

My heart just wasn't in it. I won't go into all of my excuses, because you know what they say about excuses....

I know I *could* finish the race if I wanted to. I know I could. But, I signed up to RUN a half marathon, I did not sign up to run/walk a half marathon. I feel like if I did do the race, I'd be cheating myself. So, the plan is to dominate the 10k. I'm going for at least a couple minutes faster than last year and I totally think I can do it. Am I disappointed in myself? Yes. Am I frustrated? Yes. Am I sure I'm letting people down? Definitely. Do I feel like a total failure? Of course. I just have to come to terms with it. Maybe I'll try for another half again someday. However, I think I might opt for a slightly "easier" race next time, instead of the hardest one in KC. We'll see. Until then, Onward.

Love it List Friday! (5/21/10)

Alright! It's Friday!  Woo! I looks like it's going to be a real summer weekend, so I'm totally looking forward to it. I love me some warm weather!  This weekend we have lots of plans, so it should be good! Tonight we are going to try out B.R.G.R. Kitchen + Bar with some friends. Tomorrow I have 10-12 mile run planned (ah!) then I might actually try to hit up some neighborhood garage sales. I'm new to garage-saleing but there's lots of stuff we need for the house. We are trying to save some money and Craigslist still frightens me, so garage sales it willl be!  I know I probably won't find anything, but it's worth a shot, right? We also have to replace the tree that Ted removed for us and plant a new bush Zach's mom got us! Sunday will be full of family time.  Yay weekend!

Now on to the list!

Mossimo Pollyann Woven Wedge Sandals! I got these shoes at Target a few weeks ago. For the longest time I was terribly against the whole "gladiator sandal" thing. HATED them. But, I'm giving in (still totally holding out on skinny jeans though). These were inexpensive and I thought they'd work well with a lot of my summer skirts and capris. They also looked really good wtih the jeans I was wearing at the time. I thought for sure the straps would rub wrong and they'd be really uncomfortable, but much to my surprise they are pretty much the most comfortable pair of shoes I own at the moment (well next to my running shoes). They are even better than flip flops!! The ever-so-slight heel gives me just the right lift and the straps aren't too tight. Love! I only wish I would have purchased the coniac color insted. Ah well.

Parenthood! I think this is my new favorite show. I won't deny it, I was a huge Gillmore Girls fan (and Dawsons creek and especially Felicity!), so when I saw that Loreali was going to be in a new show that looked pretty similar I knew I would be watching. Oh sure, it's totally cheezy most of the time, but I don't care. I just love it! Watch and you'll see! I'll miss it this summer. Good thing I have The Hills and So You Think You Can Dance to get me through! Hee!

Cuban Sandwiches! Mmm, Mmmm, Mmm! I first tried a Cuban Sandwich a few years ago when I was in Florida on a work trip that I won. I had it at the poolside bar with friends. I think that was probably the best place I could think of for a first try, if I do say so myself. I'm not sure what compelled me to order it. Pickles AND mustard on a sandwich? I'm usually meat and cheese only thank-you-very-much. But, I tried it. Oh man. So good! The pulled pork, chicken, swiss cheese, pickels and mustard on a grilled ciabatta roll. Heaven. I'm totally hooked. They have a really good one at one of our favorite Friday night spots, 54th Street and I get it nearly every time I'm there. Panara has a new one, but it's just not the same. I wonder if there's any other places in KC to try a good Cuban Sandwich?! Yum!

Squeeky Donut Dog Toy! I can't leave out the pupperonis when I'm thinking about my loves. Ted is currently in the middle of another rambunctious phase. Probably because the weather is bad and he's cooped up inside, but still. He's driving us nuts. I try to rotate the dog toys so when they get bored with one I put it away and get out another. Works like a charm. Zach's mom got Ted this squeeky donut for Christmas and oh man, he loves that thing! He will step on it, chew it, toss it, slide it.. but his favorite is simply prancing around with it squeeking away. Totally hilarious. I don't think Missy's ever even been given the chance to play with it, Ted's quite the toy-hog. But, it keeps him busy and a worn out Great Dane = happy Stephanie. Here's a video of him the first day he had it. He's so much bigger now! Crazy!!!


And there you have it!

Funky Funk

I have been neglecting the 'ol blog here.  I just haven't been in a huge mood to write.  Nothing's the matter, just nothing really interesting to say I suppose.

Summer is starting to get into full swing. Am I ready? No.  I had a few (ok, more than a few) weeks of eating terribly and forgetting my meal plans and hoovering all the carbs and desserts I could get my paws on.  It's such a slippery slope folks. Terrible.

I've been in a bit of a funk about the whole deal, but haven't done much about it.  I really need to whip myself back into gear. I no longer have desserts in my house and don't plan on baking or buying any until I'm back on course. Hopefully I can stay strong. Oh and farewell dear pizza, farewell....

I've been going back and forth and back and forth on the whole half marathon deal.  Most of the time I want to quit and forget about it. I've even gone so far as to actually type out the email to the race director to change my race from the half marathon to the 10k, but I chicken out on sending it every time.  So, as of today, the race is still on.  I need to get out there and run 11 miles tomorrow. After work. Yeah.  I was supposed to do it yesterday, but it was crazy windy and I had a crap ton of stuff to do so  instead of spending 2 hours running I went to the gym and lifted. Then I was supposed to do it today after family brunch but I opted for a 3 hour nap instead. Ooops. So, that leaves me with tomorrow after work. Fun.   June 5th cannot get here soon enough. I just want to get this over with and then get back to my normal workout routine. I miss you, elliptical machine!!!!  I just know that if I don't do this race, I will regret it for the rest of my life. So, come hell or high water, I will finish.

The pupperonis are good. Nobody's really caused a whole lot of trouble lately. Well, except last weekend Ted decided to remove one of our new trees.

Isn't he cute? Ha.

Next weekend Zach and I are going to Sioux Falls. I haven't been back there since Christmas 2008! Yikes! Summer last year was crazy with Ted being a puppy and Missy still being puppyish. Also, Zach's job has him working on Sundays and they are hard to get off, so we just haven't made it back.  I'm excited to be going. It will be nice to get out of here for a little bit and maybe, actually, sleep past 6:45! Who knows?! It could be crazy!

Work is positively insane. We had a big re-shuffle and I'm now doing my old job plus the job of someone else. I. Am. Dying.

And that's about it!   Till next time!